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Yew, my guests to I represented Texas is thirty second district and is running for the Senate against America's Sweethearts head Cruise. Please welcome Representative Colin Alred.

Yew, my guests to I represented Texas is thirty second district and is running for the Senate against America's Sweethearts head Cruise. Please welcome Representative Colin Alred.

How you doing, I'm doing well.

How you doing, I'm doing well.

How are you?

How are you?

I'm doing great. Welcome to the show.

I'm doing great. Welcome to the show.

Yeah, this is great. Different what I usually do.

Yeah, this is great. Different what I usually do.

So, Yeah, they're fun right now, you guys.

So, Yeah, they're fun right now, you guys.

Are It's a little better than the.

Are It's a little better than the.

House right now, just slightly. That's I mean, that's not saying a lot. That's keeping the bar. It's pretty low.

House right now, just slightly. That's I mean, that's not saying a lot. That's keeping the bar. It's pretty low.

You have such an interesting resume. You're a former NFL player, civil rights yeah, civil rights attorney, congressman, and now currently running against Ted.

You have such an interesting resume. You're a former NFL player, civil rights yeah, civil rights attorney, congressman, and now currently running against Ted.

Cruz for the.

Cruz for the.

Yeah in Texas as a Democrat, which is a bit of an uphill battle. Right right now, you're currently pulling at six points behind. Does it make it worse that you're lagging behind Ted Cruz?

Yeah in Texas as a Democrat, which is a bit of an uphill battle. Right right now, you're currently pulling at six points behind. Does it make it worse that you're lagging behind Ted Cruz?

Of all.

Of all.

Now, listen, I'm confident that on November fifth that Texans are going to come out and show.

Now, listen, I'm confident that on November fifth that Texans are going to come out and show.

Who we really are.

Who we really are.

I think we've had enough of twelve years of having an embarrassment. One of the most divisive centers in the country is somebody who I think fundamentally doesn't appreciate who we really are as Texans. I'm a four generation Texan, was raised by a single mom in Dallas. You know, you mentioned what I've been able to do, but I was able to do that because I had a lot of help from my community.

I think we've had enough of twelve years of having an embarrassment. One of the most divisive centers in the country is somebody who I think fundamentally doesn't appreciate who we really are as Texans. I'm a four generation Texan, was raised by a single mom in Dallas. You know, you mentioned what I've been able to do, but I was able to do that because I had a lot of help from my community.

For my state.

For my state.

I want to make sure that we can have some actually cares about us in the Senate.

I want to make sure that we can have some actually cares about us in the Senate.

You have said before that you don't Texas doesn't have to be embarrassed by their senator. What is the most embarrassing thing about Ted Cruz? Is it that he fled to Cancun while Texans were in the dark and cold, or that time that he didn't feel the booger on his lip for so long.

You have said before that you don't Texas doesn't have to be embarrassed by their senator. What is the most embarrassing thing about Ted Cruz? Is it that he fled to Cancun while Texans were in the dark and cold, or that time that he didn't feel the booger on his lip for so long.

Burned in my memory.

Burned in my memory.

You know, I think there's the antics, right, There's like the you know, reading green eggs and ham on the Senate floor, or you're trying to take health care away from forty million people and stuff like that. There's the fact that he podcasts three times a week, which is a lot. Hat Yeah, that's a lot, when I say, senator, But you know when you had that little ROLLI bag when he's coming back from Kancun. Oh, yes, you know, it's frustrating going through those little rope lines at any time when you're going through it alone. To explain why you abandoned your state during a state guide crisis, that was really embarrassing.

You know, I think there's the antics, right, There's like the you know, reading green eggs and ham on the Senate floor, or you're trying to take health care away from forty million people and stuff like that. There's the fact that he podcasts three times a week, which is a lot. Hat Yeah, that's a lot, when I say, senator, But you know when you had that little ROLLI bag when he's coming back from Kancun. Oh, yes, you know, it's frustrating going through those little rope lines at any time when you're going through it alone. To explain why you abandoned your state during a state guide crisis, that was really embarrassing.

That's the opra that was Htopera.

That's the opra that was Htopera.

You're a father of two and you were one of the first members of Congress to take paternity leave. First of all, thank you for your service, and secondly, why is that so rare among your colleagues.

You're a father of two and you were one of the first members of Congress to take paternity leave. First of all, thank you for your service, and secondly, why is that so rare among your colleagues.

Yeah, well, I didn't know that I was going to be the first one.

Yeah, well, I didn't know that I was going to be the first one.

I did it. I thought that this was a normal thing to do.

I did it. I thought that this was a normal thing to do.

You know, I grew up and I knowing my father, and so for me, I knew that when we had kids that I was going to do it right. And that starts at the beginning. And there's so much we've learned a lot.

You know, I grew up and I knowing my father, and so for me, I knew that when we had kids that I was going to do it right. And that starts at the beginning. And there's so much we've learned a lot.

There are so many benefits for.

There are so many benefits for.

When men take leave in those early days. It's better for the men themselves, for their spouses, for their kids. And you know, this is not available to every American and I want to make sure that it is. And that's one of the things I've been working on.

When men take leave in those early days. It's better for the men themselves, for their spouses, for their kids. And you know, this is not available to every American and I want to make sure that it is. And that's one of the things I've been working on.

Because you.

Because you.

And I both know that those early days are tough. Oh yeah, and when you're welcoming, you know your bundle of joy is also coming with a whole lot of other things that are changing your life. And you know, I don't think it's right that we're the only major developed country in the world that doesn't have a national paid lead policy, but.

And I both know that those early days are tough. Oh yeah, and when you're welcoming, you know your bundle of joy is also coming with a whole lot of other things that are changing your life. And you know, I don't think it's right that we're the only major developed country in the world that doesn't have a national paid lead policy, but.

Do not agree more.

Do not agree more.

Texas was one of the first states to criminalize abortion. What would be your plans to protect and restore women's reproductive rights?

Texas was one of the first states to criminalize abortion. What would be your plans to protect and restore women's reproductive rights?

As you mentioned my wife and I we've had two boys in Dallas in the last five years, and I went to every ultrasound appointment, every genetic testing. And you know those rooms when you're having those conversations with your doctor, they're too small to have somebody like Ted Cruz in there with you. What's happening in Texas is really it's a tragedy. You've had twenty six thousand women who had to get birth to their rapist child since these laws went into place. We've had stories like ky Cox. So it was a mother of two who had a much want and third pregnancy. She'd go to the emergency room four times. Her doctor said she needed a medically necessary abortion, and she asked her state. Can I have it close to home because I have a one and a three year old at home.

As you mentioned my wife and I we've had two boys in Dallas in the last five years, and I went to every ultrasound appointment, every genetic testing. And you know those rooms when you're having those conversations with your doctor, they're too small to have somebody like Ted Cruz in there with you. What's happening in Texas is really it's a tragedy. You've had twenty six thousand women who had to get birth to their rapist child since these laws went into place. We've had stories like ky Cox. So it was a mother of two who had a much want and third pregnancy. She'd go to the emergency room four times. Her doctor said she needed a medically necessary abortion, and she asked her state. Can I have it close to home because I have a one and a three year old at home.

They said no. They didn't just say no, it's.

They said no. They didn't just say no, it's.

If you do this, we're going to prosecute you, your doctor, your hospital. We have counties saying you can't drive to the county if you're to use the roads to access an abortion. I mean, that doesn't sound like freedom to me. And I know one thing about us is Texans, so we believe in freedom.

If you do this, we're going to prosecute you, your doctor, your hospital. We have counties saying you can't drive to the county if you're to use the roads to access an abortion. I mean, that doesn't sound like freedom to me. And I know one thing about us is Texans, so we believe in freedom.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

To me.

To me.

The only way that we can restore this right to Texas women and families is at the federal level by codifying Roe v.

The only way that we can restore this right to Texas women and families is at the federal level by codifying Roe v.

Wade. And I'm not saying a little.

Wade. And I'm not saying a little.

Yeah, voter turnout is going to be critical for you to flip the seat. It's been estimated that nine point five million registered voters didn't vote in the last election. How will you encourage Texans to get out and vote and does it rhyme with Morshin?

Yeah, voter turnout is going to be critical for you to flip the seat. It's been estimated that nine point five million registered voters didn't vote in the last election. How will you encourage Texans to get out and vote and does it rhyme with Morshin?

Well, as you mentioned, I was a civil rights lawyer, but I was a voting rights lawyer, specifically before I ran for Congress. You know, to me, there's nothing more important than getting you know, Texans and our fellow Americans engaged in our democracy, and in Texas we make.

Well, as you mentioned, I was a civil rights lawyer, but I was a voting rights lawyer, specifically before I ran for Congress. You know, to me, there's nothing more important than getting you know, Texans and our fellow Americans engaged in our democracy, and in Texas we make.

It way too difficult to vote.

It way too difficult to vote.

But I want folks to know there's a reason why they're trying to make it harder for you to vote. Why are they trying to take your voice away? Why are they trying so hard to make it difficult for you to be engaged?

But I want folks to know there's a reason why they're trying to make it harder for you to vote. Why are they trying to take your voice away? Why are they trying so hard to make it difficult for you to be engaged?

Don't let them do it right?

Don't let them do it right?

And to our young people, you know, it's like one of the things where you wouldn't let your grandparents pick your playlist for the next six years.

And to our young people, you know, it's like one of the things where you wouldn't let your grandparents pick your playlist for the next six years.

I don't want to pick your centermer right, you know? So?

I don't want to pick your centermer right, you know? So?

You know, yeah so, But.

You know, yeah so, But.

I mean, I think it's also true that we have to talk about what's at steak. You know, to me, in Texas, what's at steak is our fundamental freedoms if taken away. A woman's right to choose, the ability to make your own decision about your body. They're banning books, They're kicking kids out of school because of their hairstyle. I mean, to me, this is fundamentally about who we are as Texans and as Americans, and we have to restore freedom in Texas and across this country. Now, thinkolks are going to come out and stand up for that.

I mean, I think it's also true that we have to talk about what's at steak. You know, to me, in Texas, what's at steak is our fundamental freedoms if taken away. A woman's right to choose, the ability to make your own decision about your body. They're banning books, They're kicking kids out of school because of their hairstyle. I mean, to me, this is fundamentally about who we are as Texans and as Americans, and we have to restore freedom in Texas and across this country. Now, thinkolks are going to come out and stand up for that.

You serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee. We just recently found out that seven aid workers were killed in Gaza due to Israel air strikes. Does that give you any hesitation to providing Israel with bombs?

You serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee. We just recently found out that seven aid workers were killed in Gaza due to Israel air strikes. Does that give you any hesitation to providing Israel with bombs?

Listen, this is a horrible tragedy, and these folks were there to feed folks who are suffering from famine, extreme conditions. They've done it around the world, and to me, it's an incredibly noble venture that they're engaged in to try and make sure that we can combat these conditions. And as I see it, October seventh was a tragedy and the response anyways has been incredibly difficult to deal with. Our role, I think has to be to try and ensure that we as we're negotiating for an extended cease fire, that we have these hostages come home and that we find a way forward in which there's two states existing peacefully next to each other. And that has to be our n goal.

Listen, this is a horrible tragedy, and these folks were there to feed folks who are suffering from famine, extreme conditions. They've done it around the world, and to me, it's an incredibly noble venture that they're engaged in to try and make sure that we can combat these conditions. And as I see it, October seventh was a tragedy and the response anyways has been incredibly difficult to deal with. Our role, I think has to be to try and ensure that we as we're negotiating for an extended cease fire, that we have these hostages come home and that we find a way forward in which there's two states existing peacefully next to each other. And that has to be our n goal.

And we've had.

And we've had.

You know, this has been our policy for some time, but in some ways I think it had drifted away in a strange way. I think this is a highlight of the need that we come back to this, that we make sure that we have a peaceful and independent Palacitian state next to a stable, democratic and Jewish Israeli state, and these folks co exist because we, honestly, we cannot continue.

You know, this has been our policy for some time, but in some ways I think it had drifted away in a strange way. I think this is a highlight of the need that we come back to this, that we make sure that we have a peaceful and independent Palacitian state next to a stable, democratic and Jewish Israeli state, and these folks co exist because we, honestly, we cannot continue.

Down this road.

Down this road.

I so appreciate the work that you do, and I so appreciate you being on the show tonight. I wish you the best of luck. Representative Colin Alrech my guest tonight or execus get A. Producers and writers of the award winning documentary film Against All Enemies, which exposes the role of military veterans and extremist groups, please welcome Sebastian Junger and Ken Harbaugh. Well, hello, thank you so much for being on the show.

I so appreciate the work that you do, and I so appreciate you being on the show tonight. I wish you the best of luck. Representative Colin Alrech my guest tonight or execus get A. Producers and writers of the award winning documentary film Against All Enemies, which exposes the role of military veterans and extremist groups, please welcome Sebastian Junger and Ken Harbaugh. Well, hello, thank you so much for being on the show.

Pleasure.

Pleasure.

This movie scared the ship out of me. Was that was that the goal?

This movie scared the ship out of me. Was that was that the goal?

Yeah, it's a it's a tough time in America right now, and I think we all have to pay attention to whether we stay in democracy or not. And that's what the point of this film was, is to get us to think about that.

Yeah, it's a it's a tough time in America right now, and I think we all have to pay attention to whether we stay in democracy or not. And that's what the point of this film was, is to get us to think about that.

Yeah, it really really does.

Yeah, it really really does.

Ken, you're a military veteran, a former Navy pilot. You can absolutely say that the vast majority of veterans have not joined these extremist groups, but for those that have what's so compelling to them to join the Oathkeepers, the Proud Boys three percenters.

Ken, you're a military veteran, a former Navy pilot. You can absolutely say that the vast majority of veterans have not joined these extremist groups, but for those that have what's so compelling to them to join the Oathkeepers, the Proud Boys three percenters.

Well, I'm glad you recognized that the vast majority of my buddies, my brothers and sisters in arms don't go join the Proud Boys or the Oath Keepers. But the ones that do, in many cases do it out of a sense of needing to recapture that camaraderie and that sense of belonging that they felt in uniform. When you take the uniform off, that goes away almost overnight. And one of the things these groups do really really well is recreate that by giving these veterans that sense of purpose and that sense of mission. The problem is that mission is undermining democracy.

Well, I'm glad you recognized that the vast majority of my buddies, my brothers and sisters in arms don't go join the Proud Boys or the Oath Keepers. But the ones that do, in many cases do it out of a sense of needing to recapture that camaraderie and that sense of belonging that they felt in uniform. When you take the uniform off, that goes away almost overnight. And one of the things these groups do really really well is recreate that by giving these veterans that sense of purpose and that sense of mission. The problem is that mission is undermining democracy.

Sebastian.

Sebastian.

You explored you co directed in award winning documentary Ristreppo that explores the war in Afghanistan, and you've extensively talked about combat veterans reintegrating into civilian life in your book Tribe. What is it specifically about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that play a role in everything that we're seeing right now?

You explored you co directed in award winning documentary Ristreppo that explores the war in Afghanistan, and you've extensively talked about combat veterans reintegrating into civilian life in your book Tribe. What is it specifically about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that play a role in everything that we're seeing right now?

Yeah, I mean it's complicated. The guys I was with in Afghanistan off and on for a year. You know, they they sort of trended conservative. But I can't imagine any one of those guys doing anything like what happened on January sixth. The real combat veterans usually don't have anything to prove, and I think one of the ways that the January sixth crowd is dangerous. They're dangerous in two different ways. One is that there are some real deal special forces guys who know what they're doing, who could organize a very serious, violent situation in this country, and we have to be very very careful of those guys. Most of the I would say most of the guys on January sixth, with the beards and the you know, camo, the tactical pants, et cetera, et cetera, might have been in the military but probably never saw combat. And I think that makes them extremely dangerous because they have this sort of fantasy of themselves as a hero, along with probably some psych disorders, and that creates that creates a very very dangerous mix.

Yeah, I mean it's complicated. The guys I was with in Afghanistan off and on for a year. You know, they they sort of trended conservative. But I can't imagine any one of those guys doing anything like what happened on January sixth. The real combat veterans usually don't have anything to prove, and I think one of the ways that the January sixth crowd is dangerous. They're dangerous in two different ways. One is that there are some real deal special forces guys who know what they're doing, who could organize a very serious, violent situation in this country, and we have to be very very careful of those guys. Most of the I would say most of the guys on January sixth, with the beards and the you know, camo, the tactical pants, et cetera, et cetera, might have been in the military but probably never saw combat. And I think that makes them extremely dangerous because they have this sort of fantasy of themselves as a hero, along with probably some psych disorders, and that creates that creates a very very dangerous mix.

Yeah, well you bring that up. Would you say that?

Yeah, well you bring that up. Would you say that?

Is it fair to say that in this country we could have stronger support systems for those veterans who are coming back and reintegrating into society.

Is it fair to say that in this country we could have stronger support systems for those veterans who are coming back and reintegrating into society.

Yes, I don't think that's the problem here with these guys. I think they're sort of willing dupes of a dishonest ex president, and they were sort of they wanted to they wanted to believe something, and they wanted a war to fight, and they wanted to act in a supposedly heroic way in a crucial moment in history and like save the nation. Except it's all nonsense, right, And but that aside, just generally for vets. Absolutely, we live in an amazing but alienating modern society and vets come back and it's very hard to fit in, and frankly, it's very hard for all of us to fit in. I mean, the depression and suicide rate in this country is through the roof, Like why would that be?

Yes, I don't think that's the problem here with these guys. I think they're sort of willing dupes of a dishonest ex president, and they were sort of they wanted to they wanted to believe something, and they wanted a war to fight, and they wanted to act in a supposedly heroic way in a crucial moment in history and like save the nation. Except it's all nonsense, right, And but that aside, just generally for vets. Absolutely, we live in an amazing but alienating modern society and vets come back and it's very hard to fit in, and frankly, it's very hard for all of us to fit in. I mean, the depression and suicide rate in this country is through the roof, Like why would that be?

Right? Right?

Right? Right?

So, extremist groups have been in the US for a long time, but what makes this particular moment so is so impactful and so dangerous.

So, extremist groups have been in the US for a long time, but what makes this particular moment so is so impactful and so dangerous.

We have dealt since our founding as a country with extremism, with extremist groups.

We have dealt since our founding as a country with extremism, with extremist groups.

But you have to go back a long ways.

But you have to go back a long ways.

To find a period in American history where a domestic terrorist movement has the cover of a political party that is a new situation when you have a former president name checking an organization the Proud Boys, deemed by Canada is a terrorist entity, name checking them from behind a presidential podium. That is incredibly invigorating for these organizations.

To find a period in American history where a domestic terrorist movement has the cover of a political party that is a new situation when you have a former president name checking an organization the Proud Boys, deemed by Canada is a terrorist entity, name checking them from behind a presidential podium. That is incredibly invigorating for these organizations.

And you probably have.

And you probably have.

To go back to the rise of the KKK in the South to find an analog to a terrorist movement that had major political cover and used it to.

To go back to the rise of the KKK in the South to find an analog to a terrorist movement that had major political cover and used it to.

Recavoc You bring up the former president. He has certainly said some controversial things about veterans, somewhat disrespectful. Well, some might say he's asked wounded vets to not appear at his events. He's called American service members who have passed suckers and losers. Why is it that you find that your military brothers and sisters are coming to his side.

Recavoc You bring up the former president. He has certainly said some controversial things about veterans, somewhat disrespectful. Well, some might say he's asked wounded vets to not appear at his events. He's called American service members who have passed suckers and losers. Why is it that you find that your military brothers and sisters are coming to his side.

We all know he has no respect for the military. He disdains the very idea of service. He didn't just call those who serve suckers. He calls those who died fighting for the country suckers. He called those who put on the uniform to serve their country losers. I think it's incumbent upon us to make sure that every single veteran knows between now and the election, just how disdainful of the very idea of service the former president is.

We all know he has no respect for the military. He disdains the very idea of service. He didn't just call those who serve suckers. He calls those who died fighting for the country suckers. He called those who put on the uniform to serve their country losers. I think it's incumbent upon us to make sure that every single veteran knows between now and the election, just how disdainful of the very idea of service the former president is.

There's no real evidence so far that Trump and his followers will accept the election results upcoming.

There's no real evidence so far that Trump and his followers will accept the election results upcoming.

How do you see this playing out?

How do you see this playing out?

It could go a number of ways. I mean, I certainly hope that the person who tried to end democracy doesn't win a second term. Even if he loses, though, I think we all know that he's not going to concede. He tried to overthrow the results of a free and fair election once, I assume he'll do it again. I know Sebastiana has thoughts on this, but I think we need to be prepared for the worst.

It could go a number of ways. I mean, I certainly hope that the person who tried to end democracy doesn't win a second term. Even if he loses, though, I think we all know that he's not going to concede. He tried to overthrow the results of a free and fair election once, I assume he'll do it again. I know Sebastiana has thoughts on this, but I think we need to be prepared for the worst.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely, I don't. I can't think a good reason why there wouldn't be violence if Trump loses.

Yeah, yeah, absolutely, I don't. I can't think a good reason why there wouldn't be violence if Trump loses.

He hasn't.

He hasn't.

I mean, he's all in now, right Like, if he doesn't get re elected, he's wide open to criminal prosecution. He's the only thing protecting him, and it shouldn't even protect him, but it seems to be for the moment, so he's got nothing to lose.

I mean, he's all in now, right Like, if he doesn't get re elected, he's wide open to criminal prosecution. He's the only thing protecting him, and it shouldn't even protect him, but it seems to be for the moment, so he's got nothing to lose.

A lot of these far right extremists don't trust the government, They don't trust the meeting. They are untrusting of our intelligence agencies. Is there do you see any kind of hopeful time in our future where we're all dealing with the same facts.

A lot of these far right extremists don't trust the government, They don't trust the meeting. They are untrusting of our intelligence agencies. Is there do you see any kind of hopeful time in our future where we're all dealing with the same facts.

I think a glimmer of hope please.

I think a glimmer of hope please.

I think it starts with conversations like this, It starts with films like Against All Enemies. But at the end of the day, it's going to come down to one on one conversations. It's going to come down to a family member who cares about a veteran who is at that crossroads between doing something noble like joining Team Rubicon and helping disaster relief victims across the country, or joining the Proud Boys and Oathkeepers and undermining democracy. That decision often comes down to a conversation with someone who cares.

I think it starts with conversations like this, It starts with films like Against All Enemies. But at the end of the day, it's going to come down to one on one conversations. It's going to come down to a family member who cares about a veteran who is at that crossroads between doing something noble like joining Team Rubicon and helping disaster relief victims across the country, or joining the Proud Boys and Oathkeepers and undermining democracy. That decision often comes down to a conversation with someone who cares.

About that veteran.

About that veteran.

Well, thank you so much for being on. Thank you for making this incredible film and starting this conversation. Against All Enemies is in select theaters and available on vod ken Harbaugh and Sebastian Younger.

Well, thank you so much for being on. Thank you for making this incredible film and starting this conversation. Against All Enemies is in select theaters and available on vod ken Harbaugh and Sebastian Younger.

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