Today’s Abysmal Political State

Welcome to our 100th Episode! Today Martin and I echo what is happening at the Objectivist conference in Boston.We discuss Enlightenment values and ideals and the ideas discovered by Ayn Rand in her philosophy of Objectivism.These two things, working together, will provide American's, and whoever adopts them, the groundwork for a Second Renaissance. Come along for the ride!Happy Independence Day, America!Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:OCON in Boston, July 1 - 5Boston Tea Party ShipObjectivist conference in 1998, by Second Renaissance ConferencesJohn LockeAdam SmithJean-Jacques RousseauKant’s Theoretical Philosophy: A Critique of Pure ReasonThomas PaineBenjamin FranklinVoltaireCharles Louis de Secondat, Baron de MontesquieuIsaac NewtonAyn Rand's Philosophic Achievement: and other Essays by Harry BinswangerThe Freedom Trail in BostonAdams political familyJohn Adams on Samuel Adams (&amp; not the beer)Samuel Adams - Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of IndependenceHouse passes Trump's "big, beautiful bill" after stamping out GOP rebellion - Axios<a...

Today we had the pleasure of talking with Alexander Marriott, history professor and author, about today’s dismal political situation in America. He offers the listener his keen insight. Join us for a great hour!Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Alexander Marriott's post on FacebookBenjamin FranklinUnited States one-hundred-dollar billKite experimentCatilineIranian Nuclear Program: Will Israel Save Us? - Capitalism Magazine, June 4, 2003Republic? Democracy? What's the Difference? - Capitalism, January 4, 2003Tara Smith (philosopher)Alexander Marriott on Twitter (X)Alexander Marriott's websiteEpisode 99 (51 minutes) was recorded at 2200 Central European Time, on June 21, 2025, with&nbsp;Alitu's recording feature. Martin did the editing and post-production with the&nbsp;podcast maker, Alitu.&nbsp;The&nbsp;transcript&nbsp;is generated by Alitu.Easy listen to The Secular Foxhole podcast&nbsp;in your&nbsp;podcast (podcatcher) app&nbsp;of choice, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify,&nbsp;Amazon Music,&nbsp;Listen Notes.Even better is to use one of the&nbsp;new podcast apps, on<a...

Did&nbsp;you&nbsp;see&nbsp;a&nbsp;flying&nbsp;Christ&nbsp;on&nbsp;Ascension&nbsp;Day?&nbsp;Blair&nbsp;is&nbsp;going&nbsp;through&nbsp;the&nbsp;news&nbsp;sandwich,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Martin&nbsp;is&nbsp;talking&nbsp;about&nbsp;value&nbsp;4&nbsp;value,&nbsp;trader&nbsp;principle,&nbsp;gift&nbsp;giving,&nbsp;etc.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Amy Peikoff's News SandwichMemorial DayTo Stop War, Halt Statism Everywhere - New IdealWhat Are the Roots of War?The Roots of War by Ayn Rand, from Capitalism: The Unknown IdealHuman Progress dot orgWeekly Progress Roundup - Doomslayer newsletterSymbol of atheism: atomic whirl1980 Swedish nuclear power referendumThree Mile Island accident (Harrisburg, 1979)Site of America’s worst nuclear accident gets new chance to become energy hub - PBS NewsNuclear Power in Sweden - World Nuclear AssociationThe Green Party in GermanyVeterans recoil at Trump plan to end Afghans’ deportation protection - The Washington PostOne Big Beautiful Bill Act - WikipediaNicholas Provenzo on Twitter (X)Nicholas Provenzo on SubstackThe DOGE Delusion: Trump’s Power Play versus Principled Reform by Nicholas Provenzo - The Objective...

Once again, Martin and I are graced with the presence of Philosophy Professor, Andrew Bernstein, who is now venturing into detective fiction.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Tony Just dot netRed Meat Village - Voyage MediaBehind The Scenes With Andrew Bernstein (Author of Red Meat Village)Cool Runnings - WikipediaPen nameNight of January 16thHardboiledMr. ADirty Harry (character)Mike Hammer (character)Sherlock Holmes - BritannicaColumbo - WikipediaInterview with Aaron Briley - episode 15 of The Secular Foxhole podcastAustrian Economic Scholar's Motivational Speech - Foundation for Economic EducationProfessor Moriarty - WikipediaChuck SchumerIan FlemingRex StoutAgatha ChristieStand and DeliverThe Capitalist Manifesto by Andrew BernsteinThe Capitalist Manifesto: The Historic, Economic and Philosophic Case for Laissez-Faire - Rowman &amp;...

Blair is delivering some news regarding a list of podcasts on secularism, the rise of modern authoritarianism, and books covering the abundance movement. Martin is wondering what is going on with Voice of America, and is planning ahead for episode 100... How do you want to celebrate the milestone with us?Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Ayn Rand Conference in Berlin (March 14-16)Mark MosesRoland HorvathObjectivist Conference (OCON) in Boston, July 1-5Amy Peikoff's News Sandwich25 Best Secularism Podcasts by FeedSpotAnuj Agarwal, Cofounder Feedspot and MillionpodcastsInstitute for the Study of Modern AuthoritarianismThe UnPopulist Launches Executive WatchWhere To Find the New Intellectuals? - episode 95 of The Secular FoxholeVoice of AmericaRadio Free Europe / Radio LibertyRadio FardaA federal lawsuit says the Trump administration has unlawfully shuttered the Voice of America - The Associated PressAP to meet with bloggers on usage guidelines - NBC News (2008)Nowruz (Persian New Year) - BritannicaBonfire of the Mullahs - Cox &amp; Forkum editorial cartoons (March 18, 2004)Roots of Progress InstituteAnnouncing Our New $120M Abundance And Growth Fund - Open PhilanthropyDavid Brooks (commentator)<a...

This short episode includes a talk with Substack writer, Stewart Margolis, whose topic, "Where To Find the New Intellectuals," was discussed. We talked about various 'currents' in the culture and how to find them. I brag about a certain achievement&nbsp;I'm proud of, and although I've forgot to mention the rise in Homeschooling, listeners should include that in the great advancements&nbsp;happening without publicity, which&nbsp;is a good thing.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Stewart Margolis on SubstackWhere To Find The New Intellectuals?For The New Intellectual by Ayn RandRobert Tracinski's SymposiumHow the Libertarian Party Became the Reactionary Arm of Trump and Trumpism - The UnPopulistTrump among the libertarians - Boston Globe OpinionFaced With Trump, Libertarianism Shrugged - The BulwarkThree lessons from Aristotle on friendship - The ConversationAyn Rand on abortion - GoodreadsAyn Rand on the military draft - Ayn Rand Institute Fox News - Pew Research CenterThe Bulwark (website) - WikipediaAgustina Vergara Cid: Ending TPS for Venezuelans whitewashes the Maduro regime - The Orange County RegisterAyn Rand Heir Asserts Elian’s Right to Remain in U.S. (April 4, 2000) - Capitalism MagazineThe Roots of Progress Institute Jason Crawford's websiteBlake Scholl, Founder &amp; CEO, Boom Supersonic<a...

Today we celebrate Ayn Rand's Birthday. February 2, 1905 will live forever once her ideas gain hold in a culture. Any culture - hopefully America's. The sooner the better.We also discuss other positive cultural trends such as homeschooling, the Progress movement, and other stuff, e.g.,, how to send a RandsDay boostagram (digital telegram wither a donation / super comment with a payment) of 221,905 Satoshis (bits of a Bitcoin).Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Anthem - CliffNotesEgo - WiktionaryMartin's blog, EGOMartin's podcast, EGO NetCastAyn Rand: A Sense of LifeUrkällan (The Fountainhead in Swedish) - WikipediaThe Fountainhead - CliffNotesThe Fountainhead (film) - WikipediaThe Fountainhead - Warner Bros.The Fountainhead - IMDbWe the Living (movie)We the Living - The Ayn Rand InstituteRoots of Progress Institute Boom SupersonicJames Pethokoukis - The Breakthrough InstituteUp Wing / Down Wing - Faster, Please! newsletterAyn Rand's quote on smokestacks - Return of the Primitive: The Anti-Industrial RevolutionSearch on "Frank Lloyd Wright" - The Secular Foxhole siteAtlas Shrugged - CliffNotesSearch on "homeschool" - The Secular Foxhole site<a...

Happy New Year everyone! Our first guest of the year is Scott Powell. Homeschooler, historian and self-described, "nomad capitalist."He is the author of three books, most notably, The History of Now, and The History of Tomorrow. We cover these topics and more. Give it a listen!Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:Anchor facts of American history - Knowable World dot comJohann Gustav Droysen - BritannicaThe Early Ayn Rand: A Selection from Her Unpublished Fiction - WikipediaIdeas and Revolution Locke and America; Rousseau and France by Scott McConnell, John Ridpath. Presented at: Lyceum, August 9, 1997. - Objectivist Media dot comJohn Ridpath - York University VanDamme Academy4 Benefits of Teaching History Present-CentricallyThe 4-Hour Historian: An Anti-Textbook Volume 1: The World We Live In 1.0 - The Roots of Progress blogHistory DetectivesLuc Travers - History At Our HouseBooks by Scott PowellPresident Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points (1918) - The U.S. National Archives and Records AdministrationHari Seldon - WikipediaThe Fourteen Points reading groupThe Fourteen Points on YouTubeInterview with Warren Fahy - Episode 45 of The Secular Foxhole podcastJack Vance - WikipediaTo...

Today it’s just Martin and I going over a great year of shows, some plans for next year, and some statistics. Merry Yuletide everyone! Happy New Year!Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:C. Bradley Thompson, Executive Director, Snow Institute for the Study of Capitalism Professor, Department of Political Science, Clemson University C. Bradley Thompson's websiteRethinking the American Revolution - The Redneck IntellectualLocofocosRedneckBoston Tea Party (December 16, 1773)The Tea Act: The Catalyst of the Boston Tea Party - Boston Tea Party Ship dot comYuleYule logBooks by Scott PowellReturning guest, Robert Begley - episode 70 of The Secular Foxhole podcastThe Thomas Paine Institute with Alex Bleier and Kevin OsborneNew, modern podcast applicationsPodcasting 2.0Value 4 ValueKyrin Down's review of The Secular Foxhole podcast - Mere Mortals podcastAlby hubBitcoin (BTC) &gt;100,000 USD - Currency WorldMartin's profile on GitHubBoostagram numerology - 221,905 SatoshisRandsDay Boostagram - episode 65 of The Secular Foxhole podcast (February 2, 2023)<a...

Today, our returning and distinguished guest, Andrew Bernstein,&nbsp;will prevail upon us his forthright defense of Western Civilization. Listen to this talk while clicking the link to his essay concerning the same.Call-to-Action: After you have listened to this episode, add your $0.02 (two cents) to the conversation, by joining (for free)&nbsp;The Secular Foxhole Town Hall. Feel free to introduce yourself to the other members, discuss the different episodes, give us constructive feedback, or check out the virtual room, Speakers' Corner, and step up on the digital soapbox. Welcome to our new place in cyberspace!Show notes with links to articles, blog posts, products and services:The Case for Western Civilization by Andrew Bernstein - The Objective StandardDr. Eric DanielsSusan SontagClark WisslerRaphael LemkinLeopold II of Belgium Genghis KhanTimurThe Great Big Book of Horrible Things: The Definitive Chronicle of History's 100 Worst AtrocitiesWill DurantMuslim conquests in the Indian subcontinentArmenian genocideArab slave tradeThe Battle of Vienna: July 14-September 11, 1683Norman BorlaugMaurice HillemanJonas Salk and Albert Bruce SabinThe Hidden Truth Behind The End Of Slavery - Thomas SowellModern slavery in North KoreaWhat Is Critical Race Theory? Video by James Lindsay."Abolish the White Race" - Harvard...