This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.racket.newsLos Angeles is in flames, and California's leaders seem helpless, unmasking a generation of public investment in non-essential services. Also, "On Guard," by Evelyn Waugh

The discussion kicks off with a personal reflection on holiday stress amid ecological concerns. A significant $15 million defamation settlement involving ABC News and Donald Trump sparks conversations on journalistic ethics. The tension between media freedom and misinformation becomes a focal point, alongside landmark legal cases that shape defamation law. Lastly, the impact of financial pressures on ethical reporting is explored, revealing the complex relationship between sensationalism and accountability in today’s journalism.

A high-profile murder case sparks debate over the fusion of media and public perception. The suspect becomes an unlikely folk hero, raising questions about the glorification of violence. The impact of a controversial manifesto on the healthcare system is scrutinized, alongside the absurdity of its potential implications for FBI investigations. Humor and skepticism color discussions on the sensationalist media frenzy, ultimately reflecting on accountability in journalism and the strange emergence of vigilante sentiments.

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

A nostalgic dive into the changing vibe of Las Vegas, blending humor with reflections on its past. The conversation shifts to how gambling culture intersects with societal challenges and modern geopolitical issues. It scrutinizes Russia's nuclear strategy, exploring its historical impacts and implications for global tensions. The discussion also critiques the political landscape surrounding Ukraine and questions the media's narrative control, particularly regarding Trump's influence on American perceptions and policies.

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