Reflections on Hope and Democracy

It's a big day! The Meidas Brothers celebrate the inauguration of President Joe Biden and try to make sense of the sudden return to normalcy, as he who shall not be named leaves in utter disgrace. The brothers discuss highlights the Inauguration, including the breathtaking speech by Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. Former Congressman, Senate and Presidential Candidate, and founder of Powered by People Beto O'Rourke then joins the pod to discuss the work of his organization in Texas, the horrible human known as Ted Cruz, and the enduring legacy of the peaceful protests of Colin Kaepernick. The brothers then discuss the shattered reality of QAnon supporters before having a fascinating conversation with professor of history and Italian studies at New York University and Author of Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, Ruth Ben-Ghiat. The brothers finish the show by showing more examples of the return to normalcy, including Thursday's press briefing with Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Learn more about Beto O'Rourke's organization Powered by People here: https://poweredxpeople.org/

Buy Ruth Ben-Ghiat's book here: https://wwnorton.com/books/strongmen

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