The Daily Beans: "Butter For Bones" (feat. Simon Shuster) – January 16, 2025

Hosted by Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg

1. Major News Highlights

a. Biden's Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas

At the outset of the episode (00:00), Allison Gill announces that President Joe Biden's ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been officially established. This development follows a series of confirmation hearings in the Senate and coincides with Biden preparing his farewell address to the nation.

b. Biden's Farewell Address

Allison mentions that Biden is poised to deliver his farewell address, signaling the end of his administration. This transition is particularly significant as the country anticipates potential shifts in U.S. domestic and foreign policies under the incoming Trump administration.

c. SEC Sues Elon Musk Over Twitter Stake Disclosure

A notable segment (14:13) covers the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing a lawsuit against Elon Musk for allegedly failing to disclose his substantial stake in Twitter within the mandated timeframe. Allison Gill elaborates on the details, stating:

“The SEC alleges that Musk failed to disclose his Twitter holdings until April 4, 2022, allowing him to purchase shares at artificially low prices, resulting in Twitter investors being underpaid by more than $150 million during that period.” (14:13)

d. South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol Arrested for Declaring Martial Law

A significant international development is reported (08:00) concerning South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol. He has been arrested and detained for declaring martial law, marking the first instance of a sitting South Korean president facing such charges. The arrest stems from allegations that his actions amounted to insurrection.

“Yoon's declaration of martial law is being treated as insurrection, a crime that can carry life imprisonment or even the death penalty.” (09:05)

e. Benny Thompson and the Biden Pardon Proposition

Former January 6th Committee Chair Benny Thompson expresses willingness to accept a pardon from President Biden should it be offered. Allison Gill provides a comprehensive overview (12:58) of Thompson's stance and the broader implications of potential blanket pardons for political figures.

“I'm from a part of the country where speaking your opinion used to cost you your life. … This is what a pardon would mean for me.” – Benny Thompson (10:30)

f. Blue Sky's New Photo Sharing App

Tech advancements take center stage with the introduction of "Flashes," a new photo-sharing app developed for Blue Sky. Dana Goldberg discusses its features and potential impact on the social media landscape (18:26).

“Flashes is not meant to be an Instagram clone, nor will it offer all the same features. It will support photo posts of up to four images and videos of up to one minute in length.” (19:28)

2. In-depth Interview: Simon Schuster on U.S.-Ukraine Relations

a. Overview of Simon Schuster's Insights

In a featured interview (29:47), Simon Schuster, author of "The Showman: Inside the Invasion that Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelenskyy," discusses the evolving dynamics of U.S. support for Ukraine as the Biden administration concludes and the Trump administration prepares to take office.

b. Biden Administration's Legacy on Ukraine

Simon highlights the mixed legacy of the Biden administration regarding Ukraine support. While Ukraine has received sufficient aid to survive, there is frustration over a perceived lack of decisive actions to secure a definitive victory against Russian aggression.

“The Ukrainians wish that a lot of the decisions that have been made over the span of about three years now had just been made in the beginning to really help Ukraine gain and keep the momentum in the war.” (36:00)

c. Expectations from the Incoming Trump Administration

Simon anticipates uncertainty with Trump's approach to Ukraine, drawing parallels to Trump's first term where advisors like Rudy Giuliani influenced Ukraine policy for personal political gains. He notes a mix of professional and concerning voices within Trump's circle that could shape the administration's stance.

“There are some professionals in the room guiding Trump's vision for ending the war in Ukraine. But there are also voices closer to Trump that have been quite alarming to Zelenskyy and his team.” (34:00)

d. Potential Changes and Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Simon discusses the possibility of unlocking $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, suggesting a transactional approach that could benefit both Ukraine and the U.S. economy.

“Zelensky is now saying to the incoming Trump administration, unlock this money for us to use and we will use all of it to purchase American weapons.” (41:57)

e. Upcoming Events and Personal Endeavors

Simon plans to attend the Munich Security Conference and continue his reporting on the U.S.-Ukraine relationship, aiming to provide clarity on Europe's role and the future of American support for Ukraine.

“I'm looking for some clarity in what Europe's going to do if Trump pulls back American support.” (43:00)

3. Good News Segment

Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg shift the focus to positive stories, encouraging listener participation through submissions about personal triumphs, community initiatives, and uplifting experiences.

a. Community and Environmental Initiatives

Listeners share stories such as Shaker Heights' new citywide composting program and the installation of a solar panel array funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Shaker Heights will also use Inflation Reduction Act funds to build a solar panel array on our public works roof, providing solar energy for city buildings.” (58:17)

b. Personal Triumphs and Supportive Gestures

Heartwarming submissions include congratulatory messages for educational achievements, loan forgiveness approvals, and expressions of support for public servants.

“My public service loan forgiveness application had been approved. This is my 12th year of teaching, and it just felt so great.” – Katie (56:18)

c. Pet Love and Community Bonds

Listeners showcase their beloved pets, sharing stories and photos that highlight the joy animals bring into their lives. Examples include descriptions of cats like Empress Mittens and Loki Cuzco, emphasizing their personalities and the comfort they provide.

“Oliver is the handsome M. Tabby who was either very regal or very silly since he had butter for bones and could stretch out in the most elegant or ridiculous ways.” – Mimi (57:34)

d. Advocacy and Social Progress

Submissions also highlight activism efforts, such as participating in the People's March and promoting remote work inclusivity.

“I urge you to help stand up for the position of the remote workforce in America. … Studies show it's way more productive.” – Anonymous (52:05)

4. Closing Remarks

Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg conclude the episode by reinforcing their commitment to providing balanced news with a mix of seriousness and humor. They invite listeners to support the podcast through Patreon, offering perks like access to a private social media platform, early episode releases, and exclusive meet-ups.

“Thank you so much for supporting us. These podcasts are free, but if you want to kick some money in, we do our best to give you a few perks and we appreciate you supporting independent media.” (62:10)

They encourage continued community engagement and express gratitude for their listeners' contributions, emphasizing the importance of unity and positive action in challenging times.

Notable Quotes

• Allison Gill on Community Resilience:
  “It's really heartwarming to see everybody pulling together like that.” (02:42)

• Benny Thompson on Pardon:
  “This is what a pardon would mean for me.” (10:30)

• Simon Schuster on U.S. Aid to Ukraine:
  “The drip, drip, drip approach to U.S. Aid has really pained the Ukrainians because they're seeing so many of their countrymen lose their lives.” (36:00)

• Dana Goldberg on Remote Work Advocacy:
  “Studies show it's way more productive.” (52:05)

Conclusion

"Butter For Bones" delivers a comprehensive overview of pressing global and domestic issues, enriched by expert analysis and community-focused positivity. Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg adeptly navigate complex topics, providing listeners with insightful commentary and a platform for shared experiences. As the episode progresses towards significant political transitions, the hosts maintain a balance of critical examination and hopeful optimism, embodying the progressive and inclusive spirit of The Daily Beans.

For more information, visit mswmedia.com.