Tilting at Windmills

Tilting at Windmills
  • 5.0 (5)
  • POLITICS

Every week, people from both sides of the political spectrum tell Mike how wrong he is, and why.

  1. Mike is Wrong About Autocrats w/ Richard Abel

    03/19/2024

    Mike is Wrong About Autocrats w/ Richard Abel

    An Insightful Journey through Law, History, and Society with Professor Richard Abel In this episode, host Mike Donahue engages with the esteemed Professor Richard Abel, Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor at UCLA, exploring his impressive academic journey and profound contributions to law and social science. Abel recounts his initial intention to be a civil rights lawyer, his impactful work in Mississippi, and his academic pursuit at Harvard, Columbia Law School, and the University of London. He discusses his significant role in developing the field of law and social science, his critical research on professional responsibility within the legal profession, and his shift in focus towards social issues in the U.S. and the UK due to familial responsibilities. Abel also delves into his inspiring research on the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, sharing personal anecdotes about Nelson Mandela and the role of law in social change. The conversation transitions to Abel's concern over the U.S. response to 9/11, the war on terror, and the subsequent legal and moral ramifications under the Bush and Trump administrations. Abel highlights the erosion of democratic institutions, the polarization within the judiciary, and the pressing need for electoral reform in the U.S. to protect democracy. Despite concluding on concerns for democracy's future and the challenges ahead, Abel shares his passion for music as a source of transcendence and peace, reflecting on the therapeutic role it played for him, especially during difficult times such as 9/11. 00:00 Welcome to Tilting at Windmills: Introducing Professor Richard Abel 00:34 A Distinguished Career: From Civil Rights to UCLA 01:31 Journey Through Law: Civil Rights, London, and Beyond 02:27 Exploring Law and Social Science: A Shift in Focus 04:59 The South African Adventure: Law Against Apartheid 11:50 From South Africa to the War on Terror: Legal Battles 24:26 The Trump Era: Autocracy and the Rule of Law 30:27 Exploring Resistance and Democracy in the Trump Era 31:12 The Decline of Book Reading and Political Polarization 32:55 The Impact of Social Media on Political Echo Chambers 33:28 The Role of Presidential Debates in Political Discourse 35:17 The Decline of Journalism and Its Long-term Effects 36:42 Judiciary's Role and Political Bias in Court Decisions 42:40 The Importance of the Rule of Law and Democratic Institutions 46:13 The Potential Threats to American Democracy and Optimism for the Future 48:30 Improving Democracy: Election Laws and Political Polarization 49:53 The Role of Media and Public Perception in Political Issues 58:50 Personal Reflections and Recommendations 01:02:12 Final Thoughts and Future Projects

    55 min
  2. Mike is Wrong About Political Psychology

    03/12/2024

    Mike is Wrong About Political Psychology

    Exploring the Psychology of Political Beliefs In this episode titled 'Exploring the Psychology of Political Beliefs', Mike Donoghue hosts Keegan Tatum, a creator specializing in political psychology, for an in-depth conversation on diverse topics. They begin by discussing Keegan's channel, Alien Perspective, which aims to understand and critique conservative ideologies from a political psychology perspective. Keegan shares insights on his educational background, his fascination with political psychology, and his critical stance on conservative politics, emphasizing a desire to maximize human well-being and freedom. The conversation delves into the complexities of convincing individuals with differing political views through empathy and compassion, drawing on examples from history and current politics to illustrate the psychological differences between conservatives and liberals. Keegan, openly autistic, reflects on how his condition influences his detached, analytical approach to politics. The discussion also covers proposals for improving American democracy, the psychology behind transphobia and the impact of media on public perception of political and social issues. Keegan recommends Democracy Now! as a news source and shares his admiration for a Lo-Fi remix of the Evenstar song from Lord of the Rings as a form of relaxation. 00:00 Introduction to Alien Perspective: A Unique Take on Political Psychology 01:05 Meet Keegan Tatum: A Political Psychology Expert 02:19 Exploring the Mindset of Conservatism vs. Liberalism 08:57 The Impact of Autism on Political Views 10:52 Debunking Myths: Healthcare, Capitalism, and Conservatism 14:12 Media Influence and Public Perception 16:43 Conservatism: A Psychological Analysis 31:20 Religion, Authoritarianism, and Political Ideologies 34:29 Bernie Sanders: A Personal Political Journey 36:07 The Political Landscape: Voting, Democracy, and Bernie Sanders 36:29 Addressing the Bernie Bro Trope and Electoral Participation 36:53 The Threat of Trump's Presidency and Authoritarianism 38:14 Improving American Democracy: Proportional Representation and Mandatory Voting 39:37 The Impact of Mandatory Voting and Political Engagement 40:31 The Role of Empathy and Open-mindedness in Politics 44:20 The Future of American Politics: Polarization and Progressivism 47:46 Addressing Climate Change and Global Empathy 51:38 The Evolution of Political Polarization and Authoritarianism 01:02:11 Understanding Transphobia and Gender Identity 01:08:44 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations

    1h 13m
  3. Mike is Wrong About US Oppression and Domestic Harm

    03/12/2024

    Mike is Wrong About US Oppression and Domestic Harm

    Exploring American Inheritance: A Tale of Oppression and Continued Harm to our Native Americans. In this episode of 'Tilting at Windmills,' host Mike Donahue interviews award-winning journalist and author Rebecca Claren about her latest book, 'The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance.' The book delves into the intertwined histories of Jews and Native Americans in the context of American colonialism and explores the complex legacy of escaping oppression only to become part of an oppressive system in America. They discuss the ongoing harm to Native Americans, the responsibility of current generations to rectify past and present injustices, and the concept of being a 'good ancestor' by acknowledging and working to remedy the benefits derived from the harm done to Native peoples. The conversation also addresses the challenges of grappling with America's colonial past, the need for a more truthful telling of American history, and suggests ways for individuals to contribute to repairing the harms caused. Additionally, the episode explores cultural sensitivity, assimilation, and offers tangible steps for personal remediation towards Native nations. 00:00 Exploring the American Story of Oppression and Inheritance 01:07 Introducing 'The Cost of Freeland' with Rebecca Claren 01:33 The Interwoven Histories of Jews and Native Americans 05:57 The Ongoing Harm and the Quest for Reparation 14:42 Cultural Sensitivity, Empathy, and Learning from History 35:26 Personal Remediation and Steps Towards Healing 37:27 Drawing Parallels: From Native American Lands to Global Conflicts 40:28 Media Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

    43 min
  4. Mike is Wrong about Countermobilization w/ Eric Patashnik

    02/22/2024

    Mike is Wrong about Countermobilization w/ Eric Patashnik

    In this episode, Mike learns about Countermobilization from Eric Patashnik, author of Countermobilization: Policy Feedback and Backlash in a Polarized Age. Eric is the professor and Department Chair of Political Science for the Watson Institute, Brown University. Eric

    45 min
  5. Mike is Wrong about Shiv

    06/10/2023

    Mike is Wrong about Shiv

    And women in general, apparently. Frequent contributors Shanna and Meghna let Mike know where he’s mistaken.

    1h 26m
  6. Mike is Wrong about Meat

    04/15/2023

    Mike is Wrong about Meat

    In this episode, Mike interviews lawyer-cum-farmer Nicolette Hahn Niman, a rancher advocating for the ethical treatment of livestock. Nicolette is the author of Righteous Porkchop and Defending Beef.

    1h 5m

  7. 12/20/2022

    Mike is Wrong about Elon Musk

    In this episode, Mitsu Hadeishi, definitely not a bon vivant but definitely someone who knows better than Mike about the ins and outs of software development, Silicon Valley, and the art world, and physics, and... I'm gonna run out of room... lets Mike know why Mike is wrong about Elon Musk.

    1h 14m
  8. Mike is Wrong about UK (and US!) Politics. And F1. And Soccer.

    05/12/2022

    Mike is Wrong about UK (and US!) Politics. And F1. And Soccer.

    Mike takes a pretty good beating as his guest, noted political commentator Roifield Brown, disabuses Michael as to his notions regarding UK and US politics. To break the bitterness of discussing politics, they move on to discuss the bitterness of last year's F1 finale, and the bitterness of the rest of the world not to accept the American usage of the word Football.

    1h 23m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Every week, people from both sides of the political spectrum tell Mike how wrong he is, and why.

Information

  • Creator
    Tilting at Windmills
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Tilting at Windmills
  • Show Website
    Tilting at Windmills