Liberal Tears

“White Terror” usually refers to Taiwan's period of authoritarian rule under the Kuomintang. In this episode, we use White Terrors deliberately — to examine how historical repression, political memory, and nationalist narratives continue to shape East Asia today, while echoing in Western politics as well.

Chris shares observations from recent travel in China and Japan, focusing on culture, public behavior, and how social order actually functions on the ground. The conversation turns to Taiwan's political reality: the legacy of Chiang Kai-shek, the DPP's identity project, the KMT's evolving position, and why most Taiwanese favor the status quo over dramatic change.

Rather than flattening East Asia into a Western morality play, this episode centers regional history, lived experience, and strategic realism — and asks what happens when outside powers project their anxieties onto places that have their own pasts, priorities, and futures.

This week, we dive into America's favorite medical mysteries — Trump's monthly bruises, Tylenol autism theories, and the reality that the default American lifestyle is basically a preexisting condition. Our pronouns are USA, and our healthcare is unaffordable. Plus: The social media response to Charlie Kirk's tragic death (thoughts and prayers for his family and friends) -- from ordering a Mint Majesty tea with two honeys "for Charlie" from Starbucks, to the confusing Tyler Robinson case, and the MAGA meltdown over who's to blame. From Jimmy Kimmel's cancellation whiplash to protests at Windsor Castle and a Hyundai raid in Seoul, it's a full tour of political absurdity — one part health crisis, one part culture war, and all chaos.

Why couldn't they just be normal and snorkel?



NEW SUBSTACK POST!

In this episode we discuss the Trump -- Epstein situation. We unravel the evolution from "release the list" being a core campaign promise to Trump claiming the Epstein list is a "Democrat hoax". Will this be MAGA's final straw? We also discuss more local politics wirh a focus on NYC's Democrat mayoral candidate -- Zohran Mamdani. We discuss his ideas and their validity -- how does one make a state run grocery store chain in NYC? This episode is an ideological free for all -- enjoy!

Substack

The U.S. is in a domeward spiral. This week, we break down the “big, beautiful” budget bill that promises space missile shields, tax-breaks on tanning beds, and fewer people with health insurance — all while pretending math is optional. Welcome to the girl math-ification of the U.S. budget. We discuss how student loan policy is being used to engineer political realignment (aka dumb people vote for Trump), how even Elon thinks deficits aren't a vibe and how the mediocre Twitter white boys think Beethoven and the invention of lasagna makes them all superior. We also ruminate on the "Golden Dome" another addition to Trump's shitty naming conventions. Also -- Canada's offered a choice: pay $61 billion for the dome or become the 51st state.

Unfortunately, we're once again discussing tariffs, China and young men -- I'm sure you believe us when we tell you it's exhausting. Trump's "Liberation Day" was a disaster as expected -- but his base can excuse a $2 trillion dollar loss as patriotic. When the rational for any illogical Trump action is that he has to "burn it all down," it becomes impossible to talk to these people. It's become the Salem Witch Trial of anyone with an IQ higher than a cocker spaniel. A college degree only "means nothing" to someone who could never get one. This week we're over it all. My head hurts please help. Cheers to the biggest tax increase on the American people since the 1930s coming from the party of small government.

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