Topic: Dictatorship

Actor Richard Gere is featured in a clip warning that America is living in its "darkest moment" and has "fallen asleep" to the cues of a dictatorship. Gere proposes a new political slogan: "Dictatorship of the Monsters." The hosts mock Gere's dramatic delivery and the perceived lameness of his attempt to create a viral activist catchphrase.

Keith Olbermann has transitioned into a media critic, attacking outlets like CBS and CNN for their coverage of Donald Trump. In his podcast, Olbermann uses extreme rhetoric, suggesting that Trump might attempt to use the military to seize ballot boxes and establish a dictatorship. The discussion notes Olbermann's role as a mentor to Rachel Maddow and his influence on the current style of progressive media commentary.

Promethean Action analysts review Bertrand Russell's 1951 work, "The Impact of Science on Society," which predicted a future scientific dictatorship. Russell described using education and propaganda to produce "unshakable convictions" in children, such as the idea that snow is black. The hosts compare these historical theories to modern educational initiatives like Common Core and the influence of Bill Gates.

Mainstream media outlets compared Donald Trump to historical dictators like Hitler and Mussolini leading up to the election. Pundits expressed fears that a second Trump term would dismantle the Department of Justice and the FBI. Some commentators used extreme language, suggesting the president-elect needed to be "eliminated" from public office.

Actor Robert De Niro appeared on Bill Maher's program to warn that a second Donald Trump term would result in a nightmare dictatorship. De Niro labeled Trump a "sociopathic, psychopathic, malignant narcissist" and expressed personal fear that Trump would come looking for him if re-elected. The segment notes the sincerity of De Niro's fear despite Trump's lack of retaliation against opponents like Hillary Clinton during his first term.

The sincerity of Robert De Niro's animosity toward Donald Trump is analyzed, focusing on his belief that Trump will never concede power. De Niro's rhetoric mirrors that of MSNBC, suggesting a shared psychological state among Trump's most vocal critics. Observers noted that the studio audience's applause for De Niro's "malignant narcissist" comments seemed prompted by producers rather than spontaneous.

Liz Cheney warns on CBS that a second Donald Trump term would lead to a "sleepwalking into dictatorship." The hosts dismiss her rhetoric as a "crock of crap" and criticize her frequent media appearances.

Emeritus professor Dennis Meadows, author of "The Limits to Growth," is featured in a clip discussing the need to reduce the global population to one or two billion people. He suggests that a "smart dictatorship" might be necessary to manage this transition peacefully while maintaining a high standard of living for the survivors.

The hosts discuss a resurfaced video of Justin Trudeau expressing admiration for China's "basic dictatorship" and its ability to pivot the economy quickly. They also comment on the visual of the Beijing Winter Olympics ski jump being situated next to industrial cooling towers, which they find symbolic of China's environmental image.

CNN's Don Lemon is criticized for claiming the U.S. is "teetering on a dictatorship" due to the president's response to protests. The hosts argue that Lemon, as part of the "elite rich," ignores the class-based nature of the struggle. Meanwhile, BET founder Robert Johnson proposes a $14 trillion reparations plan to address the "stain of slavery" and create black wealth.

Comedian Bill Maher expressed concerns on his program "Real Time" that Donald Trump may refuse to leave the White House if he loses the 2020 election. During an interview with Senator Amy Klobuchar and a panel featuring Van Jones and Katie Couric, Maher questioned whether the military or police would intervene. Panelists pushed back, citing the military's oath to the Constitution rather than the Commander-in-Chief.

A social media meme posted by Donald Trump showing him as President for centuries is discussed in the context of public alarm. Actress Bette Midler is cited for her serious reaction to the joke, claiming Trump intends to rule until he dies. The hosts clarify the 22nd Amendment's restrictions on presidential terms and mock the idea that the American public or military would allow a literal dictatorship.

Glenn Greenwald discusses the rise of Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, highlighting his history of homophobic, anti-woman, and pro-dictatorship comments. Bolsonaro's policies are compared to those of Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines. The hosts debate whether Brazil's economic issues stem from corruption or a culture of "partying too much."

The hosts revisit the "Noodle Boy" clip, an early example of social justice warrior rhetoric from a worker at Noodles & Company. The individual in the clip compared his restaurant job to a dictatorship and advocated for a "Noodles Union." The hosts note that the company is now facing financial difficulties and store closures, which they link to the mindset displayed in the video.

Senator John McCain warns on Meet the Press that suppressing the free press is how dictatorships begin. While McCain clarifies he is not calling Trump a dictator, he emphasizes the importance of the First Amendment and the role of the media in maintaining global order.

A series of $666.66 "Mark of the Beast" donations are acknowledged, leading to a replay of the "Noodle Boy" audio clip. In the clip, a restaurant worker describes his workplace as a "dictatorship" because he is required to show up on time and follow recipes. He proposes that workers should take control of the business and only allow the owner to stay if he cooperates as an equal.

The "Noodle Kid" clip is played, featuring a young man describing his job at a Noodles restaurant as a "dictatorship." He advocates for workers taking control of their workplaces and forming unions to counter the power of owners who dictate schedules and tasks.

The episode concludes with a viral clip of a "Noodles" restaurant employee describing the workplace as a "dictatorship" and calling for worker control. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak sign off from Nashville and Silicon Valley, promising to return for the next show on Sunday.

During a speech to the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), President Obama mentions that some people want him to bypass Congress to change laws on his own. The crowd responds with chants of "Yes you can," which is interpreted as a disturbing endorsement of executive overreach or dictatorial behavior regarding immigration policy.

The legacy of General Smedley Butler is discussed, specifically his book "War is a Racket" and his role in exposing the 1930s "Business Plot." Butler allegedly thwarted a conspiracy by wealthy industrialists to overthrow President Franklin D. Roosevelt and install a military dictatorship. The hosts note the lack of historical emphasis on this event in modern education.