Bald, Blind, and Buddies

Midterm results proclaim gains for the democrats, but will those turn into gains for America? John Boland and Timothy Cordes discuss.

John reviews the scope of the electoral wave while Tim asserts that this is a feeling-based rejection rather than a deliberate selection of better candidates. The Buddies consider whether the democrats can unite, pass laws, , or get drawn into investigations. Tim hopes for a Gerald Ford moment, and they ponder whether Trump should or would resign.

John’s whack-job is a long-serving senator who didn’t show her ethics when it mattered.

Tim’s hero is a chef who refused to put pineapple on a pizza.

Referred to:

Why Susan Collins Is the 2026 Midterms in Miniature - Newsweek

Crustfallen Italian chef sacked after refusing to put pineapple on pizza

Vance says voters want to ‘end the war,’ change Israel relationship - The Washington Post

El-Sayed backers blame Israel for grocery costs in antisemitic ad | Finley

Second Class: How the Elites Betrayed America’s Working Men and Women: Ungar-Sargon, Batya: Amazon.com: Books

Do you like pineapple on pizza?

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Customs and Border Patrol, (CBP), can search through your smartphone when you cross the border. The Buddies review the case of George Anibowei who asked the Supreme Court to address this practice in light of the Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful search and seizure.

John highlights that George is a citizen who should be protected by the Fourth Amendment. The Buddies review how a smartphone seems analogous to papers or personal effects. They agree this is a nonpartisan issue, and even offer their favorite amendments.

Timothy Cordes hero was a beloved actor who portrayed duty and honor on the small and large screens.

John Boland’s heroes are saying the quiet part out loud, that politicians’ propensity for debt is unsustainable as France demonstrates.

Referred to:

Opinion | ICE agents’ smartphone searches at U.S. border unconstitutional - The Washington Post

Anibowei v. Blanche Brief: Tightening the Border Search Loophole | Cato at Liberty Blog

Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border: Protecting the Data On Your Devices | Electronic Frontier Foundation

France’s debt, violent protests and the bond markets are all related - The Washington Post

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What’s your favorite amendment in the Bill of Rights.

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Tim Cordes and John Boland review a child psychiatrist and Columbia professor’s opinion that screens are not the problem with children’s mental health. Tim explains fundamental concepts of public health that he would have hoped the author understood. John compares the obvious problem with kids and screens to O.J. Simpson. Everybody knows what’s going on. Proving it is harder.

Tim’s whack-job relates to this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

John’s heroes are doing something about reliance on oil.

Referred to:

Opinion | I’m a Child Psychiatrist. Screens Are Not the Problem. - The New York Times

The TAG Movement — from a book to a movement

Elisha Wiesel: The Death of the Nobel Peace Prize

Fuel Price Shock Pushes Global Gas Car Sales Below 50% for First Time

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We begin with Lane Johnson’s retirement from the NFL and Steven A. Smith’s response.

Tim sees Smith’s apology as sinical since he hasn’t apologized for his myriad other erroneous statements while John gives him the benefit of the doubt.

The Buddies discuss whether athletes should be role models and what, if anything, they owe their fans. Tim, using his experience as a psychiatrist, explains how you never know what challenges people really face.

The Buddies muse on victimhood culture where people are sensitive to slights and being a victim confers moral status. John describes this as a problem of afluence.

John considers the death penalty in the United States his whack-job of the week.

Tim’s hero is a Republican representative standing up for Ukraine.

Tim and John both wish Lane the best.

Referred to:

Stephen A. Smith apologizes for comments about Lane Johnson, mental health: ‘I was wrong’ - The Athletic

Brian Fitzpatrick plans discharge petition against Trump’s Russia diesel deal

Campbell, Bradley, and Jason Manning. “Microaggression and the Culture of Victimhood.” The Rise of Victimhood Culture: Microaggressions, Safe Spaces, and the New Culture Wars. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 1-36.

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John Boland and Timothy Cordes examine the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA). College sports are a multi-billion-dollar industry where players now share in the profits. The PCSA attempts to address concerns in this evolving landscape with sweeping federal laws.

John asserts that the PCSA is a flawed piece of legislation which does some good things like limiting student transfers and making agents register. Tim sees the PCSA as a fundamental governmental over-reach which, rather than protecting college sports, protects the NCAA with an antitrust exemption, shields conferences with limits on reorganizations, and entrenches colleges lock on the profits.

The Buddies agree that reforms addressing the medical needs of athletes, limiting transfers, and nonrevocable scholarships would be good ideas.

Tim’s whack-job is a governor who signed a bill to hide public records from the public.

John’s heroes are ordinary people who acted in extraordinary circumstances and a prosecutor, who was just doing his job.

Referred to:

Opinion | Nick Saban and E. Gordon Gee: College athletics is in crisis - The Washington Post

Senate passes a sweeping college sports bill. Here’s what it would change. - The Washington Post

Everything in the Senate Bill to Change College Sports

CNBC Official College Sports Valuations 2025: Top 75 athletic programs

Evers signs $15M Wisconsin NIL bill into law, keeping public records exemption | Wisconsin | thecentersquare.com

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Timothy Cordes, the blind part of Bald, Blind, and Buddies, relates his personal experience with Lyft and his dog guide. He warns that even if you get a ride with your dog, which the law requires, drivers can still scam you with fictitious “damages.”

John Boland and he discussed what it took to get Lyft to fix the charge. Still, there remains a massive problem with ride share services not picking up people with dog guides.

The Buddies reflect on life with the Americans with Disabilities Act wondering if things have improved since its passage. Tim notes technological advances and societal setbacks.

The Buddies consider the role of liberty in the public square. They wonder if one can draw parallels between a baker unwilling to bake a particular cake for religious reasons and a driver with religious objections to picking up a blind person with a guide dog.

John’s whack-job is a senator up for re-election who is hiding behind semantics instead of being ethically accountable.

Tim’s hero was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for America.

Referred to:

Minnesota reaches settlement with Lyft after blind student denied rides over service dog - CBS Minnesota

Visually impaired people protest mistreatment at Uber HQ | The City | sfexaminer.com

(I speculate more would have attended this protest, but they weren’t picked up by ride shares.)

Guide Dogs for the Blind Rideshare Survey Results Reveal More Than 83 Percent of Respondents Have Been Denied Access | Financial Post

Fighter pilot reflects on order to sacrifice herself to stop Flight 93 on 9/11 | PBS News

Susan Collins’s Maine Money Machine | The New Yorker

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Pat Terrell joins John Boland and Timothy Cordes to discuss lessons from life and football. He expounds on topics ranging from advice from his father on how to pick a university to how he adapted to challenges and handled disappointments.

Pat recounts stories from Notre Dame football including his famous pass break-up in the National Championship game, and he shares his appreciation for coaches and teammates.

Referred to:

Pat Terrell - Wikipedia

Lou Holtz’s 11 biggest wins in his 11 seasons at Notre Dame - Yahoo Sports

“30 for 30” Catholics Vs. Convicts (TV Episode 2016) - IMDb

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John Boland and Timothy Cordes review the Lindsay Clancy trial. They acknowledge the tragedy. Tim, a psychiatrist, tries to explain psychosis, which is treatable. He distinguishes it from postpartum depression.

The Buddies consider the role of criminal punishment and wonder why people take such an interest in this story.

John’s whack-job is a Fox News host who laughs off a Presidential statement.

Tim’s hero thought quickly and saved a life instead of waiting to capture a death on his phone.

Referred to:

I’m a Psychiatrist. Here’s What the Lindsay Clancy Jury Should Have Found

Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity: What It Means and How Rare It Is

Hero waiter tackles Ohio lawyer as he tries to shoot ex-wife

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After catching up, John Boland and Timothy Cordes use Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to frame their reflections on September 11. They offer their thoughts on just how incomprehensible the attack was, memories from that day, and reflections on visiting the memorials. With respect, they offer gratitude for all those who risked or lost their lives so that others might live. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends,” John 15:13.

Related to this episode:

9/11 Charities List: How to Donate to 9/11 Victims, Families | Money

the FDNY Foundation

The New York City Police Foundation

Please, consider donating to these charities or others if you can.

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Bret Stephens joins John Boland and Timothy Cordes to discuss everything from AI in writing to the definition of genocide.

Bret uses the difference between liberty and liberation to identify illiberality in the modern democrat party. Bret discusses how open societies can fix their flaws which ultimately allows for solutions.

Bret gives reasons for hope including how Ukraine demonstrates the power of courage that sometime springs from unlikely places.

It wouldn’t be an episode of Bald, Blind, and Buddies without John Boland bringing up J.D. Vance. Bret offers his thoughts as well as ideas about MAGA compared with its messenger.

Bret’s hero of the week is Dolly Parton, who united people across boundaries.

Referred to:

Bret Stephens - The New York Times

I’m Begging You: Never Write With A.I. - The New York Times

Remembering an American Icon: Dolly Parton (1946-2026)

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