The Majority Report with Sam Seder

On today's show: Rick Santorum says children should take CPR classes if they're so concerned about gun violence. NAACP National Youth Director Tiffany Dena Loftin on the importance of intersectionality in March For Our Lives. Parkland survivor Emma Gonzalez gives a powerful speech. NRA TV's sad attempt at a response. Trump's un-evolved stance on NAFTA and how it's different from Bernie's. Why the federal "right to try" bill that just passed the House is a bad idea. How anti-sex trafficking bills SESTA and FOSTA would hurt the people they purport to be helping. A summary of voting rights measures to watch. Some developments in the Guccifer 2.0 story. Why Stormy Daniels was denied a spot on "Celebrity Apprentice."

On the fun half: Stormy Daniels recounts details of her affair with Trump. What we can learn from Marie Newman's failed bid in the Illinois primary. Judge Jeanine defends Trump's honor from Ann Coulter re: the omnibus spending bill. MA gubernatorial candidate Scott Lively wants "separation of LGBT and state." A caller uses arguments against raising the minimum wage to point out the powerlessness of the capitalist class. A caller compares March for Our Lives to his memories of anti-Vietnam War activism. Do Corbyn and Wolff's prescriptions for democratizing the economy go far enough? Sam's opinion on the omnibus spending bill. A libertarian calls in to talk about apples. Could the DSA be doing a better job on electoral politics? A DJ criticizes Matt's sound drops.

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Direct download: 3-26-18-Sam-Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:01pm EDT

Blogger and political analyst Digby joins us to break down the latest news from the Trump White House.

On today's show: Sam fills in Ari Melber on John Bolton's extremism. Former Playboy model Karen McDougal admits Trump compared her to Ivanka during their affair.

Political writer Heather Digby Parton (@digby56), of Salon.com and Hullabaloo, joins us to talk Trump's terrifying foreign policy moves. Who is Trump's new security advisor John Bolton and what does he believe? Bolton's history of extreme hawkishness, even among fellow neocons. His ties to fanatical Islamophobes like Pamela Gellar. Bolton's stated desire for pre-emptive war with North Korea and Iran. Will Trump veto the omnibus spending bill because there's not enough funding for the wall? Is Sean Hannity writing Trump's tweets? The "mad man" theory by which everyone gives Trump what he wants out of fear. Why Rex Tillerson was fired. What's going on between Kushner and Saudi Arabia. The United States as "rogue nation" and Trump as authoritarian threat. The last ditch option of Republicans standing up to Trump (yeah right).

On the fun half: Trump tells TP USA's Charlie Kirk his advice for his 25-year-old self: "don't run for president." Did Trump promise Stormy Daniels a spot on "The Apprentice"? Mick Mulvaney says Trump will sign the spending bill because it "funds his priorities" but Trump tweets otherwise...then signs it, anyway. John Bolton goes on Fox News, says he wants a "military solution" to North Korea. Rex Tillerson gives a farewell speech, tells us to be nicer to one another. A Norwegian caller fills us in on the history of libertarian socialism and why it's still a valid term. Jamie and Michael argue over whether there's room for anyone who's anything less than 100% pro-choice on the left. Mindy on how to talk to one's kids about Trump.

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Direct download: 3-23-18-Digby-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:24pm EDT

Today: political advisor Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) to give an inside view of how campaigns work and why we shouldn't overrate the capabilities of Cambridge Analytica. What is it that Cambridge Analytica actually sold? 

On the fun half - are we too dismissive of population growth concerns? Trump boasts of deals with MBS, Zuckerberg says Facebook should be regulated, Alex Jones warns of world war, ICE releases woman they terrorized for no reason, how to we respond to Sam Harris' idea religion is the root of all evil? and your calls and IMs!

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Direct download: 3-22-18-Luke_Thompson-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:11pm EDT

Journalist and historian Elizabeth Catte joins us to discuss her new book, "What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia."

On today's show: Austin bombing suspect blows himself up, Trump tweets his approval.

Elizabeth Catte joins us to discuss her book, "What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia." The media paints Appalachia as a place with a monolithic culture, but it's actually quite diverse. How the message of  JD Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy" goes along with conservative theories about race and poverty. How liberals and conservatives both believe there are market solutions to poverty. Why people are talking about Appalachia now. The need for broader, more nuanced coverage of the region. Trump, Appalachia, and right-wing populism. How the left should reach out to those alienated by the political establishment.

On the fun half: What the leftists of today can learn from Red Vienna, militant workers' movements, and the USSR's treatment of anarchists. Sam accidentally says "black Africans" on MSNBC, recovers like a champ. Trump's terrible toilet tweets. Sarah Huckabee Sanders claims we don't "get to dictate how other countries operate." Ben Carson still blaming his wife for home improvements. Should Chicago schools be rehabilitating Colin Powell's image? Nine Democrats vote against joint resolution that would have ended US support for Saudi war in Yemen.

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Direct download: 3-21-18-Elizabeth_Catte-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:52pm EDT

Patrick Blanchfield (@PatBlanchfield) of Splinter News joins us to talk about his latest piece, "The Market Can't Solve A Massacre."

On today's show: Channel 4 exposes Cambridge Analytica's honeypot tactics and oligarchic election tampering.

Patrick Blanchfield (@PatBlanchfield) of Splinter News joins us to discuss why neoliberalism can't solve the problem of gun violence. The definition of neoliberalism and how it values human life in terms of market activity. How both Democrats and Republicans apply neoliberal logic to mass shootings. How neoliberalism shifts responsibility for solving problems from society to individuals. Democrats' self-sabotaging technocratic retreat and the need for a broader view on gun violence. The connection between gun violence, racism, the carceral state, militarism, arms manufacturers, and conflict abroad. What student activists are getting right. Concrete steps we can take to reduce the threat of violence for everyone, not just those the market deems valuable.

On the fun half: The crew discusses Kanye West. Jordan Peterson freaks out over Pankaj Mishra's takedown. How do we keep people engaged after Trump leaves office? Cynthia Nixon is running against Andrew Cuomo and we're all about it. Tucker Carlson delivers alt-right talking points about why immigration is bad. Ben Carson blames his wife for $31,000 dining set. How much could a Berniecrat actually get done in office? The deficiencies of modern political discourse and why Jordan Peterson speaks to so many people.

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Direct download: 3-20-18-Patrick_Blanchfield-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:44pm EDT

Nathan J. Robinson, editor-in-chief of Current Affairs (@curaffairs), joins us to discuss his latest piece on Jordan Peterson, "The Intellectual We Deserve."

On today's show: 'Fox and Friends' is upset with Jim Carrey for drawing an unflattering portrait of Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Nathan J. Robinson (@NathanJRobinson) joins us to break down the Jordan Peterson phenomenon. Who is Jordan Peterson and how did he get such a large following? Peterson's journey from obscure academic to bestselling "self-help" author. The strategy of presenting simple ideas in a complicated way so people think they're profound. The slipperiness of what he's actually saying and how it opens the door to reactionary thought. Peterson's apparent ignorance about the history of identity politics and political activism. What his success says about our current cultural moment. The vacuum created by real academics' absence from the mainstream. How this kind of discourse puts the left at a disadvantage.

On the fun half: John from San Antonio urges people to vote for Marie Newman and other progressives in the Illinois primary, plugs Bernie's upcoming town hall. Will the Democratic Party learn a lesson from Hillary's remarks in India? Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman pursues social reforms for women's attire in Saudi Arabia, continued human rights abuses in Yemen. Peter Thiel praises Trump's economic policies, lack of political correctness. Hannity says not prosecuting Hillary was biggest abuse of power in U.S. history. What U.S. leftists can learn from Red Vienna. Ben Shapiro says the media is biased in its coverage of gun violence and school children have no right to comment.

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Direct download: 3-19-18-Nathan_Robinson-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:17pm EDT

On today's show: Ryan Zinke says "konnichiwa" after listening to a woman's story of Japanese internment camps.

Benjamin Dixon (@BenjaminPDixon), founder of ProgressiveArmy.com and host of The Benjamin Dixon Show joins us to break down the latest news from the Trump White House. North Korea hawk John Bolton is set to become Trump's national security advisor. Trump's increasing confidence that he can do whatever he wants and no one will care. Can our institutions absorb this? How Trump and the GOP are driving turnout among Democrats. Lessons from the PA 18 election, which saw blue collar labor allied with educated suburban women to elect Conor Lamb. Jeff Flake says climate change is real but the left needs to accept nuclear energy. What will happen when Trump runs out of people to fire?

Film Guy Matthew Weiss (@langdonboom) joins us in studio(!) to talk film and more. The time Matthew tried to thank Governor Cuomo for re-routing truck traffic in his neighborhood. An update on the Mike Cernovich documentary. Today's film rec: "The Spirit of the Beehive," a 1973 drama set in post-Franco Spain and starring a young girl. (Also: "Out of the Blue" and "Dear Zachary: a Letter to a Son About His Father.") Matthew hawks his Ebay items, which now include a talking Dennis Miller doll signed by Sam.

On the fun half: A caller highlights excessive law enforcement spending in NYC. Big pharma's role in the opioid crisis and artist Nan Goldin's protest at the Sackler wing of the Met. Stormy Daniels' lawyer says she was physically threatened to stay silent. Man pulls a switchblade on high school student in Rocky Point, L.I. to teach him about guns. Demands from Chicago students go way beyond gun control. Teens are crazy for Bernie! Stephen Hawking owns Piers Morgan on the topic of IQ. Mindy tells her own harrowing story of opiate withdrawal. The government's responsibility for treating drug addiction. Some criticism of David Frum. A listener reports back from Dave Rubin's "free speech" event.

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Direct download: 3-16-18-Ben_Dixon-Cliff_Schecter-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:23pm EDT

Journalist and author Liza Featherstone (@lfeatherz) joins us to discuss her new book, Divining Desire: Focus Groups and the Culture of Consultation.

On today's show: What Conor Lamb's victory means for the GOP. Sean Hannity criticizes student walkouts, brags about being 100% Irish.

Journalist, author, and professor Liza Featherstone joins us to discuss her latest book, Divining Desire: Focus Groups and the Culture of Consultation. The surprising origin of focus groups in the government of 1920s Vienna. The influence of demographics and the difference between quantitative and qualitative research. How the tactic migrated to the U.S. government during WWII, then jumped to Madison Avenue in effort to jumpstart the postwar economy. The connection between advertising and psychoanalysis and the influence of Freud's ad man nephew. The push back against "subliminal marketing." How the focus group migrated back to politics in the 1980s.

A lone protestor (and MR listener) heckles Sebastian Gorka outside an event in Ohio.

On the fun half: John from San Antonio on the blue wave sweeping the country. Sam gives Chris Lapakko some documentary tips. Ronald Raygun responds to criticism. New WH economic advisor Larry Kudlow's greatest failed predictions. The Democrats who voted for the Dodd-Frank rollback. Ryan Zinke defends his private jet rides and other excessive spending. Rand Paul criticizes Gina Haspel's torture record. Dubya's press secretary Dana Perino defends the Bush admin's early aughts torture program on "The Five." Juan Williams tries to talk sense into The Five but they dig their heels in and joke about waterboarding. Kudlow's $100k/month (former?) coke habit. Jordon Dyrdahl-Roberts, who quit his job at the Dept. of Labor rather than cooperate with ICE, calls in to break down the "just following orders" defense. (Donate to his crowdfunding page here.) A caller recommends an article on Splinter News, "The Market Can't Solve A Massacre."

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Direct download: 3-15-18-Liza_Featherstone-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:25pm EDT

Good morning on today's show, Christy Thornton,(@llchristyll)  a Professor in the Sociology Department at Johns Hopkins University joins us to talk about the prospect of Mexico electing a left President.

First, Fox and Friends try to spin Conor Lamb's victory as disappointing for Dems.

Who is Andrés Manuel López Obrador and where does he fit in the context of Mexican democracy? The outlines of the Mexican left. The long shadow of Mexico's longtime sole party, the PRI. What are the major problems facing Mexico, from historical neoliberalism to foreign interference.

On the fun half - Is Elon Musk a 'good capitalist,' students across the country walk out in protest of inaction on gun control, RIP scientist and NHS-defender Stephen Hawking, Alex Jones decodes Rex Tillerson,

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Direct download: 3-14-18-Christy_thornton-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:37pm EDT

On today's show: Trump bids a fond farewell to Rex Tillerson. Sarah Huckabee Sanders won't blame Russia for UK gas attack, even after Theresa May said it was probably them. Republican Rick Saccone claims to be the underdog in PA Congressional race. Incoming CIA director Gina Haspel's dark history of overseeing torture and covering it up afterwards. Trump won't answer a valid question re: Tillerson. ICE spokesman in resigns over being told to lie about California arrests.

On the fun half: Why is the Trump White House so uptight about letting Stormy Daniels talk? Alex Jones thinks Daniels is working with globalists to take down America. Jimmy Dore thinks we should team up with Mike Cernovich for the anti-war cause. Hillary Clinton continues to ruin everything. Stacy Dash is running for Congress, has an awkward appearance on Ari Melber. Why budget surpluses are bad. A caller in Austin reports what he knows about the mail bomb attacks there. A caller in Pittsburgh says Hillary isn't helping. Sam's thoughts on Cuomo. A caller discusses voter purging in WI. Sam's undistinguished basketball career. Why do we hate Jordan Peterson? Let's break it down.

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Direct download: 3-13-18-Sam_Seder-pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT