Some Politics is Local

In this episode, for federal politics, we talk about the Liberal Government scandal having to do with General Jonathan Vance of the Canadian Forces. Is the scandal worth all of the ink it is gathering - we'll discuss! We then chat about the cultural politics involved in a Philip Roth biography being 'cancelled' due to allegations made against the author of it. Is this appropriate...or not so much?

For DocuReport this week, we both watched (David more recently) OJ: Made in America by ESPN. This five-part documentary traces OJ Simpsons life and how it is intertwined with the evolution of race in America.

In this episode, we talk about Joe Biden's first 100 days, including the joint session of Congress speech. More importantly, we each ascribe a letter grade to his performance! We then get into provincial politics, with the continuing dumpster fire that is Alberta in relation to rising COVID case counts. We have a 'hot-take' Premier Kenney's his latest press conference.

For PodReport this week, we both listened to the first two episodes of Season 5 from Slow Burn (by Slate), which go deep into the circumstances that led up to the Iraq War. Journalist Noreen Malone guides listeners through this odd journey.

In this episode, we talk about the first federal budget in close to 2 years that the Liberals have just rolled out. Spoiler alert, if you have a pulse, you get something from it. We also talk about the state of politics in Alberta - with new fundraising and poll numbers having the NDP looking pretty good.

For BookReport this week, Mike read (with his ears) On the House by John Boehner. This autobiography, written and (most likely drunkenly) read by the author, tells the story of how a bland, middle-aged white man gets to be the fourth most powerful person in the US government (being into golf helps).

In this episode, we talk about the dueling conventions - with both the Federal Liberals and NDP holding their policy conventions on the same-ish days! We talk about what each of the parties talked about and who won the news cycle. We also talk about the Federal Conservatives brand spanking new climate policy. Is it enough to get centrists over the line to support them? We will discuss!

For BookReport this week, David read (with his eyes) Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World by Anand Giridharadas. This book chronicles how the uber-wealthy work to limit how much governments can solve big problems...and then come in and try to solve them themselves for self-aggrandizement reasons. Fun!

In this episode, we talk about the revolt of 17 UCP MLAs to the Kenney government's decision to tighten restrictions in response to rising COVID case counts, including what this might mean in terms of Kenney's control over caucus and the Leadership Review vote next year. We also talk about the Naheed Nenshi's decision to not seek another term as the mayor of Calgary - and speculate on the political reverberations of his decision on the mayoral race and also his legacy as the mayor of CowTown.

We have a dual-BookReport this week! Both of us read (Mike with his ears, David with his eyes, as per usual) Game Change by Mark Halperin and John Heilemann, which delves into the 2008 US Primary and General Election in (salacious) detail.

In this episode, we talk about the Biden Administration's big, bold and expensive infrastructure plan - and its chances of becoming reality. For provincial politics, we delve into the new (draft) K-6 curriculum that was just released - including what might be missing and possible subliminal messages being conveyed by the Kenney government through it.

For BookReport this week, David read (with his eyes, of course) the very thorough book on Malcolm X that just came out entitled The Dead Are Rising: The Life of Malcolm X by Les Payne and Tamara Payne.

In this episode, we talk about the Conservative Party of Canada's policy convention - including the speech from Erin O'Toole...and the contradictory, news-worthy vote that took place thereafter. We double-it-up on Federal politics this week by chatting about the Supreme Court ruling affirming that the federal government has jurisdiction to impose a carbon tax over the country (and the provinces that reside within).

For BookReport this week, Mike takes us through all of the US Presidents that achieved the post through happenstance with Accidental Presidents by Jared Cohen. This book (which Mike read with his ears, of course) outlines the lives and presidencies of the roughly 20% of US Presidents that came about the job from being VP.

In this episode, we talk about US-China relations as the first bi-lateral summit of the Biden Presidency takes place in (not so tropical) Anchorage, Alaska. We also talk about the (pending regulatory approval) deal for Rogers to buy Shaw - and the political implications on a provincial and federal level (who doesn't like trashing telcos, right?!).

For BookReport, Mike read (with his ears, of course) What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer. This 56 hour tome goes into amazing detail about 'what it takes' to be a US Presidential Party Nominee by examining the 1988 democratic and republican presidential primaries. Spoiler alert: it takes everything you and your family can possibly offer (and then some). 

In this episode, we talk about the (massive) 1.9 trillion dollar stimulus package that was just passed - as well as the politics of this (gigantic) development. We also talk about the royal family (this isn't a typo) - with the Harry and Meghan interview - as well as our shared distaste for this anti-democratic, and generally gross, institution.

For PodReport, David listened to the Real Dictators series which chronicles in multi-part episodes the best of best when it comes to the worst of the worst dictators.

In this episode (our 20th podcast!), we talk about Donald Trump's rambling return to the spotlight with his appearance (and speech) at the Conservative Political Action Committee (or CPAC) - and what it means for the future of the GOP. We also talk about the federal government's (seemingly impending) airline industry bailout - and the recent history of the industry's relationship with the feds.

For PodReport, we both listened to Renegades (ironically sponsored by Starbucks Canada), the 8-part, Spotify-exclusive podcast where President Barack Obama and rock and roll legend Bruce Springsteen shoot the breeze on some meaty topics.