It's the video version of Episode 75!
New year, new show! It's been a crazy first few weeks of 2024, and between work and weather, it's been tough to get together to do a show. Andrew and Jerry break down the wet start to 2024, and talk about the weather in the context of both the climate change and energy debates. They talk about the public policy problem of offering up so-called "solutions" that don't actually address problems (if they don't make them worse), and this dovetails into DEI policies, issues of race, and the demand in some corners for reparations--and, drawing a line between the call for reparations and the failed outcomes of Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty (that became a War on the Poor), discuss just how reparations might destroy communities of color in the United States. The issue of policies that empower versus disempower people and what happens in an America where the left has make it impossible for Americans to have a common political heritage. Then they look at the 2024 election--and the hypocrisy of so-called thought leaders who claim to be concerned about the impact of Biden Administration economic policy, yet seem to be working overtime to ensure Joe Biden's re-election.
It's the video version of Episode 74!
It's the last AJSTW before the end of the year, and 2023's most-important story broke this week: 4 members of the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump ineligible for the presidential primary ballot, and not only ordered his name removed from it, but also took the extraordinary step of ruling that any write-in votes cast for Trump would be tossed out.
Obviously, Jerry and Andrew are deeply troubled by this, but there are so many questions. Did the CO Supreme Court do this KNOWING that their decision would be overturned, and if so, why? Why are people cheerleading this decision, why do 52% of Americans support it? Which Democrats and so-called "Never Trumpers" disagree with this decision? Under what circumstances would Joe Biden come out publicly and strongly denounce the CO Sup. Ct.'s decision?
They talk about the substance of the decision, why it will be overturned, and then tie it into the twin-stories of Hunter Biden defying the lawful subpoena from Congress, coupled with President Biden making the affirmative decision to allow Hunter Biden to fly on Marine One from Delaware to the White House with him (and leaving his name off the passenger manifest). This Colorado decision will only serve to fuel the discontent and division in America--and Hollywood has decided to pour gasoline on those feelings with A24's new film, "Civil War".
All this and Christmas wishes from Andrew and Jerry Save The World!
The video version of Episode 72!
The Christmas season is upon us, but the craziness doesn't abate. Andrew and Jerry start with the story of a city council meeting in Oakland, CA and the hatred and misinformation that ensued. They explore the history of anti-semitism on the left, and the relationship between the evolution of DEI and the deepening of anti-semitic hate within the progressive movement.
They then talk about the recent piece by a Maryland political science professor about polling and the economy--what does she miss in terms of Bidenomics and the Biden agenda. This leads into a discussion of the issues - the National Association of Manufacturers is out with a new report on the impact of regulations on the American economy (a $3 trillion cost!), and Andrew and Jerry tie this into the misquoting of Ronald Reagan by Education Secretary Miguel Cardonas.
But do the issues matter? And does it matter who the Republican candidate in 2024 is - that regardless of whether or not Donald Trump is the nominee, will the election just be about Donald Trump? How long will American politics be all about Donald Trump - and what sets the modern era apart from, say, the post-Watergate era?
Moreover, IF the election is going to be all about Donald Trump and Trump is the inevitable nominee, should Republicans just embrace that fact, lean into it, and work to defeat Joe Biden?
Finally, with the holiday season opening up, what songs kick off Christmastime for Andrew and Jerry? And Andrew asks the question, did Covid kill going to the movies forever?
It's the video version of Episode 70!
In the two weeks since our last Episode, the planet has edged closer to another World War, with Hamas attacking Israel and the Middle East coming close to exploding as a result. Andrew and Jerry sit down to dispel myths about the history of the conflict between Israel and the so-called "Palestinians" (and they explain why they refer to "Palestinians as "so-called" and put "Palestinians" in quotes). They also explore why anti-zionism really IS just a thin veil over old-fashioned anti-semitism, and how this anti-semitism infects so many aspects of society - not just in the Unites States but around the world. How does intersectionality fit into all this? What has uncontrolled mass-migration in Europe wrought, and what should the US learn from it? Why is our media complicit in all this, and just what is happening on our college campuses?
Plus, as of the recording of this show, we still don't have a new Speaker in the US House of Representatives. Are we in an era that is "post-Adult"? What should Rep. Jim Jordan do, and who, ultimately, WILL be Speaker (and when)?
It's the Video Version of Episode 69: Andrew and Jerry Say Shut the Gaetz and Don't Pull The Alarm!
Speaker McCarthy is OUT, and Andrew and Jerry have a deep discussion as to why. Is there really chaos in Congress--and if there is, is there anything new about it? What kind of Speaker was McCarthy? What did he accomplish, if anything? What did Matt Gaetz and the 7 Republicans who joined him accomplish, if anything? They discuss the hypocrisies in all this, and whether chaos is an essential element of Democracy. What does this all mean for electoral politics down the road (and did this have anything to do with the averting of the shut down that led to McCarthy's ouster?)? A member of Congress pulls a fire alarm as the negotiations to avoid a shut down were going on... what should happen to him (if anything)? And we had another Presidential debate last week - Andrew and Jerry share their thoughts over last week's debate, and the value of these mass debates overall.
It's the video version of Episode 68: Andrew and Jerry Talk Guns, Grime and Gavin Newsom!
The second GOP debate is upon us, and Donald Trump will be absent again. Jerry lays out the case as to why he thinks this should disqualify Trump from the Primary ballot, and Andrew asks Jerry whether this changes his view of Rank Choice Voting. Trump is going to speak to the UAW instead, and Andrew & Jerry debate the merits of this and whether Trump will fumble the opportunity by mangling his message. What happens to the Republic if Trump loses to Biden... or, alternatively, what happens to the Republic if Trump wins a second term? Why are the Democrats so opposed to law-abiding Americans having guns - and is Newsom's gamble on guns and parenting going to pay off for his presidential aspirations. If Biden ISN'T the Democratic nominee, would it be Newsom, or someone else--maybe one of the rising stars James Carville voiced in his appearance on Bill Maher's podcast?
Who is to blame for the impending shut down - and did congressional Republicans miss a golden opportunity by not returning to regular order. Plus, Jerry gives Andrew some fashion advice for an upcoming gala!
The VIDEO version of Episode 66!
President Biden brushes off a legitimate question from a reporter about the tens of millions of dollars paid by foreign governments to the Biden family, and Andrew and Jerry discuss the significance of this revelation. Then, we're two weeks shy of the first Republican presidential debate, and Andrew is unhappy with everyone. Andrew and Jerry examine the slate of GOP candidates for President, and talk about what they want in a nominee. Is it asking too much for a President or Presidential candidate to be a "deep thinker"? Was Joe Biden an accidental president, and what does this have to do with the lack of vetting of Barack Obama? Plus, Robbie Robertson from The Band passes, and Andrew and Jerry lament the fact that we're in an era in which more and more rock icons are destined to pass.
It's the video version of Episode 65!
Just a day after Hunter Biden's longtime business associate, Devin Archer, gave explosive and incredibly illuminating testimony to Congress, America's attention was turned away from possible Biden family corruption to a new set of indictments against former President Trump--making the weaponization and politicization of the nation's justice system abundantly clear. Andrew and Jerry talk about the juxtaposition of the 2 events, the clear criticisms of the indictment, and how this all plays into the greater thread: last week's shenanigans in the Hunter Biden plea deal, the attempt to snooker the judge in the Hunter Biden case and the collapse of the plea deal, the indictment that came after of 2 minor Mar-a-Lago functionaries, the attempt to intimidate Devon Archer. The left wants Donald Trump to be the Republican nominee, they want to make the election about Donald Trump's indictments and January 6th, and not about Biden's record as President. How you can defend the President's right to speak freely without having to necessarily defend the President, generally, or President Trump, specifically.
Plus, Jerry asks Andrew about why he wears a kilt when he's on vacation, and Andrew tells the tale of dealing with United at Denver International Airport.
The video version of Episode 64!
If Hollywood disappeared as a result of both the Writers' Guild and Screen Actors' Guild striking, would anyone really notice or care? Andrew and Jerry talk abut the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and what this could mean for Hollywood (and entertainment for years to come). Where and how might one be sympathetic? Why so many of us just don't care - or see that Hollywood is getting its just desserts. How does this tie into the attacks on the anti-trafficking film, The Sound of Freedom, or people finally having it "up to here" with under-performing professional sports teams? Jerry gives self-defense tips and Andrew has a professional announcement!
It's the video version of Episode 63!
Another Independence Day is upon us, and Andrew and Jerry focus on the fundamentals. The 2022-2023 Supreme Court term came to a stunning end, and with that, the attacks on the High Court's legitimacy have started to approach a fever pitch. They discuss the cases in the latest term, and what the statistics really show regarding the court's ideology. What are the roots of the left's animosity towards the court? They go and look at the sweep of the court's 20th century history, but focus on two events that really shifted the left's anger: the 2000 Election and then-President Barack Obama's 2010 State of the Union. Has intimidation or pressure shaped the opinions of the court's justices?
Then, a particular focus on the most-recent decisions on affirmative action, religious freedom, student loans, and the North Carolina election map - so many wrong things are being said, and Andrew and Jerry work overtime to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Finally, it's Independence Day - Andrew and Jerry share their plans
The video version of Episode 62!
Andrew is back from his trip to Alaska, and boy did he miss a ton! Trump gets indicted, then arraigned, and he and Jerry agree that just about EVERYONE commenting on the Trump indictment is wrong - Never Trumpers, Pro-Trumpers, libertarians, progressives, conservatives, NOBODY seems to be calling balls and strikes. They break down the indictment, talk about what Trump's been accused of, and the various theories that have been posited regarding the law: the Presidential Records Act, the Espionage Act, the Crime/Fraud Exception to Attorney-Client Privilege. What all this means for the 2024 Presidential elections--and how a 2024 Trump administration would be tremendously different than the 2016 Trump administration.
It's the video version of Episode 61!
We have a debt ceiling deal... or do we? Andrew and Jerry break down the arguments for and against the deal, who won, who lost, and whether or not calls to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy are spot-on or overblown. It's graduation season and the idelogues abound--Maryland Governor Wes Moore being one of the worst. Is he the kind of Democrat that ChatGPT (or Aaron Sorkin) might invent? And when it comes to hypocrisy, there's nothing worse than those who claim to be afraid of abuse of presidential power, but then do nothing to reign it in... now we're seeing a massive power grab on the part of the Biden administration when it comes to regulation.
Trump goes after Kayleigh McEnany - and this leads to a discussion of political loyalty, and where Trump fails as a President. Plus, Jerry lays down a dose of presidential reality you WON'T HEAR ANYWHERE ELSE!
As real discourse gets harder and harder to come by, Andrew and Jerry talk about the story of two pro-life activists attacked in Baltimore--and they tie this into other stories of woke run amok: Target stepping into it, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And a major league pitcher is forced to apologize.
The video version of Episode 60!
The Durham report on FBI/DOJ malfeasance in the investigation of Russian Collusion has dropped, and it paints a horrible picture. Where does this scandal fit into tragedies like January 6th or Pearl Harbor or the Civil War? What makes this worse than Watergate?
But most-importantly, how does this report color our assessment of the victories and failures of the Trump Administration - from personnel to policy? Andrew and Jerry have a heated discussion over the impact the investigation had: the impacts of delegitimizing Trump from before he was even elected to how this compromised the administration's ability to attract (and retain) top talent. Just what was the Trump administration's record, in terms of real achievements and where the administration (and, by extension, Trump himself), fell short. How did optics play a role, again both in political decisionmaking and personnel? Was Trump a savvy fighter? What should he have done regarding oppositional bureaucrats?
What does it all mean for 2024... and beyond? And why can't people connect the dots between what they vote for, and the policies those votes produce?
It's the video version of Episode 59!
With a senate seat opening up in Maryland, rumors abound that Cal Ripken, Jr., the Hall of Fame baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles, might run for the US Senate. Andrew and Jerry break down the rumor, but this leads into the greater question of the role of "celebrity" candidates, and what history has taught us about where they help and where they hurt. The question then turns to former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, and whether he has his sights on the US Senate or the Presidency. What would a third-party run by Larry Hogan mean in the 2024 presidential election--and again, what has history taught us about 3rd party candidates as spoilers? Would a run by Hogan help Trump or Biden?
Andrew and Jerry then get into a discussion of movement politics--why is it that conservatives seem to be perpetually behind the 8-ball in terms of aggressiveness and a unified effort? What has changed in the last 15 or 20 years to keep the conservative movement fractured, working at cross-purposes, or to have their voices minimized. They talk about the 80-20 rule, and Andrew mentions Bono's "one issue" message from a concert a few weeks ago. This leads Jerry into questioning his ability to trust Bono when it comes to activism.
The video version of Episode 58!
Andrew is vexed by the pronoun debate as this week's show starts. As Schoolhouse Rock told it, pronouns were used to take the place of nouns - but now, not so much so. Andrew and Jerry break down the War on Pronouns, and talk about how things have gone off the rails - parents, who used to be in the role of setting boundaries for kids, are actively encouraging kids to step away from reality. And what happens when one parent isn't OK with a child adopting a new set of pronouns? Jerry talks about solutions, as they both tie this issue in with other top stories of the day. What's Covid Psychosis, and does it have anything to do with the recent shootings in Louisville and Nashville? Is banning guns the answer? And what does the debate over puberty blockers for minors have to do with the recent decision in Texas to strike down the FDA's approval of two abortion drugs? What's the difference between America in 2023 and the fall of Rome? And how does the disrespect for the rule of law accellerate the collapse of civil society?
