Category: Public Lands

Oregon Department of Forestry’s New Thinking: Watch Forests and Taxpayer Dollars Go Up in Flames
14-50 Bailout: Oregon Department of Forestry Chooses to Be Insolvent

14-50 Bailout: Oregon Department of Forestry Chooses to Be Insolvent

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Show 14-50 Summary: Too big to fail? Too green to fail? For an agency designed to fund itself and some 200 other public agencies and services, like rural schools, counties, roads, police, and fire, the new “thinking” at the Oregon Department of Forestry just ran out of sustainability. It is now insolvent. And required a special session of the legislature to bail them out because they couldn’t pay the bills they owed for firefighting. But it’s going to get worse with the environmentalists’ new scheme. We talk with Jennifer Hamaker of Oregon Natural Resources and State Rep. Ed Diehl, to find out what happened, why it happened, and how this is all going to get a lot worse.

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Original Air Dates: December 14th & 15th, 2024 | Guest: Jen Hamaker & Ed Diehl

This Week – Oregon Department of Forestry Insolvent

The legislature held a special session this week to bailout a state agency. One that, since its inception, has been self funding. The Oregon Department of Forestry. Which this year could not pay its own bills for firefighting and had to be rescued by the taxpayer. While it’s not surprising a government agency spent too much and needed more money, this is way worse than the usual government failure.

The Oregon Department of Forestry was designed to fund itself. And not only that, it also funds some 200 other public entities and services. But not any more. Because now ODF has redesigned itself to fail. And to soak up taxpayer dollars. Instead of generating income for the state, it is now a liability. Leadership at Oregon Department of Forestry has determined it no longer wants to do its fundamental job. Which is to oversee—and make money from—the sale of timber on state lands.

But no more. By implementing a massive Habitat Conservation Plan (or HCP), the ODF has ensured its own perpetual bankruptcy. For the next 70 years.

Let’s recap. The Oregon Department of Forestry is supposed to harvest timber on state lands. It doesn’t want to do that. ODF is supposed to manage the forests. It doesn’t want to do that. Managing the forests means preventing fires. It doesn’t want to do that. ODF is supposed to ensure an ongoing, profitable, perpetual, and sustainable timber harvest for the future. It doesn’t want to do that.

What does it want to do? Apparently, sell carbon credits. But there is a real problem with that. (Aside from the fact it’s a massive scam.)

So Why is Oregon Department of Forestry Bankrupt?

We talk with Jen Hamaker, the president of ONRI (Oregon Natural Resource Industries) to find out the Oregon Department of Forestry got into this mess. It was a massive, self-inflicted wound. Like someone who gets injured and then gets surgery to stay disabled so they don’t have to work. Jen walks us through what the ODF was designed to do, what it is doing now, and why the need for a special session to bail them out. And if democrat lawmakers think this is going to get better, think again. This is now baked in. The Oregon Department of Forestry has changed from a billion dollar asset to a billion dollar liability.

Then we talk with State Representative, Ed Diehl (R-HD17), about what happened at the special session. Why did they call the meeting to session and then immediately go behind closed-door committee meetings? Were deals being cut? Rep. Diehl also confirms that ODF is now insolvent. Bankrupt.

ODF’s New Plan: Carbon Credits. Get Paid for Doing Nothing

And it’s only going to get worse. Why? Because the Oregon Department of Forestry wants to move away from forestry and into the carbon credit scheme.

A scheme based on false premises (CO2 is not the enemy, and it is not a pollutant). And a scheme that is likely to fall apart as all across the nation, states lose federal funding for their net zero initiatives.

And we ask, how would this be different if Republicans were in charge? Because this whole Oregon Department of Forestry fiasco is about to get a lot worse — a lot worse — with democrat super majorities in Oregon’s house and senate.

We can all agree ODF needed to pay the bills owed to firefighters. Some whom had to take out huge loans to make ends meet while waiting to be paid. But this bailout doesn’t fix the problem that ODF just created for itself. And its solution to lock up Oregon’s forest lands — let ’em burn! — Oregon Department of Forestry has just made things a lot worse.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • Jen Hamaker’s organization is Oregon Natural Resource Industries. Visit them at ONRI.us
  • Rep. Ed Diehl’s website is www.eddiehl.com
  • Oregon isn’t paying its wildfire bills on time. Now legislators must act (OPB, December 11, 2024)
  • Taxpayers “gave” billions to create interest-bearing endowments for Far-Left environmental groups that assault natural resources: “Environmental nonprofit fundraising draws criticism across political spectrum (Capital Press, Nov 14, 2024)
    • An analysis showed “20 nonprofit environmental organizations active in the West … have total net assets of nearly $2 billion dollars”
    • “a significant amount of the money is set aside as an endowment to generate income”
  • This isn’t going to work. Oregon’s Department of Forestry’s plan to stop harvesting timber and start selling carbon credits will fail when the federal government stops cuts the trillions (yes, trillions) of dollars for “Climate Change.”
  • Oregon’s carbon credits scheme to get to net zero, like all states, depends heavily on federal funding.
  • How much federal funding for states’ net zero funding? About $40 billion. (via Perplexity, retrieved Dec 13, 2024).
    • Do democrat state lawmakers honestly think the Trump will continue that scam? (If so, we have a unicorn to sell them.
  • Sen. James Lankford Offers Sneak Peak Into How Exactly DOGE Will Clean Up Government Waste and Abuse (The Daily Signal, Dec 11, 2024)
Climate change scam true believers But is the end of the climate change scam at hand?
14-49 The Climate Change Scam: Is this the Beginning of the End?

14-49 The Climate Change Scam: Is this the Beginning of the End?

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Show 14-49 Summary: This week we talk to Craig Rucker about what we hope is the beginning of the end of the most extensive and expensive scam in American history — the Climate Change scam. (Or Global Warming scam if you’re old school.) With Trump’s election, there was weeping and gnashing at the annual UN confab for global warming, COP29, which Craig recently attended. We look at the impact the incoming administration will have on policies and personnel. And how changes at the top may filter down to Oregon. Including ruining one of its most recent environmental schemes, to make money from doing nothing.

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Original Air Dates: December 7, 2024 | Guest: Craig Rucker

This Week – The End of the Climate Change Scam

This week we are talking with Craig Rucker about what we hope is the beginning of the end of the most extensive and expensive scam in American history — the Climate Change scam. (Or Global Warming scam if you’re old school.) Under Biden a minimum of $1.5 trillion was transferred from the US taxpayer to Far Left organizations and causes. We start with the weeping and gnashing at the annual UN confab for global warming, COP29, which Craig recently attended. Many at the conference had been literally banking on a Kamala win to continue the funding that’s been flowing their way. Where will their trillions come from now?

MAGA ladies at COP29
MAGA ladies at COP29

Then we take a look at the impact the incoming administration will have on policies and personnel. And how changes at the top may filter down to Oregon. Including ruining one of its most recent environmental schemes, to make money from doing nothing.

And with Trump’s win, we’re able to move away from theoretical, “If Trump wins, what can we expect?” discussions. Now we can talk about what will happen and what needs to happen. We find out more about those tapped for Secretary of Interior, Energy, and for the EPA and what those appointments will mean for downsizing their agencies. And what policies especially need to be stopped that could unravel the multi-trillion-dollar Climate Change scam.

Is this the beginning of the end of the Climate Change scam?

Let the deprogramming begin.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Related Information on the Climate Change Scam

  • Net Zero Land Area (Steve Goreham, YT Channel, May 29, 2022)
    • The problem with Net Zero. A Princeton study found that to go from current 10% to 50% renewable by 2050, requires 228,000 square miles of land. That is more than Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Wisconsin — combined.
  • PBS Climate Change scam propaganda programming. If you don’t believe their scam, something is wrong with your brain. “How your brain stops you from taking climate change seriously” (PBS, January 7, 2019)
  • Exxon’s chief has a warning for Republicans (Politico, Nov 12, 2024)*The oil giant takes a stance before the Trump administration sets its sights on gutting Biden’s climate agenda.*warns republicans not to gut Biden’s climate agenda
  • DOGE Co-Lead Vivek Ramaswamy at CNBC’s CFO Council Summit (CNBC, YT Channel, Dec 4, 2024)
  • Crescent Dunes: Biden DOJ Moved on Election Night to Cover Up Alleged Solar Energy Scandal that Cost Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions (Breitbart, Nov 25, 2024). 
  • Environmental nonprofit fundraising draws criticism across political spectrum (Capital Press, Nov 14, 2024)
    • IRS filings by 20 nonprofit environmental organizations in the West have total net assets of nearly $2 billion dollars. Often significant amounts are set aside as an endowment to generate additional income beyond donations.
    • Nice. Taxpayers gave Far Left organizations seed money for perpetual income.

 

Oregon's elections 2024. Is Oregon hopeless? Photo credit, Ron Cooper / Oregon Capital Chronicle
14-47 Oregon’s Elections: A Deeper Shade of Blue. Is Oregon Hopeless and Helpless?

14-47 Oregon’s Elections: A Deeper Shade of Blue. Is Oregon Hopeless and Helpless?

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Show 14-47 Summary: In 2024, Republicans won the White House, the House, and the Senate. Other states went red. And in county after county, Trump gained support. Even among practically every demographic group. But while so much of the rest of the country went red, Oregon’s elections went a deeper shade of blue—with super majorities now in the house and senate. Is Oregon destined to be California’s mini-me? Or can Republicans save Oregon from itself? And what is on the way for Oregon with democrats in charge of everything? Brace yourself.

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Original Air Dates: November 23rd & 24th, 2024 | Guest: Rep. Ed Diehl

This Week – Oregon’s Elections. What Happened?

While Oregon wasn’t part of it, the rest of the nation voted for a better economy, smaller government, secure borders, free speech, protecting farms, schools that actually teach, and city streets free of crime. Already, Trump’s nominations are causing the Deep State to panic. But he seems committed to keep his promise to downsize and even eliminate agencies.

But not Oregon. For Republicans, Oregon took a disastrous turn as Democrats won all three statewide races (Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Attorney General). And they won a super majority in the state senate and nearly certainly will win a super majority in the house.

After Oregon’s Election, Is there Any Hope Left?

If you remember your Greek mythology, curious Pandora couldn’t resist opening the box and let out sickness, death, and other miseries. That feels like what Oregon just did to itself.

After Oregon’s elections, the prospects of a Democrat super majority in both the state house and senate is a grim reality. Every item on the Democrat wish list of miseries for the state is knocking on the box lid. Demanding to be let out. Taxes and more spending for sure, along with more environmental, “green” energy, and carbon scheme mandates to drive up costs on everything.

But they also have a problem.  Biden’s federal cash flow spigot will soon be turned off. No more federal money rolling into Oregon’s coffers to hide the deficit budget problems like PERS’ huge debt that’s causing school districts and county agencies to feel that debt.

So what can Republicans do?  Like the only thing left in Pandora’s box, Oregon has hope. That’s what we discuss with our guest, Representative Ed Diehl (HD-17).  We take a hard look at Oregon’s election and what Oregonians will be facing. And we discuss the national elections, how other states made big changes, what went right in other states, and why didn’t it go right in Oregon.

See Ed Diehl’s website, EdDiehl.com for more about Ed and news and information. Follow Ed on X (formerly Twitter), @Real_EdDiehl

We also discuss the sole remaining (as of November 21) undecided house seat—Tracy Cramer’s in HD22—from Oregon’s elections. A race that will decide whether democrats get a super majority in Oregon’s house. Also, possible election fraud, and what about Oregon’s voter rolls? And what are we likely to see out of a democrat dual super majority.

And then in a future Part II, Ed will come back—likely after the holidays—to discuss changes and new directions to turn Oregon—yes, Oregon—red.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • Listen to Mark’s April 2023 speech to the Capital City Republican Women, mentioned in the opener. Pretty much everything he said to needed to win Oregon in 2024, Republicans in other states did.
  • Around the Halls: Scott Brown’s Special Election Victory and the Congressional Agenda (Brookings University, Jan 20, 2010)
  • Ed Diehl’s website, EdDiehl.com for more about Ed and news and information. Follow Ed on X (formerly Twitter), @Real_EdDiehl
  • Biden authorizes Ukraine to strike Russia with U.S.-supplied long-range missiles (NBC News, Nov 17, 2024)
  • Shocking real reason Biden OK’d Ukraine use of U.S. longer-range missiles against Russia (World Net Daily, Nov 19, 2024)
    • This [escalation] entirely has to do with trying to tie Trump’s hands to a war, dampening his ability to achieve the agenda that the American people want him to achieve.” According to Gaub, “This has been in the [Left’s] plan for quite a while, in anticipation of the landslide victory that occurred earlier this month.”
  • SB870: Nation Popular Vote Interstate Compact – (Oregon Legislative Information Services, 2019), (Wikipedia, no date)
    • If enough states had joined before 2024, all of Oregon’s electoral votes would have gone to Trump—thanks to the democrats.
  • Attorney Matthew DePerno and the RNC Stop Thousands Of Duplicate Ballots From Being Counted (Trending Politics, October 30, 2024) 
  • Drazan selected as new House GOP leader (Oregon Catalyst, Nov 19, 2024)
  • 9 races that could determine the balance of power in the Oregon Legislature (OPB Oct, 22, 2024)

 

14-39 The 2024 Election – Two Elements of What’s at Stake

14-39 The 2024 Election – Two Elements of What’s at Stake

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Show 14-39 Summary: It’s not just the candidates running. It’s what’s at stake in this election. And we look at just two elements with huge implications. Control over federal agencies, whether those will expand or be reined in and deregulated. And all the federal land that might be at stake thanks to a potential Supreme Court ruling — if they take it up and if the next administration acts on it.

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Original Air Dates: September 28, 2024, 2024 | Guests: Kimberley Hermann and Myron Ebell 

This Week – What’s at Stake

It’s never just about the candidates running. It’s what’s at stake after the election. And we look at just two elements with huge implications of those potential futures. While the economy gets most of the attention, it’s much more than that.

First, we look at control over federal agencies, and whether those will expand or be reined in and deregulated. Or even disbanded. The regulatory agencies are the leash on the economy. Will the economy be given more rope or even let run off leash? Or chained up?

You can guess which candidate wants what on that. But with the new Loper-Bright Supreme Court decision, that overturned a previous SCOTUS ruling, Congress could, if it has the backbone, rein in these overreaching agencies that prevent economic expansion. We talk with Kimberley Herman, the executive director of Southeastern Legal Foundation, about what the overturn of the Chevron deference could mean for the future of government.

What’s at Stake: 640 million acres of federal lands

Years ago, we followed the effort to allow states to take possession of the federal lands within their own borders that had been promised to them at the time of statehood. And all the federal land that might be at stake thanks to a potential Supreme Court ruling — if they take it up and if the next administration acts on it.

That is, after all, what happened with the states east of the Mississippi. None of those states have massive amounts of land in their borders still held by the federal government. But for states West of the Mississippi and in particular, West of the Rockies, states have tremendous amounts of land within their borders still held by the federal government. Oregon has 53.03% of its land that is not its land—it’s held by the federal government. and it’s also tremendously mismanaged by the federal government. Meaning they don’t. And that’s why Oregon has massive forest fires every year. When you don’t manage forests they become kindling factories.

Now, a new lawsuit by Utah is at the Supreme Court. All they need are four justices to vote to hear the case before the full court. This could have huge implications for states that have so much of their land held by the federal government which is doing nothing with it. Imagine the impact of land being brought into active production and use whether that’s agriculture, timber, mining, camping, hunting… Kind of activity that will spur the economy. not to mention create taxable wealth for the government. Rather than letting it sit there and rot and burn which only wastes taxpayers’ money.

We welcomed back long-time guest, Myron Ebell (although it’s been a long time since we last spoke), who is now the chairman of American Lands Council.

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Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

14-34 Oregon’s New Redistribution Scheme: The Climate Protection Plan

14-34 Oregon’s New Redistribution Scheme: The Climate Protection Plan

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Show 14-34 Summary: Oregon’s latest wealth redistribution scheme, Governor Kotek’s Climate Protection Plan, is a plan to solve to solve nothing. It is a carbon cap and trade scheme forcing to pretend to cut carbon dioxide emissions. It will have no impact on climate. Zero. None. But it will cost Oregonians millions more every year. In higher food prices. Higher utility bills. And any goods that are shipped and delivered will also cost more. It’s also a plan that Oregonians have directly and indirectly rejected three times before. So why are they doing it?

Be sure to scroll down to the show notes section for the links to submit your comments and tell them no.

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Original Air Dates: August 24th & 25th, 2024 | Guest: Chuck Wiese

This Week – Oregon’s Climate Protection Plan

This week’s show is a big one — discussing Oregon’s latest scheme to redistribute wealth: the Climate Protection Plan.

The CPP will force a carbon cap and trade program on Oregon’s businesses, which will impact many things you buy and need. Apparently, Governor Kotek and the democrats think that you’re STILL not paying enough on food and utilities, let alone all the other aspects of your life that will be impacted.

This Climate Protection Plan is a scheme that Oregonians rejected directly by turning down a ballot initiative. They rejected it indirectly through their legislature, which wouldn’t pass the bill. And a third time after Governor Brown’s executive order establishing it was tossed by Oregon’s Court of Appeal. Why? Because in her authoritarian zeal to force her belief system on Oregonians, they failed to meet public meeting laws. In fact, the court said the governor and DEQ didn’t appear to even try to meet the public meeting laws.

But the nation’s worst governor, Tina Kotek, (she came in 50th out of 50 in a recent survey) is trying to resurrect it. The DEQ is taking public comment on it right now. And you need to weigh in.

Take action! Head to the Climate Protection Plan page at the DEQ, then scroll down to the public involvement section. If you already know you’re a “no” then submit your comments on Oregon’s CPP by emailing Nicole Singh: cpp.2024@deq.oregon.gov

We interview meteorologist Chuck Wiese to discuss how this CPP will cost Oregonians millions — to solve a non-existent problem.

Climate Protection Plan: the Pretend Solution to an Imaginary Problem

Bad data leads to bad information. Bad information leads to bad decisions. And that’s the foundation of Oregon’s Climate Protection Plan. Chuck Wiese walks us through why the climate change (aka “global warming”) scaremongering is simply wrong.

The whole foundation of Climate Change is that CO2 is warming the Earth and that mankind’s carbon dioxide contribution is causing the warming. Except it’s a wrong idea based on bad information that is based on bad data. And now Oregon’s politicians are forcing a solution to a non-existent problem.

The non-existent problem is that Oregon’ puny CO2 emissions, even if entirely eliminated, is so small (we’re talking hundredths of a percent) that it would make no difference. At all. Especially since China is busily increasing its emissions more than Oregon could possibly cut.

Their solution? A carbon cap and trade scheme. It’s a scam. See the show notes section for lots of information on carbon credits and cap and trade schemes and how they do nothing to fix the “problem” of carbon emissions. As one article says, “Ultimately, carbon credits incentivize the buying and selling of carbon credits, rather than reducing the amount of pollution companies produce. Shell is a classic example of this; the company now has a very lucrative business line of creating and selling carbon credits.”

Yes. It’s all about money. Bilking industries out millions of dollars and redistributing it. Especially to far left environmental “non profits.”

Carbon Dioxide as the Fake Enemy

It’s simple. If Democrats and environmentalists and the far left we’re truly serious about carbon and carbon dioxide they would do a far, far better job of force management. Trees need and suck in carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Instead, the Democrats and environmentalists and the far left refuse to do proper forest management. They refuse to cut timber. and what happened? Millions of acres have burned putting all that carbon and CO2 back into the atmosphere not to mention all that soot and particles that they claim to worry about.

Tina Kotek’s Department of Forestry literally just took some 57% of Oregon’s forests offline because of their Habitat Conservation Plan. They are not at all serious about carbon dioxide. So don’t listen to them when they lie to you and claim that they care about carbon dioxide.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Take action! Head to the Climate Protection Plan page at the DEQ, then scroll down to the public involvement section. If you already know you’re a “no” then submit your comments on Oregon’s CPP by emailing Nicole Singh: cpp.2024@deq.oregon.gov.

Oregon State has valid reasons for opposing Elliott forest carbon-crediting scheme (Oregon Capital Chronicle, Aug 20, 2024)

Actually, it’s the DEQ misleading people: “Oregon DEQ says NW Natural is misleading people on state climate program” (OregonLive, Aug 20, 2022)

Learn about carbon credits and cap and trade schemes

  • Great video—good info and simple to understand: Carbon credits are a complete scam (Auto Expert John Cadogan, YouTube Channel, Jan 9, 2024)
  • Exposing the Carbon Credit and Offset SCAM (Belinda Carr, Apr 20, 2022)
  • Carbon Credits Are the Biggest Scam Since Indulgences—How You Can Avoid Being Fleeced (The Burning Platform, June 11, 2024)
  • The Carbon Credit Scam: Financial Cost, Virtue Signaling, Little or No Environmental Benefit (Gateway Pundit, May 24, 2024)
  • Carbon credit scam exposed: carbon markets fail as CO₂ declines (CFACT, Apr 02, 2020)
    • “…the existence of these markets sets up a perverse incentive. To the average climate campaigner, the goal of such a “market” is to eventually bring CO₂ emissions to as close to zero as possible. But for those companies making big bucks off of carbon credits, when the so-called “pollution” falls, so do their profits. They don’t plan on giving that cash flow up any time soon.”
  • Boondoggle: Carbon capture projects are worse than a public nuisance (CFACT, June 8, 2024)
    • This HAS to be one of the dumbest ideas ever: “…a giant carbon sequestration project on and underneath federal land [in Montana’s Snowy River region]. It would be supported by a vast “carbon capture” network consisting of tens and thousands of miles of new pipelines and dozens of remote storage sites.
    • Carbon offsets are an artificial commodity – completely unrelated to the climate or any other tangible asset. They are an open invitation to fraud because it is impossible to say what effect buying or selling them will have on the climate.
  • World’s largest seller of carbon credits EXPOSED as scam operation (Natural News, March 29, 2023)
  • Unveiling the Potential Scam and Fraud of Carbon Credit Schemes (Irfan Nasrullah via Medium, Sept 27, 2023)
  • Even Greenpeace agrees that carbon credits are a scam, calling them “greenwashing” and “window dressing.
    • “Carbon offsetting is truly a scammer’s dream scheme.” And that’s from Greenpeace, true climate change believers
14-33 Is it Still Free Speech When No One is Allowed to Listen? | Censorship & Greater Idaho

14-33 Is it Still Free Speech When No One is Allowed to Listen? | Censorship & Greater Idaho

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Show 14-33 Summary: Truth, or even just opinions, never need to be censored — unless you’re in the business of telling lies. We have a split show today — we’re talking about censorship in the second-half of our show, but first up we’ll be talking about the Greater Idaho Movement. Those two may sound like unrelated topics but at their heart, they’re quite similar — it’s about being free, and being free to speak one’s mind. And it’s about the powers that be blocking voices who have opinions they don’t like.

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Original Air Dates: August 17th & 18th, 2024 | Guests: Matt McCaw & Dan Schneider

This Week – Greater Idaho and Greater Censorship

We have a split show today — we’re talking about censorship in the second-half of our show, but first up we’ll be talking about the Greater Idaho Movement. Those two may sound like unrelated topics but at their heart, they’re quite similar — it’s about being free, and being free to speak one’s mind.

But do you really have free speech if the powers that be prevent anyone from being able to hear you?

Censorship is about only allowing one side of an issue to be discussed. The erasing… and silencing of other opinions. Only one side is heard, and any others? Well, we just don’t care. Only OUR voice matters.

Which is a bit like what happens in rural areas, where people who live there aren’t listened to. They have no voice. The only ones who do have a voice in rural areas are people who don’t even live there — people in big cities in other counties get to decide what’s best for rural areas.

Greater Idaho

First up we talk with Matt McCaw, the executive director of the Greater Idaho movement. This is an effort to expand Idaho’s border to the west and incorporate the more conservative rural counties of Eastern and Central Oregon. Counties that feel they have no voice in Salem. Because are outvoted by Oregon’s more populated far left counties. Which amounts to people who don’t live in rural areas telling people who do what they are allowed to do.

We’ve used this analogy before: letting people in cities make decisions about what people are “allowed” to do in rural areas is like letting people in rural areas decide things like how much internet people in cities are “allowed” to have. Or public transit. Or decide whether to build new roads or design traffic flows.

It’s an abusive relationship. And people in the rural counties are done with being battered and want out.

But if you think this divorce will never happen, take a listen. And it might just surprise how simple it is. And that it’s happened before. Right here in Oregon.

For more information on the Greater Idaho Movement, see their website: GreaterIdaho.org. Be sure to see their FAQs page.

The Censorship Movement

In the second half of the show, we talk “Greater Censorship” with Dan Schneider. Dan is the vice president of the Media Research Center, where he leads the Free Speech America program.

We witnessed censorship during covid. When differing opinions were blocked. Scientists and doctors were threatened if they did not comply. Threatened with losing their license if they disagreed with the mandates. And the vaccines. We saw censorship in the 2020 election. When the government conspired with social media to block posts unfavorable to Joe Biden. Especially the Hunter Laptop story. We saw Twitter remove Trump’s post on January 6, encouraging people to be peaceful and everyone needed to go home. But the media hid that. Why? To create the false narrative of an “insurrection.” And that Trump caused and encouraged it.

Simply put, it was a lie.

Remember: The truth never needs to be censored — unless you are in the business of telling lies.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton's threatening censorship letter to Elon Musk re Trump Interview
EU Thierry Breton’s threatening letter to Elon Musk (click for full size)

Censorship — from Other Countries?

But the censorship movement hasn’t stopped. Elon Musk may have bought Twitter (now “X”) and exposed the censorship — because he knows there is nothing more fundamental to democracy and to freedom than free speech — but the censorship is still happening. And in many respects, it feels like it’s getting worse.

Is it? We talk with Dan about that. And we talk about the censorship we are seeing over in Europe and the U.K. with their protests against millions of immigrants. The EU’s threats against Elon for daring to talk to Trump—an American politician and presidential candidate. (“Foreign interference in our elections,” anyone…?) And it’s all happening live right now. Right in front of our faces.

But be sure to tune in to hear about a closed door meeting that MRC got a whistleblower inside. A secret meeting with Google telling leftist politicians how to get around Google’s own algorithm and restrictions on political speech. And, conveniently, not inviting right-leaning politicians.

And in case you’re wondering — yes, the censorship movement will get far worse under Kamala and Tim Walz. Both of whom are socialists. And that entails all of the censorship in any socialist country. You are not, and will not, be allowed to question the regime.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Matt McCaw, Greater Idaho, Segments 1–3

  • The Greater Idaho’s website is GreaterIdaho.org. See especially their news page and FAQs.
  • And, as always, check their Get Involved page for what you can do to give rural counties a voice by making Greater Idaho happen.
  • Just one of their interviews from Greater Idaho’s main page: “The movement to expand Idaho’s border into Oregon (CBS News Sunday Morning, October 16, 2022)

Dan Schneider and the Censorship Movement, Segments 4–6

Related/Additional

  • The Most Dangerous Anti-Free-Speech Movement in Our History (Fox News, via YouTube, Aug 12, 2024)
    • Alliance between Universities and media and govt and corporations against free speech
    • Polls show people still have an instinctual opposition to censorship
    • Jonathan Turley: “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage”
  • The Reintroduction of Kamala Harris (Time, Aug 12, 2024)
  • Kamala Steals Trump’s No Tax on Tips (Trump War Room, via X, Aug 12, 2024)
  • Inside Elon Musk’s Hands-On Push to Win 800,000 Voters for Trump (WSJ, Aug 12, 2024)
14-31 Enviro Mental | If Only Sustainable Unicorns Really Did Exist

14-31 Enviro Mental | If Only Sustainable Unicorns Really Did Exist

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Show 14-31 Summary: No, it’s not the hottest ever. But if you believe in global warming, we might have some sustainable unicorns to sell you. This week we have some common sense answers for the enviro mentally impaired.  One is to learn to not buy the snake oil they’re selling you. Another is to learn they are jimmying the temperature data. We talk about the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned its previous Chevron deference opinion. And we discuss some common sense, environmental model legislation that even the far left might have a hard time saying no to.

I Spy Radio Coverage Map as of April 2024
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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, seven times over the weekend, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on our network of stations.

Original Air Dates: August 3, 2024 | Guests: Chuck Wiese & Craig Rucker

This Week – Common Sense Answers for the Enviro Mentally Impaired

Summer isn’t even over and already we’re hearing it’s the “hottest ever.” Could it be because temperature sensors are miscalibrated? Badly so? We talk with meteorologist Chuck Wiese about what he’s uncovered in just the Portland and Salem (Oregon) areas. And it’s not just a little miscalibration. It’s off by a lot.

Chuck is not only a trained scientist but has become a political activist, especially around election integrity. So we just have to ask him about Judicial Watch serving the state of Oregon with a “pre-suit” notice and their intent to sue. Unless Oregon follows the law and cleans up its voter rolls.

  • 19 Oregon counties reported zero voters removed from their rolls from Nov 2020 – Nov 2022
  • 10 Oregon counties reported only a handful of removals
  • That’s 29 out of 36 counties out of compliance

Then we pick up our discussion again with Craig Rucker, the co-founder and president of CFACT. Last time, we barely scratched the surface about the importance and downstream effects of the Supreme Court’s overturn of the Chevron Deference (aka “Chevron Doctrine”).

Oregon’s former governor used state agencies to shove through her “Climate Protection Plan” which would cost Oregonians billions and do nothing for the environment. It was thrown out by Oregon’s courts. But now the state agency is at it again. Could the death of the Chevron deference come into play here?

Plus, we talk about some environmental model legislation that they teamed up with ALEC (that’s long-time I Spy Radio guest, Jonathan Williams’ group, the American Legislative Exchange Council). It is so common sense that even the far left might have a hard time saying no to.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. Mondays, after our network of radio stations have aired the show, I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite podcasting platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Show Notes: Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

  • China records hottest month in recent history (Reuters, July 31, 2024)
    • Okay, now look past the headline: 73.706° in 2017 vs 73.778° in 2024. That’s a difference of 0.072 — seven one-hundredths of a degree. OMG! We need to spend a trillion dollars. Right now!
  • Judicial Watch Warns Oregon to Clean Voter Registration Lists or Face Federal Lawsuit (Judicial Watch, July 25, 2024)
  • Craig Rucker’s organization is the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow or CFACT. Find out more about the terrific work they do, get access to their articles and research and so much more at their website, CFACT.org
  • US Offshore Wind Farm Shut Down After Turbine Debris Fouls Beaches (Reuters, July 17, 2024)
  • A Supreme Court victory over bureaucratic overreach (CFACT, July 1, 2024)
  • Court deals body blow to unchecked bureaucratic power (CFACT, July 11, 2024)
  • CFACT model legislation sails through ALEC, now heads to states (CFACT, July 31, 2024)
  • Big Government’s Abuse of Power Gave SCOTUS No Choice But to Overturn Chevron (Townhall, June 28, 2024)
  • Oregon’s CPP (Climate Protection Scam. I mean Plan): Oregon Court of Appeals finds state carbon reduction rules invalid (OPB, Dec 20, 2023)

Related but Not Mentioned

  • Supreme Court to decide whether climate studies will be required for Infrastructure projects (CFACT, July 5, 2024)
  • With Chevron Overturned, Congress May Have to Adapt (Epoch Times, July, 17, 2024)
  • Alaska Natives file lawsuit challenging federal overreach in wake of SCOTUS ‘Chevron’ ruling (Just the News, July 10, 2024)
  • Supreme Court to decide whether climate studies will be required for Infrastructure projects (CFACT, July 5, 2024)
  • Federal judge blocks Biden’s ban on new U.S. LNG export terminals (CFACT, July 19. 2024)
  • Supreme Court expands time frame to sue federal agencies (SCOTUS Blog, July 2, 2024)
    • The Supreme Court ruled that a North Dakota truck stop can bring a challenge to a regulation issued 13 years ago by the Federal Reserve Board
    • Statute of Limitations? Barrett wrote, “Congress could have used language to make clear that the statute of limitations begins to run when the regulation is issued or the agency action takes place, but it did not.”
14-01 The Two Major Fights in 2024 | Encouraging Victories from 2023

14-01 The Two Major Fights in 2024 | Encouraging Victories from 2023

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Show 14-01 Summary: The 2023 wins and future battles. There will be two major fights in the year ahead. The first will be the battle over the First Amendment — especially free speech. Twenty-three states have created censorship and monitoring programs to keep the truth hidden from the public in favor of their propaganda. The second major fight will be the battle to convince people to get engaged and to not stay silent. Why? Because 2023 saw a bunch of huge wins. Even here in Oregon! When people spoke up, they won. That’s what we need more of in the year ahead.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of June 2021
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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on out network of stations.

Original Air Dates: January 6th & 7th, 2024 | Guest: Craig Rucker

This Week – 2023 Wins and Future Battles

There will be two major fights in the year ahead. The first and biggest will be the battle over the First Amendment — especially free speech. In 2020, we saw the Deep State censor vital information from voters — like the Hunter Biden laptop story and the Biden corruption scandals. And the covid origin story and viable covid treatments of Ivermectin and HCQ. And injuries and death from the not safe, not effective vaccines. All that to seize control.

As of this writing, 23 states have joined the Biden administration to seize control of free speech, claiming they are fighting “disinformation.” All 23 of them just happen to be democrat-led states. Hint to tyrants: that’s not the government’s job. The government’s job is to defend free speech. Not attack it. The second major fight will be the battle to get people engaged. Is America worth saving? Is the America we’ve become worth defeating—to go back to the America we loved and was worth fighting for? The battle ahead will be to convince people to get engaged and to not stay silent. Why? Because 2023 was the year of wins. We saw what happened when people spoke up. They won. That’s what we need more of in the year ahead.

Winning 2023

Our guest this week is Craig Rucker, the president and co-founder of CFACT (the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow). We discuss with him the wins CFACT had in 2023 and the wins we had here in Oregon. And we look ahead to what needs to happen to get even more wins in 2024.

You’ll also hear about some surprising wins that weren’t planned and came a bit out of the blue — against “green” energy.

What You’ll Learn this Week

  • The huge victories CFACT had in 2023
  • The wins we had in Oregon. Including a huge win that you probably haven’t heard about: the dismantling of the Governor’s carbon scheme
  • Why the victories happened
  • Keys to getting more wins in 2024
  • The annual Global Warming confab, COP 28, and the reality check the host country gave to the Green Energy Cult and its attempt to get rid of oil. Get this: the COP28 president declared, “there is ‘no science’ behind the demand to phase-out of fossil fuels.” What?
  • And of course, lots more.

We had some wins too on I Spy Radio! We broke into some rankings that were unexpected — unexpected because we haven’t been doing any self-marketing. We were ranked 18th on FeedSpot’s 30 best Conservative Talks Shows, and 36th on PlayerFM’s Best Conservative Radio Talk Show Podcasts for 2023. Wow! And they chose us out of 1,000s of shows.

Whoops! Just checked that FeedSpot and now we’re up to 16th. Thank you listeners!

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

CFACT and COP 28

  • If CFACT is not already on your reading list, they should be. Bookmark CFACT.org.
  • Check out CFACT’s incredible coverage of COP 28 . Here are just a few:
    • Real America News — Stella Escobedo with Craig Rucker: Analysis Of The COP28 Climate Summit (Real America News, Dec 18th, 2023)
      • COP 28 was “a smorgasbord of far Left groups and people who are in the renewable energy industry who have a vested financial interest. Also people with an ideological interest in advancing the climate agenda.”
    • Craig Rucker on One America News: COP28 Countries Vote On Climate Disaster Fund (OAN, Nov 30, 2023)
      • Craig: it’s reparations in its own way – the West is causing “Climate Change.”
    • Was COP 28 climate imperialism’s last gasp? (CFACT, Dec 29th, 2023)
      • “African diplomats said at COP 28 that ‘the idea of a fossil-fuel phaseout [is] unworkable.’”*the real story of COP 28 – that, for perhaps the first time in 28 tries, the clash between Western ideologues “who are exhausted with the modern world” and developing nations “who want in on the modern world” was out in the open for the world to see.
    • PODCAST: New House resolution would nullify UN COP 28 meat plan (CFACT, Dec 18th, 2023)
    • COP 28: UN climate conference ends with more of the same tired ‘goals’ (Craig Rucker, CFACT, Dec 18th, 2023)
  • Cop28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels (The Guardian, Dec 3, 2023)*“Exclusive: UAE’s Sultan Al Jaber says phase-out of coal, oil and gas would take world ‘back into caves’”
  • Yet another win for CFACT: Another offshore wind project is canceled (Just the News, Jan 3, 2024)
  • Listen to Craig’s previous appearance on I Spy Radio for more wins they had, Show 13-42 Winds of War: Billions from Offshore Wind Farms – and Fighting Back.

Oregon Wins

 

13-49 Common Sense Prevails | Elliott State Research Forest Plan Gets Sidelined

13-49 Common Sense Prevails | Elliott State Research Forest Plan Gets Sidelined

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Show 13-49 Summary: Could this be a win for Oregon? And common sense? It sure looks like one. Out of the blue, the Elliott State Research Forest plan, which would remove most of Oregon’s largest state forest from production to “study” it — suddenly, Oregon State University pulled out. To use the Left’s favorite catchphrase, it just wasn’t sustainable. Thanks also goes to the tribal nations who thought the plan was not only a financial mess but an environmental mess too. But was there more afoot here than meets the eye? Was it all a scheme to put something else in place? We talk the history of the Elliott State Forest, the evolution of research plan, and how government created the problem it could then fix. If only we spent billions on it.

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of June 2021
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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on out network of stations.

Original Air Dates: December 9, 2023 | Guests: Dr. Bob Zybach and Jen Hamaker

This Week – Elliott State Research Forest Plan Sidelined

After years of planning (scheming) and millions of dollars spent on the deal to decommission Oregon’s largest state forest. out of the blue, Oregon State University president, Jayathi Murthy, backed out. That took real courage. As I Spy Radio has been saying all along, this was never going to make financial sense. Nor environmental sense for the endangered species the environmentalists claimed they wanted to help.

What happened?

We talk with long-time guest and I Spy Radio‘s “in house” forestry and timber expert, Dr. Bob Zybach about why this forest deal was a boondoggle from the start. And with Jen Hamaker, president of ONRI, whose organization helped drive public outcry against Oregon’s statewide Habitat Conservation Plan. And how that outcry helped lead OSU’s president to make the right decision.

The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Environmentalists

As of this writing, this looks like a win for Oregon. And common sense.

Remember, Oregon, by law, is supposed to be making money for the Common School Fund from its forests. But Far Left environmentalists have seized control in Oregon and are working to do anything but harvest timber. Which means they really don’t understand the environment at all. Just ask the tribal nations.

Who did, in fact, tell the environmentalists exactly that. The Elliott State Research Forest would not work. Not financially. And not be sustainable environmentally either. It would, in fact, create a worse habitat for the species they claimed they wanted to protect.

their plans would ruin the which would remove most of the state forest from production to “study” it — suddenly, Oregon State University pulled out. If it can’t be resurrected by December 31, 2023, the deal will sunset. Thankfully, OSU staff saw the impractical and nonviable finances and withdrew. Thanks in large part, too, to the tribal nations who thought the plan was not only a financial mess but an environmental mess too. One that ignored common sense and basic understanding of forestry. (Keep in mind, this was a management scheme cooked up by so-called “environmentalists.”) But was there more afoot here than meets the eye? Was it all a scheme to put something else in place? We talk the history of the Elliott State Forest, the evolution of research plan, and how government created the problem it could then fix. If only we spent billions on it.

What You’ll Learn on Today’s Show

  • How the Elliott State Forest was sabotaged by the government, creating a problem that needed to be solved
  • Why public outcry against the Elliott State Research Forest played a huge role in OSU backing out as the research partner
  • How Oregon is stealing from its own children. Millions spent on the plan when the Elliott State Forest should have been generating millions of dollars, every year, for the Common School Fund

Be sure to scroll down to the Links & Info section to see the flurry of letters back and forth about the end of the Elliott deal, Dr. Bob’s “boondoggle” article, and more.

  • Why the tribes said this wouldn’t work
  • The secretive, closed-door meetings to push the plan
  • Was there something else behind this scheme to take the Elliott Forest offline?
  • Who would profit from a “side plan” to sell carbon credits

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

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Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Related Information

  • Read the alternative proposal to the Elliott State Research Forest: The Giesy Plan.
  • Cop28 president says there is ‘no science’ behind demands for phase-out of fossil fuels (The Guardian, Dec 3, 2023)*“Exclusive: UAE’s Sultan Al Jaber says phase-out of coal, oil and
    Media

    gas would take world ‘back into caves’”

13-35 The Habitat Conservation Plan Designed to Destroy Habitat

13-35 The Habitat Conservation Plan Designed to Destroy Habitat

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Show 13-35 Summary: From all appearances, Oregon’s Board of Forestry seems determined to press forward with their disastrous habitat conservation plan (HCP), regardless of how much opposition there is against it. But there are still a couple of chances to stop it. We talk with Jennifer Hamaker of Oregon Natural Resource Industries about the looming vote in Salem this week and what can still be done to stop Oregon from abandoning its state forests for 70 years. Plus, where is all this heading? Are Oregon’s other natural resource industries also on the chopping block?

Coverage Map of I Spy Radio Show broadcast areas, as of June 2021
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The I Spy Radio Show airs weekends, six different times, on seven different stations. Listen anywhere through the stations’ live streams! Check out when, where, and how to listen to the I Spy Radio Show. Podcast available Mondays after the show airs on out network of stations.

Original Air Dates: September 2nd & 3rd, 2023 | Guest: Jennifer Hamaker

This Week – The Habitat Conservation Plan

We check in with Jennifer Hamaker from Oregon Natural Resource Industries (ONRI) to get an update on Oregon’s disastrous “plan” for it’s state forests: abandon them for 70 years under a Habitat Conservation Plan. The board had originally pushed the decision back to November but suddenly moved it back to September 6th and 7th — this week. For a 70 year plan, you’d think they’d take the time to get it right. But as we learn, the reality is, they were going to do it regardless. Once again, government has forgotten it works for the people.

Anyone else think they just laugh and laugh at that thought behind closed doors?

Board of Forestry Salem Meeting

Oregon’s Board of Forestry is meeting in Salem, September 6th and 7th, to decide to rubber stamp this disastrous plan. We say rubber stamp because if you read their resolution, the wording is all but identical whether they pass it or not. They will still pursue an HCP. See for yourself:

ODF chair's resolution regarding the Oregon habitat conservation plan
It’s the identical except for “current process.” (click image for full size)

But all that is needed is for one board member to flip their vote to delay the process. A seventy year project needs more discussion. Especially since affected state agencies and school districts, like the Jewell School District, have not known the full consequences or extent of the loss of funding. And the state still has no plans to make up the lost revenue. Revenue, which Tina Kotek calls an “outdated funding model.”

Want to go to the Salem Meeting? The comment period is from 8am – 10 am both days, September 6th and 7th. The Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters is at 2600 State St, Salem (Google map). Even if you can’t testify (all the spots are currently taken), you can drop off written testimony. And just being there in opposition sends the message.

Oregon’s Habitat Conservation Plan Won’t Work

Because Oregon is abandoning 53% of its state forests, with no human activity allowed, this habitat conservation plan — despite its (allegedly) good intentions —  will destroy the habitat it’s intended to protect. Why? Because here in Oregon, we get forest fires. Lots of them. And with lack of management, we get more of them. What do you think will happen in “protected” areas that have zero management. Does the State think squirrels will don fire gear and put them out?

Find out more about Oregon’s HCP at Oregon Stronger Together

What’s this about “no human activity,” you ask? But Oregon’s habitat conservation plan doesn’t do that, you say. They tell us so.

Yes, they do. But like so much of government, the HCP is just one layer. While Oregon’s habitat conservation plan doesn’t rule out human activity, the next layer does. The Forest Management Plan. Ah, yes. There is always another layer to bureaucracy. That way, they can scoff, honestly, about the HCP not stopping human activity. Silly citizens! Oh, but the Forest Management Plan? The plan we’re not talking about? Well, yes. As you’ll hear from Jennifer Hamaker, that plan will keep humans out of the forests.

And the bigger question is: where is all of this heading? If the state is taking these lands offline, in contravention of its own laws, what’s next? Fishing? Farming?

Perhaps this article will give you a clue: “These 14 American Cities Have a ‘Target’ of Banning Meat, Dairy, and Private Vehicles by 2030.”

And that’s why this effort by the “environmentalists” to seize Oregon’s state forests and lands needs to be stopped. Now.

HCP Lawsuit

If the state plows through with its plan, the answer is to do what the environmental Left is already doing. Sue the state. According to a Statesman-Journal article, the multiple lawsuits brought by environmental groups to do more to protect endangered species. ONRI is currently looking for a lawyer to take on this case. That will take a lot of money. Please consider helping them hire an attorney. Unlike leftist “non-profits,” ONRI does not get millions in taxpayer dollars from Global Warming.

We’ll have Jennifer on again to get updates later on in the fall.

The I Spy Radio Show Podcast Version

Trapped under a heavy object? Missed the show? Don’t worry—catch the podcast version. I Spy Radio is now available on your favorite platform, or you can grab it right here. See the full list of podcast options.

Research, Links Mentioned & Additional Info

Jennifer Hamaker is president of Oregon Natural Resource Industries, or ONRI. Their websites are www.onri.us and www.oregonstrongertogether.com . Please donate to help ONRI stand up for Oregon’s natural resources! Right now, they need to raise funds for an attorney.

Why does Oregon need a Habitat Conservation Plan to govern state forests? (Statesman Journal, Aug 19, 2023)

3 years after historic wildfires, report suggests state contributed (Statesman Journal, Aug 18, 2023)

What’s coming next? “These 14 American Cities Have a ‘Target’ of Banning Meat, Dairy, and Private Vehicles by 2030” (The Federalist, Aug. 19th, 2023).