"Political Gabfest" brings a live show from Madison with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. They discuss hot fights over gerrymandering, divisiveness in Wisconsin, and Trump's lawyers testifying against him. Plus, they recommend podcasts on the Israel-Gaza-Palestine conflict and reflect on biking, walking, and potential changes to the US government.
Understanding the Israel-Gaza conflict through recommended podcasts
Overcoming fear and embarrassment of singing through personal experience and techniques
Importance of compromise and addressing systemic issues in politics for effective problem-solving
Deep dives
The Great Molasses Flood of 1919
On January 15th, 1919, a massive tank of molasses in Boston's North End ruptured, releasing 2.3 million gallons of molasses into the streets, causing death and destruction. The incident led to the introduction of building permits and the need for engineers to sign off on structures.
Podcasts on Israel-Gaza Conflict
For those interested in understanding the Israel-Gaza conflict, three recommended podcasts are: 'Hescet Oslo,' a series in Hebrew by Arnon Degani that looks back at the Oslo peace negotiations of the 90s; 'This is Palestine' by the Institute for Middle East Understanding, which presents voices from Gaza; and the Ezra Klein Show featuring interviews with Peter Beinart and Spencer Ackerman.
Learning to Sing
The author shares their personal experience of taking singing lessons to overcome their fear and embarrassment of singing. They discuss the challenges they have encountered and the techniques they are learning, such as breathing exercises and scales.
The Importance of Compromise and Addressing Systemic Issues
The podcast episode discusses the importance of compromise and addressing systemic issues within the political landscape. It highlights that knowing how institutions are supposed to work and dealing with the messiness of those institutions is crucial for addressing the problems that rile up angry voters. The episode emphasizes that compromising and working through the dysfunction of the system is essential for finding solutions and maintaining the worth of the institution.
Legal Troubles and Testimonies Against Donald Trump
The podcast episode delves into the legal troubles faced by Donald Trump, specifically focusing on the recent testimonies of various individuals involved in election-related schemes. It notes that Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, and Ken Chesbro have all taken plea deals and agreed to testify against other defendants. The episode explores the potential implications for Trump, as these testimonies challenge the idea that he was simply following legal advice. The episode also mentions Mark Meadows seeking immunity and the complexity of these ongoing cases.
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz take the show on the road and gab live with Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers; discuss the new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson; and review the former lawyers and Chief of Staff who will testify against Donald Trump.
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:
