Potstirrer Podcast

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the Russia investigation updates and the new grand jury impaneled by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Jaye also talks about why echo chambers, byproducts of the Internet age and democratization of information, are bad for America. Citations: LaFraniere, Sharon, and Adam Goldman. 2017. "Guest List at Donald Trump Jr.'s Meeting with Russia Expands Again." The New York Times. July 18. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/18/us/politics/trump-meeting-russia.html (August 6, 2017) Lai, K.K. Rebecca, and Alicia Parlapiano. 2017. "What We Know About Donald Trump Jr.'s Russia Meeting." The New York Times. July 18. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/18/us/politics/donald-trump-jr-russia-meeting.html (August 6, 2017) Rogin, Josh. 2017. "State Department Considers Scrubbing Democracy Promotion from its Mission." The Washington Post. August 1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2017/08/01/state-department-considers-scrubbing-democracy-promotion-from-its-mission/?utm_term=.842641758887 (August 6, 2017) Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool updates listeners on the status of Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal / Trumpcare efforts in the United States Senate. Will the Senate vote on Obamacare repeal and replacement, or repeal only? Why, in the words of Donald Trump, is health care reform "so complicated?" Thank you for listening! Citations: Caldwell, Leigh Ann. 2017. "Confusion Grips Senate GOP Ahead of Expected Health Care Vote." NBC News. July 21. http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/confusion-grips-senate-gop-ahead-expected-health-care-vote-n785066 (July 23, 2017). Clarke, Toni. 2017. "Senate Rule Deals Setback to Republican Healthcare Bill." Reuters. July 21. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-healthcare-rule-idUSKBN1A701Dz`(July 23, 2017). Mercado, Darla. 2017. "GOP's Proposed Medicaid Cuts Would Slash Aid for Special Needs Kids." CNBC. June 30. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/27/senates-proposed-medicaid-cuts-may-imperil-plans-for-special-needs-kids.html (July 23, 2017). Ramsey, Lydia. 2017. "CBO: Under the Latest Senate Healthcare Bill, Deductibles Could be More Than Some People Earn." Business Insider. July 21. http://www.businessinsider.com/cbo-deductibles-under-new-senate-health-care-bill-to-rise-sharply-2017-7 (July 23, 2017). Stockman, Farah. 2016. "Recalling the Nixon-Kennedy Health Plan." The Boston Globe. June 22. https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2012/06/22/stockman/bvg57mguQxOVpZMmB1Mg2N/story.html (July 23, 2017). Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool analyzes how the Third Way of the Democratic Party and the Religious Right, aligned with the Republican party, have led to a fractured, broken political system and democracy in peril. Delving into the histories of both movements that span several decades, Jaye argues that while these movements are different ideologically, both are rooted in a common choice to compromise on core values. Have these choices Democrats and white evangelical Christians made to compromise generations ago led to their logical conclusion in 2017? Citations: Balmer, Randall. 2014. "The Real Origins of the Religious Right." Politico. May 27. http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/religious-right-real-origins-107133(July 9, 2017). Marcotte, Amanda. 2014. "It Wasn't Abortion That Formed the Religious Right. It Was Support for Segregation." Slate. May 29. http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/05/29/the_religious_right_formed_around_support_for_segregation_not_against_abortion.html (July 9, 2017). Penn, Mark, and Andrew Stein. 2017. "Back to the Center, Democrats." The New York Times. July 6. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/06/opinion/center-democrats-identity-politics.html (July 9, 2017). Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

In Part 2 of our two-parter first installment of Riverside Chats, host Jaye Pool is joined by her husband Chuckles as they share with listeners just a little bit of their lively political conversations - as a couple with differing political views. Today's episode includes a conversation about the usefulness of historical parallels to describe current political conditions. Jaye and Chuckles discuss the politics of fear and the framing of today's leadership in reference to past events. Do even hyperbolic comparisons have value in political discourse? The Riverside Chats special format is brought to Potstirrer Podcast on occasion to include some diversity of thought to the show and to encourage learning and discussion outside of the "echo chambers" of the right and the left. The Senate has just released a draft of their version of Trumpcare - and it is no better than the House version. This is an $800 billion cash grab and will leave more people uninsured than BEFORE the ACA (Obamacare). In other words - this is worse than health care was before the ACA was even enacted. Call your senators NOW and tell them to vote NO on the BCRA/AHCA (Trumpcare). Listeners - we encourage you to share your reactions and thoughts about the topics we present on the show on our social media and to share your ideas of topics for future episodes. We love hearing from you - thank you for your support! Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

In Part 1 of our two-parter first installment of Riverside Chats, host Jaye Pool is joined by her husband Chuckles as they share with listeners just a little bit of their lively political conversations - as a couple with differing political views. Today's episode includes debates regarding illegal immigration, the future of health care, the economy and jobs, student loans, Hillary Clinton, and Democratic Party strategy for 2018 and 2020. The Riverside Chats special format is brought to Potstirrer Podcast on occasion to include some diversity of thought to the show and to encourage learning and discussion outside of the "echo chambers" of the right and the left. Listeners - we encourage you to share your reactions and thoughts about the topics we present on the show on our social media and to share your ideas of topics for future Riverside Chats shows. We love hearing from you - thank you for listening! Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the Trump-Russia scandal and President Donald Trump's well-publicized international trip, as well as the CBO score on the revised Trumpcare bill and the Democratic Party's infighting over the abortion issue. In addition, Jaye reacts to the statement made by evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. that Trump is evangelicals' "dream president." Citations: Liptak, Adam. 2017. "Justices Reject 2 Gerrymandered North Carolina Districts, Citing Racial Bias." The New York Times. May 22. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/22/us/politics/supreme-court-north-carolina-congressional-districts.html (May 28, 2017) Smith, Gregory A. 2017. "Among White Evangelicals, Regular Churchgoers are the Most Supportive of Trump" Pew Research Center. April 26. http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/26/among-white-evangelicals-regular-churchgoers-are-the-most-supportive-of-trump/ (May 28, 2017). Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), also known as Trumpcare, in the House of Representatives. Jaye discusses health care as a moral and life issue, and calls for the 217 representatives voting for the Trumpcare bill to be accountable to the constituents in the districts they serve. In addition, Jaye discusses why many of the 217 refuse to answer for their health care vote, and shares grassroots tips for progressives to begin tearing down the Republican wall of electoral safety from the ground up. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes sensitive subjects such as rape, medical issues, and death, and may be triggering to some listeners. Citations: Martin, Nina, and Renee Montange. 2017. "The Last Person You'd Expect to Die in Childbirth." ProPublica. May 12. https://www.propublica.org/article/die-in-childbirth-maternal-death-rate-health-care-system (May 14, 2017). Martin, Nina, and Renee Montange. 2017. "U.S. Has The Worst Rate Of Maternal Deaths In The Developed World." National Public Radio. May 12. http://www.npr.org/2017/05/12/528098789/u-s-has-the-worst-rate-of-maternal-deaths-in-the-developed-world (May 14, 2017). Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the importance of truth-telling when working through the divides in American society today. In particular, Jaye focuses on controversies over the the meaning and fate of historical symbols of the Confederacy that came out of the Civil War and Reconstruction, such as Confederate monuments and the Confederate Flag. The Civil War and the mythology that came out of the war's aftermath can serve as warning against embracing the "alternative facts" of the present day. Recommended Reading: Blight, David W. 2001. Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory. Cambridge: Belknap Press. Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

Happy Easter! In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the Trump Russia scandal, as well as the deadly sarin gas attack in Syria and the military response by the Trump administration. Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

In this first episode, Jaye Pool discusses the "Third Way" movement towards more conservative governance from the Democratic Party beginning in the 1990s, and how that movement led to Donald Trump's win (and Hillary Clinton's loss) in the 2016 US presidential election. Jaye also talks about the way forward so that the Democrats can get back in touch with what made them successful historically - and the American left can regain their voice. Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton

Potstirrer Podcast - Minisode An informational episode outlining what to expect in future episodes of Potstirrer Podcast. Episodes will be released every two weeks.