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28 April 2024

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Aug 29, 2012 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ

On The DMZ: Has the modern political convention outlived its usefulness? Matt and Bill have a contrarian take on Ann Romney’s speech. Was Chris Christie truth-telling or self-promoting? Matt explains what is a “dog-whistle” and what isn’t. Can our political debate ever be color-blind? Plus: Race and Obama’s campaign strategy.

Aug 28, 2012 — Sarah Posner & Mollie Ziegler Hemingway
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The Posner Show

On The Posner Show, Sarah talks with Mollie about religion and the Republican National Convention. Why has Romney decided to open up about his Mormon faith? For the first time, the GOP ticket doesn’t have a Protestant on it, and Sarah and Mollie discuss why. Do Paul Ryan’s economic proposals reflect Catholic teaching, and does it matter? They debate the importance of Todd Akin, and Mollie argues that President Obama is the real abortion extremist. Does America have an “abortion culture“? Plus: Is the election still about the economy?

Aug 27, 2012 — Glenn Loury & Brink Lindsey
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The Glenn Show

Under discussion on The Glenn Show is Brink’s new book, Human Capitalism: How Economic Growth Has Made Us Smarter and More Unequal. Glenn asks Brink how his argument differs from that of Murray and Herrnstein in The Bell Curve. Brink explains how the human capital divergence contributes to growing inequality, and how the complexity of the modern world exacerbates class differences. Can education overcome the class gap? Brink describes the problems with “working class culture.” Brink closes with proposals for educational and economic reform to improve the lives of the lower class.

Aug 25, 2012 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
Matt returns to the DMZ from vacation, and relates his adventures traveling with children. Turning to politics, Matt has a theory on why ThinkProgress attacked him for thinking out loud about Todd Akin. Bill sees irony in Rush Limbaugh‘s warning against epistemic closure. Did Republicans turn on Akin just to attract women voters? Bill wants to know why the GOP is so much worse at abortion politics than it was two decades ago.
Aug 23, 2012 — E.J. Graff & Maggie Gallagher
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The Posner Show
On The Posner Show, E.J. and Maggie debate gay marriage. Maggie argues that sex can’t be separated from reproduction. E.J. believes gay marriage is the result of changing attitudes toward marriage in general, not a cause of that change. What is the purpose of civil marriage, and is it compatible with gay marriage? Maggie explains why she thinks gay marriage could negatively affect marriage as an institution. Finally, they discuss whether children need a mother and a father.

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