Abe Lincoln's Top Hat

Ben and Travis update you on Roger Stone, Bernie Sanders and a fake university sting set up by I.C.E. Policygenius. The easy way to compare and buy life insurance at http://policygenius.com Funkorama, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben and Travis discuss Trump's declaration of a national emergency, child sexual abuse legislation and Amazon withdrawing from planned NYC headquarters.

Ben is joined by Jehmu Greene to discuss the State of the Union address, twin scandals unfolding in Virginia and the continuation of the women's wave. Get your first refill pack free at http://getquip.com/tophat If you're interested in resources for women running for political office, check out voterunlead.org. Awesome Call, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben and Travis discuss "Progressive Prosecutor" Kamala Harris, Roger Stone's indictment and then they are joined by comedian Mohanad Elshieky to discuss his experience of being pulled off a bus and asked to present his papers by immigration officials. Robinhood is giving listeners a free stock at http://tophat.robinhood.com Mining by Moonlight, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben is joined by filmmaker Astra Taylor ("What is Democracy") and they discuss corporations fueling automation, digital media as the people's platform, and binary choices in American politics.  Start your 4-week trial at http://stamps.com + promo code: TOPHAT https://www.gofundme.com/f/birdluger Casa Bossa Nova, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week we discuss Steve King's racist remarks, Trump's AG nominee William Barr and we are joined by attorney Rabia Chaudry (author of "Adnan’s Story: The Search for Truth & Justice After Serial" and host of "Undisclosed") to discuss criminal justice reform, privatization of incarceration and immigration law. Batty McFaddin, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We discuss the ongoing consequences of the government shutdown and we are joined by immigration attorney Lance Curtright to discuss unpacking disinformation, "Blame the Immigrant" rhetoric and what the future has in store. Get your first refill pack free at http://getquip.com/tophat Funkorama, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

We're back from the break to discuss the government shutdown, newly implemented state laws, and issues with the for-profit college system. Robinhood is giving listeners a free stock at http://tophat.robinhood.com Backbay Lounge, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week we discuss the potential government shutdown, new Russian sanctions and the removal of US troops from Syria. Get a free stock at http://tophat.robinhood.com Get a $500 credit towards your Roofstock marketplace fee at http://roofstock.com/tophat ZigZag, Mining by Moonlight, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

This week on Top Hat we discuss new blood in the democratic party, Pelosi's meeting with Trump and the power grab by the Wisconsin Republican party. Get your first refill pack free at http://getquip.com/tophat Start your 4-week trial at http://stamps.com with promo code: tophat Feelin Good, Lobby Time, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben and Travis discuss Attorney General nominee William Barr, updates to the Special Counsel investigation and the connection between Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ben and Travis discuss the National Climate Assessment, the use of tear gas at the border and The Proud Boys. Ben is then joined by writer Rachel Monroe to discuss her upcoming book and her profile on Damien Echols in the New York Times. Get your first refill pack free at http://getquip.com/tophat Get a $500 credit towards your Roofstock marketplace fee this month only at http://roofstock.com/tophat Casa Bossa Nova, Hep Cats, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben recaps the week in news and focuses on the First Step Act, the spat between the medical community and the N.R.A. and is joined by Joe Toscano to discuss his book "Automating Humanity" and they discuss universal basic income and the questions politicians aren't (but should be) asking tech companies. Start your 4-week trial at http://stamps.com with promo code: tophat Get a free stock at http://tophat.robinhood.com Visit Joe's non-profit DesignGood.tech to learn more about better business practices on the internet. Backbay Lounge, Nowhere Land, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben reports from the road and covers the midterm results, Jeff Sessions' resignation, and delves into the background of Sessions' replacement, Matt Whitaker. Get your first refill pack free at http://getquip.com/tophat End the software struggle today. Go to http://softwareadvice.com/abe to get started. Apero Hour, Local Forecast-Elevator, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben is joined by Travis Morningstar to discuss pipe bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc, the fall of Gab, and the rise of anti-semitic extremism in the United States and then Ben interviews Dr. Bob Fitrakis (The Strip and Flip Selection of 2016) on the vulnerabilities of voting machines. Thanks to Dr. Bob Fitrakis for joining us! For more information visit http://fitrakis.org

Ben and Marcus discuss the bombing scare, the migrant caravan and Trump's personal cell phone use. Robinhood is giving you a free stock to build your portfolio. Sign up at http://tophat.com/robinhood End the software struggle today. Go to http://softwareadvice.com/abe to get started. Too Cool, Cold Funk, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben and Marcus discuss undocumented workers, the alleged murder of Jamal Khashoggi and Ben breaks down the toss-up districts in the House of Representatives elections.  Get free postage, a digital scale, and a 4 week trial at http://stamps.com with promo code: TOPHAT The Show Must Be Go, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben and Marcus discuss the Washington Post's Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance in Saudi Arabia, Nikki Haley's resignation and Ben gives you a breakdown of the upcoming Senate elections. Get your first refill pack free at http://getquip.com/tophat End the software struggle today. Go to http://softwareadvice.com/abe to get started. Clarifications: Jamal Khashoggi is a resident of the United States, not a citizen. Kanye West and Kid Rock were at the White House to celebrate the signing of "The Music Modernization Act". Hard Boiled, Hep Cats Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ben and Marcus discuss Kavanaugh's successful confirmation, the Trump tax scandal, and the "Grievance Studies" hoax.

Ben and Marcus discuss Trump's UN press conference, Rod Rosenstein's tumultuous week and Dr. Ford and Brett Kavanaugh's testimonies before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Get your first refill pack free at http://getquip.com/tophat End the software struggle today. Go to http://softwareadvice.com/abe to get started. Audio courtesy of the Curtis and Cosby show, 77 WABC Radio Lobby Time, Off to Osaka, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/