This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsA trial balloon floats presidential pardons no one asked for, no one knows anything about, and no one needs, but will be done anyway. Plus, the "Masque of the Red Death," by Edgar Allan Poe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsThe New York Times teams with David Brock's Media Matters to smash records for editorial mendacity. Plus, Mark Twain's great take on fraud, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County."

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsKamala Harris does a rare contentious interview, but seemingly not to win over Fox viewers. Why? Also, Walter and Matt discuss "The Catbird Seat," by James Thurber.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsDid something just get broken in a 60 Minutes interview that won't easily be fixed? Walter and Matt discuss. Plus, "After the Ball," by Leo Tolstoy

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsElite America responded with sympathy to the revelations of Hurricane Katrina. Is it the same this time? Also, "My First Goose," by Isaac Babel

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsLink Here: Listen to subscriber only audio in your podcast appShare the Free Previews of America This Week:Watch ATW on YouTube below:

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsDonald Trump and Hillary Clinton combine to move us several steps closer to Walter's prediction of the first drone assassination for a tweet. Plus, "The Blood of the Martyrs," by Stephen Vincent Benét

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsRemembering 9/11, the architects of the War on Terror, and the state of emergency just renewed this week. Plus, "Goodbye, My Brother" by John Cheever

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsWalter calls a scandal. Russiagate is exhumed again. Walter explains weasels, both the human and actual kind. Also, "Sredni Vashtar," by Saki.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsUpside-down world keeps spinning as the blues campaign on a border wall. Also, a fascinating inspiration for a pop culture classic: "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" by Delmore Schwartz