Political Gabfest on Osama Bin Laden’s reading list, Columbia University’s “Mattress Girl,” and gender dynamics on Capitol Hill and the Upper East Side.

Was Emma Sulkowicz’s “Mattress Performance” Free Speech or Harassment?

Was Emma Sulkowicz’s “Mattress Performance” Free Speech or Harassment?

Slate's weekly political roundtable.
May 22 2015 10:39 AM

The “Osama Bin Laden Sure Read Boring Books” Edition

Listen to Slate’s show about Osama Bin Laden’s reading list, Columbia University’s “Mattress Girl,” and gender dynamics on Capitol Hill and the Upper East Side.

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On this week’s Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the release of Osama Bin Laden’s reading materials, the culmination of a performance art project by Columbia University's “Mattress Girl," and revelations regarding curious gender dynamics on Capitol Hill and the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

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Here are some of the links and references mentioned during this week’s show:

Emily chatters about Ernie Chambers, the Nebraska state senator who convinced his unicameral legislature to abolish the state’s death penalty.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest (#heygabfest).

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Mike Vuolo. Links compiled by Tarik Barrett.