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Common Ground Podcast
We are two political observers, Owen the conservative and Don the progressive, coming together to try to find common ground. We also hope to work together to establish ideas for reform with our common...
youtube.com
After Kirk was assassinated, a conservative friend reached out to ask if i wanted to do a podcast with him. Not a debate, a discussion. A space where a progressive and a conservative could talk and explore areas of agreement.
If you're interested, here's the link.
If you're interested, here's the link.
Sleepy Crooked Donnie is the greatest con man in history.
December 1, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Sleepy Crooked Donnie is the greatest con man in history.
Jesus, they're just saying out loud that they don't give a shit about separation of powers.
KARL: Did you know about the judge's order when you issued your order for the planes to continue?
KRISTI NOEM: This is an activist judge. We comply with all federal orders that are lawful and binding.
KRISTI NOEM: This is an activist judge. We comply with all federal orders that are lawful and binding.
November 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Jesus, they're just saying out loud that they don't give a shit about separation of powers.
Reposted
Senator Kelly is correct.
Plus a Public Service Announcement:
KEY section of Department of Defense's Law of War Manual is 18.3.2.1.
The VERY rule on the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders gives as its paradigmatic example of what is "clearly illegal:
"orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Plus a Public Service Announcement:
KEY section of Department of Defense's Law of War Manual is 18.3.2.1.
The VERY rule on the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders gives as its paradigmatic example of what is "clearly illegal:
"orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
November 30, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Senator Kelly is correct.
Plus a Public Service Announcement:
KEY section of Department of Defense's Law of War Manual is 18.3.2.1.
The VERY rule on the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders gives as its paradigmatic example of what is "clearly illegal:
"orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Plus a Public Service Announcement:
KEY section of Department of Defense's Law of War Manual is 18.3.2.1.
The VERY rule on the "requirement" to refuse illegal orders gives as its paradigmatic example of what is "clearly illegal:
"orders to fire upon the shipwrecked."
Kelly for president, man.
Newsome and Pritzker and the rest all lack federal experience. Executive experience without knowing the federal system isn't enough. Kelly knows how the machine works, and his values are correct.
Newsome and Pritzker and the rest all lack federal experience. Executive experience without knowing the federal system isn't enough. Kelly knows how the machine works, and his values are correct.
Mark Kelly: "When I heard the secretary say that they're gonna pause immigration from third world countries, I take that as a message that they don't want brown people coming to the US. And I find that disturbing."
November 30, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Kelly for president, man.
Newsome and Pritzker and the rest all lack federal experience. Executive experience without knowing the federal system isn't enough. Kelly knows how the machine works, and his values are correct.
Newsome and Pritzker and the rest all lack federal experience. Executive experience without knowing the federal system isn't enough. Kelly knows how the machine works, and his values are correct.
Reposted
The guy shot two random people with a gun, I don't think you can say he wasn't assimilating into our culture
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The guy shot two random people with a gun, I don't think you can say he wasn't assimilating into our culture
Trump isn't Hitler or Mussolini, and he's probably not actually a Russian asset. He's most like Franco. Isolationist, authoritarian, nativist, obsessed with military might and an imagined historic greatness.
Is that better? No. But understanding his motivations is important.
Is that better? No. But understanding his motivations is important.
November 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Trump isn't Hitler or Mussolini, and he's probably not actually a Russian asset. He's most like Franco. Isolationist, authoritarian, nativist, obsessed with military might and an imagined historic greatness.
Is that better? No. But understanding his motivations is important.
Is that better? No. But understanding his motivations is important.
Say what you will about Stephen Miller, it's generous and thoughtful of him to cook and serve his family the turkey after he's sucked out the blood.
Hey, we saw you from across the bar and really dig your vibe.
November 27, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Say what you will about Stephen Miller, it's generous and thoughtful of him to cook and serve his family the turkey after he's sucked out the blood.
To those saying that the Epstein emails should make us sympathetic to Qanon believers, could you please direct me to the children who said that they were imprisoned by Hillary Clinton in a pizza shop basement?
November 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
To those saying that the Epstein emails should make us sympathetic to Qanon believers, could you please direct me to the children who said that they were imprisoned by Hillary Clinton in a pizza shop basement?
What region sits in the middle of 4/5ths of all geopolitical hotspots, is chock full of mineral, and is navigating an independent course for the first time in centuries? Central Asia. If you're internationally curious, don't sleep on this podcast.
The next TCA podcast episode drops Sunday, November 30 featuring Edward Lemon and Bradley Jardine on Chinese influence in Central Asia and their new book From Belt and Road to Backlash https://ow.ly/njiz50XyiCe #CentralAsia #China #GeopoliticsPodcast #TCApodcast #EdwardLemon #BradleyJardine
Pannier and Hillard's Spotlight on Central Asia: New Episode Available Now - The Times Of Central Asia
As Managing Editor of The Times of Central Asia, I’m delighted that, in partnership with the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs, from October 19, we are
ow.ly
November 26, 2025 at 7:13 PM
What region sits in the middle of 4/5ths of all geopolitical hotspots, is chock full of mineral, and is navigating an independent course for the first time in centuries? Central Asia. If you're internationally curious, don't sleep on this podcast.
Here's a little fun fact for all you Californians. "Right on red" means that if you intend to turn right at an intersection and there's a red light, you treat it like a stop sign, not (as is commonly done here) a yield.
If you roll through without stopping, you're being an asshole.
Tah!
If you roll through without stopping, you're being an asshole.
Tah!
November 26, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Here's a little fun fact for all you Californians. "Right on red" means that if you intend to turn right at an intersection and there's a red light, you treat it like a stop sign, not (as is commonly done here) a yield.
If you roll through without stopping, you're being an asshole.
Tah!
If you roll through without stopping, you're being an asshole.
Tah!
@governor.ca.gov As a relatively newly arrived CA resident, I have a recommendation for something we've done in other states that may make CA more livable. In other states, people have to know how to drive before going on the road, and then are held accountable for their driving. Can we try that?
November 24, 2025 at 7:12 PM
@governor.ca.gov As a relatively newly arrived CA resident, I have a recommendation for something we've done in other states that may make CA more livable. In other states, people have to know how to drive before going on the road, and then are held accountable for their driving. Can we try that?
To everyone saying that Trump is aligned with the 9/11 attackers,
Just stop. Fucking stop. Saudi individuals were involved, the country didn't do it. The president of Syria is a reformed former leader of an al Qaeda affiliate that exclusively opposed Assad. You're not helping with Islamophobia.
Just stop. Fucking stop. Saudi individuals were involved, the country didn't do it. The president of Syria is a reformed former leader of an al Qaeda affiliate that exclusively opposed Assad. You're not helping with Islamophobia.
November 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
To everyone saying that Trump is aligned with the 9/11 attackers,
Just stop. Fucking stop. Saudi individuals were involved, the country didn't do it. The president of Syria is a reformed former leader of an al Qaeda affiliate that exclusively opposed Assad. You're not helping with Islamophobia.
Just stop. Fucking stop. Saudi individuals were involved, the country didn't do it. The president of Syria is a reformed former leader of an al Qaeda affiliate that exclusively opposed Assad. You're not helping with Islamophobia.
In '04 I knew a guy who worked for a conservative voter registration org. He was explicitly instructed to throw away registration cards from blue voters, which he did with glee.
When I called him out, he said both sides do it.
They really believe everyone is bad, so their badness is justified.
When I called him out, he said both sides do it.
They really believe everyone is bad, so their badness is justified.
Amazing story, state legislator and Turning Points USA leader who crusaded against bogus voter fraud claims pleads guilty to attempted election fraud. azmirror.com/briefs/turni...
Turning Point leader, former GOP Rep pleads guilty to attempted election fraud | Arizona Mirror
Austin Smith election fraud guilty plea: Former GOP Rep admits forging 100+ signatures on ballot petitions in Arizona
azmirror.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:37 AM
In '04 I knew a guy who worked for a conservative voter registration org. He was explicitly instructed to throw away registration cards from blue voters, which he did with glee.
When I called him out, he said both sides do it.
They really believe everyone is bad, so their badness is justified.
When I called him out, he said both sides do it.
They really believe everyone is bad, so their badness is justified.
Guess I have a new karaoke song.
a few years ago at karaoke a guy did Africa by Toto except he thought the lyrics were “I guess it rains down in Africa” and every time he sang it he’d do a little shrug
November 24, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Guess I have a new karaoke song.
Reposted
In addition to the elements necessary for a just and lasting peace and Ukraine’s sovereignty:
any agreement must include the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
We will not rest until every single one of them is reunited with their families, in their homes.
any agreement must include the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
We will not rest until every single one of them is reunited with their families, in their homes.
November 23, 2025 at 12:13 PM
In addition to the elements necessary for a just and lasting peace and Ukraine’s sovereignty:
any agreement must include the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
We will not rest until every single one of them is reunited with their families, in their homes.
any agreement must include the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
We will not rest until every single one of them is reunited with their families, in their homes.
Having a military that serves a civilian government built on the rule of law means that every service member is responsive for the law. "I was just following orders" is specifically not a defense.
For what it’s worth, as a commander and officer it was my duty, moral obligation, and legal requirement to first question and then to not obey any illegal order I was given.
The same is true for everyone who swear their oath.
Hope that clears things up.
The same is true for everyone who swear their oath.
Hope that clears things up.
November 23, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Having a military that serves a civilian government built on the rule of law means that every service member is responsive for the law. "I was just following orders" is specifically not a defense.
I wanted to take my enormous privilege and be a part of reducing the pain people overseas experienced in crisis as a direct or indirect consequence of my country's careless choices.
Record scratch
So this is what a mid-career transition feels like.
Record scratch
So this is what a mid-career transition feels like.
November 23, 2025 at 1:36 AM
I wanted to take my enormous privilege and be a part of reducing the pain people overseas experienced in crisis as a direct or indirect consequence of my country's careless choices.
Record scratch
So this is what a mid-career transition feels like.
Record scratch
So this is what a mid-career transition feels like.
Q: Do you want to walk back calling him a fascist now that you're interested his presence?
Mamdani: Nope.
Trump: 🤷♂️
Mamdani: Nope.
Trump: 🤷♂️
Q: Just days ago you referred to Trump as a 'despot.' Will you retract?
MAMDANI: We're both very clear on our positions & what I really appreciate about the president is our meeting focused not on places of disagreement but shared purpose we have
TRUMP: I've been called much worse than a despot
MAMDANI: We're both very clear on our positions & what I really appreciate about the president is our meeting focused not on places of disagreement but shared purpose we have
TRUMP: I've been called much worse than a despot
November 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Q: Do you want to walk back calling him a fascist now that you're interested his presence?
Mamdani: Nope.
Trump: 🤷♂️
Mamdani: Nope.
Trump: 🤷♂️
When I saw Maxwell's perks listed, I thought "we don't provide enough toilet paper to inmates???"
Prison conditions are appalling and we normalize it. It is both unsurprising and unacceptable that we leave people under state care in near freezing conditions.
Prison conditions are appalling and we normalize it. It is both unsurprising and unacceptable that we leave people under state care in near freezing conditions.
In a special project on extreme cold in prison, 27 PJP contributors in 17 states describe winter behind bars — and the small dignities that could make it more bearable.
What Extreme Cold Feels Like in Prison
Prison writers from across the U.S. describe how cold their prisons get in the winter — and what small dignities could make it more bearable.
prisonjournalismproject.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:47 AM
When I saw Maxwell's perks listed, I thought "we don't provide enough toilet paper to inmates???"
Prison conditions are appalling and we normalize it. It is both unsurprising and unacceptable that we leave people under state care in near freezing conditions.
Prison conditions are appalling and we normalize it. It is both unsurprising and unacceptable that we leave people under state care in near freezing conditions.
Grok is not my very favorite LLM. Damn it, Musk, you got me back on Twitter after all!
November 20, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Grok is not my very favorite LLM. Damn it, Musk, you got me back on Twitter after all!
Fun fact- While the Blues Brothers was set in Chicago, for chase scenes they used stock footage from rush hour in Los Angeles.
a store front with a sign that says blues brothers on it
ALT: a store front with a sign that says blues brothers on it
media.tenor.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Fun fact- While the Blues Brothers was set in Chicago, for chase scenes they used stock footage from rush hour in Los Angeles.
Reposted
Things are dark. I expect they will get far darker still. The light may remain obscured for a decade—or more.
But, for the first time in months, I can feel the lingering presence of genuine optimism.
But, for the first time in months, I can feel the lingering presence of genuine optimism.
November 20, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Things are dark. I expect they will get far darker still. The light may remain obscured for a decade—or more.
But, for the first time in months, I can feel the lingering presence of genuine optimism.
But, for the first time in months, I can feel the lingering presence of genuine optimism.
These frivolous lawsuits against the government by long-time members of Congress lays bare just how serious their public service always was.
Let's see even one guarantee that all proceeds would go to charity.
Let's see even one guarantee that all proceeds would go to charity.
November 19, 2025 at 10:54 PM
These frivolous lawsuits against the government by long-time members of Congress lays bare just how serious their public service always was.
Let's see even one guarantee that all proceeds would go to charity.
Let's see even one guarantee that all proceeds would go to charity.
Californians, you need to hear this. If you've missed your turn, go around the block. Don't cross three lanes of traffic, don't stop in traffic until it clears up, don't cut off the car that's in the lane you want to be in. Just take a breath and go around the block.
Yes, all Californians.
Yes, all Californians.
November 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Californians, you need to hear this. If you've missed your turn, go around the block. Don't cross three lanes of traffic, don't stop in traffic until it clears up, don't cut off the car that's in the lane you want to be in. Just take a breath and go around the block.
Yes, all Californians.
Yes, all Californians.