Digest

Jonathan Capehart draws a parallel between the current political climate in the United States and the violence and menace depicted in the TV show 'The Sopranos.' He argues that the current political movement is not engaged in normal politics but is instead seeking to end the American system of government through force and violence. Capehart criticizes the movement's tactics, which he describes as 'boring' and 'gross,' and highlights the dangers of their approach. He also discusses the targeting of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who he believes represents expertise and authority, which are seen as threats to the movement's goals. Capehart concludes by emphasizing the importance of resisting this movement and protecting the American system of government.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the podcast and its host, Jonathan Capehart, who expresses his excitement about the availability of the Saturday Show and Sunday Show as podcasts. He highlights the importance of political news and the impact of policies on people's lives. Capehart emphasizes the value of conversation in revealing news and fostering understanding.

00:00:30

The Sopranos and Political Violence

This Chapter draws a comparison between the violence depicted in the TV show 'The Sopranos' and the current political climate in the United States. Capehart argues that the current political movement is not engaged in normal politics but is instead seeking to end the American system of government through force and violence. He criticizes the movement's tactics, which he describes as 'boring' and 'gross,' and highlights the dangers of their approach.

00:28:14

Interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci

This Chapter features an interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. The interview focuses on the vitriol and ad hominem attacks Fauci has faced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fauci discusses the difference between the criticism he received during the AIDS epidemic and the more aggressive and dangerous attacks he has experienced in recent years. He also addresses claims made against him by the Trump movement, including accusations of creating the COVID-19 vaccine and covering up the virus's origins.

00:46:17

Podcast Promotion

This Chapter promotes the host's new podcast, 'Rachel Maddo Presents Ultra,' and highlights the second episode of the season, which focuses on a Doomsday weapon designed to kill everyone on Earth.

00:46:49

Outro

This Chapter concludes the podcast with a brief outro by Jonathan Capehart, who promotes the availability of the Saturday Show and Sunday Show as podcasts. He reiterates the importance of political news and the impact of policies on people's lives.

Keywords

Q&A

• How does Jonathan Capehart compare the current political climate in the United States to the TV show 'The Sopranos'?

  Capehart draws a parallel between the violence and menace depicted in 'The Sopranos' and the tactics of the current political movement, which he argues is not engaged in normal politics but is instead seeking to end the American system of government through force and violence.

• What are some of the criticisms that Dr. Anthony Fauci has faced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic?

  Fauci has faced vitriol and ad hominem attacks, including accusations of creating the COVID-19 vaccine and covering up the virus's origins. He has also been accused of lying to Congress and of being incompetent.

• What does Dr. Fauci say about the origins of the COVID-19 virus?

  Fauci says that he keeps an open mind about the origins of the virus, but that the virological and epidemiological evidence strongly favors a natural occurrence. He also addresses the claim that the NIH funded research in China that led to the creation of the virus, stating that the viruses being studied were evolutionarily distant from SARS-CoV-2 and could not have been engineered to create the pandemic virus.

• How does Dr. Fauci compare the criticism he received during the AIDS epidemic to the attacks he has experienced in recent years?

  Fauci describes the criticism he received during the AIDS epidemic as 'good trouble,' as it was driven by a desire to improve the government's response to the epidemic. He contrasts this with the more aggressive and dangerous attacks he has faced in recent years, which he sees as purely ad hominem and aimed at tearing him down.

• What does Dr. Fauci say about the impact of vaccine denialism?

  Fauci argues that vaccine denialism is tantamount to AIDS denialism, and that it has resulted in avoidable deaths. He expresses his pain at seeing people die because of decisions based on political reasons rather than scientific evidence.

• What does Dr. Fauci say about President Trump's understanding of the flu and COVID-19?

  Fauci suggests that Trump did not understand some of the basics about the flu and COVID-19, including the difference between a treatment and a vaccine. He also describes Trump's desire for the pandemic to go away quickly, which led him to promote unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine and to ignore scientific advice.

• What does Dr. Fauci say about the potential impact of not having a vaccine for COVID-19?

  Fauci estimates that millions more people would have died globally, and potentially another million in the United States, if a vaccine had not been developed. He highlights the significant difference in hospitalization and death rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.

• What does Dr. Fauci say about the Trump movement's targeting of him?

  Fauci believes that the Trump movement is targeting him because he represents expertise and authority, which are seen as threats to their goals. He argues that the movement cannot abide expertise or authority from anyone other than their leader.

• What does Dr. Fauci say about the importance of public health expertise?

  Fauci emphasizes the importance of public health expertise and the need for a government that values and supports it. He argues that the Trump movement's attacks on him are not just about COVID-19 but about a broader rejection of expertise and authority.

• What does Dr. Fauci say about the future of the United States?

  Fauci expresses concern about the future of the United States, arguing that the current political climate is undermining social order and the fabric of democracy. He believes that the attacks on him are a symptom of a broader trend of undermining institutions and expertise.

Show Notes