Ep 1157. Tue, Dec 4, 2018

On the 1157th episode of The Young Turks, the hosts cover a range of political and social issues in their signature progressive style. The episode begins with a discussion about the latest updates surrounding the Mueller investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Host Ana Kasparian reveals that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has breached his plea deal and lied to federal investigators. She goes on to criticize the leniency shown to Manafort by the court system, saying that it sends a message that white collar crime is not taken seriously enough.

The hosts then turn their attention to President Trump's recent nominations to the Federal Reserve Board, Stephen Moore and Herman Cain. The group debates the qualifications of the two candidates, with many expressing concerns about their lack of experience or expertise in economics. Kasparian argues that the president seems to value loyalty over competence when it comes to his appointments, which could be detrimental to the country's financial stability.

Next, the show tackles the ongoing controversy surrounding the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border. Host John Iadarola reports that a new government report has revealed that the Trump administration separated thousands more children from their parents than was previously thought. The hosts express their outrage at the practice, calling it inhumane and unnecessary. They also discuss the lack of transparency and accountability from the government on this issue.

The episode then takes a brief detour into pop culture, with a discussion about the recent controversy surrounding comedian Kevin Hart's old homophobic tweets. The hosts debate whether Hart should have been fired from his job as host of the Oscars, and what the appropriate response should be to offensive comments made in the past. They also delve into the topic of cancel culture and whether it has gone too far.

One of the main topics of the episode is the ongoing crisis in Yemen and the involvement of the United States government in the conflict. Host Hasan Piker provides some background on the situation, which has been labeled the worst humanitarian crisis in the world right now. He also discusses the recent decision by the U.S. Senate to end support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, and why it was seen as a significant rebuke of the Trump administration's foreign policy.

The hosts also tackle the topic of education reform, particularly the debate over charter schools. Host Cenk Uygur argues that charter schools are largely driven by profit motives rather than a desire to improve education, and cites studies showing that they do not necessarily lead to better academic outcomes. The group discusses the role of teachers' unions in this debate, as well as the broader issue of funding for public education.

As the episode nears its end, the hosts discuss the recent spate of GOP-led lame duck legislative sessions, during which outgoing lawmakers scramble to push through last-minute legislation before the new Congress takes office. They criticize the tactic as undemocratic and subverting the will of voters who elected new representatives. The show ends with a call to action for viewers to stay informed and involved in their political system, and to continue fighting for a more just and equitable society.