The “Is It Rude to Fall Asleep During the State of the Union?” Edition
Listen to Slate’s Political Gabfest about the State of the Union address, the Supreme Court’s marriage equality cases, and the depiction of LBJ in the movie Selma.
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On this week’s Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss President Obama’s penultimate State of the Union address, the Supreme Court and the future of gay marriage, and the portrayal of the relationship between MLK and LBJ in the film Selma.
Here are some of the links and references mentioned during this week’s show:
- Muscatine is both a county and a city in Iowa, muscadine is a type of grape, and “strategery” is a great word!
- With the economy no longer in crisis, and his poll numbers rebounding, President Obama’s SOTU called for an ambitious agenda and framed the tax debate. What’s driving Obama’s proposed tax reforms?
- Slate’s Ben Mathis-Lilley highlights the most iconic (and ironic) moments of the SOTU.
- Is Speaker Boehner’s invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a good or bad thing?
- Is it rude to fall asleep during the State of the Union?
- Following the 6th Circuit’s decision to uphold same-sex marriage bans in four states, SCOTUS agreed to hear several cases on marriage equality addressing two critical questions. But has SCOTUS already provided clues on how it will rule?
- Judge Sutton’s defense of gay marriage bans is indefensible. Read Judge Daughtrey’s acerbic dissent in the 6th Circuit case.
- The social movement toward marriage equality has been significantly lawyer-driven, resulting in marriage equality in 36 states and the District of Columbia. But will Republicans benefit no matter what the court decides?
- Selma offers a powerful and profound look at a seminal moment of the civil rights movement.
- Are critiques of Selma—like those of Joseph Califano and Mark Updegrove—accurate, ambiguous, or over the top? Director Ava DuVernay offers her response.
- Slate’s Jamelle Bouie argues that critics of Selma are misguided and suggests that Selma is relevant now more than ever.
- Working is back for Season 2 with new host Adam Davidson.
Emily chatters about Tim Smyczek’s sportsmanship at the Australian Open and looks forward to his interview next week with Slate’s Hang Up and Listen.
John chatters about his high school teacher and friend, the late Neal Tonken.
David chatters about the recent measles outbreak that began in Disneyland.
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Podcast production by Mike Vuolo. Links compiled by Tarik Barrett.