The Rick Smith Show

Cowardice and Complicity | 5-29-21 (1st Hour)

Rick begins the show with commentary on the vote to form the 1/6 commission, which failed due to GOP obstruction. Then we are joined by William Rice of Americans for Tax Fairness for a discussion on infrastructure and how to pay for it. And then Pedro da Costa of Market News International tells us about the inflation myth that’s circulating on right wing media, and how it’s just the latest bit of GOP fear-stoking.

 

Cowardice and Complicity | 5-29-21 (2nd Hour)

Hour two of the show begins with former GOP Congressman Joe Walsh, who has a few things to say about “cancel culture” after his radio show was abruptly canceled because he refuses to pander to the lunatic right. Then we are joined by writer and professor Brett Pransky, who will walk us through the latest lunacy in the Wing Nut Weekly Review.

 

 

The Tattooed Professor - Kevin Gannon

We are joined by Historian Kevin Gannon for a discussion on a number of issues, including the filibuster and what it’s doing to the will of the people, and to our ability to get what we voted for. @TheTattooedProf www.thetattooedprof.com

Sarah Burris of RawStory on the News of the Week

Hour two of the show begins with Sarah Burris of RawStory, who will walk us through a number of recent stories and the details from them that don’t always make it into print. @SarahBurris @RawStory

Nothing Better to Do | 5-28-21 (1st Hour)

Rick begins the show with an article about an ax handle-wielding Capitol insurrectionist who was radicalized with US tax dollars. Then we are joined by Historian Kevin Gannon for a discussion on a number of issues, including the filibuster and what it’s doing to the will of the people, and to our ability to get what we voted for. Then the discussion turns back to the 1/6 insurrection, as we respond to Senate Republicans and their efforts to block the 1/6 Commission before it starts.

Nothing Better to Do | 5-28-21 (2nd Hour)

Hour two of the show begins with Sarah Burris of RawStory, who will walk us through a number of recent stories and the details from them that don’t always make it into print. Then we are joined by Political Analyst Bob Ney, who will use his experience as a former GOP Congressman from Ohio to help us understand what’s going on in DC, and what to expect in the coming weeks and months.

Jeff Hauser on Lobbyist Greed

We are joined by Jeff Hauser of the Center for Policy and Research for a discussion on infrastructure and the lobbyists bellying up to the trough, and how we deal with them @jeffhauser @revolvingdoorDC

Jeff Hauser is Executive Director of the Revolving Door Project at the Center for Economic and Policy Research

"Mr. Manchin, Tear Down that Filibuster"

Lawyer Adam Cohen shares his new op-ed with us, in which he asks Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia to “tear down that filibuster.” @lawyers4goodgov

Adam S. Cohen is Vice Chair of Lawyers for Good Government Board of Directors. For more information visit: www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org

Helaine Olen of The Washington Post

Helaine Olen of the Washington Post joins us to discuss her latest work about Flaming Hot Cheetos and bootstraps mythology@helaineolen @PostOpinions

 

Helaine Olen is an Opinion Writer at the Washington Post. Helaine is the author of the National Bestseller "Pound Foolish" and the co-author of "The Index Card."

Guns Kill People | 5-27-21 (1st Hour)

Rick starts the night with commentary on the tragic shooting in San Jose, CA on Wednesday morning. Then we are joined by Jeff Hauser of the Center for Policy and Research for a discussion on infrastructure and the lobbyists bellying up to the trough, and how we deal with them, and then Lawyer Adam Cohen shares his new op-ed with us, in which he asks Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia to “tear down that filibuster.”

Guns Kill People | 5-27-21 (2nd Hour)

Helaine Olen of the Washington Post joins us to discuss her latest work about Flaming Hot Cheetos and bootstraps mythology, and then Political Analyst and for GOP Congressman from Ohio Bob Ney joins us to discuss the most recent collection of dumpster fires currently burning on the right. From Gaetz to Greene and the insurrection in between.

 

Art Haywood Discusses the Legacy of George Floyd

Pennsylvania State Senator Art Haywood joins us on the anniversary of George Floyd's death to discuss police reform, common sense gun violence legislation, and how we can get more control over how our friends and neighbors are treated by law enforcement. @SenatorHaywood

Scott Paul on Infrastructure, Jobs, and Competition

We are joined by Scott Paul of the Alliance for American Manufacturing for a discussion about Build Back Better, infrastructure, and how we compete on the global stage in the years to come. @ScottPaulAAM @KeepItMadeinUSA

Rebuilding the Federal Workforce with Phil Glover and AFGE

Union Leader Phil Glover (AFGE) joins the show to assess Biden’s first 100 days and the progress that has been made for federal workers and working families across the nation. Phil Glover is the National Vice President for AFGE District 3. For more information visit: www.afge.org

Rebecca Hess on Leading from the Picket Line

Rebecca Hess of Workers United tells us about a recent strike and how working people who join together can accomplish some pretty amazing things. Rebecca Hess is the Organizing Director for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Joint Board of Workers United. @WorkersUnitedMA

Insurrection … or Tourism? | 5-26-21 (1st Hour)

Rick starts the night with commentary on domestic terrorism and the slow-motion rewriting of the events of the 1/6 insurrection, and then State Senator Art Haywood of Pennsylvania discusses the anniversary of George Floyd’s death and the current “labor shortage” myth being pushed by right wing media and the GOP. Then we are joined by Scott Paul of the Alliance for American Manufacturing for a discussion about Build Back Better, infrastructure, and how we compete on the global stage in the years to come.

 

Insurrection … or Tourism? | 5-26-21 (2nd Hour)

 

Union Leader Phil Glover (AFGE) joins the show to assess Biden’s first 100 days and the progress that has been made for federal workers and working families across the nation, and then Rebecca Hess of Workers United tells us about a recent strike and how working people who join together can accomplish some pretty amazing things.

 

Best of The Panel | 5-24-21

The show is off today, so we're sharing some of our favorite bits from our weekly panel discussions. Check out the All-Star panelists and hear what they have to say about the news of the week, and the nuttiness on the right.

The Wing Nut Weekly Review with Brett Pransky

Writer and Activist Brett Pransky joins the show to talk about messaging on the right, how increasingly silly it has become, and how to translate it into common sense. @BrettPransky

From Gaetz to Greene | 5-21-21 (1st Hour)

Rick starts the night with a story about gig work gone bad, and the risks workers take when they engage with the gig economy, and then we are joined by writer and professor Brett Pransky, who will help us make sense of some of some of the nuttier moments of the week. And then the first hour ends with commentary on the 1/6 commission and the GOP’s complete lack of regard for accountability.