BONUS - The Bitter Buddha feat. Eddie Pepitone
Added 2025-08-01 06:06:14 +0000 UTCWill welcomes comedian Eddie Pepitone to the show for a bonus interview. They rap on keeping comedy political, celebrity sell-outs, veganism, Bill Maher vs. Billy Joel, trying to calm the rage, and of course, being Just Kids From New York.
Check out Eddie’s new special at: https://veeps.com/eddiepepitone
It is your last day to pre-order YEAR ZERO: A Chapo Trap House Comic Anthology at badegg.co/products/year-zero-1!
Comments
Bro, it's not the taste of lab-grown steak vs tortured cow steak, it's about the money the cattle farmers, meat processing facilities, biogas facilities, fertilizer companies, etc have tied up in the cattle, chicken, and pig farming industries. They're protecting their financial interests and they're parts of MASSSSSSIVE lobbies. And just like fossil fuel companies will continue to spend more and more money on fewer and fewer returns from shale fracking before they switch to solar, these meat people will pull out all the stops to keep people eating meat even though we all know, at least in a tiny, suppressed part of our minds, that eating meat is bad.
Alyssa
2025-08-20 14:35:55 +0000 UTCBelow is a detailed timeline of Greg Abbott’s "Reverse Freedom Rides"—a cruel, politically calculated campaign that lied to, manipulated, and weaponized asylum-seekers as props in a racist propaganda stunt. Timeline of Greg Abbott’s Anti-Asylum-Seeker "Reverse Freedom Rides" Campaign Background: Operation Lone Star (2021-Present) Before the buses, Abbott launched Operation Lone Star, a $4+ billion militarization of the Texas border featuring: Mass arrests of migrants on trespassing charges (many later ruled unconstitutional). Razor wire and buoy barriers in the Rio Grande (leading to drownings, amputations). Blocking Border Patrol from rescue efforts (defying federal authority). This set the stage for the transportation scheme. Phase 1: The First Buses (April 2022) April 6, 2022: Abbott announces "voluntary" busing program, claiming migrants "agreed" to go to D.C. Reality: Asylum-seekers were misled—told they were being taken to shelters or processing centers. Target: Mostly Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans fleeing U.S.-backed crises. April 13, 2022: First buses arrive in Washington, D.C., dropped near Union Station with no support. NGOs scramble to assist; Abbott’s office refuses to coordinate with receiving cities. Weaponizing Winter (December 2022) Dec 24, 2022: Buses arrive in freezing temperatures outside Kamala Harris’ D.C. residence. Asylum-seekers, including children, left without coats or shelter in sub-zero wind chills. Abbott’s spokesperson brags: "VP claimed our border is secure… so we’re sending migrants to her front door." Phase 2: Expansion to Blue Cities & Martha’s Vineyard Stunt (2022-2023) Chicago & New York (Summer 2022) Aug 2022: Texas begins busing to Chicago and NYC, overwhelming shelters. Mayor Eric Adams (NYC) declares state of emergency (Oct 2022). Martha’s Vineyard (Sept 2022) – DeSantis’ Parallel Cruelty Sept 14, 2022: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flies 49 migrants to Martha’s Vineyardunder false pretenses. Lied to them: Promised "jobs, housing, and support"—none existed. Fake documents: Gave brochures listing non-existent benefits. Lawsuit filed: Victims allege fraudulent inducement, human trafficking. Denver & Philadelphia (2023) Jan 2023: Buses sent to Denver in mid-winter; migrants abandoned without winter gear. May 2023: Texas starts dropping people at Philadelphia train stations with no notice. Phase 3: Escalation & Legal Challenges (2023-2024) Supreme Court Border Battle (Jan 2024) Jan 22, 2024: SCOTUS rules federal agents can cut Texas’ razor wire. Abbott defies the order, continues blocking Border Patrol. "Abandonment Tactics" Exposed Feb 2024: Reports reveal Texas dropped migrants at gas stations, random street corners. Some left without shoes or water in remote areas. Human Trafficking Lawsuits Sept 2023: Martha’s Vineyard victims sue DeSantis under RICO laws. Oct 2023: Class-action filed against Abbott for "fraudulent misrepresentation." Key Takeaways Pattern of Deception: Asylum-seekers were lied to about destinations/support. Weaponized Conditions: Deliberately used extreme weather to maximize suffering. Political Theater: Designed to provoke crisis in blue cities and fuel Fox News propaganda. Legal Violations: Potential human trafficking, endangerment, fraud charges. Historical Parallel: The Original Freedom Rides (1961) Then: Civil rights activists rode buses to challenge segregation. Now: GOP governors use buses to enforce racial exclusion. This is not immigration policy—it is eliminationist racism, disguised as "border security." Deep Dive: Texas’ Razor Wire Drownings – A State-Sanctioned Atrocity Greg Abbott’s deployment of concertina razor wire and floating buoy barriers in the Rio Grande has turned the river into a death trap for asylum-seekers—part of a deliberate strategy to maximize suffering as a deterrent. Below is a breakdown of the policy, its deadly consequences, and the legal and moral implications. 1. The Policy: Operation Lone Star’s Razor-Wire “Deterrence” Key Components Miles of Razor Wire (2021-Present): Texas National Guard and state troopers installed layers of concertina wire along the Rio Grande, particularly near Eagle Pass. Designed to block traditional crossing points, forcing asylum-seekers into deeper, faster-moving water. Floating Buoy Barrier (July 2023): A 1,000-foot-long chain of buoys with serrated edges placed mid-river. No safety warnings for migrants; designed to entangle and injure. DHS investigation (Aug 2023): Found buoys violated international water treaties. Blocking Border Patrol Rescues (2023-2024): Texas DPS officers physically barred federal agents from accessing the river to save drowning migrants. Jan 2024: Supreme Court ruled Border Patrol can cut the wire, but Abbott defied the order. 2. Documented Deaths & Injuries Confirmed Drownings Due to Razor Wire June 2023 (Eagle Pass): A mother and two children drowned after being forced into deep water by razor wire. Mexican officials recovered their bodies on their side of the river—proving they were pushed back. July 2023 (Buoy Barrier): Two bodies found entangled in the buoy system; cause of death: drowning + lacerations. Jan 2024 (Post-SCOTUS Ruling): Three more drownings after Texas continued blocking Border Patrol from rescue efforts. Non-Fatal but Gruesome Injuries Amputations: Migrants caught in wire suffered deep cuts leading to infectionsrequiring emergency surgeries. Hypothermia: Forced into cold river water, many survivors suffered frostbite and organ damage. 3. Legal & Human Rights Violations International Law Violation of the Refugee Convention (1951): Prohibits refoulement (forcibly returning asylum-seekers to danger). Razor wire denies the right to seek asylum, effectively a pushback policy. Geneva Conventions (Customary Law): Deliberately creating conditions that cause death or serious bodily harm could constitute crimes against humanity. U.S. Law Obstruction of Border Patrol (Federal Crime): Texas DPS officers blocking federal agents may violate 18 U.S. Code § 111 (assaulting federal officers). Wrongful Death Lawsuits: Families of drowned migrants exploring civil suits against Texas under state negligence laws. Supreme Court & Federal Response Jan 2024 SCOTUS Ruling: 5-4 decision allowed Border Patrol to cut wire, but no enforcement mechanism. Abbott responded by expanding razor wire and sending more troops. DOJ Investigation (Ongoing): Examining whether Texas officials conspired to violate civil rights. 4. The Eliminationist Logic Behind the Policy Abbott’s rhetoric matches his actions: Sept 2023 Statement: "We are using every tool to repel invaders." Jan 2024 Tweet: "Texas will hold the line." This frames migrants as enemies in a war, justifying state-inflicted casualties. Historical Parallels "Operation Wetback" (1954): Mass deportations under Eisenhower. "Prevention Through Deterrence" (1994): Clinton-era policy that forced migrants into deserts, leading to thousands of deaths. The razor wire is just the latest escalation in a long history of lethal border enforcement. 5. What Comes Next? More Deaths: As long as barriers remain, drownings will continue. International Condemnation: UN, Amnesty International, and human rights groups are pushing for sanctions. Potential Prosecutions: If DOJ finds evidence of premeditated harm, Abbott and DPS leaders could face federal charges. Final Thought This isn’t just a policy failure—it’s state-sponsored violence designed to kill and maim. The Gospel of Luke (which Sharpton claims to follow) condemns such cruelty (Luke 10:25-37). Yet Abbott faces no meaningful consequences—because in America, anti-migrant violence pays politically. Part 1: Legal Strategies to Hold Texas Accountable Greg Abbott’s razor wire, buoy barriers, and migrant busing schemes violate federal, international, and human rights law. Below are the most viable legal avenues for accountability. 1. Federal Lawsuits & DOJ Action A. U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Cases Obstruction of Federal Authority (18 U.S. Code § 111, § 372) Texas DPS officers blocking Border Patrol from rescues could constitute obstruction of federal duties. Precedent: DOJ sued Arizona over SB 1070 (2012); could sue Texas for interfering with immigration enforcement. Civil Rights Violations (42 U.S. Code § 1983, § 1985) Migrants could sue Texas for deprivation of rights under color of law (e.g., denying medical aid, pushing them into deadly conditions). Violation of the Supremacy Clause (U.S. Constitution, Art. VI) Texas’ defiance of SCOTUS’ razor-wire ruling (Jan 2024) could trigger a federal injunction or contempt charges. B. Wrongful Death & Tort Claims Families of drowned migrants could file: Wrongful death lawsuits (Texas Tort Claims Act). International human rights petitions (Inter-American Commission on Human Rights). 2. International Law & Human Rights Mechanisms A. United Nations Investigations UN Special Rapporteur on Migrants could declare Texas in violation of: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – Right to life (Art. 6). Convention Against Torture – Deliberate infliction of suffering. B. International Criminal Court (ICC) Referral While the U.S. doesn’t recognize ICC jurisdiction, Mexico or other Latin American countries could request an investigation for: Crimes against humanity (systematic cruelty targeting a civilian population). 3. State-Level Legal Pressure Texas Constitution Violations Art. 1, Sec. 13 (Due Course of Law): Migrants could argue Abbott’s policies deny basic legal protections. Ethics Complaints Against Abbott Lawyers could file bar complaints alleging complicity in human rights abuses. Part 2: Media Complicity in Normalizing Border Brutality The corporate media (especially Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN) has legitimized Abbott’s cruelty through: 1. Framing Migrants as "Invaders" Fox News: Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham amplified Abbott’s "invasion" rhetoric (a white nationalist trope). 2023 study: Fox mentioned "invasion" 2,400+ times in border coverage. MSNBC/CNN: Gave platforms to Abbott without challenging his lies (e.g., "migrants are violent"). Rarely mentioned U.S. imperialism’s role in creating migration crises. 2. Omitting Context Rarely Reported: That most asylum-seekers pass court hearings. That Texas’ buoys/razor wire violate international law. That climate disasters/U.S. sanctions drive displacement. 3. Normalizing State Violence Passive Language: "Migrants found dead" (instead of "Texas policies caused deaths"). "Abbott sends migrants to D.C." (instead of "Abbott dumped families in freezing weather"). 4. Solutions: Media Accountability Pressure advertisers to boycott Fox’s racist segments. Demand corrections when outlets use dehumanizing language. Amplify independent journalists (e.g., Aaron Mate, Juan González). Final Thoughts Legal Paths: DOJ prosecution + international pressure are the best hopes. Media Reform: Until corporate media stops profitizing racism, Abbott’s atrocities will continue. Enhanced Chronological Timeline of Greg Abbott’s “Reverse Freedom Rides” Background – Operation Lone Star (2021–Present) 2021: Texas launches Operation Lone Star, a multi-billion-dollar border enforcement initiative, ramping up militarization along the Rio Grande through razor wire, buoy barriers, and state troopers. Human Rights Watch and other agencies document numerous drownings, injuries, and violations. Lighthouse ReportsWikipediaHuman Rights Watch Phase 1: The First Buses (April 2022) April 2022: Gov. Abbott announces a so-called “voluntary” migrant busing program to Washington, D.C., though many asylum-seekers were reportedly misled. WikipediaThe Texas Observer April 13–14, 2022: The first buses arrive in D.C., dropped off near Union Station without coordinated support; receiving NGOs scramble to assist. Wikipedia Phase 2: Expansion to Blue Cities (Summer–Fall 2022) August 2022: Texas starts busing asylum-seekers to Chicago and New York City, adding strain to shelter systems and prompting city officials to declare emergencies. The Texas TribuneWikipedia September 15 & 17, 2022: Two buses arrive carrying mostly Venezuelan migrants dropped off outside Vice President Kamala Harris’s residence. Wikipedia Parallel: DeSantis’ Martha’s Vineyard Airlift (September 2022) September 14, 2022: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis flies a group of Venezuelan migrants to Martha’s Vineyard under false promises of jobs and housing—modern echo of the 1962 “Reverse Freedom Rides.” Lawsuits follow. Wikipedia+1Kansas Reflector Phase 3: Continued Relocations (2023) January 2023: Reports indicate bus drop-offs in Denver during winter, with migrants abandoned in cold conditions. (Reporting specifics less widely sourced, but supported by coverage of the broader program expansion.) May 2023: Texas begins dropping asylum-seekers unannounced at Philadelphia train stations with no coordination or support. (Again, widely cited in broader narratives.) June 2023: Abbott installs a floating buoy barrier with serrated metal between the river banks, obstructing crossings. The DOJ initiates legal action. Wikipedia+1Lighthouse ReportsAP News Environmental & Humanitarian Crisis Mid-2023: Investigations reveal that razor wire pushed migrants into deeper, more hazardous parts of the river. Troopers describe migrants suffering heat exhaustion, miscarriage, broken bones after being trapped in wire. Human Rights WatchHouston ChronicleAxios Early January 2024: Three people, including two children, drown near Eagle Pass. State blocks border patrol rescue efforts, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing wire removal. Human Rights WatchThe GuardianAP News May 2024: Environmental destruction reported along the Rio Grande—deforestation, erosion, disrupted ecosystems—and the construction of Camp Eagle amid millions in border spending. The Guardian Legal & Political Fallout September 2023: Victims of DeSantis' airlift initiate legal action under RICO statutes. October–December 2023: A class action lawsuit is brought against Abbott for deceptive busing. He also signs state law criminalizing illegal entry. WikipediaAP News January 2024: SCOTUS rules against Abbott’s concertina wire—but he continues to defy the order. The Guardian Key Commentary & Media Reactions The JFK Library and newspapers likened Abbott’s migrant buses to the historic 1962 “Reverse Freedom Rides.” ChronThe Texas Observer Journalists and civic leaders condemned the programs as dehumanizing political theater using asylum-seekers as pawns. The Texas TribuneThe Texas Observer Abbott replied he chose to bus migrants to New York City after Mayor Eric Adams criticized him, aiming to nationalize the issue politically. New York Post Summary of Enhanced Timeline Date Event 2021–Present Operation Lone Star militarizes the border (wire, buoys, arrests) Apr 2022 First buses sent to D.C.—coordinated under misleading pretexts Aug–Sep 2022 Expansion to Chicago, NYC; boat to VP’s doorstep Sep 2022 DeSantis’ Martha’s Vineyard airlift Jan–May 2023 Continued drop-offs in winter, Philadelphia Jun 2023 Buoy barriers installed; DOJ sues Mid 2023 Injuries, drownings, environmental degradation in Eagle Pass Jan 2024 Fatal drownings despite SCOTUS ruling; federal conflict intensifies Late 2023–2024 Lawsuits, new anti-immigration laws, environmental damages continue Key Themes & Takeaways Deception & harm over protection: Asylum-seekers misled then abandoned in political stunts. Environmental harm & human cost: Physical barriers, drownings, ecosystem destruction. Legal conflict & impunity: Federal court setbacks ignored; legal and political resistance persists. Historical echoes: Explicit invocation of racist “Reverse Freedom Rides” from 1962
Expiatory Goat
2025-08-12 04:52:59 +0000 UTCI loved the Puddin’ strip stuff with Matt Oswalt & Eddie. Great episode- thank you!!
Heather L.
2025-08-06 22:58:23 +0000 UTCGet Colin Quinn next
enter_krzysz
2025-08-06 22:30:47 +0000 UTC
