We're Not Wrong

The gang discusses the 2026 midterms. Also, Haley Stevens swapping her endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. But mostly, the midterms. Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:41 - The Midterms 00:40:15 - Haley Stevens (but really, the midterms) 01:02:12 - Emails 01:27:30 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the protests and riots across France, where anger over struggling schools has broadened into frustration with living costs and public services. Are student grievances driving the unrest, or is something bigger going on? Then they turn to Mitch McConnell’s warning that Trump’s approach to Putin could prolong the war in Ukraine. Can McConnell push the administration to change cour...

The gang digs into America’s divide over empathy and the argument that compassion can do more harm than good. When should empathy guide our decisions, and when does it get in the way of sound judgment? Then they turn to 49ers owner Jed York’s punishment following a prostitution sting. Were his fines and suspension fair, and does the NFL hold owners and players to the same standard? Chapters 00:00:...

The gang digs into the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter. Does broadcasting an execution serve the public, or turn justice into a spectacle? Then they turn to California’s effort to shut down a human-versus-robot fight club. Should consenting adults be allowed to take on a robot, and does a regulator whose rules cover fights between people get a say? Chapters 00:...

The gang digs into the sexual assault allegations against the Cornell Seven, the handling of the investigation, and the debate over New York’s consent law. Should the state close the loophole around voluntary intoxication? Then they turn to concerts that require fans to lock their phones away. Is a clearer view and fewer distractions worth giving up photos, videos, and easy contact with the outsid...

The gang digs into the nearly $1.5 million in taxpayer money spent on ads praising President Trump. Where’s the line between a public-service announcement and campaigning on our dime? Then they turn to a study that found no clear improvement in students’ social wellbeing after a school smartphone ban. What should we expect these bans to accomplish, and what would convince us they aren’t working? C...

The gang digs into the backlash against Ed Sheeran after Macklemore was dropped from his tour over his pro-Palestinian performances. How much control does a headliner have, and who gets to decide what’s said onstage? Then they turn to the states’ settlement over Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Did the attorneys general secure meaningful protections, or trade away their...

The gang digs into an Anthropic whistleblower’s warning about the race toward superintelligent AI and the growing calls to slow development. Should Washington step in, and how much should we trust the companies sounding the alarm about their own technology? Then they turn to Canada’s pursuit of a closer alliance with Europe and renewed independence pushes within the UK. What do these moves tell us...

The gang digs into Germany's AfD party, which scraped together nearly 44% of the vote in the country's recent election. Is this another example of far right politics on the rise, or is there a bit of nuance to this victory? Then they turn to the 'Kirkaversary,' a meme-filled online event centered around the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. How far is too far when it comes...

The gang talks through Trump's 100-year oil deal with Venezuela, asking both whether it's a good deal and whether it's a deal the government should be making in the first place. Then they turn to Justin's alma mater, Syracuse University, which faces funding issues amid reduced enrollment and increased tuition. Is it a one-off problem for this specific school, or a sign of larger issues facing high...

The gang discusses the recent Supreme Court decision that allows the Trump administration to implement parts of its executive order restricting mail-in voting during the midterms. They also dig into a recent New York Magazine piece about youth sports, which have grown increasingly expensive through year-round travel programs. Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:22:22 - Mail-in Voting 00:51:24 - Travel Sp...

The gang digs into the fallout following a jab Jon Ossoff made about Trump assistant and long-time fan Natalie Harp, who previously worked at One America News prior to joining his team in 2024. Are these sorts of comments and insinuations fair, or did Ossoff cross a line? They also discuss a recent NYT profile around matchmaking, and wonder if these paid services are worth it as an alternative to...

The gang discusses Alberta's upcoming referendum on whether the province should leave Canada for independence. Is this a move towards a freer Alberta, or a repeat of Brexit? They also discuss Flock security cameras, as anger continues to grow towards the company's surveillance programs online and LA's mayor urges the LAPD to end their contract. Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:15:57 - Alberta 00:42:40...

The gang discusses the allegations around Rep. Max Miller, as well as Jasmine Sun's recent reporting around the backlast to data centers. Plus, some thoughts on the Michigan race and the state of the Democratic party. https://jasmi.news/p/no-data-centers-in-my-backyard Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:19:02 - Michigan 00:37:39 - Max Miller 01:02:51 - Data Centers 01:17:02 - Emails 01:47:14 - Wrap-up H...

The gang digs into Gavin Newsom's one-time affair after the woman in question — Ruby Rippey — published an account of the scandal in Vanity Fair. Will this affect Newsom's 2028 aspirations, or is this episode deserving of different comparisons than Eric Swalwell and Graham Platner. They also discuss the growing movement towards "strategic wrinkles," as those looking for cosmetic treatments now loo...

In a semi-sequel to last week's episode, the gang discusses Darlene Graham's decision to run for a full Senate term, following her appointment to the seat her brother held for more than two decades. Is she a legit candidate, or is this stepping in the way of other politicians with more experience who might want this rare opportunity? They also look at the popularity of soccer in the US, and wonder...

The crew gathers to discuss the unexpected passing of Lindsey Graham, examining the political legacy he leaves behind following over 30 years of serving in the Senate. They then turn to Meta's AI smart glasses, which is expanding outside of its Ray-Ban partnership to create cheaper smart glasses, despite ongoing privacy concerns. Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:21:31 - Lindsey Graham 00:59:03 - Meta...

The gang convenes to discuss the latest Graham Platner scandal, this time in the form of a sexual assault allegation. Following multiple supporters distancing themselves from Platner, the candidate was heavily rumored to drop out days before the deadline — and, indeed, dropped out hours after this recording. The crew discusses the legacy of Platner's campaign, what's next for Democrats in Maine, a...

The gang discusses the legacy and history of America as it celebrates its 250th anniversary. Are some of the more brutal chapters enough to outweigh the good the USA has brought to the world, or is it worth giving these first 250 years a failing grade? After, the group turns to the ongoing rise of the DSA. Fresh off some big primary wins in NYC and Colorado, who should be the most overjoyed at the...

The gang explores the tale of FreddyLA7, the social media handle of a German World Cup tourist who, following viral attention, has received negative attention following old tweets, private plane offers, and other various paid experience at absolutely no expense. Is this a simple story of jealousy, or is there a deeper lesson to be learned here? They also dive into the resignation of Keir Starmer,...

The gang discusses Trump's memorandum of understanding reached with Iran, opening a 60-day window for further negotiations. Is this something meant to stick, or yet another doomed prospect to end this war? Then they turn to SpaceX's record-smashing IPO that has some rushing to invest — and others cautious about the stock. Is this a guarantee on returns, or gambling by another name? Chapters 00:00:...

Hot off some controversial new AI ads ahead of the midterms, the gang digs into whether our current class of campaigns are going too far in putting words in the mouths of their opponents. They also look into recent poll results that suggest a coming cultural conservatism wave, and ask if such a thing is real, what might be causing it? Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:29:06 - AI Political Ads 00:55:32...

The gang looks at the latest scandal out of Graham Platner's Maine senatorial campaign and wonder whether it's enough to sink the ship, or yet another hurdle on the way to Democrats winning back the Senate in November. Then the dig into the ongoing feud between outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia and drag performer Pattie Gonia over trademark infringement, asking who, at the end of the day, is in...

The gang digs into the quiet retirement of RCP 8.5, the most extreme climate scenario suggested by scientists, after making some genuine progress towards slowing global warming. What does this say about our relationship with science media? Then they turn to recent reports over Tom Steyer's campaign allegedly paying off influencers and creators for promotion and positive press and ask whether we sh...

With pro-AI commencement speeches repeatedly getting booed and ongoing hostility over data center expansions, the gang digs into what's causing this growing AI hate wave. They also discuss who owns the "Bernie Sanders heir apparent" lane, as both AOC and Ro Khanna begin staffing up with former Bernie staffers ahead of potential runs in 2028. Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:13:59 - AI Hate Wave 01:08:...