Author: Michael Baranowski

Joe Zammit-Lucia on The New Political Capitalism

Kimberly Weir. Professor of International Relations at Northern Kentucky University,  talks with international management consultant Dr. Joe Zammit-Lucia  about his latest book, The New Political Capitalism: How Businesses and Societies Can Thrive in a Deeply Politicized World.
Topics Kimberly & Joe discuss include:
  • Why business and politics are inseparable
  • How the interaction between business and government is like football
  • Policy regulation and deregulation as public goods
  • Why living in Florida would be impossible without government subsidies
  • Why so many corporations give China a pass on its authoritarian policies
  • Why Harley Davidson workers voted to axe their own jobs
  • Tony Chocoloney and the problem of moving away from slave labor chocolate
  • The instability of the current tri-polar trade bloc system
  • The reality that ‘no brand can remain apolitical for too long’
  • Markets as essentially political constructs
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Post-Dobbs, WV v EPA, Biden v Texas, 1/6 Committee

Mike & Jay kick off the episode by discussing a bunch of topics related to the Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling of two weeks ago, including President Biden’s latest executive order, state constitutions and reproductive rights, Mike’s novel interpretation of the Takings Clause, Trey & Ken as proponents of a “living Constitution”, and a lot more.

Next, they turn to the Court’s decision in West Virginia v EPA, a case in which Jay wrote one of the amicus briefs before the Court. They end up agreeing that the Court got it right on the merits, but Mike thinks the dissenters were right that the case didn’t present a live controversy for the Court to hear in the first place.

After that it’s another Supreme Court case – Biden v. Texas, concerning the Biden administration’s attempt to end the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers. While both Jay and Mike have sympathy for Justice Alito’s dissent (at least in part), they believe that the Court got it right and that the Biden administration can legally end the Trump-era program.

Following that is Mike’s brief interview with Jenna Spinelle, the host of a great new podcast on citizen initiatives called When The People Decide, more general thoughts on the Supreme Court’s latest term, and a look at the latest work of the January 6th Committee.

When The People Decide

The McCourtney Institute for Democracy

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Jan 6 Update, School Prayer, Dobbs and Guns Part 2

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Trey & Ken record early this week and do something unique: they give additional insight into the cases of Dobbs and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association covered by Mike and Jay last week.

The duo start by discussing the Cassidy Hutchinson testimony. Ken thinks the likelihood of a Trump inditement has increased. Trey asks what could actually be demonstrated in court. Further the pair discuss the intersection of politics and law in a case such as this. The finish the topic by discussing the implications for Trump challengers to the Republican primary including Ron DeSantis and Mike Pence.

Next is a discussion on the major establishment vs. expression question at the heart of Kennedy v Bremerton School District. Trey is supportive of the bottom line outcome, although he doesn’t believe there was a need to overturn precedent to do it. Ken believes that it is just a particular outcome that was destined to win and that it was a violation of the establishment clause.

After that they close the show by moving on to something unusual: they examine what Mike & Jay had to say on abortion and guns in the Dobbs and New York cases. In Dobbs Trey agrees with the outcome, but disagrees with the reasoning. Specifically he, like Ken, agree that there are more rights than specifically outlined in the constitution. In this way they both disagree with Mike & Jay. On guns Trey believes a close reading of history shows a conflicted set of frames over the meaning of the 2nd Amendment, but that it included an individual right to bear arms. Ken gives no ground and thinks it is historically only connected to states.

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The End of Roe, Gun Rights, Funding Religious Education

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Mike & Jay start off this episode with the landmark Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. They have an in-depth discussion on all five of the opinions as well as what they see as the political implications of the ruling.

That’s followed by a discussion of a major ruling on gun rights in which Justice Thomas announces what Mike sees as a radical departure for the Court with disturbing implications. Along with this they talk about the bipartisan gun legislation recently approved by Congress.

They close the show by considering the Court’s ruling in an important religious freedom case.

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That’s Not Funny: Matt Sienkiewicz on Right-Wing Humor

Mike talks with Matt Sienkiewicz, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Boston College Communication Department. He’s the co-author, along with Nick Marx, of That’s Not Funny: How the Right Makes Comedy Work for Them.

Topics Mike & Matt Discuss Include:
– why most political comedy is left of center
– the main types of right of center comedy
– “punching up” vs “punching down” in comedy
– conservative humor challenging liberal pieties
– the biggest names in right wing comedy
– why right-wing comedy matters, even if you don’t think it’s funny

Right-Wing Comedy Links
The Political Orphanage. Andrew Heaton
Greg Gutfeld
Ryan Long
Michael Malice

Matt Sienkiewicz on Twitter

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Fed Rate Increase, Primaries and New Mexico, Trump’s Jan 6 Response, Senate Gun Bill, LGBTQI+ Executive Order

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Trey and Ken kick off the episode with a discussion of the Federal Reserve’s .75 percent rate increase. Ken doesn’t think it is deficit spending and is more related to war. Trey believes while war and COVID are contributing factors they are exasperated by current monetary policy. The pair also weigh in on the idea of greedflation.

Next the pair discuss the primaries in Main, North Dakota, Nevada and South Carolina. They also discuss the rule of law and the Couy Griffin in New Mexico not certifying the vote.

After that it is the most recent revelations concerning Pence with the January 6 Committee along with Trump’s twelve page response. Trey and Ken dive into both the questions of the modality of Trump’s response and the content. They also ask what the probable audience is for the hearings and response.

After that there is a brief update on the major issues facing gun compromise and Ken’s belief that Republican Senators, led by Mitch McConnell, are corrupt. Trey suggests that there are other readings of the impasse.

Finally Trey and Ken talk about Biden’s executive order on LGBTQI+ rights and what impact it is intended to have, and might pragmatically have, on states like Florida.

Trey’s Recommendation

The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Route

Ken’s Recommendation

Mountain Community Radio

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Will Moravits on Policing and Race in America

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Mike talks with Will Moravits, a former police officer who became a college professor, earning his Masters in Political Science from Texas State University and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. He’s the author of the recently published book The Blue Divide: Policing and Race in America.

Topics Mike & Will Discuss Include:
– Will’s unique perspective as a former cop / current academic
– effectiveness of police use of force training
– understanding how humans respond in high-stress situations
– myths and misconceptions surrounding police use of force
– what Will learned from studying multiple high-profile police shootings
– the case Will makes for a lack of racial bias in police shootings
– defunding the police
– President Biden’s Executive Order concerning federal law enforcement
– Will’s thoughts on how to improve policing

Will Moravits on Twitter

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1/6 Hearings, Kavanaugh Threat, Guns, Summit of the Americas, Formula Shortage, Gas Prices

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Mike & Jay kick off the show with a discussion of the first of a scheduled six hearings from the House January 6th Committee. They share their views on the value of the hearings, what if anything they learned, whether Fox News was right to not carry the hearings live, and more.

Then it’s a look at the man who came to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s home, armed & dangerous and intending to kill Kavanaugh. Mike and Jay consider this in light of larger protests following the leak of Justice Alito’s opinion draft that would overturn Roe v Wade, a decline in trust of government, and issues with judicial filibusters and the nomination process.

After that they return to the issue of guns, talking about Matthew McConaughey’s impassioned speech at the White House, recent legislation passed by the House to address mass shootings, as well as a Justice Department investigation into the Uvalde response.

Following that is a discussion of the Summit of the Americas, being held this year in Los Angeles. Mike & Jay agree that President Biden was right to not invite Latin American anti-democratic leaders, but they disagree about how best to address some of the key issues between the US and Latin American countries.

They close the show with discussions of the baby formula shortage and what it tells us about government as well as markets, as well as sky high gas prices and what, if anything, government can (or should) do about them.

Mike’s Recommendation
Don Winslow’s ‘Power of the Dog’ Trilogy: The Power of the Dog, The Cartel, The Border

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Howard Blum & The Spy Who Knew Too Much

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Ken breaks out his extensive Cold War spy knowledge in this conversation with journalist and New York Times best-selling author Howard Blum. They discuss his recently released book, The Spy Who Knew Too Much: An Ex-CIA Officer’s Quest Through a Legacy of Betrayal. Formerly a reporter for the The Village Voice and the New York Times, Blum is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. While at the Times, he was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting.

Topics Ken and Howard cover include:
– the uses of intelligence
– moles, traitors, spies
– big moles vs little moles
– the war within the CIA
– Angleton, Golitsyn, and the “Monster Plot”
– the suspicious “suicide” of CIA agent John Paisley
– human vs signal intelligence
– if human intelligence really matters
– spying in the US/ Russia / Ukraine conflict
– and lots more!

Howard Blum on Twitter

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Russia & Ukraine, SCOTUS & Social Media, Sussmann Acquittal, Guns, Heard-Depp, Katz Firing

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Mike & Jay open with a discussion of where we’re at 100 days after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. Jay is optimistic, and much more so than he was in the early days. Mike largely agrees but is concerned that the pro-Ukraine alliance is beginning to show signs of fraying and might not hold up in the long run, especially in tough economic times.

Next, they discuss the social media laws passed by Texas and Florida and the Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision to temporarily halt Texas’ law. Mike sees these laws as blatantly unconstitutional on multiple grounds, while Jay points out that some of the reasoning used in defense of the laws isn’t all that far-fetched.

After that they look at the acquittal of Democratic attorney Michael Sussman, who was indicted by Special Counsel Robert Durham for making false statements to the FBI. Mike thinks it was the right verdict, but also points out that there’s often a significant difference between wrongdoing and wrongdoing that can be successfully prosecuted. Jay agrees, though he tends to be less skeptical of Deep State narratives surrounding the Trump-Russia story than Mike is.

Then it’s more on guns in the wake of yet another mass shooting. This time, Mike attempts to better understand strongly pro-gun, anti-government people by making the best argument he can for more guns and fewer regulations. Jay responds by critiquing Mike’s argument with what he sees as the strongest pro-regulation points.

They wrap things up with stories that involve free speech, the #MeToo movement, and social justice: The Johnny-Depp / Amber Heard trial and the firing of tenured Princeton Professor Joshua Katz.

Jay’s Recommendation
Fear of a Setting Sun. Dennis Rasmussen

Two Songs Mike Would Use For His Campaign Theme
Everybody Knows. Leonard Cohen
American Idiot. Green Day

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