Acton Unwind

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This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by John Pinheiro, Anthony Bradley, and Dylan Pahman to discuss the results of the 2024 U.S. elections. What do the results say about American society, its politics, its parties, and its future? A wide-ranging conversation from pre-election polls to possible party futures. Subscribe to our podcasts 2024 Presidential Election Results | AP News Exit poll results 2024 | CNN Politics How the Trump Polymarket Whale Correctly Called the Election, and Made Nearly $50 Million | Alexander Osipovich, WSJ Pro-Kamala Harris spot targeting ‘real men’ ripped as ‘cringiest political ad ever’ Susie Wiles: Who is Trump’s new chief of staff? | Max Matza, BBC News

This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by Dylan Pahman and Anthony Bradley to ask, what should politics look like in church? A highly polarizing election season is upon us and debates about church involvement in politics and how difficult political questions are discussed in church have renewed vigor. How does the way particular churches and religious traditions navigate politics differs according to time, place, and circumstance? In what way’s does America’s own history shape the way churches in America think about politics? In what ways can churches and church members constructively engage American politics without opting out into quietism or indulging in partisan polarization? Subscribe to our podcasts Calming the Storm of Images | Acton Institute The Rambler and the Transformative Power of Magazines | Acton Institute Globalization and Orthodox Christianity | Victor Roudometof Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement: Koyzis, David T.: 9781514008621: Amazon.com: Books Catechism of the Catholic Church | USCCB Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation - 2017 Edition - Concordia Publishing House (cph.org) The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism - Google Books An Exact Exposition Of The Orthodox Faith : St John of Damascus : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by Dylan Pahman and Noah Gould to ask, Are those jobs numbers fake? Can we trust economic data, and do they tell the whole economic story? They then discuss the emerging bipartisan consensus that America should “build, baby, build” to address housing shortages and rising costs. How does such a consensus emerge, and is this a positive development? The panel concludes by scrutinizing the megachurch model. Why are some Catholic dioceses embracing the model? Should we welcome our new praise-and-worship overlords? Subscribe to our podcasts Too Fake to Tell | balajis.com No, the Biden Administration Is Not Manipulating Jobs Data | National Review Democrats Are Pushing One Policy Loud and Clear: Build, Baby, Build | POLITICO The Intellectual Roots of YIMBYism | Marginal REVOLUTION Kamala Harris’ Economic Policies Can’t Keep Her Promises | Religion & Liberty Online Catholic priest shortage gives rise to California “megachurch” as parishes expand | CBS News Why Catholic bishops rocked out to megachurch worship hits | The Christian Century Church in a Digital Age: Must We Worship Bodily to Worship at All? | Acton Lecture Series AI and the Discipline of Human Flourishing | Acton Institute

This week, host Dan Hugger is joined by Anthony Bradley and James Patterson to discuss James’ recent essay at Law & Liberty: “Into the Reactionary Abyss.” Why are post-liberal Catholics drawing on European reactionary thinkers to critique liberalism? Why is the use of such sources dubious? And how do the arguments of public intellectuals form and deform young people? The panel then counts the costs of marijuana legalization: Was it a good idea? What have we learned in the past decade post-legalization? The panel concludes with an examination of some of Vice President Harris’ recent proposals to lower the cost of living. Are grocers price-gouging? Do we just need to subsidize more demand? Subscribe to our podcasts Into the Reactionary Abyss | James M. Patterson After Republican Virtue | James M. Patterson Why Postliberalism Failed | YouTube An Awkward Alliance: Neo-Integralism and National Conservatism | James M. Patterson Maybe Legalizing Weed Wasn’t Such a Great Idea | Tyler Cowen Harris Is Set to Lay Out an Economic Message Light on Detail | The New York Times Harris to propose up to $25K in down-payment support for 1st-time homebuyers | ABC News

This week, new host Dan Hugger is joined by Noah Gould and Dan Churchwell to discuss the recent unrest in Bangladesh, why the rule of law matters, and the importance of religious liberty to free societies. They then explore Vice President Harris’ selection of Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her running mate. What does this mean for the Democratic Party and for the presidential race going forward? Is Senator Vance’s love of Magic: The Gathering and Governor Walz’s addiction to SEGA Dreamcast the path through polarization? Finally, what do Americans think about tariffs and trade? The panel digs into a new CATO Institute study. Do the populist politicians and the populace agree on trade and globalization? Bangladesh has achieved its second liberation, says Muhammad Yunus | The Economist Bangladesh has ousted an autocrat. Now for the hard part. | The Economist Muhammad Yunus on Bonsai People [PovertyCure Episode 3] | Acton Institute Harris chooses Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as VP Pick | The Washington Post JD Vance talks Tim Walz, Ukraine, and Ohio State football with Semafor | Semafor Tim Walz Was a Clear Eyes, Full Hearts Kind of Coach | The New York Times Poll: 63% of Americans Want to Increase Trade with Other Nations, 75% Worry Tariffs Are Raising Consumer Prices | Cato The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger | Marc Levinson

This week, it’s Eric’s final episode hosting Acton Unwind. Bye, Eric! He’s joined by David and Dan to discuss the national debt hitting $35 trillion. That seems bad. Then they discuss Republican VP nominee J.D. Vance’s recent comments that it would be worth $10 million to save a single toaster-manufacturing job in America. That seems expensive. And finally, the stock market is tanking. How bad is that? Subscribe to our podcasts U.S. National Debt Tops $35 Trillion for First Time | New York Times J. D. Vance’s Toaster-Making Dreams Would Burn American Manufacturers | National Review To Fix Economics, Try Teaching Economics | Alex Salter, Econlib Dow drops 1,000 points, Nasdaq craters 4% in global market rout | CNBC

This week, Eric and Dan are joined by Mike Cosper of Christianity Today to discuss last week’s firing and then un-firing of ERLC president Brent Leatherwood and the subsequent resignation of ERLC board chairman Kevin Smith. What happened there, why, and what does it tell us about the political battles going on in the church? Then, is it worth being angry or upset over the blasphemous parts of the Paris Olympics opening ceremonies? And finally, does our American politics have a “childless cat lady” problem, as VP nominee J.D. Vance suggests? Subscribe to our podcasts ERLC Retracts Announcement Firing President Brent Leatherwood | Christianity Today Paris Olympics organizers sorry for Last Supper at Opening Ceremonies | Washington Post Vance continues to feel the scratch of "childless cat ladies” | Axios

This week, Eric is joined by Dylan and Peter Balos from Acton’s Emerging Leaders class to discuss President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. Is this a sign that our institutions are healing and that they’re starting to act in furtherance of their long-term interests? Then they examine former president Donald Trump’s choice of Ohio senator J.D. Vance as his vice presidential running mate, both of whom appeared at a rally in Grand Rapids on Saturday. Does this suggest a victory for the National Conservatives and their desired economic program? Subscribe to our podcasts Peter Balos, Acton Emerging Leader Acton’s Emerging Leaders Program Statement from President Joe Biden The Constitution Is Still the Answer | Acton Line Pray for Our Nation | Acton Unwind J.D. Vance, Breaking the Beard Barrier | New York Times

This week, Eric is joined by Dan Hugger, Anthony Bradley, and Stephanie Slade of Reason magazine as they discuss the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump over the weekend. Then they turn their attention to the National Conservatism 4 conference that took place last week in Washington, D.C. What is the state of this movement, where does it seem to be headed, and who were the standouts from the conference? Questions Surround Attempted Trump Assassination | The Morning Dispatch NatCon 4 Speakers Vivek Ramaswamy Debuts 'National Libertarianism' at NatCon 4 | Stephanie Slade, Reason Magazine What I Saw at the National Conservatism Conference | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty National Conservatism One Year Later | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty

This week, Eric is joined first by Justin Brierley to discuss his essay in the Summer 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “The ‘God' of the ‘Philosophers,’” a review of the book “Philosophers on God: Talking about Existence,” edited by Jack Symes. Then Eric is joined by Dylan and Dave to discuss the current state of America and the Constitution in the wake of the country’s 248th birthday. They then turn their attention to the recent elections in the United Kingdom and France to wonder if there’s any theme, like anti-establishment/anti-incumbency, that ties it all together. Subscribe to our podcasts The “God” of the “Philosophers” | Justin Brierley, Religion & Liberty Subscribe to Religion & Liberty The Dream of Scalable Democracy | Dylan Pahman, Law & Liberty 5 Takeaways from France’s Snap Election | New York Times Keir Starmer confirmed as Britain’s new prime minister after Labour Party’s decisive win | NBC News

This week, Eric, Anthony, and Emily are joined by Aaron Pomerantz, a post-doctoral research fellow at Rice University who specializes in conspiracy theories. They begin by discussing the first presidential debate through the lens of an observation by Anthony: that what we’re seeing is people caring more about politics than about Joe Biden’s well-being. Then Aaron shares his thoughts on why conspiracy theories still abound in this election and in modern society. And finally, the Supreme Court overturned Chevron deference. What will this mean for representative governance and the rule of law? Subscribe to our podcasts Video of the Presidential Debate The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories | Acton Line Can Americans Learn to Trust Again? | Christine Rosen, Religion & Liberty Supreme Court Overturns the Chevron Doctrine | The Morning Dispatch

This week, Eric, Dan, and Dylan are joined by AEI’s Christine Rosen to discuss her cover essay for the Summer edition of Religion & Liberty, "Can Americans Learn to Trust Again?” Why has social trust eroded in America, and what can be done to restore it? Then, would warning labels on social media like we have on cigarettes protect children, or anyone, from its harms? And finally, Cornerstone University here in Grand Rapids has laid off its humanities and music faculty, in addition to making other cuts. Is Christian higher education in a crisis? Subscribe to our podcasts Can Americans Learn to Trust Again? | Christine Rosen, Religion & Liberty Christine Rosen | American Enterprise Institute Surgeon General: Why I’m Calling for a Warning Label on Social Media Platforms | Vivek Murthy, New York Times Decay and Reform in Christian Higher Education | Dylan Pahman, Acton Institute

This week, Eric, Noah, and Emily discuss the secret recording of SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. What will be the long-term consequences of these attacks on the legitimacy of the Supreme Court—one of the few institutions left that Americans still have faith in? Next, actor-director Rob Reiner has co-produced a new documentary on the threat of Christian Nationalism. Noah discusses his review of the film and if there’s any there there. And finally, former President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the federal income tax and replacing it with import tariffs to raise revenue. Bad idea? Or the worst idea? Subscribe to our podcasts Filmmaker who recorded Alito, Roberts says she did it ‘in service of a public good’ | NPR The Smear Campaign Against Justice Alito | National Review A Christian Nationalist on Every Corner? | Noah Gould, Acton Institute The Will to Power Is Not the Christian Way | Jonathan Clark, Acton Institute Can Trump Eliminate the Income Tax? Maybe with an 85% Tariff | Forbes

This week, Eric, Dan, and David discuss the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster. Is there anything the federal government can do to appease unhappy Taylor Swift fans who couldn’t get tickets to the Eras Tour? And, more importantly, is Live Nation literally a monopoly? Next, the United States’ trade deficit surged by 9% in April. Does it matter? How concerned should we be with the balance of trade between the United States and the rest of the world? And finally, the guys break down the election results in India and Europe. Are we all in our populist era? Subscribe to our podcasts U.S. Calls for Breakup of Ticketmaster Owner | New York Times The Myth of the Robber Barons: A New Look at the Rise of Big Business in America | Burton W. Folsom Trade deficit jumps to 18-month high, but rise in imports is ‘good news’ for economy | Marketwatch Trade Deficits: Accounting Masquerading as Economics | David Hebert, AIER Relying on coalition partners, Modi is sworn in for a rare third term as India’s prime minister | Associated Press Far-right gains in the EU election deal stunning defeats to France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz | Associated Press

This week, Eric and Dan are joined by Jeffrey Polet to discuss his essay in the Spring 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “The Teacher as Prophet: John Dewey’s Liberating Education.” How did Dewey’s vision shape education in America and how is he still influential today? Next, Emily joins the conversation about Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker’s commencement address heard ’round the web. In what ways did it miss the mark? Are there any positive lessons we can take from it? Then, does Apple want to crush all your creative things? A new ad for the iPad Pro suggests yes, but only if you’re hyper-literal. And finally, what does the lewd and inappropriate behavior at The Portal art installation connecting New York City and Dublin, Ireland, reveal about human behavior? Subscribe to our podcasts Subscribe to Religion & Liberty The Teacher as Prophet: John Dewey’s Liberating Education | Jeffrey Polet, Religion & Liberty Harrison Butker’s Benedictine College Commencement Address | National Catholic Register Harrison Butker Misses the Point | Haley Strack, National Review Crush! Apple iPad Pro Ad Dublin–New York portal reopens with set hours | BBC

This week, Eric and Noah are joined by Acton’s Dan Hugger to discuss his essay in the Spring 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “The Rambler and the Transformative Power of Magazines.” Why, even in an age of digital publishing, have print magazines endured? Then the group looks at legislation that has recently moved in Congress to add a definition of anti-Semitism to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If we acknowledge that anti-Semitism is a problem on college campuses, is this the best way to address it? And finally, Oklahoma’s charter school board has approved a Catholic charter school. We don’t yet know if this is legal, but is it a wise move by proponents of religious education? Subscribe to our podcasts Subscribe to Religion & Liberty The Rambler and the Transformative Power of Magazines | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty The End of Democracy? The Judicial Usurpation of Politics | First Things The Paper of Record Meets an Ephemeral Web: An Examination of Linkrot and Content Drift within The New York Times | SSRN House passes bill to expand definition of antisemitism amid growing campus protests over Gaza war | Associated Press First Religious Charter School Sparks Legal, Philosophical Battles | Wall Street Journal

This week, Eric, Anthony, and Emily are joined by Gene Edward Veith to discuss his essay “Sheen and Maier: Broadcasting Theology,” which explores the broadcast ministries of Fulton J. Sheen and Walter A. Maier. Then, are frat bros the heroes we’ve been waiting for, pushing back on the radical protests on elite college campuses and defending the American flag? And finally, Florida has banned lab-grown meat. Is there anything more to this than protection for the traditional meat industries? Subscribe to our podcasts Subscribe to R&L Sheen and Maier: Broadcasting Theology | Gene Edward Veith, Religion & Liberty UNC frat brothers who defended US flag speak out: 'Deeply important to us’ | The Daily Mail Flag-Protecting Frat Brothers Have Plans for $500K in Donations | Newsweek Heroic Fraternities: How College Men Can Save Universities and America | Anthony B. Bradley ‘We Will Save Our Beef’: Florida Bans Lab-Grown Meat | The New York Times

This week, Eric, Dylan, and Dan are joined by Karen Swallow Prior to discuss her essay in the new Spring 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “Who Will Comfort Me? The Total Care of Cicely Saunders” and issues of, literally, life and death. Then Eric, Dylan, and Dan discuss the place of free markets within the conservative movement and how college administrations should be dealing with the protest encampments being established on their campuses. Subscribe to our podcasts Subscribe to Religion & Liberty Who Will Comfort Me? The Total Care of Cicely Saunders | Karen Swallow Prior, Religion & Liberty The Conservative Movement Is Defending Free Markets — from Both Sides | Erick Erickson, National Review Heritage Foundation’s Wesley Coopersmith’s Response Karl Polanyi's Battle with Economic History | Alex Nowrasteh, Libertarianism.org Texas Gov. Abbott faces backlash after mass arrest at UT Austin pro-Palestine protest | The Hill UF threatens student protesters with suspension, banishment from campus for 3 years | WUFT

This week, Eric, Dan, and Emily discuss the death of O.J. Simpson and examine how the combination of his celebrity and his criminal trial launched a thousand cultural ships, including reality TV, true-crime obsession, and the 24/7 news cycle. Next, Belgian politicians tried to shut down the National Conservatism Conference, only to have it saved by liberal institutions. Oh, the irony. And finally, what can we learn from NPR senior business editor Uri Berliner’s piece at The Free Press accusing NPR of losing its journalistic integrity? Subscribe to our podcasts O.J. Simpson, Football Star Whose Trial Riveted the Nation, Dies at 76 | New York Times Europe’s hard-right bags big win after ‘own goal’ by Brussels mayors | Politico Brussels Mayor Attempts to Shut Down National Conservatism Conference by Force | Stephanie Slade, Reason What I Saw at the National Conservatism Conference | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty National Conservatism One Year Later | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty I’ve Been at NPR for 25 Years. Here’s How We Lost America’s Trust. | Uri Berliner, The Free Press

This week, Eric, Noah, and David Hebert, making his maiden voyage on the podcast, discuss squatters’ rights: Do they really exist? And if so, how big a problem are they really?. Then, has the problem with industrial policy been that we just weren’t doing it right all these years? Sen. Marco Rubio thinks so. Oh, and a new California minimum-wage law for fast-food workers has taken effect. Our future fast-food robot overlords are appreciative. And finally, Sam Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for the fraud he perpetrated. Is this sentence too harsh, too light, or just right? Subscribe to our podcasts What’s Behind Recent ‘Squatters’ Rights’ Disputes? | Reilly Stephens, The Dispatch Why Christians Should Be (the Best) Landlords | Rachel Ferguson, Religion & Liberty Online Why I believe in industrial policy—done right | Sen. Marco Rubio, Washington Post Beware the Bipartisan Folly of Industrial Policy | Noah Gould, National Revie California’s Crazy ‘Fast Food’ Minimum Wage Takes Effect | David Neumark, Wall Street Journal FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years for crypto fraud, to pay $11 billion in forfeiture | CNBC

This week, Eric, Dan, and Dylan are joined by Mike Cosper of Christianity Today to discuss his cover essay in the latest issue of Religion & Liberty, “There Shall Be None to Make Him Afraid: American Liberty and the Jews.” Then they turn their attention to controversial LSU basketball coach Kim Mulkey to explore how hard-driving and tough-coaching styles fit in the modern world and what it means for a perspective on leadership. Subscribe to our podcasts There Shall Be None to Make Him Afraid: American Liberty and the Jews | Mike Cosper, Religion & Liberty Subscribe to Religion & Liberty Promised Land podcast | Christianity Today Why do some people hate the Jews? | Acton Line The History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | Acton Line A Christian Perspective from Visiting Israel | Acton Line The Kim Mulkey Way | Washington Post The Bobby Knight Problem | The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill They’re Coming After Us | John Podhoretz, Commentary Magazine

This week, Dan Hugger, Noah Gould, and Emily Zanotti discuss the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Maryland. They then turn their attention to the announcement of the God Bless the USA Bible, the only Bible endorsed by President Trump and country music sensation Lee Greenwood. What does this reveal about the state of religion, politics, and culture in America today? And finally, is it time to rethink the culture war? Subscribe to our podcasts The impact of the Baltimore bridge disaster | Economist.com Lawyers Gear Up for Swift Start in Legal Fight Over Baltimore Bridge | WSJ Donald Trump Is Selling a 'God Bless the USA' Bible for $60 | NPR God Bless the USA Bible The New Culture Warriors | Religion & Liberty Online

This week, Eric, Anthony, and Dan discuss the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple for alleged monopolistic practices in the smartphone market. They then turn their attention to a strange essay in National Affairs on the “Soft Tyranny of Smartphones” and explore whether a desire to use a smartphone less requires government action. And finally, should we be concerned about Elon Musk’s brain-chip company, Neuralink, or should we celebrate such a technological advancement? Subscribe to our podcasts U.S. accuses Apple of illegally maintaining monopoly in broad lawsuit | Axios The Apple Antitrust Case and the ‘Stigma’ of the Green Bubble | Wired Brandon Sanderson Says Deal with Audible Is in the Works | Publishers Weekly The Soft Tyranny of Smartphones | National Affairs Patient of Elon Musk’s Neuralink Shows Off New Life With Implant | Wall Street Journal

This week, Eric, Noah, and Emily discuss the legislation moving through Congress that would force the sale of TikTok from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or ban the app’s availability in the United States. Are the national security issues serious enough to trump all other concerns about setting such a precedent? Then the panel turns its attention to Ben Shapiro’s comments about work and retirement. How should we think about work and its role in our lives—now and when we’re older? Subscribe to our podcasts House passes bill that could lead to TikTok ban | Axios Acton Institute on TikTok TikTok Suspends a Film on Jimmy Lai | Wall Street Journal Ben Shapiro on work and retirement | X Closing the Gap Between Work and Life | David Bahnsen, Acton Line

This week Eric, Dan, and Emily discuss President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address and give their own takes on the state of the union, the recent ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that implicates IVF treatment, and the recent remarks by Pope Francis calling for Ukraine to have the “courage of the White Flag” in bringing about an end to the war in Ukraine. Subscribe to our podcasts Remarks by President Biden in State of the Union Address | The White House Put the State of the Union address out of its misery | Eric Kohn, Religion & Liberty Online Alabama Supreme Court Sparks IVF Debate | The Morning Dispatch It’s time for hard conversations about frozen embryos | Emily Zanotti, Deseret News Alabama Against IVF | Advisory Opinions podcast Pope Says Ukraine Should Have the ‘Courage of the White Flag’ | New York Times Kremlin says appeal by Pope Francis for Ukraine talks is quite understandable | Reuters

On this special bonus episode of Acton Unwind, Eric, Dan, Dylan, and Daniel discuss Dune: Part Two, the second entry in director Denis Villeneuve’s trilogy adapting the Frank Herbert novels. The panel discusses the technical filmmaking, how this film compares to the 1984 David Lynch adaptation of Dune, how it compares to the original books, what was left out, and more. Warning: Spoilers! Subscribe to our podcasts Dune: Part Two trailer Dune: Part Two and the Death of Freedom | Joseph Holmes, Religion & Liberty Online Discovering human dignity in Villeneuve’s Dune | Dylan Pahman, Religion & Liberty Online

This week, Eric, Anthony, and Dylan discuss the self-immolation of Aaron Bushnell and the ethics of using his suicide to advance the Palestinian cause, the online free-speech cases that SCOTUS heard last week, and the story that the fast-food chain Wendy’s was planning to roll out surge pricing in the spirit of Uber and Lyft. Wendy’s isn’t doing that—but should it? Subscribe to our podcasts Man Dies After Setting Himself on Fire Outside Israeli Embassy in Washington, Air Force Says | New York Times Cornel West tweet about Aaron Bushnell The History of Self-Immolation as Political Protest | TIME Magazine US Supreme Court weighs landmark online free speech case | BBC ‘Mainstream Media’ Doesn’t Have a Liberal Bias | Dylan Pahman, The Federalist Supreme Court justices raise First Amendment concerns in NetChoice oral argument | FIRE Wendy’s says ‘dynamic pricing’ is different from ‘surge pricing,’ but whatever it’s called may still alienate customers | Fortune Consumerism, Service, and Religion | Dylan Pahman, Religion & Liberty Online

This week on Acton Unwind, guest host Dan Hugger is joined by Dylan Pahman and Noah Gould. They begin the podcast by discussing two recent essays that call into question Hillsdale College’s “Christian College” bona fides. What makes a college Christian, and does Hillsdale fit the bill? Next, Google’s Gemini generative AI chatbot’s political biases are explored. What does AI bias look like? Why is it important, and what can be done to mitigate it? Is it inadvertent performance art? Finally, the group unpacks the recent scandal that has engulfed science fiction and fantasy’s most prestigious award, the Hugo. Is it prudent to host such awards in China? Is the Hugo scandal an indictment of democracy? How does this scandal effect the award’s credibility going forward? Subscribe to our podcasts Selling “Christian” Hillsdale | Current Some additional thoughts about Hillsdale | Current On Hillsdale College and Christianity by Dan Hugger | Reign of Conscience On Constitutions, Confessionalization, and Gandhi | Reign of Conscience (Substack) More human than human: measuring ChatGPT political bias | Public Choice Hugo Awards 2024: What Really Happened at the Sci-Fi Awards in China? | Esquire Authors ‘excluded from Hugo awards over China concerns’ | The Guardian Your New Aesthetic | YouTube

This week guest host Dan Hugger is joined by Dan Churchwell and Emily Zanotti. The panel begins by discussing the recent death of Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny in prison. How should the international community respond? Will this tragedy cause Americans on the extreme left and right develop a more critical attitude toward Vladimir Putin? Next, recent discoveries of rare-earth minerals in Wyoming promise to give the U.S. a geopolitical and economic edge, but what tradeoffs are involved in the extraction of natural resources? Then—what does OpenAI’s plans for investment in chip production mean for our world and our home? Finally, the gang reflects on the penitential season of Lent. What’s behind its increasingly ecumenical appeal? It’s cultural, political, and theological dimensions are explored before the panelists share their spiritual practices for the season. Subscribe to our podcasts Putin critic Alexei Navalny dies in Arctic Circle jail, says Russia (bbc.com) Russian Exceptionalism | New York Review of Books Wyoming Hits the Rare-Earth Mother Lode | WSJ Rare Earths Discovery Near Wheatland So Big It Could Be World Leader | Your Wyoming News Source (cowboystatedaily.com) Sam Altman Seeks Trillions of Dollars to Reshape Business of Chips and AI | WSJ ‘The astonishing Jensen Huang of Nvidia talks about the future of AI. Sovereign AI is the future and more valuable than oil or gold’| Twitter (X) More Work For Mother: The Ironies of Household Technology from the Open Hearth to the Microwave The Harried Leisure Class | Marginal Revolution 2024 Lent Project | Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts Tuna Fish and Tollhouse Cookies | Emily Zanotti (substack.com) Catechism of the Catholic Church

This week, Eric talks with Mustafa Akyol about his essay in the Winter issue of RELIGION & LIBERTY, a book review of “Wahhābism: The History of a Militant Islamic Movement.” Where did Wahhabist Islam come from and how much sway does it hold in the Muslim world today? Then Eric is joined by Anthony Bradley and Noah Gould as they discuss the He Gets Us ads from the Super Bowl, Tucker Carlson’s interview of Vladimir Putin, and how old is too old to be president of the United States. Subscribe to our podcasts Subscribe to Religion & Liberty The Rebirth of a Heretical Islam | Mustafa Akyol, Religion & Liberty Foot Washing | He Gets Us Who is My Neighbor? | He Gets Us Vladimir Putin tells Tucker Carlson that Russia is 'willing to negotiate' with Ukraine | USA Today Overwhelming majority think Biden is too old to serve following Hur report: Poll | The Hill Ad-Copy Gospel and the Christian Marketing Dilemma | Isaac Willour, Religion & Liberty Online

This week, Eric, Anthony, and Dylan are joined by John G. Grove, managing editor of Law & Liberty, to discuss his essay in the Winter edition of Religion & Liberty, “The Gods of the City.” Is Christian nationalism a real thing? What is the proper interplay between faith and government? Then Emily joins the show to discuss the way-too-online theory that the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce relationship, and even possibly the Super Bowl, is actually a psyop or deep-state conspiracy. But setting aside that silliness, shouldn’t conservatives be holding up Swift and Kelce as an example of a courtship done right? And finally, social media CEOs were on Capitol Hill for their annual congressional hearing/public beating. Is there a role for the government in helping parents handle kids and social media? Or do we just need better parenting? Subscribe to our podcasts Subscribe to Religion & Liberty The Gods of the City | John G. Grove, Religion & Liberty The Existential Threat of Anti-Christian Nationalism | D.G. Hart, Religion & Liberty This Lawmaker Wants to Jail People for Watching Porn | Rolling Stone The ‘Taylor Swift Psyop’ Freaks Need to Go Outside | National Review Hawley presses Zuckerberg to compensate online harm victims | Axios

This week, Eric, Dan, and Emily discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling lifting an injunction that prevented the federal government from removing razor wire installed by the state of Texas at the southern border. What did SCOTUS actually do here? What are we supposed to do in this bizarre situation where the federal government will not enforce federal law but doesn’t want states to enforce it either? Will political incentives prevent any definitive action? Next, Alabama executed a death row inmate using nitrogen hypoxia, after previous attempts using more common methods had failed. How should people of faith think about the death penalty? Are our attempts to avoid supposedly cruel and usual methods like firing squads and the electric chair leading to less certain and possibly more inhumane methods? And finally, what does the Ayodhya Ram temple’s inauguration by Indian prime minister Modi tell us about the place of religion in Indian public life? Subscribe to our podcasts Divided SCOTUS grants Biden administration request to cut Texas’ razor wire | Axios Letter from Texas Governor Greg Abbott What Part of Legal Immigration Don’t You Understand? | Reason The U.S. had its first execution by nitrogen gas. Here’s what to know. | Washington Post Why India’s New Ram Temple Is So Important | New York Times

This week, Eric, Dan, and Noah discuss Javier Milei’s speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Did the Davos set know what they were getting into when they invited him? How important and refreshing was it to hear a voice opposed to the elite consensus at Davos? Will anyone listen to him? Next, Donald Trump claims that a president can’t be the president without also being guaranteed full and complete immunity from prosecution. Is there any legal basis for this? What will be the consequences of the continual degradation of norms in our society? And finally, South Africa brings a case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice at The Hague. Does the case have any merit? And does international law even really exist? Subscribe to our podcasts Davos 2024: Special address by Javier Milei, President of Argentina | World Economic Forum Javier Milei Speech at the World Economic Forum | Video Argentinian prez Javier Milei kills ’em with common sense as he scolds Davos elites | Douglas Murray, New York Post The Intellectuals and Socialism | F.A. Hayek Trump, awaiting ruling, says presidents must have ‘complete and total’ immunity | NBC News Trump invokes ‘rogue cops’ and ‘bad apples’ to explain why he needs total immunity | The Independent Israel rejects genocide charges, tells World Court it must defend itself | Reuters Mere Natural Law with Hadley Arkes | Acton Line

This week, to start the show, Eric is joined by Fr. Robert Sirico, Acton’s co-founder and president emeritus, who just returned from a quasi-secret trip to Hong Kong, where he attended a day of Jimmy Lai’s National Security Law trial. What did he see in Hong Kong and at the trial? How has the “feel” of Hong Kong changed since he last visited? Then Eric is joined by Dan Hugger and Dylan Pahman for a discussion of how universities are reappraising standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. What have we learned since some schools dropped these tests as admissions criteria during COVID and after years of a campaign to reduce their use because of their “inherent bias”? Next, SCOTUS will decide the constitutionality of the right of cities to ban homeless encampments. Aside from the legal questions, is allowing homeless camps advisable in regard to public health and safety? How should we approach the issue of homelessness? And finally, President Joe Biden spoke in the pulpit of South Carolina’s Mother Emanuel AME Church in what was widely regarded as a campaign speech. How should we think about politics from the pulpit? Subscribe to our podcasts The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai’s Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom The Misleading SAT Debate | David Leonhardt, New York Times Supreme Court to Decide If Homeless-Camping Bans Violate Constitution | National Review NYC HS principal lashes out at parents who bashed decision to force students to go remote as migrants sheltered at school | New York Post The Great Unlearning | Acton Line Biden condemns white supremacy in a campaign speech at a church where Black people were killed | Associated Press

This week, Eric, Anthony Bradley (making his maiden voyage on the podcast), and Emily discuss the resignation of Harvard University president Claudine Gay. How significant a story is this? Does it matter only for elites, or do the downstream effects impact more of America? Does it matter that the people who uncovered her plagiarism had their own political motivations? Did race play any role in this story, with Gay having been the first black woman president of Harvard? Next, the panel reflects on the passing of Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O’Connor in early December. Beyond being the first woman on the Court, what will she be remembered for? And finally, what are Eric, Anthony, and Emily hopeful for in 2024? Harvard President Resigns After Mounting Plagiarism Accusations | New York Times Claudine Gay: What Just Happened at Harvard Is Bigger Than Me | New York Times Harvard President Claudine Gay Hit with Six New Charges of Plagiarism | Washington Free Beacon How We Squeezed Harvard to Push Claudine Gay Out | Christopher F. Rufo, Wall Street Journal Sandra Day O’Connor, First Woman on the Supreme Court, Is Dead at 93 | New York Times

This week, Eric is joined first by Mark Clifford, the president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, as they discuss the National Security Law trial of Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong. After numerous delays, the trial has finally started. What charges is Jimmy facing, of which he will certainly be convicted? What comes after those convictions, both in regard to the cause of freeing Jimmy Lai and the cause of freedom in Hong Kong? What significance do the calls from the U.K. and American governments for Lai to be released hold? Then Eric is joined by Noah Gould and Emily Zanotti to discuss the Satanic Temple’s statue of the pagan idol Baphomet in the Iowa State House. Should such displays be prohibited? If so, on what grounds? What does the legal jurisprudence say on matters like this? Does the First Amendment require indulging efforts to troll people of faith? And finally, Sam Bankman-Fried was indicted and convicted on multiple federal charges related to fraud perpetrated at his cryptocurrency exchange FTX. His adopted philosophy of effective altruism has also come in for criticism in the wake of the conviction. The group discusses Noah’s piece in Fusion magazine on the topic. The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai’s Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom | Full Film The Trial of Jimmy Lai | Isaac Willour, Acton Institute Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon’s trial begins | BBC Britain calls for Jimmy Lai’s release as Hong Kong trial begins | Reuters Trial of Jimmy Lai Under the Hong Kong National Security Law | US State Department Satanic Temple says part of display in Iowa Capitol ‘destroyed beyond repair’ | Des Moines Register Effective Altruism’s Reign Should End with Sam Bankman-Fried’s | Noah Gould, Fusion Poverty, Inc.

This week, Eric, Dan, and Dylan discuss the passing of Henry Kissinger at the age of 100. How should Kissinger be remembered? Is there any merit to the claims he was a war criminal? What will be his enduring legacy? Next, Venezuela might be preparing to annex some of the territory of neighboring Guyana after the discovery of large oil reserves in that nation. How concerned should we be? How much does this underscore the disaster that the socialist governments of Chávez and Maduro have been for Venezuela? And finally, the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and Penn appeared before Congress to testify on anti-Semitism on their campuses—and it didn’t go very well. How should we think about free speech on college campuses? Pax Kissinger | The Morning Dispatch The Meaning of History: Dr. Henry Kissinger’s Undergraduate Thesis | Johns Hopkins University Guyana agreed to talks with Venezuela over territorial dispute under pressure from Brazil, others | Associated Press Venezuela’s autocrat, Nicolás Maduro, threatens to annex Guyana | The Economist Antisemitism Beleaguers the Ivies | The Dispatch

Today, Eric and Dan talk with Acton’s Michael Matheson Miller about his essay “The Poverty Pyramid Scheme,” and AIER’s Samuel Gregg about his review “Mistaken About Poverty,” both of which appear in the Fall 2023 issue of our magazine RELIGION & LIBERTY, which is focused on the issue of poverty. How should we think about poverty in the developing world and in places like the United States? What conditions are necessary for people to rise out of poverty? What do social engineers get wrong about how we should address issues that contribute to poverty? And what is Acton’s new Center for Social Flourishing doing to advance the discussion on poverty? Subscribe to RELIGION & LIBERTY The Prosperity Pyramid Scheme | Michael Matheson Miller Mistaken About Poverty | Samuel Gregg Poverty, Inc. Reason, Faith, and the Struggle for Western Civilization | Samuel Gregg Afghanistan I fought for lacks foundation for freedom | Stephen Barrows

This week, Eric, Dylan, and Noah are joined by Acton Managing Director, International, Alex Chafuen to discuss Argentinian president-elect Javier Milei. Who is Milei? Is there anything to the comparisons American media are making to Donald Trump? Can he pull off changing Argentinian currency from the peso to the dollar? They also dive in to the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the deal made to release hostages from the terrorist organization in exchange for Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israel. Will this be good for the war, and will this incentivize more hostage taking in the future? And finally, Senator Elizabeth Warren is warning us about a “sandwich shop monopoly” emerging from a deal that would unite Subway under the same ownership with Jimmy Johns and McAlisters. Because, you know, those are the only three options you have for lunch. Javier Milei will be Argentina’s first libertarian president | The Economist Israel, Hamas Reach Deal to Release 50 Hostages | Wall Street Journal Israel-Hamas War: Sides Near Hostage Release, Truce Extension | Wall Street Journal The FTC puts your lunch on its plate | Politico

This week, Eric and Dan are joined by Philip Booth, professor of finance, public policy, and ethics at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham, England, to discuss his essay in the Fall 2023 issue of RELIGION & LIBERTY, "Creating an Economy of Inclusion.” Catholic Social Teaching has, for decades, provided both guidelines and cautions for market economies that exclude marginalized populations. The question is, however, are those populations excluded by markets or from markets? Eric and Dan then discuss the alleged surge in popularity for Osama bin Laden’s “Letter to America” on TikTok. Is this justification for the 9/11 attacks really as pronounced of a phenomenon as it was made out to be? Or were the people expressing horror and outrage about the trend helping to boost it into a bigger problem than it originally was?Is there a case to be made to ban the TikTok app? And finally, a number of American CEOs gathered in San Francisco to celebrate Chinese president Xi Jinping. How should we think about the interplay — and the apparent inextricable link — between the American and Chinese economies? Creating an Economy of Inclusion | Philip Booth, RELIGION & LIBERTY Subscribe to RELIGION & LIBERTY Videos About Bin Laden’s Criticism of U.S. Surge in Popularity on TikTok | New York Times How Osama bin Laden’s ‘Letter to America’ reached millions online | Washington Post When Product Markets Become Collective Traps: The Case of Social Media | University of Chicago Dinner with Xi in San Francisco: A Who’s Who of America’s Beijing-Friendly Elite | Jimmy Quinn, National Review

This week, Eric, Dan, and Noah discuss the philanthropic efforts of MrBeast, the YouTube star with more than 200 million followers, in building wells in Kenya, which has come in for some criticism. Are MrBeast’s efforts making a positive impact, or are they worthy of the criticism they’re receiving? Or both? And what could he and other people with high profiles who seek to do good do differently? Next, the panel discusses the report from the pro-Israel outfit Honest Reporting about freelance photojournalists working for the Associated Press, Reuters, the New York Times, and others being embedded with Hamas on October 7. What questions about ethics in journalism does this raise? And finally, the University of Austin is open for business. But how successful will it be at attracting students and building a different way of providing higher education? MrBeast builds 100 wells in Africa, attracting praise – and some criticism | CNN Broken Borders: AP & Reuters Pictures of Hamas Atrocities Raise Ethical Questions | Honest Reporting Israel Accuses Freelance Photographers of Advance Knowledge of Oct. 7 Attack | New York Times Media watchdog says it was just ‘raising questions’ with insinuations about photographers and Hamas | Associated Press Watchdog accepts news orgs weren’t tipped off about Oct. 7: We just ‘raised questions’ | Times of Israel Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board gives first go-ahead to new University of Austin | Austin American-Statesman University of Austin Board of Advisors

This week, Eric, Dylan, and Emily work over the news that WeWork, a company that provides flexible office workspace, will file for bankruptcy this week. Was it a victim of the pandemic? A creature of a low-interest-rate economy and a venture-capital mentality that said they’d figure out how to be profitable at some point that never arrived? Both? Next, legendary and controversial college basketball coach Bobby Knight passed away last week at the age of 83. What does Knight’s ends-justify-the-means success tell us about civic, economic, and church life? And finally, nearly 3,000 former Morehouse College students had their student debt erased without any government action. Is it true that debt relief is yours if you want it, whether or not Washington intervenes? Subscribe to our podcasts WeWork plans to file for bankruptcy as early as next week, source says | Reuters Monetary Policy Is Working | Dominic Pino, National Review Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight dies at 83 | ESPN The Bobby Knight Problem | “The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill,” Christianity Today The Last Days of Knight | ESPN 30 for 30 These former HBCU students owed their college nearly $10 million. The debt was just erased | USA Today Student Loans and the Sin of Usury | James Caton & Dylan Pahman, Acton Institute

This week, Eric, Dan, and Emily discuss the decision to melt down the statue of Robert E. Lee that was at the center of the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Is removing statues of Confederate generals erasing history? What is the proper way to memorialize the Confederacy, if there is one? And how should we think about and remember Robert E. Lee? Then the panel turns its attention to engagement farming on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Elon Musk’s announcement that posts with community notes correcting factual inaccuracies would no longer be eligible for the platform’s ad-revenue-sharing program. Is this a good way to fight misinformation online? Or will it just be gamed the same way ad revenue sharing is? And finally, was the Catholic Church's Synod on Synodality really, after all, just the friends we made along the way? How are we to interpret the 21,000-word report from the Synod? And what are we to make of its release coinciding with the news that a (briefly) excommunicated Jesuit priest accused of abuse has been returned to ministry? Charlottesville’s Lee statue meets its end, in a 2,250-degree furnace | Washington Post Removing statues won’t erase the past, could mar the future | Dan Hugger, Acton Institute Elon Musk on monetization on X | X (formerly known as Twitter) The Internet of Beefs | Venkatesh Rao, Ribbonfarm Synod report proposes ways to foster synodal Church | The Pillar Pope orders Vatican to reopen case of priest accused of adult abuse but allowed to keep ministering | Associated Press

This week, Eric, Dan, and Dylan discuss the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or more specifically, the lack of one. What does this situation say about how well-functioning, or not, our system of government is right now? What does it say about a possible decline in civic virtue in the United States? Then the guys turn their attention to the Israel-Hamas war and the Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that killed 500 people that turned out to not be an Israeli airstrike, that didn’t hit a hospital but its parking lot, and that didn’t kill hundreds of people. What does the way this story evolved reveal about modern media—and the prominence of social media in the news-gathering ecosystem? And finally, Ozempic is a drug that was developed for treating diabetes but is frequently used off-label for weight loss. Is it a miracle? Or should we be more skeptical about something that delivers incredible results without much work on the part of the person taking it? House GOP speaker race balloons to nine candidates | Axios NYT admits error in Gaza hospital report | Politico It's easy to screw up on breaking news. But you have to admit when you do. | Nate Silver The Dream of Scalable Democracy | Dylan Pahman, Law & Liberty What Is Ozempic and Why Is It Getting So Much Attention? | New York Times Desperate Indians want Ozempic on prescription. Huge shift from traditional drugs, say doctors | The Print How Weight Loss Drugs Stopped a Danish Recession | Apricitas Economics

This week, Eric, Dylan, and Emily examine the purportedly pro-Palestinian rallies and campus protests that took place in the wake of the slaughter of Israeli Jews by Hamas terrorists. How surprised should we be by people chanting “gas the Jews” in Sydney, Australia, or by members of student organizations at Harvard University claiming that “the Israeli regime is entirely responsible for all unfolding violence”? What should be the consequences, if any, for people who have openly supported or defended the murder of Israelis by Hamas? Should universities and corporations end the practice of publishing a statement on every major issue? Then the panel reviews the awarding of the Nobel Prize in economics to Claudia Goldin for her work contributing to a better understanding of women’s participation in the labor force. And finally, is Bigfoot real, and did a couple vacationing in Colorado capture it on video? Probably not. But it’s fun to imagine. A Weekend on the Brink | The Morning DispatchAustralian pro-Palestinian protesters chant ‘gas the Jews’ as police warn Jewish people to stay away from area | Fox NewsCollege campus protests erupt across US ahead of anticipated Israel operation in Gaza | Fox NewsNYU law student group moves to oust president who cheered Hamas attack | New York PostAOC knocks ‘bigotry and callousness’ of Times Square rally for Palestinians | PoliticoA Stanford University instructor has been removed from the classroom amid reports they called Jewish students colonizers and downplayed the Holocaust | CNNStar of David is graffitied on Jewish homes in Berlin after Hamas attacks on Israel — in chilling echo of anti-Semitic persecution of the Jews under the Nazis | Daily MailWhy do some people hate the Jews? | Acton Line PodcastCollege Free Speech Rankings | Foundation for Individual Rights and ExpressionClaudia Goldin Is the Ideal Academic Researcher | Victor V. Claar & Angela K. Dills, Acton Institute‘Feels like a hoax’: Purported Bigfoot video from Colorado attracts skeptics, believers | USA Today

This week, Eric, Dan, and Dylan are joined by Rachel Ferguson—director of the Center for Free Enterprise and assistant dean and professor of business ethics at Concordia University Chicago and an affiliate scholar at the Acton Institute—to discuss her essay in the most recent issue of RELIGION & LIBERTY, “Saving St. Louis One Block at a Time.” How did St. Louis end up in the state it’s in? How does neighborhood stabilization work? How is investing in single city blocks more effective than a panoply of government-initiated anti-poverty programs? How important is trust between citizens and law enforcement to these ends? Then the guys discuss the terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel over the weekend. What will come next? What does this mean for efforts at peace accords between Israel and countries like Saudi Arabia? What should we make of the people pouring into the streets of American cities in support of the Palestinian cause, if not the actions of Hamas? Subscribe to RELIGION & LIBERTY Saving St. Louis One Block at a Time | Rachel Ferguson, RELIGION & LIBERTY A ‘Black Day’ in Israel | The Morning Dispatch Today Is Israel’s 9/11 | Noah Pollack, The Free Press Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks | WSJ

This week, Eric, Emily, and Dylan tackle the Catholic Church Synod on Synodality taking place starting this week at the Vatican. What is the Synod on Synodality all about? What issues facing the Church—the ordination of women, the blessing of same-sex couples, married priests, and more—are on the table? What power does the Synod actually have? And could this Synod have just been an email? Next, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, is up for renewal, and there are some conservative lawmakers who don’t want to renew it because of concerns over potential funding of abortion. Are those concerns valid? And if so, are they valid enough to scuttle what is largely agreed to be one of the most successfully public health programs in recent memory? And finally, California has raised the minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 an hour. What could go wrong? Quite a few things, actually. Say hello to your friendly new robot burger chef! Vatican Assembly Puts the Church’s Most Sensitive Issues on the Table | New York Times A Public Health Setback | New York Times Poverty, Inc. PovertyCure How to Have a Great and Holy Council | Dylan Pahman, Religion & Liberty Online New California law raises minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour, among nation’s highest | Associated Press The social responsibility of Chick-fil-A is to make delicious sandwiches | Dylan Pahman, Religion & Liberty Online

Marvin Olasky joins Eric and Noah this week to discuss his feature essay in the new Fall 2023 issue of RELIGION & LIBERTY, entitled “The Thrill and Chill of Compassionate Conservatism,” in which Marvin revisits two of his books: The Tragedy of American Compassion (1990) and Compassionate Conservatism (1999). What has transpired in terms of poverty intervention and amelioration on the federal, state, and local levels since their publication and the welfare reforms of the 1990s? Where are we doing now to address effectively issues of poverty in America? How has conservatism itself, and its expression through the Republican Party, changed since the compassionate conservatism days of George W. Bush’s first term? Next, the guys examine Sen. Josh Hawley’s proposal to cap credit card interest rates at 18%. How many unintended consequences would this produce if it were enacted? And finally, the headlines about a Canadian study on cash transfers claim it “debunks stereotypes of homeless people’s spending habits” and that cash transfers “reduce homelessness” and will supposedly enable them to save money. Are they sure about that? Subscribe to our podcasts The Thrill and Chill of Compassionate Conservatism | Marvin Olasky, Religion & Liberty Subscribe to Religion & Liberty and get 4 issues for $29.99/year The Law of Conservation of Welfare—And What Energy Source Can Transform It | Marvin Olasky @ Acton University 2023‘ Americans are being crushed’: Sen. Josh Hawley wants to cap credit card APR at 18%—here’s his plan to help ‘working people’ | Yahoo Finance Unconditional cash transfers reduce homelessness | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Payday Loans and Predatory Politicians | Eric Kohn, Foundation for Economic Education

This week, Eric, Dan, and Dylan discuss the United Auto Workers strike. Are the demands from the UAW reasonable? How should we think about trade unionization in America today? Are there any risks to the new strategy that the UAW is engaging in? Next, the guys evaluate the FDA’s decision to make Narcan, the treatment for opioid overdoses, available over the counter. Is this a good thing? What are the potential downsides, if any? And how do we need to look at ways to treat the underlying disease of the soul that’s driving addiction problems like the opioid epidemic? And finally, the truth is out there about “Mexican aliens.” The UFO kind, that is. Mexico’s Congress heard testimony as to their “authenticity.” The truth, however, is that it was all a sham. So why the big show? Subscribe to our podcasts What are the UAW strike demands? Here are the issues amid negotiations | Washington Post The UAW Labor-Strike Debacle | National Review How UAW Tossed Its Old Playbook and Pursued a Surprise-Attack Strike Strategy | Wall Street Journal More Michigan pharmacies will carry over-the-counter Narcan | ABC 12 News Michigan State Police trooper uses Narcan to save man from heroin overdose | MLive Mummies From Outer Space? Mexico’s Congress Gets a Firsthand Look. | New York Times