Matt is joined by reporter Spencer Ackerman, author of the new book Reign of Terror. Ackerman explains the ways in which America’s approach to domestic white terrorism differs from its approach to international threats. They discuss the treatment of Timothy McVeigh after the Oklahoma City bombing, and the way in which it primed the political and cultural response to 9/11 and the War on Terror. Ackerman also argues that the unlawful and immoral approach of the government laid the groundwork for Trump's presidency.
Resources:
Reign of Terror by Spencer Ackerman (Penguin Random House; Aug 10, 2021)
The Jakarta Method by Vincent Bevins (Public Affairs; May 19, 2020)
"Second Inaugural Address" by George W. Bush (January 20, 2005)
State of Exception by Giorgio Agamben (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press; 2005)
Guest:
Spencer Ackerman (@attackerman), author, reporter, and publisher of Forever Wars on Substack, contributing editor at the Daily Beast.
Host:
Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.com
Credits:
Ness Smith-Savedoff, Producer & Engineer
Erikk Geannikis, Producer, Talk Podcasts
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Reign of Terror | Explain It to Me podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
