7 chapters across the catalog
Fox Business News reported on the growing trend of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing, which pressures companies to diversify their boards. Critics argue that replacing experienced board members with younger, diverse individuals for the sake of "facelifts" may prioritize virtue signaling over profitability. Investors, particularly millennials, are increasingly looking for this type of representation in their portfolios.
General Motors has appointed several high-profile former intelligence and defense officials to its board of directors, including a former deputy director of the CIA and executives from Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The company claims these appointments provide necessary guidance for navigating cyber attacks and geopolitical instability. Critics suggest the board's composition reflects a deep integration between the automotive industry and the military-industrial complex.
House Rule Changes and Congressional Transparency Claims
The new Democratic majority in the House introduced rule changes intended to increase transparency, including a 72-hour window to read bills before voting. The hosts critique these changes, noting that while members are barred from corporate boards, they can still engage in questionable stock trades and serve on NGO boards.
Governor Jerry Brown signed a law requiring publicly held corporations headquartered in California to include women on their boards of directors. The hosts question the constitutionality of the law and suggest it may drive companies to incorporate in states like Delaware. They also mock the NPR coverage that links the law to the national conversation surrounding the Kavanaugh hearings.
Obama Cabinet Diversity and Norway Corporate Board Quotas
Critics point out that President Obama's second-term cabinet picks are predominantly white men, despite his campaign rhetoric regarding women's rights. The hosts discuss Lynn Forster de Rothschild's views on women in capitalism and contrast the U.S. situation with Norway, where laws mandate that 50% of corporate board members must be women.
Anadarko Board of Directors, Corporate Influence
The hosts examine the board of directors of Anadarko Petroleum, noting connections to the Federal Reserve, the Trilateral Commission, and the Business Roundtable. They argue that these elite corporate interests dictate foreign policy to ensure access to energy resources. The segment emphasizes how earnings conference calls can reveal the true priorities of these global organizations.
Nancy-Ann DeParle White House Email, Corporate Board History
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Nancy-Ann DeParle issued an email blast defending the President's use of executive actions on student loans and national monuments. The discussion highlights DeParle's past lucrative service on corporate boards for companies under federal investigation. Her background in private equity and healthcare is scrutinized in the context of her current policy role.
