The Daily Beans – “Amateur Hour”

MSW Media | February 12, 2026
Hosts: Allison Gill (“A.G.”) & Dana Goldberg (“D.G.”)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the ongoing political turbulence and social justice issues in the United States under Trump’s second term, spotlighting government overreach, ongoing culture war skirmishes, and grassroots resistance efforts. With trademark snark and heart, Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg dissect the grand jury’s refusal to indict Democratic lawmakers, the removal of the Pride flag at Stonewall, misfired government incompetence (literally, in El Paso), and more—always centering the perspective of activism, accountability, and community resilience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pam Bondi Hearing: Outrage and Survivor Dismissal

• [01:42–03:19]
• D.G. confronts Pam Bondi’s appalling conduct in a hearing on child abuse survivors, calling out her refusal to acknowledge or support victims present at the hearing.
  • Notable Quote:
    “She had a choice today. Charlotte Clymer said it best. You either go in there and you tell the truth, or you choose to protect pedophiles and people that rape children…She chose to protect them.” – Dana [01:58]
  • Highlights Bondi's lack of empathy and performative cruelty.
• Bondi’s behavior described as calculated for an "audience of one" (Trump).

2. Honoring Marsha P. Johnson & the Stonewall Legacy

• [03:23–05:23]
• In celebration of Black History Month, D.G. and A.G. honor Marsha P. Johnson, emphasizing her role in the LGBTQ+ liberation movement.
  • Notable Quote:
    “We want to see all gay people have a chance. Equal rights as straight people have in America.” – Marsha P. Johnson (A.G. quoting) [04:21]
• Discussion on the ongoing erasure of LGBTQ+ history, recently exacerbated by the removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall Monument by the Trump administration.

3. Mass Shooting in British Columbia

• [05:23–06:10]
• A.G. and D.G. briefly acknowledge a tragic mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, BC, highlighting its rarity and community impact.

4. Grand Jury Rejects Indictment of Six Democratic Lawmakers

• [06:10–09:52]
• Federal prosecutors, led by Trump-appointed Janine Pirro, tried but failed to indict six Democratic lawmakers (all veterans or with intelligence backgrounds) who released a video reminding military members of their duty to refuse illegal orders.
• Grand jury strongly rejected the move, which was widely viewed as a blatant politicization of the DOJ.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Didn’t know you could go under the bar that has been lowered to Dante’s seventh circle of hell.” – A.G. [07:49]
• Focus on Pirro's unqualified hires and decline in successful indictments, indicating growing resistance to Trumpian overreach within the system.

5. House Republican Revolt on Trump’s Tariffs

• [09:52–11:27]
• House GOP leadership failed to prevent a vote on Trump's controversial tariffs as cracks appear within the party, with some Republicans distancing themselves from Trump’s policies.
• House Democrats readying a challenge to Trump’s tariffs on Canada; Dems hope for Senate support.
  • Notable Quote:
    “As Trump’s popularity continues to plummet, some Republicans seem to be looking for ways to distance themselves from the President and some of his most controversial policies.” – D.G. [11:10]

6. Party Balloon Mistaken for Danger: El Paso Airspace Snafu

• [11:27–12:47]
• U.S. military used “high-energy lasers” to shoot down what turned out to be a party balloon, after closing El Paso airspace amid fears of foreign drones.
  • Notable Quote:
    “They were saying there were Mexican drug cartel drones, and it was a party balloon.” – A.G. [12:43]
  • D.G. jokes about the absurdity, linking it humorously to Donald Trump Jr.

7. Judge Blocks DOJ’s Michigan Voter Roll Grab

• [12:47–14:26]
• A Trump-appointed judge dismissed DOJ attempts to obtain extensive personal voter data from Michigan, marking the third such rebuff.
• DOJ’s efforts span 23+ blue states plus D.C.; hosts speculate on partisan motives.
  • Notable Quote:
    “What do you bet all 23 of those states in the District of Columbia are blue?” – D.G. [14:16]

8. Trump Appointee with No Intel Experience Gets Sensitive Info

• [14:27–17:02]
• Trump’s administration allowed campaign lawyer Kurt Olson unusual access to highly classified intelligence to support election fraud “investigations.”
• Olson is viewed as partisan and unqualified—even by Trump allies.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Every time he hits a roadblock, he just calls POTUS.” – Source quoted by A.G. [16:03]
  • Discussion about the risk of secret evidence being misrepresented for partisan ends.

9. Stonewall Monument: Pride Flag Removal

• [17:05–20:03]
• Trump administration ordered removal of the Pride flag at the Stonewall Monument.
• Local leaders vow immediate re-raising of the flag; hosts invoke urgency for community support.
  • Notable Quote:
    “To think you can go to Stonewall and just take down the pride flag, that’s telling of the time we are living in.” – Stacy Lentz, Stonewall co-owner, quoted by D.G. [18:16]
• Concrete info for NY listeners: new flag will be re-raised at Stonewall Monument (Christopher Park) at 4 p.m., Thursday, February 12.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Opening Salvo:
  “She was being a cunt to every single person that was talking to her.” – D.G. on Pam Bondi [01:48]
• On Justice System Erosion:
  “Didn’t know you could go under the bar that has been lowered to Dante’s seventh circle of hell.” – A.G. [07:49]
• On Government Incompetence:
  “They were saying there were Mexican drug cartel drones and it was a party balloon.” – A.G. [12:43]
• On LGBTQ+ Resilience:
  “The flag is not just an abstract symbol. It tells LGBTQ people, especially younger ones, that their history will not be sidelined again.” – D.G., quoting Stacy Lentz [18:16]
• On Minority Community Targeting:
  “Some ICE agents were posing as food deliverers. Like, just absolutely disgusting.” – A.G. [31:01]

Listener Good News & Grassroots Actions

[22:51–39:46]

• Spotlighting Nonprofits:
  • VoteRiders, Spread the Vote: Help secure voter IDs, facilitate democracy. [25:38]
  • Transform Cincinnati: Safe space and resources for trans youth and adults. [37:36]
  • Merrimack Valley Food Bank’s Operation Nourishment: Community-wide hunger relief in MA [28:09]
• Grassroots Resistance:
  • Rubber City Resistance (Akron, OH): Weekly protests, mutual aid to immigrant/refugee families, community countering hate groups [32:14]
  • Resist and Unsubscribe: National economic strike effort targeting tech companies enabling Trump/ICE [25:38]
• Personal Victories:
  • Listener lands job near home after months of searching, reminds audience: “You are worthy. You are enough. Communities like this still manage to light the way forward.” [34:53]

Community Spotlight: Marsha P. Johnson & Stonewall

• Overarching theme throughout: the threat and power of symbolism in the fight for marginalized rights.
• Marsha’s “for all of us” becomes this year’s NYC Pride rallying cry [04:43].

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|-------------| | Pam Bondi hearing & survivor erasure | 01:42–03:19 | | Marsha P. Johnson tribute | 03:23–05:23 | | Grand jury rejects indictment (lawmakers) | 06:10–09:52 | | GOP revolt on Trump tariffs | 09:52–11:27 | | El Paso party balloon incident | 11:27–12:47 | | Voter roll litigation in Michigan | 12:47–14:26 | | Kurt Olson & classified intelligence | 14:27–17:02 | | Stonewall Pride flag removal | 17:05–20:03 | | Good news & resistance highlights | 22:51–39:46 | | NYC Stonewall flag-raising event promo | 19:39 |

Tone & Style Notes

• The hosts blend sharp progressive commentary, irreverence, and deep empathy for those harmed by current events.
• There is outspoken use of expletives as catharsis and resistance ("cunt sandwich"), establishing camaraderie with listeners and grounding the news in moral and emotional clarity.
• Listener mail and nonprofit spotlights turn the despair of the day’s news into hopeful, actionable community responses.

Summary for New Listeners

“Amateur Hour” encapsulates the Daily Beans’ blend of snark, honesty, and activism-focused news. Covering everything from failed political prosecutions and governmental absurdities to the constant culture war attacks on marginalized groups, the episode reminds listeners that resistance is possible—both at the ballot box and through direct action. It’s a rallying cry for critical engagement, mutual support, and never letting the bastards spin you.