The Political Playlist | Music for the times that are a-changin'

For almost 2 years, opponents of Donald Trump and all that his presidency represents have hung onto the hope the Robert Mueller’s special investigation would bring damning evidence and indisputably make the case for Trump’s removal from office, validate his critics, rectify the US’s global reputation, and restore order in the realm. It was a rare time when Democrats from across the left supported and even glorified the Republican former FBI chief, putting his image and name on t-shirts, coffee mugs, and in their prayers. Finally, in a climax all-too-familiar in modern American politics, the report was delivered and people were less than satisfied. The report didn’t outright indict Trump for collusion with Russia in the 2016 election, but it also didn’t absolve him of wrongdoing… as far as we know. Public knowledge of the report has been via quotes and interpretations from AG Barr, whose selected highlight reel is as curated as a college girls’ Instagram, and similarly projects a specific image. The story continues with a transition into postcoital tristesse that promises ongoing debates, revelations, and hopefully some resolutions. In the meantime, here’s a refresher on the more optimistic days of the investigation, and a potential soundtrack for the blockbuster film it’s sure to inspire, which will probably win Oscars for its white male cast members.

February was characterized by divisions between and within varying groups. The United States presented a conflicted State of the Union that escalated to a crisis over executive authority. While 2018 midterm elections remain unresolved, the 2020 presidential race heated up with Democrats differing on issues other than a shared determination to de-throne Donald Trump. Also at odds with Trump was North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, after the two leaders failed to negotiate an agreement about sanctions and denuclearization.

State of the Union: The governments’ annual review process was full of contradictions, exaggerations, and rare moments of optimism, both unpredictable and unsurprising given Trump’s mediocre-at-best style of management. The theme of the address was ‘unity’ and it opened in that sentiment, albeit flawed by Trump’s character and then contradicted by criticisms of the special counsel investigation, accusations of obstruction by Democrats, and arguments for the southern border wall. Primary takeaways: the political parties remain deeply divided, Trump won’t give up on his wall, and the women of the democratic party are social media gold.

National Emergency: For the umpteenth refrain of Trumps song-that-never-ends, the President reiterated the need for a border wall with Mexico, this time declaring a national emergency in an attempt to access the billions in funding he has tried to secure since taking office two years ago, most recently through failed negotiations around the annual budget. While not entirely unexpected, the move amplified the debate from one about immigration policy to a confrontation over the separation of powers, suggesting that the real national crisis is a constitutional one.

Presidential announcements: Good news for Bernie supporters who didn’t Kondo their t-shirts and buttons from the 2016 election. The Vermont senator sparked joy for his loyal followers when he announced he’ll make another run for office. So far his platform is very reminiscent of his 2016 run, though it’s unlikely he’ll again be seen as revolutionary in this cycles more crowded and progressive democratic field.

Senator Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota also joined the race, with a heartland-democrat platform and profile that more closely align with the moderate progressive approach that old-school democrats & political pundits highlight for it’s ‘widespread appeal.’ Popular among her constituents and across the midwest, her campaign launched with an outdoor rally in the midst of a blizzard, a visual she continues to reference as evidence of her grit and that supporters praise a truly mid-western. Her appeal to voters in warmer climates remains to be determined.

North Carolina Voter Fraud: Months after midterm elections, NC’s 9th congressional race remains unresolved as prosecutors continue to investigate evidence of ballot tampering by workers on behalf of GOP candidate Mark Harris. Several campaign staffers including political operative Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. have been charged with illegal ballot handling and conspiracy, revealing suspicious activity among the Republican party dating back to the 2016 elections and leading the state election board to order a new election for the botched midterms, this time without Harris on the ballot. Journalists are waiting to hear how this intersects with the GOP’s unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud by Democrats, another nail in irony’s coffin.

North Korea: The US and North Korea’s second summit was cut short without any agreement on nuclear disarmament or signals that there will be a resolution in the future. Trump and Kim pointed fingers with conflicting accounts on who was to blame for the failed negotiations, but the primary sticking points became clear; which and how many sanctions would be lifted from North Korea, and the extent and timeline of denuclearization on the Korean peninsula. The deadlock has taken the two leaders relationship from optimistic to “it’s complicated,” with international observers concerned that taking time for themselves will give North Korea more time and possibly incentive to further develop their nuclear arsenal. Third times a charm?

The year kicked off with all the drama, scandal, and excitement we’ve come to expect from reality show politics. Luckily, 2019 has already offered some silver linings and prospects for change, making the news cycle a little more bearable. In that spirit, this months playlist has songs for your happy dance as well as ones to rage to:

Government Shutdown: After weeks of negotiations and the longest government shutdown in history, the “author” of the Art of the Deal found himself backed against a proverbial wall, but failing to get approval for the concrete and steel one promised on his campaign. The 35-day standoff ended with Trump signing a bill to reopen the government despite it not having the requested $5+ billion for a border wall, restoring Nancy Pelosi’s street cred among skeptical Democrats as well as paychecks for 800,000+ federal workers who could not work or worked without pay. The reopening is important, but not exactly a win; Trump promised to continue his fight for wall funding, and the economic impacts of the shutdown remain a concern for contract workers who won’t recover wages, communities dependent on social programs, and government employees’ confidence in job security.

The New Congress: While it may feel like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez is a staple of US politics, her formal term as a congresswoman started just a few weeks ago, when on January 3rd she was sworn in alongside members of the 116th Congress, the most diverse legislative body in U.S. history. The new Congress is not only more racially and ethnically diverse, but also includes better representation of women, the LGBTQ community, and younger generations, as well as a number of historic firsts. The event was a milestone for Democrats, who took back the house majority and reelected Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the house, the only woman to ever hold the role. To regain the seat Pelosi had to overcome opposition from within her party, including calls for new leadership from younger generations. Ever the negotiator, Pelosi agreed to only stay for four years, but the challenges she faced preview expected debates among Democrats for the 2020 presidential election.

Presidential Announcements: The time has come for the opportunity for some to do what many have dreamed about; challenge Donald Trump on the national stage, call out his nonsense and offer America and the world an alternative to the policies and behaviors of the current White House. The early announcements of Presidential campaigns promise a crowded and diverse field of nominees for the 2020 election. So far the candidates include well known Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Kristin Gillibrand (D-NY), as well as representatives still establishing themselves on the national stage; Mayor Pete Buttigeig (South Bend, Indiana), Julian Castro (former Sec. of HUD), and John Delaney (former Maryland Rep.). A few non-government candidates have also thrown their hat in the ring, like tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, author Marianna Williamson. No word yet on whether Bernie, Biden, or Beto will form exploratory committees (or a boy band!)

Roger Stone: Another chapter in the Russia investigation saga, Trump’s longtime adviser Roger Stone was arrested after being indicted on seven counts including witness tampering, obstruction, and lying to Congress. Stone plead not guilty but remains open to a deal cooperating with Mueller, which suggests that his affinity for Trump is not quite as strong as his commitment to Nixon.

Venezuela: Two men are claiming the presidency in Venezuela, pushing the country into a full-blown political crisis after years of controversy, corruption, and economic turmoil. Incumbent President Maduro has faced opposition since his election in 2013, which he won by a narrow margin following the death of Hugo Chavez, who is credited with transforming the oil-rich country through authoritarian socialism. Formerly Chavez’s VP, Maduro followed in style, further consolidating power but struggling to respond to a global drop in oil prices, leading to hyperinflation, massive debt, shortages of food and medicine, and an extreme devaluation of their currency. Maduro was inaugurated for a second term despite protests and global skepticism about the integrity of the 2018 election, which came to a head when VP Mike Pence was like “break up with your president, I’m bored”. Bolstered by US support, protests grew across the country and opposition leader Juan Guaido invoked the constitution to act as interim president. Maduro isn’t going to give up easily, so the country lingers in a global power struggle.

Re-introducing The Political Playlist, where I summarize recent political news stories with a playlist that captures the emotional roller coaster of staying informed in the era of alternative facts and information-overload. This project started in 2017 when, during the Comey congressional hearings, I could not get Warren Zevon’s Lawyer’s, Guns, and Money out of my head. For weeks the playlists were a way to express my frustration and dance out my rage in the aftermath of the 2016 election. Now, by popular demand and just in time for the drama of another presidential campaign, I’m bringing it back. Starting with a recap of 2018…

Trump: the New York Times released a detailed investigation into the Trump family finances (and tax fraud) that, in any other year and any other administration, should have been a major story disastrous to the president’s reputation and position. But in 2018, it was a blip on the radar crowded by scandals, lies, international embarrassments, poor policy decisions, and outright repugnant activities (difficult to choose a link for that one). Incapable or unwilling to rise to the office or at least take the advice of experienced political professionals, Trump continued to isolate himself and, in many ways, the United States, and it became increasingly clear that his “Make America Great Again” promise means America, alone. The consequences of this approach were especially pronounced for government employees, who experienced a record 3 shutdowns in 2018, the most recent of which began in December and remains unresolved. 

Foreign Policy: relationships between the US, North and South Korea were touch-and-go throughout the year, creating a foreign policy love triangle with potential nuclear consequences (literally). Speaking of nukes, the Trump administration pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal, weakening the US position in sensitive foreign policy negotiations and putting us in a tumultuous position in a highly complicated region. In another ill-advised move, Trump moved the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, sparking protests by Palestinians, violent clashes on the border, and numerous deaths. US allies were challenged at a tense NATO summit, and US morality was challenged by the administrations continued relationship with Saudi Arabia, despite human rights abuses like the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The year concluded with the US escalating the trade war with China while withdrawing troops from Syria and Afghanistan. 

Immigration: the US Southern border stayed on newsfeeds and peoples minds throughout the year, as debates and policy decisions about how to manage the border and who to let in were met with disagreement, distraught, and in some cases, lawsuits. The administrations zero-tolerance policy on illegal border crossings and inhumane practice of separating families continues to concern policy makers, voters, and pretty much anyone with a heart, especially the thousands of children who remain in custody. The fate of those separated families remains to be determined, as well as the future of DACA, chain migration, birthright citizenship, and whether or not we’ll waste billions on an ineffective wall. 

Midterm Elections: what many hoped to be a blue wave was more of a rising tide, but the wins were nonetheless significant, with Dems winning 40 seats in the House of Representatives, several crucial statehouses, and it’s largest popular vote advantage since 1974. Overall turnout was the highest this century, even considering widespread attempts at voter suppression and disenfranchisement, notably in Georgia and North Carolina. While Republicans maintained control of the Senate, Democrats will control the most diverse House of Representatives in US history with a record 127 women elected, including the first Native American Congresswomen, the first Muslim Congresswomen, and the youngest congresswoman ever. Women are still woefully underrepresented in politics, making up more than half the electorate but less than a quarter of Congress, but trends from the 2018 midterms suggest progress nonetheless. 

Christine Blasey Ford: an incredibly brave woman came forward and testified regarding sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s second addition to the Supreme Court. In a completely predictable outcome, he still got the seat. #misogyny. The testimonies highlighted some deeply seeded gender inequalities, widened the chasm between political parties, and invigorated the already trending #MeToo movement. The legacy of the decision and Kavanaugh’s life appointment is expected to shape US policy and conversation around women’s rights for years to come. In the meantime, if Ruth Bader Ginsberg needs a lung, kidney, or any other vital organ, I will happily donate mine. 

Gun Control: there were 340 mass shootings in the US in 2018. 340 in 365 days, 4 of which were the biggest mass shootings in 5 decades. They took place in schools, synagogues, restaurants, newsrooms, night clubs… few places feel completely safe, a sentiment that worsens when we consider gun violence broadly, with 56,862 incidents and 42,774 victims, 14,618 of which were deaths. There isn’t a silver bullet for the problem, but 2018 did offer some silver linings. Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School organized March For Our Lives in support of stronger gun violence prevention measures, one of the largest protests in American history. In the midterms, a record number of NRA-backed candidates lost their elections. Several states passed stricter gun laws and there are new federal regulations ban bump stocks. 

Climate Change: the Trump administration withdrew environmental protections and refused to acknowledge the overwhelming evidence laid out in the grim UN Climate Report and experienced through record breaking natural disasters. Volcanic eruptions in Hawaii and Guatemala; deadly fires in California and Greece; intense hurricanes across the Caribbean and South-Eastern US…2018 was a year of climate catastrophe and an administration seemingly determined to make the situation worse. 

Technology: 2018 was a tense year for technology users, executives, and regulators. Zuckerberg went to Washington to face questions about data privacy, social media’s influence on elections, and explain the internet to septuagenarian senators. Facebook wasn’t the only company to face scrutiny this year. Marriott, Panera Bread, and several other companies also reported data breaches, and Google CEO Sundar Pichai was called to Congress to explain algorithms, bias, and the difference between Apple and Alphabet products. The EU passed regulation on behalf of user’s privacy with GDPR, and the US complicated users access with the end of net neutrality. 

Mueller: liberals favorite Republican continued the Special Counsel investigation into Russia’s influence on the 2016 election and connections to Trump’s business and campaign, which has thus far resulted in dozens of indictments for federal crimes, and at least eight guilty pleas or convictions. Notably; Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen is guilty of violating campaign finance laws and of lying about plans to build a Trump Tower in Moscow; former campaign manager Paul Manafort is guilty of bank and tax fraud from his time as a lobbyist for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine; and former national security advisor Michael Flynn is guilty of lying to the FBI, among other possible charges that we’ll learn at his sentencing, which was delayed while he cooperates with prosecutors. #Cliffhanger. Going into 2019, Trump faces at least 17 distinct court cases stemming from at least seven different sets of prosecutors and investigators, and we know the man doesn’t handle bad news or pressure very well. Time will tell if the investigation leads to bombshell revelations and potential impeachment, or if Trump or his allies in the GOP will make a move to obstruct Mueller’s work. 

Whitehouse Turnover: the second year of the Trump administration was like season two of Survivor: DC, with at least 34 top people leaving the White House, including but not limited to: Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, WH Chief of Staff John Kelly, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, US Secretary to the UN Nikki Haley, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, Director of Communications Hope Hicks, and National Security Adviser HR McMaster. 

In honor of Monday’s Solar Eclipse, this week’s political playlist is full of metaphors. 

Headline: the counter-protest to the alt-right rally in Boston (because sometimes we need to lead with good news):

Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
This is How We Walk On the Moon – José González
Sunny Side of the Street – Jon Batiste
A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
Starman – David Bowie

& for Trump’s ban on transgenders serving in the military:

Of Moons, Birds & Monsters – MGMT
3rd Planet – Modest Mouse
Time Warp – Rocky Horror Picture Show

& for his announced plan to not really change any plans re: Afghanistan:

Bad Moon Rising – Clearance Clearwater Revival
Where’d You Go? – Fort Minor
Deja Vu – Crosby Stills Nash & Young

& for Trump’s feud(s) with Congress, including his threat to shut down the government by vetoing any budget that doesn’t include funding for his wall:

Burning Down the House – Talking Heads
Spanish Moon – Little Feat
Blister in the Sun – Violent Femmes (Big Hands, I know you’re the one!)

& for the Phoenix Rally, full of blatant lies & attacks on journalism:

Country Disappeared – Wilco
The Sun is Burning – Simon & Garfunkel
Dark Side of the Moon – Chris Staples
Day N Night – Kid Cudi (as in, the variation in Trump’s rhetoric from one speech to the next. It seems to depend on mood and teleprompter?)

& for the Secret Service’s depleting budget:

Sunglasses at Night – Corey Hart
Goodbye Blue Sky – Pink Floyd

& finally, for the Solar Eclipse:

Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest
Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Song (cc: Trump, who despite warnings, looked right at the eclipse. #genius.)
Moonshadow – Yusuf/Cat Stevens
Closer to the Sun – Slightly Stoopid
Ring Around the Moon – Elephant Revival
Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler

Tune in next week, which will include some of tonight’s news, like the Arpaio pardon & ousting of Gorka (I may need to move these to Saturday, since Friday seems to be trash night at the White House).

Much like the Donald, my political playlists went on a working vacation for a couple of weeks. Unlike the Donald, they 100% condemn white supremacy, neo-nazi’s, racism, hatred, and domestic terrorism. Consider this your playlist for any counter-protests you join this weekend:

Headline – #Charlottesville :

Sympathy for the Devil – Rolling Stones
Which Side Are You On? – Natalie Merchant
Overcome – Laura Mvulva
White Man’s World – Jason Isbell
American Terrorist – Lupe Fiasco
For What it’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
This is My Country – The Impressions
I Won’t Back Down – Johnny Cash (cc: Rosanne Cash & family, who wrote an excellent open letter condemning any neo-nazi’s wearing Johnny Cash memorabilia)

& for recent & upcoming demonstrations against Trump & White Supremacy:

Fight the Power – Public Enemy
Uprising – Muse
We Shall Overcome – Nahko & Medicine for the People

& for the removal of Confederate statues (it’s about time, they were treasonous losers):

Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday (cc: anyone who says “history not hate.” This song is a poignant reminder of the atrocities that the confederate statues honor and represent) 
Tear it Down – Spoon
Raise Up – Petey Pablo (cc: North Carolinians who tore down a confederate statue in Durham)

& for Trump’s disbanded advisory councils (business, infrastructure, manufacturing, arts, humanities…):

Penthouse Floor – John Legend & Chance the Rapper
The Sounds of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
Dancing on My Own – Robyn
Lonely Boy – The Black Keys

& for Bannon, the latest contestant to hear “You’re Fired” on this season of Celebrity Apprentice:

Hello, Goodbye – The Beatles
Song for the Dumped – Ben Folds Five
It Makes No Difference – The Band

…tune in next week, send any recommendations, and continue to #resist!