SHOW
11-7-25
CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR

THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE MUCH DEBATED AI VALUATIONS.



FIRST HOUR

9-915
California Politics and West Coast Issues. Jeff Bliss reports on California Governor Gavin Newsom's successful Proposition 50 to reshape congressional districts, a move linked to increasing Newsom's presidential visibility. Newsom's public persona is increasingly marked by anger and profanity aimed at political opponents. Other issues include Las Vegas resorts reconsidering "nickel-and-diming" practices, ongoing regulatory hurdles delaying rebuilding in Maui, and routine fires in LA's growing homeless encampments.


915-930


Canadian Politics, US Trade Relations, and Energy Pipeline Development. Conrad Black discusses a domestic Canadian political misunderstanding involving Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford over an anti-tariff ad that annoyed President Trump. The focus shifts to Canadian energy policy, noting the need for new pipelines to move oil from Alberta east, west, and south. Carney's government has tentatively agreed to approve a second pipeline to northern British Columbia, which would more than double the daily oil shipment capacity to the west.
930-945
Supreme Court Arguments on Presidential Tariff Authority and NYC Mayor-Elect. Professor Richard Epstein analyzes Supreme Court arguments regarding the President's expansive use of a 1977 law to impose tariffs, predicting a likely 7-2 ruling against the administration. Epstein argues that viewing successful worldwide trade as an "emergency" is intellectually flawed and an abuse of executive discretion. Separately, he expresses concern that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist lacking administrative experience, risks impoverishing the city by ignoring competitive federalism.


945-1000

Supreme Court Arguments on Presidential Tariff Authority and NYC Mayor-Elect. Professor Richard Epstein analyzes Supreme Court arguments regarding the President's expansive use of a 1977 law to impose tariffs, predicting a likely 7-2 ruling against the administration. Epstein argues that viewing successful worldwide trade as an "emergency" is intellectually flawed and an abuse of executive discretion. Separately, he expresses concern that New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist lacking administrative experience, risks impoverishing the city by ignoring competitive federalism.





SECOND HOUR

10-1015

Economic Slowdown and Election Observations in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Jim McTague identifies signs of an economic slowdown affecting people beyond the lowest economic rung. Restaurant business in Indiana is down 3 to 5%, and expensive home renovations have "dried up." Costco shoppers are exhibiting extreme caution, buying essentials with little impulse spending. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a large turnout resulted in Democratic victories, suggesting voter reaction against local Republicans perceived as "Trumpists." Anticipated layoffs at Amazon and Walmart are expected to impact local employment.


1015-1030
Italian Defense Strategy and the Geopolitical Situation. Lorenzo Fiori discusses Italy's defense buildup using EU loan deals to acquire new armored vehicles from Germany's Rheinmetall through a joint venture with Leonardo. This modernization is crucial as Italy is strategically situated near the Ukrainian conflict and faces risks from troubled North African countries, particularly potential Russian influence in Libya. Although the military is needed for disaster relief, public opinion often remains against increasing defense expenditures.



1030-1045
Spacefaring News: NASA, SpaceX Records, and Global Space Issues. Bob Zimmerman reports on the renomination of Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator following a previous withdrawal. SpaceX is setting new launch records, aiming for close to 180 launches this year, though an FAA launch curfew might jeopardize this prediction. Other topics include Boeing avoiding criminal charges regarding the 737 Max crashes, opposition to the EU Space Act, Starlab's commercial space station development, and China's stranded crew due to space debris damage to their Shenzhou capsule.



1045-1100
Spacefaring News: NASA, SpaceX Records, and Global Space Issues. Bob Zimmerman reports on the renomination of Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator following a previous withdrawal. SpaceX is setting new launch records, aiming for close to 180 launches this year, though an FAA launch curfew might jeopardize this prediction. Other topics include Boeing avoiding criminal charges regarding the 737 Max crashes, opposition to the EU Space Act, Starlab's commercial space station development, and China's stranded crew due to space debris damage to their Shenzhou capsule.

THIRD HOUR

1100-1115
Augustine's Response to the Sack of Rome and Theological Battles. Professor Katherine Conybeare discusses Augustine, the African, and his response to the 410 AD sacking of Rome, which motivated him to write The City of God. The work defends Christianity by arguing Rome was always vulnerable. The source also covers the "rigged" Council of Carthage against the Donatists, Augustine's role in developing the just war theory, and his debate against Pelagianism, which led to the formulation of original sin, transmitted through sexual intercourse.




1115-1130


1130-1145


1145-1200




FOURTH HOUR

12-1215
Nuclear Proliferation Concerns Regarding Small Modular Reactors and Weapons Testing. Henry Sokolski raises proliferation concerns about Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) using High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel (20% enriched). Declassified cables from 1954 and 1977 suggested that uranium above 10% requires special concern, demanding a review before SMRs are exported. Sokolski also clarifies that US maintenance of its nuclear arsenal relies on non-critical tests and simulations, not full-yield explosions, though adversaries may be conducting critical tests.




1215-1230
Nuclear Proliferation Concerns Regarding Small Modular Reactors and Weapons Testing. Henry Sokolski raises proliferation concerns about Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) using High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel (20% enriched). Declassified cables from 1954 and 1977 suggested that uranium above 10% requires special concern, demanding a review before SMRs are exported. Sokolski also clarifies that US maintenance of its nuclear arsenal relies on non-critical tests and simulations, not full-yield explosions, though adversaries may be conducting critical tests.




1230-1245
The Trillion-Dollar Space Race: Musk (Hare) vs. Bezos (Tortoise). Richard Smith compares the space race between Elon Musk's SpaceX ("the hare") and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin ("the tortoise"). Blue Origin operates under the cautious motto Gradatim Ferociter, funded by Bezos's personal wealth, aiming to move heavy industry off Earth. SpaceX is driven by Musk's "existential" goal to make humanity interplanetary, operating with urgency. SpaceX ensures independence by funding its ambitious projects, including Starship, through the revenue generated by Starlink.


1245-100 AM



The Trillion-Dollar Space Race: Musk (Hare) vs. Bezos (Tortoise). Richard Smith compares the space race between Elon Musk's SpaceX ("the hare") and Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin ("the tortoise"). Blue Origin operates under the cautious motto Gradatim Ferociter, funded by Bezos's personal wealth, aiming to move heavy industry off Earth. SpaceX is driven by Musk's "existential" goal to make humanity interplanetary, operating with urgency. SpaceX ensures independence by funding its ambitious projects, including Starship, through the revenue generated by Starlink.