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DMZ America Podcast #103: Debt Ceiling Madness, Gaming the GOP Primaries, and the War on Gay

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Ted Rall

Editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) analyze the week in politics, and what’s coming up next. Tune in for informed passionate debate between two best friends who prove that it’s possible to disagree while remaining civil.

A controversial compromise bill negotiated between President Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy goes to the House of Representatives for a vote. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking. Will the US government default on June 5? Even if this bill gets through, is it too late to preserve America’s credit rating?

Donald Trump has a full slate of new primary rivals for the GOP presidential nomination, most notably, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who had a disastrous launch and is now seeing his polls go exactly the wrong direction, and former Vice President Mike Pence. Does Trump face any credible threat from these competitors?

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made a name for himself, declaring war on “woke,” even including Disney in his campaign to demonize LGBTQ people. Why do Republicans keep waging culture war even though it’s a loser at the polls? Also: separating reactions to gays and lesbians from controversies over transgender people.

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 103 Sec 1: Debt Ceiling Madness

DMZ America Podcast Ep 103 Sec 2: Gaming the GOP Primaries

DMZ America Podcast Ep 103 Sec 3: The War on Gay

DMZ America Podcast #102: RFK Jr., the Durham Report, Texas GOP Undermines Democracy, Trans Sorority Sisters

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Ted Rall

Nationally syndicated Editorial Cartoonists, Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right), start off this edition of the DMZ America Podcast with a deep dive into the fight for the 2024 Democratic Party nominating process for president. Prevailing wisdom is that President Joe Biden will get the nomination in a cakewalk. Not so fast, says RFK Jr., who is polling at 19% among Democratic primary voters, not to mention Marianne Williamson, tracking at 9%. Ted and Scott go on to look over the Durham Report and its implications, which prompts the question of the Corporate Left and Mainstream Media dismissing the overwhelming evidence that the Russia-Trump collusion story simply isn’t real and never was. Finally, in the third segment, Texas’ red legislature’s decision to strip its blue cities of much of their administrative power is fodder for discussion—is this a constitutional move or will it be allowed to stand? Finally, Ted and Scott wrestle with changing views of trans people and the specific case of a trans person in a sorority. Should this be allowed? You’ll have to listen to learn what the guys think of this.

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 102 Sec 1: RFK Jr. Surges

DMZ America Podcast Ep 102 Sec 2: the Durham Report

DMZ America Podcast Ep 102 Sec 3: Texas GOP Undermines Democracy, Trans Sorority Sisters

 

 

DMZ America Podcast #101: Trump Returns, Biden’s Brewing Scandals, Behind the Pulitzers

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Ted Rall

As the 2024 presidential campaign begins in earnest, political cartoonist Ted Rall, (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) dig into what looks like an 1892-style political rematch, between former and possibly future President Donald Trump, and current President Joe Biden.

Trump appeared on CNN for the first time since 2016, at a raucous town hall meeting that received widespread criticism from liberals and their mainstream media allies. He advised congressional Republicans to be willing to risk default in the debt-limit crisis, signaled that he would reduce or eliminate military aid to Ukraine, and made fun of Jean Carroll, the columnist who won $5 million from a jury that found him liable for sexual battery and defamation. Trump is just Trump being Trump as usual, but what else did we expect? The question now is, will old Trump 2016 win, or will old Trump 2020 lose?

The Republican-controlled House oversight committee has its sights set firmly on the current president, Joe Biden, the First Lady and other members of his family. The first family acquired $13 million from unknown sources a few years ago, and Hunter Biden’s infamous laptop seems to indicate that the money may have originated from covert and corrupt sources in places like Romania, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and China. If the president really accepted bribes and kickbacks from foreign countries, this could be the biggest scandal in American presidential history.

Columbia University announced the winners of the Pulitzer Prizes earlier this week, and with all such pomposity, there’s a lot less than meets the eye to the proceedings. Scott and Ted dish on everything you need to know about how this particular sausage is made, as well as the self-dealing and conflicts of interest on a staggering scale.

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 101 Sec 1: Trump Returns

DMZ America Podcast Ep 101 Sec 2: Biden’s Brewing Scandals

DMZ America Podcast Ep 101 Sec 3: Behind the Pulitzers

DMZ America Podcast #100 | May 4, 2023: Making the Case for Third Party Candidates, Criminal Trials Are Endangered, on This, Our 100th Episode Scott and Ted Explain Why They Podcast

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Ted Rall

Gail Collins, columnist for the New York Times, writes that if you don’t like the choice of Biden or Trump TOUGH! Don’t you dare vote for a third party! American Editorial Cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) strongly disagree with her and make the case for voting and supporting third party candidates. Next, NPR and other news organizations are reporting that trial by jury is becoming less and less common. This is bad for you and bad for a justice system that gets worse and worse every year. Lastly, Ted and Scott celebrate their 100th episode of the DMZ America Podcast by discussing why they do it, and announce plans for future podcasts they know will interest you. You really should listen.

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 100 Sec 1: Making the Case for Third Party Candidates

DMZ America Podcast Ep 100 Sec 2: Criminal Trials Are Endangered

DMZ America Podcast Ep 100 Sec 3: Scott and Ted Explain Why They Podcast

DMZ America Podcast #98: Fox News vs Dominion Settlement, Kathy Griffin’s PTSD, the Horrors of the U.S. Prison System

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Ted Rall

Editorial Cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) take a slight detour away from breaking news to discuss crucial issues flying under the radar. But first they contextualize the blockbuster $787 million settlement between Fox News and Dominion Voting Systems. Does this mean the beginning of the end for Fox News, or does it just confirm what we all knew Fox was? Next, Ted and Scott discuss their own Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder following high-profile controversies in their careers. Inspired by recent revelations by actress and comedian Kathy Griffin,in her struggles with PTSD, following fallout from her own controversial holding up a bloody Donald Trump mask in 2017. Finally, Scott and Ted delve into the horrid state of the American prison system, following an award to thousands of New Yorkers who were wrongly held in solitary confinement in local jails. They discuss the ghastly conditions and abuses now commonplace in prisons across the country, from malnutrition to grossly overcrowded prison cells. Ted and Scott sound the alarm on an inhumane system right here in the home of the brave. Will anyone listen?

 

 

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 98 Sec 1: Fox News Settles with Dominion Voting Systems

DMZ America Podcast Ep 98 Sec 2: It’s Not Just Kathy Griffin. We Have PTSD Too.

DMZ America Podcast Ep 98 Sec 3: The Horrid State of Our Prisons

 

DMZ America Podcast #97: New Presidential Candidates for 2024, Electric Cars, the Terrifying Rise of Digi-Dog

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Ted Rall

Political analysts and cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left, Wall Street Journal) and Scott Stantis (from the Right, Chicago Tribune) dive into the latest developments in politics and culture.

The 2024 presidential campaign has some new candidates. On the Democratic side, Marianne Williamson returns for another attempt to challenge presumed reelection campaigner Joe Biden and Robert F Kennedy, Jr. throws his hat into the ring as well. On the Republican side, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott is set to join declared candidates Donald Trump and Nikki Haley. Trump’s indictment has Republicans rallying around him, vastly increasing his lead over Florida governor Ron DeSantis. On the GOP side, it looks like Donald Trump may have this sewn up.

The Biden Administration has announced that it wants to have as many as two out of three automobiles sold in the United States to be fully electric by the year 2032. How will Americans be able to afford these more expensive vehicles? Will there be enough charging infrastructure? How will our lives change as a result? Geopolitical relations will change as well; electric vehicle batteries require lithium, which is mined in places like Afghanistan and central Africa, where China has an outsized advantage on mining rights.

The NYPD rolls out three high-tech devices designed to take beat cops off the street and replace them with autonomous gadgets out of a dystopian movie. The K5 “SnitchBot” is a 400 pound, 6 foot tall, automated spy. Then there’s “Digi-Dog,” a $375,000 robotic dog supposedly designed to handle hostage situations. Will these devices be powered by artificial intelligence? Will they select their own targets? Will the public put up with them? Unsurprisingly, flamethrower drones may be the answer.

Watch the Video Versions of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 96 Sec 1: A New Crop of 2024 Presidential Candidates

DMZ America Podcast Ep 96 Sec 2: Biden’s Big Push for Electric Cars

DMZ America Podcast Ep 96 Sec 3: Scary “Black Mirror” Dog Now Working for NYPD

DMZ America Podcast #96: Trump Indictment, Progressives on the March, Is France Moving Right?

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Ted Rall

Two of America’s best Editorial Cartoonists dissect the issues of the day. First up: the Trump Indictment. Is it folly? Or good justice? Scott and Ted take a deep dive into the recent, historically unprecedented arraignment of former President Donald Trump on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records. What are the repercussions and what can and should come next? Following that, Ted and Scott look at not one but two high-profile progressive victories: one for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, assuring abortion rights in the state for the foreseeable future, and the other for Mayor of Chicago. Is this a sign of a leftward movement by the country, or a pair of anomalies? Lastly Scott and Ted (both of French descent, Ted even holding dual French-U.S. citizenship), discuss a recent poll showing current French President Emmanuel Macron trailing far-right politician leader Marine Le Pen. Does this poll reflect a shift in French attitudes, or is it more of a reaction to Macron’s unilateral decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64? This DMZ America Podcast spans the globe!
 

 

Watch the Video Versions of the DMZ America Podcast:
DMZ America Podcast Ep 95 Sec 1: The Indictment of President Trump
DMZ America Podcast Ep95 Sec 2: Progressives Win Elections in the Midwest
DMZ America Podcast Ep 96 Sec 3: Is France Moving Right?

DMZ America Podcast #95: Senate Votes to Deauthorize Iraq War, DeSantis the Gitmo Torturer, Reparations to Black Americans

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Ted Rall

 Two of America’s top political analysts, left-wing cartoonist Ted Rall and right-wing cartoonist Scott Stantis, discuss the week’s events and cultural happenings on the DMZ America podcast.

In a surprising move, the United States Senate has voted to revoke the 2002 Authorization to Use Military Force legislation that presidents beginning with George W. Bush relied upon in order to invade and occupy Iraq, as well as a number of other military conflicts. Will the House of Representatives follow suit? The answer is more complex than you might expect. Will Congress reassert its Constitutional exclusive right to wage war?

The Washington Post revealed that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a possible top contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, enthusiastically participated in torture as a JAG at Guantánamo Bay concentration camp in 2006, where he suggested that hunger-striking inmates be force-fed and personally supervised and smiled while observing what international human rights organizations universally describe as torture. DeSantis hasn’t denied the shocking charges. Will Trump make it an issue? Would a Democratic challenger? What does it say about the United States that the story doesn’t seem to be catching on?

San Francisco and the State of California are contemplating the issue of reparations to Black American descendants of slaves in order to compensate them for being the victims of systemic racism. Setting aside the issue of the vast amount of money involved, who would qualify? What would be the practical considerations of such a program? Is it even possible to compensate for such enormous injustice that is baked into the American economic and political system?

Watch the Video Versions of DMZ America Podcast #95:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 95 Sec 1: Senate Votes to Deauthorize Iraq War

DMZ America Podcast Ep 95 Sec 2: DeSantis the Gitmo Torturer

DMZ America Podcast Ep 95 Sec 3: Reparations to Black Americans

 

DMZ America Podcast #94 (Audio or Video): Is TikTok a Threat? France is Burning! The Non-Arrest of Donald J. Trump

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Ted Rall

Editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (Left) and Scott Stantis (Right) debate breaking news across the nation on a busy week.

Congress grilled the CEO of the Chinese-owned social-media app TikTok, reminding Ted of the PMRC hearings of the 1980s, another moment when Congress worked hard to appear anti-fun and out of touch. Scott calls China a “threat”; Ted prefers to see them as a “challenge.” What do we have to fear from TikTok, other than becoming even stupider?

France is burning in the wake of President Emmanuel Macron’s sop to the neo-liberal class: raising the national retirement age from 62 to 64. Scott asks Ted, a French citizen, why younger Frenchmen are demonstrating in solidarity with older people they have to support in old age? Ted addresses the fact that pension reform might have been greeted differently from a different, more populist president.

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg didn’t file charges against Donald Trump last week, but next week might be different. Scott and Ted agree that an arrest will empower the former president. Ted takes a victory lap on calling for Trump wanting a perp walk last week. Scott deplores liberal gloating because it feeds into Trump’s narrative.
 

 

Watch the Video Version of the DMZ America Podcast:

DMZ America Podcast Ep 94 Sec 1: Is TikTok a Threat?

DMZ America Podcast Ep 94 Sec 2: France is Burning!

DMZ America Podcast Ep 94 Sec 3: The Non-Arrest of Donald J. Trump

DMZ America Podcast #93: Trump Says He’s About to Be Arrested

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Ted Rall

Former President Donald Trump announced that he expects to be arrested this Tuesday by the Manhattan district attorney in connection with charges related to misappropriation of campaign funds to pay hush money to porn star stormy Daniels, who alleges that she had an affair with him. In this special edition of the DMZ America podcast in which left-leaning editorial cartoonist Ted Rall debates politics with right-leaning editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis, they go over the social, legal and political implications of what appears to be an imminent indictment, the first of its kind against a former President of the United States. Is political violence inevitable? Will there be an uprising near the New York courthouse similar to January 6? Will Trump-weary republicans close ranks behind the former president? Does this hurt him or help him in his election campaign for 2024? Spoiler alert: Democrats should be careful what they have long wished for.

 

 

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