I believe that this will be my final episode of this podcast, after a year of working on it and this, the 71st episode. It's been a great learning experience, at times stimulating, interesting, fun, and also at times tedious and frustrating. I'm glad I've done it, and while I think it makes sense to close it down, this won't be my last program...I've got other ideas.

In the meantime, make sure to download any earlier episodes, since this will likely disappear at the end of June 2021.

Herein I discuss some ideas at the core of American political culture and traditions, and how they don't all square with one another.

How would proof of alien life impact the world's religions? I survey the possibilities, in light of the emergence of late in the mainstream media of serious stories about recent alien contact, or the chance of it.

Suggested Readings:

• The Conventional Wisdom on UFOs is Shifting

I've heard a lot about CRT in the news lately and, like most things in our hyper-partisan times, it's become a political hot button that lots of people talk about, but it seems few know much about. I hope this episode will help to fill in some background and give you something to think about.

Suggested Readings:

• Op-Ed on CRT

Some thoughts on a few widely-used terms and grammatical mistakes that annoy me, and why they ought to annoy you, too.

Iron Maiden writes a lot of songs about history and war, and Aces High, about the Battle of Britain during WW2, is one of their classics.

• Aces High Lyrics

Court packing's a thing again, is it? Listen as I discuss the Constitution, acts of Congress, and FDR's attempt to pack the court in 1937 provide a lens through which we can consider current Democrat efforts to expand the court (by four justices).

Covers are great...when they're good. In this episode I discuss a few of my favorites and compare them with the originals. I suggest listening to all of them, with a fresh ear.

• Gloria Jones - Tainted Love

In response to the controversy over Georgia's new voting law...

• Georgia Voter ID Card site

Herein I provide a brief history of the Senate filibuster, its evolution and use over time, and commentary on the threat of majoritarianism.

• Is Aaron Burr Really the Father of the Filibuster?