Bald, Blind, and Buddies

Midterm results proclaim gains for the democrats, but will those turn into gains for America? John Boland and Timothy Cordes discuss. John reviews the scope of the electoral wave while Tim asserts that this is a feeling-based rejection rather than a deliberate selection of better candidates. The Buddies consider whether the democrats can unite, pass laws, , or get drawn into investigations. Tim ho...

Customs and Border Patrol, (CBP), can search through your smartphone when you cross the border. The Buddies review the case of George Anibowei who asked the Supreme Court to address this practice in light of the Fourth Amendment protection against unlawful search and seizure. John highlights that George is a citizen who should be protected by the Fourth Amendment. The Buddies review how a smartpho...

Tim Cordes and John Boland review a child psychiatrist and Columbia professor’s opinion that screens are not the problem with children’s mental health. Tim explains fundamental concepts of public health that he would have hoped the author understood. John compares the obvious problem with kids and screens to O.J. Simpson. Everybody knows what’s going on. Proving it is harder. Tim’s whack-job relat...

We begin with Lane Johnson’s retirement from the NFL and Steven A. Smith’s response. Tim sees Smith’s apology as sinical since he hasn’t apologized for his myriad other erroneous statements while John gives him the benefit of the doubt. The Buddies discuss whether athletes should be role models and what, if anything, they owe their fans. Tim, using his experience as a psychiatrist, explains how yo...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes examine the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA). College sports are a multi-billion-dollar industry where players now share in the profits. The PCSA attempts to address concerns in this evolving landscape with sweeping federal laws. John asserts that the PCSA is a flawed piece of legislation which does some good things like limiting student transfers and making agents...

Timothy Cordes, the blind part of Bald, Blind, and Buddies, relates his personal experience with Lyft and his dog guide. He warns that even if you get a ride with your dog, which the law requires, drivers can still scam you with fictitious “damages.” John Boland and he discussed what it took to get Lyft to fix the charge. Still, there remains a massive problem with ride share services not picking...

Pat Terrell joins John Boland and Timothy Cordes to discuss lessons from life and football. He expounds on topics ranging from advice from his father on how to pick a university to how he adapted to challenges and handled disappointments. Pat recounts stories from Notre Dame football including his famous pass break-up in the National Championship game, and he shares his appreciation for coaches an...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes review the Lindsay Clancy trial. They acknowledge the tragedy. Tim, a psychiatrist, tries to explain psychosis, which is treatable. He distinguishes it from postpartum depression. The Buddies consider the role of criminal punishment and wonder why people take such an interest in this story. John’s whack-job is a Fox News host who laughs off a Presidential statement....

After catching up, John Boland and Timothy Cordes use Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to frame their reflections on September 11. They offer their thoughts on just how incomprehensible the attack was, memories from that day, and reflections on visiting the memorials. With respect, they offer gratitude for all those who risked or lost their lives so that others might live. “There is no greater love th...

Bret Stephens joins John Boland and Timothy Cordes to discuss everything from AI in writing to the definition of genocide. Bret uses the difference between liberty and liberation to identify illiberality in the modern democrat party. Bret discusses how open societies can fix their flaws which ultimately allows for solutions. Bret gives reasons for hope including how Ukraine demonstrates the power...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes discuss how one college at the University of Michigan is eliminating letter grades for freshmen during their first semester. John explains that this is further evidence that the modern university has lost the plot, and, now, pursues its narrow financial interests at the expense of all else. Tim uses FDR’s famous “Fear Itself” speech to show how this colleg’s move is...

Timothy Cordes and John Boland dive into why the Democrat Party loses on culture but might win on economics. The Buddies review the national budget as a statement of priorities as Dr. King described. Tim asserts that “tax the rich” is an example of the deadly sin of envy, and thus, repellent to some. John has trouble reconciling why people seem to care about culture and yet elected the current pre...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes review a recent case which may go to the Supreme Court, asking is a vanity license plate “free speech,” “government speech” or something else entirely. Tim examines the human dimension of the case in Virginia which centers on feeling offended or “hate speech.” John explains that regional variation may matter in enforcement as it does in other areas. John worries abou...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes, after both visiting the shore, muse on humans and water. They explore the historical and political impacts of navigable waterways as well as the human preoccupation with dihydrogen monoxide. The Buddies also discuss parking etiquette and access for service animals. John’s hero this week is a group promoting organ donation. Referred to: 15% of People Live Near Coasts...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes welcome David Berkoff, Olympic champion, and world record-setting swimmer to the podcast. He discusses how he developed the Berkoff blastoff, which revolutionized competitive swimming. We discussed changes in the sport and being a father of an athlete. David regales us with tales of getting to know Soviets during the Cold War as well as his desire to focus on the pos...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes address the breakdown between people and their institutions. Tim uses the Ship of Thesus analogy to describe organizational drift. Tim recounts recent news on how Amnesty International (AI), which defended political prisoners now set its sites on a women’s rape crisis center. He also reviews how the Southern Poverty Law Center has lost the plot. John asserts that the...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes welcome experimental psychologist Dr. “Andi” Clements from East Tennessee State University to discuss her struggles to publish questions which threaten the “medication first” dogma for treatment of opioid use disorder. Professor Clements describes her experiences in teaching about trauma to churches. She explains how opioid medications interfere with natural reinforc...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes are joined by Peter Cordes this week to discuss America’s Semiquincentennial. The Buddies consider America as a meta-political idea, grounded in equality and liberty which transcends factions like political parties. Peter shares his thoughts on the First Amendment and the primary goal of the framers while Tim and John consider how successful they were. John also shar...

Ramesh Ponnuru the Editor of the National Review joins John Boland and Tim Cordes to address democrats and socialism, to the race to the moral bottom, and January 6. Ramesh and the Buddies review issues raised by vice-presidents, namely J.D. Vance’s change of heart and Dick Cheney’s inability to relinquish his principled stance. They touch on healthcare and affordability, and Ramesh Ponnuru offers...

After highlighting the importance of fathers, John Boland and Timothy Cordes discuss the framework for ending the Iran conflict. Tim looks back to Prime Minister Neville chamberlain and the history of appeasement. He wonders about negotiating as if your adversary is a rational actor. John reviews the recent history of Iran and President Obama’s agreement to try to contain Iran’s nuclear program. J...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes dive into an article by Bret Stevens on what the Graham Platner story can tell us about morality and politics. John asserts that a politician’s efficacy is what matters most. Tim offers that a history of moral action improves one’s ability to predict future behavior. The Buddies draw distinctions between past behavior and ongoing concerns and highlight the hypocrisy...

Timothy Cordes and John Boland review the recent social media controversy over, @McJuggernuggets,  Jesse Ridgway’s announcement of a pregnancy termination because of a Down syndrome diagnosis mere weeks before fetal viability.   Tim, who is blind, and a parent of a child with Down syndrome, responds. Tim and John assert that a diagnosis does not define one’s value and we should be judged on how we...

John Boland and Timothy Cordes dive into the commencement season. The Buddies reflect on their own graduation from the University of Notre Dame. The Buddies review the Heckler’s veto, a university’s choice of speakers, and student resistance. Tim highlights Jonathan Haidt’s address to NYU that students with no self-awareness or sense of irony challenged. John highlights memorable speeches from Dav...

After discussing Brat Fest in Madison, Wisconsin, John Boland and Timothy Cordes consider mandatory national service in the military or elsewhere. Tim offers benefits from the plan. John gives statistics on how many countries have some form of compulsory national service. The Buddies debate the value of service for its own sake. Tim values the idea of building a service culture but chafes at anoth...

John Boland and Timothy (Timmy) Cordes review themes and key guests from the last season. They range from technology and artificial intelligence to insights into policing and politics. The Buddies brainstorm options for next season including ideas like multi-part series, upcoming guests, possibly more mental health topics, and other themes. ***Contest*** Submit your theme song for next season for...