Behind the Bastards – Episode: "We Read Marjorie Taylor Green's Book"

Release Date: December 3, 2024
Host/Author: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Podcast Title: Behind the Bastards
Episode Title: We Read Marjorie Taylor Green's Book

1. Introduction and Episode Setup

Timestamp: 00:01 – 03:57

In this emergency bonus episode of Behind the Bastards, hosts Robert Evans and Jamie Loftus are joined by Sophie From Mars to tackle an unconventional topic: reading and critiquing Marjorie Taylor Greene's latest book. The episode kicks off with light-hearted banter about hunting, camo outfits, and an amusing anecdote involving Jamie being cornered by Pittsburgh's Hot Dog King, Rick Seback, who attempted to coerce her into a fictional murder confession (00:29 – 03:29). This sets a playful yet critical tone for the ensuing discussion.

2. Acquiring Marjorie Taylor Greene's Book

Timestamp: 03:57 – 06:30

Sophie From Mars reveals she possesses a signed copy of Marjorie Taylor Greene's book, obtained during a visit to the RNC where she attended a book signing event (06:10 – 06:30). The acquisition is described as both contentious and humorous, emphasizing the bizarre nature of obtaining such a signature.

3. Book Cover and Publisher Analysis

Timestamp: 06:31 – 12:10

The hosts scrutinize the book's cover, noting the silhouette image that doesn't quite resemble Marjorie Taylor Greene (06:10 – 06:14). They delve into the publishing details, uncovering that the book is published by “winningpublishing.com,” which raises skepticism about its legitimacy (11:21 – 12:10). Robert humorously speculates about the publisher's authenticity, suggesting it's likely a vanity press orchestrated to bolster Greene's political image.

4. Content Critique and Excerpts

Timestamp: 12:10 – 42:00

a. Education and Political Themes

Sophie reads a passage where Greene discusses education, prompting the hosts to critique her simplistic solutions and lack of coherent policy proposals (03:57 – 25:06). Notable quotes include Greene's emphasis on "school choice" and "defunding the Department of Education," which the hosts mock for their vagueness and ideological bias.

b. Impeachment and Policy Discussions

In Chapter 14, "Impeachment," Greene outlines her stance on impeaching President Joe Biden, framing it as a necessary measure to address alleged failures at the southern border (24:43 – 25:42). The hosts counter her arguments by highlighting the complexities of policy implementation and the flaws in her comparisons, such as linking the handling of the border crisis to plane crash regulations.

c. COVID Commentary

Chapter 16 delves into Greene's views on the COVID-19 pandemic. She likens the pandemic to a "box of chocolates," trivializing its impact and placing blame on individuals' health conditions (27:05 – 42:00). The hosts critique this analogy and her dismissive attitude toward public health measures, emphasizing the real-world consequences of such rhetoric.

d. January 6th Analysis

In the chapter titled "January 6th," Greene downplays the events of the Capitol breach, attributing responsibility to Nancy Pelosi's alleged failures (37:08 – 39:30). The hosts highlight the inaccuracies in her narrative, pointing out the selective recounting of events and her attempts to rewrite history to fit her political agenda.

5. Goodreads Reviews and Host Reactions

Timestamp: 31:00 – 35:59

The hosts explore critical reviews of Greene's book on Goodreads, reading a one-star review that accuses the book of having a "misleading title" and lacking substantive content (35:59 – 37:35). Sophie imitates Greene's tone to respond to the positive review, showcasing the disconnect between Greene's promotional efforts and the book's reception.

6. Overall Critique of the Book

Timestamp: 38:11 – 44:35

Throughout the episode, the hosts consistently criticize the book for its lack of depth, coherence, and evidence-based arguments. They mock the book's stylistic choices, such as its chapter titles and superficial treatment of complex issues (39:18 – 44:35). Robert sarcastically suggests replacing historical volumes with Greene's book to illustrate its lack of scholarly value.

7. Conclusion and Hosts' Reflection

Timestamp: 44:35 – End

Wrapping up the episode, the hosts reflect on the futility of reading such politically driven propaganda. They lament the proliferation of politicians' memoirs that serve more as promotional tools than informative literature (46:49 – 48:41). Jamie introduces her own book about hot dogs, humorously contrasting it with Greene's work, before the episode concludes with a reminder to subscribe and visit the podcast's platforms for more content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jamie Loftus (03:20): "A lot of people just care about justice."

• Robert Evans (08:16): "Replace incorrect history books with her book."

• Sophie From Mars (14:58): "Her America first credentials are forged in steel and with fighters like her, we will make America great again. Jesus Christ."

• Jamie Loftus (37:08): "She glazes over everything. And she's like, okay, what can I do? Compliment the cops? That's like, that's her one."

• Robert Evans (40:32): "I don't think she read her own book."

Key Insights and Conclusions

• Propaganda Over Substance: The hosts argue that Marjorie Taylor Greene's book serves more as a political propaganda tool than a substantive policy discussion, lacking depth and coherent arguments.

• Superficial Policy Solutions: Greene's simplistic solutions to complex issues like education, immigration, and public health are criticized for their lack of practicality and evidence-based reasoning.

• Manipulative Rhetoric: The book's use of slogans, selective endorsements, and misleading chapter titles are highlighted as tactics to manipulate reader perception rather than inform.

• Ghostwriting Concerns: The hosts speculate that the book may have been largely ghostwritten, given its disjointed content and apparent lack of genuine authorship from Greene herself.

• Cultural Impact: There's an underlying commentary on the trend of politicians authoring books as a means of self-promotion, contributing to the dilution of meaningful literature in the political discourse.

Behind the Bastards continues to dissect and critique influential yet controversial figures, offering listeners an unfiltered look into the machinations of those deemed "bastards" in history.