Dan Savage, Rich Smith, and Eli Sanders dissect the latest lies and evasions from the Trump administration as it tries to justify separating mothers from their children along the southern border. Also: Should Democrats have been shouting about the family separation policy sooner? After that, Katie Herzog talks about a controversial cover story in the current issue of The Atlantic. It’s about children who identify as trans, and the backlash over the Atlantic story reminds Katie of the online pushback she received for a piece she wrote last summer on “detransitioners." Finally, something about borders and migration that’ll set your mind right—courtesy of Rich. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo!

Episode 154: Presidential Cruelty

Blabbermouth is a weekly Stranger podcast in which Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith dive into the latest national news and stickiest cultural debates. A wide-ranging, often-testy discussion of all the issues you need to know about in order to pose as an informed, productive member of society! PLUS the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

News & Politics

We’ve been broadcasting this show from Seattle, one of America’s major coronavirus hotspots, and to be honest things in this city have just gotten a little too real for us to be able to do the show this week. We’ll come back as soon as we can and tell you what’s next. For now, please take good care of yourselves and do your parts to flatten the curve of this pandemic. (Wash! Your! Filthy! Hands! People!) If you need it, the Blabberphone is still there for you: 206-302-3063.

Episode 236: Pandemic Pause

With stinging losses for Bernie Sanders in Michigan and beyond on Tuesday, it’s time to ask: What went wrong with his campaign? Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith talk it out. After that, with news that the coronavirus is officially a pandemic breaking during the show, the Blabbermouth crew evaluates responses so far and offers the experience of hard-hit Seattle as a warning to the rest of the nation. Finally, a call from a listener who has some things to say about Bernie and black voters. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 235: Pandemic

All of a sudden Joe Biden seems pretty damn likely to win the Democratic nomination and take on President Trump this fall. How’d that happen? Eli Sanders, Katie Herzog, and Rich Smith talk about what the Super Tuesday results mean for Biden, Bernie, Warren, and the Democratic Party. After that, the latest on the coronavirus. Blabbermouth is broadcasting from the center of the largest outbreak in the United States, and Rich, Katie, and Eli talk about what that's like, what you can do to stay healthy, and how the Trump administration has so far failed on virus testing. Finally, a deliciously distracting show that Rich is watching right now and a special pandemic prep recipe from Katie. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 234: Joementum?

With the CDC warning Americans to prepare for the coronavirus, Eli Sanders, Katie Herzog, and Rich Smith talk about what, exactly, a person should do. They also offer a little advice on what a misinformed president should do. After that, Rich explains how Bernie Sanders successfully held his ground during a messy, off-putting debate ahead of this Saturday's South Carolina primary. And finally, Eli explains why he was totally wrong about the Netflix series Cheer, Nathalie Graham explains what’s great about the Netflix series Love Is Blind, and Jasmyne Keimig offers some thoughts on Hulu’s High Fidelity remake, featuring Zoe Kravitz. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Episode 233: Bernie vs. the World

 The 9th Democratic debate takes place in Las Vegas this Wednesday, only three days before the Nevada caucuses. For the first time ever, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg—the 9th richest person on the planet and only one of the billionaires trying to buy the Democratic nomination—will join his rivals onstage. With Eli Sanders out today, Rich Smith steps in to host Dan Savage and Katie Herzog in a brief preview of the debate and a not-so-brief conversation about Bloomberg’s past and the many problems he poses for the future. Then, Bernie Sanders. Before the Vermont Senator hunkered down this week in Nevada for a series of get-out-the-vote rallies, he helped rallies in a few working class west coast cities. Stranger culture critic Jasmyne Keimig, digital editor Chase Burns, and Rich hopped in a van and felt the Bern at Sanders's 17,000-person rally in Tacoma, Washington. They talk about Bernie’s appeal, and, for the umpteenth (and final?) time, the problem with a minority of Sanders’s online supporters. Finally, Chase and Jasmyne gush over two great, gay romances playing in a cinema near you. In  Portrait of A Lady On Fire,  director  Céline Sciamma tells the story of a woman painter commissioned to paint a portrait of a subject who refuses to sit for it.  And Then We Danced, directed by Levan Akin, looks at, among other things, forbidden love between traditional dancers in the country of Georgia. 

Episode 154: Presidential Cruelty

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