Hard Pass

This week, we saw the immediate impact of the Supreme Court’s latest decision further weakening the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Southern states moved quickly to redraw congressional maps in ways critics say reduce Black politicalrepresentation. In Louisiana, state lawmakers went so far as to cancel an election that citizens had already begun voting in so new district maps could be implemented. In Virg...

This week, we saw the immediate impact of the Supreme Court’s latest decision further weakening the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Southern states moved quickly to redraw congressional maps in ways critics say reduce Black politicalrepresentation. In Louisiana, state lawmakers went so far as to cancel an election that citizens had already begun voting in so new district maps could be implemented. In Virg...

In this episode - Bench Pressed - we’ll be looking at corporate news media coverage of the Supreme Court’s ruling that further weakens the 1965 voting rights act. We also discuss the second indictment of James Comey handed down by a grand jury over the a photo the former FBI director posted on his Instagram account one year ago this month. The photo was of seashells on a beach which were arranged...

In this episode - Bench Pressed - we’ll be looking at corporate news media coverage of the Supreme Court’s ruling that further weakens the 1965 voting rights act. We also discuss the second indictment of James Comey handed down by a grand jury over the a photo the former FBI director posted on his Instagram account one year ago this month. The photo was of seashells on a beach which were arranged...

On this edition of Hard Pass, we focus on corporate news media coverage of the shooting incident at the White House correspondents' dinner. This news event had and unusual component in that the room near where it happened was full of journalists. How well did they do at reporting on an event they witnessed? We also discuss how social media pundits are overwhelmingly focusing on the conspiracy...

On this edition of Hard Pass, we focus on corporate news media coverage of the shooting incident at the White House correspondents' dinner. This news event had and unusual component in that the room near where it happened was full of journalists. How well did they do at reporting on an event they witnessed? We also discuss how social media pundits are overwhelmingly focusing on the conspiracy...

In this episode we take a different tack. Instead of a corporate news media story, we let The Late Show's Stephen Colbert give the "news coverage" of a couple of religious elements that happened in politics this week. One, the battle between the President and the Pope. Two, Secretary Hegseth's conflation of a Bible quote and a popular Hollywood movie. All this and more in season...

In this episode we take a different tack. Instead of a corporate news media story, we let The Late Show's Stephen Colbert give the "news coverage" of a couple of religious elements that happened in politics this week. One, the battle between the President and the Pope. Two, Secretary Hegseth's conflation of a Bible quote and a popular Hollywood movie. All this and more in season...

First we discuss media coverage of the failed peace talks from the weekend. We also talk a little bit about Melania Trump’s announcement and the president’s claim that he was unaware that his wife was making the statement. Also, for guys that grew up during the space race … like Brian and Mark … the Artemis trip around the moon is something that we want to recognize as well. This is season two, ep...

First we discuss media coverage of the failed peace talks from the weekend. We also talk a little bit about Melania Trump’s announcement and the president’s claim that he was unaware that his wife was making the statement. Also, for guys that grew up during the space race … like Brian and Mark … the Artemis trip around the moon is something that we want to recognize as well. This is season two, ep...

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS PROFANITY! The president released a rather unusual Easter message on Sunday. The corporate news media jumped on it quickly. But, while they covered it, how well did they do in that coverage? Some used the full text including all of the profanity while some attempted to soften the wording. We talk about this as well as some of the reasons that were proffered as to why...

WARNING: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS PROFANITY! The president released a rather unusual Easter message on Sunday. The corporate news media jumped on it quickly. But, while they covered it, how well did they do in that coverage? Some used the full text including all of the profanity while some attempted to soften the wording. We talk about this as well as some of the reasons that were proffered as to why...

In this episode, Spin Doctors, we talk about two particularly troubling stories that were presented by the Pentagon. One, attacks by Iran on U.S. forces and equipment at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The Pentagon said that some U.S. planes were damaged and would be repaired. Recently released photos of one of the planes shows it damaged beyond repair. The second story was an attack b...

In this episode, Spin Doctors, we talk about two particularly troubling stories that were presented by the Pentagon. One, attacks by Iran on U.S. forces and equipment at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The Pentagon said that some U.S. planes were damaged and would be repaired. Recently released photos of one of the planes shows it damaged beyond repair. The second story was an attack b...

While the government remains in a partial shutdown, TSA agents are staying home or quitting because they're not getting paid. In a somewhat hasty decision, the President decided to deploy ICE agents to help alleviate the waiting times in airport security. We look at corporate media coverage of that and the judge's ruling in favor of journalists who are covering the Pentagon. All of this an...

While the government remains in a partial shutdown, TSA agents are staying home or quitting because they're not getting paid. In a somewhat hasty decision, the President decided to deploy ICE agents to help alleviate the waiting times in airport security. We look at corporate media coverage of that and the judge's ruling in favor of journalists who are covering the Pentagon. All of this an...

In this episode Brian, Mike and Mark look to see if the U.S. corporate news media are reporting on how Vladimir Putin and Russia are benefitting from the U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran. With Russia giving intelligence help to Iran and the lifting of sanctions on the sale of Russian oil, it seems as if no other country is seeing more positive results from this war than Russia.

In this episode Brian, Mike and Mark look to see if the U.S. corporate news media are reporting on how Vladimir Putin and Russia are benefitting from the U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran. With Russia giving intelligence help to Iran and the lifting of sanctions on the sale of Russian oil, it seems as if no other country is seeing more positive results from this war than Russia.

On MSNow, Senator Mark Kelly noted that he had counted nine reasons given by the administration for the unprovoked attack on Iran. In this episode, we discuss how well the corporate news media are fairing when it comes to covering the reasons and the events of the war in Iran. We talk about the economy of the war and even talk a little baseball near the end. This is episode 10 of season two of Har...

On MSNow, Senator Mark Kelly noted that he had counted nine reasons given by the administration for the unprovoked attack on Iran. In this episode, we discuss how well the corporate news media are fairing when it comes to covering the reasons and the events of the war in Iran. We talk about the economy of the war and even talk a little baseball near the end. This is episode 10 of season two of Har...

US and Israeli forces have attacked Iran in a mission known as, Epic Fury. In this episode we take a look at media coverage of the event and how the reasons given by the administration seem to be out of focus, hence the name, Epically Blurry. We even speculate a bit near the end of the show about what might come next. Join us for season two, episode nine of Hard Pass.

US and Israeli forces have attacked Iran in a mission known as, Epic Fury. In this episode we take a look at media coverage of the event and how the reasons given by the administration seem to be out of focus, hence the name, Epically Blurry. We even speculate a bit near the end of the show about what might come next. Join us for season two, episode nine of Hard Pass.

In this edition of Hard Pass, first we’re going to talk about media coverage of the Supreme Court’s decision on Mr. Trump’s tariff policy. Next, our esteemed experts, Michael and Brian, will be giving us an explainer to help you as you watch the state of the union address from the president.

In this edition of Hard Pass, first we’re going to talk about media coverage of the Supreme Court’s decision on Mr. Trump’s tariff policy. Next, our esteemed experts, Michael and Brian, will be giving us an explainer to help you as you watch the state of the union address from the president.

This is episode 7 of season 2 of Hard Pass. The team talks about several issues with cabinet members and secretaries. From the commerce secretary being caught in a lie about his encounters with Jeffrey Epstein, to the border patrol using a high-powered laser to shoot down a party balloon - closing down the El Paso Airport, to the Attorney General's rather contentious hearing before the Judicia...