Podcast Summary: The Daily Beans – “Citizen Saboteurs” (feat. John Fugelsang) Release Date: January 31, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Daily Beans, hosts Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg delve into a series of pressing national issues, blending sharp political analysis with their signature snark. The conversation spans tragic news events, controversial government memos, strategic resistance against fascism, and an engaging interview with comedian and activist John Fugelsang. This comprehensive summary captures the essence of their discussions, notable quotes, and key insights.

1. Tragic Midair Collision Near Reagan National Airport

Timestamp: [00:00] – [18:38]

The episode opens with Allison Gill reporting a devastating incident where an American Eagle flight (Flight 5342) collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, resulting in the loss of all 64 passengers and crew. The tragedy underscores concerns about aviation safety and the potential impacts of federal hiring freezes.

• Allison Gill [00:00]: “Today, an American Airlines flight in a Black Hawk helicopter collided mid-air near Reagan National Airport, leaving no survivors.”

Dana Goldberg criticizes President Trump for immediately attributing blame to Biden and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives without substantial evidence.

• Dana Goldberg [01:05]: “He just signed an executive order blaming Biden and DEI. And there's everyone else writing this for him behind the scenes... someone’s writing this stuff for him."

The discussion highlights how the federal hiring freeze may have contributed to the tragedy by leaving critical positions, such as air traffic controllers, understaffed.

• Allison Gill [17:38]: “There was actually only one air traffic controller on duty when there should have been two. I for one would like to know if the hiring freeze or the federal purge is what caused that seat to be empty and caused those 67 people to die.”

2. OPM's Fascist Memo on Gender Ideology

Timestamp: [00:00] – [14:31]

Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg scrutinize a memo from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) targeting gender ideology within federal agencies. The memo mandates the termination of programs and employees associated with gender-related initiatives, reflecting a broader governmental crackdown on DEI efforts.

• Allison Gill [08:03]: “The U.S. government is taking steps to defend women by requiring agencies to take prompt actions to end anything related to gender ideology across the government.”

Dana emphasizes the scientific distinctions between sex and gender, warning against conflating the two.

• Dana Goldberg [08:03]: “Sex and gender are not interchangeable when it comes to definitions or science.”

The hosts discuss the potential for mass purges of probationary federal employees, exacerbating the politicization of the civil service.

• Dana Goldberg [09:00]: “President Trump's allies want to exploit that with a mass firing... it reflects an effort to remake the federal workforce in the image of the orange guy with an emphasis on loyalty to him.”

Allison advises federal employees to secure their employment records and stay vigilant against potential job terminations.

• Allison Gill [14:31]: “Make sure you send that to yourself. And yeah, get all that paperwork, veterans preference paperwork, your electronic employee file, your performance evaluations, any email communication that you have about your position, make sure you send that to yourself.”

3. Declassified CIA Memo on Sabotage

Timestamp: [25:37] – [26:05]

A significant segment of the episode explores the resurgence of interest in the Simple Sabotage Field Manual, a declassified World War II-era guide intended to train ordinary citizens in acts of sabotage against fascist movements. The guide's popularity has surged, indicating a potential grassroots resistance against current political climates perceived as authoritarian.

• Allison Gill [25:37]: “Perhaps someone’s planning to do some things. Sabotage. I wonder if Melania is on that Romeo and Juliet list.”

The hosts draw parallels between historical sabotage efforts and contemporary resistance strategies, urging listeners to educate themselves on effective civil disobedience.

• Dana Goldberg [25:37]: “It's kind of a little good trouble before the good trouble. Okay?”

4. Interview with John Fugelsang

Timestamp: [26:06] – [48:40]

The highlight of the episode is an in-depth conversation with John Fugelsang, a comedian, fund-raiser, and activist known for his sharp political commentary. Their dialogue covers a range of topics, including presidential power abuses, media manipulation, and strategies for effective political resistance.

Key Discussion Points:

• Presidential Overreach and Legal Boundaries:

  • John Fugelsang [27:28]: “Any unilateral funding freeze by a president is illegal. Presidents don't have the power to withhold funds that Congress has appropriated.”
  • Allison Gill [41:54]: “But this is illegal, it's unconstitutional.”

• Media's Role in Politics:

  • John Fugelsang [40:14]: “Corporate media has a responsibility to profits and clicks and eyeballs and ratings and shareholders. So we're never going to get you.”
  • Allison Gill [40:16]: “Legacy media can't do it.”

• Grassroots Media and Democratic Strategy:

  • John Fugelsang [35:30]: “We need to start booking Democratic lawmakers on every goddamn podcast and Sirius XM progress show... Democrats, get on some obscure [podcasts].”
  • Allison Gill [33:00]: “They need to start doing more of this.”

• Impacts of Federal Policies on Communities:

  • John Fugelsang [43:25]: “We just saw this week in Milwaukee, a toddler, his mother and his grandmother... were detained because they were speaking Spanish in an airport in Wisconsin. They're from Puerto Rico. They're U.S. citizens.”

The interview underscores the importance of maintaining checks and balances, combating media bias, and fostering robust opposition to perceived autocratic tendencies.

5. Good News Submissions

Timestamp: [48:40] – [63:51]

Transitioning from heavy political discourse, The Daily Beans shifts focus to uplifting stories submitted by listeners. This segment aims to balance the intense discussions with positive narratives, fostering a sense of community and resilience.

Notable Submissions:

• Cam's Submission:

  • Message: Appreciation for the show’s critical analysis and a cute photo of Cam’s pet, Kermode/Oddie Bear.
  • Allison Gill [51:17]: “Here is my pet tax Kermode or Kermody AKA Ode Odie Bear.”

• Anonymous Listener's Shout-Out:

  • Message: Commendation of a listener’s sister working at the FBI and facing challenges amidst political turmoil.
  • Dana Goldberg [53:25]: “I cannot even imagine.”

• Vicky T.'s Submission:

  • Message: Highlighting Patrick Skinner’s efforts in Savannah, Georgia, and a photo of Vicky’s granddaughter, Rosco.
  • Allison Gill [55:04]: “It’s got the same nose, but adorable.”

• Rachel's Submission:

  • Message: A federal employee joins a union, feeling empowered to fight against ongoing political pressures, accompanied by photos of her cats.
  • Dana Goldberg [56:37]: “Here's a picture of me when I was two and a cat that has been taken residence in my mom's patio.”

• Foxen's Mom's Submission:

  • Message: Promotion of Gutenberg.org’s Simple Sabotage Field Manual and a nostalgic photo of her as a child with a puppet.
  • Allison Gill [58:04]: “This Midwestern granny will be spending the whole benighted administration studying up on how I can be just a giant throbbing pustule on the arse of the creature.”

This segment not only provides relief from the heavier topics but also encourages listener engagement and solidarity.

6. Final Thoughts and Mental Health Advocacy

Timestamp: [57:00] – [63:51]

In the concluding part of the episode, Allison and Dana address the emotional toll that constant political turmoil can have on individuals. They emphasize the importance of setting realistic personal goals and maintaining mental well-being amidst chaos.

• Dana Goldberg [58:48]: “Set a realistic goal for yourself to know that at the end of the day, you can really look at yourself and go, you know what? I did everything I could today and now I'm going to rest.”

• Allison Gill [60:01]: “Even if it's just waking up and existing.”

They acknowledge the pervasive sense of helplessness but encourage listeners to focus on actionable steps within their control, fostering a proactive attitude towards personal and communal resilience.

Conclusion

The Daily Beans episode “Citizen Saboteurs” offers a potent mix of critical political analysis, strategic resistance discussions, insightful interviews, and uplifting community stories. Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg effectively navigate complex and emotionally charged topics, providing listeners with both information and encouragement to engage in meaningful activism while maintaining their well-being.

Notable Quotes:

• Dana Goldberg [02:40]: “I think it’s that you can’t have someone that isn’t completely unscrupulous because you have over their head so that they serve you.”
• John Fugelsang [42:08]: “Apathy is fascism's lube.”
• Allison Gill [60:04]: “Even if it's just waking up and existing.”

Key Takeaways:

• The intersection of federal policies and tragic events raises questions about governance and accountability.
• Historical strategies of resistance, such as the Simple Sabotage Field Manual, remain relevant in contemporary political climates.
• Grassroots media and proactive engagement are essential in countering media biases and authoritarian tendencies.
• Maintaining mental health and personal resilience is crucial for sustained activism and community support.

For More Information: Visit MSW Media to explore more episodes of The Daily Beans and other creator-owned podcasts dedicated to news, politics, and justice.