The Politics Guys

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Floyd, Twitter, Trump May 30, 2020

Show notes

This week Trey is joined by Ken and the pair begin the show discussing the evolving situation over the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. This includes discussion of the protests, the recent charges of third degree murder, and the long-term ramifications for the African American community.

Next the Trey & Ken discuss President Trump's executive order on Preventing Online Censorship. Ken thinks there is no real substantive meaning to it, rather it is simply bluster. Trey wonders if the order is designed to allow a civil suit against Twitter by President Trump.

This Week's Recommendations

Trey suggests you check out Desert Solitaire" A Season in the Wilderness

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Capitalism, Alone May 27, 2020

Show notes

Mike talks with economist Branko Milanovic. Dr. Milanovic is Visiting Presidential Professor at the Stone Center of Socio-Economic Inequality at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. He was formerly Lead Economist in the World Bank's research department. He's also the author of a number of books, including Capitalism, Alone: The Future of the System That Rules the World, which they discuss on this episode.

Topics covered include:

- the benefits of capitalism- the different forms of capitalism- the liberal meritocratic capitalism of the United States- rising economy inequality since the 1980s- sustainable growth under current models of capitalism- capitalism and corruption in China- the future of capitalism

Branko Milanovic on Twitter

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Inspector General Firings, Trump Threatens MI & NV Over Elections, The WHO and China May 23, 2020

Show notes

On this week's show, Mike and Kristin take on President Trump's firing of State Department Inspector General Steve Linick, a move prompted by a recommendation from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. They also discuss Trump's threats to withhold funding from Michigan and Nevada after each state announced plans to mail all voters statewide requests for vote-by-mail forms and the actual ballots, respectively. Finally, Mike and Kristin weigh in on the relationship between the WHO and China, whether President Trump's threat to withhold funding was warranted, and the WHO's subsequent move to independently investigate the response to COVID-19 within its own organization.

Mike's Weekly RecommendationsThe books of P.G. Wodehouse Insight Timer (meditation app) Android | iPhone

Kristin's Weekly RecommendationCalm (meditation app)

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Title IX Clarification, Michael Flynn & the Russia Investigation, Trillions More for COVID Aid? May 15, 2020

Show notes

Mike & Jay start off the show with Mike trying to explain that while he's for the recent Title IX sexual harassment / abuse procedural rules (as is Jay) he has more of an issue with their being a mandate (in theory, at least).

Then, it's a discussion of the latest developments in the case against Michael Flynn. Mike sees a lot of bad behavior all around, and Jay doesn't disagree. They both seem to think that the biggest potential problem is an intelligence & law enforcement community that seems to be doing more than just cutting a few corners here and there.

Finally, it's a look at the House proposal for $3 Trillion in additional coronavirus aid, with nearly $1 Trillion of that set aside for state and local governments. While conservatives - including Jay - balk that that, especially in light of the enormous sum that's already been spend, there seems to be some ground for compromise.

Mike's Weekly RecommendationsThe Reluctant Detective (Mike's book in progress)NYPD BlueUPS Dogs (Facebook)

Jay's Weekly RecommendationThe Good Place

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Michael Flynn, FBI Abuses, An Independent Attorney General?, New Title IX Rules May 09, 2020

Show notes

It's big week for due process. Mike and Jay talk about the Justice Department's decision to drop the case against Michael Flynn, FBI abuses, and Mike makes a pitch for an Independent Justice Department. Then they discuss the new Department of Education rules guaranteeing rights to the accused in school sexual harassment and assault cases. Then it gets sort of weird.

The full text of the DOJ filing to dismiss charges against Michael Flynn

Mike's YouTube page

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The Politics Guys & The Brown Girls Guide to Politics May 05, 2020

Show notes

Mike talks with A'shanti Gholar, creator and host of The Brown Girls Guide to Politics podcast. Topics they discuss include:

COVID-19's disproportionate effects on minorities
whether President Trump is racist, and if it matters
demographic representation in Congress
why the Democratic Party is so much more diverse than the GOP
what Republicans can to do attract more minorities, without abandoning their core principles & beliefs
Joe Biden's potential VP choices
what women & minorities can reasonably expect from a Biden administration
what four more years of a Trump administration might mean for women & minorities
what white males most often misunderstand about women & minorities in politics

The Brown Girls Guide to Politics on Twitter

White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Robin DiAngelo

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Biden, Armed Protests, Amash May 01, 2020

Show notes

Trey & Ken start the show talking Biden's response to sexual assault allegation from Tara Reade. Next the pair move to discussing COVID, but primarily focusing on the armed protests in Michigan. Trey & Ken close the show discussing the entrance into the presidential race of newly minted Libertarian Amash and potential Green Party candidate Ventura.

This Week's Recommendations

Trey suggests you check out Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime.

Ken is reading The New York Review of Books.

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COVID Aid, Immigration Shutdown, States Reopening, SCOTUS on EPA Regulation Apr 25, 2020

Show notes

On this week's show, Mike and Kristin take on more COVID-19 related stories and policy issues, including the most recent aid package, President Trump's immigration proclamation, and state "exit strategies" for lockdown and plans to reopen economies. Mike and Kristin also discuss the complex, recently-decided Supreme Court case of County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund. They also share their recommendations for some non-COVID related entertainment.

Mike's Weekly RecommendationOpen Psychometrics 'Which Character Are You?' Quiz The Reluctant Detective (Mike's P.I. book in progress)

Kristin's Weekly RecommendationImagineering in a Box (Disney & Khan Academy)

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COVID-19 & Federalism, Grading the Response, The WHO and China Apr 18, 2020

Show notes

Mike & Jay open the show with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of federalism in light of President Trump's claim of 'total authority' and his suggestion that Democratic governors were like mutinous sailors. Following that, they grade the preparation and response of both the administration and Congress to the pandemic. They close by talking about whether or not the WHO was too credulous or complicit in supporting China's erroneous early reports about COVID-19.

This Week's RecommendationsMike suggests you check out (and even comment on) The Reluctant Detective, his book in progress. He also recommends the TV show I'm Sorry.

Although Jay was driven from their dorm room on Mike's 'country music nights', he's found the Ken Burns documentary Country Music very enjoyable.

What You Love (and hate) About The Politics Guys Hosts (our Reddit BipartisanPolitics Group)

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Sanders Out, Wisconsin Votes, Trump Removes Michael Atkinson and Glenn Fine Apr 10, 2020

Show notes

Trey and Ken open the show discussing the suspension of Sanders' campaign. The pair talk about what it means for democratic socialism and the Democratic Party more widely. Trey sees this as the broader failure of ideologies of class and Ken sees it as the beginning of a potential turn for democratic socialism.

Next, in a bit of disagreement, Trey and Ken spar over the Supreme Court's ruling concerning the Wisconsin primary. While both agree that the fault primarily lies with the state, they disagree over what role the Supreme Court should have played. They also disagree with over the power states should have to conduct their elections without interference, even when there is partisan influence.

Finally, the pair close talking about the removal of Michael Atkinson and Glenn Fine. The two agree that the removals are wrong, but Trey specifically worries that it is the continued sign of congressional deference to Presidential power in times of crisis.

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