Animal Wise Radio gets all red, white, and blue today as we focus on ideas, ideals and the practical application of democracy. Laws and politics impact human and non-human animals in countless ways.

We'll first look at several animal-related bills in the hopper at the MN legislature. What are they, and what might they mean beyond the words in the bills or even beyond the state?

We'll also think bigger and beyond the session itself with first-time guest Ken Pentel, founder of the Ecology Democracy Network. This young movement seeks to rethink how we can reconnect political decisions to the earth we all share. Is it possible to separate big pocketbooks from the weightiest vote? (EcologyDemocracyNetwork.org)

And have you heard the one about the elephant who destroys a house, but saves a baby? Michael Mountain of EarthInTransition.org gives voice to the tale.

Plus: What is up with the Animal Humane Society and it's continued obstructing of the MN Companion Animal Protection Act? More and more people are asking some very important questions about that.