Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

Following Rush Limbaugh's death, the news coverage seemed to forget his legacy of racism, lies, and hatred, and went ahead and called him "controversial" instead. But Markos Moulitsas of DailyKos, Civiqs, and podcast "The Brief" doesn't care to look back on anything but the facts of what Limbaugh left behind. Markos also talks the Trump/McConnell tangle, Tucker Carlson scraping the bottom of the barrel for Biden dirt, and why he's got his eye on Senator Joe Manchin. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nkechi Taifa is President and CEO of the Taifa Group, LLC, a social enterprise firm dedicated to advancing justice. She also convenes the Justice Roundtable, an advocacy coalition advancing progressive justice system transformation. And our focus today is her long history of working on the reparations movement, and the latest news is that a hearing on H.R. 40 is approaching, which seeks to create a commission to examine reparations for slavery in the United States. Nkechi explains that reparations are not solely about slavery, though that is the “original sin,” and she explains what useful compensation could actually look like. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Kerene Tayloe is the Director of Federal Legislative affairs for WE ACT for Environmental Justice. Last week, she testified before congress that immediate attention must be paid to reverse the environmental damage done by the Trump administration, as well as actions that must taken by the Biden administration to address environmental racism. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

*This episode originally aired on October 12th, 2020.* There’s been a lot of talk about the 25th Amendment lately, as Speaker Pelosi publicly questioned Trump’s mental fitness. Today’s show features some explanation from Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, presidential historian and the author of “The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution.” She gets into the origin of the 25th Amendment and its intended purpose, how the cabinet can and should function around a president as aid to his governance, and Supreme Court precedent and the possibility for change. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A university president serves as the guiding force behind the development and progress of a school’s organization, and today Mark speaks with three powerhouse individuals leading the way at some of the most prominent HBCUs in the country. First up is Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President of Howard University, followed by Dr. Vann Newkirk, President of Fisk University, and lastly Dr. Ronald Mason, President of The University of the District of Columbia. In each of these unique conversations, Mark and his guests explore university history, discuss the impact of coronavirus on HBCUs and their universities in particular, and reflect on what it means to now have an HBCU graduate in the White House. This episode is both a lesson in history and a glimpse of the future, with HBCUs finally finding themselves centered in the collegiate discussion. For part one of this special Black History Month series, listen to episode #246 (2/5/21). Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertai

Is there any scenario where impeaching Donald Trump in the senate becomes a real possibility? Well...sort of, says Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs and host of the podcast “The Brief.” He breaks down the complicated explanation and speaks to why impeaching Trump is crucial in setting an accurate historical narrative for future generations Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

They knocked on 2 million doors in nine weeks and made over 7 million phone calls and 4 million text messages, all of which changed the course of history in the state of Georgia when it flipped to blue in the presidential and senate elections -- but the work is never done. Nse Ufot is the Principal Officer at the New Georgia Project and she discusses the power and history of Black organizing. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The January jobs report is out and it shows that we are still in a massive deficit from where we were a year ago, just before the pandemic changed our lives and the way we work. Chad Stone is the Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and he says there’s still much recovery to be done. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Sanaa Abrar is the Advocacy Director of United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth-led network in the nation, and she joins today to explain why the organization is calling on the Biden administration to act on DACA now, as the program is in imminent danger pending a ruling in a Texas court. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This Black History Month, MIP is honoring the Historical Black Colleges and Universities in our country. We begin this four part series with a deep dive into the history of HBCUs, featuring Dr. Jelani M. Favors, author of “Shelter in a Time of Storm: How Black Colleges Fostered Generations of Leadership and Activism." This conversation sheds light on the complicated history of HBCUs, where white people came into the equation, and how HBCUs helped shape Black women into “weapons against white supremacy.” Dr. Favors reminds us that we are standing on the shoulders of giants. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos, Civiqs, and the new podcast “The Brief,” is back for #ThursdayKos to talk about the new defense rolling out for Marjorie Taylor Greene led by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the Republican and Democratic parties’ differing versions of bipartisanship, and how we can gain instead of lose in the House and Senate in 2022. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Henry “Hank” Louis Aaron made a remarkable impact on the world, and in today’s episode, Mark discusses his life and legacy with MLB Hall of Famer and legendary athlete Dave Winfield and Howard Bryant, author of Hank Aaron’s biography “The Last Hero” and writer for ESPN. *Producer's Note: This episode was edited for time. To hear the FULL conversation, head to the Make It Plain Facebook page or copy this URL into your browser: https://fb.watch/3pGg9WbE6p/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Black community was the catalyst for change in this election season, and now, leadership has some demands for the Biden-Harris administration. Arisha Hatch is the Vice President and Chief of Campaigns at Color of Change, and she joins today to outline what needs to be done in the best interest of Black communities within Biden and Harris’ first 100 days in office. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Scott Dworkin, Co-Founder of the Democratic Coalition, sounds off on Marjorie Taylor Greene and why he thinks there’s grounds for expelling her from congress. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Susie Madrak is a writer at crooksandliars.com and susiemadrak.com and she’s back today for a discussion on what the heck is going on with the GameStop stock. She also discloses her suspicions about the unfolding controversy with Robinhood and how it relates to Steve Bannon. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos, Civiqs, and his new podcast “The Brief,” is back for his weekly installment of #ThursdayKos. Today he discusses the Increased domestic terror threat in the U.S., the delusions of Republicans voting against impeachment, what Biden can learn from Obama’s mistakes in working with the GOP, and why he thinks Mississippi is going to be the next key state to flip from red to blue. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ali Breland is a reporter at Mother Jones covering internet disinformation. On today’s episode he details the ins and outs of QAnon, how the group continually evolves and grows despite any potentially discouraging roadblocks (i.e. Trump losing the election), how they’re tied to neo-nazism, and the recruitment that’s happening right now on Telegram. Read his work, including the articles discussed in this episode, here: https://www.motherjones.com/author/ali-breland/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ian Millhiser is a Senior Correspondent for Vox and in his latest piece, he takes on the question: is it constitutional to hold an impeachment trial for a former president? Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rep. Stacey Plaskett has been chosen by Speaker Nancy Pelosi as one of the impeachment managers in Donald Trump's second impeachment trial. In today's episode, she discusses the importance of this specific impeachment, what the process will be like, as well as her experience inside the Capitol during the siege on January 6th. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Grant Stern of the Democratic Coalition and Executive Editor of Occupy Democrats has been digging into the cast of insurrectionists and he breaks down some of the key participants, their roots on social media, and where they are now (the FBI hasn’t caught up with everyone they’re looking for...yet). Grant also talks about the article he wrote that ultimately led to Steve Bannon’s arrest. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy