Hard Pass

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...

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...

In this episode we look at two big stories making news. One, the president's post on Truth social where Barack and Michelle Obama are depicted as apes. The fallout and criticism was swift and from both sides of the political spectrum. Next we talk about the axe that fell at the Washington Post where nearly a third of the company's staff were fired. What is the state of journalism in the sh...

In this episode we look at two big stories making news. One, the president's post on Truth social where Barack and Michelle Obama are depicted as apes. The fallout and criticism was swift and from both sides of the political spectrum. Next we talk about the axe that fell at the Washington Post where nearly a third of the company's staff were fired. What is the state of journalism in the sh...

The team looks at the arrest of two independent journalists by the federal government. Also, Godwin's Law. Trump supporter Joe Rogan compared actions by ICE in Minneapolis to the Gestapo -- are comparisons to Hitler and the Nazis valid? And, it's not just journalists that the administration is targeting. ICE agents are recording video of protesters and telling them they're now in a dat...

The team looks at the arrest of two independent journalists by the federal government. Also, Godwin's Law. Trump supporter Joe Rogan compared actions by ICE in Minneapolis to the Gestapo -- are comparisons to Hitler and the Nazis valid? And, it's not just journalists that the administration is targeting. ICE agents are recording video of protesters and telling them they're now in a dat...

Minneapolis was the site of another killing of an American citizen by federal agents. In this episode we look at how corporate news media did with this second shooting in two weeks. We also discuss agenda setting theory in media as well as how the 4th Amendment seems to be on life support in this second Trump administration.

Minneapolis was the site of another killing of an American citizen by federal agents. In this episode we look at how corporate news media did with this second shooting in two weeks. We also discuss agenda setting theory in media as well as how the 4th Amendment seems to be on life support in this second Trump administration.

There have been several high-profile attempts by the current administration to curtail news and entertainment media over the last several months. In this episode the team talk about the FBI raid on a reporter's home, a threat of a lawsuit from the White House over editing an interview with the president and threats from DHS and ICE agents about recording them with phones. Why is the administra...

There have been several high-profile attempts by the current administration to curtail news and entertainment media over the last several months. In this episode the team talk about the FBI raid on a reporter's home, a threat of a lawsuit from the White House over editing an interview with the president and threats from DHS and ICE agents about recording them with phones. Why is the administra...