P&C drink and review a stout from Jamaica then ask what’s the point of a liberal church?
Wokeism has taken over many liberal Christian denominations, with their BLM posters and LGBTlmnop flags.
Why do people go to church in the first place? Usually people go to church to become a better disciple of Jesus. The liberal churches seem to have interpreted that as being uber-tolerant.
Pigweed asks “but aren’t churches supposed to be judgy?,” and doesn’t forgiveness come after repentance?
Here are some characteristics of liberal churches.
They don’t believe the Bible.
They betray basic Christian doctrines such as the virgin birth and the deity of Christ.
They believe man is good rather than sinful and in need of a savior.
They compromise on sexual ethics. Same-sex marriage, LGBlmnop, gender fluidity, etc.
The believe everyone goes to heaven.
They deny the resurrection and Christ’s miracles.
They put social justice over the Gospel.
The West is based on Christianity, and the West is under attack by many forces, such as Islam, secularism, and communism. Can the liberal church stand up against these attacks?
In this episode of the podcast, we crack open a Smuttynose “Finest Kind” IPA and dive into the fascinating life and legacy of William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States. Known to many as the “fourth assassinated president” alongside Abraham Lincoln, James Garfield, and John F. Kennedy, McKinley’s story goes far beyond trivia night. From his heroic service during the Civil War to his transformative presidency, we explore what made him one of the most influential figures in American history.
We discuss McKinley’s courageous actions on the battlefield—running through enemy fire to deliver crucial messages—and his rise from an enlisted soldier to the rank of brevet major. Transitioning into politics, McKinley served multiple terms in the House of Representatives, became Governor of Ohio, and ultimately won the presidency in 1896. Learn how his “front porch campaign” changed the face of presidential elections and why he’s the only U.S. president to have served in the House but not the Senate.
McKinley’s presidency marked a turning point for the United States, establishing the nation as a global power. We delve into the impact of the Spanish-American War (1898), which led to the U.S. acquiring Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, as well as the annexation of Hawaii. McKinley championed the gold standard over silver-backed currency and supported protective tariffs to boost American manufacturing—policies that draw comparisons to modern leaders like Donald Trump. We also touch on his role in strengthening the U.S. Navy, expanding the nation’s global influence, and consolidating the power of the Republican Party for decades.
Of course, we also cover McKinley’s tragic assassination at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, by anarchist Leon Czolgosz—a pivotal event that reshaped presidential security and led to the Secret Service assuming its protective role. Plus, we explore the eerie coincidence of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln, being present at the assassinations of three U.S. presidents: Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley.
Finally, we discuss the controversy surrounding Mount McKinley—North America’s tallest peak—originally named in McKinley’s honor but renamed Denali during the Obama administration, sparking debates about history, culture, and politics.
Grab a drink, settle in, and join us for a fun and insightful conversation about history, politics, and craft beer. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes!
In this episode, we dive deep into the controversies surrounding Joe Biden and his family, tackling some of the most debated topics in American politics today. From Hunter Biden’s infamous laptop to allegations of corruption involving Ukraine and China, we examine the key evidence, media coverage, and political fallout that have fueled questions about accountability at the highest levels of government.
We break down the sequence of events, starting with Hunter Biden’s connections to Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company operating in one of Europe’s most corrupt countries. How did Hunter secure a lucrative position despite his lack of industry experience? What role did Joe Biden play when Ukrainian investigators began looking into Burisma’s activities? We explore the widely circulated video of Joe Biden admitting to pressuring Ukraine to fire a prosecutor investigating Burisma and discuss what this means for the integrity of American foreign policy.
But the story doesn’t stop there. We also look at Hunter Biden’s financial ties with Chinese companies, the IRS whistleblower allegations that claim the Department of Justice slow-walked investigations into Hunter’s taxes and foreign dealings, and the bank records that raise questions about where the money went. Did Joe Biden benefit from these business ventures? And what about the emails referencing “10% for the big guy”? We discuss Tony Bobulinski’s claims that Joe Biden was aware of and involved in his family’s business dealings, as well as the broader implications for government transparency and ethics.
Beyond the allegations themselves, we analyze the media’s response and why so many mainstream outlets seemed reluctant to investigate these stories. Why did 51 intelligence officials label Hunter Biden’s laptop as having “all the hallmarks of Russian propaganda”? Was this a coordinated effort to shield Joe Biden during a critical election cycle? We explore the role of social media platforms, government pressure on tech companies like Twitter and Facebook, and the broader issue of censorship and free speech in the digital age.
Finally, we discuss what happens next. With allegations of corruption, shell companies, and suspicious financial transactions, should there be further investigations? Or, as some argue, should the focus shift to more pressing national issues like government waste, military reform, and economic stability? And what about the political precedent—should former presidents and their families be subject to legal scrutiny after leaving office, or does that risk further dividing an already polarized nation?
Tune in for a no-holds-barred conversation that cuts through the noise and examines the facts. Whether you think Joe Biden is above the law or believe the allegations are politically motivated, this episode will give you plenty to consider.
The boys drink and review a pilsner, then discuss the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes.
Hobbes is best known for his characterization of life in the state of nature as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
Pigweed sets the historical context with some dates and the very consequential events that occurred during Hobbes’ life — including the English civil war, the execution of Charles I, and the restoration.
Hobbes wanted to know who gets to rule, under what circumstances, and within what limits. He starts by reflecting on human nature, which he says is a horrific state of war where people live in a constant state of fear. People can make agreements with their neighbors, but Hobbes says there’s a need for a sovereign who makes sure people keep their agreements.
In Hobbes’ mind, the state of nature is so awful that any sovereign, no matter how awful, no matter how tyrannical, is better. Consequently, he supported the monarchy and its radical claims.
The boys drink and review a robust porter then discuss “abusive empathy.”
Abusive empathy is when you turn empathy into a weapon or a tool to manipulate.
Some examples would include …
Telling college age kids they’re too fragile to face other views
Passing kids to the next grade rather than hurting their feelings
Prioritizing emotions over facts
Infantilizing people rather than allowing them to become strong
Silencing dissent by labeling other opinions as cruel or unfeeling
It’s similar to the Jungian concept of the “devouring mother,” where mom protects the kids from the natural consequences of their actions, doesn’t allow them to face struggle or failure, in an effort to keep them dependent.
Examples in media would include Danny Kaye in White Christmas, or Eddie Haskall in Leave it to Beaver.
Then the boys entertain a question from a listener about whether Elon should apologize for his alleged “Nazi salute,” which leads to a discussion about when an apology is appropriate.
Which in turn leads to a discussion of the social media meme that “no matter how much you hate the media, you don’t hate them enough.”
The boys drink and review an Irish Cream Stout from Southern Tier, then discuss slavery around the world and throughout history.
From the earliest records of mankind there has been slavery. From Hammurabi, the Bible, Aristotle, records from Egypt — slavery was assumed to be a part of life. The Bible didn’t outlaw slavery, but it set limits on it. Later, we see a similar pattern in the Koran.
Slavery continues into the Roman Empire, where we see several different types of slaves, from gladiators, galley slaves, and miners, to easier roles like body slaves, household slaves, and even slaves who ran businesses. You might have become a slave from debt or from committing a crime. Slaves might have made up as much as 30 percent of the population.
The “slavs” are so called because so many of them were forced into slavery. American Indians had slaves. Europeans, Africans, and Asians all enslaved one another. Vikings took slaves. Everybody everywhere took slaves.
The whole concept is brutal and unthinkable to a modern man, but in a world where life was nasty, brutish, and short, sometimes slavery was better than the alternative.
The first U.S. war was fought against the Barbary pirates, who were capturing and enslaving Americans and Europeans.
Up until about 300 years ago, almost nobody questioned slavery.
The boys drink and compare a Scotch and a Scottish ale, then discuss the end of western civilization. There are some disturbing signs.
* Feminism and the destruction of gender roles
* The death of masculinity
* The celebration of obesity
* Identity politics
* The porn pandemic and OnlyFans
* Replacing faith with materialism
* The isolation in post-war suburbanism
* Wokeness
* The declining birth rate
* The erosion of free speech
* The crisis of meaning
* Political polarization and tribalism
* Consumer culture and the loss of authenticity
* Overdependence on technology
* The attack on childhood innocence
Most of this is not from external threats. It’s a rot from within.
The boys drink a “Golden Age” cocktail and celebrate the end of the national nightmare.
Are we celebrating the end of Biden / Harris, or the beginning of Trump?
Let’s start with the horrors of the Biden administration.
Biden promised the rule of law, a return to norms, and a smooth transition. He did none of those things. He weaponized the justice department against his enemies (mostly Trump), shattered norms, and tried to sabotage Trump during the transition.
Which only added to the rest of his sins, including …
* The Afghanistan withdrawal
* Promoting wokeness, with DEI, trans-ing the kids, Title IX changes, and pushing wokeness on the military.
* His shaky support for Israel
* His catastrophic policies on immigration
* His mental incompetence (who was running things?)
* The antics of the Biden crime family
* Ukraine
… and more.
The boys drink and review Baltimore Breakfast from Oliver Brewing, then discuss a few issues from the mail bag, including two-tier policing, the soft bigotry of low expectations, and education.
MarxH8tr asked about the Notting Hill event in England and why the police didn’t treat bad behavior at that event the way they would at a football game. Are we supposed to hold people to different standards based on the culture they’re from?
If we have to accept that people from different cultures can’t follow the same rules as the natives, maybe we don’t want people from that culture.
In response to the show on universities, GoRedskins challenged the boys to say what classes students should be taking in university.
P&C discuss what a well-rounded education should look like.
The boys drink and review a red ale from Evo, then ask why so many of the rich and powerful seem to be engaged in some form of perversion.
Are perverts attracted to positions of power, or does power and privilege create conditions that lead people into perversion?
What happens when there are no consequences to your actions? What happens to your moral compass when you can cut in line, be rude, skip the bill at the restaurant, and people still think you’re cool?
There are so many examples of people in power who seem to do horrible things.
* The Catholic Abuse Crisis
* Other religious organizations (Jehovah Witnesses, Southern Baptists, ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities)
* School teachers may be worse
* Jeffrey Epstein
* Harvey Weinstein
* Pedophilia in Hollywood
* Perversion in the music industry
* Bill Clinton
* Diddy (Sean Combs)
* Larry Nassar
* Jerry Sandusky
It seems there are a few ways to look at this.
1. People who are abusive are drawn to positions where they can abuse.
2. Once a person is in a privileged position he’s more likely to give in to temptation because he doesn’t fear the consequences.
3. There’s a culture of “we’re above the rules” among the elite.
4. On the other hand, maybe everybody is a pervert and it’s just not reported among the poor and powerless.
The boys drink and review Lucky 7 Porter from Evo, then discuss the purpose and role of universities.
Why do we have so many majors in university? Why not have a basic education, then specialize at the masters and doctorate level?
Early on, universities were “finishing schools for nobility.” They taught how to think critically, how to communicate, how to be a cultured person, and how to fit in with the rest of European society.
There is a cultural good to having an educated population, which is why we provide publicly funded education.
Many of the universities were originally founded to train preachers and pious, civic-minded people. They’ve changed their emphasis over time. They still want to train people to be good citizens, but they’ve lost the concept of virtue and a common culture with common values. Often the universties are a hotbed of hostility towards our culture. They’ve become “subversities.”
There used to be a common understanding of “the good.” There isn’t anymore.
The boys then discuss the recent changes, where students are protected from ideas that might make them uncomfortable. They’re given “trigger warnings” and cry rooms.
We’re not producing free thinking, emotionally mature grown-ups who can go out into the world.
Jon Haidt recommends that universities focus on “anti-fragility,” which requires stress and pressure.
P&C drink a well-aged bourbon barrell stout from Goose Island to celebrate the general effect Trump is already having on the culture.
In recent news, Mark Zuckerberg announced a big change in the way Meta will monitor and censor content. It’s a huge step in the right direction.
The Trump effect goes further. Before even taking office, Trump is pushing things in the right direction, including …
His approval rating is higher than it’s ever been.
Tucker Carlson gave a great speech about how the spell has been broken. The left used to tell us that all polite, right-thinking people thought a certain way. Now we know that’s not true.
We see more foreign investments in the U.S.
* Softbank Grop has pledged to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects. (Trump asked for $200 billion on live TV.)
* DAMAC Properties plans to invest at least $20 billion in U.S. data centers
* Adani Group plans to invest $10 billion in U.S. energy security and infrastructure.
Steve Madden announced that they’re slowing manufacturing in China and moving it to the U.S.
Putin says he’s ready to work for a peaceful solution in Ukraine.
Many companies are reversing course on DEI, ESG, etc.
NATO members have pledged to up their commitments.
The so-called “mainstream media” is falling apart. MSNBC is up for sale. CNN has announced more hard news and less opinion. The Wash Post has promised to moderate their message.
Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah seem to be toning things down a little.
China is toning down rhetoric about Taiwan.
Some migrant caravans are turning back, and Mexico is showing signs of helping.
Trudeau is gone in Canada.
Trump is already winning even before taking office.
P&C drink and review a “special lager,” then discuss the domestication of plants and animals, and how that differs from genetically modified food.
Dogs were domesticated about 18,000 years ago. Plants were domesticated about 10,000 years ago. Goats, sheep, and chickens might have been domesticated about 8,000 years ago. The farm animals we have today are very different from the original stock they were taken from.
Domestication raises some interesting questions, like what characteristics make an animal domesticatable? E.g., why do we have domestic horses but not domestic zebras?
It’s not just animals. Most of the food we eat has been modified from its wild origin. The apples, carrots, corn and such that we eat are very different from the wild plants they came from. The same applies on the animal side to sheep, cows, pigs, goats, and such.
If these plants and animals were modified from their “natural” state, why is this different from genetically modified organisms?
The boys discuss domestication and how it has affected human history.
The boys drink and review a light dopplebock from Schlaffly then discuss the cultural relevance of cousin marriage.
The England parliament has recently started debating whether to prohibit cousin marriage, which P&C thought was already against the law. Apparently not — not in England, and not in all the states.
The increase in Muslims in England has made this a big issue. In Pakistan, up to 60 percent of marriages are to first cousins.
In England, while British Pakistanis accounted for 3.4 percent of all births, they had 30 percent of all children with recessive disorders. It’s become a public health issue, but it’s also a “sensitive issue.”
The larger issue with cousin marriages is the difference between clan-based societies — where affiliations are based on family relations — and western societies — where affiliations are based on other factors.
Banning cousin marriages in the west created high-trust societies that were not based on family relationships. By contrast, many dysfunctional countries are dysfunctional precisely because they only trust people in their families.
Having said all that, there’s been a lot of cousin (and even sibling) marriage among the political elite. What’s up with that?
The boys discuss the implications of these connections and how they affect societal customs.
