Yeah, you know what that means, like that's different, it's Busta Pencils fully, let it
education talk, educated educators talking education. I am Dr. Tim Slecker. I got Dr. Johnny
Lupinaji here and oh my goodness, it is a very special Friday. Happy fourth to everybody
out there. Marika as we talk about it. And this is Jacob's choice today. We're ready, you
know, that's why I didn't introduce it. I was like, Jacob, how is it possible that you scheduled
your special show interviewing Johnny and me on our own show for July 4th? How'd you make this happen
on a special birthday? Well, if you were called initially, you guys said I should take over class
in session. And then I happened to glance at my calendar. Oh, wait a minute guys, maybe I should
take, you know, start doing the Friday show. I told you that was because I don't know anything about
education, but the truth was it was so that I could do this. So very excited. I draped in the
America. I'm going to say you got you got to point out his outfit. I got this America flag here
draped over me because these colors don't run guys. That's right. Okay. I'm excited for the
4th of July. And it appears to be a towel, not an actual flag for any listener out there worried
about, you know, that's creating the flag. We follow, we follow, follow due diligence with respect
in the flag. It's a towel. But look at sharp code. Yeah, look at sharp down there, Jacob, in the
producer's corner with the big flag over his shoulders. I love it. The only law I follow is the
United States flag code that is my creed and my modus operandi. So anyway, guys, you know, we
want to get started with the show or do you have any comments or that's jump right in, man. This
is your show. We're just guests on our own show today. Hey, yeah, but I, you know, I'm a very
hospitable person. Yes. Welcome everybody. It's America's birthday. The old gal is turning 249,
but fellas, boy, I tell you, she doesn't look a day over 200. America's in great shape. We've
never been doing better. Confidence is up. Patriotism is at an all time high.
That's, that's definitely accurate. Cookouts, fireworks, short shorts, and spending time with
the family. The 4th of July, frankly, it's the Super Bowl of the summer. So to kick things off
here on the very special holiday producers choice show, Tim Johnny, I'm going to ask a very simple
question. I guess we'll start with you, Tim. What are your plans for the 4th of July?
Well, at this point, I don't know how you looked over and saw my short shorts on. I'm kind of
embarrassed. I think I'm going to have to get a new pair for the holiday since now I've been
exposed. Well, they were very exposing shorts. No, I should never wear short shorts. And in fact,
even wearing shorts nowadays is not a good thing. You know what I'm going to do on the 4th?
I am, well, I'm going to practice safe firework expressions because, you know, some listeners
know that one of the things that I've been preoccupied with or occupied with or tasked with
and having the responsibility to do is, you know, been taking care of my my mother-in-law, who
has a little bit of a cognitive thing. But she loves holidays. She loves parades. She loves fireworks.
And so we, Michelle and I, mom Michelle from the show too, we went out and bought a whole package
of safe fireworks. And I'm going to be out in the backyard setting off some fake fireworks or safe,
not fake, but safe so that my mother-in-law can really have a good time and enjoy them. The best
part about it will be is that if I save some, I can bring her back out later and say we're doing
it all over again. And she'll be like, no, this is the first time I've ever seen these fireworks,
Tim, and see, you know, there's a blessing there. So Jacob, that's what my 4th has all in store for me.
Tim, I'm sad to hear about your firework situation needing to go to such pathetic fireworks.
You know, usually every year I hop in the old car, head down south of the border, pick up some
illegal fireworks and bring them back. But I don't know if you heard Donald Trump said that the
tariffs even apply to fentanyl. And those are illegal. So I assume he's going to, he's going to
tear off my illegal fireworks that I'm bringing back. So I guess that's off the table this year.
Johnny, same question to you, man, what are your plans for the 4th of July this year?
Well, guys, it's a pretty typical 4th of July in that, you know, I'll be out at the lake.
We'll be barricuing. We'll spend a whole day out on the lake, maybe some paddleboard and
price of swimming, lots of sun, crack a couple of sodas with the friends, the family, you know,
the neighborhood and lake day, man, it's a full lake. They celebrate this country's independence day.
You know, hopefully weather, you know, is cooperative with it. It's looking sunny outside. So
should be a great day. And then we're lucky. We have a big city firework, you know, coordinated,
you know, with fire departments, you know, helps put it on and, and, you know, pyrotechnic experts.
They throw big fireworks. We have a parade in a farmer's market that happens. Well,
the farmer's market does a lot of fundraising for a big city fireworks display. And we all throw
money in the pot a couple of weeks in a row. And then, and then they boom, they threw the whole
thing off. It's usually around 10 o'clock at night. So there's an afternoon nap in store, you
know, my kids say they're always going to take a nap and rarely do they, but they have more energy
than I do. So there's usually a nap. And then a second dinner left over from the barbecues. And
then around 10 roughly, you know, the sun goes down. Oh, fireworks display, big one. And,
you know, I'm lucky because it's fire country that I live in that people are pretty strict about
their fireworks usage. So they blast these off off a barge out in the lake and they keep them
all above the lake. And, and people are pretty strict about firework usage out here. So,
you know, it's fire country. So it's pretty, pretty, pretty well known like, hey, if you're reckless
with fireworks, you're going to start a forest fire. And you're going to be held accountable for that.
Expense and damage. And so we're lucky to have, you know, big, big city fireworks display.
They hosted the blast them off over the big lake and, and everyone has a good time. So we'll
be celebrating. I think pretty traditionally, you know, been chopping up vegetables and marinating
things for, you know, to about 12, 12 hours ago, they went in the fridge and man, they'll be ready
to go for today. So it's a barbecue, man. It's, it is one of my favorite, like you said, Jacob,
it's the Super Bowl of the summer. It is really you eat a lot. You have a few soda pops,
hopefully stay well hydrated with your waters, right? You get sun. You are outside with neighbors,
people in your community and celebrate what's best about being in the free world, right? And
also commiserate over the tough times too. It's always nice because we know a lot of us aren't
experiencing the best of our country right now, but that still doesn't make us any less patriotic
to celebrate a birthday. It's like a growing year, right? We're saying, hey, America, we know you
can be better, but we love you and we're celebrating your birthday today. So let's everybody get
all aside and put things aside, you know, maybe our differing political views. And remember what's
great about being in community. So I have a good time. They also have a little parade in the morning,
which is always fun, where my kids end up with more candy than they do at Halloween because
there's so much candy throwing at the parade. So I mean, it's a big it's a big celebration. So
looking forward to, you know, a long day of celebrating the birthday today, Jacob. Man,
I'm going to say I think I know where I'm sending my mother and look and I get her there quick enough.
It's too late now. I mean, even even a direct flight would put you here well into tomorrow, Tim.
But next next time next time you all make it out to Washington for for a lake day on the 4th of
July, you're always welcome. You too, Jacob. It's not too late to come with me to Mexico, though.
So if you want to happen on this, I was going to say you don't have to go to Mexico to get to get
the heavy artillery and the fireworks department out here. Idaho operates very similarly as as such
other places and you know, you can always always try it and true find these pockets of these of
stands of fireworks. I wouldn't I wouldn't recommend them because out here, they'll pretty much land
you in creating a forest fire. There's almost nowhere you could light up a firework unless you're out
on the lake over the lake that ensures that you're not going to start, you know, a million dollar
fire that's going to destroy, you know, your your livelihood and maybe hopefully not other people's
livelihoods, but certainly stacks of dry, dry trees. So, you know, I've been lucky enough to live in
a community that recognizes that and, you know, I haven't heard fireworks the weeks leading up to
4th. And it's a great example of like municipal, you know, systems. The community says, hey,
this is really dangerous, but we love it. So let's organize a really big exciting and I mean,
it's huge. It's a big fireworks display. And so everybody can see it and everybody's up on the lake
and, you know, you could park your car at the dairy queen or over in the parking lot and see it and
like so many towns across this country. Hey, little side note fellows and then I'll give it back over
to Jacob. But have you ever flown or driven or gone on like a like a extended trip on the 4th
and seen like oh yeah, I got I got the gift to fly on the 4th a couple of years ago.
And man, it was nighttime and I was flying across this country and just seeing fireworks from above.
I mean, this is one of like, I had no idea. It would be on my bucket list if someone told me
about it. I had no idea it was as cool as it was. So if you ever get a chance to fly on the 4th,
flights are pretty inexpensive because everyone's usually partying it up. But it is truly
a spectacular view just to see fireworks and the distance and nearby. I mean, it looks
something unbelievable from the sky. Yeah, I got to imagine that's pretty cool. I mean,
seeing all those fireworks from up there in airplane. I think I've seen a video once of either
from a from a plane or from a helicopter in Los Angeles, just the fireworks all over the place.
I mean, it looks really awesome. Tim Johnny, what I'm getting from both of you guys is the spirit
of community, togetherness and friendship is what we're thinking about on the 4th of July.
But what I think and eating, but what I think really is the spirit of America is competition.
And in that spirit, we're going to have a little competition between the two of you gentlemen
here because I have some America trivia for you boys. Okay, let's go. Are you guys good at trivia,
do you feel? I mean, generally not so much, but I'm here for it. Well, Jacob, just, you know, before
you joined busted pencils and when we were live five days a week, we had a little every evening
Tim's trivia where I would bring one of those unique American kind of factoid things and
try to stump the listener. So now I get to be on the other side of it. And I'm a bit nervous, man,
whoa. Finally listeners like me will have our revenge against him for his difficult trivia.
So I'm going to tell you guys how this works. I've got some questions here. You can get two points
if you just answer the question. You get one point if you want to answer after hearing some
multiple choice options. Does that sound fair to you guys? Sounds great. Let's do it, man. Let's go!
All right, who wants to go first? That's right. Tim, you get to go first. So your question is
Tim. Who was George Washington's vice president? If you want multiple choice, opt in now.
I'll opt in now. Is it A, John J, B, Thomas Jefferson, or C, John Adams?
Well, Johnny, you're making me feel like you're like, dude, I got this. How could you sit there and not
know this? Let's see if you get it. All right, John J, A.
Oh, I'm sorry, Tim. The answer is obviously, Johnny, John Adams, John Adams.
That was the hardest question we had. That's why we started off with this. I'm sorry, Tim.
Johnny, here's an easy one. How many United States presidents have served as labor leaders? Do you
want options or do you? As labor leaders, yes, sir. I'm going to have to take the multiple choice on
this. My guess, my guess, I'll go first there. Is there a punishment if I guess and get this
one around? And this is a hard one. Yes. All right, I'll take the multiple choice answer because
I'll tell the viewers who are watching on YouTube, my, my guess would be, well, that's an interesting
guess and you may regret not going with it. So a big fat A is one, B is three and C is zero.
I'm going to go with my gut gas, which would have been my dry gas right out of the gate.
I'm going to go with a big fat goose egg on that. Jacob, it's zero.
Tim, do you know the answer? Okay, the answer was one. One United States president had been a labor leader.
This is a trick question. This is a trick question. If you go with it, I'm going to see.
It was, I guess, yeah, go ahead. It was Ronald Reagan. Yeah, terrible for actually labor,
but amazing because he was part of the screen actor's guild. Okay. He was a labor leader.
Boom, that's a big fat zero with the technicality one. Tim, we're both, we're both at zero points.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's okay. The least one of the least labor-friendly
labor-friendly. That's why it's one of the screen actors. He wasn't a screen actor's guild.
So I love that question. He was the president of it. This might be better than this might be
better than the competitive game of washers. I'm playing later. I'm throwing back some sodas.
You guys ever play that game washers? That was the third question actually, Johnny. I'm sorry.
You've skipped it. Let's go. Next trivia question. We're going to go until somebody gets one
correct. Tim. Okay. What year did the United States Civil War begin? Oh, Jacob 1861.
Come on. There it is. You got it. I got it. And that's a two point. You didn't even need the
extras. That's a two pointer. The bombing and the assault on Fort Sumter. Holy cow.
Right there. Softar. I'm telling you, man. Civil War trivia, dude. Bring it on because I got
that one. I got that stuff. Tim's a Civil War larper. You haven't heard these stories yet, Jacob.
I'm new around here, but I'd love to hear about your costumes, Tim.
Johnny, the heat is on right now because I didn't think anybody was going to get one corrected.
Now Tim is on the board. Johnny, your question for up to two points.
Teddy Roosevelt served as the vice president to which man?
Roosevelt vice president to
shays. I don't know this one. Let me think. You can always opt in to the multiple choice.
Teddy, I'm going to have to go multiple choice. Is it a Grover Cleveland, b William McKinley,
or c James G Blaine? What?
Can you, can you list those again? James G Blaine. I will list them again. I like your initial
response of what? Grover Cleveland or William McKinley?
I'm going to assess William McKinley.
But then he, so then he because McKinley was. McKinley was shot. Yeah,
assassinated. Yes, sucks. So that's it. Teddy Roosevelt, man, I should be better at my history
trivia. I got one point at least and Tim's got two. Tim's in the lead.
I'm running away with it. Come on, Jacob. Bring it on.
Catch another, catch another two pointer and you've got this thing locked in.
Tim, the first kindergarten in the United States was established in 1856, but in which state?
I'm going to, I'm going to, it's going to be a guess. But I'm going to go for two.
I'm going for two. And I'm going to potentially, and I know the gut is saying this,
but then the gut is also telling me it's too easy to be this, but at the same time,
I'm going to go with the gut because test taking skills. Well, you know, Massachusetts, Jacob.
Double or nothing. Can it kick back to me? Yes.
I'm going to go on a wild one. This is for you listeners out there because what do I got to lose?
I'm going to say the first kindergarten was in our listener's state of Wisconsin.
You got that question. I think that's four points, right?
I mean, you doubled it up and we doubled it up. Yeah, baby.
I'm going to give you just the two because you weren't really supposed to be able to answer
anyway, but all right. Three two, you know, three, two, three, two. I took the lead on that one.
And I get a chance to get to get a question here or as this is this over.
No, this is, this is your question, Johnny.
With 1985's The King of Rock, what hip hop group became the first to go platinum?
Oh, come on. Come on. The run, DMC.
See, yeah, correct.
Yeah, sir.
This is going to be we were both we were both alive for that.
I was man, that was I graduated high school. Oh, man, that was awesome.
We're doing some contemporary America trivia too. I mean, we're not all stuck in the past.
I love that. Tim, you're down five to two, but I believe that you have a chance to come back here.
Okay. I believe in you. This is a this is not a US civil war question, but it is
you know, a sort of civil war. So that might put it in your wheelhouse.
Tim, Tim's a civil war buff here. Let's go.
Tim, in what year did the first Star Wars movie come out?
That's definitely in the civil war genre.
I'm 1977.
Yeah, boy. That's a great civil war.
Yeah, it was.
I don't know.
Contigory.
You thought you guys thought you stumped me there.
You're right back in it, man.
I'm man, you know, I know.
Five four, five four, five four.
Hey, look, growing up in the 70s, I think I went to see three movies in the theater
because my my father did not believe in spending money for movies.
And I got to see Star Wars close encounters of the third kind.
And then I think to make me actually this was earlier,
but he took me to see jaws and I didn't go on the ocean terrifying.
Oh my gosh, one of the scariest movies I saw as a kid.
Yeah, those are three good picks.
Yeah, great ones.
All right, Johnny, the heat is on now.
This is we thought it was going to be a blow out a second ago.
And now all of a sudden we're right back in it.
Yeah, in it.
How are you feeling?
I mean, are you up for this next question?
Probably not.
I'm a little nervous.
I'm not going to lie.
I believe in you.
Johnny Lupinacci for up to two points.
Christopher Columbus established a permanent link between the old world and the Americas in 1492.
What was the name of his flagship?
The name of his flagship.
Yes.
If I may, this is the multiple choice is not going to help you.
So is I only have in my brain that, you know,
the indoctrination of my schooling, I don't know which of the three.
I know the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.
Whoa, how do you know the multiple choice already?
So the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.
The three ships that Columbus sailed.
Yep.
Those oceans blew.
They might have all the 92.
They might have all had flags too.
I mean, I'm sure they did.
That's a very good point.
But I don't know is one of them the flagship or is it just, hey, any single one of these could be?
One of them was bigger than the others and it's the one Columbus was actually on.
And that was the Maria.
The Santa Maria I'm jumping in and stealing that.
Tim got it.
He gets the two points.
Not Tim's in the lead.
Six five.
Hey, man, you push me up.
Put my back on the ropes, buddy.
Watch out.
I know which one, man.
How could you not know that it's me if I had a tell you that's a good point.
Yeah, what would Tony, what would Tony soprano say right now?
Oh, boy, let's not even get into it.
I mean, okay.
I think it was Big Polly who was most in, uh, uh,
the Sylvia, you know, Sylvia was mad about Columbia's day.
Yes, he was.
Keeping us in the same area of conversation.
Tim, which Native American war leader successfully defeated George Armstrong
Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn?
Well, Jacob, that I'm not sure if you're trying to make this a trick question,
but both sitting bull and crazy horse were there.
Wow, boom.
But which one of them was the battlefield commander?
In which one was the smart politics, man?
Sitting bull was your smart political person and crazy horse was the, uh,
instrumental commander.
Very good, Tim.
Crush, he's at eight points eight to eight to four right now.
Whoo.
Or eight to five.
I got to start taking out the hard ones when it's Tim's turn.
Hmm.
Here's an easy one, Johnny.
Oh, thanks, man.
I'm struggling back here in the catch up.
Alcoholic beverages were prohibited in the United States from 1920 until 1933.
Which constitutional amendment established prohibition?
Hmm.
I established it.
Which constitutional amendment established prohibition?
The Volstead Act, but which number was it?
I'm going to go 18th Amendment.
The Volstead Act.
Oh, dude, nice, nice.
That was clutch.
I know that because I go to a bar called the Volstead.
And I'm picturing they have a 18 in their sign.
So good thing.
Thank you, Volstead.
Great bar here in Spokane.
That is the perfect way that people get trivia questions correct.
That was like, I believe it's the Volstead Act.
If I remember, there was an episode of cheers, I believe, where
Norm brought it up.
Yeah, you got to reach deep.
All right, this is the final regular question.
You both get a chance.
And then whoever's up gets the, you know, the ultimate jeopardy question to see who wins
out money.
Okay.
And this is for Timothy.
Yes, sir.
Timothy Kurt Russell portrayed coach Herbert Brooks
in which film about the 1980 United States Olympic hockey team?
Oh, man.
This is, this is not Johnny.
Johnny's, Johnny's freaking out, man.
And I, God, I know the film and I, I, uh,
Miracle on ice.
Yeah.
Oh, good work.
That was a tough one.
Okay, seven to 10 final score.
But wait, uh, oh, this last one is a three pointer potentially.
Uh, oh, because we don't want to, I, I've got, I've got my clock here.
Okay, we need to, this has to go the exact right amount of time.
Okay.
Johnny, for a chance to tie.
Okay, Harry Truman was the last of FDR's three vice presidents.
But who was FDR's first vice president?
Oh, oh.
I just really wanted to use this one.
It's not, so it wasn't Truman.
If, who is his other vice presidents?
Wallace and Garner, but who was first?
I'm going to have to pick.
Let's go alphabetically, guess.
Is it Garner?
Oh, no, I can't believe you got that, Johnny.
John Nance Garner, I can't believe you knew any of them.
Wallace Garner and FDR.
Nice, Truman job.
Oh, yeah, Truman, Truman was the father.
Okay, D.R.s vice president.
This is a buzz and question.
This is a buzz and to see who wins because we have a tie.
And there was really no way to avoid it by yelling us.
Just like, oh, I got to answer.
Okay.
So this is the ultimate American question, gentlemen,
in which decade did McDonald's become a $1 billion company?
The 70s.
You did it.
You got it.
You got it.
Tim got it.
Tim, you're good.
I remember in the past, I remember seeing that sign.
$1 billion served.
Oh, that makes sense.
Nice.
There you go.
I always wondered what that meant.
I grew up with that sign, but didn't have context for it.
I remember that was amazing.
So I guess you know the most about America.
Agent Wisdom Trump's beauty here today on America's 4th of July.
I love it.
I love it.
Now, Tim, you are the winner.
And I think that's something that you can write home about.
You can be proud of, but did you win the fake million dollars yet?
That's the question.
I don't know, Jacob.
You did not.
Unfortunately, because every time we do this show,
we have my 60-second segment at the end.
That's an important part of the listeners expected.
So we had to find a way to incorporate it.
So Tim, with 60 seconds on the clock, let's go.
Who was the only United States president
to serve as a university administrator before coming to office?
The guy dorm in World War One.
Can't think of his name.
But that's the guy.
I know.
It's the guy.
Wilson.
What's your original Wilson?
You got it.
There we go.
Man, Tim, you're amazing.
Yeah, he is.
Tim is a gem at trivia, especially
U.S. history trivia.
Yeah, I'm not a gem at trivia.
Just certain trivia.
Man, this is unfortunate.
I didn't prepare any fanfare for when you did good.
I only had a...
I award you no points.
And may God have mercy on your soul.
That's the only thing I had ready.
It was negative.
I'm sorry, guys.
Oh, Jacob.
Tim, that's a faith in us.
I thought no one would get any points.
Tim, Johnny, thank you for being here.
Great guests as always on your own show.
I mean, nobody does it better than you guys do.
Happy Fourth of July to everybody from, I think, all three of us.
We're all excited for it and happy.
Yes, sir.
But now, Tim, I think it's time for a certain something.
Yeah, it's time for your moment of zin.
Real heroes are not on national television or in the headlines.
They are the nurses, the doctors, the teachers, the social workers,
the janitors, the hospital orderlies,
the construction workers, the people who keep the society going,
who help people in need.
On that note, thank you, pencil busners for listening today and have a safe and happy fourth.
And thank you, thank you, thank you for listening to today's producer,
Jacob's choice independence day special podcasts.
And if you want to grab more busted pencils podcasts,
well, you can just go on over to Apple Spotify,
or you can always find us at civicmedia.com or on our website, bustedpensils.com.
And you could always, always, always find great busted pencils content,
like today's show on Mondays for Home Room, Wednesdays for Class and Session,
and on Fridays for producer Jacob's choice.
And of course, pencil busters.
You could always tune in and listen to the busted pencils weekend broadcast on Saturdays
at 3 p.m. Central time across all the civic media networks for one hour
of your favorite blue collar scholars, Tim and Johnny,
and keep Bustin Petsons.