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9 April 2026

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Feb 9, 2014 — Michael Brendan Dougherty & Freddie deBoer
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The Score

On The Score, Michael and Freddie consider defenses of Richard Sherman that “rob him of his humanity,” and Freddie argues that some supposedly anti-racist criticisms of Macklemore and Lorde have racist assumptions. Then Michael brings up the xoJane writer who was reduced to tears because a black woman came to her yoga class. Does anyone think that shaming racists on Twitter is making the world a better place? Does American mockery of Sochi reveal national insecurity? Freddie and Michael close by considering whether to nationalize sports.

Feb 8, 2014 — Alyssa Rosenberg & Matt K. Lewis
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Critic Proof

On Critic Proof, Alyssa and Matt consider the sexual assault allegations against Woody Allen in the context of the culture wars. Matt recalls growing up in a conservative home and finding Allen’s films offensive. Is the liberal elite turning on Allen because of the emerging celebrity of Ronan Farrow? To what extent are Allen’s films based on his real life? Next, they remember Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died of a heroin overdose at 46. Has the coverage of the circumstances of Hoffman’s death been appropriate? Why are so many great artists also substance abusers? Can any actor of Hoffman’s generation fill his shoes?

Feb 7, 2014 — Tamar Jacoby & Mickey Kaus (moderated by Robert Wright)
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The Good Fight round 2
Feb 6, 2014 — Sarah Posner & Jeff Sharlet
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The Posner Show
On The Posner Show, Sarah talks to Jeff about his new article on the rise of violence and discrimination against LGBT people in Russia. They discuss the role that the American religious right has played in encouraging homophobia in Russia. What does it mean to say that Russia’s “sexual sovereignty” is threatened? And what the heck is “gay propaganda,” anyway? Sarah is shocked that homophobic vigilantes bring their children with them to terrorize gays. Are there any legal consequences for such thuggery? Finally, will the Sochi Olympics draw more international attention to Russian homophobia?
Feb 5, 2014 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
On The DMZ, post-game analysis of the boring Super Bowl leads Bill to wonder why we watch sports at all. Bill suggests that Mike Huckabee’s lead in 2016 GOP polls shows that conservatives are obsessed with fighting political correctness. Why are Democrats better at keeping internal discipline? Matt and Bill review the risks and rewards for Hillary Clinton in riding the recent wave of ’90s nostalgia. Could Republicans succeed by using economic populism against Clinton? Plus: Matt thinks the CBO’s new findings on Obamacare and employment are more of a mixed bag than either side will admit.
Feb 4, 2014 — Kay Steiger & Bryce Covert
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Feb 3, 2014 — David Klion & Tanya Lokshina
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Worldwise
Feb 2, 2014 — Robert Farley & Lien-Hang Nguyen
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Foreign Entanglements
On Foreign Entanglements, Rob talks to Hang about her book on the Vietnam War, Hanoi’s War. Hang describes the major myths Americans tend to believe about Vietnam. Rob is fascinated by the conflicting advice North Vietnam received from Moscow and Beijing. How did American air power affect Hanoi’s decisions? How important was secrecy to the negotiations that ended the war? Hang explains how the Vietnamese perspective on the war has changed in recent years.
Jan 31, 2014 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
On The DMZ, Bill and Matt make their Super Bowl predictions and discuss the Richard Sherman phenomenon. They then turn to new 2016 polling showing Christie down and Ryan and Walker up. Should the GOP take the lead on issues like immigration reform, or is doing nothing a viable strategy? Would legalization alone settle the immigration question, or are Democrats right to press for citizenship? Matt praises Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who gave the GOP response to the State of the Union. Plus: Is Reince Priebus‘s proposed boycott of MSNBC over an offensive tweet justified?
Jan 30, 2014 — Kevin Glass & Ben Domenech
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Rational Actors
On Rational Actors, Kevin and Ben discuss Ezra Klein‘s move to Vox Media and the challenge of striking out as an independent journalist online. They consider how social media has displaced SEO and encouraged journalists to hone their personal brands. Where does Vox see this new project going? What lessons can new media outlets draw from the success of BuzzFeed? Turning to the State of the Union, Ben proclaims Obama a diminished figure, while Kevin defends the president. Finally, they debate the significance of Obamacare in terms of Obama’s legacy.

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