Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court refused to intervene when they were brought an emergency appeal for an egregious Texas law that effectively brings Roe v. Wade to an end. Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs and host of podcast “The Brief,” explains that he believes the way we fight this is through expanding the court itself. But he’s already sweating the 2022 midterm elections, explaining why we have a difficult uphill battle and need to craft the proper messaging to ensure we get the kind of turnout we had in 2020. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Daniel Markey is the author of “China’s Western Horizon: Beijing and the New Geopolitics of Eurasia,” and academic director of the Global Policy Program at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. From 2007-2015, he was senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. He lends us his expertise on Afghanistan as he and Mark discuss the war that has spanned Professor Markey’s entire professional career. Professor Markey explains that the transition could have definitely been smoother, and mistakes have been made, but he also understands the situation the Biden administration found themselves in and why they had to act on the promise of pulling out of Afghanistan once and for all. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Amara Enyia is the Policy and Research Coordinator for Movement for Black Lives, and in today’s episode, she details a report the organization recently released, which demonstrates how the United States government persecutes activists with the hope of dissuading them from taking any kind of political action. Though it’s easy to blame red states like Florida for putting laws in place that would criminalize peaceful protest, the Biden administration is not off the hook, as they have yet to take meaningful action to prevent that criminalization of protestors. Dr. Enyia also points to the disparity in language when discussing those who participated in protests, like those for George Floyd or Breonna Taylor, compared to those who participated in the January 6th insurrection. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh returns to MIP to discuss the $3.5 trillion dollar budget resolution recently passed by the House, which advances a bipartisan infrastructure bill and brings us a step closer to sweeping protections to our voting rights. Secretary Walsh explains how the infrastructure plan will leave no community behind, in an attempt to right the wrongs of history that previously left marginalized people out. He details the tangible ways we’ll see improvements in our communities as a direct result of this investment. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Back in July, Texas House Democrats left the state and headed to Washington D.C. in order to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass voting restrictions in order to suppress the vote. Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett (representing the 100th District) was one of those legislators, and she joins the show today, still holding strong in D.C., while some of her colleagues have decided to return to Texas therefore reinstating quorum. She explains that while she hopes they’re onto something she doesn’t yet understand, she wants to know why they’d potentially assist in passing legislation that includes provisions directly targeting their county and constituents. She also discusses the possibility of federal lawsuits against the state of Texas for passing such restrictive legislation, infringing on citizens’ right to vote. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy

Markos Moulitsas is in for #ThursdayKos and he digs right into the latest numbers that show a dip in President Biden’s approval rating. He and Mark also take a look at the many opportunities Democrats could be seizing, if Republicans weren’t working overtime to stop them--and let us not forget how Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin make it that much more difficult. Markos also speaks to the realities of pulling out of Afghanistan. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The House has passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Restoration Act, which is a significant step forward in protecting our democracy. Mark talks to us today about the history of voter suppression and how securing these legal protections are crucial in fighting racism and ultimately, tyranny. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Fox News would like to you believe that the Afghanistan war is President Biden’s fault, but the irony is that some of the talking heads on the network were literally part of the administration that started it all with George Bush. Mark plays some network clips for us and discusses the origin of the war, and how the GOP would like to ignore the reality of history. Mark also gives us some more information on this weekend’s Make Good Trouble Rally happening in Washington D.C.. More information: www.makegoodtroublerally.com Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) has justified the murder of Dana Mitchell Young Jr. (also known as Malik) by saying they mistook a black COVID-19 face mask he was wearing, for a handgun. He wound up dead in an alley and now his family wants answers--especially because the cop who murdered him has a violent history. Ms. Khadijah Shabazz is not just an activist and mother-in-law to Malik, but is also serving as spokesperson for her daughter who has filed a lawsuit against the LA Sheriff's Department for Malik's killing. Ms. Khadijah shares the story of how they uncovered the truth about Malik’s murder in a devastating way on the day of his funeral service, and how she hopes to get justice for her family, as well as the other 950 Black and Brown men who were killed or harmed by the LAPD in the last 10 years. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsP

The Biden administration has announced that vaccinated individuals will need a booster shot. Dr. Bechara Choucair is the White House Vaccinations Coordinator so he has the inside information on the two reasons we’ll need that booster, when we’ll need it, and when, exactly, the program will begin to roll out. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs and host of podcast “The Brief” returns from his summer hiatus and we need to process all that’s happening. Markos provides insight on the situation in Afghanistan from his perspective as a veteran, and also explores the history of the war, spanning four presidents who all shoulder some level of responsibility, and how the U.S. literally built the Taliban army. Back on U.S. soil, what’s happening with Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin? And why does Markos think we have a huge challenge ahead of us with the 2022 midterm elections? If you stick around to the end, Mark has some additional information on the Make Good Trouble Rally in Washington D.C. on August 28th. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

July produced an impressively healthy jobs report, after a long COVID-19 recession, which gives Labor Secretary Marty Walsh a lot of hope for our recovery. He shares lingering concerns on the Delta variant, but believes in the $1.3 trillion dollar infrastructure bill that will assist in boosting the economy with better job training, more opportunities, and increased wages. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Eric Boehlert, Writer and Publisher of Pressrun.media, is our fearless leader in covering the press, and how they cover news on Capitol Hill and across the country. In today’s episode, he digs into Chuck Todd’s overcompensation for the bias liberal media accusation, and wonders why White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has to continually defend President Biden’s trips to Delaware as the media tries to create a “gotcha” moment. And while they’re busy covering Biden’s weekend visits to his home, they’re failing to cover the fact that Rep. Matt Gaetz is under investigation for child sex trafficking. Another important question Eric has for mainstream media: where are the headlines on the blockbuster July Jobs Report? Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

New questions have emerged surrounding vaccinations: what’s the deal with boosters, especially for the immunocompromised? When will the vaccine start wearing off? Dr. Uche Blackstock, Founder of Advancing Health Equity, answers all that and more. She breaks down the difference between Emergency Use Authorization and the typical approval process, and fills us in on the Lambda variant and if it’s something to be concerned about just yet. Read more about Dr. Blackstock and Advancing Health Equity HERE: https://advancinghealthequity.com/about/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re inching closer to the start of the school year, and parents, students, and school staff are wondering what that will actually look like, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 remains a big concern. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is with us today to discuss the Biden Administration’s large-scale plans for reopening safely and ensuring students have the support systems they need to get acclimated again--mentally, physically, and emotionally. And if you stick around to the end of the episode, Mark has a special announcement. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Michael Tomasky is Editor at The New Republic and in his latest, “Andrew Cuomo and the Line No Democrat Can Cross,” Michael explains why as recently as five years ago, Cuomo might have gotten away with the allegations against him. But these days, the Democratic party is holding their own to the appropriate standards when it comes to sexual harassment and assault. As for Republicans? Not so much. Michael details the stark contrast between the two parties, considering the likes of Rep. Matt Gaetz and company. And taking a dip into another piece by Michael, they discuss the possibility that fear-mongering around the federal deficit is a thing of the past. READ HERE: https://newrepublic.com/article/163231/andrew-cuomo-democrat-sexual-misconduct https://newrepublic.com/article/163200/infrastructure-week-budget-deficit-fearmongering Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPr

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has finally resigned--but the National Organization for Women has been calling for that since the reports of his alleged sexual harassment first emerged. NOW President Christian Nunes joins today to discuss the governor’s response to the allegations and his general handling of the situation, and how his failure to appropriately take responsibility reverberates out into our culture. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From voter registration all the way through to how ballots are counted--that’s how thorough Texas Republicans’ latest voter suppression tactics are. Gary Bledsoe is President of the Texas NAACP and he explains their new national push to warn Americans that Texas could become a blueprint for other parts of the country if we let these restrictions get signed into law. Some Texas Democrats are doing their part by leaving the state to prevent the passing of these laws, and a judge just blocked the arrest of those lawmakers, but many things are still uncertain. President Bledsoe explains the complicated political climate that produces some of the most restrictive and threatening voter suppression tactics in American history. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s time for our monthly check-in with Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, who’s got the information we need to know from the July jobs report. We are still on the rebound and showing signs of a stimulated economy, but Chad lets us know what industries are still struggling, where we can expect seasonal adjustments, and where we stand in getting back to the jobs numbers we had pre-pandemic. Chad also explains where we stand with unemployment insurance, where there is vast room for improvement as red state governors eliminate the federal emergency unemployment insurance benefits ahead of their scheduled expiration date. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Earlier this week, President Biden signed an executive order that outlines a new goal to electrify America’s vehicles, with a goal of increasing the number of electric vehicles to half of all vehicles by 2030. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves joins the show to explain how the Biden administration plans to tackle that goal. Deputy Secretary Graves also digs into the infrastructure bill and highlights why it is crucial to pass it, because of what and who it invests in. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy