The Systematic Vanishing of Competent Officials

John today delivers the grim details of the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine where 18 people were killed. He also talks about the staunchly conservative speaker of the House - Mike Johnson and his background which is steeped in advanced extremist views, particularly against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Then, he welcomes back Jessica Mason Pieklo of ReWire Newsgroup and host of the podcast "Boom! Lawyered". They talk about the abortion drug Mifepristone back in court and the anti-abortion Speaker of the House - Mike Johnson. Next, he has a round-table discussion with theologians Keith Giles, Dillon Cruz, and Desimber Rose Wattleton - who is author of the book "The Church Can Go To Hell". They speak on abortion, the Israel - Hamas War, and the toxicity of religious extremists. Then winding it up, it's The Minority Report with Thea Harper. She tells the story of Bettersten Wade. After searching for her missing son Dexter Wade for months in Mississippi, Jackson Police told her an off duty police officer had struck and killed him with his SUV. He wound up buried in an unmarked pauper's grave because no one claimed his remains.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

28 Loka 20231h 14min

John's monologue today discusses the House finally selecting a speaker after weeks of infighting - an election denier named Mike Johnson. Then, he chats with writer, actor, and podcast host Bob Cesca on the new speaker, the new Trump lawyers flipping in the Georgia RICO case, and the latest B.S. from Donald Trump. Next, he speaks with Allison Gill of The Daily Beans podcast. about new speaker Mike Johnson, the GOP's abortion stance helping Dems, the flipping lawyers in Georgia, Mark Meadows immunity deal, and the latest in gag orders and Trump trials. Also - Rudy Giuliani's legal troubles. And finally, he talks about the mass shooting in Maine and welcomes back Dr. Tracy Pearson to talk about speaker Mike Johnson. Zach in Tennessee calls to talk about gun violence and the mass shooting in Maine.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

26 Loka 20231h 24min

The monologue today discusses the many breaking news stories including - the continued disarray in the House choosing a speaker; Michael Cohen testifying in front of Trump in the hush money case in Manhattan; and the flipping of other Trump lawyers in the Georgia RICO case. Also, the new reports of former chief of staff Mark Meadows getting an immunity deal for his testimony. Then, he talks with Reverend Barry Lynn about the humanitarian violations in the Israel - Hamas War; Trump's continuing racist Muslim ban promises; and big pharma corruption with the new paxlovid coronavirus pills hitting the market soon at inflated prices. Next, the Rude Pundit AKA Lee Papa returns to chat about the news. They take a call from Steven in Kentucky on Trump's voter suppression. And lastly, John welcomes back writer, comedian, and podcast host Keith Price to speak about the cult of MAGA. They take calls from Petch from California on divisiveness - Paul in New Jersey on the widening of the war and Tim in Chicago on extremist religious factions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

25 Loka 20231h 17min

The monologue in today's podcast focuses on Republicans voting to select a new speaker of the House. John also talks about the latest developments in the Israel - Hamas War. Then. he interviews the professor of history at the University of Alabama - Joshua Rothman. They discuss his new book "The Ledger and the Chain" which is the shocking story of 3 slave traders who built the largest and most powerful slave-trading operation in American history. Next, he plays a clip of President Biden's announcement about the first phase of the new government Tech Hubs Program and he chats with attorney Marie in Atlanta on Rep. Austin Scott and Ken from West Virginia calls about the purposeful ignorance of right wing media. Then, wrapping it up, John welcomes back comedian Rhonda Hansome to talk about new plays on Broadway and current news. They take listener calls from Laura in L.A. on reparations, Sean in Cali on oppressed minorities, Brian in Oregon on solutions to end the war in Israel, and Charles in Miami on the power of the speakership.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

24 Loka 20231h 15min

Plenty of laughs for John as he finishes up his stint in L.A. He welcome 2 comedy panels to joke about the news. First - he talks with actor, host, and comedian Natalia Reagan and film director, producer, and comedian Graham Elwood. They discuss the House with no speakership and the Israel - Hamas War. And they take calls from Marsha in San Diego on the protests for Israel; Drew in California on the bombing of the hospital in Gaza; and Dave in Washington on the hypocrisy of the GOP. Then, Natalia Reagan gives up another rendition of Sh!T You Can't Say and the group takes calls from Mike in Atlanta on Austin Scott and Tim in Massachusetts on the U2 concert in Vegas. Next, John brings in another comedy panel: legal analyst/ consultant Dr. Tracy Pearson and actor/ comedian Richard Chassler. They chat about the Israel War and the war in the House plus take calls from Mike in Michigan on Patrick McHenry and Chris in Virginia on Biden's bravery by going to Israel. Then finally, he interviews California Congresswoman Sara Jacobs and they speak about her family in Israel; Trump's response to the war; and voting for speaker in the House.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23 Loka 20231h 23min

Still broadcasting from Los Angeles - today John talks about Trump getting fined 5K for violating his gag order in New York and the House dropping Jim Jordan as their nominee after yet another vote for speakership has failed. Then, he welcomes his Hollywood Panel for a roundhouse discussion about Trump and the GOP: stand-up comedian and host of "Minority Reportz" - Mona Shaikh; executive producer of the Stephanie Miller Show and co-host of the "From the Bunker" podcast - Jody Hamilton; and well-known for her pioneering legal work invalidating Trump’s illegal NDA in court and host of the "Lights On" podcast on the MeidasTouch YouTube channel - Jessica Denson. They take calls from Sean in California and Stephen in Kentucky. Next, the panel discusses the Israel - Hamas War and the international response. Then, winding it up, John plays another round of "The Unpopular Opinion Game" with the panel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Loka 20231h 10min

John's monologue today is a mixed bag: Jim Jordan has lost the vote again to become speaker of the House, President Biden has given an address to the nation asking congress to approve support for Israel and Ukraine, and Georgia RICO co-defendants Sidney "The Kraken" Powell and Ken "The Cheese" Chesebro have now pleaded guilty and will testify against Trump in the upcoming trial. Then, he welcomes back journalist Simon Moya-Smith and activist Julie Francella. They talk about the new film “Killers of the Flower Moon”, the Israel-Hamas War, and the mainstream representation of Native Peoples. Next, John speaks with attorney Marie in Atlanta on the recent plea agreements in the Georgia RICO case. And finally, John chats with comedian Hal Sparks on the House without a speakership, the Trump scandals, and their appearance in L.A. at The Stephanie Miller Sexy Liberal Comedy Show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Loka 20231h 12min

Broadcasting from Los Angeles once again, the topic of discussion today is President Biden's trip to Tel Aviv to show support for Israel and offer financial aid to the Palestinian people in the Israel - Hamas War. John also ponders the confusion over who bombed the Ali-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. Then, he chats with podcast host Bob Cesca on the failure of the House to choose a speaker, the SCOTUS siding with Biden over ghost gun sales, and Donald Trump's latest gag order. Next, he welcomes back comedians Renee Percy and Felicia Michaels. They talk about having kids, the war in Israel, and the difficulties of being a female comedian. Then, they take a call from Toby in California on the optics of our involvement in the Israel - Hamas War and Brian in Oregon on the victims in Gaza and Ukraine. And closing it up, John plays "The Unpopular Opinion Game." with the ladies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Loka 20231h 22min