Episode 41 - MOU Money, MOU Problems

Episode 41 - MOU Money, MOU Problems

The Rational Policy Podcast is back! After a weeklong hiatus, we return with Episode 41, in which hosts Mike Coté [https://substack.com/profile/4287105-mike-cote] and Art Vandelay [https://substack.com/profile/17289894-art-vandelay] dive into the latest developments in news and politics over the past fortnight. Unsurprisingly, we spend the lion’s share of the podcast discussing the war (or conspicuous lack thereof) in Iran, breaking down the just-signed Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington. We talk about the ridiculously bad terms of that ‘deal’, how it gives away the store to the Iranians, and why the president suddenly got cold feet when he was on the precipice of victory. We also touch on why this agreement is worthless, how it will inevitably fall apart, and what might happen afterward. This isn’t the end of the war, but it might be end of Donald Trump’s ability to credibly threaten the use of force to achieve American national aims - and that is a very dangerous thing. Another dangerous thing is our second topic, the lapsing of FISA intelligence collection authority after Democrats held the renewal up to protest Trump’s terrible nomination of Bill Pulte as Director of National Intelligence. The rationale may have been sound, but the consequences could be massive; let’s hope we never see them. We finish off with a discussion of the World Cup currently ongoing here in the good old US of A. We talk about the tournament itself, the way it has helped demolish the preconceived notions that foreigners have about America, and how it showcases the best of our great nation. Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike [https://x.com/ratlpolicy] / Art [https://x.com/LJS527]), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week. Until then, enjoy the World Cup. Go USA! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com [https://www.rationalpolicy.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 40 - Ramble On

Episode 40 of the Rational Policy Podcast is here! In this freewheeling episode, hosts Mike Coté [https://substack.com/profile/4287105-mike-cote] and Art Vandelay [https://substack.com/profile/17289894-art-vandelay] skip the usual news of the week for a series of digressions and tangents that actually ended up being one of our better podcast installments. In this semi-rambling hour or so, we hit on everything from American patriotism and the UFC fight on the White House lawn to the uselessness of the DNI position and how Trump’s second-term Cabinet compares to his first-term team. We also talk about how Trumpism was an outgrowth of the 2008 financial crisis and what that might mean about the long political tail of the Covid pandemic, lay out a counterfactual about how the George W. Bush administration would’ve been very different had 9/11 not happened, and interrogate why politics attracts all the worst people, while repelling the best our nation has to offer. And be sure to stay tuned for some great pop culture references, including a nod to the classic Mike Judge flick Office Space. Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike [https://x.com/ratlpolicy] / Art [https://x.com/LJS527]), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’re taking next week off, but we shall return in mid-June. And there will be a Very Special Episode coming soon, too. Until then, enjoy the fascinating cultural spectacle of UFC 250 next weekend. Cheers! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com [https://www.rationalpolicy.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 39 - AI-pocalypse Now?

Episode 39 of the Rational Policy Podcast is here! Join hosts Mike Coté [https://substack.com/profile/4287105-mike-cote] and Art Vandelay [https://substack.com/profile/17289894-art-vandelay] for a breakdown of the most important topics in policy and politics - this time with a focus on everything AI. The subject is nigh-inescapable, impacting essentially all aspects of life today, from the economy to the dinner table. On this episode, we discuss the topic, both in broad and narrow terms. Are the controversies over things like data centers reasonable? Is AI going to destroy productive human employment? Will AI ever do anything but make slop Instagram videos? Are tech moguls the new robber barons? And what role - if any - should government have in the development and regulation of this burgeoning industry? Plus, tune in for digressions on the positive impact of Big Pharma, the future of foreign far-left funding in US politics, and whether there will ever be a deal with Iran. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com [https://www.rationalpolicy.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 38 - Corruptio ad Absurdum

Welcome to Episode 38 of the Rational Policy Podcast! In this installment, hosts Mike Coté [https://substack.com/profile/4287105-mike-cote] and Art Vandelay [https://substack.com/profile/17289894-art-vandelay] break down the news of the week, both foreign and domestic. We start with the latter, discussing the White House’s announcement of a $1.776 billion fund to compensate the purported victims of a politicized, abusive, and vindictive Justice Department – essentially, an unregulated pot of money through which the president could pay his most vitriolic supporters. We talk about this nakedly corrupt abuse of power, how it could hurt Republicans politically, and what it says about the abject self-marginalization of Congress. We then move on to a lightning round on foreign affairs, hitting developments and predictions on Iran, the resignation of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, the outcome of last week’s Trump-Xi summit, and the future of the Cuban regime under increasing American pressure. Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike [https://x.com/ratlpolicy] / Art [https://x.com/LJS527]), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week. Until then, enjoy the long weekend and be sure to remember our fallen troops this Memorial Day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com [https://www.rationalpolicy.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Episode 37 - Summitry Punditry

Episode 37 of the Rational Policy Podcast is live! In this installment, hosts Mike Coté [https://substack.com/profile/4287105-mike-cote] and Art Vandelay [https://substack.com/profile/17289894-art-vandelay] dive into the news of the week, touching on global, domestic, and media affairs. We start with an update on the progress (or lack thereof) of the Iran War, exploring how things have changed and what might come next for the conflict. Most of the show, however, is dedicated to a different topic entirely: the Trump-Xi summit in China. We explain what is happening, why it shouldn’t be happening, and our concerns for the outcome of this trip. We discuss what it means for US-China relations and whether this approach is a useful one. Along the way, we touch on various semi-related issues, ranging from the future of the Cuban regime to the economics and geopolitics of tariffs and decoupling from Beijing. Finally, we shift to the media, lambasting a disgraceful antisemitic blood libel published by the New York Times, claiming that Israel uses sexual violence as a tool of state power. These claims not only fly in the face of reality, the timing of their publication - immediately prior to the release of a full report from the Israeli commission investigating the mass Hamas sexual violence of October 7 - speaks to the nefarious intent behind the piece. Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike [https://x.com/ratlpolicy] / Art [https://x.com/LJS527]), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week. Until then, let’s hope that Trump’s Chinese vacation ends with very few souvenirs. Cheers! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com [https://www.rationalpolicy.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]