Episodes
Wednesday Jul 29, 2015
Here's Why It's OK To Kill Lions, & Tigers, & Bears! Oh My! [PODCAST]
Wednesday Jul 29, 2015
Wednesday Jul 29, 2015
People's emotions are running high over an incident in Zimbabwe where an American dentist killed a famous lion in a trophy hunt using a bow and arrow.
Walter Palmer is receiving death threats after it emerged that he killed "Cecil," a tourist's favorite and a protected lion from a national park. Palmer claims that he was acting in good faith, and that he didn't mean to kill a protected lion, but that hasn't stopped the death threats from people who don't understand conservation or economics.
From the Star Tribune:
Walter J. Palmer of Eden Prairie, a practicing dentist in Bloomington and a prominent bow-and-arrow hunter, issued a statement addressing the killing on July 1 of Cecil, a lion that was a favorite among tourists and wildlife researchers.
“I hired several professional guides, and they secured all proper permits,” Palmer’s statement read. “To my knowledge, everything about this trip was legal and properly handled.
“I had no idea that the lion I took was a known, local favorite, was collared and part of a study until the end of the hunt. I relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt.”
Zimbabwe game officials said Tuesday that two of Palmer’s guides are facing charges in the incident and that they “are looking for Palmer.”
Palmer, 55, who pleaded guilty to a license violation after shooting a black bear in Wisconsin in 2008, said he has not been contacted by any authorities in Zimbabwe or the U.S., but added that he will cooperate with investigators. The public-relations firm that worked with Palmer on the statement said he was in the Twin Cities on Tuesday.
“Again, I deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion,” the statement concluded.
Despite Palmer's apology, people are excoriating the dentist for the kill. Late night host Jimmy Fallon took a poke at his manhood, suggesting that Palmer take Viagra if he needed to get an erection in killing something. That's funny, but it doesn't get to the heart of the matter over whether it should be legal to trophy hunt, and whether or not it's ethical.
It's legal AND ethical. Providing the hunter does follow the proper permitting process, which in this case it may not be so. But in the instances where a trophy hunter does follow proper procedure, the extraordinary amount of money paid to hunt exotic animals is reinvested back in the natural habitat or park where the animals are taken.
Today's Freedom Report podcast takes a look at the economics of hunting, and analyzes the cost/benefit of taking wild animals.
Monday Jul 20, 2015
Is Rand Paul's Campaign Already An Epic Fail? [PODCAST]
Monday Jul 20, 2015
Monday Jul 20, 2015
Today's Freedom Report podcast takes a look at senator Rand Paul's trailing presidential campaign. Paul raised $7 million in the second quarter, with 60 percent of those donations coming from people who donated less than $200. The only campaign with more small dollar donations was Ben Carson, but the other candidates such as Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Ted Cruz raised more, a lot more. So what's happening?
One supporter argued in the Wall Street Journal that Rand Paul has chased off his support base by a more interventionist sounding foreign policy. If that's true, then why hasn't the Republican base turned to Paul as their populist champion instead of blowhard like Trump?
From the WSJ:
Drew Ivers, who was the Iowa chairman for Ron Paul’s 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns, is uncommitted so far in the 2016 race. He said Rand Paul has lost a substantial portion of his father’s following because he has deviated from his father’s isolationist foreign-policy view.
While Ron Paul backs the nuclear agreement with Iran, Rand Paul is opposed. Ron Paul called for decreasing military spending; Rand Paul is for increasing the military’s budget. Ron Paul blames the U.S. and European powers for the troubles in Ukraine; Rand Paul last year wrote an op-ed in Time magazine saying “Putin must be punished.”
“Rand needs to be articulating the negatives of our foreign policy. But he has chosen not to articulate that,” Mr. Ivers said. “These kinds of things would energize his base but he has moved away from them.”
Also, a source close to The Libertarian Republic reported that Senator Paul hasn't been asking the big money donors to give to his campaign. What gives?
All that and more on this (very rushed) episode of The Freedom Report podcast! Don't forget to subscribe to TLR for an ad-free experience!
Friday Jul 10, 2015
Friday Jul 10, 2015
Today's Freedom Report podcast is a fun-filled freakfest, full of funny questions about politics, life, sex, and everything else. The lovely Irish Laura "Shore an begorrah" Meyers joins us, as well as one of our favorite Canadians Ryan "The Lion" Carillo! Please subscribe on iTunes! And remember, if you hate our advertising, you can subscribe for a low monthly fee! Check it out, and we posted all the questions we answered below.
Jim E. Rustler If a female tree falls in the forest, but no one is around to hear it, who raped it?
-----> Richard Sloboda Well first of all of the female tree had lower hanging leaves she wouldn't have been raped in the first place
Nathan J. Lauffer If man caused climate change were real, and as described by the political left, would government intervention be needed or could the free market solve it in some way?
Kurt Stubbe Muslim women want to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies in Canada. Yes or no?
Justin Grell: What is the best way to win over a lady I have been crushing on since middle school, oh master?
Caleb Alexander Franz Would you like to see a Paul v Sanders face off next year?
Keith Whitworth Do you even lift, bro?
Eric Albon What's your favorite Ron Swanson moment?
Nathan J. Lauffer Are you even pro-life in the case of rape and incest? Do you believe life begins at conception? If not, when does it? If so, what do you believe should be done with frozen embryos that aren't used?
Mike Fenn: Do you feel that being a libertarian requires a basic belief that people if given the right opportunity will make the correct decision?
James Pickett should ppl be allowed to carry a weapon while out drinking alcohol?
Jerome Alexander Longoria Do you take interns?
Rich Hilgemann What do you think about all the rank and file Republicans in state legislatures moving towards a more Libertarian view on marriage? Would you support state run civil unions that would allow anyone to be contractually bound to another person for monetary policy? How would the federal government deal with the lost revenue from inheritance and death taxes once people figure out that they can be civilly united to anyone including family members?
Lily Sikes Will you give my marathon fundraising page for Misericordia a shout-out? http://www.firstgiving.com/.../2015-bank-of-america...
Misericordia offers a community of care that maximizes potential for persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities, many of whom are also physically challenged. Through a spectrum of residential options on its 31-acre Chicago campus and in the community, and with a wide variety of job programs, Misericordia currently serves more than 600 children and adults from diverse racial, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. Twenty percent of our residents either come from poverty families or have no families and are wards of the State. Misericordia cannot provide the high standard of care without donations from private funders. While some charitable organizations are angry with Illinois Governor Rauner for budget cuts and continue to beg the state for more funding, Misericordia is instead trying to increase voluntary contributions. Every little bit counts in helping those with developmental disabilities not only survive, but lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Also for discussion: In your opinion, in a perfect libertarian society, would charity and non-profit organizations still be able to survive?
Nathan J. Lauffer Will you be open to officially joining Rand's campaign team?
Jessica Dantin How do you sleep knowing jet fuel can't melt steal beams?
Jimmy Bilello Would you ever run for any government position?
Dave Johnson And what are your thoughts on giving Puerto Rico statehood?
Jim E. Rustler If Hillary is elected, and we get our Liberal Utopia that you and I used to fantasize about late at night on the phone, will white people finally just move to Somalia?
Gary Kenneth Grasser What's your favorite bass lure?
Joe Burke Do you believe Rands proposed 14.5 percent flat tax plan could realistically be implemented and balance the budget given our current fiscal situation and obligations? What do you feel is the most just way for the government to generate revenue?
Alaina Kathryn IF Rand Paul doesn't get the nomination, who is the next candidate you would choose to "run" the nation?
Ryan Carrillo Selfie sticks: yes or no?
Christopher Ranney Why?
Wednesday Jul 08, 2015
Wednesday Jul 08, 2015
The Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma in a 7-2 decision ordered the monument of the 10 Commandments be removed from the grounds of the Capitol. Governor Mary Fallin has refused to remove it while her and several legislators work to amend the constitution in such a way as to allow the state sponsoring of religion.
Today's Freedom Report podcast takes aim at the issue of the separation of church and state. Is it unconstitutional for the 10 commandments to be placed on the grounds? A public official paid for the monument with his own private money, but the constitution of the state of Oklahoma reads:
“No public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, donated, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, or system of religion, or for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher or dignitary, or sectarian institution as such,” according to the Oklahoma Constitution.
That may be why legislators are seeking to put a vote to the public which would strike that section of the constitution, leaving the door open for the state to be able to directly fund and support any religion they choose. But does the federal U.S. Constitution outlaw that? The answer is yes, and no. Our show today breaks down why.
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