https://simplecast.com The Oxford English Dictionary defines a dream as “a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal”. What is the California dream? And how does it compare and contrast to the American dream, or – as many now understand it – the American nightmare? Can California aspire to reach her dreams within an undemocratic and dysfunctional American system? Or should California chart her own course and determine her own destiny? Hi, my name is Darin Brown, and these are just some of the questions we’ll be asking in our new podcast The California Dream. Let me tell you about some of what we have planned for the future. We’ll discuss California history and culture. We’ll talk to activists in the California independence campaign and keep you up to date on current events in the Calexit movement. We are also proud to host audio episodes of The California War, a new weekly video series that will recall the events leading to the American conquest of California on its 175-year anniversary. We’ll interview authors and scholars whose work intersects with history, government, political theory, and international relations. So, if you want to learn more about California, or if you just care about the California dream, we’d love to have you subscribe and join us as we navigate through these truly unprecedented times. en Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:02:13 +0000 Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:02:24 +0000 https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/4b690241-b9e9-47a3-8da8-bff7f51f2e48/51558099-9500-45c0-a710-302fb725cd29/3000x3000/the-california-dream.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com episodic The Oxford English Dictionary defines a dream as “a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal”. What is the California dream? And how does it compare and contrast to the American dream, or – as many now understand it – the American nightmare? Can California aspire to reach her dreams within an undemocratic and dysfunctional American system? Or should California chart her own course and determine her own destiny? Hi, my name is Darin Brown, and these are just some of the questions we’ll be asking in our new podcast The California Dream. Let me tell you about some of what we have planned for the future. We’ll discuss California history and culture. We’ll talk to activists in the California independence campaign and keep you up to date on current events in the Calexit movement. We are also proud to host audio episodes of The California War, a new weekly video series that will recall the events leading to the American conquest of California on its 175-year anniversary. We’ll interview authors and scholars whose work intersects with history, government, political theory, and international relations. So, if you want to learn more about California, or if you just care about the California dream, we’d love to have you subscribe and join us as we navigate through these truly unprecedented times. Darin Brown no https://feeds.simplecast.com/WcUkCeKz Darin Brown california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com 461de03a-984a-46d9-9af8-1233313d5d48 Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:02:13 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/political-historian-says-california-might-need-to-break-away-from-the-usa-to-preserve-democracy-gszTw203 Political historian says California might need to "break away" from the USA to preserve democracy Darin Brown 00:11:32 secession, authoritarianism, democracy, eli merritt, calexit no full 45 76df78b7-ba3c-487f-b51d-f8ed9ebea35a Mon, 27 Feb 2023 01:00:56 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/general-nonsense-about-the-national-divorce-discourse-doih3gSW General nonsense about the "national divorce" discourse Darin Brown 00:40:03 Once again, the topic of "national divorce" has entered the public discourse. And with that, a lot of general nonsense. I discuss some recent reactions from Krystal Ball, Emma Vigeland, and Ana Kasparian. IMAGE CREDIT: "Marjorie Taylor Greene (52251853611) (cropped)", by Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marjorie_Taylor_Greene_(52251853611)_(cropped).jpg Once again, the topic of "national divorce" has entered the public discourse. And with that, a lot of general nonsense. I discuss some recent reactions from Krystal Ball, Emma Vigeland, and Ana Kasparian. IMAGE CREDIT: "Marjorie Taylor Greene (52251853611) (cropped)", by Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marjorie_Taylor_Greene_(52251853611)_(cropped).jpg secession, breaking points, mtg, krystal ball, calexit, thenewcalexit, national divorce, marjorie taylor greene no full 44 1340cda6-845c-4342-8eca-2918ce750e95 Tue, 6 Dec 2022 04:03:39 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/questioning-the-2022-midterm-narratives-mWZ_vF5y Questioning the 2022 midterm narratives Darin Brown 00:53:35 Several media narratives have emerged out of the 2022 midterms. But how many of them are borne out by the facts? In this episode, I present data on the election results in a different context, showing a more nuanced interpretation is warranted. MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com Several media narratives have emerged out of the 2022 midterms. But how many of them are borne out by the facts? In this episode, I present data on the election results in a different context, showing a more nuanced interpretation is warranted. MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com senate, electoral college, midterms, donald trump, house of representatives, 2022 midterms no full 43 9551af63-73d7-45bf-8748-68862e5326bd Sat, 5 Nov 2022 05:42:55 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Jeremy Zogby, Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/midterms-preview-with-jeremy-zogby-NsRn0atO Midterms preview with Jeremy Zogby Jeremy Zogby, Darin Brown 01:04:59 Jeremy Zogby is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. Jeremy joins us again to discuss the upcoming midterm elections. Why are so many people focused on horserace politics and political prognostication? What factors will determine the outcome of the elections? And what is the real story behind the numbers? This interview was recorded on November 1, 2022. NOTES: 1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/ 2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/ MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission Jeremy Zogby is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. Jeremy joins us again to discuss the upcoming midterm elections. Why are so many people focused on horserace politics and political prognostication? What factors will determine the outcome of the elections? And what is the real story behind the numbers? This interview was recorded on November 1, 2022. NOTES: 1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/ 2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/ MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission nate silver, midterms, maga, media, 538, calexit, election polling, journalism no full 42 58a53faa-fe08-44a5-b488-44c59f1849d4 Sun, 30 Oct 2022 08:02:27 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/does-the-united-states-have-free-and-fair-elections-fZ9Wy9_m Does the United States have free and fair elections? Darin Brown 00:12:14 In this episode, we consider a provocative question: Does the United States have free and fair elections? It's a question everyone in California should consider. MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com In this episode, we consider a provocative question: Does the United States have free and fair elections? It's a question everyone in California should consider. MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com elections, midterms, political violence, gerrymandering, nancy pelosi no full 41 011ef9b1-36ab-49ae-8a4f-698bb3d0d0c8 Fri, 22 Jul 2022 01:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Aeonghus Brownlee, Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/aeonghus-brownlee-on-the-scottish-indy-movement-the-snp-and-a-possible-2023-referendum-diJlpVjc Aeonghus Brownlee on the Scottish indy movement, the SNP, and a possible 2023 referendum Aeonghus Brownlee, Darin Brown 01:12:25 I sat down with Scottish independence activist Aeonghus Brownlee to discuss the Scottish independence movement, the Scottish National Party, and the new referendum proposed by Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP. This interview was recorded on June 30, 2022. NOTES: 1. Scottish National Party homepage; https://www.snp.org 2. Young Scots for Independence homepage; https://www.theysi.scot/ 3. White papers on independence, Scottish government; https://www.gov.scot/newscotland/ MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Aeonghus Brownlee, used with permission I sat down with Scottish independence activist Aeonghus Brownlee to discuss the Scottish independence movement, the Scottish National Party, and the new referendum proposed by Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP. This interview was recorded on June 30, 2022. NOTES: 1. Scottish National Party homepage; https://www.snp.org 2. Young Scots for Independence homepage; https://www.theysi.scot/ 3. White papers on independence, Scottish government; https://www.gov.scot/newscotland/ MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Aeonghus Brownlee, used with permission california national party, cnp, scottish independence, scotland, snp, nicola sturgeon, aeonghus brownlee, calexit, scottish national party, scottish referendum no full 40 a5ac00db-8e64-47b1-9180-43648794dee9 Wed, 13 Jul 2022 07:23:24 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/governor-newsom-says-californians-are-not-safe-living-in-america-hO4yIl0C Governor Newsom says Californians are not safe living in America Darin Brown 00:29:15 California Governor Gavin Newsom made a startling admission at a press conference following the reversal of Roe v. Wade -- Californians are not safe living in America. What does this mean for Californians, and what does it mean for Americans living outside of California? Does California have a moral obligation to offer relocation assistance to people of marginalized groups living in the United States who feel personally threatened by the policies and culture of the states in which they live? NOTES: 1. "Let's talk about leaving your state....", Beau of the Fifth Column YouTube channel, July 10, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxaDVhnNABY 2. "New Action to Protect Women from Other States Seeking Abortion Services in California", Governor Gavin Newsom YouTube channel, June 24, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw0mVFvttsQ 3. "'Florida Freedom' - July 4, 2022 (ft. Gov. Gavin Newsom)", Pacifico Studios YouTube channel, July 6, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjQJ1lVdQuI MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: cropped screenshot from Gavin Newsom press conference, California Governor Gavin Newsom YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw0mVFvttsQ, 53:03 California Governor Gavin Newsom made a startling admission at a press conference following the reversal of Roe v. Wade -- Californians are not safe living in America. What does this mean for Californians, and what does it mean for Americans living outside of California? Does California have a moral obligation to offer relocation assistance to people of marginalized groups living in the United States who feel personally threatened by the policies and culture of the states in which they live? NOTES: 1. "Let's talk about leaving your state....", Beau of the Fifth Column YouTube channel, July 10, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxaDVhnNABY 2. "New Action to Protect Women from Other States Seeking Abortion Services in California", Governor Gavin Newsom YouTube channel, June 24, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw0mVFvttsQ 3. "'Florida Freedom' - July 4, 2022 (ft. Gov. Gavin Newsom)", Pacifico Studios YouTube channel, July 6, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjQJ1lVdQuI MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: cropped screenshot from Gavin Newsom press conference, California Governor Gavin Newsom YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw0mVFvttsQ, 53:03 scotus, roe v wade, gavin newsom, clarence thomas, abortion no full 39 eb1713bf-edfe-4171-8511-6503813f6a7b Tue, 5 Jul 2022 09:41:35 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/im-back-did-i-miss-much-KFe8q0El I'm back! Did I miss much? Darin Brown 00:21:55 I've been away for several weeks. Did I miss much? In all seriousness, we have a lot to talk about. For this episode though, I want to share two items. First, a warning issued from five retired US military generals. Second, a replay of a segment from last July 4th (American independence day). NOTES: 1. "We fought to defend democracy. This new threat to America now keeps us awake at night.", by Michael Hayden, James Clapper, Stanley McChrystal, Douglas Lute and Mark Hertling, USA Today, June 22, 2022; https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/06/22/american-democracy-former-cia-director/7685947001 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "July 4th fireworks, Washington, D.C. (LOC)", by Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain I've been away for several weeks. Did I miss much? In all seriousness, we have a lot to talk about. For this episode though, I want to share two items. First, a warning issued from five retired US military generals. Second, a replay of a segment from last July 4th (American independence day). NOTES: 1. "We fought to defend democracy. This new threat to America now keeps us awake at night.", by Michael Hayden, James Clapper, Stanley McChrystal, Douglas Lute and Mark Hertling, USA Today, June 22, 2022; https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/contributors/2022/06/22/american-democracy-former-cia-director/7685947001 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "July 4th fireworks, Washington, D.C. (LOC)", by Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain independence day, scotus, july 4, calexit, newcalexit, january 6 no full 38 1a36b704-8486-4f2c-a162-5306361f2d78 Sat, 7 May 2022 04:16:08 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-may-7-2022-scotus-draft-leak-CBCResMW Weekly roundup for May 7, 2022: SCOTUS draft leak Darin Brown 00:21:19 Weekly roundup for May 7, 2022 On Monday evening, Politico leaked a draft opinion that would overrule Roe and Casey, the two Supreme Court decisions that affirmed Constitutional rights to abortion. NOTES: 1. "Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows", by Josh Gerstein and Alexander Ward, Politico, May 2, 2022; https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-00029473 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com Weekly roundup for May 7, 2022 On Monday evening, Politico leaked a draft opinion that would overrule Roe and Casey, the two Supreme Court decisions that affirmed Constitutional rights to abortion. NOTES: 1. "Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights, draft opinion shows", by Josh Gerstein and Alexander Ward, Politico, May 2, 2022; https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-00029473 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com scotus, samuel alito, roe v wade, reproductive rights, supreme court, abortion no full 37 af239a81-f5b6-4a09-a1a0-d00dea7604e0 Sat, 9 Apr 2022 23:25:30 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-april-9-2022-UHS5h4Vq Weekly roundup for April 9, 2022 Darin Brown 00:17:58 Weekly roundup for April 9, 2022 What type of country does the American conservative movement want to bring to California? The answer is no secret. They openly admire and wish to emulate the authoritarian Viktor Orbán of Hungary. NOTES: 1. "It happened there: how democracy died in Hungary", by Zack Beauchamp, Vox, September 13, 2018; https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/9/13/17823488/hungary-democracy-authoritarianism-trump 2. "What It’s Like to Have Tucker Carlson Praise Your Country’s Authoritarian Leader", by Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, January 29, 2022; https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/tucker-carlson-hungary-viktor-orban-george-soros-1291890/ 3. "Why Is CPAC Traveling to Illiberal Hungary?", by Creede Newton, SPLC Hatewatch, April 5, 2022; https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/04/05/why-cpac-traveling-illiberal-hungary MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Viktor Orbán", by European People's Party, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viktor_Orb%C3%A1n_(13581867193).jpg Weekly roundup for April 9, 2022 What type of country does the American conservative movement want to bring to California? The answer is no secret. They openly admire and wish to emulate the authoritarian Viktor Orbán of Hungary. NOTES: 1. "It happened there: how democracy died in Hungary", by Zack Beauchamp, Vox, September 13, 2018; https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/9/13/17823488/hungary-democracy-authoritarianism-trump 2. "What It’s Like to Have Tucker Carlson Praise Your Country’s Authoritarian Leader", by Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, January 29, 2022; https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/tucker-carlson-hungary-viktor-orban-george-soros-1291890/ 3. "Why Is CPAC Traveling to Illiberal Hungary?", by Creede Newton, SPLC Hatewatch, April 5, 2022; https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2022/04/05/why-cpac-traveling-illiberal-hungary MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Viktor Orbán", by European People's Party, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Viktor_Orb%C3%A1n_(13581867193).jpg hungary, authoritarianism, tucker carlson, conservative political conference, donald trump, mike pence, viktor orbán, rod dreher, cpac, marjorie taylor greene no full 36 3b19686b-6229-4c45-93b2-fbe218152739 Sat, 2 Apr 2022 05:13:54 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-april-2-2022-bmwgQt8_ Weekly roundup for April 2, 2022 Darin Brown 00:38:19 Weekly roundup for April 2, 2022 A month ago, Stephanie Kelton and Rohan Grey appeared on Jon Stewart's podcast. I think everyone should listen to this interview, as well as another interview with Fadhel Kaboub on the Scotonomics podcast. Links are provided in the notes below. Today I focus on the narratives and stories we tell ourselves to justify the decisions we've made -- whether personal decisions about our lives or political decisions we make collectively. Many times these stories distract us from seeing the world around us and recognizing mistakes we may have made. What stories are we telling ourselves in California as we watch American democracy in crisis? Are we being honest with ourselves, or are we doubling down on old comfortable ideas? NOTES: 1. "Jon Referees an Economist Battle", The Problem with Jon Stewart, February 24, 2022; https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jon-referees-an-economist-battle/id1583132133?i=1000552086865 2. "How Do We Fix The Economy? Modern Monetary Theory, Explained", The Problem with Jon Stewart, February 24, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G6obeUKWmw 3. Scotonomics podcast homepage, accessed April 1, 2022; https://scotonomics.scot/ 4. "SCOTONOMICS. Ep one. Economic Sovereignty", IndependenceLive, June 9, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF3mRrwQqb0 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Kelton classroom photo", by Paul Thomas, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kelton_classroom_photo.png Weekly roundup for April 2, 2022 A month ago, Stephanie Kelton and Rohan Grey appeared on Jon Stewart's podcast. I think everyone should listen to this interview, as well as another interview with Fadhel Kaboub on the Scotonomics podcast. Links are provided in the notes below. Today I focus on the narratives and stories we tell ourselves to justify the decisions we've made -- whether personal decisions about our lives or political decisions we make collectively. Many times these stories distract us from seeing the world around us and recognizing mistakes we may have made. What stories are we telling ourselves in California as we watch American democracy in crisis? Are we being honest with ourselves, or are we doubling down on old comfortable ideas? NOTES: 1. "Jon Referees an Economist Battle", The Problem with Jon Stewart, February 24, 2022; https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jon-referees-an-economist-battle/id1583132133?i=1000552086865 2. "How Do We Fix The Economy? Modern Monetary Theory, Explained", The Problem with Jon Stewart, February 24, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G6obeUKWmw 3. Scotonomics podcast homepage, accessed April 1, 2022; https://scotonomics.scot/ 4. "SCOTONOMICS. Ep one. Economic Sovereignty", IndependenceLive, June 9, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF3mRrwQqb0 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Kelton classroom photo", by Paul Thomas, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kelton_classroom_photo.png russia, monetary sovereignty, currency, rohan grey, ukraine, money, vladimir putin, stephanie kelton, economics, maga, donald trump, modern monetary theory, calexit, mmt, jon stewart no full 35 6097ae64-a060-4455-ab64-42a21294f84a Sun, 6 Mar 2022 06:24:04 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-march-5-2022-t0m2hw1E Weekly roundup for March 5, 2022 Darin Brown 00:13:11 Weekly roundup for March 5, 2022 Some comments on the war in Ukraine. NOTES: 1. "Jan 6th: The Real Threat is Christian Nationalism in the Military - Mikey Weinstein", by Paul Jay, theAnalysis.news, January 11, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXb5IJiEeIE 2. "The antisemitism animating Putin’s claim to ‘denazify’ Ukraine", by Jason Stanely, The Guardian, February 26, 2022; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/25/vladimir-putin-ukraine-attack-antisemitism-denazify 3. "A letter to the Western Left from Kyiv", by Taras Bilous, openDemocracy.net, February 25, 2022; https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/a-letter-to-the-western-left-from-kyiv/ 4. "Don’t Be a Tankie: How the Left Should Respond to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine", by Roane Carey, The Intercept, March 1, 2022; https://theintercept.com/2022/03/01/ukraine-russia-leftists-tankie/ MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "A banned image of Vladimir Putin", by Gijemag3, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_banned_image_of_Vladimir_Putin._%D0%92%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80_%D0%92%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87_%D0%9F%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD.png Weekly roundup for March 5, 2022 Some comments on the war in Ukraine. NOTES: 1. "Jan 6th: The Real Threat is Christian Nationalism in the Military - Mikey Weinstein", by Paul Jay, theAnalysis.news, January 11, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXb5IJiEeIE 2. "The antisemitism animating Putin’s claim to ‘denazify’ Ukraine", by Jason Stanely, The Guardian, February 26, 2022; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/25/vladimir-putin-ukraine-attack-antisemitism-denazify 3. "A letter to the Western Left from Kyiv", by Taras Bilous, openDemocracy.net, February 25, 2022; https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/a-letter-to-the-western-left-from-kyiv/ 4. "Don’t Be a Tankie: How the Left Should Respond to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine", by Roane Carey, The Intercept, March 1, 2022; https://theintercept.com/2022/03/01/ukraine-russia-leftists-tankie/ MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "A banned image of Vladimir Putin", by Gijemag3, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_banned_image_of_Vladimir_Putin._%D0%92%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80_%D0%92%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87_%D0%9F%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%BD.png authoritarianism, russia, fascism, russia ukraine war, ukraine, vladimir putin, anti-imperialism, nato, whataboutism, antiwar no full 34 ca99cf4a-d9b5-4890-9cee-82f4cb51e6af Mon, 28 Feb 2022 11:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown, Hannah Miyamoto) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-hannah-miyamoto-part-2-N590EW12 Interview with Hannah Miyamoto (part 2) Darin Brown, Hannah Miyamoto 00:45:00 In the second half of my two-part interview with Hannah Miyamoto, we discuss another recent Supreme Court ruling on Texas Senate Bill 8, which bans most abortions after six weeks and authorizes private citizens to enforce it. This leads to a wide-ranging conversation about how the issue of reproductive rights could put the country on a collision course similar to how the slavery issue led to the Civil War. This interview was recorded on February 14, 2022. NOTES: 1. Pacifico Studios YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodOnpgLp1-Hfv50JBSLLPA 2. "The new Georgia Abortion Ban could start a new Civil War. — Not that that’s a bad thing.", by Hannah Miyamoto, Medium, May 26, 2019; https://medium.com/@FreeCalifornia/the-new-georgia-abortion-ban-could-start-a-new-civil-war-ea76e9003c7f MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Hannah Miyamoto, used with permission In the second half of my two-part interview with Hannah Miyamoto, we discuss another recent Supreme Court ruling on Texas Senate Bill 8, which bans most abortions after six weeks and authorizes private citizens to enforce it. This leads to a wide-ranging conversation about how the issue of reproductive rights could put the country on a collision course similar to how the slavery issue led to the Civil War. This interview was recorded on February 14, 2022. NOTES: 1. Pacifico Studios YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodOnpgLp1-Hfv50JBSLLPA 2. "The new Georgia Abortion Ban could start a new Civil War. — Not that that’s a bad thing.", by Hannah Miyamoto, Medium, May 26, 2019; https://medium.com/@FreeCalifornia/the-new-georgia-abortion-ban-could-start-a-new-civil-war-ea76e9003c7f MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Hannah Miyamoto, used with permission reproductive rights, shadow docket, civil war, supreme court, abortion, texas abortion ban, slavery, dred scott no full 33 397c6544-68ce-4846-bd07-f1f5a0fd32c1 Mon, 21 Feb 2022 04:46:20 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown, Hannah Miyamoto) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-hannah-miyamoto-zWEEZyP4 Interview with Hannah Miyamoto Darin Brown, Hannah Miyamoto 00:42:49 In this first of a two-part interview, Hannah Miyamoto and I discuss the recent Supreme Court "shadow docket" decision concerning Alabama's recently gerrymandered Congressional districts and the crisis in confidence this poses for the federal system. This interview was recorded on February 14, 2022. NOTES: 1. Pacifico Studios YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodOnpgLp1-Hfv50JBSLLPA MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Hannah Miyamoto, used with permission In this first of a two-part interview, Hannah Miyamoto and I discuss the recent Supreme Court "shadow docket" decision concerning Alabama's recently gerrymandered Congressional districts and the crisis in confidence this poses for the federal system. This interview was recorded on February 14, 2022. NOTES: 1. Pacifico Studios YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodOnpgLp1-Hfv50JBSLLPA MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Hannah Miyamoto, used with permission scotus, john roberts, alabama, shadow docket, elena kagan, gerrymandering, supreme court, clarence thomas, brett kavanaugh no full 32 548c2e74-6289-4eb5-948e-71d051ce3ae2 Mon, 14 Feb 2022 20:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown, Hal Lohr) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-hal-lohr-of-red-star-report-0ZPcU8L_ Interview with Hal Lohr of Red Star Report Darin Brown, Hal Lohr 00:52:48 I'm happy to welcome Hal Lohr back to the show. Hal is the co-host of the Red Star Report podcast. A lot has happened since I talked to Hal and Shankar last summer. We discuss current events in California, the United States, and the California independence movement, including the recent failure of AB 1400 in the state assembly. Hal also offers us a preview of what to expect during the upcoming season 2 of RSR. This interview was recorded on February 7, 2022. NOTES: 1. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ 2. Red Star Report YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsn4e5uimQQGu1sALUvjXcw MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Hal Lohr, used with permission I'm happy to welcome Hal Lohr back to the show. Hal is the co-host of the Red Star Report podcast. A lot has happened since I talked to Hal and Shankar last summer. We discuss current events in California, the United States, and the California independence movement, including the recent failure of AB 1400 in the state assembly. Hal also offers us a preview of what to expect during the upcoming season 2 of RSR. This interview was recorded on February 7, 2022. NOTES: 1. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ 2. Red Star Report YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsn4e5uimQQGu1sALUvjXcw MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Hal Lohr, used with permission ab1400, single payer, red star report, california independence, independent media, joe biden, health care, donald trump, calexit, universal health care no full 31 e369c673-53c3-493d-b35e-e35bf7663dbc Sat, 12 Feb 2022 20:30:18 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-february-12-2022-8V7ndetg Weekly roundup for February 12, 2022 Darin Brown 00:12:50 Weekly roundup for February 12, 2022 This past week, the Supreme Court stayed an injunction from a lower panel, allowing Alabama to proceed with its racially gerrymandered districts for the 2022 midterms. Also, a trucker protest in Ottawa has brought the capital city of Canada to a halt. At first glance, neither of these stories appear directly related to California issues or California independence. However, each of them has implications we need to consider as we define our movement. NOTES: 1. "Supreme Court’s ruling on Alabama voting map could open the door to a new Wild West of state redistricting", by Henry L. Chambers Jr., The Conversation, February 11, 2022; https://theconversation.com/supreme-courts-ruling-on-alabama-voting-map-could-open-the-door-to-a-new-wild-west-of-state-redistricting-176950 2. "The Canadian trucker convoy is an unpopular uprising", by Zack Beauchamp, Vox, February 11, 2022; https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22926134/canada-trucker-freedom-convoy-protest-ottawa MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "2020 U.S. House elections in Alabama", by Politicsfan4, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2020_U.S._House_elections_in_Alabama.svg Weekly roundup for February 12, 2022 This past week, the Supreme Court stayed an injunction from a lower panel, allowing Alabama to proceed with its racially gerrymandered districts for the 2022 midterms. Also, a trucker protest in Ottawa has brought the capital city of Canada to a halt. At first glance, neither of these stories appear directly related to California issues or California independence. However, each of them has implications we need to consider as we define our movement. NOTES: 1. "Supreme Court’s ruling on Alabama voting map could open the door to a new Wild West of state redistricting", by Henry L. Chambers Jr., The Conversation, February 11, 2022; https://theconversation.com/supreme-courts-ruling-on-alabama-voting-map-could-open-the-door-to-a-new-wild-west-of-state-redistricting-176950 2. "The Canadian trucker convoy is an unpopular uprising", by Zack Beauchamp, Vox, February 11, 2022; https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22926134/canada-trucker-freedom-convoy-protest-ottawa MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "2020 U.S. House elections in Alabama", by Politicsfan4, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2020_U.S._House_elections_in_Alabama.svg voting rights act, scotus, alabama, shadow docket, gerrymandering, trucker protests, supreme court, ottawa protests no full 30 4710c0a6-65a9-4018-9ba4-c2a97977c824 Mon, 7 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown, Jeremy Zogby) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-jeremy-zogby-of-john-zogby-strategies-pmcfawuh-lrgnW8sC Interview with Jeremy Zogby of John Zogby Strategies Darin Brown, Jeremy Zogby 01:00:57 Jeremy Zogby is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. Jeremy Zogby is our first official returning guest. It's been five months since I spoke to Jeremy last August. Recently, I caught up with Jeremy again, and we discussed the California recall election, recent polling results going into the 2022 midterms, the increasing division of the country into "parallel universes", and whether the topic of national divorce has really "gone viral". This interview was recorded on January 24, 2022. NOTES: 1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/ 2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/ MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission Jeremy Zogby is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. Jeremy Zogby is our first official returning guest. It's been five months since I spoke to Jeremy last August. Recently, I caught up with Jeremy again, and we discussed the California recall election, recent polling results going into the 2022 midterms, the increasing division of the country into "parallel universes", and whether the topic of national divorce has really "gone viral". This interview was recorded on January 24, 2022. NOTES: 1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/ 2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/ MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission gavin newsom, california recall, 2022 midterms, calexit, national divorce no full 29 ee726fcf-d487-4a8f-b8f3-e67a93d34e98 Sat, 5 Feb 2022 05:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-february-5-2022-GXtU81bL Weekly roundup for February 5, 2022 Darin Brown 00:27:02 Weekly roundup for February 5, 2022 This past Monday, a single-payer health care bill died in the California state Assembly. In this week's roundup, I discuss the various political and economic aspects of obtaining universal health care for all Californians, and why such an achievement can always be taken away by Washington DC, as long as we remain in the federal union. NOTES: 1. "Single-payer health care hits a roadblock: California bill doesn’t have the votes", by Sophia Bollag, January 31, 2022; https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article257908358.html 2. "Why single payer died in the California Legislature, again", by Alexei Koseff, CalMatters, February 1, 2022; https://calmatters.org/politics/2022/02/california-single-payer-legislature MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Assembly Chamber at the California State Capitol", by BenFranske, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Assembly_Chamber_at_the_California_State_Capitol.JPG Weekly roundup for February 5, 2022 This past Monday, a single-payer health care bill died in the California state Assembly. In this week's roundup, I discuss the various political and economic aspects of obtaining universal health care for all Californians, and why such an achievement can always be taken away by Washington DC, as long as we remain in the federal union. NOTES: 1. "Single-payer health care hits a roadblock: California bill doesn’t have the votes", by Sophia Bollag, January 31, 2022; https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article257908358.html 2. "Why single payer died in the California Legislature, again", by Alexei Koseff, CalMatters, February 1, 2022; https://calmatters.org/politics/2022/02/california-single-payer-legislature MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Assembly Chamber at the California State Capitol", by BenFranske, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Assembly_Chamber_at_the_California_State_Capitol.JPG california assembly, single payer, health care, calcare, universal health care no full 28 08af8b53-a10a-4bbf-bb09-751cf413e4df Mon, 31 Jan 2022 20:41:25 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown, Matt Owen) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-matt-owen-part-2-6YipT1ZI Interview with Matt Owen (part 2) Darin Brown, Matt Owen 00:48:08 Matt Owen is a longstanding and outspoken advocate for California independence. In this second half of a two-part interview, Matt and I discuss the current political situation in the United States, including the rising fascist threat in America, the failure of Joe Biden to meet this threat, how an independent California would move away from American imperialism, and how we can craft a message for California independence that appeals to the masses. This interview was recorded on January 17, 2022. MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: Matt Owen, used with permission Matt Owen is a longstanding and outspoken advocate for California independence. In this second half of a two-part interview, Matt and I discuss the current political situation in the United States, including the rising fascist threat in America, the failure of Joe Biden to meet this threat, how an independent California would move away from American imperialism, and how we can craft a message for California independence that appeals to the masses. This interview was recorded on January 17, 2022. MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: Matt Owen, used with permission american imperialism, fascism, joe biden, socialism, donald trump, upton sinclair no full 27 56914015-fd4b-4ee1-b403-371375e9bae3 Mon, 24 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown, Matt Owen) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-matt-owen-_oJl_92P Interview with Matt Owen Darin Brown, Matt Owen 00:46:47 Matt Owen is a longstanding and outspoken advocate for California independence. In this first half of a two-part interview, Matt discusses California history, why California would not be "seceding" from the United States, the distinction between the Bear Flag and the Star Flag, the Baja California independence movement, and why returning federal lands to indigenous populations is central to California independence. This interview was recorded on January 17, 2022. MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: Matt Owen, used with permission Matt Owen is a longstanding and outspoken advocate for California independence. In this first half of a two-part interview, Matt discusses California history, why California would not be "seceding" from the United States, the distinction between the Bear Flag and the Star Flag, the Baja California independence movement, and why returning federal lands to indigenous populations is central to California independence. This interview was recorded on January 17, 2022. MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: Matt Owen, used with permission indigenous rights, baja california independence movement, #calexit, california history, #landback, returnca, baja california, calexit, red star flag no full 26 a052baa5-be10-4205-b82d-0b4cb6a4f996 Sun, 16 Jan 2022 05:36:48 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-january-15-2022-V2aiTY2Z Weekly roundup for January 15, 2022 Darin Brown 00:50:36 Weekly roundup for January 15, 2022 The mainstream media is finally catching up to what many of us in the California independence movement have been saying for years. NOTES: THE CONSTITUTION ISN'T WORKING -- AMERICA IS BROKEN 1. "The Constitution isn't working", by John Kenneth White, The Hill, December 28, 2021; https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/587431-the-constitution-isnt-working 2. "Republicans Are Moving Rapidly to Cement Minority Rule. Blame the Constitution", by Corey Robin, Politico, January 5, 2022; https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/05/democracy-january-6-coup-constitution-526512 3. "It’s Time to Amend the Constitution", by Sarah Isgur, Politico, January 8, 2022; https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/08/scalia-was-right-make-amending-the-constitution-easier-526780 4. "Our constitutional crisis is already here", by Robert Kagan, Washington Post, September 23, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/23/robert-kagan-constitutional-crisis FASCISM 5. "America is now in fascism’s legal phase", by Jason Stanley, The Guardian, December 22, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/22/america-fascism-legal-phase 6. "If America really surrenders to fascism, then what? Painful questions lie ahead", by Chauncey DeVega, Salon, December 2, 2021; https://www.salon.com/2021/12/02/if-america-really-surrenders-to-fascism-then-what-painful-questions-lie-ahead 7. "Timothy Snyder warned us fascism was coming — now he says we can survive it", by Chauncey DeVega, Salon, October 14, 2021; https://www.salon.com/2021/10/14/timothy-snyder-warned-us-fascism-was-coming--now-he-says-we-can-survive-it 8. "If you’re not scared about American fascism, you’re not paying attention", by Mehdi Hasan, MSNBC, October 31, 2021; https://www.msnbc.com/mehdi-hasan/watch/if-you-re-not-scared-about-american-fascism-you-re-not-paying-attention-125063237821 9. "We Surveyed Experts on Democracy. They’re Worried About the U.S. Turning Even More Authoritarian", The New Republic, December 31, 2021; https://newrepublic.com/article/164849/democracy-watch-authoritarian-sherrilyn-ifill-mehdi-hasan-aziz-huq-rachel-kleinfeld 10. "American fascism is still rising. What are you going to do about it, California?", San Francisco Chronicle, January 1, 2022; https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-American-fascism-is-still-rising-What-16739948.php?fbclid=IwAR3HlQ8vQAVAYmTGxVkSmMkJxL8jW8Byx4g0yw2q4pKLdBsyzp_VsXFRXOs 11. "The American polity is cracked, and might collapse. Canada must prepare", by Thomas Homer-Dixon, Globe and Mail, December 31, 2021; https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-american-polity-is-cracked-and-might-collapse-canada-must-prepare SECESSION / INDEPENDENCE / DISSOLUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 12. "Secession might seem like the lesser of two evils. It’s also the less likely", by Stephen Marche, Washington Post, December 31, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/12/31/secession-civil-war-stephen-marche 13. "Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ted Cruz and the dangerous rhetoric of a national divorce", by Jennifer Graham, Deseret News, December 30, 2021; https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2021/12/30/22859964/marjorie-taylor-greene-ted-cruz-and-the-dangerous-rhetoric-of-a-national-divorce-texit-secession 14. "How seriously should we take talk of US state secession?", by William G. Gale and Darrell M. West, Brookings, December 13, 2021; https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2021/12/13/how-seriously-should-we-take-talk-of-us-state-secession 15. "America: Love It Or Leave It", by Kaia Hubbard, US News and World Report, November 5, 2021; https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2021-11-05/americans-eye-secession-amid-intractable-partisan-disputes 16. "What would it look like if New Hampshire actually seceded from the U.S.?", NH Business Review, January 14, 2022; https://www.nhbr.com/what-would-it-look-like-if-new-hampshire-actually-seceded-from-the-u-s 17. "Ted Cruz says Texas should secede and 'take the military' if Democrats 'destroy the country'", Salon, November 9, 2021; https://www.salon.com/2021/11/09/ted-cruz-says-texas-should-secede-and-take-the-military-if-democrats-destroy-the-country CIVIL WAR AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY 18. "Democracy is declining in the U.S. but it's not all bad news, a report finds", NPR, December 1, 2021; https://www.npr.org/2021/12/01/1059896434/united-states-backsliding-democracy-donald-trump-january-6-capitol-attack 19. "3 retired generals: The military must prepare now for a 2024 insurrection", by Paul D. Eaton, Antonio M. Taguba and Steven M. Anderson, Washington Post, December 17, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/17/eaton-taguba-anderson-generals-military 20. "The Coming Coup: How Republicans Are Laying the Groundwork to Steal Future Elections", by Ari Berman, Mother Jones, January 13, 2022; https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/01/how-republicans-are-taking-over-election-system-big-lie 21. "Why An Expert In Political Violence Is Worried About Civil War In The U.S.", FiveThirtyEight podcast, January 13, 2022; https://fivethirtyeight.com/videos/why-an-expert-in-political-violence-is-worried-about-civil-war-in-the-u-s 22. "Are We Doomed?", by George Packer, The Atlantic, December 6, 2021; https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/imagine-death-american-democracy-trump-insurrection/620841 23. "We Need to Think the Unthinkable About Our Country", by Jonathan Stevenson and Steven Simon, New York Times, January 13, 2022; https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/opinion/january-6-civil-war.html 24. "Refusal to abide by the results of elections threatens the stability of the US more than at any time since 1860", by Michael Burlingame, Boston Globe, January 1, 2022; https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/01/opinion/refusal-abide-by-results-elections-threatens-stability-us-more-than-any-time-since-1860 25. "Is America heading to civil war or secession?", CNN, January 8, 2022; https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/is-america-heading-to-civil-war-or-secession/vi-AASziTy 26. "How does this end?", by Zack Beauchamp, Vox, January 3, 2022; https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22814025/democracy-trump-january-6-capitol-riot-election-violence MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "American protesters in front of White House-11", Tasnim News Agency, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_protesters_in_front_of_White_House-11.jpg Weekly roundup for January 15, 2022 The mainstream media is finally catching up to what many of us in the California independence movement have been saying for years. NOTES: THE CONSTITUTION ISN'T WORKING -- AMERICA IS BROKEN 1. "The Constitution isn't working", by John Kenneth White, The Hill, December 28, 2021; https://thehill.com/opinion/judiciary/587431-the-constitution-isnt-working 2. "Republicans Are Moving Rapidly to Cement Minority Rule. Blame the Constitution", by Corey Robin, Politico, January 5, 2022; https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/05/democracy-january-6-coup-constitution-526512 3. "It’s Time to Amend the Constitution", by Sarah Isgur, Politico, January 8, 2022; https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/01/08/scalia-was-right-make-amending-the-constitution-easier-526780 4. "Our constitutional crisis is already here", by Robert Kagan, Washington Post, September 23, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/23/robert-kagan-constitutional-crisis FASCISM 5. "America is now in fascism’s legal phase", by Jason Stanley, The Guardian, December 22, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/22/america-fascism-legal-phase 6. "If America really surrenders to fascism, then what? Painful questions lie ahead", by Chauncey DeVega, Salon, December 2, 2021; https://www.salon.com/2021/12/02/if-america-really-surrenders-to-fascism-then-what-painful-questions-lie-ahead 7. "Timothy Snyder warned us fascism was coming — now he says we can survive it", by Chauncey DeVega, Salon, October 14, 2021; https://www.salon.com/2021/10/14/timothy-snyder-warned-us-fascism-was-coming--now-he-says-we-can-survive-it 8. "If you’re not scared about American fascism, you’re not paying attention", by Mehdi Hasan, MSNBC, October 31, 2021; https://www.msnbc.com/mehdi-hasan/watch/if-you-re-not-scared-about-american-fascism-you-re-not-paying-attention-125063237821 9. "We Surveyed Experts on Democracy. They’re Worried About the U.S. Turning Even More Authoritarian", The New Republic, December 31, 2021; https://newrepublic.com/article/164849/democracy-watch-authoritarian-sherrilyn-ifill-mehdi-hasan-aziz-huq-rachel-kleinfeld 10. "American fascism is still rising. What are you going to do about it, California?", San Francisco Chronicle, January 1, 2022; https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/editorials/article/Editorial-American-fascism-is-still-rising-What-16739948.php?fbclid=IwAR3HlQ8vQAVAYmTGxVkSmMkJxL8jW8Byx4g0yw2q4pKLdBsyzp_VsXFRXOs 11. "The American polity is cracked, and might collapse. Canada must prepare", by Thomas Homer-Dixon, Globe and Mail, December 31, 2021; https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-the-american-polity-is-cracked-and-might-collapse-canada-must-prepare SECESSION / INDEPENDENCE / DISSOLUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 12. "Secession might seem like the lesser of two evils. It’s also the less likely", by Stephen Marche, Washington Post, December 31, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/12/31/secession-civil-war-stephen-marche 13. "Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ted Cruz and the dangerous rhetoric of a national divorce", by Jennifer Graham, Deseret News, December 30, 2021; https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2021/12/30/22859964/marjorie-taylor-greene-ted-cruz-and-the-dangerous-rhetoric-of-a-national-divorce-texit-secession 14. "How seriously should we take talk of US state secession?", by William G. Gale and Darrell M. West, Brookings, December 13, 2021; https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2021/12/13/how-seriously-should-we-take-talk-of-us-state-secession 15. "America: Love It Or Leave It", by Kaia Hubbard, US News and World Report, November 5, 2021; https://www.usnews.com/news/the-report/articles/2021-11-05/americans-eye-secession-amid-intractable-partisan-disputes 16. "What would it look like if New Hampshire actually seceded from the U.S.?", NH Business Review, January 14, 2022; https://www.nhbr.com/what-would-it-look-like-if-new-hampshire-actually-seceded-from-the-u-s 17. "Ted Cruz says Texas should secede and 'take the military' if Democrats 'destroy the country'", Salon, November 9, 2021; https://www.salon.com/2021/11/09/ted-cruz-says-texas-should-secede-and-take-the-military-if-democrats-destroy-the-country CIVIL WAR AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY 18. "Democracy is declining in the U.S. but it's not all bad news, a report finds", NPR, December 1, 2021; https://www.npr.org/2021/12/01/1059896434/united-states-backsliding-democracy-donald-trump-january-6-capitol-attack 19. "3 retired generals: The military must prepare now for a 2024 insurrection", by Paul D. Eaton, Antonio M. Taguba and Steven M. Anderson, Washington Post, December 17, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/17/eaton-taguba-anderson-generals-military 20. "The Coming Coup: How Republicans Are Laying the Groundwork to Steal Future Elections", by Ari Berman, Mother Jones, January 13, 2022; https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2022/01/how-republicans-are-taking-over-election-system-big-lie 21. "Why An Expert In Political Violence Is Worried About Civil War In The U.S.", FiveThirtyEight podcast, January 13, 2022; https://fivethirtyeight.com/videos/why-an-expert-in-political-violence-is-worried-about-civil-war-in-the-u-s 22. "Are We Doomed?", by George Packer, The Atlantic, December 6, 2021; https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/01/imagine-death-american-democracy-trump-insurrection/620841 23. "We Need to Think the Unthinkable About Our Country", by Jonathan Stevenson and Steven Simon, New York Times, January 13, 2022; https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/opinion/january-6-civil-war.html 24. "Refusal to abide by the results of elections threatens the stability of the US more than at any time since 1860", by Michael Burlingame, Boston Globe, January 1, 2022; https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/01/01/opinion/refusal-abide-by-results-elections-threatens-stability-us-more-than-any-time-since-1860 25. "Is America heading to civil war or secession?", CNN, January 8, 2022; https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/is-america-heading-to-civil-war-or-secession/vi-AASziTy 26. "How does this end?", by Zack Beauchamp, Vox, January 3, 2022; https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/22814025/democracy-trump-january-6-capitol-riot-election-violence MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "American protesters in front of White House-11", Tasnim News Agency, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American_protesters_in_front_of_White_House-11.jpg secession, chauncey devega, jason stanley, barbara f walter, fascism, united states constitution, ted cruz, political violence, constitutional crisis, robert kagan, civil war, texit, calexit, stephen marche, coup, january 6, the big lie, mehdi hasan, national divorce, insurrection, marjorie taylor greene no full 25 6e77dd1f-8fe6-4abd-a674-dd7bd4edf18c Sat, 8 Jan 2022 02:06:33 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-january-8-2022-UG_KIRE8 Weekly roundup for January 8, 2022 Darin Brown 00:29:50 Weekly roundup for January 8, 2022 We take a closer look at what exactly occurred a year ago. How should we perceive and classify those events? What terminology should we use? And what do those conclusions say about American democracy? Is this the country Californians want to live in? NOTES: 1. Coup D'état Project (CDP), Cline Center for Advanced Social Research; https://clinecenter.illinois.edu/project/research-themes/democracy-and-development/coup-detat-project-cdp 2. "It Was an Attempted Coup: The Cline Center’s Coup D’état Project Categorizes the January 6, 2021 Assault on the US Capitol", Cline Center for Advanced Social Research, January 27, 2021; https://clinecenter.illinois.edu/coup-detat-project-cdp/statement_jan.27.2021 3. "The insurrection is only the tip of the iceberg", by Sidney Blumenthal, The Guardian, January 6, 2022; https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/06/capitol-attack-coup-attempt-trump-far-right-republicans MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Storming of the United States Capitol on 6 January 2021", Tyler Merbler, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Storming_capital_IMG_3519_(cropped).jpg Weekly roundup for January 8, 2022 We take a closer look at what exactly occurred a year ago. How should we perceive and classify those events? What terminology should we use? And what do those conclusions say about American democracy? Is this the country Californians want to live in? NOTES: 1. Coup D'état Project (CDP), Cline Center for Advanced Social Research; https://clinecenter.illinois.edu/project/research-themes/democracy-and-development/coup-detat-project-cdp 2. "It Was an Attempted Coup: The Cline Center’s Coup D’état Project Categorizes the January 6, 2021 Assault on the US Capitol", Cline Center for Advanced Social Research, January 27, 2021; https://clinecenter.illinois.edu/coup-detat-project-cdp/statement_jan.27.2021 3. "The insurrection is only the tip of the iceberg", by Sidney Blumenthal, The Guardian, January 6, 2022; https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jan/06/capitol-attack-coup-attempt-trump-far-right-republicans MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Storming of the United States Capitol on 6 January 2021", Tyler Merbler, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Storming_capital_IMG_3519_(cropped).jpg coup d'etat, capitol insurrection, sydney blumenthal, donald trump, january 6, capitol riot no full 24 bd1aa89a-5d6b-4897-95cc-77f39fc16d49 Mon, 3 Jan 2022 08:16:01 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/happy-new-year-reflections-on-2021-and-a-preview-of-2022-0UnBB4Q0 Happy New Year! -- reflections on 2021 and a preview of 2022 Darin Brown 00:25:25 Reflections on 2021 and a preview of 2022. Reflections on 2021 and a preview of 2022. fascism, donald trump, 2021, 2020 election, 2022 no full 23 86142be1-c498-4868-b120-fce510989706 Sat, 11 Dec 2021 05:33:08 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-december-11-2021-qEWVOkn6 Weekly roundup for December 11, 2021 Darin Brown 00:26:43 Weekly roundup for December 11, 2021 I return to the microphone after a short hiatus. Unfortunately, none of the issues facing America have been addressed in the two months since we last talked, and if anything, the crisis of American democracy has only deepened. Two major cases sit before SCOTUS this term. One case, covered extensively in the media, imperils fundamental rights and threatens to tear the country apart. The other case, almost completely ignored by the media, could be the most consequential ruling for federal governance in decades. Finally, a few short comments on the F-word. No, not that F-word -- the other F-word. NOTES: 1. "Supreme Court set to take up all-or-nothing abortion fight", PBS NewsHour Weekend, November 28, 2021; https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/supreme-court-set-to-take-up-all-or-nothing-abortion-fight 2. "Chevron deference at stake in fight over payments for hospital drugs", by Nicholas Bagley, SCOTUSblog, November 29, 2021; https://www.scotusblog.com/2021/11/chevron-deference-at-stake-in-fight-over-payments-for-hospital-drugs/ 3. "The Anatomy of Fascism", interview with Robert O. Paxton, C-SPAN BookTV, May 7, 2004; https://www.c-span.org/video/?181972-1/the-anatomy-fascism 4. "I've Hesitated to Call Donald Trump a Fascist. Until Now", by Robert O. Paxton, Newsweek, January 11, 2021; https://www.newsweek.com/robert-paxton-trump-fascist-1560652 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Supreme Court of the United States -- Roberts Court 2020", Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States, public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States_-_Roberts_Court_2020.jpg Weekly roundup for December 11, 2021 I return to the microphone after a short hiatus. Unfortunately, none of the issues facing America have been addressed in the two months since we last talked, and if anything, the crisis of American democracy has only deepened. Two major cases sit before SCOTUS this term. One case, covered extensively in the media, imperils fundamental rights and threatens to tear the country apart. The other case, almost completely ignored by the media, could be the most consequential ruling for federal governance in decades. Finally, a few short comments on the F-word. No, not that F-word -- the other F-word. NOTES: 1. "Supreme Court set to take up all-or-nothing abortion fight", PBS NewsHour Weekend, November 28, 2021; https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/supreme-court-set-to-take-up-all-or-nothing-abortion-fight 2. "Chevron deference at stake in fight over payments for hospital drugs", by Nicholas Bagley, SCOTUSblog, November 29, 2021; https://www.scotusblog.com/2021/11/chevron-deference-at-stake-in-fight-over-payments-for-hospital-drugs/ 3. "The Anatomy of Fascism", interview with Robert O. Paxton, C-SPAN BookTV, May 7, 2004; https://www.c-span.org/video/?181972-1/the-anatomy-fascism 4. "I've Hesitated to Call Donald Trump a Fascist. Until Now", by Robert O. Paxton, Newsweek, January 11, 2021; https://www.newsweek.com/robert-paxton-trump-fascist-1560652 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Supreme Court of the United States -- Roberts Court 2020", Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States, public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States_-_Roberts_Court_2020.jpg robert o paxton, scotus, government shutdown, build back better, fascism, infrastructure, chevron doctrine, abortion, chevron deference, debt limit, debt ceiling no full 22 13418c62-f161-4e21-bcf8-d4732cd62e9d Mon, 18 Oct 2021 08:38:15 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-october-16-2021-HCWFMhGZ Weekly roundup for October 16, 2021 Darin Brown 00:43:04 Weekly roundup for October 16, 2021 Why is there so much division in America? How did we get here? And what does it all mean for California? An extended discussion of the historical and economic roots of current American dysfunction. NOTES: 1. "Biden signs bill to avert partial government shutdown", Associated Press, September 30, 2021; https://apnews.com/article/congress-moves-to-avert-partial-government-shutdown-8f5b5b0c6c4cb12af8316ffc0b098771 2. "Congress Just Voted To Temporarily Increase The Debt Ceiling. Why It Matters For You", by Lisa Rowan, Forbes Advisor, October 12, 2021; https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/what-is-the-debt-ceiling/ 3. "Democrats aim to pass infrastructure, social spending bills by the end of October, Schumer says", CNBC, October 4, 2021; https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/04/schumer-aims-to-pass-biden-infrastructure-build-back-better-plans-in-october.html 4. "U.S. Workers Are Realizing It's the Perfect Time to Go on Strike", by Alana Semuels, Time, October 8, 2021; https://time.com/6105109/workers-strike-unemployment/ 5. "Trump telling Republicans not to vote is the GOP's worst nightmare", by Zeeshan Aleem, MSNBC, October 14, 2021; https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/trump-telling-republicans-not-vote-gop-s-worst-nightmare-n1281613 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Donald Trump - Caricature", by DonkeyHotey, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donald_Trump_-_Caricature_(51210156975).jpg Weekly roundup for October 16, 2021 Why is there so much division in America? How did we get here? And what does it all mean for California? An extended discussion of the historical and economic roots of current American dysfunction. NOTES: 1. "Biden signs bill to avert partial government shutdown", Associated Press, September 30, 2021; https://apnews.com/article/congress-moves-to-avert-partial-government-shutdown-8f5b5b0c6c4cb12af8316ffc0b098771 2. "Congress Just Voted To Temporarily Increase The Debt Ceiling. Why It Matters For You", by Lisa Rowan, Forbes Advisor, October 12, 2021; https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/what-is-the-debt-ceiling/ 3. "Democrats aim to pass infrastructure, social spending bills by the end of October, Schumer says", CNBC, October 4, 2021; https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/04/schumer-aims-to-pass-biden-infrastructure-build-back-better-plans-in-october.html 4. "U.S. Workers Are Realizing It's the Perfect Time to Go on Strike", by Alana Semuels, Time, October 8, 2021; https://time.com/6105109/workers-strike-unemployment/ 5. "Trump telling Republicans not to vote is the GOP's worst nightmare", by Zeeshan Aleem, MSNBC, October 14, 2021; https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/trump-telling-republicans-not-vote-gop-s-worst-nightmare-n1281613 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Donald Trump - Caricature", by DonkeyHotey, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Donald_Trump_-_Caricature_(51210156975).jpg striketober, government shutdown, build back better, fascism, democracy, joe biden, infrastructure, donald trump, strikes, labor unions, debt ceiling no full 21 1d0f825a-58d5-4fc9-b9a4-439aea72759f Mon, 27 Sep 2021 08:59:01 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-september-25-2021-L1UEJjy9 Weekly roundup for September 25, 2021 Darin Brown 00:24:22 Weekly roundup for September 25, 2021 Gavin Newsom survived his California gubernatorial recall election, but California itself seemed an afterthought in the media coverage. And as millions of Americans face eviction and a loss of unemployment benefits, the fate of two infrastructure bills in Congress remains uncertain, while the threat of default and government shutdown show that Washington DC is no longer able to perform the most basic tasks of governing. NOTES: 1. "About Our Party", California National Party, accessed September 25, 2021; https://www.californianational.party/about/ 2. "California governor recall election: Voters reject recall of Gavin Newsom", Washington Post, accessed September 25, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/election-results/california/governor-recall/ 3. "Understanding the Infrastructure Bills", Investopedia, August 25, 2021; https://www.investopedia.com/here-s-what-s-in-the-usd1-trillion-infrastructure-bill-passed-by-the-senate-5196817 4. "House passes bill to avoid government shutdown, suspend debt limit — but it faces Senate roadblocks with deadlines near", CNBC, September 21, 2021; https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/21/government-shutdown-house-passes-funding-debt-ceiling-bill.html 5. "'American democracy will continue to be tested': Peril author Robert Costa on Trump, the big lie and 2024", by David Smith, The Guardian, September 26, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/sep/26/robert-costa-interview-peril-donald-trump MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: California National Party logo, used with permission Weekly roundup for September 25, 2021 Gavin Newsom survived his California gubernatorial recall election, but California itself seemed an afterthought in the media coverage. And as millions of Americans face eviction and a loss of unemployment benefits, the fate of two infrastructure bills in Congress remains uncertain, while the threat of default and government shutdown show that Washington DC is no longer able to perform the most basic tasks of governing. NOTES: 1. "About Our Party", California National Party, accessed September 25, 2021; https://www.californianational.party/about/ 2. "California governor recall election: Voters reject recall of Gavin Newsom", Washington Post, accessed September 25, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/election-results/california/governor-recall/ 3. "Understanding the Infrastructure Bills", Investopedia, August 25, 2021; https://www.investopedia.com/here-s-what-s-in-the-usd1-trillion-infrastructure-bill-passed-by-the-senate-5196817 4. "House passes bill to avoid government shutdown, suspend debt limit — but it faces Senate roadblocks with deadlines near", CNBC, September 21, 2021; https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/21/government-shutdown-house-passes-funding-debt-ceiling-bill.html 5. "'American democracy will continue to be tested': Peril author Robert Costa on Trump, the big lie and 2024", by David Smith, The Guardian, September 26, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/sep/26/robert-costa-interview-peril-donald-trump MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: California National Party logo, used with permission michael loebs, california recall election, larry elder, infrastructure, donald trump, federal government shutdown, calexit, eviction moratorium, january 6, debt ceiling, unemployment benefits no full 20 bdae658d-3271-48d5-a648-54d59386a2db Tue, 7 Sep 2021 05:05:37 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-september-4-2021-_4jzBmXD Weekly roundup for September 4, 2021 Darin Brown 00:19:40 Weekly roundup for September 4, 2021 The United States is the only country in the world to celebrate "Labor Day". I explain how such a uniquely American holiday came about as a deliberate attempt to stifle radical labor activity and thought. Meanwhile, the draconian Texas abortion law should warn Californians of the threat of American fascism. NOTES: 1. "Labor Day Is a Government Scam", by Kim Kelly, Teen Vogue, August 30, 2019; https://www.teenvogue.com/story/history-labor-day-us-government 2. "History of Labor Day", U.S. Department of Labor, accessed September 4, 2021; https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history 3. "After Texas' abortion ban, California must fight like hell to protect reproductive rights", Sacramento Bee editorial, September 3, 2021; https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article253951933.html 4. "Rep. Cawthorn talks of 'bloodshed' over future elections as he pushes voting lies", CNN, August 30, 2021; https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/30/politics/madison-cawthorn-elections/index.html 5. "McCarthy Threatens Technology Firms That Comply With Riot Inquiry", NY Times, September 1, 2021; https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/us/politics/mccarthy-capitol-riot.html MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: United States Library of Congress's Rare Book and Special Collections Division, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pamphlet_Haymarket_affair_001da_original.jpg Weekly roundup for September 4, 2021 The United States is the only country in the world to celebrate "Labor Day". I explain how such a uniquely American holiday came about as a deliberate attempt to stifle radical labor activity and thought. Meanwhile, the draconian Texas abortion law should warn Californians of the threat of American fascism. NOTES: 1. "Labor Day Is a Government Scam", by Kim Kelly, Teen Vogue, August 30, 2019; https://www.teenvogue.com/story/history-labor-day-us-government 2. "History of Labor Day", U.S. Department of Labor, accessed September 4, 2021; https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history 3. "After Texas' abortion ban, California must fight like hell to protect reproductive rights", Sacramento Bee editorial, September 3, 2021; https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article253951933.html 4. "Rep. Cawthorn talks of 'bloodshed' over future elections as he pushes voting lies", CNN, August 30, 2021; https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/30/politics/madison-cawthorn-elections/index.html 5. "McCarthy Threatens Technology Firms That Comply With Riot Inquiry", NY Times, September 1, 2021; https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/us/politics/mccarthy-capitol-riot.html MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: United States Library of Congress's Rare Book and Special Collections Division, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pamphlet_Haymarket_affair_001da_original.jpg haymarket affair, american fascism, reproductive rights, fascism, texas, fuck texas, labor day, abortion, may day, antifascism no full 19 147d673f-94af-4751-98e0-50ed9c809861 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 11:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown, Michael Loebs) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-california-gubernatorial-candidate-michael-loebs-LePK8tsM Interview with California gubernatorial candidate Michael Loebs Darin Brown, Michael Loebs 01:23:15 Michael Loebs is Party Chair of the California National Party and a candidate for governor of California in the upcoming recall election on September 14. Michael joins me to discuss his campaign, his platform, and why he thinks the federal system of the United States does a disservice to the interests and needs of Californians. This interview was recorded on August 26, 2021. NOTES: 1. Michael Loebs campaign website; https://www.loebsforca.com/ 2. California National Party website; http://www.votecnp.org/ 3. California National Party YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPygtBmMuEeZqiFgWmQUQw MUSIC CREDIT: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Michael Loebs, used with permission Michael Loebs is Party Chair of the California National Party and a candidate for governor of California in the upcoming recall election on September 14. Michael joins me to discuss his campaign, his platform, and why he thinks the federal system of the United States does a disservice to the interests and needs of Californians. This interview was recorded on August 26, 2021. NOTES: 1. Michael Loebs campaign website; https://www.loebsforca.com/ 2. California National Party website; http://www.votecnp.org/ 3. California National Party YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPygtBmMuEeZqiFgWmQUQw MUSIC CREDIT: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Michael Loebs, used with permission michael loebs, democratic party, two party system, gavin newsom, recall election, calexit no full 18 74cd1c78-1622-4524-9064-c2b8b892a335 Tue, 24 Aug 2021 00:03:07 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Jeremy Zogby, Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-jeremy-zogby-of-john-zogby-strategies-part-2-MfTxUQAQ Interview with Jeremy Zogby of John Zogby Strategies (part 2) Jeremy Zogby, Darin Brown 00:50:45 This is the second half of my talk with Jeremy Zogby. Jeremy is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. This interview was recorded on August 2, 2021. NOTES: 1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/ 2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/ MUSIC CREDIT: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission This is the second half of my talk with Jeremy Zogby. Jeremy is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. This interview was recorded on August 2, 2021. NOTES: 1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/ 2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/ MUSIC CREDIT: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission secession, bright line watch, california independence, nullification, california recall, calexit no full 17 06583715-3e46-42a4-b94f-725290ae958b Sat, 21 Aug 2021 18:18:40 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-august-21-2021-eqgxXBaq Weekly roundup for August 21, 2021 Darin Brown 00:22:12 Weekly roundup for August 21, 2021 I clarify some previous remarks about Nina Turner's loss and state-based single payer/M4A. Also, the IPCC report indicates the federal government is not doing nearly enough to address climate change. And what does the fall of Kabul mean for the 2024 presidential election? NOTES: 1. "Major climate changes inevitable and irreversible – IPCC’s starkest warning yet", The Guardian, August 9, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/aug/09/humans-have-caused-unprecedented-and-irreversible-change-to-climate-scientists-warn 2. "AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis", Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, August 9, 2021; https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1 3. "The fall of Kabul: a 20-year mission collapses in a single day", The Guardian, August 15, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/15/the-fall-of-kabul-a-20-year-mission-collapses-in-a-single-day 4. "Keys to the White House", PollyVote, accessed August 19, 2021; https://pollyvote.com/en/components/models/mixed/keys-to-the-white-house 5. "Pattern recognition applied to presidential elections in the United States, 1860-1980: Role of integral social, economic, and political traits", by A. J. Lichtman and V. I. Keilis-Borok, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, November 1, 1981; https://www.pnas.org/content/78/11/7230 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: United States Air Force, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Operation_Allies_Refuge_Image_2_of_10.jpg Weekly roundup for August 21, 2021 I clarify some previous remarks about Nina Turner's loss and state-based single payer/M4A. Also, the IPCC report indicates the federal government is not doing nearly enough to address climate change. And what does the fall of Kabul mean for the 2024 presidential election? NOTES: 1. "Major climate changes inevitable and irreversible – IPCC’s starkest warning yet", The Guardian, August 9, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/aug/09/humans-have-caused-unprecedented-and-irreversible-change-to-climate-scientists-warn 2. "AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis", Working Group I of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, August 9, 2021; https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1 3. "The fall of Kabul: a 20-year mission collapses in a single day", The Guardian, August 15, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/15/the-fall-of-kabul-a-20-year-mission-collapses-in-a-single-day 4. "Keys to the White House", PollyVote, accessed August 19, 2021; https://pollyvote.com/en/components/models/mixed/keys-to-the-white-house 5. "Pattern recognition applied to presidential elections in the United States, 1860-1980: Role of integral social, economic, and political traits", by A. J. Lichtman and V. I. Keilis-Borok, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, November 1, 1981; https://www.pnas.org/content/78/11/7230 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: United States Air Force, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Operation_Allies_Refuge_Image_2_of_10.jpg single payer, joe biden, 2024 presidential election, nina turner, taliban, medicare for all, afghanistan, health care, ipcc, climate change, 2022 midterms, global warming no full 16 6d2aea96-a143-42de-9a7f-d63727afb29d Mon, 9 Aug 2021 20:55:52 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown, Jeremy Zogby) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-jeremy-zogby-of-john-zogby-strategies-Kx70JwNA Interview with Jeremy Zogby of John Zogby Strategies Darin Brown, Jeremy Zogby 00:59:42 Last week, I sat down to talk with Jeremy Zogby. Jeremy is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. In this first half of the interview, Jeremy and I discuss the nature of market research and political polling, the current state of political polling in the United States after the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, and the division and tribalism in the country. During the second half of the interview (to be released in two weeks), we discuss the possibilities of secession and/or independence in the United States, as well as some recent polling results on secessionist sentiment. This interview was recorded on August 2, 2021. NOTES: 1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/ 2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/ MUSIC CREDIT: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission Last week, I sat down to talk with Jeremy Zogby. Jeremy is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. In this first half of the interview, Jeremy and I discuss the nature of market research and political polling, the current state of political polling in the United States after the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, and the division and tribalism in the country. During the second half of the interview (to be released in two weeks), we discuss the possibilities of secession and/or independence in the United States, as well as some recent polling results on secessionist sentiment. This interview was recorded on August 2, 2021. NOTES: 1. "About Us", John Zogby Strategies; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/about-us/ 2. The Zogby Report podcast; https://johnzogbystrategies.com/zogby-podcast/ MUSIC CREDIT: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Jeremy Zogby, used with permission election forecasting, secession, jeremy zogby, nate silver, joe biden, russiagate, donald trump, market research, 2016 election, polarization, 2020 election, john zogby, election polling, january 6 no full 15 70a55c06-e162-40dc-964c-31e2c04a0d4e Sat, 7 Aug 2021 07:27:45 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-august-7-2021-F_WmCBWi Weekly roundup for August 7, 2021 Darin Brown 00:20:04 Weekly roundup for August 7, 2021 NOTES: 1. "Gavin Newsom sees another alarming California recall poll", SFGate, July 27, 2021; https://www.sfgate.com/gavin-newsom-recall/article/poll-California-Gavin-Newsom-recall-Berkeley-close-16342475.php 2. "Poll finds support for Gavin Newsom recall increased over past 2 weeks. Are mask mandates to blame?", SFGate, August 3, 2021; https://www.sfgate.com/gavin-newsom-recall/article/Poll-recall-Gavin-Newsom-Larry-Elder-mask-mandate-16360329.php 3. "Shock poll shows Gavin Newsom losing recall vote by double digits", SFGate, August 4, 2021; https://www.sfgate.com/gavin-newsom-recall/article/poll-Gavin-Newsom-recall-losing-Elder-Paffrath-16364991.php 4. "Larry Elder Thinks California’s Minimum Wage Should Be $0 an Hour", LAMag, August 4, 2021; https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/larry-elder-minimum-wage 5. "Could conservative radio host Larry Elder actually be the next governor of California?", The Mercury News, July 29, 2021; https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/29/could-larry-elder-actually-be-the-next-governor-of-california 6. Larry Elder presenter page, PragerU, accessed August 6, 2021; https://www.prageru.com/presenter/larry-elder/ 7. "The Establishment Beat Nina Turner. What Does It Mean?", by Joan Walsh, The Nation, August 3, 2021; https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/nina-turner-shontel-brown-ohio-2/ 8. "House Democrat sleeps on Capitol steps as she blasts lawmakers over expiring eviction moratorium", CNN, August 2, 2021; https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/31/politics/cori-bush-eviction-moratorium-cnntv/index.html 9. "Mirror, Mirror 2021: Reflecting Poorly (Health Care in the U.S. Compared to Other High-Income Countries)", The Commonwealth Fund, August 4, 2021; https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2021/aug/mirror-mirror-2021-reflecting-poorly MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Government of California, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gavin_Newsom_speaking_at_the_California_Economic_Summit_-_2019.jpg Weekly roundup for August 7, 2021 NOTES: 1. "Gavin Newsom sees another alarming California recall poll", SFGate, July 27, 2021; https://www.sfgate.com/gavin-newsom-recall/article/poll-California-Gavin-Newsom-recall-Berkeley-close-16342475.php 2. "Poll finds support for Gavin Newsom recall increased over past 2 weeks. Are mask mandates to blame?", SFGate, August 3, 2021; https://www.sfgate.com/gavin-newsom-recall/article/Poll-recall-Gavin-Newsom-Larry-Elder-mask-mandate-16360329.php 3. "Shock poll shows Gavin Newsom losing recall vote by double digits", SFGate, August 4, 2021; https://www.sfgate.com/gavin-newsom-recall/article/poll-Gavin-Newsom-recall-losing-Elder-Paffrath-16364991.php 4. "Larry Elder Thinks California’s Minimum Wage Should Be $0 an Hour", LAMag, August 4, 2021; https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/larry-elder-minimum-wage 5. "Could conservative radio host Larry Elder actually be the next governor of California?", The Mercury News, July 29, 2021; https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/07/29/could-larry-elder-actually-be-the-next-governor-of-california 6. Larry Elder presenter page, PragerU, accessed August 6, 2021; https://www.prageru.com/presenter/larry-elder/ 7. "The Establishment Beat Nina Turner. What Does It Mean?", by Joan Walsh, The Nation, August 3, 2021; https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/nina-turner-shontel-brown-ohio-2/ 8. "House Democrat sleeps on Capitol steps as she blasts lawmakers over expiring eviction moratorium", CNN, August 2, 2021; https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/31/politics/cori-bush-eviction-moratorium-cnntv/index.html 9. "Mirror, Mirror 2021: Reflecting Poorly (Health Care in the U.S. Compared to Other High-Income Countries)", The Commonwealth Fund, August 4, 2021; https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2021/aug/mirror-mirror-2021-reflecting-poorly MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Government of California, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gavin_Newsom_speaking_at_the_California_Economic_Summit_-_2019.jpg gavin newsom, larry elder, nina turner, health care, cori bush, california recall, calexit, eviction moratorium no full 14 3ff190ab-d089-4da8-b901-0729482a5a57 Sun, 1 Aug 2021 01:47:55 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-july-31-2021-33Lb8Aq_ Weekly roundup for July 31, 2021 Darin Brown 00:22:01 Weekly roundup for July 31, 2021 The United States approaches two consequential deadlines today. What is the deadline for California? How much more dysfunction can we endure before the deadline for our tolerance will expire? NOTES: 1. "Debt Limit", Department of the Treasury, accessed July 31, 2021; https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-markets-financial-institutions-and-fiscal-service/debt-limit 2. "Republicans threaten to hold up debt ceiling days before deadline, raising potential for political showdown", by Tony Romm, Seung Min Kim and Mike DeBonis, Washington Post, July 21, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/07/21/republicans-debt-ceiling 3. "Can Democrats raise the debt ceiling alone and avert a market meltdown?", by Chris Matthews, MarketWatch, July 31, 2021; https://www.marketwatch.com/story/can-democrats-raise-the-debt-ceiling-alone-and-avert-a-market-meltdown-11627672206 4. "Progressive Cori Bush says 'some Democrats went on vacation instead' of preventing the eviction moratorium from expiring", Business Insider, July 31, 2021; https://www.businessinsider.com/cori-bush-democrats-vacationed-ahead-of-eviction-moratorium-expiration-2021-7 5. "House Republicans Block Emergency Legislation by Chairwoman Waters to Extend Federal Eviction Moratorium Due to Republican Objections: Thousands of Families and Children Now at Risk of Eviction", U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, July 30, 2021; https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408277 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Tying one's shoes", by asobuno, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tying_one%27s_shoe.jpg Weekly roundup for July 31, 2021 The United States approaches two consequential deadlines today. What is the deadline for California? How much more dysfunction can we endure before the deadline for our tolerance will expire? NOTES: 1. "Debt Limit", Department of the Treasury, accessed July 31, 2021; https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-markets-financial-institutions-and-fiscal-service/debt-limit 2. "Republicans threaten to hold up debt ceiling days before deadline, raising potential for political showdown", by Tony Romm, Seung Min Kim and Mike DeBonis, Washington Post, July 21, 2021; https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/07/21/republicans-debt-ceiling 3. "Can Democrats raise the debt ceiling alone and avert a market meltdown?", by Chris Matthews, MarketWatch, July 31, 2021; https://www.marketwatch.com/story/can-democrats-raise-the-debt-ceiling-alone-and-avert-a-market-meltdown-11627672206 4. "Progressive Cori Bush says 'some Democrats went on vacation instead' of preventing the eviction moratorium from expiring", Business Insider, July 31, 2021; https://www.businessinsider.com/cori-bush-democrats-vacationed-ahead-of-eviction-moratorium-expiration-2021-7 5. "House Republicans Block Emergency Legislation by Chairwoman Waters to Extend Federal Eviction Moratorium Due to Republican Objections: Thousands of Families and Children Now at Risk of Eviction", U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, July 30, 2021; https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=408277 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: "Tying one's shoes", by asobuno, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tying_one%27s_shoe.jpg national debt, evictions, calexit, debt limit, eviction moratorium, debt ceiling no full 13 f2f6a602-bf9f-4626-b2cd-ee0d9e8c5d3f Mon, 26 Jul 2021 01:57:21 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-july-24-2021-RurzUy8T Weekly roundup for July 24, 2021 Darin Brown 00:36:50 Weekly roundup for July 24, 2021 Today is the March for Medicare for All, a set of coordinated rallies to replace our private health insurance system with some form of single-payer or nationalized health care. But the American machine will never allow anything to jeopardize the enormous profits of the health insurance, pharmaceutical, and hospital industries. America will end as a country before the people in America achieve universal health care. In California news -- California will pay reparations to victims of forced sterilizations, and University of California students will see tuition expenses increase for at least the next five years. Finally, Bright Line Watch reports that political science experts are concerned about Republican legislative strategies to undermine future elections, but nothing in any currently proposed federal legislation addresses these threats. And support for secession has increased dramatically across all regions of America -- even among Democrats during the new Biden administration. NOTES: 1. "California to Pay Reparations to Victims of Forced Sterilization", US News & World Report, July 8, 2021; https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-07-08/california-to-pay-reparations-to-victims-of-forced-sterilization 2. "University of California regents approve rare tuition hike", AP News, July 22, 2021; https://apnews.com/article/business-health-education-california-coronavirus-pandemic-d84b3a8b69421c7033b465672f3f6a51 3. "Approaching a Tipping Point? A History and Prospectus of Funding for the University of California", by John A. Douglass and Zachary Bleemer, UC Berkeley: Center for Studies in Higher Education, 2018; https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4gn6b778 4. "Still miles apart: Americans and the state of U.S. democracy half a year into the Biden presidency", Bright Line Watch, June/July 2021; https://brightlinewatch.org/still-miles-apart-americans-and-the-state-of-u-s-democracy-half-a-year-into-the-biden-presidency/ 5. "47% of West Coast Dems, 66% of Southern Republicans Want to Secede From U.S.", Newsweek, July 14, 2021; https://www.newsweek.com/47-west-coast-dems-66-southern-republicans-want-secede-us-1609875 6. "More Californians dreaming of a country without Trump: poll", Reuters, January 23, 2017; https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-california-secession/more-californians-dreaming-of-a-country-without-trump-poll-idUSKBN1572KB MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Bright Line Watch, public domain; https://brightlinewatch.org/still-miles-apart-americans-and-the-state-of-u-s-democracy-half-a-year-into-the-biden-presidency/ Weekly roundup for July 24, 2021 Today is the March for Medicare for All, a set of coordinated rallies to replace our private health insurance system with some form of single-payer or nationalized health care. But the American machine will never allow anything to jeopardize the enormous profits of the health insurance, pharmaceutical, and hospital industries. America will end as a country before the people in America achieve universal health care. In California news -- California will pay reparations to victims of forced sterilizations, and University of California students will see tuition expenses increase for at least the next five years. Finally, Bright Line Watch reports that political science experts are concerned about Republican legislative strategies to undermine future elections, but nothing in any currently proposed federal legislation addresses these threats. And support for secession has increased dramatically across all regions of America -- even among Democrats during the new Biden administration. NOTES: 1. "California to Pay Reparations to Victims of Forced Sterilization", US News & World Report, July 8, 2021; https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-07-08/california-to-pay-reparations-to-victims-of-forced-sterilization 2. "University of California regents approve rare tuition hike", AP News, July 22, 2021; https://apnews.com/article/business-health-education-california-coronavirus-pandemic-d84b3a8b69421c7033b465672f3f6a51 3. "Approaching a Tipping Point? A History and Prospectus of Funding for the University of California", by John A. Douglass and Zachary Bleemer, UC Berkeley: Center for Studies in Higher Education, 2018; https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4gn6b778 4. "Still miles apart: Americans and the state of U.S. democracy half a year into the Biden presidency", Bright Line Watch, June/July 2021; https://brightlinewatch.org/still-miles-apart-americans-and-the-state-of-u-s-democracy-half-a-year-into-the-biden-presidency/ 5. "47% of West Coast Dems, 66% of Southern Republicans Want to Secede From U.S.", Newsweek, July 14, 2021; https://www.newsweek.com/47-west-coast-dems-66-southern-republicans-want-secede-us-1609875 6. "More Californians dreaming of a country without Trump: poll", Reuters, January 23, 2017; https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-california-secession/more-californians-dreaming-of-a-country-without-trump-poll-idUSKBN1572KB MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Bright Line Watch, public domain; https://brightlinewatch.org/still-miles-apart-americans-and-the-state-of-u-s-democracy-half-a-year-into-the-biden-presidency/ secession, tuition, election integrity, march for medicare for all, medicare for all, college debt, #m4m4all, university of california, calexit, voter suppression no full 12 51cfb8b5-1a1c-4325-b0a6-675eb519b50d Mon, 19 Jul 2021 21:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Shankar Singam, Darin Brown, Hal Lohr) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/interview-with-hal-lohr-and-shankar-singam-of-red-star-report-pt0NZ5fC Interview with Hal Lohr and Shankar Singam of Red Star Report Shankar Singam, Darin Brown, Hal Lohr 00:51:49 Hal Lohr and Shankar Singam are co-hosts of the Red Star Report podcast. I sat down to talk with them about how they became activists for California independence, where they see the current state of the country, and what path they think California needs to take for itself into the future. This interview was recorded on July 10, 2021. NOTES: 1. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ 2. Red Star Report YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsn4e5uimQQGu1sALUvjXcw MUSIC CREDIT: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Hal Lohr, used with permission 2. Shankar Singam, used with permission Hal Lohr and Shankar Singam are co-hosts of the Red Star Report podcast. I sat down to talk with them about how they became activists for California independence, where they see the current state of the country, and what path they think California needs to take for itself into the future. This interview was recorded on July 10, 2021. NOTES: 1. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ 2. Red Star Report YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsn4e5uimQQGu1sALUvjXcw MUSIC CREDIT: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDITS: 1. Hal Lohr, used with permission 2. Shankar Singam, used with permission red star report, california independence, independent media, joe biden, congress, donald trump, bernie sanders, calexit no full 11 2db589ee-93a4-456a-ac75-3ea29a4781d2 Sun, 18 Jul 2021 02:30:01 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-july-17-2021-Opew2p7u Weekly roundup for July 17, 2021 Darin Brown 00:17:01 Weekly roundup for July 17, 2021 Democrats are declaring victory over the $3.5 trillion infrastructure deal reached in the Senate under reconciliation. A closer look at the numbers reveals that the current proposal is entirely inadequate, and history proves the federal government is capable of much larger fiscal spending when facing such existential crises. As long as California remains in the federal system -- lacking the power of the purse -- we will be fiscally constrained and unable to fill the void in leadership left by Congress. Meanwhile, new details have emerged about the 2020 election. Mark Milley, the highest ranking US military officer, feared Trump would attempt a coup in the event of an election loss. And two men in California made plans to blow up the Democratic party headquarters in Sacramento in January. Fascism has come to America, and California finds itself in the crosshairs. NOTES: 1. "U.S. Senate Democrats agree to $3.5 trln for budget reconciliation bill", Reuters, July 13, 2021; https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-democrats-rush-outline-massive-infrastructure-bill-2021-07-13/ 2. "Democrats reach deal on $3.5T price tag for infrastructure bill", The Hill, July 13, 2021; https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/562889-democrats-reach-deal-on-35-trillion-price-tag-for-infrastructure-bill 3. "Senators Want to Pay for Infrastructure With 'Asset Recycling.' That’s Just a Fancy Term for Privatization.", by Hannah Levintova and Noah Lanard, Mother Jones, July 2, 2021; https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/07/senators-want-to-pay-for-infrastructure-with-asset-recycling-thats-just-a-fancy-term-for-privatization/ 4. "'Asset recycling' is 1 piece of the bipartisan infrastructure deal that could prove controversial", The Week, June 24, 2021; https://theweek.com/politics/1001946/asset-recycling-is-1-piece-of-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal-that-could-prove 5. "Top US general warned of 'Reichstag moment' in Trump’s turbulent last days", The Guardian, July 14, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/14/donald-trump-reichstag-moment-general-mark-milley-book 6. "Two men charged in plot to blow up Democratic headquarters in California", The Guardian, July 16, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/16/california-democrat-headquarters-attack-plot-indictment 7. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Biden/Harris 2020 campaign, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biden-Harris_Build_Back_Better_61WnP4A6qVL._AC_SL1500.jpg Weekly roundup for July 17, 2021 Democrats are declaring victory over the $3.5 trillion infrastructure deal reached in the Senate under reconciliation. A closer look at the numbers reveals that the current proposal is entirely inadequate, and history proves the federal government is capable of much larger fiscal spending when facing such existential crises. As long as California remains in the federal system -- lacking the power of the purse -- we will be fiscally constrained and unable to fill the void in leadership left by Congress. Meanwhile, new details have emerged about the 2020 election. Mark Milley, the highest ranking US military officer, feared Trump would attempt a coup in the event of an election loss. And two men in California made plans to blow up the Democratic party headquarters in Sacramento in January. Fascism has come to America, and California finds itself in the crosshairs. NOTES: 1. "U.S. Senate Democrats agree to $3.5 trln for budget reconciliation bill", Reuters, July 13, 2021; https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-democrats-rush-outline-massive-infrastructure-bill-2021-07-13/ 2. "Democrats reach deal on $3.5T price tag for infrastructure bill", The Hill, July 13, 2021; https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/562889-democrats-reach-deal-on-35-trillion-price-tag-for-infrastructure-bill 3. "Senators Want to Pay for Infrastructure With 'Asset Recycling.' That’s Just a Fancy Term for Privatization.", by Hannah Levintova and Noah Lanard, Mother Jones, July 2, 2021; https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/07/senators-want-to-pay-for-infrastructure-with-asset-recycling-thats-just-a-fancy-term-for-privatization/ 4. "'Asset recycling' is 1 piece of the bipartisan infrastructure deal that could prove controversial", The Week, June 24, 2021; https://theweek.com/politics/1001946/asset-recycling-is-1-piece-of-the-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal-that-could-prove 5. "Top US general warned of 'Reichstag moment' in Trump’s turbulent last days", The Guardian, July 14, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/14/donald-trump-reichstag-moment-general-mark-milley-book 6. "Two men charged in plot to blow up Democratic headquarters in California", The Guardian, July 16, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/16/california-democrat-headquarters-attack-plot-indictment 7. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Biden/Harris 2020 campaign, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Biden-Harris_Build_Back_Better_61WnP4A6qVL._AC_SL1500.jpg national debt, national deficit, fascism, domestic terrorism, joe biden, mark milley, capitol insurrection, infrastructure, donald trump, climate change no full 10 0badcd7b-84c2-4c76-919c-39ec0baed343 Mon, 12 Jul 2021 22:24:28 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-july-10-2021-r30HEnMm Weekly roundup for July 10, 2021 Darin Brown 00:24:39 Weekly roundup for July 10, 2021 What are Americans celebrating on July 4? From right-wing extremists downplaying the Capitol insurrection to liberals and progressives who turn a blind eye to the problems of ordinary people, Americans are not living in the real world. NOTES: 1. "Day of Rage: How Trump Supporters Took the U.S. Capitol | Visual Investigations", New York Times, July 1, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWJVMoe7OY0 2. "Jordan and Steve Grumbine EXPOSE The Other Pandemic/Jordan Rants Against TMZ Progressive Media", Status Coup News, June 30, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumNyFUgC3k 3. Straight White American Jesus podcast homepage; https://straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/ 4. "California exodus is just a myth, massive UC research project finds", SFGate, July 8, 2021; https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/California-exodus-is-just-a-myth-massive-UC-16301134.php MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: United States Declaration of Independence, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_Declaration_of_Independence.jpg Weekly roundup for July 10, 2021 What are Americans celebrating on July 4? From right-wing extremists downplaying the Capitol insurrection to liberals and progressives who turn a blind eye to the problems of ordinary people, Americans are not living in the real world. NOTES: 1. "Day of Rage: How Trump Supporters Took the U.S. Capitol | Visual Investigations", New York Times, July 1, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWJVMoe7OY0 2. "Jordan and Steve Grumbine EXPOSE The Other Pandemic/Jordan Rants Against TMZ Progressive Media", Status Coup News, June 30, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumNyFUgC3k 3. Straight White American Jesus podcast homepage; https://straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/ 4. "California exodus is just a myth, massive UC research project finds", SFGate, July 8, 2021; https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/California-exodus-is-just-a-myth-massive-UC-16301134.php MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: United States Declaration of Independence, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:United_States_Declaration_of_Independence.jpg liberty, california exodus, california dream, july 4, freedom, new york times, capitol insurrection, declaration of independence, straight white american jesus, control fraud, calexit, eviction, debt no full 9 0d3f5a2e-f9b6-41cc-9c55-5de4380c8c66 Sun, 27 Jun 2021 20:30:52 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-june-26-2021-0ht9XTSR Weekly roundup for June 26, 2021 Darin Brown 00:30:50 Weekly roundup for June 26, 2021 Today we discuss how the federal system hinders progress in the Golden State. From economic growth to unemployment, from disaster relief to job creation, from health care to voting, California can do better. California can be better. NOTES: 1. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ 2. Red Star Report YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsn4e5uimQQGu1sALUvjXcw 3. "California Defies Doom With No. 1 U.S. Economy", Bloomberg Opinion, June 14, 2021; https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-06-14/california-defies-doom-with-no-1-u-s-economy 4. "2021’s Best & Worst State Economies", WalletHub.com, June 7, 2021; https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-economies/21697 5. "CDC extends eviction moratorium a month, says it’s last time", Associated Press, June 24, 2021; https://apnews.com/article/eviction-ban-extended-biden-coronavirus-9e7c4dc97c49cbb42a1ecb55b06e3b4c 6. "Governor Newsom, Legislative Leaders Announce Eviction Moratorium Extension, Increased Compensation for Rent Relief", Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, June 25, 2021; https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/06/25/governor-newsom-legislative-leaders-announce-eviction-moratorium-extension-increased-compensation-for-rent-relief/ 7. "Cash Now -- featuring Stephanie Kelton", Rumble with Michael Moore, March 22, 2020; https://anchor.fm/rumble-with-michael-moore/episodes/Ep--55-Cash-Now-feat--Stephanie-Kelton-ebpnhp 8. "March for Medicare For All" Twitter page; https://twitter.com/m4m4all?lang=en 9. "Guaranteed work: California commission calls for government jobs program after pandemic", Sacramento Bee, March 3, 2021; https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article249640183.html 10. "Ayanna Pressley’s Federal Job Guarantee"; https://ayannapressley.com/issues/jobguarantee/ 11. "Stop the poison pills in HR 1", Green Party US, March 9, 2021; https://www.gp.org/hr_1 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medicare_for_all._car_magnet.jpg Weekly roundup for June 26, 2021 Today we discuss how the federal system hinders progress in the Golden State. From economic growth to unemployment, from disaster relief to job creation, from health care to voting, California can do better. California can be better. NOTES: 1. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ 2. Red Star Report YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsn4e5uimQQGu1sALUvjXcw 3. "California Defies Doom With No. 1 U.S. Economy", Bloomberg Opinion, June 14, 2021; https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-06-14/california-defies-doom-with-no-1-u-s-economy 4. "2021’s Best & Worst State Economies", WalletHub.com, June 7, 2021; https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-best-economies/21697 5. "CDC extends eviction moratorium a month, says it’s last time", Associated Press, June 24, 2021; https://apnews.com/article/eviction-ban-extended-biden-coronavirus-9e7c4dc97c49cbb42a1ecb55b06e3b4c 6. "Governor Newsom, Legislative Leaders Announce Eviction Moratorium Extension, Increased Compensation for Rent Relief", Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, June 25, 2021; https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/06/25/governor-newsom-legislative-leaders-announce-eviction-moratorium-extension-increased-compensation-for-rent-relief/ 7. "Cash Now -- featuring Stephanie Kelton", Rumble with Michael Moore, March 22, 2020; https://anchor.fm/rumble-with-michael-moore/episodes/Ep--55-Cash-Now-feat--Stephanie-Kelton-ebpnhp 8. "March for Medicare For All" Twitter page; https://twitter.com/m4m4all?lang=en 9. "Guaranteed work: California commission calls for government jobs program after pandemic", Sacramento Bee, March 3, 2021; https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article249640183.html 10. "Ayanna Pressley’s Federal Job Guarantee"; https://ayannapressley.com/issues/jobguarantee/ 11. "Stop the poison pills in HR 1", Green Party US, March 9, 2021; https://www.gp.org/hr_1 MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Medicare_for_all._car_magnet.jpg gavin newsom, michael moore, ayanna pressley, stephanie kelton, evictions, medicare for all, hr1, third parties, m4a, for the people act, covid, california economy, job guarantee, calexit, federal job guarantee, rent relief no full 8 8a7a3cda-21eb-4ca8-af7b-dc68e3dc49ed Sun, 20 Jun 2021 01:50:11 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-for-june-19-2021-pypsGBO9 Weekly roundup for June 19, 2021 Darin Brown 00:19:15 Weekly roundup for June 19, 2021 As yet another record heatwave sweeps the Southwest, California again suffers the consequences of a federal government unable and unwilling to meet the challenge of climate change. Apparently, creating a moral panic over critical race theory is more important than confronting draught and wildfires. Paul Jay interviews economist Bill Black about the control fraud that led to the 2008 financial crisis and the federal agencies and departments that refused to punish the bankers who committed it. And finally, two California Congressmen vote against the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. NOTES: 1. "‘Potentially the worst drought in 1,200 years’: scientists on the scorching US heatwave", The Guardian, June 18, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/18/us-heatwave-west-climate-crisis-drought/ 2. "Republicans in Congress are out of step with the American public on climate", Brookings Institution, May 10, 2021; https://www.brookings.edu/blog/planetpolicy/2021/05/10/republicans-in-congress-are-out-of-step-with-the-american-public-on-climate/ 3. "This environmentalist is shaping the GOP's climate narrative", E&E News, May 19, 2021; https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063732923 4. "Republican congressman suggests changing moon's orbit to fight climate change", Guardian News, June 9, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHjktX1oQPU 5. "Guest Blog: Where Does the Bizarre Hysteria About 'Critical Race Theory' Come From? Follow the Money!", by Isaac Kamola, Inside Higher Ed, June 3, 2021; https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/just-visiting/guest-blog-where-does-bizarre-hysteria-about-%E2%80%98critical-race-theory%E2%80%99-come-follow 6. "BILL BLACK Pt 1/9 - The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One", theanalysis.news, May 10, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFH5-5D5_Lc 7. "14 House Republicans Voted Against Making Juneteenth A Federal Holiday", NPR, June 17, 2021; https://www.npr.org/2021/06/17/1007551309/14-house-republicans-voted-against-making-juneteenth-a-federal-holiday MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Frank Schulenburg, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en); https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boats_on_Lake_Oroville_during_the_2021_drought.jpg Weekly roundup for June 19, 2021 As yet another record heatwave sweeps the Southwest, California again suffers the consequences of a federal government unable and unwilling to meet the challenge of climate change. Apparently, creating a moral panic over critical race theory is more important than confronting draught and wildfires. Paul Jay interviews economist Bill Black about the control fraud that led to the 2008 financial crisis and the federal agencies and departments that refused to punish the bankers who committed it. And finally, two California Congressmen vote against the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. NOTES: 1. "‘Potentially the worst drought in 1,200 years’: scientists on the scorching US heatwave", The Guardian, June 18, 2021; https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/18/us-heatwave-west-climate-crisis-drought/ 2. "Republicans in Congress are out of step with the American public on climate", Brookings Institution, May 10, 2021; https://www.brookings.edu/blog/planetpolicy/2021/05/10/republicans-in-congress-are-out-of-step-with-the-american-public-on-climate/ 3. "This environmentalist is shaping the GOP's climate narrative", E&E News, May 19, 2021; https://www.eenews.net/stories/1063732923 4. "Republican congressman suggests changing moon's orbit to fight climate change", Guardian News, June 9, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHjktX1oQPU 5. "Guest Blog: Where Does the Bizarre Hysteria About 'Critical Race Theory' Come From? Follow the Money!", by Isaac Kamola, Inside Higher Ed, June 3, 2021; https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/just-visiting/guest-blog-where-does-bizarre-hysteria-about-%E2%80%98critical-race-theory%E2%80%99-come-follow 6. "BILL BLACK Pt 1/9 - The Best Way to Rob a Bank Is to Own One", theanalysis.news, May 10, 2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFH5-5D5_Lc 7. "14 House Republicans Voted Against Making Juneteenth A Federal Holiday", NPR, June 17, 2021; https://www.npr.org/2021/06/17/1007551309/14-house-republicans-voted-against-making-juneteenth-a-federal-holiday MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Frank Schulenburg, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en); https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boats_on_Lake_Oroville_during_the_2021_drought.jpg bill black, louie gohmert, michael shellenberger, doug lamalfa, juneteenth, wildfires, heatwave, climate change, control fraud, draught, paul jay, tom mcclintock, critical race theory no full 7 d69e7932-1671-4a7c-8f45-89ebf810a632 Sun, 13 Jun 2021 02:00:05 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-june-12-2021-k8JbV_Yq Weekly roundup for June 12, 2021 Darin Brown 00:37:19 Weekly roundup for June 12, 2021 Today's theme is "Let's Get Real!". Californians are in a state of denial about their abusive relationship with the rest of the country. It's time to face up to reality and be honest about America and what options we have for the future. NOTES: 1. "Understanding QAnon’s Connection to American Politics, Religion, and Media Consumption", Public Religion Research Institute, May 27, 2021; https://www.prri.org/research/qanon-conspiracy-american-politics-report/ 2. "Statement of Concern: The Threats to American Democracy and the Need for National Voting and Election Administration Standards", New America, June 1, 2021; https://www.newamerica.org/political-reform/statements/statement-of-concern/ 3. "Biden ends infrastructure negotiations with Republican senators", CBS News, June 9, 2021; https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-infrastructure-bill-ends-negotiations-republican-senators/ 4. "Manchin Is Unmoved On The Voting Rights Bill After He Met With Civil Rights Groups", NPR, June 8, 2021; https://www.npr.org/2021/06/08/1004341661/despite-constructive-meeting-manchins-mind-is-made-up-on-voting-rights-bill MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Office of Senator Joe Manchin, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brett_Kavanaugh_and_Joe_Manchin.jpg Weekly roundup for June 12, 2021 Today's theme is "Let's Get Real!". Californians are in a state of denial about their abusive relationship with the rest of the country. It's time to face up to reality and be honest about America and what options we have for the future. NOTES: 1. "Understanding QAnon’s Connection to American Politics, Religion, and Media Consumption", Public Religion Research Institute, May 27, 2021; https://www.prri.org/research/qanon-conspiracy-american-politics-report/ 2. "Statement of Concern: The Threats to American Democracy and the Need for National Voting and Election Administration Standards", New America, June 1, 2021; https://www.newamerica.org/political-reform/statements/statement-of-concern/ 3. "Biden ends infrastructure negotiations with Republican senators", CBS News, June 9, 2021; https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-infrastructure-bill-ends-negotiations-republican-senators/ 4. "Manchin Is Unmoved On The Voting Rights Bill After He Met With Civil Rights Groups", NPR, June 8, 2021; https://www.npr.org/2021/06/08/1004341661/despite-constructive-meeting-manchins-mind-is-made-up-on-voting-rights-bill MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com IMAGE CREDIT: Office of Senator Joe Manchin, public domain; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brett_Kavanaugh_and_Joe_Manchin.jpg joe manchin, fascism, democracy, joe biden, qanon, calexit no full 6 91560267-a6ca-4160-ac7b-d9cd9b8923b3 Fri, 28 May 2021 03:03:48 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/a-new-beginning-MaiPzl3T A new beginning Darin Brown 00:04:42 After a brief hiatus, The California Dream podcast has a new beginning. PHOTO CREDIT: Impression, Sunrise Claude Monet, United States public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monet_-_Impression,_Sunrise.jpg After a brief hiatus, The California Dream podcast has a new beginning. PHOTO CREDIT: Impression, Sunrise Claude Monet, United States public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monet_-_Impression,_Sunrise.jpg no full 5 453c50fe-9d92-4870-b8da-647a14e9bf8c Sat, 13 Mar 2021 08:44:21 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/41-senators-mitch-mcconnell-normalizes-political-violence-why-america-sucks-at-everything-xHkGbaOf 41 Senators; Mitch McConnell normalizes political violence; Why America Sucks at Everything Darin Brown 00:10:25 41 Senators represent less Americans than the population of California. Imagine the colossal temper tantrum if California alone could unilaterally veto any federal legislation. "The Case Against the Filibuster", report by the Brennan Center for Justice https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/case-against-filibuster Mitch McConnell normalizes political violence. 1. "The Electoral College has spoken. So today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden.", December 15, 2020 https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/15/mcconnell-recognizes-biden-as-president-elect-445450 2. "They failed to attempt to obstruct the Congress. This failed insurrection underscored how crucial the task before us is for our public.", January 6, 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/insurrection.html 3. "There's no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. No question about it.", February 13, 2021 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/13/mcconnell-condemns-trump-acquitted-469002 4. "The nominee of the party? ... Absolutely.”, February 25, 2021 https://www.motherjones.com/mojo-wire/2021/02/mcconnell-trump-2024-nominee/ David Cross: Why America Sucks at Everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNghg1Y-WIc MUSIC CREDIT: "Driving Ambition", by Ahjay Stelino, mixkit.co PHOTO CREDIT: Gage Skidmore, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mitch_McConnell_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg 41 Senators represent less Americans than the population of California. Imagine the colossal temper tantrum if California alone could unilaterally veto any federal legislation. "The Case Against the Filibuster", report by the Brennan Center for Justice https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/case-against-filibuster Mitch McConnell normalizes political violence. 1. "The Electoral College has spoken. So today I want to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden.", December 15, 2020 https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/15/mcconnell-recognizes-biden-as-president-elect-445450 2. "They failed to attempt to obstruct the Congress. This failed insurrection underscored how crucial the task before us is for our public.", January 6, 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/politics/insurrection.html 3. "There's no question — none — that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. No question about it.", February 13, 2021 https://www.politico.com/news/2021/02/13/mcconnell-condemns-trump-acquitted-469002 4. "The nominee of the party? ... Absolutely.”, February 25, 2021 https://www.motherjones.com/mojo-wire/2021/02/mcconnell-trump-2024-nominee/ David Cross: Why America Sucks at Everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNghg1Y-WIc MUSIC CREDIT: "Driving Ambition", by Ahjay Stelino, mixkit.co PHOTO CREDIT: Gage Skidmore, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mitch_McConnell_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg america sucks, david cross, mitch mcconnell, filibuster, republican party, insurrection no full 4 8223bb30-8363-4df3-af62-9ad6e3357931 Sun, 24 Jan 2021 00:24:42 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Hannah Miyamoto, Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/the-california-war-trailer-episode-na6q_jR8 The California War: Trailer episode Hannah Miyamoto, Darin Brown 00:22:01 One hundred seventy-five years ago the U.S. invaded and conquered California as part of its plan for expanding its territory from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately for the people of California, their lands were on the American target list. They would only learn this when American troops captured Monterey and other towns along the coast in July 1846. However, within a month, Californians began an armed resistance against the Americans, starting by defeating American troops in Los Angeles. With American democracy under constant assault, and attacks on the integrity of the nation occurring regularly, now is the time to remember that California did not become a state voluntarily, but at literal gunpoint. Through the unprecedented research of Executive Producer Dr. Hannah Miyamoto, and the sponsorship of the Ohana Justice Center Charitable Trust, "The California War" is producing a series of videos for YouTube that relate each week of the American invasion and conquest of California, from January 2021 to January 2022. Your tax-deductible donation through Patreon has never funded a more timely and necessary video project. The California War YouTube channel: www.thecaliforniawar.com The California War Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheCaliforniaWar MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Guitar stroke down slow"; mixkit.co 2. "California Hacienda", by simming; elements.envato.com One hundred seventy-five years ago the U.S. invaded and conquered California as part of its plan for expanding its territory from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately for the people of California, their lands were on the American target list. They would only learn this when American troops captured Monterey and other towns along the coast in July 1846. However, within a month, Californians began an armed resistance against the Americans, starting by defeating American troops in Los Angeles. With American democracy under constant assault, and attacks on the integrity of the nation occurring regularly, now is the time to remember that California did not become a state voluntarily, but at literal gunpoint. Through the unprecedented research of Executive Producer Dr. Hannah Miyamoto, and the sponsorship of the Ohana Justice Center Charitable Trust, "The California War" is producing a series of videos for YouTube that relate each week of the American invasion and conquest of California, from January 2021 to January 2022. Your tax-deductible donation through Patreon has never funded a more timely and necessary video project. The California War YouTube channel: www.thecaliforniawar.com The California War Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/TheCaliforniaWar MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Guitar stroke down slow"; mixkit.co 2. "California Hacienda", by simming; elements.envato.com california history, mexican american war, california war no full 3 63665566-1db9-4757-a003-d54b240a1814 Wed, 20 Jan 2021 20:37:47 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/crisis-of-american-power-how-europeans-see-bidens-america-mULY98Sz Crisis of American power: How Europeans see Biden's America Darin Brown 00:11:36 The European Council on Foreign Relations released a report yesterday (January 19) on how Europeans view Biden's victory in the US presidential election and how their perspectives on American power and foreign policy have changed. The survey, conducted by Datapraxis and YouGov, polled 15,000 Europeans across 11 countries. Majorities in key member states now think the US political system is broken and that China will overtake the US as a world power within a decade. The report frankly concludes, "A majority of Europeans doubt that Biden can put Humpty Dumpty back together again." SOURCE: https://ecfr.eu/publication/the-crisis-of-american-power-how-europeans-see-bidens-america/ MUSIC CREDIT: "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; mixkit.co PHOTO CREDIT: David Lienemann, public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joe_Biden_at_the_2016_World_Economic_Forum.jpg The European Council on Foreign Relations released a report yesterday (January 19) on how Europeans view Biden's victory in the US presidential election and how their perspectives on American power and foreign policy have changed. The survey, conducted by Datapraxis and YouGov, polled 15,000 Europeans across 11 countries. Majorities in key member states now think the US political system is broken and that China will overtake the US as a world power within a decade. The report frankly concludes, "A majority of Europeans doubt that Biden can put Humpty Dumpty back together again." SOURCE: https://ecfr.eu/publication/the-crisis-of-american-power-how-europeans-see-bidens-america/ MUSIC CREDIT: "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; mixkit.co PHOTO CREDIT: David Lienemann, public domain. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Joe_Biden_at_the_2016_World_Economic_Forum.jpg american foreign policy, joe biden, donald trump, american power, european council on foreign relations no full 2 3e238620-403c-4f9b-b94a-176d0c6ce3d4 Thu, 7 Jan 2021 00:00:00 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/thoughts-on-the-storming-of-the-capitol-Bv3Wfkht Thoughts on the storming of the Capitol Darin Brown 00:04:07 This afternoon (January 6), a mob stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC. We need to start a conversation about what this means for Californians. PHOTO CREDIT: Tyler Merbler, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2021_storming_of_the_United_States_Capitol_DSC09156_(50826223403).jpg This afternoon (January 6), a mob stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC. We need to start a conversation about what this means for Californians. PHOTO CREDIT: Tyler Merbler, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2021_storming_of_the_United_States_Capitol_DSC09156_(50826223403).jpg maga, trump, coup, capitol, insurrection no full 1 98e64b03-7397-43d1-81a4-b30f935139de Tue, 5 Jan 2021 10:05:05 +0000 california.dreamin.podcast@gmail.com (Darin Brown) https://california-dreamin.simplecast.com/episodes/the-california-dream-trailer-ZsdHo0cK The California Dream trailer Darin Brown 00:01:29 The Oxford English Dictionary defines a dream as “a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal”. What is the California dream? And how does it compare and contrast to the American dream, or – as many now understand it – the American nightmare? Can California aspire to reach her dreams within an undemocratic and dysfunctional American system? Or should California chart her own course and determine her own destiny? Hi, my name is Darin Brown, and these are just some of the questions we’ll be asking in our new podcast The California Dream. Let me tell you about some of what we have planned for the future. We’ll discuss California history and culture. We’ll talk to activists in the California independence campaign and keep you up to date on current events in the Calexit movement. We are also proud to host audio episodes of The California War, a new weekly video series that will recall the events leading to the American conquest of California on its 175-year anniversary. We’ll interview authors and scholars whose work intersects with history, government, political theory, and international relations. So, if you want to learn more about California, or if you just care about the California dream, we’d love to have you subscribe and join us as we navigate through these truly unprecedented times. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a dream as “a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal”. What is the California dream? And how does it compare and contrast to the American dream, or – as many now understand it – the American nightmare? Can California aspire to reach her dreams within an undemocratic and dysfunctional American system? Or should California chart her own course and determine her own destiny? Hi, my name is Darin Brown, and these are just some of the questions we’ll be asking in our new podcast The California Dream. Let me tell you about some of what we have planned for the future. We’ll discuss California history and culture. We’ll talk to activists in the California independence campaign and keep you up to date on current events in the Calexit movement. We are also proud to host audio episodes of The California War, a new weekly video series that will recall the events leading to the American conquest of California on its 175-year anniversary. We’ll interview authors and scholars whose work intersects with history, government, political theory, and international relations. So, if you want to learn more about California, or if you just care about the California dream, we’d love to have you subscribe and join us as we navigate through these truly unprecedented times. california dream, california independence, california, calexit yes trailer