The week that really was

"Derek Blighe should have been in that debate" - John and Sarah discuss the RTE debate, and the campaign where all the parties agree and are having fake rows about nothing of importance.

John and Sarah bemoan their lack of recognition at the national media awards, review another boring few days in the greatest election of our age, Donald Trump's cabinet nominees, and why John is not a fan of Micheál Martin.00:00 Introduction to the General Election Landscape02:40 Media and Political Awards03:36 The Hutch's Candidacy: Implications for Dublin Central07:28 Sinn Féin's Vulnerability: Polling and Leadership Concerns10:01 Sinn Féin's Policy Stagnation: A Critical Analysis19:46 Fianna Fáil's Campaign: A Lack of Substance24:10 The Rise of the Social Democrats: A New Hope?26:37 Micheál Martin's Political Legacy32:18 Election Dynamics and Candidate Insights38:04 Trump's Cabinet and Political Change43:43 Political Strategies and Public Perception45:56 Climate Change and Political Posturing

With the election campaign underway, John and Sarah review the major issues of the first few days. Which appear to be Michael O'Leary, and whether the country wants new energy or change.

John gets a deserved spanking from Sarah over his Trump Derangement Syndrome, The US election gets thoroughly analysed, and a look forward at the very short three weeks campaign to come here in Ireland.02:55 The Shift in Voter Sentiment06:14 The Impact of Campaign Messaging08:56 Reactions from the Media and Political Pundits12:00 The Future of American Politics15:09 Reflections on Trump's Second Term17:53 Cultural Reactions and Public Sentiment20:53 Final Thoughts on Political Dynamics34:05 Election Chaos and Cynicism39:58 Political Punditry and Voter Apathy45:09 The Need for Robust Political Discourse54:18 Anger in Politics and the Power of Voting

"I've never seen a race like this" - John McGuirk talks to legendary Republican strategist Karl Rove about what to expect tonight as the Harris/Trump votes come in, and what key counties to watch in Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.

John and Sarah discuss the new Cillian Murphy "Ireland was awful" movie and it's predictable acclaim; offer final thoughts on the Trump/Harris campaign, and discuss issues that won't come up in Ireland's general election:03:13 Cultural Reflections on Ireland's Past06:02 Critique of Modern Cultural Narratives08:51 The Impact of Historical Narratives on Society12:03 Contemporary Issues and Social Pressures14:54 Transgender Issues in Society18:10 Political Implications of Gender Discussions21:02 Election Predictions and Political Landscape30:06 The TikTok Political Experiment33:44 The Dynamics of Trump and Harris Supporters37:33 The State of American Politics40:42 Retail Politics and Candidate Effectiveness43:36 Cultural Consequences of the Election46:17 The Irish Political Landscape57:12 The Impact of U.S. Elections on Ireland

John and Sarah discuss the latest developments in sex ed, the passage of the hate crime bill, the government clearing the decks for an election, and why John has full blown Trump derangement syndrome, god love him.

With an election due to be called any day now, John and Sarah review the state of the opposition. Also: Councils ban Bibi, Roderic escapes scrutiny, and tragedy in Argentina.

Sarah and John discuss the spy in the Oireachtas, Sinn Fein forgetting how to do politics, Scary Movies, Scarier Sex Education, and the Government buying the media in a packed podcast this week.

John and Sarah walk through the budget, John's row with an unfortunate Fine Gael canvasser, the latest celeb muck from Philip Schofield and P. Diddy, and the horrifying case of the woman allegedly tortured in Dublin.00:00 Budget Week Insights05:54 Child Welfare and Family Support12:09 Critique of Government Spending17:45 Opposition Response and Political Dynamics23:48 Vice Presidential Debate Analysis29:52 Celebrity Controversies and Accountability35:46 Rising Violence in Society51:48 Concluding Thoughts on Current Events

In the aftermath of the defeat of the hate speech legislation, John and @sarahcatryan unleash a torrent of what some might consider hate speech towards the bike shed, the children's hospital, various members of the Government, and President Higgins.

John and Sarah examine the contradiction between Fine Gael's standing in the polls and the state of Scoliosis treatment for children. Also: Simeon Burke and the law library, Micheal Martin's endless leadership, and did Israel blunder in Lebanon?02:45 Political Landscape and Opinion Polls05:47 Fine Gael's Momentum and Election Strategy09:01 Health Care Crisis: Scoliosis Case Discussion12:05 Government Accountability and Public Health14:50 Contraception for 16-Year-Olds: A Controversial Policy21:01 Israeli Operations and Ethical Considerations23:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections

The big debate in America; The big windfall at home; Another clue about the election date; and Ireland's useless opposition misses again - John and Sarah round up the week.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Week01:22 Analysis of the US Presidential Debate12:57 Political Landscape in Ireland: Dáil Returns16:50 Sinn Féin's Challenges and Opportunities28:04 The Role of Immigration in Irish Politics40:12 Discussion on the 13 Billion from Apple51:14 Accountability in Government Spending

John and Sarah discuss the SPHE book that set tongues wagging; the world's most expensive bike shelter; what may be the world's most expensive sex abuse enquiry; and why some stories impact you emotionally more than others.00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Topics02:18 Controversy Over Depiction of Irish Culture09:32 Emotional Impact of the Middle East Hostage Situation19:24 Concerns About the Abuse Scandal in Catholic Schools29:25 Balancing Believing Victims and Presumption of Innocence29:53 Presumption of Innocence in Sexual Abuse Cases40:07 The Controversy Over the Cost of a Bike Shelter53:24 Government Involvement in Regulating Ticket Prices for Concerts

John and Sarah discuss the latest developments in the Enoch Burke case, the nude cyclists and the Mayor of Cork, Kamala Harris finally agreeing to an interview, and the latest revival of the hate speech bill. 00:00 Introduction and Back to School Week01:00 Enoch Burke's Return to School and Stance on Pronouns09:58 Discussion on the Stabbing Incident in Galway16:54 Proposed Ban on Smoking in Beer Gardens24:55 Critique of the Naked Cycling Event in Cork27:47 Inconsistent Enforcement of Public Indecency Laws28:41 Cycling in the Nude and Boundaries31:03 The Pavel Durov Case35:10 The Proposed Hate Speech Bill in Ireland45:20 Changes in Childcare Subsidies47:10 The US Election and Constructive Criticism

John and Sarah discuss beauty contests this week: The upcoming election, during which politicians will flash their ankles. The Democratic Convention, which attempted to entice us to Kamala, and the Rose of Tralee, which has nothing to do with beauty at all:00:00 Apologies and Introduction01:22 Minor Public Spat and Election Speculation04:05 Fine Gael's Advantage and Fianna Fáil's Risk06:03 Navigating the Election Campaign11:37 Potential Government Formation Scenarios13:43 Cynicism and Promises in Politics17:03 The Need for Substance in the Campaign21:28 Facing Fines for Climate Targets22:56 The Challenges of Meeting Climate Change Targets33:30 Critiquing the Democratic National Convention42:29 The Rose of Tralee: Defining Irishness

Sarah and John review a week that featured big revelations about government spending, plans to abolish same sex schools, a big love island breakup, and a disagreement over olympic breakdancing.00:00 Introduction and Weather00:55 Government Spending and Lack of Discussion01:48 Media Coverage and Lack of Challenge03:08 Lack of Hard Conversations in Irish Politics13:19 Issues with Single-Sex Schools26:28 Prison Overcrowding and Drug Use30:04 Overcrowded Prisons31:42 Government's Focus on NGOs and Charities33:40 Passport Issues at Dublin Airport38:03 The Public's Obsession with Celebrity Breakups52:30 The Emergence of Citizen Journalism

In what should be silly season, John and Sarah discuss a surprisingly busy week: Riots in the UK, an anti-media rebellion for Kellie Harrington, a new VP nominee for Kamala Harris, and Simon Harris goes to war with Elon Musk.00:00 Introduction and Discussion of Recent Events01:07 Hypocrisy in Media and Politics: The Treatment of Athletes06:32 Dismissive Attitude Towards the Concerns of the Working Class14:37 Biased Coverage of Protests and Riots18:09 The Potential Impact of Social Media Regulation25:15 Elon Musk's Controversial Tweets29:22 Kamala Harris' Choice of Running Mate30:18 The Electoral College System33:06 Cooperation vs. Co-option in Politics39:38 Unity Between Orange and Green in Belfast44:27 The Upcoming General Election in Ireland

John and Sarah discuss the controversy around the Olympic games, the riots in Southport, the death of Edna O'Brien, and ask whether it's time to revisit the way the state engages with Travellers after the Dooley murder in Kerry.00:00 Introduction and Discussion of the Olympic Opening Ceremony13:10 Tragedy in Southport and Societal Issues16:46 Frustration with the Government's Handling of Immigration24:06 The Need for a Reasonable and Informed Discussion on Immigration26:21 Misrepresentation of Edna O'Brien's Books36:40 The Presence of Irish Troops in Lebanon41:03 The Need for Conversations about Traveler Culture49:14 The Controversy Surrounding Kamala Harris

John and Sarah discuss Sinn Fein's new immigration policy, the fantasy of "public service broadcasting", Catherine Martin's bad press conference, and the pitfalls of the Trump versus Kamala Harris election.