Cruel Summer

"Quiet isn't always peace, and the norms and notions of what is just isn't always justice" -Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate   Audrey and Patrick touch on Trump’s misbegotten attempts to resolve the Russia/Ukraine war and make broader assessment of U.S. imperialism. Classrooms away from each other, we experienced 9/11 on TV in the same high school, separately embarking on journeys towards the anti-war, pro-human perspective we share today.   Considering Taylor Swift’s appearance on the New Heights podcast, we ask what powerful individuals should do with their platforms and influence in our time of omnipresent injustice and systemic collapse. How defensible is silence (an “apolitical” stance) when celebrity can move the needle on important issues, saving lives?   Before we wrap up we talk gun control in the context of mental health and deployment of righteous violence against oppressive systems.    Please consider donating to humanitarian aid for Ukraine: https://novaukraine.org   The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF): https://www.pcrf.net   Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project:  https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject   Every bit helps.   Introductory quote by Muhammad Ali   Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck Music and production by Max Foreman Mastering by Little Castle Sound Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A   Logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram) Chapters (00:00:00) - Trump's Attempt to Make Peace With Putin(00:06:21) - "I Was Pro-War When I Was Younger"(00:13:01) - The Problem With Police Training(00:17:02) - Do You Like Taylor Swift?(00:18:09) - I Got Into A Political Argument With Suanne(00:25:36) - Taylor Swift on Kanye's Comments About Politics(00:31:58) - Marathon Gun Owners: The Second Amendment(00:38:47) - Quakers on the Right: Violence