Bald, Blind, and Buddies

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]

The power of service

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 another government mandate. Both highlight Americans who have served in Congress as heroes this week. Referred to: 85 Countries with Required Military Service (2026 List) [https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/countries-with-required-military-service/] Barney Frank, Gay Pioneer and Liberal Stalwart in Congress, Dies at 86 - The New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/us/politics/barney-frank-dead.html] Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as Trump’s Director of National Intelligence [https://time.com/article/2026/05/22/tulsi-gabbard-to-resign-as-trump-s-director-of-national-intelligence/] We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or reach out to IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM]. Please, 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]

Where we’ve been and where we’re going: Season Two Review

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 a chance to be featured and credited and a gift. Listen up for details. Tim’s whack-job is a mother who publicized her son’s humiliation and demonstrates a misunderstanding of discourse. John’s hero gave a full-throated defense of Israel. Referred to: US Rep. Virginia Foxx tells NC student he was indoctrinated | Raleigh News & Observer [https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315726849.html] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYHpF-uFQkQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&img_index=2] post of mother upset with rep Bill Maher on Israel [https://youtu.be/BHOJCbRJu28?si=ZdmF8e_jZ0F2s32U] Why AI is a train and not a bicycle [https://youtu.be/BHOJCbRJu28?si=ZdmF8e_jZ0F2s32U] We would love to hear from you. Drop a comment or email us at IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM [IDEASFIRST@SUBSTACK.COM]. Please, like, share, 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]