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https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/chrt.fm/track/35917C/d2h6a3ly6ooodw.cloudfront.net/reasontv_audio_8265130.mp3 1x 1.1x 1.25x 1.5x 2x 3x :15 :15 DownloadBiden’s Cognitive Shrinkflation

In this week’s The Reason Roundtable, editors Matt Welch, Nick Gillespie, Peter Suderman, and special guest Emma Camp react to the announcement that President Joe Biden will not be prosecuted for mishandling classified documents and parse a fresh batch of speech gaffes underpinning his apparent cognitive decline.

00:29Quick reactions to last night’s Super Bowl LVIII

06:10Special counsel will not prosecute Joe Biden in classified documents case.

26:06House Republicans attempt to tie foreign aid spending bill to domestic border crisis.

35:12Weekly Listener Question

44:48Congressional Budget Office delivers latest bleak report on future U.S. economic outlook

52:26This week’s cultural recommendations

Mentioned in this podcast:

“Joe Biden’s No Good, Very Bad Day,” by J.D. Tuccille

“Nice Old Man,” by Liz Wolfe

“Trump’s Alleged Defiance and Deceit Distinguish His Handling of Secrets From Biden’s,” by Jacob Sullum

“Americans Unhappy With Politicians They’ll Soon Vote Back Into Office,” by J.D. Tuccille

“Biden’s Bizarre ‘Shrinkflation’ Nonsense,” by Eric Boehm

“Elizabeth Warren’s ‘Shrinkflation’ Rant Is an Incredible Exercise in Blame Shifting,” by Christian Britschgi

“The Real Student Loan Crisis Isn’t From Undergraduate Degrees,” by Emma Camp

“The Bankruptcy of Bidenomics,” by Peter Suderman

“Border Bill Blows Up,” by Robby Soave

“The Good and the Bad of the Senate Border Bill,” by Fiona Harrigan

“‘Zero Illegal Crossings’ Is an Unattainable Goal for the Border,” by Fiona Harrigan

“Peter Meijer: Can the GOP Change?” by Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe

“Can Free Markets Win Votes in the New GOP?” by Stephanie Slade

“How Oregon Became a Linchpin for the Country’s Drug Policies,” by Maia Szalavitz

“A Study Finds ‘No Evidence’ That Decriminalization Boosted Drug-Related Deaths in Oregon,” by Jacob Sullum

” Alcohol Prohibition Was a Dress Rehearsal for the War on Drugs ,” by Nick Gillespie

“Federal Government Will Borrow Another $20 Trillion in the Next Decade,” by Eric Boehm

“Surging Immigration Will Reduce Deficits by $1 Trillion,” by Eric Boehm

“How Increasing Immigration Can Reduce the Deficit,” by Eric Boehm

“Debate: The U.S. Should Increase Funding for the Defense of Ukraine,” by Cathy Young and Will Ruger

Reason’s archive on “border crossings”

“Open Borders in America: A Look Back and Forward,” by Ed Krayewski

“Politicians Need To Stop Pretending the National Debt Is Sustainable,” by Veronique de Rugy

“Requiem for a Redneck: Mojo Nixon, 19572024,” by Michael J. Socolow

“Oh, Mojo,” by Matt Welch

“A Joe Biden (War on) Christmas,” by Nick Gillespie, Meredith Bragg, and Austin Bragg

Send your questions toroundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Today’s sponsor: A common misconception about relationships is that they have to be easy to be “right.” But sometimes, the best ones happen when both people put in the work to make them great. Therapy can be a place to work through the challenges you face in all of your relationshipswhether with friends, work, your significant other, or anyone. If you’re thinking of starting therapy, give BetterHelp a try. It’s entirely online. Designed to be convenient, flexible, and suited to your schedule. Just fill out a brief questionnaire to get matched with a licensed therapist, and switch therapists any time for no additional charge. Become your own soulmate, whether you’re looking for one or not. Visit BetterHelp.com/roundtabletoday to get 10 percent off your first month.

Audio production byIan Keyser; assistant production by Hunt Beaty.

Music: “Angeline,” by The Brothers Steve Producer: Hunt Beaty What are we consuming this week?

Peter Suderman Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Nick Gillespie The Greatest Night in Pop

Emma Camp Princess Mononoke

Matt Welch “The Ballad of Mojo Nixon,” Desert Oracle Radio

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Utes’ Whittingham reenergized after ’24 free fall

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Utes' Whittingham reenergized after '24 free fall

FRISCO, Texas — A dynamic new quarterback, a new offensive system and two projected first-round picks up front have Utah coach Kyle Whittingham feeling enthusiastic about the Utes’ chances of bouncing back from a disastrous debut season in the Big 12.

Utah was voted No. 1 in the Big 12 preseason poll last year after joining from the Pac-12, but a brutal run of injuries and inconsistency resulted in a seven-game conference losing streak and a 5-7 finish — the program’s first losing season since 2013.

After weeks of contemplation about his future and what was best for the program, Whittingham, the third-longest-tenured head coach in FBS, decided in December to return for his 21st season with the Utes.

“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note,” Whittingham told ESPN at Big 12 media days Wednesday. “It was too frustrating, too disappointing. As much as college football has changed with all the other factors that might pull you away, that was the overriding reason: That’s not us, that’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”

“The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note. It was too frustrating, too disappointing. … That’s not us. That’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.”

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on going 5-7 in 2024

Whittingham and Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley conducted a national search for a new offensive coordinator and quickly zeroed in on New Mexico‘s Jason Beck. Then they managed to land Devon Dampier, Beck’s first-team All-Mountain West quarterback, via the transfer portal.

After finishing 11th nationally in total offense with 3,934 yards and 31 total touchdowns and putting up the fourth-most rushing yards (1,166) among all FBS starters, Dampier followed his coach to Salt Lake City and immediately asserted himself as a difference-maker for a program that had to start four different QBs in 2024.

“He’s a terrific athlete,” Whittingham said. “He’s a guy that, if spring is any indication, he’s an exciting player, and we can’t wait to watch him this season. … He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s a leader. Needless to say, very excited to see what he does for us.”

They’ve surrounded Dampier with 21 more newcomers via the transfer portal and will protect him with two returning starters at tackle in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, who are projected first-round NFL draft picks by ESPN’s Matt Miller.

“We feel they’re the best tandem in the country,” Whittingham said. “The offensive line in general, I feel, it’s the best since I’ve been there. And that’s quite a statement. We’ve had some really good offensive lines. We’ve got two first-rounders and three seniors inside that have played a lot of good football for us. That better be a strength of ours, and that’s what we’re counting on.”

Whittingham has previously said he did not want to coach past the age of 65. Now that he’s 65, he acknowledges that he might’ve arrived at a different decision about his future had the Utes ended up winning the Big 12 in 2024. He is reenergized about getting them back into contention, but he’s not ready to say whether this season might be his last.

“The best answer I can give you is, right now, I’m excited and passionate about going to work every single day,” Whittingham said. “As soon as that changes, I’ll know it’s time. I’m just counting on knowing when the time is right. I can’t tell you exactly what the circumstances will be other than losing the fire in the belly.”

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MLB to utilize ABS challenge system during ASG

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MLB to utilize ABS challenge system during ASG

The automated ball-strike system is coming to the All-Star Game next week in Atlanta.

MLB officials added the feature to the annual exhibition game knowing it could be a precursor to becoming a permanent part of the major leagues as soon as next year.

The same process used this past spring training will be used for the Midsummer Classic: Each team will be given two challenges with the ability to retain them if successful. Only a pitcher, catcher or hitter can ask for a challenge and it has to happen almost immediately after the pitch. The player will tap his hat or helmet indicating to the umpire he wants to challenge while any help from the dugout or other players on the field is not allowed.

MLB officials say 72% of fans who were polled during spring training said the impact of ABS on their experience at the game was a “positive” one. Sixty-nine percent said they’d like it part of the game moving forward. Just 10% expressed negativity toward it.

MLB’s competition committee will meet later this summer to determine if ABS will be instituted next season after the league tested the robotic system throughout the minor leagues and spring training in recent years. Like almost any rule change, there were mixed reviews from players about using ABS but nearly all parties agree on one point: They prefer a challenge system as opposed to the technology calling every pitch.

As was the case in spring training, once a review is initiated, an animated replay of the pitch will be shown on the scoreboard and the home plate umpire will either uphold the call or overturn it. ABS uses Hawk-Eye system technology which tracks the pitch trajectory and location in relation to the strike zone, providing an instant assessment which can be relayed to the home plate umpire.

The All-Star Game will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday.

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Royals sign former Cy Young winner Keuchel

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Royals sign former Cy Young winner Keuchel

The Kansas City Royals have signed former Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract, the team announced Wednesday.

The 37-year-old left-hander will start at Triple-A Omaha and will earn a prorated $2 million salary if he reaches the big leagues, sources tell ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Keuchel has not pitched in the majors for nearly a full calendar year. He elected to become a free agent on July 18, 2024, after being designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers.

In four starts with the Brewers last season, Keuchel had a 5.40 ERA in 16 2/3 innings without a decision. In 13 major league seasons, the 2015 American League Cy Young winner with the Houston Astros is 103-92 with a 4.04 ERA in 282 appearances (267 starts).

After pitching his first seven seasons with the Astros, Keuchel has made appearances for six different teams since 2019. He won a World Series with Houston in 2017 and is a two-time All-Star selection and five-time Gold Glove winner.

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

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