An amazing moment is going on in America right now. Triggered by the enormous outpouring of joy in New York City for the Knicks championship and the beginning of the World Cup, the United States is in a heightened state of euphoria and emotion. The world is on our doorstep and celebrating their cultures with us. The diversity and multiculturalism are transcendent. The contrast to a bumbling abrasive Trump is Europe and our masked ICE agents is stark. But Trump is shrinking in front of our eyes, His act gas worn thin, His Iran War surrender a national embarrassment. MAGA is losing to togetherness and Love. It is beautiful to watch. And should inspire a revolution in America. Stay tuned.

The days of attending any event and pretending to be non-partisan or non-political are Over. No one in America can pretend any longer to be neutral on the events and policies that surround them. Silence is complicity. But Showing up is support. Active, full throated support for MAGA and White supremacy, So if you attend a Trump-tinged event, you are a Trump supporter. There is no coming back to polite society. The crass slander of Michelle Obama by an MMA fighter was the lowlight of the night, but not a surprise and no walk back by Trump. In Germany, they would say if you are at a table with one Nazi and nine others it is a table with 10 Nazis. So we are watching closely to see who is complicit and who is active. There will be repercussions.

Brock argues this was not just an NBA Championship in New York City. it was a triumph for multi-culturalism. Community, friendship and perseverance. The energy and unbridled joy being experienced by the entire city of New York from diehard Knicks fans to those riding the wave demonstrates how much not just New Yorkers, but all Americans, needed the joy and the love generated by this basketball game. Like a soda bottle shaken, the city has exploded in appreciation for each other. Brock argues this is a seminal moment in America. The positive energy will emanate from NYC to the rest of the country. The 70% of America that hates Donald Trump will be unleashed to follow NYC's chant 'New York hates you' at Trump Tower. Look for the Democrats to pick up their messaging from the people on the streets on New York. Politicians don't lead. They follow the will of the people. Anfd the millions of people singing together will spread. America has tasted joy in its most important city. There is no going back from this feeling. The hate and bitterness of MAGA is officially on life support. America will no longer tolerate their vision of America. Embracing our difference will triumph over fearing them. The Knicks put the stake in the heart of MAGA. It's all over but the crying.

The Trump Presidency is in a tattered state of incompetence and failure. The Iran War drags on with garbled messaging and Trump attempting to lie his way through negotiations while being contradicted by the mullahs. Inflation hits new highs as the residual impact of the Iran War works its way through goods and services. But Trump applauds a "great' economy attempting to sell his distorted version of reality to an increasingly impoverished and skeptical country. Also, Trump tries desperately to be one of the cool kids inserting himself into America's enjoyment via sports and pop culture. All these attempts fall flat further annoying a populous in search of escapes from their declining quality of life. John Cornyn tells us Trump is facing a miserable two years ahead. Our worry is that Trump will be fine. II's the American people likely to experience two terrible years.

Kamala Harris loved the "we have more in common than what divides us" line on the campaign trail. Brock questioned it then and really questions it now as he embarks on a Deep South journey. The overt religiosity of the South is striking to a Northerner. The Trump billboards and "Super stores" where people buy Trump-adorned merchandise seems bizarre. The lack pf integration between White and Black people in the cities visited is glaringly obvious. The Right-wing news is everywhere. The people seem nice and friendly. The food is great. But it feels like a different culture. The South could be another country, albeit with the same language. The question is whether American ideals and belief in democracy binds us together North and South, Conservative and Liberal. Brock is skeptical as he travels to Mississippi, home of the Ole Miss Rebels. What were they rebelling against? Oh yeah. Me. The Northerners.

Mark and Brock take a break from the daily commentary on politics to reflect on why they do the podcast and how easily they slip back into their silos. American society has thrown such different life experiences at each of them since their high school days that reconnecting to talk about these paths has been a great education. But the effort is not seen in much of their everyday lives or amongst their circle of friends. It begs the question of whether people in this country will ever take a beat and think about the lived experiences of the "others" around them. Not likely, but this podcast is an attempt to start the honest conversation.

Oh come on now, getting the Senate to only approve $70 billion is a victory for the Resistance? No way. This is not middle of the road policy stance. ICE is separating families, providing inhumane conditions no longer even keeping track of deaths in their concentration camps. It is totally unacceptable within any standard of reasonable conditions. But the American people are indifferent to the plight of immigrants. Too many Americans are indifferent to the suffering of others. Mark highlights a move by state legislators in Minnesota to have a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin. Brock argues this is why there is no coming together with MAGA. America is in a Civil War. one side or the other wins.

From the World Cup to Freedom Concert to Reflecting Pool to UFC octagon at the White house, everything Trump touches is dying right in front of us the FIFA World Cup is the most costly example as Trump and Mark Wayne Mulins are combining to make the world feel as unwelcome as possible. Unfortunately, America geared up for a flood of foreign visitors with wallets full and ready to spend. But with ICE agents poised to patrol stadiums and the U.S. abandoning Allies and bullying everyone else, people are simply not buying tickets and not planning to come here. The lost revenue will be astounding. Along with an international rebuke, MAGA Congress is showing signs of dissent against the Mad King. He screwed a bunch of them in the primaries and now they feel bitter and emboldened. Thus, Trump is slowly losing his vice-like grip on the party and the Resistance is taking baby steps towards a real fight. Reasons for optimism in the pro-democracy camp.