The BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

On today's 'BradCast':  Former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew as Donald Trump's nominee for US Attorney General after new evidence supporting allegations he was sex trafficking minors. A lengthy, disturbing police report details credible sexual assault allegations against Trump's nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth. The Gaza Health Ministry announced that 44,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israeli bombings retaliating for Hamas' Oct. 2023 terror attack. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau, its former Defense Minister, and Hamas' military chief over war crimes. New data show high-information voters chose Kamala Harris, while low-information voters chose Trump. RICH LOGIS of Leaving MAGA discusses the 'polluted information environment' that has misled many voters, and helpful strategies for non-MAGA Americans to interact with their MAGA family members over the holidays. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Republicans on the U.S. House Ethics Committee blocked release of a report on the investigation into Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Attorney General, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), that documents evidence of alleged sex trafficking of minors and other criminal activities. Trump nominated pro-wrestling CEO Linda McMahon for the Dept. of Education and TV doctor/snake oil salesman Dr. Mehmet Oz to head up the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Trump's nominee for the FCC, Brendan Carr, is now threatening the broadcast licenses of TV/radio outlets over their coverage of Trump. Former Justice Department official RANDALL D. ELIASON explains the uncharted legal waters ahead for the nation, with a president-elect who is a convicted felon, Trump's pending sentencing on 34 felony counts of fraud in New York, his racketeering charges in Georgia, Special Counsel Jack Smith's two federal criminal investigations, and much more.

On today's 'BradCast':  Concerns over the accuracy of the 2024 Election results are swirling around, after cybersecurity and voting security experts urged the Harris Campaign to seek hand recounts in states where voting system software was breached after the 2020 Election. We explain new theories about the election results posed by financial services security expert Stephen Spoonamore - - but again, the only way to determine if the results were tabulated accurately is with a public hand-count of ballots. In Pennsylvania's extremely close US Senate race, a legal battle is underway over whether otherwise legal ballots should be tossed out if mail-in votes had an incorrect date on the outside envelope. A hacker has accessed a report detailing evidence in the disturbing sex trafficking charges against Donald Trump's nominee for US Attorney General, Rep. Matt Gaetz. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':   Donald Trump hasn't even been sworn in yet, but he's already violating ethics requirements that he himself signed into law in 2019. The Republican President-elect, who barely won a plurality, not a majority, has nominated a flood of unqualified appointees to cabinet level posts and is refusing FBI background checks for sensitive national security positions. Trump and his transition team have also declined to sign required transition and ethics documents. Former DOJ and US Senate official LISA GRAVES, now of True North Research, explains the 'huge red flags' in Trump's efforts to bypass ethics rules and national security review, why it matters, his scheme to force the US Senate into recess to appoint his nominees, and much more. Trump has also nominated fossil fuel executives and climate science deniers for key environmental posts.

On today's 'BradCast':  An update on 2024 election results announced over the weekend, and remaining races still being tallied, including Pennsylvania's extremely close U.S. Senate race. Many listeners have voiced concerns about various voting system issues and election anomalies across the country in last week's election. Brad explains what is known so far about the incidents and anomalies, particularly in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and notes that, as of yet, there is no evidence of voting system issues that would change the results of the presidential race. Surveys show that large numbers of voters are wildly misinformed about key facts on the economy, inflation, the threat of Trump to democracy, and more - - how did that happen, and who is to blame? Callers weigh in.

On today's 'BradCast':  Top election security experts and computer scientists are urging Vice President Kamala Harris to seek hand recounts of the presidential election in key states to verify election totals, citing voting system breaches by Donald Trump allies in 2021 and 2022, and Georgia's refusal to apply recommended security patches to their election system. The scientists emphasize that they have 'no evidence' that voting systems were compromised, and that such audits should be routine - - particularly when massive software breaches are known and documented - - 'to set an example for security best practices in all elections.' Dr. DUNCAN BUELL of the University of South Carolina, a member of the group, explains the known breaches and other concerns, and ways to upgrade the nation's election security going forward. Satirical website The Onion purchased rightwing conspiracy monger Alex Jones' 'Infowars' on behalf of families of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Donald Trump lost a political battle after his upcoming Republican US Senate Majority chose Sen. John Thune (R-SD) as its majority leader, rejecting Trump's favorite. Trump is nominating a wave of toadies, unqualified buffoons and corporatists to key cabinet and administration roles:  a Fox 'News' TV host for Defense Secretary; billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head a non-existent government agency; Putin apologist Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence; and accused sex trafficker Rep. Matt Gaetz as US Attorney General. National security journalist MARCY WHEELER explains the status of Trump's four separate criminal felony indictments (and 34 convictions), what happens next, and much more. Updates in as-yet-undecided U.S. House races hold good news for Democrats, but Republicans are expected to win majority control.

On today's 'BradCast':  Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego won Arizona's U.S. Senate seat against Republican election denier Kari Lake, one of several updates on key 2024 races. Control of the U.S. House remains undecided. Donald Trump rapidly nominated a number of cabinet appointees, including ultra far-right Tom Homan as 'border czar', who supported Trump's cruel family separation policies in his first term, and vows to carry out mass deportations. Oil and coal lobbyists on Trump's EPA transition team plot to gut the agency, pivot to fossil fuels, reverse US climate and pollution rules, and more. JEAN SU, Director of the Energy Justice Program at the Center for Biological Diversity, explains actions the Biden Administration can take now to protect hard-won gains and advance climate and environmental goals, ways environmental groups can defend against and delay Trump's anti-environment onslaught, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  An update on 2024 election results announced over the weekend and remaining races still being tallied, including Pennsylvania's extremely close US Senate race. Many listeners have voiced concerns about various voting system issues and election anomalies across the country in last week's election. Brad explains what is known so far about the incidents and anomalies, particularly in Pennsylvania and Michigan, and notes that, as of yet, there is no evidence of voting system issues that would change the results of the presidential race. Surveys show that large numbers of voters are wildly misinformed about key facts on the economy, inflation, the threat of Trump to democracy, and more. How did that happen, and who is to blame? Callers weigh in.

Encore: original airdate 11-6-2024. On today's 'BradCast': A deeply divided voting population in the United States re-elected disgraced former president and convicted felon Donald Trump to another term on Tuesday. Vice President Kamala Harris in a brief concession speech vowed to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, and to continue the fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness, democracy and much more, 'in the voting booth, the courts, and in the public square.' Salon opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS', of the Professional Left Podcast, offer analysis, history and context for the stunning election result, what it reveals about America, the role of media and disinformation, and what it all means going forward.

On today's 'BradCast':  President Joe Biden pledged a peaceful transfer of power and urged Americans to never give up fighting to defend freedom and democracy, in his first public remarks since the disgraced, lawless former president Donald Trump was re-elected. California Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special legislative session to bolster legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and more, in preparation for the Trump Administration. The fast-moving, wind-driven Mountain Fire has destroyed dozens of homes north of Los Angeles. Politico's ALICE MIRANDA OLLSTEIN breaks down abortion rights ballot measures that were decided in ten states on Tuesday, schemes by Republicans and anti-choice groups to block the measures, and where the never-ending battle over reproductive freedom goes from here. Voters in Washington State rejected an attempt to repeal the state's landmark climate law. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  A deeply divided voting population in the United States re-elected disgraced former president and convicted felon Donald Trump to another term on Tuesday. Vice President Kamala Harris, in a brief concession speech today, vowed to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, and to continue the fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness, democracy and much more, 'in the voting booth, the courts, and in the public square.' Salon opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS', of the Professional Left Podcast, offer analysis, history and context for the stunning election result, what it reveals about America, the role of media and disinformation, and what it all means going forward.

On today's 'BradCast':  As we go to air, voting is still underway in the critical 2024 Election. A number of polling place problems were reported around the country, but were not widespread, and there were no reports of violence. Georgia and several other states received hoax bomb threats that officials linked to Russian sources. We explain what to expect over the next few hours, days, weeks and months, key upcoming dates for certification of the election, and different scenarios for how it all might play out. Expect Trump to declare victory on election night no matter what. A 1958 TV show is shockingly prescient for 2024. Entertainment legend Dick Van Dyke shares a hopeful speech he delivered in 1964. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  The last day to vote in the critical 2024 election is Tuesday,  Nov. 5th. Either Kamala Harris will become the next President of the United States, and the first Black, Southeast-Asian American woman to do so, or Donald Trump, a convicted criminal felon, adjudicated rapist, and self-proclaimed wannabe-dictator, will be. Trump will declare victory on Election Night, regardless of the actual results; if he loses, he will use any means to overturn the results, as when he tried and failed to steal the 2020 election. European Green parties call on Jill Stein, US Green Party presidential candidate, to withdraw from the race to prevent being a spoiler. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) explains why he believes it is critical to elect Kamala Harris, despite his disagreement over the Biden Administration's policy on Israel and Gaza. Callers make their case to voters who may be undecided, considering not voting at all, or voting for a so-called 'third-party' candidate.

Encore: original airdate 10-23-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  The very conservative General John Kelly, former Dept. of Homeland Security chief and Donald Trump's former White House Chief of Staff, explains in an alarming, on-the-record taped interview that Trump meets 'the definition of fascist,' frequently praised Hitler, disdained U.S. military service members and disabled veterans, and more. But Fox News hasn't informed its viewers about Gen. Kelly's warnings. The Executive Director of the nonprofit Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, CHRIS MELODY FIELDS FIGUEREDO, discusses why we are seeing a surge of citizen-led ballot measures across the country, covering everything from reproductive rights to minimum wage, paid sick leave, redistricting, and much more. Figueredo also highlights 'sneaky', deceptive ballot initiatives, efforts in GOP-controlled states to block voter-led ballot measures, and useful tools for voters to make informed choices.

On today's 'BradCast:  Get ready for a tsunami of 'fraud' claims, both real and fake, likely to come our way in the next few days and weeks, IF Donald Trump loses to Kamala Harris on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Understand the facts to combat disinformation spread by Trump, Republicans and their MAGA supporters, as they lay the groundwork to contest the election. Actual proven voter fraud cases are exceedingly rare and are caught by an extensive fraud check system, as recent arrests in several states show. Republicans in Arizona stopped trying to remove 100,000 voters from the rolls over citizenship 'questions' when it was clear most were GOP voters. But the rightwing supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Virginia Republicans' deeply flawed, unlawful purge of 1,600 'suspected' non-citizen voters to continue, even though it ensnared actual U.S. citizens. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  The contrast and choice for American voters could not be starker in the waning days before the most consequential Election Day in modern American history. On Tuesday, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a 'closing argument' on the Ellipse in front of the White House, the same spot where former President Donald Trump incited the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Harris underscored her many policy proposals to boost average American families, restore reproductive rights, and much more, and accurately characterized Trump as a threat to democracy itself. Her address came just days after Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, which was full of crude, racist, and misogynistic threats and attacks. HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and 'DRIFTGLASS,' of the Pro Left Podcast, offer analysis, insight, history and context on both events and the state of the race, as America chooses between two very different paths to the future.

On today's 'BradCast':  The Washington Post has lost at least 200,000 subscribers following billionaire owner Jeff Bezos' cowardly decision to kill the legendary paper's planned endorsement of Kamala Harris just days before the 2024 presidential election. Bezos is apparently seeking to appease vengeful former President Donald Trump in case he wins. Trump and billionaire Twitter/X owner, Elon Musk, are reportedly in regular, secret contact with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Russia expert (and former Trump official) Fiona Hill chillingly explains how great nations slip into oligarchy and authoritarianism, to the deep detriment of their ordinary citizens. The New York Times editorial board details Trump's actual words, his record, and his threats on a broad range of issues, from prosecuting his political enemies to deploying the US military against Americans and more, warning, 'Believe him.' Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  The FBI is investigating ballot drop boxes in Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA that were set on fire, destroying hundreds of ballots, in apparent arson incidents. Philadelphia's district attorney sued billionaire Elon Musk to halt his 'lottery' giveaway as a likely unlawful vote-buying scheme. The billionaire owners of the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times cited flimsy excuses for killing their papers' planned endorsements of Kamala Harris for president, in turn triggering warnings from experts in fascism that the outlets have succumbed to 'obeying in advance,' kowtowing to a wannabe dictator who's not even in office yet. Callers weigh in, and offer their own endorsements in the last days before the pivotal 2024 presidential election.

Encore: original airdate 10-16-2024. On today's 'BradCast': Retired top military officials are now warning about the threat that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump poses to the American people and the Constitution. Trump is escalating his fascist rhetoric, calling his perceived domestic political enemies 'the enemy within,' and suggesting he would use the U.S. military against them.  Domestic extremism expert and author DAVID NEIWERT explains the fascistic threats of Trump and his supporters with Election Day fast approaching, how far-right extremists may react to a Trump win or loss, and the danger of America teetering on the precipice of tipping into fascism. Also today: Nebraska Supreme Court rebukes top Republican officials for violating state law in attempting to block former felons' voting rights. Georgia state judge halts implementation of last-minute election rules installed by the state's MAGA-controlled state elections board.

On today's 'BradCast':  It's going to be a very bumpy road to Election Day and beyond, but there are still plenty of opportunities to stay hopeful and helpful, like 'Markers For Democracy,' a group 'Saving our democracy, one postcard at a time.' In Arizona, an arsonist set fire to a USPS box, damaging absentee ballots. Phoenix police charged a man suspected of shooting at Democratic National Committee field office. Donald Trump described how he will quash criminal investigations against him if he wins. New reporting reveals Trump, as president, blocked disaster aid to several states as punishment. Following disturbing allegations by Trump's former chief of staff, US Marine General John Kelly, describing Trump as a 'fascist', Vice President Kamala Harris is focusing on a strong anti-fascism, pro-democracy message, reiterating the danger to the nation if Trump regains power. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  The very conservative General John Kelly, former Dept. of Homeland Security chief and Donald Trump's former White House Chief of Staff, explains in an alarming, on-the-record taped interview that Trump meets 'the definition of fascist,' frequently praised Hitler, disdained U.S. military service members and disabled veterans, and more. But Fox News hasn't informed its viewers about Gen. Kelly's warnings. The Executive Director of the nonprofit Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, CHRIS MELODY FIELDS FIGUEREDO, discusses why we are seeing a surge of statewide citizen-led ballot measures across the country, covering everything from reproductive rights to minimum wage, paid sick leave, redistricting, and much more. Figueredo also highlights 'sneaky', deceptive ballot initiatives, efforts in GOP-controlled states to block voter-led ballot measures, and useful tools for voters to make informed choices.

On today's 'BradCast':  With less than two weeks to Election Day, it's your last chance to vote and help others vote in the 2024 election. Are you doing all you can to help and encourage others? Judge ordered Donald Trump's former lawyer Rudy Giuliani to turn over his million-dollar New York apartment and more to Shaye Moss and her mother Ruby Freeman, the Georgia election workers defamed by Giuliani after the 2020 election. Arizona GOP county election official pleaded guilty to attempting to block the certification of 2022 election results. Georgia State Supreme Court blocked last-minute election rule changes brought by the MAGA-majority State Board of Elections. Trump and North Carolina Republicans now hypocritically support absentee voting after falsely demonizing it. NC GOP party official is training partisan pollwatchers to challenge voters with 'Hispanic-sounding names.' Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast': Billionaire Elon Musk is using his vast wealth to influence the 2024 Election, leveraging his social media company X (Twitter) almost entirely on behalf of disgraced former President Donald Trump, flooding the site with disinformation and outright lies about the election, and funding dark money political action committees that are micro-targeting different groups of voters with deceptive information disguised to appear legitimate. Musk's new stunt is giving away $1 million dollars a day to registered Pennsylvania voters who sign his petition, which election law experts say may be 'illegal vote buying.' Former Twitter executive and election system expert EDDIE PEREZ debunks a number of Musk's false election fraud claims, and discusses how Musk has transformed X/Twitter into a degraded den of far-right conspiracy theories, hate speech, and more.  Plus Perez has advice for voters on how to counter disinformation and protect their vote.

Encore: original airdate 10-9-2024. On today's 'BradCast': Monster Hurricane Milton is menacing Florida's central Gulf Coast even as millions in that state and five others are struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene two weeks ago. North Carolina's bipartisan Board of Elections approved a number of emergency measures to help voters in the hardest-hit counties. Naturally, Trump Republicans and Fox News are already spreading disinformation about the new rules. Republicans are using election disinformation and more than a hundred election lawsuits to create pretext to challenge the results if Donald Trump loses. DANA GOLD, Director of the Government Accountability Project's Democracy Protection Initiative, explains the organization's new guide offering critical assistance for whistleblower election officials and poll workers to report wrongdoing or irregularities, while ensuring their protection in the volatile, hyper-partisan environment of the 2024 election.

On today's 'BradCast:  Step with us through the bizarre Fox 'News' looking glass. Vice President Kamala Harris did an on-camera interview on Fox News with Bret Baier and effectively debunked his efforts to whitewash GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump's repeated threats to use the US military against his perceived domestic political opponents, which he calls 'the enemy within.' Trump has avoided or canceled media interviews outside of his rightwing bubble. Trump's running mate, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), has refused for weeks to answer whether he believes Trump lost the 2020 election, but finally admitted his answer is 'No.' Vance continues to lie that the federal government 'censored' social media before the 2020 election (when Trump was in charge). New reporting reveals Trump and Twitter owner Elon Musk are actually coordinating to censor and block reporting on Trump Campaign documents hacked by Iran. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast': Retired top military officials are now warning about the threat that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump poses to the American people and the Constitution. Trump is escalating his fascist rhetoric, calling his perceived domestic political enemies 'the enemy within,' and suggesting he would use the U.S. military against them. Domestic extremism expert and author DAVID NEIWERT explains the fascistic threats of Trump and his supporters with Election Day fast approaching, how far-right extremists may react to a Trump win or loss, and the danger of America teetering on the precipice of tipping into fascism. Also today: Nebraska Supreme Court rebukes top Republican officials for violating state law in attempting to block former felons' voting rights. Georgia state judge halts implementation of last-minute election rules installed by the state's MAGA-controlled state elections board.

On today's 'BradCast':  The Biden-Harris economy is booming and firing on all pistons, but those facts aren't breaking above the noise of Donald Trump's escalating authoritarian threats. Major financial firms and economic experts conclude that Vice President Kamala Harris' economic policies will result in a far better economy than Trump's policies, but the corporate media is failing to inform the public. VP Harris called out Trump's fascist threat to unleash the military on Americans opposing him, who he called 'the enemy within.'  More former Trump White House aides and prominent Republicans endorse Harris, including former Fox 'News' reporter Geraldo Rivera. Georgia state judge resoundingly rejects GOP effort to undermine certification deadlines for the 2024 election. Former GA election workers settle their defamation lawsuit against a rightwing media outlet over its 2020 election lies. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Donald Trump's anti-immigrant, anti-free press, anti-government, anti-law-and-order sentiment is escalating by the day, growing ever more Hitlerian as Election Day nears.  At several rallies over the weekend, Trump attacked immigrants, called for revoking the broadcast licenses of news outlets, and pledged retribution against his political opponents and those who criticize him as 'the enemy within.' Emboldened by Trump's egregious lies about FEMA's response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, rightwing extremist militia groups forced the sudden relocation of federal disaster relief workers in North Carolina, and more. Experts in far-right authoritarianism warn Trump is promoting 'actual Nazi sentiments.' But with three weeks to go before the election, the race is effectively tied with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Do Americans know or care about Trump's lean into fascism? Callers weigh in.

Encore: original airdate 10-1-2024. On today's 'BradCast': There are so many things that Americans can do to protect democracy and fair elections this November beyond simply voting and hoping for the best. The RNC says it is recruiting tens of thousands of poll workers and poll watchers, which can be a good thing as long as they don't intimidate voters or election officials, and Democrats, independents and third-party supporters are also present. EMILY LEVY, founder and director of Scrutineers.org, explains how her non-partisan, non-profit organization is helping to train folks like YOU to be poll watchers and poll observers, and details the many useful ways folks can help ensure our elections are accurately tabulated, including helping to disprove false claims of fraud after the election. Also today: Israel and Iran exchange retaliatory attacks. East Coast dockworkers union launches major strike. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast': Hurricane Milton pummeled Florida after making landfall south of Tampa Bay as a Category 3 storm that caused devastating, widespread damage. Man-made climate change driven by the burning of fossil fuels contributed in multiple ways to Milton's destruction. Donald Trump and Republicans are putting their own supporters at grave risk by spreading lies about the federal disaster response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Several MAGA US House members from Florida also spread lies about FEMA and voted against funding the agency at all this year, just days before Helene's catastrophic landfall.  The MAGA Superintendent of Public Schools in Oklahoma launched a scheme to force state taxpayers to buy 50,000 Trump-branded Bibles to put in classrooms (with profits going to Trump), even as he delayed fulfilling a state mandate to purchase emergency asthma inhalers for schools. New reporting reveals Trump's Bibles are made in China and of very poor quality. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':   Monster Hurricane Milton is menacing Florida's central Gulf Coast even as millions in that state and five others are struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene two weeks ago. North Carolina's bipartisan Board of Elections approved a number of emergency measures to help voters in the hardest-hit counties. Naturally, Trump Republicans and Fox News are already spreading disinformation about the new rules. Republicans are using election disinformation and more than a hundred election lawsuits to create pretext to challenge the results if Donald Trump loses. DANA GOLD, Director of the Government Accountability Project's Democracy Protection Initiative, explains the organization's new guide offering critical assistance for whistleblower election officials and poll workers to report wrongdoing or irregularities, while ensuring their protection in the volatile, hyper-partisan environment of the 2024 election.

On today's 'BradCast':  Millions are evacuating in Florida from dangerous, potentially catastrophic Hurricane Milton, set to make landfall overnight on Wednesday, less than two weeks after Hurricane Helene slammed the state. 'Climate Guy' GUY WALTON, a 30-year Weather Channel veteran and author of climate books for kids, explains the science of why Milton rapidly intensified into a monster storm, what makes the storm so dangerous and potentially destructive, and much more. Republicans' Project 2025 schemes to privatize FEMA and other critical agencies, including the National Weather Service. North Carolina's Republican-controlled state legislature over many years has weakened building codes that made Hurricane Helene's destruction far worse, far more expensive, and more deadly. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Voter registration is beginning to close in key states around the nation. One year after the horrific October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, a group of Muslim imams endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as 'the best option for ending the bloodshed' in the Middle East, and warned against voting for third party candidates.  Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified to a dangerous Category 5 storm in 24 hours, fueled by record hot oceans driven by man-made global warming, and will hit Florida's west coast just two weeks after destructive Hurricane Helene. Donald Trump and his minions have unleashed a flood of lies about the federal response to Hurricane Helene. Asheville, NC blogger and political activist TOM SULLIVAN of Digby's Hullaballoo blog debunks the rightwing disinformation, and explains the robust, coordinated FEMA response in his state and potential impacts on the 2024 Election in North Carolina.

Encore: original airdate 9-25-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  New polling indicates that Vice President Kamala Harris is now tied with Donald Trump on the question of who voters trust more to handle the economy. But the corporate mainstream media has done a lousy job of educating the electorate about the economic facts, the different economic policies of the candidates, and the Biden Administration's landmark economic and climate legislation. Ryan Cooper of The American Prospect explains the incredibly high stakes of this year's election for the economy and climate, and the two starkly divergent economic paths forward under Harris vs. Trump, with trillions of dollars, millions of jobs (in all 50 states) and a clean, renewable energy future hanging in the balance. The rightwing Project 2025 blueprint calls for dismantling and privatizing dozens of critical federal agencies. A Schoolhouse Rock-style song explains the dangers of Project 2025 to our democracy.

On today's 'BradCast':  Time is running out for Trump to get in all of his scams - - unless he wins or is more successful at attempting to steal the Presidential election this year than he was in 2020. Melania Trump says she supports abortion rights and wanted CNN to pay her a sizable sum to be interviewed about her new book. Donald Trump is now hawking sketchy watches for $100,000 in a scheme that exploits loopholes in campaign finance laws, potentially allowing foreign influence peddling and money laundering.  Newly unsealed court filings in Trump's election interference case say Trump knew he lost the 2020 election and 'resorted to crimes' in his bid to cling to power.  Judge sentences disgraced MAGA county clerk in Colorado to nine years in prison for her scheme to unlawfully breach, copy and distribute sensitive voting system software after the 2020 election. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Special coverage of Tuesday night's one and only Vice Presidential Debate before Election Day.  The polite debate between Minnesota's Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio's Republican U.S. Senator J.D. Vance was surprisingly focused on policy, but suffered from a lack of fact-checking from CBS News debate moderators. Vance used politeness to unleash a flood of provable lies, masking his well-documented, autocratic MAGA policy preferences on everything from abortion to gun safety, climate change to health care, while gaslighting voters on his running mate Donald Trump's violent attacks on our democracy. Walz stumbled early on but later found his footing, displaying a command of facts, data and reality. Salon opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS' of the 'Pro Left Podcast' discuss Vance's sane-washing, whatabout-ism, lies and damning non-answers to a host of topics raised during the debate, and Walz' responses to them in our lively special coverage.

On today's 'BradCast':   There are many things that Americans can do to protect democracy and fair elections this November beyond simply voting and hoping for the best. The RNC says it is recruiting tens of thousands of poll workers and poll watchers, which can be a good thing as long as they don't intimidate voters or election officials, and Democrats, independents and third-party supporters are also present. EMILY LEVY, founder and director of Scrutineers.org, explains how her non-partisan, non-profit organization is helping to train folks like YOU to be poll watchers and poll observers, and details the many useful ways folks can help ensure our elections are accurately tabulated, including helping to disprove false claims of fraud after the election. Also today: Israel and Iran exchange retaliatory attacks. East Coast dockworkers union launches major strike. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Vice President Kamala Harris outlined a number of specific policies for immigration reform and border security in an address late last week. Donald Trump responded by calling her 'mentally impaired'. Hurricane Helene unleashed an unprecedented, ongoing disaster across the U.S. Southeast. The monster Category 4 storm dealt widespread death and destruction, damaging critical infrastructure and cutting off entire towns, with a long, daunting road to recovery.  Republican lawmakers touted federal emergency disaster funding despite voting to shut down the government just days before the storm. Election officials and voters in damaged areas now face difficult hurdles in advance of the November Presidential election. The sole vice presidential debate of the2024 election will be held on Tuesday night. Callers weigh in.

Encore: original airdate 9-18-2024. On today's 'BradCast': Elon Musk, the richest man in the world turned virulent Trump supporter, has gamed his increasingly rightwing social media site to spread dangerous, wildly false lies about U.S. elections that have resulted in threats against elections officials around the country, and suggested the assassinations of President Biden and Vice President Harris. Harris called out the lies of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance that are endangering residents of Springfield, Ohio. Pastor DOUG PAGITT, Executive Director of Vote Common Good, explains why the decidedly un-religious Trump still dominates the white Christian evangelical vote, how we got here as a nation, and his group's bus tour through swing states to help Christians understand that they don't have to vote Republican, and helping Democratic candidates learn how to reach those voters.

On today's 'BradCast':  Monster storm Hurricane Helene is menacing Florida and nearby states as a dangerous Category 4. President Joe Biden's 'weaponized' Dept. of Justice indicted another Democrat, New York City Mayor Eric Adams.  New York Times details how Donald Trump as president ACTUALLY weaponized the DOJ against a long list of his political opponents. The DC Court of Appeals permanently disbarred former Trump attorney and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani for abusing the legal system with baseless lawsuits attempting to overturn the 2020 election on Trump's behalf. Voting machine vendor Smartmatic settled its defamation lawsuit against Newsmax over the far right propaganda outlet's 2020 election lies. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  New polling indicates that Vice President Kamala Harris is now tied with Donald Trump on the question of who voters trust more to handle the economy. But the corporate mainstream media has done a lousy job of educating the electorate about the economic facts, the different economic policies of the candidates, and the Biden Administration's landmark economic and climate legislation. Ryan Cooper of The American Prospect explains the incredibly high stakes of this year's election for the economy and climate, and the two starkly divergent economic paths forward under Harris vs. Trump, with trillions of dollars, millions of jobs (in all 50 states) and a clean, renewable energy future hanging in the balance. The rightwing Project 2025 blueprint calls for dismantling and privatizing dozens of critical federal agencies. A Schoolhouse Rock-style song explains the dangers of Project 2025 to our democracy.

On today's 'BradCast':  We continue to focus on the track conditions affecting voters in the 2024 Election horse race. In Nebraska, Team Trump and Republican lawmakers tried a last-minute effort to rig the election in Trump's favor by changing the state's apportionment of electoral college votes - - but it appears the gambit has failed, for now. The Arizona Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Republican state lawmakers to purge nearly 100,000 voters from the rolls, just weeks before the election, for not providing proof of citizenship when they originally registered to vote. Montana's dangerous experiment in internet voting for people living overseas included a major failure - - ballots that omitted Vice President Kamala Harris. President Biden's final address to the United Nations General Assembly focused on bringing the world together. Plus our latest 'Green News Report,' and much more.

On today's 'BradCast':  Many mainstream corporate media outlets have wildly misreported a new rule adopted last week by the Georgia State Board of elections - - it requires the hand-counting ballots to confirm the total number cast at each precinct, NOT the actual results of races on those ballots. Election security expert MARILYN MARKS of the nonpartisan Coalition for Good Governance explains what the new rule actually says, what it means for transparency and accuracy, what really concerns her about GA's troubling election security, and much more. Also today: New hurricanes spun up quickly in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Israel bombarded targets in Lebanon, killing more than 500. Congressional leaders reportedly reached a temporary deal to keep the federal government open until December 20. New FBI data show violent crime in America has dropped sharply. The stock market reached new record highs, but Donald Trump's media company stock dropped to new lows.

Encore: original airdate 9-16-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  We begin with an update on the second attempted assassination of Donald Trump at one of his Florida golf courses on Sunday. In California on Friday, Trump told many lies about immigration, the economy and wildfires, and threatened that, if he is re-elected, he will withhold disaster funding from the state if Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom does not comply with his vague demands. Trump refused to denounce the slew of bomb and terror threats against the residents of Springfield, Ohio, in the wake of his false attacks on the town's legal immigrants. With all that Americans now know about Trump, why is the presidential race still tied with Vice President Kamala Harris? Callers weigh in on why they still support Trump or remain undecided on how they will vote.

On today's 'BradCast':  US stock markets hit record highs after the Fed lowered interest rates. Bizarre new revelations reveal extracurricular activities of North Carolina's Republican gubernatorial nominee, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu escalating attacks on his neighbors to keep himself out of prison. House Republicans and Donald Trump are trying cause another government shutdown. J.D. Vance continues knowingly lying about immigrants in Springfield, OH.  Team Trump is working hard to game the Electoral College vote via Nebraska. Georgia county election officials caught planning ways to block certification of the 2024 election if Trump loses. Texas' corrupt AG Paxton is suing blue counties to block them from registering new voters. California poised to enact law expanding voter registration. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Elon Musk, the richest man in the world turned virulent Trump supporter, has gamed his increasingly rightwing social media site to spread dangerous, wildly false lies about U.S. elections that have resulted in threats against elections officials around the country, and suggested the assassinations of President Biden and Vice President Harris. Harris called out the lies of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance that are endangering residents of Springfield, Ohio. DOUG PAGITT, Executive Director of Vote Common Good, explains why the decidedly un-religious Trump still dominates the white Christian evangelical vote, how we got here as a nation, and his group's bus tour through swing states to help Christians understand that they don't have to vote Republican, while helping Democratic candidates learn how to reach those voters.

On today's 'BradCast':  It's National Voter Registration Day! Voter registration deadlines are coming up in many states. If you're already registered, check your registration because many states have purged voters this year. Also be aware that many states have changed voter ID requirements in recent years. Election officials are under extraordinary pressure, especially after the many false claims and challenges that Republicans have brought since Donald Trump falsely claimed he won the 2020 election. MARYBETH KUZNIK, a longtime election integrity advocate who is now Director of Elections in Fayette County, PA, explains the challenges ahead for election officials in the most closely watched Presidential election in the nation's history, in what is likely to be the most closely watched state in the country. Scientific American endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, their second-ever Presidential endorsement in their 179-year history. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  We begin with an update on the second attempted assassination of Donald Trump at one of his Florida golf courses on Sunday. In California on Friday, Trump told many lies about immigration, the economy and wildfires, and threatened that, if he is re-elected, he will withhold disaster funding from the state if Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom does not comply with his vague demands. Trump refused to denounce the slew of bomb and terror threats against the residents of Springfield, Ohio, in the wake of his false attacks on the town's legal immigrants. With all that Americans now know about Trump, why is the presidential race still tied with Vice President Kamala Harris? Callers weigh in on why they still support Trump or remain undecided on how they will vote.

Encore: original airdate 9-4-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  In Montana, Republican US Senate nominee Tim Sheehy was caught on tape making disparaging remarks about Native Americans, using racist tropes and derogatory stereotypes, at recent Republican fundraisers. A Sheehy win against incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester would flip control of the US Senate to Republicans. Montana's highest court rejected the GOP-controlled state legislature's voter suppression laws that harm Native Americans' right to vote. The far-right Project 2025 and Donald Trump himself have detailed plans to remove half a million civil service employees across dozens of federal agencies, replacing them with Trump loyalists, if the Trump/Vance ticket wins in November. JACQUELINE SIMON of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) explains the broad, disturbing ramifications of the scheme and how it would gut critical, non-partisan government operations across science, agriculture, healthcare, national security, education, energy, the military and more.  Also today:  a voting system problem in Massachusetts' primary was resolved with hand-marked paper ballots.

On today's 'BradCast':  After superstar Taylor Swift endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and urged her fans to register to vote, more than 300,000 people visited Vote.gov.  Legendary rockstar Linda Ronstadt endorsed Harris in advance of disgraced former President Donald Trump holding a rally at a venue that bears her name. Dept. of Homeland Security will beef up U.S. Capitol security for Jan. 6, 2025.  Kansas' Republican Sec. of State and top organizations representing elections officials have excoriated USPS Postmaster General Louis DeJoy for failure to deliver legal mail-in ballots in time to be counted, and called for 'immediate and tangible corrective action to address ongoing performance issues.' Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the state's biggest blue counties to block them from registering new voters. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Special coverage of last night's first (and possibly only) presidential debate showdown in Philadelphia, in which there was one clear winner and one very clear loser. Post-debate flash polls found that viewers felt Vice President Kamala Harris dominated and outperformed Donald Trump from the beginning. Salon opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS' of the 'Professional Left Podcast' offer analysis, context, history, and hilarity about the debate and what impact it could have going forward, with less than two months to go before the critical November 5, 2024 presidential election.

On today's 'BradCast':  Missouri's state supreme court has ruled that an abortion rights measure will appear on the November ballot. In Nebraska, the Republican state Attorney General has suddenly decided, just weeks before the election, that a decades-old law allowing former felons to regain their right to vote is now unconstitutional, and he has ordered counties to cease all voter registration for former felons. ALEX BURNESS of Bolts Magazine explains the Nebraska AG's shocking decision, its questionable legality, and its immediate effect in striking fear among former felons who are now afraid to register or vote at all over concerns they will be unjustly arrested or imprisoned. Voter intimidation and suppression is largely the point of the GOP scheme, because Nebraska is a key state for winning the Electoral College vote.  Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Powerful Typhoon Yagi has slammed into Vietnam, Tropical Storm Francine rapidly intensified in the record-warm Gulf of Mexico, and extreme heat and wildfires are raging in the Western U.S.  In politics, Republicans Dick Cheney and daughter Liz Cheney endorsed the Democratic Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, calling it a matter of defending democracy from the threat of Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans. Liz Cheney also endorsed Democratic Rep. Colin Allread over incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Cruz. Trump over the weekend threatened to imprison his political opponents, including election officials, attorneys, Democratic donors, and voters, if he wins the November election. Republicans are suing in multiple battleground states to block voters from the polls, as they lay the groundwork to contest/steal the election if they lose. Callers weigh in.

Encore: original airdate 9-3-2024. On today's 'BradCast':   On Labor Day, more than 10,000 hotel workers across the U.S. launched a strike for better wages and working conditions.  Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden spoke to union workers, while Donald Trump stayed home and did nothing. In Israel, hundreds of thousands of protesters demanded far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a deal on a cease-fire and release of hostages held in Gaza. Russia launched a devastating attack on civilians in Ukraine. In Massachusetts, election officials warned of a new wave of dirty tricks trying to deceive voters. New polling suggests Kamala Harris holds a slim lead over Donald Trump nationally, but is effectively tied in the critical battleground states needed to win the Electoral College, which Politico calls 'the equivalent of a knife fight in a phone booth.' Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  The US Dept. of Justice indicted two Russian state media employees for leading a secret scheme to pay $10 million to rightwing US influencers to spread Russian propaganda. Rightwing YouTubers Tim Pool, Benny Johnson, and Dave Rubin profited handsomely from platforming Russian talking points that were then promoted by Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and others. Citing Trump's danger to democracy, former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, daughter of Dick, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president. New analysis from Goldman Sachs concludes that Harris' policies will be far better for the economy and growth than Trump's policies. House Republicans threaten to shut down the government again to extort Democrats to pass new voter suppression laws. North Carolina GOP sues to unlawfully purge 225,000 legal voters from the rolls, part of their plan to contest the results.  Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  In Montana, Republican US Senate nominee Tim Sheehy was caught on tape making disparaging remarks about Native Americans, using racist tropes and derogatory stereotypes, at recent Republican fundraisers. A Sheehy win against incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Tester would flip control of the US Senate to Republicans. Montana's highest court rejected the GOP-controlled state legislature's voter suppression laws that harm Native Americans' right to vote. The far-right Project 2025 and Donald Trump himself have detailed plans to remove half a million civil service employees across dozens of federal agencies, replacing them with Trump loyalists, if the Trump/Vance ticket wins in November. JACQUELINE SIMON of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) explains the broad, disturbing ramifications of the scheme and how it would gut critical, non-partisan government operations across science, agriculture, healthcare, national security, education, energy, the military and more.  Also today:  a voting system problem in Massachusetts' primary was resolved with hand-marked paper ballots.

On today's 'BradCast':   On Labor Day, more than 10,000 hotel workers across the U.S. launched a strike for better wages and working conditions.  Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden spoke to union workers, while Donald Trump stayed home and did nothing. In Israel, hundreds of thousands of protesters demanded far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reach a deal on a cease-fire and release of hostages held in Gaza. Russia launched a devastating attack on civilians in Ukraine. In Massachusetts, election officials warned of a new wave of dirty tricks trying to deceive voters. New polling suggests Kamala Harris holds a slim lead over Donald Trump nationally, but is effectively tied in the critical battleground states needed to win the Electoral College, which Politico calls 'the equivalent of a knife fight in a phone booth.' Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 8-14-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  Major media outlets report someone is shopping around purported internal Trump Campaign documents. The Trump Campaign claims it was hacked by Iran, and threatened media outlets against publication of the purloined documents, a hypocritical reversal of Donald Trump's glee over the publication of internal Clinton Campaign documents in 2016. Independent national security journalist MARCY WHEELER of Emptywheel explains what is known and unknown about the Trump Campaign hack, Iran's alleged involvement, and the serious national security implications of Trump co-mingling his campaign accounts with his legal accounts, potentially allowing hackers to gain access to highly classified information related to Trump's stolen classified documents case. Also today: Tropical Storm Ernesto caused extensive damage to Puerto Rico's electric grid as it intensified into a hurricane. Primary results in CT, VT, MN and WI underscore the Democrats' tenuous hold on their US Senate majority in November.

Encore: original airdate 8-6-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  The nation's first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, was formally nominated by the Democratic Party to be the first woman of color to lead a major party's Presidential ticket. Then Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, a former high school teacher, Congressman and veteran. The Nation's progressive journalist, JOHN NICHOLS, explains Walz's personal and political history, his record in Congress and as Minnesota governor, his progressive policies and the potential impact Walz could have on this unprecedented 2024 Presidential Election. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 8-1-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  President Biden announced a landmark multinational prisoner swap with Russia that secured the safe release of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and many others. A New York state appeals court rejected Donald Trump's motion to dismiss the gag order against him in his hush money case. Earlier this week, Biden proposed three critical reforms for the corrupted, stolen and packed US Supreme Court, including term limits and a binding ethics code. Senate Democrats introduced the 'No Kings Act' supporting Biden's call for a constitutional amendment to roll back the rightwing court majority's ruling granting near-absolute immunity to presidents. Attorney JAY WILLIS, editor-in-chief of the Balls and Strikes website, explains Biden's court reform proposals, why it's not enough, the potential pitfalls ahead, Kamala Harris' position on court reform, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 8-22-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  The corrupt rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court ruled partially in favor of Arizona Republicans' massive voter suppression scheme in the critical battleground state, but blocked the worst of it. While Democrats are appealing to voters with popular policies, Donald Trump and Republicans are plotting to steal the election. Trump is blatantly lying about having higher television ratings, poll numbers, fundraising, etc. than Democrats, in an attempt to lay the groundwork to falsely claim the election has been stolen from him. Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday night was another rollicking, superstar-studded event with Oprah Winfrey, Steve Wonder, and several Republican heroes reaching out to undecided voters, independents, and disaffected Republicans. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz brought down the house with a pitch-perfect speech formally accepting the party's nomination for Vice President. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 8-20-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  The Arizona Republican Party and the RNC have appealed to the rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court to help them block 40,000 legally registered voters from voting before the election, in the critical battleground state that Joe Biden won in 2020 by just over 10,000 votes. Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago amid a joyful, rollicking cavalcade of Democratic Party superstars and up-and-coming fresh faces. Highlights from the first evening include a surprise appearance by Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris; Reverend Sen. Rafael Warnock's (D-GA) call to take care of our neighbors, including those in Gaza; superstar Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY); UAW President Shawn Fein; former public defender Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX); and Hillary Clinton on breaking the toughest glass ceiling of them all. President Biden called to end Israel's war in Gaza, and delivered a moving, heartfelt closing stem-winder. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

Encore: original airdate 8-12-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, MN Gov. Tim Walz, are barnstorming battleground states with massive rallies, garnering endorsements from labor unions and major civil rights groups. The political arm of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's largest Latino advocacy group, endorsed the Harris-Walz presidential ticket - - the first political endorsement in the organization's nearly 100-year history. DOMINGO GARCIA, Chair of the LULAC Adelante PAC and former LULAC President, explains why the group unanimously voted to make its first-ever endorsement, Donald Trump's policies targeting Latino communities, and much more. Trump posts bizarre lies and disinformation about the record crowds turning out for Harris-Walz rallies.  Callers weigh in.

On today's 'BradCast':  The corrupt rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court ruled partially in favor of Arizona Republicans' massive voter suppression scheme in the critical battleground state, but blocked the worst of it. While Democrats are appealing to voters with popular policies, Donald Trump and Republicans are plotting to steal the election. Trump is blatantly lying about having higher television ratings, poll numbers, fundraising, etc. than Democrats, in an attempt to lay the groundwork to falsely claim the election has been stolen from him. Day 3 of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Wednesday night was another rollicking, superstar-studded event with Oprah Winfrey, Steve Wonder, and several Republican heroes reaching out to undecided voters, independents, and disaffected Republicans. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz brought down the house with a pitch-perfect speech formally accepting the party's nomination for Vice President. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  A string of likely very difficult days and weeks are ahead in these last two months before the critical 2024 presidential election. In the battleground state of Florida, as-yet-unexplained election administration glitches in its primary this week are concerning. At the joyful, rollicking Democratic National Convention in Chicago, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama delivered powerful, barnburner speeches focused on harnessing hope for the future and the historic fight to defend our democracy. Salon columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and 'DRIFTGLASS' of The Pro Left Podcast delve into the proceedings at the DNC so far, with humor, history, context, and analysis on what it could mean for the election and the nation going forward.

On today's 'BradCast':  The Arizona Republican Party and the RNC have appealed to the rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court to help them block 40,000 legally registered voters from voting before the election, in the critical battleground state that Joe Biden won in 2020 by just over 10,000 votes. Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago amid a joyful, rollicking cavalcade of Democratic Party superstars and up-and-coming fresh faces. Highlights from the first evening include a surprise appearance by Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris; Reverend Sen. Rafael Warnock's (D-GA) call to take care of our neighbors, including those in Gaza; superstar Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY); UAW President Shawn Fein; former public defender Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX); and Hillary Clinton on breaking the toughest glass ceiling of them all. President Biden called to end Israel's war in Gaza, and delivered a moving, heartfelt closing stem-winder. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  New election rules promulgated by the Republican-dominated Georgia State Board of Elections have raised alarm among Democrats for their potential to open up opportunities to cause post-election chaos that could delay certification of the state's 2024 election results. Such chaos in a critical battleground state like Georgia could, in turn, take the decision of who won the election away from voters and give it to Republican-controlled state legislatures, Trump-packed courts, or even the GOP-majority in the U.S. House to determine the next president. One of the nation's most knowledgeable experts on Georgia's election laws and systems, MARILYN MARKS, of the non-profit Coalition for Good Governance, explains what Georgia's new rules actually do, and why she believes they will improve transparency and actually help Democrats guard against election chicanery. Also today: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a potential breakthrough in the Israel/Gaza war.

Encore: original airdate 8-7-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  We have noteworthy results from the largely problem-free (so far) primary elections in Michigan, Missouri, Kansas and Washington State, with analysis on the declining influence of Donald Trump's strategy of endorsing multiple GOP candidates in the same race. HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and Hullabaloo, and 'DRIFTGLASS' of 'The Pro Left Podcast' discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota's progressive Governor Tim Walz as her VP candidate in the 2024 presidential election. They delve into the twists and turns in this unprecedented, historically tumultuous election cycle, analyzing the rapidly shifting political landscape and everything from Walz's extraordinary career and accomplishments to Team Trump's hilariously flatfooted response, and much more.

On today's 'BradCast':   New economic data show inflation and unemployment continue to fall thanks to the progressive policies of the Biden-Harris administration. On Thursday, President Biden announced his administration completed the first round of Medicare price negotiations on ten popular prescription drugs that will save taxpayers billions. Vice President Harris' running mate, MN Gov. Tim Walz, enacted a boatload of extremely popular, progressive pro-worker and pro-family policies. Will a Harris-Walz administration be able to carry those progressive gains forward? ALAN MINSKY, Executive Director of Progressive Democrats of America, discusses the upcoming Progressive Central gathering in Chicago (with a keynote address from Bernie Sanders) in advance of the Democratic National Convention.  Minsky delves into the high stakes of the historic upcoming election, the widespread popularity of progressive policies among the public, the roadmap for progressives going forward, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Major media outlets report someone is shopping around purported internal Trump Campaign documents. The Trump Campaign claims it was hacked by Iran, and threatened media outlets against publication of the purloined documents, a hypocritical reversal of Donald Trump's glee over the publication of internal Clinton Campaign documents in 2016. Independent national security journalist MARCY WHEELER of Emptywheel explains what is known and unknown about the Trump Campaign hack, Iran's alleged involvement, and the serious national security implications of Trump co-mingling his campaign accounts with his legal accounts, potentially allowing hackers to gain access to highly classified information related to Trump's stolen classified documents case. Also today: Tropical Storm Ernesto caused extensive damage to Puerto Rico's electric grid as it intensified into a hurricane. Primary results in CT, VT, MN and WI underscore the Democrats' tenuous hold on their US Senate majority in November.

On today's 'BradCast':  Accountability for another 2020 election denier - - Tina Peters, disgraced former election clerk of Mesa County,  Colorado, was found guilty by a jury of several crimes in her efforts to breach, copy and unlawfully distribute sensitive voting system software. Peters' breach was one of several similar efforts in a multi-state scheme by MAGA operatives to breach voting system security in swing states. New York judge barred Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. from appearing on the state's presidential ballot after finding he used a 'sham address' on official campaign filings. The United Auto Workers filed legal complaints against Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk over potential violations of federal labor law, stemming from their discussion of unlawfully firing workers who go on strike on Musk's glitchy social media site. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris and her running mate, MN Gov. Tim Walz, are barnstorming battleground states with massive rallies, garnering endorsements from labor unions and major civil rights groups. The political arm of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation's largest Latino advocacy group, endorsed the Harris-Walz presidential ticket - - the first political endorsement in the organization's nearly 100-year history. DOMINGO GARCIA, Chair of the LULAC Adelante PAC and former LULAC President, explains why the group unanimously voted to make its first-ever endorsement, Donald Trump's policies targeting Latino communities, and much more. Trump posts bizarre lies and disinformation about the record crowds turning out for Harris-Walz rallies.  Callers weigh in.

Encore: original airdate 8-9-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  Keep an eye on the many ways that Republicans are planning to 'legally' steal the November election and throw sand in its gears in case they can't win the normal way by receiving more votes. The architect of the extremist Project 2025 manifesto, the blueprint for the next Republican president to repeal the 20th century and engineer a fascist takeover of the federal government, resigned amid backlash from Donald Trump, but the plan itself is not going away. In key swing states, Republicans are pursuing frivolous legal complaints, voter suppression lawsuits and more, and have installed election deniers in election positions where they can interfere with registration, tabulation and certification, and generate post-election havoc. President Biden just saved the pensions of more than 1 million union workers. VP Harris surges in polls. Deadly landslides strike India. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  We debunk Donald Trump's remarkable tsunami of lies and nonsense during an hour-long press conference. Trump confirmed he will debate Vice President Kamala Harris as originally scheduled. Trump's vice presidential running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), is also spewing ridiculous lies about Harris' policies on climate change.  In sharp contrast, Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, tells the truth, and has spent his time in office enacting critical legislation to protect and provide for the state's children, from free school lunches to landmark gun safety reform and historic climate action, while also offering advice on car repairs. Polls indicate the Harris-Walz ticket gaining ground - - and the U.K. betting markets agree. But voters should beware that the GOP plans to 'suppress the vote and contest the vote.' Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  We have noteworthy results from the largely problem-free (so far) primary elections in Michigan, Missouri, Kansas and Washington State, with analysis on the declining influence of Donald Trump's strategy of endorsing multiple GOP candidates in the same race. HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and Hullabaloo, and 'DRIFTGLASS' of 'The Pro Left Podcast' discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' selection of Minnesota's progressive Governor Tim Walz as her VP candidate in the 2024 presidential election. They delve into the twists and turns in this unprecedented, historically tumultuous election cycle, analyzing the rapidly shifting political landscape and everything from Walz's extraordinary career and accomplishments to Team Trump's hilariously flatfooted response, and much more.

On today's 'BradCast':  The nation's first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, was formally nominated by the Democratic Party to be the first woman of color to lead a major party's Presidential ticket. Then Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, a former high school teacher, Congressman and veteran. The Nation's progressive journalist, JOHN NICHOLS, explains Walz's personal and political history, his record in Congress and as Minnesota governor, his progressive policies and the potential impact Walz could have on this unprecedented 2024 Presidential Election. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Hurricane Debby slammed into Florida on Monday, and the slow-moving storm is forecast to bring potentially historic flooding to Georgia and South Carolina, intensified by man-made climate change. Wall Street saw a surge of investor panic over fears of a slowdown in the US economy. Donald Trump backed out of a planned presidential debate with Vice President Harris. Trump's prosecution for his several failed attempts to steal the 2020 election is back on track, with Judge Chutkan rejecting several motions by Trump's attorneys. Trump co-conspirator Jenna Ellis will fully cooperate with Arizona prosecutors in the GOP's 2020 fake electors scheme. The US Supreme Court refused to halt Trump's sentencing in his New York hush money case. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro continues to withhold voting data, as multiple new analyses indicate that he lost his presidential election. Callers weigh in.

Encore: original airdate 7/24/2024. On today's 'BradCast':  New polling, taken after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and passed the torch to Vice President |Kamala Harris, suggest that Harris now has a slight lead over GOP nominee Donald Trump. The Republican Party did not receive the traditional polling boost that usually follows a national convention. Salon's opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and JOHN AMATO, publisher of the notorious Crooks and Liars blog, offer deep insight, analysis, and hilarious takes on Biden, Harris, Trump, Republicans' apparent freak-out at the surprise shift in the political landscape, and much more, as we delve into the past four weeks of non-stop political upheavals.

On today's 'BradCast':  President Biden announced a landmark multinational prisoner swap with Russia that secured the safe release of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich, Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and many others. A New York state appeals court rejected Donald Trump's motion to dismiss the gag order against him in his hush money case. Earlier this week, Biden proposed three critical reforms for the corrupted, stolen and packed US Supreme Court, including term limits and a binding ethics code. Senate Democrats introduced the 'No Kings Act' supporting Biden's call for a constitutional amendment to roll back the rightwing court majority's ruling granting near-absolute immunity to presidents. Attorney JAY WILLIS, editor-in-chief of the Balls and Strikes website, explains Biden's court reform proposals, why it's not enough, the potential pitfalls ahead, Kamala Harris' position on court reform, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  We have reported results from the Arizona primaries on Tuesday, in which Republican 2020 election deniers won nearly every contest, ousting good and honest GOP election officials. In Venezuela's contested presidential election, the Carter Center and foreign leaders called on self-proclaimed winner, President Nicolas Maduro, to release withheld election data from tens of thousands of polling places, which has prevented independent verification. The Democratic Party will likely certify their new nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, this weekend.  FRANCES LANGUM, Associate Editor at the Crooks and Liars blog, and 'DRIFTGLASS', her co-host on 'The Professional Left Podcast,' delve into the latest news from the extraordinary 2024 presidential race with hilarious insights, analysis, context and history.

On today's 'BradCast':  Keep an eye on the many ways that Republicans are planning to 'legally' steal the November election and throw sand in its gears in case they can't win the normal way by receiving more votes. The architect of the extremist Project 2025 manifesto, the blueprint for the next Republican president to repeal the 20th century and engineer a fascist takeover of the federal government, resigned amid backlash from Donald Trump, but the plan itself is not going away. In key swing states, Republicans are pursuing frivolous legal complaints, voter suppression lawsuits and more, and have installed election deniers in election positions where they can interfere with registration, tabulation and certification, and generate post-election havoc. President Biden just saved the pensions of more than 1 million union workers. VP Harris surges in polls. Deadly landslides strike India. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  The fight for election integrity and democracy over autocracy continues, from Venezuela to the United States. The government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro formally declared him the winner of his country's disputed presidential election, while opposition leaders, the United States and multiple global leaders voiced skepticism about official results amid accusations of fraud, tabulation irregularities, and lack of transparency. President Joe Biden proposed several reforms to the US Supreme Court, including term limits and an enforceable ethics code for justices. Democracy advocates remain elated at Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's presumptive nominee, highlighting the stark choice for American voters between a young, freedom-loving progressive and an old, criminally convicted, authoritarian former President. California's Park Fire explodes in size. Callers weigh in.

Encore: original airdate 7-16-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) accepted the Republican Parthy nomination as Donald Trump's 2024 running mate after rapidly shifting from Never Trumper to obsequious sycophant. A jury found Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez (NJ) guilty of corruption in a case brought by Biden's 'weaponized' Justice Department. In a shocking ruling, Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon used her position to dismiss the stolen classified documents case against Trump on the ridiculous claim that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment is unconstitutional.  Attorney KEITH BARBER of DailyKos explains Cannon's corrupt ruling, why it is egregiously wrong, what happens next in the case, the consequences going forward if the ruling is allowed to stand, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  In a solemn prime time Oval Office address to the nation on Wednesday, President Joe Biden explained his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, calling on all Americans to defend democracy against wannabe 'kings and dictators,' and more. The US House voted unanimously to mount a special task force to investigate the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Testimony by FBI Dir. Christopher Wray exposed the lack of evidence on what exactly hit Trump, yet corporate media outlets appear afraid to ask the Trump Campaign to provide evidence of Trump's claims. The Democratic Party is holding an early virtual roll-call to prevent potential shenanigans by Ohio's Republican-controlled state legislature. Good news for voters in Ohio in battling Republican voter suppression and extreme gerrymandering. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  New polling, taken after President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and passed the torch to Vice President |Kamala Harris, suggest that Harris now has a slight lead over GOP nominee Donald Trump. The Republican Party did not receive the traditional polling boost that usually follows a national convention. Salon's opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON and JOHN AMATO, publisher of the notorious Crooks and Liars blog, offer deep insight, analysis, and hilarious takes on Biden, Harris, Trump, Republicans' apparent freak-out at the surprise shift in the political landscape, and much more, as we delve into the past four weeks of non-stop political upheavals.

On today's 'BradCast':  Elected Democratic leaders and delegates are coalescing behind Vice President Kamala Harris' candidacy, and her campaign continues to break records for campaign donations. At a rally in Milwaukee, Harris laid out how she plans to prosecute her case against convicted felon Donald Trump. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned over security lapses in the attempted assassination of Trump. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) announced he will resign next month following his corruption conviction. RICH LOGIS, founder of non-profit Leaving MAGA, which helps folks extricate themselves from Trump's cult, explains how Trump supporters are processing the whirlwind of recent news, from the assassination attempt, to Sen. J.D. Vance's nomination as Trump's VP, Biden's withdrawal, Harris' candidacy, and how to help family and friends move on from MAGA world. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential race against convicted criminal and official GOP nominee Donald Trump, who had accepted his party's nomination in an unprecedentedly long and falsehood-filled speech a few days earlier in Milwaukee. Biden then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the top of the Democratic ticket. Biden's announcement triggered a flood of praise from top elected Democrats and world leaders, and endorsements for Harris, who must still win the Democratic Party's nomination at its convention next month in Chicago. Campaign donations from the public supporting Harris' campaign have also flooded in at record-breaking levels. Callers weigh in on this historic and unprecedented moment in American politics.

Encore: original airdate 7-11-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  New polls find President Biden and Donald Trump tied nationally, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump by two points, but also show growing voter sentiment that Biden is too old to run for re-election. While Biden met with world leaders at the NATO Summit, Trump hosted Hungarian strongman Victor Orban in Florida, just days after Orban's private meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. New data show US inflation continues to fall. Climate science denier and former Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who died this week, used his powerful position to block US action on climate change and spread disinformation, costing valuable time in combating the climate crisis. California's booming solar industry is generating more clean energy than the state can use, while the powerful utility industry has successfully eroded rooftop solar incentives for homeowners. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':   At the 2024 Republican National Convention, Donald Trump's critic-turned-toady, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH), spoke at length about his so-called 'hillbilly' biography but omitted the radical policy proposals that he supports, and dropped a boatload of egregious lies. 'Liberal Redneck' comedian Trae Crowder offers hilarious insights from his personal experiences with Vance. Nevada judge rejects the latest Trump Campaign lawsuit to suppress votes. Top Democrats are reportedly pressing President Biden to drop out of the race. Biden continues to enact popular policies that help Americans, while pressing for Supreme Court reform, rent control reform, student loan debt forgiveness and much more. Democrats would be wise to focus on promoting Biden's landmark policy wins rather than squabbling among themselves. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  The tumultuous last three weeks in U.S. politics have been unlike any other in recent history. Navigating the political whirlwind with us are old school bloggers HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and Hullabaloo and 'DRIFTGLASS' of The Professional Left Podcast, who offer analysis, insight, context and history to help make sense of it all. We cover the impact of the weekend's attempted assassination of Donald Trump by a registered Republican, the ongoing conflict among Democrats over whether President Biden should remain as the party's presidential nominee, the nomination of extreme far-right MAGA Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) for the GOP Vice Presidential slot, noteworthy moments from the Republican National Convention, the reliably sloppy coverage of the corporate media, and much more.

On today's 'BradCast':  Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) accepted the Republican Parthy nomination as Donald Trump's 2024 running mate after rapidly shifting from Never Trumper to obsequious sycophant. A jury found Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez (NJ) guilty of corruption in a case brought by Biden's 'weaponized' Justice Department. In a shocking ruling, Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon used her position to dismiss the stolen classified documents case against Trump on the ridiculous claim that Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment is unconstitutional.  Attorney KEITH BARBER of DailyKos explains Cannon's corrupt ruling, why it is egregiously wrong, what happens next in the case, the consequences going forward if the ruling is allowed to stand, and much more. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  Over the weekend, a 20-year old registered Republican unsuccessfully attempted to assassinate Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally, using the type of semi-automatic rifle that Republicans have spent years ensuring are easily accessible. President Biden and elected Democrats called for cooling the political rhetoric that has led to too many other such incidents. Elected Republicans opportunistically used the shooting to escalate their inflammatory rhetoric, blaming Democrats and attempting to chill peaceful political speech and accurate criticisms of Trump's and the Republican Party's push to undermine America's constitutional democracy in favor of autocracy and fascism. Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the stolen classified documents case against Trump for specious reasons. Trump nominated Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) as his running mate. Callers weigh in.

Encore: original airdate 7-10-2024. On today's 'BradCast':  A new poll finds that Vice President Kamala Harris polls slightly ahead of Donald Trump nationally, by one point in head-to-head polling, even as Trump polls one point of President Joe Biden.  Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she supports Biden's decision to stay in the 2024 race, and pushed back against misleading, inaccurate corporate media reports that mischaracterized her statements. Opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and 'DRIFTGLASS'of 'The Professional Left Podcast' bring much-needed common sense, insight, context, history and hilarity to the dilemma now facing the Democratic Party about the path forward, whether Biden should drop out, the media's fixation on Biden's age rather than Donald Trump's clear threat to democracy, and much more.

On today's 'BradCast':  New polls find President Biden and Donald Trump tied nationally, with Vice President Kamala Harris leading Trump by two points, but also show growing voter sentiment that Biden is too old to run for re-election. While Biden met with world leaders at the NATO Summit, Trump hosted Hungarian strongman Victor Orban in Florida, just days after Orban's private meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. New data show US inflation continues to fall. Climate science denier and former Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), who died this week, used his powerful position to block US action on climate change and spread disinformation, costing valuable time in combating the climate crisis. California's booming solar industry is generating more clean energy than the state can use, while the powerful utility industry has successfully eroded rooftop solar incentives for homeowners. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

On today's 'BradCast':  A new poll finds that Vice President Kamala Harris polls slightly ahead of Donald Trump nationally, by one point in head-to-head polling, even as Trump polls one point of President Joe Biden.  Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she supports Biden's decision to stay in the 2024 race, and pushed back against misleading, inaccurate corporate media reports that mischaracterized her statements. Opinion columnist HEATHER DIGBY PARTON of Salon and 'DRIFTGLASS'of 'The Professional Left Podcast' bring much-needed common sense, insight, context, history and hilarity to the dilemma now facing the Democratic Party about the path forward, whether Biden should drop out, the media's fixation on Biden's age rather than Donald Trump's clear threat to democracy, and much more.

On today's 'BradCast':  A deeper dive into the corrupted, extremist, radical, not-at-all-conservative US Supreme Court majority and its unjustifiable, anti-textualist, anti-orginalist 6-3 ruling approving the previously-unimaginable concept of 'presidential immunity,' beginning with Justice Sonya Sotomayor's scathing dissent. CHRIS GEIDNER, veteran legal journalist, explains how the ruling really is as bad as it sounds, the kinds of shocking crimes for which a president would be immune, and the massive power grab that the rightwing supermajority pulled off for itself in several rulings handed down by the court this session. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.

On today's 'BradCast': We catch up on the historic news that unfolded over the July 4 holiday week, starting with the corrupt, radical, rightwing supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court inventing new clauses in the Constitution out of whole cloth. Voters delivered a remarkable pushback against rising far-right fascism at the polls in France, UK and even Iran, with stunning democratic victories in all three nations. Big losses of France's far-right nationalist party serve as valuable lesson in this country. The Democratic Party is in turmoil over the re-election candidacy of President Biden following his disastrous pre-July 4 debate performance against Donald Trump, even as all indicators show we are now in a battle between Fascism and Democracy. Callers weigh in on whether Biden should stay in the race or drop out.

Encore: original airdate 6-27-2024. On today's 'BradCast': The corrupted rightwing supermajority on the US Supreme Court issued several rulings on Thursday, including rejecting a multi-billion dollar nationwide opioid settlement with the makers of OxyContin; slashing the ability of the SEC to enforce anti-fraud laws; and temporarily requiring Idaho to perfrom emergency abortion care under federal law -- conveniently postponing a political hot potato until after the critical 2024 Presidential election. SCOTUS also halted the EPA's 'Good Neighbor Rule' curbing pollution from power plants that drifts into downwind states. Still undecided: whether the rightwing justices will overturn the landmark 'Chevron Deference' doctrine that underpins agencies' authority to regulate. White collar crime expert Randall Eliason explains why the SCOTUS ruling that appears to legalize bribery of public officials isn't as clear-cut as it first appears, and a potentially explosive ruling that could upend January 6 insurrection prosecutions. Plus Desi Doyen has our new 'Green News Report.'