Podcast appearances and mentions of martha coakley

Prosecutors in the Karen Read trial presented key testimony from crime scene analysts on Monday, focusing on the SUV allegedly driven by Read when she backed into her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, and left him to die in a snowbank. The analysts described in detail the damage to Read's vehicle and the scene where O'Keefe's body was found. Maureen Hartnett, a crime lab analyst, examined Read's SUV a few days after O'Keefe's death. She observed a dent in the trunk door, scratches on the rear bumper, a broken taillight, a hair next to the taillight, and pieces of glass on the bumper. Hartnett also analyzed O'Keefe's clothing and found red-brown stains and 13 rips and tears, particularly on the right sleeve. Defense attorney Alan Jackson questioned Hartnett about the glass and hair found on the SUV, suggesting that they may have been planted. He asked Hartnett if the items were "just sitting" or "perched" on the SUV, despite the fact that it had been driven or towed roughly 50 miles in a snowstorm. Hartnett agreed with his characterization of the items' placement but declined to speculate about the travel involved. Lt. Kevin O'Hara of the Massachusetts State Police helped search the area where O'Keefe was found and described finding six or seven pieces of a broken taillight and O'Keefe's sneaker in the snow. However, he acknowledged that the scene was left unsecured for hours before the search. The prosecution argues that the broken taillight fragments came from Read's SUV, which they say she used to back into and kill O'Keefe. The defense suggests that the evidence was planted by corrupt investigators, taking advantage of the unsecured crime scene. Martha Coakley, former Massachusetts Attorney General, commented on the closing arguments, stating that "there are so many theories, pieces of evidence, ways in which the prosecution had to get evidence in, and the defense counsel has been aggressive in cross-examining, which is their job, in trying to defend their client." As the trial continues, both sides will likely present more evidence and arguments to support their respective cases. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Karen Read Trial, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Prosecutors in the Karen Read trial presented key testimony from crime scene analysts on Monday, focusing on the SUV allegedly driven by Read when she backed into her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, and left him to die in a snowbank. The analysts described in detail the damage to Read's vehicle and the scene where O'Keefe's body was found. Maureen Hartnett, a crime lab analyst, examined Read's SUV a few days after O'Keefe's death. She observed a dent in the trunk door, scratches on the rear bumper, a broken taillight, a hair next to the taillight, and pieces of glass on the bumper. Hartnett also analyzed O'Keefe's clothing and found red-brown stains and 13 rips and tears, particularly on the right sleeve. Defense attorney Alan Jackson questioned Hartnett about the glass and hair found on the SUV, suggesting that they may have been planted. He asked Hartnett if the items were "just sitting" or "perched" on the SUV, despite the fact that it had been driven or towed roughly 50 miles in a snowstorm. Hartnett agreed with his characterization of the items' placement but declined to speculate about the travel involved. Lt. Kevin O'Hara of the Massachusetts State Police helped search the area where O'Keefe was found and described finding six or seven pieces of a broken taillight and O'Keefe's sneaker in the snow. However, he acknowledged that the scene was left unsecured for hours before the search. The prosecution argues that the broken taillight fragments came from Read's SUV, which they say she used to back into and kill O'Keefe. The defense suggests that the evidence was planted by corrupt investigators, taking advantage of the unsecured crime scene. Martha Coakley, former Massachusetts Attorney General, commented on the closing arguments, stating that "there are so many theories, pieces of evidence, ways in which the prosecution had to get evidence in, and the defense counsel has been aggressive in cross-examining, which is their job, in trying to defend their client." As the trial continues, both sides will likely present more evidence and arguments to support their respective cases. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Karen Read Trial, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Prosecutors in the Karen Read trial presented key testimony from crime scene analysts on Monday, focusing on the SUV allegedly driven by Read when she backed into her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, and left him to die in a snowbank. The analysts described in detail the damage to Read's vehicle and the scene where O'Keefe's body was found. Maureen Hartnett, a crime lab analyst, examined Read's SUV a few days after O'Keefe's death. She observed a dent in the trunk door, scratches on the rear bumper, a broken taillight, a hair next to the taillight, and pieces of glass on the bumper. Hartnett also analyzed O'Keefe's clothing and found red-brown stains and 13 rips and tears, particularly on the right sleeve. Defense attorney Alan Jackson questioned Hartnett about the glass and hair found on the SUV, suggesting that they may have been planted. He asked Hartnett if the items were "just sitting" or "perched" on the SUV, despite the fact that it had been driven or towed roughly 50 miles in a snowstorm. Hartnett agreed with his characterization of the items' placement but declined to speculate about the travel involved. Lt. Kevin O'Hara of the Massachusetts State Police helped search the area where O'Keefe was found and described finding six or seven pieces of a broken taillight and O'Keefe's sneaker in the snow. However, he acknowledged that the scene was left unsecured for hours before the search. The prosecution argues that the broken taillight fragments came from Read's SUV, which they say she used to back into and kill O'Keefe. The defense suggests that the evidence was planted by corrupt investigators, taking advantage of the unsecured crime scene. Martha Coakley, former Massachusetts Attorney General, commented on the closing arguments, stating that "there are so many theories, pieces of evidence, ways in which the prosecution had to get evidence in, and the defense counsel has been aggressive in cross-examining, which is their job, in trying to defend their client." As the trial continues, both sides will likely present more evidence and arguments to support their respective cases. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Karen Read Trial, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com 

Prosecutors in the Karen Read trial presented key testimony from crime scene analysts on Monday, focusing on the SUV allegedly driven by Read when she backed into her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, and left him to die in a snowbank. The analysts described in detail the damage to Read's vehicle and the scene where O'Keefe's body was found. Maureen Hartnett, a crime lab analyst, examined Read's SUV a few days after O'Keefe's death. She observed a dent in the trunk door, scratches on the rear bumper, a broken taillight, a hair next to the taillight, and pieces of glass on the bumper. Hartnett also analyzed O'Keefe's clothing and found red-brown stains and 13 rips and tears, particularly on the right sleeve. Defense attorney Alan Jackson questioned Hartnett about the glass and hair found on the SUV, suggesting that they may have been planted. He asked Hartnett if the items were "just sitting" or "perched" on the SUV, despite the fact that it had been driven or towed roughly 50 miles in a snowstorm. Hartnett agreed with his characterization of the items' placement but declined to speculate about the travel involved. Lt. Kevin O'Hara of the Massachusetts State Police helped search the area where O'Keefe was found and described finding six or seven pieces of a broken taillight and O'Keefe's sneaker in the snow. However, he acknowledged that the scene was left unsecured for hours before the search. The prosecution argues that the broken taillight fragments came from Read's SUV, which they say she used to back into and kill O'Keefe. The defense suggests that the evidence was planted by corrupt investigators, taking advantage of the unsecured crime scene. Martha Coakley, former Massachusetts Attorney General, commented on the closing arguments, stating that "there are so many theories, pieces of evidence, ways in which the prosecution had to get evidence in, and the defense counsel has been aggressive in cross-examining, which is their job, in trying to defend their client." As the trial continues, both sides will likely present more evidence and arguments to support their respective cases. Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com The latest on The Downfall of Diddy, The Karen Read Trial, Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK's Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com

Who do candidates call when they want opposition research on their opponents? While you're at it, you better do research on yourself as a candidate and face up to your own skeletons! Matt Barron has been lit up by politics ever since he canvassed for anti-Vietnam War congressional candidate Father Robert Drinan in 1970. Drinan won and made his mark on Capitol Hill and across the country, meanwhile, Barron has made his impact behind the scenes, working for countless candidates and causes over the past four decades. We unpack opposition research and how transparency typically benefits candidates, and how, most often, stubbornness does not benefit them. We take a look at the (to this point) extraordinarily quiet race for governor in Massachusetts, Maura Healey's frontrunner status, and how she may break the electoral curse of the attorney general position in Massachusetts (the list of losses for higher office is long: Martha Coakley, Tom Reilly, Scott Harshbarger, etc.) We also cover the severe lack of transparency on Beacon Hill, a trend toward secret deliberations, and the authoritarian nature of the house speaker. In addition our conversation includes: the dwindling number of reporters covering politics and the negative impact to transparency and increase in puff pieces, the contrast between former Congressman John Oliver and current Congressman Richard Neal, Super PACs, an increasing number of Republican registrations in Massachusetts, National Democrats' inability to connect with rural voters, the massive impact that inflation will have on the 2022 election cycle, the Fair Share effort in Massachusetts, how a lot of the joy has been taken out of campaigns because of the cutthroat nature of politics today on the national level, and we cover Matt's exhibit of photographs of Northeast U.S. Post Offices taken from 1965 to 2021 now on display at the Spellman Museum in Weston, Massachusetts, and much more! I hope you'll enjoy my conversation with Matt Barron. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/john-krol/support

Dave Wasserman, a Senior Editor at the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, is universally regarded as one of the foremost election analysts on the planet - especially when it comes to US House races. In this conversation, Dave talks his early obession with all things politics, how he turned that into a job at the Cook Report, his approach to political analysis, the story behind his twitter catchphrase "I've seen enough", and his take on both the 2022 redistricting developments & overall House playing field. IN THIS EPISODE…Dave's early love of maps…How a cable system glitch leads Dave to find politics…Dave's unusual gift request for his 13th Birthday…The one race that drew Dave into congressional politics…The story behind a teenage Dave's appearance as a pundit on a local public affairs show…Dave talks his important intersection with UVA Professor Larry Sabato…The $10 bet Dave won from Larry Sabato…The college analysis Dave wrote that led to his role with the Cook Report…Dave talks the approach he brings to elections analysis…What goes into creating Dave's election night models…Dave on the races he's proud he got right, plus some that surprised him…Dave talks trends he's observed in House races during his time as a race-rater…Dave takes us behind the scenes of the NBC Election Night Decision Desk…The origin of Dave's catchphrase to call elections…Dave breaks down the average work week for a race-rating analyst…Dave talks his longtime fascination with the redistricting process…Dave gives his thoughts on the 2022 redistricting process…Dave provides an update on recent legal ground that's been broken around redistricting…Dave's overall read on the '22 House playing field…Dave talks signs the Trump hold on the House GOP caucus may be weakening…Dave's advice to the next generation of race-raters…AND 2,568 districts, George Allen, Mrs. Barkley, Ben Bernanke, Mary Bono Mack, Lauren Boebert, Bridgegate, Scott Brown, bruised egos, C-Span, Eric Cantor, Joe Cao, Don Cazayoux, Julia Carson, James Carville, Travis Childers, Emanuel Cleaver, Martha Coakley, Miles Coleman, compulsive list making, Jim Cooper, cranberry bread, creative ethics, Joe Crowley, Ted Cruz, Henry Cuellar, Rodney Davis, Pete Dawkins, Peter DeFazio, dummymanders, Election Twitter, Marc Elias, false suspense, food science, Louie Gohmert, Governing Magazine, Josh Harder, Andy Harris, Rush Holt, Bill Jefferson, John Katko, Dan Kildee, Steve Kornacki, Frank Lautenberg, Elaine Luria, Morgan Lutrell, Sean Patrick Maloney, map recipients, Terry McAuliffe, Kevin McCarthy, Bob McDonnell, David McKinley, Peter Meijer, Mary Miller, minimum split districting, Alex Mooney, Nathaniel Moran, Joe Morelle, oddly engrossing debates, Mike Pappas, Nancy Pelosi, PoliticsNJ.com, Premier League Soccer, QVC, Raul Ruiz, Stu Rothenberg, Rutgers, Bernard Shaw, Chris Shays, Siskel & Ebert, Elissa Slotkin, Abigail Spanberger, the Squad, Starbucks, Kenneth Starr, useful stereotypes, Paul Tonko, Lauren Underwood, the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, Fred Upton, violin lessons, Wal Mart, Amy Walter, Jim Webb, West River South Dakota, David Wildstein, Judy Woodruff, John Yarmuth, Glen Youngkin, …& more!

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren opens up about how her 2020 presidential primary loss inspired her book “Persist” and why she felt she ran against the shadows of Martha Coakley and Hillary Clinton. Then, our very own Sunny Hostin shares about her debut novel “Summer On The Bluffs” and announces the launch of her production company with its first project being a TV series on the novel. In Hot Topics, the co-hosts react to Bill and Melinda Gates announcing their split, and more.

Robert Mintz, a partner at McCarter and English, discusses the Justice Department's decision to retry New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, who was brought up on corruption charges last year in a case that ended in a mistrial. Plus, Martha Coakley, the former Attorney General of Massachusetts and current partner at Foley Hoag, discusses the wave of marijuana legalization that is sweeping across the United States, even an it is challenged by the Trump Administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. They speak with Bloomberg's June Grasso. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Robert Mintz, a partner at McCarter and English, discusses the Justice Department's decision to retry New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, who was brought up on corruption charges last year in a case that ended in a mistrial. Plus, Martha Coakley, the former Attorney General of Massachusetts and current partner at Foley Hoag, discusses the wave of marijuana legalization that is sweeping across the United States, even an it is challenged by the Trump Administration and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. They speak with Bloomberg's June Grasso.

Julius Caesar is Shakespeare’s classic depiction of the abuse of power, political assassination and intrigue – a plot that would rival any episode of House of Cards or Scandal. The play offers a valuable and timeless springboard for a discussion of the use of executive power in 21st century America – and its future under a Clinton or Trump presidency. -- The Shakespeare & the Law series features a staged reading of the abridged play performed by prominent judges, attorneys, journalists, political strategists and scholars, followed by a panel discussion that explores the implications of the work in the era of Obama, Clinton and Trump. Presented in partnership with the Federalist Society, McCarter & English LLP, and Foley Hoag LLP. -- This event took place at the Wimberly Theatre at the Boston Center of the Arts in Boston, MA on September 28, 2016. -- Participants include: David J. Barron, United States Circuit Judge for the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals; Jennifer C. Braceras, Attorney and Editor of NewBostonPost; Martha Coakley, Former Attorney General of Massachusetts; Nancy Gertner, Retired Judge, United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; Michael S. Greco, Partner at K&L Gates and past present of the American Bar Association; Nathaniel M. Gorton, United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Jeff Jacoby, Op-Ed Columnist for The Boston Globe; Daniel J. Kelly, Chairman of the Boston Lawyers Division of the Federalist Society and a partner at McCarter & English; George A. O’Toole, Jr., United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Dean Reuter, Vice President & Director of the Practice Groups of the Federalist Society; Carol Rose, Executive Director of the ACLU of Massachusetts; F. Dennis Saylor IV, United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; Douglas P. Woodlock, United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts; and Rya W. Zobel, United States District Judge for the District of Massachusetts.

Martha Coakley is former Massachusetts Attorney General and current of counsel in Foley Hoag's Litigation Department. In this insightful keynote, Attorney Coakley provides perspective and insight on the MA nonprofit regulatory landscape, including: coventuring, conflicts of interests, executive compensation, charitable solicitations online, and diversion of assets. She also offers her predictions for the future of the Commonwealth’s nonprofit sector. She answers specific case questions from audience members regarding issues that may be perceived as “thin ice” in the eyes of the Attorney General and in a court of public opinion.

This week the Hotties tear into some fresh Nonsense in Higher Ed via a hard (dare we say HORD) look at university politics. What is the deal at Suffolk U? What do university presidents even do? And why is it that Martha Coakley never quite curls all the way over??? Then they discuss their ~unique bodies~ and share their favorite (and least favorite) fashion #looqs for winter and spring. Spoiler alert: pants are terrible, and the Hotties have a lot to say about it. And it's time to celebrate! It's finally February--time for black history to get Unfriendly™. Plus, the Hotties have tips on how to be an ally, and some super-sway culture suggestions for your involvement. Join them won't you? This episode contains ardent swearing and the N word. All music is courtesy of Ryan Little. You can find more of his work here: freemusicarchive.org/music/Ryan_Little/

You could argue that Charlie Baker is Governor of Massachusetts today is because many people thought he would be a better manager for the state than Martha Coakley. Management skills have long been Baker's calling card and it's one of his percieved strengths, but what specifically does it mean to manage the way Charlie Baker does? Now that he's got a few months under his belt, The Scrum sat down with Gov. Baker at his new digs in the State House to find out.

For a while it seemed like Democratic political strategist Doug Rubin had the political Midas touch. The Scrum spoke with the Mass. Democrats' go-to guy about reversals of political fortune.

People said the 2014 Massachusetts governor's race was boring, but man, what a finish! The Scrum takes a closer look at what the heck happened. WBZ reporter Jon Keller, and Mike Deehan of Massterlist drop in. Recorded live at the Banshee in Dorchester.

If you turn on the TV between now and November 4th, be prepared to see lots of political ads. This week, The Scrum podcast bring you the good, the bad, and the unfair in the world of Massachusetts and Boston campaign ads.

Former Mass. gubernatorial candidate Shannon O'Brien dishes to the Scrum about just how taxing running for governor is; what Baker has that Romney lacked; and what Coakley has to do (and shouldn't do) to become the first female governor of Massachusetts.

The Scrum team heads to historic Faneuil Hall for a gubernatorial forum featuring all the candidate and finds itself impressed by the performance of Evan Falchuck, who's running as an independent. Also discussed: Will "Sweetheartgate" complicate Charlie Baker's courtship of women voters?

The Scrum goes to the Democrats' post-primary "unity breakfast". Our first impromptu political guest Juliette Kayyem stops by and drops some "goddamn" knowledge.

The Scrum raps with Democratic attorney general Warren Tolman about his bid to become the state's top law-enforcement officer.

Healey discussed a host of topics, from how she'd target State House corruption if elected to whether current AG Martha Coakley is being aggressive enough in negotiations with Partners Healthcare. Also, casinos, gun control, and Market Basket.

The state's highest court ruled that Massachusetts voters will be able to vote on whether the state's casino gambling law should be repealed. What does the ruling mean for Massachusetts politics?

Martha Coakley's Scott Brown apology tour continues--and while Coakley and her rivals Steve Grossman and Don Berwick all identify with the term "progressive," its meaning is nebulous at best.

Adam Reilly, Peter Kadzis and David Bernstein look at Martha Coakley's AG problem, Cantor's big win in Virginia, and why the media is so obsessed with Hillary Clinton.

Post-SOTU analysis. Tom Pappalardo bring the nation together. Glenn Johnson defends Martha Coakley's baseball ignorance. Sarah Buttenwieser takes on Heidi Montag.

One of the most underappreciated aspects of the Scott Brown victory in deep blue Massachusetts was his vigorous, clear, no apologies defense of some of the most controversial aspects related to how we handle the war on terror, or whatever the Obama administration is calling it this week. War on man-made disasters is sooooo 2009! Scott Brown said quite clearly, the Christmas Eve crotch bomber was funded and trained by Al Qaeda and therefore, he should be treated as an enemy combatant within the military justice system. His opponent, Martha Coakley, agreed with the Obama administration that he should be read his rights, lawyered-up and put into our civilian court system where he will enjoy the same constitutional protections as you or I would. The choice for voters was crystal clear. I have never read a book that made me as angry as Courting Disaster. The Obama administration approach to the war on terror is as naïve as it is dangerous. The crotch bomber incident is the perfect example of how we no longer able to effectively interrogate, or even question terrorists with potentially critical information. In a war against small cells of people able to move freely around the world, human intelligence is more important than ever. The Obama administration has put a blindfold on the CIA. Stephen F. Hayes at the Weekly Standard reviews Robert Gibbs statements on the way the crotch bomber was dealt with and it just serves as validation for everything author Marc Thiessen covers in this book. "We learned that the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Michael Leiter, whose agency is responsible for pulling together pieces of intelligence to prevent attacks, went on vacation the day after the attack. We learned that the top White House counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, told him to go. We learned that the White House's initial view of the botched attack -- from Janet Napolitano and Robert Gibbs -- was that "the system worked." We learned that President Obama still believed the attempted bombing was the work of "an isolated extremist" three days after the attack, despite a wealth of evidence that Abdulmutallab had been sent by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). We learned that Brennan was surprised that AQAP was capable of attacking the United States. We learned that Napolitano was surprised by al Qaeda's "determination" to hit the U.S. and stunned that they would send an individual -- not a group -- to conduct an attack. We learned that four top U.S. counterterrorism officials -- Leiter, Napolitano, FBI Director Robert Mueller and Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair -- were not consulted about whether to treat Abdulmutallab as an enemy combatant or a criminal. We learned that a proposed "high-value detainee interrogation unit," or HIG, does not exist one year into the Obama administration. We learned that Blair, the nation's top intelligence official, thought that it did. We learned that Abdulmutallab was read his Miranda rights less than twelve hours after he was captured. We learned that the FBI interrogated Abdulmutallab for just 50 minutes before he was told he had the right to remain silent and chose to exercise it. That's an impressive record of incompetence." We had a bad connection initially, but we called Marc back and jumped right into this excellent book. We covered a lot of ground but it felt like we only had time to scratch the surface. I hope to have him back on soon. I recommend buying this book, and some Tums to go along with it. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 8-10pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

One of the most underappreciated aspects of the Scott Brown victory in deep blue Massachusetts was his vigorous, clear, no apologies defense of some of the most controversial aspects related to how we handle the war on terror, or whatever the Obama administration is calling it this week. War on man-made disasters is sooooo 2009! Scott Brown said quite clearly, the Christmas Eve crotch bomber was funded and trained by Al Qaeda and therefore, he should be treated as an enemy combatant within the military justice system. His opponent, Martha Coakley, agreed with the Obama administration that he should be read his rights, lawyered-up and put into our civilian court system where he will enjoy the same constitutional protections as you or I would. The choice for voters was crystal clear. I have never read a book that made me as angry as Courting Disaster. The Obama administration approach to the war on terror is as naïve as it is dangerous. The crotch bomber incident is the perfect example of how we no longer able to effectively interrogate, or even question terrorists with potentially critical information. In a war against small cells of people able to move freely around the world, human intelligence is more important than ever. The Obama administration has put a blindfold on the CIA. Stephen F. Hayes at the Weekly Standard reviews Robert Gibbs statements on the way the crotch bomber was dealt with and it just serves as validation for everything author Marc Thiessen covers in this book. "We learned that the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Michael Leiter, whose agency is responsible for pulling together pieces of intelligence to prevent attacks, went on vacation the day after the attack. We learned that the top White House counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan, told him to go. We learned that the White House's initial view of the botched attack -- from Janet Napolitano and Robert Gibbs -- was that "the system worked." We learned that President Obama still believed the attempted bombing was the work of "an isolated extremist" three days after the attack, despite a wealth of evidence that Abdulmutallab had been sent by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). We learned that Brennan was surprised that AQAP was capable of attacking the United States. We learned that Napolitano was surprised by al Qaeda's "determination" to hit the U.S. and stunned that they would send an individual -- not a group -- to conduct an attack. We learned that four top U.S. counterterrorism officials -- Leiter, Napolitano, FBI Director Robert Mueller and Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair -- were not consulted about whether to treat Abdulmutallab as an enemy combatant or a criminal. We learned that a proposed "high-value detainee interrogation unit," or HIG, does not exist one year into the Obama administration. We learned that Blair, the nation's top intelligence official, thought that it did. We learned that Abdulmutallab was read his Miranda rights less than twelve hours after he was captured. We learned that the FBI interrogated Abdulmutallab for just 50 minutes before he was told he had the right to remain silent and chose to exercise it. That's an impressive record of incompetence." We had a bad connection initially, but we called Marc back and jumped right into this excellent book. We covered a lot of ground but it felt like we only had time to scratch the surface. I hope to have him back on soon. I recommend buying this book, and some Tums to go along with it. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 8-10pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.