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May 28, 2014 — Bryce Covert & Kay Steiger

May 27, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Welton Gaddy

The Posner Show

On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with the Rev. Welton Gaddy, who recently announced his retirement as president of the Interfaith Alliance. They discuss Welton’s history of advocating for religious diversity and religious freedom, after he witnessed first-hand the Religious Right’s takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. Welton provides a brief history of the politicizing of religion from the “pseudo-piety” of the Clinton impeachment through the Obama administration’s refusal to change Bush-era rules on faith-based initiatives. Did Obama fear crossing “the Christian establishment” in enacting the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate? Welton argues that the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of legislative prayer undermines authentic religion. Plus: Why Welton is scared about the state of religious freedom in America.

May 26, 2014 — Glenn Loury & Andrew Weiss

The Glenn Show

On The Glenn Show, Glenn and Andy discuss why good intentions are not enough when politicians are trying to help the poor. They consider the downsides of raising the minimum wage, which Andy likens to a “secret sales tax” on the working poor. Glenn plays devil’s advocate and brings up Australia, which has a minimum wage twice that of the US. Is there a better way to help the long-term jobless than the current unemployment insurance system? Andy recounts how his experience as an employer made him much more sympathetic to anti-regulatory arguments. Finally, are there Democrats who are willing to hear from someone like Andy?

May 25, 2014 — Harry Siegel & Alyssa Katz

May 24, 2014 — Robert Farley & Sam Roggeveen

Foreign Entanglements

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and Sam discuss developments in Australia and Asia, beginning with the military coup in Thailand. China’s state-owned oil company moved a rig into disputed waters, which Sam says is an “extremely dangerous environment.” Rob turns to the Asia pivot, and they compare John Kerry to Hillary Clinton. What’s going to happen when China’s economy surpasses America’s? And finally, why is Australia buying expensive F-35 fighter jets from the US?

May 23, 2014 — David R. Dow & Robert Blecker (moderated by Aryeh Cohen-Wade)

The Good Fight round 2

May 22, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Sonny Bunch

Rational Actors

On Rational Actors, Kevin and Sonny discuss the phenomenon of “the politicized life,” in which cultural preferences come to reflect political leanings. Sonny argues that the tactic of politicized boycotts has shifted from right to left over time. Kevin asks whether some positions, like 9/11 trutherism, are deserving of ostracism. Why are undergraduates rebelling against controversial commencement speakers? Is the rise of trigger warnings on campus an authoritarian omen? And where is this culture of heightened political correctness headed?

May 21, 2014 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis

The DMZ

On The DMZ, Matt and Bill react to the latest round of the GOP civil war between the establishment and the Tea Party: the primaries in Georgia and Kentucky. What does the issue of coal in Kentucky show about the politics of climate change? Why is Tom Cotton having such a tough time picking up a Senate seat for the GOP in Arkansas? Why the heck did a conservative blogger break into a nursing home to photograph Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran’s wife? Turning to the scandal at the Department of Veterans Affairs, they consider why the GOP response has been muted so far. Plus: Why Democrats are revolting against an Obama judicial nominee.

May 20, 2014 — Robert Wright & James Traub