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The Shutdown Shuffle

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The government’s broke (again), Congress is fighting (again), and somehow we’re the only ones showing up to work. In this episode, Royal and Cannon unpack why America keeps running on “six-month vibes” a.k.a. Continuing Resolutions, how political dysfunction became the new normal, and what a looming shutdown actually means for real people.

Expect equal parts civics and sarcasm as the duo break down the absurdity of funding fights, forecast who’ll get blamed this time, and remind everyone that when the government stops paying its bills… the crazy keeps on talking.

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From Pepe the Frog to Proud Boys, the alt-right didn’t just crawl out of basements — it was born in the meme factories of the internet. This week, Royal and Cannon unravel the pipeline: how “just jokes” turn into radical ideology, why some incel forums are suddenly obsessed with “trans-maxing,” and what happens when the Republican Party’s youth movement has to pick sides between Charlie Kirk’s corporate cheer camp and Nick Fuentes’ fascist basement cult.

We’ll also touch on The Atlantic’s piece about the decline of partying (spoiler: Discord servers are the new frat house), and why loneliness is the secret accelerant in America’s political dumpster fire.

Special thanks to @misterfoxwell on TikTok for sparking some of today’s discussion.

Cannon Curse Counter = 4.

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This week Cathy and Royal take a crack at the wild list of news stories that dominated the air waves ... preceding the news that took over the week.

Listen to the news from before the shot heard round the world ... and tune in next week for our reactions and thoughts on the latest developments.

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This week, Cannon and Royal discuss the mechanics and common misconceptions around a potential Constitutional Convention. We discuss the history, the precendent, and the potential in the current chaotic political climate we find ourselves living in.

We also reflect on the coming anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001 and how as a nation we have abandoned the memory, and the sacrifice of those we lost that day. Let this episode be your reminder to Never Forget.

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Episode 4: The Contra Circus

This week, Cathy and Royal tumble headfirst into the three-ring mess that was the Iran-Contra Affair. Spoiler: it’s less “national security strategy” and more “political clown car.” We’ve got secret arms deals, shady cover-ups, and the Reagan administration juggling lies like flaming batons. By the time Ollie North struts onto the stage in his uniform, it’s basically Barnum & Bailey with subpoenas.

Come for the history lesson, stay for the snark. Because nothing says “land of the free” like selling weapons to your sworn enemies and funding an illegal war on the side.

Step right up, kids. The circus is in town.

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Episode: 3 Broken Windows & the Bracero Program

Cathy Cannon (@CannonsFodder) and Royal Webster are back at it — two teachers, two microphones, and way too many hot takes. This week, we’re breaking down two very different but very connected pieces of American history: the so-called Broken Windows theory of policing (spoiler: it’s more propaganda than policy) and the Bracero Program (a mid-century “guest worker” scheme that basically meant “exploit labor, call it legal”).

Along the way, expect zany detours through Dust Bowl Okies, company towns, NAFTA fallout, and why American wealth has always been built on the backs of the poor while the elites keep cashing in. Oh, and of course — Cathy and Royal’s usual banter, caffeine-fueled sidebars, and the kind of history class you wish you had in high school.

Hit play, laugh, rage, and maybe learn something your textbook skipped.

Follow me on TikTok, SubStack, and Bluesky @CannonsFodder and Instagram and Threads @CannonsFodder_ig

Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2528525/support

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Episode 2: The Last Gerrymander

The Royal Cannon Podcast with Cathy Cannon & Royal Webster

What do you get when you mix voter suppression, partisan power grabs, and some delightfully squiggly lines?

A democracy held together by duct tape and court cases.

In this episode, Cathy and Royal crack open the chaotic world of gerrymandering — the shady practice of redrawing political maps to rig elections without ever breaking a single law. From its messy colonial beginnings to the modern maps that look like abstract art projects on fire, we’re breaking down how this “totally legal cheating” works… and why it’s making your vote worth less (or maybe not count at all).

We go full civics teacher meets political therapist on:

• Where gerrymandering came from (and why it’s still here)
• The landmark cases (hello Baker v. Carr, Shaw v. Reno, Rucho v. Common Cause)
• How racial and partisan lines keep getting blurred — and who benefits
• Why the Supreme Court pretended this wasn’t their problem
• What happens if this is the last fair map we ever get?

This isn’t just about weird shapes on a map — it’s about power, people, and the future of representation in America. And spoiler alert: If you think your vote still counts the way it should… you might wanna listen twice.

If you’re into spicy history, no-bullshit breakdowns, and political tea with constitutional receipts — hit that follow button and subscribe. New episodes drop weekly, and trust us… this ride is just getting started.