1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,880 All right, let's jump right in. 2 00:00:01,880 --> 00:00:05,180 Ready for another deep dive into US politics. 3 00:00:05,180 --> 00:00:07,920 Today, it's January 10th, 2025, 4 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:11,120 and things are, as usual, pretty wild. 5 00:00:11,120 --> 00:00:12,680 Never a dull moment, is there? 6 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:13,960 Definitely not. 7 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:17,120 So we've got electoral vote news as our guide today, 8 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:20,080 and let me tell you, there's a lot to unpack. 9 00:00:20,080 --> 00:00:23,200 Fires, feuds, legal battles, you name it. 10 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:25,480 Sounds like a typical day in American politics these days. 11 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:26,320 Yeah, pretty much. 12 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:29,800 I guess we should start with those horrific fires in LA. 13 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:31,400 10 people confirmed dead. 14 00:00:31,400 --> 00:00:34,480 Over 10,000 structures destroyed or damaged, 15 00:00:34,480 --> 00:00:35,760 and they're still raging. 16 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:37,320 A truly devastating situation. 17 00:00:37,320 --> 00:00:38,280 Absolutely. 18 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:40,160 President Biden even canceled his foreign trip 19 00:00:40,160 --> 00:00:42,280 to head back and oversee the federal response. 20 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:44,880 He's pledged aid and support for California, 21 00:00:44,880 --> 00:00:47,360 but the political reactions, especially from the right, 22 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:49,840 have been, well, let's just say, interesting. 23 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:50,960 Interesting is one word for it. 24 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:53,580 Trump's on Truth Social, making claims about 25 00:00:53,580 --> 00:00:55,160 Governor Newsom and water management, 26 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:57,520 which, you know, no basis, in fact. 27 00:00:57,520 --> 00:00:59,000 And then you've got Roger Stone, 28 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:02,440 and always a reliable source of colorful commentary. 29 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:04,200 Right, blaming the fires on protecting 30 00:01:04,200 --> 00:01:06,680 and endangered fish as if that's the root cause. 31 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:07,840 It's really something. 32 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:10,080 And of course, Alex Jones is out there, as always, 33 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:14,400 saying the fires are part of some globalist plot, 34 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:16,200 you know, the usual playbook. 35 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:18,440 It's a familiar tactic, unfortunately. 36 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:20,440 Playing on fear and conspiracy theories. 37 00:01:20,440 --> 00:01:23,500 Yeah, and what's scary is how figures like Elon Musk 38 00:01:23,500 --> 00:01:26,960 amplify these theories, giving them a veneer of legitimacy. 39 00:01:26,960 --> 00:01:28,920 He actually endorsed Jones' take. 40 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:31,200 Reaching millions of followers with that kind of rhetoric. 41 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:32,560 It's a dangerous game. 42 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:33,400 It is. 43 00:01:33,400 --> 00:01:35,280 And then, to add fuel to the fire, 44 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:37,760 you've got Joe Rogan and Mel Gibson 45 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,800 going on an anti-Nusam rant, completely ignoring the facts, 46 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:42,280 and just, you know, pouring gasoline 47 00:01:42,280 --> 00:01:44,040 on an already volatile situation. 48 00:01:44,040 --> 00:01:46,360 Emotion and outrage, often overshadowing reason, 49 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:47,360 unfortunately. 50 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:48,200 It's a lot. 51 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:49,800 Now, I do want to be fair and acknowledge 52 00:01:49,800 --> 00:01:51,920 that there are some legitimate criticisms 53 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:53,680 about how the fires have been handled. 54 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:56,520 Mayor Bass was absent during the initial days of the crisis, 55 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:59,560 and there are issues with the LAFD budget 56 00:01:59,560 --> 00:02:00,800 and the city's water system. 57 00:02:00,800 --> 00:02:02,560 These are things that need to be addressed. 58 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:03,360 Absolutely. 59 00:02:03,360 --> 00:02:05,000 It's important to have those conversations, 60 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,560 but as you said, it's tough when they're being drowned out 61 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:09,680 by all this politically charged rhetoric. 62 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:12,120 It feels like everything gets twisted into this us 63 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:14,240 versus them narrative, even when we're talking 64 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:16,520 about a natural disaster that's affecting everyone. 65 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,080 It's a worrying trend, for sure. 66 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:18,920 Yeah. 67 00:02:18,920 --> 00:02:20,440 It seems like finding common ground 68 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:22,320 is becoming increasingly difficult. 69 00:02:22,320 --> 00:02:23,400 Definitely. 70 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:26,040 Okay, moving on, let's talk about Trump's sentencing 71 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:27,680 in that New York fraud case. 72 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:28,840 Ah, yes. 73 00:02:28,840 --> 00:02:31,160 The Supreme Court actually rejected his attempt 74 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:33,920 to block the sentencing in a 5-4 decision, 75 00:02:33,920 --> 00:02:38,160 meaning he's now officially a convicted felon. 76 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:40,360 I mean, what are the implications of that, 77 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:42,400 even without further punishment? 78 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:45,480 Well, it's a significant stain on his reputation, 79 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:48,160 and it could definitely impact future legal battles. 80 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:51,320 And of course, you can't ignore the historical aspect. 81 00:02:51,320 --> 00:02:55,320 A former US president, a convicted felon, it's unprecedented. 82 00:02:55,320 --> 00:02:56,160 It really is. 83 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:58,920 And of course, being Trump, he's already vowed to appeal, 84 00:02:58,920 --> 00:03:00,880 so this saga is far from over. 85 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:01,800 Not a surprise there. 86 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:02,640 Definitely not. 87 00:03:02,640 --> 00:03:03,760 Okay, shifting gears to Ohio, 88 00:03:03,760 --> 00:03:05,960 there are some big changes happening there. 89 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:08,160 Senator J.D. Vance just resigned, 90 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,000 leaving Governor DeWine to appoint a replacement. 91 00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:12,440 That's gonna be an interesting one to watch. 92 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:14,880 A lot of potential candidates vying for that seat. 93 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:16,800 Right, like, Lieutenant Governor John Husted 94 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:19,200 is a possibility, and Jane Timkin, 95 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:21,200 the former Ohio GOP chair, 96 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:22,960 her name's being thrown around, too. 97 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,360 Each choice would signal a different direction 98 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:27,200 for the Ohio GOP, wouldn't it? 99 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:28,920 Husted's scene is more moderate, 100 00:03:28,920 --> 00:03:31,840 while Timkin leans more towards the Magier Wing. 101 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:33,880 It'll be fascinating to see who DeWine picks. 102 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,960 But there's another Ohio political figure making waves, 103 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:37,800 Amy Acton. 104 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,080 You remember her, the former state health director? 105 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:41,160 Oh, how could we forget? 106 00:03:41,160 --> 00:03:43,720 Her and DeWine's initial COVID response 107 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:45,200 was actually praised? 108 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,160 Then everything kind of imploded under pressure 109 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,120 from, well, that Magier crowd? 110 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:50,040 It was intense. 111 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:51,920 She ended up resigning amidst a wave 112 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:54,000 of honestly terrifying threats. 113 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:55,720 And now she's jumping back into the fray, 114 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:57,960 running for governor in 2026. 115 00:03:57,960 --> 00:03:58,840 Talk about a gamble. 116 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:00,320 It's a big one, for sure. 117 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:03,680 She's betting on a shift in Ohio's political landscape, 118 00:04:03,680 --> 00:04:06,640 but we all know how deeply red the state has become. 119 00:04:06,640 --> 00:04:07,920 It's definitely an uphill battle, 120 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:09,120 but you can't deny the intrigue. 121 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:10,640 It's gonna be a wild ride. 122 00:04:10,640 --> 00:04:13,480 Speaking of wild rides, we have to talk about Elon Musk 123 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:16,000 and his grand plans for the DOGE department. 124 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,480 Remember how he initially wanted to slash the budget 125 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:19,880 by $2 trillion? 126 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:22,200 Yeah, but a bit ambitious, to say the least. 127 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:23,280 That's one way to put it. 128 00:04:23,280 --> 00:04:27,000 The entire discretionary budget is only $1.7 trillion, 129 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,640 but hey, details, details, right. 130 00:04:30,640 --> 00:04:32,680 It seems like details aren't really his strong suit. 131 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:36,280 He's since revised that target down to $850 billion, 132 00:04:36,280 --> 00:04:38,360 which, okay, slightly more realistic, 133 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,080 but still an astronomical amount of money. 134 00:04:41,080 --> 00:04:42,360 Astronomical is right. 135 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,880 And this is all happening while the Biden administration 136 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:48,480 is celebrating a record 45 million Americans 137 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:50,800 enrolled in the Affordable Care Act. 138 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:52,840 I mean, talk about a stark contrast. 139 00:04:52,840 --> 00:04:54,840 It really highlights the ideological divide. 140 00:04:54,840 --> 00:04:57,800 Musk and Ramaswamy, his partner in crime, 141 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:00,520 are dead set on dismantling the ACA, 142 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:02,160 even though it would save relatively little 143 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:04,160 compared to their overall cuts. 144 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:06,440 And let's not forget the millions of Americans, 145 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:07,960 many of whom probably voted for Trump, 146 00:05:07,960 --> 00:05:09,720 who rely on the ACA for healthcare. 147 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:11,400 Cutting it seems incredibly risky, 148 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,680 both politically and morally. 149 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:16,360 It's a prime example of ideology clashing with reality. 150 00:05:16,360 --> 00:05:18,480 The DOGE department seems to be operating 151 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:19,560 in their own little bubble, 152 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:22,680 detached from the real world consequences of their actions. 153 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:23,800 It's like they're playing a game 154 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:25,800 of political fantasy football, 155 00:05:25,800 --> 00:05:29,040 with no regard for the actual players on the field. 156 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:30,680 A dangerous game indeed. 157 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:34,000 One with potentially devastating consequences 158 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:35,800 for millions of Americans. 159 00:05:35,800 --> 00:05:36,960 Absolutely. 160 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:40,960 All right, before we move on, let's talk about meta. 161 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:43,600 They've been making some moves that seem, 162 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:45,240 while let's just say they're trying to make nice 163 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:46,880 with the incoming Trump administration. 164 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:50,160 Making nice and maybe trying to avoid any future headaches. 165 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:51,000 Exactly. 166 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:53,960 So they've appointed Joel Kaplan, a known Trump ally, 167 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,000 as their head of global policy, 168 00:05:56,000 --> 00:06:00,080 and they added UFC CEO Dana White, another Trump buddy, 169 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:01,480 to their board of directors. 170 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:03,080 Those are some pretty clear signals, aren't they? 171 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:05,760 Like they're trying to get ahead of any potential 172 00:06:05,760 --> 00:06:09,640 regulatory or legal challenges from a Trump led government. 173 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:10,480 It seems that way. 174 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:12,720 And then they went and ended fact checking on Facebook 175 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:14,160 and its platforms and replacing it 176 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:15,800 with this community note system 177 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:18,280 that honestly feels like a step backward. 178 00:06:18,280 --> 00:06:20,480 Giving misinformation more room to breathe. 179 00:06:20,480 --> 00:06:22,680 Right, and it gets even more concerning. 180 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:26,280 They're now allowing people to label LGBTQ plus individuals 181 00:06:26,280 --> 00:06:30,000 as mentally ill under the guise of religious freedom. 182 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:32,360 Plus, they're moving their content moderation team 183 00:06:32,360 --> 00:06:35,680 to Texas, claiming it's to remove biased employees, 184 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:38,040 though there's no evidence to support that. 185 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:40,160 A lot of these moves seem more about optics 186 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:41,800 than substance, don't they? 187 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:44,440 Definitely, it's like they're trying to play both sides, 188 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:46,400 appeasing Trump while trying to maintain 189 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:49,000 some semblance of neutrality. 190 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:50,240 It's a risky strategy. 191 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:52,200 Riffy and potentially harmful. 192 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:54,360 These decisions have real world consequences 193 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:55,400 for people's lives. 194 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:57,480 Absolutely, and it's not just about meta. 195 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:00,840 It feels like the entire tech industry is at a crossroads. 196 00:07:00,840 --> 00:07:03,080 The choices they make now will have a huge impact 197 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,280 on freedom of speech, privacy, 198 00:07:05,280 --> 00:07:07,400 and the future of online discourse. 199 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:09,320 It's a lot of power concentrated in the hands 200 00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:11,080 of a few companies, and it's time we start having 201 00:07:11,080 --> 00:07:14,200 serious conversations about how that power is being used. 202 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:15,280 I completely agree. 203 00:07:16,240 --> 00:07:18,040 All right, we've covered a lot of ground 204 00:07:18,040 --> 00:07:19,880 in this first part of our deep dive. 205 00:07:19,880 --> 00:07:22,880 From fires to fraud, political maneuvering 206 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,200 to tech giants, cozying up to power, 207 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:28,520 it's been a whirlwind tour of the current state 208 00:07:28,520 --> 00:07:29,560 of US politics. 209 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:31,160 A whirlwind indeed. 210 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:33,400 And it's just a snapshot of what's happening right now. 211 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,720 The political landscape is constantly shifting, 212 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:37,960 and it's our job to try to make sense of it all. 213 00:07:37,960 --> 00:07:40,000 Exactly, we need to stay informed, 214 00:07:40,000 --> 00:07:42,800 stay engaged, and keep asking the tough questions. 215 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:45,560 And maybe, just maybe, we can find a way 216 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:48,280 to navigate this chaos and build a better future. 217 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:49,400 One can only hope. 218 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:51,200 It's all we can do, all right. 219 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:52,680 But hey, we'll talk more about that 220 00:07:52,680 --> 00:07:54,800 in the next part of our deep dive, so stay tuned. 221 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:58,480 Welcome back to our deep dive into January 10th, 2025. 222 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,440 Yeah, it's been a heavy day so far, hasn't it? 223 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:02,720 Definitely a lot to process. 224 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:05,440 Yeah, wildfires, court cases, political shake-ups, 225 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:06,440 it's a lot. 226 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,000 But you know, in the midst of all that, 227 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:10,960 there was a moment of, well, reflection, 228 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:13,520 I guess you could say, with the passing of former president 229 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:14,400 Jimmy Carter. 230 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:17,760 Electoral vote news had this whole section dedicated 231 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:19,240 to reader reflections on his life. 232 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:20,080 Yeah, so that. 233 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:23,000 It was really moving, you know, to see how people 234 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,680 remembered him, especially in the middle of all this other 235 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:27,080 stuff going on. 236 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:29,040 Yeah, I mean, it's been what, over 40 years 237 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:30,160 since he left office? 238 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:30,880 Yeah. 239 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:32,960 But it's clear his impact is still being felt. 240 00:08:32,960 --> 00:08:33,760 Absolutely. 241 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,440 And it got me thinking about the choices 242 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:40,120 he made after his presidency, the habitat for humanity work, 243 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:43,280 advocating for peace, human rights. 244 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:46,920 It's a stark contrast to how some other former presidents 245 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:47,880 have spent their time. 246 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:48,440 It is. 247 00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:51,360 You know, those book deals, those speaking engagements, 248 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:54,280 it often feels like it's all about, well, personal gain, 249 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:54,520 right? 250 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:55,960 Yeah, exactly. 251 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:58,880 But with Carter, it always felt different, you know? 252 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:01,200 Like it was about service, about something bigger than 253 00:09:01,200 --> 00:09:01,880 himself. 254 00:09:01,880 --> 00:09:03,960 A lot of the reader comments focused on that, actually. 255 00:09:03,960 --> 00:09:06,200 His humility, his authenticity qualities 256 00:09:06,200 --> 00:09:10,280 that seem, well, kind of rare these days, wouldn't you say? 257 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:10,960 They are. 258 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,640 And, you know, it's not just about his post-presidency years. 259 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:16,120 People are talking about his accomplishments in office, too, 260 00:09:16,120 --> 00:09:17,520 especially the Camp David Accords. 261 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,040 Right, a landmark achievement and diplomacy, even 262 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:21,640 with all the challenges he faced. 263 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:26,640 Yeah, he was a tireless advocate for peace, for dialogue. 264 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:29,200 And it's something we could really use more of these days, 265 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:29,920 you know? 266 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:31,760 Especially with all the global tensions. 267 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,560 And, well, frankly, the lack of civil discourse we're seeing. 268 00:09:35,560 --> 00:09:36,440 Exactly. 269 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:39,400 Carter's legacy is a reminder that there's another way, 270 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:44,520 another path, one based on cooperation, empathy, 271 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,840 a genuine desire to make the world a better place. 272 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:49,360 It's a powerful message. 273 00:09:49,360 --> 00:09:49,520 Yeah. 274 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:52,440 And one that feels incredibly relevant right now. 275 00:09:52,440 --> 00:09:53,760 All right, speaking of relevant, let's 276 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:56,680 circle back to the Greenland saga, you know, 277 00:09:56,680 --> 00:09:57,840 that whole Trump thing. 278 00:09:57,840 --> 00:09:59,680 Ah, yes, that never-ending story. 279 00:09:59,680 --> 00:10:00,520 I know, right? 280 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:02,080 It's like, is he serious? 281 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:03,920 Or is this just, you know, another one 282 00:10:03,920 --> 00:10:05,720 of his attention-grabbing tactics? 283 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:08,160 It's hard to say for sure, but it's definitely 284 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:09,360 generated a lot of buzz. 285 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:11,680 And some pretty hilarious reactions, too. 286 00:10:11,680 --> 00:10:14,400 Like, did you see what the Danish royal family did? 287 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:15,720 You mean with the coat of arms? 288 00:10:15,720 --> 00:10:18,720 Yeah, they subtly changed it, making the polar bear, which 289 00:10:18,720 --> 00:10:21,120 represents Greenland, much more prominent. 290 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:24,200 It's like their way of saying, yeah, we see you, but no thanks. 291 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:25,200 That's pretty clever. 292 00:10:25,200 --> 00:10:26,600 I've got to give him credit for that. 293 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:27,280 Right. 294 00:10:27,280 --> 00:10:29,160 And then there are all the jokes online, Donald 295 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:32,960 Jr.'s Greenland expedition, memes comparing Trump 296 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:35,200 to a toddler wanting a shiny new toy. 297 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:37,440 It's just too good. 298 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,840 Sometimes humor is the best way to deal with absurdity, right? 299 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:40,520 Totally. 300 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:42,800 It's a way to point out the ridiculousness of it all 301 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:45,400 without, you know, getting bogged down in the negativity. 302 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:47,560 It's a healthy coping mechanism, that's for sure. 303 00:10:47,560 --> 00:10:47,960 All right. 304 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:51,440 And speaking of things that are, well, a bit ridiculous, 305 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:55,720 let's talk about Elon Musk's budget cut proposals again. 306 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:58,880 So he's walked back that initial $2 trillion fantasy, 307 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:03,200 but his new target is still a whopping $850 billion. 308 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:04,520 Still a massive amount of money. 309 00:11:04,520 --> 00:11:06,440 And frankly, it doesn't seem grounded in any kind 310 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:07,560 of realistic analysis. 311 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:08,060 Yeah. 312 00:11:08,060 --> 00:11:10,160 It's like he's pulling numbers out of a hat, you know? 313 00:11:10,160 --> 00:11:13,320 No consideration for the actual impact these cuts would have. 314 00:11:13,320 --> 00:11:14,800 And meanwhile, the Biden administration 315 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:17,480 is touting record enrollment in the Affordable Care Act. 316 00:11:17,480 --> 00:11:18,000 Right. 317 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:20,000 45 million Americans. 318 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:22,160 And Musk and his buddy, Rama Swami, 319 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:23,840 want to dismantle the whole thing. 320 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:25,280 It's mind boggling. 321 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:27,840 Talk about a disconnect from reality. 322 00:11:27,840 --> 00:11:31,080 The ACA provides health care to millions, many of whom 323 00:11:31,080 --> 00:11:32,520 are likely Trump voters. 324 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,280 And cutting it would save relatively little 325 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:37,240 compared to their overall target. 326 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:41,200 Just shows you how ideology can Trump, no pun intended, 327 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:43,080 any kind of pragmatic thinking. 328 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:45,480 It's about shrinking government at all costs, 329 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:47,160 even if it means hurting the people they're 330 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:48,520 supposed to be serving. 331 00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:49,020 Yeah. 332 00:11:49,020 --> 00:11:51,880 And it makes you wonder about their priorities, you know? 333 00:11:51,880 --> 00:11:54,440 Are they really concerned about fiscal responsibility, 334 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,520 or is this just about pushing a particular agenda? 335 00:11:57,520 --> 00:11:58,960 That's a question worth asking. 336 00:11:58,960 --> 00:11:59,240 OK. 337 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:01,360 Before we wrap up this part, I got to say all this talk 338 00:12:01,360 --> 00:12:05,240 about division, misinformation, and political maneuvering 339 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:07,200 is kind of getting to me, you know? 340 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:08,800 It can be overwhelming, that's for sure. 341 00:12:08,800 --> 00:12:09,760 Yeah, it is. 342 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,800 But then I think back to Jimmy Carter and his legacy of service. 343 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:14,440 And it gives me a little bit of hope, you know? 344 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:16,760 Like, maybe it's not all doom and gloom. 345 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:17,680 I get that. 346 00:12:17,680 --> 00:12:19,240 It's easy to get cynical. 347 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:21,480 But it's important to remember that there are still people out 348 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:25,120 there fighting the good fight, working to make a difference. 349 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:25,880 Exactly. 350 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:28,200 And maybe that's where the hope lies, you know? 351 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:31,600 Not in grand pronouncements or sweeping gestures, 352 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:34,960 but in those everyday acts of kindness, of courage, 353 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:38,800 of people just refusing to give up on making the world a little 354 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:39,600 bit better. 355 00:12:39,600 --> 00:12:40,480 That's a good thought. 356 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:42,800 Because that's what we need to focus on, those small acts 357 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:45,320 of hope, of resistance, of just, well, 358 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:46,880 being decent human beings. 359 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:47,360 Yeah. 360 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:49,200 Maybe that's all we can do sometimes. 361 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,400 But hey, we'll talk more about all this in the next part. 362 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:53,640 So stay tuned. 363 00:12:53,640 --> 00:12:57,320 Welcome back for the final part of our deep dive into, well, 364 00:12:57,320 --> 00:12:59,520 into January 10th, 2025. 365 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:01,080 It's been a day, hasn't it? 366 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:01,600 It has. 367 00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:04,840 We've gone from the devastation of the LA fires 368 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:07,120 to the political maneuvering in Ohio 369 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:09,800 to reflecting on Jimmy Carter's legacy, 370 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:11,320 even a little international intrigue 371 00:13:11,320 --> 00:13:12,560 with that whole Greenland thing. 372 00:13:12,560 --> 00:13:14,640 It's a lot to take in, for sure. 373 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:16,440 And as we wrap this up, I keep thinking 374 00:13:16,440 --> 00:13:19,040 about this idea of narratives, you know, 375 00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:20,800 how they're shaped, how they're used, 376 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,720 and how they ultimately influence how we see the world. 377 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:25,760 It's a theme that's definitely been present throughout our 378 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:27,360 conversation today, hasn't it? 379 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:28,160 It has. 380 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:30,160 I mean, from those LA fires being 381 00:13:30,160 --> 00:13:33,480 painted as this battle between us and them 382 00:13:33,480 --> 00:13:37,040 to the almost idealized image of Jimmy Carter 383 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:40,080 as this beacon of integrity, it feels like. 384 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:41,920 Narratives are more powerful than ever. 385 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:45,000 And with social media and the 247 news cycle, 386 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:47,160 it's like we're constantly bombarded 387 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:49,960 with these competing narratives, all vying for our attention, 388 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:51,520 all trying to shape our perceptions. 389 00:13:51,520 --> 00:13:53,280 It's overwhelming sometimes. 390 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:54,120 It really is. 391 00:13:54,120 --> 00:13:56,960 And it makes you wonder, how do we even begin 392 00:13:56,960 --> 00:13:59,200 to sift through all the noise and figure out 393 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:00,560 what's real, what's been, 394 00:14:00,560 --> 00:14:02,360 and what's just plain manipulation? 395 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:04,320 That's the million dollar question, isn't it? 396 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:06,600 We need to be, well, we need to be critical consumers 397 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:08,960 of information, question our assumptions, 398 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:10,640 consider different perspectives, 399 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:12,400 you know, look beyond the surface. 400 00:14:12,400 --> 00:14:14,720 I agree, but how do we actually do that? 401 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:16,280 I mean, we're all busy, we're all bombarded 402 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:17,720 with information from all sides, 403 00:14:17,720 --> 00:14:20,600 and it's, well, it's easier to just go with the flow 404 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:24,000 to accept the narratives that fit our existing beliefs. 405 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,320 It's definitely a challenge, no doubt about it. 406 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,760 But I think it starts with self-awareness, 407 00:14:28,760 --> 00:14:30,280 recognizing our own biases, 408 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:32,880 understanding how they color our perceptions, 409 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:35,760 and influence how we interpret information. 410 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:36,600 Right, right. 411 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:38,480 So it's about being more intentional, 412 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:41,560 more critical of the information we consume, 413 00:14:41,560 --> 00:14:45,280 but it also feels like there's this bigger issue at play here, 414 00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:47,720 you know, with the decline of traditional media 415 00:14:47,720 --> 00:14:49,120 and the rise of social media, 416 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:52,480 it's like the gatekeepers of information have changed. 417 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:54,240 And the lines between fact and fiction 418 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:56,120 have become incredibly blurred. 419 00:14:56,120 --> 00:14:58,240 Exactly, so what do we do? 420 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:01,480 How do we combat this trend of misinformation 421 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:05,960 and reclaim some sense of shared reality? 422 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:08,560 It's a tough one, there's no easy answer. 423 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:10,440 But I think part of it is supporting, 424 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:11,960 you know, supporting independent journalism, 425 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:13,320 fact-checking organizations, 426 00:15:13,320 --> 00:15:15,320 initiatives that promote media literacy. 427 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:18,120 We need to equip people with the tools 428 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:19,840 to critically evaluate information, 429 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:21,320 to spot those tactics 430 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:23,000 that are used to spread misinformation. 431 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:25,560 Education and awareness are crucial, yeah. 432 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:28,440 But it also feels like we need a bigger conversation, 433 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:32,280 a societal conversation about the role of technology 434 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:33,760 in our lives, you know? 435 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,000 How do we harness its power for good, 436 00:15:36,000 --> 00:15:38,760 while also mitigating the potential harm? 437 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:40,880 Absolutely, we need to think critically 438 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:44,440 about those algorithms that shape our online experiences, 439 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:46,040 about the business models that drive 440 00:15:46,040 --> 00:15:47,640 the spread of misinformation, 441 00:15:47,640 --> 00:15:49,680 and about the ethical responsibilities 442 00:15:49,680 --> 00:15:50,520 of these tech companies. 443 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:52,360 It's a conversation that's long overdue. 444 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:53,200 It is. 445 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:55,080 And it's a reminder that we're not, you know, 446 00:15:55,080 --> 00:15:57,360 we're not just passive consumers of technology, 447 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,400 we have agency, we have a voice, 448 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:02,640 and we can demand better from the platforms 449 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:04,080 that are shaping our digital lives. 450 00:16:04,080 --> 00:16:05,560 We can, and we should. 451 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:08,440 We have responsibility to hold those in power accountable, 452 00:16:08,440 --> 00:16:10,600 whether they're politicians, tech CEOs, 453 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:11,920 or medium-ogles. 454 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,280 It's about recognizing that the future isn't set in stone. 455 00:16:15,280 --> 00:16:17,440 We have the power to shape it through our choices, 456 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:19,880 our actions, and our collective voice. 457 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:21,000 That's a powerful thought. 458 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:22,680 And it brings us back to Jimmy Carter, doesn't it? 459 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:27,560 A man who dedicated his life to service, to peace, 460 00:16:27,560 --> 00:16:30,080 to making a positive difference in the world. 461 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,000 He's a reminder that even when faced 462 00:16:32,000 --> 00:16:34,480 with seemingly insurmountable challenges, 463 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:37,400 there's always hope, always the possibility 464 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:39,080 of creating a better future. 465 00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:40,520 And as we wrap up this deep dive, 466 00:16:40,520 --> 00:16:42,720 maybe that's the message we should leave our listeners with. 467 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:45,200 You know, what kind of future do you want to create, 468 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,080 and what are you willing to do to make it a reality? 469 00:16:48,080 --> 00:16:51,120 It's about taking action, however small it may seem. 470 00:16:51,120 --> 00:16:54,360 It's about recognizing that we all have a role to play 471 00:16:54,360 --> 00:16:56,360 in shaping the world we want to live in. 472 00:16:56,360 --> 00:16:57,280 Well said. 473 00:16:57,280 --> 00:16:59,000 Thanks for joining us on this journey 474 00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:01,480 through January 10th, 2025. 475 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:03,840 It's been, well, it's been a roller coaster, 476 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,240 but hopefully you've learned something along the way. 477 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:08,000 Stay curious, stay engaged, 478 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:09,720 and keep fighting for a better tomorrow. 479 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:10,920 We'll see you next time.