Ghosts Of Impeachments Past And Present

The Iowa caucuses took place on Monday night and more full results have finally started to come in. 100 percent of precincts have been reported, but most news outlets has yet to declare a winner. Bernie Sanders leads in vote totals and he and Pete Buttigieg differ by just .1 percent in Standard Delegate Equivalents. Following the recent string of deaths in Mississippi prisons, the Justice Department is now opening a civil rights probe into the state’s prison system. As the lawsuit goes on, inmates are living in an environment that’s proven be unsafe. And in headlines: Christina Koch makes space history, Trump’s very gracious acquittal speech, and the perils “free” tax filing.

7 Feb 202015min

Yesterday afternoon the Senate voted to acquit President Trump of two articles of impeachment. Senator Mitt Romney had his “Mitt savior” moment when he voted to convict, drawing the ire of Trump and GOP loyalists. A nationwide partial vape ban goes into effect today, as a result of an earlier decision by the Trump administration to go after e-flavored cigarettes. And in headlines: end of NYC broker fees, , No More Deaths gets permission to do good at the border, and Iowa results are still coming in.

6 Feb 202014min

We are on to day three of the never-ending PTA meeting also known as the Iowa caucus and as of yet there is still no declared winner and the state’s Democratic party has not released 100 percent of the vote totals. We do a post-mortem on the event and look ahead to New Hampshire. Today is the final day in the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump. We discuss the mental gymnastics Republican senators have gone through to admit Trump did wrong, but not wrong enough to convict. And in headlines: Amazon drones, outsourcing the American dream to Finland, and blowing up the Tesla bubble.

5 Feb 202017min

The Iowa caucuses were a joyous affair, filled with high hopes, hard work, and spirited neighborly debate. Attempts to report the results of the caucuses were an unmitigated disaster. We talk you through the multiple “victory” speeches, the arguments against letting Iowa kick off the primary season, and more.And in headlines: YouTube doesn’t want your deepfakes, at-risk fireflies, and Boris Johnson’s media kerfuffle. Plus, Hysteria's Erin Ryan fills in for Akilah!

4 Feb 202015min

Tonight is the night of the Iowa Caucuses, so if you haven’t been paying attention, here’s your opportunity to catch up. From a tasteful three-star hotel room in the heart of Des Moines, we discuss how caucusing works and where things stand among the 2020 candidates. Plus, we’re joined by Pod Save America’s lead Iowa enthusiast, Tommy Vietor, who lends a caucus veteran's perspective. And in headlines: sexism inside Victoria’s Secret, new nut drug, and the EU lights up the Lightning Cable.

3 Feb 202024min

The Trump administration unveiled a new Medicaid plan, which gives states the opportunity to convert part of the public insurance system into block grants. This so called “Healthy Adult Opportunity” could end up reducing health care benefits.Unless the 51 GOP senators get swapped for other, better senators, today is the day that the impeachment will either draw to a close, or get pretty close to it. It was kinda fun while it lasted. We discuss some of the lowlights from the past few days of the trial. And in headlines: life expectancy goes up, Virginia gun laws, Trump’s dead bird and explosion legacy. Plus, Hysteria’s Erin Ryan fills in for Akilah!

31 Jan 202023min

As of Wednesday night, there are more than 7,700 coronavirus cases in at least 20 countries, including 5 cases in the U.S. Still, it’s not time for you to freak out. We discuss how the media has historically reacted to would-be epidemics and why the CDC says the risk of a stateside coronavirus outbreak is low.The Guardian announced that it would no longer accept advertising from fossil fuel extractive companies, making them the first major news organization to do so. And in headlines: Dersh’s bad defense, Success Kid sues, and a spirit cruise in Santa Cruz.

30 Jan 202020min

President Trump’s impeachment defense has rested its case before the Senate. This after they only used 12 of 24 allotted hours to argue against the president’s removal, and after many experts pointed out that their defense of the president is extraordinarily weak-sauce. We discuss what's next and why we should continue to care.There was a special election in Texas on Tuesday, where Republican Gary Gates easily defeated Democrat Eliz Markowitz by a double-digit margin for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. We interview former congressman Beto O'Rourke to find out what Texas dems are fighting for.And in headlines: Trump’s “peace plan,” Delta discriminates, Chipotle’s teen problem. Plus, Hysteria's Erin Ryan fills in for Akilah!

29 Jan 202021min