2/28/12

"Rupert Murdoch" calls in and throws son James under the bus.  Bribery, government and police officials on the take, mass cover ups; Sam digs in to culture of corruption at the Murdoch empire.  California AG puts pressure on Fannie & Freddie. Plus, Majority Report's Chastity reporter calls Senator Santorum's office looking for hard data.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/27/12

Blogger, professor and Middle East specialist, Juan Cole on the regime crackdown in Syria, expulsion of Hamas and Afghanistan reaction to Qur’an burning US Military.  Plus, Wikileaks’ massive email dump.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

It’s our final day of vacation — we wouldn’t let you down with a recycled show!  Here’s fascinating conversation with author and environmentalist Derrick Jensen.  The discussion looks into the concept of dominant culture, how it informs the system we live in,  and what it means to all the systems of the planet.  Jensen talks about strategies for rebellion, black bloc tactics and Occupy Wall Street.   His most recent book is Deep Green Resistance: Strategy to Save the Planet.  Learn more about Deep Green Resistance here. 

2/23/12 

More NEW, FRESH content!  Harvard Professor Lawrence Lessig (@lessig) talks about the ideas in his new book One Way Forward: The Outsiders Guide to Fixing the Republic.  The problem today is not Right vs. Left, it’s Insider vs. Outsider.  We have a system of government utterly corrupted by the influence of money and a Congress consumed by it’s donors rather than focused on the work of the people.  So what is the answer to fixing the system?  Lessig presents his fix.

And Matt Earley (@mateotemprano), co-founder and farmer relations manager of Just Coffee, joins Sam to talk about fair trade coffee, running a co-op and the mission behind this employee owned and operated fair trade pioneer.

2/22/12

We're still on vacation but here's more fresh content!  We are joined by Harvard Astrology Professor,  Dimitar Sasselov for a scientific look at how the life of Planet Earth and human existence are interconnected.  And a discussion about the possibility of finding life in the universe beyond earth.  His book is The Life of Super Earths.

Plus...after the interview, a special Oscar-related bonus! (Hint: It's something we'd usually do on Casual Friday.)

2/21/12 

On today’s show, interviews conducted at the Health Action 2012 Conference in D.C.  Sam talks to Congressman John Sarbanes of Maryland, Valerie Arkoosh and Timothy Jost.   Use this post as today’s thread.  Click thru for links and details.  

Sam talks to Congressman John Sarbanes (@JohnSarbanes) from Maryland’s Third District about the SOPA/PIPA black out, the corruption of democracy by special interests and the formation of the American People’s Super PAC.

Valerie Arkoosh (@VAArk), President of the National Physicians Alliance discusses ways her organization is educating doctors and working to reshape relationships they have in the health care system — including setting new boundaries between physicians and pharmacutical companies.  Read about their UnBranded Doctor campaign here.

And Timothy Jost, professor at Washington Lee University Law School examines the up coming Affordable Health Care Act Supreme Court litigation, which could set dangerous precedent effecting the relationship between States and the Federal Government for years to come.

2/20/12 

Writer, consultant and Senior Fellow with Campaign for America’s Future, Richard Eskow reveals on how the Federal Housing Finance Agency is crippling America’s recovery and why Acting Director Edward DeMarco is at the center of the problem.  Eskow explains why Obama can’t (or won’t) get rid of him.

And from the Health Action 2012 Conference, Ron Pollack the Founding Executive Director ofFamilies USA, talks about the new health care marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act.  How will the new system work, who will regulate it and who will benefit.

Friday brings Cliff Schecter from Libertas LLC.  Topics this week include the GOP’s onslaught on women’s reproductive rights, Romney’s standing in Michigan and the economic effects of warmer weather.  Plus, comedian Eddie Pepitone joins us with movie reviews and Jimmy Reefercake delivers the song of the week.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/16/12

David Dayen, Firedoglake, dissects Romney's managed-bankruptcy "solution" to Auto Bailout, addresses attack on unions and comments on Mortgage Fraud Settlement.  Jeff Smith talks Occupy Wall Street and black bloc tactics.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

Sam debates Libertarian Peter Schiff over the Contraception Mandate.  Plus, postmortem conversions by the Mormon Church.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/14/12

Stories on today's show: the Libertarian anti-woman pro elite class philosophy, the "expanding" social Safety Net, Marijuana and tax revenues, updates on Occupy news from around the country and more.  

2/13/12

Michelle Alexander, civil rights lawyer, advocate and legal scholar on her book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.

  In the better half, discussion of violence and black bloc tactics in context of Occupy movement continues, Breitbart unglued and Santorum in WA on day of marriage equality signing.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/10/12 

Casual Friday brings Cliff Schecter from Libertas LLC.  Up today, shocking liberal support for Guantanamo, the contraception mandate and gun sales gone wild.  Matthew Weiss has movie recommendations and Jimmy Reefercake with his song of the week.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/9/12

Sarah Posner, Religion Dispatches magazine, on contraception coverage controversy. From the Occupy Wall Street bus tour, Jeff Smith on Black Bloc tactics and the movement.  In the better half, the Mortgage Fraud Settlement, a rip-off for the American people.   Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

Ari Berman from the Nation on how the GOP is adeptly maneuvering Congressional and state legislative maps to their benefit, wresting control of voting districts away from Democrats, resegregating the South.  In the better half, Catholic bishops continue their stink over contraception coverage, Santorum on keeping prescription drugs affordable (no iPads!) and Ron Paul’s white supremacist ties.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/07/12

Sara Robinson from Alternet on the shifting political paradigm issuing in new era of political rules and standards. Plus, the mortgage foreclosure settlement still in negotiation and in the better half, White House's changing tune on debt deal would increase deficit, Obama backing down on birth control access,  Anonymous hacks President of Syria and Senate sells out Unions.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/06/12

Robert Kuttner from The American Prospect magazine on status of proposed multi-billion dollar settlement in mortgage meltdown; will Obama's Financial Fraud Unit have teeth? Will Big Banks see criminal prosecution?  And behind AG Schneiderman's deal.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/3/12

Cliff Schecter and Sam talk the week’s news; the Susan G. Komen fiasco looms large and what it means for the GOP if Romney loses the general election.  Isabel Gillies with impassioned movie reviews, songs of the week (Reefercake has a new CD and we say good-bye to the Screaming Majority!). Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST).

2/2/12 

Director of the Academy Award Nominated, Gasland, hot off his arrest at a public, Congressional hearing on fracking.. Josh Fox on his First Amendment rights, the sequel to Gasland and his status as persona non grata on the Hill.  Also, dems in Indiana add poison pill to bill on creationism in schools, Alabama senator says Bible is anti-teacher pay raise and Washington State, close to marriage equality. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

2/1/12

Citizen Journalist Spencer Mills, aka OakFoSho, reports on Saturday’s march and arrests in Oakland. And Jeff Smith on the Occupy message and the future of OWS.  In the better 1/2, Oakland occupier Alyssa on her arrest, being denied medication and her 18 hour detention.  Plus, Romney’s not worried about the poor and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure drops funding of Planned Parenthood.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

1/31/12 

Author Michael Hastings who's Rolling Stones peice on General McChrystal led to his resignation, joins us to talk about his book The Operators, the war in Afghanistan and what really effects war policy.  Also, two "threatening" British travelers on holiday -- detained and refused entry to the United States. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 (EST). NOTE: we had a major internet fail in the studio today- short show.

1/30/12

Anti-racist author, activist and teacher Tim Wise on racism, the history and social perception of government programs, group based failure and more.  Your calls and IMs. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

Cliff Schecter on the debate highlights; missed opportunities (no Romney bashing, Swiss jokes?); Santorum rocking the show from the kid’s table; Gingrich’s flat performance; and Ron Paul’s sack full o’ lies.  Also, great movie recommendations from Matthew Film Guy and our songs of the week. Listener beware, the first is profanity laced!  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

Off of pieces by Dean Baker and Ezra Klein...Sam on how the government always picks winners and losers and the differences between Obama & Romney are small bore.  And Bo Biden calls for a time of action in reaction to Presiden't formation of a Financial Fraud Unit; he doesn't mention Eric Schneiderman.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

1/25/12

David Dayen from Firedoglake on the President's address to the Nation; does the Financial Fraud unit have a shot at success and will Schneiderman's role diminish his power as New York's AG?  Jeff Smith addresses a rumor about Occupy Wall Street and tells of upcoming actions.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST).

1/24/12 

Hullabaloo blogger Digby on GOP lackluster primary debate, Romney's advice to underwater mortgage holders, vulture capitalism and more.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

1/23/12

Steve Kornacki from Salon dishes South Carolina results, the upcoming contests and the craziness of GOP primary season.   

1/20/12

Sam's still in D.C. but casual Friday brings our show favorites!  Cliff Schecter on the week's Clown Car antics, the SOPA/PIPA protests and more. Isabel Gillies returns with movie reviews.  And surprise guest, Dick Gregory, drops in on Sam! Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

1/19/12

Historian and journalist Rick Perlstein on Conservatism, the political roots of Mitt Romney and the enslavement of Santorum’s grandfather.  Plus, Jeff Smith on Occupy Congress, his experience in our nation’s capitol and why D.C. is so out of touch.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST).

1/18/12

Garlin Gilchrist from MoveOn.org on today's internet strike and the SOPA/PIPA threat to internet freedom.  And reporting from Occupy Congress, Tina Dupuy from Crooks and Liars.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST).

1/17/12

Corey Robin on how great social movements provoke reaction from the Right.  His book The Reactionary Mind: Conservatism from Edmund Burke to Sarah Palin.  And it’s J17!  Jeff Smith reports live from nation’s capitol on Occupy Congress.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST).

1/16/12

Happy MLK Jr. Day. Today’s show is a brief compilation of clips including excerpts from "The Frank McGee Sunday Report: Martin Luther King Profile," NBC News, May 7, 1967, followed by a brief excerpt from a speech at Cleveland, Ohio, on April 28, 1967. Then extended excerpts of a MLK sermon at the Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 30, 1967, then the CBS evening news with Walter Cronkite reporting on the assassination on  4-4-68 and finally, Nina Simone singing “Why?” recorded live three days after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.

We are back live on Tuesday at www.majority.fm

1/12/12

Robert Forrant on relevance of 1912 Bread & Roses labor strike to today’s Occupy movement, Republican Governor of Pennsylvania plans asset testing for food stamps. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30am (EST)

1/11/12

Dave Weigel from Slate on tenor of New Hampshire Republican Primary.  Romney's win, Huntsman's dad - will he pay up and the political skills ofRon Paul.  Occupy Manchester checks in with news of their actions.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

1/10/12 

Justice Party candidate Rocky Anderson on his run for President, his thoughts on Ron Paul and Occupy Wall Street.  Plus, Jeff Smith (@dontbeaputz) prepares for J17 and Occupy Congress next week. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

1/9/12

Laura Clawson, Daily Kos, on Republican union bashing efforts in Indiana.  NFL Players Union pushes back against right-to-work, causing Republicans to attempt blitz passage to avoid Super Bowl spotlight.  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm 11:30 am (EST)

1/06/12 

Friday favorite Cliff Schecter joins Sam.  Today, rights that are ok for Rick Santorum’s family but not yours.  And at the root of Ron Paul’s “good” positions is a dark, dangerous belief system.  Surprise – Chris Rosen’s back with movie reviews!  Listen LIVE at Majority.fm weekdays 11:30am (EST)

1/05/12

Recess appointments and Obama’s incentive. Updates on occupy movements across the country including and Jeff Smith reports on Occupy Wall Street's march on Grand Central protesting NDAA. Listen LIVE at Majority.fm, weekdays 11:30 am (EST).

1/04/12 

Matt Taibbi on Iowa caucus results, GOP primaries as a meaningless sideshow and why Ron Paul resonates with voters.  Plus, Obama's recess appointment of Richard Cordray & fracking earthquakes. Listen LIVE , Majority.fm 11:30am (EST)

1/03/12

News and posturing from Iowa: Santorum, Paul, Romney and the others.  Dave Weigel, Slate.com, talks candidates and caucus process with Sam.  Also, Occupy update: New Year’s Eve clashes and arrests at Zuccotti Park.  Listen LIVE, Majority.fm  11:30 am (EST). 

1/02/2012

Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of The Nation, joins Sam. Also, Best Of's of Sam talking Libertarianism.