M-S-S-W media.

This week we were rocked with this week we were rocked with news of heinous hate crimes.

First, a Trump supporter in Florida mailed explosive devices containing threats to

prominent Democrats.

Democrats who Trump had called out by name in his speeches.

Then an anti-Semitic murderer entered a synagogue in Pittsburgh and killed 11 Jews who were attending a ceremony and then shot multiple police officers who tried to apprehend him.

Why have we seen an uptick in hate crimes since the election of Donald Trump?

And what can we do to combat hate and deter crimes like this in the future?

Let's get on topic. and deter crimes like this in the future.

Let's get on topic. Welcome to On Topic, a weekly in-depth look at a topic that helps us understand the week's news.

My name is Renata Mariati.

I'm a former federal prosecutor,

a practicing lawyer, and a CNN legal analyst.

And I'm joined by my friend Patty Vasquez a comedian and W G.N radio hosts

who will join us regularly on this podcast.

Patty I have to tell you this the news this week has been as depressing as news can get

and it turned horrifying it was a really crazy beginning to the week when we learned about the pipe bombs being sent to George Soros first, and then of course, Hillary Clinton and President Obama, but the tragedy yesterday, I was driving to do this

podcast and there's a ramp with a massive American flag and a flag of Chicago that is flying at half mass and as you take that turn, you know, you see it every day and it's it's a

it was such a bizarre moment for me to think, right, this is something we should all be

standing or sitting or meditating on and thinking what this means as Americans.

The flag should be at Half Staff.

And then I thought, well, at least he did something right.

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