8 chapters across the catalog
House of David, The Diplomat, Boomer TV Rant
The hosts discuss current television trends, including the "gory" biblical series House of David and the Netflix political drama The Diplomat. A "boomer moment" ensues as they complain about modern television seasons having only eight episodes compared to the 30-plus episodes typical of the Sid Caesar era.
David Brooks on House Speaker Ousting and Ukraine Aid
On PBS NewsHour, David Brooks discusses the unprecedented ousting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, attributing the move to "narcissistic hucksterism" within the Republican party led by Matt Gaetz. Brooks expresses concern that if Steve Scalise does not secure the speakership, future funding for Ukraine may be in jeopardy. The commentary highlights a growing divide between moderate "problem solvers" and the populist wing of the GOP.
David Brooks on Democratic Strategy, Never-Trumper Bias
In an interview on Book TV, David Brooks expressed optimism that President Trump will lose the 2020 election, advising Democrats to "go with the bland" to ensure a victory. Brooks admitted he has no desire to be in the same room as the President, leading the hosts to label him a "Never-Trumper" whose reporting is compromised by personal bias.
In the UK House of Lords, former Defense Secretary Tom King admitted he is "not a tweeter" while calling for a ban on encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat. King argued that these systems are used by ISIS to coordinate attacks and that the government must protect "freedom" by eliminating secure communication channels. The hosts mock the technical ignorance of the officials making these policy demands.
New York Times Net Neutrality, House of Cards and Outro
The New York Times released a video explaining net neutrality using *House of Cards* as a reference point. The hosts critique the video's "packets as packages" analogy and David Carr's analysis, arguing that net neutrality is a "wonky" cover for the FCC to gain total control over the internet. The show concludes with a preview of Sunday's episode.
UK House of Commons, ISIL Military Debate
The UK House of Commons held a raucous debate regarding military intervention against ISIL. Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband supported the motion, arguing it was necessary to protect democratic states. Critics in the House questioned the long-term implications of embarking on another conflict in the Middle East following previous failures in Libya and Afghanistan.
Parliamentary Question Period, Rigged UK System, 48-Hour Notice
A comparison between the Canadian and British parliamentary systems reveals that the UK's "Prime Minister's Questions" is largely a staged performance. Unlike in Canada, where questions are unscripted, the British Prime Minister receives 48 hours' notice of questions and can select which ones to answer. This revelation suggests the televised debates on C-SPAN are a "charade" rather than true accountability.
UK Attorney General Dominic Grieve rejected calls for a new inquest into the death of Dr. David Kelly, the weapons inspector who died during the Iraq "yellow cake" controversy. The hosts discuss the suspicious circumstances of Kelly's death and the 75-year seal on his files.
