Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

The House has passed the John Lewis Voting Rights Restoration Act, which is a significant step forward in protecting our democracy. Mark talks to us today about the history of voter suppression and how securing these legal protections are crucial in fighting racism and ultimately, tyranny. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Fox News would like to you believe that the Afghanistan war is President Biden’s fault, but the irony is that some of the talking heads on the network were literally part of the administration that started it all with George Bush. Mark plays some network clips for us and discusses the origin of the war, and how the GOP would like to ignore the reality of history. Mark also gives us some more information on this weekend’s Make Good Trouble Rally happening in Washington D.C.. More information: www.makegoodtroublerally.com Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) has justified the murder of Dana Mitchell Young Jr. (also known as Malik) by saying they mistook a black COVID-19 face mask he was wearing, for a handgun. He wound up dead in an alley and now his family wants answers--especially because the cop who murdered him has a violent history. Ms. Khadijah Shabazz is not just an activist and mother-in-law to Malik, but is also serving as spokesperson for her daughter who has filed a lawsuit against the LA Sheriff's Department for Malik's killing. Ms. Khadijah shares the story of how they uncovered the truth about Malik’s murder in a devastating way on the day of his funeral service, and how she hopes to get justice for her family, as well as the other 950 Black and Brown men who were killed or harmed by the LAPD in the last 10 years. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsP

The Biden administration has announced that vaccinated individuals will need a booster shot. Dr. Bechara Choucair is the White House Vaccinations Coordinator so he has the inside information on the two reasons we’ll need that booster, when we’ll need it, and when, exactly, the program will begin to roll out. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs and host of podcast “The Brief” returns from his summer hiatus and we need to process all that’s happening. Markos provides insight on the situation in Afghanistan from his perspective as a veteran, and also explores the history of the war, spanning four presidents who all shoulder some level of responsibility, and how the U.S. literally built the Taliban army. Back on U.S. soil, what’s happening with Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin? And why does Markos think we have a huge challenge ahead of us with the 2022 midterm elections? If you stick around to the end, Mark has some additional information on the Make Good Trouble Rally in Washington D.C. on August 28th. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

July produced an impressively healthy jobs report, after a long COVID-19 recession, which gives Labor Secretary Marty Walsh a lot of hope for our recovery. He shares lingering concerns on the Delta variant, but believes in the $1.3 trillion dollar infrastructure bill that will assist in boosting the economy with better job training, more opportunities, and increased wages. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Eric Boehlert, Writer and Publisher of Pressrun.media, is our fearless leader in covering the press, and how they cover news on Capitol Hill and across the country. In today’s episode, he digs into Chuck Todd’s overcompensation for the bias liberal media accusation, and wonders why White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has to continually defend President Biden’s trips to Delaware as the media tries to create a “gotcha” moment. And while they’re busy covering Biden’s weekend visits to his home, they’re failing to cover the fact that Rep. Matt Gaetz is under investigation for child sex trafficking. Another important question Eric has for mainstream media: where are the headlines on the blockbuster July Jobs Report? Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

New questions have emerged surrounding vaccinations: what’s the deal with boosters, especially for the immunocompromised? When will the vaccine start wearing off? Dr. Uche Blackstock, Founder of Advancing Health Equity, answers all that and more. She breaks down the difference between Emergency Use Authorization and the typical approval process, and fills us in on the Lambda variant and if it’s something to be concerned about just yet. Read more about Dr. Blackstock and Advancing Health Equity HERE: https://advancinghealthequity.com/about/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’re inching closer to the start of the school year, and parents, students, and school staff are wondering what that will actually look like, as the Delta variant of COVID-19 remains a big concern. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona is with us today to discuss the Biden Administration’s large-scale plans for reopening safely and ensuring students have the support systems they need to get acclimated again--mentally, physically, and emotionally. And if you stick around to the end of the episode, Mark has a special announcement. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Michael Tomasky is Editor at The New Republic and in his latest, “Andrew Cuomo and the Line No Democrat Can Cross,” Michael explains why as recently as five years ago, Cuomo might have gotten away with the allegations against him. But these days, the Democratic party is holding their own to the appropriate standards when it comes to sexual harassment and assault. As for Republicans? Not so much. Michael details the stark contrast between the two parties, considering the likes of Rep. Matt Gaetz and company. And taking a dip into another piece by Michael, they discuss the possibility that fear-mongering around the federal deficit is a thing of the past. READ HERE: https://newrepublic.com/article/163231/andrew-cuomo-democrat-sexual-misconduct https://newrepublic.com/article/163200/infrastructure-week-budget-deficit-fearmongering Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPr

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has finally resigned--but the National Organization for Women has been calling for that since the reports of his alleged sexual harassment first emerged. NOW President Christian Nunes joins today to discuss the governor’s response to the allegations and his general handling of the situation, and how his failure to appropriately take responsibility reverberates out into our culture. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From voter registration all the way through to how ballots are counted--that’s how thorough Texas Republicans’ latest voter suppression tactics are. Gary Bledsoe is President of the Texas NAACP and he explains their new national push to warn Americans that Texas could become a blueprint for other parts of the country if we let these restrictions get signed into law. Some Texas Democrats are doing their part by leaving the state to prevent the passing of these laws, and a judge just blocked the arrest of those lawmakers, but many things are still uncertain. President Bledsoe explains the complicated political climate that produces some of the most restrictive and threatening voter suppression tactics in American history. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s time for our monthly check-in with Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, who’s got the information we need to know from the July jobs report. We are still on the rebound and showing signs of a stimulated economy, but Chad lets us know what industries are still struggling, where we can expect seasonal adjustments, and where we stand in getting back to the jobs numbers we had pre-pandemic. Chad also explains where we stand with unemployment insurance, where there is vast room for improvement as red state governors eliminate the federal emergency unemployment insurance benefits ahead of their scheduled expiration date. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Earlier this week, President Biden signed an executive order that outlines a new goal to electrify America’s vehicles, with a goal of increasing the number of electric vehicles to half of all vehicles by 2030. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves joins the show to explain how the Biden administration plans to tackle that goal. Deputy Secretary Graves also digs into the infrastructure bill and highlights why it is crucial to pass it, because of what and who it invests in. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Throwback episode! As we battle COVID-19 variants, we’re looking back on this conversation with Dr. Michael LeNoir, one of the nation’s top Black physicians, AAWP Founder and past president of the National Medical Association. Last winter, he released a PSA campaign that addressed the disproportionate effects COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have, on the Black community. Dr. LeNoir also speaks to concerns that are circulating within the Black community regarding the safety of the coronavirus vaccine. Check out the PSA campaign here: https://digitalmedia.vnr1.com/2020/11/03/2020-070_AAWP_LenoirPSAs/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Texas Republicans are attempting to pass some of the most egregious voter suppression laws in the country, so Democrats left the state in order to prevent the laws from passing. The Poor People’s Campaign stands in solidarity with those legislators fighting for voting rights, and their leadership, including the Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, gathered with thousands of constituents and supporters alike over the weekend to stand up against Republicans and voter suppression. In a caravan of 151 cars, they traveled from Georgetown to Austin to represent the 151 years since the passage of the 15th Amendment, which guarantees the right to vote regardless of race or color. Distinguished Guests: Rev. Dr. William Barber II; Beto O’Rourke; Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes III; Rev. Dr. S. Todd Yeary Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: http

It began as a lucky break that landed Noah Hurowitz on El Chapo’s beat, writing about his trial for drug trafficking and money laundering. Now, he put all his investigative work into his book “El Chapo: The Untold Story of the World’s Most Infamous Drug Lord,” which explores the Mexican kingpin’s rise to power. Noah also digs into the role of the U.S. government and how they use the war on drugs as a coercive element of foreign policy in Mexico--which is also the reason why they have no real desire to end the drug trade. Noah navigated one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists in order to fill out El Chapo’s story and form the pages of this book and he shares those stories today. Buy the book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/El-Chapo/Noah-Hurowitz/9781982133757 Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://red

Fox News has mentioned Critical Race Theory more than 1,900 times in the past 3 ½ months, with 901 mentions in June alone. That’s according to Media Matters for America, as we hear from Sergio Muñoz, Policy Director, who explains Fox News’ devotion to demonizing anything that can and should be used to promote true racial equity. And Fox is not only using the academic theory to sow division, but also to destabilize the midterm elections. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mark reconnects with Tim Black, Host of Tim Black TV (link below), to continue their discussion on H.R. 40, where they have different points of view on how reparations should be carried out in America. We also get Tim’s take on voting rights, the situation with the filibuster, and the frustration that sits at the core of his criticism of how Democrats are handling business on Capitol Hill. Tim also discusses Nina Turner’s run for a seat in the U.S. House in Ohio’s 11th District, and if she’s getting the type of support she deserves. And the conversation would not be complete without some analysis on the “psychology of a Karen.” Listen to Mark's appearance on TBTV here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBlQ4c4N_2Y Check out the rest of TBTV content here: https://www.youtube.com/user/TimsTakeLive/videos TBTV website: https://timblacktv.com/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcirc

Last week, Black male leadership gathered on Capitol Hill to protest the largest attack on voting rights since the civil war and reconstruction. An epic lineup delivers inspiration and hard truths about what’s at stake as we look to the next midterm and presidential elections. We close out the event with words from our very own Mark Thompson. After the speakers concluded, Mark and the other demonstrators were arrested for standing up for the right to vote. Speakers: Ty Hobson Powell, Community Activist in Washington D.C.; Tamir Harper, Assistant Vice President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; Richard P. Mattox, Senior Province Vice Polemarch of the Eastern Province of the National Social Action Chair of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.; Kenneth Rogers, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; Mondale Robinson, Founder of the Black Male Voter Project; Daryl Jones, Transformative Justice Coalition; Mark Thompson, Host of Make It Plain with Mark Thompson Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distr