The Colin McEnroe Show

Defense Secretary Mark Esper demanded the resignation of Navy Secretary Richard Spencer on Sunday. Esper said he had lost confidence in Spencer. Esper's action follows Spencer publicly disagreeing with President Trump over the military's decision to demote one of three war criminals the president pardoned against military advice. What are the consequences of presidential interference in the military code of justice? Also this hour: Students from Yale and Harvard protested during Saturday's Yale-Harvard football game in New Haven, to call on both universities to divest their investments in fossil fuels. About 350 additional fans joined them on the field to the sounds of John Denver. Sam Waterston was there too. Lastly, a group of student body senators at the University of Florida initiated impeachment proceedings against their student body president for using student fees to promote a political agenda. He specifically wanted to pay Donald Trump Jr. to speak on campus.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Irishman is Martin Scorsese's first gangster movie in thirteen years. It's his first feature-length film with Robert De Niro in 24 years and his first with Harvey Keitel in 31 years. It's Joe Pesci's first onscreen performance since 2010 and just his third since 1998. It's the first time any combination of Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and/or Harvey Keitel has ever worked together, and it's the first time Scorsese has ever directed Pacino. The Irishman is also Scorsese's first film for Netflix. As such, a number of theater chains in our area are boycotting the picture. But some aren't -- and it'll be streaming right to a Netflix machine near you as of November 27, just in time for the long holiday weekend. And: The French post-impressionist Paul Gauguin died more than 116 years ago. Is it time to cancel him?Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ralph Nader's niece died when Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 max 8 jet crashed in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, in March 2019.  Since that day, her family has been trying to prove that Boeing put profits before public safety when they failed to ground the plane when they recognized the danger it posed.  There is a poignancy in the notion that this family has to fight this battle against corporate greed and deregulation. It's been the fight of their lives.  Now, the fight is more personal.  Also this hour: Myles Garrett, a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, was suspended indefinitely for attacking another player on the field. He likes poetry, astrophysics and paleontology. He's the least likely guy to exhibit violence. Why did he do it and what can we learn from it? Lastly, a long-lost Stradivarius comes home. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

William Outlaw is a natural leader. He's been a key figure in helping to lower New Haven's homicide rate over the last decade. He's a strategist and an organizer who can size up a situation quickly. He can defuse a threatening situation with his charisma and charm. He can run a business.  As a street outreach worker in New Haven, he uses all the same skills today that he used when he co-ran New Haven's largest cocaine gang in the 1980's.  He spent twenty years behind bars, surviving some of the most dangerous prisons in America. For the last decade, he's been giving back to the community he once harmed. William takes responsibility for his crimes.  He also recognizes that people make decisions within the framework of the opportunities and experiences available to them. The difference between William and an Ivy-educated CEO may be that William grew up in a public housing project steeped in a culture of violence and poverty.  William is still running a gang --  but using the same skills for a very different outcome.  GUESTS: Charles Barber - Writer in residence at Wesleyan University and a lecturer in psychiatry at Yale. He’s the author of three books, most recently Citizen Outlaw: One Man’s Journey from Gangleader to Peacekeeper William Juneboy Outlaw III- Co-directs the Connecticut Violence Interruption Project, which seeks to reduce youth violence in New Haven. He’s also Senior Community Advocate at Good Will where he helps formerly incarcerated people reenter the community. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are more than 800 miles of Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails in Connecticut. Today we're doing our show from one of them.  Hiking those trails, you can pass an old Tory hideout from the American revolution and, not terribly far away, the sprawling home owned by Mike Tyson and 50 Cent. There are things out in the woods that might surprise you, and one of the guys walking down the trail to visit us today is our state archeologist, who's still uncovering the mysteries of Connecticut distant past. But we're also going to talk about the ecosystem of the trails and woods and about their newest unwelcome visitor, the emerald ash borer. We also hope to provides lots of good hiking tips and a few warnings about what to watch out for. So put on some [smack] bug spray and join us out in the woods.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump's former National Security Advisor John Bolton is a pretty interesting figure in the whole impeachment inquiry, right? On the one hand, he's a pretty high-level official who is said to have characterized the whole Ukraine affair as a "drug deal." On the other hand, he's so far refused to testify at the same time as he's making it clear he's got lots of relevant information. On the other other hand,  And: Carrie Saxon Perry was the mayor of Hartford from 1987 to 1993, and she was the first black woman elected mayor of any major New England city. She died almost a year ago, "under a cloak of silence and no public notice." And finally: After their storied careers at UConn, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird went on to play in the WNBA and overseas. The new season of ESPN's 30 for 30 Podcasts tells the story of their time in Russia playing for an owner with ties to the Russian mob and the KGB.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The news comes fast in the world of the canceled these days. Louis CK is back out on tour. President Obama has a "very boomer view" of the whole thing. The New York Times reports on teens' takes. Meanwhile, some celebrities, rather than getting themselves canceled, are getting themselves arrested. Jane Fonda, for instance. And Sam Waterston. And Ted Danson. And: Bong Joon Ho's genre-defying new movie, Parasite, won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and it's being called "a nearly perfect film" and "the best movie of the year." Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: Emmys alter rules to combat America's crippling EGOT epidemic A same-sex love scene was cut from a movie on Delta flights. So was the word 'lesbian.' Radio Host Claims 'Boomer' Is the 'N-Word of Ageism,' Internet Immediately Responds with 'OK Boomer' 'Death Stranding' Is the Best Video Game Movie Ever MadeGuillermo del Toro, Mads Mikkelsen, Margaret Qualley, and Norman Reedus star in a video game that doubles as one of the year's best cinematic experiences. Facebook is now F A C E B O O K Martin Scorsese: I Said Marvel Movies Aren't Cinema. Let Me Explain.Cinema is an art form that brings you the unexpected. In superhero movies, nothing is at risk, a director says. Netflix and Theater Chains Feud Over 'Irishman' Seth Meyers's Netflix Special Features a Handy Button to Skip the Trump Jokes James Dean, who died in 1955, just landed a new movie role, thanks to CGIDirectors say he was the 'perfect' actor to play the role It's Time to Take Down the Mona LisaLeonardo's painting is a security hazard, an educational obstacle and not even a satisfying bucket-list item. It's time the Louvre moved it out of the way. GUESTS: Rebecca Castellani - Music writer for the Red Hook Star Revue Taneisha Duggan - Producing associate at TheaterWorks Bill Yousman - Professor of Media Studies at Sacred Heart University Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen Wednesday at 1:00 pm Eugene O'Neill doesn't get enough credit. His plays are a form of therapy. O'Neill forces us to watch the raw pain of our human condition, the disillusionment and existential fear that we push into the background. O'Neill's plays are dark but there's a catharsis in confronting our deepest fears and illusions.  Who is the man behind the works and what can they teach us about ourselves and this current cultural moment.  GUESTS:  Robert Dowling - Professor of English at Central CT State University, author of Eugene O’Neill: A Life in Four Acts, and President of the Eugene O’Neill Society. Howard Fishman - frequent contributor to The New Yorker, performer, and composer. Jeanie Hackett - actor, director, author, and artist-in-charge at The Workroom. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter Colin McEnroe and Jonathan McNicol contributed to this show.  Jared Todd produced this show. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are there countries where harmonica players are BIG stars? Why don't more women play it? How many different musical styles can you squeeze out of one of these things? Guests include a lot of the pros: Howard Levy, Don DeStefano and Chris DePino whose odd career arc has taken him from railroad conductor to chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party to professional harmonica player. Also, Wolfie gets an on-air harmonica lesson from these gods of the harp.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump changed his primary address from New York to Florida.  He says he'd been treated badly by political leaders. He was also booed twice last week, first at Game Five of the World Series match between the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros, this past Saturday at a UFC mixed martial arts event at Madison Square Garden.  It does hightlight how infrequently the president ventures beyond the safety of the controlled settings of his rallies.  Also this hour: Journalists at Deadspin submitted their resignations en masse last week in a revolt against the corporate mandate to "stick to sports." Lastly, President Obama objected to the prevalence of call-out culture last week during an interview about youth activism. He's being called out for his comments.  GUESTS:  Alexandra Petri - Columnist for The Washington Post, World pun champion, and the author of A Field Guide to Awkward Silences (@petridishes) Bryan Curtis - Editor-at-Large for The Ringer and the co-host The Press Box  (@bryancurtis) Ernest Owens - Journalist, Writer at Large for Philadelphia Magazine and CEO of Ernest Media Empire (@MrErnestOwens) Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watchmen is a limited series of comic books that became a graphic novel in 1987 and a feature film in 2009. And now it's an HBO series from Damon Lindelof that acts as a kind of sequel to the original comics, set 34 years later. And: Today is John Dankosky's last day at Connecticut Public after 25 years. There is just no denying that WNPR wouldn't be what it is -- and The Colin McEnroe Show wouldn't be at all -- if it weren't for Mr. Dankosky. The Nose tries to begin to come to terms. Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: I Showed My 7-Year-Old 'Jaws' and I Regret NothingSure, horror movies can horrify children. But they can also heighten the senses and awaken the analytical mind. The Mainstream Media Is Not Playing GamesWith its new vertical Launcher, The Washington Post is the latest big outlet to dedicate resources to covering video games in a comprehensive manner. But past efforts have failed at publications like Rolling Stone and Variety -- so why is this time going to be different? Game of Thrones Creators Chose a Weird Time to Confirm They Had No Idea What They Were DoingAs David Benioff and D.B. Weiss put it during a fan panel over the weekend, during the show's early days, "Everything we could make a mistake in, we did." Kickball Umpire Sues South Carolina Mayor, Saying He Was Fired Over a CallA lawyer for the umpire is calling for the governor and the state attorney general to open a misconduct investigation into Michael A. Lockliear, the mayor of Moncks Corner. Peter Luger Used to Sizzle. Now It Sputters. G/O Media Tells Deadspin Staff in Leaked Memo: Stick to SportsSports—and sports alone—must be "the sole focus" of the website, new management said Monday in a memo obtained by The Daily Beast. Let's All Stop Mindlessly Clicking and Sharing Zombie Links Ten Years Ago, I Called Out David Letterman. This Month, We Sat Down to Talk.It's not often that you speak truth to power and power responds, "Oops, sorry," writes former Letterman writer Nell Scovell. 'Baby, It's Cold Outside' Gets Update for the #MeToo EraJohn Legend and Kelly Clarkson replaced lyrics that some considered an allusion to date rape. Gone: "Say, what's in this drink?" New: "It's your body, and your choice." GUESTS: John Dankosky - Namesake of The Dankosky Building on heartbroken Asylum Hill in Hartford Jeff Cohen - Connecticut Public Radio's news director, which Mr. Dankosky used to be Sam Hatch - Co-hosts The Culture Dogs on Sunday nights on WWUH Ned Lamont - The 89th governor of Connecticut Dannel Malloy - The 13th chancellor of the University of Maine system; was, until this January, the 88th governor of Connecticut Ralph Nader - Mr. Dankosky's neighbor, among other things Lucy Nalpathanchil - Hosts Where We Live on WNPR, which Mr. Dankosky used to do Carolyn Paine - An actress, comedian, and dancer; founder, director, and choreographer of CONNetic Dance Chion Wolf - Our technical producer and announcer Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Tucker Ives contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every year around this time, we like to take a look at just what's frightening us in the present moment. This year, we start with our present take on a past horror classic, Ridley Scott's Alien, which has its 40th anniversary this year. Plus: Ari Aster's Hereditary follow-up, Midsommar, is set at a pagan retreat in rural Sweden. As such, it's seen as a bit of a reinvigoration of the folk horror genre, which includes classics like The Wicker Man and more contemporary titles like The VVitch. Note: Today's show utterly spoils both Alien and The Wicker Man. We use audio from the final scene of The Wicker Man and the very last lines of Alien. Now, The Wicker Man came out in 1973, and Alien came out in 1979. 1973 and 1979 are 46 and 40 years ago. It's on you at this point. GUESTS: Kyle Anderson - Senior editor and film critic for Nerdist Carmen Baskauf - Produces Where We Live on WNPR Betsy Kaplan - The Colin McEnroe Show's senior producer Roger Luckhurst - Professor in modern and contemporary literature at Birkbeck, University of London; the author of BFI Film Classics: Alien Carlos Mejia - WNPR's digital producer Coach Catie Talarski - Senior director, Connecticut Public Radio Chion Wolf - Our technical producer and announcer Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut's "Second Chance Society" has reduced the number of people going into prison and better prepared offenders for a meaningful life when they get out.  We've closed prisons, repealed the death penalty, and raised the age at which young people can be tried as adults. We've added reentry programs modeled loosely on the German prison system, where incarcerated men and women raise and cook their own food, wear their own clothes, and participate in longterm therapy. Yet, too many men and women don't benefit from the changes: discrimination, inconsistent funding, and ineligibility from programs make it harder for some to succeed after prison. Today, we talk about the challenges that remain with those who know best - the formerly incarcerated.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Predictions of a paperless future go back to the 1800s. Yet, despite a dizzying array of technological alternatives to paper, those prediction have not come true. Whether we're reading, writing, or working we just can't seem to part with paper. But how long will this last? Why are we so attached to paper? We talk with experts about our longstanding love for paper.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump held a Sunday morning press conference to announce that the U.S. military conducted a targeted operation to kill ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on Saturday. The operation was successful and important but still a somber and serious event.  The almost 50-minute question and answer period that followed the president's news was political, self-aggrandizing, undignified, and may have revealed sensitive operational details.  Also this hour: we talk to an expert on how the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi will will affect the global ISIS organization.  Lastly, we save time for your calls. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, The Washington Post published "The 20 defining comedy sketches of the past 20 years" covering television sketch comedy of the 2000s. It includes a lot of what you'd expect it to include: SNL's "More Cowbell" and "Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks," Inside Amy Schumer's "Last F---able Day," Chappelle's Show's "Frontline -- Clayton Bigsby." And: For only the second time ever, The Nose has read a book. This time it's Stephen King's latest, The Institute. It's a kind of science fiction horror thriller with kids in it that harkens back to a lot of classic King. Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: Should We Pay to Enter Bookstores? Dennis Quaid, 65, confirms engagement to Laura Savoie, 26 Patti LuPone on getting bullied by Broadway. And why she keeps coming back. Why Are Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Having Such A Hard Time With Their Royal Life? Francis Ford Coppola agrees with Scorsese, calls Marvel movies "despicable"Plus, James Gunn once again steps up to defend superhero movies Marvel Movies Aren't Sexy Enough for Pedro Almodóvar, Says Pedro Almodóvar How Popular Is Baseball, Really? 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Trailer Breakdown: Long Have We Waited for This 'This is natural chemistry': Behind the scenes with ESPN during the WNBA Finals Google Claims a Quantum Breakthrough That Could Change Computing The Astros Don't Deserve a World Series of DistractionHouston's response to a report about a prominent executive reveals a culture that not only values titles above all else, but condemns anyone who dares to feel differently. The Astros' actions are the story of MLB's signature event -- and no amount of winning should change that. An Interview With The Viral Chinese Stunt Drinker Who Became Our King Men, That Constant Tugging on Your Shirt? We Notice ItAs targeted by a skit on Netflix show 'I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson,' the male tendency to pull on shirts has become a pop cultural pressure point Millenials are killing the Doorbell Industry by texting 'here' Coldplay use classified ads in local papers to reveal new album tracksBand reveal details of double album Sunrise and Sunset among ads for bales of hay and whitegoods The Secret Service Interviewed Eminem Over "Threatening Lyrics" About Trump And Ivanka. These Docs Prove It.Documents obtained by BuzzFeed News show the Secret Service interviewed the rapper about his Trump lyrics after an email from a TMZ staffer. Always to Ax Female Symbol From Sanitary Products Packages in Nod to Trans UsersThe decision follows calls by transgender advocates who said the company was alienating trans and gender-nonconforming customers Cult Halloween Classic Hocus Pocus getting a sequel on Disney+, Disney hopes to get original cast involved. Warner Bros Wants Michael Keaton To Return For Batman Beyond Live-Action Movie GUESTS: Chris Grosso - Writes for Fangoria and Revolver magazine, the author of three books, and the host of The Indie Spiritualist Podcast Rich Hollant - Principal at CO:LAB, founder of Free Center, and commissioner on cultural affairs for the city of Hartford Julia Pistell - Founding member of Sea Tea Improv Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That headline is just a direct quote from James Poniewozik's Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America. I was torn between that line from the book and this one: Donald Trump is not a person. Poniewozik's take is that "Donald Trump" is really a character that Donald Trump has been playing on television since at least the early 1980s. "Television has entertained America, television has ensorcelled America, and with the election of Donald J. Trump, television has conquered America," Poniewozik writes. Audience of One is a cultural history of television and a television history of Donald Trump. Poniewozik joins us for the hour.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love it or hate it, ventriloquism is hot these days. From Jeff Dunham's superstardom to three recent America's Got Talent winners, 'vents' are seeing more exposure than they have in decades. And with this attention comes new fans and practicioners from around the world. But venting wasn't always so popular. For centuries it was regarded as dark and deceptive--a practice  often associated with charlatans, witches, and people possesed. And even today, some still admit to feeling uneasy in the presence of puppets. Today we speak with historians and practicioners of ventriloquism to get an inside look at this age-old art form. We'll trace the evolution of venting from Vaudeville to its modern revival, and even get an on-air lesson by a pro!Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A hard-boiled private eye, a glamorous blond, and a hapless drifter all sit at a bar on the seamy side of town. It's night, the streets are wet, the shadows are long. They each nurse a drink to the notes of a mournful saxophone and a lonely piano.  Smoke from the cigarettes swirls in the darkness.  We all know classic noir when we see it and hear it and read it; yet, we don't really know how to define the dark plots that expose humanity in all its moral ambiguity and loneliness.  Noir arrived in America with German emigre's escaping the Nazis and fit well with the bleakness of Americans reeling from a depression, two world wars and later, the threat of nuclear annihilation. It continues to resonate and has transposed its style across genres. ​ Today, a deeper look at noir - then and now. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, a two-part show. The first part is with an impeachment expert on the House inquiry into whether President Trump abused his power for personal gain. How much trouble is the president in? In the last two weeks, diplomats and senior advisors have testified against White House orders. They've each told a similar narrative in which all paths lead to the president.  On Thursday, acting Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney all but confessed to the quid-pro-quo many Republicans have made a criteria for considering impeachment.  The second-part is for your calls.  The president has become increasingly brazen in his effort to distract from the impeachment proceedings. As we've seen in Syria this week, his reactions can have serious consequences. How low might the president go to loosen the vise that's tightening on him? How will the president react as the inquiry progresses? How will the inquiry affect the 2020 election? How will it end - will the Senate convict? If not, what happens next?  Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin Scorsese is a grump. He doesn't like Marvel movies. He says they aren't "cinema." He says they aren't even narrative films, and "we shouldn't be invaded by it." The internet, as you can imagine, has takes. And: The Eddie Murphy comeback is on. He appeared on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee this summer. He's hosting Saturday Night Live in December. He's got multiple standup comedy specials in the works. And right now he's starring in the briefly-in-theaters-but-hitting-Netflix-next-weekend biopic Dolemite Is My Name.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Hate" is the imprecise word we use to describe a group of ideas that have moved out of the shadows of American public life and into its center ring. At the core of these movements sits one common idea: that all people are not equal. This hour, we discuss the challenges this moment poses to educators, politicians, business leaders and journalists as recorded live at Watkinson School in Hartford as part of Colin's Freshly Squeezed series. GUESTS: Steve Ginsburg - Director of the Anti-Defamation League's Connecticut Regional Office Jennifer Herdt - Gilbert L. Stark professor of Christian ethics at Yale Divinity School Molly Land - Professor of law at UConn School of Law Richard Wilson - Gladstein chair and professor of anthropology and law at UConn School of Law Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the penny press, to yellow journalism, to supermarket tabloids and beyond, sensationalized news has been around for centuries. But while this style of reporting may have its critics, it may also serve as an important reflection of American culture and democracy. This hour we speak with journalists and historians about the evolution and influence of tabloid journalism. We'll also discuss the alleged connection between President Trump and various tabloid publications, the true nature of which continues to unfold.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In January of 2018, a seemingly racist incident occurred on the National Mall. Photos and videos were posted to social media showing a group of MAGA hat-wearing high school students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky. One of them, Nick Sandmann, seemed to be mocking and blocking the path of Native American activist, Nathan Phillips. People either jeered or cheered on social media, depending on how it was perceived, long before most of us had any idea of the context of the situation.  An investigation cleared the students of wrongdoing. What happened is less important than understanding how that incident triggered strong convictions that varied by political affiliation and remained resistant to changing after the investigation. Today, we talk about how this cultural moment is making all of us arrogant intellectual know-it-alls.  Also this hour: One man's quest to be the smartest man in the world. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Trump leaves chaos in his wake. There is chaos in Syria. Turkish artillery fire is targeting the Kurdish-led militia that has been allied with U.S. Special Forces over the last five years in their war against ISIS. Syrians are fleeing their homes, ISIS prisoners are escaping from prisons no longer guarded by the Kurds, and the last U.S. troops pulled out on Sunday. The developing crisis has heightened criticism of President Trump, who agreed to move American troops out of Turkey’s way in a phone call with Turkey’s president last week, despite strong opposition from U.S. military officials and the State Department.  There is chaos surrounding the impeachment inquiry. The White House is threatening to defy subpoenas of documents and witnesses key to the investigation. The president is defending his personal lawyer whose behavior is being investigated and lashing out on Twitter about those who oppose him.  Today, we have two segments. The first will be with a guest on the unfolding crisis in Syria. The second is your phone calls. What are your predictions for what's going to happen in the House impeachment inquiry? Where will we be on January 1? On March 1?  GUEST: Robin Wright - Correspondent for The New Yorker and the author of seven books on the Mideast, most recently, Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World. She’s a joint fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson Center. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joker is director Todd Phillips's modern take on movies like Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. It stars Joaquin Phoenix in the title role in what happens also to be... a Batman movie. It's been called "a gloriously daring and explosive film" and "a movie that borders on genius" but also "bleak and juvenile" and "a movie of a cynicism so vast and pervasive as to render the viewing experience even emptier than its slapdash aesthetic does." And: Toy Story 4 is out on Blu-ray and iTunes and such this week. In its theatrical run, it became the highest-grossing G-rated movie ever made, the fifth-highest-grossing animated movie ever made, and the third-highest-grossing movie of the year so far. And it is "perhaps the bleakest (and most beautiful)" of all the Toy Story movies. Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: Le Creuset Announces STAR WARS Line of Cookware Raking leaves again this fall? Stop right now Filming the Show: Pardon the Intrusion? Or Punish It?A seized phone. A stopped concert. A text from Rihanna. All are new fuel for a heated debate about theater etiquette in the digital age. Trustworthy and chill: Alex Trebek, we're rooting for you New Dr Pepper and Cream Soda is Coming Soon GUESTS: James Hanley - Co-founder of Cinestudio at Trinity College Irene Papoulis - Teaches writing at Trinity College Pedro Soto - President and CEO of Hygrade Precision Technologies Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 31, 2018, Kristin and Mike Song's 15-year-old son Ethan Song, accidentally shot and killed himself at his friend's house. They were handling a gun they knew was kept in a bedroom closet. The gun was one of three guns owned by the friend's father. They were in a cardboard box inside a tupperware container that was hidden in a bedroom closet. The guns had locks but the keys and ammunition were in the same box.  The son was charged with manslaughter. The dad was not charged. There was a loophole in Connecticut's law. The Song's channeled their grief into political action that led to "Ethan's Law." Today, we talk about how citizens can use their power of self-government to make change happen at a time when so many of us feel powerless. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen Wednesday at 1:00 pm.  Jimmy Webb was possibly the most successful songwriter of the 1960's and 1970's. Classics like "Galveston," "Wichita Lineman," "Up, Up, and Away," and "MacArthur Park," were recorded by hundreds of artists from Glen Campbell to Donna Summer. Webb wrote the songs that others made famous. Colin has wanted to interview Mr. Webb for a very long time, and on September 5, the CMS team made the trek to Glen Cove, New York to meet the musician, and his wife Laura Savini, at a recording studio.  Our adventure was not without adversity. We had to catch a very early ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson and drive across Long Island. A flat tire forced us to miss our ferry back home to Connecticut (and our dinner). It didn't matter though. What we took home from our day were the sweet remains of time spent with friends, great music, and a spectacular sunset.  For the first time in CMS history, we decided to create two shows from our time with Mr. Webb. It was too good to cut. Today, we bring you part two of our two-hour show with Jimmy Webb. Listen to Part One.  GUEST:  Jimmy Webb - Songwriter, pianist, composer, storyteller. He’s won Grammy Awards for his music, lyrics and orchestration. His songs include “Galveston,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “MacArthur Park.” He’s the author of Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting, and his 2017 memoir, The Cake and the Rain. His latest album is Slipcover. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re exploring the world of Barbershop Harmony; from its roots in the African American community to its influence in other genres, Barbershop is an important piece of the puzzle in the American music scene. For many, Barbershop calls to mind old people, singing old songs - but ask any Barbershopper and they’ll tell you nothing can be further from the truth. For them, there is a youthful joy, a sense of family, a love for the music and the performance in a dynamic and empowering setting. And if you let them, they’ll gladly share it with you. So sit back and enjoy the sounds of Barbershop. Hopefully, we’ll ring a few chords along the way.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court begins a new session Monday. It will be the first full term since the more conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh replaced the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. It's shaping up to be one of the most significant sessions in a long time with the potential to significantly limit reproductive and LGBTQ rights, put DACA recipients at risk for deportation, and expand gun rights.  Also this hour: An attorney for the whistle-blower concerned that President Trump's July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posed a national security risk, confirms that he's now representing a second whistle-blower who works in the intelligence community and has first-hand knowledge of the president's actions. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netflix limited series Unbelievable stars Toni Collette, Merritt Wever, and Kaitlyn Dever. It tells the true story of a serial rapist and the investigation that caught him, and it's based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Marshall Project and ProPublica article "An Unbelievable Story of Rape" and the This American Life episode based on that. Other possible topics include: McDreamy, McSteamy, and McConnellCongressional fan fiction is real, it's glorious, and it might be reshaping our political world. Aidy Bryant's SNL Gigglefest Is Chaotic Good Joaquin Phoenix isn't joking around in his awkward Jimmy Kimmel Live interview Joaquin Phoenix and Jimmy Kimmel Play Up the Joker Controversy by Airing Profane "Outtake" Fiona Apple Is Still Calling BullshitThe singer spends most of her time at home, working on a new album. That doesn't mean she's not paying attention. Reese Witherspoon Learning TikTok From Her Son Is The End-All"The Morning Show" star is a hoot as she tries out the short-form video app with her 15-year-old, Deacon Phillippe. No boys allowed: Women-only hotel opens in Spain on dreamy island of Mallorca Snoop Dogg reminds Tekashi 6ix9ine that Martha Stewart didn't snitch on anybody Beer Vendor Accused Of Charging $724 For Two Beers At Dolphins Game A Big Question About Prime Numbers Gets a Partial AnswerThe twin primes conjecture has bedeviled mathematicians for more than a century. Now there's a solution for one version of it. Bill Maher on the perils of political correctness. I Regret To Inform You the Comedians Are Filling Their Big Diapers AgainUh oh, comedians are afraid that woke meanies are censoring all their jokes Curious Kids: Why do old people hate new music? GUESTS: Rebecca Castellani - A writer for The Red Hook Star-Revue Cara McDonough - Freelance writer; you can read her blog at caramcduna.com Carolyn Paine - An actress, comedian, and dancer; founder, director, and choreographer of CONNetic Dance Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October is upon us. Pumpkin spice everything is here. Leaf peeping is just around the corner. Your one slightly odd neighbor has put out his 37 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns. But more than any of that, what October brings with it is October sports. And this year, in Connecticut, that means two things: The Connecticut Sun is in the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2005. The best-of-five series, against the Washington Mystics, is tied at one game apiece. Game Three will be at Mohegan Sun on Sunday. And the New York Yankees won 103 games (they're one of four 100-win teams this year) and the American League East pennant. Their Division Series starts Friday night against the Minnesota Twins. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox are -- [checks notes] -- not playing any more games? Can that be right? Huh. That's too bad. Plus, the rules have changed in Mexico's pro baseball league, and American-born players are now allowed. Their stories ring familiar. GUESTS: Joseph Bien-Kahn - Los Angeles-based writer who covers tech, culture, and odd desert things Lindsay Gibbs - Covers the Washington Mystics for The Athletic; co-host of the feminist sports podcast Burn It All Down Frankie Graziano - Reporter for Connecticut Public Radio Eric Stephen - Baseball writer and writer of other things for SB Nation's news desk Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen Tuesday at 1:00 pm. On September 5, our team traveled to Glen Cove, New York to interview legendary songwriter, Jimmy Webb.  The interview has been on our "to do" list for four years, and it was worth every minute of the wait. For the first time in CMS history, we've decided to create two shows from Webb's stories and music. (Part two will be available next Wednesday, October 9.) The day was not without adversity. We had to catch a very early ferry from Bridgeport to Port Jefferson and drive across Long Island to a recording studio near Mr. Webb's home. A flat tire forced us to miss our ferry back home to Connecticut (and our dinner). We were hungry and tired. Yet, the day was special for us all. We bonded, met kind people, and we reveled in Webb's stories and artistry. To cap it off, the late ferry we caught to Connecticut brought us a sunset we would never have seen if our day had gone as planned.   It's funny how adversity can turn into serendipity.     GUESTS: Jimmy Webb - Songwriter, pianist, composer, storyteller. He’s won Grammy Awards for his music, lyrics and orchestration. His songs include “Galveston,” “Wichita Lineman,” and “MacArthur Park.” He’s the author of Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting, and his 2017 memoir, The Cake and the Rain. His latest album is Slipcover. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's show might get a bit dicey. In fact,  it's almost certainly headed for Trouble. And all we can say is Sorry, that's Life! Okay, fine, let's drop the Charades. Today's show is about board games. Is that a big enough Clue? From classics like Monopoly, Candyland, and Scrabble to current megahits like Magic, Gloomhaven, and Dungeons and Dragons, board games have been bringing people together for ages. And in a time full of polarizing issues and digital divides, maybe that's just what we need. This hour, we'll talk with board-game designers and industry experts about the best new titles on the market, what it takes to make a really great game and where the industry is going next. We'll also explore the ancient Chinese game Go, and hear how Google's new AlphaGo program is squaring off against today's top players.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot has happened since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi initiated an impeachment inquiry against President Trump last week after learning that Trump asked Ukrainian president Volodymyr Velensky to interfere in the 2020 election. Public support for the inquiry is rising after an edited transcript of Trump's conversation was released to the public along with a transcipt of the whistleblower complaint at the center of the scandal. The complaint reads like a novel, alleging the use of pass code protected servers, secret meetings, and the involvement of lawyers in the State and Justice Departments. We try to make sense of all of it with Connecticut senator Chris Murphy, New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich, and your calls. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nose couldn't decide which of last weekend's two big new movies to go see, so it went to both. Downton Abbey, the feature film continuation of the incredibly popular PBS series, is the number one movie in the country. Its $31 million opening was the biggest ever for the studio that made it, Focus Features. Not bad for a PG-rated, special effects-free drama made for grownups. James Gray's Ad Astra is kind of at the opposite end of a number of spectrums. As a huge, expensive space adventure that travels to Neptune and back, its #2 opening is underperforming its budget a bit. But it's also being called, "one of the most ruminative, withdrawn, and curiously optimistic space epics this side of Solaris," and, "also one of the best." Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: Hefty launches 'talking trash bags' for millennials, with phrases like 'I'm so trashy' and 'Feed me tacos & tell me I'm pretty' Vox Media Acquires New York Magazine, Chronicler of the Highbrow and Lowbrow Mattel helped define gender norms for decades with Barbie and Ken. Now it’s defying them. Billy Joel Anthology TV Series in the Works (Exclusive) Danny DeVito, Never Retire (Bitch) Glitter Pumpkin Butts Are the NSFW Halloween Trend You Need to See The Hyphen AffairWhy grammar nerds keep getting so furious with the Associated Press -- and why they're wrong. Ashton Kutcher Pushes For Trump Impeachment After Meeting Ukrainian President Eddie Murphy Is Bringing Eddie Murphy BackIn a wide-ranging interview, the star explains why he's returning to stand-up and the big screen, why he regrets leaving and why it's hard to watch himself in "Raw" these days. On Airlines, Window Shades Are the New Reclining Seats Is Donald Trump Really Just Andy Kaufman in Disguise? An Investigation GUESTS: Tom Breen - Film critic and reporter for the New Haven Independent; host of WNHH radio's Deep Focus Lucy Gellman - Editor of The Arts Paper; host of WNHH radio's Kitchen Sync Pedro Soto - An aerospace executive working on a secret project Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been 25 years since Bob Ross's The Joy of Painting went off the air (and 24 years since Ross died). But there are 52 episodes of the show available to stream on Netflix. Bob Ross and Chill is a thing. The 403 full episodes available on YouTube have accumulated something approaching 250 million views. And this summer, The New York Times did a big Bob Ross investigation. This hour: a look at the undying force for permed hair and puffy little clouds and happy little trees that is Bob Ross. Plus: Could we do a show about Bob Ross without also talking Thomas Kinkade? No we could not. And so no we will not. GUESTS: Nathan Badley - Cohost of the Nothing But a Bob Thang podcast Alexis Boylan - Associate professor of art history at UConn and the editor of Thomas Kinkade, The Artist in the Mall Justin Croft - Cohost of the Nothing But a Bob Thang podcast Emily Rhyne - Cinematographer at The New York Times Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An epoch of our own making is one way to describe it. And as the Anthropocene is set to be formally recognized as a chrono-stratigraphic unit in the next couple of years, scientists, philosophers, engineers and many more are exploring unconventional ways of adapting to this new era. From terraforming cities to preserve Holocenic conditions, to collaborating with non-human life forms to "re-wild" our planet, to releasing chemicals into the stratosphere to block sunlight, no experiment, it seems, is  off limits.  On today's show we'll speak with the visionary thinkers behind these ideas. Are they desperate measures meant for desperate times, a means of starting a conversation about change, or are they viable solutions to one of our species' greatest threats?Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women in America die more frequently from complications of childbirth than in any other industrialized nation in the world. In addition, women of color are three to four times more likely to die than white women. And over the last 25 years that the maternal mortality was rising in America, other countries were decreasing their rate.  There are lots of reasons why maternal mortality and morbidity is rising, including  lack of access, the high rate of caesarian sections, racial bias, bias against women's health issues, and a medical model that medicalizes a normal process.   While no one action can explain why maternal mortality rates are lower in European countries, we do know that they utilize one resource that we don't: midwives and doulas. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House Democrats are moving closer to initiating impeachment proceedings against President Trump after he confirmed that he discussed 2020 presidential candidate and political rival Joe Biden, with the Ukrainian president. The possibility that the president may have subjugated the national interest for personal political gain is a "new chapter of lawlessness," according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Is this the tipping point for impeachment? What are the implications of seeking to impeach -- or not?  Also this hour: Have you ever noticed that President Trump has a habit of quietly stating his alleged offenses out loud?  Beulah, a 54-year-old Asian elephant that belonged to Connecticut-based R.W. Commerford & Sons Zoo, died at the Big E last week, sparking outrage from animal rights activists who have been trying to have elephants removed from traveling zoos for years. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merriam-Webster has added 533 new words to its dictionary. Words like "deep state," "pickleball," "escape room," and "Bechdel test." My favorite is probably "fatberg." But there's a particular new dictionary entry that The Nose is specifically interested in: "dad joke." Also this week: The Nose tackles what we're pretty sure is its first certifiable bomb ever. The new movie adaptation of The Goldfinch opened last weekend on more than 2,500 screens at #8 at the domestic box office. It took in a little over $2.6 million. It is the sixth-worst opening for a release that wide in the history of movies. Some other stuff that happened this week, give or take: SNL Fires New Cast Member Shane Gillis James Corden Has No Time for Bill Maher's Fat Shaming Piers Morgan Supports Bill Maher's Call For Fat-shaming To Make A Comeback Sean Spicer Appearing on Dancing With the Stars Is a Sign of the End Times They're Coming! Area 51 Joke Spawns Dueling Alien-Themed PartiesThe organizers of one alien-themed party went their separate ways this week, leading to accusations of secrecy and poor planning. The US Navy just confirmed these UFO videos are the real deal I Was Caroline CallowaySeven years after I met the infamous Instagram star, I'm ready to tell my side of the story. Ric Ocasek's Eternal Cool Was Ric Ocasek Actually 75?Some sources said the Cars frontman, who died Sunday, was 70. Here's how The Times figured out the right age. NBCUniversal Announces 'Peacock' As The Name Of Its Streaming Service And Unveils Initial Content Lineup Someone Just Discovered John Milton's Copy of Shakespeare, Which Is Absolutely Bananas After 350 Years, Scholars Have Found Another Hidden Message in Milton's 'Paradise Lost' Whitney Houston Hologram Tour Announces First Dates Amber Heard Defends Herself Against Backlash After Posting Risque Photo on Instagram Friends Is a Gen X Show. Why Don't We Ever Call It That? Inconceivable! Rumour of The Princess Bride remake sends fans into pit of despair Cruel Food Brands Mangle Books For Meme Challenge. Readers Aren't Having It.Books are doused with milk and gummed up with Gushers. Publishers, readers, bookstores and libraries resist. GUESTS: Taneisha Duggan - Producing associate at TheaterWorks Carolyn Paine - An actress, comedian, and dancer; founder, director, and choreographer of CONNetic Dance Irene Papoulis - Teaches writing at Trinity College Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Though country music is considered the most popular genre of music in America, its influence is profoundly regional. The style is known for appealing to the white working class, and is largely sequestered in southern and midwestern pockets of the country. Meanwhile, coastal elites tend to regard the genre with disdain. "I like everything but country" is a popular refrain. This hour, we unpack one of the country's most polarizing genres.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if you just don't really enjoy food very much? What if you're totally fine eating the same thing every single day? What if you think food is an inefficient way to get what you need to survive? What if, rather than eating "food," you just mixed a white powder (that is definitely not made of people because it's made of soy protein isolate instead) with water and drank that in food's place? This hour: a look at what you might call the non-foodie movement and the "powdered food" meal replacement product that is Soylent.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ocean Vuong emigrated to Hartford from Vietnam when he was two years old. His family brought with them the trauma of an American-led war that ravaged their people and their culture. How do they retain their culture and assimilate into one that doesn't want them? His family struggled in a Hartford very different from the city that many of us experience. It's a place that still exists in the shadows. Ocean’s family is a snapshot into a bigger and more pervasive picture of the problems in America that many choose to hide -- the toll of low-wage work, poverty, drugs, violence, and the erasure of histories and ways of living life that don't fit neatly into the American myth. Ocean's first novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, is an American story, albeit one about the failure of America. This is an excerpt. GUEST: Ocean Vuong - A poet and the author of the novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Colin McEnroe and Chion Wolf contributed to this show, which originally aired July 17, 2019.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fear of sharks spiked last summer after a great white fatally bit a 26-year-old surfer off the coast of Cape Cod. The fever still runs high as reports of great white sightings coincide with people heading to the beach. Yet, we have a higher risk of getting hit by lightning than killed by a great white shark. The myth of the great white, exacerbated by the 1975 megahit Jaws, is false. Great whites are not the aggressive creatures still perpetuated in popular media. We're more likely to survive a shark bite simply because sharks don't like the way we taste. They spit us out if they accidentally mistake us for a seal.   The convergence of globally warming waters off our east coast and the repopulation of seals and great whites after a previous panic nearly wiped them out, means we'll have to learn to share the ocean.  Instead of pursuing shark repellents like sonar buoys, electric shark shields, and seal contraception, should we consider how we can co-exist with the creatures of the sea? Besides, whose ocean is it anyway?  The fish were there first. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, John Belushi, John Candy, Rick Moranis. Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Beverly Hills Cop, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, ¡Three Amigos!, Funny Farm, Spaceballs, Stripes. We maybe didn't properly appreciate it at the time, but the 1980s were one of the most fertile periods ever for screen comedies and screen comedians. This hour, a look at the mavericks who shaped a whole comedy aesthetic and at some of the most popular movie comedies ever made.Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A photo of people inching their way up a snaking line to the peak of Mount Everest last month has drawn attention to a number of problems, one of which was the jostling at the top of the mountain to take social media-ready selfies and photos. That got us wondering if other people were risking their lives for that perfect photo. It turns out that more than 250 people worldwide have died while taking selfies in just over the last decade, according to a study published in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. Drowning, transport, and falls are the top reasons for death. Today, we talk about how a social media-driven visual culture is shaping how we work, play, and experience life. Are we willing to die for that perfect photo? Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You're shopping for groceries. Out of the blue your heart starts to race, your knees feel week, you feel like you can't breathe, like you might be having a heart attack. You wonder if you're losing your mind -- but you're not. You're having a panic attack.  About 1 in 4 people have had at least one panic attack during their lives, yet few like to admit it. Because panic manifests through physical symptoms that can mimic a heart attack, a lot of people feel shame when they go to the ER and find there's nothing wrong with them. In the absence of a test that defines panic, a lot of people worry they might be losing their mind.   Also this hour: Panic ensued in Times Square in early August when a motorcycle backfired. Fear of being caught in the crossfire of gun shots has led to a collective panic of loud noises in public places. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In early 2017, The New York Times uncovered a program at the Defense Department which investigated unidentified flying objects. Then, at the end of May, the reporters published another article, getting navy pilots to talk on the record about their encounters with unidentified flying objects.  In November 2018, the chair of Harvard's Astronomy Department, Avi Loeb, co-wrote a paper about an interestellar object, 'Oumuamua, writing, "Alternatively, a more exotic scenario is that 'Oumuamua may be a fully operational probe sent intentionally to Earth vicinity by an alien civilization." What does this all mean? And does it matter that these aknowledgements are coming from a paper like The New York Times, or a scientist from Harvard?  This hour, we'll talk to Leslie Kean and Avi Loeb about their research, and we'll hear from people who have believed in extraterrestrial life all along about what it's like to see this news. Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We want to hear your thoughts on what it's like to be "living in a Trump salad," on this all-call Monday. (Colin coined the term.) First, there's #sharpiegate. Last week, President Trump unleashed on the media for reporting his error tweeting  a warning about Hurricane Dorian that included the state of Alabama. To prevent mass evacuation, the National Weather Service corrected his error. Alabama was not in danger.  It led to his doctoring of a weather map with a black Sharpie, and two government agencies and a FOX senior White House correspondent backing the president's misinformation. Mocking memes under the hashtag #sharpiegate rose in response to the president's efforts to alter the truth.  His volatility also led to an impetuous decision to break off peace talks with the Taliban, and questionable U.S. Air Force expenditures at an airport that benefits a Trump property in Scotland. Last week, Vice-President Pence stayed at a Trump hotel while on a taxpayer-funded trip to Ireland. It would be funny if these incidents didn't serve to further normalize the president's war on truth, the media, and his ability to divert the country's attention away from trade wars, talk of pending recession and other important news.  What are we to make of all of this? Support the show: http://www.wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.