The Majority Report with Sam Seder

The Nation's Ari Berman, reported from the Supreme Court on the fate of the Voting Rights Act, explained what Justice Roberts doesn't like about the Voting Rights Act, the conservative "Wall Street approach" to voter suppression, why overwhelming political support for the Voting Rights Act is being used as a means to overturn it and is it possible that this could push electoral reform in Congress?

On The Better: epic Bob Woodward fail, what the Woodward emails reveal about the White House's plans for entitlements, a gun owner shoots at a shop lifter in an attempt to "mark him" and your calls and IMs,

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-28-13-Ari_Berman-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:17pm EDT

David Dayen, explained how sequester cuts will impact the economy, how long it will take to feel the Sequester, the politics of the sequester, why the local media is doing a better job covering the sequester, the teachable moment the Obama Administration is missing, why a government shutdown maybe the best anti austerity strategy and how will the media cover budget cuts.

A stunning exchange between Piers Morgan and a Pizza shop owner who gives discounts to customers carrying guns and Bob Woodward is furious at Obama for not ignoring Congress.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-27-13-David_Dayen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:02pm EDT

Law Professor Susan Crawford, author of Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age, explained why the Internet should be treated like a electricity, why Wired access is essential for success in today's economy, why private companies have no incentive to provide universal access, the industry push back against her ideas, why market concentration is so high in the wireless market and educating the public on the need for an communications policy.

On The Better Half: two Congressional Republicans come out for marriage equality, voters overwhelmingly think Republicans are out of touch including many Republicans, Boing works to contain its flammable batteries on its Dreamliner Jets, Random Rush and DKNY steals a photographers work and that is just the beginning of their ridiculous conduct.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-26-13-Susan_Crawford-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:28pm EDT

Nick Trioano co-founder of The Can Kicks Back, made the deficit hysteria case, but couldn't explain why we need cuts, Sam explained why cost savings in Medicare should come from efficiency, debated Social Security cuts, debunked life expectancy statistics, Trioano sold the "Confidence Fairy" hard and Sam wanted to know what "shared sacrifice" meant.

On The Better Half: Susie Madrak from Crooks And Liars broke down the deficit myth, more myths of medicare funding, the Sam Seder learning annex returned, an epic W impression, Matt gives an update on the WWE-Glenn Beck feud, and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-25-13-Nick_Troiano-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:38pm EDT

Cliff Schecter, explained how damaging the sequester would be, why America is held back by the lowest common denominator, can President Obama use the sequester as a teachable moment? Crowd boos mother of Aurora victim and John McCain is a jerk, the Chuck Hagel "Friends of Hamas" smear and Ohio Republicans go after Nuns for "voter fraud."

Huffington Post Entertainment Editor, Chris Rosen explained why he doesn't get to go to the Oscars, he and Sam debated Chris's job, he walked us through the nominations for Best Picture and gave Oscar predictions.

Italy's La Repubblica Newspaper, alleges that the Pope's resignation was triggered by the possibility of a new Priest sex scandal, debating the Obama foreign policy and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-22-13-Cliff_Schecter-Chris_Rosen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:21pm EDT

Nick Turse, author of Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam explained the horrifying brutality inflicted on Vietnamese civilians, why the My Lai massacre was not an aberration, how "Kill Anything That Moves" was systemic a policy, the missing narrative Vietnamese civilians and how we can use Vietnam to better understand U.S. military interventions today.

On The Better Half: all the shocking ways that the Sequester will hurt the economy and society, Sam calls in an AM talk show host and calls him out on deficit fear mongering, Sam debates gun control with a caller and your caller and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

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Direct download: 02-21-13-Nick_Turse-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:35pm EDT

Pound of Flesh, author Helaine Olen explained her background as a personal finance writer, how the personal finance industry got started, the story of 401ks, the problem with Suzy Orman, how the financial services industry turns what are political problems into a personal problems, the genius of Occupy, the urgent need to regulate and the financial services industry.

On The Better Half: the hilarious story of how the fake Friends of Hamas story spread through the right wing media, CNN cuts off a conversation on conflict of interest to discuss Michele Obama's bangs, Sam debates the minimum wage with a Libertarian and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-20-13-Helaine_Olen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:08pm EDT

"Katherine Harris", celebrated Presidents Day in Shelby County Alabama, reacted to President Obama's SOTU, explained that "white people have it hard enough" she and Sam argued about Stop and Frisk, the Jesus "entrance strategy", what's going on with Michele and Marcus Bachman and gives her take on the KeystoneXL pipeline.

Gary Cohen Director, Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Department of Health A Human Services, explained how health exchanges will work and the why the exchanges have common national platforms.

On The Better Half: Fox does an "in depth" report on Pre-School education and shockingly get almost everything wrong, Ron Paul's UN crusade pushes forward, all wage gains captured by the 1%, retirement funds are decimated and Simpson-Bowles still pushing their snake oil and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-19-13-Katherine_Harris-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:35pm EDT

Cliff Schecter, explained why "moderate" Republicans voted to filibuster Chuck Hagel, why Republicans keep pushing Benghazi, how the Hagel debacle shows once again the urgent need for filibuster reform, Cliff's frustration with Harry Reid, why President Obama's new progressive rhetoric is so important, how President Obama is starting to make Republicans pay a political price for blocking progress and Marco Rubio repeats the same old Republican talking points.

Isabel Gillies and Film Guy Matthew Weiss, review their film recommendations, Isabel'sWin Win and Matthew's The Kid With A Bike, Isabel and Matthew compare Valentines Day experiences and Sam decides who gave the better movie recommendation.

On The Better Half: debating Zero Dark Thirty, how retirement benefits are taxed, Fox hosts laugh at 102-voter waiting in line to vote, Elizabeth Warren destroys banking regulators and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-15-13-Cliff_Schecter-Isabel_Gillies-Matthew_Weiss-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:44pm EDT

Robert F. Kennedy Jr, explained why he was arrested for protesting the Keystone XL Pipeline at the White House yesterday, why the Pipeline is fraudulent, how it will destroy local economies and commons, why in cases where democracy has failed civil disobedience is necessary, how oil companies have bought Congress, why private corporate power is the greatest threat to democracy, how dirty industries run off corporate welfare, the job creation myth and why Kennedy does not think that the Pipeline will be approved.

On The Better Half: Ron Paul sues supporters through the UN, Marco Rubio offers ludicrous reason for opposing increasing the Minimum Wage, Scott Brown finds his true calling heads to Fox, Random Rush and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-14-13-Robert_F_Kennedy-JR-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:27pm EDT

The Progressive Campaign Change Committee's Adam Green, explained why he is still worried about Social Security, why progressive "sacred cows" are better than Republican sacred cows, where Obama pushed the agenda in the right direction and where he pushed it in the wrong direction, Obama's powerful moment on gun violence, President Obama's call for a higher minimum wage and Bold Progressives push against Mitch McConnell.

Crooks And Liars, founder John Amato, explained why President Obama helped the Democratic cause with this SOTU, how Chris Matthews  destroyed Rubio's response and why Republicans are deluded about Obama's talent.

On The Better Half: The gulp heard around the world, Marco Rubio reminds Sam of a infomercial pitch man, a Libertarian responds to Obama's SOTU and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-13-13-Adam_Green-John_Amato-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:02pm EDT

Blogger and USA Today contributor Atrios (Duncan Black), explained what a true cost of living adjustment for the elderly would look like, the evolution of pension plans, the false promise of retirement plans, new retirees facing poverty, why politicians won't run on increasing Social Security benefits, the assumption that life should be an eternal struggle, and the Republicans singular policy focus on cutting taxes for rich people.

On The Better Half: the Sam Seder Learning Annex continues with a new Libertarian caller, the revolutionary implication of the Kill List on Due Process, MSNBC's Toure makes a case for drone strikes and brings back memories of bad country music and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-12-13-Atrios-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:02pm EDT

Filmmaker Benny Brunner, discussed his new film The Great Book Robbery, explained how the Palestinian rare books were lost during the formation of Israel, how his film undercuts the myths surrounding the founding of the state of Israel, why we need to acknowledge that the Palestinians had a thriving culture, why recognizing the real history will help everyone and what Benny hopes his film will accomplish.

KC Boyd, author of Being Christian, explained the fundamentalist drive to control government, what is Dominionism, why the Chuck Hagel confirmation hearings reveal fundamentalist thinking, Boyd's introduction to Christian extremist code language, how fundamentalists play politics and what the Christian Zionist movement wants.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-11-13-Benny_Brunner-KC_Boyd-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:58am EDT

Chris Hayes, explained why the Brennan hearings focused so heavily on institutional jockeying, the policy consensus on targeted killing, the subjective reasoning behind the targeted killing program, how and when could the "War on Terror" end? The importance of defining peace time counter terrorism and the austerity caucus have lost some of their power but economic liberalism still lags behind social liberalism.

Frank Conniff, talked about his memories of working on Mystery Science Theater 3000 and his time working with Sam at Air America, the comedy pitches he is presenting to Al Jazeera, the writing he is doing for Current and he recommended the science fiction movie Looper.

On The Better Half: Fox Business says solar works in Germany because of how sunny Germany, the Bush family email accounts have been hacked, John Brennan won't say whether or not water boarding is torture, Senator Richard Burr, takes the Brennan hearing as an opportunity to make a water boarding joke, the insights of a Fox News "Strategic Analyst" and your calls and IMS.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-08-13-Chris_Hayes-Frank_Conniff-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:42pm EDT

Ari Berman, explained the history of voter disenfranchisement, what states are covered by the Voting Rights Act, is there a federally guaranteed right to vote?, the collapsing bipartisan support for the Voting Rights Act and the financier behind the push to overturn the Voting Rights Act and Chief Justice John Roberts long strong opposition to section five of the Voting Rights Act.

On The Better Half: Marcio Rubio plays to the base and gets absurd on climate change, Idaho lawmaker wants every kid to read Ayn Rand, New York Times reveals drone site in Saudi Arabia, more on the right-wing conspiracy mind and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-07-13-Ari_Berman-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:05pm EDT

Harper's Magazine's,Scott Horton, explained what is in the Justice Departments white paper on drone policy, why the definition of imminence in the memo is crucial, what government officials have legal authority to order drone strikes according to the memo, how the memo reads as a retroactive justification of policy and Will the John Brennan nomination hearings bring out more information?

On The Better Half: we hear from a recovering Libertarian, Sam talks about the new documentary The Great Book Robbery, a libertarian caller has problems with trains and health care and wants a "fierce argument" from Sam and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

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Direct download: 02-06-13-Scott_Horton-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:45pm EDT

David Dayen, explained how extreme anti tax policies destroyed California's finances, how California progressives changed the shape of the electorate and what's next in California's budget battles. The Justice Department's case against S&P, why credit ratings agencies are driven by conflict of interest and good signs from Elizabeth Warren.

On The Better Half: new revelations on the Obama Administration's drone program, the precedent that BushAdministration's torture program set for targeted killings and your IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

Members make the Majority Report possible.  Please join us by becoming a MEMBER.  You can also show your support by clicking thru to the DONATE button for a one-time donation.  Thanks!

Direct download: 02-05-13-David_Dayen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:35pm EDT

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Julie Samuel's explained how patent trolls work, why podcasts are threatened by the troll business, how patent rules don't reflect technological changes and the best ways to protect businesses from trolls.

The President and CEO of Common Cause, Bob Edgar, explained ALEC's attempt to establish itself as a charity and why he is so disappointed in the Senate's filibuster reform agreement.

On The Better Half: New York politicians threaten to cut funding for Brooklyn College for holding an event on the BDS movement, lots of Harvard students cheat, Maine Governor Paul Lapage does not want kids reading newspapers and your IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

Members make the Majority Report possible.  Please join us by becoming a MEMBER.  You can also show your support by clicking thru to the DONATE button for a one-time donation.  Thanks!

Direct download: 02-04-13-Julie_Samuels-Bob_edgar-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:55pm EDT

Cliff Schecter explained how the NRA was taken over by extremists, the embarrassing arguments presented by pro-gun advocates to the Judiciary Committee, Ted Cruz's ludicrous questioning of Chuck Hagel, John McCain's bullying and why McCain has a grudge against Hagel.

Comedian Matt Graham, told Sam about his new show, This Too Shall Suck, why Matt tried to play college basketball in his mid thirties, how Matt became a Scrabble champion, his role in the movie movie, Word Warsand Matt recomended the Heart is a Lonely Hunter and the Triplets of Belleville.

On The Better Half: who made the NRA enemies list? the push for immigration reform, the NYPD arrest and handcuff a seven year old and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread!

Members make the Majority Report possible.  Please join us by becoming a MEMBER.  You can also show your support by clicking thru to the DONATE button for a one-time donation.  Thanks! 

Direct download: 02-01-13-Cliff_Schecter-Matt_Graham-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:44pm EDT

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