The Majority Report with Sam Seder

On today's show: Mike Cernovich wants to buy Gawker for $500k, and his stooge Jack Posobiec's marriage is totally not on the rocks. We revisit some of the lowlights of Trump's SOTU: In an address that garnered the lowest net positive ratings since 1998, Trump attacked public sector unions under the guise of helping the VA, took credit for a long term trend in black unemployment rates, lied about "chain migration" and the visa lottery to whip up anti-immigrant sentiment, and mentioned the MS-13 gang about a million times. We break down what Joe Kennedy got wrong in his response and what Bernie Sanders got right.

On the fun half: Ronald Raygun points out Trump fabricated his gang and crime factoids and explains how nativist immigration policy actually worsens the problem. Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC) gets Trump to say on a hot mic that he will "100%" release the Nunes memo. Sam tells a story about a woke biker gang he met in Australia. Ryan in Ohio says Ohioans are on the side of the Palestinian man who got deported after 40 years in the US. Are liberal elites being hypocrites when they call working class people racists? Meghan in NJ says the Dems could have done more to protest during the SOTU and tells us Trump's hidden history as an anchor baby. Mr. Jamie Peck calls in to talk direct action and take Sam to task for focusing so much on electoral politics. Mindy defends Joe Kennedy. Should millennials be bringing children into this messed up world?

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Direct download: 1-31-18-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT

Join us for a special edition of the Majority Report as we watch Donald Trump's first State of the Union address with our old friend, the hilarious Judy Gold (@jewdygold). Afterwards, Judy responds with her own SOTU, then we watch responses from Joseph Kennedy III and Bernie "only guy who gets it" Sanders.

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Direct download: 1-30-18-Judy_Gold-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:26pm EDT

On today's show: SNL reminds everyone that Bush was actually a terrible president. Christian Picciolini, a reformed white supremacist turned peace activist, joins us to discuss his new book, "White American Youth: My Descent into America's Most Violent Hate Movement--and How I Got Out," and explain how the white supremacist movement has grown and thrived in the age of Trump. From his own experiences as a member of a neo-Nazi skinhead gang, he concludes the white power movement preys on people's need for community, targeting disaffected, insecure, or otherwise marginalized youth. He traces his journey from when he first joined CASH (Chicago Area Skin-Heads) to when he exited the group years later after making personal connections with black and Jewish customers at his record store. He discusses the connections between American neo-Nazis and Islamist groups like ISIS. Finally, he breaks down what's going on with so-called "alt-right" groups and offers suggestions for how to combat their influence through empathy. (We're probably still going to make fun of their leaders, but it's food for thought.)

On the fun half: Donald Trump tries to explain climate change (or "heating and cooling") to Piers Morgan, Jeb Bush takes some weak shots at Rubio and Trump and is generally miserable, a caller says Americans need to stop letting the aristocracy divide us, a caller shares firsthand knowledge of the Hell's Angels, why are the Democrats so committed to bipartisanship when their base DGAF, is Obama to blame for rehabilitating Bush II's image? (yes), the connection between right-wing libertarianism and the alt-right, Stephanie Hamill whines about fake news re: Mueller and gets called out for her #Pizzagate tweet, has Sam ever been in a fist fight?, and Sam reminisces about the time he got yelled at by Carl Bernstein.

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Direct download: 1-29-18-Christian_Picciolini-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:31pm EDT

Cliff Schecter (@CliffSchecter) and Isabel Gillies (@IsabelGillies) join us for Casual Friday.

On today's show: ICE strikes a deal to track people's license plates, Sean Hannity backs off his claim that Trump trying to fire Mueller is "fake news," and Cliff Schecter (@CliffSchecter) joins us to talk Mueller, government shutdown, cowardly Democrats, and more. After taking Chuck Schumer to task for his poor negotiation skills, Cliff and Sam posit some ideas for who might do a better job as Senate minority leader in the age of Trump. Next, Isabel Gillies (@IsabelGillies) calls in to talk star sightings, the Oscars, and #metoo's effect on Hollywood. Is Casey Affleck's stepping down from presenting the "best actress" award a sign things are changing? Isabel shares a personal story that relates to the current conversation.

On the fun half: John from San Antonio talks Medicare for All, DACA, and how nobody cares about the stock market, Chris Lapakko wonders if Democrats should skip the state of the union, Ron Johnson backs off his "secret society" claim, Trump claims at Davos "the best anti-poverty program is a paycheck" (will this lead him to a federal jobs guarantee?), Republicans refuse to say they find Mike Pence more credible than Stormy Daniels, can we shame lawmakers and gun manufacturers by naming mass shootings after them?, a caller breaks down a Senate race in FL, more commie talk, and a caller wants help getting through to his centrist liberal friends (hint: send them to JoinTheMajorityReport.com).

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Direct download: 1-26-18-Cliff_schecter-Isabel_Gillies-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:21pm EDT

David A. Ansell (@DrDavidAnsell) is a Chicago-based physician, social epidemiologist and author, most recently of "The Death Gap: How Inequality Kills." His efforts at both the national and local levels have advanced concerns about health inequities and the structure of the US health care system.
 
On today's show: Pizzagater Jack Posobiec thinks someone hacked his Bumble account to make it look like he was cheating on his pregnant wife, Senator Ron Johnson claims he has an FBI informant with info on the agency's "secret society," and Lou Dobbs thinks it's "time to declare war" against the "deep state."
 
David A. Ansell (@DrDavidAnsell) joins us to discuss his new book "The Death Gap: How Inequality Kills." In this book, Ansell breaks down how economic inequality reduces the life expectancy of people in poor neighborhoods. It's not simply that low-income people lack access to healthcare; growing up in an environment of stress and depravation has also been shown to worsen health outcomes. And when people die younger, they have less time to create wealth, creating a feedback effect that further exacerbates the problem. Ansell then tells some personal stories from his time as a doctor in Chicago to hammer the point home: We live in a violent healthcare apartheid state fueled by racism, exploitation, and un-fettered capitalism.
 
On the fun half: A caller fills us in on what's going on with the Brazilian election, a caller recommends the book "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America" by Chris Hedges, Trump "can't wait" to testify in the Mueller investigation, Trey Gowdy has questions about the FBI's secret society, a caller asks where his money will make the most difference, Sam and Jamie discuss whether or not social democracy is a sufficient solution to the problems created by capitalism, Ronald Raygun talks immigration and how he's come around on the points Jamie made about the Aziz Ansari story, and Tim from New Paltz offers scientific support for the idea that humans are a communally-inclined species. (For more on hunter-gatherer societies, check out "Sex at Dawn: How We Mate, Why We Stray, and What it Means for Modern Relationships" by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jetha.)
 

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Direct download: 1-25-18-David_Ansell-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:38pm EDT

On today's show, James Risen joins us to discuss his piece at the Intercept, My Life as a New York Times Reporter in the Shadow of the War on Terror. When he first uncovered a scoop on warrantless wiretapping of US citizens during the Bush years, it was an uphill battle to get the New York Times to publish it. The Bush administration told them to keep it under wraps for national security reasons, and NYT executive editor Bill Killer obeyed. When Risen threatened to put his reporting in a book instead, the paper still tried to suppress information in the name of national security. Risen's bravery in moving forward with the project — which was published in 2006 under the title "State of War: The Secret History of the CIA and the Bush Administration" — as well as protecting his sources in the face of a subpoena from the Obama administration and potential jail time, helped raise standards for how the media reports on national security matters.

On the fun half: Tomi Lahren is outraged black players aren't standing for the national anthem, a DSA member asks what white gentrifiers should consider when organizing tenants' unions in their communities, "steak doctor" Willie Degel cries about how the minimum wage increase is hurting small business owners, more discussion of DACA, the wall, and spineless Chuck Schumer, Alex Jones thinks he has the real Nunes memo, Senator Ron Johnson claims to know of an FBI "secret society," Mindy shares a dispatch from the Women's March, and how do Christians rationalize voting for Trump?

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Direct download: 1-24-18-James_Risen-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:35pm EDT

On today's show, Devin Nunes claims to have a memo about the FBI and DOJ abusing FISA but won't release it, and the Democrats have no strategy in the government shutdown.

Suja Thomas (@sujathomas3) discusses her new book, Unequal: How America's Courts Undermine Discrimination Law. While discrimination is technically against the law, there are many barriers to bringing claims. Thomas goes over some examples of egregious cases that were nonetheless dismissed, then explains some of the institutional barriers that prevent people from getting justice in these cases, from precedent and doctrine to the relative privilege of the judges making the decisions.

On the fun half: A member of Generation Z calls in to question whether his generation is actually more conservative, a caller discusses the Polish doctor detained by ICE, Gavin McInnes is a sad widdle baby throwing temper tantrums about his ever-decreasing relevance, Mike from PA breaks down his state's anti-gerrymandering decision, Lyin' Ted Cruz is caught being a hypocrite about the shutdown, a carpenter shares a story of a co-worker being turned over to ICE, are police unions always bad?, Dissident Peasant takes Senate Democrats to task, a brief discussion of Chelsea Manning, and Ronald Raygun fills us in on all the ways the GOP can terrorize immigrants.

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Direct download: 1-23-18-Suja_Thomas-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:05pm EDT

Hello everyone. Today, journalist Corey Pein (@CoreyPein) joins us to discuss the brutal crackdown on immigrants and the state of the government shutdown.

First, a Steakhouse CEO is upset waitstaff no longer act like servants.

Then, Corey and Michael talk the state of play on the government shutdown. Then, the onslaught against immigrant families and sanctuary cities carried out by ICE. The role of faith groups in defending immigrants from the ICE terror campaign.

On the fun half - Joe Scarborough continues subjecting America to his lame protest tunes, Alex Jones says Trump officially not illuminati, a return of Sassy Trump, Mike Pompeo says the CIA is being less 'risk averse.' Chelsea Manning crashes alt-right party but should skip the photo ops, plus your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 1-22-18-Corey_Pein-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:22pm EDT

On today's show: Mark Steyn says "at least white supremacists are American citizens." Heather Parton a.k.a. Digby (@digby56) joins us to talk government shutdown. Will Democrats hold the line on DACA, or will they cave like they always do? The extreme unpopularity of GOP policies, especially re: immigration, gives Digby reason to be hopeful. She then lays out a theory as to why Trump's tryst with Stormy Daniels supports the existence of a Russian piss tape. The truth is out there!

Next, Judy Gold (@JewdyGold) comes on for her patented two minutes' hate on topics including: Trump's abortion hypocrisy, the government shutdown, the New York Times' elevation of pro-Trump voices, tragic figure Chris Christie, and Trump's soft, repulsive body. Is it cool to fat-shame a monster? Roxane Gay's not willing to scold people for it, so maybe it's okay.

The family of deported father Jorge Garcia appear on "The View" to send a message to Trump.

On the fun half: Dave in Chicago plugs this weekend's protests and urges us to use encrypted messaging services, a caller talks conservatism in Hispanic communities, Carl Higbie thinks blacks see having kids "a form of employment," gun nuts think they're being persecuted like Jews during the Holocaust, and Bernie Sanders calls in to talk DACA, the shutdown, and Medicare for all. How will progressives take back the House in 2018? Via grassroots action, increased turnout, and a 50 state strategy, of course! With broad, inspiring messages like Medicare for all and a $15 minimum wage (plus increased transparency and democracy), Sanders says the party is poised to make major gains in 2018 and beyond.

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Direct download: 1-19-18-Digby-Judy_Gold-Bernie_Sanders-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:42pm EDT

On today's show: Fox News' Bob Massi thinks the Democrats boycotting Trump's state of the union are the real racists, Senator Ed Markey says Dems are "not going to blink" without DACA, General John Kelly says Trump's views on the wall have "evolved" and gets reamed out on Twitter by Boss Baby himself, Trump's policies and the El Salvador government are working together to force refugees into slave labor in Qatar. 

On the fun half: Greg in OK plugs progressive Tom Guild's 2018 congressional campaign, James in Brussels breaks down how lobbying and campaign finance work in Europe, AZ governor Doug Ducey is offended the media would tie his "school choice" campaign to the Koch brothers just because they're funding it, we discuss the Aziz Ansari story with multiple callers, Kyle Stephens confronts her rapist, former USA Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar, in court, Sam tries to bro down with a caller about carpentry, can social movements change policy or must we engage in bourgeois electoralism, Jeff Sessions spreads misinformation about the education levels of immigrants (not that it should matter; let's not play respectability politics), why is the Democratic Party so beholden to purple states, a Canadian talks about US immigration policy's effects on Canada, Ronald Raygun delivers the funny once more, and a DACA recipient calls in to share his story.

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Direct download: 1-18-18-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:11pm EDT

Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) joins us to talk about the changing political tide.

On today's show: Trump paid adult performer Stormy Daniels $150k for mysterious reasons but nobody cares because it's Trump, and Eric Trump goes on Fox and Friends to claim his dad is too greedy to be racist.

Journalist David Weigel joins us to discuss "the Wisconsin surprise." Is it a sign that districts all over the country will switch from "R" to "D" in 2018? While wealthy exurbs will benefit most from the Trump tax cuts, dissatisfaction with other Trump policies led these districts to lean toward Democrat Patty Schachtner in Tuesday's special state Senate election. With rising backlash to Trump and ad hoc groups all over the country contributing money and people power to defeating the GOP, it's possible Democrats will continue to see victories.

On the fun half: Trump's homeland security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen isn't sure that Norway is mostly white people, Tucker Carlson and his crazy friend Heather MacDonald think feminists brought rape upon themselves via the sexual revolution, Dave Rubin uses MLK Day to remind viewers he understands neither MLK, economic systems, nor the meaning of life, a caller accuses the left of supporting Chelsea Manning's Senate run for id-pol-related reasons, Steve Bannon calls in with a question about Bitcoin, Victor in VA wonders what the Democrats' immigration policy actually is, are bad faith actors using the Aziz Ansari story as an excuse for #metoo backlash? (duh), White House doctor Ronny Jackson claims Trump has "great genes," Jamie upsets Michael with a theory on Trump's kinks, Senator Jeff Flake compares Trump to Stalin, and Republicans steal valor from Abe Lincoln.

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Direct download: 1-17-18-Dave_Weigel-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:39pm EDT

Iowa voters openly laugh at State Senator Joni Ernst when she suggests Trump is "standing up" for certain countries, Tom Cotton thinks the Democrats will be punished politically if they shut down the government over DACA, KY governor Matt Bevin defends Medicaid work requirements, a woman bids a tearful farewell to her husband who's being deported after 30 years in the US, and Sam says the f-word, with good reason: Trump's attack on immigrants is racism, pure and simple.

On the fun half: Jon from San Antonio breaks down the Democrats' 2018 chances, Ronald Raygun thinks the media has failed us by reporting more on the word "shithole" than Trump's actual immigration policy, Rand Paul thinks we are the problem for calling Trump a racist, S.E. Cupp has some interesting metaphors for Trump's defenders, Project Veritas "uncovers" well-known facts about social media, Ben Shapiro finally gets shoved in a locker, UK politician Emily Thornberry throws shade on Trump's attempted visit, a caller plugs Edwards for PA, a caller makes Sam an offer he can't refuse, Gorka tries desperately to hold onto relevance, and Dissident Peasant explains why we must un-couple work from our value as people.

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Direct download: 1-16-18-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EDT

Dr. King’s first tv “interview” from the show "The Open Mind – The New Negro" in 1957, hosted by Professor Richard D. Hefner.

Beyond Vietnam, delivered on April 4, 1967 at Riverside Church in New York City.

MLK’s last speech “Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution“ delivered at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., on 31 March 1968.

Walter Cronkite reports King's assassination.

Nina Simone "Why?" live, 3 days following MLK's assassination.

Telephone Conversation between President Johnson and Martin Luther King, Jr., August 20, 1965 Time: 5:10 PM 

Topics: Close Votes On Poverty Bill; Thomas Kuchel's Letter On Watts Riots; MLK's Meetings With California Leaders; Need For Federal Programs To Alleviate Poverty; WH Civil Rights Conference; Howard University Speech; MLK's Views On Vietnam Policy; Peace Efforts

Direct download: 1-15-18-MLK_Day-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:54am EDT

David Dayen (@ddayen) joins us to discuss the evils of Aflac and Film Guy Matthew Weiss (@langdonboom) drops some quality movie recommendations.

On today's show: Dick Durbin is outraged that Trump called countries "shitholes," ambassador to the Netherlands Pete Hoekstra can't name a single Dutch politician burned alive by Muslims, and Jesse Waters defends Trump's remarks. Journalist David Dayen discusses his new series at The Intercept, Behind the Duck, in which he exposes the wild abuses and hyper-exploitation operating at every level of the company. As it turns out, the blatantly illegal misclassification of workers is only the tip of the iceberg. Next, Film Guy Matthew stops by to recommend some movies everyone should check out: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, a 1969 British coming-of-age drama set in an all-girls school, and Errol Morris' mind-bending new series "Wormwood," which explores the fallout of the US government's MK Ultra program. He also recommends a few things to watch while enjoying psychedelics, as does Jamie.

On the fun half: Steve Mnuchin says Davos is not a "globalist hangout," a caller breaks down why shitcoin is the best cryptocurrency, #NeverTrump conservative Rick Wilson threatens to gut Jonathan Frederick "like a fish," Don Lemon calls out Trump's racism, what's the deal with Slavoj Zizek, and the crew discusses problematic favs not limited to but including: T.S. Eliot, Swans, D.H. Lawrence, virtually all music enjoyed by Michael, and Michael himself.

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Direct download: 1-12-18-David_Dayen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:16pm EDT

Trita Parsi, the founder and president of the Iranian American Council, joins us to discuss the recent Iran protests. Parsi explains how the country's government's leaked budget, with cuts to entitlements, and new taxes enraged its citizens and led them to protest. Cronyism, economic inequality, and state religious repression in Iran. Outside agitation by the US and others and Rouhani's acknowledgment of protester rights. The red line ruling-class conservatives crossed in letting political conflict disrupt everyday life against Rouhani. Rouhani's untimely neoliberal leanings. What is and is not working about the Iran deal, particularly how it serves Trump as a periodic reminder of an Obama accomplishment. The role of sanctions in depressing Iran and stoking frustration, and how Trump admin instability makes it worse.

On the fun half - Steve Bannon calls in as candidates begin to distance themselves from him, Carrier workers getting laid off again, Arpaio is back on his birther, more on BitCoin, Laura Ingraham's right wing listeners aren't happy with Trump saying DACA recipients may not be kicked out.

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Direct download: 1-11-18-Trita_Parsi-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:17pm EDT

Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) joins us to discuss his new book, I Can't Breathe: A Killing on Bay Street.

On today's show: Infamous former sheriff Joe Arpaio thinks he's qualified to be a senator, and click here to win a ticket to see Dennis Miller live. Let's fill the front row with MR listeners saying "bap bap bap" in unison!

Journalist and author Matt Taibbi provides background and context to the police killing of Staten Island man Eric Garner. As gentrification crept into Garner's Tompkinsville neighborhood, the police became an occupying force, targeting Garner and others for small offenses under the as-yet-unproven "broken windows" theory. Garner was not even selling cigarettes on the day he died, but the cops targeted him anyway. Taibbi breaks down the flaws in our criminal justice system that allowed Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who killed Garner, to evade accountability. He also remembers Garner's daughter Erica as a promising young activist whose life was cut tragically short.

On the fun half: We continue our east coast/north coast beef over New York vs. Chicago pizza, Dianne Feinstein tricks Trump into supporting a "clean DACA" act, Oprah's pro-war propaganda, a parochial school asks kids to come up with arguments in favor of slavery, Dissident Peasant laments how much power the police and military have, the Mercers throw Steve Bannon under the bus over a $7 billion tax bill, and a caller predicts Oprah will win the Democratic nomination.

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Direct download: 1-10-18-Matt_Taibbi-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:10pm EDT

Author, labor organizer and scholar Jane McAlevey (@rsgexp), author of "Raising Expectations (and Raising Hell): My Decade Fighting for the Labor Movement" joins us to discuss union organizing in the age of Trump.

On today's show: Trump's HHS nominee Alex Azar once extended Cialis' patent by testing it on kids. KS state Rep. Steve Alford thinks blacks are especially susceptible to marijuana abuse. McAlevey breaks down the potential fallout from the Janus and Murphy Oil cases, gives tips for building solidarity even in right to work states, and explains why the women's and labor movements must get better at working together. Could the "free riders" imposed by anti-union decisions be an opportunity to build working class solidarity?

On the fun half: Ivanka tweets about Oprah's speech, Ainsley Earhardt says it's "not fair" that immigrants get to "live here for free," a caller is sorry he ever liked Sam Harris or Dave Rubin, THE RETURN OF DUG, Alex Jones takes on Oprah, an Australian caller hates on Tony Blair, and Mindy rails against Democratic incompetence in her state.

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Direct download: 1-9-18-Jane_McAlevey-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:51pm EDT

Dr. Kimberly Mehlman-Orozco (@MehlmanOrozco) joins us to discuss her new book Hidden in Plain Sight: America’s Slaves of the New Millennium. Drawing on a large volume of research, Mehlman-Orozco debunks some of the preconceived notions people hold about trafficking victims, traffickers, and clients, who are often unaware they're employing trafficking victims. She critiques counterproductive policy like the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, which targets websites like Backpage.com, and lays out a case for comprehensive decriminalization of sex work as advocated by Amnesty International.

On the fun half: Ronald Raygun tries to bang Sam's wife and updates us on one of his immigration cases, Rep. Don Shooter gets weird in response to a question about the sexual harassment allegations against him, Alex Jones has an anti-Semitic ragegasm over "demonic" journalist Brian Stelter, a caller delivers some left crit of Oprah, Trump needs his "executive time," Boris thinks Trump is doing a great job handling North Korea, how do we move the Democrats to the left, and Gabe from Chicago notes the Republican psyche is all projection.

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Direct download: 1-8-18-Kimberly_Mehlman_Orozco-Pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:51pm EDT

On this Casual Friday episode, Cliff Schecter (@cliffschecter) joins us to discuss the Democrats' chances of re-taking the Senate, Jeff Sessions' racist war on pot, the electoral impact of Puerto Ricans moving to Florida, and why the Democrats refuse to run on extremely popular issues like marijuana legalization. Next, Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) comes on to discuss Michael Wolff's book and Trump's cognitive capacity for trying to bang his friends' wives. Is he an idiot savant? Then Sam breaks out his talking Dennis Miller doll and everyone marvels at the comedic tragedy of it all.

On the fun half: Sam's avatar does Dance Dance Revolution to the Euro disco version of La Poupee, Michael Wolff discusses his book on TV, Alex Jones calls Bannon a traitor, the Mooch angles for a return to the White House, "Carl in NH" complains about reverse racism, the Mooch praises Michael Wolff's giant DSL, and a caller explains the origins of the word "libtard."

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Direct download: 1-5-18-Cliff_Schecter-Andy_Kindler-Pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:53pm EDT

On this episode of The Majority Report, Cas Mudde (@CasMudde), an assistant Professor of International Relations at University of Georgia and author of The Far Right in America (Extremism and Democracy), joins us to discuss far right movements in Europe and the United States. How are these movements different in the US vs Europe? How reliant are they on shady rich people's money? Whatever happened to the Tea Party? And the five stages of liberal denial!

On the fun half: Gavin McInnes thinks Michael Wolf wrote a mean book about Trump because he's a closeted gay, Newt Gingrich disses Bannon, Tucker Carlson is upset about The Root being mean to white people, Jeff Sessions rescinds Obama's policy on legal pot, Ben Carson fails at rolling back a voucher program, a caller outlines the need for a unified left, more callers discuss ethnocentricity, and will the bitcoin bubble burst? (Yes.)

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Direct download: 1-4-18-Cas_Mudde-Pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:39pm EDT

Trita Parsi calls out William Kristol for his calls to bomb and kill Iranians.

Healthcare journalist Suzanne Gordon (@suzannecgordon) : "The Battle for Veterans’ Healthcare: Dispatches from the Frontlines of Policy Making and Patient Car", explains the importance of VHA's public scientific health innovation. Why Veterans health is a nationalized public health system.Why public healthcare works better. The distinctions between treating veterans and civilians. Why socialized medicine works best in treating people based on evidence? The Bush Administration and the undermining of VA healthcare. The astroturf group targeting the VA. The failures of media coverage of the VA. How privatizing the VA hurts service. The Bernie Sanders bill that would have saved the VA and Republican bill that ended up creating a funding gap in the VA. The Charter school strategy of starving public services so they can be privatized and why the Kochs and other market fanatics want to destroy the VA because of its success as government run healthcare.

On The Fun Half: The Moore's Jewish lawyer is apparently not really their friend after all. North Dakota state rep likes calling people libtards on Twitter. South Carolina Republican state lawmakers try to create a monument to honor black confederate war veterans and discover there were none. Andrew Cuomo is awful. Former Nazi explains how the Trump Adminstration uses massaged Nazi language and Megyn Kelly plays dumb on her role in normalizing this language on Fox News. Michelle Malkin and Sean Hannity talk aggressive and stupid on Fox. Should we be more serious about Bitcoin. Steve Bannon talks treason, money laundering and the Trump Administration. Debunking confederate/libertarian myths about the Civil War and the Civil Rights and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 1-3-18-Suzanne_Gordon-Pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:48pm EDT

Fox & Friends freaks out about California decriminalizing weed and making itself a sanctuary state. The Trump Administration makes it easier for Oil companies to create another Deep Water Horizon spill. Also nursing homes will be less safe thanks to Republicans. The Australian roots of the Russia investigation. Milo's editor notes.  All the many, many, many ways that Trump and the Republicans are destroying America.

On The Fun Half: a delusional caller debates Sam and Michael about the campus free speech debate. Remembering Erica Garner. What's driving protests in Iran? Peace between Mike Cernovich and Sam? The worst people in America threatening Iran. The MR community made Cernovich late to an Alex Jones appearance.

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Direct download: 1-2-18-Sam_Seder-Pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:10pm EDT

Best of from November 2016:

Zack Exley (@zackexley) and Becky Bond (@bbond) on their new book on lessons from their time on the Bernie Sanders campaign: Rules for Revolutionaries: How Big Organizing Can Change Everything (Paperback – November 18, 2016). “Distributed Organizing” and using technology to actually make contact with voters. How important an earlier start to the Bernie campaign could have been. Giving volunteers more responsibility, along with structure and accountability. Hillary’s flawed data-driven get-out-the-vote efforts. How to counter Trump by going on the offensive on the left.

Then, a selection of conversations about Bill O'Reilly, featuring Andy Kindler.

Direct download: 1-1-18-Becky_Bond-Zach_Exley-BestOf-Pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:00am EDT

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