Ep 145. Innocent On Death Row, RIP Net Neutrality and Clapper and Feinstein's Love Affair

Breaking the Set season 2 episode 145 features three different segments covering a range of political issues. The first segment, Innocent On Death Row, explores the troubling reality of wrongful convictions in the United States. Host Abby Martin interviews two exonerees, Kerry Max Cook and Damon Thibodeaux, who share their heartbreaking stories of being sentenced to death for crimes they did not commit. Cook spent 22 years on death row in Texas before being exonerated in 1999, while Thibodeaux spent 15 years on death row in Louisiana before being exonerated in 2012. The segment sheds light on flaws in the justice system that can lead to innocent people being condemned to death and the importance of efforts to reform capital punishment.

The second segment, RIP Net Neutrality, discusses the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to repeal net neutrality rules. Abby Martin explains what net neutrality is and how the repeal will affect internet users. She speaks with activist Evan Greer from Fight for the Future, who argues that the repeal will allow internet service providers to prioritize certain content and create a tiered system that favors large corporations over smaller independent websites. The segment also features a clip of comedian John Oliver’s segment on net neutrality, which played a role in raising public awareness about the issue.

The final segment, Clapper and Feinstein’s Love Affair, examines the relationship between former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and Senator Dianne Feinstein. Abby Martin details how Clapper lied to Congress in 2013 about the National Security Agency’s (NSA) surveillance of American citizens and how Feinstein, as Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, defended his actions. The segment raises questions about the cozy relationship between government officials and the intelligence community and the lack of accountability for those who violate American citizens’ privacy.

Overall, Breaking the Set season 2 episode 145 offers a critical perspective on some of the most pressing political issues of our time. The segment on wrongful convictions highlights the urgent need for criminal justice reform, while the discussion of net neutrality and government surveillance raises important questions about the future of the internet and civil liberties. By delving into these complex issues with nuance and compassion, the show provides a valuable platform for informed public discourse.