Civitas Outlook
Topic
Politics
Published on
January 17, 2026
Contributors
John Yoo
Steven Hayward
Episode
The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: The Best (Podcast) Regime?

About this episode

Is it just us, or did this week seem even crazier than usual? We didn’t have time to cover all the crazy in the news, and had to settle for trying to select the most stupid crazy thing said this week, though even that was a hard selection to make. But we gave a group award to everyone involved in trying to persuade the Supreme Court that boys should be allowed in girls sports. So much to work with.

We considered whether and how the Insurrection Act might work in the case of insurrectiony Minnesota, and then move on to our main event today: is America in fact the “best regime” in the classical, Platonic/Aristotelian meaning of the term (Steve and Lucretia say Yes, while John is confused and cantankerous as usual), and if so does this help explain the left’s deep hatred for America?

All other episodes on

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Sister Souljah Time for the Dems?

March 8, 2025 episode of The Three Whisky Happy Hour titled "Sister Souljah Time for the Dems?"

EP

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Zoned Out on Protests?

Lucretia, John Yoo, and Steve Hayward discuss the landmark Supreme Court case 'Euclid v. Ambler Realty.'

EP
Jan 30, 2026

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Heart of Texas Episode

Lucretia, Steve Hayward, and John Yoo answer a reader/ listener comment asking what, exactly, is “scientific” about “political science”?

EP
Feb 7, 2026

The Three Whisky Happy Hour: Saving Elections, Saving Energy, and Recalling Scalia

The SAVE Act is the first topic of debate this week, along with a celebration of the Trump Administration rolling back the EPA’s power to make our energy scarce and expensive.

EP
Feb 14, 2026

Join the newsletter

Receive new publications, news, and updates from the Civitas Institute.

Sign up
More on

Politics

Is American Nationalism Still Creed-able?

We are not there now, but there is reason to worry that the United States is in danger, if we are not careful, of ceasing to be a nation with the principles of 1776 at its core.

Richard Samuelson
Politics
Apr 29, 2026
National Civitas Institute Poll: Americans are Anxious and Frustrated, Creating a Challenging Environment for Leaders

The poll reveals a deeply pessimistic American electorate, with a majority convinced the nation is on the wrong track.

Politics
Feb 19, 2026
Liberal Democracy Reexamined: Leo Strauss on Alexis de Tocqueville

This article explores Leo Strauss’s thoughts on Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1954 “Natural Right” course transcript.

Raúl Rodríguez
Politics
Feb 25, 2025
Long Distance Migration as a Two-Step Sorting Process: The Resettlement of Californians in Texas

Here we press the question of whether the well-documented stream of migrants relocating from California to Texas has been sufficient to alter the political complexion of the destination state.

James Gimpel, Daron Shaw
Politics
Feb 6, 2025
How Occupational Licensing Hurts the Poor and Holds Back Growth in America and Around the World

Occupational licensing hurts the poor and holds back growth in America and around the world.

Jonathan Hartley
Politics
Aug 10, 2026
Why Gloria Romero’s Campaign for Obscure Office Will Change CA GOP

Gloria Romero is California’s 'basta ya' candidate.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Aug 7, 2026
New York’s War on its Jews

It can happen on any street corner or at any transit stop and increasingly does: a young man with a yarmulke is assaulted for no apparent reason.

Joel Kotkin
Politics
Aug 7, 2026
Rail Giants Hate the $71 Billion Merger. The Rest of Us Should Love It

Based on the record, the case for approving the merger is even stronger than when it was first announced.

Michael Toth
Politics
Aug 7, 2026

The Three Whiskey Happy Hour

Steven Hayward brings you the Power Line Blog's perspective on the week's big headlines.

View all
** items

Disgraced DEI Professor’s Story Exposes ‘Institutional Rot’ in Universities, Critic Says

Politics
Aug 11, 2026
1:05

DSA Co-Chair Struggles to Explain Millionaire Tax Policy

Politics
Aug 10, 2026
1:05

Bill Maher Torches Dems, Tucker Carlson Builds Third Party

Politics
Aug 7, 2026
1:05

John Yoo Analyzes DOJ Crackdown on Massive COVID-19 Relief Fraud

Politics
Jul 31, 2026
1:05

If Fauci Lies to Congress, He Can be Prosecuted: Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General

Politics
Jul 28, 2026
1:05
No items found.
Jimmy Lai: Apostle for Freedom

Jimmy Lai represents the best of what Hong Kong was.

Jonathan Miltimore
Politics
Aug 14, 2026
The Uses and Abuses of the Pardon Power

The recent flood of pardon controversies shows no signs of abating.

Brian C. Kalt
Politics
Aug 13, 2026
The Fall of Fauci

The greater the scope of authority granted to a single individual, by circumstance or deliberate action, the more important scrutiny and accountability become.

Phillip W. Magness, Edward J. Lopez
Politics
Aug 12, 2026
Can Britain’s Next Prime Minister Escape the Net Zero Trap?

Britain has burned through five Prime Ministers and is paying some of the highest electricity prices in the world.

Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Politics
Jul 8, 2026
No items found.
No items found.
Join the newsletter

Get the Civitas Outlook daily digest, plus new research and events.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.