Johnny Rocket Launch Pad-libertarian Rock N' Roll Experience

Robert and I get into the John Carpenter science-fiction horror set in Antarctica where you don't know who you can trust, or even if you can trust yourself, The Thing!     We talk about the moral dilemma presented the characters who seemingly must choose between murdering their fellows or allowing a widespread epidemic that would wipe out humanity in short order. We get into all sorts of nitty-gritty and we wind our way as far South as you can go. Join us next week for “V is for Vendetta”!  

Alex Merced is just your everyday Nice Guy trying to understand the world around him. Join him as he discusses economics and politics in a nice, calm and without vitriol. Because Nice Guys Finish Free.

Show Summary: Sheldon Richman is as engaging, entertaining, and educational as the publication he helmed. In this interview with the former editor for The Freeman, Johnny and Raylene put the Blast Off! Rocket on cruise control and let Richman take the wheel, as the conversation explores a variety of topics relating to Austrian Economics and its rich history. Also, Raylene was very excited about this interview…but this time, she meant it. You can hear more at SupportBlastOff.com on our Patreon!  About The Guest:  Sheldon Richman is a Research Fellow at The Independent Institute. For 15 years he was editor of The Freeman, published by the Foundation for Economic Education. Former Vice President at the Future of Freedom Foundation, he is the author of America's Counter-Revolution: The Constitution Revisited, Separating School & State: How to Liberate America’s Families, Your Money or Your Life: Why We Must Abolish the Income Tax, and Tethered Citizens: Time to Repeal the Welfare State. Mr. Richman’s arti

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, in addition to requiring all government entities to end segregation or disparate treatment based on race, also required private entities, even local ones, to do the same. This federal statute was based on congressional authority over interstate commerce. The racist and pro-segregation owner of the motel, who was also an attorney and argued the case on his own behalf, disputed this authority. The Heart of Atlanta Motel refused to accommodate black folks and sued to overturn the act as it applied to private, intrastate businesses.   In this landmark civil rights case, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld congressional authority over a purely local transaction under the Commerce Clause. While it was the correct moral result (denying someone service because they are black is immoral) its constitutional authority was legitimately questioned. Remember, whether or not something is moral or immoral, a good idea or a bad idea, or is fair or unfair, are all separate questions from whe

    In today's episode Nicky P & Lizzie examine the Flobots classic Handlebars and take a look at what we can only see as the most confused rebuttal of capitalism ever conceived. Why didn’t this one make the cut? Let’s find out.   This week in I Heard This Happened: the world’s most musical hardcore, & the next model Todd Rundgren.   Nicky’s album this week is NoiSays by NoiSays. The album is something like what I imagine would happen if Miles Davis was born in the 90s and a product of divorce where mom & dad keep buying guitars and lessons to prove how much they love him but he only gets more angry. This is hands down one of the most musical hardcore records i’ve ever heard. I think they’re technically some variant of math-rock but they’re quite heavy. Highly recomended.   Also this week: Lizzie found the next incarnation of Todd Rundgren. Low Poly Breakfast by Nova Bound is a great pop-rock offering with hints of Wings, Metronomy and all the best of 70’s soft rock all milled about in the

Due to some should be anticipated techical issues arising from living in Somalia, Sherry and Alan replay Alan’s interview with Tom Woods from his show “The Gold Standard with Alan Mosley.”  You can catch more of Alan on The Gold Standard at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb3cDwgjCQC-cMcVUbvv-k , and Sherry on The Sherry Voluntary Show at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyBM4kCp2SlCONwFFC0auzg You can find audio versions of both shows by searching for “sherry voluntary” or “the gold standard” on your favorite podcasting platforms.  

Robert and I double-down on one of the key movies of our formative years, the Vince Vaughn breakout film, Swingers.  I'm supposed to be impressed because he's wearing a backpack. This is a fun romp of a movie that tests the boundaries of what could be done today and ended up being a quote-fest a la our Billy Madison or Lebowski episodes.   This episode is so money, and you don’t even know it.   Join us next week for “the Thing”!  

“Alex Merced is just your everyday Nice Guy trying to understand the world around him. Join him as he discusses economics and politics in a nice, calm and without vitriol. Because Nice Guys Finish Free.”  

Show Summary: Want to make a difference?  It really is up to you! Listen to libertarian activist and philanthropist Brent DeRidder! Brent shares his vision in helping people in need, and how YOU the individual can make that difference! Brent believes we as people can make the change without the state, and wants to prove naysayers wrong. When our neighbors are in need; when there are homeless; when they are the hungry; when they are without, Brent will be there!  You cannot miss this amazing show! You can hear more at SupportBlastOff.com on our Patreon! About The Guest:  He was raised on the southeastern coast of North Carolina in what was, at that time, a small fishing and tourist town. He grew up believing that being a good country boy meant being a Republican, but, it was his Republican father’s strong adherence to his own principles that turned him into an activist and the full support of his wife and four daughters that allows him to continue. He has worked in animal rescue as a shelter manager; he was

  Six decades after the U.S. Supreme Court gave federal sanction and approval to the “Separate but Equal” doctrine in Plessy v. Ferguson, the Supreme Court decided government approved racial segregation was actually not consistent with the 14th Amendment and the concept of “equal protection under the law.” Oliver Brown was an African-American parent of an elementary school-aged daughter in Topeka, Kansas. Mr. Brown sued to allow his daughter into the all white schools in Topeka. His suit was one of many class-actions across America. It was a nationally coordinated effort, led by the NAACP, to overturn Plessy and desegregate public schools in the United States.   The former Republican governor of California, Earl Warren, the newly appointed Chief Justice, shepherded a 9-0 decision to overturn Plessy.  

      In today's episode Nicky P & Lizzie begin by taking a look at Rabbit’s Revenge by Tom Morello featuring Bassnectar, Big Boi & Killer Mike. Things get heated on a number of fronts and it makes a nice prelude to the featured interview.   This week in I Heard This Happened: shimmery doom & synthy-pop?.     Nicky's pick this week is Calm Black Water by REZN, out of Chicago. A dark (as name suggests) but shimmery (like icy water?) offering...maybe they named it more perfect than I can describe it...   Lizzie's pick is Marea EP by Telegraph Tehran, of Bolgna, Italy. Lizzie calls it pop, im not sold on that. Tell me I’m wrong.   This week we sneak in a quick bonus interview with a local Ohio Libertarian running for Geauga County Commissioner, Candace Loyd.   This week’s interview is with Antony Sammeroff of The Scottish Liberty Podcast. Lizzie geeked out at the idea of talking to a real live scottish person and maybe it was a tad unproductive. Easily our most combative episode, find ou

In this go-round, Sherry and Alan replay their short on the recent facebook purge on political content that doesn’t suit their overlords, The State. You can catch more of Alan on The Gold Standard at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb3cDwgjCQC-cMcVUbvv-k , and Sherry on The Sherry Voluntary Show at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyBM4kCp2SlCONwFFC0auzg You can find audio versions of both shows by searching for “sherry voluntary” or “the gold standard” on your favorite podcasting platforms.  

We're talking about the punk-rock horror/thriller movie Green Room. It pits an ANTIFA-flavored punk band and a white supremacist audience against in each other in a battle to the death. Sadly, they both share many of the same ideas and horrific understanding of economics and morality. We get deep into some of the weeds here in a fun critique of pacing and real grown-up style reviewing. Enjoys!

Blast Off! With Johnny Rocket Episode #16:Pop Goes The Culture! (W/ Victor Pross)   Show Summary: Canadian artist Victor Pross joins Johnny and Raylene to discuss art and culture! Victor understands better than anyone the need for art in libertarianism and life in general. He is an anarchist and pulls no punches when it comes to criticizing the state, and he uses his caricatures to make people laugh at politicians. According to Victor, you can't revere someone when you're laughing at them, so all the more reason to continue laughing at our dear leaders! You can hear more at SupportBlastOff.com on our Patreon!   About The Guest:  Victor Pross is a professional Vancouver artist. He is known for his "extreme caricaturing" and imaginative art works. As an artist, Victor has many high profile commissions to his credit including painting Ron Howard’s caricature portrait as a 50th birthday gift for the famous director, as well as painting various agents of the William Morris Agency. As Canada's premier caricat

The doctrine of “separate but equal” was sanctioned by the US Supreme Court in this landmark 1896 decision. It would remain the law until overturned by Brown v Board of Education in 1954. Homer Adolph Plessy challenged a Louisiana statute requiring railroad passenger lines to provide separate cars for white people and black people. Plessy, who was ⅞ Caucasian, was ordered to sit in the black car. He refused. He was arrested and found guilty of violating the criminal statute. His deliberate noncompliance was a planned attempt at having the racially motivated and discriminatory law overturned as a violation of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution. He failed, but he laid the groundwork for future success. By his noncompliance, Plessy was an American hero. We need more noncompliance. Homer Plessy’s train ride makes history in New Orleans Plessy v Ferguson

    In today's episode Nicky P & Lizzie break from the norm and approach a guest suggestion with perhaps the most incomprehensible lyrics we’ve ever addressed; specifically Carrot Rope by Pavement...I’m not sure we ever really grasped what it was about...   This week in I Heard This Happened: educational rap for kids & sad rainy sunday songs.     Nicky's pick this week is Skylight by Pinegrove, a leathery alt-country/ folk offering. These are the least Jersey Jersey boys i’ve ever heard. Go check it out if you need to feel balanced on a crappy day. Lizzie's pick on the other hand is Baba Got Bars Vol III by Baba Bomani. This educational hip hop for kids is super entertaining. The standout track is The Black Entertainer which gives a history of black people in music over the Scott Joplin tune that paved the way for this history.   This week’s interview is with a personal favorite podcaster, Marc Clair of Lions Of Liberty. We talk to Marc about all the concerts we don’t get by not living in LA,

On this episode Alan and Sherry contemplate the finer points of California's new law devaluing the successes of women while politicians pat themselves on the back for their goodness for doing so. You can catch more of Alan on The Gold Standard at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb3cDwgjCQC-cMcVUbvv-k , and Sherry on The Sherry Voluntary Show at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyBM4kCp2SlCONwFFC0auzg You can find audio versions of both shows by searching for “sherry voluntary” or “the gold standard” on your favorite podcasting platforms.

Patrick MacFarlane of Liberty Weekly recently became a lawyer and joins us to discuss one of his favorite movies, Liar Liar.  Jim Carrey is pretty much a commie these days, but still had a pretty good run of comedy films in the 90’s.  This film did not age well, but the premise hinges on how courts often side with the woman at the expense of the man in family court, which gives us plenty to talk about.  

“Alex Merced is just your everyday Nice Guy trying to understand the world around him. Join him as he discusses economics and politics in a nice, calm and without vitriol. Because Nice Guys Finish Free.”  

  Show Summary: Libertarian Party of Canada leader, Tim Moen, joins Johnny and Raylene for a fun and informative conversation about running for office and Libertarianism in Canada!  Tim understands how to be inclusive to the movement, teaching people the principles with patience and authenticity.  He gives an in depth explanation of how socialized health care REALLY works and why he wants to change it.  His dialogue is open and candid about how he plans to make liberty possible for the people he wants to represent as the Libertarian candidate for Prime Minister. You can hear more at SupportBlastOff.com on our Patreon! About The Guest: Tim Moen grew up on a farm in Northern Alberta where he learned the value of freedom, hard work, responsibility, respect for property and community. He has served his community as a firefighter, paramedic, business owner, writer, filmmaker and volunteer. In 2013 after working with Neil Young, who slammed his community and the oil sands industry, Tim gained national media atten