Sam reports live from the American Federation of Teachers Convention in Pittsburgh!

Sam speaks with the head of the Douglas County, CO chapter of AFT about the fight for public education in her state. The funding crisis caused by shrinking property taxes and the Douglas county school board's 2009 takeover by Betsy DeVos types with Koch money behind them. The bad actors' ruthless dedication to charter schools, vouchers, and other privatization methods and how they funneled money to for-profit companies. The negative effects of privatization on students. Grassroots efforts to educate people on what was happening and organize to fight back by taking back the school board and (eventually) going on strike. The absurd concept of "market based pay" for teachers and the ballot initiative to raise money for education.

Sam speaks with Ed Allen, president of OKC AFT, about the teacher strikes in Oklahoma. The WV teacher strikes, #metoo, and the other factors building to the strike. Community support for their two-week-long walkout. The inspiring results of the walkout: a $6k raise, a 15% jump in union membership, and a renewed commitment to public education.

Sam speaks with Fred Albert, head of the AFT in Kanawha County, WV on the mass teacher revolt in all 55 counties of his state a.k.a. #55strong: Their reasons for striking and the state's union tradition. How teachers organized in a right to work state, and how the statewide strike changed union strategy going forward.

Film Guy Matthew joins us to talk white genocide and recommend some movies: "Fort Apache, The Bronx" (1981) and "Wanda" (1970).

Breaking news re: US indictments of Russian agents. Trump goes to England, says the problem with European culture is immigrants, criticizes Theresa May's handling of Brexit. Trump attacks CNN as fake news; Fox reporter does not stick up for them. FBI agent Peter Strzok gets testy with Trey Gowdy during House Judiciary Committee hearing. Rep. Jamie Raskin takes down the "deep state conspiracy" theory in friendly cross-examination. Rep. Gomert accuses Strzok of lying on the stand. CNN's Angela Rye calls out GOP on white nationalist candidates.

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Check out Sam's sister Betsy's fundraiser: Make the Wave raises money for Swing Left via sales of fine art prints. She's almost at 20k. Lets get her there, folks! Buy a print. Go to www.makethewave2018.com

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Journalist and author Meagan Day (@MeaganDay) joins us to discuss her latest article for Jacobin, Capitalism is Ruining Science.

On today's show: Unmasking Antifa Act sponsored by Dan Donovan, the man who let Eric Garner's killer walk free, targets the free speech of protesters. Mike Pence gets protested in Kansas City, MO. Bar trivia host protests Mitch McConnell by playing Public Enemy's "Fight the Power."

Meagan Day joins us to discuss how capitalism has impacted science. The history of the university as locus for knowledge and education, and how capitalism has undermined that mission. The allocation of research grants based on profit, rather than social good. The case study of Peter Higgs, a Nobel prize winning physicist who says his work wouldn't get funding today. Lack of class consciousness, cuts to government funding, and other factors inhibiting unionization in the field. The need for a pro-science socialist movement to keep us from sinking into a new dark age.

On the fun half: The crew drags on Elon Musk. Why Jamie chose DSA over ISO. The need for socialist movements to serve people's spiritual needs as well as their material ones. Piers Morgan gets owned hard by communist blogger Ash Sarkar. Maajid Nawaz tries to credit Trump with falling black unemployment rate. Ronald Raygun on Jordan Peterson's sexual issues. The electoral dynamics of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The crew advises a caller on whether to enter a PhD program. Academic exploitation and the difficulties of organizing grad students. Poll: The majority of Democratic voters want more candidates like Bernie. Gorka clashes with Democratic strategist Joel Payne after Gorka says Trump is compassionate to legal immigrants. Why Jeremy Corbyn is cooperating with Brexit.

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Marcy Wheeler (@emptywheel) joins us to discuss the latest developments around the Mueller investigation.

On today's show: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wins a primary in a district she isn't even running in. Mike Pence brushes off the idea that the Kavanaugh pick is about protecting Trump.

Journalist Marcy Wheeler, of emptywheel.net, joins us to discuss the exhausting (but fascinating) ins and outs of the Mueller investigation, including her own involvement in it. The ways Russian hackers may have compromised the 2016 election and what they wanted out of it. Flynn's communication with Russia and the evidence their deal had something to do with Syria. The non-Trump-connected source whose text messages served as a basis for Wheeler's work. The factors that led Wheeler to go to the FBI willingly. The "clean team" Mueller sent to talk to her without revealing anything. The threats Wheeler has received as a result of her participation in the investigation and why she's doing it anyway. The role of Michael Cohen. The Steele Dossier as distraction tactic. What we should watch out for in the coming months.

On the fun half: Trump says Putin is the easiest NATO member to deal with, claims NATO owes the US money. Trump at NATO breakfast in Brussells, projecting wildly: "Germany is totally controlled by Russia." Mike Pence tells Dana Bash he's pro-life, dodges her question on whether he's confident Kavanaugh would overturn Roe v Wade. Jordan Peterson tells Joe Rogan those talking about equality of outcome "should be put in a box," Rogan points out his hypocrisy with regards to enforced monogamy. Rogan goes off on people who support ICE kidnapping babies. Alan Dershowitz goes on 'The View' for some reason, says Cynthia Nixon is bad because she supports BDS. Drunken racist accosts woman in Puerto Rican flag shirt while pig cop does nothing.

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Scott Lemieux (@LemieuxLGM) joins us to discuss Trump's Supreme Court pick and the radical right wing's plans for the Supreme Court.

Trump negotiated his pick with Kennedy for a long time before he retired. Kavanaugh's record of leaking information to the media during the Lewinsky probe. What this pick could mean for abortion rights, the regulatory state and more. The right's mixed record on "freedom of speech." The right's two-pronged assault on the regulatory state. Kavanaugh's nonsensical ruling on the CFPB. How the Democrats should negotiate this and how they are actually dealing with it.

Chuck Schumer says Trump is delivering on his campaign promises. The strategies that would get Collins, Murkowski, et al in line. Jeff Merkley attacks Kavanaugh along lines of accountability.

On the fun half: Dick Durbin  calls out Kavanaugh for contradicting his own testimony. Hannity asks if Never Trumpers are happy now (spoiler alert: yes). Ben Sasse says Trump made a great judge pick. Sad old man calls in to argue more about race and IQ. Do we need ICE to fight child trafficking? A caller on the need for a left-leaning judicial infrastructure.

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Good morning, everyone, on today's show, a pre-recorded interview with author David Grabber, (@davidgraeber) on the Kurdish forces fighting in Syria. 

First, Trump shows signs of announcing SCotUS picks... hopefully he picks his sister instead. Then MAGA youth in Montana say mexicans are overpopulating us.

Then, David Graeber outlines why what's going on in Turkish Syria may be the most important ongoing historical event. Graeber outlines the radical anti-capitalist and feminist elements of the Kurds. How anti-immigrant forces in Europe and America are working in sync with Turkish and ISIS interests.

On the fun half - Is Glenn Greenwald a Russian stooge? Jim Jordan attacks a seventh of his accusers. Huckabee says being anti-Trump is terroristic. ID Adam is patrolling North Carolina pools when black people use them, Cornel West stomps Tucker Carlson on his own show. Should the left be thinking about what "too much" immigration looks like?

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DSA member Julia Salazar is running for New York State Senate! Donate to her campaign or sign up to volunteer at SalazarForSenate.com

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Good morning everyone, on today's show Ben Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon) and Chapo Trap House's Virgil Texas (@virgiltexas) join us.

Scott Pruitt blew it! The nakedly corrupt EPA chief is out of the job. Conservative media is decrying "the Left" immediate attacks on Pruitt's interim replacement, EPA deputy secretary Andrew Wheeler who was one of the Coal lobby's biggest boosters. Meanwhile, at DOJ and the Dept. of Education, Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos are rolling back Obama-era affirmative action policies that urged universities to consider race when accepting applicants. Sessions has intimated that DOJ will investigate and sue universities over discriminatory admissions policies. Back in the studio, Sam accepts that "Zero Sum Game" is his political talisman. However, Ben Dixon shows us why Liberation is not a zero-sum game.

Virgil Texas joins us before the fun half and gives a reading from the upcoming Chapo "fam" book, The Chapo Guide to Revolution: A Manifesto Against Logic, Facts, and Reason.  Tucker Carlson's white nationalism's dogwhistle is more like a bullhorn. Scott Pruitt does not believe in grammar. And Therese Patricia Okoumou, the woman who climbed the Statue of Liberty, quotes Michelle Obama.

And in the Fun Half: Occupy ICE Philly is on-going, Trump wants to get Elizabeth Warren a DNA testing kit, Does Trump care if the Republicans lose the house? Why we can't put our faith in Chuck Schumer, Who told Trump not to invade Venezuela? Impeaching Trump is probably a mistake, Dispatches from Jamie at the 2018 Socialism Conference, plus your calls and IMs!

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Johns Hopkins Professor Christy Thornton joins us from Mexico to discuss the wave of leftists recently elected to government. After an election with 3,400 positions in contest, Mexico stands poised for profound changes under the leadership of president-elect Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO).

Thornton breaks down how AMLO started the "Morena" party in 2015 after two presidential election losses over the past 12 years and where AMLO and his politics lie on the international political spectrum. One can expect AMLO's government to be a pragmatic one, one that has gender parity but also includes a problematic fringe evangelical party, Social Encounter. Meanwhile, Pena-Nieto and his neoliberal government leave as the least popular government in modern Mexican history. And now, Irma Sandoval, AMLO's pick for government comptroller, will head efforts to end the Mexican government slush fund for a corrupt ruling class. However, the biggest challenge ahead of AMLO in Mexico will be his effort to demilitarized the country while the drug war against the cartels pushes on. Thornton says expect Morena party leftists to keep up the mass mobilization, with constituents keeping AMLO's government honest.

And in the Fun Half: Billionaires are antithetical to democracy, Michael does not hate Elon Musk, Lawrence O'Donnell on America's anti-intellectualism towards "socialism," Puerto Rican austerity is unbelievable, forecasting tomorrow's job report, Fran calling from "Occupy ICE" in Philadelphia, Nazi defenders and pedophile enablers--the Republican party! Jamie calls in from the 2018 Socialism Conference in Chicago, Rand Paul talkin' deficit blues, how to move others towards compassion, Alex Jones will blow the lid off the 9/11 inside job story, John Oliver blowing it on Venezuela and Mexico, Joe Rogan and the Intellectual Dark Web, how the DSA will enter mainstream politics, plus your kind calls and IMs!

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Journalist George Monbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot), author of 'Out of the Wreckage: A New Politics for an Age of Crisis,' joins us to discuss restoration stories past, present and future.

On today's show: The "Save American Movement" (or SAM) raises money for conservative causes. Can Sam trick them into donating to us instead? Donald Trump tells Maria Bartiromo ICE "has liberated" Long Island towns from MS-13.

Journalist and author George Monbiot joins us to talk about his new book, 'Out of the Wreckage: A New Politics for an Age of Crisis.' The role of the restoration story throughout history and the two competing ones told by social democracy and neoliberalism. The rise of Keynesian economics and how the capitalist class enlisted neoliberal economists to defeat Keynesianism as prevailing wisdom in the 1970s. How the assertion of oppressed identities in the 1960s led to a less homogenous — but also less collectivist — working class. Was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's win a turning point for America's understanding of neoliberalism? How to build a social democratic base without going through corporate media. The need for a new organizing story centered around redistribution. The kinds of policies that could return large chunks of private property to the commons, to the benefit of all.

On the fun half: SC Rep defends ICE because of 9/11. Mother holding toddler calls out Scott Pruitt at restaurant. Steve Doocy asks Sarah Huckabee Sanders if she's been back to a restaurant (she has). Antifa and Proud Boys clash in Portland, OR. Tucker Carlson asks Palestinian guest if he "takes English," cuts off interview with "you're a moron." Chris Lapakko reports back from a Jordan Peterson event. Caller Tammy has good things to say about DSA drag prom in Austin. How to deal with living in a red state? The DeVos family's religious orphanages for kidnapped children. Ron Paul's racist cultural Marxism tweet.

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DSA member Julia Salazar is running for New York State Senate! Donate to her campaign or sign up to volunteer at SalazarForSenate.com

Check out Sam’s sister Betsy’s project to raise money for Swing Left via print sales: makethewave2018.com

Consider donating to listener Lauren’s fundraiser for her mom’s medical treatment at gofundme.com/please-support-miriam

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs

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Nisha Kapoor (@NishaKapoor07), a lecturer in sociology at University of York, joins us to discuss her new book, Deport, Deprive, Extradite: 21st Century State Extremism.

On today's show: Sam uncovers a fake ex-Democrat on Twitter. Trump talks about Kennedy's retirement, says he's been told he "shouldn't say" whether he'll ask SCOTUS candidates about abortion.

Nisha Kapoor (@NishaKapoor07), a lecturer in sociology at University of York, joins us to discuss how the UK uses anti-terrorism laws to erode human rights and promote authoritarianism. The five Muslim men extradited from Britain to the US on terrorism charges in 2012 as case study of this process. The UK's history of imperialism. The "Windrush generation" of Caribbean people who immigrated to Britain in the 1950s and are now facing deportation. How post-9/11 anti-terrorism laws increased government powers that had not been used in some time. The surveillance and racial profiling that more and more Muslim immigrants have to live with. The welfare workers and educators tasked with spying on people. Terrorism suspects and (later) Muslim immigrants in general as "canary in the coal mine" for the progressive attacks on civil liberties.

The Department of the Interior puts red wolves on notice.

On the fun half: Local government of Taylor county, TX votes to terminate contract of private ICE detention facility. Susan Collins says she won't support SCOTUS nominee who would overturn Roe v. Wade. Maxine Waters addresses death threats: "If you shoot at me, you better shoot straight." US government kidnaps kids, ransoms them back to people. 12-year-old girl gives emotional speech on fear of losing her immigrant mother. Man shouts "womp womp" a la Corey Lewandowski during prayer at Huntsville, AL. Same "womp womp" man pulls out his gun, walks away from protest, is arrested by police. Cops taze un-armed black man obeying police orders. "School marshall" training is going well in TX. John Legend says "I don't care about Sarah fucking Sanders and her dinners." A fan calls in to defend Jimmy Dore. How to un-fuck the Supreme Court. Mike from PA (and Jamie) on what people can do to fight back if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Malcolm Gladwell likes Jordan Peterson now.

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Nomiki Konst (@NomikiKonst) joins us for Casual Friday.

On today's show: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explains to Stephen Colbert what Democratic Socialism means to her. Nomiki Konst joins us to discuss ongoing efforts to reform the Democratic Party. AOC's impact on New York City politics and the transactional relationship between establishment Democrats and unions. Why unions didn't deliver for Crowley and might not for Cuomo. How AOC took on the Democratic Party machine in one of its biggest strongholds. Nomiki updates us on her work on the Democratic Unity Reform Commission. The effect of curbing the number of superdelegates and removing them from the first ballot. Nomiki contextualizes her viral "meltdown" video and explains what's wrong with the Democratic Party.

AOC explains to Stephen Colbert how changing the electorate changes polling. A new Jimmy Reefercake song is played.

On the fun half: Amy Maldonado does mock trial with her son re-enacting detained child court hearing. Capitol police arrest 575 people protesting to end ICE and family detention. Jordan Peterson says men can't control women who they cannot hit. Tony in Miami on ICE detention centers in Florida.

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DSA member Julia Salazar running for New York State Senate! Donate to her campaign or sign up to volunteer at SalazarForSenate.com

Check out Sam’s sister Betsy’s project to raise money for Swing Left via print sales: makethewave2018.com

Consider donating to listener Lauren’s fundraiser for her mom’s medical treatment at gofundme.com/please-support-miriam

Check out The Michael Brooks Show at patreon.com/tmbs

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

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Follow the Majority Report crew on Twitter:

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