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Like, A, umm, O, like umm C? (AOC)

After hearing many clips on counterpoints with Ryan Grimm's interview with AOC, which I thought was good, about 30 seconds in each I was cringing at all the "like" and "umm" in her answers. Am I crazy person or is she just not a good communicator? As a millennial, I know we talk differently than boomers, but come on it sounds like a 14-year-old trying to convince her mom to do something. I feel like in most interviews I don't hear all of that and answers from other elected officials Love the show, keep it up.

Biden pardoning Trump... a good idea?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this, and I am curious if Biden's team would even consider this. I think it could be wise if Biden decided to pardon Trump for all federal crimes associated with January 6th, the confidential documents (maybe with the caveat that anything especially sensitive is returned), and defrauding America and his MAGA donors with his Stop the Steal line. In short, Biden gives up nothing because none of these investigations are going anywhere anyway, and if they do, they only strengthen Trump's standing in the GOP. The reasons I think the pardon would help Biden are as follows: 1. By pardoning him, he can basically say and allow others to assume that Trump is guilty of all of these things ("Despite all the evidence of his guilt, and the pain he has caused, I believe it is in the best interest of America to move forward, let bygones be bygones, and look to the future as I pardon him for any crimes related to the following things..."), and yet it forces Trump to basically call Biden "a very nice guy, he did a very nice thing for me, I'm not guilty, I didn't do any of this, but it was really nice." 2. Trump loves playing the victim, he plays up being persecuted (the GOP response to the FBI raid is a perfect example) - this kills that potential momentum. 3. I think the most impactful case against Trump right now is the tax fraud case in New York, which assuming this is based on the tax laws of New York, wouldn't be hurt by a federal pardon anyway, so the pardon doesn't remove Trump from legal jeopardy. 4. It could be seen as unifying as reasonable republicans and independents would admire Biden for putting country ahead of politics, pardoning Trump for the sake of healing the county fits with Biden's theme of recovering the soul of America. Smart democrats would admire this as a shrewd move. 5. If I was Biden, maybe he could even trade the pardon in exchange for the House Republicans backing off certain investigations, although this would seem to me highly unlikely. For context, I am a twice, but for sure not thrice, Trump voter. If you read this far, tell me, am I totally off base here? Thanks, love the show!

The 3 legacy airlines potentially striking at the same time

Krystal and Saagar, thanks for following and informing on labor, especially the railroad negotiations. The 3 legacy airlines and air line pilots, represented by ALPA, in the US are at a near impasse on negotiations currently. Each one has an amendable contract that ended in 2019. What can be done about the railway labor act that empowers employees rather than the corporations that clearly has a leg up legally. The CEO’s are confident they (airline pilots) cannot legally strike, therefore are unions officially dead at this point? The current laws and parties have no interest in the matter, what can be done to embolden labor in the US.

Talk to crypto people within the space

Hi! Love the podcast and you guys in light of the recent crypto news with FTX I think it would be great to get someone within the space to discuss what crypto values are and how FTX does not represent crypto principles. I recently saw the Kyle, Krystal, and Friends with Matt Stoller and to hear him say blockchains are just spreadsheets as his opening statement is disingenuous and separating the tech from the people who commit fraud is key. There is an issue currently with VCs and Silicon Valley co-opting the crypto space for the monetary gain a good metaphor for crypto right now is the ISPs (internet service providers) of the early 90s during that time there were many competing providers (blockchains), some grifts and scams, and eventually there was consolidation and regulation. Crypto has to the mainstream become hyper focused on the financial aspect from speculation in price but the core tech is the value. Blockchains enable applications where users own their identity and data, flipping the model we currently have where a 3rd party store data about us in many areas and we have censorship and possible data leaks. Crypto enables easier community coordination to solve local issues and connect more by having a transparent medium to transact. There's so much to say and I think having on either Ryan and/or David from the Bankless podcasts, Vitalik Buterin (Ethereum Founder), or Eric Voorhees (debated SBF on regulation he was pushing for in DC right before collapse) would be great to inform the breaking points community on the faults in crypto with the people and the true tenants within the tech.

Trump is back on twitter...but because of a Poll

Trump is back on twitter and TBH that is fine, but does anyone else think its weird that it was done with a twitter poll? I mean Elon wanted to back out of the twitter deal cause of bots....soooo did he fix all the bots before the poll? I mean wouldnt that be a bigger deal if he did? Trick question: he didnt fix the bots lol.