Heaven's Gate. The Branch Davidians. Children of God. The Republican party? Liberals and conservatives have been accusing each other of being in a cult since forever, but neither has exhibited all of the classic characteristics and traits ... until now. This week, the gang discusses the idea that Republicans are beginning to cross the line from party cohesiveness and loyalty to straight-up cult status.

 

0:00:00 - Intro (Meredith and Jay can't deal with winter, 23&Me disrupted Ty and Jay's family)

0:25:15 - Sounds of the Week:

• JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Slams Remote Work
• Crowd overflows Belton coffee shop during event with US Rep. Mark Alford 

0:51:17 - Cults

 

Songs:

"Hypnotize" by System of a Down

"I Burn" by Toadies

"Brainwashed" by The Kinks

 

Notes:

• Planet Comicon KC Guest List (0:09:40)
• Judge largely blocks Trump’s executive orders ending federal support for DEI programs (0:17:40)
•  Federal judge considering a request to further block Trump administration from freezing funds (0:17:55)
•  A Fourth Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order (0:18:00)
•  Supreme Court pauses Trump administration's effort to fire head of whistleblower protection agency (0:18:10) 
• Supreme Court Grants Trump Request to Pause Foreign-Aid Payments Deadline (0:19:20)
• Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., talking about town hall meeting on CNN (0:42:51)
• Two Missouri lawmakers looking to dismantle the ATF (0:43:55)
• Characteristics of a cult (0:56:10)
• Traits of cults (0:56:10)
• How Social Media Features Parallel Cult Techniques (0:56:10)
• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta (1:04:45)
• KnittingCultCaptain (1:11:37)