Part 1:
Jonathan Guyer covers foreign policy, national security, and the world for Vox. We chat with him about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in context. Obama made mistakes with Putin, which Biden can correct. Where Obama was slow, Biden has quickly rallied US allies in resisting Putin: financial sanctions, other actions by actions, that include military support to countries surrounding Russia. Obama had been more interested in nuclear disarmament in the long term. Sweden and Finland, very neutral vis-a-vis NATO, have expressed interest in joining. It is becoming more obvious that the Russian army is not as effective as feared. Zelensky’s messaging is very very good. Putin underestimated the quick cohesion of NATO, and the fierce Ukrainian response, though they are outmatched in terms of resources.
Part 2:
We talk with Audrey Carleton, an environmental journalist and producer based in Brooklyn, and writer for VICE. We are concerned about the environmental damage caused by this war. Chernobyl has been overrun by the Russians, and the personnel appear to be held hostage. Radiation levels in the area has reached new highs, no doubt by the disturbance in the soil caused by heavy equipment.This is a distinct breach of of Article 56 of the Geneva Convenstion, and a war crime. Half of Ukraine’s energy is nuclear-generated. This is an opportunity for Biden to push renewables. Oil and gas companies, however, are looking forward to providing these to the Europeans, at great profits.
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 Limerick, by Skip Tenczar
The Donald calls Vlad Putin a “genius”,
His adoration and love are so seamless.
Praising Vlad’s invasion
Of a neighbor Caucasian.
They’re two members of the despotica genus.


Part 1:
Biden has announced his nomination for the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is qualified, by we anticipate that Republicans will raise objections. She is Black, and not right-wing. Civil Service employees are likely to support her.
We talk about the effect of the war on the elections this year. Other factors will be the economy, and how Biden should be pushing money to Americans, to cope with inflation.
​Part 2:
We talk about Putin’s goals for the war against Ukraine: weaken and destabilize Ukraine, and the United States. Putin hopes to drive down Biden’s poll numbers prior to the election, and bring back Trump, who iw likely to run again. But Biden’s plan must include some way to keep the global wealth machine going.
The State of the Union Address is scheduled for March, and a Truckers’ convoy has been announced for the same day.  

​Part 1: We chat with Scott Braddock about demographic changes in Texas.
In Texas' southern valley, there is some movement toward Republicans, but this is not the end of the story. Most new arrivals to Texas are moving into suburban areas, a Democratic stronghold.
Despite Trump's approval of Putin's invasion of Ukraine, Cruz and Cornyn support Ukraine, as do most US lawmakers.
Gov. Abbott is threatening parents of transgender children with prosecution for “child abuse”.
ERCOT (Electric Reliability Counc il of Texas) is facing pushback, because new death toll numbers from last year's freeze (5 days), and also from cost of electricity rise (from $1200/megawatt to $9000/megawatt). This was a governor-directed rise.
Part 2:
We talk with Steffen Schmidt and Bill Curry about the situation in Ukraine, and Putin's invasion. This action seems to indicate a failure of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism. Putin's objective is to defeat the US, by whatever means available. There is already a divide in the US about the use of force. Cyberwarfare if working for Russia. The status seems like the situation in Europe prior to WWII.
Biden inherited a bad situation, domestically and internationally. This situation is not getting better with the agitation by the Republicans. The UN is dysfunctional, and there is institutional weakness.

 Part 1:
A conversation with Susan Hays, Texas Attorney and candidate for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture to consider the chaos created by the Republicans with respect to voting. Specifically, new voting suppression measures have been instituted. These primarily hurt older voters, who tend to vote Republican. We also discuss the various responsibilities of the Ag Commissioner, and what needs to be addressed now.
Part 2:
​RACE CLASS with BU Law Professor Jonathan Feingold . We talk about the definition of racism, and how important it is to have a good definition, rather than the limited definitions that are used by many. Once a definition is developed, we should win litigation opportunities, then guard against the possible losses after the litigation. There is a broad consensus that racism is bad, but this is often used against anti-racists by accusing them of racism as a ploy, such as “reverse racism” or “colorblind equality.” Narrow definitions thus maintain status quo. Racial politeness denies that race is relevant, when we all must recognize that racism exposes a segment of society to premature death. We also must recognize that racism is pervasive and embedded in the US before we can correct this. 

Part 1:
We chat with Steve Paikin, the anchor of The Agenda on TVO. We discuss the trucker protest in Canada. The individuals were there for many different reasons. 80 % of the residents disagree with the protesters. Under Canada’s Charter of Rights, citizens have the right for peaceful assembly, though finally, the protest was dispersed, using the Emergencies Act. It is ironic that most of the issues cited were provincial, and not under the control of the federal government. There is concern about the funding, and the effect on the US.
​Part 2:
We talk to Timothy D Lytton, Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Law at Georgia State University about the Sandy Hook School and Remington Corporation case, where Remington (or its insurers) had to pay 73 M to the parents for the shootings. Unfortunately, gun manufacturers are shielded by law from direct culpability when injury or death is caused by the guns. (Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms, 2005). Instead, the method of marketing was attacked in the suit. This should provide guidance for other suits going forward, since in the US, dangerous products are regulated, but the enforcement of the regulations falls to the courts, by allowing individuals or groups to sue for damages due to the legal but dangerous products. 

A Family deposition: a limerick by Skip Tenczar
With Donald in a precarious position,
It will be a strange family deposition.
Don Jr will start,
Then Ivanka will impart
The fifth amendment with copious repetition.
Part 1
We discuss the unequal treatment of Black and white suspects. But this is viewed differently by younger people vs. older people. Older people seem less critical of this practice, while younger people see the injustice, and are more willing to criticize the police. The police unions share much of the blame, because they are willing to defend racist officers.
We discuss the upcoming State of the Union address, and what Biden is likely to say, and what he should say.
Part 2:
What strategy should Democrats use to increase voter turnout for the 2022 elections. They could adopt methods to point out the improved economy. They should also focus on local issues, rather than nationalize all issues.
​Rick Newman is a former New Hampshire State Representative and Portsmouth City Councilor. With over 41 years of experience in New Hampshire state government, Rick is an established figure, lobbying on behalf of both local and national companies.
Stephen Pimpare author of the new book politics for social workers a poverty expert Pimpare is founder and director of the UNH Public Service & Nonprofit Leadership Program and a Faculty Fellow at the Carsey School of Public Policy; he has previously taught at Columbia University, NYU, Simmons University, and the City University of New York. 
Lincoln Mitchell  teaches in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. He is the author of seven books and is a frequent contributor to CNN Opinion, the San Francisco Examiner and Brussels Morning
Alex Sammon  is a staff writer at The American Prospect.

 Part 1
We talk with Lincoln Mitchell, who has written extensively about San Francisco, including a biography of Mayor Mosconi, about the recent recall of three members of the San Francisco School Board. It is often interpreted as a rebuke to progressives. However, the city governed by the business community and moderate Democrats. The latest vote had a 25% turnout, though there were mail-in votes. The issues in San Francisco are the housing issues, though 40,000 housing units stand vacant. This needs to be addressed, because profiteers are buying housing units, rather than actual residents.
Part 2:
We talk with Robert Hockett and Bill Curry about inflation and the lack of affordable housing nationwide, again to attribute this to profiteers who buy housing stock, making it unaffordable for the general populace. Many more speculators are becoming absentee landlords. This is kind of a feudalism, and calls for more stability for these markets is needed.    

Part 1:
Kathryn Joyce is an investigative reporter at Salon, and tells us about the antiabortion movement’s new tactics. These are data harvesting by requiring women to share their private information when they had questions about abortion. Hot lines to ‘counsel’ women are used to gather data, in ways without oversight, unlicensed and funded by government agencies in some cases. This is a way to intercept pregnant women.
Part 2:
We talk with William Wohlforth, a member of the Dartmouth College Government Department’s faculty about the relationship between Russia and China, and how the current Ukraine crisis is affected. This is a question of the balance of power. We talk about Putin’s motive in creating this crisis, and what he hopes to gain. We also discuss how western European nations are likely to be affected.  
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 Part 1:
We talk with Harold Meyerson of the American Prospect, about the origins of the conflict with Russia over Ukraine. We discuss the options now open.
We then discuss the problems with the supply chain, and how it is affected by the trucking industry. The yearly turnover of long-haul truckers is 94%. This is due to many factors. This could be solved by re-regulation of the trucking industry, which would benefit the workers.
Part 2:
We talk with Derek Shearer, former ambassador to Finland. We discuss the changing relations between the US and China. The Chinese government wants to be perceived as equal to the US, strong, and respected among nations. Many actions that the Chinese have taken show this. China will be itself, not a copy of the West.

 Part 1:
Suzanne Gordon, senior policy analyst at the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute discusses the appointment of Daniel Gade, a critic of the Veterans Administration, to be in charge of the VA in Virginia. This is not good news, because he discounts the outstanding record of this organization, and how it helps veterans who suffer from many kinds of injuries, including emotional injuries. Many veterans will suffer because of this appointment, made by Gov. Youngkin
Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute VHPI -https://www.veteranspolicy.org/


Part 2:
We talk with Debbie Walsh, of the  Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) about women in politics, and how the number of women has grown, though not as quickly as was hoped. The organization has tracked the number and power of women in office in the United States for 50 years. It is interesting to note that the US has required other countries to have specific quotas of women in their legislatures and other offices (Iraq , Afghanistan), in greater numbers than are elected to office in the US. CAWP continues to track women’s participation and the power they have.
cawp.rutgers.edu.