Topic: Debate

The conversation shifts to the nature of trolling, comparing racial slurs to modern digital harassment. The hosts analyze the September 2024 presidential debate, noting how Kamala Harris successfully "trolled" Donald Trump regarding his rally crowd sizes. They conclude that everyone has a "sore spot" that can be exploited if they lack emotional control.

Adam and Mo analyze the recent debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. While the media focused on Trump's claims about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, the hosts argue his message on crime and the border resonates with a "hurting" American public. Mo Facts expresses concern that "orange people" (Trump supporters) are being targeted by the same systemic tactics historically used against black Americans.

Therapist Majit Kuru Rupia explains how narcissists use "shifting goalposts" to ensure their victims never succeed and remain dependent. The hosts discuss whether this label applies to Donald Trump (referred to as 45 Savage), concluding that while he likes to dominate, the "hidden" nature of narcissism might not fit his overt style. They suggest that the political system itself acts as a narcissist toward the public.

A PBS Digital Studios clip explains the "moving goalposts" fallacy using the example of climate change debates. The hosts argue that both sides of the climate issue use this tactic, such as shifting the terminology from "global warming" to "climate change" or using "recorded history" (150 years) as a vague proxy for the earth's entire history.

Mo analyzes Rogan's comments on the lack of Black representation in movie previews and the "bad guy" tropes in films. He suggests that instead of canceling Rogan for discussing controversial topics like the "Bell Curve," the Black community should demand "transactional" representation—using Rogan's platform to feature Black scholars and counter-arguments.

The film "The Great Debaters," produced by Oprah Winfrey, features a character played by Denzel Washington who organizes sharecroppers. The hosts highlight the film's open embrace of radicalism and unionization, linking it to real-world historical efforts to organize black farmers in the South.

The hosts read through various donations from producers, including Timothy Cato and Lon Baker. A discussion about a potential "barbecue debate" between Adam (Austin) and Mo (Carolinas) arises. Listeners are encouraged to join the "Tribe Called Moe" on the Sphinx Chat app to build a community outside of traditional social media.

The hosts lament the lack of civics education in the US, noting that the country is a Republic, not a Democracy. They discuss how the DNC and RNC effectively pick candidates before the public ever votes, citing the 2016 treatment of Bernie Sanders. They also criticize the Presidential Debate Committee for maintaining a "two-party system" that is not factually required by law.

The hosts analyze the 2020 presidential debates, criticizing the media's focus on demanding Donald Trump denounce white supremacy as a "kryptonite" tactic for Black voters. They compare Trump's "Platinum Plan" for Black Americans to Marianne Williamson's previous atonement proposals, noting the irony in how the same dollar amounts are received differently based on the political messenger. The discussion emphasizes that the election hinges on Black men and their response to these competing narratives.

The discussion turns to the historical reality of Abraham Lincoln, noting that he was not an abolitionist in the traditional sense. In his 1858 debates with Stephen Douglas, Lincoln explicitly stated that he was not in favor of social or political equality between the white and black races.

Donald Trump expressed a preference for running against Michael Bloomberg rather than Bernie Sanders, citing Sanders' genuine grassroots following. Trump criticized Bloomberg's debate performance and characterized his apology at the Brooklyn church as "pathetic" and "disingenuous."

A media segment featuring Karen Hunter is criticized for conflating the issues of stop-and-frisk and subprime lending. While the hosts acknowledge that systemic banking discrimination exists, they argue that Hunter's personal anecdote about taking a bad loan weakens the broader argument regarding institutional racism.

A YouTube investigation by "Mr. Jackson" claims that Michael Bloomberg wears significant lifts in his shoes to appear taller. The video suggests that MSNBC used camera tricks and lectern placement to hide the lifts during debates. The hosts mock Bloomberg's gait, comparing his leg proportions to the video game character Dhalsim from Street Fighter.

Marianne Williamson is credited for being the only 2020 candidate to explicitly use the word "reparations" and propose a specific figure of $400 million. The hosts discuss how mainstream media and the Democratic establishment marginalized her candidacy despite her willingness to address the issue directly. They contrast her specific proposal with the more vague "study" approach of HR 40.

The hosts revisit the pivotal debate moment where Tulsi Gabbard attacked Kamala Harris's record as a prosecutor, specifically regarding marijuana convictions. They argue this "torpedoed" her campaign by exposing hypocrisy between her past actions and her current public persona.

Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post discusses the lack of diversity in the upcoming PBS NewsHour debate following Harris's exit. The hosts argue that the debate system is rigged by money and advertising requirements, effectively cutting out candidates who cannot afford to play.

During the July 2019 Democratic primary debates, candidate Marianne Williamson argued that reparations are a debt payment for services rendered rather than financial assistance. Williamson proposed a payment of $200 billion to $500 billion, citing the historical promise of 40 acres and a mule for four million former slaves. While she acknowledges the math actually reaches into the trillions, she suggests her lower figure is more "politically feasible" for the current American climate.