11.31.17. The Purge Continues

This week on Middle Theory, in an ongoing "purge" of sexual offenders within the media and entertainment industry, allegations against anchor Matt Lauer and radio host Garrison Keillor take center stage.

On this week's edition of the program, we discuss everything from the new Netflix series, "The Punisher," and the social commentary appended to it, to recent concerns following a Mac OS update, and what science has to say about men with beards (in these concerning times, a little humor is necessary, we think). Then turning our attention to North Korea and the recent launch of an advanced missile by the rogue nation, we look at this, as well as reports of defectors, and one of the most widely publicized (and sad) instances of escape from the country in recent memory.

We then turn our attention to the allegations against Lauer and Keillor, as well as other names in media and entertainment. Looking back in time, renewed interest in similar allegations against Geraldo Rivera has been fueled by a controversial interview between Barbara Walters and Bette Midler from years ago. We also hear about an assault victim--and her attacker--who have co-authored a book and given TED talks about the myths and realities of sex assault. Finally, new FBI documents tell of interesting new details pertaining to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, and the motives of shooter Adam Lanza.

Special thanks goes out to those who sent along donations to the program this week: 

Emilio
Mark Hankins II
Jennie Vongvith 
Grimerica

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Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

SCIENCE: Men with Beards are more likely to be sexist
Booms shake Arizona… underground tunnelling, or something else?
ProPublica creates first interactive map showing all military cleanup sites in America
NoKo’s new Hwasong-15 ICBM, photos and analysis
Nikki Haley warns the UN that NoKo will be utterly destroyed if war ensues
Oh for God’s sake, not again… Matt Lauer now fired for alleged sexual misconduct
But wait, there’s more! Garrison Keillor fired by Minnesota Public Radio over allegations of inappropriate behavior
A woman approached The WaPo with a dramatic — and false — tale about Roy Moore. She appears to be part of undercover sting operation.
Teddy Davis, senior producer for Jake Tapper’s State of the Union, fired by CNN for sexual harassment
Bette Midler tells Barbara Walters in 1991 that Geraldo Rivera and his producer sexually assaulted her (Youtube)
Geraldo admonished for passive defense of Matt Lauer, Bette Midler comes up
Russell Simmons steps down from companies in wake of last week’s report of sexually assaulting Jenny Lumet with Brett Ratner
A rape survivor and the man who assaulted her talk Weinstein, #metoo and even redemption
Police were tipped off to Adam Lanza’s plans to carry out elementary school shooting four years before Sandy Hook