Topic: 13th Amendment

Kanye West's call to "abolish" the 13th Amendment refers to the "trapdoor" clause that allows for involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. This legal loophole enables corporations to utilize cheap prison labor, which West likens to modern-day slavery. The discussion notes that many American companies benefit from this system while simultaneously criticizing labor practices in China.

A fringe legal theory suggests that the 13th Amendment contains provisions that should prohibit lawyers from holding public office. While the amendment primarily abolished slavery, some researchers are exploring alternative interpretations regarding "titles of nobility" and involuntary servitude. The hosts express interest in the premise but remain skeptical of the current evidence.

President Obama marked the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment by delivering a speech at the U.S. Capitol. Obama used the occasion to speak against "bigotry in all its forms," which was widely interpreted as a swipe at Donald Trump's immigration proposals. The hosts question the logical connection between the abolition of slavery and current debates over border security.

The 2012 film Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg, is analyzed as an exercise in "culture creationism" designed to mirror the presidency of Barack Obama. The narrative focuses on the passage of the 13th Amendment as the primary driver for ending the Civil War, which is contrasted against historical theories regarding state rights and international gold interests. The portrayal suggests that a president may bypass constitutional norms for a perceived greater good.

House Resolution 1388, known as the GIVE Act, is discussed as a move toward "mandatory volunteerism" for Americans aged 18 to 25. The hosts argue this violates the 13th Amendment and compare the proposed community service uniforms and armbands to historical youth indoctrination programs.