Enjoy the complimentary clip or read the transcript for details.

The war on women is a term disregarded by many on the right today and is used as a political weapon by many on the left. Join Glenn as he highlights the history of this movement and puts things into proper perspective.

Listen to the full series from The Glenn Beck Program:

Part I

There was a Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I and World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Desert Storm. But what's the longest-running war in world history? If you believe the mainstream media and the progressive left, it's the War on Women --- and it's being waged exclusively by people on the right. Learn the truth about the beginning of the women's movement and key issues troubling feminist today --- reproductive rights and equal pay.

Part II

There is a War on Women, but it's not in the United States. According modern American feminists, their biggest priorities include access to birth control, abortion on demand and income equality --- all of which they already have. They ignore the plight of women and girls across the globe who face real subjugation and inequality. Under Sharia law, women face a level of oppression and violence the likes of which modern feminists have never experienced. Women live under the rule of men and antiquated laws that include stoning, honor killing and mutilation. These women don't have the freedom to wear pink, knitted hats and rant in the streets about imagined oppression. Theirs is real oppression that often times ends in slavery, severe punishments or death.

Part III

"I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar," was one of the biggest hit songs in the 1970s from singer Helen Reddy. In the midst of a social upheaval that revolted against traditional female roles, it became the background anthem for protests against beauty pageants, bra burning demonstrations and the failed Equal Rights Amendment.

Part IV

As with many movements in the 1960s and '70s, Marxism and radicalism poisoned the direction that this movement would take. What may have started out as a way for women to discover new talents that they never knew they had, and to spread their wings to fly a little, morphed into yet another way for radicals to infiltrate American society.

Watch the video for a sneak peak and answers to these questions:

• Is Australia's feminism ahead of America or at odds with the movement?

• What is one of our greatest failures?

• Why has Glenn been begging his in-laws to move in with him?

Watch the full episode on-demand at TheBlaze TV.

"The machine part will be so powerful that it will completely be able to model and understand the biological part. So even if that biological part went away, it wouldn't make any difference," Kurzweil said. "We'll also have non-biological bodies."

Enjoy the complimentary clip or read the transcript for details.

Unless you are a political junkie, the confirmation process for the Supreme Court is not exactly must-see TV, but the results will shape the courts for decades. Over the next two to three weeks, Judge Neil Gorsuch will field questions from both sides with most of the intensity predictably coming from the left. The good news is the left isn't likely to find many arrows to sling.

Gorsuch appears to be devoid of the proverbial skeleton in the closet that Democrats hope to find, making his confirmation a near certainty --- knock on wood. That said, there are several scenarios that could play out of the next several weeks. Here are the five most likely:

1| Democrats Roll Over

It only takes a simple majority for confirmation, meaning Gorsuch only needs 51 votes. Republicans own the majority of seats in the Senate with 52 and none are likely to vote "no." If a few Democrat votes are swayed his way, Gorsuch could be confirmed with a supermajority of 60 votes, making it impossible for Democrats to filibuster.

2| The Nuclear Option

Thanks to Harry Reid reinstating the parliamentary rule of the nuclear option in 2013, Republicans are able to invoke that rule and bypass the 60 vote threshold. If Republicans choose to implement the nuclear option, only a simple majority is needed and Gorsuch would be confirmed. Utilizing this option would almost certainly make for an all out war for the next nomination which could happen as early as this year.

3| The Two-Speech Rule

A Senate rule mandates the Senate stay in the same legislative day until filibustering senators give up on their efforts. This is essentially a way to tire out the filibuster and exhaust the objecting minority to run out the clock. Confirmation would only require the simple majority of 51 votes this way.

4| Punt

While highly unlikely, this would occur if, for whatever reason, President Trump withdraws the nomination. Whether he's expending too much political capital or some scandal were to explode, Trump could just punt on Gorsuch and go back to the drawing board.

5| Democrats Actually Like Gorsuch

It's no as farfetched as it might sound. Gorsuch is a very reasonable judge who was confirmed unanimously 10 years ago to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. If Republicans and Gorsuch sway a handful of Democrats, he could easily push through with a supermajority.

Analysis

From most reports, there's not much to object to when it comes to Judge Gorsuch --- even for Democrats. Don't get too excited just yet, though. Democrats will have to play the part of taking a stand and cast a few votes against him.

Don't expect Trump to punt, he hasn't seemed too concerned with a little opposition. When he chooses his guy, he tends to stand by him. Invoking the nuclear option isn't likely either, as it could have serious ramifications no one wants to deal with this early on in an administration.

Watch for enough Democrats to cave for a supermajority. Republicans have the upper hand and Democrats know it. Judge Gorsuch is a conservative's dream, but he's not really a liberal's worst nightmare either. As it stands now, we can look forward to hearing the name Justice Gorsuch for decades to come.

Watch the video for a sneak peak and answers to these thought-provoking questions:

• Is there a possibility President Trump is doing exactly the right thing with his budget?

• What was the original role of the government and what has it turned into?

• What percent of PBS is funded by the federal government?

Watch the full episode on-demand at TheBlaze TV.

In 1988, at the swearing-in ceremony for Anthony M. Kennedy, now a senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, President Ronald Reagan said this:

The role assigned to judges in our system was to interpret the Constitution and lesser laws, not to make them. It was to protect the integrity of the Constitution, not to add to it or subtract from it --- certainly not to rewrite it.

In his usual manner, Ronald Reagan said it well and succinctly. The role of the Supreme Court is to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States when deciding the outcome of cases. Period, that's it. Unfortunately, the court has gradually abandoned its essential role under the Constitution to neutrally interpret laws and constitutional provisions without personal bias.

What's getting in the way?

1| Politicizing the Court

No case ends up in the Supreme Court without making its way through the lower courts, giving both sides of the aisle plenty of time to form opinions and politicize issues. By the time cases are heard in the high court, especially those with more notoriety, tempers can be heated and politicos riled up. Even when cases are ruled according to the Constitution and judges remain impartial, politicians and pundits usually find a way to politicize issues.

2| Legislating From the Bench

Supreme Court judges are appointed by the executive branch and confirmed by the legislative branch. This allows all three branches of the government to be a check and balance on the others. However, when ideologically-driven justices impose their own views instead of attempting to determine the original public meaning of a statute or constitutional provision, it compromises the Framers’ vision of America being a government of laws and not of men.

So what is the proper role of the Supreme Court? Well, according to Reagan:

As the Framers knew, unless judges are bound by the text of the Constitution, we will, in fact, no longer have a government of laws, but of men and women who are judges. And if that happens, the words of the documents that we think govern us will be just masks for the personal and capricious rule of a small elite.

It's really quite simple, the justice's role is to follow the Constitution, adhering to its original intent. The Constitution is not a "living and breathing" document as the left would have you believe. The only way to make the Constitution "live and breath" is through a constitutional amendment, not through the high court. The Constitution is the solid rock on which justices must anchor their decisions, without imposing their own views and policy preferences.

Source:

¹ The Heritage Foundation

This past election wore people out, plain and simple. Hillary seemed the inevitable winner with another four years of Obama-style tyranny on the horizon and little hope of returning to the Constitution. Just when conservatives thought it couldn't get worse, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away.

Not only was he a great man and legendary judicial mind, he was the last stop to hold the Constitution together when it was hanging by a thread. Scalia and Judge Clarence Thomas held down the conservative wing of the court as it leaned further and further to the left. His loss was a seismic event for the Supreme Court.

A good portion of the Republicans voted for Donald Trump solely on this issue --- filling the sizable shoes of the stalwart constitutionalist Judge Antonin Scalia. When candidate Trump put out a list of nominees, promising to choose only from among those named, it was a catalyst for many reticent voters to throw in with him. There are many reasons Trump shocked the world and won the election, but the vacancy on the Supreme Court played no small measure in him clinching the victory to stop Hillary Clinton from nominating a progressive leftist to the court.

Many names were tossed around in the weeks following Trump's election leading up to the inauguration. Even then, the #NeverTrump crowd still remained skeptical that he would actually nominate someone worthy of replacing Scalia. Then the final three names started to emerge: Thomas Hardiman, William Pryor and Neil Gorsuch.

Conservatives would have been fine with either Pryor or Gorsuch, but the fear was Trump would pick Hardiman, who was about as close to the center without falling into the left. Hardiman even served on the same court as Trump's sister. The writing appeared to be on the wall, many believing Trump was about to reveal exactly why he couldn't be trusted.

But they were wrong.

The day of the announcement, both Hardiman and Gorsuch were flown into D.C. while Pryor watched from home. With Gorsuch widely considered to be the top choice, conservatives were still holding their breath. To the shock and amazement of #NeverTrumpers, Gorsuch was the pick and Trump followed through on his promise of nominating a true conservative.

Gorsuch has ruled as an originalist and is a man of great integrity and honor, fighting valiantly to uphold the Constitution in a way the Framers intended. He ruled in favor of religious liberty in the Hobby Lobby and Little Sisters of the Poor cases, ruling they did not have to provide contraception or pay for abortion. Not only is he strong in defending religious liberty, he is equally strong on the Second Amendment and is even more focused on limiting the size of government than even Scalia --- something conservatives thought they might never see on the bench again.

Whether conservative voters were ever able to pull the lever for Trump or not, he delivered and sparked a fire in those who hold the Supreme Court near and dear to their heart.

Looking to be entertained in 2017? Between Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime --- not to mention the revolution of luxury seating at movie theaters --- the vast majority of Americans find the variety and superior production value of TV and movies the perfect escape.

That's not really Senator Mike Lee's cup of tea, however. And thank goodness for it.

While the senator does enjoy a good movie, what really gets him fired up is the Constitution --- and judges like Neil Gorsuch, Trump's nominee for Supreme Court Justice whose confirmation hearings begin today. Not one of Gorsuch's written opinions as a federal judge has ever been overturned by the Supreme Court. Additionally, he writes with a clarity and wit that has great legal minds like Sen. Lee smiling and laughing.

Not only has Sen. Lee enjoyed getting to know the judge by reading opinions on the cases he's presided over, he's also gotten a real kick out them. When asked about a few favorites, Sen. Lee was thrilled to oblige, warning one might "hear angels sing" and "weep tears of hot joy" whilst reading Gorsuch's opinions.

Below are a few excerpts from Judge Gorsuch's writings that evoked such joy from a constitutionalist like Mike Lee:

No political truth is . . . stamped with the authority of more enlightened patrons of liberty than the separation of powers.

Think that beauty speaks volumes? Try this one on for size:

When the political branches disagree with a judicial interpretation of existing law, the Constitution prescribes the appropriate remedial process. It’s called legislation.

Judge Gorsuch really knows how to make a conservative weak in the knees. Here's one more that might make your heart flutter:

Transferring the job of saying what the law is from the judiciary to the executive unsurprisingly invites the very sort of due process (fair notice) and equal protection concerns the Framers knew would arise if the political branches intruded on judicial functions.

Mentioning the Framers in a written legal opinion? Be still Sen. Lee's heart.

Reading legal opinions may not be the chosen form of entertainment for most Americans, but count your blessings that men like Sen. Lee and Judge Gorsuch are endlessly fascinated with them. If Gorsuch's opinions don't cause you to "hear angels sing" or "weep tears of hot joy" then maybe this will: According to Sen. Lee, America is on the verge of confirming the perfect man to fill a massive, conservative void in the Supreme Court.

Watch the video for a sneak peak and answers to these newsworthy questions:

• Why did the news media used to be substantive?

• Has talk radio fallen victim to the same pitfalls that changed TV news?

• How did the overnight, minute-by-minute ratings change the game?

Watch the full episode on-demand at TheBlaze TV

Watch the video for a sneak peak and answers to these sensitive questions:

• Should the visual appearance of private citizens be fair game for comedians?

• Why does Glenn think The Simpsons did comedy the right way?

• Are we creating a more sensitive society if people can't take joke?

Watch the full episode on-demand at TheBlaze TV.

Characters on TV often mirror political and cultural issues, and the undertones are easy to spot. That couldn't be more evident than with the latest villain on The Walking Dead, the charismatic psychopath Negan, played spectacularly by Jeffery Dean Morgan.

The past couple of seasons, it's become increasingly difficult to avoid seeing Negan as Uncle Sam and the federal government. Here are five ways that prove it.

Spoiler Alert: Stop reading now if you don't want the veil lifted.

1| Taxation

Honestly, does anyone feel patriotic or thrilled when April 15th rolls around? Of course not --- nobody does. The more money you make the more Uncle Sam takes, and there isn't any way around it (unless you run a major corporation or have tax shelters set up by a bang-up accountant).

It's no surprise once the calm settles in a dystopian zombie apocalypse world, some dude would seize power of what's left and try to take as much as he can. Negan broke it down for the show's protagonist Rick Grimes in his brilliantly written monologue in last season's finale:

Give me your sh**... or I will kill you. Today was career day. We invested in a lot, so you would know who I am and what I can do. You work for me now. You have sh**, you give it to me. That's your job. Now, I know that is a mighty big, nasty pill to swallow, but swallow it you most certainly will. You ruled the roost. You built something. You thought you were safe. I get it. But the word is out. You are not safe. Not even close. In fact, you are pegged, more pegged if you don't do what I want. And what I want is half your sh**.

No matter how much you hate it, you can't fight city hall, and you sure can't take on Negan by yourself --- that's just the way it is.

2| Theft Is Not Tolerated

In America today, stealing large amounts of money often earns longer prison sentences than violent crimes. While perhaps not as harsh as punishments delivered by the barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bat-wielding bad guy, the feds don't care who you are --- if you owe them money, they will come for you. Just ask Wesley Snipes or Martha Stewart.

Uncle Sam will drop the hammer on you if you take what he thinks is his. Similarly, Negan will drop Lucille on your head if you cross him in any way. In his words:

You don't really think that you were gonna get through this without being punished, now, did you? I don't want to kill you people. Just want to make that clear from the get-go. I want you to work for me. You can't do that if you're dead, now, can you?

3| I Want You!

The iconic stars-and-stripes-clad Uncle Sam recruitment poster has been used over the decades as a patriotic call to duty. A volunteer army has long been a tradition in America and helped us to avoid another draft, something nobody wants to see. When stuff really hits the fan, it'll be something to watch for because that patriotic call can become a frightening threat.

Once Negan had fan favorite Daryl in his custody, he laid out his options for service in no uncertain terms:

I don't think you get it yet. So I'm gonna break it down for you. You get three choices. One. You wind up on the spike, and you work for me as a dead man. Two. You get out of your cell, you work for points, but you're gonna wish you were dead. Or three. You work for me. You get yourself a brand new pair of shoes, and you live like a king! The choices seem pretty obvious. You should know, there is no door number four. This is it. This is the only way.

For as much as Uncle Sam wants us to feel like we have a choice in the matter, he will come calling if things go sideways. Negan likewise wants to make his group, "The Saviors," feel like they are living it up. But the truth is, he owns them.

4| It's All Good If You Follow the Rules

Things are pretty simple in America, keep your head down, pay your taxes, produce for society and the feds will leave you alone. At least that's what they want you to think. The truth is, the average person could be committing at least three felonies a day and not even know it. All it takes is the wrong person noticing to completely upend your life.

The rules are pretty similar for Negan. You produce, you keep your head down, say please and thank you and, for the most part, things will be pretty smooth. Not enjoyable, but not deadly. The only problem is it won't take much to slip up and if the wrong person catches you, you might end up with a hot iron to the face or on the business end of Lucille. According to Negan:

There are rules for a reason. Nothing matters if your dead.

5| Ingenuity and Talent Is Rewarded

Despite all the ways the government has invented to entangle itself in our daily lives, the American Dream lives on. If you work hard, you can get ahead and make a difference --- without fear of Lucille hanging over you.

While Negan owns you and there is no escaping that fact, he too rewards hard work. In one episode, Spencer tries to make an end run around Rick and take power of Alexandria, the settlement where Rick's people live. Despite their differences, Negan respects Rick's work ethic and recognizes Spencer's laziness. He responds accordingly:

You know, I'm thinking, Spencer. I'm thinking how Rick threatened to kill me, how he clearly hates my guts. But he is out there right now, gathering sh** for me to make sure I don't hurt any of the fine people that live here. He is swallowing his hate and getting sh** done. That takes guts. And then there's you. The guy who waited for Rick to be gone so he could sneak over and talk to me to get me to do his dirty work, so he could take Rick's place. So I got to ask, if you wanna take over, why not just kill Rick yourself and just take over?

This encounter leads to Spencer's disembowelment and an example made for the rest of the citizens of Alexandria. In recent episodes, Negan has taken a shine to Eugene, an odd duck often on the outside looking in with Rick's group.

Negan finds out about Eugene's talent for making bullets and rewards him with a new life where he can play all the video games he wants, eat good food and enjoy the company of beautiful women. What Negan has in mind for Eugene's talents hasn't fully been revealed, but you can be sure it will have deadly results.

So maybe Uncle Sam and Negan aren't quite the same... or are they?

These days you can't have a Pop Tart-shaped gun without educators having a conniption fit. That was not the case back in the day. On this episode of The Vault, Glenn is joined by his son Raphe, daughter Mary Cate and Tim Barton from WallBuilders to talk about gun education in the days of Teddy Roosevelt and some of America’s forgotten young heroes.

Watch the video below for a sneak peak and answers to these surprising questions:

• What advice did Teddy Roosevelt have for a school boy who wrote to him?

• What did Roosevelt want at every school in America?

• How does Glenn's son Raphe compare in stature to a Civil War era soldier?

Watch the full episode, courtesy of Mercury Radio Arts.

In a time rife with inequality, W.E.B. Du Bois took the road toward communism as his counterpart, Booker T. Washington, traveled a different path. On this installment of hiSTORY, Glenn explores the rivalry between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington over the direction of the Civil Rights Movement in the early 1900s --- and how Du Bois saw two young figures emerge in the 1960s, MLK and Malcolm X, to fight the same battles all over again. Discover the events that led Du Bois into radical leftist politics that moved black Americans away from the Republican Party.

Watch the video below for a sneak peak and answers to these radical questions:

• What Democrat president did Du Bois steer the black community toward?

• What national organization did Du Bois help found?

• How did the Amnesty Act affect life in the south?

Watch the full episode, courtesy of Mercury Radio Arts.

In a perfect world, we'd love to believe everyone has our best interests at heart --- even the Russians. But, as we all know, politics ain't perfect. So when President Trump says, "Wouldn't it be nice to be friends with Russia? Wouldn't that be a good thing?" --- a healthy dose of skepticism makes sense.

While a Pollyanna-ish world in which the U.S. gets along with the Ruskies would be interesting, there are reasons why we aren't, we cannot and should not be pals.

1 | The Ideological Divide

No matter how amazing it would be to get along with every person and culture, there are legitimate bumps in the road. There couldn't be a wider ideological gap between communism and capitalism. One equates to total government control while the other represents individual freedom. When countries are built on divergent bedrock principles, there is a natural fork in the philosophical road.

2 | Free Speech Restrictions

Freedom of speech is a God-given right and a hallmark of American democracy. Our First Amendment rights guarantee the freedom to speak our minds without fear of retribution --- even when we say something against the government. The Kremlin cracks down hard on dissent. Those who speak up are often jailed, tortured or killed. Freedom of expression is sacred to Americans, and its repression is a huge stumbling block to a potential friendship with Russia. How can we trust a government that doesn't allow its own people to speak their minds?

3 | State-Sponsored Corruption

Some believe the U.S. isn't much better than the rest of the world when it comes to corruption. While it's not perfect, nothing comes close to the hope of achieving The American Dream. While equal results are not guaranteed, hard work and ingenuity can pay off big in America. Russia, on the other hand, has turned corruption into an art form. America's free market principles are in direct conflict with Russia's pay-to-play, government-controlled society.

4 | Ivan Drago

Okay, okay --- he's fictional --- but pop culture does matter. While Ronald Reagan battled Russia in real life with Pope John Paul II and Margaret Thatcher to end the Cold War, Ivan Drago killed an Uncle Sam-clad Apollo Creed on the big screen. Thankfully (spoiler alert), American icon Rocky Balboa avenged Creed's death, kicking Drago to the curb and restoring American dominance in the world of make-believe boxing.

5 | Domestic Abuse Tolerance

Comparatively speaking, women enjoy unprecedented rights and equality in the United States. Not so in Mother Russia. Members of the State Duma just pushed a bill for Putin's signature that would decriminalize certain cases of domestic abuse. In the absence of broken bones or a concussion, abusers would be fined without criminal charges. In the United States, domestic violence remains a criminal offense.

6 | From Russia With Love 

Ever have a friend stay over and read your diary? Yeah, that's Russia. Let's face it, Russia is notorious for spying. The Cold War era may be long gone, but Russia still tries to steal whatever intel they can from us. Take Edward Snowden, for example. Oh wait, they already did.

7 | Alexsandr Dugin

Alexsandr Dugin is a name not everyone knows --- but they should. A far right fascist sowing seeds of chaos and revolution around the world, he is a key advisor to Putin and a very dangerous man. Dugin believes Hitler was on the right track, but didn’t go far enough. He allegedly advised Putin years ago of Russia’s inability to compete with the technological and economic might of the United States. So, they decided to create revolution using “asymmetrical” weapons like WikiLeaks, Julian Assange and Edward Snowden. Additionally, the actions of Dugin and Russia in Western nations appear to be fomenting revolution in the streets, inevitably with Putin or someone like him to rise from the ashes and seize control.

8 | Miracle on Ice

In 1980, the Soviet hockey team was the hands down favorite to win gold at the Winter Olympics, having won six of the seven previous Winter Games. The team consisted primarily of seasoned, professional players. An all-amateur U.S. team posed little threat, especially one that was the youngest in U.S. history. In a stunning upset, the U.S. beat Russia in a dramatic final now called the Miracle on Ice. Not only was it one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history, it was a cultural shift that had an immeasurable impact on the American psyche during the Cold War. It was one of America's greatest triumphs and the USSR's greatest defeats.

9 | Stirring the Pot

Russia is the friend that smiles to your face while causing problems behind your back. In the Middle East, Putin publicly proclaims to be anti-terrorism and anti-ISIS while backing the Assad regime and cozying up to Iran. In America, Putin denies allegations that Russia interfered in the U.S. presidential election despite evidence to the contrary. Chaos in America and chaos in the world seems to be exactly what Putin is after --- with Russia conveniently standing by to pick up the pieces.

10 | Nuclear Threat

According to the Federation of American Scientists, Russia possesses 7,300 total nuclear warheads, with 1,790 being operational. The U.S. has 1,750 active strategic nuclear warheads. The exact number of Russian nuclear warheads is a state secret and therefore a matter of guesswork. Despite attempts to reduce the nuclear arsenals of both countries, Russia refuses to alter the production of its tactical nuclear weapons. In 1992, the highest-ranking Russian intelligence defector Stanislav Lunev described alleged Soviet plans for using tactical nuclear weapons for sabotage against the United States in the event of war.

11 | Sub-par Cuisine

Say you're having a dinner party and invite all the countries in the world. What would Russia bring? Unless a commie Bond villain with a penchant for expensive caviar and vodka is on the guest list, you're probably going to get stuck with some borscht, fish pie and cold potato salad. Thank goodness you invited Italy.

Thanks, but no thanks, Russia. We'll pass on the food --- and the friendship --- for now.

Traditions and customs can be, well, weird. Some fall through the cracks, but others stand the test of time --- like passing on a lock of hair. On this episode of The Vault, Glenn, historian David Barton and Mercury Museum curator Jeremy Boyd examine a lock of George Washington's hair --- and the supporting documentation that validates its authenticity --- as well as other treasures from the Revolutionary War.

Watch the video below for a sneak peak and answers to these fascinating questions:

• What types of historical items rev Glenn's engine?

• What's the going rate for a lock of a historical hair?

• What was the fake news printed about George Washington?

Watch the full episode, courtesy of Mercury Radio Arts.

Every waking moment we are bombarded with information, so how do we stay sane and sift through what's real and what's fake? On this episode of Think Tank, Doc Thompson fills in for Glenn and talks with the crew about tips on navigating a stressful digital existence and figuring out what's important and what's of little value.

Watch the video below for a sneak peak and answers to these valuable questions:

• How long should you wait before forming a strong opinion on a story?

• How important is the comment section on Facebook or other social media?

• Does consuming less and creating more make an impact?

Watch the full episode on-demand at TheBlaze TV.

David and Tim Barton join Glenn on this episode of The Vault to explore the lives of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Some of the lesser known signers endured great pain and tragedy as a result of their signatures, yet, we only seem to remember Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson. This episode brings to light some of our forgotten Founding Fathers.

Watch the video below for a sneak peak and answers to these questions:

• Why is it important to focus on the individuals and not the collective?

• Who was Thomas McKean?

• Why was signing the Declaration of Independence the equivalent of signing a death warrant?

Watch the full episode, courtesy of Mercury Radio Arts.

With President Donald Trump dominating news cycle 24/7, many Americans are happy to forget politics and spend President's Day relaxing. It has become just another three-day weekend to go to the movies or take the family on a quick vacation. Not for Utah Senator Mike Lee. In a recent phone interview, Lee shared his feelings on this particular holiday --- President's Day.

Strong Roots

From his childhood, Lee developed a deep reverence for the Constitution, love for the Republic and respect for the office that continues to this day.

"As a Latter-day Saint (Mormon), I was taught by my parents that these were wise men raised up by God for that very purpose," Lee said. "Those involved in writing the Constitution --- not to say every word was inspired or infallible or their words were flawless, but on the whole --- the government they devised was absolutely brilliant. And it is a document that to the extent that we follow it, it has led to the greatest civilization the world has ever known."

Earliest President's Day Memory

While attending various Lincoln Day dinners in Utah and around the country, Lee's thoughts drifted back to his kindergarten days and the lessons he learned about the Constitution and two of our greatest presidents.

"My teacher made us a cake the Friday before President's Day, and it was decorated with this elaborate frosting depicting the faces of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington," Lee said.

His teacher taught Lee and the other children about the sacrifices these two presidents and their families made for a great cause and the Constitution.

"I always reflect back on that on President's Day," he said.

Respect for the Office

Throughout Donald Trump's presidential run, the Utah senator made no secret of his opposition to Trump's candidacy. But now, because of his deep respect for the office, Lee is looking for common ground with the President.

"There's nothing that will weigh a person down faster, more relentlessly than contempt for another human being," Lee said. "When you respect people who hold that office, even when you disagree, it actually makes life better. It causes you to look for ways to be constructive."

Favorite President

Because of his reputation as one of the most conservative members of the Senate, you might think Lee's favorite president would be someone like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, right? Possibly Ronald Reagan?

Nope.

While he agreed all three of those belong on Mount Rushmore, leave it to Sen. Lee to choose one of the more obscure and widely ignored presidents of the last century to add to the group.

"Calvin Coolidge is not treated fairly by historians --- not even remotely," Lee said. "He's not treated well, perhaps in part because of his political philosophy, but he is the type of president we should always aspire to have."

One of the things Lee said he admired most about Calvin Coolidge was his deep respect for the Constitution.

"He was going to recognize limited power for the federal government at a time when it was rapidly becoming more fashionable to advocate for more government," Lee said.

Coolidge fought back against powerful interests within his own party advocating for bigger government, for higher taxes. He even went to war with large entities like the Chamber of Commerce who wanted higher taxes, while Coolidge wanted to reduce the tax rate. They fought him on this aggressively, but he won and convinced Congress to lower the rate.

"As he did that, even though he was mocked and ridiculed at every turn for taking this position, he was ultimately proven right," Lee said. "As they reduced the tax rate, the economy flourished and they actually brought in more revenue."

Coolidge was not only fiscally conservative but also knew the power in leaving things well enough alone. Sen. Lee referred to Amity Shlaes biography of Coolidge and his belief that government could cause harm with poor legislation.

No-Good Government Solutions

"Once a bad law is put in place it takes on a life of its own, it has its own inertia. It's there and it will continue, absent some other action," Lee said. "So it can be very hard to get rid of a bad law."

Ronald Reagan was famously quoted as saying: "The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

Reagan would be spinning in his grave to know how much faith has been put in those people who are "here to help." Lee discussed the type of president we need to fix that problem.

"In an era over the last hundred years or so, we've seen the rise of the progressive movement in America. We've seen the American people put an almost religious-like faith in the government," Lee said. "Coolidge stands out in open defiance against that both for constitutional reasons and policy reasons that had to do with the need to protect the common man."

Optimism About Trump's Presidency

Now that Trump has been elected, his apparent reverence for the office has Lee optimistic.

"I'm hopelessly optimistic," Lee said with a chuckle. "I always believe that someone who believes in that kind of approach is willing to stick with it even though it's difficult, is willing to remain consistent with it, needs to be president and will be president. Our current president has just taken office and he could decide to be that type of president and I would be thrilled if he did."

Conservatives are often heard pining for the next Ronald Reagan, but according to Sen. Lee, America might be even better off with another Calvin Coolidge. Whether Trump can be that type of president remains to be seen. But we can all take a page from what a young Mike Lee learned back in kindergarten: Respect the office, reinforce the fabric of our great nation and be optimistic.

Elected in 2010 as Utah's 16th Senator, Mike Lee has spent his career defending the basic liberties of Americans and Utahns as a tireless advocate for our founding constitutional principles.

Watch the full episode here: The Vault | S2:E7 – Black History Part 3

Do Your Homework

Below is a compilation of research that went into the making of this episode, complete with links to original sources so you can do your own homework. As you watch, consider the following questions:

1. Who was William Nell and what book did he write?

2. Who did Benjamin Rush say was the best orator he had ever heard?

3. How old was Phyllis Wheatley when she began poetry writing?

SEGMENT 1

• Read about the relationship between Primus Hall and George Washington
• Read The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution, by William Cooper Nell (SEE PAGES 29-32)
• Read about William Cooper Nell (SEE PAGE 46)
• Read Services of Colored Americans in the Wars of 1776 and 1812, by William Cooper Nell
• How did “Hoosiers” get their names?
• Read more about Phillis Wheatley
• Book of poems published during her lifetime: Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, by Phillis Wheatley, Negro Servant to Mr. John Wheatley, of Boston, in New England
• Read Phillis Wheatley’s poem on George Washington
• Read Phillis Wheatley’s poem on the death of George Whitefield (SEE PAGE 22)
• Read Phillis Wheatley’s poem on coming to America (SEE PAGE 18)
• Galatians 3:28
• How rare are Phillis Wheatly's books?

SEGMENT 2

• Martin Luther King Jr. pastor
• Names of the white churches that the black pastor, Lemuel Haynes, pastored at
• The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker’s Hill painting (1775)
• Artist John Trumbull
• Read The Colored Patriots of the American Revolution, by William Cooper Nell (1855)

SEGMENT 3

• Read more about Benjamin Banneker
• At what age did Benjamin Banneker carve the wood clock?
• Read where Thomas Jefferson wrote about being unsure whether blacks have equal or greater intelligence than whites (SEE PAGE 209)

SEGMENT 4

• Monsieur de Condozett, Secretary of the Academy of Science at Paris

"In general when I have conversations, I react to the way the question is asked. You know, I think so much of what people say is not being said, it's the way they're saying it," Patel said Friday on The Glenn Beck Program.

RELATED: Kindly Unfriend Me to My Face

Riaz, who was recently unfriended by a longtime friend on Facebook, shared great advice on how to handle relationships in our current combative political climate: Don't judge people based solely on what's happening now.

"Examine today, and the friendships and the history of people start from the past, work your way forward," he advised.

Chad Robichaux knows adversity --- and how to overcome it. In a powerful testimony, Robichaux shared his story in studio with Glenn on Thursday, recounting how he shot and killed a man as a police officer, returned from the War on Terror in Afghanistan with PTSD, but most importantly, brought his marriage and life back from the brink. As a way to help other vets, Robichaux and his wife began Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs to help other vets and families suffering from PTSD.

"Mercury One just gave a $25,000 donation yesterday to Mighty Oaks Foundation, and I want you to be involved. If you care about our servicemen and this issue, this is a great way to get involved," Glenn said.

Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs serves the brokenhearted by providing intensive peer-based discipleship through a series of programs, outpost meetings and speaking events.

Listen to this segment from The Glenn Beck Program:

"I can't believe I'm sitting in a room with three other guys, and the discussion for the last five minutes has been an argument over Beyonce," Glenn said Thursday on radio.

That's right, the boys got into a heated discussion about the so-called Beyonce awards controversy, brewed up in 2009 when Taylor Swift won Video of the Year at the MTV Music Video Awards rather than Queen Bey. (Thank you, Kanye West.) The same issue is plaguing her after this year's Grammy Awards, with Adele coming away as the night's big winner.

"This controversy about her not winning is so bogus," co-host Pat Gray said. "Santana put it best when he said, 'She didn't win because she can't sing.'"

Thank you, Carlos Santana. Finally, somebody said it.

Enjoy the complimentary clip above or read the transcript below for details.

Don't know the name Sara Breedlove? What about C.J. Walker? If not, you should. She was the first self-made female millionaire in the United States --- black or white. On this episode of hiSTORY Glenn tells the remarkable story of “Madam” C.J. Walker. The child of former slaves who grew up in the violently racist Deep South, Walker rose from poverty and abuse to blaze an inspiring trail of entrepreneurship and philanthropy that could only happen in America.

Watch the video below for a sneak peak and answers to these informative questions:

• Why did Madam C.J. Walker meet with Woodrow Wilson in the Oval Office?

• What station in life did a black woman hold in post-Civil War America?

• How did white politicians feel about their newly-elected black colleagues?

Watch the full episode, courtesy of Mercury Radio Arts.

In the last three years, all of these religious folks have improved their standing with the average American: Jews, Catholics, mainline Protestants, Buddhists, Hindus, Mormons, atheists and Muslims.

But there's one group that didn't see an improvement.

"The only exception to this, evangelical Christians, who are flat," Co-host Stu Burguiere said.

Enjoy the complimentary clip above or read the transcript below for details.

Some people will do or say anything for power, but do they really believe what they're preaching? On this episode of Think Tank, Glenn and the crew talk about Steve Bannon, the alt-right movement and the spookiest dude of all --- Aleksandr Dugin. What is the alt-right and what's endgame?

Watch the video below for a sneak peak and answers to these concerning questions:

• What is Steve Bannon's backstory?

• Do those stirring up the far right actually believe in what they are saying?

• Should we worry about why Steve King met with Marine Le Pen of France?

Watch the full episode on-demand at TheBlaze TV

The government is absolutely brilliant when it comes to making dramatic and life-altering laws sound so boring you'd rather get a root canal than figure out what they really mean. So it's no surprise people's eyes glaze over at the mention of "civil asset forfeiture." Call it something else --- legalized governmental theft --- and they just might perk up.

Don't think it exists? Just ask Lyndon McClellan, whose bank account of more than $107,000 was seized by the IRS in 2014. As the owner of a convenience store in Fairmont, North Carolina for over a decade, the IRS deemed McClellan's frequent cash deposits evidence of criminal activity, and a good enough reason to take his money --- even though he was never charged with a crime.

If it could happen to McClellan, it could happen to anyone.

Here are some facts you should know about how the government lawfully takes property from innocent citizens.

What Is It?

According to the Institute for Justice, civil asset forfeiture is the process by which the government takes and sells someone's property without ever convicting them with a crime, and "one of the greatest threats to property rights in the nation today."

They go on to describe how these cases proceed under the "legal fiction" that cash, cars or homes can be "guilty," leading to some bizarre case names such as, "United States v. 434 Main Street, Tewksbury, Mass." Because these cases are technically civil actions, property owners are not considered eligible to receive standard protections merited to criminal defendants, such as an attorney and a trial.

How Did It Start?

The roots of civil asset forfeiture laws date back to the 1600s in England, eventually making their way into colonial law, which earns them one of the longest running legal legacies on record. Popularized during the prohibition era and used sparingly in the 20's and 30's, these laws temporarily fell out of favor until the drug wars of the 1980s.

What's the Argument for Keeping It?

Some people --- particularly in law enforcement --- love the program and will fight tooth and nail to not only keep it but expand its use even further. Those in favor see it as a way to stop drug cartels and limit the ability of drug dealers and "bad hombres" to engage in illicit business.

The Federalist Society makes these points in favor of the law:

The government also uses forfeiture to take the profit out of crime, and to return property to victims. No one has the right to retain the money gained from bribery, extortion, illegal gambling, or drug dealing. With the forfeiture laws, we can separate the criminal from his profits --- and any property traceable to it --- thus removing the incentive others may have to commit similar crimes tomorrow. And if the crime is one that has victims --- like carjacking or fraud --- we can use the forfeiture laws to recover the property and restore it to the owners far more effectively than the restitution statutes permit.

Does the President Support It?

While addressing a group of sheriffs earlier this month, President Donald Trump appeared to fully endorse civil asset forfeiture. After one sheriff opined about a troublesome bill seeking to abolish the practice in Texas, Trump demanded the name of the person introducing the bill and said, "We'll destroy his career."

In all fairness to President Trump, he did not appear to have prior knowledge about the program. If you watch this video, Trump seemed to ask plenty of questions with the intent gaining a greater understanding, but he only got the law enforcement's version.

What's the Argument for Abolishing It?

This argument seems simple --- the government should have to prove wrongdoing before being able to seize someone's money, car, home or any other asset. The Foundation for Economic Education made this point:

In poor nations, a corrupt cop will stop motorists to shake them down for pocket change. In the United States, we’ve legalized a bigger version of that sleazy behavior.

Who Is Opposing It?

Some politicians, including Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI), have taken a strong stance against civil asset forfeiture. After Trump's statements, Amash came out with the following response:

President Trump today endorsed stealing property from law-abiding Americans who haven't been charged with --- let alone convicted of --- any crime. He also said, "We'll destroy his career," about a conservative Texas state senator who opposes this unconstitutional civil asset forfeiture.

My staff and I will work to introduce a bill to end civil asset forfeiture. I always will stand up for limited government, economic freedom, and individual liberty. And I always will keep my oath to support and defend the Constitution.

What Is Glenn's Point of View?

Glenn shared his thoughts on the civil asset forfeiture on his February 13, 2017 radio program, in light of news coverage of President Trump's meeting with sheriffs. Below are excerpts from his monologue:

Civil asset forfeiture --- we talked about that last week. But we didn't talk about what that was about. We've been very concerned. And if you are a conservative and you're suddenly not concerned about this, ask yourself why.

Because we were all very concerned when this was happening under Barack Obama. And no matter what anybody tells you, it is not good. If we don't put a fence around this and make sure that it is only used for what it was meant to be used for.

And, quite honestly, I have a problem with it, even the way it was meant to be used.

It means that you don't even have to be charged with a crime, let alone found guilty. Charged with a crime. And the police can come in and take your stuff, seize it, claim it to be theirs, sell it, use the money any way they want, and you have no recourse.

Unfortunately, it's happening to regular people.

If it happens to one person, it needs to be guarded against. And it's happened to several people. I'm going to give you some examples coming up in a second. But it's happened to several people. And it has to be guarded against and stopped.

Listen to more from Glenn's radio program here.

Glenn has lived all over the United States, and he calls his current governor the best.

"There's been no governor that I think is as good as Greg Abbott. And, yeah, you can throw up Sam Houston. Whatever," Glenn said.

Not only that, Gov. Abbott is extremely efficient, having proposed to his wife on Valentine's Day 30 years ago, which earned the admiration of Glenn's co-host.

"That's really smart. And you combined two present opportunities, so you don't have to do it twice. You've got the engagement and Valentine's Day . . . that's efficiency. That's how he's running the state --- efficiently," Co-host Stu Burguiere said Tuesday on The Glenn Beck Program.

The governor joined the program to discuss his recent State of the State address, where Texas stands on a Convention of States and his thoughts on the Lone Star State ever hosting another Super Bowl.

Listen to this segment from The Glenn Beck Program:

"I mean, it's the closest to my heart. When I think of my wife, this is what I think of," Glenn said Tuesday on radio.

What did he get her? A custom art piece of his favorite photograph made entirely of duct tape.

The piece was done by Chance Foreman, an artist and staffer for TheBlaze.

"I want this man to be known. I think he is one of the greatest artists. . . . beautiful stuff.

To see more of Chance's work, visit ChanceForeman.org.

Enjoy the complimentary clip above or read the transcript below for details.