Prior to the "One Big Beautiful" bill passing both the US House and Senate, the Canonizer Council discussed it's merits and faults.
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One Big Beautiful Bill! Is Consensus Possible?

Many foreign policy experts warn that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it would be broadly destabilizing for the Middle East and nearby regions. A first-order concern is that Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons would pose a major, perhaps existential threat to Israel, the region, and the United States. An additional concern is that Iran’s possession of a nuclear weapon could spur other regional rivals, including Saudi Arabia, to pursue their own program.

The Israel-Iran war is coming down to a single question: What should be done about the hardened Iranian nuclear facility at Fordow? If Israel lacks the capability to destroy it, and if a diplomatic solution is not realistic, then US President Donald Trump should authorize the US bombing of Fordow and other remaining nuclear program infrastructure in Iran. 

International scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs intensified in late 2024 following a historic exchange of direct military strikes between Iran and Israel, as well as the reelection of Donald Trump as U.S. president. The first Trump administration pulled the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and imposed a severe sanctions regime on the country. Now, a second Trump administration has agreed to resume talks with Tehran for the first time since it withdrew from the accord seven years ago, but talks so far have been slow to culminate in any concrete proposals, with compromise between the two countries over uranium enrichment still seeming far from reach. In June 2025, the UN nuclear watchdog declared Iran was not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations.

Israel, Iran - what role should the United States play?

We found consensus!

Overturning Chevron deference restores the judiciary's proper role in interpreting the law. Judges, not agencies, should have the final say on the meaning of statutes.  America is a democracy not a technocracy.  

And by returning rights to individuals over institutions a crucial check limiting the governments potential for abuse or oppression.

Strengthened Individual Rights &amp; Destruction of Bureaucratic State? Is Supreme Court Right?

The Canonizer Council discusses: The constitutional and legal framework behind National Guard deployment; Historical comparisons to past presidential interventions; Immigration enforcement, ICE arrests, and local resistance, and; The broader implications for democracy, protest rights, and the rule of la. This episode offers a fierce but civil exchange of deeply held beliefs, encouraging all to join the conversation on Canonizer.com by supporting a camp—or creating your own!

Was President Trump justified in deploying the National Guard and active-duty military to Los Angeles?

In this candid and engaging episode, the Canonizer Council—Jim Bennett, Brent Allsop, Kelly Casaday, and two anonymous contributors—dive into a hot-button political slogan: “Make America Great Again.” Is it a call to restore lost values, or does it stir up fear and division? They also discuss the Canonizer topic "Is the War in Ukraine Worth Fighting?" As always, the group brings a range of voices to the table—from serious analysis to playful debate—asking listeners to consider not just what they believe, but why. Join the conversation and explore how collaborative truth-seeking might lead to more productive political discourse.

Make America Great Again and Is Ukraine Worth Fighting For?

Fresh from watching Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, Jim shares his take on Hollywood's apocalyptic AI narratives before diving into the real-world debate sparked by Eliezer Yudkowsky’s alarming Time Magazine op-ed. Brent offers a radically different perspective, arguing that intelligence itself begets benevolence—suggesting that the smarter AI becomes, the more moral it must be. In the second half, the crew dives into a heated debate over national injunctions issued by federal district courts. Should one judge in Texas be able to dictate national policy? Kelly unpacks the legal and historical roots of the issue, while Jim sounds the alarm about normalization of authoritarian tendencies in today’s political climate.

Should We Fear AI? and Federal District Courts Issuing National Injunctions!

Every year, the President of United States is required by statute to present a proposed budget to Congress by the first Monday in February. The President’s proposed budget includes funding for and provisions for their priorities.  President Trump titled his FY 2026 budget, One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
 
Here are some general facts about the US national budget:
 
The United States federal budget is massive, $6.8 trillion annually, the largest of any country. 
 
US federal debt is the largest of any country at $36 trillion, one of the highest debts as a percent of GDP, 188.73% which means each man, woman and child in the United States has a debt just shy of $100,000.

Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill

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On June 22, 2025, the United States sent seven B-2 stealth bombers to Iran in operation "Midnight Hammer." 14 GBU-17 Massive Ordnance Penetrator precision bombs were dropped on three of Iran's nuclear weapons sites.  This followed several days of constant Israeli attacks on Iran's military's command and control, antiaircraft and other sites.

Many foreign policy experts warn that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, it would be broadly destabilizing for the Middle East and nearby regions. A first-order concern is that Iran’s possession of nuclear weapons would pose a major, perhaps existential threat to Israel, the region, and the United States. An additional concern is that Iran’s possession of a nuclear weapon could spur other regional rivals, including Saudi Arabia, to pursue their own program

US, Israel and Iran? What should be done?

In 1984, the Supreme Court ruled that government agencies must conform to any clear legislative statements when interpreting and applying a law, but the Courts will give the agency deference in ambiguous situations as long as its interpretation is reasonable. This legal doctrine, known as the “Chevron Deference” theory, gave professional bureaucrats great power in setting regulations in virtually every aspect of American life.

In 2024, Chevron was dealt a serious blow in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. Now, Instead of deferring to the expertise of agencies on how to interpret ambiguous language in laws pertaining to their work, federal judges now have the power to decide what a law means for themselves. This doctrine was further strengthened in the 2025 case, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado." 

By contrast, recent Supreme Court decisions indicate a strengthening of individual rights over institutions.  On Thursday, 12 June 2026, in four unanimous rulings ( A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, Soto v. United States, Martin v. United States, and Rivers v. Guerrero,) all nine justices reached the same conclusion, summed up by Attorney Patrick Jaicomo, who represents the plaintiffs in Martin v. U.S.,  It's "easier for everyday people to hold the government accountable for its mistaken and intentional violations of individual rights."

Strengthened Individual Rights & Destruction of Bureaucratic State? Is Supreme Court Right?

Join us weekly for a new topic, join the conversation and join a camp! Let us know what you think!

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Is Trump Justified in Deploying the National Guard in Los Angeles?
 

In June 2025, Los Angeles became the epicenter of nationwide protests against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies. The situation escalated when President Donald Trump federalized and deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to the city without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom, marking the first such action since 1965. This move has sparked widespread concern over the politicization of the U.S. military, state sovereignty, and the rights of protesters.

Is Trump Justified in Deploying the National Guard in Los Angeles?

Is the War in Ukraine Worth Fighting?

This topic invites discussion on the ongoing war in Ukraine, with a focus on whether the conflict is justified, necessary, or strategically worthwhile from various perspectives. Participants are encouraged to explore the moral, political, humanitarian, economic, and geopolitical implications of the war, as well as potential pathways toward peace. All camps are united in recognizing the profound human cost of war and the importance of informed dialogue about its consequences and justification.

Is the War in Ukraine Worth Fighting:

Join the Canonizer Council each week for new topics, share your opinions, join a camp and build consensus!

This Week's Consensus by Canonizer Podcast!

Much has been said about MAGA and the phrase stirs strong emotions in supporters and detractors.
Here's your chance to weigh in and build consensus on this political moment and its signature phrase.

MAGA - Greatness or Fearmongering?

Should Federal District Court Issue Nationwide Injunctions? Can they?
Should we fear AI?

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Fearing AI & District Court Judges! What Do You Think?

In recent years, litigation over actions of the federal executive and legislative branches has prompted discussion of the authority of federal courts to halt or prevent the enforcement of executive and legislative branch policies and legislation. One particular focus of this discussion is nationwide injunctions—court orders against the government that prevent the government from implementing a challenged law, regulation, or other policy against all relevant persons and entities, whether or not such persons or entities are parties participating in the litigation.