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22 December 2025

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Nov 8, 2013 — Michael Brendan Dougherty & Travis Waldron
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The Score

On The Score, Michael and Travis analyze the possibility that the Oakland A’s may abandon their working class city to play in gilded San Francisco. Michael suggests that this is another instance of sports reflecting society, and Travis makes the case against the public funding of stadiums. Next, they do a deep dive into the vexed issue of offensive team names and mascots, notably the Washington Redskins and Chief Wahoo of the Cleveland Indians. Would the Atlanta Braves by any other name smell as sweet? Noting the religious origins of the San Diego Padres, Michael emphasizes that context matters. They lament how these controversies spill into left/right culture war battles. Plus: Great sports teams names vs. awful ones.

Nov 7, 2013 — Robert Farley & Daniel Larison
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Foreign Entanglements

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and Daniel take a critical look at the idea that America must keep force “on the table” with respect to nuclear negotiations with Iran. They discuss the news that Saudi Arabia may have contracted for a nuclear deterrent with Pakistan, and briefly discuss Israeli attitudes toward the negotiations. How will domestic US political considerations affect a nuclear deal? They next examine the ongoing political phenomenon that is John Bolton. Rob and Daniel conclude with a discussion of air power and American foreign policy.

Nov 6, 2013 — Jonathan Kay & Chris Selley
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Worldwise
Nov 5, 2013 — Kevin Glass & Zoë Carpenter
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Rational Actors
On Rational Actors, Kevin and Zoë debate conservative critiques of Obamacare. They clash over whether the law is raising or lowering costs. Kevin says that the conservative vision of health care reform would prioritize lowering costs over expanding access. Next, they discuss a new report that excoriates the Obama administration’s record on press freedom. Zoë says that a shield law for journalists must be part of the solution. What could stop the trend of increasing government secrecy?
Nov 1, 2013 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
On The DMZ: Matt says Obama lied by saying, “If you like your plan, you can keep it.” Will he and/or the Affordable Care Act suffer politically? Matt sees Obamacare as a vindication of conservative epistemological modesty over liberal paternalism. Have shutdown cheerleaders Ted Cruz and Mike Lee changed their tune? Bill recalls Calvin Coolidge as an example of a temperamental conservative. Matt reviews the downs and ups of the recent crop of GOP politicians. Plus: Does the likely Democratic gubernatorial win in Virginia have national significance?
Oct 31, 2013 — Glenn Loury & John McWhorter
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The Glenn Show
On The Glenn Show, the topic is the student protest at Brown University that thwarted a speech by NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. Glenn accuses the protesters of “intellectual thuggery.” John says the blame ultimately lies with Brown professors who taught their students poorly, but Glenn defends Brown’s ideological heterogeneity. John argues that undergrads are not truly taught both sides on issues where race and politics intersect. Glenn and John present the more cogent case against stop-and-frisk policing. John emphasizes the performative aspect of student protests. Plus: The way in which racial debates are harder now than in 1963.
Oct 30, 2013 — Jillian C. York & Katherine Maher
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Interrobang‽
On Interrobang‽, Jillian and Katherine survey Sisi Fetish, a tumblr chronicling strange forms of adulation for Egypt’s military leader. Should liberals be wary of embracing libertarians in the fight against NSA surveillance? They discuss revelations about German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone being tapped, and how new European data protection regulations will affect US tech companies. Have the NSA revelations hurt US attempts to track terrorist financing? Jillian highlights Mark Zuckerberg’s very selective approach toward free expression. Does Facebook want to become a news platform?
Oct 29, 2013 — Dylan Matthews & Bhaskar Sunkara
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Oct 28, 2013 — Glenn Loury & Harold Pollack
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The Glenn Show
On The Glenn Show, Harold laments the “humiliating” failures of Healthcare.gov, but points to ways the Affordable Care Act has already succeeded. Could the website glitches lead to an adverse selection disaster? Apportioning blame for the problems, Harold looks at both GOP intransigence and the government’s technical ineptitude. Will this fiasco do permanent damage to Americans’ confidence in government? Glenn and Harold discuss the decision by many Republican governors to refuse Medicaid expansion. Harold shares his personal frustrations with the website’s failures. Plus: Would a certain former Republican presidential candidate have been the ideal person to manage the website rollout?
Oct 25, 2013 — William Beutler & Harold Pollack
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