Background Briefing: November 20, 2023
The Death of a First Lady Who Made a Difference
We begin with the death of First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who was married to Jimmy Carter for 77 years, and who will be remembered for the personal and political bravery she displayed in her pioneering efforts to reduce the stigma of mental illness. Joining us is James Fallows, an award-winning author and national correspondent for The Atlantic. He previously worked as President Carter’s chief speechwriter and was editor of US News & World Report. He has written a number of books on media and politics and his latest books are, China Airborne: The Test of China’s Future and, co-authored with his wife Deborah Fallows, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey Into the Heart of America, which was made into an HBO movie and he blogs at “Breaking the News” at fallows.substack.com where his latest article is “Rosalynn Carter Made a Difference.”
A Chainsaw-Wielding Madman Just Got Elected President of Argentina
Then, with far-wing populist Javier Milei, who has vowed to “exterminate” inflation and hack into the state with a chainsaw, winning the presidency of Argentina decisively, we will speak with Leopoldo Rodriguez, a Professor of International & Global Studies and Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University. An expert on Argentina, his research focuses on international financial crises, neoliberal reforms and democracy, and sustainable development.
Musk’s Open Anti-Semitism is Being Spread to His 170 Million Followers
Then finally, with Elon Musk praising the election of the chainsaw-wielding madman who just got elected president of Argentina, we look into Musk’s open anti-semitism, which is being spread to his 170 million followers on his private platform X, formally Twitter. Joining us to discuss this one man hate machine who happens to be the richest man in the world is Wendy Via, the President and Co-Founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism where her work focuses on the effects of extremism on our society, systemic racism, economic inequality, immigration, criminal justice reform, and LGBTQ+ rights. Previously she was the Chief Communications and Development Officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center.