Evening Roundup, September 12
Featuring Andrew Weissmann, Nancy Gertner, Adam Kinzinger, Rep. Pat Ryan, Meredith Blake, April Ryan & Lodriguez Murray, Emily Beyda, our Pet of the Week, and The Contrarian podcast
Andrew Weissmann on the FBI's response to the Charlie Kirk assassination
As the former General Counsel for the FBI, Andrew Weissmann has ample experience dealing with catastrophe and the subsequent response by the agency. But, after Wednesday’s shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel has yet to prove he’s up to the task.
No apology necessary
In yet another indication of how Donald Trump’s presidency has warped this nation’s institutions, at least one federal judge has apologized for reasonable judgments based on the law.
Adam Kinzinger on the current climate of political violence in America
Why was the flag put to half-staff after the killing of Charlie Kirk but not Minnesota politician Melissa Hortman? Why did Trump make a personal video for him but not for her?
Rep. Pat Ryan on imminent government shutdown, misuse of the National Guard & more
Jen is joined by Representative Pat Ryan to discuss the looming government shutdown, the need for Democrats to form a platform based on ‘repealing and replacing', and the un-American nature of deploying U.S. troops against U.S. citizens.
Culture Recs: Downton Abbey Comes to An End — For Real This Time
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (in theaters Friday); Seen & Heard; The Emmys; The Golden Girls; and more!
Historically Black colleges & universities are under threat: April Ryan & Lodriguez Murray in discussion
The day after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) around the country received violent threats. Multiple universities went under lockdown and have canceled classes.
Bridge-Building Granola
It has become something of an online truism that everyone wants a village but nobody wants to actually be a villager. The science seems to back this up. Americans are lonelier than ever before.
Political violence in America. And an imminent government shutdown
It's been a tragic week, one which saw a senseless assassination of a political commentator, yet another school shooting, the anniversary of 9/11, and an appalling response from our president — who used the opportunity to make unfounded accusations about the "radical left."
Andrew Weissmann more than adequately summed up Kash Patel’s inability to lead the FBI. So many amateur errors. Undaunted hero Sonia Sotomayor was absolutely spot on to call out the conservative justices for upholding racial profiling. So many stellar pieces here on The Contrarian! Have a great weekend!
Another stellar newsletter!