These Walz Could Talk
Digest
The episode begins with introductions, welcoming listeners to the Slate Political Gabfest. David Plotts hosts, with Emily Vaslon and Juliet Kayam filling in for John Dickerson, who is on vacation. The episode then dives into the selection of Tim Walls as Kamala Harris's running mate, discussing his background, political leanings, and how his selection contrasts with Trump's choice of JD Vance. The hosts then discuss a federal judge's ruling that Google violated antitrust laws by making exclusive deals with phone companies to be their default browser. They explore the implications of this ruling for Google and the future of internet search. Next, the episode covers Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's decision to cancel plea agreements with three 9/11 plotters, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The hosts discuss the reasons behind this decision and its implications for the future of Guantanamo Bay. The hosts then engage in cocktail chatter, discussing their thoughts on the Paris Olympics. They share their observations about the games, including the unique serve in table tennis and the use of safety pins for runners' tags. The episode concludes with a listener's email about the concept of democracy in the nervous system and a discussion of the upcoming bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, which will focus on RFK Jr. and a story about a bear he dumped in Central Park.
Outlines
Kamala Harris's Running Mate and Google Antitrust Ruling
The episode begins with introductions and then dives into the selection of Tim Walls as Kamala Harris's running mate, discussing his background, political leanings, and how his selection contrasts with Trump's choice of JD Vance. The hosts then discuss a federal judge's ruling that Google violated antitrust laws by making exclusive deals with phone companies to be their default browser. They explore the implications of this ruling for Google and the future of internet search.
Defense Secretary Cancels Plea Agreements with 9/11 Plotters
The hosts discuss Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's decision to cancel plea agreements with three 9/11 plotters, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. They explore the reasons behind this decision and its implications for the future of Guantanamo Bay.
Cocktail Chatter: Olympics and Listener Chatter
The hosts engage in cocktail chatter, discussing their thoughts on the Paris Olympics. They share their observations about the games, including the unique serve in table tennis and the use of safety pins for runners' tags. The episode concludes with a listener's email about the concept of democracy in the nervous system and a discussion of the upcoming bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, which will focus on RFK Jr. and a story about a bear he dumped in Central Park.
Keywords
Tim Walls
Tim Walls is the current governor of Minnesota and was selected as Kamala Harris's running mate in the 2024 presidential election. He is known for his progressive policies and his contrast with Trump's running mate, JD Vance.
Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay is a United States military prison located in Cuba. It has been the subject of controversy since its inception, with critics arguing that it is a symbol of American overreach and a violation of human rights.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is a Pakistani citizen who is considered to be the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks. He was captured in 2003 and has been held at Guantanamo Bay ever since.
Google is an American multinational technology company that specializes in internet-related services and products. It is the world's leading search engine and has been accused of monopolistic practices.
Antitrust Laws
Antitrust laws are a set of laws designed to promote competition in the marketplace and prevent monopolies. They are intended to protect consumers from unfair business practices.
Olympics
The Olympics are a major international sporting event that is held every four years. They are a celebration of athleticism and international cooperation.
Paris Olympics
The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France. They are expected to be a major event, with athletes from around the world competing in a variety of sports.
RFK Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an American environmental lawyer and activist. He is the son of Robert F. Kennedy and has been a vocal critic of the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Q&A
What are the key differences between Tim Walls and JD Vance, and how do those differences play out in the political landscape?
Walls is a progressive with a record of passing liberal legislation, while Vance is a conservative who aligns with Trump's views. This contrast in ideology and background creates different vibes and media coverage for each candidate.
What are the potential consequences of the Google antitrust ruling, and how might Google respond?
The ruling could lead to Google being forced to give access to its platform to other search engines, or even being broken up. Google is likely to appeal the ruling and may also consider offering solutions to address the court's concerns.
Why did Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cancel the plea agreements with the 9/11 plotters, and what are the implications of this decision?
The decision is shrouded in mystery, with some speculating that it was politically motivated. It throws into question the future of Guantanamo Bay and the military commissions, and could potentially lead to a lengthy and costly trial.
What are some of the unique aspects of the Paris Olympics, and how do they reflect the post-COVID world?
The Olympics are the first major international sporting event to be held since the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are a celebration of athleticism and international cooperation. The hosts discuss the unique serve in table tennis and the use of safety pins for runners' tags, as well as the overall sense of joy and excitement surrounding the games.
Show Notes
This week, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz are joined by Juliette Kayyem of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government to discuss the Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz; Google’s search monopoly and antitrust trial loss; and the guilty-plea deals in three 9/11 cases undone by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Here are this week’s chatters:
Juliette: NBC: Paris 2024 and International Olympic Committee: Olympic Channel
Emily: International Olympic Committee: Table tennis rules, scoring system and all you need to know; Jake Rossen for Mental Floss: Why Do Some Olympic Athletes Wear Paper Numbers?; International Olympic Committee: Sports Swap; and Maia Hjelmar for GQ Australia: 16 Olympic athletes who succeeded in more than one sport
David: Maximilien Van Aertryck and Axel Danielson in The New York Times: Ten Meter Tower
Listener chatter from Fraser Ronald in Ottawa, Canada: Ari Berkowitz for Scientific American: Is Your Nervous System a Democracy or a Dictatorship?
For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and Juliette talk about RFK Jr. and The Bear. See Clare Malone for The New Yorker: What Does Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Actually Want?
In the latest Gabfest Reads, John talks with Roland Allen about his book, The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper.
Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)
Podcast production by Ethan Oberman
Research by Julie Huygen
Hosts
Juliette Kayyem, Emily Bazelon, and David Plotz
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