06-18-25 - John Makes His Stance On Immigration Clear And Admits It's Evolved A Lot Over The Years - Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona

Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode: 06-18-25
Title: John Makes His Stance On Immigration Clear And Admits It's Evolved A Lot Over The Years
Release Date: June 18, 2025
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Overview

In the June 18, 2025 episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness (HMS) on 98 KUPD, host John Holmberg delves deep into his personal stance on immigration, revealing how his views have matured and shifted over the years. Joined by co-hosts Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo, the discussion intertwines personal anecdotes, humor, and contemplative insights, providing listeners with a candid look into Holmberg's evolving perspective on a contentious topic.

I. Introduction to the Episode

The episode begins with ads promoting local businesses, setting the stage for HMS's typical morning vibe. However, by approximately the 1:46 mark, John Holmberg transitions from advertisements to the main discourse, expressing frustration with the promotional segments and shifting focus to more substantial content.

II. John Holmberg’s Evolving Stance on Immigration

Holmberg candidly discusses his long-standing and fluctuating views on immigration, illustrating his internal conflicts and the practical considerations that have influenced his opinions.

Initial Stance and Fluctuations:

Holmberg admits, “[02:15]... I’ve had a stance on immigration that has been waffling and wavered for years.” He reflects on his inconsistency, acknowledging that his opinions have swayed based on personal experiences and circumstances.
Practical Influences:

He cites his landscaping business as a pivotal factor in his evolving views: “[04:00]... Until I hired Al to do my lawn, I was like, all of you... we got to get these people out of here.” The necessity of labor led him to reconsider his rigid stance, demonstrating how personal needs can impact broader ideological beliefs.
Humorous Analogies:

Holmberg uses humor to convey his changing perspective: “[05:00]... If you fall out of my tree that I’m charged $30 a tree for and you are undocumented, I will bury you and never mention it again.” This exaggerated statement underscores his frustration and the complexities of addressing undocumented workers' roles in everyday services.

III. Practical Experiences Shaping Views

Holmberg shares specific experiences that have influenced his thoughts on immigration, blending personal anecdotes with broader social commentary.

Landscaping Business Challenges:

Addressing the practical side of his business, Holmberg explains the disparity in costs charged by undocumented workers versus others: “[03:20]... One guy was charging me $3.95 to trim palm trees and another guy said 30 bucks a tree.” This financial discrepancy highlights the economic factors that complicate immigration debates.
Dependence on Undocumented Labor:

He reflects on the reliance of his business on undocumented workers: “[04:30]... When my yard looked great, my mind changed... God forbid one of those 40-foot palm trees needed trimming.” This admission reveals the intertwined nature of personal convenience and immigration policy.
Impact on Service Quality:

Holmberg emphasizes the importance of reliable labor: “[06:00]... Al, my landscape guy, and I... his work is immaculate. He looks better...” The quality of work provided by trusted, albeit undocumented, workers plays a crucial role in shaping his views.

IV. Interactions with Co-Hosts and Humor

The conversation with co-hosts is laced with humor and playful banter, lightening the discussion while still addressing serious issues.

Comments on Co-Host Toledo:

Holmberg pokes fun at Dick Toledo’s remarks on China and Hong Kong: “[02:50]... Toledo quickly chimed in with, ‘Hong Kong is China.’ Typical commie. And then a phrase that's never been said on this show ever.” This exchange showcases the show's trademark humor and camaraderie among hosts.
Restaurant Anecdotes:

Sharing stories about encounters in local eateries, Holmberg and the co-hosts laugh over cultural misunderstandings and humorous incidents: “[07:00]... Brett ordered a chicken parmesan sandwich and he just shouted it. Wanna check? Oh, whoa.” These lighthearted moments provide a relatable and entertaining backdrop to the more serious immigration discussion.

V. Addressing Listener Feedback and Criticism

Holmberg anticipates and addresses potential backlash from listeners regarding his fluctuating stance on immigration.

Acknowledging Diverse Opinions:

He states, “[05:30]... I have some views of immigration that are my own. I don't let FOX or MSNBC tell me how to think.” This assertion emphasizes his independence in forming opinions, despite external influences.
Handling Political Polarization:

Holmberg reflects on the politicization of immigration issues: “[06:05]... Now, I'm going to get a bunch of emails about this because it's going to get politicized.” He preempts controversies by clarifying that his stance is personal and not aligned strictly with any political ideology.
Encouraging Constructive Dialogue:

He urges listeners to move beyond heated arguments: “[04:50]... Stop yelling at me through email about immigration.” This plea for respectful discourse highlights his desire for meaningful conversations rather than divisive debates.

VI. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode nears its end, Holmberg reiterates his complex views on immigration, emphasizing the need for balanced and practical approaches.

Personal Admission:

Holmberg concedes, “[07:50]... I firmly admit I'm way off the fray on this deal.” His honest admission underscores the nuanced nature of his opinions, acknowledging that his position doesn't fit neatly into conventional categories.
Call for Understanding:

He appeals for empathy and understanding: “[09:00]... Immigration is what we're built on, and you have to drive past the reservation to go to your march.” This statement reflects his recognition of immigration’s foundational role in American society, despite the challenges it presents.
Final Humorous Note:

The episode wraps up with a humorous remark about cultural celebrations: “[10:00]... They're gonna be carrying you around like C3PO talking stick next time you walk in there.” This light-hearted comment leaves listeners with a blend of humor and reflection on cultural integration.

Notable Quotes

John Holmberg [02:15]: "I’ve had a stance on immigration that has been waffling and wavered for years."
John Holmberg [03:20]: "One guy was charging me $3.95 to trim palm trees and another guy said 30 bucks a tree."
John Holmberg [04:30]: "When my yard looked great, my mind changed. God forbid one of those 40-foot palm trees needed trimming."
John Holmberg [05:30]: "I have some views of immigration that are my own. I don't let FOX or MSNBC tell me how to think."
John Holmberg [09:00]: "Immigration is what we're built on, and you have to drive past the reservation to go to your march."

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers listeners a candid and introspective look into John Holmberg's evolving stance on immigration. Through personal anecdotes, humor, and open dialogue with co-hosts, Holmberg navigates the complexities of immigration policy and its real-world implications on everyday life. His willingness to share his fluctuating views fosters a relatable and thought-provoking conversation, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own perspectives and the multifaceted nature of immigration issues.

Transcript

John Holmberg (0:00)

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John Holmberg (1:34)

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Shane Orlando (1:35)

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John Holmberg (1:46)

What the hell is wrong with you? PD Danny, what do you make of this approach? Or hat in the morning sickness flying through a Wednesday. And boy, Toledo is not gonna. He's not getting off the hook for anything. What do you do now? Here, this is a. This is a great joke by the way. So of course Toledo didn't march with his wife we know there's no kings in Toledo's cuck house. Happy Father's Day. Also no kings. Goodbye. This one is awesome. It says, did you hear Toledo? When Brady listed off the countries, Brady said, China and Hong Kong. And then Toledo quickly chimed in with, hong Kong is China. Typical commie. And then a phrase that's never been said on this show ever. Toledo doesn't even respect Hong Kong's autonomy. Surprised he didn't just say Taiwan is also part of China because that's his dream. This guy's getting crushed. It's hilarious for a reason. I also got a lot of emails about people with the immigration thing. And again, I don't know if you listened to the show for a long, long time. I've had a stance on immigration that has been waffling and wavered for years. Until I hired Al to do my lawn, I was like, all of you. My landscape service was traditional and every two weeks or so I demanded that we had immigration reform. And then like the next day I'd be like, we got to get these people out of here. When my yard looked great, my mind changed. But when I needed help, I suddenly realized I needed that. God forbid one of those 40 foot palm trees needed trimming. Because that's when I got real lenient about the immigration plan. One guy was charging me $3.95 to trim palm trees and another guy said 30 bucks a tree. The one that was undocumented was the one that I kind of leaned on. I also have this philosophy when it immigration. If you fall out of my tree that I'm charged $30 a tree for and you are undocumented, I will bury you and never mention it again. That's it. It's your right as an American. It's your right as a guy who climbs trees without documents. If you are documented and you fall out of my tree, I would hope that you're licensed and bonded because that's not my fault you chose to do that. See? So, yes, when it comes to me, don't yell at me through email about immigration. And I also am tired of this argument. And I say this all the time to people and it usually stops the argument. Stop using the. They separate people from their families. Everyone who's ever been arrested has been separated from their family. There's nobody gets to go with you unless you did it together. There's no, like, can my wife come? No. Although it did happen earlier with that teacher. She asked her husband could join her in jail, but he didn't have to Go to jail. The separating families things is just a sad, emotional thing. And it is. But everyone who's ever been arrested has been separated from their family. Everyone. I don't understand that argument. Now, I'm going to get a bunch of emails about this because it's going to get politicized. But again, keep in mind, I'm the guy that is for stricter immigration rules when my yard looks great and against them when my yard looks terrible. I'm not the one to talk to about this. I firmly admit I'm way off the fray on this deal. If my palm trees start getting those weird things hanging off the bottom of them, all I think of is, oh, I'm going to have rats. And then I talk to Al, my landscape guy, and I'm like, how much for those 60 foot palm trees? That one's gonna cost. 325. Nevermind. What about you? $35. Get up there. What are you using? A rope and some baseball cleats. You're amazing. And it's immaculate. It looks better. And I usually give them more than the 35 they ask for like 36 or 37. Look at you. So before you start firing off, you don't know what you're talking about. I already know that I have some views of immigration that are my own. I don't let FOX or MSNBC tell me how to think. I've had these for years. My guy Lucio comes over with his crew. You're not asking questions. There's different members there. Sometimes you ever go outside and maybe.