#PSLive 2016 Presidential Debate
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Class and Culture at the Republican and Democratic Conventions
Class and Culture at the Republican and Democratic Conventions
Walking around the conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia one could see that there have been many changes in class and culture both inside and outside of the parties in the last fifty years.
In Cleveland I was able to tour the Q while it was still being turned from a sports ...
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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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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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Police and Protesters at the Republican and Democratic Conventions
Every four years Congress gives each city hosting a major party convention $50 million dollars to protect the convention and police the protestors. They usually use it to bring in cops from across the country. In Cleveland I saw shoulder patches from the California, Florida, and South Carolina Highway patrols, ...
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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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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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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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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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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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Voting Rights, Olympics Commentary, and Think Tanks
Past Present Episode 47
Here are some links and references mentioned during this week’s show:
This summer, courts struck down restrictive voting laws in North Carolina, Kansas, and Wisconsin. Niki pointed out that there have been only 31 cases of voter fraud since 2000. We recommended Ari Berman’s history of voting rights, Give Us ...
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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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