Harvard Lunch Club Political Podcast

Welcome to our 7th weekly Harvard Lunch Club (Conservative) Political Podcast!!! We're late again - sorry. But we have a solid show, having woven three topics under the left's favorite theme, that America is filled with hate, and most of it is perpetrated by rational, constitution loving conservatives. Out topics: Topic 1 - With the conviction of Dzohar Tsarnaev on all counts in his Boston Marathon Bombing trial, he is now eligible for the death penalty, something that’s not normally one of the offerings in Massachusetts – but he faces the possibility of because this was a federal trial. Should he be put to death or would that be hateful? Topic 2 - A South Carolina police officer has been charged with murder after a bystander videotape was released showing his shooting of an apparently unarmed black man who was running from him. It appears this may be an actual example of Hate in America - a white cop shooting a black man in the back. If the appearance created by the video holds up, how does this change the debate on hate in america? III        In Kansas, the legisltature has passed changes to the use of public assistance to the poor that would restrict use of benefits – such as forbidding the purchase of steak or taking cruises, as well as restricting the amount of daily ATM withdrawals to $25 – in a manner that the left views as hateful. We our views on what represents hate versus compassion. We offer our Shower Thoughts, and we skip this week's Hidden Gem song feature because we just have to get this darn podcast posted!

Welcome to the Do You NO Ah Trevor? edition of the HLC Political Podcast (appearing a day late due to Mike's jetlag after a flight back from Japan over the weeknd). This week we're discussing 1) the uproar over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in Indiana, 2) outrage over some of the comedy crumbs left behind by Trevor Noah as he climbed from nowhere to become the newly selected successor to Jon Stewart on Comedy Central's Daily Show, and 3) whether there’s anything that can be done to break a pattern of social behavior – single parent households – that is creating a societal split in terms of outcomes. We play some calls collected on our new rant line - call 617-870-4728. Call anytime and leave your comment on any topic you think we might discuss or you want us to discuss, and you might end up as part of the podcast!   In our Hidden Gem segment, we pay tribute to Joni Mitchell with an airing of her own remake of one of her finest songs. Mike Stopa, Todd Feinburg - let's rock!

Taped on Tuesday, March 24 with Mike Stopa in Japan and Todd Feinburg in Boston (and Marisa DeFranco not with us), here are our topics for show number 5: The Confederate Cruz 1 - Sometimes you have to get a little bloody says Mike Stopa in support of Ted Cruz and his bombast as Cruz becomes the first official candidate for president in the 2016 cycle. Todd argues that Cruz is no better than Barack Obama. 2 - The past week has been quite an embarrassment for Starbucks, lambasted for asking its Baristas to discuss race relations with customers racing through the store as part of a #RaceTogether social media campaign. Are Millenials that easily played? It seems not, as Starbucks backed off the directive to employees but says it will keep the rest of the effort alive. 3 - Should the supreme court force Texas to allow license plates that include the confederate flag in the name of free speech, as 9 other states do, or should speech be limited to protect some against being offended? The Sons of the Confederate Veterans were denied their special license plate on the state level, then lost a lawsuit challenging the decision. Arguments were heard this week in Washington. Plus - our Shower Thoughts... and... In our Hidden Gem song of the week we feature 80's singer Marti Jones, for whom Mike Stopa is an honorary groupie.

Here are our topics for show number 4: Robert Durst's Bathroom Bill 1 - Robert Durst may pay a heavy price for one trip to the bathroom, as it sure sounded like he was confessing as he went to the bathroom and mumbled to himself (and a still live wireless mic), "There it is, you're caught," and "You killed them all, of course." And he's now being held for a murder committed back in 2000. But is this a true "confession" that will make it into court? 2 - Changes in the federal school lunch program, blamed on FLOTUS Michelle Obama, are grossing kids out and leading to tons of waste and declining sales, say many. Some school districts are even forgoing the free federal program! Is the government's desire to control our calories a healthy trend? 3 - Former Heavy Weight Champ Mike Tyson will be the focus of a Martin Scorsese film, perhaps with Jamie Foxx playing the lead. And he's been all over the media lately, being fawned over by program hosts. But Tyson served time for rape. Shouldn't he be shunned? In our Hidden Gem song of the week, we'll feature the Eels "Fresh Blood," that's been featured in the Roberts Durst documentary The Jinx on HBO. It seems to have captured a mood!

Here's Political Podcast #003 for March 10, 2015 Topic 1 - Hillary's Blurred Lines: Does the media attention fit the crime on Hillary's email scandal? Topic 2 - The first move at the University of Oklahoma was to close the SAE fraternity after a short video clip showed members chanting a vile, racist song. What further punishment is appropriate? Topic 3 - 47 GOP senators sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader advising that any deal made with President Obama won't be worth the paper it's written on. We ask the panel whether republicans are out of line, and isn't this bad politics? Hidden Gem Song of the Week - We compare Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines and Marvin Gaye's Got to Give it Up so you can decide whether a rip-off occurred.