Israel-Hamas Conflict Analysis and Colorado Education Crisis

On Friday, October 27, 2023, Kim Monson examines two pressing crises facing Americans: the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict abroad and collapsing educational standards at home. Terrorism expert Ricky Rarick provides battlefield analysis of Hamas tactics and Israel’s delayed ground offensive, while Adams 12 school board candidates Rebecca Elmore and Ben Hegelson expose shocking proficiency rates in Colorado’s fifth-largest district. Author Rick Turnquist closes with data showing Colorado leads the nation in violent crime. Hamas Terrorism and Israel’s Strategic Crossroads Start listening at 16:16 – Hour 1 Ricky Rarick, a 40-year veteran of military law enforcement and counterterrorism who was personally recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Defense in 2003, breaks down the tactical situation facing Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks. Having served on the ground in Beirut and Gaza since the 1980s, Rarick brings firsthand experience to his analysis of why Israel’s delayed ground offensive has shifted tactical advantage to Hamas. Rarick explains that Hamas fighters are prepared for urban warfare using an extensive network of underground tunnels, comparing the coming battle to World War II engagements at Iwo Jima. He notes that Hamas leadership has already fled to Syria, Jordan, and Qatar, leaving only “the street fighters” behind in Gaza. The longer Israel waits, he argues, the bloodier the inevitable ground incursion will become. On U.S. involvement, Rarick expresses deep concern about the Biden administration sending $6 billion to Iran while simultaneously launching strikes against Iran-linked groups in Syria. He warns that American forces could be drawn into a multi-front conflict, noting that U.S. special operations units are already advising Israeli forces on the ground. The American taxpayer, he adds, cannot afford another $80 billion commitment on top of existing aid to Israel and Ukraine. “Hamas’ leadership has already left. They’re in Syria and Jordan, and Qatar is harboring their leadership right now. So who’s left on the ground? The knuckle draggers, the street fighters are left on the ground in Gaza.” Ricky Rarick, Military Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism Expert Colorado’s Crime Crisis by the Numbers Start listening at 104:45 – Hour 2 Rick Turnquist, author of the “Exactly Wrong” essay series analyzing Democrat policy failures, presents sobering data placing Colorado at the top of national crime rankings. His latest installment, “Exactly Wrong, Democrats and Crime,” documents how state policies enacted by the Democrat-controlled legislature have directly fueled the crime explosion. Turnquist highlights Colorado’s nationwide lead in car theft and near-top ranking in violent offenses, tracing the crisis to decisions like decriminalizing fentanyl possession, which has driven a surge in overdose deaths. He connects the state’s problems to a broader national pattern of George Soros-funded district attorneys who prosecute law-abiding citizens for self-defense while releasing violent criminals. The essay author warns that Colorado’s legislature, dominated by progressives pushing for a full-time, highly-paid body, will only accelerate the erosion of freedom. Each legislative session adds hundreds of new laws, and each law represents another small death of liberty. His prescription is blunt: Republicans must win elections to reverse the damage, imperfect as the party may be. “Every year in Colorado and nationwide, but especially in blue states, freedom dies a little bit more every year because of all these new laws that a...