Topic: School Security

Ben Shapiro testified before a House committee, engaging in a sharp exchange with Representative Eric Swalwell over "Project 2025." Shapiro defended conservative positions on reducing bureaucracy and restructuring Social Security while dismissing claims that the project seeks to ban books on slavery. The hosts reflect on Shapiro's long career as a "fast-talking" intellectual.

A high school teacher in Austin reports that many 17-year-old students use "anxiety" as a frequent excuse for incomplete work and bring stuffed animals or "blankies" to class for comfort. Teachers on Reddit confirm the trend, describing the use of "emotional support sloths" and other plushies to help students cope with the psychological effects of the 2020 lockdowns.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appeared on a London School of Economics podcast to discuss Brexit and its impact on the global economy. The hosts critique her focus on international issues while representing California. A brief mention is made of George W. Bush winning the presidency via the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote.

A report from Beaverton, Oregon, detailed a school's decision to ban parents from eating lunch with their children due to security concerns following the San Bernardino shooting. Administrators cited the difficulty of supervising large numbers of adults in the cafeteria. The discussion explored whether such "hovering" by parents contributes to student stress or invites bullying.

A debate in Illinois focuses on whether to defund school resource officers in favor of mental health professionals. Proponents of armed security point to a recent incident where an officer successfully engaged a shooter before fatalities occurred. Critics argue that replacing armed guards with "shrinks" is a dangerous approach to school safety.

The Blue Mountain School District in Pennsylvania has implemented a controversial security plan by equipping every classroom with a five-gallon bucket of river stones. Superintendent Dr. David Hesel defended the plan, suggesting students could "stone" an intruder as a last resort. The idea is mocked as ludicrous, with a counter-suggestion that students should instead be trained with high-powered slingshots for better defense.

Berkeley High School is facing budget cuts that will reduce its unarmed campus security force from 15 to 13 officers. Despite the city's reputation for anti-police sentiment, students expressed concern that the reduction would jeopardize their safety. The hosts find it ironic that students in a "Dimension B" political environment are advocating for an increased security presence on campus.

A school principal from a district in Washington, D.C., presented security protocols involving metal detectors and a single entry point, similar to TSA checkpoints. The protocol also includes a total ban on cell phones within the school building. Proponents suggest these measures serve as a temporary stopgap to prevent weapons from entering campuses.

A 17-year-old student at El Camino High School in Whittier, California, was arrested after a security guard overheard him making threats. Police discovered two AR-15 rifles and 90 high-capacity magazines at the student's home. The teen's 28-year-old brother was also arrested on weapons charges following the investigation.

Canada's largest school system in Toronto halts all future student trips to the United States due to uncertainty surrounding travel bans and border questioning. School officials express concern that students from diverse backgrounds might be singled out or denied entry at the border. The hosts discuss the "anecdotal evidence" of aggressive border agents causing these practical cancellations.

A listener from Newtown, Connecticut, shared an anecdote about her childhood friendship with Adam Lanza and her mother's company selling security systems to the school district after the Sandy Hook shooting. The system, Honeywell's Instant Alert, was designed to notify parents immediately during emergencies. The segment explores the personal connections and local economic impacts following the tragedy.

A voicemail from Revis High School informs parents of an unannounced emergency lockdown drill. The hosts criticize the frequency of these drills, arguing that the statistical rarity of school incidents does not justify the psychological impact on students.

A donor predicts a future of drone warfare and ham radio communication by the year 2022. This is followed by an anecdote from Ben C. about a bomb scare at an Illinois school triggered by a fifth-grader's cartoon drawing of a "Wile E. Coyote" bomb, highlighting the zero-tolerance hysteria in modern education.

A student newspaper from Torrey Pines High School in San Diego features quotes from children aged 9 to 12 regarding the DOJ's seizure of AP records. The students largely support the government's actions, citing national security as more important than press freedom, which the hosts call "the future of slaves."

A former psychotherapist shares concerns about the frequency of school lockdown drills, which she describes as "slave training" for children. A news report details a drill involving a school bus takeover and "crisis actors," funded by federal Homeland Security grants. The hosts argue these exercises are designed to condition children to cower rather than take proactive safety measures.

The University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) was placed on lockdown after a history professor was spotted carrying a six-foot-long antique musket for a class presentation. The incident triggered a new text alert system, which school officials praised as a success despite the lack of an actual threat. The hosts characterize these frequent lockdowns and alerts as "slave training" designed to instill a state of constant fear.

A Connecticut tort lawyer appearing on Bloomberg discusses potential lawsuits related to the Sandy Hook shooting. He suggests that the future of school security involves remote-controlled drones equipped with cameras and knockout gas. The hosts criticize the lawyer's rhetoric and the media's willingness to entertain his "moronic" proposals.

Students in Australia are reportedly bypassing biometric fingerprint scanners used for school attendance by using gummy bears. By pressing a finger into a gummy bear to create a mold, students can have others "check them in." The hosts use this to highlight the flaws in biometric security and the move toward automated classrooms.