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Once again, the topic of "national divorce" has entered the public discourse. And with that, a lot of general nonsense. I discuss some recent reactions from Krystal Ball, Emma Vigeland, and Ana Kasparian. IMAGE CREDIT: "Marjorie Taylor Greene (52251853611) (cropped)", by Gage Skidmore, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marjorie_Taylor_Greene_(52251853611)_(cropped).jpg ..read more

Several media narratives have emerged out of the 2022 midterms. But how many of them are borne out by the facts? In this episode, I present data on the election results in a different context, showing a more nuanced interpretation is warranted. MUSIC CREDIT: "Angry Bass Line", by Adigold; elements.envato.com ..read more

Jeremy Zogby is a partner at John Zogby Strategies, a data analytics firm founded by his father, the famous pollster John Zogby. He is the editor of The Main St./K St. IntelligenSEER, a biweekly report, and co-host with his father of The Zogby Report: Real and Unscripted, a weekly podcast. Jeremy joins us again to discuss the upcoming midterm elections. Why are so many people focused on horserace politics and political prognostication? What factors will determine the outcome of the elections? And what is the real story behind the numbers? This interview was recorded on November 1, 2022. NOTES ..read more

In the second half of my two-part interview with Hannah Miyamoto, we discuss another recent Supreme Court ruling on Texas Senate Bill 8, which bans most abortions after six weeks and authorizes private citizens to enforce it. This leads to a wide-ranging conversation about how the issue of reproductive rights could put the country on a collision course similar to how the slavery issue led to the Civil War. This interview was recorded on February 14, 2022. NOTES: 1. Pacifico Studios YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodOnpgLp1-Hfv50JBSLLPA 2. "The new Georgia Abortion Ban could ..read more

In this first of a two-part interview, Hannah Miyamoto and I discuss the recent Supreme Court "shadow docket" decision concerning Alabama's recently gerrymandered Congressional districts and the crisis in confidence this poses for the federal system. This interview was recorded on February 14, 2022. NOTES: 1. Pacifico Studios YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCodOnpgLp1-Hfv50JBSLLPA MUSIC CREDITS: 1. "Sexy Sneaky Cool Groove", by PhilLarson; elements.envato.com 2. "Vastness", by Andrew Ev; https://mixkit.co/ IMAGE CREDIT: 1. Hannah Miyamoto, used with permission ..read more

I'm happy to welcome Hal Lohr back to the show. Hal is the co-host of the Red Star Report podcast. A lot has happened since I talked to Hal and Shankar last summer. We discuss current events in California, the United States, and the California independence movement, including the recent failure of AB 1400 in the state assembly. Hal also offers us a preview of what to expect during the upcoming season 2 of RSR. This interview was recorded on February 7, 2022. NOTES: 1. "About Us", Red Star Report; https://redstarreport.com/about-us/ 2. Red Star Report YouTube channel; https://www.youtube.com/ch ..read more

Weekly roundup for February 12, 2022 This past week, the Supreme Court stayed an injunction from a lower panel, allowing Alabama to proceed with its racially gerrymandered districts for the 2022 midterms. Also, a trucker protest in Ottawa has brought the capital city of Canada to a halt. At first glance, neither of these stories appear directly related to California issues or California independence. However, each of them has implications we need to consider as we define our movement. NOTES: 1. "Supreme Court’s ruling on Alabama voting map could open the door to a new Wild West of state redist ..read more

Weekly roundup for October 16, 2021 Why is there so much division in America? How did we get here? And what does it all mean for California? An extended discussion of the historical and economic roots of current American dysfunction. NOTES: 1. "Biden signs bill to avert partial government shutdown", Associated Press, September 30, 2021; https://apnews.com/article/congress-moves-to-avert-partial-government-shutdown-8f5b5b0c6c4cb12af8316ffc0b098771 2. "Congress Just Voted To Temporarily Increase The Debt Ceiling. Why It Matters For You", by Lisa Rowan, Forbes Advisor, October 12, 2021; https://w ..read more

Weekly roundup for September 25, 2021 Gavin Newsom survived his California gubernatorial recall election, but California itself seemed an afterthought in the media coverage. And as millions of Americans face eviction and a loss of unemployment benefits, the fate of two infrastructure bills in Congress remains uncertain, while the threat of default and government shutdown show that Washington DC is no longer able to perform the most basic tasks of governing. NOTES: 1. "About Our Party", California National Party, accessed September 25, 2021; https://www.californianational.party/about/ 2. "Calif ..read more