Thank you Lisa Gonzalez, Christopher Campbell, Vicki Whicker, Susan DRENNAN GABRIEL, Melissa Tart, and others for tuning into today’s episode of “Dead Air” with Dean Blundell and special guest Jenn Budd, brought to you by The Save America Movement.
Fourth Estates failures are reflective of the failure of a large part of the population in this country. When you’re electing the dregs of society to public office — over and over and over again — it brings us to where we are.
As I watch the clip of Kristen Welker I am struck by how hard she is trying to impress Stephen Miller. it is almost as though she is desperate to climb into his skin, like she's drowning and only his approval will save her. If anyone was standing face to face with me like that I would be in a hurry to get away. The blonde (Miller's wife?) gives her the polite stare of someone looking at an alien. Perhaps Welker is terrified. If so, I can have some sympathy. Miller has immense power behind the throne.
I hate when you run clips of Trump talking. I never listen to him talk if I can help it. It’s just so disjointed & painful to watch him struggle for words & to try to make sense. I’m begging you to Just summarize for us.
But I do have to say, as a nurse, every time I’m forced to see & listen to him now, my mind drifts to wondering who’s wiping his butt clean when he has a BM? And helping him dress? There’s no family or caregivers present in the White House. Does a valet wipe butts?
I’ve cared for elderly relatives in better shape than Trump. And they all needed that clean up help. Is that Natalie Harps actual job? Can’t help pondering this issue.
Really enjoy your history lessons, so important. You're a great teacher, and you bring these lessons in at the right moment.
I do disagree on your assessment of "Socialism." I don't see the dangers you predict because I experienced the democratic socialism of the wonderful kibbutz movement in Israel- this experiment of cooperative living produced the best citizens from soldiers to artists, from engineers to scientific research, and to Israel's first President. The kibbutz model lived amongst a Democratic Socialist Israel with free health care. However, Bibi often stated his goal was to get rid of all "vestiges," of it and have a Capitalist system, comparing it to the neo conservatism of the Republican Party in the US. And sure enough the more capitalistic, the more corrupt with money in politics, and severe divides between rich and poor, not unlike what happened here.
The few successful Democratic Socialists that have made it to Congress, or are running, have never advocated the type of Socialism as seen in Russia or Germany.
Bernie Sanders is the epitome of this movement, and what is his platform, equality and fairness. No one is discussing the Communist model you so fear.
And although you describe Rossevelt and Kennedy as "moderates," I hardly think they'd be categorized that way today.
They too would be called "Socialists," and actually Roosevelt was called a Socialist by his enemies.
And as Truman stated, when Truman was campaigning for Adlai Stevenson, he stated that the label of "Socialist," is often used as a way to paint a wide false brush, and exaggerate someone's views you don't like.
I understand your history comes from a Republican/Capitalist point of view. However, in my opinion, and maybe I'm wrong Steve, but it's the do nothing moderates, who for years have thrown a bone to the lower and middle-class, who in the name of "compromise," consistently do not make substantial changes on the grift in DC, like campaign finance and healthcare (it was Obama's Kathryn Sibelius that brought us Medicare Advantage- which was no advantage at all and just manipulated us), typical of the "moderates," who say one thing and then stab you in back.
It’s a shame that folks are not better educated on democratic socialism. Since the DSA as a party has some major platform pieces that are not exactly pro-democracy, and thus can be painted as extreme far left by the far right, I think a better framework/labeling would be social democracy, which is what Europeans have. Reality in the US is that “socialism” is a negative label that can’t be changed in one election cycle, and likely will never be viewed as a positive by most Americans, who are not politically educated and have other things to do with their time. I found this article eye opening (gift link): https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/07/dsa-communist-socialist-democrats/687756/?gift=cqZZSctiMQc7w-JMWtVkuCUPV6UAwpVkimj2loF5yTk&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Agree in some part Judith and thanks for including the Atlantic article. Unfortunately I do not trust Jonathan Chait's writings as I don't think he's very intelligent, or astute. He wrote in 2016 that liberals should vote for Trump, he's a proponent of charter schools (which was conceived by the Republican Manhattan Institute think tank, as a first step to privatizing pubic education.
I don't agree with many important aspects of the DSA's platform, aspects of which are not based in reality, the weak link in leftist ideology has always been geopolitics, and an unwillingness to understand the dangers of authoritarianism to democracies, as we see so vividly playing out today.
That said I think the Democratic Party needed a big push to the left, a reminder of what hypocrites they are, having left most of us behind.
Thanks for the perspective on Chait! I wasn’t aware of his background. I don’t agree with the privatization movement which is meant to destroy public education and social programs for the common good. I say this having spent most of my working life in corporate America where I found many folks who agreed with that perspective.
I checked out your posts and we read much in common. I especially appreciate Jess Piper from Missouri! And I saw your post from Keith Edwards to sign the petition- about McConnell- and I did- and forwarded it out to my email list! Thanks for your activism.
Re: privatization- i think to a certain extent we have normalized that too- our doctors offices going corporate, or hedge fund, our water company semi privatized, the homes for rent in our development, even our vet, and that's a small list. It would be one thing if it improved services, but sure enough everything deteriorates when it is bought by private equity....
I agree with a lot that you are saying. I don’t feel like democratic socialism or social Democrats is something to be afraid of. We have Social Security, roads, bridges, infrastructure, public water companies, public transportation, police departments, fire department, public parks, public schools, etc. if there are some hard-core socialist out there, they aren’t going to get very far at least not right away, but they may start to turn things to the left of Center. If people are rah rah yay capitalism, but boo-hoo-ing about oligarchs, I’m sorry, but capitalism led to that. I’m not super well educated on any of the above, I’m just an average citizen. And also, somewhat related, I don’t feel that the DNC being in the hole right now is really going to hurt us. I do believe we could do better if they had their shit together, but since they don’t, we just trudge along. I know that when I vote in November, I will be voting for centrist Democrats, left of Center Democrats, and socialist Democrats. Aren’t we all going to do that?
Graphite: The Creation Of The American Surveillance State
In 2024, a $2 million ICE hardware and “perpetual license software” contract was awarded to Paragon Solutions (now RedLattice), a cyberintelligence firm co-founded by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak known for its military-grade spyware product, Graphite. However, the contract was paused by the Biden administration because of a 2023 executive order banning federal spyware contracts that pose a threat to universal human rights or national security.
In October 2025, the Trump administration revived the Paragon/RedLattice contract, but by January of this year it was “close[d] out.” ICE acting director Tony Lyons admitted in April that the agency was using Graphite to target “foreign terrorist organizations” involved in the distribution of fentanyl. Homeland Security officials have since insisted that ICE has “no relationship” with the maker of the software, and won’t confirm or deny whether the agency still has access to Graphite.
Graphite’s potential for misuse by government officials is not theoretical: In a scandal that eventually led the Italian government to cancel its contract, the spyware was allegedly used to track investigative journalists.
Beshear? Really? I hope you ask him why he is not calling for a special election or being more aggressive where McConnell is concerned. You know it would be a different if the tables were turned. Right now I’ve lost all respect for Beshear.
And then today, after this aired, I see it reported " Jeffries says he has full confidence in Ken Martin". Well who TF has full confidence in Hakeem Jeffries??? Not me.
It is frightening to hear that the alternative to Trump's party is broke. Worse that they are morons at the head of it. We are lucky to have Steve to clear up the BS so we can understand where we stand. Love to hear Jen speak too.
I fight to stop commercial farming because of the horror they put the animals through, and Miller designed the present-day holding camps, concentration camps and they are treating humans, men, women and children the same way. They are cramming too many into too small an area and feeding them slop and anyone who supports any of the people who think this is all just fine, is culpable, is just as guilty as these inhuman beings. The rot may be too deep to remove at this point.
I hate when the POSOTUS attempts his "Shecky Greene" comedian voice impression. He feels compelled to plagiarize the voice of a dead, beloved humorist.
They are not socialists - they are really democratic capitalist who believe in robust social programs and programs to prevent monopolies and hoarding of wealth Honduran lords.
Fourth Estates failures are reflective of the failure of a large part of the population in this country. When you’re electing the dregs of society to public office — over and over and over again — it brings us to where we are.
As I watch the clip of Kristen Welker I am struck by how hard she is trying to impress Stephen Miller. it is almost as though she is desperate to climb into his skin, like she's drowning and only his approval will save her. If anyone was standing face to face with me like that I would be in a hurry to get away. The blonde (Miller's wife?) gives her the polite stare of someone looking at an alien. Perhaps Welker is terrified. If so, I can have some sympathy. Miller has immense power behind the throne.
I hate when you run clips of Trump talking. I never listen to him talk if I can help it. It’s just so disjointed & painful to watch him struggle for words & to try to make sense. I’m begging you to Just summarize for us.
But I do have to say, as a nurse, every time I’m forced to see & listen to him now, my mind drifts to wondering who’s wiping his butt clean when he has a BM? And helping him dress? There’s no family or caregivers present in the White House. Does a valet wipe butts?
I’ve cared for elderly relatives in better shape than Trump. And they all needed that clean up help. Is that Natalie Harps actual job? Can’t help pondering this issue.
Jim's thought —Pogo got it right: "We have met the enemy and he is us." By the time some reach that conclusion all may / will be lost!
Really enjoy your history lessons, so important. You're a great teacher, and you bring these lessons in at the right moment.
I do disagree on your assessment of "Socialism." I don't see the dangers you predict because I experienced the democratic socialism of the wonderful kibbutz movement in Israel- this experiment of cooperative living produced the best citizens from soldiers to artists, from engineers to scientific research, and to Israel's first President. The kibbutz model lived amongst a Democratic Socialist Israel with free health care. However, Bibi often stated his goal was to get rid of all "vestiges," of it and have a Capitalist system, comparing it to the neo conservatism of the Republican Party in the US. And sure enough the more capitalistic, the more corrupt with money in politics, and severe divides between rich and poor, not unlike what happened here.
The few successful Democratic Socialists that have made it to Congress, or are running, have never advocated the type of Socialism as seen in Russia or Germany.
Bernie Sanders is the epitome of this movement, and what is his platform, equality and fairness. No one is discussing the Communist model you so fear.
And although you describe Rossevelt and Kennedy as "moderates," I hardly think they'd be categorized that way today.
They too would be called "Socialists," and actually Roosevelt was called a Socialist by his enemies.
And as Truman stated, when Truman was campaigning for Adlai Stevenson, he stated that the label of "Socialist," is often used as a way to paint a wide false brush, and exaggerate someone's views you don't like.
I understand your history comes from a Republican/Capitalist point of view. However, in my opinion, and maybe I'm wrong Steve, but it's the do nothing moderates, who for years have thrown a bone to the lower and middle-class, who in the name of "compromise," consistently do not make substantial changes on the grift in DC, like campaign finance and healthcare (it was Obama's Kathryn Sibelius that brought us Medicare Advantage- which was no advantage at all and just manipulated us), typical of the "moderates," who say one thing and then stab you in back.
It’s a shame that folks are not better educated on democratic socialism. Since the DSA as a party has some major platform pieces that are not exactly pro-democracy, and thus can be painted as extreme far left by the far right, I think a better framework/labeling would be social democracy, which is what Europeans have. Reality in the US is that “socialism” is a negative label that can’t be changed in one election cycle, and likely will never be viewed as a positive by most Americans, who are not politically educated and have other things to do with their time. I found this article eye opening (gift link): https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/07/dsa-communist-socialist-democrats/687756/?gift=cqZZSctiMQc7w-JMWtVkuCUPV6UAwpVkimj2loF5yTk&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
Agree in some part Judith and thanks for including the Atlantic article. Unfortunately I do not trust Jonathan Chait's writings as I don't think he's very intelligent, or astute. He wrote in 2016 that liberals should vote for Trump, he's a proponent of charter schools (which was conceived by the Republican Manhattan Institute think tank, as a first step to privatizing pubic education.
I don't agree with many important aspects of the DSA's platform, aspects of which are not based in reality, the weak link in leftist ideology has always been geopolitics, and an unwillingness to understand the dangers of authoritarianism to democracies, as we see so vividly playing out today.
That said I think the Democratic Party needed a big push to the left, a reminder of what hypocrites they are, having left most of us behind.
Thanks for the perspective on Chait! I wasn’t aware of his background. I don’t agree with the privatization movement which is meant to destroy public education and social programs for the common good. I say this having spent most of my working life in corporate America where I found many folks who agreed with that perspective.
I checked out your posts and we read much in common. I especially appreciate Jess Piper from Missouri! And I saw your post from Keith Edwards to sign the petition- about McConnell- and I did- and forwarded it out to my email list! Thanks for your activism.
Re: privatization- i think to a certain extent we have normalized that too- our doctors offices going corporate, or hedge fund, our water company semi privatized, the homes for rent in our development, even our vet, and that's a small list. It would be one thing if it improved services, but sure enough everything deteriorates when it is bought by private equity....
I agree with a lot that you are saying. I don’t feel like democratic socialism or social Democrats is something to be afraid of. We have Social Security, roads, bridges, infrastructure, public water companies, public transportation, police departments, fire department, public parks, public schools, etc. if there are some hard-core socialist out there, they aren’t going to get very far at least not right away, but they may start to turn things to the left of Center. If people are rah rah yay capitalism, but boo-hoo-ing about oligarchs, I’m sorry, but capitalism led to that. I’m not super well educated on any of the above, I’m just an average citizen. And also, somewhat related, I don’t feel that the DNC being in the hole right now is really going to hurt us. I do believe we could do better if they had their shit together, but since they don’t, we just trudge along. I know that when I vote in November, I will be voting for centrist Democrats, left of Center Democrats, and socialist Democrats. Aren’t we all going to do that?
Graphite: The Creation Of The American Surveillance State
In 2024, a $2 million ICE hardware and “perpetual license software” contract was awarded to Paragon Solutions (now RedLattice), a cyberintelligence firm co-founded by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak known for its military-grade spyware product, Graphite. However, the contract was paused by the Biden administration because of a 2023 executive order banning federal spyware contracts that pose a threat to universal human rights or national security.
In October 2025, the Trump administration revived the Paragon/RedLattice contract, but by January of this year it was “close[d] out.” ICE acting director Tony Lyons admitted in April that the agency was using Graphite to target “foreign terrorist organizations” involved in the distribution of fentanyl. Homeland Security officials have since insisted that ICE has “no relationship” with the maker of the software, and won’t confirm or deny whether the agency still has access to Graphite.
Graphite’s potential for misuse by government officials is not theoretical: In a scandal that eventually led the Italian government to cancel its contract, the spyware was allegedly used to track investigative journalists.
Beshear? Really? I hope you ask him why he is not calling for a special election or being more aggressive where McConnell is concerned. You know it would be a different if the tables were turned. Right now I’ve lost all respect for Beshear.
And then today, after this aired, I see it reported " Jeffries says he has full confidence in Ken Martin". Well who TF has full confidence in Hakeem Jeffries??? Not me.
Guessing this event is being evaluated as to proprietary reality of its alleged purpose.
Where the hell do we go from here?
It is frightening to hear that the alternative to Trump's party is broke. Worse that they are morons at the head of it. We are lucky to have Steve to clear up the BS so we can understand where we stand. Love to hear Jen speak too.
I fight to stop commercial farming because of the horror they put the animals through, and Miller designed the present-day holding camps, concentration camps and they are treating humans, men, women and children the same way. They are cramming too many into too small an area and feeding them slop and anyone who supports any of the people who think this is all just fine, is culpable, is just as guilty as these inhuman beings. The rot may be too deep to remove at this point.
Jen Budd has Blundell albino hair. Director David Lynch hair. Cool!
I hate when the POSOTUS attempts his "Shecky Greene" comedian voice impression. He feels compelled to plagiarize the voice of a dead, beloved humorist.
Steve, you are brilliant
Dean, you are as well.
Thank you gentlemen for another enlightening episode.
They are not socialists - they are really democratic capitalist who believe in robust social programs and programs to prevent monopolies and hoarding of wealth Honduran lords.
Hard to say, but the reality.