Around the World in 80 Minutes (with Alexandra Hall Hall)

For more than 30 years, Alexandra Hall Hall worked as a diplomat in the British Foreign Office, with postings in Bangkok, Delhi, Bogota,Tbilisi, and Washington. She resigned in December 2019 because she felt unable to represent the Government’s position on Brexit with integrity. She is the co-host, with Jason Pack, of Disorder podcast. In this discussion, she talks to Greg Olear about Georgia, British politics, the monarchy, the role of diplomacy in crisis zones, Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas War, the death of Navalny, and the Baltimore Ravens. Plus: 867-5309 (Ginni) (remix).

Follow Alex:

https://twitter.com/alexhallhall

Read her columns at Byline Times:

https://bylinetimes.com/author/alexandrahallhall/

Listen to Disorder Podcast:

 https://linktr.ee/disorderpod

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Greg Olear welcomes Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor at SLATE and the author of the bestseller “Lady Justice: Women, The Law, and the Battle to Save Democracy.” They discuss the current state of the Supreme Court and the impact of recent decisions; the dynamics of the court, the influence of confirmation hearings, and the changing ideologies of the justices; the need for structural court reform and the public appetite for court expansion; and the role of dark money groups in pushing cases to the court and the potential consequences of recent rulings. The conversation covers the threat to reproductive rights, the potential impact of the 14th Amendment on removing Trump from the ballot, the consequences of pardons and lack of accountability, and the rise of MAGA in Canada. Plus: a new dating app.

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https://twitter.com/Dahlialithwick

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https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/598207/lady-justice-by-dahlia-lithwick/

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https://slate.com/author/dahlia-lithwick

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Opening Monologue

Beginning of Interview: The Supreme Court and Order Muppets

The Impact of SCOTUS Confirmation Hearings on Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaug

The Alabama IVF Decision

The 14th Amendment and Taking Trump off the Ballot

The Rise of MAGA in Canada

In this conversation with Greg Olear, Michael Graetz discusses his book “The Power to Destroy: How the Anti-Tax Movement Hijacked America”' He explores the history and influence of the anti-tax movement, the role of race and xenophobia in shaping it, and the ideological and moral arguments behind it. Graetz also delves into the consequences of irresponsible tax cuts, the significance of taxation in American history, and the challenges of dealing with a GOP that obstructs. He highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of taxation and the importance of addressing the growing national debt. Finally, they discuss the conservative shift of the Court, the corrupting power of money in politics, and the challenges facing American democracy. Plus: a new memory aid.

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00:00: Introduction

12:00: Beginning of interview.

17:25: Cultural, Social, and Political Judgments Embedded in Tax Law

22:09: The Influence of Libertarianism and Ayn Rand

38:43: The Consequences of Irresponsible Tax Cuts

57:37: The Failure of Supply-Side Economics and the Divisions in American Politics

01:13:03: SCOTUS / Money as Speech in Politics

About Michael Graetz:

https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/michael-graetz

Buy the book:

https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691225548/the-power-to-destroy

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Destroy-Antitax-Movement-Hijacked/dp/0691225540

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Tom Carter worked in Washington for years, in journalism and then in PR. For three years, he handled media relations at USCIRF, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, where his boss was one Leonard Leo, a key figure in the conservative legal movement and the capture of SCOTUS. The conversation explores the background, influence, and agenda of Leonard Leo; his management style, his use of dark money, his involvement with the Federalist Society and other organizations; his connections to Clarence Thomas and other influential figures; and the extreme radical Catholic religious beliefs that animate his opposition to abortion and LGBTQ rights. The conversation also delves into the potential ramifications of Leo's actions, his expansion into the media and entertainment industry, and the future of his influence. Overall, it highlights the danger and harm caused by Leo's agenda. Plus: Cole Porter lives!

Takeaways:

• Leonard Leo is a key figure in the conservative legal movement and has significant influence behind the scenes.
• Leo's use of dark money and his web of organizations have allowed him to boost the conservative legal movement and shape the Supreme Court.
• His radical Catholic beliefs and agenda drive his opposition to abortion and LGBTQ rights.
• Leo's expansion into the media and entertainment industry through the Teneo Society raises concerns about his potential influence in these areas.
• The real-world ramifications of Leo's actions include the erosion of democratic principles and the harm caused to marginalized communities.

00:00: Episode introduction

10:43: Beginning of the interview

22:37: Leonard Leo's Influence and Methods

25:28: Dark Money and Leonard Leo's Organizations

36:55: Relationship between Leonard Leo and Clarence Thomas

47:19: The Libertarian Billionaires and Leonard Leo's Agenda

52:19: The Distinction between Radical Catholicism and Mainstream Catholicism

1:06:26: Leo’s networks

1:17:27: The Virtually Unlimited Financial Resources of Leonard Leo

1:32:16: The Danger and Harm Caused by Leonard Leo's Actions

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https://www.threads.net/@thcarter123

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Greg Olear welcomes his friend, the novelist, essayist and travel writer Diana Spechler. They discuss the novel as an art form, writing as a profession and vocation, the allure of travel, how the U.S. is perceived abroad, the future of the country, separating art from the artist, the Stendhal effect, and more. Plus: his name is Leo.

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Aja Raden, author of “Stoned” and “The Truth About the Lies,” returns to PREVAIL. She updates Greg Olear about the changes coming to the diamond industry (which she foretold in the documentary “Nothing Lasts Forever”), and discusses her concerns for 2024, Elon Musk’s destruction of Twitter, contingency plans in case of Nazi takeover, lies people believe and why they believe them, the Epstein files, and her favorite Christmas movie. Plus: a new legal services firm.

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We know that Donald Trump is a fascist, but what would MAGA fascism look like in a second Trump term? Brynn Tannehill, senior defense analyst and author of “American Fascism” and “My Child Told Me They're Trans...What Do I Do?,” lays out the horrors to expect if Trump is sworn in in 2025. Plus: the Trump Days of Christmas.

Follow Brynn:

https://twitter.com/BrynnTannehill

Her website:

http://www.brynntannehill.com/

Buy her books:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brynn-Tannehill/author/B07MG4MCX4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

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Greg Olear is joined by the journalist and editor Rachel Slade, author of the new book “Making It in America: The Almost Impossible Quest to Manufacture in the U.S.A. (and How It Got That Way).” They discuss the history of textile manufacturing in the United States, how the towns NAFTA devastated were hidden, the perils of free trade, the Gen X mindset, Prohibition trivia, all things labor movement, how and when organized crime infiltrated unions, the multiplier effect, New Americans, and what the purpose of government actually is. Plus: merry MAGA Xmas.

Visit Rachel’s website:

https://www.rachelslade.net/

Buy her new book:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-hoodie-the-almost-impossible-quest-to-make-things-in-twenty-first-century-america-and-how-it-got-that-way-rachel-slade/19689023?ean=9780593316887

Follow her on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rachelmslade/

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Greg Olear is joined by the writer, author, professor, filmmaker, and “America, America” columnist Steven Beschloss. They discuss the failure of the media to adequately cover Trump, then and now; the stakes of the next election; Lee Harvey Oswald, childhood trauma, and the making of an assassin; the importance of investing in education and why the GOP opposes it; Biden’s place in history; and the Ritz-Carlton Moscow. Plus: a new dating app.

Follow Steven:

https://twitter.com/StevenBeschloss

https://post.news/@/stevenbeschloss

Subscribe to “America, America”:

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Watch “Media Misses”:

https://america.substack.com/p/media-misses-the-wall-street-journal

Buy his book:

https://www.amazon.com/Gunman-His-Mother-Marguerite-Assassin-ebook/dp/B0CN518F1K

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Greg Olear is joined by Will Bunch, the national opinion columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. They discuss how the higher education system broke our politics, why the media fails to accurately report on the rise of American fascism, Trump’s ominous re-election plans, the far right’s dream of a Red Caesar, and whether the Eagles are a team of destiny. Plus: a new staffing agency.

Follow Will:
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Read his columns:
https://www.inquirer.com/author/bunch_will/

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