Call It Like I See It

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how quickly followers of Donald Trump were to attack the pillars of the American system like courts and a jury following Trump’s conviction and the almost religious manner in which Trump defines reality for his followers (1:24).  The guys also consider Jerry Seinfeld’s “agreed-upon hierarchy” comments and whether too much was being made of them (26:22) and how the extensive misogyny in rap music can affect one’s behavior and/or enjoyment of the music, particular as one ages (46:00).

Trump Was Convicted by a Jury, Not by His Political Enemies (Wall Street Journal)

Republicans are sticking by Trump, the felon — even in battleground states (Politico)

The Texas GOP Has Made Its Bed With Trump—Conviction Be Damned (Texas Monthly)

Trump supporters call for riots and violent retribution after verdict (Reuters)

Trump supporters try to dox jurors and post violent threats after his conviction (NBC News)

Trump allies signal they’re declaring war against Republican Senate candidate (The Independent)

Jerry Seinfeld Says He’s Nostalgic for “Agreed-Upon Hierarchy” and Misses “Dominant Masculinity” (Yahoo!)

Jerry Seinfeld on the Rules of Comedy—and Life | Honestly with Bari Weiss (YouTube)

Inside My Complicated Relationship With Rap Music (Esquire)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the extent to which Justice Samuel Alito’s flag flying controversy undermines the Supreme Court as an institution and whether that may be the point (1:16).  The guys also discuss the NCAA’s history settlement that will result in revenue sharing with college sports players (16:00), react to the claim from one scientist that he can prove we live in a simulation (32:31), and consider whether humans are in fact addicted to addiction (43:42).

Dems Call for Alito to Recuse Himself From Jan. 6 Cases Over Upside-Down Flag (Rolling Stone)

A Christian Nationalist Battle Flag Flew at Justice Alito’s Vacation Home (Rolling Stone)

NCAA settlement a historic day for paying college athletes. What comes next? (ESPN)

A Scientist Says He Has the Evidence That We Live in a Simulation (Popular Mechanics)

Food, sex, drugs and more – are we addicted to addiction? (New Scientist) (Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss illiberalism, which is the opposite of the liberalism ideal that forms the philosophical basis of the American constitutional setup, and some recent articles that suggest that home grown illiberalism has been a central feature and not a periodic diversion in American culture (1:31). The guys also take a look at recent studies on how fluoride consumption may be bad for fetuses (35:17) and the protests in New Caledonia over the mining of nickel for EVs and batteries (46:16).

The Deep, Tangled Roots of American Illiberalism (NY Times)

The Illiberalism at America’s Core (The New Republic)

Pregnant? Researchers want you to know something about fluoride (LA Times)

Behind New Caledonia’s Riots, a Fight Over Vast Reserves of Nickel (Wall Street Journal) (Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the story of Lauren Southern, the right wing influencer whose life experiences now have her publicly questioning the “tradwife” mindset she once was a big promoter of (1:25).  The guys also react to the death sentence given to Iranian hip hop hero Toomaj Salehi for his music and criticism of Iran’s controlling regime (39:45).

Lauren Southern: how my tradlife turned toxic (Unherd.com)

Iran’s hip-hop hero refused to be silenced. Now he’s been sentenced to death (The Times) (Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what appears to be a transparent and ongoing attempt by former president Donald Trump to exert dominion over American legal and electoral system (1:19). The guys also consider whether human consciousness may be a byproduct of entropy (40:27).

Judge Cites Trump for Contempt, and Says He Is Attacking the Rule of Law (NY Times)

Trump says he will only accept 2024 election results ‘if everything’s honest’ (CNN)

As Trump airs his election doubts, many supporters say they won't accept a Biden win in 2024 (NBC News)

Human Consciousness Could Be a Side Effect of Entropy, Study Suggests (Science Direct)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana are joined by Grace Harry, author of the 2023 book “The Joy Strategist,” and discuss notable items from the book and what’s next for her (1:39). The James, Tunde, and Grace also react to Jerry Seinfeld’s recent assertions that the “extreme left” and PC crap” are responsible for the demise of TV comedy sitcoms (34:09).

The Joy Strategist: Your Path To Inner Change (Andscape Books)

Jerry Seinfeld Causes Uproar With Comments About 'Extreme Left and P.C. Crap' Ruining Comedy (Huffpost)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at what's going on at Columbia University and other college campuses where so called peaceful protests on campuses over Israel’s actions in Gaza are creating quite a stir on campus (1:22).  The guys also weigh in on whether the slotted salary for former Iowa Hawkeye star and recent #1 draft pick Caitlin Clark is unfair compared to men’s sports or more generally (39:53).

Columbia cancels in-person classes; protesters arrested at Yale and NYU: Updates (USA Today)

Columbia University main campus classes will be hybrid until semester ends; NYU students, faculty arrested during protests (CNN)

Columbia, Free Speech and the Coddling of the American Right (NY Times)

Why Anti-Israel Protesters Won’t Stop Harassing Jews (Intelligencer)

Who’s Behind the Anti-Israel Protests (WSJ)

Caitlin Clark salary criticism a ‘false narrative,’ says WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert (CNBC)

Shaquille O'Neal Says ‘It’s Up to the People to Support’ Caitlin Clark and WNBA in Salary Uproar (People)

The WNBA’s Future Can Be Seen in the NBA’s Past (Global Sport Matters)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the “culture of fear” that many scientists are saying has developed around gender medicine research (1:32).  The guys also react to the rap beef involving Drake, Kendrick Lamar and other heavyweights that recently exploded and consider why it seems we do not see high profile rap beefs like in the past (31:51).

‘This isn’t how good scientific debate happens’: academics on culture of fear in gender medicine research (The Guardian)

Anti-Trans Bills Disregard the Science on Sex and Gender (The Progressive Magazine)

American College of Pediatricians: No Benefits From ‘Gender-Affirming’ Interventions (Daily Citizen, from Focus on the Family)

19 Burning Questions About Rap’s Civil War (The Ringer)

NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Stars Say Risk Not Worth The Reward (Sportico)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the explosion of sports gambling in society and how it has changed both the business of and culture around sports (1:16).  The guys also react to recent revelations on how ultra processed food changes the way our brains work (34:41).

America Made a Huge Bet on Sports Gambling. The Backlash Is Here. (The Wall Street Journal)

In the wake of the Shohei Ohtani scandal, can sports and legal gambling coexist? (Yahoo! News)

Cavs head coach says he received threats from sports gamblers (Axios)

Will the politics of sports gambling make it the next national ‘addiction’ crisis? (The Hill)

Gambling addiction hotlines say volume is up and callers are younger as online sports betting booms (NBC News)

The New Science on What Ultra-Processed Food Does to Your Brain (The Wall Street Journal)

From anxiety to cancer, the evidence against ultra-processed food piles up (NPR)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at Florida’s recent law which, among other things, operates to ban kids under 14 from social media, and in light of the dangers posed by social media, react to the criticism that has called the ban unconstitutional and/or hypocritical (1:16). The guys also weigh in on President Biden’s issuance of a statement recognizing Trans Visibility Day, which generated a lot of controversy because the day fell on Easter this year (33:12).

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs bill that bans children under 14 from having social media accounts (NBC News)

DeSantis signs ban on kids using social media (Tampa Bay Times)

Florida’s DeSantis signs one of the country’s most restrictive social media bans for minors (AP News)

Florida Has Banned Kids Using Social Media, but It Won’t Be That Simple (NY Times)

DeSantis lauds 'free state' of Florida. He should let parents decide kids' social media use. (USA Today)

Trump and Republicans unite in fury at Biden after Trans Visibility Day falls on Easter Sunday by chance (The Independent)

Posts misrepresent White House Easter egg contest, Day of Transgender Visibility proclamation (AP News)

American Egg Board forced to respond to Republican conspiracy theory about White House Easter event (The Independent)