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It has been two years since Christian Nationalists pushed through a change in the Ohio Released Time Religious Instruction law to benefit the religious group LifeWise Academy. Their main plan is to indoctrinate and recruit public school children by removing them from school in the middle of the day for bible classes. Our guest is Keith Comer from Respect Public Schools has been tracking the moves of Lifewise and other RTRI programs in the state and the country. We start by reviewing key Supreme Court cases and related law. We mentions Everson v. Board of Education, McCollum v. Board of Education, and Zorach v. Clauson, describing the last case as allowing off-campus religious instruction if parents agree and public funds are not used. We also explains that Ohio later passed a law in 2014 providing a framework for these programs. Keith Comer of Respect Public Schools describes how he became involved after seeing Ohio House Bill 445, which would have required schools to cooperate with LifeWise. He explains that he created an online map using public information from LifeWise’s website. Comer says parents can always remove their children from school for religious instruction, but schools are not constitutionally required to coordinate these programs unless state law forces them to do so. He says LifeWise sought such laws in several states after encountering resistance. Part 1 also focuses on classroom disruption and recruitment. Comer says taking elementary students out during the school day disrupts instruction, especially when programs target specials, lunch, or recess. LifeWise’s goal is not simply to offer a class, but to increase church attendance and recruit children at a young age. Then we address LifeWise’s finances and political connections. Comer says the group collects substantial money, sends a significant portion to headquarters, and works with organizations such as the Family Research Council, Alliance Defending Freedom, and Moms for Liberty. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

We reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by revisiting live news coverage from that day. We discuss the amount of misinformation, speculation, and confusion that appeared in early reporting, and we contrast that with later coverage and memorial material. We then turn to the security and surveillance systems expanded after 9/11, including Homeland Security, the TSA, the Patriot Act, surveillance courts, and rendition. We argue that these measures did not keep people safe in the way they were presented at the time, and we connect that to how those tools are being used by President Trump today against his political opponents. A local television report about a deadly crash in Ohio involving an undocumented driver with a Connecticut driver’s license exposes the continued racist attacks on undocumented people by the Republicans panicking over election losses in November. We fact check a National Republican Senatorial Committee mailer attacking Sherrod Brown over transgender issues and drag story time. The claims not only misrepresent Brown’s record and a community event at Harmony Project and the mailer uses falsehoods and culture-war messaging instead of addressing policy issues. Full show notes & links used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

We start by debunking a PragerU video about why people believe lies and use it to examine how political media frames public health measures. The claim that pandemic masking and six-foot distancing were examples of manipulation is missing how science actually works. We note that the distancing guidance was based on reducing risk, even if the exact number was not fixed by a single clear standard. LifeWise Academy setup a booth at a school open house in Rossford, Ohio. We explain that since LifeWise is a religious release-time program and schools must remain neutral under the relevant Supreme Court ruling from 1952 and related state rules. Recruiting students at school events can raise legal concerns and school districts often avoid challenges because of the cost of lawsuits. Comments from Trump administration officials and House speaker Mike Johnson show that Republicans lie as a matter of course. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s claims about the relationship of immigration and rent, AG Secretary Brooke Rollins’ comments about SNAP recipients and luxury cars, and Speaker Mike Johnson’s defense of Republican economic policy is just some examples of the honest crisis in Washington DC. These arguments rely on scapegoating and proven failed economic policy that they do not match the evidence on housing costs, food assistance, or trickle-down economics. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Rand Paul and other Republicans were trying to trap him into statements they could use against him. The hearing was a political witch hunt and going on six years now. There is a broader anti-science movement in conservative politics, including opposition to gender-affirming care, abortion rights, vaccines, and public health guidance. There is also misinformation, snake-oil products, and claims made by social media influencers and some television ads that are more about profit over health of people. Trump's Religious Liberty Commission was sued for lack of diversity. Contrary to federal law, the commission was dominated by conservative Christians and evangelicals, with no representation from other faiths and atheists. The court dismissed the case by redefining what is meant by diversity. We look at the backlash to progressive and Democratic Socialist wins in some Democratic primaries recently. We hear examples of the criticism from establishment Democrats and media figures, and we argue that voters chose these candidates directly. We say the panic over the DSA is overstated and that Democrats should focus more on fighting Trump and less on attacking progressives. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

While Graham Platner needed to end his campaign after being accused of rape some progressive commentators handled the story badly, especially the tendency to ignore Platner's PTSD and trauma as part of the context for his earlier behavior. We supported him based on the information available at the time, and we explain why the final set of revelations made continued support for him impossible. We are just disappointed that Platner's trauma was ignored by others. Also in Maine, another legal fight over public funds for religious schools reached federal court. The state changed its Human Rights Act after the Carson v. Makin US Supreme Court decision in 2022. All schools receiving public money must follow nondiscrimination requirements for students. Religious schools filed a lawsuit. We re-visit the topic of LifeWise Academy and note that its student enrollment is far below its stated goal. The group’s push for release-time Bible instruction during the school day is not impressing parents who have concerns about the program. Public attention appears to be reducing family participation in the program. Finally the Trump administration and Fox News framing democratic socialists as communists is a reboot of the cold war. We argue that democratic socialism is not the same as communism, and we point to the DSA’s own stated goals, including Medicare for All, expanded democracy, and public ownership of key sectors - they don't support or demand revolution. We end by saying voters should evaluate candidates on their actual proposals rather than on scare labels. We are also disappointed that establishment Democrats are jumping on the bandwagon over the DSA. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

We look at Ohio politics, a federal religious-liberty commission, and the reaction to recent Democratic Socialist primary wins in New York City. Ohio Republicans repeat false claims about Dr. Amy Acton and COVID-era county fair restrictions, trying to use that issue to help Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign. They don't explain that in 2020 Ramaswamy supported the lock downs and even mandatory vaccinations. Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission, which we say was built around Christian nationalist complaints rather than broad religious liberty is being sued arguing that the commission violated federal requirements for inclusiveness because it was dominated by evangelical voices. We also discuss concern that its report would push the idea that church-state separation is a problem. Finally, we discuss the New York City primary results and the panic they caused among MAGA figures and some establishment Democrats. We argue that Democratic Socialist wins in a heavily Democratic city are being overstated as a national warning sign. We say the issues driving those campaigns are affordability, housing, health care, and wages, and that voters are responding to candidates who seem more willing to challenge Trump-era politics. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

Trump won Ohio three times with an 11 point win in 2024 so why is the GOP nominee for Governor Vivek Ramaswamy tied, in the polls, with the Democrat Dr. Amy Acton? The GOP super-majority in the Ohio legislature is worried too so they decided to manipulate their base to get them to the polls in November for Ramaswamy. Although controlling the state since 2011, the Ohio GOP is letting Trump and his goons focus on Medicaid fraud in the state. Meanwhile the Ohio GOP is putting up a constitutional amendment to require photo ID to vote even though that does nothing to secure an election system they tell us is a model for the country, and they also decided to hide a bill that would ban child marriage so as not to trigger their religious extremist friends totally ignoring the whole Trump Epstein files and other sex abuse scandals with the Catholic church and LifeWise Academy. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

Of course there is corruption in US politics that some call campaign contributions but President Trump and family have said "hold our beer" with the just the latest being a slush fund to pay off people who attacked the capitol in 2021. There have been corrupt presidents in the past - Harding and Nixon come to mind but nothing like the scale of the Trump family - there doesn't seem to be any policy or action they can't profit from. Other stories in the episode include Ohio Republicans’ effort to place a photo ID requirement into the state constitution. The proposal copies existing Ohio law but we note the added language that could make early voting harder or impossible by limiting voting to in-person voting on Election Day. Ohio Senate President Rob McColley who is running on a ticket with Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio Governor, personally removed a child marriage ban from the Senate Judiciary committee so it couldn't be voted to the Senate floor. It was a bi-partisan bill with no public opposition before McColley stuck his nose in for no apparent reason. For a party that runs on "protecting children" it is a bad look for the Ohio GOP and Ramaswamy. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

We highlight significant outcomes from the May primaries in Ohio, emphasizing how the ongoing struggles against Christian nationalism and extremist ideologies manifest in local politics. One standout event was the primary defeat of some vocal proponents of Christian nationalism, which could signal a shift in voter sentiment since one candidate, Rep. Josh Williams sold his soul to the religious extremists and didn't even win his home county.  While some positive changes occurred, the presence of remaining extremists raises concerns about their potential influence in the upcoming general election. Another freethinking celebrity, Bill Maher, took his podcast guest, comedian David Cross to task for Cross' daughter having Trans friends. Maher repeated many transphobic myths like he was a member of Turning Point USA. We listen to a segment from Sam Seder of Majority Report about the interview and we agree how Maher’s skepticism reflects a disregard for the lived realities of many. It is crucial to highlight that listening to and validating children's identities is not an agenda; instead, it is an essential aspect of affirming their dignity and well-being. Finally we try to unpack the US Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Calais that finally gutted the last bit of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Many southern states with history of racial voter suppression are trying to quickly redraw their voting maps to eliminate as many Democrat held seats as possible before the midterm election in November. We connect the historical context of voting rights with contemporary struggles against systemic racism, illustrating how far we still need to go in achieving electoral equity. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

Before Ohio holds its primary, the presumptuous GOP candidate for Governor Vivek Ramaswamy is running a negative ad against the presumptive Democrat candidate Dr. Amy Acton. Ramaswamy's ad attempts to gaslight voters about Acton's role as the Director of the Ohio Department of Health at the start of the COVID pandemic in 2020. The ad falsely claims Acton acted outside her authority to postpone the March 2020 primary election. Ohio Republicans have been wanting voters to forget the truth of their inaction during the pandemic and undermining the state's response for political reasons since 2020. We look at Ohio Representative Josh Williams who is the only black Republican in the Ohio House and he is running for Congress in Ohio's 9th District. He claims DEI and affirmative action keep the Black community stuck in poverty and he vocally supports anti-abortion stances, often echoing sentiments that appeal to a predominantly white anti-abortionist base like repeating the false and harmful narrative of abortion as a form of genocide within the Black community. Williams should be the last person holding negative views about policies and programs that give a hand up out of poverty since he himself needed and used that help when he was bed ridden for six years and had no high school diploma yet is now a lawyer and teaches law at a local college while serving as a state representative. Finally we look at the fight between President Trump and the Pope. It is particularly striking that figures like Trump and JD Vance, especially Vance's recent conversion to Catholicism, feel emboldened to critique religious authorities, including the Pope, on theological grounds that contradict their own political alignments. This speaks to a broader trend of politicization of religion where moral authority is wielded selectively. We see that politicization in every level of government from the local to the federal. It is a trend that needs to be stopped. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

Our guest is Wil Jeudy an urgent care physician by day and a secular activist the rest of the time. He is the State Director (Texas) for the American Atheists where he helps keep the secular groups in Texas healthy and active. He is the chair of the American Atheists's "Secular Advocacy Team" which tracks and testifies for/against bills during the Texas legislative session.  He formed the group Secular Houston which organizes the secular political voice in the greater Houston area, endorsing candidates that align with our values, and teaches constituents how and where to direct their energy to affect change through a secular prism aka Separation of Church & State. We discuss politics, church and state issues in Texas, and Democrat James Talarico who Jeudy believes is a unicorn for secular voters - a person of faith who actually understands and supports real religious freedom and separation of church and state. Our host, Doug, is still nervous about him. With the establishment of Secular Texas PAC, Jeudy emphasizes the importance of endorsing political candidates who align with values prioritizing church-state separation and other progressive issues. Jeudy expresses his frustrations about the lack of participation from Republican candidates, highlighting the absence of secular representation in the Texas GOP, a barrier that complicates his mission. The conversation shifts to political endorsements, specifically focusing on James Talarico, a Democrat endorsed by Secular Houston for the U.S. Senate. Though Talarico's background as a seminarian raises eyebrows among some secular voters, Jeudy reassures that Talarico demonstrates a commitment to church-state separation and effectively challenges Christian nationalism through his legislative actions. Jeudy shares an experience of attending a fundraiser where Talarico emphatically advocated for secularism, further solidifying his faith in the candidate.  We talk about the complexities of navigating faith in politics, with Jeudy asserting the significance of collaboration between secular and interfaith groups to counter the influence of Christian nationalism. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

We dissect the Trump administration's claims that the U.S. has been at war with Iran since 1979. Contrary to the administration's narrative, that the real issues at play are deeper than mere historical grievances, extending to vital distractions from pressing domestic challenges, including the skyrocketing grocery prices, disappointing job numbers and the Trump-Epstein files. We explore how President Trump seems to be creating chaos as a diversion, notably with military actions that bolster his standing among certain GOP factions as they gear up for the imminent midterm elections. Transitioning from foreign to domestic matters, we scrutinize Trump's SAVE Act and the political landscape leading up to the midterm elections. The legislation poses significant changes to voting regulations, such as instituting stringent photo ID requirements while limiting mail-in voting. The act is an attempt at disenfranchisement, targeting marginalized communities and exacerbating the looming threat to democracy in hopes of securing a GOP majority in Congress. Finally we look at the upcoming Ohio gubernatorial race, framing it within the context of the national landscape. Dr. Amy Acton is being targeted as an emerging key figure in the gubernatorial narrative. The GOP's main attack line is her tenure as Ohio Health Director during the pandemic, where mischaracterizations of her leadership have emerged as the Republicans attempt to paint her in a negative light. We look at the baseless claims against her, noting how her ethical decisions during the pandemic’s peak, such as refusing to yield to political pressure, not only saved lives but also set a standard for leadership that starkly contrasts with her critics. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

The fight to prevent religious indoctrination in the public schools continue as the 5th circuit punts on the issue of posting the 10 commandments in Louisiana schools. Christian nationalists try to Santa Clause the obvious 1st amendment violation. Vivek Ramaswamy, a GOP candidate for Ohio governor has accepted donations from a notorious Nazi reenactor with ties to Northwestern Ohio. We look at the deeply rooted biases evident within the Republican Party and their reactions to his ethnic background and the efforts to paper over that divide with more voter suppression tactics that are prevalent in the party’s strategy to steal elections. Finally, we examine the lasting impact of misogyny within the atheist and free-thought communities, featuring insights from Rebecca Watson, who finds herself named in the Epstein files. Her story sheds light on the resilience against systemic misogyny and the backlash faced by outspoken women in these predominantly male-dominated spaces. The culture of silence surrounding figures like Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins, who have been accused of inappropriate behavior, is examined critically as we double down on the importance of accountability in our movement. Atheism and freethought needs to remain free from individuals who engage in abusive behavior, whether they are a big name or not. By discussing our experiences with problematic figures within the community, we emphasize the necessity of continuing to establish a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Full show notes & links used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

In this episode, we start by looking at the political landscape in Ohio as we approach the 2026 gubernatorial election. With Mike DeWine term-limited, the race is heating up between Democrat Amy Acton and the wealthy tech entrepreneur, Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy, who boasts credentials as a Yale graduate and a venture capitalist in the biotech sector, finds himself showing his lack of understanding of pressing local issues, particularly the closure of coal plants in Ohio which has greatly impacted the energy landscape. His assertions that he would simply ramp up coal production without acknowledging the broader regulatory and economic context reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of energy economics. Ramaswamy's campaign is characterized by flashy rallies where he promotes himself as an anti-woke candidate, yet his connections to conservative elites like J.D. Vance and Elon Musk raise questions about his grassroots appeal. Next we look at the recent government intimidation of journalists trying to cover the growing fascist regimes' illegitimate actions in Minnesota and elsewhere. We point out that journalists were arrested for covering a protest at a church while just two months prior a Republican religious extremist interrupted a church service in Texas and was never arrested or charged. We also talk about the FACE Act, that is used to protect access to abortion clinics and how churches were added to the law to appease Christian Nationalists in Congress. Finally we discuss the troubling trend of ICE-related violence. The recent murder of Alex Pretti while he tried to intervene during a confrontation with ICE agents adds a chilling layer to the narrative. We need to consider the wider implications of policing practices and to critically engage with the language and narratives used by advocates of increased law enforcement. The escalating violence tied to ICE’s actions raises a critical question: how much violence must occur before we start questioning the legitimacy of these federal agents' operations? Full show notes & links used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon

We look at the unique challenge faced by Republican candidates in states dominated by their party for over a decade, particularly how they navigate elections with only outdated talking points to rely on. We highlight the situation in Ohio, using Robert Sprague as a case study. As the current treasurer, he seeks to run for Secretary of State with a platform centered on a familiar narrative about election fraud, despite his party's long-standing control of the state's electoral process any many voter suppression laws passed. Still the claims of fraud have been debunked by active investigations led by the state’s current Republican Secretary of State, emphasizing that the statistics reveal that voter fraud is exceedingly rare in Ohio.  We shift focus to the deeply troubling incident that occurred in Minneapolis, where an ICE agent's reckless actions resulted in the death of an innocent woman. The systemic harassment faced by communities under the current administration, based on policies rooted in fear and racism have led to a culture of intimidation and violence, like a modern-day Gestapo. This violent encounter is part of a broader pattern of discriminatory practices, echoing the horrors of history where marginalized groups faced with physical violence that is labeled "legal". Finally we reflect on the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States and its Declaration of Independence. There are alarming parallels between the grievances expressed in 1776 and today's political climate. We read from the Declaration, highlighting the founding principles that emphasize the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, stressing that these rights are compromised under the current administration. The ongoing legislative abuses and the power dynamics at play undermines the very essence of democracy. Full Show Notes & Links Used Send us Fan Mail Support the show Subscribe to our free newsletter Check out our Merch Follow us on Bluesky Find us on Twitter(for now) Find us on Instagram Find us on Counter Social Find us on Mastadon