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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John Boland and Timothy Cordes discuss how one college at the University of Michigan is eliminating letter grades for freshmen during their first semester.

John explains that this is further evidence that the modern university has lost the plot, and, now, pursues its narrow financial interests at the expense of all else.

Tim uses FDR’s famous “Fear Itself” speech to show how this colleg’s move is motivated by fear and that our ability to manage our emotions is what makes us human, so giving into fear is anathema to human development.

The Buddies discuss whether there is a “mental health crisis” among youth and what might contribute to it. They consider solutions for universities.

Tim’s whack-jobs are proponents of the “No zero” grading policy.”

John salutes a local Little League team that made the World Series.

Referred to:

George F. Will: Imagine Michigan’s new hide-the-grades policy in a Wolverines practice

Have grades become meaningless as A’s become the norm at University of Michigan and other schools? - mlive.com

Florida teacher was fired after giving zeroes to students who didn’t turn in their assignments

West Chester team loses 1st Little League Baseball World Series game, plays again Monday

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Timothy Cordes and John Boland dive into why the Democrat Party loses on culture but might win on economics. The Buddies review the national budget as a statement of priorities as Dr. King described. Tim asserts that “tax the rich” is an example of the deadly sin of envy, and thus, repellent to some.

John has trouble reconciling why people seem to care about culture and yet elected the current president. Tim asserts that certain democratic stances on culture are fixed dogmas and out of touch with America.

The Buddies use the recent WNBA controversy as a case in point.

They also review the recent triumph of a moderate over a socialist in Wisconsin’s governor’s primary.

John’s whack-job tried to force the sale of a chunk of FIFA.

Tim’s hero was a physician who advanced science and cared for his community.

Referred to:

The Democrats’ dilemma is how to talk about culture war issues - The Wash Post

“Lie to People Who Want to be Lied to”: How to Make a Political Fortune as a Far-Left Democrat – JONATHAN TURLEY

How Colleges Produce Socialists - WSJ

How the WNBA Season Spiraled into Absolute Chaos - WSJ

FIFA president nixes idea to sell stakes in World Cup to private equity investors

Dr. Theodore Louis Goodfriend Obituary - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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John Boland and Timothy Cordes review a recent case which may go to the Supreme Court, asking is a vanity license plate “free speech,” “government speech” or something else entirely.

Tim examines the human dimension of the case in Virginia which centers on feeling offended or “hate speech.”

John explains that regional variation may matter in enforcement as it does in other areas.

John worries about political motives that might drive SCOTUS to hear this case.

Tim’s whack-jobs are those who have bought into Gentle Parenting surrendering their own power and authority as adults in the room, leading to canceled flights and more.

John’s hero saved a life with CPR.

Please consider donating to Turks Head Trail - Facebook, which is a local restoration project.

Referred to:

Fourth Circuit defines anti-cop license plate as protected private speech | Courthouse News Service

Edgy Vanity Plates Test Limits of Free Speech - The New York Times

Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles rejects 1,300+ custom license plates in 2025 | WFRV

Flight canceled after toddler refused to buckle seatbelt

Online CPR Certification | Red Cross

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John Boland and Timothy Cordes, after both visiting the shore, muse on humans and water. They explore the historical and political impacts of navigable waterways as well as the human preoccupation with dihydrogen monoxide.

The Buddies also discuss parking etiquette and access for service animals.

John’s hero this week is a group promoting organ donation.

Referred to:

15% of People Live Near Coasts – And the Number Keeps Rising - North American Community Hub

Donate Life - Coleman Sweeney | Hand-picked by Good Ads Matter - YouTube

Service Animals | US Department of Transportation

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John Boland and Timothy Cordes welcome David Berkoff, Olympic champion, and world record-setting swimmer to the podcast.

He discusses how he developed the Berkoff blastoff, which revolutionized competitive swimming. We discussed changes in the sport and being a father of an athlete.

David regales us with tales of getting to know Soviets during the Cold War as well as his desire to focus on the positive, recognizing we are all imperfect.

David admires Pablo Morales for embodying persistence, and he gives Paul Newman praise for living life his own way.

Referred to:

When Backstroke Went Rogue: David Berkoff Changed the Event

BERKOFF BLASTOFF on YouTube

Pablo Morales and a Great Feel-Good Stories in the Sport’s History

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John Boland and Timothy Cordes address the breakdown between people and their institutions. Tim uses the Ship of Thesus analogy to describe organizational drift.

Tim recounts recent news on how Amnesty International (AI), which defended political prisoners now set its sites on a women’s rape crisis center. He also reviews how the Southern Poverty Law Center has lost the plot.

John asserts that the atomization of information makes institutions more superfluous, and it is harder to hide their flaws, using the Catholic Church as an example.

The Buddies acknowledge the institutional blinders of academia. They discuss how preemptive claims of eelection fraud destroy faith in democracy.

John’s whack-job is a strict constructionist when its convenient while Tim’s hero uses her position to unabashedly advocate for women.

Referred to:

The interview that exposed academia’s cluelessness

Traditionalist Catholics face a difficult choice after Vatican cuts off breakaway group - AP

The death of the stick shift is almost here - Washington Post

Home - Save The Manuals!

JK Rowling rape support centre brands Amnesty’s anti-rights accusation ‘deeply offensive’ | Daily Mail Online

SPLC funded racism just so they could fight it | Columnists | thedesertreview.com

Video: Justice Jackson can’t define woman in confirmation hearing

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John Boland and Timothy Cordes welcome experimental psychologist Dr. “Andi” Clements from East Tennessee State University to discuss her struggles to publish questions which threaten the “medication first” dogma for treatment of opioid use disorder.

Professor Clements describes her experiences in teaching about trauma to churches. She explains how opioid medications interfere with natural reinforcement from social connection, and her question whether medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) reduces individuals’ ability to form social connections that would drive natural recovery. She indicates that the Church could be one place offering strong community support to those in recovery.

The group reflects on the trajectory of heroin addicts after Vietnam, the success of AA, how to consider vulnerability to addiction, and what a study testing Professor Clements’ hypothesis would look like

Dr. Clements shares her hero, John Swinton from the University of Aberdeen.

Referred to:

What a Questioning Medication-First Addiction Treatment Made Me a Heretic

Interpersonal connection and medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD): Does the endogenous opioid system inform the etiology and treatment of addiction?

Intrinsically Motivated: An Uplift Appalachia Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Raging with Compassion: Pastoral Responses to the Problem of Evil: Swinton, John on Amazon

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John Boland and Timothy Cordes are joined by Peter Cordes this week to discuss America’s Semiquincentennial.

The Buddies consider America as a meta-political idea, grounded in equality and liberty which transcends factions like political parties.

Peter shares his thoughts on the First Amendment and the primary goal of the framers while Tim and John consider how successful they were. John also shares his favorite amendment.

John reviews facts which demonstrate how special America is, and Tim ads that it is also the fundamental elements like immigrants seeking freedom and freedom of religion and speech which make the highlights possible.

Peter’s hero is a delegate who was essential for the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Referred to

Opinion | 25 reasons to be optimistic about America’s future - Washington Post

Caesar Rodney: The Ride That Secured Independence

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Ramesh Ponnuru the Editor of the National Review joins John Boland and Tim Cordes to address democrats and socialism, to the race to the moral bottom, and January 6.

Ramesh and the Buddies review issues raised by vice-presidents, namely J.D. Vance’s change of heart and Dick Cheney’s inability to relinquish his principled stance.

They touch on healthcare and affordability, and Ramesh Ponnuru offers reasons for hope.

Ramesh shares his whack-job who wants to abolish prisons and will likely end up in Congress.

Referred to:

Ramesh Ponnuru | National Review

N.Y. Socialist Called for Eliminating Police, Prisons, and Israel. Now, She’s Likely Headed to Congress | National Review

Opinion | Dick Cheney never forgave Trump for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot - The Washington Post

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