So What?

Brian Burak

A short discussion of current events by a high school International Studies and Psychology teacher

  1. 03/13/2021

    Season 2 Ep. 1 - Joe's Mean Green

    In this episode, Brian discusses where we were 7 months ago and where we are now relative to the coronavirus with some helpful numerical comparisons [1:34], a vaccination update [5:05], what is in the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill [9:40], then he shifts to global news to discuss US air strikes in Syria [15:50], the coup and protests in Myanmar [18:30], the protests in Hong Kong [20:10], and migrant children at the US-Mexico border [21:30], before wrapping up with a discussion of a string of high profile racist statements and what we should do about them in Psych Corner [23:25]

    32 min

  2. 07/31/2020

    Ep. 28 - Public Delay of Election

    In this episode, Burak discusses a few short news stories on hurricanes, Mars, & Brazil [:42], before discussing the fight over unemployment benefits [2:55], COVID stats & new research [7:04], the US pulling troops out of Germany [11:19], the White House ending a HUD policy to reduce racial discrimination in housing [13:26], Trump's tweet that he's considering delaying the election [16:33], the AFT supporting teacher strikes [20:51], the crisis in the USPS [21:45], protest news [24:35], and finally a shocking pair of investigations into the political maneuverings done by the White House when calculating how to handle the coronavirus, testing and responsibility [29:05]

    33 min

  3. 07/24/2020

    Ep. 27 - Oregon. Protest. Moms. Wall. Agents.

    In this episode, Burak discusses COVID cases, school reopening debates and WEAR YOUR MASK [1:03], the shutdown of US & Chinese consulates  [7:53], BLM protests and MO Gov. Mike Parson [9:40], China vs. India [13:15], Roger Stone's n-word [14:10], another Fox News sex scandal [14:30], a Federal Judge's being attacked in her home [15:30], the NDAA requiring an end to Confederate names on military bases [17:25], what he's watching right now [19:44], controversy over the use of federal troops in Portland and maybe other US cities soon [21:12}, and finally a study demonstrating the links between white supremacy ideology and support for authoritarianism [28:25]

    35 min

  4. 07/17/2020

    Ep. 26 - You GOYA be kidding me!

    In this episode, Mr. Burak discusses Coronavirus stats/reopenings/school issues [1:17], good news about a naval first, the Dakota Access Pipeline, & a renaming in MI [12:53], SCOTUS ruling on FL felons' voting rights and Trump's tax returns [14:37], federal executions [17:45], Dan Snyder & the Washington football team [18:30], a looming economic catastrophe [19:30], and the new Chinese "Security" Law in Hong Kong [20:50], A story that has nothing to do with anything [22:43], Corruption & Controversy in the form of graft and the PPP, Trump lying to Mueller about Roger Stone and commuting his sentence, racism, the Hatch Act, and Gestapo style arrests of protestors in Portland [23:32], and finally a Psych Corner on Perception and literally seeing the world differently based on your personality [36:26]

    41 min

  5. 07/03/2020

    Ep. 25 - Mount Brushfiremore

    In this episode, Mr. Burak discusses the alarming surge of COVID in the US [:35], a potential new pandemic [4:33], GOOD NEWS - detained migrant children's release [5:28], Mississippi changes its flag [6:15], Columbus Day becoming Juneteenth [6:45], Washington DC statehood? [8:04], Federal Police Reform Bill [9:40], some court rulings on the border wall and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [11:00], Hong Kong [12:27], Washington Redskins [13:25], A Story that has Nothing to Do with Anything [16:53], What I'm Watching [17:57], Corruption & Controversy dealing with Trump retweeting a White Power video, a murder of a protestor, Trump's Patriotic COVID-fest at Mount Rushmore and Russia's Bounty on US troops in Afghanistan and the President's lack of response [18:40]

    29 min

  6. 06/26/2020

    Ep. 24 - a clean Slate

    In this episode, Mr. Burak discusses the alarming COVID surge [1:10], Unemployment [7:31], Oaxaca earthquake [8:40], A change to a Disney World ride [9:12], A fun Story that has Nothing to do with Anything [11:11], Michael Flynn's case gets dropped [11:57], Tulsa [14:48], a new immigrant ban [16:08], closing of COVID testing sites [16:30], court action to repeal the Affordable Care Act [17:38], the strange "firing" of the SDNY US Attorney [18:00], and finally a variety of BLM topics - low rates of COVID infections at protests, FL police using mugshots of black men for sniper practice, Rhode Island's name change, Jenny Slate (and Kirsten Bell) stepping down from their roles of voicing black cartoon characters and Wilmington police firings [20:59]

    36 min

  7. 06/18/2020

    Ep. 23 - Defund and the Restless

    After a long break, Mr. Burak is back with a ton of different stories. He discusses the stats on COVID, governmental incompetence and why you should still be cautious [1:30], good news on a drug treatment [7:30], mail in ballots & the USPS [8:30], the RNC moves to Jacksonville [9:30], SCOTUS decisions: firing of gay or transgender employees (10:40) & DACA (12:30), Federal executions (14:35), China vs. India (15:00), Good news - SpaceX, Autism on Sesame Street, KPop & BTS Stans, Companies take basic steps to be less racist, good protest outtcomes etc. (16:00), Corruption & Controversy (21:35) including police force actions, several Trump actions, another SCOTUS decision, black people are still getting killed by police, the "right way to protest", city responses to protests Juneteenth, another alleged impeachable offense, and finally Psych Corner on perception and what it means to defund the police (37:45)

    46 min

  8. 06/03/2020

    Ep. 22 - Black Lives Matter

    In this episode, Mr. Burak focuses exclusively on the protests - what they are about, how they're being conducted, what the governmental response has been, the problem with "non-lethal" responses, Trump labelling Antifa as a terror organization & desire to use the military to stop the protests and why qualified immunity empowers police officers to act in such violent ways without fear of punishment.  Black Lives Matter Links for resources: If you’re looking for reliable information/background about what these protests are and where they came from check out these resources compiled by a University of Washington professor Margaret O’Mara.  https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1iDaVNNGRWYkhjB2CJwrA4j8f8dfimh0vEd93D__mnPo/mobilebasic BuzzFeed News Tracker for Hoaxes, False Information etc: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/janelytvynenko/hoax-misleading-claims-george-floyd-protests?utm_source=dynamic&utm_campaign=bfsharefacebook&ref=mobile_share&fbclid=IwAR1p0Sazor9Iwa270sp1bDJIy-CmU-_eEoF-Vge8lxqyofonTf1pE6Sn8MM What is Antifa: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/02/us/what-antifa-trump.html SPLC on why labeling Antifa a terror org. is bad for Civil Rights: ⁃  https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2020/06/01/designating-antifa-domestic-terrorist-organization-dangerous-threatens-civil-liberties How to be an ally: https://sojo.net/articles/our-white-friends-desiring-be-allies and https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234 Protesting Safely: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/akzg94/how-to-protest-safely-during-the-covid-19-pandemic

    35 min
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About

A short discussion of current events by a high school International Studies and Psychology teacher

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Burak
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brian Burak
  • Show Website
    So What?