These Are the Most American Moments Ever: July 4th with Ruthless

Summary

Ruthless Podcast Episode Summary: "These Are the Most American Moments Ever: July 4th with Ruthless"

Release Date: July 4, 2025

The Ruthless Podcast, hosted by Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook, delivers a spirited and patriotic exploration of quintessential American moments in their July 4th episode. This long-form summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, shared memories, and reflections on iconic events that define American pride and resilience.

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1. Introduction: Celebrating the Fourth of July

The hosts kick off the episode by sharing their personal fondness for Independence Day, emphasizing its significance as one of America’s favorite holidays.

• Josh Holmes [01:13]: "It's Independence Day. Happy Fourth of July to all of you. I'm Josh Holmes, along with Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook."

They reminisce about their childhood celebrations, highlighting activities like boating, grilling, and watching fireworks, which evoke a sense of nostalgia and communal joy.

• Michael Duncan [01:58]: "Yeah, it’s true. I remember one Fourth of July, we went down to southern Indiana, rented a cottage on the river, and I spent the whole 4th of July dragging a canoe down to the Ohio River into Kentucky."

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2. Iconic American Moments: A Trip Down Memory Lane

The trio delves into a curated list of moments that they believe best illustrate America's finest times. They play clips and provide insightful commentary on each event.

a. NASCAR and Military Synergy

Starting with the early 90s, the hosts discuss the powerful image of Apache helicopters flying over NASCAR races, symbolizing American strength and patriotism.

• John Ashbrook [06:16]: "These are Apache helicopters flying over NASCAR rolling down the track at the exact same time. There is nothing more American than this."

• Josh Holmes [06:32]: "We’re back. I can't imagine better than a NASCAR and a Blackhawk overtop doing the full hot lap."

b. Thanksgiving Halftime Show Post-9/11

Reflecting on a unifying moment during the Gulf War era, they highlight the Thanksgiving football game and Creed's performance, which served as a balm for a nation recovering from the trauma of 9/11.

• Michael Duncan [08:55]: "One of the greatest moments in sports was that Thanksgiving halftime show... involving Creed."

• John Ashbrook [09:34]: "Every Thanksgiving is meaningful, but that one, especially in the wake of 9/11, was unforgettable."

c. The Wright Brothers and Regional Pride

A spirited debate ensues over whether North Carolina or Ohio claims the honor of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, underscoring regional pride.

• Michael Duncan [12:37]: "The flight was in North Carolina, so North Carolina is first in flight. Wilbur Wright was born in Indiana, not Ohio."

• John Ashbrook [13:27]: "North Carolina is not Ohio. The Wright brothers began in Ohio and Indiana share the title."

d. President George W. Bush’s Leadership During 9/11

The hosts praise President Bush's authentic and unifying response to the September 11 attacks, highlighting his rallying speech from the rubble of Ground Zero.

• Josh Holmes [24:04]: "The clip shows him saying, 'This nation stands with the good people of New York City...' It was an authentic moment of leadership."

• John Ashbrook [26:03]: "We were united as a country. That was so special for America."

e. Reagan’s "Tear Down This Wall" Speech

Discussing the end of the Cold War, the hosts admire Reagan's aspirational message to Gorbachev, which played a pivotal role in dismantling the Berlin Wall and symbolizing the triumph over communism.

• Michael Duncan [27:06]: "Reagan delivered an inspirational message: 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.'"

• Josh Holmes [28:33]: "It was four decades in the making, generations of Americans walking, watching cold wars develop."

f. Donald Trump’s “Fight, Fight, Fight” Moment

Analyzing Donald Trump's impassioned address during a crisis, the hosts reflect on how his words galvanized American resilience and patriotism.

• Josh Holmes [32:12]: "Donald Trump stood up and said, 'Fight, fight, fight.' It was an inspirational moment that changed many perceptions about him."

• John Ashbrook [34:05]: "Donald Trump was the right guy at the right time, similar to George Washington's leadership."

g. Iwo Jima Flag-Raising and WWII Heroism

The discussion moves to the iconic flag-raising on Iwo Jima, celebrating the bravery and sacrifices of American servicemen during World War II.

• Michael Duncan [36:34]: "The flag raising on Iwo Jima was symbolic for so many reasons."

• John Ashbrook [37:22]: "The men who were there did an awful lot to keep our country alive."

h. Moon Landing: A Human Achievement

Concluding the list, the hosts exalt the Apollo 11 Moon Landing as a pinnacle of American ingenuity and determination.

• Josh Holmes [38:43]: "Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon was a monumental moment in human history."

• John Ashbrook [38:52]: "Walter Cronkite’s emotional reaction mirrored the nation's awe and pride."

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3. Personal Anecdotes: Hosts Share Their 4th of July Memories

The hosts take a moment to share their own cherished memories of Independence Day, adding a personal touch to the celebration.

• Josh Holmes [50:03]: "For me, it was all about grilling, family, food, and fun—running around in the backyard, playing games."

• Michael Duncan [50:27]: "Running around with no shoes on, playing flag football, and having fun with family was the essence of my 4th of July."

John Ashbrook emphasizes the universal appeal of fireworks and the excitement they bring to children and adults alike.

• John Ashbrook [52:35]: "Fireworks are always special. Watching kids glued to them, and then handing them sparklers so they feel accomplished—it’s wonderful."

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4. Farewell to "Spaghetti"

In a heartfelt segment, the hosts bid farewell to their beloved team member, "Spaghetti," who is transitioning to the United States Senate. They share amusing anecdotes and express gratitude for his contributions.

• Josh Holmes [55:00]: "Spaghetti, come on up here. This is his last day at Ruthless."

• John Ashbrook [55:58]: "It's been an honor and a pleasure. Your mom's probably proud of you."

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5. Listener Engagement: Naming Trump's Media Funded Wing

The hosts interact with their audience by reading and reacting to listener submissions on what President Trump should name the media-funded wing of his library.

• R.K. U.J. [46:26]: "President Trump's library of what's happening now, wherein friends always find out. F.A.F.O. - Friends Always Find Out."

• Ray Kaufman [47:02]: "CBS wing should be called B.S. - 'CBS'."

• Michael Sotero [47:37]: "He should just call it the Left Wing."

The hosts humorously discuss the suggestions, showcasing their playful banter and camaraderie.

• Michael Duncan [47:56]: "Imagine being the docent in that library—right wing for Trump’s history, left wing for media."

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6. Closing Thoughts: American Resilience and Pride

In their concluding remarks, the hosts reflect on the themes of leadership, unity, and the enduring spirit of America. They encourage listeners to take pride in their heritage and continue celebrating the country’s achievements.

• Josh Holmes [42:13]: "We've had moments that tested our country, but we always figure it out with great leadership and ordinary people stepping up."

• Michael Duncan [41:10]: "Your ancestors rebelled against the strongest empire and put a man on the moon. Be proud to be American."

• John Ashbrook [43:28]: "Regular people inspired by leaders like Trump to do more than they think they're capable of."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Josh Holmes [07:00]: "Nothing will get you pumped up for today quite like that [Apache helicopters over NASCAR]."

• John Ashbrook [12:08]: "Magic remains to human ingenuity. Not a single electric car rolling around. It couldn’t keep up."

• Michael Duncan [28:32]: "He [Reagan] didn’t say it that way. He said it in an inspirational way. Tear down this wall."

• John Ashbrook [34:05]: "Donald Trump was the right guy at the right time, similar to George Washington's leadership."

• Michael Duncan [41:10]: "Be proud to be in America because we did all of those things."

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Conclusion

The Ruthless Podcast episode on Independence Day serves as a heartfelt homage to the moments that encapsulate American excellence and unity. Through a blend of historical analysis, personal stories, and engaging discussions, Josh Holmes, Michael Duncan, and John Ashbrook deliver a rich and inspiring narrative that celebrates the enduring spirit of the United States.

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Note: This summary omits advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the core discussions of the episode.

Transcript

[Josh Holmes]

Collectively, we helped cultivate for people that we thought were some of the things that just best illustrated America at its finest moments. And like, some of the great. Now, we're not gonna go back and, like, play, you know, old films of the Revolutionary War or anything like that.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah. This isn't Ken Burns.

[Josh Holmes]

Come by. This isn't Ken Burns. We're gonna be much more zoomeristic about this. But I think you're gonna agree with us on all of these. Hardworking Americans know when it's time to ro up our sleeves and get the job done. Now is the time to unleash our nation's energy to create jobs, secure our future, and make life better, more affordable, and full of opportunity for all Americans. That's the power of America's oil and natural gas. Learn [e-mail] paid for by the American Petroleum Institute.

[Michael Duncan]

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.

[Josh Holmes]

Keep the faith, hold the line, and own the lids.

[John Ashbrook]

It's time for our main event.

[Josh Holmes]

It's Independence Day. Happy Fourth of July to all of you. I'm Josh Holmes, along with Michael Duncan and John Ashbrook. That's a nice little patriotic deal.

[Michael Duncan]

Oh, yeah, look at that.

[John Ashbrook]

You love it here.

[Josh Holmes]

That's a great way to start. It's one of our favorites.

[Michael Duncan]

It gets you in the mood.

[Josh Holmes]

You know, everybody's got their favorite holiday. I think Fourth of July is as good as it gets, folks.

[John Ashbrook]

And no better way to start it than with John Philip Sousa.

[Josh Holmes]

But, you know, I mean, look, you grow up like we did in the Midwest, you get cold winters, prolonged, chilly spring. You get into the thrust of summer, everybody's ready to celebrate, get out on lakes and shoot off some fire.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

I mean, it's, like, as good as it gets as a kid. Some of my best memories are Fourth of July memories.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah, it's true. I remember one Fourth of July, we went down to southern Indiana, like, rented a cottage, like, there on the. On the river. And I spent the whole 4th of July dragging a canoe from the cottage down to the river and going across the Ohio river into, I guess, Kentucky.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

Getting the heavy current, exploring the wood like. Like I was Lewis and Clark by myself.

[Josh Holmes]

That's a heavy decision for a parent to send a young Duncan.

[John Ashbrook]

How old were you?

[Michael Duncan]

Eleven.

[Josh Holmes]

Eleven, okay.

[Michael Duncan]

And then I found a giant, like, snapping turtle, put it on the canoe and rode it back to the. Look what I found.

[Josh Holmes]

They're like, kid, get away from that mouth.

[Michael Duncan]

And then we, you know, then we ate hamburgers and we watched fireworks.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah. And everybody has too Much to drink, which is absolutely terrific. I mean, I recall uncles in the past where you set up the fireworks, whatever. And remember, you have the tube. It's like precariously wedged between two non permanent objects.

[Michael Duncan]

No. Like this thing could tip over in.

[Josh Holmes]

Your direction at any moment and always did.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah. Then it's like a Roman candle coming at your face.

[Josh Holmes]

Exactly. And if it was loaded a couple of times, like you just have bottle rockets just spraying the crowd. It led a lot of people to think dimly on fireworks, but I don't know until I had a dog and that was problematic. And kids, you know, it is what it is. But I'm back. I'm now in a spot where I just fully Enjoy all of 4th of July burgers, ribs, get the grill going, get the music going, like it's time. We got a hell of a show for you. We're going to give you some entertainment, maybe hopefully a little inspiration on what you ought to think about and what you ought to do here on the 4th of July. I know we all think about, you know, what are the most patriotic sort of just straight up America stuff. Right. Because it feels like the last couple of weeks has just given us a real boost on like, America's back, baby.

[Michael Duncan]

We're back.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah. It just feels a leader of the free world. Just like, don't with us. We're the United States. Right from the origins. We told the Red Coats to beat it. You know, like that's who we are. And that feels like that's where we're back.

[Michael Duncan]

Well, also, it's just, I think important, especially for our younger viewers to like, understand and honor that heritage.

[Josh Holmes]

Totally.

[Michael Duncan]

You know, like. Like it didn't start yesterday.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, no, it didn't.

[Michael Duncan]

Americans have been doing this since, you know, we told the British to off.

[John Ashbrook]

And, you know, precious few of them are hearing this in school.

[Michael Duncan]

Right.

[John Ashbrook]

So it's up to us to carry on that tradition and share the news.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[John Ashbrook]

For everybody around our country. Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

Make sure your kids are listening. And you may, you know, have some slight concerns about language from time to time, but they got to do some growing up stuff somehow. And you might as well learn from the Ruthless Friday program the right vernacular and way to place it because it's common. It's better to learn from the best.

[John Ashbrook]

That's right. That's exactly.

[Josh Holmes]

Anyway, there it is. Listen, we're gonna do some clips to start this thing out. That in my view and in all of our view collectively, we helped cultivate for people that we thought were some of the things that just best illustrated America at its finest moments. And, like, some of the great. Now, we're not gonna go back and, like, play, you know, old films of the Revolutionary War or anything like that.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah. This isn't Ken Burns.

[Josh Holmes]

This isn't Ken Burns. We're gonna be much more zoomeristic about this. But I think you're gonna agree with us on all of these. And then, you know, later on, we'll invite you to add your submissions to it. But I think we ought to just start and just rotate through these things.

[Michael Duncan]

Oh, great. I love that.

[Josh Holmes]

Maybe we start with Smashdown on the.

[John Ashbrook]

End with clip number 10.

[Josh Holmes]

Let's do it.

[John Ashbrook]

This is just an incredible memory from the very early 90s. It is Apache helicopters flying over the Hooters 500 race spaghetti.

[Josh Holmes]

Yes.

[Michael Duncan]

I mean, yes.

[John Ashbrook]

If you're just listening, these are Apache helicopters flying over NASCARs rolling down the track at the exact same time. There is nothing more American than this.

[Josh Holmes]

And you got the Gulf War as the backdrop of this.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

You know, the first major conflict that America had entered into, basically, since Vietnam. A lot of patriotism going, and I can't imagine better than a NASCAR and a Blackhawk over top of it doing the full hot lap.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah. And if you're somebody who just listens to this show on audio, do yourself a favor, go to the YouTube page and. And watch that video, because nothing will get you pumped up for today quite like that.

[Michael Duncan]

Well, and it's what I love most about racing as a sport in and of itself.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

Is every race is about the pageantry of the thing, and it's about the community.

[Josh Holmes]

Right.

[Michael Duncan]

And it's like the local marching band and all this sort of stuff. I just think it's like, it's. It's an incredible display of, like, American civic virtue.

[Josh Holmes]

Totally agree.

[Michael Duncan]

Just there are so few collective experiences we have as Americans now, you know, because everybody's on their own thing. And, you know, there aren't a lot of, like, things that sort of stand out. And that's what I love about racing.

[Josh Holmes]

Totally.

[Michael Duncan]

And maybe I'm sort of biased in that having, you know, grown up going to the Indy 500 and that's. It's that to the nines. But, like, that's the best thing about racing and America.

[Josh Holmes]

Oh, it totally is. And if you ever go to a NASCAR race, if you haven't been, you should go, because it is just a collection of patriotism. I mean, you're not going to find anybody who has any bad words to say about this. Country.

[John Ashbrook]

Right.

[Josh Holmes]

If you need a little something of that in your life, if you live in a city somewhere and you're getting nothing but Gaza protests and, like, people telling you how shitty this country is, head down to Talladega for a weekend. Let me just tell you, you're going to have a different experience.

[John Ashbrook]

You're exactly right. And the sound of those cars rolling around the track is a symphony. It is a testament to human ingenuity. Not a single electric car rolling around. It couldn't keep up.

[Josh Holmes]

Sweet, sweet Sunoco fuel. Doug, what else we got?

[Michael Duncan]

Okay, this one's a personal favorite after, you know, 9 11. And America comes back stronger than ever, more united than ever. And there's more on that here later. But I. One of the greatest moments in sports, I think, was that Thanksgiving halftime show. This was. The Cowboys and the Broncos were playing on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving football's an American tradition in and of itself.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

In and of itself. It's just something we love as Americans. And then you throw in Creed. Let's go to that clip. Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

Oh, it's America.

[John Ashbrook]

Great band, too.

[Josh Holmes]

It's just like, pure America. Let's go. Thanksgiving. It's why we do the Thanksgiving special. We see that as, like, a analog cultural touch to the Fourth of July in a lot of ways. And it's just like, it's a celebration of us.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah. And every Thanksgiving is meaningful, but that one, especially in the wake of 9 11, everybody was holding each other a little tighter that. Thanks. Totally looking around and thinking of what they were thankful for. Just to be there, just to be in America. And it really was just a incredible cultural touchstone that will never be forgotten.

[Michael Duncan]

And I think, like, Creed gets a lot of hate.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

They get so much. I have no idea why, which I don't get. I don't know. They just. It's just banger after banger after banger. And you. Look, I mean, not to just be all boomer about this, but, you know, the boomers are right about it. We don't have great music like that. We just don't. I. I like Higher, but, I mean, I think my personal favorite Creed song is One Last Breath.

[Josh Holmes]

Oh, it's good.

[Michael Duncan]

That song is an amazing song.

[Josh Holmes]

Listen, like you said, banger after banger, the narrated a bigger part of a decade there, late 90s, into the early 2000s.

[Michael Duncan]

So. So I've got this thing that I want to do, which is sort of a PSYOP on TikTok. Have I ever told you guys about this? I want to create, like, A creed rules TikTok account to see what happened to. Just put out a bunch of Creed content and just make. Make sure all like the. Like the Gen Alpha Zoomer.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

Folks all just like, become Christians.

[Josh Holmes]

Make.

[John Ashbrook]

I think Gen Alpha will be receptive.

[Michael Duncan]

I think I could do it.

[Josh Holmes]

You might be able to.

[John Ashbrook]

I think they'll be.

[Michael Duncan]

It's worth a shot if you're showing them stuff like that.

[Josh Holmes]

It's worth a shot.

[Michael Duncan]

Yes.

[Josh Holmes]

It's definitely worth a shot.

[John Ashbrook]

I do remember a conversation with my daughter recently. We were watching a show about American history, and it was so good. And she was like, why don't we talk about this more? She's like, this is so cool. You never hear this stuff.

[Josh Holmes]

Yes.

[John Ashbrook]

So I think Gen Alpha is prime for what you're talking about.

[Josh Holmes]

I love it. All right, so I'm gonna ignite a little debate.

[Michael Duncan]

Okay.

[Josh Holmes]

And I'm sorry that Smug's not here for this because I think he would have strong opinions. But as we know, he has a little bit more of a commute to get home to North Carolina than we do, and so he had to take off and he's.

[Michael Duncan]

Well, I'll do my best to be controversial in his step.

[Josh Holmes]

Okay. So one of the things that America is well known for, we take great pride in and we've tried to be ahead of the world in. At each and every decade since its advent, his flight. Let's go to clip eight, please. This film, made in 1903, recalls the.

[Michael Duncan]

First flight of this primitive biplane making aviation history.

[Josh Holmes]

As the two brothers prepare to attempt.

[John Ashbrook]

The first catabulted takeoff, man's age old.

[Josh Holmes]

Dream of flight becomes a reality.

[John Ashbrook]

There they are taking.

[Josh Holmes]

So if you're audio only, these are the Wright brothers in the first flight that's ever documented them in their. Their airplane there in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Now, there's some controversy here on the program, and the controversy revolves around who is sort of the author of Flight within the United States. Is it North Carolina, as Smug resides, or is it Ohio, the birthplace of the wright Brothers, where Mr. Ashbrook resides? Duncan, do you have a take?

[Michael Duncan]

I have numerous takes. First of all, first in flight. Where was the flight? Okay, the flight was in North Carolina, so I think North Carolina is first in flight. I think that's obvious. It's Kitty Hawk. It didn't happen in Dayton where they had their facility where they were learning and all these sorts of things. I would also add, not for nothing, but Wilbur Wright, the older brother, was born in Indiana, not Ohio. He's taking claim Not Ohio.

[Josh Holmes]

So.

[Michael Duncan]

Now, look, I'm not an unreasonable man. I'm willing to accept a concession to this. But I would ask my friend John Ashbrook. Unless you want me to just say North Carolina is first in flight. You have to say Ohio and Indiana share the title.

[Josh Holmes]

Oh, Mr. Ashbrook, your rebuttal, please.

[John Ashbrook]

You know what? I'll take the second charge first.

[Michael Duncan]

Okay.

[John Ashbrook]

Because what separates Ohio and Indiana is merely a border.

[Josh Holmes]

Is this tri state pitch.

[John Ashbrook]

It is a cultural. There is. There is cultural cohesion between those two states that we don't often admit to.

[Josh Holmes]

Do you have buildings over five stories high? And we.

[John Ashbrook]

We do. But in fairness, so does Indianapolis.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

Look at that.

[Michael Duncan]

Look at this.

[Josh Holmes]

I do try to diffuse this.

[Michael Duncan]

An olive branch.

[John Ashbrook]

I'm not going to diffuse it because Michael is wrong. It's not North Carolina. I have two quotes for you. One is David Burge, Iowa Hawk blog. He is a very, very intelligent guy. He brought receipts and he tweets my occasional reminder that North Carolina claiming credit for the Wright brothers is like the moon claiming credit for the Apollo program. That's quote number one.

[Michael Duncan]

That's pretty good.

[John Ashbrook]

The other quote I will offer you is the Wright brothers themselves, who said, if you want to succeed in life, pick out a good mother and father. And began in Ohio.

[Josh Holmes]

My God. He came ready.

[Michael Duncan]

He came ready.

[Josh Holmes]

He came ready.

[John Ashbrook]

Very. We're very proud of the.

[Michael Duncan]

Right. I'm glad you are proud of it, and it may be you are first in flight, but I think more important than flight is the automobile. And I don't think anybody does that better than the state of Indiana and the showcase race, the Indianapolis 500.

[John Ashbrook]

No, that's a great.

[Josh Holmes]

Michigan would. But you can claim there, too.

[Michael Duncan]

Well, yeah, Henry Ford, obviously, and he did a fantastic job.

[Josh Holmes]

Sure.

[Michael Duncan]

But all I'm saying is in Indiana, it's the Indianapolis 500. In Ohio, it's. What's their track?

[John Ashbrook]

Middle Mid Ohio, folks.

[Michael Duncan]

It's in the name.

[John Ashbrook]

Dude, I love Mid Mid.

[Josh Holmes]

It's just Mid Ohio.

[John Ashbrook]

Do. I do. I do love cars, but they are limited to roads. Airplanes have no limit. And you know what else has no limit? Space. And you know who the first person to ever walk on the moon was? A guy named Neil Armstrong from Wapakoneta, Ohio.

[Josh Holmes]

Well, this is a good American discussion. The kind of which Midwesterners like to discuss over, you know, a couple of cold crispies.

[John Ashbrook]

Notice states we didn't mention in this conversation. California, New York.

[Josh Holmes]

Oh, here we go.

[John Ashbrook]

States on the coast are just sort of sucking off of what the Midwest provides every single day.

[Michael Duncan]

Yes, let's go.

[Josh Holmes]

I got graphic there for a minute. All right, so when we come back, listen, we got seven more of these bad boys.

[Michael Duncan]

This is the best show.

[Josh Holmes]

We got seven more of these bad boys. And then we want to get some other stuff in here too, right after this.

[John Ashbrook]

Okay, folks, time to sound the alarm. Trump's big, beautiful tax cut is coming down to the wire in Congress. And my friends at Americans for Prosperity want your help to get it across the finish line. If the bill doesn't pass, the average American family is looking at a fifteen hundred dollar tax hike. Americans for Prosperity says not going to happen. Right now some members of Congress are getting very shaky with every special interest in D.C. pounding on their doors. But AFP thinks it's time for hard working Americans to do some pounding of their own. So AFP and its grassroots army is already out there pushing back on crazy ideas like raising tax rates and supporting the congressmen who want to cut taxes. AFP is the only organization I know that can bring this kind of grassroots pressure to bear. If you want to join the fight to Protect Prosperity, visit ProtectProsperity.com to help Trump get his big beautiful bill. That's ProtectProsperity.com.

[Josh Holmes]

So listen, I think at least in my growing up where the most important thing is this next thing.

[John Ashbrook]

So you want to do this one?

[Josh Holmes]

I'm going to do this.

[John Ashbrook]

Okay.

[Josh Holmes]

And then we'll go back then.

[John Ashbrook]

Duncan.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, back down the line. But, but, but, I mean, what does the audience need to get in our logistics?

[John Ashbrook]

No, no, no. Oh, oh, we're on the show.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

He doesn't know we're live.

[Josh Holmes]

A little behind the scenes work here through this Friday program for all of you.

[John Ashbrook]

I thought we were setting it up.

[Josh Holmes]

We started our holiday early. Which, by the way, you like the mustache.

[John Ashbrook]

I love it.

[Josh Holmes]

That's the way to go on the 4th.

[John Ashbrook]

I think you got to keep it past the 4th. Listen, if you're listening to this show, if you like and subscribe and you are opining, you need to write in now and say that this guy, Josh Holmes has to keep growing this mustache.

[Josh Holmes]

Okay, well, here's the thing that just defined a generation of kids who, who grew up in the upper Midwest in the 1980s. Clip seven. The puck is still loose. Eleven seconds. You've got 10 seconds.

[Michael Duncan]

Yes.

[Josh Holmes]

The countdown going on right now. Morrow up to Silk. 5 seconds left in the game. You believe in miracles? Yes, it is, of course, Lake in 1980, where a bunch of gritty young amateur hockey Players defeated the greatest hockey team at that point the world had ever known out of Russia, our enemy at that point, and had been thought to be impossible. Of course, Herbie Brooks, a great Minnesotan, was the coach of that team. Anybody who hasn't seen Miracle, you probably should, because it's. It's a fantastic film, but I just. That's. That does it for me.

[Michael Duncan]

Who was the famed Italian on there? Rizzioni? Mike Aruzione.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah. And you can't. You can't beat the Al Michaels call. It's iconic. I mean, every time you see it, you stop. It brings a tear to the eye because you're so proud to be an American, because you knew that that team. These were college kids competing against the best the Russians could put together with steroids and everything else they were pumping into their players. We had college kids who were believed in each other, and that's what America is all about.

[Josh Holmes]

I love it. I love it. Well said. All right, what else do we got here? Dunks or unks?

[Michael Duncan]

We have a great moment. And I was actually in D.C. during this, and I remember it just being electric in the way it's sort of built totally where it started with rumor and people talking at the bar. People started gathering, gathering, and people saying, there's going to be an announcement on television tonight. That may be the thing we've wanted since September 11, 2001 happened.

[Josh Holmes]

Mm.

[Michael Duncan]

And it did. And it was delivered in a place you would never think would be the first to deliver the news. And that is the WWE with John Cena. Let's go to that clip. I walk out here every night with hustle, loyalty, respect on my sleeve. That is a credo I have adopted from the men and women who defend the freedom of this country. We have caught and compromised to a permanent end. Osama been lobby.

[John Ashbrook]

It's incredible.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, it's so good. It's just electric stuff.

[Michael Duncan]

His. His choice of diction there is. Is very interesting. Cotton compromised to a permanent, permanent end. You know, it's like he was trying to make sure they didn't take him off the air. Like, if I was him, I would want to be like, yo, we. We put two. We put two in the chest and one in the head. And this guy.

[Josh Holmes]

Oh, yeah, he'd want to get crafty about it. I mean, but, you know, look, for those of you who are younger, you probably don't remember the anxiety about all of that. And to the extent that you remember this, it was like, yeah, we've been hunting the guy for a Long time. That was an end point to a very difficult part for this country over the previous 10 years. That like, once again, like these moments that we're talking about, it restores your faith in we're the greatest country in the face of the planet.

[Michael Duncan]

It felt like a collective sigh of relief.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

From the American people. And I remember watching it live on. On television and then looking out the window, my apartment, and seeing people streaming down 16th street to the White House.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah. It was just an absolute, like pandemonium outside. And then unlike everything else you see around the White House in recent days, where it's all just protests and some. One niche cause after another, it was just American flags.

[Michael Duncan]

People were just high fiving.

[Josh Holmes]

It was just usa, usa.

[John Ashbrook]

Everybody was pumped. I remember the word started spreading on Twitter. A very good friend of the program, a guy named Keith Urban.

[Michael Duncan]

Yes.

[John Ashbrook]

He tweeted, hot damn, I think they got Obama or something to that. Yeah, something to that.

[Michael Duncan]

What are you doing there, John?

[Josh Holmes]

My God, mistake. Poor partisan show, but not that partisan.

[John Ashbrook]

You know what I mean? Anyhow, it just started spreading like wildfire and everybody was euphoric.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, totally agree. And the precursor to all of that, which led to that is the next clip, which. I know, Johnny, you've thought a lot about.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah. You know, another moment of great national anxiety. We as Americans, we like to think that, oh, we're always on top. We don't ever worry about anything. But in the days after 9, 11, people were like, what is this going to keep happening? Where did this come from? Nobody really, no normal person saw anything like that ever happening. And I remember the great anxiety and the concern that you. You felt it was really formative for. For a lot of us. You were in D.C. at the time, Josh, and it was a moment where our country needed leadership in a very real way that didn't seem polished and didn't seem like it was set up by a bunch of advanced people. And that's exactly what we got from our great president, George W. Bush at ground zero. Spaghetti, will you roll that tape?

[Josh Holmes]

This nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens. I can hear you. I can hear you. The rest of the of the world hears you. And the people and the people who knock these buildings down will hear all of us soon.

[John Ashbrook]

I mean, just an incredible moment that none of us will ever forget. And he just, he. He saw that. He saw the opening. He was like, people need to hear something. He grabbed the bullhorn he stood up on the, on the platform, on the truck by himself. He came up with that idea because he was the right leader at the right time for our country.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, it's true in moments, I think, throughout the course of American history. Look, we've had good presidents, we've had bad presidents, we've had good leadership, we've had bad leadership. But there are moments that just test a country. And the one really unique thing about the United States is that we have always, at that particular moment in time, had a leader who just sort of got it right. And like, I don't, I don't care what you think about George W. Bush. He is the exact right guy at that right time with total authenticity to deliver that and reunite a country. Right. I mean, I think about this, like, after the butler stuff with Trump or whatever, and you just see how history unfolds. And like, this country is really amazing in that regard where you get the leaders that you need at exactly the right time. That is a perfect example of it. It really was, because we could have gone real sideways. This country had not been attacked since Pearl harbor, and certainly not mainland usa, certainly not the financial capital of the world. And there was a sense of unease and that sort of rallied everybody else around the flag. I mean, the guy had like a 90% approval rating after he did that, for people to say no, like, now we're your consequence.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah. And what was so special about that moment, you know, in the years after? There's a lot of second guessing about the policies that came after that moment. And there's a lot of questions and conspiracy theories about everything that led up to 9, 11. But all of that aside, at that moment, we were united as a country. Everybody came together, and that was just so special for America. And I think everybody listening to this show is hopeful that if something like that happens again, everybody can come together again.

[Josh Holmes]

Totally true. Totally true. All right, the next one dunks, if you wouldn't mind doing this one. One of my personal favorites. Just an epic moment in history.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah, I would say, personally, I love America so much. The antithesis of that is how much I hate communists. And that is why I love this next clip, because this is the end of the Cold War. Let's go to that clip. Clip four police baguettes.

[Josh Holmes]

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate, Mr. Gorbachev. Open this gate.

[John Ashbrook]

Mr. Gorbachev.

[Josh Holmes]

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall. Oh, it's just such good stuff.

[Michael Duncan]

It's good stuff. I think my favorite thing about it, and I think Reagan delivered this better than really any Republican president, is that it was an aspirational, inspirational message. Well, what he was asking for was unconditional surrender of your failed political project, Communism.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

He didn't say it that way. No, he said it in an inspirational way. Tear down this wall.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

But what. What did it essentially mean for the Soviet Union was that your experiment here in Germany failed?

[Josh Holmes]

Right.

[Michael Duncan]

The people don't want this. Right.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

And isn't that just such a great moment?

[Josh Holmes]

It is. And it's. You don't see an awful lot of world leaders anywhere that go to somewhere and do something like that is not a fait accompli. In other words, not something that's already been prearranged. Right. That all of this was just going to end. He ended it. You know what I mean? That's a very different thing. There's a stagecraft to politics where you show up and you cut the ribbon. And this was not a cutting the ribbon. This was a demand that should be adhered to. And it was.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah. And I think a lot of people don't even know about that context. They just assume it's another speech, you know, oh, Tim Walls shows up and does something like, this is not what that was.

[Josh Holmes]

That's not what that was. And it was like, 40 years in the making. You know what I mean?

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

Four decades, generations of Americans walking, watching cold wars develop, arms races, Cuban missile crisis, Cuban missile crises, all of these things that had come into it. And he just ended it with a speech that. Like that. With the phrase that is just forever seared in the memory in the history of this country. Just incredible. Just incredible. All right, so clip three. This. This one is what I just referenced before in context of, like, GW on the pile. It had the same feel to me, in many ways, very different context, very obviously different amount of. Of implications in terms of loss of life and things like that. But it had this sort of, like, American resilience component to it where you can count. I mean, in my lifetime, you know, I think we're gonna get through them, but there's not a lot of them that you just have a moment where you're like, yeah, give me the flag. Let's go. And one of them was just last year. Let's play clip three. And, you know, that's a little bit old. That chart. That chart's a couple of months old. And if you Want to really see something that said, take a look at what happened.

[Michael Duncan]

When you're ready.

[Josh Holmes]

On you. Ready. Move up.

[John Ashbrook]

Move.

[Josh Holmes]

Go up. Shooters down. Are we good to move? Let me get my.

[John Ashbrook]

Me.

[Josh Holmes]

Let me get my shoes. Got you, sir. I got you, sir. Let me get my shoes, sir.

[Michael Duncan]

Hold that in your head.

[Josh Holmes]

It's bloody. Sir. We got to move to the. Let me get my. Okay, watch out. Wait, wait, wait, wait.

[Michael Duncan]

Fight, fight, fight, fight.

[Josh Holmes]

Stop. I mean, it's so iconic in so many different ways. The idea that Donald Trump, in that moment, thought to get up and address the crowd and say, fight, fight, fight. I mean, we've gone over this a million times about how inspirational that was, but I think, look, did it win him the presidency? I mean, a lot of things that won him the presidency, but I think it created a different impression.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah. I mean, it fundamentally changed my view of Donald Trump.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

You know, it's tough still to watch that. Like, honestly, I get kind of emotional watching it. You know, I've definitely criticized Donald Trump a lot and disagreed with him on plenty of things, but watching that. I remember watching it actually happen, and it sort of fundamentally changed your opinion of the man and what we were doing.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

You know what I mean?

[Josh Holmes]

And why he was doing it.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

Which I think is also a big part that he conveyed to the American people.

[John Ashbrook]

Another example of the right guy at the right time when our country needed it. You know, he stood at just the same way that George Washington stood up in ways that we will never understand because we've never met him. We didn't live at the. The time that he lived, but we can read about him in history books. Donald Trump, when he stood up and he said, fight, fight, fight. It's. It is the opposite of everything that was preached to us over the previous four years, where we're supposed to, like, you know, be. Be deferential to everything else in the world. And he was like, no, this is America, and we stand for something. And I am going to, like, personal.

[Josh Holmes]

Safety aside, personal interests aside. Personal.

[John Ashbrook]

Dude. It is. It's. It's a. It's a little emotional.

[Michael Duncan]

It's still tough to watch the thing, you know?

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

I don't know. I mean, they just permanently changed my opinion of the guy.

[John Ashbrook]

The fact that he had the presence of mind to stand up not knowing that maybe there's another shooter. You know, like, he doesn't know that there's not somebody else laying on some rooftop about to take another shot at him, but he didn't care. He stood out. He knew that what he was doing was much more important than his own life.

[Josh Holmes]

It's a transcendent message to a country that needed it.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

And that's what we see is the consistent theme. If you're Talking about that 2001 speech by GW on the rubble, if you're talking about the fight, fight, fight thing, that's what we're talking about. What's special about America is you get the right thing at the right time. Reminds us of the people that told the redcoats to fuck off, you know, that we are just. This is who we are.

[John Ashbrook]

Right.

[Josh Holmes]

We're going to do it our way. We may disagree in the family from time to time, but, like, don't test us.

[Michael Duncan]

Don't question our resolve. Like, it's right there in our national anthem. It's like, through the entire battle.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

Our flag was still there. Flag was still there, so don't with us.

[Josh Holmes]

Totally true. God, I love this show, you know. Fantastic. This is exactly what we're doing. Do you want to take this next one, Smasher, Jin, or do you want dunks?

[John Ashbrook]

You go ahead, Michael.

[Michael Duncan]

Okay. You know, so my grandfather fought in World War II, and, you know, he was in the Battle of the Bulge, you know, on the. On the Western Front and all that. And it was. It was horrible. And the stories he told me were. Were terrible. But I think there's something about the Pacific theater that is. Is. Is horrifying on a whole different level. You know, it was a different type of warfare.

[Josh Holmes]

The profound loss of life in a very foreign land.

[Michael Duncan]

And the enemy was fundamentally different, and the way that they fought was fundamentally different. Which is why I think in our minds, the moment where we raise that flag on Iwo Jima sticks in everyone's memory. And for that, we gotta play the clip.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, man, it's just so good. That's the. For our audio only. That's the flag going up. The iconic photo and video that is now enshrined in Arlington, Virginia, of that flag going up. It was so symbolic for so many reasons.

[Michael Duncan]

Well, it was just an entirely different type of war. I mean, you're fighting over these islands. It's not just Iwo Jima, It's Midway, it's Guadalcanal. And if you read the accounts from this Pacific theater, it was just a. The carnage to gain feet.

[Josh Holmes]

Yep.

[Michael Duncan]

You know, to get to the top of a hill, just terrifying stuff.

[John Ashbrook]

It was brutal. And we know so much about World War II. There have been so many popular movies over the Last couple of decades, Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers. That really sort of lifts up the European theater in a way that the Pacific. I mean, if you're looking for books to try to get a little bit more information about what happened in the Pacific, there's a great book, Helmet for My Pillow. There's another great book with the Old breed you should read.

[Michael Duncan]

That's the one you told my dad to read with the Old Breed.

[John Ashbrook]

He loved that book, by the way. It is such a good book, and it gives you a picture of the Pacific Theater and it tells you everything you need to know about how different it was. Hopefully we learn a little bit more about what happened in the Pacific in the coming years, because it was brutal. And the guys who were there did an awful lot to keep our country alive.

[Josh Holmes]

100%. Absolutely true. Johnny, you want this last clip that we just sort of cultivated here in the ruthless variety program?

[John Ashbrook]

Sure.

[Josh Holmes]

Because you feel like you may have referenced some portion of it earlier in the show.

[John Ashbrook]

Well, like all good things, this clip begins in Ohio. God.

[Michael Duncan]

Unbelievable.

[Josh Holmes]

It just doesn't.

[John Ashbrook]

It does.

[Josh Holmes]

It just doesn't.

[Michael Duncan]

It does.

[John Ashbrook]

It begins in Ohio and it ends at the moon.

[Michael Duncan]

Famous. Famous line.

[Josh Holmes]

Famous line.

[Michael Duncan]

Ohio. We have a problem.

[John Ashbrook]

No, no, no. There was no problem with this mission, my friend, because Neil Armstrong, son of Wapakoneta, took steps on the moon. Spaghetti, why don't you roll that clip?

[Josh Holmes]

The famous small step for man, one.

[Michael Duncan]

Giant leap for mankind.

[John Ashbrook]

It's just incredible. It was such an incredible moment, not just in American history, but human history. And the part of the clip we don't have is when Walter Cronkite was presenting it on the news and he takes his glass glasses off and he starts to cry because he knew the gravity of that moment.

[Michael Duncan]

Totally.

[John Ashbrook]

He was not acting totally. He was. He was reflecting what Everybody gathered around, TVs all across the country were thinking while they were silent, just looking at this happening on television, dumbstruck that humanity had found a way to walk on the moon. They didn't have. They didn't have this. You know, they didn't have an iPhone. They had gigantic computers the size of warehouses. And they had people who were so smart that they could do calculations by hand with a pencil on paper to get these guys to the moon. Another movie or. I mentioned books in the last segment. If you've never seen the right stuff.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, it's good.

[John Ashbrook]

You gotta watch that movie.

[Josh Holmes]

It's also a good book. I think that, like, the unintentional narrative as you go through all These things. And you're, like, thinking about ties that bind that we've just discussed.

[Michael Duncan]

I've been thinking about this, too.

[Josh Holmes]

Is when it came.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah, right.

[Josh Holmes]

I mean, I think part of the reason you had Walter Cronkite crime 1. It's a huge human. Human achievement. It came at maybe the most tumultuous other than the Civil War, the most tumultuous time in American history. You're talking about Cuban Missile crisis. You're talking about the assassination of jfk, rfk, mlk. You're talking about Chicago burning down during Democratic conventions, Vietnam protests overwhelming the country, everyone losing faith in America. Even if you were the most pro American, which, as we know, at that point, our grandfathers who fought in World War II were still around and probably were just dumbstruck at what their country had become. And then you get something like this. It comes at the perfect time.

[Michael Duncan]

It does. I think it's important to say, especially for the younger viewers out there watching, this is like you're the inheritor of the greatest country on planet Earth. Your ancestors rebelled against the strongest empire in the world. We put a man on the moon.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

We were the first in flight. We defeated the evil empire, the communists in the Soviet Union. Like that is. That's your legacy. We inherited that from the people who came before us. And God damn it, be proud to be in America because we did all of those things, especially in the culture today where we're supposed to apologize for everything. Don't.

[Josh Holmes]

Don't. And, you know, look, you get a lot of conjecture back and forth about people like, good God, can you imagine if we had a 911 today? Or can you imagine if you had to sign a declaration of independence with this group of jokers that we've got, you know, sort of representing our country in one form or fashion? I just have faith, like, I just have faith that we'll figure it out. I mean, we spent a lot of time in government service during. You know, the two big things in my lifetime are 911 and the financial crisis of 08. Make an argument about COVID although I think that that's in a different category. But times where you actually wondered whether or not the country could withstand what it was that was going on externally.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

And we figured it out. We figured it out. Took a lot of leadership, a lot of unsung leadership.

[Michael Duncan]

Always.

[Josh Holmes]

You know, it's not always like it used to be in the 40s and 50s and whatever, where you've got, you know, Douglas MacArthur and unconditional surrenders and you know, that kind of thing. But we get. We do it right. We figure out how to put people where they need to be at the right time. And I think we're there.

[John Ashbrook]

I think you're exact. This is very well said, fellas. It did take great leadership, but it also took great regular people.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[John Ashbrook]

You know, we don't know the names off the top of our heads of every guy who was raising that flag on Iwo Jima. We don't know the hell they went through to get to the top of that hill. We don't know. I mean, the astronauts were superhuman, but they weren't rich kids from, you know, some private school somewhere. They were from all over the country. They had. They had something special inside of them. And so, like, the greatest thing about our country, yes, we have great leaders, and Donald Trump saying, fight, fight, fight, is very inspirational. But what I care about are the people he inspires. He says something to get regular people just like us to do more than we think we're capable of doing.

[Josh Holmes]

It's really well said. It's really well said. So that brings us to our question of the day was, what's your pick for your favorite American moment? Believe you me, we had a very difficult time winnowing down the 10 that.

[Michael Duncan]

We have so many more.

[Josh Holmes]

We have so many more. And even things like, remember Whitney Houston?

[John Ashbrook]

Oh, that was incredible.

[Josh Holmes]

Singing the national anthem when we first went into the Gulf War.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

And, like, just everybody was like, grab a flag, let's go.

[John Ashbrook]

There was all this concern that. That. That that venue might have been attacked that night. Totally.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

Or. Or George W. Bush with that first pitch at Yankee Stadium. You talked about this in our production meeting today. It's like, man, you could go on and on and on here.

[Josh Holmes]

Totally.

[John Ashbrook]

Pete Rose, 41 90.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, here we go. We had to jump the shark at some point. Good God.

[Michael Duncan]

Another quick note from our production meeting, because I think this is very funny. We closed it on the moon landing, which I think obviously was the greatest achievement in the history of mankind. Lee maybe tried to get it to be Iwo Jima, and I was like, okay, well, you're a little biased, because you're a Marine.

[Josh Holmes]

He was shoving his stuff in there, wasn't he?

[Michael Duncan]

And his point back to me, which was fucking hilarious, was like, no one was trying to fight you on the moon.

[Josh Holmes]

You know what? He makes a good point.

[Michael Duncan]

He kind of makes a good point.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah. Nobody was trying to kill you up there. That's a good point.

[Michael Duncan]

I mean, just the vacuum of space. But yeah, you know, well, and all.

[Josh Holmes]

Of the camera work that they did in you, Arizona, really made it look terrific.

[Michael Duncan]

Dude, don't get Ashbrook going.

[Josh Holmes]

We like to have fun here. So what's your pick for the most American moment? There are millions. Send them all to us. Every one of. Because there's even stuff. We did this in kind of a short period of time where we just kind of like brain dumped. You're gonna know immediately what inspired you. And that's what really, what it is is the inspiration of not just you, but your community.

[Michael Duncan]

And yeah, I don't care. I don't care who wins. Just tell us all the stories because I would love to just read all of them.

[Josh Holmes]

I totally agree. That's. We will love, love reading all of it when we come back. We don't even need to take a break, do we? Let's not even take a break. We're just gonna get your. To your comments from last episode, which is yesterday.

[Michael Duncan]

Yesterday.

[Josh Holmes]

I mean, this is kind of a novel thing. We haven't done this since last fall where we're giving you three shots.

[Michael Duncan]

It's America's birthday.

[Josh Holmes]

Yes. So you gotta celebrate this kind of thing. So we're gonna read you your answers to the question of the day of what should Trump name the media funded wing of his library? Recall There was a $16 million settlement from CBS, Paramount, 15 or 16 from ABC. Or that Stephanopoulos thing. He's 30 mm, which is good. That's a nice wing.

[Michael Duncan]

It's a nice down payment.

[Josh Holmes]

It's a nice wing. So the question is, what do you name it? To do that, we always start with a voice.

[John Ashbrook]

Okay. The first one comes from R.K. u.J. And R.K. writes President Trump's library of what's happening now, wherein friends always find out. And if you're just listening to the show, he capitalized F A F O. I like that. Very, very smart RK he says friends always find out the truth eventually.

[Michael Duncan]

Just.

[John Ashbrook]

Just a great, great idea.

[Michael Duncan]

F A F O. F A F O.

[Josh Holmes]

You know, for those of you who are not terminally online, Google that. What else do we got? Dunks.

[Michael Duncan]

This is from Ray Kaufman. Ray writes the name for the exhibit should be C B, S C being.

[Josh Holmes]

S E, e. And then B.S.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

Hell yeah.

[John Ashbrook]

Very clever.

[Michael Duncan]

That's a good dunk.

[Josh Holmes]

That's thoughtful.

[Michael Duncan]

It's dunk.

[Josh Holmes]

That's a thoughtful dunk.

[John Ashbrook]

We have a lot of real quick.

[Josh Holmes]

Pithy ones on this. I like it. Michael Sotero writes he should just call it the Left wing.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

It's actually pretty simple.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah, that.

[Josh Holmes]

I feel like Trump would like that.

[Michael Duncan]

Can you imagine having to be like the docent in that library? And you're like, okay, so here on the right wing, we're gonna learn the history of Donald Trump from the very beginning of his life. And on the left wing, all the media that he got to fund his library. Wouldn't that be great? I'd do it for free. You wouldn't even have to pay me.

[Josh Holmes]

You wouldn't even have to pay.

[John Ashbrook]

I'd like to take a tour. Directed by Michael Duncan.

[Josh Holmes]

I'll tour anything. Give him a week with the book and I'll follow him anywhere.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah, I'll all tell the story.

[John Ashbrook]

I'd wear the headphones and carry around the electronic device.

[Josh Holmes]

Ye. Look what we have here, kids. A real expert. All right, so listen, as you're doing what you're doing, when you're listening to this and you're planning your day, you know, there are certain traditions, certain things that you do. I grew up in Minnesota, obviously. And you get a real truncated summer. You know, it starts getting cold, like in mid September. It's all the way through April and whatever. And the grand irony of that is that the place is full of lakes and great summer activity that you only get to enjoy for like a real small portion of time. So 4th of July for us was the thing. I mean, it was the one thing you would count on. Everyone was at Apex Happiness. They're ready to go. Boats are fueled up. Probably plan that a week in advance. Make sure you had gas and all the stuff, you know, you had all the, you know, the water volleyball net set up all the things. We're gonna get in that lake. You're gonna spend the day in that lake. You probably had like 18 coolers of Bud Heavies.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

You know, everywhere. Everybody was just gonna have a day. More meat than you can probably find anywhere outside of a meat packing plant each house. You know, you're just going to cook meat all day long, and then you'd go down and you just party. Balls. And it started like, you know, when I was a kid where I would go to Canada for the summers and my dad insisted on the 2nd or 3rd July of driving back home and going to the United States and celebrating with our friends back home, where I was in Minnetonka. And then we would get in the car on like the 5th and drive back. It was like a 10 hour drive. It's a real commitment.

[Michael Duncan]

That's a Commitment to America.

[Josh Holmes]

But he was like, I am not spending the Fourth of July in Canada. I love that.

[Michael Duncan]

That's one of the most American things I've ever heard.

[Josh Holmes]

It was 20 hours in a car for a family with a young kid.

[Michael Duncan]

Being inconvenienced for America. Yeah. That's patriotism.

[Josh Holmes]

It's so good. What do you guys. What are some of the memories you guys have?

[Michael Duncan]

Well, I already told you the canoe story going across the Ohio river, but.

[Josh Holmes]

I made an indelible memory.

[Michael Duncan]

It was an indelible memory. It was because I'm a pioneer.

[John Ashbrook]

But, yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

I mean, grilling.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

Family, just food and fun. Just kind of running, like.

[Josh Holmes]

Yucks.

[Michael Duncan]

Running around. Like, running around. No shoes on. In the backyard, in the grass, like playing games, you know, with your. Playing flag football. Screwing around in the backyard. Somebody's grilling. Yeah, I know. That is the 4th of July for me growing up, and I hope to have that, you know, here today.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

And, you know, I got the new big green.

[Josh Holmes]

I'm very excited for you to test this thing out. You're gonna love it.

[Michael Duncan]

You know, I'm not exactly seasoned expert like you are, so it's gonna. It's gonna be a trial and error.

[Josh Holmes]

It takes a little bit.

[Michael Duncan]

I'm gonna try to work.

[Josh Holmes]

I have no doubt that you're going.

[Michael Duncan]

To be a. I'll figure it out.

[Josh Holmes]

A high Chef by the end of this. Well, I've done Michelin level.

[Michael Duncan]

I have. I have read a lot of Reddit forums.

[Josh Holmes]

It feels like that informs an awful lot of your personality.

[Michael Duncan]

I just don't like. Well, I. I have a little bit of ocd, I would say. Yeah. You're kidding.

[Josh Holmes]

You don't.

[Michael Duncan]

You know, I just don't like to do anything unless I feel like I know every single angle of the thing.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

And so I've done a lot of research.

[Josh Holmes]

The kind of guy that reads the instruction manual before he starts the assembly.

[John Ashbrook]

Plans for every eventuality.

[Michael Duncan]

Well, look, there's a reason my son is so good at Legos, Okay. We follow the instructions, so that's what I'm gonna do.

[Josh Holmes]

They wouldn't have him in there if that's not how you did it. Right?

[Michael Duncan]

Exactly.

[Josh Holmes]

Fair enough. Smash, what do you think?

[John Ashbrook]

Well, I love everything you guys talked about. The grilling, maybe a pop or two, having fun with friends and family. But one thing that's always very Special to the 4th of July is fireworks. And when you're a kid watching the uncle shoot off fireworks, you can't imagine anything better than that until you become an uncle and you get to be the guy who shoots off the fireworks. And it is just the greatest experience ever, because every kid is glued to it.

[Josh Holmes]

Oh, they love it.

[John Ashbrook]

And all they want to do is watch it all they like. They. They look forward to it for, like, weeks.

[Josh Holmes]

And you can understand immediately the alarming component as a parent in seeing the fascination with fire for the kid, because they really are. You're right. Like, you start the firework thing, they're like, I want that.

[John Ashbrook]

Yeah, yeah, right.

[Josh Holmes]

They're all over it. Which, like, you know, left unattended would be a real. A real problem.

[John Ashbrook]

Right.

[Josh Holmes]

And then inevitably, as we said, the uncle will end up shooting one. A stray one across, it catches another uncle on the back, and next thing you know, you got a problem.

[John Ashbrook]

But what you just described is why sparklers is such a great invention. Because the kids watch and watch and watch, and they want to try something, and then you hand them sparklers, and.

[Josh Holmes]

They get that fixed, Feel like they got it done. Yeah. Yeah. It's just a wonderful day. And we told you all on the front end why it is that you should be super proud because of the day. But there's also this, like, added element of family and where you grew up. There's nostalgia associated, I think, with Fourth of July in a way that, like, not every holiday has. I mean, Christmas is one that's, like, very nostalgic, but that one is, I think, for a lot of people, particularly where we grew up, where you just, like, it's Apex fun. Apex fun.

[Michael Duncan]

Yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

And so you just remember it, and it sticks with you. I know all my boys, Hans, and all the crew, they're probably out in the lake. They're probably at Maynard's already.

[Michael Duncan]

I'm jealous. They are. You think they're at Maynard's?

[Josh Holmes]

I'll bet they're there right now.

[John Ashbrook]

These guys are so lucky.

[Michael Duncan]

We had a few pops in Maynard's.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, we did. I bet they're all out there right now. They're just, like, thinking about how, like, what's the limit that they can get to before their wives start dragging their asses home.

[Michael Duncan]

I, I, the amount of money I would pay to be able to, like, get a boat and tie it up at Maynard's right now and have a few pops.

[Josh Holmes]

I know.

[John Ashbrook]

Heaven.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah. Well, I know you guys are listening, so happy 4th to all of you. Listen, we've got a couple of things we need to take care of here before we sign off on the 4th of July. The one most important part is that our beloved Spaghetti is moving onward and upward. He will be in the United States Senate with a job, but he's been with us. Gosh, how long has he been with us? Two years. I mean, you've known him and loved him as our fun loving Italian. Here, Spigots, come on up. Come on up here. This is his last day at the Ruthless.

[John Ashbrook]

I'm glad I'm gonna give you my microphone.

[Michael Duncan]

I'm glad we're doing. I'm gonna scooch over because we can prove that you're real.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah. And I know what you're thinking. For you YouTube viewers, you're sitting here and you're thinking, well, that's the only red headed Italian I've ever seen in my life. Which is what I thought. But I can assure you, when you listen to Spaghetti speak Italian through and through. Hey, a Piazza pia.

[Michael Duncan]

I love the pizza pie. Yeah, he's leaning in.

[Josh Holmes]

I appreciate that, Spaghetti man. It's been a pleasure having you on the Ruthless variety program. You've seen and overseen an awful lot of growth here on this show. We can't thank you enough for your efforts. Some lighthearted ribbing from time to time, which you always take in good humor. Always in good humor. Yeah.

[Michael Duncan]

It's been an honor. Honor and a pleasure.

[Josh Holmes]

So look, your mom's at home stirring over a pot of marinara. She's looking at her baby boy making something out of himself. I mean, what do you think, huh? It's just like you're. All of a sudden, you're big time.

[Michael Duncan]

It's surreal. It's surreal. And my mom's probably like, he's the one that made something. He's the one. Okay, so two, two quick things. Number one, one of my greatest spaghetti moments was when you're. When smuggling did the Iowa caucus.

[Josh Holmes]

I know exactly where you're going.

[Michael Duncan]

And Smug, you know, of course he was outfitted like he's climbing to the top of mountain efforts.

[Josh Holmes]

So we sent him to Iowa to cover the Iowa caucus. If you recall.

[Michael Duncan]

It was zero degrees.

[Josh Holmes]

It was. It was worse than zero degrees. It was the coldest caucus on record in Iowa. And everybody was very, very fearful for everyone who was there through physical safety.

[Michael Duncan]

Right? And so Smug is dressed like the Michelin man with this huge parka. And then you see Spaghetti and we're looking at all the clips coming in, you know, like everybody, you know, the video coming in through the production team and Spaghetti is wearing a leather jacket.

[Josh Holmes]

It's literally like an Arthur Franzarelli. There is no There is no. There's no padding. There's no insulation. Yeah, it's just like a straight leather jacket.

[Michael Duncan]

He's got a gold chain and a T shirt and a leather jacket on.

[Josh Holmes]

You can see his chest hair. It was unbelievable.

[Michael Duncan]

What were you thinking, pal? Um, I don't know. Just got. Gotta get this shit done. Okay, Sec. My second thing here. So we're sort of wondering, I think, internally a little bit here. You leave us spaghetti. Is that just a Spaghetti Forever? Is that nicknamed Spaghetti? Would you bless us calling the next guy or gal spaghetti? Or does it gotta be linguini or fettuccine? That would be a hilarious bid. For each person that comes in, there is a different pasta.

[Josh Holmes]

Yeah, only if they're Italian. I mean, if we get a mick in here, they're gonna be some other potato or something. Yeah, but like, you know, I mean. Yeah, it's the spaghetti. Stick with you think people do people outside of work call you Spaghetti?

[Michael Duncan]

That's the. That's the first thing they say when.

[Josh Holmes]

Or they ask about.

[Michael Duncan]

When I say I work for you guys, they're like, oh, you're Spaghetti. And I'm like, yeah.

[Josh Holmes]

That was a nickname that was never intended for me, but here I am. A much welcomed nickname.

[Michael Duncan]

Much welcome.

[Josh Holmes]

I loved it. I love it. Listen, pal, you have meant the world to us. We really appreciate everything you've done for us on the Ruthless Variety Program. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. And I know that all of us and all the people listening will keep up with all of your exploits until you run the world someday, pal. So thank you, guys. It's been a pleasure. You got it. All right, so that's the Nikki deal. And listen, my sense is you're probably well on your way to having the best fourth of July that you've had in an awful long time. Lord knows we passed a big, beautiful bill. We bombed Iran. We restored America to its rightful place as the leader of the free world. The economy's ticking up, man. It is a good time to be alive, and it's a better time to be an American. So thanks for joining us. Remember, like and subscribe here on the old YouTube. Tell your friends about us. And with that, fellas, I think we did it.

[Michael Duncan]

I think we did it. Unfortunately, we don't have smug. I think it's only appropriate on this 4th of July, we kick it to.

[John Ashbrook]

Hollywood hen another banger of an episode, folks.

[Josh Holmes]

So until next time, minions, keep the.

[John Ashbrook]

Faith, hold the line, and own the libs.

[Josh Holmes]

We'll see you on Tuesday. Stay ruthless.