US of Ed

"The question is, is this a wave, a tsunami, or just a little trickle?"

In this pre-Midterms special, we talk the anticipated turnout for the 2018 vote and races to watch for the House, Senate and for Governor elections. Have Democrats counted their chickens before they hatch? Will illegal immigration prove the vote-winner Republicans are hoping for? And can Trump wash his hands of all responsibility as he seems to be attempting?

"The good guys carried guns and the bad guys carried guns, and the good guys always won, but it was a hell of a carnage."

In part two of US of Ed's special on guns and gun culture in America, Ed and Sean look at Sandy Hook, whether there is too much focus on mass shootings in discussions around gun control and the role the National Rifle Association plays in lobbying against change. Plus, why doesn't suicide by firearm ever seem to be mentioned in these debates despite it being by far the most popular method used by Americans in ending their lives?

You can find Part One of this two-part special here.

"Many of these people, who have been doing [mass shootings], have been abandoned in one way or another."

America's obsession with firearms is one that often confuses other countries, particularly in the wake of so many high profile and devastating mass shooting events. In part one of US of Ed's two-part special on guns and gun culture, Ed and Sean discuss why firearms seem to some people to be an essential part of being an American, why mass shootings seem to be on the rise in America, and whether a bipartisan solution to gun violence might be impossible to find by this point.

"The Turks have them cold, they're now trying to figure out a way out of this mess."

The alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside a Saudi consulate has left close ally the United States scrambling for a response, especially given Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner's close ties with the Saudi royal family. Jim 'Mad Dog' Mattis has gotten Donald Trump's reassurance his head won't be next on the chopping block, but why was it needed? Also talking deficit blowout, Hurricane Michael, voting rights, and Elizabeth Warren's family ties.

"He certainly owes Trump, and if something comes up on Trump either he'll recuse himself or he may take a very conservative position. I don't think he wants to tarnish his reputation any further."

Brett Kavanaugh is the latest addition to the Supreme Court but the controversy and allegations surrounding him are being used to inflame voters on both sides. Nikki Haley's resignation from her UN ambassador post caught Washington by surprise this week but how shocked should we really be? Also talking Trump family tax avoidance, Hurricane Michael, Beto O'Rourke and Midterms.

"He will be the most maligned Justice ever on the Supreme Court."

A quickie FBI investigation has found no corroboration for sexual misconduct allegations levelled at Brett Kavanaugh making a successful nomination seem all but certain, but just how unwelcome will his seat on the Supreme Court be? And what does it mean for the future of movements like #MeToo? Also, Trump's love affair with Kim Jong-un, the USMCA, and Obama weighs in on midterms.

"At least one member, perhaps two members of the committee will hold out for an FBI investigation before they proceed with the vote."

When we spoke last, the Senate hearing was still to hear from Christine Blasey Ford and from Brett Kavanaugh himself regarding allegations of sexual assault. Now that the hearing has gone ahead, Ed shares some thoughts as well as a reflection on what the postponement of a meeting Rod Rosenstein was set to have with Donald Trump means for the future of the Deputy Attorney General.

To listen to this week's full episode, you can find it here.

"They know the emperor has no clothes."

Donald Trump got a reaction from the United Nations but seemingly not the one he was hoping for, but flipping the script on Iran and threatening foreign aid may have some less amusing consequences. Meanwhile at home, rumors swirl around Rod Rosenstein and allegations pile on Brett Kavanaugh, how long can either man hold on? Also talking the possibility of Chinese election interference, South Carolina flooding, and US deficit to hit nearly $1 Trillion.

For a quick update on the situation following the Kavanaugh Hearing and on Rod Rosenstein, you can listen here.

"We now have a situation where the president is poison."

The East Coast is drying out after Hurricane Florence passed through, but although preparations were good a death toll of 36 or 37 being reported at time of recording so what went wrong? Trump and Republicans still being assailed from all sides, however, with Paul Manafort volunteering his help to the Muller investigation and Brett Kavanaugh's sexual assault allegations. Also, latest on China, Senate spending bill and midterm predictions.

"What we have here is a situation where the states are very much left on their own."

At time of recording, Hurricane Florence still lashing the East Coast. Given Donald Trump rates 3000 dead in Puerto Rico, a number he now denies, an unsung success, should North and South Carolinans be feeling nervous about the government's preparations? Also talking Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, North Korea and the Asia region, and a so-called resistance inside the Trump White House.