The Nicole Sandler Show: Recent Episodes
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Nicole Sandler's daily fix of the latest news and fascinating guests with a healthy dose of snark and humor.
I try to follow what’s happening closely, but there’s only so much my mind and psyche can handle. I’m quite fortunate to have Marcy Wheeler as a friend who joins me every Friday to recap much of what happened in the week just ending. At least much of what we need to know. (We’d need...
My friend Lisa Graves served in the Justice Dept under Attorneys General Janet Reno and John Ashcroft in both the Clinton and GWBush administrations. She’s been chief counsel for nominations under then Senate Judiciary Chair Patrick Leahy, and her CV has many more examples of her legal bona fides. These days, Lisa is Executive Director...
I frequently exclaim that we’re living in ‘Opposite World’. It’s a place filled with gaslighting where things are pretty much the exact opposite of what we’re being told. D’ump and his cult followers, while screaming that WE were stealing the election are actually the ones who’ve been stealing OUR votes. Remember the newish warning: Every...
It’s been a long time since my 8th grade civics class. I did learn a lot from Mr. Patton back then, but I haven’t brushed up on much of what I learned then since. But we’re being told a lot of stuff about our government, and the newly empowered administration is doing a lot of...
Our list of things inevitable is growing. It’s no longer just death and taxes. To that we know that Monday will always arrive and with it more fucking news. So we get it out of the way… Each Monday I’m joined by Jonathan Larsen who actually compiles the news every fucking day at thefuckingnews.substack.com –...
Although it feels like a decade, we’ve reached the end of the third workweek of the D’ump 2.0 administration and it is the shit show we anticipated. But the Democrats in the House and Senate finally seem to get getting the hang of fighting back and protecting our democracy.Each Friday, I’m joined by one of...
Well, now the senate Democrats are getting the hang of it. Instead of just granting unanimous consent to end debate, allowing the Republicans to to ram through D’ump’s horrendous cabinet nominees, it seems that they’re finally getting in the fight. The debate began yesterday morning at 10:30am ET. They went all night long and are...
There’s a lot going on today. We do have a guest in the second half hour of the show. Catherine Coleman Flowers is one of the leading environmental activists of our time. Her new book, HOLY GROUND: ON ACTIVISM, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND FINDING HOPE, is just released. And the timing couldn’t be better because we...
Well, technically, she’s there, in Canada, and back on the show for today. GottaLaff (known to many as Laffy) is an old friend who used to do a weekly segment with me on this show for many years. She began working to move from Southern California to Canada when the orange menace was in office...
The coup is in full swing and we’re not going to take it. I just had to say that right off the bat. D’ump went golfing this weekend, but on days 12 & 13 of this unconstitutional regime, his minions were hard at work… especially Elon Musk, WHO NOBODY CAST A SINGLE VOTE FOR. He...
Well, we made it to the end of the year. Or just about, anyway. Since I’ve been sick I’ve decided to do something I don’t usually do which is take off and rest over the holidays. I’ve put together a great couple of weeks of shows to get us through January 3, and hope to...
We last got together for a live show one week ago today. When Kelly Carlin was on with me, my voice started getting really gravelly and I felt progressively worse as the hour wore on. By Wednesday night I felt like crap and by Thursday night, my breathing was so labored that I feared it...
I adore Kelly Carlin. She is an amazing woman who has lived a fascinating life filled with unique challenges and experiences and uses it all to help others on our journeys. Yes. She is the only child of the legendary comedian and voice of a generation, George Carlin. She’s got a Masters in Jungian psychology,...
Rachel Bitecofer does have that “Dr” title, and we could all use some healing right now. The best doctors are those who give you the information, the tools and the strategies to heal, so that’s what we’re talking about today. Bitecofer, author of the book HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS gave us the tools, strategies...
Like death and taxes, Mondays are inevitable. As so many of us have tuned out of the nonstop news coverage, we’re happy to fill you on what’s happening in the world as we start the new week with Jonathan Larsen of TheFuckingNews.substack.com. Why? The news goes down easier with a bit of snark. Today, a...
We’re back. Marcy Wheeler again joins us from her home in Ireland for our end-of-the-week look back on what went down over the past few days. As usual, lots of shit thrown against the wall where, inevitably, some of it sticks. Today we talk about what’s left of the D’ump indictments and prosecutions (not much),...
I’ve been hosting this show exclusively online since January 21, 2010. Prior to that, we were on Air America Radio weeknights. But on that day, Air America went dark… coincidentally, that was the day that the Supreme Court handed down its democracy-killing decision in Citizens United, basically equating money with speech and upending one of...
If you’re a regular listener of the show then you’re familiar with today’s guest, Lisa Graves. In addition to being one of my favorite people, she’s also one of the most brilliant. She’s currently Director of TrueNorthResearch.org. but appears on this show in her personal capacity offering facts and opinions based on her unimpeachable experience...
I feel that I owe you more of an explanation.As you well know by now, I’ve been having a rough time for the past couple of months, but because I’ve been such a wreck, I haven’t been able to give you the details about how and why I got to such a dark place.It’s been...
Another week, a new month. I’m still not quite right, but I’m back today. It’s Monday, so Jonathan Larsen also returns from thefuckingnews.substack.com. Thankfully he can fill us in on what’s been going on since I, along with millions of Americans, have tried to tune out as much of the news as possible. He joins...
Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net joins Nicole Sandler every Friday for a spirited and no-holds-barred discussion about our world and what happened in it throughout the week. Today, it’s Jack Smith’s brief explaining to the court why the former guy’s actions on and around January 6 do not fall under the heading of “official presidential business”...
It’s Thursday and Howie Klein of Down With Tyranny is back with us this week. We have lots to talk about from the Veep debate and just how creepy JD Vance is… and we’ll get a status update on how the Blue America PAC endorsed candidates are faring.Plus a farewell to another friend. Getting old...
Last night we saw the first and only Vice Presidential debate of the season, and probably the last one for either VP or POTUS this time around.I’ll share some clips and take your calls if you have a burning question or comment… (Thom Hartmann was scheduled on today’s show, but less than an hour before...
Hopefully the gremlins have been eradicated and we’re firing on all cylinders today… Governor, Coach and our next VP Tim Walz is in the spotlight today as tonight, he’ll face JD Vance (or whatever he’s calling himself today) in their only debate tonight. Trump is showing us how deranged, disoriented and demented he is every...
My long housing hell nightmare is almost over! I’m back live today and boy do I have a story to share with you! I’ll fill you in on why I was out all last week and why I’m doing so much better today. Then, as it’s Monday, we’ll visit with Jonathan Larsen, proprietor of TheFuckingNews.substack.com...
I’ve been off the air all week due to the housing hell we’re in. Long story short — the place we had lined up to move into on Monday was yanked out from under us Saturday evening for no reason (I’ll share all when this is over), so we’ve been frantically looking all week. We...
One more piece of business before the weekend officially begins… our weekly get-together with Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net during which we discuss much of what happened during the week. As usual, there was no shortage of insanity to talk about.
It’s Thursday, so time to get together with Howie Klein of DownwithTyranny.com and the Blue America PAC… And North Carolina has a Mark Robinson problem.
Yes, we’re talking aliens today.. the extra-terrestrial sort, (non human intelligence in Pentagon-speak) and they’re not eating our pets either, or so it seems. There’s news today… from the Fed cutting interest rates by 1/2 point, Teamsters won’t make a presidential endorsement (!WTAF?), Republicans again said NO IVF for you, Sarah Huckabooboo tries to shame...
Today is National Voter Registration Day, so I’ll help you remember to check your registration! Actor and all-around talented guy Jason Kravits joins in to talk about his Schoolhouse Rock-inspired video about Project 2025 (and more), and we’ll get a primer on how to stop voter harassment and intimidation at the polls from the people...
Every Monday we check in with Jonathan Larsen who tells us what’s happening in our world at thefuckingnews.substack.com. Here at the Nicole Sandler Show, we use language like that, but apparently some are squeamish about expletives, so Jonathan is launching a second substack newsletter. He’ll fill us in on that today, along with more important...
Every Friday I get to hang out with Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net, discussing much of what happened during the week. Of course, this was the week we saw the brilliance of VP Kamala Harris as she destroyed TFG in what just might be their only debate of this race. But it gave us “they’re eating...
Howie Klein is here today. In addition to the debate and the strange political bedfellows that have emerged in this election cycle, we’ll also discuss the disconnect that finds tens of millions of Americans still supporting and voting for the convicted felon, adjudicated rapist, known conman and pathological liar (I could go on, but you...
Talk about a complete 180. Donald Trump was decimated in last night’s debate with VP Kamala Harris. Today, I’ll share some of the highs and the lows of what might be the only the time these two debate ahead of the 2024 presidential elections… We call it 100% for Harris (Trump is toast!)
As we prepare for tonight’s debate between the Vice President and the former guy, we’ll chat with director Dan Partland. Dan returns to the show four years after his first appearance here. The occasion is the release of the latest film he directed, UNTRUTH: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TRUMPISM. The first time he was here, the...
Both the Democratic and Republican conventions are in the rear view mirror, and we made it through Labor Day, so we’re now officially in the home stretch of the 2024 presidential election cycle. In two months and two days Nov 5 arrives, whether or not we’re ready. Today, we’ll take a look at some of...
We wrap up each week with Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net and a review of all that happened that week. Today it’s Jack Smith’s superseding indictment (predicted by Marcy last week), plus the big boring CNN interview, the Arlington Cemetery photo op debacle, RFk Jr & Tusli Gabbard and lots more…
For the past dozen or so years, I’ve had a weekly conversation with my old friend Howie Klein who blogs at DownWithTyranny.com and runs the Blue America PAC, identifying and supporting progressive candidates up and down the ballot all over the country. Howie returns today and brings with him a young candidate running for the...
I’ve been looking forward to this interview for a long time. In fact, Steve Benen was scheduled on this show two weeks ago, the day MINISTRY OF TRUTH: DEMOCRACY, REALITY, AND THE REPUBLICANS’ WAR ON THE RECENT PAST was published, but I got sick and had to reschedule. I promise you, it was worth the...
Today is a catch up day, of sorts. We’ll talk about the latest news – there’s never a lack of crazy stuff to discuss while TFG is trying to remain relevant. Just before we hit the air, a breaking news alert came in– Jack Smith filed a superseding indictment in the J6 Obstruction case against...
I’m finally feeling almost normal after an awful infection that led me to two separate Emergency Room visits in one week. So today, it’s back to the grind.Somehow, the fact that today is Monday is not quite as awful as the last few hundred (or so it seems) Mondays have been… So, we’ll chat about...
Well, that was a convention for the history books! I apologize for the lack of an Emptywheel Friday show last week. I got really sick from a UTI that spawned an e Coli infection, something you do not ever want. Thankfully I was doing well enough this week to be able to share some highlights...
I can’t remember ever smiling so much while watching a political convention. I predict the top three names for baby girls born this year will be Hope, Joy and Kamala!! Night 3 of the party of the decade featured some real surprises: Stevie Wonder delivering heartfelt words and a rousing “Higher Ground.” Sheila E was...
If I had to chose a week to be sick this would have been the one. That’s because as lousy as I feel, watching the festivities out of Chicago for the DNC is making me feel so much better. Although the first night was a difficult act to follow, the Harris/Walz team did just that....
Talk about good medicine! As you may know, I’ve been pretty sick for the past week or so. But the best medicine possible came last night in the form of Night 1 of the 2024 Democratic National Convention!It just kept getting better as the night went on, and I cried tears of joy as President...
I spent the weekend resting and recuperating, slowly regaining my strength and planning to be back on the air today. But E Coli seems to have other plans. I am feeling much better, but far from normal (even for me, which is also far from normal).So it’s lucky for me that the Democratic Convention gets...
I’m sorry I’ve been MIA all week, but I’ve been really sick. I’ll give a brief update today, but I’m still not well enough to come back. And it pains me (sorry for the pun) to say there’s no Emptywheel Friday episode today. I really had hoped to feel good enough enough to do the...
What a weekend this was! On Friday, I was at the Glendale AZ Kamala Harris/Tim Walz record-breaking rally. On Saturday night, I saw the Pretenders in concert (Chrissie Hynde is still amazing!), and I spent Sunday sick in bed… But today is Monday and there’s lots of fucking news to get to, so the show...
We made it to the end of another eventful week. The best news of the week is that Kamala Harris named her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz! He almost seems too good to be true! So, Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net and I discuss our VP nominee, the so-called press conference Trump held yesterday at...
It’s Thursday, so Howie Klein is here from Down with Tyranny and the Blue America PAC. Today, one of the congressional candidates they’ve endorsed — Eric Wilson from Wisconsin! First, some of the news of the day, including that spectacle the former guy called a press conference, and VP/ soon to be POTUS Kamala Harris...
We witnessed history yesterday, and it streamed live right here. As our regular hour together was just finishing up yesterday, VP Kamala Harris and MN Gov Tim Walz took the stage at a massive rally in Philadelphia PA in their new roles as Democratic nominee for President introducing for the first time her running mate....
t’s a big day.. VP Kamala Harris announced her running mate this morning: Gov Tim Walz of Minnesota The two will appear at their first rally together in Philadelphia this afternoon during our live show. They’re expected to speak at around 5:30ET (2:30 AZ time). So I’ll keep an eye on the feed and pick...
Yes, a lot of fucking news for a fucking Monday, and that’s not even all of it. As we do on Mondays, I’ll chat with Jonathan Larsen of thefuckingnews.substack.com about much of what I don’t get to in the first half hour of the show on my own!
Every Friday, Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net joins Nicole Sandler to recap and discuss the week’s news. Today, that includes the $10 million transfer from Egypt to Donald Trump in 2017, the huge prisoner swap that President Biden was negotiating while sick with Covid and the media was declaring him too old to do his job,...
He’s been gone for a few weeks, but Howie Klein is back today. A few things happened while he was out… we’ll catch up on the political sea change that took place over the past three weeks, and then some…
She’s been our Vice President for almost four years now, but do we really know Kamala Harris? Joan Walsh first interviewed her for a 2003 San Francisco magazine profile when Ms. Harris was running for district attorney. She sat down with most recently just a few weeks ago, for a cover story profile of the...
I’ll admit it. I don’t know much about ancient history. I read The Iliad and The Odyssey, but most other historical literature from the ancient world is like Greek to me…. And although I excelled in Advanced World History in high school, that was a very long time ago and sadly, I’ve forgotten most of...
Another Monday has arrived and the outlook is much rosier than in recent weeks. Needless to say, there’s lots to discuss. And it’s Monday, so Jonathan Larsen of The Fucking News (thefuckingnews.substack.com) joins in for the second half hour of the show. We’ll venture into the world of the weird, which we acknowledge that there...
Another week that feels like a decade gone by since our last Friday get-together. There’s no shortage of news to discuss today as Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net and I try to recount what all happened. Of course, it was this week that President Joe Biden stepped away from his re-election campaign and passed the torch to VP Kamala Harris....
The blurb I posted on the live video stream today read I watched two speeches from Washington DC yesterday. One that shouldn’t have happened, and one that should (though the way we got there is troublesome). One brought out the best of America; the other, the worst. We’ll discuss both of them today and more...
My first existential question is whether we, as a nation, are too broken. Our politics are broken. Our ‘news’ media is broken. Our ability to talk with one another is broken. Believe it or not, I’m not as depressed as I was yesterday (or the past few weeks), but that changes too… Journalist, columnist, author,...
I took a rare day off yesterday as I was in no shape to do a show. Emotions are running too high due to a combination of things beyond my control. I should probably take off another day or four, but there’s too much at stake to sit on the sidelines. But I also realized...
I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted. Thank Dog it’s Friday so we can stick a fork in this week. But another one is coming right behind this one with plenty more shit to be stirred. At least have this hour each week to get together with Marcy Wheeler, independent journalist at emptywheel.net, to...
Trying to remember despair is not an option. It seems that sanity is failing all around us, but I’m trying to stay positive and believe that good will win out over evil. Evil has been on display all week, from a rally in PA to a convention hall in Milwaukee. The Democratic circular firing squad...
Political Scientist, Election Strategist and author of the must-read book, Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at their Own Game, Rachel Bitecofer returns to the show today to tell Democrats how to win. All we need to do is listen to her and do what she suggests! Take notes.....
The Republicans always go back to the teleprompter. They claim that Joe Biden can’t speak without one, but won’t admit that they use them too. And when they fail? They got nothing. Seriously. The first day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee was replete with Teleprompter troubles. We’ll share a few laughs at their...
The shitshow that is the 2024 presidential election season is rolling right off a cliff. I had planned on playing President Biden’s speech delivered Friday at a high-energy back on track rally in Detroit. And then Saturday happened. I’m trying very hard to stay positive, to veer away from conspiracy theories and to present only...
It’s Friday, time for our weekly get-together with Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net for a discussion of the week’s news and ongoing media malpractice. Today, we discuss President Biden’s solo press conference last night at the end of the NATO 75th anniversary summit, and the mainstream media’s apparent missive to hand the election over to the...
The Democratic circular firing squad continues and TFG keeps proving HE’S the one with mental issues we should be truly concerned about. I talk about Opposite World all the time. We’re stuck there.Today we’re joined by Heather “Digby” Parton – one of the smartest and most sensible people I know who you should be reading...
We saw huge election wins for liberals over the far right in France and the UK in the last week. We can and should do it here as well, but we have to pay attention to what they did in Europe and learn from their actions. Today, we’ll reach across the pond to an old...
We’ve been inundated with journalistic malpractice as much of the corporate media has led the charge to destroy President Biden’s candidacy. I’ve certainly criticized the NY Times, Wall St Journal, Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC and more than a few pundits who are attempting to lead the masses down a disastrous road. Today, I’m going to...
We’re now into the second week of the corporate media and self-important donors working to derail our democracy. Today it’s you and me speaking truth, debunking the lies, pushing back against the idiocy that threatens to destroy us. And yes, the Project 2025 threat is real. We have covered Project 2025 quite a bit on...
Another week comes to a close so it’s time for our weekly discussion with Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net about what happened. It was this week that SCOTUS ended what’s left of our democracy, basically giving Trump everything he asked for and more in terms of “absolute immunity,” Oh, and in case you hadn’t heard, Joe...
Tomorrow is the day we set aside to celebrate America’s independence from the monarchy. Thanks to the Extreme Court’s ruling announced yesterday, it might be our last one.I could think of no better guest for this wake than my old friend – comedian, actor, broadcaster John Fugelsang.It’s been too long since we’ve spoken. But I’ve...
Lisa Graves has graciously agreed to join us again today to help us wade through this ultimate travesty of justice by the high court that is no longer “supreme”. Extreme is more fitting.Lisa Graves has unimpeachable legal bona-fides. Among other positions during her career, she served under two US Attorneys General — Janet Reno during...
The six Extreme Court injustices completed their task from the Federalist Society to kill our democracy. And no, that’s not hyperbole. The month of July begins with such a travesty to close out the court’s session.I spent most of the first half-hour reading from Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s dissents. PLEASE read...
It’s time for our weekly get-together info download with Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net. And it’s another week ending with out disbelief over what’s happening in our corner of the world…. After last night’s debate and this morning’s group of SCOTUS rulings, I can’t help but envy Marcy’s living in Ireland. Today, we try to make...
What a day! The Extreme Supremes this morning handed down four more decisions out of the dozen or so still tba… and then signaled that they will not get it all done by the official end of the term tomorrow. There will be at least one more decision day in July. We’ll know more about...
With the Extreme Court allegedly poised to hand down the final decisions for this term over the next two days, we’re joined again by the Nicole Sandler Show’s unofficial legal expert Lisa Graves. I had hoped that this morning’s announcements would include more than the two they trickled out… and in a sense it did....
Yesterday, the HEALTH CARE un-covered Newsletter arrived in my inbox, sporting the headline “Fifteen Years Ago Today I Became a Whistleblower”. It was from Wendell Potter who remains a hero to all of us in the US, whether you know it or not. I was fortunate to first interview Wendell on Air America Radio in...
After a rebound infection with COVID over the weekend (I’m not kidding), I’m almost feeling human today. The icing on the cake was a negative test this morning! Yippee!! So I’m back, trying to catch up on all that happened while I was delirious. One thing that did happen was TFG rambling like the demented...
Marcy Wheeler is on holiday and I’m still on the mend from a nasty case of Covid, but we managed a fascinating hour of conversation about everything from Hunter Biden’s trials to Aileen Cannon’s and the Supreme Court’s assaults on democracy and lots in between. Read Marcy at emptywheel.net, and hear her at the end...
I’m back today, hopefully my voice will hold up for the hour.I’m no longer testing positive for Covid, so I’ve got that going for me. Any my brain isn’t as foggy as its been, so there’s that too… But much news has transpired in the week and a half I’ve been gone, and I can’t...
I’m slowly emerging from the Covid fog, but still have a way to go before I’m feeling fine. So today, I’ll test the waters with a short live segment. Then I’ll fill the rest of the hour with the conversation I had with Heather Cox Richardson upon the release of her book, DEMOCRACY AWAKENING: NOTES...
I’m still out sick with Covid, but we couldn’t let today go by without hearing from Marcy Wheeler! So with an assist from Spocko and LOLGOP aka Jason Statler, the show goes on. Hunter Biden was found guilty on all three of the gun charges this week, an FBI agent and others involved have gotten...
Apologies for my absence yesterday. Husband somehow contracted Covid (first time in our home) and we spent the better part of the day at the Emergency Room. I’m doing my best to keep the virus at bay, but that hasn’t stopped me from feeling lousy. Thankfully the tests keep reading negative! Good thing that today’s...
The amazing Marcy Wheeler, who keeps us informed about the news we need to know at emptywheel.net joins us every Friday to talk about what happened that week. As she does today. I must apologize to Marcy and everyone watching this. I started a new medication last night to deal with my RLS, and it...
Whoo boy, another crazy busy day in our world… Somehow it’s fitting that today marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. And since I took the day off yesterday, there’s so much to cover before Howie Klein joins in at the bottom of the hour, today joined by Conor O’Callaghan, who’s running for Congress in AZ...
Americans have very short memories. For some unfathomable reason, there are millions of people with their heads in the sand who just don’t (or won’t) remember how bad things were under TFG. The years the orange one was in office were some of the darkest of my long life. Even after we voted him out,...
You know the old adage, ‘Sticks & stones my break my bones but words can never hurt me.’ As I often say, the scientific term for that is “bullshit.” Words can and do immense damage. And as today’s guest Annalee Newitz explains in her new book (out today) STORIES ARE WEAPONS: PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE AND THE...
Like death and taxes, there’s no stopping Mondays. They come every week whether we want them or not. But there’s a silver lining… we get The Fucking News every Monday from Jonathan Larsen who writes the fucking news every fucking day… Then again, there are some weeks when there’s good fucking news, like Trump being...
The verdicts are in! Donald J Trump found guilty on all 34 counts, but you already knew that. However, today is Friday, so Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net is here. We discuss the verdicts, the hypocrisy and worse from the right, the fact that they’re out for revenge, and that Hunter Biden’s gun charges trial gets...
Literally ten minutes before hitting the air, the word came down that the jury had reached a verdict in the first criminal trial of the former guy. Needless to say, everything I had planned for today’s show was thrown out the window…. but Howie Klein still joined me to help celebrate the news that our...
ur favorite legal expert Lisa Graves returns to the show to bring some clarity to the surreal legal news we’ve been dealing with the the past few weeks. First, there’s the Trump trial – the one of four criminal cases that he should be standing trial for. Closing arguments were delivered yesterday; the judge gave...
The title of today’s episode is taken from a line in a commencement address delivered this weekend by filmmaker/historian Ken Burns to the graduating class at Brandeis University. I heard enough plaudits about it to seek it out, and I must agree. In fact, so much that I’m going to share the final 8 1/2...
We made it through another eventful week in the most insane decade of my life, and I’m old. We celebrate Fridays because the weekend is here, but not before we recap some of the news made during the week that’s ending. It seems that each week these days is more outlandish than the one before,...
It’s Thursday (or as I prefer, Friday Eve) has arrived. That means a visit with Howie Klein of Down With Tyranny to talk politics. One subject that shouldn’t fall under the category of “politics” is “The Supreme Court.” But norms are dead, and we’re now living in opposite world. So all bets are off…. —...
I’ve been doing my best to have guests on this program who can explain the threats we are facing from fascism by way of Trump and his MAGAt sycophants. We’ve exposed “Project 2025” and urge you to learn as much as possible about what they are planning should they retake power. It really is urgent...
We’ve covered Project 2025 before, and we’ll continue sounding the alarm until and after TFG is defeated and this MAGAt brand of Republicans are extinct. They are that dangerous, and that’s not hyperbole, it’s fact. They will, if given the opportunity, destroy democracy. Today, I’m joined by a NY Times best-selling author, Andra Watkins.. She...
Mondays are always difficult, especially after an epic weekend.. But here we are. There’s lots of news to discuss– the latest on TFG’s trial, possibly entering the homestretch, Alito must recuse (or be impeached…. and Clarence Thomas too!), the ICC is calling for the arrest of Hamas’ leaders plus Netanyahu and Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav...
Every Friday I’m joined by the brilliant Marcy Wheeler from emptywheel.net to recap most of the important news of the week…. Today we talk the Trump trial and the show of Republican members of Congress skipping out on their jobs to do Dear Leader’s bidding at a NYC courthouse, some even making implicit terror threats...
Today’s Thursday, so we have a standing date with Howie Klein of DownWithTyranny.com and the Blue America PAC. He usually joins us at around the :30 minute mark. He’s out at an appointment today, but we should still be able to get him on the phone for a conversation…. But if something prevents that from...
President Joe Biden owned TFG this morning when he issued his challenge for not just one, but TWO debates to happen in June and September. Surprisingly, TFG agreed…BUT then, true to form, he lied about a THIRD debate, hosted by Fox (NOT) News, saying he accepted that one too. But, true to form, he made...
She is the OG of the progressive blogosphere. Heather Parton, known to her readers as Digby, began blogging at her Hullabaloo blog (now at digbysblog.net) back around the turn of the century. Truly…. And here we are today — not only in Opposite World, but also in the Surreal World. We’ll talk about Trump on...
It’s hard to believe we’re almost half way through May already. I guess time flies whether we’re having fun or not! I’m in website hell and in desperate need of a vacation… but I’m not there yet. So instead, it’ll be a show at showtime as usual (5ET/2PT). I’ll try to bring you up to...
Finding it difficult to keep up with all the news of the week? Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net joins me every Friday for a sort of debriefing of what we need to know happened that week. Today, we talking Stormy Daniels testifying, Trump getting just what he wants from Aileen Cannon and a Georgia appeals court,...
Stormy Daniels returned to the stand today for more grilling from the orange one’s lawyer whose name is pronounced necklace (spelled Necheles) who basically seemed to rehabilitate Daniels today, however unintentionally. According to reports, Stormy was much more composed, in control and funnier today. I’ll share some tidbits before we move on… It’s Thursday, so...
Sorry, no sex (unless you count the encounter between Stormy Daniels & TFG “sex”… it isn’t/wasn’t… it’s just yuck), but lots of rock and roll and yes, politics, on today’s show. It’s a Wednesday worthy of another edition of THE MAL-LADIES a couple of women talking about all that ails us (and we may venture...
Stormy Daniels spent the day on the stand in NYC at TFG’s trial. We’ll discuss some of the highlights (or lows, depending on your point of view), But we’ll begin today on a different subject — the future of Social Security and Medicare. A breaking news alert crossed my desk yesterday proclaiming that Social Security...
Mondays are always difficult by definition, so we try to make them a bit more palatable by kicking off each fucking week with The Fucking News, as written and delivered by Jonathan Larsen who does his reporting for us daily at thefuckingnews.substack.com. Lots to discuss today from the possible ceasefire between Israel & Hamas, TFG...
Every Friday, Marcy Wheeler joins us from emptywheel.net to talk about some of the news she covered in the previous week. Today, a little Trump trial stuff mixed in with a whole lot about Bill Barr and his role in framing Joe Biden and, of course, Hunter Biden. And more… — Send in a voice...
It’s Thursday, so TFG is back in the courtroom, snoring and farting while a jury listens, Democrats are one vote closer to a House majority, protests escalate, and Time magazine published a massive story about what TFG plans to do if he becomes the current guy again… and Howie Klein is here from Down with...
We’ve had non-stop guests and lots of news recently, so I thought we’d take the day to catch up and talk. Phone lines are open for you to weigh in on anything we’ve been talking about… from the Extreme Supreme Court, Trump Trials, College protests, Israel-Hamas, or anything else on your mind. — Send in...
If you’ve listened to my show, you know that I often refer to myself as an “atheist Jew”. My Judaism comes by way of heritage, family, generational stories and history. I have real disdain for organized religion of every stripe, and have often commented about how virtually every war ever fought had its basis somewhere...
Ahh we joke, but that’s how the news gets digested better. Every Monday, I’m joined by Jonathan Larsen who writes at TheFuckingNews.substack.com. Mondays are difficult enough, so I figure it’s best to ease back into the new week with a bit of humor injected into the normal awfulness of it all. Today we’ll have some...
Each Friday, Marcy Wheeler takes a break from writing at emptywheel.net to join me for a conversation about what happened that week. This week was insane, and ended at the Supreme Extreme Court. That hearing consumed much of today’s show, with a few minutes at the end dealing with Trump’s current criminal trial, underway in...
It’s a Thursday, so we have a date with Howie Klein of Down with Tyranny & the Blue America PAC. It’s not like there’s a shortage of things to discuss… in fact, too much news for a one-hour show. There was the SCOTUS hearing this morning on Trump’s ridiculous concept of absolute immunity (but there...
I’m always honored when Lisa Graves joins me to lend her legal expertise to the discussion about the trials and tribulations of TFG and, of course, the machinations of the once Supreme, now Extreme, Court. Lisa has the bona fides… she served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Policy Development/Legal Policy at...
Today was only the second day of Trump’s first criminal trial and I honestly don’t think he’ll survive this one, let alone three more! But I guess we’ll eventually find out. With no cameras allowed in the courtroom, the media is left to its own creativity to bring the action to the public. Some outlets...
Welcome to a new week. As expected the first criminal trial of Donald Trump is now underway in a NYC courtroom. Both sides delivered their opening statements and the first witness began giving his testimony. The prosecution started strong with David Pecker as the first on the stand. Notwithstanding his quite appropriate name, the former...
Welcome to a new week. As expected the first criminal trial of Donald Trump is now underway in a NYC courtroom. Both sides delivered their opening statements and the first witness began giving his testimony. The prosecution started strong with David Pecker as the first on the stand. Notwithstanding his quite appropriate name, the former...
Each Friday, we get to spend an hour with Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net for a conversation about much of what happened that week. This week was pretty remarkable in that Donald Trump is finally on trial for some of his crimes. By the time we finished recording this morning, the entire jury and six alternates...
Another Thursday has arrived, which means we have two things going for us today: 1. Howie Klein is here and 2. Tomorrow’s Friday so the weekend is near. This has been a crazy week at a moment in history that promises to be among the craziest, certainly in our lifetimes! The number of jurors seated...
The first criminal trial of Donald Trump to convene is on recess today (no Wednesday sessions, per the judge), but it was a busy Tuesday as seven jurors were seated. Five more plus six alternates are expected by the end of the week, with opening arguments as soon as Monday. So today’s circus was in...
Have you ever thought about running for office? Now would probably be a good time to do so. Republicans have effectively taken over state legislatures, city councils and school boards, doing great damage to our institutions along the way. And their embrace of a dictatorial conman as their presumptive presidential nominee is a mortal threat...
It’s April 15. Have you done your taxes yet? Remember when TFG was in office and he told us we’d be filling out our taxes on a postcard? Yeah, not so much. But he’s in a Manhattan courtroom today as his first criminal trial begins… And of course, Jonathan Larsen is here with the fucking...
I am honored that the independent national security journalist Marcy Wheeler, whose original reporting you can find at emptywheel.net, joins me on my show every Friday for an hour-long discussion of the news that matters and, for the most part, hasn’t been reported accurately or with enough urgency elsewhere. Today, in addition to preparing for...
Howie Klein has been doing a weekly segment on my show for more than a dozen years now. He and I first met some 30+ years ago on Los Angeles where I was doing (really great) music radio and he was President of Reprise Records. When Howie exited the music biz, he turned his energies...
I’m new to Arizona. We moved here from Florida for a number of reasons, chief among them was the fact that AZ was trending bluer while FL has become Fascist Central. Well, yesterday Arizona’s Supreme Court reinstated a law that was in effect until 1973 when Roe v Wade came into effect and legalized a...
Another busy day in today’s strange new world. We begin today with breaking news from my adopted state of Arizona where we moved from Floriduh because AZ was a bit less fascist… Well, today the AZ Supreme Extreme Court upheld an 1864 near total ban on abortions. The only exception is to save the life...
Well, so far no rapture but we did see the eclipse here in Arizona! It’s another Monday so we start the f$^king week with more f$^king news from Jonathan Larsen at thefuckingnews.substack.com because someone’s got to do it! — Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nicolesandler/message
Marcy Wheeler is back at emptywheel.net after her vacation, with a broken foot no less, in time for one last episode together before I leave for our road trip move to Arizona. Today, we talk about a lot of the shit that hit the fan while Marcy was on vacation in another information-filled show.
It's one of those Tuesdays when GottaLaff joins in. Frankly, I'm so consumed with packing and producing shows for the few weeks we'll be in transit that I'm not sure which end is up any more! But Laffy's here today, we'll get on some kind of a roll, and will likely slide into another episode of the Mal-Ladies at some point...
We're in the home stretch. The PODS container will be delivered on Friday and we hope to be on the road out of Floriduh by Monday or Tuesday. So this is my final week of shows from this studio. Glutton for punishment that I am, I should have signed off on Friday and given myself this week to finish packing and purging. But no. I had to try to do as much here as possible before leaving, as I'll be off the air for a few weeks already. Next time kick me. Anyway, big news broke yesterday courtesy of Heidi Przybyla at Politico. Of course, I'd normally turn to our all things law expert Lisa Graves, but she was just on with me on Friday and I hate to be greedy! But there she was on my TV last night, explaining what we need to know about this stunning case. So I'll share that.
There aren't too many people in Florida I feel I must bid a special farewell. But there is one without whom I wouldn't be doing this show or this work today! Jim DeFede is a South Florida news legend. He's been reporting on FL politics since 1991, making a name for himself at the Miami New Times, then the Miami Herald. We met in 2005 or so when I was hired to produce his new morning show on then-progressive talk 940 WINZ in Miami. My hiring was Jim's decision, an act that charted a course for my career over the past 15 years or so! Jim will join us during the second half hour of today's show.
The official legal authority of the Nicole Sandler Show, Lisa Graves returns today to tell what what we need to know about a bunch of stories that all happened this week, beginning with today's release of the Fulton County, GA Special Grand Jury report that recommended indicting upwards of 35 or so, many more than the 19 who were named in the official indictment released last month. Among them, Sen Lindsey Graham, then-Sen Kelly Loffler and then-Senate candidate David Purdue, and GA's sitting Lt. Governor, among other names both familiar and not. We'll also talk with Lisa about Fani WIllis' brutal letter to Gym Jordan about interfering with a state judicial matter, Peter Navarro's conviction yesterday on two counts of contempt of Congress for ignoring a subpoena, Elon Musk's apparent treasonous act in aiding and abetting Russia's war against Ukraine(!), Sen Tuberfield's one man crippling of the US Military, and whatever else we can fit in to the time we have together. Thank Dog the weekend is here....
It's Thursdays, so Howie Klein of Down With Tyranny and the Blue America PAC is here to talk politics, candidates and usually music too. Of course I must ask him his thoughts on the new Rolling Stones song and video that premiered yesterday to very mixed reviews. I'm among the negatives, in case you were wondering! I'll be sure to ask about some of the Blue America PAC endorsed candidates for the 2024 elections, and find out about the award he's being presented this weekend along with Sens John Fetterman and Bob Casey.
We're in the final stretch. I'll probably have a week or two more of new shows from here before I pack up my studio as the last room in the house before we move away. Leaving the formerly free, now fascist state of Florida for Arizona which is far from perfect, but they voted against the fascists!To join me in explaining the myriad of reasons we're outta here, I'm joined today by my old friend and fellow radio refugee Boca Brit Somers, and Florida state Representative Robin Bartleman. Thankfully some good reasonable people are staying behind to fight the good fight. But I'm getting the hell outta here....
Heather "Digby" Parton joins me on the show today as summer is unofficially over. Congress returns to work, though in this world that's not necessarily a good thing... Here we go!
Howie writes constantly at DownWithTyranny.com. Most of his posts are politically-oriented though, like me, he often veers off course into the music world. For good reason! When I first met Howie Klein some 30 years ago, he was President of Reprise Records, so it's in his blood.I never know what I'll see when I log on to DTW, and today didn't disappoint.The first thing I saw today was a post from Howie headlined, "Tim Scott And George Santos Are Both Gay Republicans— But VERY Different Gay Republicans". Whoo boy, it's going to be one of those days!!
In terms of news, well, proud boy Joe Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for seditious conspiracy. We'll have to wait until next week for Enrique Tarrio's sentencing. They do say good things are worth waiting for, I guess...
Will Bunch regularly writes columns for the Philadelphia Inquirer that you should read. But he knocked one out of the park this week with the one headlined, "Journalism fails miserably at explaining what is really happening to America".
Will joins me at the bottom of the hour for a much needed dialog. But first, some good news to share, along with some not-so-good news too and an important milestone in my life. Welcome to Wednesday... at least we're halfway to the weekend now!
This was a pretty momentous week which came to a climax lat night as the former guy went down to Georgia where he was officially booked, fingerprinted, mug-shotted, and released on $200,000 bond. It was a first in US history, but the fourth arrest for the embattled, twice-impeached, former guy who now has 91 felony counts officially charged in four separate indictments. It's a lot to keep all the facts straight, which is why I'm so lucky to be able to call on Marcy Wheeler to help us understand what's happening. Marcy is an independent journalist specializing in national and foreign affairs, writing at emptywheel.net. As I do with this show, she operates without a paywall, trusting that those who value her work and can afford to support it will do so. Marcy has been a fairly frequent guest on this show for about a dozen years or so already, and she just agreed to come on for a regularly weekly segment. With all the action coming up over the next months and years, we have lots to discuss. So we start today with Trump surrendering at the Fulton County Jail last night. In true Trumpian form, he tweeted out his mug shot with the caption "Never Surrender". He had just surrendered. Welcome to opposite world.
We watched it so you didn't have to. Yes, I suffered through the entire two hours last night, though it wasn't easy. I was ready to bolt before the first question was even asked, for good reason. I'll explain and share some of the moments that had me almost throw my phone through the TV screen! Then we'll get Howie Klein on the line. I really didn't expect him to watch the spectacle, but I guess it's like that train wreck you can't turn away from. But I was watching his feed on Xitter pronounced Shitter and he was all over it. So we'll certainly talk about the shit show that it was. And of course, tonight's the night TFG surrenders to the Fulton County jail, gets mug-shotted and finger printed and whatever other indignities happen to people who break numerous laws. Bring on the mug shot!! PS Well, I couldn't get hold of Howie. My calls went to voicemail (once I got the phone to work). He said he could hear me but I couldn't hear him. I have no idea what happened other than the fact that Mercury went retrograde again yesterday! Of course it did....
Big news... tonight is the first primary debate of the 2024 presidential season.
There's also that Russian plane crash (the murder of Putin's #1 foe!) and Donny Jr and his sidekick being banned from the Fox Noise spin room... but we'll save those stories and the others bubbling under for the actual show.
Our guest today is journalist Brian Karem. Yes, he is an actual journalist (we must point these things out nowadays), one of a seemingly dying breed. We'll talk about that too. Check out his podcast, Just Ask the Question and read his book, Free the Press!
Plus we're back live on progressive voices today... and a major good news announcement about the show!
It's a crazy Monday and all bets are off. Well, they're on if you're betting on what Trump's weight will be when he presents himself to the Fulton County Jail sometime this week to be formally fingerprinted, mug-shotted and, yes, weighed before going behind bars then before the judge to be arraigned before being released on bail. Seriously, all that will happen one day this week... a week that will also see the other Republicans vying for the nomination to run against Joe Biden in Nov 2024.... As if the Gods were trying to send a message, a hurricane -- named HILARY - hit Southern California and while So Cal was still getting lashed by what had become Tropical Storm Hilary, they got slammed by an actual earthquake! No shit! So today, it's all of that and whatever else you'd like to talk about. I want to talk about Section 3 of the 14th Amendment that bars Trump from ever seeking or taking office again. We all need to get on the same page eventually, right??
It's finally Friday! If you can remember all the way back to Monday (I know, it feels like it was a long time ago), you'll recall we were delighted by two women with a bullhorn and a beat, serenading Ron DeeSantis with a catchy little ditty that goes "Pudding Fingers, pudding fingers, go back to Florida pudding fingers"... Well, we now know who they are -- Heather Ryan and her niece Kara Ryan. They've made their activism an official PAC, now called Bitches Get Stuff Done! You can join them at bitchesgetstuffdone.org. And they'll join us at the top of the hour! Then, of course we know there's no real climate change... But a Category 4 hurricane -- named Hillary, no less -- is headed straight for Southern California. Brad Friedman and Desi Doyen are bugging out... so we'll try to reach them on the road to find out wtf is going on!
It's Thursday. Weekly for the past dozen years or so, Howie Klein has stepped away from the desk at downwithtyranny.com to join me on the air for an hour to talk politics... and usually music too! Today, lots of politics to discuss from Trump indictment #4 to those conspicuously absent from any of the indictments (ie Lindsey Graham, Ginni Thomas, and the Trump spawn, just to name a few), to the implosion of the Florida man's campaign and more...
Now that we know the extent of the charges pending against the former guy, it was time to call on Marcy 'Emptywheel' Wheeler to fill in the blanks and answer my myriad of questions. As usual, she's got the answers. Get here on time, as we start right at the top and take it all the way to the end of the hour. You might want to bring along a paper and pen to keep score!
Well, now we know that imminent can mean eventually! Fani Willis said charges against the former guy were imminent way back in January. But last night, right around 8pm ET, the Grand Jury filed back into the Fulton County courtroom and handed the judge the indictment-- a whopping 98 pages, 41 counts and, in addition to Cheeto Musselini, 18 other defendants and 30 un-indicted co-conspirators. As today is that other Tuesday, GottaLaff is here. And we're joined by the go-to legal expert of the Nicole Sandler Show, Lisa Graves, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General under both Janet Reno and John Ashcroft in the Clinton and W Bush administrations, now founder and director of True North Research. Now that's an indictment panel I'd listen to!
So much for the dog days of summer... It's mid August. Congress is on recess and much of the nation is on vacation. Some are in Iowa... well, the 2024 presidential hopefuls are, including Floriduh Man Ron DeSantis who doesn't appear to be having much fun. But if you've listened to this program over the past four years, you would have been expecting something like this. Steve Bousquet, Opinion Editor of the South Florida Sun Sentinel had a devastating column in the Sunday paper about the would be dictator from FloriDUH. He'll join me for a discussion about the DeSantis DeLusion... (He never showed up, but I did read the column... Oh well, live radio...)
But first, Georgia is on our minds as we await word from Fulton County that new indictments (the fourth for anyone counting) for the former guy have been handed down. We were expecting it to happen on Thursday, but someone got an itchy posting finger, as the Fulton County court website, for a very brief moment today, posted a lengthy list of charges against Twitler, before they hastily took it down.
August is supposed to be the slow news month, and Fridays in August non-eventful. But nothing is normal these days. Lots of news broke today, most of it dealing with the myriad of legal cases brewing in and around Washington DC. Thankfully Lisa Graves is here today to help us dissect it all. Lisa's got the bona fides too... She's worked for the Senate Judiciary Committee and in the DOJ! She was Deputy Assistant Attorney General in both the Clinton and W Bush administrations, and these days exposes the bad guys as she heads up True North Research. Today, I get to pick her brain about the the three indictments already filed for TFG and the one likely coming out of Fulton County, GA next week. And yes, today's breaking news from the first hearing in the Trump Jan 6 case, a special counsel for Hunter Biden, and WTF is up with the Supreme, er, Extreme Court Injustices, especially the schnorrer Clarence Thomas.
It's a Thursday so Howie Klein is here. The challenge today will be in deciding what to talk about, as DownWithTyranny.com is filled with lots of fodder. Howie's posts in the last week deal with everything from how horrible today's Republican party is to how horrible today's Democratic party is (though for entirely different reasons and on different scales of awfulness).. And it wouldn't be a day ending in "y" without dumping on Floriduh, the state that re-elected DeSantis (now the rest of the country understands what I've been screaming about for the last 4 years) and can't come up with a decent challenger to Rick Scott, whose Senate seat is up for grabs. And there's more... just listen.
We'll begin today with good news. Ohio voted! Hell yeah! We'll follow with bad news (too much to summarize here, but I promise to keep it short) Ugly news - anything having to do with TFG. Trump sweat. Need I say more? And Dan Navarro too! Dan is a dear old friend, a talented singer/songwriter and voice actor and more who sits on the board of SAG-AFTRA. He was out on the picket lines at WB in Burbank on Sunday, and will give us an update as today marks the 100th day of the Writers Guild strike.
An added bonus... I ended the show with a recording of Lowen & Navarro performing their song "We Belong" (that was a massive hit for Pat Benatar). The performance was Dec 10, 1999, on the air with me in Los Angeles at KACD/KBCD Channel 103.1. I figured I'd share the whole appearance with you, because we can! Enjoy!
Today in Atlanta, GA, the roads surrounding the Fulton County Courthouse were closed in anticipation of the next indictment coming for the former guy. That'll be #4. And that's on top of his already being found liable for rape and defamation of E. Jean Carroll. But the case is still ongoing, as his big mouth after the verdict got him hit with another defamation suit. Too bad for him, his counter-suit was just dismissed by the judge... Plus there's a trial date set for March in a NYC courtroom for Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's case against the Trump Organization for fraud. And then there are three indictments under which Trump is released pending trials in the (1) Hush money case, (2) Classified documents case and the newest one (3) January 6 case.
It's really hard to keep track of all of it without a scorecard. Thankfully, we've got Marcy Wheeler who keeps all of it in order at emptywheel.net and here today!
Nicole Sandler
I know I don't need to tell the regular listeners of this program, but Donald Trump is bad for our national mental health. First, there are the lies and the gaslighting! The gaslighting is the worst, as it's meant to make the people being gaslit think they're the crazy ones. It doesn't even matter that we know the truth... the fact that there are millions of Americans who support Trump - after everything we know about who he is and what he's done- is enough to send someone otherwise sane into a tailspin. Today, after hearing so many people still deny reality, I thought we'd delve into some of the specifics in Trump's indictment - the new one that deals with his actions surrounding January 6, 2021. I recorded it so you don't have to read it. Today, I'll share some excerpts. But since the content is so triggering, I'm going to intersperse some cuts from my latest Ketamine therapy session. I figured we could all use a bit of mental health care when dealing with Trump's crimes, and this should provide a bit of comic relief as well...
It's Friday! But even those two smile-inducing words just don't do it for a lot of people who are suffering from depression and its related disorders including anxiety and stress. Some of us have been battling at least one of those conditions for decades *including me. I was fascinated from the moment I heard that scientists were looking toward psychedelics to treat PTSD and some other mental health issues, and have kept an eye out for updates. Well, it's now 2023(!), and it's a lot more commonplace than most people realize. I'm one of those with TRD (treatment resistant depression), the prerequisite to be eligible for Spravado, the first FDA approved 'psychedelic' prescription to treat depression. I gave it a shot, and have been sharing the experience with my listeners.
Today, I'm joined by Matt Lahn, the COO of Neuro Wellness Centers of America, the clinic where I've been getting my treatments, here in Coral Springs FL. Eventhough they're based in Coral Springs, Matt and Shelly are plugged into the mental health community and can help you find a good treatment center wherever you are. And Matt generously gave out his phone number should you have any questions about any of this. You can reach him directly at 954-709-1599.
Great strides have been made in mental health treatment over the past few decades. And I know from experience that I'm part of a very large portion of the population who tries to put on a brave face each day while masking our inner blues. Plus every time I approach the subject of depression on the show, I get a lot of response.
I read it (out loud and recorded it) so you don't have to.
You may not have the time to read the 48-page indictment of Donald J Trump for his hole in the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol, but you need to know what's in it. So I read it for you.
Please try to get every American to understand what happened, and what Donald Trump did. Share!!
As we approach air time, Donald Trump is headed to the courthouse in DC where he will be arraigned today, responding to the indictment released on Tuesday, charging Trump with four counts related to the events around Jan 6, 2021. Today, we'll recap the arraignment, listen to some passages from the recording of the indictment, and open the phones for your reaction to all that's happened this week.
We spent yesterday's show waiting for the official word on the third indictment for the former guy. Of course, Jack Smith ambled up to the microphones about a minute after I signed off. That's ok... we were all preoccupied with reading the 45-pages detailing the charges against the wanna-be dictator. Today's guest wasn't booked to specifically talk about this story, but Jason Leopold certainly has a FOIA in the fight... Dubbed by some in the government the "FOIA Terrorist," I prefer FOIA Master or even better FOIA King. Jason's current employer Bloomberg News released a beautiful video about Jason's work a couple of weeks ago, reminding me that it had been too long since he's joined us... so he's here today...
We waited most of the day Thursday, not so patiently, for the next shoe to drop. We were expecting a new indictment (or set thereof) from Jack Smith's investigation of the former guy -- this one for his actions (and inaction) on and around January 6.
But sometime during the afternoon we were told no new indictments for you today. We figured we'd have to wait until Tuesday at the earliest for that other show, as the DC Grand Jury only meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But then a boot hit us from an unexpected direction.
What Jack Smith's office did release was a superseding indictment in the stolen documents case and a newly indicted third co-conspirator!
So though it wasn't what I thought we'd be discussing when I booked MARCY WHEELER for today's show... but as usual, there was a lot flying for us to corral and Marcy to explain...
So strap in and get ready for another info overload from Marcy Wheeler of emptywheel.net .
Last week we took a deep dive into the world of TV and Movies with three of the SAG-AFTRA Executive Committee and Negotiating Committee members. Today we turn to the Radio and Record industries, where I spent the better part of my career.
The average person knows that radio has changed... they likely listen less than they used to and noticed that radio has gotten more generic over the years. They also know that the record industry has evolved. From buying vinyl records to CDs to downloads, and does anyone buy full albums any more? And how are artists getting paid (the answer is very little!).
I started in radio in college in 1979 and lived through a major paradigm shift, hitting the fulcrum after passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (thanks for nothing Bill Clinton!).
Today, I welcome Joel Denver to the show. He's the President/ Publisher/Founder and Owner of AllAccess.com, one of the last remaining trade publications serving the radio and record industry. Unfortunately, All Access will cease operations on August 15, marking the end of an era.
Joel will explain what prompted the end and join me in a look back at all that has changed.
And we were joined midway by Tommy Nast, former GM of the now-defunct Album Network, another trade magazine that I actually worked for!
It's Thursday so Howie Klein is here. I don't believe he ever worked with Sinead O'Connor, but I did see his tweet yesterday after the news broke that she had died. I'll ask him if he has any stories... and then, yes, we will talk politics. And I wonder why the Republicans and right wing media is all over Joe Biden's age, when he is undeniably in better shape - both physically and mentally -- than the former guy who wants to go back to the White House. And shall we talk about Mitch McConnell and Dianne Feinstein? When is enough enough already?
ARGUING FOR A BETTER WORLD
That got my attention!
It's the title of a new book by philosopher, author and professor of ethics at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School Arianne Shahvisi. Her book offers philosophical ammunition to counter your magat neighbors and relatives, something I figured we could all benefit from. Arianne joins in at the bottom of the hour. Today turned out to be a busy news day despite any action from the DC Grand Jury on that probably third criminal indictment for TFG. (There's always tomorrow...) But lots happened.... Hunter Biden's plea deal dead, the Fed really wants to send us into recession raising interest rates another 1/4 of a point, Mitch McConnell has the moment that Fox tells us Biden has every day and, at a UAP (UFO) hearing in the House we hear that the government has the remains of "non-human" beings from a crash site. And, we learned yesterday via a new study published in the journal Nature Communications that the Atlantic Ocean's sensitive circulation system is on the verge of collapse, meaning dramatic consequences for the entire planet. Plus Amon Bundy (remember him?) loses... Spocko will call in with the details.
As regular listeners of this show know, I started undergoing Ketamine therapy to treat depression. I promised I'd keep you all posted on the progress as well as the experience. Today I'm going to share my most recent session. I run an audio recorded as I rarely remember much if anything from each treatment afterwards. This one was wild!
We'll also have a visit from my husband, David Sloane. He spent his whole career as an agent representing Major League Baseball players. We finally got him to sit down and create a podcast! So today, we'll introduce the "Follow the Moneyball" Podcast. (You can subscribe there or simply listen right from the site)
And we'll begin with the latest news (as of this writing, still no word on a grand jury vote or third indictment for the former guy, but we are expecting it any minute now....)
Of course, I'm paraphrasing the old threat. The next line would be "what a shame if something should happen to it..." And that's where we are today.
Perfect timing to have Thom Hartmann on the show to talk about his new book, THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY: REDISCOVERING HUMANITY'S ANCIENT WAY OF LIVING, the latest in his Hidden History series. Today, not only are we on the precipice of losing our democracy - as fragile and tenuous as it is , but Israel today is dangling over the edge, as Netanyahu is poised to turn that country into a theocracy run by conservative/ orthodox Jews who appear to be just fine with doing to the Palestinians what the Germans did to their ancestors. But I digress... Tom joins in at the bottom of the hour. In the first half, an update on what's happening in the world... maybe a Ketamine therapy update and a review of Michael Franti's uplifting concert Saturday night...
Last minute change of plans! My scheduled guest who was to talk about what happened to the radio and record industry had to reschedule. Usually that'd freak me out, but not today. When he called to cancel, I was in the middle of taping an interview with Michael Franti, the founder and leader of Michael Franti & Spearhead, and I've been a fan since their first album was released in 1994! He's in town for a show tomorrow night at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater, so we have a treat for you today. And we could use some feel-good energy right about now, which is exactly what Michael Franti brings...
Howie Klein is here today, as he is every Thursday. Last week we spent our entire time together talking music, so today I promise at least some news and politics. After all, where else can you get talk about RFK Jr's descent into another world and Marge Traitor Greene showing dic pics in an official House hearing? Oh there's more, and we'll get to a lot of it
It's time for labor in America to stand up for workers rights! The Writer's Guild (WGA) went out on May 2, and SAG/AFTRA voted to strike this past weekend. Most people really don't know the things they're striking about, but should. So that's our mission today, to explain and understand. To get us there, I called on David Jolliffe, an old friend who happens to be on the National Board/Executive committee as well as on the negotiating committee. (You may remember Dave as Bernie on the 70s TV show ROOM 222). He's bringing along some fellow committee members Frances Fisher and Sean Astin. We'll get out all the facts and grievances and, I promise, have some fun too.
You can read the SAG-AFTRA proposals and the AMPTP counters hereand read more at the official strike website at sagaftrastrike.org.
Sometimes things happen for a reason. Digby was scheduled to be here on Friday, but due to technical problems beyond my control (Grrr Microsoft update), I opted to take the day off. Well, Digby is here today, and I'm kind of glad I blew her off on Friday because we have so much more to talk about today! We learned this morning that on Sunday evening, the former guy received a target letter from Jack Smith informing Trump that he was a target of the Jan 6 investigation. Boom! Interesting timing, as this comes as the New York Times published a stunning story about Trump and the Republican party's plans to go all in on a unitary executive (think dictatorship along the lines of Orban, Erdogan and Putin) should they take back the White House in 2024.
Greg Mitchell is a filmmaker, author, journalist and more who seems equally interested in the history of the Atomic Bomb and music. It's one of the reasons I'm a fan and enjoy talking with him. He's written a number of books and produced at least one film about the bomb. His book, THE BEGINNING OR THE END: HOW HOLLYWOOD -- AND AMERICA -- LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB is garnering attention again due to the highly anticipated (and equally hyped) release of Christopher Nolan's new film, OPPENHEIMER this week. Greg is one of the few who's seen a screening of OPPENHEIMER. He returns to the show today to talk about the man, the movie, the monstrosity and more. And you know I won't let the interview end without taking a brief musical detour with one of the original writers at CRAWDADDY magazine, the first US music magazine back in the late 60s/early 70s.
It's Friday Eve... Howie Klein is here. We talk politics, as he runs the Blue America PAC and writes a lot at DownWithTyranny.com. But we also often talk music. Before Howie went into progressive politics full-time, he was in the music industry. I met him probably close to 30 years ago when I was doing music radio in Los Angeles and Howie was president of Reprise Records! When politics gets too toxic we have somewhere else to go! Today, I'll tell you about what I didn't have time for yesterday, and that's the secret about credit cards and usurious interest rates they're charging. I did some research and I'll tell you which cards to use, if you must... Also, it appears that the actors are the next group to go on strike and join the WGA. I reached out to an old friend yesterday who happens to be on the Executive Board of SAG/AFTRA. You might remember David Jolliffe (if you're an old fart like me) from when he played Bernie on the early 70s show ROOM 222. He'll join us one day next week to fill us in on the behind-the-scenes stuff. But I'll share some of our back and forth with you today.
Welcome to Wednesday. Once we get past the news that inflation is down, the economy is buzzing, yet another interest hike is on the way and I challenge you to look at the rates you're paying on credit cards, we'll turn our attention to the animals. I am an animal lover. You may know I spent every weekend for over a year leading up to the start of Covid volunteering at the Broward County animal shelter, working to help dogs find their new forever humans. I think dogs are better than humans in every way possible. I've always been interested in PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, an organization that's fought for animal rights and safety throughout its decades-long history of activism. Today, I'm joined by PETA President and founder Ingrid Newkirk who just updated her plan to continue her activism for animals after her death. It's as creative as anything PETA has done in the past (and they've done some outlandish things to bring attention to the issue over the years).
It's that every other (or so) Tuesday and @GottaLaff is here to shoot the shit about the news or whatever else we feel like talking about. We're both so fed up with politics and the sad state of things that we often devolve into silliness or worse. In fact, we've come up an idea for a new segment (possibly a new show) that we may debut today.... or not.
Now that's setting expectations high. There's a lot wrong in this state, but thankfully there are some people trying to turn things around.
The Florida Democratic Party has been a mess for too long. Now with former Ag Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried taking over as FDP Chair, she's shaking things up. This weekend, Leadership Blue held its annual confab on Miami Beach. Former chair of the Progressive Democratic Caucus of Florida Susan Smith was there, and I asked her to join us for a few minutes to tell us what happened, and if there's any hope here.
Before Susan, another Floriduh story. Rebekah Jones (remember her?) will be here with exciting news. Josh Fox (Oscar-nominee, Emmy winner, director of GASLAND, and others) is making her WHISTLEBLOWER story into a film, and they've launched a Kickstarter to finance it. She'll join in to tell us all about it.
Friday has finally arrived. These three day weeks are tough, but they too eventually come to an end. And to put the period at the end of this week's sentence, we welcome the loquacious and always insightful (and sometimes inciteful) OG member of the progressive blogosphere, DRIFTGLASS back to the show. To find out what's on his mind, check out driftglass.blogspot.com or have a listen to the Professional Left Podcast (at proleftpod.com). It's always a fascinating conversation with Driftglass... but he comes on after I share my experience from earlier today as I had my second Ketamine infusion therapy session. And Lordy, there is tape!
Almost every Thursday for the past dozen years or more (more), Howie Klein and I have spoken about what ever is on our minds. Yes, it's usually politics, and that's what we'll talk about today. The conversation could go any number of ways, so I'll just say tune in and join in the discussion!
It's difficult to come back from a four-day weekend. That's compounded when you do a news-based show but took the weekend off from all news-related information. Seriously, that's what I did, and it felt great. But I got to work last night catching up on all the things I wanted to ask Marcy Wheeler about today. Marcy's living in Ireland now, so due to the time difference, we record her appearances in the morning my time. Today's recording sounds great, but the video got corrupted (damn gremlins). So today's a day for listening... and there's a lot to digest... from the Extreme Court's scorched earth policy to the Washington Post's examination of the 1/6 DOJ investigation to Hunter Biden to Twitter and beyond. It's information overload, so clear the cache and get ready to absorb!
So the court ended this term with a bang that blasted us back to the Middle Ages. My favorite legal expert Lisa Graves returns today to help us understand exactly what happened and what freedoms of ours are at stake next. What a way to start the 4th of July holiday weekend, huh? Is there much left to celebrate?
We expected it, but that doesn't make the fact that the Extreme Court today basically killed off Affirmative Action in college admissions, with ramifications that likely go even further. This term of the court officially ends tomorrow, while there are still 5 decisions left. Lisa Graves returns to the show tomorrow to help us try to make sense of what they do... and what they did today. But today is Thursday, so Howie Klein of Down with Tyranny and the Blue America PAC is here. There's lots to talk about, and I'm guessing he'll have a few things to say about SCOTUS too....
Lisa Graves, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General under both Bill Clinton/Janet Reno and George W Bush/John Ashcroft and a veteran of a few other similarly impressive high level legal positions, joins us regularly to help us understand issues related to the DOJ, Supreme Court and other matters pertaining to the law. She's here today to talk us through the two decisions handed down by the court yesterday, and recap the rest of the cases still to be decided.
We hit the jackpot today. Not only is Laffy here, but the Supreme Court dropped a couple of decisions today including doing the right thing on redistricting! Be still my beating heart... But never fear, there are still eight or so cases left, meaning eight ways the magat majority on the extreme court can still fuck over the nation. Regardless, it's been a while since Laffy's been here, so we have a lot of territory to cover...
Welcome to a new week. I am back today, with lots to talk about. SCOTUS term has 10 cases left to decide, I'll run 'em down. Probably talk a bit about the travesty that is Bobby Kennedy Jr. and anti-vaxxers and science deniers. And more. Phone lines are open too. Should be interesting as all the Bill Maher sycophants are swarming my Twitter after criticizing him for the un-funny shill he's become. So, today is almost anything goes. We'll see where the hour takes us...
It's an encore presentation of our Juneteenth show from last year, but it was an important one. We Need to Talk About it!
It is finally Friday. There's a slew o' news, as usual, and I'll run down a bunch of it. We'll also visit with Cody Cassidy, author of the new book, HOW TO SURVIVE HISTORY: HOW TO OUTRUN A TYRANNOSAURUS, ESCAPE POMPEII, GET OFF THE TITANIC, AND SURVIVE THE REST OF HISTORY'S DEADLIEST CATASTROPHES. We'll find out if he has the answer to the 64 million dollar question: How to survive the Trump years?
What a week this has been! And it's only Thursday (or as we call it around here, Friday Eve). This has felt like the week that never ends!
But it is Thursday, so Howie Kleinis here. We'll talk about the history made this week and how we navigate these previously uncharted waters.
A group of 20 Republicans sided with the House Democrats to kill McCarthy's vendetta against Adam Schiff... could the tides be turning?
And looking forward... we're at the mid-point of June. This term of the Supreme Court officially ends come the beginning of July, and some 20+ decisions have yet to be announced, with some huge ramifications. We'll take a look at what's still to come...soon...
This has been a ridiculously busy news week-- and today is only Wednesday. So I thought, after a look at today's news and after we tie up a few loose ends - we'll have a musical reset. Well, without the music! As you may have heard me mention, I'm working on a huge project with a group of radio veterans. It's called Women Who Rock, and will feature a streaming music station playing all female artists, a Women Who Rock Podcast network, and a community and information area. I thought we'd be launching around now, but there are a lot of moving pieces.... so, since we're still probably a month or two away from launching I decided to raid those files and share with you an interview I conducted last month with the great Melissa Etheridge! Melissa is currently on tour (all dates listed here https://melissaetheridge.com/events/), and in September she goes to Broadway! We talk about all of it.. her music, her politics, her activism, her 35-year long career so far and lots more. Yes, this interview will be part of the opening week festivities of WomenWhoRock.com, but today my listeners get a sneak treat... a midweek Melissa intermezzo
Jeff Sharlet has been alerting the rest of us to the more frightening aspects of the fringes of society for many years and eight books by now. His new one is THE UNDERTOW: SCENES FROM A SLOW CIVIL WAR.
I asked Jeff to join us on today's show because, as I write this, the former guy is in a Miami Federal Court, pleading Not Guilty to 37 criminal counts -- 31 of willful retention of national security records and 6 counts of obstruction.
History is being made, for sure. But then there's the question of the people who came out to support the first former president to be indicted and arrested on criminal charges, and the violent rhetoric they're casually threatening the rest of us with.
On Thursday, we learned that Trump had been indicted in the documents case by a grand jury in South Florida!
Trump is to appear on Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Miami. Of course, he's pulling out all the stops to incite violence (some things never change).
After reading the indictment itself, I went to emptywheel.net to get Marcy Wheeler's take on this bombshell, and figured you should hear it to. So today, Marcy Wheeler returns to help us navigate the muddy waters of the Trump/MarALago/Bedminster swamp, on the eve of his arraignment
Well, I said there was a chance an indictment would come down yesterday... And sure enough, it did! The 37 counts against Donald Trump (and one against his co-conspirator bring bringing it to 38) were released today -- all 49 pages. And then we heard from Jack Smith himself, for the very first time. You can and should read the indictment. It'll take 20 minutes but will blow your mind. Thankfully, former Deputy Asst Attorney General in both the Clinton and W Bush administrations Lisa Graves will be here to help us understand exactly what happened -- what Trump is being charged with, what Jack Smith said, what happens next, etc.
It's Thursday, so Howie Klein is here! We have lots to talk about, beginning with the dysfunction in the House. The radical right flank is blocking Kevin McCarthy's every move because they're angry that he cut a deal on the debt ceiling with Joe Biden. Wow.
We're also on indictment-watch. Yes, it appears that Donald Trump is going to be experiencing some things...again. Perhaps very soon.
But we also have unexpected news today ... Pat Robertson has died. For years, he held the honorary position of Most Heinous Human in the world. We'll spend a few minutes paying him the tribute he deserves.
I first met Jesse Hagopian a few months ago, after I discovered the existence of the Zinn Education Project. I invited him on the show to talk about his work as an educator and activist for truth in education. Unfortunately, such activists are necessary in today's world, as elected officials like the fascist Florida Man DeSantis are pushing to whitewash history, literally.
When Jesse joined us back in March, he mentioned an event called the Teach Truth Day of Action coming up on June 10, which I dutifully put in my calendar.
When I noticed that day would arrive on Saturday, I invited Jesse back on the show for another conversation about the dumbing down of America and the need to teach our children the truth!
So, Jesse Hagopian returns today to talk about how the attacks on our public education system have only intensified since we last spoke, and to remind us how to get involved in the Teach Truth Day of Action on Saturday. Hint: Visit TeachTruthPledge.org. That will take you to the details page for the day.
Or you can go to the Zinn Education Project where the day of action originated.
What are you waiting for? Go, now!
Seventy-nine years ago today - June 6, 1944, allied forces invaded five beaches at Normandy-- more than 160,000 Allied forces landed in Nazi-occupied France as part of the biggest air, land and sea invasion ever executed. Why? They were fighting fascism! Today, we celebrate the OG Antifa fighters of fascism. It was on this day in 1968 that Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. And now his son, RFK, Jr, is poised to be a spoiler who can't possibly win the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2024, but he surely could help return the fascist Trump to office. Lovely. And what a day for the PGA and Saudi's to announce they've reached a deal to merge their golf tours. What could possibly go wrong? We'll delve into all that and more today.... We'll see where the day brings us.
Welcome to the start of a new week. It's a Monday alright. Today was the day the government would have run out of money if Biden and McCarthy hadn't come to a deal on raising the debt limit. Depending on what you're reading or to whom you're listening, the deal was either a turd sandwich, Biden getting the best of the Republicans, Biden giving in to the Republicans, or a shit sandwich (I know, not much different from a turd sandwich -- it's all at the whim of the reader, er, eater). Anyway, Brian Karem returns to the show today. I invited him because in his latest column for Salon.com, he writes that it was actually that relic of DC gone by... something called "compromise" - and that, he says, sort of, is a good thing. But first, wtf is up with the American right wing? They're asleep when they should be woke (YES, they should be WOKE) and, thanks to Trump saying the quiet parts really LOUD, their flat-earth-beliefs are being exposed and they thing we're the ones imposing the beliefs of a small minority on the masses? Opposite world, indeed.
It's June -- Pride month. Today we celebrate our gay, lesbian, bi, trans, non-binary and all people and their rights to be whomever they are, to find their unique voices and march to their own tunes and drummers. As an older person (did I just say that?), I've lived through the changes - both attitudinal and in real life. I've learned to be quiet long enough to listen to the people around me who are going through their own self-awareness journeys, realizing that everyone should be afforded the dignity to live their lives as best suits them... Today, realizing that the hate is not only here in the US, we extend our hand across the globe to say Happy Pride... be loud, be proud, be who ever the fuck you are.
I spoke with an artist called Skaly from the UK. They had sent me this video that just went live yesterday, and I thought it was appropriate to invite them on the show and help spread the word.
https://youtu.be/OtM8kx6h0v8
And my old pal Spocko joined in too. We talked about our mutual friend, the late great Joel Silberman who taught us (and members of Congress, candidates, celebrities and activists) how to use stories to make a point. Find Spocko's writings at Digby's blog and find out more about Spocko on his website.
The House passed the Biden-McCarthy debt ceiling deal last night with more Democratic than Republican votes. Was it a great deal? No. But did the Dems come out ahead of the Republicans? Without a doubt. Well, that's my take. As for what Howie Klein thinks? We'll find out today.
You never know with Howie. One of the things I'll ask him about today is his post at Down With Tyranny in which he basically says that the three members of Congress vying to replace Dianne Feinstein in the Senate -- Katie Porter, Barbara Lee and Adam Schiff -- are all progressives, and he actually defends Schiff as just as progressive as Lee!
The House today is voting on the Biden-McCarthy deal to raise the ridiculous debt ceiling.
David Dayen of The American Prospect returns to the show today to bring us up to date on what's happening and how we got here. I call it a deja vu because we've had this conversation before -- 12 years ago, in fact.
On July28, 2011, we talked on this program about President Obama's deal with a Republican-led Congress, the first time the GOP weaponized this ridiculous provision that allows the good faith and credit of the US to be threatened. Today we find out that we, as a nation (or more accurately, our "leaders") haven't learned one damn thing.
The first day back after a long holiday weekend is always tough. But here we are.News was made while America was using the day set aside to remember those lost in battle to buy mattresses and gorge themselves on food and beer. OK, I'm over-generalizing, but we really do need to step back and assess our priorities from time to time. And this would be a good time to do that.
With the debt ceiling negotiations ongoing as the holiday weekend began, I was taken aback that the so-called cable news channel MSNBC opted to run the Rudy Giuliani story on repeat Monday afternoon into evening instead of offering some semblance of news, but that would be asking too much. (I guess they all had mattresses to buy or steaks to grill or something...)
Today, I was happy to receive Will Bunch's newsletter.
Will Bunch is a national columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and, thankfully, in today's edition, he gave a good roundup of what transpired while America was celebrating all of our war dead... or something.
So, after I start the show by lamenting that my town suffered yet another mass shooting (when will it ever end?!?) and share a few other thoughts, I'll welcome Will Bunch back to the show and let him tell you what the media missed about the laughing stock that was the fascist Florida man's ridiculous presidential campaign launch and more!
At the start of the show, I mentioned an article I wrote encouraging the rest of the world to issue travel advisories against vacationing here due to danger from guns, and it's finally happening, 10 years later! Here's the original column.
Monday is Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. So today, I'm joined by my friend Boca Britany Somers for a special Trans Summer Kick Off in honor of the fascist Florida man who had the gall to announce his candidacy for president this week... We'll have a gay old time!
Sometimes life just doesn't make sense. Although today's show isn't really about two governors, it does involve two (actually three) southern governors whose actions were not reflected in the paths their lives and careers have taken. But, in all fairness, one of the stories hasn't yet reached a conclusion, so the odds are pretty good that fairness will win. But we'll see.
I'm talking -in the second instance- of Florida's sad excuse for a governor. Ron DeSantis, who signed the bill into law just yesterday that will allow him to run for president without resigning as governor first, made his candidacy official yesterday, launching his campaign on Twitter Spaces. Yes, the correct response to that is "Twitter what?" . The little-known audio only section of Twitter did exactly what we expected: It crashed! The headlines "Failure to Launch" wrote themselves.
Meanwhile, the day before, we heard from two former Alabama governors, one of whom I know much more about that the other. The one I don't know is Robert Bentley, a Republican, who resigned from office before he could be removed. The other is Don Siegelman, a Democrat, and one of the best Democratic governors from the south who could have been (and should have been) president. If only he hadn't been targeted, set-up and prosecuted (persecuted) by the nefarious forces on the right, likely led by one Karl Rove.
--Click here to hear my interview with Gov. Siegelman about his story from June 12, 2020 ----
Siegelman was accused of bribery and convicted based on lies and fabrications from the right, and he served a sentence as an actual American political prisoner. Unfortunately, the Democratic president Barack Obama did noting to right the wrongs perpetrated on him by those who sought to discredit him.
He's not coming on to talk about that today, though. Instead, Gov. Siegelman joins me to talk about an op-ed he and Gov Bentley co-authored for the Washington Post earlier this week, expressing their regrets for going along with the death penalty when they each had the power to refuse.
Today's the big day! The Fascist Florida Man Ronald DeSantis is officially declaring his candidacy for president in 2024 this evening. We knew it was coming; we just didn't know where, exactly when or how he'd do it, but now we do, and it's par for the ridiculous course that is this authoritarian Trump-in-training.
You could almost hear the jeering and laughs accompanying the announcement that the big campaign kick-off event would take place on Twitter with one of the few people on the planet who's as big a laughingstock as is the FFM (fascist Florida man) and TFG (the former guy) -- Elmo, er, Elon Musk. I know, you're thinking "on Twitter? Huh?" But wait, it's even better... it'll be in a Twitter SPACES.
Say it with me now, a Twitter WHAT?
Twitter Spaces is akin to a party line! As telephones were just being introduced, many people shared the same line... so if you picked up the phone to make a call, you might have to wait until another call finished... or you could just join in. "Spaces" are audio-only group calls.
I know what they are, though I've never actually participated in one, and can't understand how a serious presidential candidate would ever launch their campaign in this manner. Then again, nothing about DeSantis is serious except for his quest to be a dictator.
So, DeSantis makes it official tonight, on the first anniversary of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX, so I thought I'd combine both occasions for today's show because they are absolutely related. Stay tuned and find out how...
The word on the street is the DeSantis will make it official tomorrow, declaring his candidacy for president on 2024 with an announcement live on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk. Twitter Spaces? That's like a phone party line, right? Either way, I guess I'll miss it. But I continue doing my civic duty as someone who still (unfortunately) lives in Florida to warn the rest of the nation (and planet) about the sorry, sniveling, authoritarian, dictator wannabe and keep him as far away from the White House as is possible. Today on the show, I'll share more writings to show you that yes, it could happen here (and already is). And I'll be joined by Maria J. Stephan who has a new article at Salon.com, "The Battle Against Fascism: Lessons on how to beat back authoritarianism from abroad". Let's get all anti-fascist together! -- ANTIFA!
The news is that Ron DeSantis is going to declare his candidacy for the presidency this week, as ridiculous as that is.... So I figured we'd spend the better part of this week enlightening the rest of the world about what we've known about moRon DeathSentence since he was elected.... and no one knew anything about him before he became governor, as he was just some snivelly back bench nobody congressman. Strap in, and feel free to call in (954-889-6410) with any questions about the fascist Florida man. If I don't know the answer, I'll do what he does and make something up.
We wrap up the week today with another visit from independent journalist Marcy Wheeler. She does a better job of covering the actual news dealing with national security and the various investigations into the former guy (and all news items related) than I see anywhere in the corporate mainstream press. You find her work at emptywheel.net. I'm honored that Marcy checks in with us every 3-4 weeks or so, and fills the hour with information. Today is no different. We mostly discuss the Durham report that was released on Monday, on the 4-year long investigation into the oranges* of the Russia investigation. (Yes, I know it was supposed to be the origins, but TFG couldn't remember the word origins. Yikes.)
Howie Klein is a fascinating man. We first met some 30+ years ago. At the time, I was doing music radio in Los Angeles and Howie was President of Reprise Records. When he saw the writing on the wall ahead of the AOL/Time Warner merger in 2000, he took the payout and got out just before everything started going to shit. Howie quickly pivoted and turned his energies toward electing progressives to office. He began blogging at DownWithTyranny.com, and formed the Blue America PAC with other progressive bloggers Digby and John Amato. And they're all still going strong. When I moved from music radio to progressive talk, Howie quickly became a regular guest, eventually joining me weekly. We've been at it for well over a dozen years already. You'd think we'd run out of things to talk about. But sadly, the state of politics today insures that we'll never be at a loss for topics - and politicians - about which to talk. Today, aside from wherever the conversation takes us, I'll definitely ask Howie about Dianne Feinstein. Howie lived in San Francisco back in the day and was friendly with Harvey Milk. I've heard that Harvey shared his private feelings about the former Mayor of SF, now the sickliest senator in Congress who refuses to stay home...
One sure-fire way to get me to return for a live show is to have Digby booked as the guest. I've been taking a few days to try to regain some sanity as I've been struggling with some demons lately. Still struggling, but happy to be here today to talk with Heather "Digby" Parton. She's the Queen... the OG progressive blogger who's been at it with Digby's Hullabaloo since the start, fighting the good fight. (Though in my current state of mind, I keep asking if anything can stop the descent into full-blown fascism, and haven't come to a decent answer yet...) Anyway, I've unplugged from most of the news in the past week or so, I've been catching up this morning and things are even worse than before. Should be a lively discussion today.
I'm going to see Melissa Etheridge in concert tonight, so will not have a live show today. So I thought you should enjoy Melissa today too. So it's a Flashback Friday. I'll share three of the many interviews I've done with Melissa in the 35 (gasp) years since her first album was released in 1988.We start with an interview from October of 2008. It was three weeks before the Nov 4 2008 election that gave us President Obama!
The second interview I'm sharing is from five years earlier. It was Christmastime 2003, and Melissa joined me on the air at WXRV/Boston 92.5 The River for an interview and performance.
And we wrap it up with an appearance on my show from 2014...Enjoy! And I'll see you Monday.
We have a euphemism in our house. Instead of announcing the need to take a shit, we merely say it's time to Trump. Well, CNN Trumped itself last night. The so-called Town Hall which was, in reality, a Trump rally hosted live on CNN, was itself a Trump of massive proportions. But now you know exactly what CNN is... and it and Trump are on the same level. Trump inducing sickness. I started out watching it, thinking that I had to for my work. But about 20 minutes in, I could take it no longer and simply left the room. I was done. Howie Klein is here today. If I had to guess, I'd say he didn't watch last night's spectacle. And I wouldn't blame him. We still have George Santos to talk about, if that is indeed his name
It's a Monday with Elie Mystal!
Given the overwhelming number of cases where justice has not been served in recent days, weeks and months, we're past due for a visit with Elie Mystal, Justice Correspondent for The Nation and author of ALLOW ME TO RETORT: A BLACK GUY'S GUIDE TO THE CONSTITUTION. Thankfully, he joins us today for the better part of the hour.
Don't be late!
Freedom of the Press is such an important pillar of a democracy that it's enshrined in the First Amendment of the US Constitution. Here in the so-called land of the free, we pride ourselves on our freedoms. So would it surprise you to learn that the US came in at a barely respectable 45th place in the 2023 World Press Freedom Index?
This year's rankings were released yesterday. I'm joined by Clayton Weimers, director of the US bureau of Reporters Without Border, RSF.org, who'll explain the findings and why a free press is such an important pillar in any democracy.Of course, we'll being with late breaking news. Today, the Proud Boys are convicted, more from the Clarence Thomas/Harlan Crow grift, and whatever else the day throws at us before showtime.
As we lurch ever closer to X-Date - the day when the US government can no longer use extraordinary measures with our money to avoid hitting the ridiculous debt ceiling now appears to be coming on June 1 -- neither side is budging. It's been a few years since we've dealt with this unnecessary crisis, but because the Democrats control the White House but the House is controlled by a magaT contingent intent on blowing up the nation, many of us have been getting a bit nervous.
Thankfully, The American Prospect today launched a new "X-Date: A Debt Ceiling Newsletter" in which they promise to bring us the latest status, news and information about the issue until there's some resolution.Today, I'm joined by Ryan Cooper, managing editor of TAP, who'll give us a primer on the ridiculous obstacle and how we can get past it...
Responding to the recent revelations about serious ethical breaches at the US Supreme Court, the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning held a hearing on Supreme Court ethics... or the lack thereof.It was another frustrating journey through Opposite World. Instead of yelling at the TV, I invited Lisa Graves to join us today to weigh in on the situation.Lisa is no stranger to the Senate Judiciary Committee, having served as its Chief Counsel for Nominations under then-chair Patrick Leahy - or to the DOJ where she was Deputy Assistant Attorney General under both Janet Reno and John Ashcroft.Today, Lisa heads up TrueNorth Research. She usually appears on this show as a private citizen speaking for herself and not for her organization, today she'll appear in both roles, offering her own opinion as well as the statement of the watchdog organization she leads.
It's a new week and a new month, so I figured it was time for a reset. There are so many investigations of and political perils swirling around the former guy (who also inexplicably happens to be the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for president), so today we'll check in with lawyer and author Teri Kanefield, who's been covering all of them on her blog at terikanefield.com. You can also follow along on Twitter and Mastodon... We'll begin with a recap of the crap that put me in such a lovely mindset last week, and I'll tell you about our upcoming trip too, if time permits.
Howie Klein's been out for a couple of weeks, but he's back today, no doubt with stories to tell. And plenty happened here while he was gone. We'll also get a quick visit from Lucas Kunce, running to unseat Josh Hawley in the US Senate from MO.
It's completely my fault. I screwed up the date when booking him on the show last week, and had gremlins knock me off the air on Monday. So today, we try again.
In the third edition of his book, CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMIC HITMAN, John Perkins explains how he and those who do the same work he did as Chief Economist at a major international consulting firm are actually working to, in a nutshell, destroy the world. That's certainly paraphrasing and perhaps oversimplifying his message, but that is the gist of it. In this edition of his NY Times best seller, he shows how China has picked up the slack and taken the helm for what he describes as the third EHM wave that's infecting the world. Not to leave us all wondering what we can do about it, Perkins has a prescription.
All that said, if you enjoy the show and can afford it, I hope you'll support this show.What's News has been discontinued because I can't monetize it. If you appreciate this show and would like it to continue, please consider donating: nicolesandler.com/donate-2
IF not, that's ok. Enjoy the last few weeks of the show.
We sometimes use that frame as a diss... when telling someone to get lost, you might say "Have a good life."
But we're not being snarky today. The issue is what makes a life worth living?
My guest today is Matthew Croasmun. He and two others - Miroslav Volf and Ryan McAnnally-Linz teach one of the most popular courses at Yale, called Life Worth Living.
They've now transformed this popular course into a book -- Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most -- so we can share in the experience and figure out what matters most. I figured this would be a good way to usher in the weekend. We could all use some help - especially in these contentious times - in learning how to embrace what's important and how to live a life worth living.
I spent a very busy four years from 1990-1994 as producer of the #1 morning radio show in Los Angeles, the Mark and Brian Show, based at KLOS. The show continued for another 20 years or so after I left.. Mark Thompson wrote a book, just released this week. All proceeds go to benefit the Eastwood Ranch Animal Foundation and Rescue. Mark joins me today for some memories of the days when radio was fun and we were on top of the world. But we'll begin the show with a recap of last night's good news out of Georgia...
The 2022 midterms will finally come to a close tonight when the final vote is cast in the runoff election for the US Senate seat from Georgia. The race between the incumbent Raphael Warnock and his opponent, former football player Herschel Walker is inexplicably close, a depressing reality when you consider the qualifications of these two men. It's just an indication of how far the Republican party has fallen, that they put up a semi-illiterate man who doesn't understand the difference between the House and the Senate. Thankfully, I have faith that the people of Georgia will not sacrifice the US government to their irresponsible Republican power trip. It is that other Tuesday, so GottaLaff is here, with a combination of Tweets, Toots and other random social media pronouncements as we shoot the shit about what's happening in the news...
One thing you can say about life in the (sorry) Trump era (well, it sadly is), is that there's always shit hitting the wall somewhere. And when it's noise involving TFG, it is shit. Since the last time Marcy Wheeler was here (just three weeks ago), so much has happened. So today we'll get Marcy's take on the Oath Keepers seditious conspiracy guilty verdicts, Merrick Garland's appointment of a Special Counsel to take over all of the DoJ's Trump investigations, the Special Master was dismissed (and TFG's "judge" Canon reprimanded), and of course, the richest man in the world hired a formerly respected journalist to do his PR on the broken bird site... Never a dull moment!
Today, we take a break from news and politics to catch up with legendary record producer Bob Ezrin! Though many listeners of this program may not know his name, you've certainly heard and enjoyed his work over the past four decades! In addition to having produced some of the most iconic albums and bands in recent times, Ezrin is also a songwriter and musician, climate activist, film, television and theatrical producer and pioneer in digital media. In fact, it's in that world where we first met. He and I were among the first to dabble in internet radio, back in 2000-2001.... We'll talk about our work together at Enigma Digital and worldclassrock.com, plus a new tech event we also worked together on back in 1992! But we spend most of the hour discussing his work producing Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, Peter Gabriel and many others. We'll get back to the news and politics next week. But for today, we'll talk music and history with Bob Ezrin.
I've been chatting with Howie Klein every week for probably at least 10 years now, and always look forward to the insights he brings, even if we don't always agree. I can't wait to talk with Howie today about two main topics that are in the news right now. First up, the long-awaited changing of the guard in the House Democratic leadership. We'll talk about the good, the bad and the ugly. And speaking up ugly, the mess in dealing with the contract negotiations between the railroad workers and the 14 unions who represent the workers. Before Howie joins in at the midway point of the hour, I have a few words to share regarding the rise in antisemitism and other bigotry, racism and hate brewing in the right wingnut political space. And I'll share Leonard Pitts' latest column, which everyone who cares about what's happening should read.
The trial of five members of the Oath Keepers wrapped up yesterday with guilty verdicts, including on the harshest charge of seditious conspiracy for the group's leader and one other. It's the perfect preface for today's guest and the story he brings us. Jeff Sharlet is one of my favorite guests and one of my favorite authors/journalists. This morning, a new article went live on the Vanity Fair website, and it's what you expect from a Jeff Sharlet piece about another of his road trips. This time, he tells us about his own private Wisconsin death trip among militia men and fascists, and thankfully some beautiful souls. It was the day after the extreme court struck down Roe v Wade... Jeff joins us for the second half hour of the show. We'll begin with a round up of the day's news, including the latest on the efforts to derail a railroad strike, and the very sad news of the death of Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie. "And the songbirds keep singing like they know the score And I love you, I love you, I love you Like never before...."
After a look at what's happening in our world today, we'll talk about something that affects so many of us. Sadly, it tends to get worse this time of the year. Depression affects everyone, regardless of age, race and financial situation, though I'd guess those struggling are more likely to be depressed--- but not necessarily. Women are more prone to depression, though both genders suffer from bipolar disorder equally. There are other afflictions that often accompany depression, most notably anxiety and bi polar disorder and more. It is an epidemic with no cure in sight. But there is a rising dependency on drugs -- anti depressants. But they're not a cure-all and, in many cases, make the situation worse. Long time listeners of this show know that I've struggled with depression since adolescence. I've had my share of meltdowns on the air, most notably during the Former Guy's reign of terror. But I've been doing much better lately. Today, I'll be joined by my husband, David Sloane, who has suffered from PTSD for decades since he was pulled unconscious from a burning car in the desert some 40 years ago by a stranger who happened upon the crash and saved his life. Well, there is help on the horizon and it's very encouraging as it does not include drugs. We'll have a serious discussion about our depression epidemic and what can be done to help those who are suffering...
When do we finally reject the truly bad information we're bombarded with around every election? Most of the world was taken in by the predictions of a Red Wave or even a Tsunami in the midterms this year, pushed by pollsters and pundits and breathlessly regurgitated by the most complicit of TV commentators, anchors and wannabe professionals. Some cautioned us. Most notably Michael Moore, who screamed in daily emails to ignore the voices. He was correct. As were a few others with not quite as large a megaphone. One of those was Simon Rosenberg, a veteran Democratic political strategist and the founder of NDN and the New Policy Institute. Simon's seen this movie before, and he was quite outspoken throughout the disinformation barrage about his distrust in these polls, but placed much of the blame on the "massive media failure" that propelled the propaganda. I'll speak with Simon on today's show, and then look to the future... and more specifically next Tuesday, Dec 6, when he'll present "With Democrats Things Get Better"
Thursday is Thanksgiving and we're all looking longingly at the door. OK, I am... I rarely take time off, so a four-day weekend is calling my name... But I still have shows today and tomorrow, and must put together our annual Thanksgiving dinner soundtrack show and something to run on Friday as well... Today is a Tuesday and GottaLaff is here and we have lots to talk about. Lindsey Graham is out of delays, he's testifying before Fani Willis' grand jury in GA today, and Dr. Fauci gave what will likely be his final WH briefing today as he leaves the post he's held for decades....
With all that's transpired in this country over the past few weeks, I figured today was a good day to take look at the big picture. And who better to have that conversation with than Heather Digby Parton! Whether you read her at Salon or visit her long running Hullabaloo, Digby should be on your daily reading list.
The best laid plans and all that... I recorded a great interview yesterday to air today, but the audio was corrupted and it's not fit for air. So... the short version of the story is that we just talked -- you on the phones and I sounded off too about lots of breaking news today. Staring with Merrick Garland announcing a special counsel to deal with all of Trump's crimes. Then Biden gives MBS immunity for the murder of Jamal Khossigi?!?! And Twitter appears to be dying a slow, painful death.... It's certainly Friday!
The final vote counts are being tabulated and the outlook for the 118th Congress is coming into focus. Unfortunately, the Republicans have taken the majority in the House, and Kevin McCarthy is trying his hardest to become Speaker of the House. But the craziest in his caucus-- members of the so-called Freedom Caucus -- are exacting some major concessions from him for their votes. This is not going to be an enjoyable two years on that front. But there's much to speak with Howie Klein about today. The good news is that the Democrats retain control of the Senate and, of course, the White House. The Former Guy, building on his party's dismal performance in the midterms -- and virtually every one of Trump's endorsed candidates evisceration-- decides that now is the perfect time to announce he's running for president again in 2024?!? Nancy Pelosi this afternoon finally announced her intentions... she will remain in Congress, but will not run for re-election to leadership! So it appears she's clearing the way for the new Democratic House leadership triumvirate as Hakim Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar. Meh. Oh, Steny Hoyer said he'll do what Nancy's doing. Jim Clyburn thinks he'll still have a place in leadership. The Democratic Party braintrust still needs an infusion of new blood..
Climate change is here....Everything that Al Gore warned us would happen is happening. Our mainstream corporate media doesn't cover the issue much except when forced to because of the latest hurricane, flood, fire, drought ... you know, the every day occurrences plaguing the planet that we continue to destroy. Governments are making a show of doing something about it... the real question is if anything they do will ever help! Right now, the UN's annual climate confab is in progress... COP 27 is in Egypt. Friend of the show Sandy Schoelles, better known to her followers as Environmental Coffeehouse (the name of her YouTube channel and popular show) joins us today to tell us what's being accomplished or not, and what we need to know. Plus, Donald Trump is a loser. But you already knew that!
Sarah Posner is one of the best journalists today covering the religious right and their assault on our freedoms and liberty. Her latest book is "Unholy: How White Christian Nationalists Powered the Trump Presidency and the Devastating Legacy they Left Behind". I invited Sarah to join me on today's show after reading a Twitter thread she wrote in response to a recent New York Times article that raised doubts about gender-affirming care (though, as she says, they don't call it that). This coordinated attack on Transgender people is coming directly from Republican governors and legislatures, with a big push by a perversion of Christianity that is unfortunately assaulting our sensibilities and vulnerable members of society. Yes, we have a lot to talk about today!
I've been consumed by the midterm elections for the past few weeks. Now that it's (almost) all over, it's time to figure out what's been happening with the numerous investigations into the former guy and his sycophantic insurrectionist followers. For that, we turn to Marcy Wheeler, independent journalist extraordinaire, who covers it all at emptywheel.net. Lots to talk about today from the elections to Merrick Garlands progress, to the 1-6 committee and DOJ investigations, ongoing prosecutions and, of course, the latest on Twitter. Buckle in...
We have so many words the mean more than one thing in the English language. One of those words is "outstanding." In thinking about the midterm elections, outstanding works on both levels. Outstanding describes the feeling while watching TFG's teflon finally wearing off. Outstanding is how I'd describe yesterday's NY Post front page. But also outstanding (though under the other meaning) are the results of three senate races and a few dozen House races that will determine which party controls Congress. One of those still outstanding races is in Arizona, where Katie Hobbs, the current Democratic Secretary of State and her Republican former TV anchor opponent Kari Lake are fighting for the Governor's office. Today, I'll speak with Mother Jones' reporter Tim Murphy, who has a big story explaining all you need to know about Ms Lake. It's outstanding!
We're sill awaiting election results that will determine which party controls either or both Houses of Congress, but the big news is that the much-hyped coming Red Wave or Red Tsunami never materialized. I never bought it, but it's time for a major reckoning on how the corporate media enthusiastically and completely parroted the pollsters' partisan and slanted findings as fact, bowing to the idea of a horse race over being careful not to obscure actual facts. So, though there are still many question marks, some races are settled. Hopefully Howie Klein will have some good news to share.
Well, I'm feeling slightly vindicated today. I told you yesterday that I did not trust the polls and the corporate media's breathless horse race -like obsession over them, regardless of the political leanings of each particular polling company. And I was correct. There was no Red Tsunami, no red wave, more like a ripple, but unfortunately a ripple without enough resistance that'll allow it to take control of the House and possibly even the Senate. Today on the show, we'll go through some of the wins, the losses and the wtf outcomes... and Brian Karem will join us in the second half hour with his thoughts on where we stand today...
Election Day has finally arrived and the best thing about today is that those damned commercials will end, making it somewhat safe to watch TV again. All we know at this point is that we don't know how it'll all shake out, but we do know the Republicans will again try to steal the election while accusing Democrats of being the ones doing that. GottaLaff is here... She'll bring us her Tweet Spot while we wonder if Mastodon Moment would be a fitting substitute, and more. And the phones are open should you care to commiserate in our election day therapy session
Of course there's a Hurricane Nicole headed straight for South Florida on this final day before the end of the 2022 Midterm season. It's just the perfect metaphor for the shit storm that is this election, this state, and the orange menace who lives right on the beach just north of where I'm at. Come on Nicole, let's make a direct hit on Mar a Lardo! Meanwhile, tropical storm force winds are predicted for this area tomorrow, election day. That's ok, because hopefully all of us Dems voted early; it's only the Trumpers who insist on voting on election day because .... own the libs? Who knows? I've been collecting some closing argument ads that I'll share today, and Professor Harvey J. Kaye is here to put the final touches on these elections before we insert the fork.
Bill Mumy is a dear old friend of mine, though since I left Los Angeles 20 years ago, we've not seen much of each other lately. But he is truly one of my favorite people. So when I saw he had finally written his memoirs, I was excited to read it and to bring him back on the show to reminisce... Today is also my birthday, and I'm thrilled to spend it with him, not talking politics, at least for today. The book is called "Danger Will Robinson: The Full Mumy" and it's an amazing journey through Bill's career, from wishing bad people to the cornfield and a few other Twilight Zone classics through Lost In Space, Babylon Five, Papillon, Bless the Beasts and the Children, and the musical side of his life and career too. And since I know him pretty well, we talk about a few things not in the book... I hope you enjoy this half as much as I did.
We're in the final stretch of the 2022 Midterm elections, and I don't recall ever being this stressed out about the future of our country. I'm not a person who prays, but I am wishing and hoping with every inch of my being that reasonable people come out and vote in such huge numbers that the liars, cheaters, gaslighters and all of the Trump sycophants are shamed into oblivion. Sadly, that probably won't happen as a nefarious lie has taken hold and evil forces threaten democracy. This is not hyperbole, but very true words that I'd before thought unimaginable. Today's Thursday, so Howie Klein is here. We'll give the closing statements of election day 2022, and hope it won't be the eulogy of democracy in the USA.
One more week to go in this dystopian election season. We're dealing with a Republican party with no plans to fix any of the problems plaguing our world today. All they do is stoke fear, blame Democrats and lie. About everything. So when I saw that a new book was out called "How to Win the War on Truth: An Illustrated Guide to How Mistruths Are Sold, Why They Stick, and How to Reclaim Reality." Its author Samuel C. Spitale joins us today, hopefully with some advice we can put into play over the next six days. I'm pondering when I'll leave Twitter as the self-proclaimed "chief Twit" exhibits the worst of the behavior he claims he wants to prevent. It's the Opposite World of which I speak all the time and it's despicable. I'm dealing with the depths to which this nation has sunk thanks to the ugliness of one man who made it ok for people to show their ugliest qualities, to show their bigotry, racism and ignorance loudly and, inconceivably, proudly. And now I'm watching the families whose loved ones were murdered by the mass murderer in Parkland Florida (about 10 minutes from where I'm sitting) as they make their final statements to the killer before he's locked away for the rest of his life. I'm worried about our future. I don't think we have one. And that's where I am today.... Gee, let's put on a show!
One more week in this election season, and it can't end soon enough. If sensible people ever regain power, they really must shorten our election seasons, because this has gotten ridiculous already. And with tensions riding so high, I'd expect the worst in the final stretch. I'm afraid the crazy man who attacked Paul Pelosi won't be the last right-wing extremist to get violent. There's a lot of news happening today. I'll attempt to deal with much of it... I'll call on Lisa Graves today... She's my go-to legal expert, as she served in a number of capacities within the US Dept of Justice, including as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for nominations under both Janet Reno and John Ashcroft... She'll weigh in on the Supreme Court's hearing yesterday on the future of Affirmative Action, plus two rulings they handed down today (Lindsey Graham must testify in GA; Trump slithers out of having to turn over his tax returns, again, at least for now). The victims of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas HS shooting in Parkland get to tell the murderer exactly what they think of him today before he's officially sentenced to 36 life sentences with no parole. Elon Musk is driving away tons of Tweeters from Twitter. Israel is voting in its 5th election in four years and could return Netanyahu to power. And it's November! Voting ends in seven days, and open enrollment for Obamacare through the ACA has begun at healthcare.gov. I think that's enough to get us started....
If you've spent any time listening to my show, you've likely heard me reference "Opposite World." It's another way of saying "they're gaslighting you!"
Today's interview takes us deep into opposite world.
Today's Republican Party -- the MAGAt contingent -- likes to say Democrats are all kinds of evil, especially when it comes to children. Some of their allegations:
- We want to abort them up until and even after birth (!)
-We convince them that they're not really the gender they were born and we want to mutilate their genitals
-We sex traffic children
-We kill children and either eat them or drink their blood
-We're grooming our kids (to do what exactly?)
I must admit, I'm not really up to speed on those last few, but hey, why stop there? That's by no means an exhaustive list of their accusations, but it's a good start.
We're grooming them? The assertion is so asinine it's almost laughable, until you find out that they actually are indoctrinating children to be hateful, bigoted, judgemental, ugly people just like the cretins who raise them. How do I know? Well, listen to today's guest, Kyle Spencer.
Her new book is called "Raising Them Right: The Untold Story of America's Ultraconservative Youth Movement and its Plot for Power". It details how the right starts teaching their children to hate just like they do from a very early age, and it's all organized.
Just google the Leadership Institute, and then listen to today's show...
Robert Draper's new book was one I definitely wanted to read and feature on the show. "Weapons of Mass Deception: When the Republican Party Lost Its Mind" is a very important story to tell, and Draper is a respected career journalist and a great writer. I taped an interview with him yesterday, always intending to run in on today's show. And I will. But first... The surprise came with the early morning news of an attack on Nancy Pelosi's husband. My mind immediately went there, as I'm sure yours did too. And a few hours later it was confirmed: The attacker was a MAGAt Republican, Trump supporting stooge who entered the house in the wee hours of the morning, calling out "Where's Nancy," looking for the Speaker (who was not in town). He attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer, and has now been charged with attempted homicide and more. It's frightening and sickening, but we saw this coming. Thankfully, Mr. Pelosi will be fine. But don't think this is over... unfortunately, I think it's just beginning and there will be no winner.
We have a busy show on tap today. As we do most Thursdays, we'll check in with Howie Klein at around the :30 minute mark. We're just over a week away from the end of this 2022 midterm election cycle. Howie's got an interesting article up at DownWithTyranny.com about which Democrats still in the running actually have a shot at winning and can most use our help. Plus, he has a new post up about the Ramones that I'll have to ask him about. But first, I'll speak with Liz Robbins of DefineAmerican. They just released a new report on their findings from a study they conducted to find out how news outlets cover and portray immigrants. The results are complex, as is the issue. But sadly, it's what you probably think it is... and it isn't good, fair or accurate. Welcome to a Thursday in America...
We'll take a hiatus from the election stuff today (and after watching two of the three debates last night, I need a break from that crap), we'll somehow go even lower today. We all remember when the story broke, two years ago, about the Fountainbleu Hotel Pool Boy turned sex partner of Becki Falwell, who liked to perform with her partners while her husband, Jerry Falwell Jr, watched and recorded it on video. (Pause for the collective eeeew) Well, two years later, the pool boy is ready to tell the story from his perspective. And tell he does. There's a documentary "God Forbid: The Sex Scandal that Brought Down a Dynasty," premiering on Hulu on Nov 1 (Tuesday), and in a new book- just out yesterday-- "Off the Deep End: Jerry & Becki Falwell and the Collapse of an Evangelical Dynasty". It's written by Giancarlo Granda (the former pool boy) with journalist and NY Times Bestselling Author Mark Ebner. Mark Ebner is my guest today, and boy does he have a lot to say! But first, I'll fact check the Magat Republicans who keep lying about Democrats "wanting" abortion until birth. It's just fucking ridiculous, and I don't understand why they're not put in their place every time they spew out this outrageous lie, so I guess I'll have to do it for them.
Laffy's back today, just in time to join me in trying to figure out just what it is about Ron DeSantis that appeals to anyone! Last night's debate was the first time the rest of the country got to see him on the debate stage, and I'm hoping they all watched. THIS is who they think will lead them out of Trump's control? LOL. TFG will wipe the floor with that sniveling, fake smiling coward. But I do give Ronald credit... he can keep up with Donald's lies... Donald and Ronald, two lying clowns who deserve each other. There's other stuff to talk about today too, like WTAF Progressive Caucus? They're my people and boy, did they ever step in it this time! And they did it two weeks before the most consequential election in our lives?!? Damn. They've got to be smarter than that~
Tonight is the one and only FL gubernatorial debate between the incumbent and the once and hopefully future governor. Of course, I'll do everything possible to inform the rest of the county (and the planet) that Ron DeSantis is horribly dangerous. Ideally, we defeat him here in FL, which would accomplish two goals: get him out of the governor's office here and hurt his chances in 2024... The Miami Herald heartily endorsed Charlie Crist for governor, and gave many reasons why DeSantis must not be re-elected. I shared that Miami Herald endorsement on Friday. Today, I'll share their endorsement in the Florida senate race-- and it's as good as you want it to be. With just two weeks to go until voting is done, we're in the thick of it. We'll deal with some of the other big races too... and open the phones for your calls...
Up until showtime, I wasn't sure whether or not I'd do a show today. I'm tired and cranky (I can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep), and just feeling like I need a day to regroup. But, there's so much to talk about that I'd feel guilty if I just reached back into the archives for a show from 10 years ago to show you that the more things change, the more they stay the same.. Well, I cut out a couple of interviews from the show I did on 10-22-12 (10 years ago tomorrow) in case I need to get out... but I do have a lot to share with you today, and I invite you to sound off as well. The phone lines are open 95886410 or you can Skype in to nicolesandler. Something will show up here beginning at 5ET/2PT, though I'm still not sure what it'll be...
We took a break last week to watch the final House Jan 6 hearing, before election day anyway. But Howie Klein is back today. And there's lots to talk about, including a post script to my interview with Ryan Grim on yesterday's show. It was about AIPAC and DMFI targeting progressives during the primaries, effectively killing off most of them. What we both realized was that a major part of the story wasn't addressed... that's the fact that these groups are led by (cue the sinister music) Democrats! Of course, the corporate media still insists on covering the horse race instead of the issues, and the polls show everything tightening right now. So Dems are freaking out, while Michael Moore is predicting a Blue Tsunami. Howie has a post up at Down With Tyranny that includes a video from Stan Greenberg, one of the Democratic Party's top pollsters, explaining what the Dems must do to win in less than three weeks.. We'll hear what he has to say, because we must win this election.
That old adage keeps rearing its ugly head. I know there are lots of adages that could apply here, but in this case, it's a fairly new and sickeningly blatant tact that some in the Democratic Party are using against fellow Democrats, and it really sucks. We watched during primary season as true progressives who should have won their respective races get beaten, as other (so-called) Democrats went on the attack. Make no mistake, this was a concerted effort by some "moderate" Dems (or Conserva-Dems) to destroy the progressive wing, and bolster the extremist pro-Israel flank of the party.
In a long, in depth post-mortem, Ryan Grim tells the story at The Intercept, and he joins in at the top of today's show to tell us what happened.
Then, about last night. Marco Rubio and Val Demings met for the one and only debate of this election cycle.
The concept of "election day" is now an anachronism. This is election season, and we're in the thick of it. Early voting has begun in many states, and others begin each day going forward. Debates are finally happening - where they're happening at all, and polls are tightening. The stakes couldn't be higher. I'll start today's show with an essay I found on Facebook that sums up what women my age (give or take a decade) have experienced during our lives, and where we are now. Unfortunately, its author is "unknown"- but it's brilliant. Then, I welcome Tom Sullivan to the show. Tom is a political blogger, holding down the morning shift at Digby's blog, and a field organizer, and author of the get-out-the-vote planning guide, "For the Win" (the 4th edition now out, forthewin.net). A listener emailed me yesterday about Tom's article at Digby's Blog encouraging Democrats to run on their accomplishments, with the comment "Democrats need to take the narrative and start ramming this down everyone's throat". So, today, let the ramming begin!
I'm still processing all the information we learned at yesterdays Jan 6 hearing. But it is clear to anyone who's paying attention that Donald Trump led the charge to attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 elections to remain in power. The gaslighting is apparent, but there's still a huge portion of the population that believes the lies they've been told by the former guy and right wing media, and they were willing to attack the Capitol to do what they thought was necessary to fight against what they were told was a stolen election. Except it wasn't. Instead it was the result of a massive disinformation campaign to foment insurrection. The House Select Committee investigating 1/6 did a great job of putting all the pieces together in a series of nine public hearings. Since Trump went down those escalators some seven years ago, he's been upending norms and challenging the pillars of this democracy-- the hallmark of which is the smooth, peaceful transition of power. We know that the transition from the Trump to the Biden administration was anything but smooth and peaceful. I wondered if we'd be able to survive. The good news is that we have before. Our guest will tell us about the two other transitions that were somewhat precarious! Today's guest is David Marchick. He was director of The Center for Presidential Transitions at the Partnership for Public Service, and hosted its Transition Lab podcast. The new book, "The Peaceful Transfer of Power: An Oral History of America's Presidential Transitions" is based on that podcast series.
What a day! The final J6 hearing, at least before the election, is taking place today. There's a lot that we hadn't yet known or heard. Today on the show, we'll review it all... Plus, a verdict for the Parkland murder and SCOTUS rules on Trump's petition... DENIED! And a subpoena has been issued for TFG!!!
One of the best parts of this job is that I get to speak with some amazing people. I first met Jeff Sharlet over a decade ago when I interviewed him for his brilliant book, "The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power." The book, and the one that followed, "C Street" are the basis of a Netflix series. "The Family." They detail the very secretive but omnipresent religious group that somehow straddles the highest levels of DC power. I immediately became a fan, and devoured his subsequent books and compelling magazine articles for which he travels and informs us about people and movements and attitudes that we need to know about but otherwise wouldn't. Jeff has a new book set for release in March, to be titled "THE UNDERTOW: Scenes from a Slow Civil War." All I know is the title, so I'll ask him about it--- but I have a feeling it begins with the same question I'd start out with: Election day is four weeks away. Can we, will we survive?
She's back! Fresh from another getting settled trip to her new home in Canada, @GottaLaff is back today to dish on the news, mine Twitter for her Tweet Spot, and just have some good, often silly, slaphappy fun.
Today's another information download day as Marcy Wheeler returns. At emptywheel.net, Marcy reports on issues of national security and other matters of importance, and has distinguished herself as one of the best journalists covering all aspects of the attack on our democracy and the efforts to hold the former guy and his enablers accountable. You will not find anyone who's on top of all of the January 6 progress and prosecutions, and the intrigue surrounding it all. Her appearances on this program are some of our most anticipated and most listened to, for good reason. So strap in, and let's get caught up on all if it, in a week that'll see at least three trials and the next hearing from the House Select Committee investigating the Jan 6 attack on the Capitol, the events leading up to it, and what's still going on...
It's Friday, so when the show ends, the weekend has arrived!
Since this is the first full weekend of autumn, the weather should be universally beautiful, a good time to get out and encourage people to vote! In some places, early voting has already begun. And if you get your ballots in the mail, they should be arriving any time. (Ours showed up today!)
Vote early if you can. That's one way to avert any bad surprises on election day and make sure your vote will count.
If you need some convincing that that is necessary, you're in the right place.
Investigative journalist Greg Palast is my guest today. As you likely know, he's been on the voter suppression beat for years now, honing in on Georgia, which is one ground zero in the fight for our voting rights. *Unfortunately, there are a few ground zeros, as the Republican war against Democrats' voting has been intensifying for years.
So, Palast has been in Georgia, sleuthing, investigating, asking questions and getting in the faces of the people responsible for kicking so many voters (mostly black people, brown people, and others who are more likely to vote for Democrats).
The result is the new film "Vigilante: Georgia's Vote Suppression Hitman"!
There are a few screenings this week... we'll tell you how you can see it when Greg Palast joins in at around the :30 minute mark.
It's Thursday, the day of the week that Howie Klein joins in. Howie was president of Reprise Records when I first met him, probably 25-30 years ago in LA. So our discussions often veer off into the music world. Just some context there. Since leaving Reprise and Warner Bros, Howie's been ensconced in progressive politics. He blogs at DownWithTyranny.com and runs the Blue America PAC along with Heather Digby Parton and John Amato. His latest piece up at DWT is "Good for American: More Ro Khanna, Less Herschel Walker." That sounds like a good place to start today's discussion...
Do you remember the term "tough love"? It was a behavior modification approach to troubled teens popularized in the last century. Sort of a last resort for kids that just don't learn from their mistakes and keep getting into the same kinds of trouble repeatedly. Well, today on the show, I speak with Ed Burmila, author of the new book, "Chaotic Neutral: How the Democrats Lost Their Soul in the Center," that seems to suggest putting that practice into action. To be more accurate, he calls out the party on all the mistakes they keep making, and identifies the eight pathologies that are at the core of why the Democrats are their own worst enemy. Tough love. So don't get angry at what we'll discuss today. Take it as constructive criticism for the party that needs to figure this out if they are going to rise to the occasion of saving what's left of our American form of democracy. And did I mention that the book is funny? Perhaps I'll have time to share a few passages... we also have some news to cover too!
Last week, my husband sent me an opinion piece from the Washington Post headlined "I don't want your god in charge of my health care," knowing it would strike a chord with me. So I reached out to the author, Kate Cohen, and invited her on the show. Today's the day. So we'll talk about the unsettling trend of Catholic-owned hospitals and doctors offices refusing to provide essential healthcare services because of the religious dogma of the church. She's also putting the finishing touches on her new book, "We of Little Faith," in which she encourages those who are atheists or nonbelievers to be loud and proud (my words, not hers!). But there's lots of news to cover before Kate Cohen joins us at around the 30 minute mark... Day 2 of the new SCOTUS term, and Kejani Brown Jackson is making herself at home, and making herself heard. Finally! Of course, there's the latest outrage to fill you in on concerning the liar/hypocrite Herschel Walker, and the truly reprehensible Ron DeSantis, whose sleaziness is further exposed each day..
Welcome to the first Monday in October. As happens every year on this day, the Supreme Court began a new session. For the first time in history, a Black woman is sitting on the bench as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Ketanji Brown Jackson making her debut today, asking more questions than Clarence Thomas did in the entire decade leading up to Antonin Scalia's death. (And with more substance in her first round of questioning than he ever displayed, but I digress.) With Justice Brown Jackson in place, there are now a record four women on the court. Unfortunately, one of them is as wing-nutty as they come, and she is one of six on that court with extreme right wing views. That said, as much as I look forward to KBJ on the court, I am NOT looking forward to their decisions taking away yet more of our liberties. Our guest today is the FOIA Master himself. Jason Leopold, now in place at Bloomberg News, shared a big surprise on Friday, and it was something he didn't even ask for (probably because none of us knew it had happened). The transcript of an off-the-record oval office meeting, three days before Trump's inauguration, between President Obama and a group described as "progressive columnists". For once, we really are that proverbial fly on the wall!
There is no such thing as a slow news day any more. With so much happening, we'll just hone in on two stories today. And they both deal with disaster, though of different varieties. Hurricane Ian - huge disaster. Here in Florida, where I live, the damage and despair is everywhere, even in the safe pocket in the southeastern section that probably the safest place to be in the whole state. Today, I think everyone here is feeling incredibly lucky. In fact, we should all go out and buy lottery tickets. But the reality is, we're far from lucky. The losses will be enormous, in both lives and treasure. And good luck if you hope to ever be able to purchase homeowners insurance in Florida again. Today, I'll speak with Daily Kos' senior staff writer April Siese who wrote today, "We need to drastically rethink what recovery looks like as the climate crisis worsens." But we'll start the show with our friend Lisa Graves, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General under AGs Janet Reno and John Ashcroft (in the Clinton and W administrations), now founder/ editor at True North Research. Lisa is my go-to expert on all legal/justice issues, and boy do we have a doozy! 'Judge' Aileen Cannon was appointed by Trump; Trump hand-picked her to do his bidding regarding the cache of classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago. Her first rulings dealing with the special master were overturned on appeal, but she gave Trump cover again on Thursday with a ruling that even this non-attorney can tell you was grade a bullshit. I'll ask Lisa about this latest head-scratcher. And of course, we'll talk about the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas being an election denier and doubling down on that sentiment yesterday when she answered questions from the House Select Committee investigating January 6.
This has been a hell of a week, and it's not over yet. It's Thursday, so Howie Klein of Down With Tyranny and the Blue America PAC is here. We talk politics, and I've saved a few political ads from this season that I think are worthy of discussion, so we'll do that. And as much as I'd like it to be over, Hurricane Ian is still drowning Florida. We'll have the latest on the storm that just won't leave...
Lucky is not a word I'd usually use to describe my situation, but this time, I'll make an exception. I'm very lucky not to be in the direct line of Hurricane Ian. The photo on today's show card is of the guy who became a South FL superstar during Hurricane Andrew. Most who experienced that storm first-hand credit Bryan Norcross for getting them through that terrifying night, myself included. That's why that picture of Norcross' coverage of Ian is so shocking... Today, I was prepared for the Jan 6 committee hearing, which was canceled thanks to the storm. So I'll share some things I've been holding on to for lack of time. Today, we have time. So we'll hear Merrick Garland's speech to a group of the US's newest citizens, we'll try to figure out why anyone would vote for Herschel Walker, and further make a dent in the file of sound and video I've been compiling but haven't had time to play. And yes,. the phone lines are open, especially if you're riding the storm out.. 954-889-6410
That was a question posted in the YouTube chat today. Since I've been through both a major hurricane (Andrew in 1992) and earthquake (Northridge 1994), I'm an expert, and gave my well thought out and long-winded answer... Yes, it's raining hard and the wind is blowing, but where I live in Broward County, FL, we're outside of the ring of uncertainty. That's something you learn about at an early age here in Floriduh. Prepared as we can be, we sit like ducks waiting for the storm to hit. Actually, we wait for days, willing the winds to shift ever so slightly, steering the beast away from where we are. It worked for me this time. The storm track moved further and further to the west, so it will slide up Florida's west coast and make landfall around Tampa. Certainly not good for them, but just what the doctor ordered for Miami/Ft. Lauderdale. But we're still getting outer bands and tomorrow has been called off. Well, not the whole day, just the Jan 6 hearing that we were ready for... Damn. But the optics. I get it. So today, we'll talk... Phones are open for anything you'd like to discuss. And I have some clips to share and stories to tell... Showtime 5ET/2PT
It's one of the banes of my existence! And I'm not living completely on the creative side of the line. But living life as a creative artist in a capitalistic society is akin to constantly swimming upstream during a tidal wave. Well, it often feels that way. Consumers are ingesting content more than ever, but the artists aren't reaping the benefits. A few behemoths who've swallowed up other producers along the way are living quite large, while the struggling artist just struggles harder. For those of us who thought the rise of the internet would give everyone an even chance to be seen and heard, the opposite seems to have triumphed and the giant companies are rolling in the riches. Today I'm joined by activist, author and defender of artists rights Cory Doctorow. He's joined by his co-authoor of the new book, "Checkpoint Capitalism: How Big Tech and Big Content Captured Creative Labor Markets and How We'll Win Them Back," Rebecca Giblin.
After a hectic week with non-stop breaking news, I think we all deserve a break from the politics. So after a brief recap of the latest news, we'll officially begin the weekend with something special. A singer/songwriter who I truly admire has a new book out, "How to Write a Song that Matters". I first met Dar Williams some 27 years ago. Her first album, "The Honesty Room" includes a song that listeners of the LA station where I worked truly connected with called "When I Was a Boy." We started playing it on KSCA fm 101.9 ...and the rest, as they say, is history. I've remained a fan through the years, but never had the opportunity to re-connect with Dar, until now. Her brand new book is out, called "How to Write a Song that Matters." She knows how to do that, and now shares that skill with the public in songwriting retreats, workshops and now, with this book. We have a lot of catching up to do, and I'm excited that listeners are along for the ride today. When the interview we recorded earlier this week ends, perhaps I could be persuaded to run into overtime and share the show we talk about during the interview. It was a morning show remote broadcast from Starbucks in Encino, CA, where she and Joan Baez (who were touring together) graced us with an amazing performance... Happy Music Friday!
Yesterday had to have broken some kind of record for most breaking news in one day. Today, we'll go over much of what happened. The phones will be open (954-889-6410) for you to weigh in, in the first half-hour. Then it's Howie Klein time again. The man behind the Blue America PAC and DownWithTyranny joins me every Thursday afternoon to talk about our broken fubar politics...
Two of the more despicable members of the extreme right wing faction of American politics are growing more indistinguishable from each other each day. And neither one of them is having a good day today. There's TFG, Donald Trump, who must feel the walls closing in on him. Yesterday, HIS hand picked choice for Special Master proved he's not having any of the maga circus and is not a puppet. Trump is quaking in his golf shoes. Then this morning, NY AG Letitia James laid out the specifics in a 220+ page $250 million lawsuit against TFG, his awful spawn and the execs who enable his criminal business activities for decades. And she made criminal referrals to the IRS and the SDNY (the DOJ).. We'll talk about some of these developments with The Nations' new DC Bureau Chief Chris Lehmann. Then Professor Harvey J. Kaye returns to the show to throw some historical shade on governor Floriduh man, who gets off on punking and demeaning Venezuelan refugees who've entered the US to LEGALLY apply for asylum. Republican cruelty is endemic in the 21st century...
I'm always happy when it's a Marcy Wheeler day here at the Nicole Sandler Show because she brings the facts. And it seems to be an endless stream of facts that she somehow manages to keep straight. So, strap in and get ready to take notes...
The title of Luke Mogelson's new book works on a few levels for us. I was going to play his interview on Friday, but too much was happening to do it all justice, so I opted to save the interview for today as we dealt with the latest atrocity from the governor of Floriduh. DeSantis is now enjoying all the attention he's getting for his perverse and sickening stunt perpetrated on 50 Venezuelans who risked their lives to come to the US to ask for asylum. We will have a few postscripts on that story, and a few words about the other storms we're weathering, both figuratively and literally as Puerto Rico is flooded and without power yet again... As for Luke Mogelson, the celebrated war correspondent came home to cover the storm he saw brewing with the rise of right wing extremists, conspiracy theorists, QAnon and MAGA world... We'll hear from him beginning at around the 20 minute mark.
we're all watching the situation unfurl on Martha's Vineyard, summer home to the very rich and reclusive. I'll have an update on the disconnect between reality and the actions of a few assholes who happen to be governors of Magat states.... But we'll start with the news that broke last night... the so-called judge (named by Trump with zero qualifications to a lifetime appointment in a federal court) who bent over backwards to do TFG's bidding and ruled against the DOJ, keeping them from dealing with the reams of confidential documents stolen by Trump when he left the White House. To explain just what a travesty and perversion of justice this is, we'll start the show with Lisa Graves, who served as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Clinton and W Bush administrations....
(We'll hear the interview with Luke Mogelson on Monday!)
We're now officially in general election season as the last of the primary races have now concluded. I'll ask Howie for an overall post mortem on the primaries, and find out how the Blue America endorsed candidates fared. We may talk about the latest stunt that the FlaDuh governor got in on today, as he loaded about 50 migrants onto two charter planes (that I at least partially paid for), and send them to Martha's Vineyard. There's so much wrong there, and we'll try to unpack it during today's show...
To be clear, I'm the one who brings the info down to the dummy level. Thom Hartmann is today's guest. He joins us to talk about his new book, "The Hidden History of Neoliberalism: How Reaganism Gutted America and How to Restore its Greatness". As he does on his daily radio show, Thom explains complicated economic policies in a way that most everyone can understand. We'll deal with the the blatant lies proffered by Republicans about Democrats' thoughts on abortion in the first half hour, before Thom joins in for a dose of American history.
With so much breaking news happening -- Lindsey Graham's national 15 week abortion bill, Maggie Haberman holding back big stories for a book, Trump holding meeting on VA golf course, Ukraine beating back Russia, Docugate and the special master, and more -- I could think of one person to talk about it all with... Heather "Digby" Parton is our guest today
Robert Greenwald founded Brave New Films over 20 years ago with a film called "Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election." Obviously, it was a travesty that deserved to be memorialized in film. For BNF, it was a highwater benchmark from which to begin a series of issues oriented documentaries. BNF has produced films that parallel the political, societal, cultural and geopolitical times... Their newest release, just out, is what's needed at this fraught time in the lifespan of our democracy... "Suppressed and Sabotaged: The Fight to Vote". Today, I'm joined by BNF Founder and President Robert Greenwald and Carmen Samuel, program manager to tell us about the film, why it's needed, and how to host your own screening. Of course, we'll begin with what's happening in our world. And yes, the Queen is still dead.
Yeah, I know that all of the so-called news shows here in the US are all in on the death of the Queen, but she died, she'll remain dead, Charles is the King and that's about all I have to say about that. I could say a few other things, but it would be counter-productive, and we've got more important things to deal with. Like WTF with this so-called judge that the former guy installed who appeased his call for a "special master" to derail the DOJ's investigation into TFG for stealing classified information on his way out of the White House. Today we'll meet a new guest of the show. Teri Kanefield is an author, teacher, appellate defense attorney and someone who's taken the facts of the Stolen Documents caper, organized them and made them easy to read, understand and digest on her blog at https://terikanefield.com and on Twitter (@Teri_Kanefield). Perhaps we'll be able to cut through some of the noise trying to drown out the truth.
To quote The Smiths, "The Queen is Dead". Rising to the throne, King Charles. Hmmm. There's other news today too, as Steve Bannon turned himself in and was indicted on six counts: two for money laundering, three for conspiracy and one count of scheme to defraud. There's more, and I'll get to as much of it as time permits. But it's Thursday, so Howie Klein will be here. And I'll take a few minutes to check in with my dear friend, "Boca" Brit Somers. She's in the hospital with a very tough diagnosis.
I've been out for the past week as I needed surgery on my right eye. Certainly not a fun experience, but I seem to be healing on or ahead of schedule, so that's good.
I've been out for the past week as I needed surgery on my right eye. Certainly not a fun experience, but I seem to be healing on or ahead of schedule, so that's good. I still can't see well enough to read much, so today will be a hybrid show of sorts... I'm here, armed with lots of news that transpired while I was out so we can cover some of it and talk about it. We'll also look at Ukraine, home to the most nuclear power plants in Europe. Russia is still occupying the largest one of them all, the plant at Zaporizhzhia, which experts warn could be another Chernobyl or Fukushima in the making. While Fukushima was raging some nine years ago, I spoke with Dr. Helen Caldicott, one of the pioneering doctors who warned about the dangers of nuclear power, especially as a pediatrician. In 1978, she resurrected Physicians for Social Responsibility, calling the world's attention to what she referred to as the "insanity" of the nuclear arms race and the growing reliance on nuclear power.
The affidavit explaining probable cause for the FBI to obtain a search warrant for Trump's Mar a Lago was unsealed and released today -- well, a fairly heavily redacted version anyway. Trump went ballistic on his ridiculously named Truth Social not Twitter page, although he's insisted for the past week he wanted it released. What we do know is that not only is Trump a liar, conman and thief, but he likely stole the most top secret documents from the US government for nefarious purposes. We do know the only thing he cares about is fattening up his bank account. Once must wonder what he was planning to do with upwards of 700-1000 pages of classified government documents, especially since the man famously does not read! I'll open the phone lines for you to weigh in, and will then call on blogger/podcaster Driftglass to get his thoughts.
A bit of what's news, for now... including the redacted affidavit that layed out probable cause for the Mar a Lago search warrant
Howie's back! Howie Klein has done a weekly segment with me on this show for over a decade now. He's been gone for the past month- I'll let him explain why. But he's thankfully back today and boy do we have a lot to talk about. Of course, we need to find out how he's doing. And while he was out, his former boss passed away. Mo Ostin was led Warner Brothers Records for many years and was widely respected by everyone in the industry-- artists, employees and everyone else. Including Howie Klein who worked under Mo as President of Reprise Records. I've been waiting for his return to ask Howie to tell us a bit about the great Mo Ostin. Of course, there have been a few primary elections since Howie was last here, and a lot of action in Congress too. We'll start Howie's segment a few minutes earlier than usual because there's so much to discuss. And just a head up-- I'll be out next Thursday, undergoing my own surgical procedure. Are we having fun yet?
One thing to know about all of the shit emanating from the former guy is that there's a lot of it, and it's all related. From January 6 to violations of the espionage act and other crimes too numerous to recount here, there's more craziness surrounding the orange man from mar a lago that we could possibly cover in an hour. But when Marcy Wheeler is my guest, we certainly try. Although Marcy was here just a few weeks ago, so much has transpired since that I have questions about. We'll begin with the FBI executing a search warrant at mar a lago to find hundreds of classified, even top secret, documents that the former guy absconded with when he left the White House. You might want to take notes, or just head over to emptywheel.net and start reading!
She's back... Good thing Laffy's here today as we have a whole smorgasbord of news to talk about, and you never know what'll happen during the show (maybe nothing, but you never know....)
Tomorrow is finally primary day here in Floriduh, so I thought it was a good time to share the crazy with the rest of the country. This is a big state and, depending where you are, very diverse. Broward County (where I live), home of Fort Lauderdale, is the bluest in the state. Miami-Dade, right next door to our south, used to be reliably blue as well, but with the influx of South American, Cuban and other refugees, and the anti-Socialist scare/propaganda permeating the Spanish-language airwaves, Republican and No Party Affiliation registrations outnumber those for the Democratic Party. This is a state where the governor is a smarter, better educated and more dangerous and dictatorial version of Trump, and anyone who tells you than can predict what will happen is lying. Today, I welcome Peter Schorsch to the show. He's the publisher and executive editor of Florida Politics. He and I will take a walk through the state to share some of the crazy with you.
It's another Friday in August, when normal people should be on vacation. But there's nothing normal around here... so we'll take a mini Flashback Friday trip back to April of 1996 for a session with Semisonic, a band I "discovered" from their demo, long before they had a monster hit with "Closing Time." That's how we'll end the week. But first, Ron DeSantis is having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day... I'll explain everything you need to know about moRon DeathSentence and why he can never be president!
Running late today due to a doctors appointment! Good thing Wendell Potter joins us today...
Yesterday, primary elections were held in Wyoming and Alaska, and the results are pretty much what we expected. But there were some unusual voting patterns in parts of Wyoming, so this morning I called the one person I know there. My old friend Mark "Fish" Fishman is Program Director and hosts mornings on KMTN 96.9FM in Jackson. I'll play back part of our conversation and, if time permits, my later conversation with his boss and newsman Scott Anderson. Then we'll turn our attention to the crazy religious zealotry I mentioned in the title of the episode. Frederick Clarkson was on with me just over a month ago, after he wrote a piece in Salon about Pennsylvania's Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano, who's as out there as they come. Well, now Fred has published an article at ReligionDispatches.org about a rift within the New Apostolic Refomation. We'll check in with Fred again because this is a movement we must not only keep an eye on, but have to counter.
Welcome to Tuesday, primary day in Wyoming and Alaska. Yes, the magats may get rid of Liz Cheney and bring back Sarah Palin. It's 2022, and I seriously didn't think we'd have to deal with the quitter-Governor of Alaska again. But here we are. The best way to deal with the inconceivable, and that's with laughter. So today, we welcome Roy Zimmerman to the show because nothing is better than music and laughter...
This is a typical Monday, meaning it came too quickly! There's lots going on, so today, we'll try to get updated on all of it. I've got stories, the phone lines are open for you to chime in with what you're following. And we'll check in with Rolling Stone's Asawin Suebsaeng too.
Once again we're in uncharted territory. 'Unprecedented' is the word that should win the prize for most-invoked over the last five years, and here we are again. A few firsts, as history has been made this week. Almost everything about Trump is unprecedented, including apparently his actions in taking classified documents from the White House when he finally left. The smear campaign against the FBI, DoJ and the AG -- led by the Former Guy-- is also unprecedented, as was Merrick Garland's decision to go before the microphones today to announce that he's asking for the search warrant and the inventory of documents and items seized by the FBI to be unsealed, after Trump incited anger and worse with false claims about the government's actions. As I do whenever there's a legal question of such magnitude, I invited Lisa Graves to join us today to weigh in on history in the making. Lisa Graves, who runs TrueNorthResearch, served in the DoJ as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General under AG Janet Reno during the Clinton administration, and under Richard Ashcroft in the GW Bush administration.
Once again the right wing hate talk media is lying to their audience and fomenting violence. What are we to do? Call them out and stand firm, speak the truth and expose their lies and hyperbole. To help navigate the murky waters, we welcome Jennifer Taub back to the show. She's an attorney, law professor, author (Big Dirty Money, Other Peoples Houses), and published an article yesterday in Slate, "With the Trump Raid, Merrick Garland Draws a Line in the Sand" -- we'll talk about that and lots more.
It was so considerate of the FBI to execute a search warrant on the former guy at Mar A Lago on the eve of Laffy's return to the show. But they did and she's back, and boy do we have a lot to talk about today!
The Pulitizer Prize winning columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Will Bunch, has a brand new book out dealing with the ridiculous costs of higher education here in the US. It's called "After the Ivory Tower: How College Broke the American Dream and Blew Up our Politics--And How to Fix it". He joins me today for a loose cost/benefit analysis. I still struggle with the fact that my daughter did not go to college, as I couldn't afford to send her and I didn't want her to take on that kind of debt when she didn't like school, wasn't a good student, and had no educational/career path planned. Apparently, we're not alone!
Apologies for being out yesterday. I'm dealing with a Jenga-like tower of crap that keeps falling over on me, figuratively speaking of course. I thought about taking off the rest of the week, but that would make too much sense. And then my friend Jason Leopold finally got the word from his new employer clearing him to come on the air with me. So if Jason's going to be here today, I will too! After BuzzFeed torpedoed its entire award-winning investigative news division, it appears that Bloomberg swooped in and scooped up the whole lot of them. So I'll talk with Jason about his new gig (and Bloomberg's policy of having to go through their publicist every time I want him to come on the air!), and some other developments in stories that he's been covering for the past decade or more... like the killing of al-Zawahiri, missing phone data, erased messages and more, oh my. We'll begin with the latest news, and update on Howie Klein who's usually here on Thursdays, and some actual good news too!
If you heard or tried to watch yesterday's show, you know that I'm in studio gremlin hell. All is still not right with things here, and my scheduled guest had to postpone her appearance. I couldn't just cancel today's show as there's so much going on, that I figured we'll wing it. I'll share some of what I'm watching today, and open the phones to hear from you too. There's the Alex Jones trial, Nancy Pelosi in Taiwan (maybe we should call Taiwan?), the veterans bill that Republicans tanked and are now allegedly supporting, and more... And if everything goes to hell, I have a segment from Brad Friedman's Bradcast about another FloriDUH scam, perpetrated by the largest power company in the country, Florida Power & Light..
It's a Monday, and I'm having one of those days... Thankfully Marcy Wheeler is back from her vacation and ready to catch us up on all that's been happening with the J6 committee and the DOJ, and perhaps she'll even have an "I told you so" for us regarding Merrick Garland's intents. And a follow-up on Friday's show with my old friend John Ondrasik. Now I'll tell you what I didn't tell you on Friday and hope you're not too mad at me.
As you certainly know by know if you're a regular listener of this program, a good chunk of my career was spent in music radio in Los Angeles. Back in 1997, while working as Rock Editor of the radio/record industry trade magazine "The Album Network," I heard a record from a new band called Five for Fighting. I fell in love with it. I met the man who recorded under that band name, John Ondrasik, just in time to learn that his label, EMI, was folding. The album, "Message for Albert" died. But John remained a friend. A few years later, he got another record deal and released his second album, "America Town," and the song "Superman" became a smash, bolstered when the 9-11 first responders embraced it as an anthem of sorts. Today, John joins me to share his newest song, something he wrote about and to raise funds for the people of Ukraine. It's called "Can One Man Save the World?".. A nice way to end the week, I think...
Howie Klein is usually here on Thursdays, but he's taking a couple of weeks off. Today, in his place, I'll speak with one of the Blue American-endorsed candidates here in South Florida. Annette Taddeo was running for Governor, but she dropped out and decided to run for Congress from FL23, a district she can and should win. So we'll talk with Annette at the bottom of the hour, and find out what is going on in Miami, and how we can take it back from the Proud Boys, who've infiltrated the Miami Republican Party's exective committee. But first, Manchin gives back the football? A new spending bill to deal with climate change and health care rising from the ashes of Build Back Better. Could it be true? Will Miss Enema derail it now? We'll take a look at what's happening...
Over the past week, we've met five of the six Democrats vying to be my congressional representative... well Florida's 23rd Congressional district. Today, we'll meet the two candidates running to take on Florida's governor. I actually spoke with Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried in September, but not much has changed since then. So, as I'm still in pain from fracturing two ribs, today, we'll listen back to those interviews. I still have to decide which one I'm voting for in the primary, and those of you not in Florida should know what we're dealing with here. Tomorrow, I'll speak with Annette Taddeo -- she was the third Democrat in that gubernatorial race. She dropped out a few weeks ago to run for Congress from FL27, a seat she can and should win.
Here in the blue enclave of Broward County Florida, and especially in the towns of Parkland and Coral Springs, the horrific events of Feb 14, 2018 are again top of mind, in our faces and the memories haunt our psyches. That's because the killer is on trial. He actually pleaded guilty to 17 counts of murder and 17 additional counts of attempted murder. This trial is the penalty phase, to determine whether that sorry excuse for a man lives or dies. They expect the trial to last four to six months. So much for his guilty plea relieving the families of having to live through a trial with all the gory details of how their children were murdered dredged up from the grave. And the nation is still dealing with the latest mass shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo.. It's past time we do something about it. Ten years ago this week, a man entered a movie theater showing a midnight screening of the new film, "Joker" and opened fire, killing 12 people and injuring 70 others. This week, a new book about that shooter was released. Today, I speak with Dr. Lynne Fenton, author of "Aurora: The Psychiatrist Who Treated the Movie Theater Killer Tells Her Story". She was outed as a psychiatrist who treated the killer, but obviously couldn't stop him...
Yes, it's a messed up Monday with a silver lining! I awoke this morning to be greeted by some YouTube videos of Joni Mitchell performing at the Newport Folk Festival yesterday -- her first live performance in about 20 years and her first time on that stage since 1969! Thank goodness, cuz the rest of the day ain't so great... Like finding out I fractured two ribs on Friday and that's what this pain in my side has been. So there's that... Today, we'll hear from the fifth of six Democratic candidates vying to replace my outgoing Congressman representing Florida's 23rd district. (The sixth, the perceived front runner, Jared Moskowitz and his people have completely ignored all of my attempts to contact them. I guess they don't want or need my vote.) There's a lot of news to share, and some videos to play that I didn't have time for last week
I was hoping for a big finish, but last night's 'season finale' of the House Select Committee hearings on the Jan 6 attack on the capitol was a bit of a letdown. But I think that's only because the first 7 were so explosive. We really didn't learn a whole lot more than we already know, except for the part about Mike Pence's Secret Service detail calling home to say good bye because they thought they might not make it out alive. (That was a biggie.) Anyway, in the interest of consistency and because it's important information, I'll share some of the details of last night's prime time conclusion... until September, anyway.
I'm still living in Florida, now in the 23rd Congressional District after the so-called governor's redistricting maps went into effect. My current congressman Ted Deutch is not running for re-election, so it's an open seat. There are six Democrats running for the nomination in the Aug 23 primary. All accepted my invitation to join me on the air (except for the front runner, whose campaign has ignored my numerous attempts to contact them). Today, we'll meet two more of them, neither has ever held elected office. Businessman Allen Ellison and Berniecrat Michaelangelo Hamilton, who would be the youngest person ever elected to Congress if he were to win. In the remaining time, Biden test positive for Covid, and the House is taking some important votes.
Today, I'm joined by Brian Karem, who we came to know as the reporter who regularly challenged the former guy when he covered the White House for Playboy. He's now writing for Salon, hosting the "Just Ask the Question" podcast and trying to keep them all honest. I realized that so much has happened since the last time he was with us, so today a round up of wtf has happened and a discussion about how and if we can fix it all.
A new week begins, with the hope that Thursday's season finale of the January 6 hearings is a blockbuster that finally shocks the sleepwalking portion of the nation into reality. Much happened since we last spoke, including Joe Manchin's latest act of sabotage against the Democratic Party and the people of this country. (That's what Bernie Sanders called it, and I agree). So, we'll recap some of the latest news, and then welcome DC journalist Mark Leibovich to the show. He spent over a decade at the NY Times, and this year moved to The Atlantic. And his fourth book was just released last week, called "Thank You For Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission"...
And actually, everything has been broken for a very long time. It just keeps getting worse. The question is whether or not we can fix it. Cynicole says no... maybe we'll explore that today, or we'll talk about all of the things that are broken beyond repair. But today's guest actually has some ideas. David Pepper is a lawyer, author, and the former chair of the Ohio Democratic party. He guested on this program last year to discuss his new book, "Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines" which is summed up by the appropriated line, "it's the statehouses, stupid." I invited him to join us today after reading his 22 Tweet thread about the Guarantee Clause in the US Constitution-- and how invoking that could possibly save what's left of this experiment in democracy.
Today was the 7th of the hearings put on by the House Select Committee investigating the attack on the Capitol on Jan 6, 2021. The witnesses today were to former acolytes of the former guy, a former Oath Keepers spokesman, and one of the insurrectionists who said he marched to the Capitol because Trump told him to. Today on the show, we'll review today's hearing.. Your calls, as usual, are welcome!
When I say that "Americans" don't know their US history, I really mean Republicans. They're the ones re-writing the school textbooks to take out the "offensive" stuff... Not like slavery, but anything that makes you believe that slavery was so horribly bad!! We could waste a lot of time on their ignorance, but I'll try to contain myself and be satisfied with the lessons that our friend, Prof. Harvey J. Kaye imparts on us today...
We made it to another Friday. With the way things are going in the world, I'm amazed we made it this far. Between the holiday on Monday and taking Wednesday off, there are a few important stories/issues I never got around to. So today, we'll wrap up the week's loose ends. I'm also beginning my vetting of the candidates running to replace Ted Deutch, my Congressman, who's retiring. There are quite a few Democrats vying for the nomination, so I reached out to all who appeared somewhat reasonable to me and invited them on the show. I got one response so far, so today I'll speak with candidate Mike Trout. His website is miketroutforcongress.com. (Note: he appears to be quite interesting, though is not necessarily my choice... )
I'm back today after taking a much needed mental health/hang with the family day. That's what hearing the stories about the innocent people who were killed on the 4th of July, doing something to celebrate this country. I fear there's not much about this country worth celebrating any more. And the events that unfolded Monday morning in Highland Park, IL. The two year-old toddler who lost both of his parents as his father was killed shielding his tiny body with his own. Or the children who lost their mother, a teacher at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and then became orphaned when their father died after his broken heart gave out the day after his wife was murdered. I thought I needed a day off just to hang out with my daughter, so I did. Today is Thursday, so Howie Klein is here. And we're not lacking in news... like Boris Johnson's resignation!
The US Extreme Court, formerly known as Supreme, has decimated some of the principles upon which this nation was founded. Today, we focus on the illegitimate three (and their three accomplices) who have, with some of their recent rulings, decimated the separation of church and state and with it the First Amendment's Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. The Establishment clause prohibits the government from "establishing" a religion. The Free Exercise Clause protects citizens' right to practice their religion as they please, so long as the practice does not run afoul of a "public morals" or a "compelling" governmental interest. They did this in two cases announced in the last two weeks: one that said a high school football coach did not run afoul of the constitution when he had players gather on the 50-yard line after games for a Christian prayer, and another saying that the state of Maine must pay for religious schools if no public school is available in the district where a student lives. As horrible as all of that is, it doesn't include the dangerous sect of Christianity that' positioning itself to impose their religious dogma on the rest of us. It's not just Christianity, but Dominionism and New Apostolic Reformation that's invading every sector of government, as is their plan. Frederick Clarkson wrote about this trend and the Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania, Doug Mastriano, who takes this religious perversion to new extremes. And, oh yeah, another mass shooting at a 4th of July parade in Highland Park, IL yesterday, killing six and injuring dozens... Welcome to the new Gilead of America...
Today is the Friday before the long Fourth of July holiday weekend and I don't know about you, but I'm ready to tune out the news and try to de-stress after the past week... year.... 5 years... You get the idea. The best medicine, they say, is laughter. So, I invited today's guest on the show because she consistently provides us with that much-needed medicine with her weekly song parodies (and occasional original composition), Lauren Mayer. She writes biting satirical lyrics and performs these parodies with a combination of news and topicality, intelligence, fun and talent. We'll start with some other news-adjacent info, and then Lauren will Zoom in... Also, a programming note: Monday is July 4th and I will be taking a holiday... but I will have a show. It's radio (or a close facsimile), and the show must go on. So on Monday, I'll do a music show, which means no YouTube or other video stream. So on Monday, listen to the audio-only show at nicolesandler.com/listen-live, on progressivevoices.com or pull up my stream the simplest way at nicolesandlerstream.com. And Happy Independence Day. Yay us!