The Fifth Column

Moynihan is off this week, appears he had obligations related to something he's describing as "his real job". We don't know what that's supposed to mean but it sounds illegal. Author and Observer columnist Michael Malice fills the empty chair for am hour and change, shouts things into the mic and generally enriches our regular rhetorical intercourse. Up for discussion this week: Gary Johnson's diminishing (but not completely exhausted) prospects for getting into the presidential debates. Matt Welch tell's a story that could get people locked up and/or deported. Charter schools are super racists, duh. That revenge porn of you, it may not be so bad after all. And the best possible (indirect) arguments FOR Trump/Hillary. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Episode 20: The most discursive and 'intrupty' installment to date, but never worry, they always stick that landing (that's an Olympics reference). This Week: - Obligatory Olympics Banter- Malia Obama twerks and tokes at Lalapalooza- Gary Johnson and Jill Stein, Lose in Court, But Kinda Win, Maybe...- Clinton and Trump Dazzle the American Electorate With More Email Scandals, Assassination Plots and the Appearance of Generalized Political Corruption- The Justice Department is Unimpressed with the Baltimore City Police Department- The White House FINALLY Releases It's Drone War 'Playbook'- Where else can you get all that in sixty mins? You're welcome. The noble, just and righteous crusade to replace Olympic Badminton with Olympic Twerking starts here.Moynihan, Welch and Foster discuss (and bravely lead the charge)... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

The Conventions are over, Welch, Moynihan and Foster are back in Gotham and it feels like Autumn in August. Still, Trump related anxieties have managed to reach new levels of 'OH-MY-GOD'; will his ascension to the presidency result in a nuclear conflict, the dismemberment of NATO, Armageddon, or garden variety disappointment & dishonesty? What's so great about NATO? And what's this about a contingent of Black Lives Matter protestors moving into the park adjacent to Kmele's apartment? Welch, Moynihan and Foster discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

The Fifth Column's presidential convention coverage continues. Matt Welch phones in from the convention floor in Philadelphia, Moynihan convalesces in New York after a harrowing Republican convention and Foster dabs his brow compassionately with a damp cold cloth. On The Agenda This Week: The DNC has developed it's own 'damn email' problem; somehow it involves Russians and a pair of geriatric US presidential candidates. Trump and Sander's convention speeches are analyzed for an all together different sort of plagiarism; painting by numbers. Black Lives Matter Moms (pronounced "blim') take center stage at the DNC and thoughts on Europe's worsening terrorism problems. (Updated) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Welch and Moynihan from the Floor of the RNC Convention... What could possibly go wrong? No more description. You listen, you find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

A trifecta of highly charged police involved shootings dominate the headlines; what are the odds that resulting media coverage and political rhetoric are substantive, fact-based and solutions oriented? And what is President Obama going on about? Plus: Which member of the triumvirate was roughed up for backtalking the cops? Will Barbra Boxer accept Welch's VERY indecent proposal?And, perhaps most importantly, when is carrying around a bottle of wine in a Ziplock bag filled with ice not dignified and respectable? Probably when you refuse to share. Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

What is Kmele hiding in Greece? Why is Donald Trump taking advantage of Hillary Clinton’s email lawbreaking by doubling down on the Star of David? And what on earth is the man who contributed to the downfall of pop-science journo-fabulist Jonah Lehrer doing giving the guy a second chance? Also: Chilcot Report, Tony Blair, Iraq regrets, over-classification, and just how many drinks constitutes “a couple” over at Vice News.Foster, Welch and Moynahan discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

What does your dimwitted brother-in-law actually know about Brexit? What actual difference does this Benghazi report make? And finally, will the well monied and influential attendees of the Black Entertainment Television Awards ever overcome their hateful adversaries and obtain actual freedom? Those do sound like very long odds. Producer's Note: The episode is brought to you by the letter 'B' and the word 'Actual'.Foster, Welch and Moynahan discuss... and the glamours Virgina Postrel drops by. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

What's the most [REDACTED] ever to [REDACTED]? Can someone really be 'completely brilliant' and 'wrong about virtually everything'? Will we ever get tired of talk'n bout OJ? In a baseball cap and shorts, is Matt the spitting image of Dennis the Menace? Yes. Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

What do Harry Potter, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have in common? Is it still 'politicizing the tragedy' if everyone's doing it? When responding to acts of terrorism, is it best to: A) Employ oversimplification, generalized suspicion and hastily drawn conclusionsB) "Act erratically and blindly lash out at everything" Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

What the hell happened to Matt? How awful was Bernie Sanders week and why does he hate women? Why you got to be all racist? Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss… Anthony Fisher (Reason / The Week) drops by. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Will Johnson & Weld make it to the presidential debate stage? Just who is this French fellow -- is he really running for POTUS and why's he omitting all the best bits from his Game of Thrones write-ups? Is there any city more remarkable then Orlando, Florida? Yes. Plus: "It's not dodging when Bernie does it!" and "Russel vs Moynihan: This time it's personal".Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss... Thaddeus Russell (http://www.thaddeusrussell.com) drops by. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Trump and Sanders carry populist revolutions to their respective conventions; will violence ensue? Are we witnessing the end of the culture wars? Plus, thoughts on the Freddie "Gaye", Black Lives Matter, and those lapel cameras. Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

If you hurriedly discuss the primary race will it end any faster? If you'd previously maintained that an economic miracle was unfolding in Venezuela, are you morally obliged to move there? "If you agree wit him, why you throwin shade?" Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Would Tyler Durden vote for candidate Trump? Why can't super rich authors have everything they want? Is "Cookie's" accent wonderful or fantastic?Charles C.W. Cooke of National Review stops by.Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Might a Trump primary victory signal the 'end of days' while simultaneously proving the existence of extraterrestrials? Can independents finally make a significant impact on the election? Will Matt and Moynihan finally 'keep it 100?Welch returns. Foster, Welch and Moynihan discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Trump and Hillary cement their leads but no one's willing to get out of the race; why won't anyone make it stop? How is Donald Trump's foreign policy doctrine like a children's game? Just what is the corporate media's nefarious diabolical plan? Plus Venezuela is a mess and blunt razors can still cut you the hell up. Welch is away on a dangerous operation. Moynihan and Foster discuss... w/Andy Levy of Fox News's Red Eye. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Has the New York primary finally closed the door on Cruz, Sanders and Kasich? Should a voter who asks politely be allowed more than one ‘I Voted Sticker’? And why would a journalist bother fact-checking something if more than two people have tweeted it — at that point, it’s basically a fact, right? Moynihan, Welch and Foster discuss… w/Anthony Fisher (Reason.com). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Sanders and Clinton debate on a dock in Brooklyn -- would any have noticed if CNN had just replayed clips of their previous showdowns? Is Gitmo too good for climate skeptics? And how racist are cops in Chicago? Moynihan, Welch and Foster discuss… /w Harry Siegel (The Daily Beast). See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

This Week: Bernie Sanders gives an incoherent interview to the Daily News and simultaneously wins a critical presidential primary in Wisconsin; coincidence or conspiracy? Why are Panamanians so awful at keeping secrets? And why do cops insist on shooting black people? Moynihan, Welch and Foster discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Surprise -- It's the first full episode of The Fifth Column (pardon our dust)! This week; Media coverage (or lack thereof) of terrorism in the wake of recent attacks in Brussels and beyond, The FBI vs Apple, Trump vs "Respectability Politic" and "Hillary Clinton: Super Duper Honest or Naw?". Moynihan, Welch and Foster discuss... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe