Make It Plain MIP with Rev. Mark Thompson

Over the weekend the news broke that Russian bounties to Taliban-linked militants resulted in deaths of U.S. troops, according to intelligence assessments. Now Trump and his aides are dancing around whether or not he was briefed on this months ago. In today's episode, Mark talks with Retired Army Colonel Jasey Briley & Retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Nance, who provide detailed background and historical context for understanding the significance of the story, consider if the military would escort Trump out of office if necessary, and address racism in the military. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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It was the summer of 1999 and Julius Jones was a 19-year-old college student home for the summer. Before he could return to school that fall, he found himself locked up for a murder he didn't commit. This is the story of Julius Jones, an innocent man sitting on death row in Oklahoma, potentially receiving an execution date before the end of 2020. That's where Cece Jones-Davis comes in. She is a speaker, writer, and social advocate, now working on behalf of Julius as she leads the Justice for Julius Campaign. In today's episode, we hear the story of the crime that started it all, where his original defense team went wrong, the prosecutor they were up against (once named "2nd deadliest prosecutor in the U.S."), and all the ways in which the system failed the young, innocent man. Despite 20 trying years in prison, he hasn't given up hope for clemency, and Cece tells us about the growing momentum behind the campaign, which now includes the support of celebrities like Viola Davis, Trae Young, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, and Kim Kardashian. CLICK HERE for more information: justiceforjulius.com Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Today's episode is a lesson in how the government seeks to weaken certain demographics by separating children from their families (especially when we're in the midst of a cultural uprising)--a tactic that is certainly not new, but more relevant than ever as COVID-19 rages on. "The Trump administration was able to accomplish what it set out to do in 2018 and 2019" to immigrants, says Dr. Laura Briggs, author of five books including her latest, "Taking Children: A History of American Terror." The administration has now effectively ended the legal asylum program, with only 2 people granted asylum in the U.S. since March. Meanwhile, in ICE Detention Centers, children are living in danger as the facilities put them at high risk for contracting coronavirus and officials aren't even reporting cases. Mark and Professor Briggs get into this and so much more, from CONTRA and the crack epidemic to the major flaws within the child welfare system. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Susie Madrak of CrooksandLiars.com had a 10-week illness that she suspects was a bout of coronavirus (you're going to have to listen to the episode to hear about her testing situation)--something that was "like a burglar hitting every room of the house" as she experienced everything from loss of taste and smell to difficulty breathing. And as a cancer survivor, she figured it best to employ a few methods that she now credits with saving her life. So what are her thoughts on Trump now actively working to reduce COVID testing? Well, it's part of his plan to make sure there isn't a large voter turnout in November, says Susie. After coronavirus talk, they get into possible Biden VP picks, Aaron Zelinsky's scathing testimony about Roger Stone and the Department of Justice, Michael Flynn's case inching toward dismissal, John Bolton's interview with Stephen Colbert, and the return of baseball as 40 MLB players and staff test positive for coronavirus over the last week. It's a mixed bag in today's episode as we welcome Susie back to the show! Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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If you're looking to support an organization that is doing the literal work to dismantle systemic racism, then look no further than Color of Change. Their team goes straight to the sources that are contributing to and supporting white supremacy--like the time they successfully pressured Mastercard to stop processing funds for hate groups and white supremacist organizations. Arisha Hatch is the Vice President and Chief of Campaigns and she joins today's episode to tell us about what they've got their sights set on next: cop reality shows that glorify and romanticize police brutality and racism. They're looking to get the show "Cops" off the air for good, and in the process, they're shining a light on sketchy relationships between production companies and police departments that let the departments be choosy about what content is shared and sometimes, evidence just happens to go missing. Lastly, this conversation would not be complete without discussing the org's hard work to fix Facebook, which is "too big and too powerful to no longer be regulated," says Arisha. This episode is PACKED! Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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On the heels of the disturbing revelation that a noose was left in NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace's garage, Mark talks with Andrew Lawrence of MediaMatters.org, who says there's no difference between those who support the confederacy and those who support Trump--it's his ironclad base. The two also do some unpacking of recent Tucker Carlson broadcasts, which come complete with politicians suggesting that those considered "high risk" for coronavirus should sacrifice their lives for the economy and Carlson himself pushing the conspiracy that Black Lives Matter protests have the goal of white genocide. This episode has some heavy stuff but Andrew does not fail to bring some comedic relief--especially when he calls Trump a "tub of goo." Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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It's summertime, but school is in session with today's panel, folks! Last week, the Supreme Court handed down a historic ruling on Title VII, which now provides employment protections to LGBTQ+ people. But what does that actually mean? That's the focus of today's panel featuring Joshua Matz, Partner at Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLC, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown Law School, Rev. Irene Monroe, Educator, Host of All Rev'd Up on WGBH in Boston, and Rick Rosendall, Columnist at the Washington Blade. Joshua Matz wrote a legal brief, along with Professor Larry Tribe of Harvard Law School, where they argued that this case is actually simple if you apply the plain text of the Civil Rights Act directly to the facts of the case, as you'll inevitably reach the conclusion--and that they did. Though the ruling is a huge step forward, the panelists agree this is one small piece of a larger push for equality. And as Rev. Irene Monroe points out, the fight for LGBTQ+ liberation must work harder to center People of Color. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Today is the final episode we will be sharing a personal poverty story ahead of the Poor People's Campaign holding a Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington TOMORROW, June 20th. Today's speaker is India from Arkansas, who shares her experience with predatory landlords who exploit those living in poverty. Up next is a conversation with Majority Whip James Clyburn. The former history teacher holds class for us on Juneteenth and tells the story of the most significant person in South Carolina's history: Robert Smalls, a former enslaved person who recruited 40,000 African Americans into the Union Army and later became a Congressman. MORE INFO on the Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington: june2020.org Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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First up: The Poor People's Campaign is holding a Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington on June 20th; every day leading up to that day of action, we'll be featuring real stories of struggle and poverty to raise awareness and make the subject a priority. That's what you'll find at the top of the episode, and today's speaker is Francine from Chula, MS, who has some words to share on the systems and politicians in this country that keep people poor. Next up is Sen. Kamala Harris, who, along with Sen. Cory Cooker and the other members of the Congressional Black Caucus, authored the Justice in Policing Act, which seeks to hold police officers accountable when they break the law. It's not all-encompassing, as they know there are changes that need to be made at the community level, but it's a start--a start that holds consequences for murdering unarmed, innocent Black people. In this episode they discuss what's in the bill, including bans on choke-holds, subpoena power over uncooperative police departments, and more. Plus, hear why the senator thinks the Republican's version "has no teeth." MORE INFO on the Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington: june2020.org Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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First up: The Poor People's Campaign is holding a Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington on June 20th; every day leading up to that day of action, we'll be featuring real stories of struggle and poverty to raise awareness and make the subject a priority. That's what you'll find at the top of the episode, and today's speaker is Hope, a woman who experienced the military poverty draft and is now working to change the system that keeps people poor for generations. Next on today's agenda: is anyone surprised to learn the Trump administration is breaking the rules again? Charisma Troiano, Communications Director of Democracy Forward, says federal law (under the Affordable Care Act) requires a new special enrollment period to open when consumers are faced with "exceptional circumstances," like, say, a pandemic. But Trump hasn't done so, despite the fact that millions have lost their jobs and insurance because of coronavirus. In response to that, and on behalf of the city of Chicago, Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Trump administration for unlawfully refusing to open that special enrollment period. Any guesses on why he doesn't want to give the Obama-era program any credit? Mark and Charisma ruminate on that and more in today's episode. MORE INFO on Democracy Forward: https://democracyforward.org/ MORE INFO on the Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington: june2020.org Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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