Abe Lincoln's Top Hat

BK, Travis, and Fernando are back to break down this week's news and the state of American Politics as we approach the first anniversary of the January 6th Riots, also - Criminal Justice Reform in the Golden State, "sneaky" Nancy Pelosi supports lawmakers owning stock, Rep. Eric Swalwell stirs the pot on Twitter, and MORE.

Ben, Fernando, and Travis cap off the year with their predictions and gubernatorial front runners for 2022!

The Top Hat boys are back and this week were talking about Alex Jones "slamming" Trump on Christmas, Dan Crenshaw, Manchin & Build Back Better, the truth behind US Drone Strike efficiency, Opioid lawsuits, the truck driver given 110 years, Amazon worker mistreatment continues, and a 14 year old shopper accidentally gunned down at the hands of police gunfire.

BK is back with Travis and Fernando in this BEEFY episode - breaking it all down starting off with Employee Rights & the recent tragic events in Kentucky as factory workers are forced to work through catastrophic Tornadoes, South Dakota Teachers literally scrambling for cash, more January 6th texts REVEALED, Redistricting gone awry, NYC & Green Card Holders voting, more bad news for Cuomo, and a tribute to the late Max Linn of Maine.

To round out the week, Ben brings you a very special bite-sized “solo” Top Hat from the road to talk Marijuana Legalization and Capital Punishment reform.

This week Ben, Travis, and Fernando break down the news including Biden signing more gas permits than Trump, the CIA / Bitcoin Conspiracy, Fetterman vs. Dr. Oz for Pennsylvania Senate, Moderna and Pfizer getting rich off Vaccines, private company Vax Mandates in NYC, Mark Meadows not speaking with Jan 6th council, Devin Nunes stepping down to work for Trump, and parents facing charges in Michigan School shooting incident.

Rounding out this week in Tophat News, Ben, Travis, and Fernando breakdown the headlines including Chris Christie’s “belly flop” of a book release, Chris Cuomo getting canned by CNN, Mississippi abortion news and the effects of the Supreme Court’s decision, a 14 year old victim in the Ghislaine Maxwell case cites Donald Trump, the origins of the Omicron Variant name, shocking Sexual Assault scandals at Liberty University and MORE in this packed episode!

Tophat returns and this week Ben, Travis, and Fernando share their reactions to the Ahmaud Arbery murder verdict, Ben breaks the news to the gang that Matthew Mcconaughey will sadly NOT be running for Governor in Texas, Lauren Boebert's racist rant caught on tape, COVID travel bans in South Africa, the implications of the US redistricting plans, and MORE.

Ben, Fernando, and Travis serve up a delicious plate of Tophat for this Thanksgiving week, breaking down the headlines including Biden pardoning Turkeys instead of Marijuana Offenders, the Rittenhouse Verdict and it’s implications on the Chrystul Kizer case, the Matt Gaetz trial begins to take shape, January 6th Subpoenas for Alex Jones & Roger Stone, Major Pharmacy’s held responsible for Opioid Crisis in Ohio, why Jeff Bezos donated 100 million to The Obama Foundation... and MORE!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando bring you this week’s headlines including Julius Jones & his fate in the hands of an Oklahoma Governor, Alex Jones Liable in Sandyhook Case, Infrastructure Bill success, Beto O'Rourke in Texas, Liz Cheney ousted, Gosar vs. AOC, Proud Boy / Q-Shaman Jail Updates, A.I. Lie Detection in Court, and MORE!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando bring you a double-shot of Tophat in this week's episode breaking down the headlines including Joe Biden & Fart-Gate 2021, former prison executioners battling PTSD in South Carolina, the Infrastructure Bill & AI Drunk Driving Prevention, Ann Coulter vs. Trump, "big pharma" lobbying against the drug pricing plan, AND to top it all off, we welcome back friend of the show Donte West, for an update on The Last Prisoner Project, his upcoming documentary "The Story of Donte West", and a discussion on the future of Marijuana Legalization in the country.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis are back with more of this week's top stories including job economy growth in October, The Build Back Better Bill and it's setback with the CBO, James Carville pointing fingers at Wokeness, the Miami Herald enlisting Robot Writers, Igor and the fake Steele Dossier, Gun Control in NY, Rittenhouse juror dismissed for bad jokes, and MORE in this packed episode.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando break down this week's headlines including Glenn Youngkin winning the governor's race (and the implications that has for democrats and the rest of the elections), Qanon supporters left waiting for JFK Jr. in Dallas, current NPR polls on the American trust of elections, and a Russian woman jailed for exposing her booty at The Kremlin.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis welcome guest Ford Fischer, Independent Videographer and co-founder of News2share.com, to discuss the importance of objectivity in journalism as well as his experiences working as a citizen journalist during the Unite the Right Rally and the January 6th Insurrection.Ford Fischer is an independent videographer, editor, and computer scientist/web designer. He co-founded and designed News2share.com as an engine for independent videographers and citizen journalists to contribute to the evolving news cycle. He is the editor-in-chief of News2Share. His work has been featured on CNN, Fox, MSNBC, ABC and more. He is currently directing News2Share’s first feature film and is available for hire as a freelance videographer/journalist. Reach him at [email protected] Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis break down this week's headlines including executions being delayed for Oklahoma death row inmates, the Oathkeepers and their connections to elected officials, Anti-Biden Hip Hop taking iTunes by storm, Approval rating woes continue, the end of the trail for "Cowboys for Trump" leader, and the Reno City Council lashes out against the unauthorized use of Whips.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando welcome back friends of the show The Good Liars - Jason Selvig & Davram Stiefler (@tglnyc @jasonselvig @davrams) to discuss their latest film "The Supporters" (available Nov 4th at The Supporters ), how Trump rallies have changed since the insurrection, and their experiences interviewing supporters who attend those rallies. - Visit The Good Liars - Patreon for more!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando break down this week's headlines including faith leaders holding a prayer vigil for the 3.5 trillion dollar infrastructure bill - also following up on last week's story, Texas school boards clarify their stance on teaching opposing views for the holocaust, the NAACP pushes for AT&T to end One America News, GOP blocking voting rights bills, Schumer siding with the republicans, Bannon held in contempt, and Rudy Guiliani channeling the ghost of Abe Lincoln himself!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando are back with this week's headlines including Texas requesting schools show "opposing views" of the Holocaust, Katie Couric's controversial editing of RBG's statements, Armed Robot Dogs, "Q" running for Office, Steve Bannon subpoenaed by the January 6th Panel, Sarah Huckabee is back, and finally... Lindsay Grahams Lady Bugs.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

This week Ben, Fernando, and Travis are joined by historian and host of Black Diamonds Podcast - Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, to discuss #mybaseballmemory, the importance of keeping the story of the Negro Leagues alive, and just how pivotal the game of baseball has been to American Civil History.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis are back for this week's second dose of Top Hat, breaking down Matthew Mcconaughey's possible future in politics, the Jacob Blake shooting verdict, George Floyd's posthumous pardon in Texas, an Anti-Vax Murder Spree in Maryland, Justin Beiber vs. DeepFake Tom Cruise, Microchips in the Air, and Trump proclaiming that Haitians have Aids.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis breakdown this week's headlines including the COVID-19 Pill fiasco as Merck charges the U.S. a 400% markup, Judge Robert Pitman suspending SB8 in Texas, One America News and it's relationship with AT&T, attention on Trump continuing to fade, the CIA finds itself in hot water over the Abu Zubaydah torture scandal, the CIA's new China Center, and Andrew Yang's new "Forward Party".Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

In this week's follow-up Top Hat, Ben, Fernando, and Travis talk Qualified Immunity in regards to the "I EAT ASS" bumper sticker case in Florida, Alabama using COVID relief funds to build more Prisons, raising concerns of new student monitoring programs as the surveillance state grows, Police officials using Facebook as a Database, as well as Gavin Newsom and the Bruce Beach reparations.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando break down this week's headlines including the potentially dangerous new partnership between Space X and The Space Force, Julian Asange revealed to have been in the crosshairs of the CIA, problems in Haiti continue as minimum wage issues are exasperated by American Corporations, Texas denies the mistreatment of Haitian refugees seen in viral photos, and even MORE in this packed episode!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

In this week's follow-up Top Hat, Ben, Fernando, and Travis sit down with former CIA Intelligence Officer and Whistle Blower, John Kiriakou to discuss the fascinating and heartbreaking story that lead him to become the first US Official to blow the whistle on the Bush administration's Torture Program, the backlash of the scandal, and how his own CIA training helped him survive his time in Prison.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando are back to break down this week's headlines as Walmart's mistreatment of workers finds itself in the spotlight courtesy of former employee Beth McGrath, new projections see a surge in the surveillance industry as the government begins to integrate new AI software, growing concerns on the handling of the Texas-Haitian refugee crisis, and more, as the backlash of the Abortion Ban continues in The Lone Star State.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis discuss the Kabul strike that killed 10 civilians, the Welcome.US coalition and how effective their scope of Afghan refugee support will be, Haitian refugees rejected at the Texas border, companies no longer testing for cannabis, the Nabisco workers strike, and more!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando break down this week's political stories including Gavin Newsom surviving the California Recall, General Milley's secret talks with China, Antony Blinken defending the Afghan withdrawal, former National Security Officials speaking out against Antitrust Laws, AOC at the Met Gala, and a tribute to the late, great, Norm MacDonald.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando present a very special 9/11 Commemorative Episode and are joined by the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush (James Adomian) to look back on the harrowing day that changed America forever, and find out just what Dubya's been up to since.James Adomian Tour Dates:Austin 9/22 - Moontower Comedy Festivalhttps://www.austintheatre.org/moontower-comedy/shows/james-adomian/Des Moines 10/2 - Des Comédie Festivalhttps://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/james-adomian/Atlanta 11/5 - Red Clay Comedy Festivalhttps://www.redclaycomedy.com/adomianNashville 11/9 - Zanieshttps://nashville.zanies.comOr follow me instagram for LA shows:@JAdomian-Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando break down this week in Politics, as Trump goes from U.S. President to Ringside Announcer (on 9/11 no less), growing concerns over Financial Surveillance in the U.S. ramps up, Robert Kaplan and the Feds shady dealings make headlines, Ride Sharing Services take official stance on new Abortion Laws, and Larry Elder finds himself on the wrong side of an egging.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando are back with this week's follow-up Top Hat to discuss the top headline stories including the Indictiment of the Police Officers involved in the death of Elijah Mcclain, the Texas Abortion Ban, China's enforced Masculinization, an update on the situation in Afghanistan, Caitlyn Jenner / Deblasio's election attempts and MORE in this loaded episode!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

This week Ben, Travis, and Fernando sit down with Criminal Justice Reform Activist, Author, & Youtube star, Larry Lawton to talk about his experience behind bars and shed some light on the changes that need to be made within the Prison system.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

In this week's follow-up Top Hat, Ben, Travis, and Fernando discuss US Weapons left in Taliban hands, the recent online drama surrounding Roger Stone's accidental ban from the Gettr App, Gavin Newsome and California's Stimulus Checks, a man on "Mail Bender" found with 300 recall ballots, Covid Death Toll Corrections, and the upcoming face reveal of the Officer involved in shooting during January's Capitol Riot's.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

This week Ben, Travis, and Fernando discuss Andrew Cuomo's resignation from Office as he loses his Emmys and casts his dog to the wayside, the sad state of Riker's Island Prison, Trump receiving boos for backing the Vax, Mask Mandate Debates, Colorado opening it's arms to Afghan refugees, and MORE!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando dive into the rest of this week's headlines including the so-called "attack" on MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, Facebook bomb threats leading to an arrest on Capitol Hill, Automated Speeding Tickets in Chicago, and the controversial news that OnlyFans will be restricting Sexual Content from it's platform.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando break down the recent devastating events in Afghanistan and are joined by Iranian journalist Saman Arbabi to discuss the Taliban takeover, U.S. withdrawal, and the future for refugees fleeing the country in search of freedom.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

In this very special interview, Ben, Travis, and Fernando sit down with acclaimed documentarian and film maker Ken Burns to discuss his new project Muhammad Ali and the important story that inspired the four part series premiering on PBS September 19th.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando are back to break down this week's headlines including Microsoft's opposition of a 10 Billion Dollar deal between Amazon and the NSA, the fall of Andrew Cuomo as the governor declares his resignation, Gavin Newsome's Recall election, Infrastructure Bill passing, Crypto Taxing, and more!Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

In this very special episode, Ben, Travis, and Fernando discuss How to Run for Office, what it takes to get involved, and the personal stories of our own host's campaigns captured in Travis's documentaries American Mayor (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/americanmayor) and Hail Yourself America (https://hailyourselfamerica.com/), both available now.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando enter the "Bone Zone" once again as they're joined by returning guest, internet sensation Ken Bone to discuss life, post-meme fame, Ken's honest view of the current state of affairs in our country, and navigating American politics as an "everyman".Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando break down this week's headlines and are joined by Streamer, Internet Personality, and Model, Meg Turney to discuss the evolution of female representation in the gaming industry, maintaining balanced parasocial interaction as a creator, the possible psychological benefits of gaming as well as how they can be used for manipulation and MORE.Check out Meg's Twitch & Instagram!https://www.twitch.tv/megturneyhttps://www.instagram.com/megturney/?hl=enKevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis are all back together for this week's episode to discuss the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, new hope for federal marijuana reform in the states, Lindsey Graham goes to war for Chicken Sandwiches, and Trump goes head to head with comedy.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando dive into an array of the recent Political happenings as Sun Valley hosts a shady, 2 day Billionaire Summer Camp, Trump files a lawsuit against Facebook, A.I. “Drone Swarms” in Israel pose new threats to security, former Stormy Daniels attorney Michael Avenatti heads to prison for attempting to extort Nike, Trump’s Twitter knockoff app “Gettr” launches and immediately gets hacked, the fall of Rudy Giuliani continues, and lastly, Travis reads some of the amazing messages being sent to Representative Seitz after last week’s episode. Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

With so much going on in the world this week, Ben, Travis, and Fernando are back, this time to discuss Maine passing the strongest ban on Facial Recognition seen to date, Aerial drone programs being deemed unconstitutional, Amazon finding themselves under fire again for mistreatment of workers, the ongoing investigation into the cause of the pandemic, Federal Marijuana restrictions & the Olympics, the Surfside tower collapse, and MORE as Travis enlists the help of the Top Hat community once again...Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis are joined by ACLU Attorney Ellie Rushford to discuss Reproductive Rights in the US, the struggle to find proper healthcare for the less privileged, reports of forced medical procedures on immigrants, and breaking the overall stigma around Abortion in modern times.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

This week Ben, Fernando, and Travis are joined by returning guest, Undercover Investigator and Animal Rights Advocate Pete Paxton to discuss his new book "Rescue Dogs" and some of the terrible things currently happening in regards to animal abuse, particularly in Grey Hound Racing, Puppy Mills, and how the meat industry's irresponsibility is creating new risks of spreading disease. Also, our hosts discuss the recent authorization of the National Guard to use lethal force, as well as a breakdown of the Derek Chauvin sentencing.Link to sign a petition to ban greyhound racing, and see the video of evidence: https://www.grey2kusa.org/index.phpLink to see the case about Animal Disease Traceability and the beef/dairy connection: https://www.seedundercoverinvestigations.com/Link to learn about puppy mills and pet stores: https://www.caps-web.org/Pete Paxton's book, Rescue Dogs, is available on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble. Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis are back for a little bonus Top Hat to discuss yet another ironically surnamed politician who has found themselves in the headlines for poor yet unsurprising behavior, Trump's comments on sending COVID infected tourists to Guantanamo Bay (as performed by Travis Irvine), Texas prisons clearing room for illegal immigrants, and a breakdown of the long overdue NCAA ruling.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis breakdown the week's political headlines including Top Hat listeners answering the literal call to action against Larry Householder, the possibility/consequences of the virus being the result of a lab accident, Juneteenth/Critical Race Theory in America, as well as an in depth discussion with TV Reporter and Journalist, Salim Essaid about the ongoing struggle of life in Palestine.About our guest:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salim_essaid/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/salimessaidLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salimessaid/Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Fernando, and Travis return to discuss this week's Political News and ask the question: What's going on with Trump's pants?! Also we're joined by Anti Incarceration Advocate Donte West of the Last Prisoner Project to discuss his experience with the Criminal Justice System, Marijuana law reform, and the the Last Prisoner Project's mission to help free those incarcerated for Marijuana related arrests.To Find out more please visit: https://www.lastprisonerproject.org/Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

This week Ben, Travis, and Fernando discuss the recent overturning on the ban of AR-15s in California and the complexities of what it would take to truly maintain Gun Control in today's country, as well their thoughts on the new controversial facial recognition software being introduced at US Southern Borders.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Ben, Travis, and Fernando discuss the recent events in the Senate as Republicans block the independent commission to investigate the Jan 6th events at The Capital. Fernando drops some hot-takes on why the commission isn't necessary, Ben battles the Buffalo shrimp blues, and Travis recounts his days as a young intern for Chuck Schumer.Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0