Plain Talk

There is perhaps no political conflagration in America more intractable than our debate over border security and immigration. In the long run, we need policies that facilitate lawful immigration while giving no quarter to illegal entry into our country. In the here and now, we have a crisis at the southern border, with thousands upon thousands captured and detained while trying to make an illegal crossing, and thousands more successfully entering our country outside of our laws. North Dakota Congressman Kelly Armstrong visited the southern border this week and will share what he saw, and what we ought to do about it, on this episode of Plain Talk Live. “When we are talking to local law enforcement and local city officials, it becomes very clear that we have a broken immigration system," he said in a press release about the visit. "These are communities built on immigration. These aren’t partisan issues down here. They are community issues and public safety issues. Because of the Federal government’s failure to act, we are asking more of our local law enforcement agencies. That is taking away from citizens in these communities. It is taking away from deputies and their families and what they do." "We have to do a better job of providing resources to the communities, law enforcement agents, and the people who are dealing with this emergency. We have to do a much better job of talking about this issue and how it affects everybody who lives in border towns and everybody who lives across the country," he continued.

In Georgia, Major League Baseball reacted to the passage of election reform laws with a boycott. The sports league has moved its all-star game from Atlanta to Colorado. In North Dakota, a debate over legislation dealing with transgender athletes was dominated by rumors about what the NCAA might do to punish the state if it passed. Every day, much of America's political debate takes place in venues where corporate giants like Facebook, Twitter, and Google regulate the speech, either through direct human intervention or through filtering algorithms the companies have developed. Is this what we want? On this episode of Plain Talk Live, Rob and University of North Dakota political science professor Bo Wood talk about it. Also, President Joe Biden's administration wants a new infrastructure bill and tax increases, and will Congress, with Democrats in charge, pass gun control legislation? Send comments and feedback to rport@forumcomm.com.

On this episode of Plain Talk, Rob talks with David Owen of Legalize ND about the future of legalizing recreational marijuana in North Dakota now that the Legislature has shot down legalization efforts.

Rob and Jay talk about the controversy around the Georgia voting laws.

North Dakota Lt. Governor Brent Sanford talks about his work to find a buyer for Coal Creek Station, the state's largest coal-fired power plant, as well as the future of coal-fired power in the state in general.

Rob talks with filmmaker Matt Fern about his documentary, "Fighting over Sioux," about the years-long controversy over the University of North Dakota's former Fighting Sioux nickname.

In the very first live streamed episode of Plain Talk, Rob and podcaster Jonah Lantto of the Good Talk Network talk about COVID-19 vaccines, marijuana legalization, and cancel culture.

Rob and Jay talk about outrage exhaustion, marijuana legalization, and underage drinking.

Rob and Jay talk about transgender issues and vaccinations.

Rob and Jay talk about the headlines, including immigration.