So What?

In this episode, Brian discusses where we were 7 months ago and where we are now relative to the coronavirus with some helpful numerical comparisons [1:34], a vaccination update [5:05], what is in the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill [9:40], then he shifts to global news to discuss US air strikes in Syria [15:50], the coup and protests in Myanmar [18:30], the protests in Hong Kong [20:10], and migrant children at the US-Mexico border [21:30], before wrapping up with a discussion of a string of high profile racist statements and what we should do about them in Psych Corner [23:25] 

In this episode, Burak discusses a few short news stories on hurricanes, Mars, & Brazil [:42], before discussing the fight over unemployment benefits [2:55], COVID stats & new research [7:04], the US pulling troops out of Germany [11:19], the White House ending a HUD policy to reduce racial discrimination in housing [13:26], Trump's tweet that he's considering delaying the election [16:33], the AFT supporting teacher strikes [20:51], the crisis in the USPS [21:45], protest news [24:35], and finally a shocking pair of investigations into the political maneuverings done by the White House when calculating how to handle the coronavirus, testing and responsibility [29:05]

In this episode, Burak discusses COVID cases, school reopening debates and WEAR YOUR MASK [1:03], the shutdown of US & Chinese consulates  [7:53], BLM protests and MO Gov. Mike Parson [9:40], China vs. India [13:15], Roger Stone's n-word [14:10], another Fox News sex scandal [14:30], a Federal Judge's being attacked in her home [15:30], the NDAA requiring an end to Confederate names on military bases [17:25], what he's watching right now [19:44], controversy over the use of federal troops in Portland and maybe other US cities soon [21:12}, and finally a study demonstrating the links between white supremacy ideology and support for authoritarianism [28:25]

In this episode, Mr. Burak discusses Coronavirus stats/reopenings/school issues [1:17], good news about a naval first, the Dakota Access Pipeline, & a renaming in MI [12:53], SCOTUS ruling on FL felons' voting rights and Trump's tax returns [14:37], federal executions [17:45], Dan Snyder & the Washington football team [18:30], a looming economic catastrophe [19:30], and the new Chinese "Security" Law in Hong Kong [20:50], A story that has nothing to do with anything [22:43], Corruption & Controversy in the form of graft and the PPP, Trump lying to Mueller about Roger Stone and commuting his sentence, racism, the Hatch Act, and Gestapo style arrests of protestors in Portland [23:32], and finally a Psych Corner on Perception and literally seeing the world differently based on your personality [36:26]

In this episode, Mr. Burak discusses the alarming surge of COVID in the US [:35], a potential new pandemic [4:33], GOOD NEWS - detained migrant children's release [5:28], Mississippi changes its flag [6:15], Columbus Day becoming Juneteenth [6:45], Washington DC statehood? [8:04], Federal Police Reform Bill [9:40], some court rulings on the border wall and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [11:00], Hong Kong [12:27], Washington Redskins [13:25], A Story that has Nothing to Do with Anything [16:53], What I'm Watching [17:57], Corruption & Controversy dealing with Trump retweeting a White Power video, a murder of a protestor, Trump's Patriotic COVID-fest at Mount Rushmore and Russia's Bounty on US troops in Afghanistan and the President's lack of response [18:40]

In this episode, Mr. Burak discusses the alarming COVID surge [1:10], Unemployment [7:31], Oaxaca earthquake [8:40], A change to a Disney World ride [9:12], A fun Story that has Nothing to do with Anything [11:11], Michael Flynn's case gets dropped [11:57], Tulsa [14:48], a new immigrant ban [16:08], closing of COVID testing sites [16:30], court action to repeal the Affordable Care Act [17:38], the strange "firing" of the SDNY US Attorney [18:00], and finally a variety of BLM topics - low rates of COVID infections at protests, FL police using mugshots of black men for sniper practice, Rhode Island's name change, Jenny Slate (and Kirsten Bell) stepping down from their roles of voicing black cartoon characters and Wilmington police firings [20:59]

After a long break, Mr. Burak is back with a ton of different stories. He discusses the stats on COVID, governmental incompetence and why you should still be cautious [1:30], good news on a drug treatment [7:30], mail in ballots & the USPS [8:30], the RNC moves to Jacksonville [9:30], SCOTUS decisions: firing of gay or transgender employees (10:40) & DACA (12:30), Federal executions (14:35), China vs. India (15:00), Good news - SpaceX, Autism on Sesame Street, KPop & BTS Stans, Companies take basic steps to be less racist, good protest outtcomes etc. (16:00), Corruption & Controversy (21:35) including police force actions, several Trump actions, another SCOTUS decision, black people are still getting killed by police, the "right way to protest", city responses to protests Juneteenth, another alleged impeachable offense, and finally Psych Corner on perception and what it means to defund the police (37:45)

In this episode, Mr. Burak focuses exclusively on the protests - what they are about, how they're being conducted, what the governmental response has been, the problem with "non-lethal" responses, Trump labelling Antifa as a terror organization & desire to use the military to stop the protests and why qualified immunity empowers police officers to act in such violent ways without fear of punishment. 

Black Lives Matter

Links for resources:

If you’re looking for reliable information/background about what these protests are and where they came from check out these resources compiled by a University of Washington professor Margaret O’Mara.  https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1iDaVNNGRWYkhjB2CJwrA4j8f8dfimh0vEd93D__mnPo/mobilebasic

BuzzFeed News Tracker for Hoaxes, False Information etc: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/janelytvynenko/hoax-misleading-claims-george-floyd-protests?utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=bfsharefacebook&ref=mobile_share&fbclid=IwAR1p0Sazor9Iwa270sp1bDJIy-CmU-_eEoF-Vge8lxqyofonTf1pE6Sn8MM

What is Antifa: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/us/what-antifa-trump.html

SPLC on why labeling Antifa a terror org. is bad for Civil Rights: ⁃  https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/06/01/designating-antifa-domestic-terrorist-organization-dangerous-threatens-civil-liberties

How to be an ally: https://sojo.net/articles/our-white-friends-desiring-be-allies and https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234

Protesting Safely: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/akzg94/how-to-protest-safely-during-the-covid-19-pandemic  

In this episode, Mr. Burak discusses the latest COVID stats and number fudging [1:15], Trump's Ford plant controversy [4:55], the dams that burst and flooded mid-Michigan [6:35], PA state legislators willful exposure of their colleagues to the virus [7:44], a controversial TX SC ruling [8:48], Trump's fight with Twitter over tags on his tweets [9:50], China's newest crackdown on Hong Kong [14:40] and the death of George Floyd [16:40].  

To donate or help with relief efforts for the people of mid-Michigan affected by the dams flooding, please visit this website and https://www.211nemichigan.org/covid-19.html

In this episode, Mr. Burak discusses COVID stats (1:43), SCOTUS hearing (2:35), Moderna's vaccine hope (2:53), death threats to Gov. Whitmer (3:55), Trump's personal coronavirus preventative measures (4:35), a plethora of corruption stories (5:43), his guest hosting gig of Inception on #histflix coming up on May 20th (11:10), and the Fundamental Attribution Error on Psych Corner (11:56). 

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