What A Day

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America's Last Days In Afghanistan with Rep Barbara Lee Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

After 20 years, the U.S. has pulled out the last of its troops from Afghanistan. We spoke with Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, who was the only member of Congress to vote against the authorization of use of force that led to U.S. troops being in Afghanistan, to discuss the latest developments.

And in headlines: officials are still assessing the damage of Hurricane Ida, a new Texas law bans abortions as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, the Dept. of Education is investigating five states with bans on mask mandates in schools, and two Michigan parents were ordered to pay nearly $45,000 after throwing away their son's massive pornography collection.

Show Notes:

WSJ: “U.S. Investigates Kabul Airstrike; 10 Afghan Civilians Died, Relatives Say” – https://on.wsj.com/3kF1mzr

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Labor And The Pandemic with Mary Kay Henry Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

A U.S. military drone blew up a vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday that was filled with explosives and was believed to be a threat to the international airport. This came after a suicide bombing outside of the airport last Thursday killed at least 170 civilians and 13 American military members, and ISIS-K claimed responsibility.

This past year has been defined by unionizing and organizing efforts across many industries, and the pandemic put a spotlight on worker conditions. Mary Kay Henry, the international president of the Service Employees International Union, joins us to discuss the current state of the American labor movement with Labor Day just ahead.

And in headlines: Hurricane Ida made landfall yesterday, U.S. military aircrafts began bringing aid into southern Haiti, a Virginia school board was ordered to pay $1.3 million in a transgender student's suit, and controversy surrounds the debut of Kanye West’s new album.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Welcome To The Recall California Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a recall election, which could result in getting replaced by a right-wing candidate even if he defeats them by a landslide in vote totals. We spoke with Dan Pfeiffer, a co-host of Pod Save America, about the state of the election, and what voters in California need to know.

The fallout from the shameful last act of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended to Time’s Up, the organization founded by some of Hollywood’s most powerful women with the aim of supporting victims of sexual harassment and assault. Now, former members of Time’s Up and some sexual abuse victims are criticizing the org, saying that it has strayed away from its mission and failed the women they were supposed to help.

And in headlines: two House members take a secret trip to Kabul, OnlyFans reverses its stance on sexually explicit content, and Tony Hawk wants us to buy his blood.

Show Notes:

Since our recording Wednesday night, The Washington Post reports that Time’s Up’s Tina Tchen and Roberta Kaplan had an even greater role in coordinating with Cuomo’s team as far back as December – https://wapo.st/3zou4uI
Dan Pfeiffer’s The Message Box: “Why Dems Have to Win the CA Recall” – https://bit.ly/3ygF780
U.S. Department of Treasury: “Emergency Rental Assistance Program” – https://bit.ly/3zn8Ddt

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Timeline For Evacuating Afghanistan Aug 25, 2021

Show notes

The first U.S. troops started leaving Afghanistan, yesterday, as President Biden decided not to extend the timeline for U.S. withdrawal past the original August 31st deadline. The Taliban said yesterday that they would no longer allow Afghans to evacuate, which is a major departure from their previous position.

Full vaccine approval for children younger than 12 might not come until the end of the year, according to some experts, but emergency use authorization could happen faster. We discuss what's holding up the process, plus the timeline for FDA approval of non-Pfizer vaccines.

And in headlines: the House passes the infrastructure bill and spending bill, violent beach cows in Corsica, and Lil Nas X's new job at Taco Bell.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Eyes On The Pfizer Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

The FDA granted full approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, making it the first vaccine in the country to move beyond the "emergency use authorization" that's been in place for months now. The announcement was followed by a slew of new vaccine mandates for educators, service members, and more.

Republican attacks on voting rights are continuing every day in Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia. We discuss the latest updates in the conservative push to make voting harder, and the racist history of laws that bar people who have been convicted of a felony from casting a ballot.

And in headlines: the Paralympic Games begin in Tokyo, the Cyber Ninjas are taken out in Arizona, and the latest on T. Rex's jaw.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Uncovering The Foes Of The Indian Child Welfare Act with Rebecca Nagle Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

In the new season of “This Land,” journalist Rebecca Nagle investigates who is attempting to take down a federal law that aims to keep Native American foster and adoptive children with Native American communities, and why.

Nagle joins WAD to explain how all is not what it seems in a court case where a white couple claims that they cannot adopt their foster child, who is of Navajo and Cherokee descent, because of that law.

And in headlines: California’s Prop 22 is ruled unconstitutional, powerful storms deluge Tennessee and the Northeast, and school districts face a bus driver shortage.

Show Notes:

“This Land: Season 2” – https://crooked.com/podcast-series/this-land/

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

You're Just Going To Have To Antitrust Us Aug 20, 2021

Show notes

On the same day Facebook announced the launch of “Horizon Workrooms,” a virtual reality app for remote work meetings, the Federal Trade Commission filed an updated antitrust suit against the company. The FTC argues that Facebook tried to maintain a monopoly in the social media sphere through acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, and lessened the ability of contending apps like Vine to compete. Previously, a federal judge said the FTC failed to prove its contention that Facebook holds a monopoly, but with new FTC chair Lina Khan heading the more detailed suit this time around, Facebook may be forced to break up.

House Democrats introduced HR 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which is expected to be taken up by Congress next week. HR 4 is less sweeping than HR 1, the For the People Act, but contains measures that reinstate oversight powers of the Voting Rights Act, and make it easier for courts and observers to block election law changes. Though HR 4 is more limited, only one Republican in the Senate, Lisa Murkowski, is likely to support it, which means Democrats need nine more Republicans to bypass the filibuster.

And in headlines: Taliban members go door-to-door to hunt U.S. allies, OnlyFans bans sexually explicit videos, and Sha’carri Richardson returns to the track.

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

The Trial of R. Kelly Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced that a vaccine booster plan can begin September 20, but only if the FDA determines that a third shot for those who got Pfizer and Moderna is deemed safe and effective. Federal health officials estimate that vaccine protection against COVID-19 decreases over time, but their effectiveness against severe disease, hospitalization and death remains high. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization criticized the plan, saying it was, “handing out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets.”

After decades of accusations and investigations, R. Kelly’s first trial started yesterday in Brooklyn’s federal court. He faces multiple charges including racketeering, kidnapping, forced labor, and eight counts of violating the Mann Act. Though he was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, the explosive “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary and the #MuteRKelly campaign brought about the current charges, which center around six women who say they were physically abused. This case is expected to last 6 to 8 weeks and, if convicted, legal experts say Kelly would be facing at least 15 years in prison.

And in headlines: protestors in Afghanistan oppose Taliban rule, a Texas school district finds a mask mandate loophole, and T-Mobile gets attacked by hackers.

Show Notes:

CDC: “Considerations for booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines” – https://bit.ly/3k3hdYA

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Hit Me with Your Third Shot Aug 18, 2021

Show notes

The Biden Administration is expected to announce as soon as today that boosters should be in order for most fully vaccinated people who got either the Pfizer or Moderna shots. The recommended third dose should come approximately eight months after the last shot. But those who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will have to wait on a possible booster shot until results from a study are released in a few weeks.

The Taliban has started to speak publicly about its plans for Afghanistan, and offered many reassurances that people who formerly assisted the U.S. and NATO, as well as women, will not be targeted. Those promises, however, have been met with skepticism by Afghan civilians as well as other countries.

And in headlines: the legal settlement over the opioid crisis hits a snag, Chris Cuomo finally opens up about his brother, and New Zealand locks down for a single COVID case.

Show Notes:

NYT: Malala, “I Fear for My Afghan Sisters” – https://nyti.ms/3k3pYBJ

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

What Haiti Needs Aug 17, 2021

Show notes

After Taliban fighters took control over Afghanistan this weekend, UN Secretary General António Guterres urged all countries to open their doors to Afghan refugees and refrain from deportations. Panicked civilians flooded the airport in Kabul on Monday, some even clinging to a departing U.S. plane, hoping to escape an uncertain future under Taliban rule. President Biden defended the U.S. withdrawal saying it was the right decision to avoid a third decade of war, and blamed Afghanistan’s military and political leaders.

On Saturday, Haiti was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, causing at least 1,400 deaths. The recovery effort is lagging, however, due to hospitals being overtaxed as well as Tropical Depression Grace, which made landfall in the island country on Monday night. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world due to its historical colonial oppression, and Prime Minister Ariel Henry was reportedly frustrated at the slow international response to their calls for aid.

And in headlines: the Colorado River faces a water shortage, Oklahoma tribes’ SCOTUS victory may be overturned, and Olivia Rodrigo’s merchandise isn’t so “good 4 u” after all.

Show Notes:

A List of Some Charities Helping Those in Afghanistan – https://twitter.com/crookedmedia/status/1427384439466692619?s=20

A List of Some Charities Helping Those in Haiti – https://bit.ly/3CTkDWl

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

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