Radio, Feb. 25: Sacred fire of liberty

    Update after 2/25 show: For more about Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, founder of American Islamic Forum for Democracy, click here. He will be on CNN with Paula Zahn, Tuesday 2/27 at 6pm MST. Heather MonDee's self-defense class at Denver Academy of Martial Arts is called Stay Alive Personal Protection. Here's the link. Bob Beltz of Walden Media, discussing the "Amazing Grace" movie, was rescheduled for an upcoming show.

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denver To listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you see any sort of tribute to George Washington this week on the 275th anniversary of his birth? Me neither, and what a shame. The Father of our Country, one of the greatest men of the millennium, deserves undying homage. Presidents' Day, this week's generic non-holiday, is no substitute.

On last week's show we quoted from Washington's first inaugural address: "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the republican model of government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the American people."

Those two duties, preserving liberty and sustaining republican government, sum up our challenge as conservatives. Lincoln echoed Washington in calling America "the last best hope of earth." Yet political urgency of the moment often distracts us from the big picture as those heroes saw it. Our goal on Backbone Radio is to cut the clutter and keep eyes on the prize. Please join us!

** This Sunday my guests include Bob Beltz, one of those behind the new movie "Amazing Grace" about William Wilberforce, and State Rep. Cory Gardner, a leading conservative in Colorado's liberal-dominated legislature.

** We'll also talk with Joseph C. Phillips, our man in Hollywood, about the Oscars and the Obama boom... with a Muslim former naval officer about his love for America... and with a women's self-defense expert about the Second Amendment.

If you think it's hoky to talk about "the sacred fire of liberty" and other high ideals, skip our Feb. 25 show. Spend the evening with People magazine or the Weather Channel. Can't hurt my feelings. But if you care as I do about vindicating "the experiment entrusted to the American people," tune in and call in. Together we can make a difference.

Yours for self-government, JOHN ANDREWS