CONTENTS OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW 10-23-26 10-23

1865 RICHMOND, VA

Lancaster County Inflation And Family Outings Jim McTague reports on rising Lancaster County gasoline prices alongside inflation pushing shoppers toward warehouse savings. He details a cheerful family trip to Dutch Wonderland with his young granddaughter Sarah, who loved riding the whip. They also visited scenic Lititz Springs Park to feed local mallard ducks with family members. (1)

Tuscan Olive Harvest And Youth Riots Lorenzo Fiori reports from Tuscany about starting a high-quality olive harvest despite smaller yields. He notes positive news regarding the Pope being declared free of cancer following successful surgery. However, youth rioting in Milanprompted military deployments, while Fiori also shares a classic Tuscan bread recipe for delicious appetizers. (2)

Supreme Court Preemption And Voting Rules Richard Epstein examines the Supreme Court case Suncor v. Boulder County Commissioners, analyzing claims that oil companies deceived the public regarding climate impacts. He highlights federal preemption concerns under the Clean Air Act and warns against endless municipal lawsuits. Epstein also reviews New Hampshire voter rules regarding student identification cards. (3)

Pacific Watch On West Coast Topics Jeff Bliss explores In-N-Out Burger’s popularity, fresh food model, and celebrity appeal across the West. He details political friction and homelessness in Seattle. Bliss explains how forensics identified a body in a Lake Mead barrel, reviews a famous 1958 Sands Hotel photo, and discusses Los Angeles monorail delays. (4)

Commercial Space Progress And Lunar Exploration Bob Zimmerman analyzes SpaceX’s strong third quarter profits alongside upcoming Starship and New Glenn launch schedules. He reviews commercial GPS satellite development, Wi-Fi testing in space, and a Chinese rocket stage crashing in Minnesota. Zimmerman concludes with Firefly’s lunar orbiter progress and a unique chicken face feature on Mars. (5)

Revolutionary History And Norfolk Burning Myth Guest: Andrew Lawler Summary: Andrew Lawler discusses his book Perfect Frenzy, revealing that Virginia patriot forces intentionally burned Norfolk in 1776 and falsely blamed Lord Dunmore. He explains how smallpox devastated Dunmore's fleet, details Dunmore's historic emancipation proclamation, and shows how that key legal precedent later influenced President Abraham Lincoln's own Emancipation Proclamation document. (6)

Nuclear Nonproliferation And Modern Subterranean Warfare Guest: Henry Sokolski Summary: Henry Sokolski warns against supplying Saudi Arabia with nuclear power and enrichment facilities, citing political instability surrounding Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He highlights how modern warfare is rapidly shifting underground into tunnels and pipe

primarily for coercion, intimidation, and blackmail. He explains Russia’s aggressive first-use nuclear doctrine and the threat posed by heavy Satan 2 ICBMs. Huessy stresses that the United States must strengthen its regional theater nuclear deterrent capabilities. (7)

Russian Nuclear Doctrine And Strategic Coercion Peter Huessy evaluates Russia’s nuclear arsenal, arguing that Vladimir Putin uses strategic weapons primarily for coercion, intimidation, and blackmail. He explains Russia’s aggressive first-use nuclear doctrine and the threat posed by heavy Satan 2 ICBMs. Huessy stresses that the United States must strengthen its regional theater nuclear deterrent capabilities. (8)