We're back for the new year and Episode 054 kicks off with the NFL regular season coming to a close, playoff pictures tightening up, and the coaching carousel heating up. From there, we shift gears into international and domestic politics, breaking down the Trump administration’s move to arrest Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and what it signals for U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere.
We also dig into Minnesota politics, where Tim Walz announces he will not seek another term as governor amid mounting scandal—raising big questions about accountability, media silence, and what comes next for the state’s leadership.
Before wrapping up with current events we look back a couple weeks to one of the most eyebrow-raising developments of 2025: the Trump administration reviving letters of marque, effectively authorizing private citizens to go after drug-smuggling boats. We discuss the historical roots of privateers, whether this strategy can actually work, and what it says about the escalating fight against international drug trafficking.
As always—sports, politics, history, and the stories of the day while enjoying a nice cigar.
Check us out live-streaming the show on Twitch and on YouTube!
00:00 Opening & Cigar talk
08:40 Dallas Cowboys, coaching carousel, & sports
19:14 Texas Sports Academy using Texas ESAs for "education"
33:14 Nicolas Maduro is arrested and arraigned
51:01 Nancy Pelosi says no doubt the Dems win the House in 2026
54:23 Tim Walz suspends campaign for Governor of Minnesota
1:00:51 Trump Admin revives Letters of Marque for Privateers
1:07:03 FCC cancels all new foreign drone licenses
1:09:59 SNAP benefits may no longer be used for junk food
1:13:27 GLP-1 is now in pill form
1:20:03 Jim Beam shuts down oldest operating distillery for 1 year
1:25:44 Trump recalls National Guard from 3 US cities
1:26:46 Smoke Sessions & Catching Up on current events
