Sadly, it's my duty to inform you that my longtime friend and collaborator Ed Blakely passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday, September 7th, at the age of 87 years old. I'd just like to use this platform one last time to share my thoughts on his life and his passing, and the time I knew him. Thank you again for listening.

More from Ed: https://www.edwardjblakely.com/

More from Sean: https://seanebritten.com/

Sadly, it's my duty to inform you that my longtime friend and collaborator Ed Blakely passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday, September 7th, at the age of 87 years old. I'd just like to use this platform one last time to share my thoughts on his life and his passing, and the time I knew him. Thank you again for listening.
More from Ed: <a href="https://www.edwardjblakely.com/">https://www.edwardjblakely.com/</a>
More from Sean: <a href="https://seanebritten.com/">https://seanebritten.com/</a>

Vale Ed Blakely

"This is my hobby, my heart... I love the United States of America."

This will unfortunately be the last chat that Ed and I have under this banner. For the past couple of months, Ed has been suffering with deteriorating health due to pancreatic cancer. It has been his desire to continue on as normal and we believed we would have more time together but over the past week his health has taken a downward turn. It's been a wonderful run over the past 15 years but all things must come to an end.
More from Ed: https://www.edwardjblakely.com/
More from Sean: https://seanebritten.com/

"This is my hobby, my heart... I love the United States of America."
This will unfortunately be the last chat that Ed and I have under this banner. For the past couple of months, Ed has been suffering with deteriorating health due to pancreatic cancer. It has been his desire to continue on as normal and we believed we would have more time together but over the past week his health has taken a downward turn. It's been a wonderful run over the past 15 years but all things must come to an end. More from Ed: https://www.edwardjblakely.com/ More from Sean: https://seanebritten.com/

Thank You For Listening

"This is a wakeup call for many Americans who thought, it doesn't make any difference."

The Trump regime is attempting to secure itself more power this week, with fresh attacks on top officials at the Federal Reserve and the CDC. Meanwhile, Trump continues to push for crackdowns by military forces in Democrat-led cities following efforts in Washington DC. Also discussing the Epstein files, the Minneapolis shooting, ICE, gerrymandering efforts, and attacks on the Smithsonian.

"This is a wakeup call for many Americans who thought, it doesn't make any difference."
The Trump regime is attempting to secure itself more power this week, with fresh attacks on top officials at the Federal Reserve and the CDC. Meanwhile, Trump continues to push for crackdowns by military forces in Democrat-led cities following efforts in Washington DC. Also discussing the Epstein files, the Minneapolis shooting, ICE, gerrymandering efforts, and attacks on the Smithsonian.

Power is Not a Means, It is an End

"These are just the bread and circus acts, but I'm glad to see the American people are resistant... I don't think this charade can go on much longer."

Meetings with Vladmir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have again come to nothing as Trump, who once promised an end to the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, blunders through negotiations. Meanwhile, Washington DC looks like a city under military occupation while the White House hints at interventions into other US cities. Also, the latest on the Epstein files, Gaza, Texas and gerrymandering, and the Trump administration's targeting of transgender youth.

"These are just the bread and circus acts, but I'm glad to see the American people are resistant... I don't think this charade can go on much longer."
Meetings with Vladmir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have again come to nothing as Trump, who once promised an end to the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, blunders through negotiations. Meanwhile, Washington DC looks like a city under military occupation while the White House hints at interventions into other US cities. Also, the latest on the Epstein files, Gaza, Texas and gerrymandering, and the Trump administration's targeting of transgender youth.

Bread and Circuses and Still No End to War in Ukraine

"He has a sore head so God only knows what will happen."

Trump has instigated a military and federal takeover of the city of Washington DC with a crackdown based on fictional crime figures, and threatened to do the same to other Democrat-led cities. A distraction from Epstein or a sign of things to come, or both? Meanwhile, plans for Trump and Putin to meet next week to divy up territory in Ukraine, without the input of Ukraine itself. Also discussing Gaza, delays on China tariffs, foreign aid, DOGE, and marriage equality back in the Supreme Court.

"He has a sore head so God only knows what will happen."
Trump has instigated a military and federal takeover of the city of Washington DC with a crackdown based on fictional crime figures, and threatened to do the same to other Democrat-led cities. A distraction from Epstein or a sign of things to come, or both? Meanwhile, plans for Trump and Putin to meet next week to divy up territory in Ukraine, without the input of Ukraine itself. Also discussing Gaza, delays on China tariffs, foreign aid, DOGE, and marriage equality back in the Supreme Court.

Jackboots on the Streets of Washington DC

"You don't cover up this much not to have a cover-up."

The Epstein saga continues as Ghislaine Maxwell is transferred to a minimum security prison following her apparent cooperation with the Trump administration and the Clintons are subpoenaed for a congressional probe. Meanwhile, Trump launches attacks on the Bureau of Labor Statistics after their numbers show his approach has crippled jobs growth. Also discussing ICE recruitment, Gaza occupation, Ukraine, and the Justice Department's pursuit of Trump's political enemies.

"You don't cover up this much not to have a cover-up."
The Epstein saga continues as Ghislaine Maxwell is transferred to a minimum security prison following her apparent cooperation with the Trump administration and the Clintons are subpoenaed for a congressional probe. Meanwhile, Trump launches attacks on the Bureau of Labor Statistics after their numbers show his approach has crippled jobs growth. Also discussing ICE recruitment, Gaza occupation, Ukraine, and the Justice Department's pursuit of Trump's political enemies.

Trump Finds It's Easier to Destroy Than Build

"She should name Democrats and Republicans, and let's have a fresh take at this democracy."

The Trump administration is attempting to take the wind out of the Epstein controversy, meeting with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and raising the possibility of a presidential pardon. Meanwhile, Trump has made the trip to Scotland to cheat at golf and secure a heavily lopsided trade deal with the European Union. Also discussing US beef exports to Australia, the Manhattan shooting, Pete Hegseth, Ukraine, Gaza, and more.

"She should name Democrats and Republicans, and let's have a fresh take at this democracy."
The Trump administration is attempting to take the wind out of the Epstein controversy, meeting with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and raising the possibility of a presidential pardon. Meanwhile, Trump has made the trip to Scotland to cheat at golf and secure a heavily lopsided trade deal with the European Union. Also discussing US beef exports to Australia, the Manhattan shooting, Pete Hegseth, Ukraine, Gaza, and more.

The Art of the Deal (with Sex Traffickers)

"They're there to protect him. Not the nation, not the truth, not what's good, not what's sacred, but just him."

Barack Obama, MLK Jr., the Washington Commanders / Redskins, even Hillary Clinton's emails, all things that Donald Trump would rather discuss than Jeffrey Epstein. But the Epstein story isn't going away, with reports Pam Bondi had confirmed to Trump months ago his name appeared in the mountains of evidence he and Republicans are now refusing to release. Ed and Sean discuss the latest, along with tariffs, migrant abuses, Alina Habba, corruption, and the firing of Stephen Colbert.

"They're there to protect him. Not the nation, not the truth, not what's good, not what's sacred, but just him."
Barack Obama, MLK Jr., the Washington Commanders / Redskins, even Hillary Clinton's emails, all things that Donald Trump would rather discuss than Jeffrey Epstein. But the Epstein story isn't going away, with reports Pam Bondi had confirmed to Trump months ago his name appeared in the mountains of evidence he and Republicans are now refusing to release. Ed and Sean discuss the latest, along with tariffs, migrant abuses, Alina Habba, corruption, and the firing of Stephen Colbert.

Pay No Attention to That Man Behind the Curtain

"He knew his pictures were in there, he knew his name was in the log... this is one that really baffles me."

Trump is scrambling to find a way to get his supporters to forget previous promises in regards to the Epstein Files and his own involvement with the alleged sex trafficker. But while Republicans and MAGA influencers are falling into line, a great deal of his supporters are finally becoming more sceptical. Meanwhile, economists and the rest of the world struggle to make sense of Trump's constantly shifting tariffs and attacks on the Federal Reserve. Also discussing attacks on citizenship, Ukraine, Israel, and Australia's meeting with China.

"He knew his pictures were in there, he knew his name was in the log... this is one that really baffles me."
Trump is scrambling to find a way to get his supporters to forget previous promises in regards to the Epstein Files and his own involvement with the alleged sex trafficker. But while Republicans and MAGA influencers are falling into line, a great deal of his supporters are finally becoming more sceptical. Meanwhile, economists and the rest of the world struggle to make sense of Trump's constantly shifting tariffs and attacks on the Federal Reserve. Also discussing attacks on citizenship, Ukraine, Israel, and Australia's meeting with China.

Weaklings and Bad, Stupid People

"Representatives used to represent their constituents. Now they represent pools of money."

Over a hundred dead and many more missing due to flooding in Texas, with part of the blame being directed at the lack of warning due to Trump's cuts to the NWS. But Trump is riding on a high this week thanks to the passage of his Big Beautiful Bill, cutting taxes on the rich, severing federal loan programs, and funnelling massive amounts of cash into his own personal army in the form of ICE. We also discuss the Epstein list burial, federal worker layoffs, the latest from Gaza, and TACO Trump's trade war.

"Representatives used to represent their constituents. Now they represent pools of money."
Over a hundred dead and many more missing due to flooding in Texas, with part of the blame being directed at the lack of warning due to Trump's cuts to the NWS. But Trump is riding on a high this week thanks to the passage of his Big Beautiful Bill, cutting taxes on the rich, severing federal loan programs, and funnelling massive amounts of cash into his own personal army in the form of ICE. We also discuss the Epstein list burial, federal worker layoffs, the latest from Gaza, and TACO Trump's trade war.

Up to the Neck and Rising

Ed Blakely has served in different capacities under a succession of presidential administrations, has guided government policy on urban planning and is a widely cited academic. My name is Sean Britten, and each week, Ed and I have a chat about what's the latest news out of the United States, talking everything politics, planning and policy from sea to shining sea.
US of Ed typically talks issues on a week by week basis, but check out some of our more timeless specials:
SPECIAL: MLK's legacy and the issues of Black America: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=184046
US of Ed on Guns in America: Part One: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=285335
US of Ed on Guns in America: Part Two: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=285341
SPECIAL: South of the Border: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=372708
SPECIAL: Crafting Innovative Places: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=386032
SPECIAL: Who Killed the American Dream?: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=386003
SPECIAL: Climate Emergency: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=386003
SPECIAL: The Impeachment Process: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=433201
SPECIAL: Ruth Bader Ginsburg: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=738156

US of Ed

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