Episode 1 - Interference in the Dem primaries

There is a pressing question about what we do for solar development to assure environmental quality while conforming with tried and true rural Virginia values. John Flannery, Area II Chair, introduced a panel of talented experts in the field - Scott Cameron, as Chair, Judy Dunscomb, Zach Jacobs and Skyler Zunk. This discussion goes to how we get there from here - and we thought we should discuss that now so we may implement what is necessary. JPF

I haven't been doing a podcast because of other demands. But I had to speak to the failure of our government to save our children from avoidable gun violence made possible by our elected officials. John Flannery (@jonflan, jonflan@aol.com)

In the context of a violent Russian invasion, what does the law teach us about the danger to civilization when the chaos of an autocrat is favored over the plain meaning of international law and treaties? Host: John P. Flannery, II, Esq. (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan).

We are following the war in Ukraine and the unease it's presented to the US, NATO and the EU. The latter have choked and the question is what will happen if our missteps and failures to act result in success of Russian President Putin's invasion. John P. Flannery, II, Esq. (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan)

On the national and international level, the democracies are not handling bullies very well. Let's talk about that. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan).

I thought it might be of use to look at whence Crimea arose, what happened in Ukraine in 2014, and 2022, and what needs to be done once we escape this rupture in world peach - if we do. John P. Flannery, II, Esq. (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan )

Ukraine President Zelensky spoke to the nations of the world and made points about this world crisis not stated so plainly and effectively as he did. John P. Flannery, II (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan)

This is a short for Black History Month, focusing on Aretha Franklin and her contribution to equal justice as a performer and a person. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan)

I've selected what I think are key stories from the Sunday edition, like I might have done when a student at Columbia on a Sunday at a local coffee shop - so we could discuss the news. For better or worse, I think I know more now, and I've offered a few comments about the approaching Ukraine invasion, and more. John P. Flannery, II (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan)

What has happened in other nation states that we have told ourselves couldn't or wouldn't happen here - is happening. We have to fight for our Republic or risk losing it to Toxic Trump autocrats - John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan )

I present this as an exercise of what we may have to do if some of wacko governors have their way and limited an High School student's access to information about slavery and discrimination in America. Or any other topic. One thing we can do is read the textbooks on Zoom or some similar podcast source, read to the next generation about any topic, and let them figure what to make of the facts, rather than keep them in the dark about the bad, the good and the ugly, by withholding from them what happened in American History. The text book I used was the one I used in Advance Placement History in High School. I recommend you get a young-un to listen and see what they think of this abbreviated class, and how they think of it as an alternative or supplemental vehicle of instruction. And yes I did teach High School a long time ago. John P. Flannery, II, Esq (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan)

We have two times in American History that must be regarded as linked, when MLK was fighting for equal justice and now when we are fighting a Republican party that has lost its way - what can be done - after the Hill, well then it's the ballot box. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan)

We are at a critical point, when we either fight for our democracy, or accept the possibility that we may lose our democracy. The key is to give a reckoning for those responsible, not just the rioters, but their overseers, starting with No. 1, Trump himself. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan.

How we talk about the mid-terms may make all the difference to the outcome - so think about the truth and stay close to those princ9ples you had that are the best that can be said of your character and of our nation's promise. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonlfan)/

We are all suffering from too much of our unceasing contact sport, politics. So how about a few poems from Robert Frost - for a change - John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

The Republicans used school boards and children as foils for their political strategies in this year's elections. They were conducted at the expense of good school policy and the dignity and education of our children. They were brutal and effective. These devices were the run up to the mid-terms and the presidential election. Dems have to get in the game and combat this cynical campaign. This short podcast is an effort to underscore what and why the Republicans did what they did. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan)

From January 6th on we knew that we were dealing with an enemy within from the oval office and Trump reaching out in every direction to ignore the electoral defeat of Trump and steal the election from Biden. Rogue Rudy Giuliani advised Trump, "Just Say We Won." They set out to do just that and lied and cheated in almost any way possible, so arrogant, they wrote memos on how they were going to take over the government. I'm taking a verbal walk through the powerpoint to show the fascist design on our democracy and the most recent statement talking about troops to take over the government in 2024 or sooner. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

Our daily dose of dreary political infighting and congressional paralysis might lead us to fail to appreciate that there are "heroes" that dwell among us - but perhaps they are not to be found in politics. So I decided upon this occasional podcast, ON HEROES, to talk about those shining lights that have traditionally inspired us and that may fairly be considered "heroes" in their way of work. This episode, our 2nd, takes a look at the arts to consider the contributions of the late Stephen Sondheim, who died recently, and an amazing actor and vocalist, D'Jamin Bartlett, who sang a song Sondheim entrusted to her in the musical, "A Little Night Music." The song was "The Miller's Son." I think it's true that through her eyes you can underestand Sondheim and what it meant to find your way to Broadway and the Shubert Theater. Let us know if you enjoyed taking this step away from the steamy seamy side of politics. John P. Flannery, II (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan).

On December 1st, the Supreme Court will hear argument on the Mississippi statute that limits abortions to 16 weeks instead of the 24 weeks set by the pertinent precedent, Roe v. Wade. I have some comments on how we got to this place and how it is political and not about the law. John P. Flannery, II, Esq., jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan.

Our greatest failing as a government is that there has been no reckoning for those who tried to overthrow our government. Article 14, Section 3 of the US Constitution provides a remedy to oust such officials and/or bar them from office. It's high time we consider this and other remedies. John P. Flannery, II, Esq. (jonflan@aol.com, @jonlfan)

The Republican MAGA Moms (and some Yahoo Dads) are attacking school boards across the nation in their political campaign to discourage racial tolerance, and thus to suppress the black vote. They had some success with this technique in the recent Virginia election. So they are taking these practices on the road for the mid-terms and, no doubt, the presidential race in 2024. This podcast seeks to underscore the who and how of the latest assault on government institutions and equitable policy, and what we should do about it. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan.

We the people can and must prompt more responsive action by our leaders. Enough with the talk. After the recent electoral losses in Virginia, Congress passed an infrastructure bill. They finally got what we've been talking about. That's all well and good but there's a lot more that needs to be done, and our leaders can't continue to just talk and not act. The Reckoning that appears to elude our leaders and the government heads off the list. So that's the point of this discussion, why we must act, where we stand and what we must do. John P. Flannery, II, Esq. (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan).

Father Christopher J. Devron, the President of Fordham Prep, a Jesuit High School for Young Men, wrote an article, "Should Catholic Schools Teach Critical Race Theory? - he has agreed to talk about how he worked his way through what is critical race theory and what it meant for Catholic Schools. Most significantly, Father Devron speaks to us as an educator navigating our changing times including critical race theory. Host: John P. Flannery, II, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

We have to resist the inclination to give up. We have to have the resolve to go forward. We made a big advance last year when we cast the orange menace ouf of the West Wing. Now we have to restore the Republic, that has proven to be quite challenging. One of the things we have to get right is punishing those traitors who sought to overturn our government. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

It's high time we told our elected reps that they are not fooling us - and we want action not talk about punishing Bannon and subverting our political system, particularly the nation's school boards. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan) and John McLaughlin (@harvard1988)

Trump is back at it again and we discuss what this means in the short run and the long term for the party and the nation. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan) and John McLaughlin (@Harvard1988)

Here we are in October and still no one is investigating the ne'er do wells who almost destroyed our democracy and who are still out there. John McLaughlin and I talk around the details that make this so outrageous. It's important. If we don't get this right, our democracy is at risk. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan) and John McLaughlin (@Harvard1988).

We thought it would be a good idea to conduct a run down on what Woodward and Costa found in their investigation because - let's face it - our government just isn't that good at conducting investigations and we think this is a good starting point to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the truly evil traitors in the insurrection, starting with Trump. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan) and John Mc Laughlin (@Harvard1988).

John P. Flannery and John McLaughlin discuss how badly disorganized we are, requiring that we all have to work to get things straight. Join the discussion. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan) and John McLaughlin (@Harvard1988).

I've played with the idea of interviews with persons who show courage. Nancy Hollander who won liberty from Guantanamo for Mohammedu Slahi is such a person. We also talk about the movie, the Mauritanian, where Slahi is from, and how Jodie measures up to Nancy. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com,@jonflan

Some comments - what I saw on 9-11 - and what I think some of it means. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

Some thoughts from a retreat to Maine. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

When you were younger and had more time, and there wasn't a pandemic, you might find a local restaurant that allowed for people watching, spread out your times (or your Boston Globe), and have it a bagel and lox and talk about the news of the day. We only got some talk for you and you have to supply the food and drink. Some day maybe we'll supply the rest. John P. Flannery, II (@jonflan, jonflan@aol.com) and John McLaughlin (@Harvard1988).

We have updated our comments on the significance of democracy and the failure of conscience that made an insurrection possible. John P. Flannery (jonflan@aol.com @jonflan) and John McLaughlin (@Harvard1988) engage in a freeform discussion about our system of government and why it's at risk.

This is just between us. It proves that I must leave rap and hip hop to Ari. enjoy. John P. Flannery, II, Esq., jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

This is our opener, our first show, "On the Level," with co-hosts John P. Flannery and John McLaughlin, introducing why we thought to work together, to publish this show. We also decided to discuss the one issue - absolutely of critical importance to our Republic - preserving and protecting our democracy against those who prefer a monardh. Our leading question is why is it that no one who has committed seditious and rioting offenses against our government, encompassing a long list of democratically unfaithful Republicans who should have been grand jury targets months ago, including their infamous leader, former President, Donald Trump. Still, none have been prosecuted, and and that has to end, now. John P. Flannery (@jonflan)(jonflan@aol.com) and John McLaughlin(@Harvard1988)

John McLaughlin and I talk about the dispatch with which Governor Cuomo has been charged, as compared to Trump, by the same AG office. We have to take stock of how one does this fairly and how Trump is almost entirely ignored despite the high crimes and misdemeanor he's committed culminating in a failed coup effort to succeed himself though he lost his election. John P. Flannery, II, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan, John, with John McLaughlin, @Harvard1988

The great failing of the new Congress and leadership generally is not to demand an accounting and reckoning of those who made the insurrection possible including former President Trump. John McLaughlin (@Harvard88) and I discuss what we know and what we need to do. John P. Flannery, II, Esq. (@jonflan, jonflan@aol.com)

We took a few moments to outline what we should be looking for in the House Select Committee hearing and investigation of the Insurrection, the failed attempt to overthrow our government. In addition, we have a special guest, John McLaughlin. We're going to discuss our Roman Catholic upbringing, and next week John and I are going to discuss what we thought about Tuesday's hearing on the Insurrection. John P. Flannery, II, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

Harvard trained, a former Boston law enforcement officer, and Radio broadcaster for 15 years, John McLaughlin, @Harvard1988, joins the Flannery Podcast to tell us about his background and what he thinks of where we stand as a nation. Let us know what you think, we're discussing making our show, Irish Guys Talking, or some other name, a more regular feature. John P. Flannery, II, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

Invited to appear before the Fairfax County Democratic Committee to give an overview of where we were politically, how it's going, and perhaps how we make a difference for the better. John P. Flannery, II, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

This nation declared itself independent of King George, an autocrat, and, more recently, Donald Trump. This is a discussion about why we the people threw Trump out of office, and why there's work that remains to be done. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

We are talking about infrastructure when we should be talking about fair voting and equality before the law. John P. Flannery, II, Esq., jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

We can pass a holiday for equal rights, Juneteenth, but can we do the hard work of passing legislation that makes it a reality today when it really matters. John P. Flanner, II, Esq., jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

The title says it all - this is a comparison with the effort by Senator Catalina to overthrow the Roman government, and how that compares with how badly we've handled this more recent insurrection. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

This is in remembrance of Robert Kennedy, and what he can still teach us in these difficult times. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

With the recent death of the brilliant trial lawyer, F. Lee Bailey is remembered across the pond. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

There are things we don't talk about on Memorial Day - and that's saying something - this is an effort to talk about all that War means and why we must learn to work toward peace. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan

Two former federal prosecutors, Gene Rossi, the Radio Host and John Flannery talk about the Trump investigation and some of their political adventures.

Now that the Supreme Court has plainly taken on a case out of Mississippi that appears barred by Roe v. Wade we are going to find out if the rule of law and precedent apply or not. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com, @jonflan.

We speak about the episodes of concern emanating from elements of our society that have little or no respect to democracy or the law. This is a brief discussion on why that's troubling and how we should approach it with courage and action. John P. Flannery, jonflan@aol.com @jonflan