226. Ezra and Ta-Nehisi and a Cold Civil War

It’s no Buckley vs. Vidal, but it’s what we have: Ezra Klein and Ta-Nehisi Coates discuss modern politics

Nancy and Sarah talk about a lightning-rod conversation between NYT podcaster Ezra Klein and award-winning writer Ta-Nehisi Coates. The two men spar on the political project of Charlie Kirk and the problem with / way forward for Democrats, and pretty much every side of the audience gets ticked off.

Nancy was underwhelmed with the conversation; Sarah was reminded of private arguments she’s had and sees more common ground between Coates and Kirk than either might like to believe.

Also discussed:

• Sarah is done with echo chambers

• Coates: “I think Charlie Kirk was a hatemonger” mmmmkay

• The animating fuel of hate is bipartisan

• The world could use another James Baldwin

• Cue Rodney King: Can’t we all just get along?

• Buckley-Vidal cage match!

• Behold the sound of Sarah’s Diet Pepsi

• We are caught between real life and floating in the cloud

• America, a country of spoiled children?

• The ‘80s comic novel that wins every season

• Sarah vs. her ring light

• Nancy’s mantra: “I disagree with you. Let’s have dinner.”

• Does Sarah look like Nicole Kidman? Her parents think so.

• Pro/con: Keith Urban’s hair

• Baby Girl as overcompensation

• That time Nancy met Nicole Kidman and became the first journalist to learn Kidman and Tom Cruise were getting divorced

• Farts, snores: Human embarrassment, discussed

• Is Portland a war zone? Nancy reports.

• Wet panties are not a political endorsement!

Plus, love for Neil Armstrong and his son, Nancy and her daughter crush on a portly CIA director, and why America has many many stories.

NOTE: We had video trouble! Which means you cannot see Sarah knock over her ring light three times — but you can hear it!

REMINDER: First Sunday Zoom hang this Sunday, October 5, 8pm ET / 5pm PT. Link will be sent day-of to paid subscribers.

Congrats to our Fifth Column bros, who after nine years pivot to video … today!