775 Alive

This episode covers the basics of the Big Beautiful Bill. Scott and Crystal talk about what is in the bill, what the bill hopes to accomplish and what the bill means to the overall Trump strategy. Plus, our hot take on whether are Elon and Trump's spat is real. 

Scott and Crystal discuss the anti-ICE riots in LA breaking out in early June 2025 in light of our earlier conversations on the culture of protesting (see Episode 004: The Culture of Protesting). We also talk about the differences between these riots and earlier riots in the 2020 "Summer of Love", the 1992 Rodney King Riots, and the 1960s riots in Watts and Detroit. The role of the military in the riots as well as what this might mean for the "California model" of politics is also discussed.

Crystal and Scott tackle the issue of district judges currently dominating national headlines. Topics for discussion include the 775's Thacker Pass Lithium Mine case, the Alien Enemies Act, Birthright Citizenship, and the ability of district court judges to issue nationwide injunctions through the process of jurisdiction shopping. We also highlight the theory recently put forward by Fifth Circuit Court Judge James Ho that district court judges are unique in the American system of government by being able to unilaterally make decisions without consulting or compromising with other parties.

 Inspired by Crystal watching a video about an AI-powered robot attacking workers trying to turn it off, her and Scott discuss the impact of AI from the perspective of the 775. Topics include how rural Nevada is becoming a potential location for the data farms to power AI, the nature of AI intelligence, deep fakes in politics and the Nevada Legislature, and how AI might impact jobs in the urban and rural economies. 

DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, is one of the most controversial programs of the second Trump administration. Crystal and Scott discuss the issues around DOGE, historical and modern bureaucracies, and how the process might not be as radical as it appears in the media. 

 Nevada is one of the seven current swing states in the nation--a status it has maintained since becoming a state in 1864. Crystal and Scott discuss how two separate political cultures, rural and urban, may be interacting to keep Nevada a swing state. 

Crystal’s video of the “Hands Off” Protests on April 5th in Carson City sparked a discussion during a Zoom test call about modern protest culture. Are protests authentic uses of First Amendment protections if the protesters are paid or organized on a large scale? Are modern protests effective at creating change, a tool for political parties, or callback to the “glory days” of 1960s social movements? Scott and Crystal delve into these issues and more. 

 Mining is one of the most important industries in rural Nevada, but one that raises numerous controversies. Crystal and Scott dive into some of these controversies around the economic and environmental issues from the gold mining currently taking place and the potential of lithium mining in the region. We also discuss the possibilities of the Lithium Loop, where Nevada would be both mining the lithium and doing the resultant refining and manufacturing within the state, for Nevada's economy over the next few decades. 

 With tariffs leading news headlines at the moment, Crystal and Scott chat about tariffs from an economic and historical perspective. Topics include different kinds of tariffs, the long history of tariffs in American policy, and how modern Keynesian economics view tariffs as a threat to economic stability. We wrap up with some speculation of how the proposed tariffs will impact those living in the 775. 

Here in Nevada, the biennial Nevada State Legislature is in session. While Republicans might (barely) dominate the three branches of government at the national level, Democrats dominate both houses of the Nevada State Legislature. Crystal and Scott delve into what this means in terms of legislative priorities at both the state and national levels.