Podcast appearances and mentions of Eric Lipton

President Trump hosted a gathering on Thursday with the highest-paying customers of his personal cryptocurrency business, sparking bipartisan concerns that he's selling access to the presidency for personal profit. Geoff Bennett discussed the event with Eric Lipton, who covers the intersection of the presidency and Trump’s business interests for The New York Times. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Trump hosted a gathering on Thursday with the highest-paying customers of his personal cryptocurrency business, sparking bipartisan concerns that he's selling access to the presidency for personal profit. Geoff Bennett discussed the event with Eric Lipton, who covers the intersection of the presidency and Trump’s business interests for The New York Times. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As concerns mount over presidential profiteering, Jon is joined by Susan Glasser, New Yorker staff writer and co-author of "The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021," and Eric Lipton, investigative reporter for The New York Times. Together, they explore the scope of Trump's business entanglements, discuss the challenges of covering these ethical breaches, and examine the legal and historical precedents that laid the groundwork for Trump's unprecedented abuses of power. This podcast is brought to you by Ground News. Go to  https://groundnews.com/stewart to see how any news story is being framed by news outlets around the world and across the political spectrum. Use our link to get 40% off unlimited access with the Vantage Subscription. Follow The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart on social media for more:  > YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weeklyshowpodcast > Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weeklyshowpodcast> TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@weeklyshowpodcast  > X: https://x.com/weeklyshowpod   > BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/theweeklyshowpodcast.com Host/Executive Producer – Jon Stewart Executive Producer – James Dixon Executive Producer – Chris McShane Executive Producer – Caity Gray Lead Producer – Lauren Walker Producer – Brittany Mehmedovic  Video Editor & Engineer – Rob Vitolo Audio Editor & Engineer – Nicole Boyce Researcher & Associate Producer – Gillian Spear Music by Hansdle Hsu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tonight on The Last Word: The Trump family seeks business deals in the Middle East. And the Congressional Budget Office reports the Trump budget could kick 13.7 million Americans off their health insurance. Eric Lipton, Rep. Jamie Raskin, and Rep. Brendan Boyle join Lawrence O'Donnell.

New York Times reporter Eric Lipton says the Trump family businesses, including their crypto company, are capitalizing on the President's position, and creating unprecedented conflicts of interest.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bioptimizers https://Bioptimizers.com/toddEnter promo code TODD to get 10% off your order of MassZymes today.Bizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE.  Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today.  Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here!  Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.Bulwark Capital Bulwark Capital Management (bulwarkcapitalmgmt.com)Do you know how tariffs can affect your retirement?  Join Zach Abraham's FREE Webinar “Tariff Edition” Thursday May 22 at 3:30 Pacific. Sign up at KnowYourRiskRadio.com today.Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddListen and Watch on:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyTodd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeDoes Anyone In Media Hear Themselves? // Senator Thom Tillis Worships in a False Temple. // Even if You Suck At Singing, God Wants To Hear You Do It.Episode Links:@POTUS: “We're going to have a big beautiful parade… We're going to celebrate our military.” Welker: “What's the price tag?” @POTUS: “Peanuts compared to the value of doing it.”“What we've never seen before at this scale in modern American history ... is a president who, effectively through his sons, owns businesses that are personally profiting off of regulatory decisions that he's making,” NYT reporter Eric Lipton says.@SenThomTillis says he won't vote to confirm Ed Martin. Tillis also wrongly condemns innocent J6 defendants. Sen. Tillis is a traitor to the GOP and America. He is certainly not MAGA. Primary him!Wow. People spontaneously erupt in praise to God, singing worship songs on the streets of New York City.This song is my attempt to express what it's felt like to live in this country as a Christian for the last five years or so. I call it Christianity Today. Of course a special shoutout to @CTmagazine 

Chad opens the hour following up his interview with NY Times reporter Eric Lipton before talk about frozen Juicy Lucy patties coming to grocery stores, improvements in test schools for Minnesota high school students, silliness about updating The Giving Tree for a new generation and more.

Chad follows up to his interview with New York Times reporter Eric Lipton with his own thoughts on the money Donald Trump is making as President, in some cases coming from industries that his administration is in charge of regulating.

Wolves analyst Jim Petersen joins for two segments of hoops talk after a terrible outing for the Wolves in game 1 against the Warriors. Later, New York Times reporter Eric Lipton joins with details about some huge conflicts of interest and how President Trump is seeing big profits for himself, his business and his family while in the White House.

New York Times reporter Eric Lipton joins Chad with excellent information and details from his recent stories about the many methods, shady or not, that President Trump is using to make a bunch of money for himself and his family while in the White House.

New York Times reporter Eric Lipton says the Trump family businesses, including their crypto company, are capitalizing on the President's position, and creating unprecedented conflicts of interest.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Nicolle Wallace on the impending drop in imports at U.S. ports caused by Trump's sweeping tariffs, his call for 100% tariffs on foreign-made films, and Trump questioning his need to uphold the constitution.Joined by: Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero, Claire McCaskill, Mara Gay, Dominic Patten, Eric Lipton, Judge J. Michael Luttig, Andrew Weissmann, Marc Elias, and Dr. Ashish Jha. 

Amid excitement around advancements in space exploration, there are unresolved issues concerning the role of private firms. Some companies receive billions of dollars in federal money and private sector leaders have been appointed to top positions at agencies like NASA. In this episode, co-host Darrell West speaks with investigative journalist Eric Lipton of the New York Times about the implications of these partnerships and what it means for space policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali Velshi is joined by Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Contrarian Jennifer Rubin, Executive Director of Aspen Digital Vivian Schiller, Co-Founder of The Contrarian Norman Eisen, Investigative Reporter with The New York Times Eric Lipton, former Federal Judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Judge J. Michael Luttig, former U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest J. Moniz, Law Professor and Historian at UC Davis Law School Mary Ziegler, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Professor of Philosophy at Yale University Jason Stanley, Professor of History at NYU Ruth Ben-Ghiat

President Trump was once a loud skeptic of cryptocurrency — one who called it a haven for drug dealers and scammers. But over the past few months, he's emerged as the industry's biggest cheerleader.A New York Times investigation shows how much the president and his family have profited from that transformation.Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The Times, discusses what happens when the country's top crypto policymaker is himself a crypto entrepreneur.Guest: Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: The rise of Trump's crypto firm.For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

On day 100 of Trump's second term, a reflection on the past three months and the uncertainty ahead. Then, new reporting examines the rise of Trump's cryptocurrency business and his changing role in the industry. And, a conversation with actor and comedian Ed Helms on some important and hilarious lessons from history. Jeff Mason, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Peter Goodman, Eric Lipton, Dan Nathan, and Ed Helms join The 11th Hour. 

If there's ever been a Know Your Enemy subject worthy of two episodes, it is Elon Musk—currently the world's richest man, CEO and leader of several pathbreaking companies, ringleader of the Department of Government Efficiency, and (for now) Donald Trump's co-president. In other words, to understand what's happening in the United States during the second Trump administration, it's essential to understand Musk: what shaped him, his enduring preoccupations and personality traits, how he made his vast fortune, and why, in unprecedented ways, he decided to go all in on Trump.In this second of two episodes on Musk, Matt and Sam bring his story up to the present. After offering a few concluding details on Musk's various romantic and familial entanglements, they chart the course of his political derangement, especially focusing on his seeming addiction to Twitter—the social media platform he eventually bought and renamed "X," which also is the name he gave one of his young sons. Musk's purchase of Twitter is treated as a case study in how the billionaire now tends to operate, from his penchant for making wild claims and impulsive decisions, to the way he manages people, tasks, and money. The discussion concludes with a theory of why Trump made such a show of buying a Tesla at the White House, and how to understand what Musk is up to with his erratic, ignorant work at DOGE, with plenty of eyebrow-raising details along the way.As mentioned: Join Matt and Sam and Jamelle Bouie at Dissent magazine's fundraiser on April 8 in New York!Listen again: "Becoming Elon Musk, Part One"Sources:Kate Conger & Ryan Mac, Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter (2024)Walter Isaacson, Elon Musk (2023)Ashlee Vance, Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future (2015)Ella Yurman, "Vivian Jenna Wilson on Being Elon Musk's Estranged Daughter, Protecting Trans Youth and Taking on the Right Online," Mar 20, 2025Kylie Cheung, "World's Richest Man Allegedly Refuses to Pay Appropriate Child Support," Jezebel, Mar 21, 2025Faiz Siddiqui, "Elon Musk is worth $270 billion. He'd buy Twitter with an IOU," WaPo, April 22, 2022Theodore Schleifer  & Maggie Haberman "Elon Musk Seeks to Put $100 Million Into Trump Political Operation," NYTimes, Mar 11, 20225.Eric Lipton, "Musk Is Positioned to Profit Off Billions in New Government Contracts," NYTimes, Mar 23, 2025.Jessie Blaeser, "DOGE shared its receipts — and some of them don't match," Politico, Feb 22, 2025. Hadas Gold, "Trump says he'll buy a Tesla to support Elon Musk, whose companies are struggling," CNN, Mar 11, 2025.Sam Adler-Bell, "Capital without Borders," Commonweal, Feb 8, 2017.  ...and don't forget to subscribe to Know Your Enemy on Patreon to access to all of our bonus episodes!

Tonight marks one month of the second Trump administration. The mass layoffs of federal employees continue while Elon Musk defends the actions of DOGE as it slashes government agencies and embraces MAGA priorities. And, the Senate confirms Kash Patel, Trump loyalist, to lead the FBI. Peter Baker, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Joyce Vance, Justin Wolfers, Brian Barrett, Eric Lipton, and Michael Steele join The 11th Hour this Thursday night.

Nicolle Wallace discusses a measles outbreak in Texas that comes as vaccine-skeptic Robert F. Kennedy takes over the country's health agency and massive layoffs hit; another high level designation as turmoil at the Department of Justice continues; President Trump's growing conflicts of interest as he is emboldened by a pliant Congress; and how Tulsi Gabbard could pose a national security risk as the United States' position in the world order seems up in the air.Joined By: Dr. Michael Osterholm, Sheryl Gay Stolberg, Tim Miller, Ryan Reilly, Andrew Weissmann, Eric Lipton, Pablo Torre, Katty Kay, David Jolly, and Sue Gordon.

The judicial branch is now under threat as the Trump administration continues its power grab in Washington and tests the limits of the president's power. Will America's system of checks and balances hold?

Headlines for February 13, 2025; War in Ukraine: As Trump & Putin Agree to Begin Peace Talks, Will Kyiv Get a Seat at the Table?; NYT’s Eric Lipton on How Musk Empire Benefits as He Slashes Fed. Gov’t; Trump Cryptocurrency Schemes; “The World After Gaza”: Author Pankaj Mishra on Gaza & the Return of 19th-C. “Rapacious Imperialism”

On today's show: War in Ukraine: As Trump and Putin Agree to Begin Peace Talks, Will Kyiv Get a Seat at the Table? NYT's Eric Lipton on How Musk Empire Benefits as He Slashes Federal Government; Trump Cryptocurrency Schemes “The World After Gaza”: Author Pankaj Mishra on Gaza and the Return of 19th-Century “Rapacious Imperialism”   The post Democracy Now 6am – February 13, 2025 appeared first on KPFA.

New York Times journalist Eric Lipton explains how Musk's companies are benefiting as he cuts federal jobs and agencies, and reporter Teddy Schleifer explains how Musk's political views turned right, and why he thinks the billionaire's relationship with Trump might actually last.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

New York Times journalist Eric Lipton explains how Musk's companies are benefiting as he cuts federal jobs and agencies, and reporter Teddy Schleifer explains how Musk's political views turned right, and why he thinks the billionaire's relationship with Trump might actually last.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Tonight on The Last Word: The New York Times reports several allied nations are concerned Elon Musk could share sensitive data. Also, GOP senators express concern over some Trump nominees. And Texas sues a New York doctor over mailed abortion pills. Eric Lipton, Sen. Ed Markey, Julie Kay, and Declan Walsh join Lawrence O'Donnell.

After single-handedly remaking the auto industry, social media and the global space race, Elon Musk is now turning his attention, and personal fortune, to politics.Over the past few months, he became one of the most influential figures in the race for president, and on Tuesday Donald J. Trump tapped him to help lead what the president-elect called the Department of Government Efficiency,Kirsten Grind and Eric Lipton, investigative reporters for The Times, explain what exactly Musk wants from the new president, and why he is so well placed to get it.Guest: Kirsten Grind, an investigative business reporter at The New York Times.Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter at The New York Times.Background reading: Mr. Trump tapped Mr. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency.”Mr. Musk helped elect Mr. Trump. What does he expect in return?For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Elon Musk was one of the biggest contributors to US president-elect Donald Trump's election campaign and now he will play a significant role in the Trump administration as he is appointed to lead a new government efficiency agency.Eric Lipton, investigative reporter with the New York Times in Washington, joins The Last Word to discuss how tech billionaire Musk and his businesses stand to benefit from Trump's presidency.Catch the full chat by pressing the 'Play' button on this page!

VP Harris' campaign sets a record for the biggest fundraising quarter ever as she teams up with Liz Cheney to make her case to voters in key battlegrounds. Then, Elon Musk's $1 million voter giveaway raises question about whether he's violating election laws. Plus, Trump steps us his obscene and crude language at rallies and also tries to troll Harris with a stunt at McDonalds. Charlie Sykes, Susan Glasser, Jon Allen, Eric Lipton, Fmr. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Mike Madrid, and Kyle Cheney join the 11th Hour this Monday. 

After the assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pa., Congress held hearings on the failures of the Secret Service, and its director, Kimberly Cheatle, stepped down.Weeks later, another man attempted to shoot the former president, increasing concerns that something had gone very wrong at the Secret Service.Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, explains why the agency's failures are indicative of much more troubling issues.Guest: Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: An exodus of agents left the Secret Service unprepared for 2024.From July: The Secret Service has faced questions about its decisions before and immediately after the assassination attempt in Butler.From September: The Secret Service had not swept the area where a gunman lay in wait as Mr. Trump embarked on a short-notice golf outing.For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Soon, you'll need a subscription to keep full access to this show, and to other New York Times podcasts, on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don't miss out on exploring all of our shows, featuring everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts.

Guests: Catherine Christian, Lisa Rubin, Eric Lipton, Kris Mayes, Mary McCordA last ditch attempt to delay trial fails. Tonight: six days from the people v. Donald Trump, why the New York charges have a chance to stick. Then, alarming new reporting on a grifting First Family not named Biden. And Arizona's attorney general on the new abortion ban in her state.  Want more of Chris? Download and subscribe to his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts.

Nicolle Wallace is joined by Kim Barker, Michael Rothfeld, Chris Love, Barbara McQuade, Governor Maura Healy, Eric Lipton, Tim Heaphy, Former Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera, Sarah Matthews, Miles Taylor, Rick Stengel, and Maria Ressa.

Nicolle Wallace is joined by Christine Romans, Donny Deutsch, Rev. Al Sharpton, Betsy Woodruff Swan, Matthew Herman, Ian Millhiser, Charlie Sykes, Mary McCord, Eric Lipton, Michael Gold, and Alexi McCammond. 

Nicolle Wallace is joined by Tim Heaphy, Lisa Rubin, Reverend Al Sharpton, Molly Jong-Fast, Eric Lipton, Lisa Yasko, Luke Broadwater, David Jolly, Barbara McQuade, and Rose Gottemoeller. 

U.S. officials have acknowledged a growing fear that Russia may be trying to put a nuclear weapon into orbit.Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The Times, explains that their real worry is that America could lose the battle for military supremacy in space.Guest: Eric Lipton, an investigative reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: The U.S. warned its allies that Russia could put a nuclear weapon into orbit this year.The Pentagon is in the early stages of a program to put constellations of smaller and cheaper satellites into orbit to counter space-based threats of the sort being developed by Russia and China.For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

The military is built around tradition and protocol — which can be problems if you're looking for innovation. Eric Lipton is an investigative reporter for The New York Times. He joins host Krys Boyd to discuss new global threats that require change by the U.S. Navy and the resistance by top brass to bend to the future. His article is “Faced With Evolving Threats, U.S. Navy Struggles to Change.”

The Army and Navy are testing weapons with remarkable capabilities, using cutting edge technology and AI. Terry Gross spoke with Eric Lipton of the New York Times about his investigation into the weapons, the need to modernize, and the obstacles in the way.

The Army and Navy are testing weapons with remarkable capabilities, using cutting edge technology and AI. Terry Gross spoke with Eric Lipton of the New York Times about his investigation into the weapons, the need to modernize, and the obstacles in the way.

As former President Donald Trump makes another run at the White House, he's partnering with a key U.S. ally on a new business venture that is raising serious ethical questions. The multi-billion dollar deal between Trump, the government of Oman and a Saudi firm would develop a luxury complex, according to a New York Times report. Laura Barrón-López discussed the plan with Eric Lipton. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As former President Donald Trump makes another run at the White House, he's partnering with a key U.S. ally on a new business venture that is raising serious ethical questions. The multi-billion dollar deal between Trump, the government of Oman and a Saudi firm would develop a luxury complex, according to a New York Times report. Laura Barrón-López discussed the plan with Eric Lipton. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

You've probably encountered an advertisement for sports betting in one form or another. In the past few years, there's been a marked rise in the number of online sports betting ads from companies like DraftKings and FanDuel. Gambling companies now spend billions of dollars a year on advertising. At the same time, there's growing concern over the effect betting is having on our experience with sports, the lack of comprehensive federal regulation and its addictive potential.  Eric Lipton is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and New York Times investigative reporter. He's spent years following the sports betting boom. Lipton joins WITHpod to discuss how we got to this moment where sports gambling ads are integrated into almost every sports broadcast, the role of lobbying in the explosion of online betting, how the space is policed and more.

Five years ago, a Supreme Court ruling lifted a ban on betting on sports. New York Times reporter Eric Lipton uncovers the lobbying, favorable deals, partnerships and human impact that's come from that decision. He and a team of investigative reporters did a series in the Times called A Risky Wager.Kevin Whitehead marks the 100 year anniversary of Louis Armstrong and King Joe Oliver's first recording.

Five years ago, a Supreme Court ruling lifted a ban on betting on sports. New York Times reporter Eric Lipton uncovers the lobbying, favorable deals, partnerships and human impact that's come from that decision. He and a team of investigative reporters did a series in the Times called A Risky Wager.Kevin Whitehead marks the 100 year anniversary of Louis Armstrong and King Joe Oliver's first recording.

The annual war authorization (NDAA) is an excellent opportunity to examine our military's roles and goals in the world. In this episode, learn about how much of our tax money Congress provided the Defense Department, including how much of that money is classified, how much more money was dedicated to war than was requested, and what they are authorized to use the money for. This episode also examines our Foreign Military Financing programs with a deep dive into a new partner country: Ecuador. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536. Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! View the shownotes on our website at https://congressionaldish.com/cd269-ndaa-2023-plan-ecuador Background Sources Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD244: Keeping Ukraine CD243: Target Nicaragua CD230: Pacific Deterrence Initiative CD229: Target Belarus CD218: Minerals are the New Oil CD191: The “Democracies” Of Elliott Abrams CD187: Combating China CD176: Target Venezuela: Regime Change in Progress CD172: The Illegal Bombing of Syria CD147: Controlling Puerto Rico CD128: Crisis in Puerto Rico CD108: Regime Change CD102: The World Trade Organization: COOL? World Trade System “IMF vs. WTO vs. World Bank: What's the Difference?” James McWhinney. Oct 10, 2021. Investopedia. The Profiteers: Bechtel and the Men Who Built the World. Sally Denton. Simon and Schuster: 2017. Littoral Combat Ships “The Pentagon Saw a Warship Boondoggle. Congress Saw Jobs.” Eric Lipton. Feb 4, 2023. 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Americas Quarterly. “U.S. Government Must Take Urgent Action on Colombia's Tax Reform Bill.” Cesar Vence and Megan Bridges. Oct 26, 2022. U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Letter from ACT et. al. to Sec. Janet Yellen, Sec. Gina Raimondo, and Hon. Katherine Tai.” U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Relationship with U.S. “Does glyphosate cause cancer?” Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Jul 8, 2021. City of Hope. “Colombian Intelligence Unit Used U.S. Equipment to Spy on Politicians, Journalists.” Kejal Vyas. May 4, 2020. The Wall Street Journal. “Exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and risk for non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta-analysis and supporting evidence.” Luoping Zhang et al. Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research Vol. 781, July–September 2019, pp. 186-206. “Colombia to use drones to fumigate coca leaf with herbicide.” Jun 26, 2018. Syria “Everyone Is Denouncing the Syrian Rebels Now Slaughtering Kurds. But Didn't the U.S. Once Support Some of Them?” Mehdi Hasan. Oct 26, 2019. The Intercept. “U.S. Relations With Syria: Bilateral Relations Fact Sheet.” Jan 20, 2021. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. “Behind the Sudden Death of a $1 Billion Secret C.I.A. War in Syria.” Mark Mazzetti et al. Aug 2, 2017. The New York Times. “Arms Airlift to Syria Rebels Expands, With Aid From C.I.A.” C. J. Chivers and Eric Schmitt. Mar 24, 2013. The New York Times. Government Funding “House Passes 2023 Government Funding Legislation.” Dec 23, 2022. House Appropriations Committee Democrats. “Division C - Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2023.” Senate Appropriations Committee. Jen's highlighted version “Division K - Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023.” Senate Appropriations Committee. Laws H.R.2617 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 H.R.7776 - James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 Jen's highlighted version Bills H.R. 8711 - United States-Ecuador Partnership Act of 2022 S. 3591 - United States-Ecuador Partnership Act of 2022 Audio Sources A conversation with General Laura J. Richardson on security across the Americas January 19, 2023 The Atlantic Council Clips 17:51 Gen. Laura Richardson: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that has been ongoing for the last over a decade in this region, 21 of 31 countries have signed on to this Belt and Road Initiative. I could take Argentina last January, the most recent signatory on to the Belt and Road Initiative, and $23 billion in infrastructure projects that signatory and signing on to that. But again, 21 of 31 countries. There are 25 countries that actually have infrastructure projects by the PRC. Four that aren't signatories of the BRI, but they do actually have projects within their countries. But not just that. Deepwater ports in 17 countries. I mean, this is critical infrastructure that's being invested in. I have the most space enabling infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere in Latin America and the Caribbean. And I just caused question, you know, why? Why is all of this critical infrastructure being invested in so heavily? In terms of telecommunications, 5G, I've got five countries with the 5G backbone in this region. I've got 24 countries with the PRC Huawei 3G-4G. Five countries have the Huawei backbone infrastructure. If I had to guess, they'll probably be offered a discount to upgrade and stay within the same PRC network. And so very, very concerning as we work with our countries. 20:00 Gen. Laura Richardson: What I'm starting to see as well is that this economy...the economy impacts to these partner nations is affecting their ability to buy equipment. And you know, as I work with our partner nations, and they invest in U.S. equipment, which is the best equipment, I must say I am a little biased, but it is the best equipment, they also buy into the supply chain of spare parts, and all those kinds of things that help to sustain this piece of equipment over many, many years. So in terms of the investment that they're getting, and that equipment to be able to stay operational, and the readiness of it, is very, very important. But now these partner nations, due to the impacts of their economy, are starting to look at the financing that goes along with it. Not necessarily the quality of the equipment, but who has the best finance deal because they can't afford it so much up front. 24:15 Gen. Laura Richardson: This region, why this region matters, with all of its rich resources and rare earth elements. You've got the lithium triangle which is needed for technology today. 60% of the world's lithium is in the lithium triangle: Argentina Bolivia, Chile. You just have the largest oil reserves -- light, sweet, crude -- discovered off of Guyana over a year ago. You have Venezuela's resources as well with oil, copper, gold. China gets 36% of its food source from this region. We have the Amazon, lungs of the world. We have 31% of the world's freshwater in this region too. I mean, it's just off the chart. 28:10 Gen. Laura Richardson: You know, you gotta question, why are they investing so heavily everywhere else across the planet? I worry about these dual-use state-owned enterprises that pop up from the PRC, and I worry about the dual use capability being able to flip them around and use them for military use. 33:30 Interviewer: Russia can't have the ability to provide many of these countries with resupply or new weapons. I mean, they're struggling to supply themselves, in many cases, for Ukraine. So is that presenting an opportunity for maybe the US to slide in? Gen. Laura Richardson: It is, absolutely and we're taking advantage of that, I'd like to say. So, we are working with those countries that have the Russian equipment to either donate or switch it out for United States equipment. or you Interviewer: Are countries taking the....? Gen. Laura Richardson: They are, yeah. 45:25 Gen. Laura Richardson: National Guard State Partnership Program is huge. We have the largest National Guard State Partnership Program. It has come up a couple of times with Ukraine. Ukraine has the State Partnership Program with California. How do we initially start our great coordination with Ukraine? It was leveraged to the National Guard State Partnership Program that California had. But I have the largest out of any of the CoCOMMs. I have 24 state partnership programs utilize those to the nth degree in terms of another lever. 48:25 Gen. Laura Richardson: Just yesterday I had a zoom call with the U.S. Ambassadors from Argentina and Chile and then also the strategy officer from Levant and then also the VP for Global Operations from Albermarle for lithium, to talk about the lithium triangle in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile and the companies, how they're doing and what they see in terms of challenges and things like that in the lithium business and then the aggressiveness or the influence and coercion from the PRC. House Session June 15, 2022 Clips Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): The GAO found that the LCS had experienced engine failure in 10 of the 11 deployments reviewed. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): One major reason for the excessive costs of LCS: contractors. Unlike other ships where sailors do the maintenance, LCS relies almost exclusively on contractors who own and control the technical data needed to maintain and repair. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA): Our top priority and national defense strategy is China and Russia. We can't waste scarce funds on costly LCS when there are more capable platforms like destroyers, attack submarines, and the new constellation class frigate. A review of the President's Fiscal Year 2023 funding request and budget justification for the Navy and Marine Corps May 25, 2022 Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense Watch full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Carlos Del Toro, Secretary, United States Navy Admiral Michael M. Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps Clips Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS): I think the christening was just a few years ago...maybe three or so. So the fact that we christened the ship one year and a few years later we're decommissioning troubles me. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS): Are there not other uses, if there's something missing from this class of ships, that we would avoid decommissioning? Adm. Michael Gilday: We need a capable, lethal, ready Navy more than we need a larger Navy that's less capable, less lethal, and less ready. And so, unfortunately the Littoral combat ships that we have, while the mechanical issues were a factor, a bigger factor was was the lack of sufficient warfighting capability against a peer competitor in China. Adm. Michael Gilday: And so we refuse to put an additional dollar against that system that wouldn't match the Chinese undersea threat. Adm. Michael Gilday: In terms of what are the options going forward with these ships, I would offer to the subcommittee that we should consider offering these ships to other countries that would be able to use them effectively. There are countries in South America, as an example, as you pointed out, that would be able to use these ships that have small crews. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary ofDefense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks to Traveling Press April 25, 2022 China's Role in Latin America and the Caribbean March 31, 2022 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Watch full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Kerri Hannan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy, Policy, Planning, and Coordination, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State Peter Natiello, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Latin America and Caribbean Bureau, U.S. Agency for International Development Andrew M. Herscowitz, Chief Development Officer, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Margaret Myers, Director of the Asia & Latin America Program, Inter-American Dialogue Evan Ellis, Senior Associate, Center for Strategic and International Studies Clips 24:20 Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA): Ecuador for example, nearly 20 years ago, former President Rafael Correa promised modernization for Ecuador, embracing Chinese loans and infrastructure projects in exchange for its oil. Fast forward to today. Ecuador now lives with the Chinese financed and built dam that's not fully operational despite being opened in 2016. The Coca Codo Sinclair Dam required over 7000 repairs, it sits right next to an active volcano, and erosion continues to damage the dam. The dam also caused an oil spill in 2020 that has impacted indigenous communities living downstream. And all that's on top of the billions of dollars that Ecuador still owes China. 56:40 Peter Natiello: One example that I could provide is work that we've done in Ecuador, with Ecuadorian journalists, to investigate, to analyze and to report on the issue of illegal and unregulated fishing off Ecuador's coast. And we do that because we want to ensure that Ecuadorian citizens have fact-based information upon which they can make decisions about China and countries like China, and whether they want their country working with them. 1:23:45 Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA): There are 86 million tons of identified lithium resources on the planet. On the planet. 49 million of the 86 million are in the Golden Triangle. That's Argentina, Bolivia, Chile. So what's our plan? 1:54:10 Evan Ellis: In security engagement, the PRC is a significant provider of military goods to the region including fighters, transport aircraft, and radars for Venezuela; helicopters and armored vehicles for Bolivia; and military trucks for Ecuador. 2:00:00 Margaret Myers: Ecuador is perhaps the best example here of a country that has begun to come to terms with the challenges associated with doing business with or interacting from a financial or investment perspective with China. And one need only travel the road from the airport to Quito where every day there are a lot of accidents because of challenges with the actual engineering of that road to know why many Ecuadorians feel this way. Examining U.S. Security Cooperation and Assistance March 10, 2022 Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Watch Full Hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Jessica Lewis, Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State Mara Elizabeth Karlin, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities, U.S. Department of Defense Clips 1:23:17 Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT): According to one study, the DoD manages 48 of the 50 new security assistance programs that were created after the 9/11 attacks and out of the 170 existing security assistance programs today, DOD manages 87, a whopping 81% of those programs. That is a fundamental transition from the way in which we used to manage security assistance. And my worry is that it takes out of the equation the people who have the clearest and most important visibility on the ground as to the impact of that security assistance and those transfers. Sen. Chris Murphy: We just spent $87 billion in military assistance over 20 years in Afghanistan. And the army that we supported went up in smoke overnight. That is an extraordinary waste of U.S. taxpayer dollars, and it mirrors a smaller but similar investment we made from 2003 to 2014 in the Iraqi military, who disintegrated when they faced the prospect of a fight against ISIS. Clearly, there is something very wrong with the way in which we are flowing military assistance to partner countries, especially in complicated war zones. You've got a minute and 10 seconds, so maybe you can just preview some lessons that we have learned, or the process by which we are going to learn lessons from all of the money that we have wasted in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jessica Lewis: Senator, I'll be brief so that Dr. Karlin can jump in as well. I think we do need to learn lessons. We need to make sure, as I was just saying to Senator Cardin, that when we provide security assistance, we also look not just at train and equip, but we look at other things like how the Ministries of Defense operate? Is their security sector governant? Are we creating an infrastructure that's going to actually work? Mara Elizabeth Karlin: Thank you for raising this issue, Senator. And I can assure you that the Department of Defense is in the process of commissioning a study on this exact issue. I will just say in line with Assistant Secretary Lewis, it is really important that when we look at these efforts, we spend time assessing political will and we do not take an Excel spreadsheet approach to building partner militaries that misses the higher order issues that are deeply relevant to security sector governance, that will fundamentally show us the extent to which we can ultimately be successful or not with a partner. Thank you. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT): You know, in Iraq, last time I was there, we were spending four times as much money on security assistance as we were on non-security assistance. And what Afghanistan taught us amongst many things, is that if you have a fundamentally corrupt government, then all the money you're flowing into the military is likely wasted in the end because that government can't stand and thus the military can't stand. So it also speaks to rebalancing the way in which we put money into conflict zones, to not think that military assistance alone does the job. You got to be building sustainable governments that serve the public interests in order to make your security assistance matter and be effective. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. National Security Challenges and U.S. Military Activity in North and South America March 8, 2022 House Armed Services Committee Watch full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Melissa G. Dalton, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Office of the Secretary of Defense General Laura Richardson, USA, Commander, U.S. Southern Command General Glen D. VanHerck, USAF, Commander, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command Clips 17:30 General Laura Richardson: Colombia, for example, our strongest partner in the region, exports security by training other Latin American militaries to counter transnational threats. 1:20:00 General Laura Richardson: If I look at what PRC (People's Republic of China) is investing in the [SOUTHCOM] AOR (Area of Responsibility), over a five year period of 2017 to 2021: $72 billion. It's off the charts. And I can read a couple of the projects. The most concerning projects that I have are the $6 billion in projects specifically near the Panama Canal. And I look at the strategic lines of communication: Panama Canal and the Strait of Magellan. But just to highlight a couple of the projects. The nuclear power plant in Argentina: $7.9 billion. The highway in Jamaica: $5.6 billion. The energy refinery in Cuba, $5 billion. The highway in Peru: $4 billion. Energy dam in Argentina: $4 billion, the Metro in Colombia: $3.9 billion. The freight railway in Argentina: $3 billion. These are not small projects that they're putting in this region. This region is rich in resources, and the Chinese don't go there to invest, they go there to extract. All of these projects are done with Chinese labor with host nation countries'. U.S. Policy on Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean November 30, 2021 Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Watch full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Brian A. Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, U.S. Department of State Todd D. Robinson, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State Clips 1:47:15 Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): I'd like to start with Mexico. I am increasingly concerned that the Mexican government is engaged in a systematic campaign to undermine American companies, and especially American energy companies that have invested in our shared prosperity and in the future of the Mexican people and economy. Over the past five months, Mexican regulators have shut down three privately owned fuel storage terminals. Among those they shut down a fuel terminal and Tuxpan, which is run by an American company based in Texas, and which transports fuel on ships owned by American companies. This is a pattern of sustained discrimination against American companies. And I worry that the Mexican government's ultimate aim is to roll back the country's historic 2013 energy sector liberalisation reforms in favor of Mexico's mismanaged and failing state-owned energy companies. The only way the Mexican government is going to slow and reverse their campaign is if the United States Government conveys clearly and candidly that their efforts pose a serious threat to our relationship and to our shared economic interests. 2:01:50 Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ): Mr. Nichols, can you can you just be a little more specific about the tactics of the GEC? What are some of the specific activities they're doing? And what more would you like to see them do? Brian A. Nichols: The Global Engagement Center both measures public opinion and social media trends throughout the world. They actively work to counter false messages from our strategic competitors. And they prepare media products or talking points that our embassies and consulates around the hemisphere can use to combat disinformation. I think they do a great job. Obviously, it's a huge task. So the the resources that they have to bring to bear to this limit, somewhat, the ability to accomplish those goals, but I think they're doing vital, vital work. 2:13:30 Todd D. Robinson: We are, INL (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement) are working very closely with the Haitian National Police, the new Director General, we are going to send in advisors. When I was there two weeks ago, I arrived with -- they'd asked for greater ability to get police around the city -- I showed up with 19 new vehicles, 200 new protective vests for the police. The 19 was the first installment of a total of 60 that we're going to deliver to the Haitian National Police. We're gonna get advisors down there to work with the new SWAT team to start taking back the areas that have been taken from ordinary Haitians. But it's going to be a process and it's going to take some time. Sen. Bob Menendez: Well, first of all, is the Haitian National Police actually an institution capable of delivering the type of security that Hatians deserve? Todd D. Robinson: We believe it is. It's an institution that we have worked with in the past. There was a small brief moment where Haitians actually acknowledged that the Haitian National Police had gotten better and was more professional. Our goal, our long term goal is to try to bring it back to that Sen. Bob Menendez: How much time before we get security on the ground? Todd D. Robinson: I can't say exactly but we are working as fast as we can. Sen. Bob Menendez: Months, years? Todd D. Robinson: Well, I would hope we could do it in less than months. But we're working as fast as we can. Global Challenges and U.S. National Security Strategy January 25, 2018 Senate Committee on Armed Services Watch the full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Dr. Henry A. Kissinger, Chairman of Kissinger Associates and Former Secretary of State Dr. George P. Shultz, Thomas W. and Susan B. Ford Distinguished Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University and Former Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage, President, Armitage International and Former Deputy Secretary of State Clips Dr. George Shultz: Small platforms will carry a very destructive power. Then you can put these small platforms on drones. And drones can be manufactured easily, and you can have a great many of them inexpensively. So then you can have a swarm armed with lethal equipment. Any fixed target is a real target. So an airfield where our Air Force stores planes is a very vulnerable target. A ship at anchor is a vulnerable target. So you've got to think about that in terms of how you deploy. And in terms of the drones, while such a system cannot be jammed, it would only serve to get a drone—talking about getting a drone to the area of where its target is, but that sure could hit a specific target. At that point, the optical systems guided by artificial intelligence could use on-board, multi-spectral imaging to find a target and guide the weapons. It is exactly that autonomy that makes the technologic convergence a threat today. Because such drones will require no external input other than the signature of the designed target, they will not be vulnerable to jamming. Not requiring human intervention, the autonomous platforms will also be able to operate in very large numbers. Dr. George Shultz: I think there's a great lesson here for what we do in NATO to contain Russia because you can deploy these things in boxes so you don't even know what they are and on trucks and train people to unload quickly and fire. So it's a huge deterrent capability that is available, and it's inexpensive enough so that we can expect our allies to pitch in and get them for themselves. Dr. George Shultz: The creative use of swarms of autonomous drones to augment current forces would strongly and relatively cheaply reinforce NATO, as I said, that deterrence. If NATO assists frontline states in fielding large numbers of inexpensive autonomous drones that are pre-packaged in standard 20-foot containers, the weapons can be stored in sites across the countries under the control of reserve forces. If the weapons are pre-packaged and stored, the national forces can quickly deploy the weapons to delay a Russian advance. So what's happening is you have small, cheap, and highly lethal replacing large, expensive platforms. And this change is coming about with great rapidity, and it is massively important to take it into account in anything that you are thinking about doing. Foreign Military Sales: Process and Policy June 15, 2017 House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Watch the full hearing on YouTube Witnesses: Tina Kaidanow, Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State Vice Admiral Joseph Rixey, Director, U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency Clips 14:40 Tina Kaidanow: Arms Transfers constitute an element of foreign policy. We therefore take into account foreign policy considerations as we contemplate each arms transfer or sale, including specifically, the appropriateness of the transfer in responding to U.S and recipient security needs; the degree to which the transfer supports U.S. strategic foreign policy and defense interests through increased access and influence; allied burden sharing and interoperability; consistency with U.S. interests regarding regional stability; the degree of protection afforded by the recipient company to our sensitive technology; the risk that significant change in the political or security situation of the recipient country could lead to inappropriate end use or transfer; and the likelihood that the recipient would use the arms to commit human rights abuses or serious violations of international humanitarian law, or retransfer the arms to those who would commit such abuses. As a second key point, arms transfers support the U.S. Defense industrial base and they reduce the cost of procurement for our own U.S. military. Purchases made through the Foreign Military Sales, known as the FMS, system often can be combined with our Defense Department orders to reduce unit costs. Beyond this, the US defense industry directly employs over 1.7 million people across our nation. 20:20 Vice Admiral Joseph Rixey: FMS is the government-to-government process through which the U.S. government purchases defense articles, training, and services on behalf of foreign governments, authorized in the Arms Export Control Act. FMS is a long standing security cooperation program that supports partner and regional security, enhances military-to-military cooperation, enables interoperability and develops and maintains international relationships. Through the FMS process, the US government determines whether or not the sale is of mutual benefit to us and the partner, whether the technology can and will be protected, and whether the transfer is consistent with U.S. conventional arms transfer policy. The FMS system is actually a set of systems in which the Department of State, Department of Defense, and Congress play critical roles. The Department of Defense in particular executes a number of different processes including the management of the FMS case lifecycle which is overseen by DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency). Technology transfer reviews, overseen by the Defense Technology Security Administration, and the management of the Defense Acquisition and Logistics Systems, overseen by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and the military departments. This process, or a version of it, also serves us well, in the DoD Title X Building Partnership Capacity arena, where the process of building a case, validating a requirement and exercising our U.S. acquisition system to deliver capability is modeled on the FMS system. I want to say clearly that overall the system is performing very well. The United States continues to remain the provider of choice for our international partners, with 1,700 new cases implemented in Fiscal Year 2016 alone. These new cases, combined with adjustments to existing programs, equated to more than $33 billion in sales last year. This included over $25 billion in cases funded by our partner nations' own funds and approximately $8 billion in cases funded by DOD Title X program or Department of State's Appropriations. Most FMS cases move through the process relatively quickly. But some may move more slowly as we engage in deliberate review to ensure that the necessary arms transfer criteria are met. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

Donnovan brings on New York Times writer Eric Lipton to discuss his piece on the rise of sports betting and gambling in North America, and what led to its ever-present nature in every major sport (2:24). How did this happen so quickly, and could gambling still be on the rise? Afterwards, Donnovan and Sho react to the news that the Phoenix Suns will be under new management, and chat about the continually rising valuations of sports franchises in every major sport on Earth (28:38). NYT Piece: https://nyti.ms/3jhb1iM The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ralph welcomes Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times investigative reporter, Eric Lipton, to give us the over/under on how professional sports in the U.S. is now part of a multibillion-dollar corporate gambling enterprise that can now even reach children. And before you buy toys for your loved ones this holiday season you need to hear our interview with Teresa Murray, director of U.S. PIRG's Consumer Watchdog office, discussing their latest report on dangerous toys, entitled “Trouble in Toyland.”Eric Lipton is a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, and an investigative reporter for the New York Times. He traveled to Topeka, Kansas to report on lobbying and sports-betting legislation for the New York Times' new series that examines how the sports-gambling industry has expanded in the US.The end goal for the sports betting industry is not sports betting. It's actually something they call “iGaming”... They're pushing states that have already adopted sports betting to move on now to iGaming. And we'll see how successful they are, but already we have witnessed—just since 2018— the largest expansion of legalized gambling in United States history.Eric LiptonYeah, it's true that many people bet on the side— college basketball or Super Bowl betting— that's been around for so long. But with the institutionalization and the legalization now it's become such a part of the enterprise of sports. It has fundamentally transformed the relationship we have with such an important part of our culture.Eric LiptonA major-league ballplayer is not going to strike out in a key game in order to collect some hidden gambling bets from their family or friends. But it's terrible for appearances, and it's fertile for suspicions— where you're sitting there, watching, and you know that there are all kinds of endorsements and entanglements, and you say “Ah, he couldn't have bungled that play! That was deliberate.” And so, there's a stench that begins arising by people who suspect that this greed does penetrate the games. Ralph NaderTeresa Murray is a Consumer Watchdog with the US Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, and she directs US PIRG's Consumer Watchdog office, which looks out for consumers' health, safety and financial security. She is the primary author of “Trouble In Toyland 2022”, the Consumer Watchdog's annual toy safety report.We have an increasing number of smart toys. Which, on some levels, can be good— maybe it keeps the kid's interest, maybe there's an educational value… The problems are when these toys are invading our children's privacy, collecting information about them, maybe without the parents' knowledge. And then in some cases the information can be used to market to the child, which is wrong. Or spy on the child, which is creepy. Or in some cases perhaps even stalk the child.Teresa MurrayFamilies should realize and remember that just because a toy is for sale, it doesn't mean that it's necessarily safe. It could be a recalled toy. It could be a counterfeit toy. Or it could be a toy that's just not appropriate for your child.Teresa Murray Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

Just a few years ago, betting on sports was regulated to Nevada and a handful of other locations in the U.S., but after a flurry of action from lobbyists and the gambling industry, 31 states now allow sports gambling either online or in-person.  Sold by possible tax revenue, many states have come on board, sometimes with very favorable tax breaks for gambling companies.  An investigation by the Times finds that in many cases that revenue hasn't lived up to projections.  Other convincing was done at events such as the “Cigars, Cars, and Bars” event that some Kansas lawmakers attended.  Eric Lipton, investigative reporter at the NY Times, joins us for how sports betting has expanded so fast.   Next, a study in Germany that was exploring the possibility of using industrial hemp in animal feed found that when portions of the plant that had higher THC concentration was fed to some dairy cows, they produced milk with detectable levels of THC.  The dairy cows even displayed behavioral changes such as yawning and salivating a lot and standing in one place for long periods of time. Still regulators are looking into hemp because it could be an excellent source for animal feed.  Hemp seeds are high in protein and do not contain any THC.  Joel Achenbach, science reporter at The Washington Post, joins us for what to know.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Never Trust a Preacher Who Owns More Than Two Suits             Today:  Comedian Lenny Bruce might have been thinking of Rev. Al Sharpton when he made that statement, and Al has a lot more than two nice suits.  Then, Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China, warns that the Chinese parent company of TikTok has had access to sensitive U.S. user-data and parents should keep kids off it.  Later, journalist Eric Lipton with the N.Y. Times' Washington Bureau explains how the gambling industry's lobbying of lawmakers made sports betting ubiquitous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his latest piece, Secret Data, Tiny Islands and a Quest for Treasure on the Ocean Floor, three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Eric Lipton reports on the Seabed Authority, an international agency tasked with regulating mining in parts of the Pacific Ocean, and its relationship to a Canadian mining company. Though the Seabed Authority is tasked with ensuring that mining in the Pacific Ocean will benefit developing countries, Lipton found a much more complicated story when he investigated the relationship between the Seabed Authority and The Metals Company. We discuss his reporting, the complications with regulating metals crucial to the green energy revolution, and environmental concerns over ocean mining.  Read Secret Data, Tiny Islands and a Quest for Treasure on the Ocean Floor Subscribe to our Substack newsletter "The Climate Weekly": https://theclimateweekly.substack.com/ As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Subscribe to our new YouTube channel! Join our Facebook group.  

NFL quarterback Tom Brady hints at owning Bitcoin by changing his Twitter profile to laser eyes. Swiss financial giant UBS Group is in the early stages of planning to offer digital currency investments to affluent clients, according to a Bloomberg report. Mark Yusko, the founder and CEO of investment-management firm Morgan Creek Capital Management, says bitcoin could reach $250,000 within the next five years. SpaceX accepts Dogecoin as payment to launch ‘DOGE-1 mission to the Moon’ next year. Eric Lipton, NY Times writer, wrote an article about crypto regulations which features the SEC Ripple XRP lawsuit.Mark Yusko Interview - https://youtu.be/wKYYnBHS0aI

ICYMI, Joe Biden and his administration hit the ground running since his first official day in office. After four years of, well, you know, we like our White House this way: boring and efficient. Light on drama, heavy on getting stuff done. From COVID relief to immigration reform, Biden has signed a slate of executive actions signaling a surprisingly impressive understanding of what it will take to advance equity for millions of Americans. In this episode, we take a high level overview of what Biden’s executive actions mean for the New American Majority. And we also introduce a new segment called “How We Win the Civil War” where Steve grounds our current political climate in the historical context of the U.S. Civil War that never ended. REFERENCES: Alida Garcia, Esq. - @leedsgarcia - VP of Advocacy, FWD.us & Founder, Inclusv Susan Rice - @AmbassadorRice - Director, US Domestic Policy Council Executive Actions CNN.com // Kate Sullivan - Here are the executive actions Biden has signed so far https://cnn.com/interactive/2021/politics/biden-executive-orders/index.html Articles NYT Opinion Editorial // Ease Up on the Executive Actions, Joe! https://nytimes.com/2021/01/27/opinion/biden-executive-orders.html New York Times // Jim Rutenberg, Jo Becker, Eric Lipton, Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Martin, Matthew Rosenberg, and Michael S. Schmidt - 77 Days: Trump’s Campaign to Subvert the Election https://nytimes.com/2021/01/31/us/trump-election-lie.html The Root // Stephen A. Crockett Jr. - The Return to Boredom America Deserves https://theroot.com/the-return-to-boredom-america-deserves-1846092852 Newsweek // Jacob Jarvis - Joe Biden Signed More Executive Orders Than Trump, Obama Combined in Their First 12 Days https://newsweek.com/joe-biden-executive-orders-more-donald-trump-barack-obama-first-12-days-1565795 Newsweek // Aimee Allison - The Women Behind Biden’s Executive Orders I Opinion https://newsweek.com/women-behind-bidens-executive-orders-opinion-1565510 Ms. Magazine // Carrie N. Baker - “Uplifting the Rights of Girls and Women in the U.S. and Around the World”: Biden and Harris Announce New White House Gender Policy Council https://msmagazine.com/2021/01/26/white-house-gender-policy-council-biden-harris-tina-tchen/ NPR.org // Barbara Sprunt - Biden Picks Susan Rice For Top Domestic Policy Position https://npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2020/12/10/944997218/biden-picks-susan-rice-for-top-domestic-policy-position Book Jean Guerrero // Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, and the White Nationalist Agenda https://harpercollins.com/products/hatemonger-jean-guerrero?variant=32999929610274 Pop Culture Reference YouTube.com // Schoolhouse Rock - I’m Just a Bill https://youtube.com/watch?v=OgVKvqTItto

3 de febrero | Nueva YorkHola, maricoper. Filibuster y reconciliation.El podcast de La Wikly también está disponible en iTunes, Spotify y iVoox.Añade el podcast a tu plataforma favorita haciendo click en el botón “Listen in podcast app” que aparece justo debajo del reproductor.Si te haces suscriptor premium, recibirás dos newsletters extra. Los viernes, el maricóctel, un podcast y una serie de enlaces recomendados para ponerte al día de algún tema destacado. Y los lunes, el maricoffee, un repaso de cuatro titulares para empezar la semana bien informado (y un test de actualidad para ponerte a prueba).Leer esta newsletter te llevará 28 minutos y 23 segundos.Porque es un placer fastidiar a los críos (sorry, padres). Bienvenido a La Wikly.🧑🏻‍🦳 Obstáculos y atajosLo importante: Joe Biden tiene que afrontar las crisis que azotan a Estados Unidos de dos formas: desde el ejecutivo con decretos como los que lleva aprobando estas semanas y/o con la ayuda de las cámaras legislativas.Por si hace falta que te refresquemos la memoria.Cámara de Representantes, con mayoría demócrata ajustada de tan solo 10 congresistas (222-212).Queda un escaño en Nueva York por decidirse.Senado, con mayoría demócrata muy ajustada (50-50) gracias a la función que la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris ejerce para deshacer empates.En la Cámara de Representantes es posible pasar muchos proyectos de ley ambiciosos por mayoría simple. Es decir, 218 congresistas y los demócratas solo se pueden permitir cuatro fugas.El Senado es otra historia.Es por eso que en esta edición de La Wikly queremos explicar los dos mecanismos que permiten pasar o bloquear leyes en el Senado y que pasarán a formar parte del lexicón de esta newsletter en los próximos meses.EL FILIBUSTERQué es. Se trata de una técnica específica de obstruccionismo parlamentario mediante la cual se pretende retrasar o enteramente bloquear la aprobación de una ley o acto legislativo a través de las intervenciones de los congresistas.Como el sistema estadounidense es uno que no contempla un tiempo límite para las intervenciones de los congresistas, un filibuster puede implicar largos discursos, mociones dilatorias y una cantidad ingente de proposición de medidas.Regulación en el Senado. Tras más de cien años de prácticas de filibuster, se han desarrollado leyes reglamentarias para controlarlo e impedir que el mecanismo frene en su totalidad la actividad del Capitolio.Hasta 1970, el obstruccionismo en un debate frenaba por completo la actividad del Senado, pero con la adopción del sistema de dos vías se permitió tener dos o más leyes/nominaciones pendientes en simultáneo.¿Cómo? Designando períodos específicos durante el día para que cada una sea considerada. Ejemplo:La nominación judicial de Pepito será considerada por la mañana y hasta la hora de comer.La ley de transición patológica será considerada a lo largo de la tarde.Es decir, que el filibuster permite de facto bloquear una ley porque un partido puede alargar un debate ad infinitum al tiempo sin frenar la actividad del Senado porque en paralelo se van aprobando otras leyes.La excepción. El Senado puede poner fin a un obstruccionismo invocando la Cloture Rule, una regla que desde 1975 permite terminar el debate con el apoyo de las tres quintas partes del Senado (60 senadores).Sin embargo, no es una regla que se invoque con regularidad debido a que suele ser necesario el apoyo bipartidista para obtener la supermayoría requerida.Por otro lado, la minoría de votos requerida por esa Cloture Rule, o regla de clausura, no es la misma si el debate gira en torno a modificar las leyes del Senado; para esos fines es necesario el apoyo de dos tercios de la cámara.En ocasiones, se ha propuesto la "opción nuclear", un procedimiento parlamentario que permite al Senado anular una regla permanente del Senado por una mayoría simple de 51 votos —si es que los 100 senadores están presentes.Eso incluye la regla de clausura de 60 votos necesarios para cerrar el debate.Con el tiempo, las prácticas de filibuster, que solían estar reservadas para problemas controvertidos, empezaron a afectar a casi todos los debates caldeados del Senado y se normalizó requerir los 60 votos para esquivar el obstruccionismo.¿Cuáles son las opciones para los demócratas teniendo el control de la Casa Blanca y del Capitolio pero sin una mayoría a prueba del potencial obstruccionismo del Senado?Crear más excepciones mediante la opción nuclear, como ha sucedido un par de veces en los últimos años, aunque para ello necesitarían el apoyo de senadores como Joe Manchin y Krysten Sinema, que no están muy convencidos.En 2013, una mayoría demócrata en el Senado puso fin al obstruccionismo para las nominaciones a los tribunales federales, así como a las nominaciones del poder ejecutivo.En 2017, un Senado controlado por los republicanos puso fin al obstruccionismo para las nominaciones a la Corte Suprema.Con la administración de Biden, gran parte de las políticas de la agenda demócrata están fuera de su alcance a menos que diez republicanos del Senado las respalden.Es de ahí que los demócratas lleven meses proponiendo a debate si el partido debería eliminar el obstruccionismo parlamentario con la llamada opción nuclear.Si la activaran, podrían aprobar muchos proyectos de ley sobre cambio climático, derecho al voto, ampliación de Medicare o subida de impuestos a los ricos con solo 50 votos (+Kamala) en lugar de 60.RECONCILIATIONQué es. Reconciliation o reconciliación es un procedimiento parlamentario del Capitolio estadounidense que facilita la aprobación de determinadas leyes presupuestarias.Es de especial utilidad en el Senado, pues permite evitar el filibuster y salvar el requisito de los 60 votos a favor necesarios para poder pasar la mayor parte de la legislación.Los mecanismos de control del debate ya existentes en la Cámara de Representantes hacen que este mecanismo no sea tan útil en esa cámara.La reconciliación permite al Senado, por mayoría simple de 50 senadores, aprobar por lo menos una ley al año que afecte a gastos, impuestos y límites de deuda como parte del proceso presupuestario.Existe la posibilidad de aprobar una ley que afecte a gastos e impuestos por un lado y otra ley que afecte a límites de deuda.Pero sí, solo uno de esos tres términos (gastos, impuestos y límites de deuda) al año.Este mecanismo fue creado por la Ley de Presupuestos del Congreso de 1974 y se puede utilizar para abordar aquellos gastos “obligatorios” o de derecho. Es decir, aquellos gastos determinados por las leyes de autorización vigentes.Eso incluye cambios a gastos que afecten a programas públicos de sanidad como Medicaid y Medicare, a pensiones civiles y militares a nivel federal o a cupones de alimentos y programas agrícolas.Eso sí, la conocida como Regla Byrd impide que por reconciliación se hagan cambios a la Seguridad Social o se aumente el déficit federal después de un periodo de 10 años, entre otros. La reconciliación fue utilizada por primera vez en 1980, y desde entonces se ha utilizado en otras 21 ocasiones. Entre los ejemplos históricos más reseñables:La reforma de ayudas sociales de 1996 (PRWORA).Las bajadas de impuestos de George W. Bush en 2001 y 2003.Como parte del proceso de aprobación de la Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (ACA), mejor conocida como Obamacare, en 2010.La bajada de impuestos de Trump en 2017.Los republicanos, con su mayoría en el Senado, también intentaron utilizar la reconciliación en 2016 y 2017 para derogar Obamacare.Ambos intentos fracasaron: el primero porque fue vetado por Obama, y el segundo, ya durante la presidencia de Trump, porque no logró su aprobación en el Senado.A destacar el hecho de que el veto presidencial a una ley de reconciliación no permite reiniciar la tramitación de otra ley por ese procedimiento, lo que implica la exigencia de un nuevo proceso presupuestario.La de 2017 fue especialmente controvertida puesto que se intentaron aprobar dos leyes de reconciliación: una para el año fiscal 2017 (utilizada para intentar tumbar Obamacare; fracasó) y otra para el año fiscal 2018 (la que aprobó la bajada de impuestos de Trump).¿Y cómo pueden utilizar los demócratas la reconciliación?En teoría, los demócratas podrían aprobar una sola de reconciliación en 2021, aunque es posible que se puedan permitirse aprobar una extra del año fiscal 2020.Dado que en 2020 no se aprobó una ley presupuestaria correspondiente al año fiscal 2021, los demócratas podrían aprovechar este año para aprobar las leyes correspondientes a 2021 y a 2022.Eso permitiría la generación de una ley de reconciliación extra que los demócratas podrían utilizar para aprobar sus medidas legislativas más ambiciosas.¿Qué medidas? Los líderes demócratas ya han anunciado que utilizarán las leyes de reconciliación para aprobar algunas de las principales medidas legislativas del programa de Biden. Destacan:Los paquetes de estímulo para hacer frente a la situación económica dejada por la crisis de COVID-19 en caso de que no se llegue a un acuerdo con los republicanos.Legislación en materia de cambio climático e infraestructuras.Subida del salario mínimo a 15 dólares por hora, si bien esto no tiene precedentes de aprobación mediante reconciliación.¿Qué no pueden hacer? En esencia, no puede aprobarse por ley de reconciliación cualquier medida que no afecte a gastos, impuestos o límites de deuda. Entre las medidas que no se pueden aprobar por esta vía se encuentran:Reformas en los sistemas electorales, plazos de votación y procedimientos de redistrito.Convertir a D.C. y Puerto Rico en estados.Aumentar el número de jueces en los tribunales de distrito, de circuito o del Tribunal Supremo.Protección o extensión de derechos como el aborto, medidas o regulaciones medioambientales o restricciones en la tenencia de armas.No obstante, la decisión final dependerá de lo que decidan los propios parlamentarios, pues la Regla Byrd no deja de ser una norma sujeta a reforma o derogación.Los demócratas podrían tratar de eliminar esta norma para que las leyes de reconciliación puedan abarcar la reforma de cualquier materia legal.¿Desea saber más? En el podcast, Anita Pereyra y yo (hola, soy Emilio) hablamos de ambos mecanismos y de cómo encajan en el contexto político actual. The Daily, el podcast diario de The New York Times, publicó hace unos días un programa sobre el debate en torno a poner fin al filibuster.🤓 Qué están leyendo en…Washington D.C.: ‘77 días: la campaña de Trump para revertir las elecciones’ por Jim Rutenberg, Jo Becker, Eric Lipton, Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Martin, Matthew Rosenberg y Michael S. Schmidt en The New York Times. (en inglés; 46 minutos).The New York Times vuelve a juntar a muchas de sus estrellas para esta exhaustiva crónica desde dentro sobre cómo Trump y sus aliados construyeron una narrativa falsa sobre el fraude electoral. El reportaje es ilustrativo de la magnitud de la empresa de Trump y la complicidad de gran parte de la infraestructura republicana, así como de los baches que se encontraron por el camino (mi preferido, el repartidos reconvertido a cazafantasmas). Pero lo más revelador quizá quede en esta frase sobre el equipo legal del que se rodeó el ahora expresidente: “Por cada abogado del equipo de Trump que silenciosamente se echó atrás, había otro preparado para impulsar las demandas propagandísticas que pasaban por alto la ética legal y la razón”.For every lawyer on Mr. Trump’s team who quietly pulled back, there was one ready to push forward with propagandistic suits that skated the lines of legal ethics and reason.Silicon Valley: ‘La locura de la extrema derecha con las sobras de QAnon’ por Kelly Weill en The Dialy Beast (en inglés; 6 minutos).Si hace unos años eran los grupos privados de Facebook donde se lanzaron avisos de que ‘aquí está pasando algo realmente peligroso’ con la teoría de la conspiración QAnon, ahora el foco se va a centrar en plataformas de mensajería como Telegram, donde los medios tienen mucho más difícil hacer un seguimiento de la toxicidad que se da en algunos de sus canales. En The Daily Beast se hacen eco de las estrategias de reclutamiento por parte de grupos de extrema derecha o ultrareligiosos que están captando a seguidores de QAnon desencantados con la falta de resultados en las últimas semanas. Y lo peor es que podría estar funcionando.Hollywood: ‘11 películas atractivas a la venta en el Festival Virtual de Cine de Sundance’ por Brent Lang, Rebecca Rubin y Matt Donnelly en Variety (en inglés; 8 minutos).Con el COVID-19 haciendo imposible una cita presencial en Park City, Utah, el Festival de Sundance de cine independiente se celebra este año de forma virtual. Y aunque la pandemia ha frenado el estreno de numerosas producciones, la edición sigue teniendo en ristra algunos títulos destacados que repasan en este artículo de Variety. En Sundance siempre suele haber sorpresas de última hora (¡Whiplash! ¡¡Beats of the Southern Wild!!), pero algunos títulos a tener en cuenta: Passing, el por ahora aclamado debut en largometraje de la actriz Rebecca Hall con Tessa Thompson como protagonista; How It Ends, una comedia sobre un Los Ángeles postapocalíptico que parece ser una de las mejores respuestas al mundo postpandemia que viviremos dentro de poco; y Land, el también debut en largometraje de la actriz Robin Wright que no aparece en el artículo de Variety porque ya tiene distribución de Focus Features (el sello indie de Universal). Por cierto, Apple compró los derechos de la potencialmente lacrimógena CODA por 25 millones de dólares, récord histórico de venta del festival. Apuntad el nombre de la joven protagonista: Emilia Jones.😆 Quitándole la graciaWall Street Bets sigue siendo una de las noticias del momento a nivel global gracias a la narrativa del David vs. Goliath que tiene la historia. Lo explicamos en profundidad en la newsletter de la semana pasada y después en el noticiario de Twitch cuyo resumen editó mi compañero Mario aquí.Si ya habéis vuelto con el contexto, ahora podréis entender mejor algunos de los memes que se han hecho virales en Reddit en la última semana. Ahí está el de arriba en referencia al meme ‘go brrr’ que entró en nuestro ranking del 2020. Pero detrás de todo ese fenómeno hay un nombre que ha pasado desapercibido en muchos de los análisis de los últimos días: el de Keith Gill aka /deepfuckingvalue aka Roaring Kitty, un redditor que lleva meses hablando de Gamestop. The Wall Street Journal lo entrevistó:Todo empezó con este vídeo del pasado julio que ya es parte indispensable de la historia de internet:Os cuento esto para que podáis entender mejor los memes de DFV que vais a ver mucho en los próximos años. Ejemplo claro:Y este otro nivel icónico con la palabra Hold. Esto es, aguantad, en referencia a la estrategia de los redditors de seguir manteniendo sus posiciones en Gamestop para que los fondos de cobertura continúen ahogándose en su propia mierda:Conocido el contexto, se os hará mucho más fácil entender la presencia de DeepFuckingValue en versiones épicas del Hold the line! enmarcadas en películas como El caballero oscuro: la leyenda renace, Vengadores: Endgame, El señor de los anillos: El retorno del rey y, por supuesto, 300:Y en vídeos e imágenes que te alegrarán el día:Un buen meme nostálgico sobre el apoyo a GameStop.Un gran meme sobre apoyar la cabeza en la ventana del autobús.Un buen meme wholesome sobre la cola del supermercado.Un buen meme para recordar a Harambe.Un buen meme de Trump:🤩 Un vídeo para celebrar la vuelta de SNLSaturday Night Live volvió este pasado sábado a NBC con un episodio que dejó algún momento memorable como el que encabeza este párrafo, en el que Cecily Strong interpreta a la congresista republicana Marjorie Taylor Greene (QAnon Lady). Es parte del cold open de la última entrega del programa de sketches en la que curiosamente quien estuvo desaparecido es Joe Biden, que en episodios anteriores fue interpretado por Jim Carrey (ya retirado del rol) y Alex Moffat (parte del elenco de SNL).El programa tuvo algunos sketches muy flojos, pero tanto el cold open como el retrato de la Georgia Azul, un estado de repente megaprogresista, cuentan con ideas y gags cojonudos. Y ahí estará la clave. Sin Trump, es posible que SNL pierda mucho material fácil con el que levantar programas, pero también para que los guionistas arriesguen más que nunca y la sátira política sepa estar a la altura de un momento político que no debería tener que ser más aburrido.Haré muchas menciones a SNL en los próximos números de La Wikly, pero ya aviso que los vídeos de YouTube con los sketches completos suelen estar capados por localización, con lo que aquí solo podré compartir las versiones recortadas que la cuenta oficial del programa cuelga en Twitter. Si quieres verlo todo, tendrás que activar un VPN.Os dejo con un último extracto del otro sketch que más me ha hecho reírme esta semana:👋 Y para terminar...Una recomendación. HBO ha lanzado una serie documental sobre jóvenes que quieren ser famosos en Los Ángeles. Se llama Fake Famous y es una radiografía del universo influencer de la mano del periodista Nick Bilton y el sello de la cadena de cable, lo cual es un aliciente bastante potente. Las primeras críticas son buenas, como estas de The Hollywood Reporter y de Wired, así que parece un gran plan para el fin de semana.Hasta la semana que viene, This is a public episode. Get access to private episodes at www.lawikly.com/subscribe

In this episode, PSIA-E Alpine Examiner Coach, former ACE Team Coach, and Author of "Be Fit to Ski", Sue Kramer throws down the gauntlet against Eric Lipton, talks kids, stereotypes, and fitness.

Current 3-term member of the PSIA-AASI National Alpine team, Eric Lipton talks about skiing as a "lifestyle". Learn how an 8 year old gets free tickets. Eric talks about what he thinks makes a great skier and the importance of self coaching.

First Chair catches up with PSIA Alpine Team member, Eric Lipton, about what ski and snowboard instructors might expect this season when resorts and ski and ride schools reopen. To help your school prepare for reopening this season, view PSIA-AASI COVID-19 resources: https://www.thesnowpros.org/education/covid-19-updates/

Air Date 5/3/2020 Today we take a look at the unique, profound dysfunction at the heart of the train wreck that is Trump's response to the Coronavirus. Plus, we explore the death cult that is the group of people still supporting the president. Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 MEMBERSHIP ON PATREON (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content) EPISODE SPONSORS: Clean Choice Energy SHOP AMAZON: Amazon USA | Amazon CA | Amazon UK SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Memory Hole - On the Media - Air Date 4-18-20 McKay Coppins [@mckaycoppins], staff writer at The Atlantic, on the latest pivots in the Trump administration's ever-evolving "disinformation architecture." Ch. 2: Is Trump Criminally Responsible for Coronavirus Deaths? - Deconstructed with Mehdi Hasan - Air Date 4-2-20 Mehdi talks with Glenn Kirschner about Trump's inaction and misinformation that is leading to deaths. Ch. 3: What Trump Knew & When He Knew It NYT on How Trump Ignored COVID-19 Warnings Until It Was Too Late - Democracy Now - Air Date 4-13-20 We look at how President Trump led the country to this point with Eric Lipton, lead author of The New York Times’s explosive new exposé, “He Could Have Seen What Was Coming: Behind Trump’s Failure on the Virus.” Ch. 4: Warnings To The White House - Frontline - Air Date 4-10-20 Trump and the government's response to the Pandemic are explored. Ch. 5: Explaining why he can't do that but just did anyway - The Bugle - Air Date 4-18-20 The answer to everything strange in America is slavery. Ch. 6: Michael Lewis On How Trump’s Handling of Covid-19 Has Proven His Book, The Fifth Risk, Tragically Prophetic. - The Al Franken Podcast - Air Date 4-19-20 In The Fifth Risk, Lewis portrayed Donald Trump as a man totally ignorant of and disinterested in the actually functioning of the federal government. Ch. 7: Trump Cuts Funds for World Health Org as Oxfam Warns Pandemic Could Push Half a Billion into Poverty - Democracy Now - Air Date 4-15-20 President Donald Trump says he will cut U.S. support for the World Health Organization. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of The Lancet medical journal, called it a “crime against humanity.” Ch. 8: Bleach? Nevermind - The Bugle - Air Date 4-25-20 Andy, Nish and Hari attempt to make sense of another week of transatlantic buffoonery. Ch. 9: Is the Trump Cult a Death Cult? - Deconstructed with Mehdi Hasan - Air Date 3-25-20 The Atlantic’s Adam Serwer joins Mehdi Hasan to discuss the President’s continuing refusal to take the Covid-19 pandemic seriously. Ch. 10: Jared Yates Sexton reflects on his childhood and life in Trumplandia - The Chauncey DeVega Show - Air Date 3-24-20 Jared Yates Sexton reflects on his childhood and life in Trumplandia and the power that Trump’s cult holds over so many white right-wing so-called “Christians.” Ch. 11: Tim Wise Explains How White Privilege is Making the Pandemic Much Worse - The Truth Report with Chauncey DeVega - Air Date 4-21-20 Tim Wise reflects on how only white men such as Donald Trump and his cabal could still be viewed as competent given their gross and willful negligence in how they chose to (not) respond to the pandemic. Ch. 12: The Tactics Of The “Re-Open America” Protests ft. Joshua Kahn Russell - The Michael Brooks Show - Air Date 4-23-20 Joshua Kahn Russell joins us to analyze the reopen America protests. Ch. 13: Kurt Andersen, Fantasyland, and How Irrational Thought Worsened the Pandemic - Point of Inquiry - Air Date 4-9-20 Kurt Andersen, the author of Fantasyland, explains what happens when the departure from empirical, reality-based thought plays out during a global pandemic. FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 14: Final comments on my use of The Al Franken Show MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions): Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr  Haena - Cloud Harbor Arizona Moon - Cholate Decompression - Rayling Waterbourne - Algea Fields Molly Molly - Barstool Take a Tiny Train - Ray Catcher 7.1 The Spinnet - Castle Danger Tar and Spackle - Plaster Denzel Sprak - CloudCover Feather on the Crest - Wax Museum Interlude - The Nocturne Tripoli - Pecan Grove Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Support the show via Patreon Listen on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | +more Check out the BotL iOS/Android App in the App Stores! Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Facebook!

As the United States surpasses the coronavirus death toll of any country in the world with more than 22,000 dead, we look how President Trump led the country to this point with Eric Lipton, lead author of The New York Times's explosive new exposé, “He Could Have Seen What Was Coming: Behind Trump's Failure on the Virus.” Democracy Now! is a daily independent award-winning news program hosted by journalists Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez. The post What Trump Knew & When He Knew It: NYT on How Trump Ignored COVID-19 Warnings Until It Was Too Late appeared first on KPFA.

On this episode of First Chair, George Thomas chats with the crew at Eric Lipton Ski Camps at Ski Portillo Chile. The cast includes Eric Lipton, Julia Johnson, Chris Ohman, Emily Absalom, Wade Kotula, Christine Gibbons, Dean Gibbons, and Kaylin Richardson. Tune in to find out why expert skiers (even two-time Olympians) and instructors can benefit from a summer on the snow, what all experts and beginners have in common, and the biggest takeaways from a week skiing in the Southern Hemisphere. Learn more about Eric Lipton Ski Camps at http://ericliptonskicamps.com/ Follow PSIA-AASI: • https://thesnowpros.org • https://facebook.com/thesnowpros • https://instagram.com/thesnowpros • https://twitter.com/thesnowpros

PSIA Alpine Team member, Eric Lipton, talks about how great skiers use touch to get a better feel for what’s happening on the snow because they focus on what’s happening inside their boots. Learn how you can apply balance, footwork and coordination, and strength exercises to help you become a better skier.

PSIA Alpine Team member, Eric Lipton, talks about how great skiers use touch to get a better feel for what’s happening on the snow because they focus on what’s happening inside their boots. Learn how you can apply “touch”, from PSIA’s Alpine Skiing Fundamentals, to become a better skier.

The political press has long used the vague notion of “electability” to drive horserace coverage of presidential candidates. This week, On the Media considers how the emphasis on electability takes the focus away from the issues and turns voters into pundits. Plus, the shady dealings of the tax preparation industry, and how FOIA has been weaponized. And, how Trump duped financial journalists about his net worth in the 1980s. 1. Investigative journalist Jonathan Greenberg [@JournalistJG] on how Trump obscured his finances to wind up on the Forbes list of richest Americans — and why it mattered so much to him. 2. Dennis Ventry, professor at UC Davis School of Law, on how the tax preparation industry united to shield themselves from a publicly-funded alternative. 3. OTM producer Alana Casanova-Burgess [@AlanaLlama] speaks with Dennis Ventry, Michael Halpern [@halpsci], Eric Lipton [@EricLiptonNYT] and Claudia Polsky about a bill in California that seeks to curb the weaponization of FOIA. 4. Alex Pareene [@pareene], staff writer at The New Republic, on how the idea of "electability" has metastasized among democratic voters.

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for the New York Times Eric Lipton speaks with Climate, Clean Air, & Energy Fellow Caitlin McCoy about his recent special report, “This is Our Reality Now,” covering the environmental and public health impacts of the Trump administration’s deregulatory agenda in four communities across the country. See the special report here https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/12/26/us/politics/donald-trump-environmental-regulation.html and visit our website here https://eelp.law.harvard.edu Thanks to Harvard University Center for the Environment for their help with this podcast! Full transcript available here http://eelp.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/CleanLaw-11-Caitlin-Lipton-NYT-degreg-coverage.pdf

Eric Lipton The Classic Bikini Divas are joined by Eric Lipton, a pro bodybuilder with the PNBA. He is also the editor-in-chief of Global Natural Sports Magazine and International Flex Appeal Magazine. Eric was recently inducted into the Natural Bodybuilding Hall of Fame.

President Trump says he'll look into a recent UN Climate Change report that predicted we have 12 years to drastically lower our carbon footprint or else the world will witness catastrophic impacts of climate change. He did this as his EPA is actively scaling back Obama-era regulations that would have cut back on America's carbon pollution. A lot of that work has been done in concert with lobbyists from the fossil fuel industry, including some who now work at the EPA. We know this in part thanks to the work of Eric Lipton an investigative reporter for The New York Times. We caught up with Lipton at the Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference in Flint, Michigan.

PSIA Alpine Team member, Eric Lipton, shares a recap about his ski camps from Portillo, Chile that he runs during the summer. Take a listen from Eric’s guests about what it’s like to ski with Eric during his skill development and his adventure skiing camp.

PSIA Alpine Team member, Eric Lipton, shares his insight on how #snowpros across the country can help grow the sport we all love. Learn how you can introduce more people to skiing and riding, and then how you can help retain them as guests.

Paging Dr. Cohen -- should you take a multi-vitamin? // Jill Schlesinger on our G7 tariff tiff/ interest rates/ password security // Eric Lipton from the New York Times on the EPA's relationship with the chemical industry // Sports Insider Danny O'Neil on the Husky baseball team's success/ surgery for Shohei Ohtani?/ Earl Thomas holding out // John J. Lennon, current Sing Sing inmate, on the state of mental health treatment in U.S. prisons

The Bank Lobbyist Act was just signed into law and as the nickname suggests, it is a banker’s wet dream. In this episode, learn the details of this new law including the many favors to banks big and small - which undoubtedly make our entire financial system riskier - along with a few good provisions that can help you protect your identity and maybe even increase your credit score. Joe Briney joins Jen for the thank you’s.   Please Support Congressional Dish - Quick Links Click here to contribute a lump sum or set up a monthly contribution via PayPal Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North Number 4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD099: April Takes a Turn CD160: Equifax Breach CD161: Veterans Choice Program CD129: The Impeachment of John Koskinen Recommended Reading Chain of Title: How Three Ordinary Americans Uncovered Wall Street's Great Foreclosure Fraud by David Dayen Additional Reading Article: Investors throwing caution to the wind when shopping for CLOs by Glen Fest, Asset Securitization Report, May 24, 2018. Report: The finance 202: Banks give richly to three Senate Democrats who backed deregulation by Tory Newmyer, The Washington Post, May 23, 2018. Article: Insurers welcome global regulation provision in banking reform bill by Andrew G. Simpson, Insurance Journal, May 23, 2018. Report: House passes Dodd-Frank reform bill, approval now pending from President Trump by Caroline Basile, Housing Wire, May 22, 2018. Report: Reg relief bill S. 2155 passes House; monumental win for credit unions by CUNA, CUInsight, May 22, 2018. Report: Dodd Frank rollback passes house, moves to President's desk for signature to become law by JD Alois, Crowdfund Insider, May 22, 2018. Letter: Oppose S. 2155, the "Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act" by Vanita Gupta, President & CEO of The Leadership Conference, CivilRights.org, May 21, 2018. Article: Bill aimed at saving community banks is already killing them by David Dayen, The Intercept, May 16, 2018. Opinion: Big banks crying wolf over another key Dodd-Frank regulation by Mayra Rodreguez Valladares, The Hill, May 12, 2018. Report: At $1 trillion, leveraged loans are closing in on junk bonds by Yakob Peterseil and Cecile Gutscher, Yahoo Finance, May 3, 2018. Article: Bank earnings are rising, but look past the obvious players by David Borum, NASDAQ, May 1, 2018. Report: Elliot eyes push into Wall Street's hottest debt trade by Sridhar Natarajan, Sally Bakewell, and Katia Porzecanski, Bloomberg, April 30,2018. Article: Washington wants to weaken bank rules. Not every regulator agrees by Peter Eavis, The New York Times, April 24, 2018. Article: Revenge of the stadium banks by David Dayen, The Intercept, March 2, 2018. Article: Behind a key anti-labor case, a web of conservative donors by Noam Scheiber and Kenneth P. Vogel, The New York Times, February 25, 2018. Article: Lower tax rate fuels record profit for Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, CNBC, February 24, 2018. Report: The richest 10% of Americans now own 84% of all stocks by Rob Wile, Money, December 19, 2017. Report: H.R. 477, the Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales, and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2017, Republican Policy Committee, December 4, 2017. Brief: Clayton buys CO's Oakwood Homes in latest site-build deal by Mary Tyler March, Construction Drive, July 7, 2017. Opinion: Who will benefit from the newly passed supporting America's Innovators Act? by James Murphy, Forbes, May 3, 2017. Article: Minorities exploited by Warren Buffet's mobile-home empire by Mike Baker and Daniel Wagner, The Seattle Times, December 26, 2015. Article: The mobile-home trap: How a Warren Buffett empire preys on the poor by Mike Baker and Daniel Wagner, The Seattle Times, April 2, 2015. Article: Furor over move to aid big banks in funding bill by Jonathan Weisman, The New York Times, December 11, 2014. Article: Citigroup wrote the Wall Street giveaway the House just approved by Erika Eichelberger, Mother Jones, December 10, 2014. Article: Testing theories of American politics: Elites, interest groups, and average citizens by Martin Gilens and Benjamin I. Page, Princeton Scholar Publication, September 2014. Article: See how Citigroup wrote a bill so it could get a bailout by Erika Eichelberger, Mother Jones, May 24, 2013. Report: Banks' lobbyists help in drafting financial bills by Eric Lipton and Ben Protess, The New York Times, May 23, 2013. Bill Outline S. 2155: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act ("The Bank Lobbyist Act")   TITLE I: IMPROVING CONSUMER ACCESS TO MORTGAGE CREDIT Section 101: Exempts banks with under $10 billion in assets from ability-to-pay documentation requirements for mortgages as long as the loans do not have interest-only or principal increasing features. The bank is also supposed to keep the loan in their portfolio but there is a loophole that allows the loan to be sold as long as the next bank keeps the loan in their portfolio. Section 103: Exempts banks from having do to appraisals of property located in rural areas for transactions under $400,000 Section 104: Exempts banks and credit unions from reporting data about credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and loan-to-value ratios of their loans if the bank issues fewer than 500 loans per year, which includes 85% of all banks and credit unions. Section 107: Allows people selling manufactured homes to guide their customers towards getting loans from certain banks as long as they disclose to the customer in writing that they have a corporate affiliation with the bank and as long as they do not directly negotiate the loan terms. The home seller would be allowed to be paid for steering customers to the bank. TITLE II: REGULATORY RELEIF AND PROTECTING CONSUMERS ACCESS TO CREDIT Section 201: Exempts banks with less than $10 billion in reported assets from rules limiting their stock market trading with deposits, reporting requirements, and other standards as long as they hold on to (maintain a "community bank leverage ratio") of between 8 and 10 percent. Section 202: Frees banks that accept "broker deposits" from other banks (banks that help rich people get around FDIC insurance limits -specifically Promontory) from having to hold onto more money to make up for the risk these accounts pose to the banks who accept them. TITLE III - PROTECTIONS FOR VETERANS, CONSUMERS, AND HOMEOWNERS Section 301: Requires that credit reporting agencies place a security freeze, free of charge, for consumers within 1 business day if requested by phone or Internet or 3 business days if requested by mail. Within 5 business days, the agencies must then inform the consumer that the freeze has been placed and inform the consumer how to remove the freeze. Removals must be done within one hour of a phone or Internet request and 3 business days if requested by mail. Temporary removal requests must be granted for the time requested by the consumer. Credit freezes will not stop law enforcement, debt collectors, or "any person using the information for employment, tenant, or background screening purposes" from accessing a "frozen" credit report. Requires that the credit reporting agencies each set up a website for requesting freezes, requesting fraud alerts, and opting out of having their personal information sold to marketers. The Federal Trade Commission will also set up a single website linking to the websites of the credit reporting agencies (likely www.identitytheft.gov) Section 302: In response to the reporting of medical debt of veterans due to delayed payments to non-VA doctors as part of the Veteran's Choice Program, if a medical service is delinquent by less than a year, the veteran can submit information to the credit rating agencies and have that medical debt removed from their report. Within 1 year, the Secretary of Veteran's Affairs must create a database to allow credit reporting agencies to verify veterans' medical debt. Within 1 year, the Federal Trade Commission will have to create regulations requiring that active duty military members be given credit monitoring services for free Section 303: Grants immunity to people and the banks who employ them for reporting financial fraud against a senior citizen as long as they have received training for spotting financial abuse. TITLE IV: TAILORING REGULATIONS FOR CERTAIN BANK HOLDING COMPANIES Section 401: By the beginning of 2020, the threshold for a bank to be subjected to stress tests and extra requirements for holding onto actual cash will be changed so that the only banks subject to those regulations are ones with over $250 billion in assets, as opposed to the $50 billion threshold enacted by Dodd-Frank. Also changes the frequency of stress tests for big banks (over $250 billion in assets) from "semiannual" to "periodic", which could be as little as once every three years. It also reduces the number of scenarios to be test from 3 to 2. Sec. 402: Loosens the definition of a "custodial bank" in a way that allows the big banks to qualify. It then allows the money the banks have in a the Federal Reserve or other central banks to be omitted from calculations for their supplementary leverage ratio, allowing the banks to cook the books in order to hold onto less money. TITLE V: ENCOURAGING CAPITAL FORMATION Section 504: The "Supporting America's Innovators Act" allows venture capital funds with up to 250 investors to get out of registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The previous threshold was 100 individual investors. Section 507: Doubles from $5 million to $10 million the amount of securities a company can sell in a year before having to give additional information to investors, which will increase along with inflation. TITLE VI: PROTECTIONS FOR STUDENT BORROWERS Section 601: Prohibits private banks from declaring an automatic default or accelerated repayment of student loans in the case of a co-signer's death and banks will have to release from responsibility a co-signer if the student dies. This will only apply to student loans that are created in 2019 or after. Section 602: Allows banks to remove a customer's student loan debt from their credit report if the bank decides to give the student a new monthly loan repayment program and the student makes their payments. Resources Amicus Brief: Mark Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31, et al. Company Info: Vanderbilt Mortgage Congressional Budget Office: Cost Estimate of S. 2155 Congressional Budget Summary: S. 2155, Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act Graph: Commercial and Industrial Loans, All Commercial Banks, FRED, May 18, 2018. Govtrack: H.R. 2954: Home Mortgage Disclosure Adjustment Act Govtrack: S. 2155: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act Govtrack: H.R. 650 (114th): Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act of 2015 OpenSecrets.org: Commercial Banks Info OpenSecrets.org: Manufactured Housing Institute OpenSecrets.org: Citigroup Inc. Senate Archives: Class I - Senators Whose Term of Service Expire in 2019 Sound Clip Sources Video: Dark Money and the Federal Courts: The Secret Push to Weaponize the First Amendment, May 21, 2018. Sheldon Whitehouse: I think what has very clearly happened is that unlimited money—and its nasty big brother, unlimited dark money—have showed up since the Citizens United decision and basically driven Congress into a state of servitude to those who have the wherewithal to engage with us with all that dark money. So, parity _____(01:07) the problem. It’s just not capable of being—reaching a state of parity by its nature, which is why spotlighting it and going after it and explaining it to the American people is so important, because there is a winning and important story to be told here. And if we win this issue—this is like the Death Star. In Star Wars, they didn’t go fight the evil empire on every single planet; they went after the Death Star, and once they won the Death Star, everything else moved in a better direction. If we can solve the dark-money problem, then we can start to win on pharmaceuticals, on Wall Street, on environment, on fossil fuels, on a whole variety of other issues. And that’s why they fight so desperately to protect this, because they know it’s their Death Star, too. If you look out at the American public, you see a very large segment of the American public that feels it is not being listened to. They don’t believe that Washington is listening, they don’t believe that the powers of government reflected here are listening to them, and they’re not wrong. If you look at the Bartels’ Princeton study, it shows that there is essentially zero statistical correlation between what we do in Congress and what regular people want Congress to do. Move up to the one percent, move up to the big corporations, and suddenly there’s a very, very powerful statistical correlation. So it is very clear that in fact in many significant ways the government of the United States has indeed been captured by big special interests. The DISCLOSE Act, requiring transparency for all political contributions, is permitted by the Citizens United decision. And if you live in a tropical climate and go into the kitchen at night and turn on the light, you will often see cockroaches skittering for the shadows and for the corners when you turn on the light at night in the kitchen. In the same way, you turn on the light of disclosure—and I think a lot of the cockroaches skitter for the shadows, and probably, and my guess, two-thirds of the unlimited spending supported by Citizens United goes away when it’s not anonymous any longer. The dark-money operation is all over. It is after us in elections, it is after us in administrative agencies, it is after us with lobbying in the halls of Congress, it is after us in all these different ways I’ve just described in the courts. We are taking essentially dark money, artillery fire, every single moment on multiple fronts. In artillery, there is a thing called counter battery, where you fire back at the artillery that is firing at you. That needs to be a priority for Democrats. We need to make sure that the spotlight of disclosure is on these webs, on these networks, focused on the special interests behind the front groups, focused on the creepy billionaires who are spending this money, so that the American public sees what is really going on. That is our job, and every day that we are not doing that job, we are losing and we are failing in our duty to this country. Video: LinkedIn Lobbyist Group and Dodd Frank, Laws and Sausage TV, April 24, 2018. Jeffrey Taylor: Well, again, that’s the other thing: trying to get on the—try to get support for your bill from the industry associations and the think tanks that weigh in on these kinds of things. Early on, we had the more free market, the more—well, free market, like the Chamber of Commerce and other financial services groups, but a little later in the process, we also had on a group that is considered left of center, the national state securities secretaries association called NASAA. And the minute they came on the bill, “Katy, bar the door!” All of a sudden, a number of Democrats had to say, “Well, if they’re on the bill, there must be some merit here.” And that’s actually when we started to have more dialog on the Left, trying to make this a bipartisan bill. Jeffrey Taylor: When you have NASAA and the U.S. Chamber, you’re now covering the waterfront on the political spectrum, and we were able to move forward. There are some people like Senator Warren that you will never get, because they believe in highly regulating the financial services. And you can talk to Senator Warren and her colleagues all you want, and you kind of know at the end of the day, we tried but we know we’ll never get there. But there are others like Senator Heitkamp, Senator Donnelly, Senator Warren that there’s a good chance, because they’re pro-business Democrats, that maybe we can get them on board, and then once we get one or two on board, others will come on board because they trust their judgment. So, it’s all putting a puzzle together. And you’re absolutely right: finding the outside interests that are trusting to Democrats and are trusting to Republicans, and we were able to do that. Host Brian Trascher: Well, Jeff, you pretty well explained your strategy thus far. How do you think you’re going to spend the rest of 2018 to try to keep your bill moving forward, and in an election year, get something done before the next Congress takes over? Jeffrey Taylor: Well, what we’re hopeful is is that the Senate banking committee actually did pass a bill recently. It had come over from the House. It’s bill S.2155. And that is a compendium of a lot of bills—securities bills—and so ours is not in that bill. But what the Senate did was, it made changes to the original House bill. So when the Senate passes a bill like that, it has to go back to the House because both bills have to be absolutely spot-on identical. And so now that it’s back in the House, we’re going back to Senator Jeb Hensarling and some of the other members and say, “Listen, in the intervening months, we passed a 426-to-zero bill. How about putting our bill into the bigger 2155?” And so based on all of the interaction we have so far, they’re seriously considering that. They’re seriously considering putting one or two bills that passed over the last four or five months into 2155. They’ll put it into 2155, send it back to the Senate, and hopefully at that point the Republicans and Democrats in the Senate will say, “Well, good grief. These are all unanimous votes. There really is nothing contentious here, so, okay, we will now pass the revised 2155,” which actually has our bill 477 in it, and we’re in good shape at that point. So those are the kind of negotiations that are going on right now, putting our smaller bill into the larger bill going. And so we’ll keep ______(01:58—with that). Go ahead. Trascher: Yeah, and piggybacking is also a very good strategy when sometimes your particular instrument stalls or meets with some resistance, a lot of times you can get it thrown into something that has a lot more momentum and is in a posture to pass. Host Brian Trascher: Well, you’re right: it is rare to get a unanimous vote in the House unless it’s to rename a post office or something. To what do you credit your success in getting that unanimous vote in the House? Was it because of the two high-profile sponsors, bipartisan sponsors, who latched onto the bill? Jeffrey Taylor: Well, Maxine Waters didn’t latch on right away. And in fact, when we made it through the committee, it was still a bipartisan bill. I think it was split right down the middle, although you could tell that there were a number of Democrats on the committee that liked the bill but it needed some corrections. And at that point, that’s when lobbyists come in and say, “Okay, Congresswoman Waters, this really is dead in the Senate if we don’t have some kind of bipartisan support in the House.” And so we sat down with her team and said, “All right. Let’s go through the bill line by line, and we’ll bring in our experts, and you bring in your experts, and let’s really tear this thing apart. You know, obviously, we can’t bring Democrats on if we all of a sudden equally lose Republicans, so where can we find that sweet spot?” And her staff was very accommodating. “Here are the three areas, Jeffrey. What can you do that doesn’t harm the overall bill?” And we were able to tweak each of these areas, and at the end of the day, to Congresswoman Waters’ credit, she said, “Done. That’s a good bill now.” We went to the floor, Mrs. Waters spoke on behalf of the bill, Chairman Hensarling spoke on behalf of the bill, and boom, 426 to zero. It can still be done. You can still find the happy medium. The problem is, it’s much more difficult in the Senate. Everybody thinks that the House is the more partisan. In fact, there’re a lot of bills going from the House to the Senate. It’s in the Senate where things are not even getting hearings and trying to get to the floor of the Senate for a vote. And I think part of that is the mismanagement of Senator Chuck Schumer, who has told all of the Democratic senators, “We are the resistance. We are not going to proceed.” And boy, when you start with a premise like that, it’s hard to get things even to the batter’s box in the U.S. Senate. Community Suggestions Video: Corruption is Legal in America - Represent.Us See more community suggestions HERE.  Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

New York's Citicorp Tower was an architectural sensation when it opened in 1977. But then engineer William LeMessurier realized that its unique design left it dangerously vulnerable to high winds. In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll describe the drama that followed as a small group of decision makers tried to ward off a catastrophe in midtown Manhattan. We'll also cringe at an apartment mixup and puzzle over a tolerant trooper. Intro: A surprising number of record releases have been made of sandpaper. In high school, Ernest Hemingway wrote a poem composed entirely of punctuation. Sources for our feature on the Citicorp Tower: Joseph Morgenstern, "The Fifty-Nine-Story Crisis," New Yorker, May 29, 1995. "All Fall Down," The Works, BBC, April 14, 1996. Eugene Kremer, "(Re)Examining the Citicorp Case: Ethical Paragon or Chimera?" Arq: Architectural Research Quarterly 6:3 (September 2002), 269-276. Joel Werner, "The Design Flaw That Almost Wiped Out an NYC Skyscraper," Slate, April 17, 2014. Sean Brady, "Citicorp Center Tower: How Failure Was Averted," Engineers Journal, Dec. 8, 2015. Michael J. Vardaro, "LeMessurier Stands Tall: A Case Study in Professional Ethics," AIA Trust, Spring 2013. P. Aarne Vesilind and Alastair S. Gunn, Hold Paramount: The Engineer's Responsibility to Society, 2010. Caroline Whitbeck, Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research, 1998. Ibo van de Poel and Lambèr Royakkers, Ethics, Technology, and Engineering: An Introduction, 2011. Matthew Wells, Skyscrapers: Structure and Design, 2005. Gordon C. Andrews, Canadian Professional Engineering and Geoscience: Practice and Ethics, 2009. "William J. LeMessurier," American Society of Civil Engineers, July 1, 2007. David Langdon, "Citigroup Center / Hugh Stubbins + William Le Messurier," ArchDaily, Nov. 5, 2014. Vanessa Rodriguez, "Citicorp Center - New York City (July 1978)," Failures Wiki (accessed Oct. 28, 2017). Jason Carpenter, "The Nearly Fatal Design Flaw That Could Have Sent the Citigroup Center Skyscraper Crumbling," 6sqft., Aug. 15, 2014. Stanley H. Goldstein and Robert A. Rubin, "Engineering Ethics," Civil Engineering 66:10 (October 1996), 40. "Selected Quotes," Civil Engineering 66:10 (October 1996), 43. "Readers Write," Civil Engineering 66:11 (November 1996), 30. James Glanz and Eric Lipton, "A Midtown Skyscraper Quietly Adds Armor," New York Times, Aug. 15, 2002. "F.Y.I.," New York Times, Feb. 2, 1997, CY2. Anthony Ramirez, "William LeMessurier, 81, Structural Engineer," New York Times, June 21, 2007, C13. Henry Petroski, "Engineering: A Great Profession," American Scientist 94:4 (July-August 2006), 304-307. Richard Korman, "LeMessurier's Confession," Engineering News-Record 235:18 (October 30, 1995), 10. Richard Korman, "Critics Grade Citicorp Confession," Engineering News-Record 234:21(Nov. 20, 1995), 10. Listener mail: Wikipedia, "Relative Hour (Jewish Law)" (accessed Nov. 11, 2017). "The Jewish Day," chabad.org (accessed Nov. 11, 2017). "Hours," chabad.org (accessed Nov. 11, 2017). "Zmanim Briefly Defined and Explained," chabad.org (accessed Nov. 11, 2017). Wikipedia, "Twenty Questions" (accessed Nov. 11, 2017). "Two Types: The Faces of Britain," BBC Four, Aug. 1, 2017. This week's lateral thinking puzzle was contributed by listener Kelly Bruce. You can listen using the player above, download this episode directly, or subscribe on iTunes or Google Play Music or via the RSS feed at http://feedpress.me/futilitycloset. Please consider becoming a patron of Futility Closet -- on our Patreon page you can pledge any amount per episode, and we've set up some rewards to help thank you for your support. You can also make a one-time donation on the Support Us page of the Futility Closet website. Many thanks to Doug Ross for the music in this episode. If you have any questions or comments you can reach us at podcast@futilitycloset.com. Thanks for listening!

Steven Nyman, a World Cup alpine ski racer on the U.S. Ski Team, and PSIA Alpine Team member, Eric Lipton talk about the learning partnership between these two organizations. Listen to how PSIA’s snow pros helped the U.S. Ski Team focus on the fundamentals of skiing, what a humbling experience this was and the lessons learned.

The FCC is currently considering whether it will overturn the long-fought net neutrality rules enacted under the Wheeler FCC. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia subsequently upheld the rules. If the Ajit Pai FCC undoes the rules, as it is likely to do, there will be, as always, winners and losers. Who will they be? Further, ISPs are arguing that they too believe in net neutrality principles. But does their purported support of net neutrality principles align with the original definition of net neutrality that was first advanced by their opponents? Bio Christopher Lewis (@ChrisJ_Lewis) is Vice President at Public Knowledge. He leads the organization's advocacy on Capitol Hill and other government agencies. Prior to joining Public Knowledge in 2012, Chris served at the Federal Communications Commission as Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs. At the FCC, Chris advised the FCC Chairman on legislative and political strategy. He is a former U.S. Senate staffer for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Chris also has over 15 years' worth of advocacy experience. Previously, Chris worked as the North Carolina Field Director for Barack Obama's 2008 Presidential Campaign. Chris serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Local Self Reliance. He also represents Public Knowledge on the Board of the Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (BITAG). Chris graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelors degree in Government. He lives in Alexandria, VA where he loves working on local civic issues and is elected to the Alexandria City Public School Board. Resources Public Knowledge Conscience of a Conservative: A Rejection of Destructive Politics and a Return to Principle by Jeff Flake News Roundup Trump's manufacturing council disbands After he made insensitive remarks following racial unrest in Charlottesville, Virginia the weekend before last, Trump was forced to shut down his manufacturing advisory council. Several CEOs had decided to resign from the council after Trump failed to denounce the KKK and White Nationalists, saying instead that there had been "hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides." He then backtracked reading a prepared statement, only to go back to saying all sides were at fault for the violence.  Intel CEO Brian Krzanich was among the CEOs to resign from the council.  Steven Musil reports in CNET.  But the American Tech Council remains intact, although the CEOS of Google, Apple and Microsoft wrote internal memos distancing themselves from the administration. That's in next.gov. Tech companies ban extremist websites and causes Both Google and GoDaddy last week announced that they would not host sites like Daily Stormer that espouse white supremacist ideology. First Amendment advocacy groups, however, like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, argue that the move could backfire and set a bad precedent for civil rights groups. Andrew Morse reports for CNET. Sites like GoFundMe and Paypal are also banning white supremacists from raising funds on their platforms. Abbey White reports in Vox. But the LA Times reports that these groups are forming their own corporate ecosystem in defiance of Silicon Valley. DOJ seeks user info from Anti-Trump website Dreamhost wrote a blog post last week disclosing that the Justice Department has been demanding, for months, site visitor information from the anti-Trump website distruptj20.org. The warrant seeks all files from the site. Colin Lecher reports in the Verge. Trump bolsters U.S. Cyber Command President Trump is bolstering the U.S. Cyber Command making it a full combatant command. Now, administration officials will need to decide whether to spin out Cyber Command from the NSA. Jordan Fabian reports in The Hill. The cozy relationship between Sinclair Broadcasting and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai The New York Times reported last week on Sinclair Broadcasting's enormous influence on current FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Sinclair, known for its right-leaning content, currently owns or operates 175 television stations nationwide. But it has also proposed to merge with Tribune Media, which would bring that number up to 215 stations. The deal would also give Sinclair a much larger presence in cities, including New York City, where it would own WPIX Channel 11.  When he was an FCC Commissioner, Pai even ripped language, almost verbatim, from Sinclair's own filings. Pai used the language to bolster his official legal arguments in support of Sinclair's opposition to the Wheeler FCC's crackdown on joint sales agreements. Then, just 10 days after he became FCC Chairman, Pai relaxed those restrictions. Since becoming Chairman, Pai has also relaxed some TV ownership limits.  Cecilia Kang, Eric Lipton and and Sydney Ember report in The New York Times. Trump orders China IP practices investigation President Trump has ordered an investigation into China's alleged theft of U.S. intellectual property. The administration estimates the alleged theft may have cost U.S. businesses some $600 billion. You can find the story in Fortune. Federal Judge: LinkedIn must allow startup access to data--for now U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen in San Francisco has ordered Microsoft's LinkedIn to open up its public data to a third-party startup. The startup, hiQ Labs, scrapes data LinkedIn users post publicly and uses it to predict which employees are likely to leave their jobs. Microsoft argues that hiQ's practices violate the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. But Judge Chen isn't buying it. He says that law doesn't apply to publicly available data. Jacob Gershman reports for the Wall Street Journal. Ninth Circuit says Spokeo is liable for posting wrong info In a 3-0 decision, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a man who sued Spokeo for posting the wrong picture and saying he was a married father, affluent, employed, in his 50s and with a graduate degree. The central issue was whether publishing this wrong information carried some particular harm. The Court ruled that it did . The case had already been up to the Supreme Court, which sent it back down to determine the degree of harm caused by the wrong information. While the damages in this case are minor, only around $1,000, it is seen as having significant implications for large tech companies like Facebook and Google that publish a variety of different types of consumer information. Uber agrees to FTC privacy audits Finally, Uber will now be subject to FTC privacy audits for the next 20 years. The company settled with the FTC last week after failing, in 2014, to prevent the theft of over 100,000 names and drivers license numbers. Anita Balakrishnan reports for CNBC.

Eric Lipton joins us to discuss his roots in skiing and his path to becoming an instructor leading to this summer's Eric Lipton Ski Training. Eric also touches on a topic of vital importance to the snowsports industry - beginner conversion.

Exxon Mobil’s CEO is now the Secretary of State. The Koch Brothers’ Congressman is the CIA Director. We’ve already seen signs that the Trump Administration and the fossil fuel industry are merging. In this episode, hear the highlights of the confirmation hearings of the two men now most responsible for environmental law enforcement in the United States: Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Scott Pruitt. Will they protect the environment from the fossil fuel industry or did President Trump appoint foxes to guard the henhouse? Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute using credit card, debit card, PayPal, or Bitcoin Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD144: Trump's War Manufacturers Additional Reading Article: Trump's EPA is reconsidering a rule that limits mercury from power plants by Samantha Page, Think Progress, April 19, 2017. Article: 'Like a slow death': families fear pesticide poisoning after Trump reverses ban by Sam Levin, The Guardian, April 17, 2017. News Release: EPA Launches Back-To-Basics Agenda at Pennsylvania Coal Mine, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, April 13, 2017. Op-Ed: Now we know Scott Pruitt isn't serious about fighting smog by Jack Lienke, Grist, April 12, 2017. Article: What's at Stake in Trump's Proposed E.P.A. Cuts by Hiroko Tabuchi, The New York Times, April 10, 2017. Article: Federal Judge Orders Supplemental EIS For Nevada Sage Grouse Plan by Richard Nemec, Natural Gas Intel, April 6, 2017. Article: E.P.A. Chief, Rejecting Agency's Science, Chooses Not to Ban Insecticide by Eric Lipton, The New York Times, March 29, 2017. Article: Herbert pushing for Interior Secretary Zinke to visit Utah and Bear Ears by Bryan Schott, UtahPolicy.com, March 27, 2017. Press Release: Interior Department Auctions Over 122,000 Acres Offshore Kitty Hawk, North Carolina for Wind Energy Development, U.S. Department of the Interior, March 16, 2017. Press Release: Secretary Zinke Issues Lease for 56 Million Tons of Coal in Central Utah, U.S. Department of the Interior, March 15, 2017. Article: Zinke pledges big changes at Department of the Interior by Rob Chaney, Missoulian, March 10, 2017. Press Release: Secretary Zinke Announces Proposed 73-Million Acre Oil and Natural Gas Lease Sale for Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Department of the Interior, March 6, 2017. Article: Fate of Bears Ears in question as Senate confirms Montana Rep. Zinke as Interior secretary by Thomas Burr, The Salt Lake Tribune, March 1, 2017. Article: Oklahoma's earthquake threat now equals California's because of man-made temblors, USGS says by Rong-Gong Lin II, The Los Angeles Times, March 1, 2017. Article: Thousands of emails detail EPA head's close ties to fossil fuel industry by Brady Dennis and Steven Mufson, The Washington Post, February 22, 2017. Article: Scott Pruitt makes it clear that the Clean Power Plan is going away by Natasha Geiling, Think Progress, February 19, 2017. Article: Utah Representative Wants Bears Ears Gone And He Wants Trump To Do It by Kirk Siegler, NPR, February 5, 2017. Article: Good Question: What Exactly Is The Dakota Access Pipeline? by Heather Brown, CBS Minnesota, January 24, 2017. Document: State of the Air 2016 by The American Lung Association Article: Obama Designates Atlantic, Artic Areas Off-Limits To Offshore Drilling by Merrit Kennedy, NPR, December 20, 2016. Article: Ryan Zinke, Donald Trump's Pick for Interior Secretary, and the Rising American Land Movements by Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, December 16, 2016. Press Release: Interior Department Announces Final Rule to Reduce Methane Emissions & Wasted Gas on Public, Tribal Lands, U.S. Department of the Interior, November 15, 2016. Article: Incumbent Ryan Zinke says security, jobs, health care top priorities by Holly Michels, Montana Standard, October 14, 2016. Article: Obama announces moratorium on new federal coal leases by Joby Warrick and Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post, January 15, 2016. Article: With Only $93 Billion in Profits, the Big Five Oil Companies Demand to Keep Tax Breaks by Daniel J. Weiss and Miranda Peterson, Center for American Progress, February 10, 2014. References Encyclopedia Britannica: Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 Fact Sheet: Methane and Waste Prevention Rule, US Department of the Interior U.S. Energy Information Administration: Natural Gas Overview U.S. Energy Information Administration: U.S. Energy Mapping System Environmental Protection Agency: EPA History Environmental Protection Agency: California Greenhouse Gas Waiver Request Environmental Protection Agency: Order denying petition to revoke tolerances for the pesticide chlorpyrifos GovTrack: On the Nomination PN31: Ryan Zinke, of Montana, to be Secretary of the Interior GovTrack: H.R. 5259 (114th): Certainty for States and Tribes Act Overview OpenSecrets: Sen. Lisa Murkowski - Summary OpenSecrets: Sen. Lisa Murkowski - Career Profile Sound Clip Sources Hearing: Interior Secretary Confirmation - Ryan Zinke, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, January 17, 2017. Part 1 Part 2 Timestamps & Transcripts Part 1 42:54 Senator Lisa Murkowski: Will you commit to a formal review of all of the Obama administration’s actions that took resource-bearing lands and waters in Alaska effectively off the table, including the decisions that specifically prevented the leasing of those lands and those waters for development, and determine whether or not they can be reversed? Ryan Zinke: Yes. I think the president-elect has said that we want to be energy independent. As a former Navy Seal, I think I’ve been to 63 countries in my lifetime, and I can guarantee it is better to produce energy domestically under [missing audio] than watch it be produced overseas with no regulation. I’ve seen the consequences of what happens when you don’t have any regulation in the Middle East. We can do it right. The backbone of our environmental policies has been NEPA, and I’m a strong supporter of NEPA, but we also have to understand that we need an economy. And, look, if we don’t have an economy as a country, then the rest of it doesn’t matter, because we’re not going to be able to afford a strong military, nor are we going to be able to afford to keep the promises we’ve made as a great nation; and we’ve made a lot of promises to education, to our children’s future, to infrastructure, to Social Security; all that takes an economy that’s moving forward, and energy is a part of that economy, and Alaska is a critical part of that economy. Alaska’s different for a reason: you are blessed with great resources, you are blessed with great recreation—a little cold in the winter, but it’s not Palm Springs. Murkowski: You’re from Montana. You can handle it. Zinke: We can handle it. But, yes, I think we need to be prudent. And always, I think we need to review things to make sure we’re doing it right because over time the government keeps on getting bigger and bigger, the bureaucracy gets larger and larger, and we can’t get something done. 53:12 Senator John Hoeven: Also in North Dakota, we’ve had a real challenge with the Dakota Access Pipeline protest. You and I talked about it. State and local law enforcement has worked very hard to keep the peace and to keep people safe, but we need federal law-enforcement help as well, and so in your case, that’s going mean BIA law enforcement. And, so, my question is, if you’re confirmed, will you ensure that BIA law enforcement works with state and local law enforcement to resolve the situation, to keep people safe, and to make sure that the rule of law is followed? Ryan Zinke: Yes, sir. And we talked about it in your office, and if confirmed, I’m going to be a very busy man, travelling. I’m going to travel to Utah, travel to Alaska, and travel to North Dakota. Those are three impending problems that we need to resolve quickly. I have great respect for the Indian nations. I’m adopted Assiniboine. Last time the Sioux Nations all got together, I would say General Custer probably would say that was not a good issue. So, you look at this, and there is deep cultural ties, there is a feeling that we haven’t been a fair consultant, a fair partner, and so I think we need to listen to that voice. 57:45 Senator Bernie Sanders: President-elect Trump has suggested—more than suggested—stated in his view that climate change is a “hoax.” Now I know that you’re not here to be administrator of the EPA or secretary of the Energy, but the issue of climate change is in fact very important for issues that the Department of Interior deals with. Is President-elect Trump right? Is climate change a hoax? Ryan Zinke: I can give you—the best answer is three things: First of all, climate is changing. That’s indisputable. I’m from Glacier National Park, and I’ve seen— Sanders: You don’t have any more glaciers there, huh? Zinke: Well—and I’ve seen glaciers over the period of my time recede. Matter of fact, when my family and I have eaten lunch on Grinnell Glacier, the glacier has receded during lunch. Sanders: All right. But I have—if you could— Zinke: Yeah. Sanders: —is the president-elect right? Is climate change a hoax? Zinke: Well, if I can give you two more points— Sanders: Okay. Zinke: —I’ll make it short. The second thing is man has had an influence. I don’t think—I think that’s indisputable as well. So, climate is changing, man is an influence. I think where there’s debate on it is what that influence is, what can we do about it, and as the Department of Interior, I will inherit, if confirmed, the USGS. We have great scientists there. I’m not a climate-scientist expert, but I can tell you I will become a lot more familiar with it, and it’ll be based on objective science. I don’t believe it’s a hoax; I believe we should— Sanders: You do not believe it's a hoax. Zinke: No. I believe we should be prudent to be prudent. That means I don’t know definitively; there’s a lot of debate on both sides of the aisle— Sanders: Well, actually, there’s not a whole lot of debate now. The scientific community is virtually unanimous that climate change is real and causing devastating problems. There is the debate on this committee but not within the scientific community. 59:40 Senator Bernie Sanders: If climate change is already causing devastating problems, should we allow fossil fuel to be drilled on public lands? Ryan Zinke: Again, we need an economy and jobs, too. And I, in my experience, have probably seen 63 different countries. I’ve seen what happens when you don’t have regulated— Sanders: I’m taking your—I don’t mean to be rude, but this is not a whole lot—I’m taking your answer to be yes, we should allow fossil fuel to be drilled on public lands. Zinke: I’m an all-the-above energy, and I want to be honest with you—I’m all the above. Sanders: Will you encourage wind and solar on public lands? Zinke: I will encourage, absolutely, wind and sol—all the above. Sanders: Okay. Zinke: So I think that’s the better solution going forward is all-the-above energy. 1:00:40 Ryan Zinke: I want to be clear in this point: I am absolutely against transfer or sale of public land. 1:39:40 Senator John Barrasso: The war on coal: it is real for communities across the West, including Wyoming, including Montana; it’s devastated small towns, ultimately threatens our country’s energy security. If confirmed, will you commit to ending this moratorium on federal coal leasing? Ryan Zinke: The war on coal, I believe, is real. I have Decker, Montana, in my area, and behind me is a gentleman that works in the coal mines of the Crow Agency, which, by the way, the Crow Agency, if you were to take coal out of the picture, the unemployment rate would probably in the 90 percent. So they’re very keen on making sure they have their jobs and we give them the ability for self-determination. The moratorium, I think, was an example of many, is that one size fits all. It was a view from Washington and not a view from the states, particularly if you’re a state such as Wyoming, parts of Montana, West Virginia, where coal’s important. So overall, the president-elect has made a commitment to end “ the war on coal.” I think we should be smart on how we approach our energy. “All the above” is a correct policy. Coal is certainly a great part of our energy mix. To your point, I’m also a great believer that we should invest in the research and development, particularly on coal, because we know we have the asset. Let’s work together to make it cleaner, better. We should be leading the world in clean-energy technology, and I’m pretty confident that coal can be a part of that. 1:41:36 Senator John Barrasso: With the use of the Congressional Review Act, and I’m planning introducing a disapproval resolution on the BLM’s venting and flaring rule. To me that rule far exceeds the authority of the BLM, will ultimately put federal lands at a greater competitive disadvantage to state and private lands. Will you support our efforts to reverse this rule under the Congressional Review Act? Ryan Zinke: Yes, and I think what the driving force is is we’re venting a lot, and we’re wasting energy. And that is troubling to me, is that the amount of venting in North Dakota alone almost exceeds what we get out of the fields. So, a lot of the wasting can be approached by having an infrastructure. So let us build a system where we capture that energy that is otherwise being wasted. And that’s an enormous opportunity. It’s an enormous opportunity, our natural gas and geopolitically as well. We haven’t talked a lot about overseas, but energy is so critically important. If we want to check Russia, then let’s do it with liquid natural gas. If we want to put pressure on Iran, then let’s supplant every drop of Iranian crude. This is all part of a larger package, and it cannot be done without the great state of Wyoming and their assets, or Alaska. But we have to think globally on it, and it is better—and I’ve said this once before—but it is better to produce energy in America under reasonable regulation and get better over time than watch it be produced overseas with no regulation. That is indisputable. 1:43:23 Senator John Barrasso: And I want to talk about sage grouse management plans. The administration has ignored input from key stakeholders, including Western governors during the development of their plans, plans which were used to justify [missing audio] unwarranted status under the Endangered Species Act. But at the core, the plans fundamentally oppose the multiple-use mandates of the BLM, which includes grazing, recreation, energy development. Will you commit to returning conservation and management authority of the sage grouse back to the states in preventing this top-down mandate like this in the future? Ryan Zinke: My understanding is the sage grouse decision is going to come before the Department of Interior some time in March. I understand there’s going to be options and alternatives, proposed alternatives. I will work with you when I see those documents, and I’ll work with all of you when I see those documents, to make sure we’re doing the right thing. What concerns me about sage grouse is there’s no target number. I’m not sure how you can manage without a number. If we just grab a management of property without a number, I look at that with a suspect eye. So I think we’ve got to look at, everyone loves sage grouse, everyone understands that we have to protect the species, and generally those living in the ground are in a better position, and we should be an advocate and a partner in this rather than heavy-handed and just dictate terms, particularly when we don’t have a number. 2:33:40 Senator Mazie Hirono: In the discussion about energy, you’ve said a number of times that you support “all of the above,” which sounds really great except that in “all of the above,” what’s happened is that the fossil-fuel side of energy has gotten a lot of support over decades. So I hope that when you say “all of the above” that you will also be committed to providing more resources and support, particularly R&D for alternative and renewables, aside from, or in addition to, fossil fuels. So we need to have a more-level playing field for policies that truly reflect support for “all of the above.” Ryan Zinke: Yeah. I’ve always been a strong proponent on the record for research and development of different technologies, different innovations, different opportunities in this complete spectrum of the energy to include looking at traditional sources to make sure we’re better at doing that, you know, certainly horizontal drilling, fracking— Hirono: Yeah. Zinke: —coal. But “all the above” I think is the right approach. And when it comes out of the test tube and into fielding, energy needs to be affordable, reliable, and abundant. Part 2 12:15 Ryan Zinke: On the Gateway Pacific Terminal, what I raised my eyebrow on is I didn’t take a position, whether yes or no, on the Terminal. I took a position to make sure the NEPA process was followed and the EIS was completed before making a judgment. What I found was we were close to ending the NEPA process, with the EIS, after years and millions of dollars were spent on it, and then that was truncated and stopped by affidavits—and I didn’t judge whether the affidavits from the tribe were true or not true—if you don’t finish the NEPA process and don’t finish an EIS, and then all of a sudden that process can be interrupted and a permit can be pulled on the basis of something outside the EIS, why would you ever consent to spend millions of dollars on an EIS? That was my objection. And I don’t mean to speak for Senator Daines. Senator Maria Cantwell: So, you believe in the tribal sovereignty of the Lummi tribe to object in this case. Zinke: They certainly had every right to object as well as, in this case, the Crows, who also have a treaty obligation. 15:06 Senator Steve Daines: You have been a champion fighting on behalf of the Crow tribes, as you mentioned here in that last exchange, their sovereign right to develop their coal resources. And as you said in your testimony, the unemployment rate in Crow country will go north of 90 percent if they lose those jobs. Hearing: EPA Administrator Confirmation - Scott Pruitt, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, January 18, 2017. Part 1 Part 2 Timestamps & Transcripts Part 1 01:30 Chairman John Barrasso: Good morning. I call this hearing to order. We have a quite a full house today. I welcome the audience. This is a formal Senate hearing, and in order to allow the committee to conduct its business, we’ll maintain decorum. That means if there are disorders, demonstrations, by a member of the audience, the person causing the disruption will be escorted from the room by the Capitol Police. 22:50: Senator Jim Inhofe: Yes, as attorney general, Scott Pruitt has fought the EPA, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the oil companies, and the out-going administration on many fronts, but all of these suits were brought to protect state and local interests from overzealous and activist executive agencies. Over the last eight years, the Obama administration has advanced a radical environmental agenda, has exhibited a deep distrust of state governments and private land owners, and has worked to obstruct the fossil-fuel industry and agriculture producers, the most-ardent protectors of the environment. 29:52 Scott Pruitt: I would lead the EPA with the following principles in mind: First, we must reject as a nation that false paradigm that if you’re pro-energy, you’re anti-environment; and if you’re pro-environment, you’re anti-energy. I really reject that narrative. In this nation we can grow our economy, harvest the resources God has blessed us with, while also being good stewards of the air, land, and water by which we’ve been favored. It is not an either-or proposition. Next, we should celebrate the great progress we’ve made as a nation since the inception of the EPA and the laws that have been passed by this body, but recognize that we have much work to do. Third, rule of law matters. Process matters. It inspires confidence in those that are regulated. The law is static, not transient. Regulators are supposed to make things regular, to fairly and equitably enforce the rules and not pick winners and losers. A regulator should not be for or against any sector of our economy; instead, a regulator ought to follow the law in setting up the rules so that those who are regulated can plan, allocate resources, to meet the standards versus operating in a state of uncertainty and duress. Fourth, federalism matters. It matters because Congress says so. And because we need to achieve good outcomes as a nation for air and water quality, we need the partnership of the states to achieve that. It is our state regulators who oftentimes best understand the local needs and the uniqueness of our environmental challenges, plus our state regulators possess the resources and expertise to enforce our environmental laws. Fifth, public participation is key. We need to hear all voices as we make decisions in behalf of our country with respect to environmental laws. 39:07 Senator Tom Carper: In 2011 the EPA required dirty coal power plants to clean up mercury and air toxic emissions by issuing the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule. This rule will reduce the mercury, a neurotoxin that contaminates our streams and our oceans, pollutes our fish, and harms our children’s health. As attorney general, I believe you’ve been part of at least 14 legal cases against the EPA, and at least three of these cases against the EPA’s rules, to reduce mercury emissions from power plants. Is that correct? Just yes or no. Scott Pruitt: Senator, we have been involved in litigation around the MATS rule. Carper: Is that correct? Yes or no. Pruitt: As I indicated, yes, we’ve been a part of litigation involving the MATS rule. Carper: Thank you. It’s my understanding that at least one of these cases against the mercury rule is still pending. Is that correct? Just yes or no. Pruitt: I believe so, Senator, yes. Carper: Thank you. 43:40 Senator Jim Inhofe: I’m glad you brought up this thing about the Clean Air Act. The amendments from 1990, I was one of the cosponsors, it’s been incredibly successful. I mean, you mentioned that we’ve reduced those pollutants by 63 percent, but what you didn’t add was that it is in spite of the fact that we had 153 percent increase in our economic activity. That’s a major thing. 48:52 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: In Rhode Island, we have bad air days, and because of EPA’s work, there are fewer and fewer. A bad air day is a day when people driving into work hear on the radio that ozone from out-of-state smokestacks has made the air in Rhode Island dangerous and that infants and the elderly and people with breathing difficulties should stay home on an otherwise beautiful day. Because those smokestacks are out of state, we need EPA to protect us, and I see nothing in your record that would give a mom taking her child to the hospital for an asthma attack any comfort that you would take the slightest interest in her. And your passion for devolving power down to states doesn’t help us, because our state regulators can’t do anything about any of those problems; they all come from out-of-state sources. 49:45 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: One of the things I’d like to ask you about here is the connection between you and some of these fossil-fuel companies. These are some of the companies that have supported you. These are some of the political organizations that you’ve raised money for. You’ve raised money for them for Pruitt for Attorney General, correct? Scott Pruitt: Yes, sir. I have a campaign committee for that, yes. Whitehouse: And Devon Energy, Koch Industries, ExxonMobil have all maxed out to that account. Pruitt: I’m not aware— Whitehouse: At various times. Pruitt: —if they maxed out or not, Senator, but I’m sure they’ve given to that committee. Whitehouse: Oklahoma Strong PAC is your leadership PAC? Pruitt: It was, yes. Whitehouse: It was? And, similarly, they gave money, they maxed out to that organization as well, which you controlled? Pruitt: I’m unsure about that, Senator. Whitehouse: Okay. But they contributed to it. Pruitt: I’m even unsure about that as well. I haven’t looked at that. Whitehouse: You closed your super PAC, Liberty 2.0, but that took fossil-fuel contributions as well, correct? Pruitt: That particular entity has been closed, yes. Whitehouse: Now, you helped raise money for the Republican Attorney General’s Association. While you were a member of its executive committee, they received $530,000 from Koch Industries, $350,000 from Murray Energy, $160,000 from ExxonMobil, and $125,000 from Devon Energy, the company whose letter you transposed onto your letterhead and sent as an Oklahoma attorney general document. 1:11:57 Senator Jeff Merkley: Over a number of years, information started pouring into EPA that the estimate of the amount of fugitive methane escaping in gas and oil drilling had been deeply underestimated. In 2011 the EPA put out its best estimates based on the information that was being presented. And this is relevant because methane is a global-warming gas, more potent than CO2. Gas companies didn’t like this because, well, it presented a vision of natural gas being more damaging environmentally than folks had previously understood. Devon Energy is one of the groups that sought to cast doubt on this scientific information, and it came to you to be their spokesperson, and they asked, will you be our mouthpiece in casting doubt and send a letter we have drafted to the EPA, and you sent that letter. And I just want to ask, first, are you aware that methane is approximately 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a global-warming gas? Scott Pruitt: I am, Senator. It’s— Merkley: Thank you. Pruitt: —the impact on human health— Merkley: That’s the answer. Yes. Thank you. It’s a yes-no question. And on a one to 10 scale, how concerned are you about the impacts of fugitive methane in driving global warming? Pruitt: Methane, as you indicated, has— Merkley: One to 10 scale. Highly, 10, very concerned; or one, not so concerned? Pruitt: The quantities of methane in the atmosphere compared to CO2 is less, but it’s far more potent, and it is— Merkley: Are you concerned? I’m asking about your level of concern. Pruitt: Yes, yes. Merkley: Highly concerned? Pruitt: I'm concerned. Merkley: Thank you. 1:13:34 Senator Jeff Merkley: Do you acknowledge sending this letter to the EPA in October 2011? Pruitt: Senator, that is a letter that’s on my letterhead that was sent to the EPA, yes, with respect to the issue. Merkley: You acknowledge that 97 percent of the words in that letter came directly from Devon Energy? Pruitt: I have not looked at the percentages, Senator. Merkley: The statement that’s been analyzed many times is that all of the 1,016 words, except for 37 words, were written directly by Devon Energy. Pruitt: Senator, that was a step that was taken as attorney general representing the interest of our state. Over 25 percent of our— Merkley: Yeah, so, I didn’t ask that question. I was just asking if you copied the letter virtually word for word. You have acknowledged that, yes, it’s in the record, people can count it, is correct. All right, so, a public office is about serving the public. There is a public concern over the impact of methane on global warming. There is scientific research showing that it’s far more devastating than anticipated and far more is leaking than—but you used your office as a direct extension of an oil company rather than a direct extension of the interests of the public health of the people of Oklahoma. Do you acknowledge that you presented a private oil company’s position rather than a position developed by the people of Oklahoma? Pruitt: Senator, with respect, I disagree. The efforts that I took as attorney general were representing the interests of the state of Oklahoma. Merkley: Earlier you said you— Pruitt: And there was a concern about— Merkley: No, no, excuse me. I’m asking the questions. You said earlier you listen to everyone. In drafting this letter, you took an oil company’s position, and then, without consulting people who had diverse views about the impact, you sent it off. How can you present that as representing the people of Oklahoma when you simply only consulted an oil company to push its own point of view for its private profit? Pruitt: Senator, there’s an obligation the EPA has to follow processes as established by this body. The cost-benefit analysis under Section 112 is something that they have to engage in. There was a concern about the overestimated percentages that the EPA put in the record—it was a record-based challenge—that was the expression of the letter to the EPA, and it was representing the interests of an industry in the state of Oklahoma— Merkley: Thank you. Pruitt: —not a company, an industry. Merkley: So, my question was, what other groups—environmental groups or other groups—did you consult so that you had that full perspective before representing simply a for-profit oil company using your official office and your official letterhead? Pruitt: There—I consulted with other environmental officials in Oklahoma that regulate that industry and learned from them with respect to the concerns about the estimates that were provided by the EPA. Merkley: Can you provide this committee with information showing who you consulted in representing this letter specifically for Devon Energy, because the information that’s in the public realm only shows that they simply sent you a letter, asked you to send it, and you sent it without questions. Pruitt: We have seven or so individuals in our office that are involved in these kinds of issues, and we will collect the information they have and provide it to this body pursuant to the chairman’s direction. Merkley: Your staff expanded substantially while you were in charge, to 251 staff members. Why do you need an outside oil company to draft a letter when you have 250 people working for you? Pruitt: Senator, as I’ve indicated, that was an effort that was protecting the state’s interest in making sure that we made the voices of all Oklahomans heard on a very important industry to our state. Merkley: You said that all heard, but you only sent it on behalf of a single voice: the oil company. Pruitt: That— Merkley: Thank you. 1:24:11 Senator Cory Booker: You’ve joined or filed 14 lawsuits against the EPA, challenging clean air and clean-water rules, yes? Scott Pruitt: We’ve been involved in multiple pieces of litigation, Senator. Booker: Yeah, but I’m looking at specifically 14, and, Mr. Chairman, I’d like to put those 14 lawsuits into the record, of where you specifically challenged the EPA on air quality. And let me just go through some of those. Chairman Barrasso: Without objection. Booker: Thank you, sir. To refresh your recollection, you filed two lawsuits challenging the EPA Mercury and Air Toxics Standards; you filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA’s 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone; you filed four lawsuits challenging the EPA’s Clean Power Plan; you have sued to challenge the EPA’s 111(b) standards for carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants; and you also sued to challenge the EPA’s Federal Implementation Plan for Oklahoma under the Regional Haze rule. You’re familiar with those, I imagine. Pruitt: Yes, Senator. Booker: And you filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, something in New Jersey we’re very concerned with. And are you aware that that Rule, which you lost in that suit, scientists estimate that that alone prevents 400,000 asthma attacks nationally each year? Are you aware or those estimations? Pruitt: Yes, Your Honor. Or, yes, Senator. May I offer— Booker: I appreciate your promotion to judge. Let me continue, Mr. Pruitt. I don’t have that much time. Pruitt: Okay. Booker: So, each of these lawsuits that I just went through and that we analyzed, all of them challenge attempts by the EPA to reduce air pollution. In all of them except one you filed those lawsuits, joining with polluting companies that were also suing the EPA. And, so, in addition to filing those lawsuits with some of the polluting companies, or at least one that has now been specifically mentioned by two of my colleagues, you used substantial portions of the letters from those companies, put them on your official attorney general letterhead; and what was sort of surprising to me is that when you’ve been asked about this in the public, you basically represented that, “That’s actually called representative government in my view of the world.” Your testimony here says that you were representing industry; you were representing the polluters. And, so, with all of these lawsuits you filed, and with all of these letters like this one written to the EPA, on behalf of the industries that are causing the pollution, it seems clear to me that obviously the fact pattern on representing polluters is clear, that you worked very hard on behalf of these industries that have their profits externalized, negative externalities are their pollution. And, so, I just have a question for you specifically about the children of Oklahoma. Do you know how many kids in Oklahoma, roughly, have asthma? Pruitt: I do not, Senator. Booker: Well, according to the data published by the very non-partisan group, the American Lung Association, more than 111,000 children in Oklahoma, which is more than 10 percent, more than one in 10 of all the kids in Oklahoma, have asthma. That’s one of the highest asthma rates in the entire United States of America. Now, this is a crisis—similar data, for where I was mayor—and I can tell you firsthand the devastating impacts that asthma has on children and families: affecting their economic well-being; parents who have to watch their children struggle to breathe; people that have to miss work, rushing their kids to the hospital. One in 10 kids having a disease, missing school, is a significant problem. And so if you’ve been writing letters on behalf of polluting industries, I want to ask you, how many letters did you write to the EPA about this health crisis? If this is representative government, did you represent those children? I want to know what actions you’ve taken in the past six years in your capacity as protector of the welfare of Oklahoma citizens to protect the welfare of those 111,000 children. Did you ever let any of them write letters on your letterhead to the EPA, and did you even file one lawsuit—one lawsuit—on behalf of those kids to reduce the air pollution in your state and help them to have a healthy life? Pruitt: Senator, I’ve actually provided a list of cases to the chairman with respect to enforcement steps we’ve taken in multiple pieces of environmental litigation, but let me say to you, with respect to Cross-State Air Pollution and some of the cases you referred to, the state has to have an interest before it can bring those cases, as you know. You can’t just bring a lawsuit if you don’t have standing, if there’s not been some injury to the state of Oklahoma. In each of those cases, the court determined that there was a state interest— Booker: My time has expired, but if I could just say, injury, clearly asthma is triggered and caused by air pollutants. Clearly there is an air pollution problem, and the fact that you have not brought suits in any of the levels which you’ve represented the industries that are causing the pollution is really problematic when you’re going to sit in a position that is nationally supposed to be affecting this reality. And asthma in our country is the number one reason why children in America, health reason, why children in America miss school. 1:37:28 Senator Ed Markey: Eight of those cases are still ongoing, including your litigation that challenges critical rules that reduce levels of hazardous smog, mercury, and carbon pollution. As EPA administrator, you would be in a position to serve as plaintiff, defendant, judge, and jury on these ongoing eight lawsuits, and that would be wrong. In your ethics agreement, you have said that you would not participate in any matter that is ongoing litigation within one year, but, Mr. Pruitt, isn’t it correct that these lawsuits may very well continue for much longer than one year? Scott Pruitt: Well, Senator, I have the letter from the ethics counsel at the EPA, and the one-year time period is intended to address covered entities, entities that I served in a chairmanship or an officer capacity. The Southern Theological Seminary, the Windows Ministry, those entities are covered entities. So if there is a matter that arises before the EPA within a one-year period, a particular matter, a specific case that involves those entities, then the recusal would be in order. But that’s really the focus of the one-year timeline. Markey: So, will you agree to recuse yourself from those lawsuits which you brought as the attorney general of Oklahoma against the EPA, not just for one year, but for the entirety of the time that you are the administrator of the EPA? Will you commit to doing that? Pruitt: Senator, for clarity, I think that it’s important to note that the one-year time period, again, is for those covered entities that were highlighted in the EPA letter. With respect to pending litigation, the EPA ethics counsel has indicated, with respect to particular matters and specific parties, there will be an opportunity to get counsel from the EPA at that point to determine what steps could be taken to avoid appearances of impropriety. Markey: So, you will not recu—are you saying that you will not recuse yourself from the actual matters which you’re suing the EPA on right now as attorney general of Oklahoma for the time that you are the head of the EPA? Pruitt: I’m not saying that at all, Senator. Markey: You are saying that. Will you recuse yourself? Pruitt: I’m saying that the EPA ethics counsel has indicated those cases will require a review by the EPA ethics counsel, and if it involves a particular matter with a specific party, then recusal would potentially be in order, and I would follow the guidance and counsel of EPA ethics. Markey: I just think this is—this is a clear line for the American public, given your record from Oklahoma in suing the EPA on all of these matters, that if you don’t agree to recuse yourself, then, again, you become plaintiff, defendant, judge, and jury on the cases that you’re bringing right now as attorney general of Oklahoma against the EPA; and the EPA is for all of the people of the United States, not just the fossil-fuel industry of Oklahoma. So you’re not committing—and I think that’s a big mistake, Mr. Pruitt—to recuse yourself from those cases. It is critical. 2:19:49 Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: I’ve looked at your record. Most of the lawsuits you filed as attorney general were related to businesses, specifically what was important for your state in terms of employers and businesses, and the few lawsuits you did file about human safety were few and far between, but this role as head of the EPA, you’re going to have a much more important role to play. And I want to talk specifically about mercury. If you believe that mercury is a threat to public health but oppose the remedy of reducing mercury air pollution from power plants because it’s too costly, what, then, do you think you should do or what should be done to address the mercury pollution? Scott Pruitt: Let me say, Senator, mercury is something—it is a hazardous air pollutant under Section 112. It is something that the EPA has authority to regulate and should regulate. It should do so, though, within the framework established by this body, and the Supreme Court said that the EPA did not follow the cost-benefit obligations. It’s not that the benefits outweigh the costs, it’s just that they simply didn’t engage in a proper record-based support for their rule. And so that goes back to earlier questions with other senators about the process mattering, being committed to the rule of law and the rulemaking authority that Congress has given the EPA in making sure that as rules are passed, that they can be upheld in court. Gillibrand: But, I need you also to be worried about human health. I understand there’s a cost, but when you’re talking about lives, when you’re talking about children who can’t breathe—I’ve been to the emergency room at two in the morning with a child who can’t breathe; it’s a horrible thing. We’ve had children die in New York City because none of their teachers, no administrators in the schools knew what to do when a child has an asthma attack. It’s a huge problem. So I need you to care about human health and really believe that the cost, when human health is at risk, when people are dying, is far higher than it is the cost to that polluter to clean up the air and change their processes. I need you to feel it as if your children sitting behind you are the ones in the emergency room. I need you to know it. 2:31:32 Senator Bernie Sanders: And I apologize for being late, but we were at a hearing with Congressman Price, who is the nominee for HHS, and perhaps not a great idea to have important nominating hearings at exactly the same time. 2:33:30 Scott Pruitt: I believe the ability to measure with precision the degree of human activity’s impact on the climate is subject to more debate on whether the climate is changing or the human activity contributes to it. Senator Bernie Sanders: While you are not certain, the vast majority of scientists are telling us that if we do not get our act together and transform our energy system away from fossil fuel, there is a real question as to the quality of the planet that we are going to be leaving our children and our grandchildren. So, you are applying for a job as administrator for the EPA to protect our environment; overwhelming majority of scientists say we have got to act boldly, and you are telling me that there needs to be more debate on this issue and that we should not be acting boldly. Pruitt: No, Senator. As I’ve indicated, the climate is changing, and human activity impacts that. Sanders: But you haven’t told me why you think the climate is changing. Pruitt: Well, Senator, the job of the administrator is to carry out the statutes as passed by this body and to _ Sanders: Why is the climate changing? Pruitt: Senator, in response to the CO2 issue, the EPA administrator is constrained by statutes Sanders: I'm asking you a personal opinion. Pruitt: My personal opinion is immaterial— Sanders: Really?! Pruitt: —to the job of carrying out— Sanders: You are going to be the head of the agency to protect the environment, and your personal feelings about whether climate change is caused by human activity and carbon emissions is immaterial? Pruitt: Senator, I’ve acknowledged to you that the human activity impacts the climate. Sanders: Impacts. Pruitt: Yes. Sanders: Scientific community doesn’t tell us it impacts; they say it is the cause of climate change, we have to transform our energy system. Do you believe we have to transform our energy system in order to protect the planet for future generations? Pruitt: I believe the EPA has a very important role at regulating the emissions of CO2. Sanders: You didn’t answer my question. Do you believe we have to transform our energy system away from fossil fuel, to do what the scientific community is telling us, in order to make sure that this planet is healthy for our children and grandchildren? Pruitt: Senator, I believe that the administrator has a very important role to perform in regulating CO2. Sanders: Can you tell me, as I think all of us know, Oklahoma has been subjected to a record-breaking number of earthquakes. Scientists say that Oklahoma is almost certain to have more earthquakes, with heightened risk of a large quake, probable to endure for a decade and that the cause of this is fracking. Can you point me—picking up on Senator Harris’s discussion with you, can you point me to any opinion that you wrote, any enforcement actions you took, against the companies that were injecting waste fracking water? Pruitt: Senator, let me say I’m very concerned about the connection between activity in Oklahoma and- Sanders: And, therefore, you must have taken action, I guess. Can you tell me who you fined for doing this, if you are very concerned? Pruitt: The Corporation Commission in Oklahoma is vested with the jurisdiction, and they have actually acted on that. Sanders: And you have made public statements expressing your deep concern about this. Pruitt: We have worked with, through our- Sanders: You have made public statements. You’re in a state which is seeing a record-breaking number of earthquakes. You’re the attorney general. Obviously, you have stood up and said you will do everything you can to stop future earthquakes as a result of fracking. Pruitt: Senator, I’ve acknowledged that I’m concerned about the- Sanders: You acknowledged that you are concerned. Pruitt: Yes. Sanders: Your state is having a record number of—well, if that’s the kind of administrator for the EPA—your state’s having a record-breaking number of earthquakes, you acknowledge you are concerned; if that’s the kind of EPA administrator you will be, you are not going to get my vote. 2:37:43 Senator John Barrasso: I want to talk about some of the concerns I have with overregulation, and I’ll ask, do you have the same concerns with the overregulation of U.S. manufacturing over the last eight years? I believe we’ve _____(00:08) exported manufacturing jobs overseas, jobs that go with them in terms of the manufacturing of those goods to places like China and India that are going to produce those products in a less environmentally friendly way. And do you agree with this notion that this approach harms not just the environment, but also our own U.S. economy? Pruitt I believe, Senator, that it puts us in an economic disadvantage when we don’t hear all voices in the rulemaking process with respect to these issues, absolutely. Part 2 17:04 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: Let me just ask you this as a hypothetical: if you had raised significant amounts of money for the Rule of Law Defense Fund from corporations who will be subject to EPA’s regulation, before EPA, with matters before EPA, might that place you in a conflict of interest? Scott Pruitt: The EPA ethics counsel has said—and by the way, these are career individuals as you know, Senator. Justina Fugh is a career person at EPA ethics, and so as they’ve reviewed these potential conflicts, I’ve disclosed all entities I’ve been affiliated with. Whitehouse: I understand that, but I’m asking you if you think it might place you in a conflict of interest, because we both understand that the ethics rules that the EPA’s enforcing predate Citizens United, predate dark money, and they’ve said in the letter that they aren’t even looking at that because they don’t have the authority to. That doesn’t mean it’s not a conflict of interest; it means that the regulatory authority on government ethics hasn’t caught up with this post-Citizens United, dark-money world. Pruitt: I think— Whitehouse: My question is, you’re a lawyer, you know conflicts of interest, you’ve been an attorney general, might it be a conflict of interest, within your definition of the term, if you had raised significant amounts of money for this Rule of Law Defense Fund and they’ll have business before EPA with you? Is that a potential conflict of interest? Pruitt: I think Justina Fugh actually did address those entities to the degree that I was never an officer of the super PAC that you referred to earlier, the Liberty 2.0, and so they looked at those entities to determine— Whitehouse: The question was fund raising. Pruitt: They looked at those entities— Whitehouse: That’s the question we don’t have any answers on is what you raised. Pruitt: They looked at those entities to determine what the nature of my relationship was and then indicated that those would have to be evaluated in the future as cases arose, and— Whitehouse: Right now, the chairman asked you a question which is, are there matters that might place you in a conflict of interest that you have not disclosed? You answered no. Might not having raised significant money—let’s say $1 million, let’s say you made a call to Devon Energy and said, I did you letter for you, RAGA needs a lot of money, we’ve got this dark-money thing where we can launder your identity clean off it, and the money will go into RAGA, I need a million bucks out of you—might that not create a conflict of interest for you if that were the facts? Pruitt: Ms. Fugh has indicated in her letter to me—again, these are career individuals at EPA ethics—that if particular matters involving specific parties arise in the future, it will be evaluated at that point, but I want to call into account— Whitehouse: But how will they know if you’re not willing to disclose that you raised the hypothetical million dollars from Devon Energy? Pruitt: Well, those aren’t even covered entities under her letter at this point. Whitehouse: That's my point. Pruitt: But it’s factual— Whitehouse: But that may very well create a conflict of interest, mightn’t it? Pruitt: Senator, I did not serve in an office or capacity at that entity. In fact, I was not [unclear] in any way— Whitehouse: You’ve said that already, too, but that also is not the question. The question is a very simple one: did you raise money for the Rule of Law Defense Fund from entities that will appear before EPA as potential defendants in subjects of regulation, and if so, how much, and what did you tell them, and what did you ask? It seems to me that’s not an unusual or— Pruitt: The Rule of Law Defense Fund, according to Ms. Fugh, would need to be a party in the future for that to be an issue. That’s what she’s indicated in her letter to me. Whitehouse: So— Pruitt: At the time— Whitehouse: So let me— Pruitt: —if issues arise in the future, I will seek the counsel of EPA ethics and follow the advice of those career folks to make a decision and recuse if necessary. That is— Whitehouse: But at this point— Pruitt: —something I commit to doing. Whitehouse: At this point, what I deduce from your statement is that if that set of hypothetical facts were true, if you had raised a million dollars from a big energy corporation to go through the Rule of Law Defense Fund to support your efforts at RAGA, that that is not something anybody should care about, even if that corporation is before you at EPA and subject to your regulation at EPA. Pruitt: Well, I think something that, if presented in the future, Justina Fugh and myself, EPA ethics would evaluate that, and I would take the appropriate steps to recuse if they told me to do so. Whitehouse: But how would it be presented in the future if you’re not willing to present it now? Pruitt: If there’s a matter— Whitehouse: Why does it matter in the future and not now? Pruitt: If there’s a matter or cast that comes before the EPA’s authority, that would be something. There’s ongoing—as you know, Senator, Ms. Fugh indicated this in her letter—there’s ongoing obligations that I will have, if confirmed as administrator, to bring those kinds of matters to attention of EPA ethics. Whitehouse: Well, for what it’s worth, I think that the Senate has a role in policing this as well, that the whole purpose of advice and consent and the reason there are these government ethics filings is so we can look at this exact question, and the fact that they haven’t been updated to take into account dark money and all these big political organizations that have been created with dark money doesn’t take away our Senate obligation to find out what conflicts of interest you will bring to the position of administrator. And it gives me very little comfort that you’re not willing to answer those questions here. My time has expired. I’ll continue in other rounds. 1:07:50 Senator Ed Markey: Do you support the current California waiver for greenhouse gas standards? Scott Pruitt: Senator, that’s what would be evaluated, and I think it’s very difficult, and we shouldn’t prejudge the outcome in that regard if confirmed as administrator. Markey: So you’re questioning the current waiver. You don’t think they’re entitled to the current waiver. Pruitt: Well, the waiver is something that’s granted on an annual basis, and the administrator would be responsible for making that decision. Markey: Yeah. And so you say you’re going to review it. Pruitt: Yes, Senator. Markey: Yeah. And when you say review, I hear undo the rights of the states, and I think to a certain extent that it’s troublesome because, obviously, what we’ve heard all day is how much you support states’ rights when it comes to these issues, but now when it comes to the right of California or Massachusetts and other states to be able to reduce carbon pollution, you’re saying you’re going to review that. So my problem really goes to this double standard that is created that when you sue from the Oklahoma perspective, from the oil and gas industry perspective, and you represent Oklahoma, you say they have a right to do what they want to do in the state of Oklahoma. But when it comes to Massachusetts or it comes to California, and it comes to the question of those states wanting to increase their protection for the environment, protect their victimization from carbon pollution, you say there you’re going to review. 1:51:58 Senator Jim Inhofe: The cost of regulations: as you know, the Supreme Court overturned the EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics—that’s MATS—rule in 2015 because the EPA failed to—ignored the fact that the cost was $9.6 billion annually of the rule. Now, in fact, the EPA’s regularly issued rules over the past eight years that are very costly for our industries and our job creators. According to the CRS—now, CRS, when they make an evaluation, are much more conservative, the figure is always a very conservative figure, but they said the Clean Power Plan would be at least $5 billion to $8 billion a year. The figures I’ve heard on that are far greater because it wouldn’t be that much different than the old systems that they tried to do through legislation: the methane standards on oil and gas facilities, $315 million a year; the new ozone standards, $1.4 billion; the 2015 coal ash standards, $587 million a year; and the 2011 sulfur dioxide standards, $1.5 billion a year. Now, when you hear this, all this money is being spent on compliance costs by our job creators, people out there that are working for a living, and they’re hiring people. What are you thoughts, and what do you believe should be the role of the costs of EPA’s decision making? Pruitt: I think it’s very important in the rule-making process, Senator, and the Supreme Court and courts have recognized that very important factor. 1:54:46 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: We have been talking about fundraising done by you for the Rule of Law Defense Fund during the time when you were both a board member and for a full year the chairman of the Rule of Law Defense Fund and the fact that we have exactly zero information in this committee about that fundraising. We also have zero—and let me ask unanimous consent for the page from— Chairman Barrasso: Without objection. Whitehouse: —the filing that discloses that he was in fact a member of the board of directors and chairman of the Rule of Law Defense Fund. We also have a meeting agenda from the Republican Attorney Generals Association during a time that you were executive committee member of the Republican Attorney Generals Association meeting at The Greenbrier, which I’ll stipulate for my friend from West Virginia is a lovely place to go, and the agenda, which I’d like to take this page of and put into the record, mentions a private meeting with Murray Energy. It mentions a private meeting with Southern Company. It mentions a private meeting with the American Fuel Petrochemical Manufacturers. If you’ll show the graphic, these are all the same groups that I’d been asking about in terms of your fundraising for the Rule of Law Defense Fund, and there’s Murray Energy, and there’s Southern Company, and I’m sure the American Fuel Petrochemical Manufacturers represent a lot of the others. As I understand it, we know nothing—no minutes, no statements, no reports—about what took place in those meetings that are described as private meetings on a sheet that is stamped “confidential.” Correct? We know nothing about the content of those meetings. Scott Pruitt: Senator, I didn’t generate the document. I know nothing about how that document got generated or what— Whitehouse: Are you denying that those private meetings took place? Pruitt: No, Senator. I just didn’t generate the document and don’t know about the content other than what you’ve represented. Whitehouse: Okay. And we don’t know. And because you were on the executive committee of RAGA, that’s information that we could get, right? I mean, it’s available, if there were minutes or reports out of those meetings, notes taken; but we don’t have them, correct? Pruitt: Senator, that would be a request made to the Republican Attorney Generals Association. And I might add, the Republican Attorney Generals Association, there’s a Democrat Attorney Generals Association as well. 1:59:43 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse: Given how many of these groups have important financial interests before the EPA, do you not think that 3,000 emails back and forth between you and your office and them are relevant to potential conflict of interest as an administrator and should be before us as we consider this? Scott Pruitt: Again, I think the EPA ethics council has put out a very clear process with respect to covered entities, as we described earlier, and on particular matters and specific cases, I will follow advice of that EPA career person, ethics, to make sure that there are recusing [unclear]— Whitehouse: You keep saying that, but the problem is— Chairman Barrasso: The senator’s time has expired. Whitehouse: Will you finish my sentence? Barrasso: Please do. Whitehouse: The problem with that is that if you haven’t disclosed any of this information, then the EPA ethics council would have no idea to even look. They would have no idea what the risks are. You can’t say, nobody can look at whether I did this, but by the way, they’re going to look at it. It just doesn’t add up. 2:12:30 Senator Jeff Merkley: Ten years ago we were talking about models that led to the conversation Senator Inhofe had about Climategate, about wrestling with assumptions and models. We don’t need models now; we have facts on the ground: the moose are dying because the ticks aren’t being killed by the winter being cold enough, the fish are migrating on the Atlantic coast, and Maine’s losing its lobsters to Canada. These facts on the ground are extraordinarily real, they have a huge economic impact, and shouldn’t we take a very serious approach to the urgency of this problem as we see it descending upon us? Scott Pruitt: Senator, I think the EPA—and if confirmed [missing audio] and obligation to deal with the issue. The Massachusetts v. EPA case says that CO2 is a pollutant under the Clean Air Act, and as such, that’s what generated the 2009 endangerment finding. So I think there is a legal obligation presently for the EPA administrator to respond to the CO2 issue through proper regulations. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

Jacob Weisberg talks to Eric Lipton, a reporter at the New York Times, about Don Jr. & Eric Trump and the unresolved conflict of interest problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacob Weisberg talks to Eric Lipton, a reporter at the New York Times, about Don Jr. & Eric Trump and the unresolved conflict of interest problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Sepehr Hejazi Moghadam (@sepurb), Head of Research and Development, K-12 Pre-University Education at Google. Previously, Sepehr was an Associate at both A.T. Kearney and Booz Allen. He also served as Associate Director of Teacher Effectiveness for the New York City Department of Education. He has broad experience leading key components of strategic human capital plans in the public and government sectors. He has led the design of human capital policies, programs, and practices; and managed the implementation of highly effective, performance-based systems. He is an expert on research methods, data analytics, emerging technologies, business development, program management, high-level negotiation and partnership strategy, data visualizations, performance reporting and education policy. Sepehr received a PhD from Columbia University, where his dissertation was on the Treatment of African Americans in Education Research. He also has a Masters from Stanford and Bachelors from UC Santa Barbara. In this episode, we discussed: Google's research on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) achievement gaps. The two key factors affecting African-American and Latino participation in STEM careers. How Google is using this research to make the company and the tech sector more inclusive. Resources Google for Education - Computer Science Education Research Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates NEWS ROUNDUP The FBI announced last week that it agrees with the CIA's finding that Russia deliberately hacked into the Democratic National Committee's servers in order to help Donald Trump's candidacy for president. At first, the President-elect called the allegations "ridiculous", but on Fox News Sunday, incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Preibus suggested Trump may consider accepting the accusations if the CIA and FBI issue a joint report. But, of course, the report would be done under the Trump administration, spearheaded by a Director of National Intelligence who would be nominated by Trump. It is not clear whether FBI Director James Comey, although he is a Republican, would stay on board at the FBI, but the head of the Department of Justice, under which the FBI sits, would also be selected by Trump. For an analysis of how Russia carried out the intrusions into the DNC, check out Eric Lipton, David Sanger, Scott Shane's coverage in the The New York Times, which you can find the link for in the show notes. -- The Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General has concluded that the DOD is almost totally deficient when it comes to cybersecurity. The report on 21 audits and reports found the DOD isn't up to par on 7 out of 8 cybersecurity metrics. Sean Carberry has more in FCW. -- President-Elect Trump invited Silicon Valley luminaries to Trump Tower last week to discuss working together after the tech industry snubbed Trump on donations during the campaign season. In attendance were Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Tesla's Elon Musk, Tim Cook from Apple, Sheryl Sandberg from Facebook, Larry Page and Eric Schmidt of Google, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and others. Although diversity has been a major topic of discussion in tech, no black or Latino tech executives were present at the meeting. Donald Trump assured those in attendance that he's "here to help" them do well. As a side note, all the gentleman in attendance wore ties to the meeting except for Paypal founder Peter Theil. Thiel supported Trump with more than a million dollars late in the campaign season, roiling tech sector diversity and inclusion advocates. David Streitfeld has the story for The New York Times. -- Yahoo revealed yet another hack. This time it affected 1 billion accounts. The hack took place in 2013. Yahoo is currently negotiating an acquisition by Verizon, with Verizon asking for either a reduction in the sale price or exit from the deal given this breach, plus another breach the company revealed in September that affected 500 million users. -- Twenty-two social justice organizations sent a joint letter to tech companies urging them to refuse participation in helping the Trump Administration build a Muslim Registry. The groups take aim at the so-called National Security Entrance Exit Registration System or NSEERs, a post-9/11 program that requires Muslims entering the U.S. on non-immigrant visas to register. According to the groups, the NSEERS registry hasn't led to a single arrest. Thus far, Twitter is the only company that has refused to participate in building up the registry. Sam Biddle has the story in The Intercept. -- Google has announced a new agreement with Cuba to improve internet speeds there. The agreement gives Cuba access to Google's Global Cache Network, which brings YouTube and Gmail closer to end users. It's not clear how Cuba's commercial relationship with the U.S. will evolve under the Trump administration. Mark Frank at Reuters writes the Obama-era Executive Agreements  that have normalized relations with the communist country can be easily reversed. -- Justin Ling at Motherboard reports that blacklivesmatter.com suffered some 100 DDoS attacks between January and July alone. -- Senate Republicans failed to confirm Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to another term at the agency. Rosenworcel, who is a highly-regarded public servant who fought on behalf of underserved communities, will end her term at the end of the month. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler will leave the Commission on January 20th, giving the Republicans a 2-1 majority at the agency. Sam Gustin has the story in Motherboard. -- Free Press released a study tying systemic racial discrimination to the digital divide. The report finds lower investments in broadband in both rural and urban areas hit by high rates of unemployment and low incomes. Sam Gustin has the story in Motherboard. -- Finally, Twitter has reinstated white supremacist Richard Spencer, President of the National Policy Institute who has advocated that the United States was created by and for white people. Twitter reinstated Spencer because he was not found to have violated Twitter's policy against inciting violence.

The most brazen, disruptive and manipulative attack on the American electoral system since Watergate — a vast cyberattack by Russia, aimed squarely at Democrats in 2016 — hinged on a series of human errors and institutional misjudgments. We talk with Eric Lipton and David Sanger, Times journalists who co-wrote a stunning story about out how the hack unfolded, moment by moment. We also talk to a victim of the attack.

The most brazen, disruptive and manipulative attack on the American electoral system since Watergate — a vast cyberattack by Russia, aimed squarely at Democrats in 2016 — hinged on a series of human errors and institutional misjudgments. We talk with Eric Lipton and David Sanger, Times journalists who co-wrote a stunning story about out how the hack unfolded, moment by moment. We also talk to a victim of the attack.

Nate Yohannes (linkedin.com/in/nateyohannesgovernmentaffairs) is Senior Advisor to the Chief Investment and Innovation Officer at the US Small Business Administration. He was appointed by the White House Office of Presidential Personnel as a Presidential Appointee in the Obama Administration. As the Senior Advisor, Mr. Yohannes assists with managing the Small Business Investment Company, a $25 billion private equity/venture fund and the SBIR program, a $2.5 billion per year grant program to high growth domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Mr. Yohannes sits on President Obama's Broadband Opportunity Council, a multi-agency team responsible for providing counsel to President Obama on how to advance the United States as the most broadband accessible country in the world. In addition, Yohannes held a leadership position and played a pivotal role with the first ever White House Demo Day. Mr. Yohannes regularly works with staff at the White House's Business Council, Domestic Policy Council, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Innovation Cohort and National Economic Council on issues that directly affect high growth small businesses across the country. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Mr. Yohannes was the Vice President – Associate General Counsel at the Money Management Institute (MMI). Earlier in his career he clerked for Chief Justice Paula Feroleto of the New York State Supreme Court. Mr. Yohannes received his JD from the University at Buffalo Law School and a BA from SUNY Geneseo and is a member of the New York State Bar.   In this episode, we discussed:  government resources available to entrepreneurs looking to access capital. Resources: SBIC SBIR SBA Growth Accelerator Competition U.S. Economic Development Administration Audacity of Hope, Barack H. Obama *A special thanks goes to the following contributors to this episode: Elias Aseged, Accenture Brittany Déjean, AbleThrive Jessica Eggert, Medley Sumayyah Emeh Edu, Sumayyah Emeh Edu Consulting Chioke Mose-Telesford, Grand Circus Jon Pincus, A Change is Coming Courtney Seiter, Buffer Terrell Sterling, Oracle Michael Young, BLOC   THE NEWS The FCC passed new privacy rules Thursday requiring internet service providers to obtain their subscribers' permission before collecting and distributing their private information. Telecom industry giants like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon object to the new rules, saying they will harm the Internet ecosystem. Privacy advocates, though, applaud the rules. Critics of the rules say so-called edge providers like Netflix and other companies should also be restricted from freely sharing their users' information without permission. But the FCC, of course, doesn't have jurisdiction over internet companies like Netflix. Cecilia Kang has the story in The New York Times. ----Eric Lipton at The New York Times reported last week on AT&T's lobbying influence within the beltway. Lipton reports that AT&T is Congress' biggest donor, contributing a total of over $11 million to most members of Congress since 2015, which is 4 times that of Verizon. The company also has almost 100 registered lobbyists, not including non-profit organizations it contributes to. AT&T announced two weeks ago that it has agreed to purchase Time Warner for $85.4 billion. Time Warner's properties include HBO and CNN. ---- Senator Elizabeth Warren is leading progressive members of Congress who are pushing Hillary Clinton to crack down on large tech companies if Clinton becomes president. Warren says companies like Google, Amazon and Apple have too much market power. But according to the Center for Responsive Politics, tech companies have contributed some $39 million to the Clinton campaign, compared to just $787,000 for Trump. Shane Goldmacher has the story in Politico. ---- A new Pew Report finds that a fair number of people loathe the political dialogue that happens among friends, family members and acquaintances on social media. Almost twice as many social media users reported being “worn out” by political discussions on Facebook, compared to those who like seeking lots of political content. The report also found a large percentage of people found political discourse on line to be angrier, less respectful and less civil than political conversations in public. You can find these and other findings at Pew. ---- Finally, Alphabet, Inc.--the parent company of Google, is putting the brakes on further build out of its fiber network in places it's not already committed. Google Access CEO Craig Barrett announced he is stepping down in a surprise blog post last week. Google Fiber will continue to be available in Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Charlotte, NC; Kansas City in MO and KS; Nashville, TN; Provo, UT; Salt Lake City, UT; and North Carolina's Triangle region. In addition, Comcast is suing the Nashville metro government, including the city's mayor, in the U.S. District Court in Nashville. Comcast argues that Google, when it comes into Nashville, shouldn't just be able to come in and reconfigure wires on utility poles without first waiting for incumbent providers to adjust the wires themselves. Sam Gustin at Motherboard and Jon Brodkin at Ars Technica have the story.

Cybersecurity or surveillance? What does the language attached at the last minute to the 2,009 page omnibus government funding bill actually authorize? In this episode, we take a close look at what just became law.   Please support Congressional Dish: Click here to contribute with PayPal or Bitcoin; click the PayPal "Make it Monthly" checkbox to create a monthly subscription Click here to support Congressional Dish for each episode via Patreon Mail Contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North #4576 Crestview, FL 32536 Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Cybersecurity Act of 2015 The Cybersecurity Act of 2015 was attached at the last minute to the "omnibus" government funding bill, which was 2,009 pages long and available to read for less than three days before it became law. This is and outline of what became law: TITLE I: Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 Section 102: Definitions "Agency": "Any executive department, military department, Government corporation, Government controlled corporation, or other establishment in the executive branch of Government" Does NOT include the Government Accountability Office, Federal Election Commission, or Government-owned contractor-operated facilities "Cybersecurity threat": An action that "may result in an unauthorized effort to adversely impact the security, availability, confidentiality, or integrity of an information system or information that is stored on, processed by, or transiting an information system". "Cyber threat indicator": "Information that is necessary to describe or identify"... Spying, including strange patterns of communications that appear to be collecting technical information Security breaches Security vulnerabilities A legitimate user being used to defeat a security system Malicious cyber command and control "The actual or potential harm caused by an incident, including a description of the information exfiltrated as a result of a particular cybersecurity threat" "Any other attribute of a cybersecurity threat, if disclosure of such attribute is not otherwise prohibited by law" "Non-Federal entity": "Any private entity, non-Federal government agency or department, or State, tribal, or local government (including a political subdivision, department, or component thereof)" Does not include a foreign power, as defined in the FISA law Section 103: Sharing of Information by the Federal Government Procedures for sharing information both within and outside the Federal government will be created by: Director of National Intelligence Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary of Defense Attorney General The procedures developed must... Allow real time sharing of information Include requirements for the government to protect the information from unauthorized access Require Federal entities to review cyber threat indicators for information not directly related to the threat that contains information that identifies a specific individual and remove the information Include procedures for notifying "any United States person" whose information has been shared by the Federal government Section 104: Authorizations for Preventing, Detecting, Analyzing, and Mitigating Cybersecurity Threats "A non-Federal entity may... share with, or receive from, any other non-Federal entity or the Federal Government a cyber threat indicator or defensive measure" Non-Federal entities sharing information mush "review" the information for "personal information of a specific individual" and "remove such information" OR have a technical way of removing the information it "knows at the time of sharing" to be personal information. Use of Cyber Threat Indicators by Government State, tribal, or local governments and the Federal Government can use the information they receive for... Cybersecurity Preventing a specific threat of death, serious bodily harm, or specific threat of serious economic harm Investigating, prosecuting, and preventing serious threats to minors, including sexual exploitation and threats to physical safety Preventing, investigating, disrupting, or prosecuting... Identity theft, transfers of stolen identification, possession of false identification, Unauthorized use of any card, plate, code, account number, or any equipment that can be used to transfer funds (fraud), Use of a "telecommunication instrument" that's been altered to obtain unauthorized use of telecommunications services", Hacking and releasing government or banking information, Extortion Harboring a criminal, Collection and/or communication of information about United States defense activities and infrastructure, or failure to report a defense data breach Disclosure of classified information Violations, or attempted violations, of NASA regulations Unauthorized use of trade secrets Information shared will be "exempt from disclosure under any provision of State, tribal, or local freedom of Information law, open government law, sunshine law, or similar law requiring disclosure of information or records" Information shared between private entities can not be considered violations of "any provision of antitrust laws" Section 105: Sharing of Cyber Threat Indicators and Defensive Measures with the Federal Government" Policies will be written by... Attorney General Secretary of Homeland Security Policies must create a way to share information "in an automated manner with all of the appropriate Federal entities" "Appropriate Federal entities" Dept. of Commerce Dept. of Defense Dept. of Energy Dept. of Homeland Security Dept. of Justice Dept. of Treasury Office of the Director of National Intelligence Information may be provided to other Federal agencies Privacy and civil liberties guidelines will be written by... Attorney General Secretary of Homeland Security In consultation with the Privacy and Civil Liberties oversight board "Private entities with industry expertise as the Attorney General and the Secretary consider relevant" Guidelines will be reviewed at least every two years Information shared with the Federal Government will go to the Department of Homeland Security Information shared with the Federal government can not be used to regulate the lawful activities of any non-Federal entity Section 106: Protection from Liability The courts must dismiss any lawsuits against "any private entity" for monitoring information systems or sharing/receiving "cyber threat indicators" Section 107: Oversight of Government Activities Heads of "appropriate Federal entities" will submit a report Inspectors General of the "appropriate Federal entities" will submit reports every two years The Comptroller General of the United States will submit a report on actions taken by the Federal Government to remove personal information. Report will be due in three years. Unclassified portions of the reports will be available to the public. Section 108: Construction and Preemption Lists what this bill is not intended to do Section 109: Report on Cybersecurity Threats Report will be submitted by the Director of National Intelligence NEW Section 110: Exception to Limitation on Authority of Secretary of Defense to Disseminate Certain Information Specifically allows the Secretary of Defense to share information Section 111: Effective Period These provisions expire on September 30, 2015. TITLE II: National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015 Section 203: Information Sharing Structure and Processes The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center will implement the procedures for sharing information that are created by Title I (view this mark-up of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to see changes made by this provision) Adds functions to the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center including... "Engaging with international partners... to collaborate on cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents" "Sharing cyber threat indicators, defensive measures, and other information related to cybersecurity risks and incidents with Federal and non-Federal entities... and with State and major urban area fusion centers" Participating in national exercises run by DHS Evaluating cyber threats to public safety communication systems Adds tribal governments and private entities to the list of entities that will have representatives in the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center Adds protection from information "disclosure" to list of the Center's principles Orders the Center to work with the "Privacy Officer" to make sure the Center follows the policies and procedures created by the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security. The Center will be in charge of creating the automated system for information sharing. The Center may partner directly with any "consenting non-Federal entity" for the purpose of sharing "cyber threat indicators" Orders the Center to publicly publish information on how to share information with the Center within 60 days of enactment Sections 206-209: Reports that will expire after 7 years Subtitle B: Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015 Section 223: Improved Federal Network Security Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop a plan to proactively detect, identify, and remove intruders in agency information systems. The plan will not apply to the Department of Defense, a "national security system" or an element of the intelligence community In implementing the plan, the Secretary of Homeland Security can get access to the information transiting or traveling to or from an agency information system The operation of the technology needed to implement the plan can be privatized The actions taken need to be "reasonably necessary" It is illegal for the private entity operating the system to use the information for anything other than protecting the system but the private entity can not be sued in court for their role in assisting the DHS Section 225: Federal Cybersecurity Requirements The Secretary of Homeland Security will issue binding operational directives for agencies to secure their networks within a year. Agencies will have to... Identify sensitive and mission critical data stored by the agency Assess the need to store that data and determine which individuals need access to it Encrypt the data Implement a single sign-on platform for people using the agency website that requires user authentication Require multi-factor authentication for remote access Agencies will not have to comply if they say it's "overly burdensome to implement" or that it's not necessary. These binding operational directives will not apply to the Defense Department, a "national security system", or the intelligence community. Section 227: Termination The directives and reports on them will expire in 7 years, December 2022. Section 229: Direction to Agencies The Secretary of Homeland Security can order the head of other agencies to take "lawful actions" in response to security threats. TITLE III: Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Assessment Act Section 303: National Cybersecurity Workforce Measurement Initiative Requires an assessment of all Federal positions that have cyber-related functions TITLE IV- Other Cyber Matters Section 401: Study on Mobile Device Security Orders a study on the security of mobile devices of the Federal Government Section 402: Department of State International Cyberspace Policy Strategy Orders a State Department report on threats from foreign sources and cooperation strategies within 90 days. Section 403: Apprehension and Prosecution of International Cyber Criminals The Secretary of State must consult with government officials in countries where we don't have an extradition treaty to determine what actions they've taken to catch "cyber criminals" with arrest warrant issued by US judges or Interpol. Section 404: Enhancement of Emergency Services Orders the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center to create a process for information sharing with Statewide Interoperability Coordinators Section 405: Improving Cybersecurity in the Health Care Industry Requires a report that will include a plan so that "the Federal Government and health care industry stakeholders may in real time, share actionable cyber threat indicators and defensive measures" Additional Reading Article: Meet the Lobbyists and Big Money Interests Pushing to End the Oil Exports Ban by Steve Horn, DeSmogBlog, December 16, 2015. Article: 9 Heinous Items Sneaked Into the Budget Bill Congress Doesn't Want You to See by Tom Cahill, U.S. Uncut, December 19, 2015. Article: Hospitality and Gambling Interests Delay Closing of Billion-Dollar Tax Loophole by Eric Lipton and Liz Moyer, New York Times, December 20, 2015. Article: The CISA Secret to Cybersecurity that No One Seems to Get by Mike Gault, Wired, December 20, 2015. Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations

The House passed a bill this week that would expand the number of banks that will be eligible for government bailouts and eliminated rules to prevent the banks from making really risky bets with our money. New Information (Found Since this Podcast Episode Was Released) YouTube video: Insanity in the House, Part 2 by Mansur Gidfar. Has additional information on the corrupt Congressmen who moved H.R. 992 through the House. Links to Information in This Episode Intro and Exit Music: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio) H.R. 992: "Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act of 2013" Expands the eligibility of American foreign banks that would be eligible for a bailout. Allows banks to eligible for bailouts to trade credit default swaps. Citigroup wrote most of H.R. 992 Banks Lobbyists Help in Drafting Financial Bills by Eric Lipton and Ben Protess, New York Times, May 23, 2013. See How Citigroup Wrote a Bill So They Could Get a Bailout by Erika Eichelberger, Mother Jones, May 24, 2013. Contact your Senators here (search tool is in the top right hand corner) Contact the White House here White House phone number: 202-456-1111 Music: Greed is Good by Leeman BrothaZ Frontline: Money, Power, Wall Street, documentary, April-May 2012. H.R. 2374: "Retail Investor Protection Act" Prevents a Department of Labor regulation that would force broker-dealers to have a fiduciary duty to their customers and act in their customer's best interest President Obama has issued a veto threat for H.R. 2374 but not for H.R. 992 H.J Res 99: Bring Back the Debt Ceiling Early H.J Res 99 is the first step in the expedited process for bringing back the debt ceiling established in the law that ended the shutdown and extended the debt ceiling. The clause that brings back the debt ceiling is in Section 1002 Details of the law were in CD049: Crisis... Postponed

Segment #1: Israel Launches Assault in Southern Lebanon after Soldiers' AbductionCalling Hezbollah's capture of two Israeli soldiers and the killing of seven more an "act of war," Israel today sent tanks, bombers and troops into Southern Lebanon, after Hezbollah captured two Israeli solders and killed seven more. In Washington today, Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon faulted Lebanon's government for its repeated pattern of attacks, followed by request for negotiations. Lamenting Israel's occupation of Gaza, Lebanon's ambassador to the US, Farid Abboud, suggested that the situation could have been avoided had Israel agreed to a requested prisoner exchange. At the United Nations, Kofi Annan condemned the Israeli action "without reservation." We update the action and the prospects for diplomacy. Segment #2 Changing Tactics in the War on TerrorIn 2002, President Bush signed an executive order saying the Geneva Conventions did not apply to suspects captured in the war on terror. Yesterday, after a US Supreme Court decision, the White House says they do after all. While there's disagreement about whether that really amounts to a change in policy, there's little dispute that other policies have changed, that what Time magazine calls a "muscular... unilateralist vision of US power" has been replaced by multilateral diplomacy and less confrontation. Reporter's Notebook: Petting Zoo and Popcorn Factory on Terrorist Target ListThe National Asset Database is the list of likely American targets in the war on terror. Indiana has more potential target than any other state--50% more than New York, twice as many as California. Included are Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo, the Amish Country Popcorn Factory and the Sweetwater Flea Market. It sounds like a joke, but that's the finding of the Department of Homeland Security's own inspector general, according to Eric Lipton of the New York Times.