Freedom of Speech as a Natural Right and Protecting Children Through Armed School Staff

On September 29, 2025, guest hosts Brad Beck and Don Beezley fill in for Kim Monson to explore free speech as a fundamental human right with constitutional law scholar Jonathan Turley, examine school safety solutions with FASTER Colorado founder Laura Carno, and discuss Colorado legislative challenges with State Representative Dan Woog. Free Speech as the Indispensable Right Start listening at 50:00 – Hour 1 Jonathan Turley, constitutional law scholar and author of The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in the Age of Rage, argues that free speech represents a natural right belonging to humans rather than a privilege granted by government. Drawing on the case of Charlotte Anita Whitney, who was arrested for speaking against lynching, Turley traces how even libertarian Supreme Court justices like Louis Brandeis failed to protect speech when it mattered most. The scholar connects human creativity to free expression, noting that parts of the brain physically change when people are cut off from communication. “Now, the reason that’s important is that if you believe that free speech is a human right, it becomes more difficult to trade off free speech.” Jonathan Turley, Constitutional Law Scholar Turley illuminates the meaning behind Norman Rockwell’s iconic Freedom of Speech painting, depicting Vermont dairy farmer Jim Edgerton standing at a town meeting to voice unpopular concerns about funding a new schoolhouse. The painting became the most successful war bonds image of World War II because ordinary Americans recognized themselves in Edgerton’s courage to speak truth to neighbors. Armed Staff as a Deterrent to School Violence Start listening at 71:00 – Hour 2 Laura Carno, founder of FASTER Colorado, responds to Denver Post claims that school resource officers represent the only viable protection for students. For nine years, FASTER has trained school staff to carry concealed firearms, providing an additional layer of security that complements law enforcement. These volunteers, who include teachers, principals, coaches, and even lunch staff, undergo rigorous vetting and annual qualification courses taught by active-duty law enforcement instructors. “But if they aren’t armed, if they don’t have the same firepower that these potential killers have, they would use their bodies to shield children.” Laura Carno, Founder of FASTER Colorado Carno points to manifestos from mass shooters who explicitly avoided locations known to have armed security, demonstrating the deterrent value of concealed carry programs. The Covington Christian school shooter and the Annunciation Catholic church shooter both chose targets they believed were unprotected. Currently, 33 states permit some form of armed school staff, with Colorado allowing school boards and charter school boards to make their own security decisions. Fighting Overregulation in Colorado’s Legislature Start listening at 22:45 – Hour 1 State Representative Dan Woog of House District 19 describes the challenges facing a Republican legislator in a seat Kamala Harris won by 8.6 percent. As a small business owner in property management, Woog witnesses firsthand how regulations increase costs that get passed to customers. He notes that Colorado ranks among the most heavily regulated states, with a state budget at its largest in history while legislators claim insufficient funds. “I won’t say who, but one Dem...