Michael Brown Unplugged

The impact of coronavirus on national debt. How emergencies effect debt. A man commits murder suicide after fearing a positive virus test. The mental toll quarantine has on people.

How antibodies could help stop the spread of infections until (if) a vaccine is produced. Clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine. This is the first time in history, where healthy people were quarantined.

Making sense of data between COVID-19 versus other flu strains and where Dr. Fauci is misleading. The media doesn’t report scientific data accurately. Michael’s idea to keep hospital staff employed and utilize airlines to transfer patients. Politicians are afraid to make the first step against the grain. Dr. David Katz and others do not agree with America’s way of protecting the vulnerable.

During Michael's show on KOA News Radio, several callers who are blind called in late in the program. Their attitudes were so positive that Michael wanted to share their stories on his podcast. Their optimism and attitude during this COVID-19 crisis is something we should all take into consideration

This is a discussion with Weston Distance Learning in Fort Collins, Colorado. Weston Distance has decades doing distance learning. While this is focused on what my company, The Blue Cell, is doing with Weston Distance, it's also a great example of how you can do distance learning in the age of COVID-19

In 2009, Dr. Fauci gave an interview about how to deal with H1N1 influenza. It is eerily similar to the same advice he gives today, but without the social distancing, closing of businesses and destruction of the U.S. and world economies. Is this overreaction driven by media hype? Will it lead to the Great Depression 2.0? We need to learn to think for ourselves, study the experts with differing opinions, and not fall mindlessly into believing everything the media says about the novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

Home schooling. What makes a business exempt to statewide stay-at-home order. Reactions to pandemic are based on politics, not the Constitution. Mayor DeBlasio discusses closing down streets and other mayors considering the same. Supplies chains would be interrupted road closures. Why congress should repeal the Jones Act and trade should continue during pandemic. What laws need to change in the new normal. What we can do to change the culture of the country for the economy.

Measles, rubella, mumps, chickenpox, polio, all diseases from decades ago that we can’t even imagine today. So we’ve become so risk averse that COVID-19 scares us into destroying our economy? And what’s really happening in Italy and why? Coronavirus is a disease that might destroy the US economy if we’re not careful.

The law of quarantines is quite broad. However, there are some Constitutional limitations, which is why most shelter-in-place orders are very broad with many exceptions. Michael describes the law, the exceptions, and the latitude people have to travel and do necessary things.

Why is the FDA and the CDC dragging their feet on off-label use when clinical trials in four countries, and patient usage in Kansas, already shows efficacy in treatment of COVID-19?

Vinal Technical High School in Connecticut is offering an emergency management block for high schoolers enrolled in technical/trade classes. This unique program offers a full emergency operations center and gives students real life experiences in responding to natural and manmade disasters. This is a great example of what high schools could be doing to train future emergency managers, police officers, firefighters and others. Other high schools with technical/trade programs should emulate this kind of program for students who want a practical, trade/technical based education.

The EU decides that climate change is not about saving the planet, but about saving people. It just doesn’t make any sense. And, a couple of cases provide a good take on the law of self defense and the stealth attacks on the Second Amendment.

Michael explains how we won’t ever know if the safety measures actually worked or not. How this cancellation contagion is impacting society and the economy. The Dunning Kruger effect makes people believe they are experts – when in fact they are not. When will the government go too far? President Trump issues guidance for the next 15 days, but most governors are shutting down businesses and schools for up to 30 days or more, sometimes indefinitely. Is this an overreaction to coronavirus and COVID-19? Just think about. There’s not right or wrong answer.

Michael explains the legalities about the government mandating business closures and social distancing. What the new guidelines President Trump issued means and eating out at restaurants.

COVID-19 has now reached a tipping point, with massive closures of sporting events, public gatherings. Panic buying, stock market collapse. And, public health authorities with their states of emergency are beginning to get awfully close to the limits of constitutionality. At what point does the public begin, if ever, to push back?

Michael walks through his reasoning that the Democratic National Committee is throwing Joe Biden under the bus in order to prevent Bernie Sanders from taking control of their party. Listen to Bernie. Then listen to Joe.

Why is there such panic and almost mass hysteria over the coronavirus and COVID-19 disease it causes? And, are Democrats deliberately sabotaging President Trump’s attempts to contain the outbreak? California Governor Gavin Newsom refuses to take the bait from a reporter and instead praises President Trump and the Administration for their response to the virus.

Michael provides some facts about coronavirus and Covid-19 and asks a tough but needed question. Are all of the containment, quarantine and mitigation efforts worth the economic costs to save a very small percentage of people who might contract a severe case of the virus and because of pre-existing chronic conditions, be subject to death or expensive medical treatment? The economic disruption is costing people jobs, income, stability and creating fear and almost mass hysteria. Is it worth it?

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) attacked Associate Supreme Court Justices Kavanaugh and Gorsuch at a pro-choice rally, for which he was promptly rebuked by Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. But the danger in Schumer’s attack is his de-legitimizing the court itself. And, Boston considers parking ticket fines based on “ability to pay.” That could very well survive an equal protection attack, leading to a whole bunch of other things being based on ability to pay.

Michael walks through a couple of taxpayer relief shots, one of which proves why you do need an AR15 to defend your home. And, is Joe Biden the presumptive Democrat nominee for President because establishment Democrats don’t want to turn control of the party over to the socialist wing controlled by Bernie Sanders?

Michael describes the new assymetrical warfare we're engaged in post 9/11. Are we prepared for this type of warfare?

Michael wonders if Joe Biden really is losing it to the point he shouldn’t be nominated by the Democrats. Legal immigrants from Mexico have their restaurant harassed because they attended a Trump rally. The idea of canceling people based on who they support is un-American. And Beto O’Rourke is back to take away your guns.

Michael provides his analysis of Super Tuesday voting and what it means for Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, and Michael Bloomberg. A brokered convention is even more likely with other candidates withdrawing their candidacies. And, Michael is more and more concerned about the mental capacity of Joe Biden. The gaffes are getting worse, not better.Finally, would it be possible to have someone record the following and put it at the end of every podcast?“Thanks for listening to The Situation with Michael Brown today. Be sure and drop Michael a note if you’d like to comment on today’s topic. You can find Michael on Twitter @michaelbrownusa and on Facebook at facebook.com/michaeldbrown. You can also follow The Situation with Michael Brown on Instagram, LinkedIn, and CaucusRoom.com.If you haven’t already, please subscribe to Michael’s podcasts on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Spreaker, Google Podcasts, or wherever you currently download the podcasts. Just be sure to hit that subscribe button so you always get the latest episodes.If you enjoy Michael’s podcast a five-star rating and a positive review are always appreciated.The Situation with Michael Brown is written by Michael Brown and produced by Right Turn Media. Marketing and social media are by Wholecrowd.”

A three person family decides to raise their children as non-binary, genderless children. What are the ramifications? Free tampons are apparently a human right. And, is Bernie Sanders’ socialism simply un-American?

The Supreme Court ruled on the “public charge” rule that says immigrants cannot be on any social safety net programs in order to obtain a green card or citizenship. Is the policy too hard or too lenient? And, can or should the Democrats try stop Bernie Sanders at this point?

Michael discusses whether one should vote for a candidate based on their personalities or their policies. And, Cambridge, Massachusetts decides to chip away at the rule of law for illegal aliens.

Michael explains why holdovers from previous presidential administrations need to be removed, sooner rather than later. President Trump finally removes 70 staffers from the National Security Council who were Obama holdovers. He should have removed these people 3 years ago. Better late than never.

Republicans in South Carolina are calling for another “Operation Chaos” in order to both choose Bernie Sanders in the Democrat primary; and, to show South Carolina legislators the problem with open primaries, where anyone can vote for anyone regardless of party affiliation.

Vice President Joe Biden claims to support transparency. But when it comes to his endowed program at the University of Delaware, even Freedom of Information Act requests are illegal. So much for transparency. It’s another example of the inside-the-beltway revolving door that diminishes our politics.

Michael discusses the post-impeachment fallout and the reactions to the National Prayer Breakfast at which President Trump excoriated his political opponents.

A lot of talk has been swirling about the Democrat attempt to impeach President Trump; and, that if a Democrat, especially Joe Biden, wins the Presidency in 2020, Republicans should impeach him if they gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. They call it “weaponizing impeachment.” Doing so would be a huge danger to the survival of this republic. Republicans should not impeach solely for retaliation. If Joe or Hunter Biden have committed crimes, those should be investigated and if found to have a basis in fact, then those alleged crimes should be referred to the Department of Justice for prosecution. But not impeachment at that stage.

Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander voted against additional witnesses in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. The Wall Street Journal called it his “finest hour.” While his reasoning is sound, logical and conforms to Constitutional standards, did he vote against witnesses for those principled reasons, or because he is no longer seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate?

A study from Cambridge University shows that support for democracy or republican, representative form of government is waning worldwide, including within the United States. Why is that and what can we do to counter it? Michael gives a few suggestions.

TSA is proud of how many guns they “discovered” last year. Let’s talk about that.

Michael discusses the current polling in Iowa and New Hampshire among Democrat contenders for their party’s presidential nomination. Michael is hoping for an eventual contest between President Donald Trump and self-avowed socialist and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders. That would present voters with a stark contrast between socialism and capitalism. What do you think?

San Francisco restaurants are closing at an alarming rate because of increased costs and tighter profit margins. Yet, those same restaurants are adding a surcharge to customers’ tabs to help fight climate change. This is the absurdity of policy that has no measurable impact, but makes policymakers feel good about what they’re doing.

Are progressives really dumb enough to go after the Second Amendment? New Zealand continues its gun buy-back program after the Christchurch shooting. But is it working? And what happens when it ensnares an innocent man because he dared to speak out against the buy-back program?

Michael dissects the lawsuit filed by presidential candidate and congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard against Hillary Clinton for saying that Ms. Gabbard was a Russian agent or asset. Will the lawsuit succeed since all parties are considered “public figures?” Ms. Gabbard has also sued Google for not displaying advertising she bought during one of the presidential debates. That lawsuit, if the facts are correct, might have a better chance of success.

During a Q&A session at a Martin Luther King Day event, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says Democrats are a center-conservative party, not a left-wing party. Michael describes Orwell’s Newspeak from his novel “1984” and how AOC is using Newspeak to fool her listeners into thinking they stand for something entirely different from what they actually advocate, such as socialized medicine

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell submitted the Senate Resolution to deal with impeach procedures. Michael breaks down the resolution and explains the role of the House and Senate in these proceedings. The Senate should only consider the material and witnesses used by the House of Representatives to impeach Donald Trump. The Senate should not call additional witnesses or subpoena additional material. The Senate should rely on the case made by the U.S. House of Representatives and not supplement the shoddy work done by Democrats in the House.

President Trump’s legal team has submitted their impeachment defense brief to the U.S. Senate. Michael has skimmed through the pertinent parts and focuses his discussion on the sections regarding Ukraine and the impeachment article on abuse of power.

Michael interviews syndicated columnist and author Michelle Malkin on immigration issues.

Michael has always maintained that yes, there are problems in the world. But too often we fail to change our perspective on just how much progress humankind is making. For example, the percentage of people living in extreme poverty has dropped in his lifetime from 60% to 10%. That is fantastic progress. Somewhere in a lab, an R&D facility, a garage, someone or a team is coming up with solutions that we think are intractable. Let’s change our perspective about problems. We live in amazing times.

Actor, comedian and Libertarian Vince Vaughn commits the cardinal sin of shaking President Trump’s hand. The cancel culture trolls come out in force calling for a boycott of the actor. But Colby Smith, an Iraq War veteran, has written a Facebook post about Vince Vaughn that everyone should hear before you jump on the cancel culture bandwagon. Cancel culture is a cancer on free speech, individual liberty, freedom of opinion and should be resisted wherever it raises its ugly head.

Everyone is in a dither over a “motion to dismiss” the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. Here’s the real story about that situation and how it may or may not play out. Nancy Pelosi is under pressure from Republicans and Democrats to send the articles of impeachment to the Senate. We’ll see if she does that today after the House votes. Then, we get to watch Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set down the procedural rules for how the impeachment will proceed. Ignore the noise coming from both sides. Here’s how it will probably play out.

Maggie Haberman of the New York Times believes somehow that American journalists face the same threats as Iranian journalists because President Trump refers to American journalists as “enemies of the people.” Any American journalist who believes that is living in bubble of delusion.

In the aftermath of Iran admitting that they were responsible for the downing of the Ukrainian airplane in which 82 of the 176 passengers killed were Iranians, scores of angry Iranians are in the second day of protests at universities in Tehran and throughout the city as they demand that the Ayatolla and officials step down. The protesters are taking a substantial risk in voicing their demands as just two months ago, the regime killed more than 1,500 protesters.

CNN has settled the defamation lawsuit brought by Covington Catholic High School student Nick Sandmann for its coverage of his encounter with Native American activist Nathan Philips. The settlement is undisclosed but Michael breaks down what it means and why CNN probably settled. Reason Magazine thinks the lawsuit could have a chilling effect on journalism. Michael thinks it will have the opposite effect.

Michael filled in for another talk radio host today and this is his discussion on the Iranian crisis after having had a day to consume additional information about the Iranian attacks.

Michael has just returned late from Washington, DC. After reading as much of the news as possible about the Iranian missile strikes in Iraq earlier, he doesn’t believe this is as serious as the media and pundits portray it to be. See if you agree; or, if his opinion is “overtaken by events” tomorrow.