So, that happened. In the wake of last weekend's horrific shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Senate Democrats launched a lengthy "talking" filibuster to try to force Senate leaders to allow the body to consider measures that would help curb the flow of deadly weapons to deranged killers. The threat of terrorism loomed large in their arguments, with President Barack Obama's complaint about being able to keep terrorists off of airplanes, but not to keep them from purchasing weapons, looming large as a talking point.
But with all the emphasis on our well-primed fears of lone wolves taking cues from far-flung terrorist networks to bring mayhem to America, we're losing sight of the fact that the violence we saw in Orlando is very much rooted in a homegrown hatred of the LGBT community -- a hatred that sees itself redeemed every time the state passes a law that infringes on the basic constitutional rights of LGBT people, or -- worse -- helps implant the notion that they are less than human, and that violence toward them is permissible and forgivable.
On this week's podcast, we'll discuss this balance, and whether lawmakers can truly do something good in the wake of this tragedy, if they erase the community upon which it was visited.
Also on this week's podcast: Where will Bernie Sanders' supporters go, now that the Democratic primary is over? We have two guests with perspective on the matter: Green Party presidential nominee Dr. Jill Stein, and political commentator and host of the "Tim Black At Night Show," Tim Black.
Additionally, we return to the deepening debt crisis in Puerto Rico, to find out whether the solution posed by Congress will help ameliorate the island territory's financial woes, or if it will end up setting a bad precedent for democracy.
Finally, as tensions continue to mount between Beltway Republicans and their party's presidential candidate, we turn to noted Donald Trump critic Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.) for an update on the lay of the land.
“So, That Happened” is hosted by Jason Linkins, Zach Carter and Arthur Delaney. Joining them this week: Green Party presidential nominee Dr. Jill Stein, Rep. Reid Ribble (R-Wis.), and political commentator and podcaster Tim Black.
This podcast was produced, edited and engineered by Christine Conetta.
To listen to this podcast later, download our show on iTunes. While you’re there, please subscribe to, rate and review our show. You can check out other HuffPost podcasts here.
