The California Dream

Once again, the topic of "national divorce" has entered the public discourse. And with that, a lot of general nonsense. I discuss some recent reactions from Krystal Ball, Emma Vigeland, and Ana Kasparian.

IMAGE CREDIT:

"Marjorie Taylor Greene (52251853611) (cropped)", by Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marjorie_Taylor_Greene_(52251853611)_(cropped).jpg

Several media narratives have emerged out of the 2022 midterms. But how many of them are borne out by the facts? In this episode, I present data on the election results in a different context, showing a more nuanced interpretation is warranted.

MUSIC CREDIT:

"Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com

Jeremy Zogby is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast.

Jeremy joins us again to discuss the upcoming midterm elections. Why are so many people focused on horserace politics and political prognostication? What factors will determine the outcome of the elections? And what is the real story behind the numbers?

This interview was recorded on November 1, 2022.

NOTES:

1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/

2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/

MUSIC CREDITS:

1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com

2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/

IMAGE CREDIT:

1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission

In this episode, we consider a provocative question: Does the United States have free and fair elections? It's a question everyone in California should consider.

MUSIC CREDIT:

"Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com

I sat down with Scottish independence activist Aeonghus Brownlee to discuss the Scottish independence movement, the Scottish National Party, and the new referendum proposed by Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP.

This interview was recorded on June 30, 2022.

NOTES:

1. Scottish National Party homepage; https://www.snp.org

2. Young Scots for Independence homepage; https://www.theysi.scot/

3. White papers on independence, Scottish government; https://www.gov.scot/newscotland/

MUSIC CREDITS:

1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com

IMAGE CREDIT:

1. Aeonghus Brownlee, used with permission

California Governor Gavin Newsom made a startling admission at a press conference following the reversal of Roe v. Wade -- Californians are not safe living in America. What does this mean for Californians, and what does it mean for Americans living outside of California? Does California have a moral obligation to offer relocation assistance to people of marginalized groups living in the United States who feel personally threatened by the policies and culture of the states in which they live?

NOTES:

1. "Let's talk about leaving your state....", Beau of the Fifth Column YouTube channel, July 10, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxaDVhnNABY

2. "New Action to Protect Women from Other States Seeking Abortion Services in California", Governor Gavin Newsom YouTube channel, June 24, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw0mVFvttsQ

3. "'Florida Freedom' - July 4, 2022 (ft. Gov. Gavin Newsom)", Pacifico Studios YouTube channel, July 6, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjQJ1lVdQuI

MUSIC CREDIT:

"Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com

IMAGE CREDIT:

cropped screenshot from Gavin Newsom press conference, California Governor Gavin Newsom YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw0mVFvttsQ, 53:03

I've been away for several weeks. Did I miss much?

In all seriousness, we have a lot to talk about. For this episode though, I want to share two items. First, a warning issued from five retired US military generals. Second, a replay of a segment from last July 4th (American independence day).

NOTES:

1. "We fought to defend democracy. This new threat to America now keeps us awake at night.", by Michael Hayden, James Clapper, Stanley McChrystal, Douglas Lute and Mark Hertling, USA Today, June 22, 2022; https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/06/22/american-democracy-former-cia-director/7685947001

MUSIC CREDIT:

"Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com

IMAGE CREDIT:

"July 4th fireworks, Washington, D.C. (LOC)", by Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain

Weekly roundup for May 7, 2022

On Monday evening, Politico leaked a draft opinion that would overrule Roe and Casey, the two Supreme Court decisions that affirmed Constitutional rights to abortion.

NOTES:

1. "Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows", by Josh Gerstein and Alexander Ward, Politico, May 2, 2022; https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-00029473

MUSIC CREDIT:

"Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com

Weekly roundup for April 9, 2022

What type of country does the American conservative movement want to bring to California? The answer is no secret. They openly admire and wish to emulate the authoritarian Viktor Orbán of Hungary.

NOTES:

1. "It happened there: how democracy died in Hungary", by Zack Beauchamp, Vox, September 13, 2018; https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/9/13/17823488/hungary-democracy-authoritarianism-trump

2. "What It’s Like to Have Tucker Carlson Praise Your Country’s Authoritarian Leader", by Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, January 29, 2022; https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/tucker-carlson-hungary-viktor-orban-george-soros-1291890/

3. "Why Is CPAC Traveling to Illiberal Hungary?", by Creede Newton, SPLC Hatewatch, April 5, 2022; https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/04/05/why-cpac-traveling-illiberal-hungary

MUSIC CREDIT:

"Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com

IMAGE CREDIT:

"Viktor Orbán", by European People's Party, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viktor_Orb%C3%A1n_(13581867193).jpg