law

OA284: Drain the Swamp, Starring Gordon Hartogensis

Today's episode is a tragedy in three acts, bringing together three seemingly-unrelated stories: (1) understanding the looming crisis at the Pension Benefits ordonuarantee Corporation; (2) figuring out who Gordon Hartogensis is and why he's about to gain control over potentially hundreds of billions of dollars in assets; and finally, (3) putting together all the pieces to see how President Trump has acted to protect his crony, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, from potential criminal and civil liability in connection with his manag...

QnA 23 Audio

Here's the audio from our reunion QnA in San Francisco!!

TTTBE #128: Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas analyzed this question almost entirely correctly, properly eliminating both (A) and (B).  Sadly, he settled in on (C) instead of (D), meaning that he's now 73-for-128 (57.0%), as the coveted 60% threshold slips a bit further out of reach. 

QnA 23

Andrew and Thomas together at last!

OA283: Mueller Speaks! (& Clarence Thomas Pens a Nonsensical Concurrence)

Today's episode breaks down the statement made this week by Robert Mueller in connection with his report and investigation.  Is it a good sign?  Is it a bad sign?  Is it both?  Listen and find out!

We begin, however, with a bit of housekeeping, including a recommendation that you check out Episode 194 of Serious Inquiries Only (featuring Eli Bosnick!) for the official OA answer to all things milkshaking.  We also preview a bit of next week's show, which involves revisiting Eddie Lampert, Steve Mnuchin, and the ...

TTTBE #128: Full Question Text for Patrons

OA282: OREO (& The Real HUD Scandal)

Lost in the (justifiable) concern over Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson's apparent lack of understanding of REOs, OREO, and just about anything pertinent to his job is a recently-proposed HUD rule that would deliberately reverse an Obama-era regulation requiring nondiscrimination in the provision of services to the homeless based on gender identity.  Is it as bad as you think?  (Yes.)

First, however, we begin with an Andrew Was Wrong and a bit more discussion on abortion, including the difference between ...

TTTBE #127: Early Answer for Patrons

This was a rare miss for Thomas's Second Chance Bar Exam, as he eliminated (A) right off  the bat, flirted with (D), and settled in on (B).  Thomas is now 73-for-127 (57.5%).

OA281: Follow the Money! (Analyzing Judge Mehta's Order)

Today's episode breaks down Judge Mehta's recent order in the Trump v. Mazars litigation, which is parallel to the Deutsche Bank lawsuit we discussed on last week's show.  Why is this ruling significant, how does it accelerate the House's efforts to uncover crucial financial documents, and what does this mean for the future of the Trump Presidency?  Listen and find out!

We begin, however, with a look at some late-breaking news from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have requested informatio...

TTTBE #127: Full Question Text for Patrons

Bonus: Andrew's Extended Pod Therapy Interview

Andrew was recently a guest on the Pod Therapy podcast where they discussed the Goldwater Rule and Trump. We thought you might like to hear that unedited audio while you wait anxiously for Rapid Response Friday!

May AMA Q&A Thread

You know the drill:  post your questions here for our end-of-the-month Q&A and up-vote with the heart the ones you most want to see answered!

OA280: Abortion Rights Under Assault

Today's episode takes an in-depth look at the recent abortion bans passed in Georgia and Alabama, breaking down exactly what these laws say (and don't say!) to help you sort through the panic from the actual news.  It's not always a pleasant trip, but it's a journey worth taking to figure out exactly what's at stake.

We begin, however, with a listener question about abortion -- and specifically, about whether the federal government can preemptively prevent the states from doing the kinds of things we talked about 2019-05-21 03:43:13 +0000 UTC View Post

TTTBE #126: Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas nailed this one!  He's back in the saddle again after having picked (C) with virtually no hesitation, and is now 73-for-126 (57.9%)!

OA279: Deutsche Wanna Loan?

Today's episode breaks down everything you need to know about the pending Trump v. Deutsche Bank lawsuit over the pending Congressional subpoenas for Donald Trump's (and Don Jr.'s, and Eric's, and Ivanka's, and the Trump Organization's) financial records.  Why is Trump suing Deutsche Bank, and what's going to happen?  Find out why Andrew is still  optimistic!

We begin, however, with the breaking news that Trump has pardoned Conrad Black.  Who is he?  Should this be a scandal?  (Yes.)  Will it...

TTTBE #126: Full Question Text for Patrons

Law'd Awful Movies #29: Sovereign Citizen Garbage 2

Back again due to overwhelming demand, is Sovereign Citizen Garbage! Here is the video we watched, BUT we actually play most of the audio on the show, so no need to watch it first yourself if you don't want to. 

OA278: The Founding Myth (w/guest Andrew Seidel)

Today's episode features a long-form interview with one of our favorite recurring guests, Andrew Seidel of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.  He's on to discuss his just-released book, The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism is Un-American.

Because Andrew, Andrew, and Thomas could easily talk for a full hour (and then some)... why, that's exactly what they do.  We hold Andrew Seidel's feet to the fire on the threat that Christian Nationalism poses to the U.S. judicial system, including an in-depth discussion...

TTTBE #125: Early Answer for Patrons

Andrew got this one right; Thomas, sadly, got it wrong and is now 72-for-125 (57.6%).

OA277: The Republican Civil War

Today's episode breaks down everything you need to know about what's going to happen with the House Judiciary Committee's vote to recommend holding Bill Barr in contempt of Congress.  Is this all going to go nowhere in a Trump-dominated executive and a right-wing judiciary?  Find out why Andrew's optimistic, and why he calls the underlying dynamic the coming Republican Civil War!  All that and we revisit the Republican Andrew called the "key to the apex of Yodel Mountain" over a year ago!

We begin, however, ...

T(&A)TTBE #125: Full Question Text for Patrons

Guest Andrew Seidel joins us before the full interview next week!

OA276: Did Kansas Really Show Us The Way Forward on Abortion Rights?

Today's episode features an in-depth analysis of Hodes & Nauser v. Schmidt, a recent decision out of the Kansas Supreme Court holding that -- whatever the U.S. Supreme Court does -- the Kansas state constitution protects a woman's right to choose.  Join us to understand how this decision is important not only for Kansans but for all of us as we deal with the challenges created by the increasingly Trump-ified federal bench.

We begin, however, with a brief update as to the status of the Jeffrey Epstein plea deal that's ...

QnA 22 Audio

TTTBE #124: Early Answer for Patrons!

This was a fun tort question that tested whether you knew what "strict liability" is.  Thomas didn't, but managed to analyze the question properly anyway.  He eliminated (D) right off the bat, wandered for a bit, and ultimately settled on the correct answer, (C).   

Thomas  is now 72-for-124 (58.1%).

QnA 22 live stream now!

Come one, come all!

OA275: Yes, Bill Barr Perjured Himself

Today's episode covers everything you need to know about Bill Barr's testimony before the Senate Judiciary committee (and his refusal to testify before the House).  Has he perjured himself?  (Yes.)  Is there a reasonable defense of Barr?  (No.)  What's next?  Listen and find out!

Also, don't forget to show up for our monthly LIVE Q&A on our YouTube channel this Sunday, May 5th at 6 pm Eastern / 3 pm Pacific...

TTTBE #124: Full Question Text for Patrons

OA274: Arguing Before the Supreme Court (with Monica Miller)

Today's episode features an in-depth interview with Monica Miller, counsel for the American Humanist Association and (we think!) the second-youngest person ever to argue before the Supreme Court!  Just last month, Monica argued the AHA's position in Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission v. American Humanist Association before the Supreme Court, and we get to learn all sort of amazing behind-the-scenes information about the case.

We spend the full hour with Monica Miller and learn how the AHA came to take ...

T(&M)TTBE #123: Early Answer for Patrons

Thomas was quick to eliminate (C), which was of course the correct answer.  He went with (D), which also persuaded Monica (unfortunately).

Thomas  is now 71-for-123 (57.7%).  Monica is 0-for-1 (0%).

Monthly Q&A Thread!

You know the drill:  post the questions you'd like to see answered during our monthly Q&A here, and up-vote your favorites by clicking the heart!