Plenty of News, Most of it Bad

"There is nothing for him to lose, and that's a terrible position to be in." Bumper week for bad news as we head toward the end of the year, with fighting resuming in Gaza, trouble securing more aid for Ukraine, record-setting numbers of mass shootings, Republicans protecting January 6th rioters, …

Fighting Against the Tide

"This is going to be, in our lifetime, a forever arrangement that keeps the Palestians humble, poor, and without resources to fight." A pause in fighting continues this week as Israel and Hamas exchange hostages, how long will it continue and what will it mean for US involvement if fighting resume…

Much to be Thankful for?

"I don't think we've found the road to peace but we've found the road to stopping a lot of the violence for now." A reprieve in Gaza as Israel offers an additional day of peace for every ten hostages released by Hamas. In such a fraught and complex situation, we ask this week how to separate criti…

That Seemed Suspiciously Easy

"There seem to be quite a few of them who don't give a stuff about running the country." Government shutdown has once again been averted as Republicans and Democrats come to an agreement to keep the government funded, the first under new House Speaker Mike Johson. For Dems, it all seems a little t…

It's Going to be a Long Year

"It's easier, as Lincoln said, to be critical than to be correct." One year out from the 2024 presidential election, Joe Biden is battling personal unpopularity in the polls as well as dissatisfaction with cost of living and his handling of Gaza. Meanwhile, his presumptive Republican opponent, Don…

Strap in for a Bumpy Ride

"No one would have anticipated this outcome from getting rid of McCarthy, we've gone from bad to worse." The hard right of the Republican party have gotten their way in electing Louisiana rep Mike Johnson to the position of Speaker after Kevin McCarthy refused to go far enough in shutting down the…

Middle East at Tipping Point

"The US is doing their best to restrain any more actions and incursions but this is going to be a mess for many, many years." A bloody sort of stalemate in the Israel-Gaza conflict as Israel continues to consider a ground invasion, but tensions are bubbling over in the wider region. Meanwhile, Tru…

Invasion and Escalation

"The United States runs to the rescue and a whole lot of people get killed, get hurt, get maimed and the like." As fighting continues in and around Gaza, President Joe Biden has ventured to the region to discuss the path forward for Israel and to try and avoid a bloody ground invasion. Meanwhile, …

Unending Bloodshed

"This will not end until all the blood stops." Escalation over fresh conflict around the Gaza Strip has left thousands dead and many more injured, homeless, or living in terror. Ed and Sean look over how planning for the coordinated mass attack by HAMAS was overlooked and the likelihood of further…

We Need to Talk About Kevin

"This is what you call hara-kiri, the Republicans killed themselves and they killed the whole government." Government shutdown was narrowly averted last week as Republicans abandoned their negotiating positions, but not everyone is happy with the deal leading to the historical ousting of House Spe…