"It is so scary, and so unAmerican."

Trump's dream team continues to take shape, but dogged by accusations of sexual misconduct and unfitness for their roles it remains to be seen if the Republican-led Senate will take a stand on appointments or simply let Trump have his way. Meanwhile, ominous plans begin to be put into motion for Trump's promised ouster of illegal immigrants. Also discussing businesses bracing for tariffs, Ukraine and Russia's nuclear threat, Gaza, and Biden's judicial appointments in our last regular chat of the year.

"It is so scary, and so unAmerican."
Trump's dream team continues to take shape, but dogged by accusations of sexual misconduct and unfitness for their roles it remains to be seen if the Republican-led Senate will take a stand on appointments or simply let Trump have his way. Meanwhile, ominous plans begin to be put into motion for Trump's promised ouster of illegal immigrants. Also discussing businesses bracing for tariffs, Ukraine and Russia's nuclear threat, Gaza, and Biden's judicial appointments in our last regular chat of the year.

Elect a Clown, Get a Circus

"A lot of good, strong, smart people will be leaving the United States."

A week on from the shock re-election of former president Donald Trump and a great deal of people and institutions are still reeling as plans are cemented for his second term. Unable to stay away, Ed and Sean look at where it went wrong for Democrats and the rule of law, and how some are planning on fighting back, plus controversial picks for Trump's cabinet, Israel, Ukraine, and Elon Musk's bizarre new role at the heart of the administration.

"A lot of good, strong, smart people will be leaving the United States."
A week on from the shock re-election of former president Donald Trump and a great deal of people and institutions are still reeling as plans are cemented for his second term. Unable to stay away, Ed and Sean look at where it went wrong for Democrats and the rule of law, and how some are planning on fighting back, plus controversial picks for Trump's cabinet, Israel, Ukraine, and Elon Musk's bizarre new role at the heart of the administration.

Picking Up the Pieces

"We lost the election but we are not defeated."

Defying a late surge in the polls for Harris, American voters have returned Donald Trump to the White House with a historical win that has made him only the second president to be voted to two non-consecutive terms and the first Republican to win the popular vote in twenty years. So, what happens now?

"We lost the election but we are not defeated."
Defying a late surge in the polls for Harris, American voters have returned Donald Trump to the White House with a historical win that has made him only the second president to be voted to two non-consecutive terms and the first Republican to win the popular vote in twenty years. So, what happens now?

It’s All Over but the Crying

"We're voting for Kamala to keep the democracy."

In the final days of the election campaign, polls continue to run on a razor's edge and the United States appears more divided than the days of the Civil War when the two sides were literally shooting at one another. Are there any closing arguments to be made that really matter? Also discussing the fallout from Trump's Madison Square Garden rally, threats against a free and fair election mounting, Gaza, and Bird Flu.

"We're voting for Kamala to keep the democracy."
In the final days of the election campaign, polls continue to run on a razor's edge and the United States appears more divided than the days of the Civil War when the two sides were literally shooting at one another. Are there any closing arguments to be made that really matter? Also discussing the fallout from Trump's Madison Square Garden rally, threats against a free and fair election mounting, Gaza, and Bird Flu.

Closing Arguments

"I think you ought to get your divining stick out."

The November election is only a couple of weeks away and polls continue to show a result too close to call with nothing having a real impact on the Trump campaign in spite of his many, many, many scandals, slips, and absences. Meanwhile, Russia and China, very possibly the real winners from this US election cycle, have touted their blossoming friendship and a new 'Just World Order'. Also discussing JD Vance's absence from the race and potential results in the House and Senate, Rudy Giuliani, intelligence leaks, Ukraine, and infant mortality on the increase.

"I think you ought to get your divining stick out."
The November election is only a couple of weeks away and polls continue to show a result too close to call with nothing having a real impact on the Trump campaign in spite of his many, many, many scandals, slips, and absences. Meanwhile, Russia and China, very possibly the real winners from this US election cycle, have touted their blossoming friendship and a new 'Just World Order'. Also discussing JD Vance's absence from the race and potential results in the House and Senate, Rudy Giuliani, intelligence leaks, Ukraine, and infant mortality on the increase.

Too Close to Call

"They thought they could take her down but she stood up and fired right back."

Kamala Harris steams ahead with interviews and new policies this week while Donald Trump dances and amps up his fascist rhetoric, so how the hell does this election still look so close? Meanwhile, the US is getting itself more involved with Israel, not less, apart from threats over humanitarian aid that conveniently pushes the problem past the November election. Also discussing hurricane recovery, China's military drills, Ukraine, early voting, and the reopening of Three Mile Island.

"They thought they could take her down but she stood up and fired right back."
Kamala Harris steams ahead with interviews and new policies this week while Donald Trump dances and amps up his fascist rhetoric, so how the hell does this election still look so close? Meanwhile, the US is getting itself more involved with Israel, not less, apart from threats over humanitarian aid that conveniently pushes the problem past the November election. Also discussing hurricane recovery, China's military drills, Ukraine, early voting, and the reopening of Three Mile Island.

Dancing with the Devil

"Florida is no longer habitable."

At time of recording, Hurricane Milton is closing in on Florida shores with devastating winds and storm surges predicted. How did it go so wrong so fast, and how has partisan politics derailed the response? Kamala Harris has been on a media blitz this week, appealing to those less engaged in politics as well as tried-and-true audiences, but does she risk turning off progressive with her 'strongwoman' approach? Also discussing the latest jobs report, the US deficit, October 7th, and a new term for the Supreme Court.

"Florida is no longer habitable."
At time of recording, Hurricane Milton is closing in on Florida shores with devastating winds and storm surges predicted. How did it go so wrong so fast, and how has partisan politics derailed the response? Kamala Harris has been on a media blitz this week, appealing to those less engaged in politics as well as tried-and-true audiences, but does she risk turning off progressive with her 'strongwoman' approach? Also discussing the latest jobs report, the US deficit, October 7th, and a new term for the Supreme Court.

Storm Warning

"If delivery counts, Vance wins. If honesty counts, Walz wins."

The VP presidential debate this week appeared more substantive, and certainly more civil, than anything we've seen lately, but does it really matter? And do new polls reflect the performances. Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene has carved a swathe through southern states, leaving at least 120 dead and billions of dollars of damage in her wake. Also discussing the latest from Israel, Jack Smith's case against Donald Trump, the dockworkers strike, and latest from the campaign trail.

"If delivery counts, Vance wins. If honesty counts, Walz wins."
The VP presidential debate this week appeared more substantive, and certainly more civil, than anything we've seen lately, but does it really matter? And do new polls reflect the performances. Meanwhile, Hurricane Helene has carved a swathe through southern states, leaving at least 120 dead and billions of dollars of damage in her wake. Also discussing the latest from Israel, Jack Smith's case against Donald Trump, the dockworkers strike, and latest from the campaign trail.

Battle of the Running Mates

"We're not going to spread it around with handouts, we're going to spread it around with opportunity."

Kamala Harris has laid out her economic plans on the campaign trail this week, looking toward investment and manufacturing, as Donald Trump lurches from crisis to crisis. But first, the leaders of Japan, India, and Australia have met with Joe Biden in Washington to discuss tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific. Also discussing Israel's assault on Lebanon, the death of Marcellus Williams, avoiding government shutdown, and Republican efforts to confuse the vote in November.

"We're not going to spread it around with handouts, we're going to spread it around with opportunity."
Kamala Harris has laid out her economic plans on the campaign trail this week, looking toward investment and manufacturing, as Donald Trump lurches from crisis to crisis. But first, the leaders of Japan, India, and Australia have met with Joe Biden in Washington to discuss tensions with China in the Indo-Pacific. Also discussing Israel's assault on Lebanon, the death of Marcellus Williams, avoiding government shutdown, and Republican efforts to confuse the vote in November.

I Grew Up in a Middle Class Family

"What do they say in the Bible? You reap as you sow?"

A second alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump barely raises eyebrows this week but not everything surrounding Trump is so harmless. Residents of Springfield, Ohio, have found themselves under siege by bomb threats and neo-Nazis following Trump's claims of Haitian immigrants in the town taking and eating people's pets. Meanwhile, in a move that sounds straight out of a conspiracy theory, Mossad have targeted Hezbollah's communication network with explosives hidden inside pagers and radios as tensions reach new heights in the Middle East. Also discussing the potential for a government shutdown, IVF, rate cuts, and a disappointing endorsement rejection for Kamala Harris.

"What do they say in the Bible? You reap as you sow?"
A second alleged assassination attempt on Donald Trump barely raises eyebrows this week but not everything surrounding Trump is so harmless. Residents of Springfield, Ohio, have found themselves under siege by bomb threats and neo-Nazis following Trump's claims of Haitian immigrants in the town taking and eating people's pets. Meanwhile, in a move that sounds straight out of a conspiracy theory, Mossad have targeted Hezbollah's communication network with explosives hidden inside pagers and radios as tensions reach new heights in the Middle East. Also discussing the potential for a government shutdown, IVF, rate cuts, and a disappointing endorsement rejection for Kamala Harris.

Fake News, Real Consequences

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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