The FBI has arrested Chauncey Billups (Portland Trail Blazer coach) and Terry Rozier (Miami Heat player) on illegal gambling charges, so I thought this would be a good time discuss the ubiquity of sports betting and a few possible regulatory responses.
Until recently, major professional sports leagues and the NCAA opposed legalization of sports betting except in specific locations (Las Vegas and Atlantic City), but now seem to have embraced it.
Another example of how money talks. Here are some thoughts on the subject.
Last Saturday, more than 7 million Americans gathered in cities and small towns across the country (not including thousands more in cities like London) to protest the increasingly authoritarian posture of Trump’s presidency. He is usurping Congress’ Article I spending power, sending federal agents and military forces to occupy and terrorize American cities, and corruptly enriching himself through official acts – more or less like King George.
Scott K and I both attended rallies, and I spoke at the Williamsburg/James City County Indivisible rally in Williamsburg. This week we discuss what we saw at these rallies, how the right wing attempted to discredit them, and how the right responded once they saw the peaceful – almost joyously party vibe – nature of the protests and protestors.
Please take a look and let us know what you think. You can also listen on Spotify.
The US Government has been shut down since the Federal fiscal year ended on September 30. In this episode we talk a bit about the history of shutdowns and note that this is the first one that happened when one political party, in this case the GOP, controls all branches of government. We also discuss the budget process a bit and note that Congress has not been able to pass an actual budget for some time, and the government has operated for years on Continuing Resolutions to fund the government at current levels. We also note that the GOP could end this any time they like by killing the filibuster for budget or CR votes so they could pass something by majority vote.
The Epstein thing also came up.
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Yesterday I spoke at the No Kings rally at the Williamsburg/James City County (WJCC) Courthouse, and thought I’d post a video of my remarks here.
Experts estimated the crowd at about six thousand people. I can tell you that protestors lined Monticello Avenue five or six deep for about a quarter mile or more, and many more gathered on the lawn next to the courthouse and the terrace where the speakers stood.
I can tell you that I saw elderly folks who clearly needed assistance to be there and still showed up. I spoke with middle-aged folks who remember Jim Crow and understand that Trump and his minions want to bring back oppression of out-groups and minorities of all kinds. And I engaged with young people who see very clearly that the system created by corporate capitalism simply does not work for them because they came too late to the party – the billionaires have already hoovered up all the wealth and they have no plan to share it or use it for the greater good.
The people I spoke with understand that MAGA is angry because Trump and his minions have lied to them about the state of the Nation and created fear in their hearts of people who live differently, love differently, and worship differently than they do. They lied to them so they can cripple the state, pervert law and order, and expand their fascist project of oppression.
Thanks to Heather Allen Meany and her team (looking at you, Rex!) for organizing this and creating a wonderful event with amazing speakers, including Lisa Vidernikova Khana (candidate for Congress in the First Congressional District, Ty Hodges (candidate for WJCC School Board), Diane Carter de Mayo (Chair of the Virginia First Congressional District Democratic Committee), Jason Moulenbelt (Marine Corps veteran and philosophy professor), Jessica Anderson (candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 71st District), and Mark Downey (Pediatrician and incumbent Delegate and candidate for reelection in the 69th District).
None of these people were paid to organize this event. None of the protesters were paid to attend. Patriotic Americans – the real core of the American identity, those of us who believe in a Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all – showed up for free.
A short video with my thoughts on the shutdown where I point out that Republicans can end it any time by changing the filibuster rule…and some thoughts on why they don’t.
A short video with my thoughts on the Jay Jones issue. Yes, I think his texts (not to mention the reckless driving) disqualifies him from the office of Attorney General. But Jason Miyares is a Trump sycophant and a probably fascist who would support Trump’s destruction of the Constitution, which makes him even less qualified, as well as dangerous to the Commonwealth.
In Episode 6, Scott and I discuss the affordability crisis in the US and note that some Americans, like Elon Musk, do not have a problem buying anything they want.
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Episode 5 is up on YouTube and Spotify. Scott and I discuss public education and the important role it plays in setting shared understandings about society.
