1 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:36,100 ♪ ♪ 2 00:00:36,166 --> 00:00:36,900 [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] 3 00:00:36,966 --> 00:00:37,433 >> John: WELCOME, WELCOME, 4 00:00:37,500 --> 00:00:38,300 WELCOME TO "LAST WEEK TONIGHT!" 5 00:00:38,366 --> 00:00:39,033 I'M JOHN OLIVER. 6 00:00:39,100 --> 00:00:39,700 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING 7 00:00:39,766 --> 00:00:42,233 US. 8 00:00:42,300 --> 00:00:44,500 WE'RE BACK -- BOTH IN A STUDIO 9 00:00:44,566 --> 00:00:52,966 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 18 MONTHS, 10 00:00:53,033 --> 00:00:53,633 AND WITH A NEW SET AND A SMALL, 11 00:00:53,700 --> 00:00:54,266 VACCINATED, MASKED AUDIENCE, ONE 12 00:00:54,333 --> 00:00:54,933 OF WHOM, AND I'M NOT SAYING WHO, 13 00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:55,433 HAS A BREAKTHROUGH CASE. 14 00:00:55,500 --> 00:00:55,900 NOT OF COVID, THOUGH! 15 00:00:55,966 --> 00:00:56,366 RELAX! 16 00:00:56,433 --> 00:00:57,266 OF SMALLPOX. 17 00:00:57,333 --> 00:01:00,800 SO IT'S COMPLETELY FINE. 18 00:01:00,866 --> 00:01:02,600 AND WE'RE GOING TO DIVE STRAIGHT 19 00:01:02,666 --> 00:01:04,233 IN TONIGHT WITH TEXAS, A STATE 20 00:01:04,300 --> 00:01:06,033 SO BIG IT HAS THREE OFFICIAL 21 00:01:06,100 --> 00:01:07,733 STATE MAMMALS, TWO OF WHICH CAN 22 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:08,566 GO FUCK THEMSELVES, AND EXACTLY 23 00:01:08,633 --> 00:01:12,466 ONE OF WHICH IS THE ARMADILLO. 24 00:01:12,533 --> 00:01:13,266 WHICH IS THE PERFECT ANIMAL. 25 00:01:13,333 --> 00:01:13,933 FOR STARTERS, IT LOOKS LIKE A 26 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:14,500 POSSUM WHO WORKS AT MEDIEVAL 27 00:01:14,566 --> 00:01:15,766 TIMES. 28 00:01:15,833 --> 00:01:17,300 PLUS, ARMADILLOS CAN ROLL UP IN 29 00:01:17,366 --> 00:01:20,400 A BALL WHEN THEY'RE SCARED. 30 00:01:20,466 --> 00:01:22,433 PLUS, THEY SLEEP FOR 16 HOURS A 31 00:01:22,500 --> 00:01:24,233 DAY WHICH, RELATABLE, AND SOME 32 00:01:24,300 --> 00:01:24,833 SCREAM LIKE THIS TO SCARE OFF 33 00:01:24,900 --> 00:01:33,300 PREDATORS. 34 00:01:33,366 --> 00:01:36,366 [SCREAMING] 35 00:01:36,433 --> 00:01:37,766 GOOD BOY, YOU TELL THEM. 36 00:01:37,833 --> 00:01:39,000 SADLY, THOUGH, TONIGHT CAN'T BE 37 00:01:39,066 --> 00:01:39,900 ALL FUN ARMADILLO FACTS, BECAUSE 38 00:01:39,966 --> 00:01:41,166 TEXAS IS CURRENTLY REELING FROM 39 00:01:41,233 --> 00:01:42,000 AN INCREDIBLY DRACONIAN NEW 40 00:01:42,066 --> 00:01:44,433 ABORTION LAW. 41 00:01:44,500 --> 00:01:45,966 >> ABORTION PROVIDERS IN TEXAS 42 00:01:46,033 --> 00:01:47,600 HAVE STARTED TURNING AWAY 43 00:01:47,666 --> 00:01:48,200 PATIENTS AS THE STATE'S NEW 44 00:01:48,266 --> 00:01:49,133 ABORTION LAW TOOK EFFECT AT 45 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,166 MIDNIGHT. 46 00:01:51,233 --> 00:01:52,233 >> THE TEXAS LAW BANS ABORTION 47 00:01:52,300 --> 00:01:54,066 AFTER ABOUT SIX WEEKS OF 48 00:01:54,133 --> 00:01:55,233 PREGNANCY WHEN A SO-CALLED 49 00:01:55,300 --> 00:01:57,333 "FETAL HEARTBEAT" IS DETECTED. 50 00:01:57,400 --> 00:01:58,900 A CONTROVERSIAL TERM BECAUSE OF 51 00:01:58,966 --> 00:02:01,300 HOW UNDEVELOPED THE EMBRYO IS AT 52 00:02:01,366 --> 00:02:01,900 THAT STAGE. 53 00:02:01,966 --> 00:02:03,033 THE LAW MAKES NO EXCEPTION FOR 54 00:02:03,100 --> 00:02:04,833 RAPE OR INCEST. 55 00:02:04,900 --> 00:02:05,966 >> THE NEW TEXAS LAW DOES NOT 56 00:02:06,033 --> 00:02:06,933 ALLOW STATE OFFICIALS TO ENFORCE 57 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:09,433 THE BAN. 58 00:02:09,500 --> 00:02:10,833 INSTEAD, IT LETS PRIVATE 59 00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:12,400 CITIZENS SUE ANYONE WHO HELPED A 60 00:02:12,466 --> 00:02:13,933 WOMAN VIOLATE THE LAW FOR 61 00:02:14,033 --> 00:02:18,200 $10,000. 62 00:02:18,266 --> 00:02:18,733 >> John: YEAH, IT'S TRUE. 63 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:19,300 PRIVATE CITIZENS CAN NOW SUE 64 00:02:19,366 --> 00:02:20,266 OTHERS FOR AIDING IN AN 65 00:02:20,333 --> 00:02:22,200 ABORTION, WHETHER THEY'RE A 66 00:02:22,266 --> 00:02:23,133 DOCTOR, A CLINIC WORKER, OR EVEN 67 00:02:23,200 --> 00:02:24,066 AN UBER DRIVER WHO TOOK SOMEONE 68 00:02:24,133 --> 00:02:25,633 TO THE CLINIC. 69 00:02:25,700 --> 00:02:27,133 MEANING THIS LAW HAS SOMEHOW 70 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:28,066 MANAGED TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE, 71 00:02:28,133 --> 00:02:29,033 AND MAKE BEING AN UBER DRIVER 72 00:02:29,100 --> 00:02:31,033 EVEN WORSE. 73 00:02:31,100 --> 00:02:32,333 "HEY, YOU DON'T GET HEALTH 74 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:33,600 INSURANCE, PEOPLE ARE GONNA BE 75 00:02:33,666 --> 00:02:34,666 ASSHOLES TO YOU, AND NOW YOU 76 00:02:34,733 --> 00:02:35,533 MIGHT ALSO HAVE A CASH BOUNTY ON 77 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:36,766 YOUR HEAD. 78 00:02:36,833 --> 00:02:37,566 NOW GET OUT THERE AND BEG FOR 79 00:02:37,633 --> 00:02:40,300 STARS." 80 00:02:40,366 --> 00:02:41,800 AFTER THE LAW WENT INTO EFFECT 81 00:02:41,866 --> 00:02:43,066 LAST WEEK, THE SUPREME COURT, IN 82 00:02:43,133 --> 00:02:44,700 A MAJOR STEP, TOOK A PASS ON 83 00:02:44,766 --> 00:02:45,766 INTERVENING -- SOMETHING THAT 84 00:02:45,833 --> 00:02:48,600 WAS SUCH A HUGE PIECE OF NEWS, 85 00:02:48,666 --> 00:02:51,033 EVEN TMZ HAD TO WEIGH IN. 86 00:02:51,100 --> 00:02:52,133 >> THE SUPREME COURT COULD HAVE 87 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:53,933 BLOCKED THIS. 88 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,533 BECAUSE IF ANY LAW SEEMS COUNTER 89 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:57,166 TO ROE VS WADE, IT WOULD SEEM TO 90 00:02:57,233 --> 00:02:58,666 BE THIS. 91 00:02:58,733 --> 00:02:59,800 THE FACT THAT THEY WERE 92 00:02:59,866 --> 00:03:02,033 COMPLETELY SILENT ON THIS JUST 93 00:03:02,100 --> 00:03:04,433 SPEAKS VOLUMES. 94 00:03:04,500 --> 00:03:05,466 >> IT SPEAKS VOLUMES, AND THE 95 00:03:05,533 --> 00:03:07,033 REAL WORLD IMPACT OF THIS IN 96 00:03:07,100 --> 00:03:08,733 TEXAS IS 85-90% OF ABORTIONS IN 97 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:10,300 TEXAS HAPPEN AT THE SIX WEEK OR 98 00:03:10,366 --> 00:03:12,066 LATER MARK. 99 00:03:12,133 --> 00:03:13,300 >> MOST WOMEN DON'T EVEN KNOW 100 00:03:13,366 --> 00:03:14,400 THEY'RE PREGNANT WITHIN THE SIX 101 00:03:14,466 --> 00:03:15,400 WEEK PERIOD. 102 00:03:15,466 --> 00:03:16,433 >> RIGHT, AND THE WAY THAT, YOU 103 00:03:16,500 --> 00:03:18,100 KNOW, ROE WORKED WAS, IT WAS 104 00:03:18,166 --> 00:03:18,666 ABOUT THE VIABILITY OF THE 105 00:03:18,733 --> 00:03:18,933 FETUS. 106 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:20,933 IT WAS 20 to 24 WEEKS. 107 00:03:21,033 --> 00:03:23,200 THAT'S A MASSIVE PERIOD OF TIME 108 00:03:23,266 --> 00:03:24,200 IN WHICH WOMEN WERE HAVING LEGAL 109 00:03:24,266 --> 00:03:25,333 ABORTIONS. 110 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:26,400 NOW IN TEXAS, IF YOU GET SUED 111 00:03:26,466 --> 00:03:28,100 UNDER THIS LAW, AND YOU LOSE, 112 00:03:28,166 --> 00:03:30,333 THEY CAN SHUT DOWN YOUR CLINIC. 113 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:31,266 >> THEY SHUT DOWN THE CLINIC. 114 00:03:31,333 --> 00:03:37,066 >> THEY SHUT THE CLINIC DOWN. 115 00:03:37,133 --> 00:03:37,566 >> John: WHAT THE FUCK? 116 00:03:37,633 --> 00:03:38,366 CONGRATULATIONS, TEXAS, YOU JUST 117 00:03:38,433 --> 00:03:41,733 BROKE TMZ. 118 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:42,366 THEY SHOULDN'T BE COVERING THIS 119 00:03:42,433 --> 00:03:42,666 STORY. 120 00:03:42,733 --> 00:03:43,366 THEY SHOULD BE DOING WHAT THEY 121 00:03:43,433 --> 00:03:44,866 DO BEST, GATHERING ROUND IN A 122 00:03:44,933 --> 00:03:45,533 CIRCLE OF AMERICA'S WORST 123 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:46,866 BACHELOR AND BACHELORETTE PARTY 124 00:03:46,933 --> 00:03:48,333 ATTENDANTS WHILE HARVEY HYDRATES 125 00:03:48,400 --> 00:03:50,133 FROM A LARGE CONTAINER, AND THEY 126 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:50,933 ALL DISSECT SOMETHING LIKE, 127 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:52,333 WHETHER OR NOT KATHERINE HEIGL'S 128 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:58,866 DOG GOT BUTT IMPLANTS. 129 00:03:58,933 --> 00:03:59,600 YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY'RE GOOD AT. 130 00:03:59,666 --> 00:04:00,233 THAT GUY IN SHORTS SHOULDN'T BE 131 00:04:00,300 --> 00:04:00,800 HAVING TO TALK ABOUT FETAL 132 00:04:00,866 --> 00:04:02,866 VIABILITY. 133 00:04:02,933 --> 00:04:03,833 THOUGH I GUESS IF HE'S DOING MY 134 00:04:03,900 --> 00:04:05,100 JOB, I GET TO DO HIS, AND SPEND 135 00:04:05,166 --> 00:04:06,100 THE REST OF TONIGHT ASKING YOU 136 00:04:06,166 --> 00:04:07,166 WHICH HOT HOLLYWOOD HUNK HAS 137 00:04:07,233 --> 00:04:10,966 THESE SUMMER-READY ABS? 138 00:04:11,033 --> 00:04:15,100 GUYS? 139 00:04:15,166 --> 00:04:16,000 GUYS? 140 00:04:16,066 --> 00:04:17,433 IT'S WALLACE SHAWN. 141 00:04:17,500 --> 00:04:17,966 DO YOU KNOW WHAT? 142 00:04:18,033 --> 00:04:21,766 THIS IS BETTER. 143 00:04:21,833 --> 00:04:23,166 IT'S A BETTER SHOW. 144 00:04:23,233 --> 00:04:24,033 THIS LAW WILL HAVE CATASTROPHIC 145 00:04:24,100 --> 00:04:25,466 EFFECTS. 146 00:04:25,533 --> 00:04:26,166 PROVIDERS SAY IT WOULD HAVE 147 00:04:26,233 --> 00:04:28,366 PREVENTED AT LEAST 85% OF THE 148 00:04:28,433 --> 00:04:29,100 PROCEDURES PREVIOUSLY COMPLETED 149 00:04:29,166 --> 00:04:30,866 IN THE STATE. 150 00:04:30,933 --> 00:04:32,100 AND WHEN GOVERNOR ABBOTT WAS 151 00:04:32,166 --> 00:04:33,833 PRESSED ON WHY HE SIGNED A BILL 152 00:04:33,900 --> 00:04:36,400 THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY FORCE 153 00:04:36,466 --> 00:04:37,000 SOMEONE WHO'D EXPERIENCED RAPE 154 00:04:37,066 --> 00:04:38,166 OR INCEST TO CARRY A PREGNANCY 155 00:04:38,233 --> 00:04:38,800 TO TERM, HIS RESPONSE... 156 00:04:38,866 --> 00:04:40,400 WAS SOMETHING. 157 00:04:40,466 --> 00:04:40,966 >> LET'S MAKE SOMETHING VERY 158 00:04:41,033 --> 00:04:42,600 CLEAR. 159 00:04:42,666 --> 00:04:46,100 RAPE IS A CRIME. 160 00:04:46,166 --> 00:04:47,966 AND TEXAS WILL WORK TIRELESSLY 161 00:04:48,033 --> 00:04:50,766 TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ELIMINATE 162 00:04:50,833 --> 00:04:51,733 ALL RAPISTS FROM THE STREETS OF 163 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:53,233 TEXAS BY AGGRESSIVELY GOING OUT 164 00:04:53,300 --> 00:04:54,866 AND ARRESTING THEM AND 165 00:04:54,933 --> 00:04:56,800 PROSECUTING THEM AND GETTING 166 00:04:56,866 --> 00:04:58,400 THEM OFF THE STREETS. 167 00:04:58,466 --> 00:05:01,066 >> John: OH, FUCK OFF. 168 00:05:01,133 --> 00:05:02,500 JUST FUCK RIGHT OFF. 169 00:05:02,566 --> 00:05:03,766 SET ASIDE YOU'RE ANNOUNCING 170 00:05:03,833 --> 00:05:05,600 "WE'LL ARREST RAPISTS," LIKE 171 00:05:05,666 --> 00:05:06,800 IT'S A BRAND-NEW IDEA AND YOU'RE 172 00:05:06,866 --> 00:05:09,933 TIM COOK UNVEILING A NEW IPHONE, 173 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:11,833 WE COULD TALK ABOUT HOW ABBOTT 174 00:05:11,900 --> 00:05:12,766 CLEARLY DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT 175 00:05:12,833 --> 00:05:13,633 IT'S NOT JUST SCARY, FACELESS 176 00:05:13,700 --> 00:05:15,366 CRIMINALS ON THE STREETS 177 00:05:15,433 --> 00:05:16,233 PERPETRATING RAPES, BUT MOST 178 00:05:16,300 --> 00:05:16,800 OFTEN, IT'S ACTUALLY SOMEONE 179 00:05:16,866 --> 00:05:20,866 KNOWN TO THE VICTIM. 180 00:05:20,933 --> 00:05:21,500 WE COULD TALK ABOUT HOW 181 00:05:21,566 --> 00:05:22,033 ARRESTING RAPISTS DOESN'T 182 00:05:22,100 --> 00:05:22,600 ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM OF 183 00:05:22,666 --> 00:05:23,133 WOMEN NEEDING LEGAL, SAFE 184 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,833 ABORTIONS. 185 00:05:26,900 --> 00:05:27,466 WE COULD TALK ABOUT THE MYRIAD 186 00:05:27,533 --> 00:05:28,333 OF REASONS WOMEN GET ABORTIONS, 187 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:29,000 AND HOW FRAMING THE ISSUE AROUND 188 00:05:29,066 --> 00:05:29,900 THE MOST HORRIFIC SITUATIONS 189 00:05:29,966 --> 00:05:31,700 FURTHER DEMONIZES THE PROCEDURE. 190 00:05:31,766 --> 00:05:34,266 BUT HONESTLY, IT MIGHT JUST BE 191 00:05:34,333 --> 00:05:35,233 QUICKER JUST TO SAY FUCK OFF, 192 00:05:35,300 --> 00:05:36,933 GREG, AS SHORTHAND FOR THE OTHER 193 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:38,300 STUFF WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO GET 194 00:05:38,366 --> 00:05:40,366 INTO. 195 00:05:40,433 --> 00:05:41,600 NOW, THANKFULLY, PEOPLE ARE 196 00:05:41,666 --> 00:05:43,133 PUSHING BACK HARD. 197 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:44,566 ON THURSDAY, THE DOJ ANNOUNCED 198 00:05:44,633 --> 00:05:46,133 IT WAS SUING TEXAS, CALLING THE 199 00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:47,866 LAW AN "UNPRECEDENTED SCHEME TO 200 00:05:47,933 --> 00:05:48,500 EVADE JUDICIAL REVIEW," WHICH IT 201 00:05:48,566 --> 00:05:51,133 IS. 202 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:52,700 AND WHEN A PRO-LIFE GROUP SET UP 203 00:05:52,766 --> 00:05:54,200 A WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE COULD 204 00:05:54,266 --> 00:05:55,100 REPORT VIOLATIONS OF THE NEW 205 00:05:55,166 --> 00:05:56,333 LAW, PEOPLE STARTED QUICKLY 206 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:57,866 FLOODING IT WITH TIPS LIKE 207 00:05:57,933 --> 00:05:59,500 CLAIMING THE FICTIONAL 208 00:05:59,566 --> 00:06:00,666 CHARACTERS IN MARVEL'S AVENGERS 209 00:06:00,733 --> 00:06:02,466 WERE APPARENTLY SEEKING 210 00:06:02,533 --> 00:06:04,033 ABORTIONS, WHICH AT THE VERY 211 00:06:04,100 --> 00:06:05,933 LEAST IS A HELL OF A PITCH FOR 212 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:07,566 AN EPISODE OF "WHAT IF?" 213 00:06:07,633 --> 00:06:09,400 AND SOME WENT WITH AN EVEN 214 00:06:09,466 --> 00:06:11,533 BLUNTER APPROACH. 215 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:12,566 >> I FOUND THIS WEBSITE FOR 216 00:06:12,633 --> 00:06:14,633 LIKE, ANONYMOUSLY SNITCHING ON 217 00:06:14,700 --> 00:06:15,600 PEOPLE WHO BREAK THE TEXAS 218 00:06:15,666 --> 00:06:17,266 HEARTBEAT ACT. 219 00:06:17,333 --> 00:06:19,366 YOU CAN ATTACH ANY FILE YOU WANT 220 00:06:19,433 --> 00:06:22,666 TO IT, SO I JUST SENT THEM A 221 00:06:22,733 --> 00:06:27,966 BUNCH OF SHREK PORN. 222 00:06:28,033 --> 00:06:28,466 >> John: YEAH. 223 00:06:28,533 --> 00:06:29,600 "TIKTOK USERS BOMBARD 224 00:06:29,666 --> 00:06:31,766 ANTI-ABORTION WEBSITE WITH SHREK 225 00:06:31,833 --> 00:06:33,033 PORN" IS ONE OF THOSE SENTENCES 226 00:06:33,100 --> 00:06:34,333 I NEVER THOUGHT I'D HAVE TO SAY 227 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:35,366 LIKE, "EVERYONE NEEDS TO STOP 228 00:06:35,433 --> 00:06:36,966 TALKING ABOUT KIM JONG UN'S SEXY 229 00:06:37,033 --> 00:06:39,000 BOD," AND "BEN AFFLECK LOOKS SO 230 00:06:39,066 --> 00:06:42,833 HAPPY RIGHT NOW!" 231 00:06:42,900 --> 00:06:44,400 LOOK, FUCKING WITH PRO-LIFERS ON 232 00:06:44,466 --> 00:06:45,800 TIKTOK IS CLEARLY FUNNY, BUT 233 00:06:45,866 --> 00:06:46,533 IT'S NOT GOING TO ROLL BACK THIS 234 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:48,333 LAW. 235 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:49,866 AND TEXAS SEEMS TO BE FACING FEW 236 00:06:49,933 --> 00:06:51,666 CONSEQUENCES FOR WHAT IT'S DONE. 237 00:06:51,733 --> 00:06:53,000 WHEN GREG ABBOTT WAS ASKED 238 00:06:53,066 --> 00:06:54,633 WHETHER HE WORRIED THE LAW WOULD 239 00:06:54,700 --> 00:06:55,533 DETER INVESTMENT IN THE STATE, 240 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,100 HE SAID, "YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND 241 00:06:57,166 --> 00:06:58,433 THAT THERE'S A LOT OF BUSINESSES 242 00:06:58,500 --> 00:06:59,766 AND A LOT OF AMERICANS WHO LIKE 243 00:06:59,833 --> 00:07:01,000 THE SOCIAL POSITIONS THAT THE 244 00:07:01,066 --> 00:07:02,466 STATE OF TEXAS IS TAKING." 245 00:07:02,533 --> 00:07:06,466 AND THE THING IS, SO FAR, MUCH 246 00:07:06,533 --> 00:07:07,933 OF CORPORATE AMERICA HAS DECIDED 247 00:07:08,000 --> 00:07:09,000 TO NOT WEIGH IN ON THIS, 248 00:07:09,066 --> 00:07:10,266 A STARK CONTRAST WITH THEIR 249 00:07:10,333 --> 00:07:12,700 RECENT WILLINGNESS TO SPEAK OUT 250 00:07:12,766 --> 00:07:13,200 ON VOTING RIGHTS, RACIAL 251 00:07:13,266 --> 00:07:13,833 JUSTICE, AND OTHER SOCIAL 252 00:07:13,900 --> 00:07:15,000 ISSUES. 253 00:07:15,066 --> 00:07:17,700 AND IT'S NOT JUST SILENCE HERE. 254 00:07:17,766 --> 00:07:19,166 A MAJOR DONOR TO THE SPONSORS 255 00:07:19,233 --> 00:07:20,733 AND COSPONSORS OF THIS BILL IS A 256 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,900 POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 257 00:07:22,966 --> 00:07:24,200 BELONGING TO AT&T, WHO -- 258 00:07:24,266 --> 00:07:25,600 PENDING APPROVAL OF OUR SALE TO 259 00:07:25,666 --> 00:07:26,566 DISCOVERY -- ARE STILL 260 00:07:26,633 --> 00:07:29,166 TECHNICALLY OUR BUSINESS DADDY. 261 00:07:29,233 --> 00:07:30,800 SO WE ASKED THEM TO COMMENT ON 262 00:07:30,866 --> 00:07:32,566 THIS, AND THEY TOLD US, "AT&T 263 00:07:32,633 --> 00:07:34,433 HAS NEVER TAKEN A STANCE ON 264 00:07:34,500 --> 00:07:36,600 ABORTION," AN AMAZING SENTENCE, 265 00:07:36,666 --> 00:07:39,100 AND "EMPLOYEE PAC CONTRIBUTIONS 266 00:07:39,166 --> 00:07:40,266 TO TEXAS LEGISLATORS WENT TO 267 00:07:40,333 --> 00:07:41,833 BOTH SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS OF 268 00:07:41,900 --> 00:07:43,100 THE TEXAS LEGISLATION." 269 00:07:43,166 --> 00:07:46,366 AND LISTEN, NOT TAKING A STANCE 270 00:07:46,433 --> 00:07:47,633 ON THIS ISSUE, RIGHT NOW, IS 271 00:07:47,700 --> 00:07:49,800 TAKING A STANCE. 272 00:07:49,866 --> 00:07:52,633 AND BOTH-SIDES'ING ABORTION 273 00:07:52,700 --> 00:07:53,933 ISN'T REALLY THE PR SLAM DUNK 274 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,433 THEY THINK IT IS. 275 00:07:56,500 --> 00:07:57,000 ALTHOUGH IT'S CERTAINLY ON 276 00:07:57,066 --> 00:07:58,366 BRAND. 277 00:07:58,433 --> 00:07:59,800 AT&T CLEARLY LIKES THEIR PUBLIC 278 00:07:59,866 --> 00:08:02,600 STATEMENTS THE SAME WAY THEY 279 00:08:02,666 --> 00:08:05,200 LIKE THEIR CELL SIGNAL: 280 00:08:05,266 --> 00:08:06,433 HILARIOUSLY FUCKING WEAK. 281 00:08:06,500 --> 00:08:07,633 AND LOOK, THE FIGHT TO UNDERMINE 282 00:08:07,700 --> 00:08:08,300 THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO AN 283 00:08:08,366 --> 00:08:09,166 ABORTION IS NOT JUST HAPPENING 284 00:08:09,233 --> 00:08:10,566 IN TEXAS. 285 00:08:10,633 --> 00:08:11,733 THE SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR 286 00:08:11,800 --> 00:08:12,633 ARGUMENTS ABOUT A MISSISSIPPI 287 00:08:12,700 --> 00:08:13,933 ANTI-ABORTION LAW LATER THIS 288 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:15,200 YEAR THAT'S A DIRECT CHALLENGE 289 00:08:15,266 --> 00:08:18,166 TO ROE V WADE. 290 00:08:18,233 --> 00:08:19,133 THIS IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL 291 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:20,700 DEBATE, BUT THE LATEST 292 00:08:20,766 --> 00:08:21,866 ESCALATION IN THE ONGOING ATTACK 293 00:08:21,933 --> 00:08:23,266 ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. 294 00:08:23,333 --> 00:08:25,400 AND I DON'T REALLY HAVE THE 295 00:08:25,466 --> 00:08:26,833 WORDS TO EXPRESS HOW INFURIATING 296 00:08:26,900 --> 00:08:29,200 THAT IS, BUT MAYBE THIS SUMS 297 00:08:29,266 --> 00:08:35,366 THINGS UP BEST. 298 00:08:35,433 --> 00:08:38,900 [SCREAMING] 299 00:08:38,966 --> 00:08:41,600 WELL SAID, BUDDY. 300 00:08:41,666 --> 00:08:45,166 AND NOW THIS. 301 00:08:45,233 --> 00:08:47,800 >> AND NOW, YET AGAIN, IT'S THIS 302 00:08:47,866 --> 00:08:48,133 TIME OF YEAR. 303 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:51,433 >> A FAN FAVORITE AT STARBUCKS 304 00:08:51,500 --> 00:08:52,700 IS BACK WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR 305 00:08:52,766 --> 00:08:53,200 NOT. 306 00:08:53,266 --> 00:08:55,533 BRINGING BACK ITS PUMPKIN SPICE 307 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:59,400 LATTE. 308 00:08:59,466 --> 00:09:01,366 >> GROWS LONGER WITH EACH YEAR. 309 00:09:01,433 --> 00:09:03,266 >> OF PUMPKINS ARE JUST COMING 310 00:09:03,333 --> 00:09:06,066 INTO SEASON NOW, WHAT IS BEING 311 00:09:06,133 --> 00:09:07,066 USED OF THAT PUMPKIN SPICE 312 00:09:07,133 --> 00:09:09,266 FLAVOR FOR THE LAST THREE OR FOR 313 00:09:09,333 --> 00:09:09,533 WEEKS? 314 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:11,766 AND MY RESPONSE TO HIM IS I 315 00:09:11,833 --> 00:09:13,266 DON'T CARE. 316 00:09:13,333 --> 00:09:14,666 >> SHUT UP, ERIC. 317 00:09:14,733 --> 00:09:17,766 NOBODY CARES! 318 00:09:17,833 --> 00:09:20,833 ERIC, YOU FUCKING NERD! 319 00:09:20,900 --> 00:09:22,700 >> I LIKE IT. 320 00:09:22,766 --> 00:09:23,033 I DON'T CARE. 321 00:09:23,100 --> 00:09:24,200 >> I WOULD HAVE THEM TOGETHER 322 00:09:24,266 --> 00:09:26,066 BUT DON'T STICK THEM IN EACH 323 00:09:26,133 --> 00:09:28,600 OTHER. 324 00:09:28,666 --> 00:09:31,266 >> GET THE COFFEE AND THE 325 00:09:31,333 --> 00:09:33,066 PUMPKIN, JAM THE PUMPKIN IN THE 326 00:09:33,133 --> 00:09:38,100 MILL, SHOVE IT ALL UNTIL SO I 327 00:09:38,166 --> 00:09:38,900 MIGHT LIVE RELIGIOUSLY. 328 00:09:38,966 --> 00:09:40,833 >> NOW BUD LIGHT IS ROLLING OUT 329 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:42,933 OF PUMPKIN SPICE HARD SELTZER. 330 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:45,733 >> WAIT, WHAT? 331 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:49,200 ACTUALLY, CAN WE CUT FOR A 332 00:09:49,266 --> 00:09:49,433 SECOND? 333 00:09:49,500 --> 00:09:50,100 BUD LIGHT? 334 00:09:50,166 --> 00:09:53,833 BUD LIGHT SELTZER? 335 00:09:53,900 --> 00:09:57,166 WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? 336 00:09:57,233 --> 00:10:00,866 I DON'T UNDERSTAND. 337 00:10:00,933 --> 00:10:06,733 THIS ISN'T FUN ANYMORE. 338 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:09,500 YOU RUINED IT. 339 00:10:09,566 --> 00:10:12,400 IT WAS PERFECT AND YOU RUINED I 340 00:10:12,466 --> 00:10:16,533 IT. 341 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:18,733 [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] 342 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:19,133 >> John: MOVING ON. 343 00:10:19,200 --> 00:10:19,766 OUR MAIN STORY TONIGHT CONCERNS 344 00:10:19,833 --> 00:10:20,000 BELARUS. 345 00:10:20,066 --> 00:10:20,500 AND I KNOW YOU MIGHT BE 346 00:10:20,566 --> 00:10:21,100 EXPECTING ME TO PLAY THAT GAME 347 00:10:21,166 --> 00:10:21,666 WHERE I TELL YOU THAT'S NOT 348 00:10:21,733 --> 00:10:22,300 ACTUALLY BELARUS, IT'S SOMEWHERE 349 00:10:22,366 --> 00:10:27,800 ELSE. 350 00:10:27,866 --> 00:10:28,433 BUT HERE'S THE THING, THAT GAME 351 00:10:28,500 --> 00:10:29,100 WAS SUPPOSED TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO 352 00:10:29,166 --> 00:10:29,666 LEARN SOME BASIC GEOGRAPHY. 353 00:10:29,733 --> 00:10:30,300 AND I STARTED TO GET THE SENSE 354 00:10:30,366 --> 00:10:30,900 THAT SOME OF YOU JUST GREW TO 355 00:10:30,966 --> 00:10:32,500 ENJOY BEING HUMILIATED BY IT. 356 00:10:32,566 --> 00:10:33,566 WHICH IS WHY THOSE PARTICULAR 357 00:10:33,633 --> 00:10:34,200 PEOPLE WILL BE HAPPY TO KNOW 358 00:10:34,266 --> 00:10:34,700 THAT THAT'S NOT ACTUALLY 359 00:10:34,766 --> 00:10:35,900 BELARUS. 360 00:10:35,966 --> 00:10:37,266 THAT'S BELARUS. 361 00:10:37,333 --> 00:10:40,700 HAPPY NOW, YOU FREAKS? 362 00:10:40,766 --> 00:10:44,466 SPECIFICALLY, WE'D LIKE TO TALK 363 00:10:44,533 --> 00:10:45,033 ABOUT BELARUS' PRESIDENT AND 364 00:10:45,100 --> 00:10:45,600 AUTOCRATIC LEADER, ALEXANDER 365 00:10:45,666 --> 00:10:46,233 LUKASHENKO, WHO HAS HAD QUITE A 366 00:10:46,300 --> 00:10:48,433 YEAR. 367 00:10:48,500 --> 00:10:49,500 IN FACT, YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED 368 00:10:49,566 --> 00:10:51,133 STORIES ABOUT BELARUS POPPING UP 369 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:53,066 WITH INCREASING REGULARITY. 370 00:10:53,133 --> 00:10:54,133 ESPECIALLY SINCE LAST AUGUST, 371 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:54,800 WHEN THEY HAD A HIGHLY CONTESTED 372 00:10:54,866 --> 00:10:55,500 ELECTION WHICH MADE 373 00:10:55,566 --> 00:10:57,800 INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES. 374 00:10:57,866 --> 00:10:58,833 >> THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE 375 00:10:58,900 --> 00:11:00,033 UNLEASHING THEIR FURY IN THE 376 00:11:00,100 --> 00:11:01,866 CAPITAL CITY OF MINSK AND 377 00:11:01,933 --> 00:11:03,366 ELSEWHERE ALSO AROUND THE 378 00:11:03,433 --> 00:11:05,033 COUNTRY. 379 00:11:05,100 --> 00:11:06,566 MR. LUKASHENKO, WHO HAS RULED 380 00:11:06,633 --> 00:11:07,800 FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES, HAS 381 00:11:07,866 --> 00:11:10,366 FACED A WAVE OF ANGER OVER HIS 382 00:11:10,433 --> 00:11:11,333 HANDLING OF THE CORONAVIRUS 383 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:17,200 PANDEMIC AND THE ECONOMY. 384 00:11:17,266 --> 00:11:17,933 DESPITE THAT, OFFICIAL 385 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:18,666 STATE-APPROVED EXIT POLLS GAVE 386 00:11:18,733 --> 00:11:19,300 HIM AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF 387 00:11:19,366 --> 00:11:21,300 80%. 388 00:11:21,366 --> 00:11:22,333 >> John: IT'S TRUE. 389 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:22,966 THEY CLAIMED LUKASHENKO WON WITH 390 00:11:23,033 --> 00:11:24,700 80% OF THE VOTE. 391 00:11:24,766 --> 00:11:25,366 WHICH WAS IMMEDIATELY FISHY FOR 392 00:11:25,433 --> 00:11:26,633 A COUPLE OF REASONS. 393 00:11:26,700 --> 00:11:28,000 ONE, THE MASSIVE PROTESTS THAT 394 00:11:28,066 --> 00:11:28,700 FOLLOWED. 395 00:11:28,766 --> 00:11:30,633 AND TWO, THE IDEA THAT ANY MAN 396 00:11:30,700 --> 00:11:31,433 COULD STILL BE POPULAR AFTER 397 00:11:31,500 --> 00:11:32,566 NEARLY THREE DECADES IN THE 398 00:11:32,633 --> 00:11:34,633 PUBLIC EYE. 399 00:11:34,700 --> 00:11:35,233 I'VE ONLY HAD THIS SHOW FOR 400 00:11:35,300 --> 00:11:37,233 EIGHT YEARS, AND EVEN I CAN 401 00:11:37,300 --> 00:11:40,133 BARELY STAND THE SIGHT OF ME. 402 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:41,466 AND BELARUSIANS AREN'T JUST 403 00:11:41,533 --> 00:11:42,633 FURIOUS AT LUKASHENKO FOR HIS 404 00:11:42,700 --> 00:11:44,166 HANDLING OF THE CORONAVIRUS -- 405 00:11:44,233 --> 00:11:46,300 ALTHOUGH, FROM THE BEGINNING, 406 00:11:46,366 --> 00:11:47,133 HIS MANAGEMENT OF IT WAS 407 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:49,833 INCREDIBLY RECKLESS. 408 00:11:49,900 --> 00:11:51,433 >> AT FIRST, HE CALLED THE VIRUS 409 00:11:51,500 --> 00:11:52,866 A PSYCHOSIS, AND SAID IT WAS 410 00:11:52,933 --> 00:11:55,133 TREATABLE WITH VODKA AND SAUNAS. 411 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:57,033 AND AT A CROWDED HOCKEY GAME, HE 412 00:11:57,100 --> 00:12:00,266 DENIED ITS EXISTENCE. 413 00:12:00,333 --> 00:12:01,066 >> I DON'T UNDERSTAND. 414 00:12:01,133 --> 00:12:02,533 THERE ARE NO VIRUSES HERE. 415 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,066 DID YOU SEE ANY OF THEM FLYING 416 00:12:05,133 --> 00:12:05,300 AROUND? 417 00:12:05,366 --> 00:12:05,900 >> John: "YEAH, THAT MAKES 418 00:12:05,966 --> 00:12:07,600 SENSE! 419 00:12:07,666 --> 00:12:09,100 JUST LOOK AROUND -- YOU DON'T 420 00:12:09,166 --> 00:12:10,666 SEE ANY COVID VIRUSES, DO YOU? 421 00:12:10,733 --> 00:12:12,100 DO YOU HEAR ANY EBOLA? 422 00:12:12,166 --> 00:12:13,933 SMELL ANY MEASLES? 423 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:15,100 TASTE ANY AIDS IN THE AIR? 424 00:12:15,166 --> 00:12:18,333 NO! 425 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:18,800 OF COURSE NOT. 426 00:12:18,866 --> 00:12:19,466 THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW THEY'RE NOT 427 00:12:19,533 --> 00:12:19,766 HERE! 428 00:12:19,833 --> 00:12:20,933 WHAT IS HERE IS YOUR FEARLESS 429 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:21,633 LEADER, WHO'S ABOUT TO GO AND 430 00:12:21,700 --> 00:12:22,533 SCORE A HAT TRICK FOR THE MINSK 431 00:12:22,600 --> 00:12:29,466 MIDLIFE CRISES." 432 00:12:29,533 --> 00:12:30,000 BUT LUKASHENKO'S TERRIBLE 433 00:12:30,066 --> 00:12:30,600 HANDLING OF COVID IS JUST THE 434 00:12:30,666 --> 00:12:30,966 BEGINNING HERE. 435 00:12:31,033 --> 00:12:31,600 LUKASHENKO HAS DESCRIBED HIMSELF 436 00:12:31,666 --> 00:12:32,166 AS "THE LAST AND ONLY DICTATOR 437 00:12:32,233 --> 00:12:32,466 IN EUROPE." 438 00:12:32,533 --> 00:12:33,366 WHICH IS, IN ITSELF, AN AMAZING 439 00:12:33,433 --> 00:12:34,966 THING TO SAY. 440 00:12:35,033 --> 00:12:36,833 BRAGGING ABOUT BEING "THE LAST 441 00:12:36,900 --> 00:12:38,600 DICTATOR" IS LIKE BRAGGING ABOUT 442 00:12:38,666 --> 00:12:40,866 BEING THE LAST RADIO SHACK, OR 443 00:12:40,933 --> 00:12:42,000 THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE A MOVIE 444 00:12:42,066 --> 00:12:44,333 WITH HARVEY WEINSTEIN. 445 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:47,100 THAT'S NOT AN ENVIABLE TITLE. 446 00:12:47,166 --> 00:12:48,600 AND SADLY, FOR SOME BELARUSIANS, 447 00:12:48,666 --> 00:12:49,500 HE'S THE ONLY LEADER THEY'VE 448 00:12:49,566 --> 00:12:51,066 EVER KNOWN. 449 00:12:51,133 --> 00:12:52,200 >> HOW OLD ARE YOU? 450 00:12:52,266 --> 00:12:53,466 >> I AM 22. 451 00:12:53,533 --> 00:12:54,166 >> YOU'RE 22? 452 00:12:54,233 --> 00:12:55,500 >> YEAH. 453 00:12:55,566 --> 00:12:56,766 >> SO, YOUR WHOLE LIFE, LIVED 454 00:12:56,833 --> 00:12:57,733 UNDER ONE PRESIDENT. 455 00:12:57,800 --> 00:12:59,033 HOW DOES THAT FEEL FOR YOU? 456 00:12:59,100 --> 00:13:00,700 >> WELL, IT FEELS LIKE SHIT. 457 00:13:00,766 --> 00:13:04,600 >> John: YEAH, I BET IT DOES. 458 00:13:04,666 --> 00:13:05,866 ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PERSON 459 00:13:05,933 --> 00:13:06,533 WHO'S BEEN IN CHARGE FOR THAT 460 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:08,166 MAN'S ENTIRE LIFE IS A HARD 461 00:13:08,233 --> 00:13:10,033 BOILED EGG WITH A MUSTACHE WHO 462 00:13:10,100 --> 00:13:11,433 CALLS HIMSELF A DICTATOR AND 463 00:13:11,500 --> 00:13:12,966 THINKS COVID ONLY EXISTS IF HE 464 00:13:13,033 --> 00:13:14,100 CAN SEE IT ZOOMING AROUND IN A 465 00:13:14,166 --> 00:13:17,166 TINY LITTLE JET. 466 00:13:17,233 --> 00:13:18,600 THAT PROTEST WAS FROM LAST 467 00:13:18,666 --> 00:13:19,266 SEPTEMBER, AND THINGS HAVE ONLY 468 00:13:19,333 --> 00:13:20,866 ESCALATED SINCE THEN. 469 00:13:20,933 --> 00:13:22,233 YOU MAY REMEMBER A BELARUSIAN 470 00:13:22,300 --> 00:13:23,400 ATHLETE REFUSING TO RETURN HOME 471 00:13:23,466 --> 00:13:24,433 DURING THE TOKYO OLYMPICS. 472 00:13:24,500 --> 00:13:26,966 AND BACK IN MAY, THIS HAPPENED. 473 00:13:27,033 --> 00:13:29,266 >> THIS MORNING, BELARUS IS 474 00:13:29,333 --> 00:13:31,266 FACING GROWING INTERNATIONAL 475 00:13:31,333 --> 00:13:32,133 PROTESTS AND CONDEMNATION AFTER 476 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:33,100 THE COUNTRY'S PRESIDENT, 477 00:13:33,166 --> 00:13:35,666 ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO SENT A 478 00:13:35,733 --> 00:13:37,200 FIGHTER JET TO GROUND A 479 00:13:37,266 --> 00:13:39,533 COMMERCIAL PLANE FLYING BETWEEN, 480 00:13:39,600 --> 00:13:41,333 TWO EUROPEAN CAPITALS. 481 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:42,400 AND WITH IT, 26-YEAR-OLD 482 00:13:42,466 --> 00:13:43,466 DISSIDENT JOURNALIST ROMAN 483 00:13:43,533 --> 00:13:44,700 PROTASEVICH AND HIS GIRLFRIEND. 484 00:13:44,766 --> 00:13:45,966 >> ONE PASSENGER SAYS ROMAN 485 00:13:46,033 --> 00:13:47,200 PLEADED, "DON'T DO THIS. 486 00:13:47,266 --> 00:13:48,733 THEY'LL KILL ME." 487 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:49,966 THE RYANAIR CREW REPLIED, "WE 488 00:13:50,033 --> 00:13:51,866 HAVE NO CHOICE." 489 00:13:51,933 --> 00:13:53,366 >> John: YEAH, A JOURNALIST WHO 490 00:13:53,433 --> 00:13:54,600 WAS CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT 491 00:13:54,666 --> 00:13:56,400 BRIEFLY PASSED THROUGH 492 00:13:56,466 --> 00:13:57,600 BELARUSIAN AIRSPACE ON A 493 00:13:57,666 --> 00:13:58,733 COMMERCIAL FLIGHT, SO LUKASHENKO 494 00:13:58,800 --> 00:14:00,266 PERSONALLY ORDERED A FIGHTER JET 495 00:14:00,333 --> 00:14:01,266 TO INTERCEPT IT AND FORCE IT TO 496 00:14:01,333 --> 00:14:04,266 LAND. 497 00:14:04,333 --> 00:14:05,400 NOW, BELARUSIAN AUTHORITIES 498 00:14:05,466 --> 00:14:06,666 ORIGINALLY CLAIMED THEY DID THAT 499 00:14:06,733 --> 00:14:07,666 BECAUSE OF AN EMAILED BOMB 500 00:14:07,733 --> 00:14:09,300 THREAT FROM HAMAS, BUT RECORDS 501 00:14:09,366 --> 00:14:11,766 SHOW THAT EMAIL WAS SENT 24 502 00:14:11,833 --> 00:14:13,000 MINUTES AFTER THEY INFORMED THE 503 00:14:13,066 --> 00:14:14,866 PILOT ABOUT THE BOMB THREAT. 504 00:14:14,933 --> 00:14:18,066 NOT TO MENTION IT WAS SENT FROM 505 00:14:18,133 --> 00:14:20,966 AhmedYurlanov1988@protonmail.com 506 00:14:21,033 --> 00:14:21,766 WITH THE SUBJECT LINE "ALLAHU 507 00:14:21,833 --> 00:14:22,633 AKBAR." 508 00:14:22,700 --> 00:14:26,533 WHICH IS JUST IMPOSSIBLY LAZY. 509 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:28,500 IT'S ONE STEP ABOVE EMAILING 510 00:14:28,566 --> 00:14:31,800 FROM BadGuys6969@yahoo.com WITH 511 00:14:31,866 --> 00:14:33,633 THE SUBJECT LINE "TERRORIST 512 00:14:33,700 --> 00:14:36,633 STUFF PARENTHESES LIKE 9/11." 513 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:38,200 SO GIVEN HOW MUCH THINGS SEEM TO 514 00:14:38,266 --> 00:14:39,166 BE SPIRALING IN BELARUS, WE 515 00:14:39,233 --> 00:14:40,433 THOUGHT TONIGHT, IT'D BE WORTH 516 00:14:40,500 --> 00:14:42,333 GIVING YOU SOME CONTEXT FOR 517 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:43,000 WHAT'S HAPPENING OVER THERE, AND 518 00:14:43,066 --> 00:14:44,500 TAKING A LOOK AT EXACTLY WHO 519 00:14:44,566 --> 00:14:46,600 ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO IS. 520 00:14:46,666 --> 00:14:47,633 AND LET'S START WITH THE FACT 521 00:14:47,700 --> 00:14:49,366 THAT HE IS THE GREATEST 522 00:14:49,433 --> 00:14:50,133 PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF 523 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:52,100 BELARUS, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE HE 524 00:14:52,166 --> 00:14:53,233 IS THE ONLY PRESIDENT IN THE 525 00:14:53,300 --> 00:14:55,033 HISTORY OF BELARUS. 526 00:14:55,100 --> 00:14:56,266 LUKASHENKO WON THE COUNTRY'S 527 00:14:56,333 --> 00:14:57,600 FIRST FREE AND FAIR ELECTION IN 528 00:14:57,666 --> 00:15:00,633 1994, THREE YEARS AFTER THE FALL 529 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,033 OF THE SOVIET UNION, WHEN HE, A 530 00:15:02,100 --> 00:15:07,000 FORMER MANAGER OF A STATE-OWNED 531 00:15:07,066 --> 00:15:07,600 FARM, VOWED TO RAISE TAXES ON 532 00:15:07,666 --> 00:15:08,566 THE RICH AND DEFEAT CORRUPTION. 533 00:15:08,633 --> 00:15:10,166 HE WAS GENUINELY POPULAR AT THE 534 00:15:10,233 --> 00:15:11,966 TIME. 535 00:15:12,033 --> 00:15:14,400 JUST LISTEN TO A FORMER 536 00:15:14,466 --> 00:15:15,000 AIDE-TURNED-CRITIC RECALL HOW 537 00:15:15,066 --> 00:15:15,866 PEOPLE REACTED TO HIM AT HIS 538 00:15:15,933 --> 00:15:17,833 RALLIES. 539 00:15:17,900 --> 00:15:19,600 >> 3,000 PEOPLE WHO WERE 540 00:15:19,666 --> 00:15:20,533 LISTENING TO HIM INSTEAD OF 541 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:21,166 LEAVING THE STADIUM MOVED 542 00:15:21,233 --> 00:15:23,033 TOWARDS HIM LIKE AN AVALANCHE. 543 00:15:23,100 --> 00:15:24,766 I REMEMBER AS IF IT HAPPENED 544 00:15:24,833 --> 00:15:26,366 YESTERDAY. 545 00:15:26,433 --> 00:15:27,366 THEY WERE REACHING OUT TO HIM 546 00:15:27,433 --> 00:15:28,800 LIKE BELIEVERS TO A RELIC 547 00:15:28,866 --> 00:15:34,500 PRAYING FOR GOD'S GRACE. 548 00:15:34,566 --> 00:15:35,800 WOMEN WERE LIFTING UP THEIR 549 00:15:35,866 --> 00:15:36,766 CHILDREN FOR LUKASHENKO TO TOUCH 550 00:15:36,833 --> 00:15:37,766 THEM. 551 00:15:37,833 --> 00:15:39,800 OTHERS WERE REACHING OUT WITH 552 00:15:39,866 --> 00:15:40,566 BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, OR EVEN 553 00:15:40,633 --> 00:15:41,233 BANKNOTES JUST TO GET HIS 554 00:15:41,300 --> 00:15:43,133 AUTOGRAPH. 555 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:44,300 WELL, LUKASHENKO WAS NO MICHAEL 556 00:15:44,366 --> 00:15:45,633 JACKSON, BUT THIS IS WHAT REALLY 557 00:15:45,700 --> 00:15:46,533 HAPPENED. 558 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:49,333 >> John: WELL, HOLD ON. 559 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:50,733 WAS HE NO MICHAEL JACKSON? 560 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:51,566 THINK ABOUT IT. 561 00:15:51,633 --> 00:15:53,033 LUKASHENKO WAS IMMENSELY POPULAR 562 00:15:53,100 --> 00:15:54,600 IN THE '90s, DIEHARD FANS PACKED 563 00:15:54,666 --> 00:15:56,133 STADIUMS TO SEE HIM, AND HE 564 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:56,833 EVENTUALLY TORPEDOED HIS 565 00:15:56,900 --> 00:15:57,666 REPUTATION BECAUSE IT TURNS OUT 566 00:15:57,733 --> 00:15:58,700 HE WAS AN ABSOLUTE MONSTER. 567 00:15:58,766 --> 00:16:00,100 TO BE HONEST, I THINK LUKASHENKO 568 00:16:00,166 --> 00:16:02,866 FULLY EARNED THAT COMPARISON. 569 00:16:02,933 --> 00:16:05,633 AND HE STILL VERY MUCH PLAYS UP 570 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:06,666 HIS HUMBLE FARM BACKGROUND 571 00:16:06,733 --> 00:16:07,566 THROUGH PHOTO OPS, LIKE THIS 572 00:16:07,633 --> 00:16:09,100 ONE, WHERE HE'S HARVESTING 573 00:16:09,166 --> 00:16:10,366 POTATOES WHILE DRESSED LIKE CHEF 574 00:16:10,433 --> 00:16:12,700 BOYARDEE AT AN ORGY. 575 00:16:12,766 --> 00:16:14,100 HE ONCE GAVE FOUR BAGS OF 576 00:16:14,166 --> 00:16:15,500 POTATOES AND A TUB OF LARD TO 577 00:16:15,566 --> 00:16:17,500 VLADIMIR PUTIN AS A CHRISTMAS 578 00:16:17,566 --> 00:16:19,500 GIFT, AND WHEN STEVEN SEAGAL 579 00:16:19,566 --> 00:16:22,600 VISITED BELARUS, LUKASHENKO ALSO 580 00:16:22,666 --> 00:16:23,766 GIFTED HIM PRODUCE, WITH "THE 581 00:16:23,833 --> 00:16:24,333 WASHINGTON POST" POETICALLY 582 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:26,000 WRITING AT THE TIME, "THERE WAS 583 00:16:26,066 --> 00:16:27,533 NO HESITATION ON STEVEN SEAGAL'S 584 00:16:27,600 --> 00:16:29,233 FACE AS HE TOOK A RAW, FRESHLY 585 00:16:29,300 --> 00:16:30,233 PEELED CARROT FROM THE HANDS OF 586 00:16:30,300 --> 00:16:31,766 THE BELARUSAN PRESIDENT 587 00:16:31,833 --> 00:16:33,400 ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO AND BIT 588 00:16:33,466 --> 00:16:34,566 INTO IT WITH A SATISFYING 589 00:16:34,633 --> 00:16:36,266 CHOMP." 590 00:16:36,333 --> 00:16:38,633 WHICH IS JUST A TAPESTRY OF 591 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:40,466 WORDS. 592 00:16:40,533 --> 00:16:42,000 YOU DON'T EVEN NEED A VIDEO TO 593 00:16:42,066 --> 00:16:44,666 IMAGINE WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO 594 00:16:44,733 --> 00:16:46,100 STEVEN SEAGAL USING HIS MOUTH 595 00:16:46,166 --> 00:16:47,400 BONES TO BREAK OFF THE TIP OF 596 00:16:47,466 --> 00:16:48,800 THAT RABBIT HOT DOG. 597 00:16:48,866 --> 00:16:50,333 BUT WE ARE GOING TO SHOW IT TO 598 00:16:50,400 --> 00:17:05,733 YOU ANYWAY. 599 00:17:05,800 --> 00:17:06,266 >> John: MAGNIFICENT. 600 00:17:06,333 --> 00:17:07,000 NO DISRESPECT TO SEAGAL CLASSICS 601 00:17:07,066 --> 00:17:07,966 LIKE "UNDER SIEGE," "HARD TO 602 00:17:08,033 --> 00:17:09,300 KILL," "ABOVE THE LAW," AND 603 00:17:09,366 --> 00:17:10,700 PROBABLY SOMETHING CALLED 604 00:17:10,766 --> 00:17:12,500 "HUNTING THE FIRE" OR WHATEVER, 605 00:17:12,566 --> 00:17:14,833 BUT THAT IS THE GREATEST FILM 606 00:17:14,900 --> 00:17:17,500 STEVEN SEAGAL HAS EVER MADE. 607 00:17:17,566 --> 00:17:18,400 BUT FOR ALL LUKASHENKO'S 608 00:17:18,466 --> 00:17:19,566 COMMON-MAN POSTURING, HIS 609 00:17:19,633 --> 00:17:20,700 PROMISES TO COMBAT CORRUPTION 610 00:17:20,766 --> 00:17:23,066 QUICKLY FELL APART. 611 00:17:23,133 --> 00:17:24,500 JUST FIVE MONTHS INTO HIS 612 00:17:24,566 --> 00:17:26,533 PRESIDENCY, A DEPUTY COMPILED AN 613 00:17:26,600 --> 00:17:27,966 INVESTIGATION INTO CORRUPTION IN 614 00:17:28,033 --> 00:17:29,266 PARLIAMENT, WHICH WAS SAID TO 615 00:17:29,333 --> 00:17:30,033 HAVE CONTAINED CHARGES AGAINST 616 00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:32,400 VARIOUS HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS. 617 00:17:32,466 --> 00:17:34,033 BUT THE GOVERNMENT BANNED ALL 618 00:17:34,100 --> 00:17:36,400 PRESS COVERAGE OF THE REPORT, TO 619 00:17:36,466 --> 00:17:37,633 THE POINT WHERE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS 620 00:17:37,700 --> 00:17:38,800 THAT HAD PLANNED TO PUBLISH THE 621 00:17:38,866 --> 00:17:39,700 RESULTS OF IT, INSTEAD ENDED UP 622 00:17:39,766 --> 00:17:40,933 PUBLISHING BLANK PAGES LIKE 623 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:42,766 THESE. 624 00:17:42,833 --> 00:17:44,366 AND THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING 625 00:17:44,433 --> 00:17:45,100 OF A DECADES-LONG ASSAULT ON THE 626 00:17:45,166 --> 00:17:46,366 PRESS. 627 00:17:46,433 --> 00:17:48,000 SHORTLY AFTERWARD, LUKASHENKO 628 00:17:48,066 --> 00:17:50,433 REPLACED THE EDITORS-IN-CHIEF OF 629 00:17:50,500 --> 00:17:51,633 FOUR LEADING NEWSPAPERS, AND 630 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:52,833 TOOK THE NATIONAL RADIO AND 631 00:17:52,900 --> 00:17:54,333 TELEVISION UNDER STRICT CONTROL, 632 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,433 CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT SO 633 00:17:56,500 --> 00:17:58,566 HOSTILE TO INDEPENDENT 634 00:17:58,633 --> 00:17:59,100 JOURNALISM, BELARUS IS NOW 635 00:17:59,166 --> 00:18:00,833 CONSIDERED THE MOST DANGEROUS 636 00:18:00,900 --> 00:18:02,766 COUNTRY IN EUROPE FOR MEMBERS OF 637 00:18:02,833 --> 00:18:04,000 THE MEDIA -- WITH MEMBERS 638 00:18:04,066 --> 00:18:05,366 CONSTANTLY SUBJECTED TO 639 00:18:05,433 --> 00:18:06,466 VIOLENCE, ARBITRARY DETENTIONS, 640 00:18:06,533 --> 00:18:08,866 INTERROGATIONS, RAIDS AND MORE. 641 00:18:08,933 --> 00:18:10,600 AND THE CONTROL LUKASHENKO 642 00:18:10,666 --> 00:18:12,700 EXERTS OVER EVEN SMALL, PETTY 643 00:18:12,766 --> 00:18:15,900 DETAILS IS INCREDIBLE. 644 00:18:15,966 --> 00:18:17,466 >> IS IT TRUE THAT YOU CANNOT 645 00:18:17,533 --> 00:18:18,066 FILM THE BACK OF LUKASHENKO'S 646 00:18:18,133 --> 00:18:19,566 HEAD? 647 00:18:19,633 --> 00:18:21,233 >> YES, IT'S TRUE. 648 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:21,833 >> IS IT BECAUSE HE HAS A BALD 649 00:18:21,900 --> 00:18:23,133 PATCH? 650 00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:25,566 >> YEAH, IT'S KIND OF VERY WEIRD 651 00:18:25,633 --> 00:18:27,233 HAIRCUT. 652 00:18:27,300 --> 00:18:29,666 SO IT'S GROWING FROM ONE SIDE. 653 00:18:29,733 --> 00:18:33,600 >> John: WAIT A MINUTE, YOU'RE 654 00:18:33,666 --> 00:18:36,033 TELLING ME THIS GUY IS BALD? 655 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:37,333 THIS GUY? 656 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,400 THIS GUY? 657 00:18:39,466 --> 00:18:41,266 THIS MAN RIGHT HERE? 658 00:18:41,333 --> 00:18:42,666 YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT THIS GUY 659 00:18:42,733 --> 00:18:43,833 IS BALD? 660 00:18:43,900 --> 00:18:46,266 BALD, YOU SAY? 661 00:18:46,333 --> 00:18:48,000 YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU MIGHT BE 662 00:18:48,066 --> 00:18:49,400 RIGHT. 663 00:18:49,466 --> 00:18:51,366 IT LOOKS LIKE HE GREW HIS LEFT 664 00:18:51,433 --> 00:18:52,700 SIDEBURN INTO A RATTAIL AND THEN 665 00:18:52,766 --> 00:18:53,266 SHELLACKED IT ONTO HIS BARE 666 00:18:53,333 --> 00:18:55,566 SCALP. 667 00:18:55,633 --> 00:18:57,233 THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, "IS 668 00:18:57,300 --> 00:18:58,200 LUKASHENKO BALD," AT THIS POINT 669 00:18:58,266 --> 00:19:01,233 IS A RESOUNDING, "I WISH." 670 00:19:01,300 --> 00:19:02,666 BUT LUKASHENKO'S BIZARRE 671 00:19:02,733 --> 00:19:03,500 BEHAVIOR GOES WELL BEYOND 672 00:19:03,566 --> 00:19:05,300 CENSORING THE MEDIA AND 673 00:19:05,366 --> 00:19:06,200 FORCE-FEEDING STEVEN SEAGAL RAW 674 00:19:06,266 --> 00:19:07,466 VEGETABLES. 675 00:19:07,533 --> 00:19:08,700 OVER THE YEARS, HE'S MADE 676 00:19:08,766 --> 00:19:10,433 STATEMENTS LIKE, BETTER TO BE A 677 00:19:10,500 --> 00:19:12,200 DICTATOR THAN GAY, AND, "NOT 678 00:19:12,266 --> 00:19:14,866 EVERYTHING CONNECTED IN GERMANY 679 00:19:14,933 --> 00:19:15,566 WITH THE WELL-KNOWN ADOLF HITLER 680 00:19:15,633 --> 00:19:17,600 WAS BAD," TAKING THE PHRASE 681 00:19:17,666 --> 00:19:18,766 "PLAYING DEVIL'S ADVOCATE" A BIT 682 00:19:18,833 --> 00:19:20,766 TOO LITERALLY. 683 00:19:20,833 --> 00:19:22,600 AND IF YOU'RE THINKING, "OKAY, 684 00:19:22,666 --> 00:19:23,566 BUT WHO DIDN'T ACCIDENTALLY 685 00:19:23,633 --> 00:19:24,666 PRAISE HITLER IN THE '90s?" 686 00:19:24,733 --> 00:19:25,700 FIRST, WHY ARE YOU THINKING 687 00:19:25,766 --> 00:19:28,566 THAT? 688 00:19:28,633 --> 00:19:31,566 AND SECOND, JUST THIS SUMMER HE 689 00:19:31,633 --> 00:19:32,466 SAID THE ENTIRE WORLD "GROVELS 690 00:19:32,533 --> 00:19:34,566 TO THE JEWS." 691 00:19:34,633 --> 00:19:36,666 WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY AWFUL. 692 00:19:36,733 --> 00:19:37,500 LUKASHENKO TREATS ANTI-SEMITISM 693 00:19:37,566 --> 00:19:38,133 THE WAY FASHION TREATS LOW-RISE 694 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:39,900 BELL BOTTOMS. 695 00:19:39,966 --> 00:19:41,066 HE KEEPS BRINGING IT BACK EVEN 696 00:19:41,133 --> 00:19:43,133 WHEN IT WAS NEVER ACCEPTABLE AT 697 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:47,233 ANY POINT IN HISTORY. 698 00:19:47,300 --> 00:19:47,900 OVERALL, LUKASHENKO OPERATES 699 00:19:47,966 --> 00:19:49,133 FROM THE STANDARD AUTHORITARIAN 700 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:50,000 PLAYBOOK. 701 00:19:50,066 --> 00:19:52,000 AND HE'S REPEATEDLY WORKED TO 702 00:19:52,066 --> 00:19:53,766 CODIFY HIS POWER USING A 703 00:19:53,833 --> 00:19:55,333 CONTROVERSIAL REFERENDUM IN 1996 704 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:56,500 TO EXTEND HIS FIRST TERM AND 705 00:19:56,566 --> 00:19:58,166 DRAMATICALLY INCREASE HIS POWERS 706 00:19:58,233 --> 00:19:59,333 AND WEAKEN THOSE OF THE 707 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:01,666 LEGISLATURE, AND THEN USING A 708 00:20:01,733 --> 00:20:02,366 SECOND REFERENDUM TO COMPLETELY 709 00:20:02,433 --> 00:20:04,766 REMOVE TERM LIMITS IN 2004. 710 00:20:04,833 --> 00:20:06,400 AT THIS POINT, OUTSIDE OBSERVER 711 00:20:06,466 --> 00:20:08,800 GROUPS HAVE REPORTED THAT NONE 712 00:20:08,866 --> 00:20:10,533 OF HIS LAST FIVE ELECTION 713 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:12,066 VICTORIES HAVE BEEN LEGITIMATE. 714 00:20:12,133 --> 00:20:13,300 AND THROUGHOUT HIS TIME AS 715 00:20:13,366 --> 00:20:14,266 PRESIDENT, LUKASHENKO HAS 716 00:20:14,333 --> 00:20:15,766 CLAMPED DOWN HARD ON THE 717 00:20:15,833 --> 00:20:18,666 SLIGHTEST SIGNS OF DISSENT. 718 00:20:18,733 --> 00:20:20,866 IN 2012, TWO MEN STAGED "TOY 719 00:20:20,933 --> 00:20:22,733 PROTESTS," WITH STUFFED ANIMALS 720 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:25,366 HOLDING ANTI-LUKASHENKO SLOGANS, 721 00:20:25,433 --> 00:20:26,100 OBJECTIVELY THE CUTEST DISPLAY 722 00:20:26,166 --> 00:20:27,033 OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE I'VE EVER 723 00:20:27,100 --> 00:20:28,566 SEEN. 724 00:20:28,633 --> 00:20:30,266 BUT THAT WOUND UP GETTING BOTH 725 00:20:30,333 --> 00:20:33,066 THOSE MEN SENTENCED TO TEN DAYS 726 00:20:33,133 --> 00:20:34,500 IN JAIL, A SENTENCE THAT, IN 727 00:20:34,566 --> 00:20:35,266 ITSELF, ACTUALLY INSPIRED A 728 00:20:35,333 --> 00:20:38,166 FOLLOW-UP PROTEST. 729 00:20:38,233 --> 00:20:39,466 >> IN JULY, HUNDREDS OF TEDDY 730 00:20:39,533 --> 00:20:42,033 BEARS RAINED DOWN ON BELARUS. 731 00:20:42,100 --> 00:20:43,300 THEY WORE PARACHUTES AND CARRIED 732 00:20:43,366 --> 00:20:45,833 PRO-DEMOCRACY MESSAGES. 733 00:20:45,900 --> 00:20:47,866 THE MAN BEHIND THE PRANK IS A 734 00:20:47,933 --> 00:20:48,533 MARKETING EXECUTIVE WITH A 735 00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:49,833 SWEDISH FIRM. 736 00:20:49,900 --> 00:20:53,066 HE TOOK OFF FROM LITHUANIA IN 737 00:20:53,133 --> 00:20:54,400 THIS TINY PLANE. 738 00:20:54,466 --> 00:20:55,866 FOR 90 MINUTES, HE LET THE FUR 739 00:20:55,933 --> 00:20:56,333 FLY. 740 00:20:56,400 --> 00:20:59,200 >> John: PERFECT. 741 00:20:59,266 --> 00:20:59,733 I LOVE IT. 742 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:00,900 TEN OUT OF TEN. 743 00:21:00,966 --> 00:21:01,900 WE SHOULD BE DROPPING 744 00:21:01,966 --> 00:21:02,833 PARACHUTING TEDDY BEARS FROM THE 745 00:21:02,900 --> 00:21:04,233 SKY HERE ALL THE TIME. 746 00:21:04,300 --> 00:21:06,233 NOT EVEN AS AN ACT OF PROTEST. 747 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:08,533 IT SHOULD JUST BE A THING WE DO. 748 00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:10,733 "OH, IT'S 1:00 P.M., EVERYONE! 749 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:11,300 IT'S DAILY PARACHUTING TEDDY 750 00:21:11,366 --> 00:21:12,666 BEAR TIME." 751 00:21:12,733 --> 00:21:14,133 WHY DID WE EVEN INVENT PLANES IF 752 00:21:14,200 --> 00:21:15,100 WE'RE NOT GOING TO USE THEM TO 753 00:21:15,166 --> 00:21:16,700 DROP TEDDY BEARS OUT OF THE SKY 754 00:21:16,766 --> 00:21:17,366 AND INSTANTLY IMPROVE EVERYONE'S 755 00:21:17,433 --> 00:21:19,566 DAY? 756 00:21:19,633 --> 00:21:20,933 I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SOCIETY 757 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:22,566 WE'VE BUILT FOR OURSELVES. 758 00:21:22,633 --> 00:21:28,433 WE'RE FUCKING IDIOTS. 759 00:21:28,500 --> 00:21:28,900 [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] 760 00:21:28,966 --> 00:21:29,900 NOW, UNSURPRISINGLY, LUKASHENKO 761 00:21:29,966 --> 00:21:30,800 TRIED TO COVER THAT INCIDENT UP, 762 00:21:30,866 --> 00:21:31,633 WHICH PROVED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE, 763 00:21:31,700 --> 00:21:34,900 DUE TO, YOU KNOW, THE INTERNET. 764 00:21:34,966 --> 00:21:36,300 SO INSTEAD, HE TRIED TO SAVE 765 00:21:36,366 --> 00:21:37,566 FACE BY FIRING TWO GENERALS -- 766 00:21:37,633 --> 00:21:38,700 THE HEAD OF THE BORDER SERVICE 767 00:21:38,766 --> 00:21:40,533 AND THE HEAD OF THE AIR FORCE. 768 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:42,266 BUT THE THING IS, EVEN THOUGH 769 00:21:42,333 --> 00:21:44,200 PROTESTS LIKE THOSE CAN BE 770 00:21:44,266 --> 00:21:46,633 WHIMSICAL, WHAT HAPPENS TO 771 00:21:46,700 --> 00:21:47,300 DISSIDENTS IN BELARUS IS 772 00:21:47,366 --> 00:21:48,800 HORRIFIC. 773 00:21:48,866 --> 00:21:50,166 OPPOSITION FIGURES HAVE 774 00:21:50,233 --> 00:21:51,533 DISAPPEARED OVER THE YEARS, AND 775 00:21:51,600 --> 00:21:52,600 SOME ARE SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN 776 00:21:52,666 --> 00:21:54,666 MURDERED BY THE STATE. 777 00:21:54,733 --> 00:21:55,666 AND THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS 778 00:21:55,733 --> 00:21:56,866 ALLEGATIONS OF POLITICAL 779 00:21:56,933 --> 00:21:58,566 DETAINEES BEING TORTURED, AS 780 00:21:58,633 --> 00:22:00,400 THIS BBC JOURNALIST ONCE TRIED 781 00:22:00,466 --> 00:22:03,366 TO DEMONSTRATE, IN A PRETTY BOLD 782 00:22:03,433 --> 00:22:06,100 MANNER. 783 00:22:06,166 --> 00:22:09,366 >> THE OPPOSITION IN BELARUS SAY 784 00:22:09,433 --> 00:22:10,300 THEY WERE TORTURED BY BEING 785 00:22:10,366 --> 00:22:11,033 FORCED TO STRIP NAKED IN 786 00:22:11,100 --> 00:22:16,733 FREEZING CONDITIONS. 787 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:18,366 >> SO WE GO TO A COLD STORE IN 788 00:22:18,433 --> 00:22:20,000 NORTH LONDON WHERE THE 789 00:22:20,066 --> 00:22:24,166 TEMPERATURE IS -24 CELSIUS. 790 00:22:24,233 --> 00:22:25,700 SO THE GUARDS FORCED THE 791 00:22:25,766 --> 00:22:28,633 PRISONERS TO STRIP NAKED AND 792 00:22:28,700 --> 00:22:29,966 STAND IN THIS POSITION, 793 00:22:30,033 --> 00:22:33,933 SPREAD-EAGLED. 794 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:37,666 AT -20, THERE WAS SNOW OUTSIDE. 795 00:22:37,733 --> 00:22:38,700 IN THE JARGON OF TORTURE, THIS 796 00:22:38,766 --> 00:22:47,800 IS A STRESS POSITION. 797 00:22:47,866 --> 00:22:50,166 [LAUGHTER] 798 00:22:50,233 --> 00:22:51,166 >> John: QUICK QUESTION, AND IT 799 00:22:51,233 --> 00:22:53,966 HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE 800 00:22:54,033 --> 00:22:54,633 PRISONER TORTURE, WHY DID YOU DO 801 00:22:54,700 --> 00:22:57,100 THAT? 802 00:22:57,166 --> 00:22:58,033 YOU COULD HAVE JUST TOLD US THE 803 00:22:58,100 --> 00:22:59,066 PRISONERS WERE FORCED TO STAND 804 00:22:59,133 --> 00:23:00,766 IN THE COLD NAKED. 805 00:23:00,833 --> 00:23:02,666 WE'D HAVE BELIEVED YOU. 806 00:23:02,733 --> 00:23:03,400 AND WE'D HAVE BEEN ABLE TO 807 00:23:03,466 --> 00:23:05,666 IMAGINE WHAT THAT LOOKED LIKE. 808 00:23:05,733 --> 00:23:07,500 WE REALLY DIDN'T NEED TO SEE YOU 809 00:23:07,566 --> 00:23:10,866 STANDING THERE, CAKES OUT, TO 810 00:23:10,933 --> 00:23:14,933 GET YOUR VERY BASIC POINT. 811 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:16,000 AND THE THING IS, THAT BRUTALITY 812 00:23:16,066 --> 00:23:17,866 HAS ONLY ESCALATED. 813 00:23:17,933 --> 00:23:19,700 RECENTLY, LUKASHENKO HAS 814 00:23:19,766 --> 00:23:20,366 INCREASED THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS 815 00:23:20,433 --> 00:23:22,800 OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS AND 816 00:23:22,866 --> 00:23:23,533 JOURNALISTS, AND POLICE HAVE 817 00:23:23,600 --> 00:23:25,066 RAIDED THEIR OFFICES AND HOMES. 818 00:23:25,133 --> 00:23:26,100 JUST THIS WEEK, AN OPPOSITION 819 00:23:26,166 --> 00:23:27,033 LEADER WAS SENTENCED BY THE 820 00:23:27,100 --> 00:23:29,800 STATE TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON. 821 00:23:29,866 --> 00:23:31,966 AND EVEN WHEN DISSIDENTS MANAGE 822 00:23:32,033 --> 00:23:32,933 TO ESCAPE BELARUS, THEY MAY NOT 823 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,500 BE SAFE. 824 00:23:34,566 --> 00:23:36,133 A FEW WEEKS AGO, AN ACTIVIST 825 00:23:36,200 --> 00:23:37,366 WHO'D FLED TO UKRAINE WENT OUT 826 00:23:37,433 --> 00:23:38,400 FOR A RUN AND WAS FOUND HANGED 827 00:23:38,466 --> 00:23:40,466 IN A PARK. 828 00:23:40,533 --> 00:23:41,200 AND WHILE THAT HASN'T BEEN 829 00:23:41,266 --> 00:23:46,066 OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED AS MURDER 830 00:23:46,133 --> 00:23:46,833 OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED AS MURDER, 831 00:23:46,900 --> 00:23:47,333 COME ON. 832 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:48,833 I'M NOT SURE WHICH SPECIES OF 833 00:23:48,900 --> 00:23:49,600 TREES ARE NATIVE TO UKRAINE, BUT 834 00:23:49,666 --> 00:23:50,366 I DON'T THINK ANY OF THEM 835 00:23:50,433 --> 00:23:50,900 NATURALLY HAVE BELARUSIAN 836 00:23:50,966 --> 00:23:53,766 DISSIDENTS HANGING FROM THEM. 837 00:23:53,833 --> 00:23:54,666 THE POINT IS, FOR NEARLY THREE 838 00:23:54,733 --> 00:23:56,466 DECADES NOW, BELARUS HAS 839 00:23:56,533 --> 00:23:57,900 EXPERIENCED A BRUTAL CYCLE OF 840 00:23:57,966 --> 00:23:59,433 OPPRESSION IN WHICH LUKASHENKO 841 00:23:59,500 --> 00:24:01,200 WINS ELECTIONS THAT ARE NEITHER 842 00:24:01,266 --> 00:24:02,433 FREE NOR FAIR, LOCKS UP HIS 843 00:24:02,500 --> 00:24:04,133 POLITICAL OPPONENTS, PEOPLE TAKE 844 00:24:04,200 --> 00:24:05,333 TO THE STREETS IN PROTEST, AND 845 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:07,633 HE VIOLENTLY CRACKS DOWN. 846 00:24:07,700 --> 00:24:08,900 IT'S NO WONDER THE BELARUSIAN 847 00:24:08,966 --> 00:24:11,200 PEOPLE SEEM TO HAVE HAD ENOUGH. 848 00:24:11,266 --> 00:24:12,833 A LEAKED POLL SHOWED THAT ONLY 849 00:24:12,900 --> 00:24:13,766 ABOUT A THIRD OF THE POPULATION 850 00:24:13,833 --> 00:24:15,466 TRUSTS LUKASHENKO. 851 00:24:15,533 --> 00:24:16,700 WHICH IS IMPRESSIVELY LOW, 852 00:24:16,766 --> 00:24:17,600 CONSIDERING, REMEMBER, HE 853 00:24:17,666 --> 00:24:20,366 CONTROLS THE NATIONAL MEDIA. 854 00:24:20,433 --> 00:24:22,200 AND EVEN THERE, HIS GRIP IS 855 00:24:22,266 --> 00:24:25,600 SLIPPING. 856 00:24:25,666 --> 00:24:26,166 LAST YEAR, PRESENTERS ON A 857 00:24:26,233 --> 00:24:27,200 STATE-TV MORNING SHOW WALKED OFF 858 00:24:27,266 --> 00:24:27,866 AND RESIGNED, LEAVING VIEWERS 859 00:24:27,933 --> 00:24:32,966 WATCHING THIS. 860 00:24:33,033 --> 00:24:35,933 ♪ ♪ 861 00:24:36,000 --> 00:24:38,133 WOW. 862 00:24:38,200 --> 00:24:39,300 THAT'S BOTH A BRAVE ACT OF 863 00:24:39,366 --> 00:24:40,700 PROTEST BY BELARUSIAN 864 00:24:40,766 --> 00:24:43,100 BROADCASTERS, AND ALSO 865 00:24:43,166 --> 00:24:45,800 EVERYONE'S DREAM PANEL ON "THE 866 00:24:45,866 --> 00:24:45,966 VIEW." 867 00:24:46,033 --> 00:24:48,533 AND YOU DO GET THE SENSE 868 00:24:48,600 --> 00:24:50,700 LUKASHENKO MAY BE FEELING SOME 869 00:24:50,766 --> 00:24:52,400 PRESSURE. 870 00:24:52,466 --> 00:24:53,866 WHEN MARCHERS LIKENED HIM TO A 871 00:24:53,933 --> 00:24:55,066 COCKROACH AND ONLINE POLLS 872 00:24:55,133 --> 00:24:57,000 SHOWED HIM HAVING ONLY 3% 873 00:24:57,066 --> 00:24:58,500 SUPPORT FROM HIS PEOPLE, INSTEAD 874 00:24:58,566 --> 00:25:00,333 OF SIMPLY IGNORING IT, THIS WAS 875 00:25:00,400 --> 00:25:02,800 HOW HE RESPONDED. 876 00:25:02,866 --> 00:25:04,533 >> DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT 877 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:05,200 THE SERVING PRESIDENT HAS JUST 878 00:25:05,266 --> 00:25:09,800 3% SUPPORT? 879 00:25:09,866 --> 00:25:12,533 STOP HARASSING AND INSULTING US, 880 00:25:12,600 --> 00:25:13,033 CALLING ME "A MUSTACHED 881 00:25:13,100 --> 00:25:13,800 COCKROACH," ETCETERA. 882 00:25:13,866 --> 00:25:14,433 I AM STILL THE PRESIDENT OF THIS 883 00:25:14,500 --> 00:25:15,066 COUNTRY. 884 00:25:15,133 --> 00:25:15,733 IN NO COUNTRY IN THE WORLD ARE 885 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:18,566 YOU ALLOWED TO INSULT PEOPLE. 886 00:25:18,633 --> 00:25:23,466 >> John: UH, YES, YOU ARE. 887 00:25:23,533 --> 00:25:24,000 YEAH, YOU DEFINITELY ARE. 888 00:25:24,066 --> 00:25:25,633 I'LL PROVE IT. 889 00:25:25,700 --> 00:25:26,633 YOUR SUIT'S TOO BIG, YOU SUCK AT 890 00:25:26,700 --> 00:25:27,300 HOCKEY, AND WHATEVER IT IS 891 00:25:27,366 --> 00:25:28,233 YOU'RE DOING WITH YOUR HAIR 892 00:25:28,300 --> 00:25:29,966 ISN'T FUCKING WORKING. 893 00:25:30,033 --> 00:25:31,233 SEE? 894 00:25:31,300 --> 00:25:36,400 NOT IN JAIL. 895 00:25:36,466 --> 00:25:37,166 [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] 896 00:25:37,233 --> 00:25:38,266 I'M NOT IN JAIL. 897 00:25:38,333 --> 00:25:39,066 SO THINGS ARE CLEARLY BLEAK IN 898 00:25:39,133 --> 00:25:40,733 BELARUS. 899 00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:41,766 AND SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA -- 900 00:25:41,833 --> 00:25:42,400 THE WOMAN WIDELY BELIEVED TO BE 901 00:25:42,466 --> 00:25:43,533 THE REAL WINNER OF LAST YEAR'S 902 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:44,800 ELECTION, AND WHO, BY THE WAY, 903 00:25:44,866 --> 00:25:46,433 ONLY RAN AFTER HER HUSBAND, 904 00:25:46,500 --> 00:25:48,000 LUKASHENKO'S INITIAL OPPONENT, 905 00:25:48,066 --> 00:25:50,533 WAS IMPRISONED -- HAS FLED THE 906 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:51,966 COUNTRY. 907 00:25:52,033 --> 00:25:52,666 BUT SHE'S STILL LEADING THE 908 00:25:52,733 --> 00:25:53,800 COUNTRY'S PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT 909 00:25:53,866 --> 00:25:55,166 FROM EXILE. 910 00:25:55,233 --> 00:25:56,266 SHE'S ASKED WORLD LEADERS TO 911 00:25:56,333 --> 00:25:57,800 DEMAND THE RELEASE OF WHAT'S 912 00:25:57,866 --> 00:25:58,533 THOUGHT TO BE OVER 650 POLITICAL 913 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:00,966 PRISONERS. 914 00:26:01,033 --> 00:26:02,133 AND I WILL SAY, THE E.U., THE 915 00:26:02,200 --> 00:26:03,933 U.S., THE U.K. AND CANADA HAVE 916 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:05,266 IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON BELARUS 917 00:26:05,333 --> 00:26:07,366 TARGETING EVERYTHING FROM CLOSE 918 00:26:07,433 --> 00:26:08,100 ASSOCIATES OF LUKASHENKO TO THE 919 00:26:08,166 --> 00:26:09,933 BELARUSIAN ECONOMY. 920 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:10,766 AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS 921 00:26:10,833 --> 00:26:12,233 JUST RECENTLY IMPOSED MORE. 922 00:26:12,300 --> 00:26:14,500 BUT THE TRUTH IS, SANCTIONS CAN 923 00:26:14,566 --> 00:26:16,333 ONLY DO SO MUCH. 924 00:26:16,400 --> 00:26:17,766 AND LUKASHENKO DOESN'T SEEM KEEN 925 00:26:17,833 --> 00:26:19,333 TO END HIS REIGN. 926 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:20,666 IN FACT, MANY THINK THAT HE'S 927 00:26:20,733 --> 00:26:22,500 GROOMED HIS YOUNGEST SON KOLYA 928 00:26:22,566 --> 00:26:23,933 TO TAKE HIS PLACE, BECAUSE SINCE 929 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,433 HE WAS YOUNG, HE'S BEEN DRAGGING 930 00:26:26,500 --> 00:26:27,533 HIM ALONG EVERYWHERE HE GOES ON 931 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:28,366 STATE BUSINESS. 932 00:26:28,433 --> 00:26:29,533 HERE HE IS. 933 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:30,533 HERE HE IS AGAIN. 934 00:26:30,600 --> 00:26:32,733 HERE HE IS AGAIN. 935 00:26:32,800 --> 00:26:35,300 HE'S IN ALL OF THESE PHOTOS. 936 00:26:35,366 --> 00:26:35,933 I DON'T KNOW WHEN EUROPEAN 937 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:37,433 "BRING YOUR KID TO WORK DAY" IS, 938 00:26:37,500 --> 00:26:40,566 BUT IT CAN'T BE "ALWAYS." 939 00:26:40,633 --> 00:26:42,333 SO AT THIS POINT, IT LOOKS LIKE 940 00:26:42,400 --> 00:26:43,600 THE ONLY THING THAT WILL REALLY 941 00:26:43,666 --> 00:26:45,433 IMPROVE THINGS IN BELARUS IS IF 942 00:26:45,500 --> 00:26:46,466 THE PEOPLE THERE SOMEHOW MANAGE 943 00:26:46,533 --> 00:26:47,400 TO REFORM THEIR CONSTITUTION AND 944 00:26:47,466 --> 00:26:48,766 ENSURE THAT FREE AND FAIR 945 00:26:48,833 --> 00:26:50,033 ELECTIONS ARE FINALLY HELD. 946 00:26:50,100 --> 00:26:52,066 AND AS WE'VE SEEN TONIGHT, 947 00:26:52,133 --> 00:26:53,300 FIGHTING FOR THOSE CHANGES IS 948 00:26:53,366 --> 00:26:55,333 GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY RISKY. 949 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:57,233 BUT THERE MAY BE ONE EXTREMELY 950 00:26:57,300 --> 00:26:59,400 SMALL WAY THAT WE CAN HELP HERE, 951 00:26:59,466 --> 00:27:01,133 OR, IF NOT HELP, AT LEAST ANNOY 952 00:27:01,200 --> 00:27:02,733 THE SHIT OUT OF LUKASHENKO. 953 00:27:02,800 --> 00:27:04,966 BECAUSE IF THERE'S ONE THING WE 954 00:27:05,033 --> 00:27:06,166 KNOW HE HATES -- OTHER THAN GAY 955 00:27:06,233 --> 00:27:08,433 PEOPLE, JEWS, HIS OWN BALD HEAD, 956 00:27:08,500 --> 00:27:09,766 AND ANYONE WHO DISAGREES WITH 957 00:27:09,833 --> 00:27:12,033 HIM -- IT'S TEDDY BEARS. 958 00:27:12,100 --> 00:27:13,633 AND WHY WOULDN'T HE? 959 00:27:13,700 --> 00:27:14,466 I MEAN, LOOK AT THEM! 960 00:27:14,533 --> 00:27:15,933 THEY'RE EVERYTHING HE'S NOT -- 961 00:27:16,000 --> 00:27:17,166 CUTE, LOVABLE, AND COVERED IN 962 00:27:17,233 --> 00:27:18,233 THICK, NATURAL, HAIR ALL THE WAY 963 00:27:18,300 --> 00:27:22,200 AROUND. 964 00:27:22,266 --> 00:27:24,833 SO WE DECIDED TO MAKE OUR OWN 965 00:27:24,900 --> 00:27:27,133 SPECIAL TEDDY BEAR IN HIS HONOR. 966 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:28,733 AS YOU CAN SEE, HE'S WEARING A 967 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:30,300 SHIRT WITH FARMER LUKASHENKO'S 968 00:27:30,366 --> 00:27:31,733 FAVORITE VEGETABLES IN A TOTALLY 969 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:33,666 RANDOM CONFIGURATION. 970 00:27:33,733 --> 00:27:34,366 IF YOU THINK THEY LOOK LIKE 971 00:27:34,433 --> 00:27:36,600 SOMETHING ELSE, WHAT DOES THAT 972 00:27:36,666 --> 00:27:38,600 SAY ABOUT YOU? 973 00:27:38,666 --> 00:27:40,666 AND INSTEAD OF DROPPING THEM 974 00:27:40,733 --> 00:27:41,600 FROM A PLANE OVER BELARUS, WE'RE 975 00:27:41,666 --> 00:27:44,166 OFFERING THEM TO YOU AT THIS 976 00:27:44,233 --> 00:27:45,700 WEBSITE, BelarusBearForce.com 977 00:27:45,766 --> 00:27:48,500 FOR THE PRICE OF $19.99. 978 00:27:48,566 --> 00:27:49,566 WE'VE PARTNERED WITH GLOBAL 979 00:27:49,633 --> 00:27:51,533 GIVING TO GIVE 100 PERCENT OF 980 00:27:51,600 --> 00:27:53,900 SALES TO ORGANIZATIONS FIGHTING 981 00:27:53,966 --> 00:27:54,466 FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND 982 00:27:54,533 --> 00:27:55,600 HUMAN RIGHTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF 983 00:27:55,666 --> 00:27:56,200 BELARUS. 984 00:27:56,266 --> 00:27:58,633 SO PLEASE, BUY ONE OF THESE 985 00:27:58,700 --> 00:27:59,200 BEARS. 986 00:27:59,266 --> 00:28:00,066 AND NOT JUST FOR THE PEOPLE OF 987 00:28:00,133 --> 00:28:03,633 BELARUS, BUT FOR ME. 988 00:28:03,700 --> 00:28:06,400 WE BOUGHT 10,000 OF THESE 989 00:28:06,466 --> 00:28:07,833 THINGS, AND IF WE DON'T GET RID 990 00:28:07,900 --> 00:28:08,466 OF THEM ALL, I AM IN REAL 991 00:28:08,533 --> 00:28:09,533 TROUBLE. 992 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:12,466 GO TO BelarusBearForce.com. 993 00:28:12,533 --> 00:28:13,633 BUY ONE FOR YOURSELF, YOUR 994 00:28:13,700 --> 00:28:15,033 PARENTS, YOUR LEAST POLITICALLY 995 00:28:15,100 --> 00:28:16,600 INFORMED COWORKER, OR YOUR 996 00:28:16,666 --> 00:28:17,933 FRIEND'S NEW BABY WHO YOU HAVE 997 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:19,000 NO IDEA WHAT TO GET BECAUSE IT'S 998 00:28:19,066 --> 00:28:19,600 NOT LIKE YOU'VE EVER HUNG OUT 999 00:28:19,666 --> 00:28:21,866 WITH IT BEFORE. 1000 00:28:21,933 --> 00:28:23,266 SO BE SURE TO ORDER YOUR TEDDY 1001 00:28:23,333 --> 00:28:24,266 BEAR TODAY AND SUPPORT THE 1002 00:28:24,333 --> 00:28:28,833 PEOPLE OF BELARUS! 1003 00:28:28,900 --> 00:28:29,433 I PROMISE YOU, THEY ARE FLIGHT 1004 00:28:29,500 --> 00:28:31,200 READY. 1005 00:28:31,266 --> 00:28:31,800 THAT'S OUR SHOW, THANK YOU SO 1006 00:28:31,866 --> 00:28:35,833 MUCH FOR WATCHING. 1007 00:28:35,900 --> 00:28:37,733 IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK. 1008 00:28:37,800 --> 00:28:38,800 GOOD NIGHT!