Episodes
Sunday Jul 30, 2017
Sunday Jul 30, 2017
This week, Joshua Holland kicks off the show with a look at the hero worship of John McCain and the remarkable cowardice of 49 of his Senate colleagues.
Then we'll be joined by Yale political scientist Jacob Hacker, one of the intellectual forebearers of Obamacare, to talk about what might be ahead in the fight to establish universal health care in the US, now in its 105th year.
Finally, we'll talk to Kathe Pollitt, a columnist for The Nation, about a piece she wrote last week surveying how some liberals and progressives are coping after six months with Donald Trump in the White House. Their reactions are more diverse than you might imagine.
Playlist:
Foo Fighters: "My Hero (Acoustic)"
Southern Culture on the Skids: "Camelwalk"
Celine Dion: "God Bless America"
Sunday Jul 23, 2017
Sunday Jul 23, 2017
This week, we kick off the show with a brief tribute to the one and only Sean Spicer, may he rest behind a bush somewhere.
Then we'll be joined by mild-mannered health care wonk Harold Pollack from the University of Chicago to talk policy on the left and the right: Why the GOP's zombie bill never dies, and whether making a rapid transition to Medicare-for-All is a viable way to get to affordable universal coverage.
Then we'll be joined by Ohio State University scholar Gleb Tsipursky to talk about The Truth Pledge -- his scheme to use behavioral science to "nudge" people into combating fake news.
Finally, we'll talk to Susie Madrak, a contributing editor at Crooks and Liars, about a pretty zany week in Trumpland that began with POTUS trashing everyone in sight to the NYT.
Playlist:
Supreme Deluxe: "Alex Jones Rants as an Indie Folk Song"
Rolling Stones: "Play With Fire"
George McCrae: "Rock Your Baby"
Erykah Badu: "Rimshot (Outro)
Sunday Jul 16, 2017
Sunday Jul 16, 2017
This week, we'll be joined by Randall Eliason, a former federal prosecutor who now teaches law at George Washington University, to talk about the many potential crimes that could be charged if it is proven that the Trump campaign conspired with the Russians to manipulate the outcome of the 2016 election. Campaign finance violations may be the least of it.
Then we'll speak with Jill Filipovic from Kenya about her new book, The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness.
And finally, a few words about the Republicans' zombie Obamacare repeal bill, which has been hit hard but just keeps coming.
Playlist:
Boney M.: "Rasputin"
Imagine Dragons: "Believer"
John Lennon: "Instant Karma"
Sunday Jul 02, 2017
Sunday Jul 02, 2017
This week, we'll be joined by OG blogger and Salon columnist Heather "Digby" Parton to talk about Kansas' AG Kris Kobach and what looks like the beginning of a nationwide campaign of voter suppression and intimidation. We have an authoritarian in the White House, but this is how we risk becoming an authoritarian country.
Then David Dayen will talk about his Intercept piece about how single-payer advocates -- and a few Democrats trying to ride their energy to greater prominence -- introduced an unpassable single-payer bill and then blamed the Speaker of the Assembly for not forcing his caucus to vote on it. It's all pretty dispiriting.
Playlist:
Prince Buster: "Shaking up Orange Street
Old 97s: "Stoned"
TLC: "Intermission-lude"