{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Left Hook - 32 - The Big 50th","description":"On this special birthday edition of The Left Hook, host Mark Bland celebrates turning 50 alongside co-host Jason Kull. The duo reflects on reaching the \u201cback nine\u201d of life, the grind of Midwest broadcasting, and their journey from casual political chats to a respected independent voice\u2014while lamenting St. Louis\u2019s fickle support for local talent. The conversation quickly turns sharp on current events. Bland and Kull slam President Trump\u2019s escalating Iran conflict, including the U.S. strike that destroyed a major civilian bridge near Tehran\u2014an act they call a desperate war crime and a sign of failing foreign policy. They discuss Trump\u2019s recent firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi, portraying it as another example of chaotic infighting and abuse of power. They also roast Stephen A. Smith for wading into the birthright citizenship debate, accusing him of hypocrisy and urging him to \u201cstay in his lane.\u201d The hosts warn that Trump\u2019s norm-breaking has eroded previous Democratic leniency, predicting a hard pendulum swing and accountability when power shifts. Light moments include birthday banter, Sammy Hagar and Rush references, and a fun aside on a startup\u2019s wild plan to beam sunlight to Earth via space mirrors on demand.  ","author_name":"The Left Hook","author_url":"http:\/\/www.markbland.net","html":"