The Craig Silverman Show

Episode 32 - Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs. She’s my old college town and she runs right through this episode like the coal train running next to I-25. Henry Sachs lived in Colorado Springs less than a hundred years ago and this show is dedicated to him and Civil War hero General William Palmer.

 

Carol McKinley is a professional journalist and a former Big 8 pentathlete for CU. This Buff track team captain is a special guest, describing her days in Boulder at KBCO, in Denver at KOA, & her gigs at FNC, ABC, & elsewhere.

 

Carol describes covering Balloon Boy and JonBenet stories, with the latest updates on both cases. Carol just wrote a wonderful Colorado Sun story about the Brown Bombers who dominated Colorado Springs muni league baseball in 1949-50, and how they broke Colorado racial barriers.

 

Colorado Springs was home to Henry Sachs, a successful Jewish businessman, who befriended black families in the 1920s. And vice versa.  Mr. Sachs paid for Effie Strand to attend Colorado College and his Foundation has paid the way for many more black students to attend college. Listen to fascinating Ben Ralston, President of Sachs Foundation Colorado.

 

Legendary Denver Judge Gary Jackson was one such Sachs scholarship recipient and he has paid it forward by being Colorado’s premier advocate for judicial diversity. This Denver native and first black deputy DA in Denver also knew O. Otto Moore, our mentor who battled the Klan in Denver. He returns to Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge.

 

Colorado College and Colorado Springs make one think of coal trains moving north to Denver and south to Texas. Poor Texas is dealing with Colorado-type snow and old energy, like coal, that is failing. Coal Train Love is the perfect song about imperfect love. Listen to the fun story behind the song from our Troubadour Dave Gunders.

 

Rundown-

Carol Mckinley - 00:06:53

Judge Gary Jackson in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 00:56:14

Ben Ralston - 01:34:26

Craig's Commentary on State of Colorado Judiciary. With RIP Rush at end - 01:54:44

Dave Gunders - 02:13:25

Episode 31 - Impeachment Show

Impeachment Show. The Trump trial in US Senate is fascinating. Lead Manager Jamie Raskin has marshaled an excellent team of Congressmen to prosecute including Colorado’s own Diana DeGette and Joe Neguse. Craig ranks the performance of all the participating attorneys and gives his take on who will win.

 

Whitney Traylor, 9-News Legal Analyst, enters Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge and discusses the racism he felt growing up in Jeffco, how he participated in the campaign of Republican Joe Rogers versus Diana DeGette in 1994. This lawyer and Metro State professor evaluates Trump, his insurrection, and the US Senate trial underway.

 

Ian Silverii is wrapping up success as Executive Director of Progress Now. This native New Yorker shares his interesting background and how he came to Colorado to work on the campaign of State Rep. Judy Solano in 2006. Ian stayed, and now he is an ace columnist for Denver Post, and he’s married to a prominent state senator. Ian is a fascinating fellow.

 

Dave Gunders is our Troubadour, and he graces this week’s show with his sensational song, Some Days. As we have witnessed during Trump Era and pandemic, some days start out bad. 

 

Rundown-

Whitney Traylor in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 00:08:41

Dave Gunders - 01:03:50

Ian Silverii - 01:13:11

Episode 30 - Black History

Black History.

 

Thank goodness for black people. Good luck to trailblazing Vice President Kamala Harris. Donald Trump would still be president but for African American voters and leaders who saved us from that scourge.

 

African Americans have played a key role in my life. Velveta Golightly-Howell was my classmate and friend at the Denver DA’s Office forty years ago.  After her incredible career, and numerous awards, I finally get Vel in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge for an amazing interview about her trailblazing life growing up in Alabama and dedicated life of public service for Denver, Colorado, and America. 

 

Vel and I got to work with legendary KKK fighting Judge O. Otto Moore who was Assistant District Attorney (1973-1983) under our boss, Denver DA Dale Tooley. Through the Denver Public Library, I discovered an amazing 1962 interview of Judge Moore and play for you the highlights. It is great to posthumously honor the great Ostis “O” Otto Moore in a special edition of Craig‘s Lawyers’ Lounge. 

 

Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh provides a great opening interview. We discuss the upcoming Senate impeachment trial and deserved condemnation of bigoted and kooky Congresswoman Taylor-Greene (Q-GA). Is the former Illinois conservative Congressman contemplating a move to Colorado to challenge Rep. Lauren Boebert (Q-CO)? Hear for yourself.

 

Dave Gunders, our Troubadour, has a sensational song for Black History Month. Come Down Miss Lizzie tells the story of a working farmer seeking the company and love of a Creole working woman in New Orleans in 1799.

 

And finally, the show pays tribute to imprisoned Russian politician, Alexey Navalny. His words of courage while being sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence are inspirational, heartbreaking, and must be heard. 

 

Rundown-

Joe Walsh - 00:03:15

Judge O. Otto Moore in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 00:37:03

Dave Gunders - 01:26:38

Craig Does Alexey Navalny - 01:36:15

Velveta Golightly-Howell in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 01:48:17

Episode 29 - Legal Matters

Legal matters. This show features three men of the law speaking about that subject. Without the law, what would we have? Disunity. Uncivilization. America is based on the rule of law which means we follow the statutes set forth by our legislators. And the framers of our Constitution.

 

Colorado State Rep. Dylan Roberts is my first guest this week in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge. His House District 26 (Eagle and Routt Counties) lies within the new US. Rep Lauren Boebert’s Third Congressional District in Colorado. Boebert should be replaced. Find out why Rep. Roberts is the person to do it. Roberts is also a Colorado Deputy DA, sort of a double lawman.

 

Our Troubadour Dave Gunders delights with his song Black Balloons which made him think of America’s rejection of selfish Donald Trump. This week’s show is dominated by talk of the upcoming trial of Donald Trump in the US Senate. Should the case go forward? How should prosecutors present their case? What defenses are available to Trump?

 

Siddhartha Rathod is a renaissance man in Colorado law. This U.S. Marine Captain has a terrific law firm with lots of big cases he addresses. Listen to a fascinating discussion of the pride this Asian Indian – American takes in Kamala Harris as these two lawmen discuss intermarriage, ethnic pride, and what Trumpism has done to our country.

 

Rundown- 

Dylan Roberts in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 00:02:06

Dave Gunders - 00:59:52

Siddhartha Rathod in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 01:14:46

Episode 28 - Tough Job

Tough job. Joe Biden has one now. The Inaugural was spectacular. But now what? Famous Denver attorney David Lane enters Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge where they kick around Trump’s Big Lie and how the law should respond.

 

Let the Trump insurrection trial begin!  67 Senators may vote guilty.  Maybe more. BTW, David Lane is suing Lauren Baubert for her blockage of Twitter. Lane’s also suing Aurora cops in Arapahoe County on Monday. Respect for Brittney Gilliam. Hear it here first.

 

Our Troubadour delivers once more with his song titled Give Me this Job, so apropos of dawn of Joe era, where truth is valued, and the dignity of a job prioritized. Dave Gunders’ song captures a desperate time when it was hard to get a job in America. Like Now.

 

Samantha Koch is a businesswoman, wife, and mother of three kids.

She is the epitome of a well-spoken modern-day Denver millennial Republican. Some of her Trumpian positions are astounding, disturbing, and entertaining. She feels the same way about the host. It is a fun conversation, and enlightening.

 

Rundown- 

David Lane in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 00:01:50

Dave Gunders -  00:51:26

Samantha Koch - 01:05:26

Episode 27 - Dangerous Talk

Dangerous talk.  Donald Trump gave a dangerous talk on the Ellipse outside our White House on January 6, 2021. It sounded like a final command signaling the start of the violent part of Trump's Insurrection. Trump learned a lot of his speaking style, tactics, and rough manners from Rush Limbaugh and other talk show hosts.

 

Author/historian Dr. Brian Rosenwald studied the history of talk radio for his magnificent book, Talk Radio’s America: How an Industry Took Over a Political Party That Took Over the United States. Brian wrote the story Craig lived through, broadcasting from the belly of the beast that is talk radio. This interview is long and great.

 

First up, listen to veteran Republican, Cole Wist, explain why he remains in GOP despite Donald Trump. This former Colorado state representative returns to Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge to opine on what President Trump has done to his party. Listen to these two veteran Colorado attorneys analyze the impeachment, criminal, and civil litigation that awaits Trump as he exits.

 

Our Troubadour has the perfect song for these dark days in the USA. Stranger in a Strange Land sympathizes with an immigrant’s plight and condemns bigoted Trump policies such as family separation.  America is now scary and strange with tens of thousands of troops deployed to our capitols to protect against this damned Trump Insurgency. All of it incited by dangerous talk. 

 

Rundown - 

00:01:56 - Cole Wist in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge

00:40:40 - Dave Gunders

00:49:35 - Dr. Brian Rosenwald

Episode 26 - Shabbat Shalom!

Shabbat Shalom! A greeting and a prayer as the United States seeks to thwart Trump’s horrific insurrection. To discuss the attack on the US Capitol, we have three smart lawyer/legislators in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge.

 

Terrance Carroll was Colorado’s first African American Speaker of the House. He is also a Baptist clergyman, cop, and lawyer who grew up riding his bike down the steps of the US Capitol in his native DC. We talk Golden Calf and religion as we reckon with Trump. And what comes next.

 

The Colorado College produces great things again with Professor Corey Hutchins. No one follows Colorado media better than Corey and he gives insights into how these historic times are being covered by the Colorado Sun, Kyle Clark, and Wayne Laugesen at the Gazette.

 

Our Troubadour Dave Gunders graces us with fantastic music, Rather be Right, which nails these crazy times.

 

State Rep Steve Woodrow returns to the Lounge because he is bright and likes expressing himself on these historic events. Clearly on the right side of history, Rep. Woodrow displays the smarts and compassion that make him a Denver political superstar.

 

Former Colorado Senator Joe Salazar is outspoken in discussing the seditious acts of the Trump Enforcers and the Colorado politicians and pundits who feed their fire. The bigotry is as obvious as that damn confederate flag waved under the people’s Dome. Damn Trump.

 

Rundown -

Terrance Carroll in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 00:03:01

Corey Hutchins - 00:55:11

Dave Gunders -  01:23:50

Steve Woodrow in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 01:40:24

Joe Salazar in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge - 02:13:27

Bonus Ep 2 - David Gunders

David Gunders. Our Troubadour. There are lots of podcasts but not too many with their own troubadour. Every week, we find a Dave Gunders’ original song perfect for the week and its current events.

 

Good-natured, witty, and wise, Dave tells us the stories behind the songs and how they may apply to the difficult year that was 2020. Please listen to another album’s worth of great music (12 songs) from our Troubadour.

 

Let us hope for better times in 2021 but we are the ones who need to make it happen. That’s what our podcast is all about. And entertainment of course. Special thanks to ace producer Nick Canepa. Happy New Year.

 

Rundown - 

Somebody Help Me - 00:01:27

Talking in Tongues - 0:08:10

Sorry Isn’t Good Enough - 00:14:04

On and On Her Way - 00:32:25

Simple Man - 00:44:56

No Vape - 00:51:15

Hard of Understanding - 00:58:28

This American Dream - 01:07:18

Henry Gunders Interview, (My Dad) - 01:15:45

Do What I Say - 01:53:06

Full-Time Job - 02:01:40

Dancing with the Tin Man - 02:10:16

 

Bonus Ep 1 - Holiday Music!

Holiday Music! Merry Christmas. Cheery Pandemica!

 

We celebrate holidays with festive songs. Fun caroling lyrics are published in Craig’s column in the Colorado Sun. 

 

Smile as Troubadour Dave Gunders gives his wonderful rendition of Craig’s slightly altered holiday classic, Jolly Old Joe Biden Sir.

 

Then singalong with Craig as he sings his own witty songbook. You are encouraged to sing loud or in small groups to drown out Craig’s distinctive voice.

 

For our holiday special and retrospective, we have music. Real music.  By an actual talented musician and a brilliant songwriter.

 

Please enjoy twelve original compositions of Dave Gunders along with the interviews which (sort of) explain the songs. 

 

Rundown-

Craig’s Holiday Songs - 00:04:56

The Fourth of July - 00:18:04

A Place in the Sun - 00:32:14

Ballad of Billy B and the Fair Skinned Girl - 00:41:11

Deep Down - 00:59:09

Earth - 01:10:27

Nothing the Wind Can’t Blow - 01:17:37

Not Withstanding - 01:27:28

Light of the Morning - 01:41:50

Eddie Don’t Quit - 01:51:37

Hole in the Head - 01:57:27

Give it Up - 02:04:24

Good to Believe - 02:10:41  

Craig’s Bonus Songs - 02:21:04

Episode 25 - The Garnetts

The Garnetts. What an accomplished Colorado family. I worked with Stan Garnett at the Denver DA’s Office and now his son Alec Garnett is Colorado’s House Speaker-Designate which means he will soon wield the gavel of immense Colorado political power. Listen and learn the secrets to raising a great son.

 

Alec discusses legislative priorities and why he chose to live in Denver rather than his native Boulder.  We review the amazing world of Colorado sports wagering under a legislative scheme Alec devised. Learn about Garnett family Christmas traditions. Expect this Colorado phenom to go far, perhaps Denver Mayor, perhaps Colorado Governor, maybe more.

 

Lynn Bartels is a veteran reporter for many great Denver papers.  Now, she is a columnist and a witty observer of all things political. We dish the dirt on the media, the GOP, Denver Trump Radio (e.g. Peter Boyles). Lynn gives a thumb down for the current Secretary of State Jena Griswold.  We both give thumbs down to Jenna Ellis and Donald Trump’s bullshit claims of rigged elections.

 

Stan Garnett and I have a nice visit in Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge, the first visit since his representation of Deborah Ramirez who accused Brett Kavanaugh of sexual improprieties back at Yale.  We also discuss Lin Wood of JonBenet and now “rigged election” fame.  Stan sizes up the changes in local DA’s offices.

 

Our Troubadour Dave Gunders delights with a wonderful Christmas song titled When the Lion lays Down with the Lamb, an older recording with his darling daughters Sarah and Rachel Gunders. Michael Bailey, a Craig’s Lawyers’ Lounge regular, my lawyer, and a terrific sponsor has an epic visit to discuss Christmas 2020 in the Bailey home.

 

Rundown-

Alec Garnett (With an early surprise from Stan) - 00:03:53

Lynn Bartels - 00:38:14

Stan Garnett in Craig's Lawyers' Lounge - 01:26:54

Dave Gunders - 01:56:05

Michael Bailey in Craig's Lawyers' Lounge - 02:06:13