The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Eric Levitz (@EricLevitz) of New York Magazine joins us to discuss his latest piece, "Unions Are Not a Special Interest Group."

On today's show: Trump says he'll "have a little fun today" visiting shooting victims' families.

Eric Levitz (@EricLevitz) of New York Magazine joins us to discuss unions, Jordan Peterson, Puerto Rico, and more.

The correlation of unionization rates and the wages of all workers, not just the ones in unions. The myth that higher unionization rates hinder economic growth, especially when you look at the share of that growth that goes to the working class. Anti-union propaganda and the shifting perception of unions, even among the Democratic Party. The 1970s roots of backlash against unions. Why so many Senators consistently vote against labor. The contradictory politics of people in red states and the rising respect for unions among even (some) Republican voters. Levitz's take on Jordan Peterson and the myth that Marxists want everyone to be perfectly equal. The policy changes that would have to take place for us to actually have equality of opportunity.

The survey that found 4,581 Puerto Ricans, not 64, have died as the result of Hurricane Maria. The failings of the Trump administration and the manmade nature of this catastrophe.

The corporate malfeasance by which Purdue Pharmaceuticals knowingly profited off of, and contributed to, opiate addiction in the US. The false dichotomy between rule of law and economic inequality in framing problems like the opiate epidemic.

On the fun half: The broader implications of the coup against Lula in Brazil. Police beat up drunk woman on New Jersey beach. Jim Acosta cries about MAGA people calling him a scumbag. Bacon's rebellion, miscegenation laws, and the history of the ruling class using racism to divide workers. Tucker Carlson says that MSNBC, Tim Wise are the real racists. A caller in Nigeria talks about the state of LGBT rights in Africa and what we can do about it. Alex Jones defends Roseanne by saying he's "gorilla-like" himself. Mike Pompeo shakes hands with Kim Yong Chol, Vice Chairman of North Korea. China releases video of awesome aqua drones. What to say to someone who thinks progressive politics don't go far enough? Jamie and Michael debate tactics and where to draw the line. Should the MR crew go harder on people like David Brooks?

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Direct download: 5-31-18-Eric-Levitz-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:20pm EDT

Gerald Horne, Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston and author of 'The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism: The Roots of Slavery, White Supremacy and Capitalism in Seventeenth Century North America and the Caribbean' joins us.

On today's show: Virginia is set to expand Medicaid; Utah to vote on Medicaid expansion and medical marijuana. Trump tells voters in TN that Nancy Pelosi "loves MS-13." ICE is separating more kids from their parents.

Gerald Horne, Professor of History and African American Studies at the University of Houston, joins us to discuss his latest book, 'The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism: The Roots of Slavery, White Supremacy and Capitalism in Seventeenth Century North America and the Caribbean.' How England's rise to power in the 1600s was fueled by the slave trade. What "apocalypse" means in this context: The mass deaths of Native Americans and Africans. The construction of whiteness as a "new identity politics" and the purposes it served in Europe and the New World. Could European integration be reversed? Which came first, slavery or white supremacy? The role played by the Crusades and Enlightenment-era "science," and how these ideas got yoked to capitalism. The high profit margins of the slave business. Horne's perspective on Trump, the NFL controversy and modern day politics.

On the fun half: John from San Antonio on Bernie 2020 and the latest primary polls. Alex Jones gives stay-at-home-son Michael Rotondo a pep talk on Infowars. Dave Rubin tries to defend Bill Maher. Tucker Carlson compares Roseanne cancellation to book burning, re-education. ABC began its recent upfronts with jokes about Roseanne's Twitter activity. A caller on the opposition journalist who faked his own death in Kiev. Asad Haider's book on how identity politics have divided the left. Rush Limbaugh asks if NFL protests are worse than Roseanne's racist tweets. Geraldo Rivera, who likes to drink, jokes that Greg Gutfeld is a "pervert on the playground."

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Direct download: 5-30-18-Gerald-Horne-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:18pm EDT

On today's show: Giuliani gets booed at Yankee stadium on his birthday. ICE lost track of 1,475 immigrant children last year; some of them wound up trafficked. PBS Frontline documents Guatemalan teens forced to work on Ohio egg farm. Is it bad that people are conflating Obama's immigration policy with Trump's? GEO Group private prison contractor creates a prison transport bus for babies. Jonathan Chait's latest sloppy, red-baiting piece on how "the left" doesn't care about democracy.

On the fun half: GOP candidate John Ward doesn't want PuertoRonald  Ricans voting in Florida races. New Harvard study finds death toll in Puerto Rico is at least 4,600 (official government figure: 64). Ireland overturns its abortion ban by referendum, granting human rights to millions. Sam was right about birth control and conservative commentator Peter Schiff was wrong. Ronald Raygun on ICE removal proceedings, the lack of a left alternative on immigration policy. Roseanne's show canceled over racist tweet. GOP Congressman Dana Rohrabacher won't apologize for supporting housing discrimination against gay people. KY Catholic diocese banned a valedictorian's speech for being too political, so the teen found a megaphone. Maggie Haberman and the NYT don't want to lose their White House access. A plug for Chardo Richardson, the Justice Democrat running against Blue Dog Stephanie Murphy in Florida. Mindy on Haberman's connections to the Kushner family. A caller recommends the manga version of Marx's Capital. (This one is good too, says Jamie.) How dependent is MMT on the US as global hegemonic power?

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Direct download: 5-29-18-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:49pm EDT

Adam Winkler, a professor of constitutional law at the UCLA School of Law, joins us to discuss his new book "We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights." What exactly is a corporation? The corporations seizing of their first rates as 1809, and how corportions are extensions of property rights. How "Corporate Personhood has become problematic. How corporations shed their public obligations and piggybacked on the 14th amendment to give corporations more rights. How the Supreme Court has been consistently pro-corporate whether it leaned liberal or conservative. The counter-intuitive role of Ralph Nader in expanding corporate rights. Citizen's United and the "money=speech" equation.

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Direct download: MR_Adam_Winkler_May_28_2018.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:00am EDT

Good morning on everyone on today's show, Benjamin  Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon)  and Ben Mankiewicz. We are live at 12:00 ET.

First, ICE has lost 1475 children they ripped from parents they've detained. It must go.

Then, Ben Dixon joins us to break down Nancy Pelosi's lame response to the NFL telling players they can't kneel, Trump's erratic diplomacy with North Korea, and how much will the Democrats squander their "blue wave."

The Ben Mankiewicz joins us to discuss his love for Los Angeles driving routes, The Americans and Deadwood, Fleetwood Mac as the third greatest band of all-time, and Steve Kerr's response to the NFL's kneel rule.

On the fun half - The NRA's Dan Bongino calls NFL players snowflakes and blocks Matt, Trump continues making NK talks pettier than you can imagine, is a fascist board game indoctrinating children, LGBT  rights still need defending, and your calls and IMs!

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Direct download: 5-25-18-Ben_Dixon-Mankiewicz-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:48pm EDT

Anthropologist David Graeber (@davidgraeber) joins us to discuss his book, "Bullshit Jobs: A Theory."

On today's show: Trump says NFL protesters shouldn't be in the country. Milwaukee police tase NBA player Sterling Brown over parking infraction.

Anthropologist and activist David Graeber joins us to discuss his book, "Bullshit Jobs: A Theory." How Graeber gathered stories from people about their experiences of work. The five categories of bullshit jobs: goon, duct taper, flunkie, box ticker, task master. The high percentage of UK survey respondents who think their jobs add nothing to the world. The psychological effects of knowing your job is bullshit. The link (or lack thereof) between GDP, employment rates and indicators of well being. What the growing number of useless jobs says about how capitalism actually works. How whole industries are moving to a system of managerial feudalism. How the financialization of the economy drives the bullshit job phenomenon and the role the government plays in extracting profits. The benefits of replacing means-tested programs with UBI. Why right-wing populists resent the cultural elite.

On the fun half: Josh from Chicago praises Jamie's op-ed on Cynthia Nixon, points out the white supremacy of Trump's NFL statement. Bari Weiss's hot NFL take. Richard Spencer admits the alt-right is not pro- free speech. Elon Musk complains about the press, Peter Daou invites him to fund Verrit (hell yeah). A caller inducts more people into the Yacubian left. Is Trump's NFL meddling a first amendment issue? Jim Bakker knows "in his spirit" than 100 hit men have been hired to assassinate Trump. Mike Pence says North Korea must adhere to Libya model in negotiations. An early plug for International Whores Day (donate at IWD18.org). What kind of statement is 'The Handmaid's Tale' making about politics? Michael from Miami calls in to contextualize Bill Clinton's '90s-era politics.

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Direct download: 5-24-18-David_Graeber-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:41pm EDT

Journalist Marcy Wheeler (@emptywheel) joins us to discuss the latest on the Mueller investigation.

On today's show: Trump tells anecdote about young girl coming home from "schloogp." Congress passes "right to try" bill that will undercut FDA's ability to regulate potentially dangerous new drugs. An update on primary results from around the country.

Journalist Marcy Wheeler, of EmptyWheel.net, helps us unravel the many threads of the Mueller investigation. The DOJ's interest in Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen and Jared Kushner and how it works when people agree to flip. Giuliani's theory that the FBI had an informant in the Trump campaign. The trading of foreign policy favors for dirt on Hillary and the deal between Mike Flynn and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. The role played by informant Stefan Halper. The White House's efforts to limit the investigation to pre-election promises ("quid") and exclude post-election follow-through ("pro quo"). The imminent sentencing of Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos, who lied to the FBI to cover up treason. How Don Jr. and Eric Prince fielded offers from oligarchs and spies from around the world. How the "crime fraud exception" could invalidate Cohen's attorney-client privilege. How this tracks with the rest of Trump's shady career. Manafort's many charges and the likelihood he will flip. What's next?

On the fun half: Jake Tapper calls out Matt Gaetz's far right collusion interference. Journalist Lesley Stahl says Trump told her he attacks the media so people won't believe negative stories about him. Trump touts his pro-life bona fides at Susan B. Anthony dinner. Why do Democrats run on tickets with Republicans? More un-published Jordan Peterson books. Dr. Gorka's dissertation. Dave from Jamaica asks how we get to a post-capitalist future; Jamie responds. Steve Bannon says MLK would be proud of Trump's black unemployment rate. Racist lawyer Aaron Schlossberg's crap apology. Trump goes off script, says 2018 is less important than 2016. NFL owners vote to penalize players for kneeling during national anthem; players' union responds.

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Direct download: 5-23-18-Marcy_Wheeler-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:36pm EDT

Journalist Yasha Levine (@yashalevine) joins us to discuss his new book, Surveillance Valley: The Secret Military History of Silicon Valley, and Cliff Schecter (@cliffschecter) joins us to talk about his new project, Ohioans for Economic Opportunity.

On today's show: Betsy Devos says she has "heard that opined" that there are $15 billion in cuts to student aid in the plan she approved.

Yasha Levine joins us to discuss the history of the internet as a surveillance tool. The birth of the internet in the 1950s as a Cold War national security network and the development of ARPANET in the 1960s as a way to gather and analyze data. The internet's history as a tool for spying on US citizens and how that undercuts the techno-libertarian ethos. The National Science Foundation's successful efforts to privatize the internet once it caught on with consumers. The web's concentration of private entities that will share info with the government. The internet's domination by private monopolies and government spies as a reflection of neoliberalism, not a natural inevitability. How TOR is presented as a privacy solution, but is actually funded by government contractors and used to spy on people. The impossibility of true internet privacy and the political nature of the problem.

Cliff Schecter joins us to talk about his new project, Ohioans for Economic Opportunity. Through a website and media buys, Cliff hopes to spread the word about how Republican lawmakers are screwing over the middle class on "kitchen table" issues like taxes and healthcare. His hopes of replacing Rep. Steve Shabot with Democratic challenger Aftab Pureval. Why, in Cliff's opinion, Democrats can win in Ohio by appealing to POC voters and moderates who don't like Trump. For more, visit OHeconomicopportunity.org.

On the fun half: Betsy Devos explains (deflects) why school performance reviews don't need to include "sub-performance groups." Is she evil, stupid, or some combo of both? The NRA's absurd commercial for "National School Shield," their plan to "mitigate" the number of kids who are murdered with guns. Mike Pompeo vows U.S., middle east allies will "crush" Iranian operatives around the world. KY Governor Matt Bevin talks about cutting "red tape" when he's really cutting the safety net. Trump says NASCAR fans are good because they "stand for our flag." Woman calls cops on people in Oakland for BBQing while black; community responds with even more BBQs. Vic Berger shares threatening visit from Proud Boys in retaliation for making fun of them. A caller breaks down the Supreme Court's recent anti-labor decision, recommends subscriptlaw.com for info on Supreme Court rulings. Dissident Peasant fills us in on the governor's race in GA (vote for Stacy Abrams!).

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Direct download: 5-22-18-Yasha_Levine-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:50pm EDT

On today's show: Trump is having second thoughts on his negotiations with North Korea. The Supreme Court issues an anti-labor ruling. Home Depot tycoon Ken Langone tells millennials they, too, can love capitalism if only they give it a try. Border patrol agent detains two women for speaking Spanish in Montana. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick says schools need to limit the number of entrances to prevent shootings. Sean Hannity wants the government to monitor every student's social media account. Lt. Gov. Patrick thinks abortion led to Santa Fe shooting. Oliver North throws stone from glass house, says "culture of violence" is to blame for mass shootings (also Ritalin).

On the fun half: John from San Antonio updates us on how Berniecrats are doing in primaries. Caller Mariana on the complex web of factors driving the incel movement. (It might be fun to mock these people, but is it politically helpful?) A fedora-adorned Jordan Peterson thinks "good men" are going away because boys aren't allowed to throw snowballs anymore. A list of JP's un-published works. The connection between many mass shootings and far right ideology. A severely abbreviated summary of how capitalism (and its helpers patriarchy and white supremacy) provides the basis for toxic incel culture.

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Direct download: 5-21-18-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:46pm EDT

Digby (@digby56) and Larry Murphy join us.

On today's show: Bill Gates reveals that Trump asked him the difference between HIV and HPV, twice. Racist lawyer Aaron Schlossberg once harassed vlogger Willie Morris on the street, calling him an "ugly foreigner."

Heather Parton a.k.a Digby, of Salon.com and Hullabaloo, joins us to break down the news. The latest on Trump's shady business deals and the degree to which we've become a kleptocracy. Digby's critique of the Democrats' midterm electoral strategy: They should be attacking Trump and the GOP more. Six Democrats voted to confirm Gina Haspel. What's up with all this capitulation? Is Chuck Schumer just bad at his job? The GOP's failed attack on SNAP by way of the Farm Bill. The history of tying SNAP to agricultural subsidies as a compromise between urban and rural areas. How the Republican Party has gone from appealing to the crazies to being them. How Americans can exert pressure on elected officials from the bottom.

Voice actor and comedian Larry Murphy (@LarryMurphyJr) joins us. Rudy Giuliani melts down over a Clinton-era clip of himself contradicting his own assertion re: whether or not the president can be subpoenaed. Trump's shady associate Felix Sater and comparisons to crime boss Whitey Bulger. An update on the "Bob's Burgers" universe. A new Jimmy Reefercake song is played.

On the fun half: Footage from the scene of the school shooting in Sante Fe, TX. Woman who brought gun to graduation was paid right-wing operative. Charlie Kirk praises black conservative Candace Owens; Vic Berger remixes her with Kanye. Racist lawyer yells "you are not a Jew!" at Rabbi who supports Linda Sarsour. ICE director cries at WH summit because everyone hates ICE officers. Oochie Wally on black conservatism. (Book rec: 'Why Some Politicians Are More Dangerous Than Others,' by James Gilligan.) Listener Tammy emotionally blackmails her fellow Texans into voting. Jordan Peterson's modest proposal for a fascist rape state.

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Direct download: 5-18-18-Digby_Larry_Murphy-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:19pm EDT

Splinter media reporter David Uberti joins us to discuss his latest investigative piece, "Univision is a F***cking Mess," where he dives into how corporate raiding, complacency, excess, and incompetence are gutting what was once the most promising new media company in America.

On the fun half - Alex Jones meets/flees from a fan with Milo in an all-time clip, a Canadian woman does a terrible homage of Childish Gambino's America, a substitute teacher goes on hunger strike in Milwaukee, a girl takes an AR-10 on campus for graduation photos, Boris Epshteyn thinks Chris Cillizza is fomenting violence, does Israel have a right to exist? And your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 5-17-18-David_Uberti-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:58pm EDT

Journalist David Dayen(@ddayen), of the Nation, the Intercept, the New Republic and more, joins us.

On today's show: Michigan state reaches $500 million settlement for Larry Nassar's victims. Tucker Carlson calls Pat Davis' anti-NRA ad "rude," argues with him about the AR-15.

Journalist David Dayen(@ddayen) joins us to talk primary results and the effects of the Dodd Frank rollback. How progressive Democrats (especially women) won big in PA primaries and what that means for the future of the party. The effects of re-districting on the "blue wave." Is the Democratic Party having a "Tea Party" moment? The two DSA-endorsed women who defeated an establishment family in PA. What it means that the DCCC and EMILY's List abandoned Kara Eastman, a pro-choice, progressive woman running against an anti-choice, moderate man. What's up with the Idaho governor's race?

The impact of the Dodd Frank rollback bill a.k.a. S. 2155 a.k.a. "the Crapo bill," which 17 Senate Democrats voted for. The lie that this bill will prevent the consolidation of banks and increase rural community lending. What Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) should have learned from public-private banking partnerships in her own state.

David breaks down the consolidation of Ticketmaster and Live Nation. How Ticketmaster makes most if its money off fees and captures much of the secondary market as well. How Live Nation and Ticketmaster create a "monopsony" wherein artists not repped by Live Nation have a harder time booking shows. The effect of the Live Nation/Ticketmaster monopoly on the type and quality of music available to consumers.

To stay up to date on David's many articles, visit daviddayen.tumblr.com.

On the fun half: White collar bro threatens to call ICE on restaurant workers for speaking Spanish. Heidi Heitkamp grills Nielsen over DHS plans to separate kids from parents. Jordan Peterson claims he's not alt-right, refuses to own his libertarian bullshit, talks absent black fathers with Charlie Kirk. Mike from PA breaks down the primary results, attributes progressive success to resistance moms. Mindy on how her Republican neighbor lost her election. (Suck it, Wendy!) A former IDF soldier explains how far right Zionists and Hamas benefit one another.

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Direct download: 5-16-18-David_Dayen-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:36pm EDT

Yousef Munayyer (@YousefMunayyer), Executive Director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, joins us.

On today's show: IDF deploys tear gas drones against protesters at Gaza border. Nikki Haley lays blame for the violence on Hamas and their burning kites.

Yousef Munayyer (@YousefMunayyer), Executive Director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, joins us to discuss the situation in Gaza. The internal displacement of Palestinians to Gaza and the problems they face there. What really happened after Israel's 2005 "withdrawal"? How Israel maintains a racial apartheid state and violates international law with impunity. Who the protesters are, what role Hamas is actually playing, and the myth that Hamas has majority support. The billions of dollars the US gives Israel each year in completely unnecessary military aid. How US public opinion on Israel is shifting. The significance of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem on the anniversary of the 1948 Palestinian exodus, or Nakba. Munayyer's own family's story of displacement and the #mynakbastory hashtag. How Americans can demand accountability from our government. The BDS movement and parallels with South African apartheid. The post-Trump outlook for middle east policy.

On the fun half: Jared Kushner says the US embassy in Jerusalem shows Trump is keeping his promises. Miserable lying nerd Ben Shapiro thinks US media outlets are "acting as propaganda arms for Hamas." Eddie Glaude Jr. says "this is me being a moralist" on MSNBC, can't talk horse race when people are dying. Trump's China tweets. Raj Shah says the White House can't speak to Trump, Inc. deals, won't comment on emoluments clause.

An Israeli caller on what it's like to be a leftist there and the difficulty of getting good info from the media. NM Congressional candidate Pat Davis says "fuck the NRA" in campaign ad. Sonoran Science Academy student gives himself superlative "most likely to bomb the US." A caller recommends "Against Our Better Judgment: The Hidden History of How the U.S. Was Used to Create Israel" by Alison Weir. A plug for Greg Edwards, a Bernie-endorsed progressive running in the Democratic primary in PA's 7th Congressional district. A caller who used to work at IHS explains how the Koch brothers essentially own it and how he snapped out of being a libertarian.

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Direct download: 5-15-18-Yousef_Munayyer-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:32pm EDT

Henry Farrell (@henryfarrell), professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, joins us to discuss his latest piece for Vox, "The intellectual dark web, explained: what Jordan Peterson has in common with the alt-right."

On today's show: Israeli forces kill at least 37 Palestinian protesters in Gaza; The Times runs a hideously euphemistic headline.

Henry Farrell joins us to break down this "intellectual dark web" nonsense. Once upon a time, folks like Kevin Williamson and Charles Murray had a place in the range of views the mainstream media deemed acceptable. How the market has shifted since then. On the need of the far right not just to air their views, but to have them represented on respectable platforms. The backlash reaction caused by multiculturalism. Farrell's critique of Angela Nagle's analysis of how SJW culture feeds the alt-right online. What's our outlook for the future?

Dave Rubin's "free speech" promo reel and a look at where his funding comes from.

On the fun half: Google AI calls a local restaurant. Judge Jeanine Pirro says Trump has "fulfilled biblical prophecy" by recognizing Jerusalem as capitol of Israel. Jeff Sessions' "zero tolerance" immigration policy separates kids from parents, at which point the government may lose track of them. Research reveals Tomi Lahren's ancestors did not assimilate into American society very well. Matt Schlapp defends "victim" Kelly Sadler for her remarks on John McCain. John from San Antonio plugs Bernie's town hall on Iran, updates us on Our Revolution and Justice Democrats' electoral campaigns. A listener debates Dave Rubin at his "free speech" event. Raygun on the preponderance of conservative universities where right-wingers could speak without getting blowback. Pompeo says the "end state" in North Korea is eliminating nuclear threat. Brenda on privilege vs. status, how privilege is connected to material gains and losses.

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Direct download: 5-14-18-Henry_Farrell-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:33pm EDT

Cliff Schecter (@cliffschecter) and Film Guy Matthew Weiss (@langdonboom) join us for Casual Friday.

On today's show: Fox News says torture works, just ask "song bird" John McCain. Damn!

Cliff Schecter joins us to break down the latest news out of Washington. Trump claims he's fighting to drain the swamp amid Michael Cohen lobbying controversy. Politico says "pay for play" is just the reality of D.C. Kamala Harris grills Gina Haspel on the morality of waterboarding, Haspel is (spoiler alert!) evasive. Was it cool for Fox to go after John McCain for being tortured?

Film Guy Matthew joins us. The story of how Sam and Matthew met and how Matthew became Film Guy Matthew. The time Sam almost killed Stephen Colbert. An update on the Cernovich doc. Matthew recommends two movies: 'Culloden,' a 1964 film by Peter Watkins about the 1746 battle that ended the Scottish Jacobite uprising, and 'Land and Freedom,' a 1995 film by Ken Loach about an unemployed Brit who goes to fight in the Spanish Civil War. Is 'The Handmaid's Tale' a work of bourgeois propaganda? Everyone but Sam disses The Doors.

On the fun half: Trump rallies his base, bashes foreign aid, celebrates saying "Merry Christmas" in May.  John Kelly says undocumented immigrants "don't have the skills" to assimilate into US society. Brooklyn comedian Jake Flores gets interrogated by ICE for joking about them on Twitter. ICE terrorists bust down a family's door without a warrant. How to deal with red baiting in Europe? An IM-er recommends the dystopia "3%" on Netflix. How to deal with Jordan Peterson's followers? A spirited debate about the causes of, and remedies for, aggrievement politics and right wing populism. Raygun theorizes ICE agents are motivated by a mixture of racism and boredom. A plug for Alison Hartson, who's running for Senate in California.

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Direct download: 5-11-18-Cliff_Schecter-Matthew_Weiss-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:22pm EDT

Zero Books editor and podcast host Douglas Lain joins Michael to take a birdseye view of the much discussed and hotly debated conversation surrounding the "Intellectual Dark Web," the internet's latest cast of "renegades" shaking things up in the American sociopolitical discourse. How the "Intellectual Dark Web" is open to any idea besides the idea that they might be racist or sexist. The troubling way the "intellectual dark web" sucks up oxygen in public conversation when there are more urgent things going on in the world.

On the fun half - Amazon is holding Seattle hostage and Kshama Sawant and socialists are fighting back,  Alex Jones is seeing globalist predictions come to pass, Bernie wants to help the gig economy unionize, Tom Cotton is a super bad guy covering for Gina Haspel, plus your calls and IMs!

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Direct download: 5-10-18-Douglas_Lain-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:53pm EDT

On today's show: Oliver North says the NRA is under attack, admits to being a gun runner, wants to scrap the Iran deal. Code Pink protests at Gina Haspel's confirmation hearing. Haspel claims she didn't play a role in destroying the torture tapes, but she's sure whoever did had a good reason. Sen. Mark Warner asks Haspel if torture is consistent with American values and you'll never guess what happens next. A breakdown of payments to and from Michael Cohen's shady LLC. Michael Avenatti calls on Cohen to release records of payments from Russian oligarchs.

On the fun half: Rep. McKinley tells drug distributors "I want you to feel shame about your roles" in the opioid crisis. Bari Weiss is back with another disingenuous article about those poor, unfairly maligned reactionaries. Jamie gives an update on what's going on with the New School occupation. (To donate, Venmo some bucks to Solidarity-4-ever.) Black University of Florida students thrown off stage for dancing at their graduation. Dasha owns Infowars re: socialism and Bernie Sanders. A caller posits the Times will never hire a socialist, but that's okay because we don't want to be in their neoliberal rag, anyway.

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Direct download: 5-9-18-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:32pm EDT

On today's show, Stacy Mitchell, (@stacyfmitchell) the co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, joins us to explain how to rein in toxic monopolies.

How Amazon cornered the online retail market with its "free" shipping option. How Amazon is not just a retailer, but an infrastructure company that owns the platform, cloud computing and (soon!) shipping service that everyone is forced to use. How Amazon's monopoly enables it to rip off small businesses and bump up its own search results. How Amazon uses predatory pricing to force smaller companies to sell or perish. The principles of democracy and fairness that drove antitrust laws in the 1890s-1930s and why those laws stopped being enforced in the 1970s/1980s. The influence of the Bork school's assumption that bigger is always better. How monopolies concentrate political power, drive down wages and hinder the growth of small businesses without giving much of a price break to the consumer. The rubber stamped merger of Amazon and Whole Foods and Amazon's plans to use the upscale grocery store chain as distribution centers. Six proposals to reign in monopolies: hold field hearings, "bring daylight to antitrust agencies," set a higher bar for mergers, break up big tech, enact legal regulations, and pass local antitrust laws.

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Direct download: 5-8-18-Stacy_Mitchell-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:23am EDT

Cornell Law professor Aziz Rana joins us to discuss the left's missing foreign policy and the pressing need, fifteen years after the Iraq invasion, for a non-imperial vision of the US and the world. You can read his latest at n+1.

In the run-up to Iraq, there was massive popular resistance but this wasn't reflected in the Democratic Party establishment, many of whom were active cheerleaders for the war and the surveillance state. How foreign and domestic policy became separated from one another as part of the Cold War-era bargain between labor and capital. How Nixon and union leaders solidified this split during the Vietnam era. How McGovern ran and lost on antiwar principles in '72 and the lessons the Democrats took from it. Bernie Sanders' foreign policy shortcomings and what he's doing to fix them. How the bipartisan consensus around foreign policy and its corresponding "experts" allowed figures like Gina Haspel to avoid accountability for Iraq-era crimes. How Russiagate allowed the national security establishment to rehabilitate itself via misplaced Cold War nostalgia. How trade deals like NAFFTA and the TPP undermine social democracy at home and abroad. How US progressives can reconnect foreign and domestic policy and confront post-9/11 developments like ICE and the DHS. Rana's blueprint for a foreign policy based on human rights, not capitalist imperialism.

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Direct download: 5-7-18-Aziz_Rana-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:06pm EDT

Mark Thompson (@ministter) and Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) join us to break down the week's news.

The end of blue slips as a way to stop Trump's judicial nominees. Don Blankenship's insane campaign ad about "Chinapeople" and "Cocaine Mitch."

Mark Thompson (@ministter), host of 'Make It Plain' on Sirius XM, joins us. Rudy Giuliani contradicts his own statements on the hush money paid to Stormy Daniels. Trump says "Rudy knows it's a witch hunt." The slim possibility of impeachment with a Republican held Congress. What's Putin's end game with Trump? Netanyahu's claims about a nuclear Iran and America's blind support of Israel. What's the deal with Kanye West?

Andy Kindler (@AndyKindler) joins us to drag on Dennis Miller for forty odd minutes. When will Miller's ghost of a career become too depressing to have fun with? Sam, Michael and Andy say "probably never." Jamie remains unconvinced, but she'll get used to it.

On the fun half: Ronald Raygun's new nickname and Dave Rubin's filthy lucre. Sebastian Gorka says the mainstream media is obsessed with Sean Hannity. Neil Cavuto, possibly angling for a job at MSNBC, calls out Trump on his pattern of false statements. Sam gets a call from his future self. Tom in Yacubia says we inspired him to unionize his workplace (hell yeah!). Disturbing footage of a police officer kicking an 18-year-old suspect in the head in Ohio. The Democrats need to cater to their base better. Vic Berger's NSFW video of Gavin McInnes and the Pwoud Boys falling even further from grace.

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Direct download: 5-4-18-Mark_Thompson-Andy_Kindler-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:21pm EDT

Gabriel Debenedetti (@gdebenedetti) from New York Magazine joins us to detail how Bernie Sanders' media presence is changing how politicians advance their platform in the 21st century.

On today's show: Rudy Giuliani tells Sean Hannity that Trump paid back Michael Cohen for the Stormy Daniels hush money.

Gabriel Debenedetti joins us to discuss his recent article, "Bernie Sanders is Quietly Building a Digital Media Empire." In 2018, Bernie Sanders remains one of the country's most popular political figures in no small part due to his embrace of social media. How Bernie's (paid) interns and other young staffers have helped build a presence on various platforms. Bernie's plans to create an alternative news network that focuses on regular people and policy, not tabloid stories and talking heads. How other politicians view his efforts. How does Bernie's embrace of platforms like Facebook square with his critique of Silicon Valley? Bernie's biggest hits so far. How digital content tracks with door to door outreach. What Bernie and friends have planned for the future.

On the fun half: Alex Jones mercilessly ethers Ben Shapiro. Hillary Clinton claims she lost votes in the Iowa primary because she's a capitalist. WV Senate candidate Evan Jenkins photoshops his primary opponent shaking hands with Hillary Clinton instead of Donald Trump. Emmanuel Macron calls Australian PM's wife "delicious;" the crew speculates on what happened. A college student thanks us for inspiring her to do politics IRL. What's the proper socialist approach to drug policy? Did Bill Clinton really tell Trump to run for president? Should the left ally with the right to bring controversial speakers to campus? The Mooch teaches us the Italian word for "cuck."

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Direct download: 5-3-18-Gabriel_Debenedetti-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:24pm EDT

Salon's Amanda Marcotte (@AmandaMarcotte) joins us to discuss her new book, Troll Nation: How The Right Became Trump-Worshipping Monsters Set On Rat-F*cking Liberals, America, and Truth Itself.

On today's show: Proud Boy defeated by cardboard sign at May Day protest.

Amanda Marcotte joins us to talk about her book on the pro-Trump movement. According to Marcotte, Trumpism is different from the normal conservative agenda because it's driven by the politics of revenge. She traces this thread from Rush Limbaugh, to Gamergate, to the movement to elect Donald Trump. How did this attitude take over the whole Republican Party? The anti-p.c. movement as proxy battle for other issues. How to deal with this strain in US politics? What role, if any, have liberals and "SJWs" played in creating these problems? What role is played by material forces and economic anxiety?

Dennis Miller's eagerly awaited burn of Michelle Wolf, bap bap bap.

On the fun half: Mike Pence introduces racist sheriff Joe Arpaio at tax policy event. John from San Antonio criticizes Amanda Marcotte's position on Bernie Sanders. Trump's doctor "felt raped" and "like a slave" when Trump's bodyguard raided his office. A caller shares her experience at a Dave Rubin "freedom of speech" event. Dave Rubin's triumphant return to stand-up comedy. Jeff in GA says Trump is the ultimate expression of conservatism. Does the MR crew need to go on the road to understand the Real America? What people should actually be concerned about when they complain about the military budget.

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Direct download: 5-2-18-Amanda_Marcotte-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:51pm EDT

Trita Parsi (@tparsi), president of the National Iranian American Council and author of 'Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran, and the Triumph of Diplomacy,' joins us.

On today's show: Trump didn't discuss his "shithole countries" remark with Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari. Mad Dog Mattis says the JCPOA was made "assuming" Iran would "try to cheat."

Trita Parsi joins us to discuss the Iran nuclear deal and the motivations of those who want to scrap it. While opponents of the deal claim to be acting against nukes or in favor of regime change, it's really about shifting the balance of power in the region back to a pre-2003 scenario in which Iran is isolated and contained. How both Israel and Saudi Arabia are using US power to their own ends in the region.

The crew checks in on the Dennis Miller countdown clock. Why do people give Netanyahu any legitimacy? Ben Shapiro gets remixed by Vic Berger. Freedom of speech and the history of May Day. Major donors the Koch brothers had a say in hiring and firing at George Mason University. Fox News made a montage celebrating the death of Osama bin Laden; Condi Rice approves. Condi scolds critics of the Bush admin's torture program that they "weren't there" on 9/11. How Trump's play with North Korea is just like the plot to "Talladega Nights." The definition of reactionary politics. Mindy's insight into why Mika got mad about the WHCD. How Andrew Cuomo gets endorsements from groups that don't actually like him. Pat Buchanan's Hannity appearance.

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Direct download: 5-1-18-Trita_Parsi-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:33pm EDT

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