The Drain

*Preview* Last of the Mujicas

**This is a preview of our premium show, The Plug. To listen to the full episode, go to patreon.com/thedrain.**
Today we're joined by El Güero to discuss the Costa-Gavras classic, État de Siège.
Based on the 1970 killing of an American official by the Tupamaro guerrillas in Uruguay, this film examines how police states backed by the United States in Latin America forced the hands of rebels.
We all know how this ended up for Uruguay: The following year, leftists formed the Broad Front coalition, which eventually got former Tupamaro/political prisoner José Mujica elected president.
But many countries suffered much deeper blowback from US intervention. Stay tuned for further film discussions in this series (next up, our dear friend Hesse is planning to join us for an Argentine classic).
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

Nothing new under the California sun

Hey folks,
We recorded this episode before ICE murdered VA nurse Alex Pretti in the streets of Minneapolis last weekend, but Max hopped on to lead us in with a note on that horrible escalation by state-sanctioned terrorists. We will certainly be covering this story in the weeks to come, particularly as it affects our undocumented neighbors here in California.
Today, however, we're covering a potpourri of California storylines, including:
The mysterious, cheeky billboard outside of Vacaville wishing Congressman John Garamendi a happy 81st birthday (and ways you can support young progressives like Mai Vang, who is challenging octogenarian Doris Matsui for her seat in Congress)
Governor Gavin Newsom (yes--we, too, are tired of discussing him) trolling President Donald Trump in Davos
A rightwing Zionist mewling that a UC Davis professor kept her job after opposing Israel's genocide in Palestine (free link)
State senator Scott Wiener stepping down from his post as co-chair of the legislature's Jewish Caucus after publicly acknowledging that Israel has committed genocide (free link)
Democratic congresswoman Lateefah Simon voting to hold Bill Clinton in contempt over his refusal to respond to a subpoena to testify over the Jeffrey Epstein scandal (free link)
Sacramento's push to ban ICE from city property (free link)
Solidarity with the Kaiser nurses' strike (free link)
Sacramento making waves in this year's Oscars (free link)
Speaking of film, keep an eye out for a premium episode this week in which we're discussing a classic film examining the US's meddling in Uruguayan politics. And stay tuned for another premium episode with one of our more famous film buff friends--coming soon!
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Support us at https://www.patreon.com/c/thedrain. 
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

Ro Khanna outshines Newsom on ICE, billionaire tax

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA17) may have more billionaires in his affluent San Jose district than any other member of the House of Representatives, but he's showing that he's not afraid to go against the grain.
He staunchly supports California healthcare workers' signature initiative for a state billionaire tax. He visits ICE detention centers, using his stature to elevate just how dangerously inhumane their living conditions are. And he rightly opposes Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Not surprisingly, billionaires are plotting to oust the popular progressive Democrat from his seat in Congress (free link).
Meanwhile, Democratic leadership appears set to showcase another Californian in the 2028 race for the White House: Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom, who has promised in the past to veto any state legislation geared toward taxing billionaires, is making himself both the face and the loudest voice against this year's billionaire tax initiative. Not only has he not visited an ICE detention facility in the state, he instead brings rightwing ghouls--such as the late Charlie Kirk and the unfortunately living Ben Shapiro--onto his podcast to brag about how much he cooperates with ICE. And he refuses to call Israel's genocide in Gaza exactly what it is.
Newsom currently leads in polling for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, despite holding just a +12 approval rating in a state where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by a factor of nearly 2:1 .
But who, really, can Californians count on to defend them against violent ICE officers? Who, besides direct action groups like NorCal Resist and the Border Angels, will stand up for undocumented residents? And who won't blink when the Golden State's billionaires threaten in bad faith to flee the state?
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Support us at https://www.patreon.com/c/thedrain. 
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

*Preview* The state of Gavin Newsom's presidential prospects

**This is a preview of our premium show, The Plug. To listen to the full episode, go to patreon.com/thedrain.**
Today we're looking at California Governor Gavin Newsom just after his final State of the State address, posturing himself for a 2028 presidential run.
Can our favorite AI-era Patrick Bateman find his way into the White House?
We touch in his latest profile in The Atlantic (free link), which would not have been written had he not assured the editors at America's foremost neoliberal mag that he's running for president. It has some juicy bits, such as the fact that he holds no personal political views to speak of (source: Willie Brown), and that his ex-wife Kimberly Guilfoyle despises him--even if she did once publicly mention that he's a veritable tripod.
Newsom's rise to power in San Francisco--and, ultimately, California--cannot be discussed without his close ties with billionaires such as the oil-baron Getty family.
We take a hard look at his history, as well as his dire prospects for the presidency as America's working class shifts toward a more economically populist posture. Can Democrats count on Newsom and his billionaire lackeys to land the presidency?
Likely not.
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

California's response (and oil ties) to the kidnapping of ~Venezuenian~ president Nicolás Maduro

Today we're having a talk about the illegal kidnapping of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro. How did Sacramento respond? (free link)
And how did the rest of California respond? (free link)
John Fetterman discussed the state of "Venezwenians," for whatever that's worth.
We then dive into the California oil industry's ties to Venezuela--a la Chevron--(free link), and what that means for us in the freest state in the union.
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

California says f*ck ICE, and Sacramento's lay of the legislative land

We start our first episode of the year on a somber note after ICE terrorists murdered Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Here in California, the people are pushing back hard against the jackboots. Hundreds showed up to the capital's ICE headquarters to show their disdain, after which agents descended from the building to deface Good's memorial. (If anyone has information on the name of the agent, please reach out to us.)
Beyond that, we encourage everyone to tap into their local rapid response organizers against ICE, and to donate to Renee's family (please remember that her child lost its father just three years ago).
We then discuss the surprising passing of California House Republican Doug LaMalfa (free link), a man known for farming rice, going to the most banal of events in his district, and fighting against trans rights and for international war crimes in Venezuela. How will Doug's death affect the GOP's tenuous grasp on the House? Only time will tell.
Finally, we take a look at the California legislature as it dives into a new session. What new laws are coming into effect? (Free link.) What's on the agenda for 2026? (Free link.) Subscribe your fine self to our show to learn more as the Capitol starts bubbling with new legislation.
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

The Drain's🕳️ unimpeachable 2026 Hot or Not rundown

We've hit a pretty big milestone in listeners as 2025 comes to and end, so we're coming to you with a Long Boy.
Palma and Kempa are joined by a mysterious, handsome, young guest-host to discuss what's in and what isn't in the year to come.
Is this the year of the billionaire's tax in California? Will Antichrist Peter Thiel finally reveal himself after a particularly violent hangover? Will NIMBYs and YIMBYs go the way of the dodo and yo-yo?
And what of the Balkans (we're bullish on North Macedonia)?
Join your best friend Max, your closest confidant Kempa, and your surly uncle Güero, as we squint and mutter at the tea leaves of 2026.
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

San Francisco's drone wars

Welcome to your holiday episode of The Drone--er, Drain.
We've got plenty for you to enjoy as you hide from your family this holiday, starting with drone wars in San Francisco!
The Bay Area's strongest lefty on the SF Board of Supervisors, Jackie Fielder, is coming out strong for workers in her city. And the billionaires can't stand it.
Fielder has ruffled the feathers of the DoorDash folks with a new city policy demanding that they get a permit to operate delivery drones outside their test facilities. The new law passed the board unanimously, with labor standing strong behind Fielder. But that doesn't mean the tech oligarchs are going to take it sitting down--they're already trying to turn the people of San Francisco against their strongest advocate on the dais.
We also touch on California Republicans' efforts to stop Prop 50--a law that would offset President Trump's gerrymandering throughout the country.
Finally, we discuss crypto billionaire Chris Larsen hedging his bet for Katie Porter's governor run with a maximum contribution to a Republican in the race, Steve Hilton, and take a look at Elon Musk's latest dopey remarks on a "universal high income."
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

*Preview* Wall Street shorts AI, and the murder-suicide case targeting OpenAI

**This is a preview of our premium weekend show, The Plug. To listen to the full episode, go to patreon.com/thedrain.**
Merry Christmas, to all who celebrate.
For this week's Plug we're looking at a couple of issues facing AI behemoths as the year comes to a close:
First, we touch on a potential new iteration of The Big Short, wherein Wall Street is starting to short AI, leaving many wondering if this is the bubble the industry has been anticipating.
We then take a look at a case involving a former Yahoo executive who died of suicide after "savagely" murdering his 83-year-old mother. Chat logs between the man and ChatGPT show a chilling discourse, wherein the model appears to affirm his paranoia and delusions. (Read the full lawsuit here.)
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social

The California GOP's death rattle

Hello.
Today we're discussing a phenomenal piece in Politico written by Jeremy White, exploring the "Massacred" California Republican Party (free link) as they wrestle with the fallout of Proposition 50, which has hatcheted their representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
GOP members of Congress are now forced to run against one another, and they are truly showing their capitalist scarcity mindset colors.
Remember just two years ago when they thought they were making a comeback? Well, special congressional races throughout the country are showing a 12-plus point swing toward the Democrats.
We discuss the implications in California, as well as what that entails in the fight for the soul of the state's Democratic Party.
We also take a moment to discuss a bill that could totally knee-cap our queen, Anh Phoong. (Don't forget to check out her incredible profile from last year in the Sacramento Bee, written by ace reporter Jena Hatch [free link].)
Don't forget to like, rate and subscribe to The Drain on your favorite podcast platforms.
Questions? Comments? Pitches? Email us at thedrainpodcast@gmail.com.
We're still hanging about on Twitter: @sweetxpalma and @youknowkempa
We're also on Bluesky: @thedrain.bsky.social, @palma.ltd, @yeshelloitskempa.bsky.social