It Could Happen Here Weekly 175

Mar 29, 2025

This podcast delves into serious topics, starting with the troubling policy allowing the Trump administration to send asylum seekers to El Salvador. It discusses human rights violations and the inhumane conditions within prisons. The conversation shifts to the encampment sweeps in Oakland, examining the chaotic removal of unhoused individuals and the paradox of increasing homelessness funding. Additionally, they critique the toxic dynamics in gaming culture, highlighting controversies surrounding figures like Elon Musk and their implications. The deeper issues of immigration and human rights are explored throughout.

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ANECDOTE

Rendition to El Salvador

The Trump administration used the Alien Enemies Act to send 300 people to El Salvador.
These individuals are accused of being members of foreign terrorist organizations, a dubious claim.

INSIGHT

Origins of Tren de Aragua

Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang, originated from construction unions building trains.
The Trump administration designated them a foreign terrorist organization, possibly to facilitate deportation.

ANECDOTE

Secot Prison Conditions

Detainees in El Salvador's Secot prison face inhumane conditions, including overcrowding, limited sanitation, and lack of outside contact.
Bukele uses the prison for propaganda, showcasing it as a deterrent to gang activity.

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Brave New World

Aldous Huxley

Written in 1931 and published in 1932, 'Brave New World' is a dystopian novel set in a futuristic World State where humans are bred in vitro and predestined into a rigid social hierarchy. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social conditioning, and the loss of individuality and freedom. The story revolves around characters such as Bernard Marx, an Alpha who questions the society, Mustapha Mond, the World Controller, and John, a 'Savage' from a reservation who introduces elements of emotion and individuality into the highly controlled World State. The novel critiques the optimism of technological progress and its potential to create a society that values stability and happiness over humanity and freedom[2][4][5].

Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell

Published in 1949, 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' is a cautionary tale set in a future where the world is divided into three totalitarian super-states: Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia. The novel follows Winston Smith, a minor functionary in the Ministry of Truth in Oceania, who begins to question the all-pervasive authority of the Party and its leader, Big Brother. Winston's rebellion, fueled by his forbidden love affair with Julia and his interest in the mysterious Brotherhood, ultimately leads to his capture and brutal reeducation by the Thought Police. The novel explores themes of mass surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth, serving as a powerful warning about the dangers of unaccountable governments and the erosion of individual freedom and dignity.

Moneyball

The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Michael Lewis

The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance[2][3][5].