[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on August 16th: Jack Talks with Brock Hunter about Vets, PTSD and the Law

I am guest hosting on AM 950 on August 16th at 6 p.m. c.t.  With more than two million American men and women in uniform who have rolled through Iraq and Afghanistan, we need to prepare for a virtual tidalwave of people who are coming back into society with PTSD and other problems.  We will see the massively impact our criminal justice system, and medical system and more.  And who is to blame?  How do we prepare?

Veteran and criminal defense attorney Brock Hunter has been at the forefront of this issue for years.  He drove the legislation here in Minnesota and has become an advocate on the topic across the country.  He regularly speaks in Washington DC and elsewhere on the topic.  He joins me to talk about it.

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[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on August 15th: Jack Looks at a Bachmann GOP Nomination

I am guest hosting on AM 950 on August 15th at 6 p.m. c.t.  Michelle Bachmann has just won the Iowa Straw poll which has catapulted her into the top three amongst GOP contenders, herself, Mitt Romney and Rick Perry.  What is interesting to me is that a lot of lefties has truly started to wring their hands about her.  I, for one, am thrilled.  I believe that she is the perfect candidate for the GOP to field against President Obama.  (Insert sarcasm here)

With the ongoing gaffes that seems to come out of her mouth like pennies from heaven, it would be nothing but a joy to watch the next 14 months.  Of course, we will see if that will happen. There is a long way to go.   

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[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on June 24th: Jack Talks and Gay Marriage

I am guest-hosting on Am 950 on Friday, June 24th at 6 p.m. c.t.  As we approach the 42nd Anniversary of the riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, we can certainly look at how things have changed for the LGBT community.  A picture of two men holding hands and walking down the street in a parade in today's paper.  This used to be illegal in cities across America.  However, the fight between equality is far from over.

Cathy Renna, the major force behind the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) joins me to talk about where we have come from on this issue.  Dot Belstler of Twin Cities Pride will also join me to talk about the upcoming festivities this weekend.  And Minnesota State Senator Scott Dibble joins me to talk about the upcoming fight over the Gay Marriage Amendment and what is coming in the future.

Hope you can listen.

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[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on June 23rd: Jack Talks with Judge Joanne Smith About Drug Court

I am guest hosting on AM 950 on June 23rd at 6 p.m.  There was a recent story in the Star Tribune about cuts in drug treatment programs in Minnesota prison.  When I heard the story, I was amazed.  Frankly, it has nothing to do with whether or not people in prison "deserve" anything.  Actually, it is something far more pragmatic.  If many people end up in prison because of drug issues and frequently come back for the same reasons, wouldn't it be far, far cheaper to address their drug issues rather than house them year after year and ignore the reasons that put them there?  

To better look at this issue, I want to turn to one of the foremost authorities on the issue.  Ramsey County District Court Judge Joanne Smith.  She runs the drug court in St. Paul and it has been one of 10 mentor courts for drug issues in the entire country.  She understands the issue like few others and is sought after nationwide to talk about the subject.  She will join me to talk about what it means.  Of course, as a criminal defense attorney, the issue of treatment and of addiction is something I have to continually talk to Judges and juries about on behalf of my client. 

It should be interesting to go into the trenches and talk about something that our society spends billions of dollars on and is still failing to truly address.

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[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on June 22nd: Jack Talks Law and President Obama's Speech

I will be hosting on AM 950 on June 22nd at 6 p.m. c.t.  President Obama speaks tonight about the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.  There is a real question about whether the President is prepared to go far enough and fast enough.  I am going to reach back historically and talk about where we have been as well as the numbers we have had on the ground over the years.  If you expect blind support for this President, you will be disappointed.  On the other hand, the GOPs approach has also been all over the board.

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[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on June 2nd: Jack Talks Law and The MN Budget Impasse

I will be guest-hosting on AM 950 on June 2nd at 5 pm c.t.  Minnesota Representative John Lesch (66A) joins me to talk the state of the budget and exactly what we should expect next.  John and I have known each other since he was a young prosecutor in St. Paul and I was a not so young criminal defense attorney years ago. Certainly will get interesting.  

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[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on May 12th. MN Wants You to Drink and Drive! Really!

I will be guest-hosting on AM 950 on May 12th at 5 p.m. c.t.  This should be interesting because O am going to dig into the DWI laws in the state of Minnesota.  Specifically, I am going to look at what is called physical control and what it means.  Unfortunately, the nature of the law actually motivates people to get out on the roads and try to make it home rather than stop and "sleep it off."  We will talk about what that means.  We will also talk about how other aspects would shock you too.  I mean it.

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[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on March 24th. Time For The Government to Regulate.

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I am guest hosting on AM 950 in Minneapolis on Thursday, March 24th at 5 p.m. c.t.  I read a recent story about oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico and the company's only admitting to spilling 5 gallons of crude. Ah, yeah.

Of course, there is little oversight and even less enforcement.  And yet, some continue to scream for additional deregulation. How has that worked so far?  Consider the Savings and Loan Industry, Investment Banking, Oil, Gas, Airlines, Commerce, and Media.  

Hope you can listen. 

Click here to listen to Jack's Appearance on AM 950.

[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on March 21st. MN State Senator Warren Limmer Joins Me

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I am guest hosting on AM 950 in Minneapolis on Monday, March 21st at 5 p.m. c.t.  Big cuts are coming at the Minnesota state legislature.   However, what happens if it impacts the core functions of government?

One of the core functions of government is the judiciary.  Putting it simply, this is about law and order.  How do you do it if you cut it to the bone and then chop into the bone again and again.

Senator Warren Limmer (R), Chairman of the MN Senate Judiciary, will join me on the program to talk about the cuts he is proposing, what they may do, and who may get hit.  

This will be an interesting conversation.  I truly hope you can join me.

Click here to listen to Jack's Appearance on AM 950.

[Podcast] AM 950 Appearance on January 27th. Talk on Public Defender Budget Cuts in Minnesota

I am guest hosting on AM 950 on Thursday, January 27th at 6 p.m. c.t.  Minnesota has a budget deficit of about six billion dollars.  It is a disaster.  Worse, rather than deal with the problem, the former governor simply pushed problems into the future so his successors would have to deal with them.

One of the problems faced right here in Minnesota has to do with the Court system.  The former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court talked about this again and again.  Further, in the Court system itself, the Public Defender's Office is in the worst shape.  The number of cases has continued to rise and their resources have continued to shrink.  At some point, if it has not already happened, the Constitutional rights of poor people may be violated.  Unfortunately, it may be getting worse.

I will have John Stuart, the Minnesota Chief Public Defender, and Pat Kittridge, the Chief Ramsey County Public Defender, on the program to talk about the challenges, the problems and even the Constitutional mandates and defending poor people charged with crimes.  

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