Interview with Ramesh Ponnuru,Editor of National Review

Interview with Ramesh Ponnuru,Editor of National Review

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 reasons for hope. Ramesh shares his whack-job who wants to abolish prisons and will likely end up in Congress. Referred to: Ramesh Ponnuru | National Review [https://www.nationalreview.com/author/ramesh-ponnuru/] N.Y. Socialist Called for Eliminating Police, Prisons, and Israel. Now, She’s Likely Headed to Congress | National Review [https://www.nationalreview.com/news/n-y-socialist-called-for-eliminating-police-prisons-and-israel-now-shes-likely-headed-to-congress/] Opinion | Dick Cheney never forgave Trump for the Jan. 6 Capitol riot - The Washington Post [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/11/04/dick-cheney-trump-capitol-riot-january-sixth/] We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or send us an email at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM]. Do not forget to like and subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

“Peace in our time:” President Trump style

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. John thinks the current memorandum is laughable. First, it is not an actual agreement. The Buddies review recent Babylon B headlines highlighting the absurdity of the situation. John chooses “Jefferson Davis” Vance as his whack-job this week for his unflagging flogging of a memorandum deserving scrutiny. Tim’s hero is a principal who saved lives with his courage and quick action. Referred to: Learning from Trump, Man Successfully Negotiates Wife Down to Absolutely Everything She Wants | Babylon Bee [https://babylonbee.com/news/learning-from-trump-man-successfully-negotiates-wife-down-to-absolutely-everything-she-wants] What Iran Gets From Its U.S. Deal, Even if It Gives Nothing - WSJ [https://www.wsj.com/opinion/iran-mou-sanctions-nuclear-program-jd-vance-donald-trump-2ff2e173?st=XuwCBy&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink] Trump condemned Obama’s Iran deal. Here’s how his own compares. - The Wash. Post [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/06/19/trump-condemned-obamas-iran-deal-heres-how-his-own-compares/] Pauls Valley principal hailed hero for stopping gunman- KOCO [https://www.koco.com/article/pauls-valley-shooting-high-school-kirk-moore-principal-hero-oklahoma/70956687] On Democracies and Death Cults | Douglas Murray [https://douglasmurray.net/books/on-democracies-and-death-cults/] Drop a comment or send us an email at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTAC.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTAC.COM]. We’d love to hear from you. Please, share, like and subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Graham Platner: Is this the era of post-moral politics?

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 of treating concerns differently based on whether the offender is in one’s own party. From decades distance, they review the Bill Clinton story and how much his ‘moral’ choices impacted him and his presidency. They wonder if ethics is an encumbrance in modern politics. Tim’s whack-job has “woken” up to its failure to do its journalistic due diligence. John’s hero helped the Knicks win the NBA championship. Referred to: Opinion | The Good That Can Come From Platner’s Candidacy - NYT [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/opinion/graham-platner-moral-hypocrisy.html] Top Canadian newspaper says media failed to verify Kamloops mass graves claim [https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/americas/top-canadian-newspaper-says-media-failed-to-verify-kamloops-mass-graves-claim] Drop a comment or send us an email to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTAC.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTAC.COM]. We’d love to hear from you. Don’t forget to like and subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

On abortion of the disabled: A response to Jesse Ridgway

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 treat the least among us, which includes the disabled.   The Buddies are astonished at how Jesse Ridgway shared the news on social media and his seeming befuddlement at the response. They note themes of “othering” and try to dissect his request for empathy.   The Buddies examine parallels to the Nazi rationalization for the extermination of 300,000 disabled people.   The heroes of the week are the quiet people among us who act with love even when faced with challenges.   Referred to: Influencer Jesse Ridgway Says He's Glad He Wasn't Aborted, 'I'm Normal' [https://www.tmz.com/2026/06/07/jesse-ridgway-responds-critics-down-syndrome-abortion/] Opinion | The Nazis’ First Victims Were the Disabled - The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/opinion/nazis-holocaust-disabled.html?mcubz=3] YouTuber Jesse Ridgway Terminates Pregnancy Over Down Syndrome, Sparks Debate - Newsweek [https://www.newsweek.com/youtuber-jesse-ridgway-terminates-pregnancy-over-down-syndrome-sparks-debate-12035616]   Chances are, we would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or reach out to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM].   Don’t forget to share, like or subscribe.   Let’s keep talking.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Commencement Addresses: Looking back on going forward.

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 David Foster Wallace, Admiral McRaven, and Steve Jobs. Tim POINTS to Fareed Zakaria as delivering a powerful address. Tim and John offer their own advice for young people. John’s whack-job thinks the Department of Defense should cast extras for a UFC match on federal grounds. Tim’s whack-job reminds him of Senator Joseph McCarthy who has found a new menace for the 21st Century. Referred to: Fareed Zakaria: 2026 Commencement at Bard College [https://youtu.be/w8e35VtDMF8?si=waFsRySS3DUaDeL_] If You Want to Change the World, Start Off by Making Your Bed - Admiral McRaven - YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NudLfyl2cXc] Commencement 2026: Jonathan Haidt Address [https://youtu.be/2hITZpxhdYs?si=vvpJickYmX71pASv] Troops to get free tickets to White House UFC event, but must meet weight standards | CNN Politics [https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/29/politics/us-military-ufc-white-house-weight] We’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment or email us at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM]. Please, share, like and subscribe. Let’s keep talking. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ideasfirst.substack.com [https://ideasfirst.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]