Part 2 of our episode. Starting with a debate on the Southern Baptist Convention banning women as pastors, we get into a deep discussion about what good and evil means, the bible, and if there is a difference between the truth that people understand and "God's Truth."

Resources used in this episode:

https://www.npr.org/2023/06/11/1181547661/southern-baptist-leaders-will-decide-the-fate-of-congregations-with-women-pastor

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2023/06/13/southern-baptist-convention-new-updates-from-2023-annual-meeting-tuesday/70274688007/

Our discussions went so long, we're breaking this episode up into two parts. We start with some headlines you might have missed, including Connecticut pardoning those convicted of witchcraft, Chinese spies trying to sneak into military bases in Alaska, and the first rabid moose in Alaska. Then we discuss an amendment to move IRS funding to the military. Next, we go over some messaging bills about banning undocumented immigrants from being sheltered in schools, requiring whole milk in schools, and deregulating parts of Obamacare.

Part two will come out in one week with our deep dive on religion and morality.

Resources used in this episode:

Connecticut Pardons Witches:

https://www.reddit.com/r/news/comments/13vo8tx/centuries_after_they_were_convicted_connecticut/

https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/29/us/connecticut-witch-trial-exoneration-trnd/index.html

Rabid Moose in Alaska:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/first-rabid-moose-in-alaska-state-history-discovered/ar-AA1cse0v

Chinese Spies in Alaska:

https://www.reddit.com/r/alaska/comments/13worxq/suspected_chinese_spies_disguised_as_tourists/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/05/31/suspected-chinese-spies-posing-as-tourists-discovered-in-alaska/70260712007/

Alaska Delegation Votes on Debt Ceiling and Amendment to Defund the IRS:

https://alaskabeacon.com/2023/06/02/congress-votes-to-avert-debt-crisis-changing-food-stamp-and-family-aid-programs-in-the-process/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=e324805f-7d64-4ef2-af36-739b7ee433f9

Republican Messaging Bills on Whole Milk, Sheltering Migrants, and Obamacare:

https://alaskabeacon.com/2023/06/06/u-s-house-committee-approves-bills-on-whole-milk-condemns-sheltering-migrants-in-schools/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=e66397da-d56f-455c-a6e8-8b53988708d6

https://apnews.com/article/migrants-asylum-new-york-eric-adams-schools-2c61324054e55b0532c48996794cc30a

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-resolution/461/text

It's episode 3 and the debates are hot as ever, plus a few surprising agreements!

After a few updates on what those Russians are up to, we get right into a debate about a new Alaska law to ban PFAS, or "forever chemicals" in firefighting foam. Next, we discuss the Biden administration's new actions to combat antisemitism. We catch up on what we've been up to since our last podcast. Next, we talk about a law in Oregon that prevents legislators from running for reelection if they have 10 unexcused absences. Finally, we talk about conservatives attempting to boycott Target over their pride merchandise.

Sources used in this episode:

Russia update:

https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/13emk6l/russia_to_build_migrant_village_for_conservative/

https://www.newsweek.com/russian-lawmaker-threatens-alaska-missile-strikes-1802986

PFAS Bill:

https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-lawmakers-approve-ban-on-firefighting-forever-chemicals-and-refrigerants-phase-out/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=5443fc9d-d1b8-4457-b8e7-a9678b333606

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Journal/Pages/33?Chamber=H&Bill=HB%20%2051&Page=01160#1160

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Text/33?Hsid=HB0051A

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Journal/Pages/33?Chamber=H&Bill=HB%20%2051&Page=00282#0282

Whitehouse Counter Antisemitism Strategy:

https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/13t3dw8/white_house_rejects_lauren_boeberts_claim_that/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/25/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-releases-first-ever-u-s-national-strategy-to-counter-antisemitism/

https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/#/pages/explorer/crime/hate-crime

https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/fbi-executive-update-antisemitism-a-persistent-driver-of-transnational-violent-extemist-narratives-and-attacks-052523.pdf/view

Oregon Attendance Law:

https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/13m6y5f/oregon_senate_walkout_continues_as_6_more/

Also happens in Alaska:

https://alaskalandmine.com/landmines/house-minority-flees-capitol-as-majority-tries-to-force-their-vote-on-education-funding-increase/

https://www.juneauempire.com/news/eduction-funding-fight-prompts-house-minority-walkout/

https://alaskabeacon.com/2023/04/06/alaska-house-returns-to-regular-work-after-budget-driven-walkout-with-more-disputes-to-come/

Target is the Target of Conservative Boycott:

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/targets-pride-month-boycott-shows-disturbing-gop-plans-rcna86496

https://nypost.com/2023/05/25/target-loses-8b-in-week-since-boycott-calls-over-pride-collection/

https://www.newsweek.com/target-boycott-over-lgbtq-products-literally-terrorism-economist-1802961

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/05/26/lgbtq-designer-target-pride-collection-controversy/

Other articles mentioned:

https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/13mdcct/ted_cruz_launches_investigation_into_bud_light/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/02/28/extremism-right-wing-deaths/

https://www.adl.org/resources/report/murder-and-extremism-united-states-2022

https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/13u1w2a/rampant_child_sexual_abuse_is_occurring_in/

We're back for our second episode! Due to the complex logistics of celebrating Mother's Day while we recorded, this episode was recorded "on the road" in Derik's garage instead of our usual recording booth at Juneau Makerspace.

We share our thoughts on the Writers Strike, a bill before the Alaska legislature to allow gun stores to stay open during declared emergencies, a recent rally at the state capitol to bring attention to the missing and murdered indigenous people crisis, and no-fault divorce. We even occasionally agree on things. All that and we catch up with each other on what we've been up to and more.

Sources used in this episode and further reading:

Articles on the writers strike:

https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/135adyi/the_writers_guild_of_america_is_officially_on/

https://gizmodo.com/david-zaslav-warner-bros-discovery-streaming-wga-strike-1850408939

https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/13ax5pv/judd_apatow_says_studios_may_not_want_to_quickly/

https://www.reddit.com/r/television/comments/13bscq2/hollywood_ceo_pay_big_checks_ugly_optics_amid/

https://www.wgacontract2023.org/the-campaign/wga-in-the-news

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wga-strike-union-negotiators-talks-broke-down-1235478269/

https://deadline.com/2023/05/wga-strike-negotiating-committee-member-adam-conover-ai-writers-room-amptp-dga-1235354520/

Articles on the bill to keep gun stores open:

https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/alaska-house-votes-to-keep-shooting-ranges-open-during-most-disasters/

https://www.kinyradio.com/news/news-of-the-north/alaska-house-votes-to-keep-shooting-ranges-open-during-most-disasters/

https://www.juneauempire.com/news/ban-on-gun-limits-during-emergencies-passes-house/

Articles about the MMIW crisis:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/this-is-now-a-plea-rally-brings-awareness-to-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people/ar-AA1aOlxW

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_and_Murdered_Indigenous_Women

https://dps.alaska.gov/AST/PIO/PressReleases/Annual-Crime-in-Alaska-Report-Shows-18-5-Decrease

https://www.propublica.org/article/after-3-years-and-1-5-million-testing-rape-kits-alaska-made-one-new-arrest

https://www.propublica.org/article/alaska-requires-dna-be-collected-from-people-arrested-for-violent-crimes-many-police-have-ignored-that

https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/report-shows-alaska-has-almost-eliminated-its-backlog-of-untested-sexual-assault-evidence/

Articles about no-fault divorce:

https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/135okj7/get_ready_for_the_conservative_crusade_against/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-fault_divorce#:~:text=No%2Dfault%20divorce%20is%20the,of%20wrongdoing%20by%20either%20party.

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/legal/divorce/divorce-statistics/

It's our first episode so buckle up!

First up, we discuss events in the Tenessee House of Representatives that led to house members being ejected and the aftermath.

Next, there were some local happenings here in Juneau Alaska that led to someone being charged with "Terroristic Threatening."

Then we catch up with each other, which involves Derik doing martial arts and Sam shooting lasers.

Next, we discuss a schism in the Anglican church over LGBTQ+ rights and what this means for wider Christianity.

Our last topic of discussion is how people deemed unfit to stand trial should be treated by the justice system.

Articles and resources we used as background:

Tennesee House of Representatives Dustup:

https://twitter.com/JuneauEmpire/status/1656489886159962113

Coming Soon! Prepare for the political debate podcast that will... exist alongside all other political debate podcasts. Will Sam and Derik solve any of the systemic problems facing the world? No. But when two best friends in Alaska from opposite ends of the political spectrum come together to create a podcast, maybe, just maybe, there's hope for our future yet. Get ready for hot takes and outrageous opinions!

As we debate politics over the course of the pod, we hope you at least get an appreciation for where we're coming from, even if you don't agree with us. And if you do agree with both of us... seek help. Like, professionally. Certainly not from us. We're amateurs.

Episode 1 will be dropping soon, so make sure to subscribe now!