Call It Like I See It

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the ongoing measles outbreak in the southwest United States and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s apparent about face on the importance of the measles vaccine (01:22).  The guys also consider whether the rise in caffeine consumption, whether through energy drinks or coffee and tea products, and the deaths that seem to be arising out of that, is something that society needs to take a closer look at (29:21).   Health secretary RFK Jr. endorses the MMR vaccine — stoking fury among his supporters (NPR) Trump begins mass layoffs at FDA, CDC, other US health agencies (Reuters) Colorado sues HHS, RFK Jr. over funding cuts as measles case hits (Axios)   All That Caffeine You're Drinking May Be Doing More Harm Than Good — Men's Health (Apple News) 'Workout Queen,' 28, Who Loved ‘the Buzz' from Caffeinated Energy Drinks Has Heart Attack, Suffers Fatal Brain Damage (People)   Chapters (00:01:22) - In the Face of a Measles Outbreak, will RFK Jr.'s Flip Flop on the Vaccine Help?(00:29:14) - Caffeine Consumption May Be Reaching Alarming, and Potentially Deadly, Levels

James Keys and Tunde consider whether Russia's goals in dividing and undermining the US have been achieved in light of what appears to be an increasing one way love affair with Russia coming out of at least a part of America's political right (1:19).  The guys also take a look at whether society tends to overemphasize messages of victimhood to Black Americans in a way that is detrimental to Black Americans (45:59).Russia's objective in the U.S. has already largely been achieved (WaPo)Putin has made clear Russia is our civilizational enemy (NY Post)Tuberville: Putin open to peace but ‘DC warmongers' want to prolong Ukraine conflict (AL.com)Tucker Carlson gets roasted for praising decades-old shopping cart tech in Russia (Business Insider)Putin Unlikely To Stop In Russia And Ukraine (Forbes)Give Black Americans hope and support, not messages of victimhood (Miami Herald)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at Raoul Peck's 2016 documentary “I Am Not Your Negro,” which features the commentary and work of one of America's intellectual giants, James Baldwin (1:24).  The guys also discuss how stay at home parenting is devalued by America's institutions even though many often suggesting it is good for society (44:39).I Am Not Your Negro (PBS)I Am Not Your Negro (YouTube)The Paradox of Stay-at-Home Parents (The Atlantic) (Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider what the suggestion that Taylor Swift and her relationship with NFL star Travis Kelce is a psyop really says about our political and media culture (1:17).  The guys also discuss hobbies and why science thinks they are good for us (43:02). Taylor Swift Conspiracy Theorists Get Psyops All Wrong (Wired)Psychological operations (United States) (Wikipedia) Trump Allies Pledge ‘Holy War' Against Taylor Swift (Rolling Stone)Hannity: Taylor Swift should ‘think twice' about Biden endorsement (The Hill)The Psychology of Conspiracy Theorists: More Than Just Paranoia (Neuroscience News)Why Having a Little Hobby Is So Good for You, According to Science (Self)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the use of tariffs in light of recent campaign talk and consider whether in a modern context, they can be an answer to boosting the prospects of American workers (1:21).  The guys also discuss polyamory and the way it seems to be having a bit of a moment in the culture (39:03).How do tariffs work? | CNBC Explains (YouTube)Donald Trump is preparing for a massive new trade war with China (WaPo)Donald Trump wants to impose a 10% tariff. Here's what happened when Nixon tried the same thing. (Yahoo! Finance)Haley hits Trump on tariffs ahead of her Wall Street fundraisers (CNBC)Tariff in United States history (Wikipedia)Historical Aspects of US Trade Policy (National Bureau of Economic Research)Polyamory: Lots of Sex, Even More Scheduling (Wall Street Journal) (Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to the “God Made Trump” video and the trend of comparing Donald Trump to Jesus or other biblical figures ,and consider whether what we are seeing is normal politics, a religious movement, or something else altogether (1:31).  The guys also discuss plastistones, the newly discovered sedimentary rock that is being seen around the world and is based in part on our plastic waste (45:15). Trump shares bizarre biblical video saying God made him to be America's ‘caretaker' (The Independent)The Deification of Donald Trump Poses Some Interesting Questions (NY Times)Experts alarmed after Trump demands immunity to do “infinite crimes” in 2 am Truth Social rant (Salon)A New Study Shows Us the Single Biggest Motivation for the Jan. 6 Rioters | Amanpour and Company (YouTube)Republican senator says 'democracy isn't the objective' of US system (The Guardian)A Strange Plastic Rock Has Ominously Invaded 5 Continents (Popular Mechanics)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the stats on the crime rate in the U.S., which by the numbers seems to be falling, and consider what it means that the vast majority of Americans perceive that crime is increasing (1:28).  The guys also discuss tipping, how it seems to be becoming more widespread with the use of technology, and whether expectations on tipping could ever go so far to create a real backlash (40:20). Most people think the U.S. crime rate is rising. They're wrong. (NBC News)Has Gratuity Culture Reached a Tipping Point? (The New Yorker) (Apple News Link)

(SPOLIER ALERT) James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to Christopher Nolan's 2023 blockbuster film, “Oppenheimer” and David Grubin's 2009 PBS documentary film “The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” and take a look at how each delved into the life of Oppenheimer and highlighted both his leading of the team which developed the first atomic bomb in the 1940s and his subsequent fall from grace due to alleged ties to communism during what is called the second Red Scare period in American History.The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer (2009) (PBS)The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer (YouTube)Oppenheimer (2023) (Oppenheimermovie.com)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider how the recent rulings out of Colorado and Maine that Donald Trump is ineligible to be president put their desires and/or ideals in conflict with what the Constitution dictates (1:42).  The guys also discuss whether 2023 being the warmest year on record will create more urgency or apathy as far as taking action to deal with the climate (45:20). Colorado Supreme Court declares Donald Trump is ineligible for the White House (AP News)Maine's secretary of state tells NPR why she disqualified Trump from the ballot (NPR)Will Trump's disqualification case be Bush v. Gore for 2024? (The Hill)The Colorado Ruling Changed My Mind (The Atlantic) (Apple News link)The Sweep and Force of Section Three (UPenn Law Review)It's over: 2023 was Earth's hottest year, experts say. (USA Today)2023 was Earth's warmest on record. Will this year be even hotter? (WaPo)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to an excellent video from Arken the Amerikan entitled “How Liberty Dies: The Politics of Star Wars” and discuss how the politics of Star Wars contain real world lessons for democratic societies (1:29).  The guys also take a look at some of the efforts being taken by some billionaire to achieve immortality, and the science that seemingly stands in their way (50:41).How Liberty Dies: The Politics of Star Wars, by Arken the Amerikan (YouTube)Why You'll (Probably) Never Live Forever (Popular Mechanics) (Apple News Link)

As hip hop turns 50, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how culture and technology have influenced both its founding and its development over the years and react to the documentary “Hip Hop at 50: Rhythms, Rhymes & Reflections,” which is currently airing on Hulu (1:35).  The guys also take a look at the ongoing effort by prosecutors in the RICO case against Young Thugs to use his lyrics against him in court and consider the pro wrestling nature of some rapper's lyrics and personas (46:12).Hip-hop 50: The party that started hip-hop (BBC)Hip Hop at 50: Rhythms, Rhymes & Reflections (Hulu)Fat Joe Says 'I've Lied in Almost 95 Percent of My Songs,' Defends Young Thug Amid Lyrics Being Used In RICO Trial (Complex)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the recent reporting coming out of the Middle East that for years now, Israel's government had played a role in the propping up of Hamas' government in Gaza through its backing of millions in funds from Qatar (1:51).  The guys also react to the report that the riches 1% of people in the world are putting as much climate change driving carbon in the atmosphere as the poorest 2/3 of people in the world (42:47).‘Buying Quiet': Inside the Israeli Plan That Propped Up Hamas (NY Times)Qatar sent millions to Gaza for years – with Israel's backing. Here's what we know about the controversial deal (CNN)Freeing hostages, hosting Hamas: Qatar's influence in Israel-Gaza war, explained (NPR)The United States and Qatar: Strategic Partners Advancing Peace and Security (US Dept. of State)What Trump's Qatar Tweets Revealed (The Atlantic)World's richest 1% emitting enough carbon to cause heat-related deaths for 1.3 million people, report finds (CBS)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the expulsion of George Santos from the U.S. House of Representatives and consider the extent to which people tolerate, or even embrace, lying from politicians (1:37).  The guys also take a look at what some may call a quixotic push by some us Muslim Americans to abandon Joe Biden in 2024 because of his stance on the Israeli - Hamas war (42:02).House votes to expel indicted Rep. George Santos from Congress  (NBC News)Santos, now booted from the House, got elected as a master of duplicity – here's how it worked (The Conversation)Pathological Lying in Politics (Psychology Today)These Republicans Are Furious an Indicted Serial Liar Is No Longer in Congress (Rolling Stone)Why people tolerate politicians' lies. (Fortinberry Murray)Republican congressman says George Santos defrauded him and his mother (NBC News)John Fetterman Pays George Santos to Troll Bob Menendez (Daily Beast)Swing-state Muslim leaders launch campaign to ‘abandon' Biden in 2024 (Politico)Muslim Americans in swing states launch anti-Biden campaign (Axios)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the turmoil that took place recently with OpenAI and its leadership, including key things that seemed to set the stage for it and the path things seem to be on in its aftermath, and consider whether the exercise of caution in the development of AI is even possible (1:34).  The guys also discuss eye contact and take a look at a recent study which suggests that people rarely make direct eye contact when conversing with strangers (48:51). OpenAI Tried to Fire Sam Altman. It Only Made Him More Powerful. (The Ringer)OpenAI's board might have been dysfunctional–but they made the right choice. Their defeat shows that in the battle between AI profits and ethics, it's no contest (Fortune)Sam Altman Returns as OpenAI CEO. Here's How It Happened (Time)The Unsettling Lesson of the OpenAI Mess (NY Times)Unpacking the hype around OpenAI's rumored new Q* model (MIT Technology Review)Businesses, tech groups warn EU against over-regulating AI foundation models (Reuters)Making Eye Contact With Someone Has a Surprisingly Powerful Hidden Effect (Science Alert)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the apparent disconnect between what the numbers are telling us about the economy, which is that it is doing pretty well, and the negative view of the economy that is reflected in recent polling and just general sentiment (1:57).  The guys also react to new evidence that confirms that the Vikings were traveling back and forth to North America up to 500 years before Columbus (45:54). Economic Viewpoints: Retail Sales Dip, But Consumers Keep Spending (US Chamber of Commerce)CNN Poll: Half of Americans think the economy is getting worse, despite months of stronger economic news (CNN)The Share of Americans Who Are Mortgage-Free Is at an All-Time High (Bloomberg)Never Mind the 1%. Mini-Millionaires Are Where Wealth Is Growing Fastest (WSJ) (Apple News Link) How the American middle class has changed in the past five decades (Pew Research Center)Javier Milei, a Self-Described Anarcho-Capitalist, Is Elected President of Argentina (WSJ) (Apple News Link)A Stunning Discovery Proves That Vikings Reached the Americas Before Columbus (Popular Mechanics)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss ongoing blockade of the confirmation of military promotions by Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and how his “my way or the highway” approach is so antithetical to the principle of compromise that is baked into the U.S. system by the Constitution  (1:10).  The guys also react to a recent study which suggests that walking can be as good as Viagra for men (44:32). Why a single senator is blocking US military promotions and what it means for the Pentagon (AP)Military families and retired service members lobby to end Tuberville's blockade (CBS News)Tommy Tuberville Has Taken Another Breathtakingly Bad Stance on Diversity (Vanity Fair)Sen. Tuberville criticized for remarks on white nationalists: ‘I call them Americans' (AP)Senate Republicans erupt in anger over Tuberville's military freeze (WaPo)'Lying to America': GOP lawmaker blasts his fellow Republicans, vows he won't seek reelection (USA Today)There's a Free, Low-Risk Alternative to Viagra, Study Shows (Science Alert)

Sarah Colt's “The Gilded Age” takes a look at the rapid industrialization and growth, as well as the exploding wealth gap between the capital class and the working class which defined the late nineteenth century in the United States, and James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss their takeaways from documentary, which originally aired in 2018 on PBS, including what drove the mass accumulations of wealth, how such wealth can warp society and politics, and how this period may mirror what is happening in the U.S. today. The Gilded Age (PBS) The Gilded Age Documentary (Amazon)The Gilded Age Documentary (iTunes)The Gilded Age Documentary (YouTube)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the tens of billions in federal child care funds that recently expired and what the role of government should be for something like child care (1:28).  The guys also consider why it always seems like masculinity is under attack (32:29).Federal childcare funding is about to expire–and it could be terrible for the U.S. economy (Forbes)Opinion: Federal funding for child care is about to fall off a cliff. Why that's a disaster (LA Times)End of federal program funding childcare centers could impact local economy (CBS News Miami)Column: U.S. policy basically discourages having kids. Now our economy is paying the price (LA Times)Are We Not Men? (Esquire)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the way many have seemed to want to take sides in an all or nothing way when viewing and discussing the Israel and Hamas war, and how several factors in our society seem to be involved in promoting this approach (1:37).  The guys also react to Robert Sapolsky's premise in his new book “Determined” that humans actually have no free will (45:29).Harvard Student Groups Face Intense Backlash for Statement Calling Israel ‘Entirely Responsible' for Hamas Attack (The Harvard Crimson)‘Stunned and sickened.' Wexner Foundation cuts ties with Harvard over ‘tiptoeing' on Hamas (CNN)The Anguished Fallout from a Pro-Palestinian Letter at Harvard (The New Yorker)Top law firm rescinds job offers to Ivy League students over Israel letters (NBC News)York University threatens to revoke student unions' status over Israel-Hamas statements (CTV News Toronto)Disinformation surge threatens to fuel Israel-Hamas conflict (Reuters)The Israel-Hamas War Is Drowning X in Disinformation (Wired)What happens when a group of Fox News viewers watch CNN for a month? (The Guardian)Stanford scientist, after decades of study, concludes: We don't have free will (LA Times)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the dysfunction in the US House of Representatives following the ouster of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House that some Republicans seem to be intentionally driving and consider what may be the source of it (1:31).  The guys also react to some recent economic data which shows that Latinos in the us now have an economic output that exceeds that of the nation of India (40:22).House Republicans are fighting over their next leader. Here's what you need to know. (Vox)The GOP Won't Introduce A New Party Platform For 2020. So What Does It Stand For? (NPR - WBUR)Chaos in Congress points to failures in the U.S. system (WaPo)Conservative media whips speaker votes for Rep. Jim Jordan (Axios)Hannity Lashes Out at ‘Snowflake' Republicans Annoyed By His Aggressive Lobbying For Jim Jordan: ‘I Offer No Apologies For Doing My Job' (Mediaite)U.S. Latinos' economic output closing in on Germany (Axios)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the historical context of the current conflict between Israel and Hamas and consider whether after 75+ years of conflict, there is any pathway to an end to this cycle of violence (1:13).  The guys also discuss some recent research into what was happening in the Americas right before Columbus landed (48:44). Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation (AP News)Israel pulverises Gaza after Hamas attack as it collects its dead (Reuters)How Hamas staged Israel lightning assault no-one thought possible (BBC)The Entire Israeli-Palestine Conflict Explained | Secret Wars Uncovered | War Stories (YouTube)History of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict (Wikipedia)What Do You Know About 1491? (The Atlantic) (Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider how anger affects one's ability to think, the types of actors in a society that have an interest in using anger to manipulate others for their own benefit, and whether people could be angrier now than in years past (1:19).  The guys also react to the recent arrest of a suspect for the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur and take a look at the circumstances of the arrest, especially considering how long ago the murder was (44:58).Anger overwhelms our thinking brain. Here's how to bring it back online. (WaPo) (Apple News Link)The age of rage: are we really living in angrier times? (The Guardian)Anger (Wikipedia)The Media Needs to Keep You Angry. Don't Feed Into It (Foundation for Economic Education)Angry Americans: How political rage helps campaigns but hurts democracy (The Conversation)Why Social Media Makes Us Angrier—and More Extreme (Psychology Today)The man charged in Tupac Shakur's 1996 shooting death has long put himself at the crime scene. Here's what we know about him (CNN)Why it took 27 years for an arrest in Tupac Shakur's Las Vegas killing (LA Times)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to the corruption allegations against Senator Bob Menendez and discuss whether the type of movie villain style corruption is more of a risk  than the legal corruption that is omnipresent in our political system (1:51).  The guys also comment on some recent publications that investigate how a two-parent household can be beneficial for kids (42:03). Here are the charges Sen. Bob Menendez is facing (The Hill)Sen. Bob Menendez and wife indicted on bribery charges; DOJ seizes gold bars and $500,000 (CNN)The Menendez Scandal Reflects The World That SCOTUS Built (The Lever)How the Gilded Age's Top 1 Percent Thrived on Corruption (History Channel)Sheldon Whitehouse Just Laid Out the Scheme to Control the Federal Courts (Esquire)Who are the Biggest Donors? (Open Secrets)Is Single Parenthood the Problem? (The Atlantic) (Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the United Auto Workers' strike and consider whether it, either alone or in the context of the ongoing Hollywood strikes, represent a needed resurgence in union activity (1:15).  The guys also discuss the recent expert recommendations on which exercises and/or equipment in the gym that one should avoid (39:59).UAW boss says workers shouldn't accept lower wages so ‘greedy people like Elon Musk can build more rocket ships' (Yahoo! Finance)The UAW's big asks, unusual strike strategy, and what this all means for you (Vox)Strike Is a High-Stakes Gamble for Autoworkers and the Labor Movement (NY Times)Aggregated CEO-to-worker compensation ratio for the 350 largest publicly owned companies in the United States from 1965 to 2021 (Statista)CEO pay has skyrocketed 1,460% since 1978 (Economic Policy Institute)Writers union will resume strike negotiations with studios this week (CNBC)Beyond Labor Day: 3 Ways Unions Have Helped American Workers (Time)Why You Should Skip the Hip Abduction Machine — and These 5 Other Moves (Shape)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look back at the Iran Contra scandal, which despite not seeming to have the notoriety of Watergate or the sizzle of Clinton-Lewinsky, was a pretty big deal and one that illustrated both how the U.S. governmental system can be exploited and the mechanisms in the system that allows it to fight back when lines are crossed (01:13).The Iran-Contra Affair (PBS)Iran-Contra Explained: The Wall of Crazy Scandal (YouTube)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana are joined by special guest Warren Smith III from the Contemporary Commentary YouTube show, and they react to recent comments by former church official Russell Moore about the crisis in the American Evangelical Church and comments from the Pope about the American Catholic Church and discuss whether politics and political ideology have become too centered in Christian churches (01:31).  The guys also consider the legacy of the March on Washington with the recent passing of its 60th anniversary (48:46). The American Evangelical Church Is in Crisis. There's Only One Way Out. (The Atlantic)Evangelicals Are Now Rejecting 'Liberal' Teachings of Jesus (Newsweek)Pope says some ‘backward' conservatives in US Catholic Church have replaced faith with ideology (AP News)Thousands convene for March on Washington's 60th anniversary demonstration (Politico)The March on Washington's core ideas resonate 60 years later (NBC News)When Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, he was less popular than Donald Trump is today (USA Today)

With more research being done on the actual effects of trigger warnings, setting aside their intent, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana weigh in on the debate over trigger warnings, whether they are helpful, and whether they can cause unintended consequences (01:45).  The guys also discuss India recently becoming the first country to land near the south pole of the Moon (43:45).I Was Wrong About Trigger Warnings (The Atlantic) (Apple News Link)What if Trigger Warnings Don't Work? (The New Yorker)Growth after trauma (American Psychological Association)India's Chandrayaan-3 landed on the south pole of the Moon − a space policy expert explains what this means for India and the global race to the Moon (The Conversation)What's next for India's Chandrayaan-3 mission on the moon? (Space.com)

Fascism is a label that gets thrown around more often than is warranted, so James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what Fascism really is, how a society get slip into it, and the extent to which aspects of it can be seen today in the American system (01:36).  The guys also take a look at Ozempic, its seemingly miracle results, and how it may kill the mentality that a lack of willpower is at the root of being overweight (44:08). What is Fascism (Council on Foreign Relations)Fascism (Wikipedia)Trump Voters Trust Ex-President More Than Their Family and Friends: Poll (Newsweek)DeSantis vows to ‘start slitting throats on day one' (The Hill)Ozempic Settles the Obesity Debate: It's Biology Over Willpower (WSJ)America's Obsession With Weight-Loss Drugs Is Affecting the Economy of Denmark (WSJ)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider whether the fires in Maui and the hot tub like ocean temperatures off the Florida coast change the big picture concern about climate change and discuss whether we are seeing enough progress in sustainability to protect our habitat (01:38).  The guys discuss recent research which views psychopathy along a spectrum, with some characteristics which may offer some potential benefits (41:02). Hawaii wildfires: How did the Maui fires start and are they still burning? (Reuters)Maui wildfire crews continue to fight "flare-ups" in Lahaina and inland, as death toll rises past 90 (CBS News)The Clean Energy Future Is Arriving Faster Than You Think (NY Times)Florida ocean records ‘unprecedented' temperatures similar to a hot tub (The Guardian)Ocean heat record smashed amid ‘hot tub' temperatures: ‘The water feels like a bath' (The Independent)Can Psychopathic Tendencies Help You Achieve Success? (Smithsonian Magazine)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to a piece in the Wall Street Journal which asserts that the founding fathers anticipated a government takeover attempt like Donald Trump's and discuss how what comes next will be a test of the American people as much as a test of the American system (01:47).  The guys consider the difficulty in finding the line between common and normal negative feelings and signs of mental illness (42:16).The Founders Anticipated the Threat of Trump (WSJ) (Apple News Link)New charges against Trump focus on lies. Scholars see an authoritarian playbook (NPR)'I'm coming after you:' Donald Trump threatens rivals; prosecutor seeks protective order (USA Today)'Complete garbage': Kinzinger reacts to McCarthy's criticism of Trump charges | CNN (YouTube)Fox News Brainwashing EXPOSED | The Kyle Kulinski Show (YouTube)Being Anxious or Sad Does Not Make You Mentally Ill (The Atlantic) (Apple News Link)

Following a Congressional hearing which saw some interesting claims about alien space craft and “nonhuman biologics,” James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider how much legitimacy should be given to the revelations and whether a high level of scrutiny on the self-proclaimed whistleblower David Grusch is appropriate or if that is just shooting the messenger (01:20).  The guys also take a look at the judicial reform efforts happening in Israel and how what many are describing as a parliamentary power grab really seems to have alarmed a large segment of the Israeli population (31:56).Here are the 5 most memorable moments from Congress' UFO hearing (NBC News)What We Know—and Don't Know—About UFOs After the Congressional Hearing (Time)The truth is out there. But this UFO ‘whistleblower' likely doesn't have it. (MSNBC)Here's why Israelis are protesting Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan (ABC News)Israel Has Already Lost (The Atlantic)Potential Saudi-Israel normalization could see Palestinians thrown under the bus (The Times of Israel)Israeli protesters keep pressure on Netanyahu over judicial overhaul (Al Jazeera)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to Florida's newly approved standards for teaching african american history and consider how they may compare to other efforts to rewrite history, such as The Lost Cause of the Confederacy mythology (01:31).  The guys also discuss the ongoing bipartisan effort to regulate social media companies and the algorithms they use to present content to users, particularly to minors (36:14).New Florida teaching standards say African Americans received some ‘personal benefit' from slavery (Politico)Lost Cause of the Confederacy (Wikipedia)Understanding the Lost Cause Myth (YouTube)Algorithms Are Making Kids Desperately Unhappy (NY Times)Murphy Op-Ed for the New York Times: Big Tech Algorithms Are Killing Kids' Sense of Discovery (Senator Chris Murphy)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the role of news media in holding powerful people and organizations accountable in light of Northwestern University's recent firing of its head football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, following media reports which detailed the nature of the hazing allegedly taking place in the football program (01:48).  The guys also take a look at how the discovery of lead in telecom transmission lines has affected the stock prices of several large tech companies and consider who should be responsible for the costs for removing the lead (36:40).Northwestern caught in a mess of its own making (Yahoo! Sports)Former NU football player details hazing allegations after coach suspension (The Daily Northwestern)Pat Fitzgerald ponders litigation over his firing by Northwestern (ProFootballTalk)Former Northwestern football players hire civil rights attorney to investigate hazing (AP News)Why a Free Press Is Actually Good for the Economy (The Heritage Foundation)AT&T Falls to 29-Year Low Amid Concerns of Cleanup Costs (Yahoo! Finance)Telecom stocks are shedding billions in market value. Here's what's happening (Fast Company)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to a recent piece from The Atlantic which asserts that the way America's modern cultural landscape has evolved has caused the Democratic Party to largely become the party of the status quo (01:16).  The guys also consider how deep of a hole we are digging with our (over)use of plastics and if there is any way out (37:35). The Democrats Are Now America's Conservative Party (The Atlantic) (Apple News link)How Plastics Are Poisoning Us (The New Yorker) (Apple News link)

With recent US Supreme Court decisions operating to remove societal guardrails put in place by previous generations, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss why the guardrails were in place and whether the guardrails are still necessary in the US (01:42).  The guys also react to the smoke coming from Canadian wildfires that keeps coming to US cites and consider the interconnectivity of certain environmental conditions (39:33). Supreme Court effectively ends affirmative action at colleges in landmark ruling (ABC News)Supreme Court says 1st Amendment entitles web designer to refuse same-sex wedding work (NPR)Sonia Sotomayor Pens Stunning Rebuke of Supreme Court's Discrimination Ruling: 'Today, the Court Shrinks' (People)Why there won't be a backlash against the Supreme Court this time (CNN)Smoke will keep pouring into the US as long as fires are burning in Canada. Here's why they aren't being put out (CNN)

Seeing reports of a huge year over year increase in investment in building factories in the US, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at what may be driving this spike and what a boom in manufacturing would mean in the 21st century (01:31).  The guys also discuss the financial independence, retire early lifestyle and why it may be inherently unable to deliver on its promise (32:46).Factory Boom Sweeps US With Construction at Record $190 Billion (Bloomberg)The US is building factories at a wildly fast rate (Insider)A couple who retired early with $4.3 million say the FIRE lifestyle is wearing thin: ‘We don't want to just keep throwing money on the pile and keep being cheap' (Fortune)Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) Explained: How It Works (Investopedia)

After checking out David Brooks' thought provoking piece in the Atlantic on the outer limits of liberalism, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss liberalism as an ideology focused on individual liberty, where the bounds of individual liberty should be, and how the extremes of any ideology can lead to a difficult place (01:31).  The guys also acknowledge Juneteenth and consider whether any honest telling of Black history would be considered woke by some (39:16).The Outer Limits of Liberalism (The Atlantic)Liberalism: where did it come from and are its days numbered? (The Economist - YouTube)Ahead Of Juneteenth, Ron DeSantis Slashes Funding For Black History Programs In Florida (NewsOne)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what stood out in the federal indictment of Donald Trump and consider how this represents another instance where Trump demands that his supporters abandon their claimed principles when those principles do not serve him (01:29).  The guys also react to the premise of a recent article in Esquire Magazine that asks whether the US is in a sex recession (39:23).Indictment takeaways: Trump's alleged schemes and lies to keep secret papers (AP News)Former President Donald Trump's second indictment, annotated (CNN)Donald Trump's Documents Defense Appears to Be Unraveling: “This Is Secret Information. Look.” (Vanity Fair)Why Trump was charged on secret documents and Clinton, Pence were not (WaPo)James Comey criticizes William Barr, says Trump 'eats your soul in small bites' (USA Today)We're Living Through a Sex Recession (Esquire Magazine - Apple Link) (Magzter Link)Gen Z is having a sex recession — here are the depressing reasons why (NY Post)

Seeing the firestorm surrounding Chick-fil-A over its employment of an executive for diversity, equity and inclusion, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what appears to be a rising tide where the power of the pocketbook is used to pressure actors to be more exclusionary towards certain segments of society (01:31).  The guys also consider whether boredom, which modern technology has seemingly eliminated, actually can be something that benefits us greatly (37:15).Not Even Chick-fil-A Is Safe From Anti-‘Woke' Right Wingers (Rolling Stone)Conservative boycotts against Target and Bud Light are working thanks to a 'perfect storm' of social media and culture wars, experts say (Insider)Why are Christians calling for boycotts of Chick-fil-A and “The Chosen”? (Denison Forum)Fox covered Target's Pride Month displays for hours and the allegations of abuse in the Illinois Catholic Church for less than a minute (Media Matters)The Secret Power of Boredom (Good Housekeeping)

With the NAACP issuing a travel advisory relating to Florida in response its belief that Florida is openly hostile to Blacks and other minority groups, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the half measure nature of the travel advisory tactic and whether it can be an effective way to exert political influence (01:32).  The guys also consider how the formal ending of the Covid pandemic emergency by organizations like the WHO and CDC will affect sufferers of long Covid (39:09).NAACP Issues Travel Advisory in Florida (NAACP.org)NAACP president explains why the group issued Florida travel advisory (Politico)Florida is No. 2 in number of Black-owned businesses (Florida Politics)‘The power of the Black dollar.' NAACP travel advisory in Florida a reminder of '90s boycott (Miami Herald)‘Stop playing games:' Florida officials push back against NAACP travel advisory (Click Orlando)For Covid Long-Haulers, the Pandemic is Far From Over (WaPo) (Apple Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the suspension of NBA star Ja Morant following the posting of another social media video showing him brandishing a gun and take a look at the more general “guns in society” that many seem to want to have when looking at the Morant controversy (01:22).  The guys also take a look at the life of Jim Brown and consider how our society goes about remembering men who have done great things but whose legacy is not without any blemishes (39:37). Ja Morant suspended from Memphis Grizzlies after flashing apparent gun in second video (Commercial Appeal)Ja Morant Can't Quit His Gun Habit. Neither Can His Country (WaPo)Nike app no longer listing Ja Morant's upcoming 'Hunger' sneakers after Grizzlies star's latest gun incident (CBS Sports)Gun deaths among U.S. children and teens rose 50% in two years (Pew Research Center)Minnesota governor signs gun safety bills into law: ‘It's about keeping our kids safe' (The Hill)Political TV Ads Referencing Guns Increased Eightfold Over Four Election Cycles (Johns Hopkins)Guns and Political Violence Play Central Role in MAGA Republican Campaign Ads (Center for American Progress)Jim Brown, Football Great and Civil Rights Champion, Dies at 87 (NY Times)Jim Brown Lived a Remarkable Life Like Few Other Athletes (Sports Illustrated)

Following the expiration of the Title 42 pandemic emergency rules for migrants, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the current crisis at the border and discuss America's long time reliance on and hostility toward immigration (01:27).  The guys consider the more is merrier approach to fatherhood apparently taken by people such as Nick Cannon and Elon Musk in light of current society norms and historical precedent (42:41). Fear and confusion, but not chaos, along the southern border after Title 42 ends (NPR)What's happening at the U.S.-Mexico border in 7 charts (Pew Research Center)History of immigration to the United States (Wikipedia)Mexico faces humanitarian crisis as Biden migration policy kicks in (WaPo)Migrant crossings drop at U.S.-Mexico border after Title 42 expires (Reuters)While growing family makes headlines, Nick Cannon quietly makes '$100 million a year' (Yahoo! News)Did you know Elon Musk has 10 kids? Here's everything you need to know about Elon Musk's family (Pinkvilla.com)

With the new diversity and inclusion standards for Oscar eligibility kicking in, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the standards and the purpose of efforts like this while also reacting to some of the hostility being directed at the standards (01:53).  The guys discuss a recent piece in The Atlantic from Derek Thompson on the concept of workism and the idea that for many, their job is where they look for fulfillment (33:09).Richard Dreyfuss Slams New Diversity Requirements for Oscar Contention: ‘They Make Me Vomit' (Variety)Why Americans Care About Work So Much (The Atlantic)(Apple News Link)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider what weaponizing of the government means, and also what it does not mean, and also discuss Rep. Jim Jordan's Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government and Disney's new lawsuit against Ron Desantis and other Florida officials (01:27).  The guys also take a look at recent studies which suggest that Americans are becoming increasingly less trusting and more isolated in their relationships (38:27).The weaponization of the federal government has a long history (The Conversation)Republicans Are All About Weaponizing the Government (Vanity Fair) Richard Dreyfuss: Americans' ignorance of Constitution, disrespect for opposition has damaged our country (Fox News)‘Weaponizing its power': Disney accuses DeSantis of retaliation in federal lawsuit (Politico)DeSantis' tough words may come back to haunt him in Disney lawsuit, experts say (Reuters)America Is in Its Insecure-Attachment Era (The Atlantic) (Apple News Link)

Seeing that the America system needs its public officials to restrain their selfish impulses to work well, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how the recently revealed conduct of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and the circumstances surrounding California Senator Diane Feinstein look more like public servants putting themselves first (01:49).  The guys also take a look at research that is underway that is aiming to further develop an enzyme that can pull carbon dioxide in the atmosphere out of the air and turn it into useful products (38:53).Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire (ProPublica)Durbin invites Chief Justice John Roberts to testify on Supreme Court ethics before a Senate committee (CNN)Justice Thomas gifts scandal highlights 'double standard' for ethics in government (NPR)Sen. Wyden asks billionaire Harlan Crow for list of gifts to Supreme Court Justice Thomas (CNBC)Justice Thomas Says He was Advised Lavish Gifts Didn't Need to be Reported (NY Times)Dianne Feinstein: Why some Democrats want one of their own to resign (BBC)It's Time for Dianne Feinstein to Resign (Vanity Fair)Crafting a Superstar Enzyme that turns CO2 Emissions into Useful Products (USC.edu)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss Yuval Harari's bestseller “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind,” a book that tracks the growth and development of human societies and cultures from the Stone Age through the modern day, and presents several key revolutions as being what changed everything over time and put humans on a path to in large part master the world around them in a way that no other animal could dream of. “Sapiens” (Yuval Noah Harari)

With Levi's announcing that it will begin using AI generated models on its website and app, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider whether using artificial intelligence to replace people is the kind of “progress” we can expect moving forward and discuss how the rapid growth and implementation of AI has some tech leaders calling for a 6 month pause on the training of AI systems (01:30).  The guys also react to the recent EPA survey which found more than 9 million lead pipes are being used to supply drinking water in the US (36:39). Levi's Will “Supplement Human Models” With AI Generated Ones (HypeBeast.com)Computer-generated inclusivity: fashion turns to ‘diverse' AI models (The Guardian)Deep Agency shows the perils of applying AI to the fashion industry (Tech Crunch)The Aliens Have Landed, and We Created Them (Bloomberg)The peril and promise of artificial intelligence (The Globe and Mail) (Apple Link)EPA finds more than 9 million lead pipes supplying drinking water throughout the U.S. (CBS News)

Following the history making indictment of former President Donald Trump, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the historic nature of the indictment and compare the situation to what has been happening in Israel following the indictment of its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (01:30).  The guys also take a look at Utah's move to ban minors from accessing social media without parental consent (37:27).Highlights: Trump expected to turn himself in Tuesday after indictment by NY grand jury (NBC News)Trump's indictment is sending shockwaves across the political landscape (BBC)Why did a grand jury vote to indict Trump and what does it mean for him? (The Guardian)Trump faces 4 investigations. Here's where they stand (PBS)Israeli protests over judicial overhaul continue despite Netanyahu's pause (Reuters)A threat to democracy or much-needed reform? Israel's judicial overhaul explained (CNN)Trial of Benjamin Netanyahu (Wikipedia)Former AG: Netanyahu seeking to use judicial reform to bring trial to improper end (The Times of Israel)Utah bans under-18s from using social media unless parents consent (The Guardian)

Following the sudden collapse of Silicon Valley Bank earlier this month, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the nature of what apparently went wrong and the role the government has and should play in both managing and preventing these types of situations (01:30).  The guys also consider a popular technique many having been using to prevent burnout and be happier (41:11). Why almost everyone failed to predict Silicon Valley Bank's collapse (CNN)Column: Silicon Valley Bank's collapse may be a blessing in disguise (LA Times)A Big Question for the Fed: What Went Wrong With Bank Oversight? (NY Times)Silicon Valley's Favorite Bank Was Its Single Point of Failure (Bloomberg)Why First Citizens got a $16.5 billion discount for taking over Silicon Valley Bank (Yahoo! Finance)Psychologist shares the No. 1 exercise highly successful people use to be happier (CNBC)

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at back at the Iraq War, which began 20 years ago this month with the invasion Iraq by the US and its allies and with all that has followed, consider whether it was one of the most consequential geopolitical moves in the 21st century (01:23).  The guys also discuss the disconnect many experience between their actual age and how old they think of themselves as (34:18).On the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, these photos tell the story of the war (USA Today)A bloody delusion: how Iraq war led to catastrophic aftermath in Middle East (Guardian)The Lessons Not Learned From Iraq (foreignpolicy.com)The Architects Of The Iraq War: Where Are They Now? (The Intercept)The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are and How Old You Think You Are (The Atlantic)(Apple News Link)

Seeing the revelations that have come out so far in Dominion Voting Systems' defamation lawsuit against Fox News, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the most concerning aspects and what the state of mind of the major players reveals about the market for fake news (01:24).  The guys also take a look at Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, in observance of Women's History Month (46:01).Fox Chairman Rupert Murdoch rejected election conspiracy theories, Dominion lawsuit documents show (CNN)Ex-Trump aide at Fox wrestled with election lies, network's interests (WaPo)Tucker Carlson said in private messages that he actually hates Trump 'passionately:' 'I can't handle much more of this' (Business Insider)As Fox News panicked in 2020, leaders warned of featuring Buttigieg, Coons (WaPo)Trump 2020 lawyer admits misrepresenting stolen election claims (Politico)Why Fox News was created (The Week)Trump, McCarthy and Fox run out a new truth-defying playbook (CNN)Harriet Beecher Stowe (Britannica)Harriet Beecher Stowe (Wikipedia)Harriet Beecher Stowe Center