The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Milton Allimadi joins the program today on a Michael Brooks Thursday to discuss the on-going protest and civil unrest in Sudan over President Omar al-Bashir's austerity measures. Allimadi and Brooks will also preview the upcoming South African general elections set to take place in May. We're live at 12:00 PM EST.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has ruled for over 30 years but recent protests over bread prices and a rise in poverty have led to anti-austerity marches against al-Bashir's government. Last week, al-Bashir declared a year-long national emergency which according to France24, "dissolves the federal and provincial governments and appoints 16 army officers and two officers from the feared National Intelligence and Security Service as provincial governors."  Allimadi believes there is now a chance for open elections which will not be led by opposition parties but by the professional class and those leading the bread price protests--i.e., unions and students. While there are several level of coercive power structures standing in the way of these unions and student organizers, these groups represent the best means towards a more equitable Sudanese representative government. Allimadi and Brooks then take a wider view on the issue of corporate media coverage across Africa which highlights peoples' suffering without explaining the systemic structural issues of extraction and exploitation which fuel the cyclical atrocities across the continent.

South Africa will hold elections under Cyril Ramaphosa in May; it will be the sixth election held since the end of the apartheid system in 1994. Allimadi breaks down the issues animating voters in South Africa before they head to the polls this spring including land reform, expropriation and the larger economic disparity between white and black households. Allimadi believes if South Africa does not reconcile these gaping inequalities will threaten their democracy's existence. Ending on a positive note, Allimadi suggests listeners interested in learning more about inequality and organizing in South Africa should check out Steve Biko's speeches and lectures. Biko's intellectual output provides a roadmap for how African countries can forge real autonomy in the contemporary global economy.

And in the Fun Half: AOC sets up inquiries into further Trump Organization investigations, Mark Meadows says his use of a black woman as a prop is not racist--the accusation of such is racist, Rashida Tlaib explains how white people can do something racist while not identifying as A Racist, but old Tea Party clips show that maybe Mark Meadow's is a racist, and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence wonders what Trump has said about race behind closed doors, Sam accepts Dave Rubin's invitation to debate, how to address undemocratic government in Nigeria, the implication of a second Brexit referendum, Guaido's trip to meet Bolsonaro in Brazil, Bernie wants a filibuster proof revolution, why congress should investigate real estate's role in oligarchy, plus your calls & IMs!

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Direct download: 2-28-19-Milton_Allimadi-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT

The MR crew comments on Michael Cohen's testimony before Congress.

On today's show: Cohen's in the hot seat and singing like a bird! Tasty tidbits include: Trump's presidential run was a marketing campaign, Trump hired a sock to bid up the value of his portrait, and Trump had his associates threaten the college board into sitting on his SAT scores. He also addresses Trump's hush money payments to Stormy Daniels, ties to the Russian mob, Vietnam draft-dodging, and more!

Also: Rep. Katie Porter asks Equifax CEO for his personal data as she hammers company's legal moves. Rep. Pramila Jayapal introduces a Medicare-for-all bill that's even better than Bernie's. Fox News freaks out over Green New Deal: AOC is Maoist, wants to "get rid of children." Glenn Beck says AOC & GND are shifting the Overton window through time and space. Rep. Ted Duetch rips HHS commander over "horrific" report that thousands of migrant youth were sexually abused in US custody. Plus, your IMs.

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Get your tickets to the Michael Brooks Live Show in LA! April 20th at the Bootleg Theatre with guests Ana Kasparian, Wosny Lambre and Nando Vila! Get tickets here!

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Direct download: 2-27-19-Cohen_Hearing-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:06pm EDT

Meghan McCain stands in solidarity with Diane Feinstein's stand against children who protest. Bernie breaks fundraising records! Bernie answers questions about race, sexual harassment, and intervention in Venezuela at town hall.  Tucker Carlson outraged over Bernie's private jet use in 2016.

On the fun half: Ivanka Trump accidentally makes the case for a federal jobs guarantee. Dave Rubin claims nobody who has a phone is oppressed. Bodega Boys on edgy humor and PC culture. Plus, your calls and IMs!

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Get your tickets to the Michael Brooks Live Show in LA! April 20th at the Bootleg Theatre with guests Ana Kasparian, Wosny Lambre and Nando Vila! Get tickets here!

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs, and the TMBS YouTube channel for all short TMBS clips

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Direct download: 2-26-19-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:21pm EDT

Good Monday morning, MR listeners! We're back from hiatus with a news day, catching you up on all the stories and commentary you might have missed over the past week.

On today's show: AOC's payroll is socialism and communism at the same time. Bernie announces! When asked about Howard Schultz: "Why does he all of a sudden have this platform?" Elizabeth Warren's plan for universal childcare upsets Fox News. (Jamie says: make it free and totally un-means tested to make it even better!) Tucker Carlson blows up at Rutger Bregman in unaired Fox News interview.

On the fun half: Laura Ingraham guest says we can't judge John Wayne's white supremacy comments because it was 1971. Warren's position on the filibuster: "All options are on the table." Pete Buttgieg says all options are on the table for court packing. Dianne Feinstein waves off kids concerned about climate change. Plus, your calls and IMs!

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Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs, and the new TMBS YouTube channel for all short TMBS clips

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Direct download: 2-25-19-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:45pm EDT

Matthew Blackwell(@Matt_Blackwell), Associate Professor of Government at Harvard University and co-author of "Deep Roots: How Slavery Still Shapes Southern Politics" joins us to discuss the book.

Why do certain parts of the US seem to be particularly "conservative" when it comes to race. "Behavioral path dependence" and the importance of institutions on behavior. How the growth of US slavery centuries ago still affect politics today. The linear relationship between the increase in enslaved african americans in a area to current racist political attitudes today: the more the whites where outnumbered by slaves, the more racist they became. The extreme reaction by white southerners to emancipation. The persistence of racist attitudes the originated during slavery and emancipation/reconstruction.

For members: From 1/7/05 Peter Balakian and Larry Moss talk to Sam and Janeane about their play on the Armenian genocide, 'Beast on the Moon'

Direct download: 2-22-19-Matthew_Blackwell-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Historian of paramilitary social movements and author of "Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America," Kathleen Belew joins us today to discuss her book. How a 1979 Greensboro, NC was a spiritual precursor to the recent Charlottesville, Virginia white supremacist meet-up. White nationalism as an unpatriotic desire for an Aryan Nation as opposed to America as a multicultural state. How America's foreign military deployments fed white power movements in the US, in all the 20th century conflicts but particularly Vietnam. US failure in Vietnam and the sense of betrayal on the right. What is the "business model" of white power movements and how is it propagated? Our collective amnesia of the Oklahoma City bombings.

Direct download: 2-21-19-Kathleen_Belew-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Alexandra Natapoff (@ANatapoff), Law professor at U.C. Irvine, criminal law scholar, and author of "Punishment Without Crime: How Our Massive Misdemeanor System Traps the Innocent and Makes America More Unequal," joins us to discuss her book. What is a misdemeanor, and how is it distinguished from felonies? The "unprincipled," hodge-podge nature of US misdemeanor law. The alteration to a persons rights merely getting arrested creates. How Stop-and-Frisk fed the problem. Race and class oppression and the misdemeanor system. Ferguson, MO and the monetization of poverty by law enforcement. The piling up of fees by the legal system. Reform and the test "from a veil of ignorance." The importance of local criminal justice reform alongside more visible federal reform efforts.

Direct download: 2-20-19-Alexandra_Natapoff-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

First, University of Massachusetts-Lowell professor of economics Bill Lazonick joins Sam for part 2 of their discussion on stock buybacks.

Duke professor of History Edward Balleisen joins us to discuss his book "Fraud: An American History from Barnum to Madoff." What is fraud in a legal sense, and in America specifically. The "caveat emptor" beginnings of America. Markets and the growing problems of asymmetric information. Why private quality control and branding was insufficient for industries like fertilizer. Mail fraud and the falling reputation of business. The Great Depression and the rise of the FTC. The American "disclosure" model of business. The significance of race and class barriers to the legal system. Why the entities committing fraud appear to be getting larger and larger. Enron and 2008 and the rate of amnesia.

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Direct download: 2-19-19-Edward_Balleisen-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00pm EDT

First, University of Massachusetts-Lowell professor of economics Bill Lazonick joins Sam to discuss stock buybacks.

Then, Michael E. Staub joins us. With his 1994 book "The Bell Curve," Charles Murray became the most visible proponent of what's now widely understood to be heavily compromised, ideologically driven "science" on race and IQ. But this work of pop science wasn't created in a vacuum. In "The Mismeasure of Minds," Michael E. Staub traces how the 1954 Supreme Court decision Brown v Board of Education set off decades of deeply flawed research around race, class and IQ, the discriminatory effects of which are still being felt to this day.

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Direct download: 2-18-19-Michael_Staub-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

The Nation's Eric Alterman (@Eric_Alterman) joins us to discuss Elliot Abrams' war crimes. Also: Isabel Gillies (@isabelgillies) returns to discuss her new book 'Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World.'

On today's show: Alex Jones declares war on Joe Rogan. Ilhan Omar bravely questions Elliot Abrams on war crimes, lies about war crimes.

The Nation's Eric Alterman (@Eric_Alterman) joins us to discuss the career of Elliot Abrams, Trump's pick for special envoy to Venezuela. From Guatemala to Nicaragua to El Salvador, Abrams has a long history of supporting atrocities and genocide when it has furthered US interests to do so. He was also convicted of lying to Congress about the US role in the Iran-Contra affair. Alterman goes over this man's crimes and explains why his career has proven so durable. Spoiler alert: It's a club, and he's in it.

Trump talks about declaring a national emergency, references the Muslim ban. Would the Supreme Court dare to set such a precedent?

Actress and author Isabel Gillies (@IsabelGillies) joins us to discuss her new book, 'Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World.' Channeling the Danish idea of "hygge," Gillies seeks to help people with the task of "learning to identify the innermost truth of yourself and carrying it into the world, no matter your environment."

Trump installs indoor golf simulator in White House. Mike Pence says (in 2014) that the President should not handle immigration by executive order. Nancy Pelosi explains how the Dems will provide legal challenges to Trump's national emergency. Amazon pulls out of NYC, local communities celebrate! Fox and Friends express sour grapes, say "AOC won." Brian Kilmeade says Amazon is like a top draft pick or a free agent: "You gotta over pay." Cuomo blames "local socialists" for killing the deal; Jamie says thanks for the free PR. Plus, your calls and IMs!

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Get your tickets now to the TMBS LA Live Show: 4/20 LA Live Show at the Bootleg Theater. With special guests Ana Kasparian, Wosny Lombre and Nando Vila!

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Direct download: 2-15-19-Eric_Alterman-Isabel_Gillies-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:31pm EDT

Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day! On today's Majority Report, Michael Brooks is joined by Professor of Middle East History Djene Bajalan to discuss what's happening at the US-led Middle East (minus Iran) "peace and security" conference in Warsaw. Michael and Djene begin with an autopsy on the Afghanistan and Iraq invasions  pushed by the American NatSec community and its allies like BB Netanyahu and how they're spinning the same tale today in the context of Iran. Michael explains how the campaigns from 16 years ago differ now with our policies towards Iran while Bajelan says people are right to be extremely concerned with Netanyahu's comments in Warsaw yesterday. This latest escalation shows what the gulf alliances are looking to do in the face of an already a fraught moment between Israel and Iran. Even if there isn't an all out war, gearing up for conflict and suffocating the Iranian regime will only further destabilize the Middle East and will hurt the millions of civilians living in the region. Michael and Djene conclude their conversation with an update on Kurdistan and the threat that Turkey poses once US forces withdraw from the region.

In the Fun Half: allowing 2020 candidates to evolve their policy platforms without condemnation, an update on the Spanish snap election, Bakari Sellers poo-poo's the Amazon's NYC withdrawal, all of Elliot Abrams war crimes and the NatSec careerists that insulate him, an update on Lula's incarceration and the state of Brazilian politics, how to deal with third-way friends and contemporaries, Duncan Hunter wishes combat had no rules of engagement,  a caller proposes a 2-state solution for Israel, Jonathan Chait's college peer reminds us the New York Magazine writer is always wrong, an update on the Sudanese protests, plus your calls and IMs!

Join the Majority Report today!

Get your tickets now to Michael's 4/20 LA Live Show at the Bootleg Theater.

Contribute to Nomiki Konst! Help elect her New York Public Advocate by contributing here

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs, and the new TMBS YouTube channel for all short TMBS clips

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Direct download: 2-14-19-Djene_Bajalan-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:49pm EDT

Michael Mann (@MichaelEMann), Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State and co-winner of the Tyler Prize For Environmental Achievement, joins us.

On today's show: Sam on Olbermann throws to Sam the Weatherman.

Michael Mann (@MichaelEMann), Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State and co-winner of the Tyler Prize For Environmental Achievement, joins us. We are facing a climate crisis of unprecedented proportions. Record high temperatures, insect die-offs, and increasingly volatile weather patterns paint a grim picture. A recent NASA report blamed the oil and gas industry for the majority of methane emissions. Mann outlines the scope of the problem, then posits some solutions, including a carbon tax, tax incentives for clean energy, and a Green New Deal.

Jamie says: For a collection of lectures that tackle climate change from a Marxist perspective, visit https://wearemany.org/topic/environment

On the fun half: Brandon Straka of #WalkAway tries to dredge up Sam's old tweet. Fox News tells Americans to stop complaining about their shrunken tax refunds. Stephanie Ruhle says we should hate the game, not the billionaire players; Anand Ghirardardas clarifies it's the system that's immoral. John Barrasso says Green New Deal will abolish ice cream, cheese burgers. Kevin McCarthy and GOP celebrate in Rose Garden after House Obamacare repeal. What have the members of the MR crew done for economic democracy? A short debate with a libertarian. Plus, your calls!

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Contribute to Nomiki Konst! Help elect her New York Public Advocate by contributing here

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs, and the new TMBS YouTube channel for all short TMBS clips

Check out Matt’s podcast, Literary Hangover, at Patreon.com/LiteraryHangover or on iTunes

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Direct download: 2-13-19-Michael_Mann-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:00pm EDT

Author Jonathan Tepper (@jtepper2) joins us to discuss his new book, The Myth of Capitalism: Monopolies and the Death of Competition.

On today's show: Lou Dobbs advises Candace Owens against invoking Hitler: Anyone who does, "loses."

Author Jonathan Tepper (@jtepper2) joins us to discuss his new book, The Myth of Capitalism: Monopolies and the Death of Competition. The idea of "free market competition" is heavily associated with American capitalism. And yet, everywhere you turn, our lives are dominated by monopolies and duopolies, especially in the tech sector. In this book, Tepper argues for a return of vigorous anti-trust policies to restore competition to the marketplace and fight inequality. The crew weighs in with their takes at the end.

On the fun half: Thomas Friedman uses AIPAC to describe the problems with Citizens United/campaign finance in 2013. Rep. Max Rose calls out Republican double standard: "Can't be chicken sh*t" with anti-Semitism. Kevin McCarthy tweets about Soros buying elections days after Tree of Life synagogue shooting. WV Rep goes full Bolsonaro, implies he would drown his kids if he found out they were gay. Joy Behar shuts down Meghan McCain: "If you're going to have a hissy fit, we can't continue." Surrogates defend Amy Klobuchar for being horrible to staff. A spirited discussion of the solutions set forth by Tepper. MAGA chuds form human border wall. Trump at rally: "We won't abolish ICE." Man flashes white power sign at Trump rally. Plus, your calls and IMs!

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Contribute to Nomiki! Help elect her New York Public Advocate by contributing here.

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs, and the new TMBS YouTube channel for all short TMBS clips

Check out Matt’s podcast, Literary Hangover, at Patreon.com/LiteraryHangover or on iTunes

Check out Jamie’s podcast, The Antifada, at patreon.com/theantifada, on iTunes, or via your favorite podcast app

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Direct download: 2-12-19-Jonathan_Tepper-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:37pm EDT

Good morning, on today's show, Michael Joseph Roberto, author of The Coming of the American Behemoth: The Origins of Fascism in the United States, 1920–1940. Roberto traces his definition of fascism to the American financial system in 1920s. Life in America in the 1920s was the epicenter of capitalism, this is period of great prosperity for Americans. The financial system during this period consolidated and became the most essential actor in the American economy, something most every American depended on. While most American understand fascism as a bottom-up and petite bourgeois movement like what transpired in Italy and Germany, Roberto argues that American fascism is a top-down, namely protecting the interest of Big Business. This American fascism involved the extreme concentration of money and power in corporate monopolies, bent government policy to serve the nation’s wealthiest citizens, contributed to the suffering of the Great Depression, and also included fascism’s characteristic efforts to control public perception.

And in the Fun Half: how to risk the imagination of new kind of possibility, Kamala Harris smoking mids, Mick Mulvaney says we cannot rule out a second shut down at the end of the week, the "unwilling to work" part of AOC's Green New Deal, Northam calls slavery "indentured servants," according to Joe Crowley AOC is who she is because of him, Elizabeth Warren officially announces her presidential campaign, Jamie Raskin asks Matt Whitaker if Sheldon Adelson is behind his former non-profit the  Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust, Rep. Veronica Escobar explains why the "Remain in Mexico" is such a awful policy for any asylum seeker, Charlie Kirk has a boomer problem, the wall is now ICE detention bed, plus your calls and IMs!

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Nomiki has until Monday to reach her fundraising goal! Help elect her New York Public Advocate by contributing here.

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs, and the new TMBS YouTube channel for all short TMBS clips

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Direct download: 2-11-19-Michael_Roberto-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:44pm EDT

Digby (@digby56), Nomiki Konst (@NomikiKonst) and Film Guy Matthew Weiss (@langdonboom) join us for Casual Friday.

On today's show: Trump's big SOTU conclusion: "Abortion security." Maria Bartiromo says wealth taxes are a waste because rich people will hide their income.

Heather "Digby" Parton (@digby56), of Salon.com and Hullabaloo, joins us to discuss the news: Acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker faces tough questions as he testifies before the House Judiciary Committee. And what's up with all that money that got paid to Melania's consultant friend? Also: Was the Enquirer's interest in Jeff Bezos' dick pic evidence of international corruption, or just good gossip?

Nomiki Konst (@NomikiKonst) joins us to discuss her campaign for New York City public advocate, how "affordable housing" programs are actually gentrification programs, and the importance of rejecting corporate money.

'Film Guy' Matthew Weiss (@langdonboom) joins us to discuss his itinerant lifestyle and recommend movies, including: 'Won't You Be My Neighbor,' 'Sicario 2,' and 'Come and See,' a 1985 Soviet war tragedy directed by Elem Klimov.

On the fun half: Howard Schultz talks about the dropping cost of tuition at Purdue University: "You gotta clap for that." Gavin McInnes shows up to SPLC dressed like a plantation owner, tells the story of the not-racist South. Candace Owens talks about how nationalism is good, where Hitler went wrong was becoming a globalist. Sean Spicer drunk after SOTU. Brandon Straka will run against AOC in her district. Rep. Markwayne Mullin says you can't complain about family separation unless you adopt a bunch of kids like he did. AOC explains House reps can own stock in the companies they regulate. Plus, your calls and IMs!

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Nomiki has until Monday to reach her fundraising goal! Help elect her New York Public Advocate by contributing here.

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs, and the new TMBS YouTube channel for all short TMBS clips

Check out Matt’s podcast, Literary Hangover, at Patreon.com/LiteraryHangover or on iTunes

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Direct download: 2-08-19-Digby-Nomi_Konst-Matthew_Weiss-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:07pm EDT

Kate Aronoff of the Intercept and the Jacobin joins Michael Brooks this Thursday to discuss the prospects and the "Five Freedoms" of a Green New Deal. As Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez makes the media rounds to rally support for her and Ed Markey's Green New Deal, Aronoff joins MR to explains what we can hope to achieve legislatively and how quickly we can decarbonize the economy this century. Aronoff breaks down the power relationships of climate catastrophe and how approximately 100 companies account for 71% of all carbon emissions since 1988. The five freedoms laid out in Aronoff's piece critique our current lifestyle politics. While it's important to make environmentally conscious choices, the choices of a low-income consumer in the middle of the country is not nearly as destructive as Betsy DeVos owning several houses, yachts, and flying on private jets. More broadly speaking, Aronoff believes we need to rethink our understanding a productive lifestyle. Under a Green New Deal we need to abolish work that is worse than toil; work that is both unfulfilling and destructive to the environment must be effectively eliminated from society. While policymakers are proposing legislation to remake our energy economy, Aronoff says elected officials should not overlook the importance of climate justice, too. Over the past 40 years, energy executives have hidden climate research showing the damage of carbon emission and have promoted disinformation in its place. Moving forward it's important that we hold these industry leaders accountable for their actions in the court of law.

And in the Fun Half: When Bernie endorsed Jessie Jackson's 88 campaign, Nomiki Konst wants to audit and municipalize the MTA, judging our healthcare future on researched metadata, Michael explains the Latin American geopolitical dynamic of the late-20th century and Lula's second conviction, Mike Pompeo says there are active Hezbollah cells in Venezuela, AOC's vision for America with a Green New Deal, Howard Schultz is the billionaire Chauncey Gardner, one listener's story of breaking away from the IDW, Abdul Sayed explains M4A contrasted with CAP Medicare Extra, debating the effectiveness of BDS, improving Ro Khanna's foreign policy chops, plus your calls and IMs!

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Direct download: 2-07-19-Kate_Aronoff-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:23pm EDT

Today, Sam is joined by Brown University professor Corey Brettschneider to discuss his new book, The Oath and the Office: A Guide to the Constitution for Future Presidents in which Brettschneider lays out the constitutional limits at any point in time on the chief executive office. People often overlook the first thing the President does in the office, which is read an oath. This oath is prescribed from the second article of the constitution laying out the requirements of protecting the constitution. Brettschneider believes the Trump and the Supreme Court have failed to uphold the articles of the constitution, namely the travel ban Trump enacted his first weeks in government. Brettschneider explains the different interpretations of the constitution and schools of thoughts that exist on our current Supreme Court like Originalism and Textualism. With that said, Brettschneider really doesn't think Trump is serving with any functional understanding of the constitution--he's simply appointing Federalist Society and Judicial Watch originalist judges to the nation's highest courts. But what's worse? Having a president who can manipulate the constitution to his ideological will, or, Trump who has outsourced his constitutional interpretation to conservative judicial PACs. Brettschneider believes Trump's utter disregard for human rights and rule of law is not only more dangerous than a cunning judicially minded president, but it's also the most dangerous thing in the history of the country.

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Direct download: 2-06-19-Corey-Brettschneider-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:55pm EDT

Majority Report's live broadcast from the 2019 state of the union address, archived here for your listening pleasure!

Donald Trump is president and we are rapidly sliding towards barbarism. But with the help of Splinter News' Katherine Krueger (@kath_krueger) and maybe some beers, we can get through Trump's SOTU speech. Plus: Stacey Abrams delivers the Democrats' response, and Bernie Sanders delivers the democratic socialist response.

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Direct download: 2-05-19-SOTU-2019.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:28am EDT

Sarah E. Igo, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Program in American Studies at Vanderbilt University, joins us to discuss her book, The Known Citizen A History of Privacy in Modern America.

On today's show: Fox News pundit Charles Payne says AOC's tax proposal smacks of fairness.

Sarah E. Igo, Associate Professor of History and Director of the Program in American Studies at Vanderbilt University, joins us to discuss her book, The Known Citizen: A History of Privacy in Modern America. While "privacy" as a concept is quite old, it gained new relevance in the 19th century when technology, corporate industry, the press, and the administrative state grew rapidly. From the workplace to Madison Avenue to our current digital dystopia, Igo tracks the ways in which people and entities have negotiated the boundaries between "public" and "private."

John Avlon says Trump's SOTU might finally be the day he becomes president.

On the fun half: Howard Schultz wants AOC to stop billionaire hatred, wants to use more inclusive language: "people of means." Wendell Primus, Pelosi advisor, says Dems will not pursue single-payer healthcare. Trump says we should keep troops in Iraq to "keep watching" the middle east. CNBC economist says Bernie's policies would be good for the economy. Bakari Sellers says there are different ways to M4A and we need private industry, endorses Harris and Booker plans. Ro Khanna explains how drug "innovation" is publicly funded. Plus, your calls and IMs!

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Direct download: 2-05-19-Sarah_Igo-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:54pm EDT

New York City City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (@CoreyinNYC) joins us.

On today's show: Trump says national anthem protests should be done on players' own time, brags about passing criminal justice reform.

Corey Johnson (@CoreyinNYC), Speaker of New York City Council and acting public advocate, joins us to discuss the Amazon deal. From underperforming schools to a cash-starved public transit system, New York City is greatly in need of public funds. And yet, the city is about to hand over $3 billion in tax subsidies to the world's richest man as part of the Amazon HQ2 deal. Johnson goes over how this happened, why it's a bad deal, and what we can do to fight it, as well as steps politicians should take to reduce the influence of corporate money.

A video ode to MR's love affair with AOC.

On the fun half: John Lovett's "nuance" on Medicare-for-all obfuscates why we really need a universal program. Elizabeth Warren backs off true m4a. John from San Antonio on why single-payer is the only answer. Ralph Northam nearly moonwalks before his wife steps in. Sherrod Brown says we don't deal with race in this country, plus we have a racist president. Two Twitter accounts battle over who's the real Turning Points UK and who's the impostor. How should AOC respond to charges that Corbyn is anti-Semitic? Why is the left more fragmented than the right? Kamala Harris' race issues. How should young people approach running for office?

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Direct download: 2-04-19-Corey_Johnson-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:27pm EDT

Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon ), co-founder of the North Star and Virgil Texas (@virgiltexas ), of Chapo Trap House, join us.

On today's show: Pompeo announces US withdrawl from Cold War INF treaty.

Benjamin P. Dixon joins us to discuss the latest news from Washington: The government shutdown, the power of the strike, Trump and abortion, Cory Booker's campaign video, Kamala Harris' criminal justice record, and wtf is Howard Schultz doing?

Virgil Texas, prolific gamer and co-host of Chapo Trap House, joins us. Steve Schmidt defends Schultz run. Mike Slater claims we need billionaires to save us from poverty. Amy Klobuchar proposes tax-savings nonsense for "apprenticeships," education. (PSA: You don't have to pay for an apprenticeship at a good union job.) Is it good or bad that we're discussing Kamala Harris' criminal justice now instead of later in the primary? Ralph Northam explains women's choice bill on radio. Warren says our economics and taxation is "capitalism without rules." Dave Rubin says he wouldn't blame people if they turned to ethno-nationalism. Ana and Cenk break down Dave Rubin's superchat-gate "debate Sam Seder." Speaker Johnson asks Amazon again: "Why do you need billions of dollars?" AOC asks doctor if public gets any ROI from NIH research which subsidizes drug development.

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The Michael Brooks Show live! @ The Bell House, February 1st 2019. Pre-order tickets here.

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Direct download: 2-01-19-Ben_Dixon-Virgil_Texas-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:40pm EDT

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