In this special edition of Consensus with Canonizer, Brent is away — so Kelly Casaday and Jim Bennett go head-to-head in a cinematic showdown to determine their top 10 favorite films of all time. From Christmas Vacation to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, this episode is packed with passionate arguments, behind-the-scenes trivia, and some friendly movie smack talk (especially about Chevy Chase).

Can their be consensus about favorite movies?

Grab some popcorn and join the discussion by joining either camp or creating your own!

Top 10 Best Movies!

Prior to the "One Big Beautiful" bill passing both the US House and Senate, the Canonizer Council discussed it's merits and faults.
Check it out!

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?

New York Times columnist Melissa Krisch wrote an article July 5, 2025, on ranking the top movies of the 21st century.  She noted that “La La Land” was #16 among readers but did not appear anywhere on a list made by actors and directors.
 
“I struggled to determine how I would rank a movie as one of “the best.” Was it one that left me astonished when I saw it? One that stayed with me long after watching? Or should I choose films that somehow felt important in the history of cinema? And what does “important” mean anyway? In 2000, I loved “High Fidelity” and “Best in Show” — but of course I hadn’t seen “Moonlight” or “The Royal Tenenbaums” or “Tár” yet. What did it mean if my list diverged wildly from The Times’s lists? From those of my friends? I found myself inanely worrying that my picks weren’t serious enough, that they didn’t adequately convey my tastes or aesthetic.”

What are your favorite movies?

Entertainment

Relationships

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

Current Events

Politics

Social Sciences and Economics

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?

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:

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?

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.

Can & Should Federal District Courts Issue National Injunctions?

History

This topic explores the ethical, legal, and political implications of President Donald J. Trump’s reported acceptance of a private jet from entities associated with the State of Qatar.
 
Was the acceptance of the jet consistent with U.S. laws and norms governing gifts or favors to public officials?
 
2. Did the acceptance occur while Trump held public office or during a time when it could influence U.S. policy or relationships?
 
3. Does this action constitute a potential conflict of interest, or was it a private transaction within acceptable bounds?
 
This topic invites analysis from legal experts, ethicists, political scientists, and the public to evaluate the significance of this action within the broader context of U.S. political accountability and international influence.

Is President Trump's acceptance of the Royal Qatar luxury jet acceptable?

What is the Greatest Band in History?
 
This topic seeks to explore and document consensus around the question: "What is the greatest band in history?" 

The term "greatest" may encompass a variety of criteria, including but not limited to: cultural impact, musical innovation, popularity, influence on other artists, longevity, commercial success, and critical acclaim.
 
Participants in this topic are invited to define "greatness" according to the values and standards they believe are most relevant. This Canonizer topic does not endorse any specific band or definition of greatness in its agreement statement; instead, it provides a platform for camps to advocate for particular bands and justify their selection based on evidence, reasoning, and individual or collective experience.
 
Whether you're drawn to the timeless harmonies of a classic rock band, the innovation of a genre-defining group, or the global reach of a modern pop phenomenon, your perspective is welcome. Each camp should clearly articulate why their chosen band deserves the title and how they interpret the concept of musical greatness!