Month: October 2024

Is Trump a fascist?

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Because it needs to be said and FCC regulations limit what I can say on my radio show:

VOTE FOR KAMALA HARRIS!

Even if, like me, you’re not particularly excited about her.

Even if, like me, you’re dismayed at the Democratic Party’s transformation into a corporate-funded defender of the status quo.

Even if, like me, you support major reforms to improve the fairness of our elections and help third parties gain viability.

Vote for Harris to stop Donald Trump from destroying our democracy and ushering in fascism.

And no, it’s not 100% certain that Trump will turn America fascist. Perhaps the remaining pillars of democracy will continue to stand strong.

But that’s a risk none of us should be willing to take. Continue Reading →

My presidential prediction(s), with an apology to democracy

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My guest, Dijana Mihajlović, lived the first half of her life in Serbia, before moving to Des Moines as a high school student. Her experience as a child watching the rise and fall of a dictator, Slobodan Milošević, gives her a unique perspective on the current threat of authoritarianism in the US. Besides her work as a mother and architect, Di calls herself “a fierce defender of democracy and true freedoms.”

Nobody likes my election predictions. Heck, I don’t like my election predictions. But tis better to be honest than to give false hope. On today’s program at 38:44, I explore three scenarios for how the presidential election might unfold.

First though, I need to say this: More than ever, this election is about turnout. Really big turnout. Especially in swing states. That’s Kamala Harris’ only possible path to victory. So, before I lay out the three scenarios, here’s my ask:

Contact five people you know in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Ask each to contact three other marginal voters and ask them to support Harris. Continue Reading →

Lies swirl in the wake of Hurricane Helene

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I’m appalled when partisans use a disaster like Hurricane Helene for political gain. Perhaps not surprisingly, the worst lies are coming from Donald Trump.

Here’s a CBS clip of Trump claiming FEMA is diverting disaster relief money to help illegal immigrants. Two lies in one sentence: (1) non citizens can’t vote, and (2) no money was “stolen” from FEMA.

FEMA is run under the Dept of Homeland Security, which operates a bunch of programs, including “Shelter and Services,” which provides support to non-citizens awaiting their day in court. A hundred years ago, my Irish grandparents would have appreciated such a program.

Here’s Trump lying again, in a Facebook clip where he claims Biden isn’t helping Georgia recover from hurricane damage. That lie is followed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, matter-of-factly stating the exact opposite.
Continue Reading →

Blame Gov. Reynolds for the pipeline most Iowans oppose

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Though she’d like you to believe otherwise, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds is the primary political force behind Summit’s Carbon Pipeline. Here are five smoking guns that leave no doubt about her essential culpability in this assault on rural Iowa and beyond:

1. KIM REYNOLDS’ SILENCE. Nearly 80% of Iowans oppose using eminent domain to build CO2 pipelines. The only time politicians don’t talk about an issue when public opinion is lopsided is when they’re on the wrong side. I attempted multiple online searches for variations on “Gov Kim Reynolds’ statements on Summit pipeline.” Nothing. She’s done a total dodge on the issue.

Let’s change that. See below for action item #1. Continue Reading →