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Ed Blakely has served in different capacities under a succession of presidential administrations, has guided government policy on urban planning and is a widely cited academic. My name is Sean Britten, and each week, Ed and I have a chat about what's the latest news out of the United States, talking everything politics, planning and policy from sea to shining sea. US of Ed typically talks issues on a week by week basis, but check out some of our more timeless specials: SPECIAL: MLK's legacy and the issues of Black America: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=184046 US of Ed on Guns in America: Part One: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=285335 US of Ed on Guns in America: Part Two: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=285341 SPECIAL: South of the Border: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=372708 SPECIAL: Crafting Innovative Places: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=386032 SPECIAL: Who Killed the American Dream?: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=386003 SPECIAL: Climate Emergency: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=386003 SPECIAL: The Impeachment Process: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=433201 SPECIAL: Ruth Bader Ginsburg: https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode?id=738156

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Vale Ed Blakely

2025/09/08

Sadly, it's my duty to inform you that my longtime friend and collaborator Ed Blakely passed away after a short battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday, September 7th, at the age of 87 years old. I'd just like to use this platform one last time to share my thoughts on his life and his passing, and the time I knew him. Thank you again for listening. More from Ed: https://www.edwardjblakely.com/ More from Sean: https://seanebritten.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thank You For Listening

2025/09/04

"This is my hobby, my heart... I love the United States of America." This will unfortunately be the last chat that Ed and I have under this banner. For the past couple of months, Ed has been suffering with deteriorating health due to pancreatic cancer. It has been his desire to continue on as normal and we believed we would have more time together but over the past week his health has taken a downward turn. It's been a wonderful run over the past 15 years but all things must come to an end.More from Ed: https://www.edwardjblakely.com/More from Sean: https://seanebritten.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power is Not a Means, It is an End

2025/08/28

"This is a wakeup call for many Americans who thought, it doesn't make any difference." The Trump regime is attempting to secure itself more power this week, with fresh attacks on top officials at the Federal Reserve and the CDC. Meanwhile, Trump continues to push for crackdowns by military forces in Democrat-led cities following efforts in Washington DC. Also discussing the Epstein files, the Minneapolis shooting, ICE, gerrymandering efforts, and attacks on the Smithsonian. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bread and Circuses and Still No End to War in Ukraine

2025/08/21

"These are just the bread and circus acts, but I'm glad to see the American people are resistant... I don't think this charade can go on much longer." Meetings with Vladmir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have again come to nothing as Trump, who once promised an end to the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours, blunders through negotiations. Meanwhile, Washington DC looks like a city under military occupation while the White House hints at interventions into other US cities. Also, the latest on the Epstein files, Gaza, Texas and gerrymandering, and the Trump administration's targeting of transgender youth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jackboots on the Streets of Washington DC

2025/08/14

"He has a sore head so God only knows what will happen." Trump has instigated a military and federal takeover of the city of Washington DC with a crackdown based on fictional crime figures, and threatened to do the same to other Democrat-led cities. A distraction from Epstein or a sign of things to come, or both? Meanwhile, plans for Trump and Putin to meet next week to divy up territory in Ukraine, without the input of Ukraine itself. Also discussing Gaza, delays on China tariffs, foreign aid, DOGE, and marriage equality back in the Supreme Court. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump Finds It's Easier to Destroy Than Build

2025/08/07

"You don't cover up this much not to have a cover-up." The Epstein saga continues as Ghislaine Maxwell is transferred to a minimum security prison following her apparent cooperation with the Trump administration and the Clintons are subpoenaed for a congressional probe. Meanwhile, Trump launches attacks on the Bureau of Labor Statistics after their numbers show his approach has crippled jobs growth. Also discussing ICE recruitment, Gaza occupation, Ukraine, and the Justice Department's pursuit of Trump's political enemies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Art of the Deal (with Sex Traffickers)

2025/07/31

"She should name Democrats and Republicans, and let's have a fresh take at this democracy." The Trump administration is attempting to take the wind out of the Epstein controversy, meeting with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and raising the possibility of a presidential pardon. Meanwhile, Trump has made the trip to Scotland to cheat at golf and secure a heavily lopsided trade deal with the European Union. Also discussing US beef exports to Australia, the Manhattan shooting, Pete Hegseth, Ukraine, Gaza, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pay No Attention to That Man Behind the Curtain

2025/07/24

"They're there to protect him. Not the nation, not the truth, not what's good, not what's sacred, but just him." Barack Obama, MLK Jr., the Washington Commanders / Redskins, even Hillary Clinton's emails, all things that Donald Trump would rather discuss than Jeffrey Epstein. But the Epstein story isn't going away, with reports Pam Bondi had confirmed to Trump months ago his name appeared in the mountains of evidence he and Republicans are now refusing to release. Ed and Sean discuss the latest, along with tariffs, migrant abuses, Alina Habba, corruption, and the firing of Stephen Colbert. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weaklings and Bad, Stupid People

2025/07/17

"He knew his pictures were in there, he knew his name was in the log... this is one that really baffles me." Trump is scrambling to find a way to get his supporters to forget previous promises in regards to the Epstein Files and his own involvement with the alleged sex trafficker. But while Republicans and MAGA influencers are falling into line, a great deal of his supporters are finally becoming more sceptical. Meanwhile, economists and the rest of the world struggle to make sense of Trump's constantly shifting tariffs and attacks on the Federal Reserve. Also discussing attacks on citizenship, Ukraine, Israel, and Australia's meeting with China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up to the Neck and Rising

2025/07/10

"Representatives used to represent their constituents. Now they represent pools of money." Over a hundred dead and many more missing due to flooding in Texas, with part of the blame being directed at the lack of warning due to Trump's cuts to the NWS. But Trump is riding on a high this week thanks to the passage of his Big Beautiful Bill, cutting taxes on the rich, severing federal loan programs, and funnelling massive amounts of cash into his own personal army in the form of ICE. We also discuss the Epstein list burial, federal worker layoffs, the latest from Gaza, and TACO Trump's trade war. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrating 4th of July by Re-Electing a King

2025/07/03

"Every single family in America is affected." The Senate has passed Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill, sending it back to the House for final approval in spite of stated reservation, eschewing all responsibility for its effects on the American people. Meanwhile, Trump is looking to expand his targeting of immigrants by revoking the status of some while floating the possibility of denaturalising those who already have citizenship. Also discussing Iran and Israel, bankruptcy talk for Nebraska, and the vicious campaign against Zohran Mamdani. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fear of an American Planet

2025/06/26

"Trump is one thing, the US government is another and the US people are another. Each of these groups is fractured, including Trump." A decisive bombing of three nuclear sites and a shaky ceasefire in the Iran / Israel / US conflict this week with allies lining up to praise Trump's actions. But is it genuine admiration or fears about what the mad king might do next that's driving world leaders? Meanwhile, tensions escalate over ICE crackdowns with the lines between cops and criminals becoming increasingly blurred. Also discussing the Supreme Court's internal war, Mahmoud Khalil, tariffs, plans to log protected forests, and the New York mayoral race. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No Kings

2025/06/19

"Intimidation, intimidation, intimidation... Sooner or later, people crack. Let's not crack." Donald Trump's military parade through Washington DC has gone off with a whimper rather than a bang, largely drowned out by the colour and defiance of the 'No Kings' protests scheduled in cities across the US for the same day. Tensions in the US and abroad continue to ratchet up, however, with politically motivated assassinations, arrests, and the possibility that the US will be drawn into yet another war between Israel and Iran. We also discuss the G7 Summit, war plans for Greenland, and roadblocks for the Big, Beautiful Bill. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Load Up With Rubber Bullets

2025/06/12

"You'd almost wish he was a better dictator, there'd at least be a gameplan there but there's nothing." Wild scenes in Los Angeles as confrontations with ICE agents rounding up immigrants in parts of the city has escalated to full scale warfare, with journalists targeted by LAPD and President Trump deploying the National Guard and Marines to the city. But first, looking at the developing situation in the Middle East where Israel appears to be preparing for a strike against Iran. Also discussing Trump cutting off FEMA funding, the Trump / Musk feud, trade negotiations, and RFK Jr. enacting his anti-vax agenda. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Update: Wrongfully Deported Man Kilmar Abrego García Returned to the US and Charged with Human Smuggling

2025/06/06

In spite of claims from Trump Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that there was no scenario in which wrongfully deported man Kilmar Abrego García would be returned to the United States, in breaking news this morning that is exactly what has happened. Facing charges of human smuggling over a 2022 incident that police formerly declined to pursue, however, is this a win for due process or the Trump administration trying to retroactively justify its glaring error? We take a look at this developing story as well as the very public breakup of Donald Trump and billionaire backer Elon Musk. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.