Mother Teresa, the Alt-Right, and Taco Trucks

Past Present Episode 50

In this week's episode, Neil, Niki, and Natalia debate the canonization of Mother Teresa, the rise of the alt-right, and the menace of taco trucks. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Mother Teresa has been declared St. Teresa by Pope Francis. Natalia noted the controversy that has ...
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Mother Teresa, the Alt-Right, and Taco Trucks

Presidential Health, Free Pre-K, and Star Trek

Past Present Episode 51

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Hillary Clinton’s team announced she has pneumonia after she fell ill at the 9/11 commemoration. Neil argued anxiety over Clinton’s health was really partisan politics, fueled by internet conspiracies like the “Hillary Clinton Parkinson’s” videos. Natalia responded the Hillary ...
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Presidential Health, Free Pre-K, and Star Trek

Satellite Events at the Republican Convention

Party conventions aren’t just about politics and parties. They are also about education and promotion. Groups come looking for supporters, or just to inform the public. They push their products as readily as any merchant. Some groups ask for money, some don’t; some feed you, some don’t. All want your ...
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Satellite Events at the Republican Convention

Colin Kaepernick, Burkinis, and Crime at Walmart

Episode 49

In this week's episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate Colin Kaepernick's protest against the national anthem, France's burkini ban, and Walmart's high crime rate. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick remained seated during a recent pre-game national anthem in protest ...
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Colin Kaepernick, Burkinis, and Crime at Walmart

Baton Rouge, Christian Intellectuals, and Teaching Trump

Past Present Episode 48

In this week's episode, Niki, Neil, and Natalia debate flood relief in Louisiana, the disappearance of Christian intellectuals, and teaching Trump in the classroom. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: More than two feet of rain brought death and destruction to southern Louisiana recently. Natalia addressed ...
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Baton Rouge, Christian Intellectuals, and Teaching Trump

Cleveland’s Other Conventions at the RNC

Political conventions attract strange bedfellows. Over the weekend preceding the Republican Convention, two other conventions met to talk about issues that were almost polar opposites to those of the Republicans. Both were held in black Baptist churches. The traditional Sunday protest march was small and peaceful, organized by the Worker’s ...
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Cleveland’s Other Conventions at the RNC

Credential Chaos and Confusion at the RNC

"I'm not a member of an organized party. I'm a Democrat." If Will Rogers had said this today he would be describing the Republican convention in Cleveland, or at least the preconvention meetings. Unlike the Democrats, the Republicans hold their Committee meetings the week before the actual convention. There, important decisions ...
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Credential Chaos and Confusion at the RNC

Khizr & Ghazala Khan, Roger Ailes, and Juicing

Past Present Episode 46

Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Khizr and Ghazala Khan’s appearance at the Democratic National Convention was only one among many speeches at both political conventions by parents who had lost their children. Neil argued that these speeches were effective because people felt sympathetic towards ...
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Khizr & Ghazala Khan, Roger Ailes, and Juicing

Veeps, Beach-Going, and the Olympic Doping Scandal

Past Present Episode 45

On this week's episode, Natalia, Neil, and Niki debate the changing role of the vice presidency, the history of beach-going, and the Russian doping scandal overshadowing the Rio Olympics. Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have picked Tim Kaine and Mike ...
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Veeps, Beach-Going, and the Olympic Doping Scandal