Frown Town
By J. Jones
Frown TownOct 11, 2022
Ep. 135 - The White House's Blueprint to the AI Bill of Rights
Welcome back to Frown Town! Vee and J discuss the White House's Blueprint to the AI Bill of Rights and why we need more than a plan.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights - https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/ai-bill-of-rights/
The White House released an ‘AI Bill of Rights’ - https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/04/tech/ai-bill-of-rights/index.html
Here’s why tech companies keep paying millions to settle lawsuits in Illinois - https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/20/tech/illinois-biometric-law-bipa-explainer/index.html
Famous AI Gone Wrong Examples In the Real World We Need To Know - https://www.analyticsinsight.net/famous-ai-gone-wrong-examples-in-the-real-world-we-need-to-know/
AI Gone Rogue: 6 Times AI Went Too Far - https://www.makeuseof.com/ai-gone-rogue-times-ai-went-too-far/
AI Gone Wrong: 5 Biggest AI Failures Of All Time - https://www.jumpstartmag.com/ai-gone-wrong-5-biggest-ai-failures-of-all-time/
Hot Robot At SXSW Says She Wants To Destroy Humans | The Pulse - https://youtu.be/W0_DPi0PmF0
Ep. 134 - Puerto Rico Deserves Better Than This
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about Puerto Rico and how colonialism has negatively impacted their ability improve their present and their future.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
An Uncertain State: In the debate over whether to admit Puerto Rico to the union, which side is Puerto Rico on? - https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/03/puerto-rico-statehood-us-politics-democrats.html
What Does It Mean to be A Territory of the United States - https://www.puertoricoreport.com/educators-mean-territory-united-states/#.YzDNenbMJEZ
Freely Associated States 2022 - https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/freely-associated-state
Compacts of Free Association - https://www.doi.gov/oia/compacts-of-free-association
Colonialism's Ledger: Puerto Rico in the shadow of debt - https://www.thenation.com/article/society/rocio-zambrana-colonial-debts/
The Origins of the Puerto Rican Debt Crisis - https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/090915/origins-puerto-rican-debt-crisis.asp
S.2328: PROMESA - https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2328
Act 22 - https://www.the2022actsociety.org/tax-incentives/act-22/
White liberals must stop pushing Puerto Rican statehood for their own benefit. Let us decide. - https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/white-liberals-must-stop-pushing-puerto-rican-statehood-their-own-ncna1247419
Ep. 133 - What is Lyndsey Graham Doing?
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J go all Brian Windhorst about Lindsey Graham's proposed abortion ban legislature.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links
Graham proposes 15-week abortion bill, dividing Republicans ahead of midterm elections - https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/13/politics/lindsey-graham-abortion-15-week-ban/index.html
Lindsey Graham’s abortion ban bill baffles some Republicans as Democrats sharpen attacks in key midterm races - https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/16/lindsey-graham-abortion-ban-bill-splits-gop-on-midterm-message.html
The Perverse, Potentially Lethal Consequences of Lindsey Graham’s Federal Abortion Ban - https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/09/lindsey-graham-republicans-federal-abortion-ban.html
The Only Way Lindsey Graham’s Abortion Ban Makes Political Sense - https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/09/lindsey-graham-abortion-ban-2022-midterm-2024-election.html
Ep. 132 - Gun Control? By Who? ft. Bigg Villainus
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J are joined by rapper, activist, and all-around dope ass person Bigg Villainus to talk about gun control's racist roots and what the best ways to address gun violence look like!
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Special Guest: Bigg Villainus
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/overthrowmedia
Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/biggvillainus
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@biggvillainus
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/biggvillainus
Twitter - https://twitter.com/BiggVillainus
Ep. 131 - Texas Still Sucks
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about Texas' Operation Lone Star and its alleged civil rights violations.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Chicago welcomes immigrants bused out of Texas with open arms - https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2022/9/1/23332748/chicago-illinois-asylum-seekers-bus-texas-governor-abbott-mayor-lightfoot-sanctuary-city-day-two
Editorial: Trafficked to Union Station? Migrants are not interstate political pawns - https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-editorial-migrants-union-station-chicago-greg-abbott-20220901-rbeahavvv5dpnek5thzqcysriu-story.html
Justice Department is investigating Texas’ Operation Lone Star for alleged civil rights violations - https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/06/operation-lone-star-doj-investigation-abbott/
Ep. 130 - The Worst Thing To Come Out of 1989
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about credit score reporting.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
The History of Consumer Credit in One Giant Infographic - https://www.visualcapitalist.com/history-consumer-credit-one-infographic/
When Did Credit Scores Start? - https://www.credit.com/blog/when-did-credit-scores-start-152354/
The History Of Credit - https://www.rockethq.com/learn/credit/the-history-of-credit
Understanding the Fair Credit Reporting Act - https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/credit-education/report-basics/fair-credit-reporting-act-fcra/
In boon for consumers, 3rd Circuit clarifies ascertainability, post-TransUnion standing - https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/boon-consumers-3rd-circuit-clarifies-ascertainability-post-transunion-standing-2022-08-26/
Ep. 129 - How Documents Get Classified
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the laws governing the classification of confidential, secret, and top secret information.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
The Law of Classified Information: A Primer - https://www.lawfareblog.com/law-classified-information-primer
50 U.S.C. § 3161 - https://casetext.com/statute/united-states-code/title-50-war-and-national-defense/chapter-44-national-security/subchapter-vi-access-to-classified-information/section-3161-procedures
The provisions of Executive Order 12356 of Apr. 2, 1982 - https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/laws/national-security-information
Ep. 128 - Is Joe Manchin More Reasonable Than Us?
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, specifically its $369B in climate provisions, the largest amount the American government has ever earmarked for spending on the climate crisis.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
US House passes Democrats’ landmark healthcare and climate bill - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/12/us-house-passes-climate-bill-inflation-reduction-act
Senate passes $739bn healthcare and climate bill after months of wrangling - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/07/inflation-reduction-act-senate-democrats-pass
Why Internet Leftists Are So Pissed About Democrats’ Historic Climate Bill - https://slate.com/business/2022/08/inflation-reduction-act-climate-change-criticism-adam-mckay-david-sirota.html
What the Inflation Reduction Act Does — and Doesn’t Do — for Climate - https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2022/08/12/what-the-inflation-reduction-act-does-and-doesnt-do-for-climate/
Ep. 127 - Jury Nullification: When The Doubts Are Reasonable But The Law Isn't
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee returns and joins J to talk jury nullification!
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Jury Nullification - https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/jury_nullification
It's Perfectly Constitutional to Talk about Jury Nullification - https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/its-perfectly-constitutional-talk-about-jury-nullification
Ep. 126 - America Fails Its Veterans Again
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, J goes solo to talk about the Honoring our PACT Act.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Jon Stewart Slams Ted Cruz Video As Row Heats Up: 'Not Tonite Sweetie' - https://www.newsweek.com/jon-stewart-slams-ted-cruz-video-row-heats-veterans-burn-pits-1729360
Senate Republicans burned a bill that would have helped veterans — here’s why - https://www.vox.com/2022/7/30/23284976/senate-republicans-pact-act-veterans
A secretary says Republican-backed amendments to burn pits legislation would lead to ‘rationing of care for vets’ - https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/31/politics/pact-act-burn-pits-legislation-cnntv/index.html
‘Darn shame’: Veterans react to PACT Act blockage - https://www.wect.com/2022/07/29/darn-shame-veterans-react-pact-act-blockage/
10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BURN PITS - https://www.publichealth.va.gov/docs/exposures/ten-things-to-know-fact-sheet.pdf
Ep. 125 - Counting Votes Like It's 1887
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, J goes solo to talk about the bipartisan proposal to update the Electoral Count Act of 1887.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant links:
A bipartisan Senate group announces a deal on reforming the Electoral Count Act - https://www.npr.org/2022/07/20/1105843501/electoral-count-act-changes-pence-january-6th
One Pager on Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 - https://www.collins.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/one_pager_on_electoral_count_reform_act_of_2022.pdf
The new proposal to prevent a future coup is surprisingly good - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/20/new-proposal-prevent-future-coup-is-surprisingly-good/
Bipartisan group of senators cuts deal to change election laws in response to January 6 attack - https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/20/politics/electoral-count-act-reform-january-6-response
Presidential Election Process - https://www.usa.gov/election
Ep. 124 - America's Love Affair With Cars
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J are joined by Kristine, a tactical urban activist to talk about how to improve urban spaces in the best way.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Special Guest
Kristine on Twitter: @dTXTransitPosts
Links to Get Started
Not Just Bikes
Strong Towns
Ep. 123 - What To Expect When You're Arrested Abroad
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, J goes solo to talk about getting arrested while away from the U.S.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
WNBA star Brittney Griner appears in Moscow-area court for trial on cannabis possession charges - https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/34177541/wnba-star-brittany-griner-appears-moscow-area-court-trial-cannabis-possession-charges
General Information on Assistance to U.S. Citizens Arrested Abroad - https://do.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/arrest-of-a-u-s-citizen/general-information-assistance-u-s-citizens-arrested-abroad/#:~:text=If%20arrested%20abroad%2C%20a%20citizen,arrested%20abroad%20and%20their%20families.
Concerns grow over Americans detained in Russia - https://www.1011now.com/2022/03/10/concerns-grow-over-americans-detained-russia/
Ep. 122 - The January 6 Hearings (So Far)
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J discuss the January 6 investigation hearings and what we've learned about it so far.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
7 takeaways from Tuesday’s shocking January 6 hearing - https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/28/politics/january-6-hearing-day-6-takeaways-hutchinson/index.html
Trump's legal exposure may be growing – and 4 other takeaways from the Jan. 6 hearing - https://www.npr.org/2022/06/28/1108376010/trumps-legal-exposure-may-be-growing-and-4-other-takeaways-from-the-jan-6-hearin
1/6 Takeaways: Angry Trump, dire legal warnings and ketchup - https://www.wfmz.com/news/politics/1-6-takeaways-angry-trump-dire-legal-warnings-and-ketchup/article_bb58378e-f727-11ec-aa06-5f0f2c495d85.html
“Hang Mike Pence!” As Armed Mob Threatens VP on Jan. 6, Witness Says Trump “Thinks Mike Deserves It” - https://www.democracynow.org/2022/6/29/trump_defends_hang_mike_pence_chants
Ep. 121 - Codifying Roe v Wade
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about codifying Roe v Wade, what that would look like, and how that could happen.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Why didn't Congress codify abortion rights? - https://19thnews.org/2022/01/congress-codify-abortion-roe/
What would it mean to codify Roe into law and is there any chance of that happening? - https://theconversation.com/what-would-it-mean-to-codify-roe-into-law-and-is-there-any-chance-of-that-happening-182406
H.R.3755 - Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 - https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3755?r=4&s=1
Does Congress Have the Constitutional Authority to Codify Roe? - https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/does-congress-have-the-constitutional-authority-to-codify-roe
A Twitter thread comparing what happens next to what happened after Dred Scott v Sandford - https://twitter.com/discarddungeon/status/1540369546015637504
Ep. 120 - No But Seriously, the Supreme Court is Broken
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about how the leak has broken the Supreme Court, the other issues that are currently on docket for it, and what could be done to fix it and the nomination process.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Supreme Court has 29 opinions remaining in one-month sprint to end controversial term - https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/05/politics/supreme-court-june-opinions/index.html
In the Supreme Court, No Decision is A Bad Decision - https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/05/politics/supreme-court-june-opinions/index.html
An Overlooked Idea for Fixing the Supreme Court - https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/overlooked-idea-fixing-supreme-court
Stephanie Nam's Standup Comedy Class - https://www.stephanienam.com/shop/p/introduction-to-standup-comedy-a-4-week-course-dfcak
Ep. 119 - The Racist Foundation of the Border Patrol
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J discuss the racist origins of the Immigration Act of 1924 and the Border Patrol.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Know Your Rights: 100 Mile Border Zone - https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/border-zone
The Border Patrol Has Been A Cult of Brutality Since 1924 - https://theintercept.com/2019/01/12/border-patrol-history/
A History of the Border Patrol - https://www.npr.org/2019/04/04/709767457/a-history-of-the-border-patrol
Immigration Act of 1924 - https://immigrationhistory.org/item/1924-immigration-act-johnson-reed-act/
Ep. 118 - 2-1-1 WAS RIGHT THERE!
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the 911 emergency service, who regulates it, and how it's federally legislated.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
H.R.438 - Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 - https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/438/text
911 and E911 Services - https://www.fcc.gov/general/9-1-1-and-e9-1-1-services
2021 Florida 911 Statutes - http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0401/Sections/0401.465.html
911 Emergency Dispatcher Requirements in Washington - https://www.healthcarepathway.com/become-a-dispatcher/washington-911-dispatcher/
2021 Pennsylvania General Assembly Title 35 - https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=35&div=0&chpt=53
Buffalo 911 dispatcher fired after mishandling call during supermarket shooting - https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/03/us/buffalo-dispatcher-fired-after-mishandling-911-call/index.html
What is a PSAP - https://www.bandwidth.com/glossary/public-safety-answering-point-psap/#:~:text=PSAPs%20(Public%20Safety%20Answering%20Points,phone%20calls%20and%20dispatching%20appropriately.
Ep. 117 - How Many More?
This week on Frown Town, Vee and J talk about how gun violence has impacted them personally and how it's impacting our nation as a whole.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links
K-12 School Shooting Database - https://www.chds.us/ssdb/data-map/
America's Gun Culture In Seven Charts - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41488081
The State of America's Children - https://www.childrensdefense.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/The-State-of-Americas-Children-2021.pdf
16 Facts About Gun Violence and School Shootings - https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/blog/gun-violence/16-facts-about-gun-violence-and-school-shootings/
A Change in the Leading Cause of Death among U.S. Children - https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2200169
Ep. 116 - We Might Just Get Hit With the R.I.C.O.
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (R.I.C.O.) act.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Young Thug's 'Racketeering' Charges are Absurd - https://theappeal.org/young-thug-gunna-ysl-rico-charges/
Rapper Young Thug's R.I.C.O. Act Charges Explained - https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/rapper-young-thugs-rico-act-charges-explained
Hoodrich Pablo Juan Allegedly Pinched With RICO Charges - https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/hoodrich-pablo-juan-rico-bond-denied/
F.I.F.A Officials Arrested - https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9866259/reports-fifa-officials-arrested
YFN Lucci’s Lawyer Reportedly Files for Hearing - https://www.complex.com/music/da-says-ysl-involved-in-shootings-murders-excess-of-50-yfn-lucci-lawyer-files-for-hearing
Public Law 91-450 Sec 30 - https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/91/s30/text
Ep. 115 - And Bingo Was The Crime-O ft. EmpeROAR Fabulous
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J are joined by the amazing singer, burlesque performer, and emcee EmpeROAR Fabulous to talk about legal vs illegal gambling and how running a show that involves a raffle or bingo can end in a felony!
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Special Guest: EmpeROAR Fabulous
Instagram: @EmpeROARFabulous
Website: www.emperoarfabulous.com
Relevant Links
Legal vs Illegal Gambling - https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/legal-gambling-vs-illegal-gambling-49748
Bingo - Is It Considered Gambling - https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/bingo-is-it-considered-gambling-50400
That Drag Queen Charity Bingo Is So Dangerous, It's a Felony - https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/that-drag-queen-charity-bingo-is-so-dangerous-its-a-felony/
Legal Bingo Becomes Big-Time Gambling - https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1985/04/07/legal-bingo-becomes-big-time-gambling/62768094007/
First Circuit Narrows Scope of the Wire Act, Reversing Office of Legal Counsel Opinion - https://www.gibsondunn.com/first-circuit-narrows-scope-of-the-wire-act-reversing-office-of-legal-counsel-opinion/
Ep. 114 - The January Sixth Investigation (So Far)
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J stitch together everything that's currently happening with the January 6th investigation!
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
January 6 committee has ‘laser-like focus’ of what it wants to ask Meadows - https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/04/politics/january-6-committee-mark-meadows/index.html
Donald Trump Jr testifies before the committee on the events of January 6 - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/04/donald-trump-jr-us-capitol-attack-committee
READ: Text messages Sean Hannity, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ivanka Trump and others sent to Mark Meadows - https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/25/politics/read-mark-meadows-texts-sean-hannity-ivanka-trump-marjorie-taylor-greene/index.html
Judge paves way for Marjorie Taylor Greene to stay on ballot - https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/06/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-ballot/index.html
Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes tried to contact Trump during the January 6 Capitol attack, court documents reveal - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oath-keepers-stewart-rhodes-donald-trump-january-6-court-documents/
Southern Utah man given probation in Jan. 6 US Capitol riot - https://www.ksl.com/article/50397601/southern-utah-man-given-probation-in-jan-6-us-capitol-riot
Ep. 113 - Does the AMBER Alert System Work?
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the AMBER Alert system and whether or not it actually works.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Lily Peters' Death Prompts Discussion About AMBER Alert System - https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/lily-peters-death-prompts-discussion-of-amber-alert-requirements-leads-to-calls-for-change/89-f5b10050-b2ff-4e92-9a44-1465facc4715
AMBER Alert: Cure or Thin Band-Aid - https://themissingny.nycitynewsservice.com/part-two/amber-alert/
AMBER Alerts Largely Ineffective Study Shows - https://psmag.com/social-justice/amber-alerts-largely-ineffective-study-shows-4792
Washington State AMBER Alert Guidelines - https://mil.wa.gov/amber-alert
Florida Department of Law Enforcement AMBER Alert Guidelines - https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/AMBER-Plan/Amber-Alert
DOJ OJP Guidelines for Issuing AMBER Alerts - https://amberalert.ojp.gov/about/guidelines-for-issuing-alerts
Ep. 112 - The Lack of Nuance in Nuisance Ordinances
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about nuisance ordinances.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links
Woman Goes to Jail for Not Mowing Lawn - https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/blogs/oddnews/woman-goes-to-jail-for-not-mowing-lawn-182126275.html
Single Mother Arrested for Grass After Not Mowing - https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-07-11/single-mother-arrested-for-grass-after-not-mowing
Law Enforcement: How Municipal Policies and Neighborhood Norms Influence Homeowner Residential Landscape Management - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169204616000268
Fine, Lien, Foreclosure: What Can Happen If You Refuse to Mow Your Lawn - https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/fines-liens-foreclosure-refuse-mow-lawn/
I Am Not a Nuisance: Local Ordinances Punish Victims of Crime - https://www.aclu.org/other/i-am-not-nuisance-local-ordinances-punish-victims-crime#:~:text=Nuisance%20ordinances%20%E2%80%93%20also%20called%20disorderly,many%20other%20kinds%20of%20behavior
Ep. 111 - 4/20 II - This Party Sucks and We are Very Large Dogs ft. Jill Silva
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, to celebrate 4/20, Vee and J are joined by incredibly awesome comedian and all-around dope person Jill Silva! Together they get SUPER HIGH and play two TTRPGs that J found while being a #ally: This Party Sucks and The World is Ending and We Are Very Large Dogs. Hilarity ensues!
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Special Guest Information - Jill Silva
Social Media: Instagram: @j_i_l_v_a/ | Twitter: @_j_i_l_l_v_a_
Jill's Shows:
Bob's Comedy Jive - https://www.instagram.com/bobscomedyjive/
Babe Cave Seattle - https://www.instagram.com/babe_cave_seattle/
The Comedy Drip - https://www.instagram.com/the_comedy_drip/
A Diverse Group of Friends - www.ticketweb.com/event/a-diverse-group-of-friends-here-after-tickets/11970255
TTRPGs Played:
This Party Sucks! - https://beatingthebinary.itch.io/this-party-sucks/devlog/110074/this-party-sucks-version-20-is-out
The World is Ending and We are Very Large Dogs - https://edensthings.itch.io/verylargedogs
Ep. 110 - The Smile Mile
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about how they saved the Post Office, and other it wasn't bad news.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links:
Biden signs U.S. Postal Service financial reform bill - https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-postal-service-plans-raise-prices-first-class-mail-2022-04-06/
Jackson marks her historic confirmation with a moving speech: ‘We’ve made it. All of us’ - https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/08/politics/white-house-jackson-event-supreme-court/index.html
In Bucha, A Massive Search for Bodies Left by Russian Occupiers - https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/08/bucha-body-search-massacre/
Missile Kills at Least 52 at Crowded Ukrainian Train Station - https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-ap-top-news-migration-united-nations-ee2fa37bb0ace7b4714c084998765f65
UN suspends Russia from Human Rights Council - https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/07/politics/un-russia-human-rights/index.html
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear Vetoes Anti-Transgender Sports Bill - https://www.si.com/more-sports/2022/04/07/andy-beshear-kentucky-vetoes-anti-transgender-sports-bill
Ep. 109 - Gay Marriage Wasn't The Right We Asked For
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the closing of Seattle Counseling Services, the world's oldest LGBTQ-focused community mental health agency.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Relevant Links
The ‘oldest LGBTQ-focused community mental health agency in the world’ is about to close its doors in Seattle - https://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2022/03/the-oldest-lgbtq-focused-community-mental-health-agency-in-the-world-is-about-to-close-its-doors-in-seattle/
Seattle Counseling Service Drops A Bombshell…They Are Closing Up After 53 Years Of Service To The Community - https://seattlegayscene.com/2022/03/seattle-counseling-service-drops-a-bombshell-they-are-closing-up-after-53-years-of-service-to-the-community/
King County 2021 - 2022 Proposed Budget - https://kingcounty.gov/depts/executive/performance-strategy-budget/budget/2021-2022.aspx#overview-expenditures
Ep. 108 - Rafael Tedward Cruz: A True Piece of Sh*t ft. Juno Men
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J are joined by the extremely funny and absolutely incredible Seattle comedian Juno Men to roast Ted Cruz for being an awful piece of shit!
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Special Guest: Juno Men
@seattlejuno on Instagram and Twitter
Juno's Upcoming Shows
April 3 - Feature at the Babe Cave
April 9 - Thai/Lao/Cambodian New Year Comedy Show
April 12 - Feature at the Comedy Nest
April 14 - Flock! A QTPOC Comedy Showcase
Ep. 107 - Drag Daylight Saving Time to Hell
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the recent bill to make the hour forward of Daylight Saving Time permanent.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury! - https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/album/fcon
Other Relevant Links
How Daylight Saving Time Got Started - https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/how-daylight-saving-time-got-started/2666081/
Problems with Permanent Daylight Saving Time - https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/one-problem-permanent-daylight-saving-time-geography-n1292415
Law and Error: Daylight Saving Time, Race, and Police Harassment - https://sites.insead.edu/facultyresearch/research/file.cfm?fid=60629
Ep. 106 - Florida Challenges Texas for Most Bigoted State Laws
This week on Frown Town, Vee and J discuss how states like Florida, Idaho, and Texas are using laws like Florida HB 1557 to hurt their citizens and turn America into the Handmaid's Tale.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury!
Relevant Links:
Florida House Bill 1557 text - https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1557/BillText/Filed/PDF
Don't Say Gay Bill Passes Florida Senate - https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dont-gay-bill-passes-florida-senate/story?id=83301889
Ep. 105 - The 2022 State of the Union from Joe Biden, the Spice Cake of Presidents
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about President Joe Biden's State of the Union Address, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Biden's love for giving the police more money despite years of evidence that it's just rewarding bad behavior.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury!
Relevant Links:
State of the Union 2022 Transcript - https://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2022/
How Much Do US Cities Spend on Policing Every Year? - https://www.populardemocracy.org/news-and-publications/how-much-do-us-cities-spend-every-year-policing
Ep. 104 - No One Asked Texas for Their Opinion
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about Texas Governor Greg Abbott's transphobic executive order and the legal opinion written to support it by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury!
Relevant Links:
Texas Order On Trans Youth: DA's Defy Abbot on Gender Affirming Care - https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/02/24/texas-order-trans-youth/6926395001/
Equality Act Would Extend Civil Rights Laws to LGBTQ People Throughout U.S. - https://www.npr.org/2021/03/24/980505615/equality-act-would-extend-civil-rights-laws-to-lgbtq-people-throughout-u-s
Texas AG declares pediatric gender-affirming procedures to be child abuse, legal opinion says - https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/23/us/texas-attorney-general-gender-affirmation-child-abuse/index.html
Texas Family Code Chapter 261. Investigation of Report of Child Abuse or Neglect - https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.261.htm
Ep. 103 - Doing Too Much Good For the Community ft. Alicia Crank
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J are joined by founder of Black in Edmonds and Edmonds International Women's Day Alicia Crank to talk about her recent run for city council and how she has been active in the city of Edmonds ever since.
Special guest: Alicia Crank
Twitter: @AliciaInEdmonds | Instagram: @AliciaInEdmondsWA
Edmonds International Women's Day - https://aliciainedmonds.com/
Black in Edmonds Podcast: 2021 Election Season - https://anchor.fm/alicia-crank
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury!
Ep. 102 - Two Black Men on a Podcast ft. Jaren George
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, while Vee is travelling, J is joined by Portland comedian Jaren George to talk (unironically) about Black men on podcasts and the importance of representation.
Special guest: Jaren George
Instagram: @Jaren.George | Twitter: @JarenGeorge
Comedy the Musical: https://www.instagram.com/comedythemusicalshow/
Vibe Comedy Show: https://www.instagram.com/vibecomedypdx/
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury!
Ep. 101 - Give Black People Reparations ft. Sharmane Fury
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee is away, so J is joined by the delightful Sharmane Fury of Mixed Mane Hustle Productions to talk about whether Black people should get reparations, and if so, how much.
Special guest: Sharmane Fury
Twitter: @SirAuntieMane | sharmanefury.com
Sharmane is the host of the Militantly Mixed, BLERDcoMIXed and Bifurious podcasts, and the COO of Gulf Coast Cosmos Comicbook Co.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury!
Relevant Links:
What America Owes: How Reparations would look and who would pay - https://abcnews.go.com/Business/america-owes-reparations-pay/story?id=72863094
What slavery reparations from the federal government could look like - https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/slavery-reparations-federal-goverations-looks-2021-rcna900
What would reparations for Black Americans look like? An expert does the math - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/what-would-reparations-for-black-americans-look-like-an-expert-does-the-math
The Economic State of Black America in 2020 - https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/ccf4dbe2-810a-44f8-b3e7-14f7e5143ba6/economic-state-of-black-america-2020.pdf
Ep. 100 - Black People Oprah Thinks You Should Know ft. Alyssa Yeoman
Welcome back for the 100th episode of Frown Town! This week, Vee and J are joined by the very funny Seattle comedian, writer, and overall life connoisseur Alyssa Yeoman to talk about 26 Black people that Oprah thinks you should know.
Special Guest
Alyssa Yeoman - Twitter: @alyssaYEO | Instagram: @alyssayeo
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro!
Relevant Links:
26 Black Americans You Should Know - https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/g25954127/african-american-historical-figures/?slide=1
Reckoning with the "Selma of the North" - https://medium.com/@EllaBakersGhost/reckoningwiththeselmaofthenorth-6b72003e4050
Ep. 99 - Not Nothing But Not Enough: the U.S. Federal Government's Response to COVID-19
This week, Vee and J talk about the U.S. federal government's response to covid, how it was lacking, and rather or not they think the missed window can be recovered.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro!
Relevant Links:
Ballotpedia list of U.S. government's response to COVID-19 - https://ballotpedia.org/Federal_government_responses_to_the_coronavirus_(COVID-19)_pandemic,_2020-2022
Masks and PPE - Project N95 - https://shop.projectn95.org/masks
Ep. 98 - In Defense of "I Eat Ass"
Welcome back to another season of Frown Town! This season kicks off with Vee and J talking about obscenity laws in America and how they often conflict with the First Amendment.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
The DOJ's Guide to Understanding Federal Obscenity Laws - https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/citizens-guide-us-federal-law-obscenity
Large, profane Virginia Beach yard sign shocked neighbors, but 100% legal - https://www.pilotonline.com/news/vp-nw-profanity-flag-20210130-s2a25tj5wfgmrgmffgghqncx6y-story.html
Ep. 97 - Frowning in the New Year with Linda Farza and Howie EchoHawk
It's the last episode of the year! Vee and J are joined by special guests, Seattle-area comedians and overall amazing human beings Linda Farza and Howie EchoHawk to talk about how the year made them all feel.
Special Guests:
Linda Farza - @LindaFarza on Twitter and @Linda_Farza on Instagram
Howie EchoHawk - @HowieEchoHawk on Instagram and follow @Indigenize_Productions on Instagram
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Ep. 96 - A Very Frown Town Christmas II featuring Jaleesa Johnson and Stephanie Nam
Welcome back to a very special episode of Frown Town! This week, Vee and J are joined by Jaleesa Johnson and Stephanie, two extremely funny and talented Seattle comedians and producers to play a game of Christmas Trivia.
Special guests:
Jaleesa Johnson
Social Media: @JaleesaJohnson_ on Instagram and Twitter
Stephanie Nam
Social Media: @StephanieNam on Instagram and @StephanieNam_ on Twitter
Shows and Links: https://www.stephanienam.com/links/
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Ep 95 - Law Hawks and Hammers and Fails, Oh My!
This week on Frown Town, Vee and J talk about ads for lawyers in Texas, and why they may differ from other places.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links
Don't Eat Your Weed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQZRA7wft1I
Jim Adler, The Texas Hammer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q67cD8pDgqk
Bryan Wilson, Texas Law Hawk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=GmZiqwRnwtM
Ep. 94 - Moderates Are Why We STILL Don't Have Paid Leave
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about how the United States is one of only seven countries that doesn't have legislated paid leave, how this week it was removed from potential legislation that would have enacted it and why it was removed.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
Even With 10M Open Jobs, People Not Ready to Return to Work - https://www.businessinsider.com/millions-open-jobs-people-not-ready-to-work-wages-childcare-2021-12
The American Families Plan Fact Sheet - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/28/fact-sheet-the-american-families-plan/
Still no paid leave for U.S. workers but advocates aren't giving up - https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/03/still-no-paid-leave-for-us-workers.html
Ep. 93 - How the U.S. F****d Over Natives
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J discuss how historically, the United States has repeatedly and unapologetically oppressed, lied to, and murdered Natives with little to no consequences for their actions. Vee and J also discuss how to rectify and redress the wrongs done.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
The United States Government's Relationship with Natives - https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/united-states-governments-relationship-native-americans/
History.com: Trail of Tears - https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/trail-of-tears
Ep. 92 - Cracking and Packing
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about gerrymandering and how it's not illegal or unconstitutional, and what would be the best way for the United States to ensure fair representation.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
Gerrymandering Explained - https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/gerrymandering-explained
Rucho v. Common Cause Opinon - https://www.brennancenter.org/sites/default/files/legal-work/2019-06-27-Opinion.pdf
How Do You Fix Gerrymandering - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/07/06/heres-different-way-fix-gerrymandering/
Ep. 91 - Full Mothaf***n Ghost Protocol
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about personal data, the industry of data scrapers, and how to completely ghost yourself from the internet.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
How to Erase Yourself From the Internet - https://nordvpn.com/blog/delete-yourself-from-the-internet/
Ep. 90 - A Jury of Whose Peers?
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about how cases like the Ahmaud Arbery trial can have juries that are nearly all-white.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
Why a Nearly All-White Jury Might Be Legal - https://www.apmreports.org/story/2018/06/05/why-a-nearly-all-white-jury-might-be-legal
Ep. 89 - J Comes for Religion
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the history of religious tax exemption in the United States and discuss whether or not religion should be tax-exempt. (If you can't tell from the title, J thinks they shouldn't be)
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
A History of the Tax-Exempt Sector: An SOI Perspective - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-soi/tehistory.pdf
Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf
Should Churches Remain Tax-Exempt - https://churchesandtaxes.procon.org/
Top 15 Richest Pastors in the World and their Net Worth - https://www.pulse.com.gh/filla/top-15-richest-pastors-in-the-world-and-their-net-worth/lwj95ky
The US Loses over $71 Billion in Religious Tax Exemptions - https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/u-s-_loses_over_71_billion_in_religious_tax_exemptions/
Amid calls to #TaxTheChurches - what and how much do US religious organizations not pay the taxman? - https://theconversation.com/amid-calls-to-taxthechurches-what-and-how-much-do-us-religious-organizations-not-pay-the-taxman-164988
Ep. 88 - Truthing The Truthiest Truth
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the Truth social network and how it exploits Section 230 of the Common Decency and Communications Act of 1996 to an extreme degree.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
Donald Trump Is Launching a New Social Network called Truth Social - https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/donald-trump-is-launching-a-new-social-network-called-truth-social/
47 U.S. Code § 230 - Protection for private blocking and screening of offensive material: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/230
Section 230 Explainer: https://www.eff.org/issues/cda230
Ep. 87 - Baby's First Gun Show Loophole Fail
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee tells us about his trip to the gun show and together with J, they discuss how to close the "gunshow loophole".
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
What Makes a Gun Sale Private? - https://gunsandamerica.org/story/19/09/04/what-makes-a-gun-sale-private/
Universal Background Checks - https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/background-checks/universal-background-checks/
The NICS and Its Reporting Procedures - https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/background-checks/nics-reporting-procedures/
Actual legislation - H.R.1006 - Gunshow Loophole Closing Act - https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1006/text
Ep. 86 - Let's Talk About Debt, Baby
Welcome back to Frown Town! This week, Vee and J talk about the difference between sovereign debt and national debt, why countries take on debt, and how the American debt ceiling started.
Special thank you to FCON for loaning us their song Liquid Fury for our intro! Their bandcamp: https://fcon206.bandcamp.com/track/fcon.
Relevant Links:
The U.S. Debt Clock - https://www.usdebtclock.org/
U.S. Federal Spending and Revenue for 2020 - https://datalab.usaspending.gov/americas-finance-guide/spending/#:~:text=In%20Fiscal%20Year%202020%2C%20federal,that%20year%20(%2421.00%20trillion).
The Debt Ceiling: An Explainer - https://www.whitehouse.gov/cea/blog/2021/10/06/the-debt-ceiling-an-explainer/
What Happens in a U. S. Debt Default? - https://www.bbc.com/news/business-24453400