Articles referenced in the discussion:Angry residents erupt at meeting over new mask rule (cnn.com)Social Distancing and Masks Are Effective in Reducing the Spread of Coronavirus, Study Confirms (people.com)The psychology behind why some people won’t wear masks (cnn.com)American Demagogues (nytimes.com)
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“Bombshell” was in large part about of the women who exposed the culture of sexual harassment at Fox News, but it also showed an approach to making news media profitable, and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the sexualizing of aspects of news presentation (01:46), the selection and presentation of news to play on emotion (18:07) and confirmation bias (34:43) in order to target specific types of viewers and obtain unquestioned loyalty from those viewers. The guys also take a look at how different people respond to the type of accusations dealt with in the movie, particularly in situations involving conduct that is not egregious as the stuff that was happening at Fox News (44:54).
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The right to vote has been in large part secured, but the fight against efforts to make it inaccessible is ongoing, so James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the issues Georgia primary and how the practice of voter suppression often plays out (02:00), discuss the typical battle lines in the fight to make voting more or less accessible, including LeBron James’ recent entry into the fray (26:23), and how these battle lines influence, and are influenced by, the strategies of the Republican and Democratic parties (39:49).
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Americans coming together in such large numbers is a reassertion of the ultimate power of the people, so James Keys, Tunde Ogunlana, and Carlton Washington discuss what change is being sought, and what change should be sought, by the people (01:34), the defund the police theme that has picked up steam in recent weeks (12:15), how some public figures and institutions have publicly (and apparently genuinely) changed their tune on the urgency of fighting for justice and equality (30:26), and what appears to be a massive turn away from divisiveness and towards coming together to address societal issues (43:20).
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The murder of George Floyd has been a flashpoint for civil unrest around the U.S., and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the actual murder and how people will be given opportunities to perceive it however they would like (01:19), the protests and the frustration which fuels them and the commonality that binds together all of the peaceful protestors (07:57), taking a specific look at the peaceful protestors really embody the equality ideology (15:30). The guys also discuss the looting and violence that has popped up as well as the militarized approach to the demonstrations (33:15) and consider what comes next (47:23).
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Our current economic situation seems dire, so James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at what experts are saying is in store for our economy, including whether we are in position to have a quick recovery (01:42) or experience an extended depression (09:32) and if anything can be done to get things back on track more quickly (19:05). The guys also discuss a coal power plant’s plan billion dollar bet to stay viable by building the largest carbon capture facility ever (41:02).
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No one man should have all that power, so James Keys, Tunde Ogunlana, and Carlton Washington take a look at the use of power and privilege to undermine the rule of law, particularly taking a look at the murder of Ahmaud Arbery and the failure to arrest the killers (01:54) and the armed protests of COVID lockdown and whether use of intimidation tactics are justified (21:05). The guys also discuss what Attorney General William Barr is attempting to do in trying to let off Michael Flynn after Flynn admitted to lying to federal agents and whether President Obama is correct that rule of law is at risk due to Barr’s conduct (37:28).
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Continuing their look at Confessions of an Economic Hit Man, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how the described corporatocracy system and economic hit man activity undeniably did provide some benefits to Americans (02:22). The guys also consider whether a having corporatocracy with economic hit men is inconsistent with the foundational values of the America republic (11:16), whether economic imperialism is inevitable (23:32), and the extent to which our human nature makes varying economic systems ripe for exploitation and/or unworkable (37:28).
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Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” told a story that involved some of the most monumental political and social events in the 20th century, and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what stood out from a economic and a human standpoint in the movie (1:17), take a look at how certain aspects of how power is exercised is timeless and how others may have changed (18:00), and debate whether strong armed tactics are a necessary component of organized labor (42:52). The guys also consider the plausibility the explanations that are given in the movie for certain key events in the 20th century (51:41).
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Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is unquestionably an eye opening book, and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what about the described corporatocracy system and economic hit man activity stood out to them (0:58) and how learning about the way things may go down behind the scenes can improve one’s understanding of what is going on around us navigating (17:11). The guys also take a look at how our insatiable need for oil drives much of what is described in the book and also led to some peculiar geopolitical arrangements (29:16).
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