Subscriber Expectations
Hi Krystal and Saagar, I'm curious how you view the relationship with subscribers and what, if any, expectations you have of us. In the early days it seemed that subscribers helped to provide A/V feedback, set feedback, and general delivery experience feedback.All of this seemed welcome by the BP team; however, lately many subscribers are giving feedback on content or what might be described as the show's performance. This latter type of feedback seems it may have crossed the line with the BP team. While I agree that you should continue being authentic and true to yourself (this is why your audience trusts you), it's a little unclear on what you view as helpful feedback on content and the show's performance...or perhaps you would encourage subscribers to be involved in other ways?
Could you stop discussing the Israel/Hamas War?
I am sure that there are other news stories in the world that are meaningful, important, and deserve your talented discussion. You aren't adding anything to the Israel/Palenstine discussion and your dogmatic defense of people like Norm Finkelstein hurt your argument and undermine your credibility. Please MOVE ON TO OTHER TOPICS. There is more death and destruction in the world than Israel & Palenstine, your focus on it does nothing.
Rape at Al Shifa/ Israel Gaza Coverage
Hi all, Krystal mentioned this morning that there were allegations of rape at Al shifa. Al Jazera and Hamas debunked this story this morning before the airing of your show. I know you said that these reports were unconfirmed, but it was confirmed that story was not true. You have dedicated entire segments to the debunking of mass rape allegations on October 7th, and it would certainly seem like a double standard not to state some sort of clarification tomorrows episode. It is not lost on me that there are differences in these two things and how media has covered them, but again (as I have said in other comments) there does seem to be a double standard on this show in terms of the treatment of Israeli reporting on atrocities vs Palestinian reporting on atrocities in that throw away lines like "Hamas is obviously a terrorist organization that committed atrocities but" are used when discussing the latter party. Obviously there is a lot of nuance and complexities and varying responsibilities when we discuss non state terrorist actors vs a purported Western military, and I do not feel that "balance" in reporting is always necessary given those said nuances and complexities, but for a show that claims to cover things fairly, I believe this topic (ie. Israel and Palestine) specifically is lacking. Would be great to have someone on who is pro Israel (not just some random congressman, but someone more akin to the opposite of Norm Finklestien who you have had on multiple times). Thanks for everything you do!
Abolishment of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Office at University of Wyoming
Hi Saagar and Krystal, I am a huge fan of the show and did my best to watch you when I was serving abroad during my two terms of service in the Peace Corps (Guyana, 18-20, Zambia, 22-23). I am currently a graduate assistant at the University of Wyoming studying Public Administration and the Wyoming State Legislature announced that no state funds shall be used for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion activities. This effectively shuts down the school's very recently established DEI Office. While I know DEI offices can get rather wacky in terms of promoting over the top, counter productive, and "overly woke" agendas in academia, this university could use a dash of diversity in my opinion. Overwhelmingly white, overtly homophobic chants and racist remarks at football games, I could go on. What are your thoughts on this Wyoming State decision and can some form of DEI really be effective?