The Daily Beans Podcast Summary: Refried Beans | Lightning Vest (feat. Greg Olear) | 5/20/2024

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Daily Beans
• Host/Authors: Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg (MSW Media)
• Description: A women-owned progressive news podcast offering social justice and political news with a touch of snark, hosted by award-winning personalities.
• Episode: Refried Beans | Lightning Vest (feat. Greg Olear)
• Release Date: May 24, 2025

Introduction

In this episode titled "Refried Beans | Lightning Vest," hosts Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg delve into critical political and social issues unfolding around May 2024. Featuring a special guest, Greg Oliar, the conversation spans a range of topics from criminal sentencing related to political violence, dark money influence in elections, redistricting battles affecting the 2024 elections, and an international incident involving Iran's leadership. The episode is enriched with personal anecdotes, listener interactions, and a segment dedicated to uplifting good news.

Key Topics and Discussions

1. Sentencing of David DePape and Brent Bozell IV

Timestamp: [00:45] – [07:54]

Allison and Dana begin by discussing the sentencing of David DePape, who received a 30-year prison sentence for attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer. They highlight concerns about the sentencing process, noting that DePape was reportedly not given an opportunity to mitigate his sentence (Allison Gill, [04:21]). The hosts express frustration over the short statute of limitations for assault offenses, questioning the fairness of the legal system:

"But the DA's hands are tied by the statute of limitations, which is why they didn't bring or came." — Allison Gill ([04:55])

They also cover the sentencing of Brent Bozell IV, who was given nearly four years for his role in the January 6th Capitol insurrection, despite prosecutors seeking 11 years. The judge, John Bates, criticized the insurrectionist rhetoric, emphasizing that:

"Not for a moment should January six rioters be considered true patriots. They're not political prisoners. They’re not hostages." — Judge John Bates via Allison Gill ([07:54])

2. Dark Money Influence: Citizens for Sanity

Timestamp: [13:37] – [18:42]

The hosts shift focus to the significant financial influence of the dark money group Citizens for Sanity, linked to Donald Trump. Dana reports that the group spent over $90 million on racist and transphobic ads in the latter half of 2022 alone:

"Citizens for Sanity...spent a stunning $93 million in the final months of 2022, with nearly all of those funds going toward payments to outside media firms for advertising and promotion." — Dana Goldberg ([16:22])

These ads targeted various communities with vitriolic messaging against LGBTQ+ rights, immigrants, and Democrats, aiming to suppress voting among communities of color while mobilizing conservative white voters:

"They wanted to one, deter black and Latino voters from the ballot box...and at the same time produce ads decrying anti-white racism to motivate conservative white voters to show up at the polls." — Allison Gill ([18:23])

3. Redistricting Battles and the 2024 Election

Timestamp: [21:51] – [23:49]

Allison and Dana analyze the redistricting outcomes across several states and their implications for the 2024 House elections. Key points include:

• Louisiana: Introduction of a second black majority district potentially flipping a Republican seat to Democrats. (Allison Gill, [22:46])
• New York: Court rulings and legislative decisions leading to a net gain of three seats for Democrats.
• North Carolina: Aggressive redistricting by Republicans aiming to retain or gain seats, balancing the Democrats' gains.
• Alabama and Georgia: Mixed outcomes with Alabama gaining a Democratic seat due to a new district, while Georgia's map preserves GOP dominance.
• Florida: Ongoing legal battles over district maps, with potential Democratic gains pending court decisions.

Dana concludes that despite Republican efforts, Democrats are poised to regain control of the House based on current redistricting trends:

"I think that that will be enough to give us the gavel back this election." — Dana Goldberg ([23:49])

4. International Incident: Iran’s Helicopter Crash

Timestamp: [25:33] – [25:49]

The episode covers the reported crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's President Ibrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister, as stated by Iran's state media. The hosts discuss the potential political ramifications:

"If the president dies, power is transferred to the first vice president, Mohammed Makber." — Dana Goldberg ([25:33])

They highlight the ongoing rescue efforts hindered by inclement weather and the uncertainty surrounding the cause and casualties of the crash:

"We are hoping that the rescue teams reach the helicopter and give us more information." — Dana Goldberg ([25:34])

5. Interview with Greg Oliar on His New Book

Timestamp: [26:06] – [40:34]

The episode features an in-depth interview with Greg Oliar, host of the Prevail podcast and author of his new book, "Rough Beast: Who Donald Trump Really Is, What He’ll Do if Reelected, and Why Democracy Must Prevail." Key discussion points include:

• Motivation for Writing the Book: Greg explains his desire to update his previous work and provide a concise guide for persuading undecided voters to support Joe Biden over Donald Trump.

  "I wanted to write a book that is short and easy to read and kind of makes the argument for somebody who maybe is on the fence or hasn't been paying attention." — Greg Oliar ([27:36])

• Book Structure and Content: The book is structured into ten chapters, with the first four focusing on:

  1. Trump as a Liar: Highlighting his consistent dishonesty.
  2. Trump as a Criminal and Kremlin Asset: Exploring alleged ties to Russian interests.
  3. Exploitation of the Pardon Process: Detailing abuses of presidential pardons.
  4. Critique of Trump’s Presidency: Discussing the negative impacts of his administration, including his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6th insurrection.

  "He's been cultivated by the Russian mob and the Kremlin for many years now." — Greg Oliar ([32:08])

• Future Implications: Greg warns of the dangerous policies Project 2025 could implement if Trump is reelected, such as making abortion criminal nationwide and rolling back LGBTQ+ rights.

  "They want to make abortion criminal in all 50 states...roll back civil rights for LGBTQ Americans, and they want to outlaw contraception." — Greg Oliar ([37:32])

• Call to Action: Greg emphasizes the importance of voting for Biden to prevent the rise of what he terms a fascist political agenda under Trump.

  "If you vote for somebody other than Biden, you are voting for Trump, period. That's just how it works." — Greg Oliar ([38:31])

Good News Segment

Timestamp: [40:00] – [55:27]

The hosts take a lighter turn, sharing uplifting stories and listener submissions:

• Listener Pronunciation Corrections:

  • Correction on pronouncing “Boston” correctly.
  • Clarification on “Aussie” referring to the American breed Australian Shepherd.

• Personal Shout-Outs and Stories:

  • Listeners share adorable pet photos, heartwarming family moments, and personal achievements.
  • Dana proudly announces breaking a fundraising goal, raising over $300,000 for the LGBTQ center in Los Angeles, supporting youth programs amid rising mental health crises:

    "I broke a fundraising goal for the Enter the LGBTQ center in Los Angeles...raising over $300,000." — Dana Goldberg ([54:26])

• Humorous Misunderstandings:

  • Fun exchanges about pronunciation and word mix-ups, adding a relatable and entertaining layer to the show.

Conclusion

Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay engaged, support their communities, and prioritize voting for Joe Biden to uphold democratic values. They emphasize the importance of caring for one another and maintaining mental health amidst challenging times.

"Take care of yourselves, take care of each other, take care of the planet, take care of your mental health, take care of your family." — Allison Gill ([55:21])

The episode concludes with playful banter about refried beans, leaving listeners with a sense of camaraderie and commitment to progressive causes.

Notable Quotes:

• Allison Gill ([04:55]):

  "But the DA's hands are tied by the statute of limitations, which is why they didn't bring or came."

• Judge John Bates via Allison Gill ([07:54]):

  "Not for a moment should January six rioters be considered true patriots. They're not political prisoners. They're not hostages."

• Dana Goldberg ([16:22]):

  "They wanted to one, deter black and Latino voters from the ballot box...and at the same time produce ads decrying anti-white racism to motivate conservative white voters to show up at the polls."

• Greg Oliar ([27:36]):

  "I wanted to write a book that is short and easy to read and kind of makes the argument for somebody who maybe is on the fence or hasn't been paying attention."

• Greg Oliar ([38:31]):

  "If you vote for somebody other than Biden, you are voting for Trump, period. That's just how it works."

Final Thoughts: This episode of The Daily Beans offers a comprehensive overview of pressing political issues, interspersed with personal stories and humor. Allison Gill and Dana Goldberg provide insightful analysis, empowering listeners to stay informed and take action, particularly in the upcoming election cycle. The inclusion of Greg Oliar's perspectives further enriches the discussion, making this episode a valuable resource for those seeking to understand and influence the current political landscape.