Topic: Political Correctness

Senator Kamala Harris introduced a resolution to ban the phrase "Wuhan virus," labeling it anti-Asian and xenophobic. Senator Tom Cotton and other critics objected, arguing that naming diseases after their place of origin is standard practice and that the resolution was a distraction from China's role in the pandemic. The debate highlighted the growing tension over language and geopolitical accountability.

A TikTok video advocating for terms like "the-bies" instead of babies and "birthing people" instead of mothers is discussed. John Dvorak recounts a story from 1986 involving a PC World editor who insisted on using "congress-person" instead of "representative" to signal gender neutrality, a practice he views as early virtue signaling.

A conversation with a French professor highlights the lack of free speech in France, where trade organizations and unions reportedly suppress dissenting opinions. The hosts discuss the global trend toward "political correctness" and the erosion of free speech protections across Europe and the United States.

Concerns are raised about the potential for major platforms like Apple and Spotify to de-platform podcasts based on new federal laws regarding "illegal chants" or speech. The roots of modern self-censorship are traced back to the "politically correct" movement of the late 1970s, which evolved into today's hate speech and bullying regulations.

A personal anecdote from 1981 describes an early encounter with "politically correct" language at InfoWorld magazine regarding the word "deviant." The discussion posits that the modern "woke" movement and deplatforming tactics were significantly accelerated by the Gamergate controversy in 2015.

A CBS News report marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing replaces the word "mankind" with "humanity" when referencing Neil Armstrong's famous quote. The hosts criticize the change as an unnecessary concession to political correctness.

Stanford University published a "Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative" list, advising against words like "American," "brave," "tribe," and "insane." The initiative claims these terms are offensive or appropriative, though the list has faced significant public ridicule for its perceived overreach.

The "Mask Wars" intensify as public places like Palm Beach County make face coverings mandatory. President Trump suggests that some people wear masks as a political signal against him, while a University of Washington model claims thousands of lives could be saved by universal masking. Citizens express frustration over the loss of personal choice and the shifting consensus on mask efficacy.

Business Insider publishes a list of "racist and offensive" phrases to avoid in the workplace, including "peanut gallery," "paddy wagon," and "eskimo." The hosts critique the etymological claims made by the publication, noting that many of these terms have lost their original connotations. An anecdote is shared regarding a county auditor's office changing the acronym "CAFR" because it sounds like a South African slur.

Representative Emanuel Cleaver, acting as guest chaplain, concluded an opening prayer for Congress by saying "Amen and Awoman." The hosts mock this as an absurd peak of political correctness, noting that "Amen" is a Hebrew word meaning "so be it" and has no gendered etymology. They suggest this reflects the current state of cultural programming.

Activision has removed the "OK" hand gesture from Call of Duty due to its alleged association with white supremacy. Meanwhile, the Washington Redskins face renewed pressure to change their name, with some fans comparing the term to the N-word. The hosts suggest the team be renamed the "Washington Rednecks" as a satirical alternative.

Senator Cory Booker is criticized for using gender-neutral pronouns like "they" when referring to a singular future president, which the hosts label as "virtue signaling." An anecdote from a former Boeing employee illustrates the long history of such linguistic shifts in corporate and media environments. The discussion explores the perceived awkwardness of replacing "he or she" with "they" to satisfy "political police."

Kamala Harris was involved in a controversy after an attendee at a town hall used the phrase "mentally retarded action" to describe President Trump's policies. Harris, who is half-Indian, was accused of pretending not to hear the specific wording despite responding "well said" to the questioner. The incident sparked a debate about the use of the "R-word" in political discourse and Harris's subsequent attempt to distance herself from the remark.

The hosts discuss the reaction to Dave Chappelle's latest comedy special, framing the criticism as a conflict between "evolved" thinking and traditional humor. They argue that younger generations use the concept of social evolution to dismiss older perspectives as obsolete or bigoted. The conversation touches on the disconnect between older media figures and modern pop culture trends.

On the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, a CBS News report referred to Neil Armstrong's "one giant leap for humanity" instead of the original "mankind." The hosts mock this change as an unnecessary application of modern political correctness to a historical quote. The show concludes with a sign-off and a preview of the "Grumpy Old Bens" livestream.

New advertising regulations in the UK ban the depiction of harmful gender stereotypes, such as women failing at parking or men struggling with household chores. Similar bans have been implemented in Stockholm and Berlin, sparking debate over political correctness in the commercial industry.

The hosts discuss the limitations of both mainstream and right-wing media, arguing that conservative outlets often rely on superficial outrage rather than deep deconstruction. They highlight the "cancel culture" surrounding criticisms of Islam compared to other religions. The segment concludes with a thank you to producer Darren O'Neill for the episode's artwork titled "Tactile Nukes."

A New York Times op-ed claims the original Mary Poppins film contains racist elements, specifically citing a scene where the character powders her face with soot. The discussion transitions into the Dutch tradition of Black Pete, with predictions that the character will eventually be phased out due to increasing international pressure and claims of racial insensitivity.

The University of California, Davis LGBTQIA Resource Center published a list of "words that hurt," including terms like "ghetto," "illegal alien," and "no homo." The hosts review the list, mocking the center's explanations for why these words are considered oppressive. They discuss the evolving standards of language on college campuses.

A listener from New Zealand shares a perspective on how Marxist tactics are being used to create upheaval in Western societies through political correctness and the "no borders" movement. The works of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, specifically *The Gulag Archipelago*, are recommended as an inoculation against these ideologies. The current political climate in the U.S. is described as an assault by "over-socialized" individuals seeking to challenge the existing social order.