Episode

7/15 Mask Off For Theocrats Post-Roe; Manchin’s Rug Pulling Take Infinity w/ Ryan Grim & Matthew Film Guy

July 15, 2022

Sam and Emma host Ryan Grim, DC Bureau Chief at The Intercept, to round up the week in news. Then, they’re joined by Matthew Film Guy! First, however, Sam and Emma dive into the Indiana AG’s investigation into the 10 y/o rape victim’s doctor, the Secret Service deleting texts from 1/6, Starbucks Workers United’s new series of complaints to the NLRB, and Joe Biden’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, before diving deeper into the response from GOP Leadership in Ohio and Indiana (and nationally) to immediately question the story of a 10 y/o’s rape, despite its common occurrence in Ohio, before shifting to a “well it’s not really an abortion if it’s a child” talking point in the wake of the story’s confirmation. Then, they’re joined by Ryan Grim as they dive into Eric Swalwell’s questioning of Catherine Glenn Foster, CEO and President of Americans United for Life, comparing the right’s rhetoric to that of the Salem Witch trials (whose legal authors happened to have been cited by Justice Alito) in how they define concepts in a way that determines their outcome (if it’s legal it’s not abortion, if it’s illegal it is), looking back to Todd Akin’s statements on “legitimate rape” and the immediate backlash he faced in comparison to today’s embrace of fundamentalism. Expanding on this, they take on the tactic of fear-mongering with medical professionals, as seen in the attacks on the 10 y/o’s abortion provider, and how they seek to pretend some reproductive care is legitimate while clearly attempting to eradicate any access to such care, then shifting the conversation to the role of the US media and how ill-fitted it is to respond to this moment, from the Washington Post’s Glenn Kessler’s legitimization of the right’s attempts to undermine this story (even though children under 15 receive abortions about once per week in Ohio) to the greater issue of media having no actual access to emerging stories – especially when potential sources are under intense legal pressure to stay silent. Next, they dive into state-level fights to preserve abortion, including Kansas’ attempt to latch on to the “medical freedom” talking point, despite its role in undermining trust in medical care, and look at how this evangelical fundamentalism will continue to target social groups they want to police. Wrapping up the interview they tackle the Democrats’ inability to take responsibility for Manchin and Sinema, both in terms of getting them on board with the party and disciplining them for their departures, and set up what to expect for the upcoming midterm election. The great Matthew Film Guy then joins as he discusses his discovery of the niche early 2000s indie production “Mean Girls,” discusses his ever-burgeoning film projects, and dives into the work of Hou Hsiao-hsien.

And in the Fun Half: Sam and Emma discuss the Biden Administration’s response to Roe being overturned, the importance of Janeane Garofalo, and the threats against Pramila Jayapal that seem to fly under the media’s radar. Tim Pool doesn’t believe the pregnant 10-year-old was raped, Sam and Emma tackle the lie of the “last liberal,” Ben Shapiro’s pretend ignorance of his stochastic terrorism having a genuine impact on the well-being of trans people, and Snooki becomes a central endorsement in the PA Gov race. Plus, your IMs!

Check out Ryan’s work at the Intercept here: https://theintercept.com/staff/ryangrim/

Check out Matthew’s Letterboxd here: https://letterboxd.com/langdonboom/

Check out Matthew’s film discussion group here: https://www.commonpointqueens.org/program/cultural-arts-and-jewish-heritage-classes/

Check out Matthew’s eBay auction here! https://www.ebay.com/itm/115464749223

Subscribe to the AMQuickie newsletter here: https://am-quickie.ghost.io/

Join the Majority Report Discord! http://majoritydiscord.com/

Get all your MR merch at our store: https://shop.majorityreportradio.com/

Get the free Majority Report App!: http://majority.fm/app

Check out today’s sponsors:

Sunset Lake CBD: Check out Sunset Lake’s tincture sale! For one week all tincture sales will be 35% off! Go to https://sunsetlakecbd.com/ now! Coupon code: TINCTURE

Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter:

@SamSeder

@EmmaVigeland

@MattBinder

@MattLech

@BF1nn

@BradKAlsop

Check out Matt’s show, Left Reckoning, on Youtube, and subscribe on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning

Subscribe to Discourse Blog, a newsletter and website for progressive essays and related fun partly run by AM Quickie writer Jack Crosbie. https://discourseblog.com/

The Majority Report with Sam Seder – https://majorityreportradio.com/

Past Episodes

It's Casual Friday! Emma speaks with Dave Weigel, politics writer at Semafor, author of the "Americana" newsletter, to discuss the biggest headlines of the week. Then, she speaks with comedian Francesca Fiorentini, host of the Bitchuation Room! First, Emma runs through updates on Israel’s ...
It's ESVN OT and Emma and Bradley are giving their picks for week 6 of NFL action! Follow Emma and Bradley on Twitter: @EmmaVigeland @BradKAlsop Check out Ava Raiza's music here! https://avaraiza.bandcamp.com/ EMMA AND BRADLEY'S PICKS OF THE WEEK: Emma (6-8-1): 49ers -3.5 vs. ...
Sam is live again from the Mass Torts Conference in Las Vegas! First, he runs through updates on Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact in Florida and the crisis capitalism that has followed, presidential polling, Israeli war crimes in Lebanon and Gaza, the US economy, Russian advances in ...