The Systematic Vanishing of Competent Officials

In today's podcast - John remembers the artists we lost in 2023 and promotes his next Sexy Liberal Show at the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco on January 20th. He talks with Curt in Akron about Crosby Stills and Nash and does a tribute to his good friend David Crosby who we lost earlier this year. Then, he speaks with attorney Marie in Atlanta on Rudy Giuliani filing for bankruptcy. Next, John chats with Native American journalist Simon Moya-Smith who is a contributing writer at NBC News, and Julie Francella who is a Native American activist, artist, writer, and veteran mental health professional working with the First Nations University of Canada. Julie reports on the dubbing of "Star Wars: A New Hope" into her Ojibwe language and she is hoping to audition for the voice of Leia in the movie. They talk with Mitch at Kent State on indigenous artists and Simon explains the horrific true meaning of the word "squaw" and why we should stop using it. They discuss the story of a Kansas City School District dress code policy that led to the forced cutting of an 8-year-old Native American boy's hair. They also talk with Jeff in Oregon on the seven generation rule and Laura in California on the Wigwam Sequoia Tribe in San Pedro called the Improved Order of Red Men. And finally they express hopes for Leonard Peltier to get a new trial and be released from prison.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

23 Des 202351min

John lists off all the things to be grateful for in 2023. Then, he interviews freelance writer for Fast Company - Adam Bluestein on the success of diabetes/weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Rybelsus. Then, year end calls from listeners: Steve in L.A., Laurie in Florida, Dave in Pittsburg, Rachel in L.A., and Stephen in Kentucky.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22 Des 20231h 11min

The monologue discussion today is about the backlash and excuses over Trump's latest Nazi quotes and Hitlerian rhetoric saying immigrants are "poisoning the blood of our country". Then, he interviews award-winning investigative reporter Brian Karem on the Colorado Supreme Court Trump ruling and other Trump news. Next, John talks with Hugh in New Jersey about the Colorado ruling and he jokes with good friend - actor Frank Conniff from MST3K. They talk with callers about current news and pop culture. Then finally wrapping it up - it's "The Year According to TV’s Frank".See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

21 Des 20231h 19min

This time John discusses the major bombshell reporting of the Colorado Supreme Court finding that Trump did engage in an insurrection on January 6th and is therefore disqualified from running for office again. Then, he interviews award-winning investigative reporter and broadcast journalist Bob Hennelly. They talk about his new piece in the Village Voice called "Can a Union Revival Save America's Soul?" Next, Jay in North Carolina and Sean in California call in to chat about the stupidity of Mark Meadows. And finally, he plays some clips. First of President Biden at the funeral of Justice Sandra Day O'Conner, second a clip of Texas governor Greg Abbott on a new bill he just signed which allows police to arrest migrants who cross the border illegally, and third of White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Greg Abbott's new law. He takes calls from Dave in Pennsylvania and Beachside Bill in Orlando.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 Des 20231h 4min

John discusses a judge blocking the removal of a racist confederate statue at Arlington Cemetery. The elaborately designed monument offers a mythologized vision of the Confederacy, including highly sanitized depictions of slavery. He also talks about the right-wing outrage of Pope Francis declaring that priests can now offer blessings to same sex couples. Then, he speaks with Professor Corey Brettschneider about free speech vs hate speech at universities, public speech about the Israel-Hamas War, and the hate filled speech of Donald Trump. Next, he plays a clip of Trump threatening to dismantle colleges and universities for their liberal agendas. Mark in Wisconsin calls on the meaning behind "A Christmas Carol" and both parties extending good will towards men. Brian in Oregon calls in about the Pope's new declaration and abortion bans helping to get out the vote. And winding it up, Rhonda Hansome returns and they chat about a new law on the ballot in New York requiring police to wear a body cam and the stupidity of New York Mayor Eric Adams. They take calls from Stephen in Kentucky and Bill in New Jersey.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

19 Des 20231h 18min

This time John talks about Rudy Giuliani whose defamation trial has just wrapped up. Due to his lies about them cheating in the 2020 election; he was ordered by a jury to pay $148 million to 2 Georgia election workers - Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. Jim in New York calls to comment on Rude Rudy. Then, he welcomes back Allison Gill - host of The Daily Beans podcast. They discuss the Rudy Giuliani verdict, Trump's presidential immunity claim going to the SCOTUS, and the new reports that a binder of classified material on Russia collusion in the 2016 election went missing in the final days of the Trump presidency. Next, John jokes with Frank Conniff AKA TV's Frank from MST3K about Rudy's trial, the progression of America's abortion bans, and the leaked gay porn sex video which was filmed in a Senate hearing room. Lastly, they chat with Bill in New Jersey, Rachel in L.A., Lisa in New Mexico, and Laura in California.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

18 Des 20231h 14min

On this special weekend podcast, John interviews Andy Norman who directs the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University. He studies how ideologies short-circuit minds and corrupt moral understanding. Then he develops tools that help people think together in more fruitful ways. They discuss his new book: "Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think". Then, he speaks with Evgeny Afineevsky who is an Israeli-American film director, producer and cinematographer. In 2018, he received the Cinema for Peace Award for the most valuable documentary of the Year for his movie "Cries from Syria". They discuss the filming of his latest documentary "Freedom on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom". See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

16 Des 202355min

Today - the topic of discussion is a heartfelt and serious monologue about the politics of calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. With the growing calls for a ceasefire - Biden may have to take a stand or risk losing the election. Then he speaks with Garnett Henderson of ReWire Newsgroup about abortion bans and abortion laws in Idaho. She also talks about Idahoan Christian Nationalism, white supremacy, and the incident at Ruby Ridge. Next, he talks with Steven in New Mexico and Al in Los Angeles on the Israel - Hamas War. And finally, John talks with Katherine in Florida about going to Voter.ORG to make sure you are actually registered to vote. He plays a clip of Ted Cruz avoiding questions about Kate Cox, talks to Hack in Virginia about the complaints of the Christmas decorations and dancers in the White House, and chats with Tim in Chicago on non-Christian prayers in congress.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

15 Des 20231h 1min