Pantsuit Politics

Critical discussions in this country continue to develop about election interference, #metoo, and gun violence. Thanks to our sponsors for today's podcast: ThirdLove and Martha Stewart Wine Company. Beth summarizes her thoughts on the Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee response to the Republican memo on the Russian investigation as well as her new found commitment to primary sources. She also shared her thoughts on the recent indictments and movement of Robert Mueller and his team. We also talk about Mona Charen's #metoo moment at CPAC.Beth compliments the Democratic governors. Sarah compliments Florida Governor Rick Scott.In our main segment, we discuss the great feedback we've got from our community on the ongoing gun debate.We end with what's on our minds outside politics. Beth is thinking about her crafting and we talk about the essential nature of idle time.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The conversation on guns in this country is changing. We talk about a particularly intense day this week filled with listening sessions, marches, and town halls. We then spoke with Jeremy Hays and Eve Pearlman, cofounders of Spaceship Media, about dialogue journalism and their new project The Many. This show is sponsored by Tamara Mellon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Students across the U.S. are demanding action to prevent future gun violence, and Robert Mueller has issued an extensive indictment related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. We discuss the week’s news and talk with Tabitha Isner about her run for Congress. Thanks to our sponsors for today's podcast: Tamara Mellon and Martha Stewart Wine Company. Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are leading a nationwide movement, demanding that policymakers address gun violence in schools. We discuss their activism and the need for reasonable progress and compromise. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, in a 37-page indictment, has described Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. We discuss the indictment and updates regarding Michael Flynn, Rick Gates, and Richard Pinedo. Sarah compliments Congressman Carlos Curbelo for his remarks following the Parkland shooting. Beth compliments the Albuquerque, New Mexico City Council. We talk with Tabitha Isner and her campaign manager, Megan Skipper, about her run for Congress as a Democrat in Alabama. You can find Tabitha on her website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We end with what's on our minds outside politics. Beth is thinking about her bucket list. Sarah is excited about her friend's new children's album.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 23, there was a school shooting in our home state. On February 14, 17 people were killed in yet another. If you are ready to take action, consider doing one of the following things: text ACT to 64433 to join Moms Demand Action host a conversation in your community about the threat of violence (agree in advance about whether you'd like to discuss gun control provisions or not) contact your elected official to express your insistence on measures to combat gun violence  Post-note: At the top of the episode, we cite the statistic from EveryTown that there have been 18 school shootings in 2018. This statistic has been criticized today by, among others, the Washington Post. EveryTown uses an expansive definition of school shooting to encompass every time a gun has discharged live rounds on school property. We encourage you to judge the meaning and importance of this statistic for yourself.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s hard to keep up with the memos, interviews, and leaks coming out of Washington DC so we take a painstaking look at what we do and don’t know about the memo and the Mueller investigation  Thanks to our sponsor: Martha Stewart Wine and TomboyX Underwear We discuss the resignation of Rob Porter and the President's wholly unacceptable response to the accusations of domestic violence against Porter. We also talk about the Olympics: North Korea's participation, the ugly part of the event, and why we keep watching.  To compliment individuals who aren't members of our respective parties, Beth compliments the Democratic candidate in her home district, Patti Piatt. Sarah compliments Rand Paul on his continued stance against deficit spending.  For our main segment, business journalist Heidi Moore joins us for a discussion of the stock market, the economy, and why debt colors Donald Trump's opinion of it all.  We end with a discussion on what's on our minds outside politics. Beth loved Lady Bird and Victoria & Abdul. Sarah loved The Power and Sing, Unburied, Sing. Heidi shares her love for The Good Place and Call Me By Your Name.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States continues to grapple with cultural tension over race, the military, and religion. We talk about the latest news around these topics and listener feedback in today’s episode.The death of Black Lives Matter activist Muhiyidin d’Baha and the vandalism of a Confederate monument in Louisville, Kentucky, have us thinking about continued racial tensions in the United States. At the same, a message from our listener, Karen, and Sarah's experience passing a Fairness Ordinance in her city have us thinking about tension around Christianity. That tension is not helped by an evangelical minister who made headlines this week by claiming that Christians don't get the flu. The President has expressed interest in a military parade. Sarah has a great solution to dealing with this. We shared feedback from Michelle regarding #HearHerHarvard and the culture on Harvard's campus. We also discuss Melissa's message sharing her desire for a more balanced conversation -- one of many messages questioning Beth's political perspective. Finally, we discuss SpaceX's launch of the Falcon Heavy.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s hard to keep up with the memos, interviews, and leaks coming out of Washington DC so we take a painstaking look at what we do and don’t know about the memo and the Mueller investigation  Thanks to our sponsor: Casper Mattress First up, we discuss how we think about the economy as we approach another government shutdown this week, including whether or not we should pour more money into the Department of Defense considering the results of the latest audit.   We discuss Uma's #metoo moment and why the coverage became the story.  To compliment individuals who aren't members of our respective parties, Sarah praises recently retiring and suddenly refreshingly honest Representative Trey Gowdyl. Beth compliments Senator Chris Coons on his work on a bipartisan immigration bill.  For our main segment, we start with a mini-primer on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ("FISA"), which was enacted in 1978 to protect Americans’ privacy in the midst of counter-terrorism efforts. A law enforcement training white paper helped us significantly in understanding key provisions of FISA. FISA was enacted to limit the presidents' power and to create a judicially-manageable standard for issuing warrants in national security investigations. The key provisions of FISA were: Non-criminal electronic surveillance can only occur for the purpose of collecting foreign intelligence and foreign counterintelligenceForeign powers and agents of foreign powers could be targeted for electronic surveillance (foreign powers and agents of foreign powers are defined in the statute—explicitly says “non US persons” — US persons are citizens, legal permanent residents, US corporations, unincorporated associates with a substantial number of members who are citizens or lawful permanent residents) The government needs probable cause to conduct surveillance (and set a probable cause standard)Established foreign intelligence surveillance courts (FISC) at the district and appellate levels to review applications for warrants under the actThe government can only conduct electronic surveillance in the US for the purpose of collecting foreign intelligence or foreign counterintelligence pursuant to a warrant issued by a FISC or in an emergency with approval from the attorney general provided that a warrant is sought within 24 hours In 1995, FISA was expanded to include physical searches (which meant a recognition that the president’s power to order physical searches in the interest of nat security is limited) In 1998, provisions were added on pen registers and trap and trace - includes phone calls, email, and all electronic forms of communication. These provisions specifically prohibit investigation of US persons for activities protected by the 1st... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

California voters will soon decide whether to recall the judge who sentenced Brock Turner, and conspiracy theories seem to be taking over our public discussions. We’re talking about institutional trust and accountability as well as discussing the brutal realities of gun violence in today’s episode.Thanks to TomboyX for sponsoring today's podcast. We discuss the campaign to recall Judge Persky, how elections impact the judiciary, and the punitive side of rape culture. We also talk about "The Storm" and how the Nunes memo is mainstreaming conspiracy theories. Finally, we talk with Dr. Sterling Haring about his experience treating victims of the Marshall County High School shooting. Content warning: Our conversation with Dr. Haring includes some upsetting and graphic information about how bullets impact human bodies.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Adams said that “because power corrupts, society’s demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases.” Every headline in the past week has us thinking about abuse of power and the moral authority required to stand up to that abuse. In this week's show, we discuss the growing violence in Afghanistan and the terrible attacks in Kabul. We also ponder the motivations behind President Trump's solar tariffs. In our #metoo moment, we talk about the #HearHerHarvard movement at Harvard University and the criticism of Judge Aquilina and her decisions involving the Nassar trial. We also discuss the economic motivations behind the recent Russian protests and why economics always becomes our central concern.   To compliment individuals who aren't members of our respective parties, Sarah praises Representative Will Hurd and his bipartisan immigration bill. Beth shares the encouraging reactions of several Arizona state legislators in the face of ugly immigration protests.  For our main segment, we discuss the moral authority and the arguments surrounding the presidencies of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Beth shares her journey with John McCain as a presidential candidate and we ponder the growing disgust among the moderate middle at the current state of politics in our country.  We end with a discussion on what's on our minds outside politics - specifically when we sleep - as Beth shares a common dream she has and Sarah worries about the epidemic of teeth clenching among Americans.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1997, three of Sarah's classmates were shot and killed in the lobby of my high school. 20 years later and 30 miles away, her community is again mourning the deaths of two 15 yo high school students shot in the in the lobby of Marshall County High School. We’re thinking about activism to prevent these tragedies and talking about activism through protests with Dr. Dana Fisher.The Courier Journal describes the shooting at Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky, in excruciating detail. We discuss how we think we can break the logjam on action to do better at preventing future gun violence.We talk with Dr. Dana Fisher about the Women's Marches and the Resistance movement in the context of sociological activism data. You can find Dr. Fisher on Twitter, at her University of Maryland website, and at the website for her eye-opening book that's being shared as she develops it.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.