The Respass Report Podcast: Politics & Beyond

This episode reviews the stories that dominated the news in 2017, including President Trump and related corruption, the feckless Congress, hurricanes, terrorism, and more.

This week we discuss the GOP tax heist, Trump's ongoing Twitter meltdown regarding Russia and Michael Flynn, along with corruption stories including bribery via piglet and a school superintendent hired amid sex abuse allegations.

We cover a host of political scandals from a former Oklahoma mayor indicted on 33 felonies to a Florida county human resources director arrested after $300 in insurance fraud.

In Episode 36, we review a host of government corruption stories from misuse of city-owned vehicles in New York to a gubernatorial candidate under investigation for fraud in Michigan.

Review of the blockbuster news that Special Counsel Robert Mueller has indicted former Trump campaign officials Paul Manafort and Rick Gates for conspiracy against the United States and other charges. We also review the charges and guilty plea for Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos, who was convicted of lying to the FBI in the Russia investigation.

Episode 34 includes coverage of Trump's ongoing war of words with retiring Republican Senator Bob Corker, the anti-Trump retirement speech of Republican Senator Jeff Flake, and remarks on the tragic passing of Sgt. La David Johnson in Niger and the unfortunate politics of the story.

Coverage of Trump's new effort to cripple Obamacare, his meeting with the President of the US Virgin Islands (himself), the situation in Puerto Rico, and Trump's feud with GOP Senator Bob Corker.

In Episode 32, we discuss the Las Vegas Massacre where a domestic terrorist killed over 50 people and wounded over 500, along with the insanity of America's gun debate.

Donald Trump is again dividing the country, this time via sports, by calling for athletes (mostly black athletes) protesting the National Anthem to be fired. We cover the statements rejecting his position and more!

In Ep. 30, we discuss new research that shows limited economic mobility for black men, meaning they have limited chances of having a better income than their fathers. We also briefly discuss the unveiling of Senator Bernie Sanders' Medicare for All legislation.

In Episode 29, Respass Report listeners share their reflections on where they were on 9/11 and we discuss our proposal for congressional term limits.

After taking August off, The Respass Report is back to review the dumpster fire that was Trump's August 2017. We take a look at Trump's ridiculous reactions to the racist incidents in Charlottesville, his high staff turnover, and his upcoming decision on the controversial DACA program for people who were brought to the US illegally as children.

In Episode 27, we discuss Trump's public turn on his Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who is currently ramping up a misguided war on the legalization of marijuana. We discuss the fight over marijuana legalization and the related racial inequities. The pod will be on a vacation for August 2017!

Donald Trump Jr gets caught in lies about Russia and we have a lot to say about it. We also discuss why Republicans want to see Obamacare die, and touch on what we truly need to get healthcare right: single-payer.

In Episode 25, we discuss the controversial "What the Health" documentary and the dangers of red and processed meat. We also talk Trump's embarrassing overseas trip to the G-20 Summit.

Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner joins the show to discuss her rise in Ohio politics, her transition to being a national political figure, and her reasons for being a leading surrogate for the presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders.  We also discuss being a black woman in white male dominated politics as well as motivation for millennials to join the progressive politics cause. You can see The Nina Turner Show on The Real News - http://therealnews.com https://www.ninaturner.org/

This week we have a wide-ranging interview with Dr. Atira Charles, Assistant Professor of Management at Florida A&M University and a diversity consultant. We discuss how Dr. Charles got admitted to Florida A&M at 16 on a full scholarship and had her Ph.D from Arizona State University at age 27. She reflects on how it felt to be one of a few black female Ph.Ds is her field. She also hugged President Obama at her Ph.D commencement against Secret Service advice! We discuss theoretical perspectives on US Senator Kamala Harris(D-CA) and the hostility she is facing as a black woman in a work environment dominated by white men. Dr. Charles also offers advice for those who are dreaming of going to graduate school but are nervous about standardized tests and more. Dr. Charles is also Founder of The Mask Project. This initiative creates an opportunity to document the experiences and journey of successful professionals that have had to balance and manage a variety of identities, such as race and gender. http://www.ourmasks.com

I decided to write a political comedy monologue and to give it a try before a "live studio audience." Hope you enjoy!

Were you too young to follow the Bill Clinton impeachment? Do you need a refresher? Episode 21 dives deep into the events leading up to the impeachment of President Clinton and how that impeachment should inform our thoughts on a potential impeachment of President Donald Trump.

A rant about the silly Bill Maher controversy and the left's constant urge to stir up online outrage mobs about minor incidents. Also, we discuss the Paris climate agreement and Trump's decision to withdraw. Lot's of F bombs in this show!

Discussing Trump's embarrassing first international trip, the Montana GOP candidate for Congress chokeslamming a reporter, and thoughts on the awful Betsy Devos.

Talking all things Trump - the news that he leaked classified information to the Russians in the Oval Office AND the bombshell report that Trump asked former FBI Director Comey to drop the investigation into former Michael Flynn. I also issue an apology to Hillary Clinton!

The open and second half of the show are all about Trump's crazy firing of FBI Director, James Comey, who was investigating the Trump campaign for ties with Russia. We also discuss the French election, the Republicans' latest effort to repeal Obamacare, and Betsy DeVos getting booed at BCU's commencement.

We discuss the pointless outrage about President Obama's $400,000 Wall Street speech payday and take a look at Trump's First 100 days.

We dive deep on Tomahawk cruise missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) based on the Syria and North Korea issues. We also discuss the latest Trump White House blunders including keeping visitor logs secret.

In Episode 14, we discuss the recent US airstrikes in Syria, the fight over Trump's Supreme Court pick, Neil Gorsuch, and offer another installment of Trump Watch. Also, a brief tribute to The Undertaker.

In Episode 13 we deliver the Eulogy for TrumpCare and discuss how the GOP sunk its own Obamacare replacement. We also feature an interview with the Founder of HBCU Gameday, Steven Gaither. You can find Steven's work at http://www.hbcugameday.com

A special "Get Out" movie reaction!

We discuss President Trump's shameful handling of the visit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, we delve into his draconian budget outline, and we discuss racist Congressman Steve King from Iowa.

The score is in: The GOP healthcare plan will result in tens of millions of uninsured Americans. We discuss Trump's bogus wiretap claims and Kellyanne Conway's new alternative facts low. Plus Trump Watch!

T. Greg Doucette, my favorite Republican, joins Episode 9 to talk about politics, criminal justice and more. We dive into his background as a college dropout who overcame adversity, his attendance at a historically black law school as a white Republican, his interest in criminal justice reform, and his views on Trump and the Democrats.

In Episode 8, we rip into Ben Carson's ridiculous likening of slaves to immigrants, cover Trump's recent moves including the baseless Obama wiretap claims, and conduct a deep dive on North Korea.

The biggest Respass Report yet! Trump claims he was wiretapped by Obama! We debut the Trump Watch segment, offer a deep dive into Putin and Russia, and the Sessions story. We also discuss Obamacare!

On Episode 6 we discuss the epic shade thrown at the Trump Administration by Congresswoman Maxine Waters. We also discuss the challenges of having a racist Attorney General who is anti-marijuana and pro-voter suppression. Finally, we talk about the political world grading President Trump on a curve.

Reaction to Trump's First Speech to a Joint Session of Congress

This episode of The Respass Report covers the news that President Trump might be looking to make a deal on comprehensive immigration reform. We also cover the fallout from HBCU executives meeting with President Trump at the White House.

Episode 3 of The Respass Report discusses the importance of the Environmental Protection Agency, George W. Bush's indirect shots at Trump, the White House leak problem, and Trump's photo op with HBCU leaders.

This week we discuss President Trump's decision to skip the annual White House Correspondents Dinner and recap a discussion of the Trump travel ban held with an Uber driver.

Who is Steve Bannon? Why do Republicans want to get rid of Obamacare?