This week I welcomed Matthew Alford to discuss all things Brexit. We kicked off the show by talking about Boris Johnson’s rise to power. Matt talked about Johnson’s public persona as an “inbred upperclass twit,” and how this has shaped his political career. Next, we dove head first into the ongoing drama of Brexit. Matt updated the listeners on the latest developments, including the announcement of a general election on December 12. Matt also analyzed recent polls, which suggest that Johnson and the Conservatives will most likely win and therefore push forward with his party’s plan to leave the EU. We talked about the wisdom of holding a second election and why Matt advocates for voting Labour. We also touched on complex issues like the border with Northern Ireland and how Brexit could unravel the delicate political architecture of the peace deal in Northern Ireland.
In the second hour we discussed Donald Trump’s false narrative that he is some sort of “peace president.” Matt focused on why so many in the conspiracy culture seem to latch onto this false narrative. We also spoke about Trump’s destructive policies in Venezuela and the deteriorating political situation in Haiti. Matt concluded the episode by talking about what some in the UK are overlooking (e.g., the UK as a major arms dealer) due to a strong focus on Brexit. We ended by talking about some of the positive initiatives such as climate change activism around the world, and various other protests during which individuals en mass speak truth to power.
Tom Secker and I finish off our trilogy of episodes discussing House of Cards. This month we look at the last season The Final Cut. We discuss Francis’ long political career as it begins it’s twilight phase. Tom and I talk at length about the Cyprus story-line which introduces foreign policy to the show for the first time. We touch on FU’s complete lack of expertise in this realm and how it contributes to his ultimate demise. Tom and I also discuss whether Urquhart’s experiences as a young man in Cyprus made him into the psychopathic individual he is as Prime Minister. Later we explore the characters of Claire Carlsen and Tom Makepeace, as well as our favorite new character Jeffrey Booza-Pitt.
Tom and I also focus on the complex relationship between Francis, Elizabeth, and the security state. We talk about Elizabeth and Corder’s master plan which comes to fruition in the last episode, and how yet again the show accurately portrays the security state as the real center of power in British politics. Tom and and I also touch on two real world events that mimic House of Cards: the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, and Paul Manafort laundering money in the Bank of Cyprus. And of course Tom and return to our ongoing question: is it all about sex?
Quick Note: I apologize for the coughing and sniffling. I was still sick at the time of the recording.
Tom and I are back for the second installment of our series on the House of Cards trilogy. This month we dissect the second series To Play the King. Tom and I look at the role of monarchy in Britain and the immense power it exerts politically. We explore how this is presented in the show, which the introduction of the newly anointed King, and his battle with Francis Urquart Tom and I talk about the fictional King and Queen’s real life counterparts Prince Charles and Princess Diana. We also discuss whether or not the monarchy should ever exercise it’s power to make political or economic change. We also take a look at how the show portrays other members of the royal family such as Quilly and the Fat Princess Charlotte.
Next Tom and I discuss the other major theme of this second series, the role of the security state. We talk about one of our favorite character Corder and his mysterious role through out the series. Tom and I talk about some of the real life events the show depicts, including the infamous assassination of three IRA members in Gibraltar in 1988 during Operation Flavius. We discuss how the security state represents the true power source of not only Urquart but of the whole of Britain. Tom and I also focus on Urquart’s use of false flag bombings and surveillance of the monarchy and virtually everyone else. We also touch on the bizarre parallels between the plot of To Play the King and the recent British elections and the wave of terrorists attacks including the London Bridge stabbing and Manchester Bombing. We also look at the strange similarity between this season and the Grenfall Tower fire.
We finish off the episode by once again asking if everything is about sex. We focus on Stamper’s possible unrequited love for FU and how this leads to his ultimate downfall.
The wait is finally over. Tom Secker and I are covering the House of Cards Trilogy. In part one of our three part series we introduce everyone to one of our favorite tv shows. We first discuss the setting of the show and the decision to portray the Tory Party in a less than pleasant light. Next Tom and I discuss our favorite characters, and go into depth on why Roger O’Neil is so amazing in those first series.
We then explore the shows use of sex and taboo topics such as incest. We talk about Mattie’s distressing Elektra Complex as well as Urquhart’s own aristocratic desires to sleep with his daughter. Tom and I discuss how this shapes both characters and contributes to Urquhart’s rise to power, and Mattie’s ultimate downfall. We also take a look at the media’s portrayal in the first series. Tom breaks down the strange relationship the media have with politicians in Britain. We close out by teasing the next series, To Play The King.
Quick Note: there are no spoilers for either To Play The King or The Final Cut. Tom and I also strongly encourage you to watch the first series before listening to this podcast.
Porkins Policy Review 