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Half-Hour Liberty Hour

Join Brett and Rob as they explore libertarian topics from behind the iron curtain of the People's Republic of Portland Oregon. Each half hour show covers a range of political thought, philosophy, history, current events and alcoholic beverages.
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Now displaying: 2017
Nov 23, 2017

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

It's been a while since we have heard from the Dynamically Drunken duo (close to two months...c'mon guys!). It has been a very challenging two months in the personal lives of the guys. Brett has been dealing with stress-related health problems that have caused him to quit his part-time job and Rob has recently been informed that he will be downsized from his full-time job early in the new year. These two factors combined has drastically slowed the production of this show.

This episode was originally recorded in mid-September 2017 for release in the first week of October. You will finally get to hear it.

In this episode of Half-Hour Liberty Hour, Brett and Rob crack open a bottle of whisky and talk about the infighting that has been going on within the Liberty movement, especially within the LP. They talk about why it's reprehensible, why it is posturing by the leadership, why they believe it is occurring, and what should be done about it. Sit back, relax, have a drink, and keep your brain turned on for this discussion.

Jason Stapleton's Interview with Nick Sarwark

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Teeling Small Batch Irish Whiskey

Oct 1, 2017

After a long protracted illness on Brett's part, the Dynamically Drunken Duo are back to tackle the Global Basic Income Guarantee (aka GBIG). Nothing says elitist socialist plot like "free money". Somebody's gotta pay for it, and it's gonna be you. Sit tight, as we are releasing our longest episode to date (OK...so the guys couldn't determine what they wanted to edit out).

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Sep 14, 2017

Hey Everyone! It's been a trying past couple of weeks as Rob was sick (run-down from all his jobs) and after he was better, Brett became sick (also run-down from all his jobs). To keep your liberty-mindedness sharp, here are the two additional objections from the Right that were cut for time from Episode 017 - Common Objections From The Right. Obviously, the two and the others from that episode are not the only objections from the Right, but they are ones that we commonly hear from folks when they learn that we are libertarians.

5. Libertarians would let foreign countries put Americans out of work

6. Libertarians would leave our borders open

It also includes the portion from the end of the show where we summarize the episode.

It's a good thing that the Maker's was flowing...

Aug 26, 2017

In this episode, Brett and Rob have a third discussion of questions they have been asked in the past by people who are curious about libertarianism. They get liquored up and try to answer the following:

  • Can I Be a libertarian and Support Public Schooling?
  • Can I Be a libertarian and Work for the Government?
  • Can I Be a libertarian and Be Conservative?
  • Can I Be a libertarian and Support Gun Control?

Due to the whisky being consumed, Rob goes on two mini rants and Brett promises a topic for a future episode. Have a drink and listen to the Dynamically Drunken Duo answer these questions.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: McClelland's Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

A special mention to J-Dawg P. Thanks for joining us during the recording of this episode. You are welcome back any time.

Aug 24, 2017

In their first (real) purposeful bonus episodelet, Brett and Rob discuss and respond to the recent terror attacks in Europe. They explain how both the left and right want to violate the NAP and bring a whole host of the same type of economic migrants that are causing trouble in Europe to the United States. They have their own reasons for doing such, and the guys discuss these reasons. Nothing good can come out of it.

Aug 18, 2017

It's been a while since Brett and Rob dusted off the ol' Two Cows joke, so here's another discussion using the joke. In this alcohol-fueled episode, the Dynamically Drunken Duo revisit it, but they focus on the mythical wonderfulness of Pure Democracy. Listen as Brett and Rob smack around Pure Democracy and unmask it for what it truly is (hint: it is very close to another form of governance that rhymes with "Bocialism").

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Monkey Shoulder Blended Malt Scotch Whisky

Aug 16, 2017

In this Bonus Episodelet, trimmed for content from Episode 014 - Liberty Definitions, Brett and Rob got sidetracked when talking about negative vs. positive rights. Rob reads from FDR's Second Bill of Rights, a progressive statist dream he launched in 1944, that has had yet another rebirth in the past couple of years. Brett and Rob talk about how terrible these "rights" are and how what was once new is new again. It's a good thing that the Auchentoshan is flowing...

Aug 15, 2017

Sorry for the delay in uploading this episode, but Brett and Rob, as they explained in Episode 016 - Why We're Different, are working stiffs, and work and life got in the way of getting this episode out on schedule. Rob is working to get the other two recorded episodes edited and ready for release, as well as a few more bonus episodelets.

In this alcohol-fueled episode, Brett and Rob, in the spirit of Episode 007 - Common Objections from the Left, are back and slaying common objections from the Right. The Dynamically Drunken Duo tackle:

1. Libertarians are too liberal

2. Libertarians will allow drugs to flow through the streets

3. You can't just let people do what they want

4. Libertarians are isolationists

7. Libertarians don't believe in a strong national defense

8. Libertarians don't support the troops

9. Libertarians wouldn't waterboard a terrorist to keep Americans from dying

10. What about patents and copyrights?

You may have noticed that #5 and #6 are missing from this list. They were trimmed in order to keep the length of the episode to a reasonable amount of time. They will appear in a future bonus episodelet.

If you are wondering if the audio quality may sound "off", and/or if you happen to hear scraping sounds, you are correct in your assumption. The guys were unable to record in their usual location and had to record in Brett's kitchen. The scraping sounds you may hear are Brett's dog on his hardwood floors. The more you drink while listening, the less of those sounds you will hear...

Relax, have a drink with us, and see that the Right is just as loony as the Left.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Maker's Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

Jul 31, 2017

This is a very different episode from what the listeners of Half-Hour Liberty Hour are accustomed to. This is partially why it is being released on Sunday instead of the usual Friday release schedule. In this episode, Brett and Rob lay aside most of the philosophical discussions of liberty and focus on what it is that makes Half-Hour Liberty Hour different. In a world full of liberty podcasts, you have many choices. So what is it that makes Half-Hour Liberty Hour different from those other podcasts? Have a listen and you will see.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Jefferson's Very Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky

Jul 21, 2017

Rob is back from vacation, so the Dynamically Drunken Duo were able to record a new episode. Today, Brett and Rob discuss the $3.8 billion boondoggle of a tax plan the Oregon Legislature has passed in order to "fund" repairs to the Oregon highway system. They talk about the new taxes that are being levied (including a first-ever partial sales tax against the will of the people), tolling of the bridges and the Interstates in Portland, and how the Legislature will probably stay true to form and blow the money on other projects that the government wants to spend the money on. Brett and Rob go on a rant about how the private sector could do a much better job building and repairing roads with a much smaller budget, and discuss the possibly-inspired-by-a-six-year-old-child plan to extend the Portland surface streets over the top of I-5 in the Rose Quarter. If you weren't drinking before listening to this episode, you will probably be by the end.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Speyburn Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

Jul 19, 2017

This bonus episodelet is a bit that was cut for time and subject matter from Episode 013 - Who Would Our Presidential Cabinet Be? In it, Brett and Rob talk about executive actions and other overreach by executive-branch created government agencies with the implication that their actions add up to less liberty for all. It did not fit with the flow of that episode, but it gives insight into why the Dynamically Drunken Duo chose to only have the original five Cabinet positions if they were president. Join Brett and Rob, only 2 oz into the Barrel Hitch Whiskey, as they badmouth FDR, Nixon, Carter, and modern schooling.

Jul 7, 2017

In this alcohol-fueled episode, Brett and Rob define and explain a number of terms that they and other liberty-loving people throw around that the average person may not understand. They drink quite a bit and have some fun covering:

  • Negative Rights
  • Positive Rights
  • The Five Principles We Believe In
    • Right to Life
    • Right to Liberty
    • Right to Own Property
    • Right to Self-Preservation
    • Free Market Capitalism
  • The Non-Aggression Principle (NAP...aka "The Silver Rule")
  • Aggression
  • Personal Responsibility
  • Taxation as Theft
  • Tolerance
  • Freedom

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Auchentoshan Single Malt Scotch Whisky - American Oak

Jun 30, 2017

In this fun episode, Brett and Rob get liquored up while daydreaming about who they would have for a presidential Cabinet if they were ever elected (ha!) to the Presidency. They decided to pare down the Cabinet to the original five positions. Brett professes his love for his wife, while Rob professes that Hunter McGrady has an open invitation to be his First Lady. Here is what the Dynamically Drunken Duo have for members of their Cabinet:

As a non-Cabinet position, the National Security Advisor would be Scott Horton. Rob also gives a very special mention about who he would like to hire out of his own pocket as an advisor. Listen to find out who it is.

As usual, Brett and Rob get sidetracked and talk about the evils of inflation and the need for sound monetary policy, but you expect that when they have four or more ounces of whiskey in them. They recommend you listen to The Jason Stapleton Show's Episode 608 to learn about the Burrito Index and how it tracks inflation better than the Feds ever could.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Barrel Hitch Oregon Oak American Whiskey (meh)

Jun 23, 2017

Hey Everyone! We're back! After two weeks of conflicting schedules, Brett and Rob are back at what they do best, drinking and talking about political philosophy. In this alcohol-fueled episode, the Dynamically Drunken Duo lay into issues they see with the Libertarian Party.

  1. Choosing candidates based upon name recognition instead of principles

  2. Poor messaging
  3. Nerds running the show
  4. Freaks on the news
  5. Don't take elections seriously enough
  6. Party officials say stupid things publicly

If you would like to check out what the inner workings of the LP convention is like, we highly recommend listening to Episode 906 of the Tom Woods Show. It will blow your mind with the behind-the-scenes look from a former LP VP candidate.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey (in the fancy-schmancy bottle)

Jun 9, 2017

Hello to all our listeners! Brett and Rob truly apologize, but they were unable to make their schedules coincide to be able to record an episode for this week. They're just a couple of guys whose real lives got in the way of their fun. In its stead, Rob slapped together a faux announcement to a crowd explaining why there is no new episode this week. Brett and Rob thought it would be more polite to inform you that there is no new episode this week than to let you wonder if they've disappeared. See what happens when they're sober?

Jun 7, 2017

This bonus episodelet is a bit cut from Episode 011 - Two Cows and Socialism due to time constraints. The Cost Calculation Problem has always been a point of contention for Socialists as they believe that the State should set prices, no matter what the cost of production is. Using two real-life examples, Brett and Rob explain (rather easily) how market forces signal producers to produce and at what price goods can be sold. This is known as the Cost Calculation Problem. Join them, as they are about 3oz into the Ardbeg, and get an easy-to-understand explanation of an economic reality.

Jun 2, 2017

Another two cows episode so soon? Yes, because Brett got dragged into yet another Internet debate in which he had to defend liberty whilst destroying Socialism. Join Brett and Rob getting liquored up as they prove that Socialism and Communism are virtually the same evil philosophy of governing. Oh yeah...Rob's "Greater Good" character is back for a defense of the Collective. Poor guy almost puked on himself having to defend the Socialist position.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Ardbeg Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky

May 26, 2017

In this episode, Brett and Rob have a second discussion of questions they have been asked in the past by people who are curious about libertarianism. They get liquored up and try to answer the following:

  • Can I Be a libertarian and Vote for a Democrat or Vote for a Republican?
  • Can I Be a libertarian and Hold Religious Beliefs?
  • Can I Be a libertarian and Support the Arts?
  • Can I Be a libertarian and Be Against Abortion?

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Tim Smith's Climax Moonshine

May 19, 2017

In this alcohol-fueled episode, Brett and Rob revisit the Two Cows joke, but they decide to focus on fascism this time. They discuss what fascism is politically, what it is not, and how most everyone who uses the term today is flat-out wrong. Join them as they get liquored up and get educated on this totalitarian historical philosophy of government.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Kilbeggan Traditional Irish Whiskey

May 17, 2017

This bonus episodelet was edited for time from Episode 008 - Common Objections From The Left. In that episode, Brett and Rob wax philosophical about fast food robots improving service and creating new jobs. In this bonus episodelet, they discuss how a $15 per hour "living wage" for fast food workers is labor holding capitalism hostage and that anyone who works an unskilled labor job longer than a few years has something wrong with them (hint: they're usually lazy). It's a good thing the Glenfarclas is flowing...

May 12, 2017

In this alcohol-fueled episode, Rob throws out common objections to liberty from the Left, and he and Brett lay waste to both the objections as well as their sobriety. There is a lot of drinking, a lot of sarcasm, and even an appearance of Episode 007's "The Greater Good Guy". Final Score: Rob 10oz, Brett 6oz. Oh yeah...Milton Friedman stops by to destroy the idea that governments are needed to prevent monopolies.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

May 10, 2017

This bonus episodelet was trimmed from Episode 007 - Is A Cashless Society A Good Thing? due to wanting to maintain a roughly half-hour episode length. In this bonus episdoelet, Brett and Rob are about 5-7oz into the Hamley's as they continue to argue the cons of a cashless society. Rob is having real trouble keeping his brain turned off and arguing in favor. It's a good thing that the whisky is flowing...

May 5, 2017

In this episode, Brett and Rob have an alcohol-fueled debate over whether a cashless society is a good thing or not. Rob has to turn off his brain and attempt to argue the point-of-view that a cashless society is needed for the greater good. Brett's alcohol-soaked brain is still intact as he deftly sweeps away the the arguments in favor of a cashless society.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: Hamley American Straight Wheat Whiskey of Pendleton, Oregon

May 3, 2017

As a bit cut during the editing of Episode 005 - Can I Be A Libertarian And...? #1, Brett and Rob start complaining about the need for judicial reform long before one should determine whether or not he/she supports the death penalty. Come join them, only 2oz into the rum and cokes, as they talk about wanting, in most cases, a system of recompense instead of a system of retribution.

Apr 28, 2017

In this episode, Brett and Rob focus on the Oregon legislature and the stupidity coming out of Salem. The alcohol-fueled discussion covers:

  • The bill to restrict no-cause evictions
  • The bill to remove the ban on rent controls
  • The bill to tax corporations (PERS issues)
  • The gun control bill that is a backdoor to eliminating firearm ownership in the state.

This Episode's Drink of Choice: The Famous Grouse Smoky Black Blended Scotch Whisky

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