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A history teacher and an engineer walk into a bar…ouch! Except there isn’t a bar. But there are dad jokes. And whiskey. Two guys who know a few things, have been around a few blocks, and a few cocktails, discuss politics, science, history, technology, and the planet Earth. They also warp through rabbit holes in both the Federation and the Galactic Empire, and toast the ashes of the Twelve Colonies. And did I mention dad jokes? Yeah. Grab a drink, pull up a chair, and join us for Civics on the Rocks.
Oh, and if you want some merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CivcsRocks/shop?asc=u
Episodes
Monday Sep 15, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Mack, Steve, and Anne debate Constitutional law and look to fix the problems of our country in our first episode of season 3.
References
What is independent?
Merriam-Webster. “Independent.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/independent
What is justice?
https://youtu.be/wEBlaMOmKV4?si=difVAzt3cTdBuLvG
So, we have three branches:
USA.gov. “Branches of the U.S. Government.” https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government
The power of the executive is vested in one person:
Legal Information Institute. “Executive Power.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/executive_power
At the Constitutional Convention:
Office of the Historian. “Constitutional Convention and Ratification, 1787–1789.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/convention-and-ratification
William Paterson’s New Jersey plan:
Metych, Michele. “New Jersey Plan.” December 21, 2024. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/New-Jersey-Plan
The Garden State:
NJ.gov. “Nickname.” https://www.nj.gov/nj/about/facts/nickname.shtml
Under the Virginia plan:
Metych, Michele. “Virginia Plan.” March 7, 2023. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Virginia-plan
They weren’t there:
Kratz, Jessie. “‘Rogue Island’: The last state to ratify the Constitution.” May 18, 2015. National Archives. https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2015/05/18/rogue-island-the-last-state-to-ratify-the-constitution/
A plural executive:
Center for the Study of the American Constitution. “The Debate Over the President and the Executive Branch.” University of Wisconsin-Madison. https://csac.history.wisc.edu/document-collections/constitutional-debates/executive-branch/
The Romans had two consuls:
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Consul.” April 30, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/consul-ancient-Roman-official
Which version of the Roman again:
National Geographic Society. “Rome’s Transition From Republic to Empire.” October 18, 2024. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/romes-transition-republic-empire/
Texas has a plural executive:
Regalado, Daniel M. “The Texas Plural Executive and Bureaucracy in Texas.” https://oercommons.org/courseware/lesson/108182/student/?section=13
In case you didn’t get why we all laughed at the Attorney General of Texas:
Scherer, Jasper. “Ken Paxton Agrees to Community Service, Paying Restitution to Avoid Trial in Securities Fraud Case.” March 26, 2024. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/25/ken-paxton-plea-deal-securities-fraud-felony/
The Agricultural Commissioner, you know, Sid Miller:
Texas Department of Agriculture. “Commissioner Sid Miller.” https://texasagriculture.gov/About/Commissioner-Miller
Nixon was not above the idea of having the IRS go after enemies:
Thorndike, Joseph J. “Tax History: Nixon Aide Tried to Weaponize the IRS by Pressuring the Commissioner.” March 13, 2023. Tax Notes. https://www.taxnotes.com/tax-history-project/tax-history-nixon-aide-tried-weaponize-irs-pressuring-commissioner/2023/03/10/7g45r
There’s also the issue of J. Edgar Hoover:
Talbot, Margaret. “J. Edgar Hoover, Public Enemy No. 1.” November 14, 2022. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/11/21/j-edgar-hoover-public-enemy-no-1
Kissinger—copresident may be too strong a term, but it’s not far off:
Skidmore, David. “Henry Kissinger and the Seductions of Power” [Commentary]. December 2, 2023. Iowa Capital Dispatch. https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/12/02/henry-kissinger-and-the-seductions-of-power/
In the organic statute:
Ballotpedia. “Organic Statute.” https://ballotpedia.org/Organic_statute
Congress passed a law saying an FBI Director will be nominated for one 10-year term:
FBI. “Directors, Then and Now.” https://www.fbi.gov/history/directors
Which is where the word comes from:
Merriam-Webster. “Dictator: Etymology.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dictator#word-history
The President’s emergency powers:
Brennan Center for Justice. “A Guide to Emergency Powers and Their Use.” Updated July 1, 2025. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/guide-emergency-powers-and-their-use
Trump fired Jim Comey:
BBC News. “FBI Chief James Comey Fired by Trump.” May 10, 2017. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39866170
Christopher Wray turned out to not be the FBI Director Trump thought he was going to be:
Yousif, Nadine. “FBI Director Christopher Wray to Resign Before Trump Takes Office.” December 11, 2024. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce902z8lp81o
There are more government agencies that are more independent than that:
Lehigh University. “U.S. Government Information: Independent Agencies.” Updated July 15, 2025. https://libraryguides.lehigh.edu/c.php?g=369881&p=2499296
Members of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve serve 14-year terms. A term begins every 2 years on February 1 of even numbered years:
Federal Reserve. “Board Members.” https://www.federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/bios/board/default.htm
How do you select the head of NASA:
Frudenrich, Craig and Kiger, Patrick J. “Who Decides What NASA Does?” How Stuff Works. https://science.howstuffworks.com/nasa1.htm
If they’re a government official, they can be impeached and expelled:
USA.gov. “How Federal Impeachment Works.” Updated April 14, 2025. https://www.usa.gov/impeachment
Congress could, theoretically, abolish that group and has before:
Hogue, Henry B. “Abolishing a Federal Agency: The Interstate Commerce Commission.” January 10, 2024. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47897
There is a theory that the President can remove anybody regardless of laws passed by Congress:
Katz, Eric. “Trump Admin. Tells Judge It Can Fire at Least Some Career Feds at Any Time for Any Reason.” July 17, 2025. Government Executive. https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/07/trump-admin-tells-judge-it-can-fire-least-some-career-feds-any-time-any-reason/406797/
All of the civil service protections:
Congress.gov. “S.2640 - Civil Service Reform Act of 1978.” https://www.congress.gov/bill/95th-congress/senate-bill/2640
What’s the GAO:
U.S. Government Accountability Office. https://www.gao.gov/
Trump firing the Librarian of Congress:
Peet, Lisa. “Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden Is Fired.” May 12, 2025. Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/librarian-of-congress-carla-hayden-fired
Why Anne thinks Mack might be underestimating the control of the news cycle:
Mitrovica, Andrew. “How Trump Makes Us Miss the Real Story” [Opinion]. June 6, 2025. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/6/6/how-trump-makes-us-miss-the-real-story
The spoils system:
Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Spoils System.” March 28, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/spoils-system
Article I, Section 8, Clause 9:
Constitution Annotated. “Article I, Section 8.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-8/
Article III:
Constitution Annotated. “Article III.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-3/
Article I, Section 8, Clause 18:
Constitution Annotated. “ArtI.S8.C18.1 Overview of Necessary and Proper Clause.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C18-1/ALDE_00001242/
An opinion from the Justice Department from the early 1970s:
Wex Definitions Team. “Indictment of Presidents.” March 2023. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/indictment_of_presidents
Is that in that ruling:
Garvey, Todd. “Presidential Immunity From Criminal Prosecution in Trump v. United States.” Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11194
Regarding the clause about appointing ministers and consuls:
Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S2.C2.3.1 Overview of Appointments Clause.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C2-3-1/ALDE_00013092/
You would violate separation of powers:
Constitution Annotated. “Intro.7.2 Separation of Powers Under the Constitution.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/intro.7-2/ALDE_00000031/
The Solicitor General:
Department of Justice. “Office of the Solicitor General.” https://www.justice.gov/osg
Force and effect of law:
Merriam-Webster. “Force and Effect.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/force%20and%20effect
There was a state judge that was arrested:
Bauer, Scott. “Wisconsin Judge Accused of Helping Man Evade ICE Arrest Loses a Bid to Drop Charges.” August 26, 2025. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-judge-arrested-trump-immigration-hannah-dugan-c2371efe54f289c4a0ea8558dd6a7001
There is a concern that we are creeping in (jackbooting?) toward fascism:
Feldman, Matthew. “Scholars, Fascists Agree: Trump’s Not a Fascist, but an Opportunity.” November 5, 2024. Fair Observer. https://www.fairobserver.com/politics/scholars-fascists-agree-trumps-not-a-fascist-but-an-opportunity/
Trump has impliedly threatened:
Adeosun, Adeola. “Trump Admin Says ‘Definitely on the Table’ to Arrest Democrats Over Protest.” Updated May 11, 2025. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/trump-administration-threatens-democratic-lawmakers-ice-protests-2070578
A “truth” now:
The Associated Press. “What We Know About Truth Social, Donald Trump’s Social Media Platform.” March 27, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/truth-social-donald-trump-djt-ipo-digital-world-7437d5dcc491a1459a078195ae547987
He kind of broke up with his X:
Duffy, Clare and O’Kruk, Amy. “Here’s How the Feud Between Elon Musk and Donald Trump Has Unfolded.” July 3, 2025. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/business/timeline-elon-musk-trump-x-dg
Members of Congress are privileged from arrest while Congress is in session:
Constitution Annotated. “ArtI.S6.C1.2 Privilege from Arrest.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S6-C1-2/ALDE_00013354/
There have been members of Congress who have accepted gold bars:
Debusmann, Jr., Bernd and Yousif, Nadine. “Senator Bob Menendez Found Guilty in Bribery Scheme.” July 16, 2024. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqe6m14drgjo
ICE isn’t part of the Justice Department:
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. “Who We Are.” https://www.ice.gov/about-ice
Homeland Security:
Department of Homeland Security. “History.” https://www.dhs.gov/history
Federal prosecutors:
Department of Justice. “Offices of the United States Attorneys.” https://www.justice.gov/usao
Assigned to every federal judicial court:
Department of Justice. “Introduction To The Federal Court System.” https://www.justice.gov/usao/justice-101/federal-courts
There were concerns about whether or not the FBI was doing everything they should during the Watergate investigation:
McDermott, Annette. “How ‘Deep Throat’ Took Down Nixon From Inside the FBI.” History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/watergate-deep-throat-fbi-informant-nixon
Article II, Section 1:
Constitution Annotated. “Article II, Section 1, Clause 1.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/section-1/
The CIA is independent:
Central Intelligence Agency. “About CIA—Organization.” https://www.cia.gov/about/organization/
Mack isn’t quite right on this one. The Director of the CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence who reports to the President:
Central Intelligence Agency. “About CIA—Director of the CIA.” https://www.cia.gov/about/director-of-cia/
There’s another class of odd, quasi-governmental agencies that are even more independent. Two examples are Fannie Mae:
Federal Housing Finance Agency. “About Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.” https://www.fhfa.gov/about/fannie-mae-freddie-mac
…and the Smithsonian:
Smithsonian. “Legal Nature of the Smithsonian.” https://www.si.edu/ogc/legalhistory
The National Gallery of Art is a corporation chartered by Congress:
National Gallery of Art. “Our History.” https://www.nga.gov/about-us/our-history
The first bank of the United States was charted by Congress:
National Park Service. “First Bank of the United States.” https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/places-firstbank.htm
How you can amend the Constitution:
National Archives. “Constitutional Amendment Process.” Reviewed August 15, 2016. https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution
Every time but once:
NCC Staff. “Five Interesting Facts About Prohibition’s End in 1933.” December 6, 2022. National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/five-interesting-facts-about-prohibitions-end-in-1933
Like Jeff Sessions:
BBC News. “Trump Fires Attorney General Jeff Sessions.” November 8, 2018. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46132348
Compare him to Pam Bondi:
Frommer, Fred. “Pam Bondi.” Updated August 23, 2025. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pam-Bondi
In statistics there are things called outliers:
Cuemath. “Outlier.” https://www.cuemath.com/data/outlier/
Sea Legs cocktail:
https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/34393/sea-legs
Holy Mole cocktail:
1 part chocolate liquor
5 parts mezcal
Generous dash of cayenne
Not J. Allen Hynek:
Shortell, David. “Henry Heimlich, 96, Uses His Maneuver to Save Woman.” Updated May 27, 2016. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/27/us/heimlich-inventor-uses-maneuver
Not Henry Heimlich:
Ott, Tim. “J. Allen Hynek.” January 22, 2020. Biography.com. https://www.biography.com/scientists/j-allen-hynek
Project Blue Book:
National Archives. “Project BLUE BOOK – Unidentified Flying Objects.” Reviewed June 25, 2024. https://www.archives.gov/research/military/air-force/ufos
Alien sighting bingo:
https://youtu.be/wqlFiTOi6QQ?si=wNkjA2hiGZ1PnMCJ
The Betty and Barny Hill case:
Dickey, Colin. “They Knew What They Had Seen.” September 11, 2023. Slate. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2023/09/ufo-uap-encounters-betty-barney-hill.html
The Socorro, New Mexico case:
City of Socorro, New Mexico. “Socorro Landing: A UFO Story.” https://socorronm.org/location-activity/socorro-landing-a-ufo-story/
The Kelly–Hopkinsville case:
Carter, Maria. “The Eerie Story Behind the Small Town Everyone Is Flocking to for the Eclipse This Summer.” July 21, 2017. Country Living. https://www.countryliving.com/life/a44064/eclipseville-hopkinsville-ky-history/
All of the UFO classifications mentioned in this segment:
The Universal Compendium. “Classification of UFO Sightings.” https://www.universalcompendium.com/tables/phil/ufos.htm
The nocturnal lights that seemed to be in formation over Lubbock, Texas:
Addison, Brandi D. “What are the Lubbock Lights? Multiple UFO Sightings Reported in Texas Nearly 73 Years Ago.” August 23, 2024. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/state/2024/08/23/lubbock-lights-ufo-sightings-2024-73rd-anniversary-august-september-texas-tech/74902209007/
Radar intercepts in Washington, D.C.:
Dalphonse, Sherri. “D.C. Had Multiple UFO Sightings 71 Years Ago.” February 13, 2023. Washingtonian. https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/02/13/dc-had-multiple-ufo-sightings-71-years-ago/
The ad for Close Encounters of the Third Kind:
https://youtu.be/Fxp32VHaYdE?si=n6L6AjeDOHQa2puK
J. Allen Hynak has a cameo in the movie (be aware there are spoilers):
https://youtu.be/jRRtu_63a-M?si=TagNA03hELEw6R7w
Franҫois Truffaut, famous French actor and director:
IMDB. “Franҫois Truffaut (1932–1984).” https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000076/
Jacques Valée, also French:
https://www.jacquesvallee.net/
There’s one by him called Night Siege:
J. Allen Hynek, Philip J. Imbrogno, and Bob Pratt. Night Siege: The Hudson Valley UFO Sightings. (Ballantine Books, 1987).
The Hynek UFO Report:
J. Allen Hynek. The Hynek UFO Report. (Barnes & Noble Books, 1997).
Decide for yourself if Roswell and Stanton Friedman are bullshit:
Gibson, Lydialyle. “Science? Fiction?” September–October 2011. The University of Chicago Magazine. https://mag.uchicago.edu/science-medicine/science-fiction
Steve is playing Kerbal Space Program:
https://www.kerbalspaceprogram.com/
The Space Shuttle computers:
IBM. “The Space Shuttle Program.” https://www.ibm.com/history/space-shuttle
Sorry, Steve, we could not find confirmation that NASA ever used pi to two decimal places. Instead, we found where this Chief Engineer says they currently use pi to the 15th decimal:
Rayman, Mark. “How Many Decimals of Pi Do We Really Need?” October 24, 2022. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/news/how-many-decimals-of-pi-do-we-really-need/
That’s part of being tied back to Mission Control:
PBS. “The Trench: The People at Mission Control.” https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/moon-trench-people-behind-mission-control/
Slide rules, man:
Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Slide Rule.” December 27, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/science/slide-rule
If you didn’t get the worm joke:
Pellish, Aaron. “RFK Jr. Details Medical Abnormality That He Says Was a Parasitic Worm in His Brain.” May 9, 2024. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/09/politics/rfk-jr-parastic-worm-brain
If you somehow missed hearing about the Epstein files:
Geoghegan, Tom and FitzGerald, James. “What Do We Know About the Epstein Files?” August 19, 2025. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20r07dg6kro
How some Trump supporters are reacting:
Wendling, Mike. “How Epstein Case is Tearing Apart Maga’s Online Conspiracy Wing.” July 25, 2025. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdx5xzy8kn1o
Data Rescue Project:
https://www.datarescueproject.org/
Save Our Signs:
https://umn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4VKNSNsfJuIVOIu
And the Picard maneuver is a reference to Star Trek: The Next Generation. But you already knew that.
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
To celebrate two years of Civics on the Rocks, we’re going on vacation! We’re not going to have a full episode this month. Instead, you get this silliness. Enjoy!
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Mack and Steve show no forgiveness as they discuss one of the president’s broadest powers.
REFERENCES
Who does have the power? The President:
Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S2.C1.3.1 Overview of Pardon Power.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C1-3-1/ALDE_00013316/
It depends on each state and each state constitution, but each state governor has it:
ACLU. “What’s at Stake.” https://www.aclu.org/issues/smart-justice/parole-and-release/clemency-and-pardons
A commutation:
Legal Information Institute. “Commutation.” Reviewed January 2025. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/commutation
A reprieve:
Legal Information Institute. “Reprieve.” Reviewed August 2021. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/reprieve
A pardon:
Editors of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Pardon.” Updated May 29, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/pardon
Carter’s pardon of draft dodgers:
Hernandez, Joe. “Seeking to Heal the Country, Jimmy Carter Pardoned Men Who Evaded the Vietnam War Draft.” January 4, 2025. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/04/1158874141/jimmy-carter-vietnam-draft-evaders-pardon
What is the sentence for dodging the draft:
Selective Service System. “Penalties for Failing to Register.” https://www.sss.gov/register/benefits-and-penalties/
Is there a governmental system where no pardon power is available? The short answer is no, but other countries regulate the power differently than the United States does:
Mellen, Ruby. “Pardon Power Is Common Around the World. Few Leaders Use It Like Trump Has.” Updated February 18, 2021. The Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/pardon-power-is-common-around-the-world-few-leaders-use-it-like-trump-has/
So, in Texas, the governor has the power to pardon, but only if it is recommended by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles:
Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. “Clemency.” Updated January 2, 2019. https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/bpp/exec_clem/exec_clem.html
Crimes, not civil judgements:
LawHelp.org. “The Differences Between Criminal Court and Civil Court.” https://www.lawhelp.org/resource/the-differences-between-criminal-court-and-ci
It was legal under state law but the Feds picked him up:
Glaister, Dan. “California: Marijuana Law Goes Up in Smoke as Federal Agencies Raid Dispensaries.” August 10, 2008. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/11/drugstrade.internationalcrime
If you want to learn more about the changing legality of marijuana:
Bryan, Kate. “Cannabis Overview.” June 20, 2024. National Conference of State Legislatures. https://www.ncsl.org/civil-and-criminal-justice/cannabis-overview
The president cannot pardon people convicted of state crimes:
Office of the Pardon Attorney. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Updated June 16, 2025. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/pardon/frequently-asked-questions
Can a president pardon himself (asking for a friend):
Watson, Kathryn. “Can a President Pardon Himself?” Updated May 30, 2024. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-a-president-pardon-himself/
If you don’t understand what Mack meant by “a common law principle,” here’s a nice primer:
UC Berkeley School of Law. “The Common Law and Civil Law Traditions [PDF].” https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CommonLawCivilLawTraditions.pdf
You cannot indict a sitting president:
Legal Information Institute. “Indictment of Presidents.” Reviewed March 2023. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/indictment_of_presidents
Can a president pardon someone for future charges? The short answer is yes:
Office of the Pardon Attorney. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Updated June 16, 2025. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/pardon/frequently-asked-questions
Ford pardoned Nixon in advance of any charges being brought:
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. “Nixon Pardon.” https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/digital-research-room/library-collections/topic-guides/nixon-pardon
What the pardon clause says:
Article II, Section 2, Clause 1:
“…he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.”
By the delegates who wrote the Constitution:
National Archives. “Meet the Framers of the Constitution.” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/founding-fathers
Here are some of John Adams’ thoughts on government (you can imagine what he would do to your face):
Adams, John. “III. Thoughts on Government.” April 1776. National Archives. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-04-02-0026-0004
Sovereign immunity’s a thing:
Legal Information Institute. “Sovereign Immunity.” Reviewed April 2025. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/sovereign_immunity
Trump v. United States:
Oyez. “Trump v. United States.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2023/23-939
Some of the implications of the Supreme Court ruling:
Cole, David and Kaufman, Brett Max. “Supreme Court Grants Trump, Future Presidents a Blank Check to Break the Law [Commentary.]” July 3, 2024. https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/supreme-court-grants-trump-future-presidents-a-blank-check-to-break-the-law
How does one impeach a president (asking for a friend):
USA.gov. “How Federal Impeachment Works.” Updated April 14, 2025. https://www.usa.gov/impeachment
It doesn’t have to be a federal law for them to be impeached:
Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S4.4.2 Historical Background on Impeachable Offenses.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S4-4-2/ALDE_00000699/
We’re going with criming now:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criming
THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE IN TWO YEARS:
U.S. Vote Foundation. “What are Midterm General Elections?” https://www.usvotefoundation.org/what-are-midterm-elections
In stereo:
https://youtu.be/Jne9t8sHpUc?si=XfiD4n308rcLfDlw
Usually, if the FBI is doing an investigation, it’s not public knowledge:
FBI. “Can I Obtain Detailed Information About a Current FBI Investigation That I See in the News?” https://www.fbi.gov/about/faqs/can-i-obtain-detailed-information-about-a-current-fbi-investigation-that-i-see-in-the-news
If you didn’t get the Signal joke:
Palmer, Kathryn. “Mike Waltz and the Signal Chat Fiasco: A Recap of His Involvement.” May 1, 2025. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/01/mike-waltz-signal-group-chat/83386583007/
See Mueller Report:
Department of Justice. “Report On the Investigation Into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election [PDF with redactions].” https://www.justice.gov/archives/sco/file/1373816/dl?inline=
When Bill Barr, rather duplicitously and cowardly, tried to characterize it as even Mueller had cleared him:
American Bar Association. “Mueller Finds No Collusion with Russia, Leaves Obstruction Question Open.” March 25, 2019. https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2019/03/mueller-concludes-investigation/
And Mueller issued a statement basically saying, “That’s not what I said.”:
Breslow, Jason. “READ: Mueller's Letter Expressing Concern About Barr's Summary of His Report.” May 1, 2019. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2019/05/01/719004457/read-muellers-letter-expressing-concern-about-barr-s-summary-of-his-report
While we highly encourage Mack to write a book someday, the title Profiles in Cowardice has been taken:
Kenneth Foard McCallion. Profiles in Cowardice in the Trump Era. (Bryant Park Press, Inc., 2021).
Previous presidents have granted pardons that look awful dodgy:
Zeitz, Joshua. “4 Presidential Pardons From History That Were Way More Controversial Than Biden’s.” December 4, 2024. Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/12/04/biden-presidential-pardon-controversy-00192404
Pardoning a bunch of people who have committed violence on your behalf:
Reilly, Ryan J. “Trump Pardons Roughly 1,500 Criminal Defendants Charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol Attack.” January 20, 2025. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-set-pardon-defendants-stormed-capitol-jan-6-2021-rcna187735
When the news cycle is going against you, issue a bunch of pardons:
Flowers, Viola. “Here Are All of the Celebrities Trump has Pardoned so Far.” May 29, 2025. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/are-celebrities-trump-pardoned-far-rcna209736
At the time of our recording, this is what they were trying to shove through Congress:
Hubbard, Kaia and Yilek, Caitlin. “Here’s What’s in Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Passed by Congress.” July 4, 2025. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/whats-in-trump-big-beautiful-bill-senate-version/
If you would like to see all of the people pardoned by the current president, including fun facts like which of them were supposed to serve life sentences and what crimes they had been convicted of by the United States Department of Justice:
Offices of the Pardon Attorney. “Clemency Grants by President Donald J. Trump (2025-Present).” Updated May 30, 2025. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/pardon/clemency-grants-president-donald-j-trump-2025-present
If you don’t remember that scene from Jurassic Park:
https://youtu.be/nnun8y7r8_U?si=ncqAAUrTakvfewXW
A pardon is for a specific one-time event:
Dreisbach, Tom. “Criminal Records of Jan. 6 Rioters Pardoned by Trump Include Rape, Domestic Violence.” January 30, 2025. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/01/30/nx-s1-5276336/donald-trump-jan-6-rape-assault-pardons-rioters
Didn’t Biden pardon Liz Cheney:
Aljazeera. “Biden Hands Preemptive Pardons to Family, Allies Citing Trump Retaliation.” January 21, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/21/biden-hands-preemptive-pardons-to-family-allies-citing-trump-retaliation
For anybody at home who doesn’t know who Timothy McVeigh is:
FBI. “Oklahoma City Bombing.” https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/oklahoma-city-bombing
In case you were wondering what Trump was doing during that time:
Geewax, Marilyn. “Trump’s Financial Movies in the ‘90s: ‘Genius’ or ‘Colossal Failure’?” October 3, 2016. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2016/10/03/496314538/trumps-financial-moves-in-the-90s-genius-or-colossal-failure
There was a Supreme Court case on this:
De Vogue, Ariane and Cole, Devan. “Supreme Court Says Person Can be Charged and Tried in State and Federal Court for Same Conduct.” June 17, 2019. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/17/politics/supreme-court-double-jeopardy-clause-case
We must have gotten our true crime stories confused, y’all. Apologies. Ángel Maturino Reséndiz, the Railroad Killer, was only tried for murder in the state of Texas, though he was convicted of other violent crimes in other states previously:
Palmer, Emily. “He Rode the Rails Killing People: How Authorities Tracked Down a Serial Killer.” May 12, 2024. People. https://people.com/people-magazine-investigates-angel-maturino-resendiz-railroad-killer-8646357
Clinton pardoning Marc Rich (that’s a classic):
Time. “Notorious Presidential Pardons: Marc Rich, 2001.” https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1862257_1862325_1862324,00.html
Biden pardoning his son:
Ferreira Santos, Sofia. “Biden Gives Son Hunter ‘Unconditional’ Pardon.” December 2, 2024. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwl3venz39o
Ford did make a point that we all knew what he did:
“Shortly after 8:00 o’clock the next morning James St. Clair came to my office. Although he did not spell out in detail the new evidence, there was no question in my mind that he considered these revelations to be so damaging that impeachment in the House was a certainty and conviction in the Senate a high probability.”
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “President Ford’s Statement on Pardoning Richard Nixon, 1974.” https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/president-fords-statement-pardoning-richard-nixon-1974
Even somebody like Nixon could feel a certain amount of shame for some things:
CBS News. “Richard Nixon’s Resignation Speech [Archive video.]” August 8, 1974. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_DrUaJEBtE
Singapore Sling:
https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/1825/singapore-sling-raffles-formula
If you want to get into the nuance of cherry liquor vs. cherry brandy:
Dingwall, Kate. “Cherry Heering vs. Cherry Liqueur: What’s the Difference?” June 6, 2024. Food and Wine. https://www.foodandwine.com/cherry-heering-vs-cherry-liqueur-8659440
Apparently, it did originate in the bar of the Raffles Hotel:
Raffles. “Where the Singapore Sling was Born.” https://www.raffles.com/singapore/dining/long-bar/
Diluted:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diluted
Not deluded:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deluded
Gin and Bitters:
https://www.thespruceeats.com/pink-gin-classic-cocktail-759332
Manhattan:
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/manhattan-2/
Dark and Stormy:
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/dark-n-stormy/
Steve watched Andor:
https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/show/andor
Anne watched Daredevil: Born Again:
https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-85e7a914-c8e6-41db-95df-c740dc2cf1b7
We all watched Rogue One:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3748528/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Remember? The Alamo:
If you would like a nice summary of the Alamo history we discuss:
SanAntonio.gov. “Mission San Antonio de Valero (The Alamo).” https://www.sanantonio.gov/Mission-Trails/Mission-Trails-Historic-Sites/Detail-Page/ArtMID/16185/ArticleID/4459/Mission-San-Antonio-de-Valero-The-Alamo
As convincing as Steve sounded, we could not verify that they didn’t finish the bell towers because of taxation.
Here’s a map of the Alamo so you can follow along with Mack’s and Steve’s descriptions:
The Alamo. “Map of the Grounds.” https://www.thealamo.org/map
Learn more about the Alamo restoration that Mack visited:
The Alamo. “Alamo Plan.” https://www.thealamo.org/support/alamo-plan
Not familiar with the history of the Woolworth’s lunch counter in San Antonio? Learn about it from someone who was there:
Biediger, Shari. “San Antonio Woman Recalls Her Role in 1960 Woolworth Sit-in to Desegregate Lunch Counters.” February 6, 2023. https://sanantonioreport.org/san-antonio-1960-woolworth-sit-in-segregation/
The Ralston Family Collections Center:
The Alamo. “Alamo Exhibit.” https://www.thealamo.org/support/alamo-plan/alamo-collections-center
Yep, that Phil Collins:
Cobler, Nicole. “Phil Collins’ Star Rises Over the Alamo.” Updated March 11, 2015. San Antonio Express-News. https://www.expressnews.com/news/politics/texas_legislature/article/Phil-Collins-star-rises-over-the-Alamo-6128672.php
Daughters of the Republic of Texas:
Chacho’s no longer lists a Screwrita on their menu, but maybe if you ask nicely…:
He’s pardoning people to enable them to support him illegally and violently:
Benen, Steve. “Jan. 6 Rioter Who Encouraged Violence Against Police Hired to Work in Trump’s DOJ [Opinion].” July 2, 2025. MSNBC. https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/jan-6-rioter-encouraged-violence-police-hired-work-trumps-doj-rcna216452
Mack and Steve are right, there are a lot of various reasons why people support Trump. These are just a few issues that some have cited:
Doherty, Carrol; Kiley, Jocelyn; and Deane, Claudia. “What Trump Supporters Believe and Expect.” November 12, 2024. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/11/13/what-trump-supporters-believe-and-expect/
The perceived idea of culture:
Alfonseca, Kiara. “Culture wars: How identity became the center of politics in America.” July 7, 2023. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/culture-wars-identity-center-politics-america/story?id=100768380
And finding a fly in your chardonnay (or anything else mentioned in the Alanis Morrissett song) is not ironic. But you already knew that because every time that song is played or gets mentioned, someone you know points it out, including Mack and Steve while we were recording but Anne cut that part out because, ohemgee, can’t we as a collective civilization move on already?
Monday Jun 16, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Listen to Mack and Steve discuss checks, balances, and how it always comes back to we, the people.
REFERENCES
There’s three coequal branches:
The White House. “Our Government.” https://www.whitehouse.gov/government/
Take France:
Georgetown Law Library. “The Structure of the French Legal System.” https://guides.ll.georgetown.edu/francelegalresearch/legalsystem
Or Britain:
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. “Overview of the Judiciary.” https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/history-of-the-judiciary-in-england-and-wales/history-of-the-judiciary/
What you would call a civil law system:
Legal Information Institute. “Civil Law.” Reviewed October 2022. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/civil_law
Stemming from Roman law code, which was codified under Justinian:
Jolowicz, Herbert Felix, and Kiralfy, Alber Roland. “The Law of Justinian.” Reviewed March 26, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Roman-law/The-law-of-Justinian
Later you had the Napoleonic code:
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Napoleonic Code.” Updated April 30, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Napoleonic-Code
We were part of the common law tradition that comes from England:
Legal Information Institute. “Common Law.” Reviewed May 2020. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/common_law
Even in states where judges are elected:
Ballotpedia. “Judicial Election Methods by State.” https://ballotpedia.org/Judicial_election_methods_by_state
What a negative election is:
National Conference of State Legislatures. “Recall of State Officials.” https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/recall-of-state-officials
Georgia does it that way:
Ballotpedia. “Laws Governing Recall in Georgia.” https://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_recall_in_Georgia
The ground zero of law:
National Archives. “The Constitution of the Unites States: A Transcription.” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript
Three-fourths of the state ratifying conventions voted to ratify, and eventually all of them did:
NCC Staff. “The Day the Constitution Was Ratified.” June 21, 2024. National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-day-the-constitution-was-ratified
The entire“supreme law of the land” quote:
“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.”
Constitution Annotated. “Article VI.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-6/
A little about how it got ratified:
Glover, Lorri. “Nothing Inevitable: The Struggle for Ratification.” Organization of American Historians. https://www.oah.org/tah/the-american-republic/nothing-inevitable-the-struggle-for-ratification/
In case you are unfamiliar with this thing called precedent:
Legal Information Institute. “Precedent.” Reviewed March 2024. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/precedent
They ruled that somebody shouldn’t be deported from the country:
Martínez-Beltrán, Sergio. “Supreme Court Extends Pause on Deportations Under Alien Enemies Act in Texas.” May 16, 2025. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/16/g-s1-67244/supreme-court-texas-alien-enemies-act
That’s what you usually think about when you think about judges, the ones under Article III:
United States Courts. “Types of Federal Judges.” https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/types-federal-judges
You have to be appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate:
Offices of the United States Attorneys. “Introduction to the Federal Court System.” https://www.justice.gov/usao/justice-101/federal-courts
But then you serve for life:
Lee, Hyungi. “Lifetime Appointments of Federal Judges: A Double-Edged Sword.” November 22, 2024. The Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. https://www.law.georgetown.edu/legal-ethics-journal/blog/lifetime-appointments-of-federal-judges-a-double-edged-sword/
That’s happened, like, a handful of times in our history that federal judges have been impeached and expelled by the senate:
Federal Judicial Center. “Impeachments of Federal Judges.” https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/impeachments-federal-judges
There’s also a provision that says congress can’t mess with your salary:
Legal Information Institute. “28 U.S. Code § 371 - Retirement on salary; retirement in senior status.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/371
It’s the federal district courts:
Federal Bar Association. “About U.S. Federal Courts.” https://www.fedbar.org/for-the-public/about-u-s-federal-courts/
This is also where interest groups play a role. For a lot of Republican presidents, the Federalist Society:
Haq, Zoya. “How the Federalist Society Shaped America’s Judiciary.” November 4, 2024. Yale News. https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/11/04/how-the-federalist-society-shaped-americas-judiciary/
There are interest groups that are relevant to what Democrats want (but they aren’t generally considered as influential):
Mandery, Evan. “Why There’s No Liberal Federalist Society.” January 23, 2019. Politico. https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/01/23/why-theres-no-liberal-federalist-society-224033/
There’s also the American Bar Association:
American Bar Association. “About the Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary.” https://www.americanbar.org/groups/committees/federal_judiciary/about_us/
A federal magistrate judge, which is a different thing:
Federal Judicial Center. “Magistrate Judgeships.” https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/magistrate-judgeships
The senate judiciary committee:
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/about/committee
Whoever the majority leader is, who has a fair amount of power for what happens in the senate:
Wallner, James. “What Makes Senate Leaders So Powerful?” August 1, 2018. LegBranch.org. https://www.legbranch.org/2018-8-1-what-makes-senate-leaders-so-powerful/
Despite Mack’s misgivings, here’s a nice checks and balances diagram:
Ben’s Guide. “Branches of Government [Infographic].” https://bensguide.gpo.gov/images/Branches-of-Government.jpg
If you are not as old as Steve and didn’t get the three ring circus reference:
Schoolhouse Rock. “America – Three Ring Government [Nostalgic cartoon].” YouTube. https://youtu.be/pKSGyiT-o3o?si=SnwUUn9adsc0fYA7
Parliament appointed judges in England:
Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. “Judicial Appointments.” https://www.judiciary.uk/about-the-judiciary/our-justice-system/jud-acc-ind/jud-appts/
Learn a little about infographics (and why they’re very simplified versions of the complete story):
University of Hull. “What is an Infographic?” April 2, 2025. https://libguides.hull.ac.uk/infographics/Introduction
Every Federalist paper is addressed to the people of the state of New York:
Library of Congress. “Full Text of the Federalist Papers.” https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/full-text
Federalist 78, Hamilton makes the argument that having an independent judiciary, it’s not just a choice, it’s essential when you have a constitutional system:
Hamilton, Alexander. “Federalist No. 78.” Library of Congress. https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-71-80#s-lg-box-wrapper-25493470
The idea of judicial review:
Tate, C. Neal. “Judicial Review.” Updated May 8, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/judicial-review
In Marbury v. Madison:
Urofsky, Melvin I. “Marbury v. Madison.” Updated May 12, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Marbury-v-Madison
You have this keystone:
Chicago Architecture Center. “Keystone.” https://www.architecture.org/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/keystone
If you didn’t get the Pennsylvania joke:
Bonatesta, Lara. “Why is Pennsylvania Called the Keystone State?” Updated September 27, 2023. ABC27 News. https://www.abc27.com/digital-originals/why-is-pennsylvania-called-the-keystone-state/
That’s more of a column (architectural metaphors are hard):
Chicago Architecture Center. “Column.” https://www.architecture.org/online-resources/architecture-encyclopedia/column
What if the president doesn’t do what the supreme court says? That’s happened before:
Federal Judicial Center. “Executive Enforcement of Judicial Orders.” https://www.fjc.gov/history/administration/executive-enforcement-judicial-orders
A brief history of Andrew Jackson violating the treaties with the Cherokee nation:
Office of the Historian. “Indian Treaties and the Removal Act of 1830.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/indian-treaties
There are a bunch of people right now in an El Salvadorean prison that don’t deserve what they got:
Vega, Cecilia. “U.S. Sent 238 Migrants to Salvadoran Mega-prison; Documents Indicate Most Have No Apparent Criminal Records [Video and transcript].” April 6, 2025. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-records-show-about-migrants-sent-to-salvadoran-prison-60-minutes-transcript/
The entire quote from Abraham Lincoln:
“If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.”
Address by Abraham Lincoln before the Young Men's Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois as it appeared in the Sangamo Journal, February 3, 1838. Reprinted from Roy P. Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, 8 vols. (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1953), 1:108–115. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/2629860.0006.103/--perpetuation-of-our-political-institutions-address?rgn=main;view=fulltext
I was busy over here trying to become the pope:
Tanno, Sophie; Lamb, Christopher; Mortensen, Antonia. “Trump Posts AI Image of Himself as Pope, Leaving Catholics Offended and Unamused as Conclave Nears.” May 4, 2025. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/04/world/trump-ai-image-pope-intl-hnk
One example of a district court ruling going against the administration:
Faguy, Ana. “Trump’s Mass Firings to Remain on Hold, Appeals Court Rules.” May 31, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c071xj4m5gyo
If you want a refresher on due process:
The Editors of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Due Process.” Updated May 31, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/due-process
A little about Mack’s reference to use of person versus American:
Legal Information Institute. “Amdt5.4.3 Persons.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution-conan/amendment-5/persons
There have been some polls in the aftermath of this:
Marquette University. “New Marquette Law School Poll National Survey Finds Strong Support for Authority of Courts in Cases Involving President.” May 22, 2025. https://www.marquette.edu/news-center/2025/law-poll-finds-strong-support-for-authority-of-courts-in-cases-involving-president.php
The one that came out at 1:30 in the morning on a Saturday:
Howe, Amy. “Justices Temporarily Bar Government from Removing Venezuelan Men Under Alien Enemies Act.” April 19, 2025. SCOTUS Blog. https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/04/justices-temporarily-bar-government-from-removing-venezuelan-men-under-alien-enemies-act/
We are seeing that judges aren’t trusting the government anymore:
Tucker, Eric, and Durkin Richer, Alanna. “Justice Department Lawyers Struggle to Win Over Judges in Legal Challenges to Trump’s Agenda.” May 1, 2025. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/justice-department-lawyers-struggle-to-win-over-judges-in-legal-challenges-to-trumps-agenda
Like, say, the FBI:
Faguy, Ana. “Who is Kash Patel? Trump’s New FBI Director Vows to Shake Up the Agency.” February 20, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0rqpp52j5vo
Including the librarian of the Library of Congress:
Italie, Hillel. “Firing, Hiring and a Mystery: The 225-Year-Old Library of Congress has Never Had a Moment Like This.” May 15, 2025. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/library-of-congress-card-history-librarian-firings-83d9e862a68832d8076773a7eb16114f
One version of the Kill Devil cocktail:
https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/15608/kill-devil
Mack was paraphrasing William Shakespeare. Here’s the entire quote:
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”
Not Trader Joe’s:
https://tradervics.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqCNokq1fsmEggRdLHcpEbE2zyynhFOyVA8w2kwR_f8WvB6rFkb
Not Trader Vic’s:
https://www.traderjoes.com/home
I saw a werewolf drinking a piña colada at Trader Vic’s. (His hair was perfect.):
https://youtu.be/qae25976UgA?si=dKekT62IL8m6fqa7
Pat O’Brian’s in the French Quarter (known for their Hurricanes):
Café Du Mond in the French Quarter (not known for tea and donut holes):
One version of the Jack Rose cocktail:
https://www.liquor.com/recipes/jack-rose/
If you want to be that guy:
https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-make-your-own-grenadine-76029
If you would like to purchase the online game, “Survive the Tyrant”, that Steve is playing:
https://legacy.drivethrurpg.com/product/507744
The underground:
Bisson, T. N., and Blondel, F. P. “The Resistance of France.” Updated May 31, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/France/The-Resistance
The deep state:
Merriam-Webster. “Deep state.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deep%20state
Remember the popularity of the CIA saboteur handbook:
Central Intelligence Agency. “The Art of Simple Sabotage.” April 1, 2019. https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/the-art-of-simple-sabotage/
Teamster:
Teamsters. “Teamsters and Civil Rights.” https://teamster.org/about/teamster-history/teamsters-and-civil-rights/
When Dobbs was overturned:
Oyez. “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/19-1392
Posts on social media about camping in another state:
Sung, Morgan, and Goggin, Ben. “Post-Roe, ‘Camping’ Has Become Code for Abortions. Activists Say it May Put People at Risk.” June 30, 2022. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/camping-meme-roe-v-wade-abortion-ban-rcna35765
If you would like more information on how you can facilitate camping:
Government cheese caves in Missouri:
The Farmlink Project. “Cheese Caves and Food Surpluses: Why the U.S. Government Currently Stores 1.4 Billion lbs of Cheese.” https://www.farmlinkproject.org/stories-and-features/cheese-caves-and-food-surpluses-why-the-u-s-government-currently-stores-1-4-billion-lbs-of-cheese
When they actually invented fondue:
Zaino, Caitlan. “Tracing Fondue’s Mysterious Origins.” February 12, 2013. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20130212-tracing-fondues-mysterious-origins
In Italy you can go to the parmesan cave:
Japhe, Brad. “Every Cheese Lover Should Visit the Parmesan Cheese Trail in Italy — Here’s How to Do It Right.” Updated May 18, 2023. Travel and Leisure. https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/italy-parmesan-cheese-trail-guide
The mozzarella region of Italy is Campania:
Eataly. “The World of Mozzarella.” https://www.eataly.ca/news/mozzarella-varieties/
Rest easy, dear listeners, the government cheese was eventually made into American cheese and distributed to the public:
Roderique-Jones, Anne. “We May Have Solved the Missouri Cheese Cave Mystery.” August 17, 2024. Food and Wine. https://www.foodandwine.com/missouri-cheese-caves-8631084
Kind of like a National Strategic Petroleum Reserve:
U.S. Department of Energy. “SPR Quick Facts.” https://www.energy.gov/ceser/spr-quick-facts
Steve’s right. That’s really cold for a cave. They probably refrigerated the cheese cave:
National Cave and Karst Research Institute. “Cave Environment.” https://nckri.org/caves/cave-environment/
He’s a lovely human being:
https://www.cartercenter.org/about/experts/jimmy_carter.html
The Navy nuclear program when it was run by Rickover:
Atomic Heritage Foundation. “Hyman G. Rickover.” https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/profile/hyman-g-rickover/
Maybe underhanded stuff that the Regan administration did about the hostages in Iran:
Yang, John. “Expert Analyzes New Account of GOP Deal That Used Iran Hostage Crisis for Gain [Video and transcript].” March 19, 2023.
The hub-and-spoke versus the hierarchy thing:
Liddell, Christopher. “Design a Coherent White House Structure.” 2024. The Miller Center. https://millercenter.org/year-zero-five-year-presidency/design-coherent-white-house-structure
You need the chief of staff as a gate keeper, among other things:
Tsuji, Chinatsu. “White House Chief of Staff.” Reviewed March 12, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/White-House-Chief-of-Staff
Congratulations to Shannon and Brian!
Thanks for sponsoring the scotch!
It’s like Napolean crowning himself:
History.com Editors. “Napoleon Crowned Emperor.” March 4, 2010. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-2/napoleon-crowned-emperor
VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS! June 7, there’s a mayor runoff in San Antonio:
City of San Antonio. “Mayor and City Council Runoff Election Slated for June 7.” https://www.sa.gov/Directory/News-Releases/Mayor-and-City-Council-Runoff-Election-Slated-for-June-7
Republicans refuse to have town halls with their own constituents:
Sainato, Michael. “Angry Florida Voters Hold ‘Empty Chair’ Town Halls for Absent Republicans.” April 29, 2025. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/29/empty-chair-town-hall-republicans-florida
How to write a physical letter to congress:
Boston Children’s Museum. “How to Write a Letter to Your Congressperson [Video].” October 20, 2020. YouTube. https://youtu.be/XKiLLQTkHZY?si=kS2LoAWB0Etb-8-P
Steve was paraphrasing Margaret Mead. Here’s the entire quote:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
And NPC means “nonplayer character.” But you already knew that.