Lake Erie Currents
 

Lake Erie Currents

https://feed.podbean.com/Lakeeriecurrents/feed.xml

Discussions among good friends, sometime with guests, covering contemporary news, information, culture, the odd & obscene, conspiracy theories & historical topics. We also cover a lot of U.S. political news, government overreach, policy and spending.

Episodes

Episode CCLXVIII - Don't Shoot the Messenger... Unless You're in Minnesota?

7 days ago

7 days ago

1. Defending Catholic Priests and the Faith
Jay and Elliott opened the show with a candid conversation about the portrayal of Catholic priests, focusing on the sacred seal of confession. Jay shared statistics showing that while abuse within the Catholic Church must never be ignored, it represents a smaller percentage compared to other sectors. Elliott echoed the frustration over anti-Catholic bias, questioning why legal scrutiny often zeroes in on Catholic clergy while overlooking broader contexts.

2. Confession Laws and Religious Freedom
Next, they examined the controversial topic of clergy reporting laws. A new Washington state law requires clergy to report child abuse—even if it's heard in confession. Jay voiced strong concern over this, noting it threatens the core principle of confessional confidentiality. They discussed the Catholic Church’s opposition and a related civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. The segment highlighted the tension between safeguarding children and upholding religious liberty.

3. Confidentiality and Abuse Statistics
Jay presented eye-opening statistics: over a 52-year period, 4% of Catholic priests were accused of abuse, compared to 14% of Protestant clergy and nearly 10% of public school employees. While both hosts agreed all abuse must be punished severely, Jay warned that undermining confession could damage the Church’s role as a place of healing. Elliott supported the importance of confidentiality by recounting a powerful story of redemption through confession.

4. Global Affairs: Israel, Iran, and Western Policy
The conversation turned international as Jay and Elliott analyzed rising tensions between Israel and Iran. Jay questioned U.S. involvement and criticized the evangelical political alignment with Israel. Elliott warned about the risk of escalation and the real human toll such conflicts bring. They also briefly touched on recent violence in Los Angeles.

5. Political Violence in Minnesota
In a sobering segment, the duo broke down a shooting in Minnesota targeting Democratic politicians. The suspect, Vance Butler—appointed by Governor Walz and linked to overseas security firms—had published a manifesto attacking abortion rights. The incident led to protest cancellations across the state, raising questions about political extremism and public safety.

6. Local News and Security Concerns
Wrapping up, Jay and Elliott reviewed a new residential armed security service and raised red flags about the legitimacy of its pricing and credentials. They also covered heavy local stories: a tragic child trafficking case in South Africa and a teen shooting in Akron. The episode closed with a warning about Cleveland’s infrastructure woes, including sewage overflows at Edgewater Park after storms—advising locals to steer clear of Lake Erie for now.

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Fuck You Friday Reboot - Inaugural Knobbies

7 days ago

7 days ago

🎙️ Knobby Awards and Media Critique
We kicked things off by christening our very first “Knobby Awards,” and guess who snagged Best Spaceflight? Bobby nominated the Blue Origin space flight for a Knobby, criticizing the media's coverage and the lack of qualifications of some of the participants compared to real astronauts. Angel provided information on the rigorous requirements to become a NASA astronaut, highlighting the need for a STEM master's degree and relevant experience. Jay expressed frustration with the comparison of contemporary space travelers to real astronauts like Neil Armstrong and John Glenn. Thanks Blue Origin, for giving us the thrill of orbit without the NASA price tag. We then unleashed our inner hecklers on pop culture, roasting Netflix for its “color-by-numbers” casting choices and finger-pointing at the press for playing peekaboo with President Biden’s medical file. Even the Democrats couldn’t escape—snap! they scored a Knobby for their “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” debate performances and media love-fest.

📈 Political Roast and Business Brief
Next up, Jay dragged the Democrats through the mud for dropping the electoral ball and giving male voters the cold shoulder—though he did tip his hat to Bill Clinton’s glory days (because even a roast needs a little baste). We threw shade at outfits like Vice and BuzzFeed, dubbing them the worst offenders in the clickbait circus. And in a plot twist worthy of daytime TV, Bobby announced his online store will take a three-month sabbatical starting June 25th—downgrading to a lean, mean, five-product free model.

🏞️ River Personhood Awareness Campaign
Finally, Jay regaled us with the tale of Meg, the brave soul who legally married a river in England to save it from pollution (talk about going with the flow!). Meg’s portrayal of their watery bond veered between spiritual spa retreat and soggy sitcom, and we couldn’t decide whether to applaud or chuckle. Stay tuned—Meg might just paddle her way onto our next episode for an exclusive wet and wild interview!

 

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Episode CCLXVI - Episcopal & SPLC nonsense

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025

Tuesday Jun 03, 2025

1. Episcopal Church Ends Refugee Program
The Episcopal Church announced it will shut down its refugee resettlement arm after refusing to accept white South African farmers—despite having opposed apartheid for decades. The decision followed the Trump administration’s designation of white South Africans as refugees, which drew criticism from both the White House and refugee-rights groups. This move has sparked debate over whether faith-based organizations should let political considerations override longstanding humanitarian commitments.

2. Refugee Acceptance and Hypocrisy Critique
We talked about how selectively admitting refugees—especially singling out white South African farmers—highlights a broader double standard. Jay and Chris argued that many on the left criticize “hypocrisy” when it comes to race and refugee policy, and they suggested that voters are growing tired of these selective moral judgments. They also noted how the Democratic establishment often resists grassroots pressure—a point Bernie Sanders has frequently made himself.

3. Conservative Critique of Democratic Leadership
Jay and Chris expressed frustration that the Democrats haven’t had a genuinely competitive primary since 2008, accusing party elites of shutting down dissent. They also slammed the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for lumping mainstream conservative organizations in with outright hate groups. A lighter moment came when they praised Dave Chappelle’s “gay Klansman” bit as brilliant, timeless satire—showing that good comedy can transcend partisan divides.

4. SPLC’s Controversial Hate Group Listings
Diving deeper into the SPLC, Jay and Chris took issue with the Center’s recent decision to label Turning Point USA and PragerU as “anti-government extremist” groups. They argued it’s absurd to tag organizations that promote free speech and electoral engagement as extremism. They also criticized the SPLC for never contacting these groups before placing them on the hate map—a pattern they see as evidence of liberal bias and a dismissive approach to due process.

5. Odd Incidents and Police Fraud
Next up was a bizarre Louisiana story: a naked man smeared in Vaseline found wandering around a Lowe’s shed—cue jokes about New Orleans and Bourbon Street. Then they shifted to a more serious issue: former Orange County officer Nicole Brown allegedly faked injuries to collect $600,000 in workers’ comp while living an active lifestyle. Jay pointed out how often police get special breaks when it comes to fraud compared to ordinary taxpayers.

6. Cleveland Tragedy and Health Alerts
Jay shared the heartbreaking news of a murder-suicide in Cleveland, where a 66-year-old man shot his neighbor before killing himself. He underscored that Cleveland’s crime rate is now notably higher than other Ohio cities. On a different front, he told the story of a family who returned from Costa Rica with a rare fungal infection after touring bat-filled caves—reminding everyone to take health advisories seriously when traveling.

 
 
 
 
 
 

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Episode CCLXV - Viral Outbreaks, Lottery Fails, and Rock Star Contradictions

Monday May 19, 2025

Monday May 19, 2025

Cruise Ship Norovirus Outbreak & Protocols 🚢🤢

Jay shared the gory details of a Norovirus outbreak on a cruise ship that left 150 people, including guests and crew, battling stomach cramps, vomiting, and the dreaded diarrhea. The cruise line stepped up its sanitation game, but it’s not the first time this has happened. Chris and Angel chimed in with their cruise experiences, with Angel expressing a clear preference for not being stuck on a boat with hundreds of people.

Lottery Winner's Arrest & What We'd Do with the Cash 💰🚔

Next, Jay dove into the bizarre case of Kentucky Powerball winner James S. Farthing (aka Shannon), who somehow found himself arrested for kicking a police officer in Florida. Jay pointed out that winning the lottery doesn’t magically make you a better person. The team also fantasized about what they’d do if they hit it big—vacations, new cars, houses... you know, the usual.

Green Day's Hypocrisy & Band Compromises 🎸🤦‍♂️

The crew went off on Green Day for teaming up with 7-Eleven, calling out their anti-capitalist stance while cashing in on corporate collabs. They also slammed other bands like Offspring for their shady treatment of bandmates over vaccine issues. It's all a big reminder that even "anti-establishment" musicians can sometimes sell out.

Tom Morello's Wealth & Lifestyle 🏠💸

The team talked about Tom Morello’s $3.3 million mansion in Laurel Canyon, complete with a pool and hot tub. They couldn’t help but question the lifestyle of a self-proclaimed activist, especially one who claims to fight the system but is living large in the lap of luxury. They also riffed on his guitar style, which Chris described as more DJ than traditional rocker.

Wealthy Socialist's Hypocrisy 💼🏰

Jay went off on a wealthy socialist who’s all about communism but lives in a mansion with enough cash to never worry about bills again. The hypocrisy is real, and the team took shots at their political views, especially on healthcare and immigration. They also dug into their love for Che Guevara and the Black Panther Party.

Tom Morello Criticism

Finally, Jay, Chris, and Angel had a good old rant about Tom Morello’s hypocrisy. They criticized his political beliefs, even questioning his education, and wrapped it up by challenging him to a lightsaber duel.

Fairly Decent Golf on Insta YouTube & TikTok

Rae Faba - fine art from the Great Lakes

Team Mandalore - keep cycling weird

i paint akron -Local artists bringing art instruction to the masses. Art for the people, forever!!

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Episode CCLXIV: Epstein Scandal, Tree Crimes, Kangaroo Smackdowns & a German in Argentina

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025

Tuesday Apr 29, 2025

🚪 Death, Trees, and Power Games

Things took a serious turn as we discussed the tragic death of Virginia Giuffre, a survivor of Epstein’s horrific crimes. We questioned the "official" story (as one does), vented about the shady Epstein client list that’s locked down tighter than Fort Knox, and demanded real justice for the victims. Jay dove deep into a few global messes, including shady moves by politicians and questionable silence from powerful figures. Somehow Pope Francis’s death got tossed into the mix — because apparently, the world needed one more plot twist this week. Meanwhile, Katy Perry went on a space trip and got roasted harder than a Thanksgiving turkey for it.

🌳 Tree Tragedy

The team mourned a glorious 500-year-old oak tree cut down by a restaurant chain that apparently has a personal vendetta against nature. Possible lawsuits are brewing. Moral of the story: if you mess with ancient trees druids will probably come for you.

🦘 Kangaroo Kung-Fu

Jay also shared the horror story of an Australian farmer who got bodied by a kangaroo. We’re talking full-on WWE move — headlock, stomach slice, the whole show. It’s a reminder that in Australia, even the wildlife has hands (and claws).

🕵️ Hitler: Not Dead?!

Finally, Jay tossed a wild theory into the ring: that Hitler may have escaped to South America after WWII. He cited CIA files, secret hideouts, and suspicious photos. Angel chimed in with the possibility that “Adolf” written on a photo could’ve just been a random label... but honestly, where’s the conspiracy fun in being reasonable?

Fairly Decent Golf on Insta YouTube & TikTok

Rae Faba - fine art from the Great Lakes

Team Mandalore - keep cycling weird

i paint akron -Local artists bringing art instruction to the masses. Art for the people, forever!!

 

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Episode CCLXIII: Fish on Drugs, Mormons in Hot Water & the Great Hooters Meltdown

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025

Tuesday Apr 15, 2025

Pre‑Flight Chaos

  • Jay kicks things off by rapid‑firing clichés—saucy Italians, hairy Greeks, and (uh‑oh) drunk Irish folk—only to sigh when the last one immediately materializes in real life.

  • The culprit? An unnamed U.S. cargo pilot in Dublin who blew a breathalyzer high score at 5 a.m. on 17 Sept 2024. Irish Aviation Authority yanked him off the flight, tattled to the FAA, and—poof—his license is now a coaster.

  • Jay’s verdict: “Look, driving drunk is dumb, but piloting a jet hammered? That’s the boss‑level stupid.” Angel agrees, recalling her failed teenage attempt to ride a bicycle after a few beers (“felt like a unicycle made of regret”).

  • Chris riffs on Victorian penny‑farthing bicycles—“You need a ladder just to crash properly!”—while everyone pictures a tipsy pilot wobbling down the runway on one of those.

  • Moral: If the cockpit door has a minibar, you’re on the wrong airline. Also, the IAA promises more surprise breath tests, so buckle up, sober up, and keep your stereotypes in the overhead bin.

Colorado Says “You Shall Not Pass… on Gender‑Affirming Care”
The Colorado Capitol rolled out two sparkly new bills this week:

  • HB 2513‑09 – Basically tells health insurers, “Stop gatekeeping, Karen,” and yanks testosterone off the state’s “We’re Watching You” prescription list.

  • HB 2513‑12, a.k.a. the Kelly Loving Act – Expands protections everywhere from kindergarten cubbies to courtroom custody fights. Misgender your ex in front of the judge? That’s now “coercive control,” buddy. Also, schools have to respect chosen names, so Little Timmy can finally be called “Star‑Destroyer X” on the roll sheet.

Pronouns, Schmronouns
Jay and Chris launch into a caffeine‑fueled rant about pronouns, non‑binary labels, and whether the movement jumped the shark (spoiler: they think it did a triple backflip over it). Verdict: the duo suspects a cocktail of “narcissism” and “participation‑trophy energy.” 🌈🏆

Missionaries, Mystery Pee & the Mormon Multiverse

  • Idaho and Utah? Wall‑to‑wall Mormons, according to Jay and Chris.

  • They unpack “soaking” (Google at your own risk) and other celestial loopholes.

  • Suddenly: breaking news from Portland—someone’s been dropping bottles of liquid yellow suspense into recycling bins. The police are stumped; Jay and Chris can’t stop giggling.

Salmon Take Clobazam, Beat Personal Best
Scientists in Sweden slipped juvenile salmon a sleeper called Clobazam plus a dash of tramadol. Result? The fish zoomed through dams like they’d just chugged espresso. Sounds helpful, right? Nope—messing with migration is the ecological equivalent of moving all the exit signs in a stadium during halftime. 🐟💊

Hooters Flies South for Chapter 11
The once‑mighty “breastaurant” chain filed for bankruptcy, leaving Jay wondering why folks ever paid twelve bucks for wings you can’t even see in the dark. Cue a nostalgic detour to that time he and Chris hit a Windsor, Ontario strip club in ’99, back when gas was cheap and boy bands roamed the earth.

Planes, Trains & “Are We There Yet?”
The gang debates measuring distance in hours instead of miles. Jay would rather drive six hours than fly two, because TSA pat‑downs apparently feel “too much like a second date.”

Bottom Line: From booze‑cruising pilots to medicated salmon, if you crave news with a side of sarcasm, smash that play button and keep your seats back—and stereotypes—upright and locked.

https://people.com/man-leaving-pee-in-portland-recycling-bins-11705960

https://nypost.com/2025/04/11/science/salmon-are-swimming-faster-due-to-painkillers-and-other-drugs-dumped-into-water-study/

 
 

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Episode CCLXII: top men..

Monday Apr 07, 2025

Monday Apr 07, 2025

Grab your headphones, folks—this episode is spicier than a pepperoni pizza at an all-you-can-eat Italian buffet! We’ve got courtroom drama, super-secret psychic shenanigans, and the world’s most underwhelming Dairy Queen robbery. Buckle up and prepare for the strangest joyride of current events you never knew you needed.

First up: Judge Leslie Ann ‘Calamari’ Celebrezi
Here’s a judge who apparently thought her black robe was a cape that let her fly her pals straight into profitable divorce cases. She steered piles of cash toward her dear friend Mark Dottore, then tried to wave off the questionable friendship by claiming it was strictly an “Italian thing.” Mangia, mangia! (Just not off the bench, folks.) Our legal eagle might face a bench slap from the Ohio Supreme Court—anything from a license suspension to a dramatic disbarment exit. If you see a flying gavel overhead, dodge and carry on.

Next on the docket: The CIA’s Psychic Treasure Hunt
In the weirder-than-fiction department: A newly declassified CIA document claims they once fired up their psychic powers (yes, you read that correctly—psychic powers!) to find the Ark of the Covenant. And guess where they supposedly found it? Well… that detail isn’t exactly crystal clear. Cue the “Mission: Improbable” music. Our fearless hosts collectively decided this was about as believable as Bigfoot moonlighting as an Elvis impersonator. Because, honestly, if the CIA did find the Ark, we’d have a new Indiana Jones movie by now.

When Robbery Goes Laughably Wrong: Allison’s DQ Debacle
Picture this: a criminal mastermind storms a Dairy Queen, weapon in hand, demands the entire register… and walks out with a whopping $1.50. Was the plan to invest in a small ice cream cone? A crumpled dollar bill and two quarters does not exactly scream “successful heist.” Add a dash of prior felony convictions and you’ve got yourself an express ticket to jail. We’re not saying life decisions were poor here, but… yeah, they were pretty poor.

Wrap-Up: A Wild Array of Headlines
We also dive into stories that belong in a “Don’t Do That” manual—like a bride-to-be brutally attacked (horrible!), a preschool teacher facing unbelievably awful charges (infuriating!), and a bizarre rabies case leading to the moral of the story: maybe ask about your organ donor’s health history? And, last but not least, we squeal with excitement over the discovery of the largest preserved dino claw in Mongolia—making your Uncle Bob’s giant toenail look like child’s play.

It’s a tumultuous cocktail of bizarre headlines and real talk, shaken (not stirred) with a healthy splash of comedic relief. Don’t forget your self-defense tips, folks—because apparently the world is full of surprises, from unscrupulous judges to ill-advised DQ bandits, and everything in between.

 
 
 

Fairly Decent Golf on Insta YouTube & TikTok

Rae Faba - fine art from the Great Lakes

Team Mandalore - keep cycling weird

i paint akron -Local artists bringing art instruction to the masses. Art for the people, forever!!

Read more

Episode CCLXI: Ghost Chimp & Bangkok Sewer

Thursday Mar 27, 2025

Thursday Mar 27, 2025

👻🐵This episode kicks off with Jay and Chris discussing a ghost chimp in Dorset that apparently can’t keep its ectoplasmic hands to itself. Is it tragic? Absolutely. Is it also weirdly hilarious? Definitely. The conversation then takes a turn (downward, into the depths of horror) as Jay shares a tale of a Bangkok sewer disaster—because if there’s one thing worse than ghosts, it’s plumbing nightmares in Thailand.

🔪Michigan’s Bizarre Crime Scene:
In a plot twist that sounds like a rejected Dateline episode, Jay covers a gruesome crime in Green Oak Township, Michigan, where a woman was found in bed with her freshly murdered partner. As if Michigan didn’t have enough problems, Jay questions why the state seems to be a magnet for such nightmarish headlines.

🛬🚽Bathroom Break Gone Wrong:
If you thought air travel was already a circus, wait until you hear about the guy who got yanked out of an airplane bathroom mid-constipation crisis. Yeisclare Leib was allegedly exposing himself while dealing with some, uh, digestive turbulence, prompting the pilot to get involved in ways that defy logic. Lawsuits followed. So did questions about what’s really going on in airplane bathrooms these days.

😕Ohio: Where Taxes Are as Confusing as the Election Choices
Jay takes on Ohio’s labyrinthine property tax system, which is somehow both infuriatingly complex and suspiciously ineffective. Meanwhile, the state’s gubernatorial race looks like a showdown between Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy—two candidates Jay and Chris find about as appealing as a sewer backup.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/696974/Ghost-rude-monkey-shocks-visitors-stately-home-Dorset/amp

 
 

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smoking the midwest pack

The Currents roster:

Angel is the boss & executive producer, audio engineer, video engineer & other stuff that Jay assigns her, strangely. She also is a big shot in the construction industry. 

Jay is a political scientist who used to work on a loading dock, and now works as a consultant. 

Chris G. is a classically trained bassist, song writer & punk rocker who knows more than most political science graduates, if not all. He is also an expert on the delivery of dick jokes, powerful insults & works in logistics/transportation. 

 

 

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