The John Batchelor Show

Jim McTague discusses the bustling July 4th tourism in Lancaster County despite a sweltering heat dome. He explores rising inflation at local diners, erratic shopping patterns, and a robust yet nerve-wracking labor market. McTaguehighlights how residents navigate high costs while tourism remains solid and regional vacationers are staying local.
1900 WILLIAM PENN HOUSE

Preview: Historian Fitzhugh Brundage analyzes sixteen enigmatic photographs taken by Andrew Riddle at Andersonville prison in 1864. These rare images became iconic through later etchings published in news journals. Brundage emphasizes their historical importance as unique visual evidence documenting the grim conditions within the Confederacy's most notorious prisoner of war camp.
1865 RICHMOND

Preview: Professor Fitzhugh Brundage examines the descent of Civil War prisons into systemic brutality. Focusing on Richmond's Libby Prison, a repurposed tobacco warehouse, he explains how the initial intent of civilized exchanges failed. Brundage details how the experiences of literate Union officers helped spread early accounts regarding these notorious Confederate facilities.
1865 RICHMOND VA

Preview: Professor Daniel Rood explores the early American plantation system through the life of Anthony Johnson. Arriving in 1619, Johnson successfully achieved freedom and land ownership before racial enslavement laws were fully articulated. Rood highlights how subsequent legal shifts narrowed opportunities, leading to declining freedom for Johnson's descendants over successive generations.
1750

Preview: Professor Daniel Rood discusses Charles Dickens' historical American tour and his observations of the brutal overland slave trade. Rood describes Dickens' harrowing account of witnessing a mother and children separated from their family by sale. This poignant encounter illustrates the profound human suffering inherent within the expanding southern plantation economy.
1850 LOWELL MASS

1905 LA SPRING STREETHEADLINE: Pacific Watch: From Newsom's Political Ambitions to California’s Animal Crossings and Culinary Diplomacy

GUESTS

• Jeff Bliss: Pacific Watch correspondent and guide on West Coast matters.
• Michael Vlahos (referred to as Germanicus): Expert on historical parallels and international relations.

SUMMARY

This special broadcast of the John Bachelor Show examines the intersection of California politics, wildlife conservation, and geopolitical shifts. Host John Bachelor and Jeff Bliss begin by analyzing Governor Gavin Newsom’spolitical persona, describing him as a "California dad" who skillfully engages with Gen Z voters while navigating complex Democratic party dynamics. The discussion highlights Newsom’s recent pivot toward progressive billionaire tax policies—an effort to align with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and prevent capital flight to states like Florida and Texas. However, the conversation also addresses a significant corruption probe in Sacramento, involving an insider wearing a wire for the FBI and questions regarding the charities of Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom.Shifting to infrastructure and culture, the segment details a $114 million animal land bridge currently under construction over the 101 freeway. Designed to protect wildlife like mountain lions and deer while reducing fatal human collisions, the project is characterized as a "very California" endeavor—over budget and behind schedule but potentially life-saving. Other cultural highlights include the rising popularity of In-N-Out Burger among European tourists and plans for a future NBA arena on the Las Vegas Strip.Finally, Michael Vlahos joins to critique the decline of American moral authority and the "rules-based order". He suggests that Western powers rely on creating "monsters" to destroy as a means of managing domestic electorates through a state of permanent emergency. The broadcast concludes with reflections on reports of Donald Trump’s massive annual earnings and the normalization of greed in modern politics.

SCHEDULE OF JBS 7-3-2026. 1913 WILSON OPENIG DAYColonel Jeff McCausland discusses John Buford's arrival at Gettysburg, identifying key terrain like Cemetery Hill. Buford sent urgent messages to John Reynolds, urging him to bring infantry forward quickly. Reynolds trusted Buford's assessment, leading Union forces to occupy positions just as the Confederate attack began. (1)Colonel Jeff McCausland recounts how General Reynolds was killed by a Confederate marksman while leading his men forward into the woods. Later that day, Robert E. Lee issued a famous discretionary order to Richard Ewell to take Cemetery Hill "if practicable." Ewell, newly promoted and lacking initiative, hesitated and ultimately declined to attack. (2)Colonel Jeff McCausland explains how rifled muskets increased accuracy while tactics remained outdated, causing high casualties. On the second day, Strong Vincent took the initiative to occupy Little Round Top without orders. Joshua Chamberlain's 20th Maine successfully held the Union's far left flank with a desperate bayonet charge. (3)Colonel Jeff McCausland describes how, on the third day, Lee ordered a frontal assault on the Union center despite Longstreet's protests. Pickett's Charge resulted in devastating casualties, with nearly 60-65% of the force lost to artillery and rifle fire. Longstreet was visibly overwhelmed by the certainty of the attack's failure. (4)Mary Kissel discusses a catastrophic earthquake in Venezuela, highlighting the human tragedy exacerbated by corrupt building practices. While US first responders are assisting, Kissel critiques the State Department for preventing opposition leader María Corina Machado from returning. She argues diplomacy should promote strategic interests and free societies. (5)Mary Kissel evaluates US policy toward China, noting Beijing's aggression toward Taiwan and the Philippines. She praises the Trump administration's support for Ukraine, particularly in surveillance and military assistance, which enabled deep strikes into Russian territory. She urges the White House to champion the moral high ground. (6)Anatol Lieven discusses Vladimir Putin's public admission that Ukrainian drone strikes are causing significant difficulties and a loss of refining capacity. While Putin remains in charge, he faces pressure from hawks and doves regarding escalation. Despite successful drone campaigns, the battlefield in the Donbass remains stagnant. (7)Lance Gatling reports that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi unveiled a $2.3 trillion investment roadmap focused on 17 key technologies, including AI and chip manufacturing. The plan aims for economic independence and supply line diversity. Takaichi enjoys high public support, particularly from conservatives and young people tired of Chineseintimidation. (8)Michael Vorenberg challenges the idea that the Civil War ended at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. While Lee's surrender was a crucial step involving the stacking of arms, Lincoln did not publicly declare the war over. Lincolnremained focused on the ongoing process of reconstruction. (9)Michael Vorenberg recounts how, following Lincoln's assassination, William T. Sherman met Joseph Johnston at Bennett Place to negotiate a surrender. Sherman offered terms more generous than Grant's, including allowing Southerners to keep weapons in armories to prevent guerrilla warfare. However, the Washington cabinet rejected these terms as too lenient. (10)Michael Vorenberg explains that after official surrenders, Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith fled to Mexicorather than surrender his Trans-Mississippi forces. Small skirmishes continued at Palmetto Ranch, which is often cited as the last battle of the war. Meanwhile, Grant sent Sheridan to the Rio Grande to deter French intervention. (11)Michael Vorenberg discusses how the government used military tribunals to try Lincoln's conspirators and Andersonville commandant Henry Wirz, arguing a state of war still existed. Secretary of War Stanton hoped to implicate Jefferson Davis in these crimes to justify execution, but Wirz refused to provide such testimony before hanging. (12)Michael Vorenberg examines Richard Henry Dana's "grasp of war" philosophy, arguing the Union should hold the Confederacy until civil rights were secured. This contrasted with Lincoln's "let 'em up easy" approach. Congress used these war powers to extend the Freedman's Bureau and pass reconstruction legislation. (13)Michael Vorenberg traces how Andrew Johnson, initially seen as a radical ally, shifted toward a policy of white supremacy and hasty peace. He vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, leading moderate Republicans to unite with radicals. This intense conflict centered on whether the war had legally ended. (14)Michael Vorenberg explains that on August 20, 1866, Johnson proclaimed the insurrection over to strip Congress of its war powers. Despite ongoing massacres in Memphis and New Orleans, Johnson tried to suppress reports of violence to maintain a "peace" narrative. The Supreme Court later affirmed this technical end date. (15)Michael Vorenberg describes how Ulysses S. Grant found himself caught between the warring factions of the Johnsonadministration. After witnessing Johnson's disastrous "swing around the circle" tour, Grant realized the President was unfit for loyalty. Grant eventually sided with Secretary of War Stanton, facilitating his 1868 presidential run. (16)All 16 folded into single paragraphs, John. One correction for the log: segment 5 had "Maria Karina Machado" — fixed to María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader. Flag anything else.

Michael Vorenberg describes how Ulysses S. Grant found himself caught between the warring factions of the Johnsonadministration. After witnessing Johnson's disastrous "swing around the circle" tour, Grant realized the President was unfit for loyalty. Grant eventually sided with Secretary of War Stanton, facilitating his 1868 presidential run. (16)
1896

Michael Vorenberg explains that on August 20, 1866, Johnson proclaimed the insurrection over to strip Congress of its war powers. Despite ongoing massacres in Memphis and New Orleans, Johnson tried to suppress reports of violence to maintain a "peace" narrative. The Supreme Court later affirmed this technical end date. (15)
1865 TRIAL

Michael Vorenberg traces how Andrew Johnson, initially seen as a radical ally, shifted toward a policy of white supremacy and hasty peace. He vetoed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, leading moderate Republicans to unite with radicals. This intense conflict centered on whether the war had legally ended. (14)
1865