Author: Michael Baranowski

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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 Recommendations
The books of P.G. Wodehouse
Insight Timer (meditation app)  Android | iPhone

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation
Calm (meditation app)

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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 Recommendations
The Reluctant Detective (Mike’s book in progress)
NYPD Blue
UPS Dogs (Facebook)

Jay’s Weekly Recommendation
The Good Place

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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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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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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 Recommendation
Open Psychometrics ‘Which Character Are You?’ Quiz
The Reluctant Detective (Mike’s P.I. book in progress)

Kristin’s Weekly Recommendation
Imagineering in a Box (Disney & Khan Academy)

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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 Recommendations
Mike 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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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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This week, Mike and Kristin talk about all things COVID-19. The bigger issues involve President Trump’s extended stay-at-home guidelines, the cultural impact of social distancing and stay-at-home orders, and some encouraging statistics. They also discuss the reality of economic issues we face, jobless numbers, the SBA loan program rolled out this week, states haggling over resources, and changing information about wearing face masks to reduce the virus spread.

This Week’s Recommendations
Mike suggests you check out (and even comment on) The Reluctant Detective, his book in progress. He also recommends the Hulu show Puppy Prep and the rationally optimistic blog post, “No, You Didn’t Just Lose Half of your Retirement Savings.”

Kristin recommends Erik Larson’s Dead Wake, about the Lusitania disaster during WWI and the events and tension leading up to it – and after.  She also recommends the documentary Antarctica: A Year on Ice, a cool take on what it’s like to live and work in the isolated environment of Antarctica.

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Mike, Jay, and Trey open the show with a discussion of the federal government’s economic response to the coronavirus pandemic – both the $2 trillion legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump as well as the Federal Reserve’s multi-trillion dollar promise to do whatever it takes to keep the economy functioning.

After that, they discuss President Trump’s recent invocation of the Defense Production Act, focusing on how it may help areas most affected by coronavirus. Then they debate whether it’s too soon to restart the economy, if President Trump is being irresponsible and ignoring his public health experts, and the often agonizing tradeoffs that have to be made in crises.

Recommendations
Mike suggests you check out (and comment on)  The Reluctant Detective, his book in progress. He also recommends the shows Derry Girls and Brockmire.

Jay recommends Neil Gaiman’s novel American Gods as well as this documentary on jazz great Miles Davis.

Trey’s recommendation is the book Davinci in Love.

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