Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Snarkiness

Aaron is joined by a podcast guest, history teacher Connor Gleason, to discus the legacy of Winston Churchill that has been questioned in light of recent protests against both historical and contemporary racial injustice.

Aaron brings up some of the specifically troubling things Churchill did and said during his early career, such as the Gallipoli Campaign and his views on the use of gas, while Connor discusses Churchill’s underlying racial and imperialist views that defined his political career.

An article about the protests against Churchill: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/churchill-statue-racism-british-black-lives-matter-protests/2020/06/08/33f68146-a991-11ea-9063-e69bd6520940_story.html

Shashi Tharoor’s article on Churchill’s troubling legacy in India: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/global-opinions/wp/2018/03/10/in-winston-churchill-hollywood-rewards-a-mass-murderer/

A Response to Tharoor’s article from Connor and Aaron’s Alma Mater, Hillsdale College: https://winstonchurchill.hillsdale.edu/churchill-racist-war-criminal-tharoor/

Theme by Nathan Keightley

Aaron and Austin discuss the potential police reforms that have been proposed in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, especially the reform suggested by Reps. Justin Amash and Ayanna Pressley to end qualified immunity. Austin explains how qualified immunity is supposed to work vs. how it actually works and why it’s such a threat to ensuring protection from police brutality. Aaron compares the numerous legal protections that police enjoy to the infamous Milgram experiment, as well as the “problem of moral psychology,” and explains why these issues mean that he thinks that system “reform” needs to address these issues from the ground up.

NOTE: this episode was recorded before Minneapolis’s city council decided to abolish their police, we promise that we are not avoiding that issue.

Justin Amash’s plan to end qualified immunity: https://fee.org/articles/to-curtail-police-impunity-rep-justin-amash-announces-legislation-to-end-qualified-immunity/

How Qualified Immunity covered a police officer when he negligently shot a ten year old: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicksibilla/2019/07/18/cop-who-accidentally-shot-10-year-old-when-aiming-for-family-dog-cant-be-sued-federal-court-rules/#1a40ed823987

The Free Thoughts Podcast on the perverse incentives in the Justice System: https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/free-thoughts/our-criminal-injustice-system-jason-brennan-chris-surprenant

An article describing the effective police reform in Aaron’s home of Camden County: https://www.citylab.com/equity/2018/01/what-happened-to-crime-in-camden/549542/?fbclid=IwAR1EbjCukLYuhxmpcNGhNF0xWlewECgTpY_p3FZ9nZzUj3Noa4491g1M7ZY

Theme by Nathan Keightley

Life right now sucks, so why not escape into history?

Aaron and Jason discuss the History Channel’s recent documentary on President U.S. Grant. Going beyond the documentary itself, Jason tells us why he thinks it’s an important way to inspire further historical analysis about one of the most important presidents, while also calling Aaron a “lying dog-faced pony soldier.” Aaron discusses why he thinks Grant embodies the spirit of Dignity culture, as opposed to the Southern culture of Honor. Both hosts discuss the legacy of Grant, including how his reputation was tarnished by the Lost Cause, how we should think about the corruption scandals of his presidential tenure, and what “the first Civil Rights President” can teach us about living our lives today, even in these troubling times.

Ron Chernow’s “Grant,” the book that inspired the miniseries:https://www.amazon.com/Grant-Ron-Chernow/dp/159420487X

Dr. David Blight’s “HIST 119: The Civil War War and Reconstruction Era” on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hist-119-the-civil-war-and-reconstruction-era-1845-1877/id1273294635

Prof. Edward Bonekemper III on “The Lost Cause”: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Lost-Cause-South-Fought/dp/1621574547

Dr. Caroline Janney on “The Lost Cause”: https://www.amazon.com/Burying-Dead-but-Not-Past/dp/0807872253

Theme by Nathan Keightley

Aaron and Austin continue their discussion from last week about “policing our own,” and apply it to the armed protests against the COVID-19 Lockdowns. They compare it to previous armed protests and go into why they think these are different, and why these protests are perhaps not the best idea ever.

A news article about the Michigan protest that Austin and Aaron use as a counterpoint to the anti-lockdown protests: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/07/michigan-lawmaker-armed-escort-rightwing-protest?fbclid=IwAR3MTxz5-3oAhMu6In9uIk5rcW5fKhtwhLovPnuDSYewDSnF9-YSC6eJTiY

Theme by Nathan Keightley

Aaron and Austin join up for a two-parter on the topic of “policing our own.” They start by discussing some further details about the Ahmaud Arbery Case, including some of the difficulties they foresee in the upcoming trial. They then discuss the similar case of Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend Kenneth Walker, who were the victim of a no-knock raid where the police had the wrong address and killed Ms. Taylor, and Mr. Walker, who was only defending himself, is now facing criminal charges. Aaron and Austin, in the spirit of “policing our own,” call out supposed gun-rights activists who are remaining damnably silent about this, the same way they’ve remained silent about Ahmed Arbery’s case.

The WaPo article on Gregory McMichael’s history of shirking use of force training: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/13/ex-detective-accused-death-ahmaud-arbery-lost-power-make-arrests-after-skipping-use-of-force-training/

An article on the rather damning silence from gun rights activists in Mr. Walker and Ms. Taylor’s case: https://www.upworthy.com/gun-rights-activists-silent-in-breonna-taylor-case

Reason magazine on the policy implications of Ms. Taylor’s tragic death: https://reason.com/2020/05/15/the-breonna-taylor-shooting-shows-how-reckless-drug-war-tactics-lead-to-senseless-deaths/?fbclid=IwAR1P9ZaBuH78I3Ge2VH0K-dmvVvDhl4b_mYxk_RcMe3ZloUa0LHCwxNxiY4

Theme by Nathan Keightley

Aaron is joined by Hannah Cox, a conservatarian journalist and criminal justice reform activist, to discuss the public discourse around the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Aaron and Hannah discuss the facts of the case, why the public outcry against the delay of justice for Ahmaud is important, how it’s impossible to discuss issues like this without bringing up issues of race, and how these issues extend to all levels of the criminal justice system. Hannah also gives some background about her own involvement in the justice system and why she’s taken up the mantle of such causes as ending the death penalty, and Aaron brings up something that’s become more and more of a theme on the podcast, the idea of “policing our own” when it comes to the expression of individual rights.

The Police Report on Ahmaud Arbery’s Death: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/fb-8297829/READ-POLICE-REPORT-AHMAUD-ARBERYS-DEATH.html

Georgia DA George Barnhill on why he didn’t prosecute the McMichaels: https://int.nyt.com/data/documenthelper/6916-george-barnhill-letter-to-glyn/b52fa09cdc974b970b79/optimized/full.pdf

A report on why the video of Ahmaud Arbery in the house was not grounds for the McMichaels’ actions: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/10/ahmaud-arbery-shooting-new-video-shows-georgia-jogger-did-nothing-illegal/3105123001/

Charles Blow writing for the NYT on the ramifications of this case: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/06/opinion/ahmaud-arbery-killing.html

How the source of the leaked video showing Ahmaud Arbery’s death actually leaked it to clear the McMichaels: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8302641/amp/Attorney-leaked-Ahmaud-Arbery-lynching-video-thought-CLEAR-friends.html

CNN’s compilation of what is known about this case: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/11/us/ahmaud-arbery-mcmichael-what-we-know/index.html?ref=hvper.com

Theme by Nathan Keightley

Aaron is joined again by Tyler Groenendal, now one of the hosts of “The Amash Files,” a new podcast dedicated to following Justin Amash’s candidacy, as well as providing insights into Amash’s campaign that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

Aaron and Tyler discuss Justin Amash’s recently-declared candidacy. How viable is his bid for the presidency? What makes him different from previous third party candidates? Why is he entering the race so late? What makes him such an ideal voice for liberty? Why do people refuse to consider third party options even when served utter dreck from the mainline parties?

Aaron also brings up the specific controversies and questions regarding Amash, from controversial votes (including voting for impeachment) to specific policies an Amash presidency would produce, and Tyler gives us an insider's perspective on these and other topics. 

The Amash Files Podcast: https://www.amashfiles.com/

Reason’s Matt Welch on Amash’s Candidacy: https://reason.com/2020/04/28/justin-amash-is-running-for-president-as-a-libertarian/

Joe Walsh on why he thinks Amash’s campaign will re-elect Trump: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/04/29/amash-libertarian-reelect-trump/

The Liberty Herald’s case for how Justin could actually win: https://thelibertyherald.com/2020/05/01/117-electoral-votes-a-very-real-possibility-for-justin-amash-and-the-libertarian-party/?fbclid=IwAR2Y54fVV4yaK2y0_n8LY6UKl0wcBWUJ8q-NI7S_PQsVknOTDPB4RC_4mRk

The recent Politico profile on Justin and why he’s running for president: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/04/30/justin-amash-running-destroy-the-system-that-created-trump-225147?fbclid=IwAR14cYNV1gDXnIJxU02JewJCSroDCzale_BVKS6AJPxDSXRyxfQ6eal1rxo

Austin and Aaron continue upon and expand numerous previous podcast episodes (including last week’s episode on Tiger King) to discuss the problems of individual rights vs. collective wellbeing. Both hosts begin by talking about their own preferred variants on the Old Fashioned, after which they discuss a rights-based perspective on such issues as owning large cats, balancing concerns about COVID-19 with the right to work and the right to go out in public, and how we can try to balance our concerns for our own individualism with the welfare of the communities in which we live.

Hey there you cool cats and kittens! This week, Aaron is joined by Sarah Sparks, a veterinary student and animal welfare advocate, to discuss the fervor around Netflix's “Tiger King.” Specifically, they decide to talk about one of the issues that the documentary seemed to sweep aside, namely the actual tigers and other big cats. Aaron and Sarah discuss some of the problematic depictions of the big cat industry within Tiger King, as well as the overall issues of conservation that Tiger King hints at. Also discussed are Harambe, the exotic pet trade, “Savannah Cats,” and why Aaron’s Old-Fashioned practices (i.e., regarding the bourbon-based cocktail) make him a Heathen in the eyes of his Kentuckian guest.

Cat Behaviorist Jackson Galaxy (someone as endearingly bizarre as anyone in The Tiger King, but unlike them he makes a difference in the lives of animals) on why Tiger King misses the mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKH37XLpqa8&fbclid=IwAR0fJiA0MnSZXvCz6wojwTNOr1GbIs3ReZw2_d_-DmhFogO3XBG6hAwsbvg&app=desktop#menu

Carole and Howard Baskin on the accusations made against them by Tiger King: https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2020/04/10/carole-and-howard-baskin-say-tiger-king-makers-betrayed-their-trust/?fbclid=IwAR10XqqCQyWjV8XOOcCZHxKcxZHUJX73YKtRwIII4TjnhCm0WbpEI1URDXk

Why Tiger King is Not “Blackfish for Cats”: https://www.chicagotribune.com/featured/sns-nyt-tiger-king-joe-exotic-conservation-20200418-alcizsxczrc45iam3rvw3zveby-story.html

For no other reason other than it’s funny, here’s Joe Biden’s response to Tiger King: https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/joe-biden-reacts-to-viewing-tiger-king-what-are-we-watching/ar-BB12WC2x

Hey there you cool cats and kittens! This week, Aaron is joined by Sarah Sparks, a veterinary student and animal welfare advocate, to discuss the fervor around Netflix's “Tiger King.” Specifically, they decide to talk about one of the issues that the documentary seemed to sweep aside, namely the actual tigers and other big cats. Aaron and Sarah discuss some of the problematic depictions of the big cat industry within Tiger King, as well as the overall issues of conservation that Tiger King hints at. Also discussed are Harambe, the exotic pet trade, “Savannah Cats,” and why Aaron’s Old-Fashioned practices (i.e., regarding the bourbon-based cocktail) make him a Heathen in the eyes of his Kentuckian guest.

Cat Behaviorist Jackson Galaxy (someone as endearingly bizarre as anyone in The Tiger King, but unlike them he makes a difference in the lives of animals) on why Tiger King misses the mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKH37XLpqa8&fbclid=IwAR0fJiA0MnSZXvCz6wojwTNOr1GbIs3ReZw2_d_-DmhFogO3XBG6hAwsbvg&app=desktop#menu

Carole and Howard Baskin on the accusations made against them by Tiger King: https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2020/04/10/carole-and-howard-baskin-say-tiger-king-makers-betrayed-their-trust/?fbclid=IwAR10XqqCQyWjV8XOOcCZHxKcxZHUJX73YKtRwIII4TjnhCm0WbpEI1URDXk

Why Tiger King is Not “Blackfish for Cats”: https://www.chicagotribune.com/featured/sns-nyt-tiger-king-joe-exotic-conservation-20200418-alcizsxczrc45iam3rvw3zveby-story.html

For no other reason other than it’s funny, here’s Joe Biden’s response to Tiger King: https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/joe-biden-reacts-to-viewing-tiger-king-what-are-we-watching/ar-BB12WC2x