The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Channeling Admiral Ackbar? (It's a Trap!)

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Channeling Admiral Ackbar? (It's a Trap!)

Author: Ricochet June 12, 2026 Duration: 1:01:04
This week's episode, which finds Steve over in Japan but still with a hoarse voice, ranges widely from exonerating John Yoo from being implicated in a major whiskey heist, to what the prodigious drinking habits of the Founding Fathers has to say about constitutional law today. Justice Neil Gorsuch reminds us that “John Adams took a tankard of hard cider with his breakfast every day. James Madison reportedly drank a pint of whiskey every day. Thomas Jefferson said he wasn’t much of a user of alcohol—he only had three or four glasses of wine a night.” 

Ah, the great ones.

Speaking of the Founders, we make a nod to the tragic passing of Gordon Wood, and naturally manage to get into an argument about history and historians.

But the central topic of today is considering John's foray into grand strategy in his Civitas Outlook article this week on "America Doesn't Need to Fear a 'Thucydides Trap'," , and while Admiral Ackbar needed to fear a trap, John doesn't think so. But what was Chinese premier Xi trying to do in bringing up the subject in a public session at the recent summit with Trump? One doesn't imagine Trump being a reader of Thucydides, though one can easily see him liking the outcome of the Melian debate. In fact, maybe that's what he's up to with Iran? Who can tell. 

Grab a glass and settle in for 3 Whisky Happy Hour, where the week's news and cultural shifts get a thorough-and spirited-examination. Hosts Steven Hayward, John Yoo, and the enigmatic "Lucretia" blend their expertise in law, philosophy, and political commentary, offering a perspective that’s as substantive as it is refreshingly unscripted. The conversation flows like a good pour, moving from the immediate headlines to deeper, often overlooked principles that shape current events. This isn't a dry recap; it's a lively, meandering discussion where complex ideas become accessible, and analysis is always accompanied by a sense of camaraderie. You'll find the tone is that of a sharp, informal debate among friends who aren't afraid to challenge conventional wisdom. Produced by Ricochet, this podcast stands out in the crowded fields of news and politics by prioritizing genuine dialogue over partisan soundbites. Each episode feels like you’ve pulled up a chair at a table where wit and insight are always on the menu. Whether they're unpacking a Supreme Court decision or tracing a philosophical concept through modern politics, the hosts ensure the discourse is both enlightening and thoroughly engaging. For anyone looking to understand the 'why' behind the news with a dose of character, this is your regular invitation to a different kind of happy hour.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

3 Whisky Happy Hour
Podcast Episodes
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The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Jet Lag Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Duration: 53:54
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Duration: 53:53
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The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Gonzo Hybrid-Reboot Edition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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[CORRECTED AUDIO]We've had some gonzo episodes before, and a couple of trainwrecks, but this is the first-ever episode that is actually two episodes edited together, with sequence changes, new sound effects, canned insul…
The Three Whisky Happy Hour: From Plato to NATO [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:47
Another hectic week for your 3WHH bartenders, and John Yoo wasn't able to join us at all, so this week's episode includes a special guest Steve has long wanted to bring on, Alex Priou of the University of Austin, the bol…
The Three Whisky Happy Hour: The Left Blows a Gasket [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:28
The left was already hysterical ever since Trump won a second term, but this week the left had a total meltdown after the Supreme Court scaled back racial gerrymandering under the Voting Rights Act. And the Three Whisky…