Unf*cking The Republic

It’s the one-year anniversary of Unf*cking the Republic. Yay us. Only 1.6 million other podcasts have passed this historic mark. We couldn’t let the moment pass, however, without offering our profound thanks to those who got us here on this little journey of ours. So today we reflect a bit on the last year, draw some conclusions and tie things up with a bow. We end with a look forward at some of the issues we’re set to tackle in the coming months and remark on a few trends that are both hopeful and troubling as we continue to unf*ck the republic together. Thanks to all the Unf*ckers, Subf*ckers, UnCanuckers, Eurof*ckers and Down Under F*ckers for supporting the show. Onward!  Pod Love TransLash Media: The Anti-Trans Hate Machine Callie Wright: Queersplaining -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by College Street and distributed on Appleton. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economist John Williamson presented a paper titled The Washington Consensus in 1989. More of a reflection than a policy statement, the Washington Consensus became a policy framework in the neoliberal school of expansion and trade, particularly as it relates to Latin America and the Caribbean. Today we examine the legacy of Williamson’s seminal paper, how it has echoed throughout American foreign policy over time and what it portends for an uncertain economic future in the era of climate change. Oh, and it gives us another opportunity to say Fuck Milton Friedman. Resources Nancy Birdsall, Augusto de la Torre and Felipe Valencia Caicedo: The Washington Consensus- Assessing a Damaged Brand Wall Street Journal: Era of Brady Bonds Ends For Developing Nations WWF: Environmental Problems In Brazil Leonardo Gasparini, María Emma Santos and Leopoldo Tornarolli: Poverty in Latin America John Williamson: The Washington Consensus as Policy Prescription for Development John Williamson: The World According to John Williamson: Part II Book Love Imperialism, Neoliberalism, and Social Struggles in Latin America Neoliberal Meltdown and Social Protest by Carlos M. Vilas The Harvest of Neoliberalism by Jose Bell Lara and Delia Luisa Lopez Pod Love Best of the Left: #1426 The Liberation and Assimilation of Pride Month (6/26/21) Gender Reveal: Starter Packs Métis in Space Unf*cker Love China Heritage: On This Day: 11 September 2021, a Commemoration in Three Chapters -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by the Phantom of the Opera and distributed by three blind mice. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we begin a conversation about the LGBTQ movement in the United States, with a nod to our Canadian friends as well. In order to properly introduce issues facing LGBTQ people into the larger context of socio economic and political topics we cover on UNFTR, we wanted to start with a conversation about the evolving language of inclusion and representation within the LGBTQ community.  Resources Edmonton CityNews: Hope blossoms as first two-spirited MP elected Code Switch: Is It Time To Say R.I.P. to P.O.C.? Geneseo: Understanding Gender Identity and Gender Expression PBS: American Experience- Stonewall Uprising New York Times: The Stonewall You Know Is a Myth. And That’s O.K Human Rights Campaign: Fatal Violence Against the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Community in 2021 National Center For Transgender Equality: LGBTQ People Behind Bars Human Rights Campaign: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions The Williams Institute: Poverty In The Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Community Columbia Journalism Review: How the word ‘queer’ was adopted by the LGBTQ community LGBTQIA Resource Center: UC Davis Resource Book Love  Eric Cervini: The Deviant's War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America Joey Mogul, Andrea Ritchie + Kay Whitlock: Queer (In)Justice: The Criminalization of LGBT People in the United States -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’ Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we break from our format to introduce you to our partners from Native Coffee Traders on the Poospatuck Reservation in New York. Harry Wallace, the elected chief of the Unkechaug people, founded Native Coffee Traders in 1994. The company is now run by his niece and head roaster Amy Wallace. Harry and Amy joined Max in the studio to discuss issues facing native people today, the importance of economic development and sovereignty, and why their coffee is so fucking delicious. Resources Shop Unf*cking Coffee -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world is more fucked than the United States. And we’re pretty fucked, so that’s saying a lot. Perhaps there’s a way to mitigate this mess by playing upon our worst instincts as a nation and the competitiveness that drives the world. Today we take an alternative view of our response to climate change through the lens of the most dispassionate and powerful observer in the world: The U.S. Military. It’s known for decades that the planet is fucked. And they’ve been preparing in plain sight. Resources IPCC- Summary for Policymakers Institute for Policy Integrity- Gauging Economic Consensus on Climate Change Center for Climate and Security- Chronology of Military and Intelligence Concerns About Climate Change World Economic Forum- This is how climate change could impact the global economy Swiss Re- World economy set to lose up to 18% GDP from climate change if no action taken New York Times- 40 Million People Rely on the Colorado River. It’s Drying Up Fast. The Black Vault- 1990 U.S. Naval Report Sub Love Adam Tooze- Chartbook Spencer Ackerman- Forever Wars Book Love  Michael T. Klare- All Hell Breaking Loose: The Pentagon’s Perspective on Climate Change Pod Love Slate- What Next TBD Global Optimism- Outrage and Optimism Unf*cker Love Daron Davis: An unfortunate name but a profound podcast -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Rick and distributed by Morty. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s episode is a departure from our normal format. We were tempted to let the 20th anniversary of 9/11 pass given it will be oversaturated with remembrances and armchair punditry as well as the usual tragedy porn imagery. But the impact of 9/11 remains so widespread that it’s impossible to ignore. So, we wanted to add something honest, critical and ultimately hopeful to the mix. This episode contains none of our typical irreverence or profanity, nor do we traffic in speculation or conspiracy. Rather, this is a story of a consequential date in history told in three parts and beginning nearly 50 years ago. Resources Pew Research Center: Americans Name the 10 Most Significant Historic Events of Their Lifetimes OECD: Chile: focus on reducing inequality to strengthen social and economic recovery from COVID-19 GovInfo: Authorization for Use of Military Force AARC Public Library Contents: Church Committee Reports Book Love Jeremy Scahill: Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army Jeremy Scahill: Dirty Wars: The World Is a Battlefield Pod Love Sarah Kendzior and Andrea Chalupa’s Gaslit Nation UNFTR Economics Episodes Playlists -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Rick and distributed by Morty. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The last time California had a “successful” gubernatorial recall, Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor. While we try not to wade into current events, there is significance in this current attempt to unseat Gavin Newsom that goes far beyond the borders of California. In this episode we catch up on what’s happening in California. Beyond the biblical weather events, an ongoing plague and rampant homelessness, there are silver linings in economic terms that could theoretically ameliorate many of the deep issues our biggest state faces. But there’s another dark scenario beyond blowing this moment and upending the political framework of Cali. Resources CalMatters: Measuring California’s progress on income inequality The Atlantic: What California’s Recall Election Says About America Wikipedia: 2003 California gubernatorial recall election California Secretary of State: Recall History in California (1913 to Present) New York Times: California Could Throw Away What It’s Won Bloomberg: California Defies Doom With No. 1 U.S. Economy Statista: Real value added to the GDP of California in 2020 LA Times: After decades of Republican victories, here’s how California became a blue state again ITEP: Who Pays? 6th Edition – State-by-State Data PPIC: Who’s Leaving California—and Who’s Moving In? Pod Love Canadaland: The Backbench Canadaland: The White Saviors -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Hawkeye Pierce and distributed by homemade hooch. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We love to promote our democratic principles. We love to spread them across the globe as well. But there are three procedural quirks in our system that are so laughably undemocratic it’s surreal. The Electoral College, filibuster and gerrymandering have been such integral parts of our system for so long that we barely recognize them for the travesties they are. Right now, Democrats have tenuous control over the system and the ability to change the course of democracy for decades to come. So why don’t they? Today’s episode digs into the racist history of these three significant aspects of our republic, the Republicans who will do anything to protect them, and the feckless Democrats who maintain the status quo. View this episode's site page by going to unftr.com/episodes/unftr31. Resources Congress: For the People Act Congress: Fair Representation Act Congressmen Beyer: House Democrats Reintroduce Fair Representation Act Brennan Center For Justice: Rucho v. Common Cause Brennan Center For Justice: Gerrymandering Explained Brennan Center For Justice: What Is Extreme Gerrymandering? Fair Vote: Ranked Choice Voting Legislation Fair Vote: 2021 State Legislation on Ranked Choice Voting Fair Vote: Details about Ranked Choice Voting Fair Vote: Gerrymandering Reform Innovations The Hill: Replacing 'winner-takes-all' system would end gerrymandering Common Cause: Fair Maps, Fair Representation and a Fair Say Common Cause: Gerrymander Gazette Newsletter Pod Love improv4humans with Matt Besser -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Thornton Mellon and distributed by kickbacks and bribes. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Operation “Blame the Afghan People” is in full swing. The countdown to us forgetting completely about Afghanistan has also just begun and the media is doing its best to shove a comparative narrative to Vietnam down our throats. Today’s episode explores our national amnesia, examines the Vietnam comparison, talks about what happens when our occupations end and questions the continuation of a wartime military budget.  Resources Peter G. Peterson Foundation: Budget Basics: National Defense The Intercept: $10,000 Invested in Defense Stocks When Afghanistan War Began Now Worth Almost $100,000 World Economic Forum: The story of Vietnam's economic miracle Vietnam Briefing: Vietnam’s Economy, FDI Show Steady Growth but Fourth Wave a Concern The World Bank: The World Bank In Vietnam CTV News: 'Canada left them behind': Afghan interpreters and their families plead to be evacuated from Afghanistan CBC: N.S. veteran unhappy as Taliban retakes control of Afghanistan War On The Rocks: China’s Strategic Assessment of Afghanistan Congress: H.Res.1003 — 116th Congress -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify: spoti.fi/3yzIlUP. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Max and distributed by 99. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Momma always said, "Power is as power does." With democrats in charge, Bernie managing the budget and endless wars ending, it's a new day in Washington. Or is it? Today's Quickie highlights three policies - Immigration, Military Spending and Drone Strikes - that seemed to be changing under Biden but might be more of the same. Resources The Intercept - Nobody Knows the Identities of the 150 People Killed by U.S. in Somalia, but Most Are Certain They Deserved It Geopolitical Futures - Why the US Cares About Somalia Politico - House votes to repeal decades-old war powers amid Middle East debate Politico - Iraq War authorization repeal clears key Senate hurdle Bloomberg - U.S. Steps Up Air Strikes Against al-Qaeda Ally in Somalia -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Subscribe to Unf*cking The Republic on Substack at unftr.substack.com to get the essays these episode are framed around sent to your inbox every week. Check out the UNFTR Pod Love playlist on Spotify. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is written and hosted by Danny DeVito (from It's Always Sunny...not Taxi) and distributed by horse and buggy. Podcast art description: Image of the US Constitution ripped in the middle revealing white text on a blue background that says, ‘Unf*cking the Republic.’Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.