[Editor’s note: This diavlog was recorded before the Supreme Court announced that it will hear the Prop 8 and DOMA cases.]
On Adamize, Adam and E.J. talk about the Supreme Court and gay marriage. E.J. predicts the challenge to DOMA will be open-and-shut. Adam asks whether the federalism angle on the DOMA challenge could appeal to the court’s conservatives. Adam wonders whether marriage equality’s recent victories at the ballot box strengthen its chances in court, and E.J. describes a nightmare scenario. Turning to the news of Kate Middleton’s pregnancy, E.J. explains why Americans are having fewer children.
On The DMZ: Bill doesn’t understand why everyone is freaking out about the fiscal cliff—this is how it was supposed to go! Does Obama have the GOP in a lose-lose position, between getting blame for the cliff or sacrificing its low-tax brand? Should we pity poor John Boehner? Can Obama keep the left in line once the deal-making begins? And is Marco Rubio doing the right things to prepare for a presidential run?
On Foreign Entanglements, Khaled explains why the Israeli E1 settlement project in the West Bank is so significant. Why hasn’t Palestinian President Abbas agreed to negotiate with Bibi Netanyahu? Matt and Khaled marvel at the ironies of the UN vote on Palestine, which affirmed the ’67 borders. Next, Khaled delivers a harsh critique of the Quartet framework for peace, especially how the peace process has ignored internal Palestinian politics. Finally, Khaled argues that now is not the time to bring the parties back to the negotiating table.