The Forge of Freedom

Show Notes   Episode 133. How to Change the World   In this episode, Alex Ooley shares an article by Patrick Carroll that discusses the importance of persuasion in changing the world for the better. He emphasizes the need for libertarians to not only possess knowledge about the principles of a free society but also to be skilled in the art of changing people's minds. He highlights two key prin...

Show Notes   Episode 132. Jeff Knox - Fighting to Save the NRA   Alex Ooley is joined by Jeff Knox, Director of The Firearms Coalition, to discuss the structure of the NRA, the recent NRA annual meeting, and the state of the organization. The conversation discusses the outcomes of the NRA annual meeting and the election of reform-minded individuals to leadership positions. It highlights the import...

Show Notes Episode 131. Dismissal of Charges Against Scottie Scheffler   In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses the incident involving Scottie Scheffler at the PGA championship and the subsequent dismissal of charges against him. He analyzes the video footage that contradicts the officer's account of the incident and highlights the importance of having a good attorney in cases like this. Ooley...

Show Notes   Episode 130. Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine (rerun of Episode 38)   Alex Ooley is joined by his wife, Whitney, to discuss “Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine,” a class they took with Greg Ellifritz from Active Response Training. They cover topics such as the importance of first aid skills, the Tactical Combat Casualty Care Protocol, and practical exercise...

Show Notes   Episode 129. Property Rights and the Will to Own   This episode discusses the concept of self-ownership as the foundational principle of libertarianism. The article by Wanjiru Njoya explores the nature of property rights and the will to own. It contrasts the Benthamite view that property rights are created by the state with the argument that property rights are an expression of the hu...

Show Notes   Episode 128. Highlights from the NRA Annual Meeting (NRAAM)   In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, Alex and Mike discuss their experience at the NRA annual meeting in Dallas, Texas. They attended the firearms law seminar, visited exhibits on the convention floor, and attended a seminar by Ed Monk. The membership meeting and board meeting were also discussed, highlighting t...

Show Notes   Episode 127. The Root of Today’s Worldwide Education Problem Is Staring Us in the Face   The article discusses the failure of government schools in various countries, including Israel and the United States. It highlights the lack of critical thinking, writing, and debating skills among graduates and the focus on seniority rather than individual performance in teacher salaries. The art...

Show Notes Episode 126. Armed Teachers and Nullification in New Hampshire In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses the topic of teachers carrying guns in schools. He explores the laws and regulations in different states, focusing on Indiana and New Hampshire. The host also delves into the concept of nullification and its potential application in resisting federal overreach. He emphasizes the importan...

Show Notes Episode 125. From Leftism to Liberty, a Personal Journey with Michael Rectenwald Michael Rectenwald, a former NYU professor and now a presidential candidate on the Libertarian Party ticket, discusses his journey from leftism to libertarianism. He speaks about his awakening to the problems of the woke left and the suppression of free speech on college campuses. Rectenwald explains how hi...

Show Notes:   Episode 124. Attorneys General Write Letter Opposing Red Flag Laws   In this episode, Alex Ooley shares a letter from the attorney general of West Virginia and other states expressing opposition to the Biden administration's National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center. The letter argues that red flag laws violate Second Amendment rights and lack due process. It also cr...

Show Notes   Episode 123. What Charles Ponzi’s Scheme and US Entitlement Programs Have in Common   In this episode, Alex Ooley shares an article titled 'What Charles Ponzi's Scheme and US Entitlement Programs Have in Common' by Daniel Kowalski. The article compares the structure of Ponzi schemes to the US social security and Medicare systems, highlighting the inherent problems and unsu...

Show Notes:   Episode 122. Defining a Firearm: The Frame or Receiver Rule at SCOTUS ( Garland v. VanDerStok )   The United States Supreme Court has accepted a case called Garland v. VanDerStok, which challenges the administrative authority of the ATF. The case focuses on the definition of a firearm and specifically the frame or receiver rule. The ATF argues that incomplete frames or receivers, kno...

Show Notes   Episode 121. The Danger of the West’s Neglect of Individual Rights   Alex Ooley shares an article by Finn Andreen that discusses the neglect of individual rights in the West and the consequences of this neglect. It highlights the violation of property rights, exorbitant fiscal and inflationary pressures, mass surveillance, censorship, and the erosion of freedom of speech. The article...

Show Notes:   Episode 120. ATF Final Rule on Firearms Sales and What it Means to Be “Engaged in the Business”   In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, Alex Ooley and Mike Ooley discuss the ATF's new final rule regarding what it means to be engaged in the business of selling firearms. They highlight the complexity of the rule and its origins in the bipartisan safer communities act. Th...

Show Notes: Episode 119. FISA 702 Explained: Is Your Privacy at Risk? In this episode, host Alex Ooley discusses the reauthorization of FISA 702, a provision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that allows the government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign nationals without a warrant. He explains the significant privacy implications of this provision and highlights instances of ab...

Show Notes:   Episode 118. Kamala Harris Exploits Tragedy for Gun Control Agenda: The Battle Over Red Flag Laws   In this episode, Alex Ooley and Mike Ooley discuss Kamala Harris's visit to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and her use of the massacre as a platform to promote gun control. They delve into the concept of red flag laws and the violation of due process and individual rights tha...

Show Notes:   Episode 117. ‘The Zone of Interest’ in Forgiveness   The episode discusses the movie 'The Zone of Interest' and explores the themes of forgiveness and mercy, particularly in relation to the character Rudolf Höss, the Commandant of Auschwitz. It raises questions about the capacity for evil in seemingly ordinary people and the Christian belief in forgiveness. The episode also t...

Show Notes: Episode 116. Soft on Crime, Hard on Self-Defense? Indianapolis & the Fight for Gun Rights In this episode, Alex Ooley and Mike Ooley discuss two topics related to gun rights and self-defense. The first topic focuses on the push for soft-on-crime policies in Indianapolis, which is leading to a rise in self-defense cases. The officials in Indianapolis are upset that people are defend...

Show Notes:   Episode 115. What is The Presumption of Innocence? (rerun of Episode 7)   In this episode, Alex Ooley discusses the concept of the presumption of innocence and its importance to a civilized society. The presumption of innocence is the legal principle that every person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the prosecution to present c...

Show Notes:   Episode 114. Glock Under Fire: Politicians Attempt to Shift Blame for Violence to Gun Manufacturers   In this episode, Alex Ooley and Mike Ooley discuss the lawsuit filed by the city of Chicago against Glock, alleging that the company should be held responsible for the criminal misuse of their firearms. They also touch on the topic of soft on crime policies and the scapegoating of gu...

Show Notes:   Episode 113. The Only Good One Is a Closed One: No Reform of Government Schools (with Marina Rocha)   In this episode, Marina Rocha discusses the problems with government schools and makes the case for their abolition. She highlights the lack of passion for learning and the indoctrination that occurs in these institutions. Marina also emphasizes the inefficiency of government schools...

Show Notes:   Episode 112. Beyond the Beam: Gun Digest, Weapon Lights, and Responsible Self-Defense   In this episode, Alex Ooley and Mike Ooley discuss various topics related to self-defense and firearms. They start by following up on the previous discussion about weapon-mounted lights and the support for Ken Hackathorn's views. They then talk about the legal implications of pointing firearms...

Show Notes: Episode 111. The Forge of Freedom – Why Would an Innocent Person Plead Guilty? (rerun of Episode 18) This episode explores the topic of innocent people pleading guilty in the criminal justice system. The host discusses the widespread problem of innocent individuals accepting plea deals, influenced by factors such as overcharging, the trial penalty, lack of adequate defense counsel, ove...

Show Notes:   Episode 110. Hackathorn on Lights: Are Weapon-Mounted Lights Overrated?   In this episode, Alex Ooley and Mike Ooley discuss the controversy surrounding weapon mounted lights. They address the misinterpretation of Ken Hackathorn's comments and emphasize the importance of understanding his perspective. The conversation highlights the significance of training and the need to be cau...

Show Notes:   Episode 109. Four Years Ago This Week, Freedom Was Torched (Jeffrey Tucker)   This episode reflects on the lockdowns implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the negative consequences and lack of accountability. It discusses the initial closures of venues and travel restrictions, as well as the government's role in exacerbating the situation. The extension o...