

Plain Talk
Forum Communications Co.
Plain Talk is a podcast hosted by Rob Port and Chad Oban focusing on political news and current events in North Dakota. Port is a columnist for the Forum News Service published in papers including the Fargo Forum, Grand Forks Herald, Jamestown Sun, and the Dickinson Press. Oban is a long-time political consultant.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 19, 2019 • 30min
Ep. 45: DAPL touts taxes paid, and should Christchurch video be censored?
Should the Christchurch shooting video be censored on the internet? Do we want the government and tech companies getting comfortable blocking controversial content? Also Vicki Granado from Energy Transfer Partners, the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline, talks about the project's impact on taxes and the economy in North Dakota nearly three years later. This episode of Plain Talk is sponsored by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mar 18, 2019 • 17min
Bonus Audio: Jay Thomas Show 03/18/19
Audio from Rob's 03/18/19 appearance on the Jay Thomas Show, talking about the Legacy Fund and anti-discrimination legislation in Bismarck.

Mar 18, 2019 • 36min
Ep. 44: Is it ok to treat people differently based on skin color?
A New York Times Magazine columnist says it's ok for people to treat other people differently based on skin color...as long as they belong to a minority group. White can't get away with it. Or maybe we shouldn't treat anyone differently based on skin color? Also, North Dakota Lt. Governor Brent Sanford joins to talk about the executive branch's dispute with the Legislature over revenue forecasts. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mar 15, 2019 • 27min
Ep. 43: Rep. Armstrong says anti-capitalist thinking in Washington is "very, very scary"
Congressman Kelly Armstrong takes listener questions, and says the amount of anti-capitalist thinking in Washington D.C. is "very, very scary." Also, are lawmakers being honest with their revenue forecasts? Governor Burgum doesn't think so, and he's probably right. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mar 14, 2019 • 37min
Ep. 42: Ocazio-Cortez a Republican plant?
Senator Kevin Cramer takes reader questions on this episode of Plain Talk, responding to one by suggesting that socialist media darling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez might actually be a plant...by Republicans. Speaking of AOC, some of her comments chastising Wells Fargo for financing the Dakota Access Pipeline recently were downright Orwellian. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mar 13, 2019 • 32min
Ep. 41: A lawsuit over school funds?
Could the State of North Dakota be sued over a mistake in transferring oil tax revenues to state funds? Nich Archuleta of North Dakota United, an organization representing the state's public workers and teachers, says his group would like to avoid it but they're keep their options open. Also Senator Ray Holmberg, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, talks about revenue forecasts and finalizing the state's budget. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mar 11, 2019 • 39min
Bonus Audio: Talking socialism with Jay Thomas
Rob talks about socialism and the debate over the state's prisons during a segment on the Jay Thomas Show 03-11-19.

Mar 11, 2019 • 38min
Ep. 40: Victimhood as political currency, Boschee talks session
ND House Minority Leader Josh Boschee (D-Fargo) joins to talk about the 2019 legislative session so far, including his sense that this session has been less partisan than past sessions. Also, why has victimhood become political currency? This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mar 8, 2019 • 27min
Ep. 39: Why should Rep. Ilhan Omar get a pass for her bigotry?
It seems like many are willing to give Rep. Ilhan Omar a pass for her comments about Jews and Israel that someone of another gender/race/religious background might not get. Also, Congressman Kelly Armstrong gives an update from Washington D.C. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.

Mar 7, 2019 • 38min
Ep. 38: Cramer says Gree New Deal is a "socialist's dream"
Senator Kevin Cramer takes listener questions this week on the green new deal, immigration policy, President Trump's emergency declaration, and other topics. This episode of Plain Talk is brought to you by EnergyofNorthDakota.com.