Special Edition: Live From Eurovision and the Controversy Over Israel

S1:E10 - The Politics of Hate: Remigration & the Far Right

Bet you didn't notice that President Trump has used the word "remigration" in his social media posts. Bet it was because you didn't know what it means. Join Critical Support Radio as Charles and Shirin speak with Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate & Extremism, as she explains what "remigration" means and how it has transformed the politics of Europe and its former colonies, including the United States. Take a seat as you take in how the new, old far right aims to re-engineer entire societies, without you. Support this work by subscribing: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

No Country for Old ... Liberals?

In this edition of Critical Support, Charles and Shirin discuss the 2003 Coen Brothers' film "No Country for Old Men." Based on a work by Cormac McCarthy, the movie has been interpreted by some as a great example of conservative art, depicting a world where good manners have given way to nihilistic violence. That's a defensible reading, but does it hold up in 2026? Today's conservatives pride themselves not on honor or concern for others, but on transgression and self-interest. Right-wing politicians like Donald Trump are a lot closer to Anton Chigurh — the sociopathic killer, played by Javier Bardem, who makes no apology for abandoning morality for personal gain — than to Sheriff Bell, the traditional conservative lawman, played by Tommy Lee Jones, who laments the fact that empathy is lost in the modern world. Indeed, it's now popular on the right to argue that empathy is not just a sign of weakness, but actually suicidal. In some ways, you could argue a film that was once "conservative" is today "liberal," as it is those on the center-left who are now defending a dying system in face of lawless violence. https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport [https://www.patreon.com/c/CriticalSupport]

Is Art Always Political? Eurovision, Israel and Where It All Ends

Charles and Shirin discuss the 70th Eurovision contest and whether politics — or Israel — should have been excluded from the competition. As part of the conversation, they discuss Charles' on-the-ground report from Vienna, Austria, and whether protesters or fans are right: Is all art political? Should we just let people enjoy things? And in a world divided by nationalism, is it possible to represent one's country without representing one's government? Subscribe and support the show: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

Special Edition: Live From Eurovision and the Controversy Over Israel

Critical Support’s Charles R. Davis files an on-the-ground report from Vienna, Austria, which hosted the 70th edition of Eurovision. He speaks to protesters who criticized Israel’s inclusion in the song contest, citing its actions in Gaza and arguing there should be “no platform for genocide.” And he talks to Eurovision fans who say politics has no place at an event that should be about music, love and unity. Is it fair to hold artists responsible for the actions of their government? Can we ever afford to ignore politics? And does the decision to exclude Russia over its invasion of Ukraine show that Eurovision has a double standard? Listen, subscribe and find out more: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalSupport

Talking Tradwives with Amanda Marcotte

Charles R. Davis and Shirin Sadeghi sit down with journalist Amanda Marcotte, a senior politics writer at Salon and the host of "Standing Room Only," a weekly show about culture and current events available on YouTube. This week's discussion: the "tradwife" phenomenon and the rise of influencers like Hannah Neeleman of Ballerina Farm who are selling nostalgia for pre-20th century gender roles. Why is this happening now? Who is the target audience? And are women persuaded by content that encourages them to abandon their careers for a life raising kids on the farm? And are "tradwives" even real? Marcotte and the hosts discuss Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, and whether their relationship is actually traditional or just a performance. https://www.patreon.com/c/CriticalSupport