Today’s show will feature some discussion about what the meaning of left and right are in terms of political alignment and ideology. We’ll also dive into the RFK Jr. phenomenon and the MAHA movement and how this is impacting America in 2026. Today’s episode will close with some updates and thoughts regarding the recent Scouting America Memorandum of Understanding that was signed with the Department of Defense.

If anyone has feedback for the show, please shoot me an email at erikmcguire85@gmail.com or answer the listener poll on Spotify. Shares and likes on social media, as well as 5 star reviews, all help to spread the word to more people about the show.

Show Notes:

America Needs a Math Lesson- Unlocked from New York Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/opinion/trump-math-state-of-the-union.html?unlocked_article_code=1.PVA.2fXu.wSlGq8od2rqI&smid=nytcore-ios-share

Left and Right Essay from Professor William Domhoff:

http://whorulesamerica.net/change/left_and_right.html

Children’s Health Defense Measles Article from 2019:

https://childrenshealthdefense.org/news/the-measles-vaccine-narrative-is-collapsing/

Measles Update 2/27/26:

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

Department of Defense Update from Secretary Hegseth on Scouting America:

https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4417012/hegseth-says-scouting-america-support-to-continue-upon-orgs-commitment-to-drop/

Executive Order 14173

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/31/2025-02097/ending-illegal-discrimination-and-restoring-merit-based-opportunity

Scouting America Newsroom Update on Agreement:

https://www.scoutingnewsroom.org/press-releases/scouting-america-statement-concerning-department-of-war-announcement/

Scouting America Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Discontinuance:

https://www.scouting.org/program-updates/citizenship-in-society-merit-badge-discontinuance/

Does America want an autocrat? Plus some history of the Iranian situation, the epistemology of news consumption, and a book recommendation.

Today’s show will feature some news and discussion about Executive power and Trump’s brand of leadership, delve into United States foreign policy involving Iran, and we’ll discuss the role of epistemology in how most people frame news stories involving culture and politics. We’ll close out today’s episode with an interesting book recommendation.

Show Notes:

Trump Calls on Netflix to Oust Susan Rice From Its Board:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/business/media/trump-netflix-susan-rice.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OVA.eYKz.Kx5EaAnMYa_Z&smid=url-share

Iran and the Second World War:

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/iran-during-world-war-ii

US-Iran Timeline Since 1953:

https://www.cfr.org/timelines/us-relations-iran

Main Street by Sinclair Lewis:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/main-street/id6745909826

For questions or listener feedback, please email erikmcguire85@gmail.com

On this episode, the show tackles Prince Andrew, tariffs and the dramatic Learning Resources Supreme Court decision in the justices’ own words, and birthright citizenship. The show closes with a classic TV show recommendation. All in under 17 minutes.

Show Notes:

Statement from King Charles:

https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2026-02-19/a-statement-from-his-majesty-the-king

Supreme Court Decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v Trump:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf

Akhil Amar on Birthright Citizenship and Original Meaning of the 14th Amendment:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/opinion/birthright-citizenship.html?unlocked_article_code=1.NlA.V6c-.XUR7G33t7FZv&smid=nytcore-ios-share

Midsomer Murders on IMDB:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118401/