Snakes & Otters Podcast

Martin captains the last of our 4 part Civil War series with an examination of the Vicksburg Campaign and it's commander, US Grant. What the campaign was all about, and what it meant strategically, politically and socially. 

Martin captains a very silly episode (well I mean it is a freaking hoopajoob) and answers the question, Is Cereal A Soup? The guys also dive into some other really bad food ideas (tuna and jello pie?) but eventually come around to some positive notes on German kuchens and steak and eggs and other yummy stuff. 

Francis captains an episode that takes the S&O guys into the dark heart of that terrible Planet of the Apes (nod to Homer Simpson). We discuss all the great themes and shout out to the important creators of one of the pre-eminent Sci-Fi franchises. This of course includes more bro love for our man Chuck Heston, who's Taylor was way deeper a character than just a man among the monkeys. And always remember, "you blew it up, you maniacs, damn you, god damn you all to hell!"

Martin captains an homage to his north star, George Orwell. Read and learn younger generations. Yes, his novels were a comment on a polity that no longer exists, but the deadly ideas behind the Soviet Union still swirl the bowl of modern intellectualism. 

Martin goes all "Autocrat of the Podcast" with an Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr quote, Francis captains with Nelson Mandela ode to moral courage and of course when you have conversation + libation that equals Robert hammering it all home with Margaret Thatcher. Fight those battles as often as you need to! 

Our quotes this time:

• Francis – “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers it.” (Nelson Mandela)

Francis helms a history episode and the guys explore the Battle of Gettysburg and tackle a what if in the process. Would Stonewall have made the outcome very different in Pennsylvania? And there's more to it than just Culp's Hill. Yes, "The Killer Angels" and Gettysburg get a mention. We would be remiss if we didn't mention the episode publishes on the anniversary of Day 3 of the battle, which included Pickett's Charge.

Martin captains the guys through a discussion of the Western as an American art form, including a discussion on the evolution of the genre and how it came to reflect the current moment in American society. 

Francis captains an episode on that great American Icon, John Wayne, the man Emperor Hirohito wanted to meet on his trip to the United States in the 1960s. A rugged individualist, a man with a code, a man who believed in American Exceptionalism, but a man with flaws too. 

Second week of June and time for a Code of Honor boys and girls. Martin, Robert and Francis draw from all kinds of sources and use some great words of wisdom to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Draw nigh and learn. And like always, there's caution but also optimism. 

Our quotes this time around:

• Martin – “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” ( J. O’Rourke)

First Friday means a history episode and this is part 2 of our 4 part Civil War series on the crucial battles of 1862-1863 that lead to Grant coming East. This week we talk Chancellorsville, Lee's greatest tactical victory, and along the way of course there's an examination of the personalities, like "Fighting" Joe Hooker and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.

Robert specifically mentions Chancellorsville by John Bigelow, Jr during the episode, but the guys also recommend an article on American Heritage, The Destruction of Fighting Joe Hooker by Gene Smith and Stonewall Jackson: The Man, the Soldier, the Legend by James I. Robertson, Jr.