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DMZ America Podcast #142: RFK Jr. R.I.P., The Trouble with Bidenomics, Endangered Sperm

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Ted Rall

The DMZ America Podcast is where civilized but spirited and intelligent political talk thrives. Hosted by editorial cartoonists Scott Stantis (from the Right) and Ted Rall (from the Left), the colleagues and best friends debate the issues of the day.

Robert F. Kennedy’s choice of tech sis and fellow Californian Nicole Stranahan as his vice presidential running mate marks a decidedly unserious turn for a campaign that has already shrunk from 19% to 12% in the polls. Nothing is decided yet, of course, but Ted and Scott doubt that RFK will be able to rescue his presidential bid now.

President Biden keeps arguing that the economy is basically sound and that, sooner rather than later, Americans will start to feel better following that spike in inflation a few years back. The problem is, even if he’s right, how can this president possibly communicate that message, or any message, effectively?

Americans’ national fertility rate is 1.66 children per woman. Now it turns out that sperm counts are plummeting due to environmental causes as well as a nasty disease. Scott and Ted discuss the demographic and cultural implications.

Watch the Video Version: here.

DMZ America Podcast #140: Super Tuesday Leaves Two, Euthanasia Comes to Illinois, Troops in Subways

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Ted Rall

Editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (from the political Left) and Scott Stantis (from the political Right) discuss the week’s biggest stories without the boring yell fests but with force and passion.

The first segment of this week’s offering covers some major developments in the 2024 presidential campaign. The US Supreme Court followed Ted’s lead, choosing democracy over the Constitution, ruling 9-0 to invalidate the 14th Amendment cases attempting to remove Trump from the ballot. Super Tuesday saw broad sweeps by Biden and Trump, Nikki Haley’s withdrawal and progressive discontent over Biden’s support of Israel’s war against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Scott and Ted preview the State of the Union Address and detail what Biden would have to do there—it involves violating the laws of physics—to drive a stake through concerns about his mental acuity. Oh, and it’s definitely Biden versus Trump this fall.

The second segment takes a hard turn into Illinois’ move toward legalizing doctor-assisted suicide. Scott expresses concerns about whether God would approve and whether there might be a potential for abuse. Ted gets personal about a friend and colleague who recently decided to end her life after suffering from depression.

Finally, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered state police and the National Guard to New York City’s beleaguered subway system to restore law and order…and search your bags.


Watch the Video version: here.

DMZ America Podcast #137: Biden on the Ropes Over His Age, NY Special Election, Impeaching Mayorkas

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Ted Rall

Political cartoonists and analysts Ted Rall (of the Left) and Scott Stantis (of the Right) discuss the week’s current events and politics. First, the political classes try to determine whether Joe Biden’s reelection bid can be salvaged after the special counsel’s devastating assessment that he’s too senile to be charged with a felony over mishandling classified documents and, if not, will Democrats force him out and how exactly will that work?

Next, Democrats take disgraced Congressman George Santos’ former seat in New York by a comfortable margin. What, if anything, does this portend for the GOP’s chances overall this fall?

Finally, Republicans take a second stab at impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over the border crisis, and succeed. Everyone gets an impeachment! But does it matter?

Watch the Video Version: here.

DMZ America Podcast Ep 132: Middle East War, Could Biden Lose New Hampshire?, Dead Tree Publications Even Deader

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Ted Rall

Editorial cartoonists and political analysts from the Left (Ted Rall) and the Right (Scott Stantis) discuss and explain the latest news and events in a unique format where disagreement and debate occurs without yelling or stupid insults.

First up this week: War across the Middle East assumes a “Guns of August” vibe as Iran and Pakistan become the latest countries to launch crossborder missile attacks, with the victims being ethnic Balochis. Ted lays out how Iran is emerging as the big winner from the Israel-Hamas War. Scott pushes back from the American perspective, questioning whether the Islamic Republic is committing diplomatic suicide.

Second: The 2024 Presidential Campaign moves from Iowa to the bizarre New Hampshire primary, which is being skipped both by President Biden and Governor Ron DeSantis. All GOP eyes will soon turn to South Carolina—will the Palmetto State be the last stand for Haley, or DeSantis, or both? Meanwhile, New Hampshire threatens to torpedo Biden for his Big Snub.

Third topic: More depressing news from the world of dead trees, where the Washington Post is losing $100 million a year and the Los Angeles Times is down $50 million despite their deep-pocketed and supposedly brilliant owners. Ted asks Scott, who has worked at numerous papers, why can’t these supposed genius billionaires turn these sinking watchdogs of democracy around?

Watch the Video version of the DMZ America Podcast: here.

DMZ America Podcast #129: Trump Dumped from Colorado Ballot, Biden’s Record-Low Polls, Will Anyone Care When Gaza is Gone? (with guest Rob Rogers)

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Ted Rall

In the latest DMZ America Podcast, editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) are joined by their colleague Rob Rogers, editorial cartoonist formerly of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

First up: The political world reeled after the Colorado state Supreme Court issued a stunning ruling declaring Donald Trump an insurrectionist under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, thus making him ineligible to appear on the ballot in the upcoming state Republican primary. 13 other states are facing similar lawsuits so the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on whether Trump can appear on the ballot. Will judges decide our next president?

Second: President Biden is suffering from the lowest poll numbers of his presidency, bottoming out at 34% in one survey. He is even losing voters aged 18 to 29, an important part of his coalition back in 2020. Now he’s between a rock and a hard place on issues like Gaza. Is there any way that he can possibly turn this dismal situation around, given the fact that no one who his position has gone on to successfully be re-elected?

Finally: Most of the world now agrees that Israel overreacted to the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas. Gaza has been flattened. Will the attention of the world move on after the bombing stops? Or will images of shattered millions of Palestinian refugees living in the Egyptian desert prove to be a political game changer during the election next year?

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 129 Sec 1: Trump Dumped from Colorado Ballot

DMZ America Podcast Ep 129 Sec 2: Biden’s Record-Low Polls

DMZ America Podcast Ep 129 Sec 3: Will Anyone Care When Gaza is Gone?

 

DMZ America Podcast #127: Beginning of the End for Ukraine, Dumbest College Presidents Ever, Abortion Could Hit Republicans Hard

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Ted Rall

Political cartoonists and best friends Ted Rall (on the Left) and Scott Stantis (on the Right) discuss and debate the week in politics on the DMZ America Podcast, where disagreement never has to end up in pointless yelling and talking over one another.

In the first segment of the DMZ America Podcast for December 12, 2023, Scott and Ted note the radical reversal of fortune in the war between Ukraine in Russia. The second fighting season has ended with the undeniable conclusion that it is highly unlikely that Ukraine will be able to prevail. Should the U.S. nevertheless continue to finance this lost cause?

In the second segment of the DMZ America Podcast, Scott and Ted debate the debacle following the incompetent congressional testimony by the presidents of UPenn, Harvard and MIT. What should be the penalty for failing to deliver a dull-throated denouncement of anti-Semitism? Should students be expelled for opposing Israel?

In the third segment of the DMZ America Podcast, Scott and Ted consider the political repercussions of a Texas woman who was denied the right to an abortion despite the fact that both her fetus and her life were severely threatened unless she received the procedure. Can abortion move the needle in next year’s election for Democrats, and if so can Democrats pull it off?

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 127 Sec 1: Beginning of the End for Ukraine

DMZ America Podcast Ep 127 Sec 2: Dumbest College Presidents Ever

DMZ America Podcast Ep 127 Sec 3: Abortion Could Hit Republicans Hard

DMZ America Podcast #121: Israel Playing Into Hamas’ Plans, House Speaker Crisis, Biden’s Terrifying Speech

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Ted Rall

Editorial Cartoonists Ted Rall (from the political Left) and Scott Stantis (from the political Right) discuss national and international events of the week.

First up: as we enter the third week of the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, there are rising fears of regional escalation. Has Hezbollah agreed to open a second front against Israel? Will Iran attack Israel? How long will it take Israel to overthrow the Hamas government and what kind of regime do they plan to install if and when they succeed? Right now, it looks like they are poised to repeat the mistakes America made in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.

In the second segment of the podcast, Ted and Scott discuss the constitutional crisis created by the Republican Party’s inability to choose a Speaker of the House of Representatives. Steve, Scalise and Jim Jordan are both out. Will the speakership ultimately wind up in the hands of an obscure congressman? In the meantime, congressional business has ground to a standstill.

Finally, Ted and Scott react to President Biden’s second Oval Office speech since he became president. Squinting, unable to read the Teleprompter, tripping over his words and slurring, this was an extremely disturbing performance that seems to belie Democrats’ claim that he is a viable candidate for 2024. Will he resign? Step aside mid-campaign? Or try to muddle through somehow to reelection? Scott and Ted also discuss the substance of Biden’s speech: his attempt to link the Ukraine and Israel conflicts.

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 121 Sec 1: Israel Playing Into Hamas’ Plans

DMZ America Podcast Ep 121 Sec 2: House Speaker Crisis

DMZ America Podcast Ep 121 Sec 3: Biden’s Terrifying Speech

DMZ America Podcast #108: Three Pulitzer-Winning Editorial Cartoonists Canned the Same Day, Nazis Symbols Worn by Ukrainian Troops, Can Biden Capitalize on Lower Inflation?

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Ted Rall

Editorial Cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) discuss the latest startling development in the ongoing demise of American editorial cartooning. With the recent firing of not one but three Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonists, Ted and Scott mourn the job loss of their fellow journalists and those who preceded them. Was the demise of editorial cartooning as a profession the planned end-game all along by antagonistic editors?

The New York Times reports that there have been more and more sightings of Nazi symbols being worn by Ukrainian troops. Ted has said for years that neo-fascism runs deep in Ukraine. Russian President Putin has framed the Ukraine War as partly motivated by a desired “De-Nazification of Ukraine.” Does he have a point? Ted and Scott debate discuss what the Times describes as mere bad optics.

Inflation is down to its lowest level in years. If it is the economy, stupid, why are President Biden’s approval numbers still so low? And does this open the door for Green Party candidate Dr. Cornel West? Or other third-party candidates?

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 108 Sec 1: Three Pulitzer-Winning Editorial Cartoonists Canned the Same Day

DMZ America Podcast Ep 108 Sec 2: Nazis Symbols Worn by Ukrainian Troops

DMZ America Podcast Ep 108 Sec 3: Can Biden Capitalize on Lower Inflation?

DMZ America Podcast #107: Banning Bad Jokes, Defending Abusers with Guns, the Government’s First Amendment Right to Censor You

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Ted Rall

Editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (on the Left) and Scott Stantis (on the Right) discuss the week in news and current politics on the DMZ America podcast.

When does a joke go too far? A Subway store in Georgia got in trouble with the Internet and its national parent company when it posted a sign seeming to make light of the recent submersible implosion. As professional humorists, Ted and Scott bandy about whether or not it’s ever OK to make fun of the dead, or whether this particular incident even qualifies as disrespecting the dead in the first place.

The Supreme Court has agreed to take up the case of a man who claims that his Second Amendment right to bear arms was infringed because of a Texas law that prohibits people under a restraining order for abusing their domestic partner from possessing a firearm. You may be surprised at how Ted and Scott come down on this somewhat complicated case.

A federal district judge in New Orleans has issued a temporary injunction prohibiting the federal government from telling social media companies to take down your post or even to cancel your account, something that the Twitter Files proved was an ongoing practice. The Biden ministration is appealing the injunction on the ground that it constitutes prior restraint on their First Amendment right to quash your First Amendment right.

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 107 Sec 1: Banning Bad Jokes

DMZ America Podcast Ep 107 Sec 2: Defending Abusers with Guns

DMZ America Podcast Ep 107 Sec 3: the Government’s First Amendment Right to Censor You

DMZ America Podcast #106: A Big Week of Supreme Court Opinions

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Ted Rall

Syndicated Editorial Cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) analyze the issues and news changing our world. This week’s podcast is entirely dedicated to a historic week of opinions handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States.

First up, a look at a pair of landmark cases affecting higher education. Ted and Scott put into perspective the court’s decision to end race-based Affirmative Action and President Biden’s Student loan forgiveness program. Ted concisely explains the basis for the build-up of resentment over decades towards Affirmative Action and what led to the court’s ruling. Scott takes a victory lap after arguing for months that Joe Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness program was executive overreach and should and would be struck down.

Next up, a pair of cases impacting the workplace: the Postal Worker and the Web Designer,(which sounds a lot like a really lame Hallmark Christmas romance movie). The mailman refused to work on his Sabbath; the web designer refused to create a site for a LGBTQ couple. When does common sense check bigotry? Scott and Ted’s spin on these decisions may surprise you.

In the last segment, Ted and Scott applaud the court shooting down, yet again, Independent State Legislature Theory (ISL), which would have allowed states to set up draconian voting procedures that would have served to deny ballot access to millions of voters.. They end up tying everything up in a neat little bow. You should listen.

 

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 106 Sec 1: Supreme Court Overturns Race-Based Affirmative Action

DMZ America Podcast Ep 106 Sec 2: The Cases of the Postal Worker and the Web Designer

DMZ America Podcast Ep 106 Sec 3: Death to the Independent State Legislature Theory

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