Topic: Square

The hosts share personal stories from traveling to the Soviet Union before the fall of communism, including drinking vodka on Red Square with Sebastian Bach and Ozzy Osbourne. They recount the absurdity of Soviet laws, such as the prohibition on making change for purchases and the requirement to use rubles for airport luggage carts despite it being illegal to carry the currency outside the airport. These anecdotes serve to mock David Brooks' comparison of the US to the late-stage USSR.

Protests against U.S. tariffs and the influence of Elon Musk spread to European capitals, including Berlin, Paris, and London. In Trafalgar Square, American expats chanted slogans such as "hands off Canada" and "hands off Ukraine." The hosts question why Americans living abroad are concerned with domestic U.S. trade policy and mock the "solidarity" messages sent by privileged Westerners.

Filmmaker Eugene Jarecki installed a 56-foot billboard in Times Square known as the "Trump Death Clock" to estimate lives lost due to delayed federal response. The clock was based on epidemiological estimates suggesting that implementing mitigation guidelines one week earlier would have prevented 60% of U.S. deaths. The installation served as a public symbol demanding accountability for pandemic leadership.

Joe Biden sparked controversy during a Zoom call by appearing to refer to Donald Trump's supporters as "garbage." The comment followed a joke made by insult comic Tony Hinchcliffe at a Madison Square Garden rally, where he referred to Puerto Rico as a "floating island of garbage." White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later attempted to clarify that Biden was referring specifically to the comedian's rhetoric, not the voters.

The reaction to Tony Hinchcliffe's Madison Square Garden set is compared to the era of 1980s New York comedy where observational and insult humor were common. References are made to Jerry Seinfeld and Gilbert Gottfried as examples of performers who operated without the modern constraints of "cancel culture" or "hate speech" labels. The discussion suggests that Hinchcliffe is part of a movement attempting to reclaim free speech in the comedy circuit.

NPR's "On the Media" aired a segment comparing Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally to the 1939 pro-Nazi event held at a previous iteration of the venue. Host Brooke Gladstone used historical audio to draw parallels between past "Aryan" rhetoric and modern nationalistic speeches by figures like Stephen Miller. The hosts dispute the comparison, noting that the current Madison Square Garden is a different physical location built in 1968.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended Donald Trump's right to hold a rally at Madison Square Garden, rejecting comparisons to Hitler and fascism. Adams called for a "dialing down of the temperature" in political discourse, despite criticism from Governor Kathy Hochul and other Democratic leaders.

Joy Reid compares Donald Trump's upcoming Madison Square Garden rally to a 1939 Nazi rally held at the same venue by the German-American Bund. The hosts point out that the 1939 rally occurred during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat. Reid uses archival footage from 2016 to link Trump's rhetoric to historical political violence.

Democratic strategist James Carville compared Donald Trump's planned rally at Madison Square Garden to a 1939 Nazi rally, sparking intense criticism. Carville also claimed the Supreme Court has "green-lighted" political assassinations by Navy SEALs under presidential immunity. The discussion mocks Carville's escalating rhetoric and his distinct Southern accent, suggesting he is used by networks primarily for entertainment value.

The Harris campaign launched a new advertisement highlighting J.D. Vance's refusal to say whether Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. Meanwhile, Tim Walz admitted to misspeaking about his travel history to Hong Kong and China during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, clarifying that he arrived later that year.

A digital billboard in Times Square featuring a pregnant woman promoting "lactation cookies" was removed by Clear Channel for violating content guidelines. Author Molly Baaz criticized the decision as hypocritical, pointing out more explicitly sexualized advertisements permitted in the same area.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio faced criticism for dancing in an empty Times Square while citizens were forced to stay home. Meanwhile, BBC and Telegraph commentators praised the "lockdown New Year" for removing the pressure to socialize. Data from the UK shows a massive surge in alcohol and tobacco sales during the lockdown, alongside a significant decrease in the sale of deodorant.

A 15-year-old migrant from Venezuela was arrested for a shooting in Times Square that injured a Brazilian tourist. The suspect, who arrived in the U.S. in September and was living in a temporary shelter, is also linked to an armed robbery in the Bronx.

A group of migrants attacked two NYPD officers in Times Square after being asked to move along. Surveillance footage shows the officers being kicked and punched before the suspects were arrested and subsequently released without bail due to New York's reform laws. The hosts criticize Mayor Eric Adams and the city's sanctuary status for the lack of consequences following violent crimes against law enforcement.

Law enforcement agencies in New York City and Los Angeles are on high alert for New Year's Eve, citing potential disruptions from pro-Palestinian demonstrators and lone-actor terror threats. The FBI is monitoring "soft targets" including fireworks barges and public gatherings, though no specific, credible threats have been identified.

The FBI and NYPD have issued threat assessments for the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, citing concerns over "lone offenders" inspired by the Israel-Hamas conflict. Security measures include thousands of officers, surveillance drones, and metal barricades to manage the expected crowd of one million people.

New York City officials announced an increased police presence in Times Square for New Year's Eve celebrations despite no confirmed terrorist threats. Security experts highlight the impact of 450 local demonstrations related to the Middle East conflict as a strain on resources. The NYPD claims the event will be the safest in the world due to extensive intelligence and deployment.

Massive demonstrations in support of Palestinians have occurred in London, Cairo, Amman, and Jakarta. Protesters have criticized the U.S. and EU for their support of Israel, with some clashes reported in Berlin and Paris. The segment notes Qatar's pivotal role in diplomacy while also being a primary financial supporter of Hamas leadership in Doha.

Mayor Eric Adams introduced the K5 security robot to patrol the Times Square subway station, though it currently requires a human officer escort and lacks facial recognition. The hosts debate the impact of AI on the "spot art" industry and the broader economy. The episode concludes with a reminder of the value-for-value model and a sign-off from the Texas Hill Country and Silicon Valley.

Residents of the Jack London Square Marina in Oakland, California, report an increase in "piracy," where thieves use small boats to steal outboard motors and equipment from vessels at night. The discussion highlights the high value of outboard motors, which can cost up to $15,000, and the lack of police resources to combat waterborne crime. The hosts critique the "soft" policies of the Alameda County District Attorney regarding rising burglaries.