Civics on the Rocks

Why is it so Hard to Vote?

Steve defiles a chicken, Anne misrepresents Swedish fish, and Mack imitates a raven. Oh, and we talk about voting. MAKE YOUR PLAN TO VOTE: https://www.vote411.org/ REFERENCES There has been a trend among both parties to encourage people to get out and vote: Carnegie Corporation of New York. “Voting Rights: A Short History.” Updated March 2025. Andrew Carnegie Foundation. https://carnegie.org/article/voting-rights-timeline/ Public schools have a responsibility to make sure that high schoolers that are of age, that we get them registered to vote: Texas Secretary of State. “High School Deputy Registrar FAQs.” https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/high-school-frequently-asked-questions.shtml The name of the multistate database to help coordinate voter rolls is the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC): ERIC. “What is ERIC?” https://ericstates.org/about/ This is a far cry from where we started: University of North Texas. “A Brief History of Voting in America.” https://guides.library.unt.edu/voting/history-of-voting-America In the Constitution, this is still true, states on their own decide who gets to vote: Constitution Annotated. “ArtI.S4.C1.2.1 States and Elections Clause.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S4-C1-2/ALDE_00013577/ There have been times that states allowed foreign residents to vote: Castellanos Canales, Arturo. “The Myths and Truths of Noncitizen Voting in the United States.” May 7, 2024. Forum. https://forumtogether.org/article/the-myths-and-truths-of-noncitizen-voting-in-the-united-states/ There’s also been a change in the meaning of the word citizen throughout time: National Museum of American History. “Defining Citizenship.” Smithsonian. https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/american-democracy/online/creating-citizens/defining-citizenship The word citizen is mentioned several times in the Constitution including as a requirement to become a member of the House and Senate, or to serve as President. Read your Constitution, kids. The Dred Scott case: Oyez. “Dred Scott v. Sandford.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/60us393 There was no secret ballot: Wasley, Paula. “Back When Everyone Knew How You Voted.” Fall 2016. National Endowment for the Humanities. https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2016/fall/feature/back-when-everyone-knew-how-you-voted Especially when you have political machines and bosses: Britannica Editors. “Political Machine.” Updated February 20, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/topic/political-machine And this brings us to Edgar Allen Poe: Poetry Foundation. “Edgar Allan Poe.” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/edgar-allan-poe It’s one theory: Geiling, Natasha. “The (Still) Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe.” October 7, 2014. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/still-mysterious-death-edgar-allan-poe-180952936/ The practice of voter fraud that Mack describes was called cooping: Lapham’s Quarterly. “Miscellany.” https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/democracy/miscellany/man-was-used The case of Dred Scott v. Sandford: Urofsky, Melvin I. “Dred Scott Decision.” Updated September 26, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Dred-Scott-decision The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court at the time was a guy called Roger Taney: Schumacher, Alvin J. “Roger B. Taney.” Updated July 9, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roger-B-Taney The idea of state’s rights: Drake, Frederick Dean. “State’s Rights.” Updated August 5, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/states-rights The Thirteenth,…: Constitution Annotated. “Thirteenth Amendment.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-13/ …the Fourteenth,…: Constitution Annotated. “Fourteenth Amendment.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/ …and Fifteenth Amendments: Constitution Annotated. “Fifteenth Amendment.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-15/ It happened after the Civil War: Weber, Jennifer L. “American Civil War.” Updated September 23, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Civil-War When Ulysses S. Grant became President: Simon, John Y. “Ulysses S. Grant.” Updated September 18, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ulysses-S-Grant The rise of the KKK: Frantz, Elaine S. “The Rise (and Fall) of the First Ku Klux Klan.” Fall 2019. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/rise-and-fall-first-ku-klux-klan The first Civil Rights Act is passed in 1866: National Constitution Center. “Civil Rights Act of 1866, ‘An Act to Protect All Persons in the United States in Their Civil Rights, and Furnish the Means of Their Vindication.” https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/historic-document-library/detail/civil-rights-act-of-1866-april-9-1866-an-act-to-protect-all-persons-in-the-united-states-in-their-civil-rights-and-furnish-the-means-of-their-vindication We have Reconstruction: Foner, Eric. “Reconstruction.” Updated September 26, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Reconstruction-United-States-history It was during that time that you had Black enfranchisement, effectively: National Archives. “Black Americans and the Vote.” https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/vote That’s when you have the first Blacks in Southern legislatures elected: History.com Editors. “Black Leaders During Reconstruction.” Updated May 28, 2025. https://www.history.com/articles/black-leaders-during-reconstruction The first Black man to serve in the Senate: United States House of Representatives. “Revels, Hiram Rhodes.” https://history.house.gov/People/Listing/R/REVELS,-Hiram-Rhodes-(R000166)/ The first Black man to serve in the House of Representatives: United States House of Representatives. “Representative Joseph Rainey of South Carolina, the First African American to Serve in the House.” https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1800-1850/Representative-Joseph-Rainey-of-South-Carolina,-the-first-African-American-to-serve-in-the-House/ Then, in the election of 1876: Blackford, Sheila. “Disputed Election of 1876.” Miller Center. https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/educational-resources/disputed-election-1876 The corrupt bargain, allegedly: History.com Editors. “Compromise of 1877.” Updated May 28, 2025. https://www.history.com/articles/compromise-of-1877 Hayes maintained to his dying day that there was no corrupt bargain: Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum. “Stubborn Myth of Corrupt Deal Regarding Hayes Persists 150 Years Later.” https://www.rbhayes.org/news/2026/02/26/general/stubborn-myth-of-corrupt-deal-regarding-hayes-persist-150-years-later/ Because we are in the midst of America’s industrial boom: White, Richard. “The Rise of Industrial America, 1877–1900.” The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/rise-industrial-america-1877-1900 To call it voter intimidation against Blacks would be the least of what was happening. There were beatings and assaults and murders: Equal Justice Initiative. “Reconstruction in America: Racial Violence After the Civil War, 1865–1876.” https://eji.org/report/reconstruction-in-america/ They would say, “Well, if you want to vote, then you have to pass a literacy test.”: National Museum of American History. “Literacy Tests.” Smithsonian. https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/american-democracy/online/vote-voice/keeping-vote/state-rules-federal-rules/literacy-tests The political leadership of Southern states, which was pulled from much the same class of society as from before the Civil War, were not really interested in Blacks or poor Whites being educated: Delevingne, Lawrence and Lasseter, Tom. “Heirs of Power.” December 13, 2023. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-slavery-families/ Grandfather clause: Britannica Editors. “Grandfather Clause.” Updated July 22, 2020. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/grandfather-clause Registration requirements: Cresswell, Stephen. “Mississippi Constitution Disfranchises Black Voters.” 2023. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/law/mississippi-constitution-disfranchises-black-voters/ Poll taxes: National Museum of American History. “Poll Taxes.” Smithsonian. https://americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/american-democracy/online/vote-voice/keeping-vote/state-rules-federal-rules/poll-taxes Occasional rises of the KKK: Lay, Shawn. “Ku Klux Klan in the Twentieth Century.” Updated August 12, 2020. New Georgia Encyclopedia. https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/ku-klux-klan-in-the-twentieth-century/ It was called the Australian ballot: Britannica Editors. “Australian Ballot.” Updated May 3, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Australian-ballot There was a Civil Rights Act that Congress passed in 1875: Untied States Senate. “Landmark Legislation: Civil Rights Act of 1875.” https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/CivilRightsAct1875.htm They’re called the Civil Rights Cases: Oyez. “The Civil Rights Cases.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/109us3 The Civil Rights Act of 1964: National Archives. “Civil Rights Act (1964).” https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/civil-rights-act The Commerce Clause: Constitution Annotated. “ArtI.S8.C3.1 Overview of Commerce Clause.” Congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C3-1/ALDE_00013403/ The Civil Rights Act of 1957: United States House of Representatives. “The Civil Rights Act of 1957.” https://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1951-2000/The-Civil-Rights-Act-of-1957/ Albert Gore, Sr.: Neal, James H. “Albert Arnold Gore, Sr.” Updated March 1, 2018. Tennessee Encyclopedia. https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/albert-arnold-gore-sr/ Estes Kefauver: Brown, Jr., Theodore. “Carey Estes Kefauver.” Updated March 1, 2018. Tennessee Encyclopedia. https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/carey-estes-kefauver/ Lyndon Johnson: Britannica Editors. “Lyndon B. Johnson.” Updated September 29, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lyndon-B-Johnson Creating the U.S. Civil Rights Commission: U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. “Our Mission.” https://www.usccr.gov/about/mission Then you have Freedom Riders: Smith Holmes, Marian. “The Freedom Riders, Then and Now.” February 2009. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-freedom-riders-then-and-now-45351758/ Motor voter bills: Department of Justice. “The National Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA).” Updated November 1, 2024. https://www.justice.gov/crt/national-voter-registration-act-1993-nvra Unlike some other countries in the world: Pew Research Center. “Election Day Around the World.” July 2, 2026. https://www.pewresearch.org/chart/election-day-around-the-world/ To vote in American, most times, you have to take off from work: Movement Advancement Project. “Election Day Holidays and Paid Time Off to Vote.” https://mapresearch.org/democracy-map/election-day-holidays-and-paid-time-off-to-vote/ Actually, one of the main reasons mail-in voting began was to accommodate soldiers who were stationed away from their polling places: MIT Election Data & Science Lab. “Voting by Mail and Absentee Voting.” Updated June 24, 2026. https://electionlab.mit.edu/research/voting-mail-and-absentee-voting When you consider how much our politics is influenced by money: League of Women Voters. “Money in Politics.” https://www.lwv.org/voting-rights/money-politics It’s Texas law: Vote Texas. “Voters With Disabilities.” https://www.votetexas.gov/voters-with-special-needs/ Though, there are Federal guidelines as well: USA.gov. “Voter Accessibility Laws.” https://www.usa.gov/voter-accessibility-laws Steve is correct, you can vote at any polling place in Bexar County in both early voting and the general election: Vote Texas. “What’s Allowed at the Polling Place?” https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/where.html That was the big brouhaha in Dallas in the last primary election: Contreras, Natalia. “Dallas Democrats Drop Lawsuit Seeking to Count Primary Ballots Cast During Extended Voting Hours.” March 12, 2026. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2026/03/12/dallas-county-democrats-lawsuit-withdrawal-march-primary-votes/ This is the drop box incident that Steve described: Killough, Ashley; Lavandera, Ed; and LeBlanc, Paul. “Texas Governor Limits Election Drop Boxes to One Per County in Sprawling State. October 5, 2020. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/01/politics/texas-governor-drop-off-locations-ballots President Trump, the whole, “The vote is rigged…”: Lee, Ella. “‘Sowing Doubt’: Trump’s Attempt to Change Voting Causes Chaos for State Officials.” September 5, 2026. Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/47ac914f-ab0e-441b-9152-9ef06dc17741?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Trump made the “stand back and stand by” comment during the 2020 election: Ronayne, Kathleen and Kunzelman, Michael. “Trump Doesn’t Disavow White Supremacy, Tells Far-Right Extremist Group to ‘Stand By.’” September 30, 2020. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-doesnt-disavow-white-supremacy-tells-far-right-extremist-group-to-stand-by While there is no documentation that he has made a similar comment recently, he has made other statements to intimidate voters: Anderson, Zac. “Trump Doesn’t Rule Out Invoking Insurrection Act Around Election.” October 1, 2026. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/10/01/trump-national-emergency-midterm-elections/92036013007/ You can be a poll watcher: Vote Texas. “Poll Watchers.” https://www.votetexas.gov/get-involved/poll-watchers.html They have demarcated the distance: Vote Texas. “What’s NOT Allowed at the Polling Place.” https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/allowed-at-the-polling-place.html Actual cases of voter fraud are so incredibly rare: Abusaif, Yasmin. “Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth, Again.” September 9, 2026. American Bar Association. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/resources/human-rights/2026-september/debunking-voter-fraud-myth-again/ It gets referred to as voter suppression: Duignan, Brian. “Voter Suppression.” Updated April 28, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/voter-suppression Republican controlled legislatures are proposing certain measures: Greene, Connor. “As the Senate Weighs the Trump-Backed SAVE Act, These States Are Advancing Their Own Voting Restrictions.” April 3, 2026. Time. https://time.com/article/2026/04/03/voting-restrictions-citizenship-proof-state-laws-ballot-measures-trump-save-act/ Not a nice autumnal Scotch: Texas Parks and Wildlife. “Balmorhea State Park.” https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea Not a state park in Texas: Edradour. “Welcome to Edradour.” https://www.edradour.com/ Some Voter ID laws: Vote Texas. “Voter ID.” https://www.votetexas.gov/voting/need-id.html You can get a state ID card: Vote Texas. “Identification Requirements for Voting." https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/election-identification-certificate-eic You can do a provisional ballot: National Conference of State Legislatures. “Provisional Ballots.” Updated April 16, 2025. https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/provisional-ballots Mail-in voting—some restrictions have been proposed but challenged: Jones Capparell, Jessica. “What Happened With Mail-In Ballots at SCOTUS?” Updated September 17, 2026. League of Women Voters. https://www.lwv.org/blog/what-happened-mail-ballots-scotus Some states have been turning them over voluntarily, like Texas: Contreras, Natalia and Birenbaum, Gabby. “Texas Hands Over Complete List of Registered Voters to Trump Administration.” January 9, 2026. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/09/texas-voter-roll-trump-administration-justice-department-democrats-dnc/ Seriously, a lot of people are up for election in November: Texas Secretary of State. “Offices Up for Election in 2026.” https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/2026/offices2026.shtml The Supreme Court effectively gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965: Hoffman, Grayson. “SCOTUS’s Final Blow Dismantling the Voting Rights Act.” Updated May 21, 2026. League of Women Voters. https://www.lwv.org/blog/scotuss-final-blow-dismantling-voting-rights-act They gerrymandered here in Texas right before the primaries: Howe, Amy. “Supreme Court Allows Texas to Use Redistricting Map Challenged as Racially Discriminatory.” December 4, 2025. SCOTUSblog. https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/12/supreme-court-allows-texas-to-use-redistricting-map-challenged-as-racially-discriminatory/ Suddenly, all the voter ID cards were out of date: Contreras, Natalia. “Texas’ Troubled Election Software and New Congressional Maps Delay Voter Registration Cards.” February 5, 2026. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2026/02/05/texas-voter-registration-card-delays-elections-2026/ Absolute props to Bexar County elections: Bexar County Elections. https://elections.bexar.gov/ The first cocktail was a Trinidad Sour: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/trinidad-sour/ Steve was closest. Orgeat is pronounced [or-zhat]: Merriam-Webster. “Orgeat.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orgeat All the way from Sweden, salted licorice: Richdale, Andrew. “The Trick to Loving Scandinavian Salt Licorice is to Stop Thinking it’s Candy.” January 13, 2017. Saveur. https://www.saveur.com/scandinavian-salt-licorice-salmiak/ The best kind–Bilar: Swedish Candy Store. “Ahlgrens Bilar Original.” https://swedishcandystore.com/products/ahlgrens-bilar-original?srsltid=AU7gw4UScZl-M8pQ-j6P7k-5Oom2VN4wK5YoQBe2Cf_0n5K0BYj-WNuy So, Anne got this completely wrong. Swedish Fish were originally made by a Swedish company, but they were created and marketed specifically for North America. (Hence, her Swedish friends being unaware of their existence.) They are now made by Mondelēz, and Haribo remains uninvolved: Rodriguez McRobbie, Linda. “A Brief History of Swedish Fish.” October 24, 2017. Mental Floss. https://www.mentalfloss.com/food/candy/brief-history-swedish-fish Also, we at Civics on the Rocks would like to take this opportunity to apologize to anyone who suffers from misophonia. You can look up Congressional records: Congress.gov. “Congressional Record.” https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record Anne had a Saratoga: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/2196/saratoga-cocktail That’s not it: https://youtu.be/ODmhPsgqGgQ?si=oYFbInyIr1symupd The high/low–priority/urgency thing: Eisenhower. “Introducing the Eisenhower Matrix.” https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/ Check if you’re registered: Texas.gov. “Texas Voter Registration.” https://www.texas.gov/living-in-texas/texas-voter-registration/ Vote early. Early voting in Texas begins on October 19: League of Women Voters. “2026 General Election Key Dates.” https://www.lwvtexas.org/#gsc.tab=0 And Abraham Lincoln was the vampire hunter, not Dwight D. Eisenhower. But you already knew that.

Note to Our Listeners

Hey y’all. We apologize but we will not be posting a full episode this month. We have a great one recorded for you, but our editing team has suffered a loss in the family. Thank you for your understanding and we’ll talk to you again in October.

Untethered Tangent on Hitler

We’re Three!

Thanks for listening, folks! We love having you here! Our birthday gift to you is A Slightly Tipsy Squirrel. Cheers!

Untethered Tangent on a Cocktail Idea

Liberty and Justice for All

Mack gives examples from real life, Steves waxes philosophical about liberty, and Anne pursues happiness. REFERENCES The idea of liberty and justice for all has been a thing from the beginning, but the phrase is best known from the Pledge of Allegiance: Greene, Charlotte. “The Pledge of Allegiance.” USConstitution.net. https://usconstitution.net/pledge-html/ Can we start with the property-owning white men: Johnston, Mindy. “Timeline of Voting Rights in the United States.” August 28, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Timeline-of-Voting-Rights-in-the-United-States A 700-year monarchy: Britannica Editors. “Kings and Queens of Britain.” Updated December 5, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Kings-and-Queens-of-Britain-1856932 Many of the states, on their own by the early to mid-1800s, are expanding who can vote: University of North Texas. “A Brief History of Voting in America.” https://guides.library.unt.edu/voting/history-of-voting-America Take the free exercise of religion: Constitution Annotated. “Amdt1.4.1 Overview of Free Exercise Clause.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt1-4-1/ALDE_00013221/ Originally the Bill of Rights did not apply to states, that comes with the Fourteenth Amendment later: Legal Information Institute. “Fourteenth Amendment.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/fourteenth_amendment_0 Public schools in Massachusetts were run by the church: Roos, David. “What School Was Like in the 13 Colonies.” Updated March 19, 2026. History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/13-colonies-school On their own, states are going away from the connection between the government and the state-sanctioned churches that they had: Baily, Ellen and Newton, Heather. “Separation of Church and State: Overview.” 2024. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/law/separation-church-and-state-overview Around the time of the Civil War: Weber, Jennifer L. “American Civil War.” Updated April 19, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Civil-War We’re recording this on Juneteenth: Britannica Editors. “Juneteenth.” Updated June 17, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth/additional-info#history Wyoming in 1869: WyoHistory.org “Women’s Suffrage and Women’s Rights.” https://www.wyohistory.org/encyclopedia/topics/womens-suffrage-and-womens-rights The Nineteenth Amendment: National Archives. “19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Women’s Right to Vote (1920).” Reviewed February 8, 2022. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/19th-amendment When that amendment was ratified, around half the states already let women vote: Nelson Alexander, Brooke. “20 States Where Women Could Vote Before 1920.” Updated February 24, 2026. Reader’s Digest. https://www.rd.com/article/states-where-women-could-vote-before-1920/ Texas, nevertheless, ratified the Nineteenth Amendment: Dallas Historical Society. “Suffrage in Texas.” https://www.dallashistory.org/suffrage-in-texas/ Unless you’re in the South: Merrit, Keri Leigh. “Voting Rights and Restrictions in Pre-Emancipation America.” The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/essays/voting-rights-and-restrictions-pre-emancipation-america There was a lot of variability: Olson, Grace. “The States Decide How Elections are Run.” July 9, 2025. National Conference of State Legislatures. https://www.ncsl.org/state-legislatures-news/details/the-states-decide-how-elections-are-run There were some states that would even let foreign residents vote: Espinoza Jaen, Caryl. “Can Green Card Holders Vote in U.S. Elections?” June 18, 2026. Manifest. https://manifestlaw.com/blog/can-green-card-holders-vote/ Citizenship as we understand it now was not a concept in the 1800s: Pence Law Library. “The Fight for the Right to Vote.” Updated September 16, 2024. https://wcl.american.libguides.com/voting/history/timeline Not necessarily better than it was 5 years ago: Waldman, Michael. “Epic Corruption in Plain Sight.” May 19, 2026. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/epic-corruption-plain-sight That’s going to restrict some people’s voting rights: Stone, Peter. “Experts Alarmed as Trump Launches Broad-Front Attack on U.S. Voting Rights.” June 16, 2026. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/16/trump-voting-rights-elections The language is even in the Declaration: National Archives. “Declaration of Independence: A Transcription.” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript The letters between John and Abigail Henderson Crane, Jennifer L. “Analysis: Letters of Abigail Adams to John Adams.” 2022. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/analysis-letters-abigail-adams-john-adams There were women back then, there were even men back then, that thought women should vote: Museum of the American Revolution. “When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776–1807.” https://www.amrevmuseum.org/virtualexhibits/when-women-lost-the-vote-a-revolutionary-story For that matter, there were even abolitionists back then: Negussie, Tesfaye. “Quakers, One of the First Abolitionists, Renew Their Call for Resistance as America Turns 250.” July 3, 2026. ABC News. https://abcnews.com/US/quakers-1st-abolitionists-renew-call-resistance-america-turns/story?id=134422099 The Emancipation Proclamation: National Archives. “Transcript of the Proclamation.” https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured-documents/emancipation-proclamation/transcript.html People who may not know the history: Gardullo, Paul. “Emancipation Proclamation: An Introduction.” 2022. National Museum of African American History and Culture. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/emancipation-proclamation-striking-mighty-blow-slavery/introduction There were parishes in Louisiana that were under control of the Union Army: Sacher, John M. “Civil War Louisiana.” Updated June 24, 2024. 64 Parishes. https://64parishes.org/entry/civil-war-louisiana General Gordan Granger: Schwartz, Allison. “Gordon Granger.” National Museum of the United States Army. https://www.thenmusa.org/biographies/gordon-granger/ He used his powers as Commander in Chief during time of rebellion: Pinkster, Matthew. “Lincoln and War Powers.” 2013. Dickinson College. https://housedivided.dickinson.edu/sites/lincoln/warpowers/ The Thirteenth Amendment: Constitution Annotated. “Thirteenth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-13/ It would be ratified: National Archives. “13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery (1865).” https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/13th-amendment Later on, when there is a lot of internal migration: Gregory, James. “The Great Migration (African American).” University of Washington. https://depts.washington.edu/moving1/black_migration.shtml Opal Lee was one of these community members: National Museum of African American History and Culture. “Who is Opal Lee? The Story Behind the Grandmother of Juneteenth.” https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/who-opal-lee Like how Memorial Day started: Waxman, Olivia B. “The Overlooked Black History of Memorial Day.” May 22, 2020. https://time.com/5836444/black-memorial-day/ There are people who are opposed to it: Stewart, Celina. “Juneteenth and the Danger of Selective Memory.” June 19, 2026. League of Women Voters. https://www.lwv.org/blog/juneteenth-and-danger-selective-memory The characterization of the last founding father: Pierre, Don. “Martin Luther King, Jr. Was America’s Last Founding Father.” January 20, 2020. The National Interest. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/martin-luther-king-was-americas-last-founding-father-115381 He was murdered: The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute. “Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.” https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/assassination-martin-luther-king-jr How many times was he thrown in jail: Black History. “Martin Luther King, Jr. was Arrested 29 Times for These So-Called Crimes.” https://www.blackhistory.com/2019/11/martin-luther-king-jr-was-arrested-29-times-crimes.html Everyone should read the letter from Birmingham jail: Bill of Rights Institute. “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” https://billofrightsinstitute.org/primary-sources/letter-from-birmingham-jail/ We’re seeing that today with the queer community: ACLU. “Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures in 2026.” https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2026 With trans folk: Trans Legislation Tracker. “2026 Anti-Trans Bills Tracker.” https://translegislation.com/ Justice Scalia: Houck, Aaron M. “Antonin Scalia.” Updated March 7, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Antonin-Scalia/additional-info#history We could not find the exact case that Mack was referencing, but here is another illustration of Justice Scalia’s opinion on rights: Whitaker, Morgan. “Scalia: Supreme Court Shouldn’t ‘Invent New Minorities’.” August 20, 2013. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna52802025 Ninth Amendment: Constitution Annotated. “Ninth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-9/ There’s this quote from Michelangelo: Michelangelo. “The sculpture is already complete…” AZ Quotes. https://www.azquotes.com/quote/722675 Mack got this one all wrong (and Steve backed him). No one is sure who originally said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” but Civics at the Rocks couldn’t find anyone who thinks it might be Demosthenes or John Adams. Mostly, everybody agrees it wasn’t Thomas Jefferson: Deis, Robert. “Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.” January 27, 2026. This Day in Quotes. https://www.thisdayinquotes.com/2026/01/eternal-vigilance-is-the-price-of-liberty/ And, in case you’re wondering: Murphy, James J. “Demosthenes.” Updated February 27, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Demosthenes-Greek-statesman-and-orator Orange Blossom cocktail: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/orange-blossom/ There are, apparently, a lot of variations on the New Fashioned cocktail. This is the closest to what we had: https://www.cocktailsdrinks.com/new-fashioned-cocktail-recipe/ Roosevelt cocktail: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/roosevelt/ It’s vanillin: National Library of Medicine. “Vanillin.” https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Vanillin Rhum Barbancourt, which is from Haiti: https://barbancourt.com/en What’s happening in Haiti: Dickinson, Daniel. “‘Hope’ for Haiti’s Political Future as Some 300 Groups Reportedly Register for Upcoming Elections.” March 16, 2026. United Nations. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167143 It was a whole big thing: Nawaz, Amna; Adwoa Antwi-Boasiako, Nana; and Merchant, Azhar. “How Americans are Welcoming World Cup Fans From Across the Globe.” June 18, 2026. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-americans-are-welcoming-world-cup-fans-from-across-the-globe America’s big birthday: https://america250.org/ The first of its kind (at least in the modern era): Dutta, Somapika. “10 Oldest Democracies in the World.” Updated 2026. Oldest.org https://www.oldest.org/politics/democracies/ Many countries follow our model: Bradertscher, Eric and Stingl, Alexandar. “The United States and World Democracy: An Overview.” 2024. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/political-science/united-states-and-world-democracy-overview Some people are under attack: Human Rights Watch. “U.S.: Trump Administration’s Pervasive Attacks on Rights.” February 4, 2026. https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/04/us-trump-administrations-pervasive-attacks-on-rights The Bicentennial: Kennedy, Leslie. “How Americans Celebrated the 1976 Bicentennial: Photos.” Updated June 25, 2026. History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/american-bicentennial-1976-photos The United States having to leave Vietnam very rapidly: Spector, Ronald H. “The Fall of South Vietnam.” Updated February 6, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Vietnam-War/The-fall-of-South-Vietnam The energy crisis: National Museum of American History. “Energy Crisis.” https://www.americanhistory.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/american-enterprise/online/consumer-era/energy-crisis And Watergate: Perlstein, Rick. “Watergate Scandal.” Updated June 12, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Watergate-Scandal Carter ends up defeating Ford: U.S. Polling Data. “1976 Presidential Election.” https://uspollingdata.com/elections/1976/ No, there were issues. For instance: Britannica Editors. “Japanese American Internment.” Update May 11, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Japanese-American-internment/additional-info#history E pluribus unum: Kenny, Miles. “E Pluribus Unum.” Updated December 13, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/E-pluribus-unum-United-States-motto The great American experiment: Coens, Thomas. “Why Franklin, Jefferson, and Lincoln Considered American Democracy an ‘Experiment’—and Were Unsure if it Would Survive.” December 5, 2023. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/why-franklin-washington-and-lincoln-considered-american-democracy-an-experiment-and-were-unsure-if-it-would-survive-213852 The Great Depression: Pells, Richard H. “Great Depression.” Updated May 20, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Depression/additional-info#history During Hoover’s presidency: Britannica Editors. “Herbert Hoover.” Updated June 29, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Herbert-Hoover You have the Dust Bowl: Johnston, Mindy. “Dust Bowl.” Updated June 3, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Dust-Bowl Roosevelt wins in ’32: Leuchtenburg, William E. “Franklin D. Roosevelt: Campaigns and Elections.” Miller Center. https://millercenter.org/president/fdroosevelt/campaigns-and-elections There were Americans who were like…I’m either going to be communist or fascist: Gregory, James. “Great Depression in Washington State: Radicalism.” 2009. University of Washington. https://depts.washington.edu/depress/radicalism.shtml We at Civics at the Rocks couldn’t find any inspirational speeches given by the mayor of New York for the week of June 19, 2026. If you feel so inclined to look, you might have better luck. In completely unrelated news: GO SPURS GO! POR VIDA! Here’s Obama’s speech: NBC Chicago Staff. “Read Barack Obama’s Full Speech at Grand Opening for his Namesake Center in Chicago.” June 18, 2026. 5 Chicago. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/read-barack-obamas-full-speech-at-grand-opening-for-his-namesake-center-in-chicago/3950680/ Here’s Michele Obama’s speech: NBC Chicago Staff. “‘Hope is All We Have’: Read Michelle Obama’s Full Speech at Obama Center Grand Opening.” June 18, 2026. 5 Chicago. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/hope-is-all-we-have-read-michelle-obamas-full-speech-at-obama-center-grand-opening/3950620/ A cocktail called a Metropolitan: https://www.cocktailwave.com/recipes/metropolitan Mack is referencing Matthew 25:40: Bible Analysis. “What Does Jesus' Teaching on Treating the 'Least of These' Reveal About Our Relationship With God and Our Understanding of Neighborly Love?” https://www.bibleanalysis.org/what-does-jesus-teaching-on-treating-the-least-of-these-reveal-about-our-relationship-with-god-and-our-understanding-of-neighborly-love/ And, unlike Mack and Steve, Anne was not alive for the Bicentennial. But you already knew that.

Untethered Tangent on Quoting the Constitution

What is Continuity of Government?

Steve shows up prepared, Mack drops a bombshell or two, and Anne gets wasted. REFERENCES It’s when the vase of flowers is suddenly on the left-hand side of the screen: Film Draft. “What is Continuity in Film? Definitions, Types, and Examples.” August 26, 2025. https://filmdaft.com/what-is-continuity-in-film-definition-types-examples/ It really became a serious concern with the advent of the threat of nuclear war: Tegmark, Max. “Here’s How Bad a Nuclear War Would Actually Be.” June 29, 2023. Time. https://time.com/6290977/nuclear-war-impact-essay/ During the Cold War: Britannica Editors. “Cold War.” Updated February 18, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War Including Washington, D.C.: https://washington.org/ Sate, local, tribal, territorial: FEMA. “Guide to Continuity of Government [PDF].” July 2021. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_sltt-cog-guidance_070921.pdf For Texas, it’s not a joke that we kind of rely on HEB: HEB Newsroom. “HEB Disaster Relief.” https://newsroom.heb.com/disaster-relief/ Ye olde Continental Congress: Britannica Editors. “Continental Congress.” Updated October 11, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Continental-Congress We may have to leave Philadelphia and go to Baltimore because the British are coming: United States House of Representatives. “Meeting Places for the Continental and Confederation Congresses.” https://history.house.gov/People/Continental-Congress/Meeting-Places/ Anne was just trying to be funny. It’s quite nice: https://baltimore.org/ Basically, it’s an emergency plan. You could also call it a contingency plan: This vs. That. “The Contingency Plan vs. The Emergency Plan: What’s the Difference?” https://thisvsthat.io/the-contingency-plan-vs-the-emergency-plan In the previous episode: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-n7xcc-1ad17a2 We talked about the Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Constitution Annotated. “Twenty-Fifth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-25/ The presidential succession: USA.gov. “Order of Presidential Succession.” https://www.usa.gov/presidential-succession Think about royal houses of Europe: Veldman, Sarah. “A Comprehensive Guide to the Royal Families of Europe.” Updated September 20, 2025. The List. https://www.thelist.com/1524478/royal-families-of-europe-guide/ That was “Designated Survivor,” the series: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5296406/ Mack is right. They did start doing it when Reagan was president: Su, Amelia. “The Designated Survivor Explained—Why One Leader Stays Hidden.” February 24, 2026. Los Angeles Magazine. https://lamag.com/news-and-politics/the-designated-survivor-explained-why-one-leader-stays-hidden/ At the State of the Union Address, you have the president, vice president, speaker of the house, but you also have all of Congress, most of the Cabinet, and some of the Supreme Court justices, joint chiefs: Mullery, Way and Chol, Annette. “Who Sits Where at Trump’s State of the Union Address: A Visual Guide.” February 23, 2026. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/23/politics/seating-chart-state-of-the-union-vis There have been threats (note that this list is a brief summary from 2024 so it is not comprehensive and does not include the attacks on President Trump): Congress.gov. “U.S. Secret Service: Threats to and Assaults on Sitting Presidents and Vice Presidents [PDF].” Updated October 23, 2024. https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF11732/IF11732.4.pdf Mack is again correct. It was for Obama’s inauguration: Reuters. “U.S. Probes Potential Obama Inauguration Threat.” January 20, 2009. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us-politics/us-probes-potential-obama-inauguration-threat-idUSTRE50J4RT/ The documentary about the presidents’ chiefs of staff is called The Presidents’ Gatekeepers: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2331119/ The line from Mars Attacks!: https://youtu.be/HfcMl1OKJGw?si=IZwz2CgMPjVoqQ1X Like the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia: Matchar, Emily. “The Town That Kept Its Nuclear Bunker a Secret for Three Decades.” April 9, 2024. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-town-that-kept-its-nuclear-bunker-a-secret-for-three-decades-180984107/ Overnight, they lower them into a bomb shelter: Kratz, Jessie. “Protecting the Bill of Rights: the Mosler Vault.” December 17, 2015. National Archives. https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2015/12/17/protecting-the-bill-of-rights-the-mosler-vault/ Soviets got the atomic bomb sooner than people thought: Atomic Heritage Foundation. “Soviet Atomic Program—1946.” https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/history/soviet-atomic-program-1946/ And then the hydrogen bomb: Britannica Editors. “Thermonuclear Bomb.” Updated February 6, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/thermonuclear-bomb Eisenhower was really down and depressed about the threat of nuclear war: Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. “Atoms for Peace.” https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/online-documents/atoms-peace The concept of ballistic missiles: Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance. “Ballistic Missile Basics.” https://www.missiledefenseadvocacy.org/missile-threat-and-proliferation/missile-basics/ballistic-missile-basics/ Because the Nazis built the V-2: Britannica Editors. “V-2 Rocket.” Updated April 24, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/V-2-rocket Sooner or later, we’re going to have intercontinental ballistic missiles: Britannica Editors. “ICBM.” Updated April 29, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/ICBM They’re carrying gravity bombs: International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. “What Are Gravity Bombs and Why is the U.S. Building the New B61-13 Nuclear Weapon?” https://www.icanw.org/faq_what_are_gravity_bombs_b6113 It’s not what was in “The Day After”: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085404/ The black-and-white movies: https://youtu.be/P73Gz0TaJgE?si=tvYvoQQXg3KwHCZM Our people knew about Bletchley Park: Lewis, Robert. “Bletchley Park.” Updated April 6, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Bletchley-Park And where Churchill ran the war from: Imperial War Museums. “Cabinet War Rooms.” https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms/cabinet-war-rooms They also looked at what the Germans had: Fraga, Kaleena. “Inside the Führerbunker, The Nazi Hideout Where Adolf Hitler Lived, Got Married, and Died in the Waning Days of World War II.” Updated April 3, 2024. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/fuhrerbunker The Maginot Line: Britannica Editors. “Maginot Line.” Updated March 6, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maginot-Line Turning into badgers: Texas Parks and Wildlife. “American Badger.” https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/resources/texas-junior-naturalists/watching-wildlife/american-badger Anne says mole people: https://youtu.be/y-dAgOWtBwM?si=0qzvJ-7dfu33JjNX We were building some fighter planes that were actually dedicated interceptor aircraft: Britannica Editors. “Fighter Aircraft.” Updated October 16, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/fighter-aircraft Testing that was being done out in Nevada: Kautz, Justin. “Nevada Test Site.” Updated March 10, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Nevada-Test-Site/additional-info#history Like if you can jump in a fridge and protect yourself: https://youtu.be/jn4Vhkmb4Lw?si=9OteiSYh4lEBMnPU The headquarters for the Strategic Air Command was at Offutt Airforce Base in Nebraska: https://www.offutt.af.mil/ When they built NORAD into Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado: North American Aerospace Defense Command. “Cheyenne Mountain Complex.” April 26, 2013. https://www.norad.mil/Newsroom/Fact-Sheets/Article-View/Article/578775/cheyenne-mountain-complex/ Raven Rock, also known as Site R: Suciu, Peter. “What to Know About ‘Raven Rock,’ the U.S. Government’s Doomsday Bunker.” November 11, 2025. The National Interest. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/what-to-know-about-raven-rock-us-governments-doomsday-bunker-ps-111125 They also built the facility at Mount Weather: Hughes, Trevor. “The U.S. Government is Upgrading a Secretive FEMA Bunker. Why? That’s Classified.” Updated May 1, 2025. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/30/federal-government-is-upgrading-a-secret-bunker-why-its-classified/83370527007/ Nope, it’s the Appalachian Mountains. Camp David: National Museum of American Diplomacy. “Camp David: Presidential Retreat and International Meeting Site.” July 12, 2021. https://diplomacy.state.gov/camp-david-presidential-retreat-and-international-meeting-site/ In a novel from the 1930s called Lost Horizon: James Hilton. Lost Horizon. 1933. Macmillan. FDR loved the movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029162/ The Dolittle Raid in April of ’42: Britannica Editors. “Doolittle Raid.” Updated April 11, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Doolittle-Raid There was an Essex-class aircraft carrier built in World War II called the USS Shangri-la: Carlin, Maya. “Shangri-la: The Essex-Class Aircraft Carrier No Nation Wanted to ‘Test’” September 23, 2024. The National Interest. https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/shangri-la-essex-class-aircraft-carrier-no-nation-wanted-test-209173 Where SAC was: Britannica Editors. “Strategic Air Command.” Updated March 20, 2023. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Strategic-Air-Command-United-States-Air-Force On September 11: Bergen, Peter L. “September 11 Attacks.” Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/September-11-attacks/The-attacks Where Airforce One went to after Florida: The White House Historical Association. “President Bush Arrives at Offutt Air Force Base on September 11, 2001.” https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/fotoware?id=6052da61-c33a-4d96-8209-cb3bb90b7669 WarGames-type places: https://youtu.be/s93KC4AGKnY?si=YTdCW6gQ1Y8Cqe88 A Soviet Tu-95: Gitzgerald, Clare. “Tupolev Tu-95: The Soviet-Era Bomber That Could See Nearly 100 Years of Active Service.” January 15, 2024. War History Online. https://www.warhistoryonline.com/aircraft/tupelov-tu-95.html They’re on springs: Grundhauser, Eric. “Cheyenne Mountain Complex.” September 17, 2014. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cheyenne-mountain-nuclear-bunker Like the E-4B, it’s also known as Nightwatch: Air Force. “E-4B.” June 2024. https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/article/104503/e-4b/ Then Air Force One: Britannica Editors. “Air Force One.” Updated July 31, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Air-Force-One So like, from Independence Day: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116629/ It was a pivotal scene: https://youtu.be/yZk9abWlK5c?si=hjdW-qhe8bhAu4xx Mack is correct. Independence Day was released in 1996. The guy from “Taxi”: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002139/ Where Data worked at Area 51: https://youtu.be/fantzIbRyaE?si=9T2I4utdA2mjbtmW When Lyndon Johnson flew on the presidential Lockheed JetStar: National Museum of the United States Air Force. “Lockheed VC-140B JetStar.” https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195808/lockheed-vc-140b-jetstar/ Marine One: Tikkanen, Amy. “Marine One.” Updated March 9, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Marine-One Remember when President George W. Bush landed on the Abraham Lincoln: History.com. “George W. Bush Declares Mission Accomplished [Video].” https://www.history.com/speeches/george-w-bush-declares-mission-accomplished Mack was close. He was flying aboard an S-3B Viking: National Naval Aviation Museum. “S-3B Viking ‘Navy One’.” https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/nnam/explore/collections/aircraft/s/s-3b-viking--navy-one-.html There have been presidents that have had presidential yachts: Knutson, Lawrence L. “The Floating White House.” May 21, 2015. The White House Historical Association. https://www.whitehousehistory.org/the-floating-white-house January 6th: Duignan, Brian. “January 6 U.S. Capitol Attack. Updated January 5, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/January-6-U-S-Capitol-attack When the plane hit the Pentagon: PBS. “Attack on Pentagon [Video].” https://watch.whyy.org/show/911-inside-pentagon/video/911-inside-pentagon-attack-pentagon/?tab=extra Rumsfeld: U.S. Department of War. “Donald H. Rumsfeld.” https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/602800/donald-h-rumsfeld/ Mall of America: https://www.mallofamerica.com/ Golden Gate Bridge: https://www.goldengate.org/ National laboratories: U.S. Department of Energy. “National Laboratories.” https://www.energy.gov/national-laboratories There was a book published in the early 2000s called Doomsday Scenario: Douglas Keeney. The Doomsday Scenario. Zenith. 2002. Is the phrase “continuity of government” used somewhere: White House Info. “Continuity of Government.” https://whitehouse.gov1.info/continuity-plan/ Most of that is administered by FEMA, actually: https://www.fema.gov/ FEMA was sort of the progeny of a couple of other agencies: FEMA. “History of FEMA.” https://www.fema.gov/about/history But for, “We’ve been nuked”: FEMA. “Nuclear Detonation Response Guidance [PDF].” March 2023. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_oet-72-hour-nuclear-detonation-response-guidance.pdf Plans that would effectively suspend the Constitution: Burr, William (Ed.). “The Presidential Nuclear ‘Football’ From Eisenhower to George W. Bush.” July 18, 2023. https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/nuclear-vault/2023-07-18/presidential-nuclear-football-eisenhower-george-w-bush Like the War Production Board: Purcell, Aaron D. “War Production Board.” 2021. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/war-production-board#full-article The USDA: https://www.usda.gov/ Steve was close. It’s the National Resource Conservation Service: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ They have a web soil map program: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/soil/web-soil-survey-links Let’s take COVID for an example: CDC. “CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline.” https://www.cdc.gov/museum/timeline/covid19.html Most emergency management stuff is really run at the county level: Bexar County. “Bexar County Office of Emergency Management.” https://www.bexar.org/672/Emergency-Management Our first cocktail was Corpse Reviver (this isn’t the recipe we used, but it’s close): https://www.liquor.com/recipes/corpse-reviver-no-1/ The 12 Bottle Bar Book: David Solmonson and Lesley Jacobs Solmonson. The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails With Just 12 Bottles. 2014. Workman Publishing Company. The next one was Atomic cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/115/atomic-cocktail The Savoy Cocktail Book: Harry Craddock. The Savoy Cocktail Book. 1930. Constable & Company, Ltd. Absinthe and Champagne is called Death in the Afternoon: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/death-in-the-afternoon/ Jonestown in the afternoon: Eldridge, Alison. “Jonestown.” Updated April 16, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Jonestown We at Civics on the Rocks (mostly Anne) would like to apologize for making jokes in poor taste about suicide and cults. We (again, it was pretty much Anne) meant no offense. The Texas Water Conference: https://www.txwater.org/ Treated biosolids from sewer plants: EPA. “Biosolids.” https://www.epa.gov/biosolids This isn’t from the conference Steve went to, but you know you want to see competitive hydrant assemblies: https://youtu.be/JxDhqdD8aE4?si=7uwUPx72DbfSxhKv The Edwards is not the only source of water for San Antonio: San Antonio Water System. “Water Supplies.” https://www.saws.org/your-water/management-sources/#section-1 Primarily, it was always the Edwards Aquifer: San Antonio Water System. “Edwards Aquifer.” https://www.saws.org/your-water/management-sources/edwards-aquifer/ Ground water not under the influence (yeah, no, that’s a term): West Virginia Department of Health. “Groundwater Under Direct Influence of Surface Water (GWUDI).” https://oehs.wvdhhr.org/eed/source-water-assessment-wellhead-protection/groundwater-under-direct-influence-of-surface-water-gwudi/ It is very very hard here: Hearst Newspaper Blogger Network. “How to Deal With San Antonio Hard Water in Your New Home.” March 2, 2023. https://www.mysanantonio.com/lifestyle/san-antonio-life/home/article/how-to-deal-with-san-antonio-hard-water-17816666.php San Antonio Water System: https://www.saws.org/ Softeners, which swap out the calcium and magnesium, but mostly calcium, for sodium: Swistock, Bryan. “Water Softening.” https://extension.psu.edu/water-softening One of the first, if not the first, direct potable reuse systems: El Paso Water. “Pure Water Center.” https://www.epwater.org/our-water/water-resources/pure-water-center We couldn’t find the study about the Rhine that Steve was talking about, but we believe it after learning a little bit about the river: International River Foundation. “River Rhine.” https://www.riverfoundation.org.au/prizes/river-rhine/ Corpse Reviver #2: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/corpse-reviver-no-2/ After Snowmageddon: The Texas A&M University System. “Winter Storm Uri.” https://tdem.texas.gov/disasters/winter-storm-uri Anne got a little prepper: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prepper The Sierra Club has an excellent list of things to go in a go bag: Sierra Club. “Ready to Pack an Emergency Go Bag?” https://www.sierraclub.org/emergency-go-bag There is still a website called Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/ And the Stargate is a stable wormhole device placed on the Earth in ancient times by aliens posing as gods. But you already knew that.

Does the Constitution Have an Escape Clause?

The Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Mack derides, Steve chides, Anne makes asides, and everyone switches sides. REFERENCES The great Constitutional scholars on the interwebs are talking about the Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Constitution Annotated. “Twenty-Fifth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-25/ The idea of, “Oh, we’ll use the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to get rid of Trump”: Common Cause. “Common Cause Calls on the Cabinet to Invoke the 25th Amendment.” https://www.commoncause.org/work/trump-is-unfit-to-serve/ Impeachment and expulsion: History, Art, & Archives. “Impeachment.” https://history.house.gov/Institution/Origins-Development/Impeachment/ Which has failed twice: Mascaro, Lisa; Jalonick, Mary Clare; Lemire, Jonathan; and Fram, Alan. “Donald Trump Becomes the First U.S. President to be Impeached Twice.” January 13, 2021. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/majority-of-house-members-vote-for-2nd-impeachment-of-trump It’s in Article II, Section 1, Clause 6: Constitution Annotated. “Article II.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-2/section-1/clause-6/ The delegates of the Constitutional Convention: National Archives. “Meet the Framers of the Constitution.” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/founding-fathers Since the Cold War began: Britannica Editors. “Cold War.” Revised February 18, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War The advent of nuclear…: Office for Disarmament Affairs. “Nuclear Weapons.” United Nations. https://disarmament.unoda.org/index.php/en/our-work/weapons-mass-destruction/nuclear-weapons …and ballistic weapons: Britannica Editors. “Ballistic Missile.” Updated October 24, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/ballistic-missile The Civics on the Rocks Team would like to acknowledge that in this episode we use various colloquialisms to describe mental illness that some may find problematic. No offense was intended and we apologize if any was taken. King George III went a little nutso: Watson, John Steven. “George III.” Updated April 17, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-III There are a lot of really good theories as to why that happened and how that happened: Putnam, Polly. “The King’s ‘Malady’: George III’s Mental Illness Explored.” March 22, 2024. Historic Royal Palaces. https://www.hrp.org.uk/blog/the-kings-malady-george-iiis-mental-illness-explored/ Did people in the colonies know? Well, King Geoge III’s illness became public around 1788, and the final draft of the Constitution was signed in 1787, so it probably was not an influence on Article II. In the Declaration, the grievances are against the King: Zagarri, Rosemarie. “The Declaration’s Grievances Against the King.” National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/essays/the-declarations-grievances-against-the-king They pinned everything on Parliament and wrote nice letters and missives to the King: American Battlefield Trust. “Petitioning the King and Parliament.” Updated July 23, 2025. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/petitioning-king-and-parliament The first Continental Congress and the Declaration of Rights and Grievances: Horan, Katherine and Horecny, Zoie. “First Continental Congress.” Updated May 30, 2025. George Washington’s Mount Vernon. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/first-continental-congress The presidency was a wholly new creation: Marion, David. “The Creation of the American Presidency.” Bill of Rights Institute. https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/the-creation-of-the-american-presidency/ Were there examples of governors removed in case of inability? We didn’t do a big deep dive on this, but Virginia has an excellent archive documenting its colonial governors, so there was… …Sir John Harvey, who was removed as royal governor of Virginia for alleged treason: Tarter, Brent. “Sir John Harvey.” Updated December 22, 2021. Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/harvey-sir-john-ca-1581-or-1582-by-1650/ …Francis Nicholson, who was removed as royal governor of Virgina for being uncouth and a jackass toward one particular woman (as well as political reasons): Zacek, Natalie. “Francis Nicholson.” Updated December 22, 2021. Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/nicholson-francis-1655-1728/ …and Lieutenant Governor Robert Hunter who never served in Virginia because he was kidnapped by the French whilst in transit (Don’t worry. They were nice to him and he later got to be governor of another colony.): Find a Grave. “Lieutenant Governor Robert Hunter.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/124558546/robert-hunter So we’ll go with, yeah, there was some precedent. When Woodrow Wilson had a stroke: Woodrow Willson Presidential Library and Museum. “Thomas Woodrow Wilson.” https://www.woodrowwilson.org/about-woodrow-wilson-1 His vice president was Thomas R. Marshall: Britannica Editors. “Thomas R. Marshall.” Updated May 28, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-R-Marshall But, also, Mrs. Wilson: Markel, Howard. “When A Secret President Ran the Country.” October 2, 2015. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/woodrow-wilson-stroke The impetus for the Twenty-Fifth Amendment was Eisenhower: Weiss, Marcia J. “Constitution Provides for the Incapacity of the President.” 2023. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/constitution-provides-incapacity-president He had a history of heart attacks while in office: Merschel, Michael. “The Presidential Heart Attack That Changed America.” February 15, 2024. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/02/15/the-presidential-heart-attack-that-changed-america Kennebunkport(?): The White House Historical Association. “Presidential Vacations & Retreats: President & Mrs. Bush in Maine.” https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/presidential-vacations-retreats-president-mrs-bush-in-maine Bethesda (so close!): Military.com. “National Naval Medical Center.” https://www.military.com/base-guide/national-naval-medical-center Wilford Hall(?): Military.com. “Lackland Air Force Base Wilford Hall Medical Facility.” https://www.military.com/base-guide/lackland-air-force-base/contact/wilford-hall-medical-facility/2397 Johns Hopkins(?): https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/ Kennedy’s assassination: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. “November 22, 1963: Death of the President.” https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/november-22-1963-death-of-the-president With Lyndon Johnson specifically: Britannica Editors. “Lyndon B. Johnson.” Updated March 2, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lyndon-B-Johnson He’d always been concerned about his health: Nichter, Luke A. “Who Really Was Lyndon B. Johnson?” November 4, 2024. Yale Books. https://yalebooks.yale.edu/2024/11/04/who-really-was-lyndon-b-johnson/ He was majority leader in the Senate: United States Senate. “Lyndon B. Johnson: Master of the Senate.” https://www.senate.gov/about/parties-leadership/johnson-b-lyndon.htm Two years after the Cuban Missile Crisis: Britannica Editors. “Cuban Missile Crisis.” Updated April 8, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Cuban-missile-crisis Intercontinental ballistic missiles have a flight time of about 30 minutes, at the longest: The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. “Fact Sheet: Ballistic vs. Cruise Missiles [PDF].” https://armscontrolcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Ballistic-vs.-Cruise-Missiles-Fact-Sheet.pdf Didn’t Harrison die very slowly: Bomboy, Scott. “What Really Killed the First President to Die in Office?” April 4, 2018. National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/what-really-killed-the-first-president-to-die-in-office McKinley lingered for several days: History.com Editors. “President McKinley Dies of Infection From Gunshot Wounds.” Updated May 28, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/september-14/mckinley-dies-of-infection-from-gunshot-wounds Garfield did as well: Markel, Howard. “The Dirty, Painful Death of President James A. Garfield.” September 16, 2016. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/dirty-painful-death-president-james-garfield Mack is incorrect. Harrison was only president for 32 days: Roos, Dave. “7 U.S. Presidents With the Shortest Stints in the Oval Office.” Updated May 28, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/us-presidents-shortest-terms-oval-office Zachary Taylor drank the milk: History.com Editors. “President Zachary Taylor Dies Unexpectedly.” Updated July 21, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/july-9/president-zachary-taylor-dies-unexpectedly President Harrison is known for giving an exceptionally long inaugural address outside in the cold, but if you check the previous reference, most historians don’t believe that’s the only thing that contributed to his demise. The were actually two years that the United States had three presidents. There is 1841 as Mack describes, and 1881: Periodic Presidents. “Three Presidents, One Year.” https://periodicpresidents.com/2022/09/22/three-presidents-one-year/ President John Tyler succeeded President Harrison (and later died a Confederate traitor): History.com. “President John Tyler Dies.” Updated May 28, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/january-18/john-tyler-dies President Taylor both drank the milk and ate bad cherries, see previous reference. WALTER REED(!): Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. “Our Rich History.” https://walterreed.tricare.mil/About-Us/Facilities/Our-Rich-History Yes, it was ratified during Johnson’s presidency. We ramble a bit on this point, so here’s a nice summation of how the Twenty-Fifth Amendment came to be: History.com “25th Amendment.” Updated May 21, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/25th-amendment i.e., impeachment: USA.gov. “How Federal Impeachment Works.” Updated November 13, 2025. https://www.usa.gov/impeachment We’re not the only ones who find parts of the Twenty-Fifth Amendment murky. Despite Anne’s objections, most Constitutional scholars agree with Mack. The President would have to sign the review board into being: Shanton, Karen L. “The Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Sections 3 and 4—Presidential Disability.” Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF11756 This is why Anne and some others think it is currently happening today: Siette, Joyce and Strutt, Paul. “We Can’t Know if Donald Trump Has Dementia. Even if He Did, It Wouldn’t Excuse His Actions.” April 22, 2026. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/we-cant-know-if-donald-trump-has-dementia-even-if-he-did-it-wouldnt-excuse-his-actions-281131 Alas, there were quite a lot of people who voted for him: Lindsay, James M. “The 2024 Election by the Numbers.” December 18, 2024. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/articles/2024-election-numbers There are some Democrats who are proposing legislation to establish the very board that is called for in the Twenty-Fifth Amendment: Stein, Chris. “House Democrats Call for Commission Led by J.D. Vance to Oust Trump.” April 14, 2026. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/14/congress-25th-amendment-commission-trump-jd-vance He’s wildly unpopular in the polls right now: Hartig, Hannah and Kiley, Jocelyn. “Confidence in Trump Dips, and Fewer Now Say They Support His Policies and Plans.” January 29, 2026. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/01/29/confidence-in-trump-dips-and-fewer-now-say-they-support-his-policies-and-plans/ His hardcore supporters are turning coat and going online and saying, “Oh, I was wrong to vote for him…”: Nteta, Tatishe; Eichen, Adam; and Rhodes, Jesse. “Why A Growing Number of Trump Supporters are Experiencing Voter’s Remorse.” May 14, 2026. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/why-a-growing-number-of-trump-supporters-are-experiencing-voters-remorse-282230 J.D. Vance will be whoever his top dollar needs him to be: Wendling, Mike. “J.D. Vance: The ‘Hillbilly’ MAGA Loyalist Who Became Vice President.” March 4, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn07dv4mrg2o You let the wrong document out of the Epstein files: Fowler, Stephon. “Justice Department Withheld and Removed Some Epstein Files Related to Trump.” Updated February 24, 2026. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2026/02/24/nx-s1-5723968/epstein-files-trump-accusation-maxwell You don’t have to do it on the graft: Waldman, Michael. “Epic Corruption in Plain Sight.” May 19, 2026. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/epic-corruption-plain-sight You don’t have to do it on the shambles that is his job as an executive: Corbin, Steve. “Trump’s Troubled Appointees Face Scandals, Backlash, and Low Support [Opinion].” March 25, 2026. The Fulcrum. https://thefulcrum.us/ethics-leadership/trump-administration-scandals-2026 While Mack is correct that several million pages of the Epstein files are already out there, many contend that there are more that should be released under the auspices of the Epstein Files Transparency Act: Matza, Max. “U.S. Government Watchdog to Investigate Epstein Files Release.” April 23, 2026. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg0rkvjlvvo Unfortunately, Mack is right that the Epstein files are not a dealbreaker for some people: Blake, Aaron. “How Polls Show Republicans Shifted Away From Caring So Much About Jeffrey Epstein.” February 10, 2026. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/10/politics/republicans-epstein-shift-polls But for others, it very much is: Iqbal, Nomia and Pigliucci, Cai. “Why This Disillusioned Trump Voter Spends Hours Searching Epstein Files.” April 11, 2026. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx237vmr2lyo Not quite our first cocktail, the Metropolitan: https://www.thespruceeats.com/metropolitan-cocktail-recipe-759325 Our second actual cocktail cocktail, the Pegu Club: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/pegu-club-2/ Mack is reading “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry. “Paul Revere’s Ride.” Poets.org. https://poets.org/poem/paul-reveres-ride Poetry is poetry because it’s in meter: Poets.org. “Meter.” https://poets.org/glossary/meter Unless it’s in free verse: The Oregon State Guide to Poetry. “‘What is Free Verse?’: A Literary Guide for English Students and Teachers [Video].” https://youtu.be/13cW2vXOMxU?si=OojoLq3mpQTqKZDH Several of his poems were written in dactylic hexameter: Poetry Foundation. “Hexameter.” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/education/glossary/hexameter An anapest: Poetry Foundation. “Anapest.” https://www.poetryfoundation.org/education/glossary/anapest A poem by Lord Byron, “The Destruction of Sennacherib”: Lord Byron. “Destruction of Sennacherib.” Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43827/the-destruction-of-sennacherib The song by Eminem that Mack references is “The Way I Am” (This one is interesting because most of the song is in anapestic tetrameter but the chorus is not. Can you hear the difference?): https://youtu.be/82lB-gI-uuQ?si=dA4GbXXTcJGev9GG “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” was anapestic: Clarke Moore, Clement. “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43171/a-visit-from-st-nicholas “Song of Hiawatha”: Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry. “The Song of Hiawatha.” Gutenberg.org. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/19/19-h/19-h.htm “Evangeline”: Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry. “Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie.” https://poets.org/poem/evangeline-tale-acadie The Artemis II mission: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/ Outlook didn’t work: White, Jeremy. “Even Artemis II Astronauts Have Microsoft Outlook Problems.” April 2, 2026. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/artemis-ii-microsoft-outlook-problems/ There was a toilet problem: Goodwin, Grace Eliza. “Artemis II Astronauts Have Toilet Trouble on Their Way Towards the Moon.” April 5, 2026. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87wy05wr4no When they finally splashed down: https://www.youtube.com/live/6No6LCFa-C8?si=TPjhKINQlttJSpUF With such a diverse crew: NASA. “Our Artemis Crew.” https://www.nasa.gov/feature/our-artemis-crew/ The farthest anybody has ever been from the Earth ever: Taveau, Jessica. “NASA’s Artemis II Crew Eclipses Record for Farthest Human Spaceflight.” April 6, 2026. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-eclipses-record-for-farthest-human-spaceflight/ Especially when they were on the far side of the Moon: Los Angeles Times. “Photos From the Dark Side of the Moon by Artemis II.” April 7, 2026. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-07/photos-from-dark-side-of-moon-by-artemis-ii There’s a bright spot on the moon and we would like to name it Carroll: Treisman, Rachel. “Astronauts Suggest Naming a Moon Crater ‘Carroll’ After Their Commander’s Late Wife.” April 8, 2026. Houston PBS. https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/local/2026/04/08/548460/artemis-moon-crater-carroll-wiseman/ The one of Christina Koch sitting on the helicopter: White, Matt. “How a Navy Photographer Snapped an Iconic Artemis II Astronaut Photo.” April 15, 2026. Task and Purpose. https://taskandpurpose.com/news/august-clawson-artemis-ii-photos/ She’s just giving it a big hug: https://www.nasa.gov/image-detail/artemis-ii-recovery-61/ What did the administration or Republicans say about this: Riddle, Katia. “What’s Behind Trump’s Seemingly Lackluster Response to Artemis II’s Lunar Mission [Audio and transcript].” April 9, 2026. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2026/04/09/nx-s1-5777551/whats-behind-trumps-seemingly-lackluster-response-to-artemis-iis-lunar-mission The frickin’ service module was from the ESA: European Space Agency. “Artemis II.” https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion/Artemis_II The amount of group hugs: https://www.nasa.gov/image-detail/amf-art002e013367/ The name of the capsule is Integrity but it is the Orion capsule: Kraft, Rachel H. “Artemis II Crew Members Name Their Orion Spacecraft.” September 24, 2025. NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2025/09/24/artemis-ii-crew-members-name-their-orion-spacecraft/ The Artemis II escape capsule: Lockheed Martin. “When Milliseconds Matter: How Orion’s Launch Abort System Protects Astronauts.” September 25, 2025. https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2025/how-orion-s-launch-abort-system-protects-astronauts.html It is Apollo, but also not: NASA. “Apollo to Artemis.” February 27, 2024. https://www.nasa.gov/reference/apollo-to-artemis/ They’ve apparently learned a little more mythology since the ‘60s: Britannica Editors. “Artemis.” Updated May 4, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Artemis-Greek-goddess Draw the parallel with Appollo 8: PBS. “The Event That Saved 1968.” https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/moon-event-saved-1968/ ‘Til Artemis IV: https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-iv/ Here is the recipe for a Negroni, though Steve and Anne recommend making it with Peychaud’s Aperitivo rather than Campari: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/negroni/ Science claims that denatonium is the bitterest substance on Earth, but Anne thinks that’s just because they haven’t tried Campari: Science Direct. “Denatonium.” https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/denatonium Within 5 years of it getting ratified, Nixon used it to replace Spiro Agnew: History.com Editors. “Vice President Agnew Resigns.” Updated May 27, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/october-10/vice-president-agnew-resigns The second time it got used was by Gerald Ford: Bomboy, Scott. “Gerald Ford’s Unique Role in American History.” July 14, 2024. National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/gerald-fords-unique-role-in-american-history This book was called The Night of Camp David: Fletcher Knebel. Night of Camp David. 1965. Harper & Row. Follows the law more often: Lawfare. “Trump Administration Litigation Tracker.” Updated May 11, 2026. https://www.lawfaremedia.org/projects-series/trials-of-the-trump-administration/tracking-trump-administration-litigation The midterms are coming up, real fast: https://www.usvotefoundation.org/when-are-2026-midterm-elections-and-what-their-purpose Doing a little research and voting: https://www.vote411.org/ Making sure you’re registered to vote: https://www.bexar.org/1701/Voter-Registration It’s a food bank: https://safoodbank.org/ It’s a diaper bank: https://www.texasdiaperbank.org/ And several space captains from science fiction have been played by Canadian actors. But you already knew that.

Untethered Tangent on Arresting a Ship

Untethered Tangent on Star Chamber

Is This Behavior Warranted?

Steve commits murder, Anne pursues him to the full extent of the law, and Mack is on a mission from God. REFERENCES So, by warrant here, we’re talking about honest-to-gosh legal warrants: Legal Information Institute. “Warrant.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/warrant We need to make a distinction because there are administrative warrants: Legal Information Institute. “Administrative Warrant.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/administrative_warrant So, the executive branch: Legal Information Institute. “Executive Branch.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/executive_branch You need to have probable cause: Legal Information Institute. “Probable Cause.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/probable_cause Article III judge: Constitution Annotated. “Article III.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-3/ For search and seizure: Legal Information Institute. “Search and Seizure.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/search_and_seizure In the Fourth Amendment: Constitution Annotated. “Fourth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/ A lot of times, it is for a civil thing: Legal Aid Society of Northeaster New York. “The Differences Between Criminal Court and Civil Court.” Updated August 4, 2022. LawHelp.org. https://www.lawhelp.org/resource/the-differences-between-criminal-court-and-ci ICE, the organization: https://www.ice.gov/ They’ve got to be out in a public place, and then they’re authorized by their own agency to detain them: Diaz, Jaclyn. “What ICE Agents Can and Cannot Legally Do During Arrests.” Updated September 19, 2025. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5517998/ice-arrest-rules-explained It’s not just search everything: United States Courts. “What Does the Fourth Amendment Mean?” https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-outreach/activity-resources/what-does-fourth-amendment-mean Writs of assistance: Britannica Editors. “Writ of Assistance.” Updated 2020. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/writ-of-assistance The in-between time between the Seven Years War (the French and Indian War)…: Britannica Editors. “Seven Years’ War.” Updated March 23, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Seven-Years-War …and the run-up to the Revolution: Wallace, Willard M. “American Revolution.” Updated March 20, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/American-Revolution So famous Supreme Court case, Mapp vs. Ohio, 1961: Oyez. “Mapp v. Ohio.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1960/236 When did administrative warrants come into play: Arthur, Andrew R. “Going Back to the Past to Explain ‘Administrative Warrants,’ Immigration Enforcement.” February 5, 2026. Center for Immigration Studies. https://cis.org/Arthur/Going-Back-Past-Explain-Administrative-Warrants-Immigration-Enforcement I kind of wonder how the Revenue Cutter Service operated: Vergun, David. “Coast Guard Celebrates 235 Years Protecting Nation’s Waterways.” August 1, 2025. Joint Base San Antonio. https://www.jbsa.mil/News/News/Article/4261826/coast-guard-celebrates-235-years-protecting-nations-waterways/ Like an early DOGE or something: Fields, Gary. “A Year After Trump’s DOGE Cuts, Workers Whose Lives Were Upended Ask What Was Saved.” March 27, 2026. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/a-year-after-trumps-doge-cuts-workers-whose-lives-were-upended-ask-what-was-saved While Civics on the Rocks didn't actually find an answer to this question, we’re sure they had something that gave them paper authorization, because otherwise they’re kind of pirate-y. Feel free to look for it for yourselves: National Archives. “Records of the United States Revenue Cutter Service (USRCS).” Reviewed January 11, 2023. https://www.archives.gov/research/military/coast-guard/revenue-cutter-service And it’s not a letter of marque or reprisal: Mulligan, Steve P. “Letters of Marque and Reprisal (Part 1): Introduction and Historical Context.” February 26, 2025. Congress.gov. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11272 And those are called origin statutes, by the way, or organic statutes: Ballotpedia. “Organic Statute.” https://ballotpedia.org/Organic_statute Some of it is, also, due process rights: Constitution Annotated. “Amdt14.S1.3 Due Process Generally.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt14-S1-3/ALDE_00013743/ We couldn’t find a comprehensive list of agencies that use administrative warrants, but multiple ones are authorized to do so, including the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA). Let’s do the EPA, that’s a fun one: https://www.epa.gov/ Oh, postal inspectors(!): United States Postal Inspection Service. “Security: It Comes With the Stamp.” https://www.uspis.gov/ The EPA has people who enforce EPA regulations: EPA. “Criminal Enforcement: Special Agents.” https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/criminal-enforcement-special-agents Some of what they do, like postal inspectors, it could be a civil thing, it could also be a criminal thing: Office of Inspector General. “Office of Investigations.” https://www.uspsoig.gov/about-us/office-investigations Things like wire tapping: Legal Information Institute. “Wiretapping.” Reviewed July 2024. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/wiretapping Damn spot: Shakespeare. “The Tragedy of Macbeth: Act 5, Scene 1.” https://shakespeare.mit.edu/macbeth/macbeth.5.1.html You’re on oath or affirmation: Legal Information Institute. “22 CFR § 92.18 - Oaths and affirmations defined.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/22/92.18 Now, we’re playing Clue: The Strong National Museum of Play. “Clue.” https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/clue/ Yes, Anne can go into Steve’s house to arrest him with her warrant: Wallentine, Ken. “Whose House Is This? I Think I Know.” 2023. Lexipol. https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/whose-house-is-this-i-think-i-know/ And then somebody pulls over Steve, and runs his license and registration through SCMODS: https://youtu.be/pwqwSukyBvg?si=Kz9XB3WL4-k0vU9S Yes, in most cases, Anne would need a separate warrant to take Steve’s DNA: National Institute of Justice. “DNA–A Prosecutor’s Practice Notebook Inventory.” https://nij.ojp.gov/nij-hosted-online-training-courses/dna-prosecutors-practice-notebook-inventory/preparing-cases-involving-dna/admissibility/court-order-or-search-warrant So, the phone question is a little more complicated. As one legal source noted, phone technology evolves faster than the law does. If a legal authority figure uses your face to open your phone without your permission, you have a case to bring an unlawful search complaint against them. However, most legal sources we found recommend you use a strong password: Old, Jake. “Privacy Implications of Biometric Phone Encryption in Police Investigations.” Tennessee Bar Association. https://www.tba.org/?pg=crimjustice It’s not civil because it’s a misdemeanor: Legal Information Institute. “Misdemeanor.” Reviewed August 2021. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/misdemeanor So, the two Supreme Court cases that Mack describes did occur, but they happened two years apart. The phone search was unlawful: Oyez. “Riley v. California.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2013/13-132 But the full body cavity search, because it was motivated by the fact that the police are responsible for the safety of all persons onsite, that search was permissible: Oyez. “Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Burlington. https://www.oyez.org/cases/2011/10-945 Welcome to being a woman in America: Center for Reproductive Rights. “Bodily Autonomy Fact Sheet Series: Abortion, Gender-Affirming Care, and the Fourteenth Amendment.” July 22, 2025. https://reproductiverights.org/resources/bodily-autonomy-fourteenth-amendment-fact-sheet/ Hot pursuit—it was a term that was made a thing by the Supreme Court…: Justia. “United States v. Santana, 427 U.S. 38 (1976).” https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/427/38/ …not Roscoe P. Coltrane: https://youtu.be/mPHnfcg6sPA?si=X4Tul9x0QxMHJHnN In case you were wondering, hot pursuit comes from maritime law, where a nation’s ships are justified to pursue invaders into international waters, and its first known use was in 1743: Merriam-Webster. “Hot Pursuit: Word History.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20pursuit#word-history So, about the rocket propelled grenade launcher—it’s kind of a good news, bad news thing. So, Texas has declared private ownership of such weapons to be illegal…: Texas Constitution and Statutes. “Sec. 46.05. Prohibited Weapons.” https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=PE&chapter=PE.46&artSec=46.05 …unless they are registered under the National Firearms Act: ATF. “National Firearms Act.” https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/laws-alcohol-tobacco-firearms-and-explosives/national-firearms-act It depends on what you want to do with the fact pattern of the story: Stockwell Law Firm. “How to Write an Effective Legal Fact Pattern: A Step-by-Step Guide.” https://www.stockwelllawfirm.com/single-post/how-to-write-an-effective-legal-fact-pattern-a-step-by-step-guide The term for that is exigent circumstances: Legal Information Institute. “Exigent Circumstances.” Reviewed December 2022. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/exigent_circumstances ICE, who many people in this country feel are acting illegally and outside of the bounds for which they were created: Epstein, Kayla. “What is ICE and What Powers Do Its Agents Have to Use Force?” February 4, 2026. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp80ljjd5rwo And many of those people are federal judges: Cheney, Kyle. “Our Running List of Judges Who Rule on ICE’s Mass Detention Policy.” Updated April 3, 2026. Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/18/trump-judges-immigration-detention-00784614?_sp_pass_consent=true They have internal legal advice that tells them their administrative warrants are perfectly fine for entering people’s homes: James, Hannah. “DHS Warrantless Home Entry Memo’s Fourth Amendment Problem.” Updated February 4, 2026. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/dhs-warrantless-home-entry-memos-fourth-amendment-problem Including knocking down doors and using explosives to breach them to do so: Brook, Jack. “A U.S. Citizen Says ICE Forced Open the Door to His Minnesota Home and Removed Him in His Underwear After a Warrantless Search.” January 20, 2026. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/a-u-s-citizen-says-ice-forced-open-the-door-to-his-minnesota-home-and-removed-him-in-his-underwear-after-a-warrantless-search We just generally said ICE, but sometimes it’s Border Patrol: Mehta, Sarah. “Border Patrol Agents Replace Top Leadership at ICE Offices Despite Human Rights Violations.” November 6, 2025. ACLU. https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/border-patrol-agents-replace-top-leadership-at-ice-offices-despite-human-rights-violations The incredible lack of training: Bennett, Geoff and Anderson, Jonah. “Whistleblower Warns ICE Has Slashed Training for Recruits [Video and transcript].” PBS News Hour. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/whistleblower-warns-ice-has-slashed-training-for-recruits Which is why some of the guys have shot themselves: Rahman, Billal and Gooding, Dan. “ICE Agents Keep Accidentally Shooting Themselves.” Updated February 20, 2026. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/ice-agents-keep-accidentally-shooting-themselves-11540132 In some of these encounters, like Renee Good…: Schuppe, Jon and Smith, Patrick. “Minneapolis Police, Fire Department Reports Reveal Chaotic Moments After ICE Officer Fatally Shot Renee Good.” Updated January 16, 2026. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/minneapolis-police-fire-department-reports-reveal-chaotic-moments-ice-rcna254362 …and others: McSwane, J. David. “Two CBP Agents Identified in Alex Pretti Shooting.” February 1, 2026. ProPublica. https://www.propublica.org/article/alex-pretti-shooting-cbp-agents-identified-jesus-ochoa-raymundo-gutierrez Learn what you can do, what you can’t do, and what you shouldn’t do: Yoon, Byul. “Your Questions Answered: Filming ICE Interactions Safely.” March 3, 2026. ACLU. https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/your-questions-answered-filming-ice-interactions-safely They are murdering people: Bennet, Geoff and Norris, Courtney. “‘He Took My Son’s Life for Nothing,’ Says Mother of Man Killed by Immigration Agent [Video and transcript].” March 19, 2026. PBS News Hour.” https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/he-took-my-sons-life-for-nothing-says-mother-of-man-killed-by-immigration-agent They have a habit of leaving: Fanelli, Gino. “ICE Agents in the Park Ave Neighborhood Spark Large-Scale Protest.” September 9, 2025. WXXI News. https://www.wxxinews.org/local-news/2025-09-09/ice-agents-in-the-park-ave-neighborhood-spark-large-scale-protest Specifically, ACLU: ACLU. “Know Your Rights.” https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights The marches, almost all of them, have been peaceful: Reid, Tim and Brooks, Brad. “Anti-Trump Rallies Hit Thousands of U.S. Cities for ‘No Kings’ Protest.” Updated March 30, 2026. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rallies-planned-thousands-us-cities-no-kings-protest-against-trump-2026-03-28/ Regular citizens in Minnesota: Janssen, Emma. “When ICE Blows Through Rural America.” March 30, 2026. The American Prospect. https://prospect.org/2026/03/30/apr-2026-magazine-when-ice-blows-through-rural-america-minnesota/ The guy who was the head of the Border Patrol operation in Minnesota was removed from that: Raza, Sarah and Fingerhut, Hannah. “Minnesota Launches Probe That Could Bring Charges Against Federal Immigration Officers.” March 3, 2026. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/minnesota-launches-probe-that-could-bring-charges-against-federal-immigration-officers Including law enforcement of the state and local variety: Yang, Hannah; Sepic, Matt; and Schaper, David. “St. Peter Police Chief Intervened and Got Federal Agents to Release Resident, Sources Say.” Updated January 31, 2026. MPR News. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/30/st-peter-police-chief-intervenes-prevents-federal-agents-from-arresting-resident Our first cocktail was a Scofflaw: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/scofflaw/ It is kumquats where you eat the peel of the citrus: Fox 13 Tampa Bay. “How to Eat a Kumquat [Video].” https://youtu.be/OmiUgaic2nE?si=2DSoq-gt1zDlv-f0 Second cocktail was the Algonquin: https://www.liquor.com/algonquin-cocktail-recipe-8383879 Which was named for the hotel in New York City: https://www.algonquinhotel.com/ Sake is not a wine, it is its own thing: Wine and Spirit Education Trust. “5 Sake Facts Every Drinks Professional Needs to Know.” May 2024. https://www.wsetglobal.com/knowledge-centre/blog/2024/march/05/5-sake-facts-every-drinks-professional-needs-to-know/ 27 CFR, Section 5.143 defines whiskey: Code of Federal Regulations. “27 CFR 5.143.” https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-27/section-5.143 You can find whiskeys made from quinoa, for example: Peters, Josh. “Corsair Quinoa Whiskey Review.” February 10, 2016. The Whiskey Jug. https://thewhiskeyjug.com/american-whiskey/corsair-quinoa-whiskey-review/ In the interest of full disclosure, since recording this podcast, Civics on the Rocks has discovered that someone has indeed made a rice whisky: Burke, Eric. “J. T. Meleck American Rice Whiskey.” November 30, 2022. Bourbon Guy. https://www.bourbonguy.com/blog/2022/11/30/jt-meleck-american-rice-whiskey No, because there is no honey: Hive Mind Mead. “The History of Mead.” https://hivemindmead.com/pages/mead-101-everything-about-mead The law has, indeed, changed and it is now totally fine to have a home distillery in Texas: Capriglione, Giovanni. “HB 2278.” Texas Policy Research. https://www.texaspolicyresearch.com/bills/89th-legislature-hb-2278/ As of this podcast, World Market no longer sells a home brew sake kit. However, several other companies do online, in case you wanted to find something like that. (Anne's out. This is on you.) I don’t know if you ever saw the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi: https://youtu.be/0VB_DrsHDQ0?si=8YjFvlhvUCGrX4a5 It’s like family delineated: Japan. “Exploring the Soul of Japanese Sake Breweries Across the Tohoku Region.” January 2022. https://www.japan.travel/en/japan-magazine/2201_exploring-soul-japanese-sake-breweries-across-tohoku-region/ It’s not tequila: Forget, A. J. “The Difference Between Agave Spirits and Tequila.” May 14, 2025. The Takeout. https://www.thetakeout.com/1854905/agave-spirits-vs-tequila-difference/ A growing whiskey history in Japan: Japan. “Japanese Whisky.” https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/japanese-whisky/ That’s how you go blind: Claw Hammer Supply. “Can Making Alcohol at Home Make You Go Blind [Video]?” https://youtube.com/shorts/5VAogia7Oow?si=Zv9RFa0kI0Svhyb9 A packed column…: Chemical Packings. “Essential Guide to Packed Bed Column Design.” November 24, 2024. https://www.chemicalpackings.com/article/packed-column.html …not a tray column: Chemical Packings. “Distillation Column Trays and Packing: A Comprehensive Overview.” February 1, 2025. https://www.chemicalpackings.com/article/distillation-column-tray.html We’re going to need black suits, black hats, sunglasses, black ties: https://youtu.be/WZ3zZ-aWi6U?si=y9W6WUMxjdJg6qmi Or NATO straps: Horus Watch Straps. “What is a NATO Watch Strap?” https://www.horusstraps.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-nato-watch-strap?srsltid=AfmBOor5YD3GFgPYbTCgfbQm0h7uHsSAUlMhsjd2IsocQvX5lWQnp-1B Original Bond or vintage Bond, Bond 2021, and modern Bond: Esprit Nato. “NATO Strap and James Bond.” https://www.esprit-nato.com/en/content/10-nato-watch-strap-band-and-james-bond-007 Goldfinger, in the beginning of the movie: https://youtu.be/NVg23yjKl1g?si=TisLfRcSQ8sjQHke No Time to Die actually starred Daniel Craig: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2382320/ Quantum of Solace: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0830515/ You wanna fun fact? Sean Connery’s wetsuit is not an authentic wetsuit or dry suit. Here’s someone with a much more thorough explanation than Anne’s: Spaiser, Matt. “The Black Diving Suit in Goldfinger.” November 4, 2024. Bond Suits. https://www.bondsuits.com/the-black-diving-suit-in-goldfinger/ So, there’s wetsuits and dry suits: Mustang Survival. “The Difference Between Wetsuits and Dry Suits.” May 21, 2025. https://mustangsurvival.com/blogs/resources/the-difference-between-wetsuits-and-dry-suits So, for our last cocktail, we went back to a Saratoga: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/2196/saratoga-cocktail ICE is still in Minnesota: Collins, Jon and Martin, Kate. “Half of Those Arrested by Federal Agents in Minnesota This Winter Have Already Been Deported.” April 3, 2026. MPR News. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/03/half-of-those-arrested-by-federal-agents-in-minnesota-this-winter-have-already-been-deported And cars: NBC10 Philadelphia. “ICE Agents Smash Car Window During Arrest of Man in Cumberland County [Video].” March 28, 2026. https://youtu.be/zN2MWICVb24?si=hsTequ2py3HGhrop And sending people, including little kids, to concentration camps: Martínez-Beltrán, Sergio. “ICE Detention Deaths Are on a Record Pace. One Texas Facility Bears the Brunt.” April 3, 2026. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2026/04/03/nx-s1-5754749/ice-detention-deaths-are-on-a-record-pace-one-texas-facility-bears-the-brunt And they literally have: Goodman, Joshua and Sullivan, Tim. “They Thought They Were in Court for a Routine Immigration Hearing, But Walked Into a Deportation Trap.” November 19, 2025. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/they-thought-they-were-in-court-for-a-routine-immigration-hearing-but-walked-into-a-deportation-trap Minnesota Public Radio: https://www.mpr.org/ The national news is a business, it’s an entertainment industry: Seth, Shobhit; Brock, Thomas; and Velasquez, Vikki. “The World’s Top 10 News Media Companies.” January 15, 2026. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/stock-analysis/021815/worlds-top-ten-news-companies-nws-gci-trco-nyt.aspx Texas Public Radio: https://www.tpr.org/ The Texas Tribune: https://www.texastribune.org/ A Texas journalist named Olivia Messer: https://thebarbedwire.com/author/olivia/ The Barbed Wire: https://thebarbedwire.com/ A story they did in the aftermath of the July 4th floods: Rangel, Leslie and Messer, Olivia. “‘It’s a Waking Nightmare’: Camp Mystic Alum Recalls Flood That Hit the Same Cabins in 1987.’” The Barbed Wire. July 8, 2025. https://thebarbedwire.com/2025/07/08/camp-mystic-alum-remembers-past-flood/ ProPublica: https://www.propublica.org/ And “dun-dun” is a reference to the television show Law and Order. But you already knew that.

Untethered Tangent on Driverless Cars

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch…

VOTE IN THE MARCH 3 TEXAS PRIMARY ELECTION. In this episode, we head back to Texas and discuss why this isn’t as off a year as you might think. Also, if you haven’t done it yet, VOTE! References March 3 are the primaries in Texas: Texas Secretary of State. “March 3, 2026 Primary Election Law Calendar and May 26, 2026 Primary Runoff Election Law Calendar.” https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2025-17-mar-3-2026-primary-elec-law-cal-and-may-26-2026-primary-runoff-elec-law-cal.shtml We had a whole episode on primaries: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-2szpe-1544115 It’s an election among the Republican candidates for office to decide who is going to be the Republican candidate in the general election, and then you have the Democratic candidates for office—same deal: Drusch, Andrea. “How Does the Primary Election Work in Texas?” February 16, 2026. San Antonio Report. https://sanantonioreport.org/how-does-the-primary-election-work-in-texas/ Except Iowa: Hull, Christopher C. “Iowa caucuses.” Updated February 1, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Iowa-caucuses There are open primaries, blanket primaries, closed primaries: USA.gov. “Presidential Primaries and Caucuses.” February 25, 2026. https://www.usa.gov/primaries-caucuses Texas has been characterized as a modified open or a modified closed: Ballotpedia. “Primary Elections in Texas.” https://ballotpedia.org/Primary_elections_in_Texas New York has a closed primary: Ballotpedia. “Primary Elections in New York.” https://ballotpedia.org/Primary_elections_in_New_York Whereas in Minnesota, they have same day voter registration: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. “Register on Election Day.” https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/register-to-vote/register-on-election-day/ In Texas, you have to have registered in advance: VoteTexas.gov. “Texas Voter Registration Information.” https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/ Fact check—For the general election, you can vote for any party regardless of how you voted in the primary. However, you have to vote the same party in primary run-offs as you did in the primary. You do NOT have to vote in the primary in order to vote in a primary run-off: Ingram, Keith. “Election Advisory N. 2020-05.” February 11, 2020. Texas Secretary of State. https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/laws/advisory2020-05.shtml Since Mack mentioned voter ID cards, we’d like to provide some additional information we have learned about since recording this podcast. Due to redistricting, several voter ID cards have not been issued in time for the primary election. This does not affect you if you are registered. You can still vote even without a voter ID card: Pope, Pachatta. “Voter Registration Cards Delayed by Redistricting, But Not Needed to Vote.” February 15, 2026. KSAT. https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2026/02/16/voter-registration-cards-delayed-by-redistricting-but-not-needed-to-vote/ Things like equal protection…: Constitution Annotated. “Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection and Other Rights.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/ …and due process still apply: Constitution Annotated. “Amdt14.S1.3 Due Process Generally.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/amdt14-S1-3/ALDE_00013743/ In Texas, there was the White primaries case: Oyez. “Smith v. Allwright.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1955/321us649 They have changed the rules about postmarks on the mail-in ballots: Contreras, Natalia. “Postal Service Changes Mean Texas Voters Shouldn’t Wait to Mail Voter Registrations and Ballots.” January 21, 2026. VoteBeat.org. https://www.votebeat.org/texas/2026/01/21/usps-postal-service-postmark-mail-ballot-voter-registration-deadline/ If you are eligible to do a mail-in ballot in Texas: VoteTexas.gov. “Voting by Mail Eligibility Requirements.” https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/eligibility-requirements.html There is a way to check if your ballot was received: VoteTexas.gov. “Track My Ballot and Correct ID Information.” https://www.votetexas.gov/voting-by-mail/track-my-ballot.html The Bexar County Elections Department has been very good about putting out information about the new rules: https://www.bexar.org/1568/Elections-Department We voted this in, that we will require certain forms of voter ID to prove that you’re a U.S. citizen: Contreras, Natalia. “Bill Requiring Voters to Show Proof of Citizenship Clears Texas Senate.” April 1, 2025. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/01/texas-proof-of-citizenship-voting-senate-bill-16/ We’re not the only ones that did stuff like that (to clarify, not Florida in this case, Anne just has a low opinion of their elected officials): Ballotpedia. “Proof of Citizenship Requirements for Voter Registration by State.” https://ballotpedia.org/Proof_of_citizenship_requirements_for_voter_registration_by_state There are still several different forms of valid ID: VoteTexas.gov. “Identification Requirements for Voting.” http://votetexas.gov/voting/need-id.html There’s been a lot of news about the SAVE act: Sweren-Becker, Eliza and Bacskai, Owen. “New SAVE Act Bills Would Still Block Millions of Americans From Voting.” Updated February 9, 2026. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/new-save-act-bills-would-still-block-millions-americans-voting Conservative opinion leaders that have talked about repealing the Nineteenth Amendment, or saying things on Fox News like a wife should just vote the way her husband tells her to: Padilla, Mariel; Panetta, Grace; and Barclay, Mel Leonor. “Who’s Questioning Women’s Right to Vote?” August 12, 2025. 19thNews.org. https://19thnews.org/2025/08/pete-hegseth-doug-wilson-women-voting/ Where are the cases of any kind of voter fraud: Brennan Center for Justice. “Project: The Myth of Voter Fraud.” https://www.brennancenter.org/topics/voting-elections/vote-suppression/myth-voter-fraud Double-check that you’re registered: Texas.gov. “Texas Voter Registration.” https://www.texas.gov/living-in-texas/texas-voter-registration/ You can order one. (Note, this reference is for Texas. To obtain a birth certificate, you must order from the state you were born in.): Texas Health and Human Services. “Order A Birth Certificate.” https://ovra.txapps.texas.gov/ovra/order-birth-certificate That’s because of them fully implementing the Real ID Act: Texas Department of Public Safety. “Federal Real ID Act.” https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/federal-real-id-act They don’t have badges: Cameron, Dell and Haskins, Caroline. “FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves.” November 4, 2025. Wired. https://www.wired.com/story/fbi-warns-of-criminals-posing-as-ice-urges-agents-to-id-themselves/ If you happen to live in a town where ICE is buying warehouses: Sterling, Phil. “Massive San Antonio Warehouse to be Turned Into 1,500-bed ICE Processing Center.” February 13, 2026. News4SA. https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/new-details-on-wearhouse-to-be-turned-into-ice-processing-center-texas-mexico-immigration-detention-department-of-homeland-security Basically, every major office in Texas is up for vote right now: Astudillo, Carla and Méndez, María. “Here’s Your Texas 2026 March Primary Ballot.” January 6, 2026. The Texas Tribune. https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2026/texas-march-2026-primary-ballot/ Alas, Ted Cruz is not up: Ballotpedia. “Ted Cruz.” https://ballotpedia.org/Ted_Cruz Texas changed their districts, recently, through some partisan gerrymandering to try to pick-up five more seats: Lo Wang, Hansi. “Supreme Court Lets Texas Use Gerrymandered Map That Could Give GOP 5 More House Seats.” December 4, 2025. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2025/12/04/nx-s1-5619692/supreme-court-texas-redistricting-map When the national polling has shifted dramatically toward Democrats: Morris, G. Elliott. “Seven Data-Driven Lessons From the 2025 Elections.” November 5, 2025. Strength in Numbers. https://www.gelliottmorris.com/p/seven-data-driven-takeaways-from Buy our merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/CivcsRocks/shop?asc=u Look at Fort Worth: Hanna, John. “Texas Democrat Taylor Rehmet Flips Republican State Senate Seat Trump Won by 17 Points.” February 2, 2026. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/texas-democrat-taylor-rehmet-flips-republican-state-senate-seat-trump-won-by-17-points But it was really cold that weekend: Davis, Sarah. “Texas House Republican Blames Special Election Stunner on Winter Storm.” February 2, 2026. The Hill. https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5718666-pete-sessions-texas-election-weather/ The fact that Democrats have, in I don’t know how long, put up candidates in every race: Guo, Kayla. “Texas Democrats Fill Every State and Federal Race on 2026 Ballot, a First for Either Party.” December 7, 2025. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2025/12/17/texas-democrats-down-ballot-2026/ They got the toe in the little pool of self-destruction: Bowman, Bridget. “Viral Dispute Over ‘Mediocre’ Comment Exposes Racial Divides in Democrats’ Texas Senate Primary.” February 5, 2026. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/viral-dispute-mediocre-comment-exposes-racial-divides-democrats-texas-rcna257284 Desperation in the Republican ads: Crampton, Liz; Carney, Jordain; Benson, Samuel; Gangitano, Alex; and Wren, Adam. “Republicans are Freaking Out Over Texas Senate Race.” February 26, 2026. Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/26/republicans-alarm-grows-about-holding-texas-senate-seat-00799856 Some of their advertising is just disgusting: Birenbaum, Gabby. “Anti-Islam Rhetoric Takes Center Stage in Texas Republican Primary.” January 26, 2026. The Texas Tribune. https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/26/texas-republicans-sharia-law-anti-muslim-rhetoric/ In pretty blue San Antonio: Drusch, Andrea. “5 Takeaways From San Antonio’s 2025 City Election.” June 12, 2025. San Antonio Report. https://sanantonioreport.org/5-takeaways-from-san-antonios-2025-city-election/ They only have, like, 219 in the House: U.S. House of Representatives Press Gallery. “Party Breakdown.” https://pressgallery.house.gov/member-data/party-breakdown The Republican party has been in control of the state for about a quarter century: Ballotpedia. “Party Control of Texas State Government.” https://ballotpedia.org/Party_control_of_Texas_state_government Where Steve found the recipe for our Irish coffees, and one of his favorite authors: Larry Niven. Playgrounds of the Mind. 1991. Tor Books. Here’s all the board games we mentioned in a short amount of time. Darwin’s Journey: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/322289/darwins-journey Botany: A Victorian Expedition: https://duxsomnium.com/pages/botany Twilight Struggle: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12333/twilight-struggle Pan Am: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/303057/pan-am Mapmaker: The Gerrymandering Game: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/252997/mapmaker-the-gerrymandering-game 1960: The Making of the President: https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/27708/1960-the-making-of-the-president About a month ago, lasers in El Paso: Lubold, Gordon; Kube, Courtney; De Luce, Dan. And Gains, Mosheh. “CBP Shot Down Party Balloons With Anti-Drone Tech Before FAA Closed El Paso Airspace, Sources Say.” February 12, 2026. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/cbp-shot-party-balloons-anti-drone-tech-faa-closed-el-paso-airspace-so-rcna258731 More recently, lasers in El Paso: Gains, Mosheh; Helsel, Phil; and The Associated Press. “U.S. Military Reportedly Used a Laser to Shoot Down Customs and Border Protection Drone, Sparking New Air Closure.” February 26, 2026. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/us-military-used-laser-take-border-protection-drone-lawmakers-say-rcna260887 A very large military base, Fort Bliss: Military.com. “Fort Bliss Army Base Guide.” https://www.military.com/base-guide/fort-bliss It’s essentially a city of a million people with a country line between it: Communications and Publishing. “El Paso – Juarez [Satellite image].” USGS. https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/el-paso-juarez Through the lens of a September 11: Bergen, Peter L. “September 11 Attacks.” Updated December 9, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/September-11-attacks NORTHCOM: https://www.northcom.mil/HomelandDefense/ This isn’t a pointer laser, which should never be used around an airport: Public Affairs Officer. “The FBI Reminds the Public About the Severity of Laser Strikes Toward Aircraft.” February 25, 2026. FBI. https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/cleveland/news/the-fbi-reminds-the-public-about-the-severity-of-laser-strikes-toward-aircraft This is one of these tactical high-powered lasers: Demarest, Colin. “Laser Weapon That Shut Down El Paso’s Skies Was LOCUST System.” February 12, 2026. Axios. https://www.axios.com/2026/02/12/el-paso-laser-weapon-locust-drone This is not just something you can pull out of your backpack: Defense Updates. “What Can AeroVironment LOCUST Laser Weapon System Do for U.S. Military [YouTube video]?” https://youtu.be/huTcf6aoKMM?si=aXi_qCbyG3yFd76D The mayor found out from the morning news: Kim, Seung Min; Finley, Ben; Jalonick, Mary Clare; Lee, Morgan; and Boak, Josh. “Pentagon-FAA Dispute Over Lasers to Thwart Cartel Drones Led to Airspace Closure, AP Sources Say.” February 11, 2026. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/pentagon-faa-dispute-over-lasers-to-thwart-cartel-drones-led-to-airspace-closure-ap-sources-say The Malaysian Airlines flight over Ukraine: United Nations. “UN Aviation Council Finds Russia Responsible for Downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight.” May 13, 2025. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/05/1163161 There was a midair collision between a U.S. Army helicopter and a passenger plane: Skores, Alexandra. “Chain of Errors Led to Deadly Midair Collision Near Washington, DC, Investigators Conclude.” Updated February 27, 2026. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/17/us/washington-dc-plane-crash-cause They slashed the budgets and fired people: Copp, Tara. “Some of the 400 Jobs That Were Cut at the FAA Helped Support Air Safety, a Union Says.” Updated February 19, 2025. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/faa-firings-trump-doge-safety-airlines-27390c6a7aac58063652302df5a243d3 There are, apparently, nine Manhattans: GeoTargit.com “How Many Places are Named Manhattan?” https://geotargit.com/called.php?qcity=Manhattan Anne was incorrect, there was never a tribe that called themselves Manhattan. Colonizers assigned the name Manhattan to any native peoples they encountered on the island: Schenawolf, Harry. “How Manhattan Island of New York was Named.” March 28, 2015. Revolutionary War Journal. https://revolutionarywarjournal.com/manhattan-name-sources/ Mack’s being a bit pedantic. The Army Corps of Engineers officially created the Manhattan Engineer District but, even at the time, it was commonly referred to as the Manhattan Project: Atomic Heritage Foundation. “The Manhattan Project.” May 12, 2017. https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/history/manhattan-project/ In case, like Steve, you get your types of luminescence confused too: Physical Chemistry. “Types of Luminescence [YouTube video].” https://youtu.be/B1Z7iD2FlJA?si=rT5dC0DDKff5Nsvi They have to drink the radioactive stuff for the scans: Cleveland. “PET Scan.” Updated October 29, 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/10123-pet-scan The FBI raided Fulton County in Georgia: Levine, Sam and Chidi, George. “Debunked Claims From Election Deniers Influenced FBI Raid in Georgia, Affidavit Reveals.” February 10, 2026. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/10/fbi-raid-fulton-county-voting-office-search-affidavit Including Mike “Fucking” Johnson is up for election: Hilburn, Greg. “Speaker Mike Johnson Qualifies for Re-election, Predicts GOP Will Defy History in Midterms.” February 11, 2026. Shreveport Times. https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2026/02/11/house-speaker-mike-johnson-qualifies-for-re-election-predicts-gop-gains/88613862007/ Like Epstein file votes: The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Did Congress Vote to Release the Epstein Files?” Updated February 27, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/question/Did-Congress-vote-to-release-the-Epstein-files The tariff thing: McCarthy, Mia and Desrochers, Daniel. “GOP Revolt Sinks Effort to Block Votes on Trump’s Tariffs.” February 10, 2026. Politico. https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/10/congress/gop-revolt-sinks-effort-to-block-votes-on-trumps-tariffs-00775107 The Republicans made that a thing: Chidi, George. “From Praise to Rage: Conservative Response to Epstein Release is Mixed.” December 20, 2025. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/20/conservative-response-epstein-release He’s the most mentioned person in the Epstein files: Herb, Jeremy and Cohen, Marshall. “What 3 Million New Documents Tell Us About Trump’s Ties to Jeffrey Epstein.” Updated January 31, 2026. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/31/politics/new-documents-trump-epstein What are other countries’ governments doing about it: CBS Mornings. “Epstein Files Fallout Prompts Investigations in At Least 10 Countries [YouTube video].” February 16, 2026. https://youtu.be/0fTIZaVJ1z0?si=ZzVxeI8vNdt9U89- Or Pam Bondi: Greene, Connor. “Pam Bondi Declines to Directly Apologize to Epstein Victims During Capitol Hill Testimony.” February 11, 2026. Time. https://time.com/7377755/bondi-epstein-victims-files-house-hearing/ There’s a lot of Republicans in Texas, right now, sweating: McCaskill, Nolan D. “As Trump Allies Battle in Texas, A Safe Republican Senate Seat Suddenly Looks Fragile.” February 27, 2026. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-allies-battle-texas-safe-republican-senate-seat-suddenly-looks-fragile-2026-02-27/ Look at the grand juries over the last year: Lee, Ella. “Grand Juries Take on Growing Importance Amid Trump’s Legal Retribution Campaign.” February 15, 2026. The Hill. https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5738221-grand-juries-trump-interference/ Or the streets of Minneapolis: NPR. “Special Series: Minneapolis Shootings and Protests.” https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-107333/minneapolis-shootings-protests The Texas Tribune, who have been doing an excellent job providing voter information in the State of Texas: The Texas Tribune. “Texas Votes 2026.” https://www.texastribune.org/2026-vote/ Our podcast favorite, Vote411.org by the League of Women Voters: https://www.vote411.org/ And “jazz hands” is a dance move that involves holding your hands up, palms out, and shaking them. But you already knew that.

Untethered Tangent on the Freedom of the Seas

What are the President’s War Powers?

Steve points out the squishiness, Mack plays Devil’s advocate, and Anne declares war on Switzerland. REFERENCES The executive power shall be vested in a President: Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S1.C1.1 Overview of Executive Vesting Clause.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S1-C1-1/ALDE_00013790/ President shall also be Commander in Chief of the armed forces: Legal Information Institute. “Commander in Chief Powers.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/commander_in_chief_powers Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, like we all know: Constitution Annotated. “Clause 11 War Powers.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-8/clause-11/ There’s this other part that says the President shall make sure that the laws be faithfully executed: Constitution Annotated. “ArtII.S3.3.1 Overview of Take Care Clause.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S3-3-1/ALDE_00001160/ Other than, what is war: Merriam-Webster. “War.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/war Going back to the Barbary pirates: Office of the Historian. “Barbary Wars, 1801–1805 and 1815–1816.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1801-1829/barbary-wars In the Navy Act: Bisno, Adam. “President Washington Signs the Naval Act of 1794.” March 20, 2019. Naval History and Heritage Command. https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/heritage/origins-of-the-navy/washington-naval-act-1794.html The famous six frigates: Naval History and Heritage Command. “U.S. Navy’s Six Original Frigates.” https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/ships/original-frigates.html Or an amendment later: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. “An Act for the Protection of Commerce of the U.S. in the Mediterranean, Passed by the Senate February 1, 1802.” https://www.visitthecapitol.gov/artifact/act-protection-commerce-us-mediterranean-passed-senate-february-1-1802 The Law of the Sea: National Ocean Service. “What is the Law of the Sea?” https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lawofsea.html The U.N. Charter has a “you can act in self-defense”: Codification Division Publications. “Chapter VII—Action With Respect to Threats to the Peach, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression.” United Nations. https://legal.un.org/repertory/art51.shtml Armed conflict versus war: Save the Children. “What is Conflict and War?” https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/what-we-do/conflict-war When did we declare war on Vietnam: Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Was the Vietnam War Technically a War?” https://www.britannica.com/question/Was-the-Vietnam-War-technically-a-war Was there a formal declaration of war: United States Senate. “About Declarations of War by Congress.” https://www.senate.gov/about/powers-procedures/declarations-of-war.htm George H. W. Bush said he did not believe he needed that authorization from Congress to proceed because it was a United Nations action: Keller, Kate. “An Unlikely Hardliner, George H. W. Bush Was Ready to Push Presidential Powers.” May 14, 2018. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/unlikely-hardliner-george-h-w-bush-was-ready-push-presidential-powers-180969017/ Did Congress ever make a ruling on it: United States House of Representatives. “House Passage of the 1991 Resolution Authorizing the Use of Force Against Iraq." https://history.house.gov/HistoricalHighlight/Detail?id=35252 The Vietnam war doesn’t happen without Congress at some point voting for the money for it to happen: Hughes, Ken. “The Myth That Congress Cut Off Funding for South Vietnam.” April 28, 2010. History News Network. https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/the-myth-that-congress-cut-off-funding-for-south-v A coalition of allies: CNN Editorial Research. “Gulf War Fast Facts.” Updated July 24, 2025. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/world/middleeast/gulf-war-fast-facts You had the Quasi-War with France, which was kind of weird: Office of the Historian. “The XYZ Affair and the Quasi-War with France, 1798–1800.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/xyz They’re landlocked: National Geographic Kids. “Switzerland.” https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/geography/countries/article/switzerland They have the funds: Taylor, Chloe. “The ‘Strongest Currency on Earth’ Just Hit an 11-Year High—and It’s Stirring Up Trouble in Switzerland.” Updated January 28, 2026. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/28/swiss-franc-us-dollar-price-fx-exchange-rate-trump-switzerland-snb-currency.html That’s called portage, by the way: Merriam-Webster. “Portage.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portage Steve is correct, Switzerland is not in the showcase of nations at EPCOT: Magic Guides. “What Are the Countries in EPCOT?” https://magicguides.com/countries-in-epcot-world-showcase/ Mack was closest. The executive branch of Switzerland is a Federal Council: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft. “Political System.” https://www.aboutswitzerland.eda.admin.ch/en/political-system They’re going to invade our ears with their jamming music: https://youtu.be/oqVy6eRXc7Q?si=wu03olgks0y9i0-B What is imminent? Merriam-Webster. “Imminent.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imminent What is threat? Merriam-Webster. “Threat.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threat Unless you’re a state, actually. Article I, Section 10, Clause 3: Constitution Annotated. “Clause 3 Acts Requiring Consent of Congress.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-10/clause-3/ I bring up Pearl Harbor: Citino, Rob and Zemurray Stone, Samuel. “Pearl Harbor Attack, December 7, 1941.” National WWII Museum. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/topics/pearl-harbor-december-7-1941 Again, Mack knew what he was talking about. Here are the specifics of the Japanese fleet that attacked Pearl Harbor: Pearl Harbor. “This of the Japanese Striking Force.” June 3, 2017. https://pearlharbor.org/blog/ships-japanese-striking-force/ Did they just turn around and go back to Japan? Where did they go afterward: Pearl Harbor. “Japan’s Plans After Pearl Harbor.” https://pearlharbor.org/blog/japans-plans-pearl-harbor/ In case you, also, were not alive for this event: Hartig, Hannah and Doherty, Carroll. “Two Decades Later, the Enduring Legacy of 9/11.” September 2, 2021. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/09/02/two-decades-later-the-enduring-legacy-of-9-11/ He gave the speech, “…the day that will live in infamy…”: Library of Congress. “Speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt, New York (Transcript).” https://www.loc.gov/resource/afc1986022.afc1986022_ms2201/?st=text&r=-0.101,-0.296,1.111,1.327,0 Even during the Great Depression: Richardson, Gary. “The Great Depression.” November 22, 2013. Federal Reserve History. https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/great-depression Or are you Theodore Roosevelt and even if one American gets killed, we’re going to war: National Park Service. “The Bull Moose in Winter: Theodore Roosevelt and World War I.” Updated March 7, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-bull-moose-in-winter-theodore-roosevelt-and-world-war-i.htm The War Powers Act was passed by Congress in 1973: Britannica Editors. “War Powers Act.” January 22, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/topic/War-Powers-Act Nixon vetoes it, expressing his belief that it is unconstitutional: Nixon, Richard. “Veto of the War Powers Resolution.” October 24, 1973. The American Presidency Project. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/veto-the-war-powers-resolution Congress overrides the veto: Congress. “War Powers Resolution. Expedited Procedures in the House and Senate.” https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47603 Oh, like NATO: https://www.nato.int/en Barrack Obama and Libya: Britannica Editors. “Libya Revolt of 2011.” June 15, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Libya-Revolt-of-2011 The Obama administration issues a statement: BBC. “White House: U.S. ‘Can Act in Libya Without Congress’.” June 15, 2011. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-13785073 Ordering the military to seize oil tankers: Upadhyay, Brajesh and Sherman, Natalie. “U.S. Forces Seize a Sixth Venezuela-Linked Oil Tanker in Caribbean Sea.” January 15, 2026. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4qdnj5vl9o Let’s do the lead up: Finley, Ben; Toropin, Konstantin; and Garcia Cano, Regina. “A Timeline of U.S. Military Escalation Against Venezuela Leading to Maduro’s Capture.” January 3, 2025. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/a-timeline-of-u-s-military-escalation-against-venezuela-leading-to-maduros-capture We started by bombing boats: Associated Press. “U.S. Forces Carry Out First Known Strike on Alleged Drug Boat Since Maduro’s Capture.” January 23, 2026. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-forces-carry-out-first-known-strike-on-alleged-drug-boat-since-maduros-capture We’ve been intercepting boats into our country running drugs for years: Laliberte, Daniel A. “Enforcing the Law at Sea—The Rise of Drug Smugglers [Commentary].” March 28, 2025. United States Coast Guard. https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/4138215/enforcing-the-law-at-sea-the-rise-of-drug-smugglers/ This is an administration that has not had a real good track record with the idea of truth/evidence: Desjardins, Lisa and Loffman, Matt. “Why Politifact Has Labeled 2025 the ‘Year of the Lies’ [Video and transcript].” December 31, 2025. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-politifact-has-labeled-2025-the-year-of-the-lies Experts in the field, who know both about drug running, the country of Venezuela, and war tactics in international waters: Singer, Jeffery A. “Trump’s Venezuela Gambit: An Incoherent Encore in a Failed Drug War.” December 3, 2025. CATO Institute. https://www.cato.org/blog/trumps-venezuela-gambit-incoherent-encore-failed-drug-war Morgan, Annie W. and Halsell, James. “Drug Boats: Where Questions of Lethality and Legality Meet.” September 2025. U.S. Naval Institute. https://www.usni.org/lethality_and_legality Venezuela does not border the eastern Pacific: McCoy, Jennifer L. “Venezuela.” Updated January 4, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Venezuela Unless you go through the Panama Canal: Gordon, Burton L. “Panama Canal.” Updated December 8, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Panama-Canal Venezuela is known for cocaine: Ramirez Uribe, Maria. “Was Nicolas Maduro ‘Flooding’ the U.S. With Fentanyl, as White House Claims?” January 15, 2026. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/1/15/was-nicolas-maduro-flooding-the-us-with-fentanyl-as-white-house-claims They killed a lot of people: Finley, Ben and Toropin, Konstantin. “Death Toll From U.S. Strikes on Alleged Drug Boats Reaches 126 People.” January 26, 2026. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-military-death-toll-venezuela-20cef307b035c386f390df846b6056b7 Before the war crime incident: Finley, Ben and Toropin, Konstantin. “Experts Explain What the Law Says About Killing Survivors of a Boat Strike.” December 1, 2025. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642 They released a video of the initial strike on the boat, and then refused to release the second strike on the boat: Stein, Chris. “Pentagon Won’t Release Full Video of Caribbean Strike That Killed Two People, Hegseth Says.” December 16, 2025. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/16/pentagon-wont-release-full-video-caribbean-attack The powers that be right now, in the United States, ordered that to happen: Pigliucci, Cai; FitzGerald, James; and Drenon, Brandon. “Admiral Testified Hegseth Did Not Give ‘Kill them all’ order, U.S. lawmakers say.” December 4, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxjd6pxzro It is in two different manuals: Finley, Ben and Toropin, Konstantin. “Experts Explain What the Law Says About Killing Survivors of a Boat Strike.” December 1, 2025. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642 A more thorough explanation of what happened during the attack of Venezuela than we give in the podcast: Nicholas, Peter; Tsirkin, Julie; Dixon, Matt; Alba, Monica; and Kube, Courtney. “A CIA Team, Steel Doors, and a Fateful Phone Call: How the U.S. Captured Maduro in Venezuela.” January 3, 2026. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/us-venezuela-strike-nicolas-maduro-captured-how-timeline-trump-rcna252041 Was arraigned a few days ago: Intarasuwan, Kiki; Czachor, Emily May; Walsh, Joe; and Quinn, Mellisa. “Ousted Venezuelan President Maduro Arraigned in U.S. Court; Trump Threatens Other Nations.” Updated January 6, 2026. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-trump-maduro-charges/ Maduro was an asshole: McCoy, Jennifer L. “The Presidency of Nicolás Maduro.” Updated January 4, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Venezuela/The-presidency-of-Nicolas-Maduro Did not recognize him as the current head of state: Harrison, Chase; Gerbaud, Gladys; and Robertson, Khalea. “How Have International Leaders Responded to Venezuela’s 2024 Election?” August 19, 2024. Americas Society/Council of the Americas. https://www.as-coa.org/articles/how-have-international-leaders-responded-venezuelas-2024-election What is he being charged with: Slack, Donavan; Goodwin, Grace Eliza; and Epstein, Kayla. “What is Maduro Charged With and What is the Evidence?” January 5, 2026. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyndnqqey5o In 1989, Manuel Noriega: Britannica Editors. “Manuel Noriega.” Updated November 6, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Manuel-Noriega The canal zone is still controlled by the United States: Roy, Diana. “Who Controls the Panama Canal?” Updated January 29, 2025. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/articles/who-controls-panama-canal There was a U.S. marine killed. Panama had declared war on the U.S.: History.com Editors. “The U.S. Invades Panama.” Updated December 3, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-20/the-u-s-invades-panama It’s not like it’s settled law that that was fine: Scheffer, David J. “Maduro’s Capture and International Law: The Noriega Precedent.” January 6, 2026. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/articles/maduros-capture-and-international-law-noriega-precedent The President, immediately, told the American public, we’re going to go into Venezuela and run it: Jacobson, Louis and Ramirez Uribe, Maria. “Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims After U.S. Strike on Venezuela and Capture of Maduro.” January 4, 2026. PBS News. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-trumps-claims-after-u-s-strike-on-venezuela-and-capture-of-maduro Thank God, it’s Marco Rubio: U.S. Department of State. “Marco Rubio.” https://www.state.gov/biographies/marco-rubio/ We’re fine with the Vice President as long as they do what we say: Adams, Paul. “Analysis: Why Trump Chose Maduro’s VP Over Nobel Winner.” January 7, 2026. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c77krp7m362o Venezuela came in at some point and nationalized/took it all from them: Gore, D’Angelo. “Explaining Trump’s Claim That Venezuela ‘Stole’ U.S. Oil.” January 14, 2026. https://www.factcheck.org/2026/01/explaining-trumps-claim-that-venezuela-stole-u-s-oil/ People are trying to discern what the strategic objective of the administration was: Jeyaretnam, Miranda and de Guzman, Chad. “What’s Happening With the U.S. and Venezuela Explained.” January 12, 2026. Time. https://time.com/7344628/us-venezuela-trump-maduro-oil-drugs-war-explainer-questions-answered/ We might not actually see money from the oil: Atwood, Kylie. “Before Capturing Maduro, Trump Admin Sought Lessons From Iraq War to Get Venezuela’s Oil Flowing.” January 29, 2026. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/29/politics/maduro-venezuela-oil-iraq-war-trump They offered him to go into exile in comfort in Turkey: Turkish Minute. “U.S. Senator Backs Reports Maduro was Offered Exile in Turkey Before Raid.” January 5, 2026. https://www.turkishminute.com/2026/01/05/us-senator-backs-reports-maduro-was-offered-exile-in-turkey-before-raid/ You just pardoned the President of Honduras for cocaine charges: Yousif, Nadine. “What Was Honduras Ex-president Convicted of and Why has Trump Pardoned Him?” December 2, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9qewln7912o He was asked that at a press conference: https://youtu.be/bI2hzRw73Bw?si=WcBre0QmGHVm8nCH Marco Rubio, who was asked about that later: https://youtu.be/tLGHbe4qgys?si=kILnMisDVeuVcTLE Why do certain personalities subscribe to conspiracy theories: Moul, Russell. “A Conspiracy Theory Mindset Can be Predicted by These Two Psychological Traits.” January 6, 2026. IFLScience. https://www.iflscience.com/a-conspiracy-theory-mindset-can-be-predicted-by-these-two-psychological-traits-82128 This is the Keystone cops: https://youtu.be/GwUUUqgfu-E?si=4qhuKvTuT61sl5Hi Soyer Au Champagne, from an Atlas Obscure article: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/soyer-au-champagne-cocktail Saratoga: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/2196/saratoga-cocktail Steve’s 12 Bottle Bar book: Dave Solmonson. The 12 Bottle Bar: Make Hundreds of Cocktails With Just 12 Bottles. 2014. Workman Publishing Company. The first of two Bobby Burns: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/bobby-burns/ Burns Night in Scotland: Scotland.org. “Burns Night.” https://www.scotland.org/events/burns-night A variation on a Bobby Burns: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/2313/bobby-burns-crocketts-recipe Craddock…: Sutcliffe, Theodore. “Harry Craddock.” Difford’s Guide. https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/2345/people/harry-craddock …versus Crockett: Cameron, Ian. “Albert Stevens Crockett.” Difford’s Guide. https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/2864/people/albert-stevens-crockett Fibonacci numbers: Math is Fun. “Fibonacci Sequence.” https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.html What’s called the golden spiral or the golden rectangle or golden ratio: Mathnasium. “Nine Examples of the Golden Ratio in Nature, From Pinecones to the Human Body.” July 25, 2024. https://www.mathnasium.com/blog/golden-ratio-in-nature Disney World: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/ It’s a World’s Fair: Findling, John. “World’s Fair.” Updated December 10, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/worlds-fair It’s a Small World: Walt Disney World. “It’s a Small World.” https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/its-a-small-world/ Mack is correct, her name was Mary Blair: Canemaker, John. “About Mary Blair.” The Magic of Mary Blair. https://magicofmaryblair.com/about-mary/ We are the ultimate check—the primaries in Texas are on March 3: https://www.vote411.org/texas And “global thermonuclear war” is a reference to the movie WarGames. But you already knew that.

Untethered Tangent on Unlawful Orders

Is All Fair In Love and War?

In this episode, we tackle war crimes. Please note that we record episodes in the month before they are posted—just in case you are wondering why we aren’t talking about one big event in particular. REFERENCES People have desecrated corpses throughout history: Breed, Allen G. “Desecration of the Dead is as Old as War Itself.” January 13, 2012. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/nation-world/2012/01/14/desecration-dead-old-war-itself/15184013007/ Like a flag of truce: Little, Becky. “How Did the White Flag Become a Symbol of Surrender?” Updated May 27, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/when-did-the-white-flag-become-associated-with-surrender Don’t kill the messenger: Frank, David. “Chapter 19 – The Classical Origins and Modern Expressions of ‘Don’t Shoot the Messenger’.” September 4, 2025. Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/dont-shoot-the-journalists/classical-origins-and-modern-expressions-of-dont-shoot-the-messenger/97A99431730AA8701715ECB376467643 The Defenestration of Prague: Britannica Editors. “Defenestration of Prague.” May 16, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/event/Defenestration-of-Prague-1618 One of the things that began the Thirty Years’ War in Europe: Britannica Editors. “Thirty Years’ War.” Updated January 6, 2026. https://www.britannica.com/event/Thirty-Years-War It ends with the treaty called the Peace of Westphalia: Gesley, Jenny. “The Peach of Westphalia.” October 24, 2017. Library of Congress. https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2017/10/the-peace-of-westphalia/ The world today is composed of nation states: Comstock, Nancy. W. “Nation State.” 2024. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/politics-and-government/nation-state Basically, at some point Europe colonized almost the entirety of the world: Becker, Bastian. “European Overseas Colonies and Their Colonizers Over Time [Interactive map].” September 18, 2023. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/european-overseas-colonies-and-their-colonizers?time=earliest This is probably not the video Steve was referencing, but it illustrates the point that everyone goes to war: ABC News (Australia). “Dozens Killed in Tribal Fighting in Papua New Guinea [Video].” August 23, 2023. https://youtu.be/EhVpKBJESB8?si=3pIXT2kaNlcmKxQp The most famous being the Hauge conventions: HCCH. “Conventions and Other Instruments.” https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions Most of the modern war crimes were as a result of World War II: Penrose, Mary Margaret. “Post-World War II Developments: Genevea Conventions.” December 10, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/war-crime/Post-World-War-II-developments The Napoleonic Wars gave rise to some: Britannic Editors. “Napoleonic Wars.” November 24, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Napoleonic-Wars The Geneva Convention in 1864: International Committee of the Red Cross. “Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field. Geneva, 22 August 1864.” https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/gc-1864 A list of war crimes, right now: BBC. “War Crimes.” https://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/war/overview/crimes_1.shtml How to treat prisoners of war: United Nations. “Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.” August 12, 1949. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/geneva-convention-relative-treatment-prisoners-war Respecting flags of truce: Arnold, Roberta. “Flags of Truce.” May 2006. Oxford Public International Law. https://opil.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e297 In ’49, Geneva conventions: International Committee of the Red Cross. “Geneva Conventions of 1949, Additional Protocols and Their Commentaries.” https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/geneva-conventions-1949additional-protocols-and-their-commentaries A lot of rules about treatment of noncombatants: United Nations. “Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.” August 12, 1949. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/geneva-convention-relative-protection-civilian-persons-time-war The idea of total war: Britannica Editors. “Total War.” December 5, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/total-war Dresden: Dawsey, Jason. “Apocalypse in Dresden, February 1945.” February 13, 2020. The National WWII Museum. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/apocalypse-dresden-february-1945 Fire bombing of Tokyo: History.com Editors. “Firebombing of Tokyo.” Updated January 31, 2025. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-9/firebombing-of-tokyo Hamburg: Curatola, John. “Operation Gomorrah: The First of the Firestorms.” July 10, 2023. The National WWII Museum. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/operation-gomorrah-first-firestorms The Blitz: Curatola, John. “The Blitz of 1940.” August 27, 2025. The National WWII Museum. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/blitz-1940 Not attacking hospitals: International Committee of the Red Cross. “The Protection of Hospitals During Armed Conflicts: What the Law Says.” June 11, 2023. https://www.icrc.org/en/document/protection-hospitals-during-armed-conflicts-what-law-says It’s a horrible thing that Israelis bombed a hospital in the Gaza strip: United Nations. “Pattern of Israeli Attacks on Gaza Hospitals Raises Grave Concerns – Report.” December 31, 2024. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/12/pattern-israeli-attacks-gaza-hospitals-raises-grave-concerns-report Who wrote them: Shaw, Malcolm. “Geneva Conventions.” December 3, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Geneva-Conventions The Kellog-Briand pact: Office of the Historian. “The Kellogg-Briand Pact, 1928.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1921-1936/kellogg The Weimar Republic: Britannica Editors. “Weimar Republic.” December 19, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/place/Weimar-Republic You had, clearly, violation of international law when Iraq goes into Kuwait: Hensel, Howard M. “Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait.” 2023. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/military-history-and-science/iraqi-invasion-kuwait What George H. Bush’s administration did: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “Address to the Nation Announcing Operation Desert Storm, 1991.” https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/address-nation-announcing-operation-desert-storm-1991 Whereas the second Gulf War was sort of a counterpoint: Doherty, Carroll and Kiley, Jocelyn. “A Look Back at How Fear and False Beliefs Bolstered U.S. Public Support for War in Iraq.” March 14, 2023. Pew Research. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/03/14/a-look-back-at-how-fear-and-false-beliefs-bolstered-u-s-public-support-for-war-in-iraq/ There’s also crimes against humanity: Legal Information Institute. “Crime Against Humanity.” Reviewed August 2022. Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/crime_against_humanity The history of Gaza being a protectorate of Israel: United Nations. “The Question of Palestine.” https://www.un.org/unispal/history/ Like in Africa: United Nations. “Rwanda: A Brief History of the Country.” https://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/historical-background.shtml If one of the nations is run by a terrorist organization: Robinson, Kali and Merrow, Will. “What is Hamas?” Updated October 6, 2025. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hamas In Article I, Section 8, Clause 10: Constitution Annotated. “ArtI.S8.C10.1 Historical Background on Maritime Crimes.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C10-1/ALDE_00001070/ And the next clause: Constitution Annotated. “ArtI.S8.C11.1.1 Overview of Congressional War Powers.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S8-C11-1-1/ALDE_00013587/ Like Sarajevo: Lampe, John R. “Bosnian War: War Crimes and Trials.” Reviewed January 5, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/Bosnian-War/War-crimes-and-trials The International Criminal Court: https://www.icc-cpi.int/ Why aren’t we a party to it (article from the time): Bradley, Curtis A. “U.S. Announces Intent Not to Ratify International Criminal Court Treaty.” May 11, 2002. American Society of International Law. https://www.asil.org/insights/volume/7/issue/7/us-announces-intent-not-ratify-international-criminal-court-treaty Why aren’t we a party to it (more recently): Hansler, Jennifer. “Trump Administration Sanctions Two More International Criminal Court Judges for Investigating Israel.” December 18, 2025. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/18/politics/trump-international-criminal-court-sanctions Much like the landmine treaty: United Nations. “Anti-Personnel Landmines Convention.” https://disarmament.unoda.org/en/our-work/conventional-arms/anti-personnel-landmines-convention Or the Law of the Sea: International Maritime Organization. “United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” https://www.imo.org/en/ourwork/legal/pages/unitednationsconventiononthelawofthesea.aspx We could not find a source to support Anne’s claim that the U.S. is the most prolific user of landmines in the world. Here is a more accurate description of the country’s usage: Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor. “Mine Ban Policy—United States.” https://the-monitor.org/country-profile/united-states/mine-ban-policy?year=2023 There are massive landmine fields between North and South Korea: Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor. “Mine Ban Policy—Korea, South.” https://www.the-monitor.org/country-profile/korea-south/mine-ban-policy?year=2023 In the past few years, no people have been maimed in Vietnam from U.S. landmines, largely due to organizations like the following that teach children how to avoid them: PeaceTrees. “Humanitarian Mine Action.” https://www.peacetreesvietnam.org/what-we-do/mine/explosive-ordnance-risk-education.html It’s like mustard gas: CDC. “Mustard Gas.” September 6, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/chemical-emergencies/chemical-fact-sheets/mustard-gas.html Princess Diana—that was a major cause of hers: Burke, Myles. “Princess Diana’s 1997 Landmine Walk: ‘I come with my heart’.” January 15, 2024. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240112-princess-dianas-1997-landmine-walk-i-come-with-my-heart At least we’re not the ones that make cool little fluttery landmines that are brightly colored like children’s toys: Hsu, Jeremy. “Drones Used to Find Toylike ‘Butterfly’ Land Mines.” December 28, 2018. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/drones-used-to-find-toylike-butterfly-land-mines/ They train rats to sniff out the landmines: APOPO. “A Typical Morning for a Mine Sniffing Rat [Video].” https://youtu.be/BX7LnsZU8Nw They were awarded medals and stuff: BBC. “Magawa, the Landmine-Sniffing Hero Rat, Dies Aged Eight.” January 11, 2022. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59951255 Our complex relationship with cluster munitions: Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor. “Cluster Munition Ban Policy—United States.” https://the-monitor.org/country-profile/united-states/cluster-munition-ban-policy?year=2023 We did, in fact, give some to the Ukraine: Cancian, Mark F. “Cluster Munitions: What Are They, and Why is the United States Sending Them to Ukraine?” Center for Strategic & International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/cluster-munitions-what-are-they-and-why-united-states-sending-them-ukraine It’s also a World War I problem: Coe, Joshua. “‘Iron Harvest’: A Belgian Team Unearths Unexploded Ammunition From WWI.” August 4, 2023. https://theworld.org/stories/2023/08/04/iron-harvest-belgian-team-unearths-unexploded-ammunition-wwi Ukraine fighting back against Russia: The Guardian. “Ukraine War Briefing: Kremlin Denounces European Troops Plan as Kyiv Warns of ‘Massive Russian Attack’. January 8, 2026. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/09/ukraine-war-briefing-kremlin-denounces-european-troops-plan-as-kyiv-warns-of-massive-russian-attack Have you read George Orwell’s essay on pacificism: Orwell, George. “Pacifism and the War.” Originally published 1942. https://www.orwell.ru/library/articles/pacifism/english/e_patw We tried to stop that with the U.N.: https://www.un.org/en/ The idea for the League of Nations: Britannica Editors. “League of Nations.” December 29, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/topic/League-of-Nations Wilson may have been foolish: Cooper, John Milton. “Woodrow Wilson.” Review December 24, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Woodrow-Wilson The building still exists (alas, it is not a bar and grill): Genève Internationale. “Chapter 2: Palais Wilson, The Memory and Hostage of Geneva.” https://www.geneve-int.ch/chapter-2-palais-wilson-memory-and-hostage-geneva Sort of like the Articles of Confederation: National Archives. “Articles of Confederation (1777).” https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/articles-of-confederation Who’s on the permanent Security Council: United Nations. “Security Council.” https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/current-members The Abu Ghraib prison scandal: Shamim, Sarah. “What Happened in Abu Ghraib and Why Did a Court Award Damages?” November 14, 2024. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/14/what-happened-in-abu-ghraib-and-why-did-a-us-court-award-damages Uniform Code of Military Justice: Absher, Jim. “The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).” March 25, 2022. https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/the-uniform-code-of-military-justice-ucmj.html We could not find a source for Steve’s statement that the last person prosecuted for war crimes, per se, was during the Civil War. Though, someone was certainly prosecuted for their crimes at Andersonville: National Park Service. “History of the Andersonville Prison.” https://www.nps.gov/ande/learn/historyculture/camp_sumter_history.htm Here’s a recent story about U.S. soldiers and war crimes: Shane III, Leo; Myers, Meghann; and Prine, Carl. “Trump Grants Clemency to Troops in Three Controversial War Crimes Cases.” Military Times. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/11/16/trump-grants-clemency-to-troops-in-three-controversial-war-crimes-cases/ Calley: Linder, Douglas O. “Charges Against Lt. William Calley.” UMKC School of Law. https://www.famous-trials.com/mylaicourts/1627-myl-ctchar There was a canine handler at Abu Ghraib: The Associated Press. “Abu Ghraib Dog Handler Sentenced to 6 Months.” March 21, 2006. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna11943182 ICJ: https://www.icj-cij.org/home It was court-martial: Legal Information Institute. “Court-Martial.” Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/court-martial The whole lawful/unlawful order thing: Pereira, Ivan. “What the Military Oath of Enlistment Says About Legal and Illegal Orders.” November 20, 2025. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/military-oath-enlistment-legal-illegal-orders/story?id=127725085 The My Lai massacre, the short version: American Experience. “The My Lai Massacre.” PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/vietnam-my-lai-massacre/ Seymour Hersh, who broke the story: Brooks, Xan. “‘He’s a son of a bitch–but he’s usually right’: Why Did Seymour Hersh Quit the Film About His Earth-Shattering Exposés?” December 8, 2025. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/08/seymour-hersh-earth-shattering-exposes-my-lai-abu-ghraib-cover-up The fishing boats: Angell, Katie. “2025 U.S. Strikes on Venezuelan Vessels: When Washington’s War on Drugs Reaches Venezuela’s Shores.” January 1, 2026. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/2025-US-Strikes-on-Venezuelan-Vessels We also just seized an oil tanker: Reuters. “U.S. Seizes Olina Tanker in Caribbean, Fifth Vessel Taken in Venezuela Blockade.” January 9, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-process-seizing-olina-tanker-caribbean-us-official-says-2026-01-09/ We have a previously good Coast Guard that does this all the time: Breen, Kerry. “Coast Guard Offloads 27,000 Pounds of Cocaine as it Uses ‘Disabling Fire’ to Stop Some Alleged Drug Boats.” Updated December 16, 2025. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coast-guard-cocaine-seizure-eastern-pacific-ocean-disabling-fire/ They have clear rules of engagement: Britannica Editors. “Rules of Engagement.” January 2, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/rules-of-engagement-military-directives They were in international waters: United Nations. “International Waters.” https://archive.unescwa.org/international-waters An example in a guide for the military of an unlawful order is bombing people who have been shipwrecked due to an attack: Finley, Ben and Toropin, Konstantin. “Experts Explain What the Law Says About Killing Survivors of a Boat Strike.” December 1, 2025. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642 Horrific chapter in our history: Office of the Historian. “Indian Treaties and the Removal Act of 1830.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1830-1860/indian-treaties Like in Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy: Tom Clancy. Clear and Present Danger. Berkley. July 1, 1990. That’s how it ends: https://youtu.be/sWwN-yDCjOM?si=QNzS-e2CdSodY8XU So, I’m going to mention Pearl Harbor: Scanlon, Sean. “U.S. Intelligence Failures at Pearl Harbor.” September 18, 2025. The National WWII Museum. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/us-intelligence-failures-pearl-harbor There was a war warning issued by General Marshall: Brewer, Delaney. “The Attack on Pearl Harbor.” National Museum of the United States Army. https://www.thenmusa.org/articles/attack-on-pearl-harbor/ Kimmel got relieved: History.com Editors. “Commander at Pearl Harbor Relieved of His Duties.” Updated January 31, 2025. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-17/commander-at-pearl-harbor-canned We let an awful lot of drugs into our country: U.S. Government Accountability Office. “Fentanyl Continues to Be the Leading Cause of Overdose Deaths. What’s Being Done to Combat Trafficking into the United States?” September 4, 2025. https://www.gao.gov/blog/fentanyl-continues-be-leading-cause-overdose-deaths.-whats-being-done-combat-trafficking-united-states Doctors prescribe an awful lot of drugs in this country that kill people all the time: National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. “Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics.” https://drugabusestatistics.org/prescription-drug-abuse-statistics/ They ordered the survivors to be bombed: Pigliucci, Cai; FitzGerald, James; and Drenon, Brandon. “Admiral Testified Hegseth Did Not Give ‘Kill them all’ order, U.S. lawmakers say.” December 4, 2025. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxjd6pxzro Including several Republicans: Blake, Aaron. “Republicans Are Covering Their Backsides on the Double-tap Strike.” December 2, 2025. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/02/politics/republicans-double-tap-strike-trump As far as drugs go, they aren’t the biggest importer: Singer, Jeffrey A. “Trump’s Venezuela Gambit: An Incoherent Encore in a Failed Drug War.” December 3, 2025. CATO Institute. https://www.cato.org/blog/trumps-venezuela-gambit-incoherent-encore-failed-drug-war A lot of people in the past few years have been coming from Venezuela: United Nations Refugee Agency. “Venezuela Situation.” https://www.unhcr.org/us/emergencies/venezuela-situation Ooh, evil socialist, we can combat him: Jeyaretnam, Miranda and de Guzman, Chad. “What’s Happening With the U.S. and Venezuela, Explained.” January 8, 2026. Time. https://time.com/7344628/us-venezuela-trump-maduro-oil-drugs-war-explainer-questions-answered/ There’s also the oil angle: Roy, Diana and Cheatham. “Venezuela: The Rise and Fall of a Petrostate.” Updated July 31, 2024. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/venezuela-crisis We’re a net exporter of oil: U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Oil and Petroleum Products Explained.” Updated January 19, 2024. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/oil-and-petroleum-products/imports-and-exports.php They could just seize Citgo stations: Weber, Natalie. “Judge Approves Sale of Houston-Based Citgo to Amber Energy.” December 3, 2025. Houston PBS. https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/business/2025/12/02/537526/judge-approves-sale-of-citgo-to-amber-energy The Trump administration have identified an enemy, Tren de Aragua: Roston, Aram. “Maduro Indictment Attempts to Link Venezuelan Leader to Tren de Aragua.” January 4, 2026. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/04/maduro-indictment-trump-tren-de-aragua A lot of things are happening right now in African countries: Le Poidevin, Olivia. “Women Bearing the Brunt of Sudan’s Acute Hunger Crisis, UN Says.” January 9, 2026. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/women-bearing-brunt-sudans-acute-hunger-crisis-un-says-2026-01-09/ Anne was incorrect. The Trump administration does seem to care about some things happening in African countries: Okafor, Makuochi and Otalor, Jean. “Trump Warns of More Nigeria Strikes if Christians ‘Continue to be killed’.” January 9, 2026. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly3vl3yp2do They keep talking about rare earth minerals: American Geosciences Institute. “What are Rare Earth Elements, and Why are They Important?” https://profession.americangeosciences.org/society/intersections/faq/what-are-rare-earth-elements-and-why-are-they-important/ Monroe Doctrine: National Archives. “Monroe Doctrine (1823).” https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/monroe-doctrine Also, incidentally, sort of welcomed Russia: Boersner-Herrera, Adriana. “What the Capture of Nicolás Maduro Means for Russia’s Influence in Latin America.” January 8, 2026. London School of Economics. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2026/01/08/russia-influence-latin-america-venezuela-maduro-capture/ Rusty Nails: https://www.liquor.com/recipes/rusty-nail/ Red Cross, Red Crescent, Red Crystal: Canadian Red Cross. “The Red Crystal.” https://www.redcross.ca/about-us/about-the-canadian-red-cross/red-cross-emblem/the-red-crystal The one that Thanos talked to Red Skull about: https://youtu.be/I0r9s8mfeWc?si=4gvlFqzrSFSP6G9L Red star—one group ruined it for everybody: Political Symbols.net. “Red Star.” https://politicalsymbols.net/red-star.html Oh, Japan: The Government of Japan. “National Flag and Anthem.” https://www.japan.go.jp/japan/flagandanthem/index.html Not a rhomboid: SplashLearn. “Rhomboid Shape: Definition, Formulas, Properties Examples, Facts.” https://www.splashlearn.com/math-vocabulary/rhomboid What Mack is reading: John U. Bacon. The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Schuler Books. 2026. In fact, it’s really popular: Rosenberg, Allegra. “Why is TikTok Obsessed With a 50-Year-Old Shipwreck.” November 7, 2025. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/edmund-fitzgerald-tiktok-trend If you don’t know about the Great Lakes: Great Lakes Commission. “About the Lakes.” https://www.glc.org/lakes/ There’s a term for this—it’s like water sloshing around in a bathtub: National Ocean Service. “What is a Seiche?” https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seiche.html Through the Soo Locks: Visit Sault Ste. Marie. “Soo Locks.” https://saultstemarie.com/attractions/soo-locks/ Zug Island, River Rouge: Detroit Historical Society. “Zug Island.” https://www.detroithistorical.org/learn/online-research/encyclopedia-of-detroit/zug-island Including Ford: Detroit Historical Society. “Ford Motor Company.” https://www.detroithistorical.org/learn/online-research/encyclopedia-of-detroit/ford-motor-company It’s called taconite: Department of Natural Resources. “Taconite.” https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/geology/digging/taconite.html Great Lake freighters: Great Lakes Now. “Freighters on the Move [Video].” Detroit PBS. https://youtu.be/q8qUcW8iY2E?si=zVV6kW801T33KKWl Just like Panama Canal: Bureau of Transportation Statistics. “Vessel Draft Restrictions on the Panama Canal by Locks: February 2022–August 2024.” https://www.bts.gov/browse-statistical-products-and-data/info-gallery/vessel-draft-restrictions-panama-canal-locks The U.S. could practice naval maneuvers in the Great Lakes: Chicago Navy Memorial. “Navy Training Vessels of WWII.” https://chicagonavymemorial.org/chicagos-role-in-navy-history/training-ships-aircraft-carriers-lake-michigan Captain McSorley: Marrin, Doug. “Ernest McSorley: The Last Captain of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” September 30, 2025. The Sun Times News. https://thesuntimesnews.com/edmund-fitzgerald-50th-anniversary-john-bacon/ The 29: S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald Online. “The Crew.” https://ssedmundfitzgerald.org/crewtribute Listen to the song if you haven’t heard it: https://youtu.be/FuzTkGyxkYI?si=8ZORl77irRERpP0w They rang it 30 times: Detroit Free Press. “Mariners’ Church of Detroit Honors Gordon Lightfoot With Tuesday Ringing of Bells [Video].” https://youtu.be/PIq1ELxH2do?si=64c3Ce8l3znglwgS The Sea Legs was the only good way to drink Laphroaig in a cocktail: https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/34393/sea-legs The whiskey we drank: https://www.bahnbrecker.com/hefeweizen-whiskey We did that to the Japanese: Scott, James M. “America’s Undersea War on Shipping.” December 2014. U.S. Naval Institute. https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2014/december/americas-undersea-war-shipping What has been called the Liberal World Order: Council on Foreign Relations. “What is the Liberal World Order? [Video].” https://education.cfr.org/learn/video/what-liberal-world-order Pax Americana: Smith, Danielle T. “Inflection Points: Pax Americana at a Crossroad.” June 30, 2024. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2024/06/30/inflection-points-pax-americana-at-a-crossroad/ During that period, there were a lot of people lifted out of poverty throughout the world: Yonzan, Nishant; Friedman, Jed; Hill, Ruth; Jolliffe, Dean Mitchell; Lakner, Christoph; and Gerszon Mahler, Daniel. “Estimates of Global Poverty From WWII to the Fall of the Berlin Wall.” November 23, 2022. World Bank Blogs. https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/estimates-global-poverty-wwii-fall-berlin-wall Democracy spread widely: Shapiro, Ian. “The Spread of Democracy in the 20th Century.” December 29, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/democracy/The-spread-of-democracy-in-the-20th-century And the Borg were a cybernetic race from Star Trek. But you already knew that.

Untethered Tangent on Lead Bricks

Everything You Wanted to Know About Federalism But Were Afraid to Ask

Steve, Mack, and Anne dig into the power dynamics of these United States. REFERENCES What about Washington, D.C.? Duignan, Brian. “What State Is Washington, D.C. In?” June 13, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/what-state-is-washington-dc-in Federalism is… Legal Information Institute. “Federalism.” https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/federalism We should start with the Tenth Amendment: Constitution Annotated. “Tenth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-10/ When James Madison and the first Congress under the Constitution were drafting a Bill of Rights: NCC Staff. “On This Day: James Madison Introduces the Bill of Rights.” June 8, 2023. National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/on-this-day-james-madison-introduces-the-bill-of-rights There were 12 proposed amendments: National Archives. “Bill of Rights.” Reviewed August 13, 2020. https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/bor Mel Brooks and History of the World: https://youtu.be/I48hr8HhDv0?si=i9tGvexOWMqa99Km So, in Article 1, Section 8, are the powers of Congress: Constitution Annotated. “Article I Legislative Branch: Section 8 Enumerated Powers.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-8/ Article 1, Section 9, are powers denied to Congress: Constitution Annotated. “Article I Legislative Branch: Section 9 Powers Denied Congress.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-9/ Article 1, Section 10, are powers denied to the states: Constitution Annotated. “Article I Legislative Branch: Section 10 Powers Denied States.” https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-10/ During the revolution, we were basically a confederation: National Archives. “Articles of Confederation (1777).” https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/articles-of-confederation The states always had power, and originally it was royal charters: Yale Law School. “Colonial Charters, Grants, and Related Documents.” https://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/statech.asp They were all British, the original 13: Ray, Michael. “In What Order Were the 13 American Colonies Established?” July 2, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/In-What-Order-Were-the-13-American-Colonies-Established Maryland—go Catholics: History.com Editors. “The Settlement of Maryland.” Updated May 28, 2025. History.com. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-25/the-settlement-of-maryland The acts of Parliament that got everybody head up: American Battlefield Trust. “The Acts That Fueled Rebellion.” January 1, 2024. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/acts-fueled-rebellion Parliament declares Massachusetts to be in rebellion: The Falmouth Historical Society. “250 Years Ago: Parliament Declares Massachusetts to be in a State of Rebellion!” https://www.thefhs.org/250-Rebellion Part of that was going through the shared experience of the French and Indian War: Office of the Historian. “French and Indian War/Seven Years’ War, 1754–63.” https://history.state.gov/milestones/1750-1775/french-indian-war The Empire is the part you’re living in: Britannica Editors. “British Empire.” December 1, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/place/British-Empire Like Jonathan Edwards: Schafer, Thomas A. “Jonathan Edwards.” October 1, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jonathan-Edwards They were real assholes: Mayer, Alicia. “Dominating the Unsaved: The Different Other and Cultural Imperialism in the New England Puritan Way.” April 9, 2024. Center for the Study of World Religions. https://cswr.hds.harvard.edu/news/2024/04/10/dominating-unsaved-different-other-and-cultural-imperialism-new-england-puritan-way There were Tories: Britannica Editors. “Loyalist.” January 31, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/loyalist Not even the Epstein files: Quinnipiac University. “63% Of Voters Disapprove of the Trump Administration's Handling of the Jeffrey Epstein Files, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Nearly Half of Voters Would Consider Joining A Third Party, Just Not One Created by Elon Musk.” July 16, 2025. https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3928 Or the fact that the Earth is round: Foster, Craig A. and Branch, Glenn. “Do People Really Think Earth Might Be Flat?” August 21, 2018. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/observations/do-people-really-think-earth-might-be-flat/ Or Nazis: Roston, Aram and Urquhart, Jim. “American Nazis: The Aryan Freedom Network is Riding High in Trump Era.” Updated August 10, 2025. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/investigations/american-nazis-aryan-freedom-network-is-riding-high-trump-era-2025-08-08/ Or that contrails are just contrails: Asmelash, Leah. “The Truth Behind Those White Streaks Trailing Behind Jets in the Sky.” March 12, 2024. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/us/chemtrails-conspiracy-theory-explained-cec That chocolate milk comes from brown cows: Coleman, Nancy. “Chocolate Milk Definitely Doesn’t Come From Brown Cows—But Some Adults Think Otherwise.” June 16, 2017. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/16/us/chocolate-milk-help-trnd They had a lot of complaints with Parliament: Library of Congress. “Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention.” https://www.loc.gov/collections/continental-congress-and-constitutional-convention-from-1774-to-1789/articles-and-essays/timeline/1764-to-1765/ No, I’m sending Hessians after you: Head, David. “Hessians.” Mount Vernon. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/hessians Which, by the way, is not a single document: The Constitution Society. “The UK Constitution.” https://consoc.org.uk/the-constitution-explained/the-uk-constitution/ At Annapolis: Lluberes, Cornelia. “Annapolis Convention.” Updated May 30, 2025. Mount Vernon. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/annapolis-convention Did you want to skip them: United States House of Representatives. “Continental and Confederation Congresses.” https://history.house.gov/People/Continental-Congress/Continental-Confederation-Congresses/ It was explicitly to amend the Articles of Confederation, and they went a little above and beyond that: National Archives. “The Constitution: How Did it Happen?” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution/how-did-it-happen In the debates over ratification: 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/ Including the Federalist Papers: Library of Congress. “Full Text of The Federalist Papers.” https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/full-text Oh, and Patrick Henry, who comes out opposed to the Constitution: Red Hill. “We the People? Or We the States?” https://www.redhill.org/speeches-writings/we-the-people-or-we-the-states/?srsltid=AfmBOorTAXTXp9hDfmHo-EbbyHOJtG7-XJPpVlAmAU3aliOJnyqrTRHV Speaking of themes in American politics: Hira, Elizabeth. “The Government Has a Long History of Controlling Women—One That Never Ended.” November 9, 2021. Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/government-has-long-history-controlling-women-one-never-ended Federalists, meaning people who were in support of the Constitution: Britannica Editors. “Federalist Party.” September 25, 2025. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Federalist-Party In the Virginia plan: National Archives. “Virginia Plan (1787).” https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/virginia-plan They had guys who had studied this: National Archives. “Constitution of the United States—A History.” https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/more-perfect-union Especially John Adams: National Constitution Center. “John Adams.” https://constitutioncenter.org/signers/john-adams Just to clarify, neither Adams nor Jefferson were at the Constitutional Convention: Center for the Study of the American Constitution. “Adams and Jefferson: ‘The North and South Poles of the American Revolution.’” June 18, 2025. https://csac.history.wisc.edu/2025/06/18/adams-and-jefferson-the-north-and-south-poles-of-the-american-revolution/ The phrase imperium in imperio: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imperium%20in%20imperio You have the Ninth Amendment in there: Constitution Annotated. “Ninth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-9/ Expansive commerce much: Barnett, Randy E. and Koppelman, Andrew. “The Commerce Clause.” Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/articles/article-i/clauses/752 What you call natural law jurisprudence: Himma, Kenneth Einar. “Natural Law.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://iep.utm.edu/natlaw/ Everybody should read Griswold v. Connecticut: Oyez. “Griswold v. Connecticut.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1964/496 The Dobbs case… Oyez. “Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/19-1392 …which overturned Roe: Oyez. “Roe v. Wade.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-18 That’s where you’ve got the penumbra of whatever: Legal Information Institute. “Penumbra.” Reviewed August 2024. https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/penumbra So they said Fourth Amendment—privacy: Constitution Annotated. “Fourth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/ Fourteenth, that’s what we’re getting to: Constitution Annotated. “Fourteenth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/ Barron v. Baltimore: Oyez. “Barron ex rel. Tiernan v. Mayor of Baltimore.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1789-1850/32us243 Those are referred to as reserved powers: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reserved%20power In the Thirteenth…: Constitution Annotated. “Thirteenth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-13/ …and Fifteenth Amendments: Constitution Annotated. “Fifteenth Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-15/ Outside of imprisonment: Mast, Nina. “Forced Prison Labor in the ‘Land of the Free’.” January 16, 2025. Economic Policy Institute. https://www.epi.org/publication/rooted-racism-prison-labor/ Take freedom of speech: Constitution Annotated. “First Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/ If enough of the states say “Yeah, we agree,”: National Archives. “Constitutional Amendment Process.” https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/constitution If you read the Congressional record: Library of Congress. “14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Primary Documents in American History.” https://guides.loc.gov/14th-amendment/digital-collections The Supreme Court starts doing the whole narrow interpretation: Law.com “Strict Construction.” https://dictionary.law.com/default.aspx?selected=2028 Including Plessy v. Ferguson: Oyez. “Plessy v. Ferguson.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/163us537 Like the right to marry whoever you want: Head, Tom. “Timeline and History of Marriage Rights.” Updated May 13, 2025. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/marriage-rights-history-721314 It’s called selective incorporation: Supreme Court Historical Society. “Selective Incorporation.” https://civics.supremecourthistory.org/article/selective-incorporation/ That goes to Article III: Constitution Annotated. “Article III.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-3/ Which is also why the Second Amendment doesn’t get incorporated until 2000-whatever: Constitution Annotated. “Second Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-2/ NCC staff. “On This Day, A Divided Supreme Court Rules on the Second Amendment.” June 28, 2023. National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/on-this-day-a-divided-supreme-court-rules-on-the-second-amendment Now, Seventh Amendment: Constitution Annotated. “Seventh Amendment.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-7/ Which is why the Nazis got to march in Skokie, Illinois: Oyez. “National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie.” https://www.oyez.org/cases/1976/76-1786 Like, legalizing marijuana: DISA. “Marijuana Legality Map.” Updated December 1, 2025. https://disa.com/marijuana-legality-by-state/ Battle of the Waldorfs (both recommended): Waldorf 1: 2 oz orange liquor, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 1/2 teaspoon grenadine Waldorf 2: 1½ oz rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, splash of absinthe, dashes of Angostura orange bitters Special radishes: Specialty Produce. “French Breakfast Radish.” https://specialtyproduce.com/produce/French_Breakfast_Radish_417.php Mack’s face: https://youtu.be/0BoALUr8UoQ?si=NZ5ZTNyUVa7nJJB_ Eldridge Highball (NOT recommended): https://www.diffordsguide.com/cocktails/recipe/37447/eldridge-highball What Steve is watching: Firefly. 2002. Fox. What Mack is reading: Bram Stoker. Dracula. Archibald Constable and Company. 1897. It’s an epistolary novel: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epistolary A new Dracula movie by Luc Besson: https://youtu.be/mDfdNTf4FA0?si=-iphMcXmTp2A-YTX The original Hollywood Dracula, Bela Lugosi: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021814/ The Coppola: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103874/ An Anne-hattan: Make a Manhattan with as little bitters as possible. In fact, none is fine. Article IV stuff: Constitution Annotated. “Article IV.” https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-4/ There was recently a blue wave: Ax, Josheph; Tsvetkova, Maria; and Reid, Tim. “Democrats Sweep First Major Elections of Second Trump Term.” November 5, 2025. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/us/elections-new-york-new-jersey-virginia-offer-early-test-trumps-agenda-2025-11-04/ And Buffy was a cheerleader turned vampire hunter. She saved the world a lot. But you already knew that.