Bloggingheads.tv

Nov 20, 2013 — Mark Leon Goldberg & Esperanza Garcia

Worldwise

Nov 19, 2013 — Kevin Glass & David Freddoso

Rational Actors

On Rational Actors, Kevin and David analyze Obamacare’s troubled debut. Kevin says the Affordable Care Act is a Rube Goldberg machine, and David warns of an insurance death spiral. David uses the law to make a larger philosophical case against government action. Who are the real winners and losers if the ACA works as planned? David says health care reform should have focused on making insurance cheaper, not people with preexisting conditions. Plus: Does the GOP have a realistic alternative?

Nov 18, 2013 — Glenn Loury & Ross Levine

The Glenn Show

On The Glenn Show, Glenn and Ross discuss the recent book by Anat Admati and Martin Hellwig, The Bankers’ New Clothes. Ross says that the government is inadvertently subsidizing bank fragility. Can anything be done about “too big to fail“? They explain the real reason that Wall Street wants to keep equity low and debt high—more money for bank executives and shareholders. Is it unrealistic to think that government could ever rein in the financial system? Glenn and Ross critique Admati and Hellwig on how accurately regulators can assess bank assets. Ross closes by explaining why he’s not optimistic about removing catastrophic risk from the financial system.

Nov 17, 2013 — Sarah Posner & Matthew Schmitz

The Posner Show

On The Posner Show, Sarah speaks with Matthew about Pope Francis’s impact on American Catholicism. Is the pope turning his back on conservative Catholics? Matthew explains why Francis is shifting focus, not ideology—the church isn’t changing its stance on social issues. Sarah brings up the election of Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, and Matthew describes the church’s financial crisis. Is Francis’s unscripted nature good or bad for the church? Plus: What the pope has in common with the honey badger.

Nov 16, 2013 — Katherine Maher & Jillian C. York

Interrobang‽

On Interrobang‽, Katherine and Jillian discuss the implications of the Trans-Pacific Partnership for online freedom. They then turn to the survey by the writers’ organization PEN showing widespread concern over online surveillance. Can a barrage of FOIA requests expose how the FBI operates? Is the NSA spying on your cell phone even when it’s turned off? Is the International Space Station infected with malware? Is international development being used as a front for surveillance? Plus: Did comedian Andy Kaufman fake his own death?

Nov 15, 2013 — Greg Marx & Richard Parker

Democracy in America

Nov 14, 2013 — Matt K. Lewis & Michael Brooks

The DMZ

On The DMZ, Matt and guest-host Michael discuss a possible Elizabeth Warren presidential run in 2016. Michael thinks that Warren’s outsider status and anti–Wall Street populism could appeal to the zeitgeist on both left and right. But what are the odds of Warren running, let alone being able to defeat Hillary Clinton? Moving to foreign affairs, Michael makes the case for nuclear negotiations with Iran. Can America and Iran put aside their problematic history? Why did France oppose the deal? Plus: Why does Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen still have a job?

Nov 13, 2013 — Matthew Duss & Meir Javedanfar

Foreign Entanglements

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Meir discuss the Iran nuclear negotiations. They disagree over whether the Arak reactor should be halted as a first step or under a final deal, but agree that additional sanctions now being considered by Congress are a bad idea. Would a nuclear deal help or hinder the cause of political reform in Iran? Turning to Israel, Matt can’t believe that Avigdor Lieberman is now sounding more reasonable than Netanyahu. Does Bibi recognize the linkage between settlements and Iran?

Nov 13, 2013 — Robert Wright & Najib Sharifi