The Majority Report with Sam Seder
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5/22/13 Apple, Immigration, Corporate Taxes And Press...
Wolf Blitzer tries to force a viral moment in Oklahoma and makes an ass of himself, Apple hides taxes and threatens the Senate, Washington stops efforts to make the economy grow, why the political class only cares about the economic fortunes of wealthy Americans, immigration moves forward without Gay Rights and some liberal pundits minimize the DOJ's attacks on investigative journalism. On The Better Half: Federal budget cuts literally lead to rape, a stunning session of the Sam Seder...
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5/21/13 Glenn Greenwald: The Obama Administration's War...
Glenn Greenwald explained the Obama Justice Department's sweeping surveillance of journalists, President Obama's atrocious record on press freedom, how the Wikileaks prosecution theory is now being used to criminalize all investigative journalism, the parallels between the Nixon and Obama Administration on press freedom and how the Obama Administration is codifying the rogue policies of the Bush era. On The Better Half: The Koch brothers literally leave toxic waste floating around Detroit,...
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5/20/13 Matthew Rothschild: New Report: Homeland...
Progressive MagazineEditor,Matthew Rothschild explained How counter-terrorism "fusion" centers spied on Occupy activists, the close coordination between corporate interests and law enforcement, why these disclosures are far more concerning than the IRS scandal, how law enforcement intelligence was passed onto corporations and how spying on Occupy undermines detecting real national security threats. On The Better Half: Jonathan Karl's "Journalism" background, Donald Rumsfeld hit hard on...
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5/17/13 Ari Berman & Jim Gaffigan, Casual Friday!
It's Casual Friday! On today's show Ari Berman of The Nation joins us to discuss the week full of scandals, umbrella-gate and gate-gate andall the gates! Also, the Florida GOP Hispanic Outreach Director resigns, OFA's failure in organizing for action to fight for Keystone pipeline and what it tells us about the orgnization, andboth Sam and Ari are skeptical that Harry Reid would engage in fillibuster reform. Comedian Jim Gaffigan brings us a movie pick and discusses parenthood with Sam....
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5/16/13 Sandra Steingraber: I Went To Jail For My...
Author, biologist, environmental activist, and motherSandra Steingraberjoins us to discuss why she went to jail for her environmental activism, the toxic assault on our children, and the environmental links to cancer and human health. In the better half: Sam is sick and tired of these quote unquote "scandals!", Eric Holder puts Darrell Issa in his place, Pat Robertson gives a wife with a cheating husband some wonderful marriage advice, your calls IMs plus more! And keep the conversation...
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5/14/13 Scandals: Real & Imagined!
In a week full of "scandals," Sam Seder walks us through the real scandals and the imagined ones. We discuss the AP phone records seized by DOJ and the press' coverage on whistleblowers, the IRS investigation into Tea Party groups and why 501(c)(4)s should be looked into. Also Glenn Beck says Obama should be impeached and, of all people, Dick Cheney says we're being lied to on Benghazi. In the better half, Sam brings you even more of the week's news. Stories like Saudis being investigated...
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5/13/13 Isabel Macdonald: GOP’s Drug-Testing Dragnet
Freelance journalist Isabel Macdonald joins us to discuss her latest piece for The Nation, GOP's Drug-Testing Dragnet. We talk about how the drug testing industry is a self-licking ice cream cone where Republicans and industry profiteers are targeting high school students, welfare applicants and the unemployed. On the better half, we discuss the IRS scandal, a Libertarian debates us on Benghazi, Random Rush and your calls and IMs! And keep the conversation going on ourmorning thread Members...
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5/10/13 Cliff Schecter & H Jon Benjamin: Casual Friday!
It's Casual Friday! Cliff Schecter walks us through Benghazi! Benghazi! Benghazi! hysteria, the Heritage Foundation immigration report author's sorted past, Elizabeth Warren's first bill: big banks get cheap government loans, why can't students? and more! Also, H. Jon Benjamin joins us to argue with Sam over the Where's Hugo campaign that Bob's Burgers fans across the country have launched! Also, a song from Jimmy Reefercake, your calls and IMs! And keep the conversation going on ourmorning...
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Matt Taibbi: Everything Is Rigged, The Biggest...
Matt Taibbi of Rolling Stone joins us to discuss his latest piece, Everything is Rigged: The Biggest Price-Fixing Scandal Ever. In the interview we discuss, how there is no secret conspiracy because all these scandals out in the open, how the ones making the rules are the ones breaking the rules, and Eric Holders doctrine of collateral consequence means the elite have noaccountabilitywhile the rest of us are of little consequence. In the better half, we look at the poor fundamentalist...
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5/8/13 Samir Sonti: Why We Need to Make University Free,...
Samir Sonti, explained the evolution of the corporate sectors view of public education, why eduction shouldn't be about human capital, the origins of student debt, the enduring lessons of the GI Bill, why free education would boost the economy as a whole, why unions have been essential to all progressive struggles since the dawn of industrial capitalism and the vital importance of teachers unions. On The Better Half: Students occupy the President's office at Cooper Union College in New York...
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5/7/13 George & Beth Gage: Bidder 70: Jailed For Climate...
Filmmakers George Beth Gage, discussed their new documentaryBidder 70,explained Tim DeChristopher's act of civil disobedience at an oil and gas auction in Utah, how public land across the country is threatened, why the auction Tim disrupted was found to be illegal, the farcical prosecution of DeChristopher and Tim DeChristopher's powerful vision for the future of climate action. On The Better Half: Random Rush, who used chemical weapons in Syria? end time Evangelicals don't want to do...
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5/3/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Film Guy Matthew...
Cliff Schecter explained why Senators who voted against gun control are paying a price, the insane new head of the NRA, the Confederate roots of the NRA, the shooting death of a two year by her five year old brother in Kentucky, unreal Internet gun show promotes gun ownership for children and why gun culture is a dangerous cult. Film Guy Matthew Weiss diplomatically reviewed the sneak peak of Marc Maron's new IFC show, explained why he has a Star Trek pin on his phone and he recommended two...
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5/2/13 Tim Karr: The FCC In The Balance & John Mullins...
Free Press's Tim Karr explained the background of President Obama's new pick to head the FCC, who will control the Internet of the future, the drive by telecoms companies to control the Internet, Verzion's Orwellian push to block your first amendment on the Internet and why net neutrality is still under threat. John Mullins, a small business owner from Auburn Alabama explained why he spoke out on how the sequester is hurting his small business at a town hall, and how we can finally get out...
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1/5/13 Eli Clifton: Chemical Weapons In Syria & Zombie...
Matt Michael hosted today's show. The American Independent's Eli Clifton, explained evidence for chemical weapons deployments by the Assad regime in Syria, who the Syrian rebels are, why the neocon foreign policy approach persists in Washington and President Obama's calculus on Guantanamo. On The Better Half: Arizona wants no gun left behind, Mike Tyson gives Fox News a civics lesson and your calls and IMs. And keep the conversation going on ourmorning thread Members make the Majority Report...
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4/30/13 Dave Zirin: Jason Collins & Gay Rights In...
Matt Michael hosted Nation Sports Editor, Dave Zirin, Zirin described how Jason Collins came out, the historical importance of the first openly Gay NBA athlete, the support for Jason Collins from fellow athletes and politicians, the transformation of gay rights in America and why the town of Steubenville is shockingly renewing the contract of their high school Football coach after his role in a horrific rape case was exposed. On The Better Half: Fox whines about Eric Holder speaking out...
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4/29/13 David Dayen: Treasury Blocks Real Banking Reform
Journalist David Dayen, explained the bipartisanpush to end to Big To Fail banking, why deeper financial reform is still needed, why the Obama Treasury department is standing in the way of genuine reform and with the retirement of Max Baucus will the Finance Committee get anymore progressive? On The Better Half: Matt and Michael took over, discussed calls for war in Syria, talked about NBA player Jason Collins coming out of the closet and Ben Shapiro's disgusting response and took your calls...
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4/26/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Isabel Gillies
Cliff Schecter explained the Washington DC NRA lobbying complex, the companies pulling out of the gun business, is the gun control intensity gap a myth? Pat Toomey sees a approval rating surge after supporting gun control and Kelly Ayotte's plummets after opposing it, the future of gun control, Congress acts on the Sequester in the most absurd way possible, progressives in Congress push against Chained CPI and the mainstreaming of right wing conspiracy culture. Isabel Gillies, liked the...
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4/24/13 Jeremy Scahill: Dirty Wars: The World Is a...
Jeremy Scahill, the author ofDirty Wars,explained what inspired his new book, covering the victims of America's covert wars, The concept of America is a hyper power, the continuity of Dirty Wars from Bush to Obama, the evolution of JSOC,the story of Anwar al-Awlaki, how the FBI pressured al-Awlaki for cooperation, The killing al-Alwlaki's son and how the Obama Administration is codifying the rules of Dirty War. On The Better Half: Tom Brokow speaks out on drones, Rand Paul cool with drones...
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4/23/13 Robert Greenwald: Exposing The War On...
On today's show filmmaker Robert Greenwald explained why the Obama Administration had taken such a harsh attitude toward whistleblowers, how whistleblowers saved soldiers lives in Iraq, how Lockheed Martin made defective ships for the Coast Guard, the self preservation instincts of the National Security State, why CIA torturers go free while the agent that exposed torture is in prison and why whistleblowers have more opportunity and the National Security State has more room to monitor...
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4/22/13 Sam Hosts: Boston Shutdown & The Texas Explosion
A High School student in West Virginia speaks out against a crazy abstinence speaker and is threatened by her principle, why the press is ignoring the explosion at a chemical factory in Texas that has killed fourteen people, why we ignore workplace deaths across the country, how Miranda Rights are being stripped away and the the militarization of police departments. On The Better Half: New York State Rep calls for torture of Boston bombing suspect and gives a epically silly interview on Fox...
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4/19/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Jen Kirkman
Cliff Schecter, explained how the right is seizing on the crises in Boston to make stupid comments on guns, why the senate failed to pass control, the insane pro NRA proposal that got more votes in the Senate than background checks, why Democrats who voted against background checks should face primary challenges and why the Boston Marathon attackers could buy a assault weapon today. Comedian Jen Kirkman, critiqued the media's coverage of the Boston terror attacks and aftermath, why she...
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4/18/13 Jonathan Cohn: The Hell of America's Daycare...
The New RepublicsJonathan Cohn explained the importance of early childhood education, the impact of poverty on educational outcomes, why daycare providers are so unregulated, the opportunity for smart policy in daycare, why some conservatives are open to improving daycare and the best models look like for daycare. On The Better Half: CNN's day of epic failure, why gun control failed, Jenny Sanford helps destroy her pathologically narcissistic ex husband Mark Sanford, Random Rush, anti...
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4/17/13 Mike Konczal: How An Excel Error Killed The...
Mike Konczal explained the Carmen Reinhart Kenneth Rogoff thesis, how influential the Rhienhart Rogoff paper was, why there study was riddled with errors, how an excel spread sheet error destroyed the methodology of the study, the perils of wonkery and why there is no accountability for elites. On The Better Half: President Obama threatens to veto new CISPA bill, Louie Gohmert says "radical Muslims are trained to look Hispanic" and some crazy, crazy libertarians calls and your not crazy...
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4/16/13 Sam Hosts: The Boston Marathon Attack
The attacks on the Boston Marathon, the importance of how we define the attack, can we use this attack to develop empathy for victims of violence in Iraq and elsewhere? Fox contributor calls for all Muslims to be killed, ridiculous conspiracy theories from Alex Jones and how our Civil Liberties are threatened. On The Better Half: Glenn Beck rolls out a new Gold conspiracy after the attacks in Boston, Bipartisan Constitution Project confirms that America systemically tortured after September...
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4/15/13 John Knefel: The GITMO Hunger Strike
Independent journalist John Knefel, explained the hunger strikes at Gunatanmo Bay, the different status types of prisoners held at Gitmo, why eighty six Guantanamo Bay inmates have been cleared of all charges are still being held, the Obama Administration's shameful record on Gitmo and the political implications of the prison. On The Better Half: Sam breaks down an incredibly dumb op-ed defending Obama's Social Security cut proposal, Howard Dean threatens to leave the Democratic Party, Joe...
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4/12/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & David Cross
Cliff Schecter explained where gun control stands in the senate, what Democrats are filibustering gun control, what Republicans are vulnerable on guns in 2014, what is in the senate gun bill,how Mitch Mcconnell is spinning the Ashely Judd tape and how Republicans are reacting to Obama's budget proposal. David Cross and Sam debated the merits of Marc Maron's success, why David Cross isn't on Twitter, is David ashamed of any of his comedy? Why David is a leading Emoprog and what its like to...
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4/11/13 Matt & Michael: Samhita Mukhopadhyay: Fast Food...
Feminsting Executive Editor and Fast Food Forward organizer, Samhita Mukhopadhyay, explained the importance of the living wage movement spearheaded by fast food workers in New york City, the danger of how we frame poverty in America, Michelle Obama's powerful recent speech on guns violence and opportunity and how Anonymous is helping expose rape culture. On The Better Half: Republicans use Obama's Chained CPI proposal against him, a Gay man arrested for trying to stay with his partner at the...
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4/10/13 Mark Blyth: Austerity: The History of a...
Professor Mark Blyth, explained the three big reasons austerity is a problem, the impact of global trade on austerity policies, the history of the idea of austerity, why the United States is in a stuttering recovery and the Europeans have created self created depression by practicing austerity, why growth is the answer to debt and why austerity is such a dangerous and resilient idea. On The Better Half: ALEC pushes laws to block the exposure of illegal practices on factory farms, why the...
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4/9/13 Matt & Michael: The Thatcher Legacy & The Grand...
Matt Michael hosted today's show and explained why Marcio Rubio is sending Jay Z stupid tweets, the many facets and problems with the legacy of Margaret Thatcher, more on the political strategy behind Obama's push on a "Grand Bargain." On The Better Half: Mitch Mcconnell's planned to run a filthy campaign against Ashley Judd recently leaked tapes show, Fox News insults courageous striking fast food workers and your calls and IMs. And keep the conversation going on ourmorning thread Members...
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4/8/13 Tim Shorrock: Obama's Crackdown on Whistleblowers
Investigative journalist Tim Shorrock, explained the NSA's fraud filled "Trailblazer" program, how NSA intelligence was distorted by poorly designed private technology, the four NSA officers who tried to expose fraud and abuse at the agency and how the Obama Administration has pursued a war on whistleblowers. On The Better Half, Ezra Klein argues that the social safety net is the answer, more on the central importance of Social Security and your calls and IMs. And keep the conversation going...
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4/5/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Marc Maron
Cliff Schecter explained why Obama's budget proposal is awful, the utter corporate corruption of modern Washington, how the White House is attempting to frame Chained CPI, what drives Obama's obsession with a "Grand Bargain" and where gun reform stands. Marc Maron and talked about his new projects, patent trolls, Sam reminisced about his opportunities, Louie CK says nice things about Marc's new show and recommended The people watch theLast Detail. A majority of Americans think marijuana...
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4/4/13 Kevin Gosztola: The Terrifying Threat To Press...
Firedoglake's Kevin Gosztola, explained the state of the Bradley Manning trial, how the case threatens press freedom, why Bradley Manning is a whistle blower, how Manning released the "collateral murder" video, how the media is failing in covering the Manning trial and why the elite are legally shielded while whistle blowers face intense prosecution. On The Better Half: busting libertarian myths on rising college costs, Fox's Eric Bolling is upset that Rutger's Basketball coach Mike Rice was...
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4/3/13 Brook K. Baker: Trade Deals Give Unprecedented...
The importance of the Indian Supreme Court's decision on generic drugs, why the bar is lower for generic drug production in the United States,why Pharma companies drive inefficiency and threaten global health, why pharma companies are primarily marketing firms , why medicine is a "Global Public Good" and why "free trade agreements" are simply a giveaway for corporations. On The Better Half: Americans believe plenty of stupid things and why that's also a problem, North Carolina bill would...
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4/2/13 Sam Returns: Digby Brings Him Up To Speed
Blogger, Digby explained why the Republicans might not be able to reform on social issues, why Republicans will not reform on their economic extremism, why Democrats are reactive and Republicans are strategic in shaping frameworks, the Sequester is starting to hurt lots of people and why the "grand bargain" is politically and morally absurd. On The Better Half: Google celebrates Ceaser Chavez, right-wingers get upset, Bill O'Reilly tempers himself on marriage equality and the right wing...
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4/1/13 The First Majority Report! Bill Maher, Dave...
In celebration 9 Year anniversary of the Majority Report we are playing the very first edition of the show! Listen up for interviews withBillMaher,DaveChappelle,AtriosandBen Cohenof Ben Jerrys.
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3/29/13 Lawrence Lessig: Fixing Democracy & Ani Fete:...
On today's show an archived interview with Lawrence Lessig on the corrupting influence of money in politics, why it will take outsiders to reform the system and to redirect power to the people. Ani Feteof Enroll America explained how health care exchanges will work. And another great interview from the new Majority Report archives with the Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi on movies and food. Members make the Majority Report possible. Please join us by becoming aMEMBER. You can also show your...
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3/28/13 Steven Brill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing US &...
Journalist Steven Brill explained what is behind exploding health care costs, why hospitals and Doceters routinly overcharge for treatments and what we can do to bring down costs. ProfessorJames Kimmey, Professor Emeritus of the St Louis School of Public Health, explained why health care is not a normal commodity, and why a single payer health care model is the best way to control costs. Members make the Majority Report possible. Please join us by becoming aMEMBER. You can also show your...
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3/26/13 Dan Cantor: Why The Working Families Party...
On today's show Working Families Party, Executive Director Dan Cantor explained what policies his party is fighting for and why voting on the Working Families line supports progressive politics. From the Majority Report archives, Richard Heinberg author of theThe End of Growth: Adapting to Our New Economic Realityexplained howcheap fuel,the engine that propelled the last 70 years of economic growth is running out and the three Ds: Debt, Depletion, Disaster.
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3/25/13 Heather C. McGhee: Money Over Democracy With...
Heather C. McGhee,the Vice President of Policy and Outreach at Demos, explained Demos's new report on how economic inequality is eroding democracy, why dominance of wealth in politics is killing the recovery, why the austerity caucus is afraid of democracy and the future and how clean election laws are essential for protecting democracy and renewing the middle class. Cyprus agrees to bailout terms with the EU, NRA chief accuses Bloomberg of being "reckless" on guns, the Tea Party organizes a...
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3/22/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Film Guy Matthew...
On today's show, Cliff Schecter explained why Paul Ryan is finally unpopular with the press, how the Progressive Caucus budget proposal could get more attention, why 2014 will be the year of reckoning for gun control and why the Republican Party is going extinct. Film Guy Matthew Weiss, debated the Walking Dead with Matt, listened to a few "presidential" film recommendations and Matt recommended the British television series Torchwood for Matt and Brass Eye for Michael. And your calls and...
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3/21/13 Tor Ekeland: "Hackers" The New Communists? With...
Tor Ekeland, attorney for Andrew "weev" Auernheimer and Matthew Keys, joins us to discuss each of their two cases. We discuss how neither defendants actually did any "hacking," how weev found the information he was found guilty of taking on a public ATT server, what Matthew Keys is being charged of doing to a former employer, how both men are being charged under a draconian laws under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. On The Better Half: Rush thinks Beyonce is ready to "submit" to her...
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3/20/13 John Judis: On The Eve of Destruction: Opposing...
The New Republic'sJohn Judis, explained what it was like opposing the invasion of Iraq in 2003, why military and intelligence experts opposed the war, the dangers of a non-transparent intelligence apparatus, has the press learned any lessons from Iraq? and Judis reflected on whether Republicans can rebuild their party and he and Sam reviewed the ongoing media myth of a need for a "Grand Bargain." On The Better Half: a Libertarian caller debates Sam on vouchers, Fox New's Eric Bolling has...
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3/19/13 The Invasion of Iraq Ten Years Later & Becky...
On today's Show, Sam remembered the invasion of Iraq, the disastrous consequences of the war and why Janeane Garofalo was vital voice of dissent before the invasion of Iraq and why she needs far more credit today for her willingness to speak out. Becky Bond, the Vice President of Credo Action reflected on her activism against the invasion of Iraq, the crucial role that activism will play in protecting Social Security and Medicare, how Credo helped win an important special election in...
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3/18/13 Matt Taibbi: JP Morgan Chase's Crime Spree
Matt Taibbi, explained the myth of JP Morgan Chase as the "one good bank", why to big to fail is the problem, why Washington finally getting fed up with Wall Street, How Wall Street miscalculated the 2012 election, how JP Morgan Chase hides losses and commits regular acts of financial fraud and is genuine Wall Street reform possible now? On The Better Half: a race panel at CPAC gets very racist, CNN's Candy Crowley is worried about the Steubenville rapists future and not the victim and your...
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3/15 Sam Seder Returns! Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter &...
Cliff Schecter, explained how Rob Portman's support for marriage equality is based of his sons being Gay, why Republicans only adopt compassionate positions when they are personally effected by it, Rand Paul says stupid things at CPAC and the crowd loves it, why presidential legacies are now defined by slashing programs not investing and Diane Feinstein schools Ted Cruz. Isabel Gillies explained her parenting techniquesto Sam, why her baby slept in a bathtub, Cliff praised Isabel's character...
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3/13/13 Christopher Petrella: Inside The Private Prison...
On today's show journalist Christopher Petrella, explained the power of the private prison industry, why private prisons are working to be reclassified as real estate holding companies, who the biggest players in the private prison business are and how to hold the industry accountable. On The Better Half: How President Clinton inspired the release of the Mitt Romney 47% video, Costco pays its employees well and is still hugely profitable, LAPD shoots a mother and a daughter in their truck...
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3/12/13 Special Guest Host! Tina Dupuy
On today's show special guest host Tina Dupuy, discussed Bloomberg's sods ban, new police violence in Brooklyn, the truth about Occupy Oakland and Michael does a little Obama. On The Better Half: Jeb Bush claims his brother is not unpopular, Paul Ryan's new budget and lies, more Bloomberg debate and your calls and IMs. And keep the conversation going on themorning thread! Members make the Majority Report possible. Please join us by becoming aMEMBER. You can also show your support by clicking...
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3/11/13 Reza Aslan: Middle East Policy In Obama's Second...
On today's show Council on Foreign Relations Adjunct FellowReza Aslan, explained how settlement is expansion is killing the prospect of Two State solution, what the Chuck Hagel hearings revealed about Washington, Iran's current politics and the best way forward on reaching a nuclear deal with Iran. On The Better Half: George W Bush great painter? Bloomberg's novel explanation of why to many people use homeless shelters, more Rand Paul debate and your calls and IMs. And keep the conversation...
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3/8/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Film Guy Matthew...
On today's show, Cliff Schecter explained why Rand Paul still sucks, how the right wing turned crazy, why the dinner between Obama and Republican Senators is fine if its just for the optics, explained why the Republican Party is driven by negative emotions and he and Michael reviewed President Clinton's record on Gay Rights. Film Guy Matthew Weiss, recommended the HBO series Treme, Matt admitted he couldn't get into Treme and he and Matthew had an epic debate on the AMC series The Walking...
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3/7/13 Bill Black: Austerity Wars, Baby Seder Arrives,...
Professor, Bill Black explained why the right keeps pushing austerity policies, how austerity failed Europe, how the destruction of the social safety net and sluggish economic growth go hand in hand and why the United States could never be Greece. On The Better Half: Producers, Matt Michael took over the helm over the Majority Report, as Sam celebrated the arrival of Baby Seder, is Rand Paul worthy of support? North Korea threatens to nuke America and your IMs. And keep the conversation...
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3/6/13 Nikolas Kozloff: Hugo Chavez's Death & Political...
Nikolas Kozloff, author ofHugo Chavez: Oil, Politics and the Challenge to the U.S, explained the complex legacy of Hugo Chavez, Chavez's political history, how Chavez changed the political psychology of Venezuela, where Chavez was innovative and where he failed, how Bush helped create Chavez and the future of the Chavez model. On The Better Half: Rand Paul filibusters John Brennan, Fox and Friends says that Obama is trying to hurt the kids, Sam explains how Krugman could have easily beat Joe...
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3/5/13 Haley Sweetland Edwards: The Financial Industry...
Washington Monthly Editor Haley Sweetland Edwards, explained why the success of financial reform will be determined by its implementation, what "position limits" are and why they matter, how lobbyists are undermining Dodd-Frank, how the regulatory apparatus works, and what the White House and public can do to guard and implement Dodd-Frank. On The Better Half: Jeb Bush flip flops on immigration, Sam debates a caller on gun control debate, more thoughts on Alter and Entitlement cuts and your...
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3/4/13 Jonathan Alter: On His Calls For Dems To Embrace...
Blommberg View Jonathan Alter, argued that cutting entitlements will guard investment in discretionary spending, guess how Sam felt about that argument? Sam and Jonathan debated whether or not CPI was a cut and agreed that the wealthy should pay more taxes. On The Better Half: The Romney's remerge to whine, why haven't all members of the progressive caucus committed to not cutting entitlements?Time editor acknowledges that we are all on welfare and your calls and IMS. And keep the...
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3/1/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Richard Kind
Cliff Schecter, explained why Bob Woodward is a fraud, does this episode cast the rest of Woodward's reporting into question? Why Cliff Schecter thinks we are living through the "Aaron Sorkin Presidency" Why what served President Obama during campaigns does not serve him in office, why the radical Right Wing members of the Supreme Court are attacking the Voting Rights Act and Lindsay Graham schooled by a Police captain on gun control. Richard Kind, talked about how he got his part in Argo,...
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2/28/13 Ari Berman: The Voting Rights Act In The...
The Nation's Ari Berman, reported from the Supreme Court on the fate of the Voting Rights Act, explained what Justice Roberts doesn't like about the Voting Rights Act, the conservative "Wall Street approach" to voter suppression, why overwhelming political support for the Voting Rights Act is being used as a means to overturn it and is it possible that this could push electoral reform in Congress? On The Better: epic Bob Woodward fail, what the Woodward emails reveal about the White House's...
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2/27/13 David Dayen: The Age of Austerity
David Dayen, explained how sequester cuts will impact the economy, how long it will take to feel the Sequester, the politics of the sequester, why the local media is doing a better job covering the sequester, the teachable moment the Obama Administration is missing, why a government shutdown maybe the best anti austerity strategy and how will the media cover budget cuts. A stunning exchange between Piers Morgan and a Pizza shop owner who gives discounts to customers carrying guns and Bob...
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2/26/13 Susan Crawford: The Fight Against Telecom...
Law Professor Susan Crawford, author ofCaptive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age,explained why the Internet should be treated like a electricity, why Wired access is essential for success in today's economy, why private companies have no incentive to provide universal access, the industry push back against her ideas, why market concentration is so high in the wireless market and educating the public on the need for an communications policy. On The Better...
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2/25/13 Sam V Nick Troiano Of The Can Kicks Back On...
Nick Trioano co-founder of The Can Kicks Back, made the deficit hysteria case, but couldn't explain why we need cuts, Sam explained why cost savings in Medicare should come from efficiency, debated Social Security cuts, debunked life expectancy statistics, Trioano sold the "Confidence Fairy" hard and Sam wanted to know what "shared sacrifice" meant. On The Better Half: Susie Madrak from Crooks And Liars broke down the deficit myth, more myths of medicare funding, the Sam Seder learning annex...
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2/22/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Chris Rosen
Cliff Schecter, explained how damaging the sequester would be, why America is held back by the lowest common denominator, can President Obama use the sequester as a teachable moment? Crowd boos mother of Aurora victim and John McCain is a jerk, the Chuck Hagel "Friends of Hamas" smear and Ohio Republicans go after Nuns for "voter fraud." Huffington Post Entertainment Editor, Chris Rosen explained why he doesn't get to go to the Oscars, he and Sam debated Chris's job, he walked us through the...
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2/21/13 Nick Turse: Kill Anything That Moves: The Real...
Nick Turse, author ofKill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnamexplained the horrifying brutality inflicted on Vietnamese civilians, why the My Lai massacre was not an aberration, how "Kill Anything That Moves" was systemic a policy, the missing narrative Vietnamese civilians and how we can use Vietnam to better understand U.S. military interventions today. On The Better Half: all the shocking ways that the Sequester will hurt the economy and society, Sam calls in an AM talk...
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2/20/13 Helaine Olen: The Personal Finance Industry Scam
Pound of Flesh,authorHelaine Olen explained her background as a personal finance writer, how the personal finance industry got started, the story of 401ks, the problem with Suzy Orman, how the financial services industry turns what are political problems into a personal problems, the genius of Occupy, the urgent need to regulate and the financial services industry. On The Better Half: the hilarious story of how the fake Friends of Hamas story spread through the right wing media, CNN cuts off...
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2/19/13 Janeane “Katherine Harris” Garofalo: &...
"Katherine Harris", celebrated Presidents Day in Shelby County Alabama, reacted to President Obama's SOTU, explained that "white people have it hard enough" she and Sam argued about Stop and Frisk, the Jesus "entrance strategy", what's going on with Michele and Marcus Bachman and gives her take on the KeystoneXL pipeline. Gary Cohen Director, Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Department of Health A Human Services, explained how health exchanges will work and the...
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2/15/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Isabel Gillies V...
Cliff Schecter, explained why "moderate" Republicans voted to filibuster Chuck Hagel, why Republicans keep pushing Benghazi, how the Hagel debacle shows once again the urgent need for filibuster reform, Cliff's frustration with Harry Reid, why President Obama's new progressive rhetoric is so important, how President Obama is starting to make Republicans pay a political price for blocking progress and Marco Rubio repeats the same old Republican talking points. Isabel Gillies and Film Guy...
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2/14/13 Robert F. Kennedy JR: On His Arrest & The...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr, explained why he was arrested for protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline at the White House yesterday, why the Pipeline is fraudulent, how it will destroy local economies and commons, why in cases where democracy has failed civil disobedience is necessary, how oil companies have bought Congress, why private corporate power is the greatest threat to democracy, how dirty industries run off corporate welfare, the job creation myth and why Kennedy does not think that the...
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2/13/13 SOTU Reactions With Adam Green & John Amato
The Progressive Campaign Change Committee'sAdam Green, explained why he is still worried about Social Security, why progressive "sacred cows" are better than Republican sacred cows, where Obama pushed the agenda in the right direction and where he pushed it in the wrong direction, Obama's powerful moment on gun violence, President Obama's call for a higher minimum wage and Bold Progressives push against Mitch McConnell. Crooks And Liars, founder John Amato, explained why President Obama...
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2/12/13 Atrios: Increase Social Security Benefits Now!
Blogger and USA Today contributor Atrios (Duncan Black), explained what a true cost of living adjustment for the elderly would look like, the evolution of pension plans, the false promise of retirement plans, new retirees facing poverty, why politicians won't run on increasing Social Security benefits, the assumption that life should be an eternal struggle, and the Republicans singular policy focus on cutting taxes for rich people. On The Better Half: the Sam Seder Learning Annex continues...
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2/11/13 Benny Brunner: The Great Book Robbery & KC Boyd...
Filmmaker Benny Brunner, discussed his new film The Great Book Robbery, explained how the Palestinian rare books were lost during the formation of Israel, how his film undercuts the myths surrounding the founding of the state of Israel, why we need to acknowledge that the Palestinians had a thriving culture, why recognizing the real history will help everyone and what Benny hopes his film will accomplish. KC Boyd, author of Being Christian, explained the fundamentalist drive to control...
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2/8/13 Casual Friday: Chris Hayes & Frank Conniff
Chris Hayes, explained why the Brennan hearings focused so heavily on institutional jockeying, the policy consensus on targeted killing, the subjective reasoning behind the targeted killing program, how and when could the "War on Terror" end? The importance of defining peace time counter terrorism and the austerity caucus have lost some of their power but economic liberalism still lags behind social liberalism. Frank Conniff, talked about his memories of working on Mystery Science Theater...
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2/7/13 Ari Berman: Will Republicans Destroy The Voting...
Ari Berman, explained the history of voter disenfranchisement, what states are covered by the Voting Rights Act, is there a federally guaranteed right to vote?, the collapsing bipartisan support for the Voting Rights Act and the financier behind the push to overturn the Voting Rights Act and Chief Justice John Roberts long strong opposition to section five of the Voting Rights Act. On The Better Half: Marcio Rubio plays to the base and gets absurd on climate change, Idaho lawmaker wants...
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2/6/13 Scott Horton: The Drone Strike Memo
Harper's Magazine's,Scott Horton, explained what is in the Justice Departments white paper on drone policy, why the definition of imminence in the memo is crucial, what government officials have legal authority to order drone strikes according to the memo, how the memo reads as a retroactive justification of policy and Will the John Brennan nomination hearings bring out more information? On The Better Half: we hear from a recovering Libertarian, Sam talks about the new documentary The Great...
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2/5/13 David Dayen: California's Comeback, FEDS V Banks
David Dayen, explained how extreme anti tax policies destroyed California's finances, how California progressives changed the shape of the electorate and what's next in California's budget battles. The Justice Department's case against SP, why credit ratings agencies are driven by conflict of interest and good signs from Elizabeth Warren. On The Better Half: new revelations on the Obama Administration's drone program, the precedent that BushAdministration's torture program set for targeted...
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2/4/13 Julie Samuels: Majority Report Under Threat? &...
The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Julie Samuel's explained how patent trolls work, why podcasts are threatened by the troll business, how patent rules don't reflect technological changes and the best ways to protect businesses from trolls. The President and CEO of Common Cause, Bob Edgar, explained ALEC's attempt to establish itself as a charity and why he is so disappointed in the Senate's filibuster reform agreement. On The Better Half: New York politicians threaten to cut funding for...
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2/1/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Matt Graham
Cliff Schecter explained how the NRA was taken over by extremists, the embarrassing arguments presented by pro-gun advocates to the Judiciary Committee, Ted Cruz's ludicrous questioning of Chuck Hagel, John McCain's bullying and why McCain has a grudge against Hagel. Comedian Matt Graham, told Sam about his new show, This Too Shall Suck, why Matt tried to play college basketball in his mid thirties, how Matt became a Scrabble champion, his role in the movie movie,Word Warsand Matt recomended...
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1/31/13 Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Wendell Potter & Ari...
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, explained the chances of gun control passing through the Senate, why he opposes chained CPI, why we need more revenue to close the budget gap, why House Republicans will own the sequester and why Senator Whitehouse thinks filibuster the reforms agreed to by the Senate leadership are significant. Insurance industry Whistle blower Wendell Potter explained how insurance companies are planning on ruining Obamacare's health care exchanges, how the insurance industries...
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1/30/13 Will Potter: Green Is The New Red & How Activism...
Investigative report, Will Potter explained why the FBI is monitoring non-violent activists, how corporations created the eco-terror scare, Will's own experience being harassed by FBI agents for passing out leaflets and who the major corporations behind environmental group targeting. On The Better Half: what's really happening with today's GDP numbers, Gabby Giffords moving Senate testimony, Sam talks with an undocumented immigrant protected by President Obama's deferred action order and Fox...
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1/29/13: Sam: Immigration Reform & More Right Wing...
David Brooks has delusional hopes for the Republican Party, Senate leaders unveil an immigration plan,as immigration reform moves forward, Rush sounds more and more depressed, Fox News, oppressed by President Obama?!, new studies destroy right wing myths about Hispanic immigration and Sarah Palin from irrelevance to oblivion. On The Better Half: how Boeings anti-union policies grounded the DreamlinerJet, why its so hard to unionize, the latest on the NLRB ruling, Random Rush and your calls...
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1/28/13 Arthur Goldwag: The Right Wing Conspiracy Machine
Author, Arthur Goldwag, explained the history of conspiracy culture on the right, the two fears that drive conservative conspiracy culture, the enduring importance of the Protocols Of The Elders of Zionin conspiracy culture, he global distribution of conspiracies, how mainstream Right-wing organizations use conspiracy theories and the dangerous mix of rising inequality and conspiracy culture. On The Better Half: new Senate immigration reform proposal ultra right-wing circuit court rules...
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1/25/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Film Guy Matthew...
Cliff Schecter, eviscerated the Senate Democrats for backing down on Filibuster reform, explained the selfishness of the Senate, Rand Paul's absurd questioning of Hillary Clinton during the Benghazi hearings, why those hearings are preview of 2016 if Hillary runs, the new rhetorical stance from Democrats, and Republicans facing electoral oblivion aggressively push new policies to steal elections. And Film guy, Matthew Weiss, recommended the movieCompliance, called out Isabel Gillies for...
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1/24/13 Eliot Spitzer: Wall Street Fraud Enabler Lanny...
Former New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer, explained the new Frontline documentary Thr Untouchables, why the Obama Administration failed to prosecute fraud on Wall Street, why the Justice Department did not aggressively investigate fraud across the financial industry, the resignation of Lanny Breuer why paying fines will not solve the problem of crime on Wall Street, Obama's good choice for the new head of the SEC and the need for justice to be more creative and structural . On The Better...
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1/23/13 Brian Beutler: Fate Of The Filibuster & Debt...
Talking Points Memo's Senior Congressional Correspondent, Brian Beutler explained the chances of substantive filibuster reform passing the senate, the importance of a talking Filibuster, the more aggressive approach of Senate Democrats, what the Republicans cave on the debt ceiling means, what their long term strategy is, what cuts mean for domestic spending? and is the "grand bargain" project over? On The Better Half: Is Brian Kilmeade really that stupid or is he a method actor? Pew polls...
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1/22/13 Tracy Weitz: Roe V Wade At 40 & Inauguration...
Sam's responded to Obama's second inaugural, praised the President's strong rhetorical defense of the social safety net and his aggressive approach on Gay rights and climate change and thought the country will be better if Obama lives up to his rhetoric. Professor,Tacy Weitz, explained the state level assault on Abortion rights, the connection between anti abortion activism and elite economic policies, what really motivates the fight against abortion rights, and grounding abortion rights in...
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1/21/13 Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On today's show we have put together a montage of speeches and profiles from DR. King's life. Including: excerpts from "The Frank McGee Sunday Report: Martin Luther King Profile and much more! And keep the conversation going on themorning thread!
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1/18/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Isabel Gillies
Cliff Schecter talked about the importance of holding Democrats accountable on guns, the right wing fixation on guns, why Democrats are exploiting social wedge issues to their advantage and why demographics and cultural progress favor the Democratic Party Sam watched Win-Win, Isabel Gillies last recommendation but refused to tell her what he thought of it, Isabel, recommended Justin Beiber's movie,Never Say Never, Isabel liked Les Miserables and wants us all to watch the Football Playoffs....
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1/17/13 Sam: Obama's Aggressive Push On Guns & GOP New...
The NRA runs a shockingly offensive ad aimed at President Obama's daughters, what's in Obama's gun control package, the crucial role that universal background checks play in Gun Control, coming automatic budget cuts in domestic spending, will the Republicans blink in their insane push on the debt ceiling, the Republicans new strategy for stealing presidential elections and why "important" people hate Social Security so much. On The Better Half: Aaron's Law, New York's gun control...
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1/15/13 Michael Hastings: Lies of Zero Dark Thirty &...
Michael Hastings, explained the disconnect between the intelligence that led to Ben Laden and torture why Zero Dark Thirty embraced the pro torture narrative,the CIA's role in the film production and Michael discussed his new book on the 2012 campaign, "Panic 2012" how Obama won his second term, why Tony Robbins offered to help the Obama campaign after the first debate and the story that Hastings reported that almost got him thrown off the campaign plane. On The Better Half: Republicans...
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1/14/13 Matt Taibbi: Secrets & Lies of the Bailout & RIP...
Sam remembered and honored the legacy of Aaron Swartz. Matt Taibbi explained why liberal and conservative lawmakers killed the first TARP bill, the bait and switch that eventually got TARP through Congress, how TARP coddled the banks, why government accepted bonuses and fraudulent accounting, why the to big to fail banks stock prices are still high, why "systemically important" institutions are immune from criminal prosecution and what will the next bubble be? On The Better Half: We hear...
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1/11/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Chris Rosen
Cliff Schecter explained when the right went nuts, the modern infrastructure of the Republican movement, how guns became a social issue, what the White House is considering on Gun Control, how the NRA suppressed evidence on the benefits of Gun Control, and how the right-wing con game works. Huffington Post's Entertainment Editor, Chris Rosen returned to the show after a long absence, things got a little awkward, Chris gives his Golden Globe predictions and recommended the movie Bernie...
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1/10/13 Kristen Gwynne: The Steubenville Rape Case
AlterNet's, Kristen Gwynne, explained the rape of a sixteen girl by members of the Steubenville High School of Football Team, the disgusting details of the rape, did some of the evenings assaults take place in the local prosecutors home? The connection between the Police Department and Steubenville's Football team, Anonymous's role in uncovering new details in the case and the activism that has grown out of the case. On The Better Half: Joe Scarborough has a bullying meltdown after being...
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1/9/13 Glenn Greenwald: Obama's CIA Chief Nominee
The Guardian's, Glenn Greenwald explained John Brennan's role in the Bush Administration's torture program, how Brennan worked his way into Obama's inner circle, Brennan's history of dishonesty public on national security issues, his role as the architect of the Obama Administration's drone program and why Brennan's nomination in 2013 should be even more controversial than his possible nomination in 2008. On The Better Half: An epic Libertarian caller! More on light bulbs and Libertarian...
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1/8/13 Platinum Coin & Alex Jones Golden Insanity
Producer Matt Binder, calls in from the podcast awards with great news, Republicans demand draconian cuts in exchanging for raising the debt ceiling, but won't say what they want cut, why the platinum coin option could be the smart move on the debt ceiling, and a top IMF economist apologises for underestimating the danger of austerity, On The Better Half: Alex Jones loses it on Piers Morgan's show and now thinks the Illuminati is after him, Dick Armey's amazingly entertaining break up with...
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1/7/13 Kevin Drum: The Astonishing, True Crime Story
Mother Jone's Kevin Drum explained why crime really goes down, what Lead does to the brain, why faddish crime theories don't explain the drop in crime, ways to measure the connection between Lead and crime, why comparing crime to an epidemic doesn't make sense, and why we need to aggressively clean up Lead across America. On The Better Half: Obama has a good pick for Secretary Defense and an awful pick for Director of the CIA, why we don't care about torture, more thoughts on Lead, a...
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1/4/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & David Cross
Cliff Schecter,talked about Republican hypocrisy on Hurricane Sandy relief, the core lack of compassion and empathy in the Republican Party, Jonathan Alter's obnoxious new piece, phony figures on life expectancy, who really threatened the passage of Health care Reform and what leverage progressives still have over President Obama. David Cross joined Sam, to talk about his recent marriage, what the new episodes of Arrested Development will be like and recommended the David O Russell,...
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1/3/13 Guy Lawson: Drug Cartels, Bankers, Stoner Arms...
Author, Guy Lawson explained how Mexican Drug Cartels operate in Mexico in the United States, how cartels operate like multinational corporations, how drug prohibition promotes violence, what the HSBC drug money laundering tells us, why its important to pick the right kind of ponzi scheme to operate and the latest news on the "stoner" arms dealers. And on The Better half: Al Jazeera buys Current, Time Warner drops Current, Sam predicts Republicans won't pay any price for the fiscal deal,...
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1/2/13 Live In 2013: Sam With Ryan Grimm Gets Cynical
The Huffington Post's, Ryan Grimm, explained what was in the fiscal cliff deal, he and Sam wondered if the Democrats really did cave? Will Obama hold firm on the debt ceiling? why Ar Fleicher may not be able to give as much to charity this year and what if anything the bill got right. On The Better Half: The FBI uncovers Plans to assassinate Occupy leaders? a Republican politician is very angry about all the focus on kwanzaa , Facebook founders Mark Zuckerberg's sister does not want her...
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1/1/13 Best of: Corey Robin: Reactionary Mind & Richard...
On the final Best of 2012, an interview with political scientist Corey Robin on his book,The Reactionary Mind,Conservatism from Edmund Burke to Sarah Palin,How great social movements provoke reaction fromthe Right.And economist Richard Wolff, discussed when capitalism fails and what Roosevelt did during the Great Depression. And keep the conversation going on themorning thread! Members make the Majority Report possible. Please join us by becoming aMEMBER. You can also show your support by...
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12/31/12 Best of: Environmental Resistance & Climate...
On todays Best of 2012, an interview with author and environmentalist Derrick Jensen on dominant culture, how it informs the systemwe live in, and what it means to all the systems of the planet and strategies for resistance. AndClimatologist and director of Earth System Science Center Dr. Michael Mann on Conservative smear campaign to discredit climate scientists, distractthe public and the dire consequences. And keep the conversation going on themorning thread! Members make the Majority...
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12/28/12 Best of: Casual Friday! Richard Kind, Michael...
On todays Best of 2012, some of the best Casual Friday interviews of the year. Actor, Richard Kind gave movie recommendations and talked about HBO's luck. Michael Ian Black shared parenting notes with Sam and Jonathan Krohn, talked with Sam about his transformation from conservative wunderkind to normal (and very smart) teenager. PLUSan interview with"Katherine Harris"live from the floor of last summer's Republican National Convention! And keep the conversation going on themorning thread!...
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12/27/12 Best of: NSA Whistle-blower Thomas Drake &...
On todays Best of 2012, Sams interviews NSA whistle-blower Thomas Drake and his attorney Jesselyn Radack,on the governments intimidation and personal destruction of whistle-blowers and the Obama Administration's record on government transparency. And an interview with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on Kill Lists and the Grand Bargain.PLUS! Even more extra best of material from throughout the year! And keep the conversation going on themorning thread! Members make the Majority Report possible....
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12/26/12 Best of: Guy Lawson, Wall Street's Wild Con &...
On today's Best of 2012, Sam's interview with Guy Lawson, the author ofOctopus, on Wall Street's most wild con, the culture of Wall Street and the story of the Octopus scam. Also, a debate from the summer between Sam and conservative talker Malcolm Out Loud.PLUS! Even more extra best of material from throughout the year! And keep the conversation going on themorning thread! Members make the Majority Report possible.Please join us by becoming aMEMBER. You can also show your support by...
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12/24/12 Best of: Chris Hayes, The Twilight of The Elites
In two of the best interviews from 2012, the greatChris Hayes, explained the iron law of meritocracy, the cult of smart, the self correcting power of democracy and his own experience in the American meritocracy.Plus, Sam Seder's War on Christmas! And keep the conversation going on themorning thread! Members make the Majority Report possible.Please join us by becoming aMEMBER. You can also show your support by clickingthruto theDONATE buttonfor a one-time donation anytime. And dont forget Sam...
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12/21/12 Casual Friday! Cliff Schecter, Isabel Gillies &...
Cliff Schecter responded to the incredible cynicism and insanity of NRA head Wayne LaPierre's press conference, guns are a public health issue, the NRA wants fully militarized schools, LaPierre did the gun control movement a favor by showing a large audience how insane he is, why there is no shared sacrifice in America and Congressional Democrats will pay for voting for cutting. Isabel Gillies and Matthew Film Guy started to get to know each other, Matthew Film Guy recommended the French...
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12/20/12 Chrystia Freeland: Rise of The New Plutocrats
Reuter's Digital Editor Chrystia Freeland explained the global growth of the plutocracy, the economic and technological drivers behind the growth of small sectors of super wealth, the impact of the bubble the plutocrats live in globally, the challenge the left faces in talking about income inequality, the emotional neediness and delusions of the new plutocrats and why they resent President Obama so much. And keep the conversation going on themorning thread! Members make the Majority Report...
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12/19/12 Matt Taibbi: Financiers Launder Billions in...
Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi explained how HSBC laundered billions for global drug cartels and Al Quada, how the FBI did practically nothing in response, how the "punishment" for HSBC amounts to a few deferred bonuses and staying on the financial industry "ethics" beat what is the real reason the hedge fund the maker of the Bushmaster (the assault rifle used in the Newton killings) sell that company? On the Better Half: "raise our boat docking fees a couple hundred bucks and we will go on...
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12/18/12 David Dayen: Exiting The Liberal Blogosphere &...
The soon to be retired David Dayen explained what would happen if we went over the "fiscal cliff", why the new Obama offer is so bad, explained why he is retiring, asks is the liberal blogesphere losing its added value, how to hold power accountable in the Obama era and What are Dave's next moves? On the Better Half: Sam isn't surprised by Obama's offer. you have more influence on Congress than you realize, Rick Perry wants more guns in schools and the role the conspiracy culture plays in...
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12/17/12 Cliff Schecter;Gun Control Finally on The Table?
Cliff Schecter explained why the NRA is a front group for arms dealers, most members of the NRA support commons sense gun control, the opportunity for stringent gun control, why the NRA is a paper tiger and can be defeated politically, how the NRA fights against Constitutional Rights, what the Second Amendment really meant and the best way to move forward now. On the Better Half: Mike Huckabee: crazy, wrong, tasteless and Iran's Supreme leader agrees with him, Louie Gohmert wishes the...
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12/14/12 Janeane Garofalo & Cliff Schecter: Casual...
Cliff wants to know why did Obama pick Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense? Hagel's positive record on Iraq, HSBC launders hundreds of millions of dollars in drug cartel money and will not be prosecuted, why Cliff and Sam are cautiously optimistic about the fiscal cliff, Sam and Cliff discuss the heartbreaking tragedy in CT and call the NRA a domestic terrorist group. And it seems like old times! Janeane Garoflo live in studio! Janeane calls Sam out on his mixed metaphors, recommends the...
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12/13/12 Max Blumenthal: Egypt Revolution LIVE From Cairo
Independent journalist Max Blumenthal joined Sam live from Egypt where he explained President Morsi's power grab, the governments constitutional proposal that limits the rights of women and minorities and empowers the military, the new Egypt opposition, why the traditional Islamic establishment opposes the Muslim Brotherhood, how the new Egyptian government is still carrying out the siege on Gaza and the role the US is playing in the crises. On The Better Half: Random Rush, Republicans are...
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12/12/12 Ken Burns: The Central Park Five & Becky Bond...
Becky Bond the Political Director of this months sponsor Credo Mobile, explained Credo's history and why its outsider progressive approach is possible, the success of the Credo Super Pac in 2012, Credo's role in the fight to protect Medicare and Social Security and how Credo puts your dollars to work for good. Filmmaker Ken Burns talked about hia new Documentary The Central Park Five, explained why five black and hispanic teenagers were convicted of a brutal crime they didn't commit, how the...
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12/11/12 Richard Yeselson: Mich War on Workers Worse...
Writer Richard Yeselson, explained what a "right to work" state is, why Michigan's assault on collective bargaining is worse than Wisconsin's, why the United States has the lowest rate of Union membership in the industrialized world and recent examples of Union success. On The Better Half: The Obama White House is waging the war on Christmas with Bo Obama leading the way according to Fox.com, more myths on Medicare and Social Security, Christian talk show host wants to start punching...
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12/10/12 Digby: Plutocrats & their HandMaidens v Medicare
Digby explained how the beltway media test bad ideas, why elite Democrats are pushing for raising the eligibility age for Medicare, Digby still thinks President Obama wants a grand bargain and why pressure from the grassroots could save Medicare and Social Security. On the Better Half: Congresswoman Virginia Foxx has a meltdown when a Congressional staffer rides in her elevator! Michigan Republicans push Union destroying bill through the state legislature,The Romney Ryan face tattoo guy is...
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12/7/12 Cliff Schecter & Film Guy Matthew Casual Friday
Cliff and Sam talked about the Senate's rejection of the UN treaty on the disabled, Bob Costas speaks sanity on guns and right wing media hasameltdown, Andrew Cuomo undermines Democratic and progressive power in New York, Mitch McConnell filibusters his own bill and hilarity ensues, and Sam and Cliff reflect on Jim Demint's move from the Senate to the Heritage Foundation. Sam talks marriage with Film Guy Matthew, Matthew pushed back against Sam on Skyfall, and Matthew recommended the new...
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12/6/12 Eric Boehlert: Fox Will Always Run GOP & Sam...
Media Matters' Eric Boehlert explained how the conservative movement became a media movement, why the GOP's political leaders don't matter, why paranoid right wing rhetoric is good for getting viewersbut terrible for winning national elections, why conservative talkers don't care if Republicans win elections and how this interview all connects with Jim Demint picking up his crazy blocks and leaving the Senate for a new gig as the head of the Heritage Foundation. Alan Simpson, takes his lie...
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12/5/12 Sam Takes on the Fiscal Cliff and the Still...
Sam held it down on his own today, explained what is really happening with the fiscal cliff, praised Obama and Pelosi for holding firm on tax increases for the top two percent, but worried that hacks like Steny Hoyer keep calling for cuts in Medicare and Social Security and checked in on the latest in Republican insanity On The Better Half: can you negotiate with the GOP? In sad news Karl Rove and Dick Morris are benched on Fox News, Dick Army leaves Freedom Works, Roger Ailes begged David...
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12/3/12 Sarah Jaffe: Fast Food Workers Strike in NYC &...
Freelance journalist Sarah Jaffe, explained the origins of the fast food workers strike in New York City, the logistical challenges of organizing fast food workers,the impossibility of living off of fast food wages, how the strikes grew out of community organizing efforts, the myth of teenage fast food workers and low paying jobs become middle class jobs through organizing. Sam takes apart a plutocrat on Up With Chris, Obama fundraiser and multi millionaire real estate developer, Donahue...
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11/30/12 Cliff Schecter & Isabel Gillies: Casual Friday
Cliff Schecter explained by President Obama's opening offer on grand bargain negotiations was hugely encouraging, how progressives are flexing more musclewhat does Obama's new more aggressive negotiating strategy mean for his second term? Sam and Cliff chuckle over charles krauthammer Civil War meltdown and assess how delusional the Romney campaign was/is. Sam told Isabel Gillie's why he is in a bad mood, Sam explained why Skyfall sucked and Isabel recommended the documentarySecrecyand...
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11/29/12 Dave Zirin: How Union Leader Marvin Miller...
The Nation's Sports Editor, Dave Zirin, talked with Sam about the legacy of Marvin Miller, the legendary leader of the Major League Baseball Players Association,explained how horribly Baseball players were treated before Miller began organizing them, the travesty of Miller not being in the Baseball Hall of Fame and will there be a NHL season? Alan Charney of USAction, explained what progressive groups are doing to keep the pressure on Congress for tax increases on the wealthy and to protect...
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11/28/12 Bill McKibben: The Oil Industry is the Enemy
Bill McKibben explained the Do the Math tour, the new evolution of climate activism, the fossil fuel divestment movement, the good newsfrom Germany, why global climate talks are irrelevant until we break the power of the fossil fuel industry and what's coming next. On The Better Half: a heart warming story, Glenn Beck ever more disgusting and desperate, a Idaho state politician peddles an insane plan for Romney to become President in January and Sam does not like Andrew Cuomo. And keep the...
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11/27/12 Lina Khan: Obama's Game of Chicken
The New America Foundation's Lina Khan explained, the growth of agricultural monopolies, why farmers are serfs on their own land, how CongressionalRepublicanskilled the Obama Administration's efforts to reform the industry and why the Administration folded on the issue and Sam and Lina map out where we go from here. The Better Half: Will Republican billionaires smarten up? Filibuster reform is looking weak, is Walmart just a Mafia family? And former Florida Republican Party leaders admit...
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11/26/12 Osha gray Davidson: Can Germany's Energy...
Journalist Osha Gray Davidson explained the rapid growth of renewable energy in Germany, the roots of the German sustainability movement,why there is more market stability in renewable energy and what the United States can do to follow the German lead. On The Half: The deficit is shrinking fast, reporter Thomas Ricks destroys Fox on Fox, the rich are paying even less in taxes, Egypt's President Morsi grabs dictatorial powers and the war on men has been launched and Sam gives us some Random...
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11/23/12 William Black: Austerity Will Kill the Economy
Financial fraud expert William Black explained why pushing for austerity in a economic crisis is illogical, how Europe plunged itself into a unnecessary recession and social crisis with austerity policies, why governments need to stimulate the economy,how Greece's debt crisis is fundamentally different from America's "debt crisis", what the IRS does with your cash if you send it in to pay your taxes and how a "grand bargain" would be grand betrayal of the middle class and the poor. And...
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11/21/12 Jeff Orlowski: The Shocking Truth of Glacier...
Director Jeff Orlowski explained what the "Extreme Ice Survey" is, the shocking collapse of the earth's glaciers, the centrality of climate change to our future, why climate change is the biggest issue that humanity faces, how is climate is measured scientifically and the success of his new movie Chasing Ice. Linda McMahon gives bad checks and condoms to campaign workers for their work on her failed campaign, Lloyd Blankfein wants you to work more, Breitbart Website is just awful at comedy,...
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11/20/12 Stephanie Kelton: Why the Elite Are Living In...
Professor Stephanie Kelton explained the origins of the Bretton Woods system, why US policy makers still make policy as if we were in a gold standard world, why we will not become like Greece, what really creates hyper inflation, why the US can easily reach full employment without inflation, the problem is demand, why the inflation of the 70s was not driven by government seeking full employment, why the "solutions" to the fiscal cliff will produce a fiscal crises, what is the best policy to...
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11/19/12 Daniel Levy, Gaza & Israel What's Next?
Former Middle East peace negotiator Daniel Levy explained what precipitated Israel's military action in Gaza, why Netanyahu chose to escalate the conflict, the internal politics of Gaza, how the citizens of Gaza have lived under blockade conditions for several years, Israel's lack of coherent strategy and how Israel's worst tendencies are reinforced by American policy makers. On The Better Half: Rush wallows in self pity in Random Rush, why Sam does not want a Christmas tree and is Lindsey...
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11/16/12 Marc Maron & Cliff Schecter On Casual Friday
Cliff Schecter and Sam explained why Simpson-Bowles would tank the economy, where we can make smart cuts, all the money we waste on the Drug war, is Social Security safe?, are progressives drawing a line in the sand? a much more forceful President Obama and the Real John McCain. Marc Maron talked about his record collection, what he worries about, his arc with Gina Gershon on the pilot of his tv show and recommended the documentary DR. Bronner's Magic Soapbox. And before we got to the Better...
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11/15/12 Mattea Kramer, The Fiscal Cliff Myth
The National Priorities Project's Mattea Kramer explained the biggest misconceptions Americans have about the federal budget, what makes up most of the federal budget, why now is a great time for infrastructure investment, the best ways to deal with the deficit, why the fiscal cliff is a myth and some predictions on budget negotiations. On the Better Half: Matt Bai writes something stunningly disingenuous and Sam nails him on it, the fiscal cliff is a bait and switch, Mitt Romney still a...
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11/14/12 David Graeber, Occupy Wants To Relieve Your Debt
Professor David Grabaer explained why our understanding of debt is flawed, why we keep telling ourselves a false narrative of debt, student loans and Occupy, how the debt crises and the ecological crises are the same thing, how the Rolling Jubilee will work and what is financial disobedience? On the Better Half: Spanish banks hold up evictions in cases of extreme hardship after a woman commits suicide, floods threatening Italian economy accelerating due to climate change and Sam takes...
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11/13/12 The Real David Petraeus Scandals and the...
BuzzFeed's Michael Hastings explained the full sordid details of the Petraeus affair, how the spying on David Petraeus is typical of today's surveillance state, The hypocrisy of the Washington Press, how Petraeus helped us scrub our record of disaster in Iraq, how he started to believe his own press and why we need a realistic perspective on the Military. On The Half: the danger of cutting of unemployment benefits, why 96 percent of Americans benefit from government spending, Obama's 2011...
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11/9/12 Cliff Schecter, A Progressive America & Andy...
Sam and Cliff rejoice in the Republican meltdown, Karl Rove's public humiliation, the billionaires who wasted their money and why that's important, why the GOP still doesn't get demographics, Can the GOP adjust to reality? Sean Hannity's stunning new position on immigration and new progressive energy in Congress. Comedian and Obama fan Andy Kindler then joined the show to discuss the big victories on election night. However, something weird happens to this "Obamabot" whenever Sam says our...
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11/8/12 Ryan Grim What Now For Marijuana? & What's Next...
The Huffington Post's Ryan Grim (the Nate Silver of Pot) explained wins for Marijuana decriminalization in Colorado and Washington, why attitudes are shifting on decriminalization, Obama's record on theDrug War, is opposing Marijuana turning into bad politics?, what;s the state of the Grand Bargain and the Fiscal Cliff, the advantages the Democrats and Republicans have, will Democrats hold firm? will Harry Reid save Social Security? And hoping for more Republican insanity? On the Better...
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11/7/12 Big Obama & Senate Win: Ari Berman & David Dayen
Democrats win big and Republicans whine hard! The Nation's Ari Berman, explained how progressives fought back against voter suppression, how Republicans used disenfranchisement to keep the House, how blocking the vote is starting to hurtRepublicans with the broader public, Sam and Ari say Democrats need to get serious about expanding the right to vote, Sheldon Adelson is incredibly stupid and Citizen United still very, very dangerous. Firedoglake's David Dayen ran us through down ticket...
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11/6/12 Janeane "Katherine Harris" Garofalo & Myla Seder...
Janeane "Katherine Harris" Garofalo wanted to know how Sam was doing after last weeks "plague", was confidant that Romney would win, commented on her own history of voter disenfranchisement or "voter cleansing" and explained what are "sex pests" are. And some smart and charming election thoughts from Myla Seder! And Sam's election prediction. The Better Half:More racism from Rush, Matt and Michael give their election picks, other races we should keep in an eye on and some Random Rush. And...
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11/5/12 Markos Moulitsas With The Election Day "Math" &...
Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas gave us his election day math, predicted a comfortable Obama victory, Democrats holding the Senate and gaining some seats in the House. Sam asked if Paul Ryan's extremism was exploited enough? Jeff Smith explained how Occupy responded to Sandy, wealth inequality and hurricane relief, Bloomberg's shockingly tasteless push to keep the New York Marathon going in the face of continued power outages and all the ways that Occupy is coordinating help. CNN's Eric...
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11/2/12 Cliff Schecter, Rob Delaney: Romney's Twitter...
It's Casual Friday! Cliff Schecterdescribed the fundamental difference in world view between the radical right and the rest of America, why Chris Christie is praising Obama so much, assessed the impact of Mike Bloomberg's endorsementof thePresident for reelection, revisited the debate between Sam and Matt Stoller on third party voting and explained why Obama's auto bailout and populist pitch worked in Ohio. Comedian and Mitt Romney Twitter tormentor Rob Delaney joined Sam and explained why...
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11/1/12 Sandy: Convinced on Climate Change Yet?, Romney:...
Sam updated us on the Hurricane Sandy aftermath, drew a connection between the hurricane and climate change. Sam argued that climate change deniers would be even more empowered in a Romney Administration and and again made the case for voting for President Obama.Independent journalist Michael Tracey reported from Jersey Shore New Jersey where he said the situation was very dire and wondered if many residents in New Jersey and New York would be able to vote on election day. And Mitt Romney...
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10/31/12 Matt Stoller Debates the Progressive Case...
Sam hosted a heated interviewed with Veteran activist and Naked Capitalism Contributing Editor Matt Stoller. Matt argued that Obama's policy agenda was regressiveby design, that both major parties are pushing the United States towards petro state status and that progressives should consider voting for a third party as an affirmation of their rejection of the Obama/Romney choice. Sam pushed back against Matt on the consequences of a Romney Presidency for the Supreme Court and emphasised that...
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10/30/12 Frederick Kaufman: How Food Stopped Being Food
On today's show journalist Frederick Kaufman explained Wall Street's speculation in food commodities, why pizza is a great starting point for understanding the global food system,how the financialization of food markets drives up prices and how the "Foodie" movement is overlooking the role of Wall Street abuse in creating unjust and unsustainable food systems. Also...Hurricane Sandy in NYC. And keep the conversation going on themorning thread! Members make the Majority Report possible.Please...
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10/26/12 Cliff Schecter: Progressive Wins in Swing...
Cliff Schecter let us know what was happening on the ground in a couple of swing states, the possibility of electing some progressive candidates for Congresswhy Michelle Bachman, Steve King and Allen West might lose, why President Obamas numbers are rebounding and what will the impact of the horrific statements on rape that Republican candidate have made will be on woman voters? Film Guy Matthew was hurt that he has been kipped for a couple of show and he took a real shots at Isabel Gillies....
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10/25/12 Matt Taibbi, Diagnosing the One Percent
Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi explained President Obama's latest comments on Wall Street reform, why he may defensive about his record, how Mitt Romney is the embodiment of all that has gonewrong inAmerican capitalism, but Matt loves watching Romney lie because he is such a natural at it, reporting from post Soviet Russia was a great training ground for what is happening in modern America and diagnosing narcissism and paranoia in the one percent. On the Better Half: Richard Mourdock adds...
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10/24/12 John Knefel, Orwellian Trials At Guantanamo
Independent journalist John Knefelfreshly returned from Guantanamo Bay, where he covered the opening stages of the trials of several defendants including alleged 911 Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Knefel described the disturbing legal precedentset by Guantanamo, the Orwellian nature of the government's case, the difficulty in mounting a credible defense of Guantanamo defendants and how conflicting rulings between military commissions and civilian courts could lead to a return of indefinite...
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10/23/12 Steve Clemons: Obama's Big Win in Narrow...
The Atlantic's Steve Clemons explained what was missing in yesterday's foreign policy debate, how President Obama offers tactical mastery but little strategic vision while Romney has neither tactical mastery or strategy,where President Obama has been a foreign policy success and where he has fallen short of the progressive policy he articulated in 2008, the stunning lack of discussion of climate change, Steve's pessimistic outlook on the Middle East, what is really driving Iran's nuclear...
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10/22/12 Ari Berman, GOP's Ongoing Vote Suppression +...
Ari Berman talked the GOP's ongoing vote suppression. How GOP is helping people register, then after seeing who they register for, destroy the registration. How Republicans made a huge deal over ACORN and how different their complains about ACORN were compared to the much more sinister methods of voter suppression they use. Sam and Ari then preview tonight's debate on foreign policy, Mitt Romney's vagueness and how the media is seething at the mouth waiting for Obama to mess up the debate so...
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10/19/12 Cliff Schecter, Will Obama Lose Popular Vote...
Cliff and Sam both see many paths to an Obama victory, Cliff praised George McGovern for his legacy on issues of war and peace, should recent polls make liberals worried? Could Obama lose the popular vote andwin the electoral college?Chuck Schumer and Harry Reid throw monkey wrenches in potential post election grand bargain negotiations, Obama has committed himself to vetoing any legislation during the lame duck that would extend the Bush tax cuts on upper income earners in a victory for...
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10/15/12 Josh Eidelson: Walmart Strikers Eye Black Friday
Labor journalist Josh Eidelson, caught us up on the latest news on the Walmart strikes, explained Walmart's history of aggressive anti unionism, how its business modelis based on keeping people in poverty,why Walmart's tactics have depressed wages across the service sector and what strikers are planning for Black Friday. Also the Koch Brothers have sent out a helpful letter to their employees "suggesting" how they should vote in the coming election and Sam wonders what Libertarian would make...
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10/12/12 Cliff Schecter: Biden Destroyed Ryan in VP...
It's Casual Friday! Cliff Shecter and Sam take a look at last night VP debate and discuss how the right wing loves Republican bullies but then blast Joe Biden for being "a meanie" to Paul Ryan, how Conservatives pundits are fixated on Joe Biden's "smile" (because they know they lost), some of the topics from the Vice Presidential debate last night: Medicare, Social Security, and more. They also discuss good times in Vegas over the past few days! In the better half (but it's a Freebie Friday,...
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10/11/12 Cliff Schecter, Judge Oliver Diaz: Live from...
First up Sam spoke with Cliff Schecter about why democrats struggle with messaging, what cutting social security will do to the American worker and how Joe Biden can win his debate with Paul Ryan tonight. Remember when the big telecoms worked with the Bush Administration to illegally spy on Americans? Now the Supreme Court has joined Congress and the Executive Branch in insuring that those companies will never be held accountable for breaking the law, Virginia Senate Candidate Tim Kaine says...
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10/9/12 Jeff Connaughton, How Wall Street Buys...
Former Washington lobbyist and policy advisor Jeff Connaughton author of The Payoff, explained why Washington never takes on Wall Street, how careerism shapes law enforcement decisions in Washington, the failure of the regulatory apparatus and why aggressively reigning in the major bankswould help the economy as a whole. Sam and Jeff also discussed the "Blob" and how there is no two party system when it comes to the financial sector. And Ron Seifert, of tarsandsblockade.org explained his...
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10/8/12 Kevin Baker: Why Vote?
Author Kevin Baker discussed his new Harper's storyWhy Vote?Kevin noted the steady erosion of democracy and some of the political myths that Americans cling to, why this Presidential election matters,the extremism of Romney's agenda and how the push for right-wing austerity economics is not isolated to the United States.
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10/5/12 Cliff Schecter, Casual Friday & Matt & Michael...
Cliff chronicled his many many moments of frustration with Obama's debate performance, why the Social Security response was Obama's weakest moment and the debate reminded Cliff of the mistakes President Obama made when he first came into office,the expected failure of Jim Lehrer, the many, many, many ways to mock Mitt that Barack missed. Also Producers Matt and Michael gave out some movie recommendations On the Better Half: Sam was name dropped by Louie CK, he praised Sam glowingly but spoke...
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10/4/12 Ari Berman: Obama Loses Debate, Voting Rights Win
Author Ari Berman and Sam agree-Romney won last nights debate, Obama looked and sounded tired and unfocused and didn't take advantage of numerous opportunities to push back against Mitt, Ari wanted to know where the aggressive Obama was last night? Ari than brought us up to date on the latest news in voter rights, on a positive note state courts have been overturning voter ID laws across the country, but the Supreme Court may reverse parts of the Voting Rights Act. On theBetter Half: Sam...
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10/2/12 Nan Aron, Will the Supreme Court Kill Civil...
Nan Aron, President of the Alliance for Justice explained why the next Supreme Court term matters so much, the future of affirmative action and the voting rights act and Justice Robert's troubling history of hostility to civil rights. How the Supreme Courts decisions on CitizensUnited and the Affordable Care have reminded people of the Court's power and the broader implications of the Roberts Courts strikingly pro corporate stance. On The Better Half: Noam Chomsky on who he will be voting...
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10/1/12 Eugene Jarecki, The Drug Wars Destruction
Filmmaker Eugene Jarecki, discussed his new documentary on the war on drugsThe House I Live In.Jarecki, explained the origins of his commitment to social justice, how the business of the drug war works, why politicians from both major parties have internalized the idea that they always need be "tough on crime", the roots of racial targeting in drug sentencing laws and why good police work is degraded by drug policies. On the Better Half: California becomes the first state to ban "homosexual...
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9/28/12 Cliff Schecter, The right turns on Ryan & Isabel...
Cliff Schecter discussed the new evidence confirm his and Sam's predictions that Ryan was an awful choice as a running mate for Romney, pretty much everyone agrees he should have picked Bob Portman instead also more polls showing the shocking result that people like Medicare.The success of Obama's populist campaign in Ohio and Todd Akin knows he is gaining ground on Claire MCcaskill because of her "unladylike" behavior and Cliff thinks if the Republicans lose bad they may become even more...
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9/27/12 Thomas Frank, Why Right Wing Populism Dominates
Thomas Frank explained why the mainstream Democratic Party rejects populism, the succes of the rights toxic social populism and how our economic debates are no longer empirical. Sam and Thomas reminiscedabout Rick Santelli's rant at the Chicago Stock Exchange that helped launched the Tea Party and agreed that electoral reform was essential for the recovery of American politics. On the Better Half: Mitt Romney tries to get a crowd of supporters to chant his name and fails, The Blaze takes Sam...
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9/26/12 JA Myerson, Occupy At 1 Year & Richard Champion,...
J.A. Myerson, offered a recap of Occupy's first year, from first being ignored and ridiculed, to gaining press attention and eventually inspiring Occupy actions across the globe. How the success of Occupy led to a violent crackdown andSam wonderedwhat was happening at Occupy encampments that possibly could possibly have motivated such an extreme response from authorities? And J.A. and Sam considered possibilities for Occupy moving forward. Richard "ChemChampion" Champion a longtime friend of...
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9/25/12 Juan Cole: What's Really Happening in the Middle...
Professor Juan Cole gave a regional overview of recent events in the Middle East, cleared up some of the confusion on the attack on the US embassy in Benghazi, described a poor security situation in Libya and noted that the transitional government is making slow progress there.Cole noted that the Protests in Cairo were small and considered a failure by Egyptian standards, but that President Morsi's response to the demonstrations was problematic and may alter US-Egyptian relations. And on the...
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9/24/12 Jacob Hacker: Prosperity Vs Austerity Fetishists
Yale Professor Jacob Hacker explained his new project "Prosperity Economics", why obsessing over the deficit right now is putting the cart before the horse, how low interest rates mean now is an excellent time to invest in infrastructure, eduction and human capital. Why debt hysteria holds us back and how it is based on a fundamental misconception of the economic and political crises facing America. Sam loved the Prosperity agenda but wondered if ideological extremism would continue to make...
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9/21/12 Cliff Schecter: Mittplosion! & Matthew Film Guy
Cliff Schecter joined Sam to discuss, Romney's awful week, how Mitt lurches from gaffe to gaffe, why he is dangerous on foreign policy and theman from Bain's bizarre conviction that he is somehow at a disadvantage for not being Mexican. Matthew Film Guy talked with Sam about whether or not liberals can enjoy Vigilante movies and recommended the Ryan Gosling film Drive. Sam did an epic take down of a Fox and Friends non story involving Barack Obama, Bibi Netanyahu and a pirate, Anne Romney...
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9/20/12 Michael Grunwald, We're All on the GOV.Dole
Time Magazine's Michael Grunwald explained why all Americans are "on the dole" from tax credits to public tennis courts, why so many of us are in denial about how much we benefit from government spending across the economic spectrum,how the affluent gain from incentives in the tax code and why even though he hasn't worked in six years Mitt Romney pays a lower tax rate than middle class Americans. Also Tim Pawlenty got a lobbying gig he simply couldn't wait to take. So good in fact that he...
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9/19/12 David Dayen, Romney Tapes Split GOP & The Next...
David Dayen explained why the leaked Mitt Romney videos are dividing Republicans between those that still argue that trickle down economics benefit all Americans and more aggressive conservatives who are embracing the fact that Republican tax policies simply favor their base,Sam noted that one of the most encouraging things to come out of the tapes is that the Republican donor class is as ill informed as your average tea party supporter and Romney also threw the Middle East and United States...
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9/18/12 Kristina Rizga, Busting the Myths of Education...
On today's show Kristina Rizga of Mother Jones Magazine, talked with Sam about her reporting on Mission High School San Francisco, what makes a school successful, how the high stakes testing regimeadvocated by corporate reformers is hurting vulnerable students and why its better to look for best practices instead of one size fits all rules for education. Members make the Majority Report possible.Please join us by becoming a MEMBER. You can also show your support by clickingthruto the DONATE...
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9/17/12 Occupy Wall Street’s One Year Anniversary Live,...
On today's show Majority Report producers Matt Michael reported from Occupy Wall Street's one year anniversary and found an energetic group of protesters committed to getting Occupy back in the center of American politics. They also spoke with several Occupy protesters including Allison Kilkenny from Citizen Radio, freelance journalist and our Occupy Wall Street guy Jeff Smith, and retired Philly Police Captain Ray Lewis and others. Also in a pre-recorded interview Sam spoke with economist...
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9/13/12 Glenn Greenwald, Getting Away With Torture &...
On today's show Sam was joined by Guardian columnist Glenn Greenwald to discuss the Justice Departments decision not to prosecute murder cases related to the Bush Administrations torture program in Afghanistan and Iraq.Glenn explained that this investigation was the last remaining opportunity that the Obama Administration had to bring some accountability to those involved in the torture program and Sam wondered if it would take another couple of decades for a real reckoning the crimes of the...
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9/11/12 Rick Perlstein: Chicago Teachers Fight Rahm...
On today's show Sam and Rick Perlstein discussed the Teacher's strike happening right now in Chicago. Rick explained how effective the Chicago Teacher's Union has been in gaining public support,the corporate special interests funding the "education reform" movement and how Rahm Emanuel's disdain for unions is driving Chicago city politics. Sam focused on the ideological nature of the attack on public schools and Rick said that universal education has always been vital to our economic...
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9/10/12 Digby: The Ineptness of Romney, Ryan & Austerity
Digby joined Sam to discuss the state of the shambolic Romney/Ryan campaign, how the weakness of the GOP ticket may hurt progressives and why Bill Clinton so artfully explained why Medicade was not only a program for the poor but also the middle class. Digby pointed out that Obama left himself a lot of wiggle room for cuts in his acceptance speech and said she felt the same way watching the push for austerity as she did in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq. Both she and Sam agreed that...
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9/7/12 DNC Wrapup, Cliff Schecter, Obamabot Andy...
On today's show Sam spoke with Cliff Schecter about the DNC. Both Cliff and Sam agreed that the production value of DNC was a lot better than the RNC's debacle and that the only thing people remember from Tampa is Clint Eastwood's chair address.Cliff told us what he liked and didn't like about Obama's speech, the importance of keeping up the fight against Social Security and Medicare cuts and the disturbing pro Simpson-Bowles sentiments expressed by the keynote speakers. Obamabot (Andy...
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9/6/12 DNC Day 2 With Jack Hitt & Kevin Baker and Dean...
On today's show Harper's Magazine's dynamic duo Jack Hitt Kevin Baker called in from Charlotte and discussed Michelle Obama's successful speech, how forgiving and organized the Democratic Party base is and how the bear hug between Bill Clinton and Barack Obama representedthe cultural bestof the Democratic Party. Sam noted that Elizabeth Warren's speech could be seen as an implicit critique of Bill Clinton and he agreed with his guests that Clinton is turning into a Democratic Reagan, even...
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9/5/12 Matt Taibbi: Mitt Romney & the Looting of America
On today's show Matt Taibbi called in to discuss his new Rolling Stone feature story:Greed and Debt. The True Story of Mitt Romney and Bain Capital.He and Sam talked about how Bain Capital and Mitt Romney exemplified the shift from an industrial economybased on making things to a economy run on speculation, how Bain moved away from investing start up capital to simply loading existing companies with debt and stripping their assets and how the restaurant scene in Goodfellas is the best way to...
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9/4/12 Live From the DNC With: Ari Berman, Tina Dupuy &...
On today's show the Nation's Ari Berman spoke with Sam about some recent encouraging Court decisions at the state level against voter suppression, described how the GOP is attempting to politically re-segregate the south and he and Sam debated the merits of holding the Democratic Convention in North Carolina. Tina Dupuy the editor-in-chief of TheContributor.Com described a pleasantatmosphere in Charlotte and said the DNC had less of a police state feel than last week's RNC. John Knefel,...
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9/3/12 Labor Day Show
Happy Labor Day! Today on the program we bring you a collection of great speeches that celebrate labor and people power from FDR, Mario Savio, John Lewis, more!
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8/31/12 Cliff Schecter, Reviews RNC; Andy Kindler is the...
On today's Casual Friday, weekly guest and political maven Cliff Schecter, joined Sam to review this past weeks RNC. Both Cliff and Sam were angry at what the Republicans let Clint Eastwood do to himself.Although they both agreed that Eastwood best represented the wounded psyche of the Republican Party. Cliff thought the overall message of the convention was disjointed and contradictory and both him and Sam thought that Romney did a decent job. Andy Kindler gave Eastwood some comedy...
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8/30/12 Jack Hitt & Kevin Baker, Paul Ryan Lies at the...
On today's show Sam caught up with JackHittand Kevin Baker who are in Tampa covering theRNCfor Harper's Magazine. Jack and Kevin discussed the many types of lies in the Ryanspeech and how even the mainstream media is now finding it impossible to ignore how dishonest he was. Sam noticed that Paul Ryan ran away from his ultra right wing politics and that the speech didn't sound substantively conservative. AbiHassen, with The National Lawyers Guild explained that the city of Tampa was...
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8/29/12 Tina Dupuy & Michael Tracey Live From the RNC
On today's show Sam spoke with Tina Dupuy, Editor of The Contributor.com and Michael Tracey a contributing writer for Salon, both live from the RNC.Sam and his guests discussed the heavy law enforcementpresence in Tampa, the Ron Paul supporters rebellion and why the Tea Party is still so afraid of President Obama. On the Better Half: Sam reviews last nights RNC speeches and says it was mostly everyone out for themselves, decodes Ann Romney's attempt to humanize her husband and explains Mitt...
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8/28/12 Jack Hitt & Kevin Baker Live From RNC
On today's show author JackHittand historian Kevin Baker called in from Tampa where they are covering theRNCfor Harper's Magazine.Sam talked with them about the most important speeches to be listening to at the convention and all three wondered if Chris Christie and Paul Ryan are assuming a Romney loss.Hittand Baker also ran into a Wisconsin delegate who didn't believe in pension plans public or private and that led to a discussion of the modern conservative movements historical illiteracy....
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8/27/12 Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein,...
On today's show Sam hosted Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein. Stein outlined her proposals for a "Green New Deal" and explainedwhy she thought Democratic Partywas a dead end for progressive politics. But, Sam wondered if she was missing the lessons of the Bush era and wanted to know what the Green plan was for after the election. In the Better Half: Sam reviewed Chris Matthew's epic take down of RNC chair Reince Priebus on Morning Joe and also noted some dull and disconnected...
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8/24/12 Cliff Schecter, Gun control, Poor Mitt & Movies...
On today's show Sam and Cliff talked about the shooting outside of the Empire State Building, agreed that the NRA had more blood on its handsand discussed the need to get serious about Gun control. And poor Mitt Romney, Gawker now has their hands on his Bain documents and he can't get Todd Akin to drop out of his race. Isabel Gillies and Sam talked about Elvis movies and sherecommended the French filmUn Secretefor our viewing pleasure. And Sam went to your calls and IMS Members make the...
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8/23/12 Sarah Knopp & Jeff Bale, Capitalist Assault on...
On today's show Sam talked with Educators Sarah Knopp and Jeff Bale, editors of the anthologyEducation and Capitalism: Struggles for Learning and Liberation,about the corporate assault on publicon public schools, testing, class and social mobility and what the true purpose of education really is. On the Better Half: Gawkergets its hands on troves ofBain documents detailing Romney's shady tax schemes, will a hurricane hit Tampa during the RNC? Sam drops a Barry White impression and also does...
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8/21/12 Ari Berman, Voter Surpression; Amanda Marcotte...
On today's show The Nation'sAri Berman joined Sam to discuss the latest news out of Pennsylvania where a state Judge has uphold the voter ID law and movement to protect voter rights is growing. Sam and Ari agreed that Democrats need to spend political capital on this issue for both moral and political reasons. Sam was then joined by Slate and Pandagon contributing writer, Amanda Marcotte whoexplained that Todd Akin's rape comments are reflective of the thinking of the anti choice movement....
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8/20/12 Scott Horton, Michael Ratner, Wikileaks,...
On today's show Harper's contributor writer and international legal expert Scott Horton spoke with Sam about the diplomatic standoff between Ecuador and the UK, why the UK's aggression is so unusual in this type of case and explained the difference between political and diplomatic immunity. Assange's US attorney, Michael Ratner told Sam that Sweden regularly sends investigators to other countries to question witnesses and suspects making it all the more suspicious that they would not send...
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8/17/12 Cliff Schecter, Hari Kondabolu, casuel Friday
Cliff tells us why he thinks Romney picked Paul Ryan. Joe Biden says that Social Security won't be touched and Sam and Cliff say that progressives should pushthe Obama Biden campaign to make the same commitments for Medicare and Medicade. Circumstantial evidence that Mitt Romney may have been part of a criminal tax avoidance scheme and Cliff gives two cable anchors credit for calling out Republican lies. Hari Kondaboluwriter for the new FX showTotally Biasedjoined Sam to give some movie...
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8/16/12 Will UK Invade Ecuadorian Embassy for Assange?;...
On today's show Sam reviewed the latest from the ongoing crises in the UK over the Assange extradition. The UK's threatens to invadethe Ecuadorianembassy and a insightful New York Times piece focuses on the burning question of how Julian Assange was as a roommate. We also heard an interview with the late David Rakoff right before the 2008 election and learned David's farsighted thoughts on poverty and homophobia in modern America. On the Better Half: more on why Paul Ryan is good for the...
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08/15/12 Whites More Discriminated Against Than Blacks?...
On today's Show, Sam discussed a disturbing new referendum that could allow thousands of students to skip out on there science education in Missouri. Also a Pennsylvania Judge will notgrantan injunction against the states voter ID laws and other news in voter suppression. Speaking of which a new Tufts University study shows that white people think they are more discriminated against than black people On the Better Half:Anne Romney gets a little edgy and says that we will not see anymore of...
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8/14/12 Bob Kincaid on Mountain Top Removal and More on...
On todays show Sam talked about new research showing that banning junk in schools actually helps kids stay healthier (shocker). He also spoke with with progressive talk show host and anti mountain top removal activistBob Kincaid, about the health and social justice crises in Applachia and the importance of getting Congress to act against mining interests. In the Better Half: More on why Romney would actually pick Paul Ryan, the golden opportunity for progressives in the Ryan pick and Mitt...
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8/13/12 Debating Ryan Budget With Right Wing Talker and...
Today Sam spoke with conservative talker, Malcolm Out Loud about "tough decisions" and the Ryan budget. Things didn't get very specific. Sam wondered if Romney picked Ryan becausehe thinks he is going to lose and asked why getting tough always meant punishing the middle class and the poor? On the Better Half:was the Ryan pick a way to distract people from Romney's taxes? Also Tim Pawlenty was vetted by the Romney campaign and he said that he needed to hand over several years of tax returns...
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8/7 Elizabeth Cline, Cost of Cheap Fashion; Rosie Gray,...
On todays show, Journalist Elizabeth Cline, revealed some of the many costs of our addiction to cheap fashion. Sam talked with BuzzFeeds Rosie Gray about theinner workings of the Tea Party and from the Majority Report archives, Professor David Graeber, talked about debts, markets and Occupy. And from the Air America days a beautiful performance from the Cowboy Junkies. Members make the Majority Report possible.Please join us by becoming a MEMBER. You can also show your support by clicking...
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8/3/12 Cliff Schecter, Sarah Silverman, Casual Friday
On today's show political maestro Cliff Schecter and Sam talked about why Senator Joe Manchin is just awful, the new employment numbers and whyHarry Reid's attack on Mitt Romney is so smart. We also learned something unexpected about Cliff's past. Sarah Silverman talked with Sam about his hair therapy regimen, meeting Al Gore after eating a pot cookie and recommended three movies:The controversial documentary theStaircase,the 1960s comedyWhere's Poppa(or Going Ape), the indie dramaJesus's...
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8/2/12 Glenn Greenwald, Normalizing Extremism
Glenn Greenwald was on the program today, talking about his new article the "Normalization of Extremism." Glenn and Sam talked about how policiesonce thought to be well outside of the mainstream such as torture and kill lists have become normalized in today's politics and how some of our worst cultural nightmares of a surveillance state are becoming true. On The Better Half: Sam talked about "hate a Gay eat a plastic chicken day" or as its also known Chick-fil-A appreciation day, Mitt...
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7/31/12 Neil Barofsky, How Washington Saved Wall Street...
Former Tarp Inspector General, Neil Barofsky joined Sam to talk about his new book Bailout: An Insider Account of How Washington Abandoned Main Street While Rescuing Wall Street. Neil and Sam discussed the widespread fraud in the TARP program, how theHAMP program was designed to provide a "soft landing" for banks the revolving door between Washington and Wall Street and getting a "Bullet or Bribe" Colombian Drug Cartel Style offer from the former head of TARP Herb Allison On the Better Half:...
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7/30 Eliot Spitzer, Self Regulation of Wall Street a...
Former NY Governor and host of View Point on Current TV, Eliot Spitzer discussed Tim Geithner's testimony at the LIBOR hearings last week, explained why self regulationof Wall Street is a failure and commented on former Citi CEO Sandy Weill''s voicing support for breaking up too big to fail banks.Also Mitt Romney is the most "awkward politician" Eliot Spitzer has ever seen. In the better half:Sam celebrated the 47th anniversary of Medicare, discussed the fake Bill Kellercolumnon Wikileaks...
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7/27/12 Cliff Schecter, News; Matthew Film Guy Movie...
Cliff Schecter talks with Sam about Mitt Romney's week of disaster oversees and revisits the Chick-Fil-A saga. Film Guy Matthew recommendeda couple of gritty Brazilian movies, Elite Squad 1 and 2 that brought out his inner right winger. In the Better Half:Sam talked about what might be an absolutely brutal leadership fight after the next election between Eric Cantor and John Boehner and your calls and IMs Members make the Majority Report possible. Please join us by becoming aMEMBER. You can...
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7/26/12 Matt Taibbi, the Grand Financial Illusion
Matt Taibbi talks with Sam about the Audit the FED bill that passed the house and the lack of media coverage the last time around, why Guy Lawsons book Octopus is so good atexplaining how Wall street works and a revealing interview Thomas Friedman did with a tough radio host in New Zealand. On the better halfAfter calling for a Police general strike in favor of gun control, Mike Bloomberg endorses anti gun control Scott Brown for Senate. A new study concludes that Medicare saves lives...
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7/25/12 Voter Surpression, Privatizing the Postal...
On today's show Sam discussed the string of scandals rocking the Philadelphia charter school system, Pennsylvania Republicans continued to push voter purge bills And Peter Orszag writesan incredibly disingenuous argument for privatizing the Postal Service. In the better half, Sam talked about Romney backer Suzy Welch saying Obama comes from the "other" America and a Romney aide speaking off the record in the UK saying that Obama doesn't respect our "Anglo Saxon Heritage." Wonder what they're...
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7/24/12 Digby, Fiscal Cliff Showdown
Hullabalooblogger Digby(@digby56)joined us today to talk the Dems plans for the fiscal cliff showdown, and the renewed drive to cut Social Security and Medicare. In the better half, Sam talked the surge in gun sales in Colorado, Fox hosts two little girls to explain Republican economic policy and Bloomberg calls for a strike.
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7/20/12 Cliff Schecter, News & Isabel Gillies, Movies
Cliff Schecter,Libertas LLC, talks NRA in wake of shooting rampage in Aurora, calls out right-wing Chick-fil-A chain (not a pop singer!) and indulges in weeklyRomney bashing. AndIsabel Gilliesdelivers this week's film pick (surprise, surprise!).
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7/19/12 Glen Ford, Obama the more effective Evil?
Glen Ford, editor of Black Agenda Report, on destructive policies of the Obama administration, the quiescent Left and the collapse of the Black community's voice in opposing this President. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 12-noon (EST)
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7/18/12 Stephen Kohn, FDA Spies on Whistleblowers
Stephen Kohn from the National Whistleblowers Center on FDA's surveillance of whistleblowing scientists; the invasive email dump, an enemies list and other elements of the case. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 12-noon (EST)
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7/17/12 David Dayen, California's War on Unions
David Dayen from Firedoglake News discusses California's Prop 32, the ballot initiative to divest unions of their political voice under guise of "campaign finance reform". Prop 32 goes before voters in November. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 12-noon (EST)
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7/16/12 Tom Junod, Obama's Lethal Presidency
Acclaimed writer Tom Junod on the targeted killing, drone strikes, capture and kill wars begun by Bush but given a legal and moral apparatus by Obama. His Esquire article, "The Lethal Presidency of Barack Obama." LIsten LIVE at Majority.fm 12-noon (EST)
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7/13/12 Guy Lawson, Wall Street's Wildest Con; Susie...
Investigative journalistGuy Lawsonon his book,Octopus: Sam Israel, the Secret Market, and Wall Street's Wildest Con. Also, interviews from Netroots Nation,EJ Graff(@ejgraff)fromAmerican ProspectandSusie Sampson(@susiesampson)fromTea Party Report.
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7/12/12 Nobel Laureate Physicist Steven Weinberg, Big...
Physicist and Nobel Prize winner,Steven Weinberg, on Higgs boson particle, today's attitude toward science and implications of not funding big science. His latest book,Lake Views: This World and the Universe. And, from Netroots Nation,Forrest Brown, fromProgressive Change Campaign Committee.
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7/10/12 Mike Masnick, the Rand and Ron Paul Brand of...
Techdirt's Mike Masnick on Ron and Rand Paul's "Internet Freedom" manifesto, which goes against what most Internet freedom advocates support. Also, the tug-of-war over net neutrality, regulatory control of the internet and safeguarding innovation. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 12-noon (EST)
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