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11 April 2026

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Feb 5, 2013 — Adam Winkler, Jacob Sullum, and Robert Wright
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On the first-ever Bloggingheads triavlog, Bob moderates a debate on gun control between Adam and Jacob. What does the Second Amendment really mean? Adam and Jacob agree that banning assault weapons wouldn’t be very effective, but disagree about the constitutionality of limits on high-capacity magazines. Jacob criticizes New York’s new gun control law as “magical thinking.” Bob asks Jacob where he draws the line on banning weapons (machine guns? Shoulder-fired missiles?), and Jacob and Adam debate universal background checks. Finally, when we talk about the right of self-defense, whom are we talking about defending ourselves against?

Feb 5, 2013 — Glenn Loury & Pat Nolan
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The Glenn Show

On The Glenn Show, Pat describes his work as a minister in prison. Glenn asks how Pat reconciles his support for convicts with the rights of their victims. Pat explains some of the major incarceration policy reforms he has supported. Pat explains why even sensible reforms have often been controversial to enact. What role should morality play in the political process? Glenn points out that race is also a major factor in how we think about prison populations. Finally, why did former Senator Jim Webb‘s prison reform push never gain traction?

Feb 4, 2013 — Michael Cohen & Thanassis Cambanis
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Feb 3, 2013 — Alyssa Rosenberg & Michael C. Moynihan
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Critic Proof
On Critic Proof, Alyssa talks to Michael about race on television. Michael discovers that HBO’s Girls isn’t just for girls, and Alyssa argues that Lena Dunham’s not racist, but her show’s first season had a race problem. Alyssa argues that better racial portrayals would lead to TV that is more interesting, and Michael is skeptical that writers should worry about their audience’s self-esteem. Is shallow criticism trivializing the charge of racism? In closing, Michael and Alyssa applaud Donald Glover’s appearance on Girls as a black Republican.
Feb 2, 2013 — Laurie Santos & Brian Hare
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The Mind Report
Feb 1, 2013 — Sarah Posner & Gershom Gorenberg
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The Posner Show
On The Posner Show, Sarah talks to Gershom, who says that despite all the fireworks over whether Chuck Hagel is “pro-Israel,” Israelis really don’t care. Gershom breaks down last week’s election results, and hypothesizes about the next coalition government. Although many declared the results a victory for the center, Gershom point out that the only blocs that gained were from the left. Can Yair Lapid help push Israel back to the negotiating table with the Palestinians? Will a second-term Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry be able to change the dynamic? Gershom disputes the conventional wisdom in the US that Israeli society has moved to the right, and makes the case against despair about the peace process. Finally, what do the Hagel hearings reveal about America’s relationship with Israel?
Jan 31, 2013 — Eve Fairbanks & Eusebius McKaiser
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Worldwise
Jan 31, 2013 — Conor Friedersdorf & Freddie deBoer
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Friedersdorf
On Friedersdorf, Conor and Freddie kick things off by discussing the declining share of national income that accrues to labor. Should we fear or welcome a future where automation and artificial intelligence replace much of the work done by humans? They discuss Chris Hayes’s recent book, Twilight of the Elites. How responsible are you for your outcome in life? Conor and Freddie debate the idea of “workplace liberty,” and who should decide when an employee gets a bathroom break. Conor asks Freddie whether he sees a conflict between the goals of liberalizing immigration and minimizing inequality. They conclude by arguing that liberals have failed to adequately challenge the errors of the Obama administration.
Jan 30, 2013 — Adam Serwer & Elise Foley
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Adamize
On Adamize, Adam and Elise discuss the bipartisan honeymoon on immigration reform and how it can’t possibly last. They point out that the Obama Administration has stepped up enforcement of immigration laws and border security. Are Republicans like Marco Rubio prepared to take real steps on this issue? Could proposed benefits for same-sex couples derail Republican support? And will this really convince Latino voters to consider Republican candidates?
Jan 29, 2013 — Mike Konczal & Seth Ackerman
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Fireside Chats
On Fireside Chats, Mike talks to Seth, author of a recent article in Jacobin calling for a “feasible socialism.” Seth gives a short history of the utopian left in the 20th century, then reviews the failings of both centrally planned economies and market economies. Mike questions Seth about his proposal to socialize the financial sector. Is market socialism a better model than social democracy? They examine the current position of teachers in America as a frame for testing Seth’s idea. Finally, how should Europe’s path guide liberals in the US?

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