The Forge of Freedom

Show NotesEpisode 197. Families Are the Key to Building Alternatives to the StateIn this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley reflects on the significance of family during Thanksgiving, emphasizing its role as a foundational institution for civil society. He discusses how strong families can counteract state power and contribute to community engagement, civic participation, and religious involvement. The conversation highlights the decline of family structures and its implications for society, urging listeners to recognize the importance of familial bonds in preserving freedom and cultural strength.Chapters00:00 Thanksgiving Reflections on Family and Freedom01:39 The Role of Families in Civil Society04:45 The Impact of Family Structure on Community Engagement07:49 Marriage, Religion, and Civic Participation10:36 The State's Influence on Family Dynamics13:26 Cultural Strength and Independence through FamilyResourceshttps://mises.org/mises-wire/families-are-key-building-alternatives-statehttps://mises.org/mises-daily/what-has-government-done-our-familieshttps://mises.org/mises-wire/leftists-still-want-abolish-familyhttps://c4ss.org/content/16141https://www.cato.org/policy-report/september/october-2015/hayekian-theory-parental-rights#https://ifstudies.org/blog/is-limited-government-the-best-pro-family-policyMises Institute:Facebook:  @mises.instituteX: @misesYouTube: @misesmediaRyan McMaken on X:@ryanmcmakenTakeawaysFamilies are essential for building alternatives to the state.The family is the most natural institution in human society.The decline of the family correlates with the decline of civil society.Married couples with children are more engaged in community activities.Religious institutions rely heavily on stable family structures.Marriage contributes to economic stability and civic engagement.Strong families foster social networks and community trust.Political views differ significantly between married and unmarried individuals.Civic engagement is often rooted in family dynamics.Cultural strength is nurtured through family relationships.KeywordsThanksgiving, family, freedom, civil society, community engagement, marriage, religion, political implications, cultural strengthDISCLAIMER:  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

Show NotesEpisode 196. Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine with Greg EllifritzIn this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley welcomes Greg Ellifritz, a retired police officer and founder of Active Response Training. They discuss the importance of tactical first aid and the MARCH protocol, which focuses on managing massive bleeding, airway, respiration, circulation, and head injuries. Greg shares his extensive background in law enforcement and training, emphasizing the need for practical skills in emergency situations. The conversation also covers system collapse medicine, preparedness, and the significance of having the right training and resources for various medical emergencies.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tactical Medicine and Training Background07:00 Understanding Tactical First Aid vs. Standard First Aid16:13 The MARCH Protocol: A Tactical Approach to Trauma26:48 Massive Bleeding and Tourniquet Application33:42 Tourniquet Application and Wound Packing38:26 Understanding Tourniquet Misconceptions46:31 Tourniquet Placement Controversies50:17 Airway and Respiration Essentials58:39 Addressing Opioid Overdoses with Narcan01:04:45 Circulation and Wound Care Protocols01:06:00 Suturing Skills: A Fun Yet Questionable Necessity01:08:34 Wound Cleaning: The Importance of Proper Techniques01:12:17 Wound Closure: Risks and Best Practices01:15:54 Hypothermia and Head Injuries: Essential First Aid01:17:07 System Collapse Medicine: Preparing for Emergencies01:23:30 Gear Lists: Training Over Equipment01:26:34 Beyond Tactical Medicine: Greg's Broader WorkResourcesActive Response Traininghttps://www.activeresponsetraining.net/instructorsPat Rogers Memorial Revolver Round-Up at Gunsitehttps://www.gunsite.com/classes/pat-rogers-memorial-revolver-round-up/Blackwing Shooting Centerhttps://blackwingsc.com/training/training-courses/tactical-first-aid-system-collapse-medicine-with-greg-ellifritz/Forge of Freedom (Choose Adventure: Safe Travel In Dangerous Places by Greg Ellifritz)https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-87-choose-adventure-safe-travel-in-dangerous-places-by-greg-ellifritz/https://www.amazon.com/Choose-Adventure-Travel-Dangerous-Places-ebook/dp/B087BNB647/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=choose+adventure+greg+ellifritz&link_code=qs&qid=1603676124&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=actiresptrai-20&linkId=ad30689c10bd209db766d553546c306c&language=en_UShttps://www.chooseadventurebook.com/Forge of Freedom (Tactical First Aid and System Collapse Medicine After Action Report with Whitney Ooley)https://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-130-tactical-first-aid-and-system-collapse-medicine-rerun-of-episode-38/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URWAdmQ_dG4Tourniquets mentionedhttps://www.narescue.com/combat-application-tourniquet-c-a-t.htmlhttps://tacmedsolutions.com/products/sof-tourniquet?variant=40626596544711Keywordstactical medicine, first aid, MARCH protocol, emergency preparedness, Greg Ellifritz, Active Response Training, system collapse medicine, wound care, airway management, CPRDISCLAIMER:  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

Show NotesEpisode 195. Rebuilding the NRA: Rob Beckman on Reform, Responsibility, and the Future of Armed CitizenshipIn this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley speaks with Rob Beckman, a candidate for the NRA Board of Directors. They discuss Rob's background in firearms training, the importance of mental health awareness in the firearms community, and the ongoing reform efforts within the NRA, including the push for greater transparency and engagement with new demographics. Rob shares his motivations for running for the board, his vision for the future of the NRA, and the need for collaboration with other organizations in the gun rights movement. The conversation emphasizes the responsibility of gun owners and the importance of education and training in promoting safe firearm practices.TakeawaysRob Beckman emphasizes the need for mental health awareness in the firearms community.The NRA must engage with new demographics to grow its membership.Transparency in the NRA's financial dealings is crucial for rebuilding trust.Rob's podcast focuses on educating firearms instructors and owners.The importance of personal responsibility in gun ownership is highlighted.Collaboration with other gun rights organizations is essential for progress.Rob's candidacy is driven by a desire for reform within the NRA.The NRA's board structure may need to be streamlined for better efficiency.Rob believes in the importance of respectful communication with NRA members.The NRA is undergoing significant changes under new leadership. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Rob Beckman and the NRA Board Election02:40 Rob Beckman's Background and the Firearm Trainers Podcast05:27 Addressing Mental Health in the Firearms Community08:31 The Importance of Responsibility in Gun Ownership11:03 The NRA's Reform Efforts and Rob's Motivation to Run13:56 Rob's Vision for the NRA 2.0 and Key Priorities16:46 Engaging the Membership and the Nomination Process29:09 Engagement and Leadership in the NRA35:30 Collaboration with Other Organizations39:31 Reforming the NRA Board Structure46:38 Awareness and Communication in NRA's RestructuringResourcesFirearm Trainer’s Podcasthttps://www.firearmtrainerpodcast.com/Elect a New NRAhttps://electanewnra.com/NRA President’s Forumhttps://nrapresident.com/member-login/Members Take Back Our NRAhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/309304408832668Episode 167 of Forge of Freedom with Rob Beckmanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSxfqcPyNSoOrganizational Changes at the NRA (John Richardson)https://onlygunsandmoney.com/?p=35784NRA Announces Major Reorganization (John Petrolino)https://www.news2a.com/national/national-rifle-association-announces-major-reorganization/Doug Hamlin Interview with Cam Edwardshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=68LrNEURAyYPrevious Episodes of the Forge of Freedom re the NRAhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6_liiJJ_k4NgoT5yNSe6subWqvVN9cgoTheresa InackerJohn RichardsonAmanda SuffecoolJeff KnoxRonald Andring, Sr. KeywordsNRA, Rob Beckman, firearms training, mental health, NRA reform, gun rights, second amendment, firearms education, NRA board of directors, gun ownership responsibilityDISCLAIMER:  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

Show NotesEpisode 194. Perdomo: The Erosion of Individualized Suspicion and the Peril of Probabilistic PolicingIn this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley discusses the Supreme Court case Noem v. Perdomo, which has significant implications for immigration policies and individual liberties. The case revolves around the legality of detaining individuals based on generalized factors such as race and language, raising concerns about probabilistic policing and its potential to erode constitutional protections. Ooley explores the legal proceedings, the shadow docket's role, and the differing speeds of court decisions regarding executive power versus individual rights.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Case and Its Implications05:03 The Legal Proceedings and Court Decisions10:23 The Shift to Probabilistic Policing15:33 Comparative Analysis of Court DecisionsResourcesThe Reload w/ Professor Rory Littlehttps://thereload.com/podcast-how-a-scotus-immigration-case-could-implicate-gun-owners-ft-uc-law-professor-rory-little/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYsCbjyQ_wwProfessor Rory Little on SCOTUSbloghttps://www.scotusblog.com/2025/09/roving-patrols-reasonable-suspicion-and-perdomo/Perdomohttps://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/25a169_5h25.pdfhttps://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/noem-v-perdomo/Rory Littlehttps://www.uclawsf.edu/people/rory-little/https://www.scotusblog.com/author/rory-little/The Reloadhttps://thereload.com/https://thereload.substack.com/https://thereload.fireside.fm/hosts/stephengutowskiYouTube: @TheReloadSiteX: @StephenGutowskiTakeawaysThe Perdomo case could reshape immigration policies.Probabilistic policing may lead to unjust detentions.The shadow docket allows the Supreme Court to make swift decisions without full transparency.Justice Kavanaugh's concurrence raises concerns about expanding executive power.Justice Sotomayor's dissent highlights the risks of racial profiling.The disparity in court speed suggests a bias towards executive authority.Probabilistic reasoning could justify invasive government actions.The Fourth Amendment's protections are at risk with generalized suspicion.The case serves as a warning for all individual liberties, not just immigration.Future court decisions will be critical in defining the limits of executive power.KeywordsSupreme Court, immigration case, Nome vs. Perdomo, shadow docket, probabilistic policing, individual liberty, Fourth Amendment, executive power, Justice Kavanaugh, Justice SotomayorDISCLAIMER:  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.

Show NotesEpisode 193. Making Bail: The Eternal Struggle Between Order and Chaos (with Judge Houchin)In this episode of the Forge of Freedom podcast, host Alex Ooley welcomes back Judge Dustin Houchin to discuss his recent series on bail. The conversation explores the historical context of bail, the balance between order and chaos, and the evolution of bail laws in relation to individual rights and the U.S. Constitution. They delve into the impact of the 1966 Bail Reform Act, modern bail reform movements, and the contentious role of dangerousness in bail decisions. The discussion also touches on the political influences shaping bail reform and the uncertain future of these laws.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Forge of Freedom Podcast02:57 The Historical Context of Bail10:36 Understanding Bail: Definitions and Evolution18:45 The Rise of Individual Rights and Its Impact on Bail29:19 Modern Bail Reform Movements and Their Consequences30:36 The Evolution of Bail Laws in the U.S.32:54 Arguments for Pretrial Release vs. Detention34:19 Legal Frameworks and Constitutional Considerations39:20 The Debate on Dangerousness in Bail Decisions46:17 The Impact of Political Movements on Bail Reform51:18 The Role of the Obama Administration in Bail Reform54:25 Backlash Against Pretrial Release Reforms57:40 The Future of Bail Laws and Public SafetyResourcesJudex Substack by Judge Dustin Houchinhttps://judex.substack.com/Making Bail (complete series)https://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-f72Making Bail (individual installations)https://judex.substack.com/p/making-bailhttps://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-440?utm_source=publication-searchhttps://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-c22https://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-0a1https://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-dd9?utm_source=publication-searchhttps://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-2a1https://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-6b3?utm_source=publication-searchhttps://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-25fhttps://judex.substack.com/p/making-bail-1e8?publication_id=1153073&post_id=163630688&isFreemail=true&r=26b9h6&triedRedirect=trueEpisode 27. Crime and Punishment – A Retributive Theory of Justice with Judge Dustin Houchinhttps://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-27-crime-and-punishment-a-retributive-theory-of-justice-with-judge-dustin-houchin/Episode 103. Problem-Solving Courts: A Critical Examination with Judge Houchinhttps://forgeoffreedom.com/episode-103-problem-solving-courts-a-critical-examination-with-judge-houchin/TakeawaysBail is a historical attempt to balance order and chaos.The concept of bail has evolved significantly over time.Individual rights have played a crucial role in shaping bail laws.The U.S. Constitution does not guarantee a right to bail.The 1966 Bail Reform Act limited judges' ability to consider dangerousness.Modern bail reform movements often emphasize pretrial release.Arguments against pretrial release often cite public safety concerns.The role of dangerousness in bail decisions is contentious.Political influences have shaped the current bail reform landscape.The future of bail reform is uncertain and politically charged.Keywordsbail, justice system, order and chaos, individual rights, U.S. Constitution, bail reform, dangerousness, pretrial release, political influence, judicial philosophyDISCLAIMER:  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or individuals they may mention. The hosts and guests are not liable for any damages that may result from someone listening to this podcast.