The Majority Report with Sam Seder

On today’s Best of 2014!:

Sam Seder debates Professor Walter Block! In the discussion, Walter Block defends Libertarianism with a proposal that laissez faire free market exchanges are the best way to organize society, how Block thinks the United States limits freedom, debating the minimum wage, full time workers who live in poverty, debating minimum wages and job losses, what is the value of wages if they don’t provide a living? Professor Block explains his far, far, right views on slavery, Block’s stunning opposition to the Civil Rights movement, Block’s sort “amazing” point about bisexuality and the right to discriminate and debating car safety.

Also! The complete aftermath of the Professor Walter Block debate with listener’s IMs, phone calls, and more. Plus a breakdown of the stats of the Walter Block debate, a look at some of the Professor’s  strategy’s that he’s used in previous debates, and a special Libertarian debate remix!

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Direct download: 12-31-14-Best_Of_2014-Walter_Block-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:56pm EDT

On today's Best of 2014!

Time Magazine political Correspondent and former Washington Monthly Editor Haley Sweetland Edwards, explains the roots of corporate “free speech” rights, how the corporate sector sought opportunities to devolve Free Speech law, the corporate sectors attack on the NLRB, the role of the assault on organized labor, the “Free Speech” rights of corporations, higher and lower standards of scrutiny in legal decision making, how corporations are using speech law to undermine all government regulation, how corporations are dodging public disclosure, Ralph Nader’s unwitting role in expanding commercial corporate speech, does the First Amendment provide rights to people or does it include corporate speech? Where corporations want speech rights to go and the problem with free speech purism.

Also! The Majority Report tackles the racists who stopped a bus of refugee children in Murrieta, Louie Gohmert's bizarre comparison of gays in the military to the ancient Greeks, a Libertarian calls in advocating for private militias and pro-bono lawyers to replace government (among other things!), and a story about Tea Party groups suckering their gullible followers out of money leads to a glorious appearance of Right Wing Mandela as he announces his new conservative group.

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Direct download: 12-30-14-Haley_Sweetland_Edwards-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:01pm EDT

On today's Best of 2014 as chosen by you!:

Professor David J. Blacker of the University of Delaware author of the new book The Falling Rate of Learning and the Neoliberal Endgame explains the roots of modern primary education in the United States, why changes in capitalist production drive education policy, what is the falling rate of profit? Why being exploited under capitalism is better than being disposed of, what neo-liberalism is a symptom of, why universal education is longer needed for modern capitalism and why we are moving towards an economy of eliminationism.

Also! Dr. Ben Carson's twisted view of history with a response from President George Washington, an awkward IM, Sam Seder "fires" a listener, and a classic debate with a Libertarian who believes "global warming is bullshit."

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Direct download: 12-29-14-Best_of_2014-David_J_Blacker-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:55pm EDT

Legendary blogger Digby, breaks down the year in politics and looks at what is coming next in 2015.

Direct download: 12-26-14-Digby-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:56pm EDT

Venture capitalist and Civic activist Nick Hanauer explains why the argument against increased worker pay is wrong, why we need increased worker pay now and how higher wages help the entire economy.

Journalist David Dayen breaks down how Wall Street has undermined finance reform.

Direct download: 12-24-14-Nick_Hanauer-David_Dayen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:10pm EDT

Bill de Blasio calls out the media for misrepresenting anti brutality protesters but still caves and calls for a break from protests. How Fox news affiliate in Baltimore smears and distorts an anti Police brutality rally. Film Guy Matthew Weiss and Isabel Gillies call in to share end of the year movie suggestions. Christmas for Jews and non Jews. Isabel suggested we all watch the Amazon streaming show Transparent. Matthew told us to watch Sam's Who's The Caboose and the Day of the Locust.

On The Fun Half: debating the purpose of freedom with Libertarians. Just how creepy is the Nutcracker. More movie suggestions for the Holidays. How Rudy Giuliani has always exploited Police politics to get himself elected in 1992 and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: _12-23-14-Sam_Seder_Last_Live_Show_2014-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:51pm EDT

Vanderbilt history Professor, Jane Landers explains why the Cuba embargo only hurts non powerful Cubans, what corporate interests want from a Cuba deal? What did the Castro government mean for average Cubans? The failures of the Cuban revolution. Cuba's role in revolutions in Africa. Are Cuba's accomplishments in health and education real? And what comes next.

On The Better Half: The insane far right blames Mayor Bill de Blasio for the murder of two police officers in Brooklyn. New York City Police Union head Pat Lynch says May de Blasio has "blood on his hands". Rudy Giuliani blames President Obama for the killings and we remember the role he played in Police riots against Mayor Dinkins. Ferguson prosecutor Bob Mcculloch admits he knew Grand Jury witness lied.

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Direct download: 12-22-14-Jane_Landers-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:40pm EDT

Political strategist Cliff Schecter explains what led to the fracking ban in New York and why taking on Andrew Cuomo was such a good idea. Why Single Payer isn't happening in Vermont. Did elizabeth Warren want Al Franken to endorse Hillary Clinton already? Why President Obama could give us a second stimulus right now with the stroke of a pen. What the new Cuba policy means and what actually changes now. The historic idiocy of the Cuba policy and the internal Republican and Democratic divisions on Cuba policy.

Tom Scharpling brings back The Best Show as a podcast. The time Tom lost money H Jon Benjamin. The future of the Podcast model. Who does Tom have a problem with? What to miss and not miss from terrestrial radio. Why Tom Scharpling is a big part of Sam's biggest career disasters. Our massive loss of privacy. Has social media robbed us of our ability to be critical. When will The Interview be available on streaming.  And Tom told everybody to watch the movie Blowout.

On The Fun Half: Bill O'Reilly claims victory in the War on Christmas. The head of the New York City Police Union accuses NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio of running a "revolution" out of city hall. Video shows NYPD officers holding and beating a twelve year old. Pat Robertson explains why Gay people are going "extinct". The FED punts on the Volker rule an your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 12-19-14-Cliff_Schecter-Tom_Scharpling-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:53pm EDT

Historian and author of An Indigenous Peoples History of the United States Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz explains how the settler colonial history of the United States defines it. Why the US Military is rooted in wars and mass killings against Native Americans. The Indian wars and our policy and history of never ending war. Slavery and genocide of the Native American population and the mentality of white supremacy. Also what we can learn from "Indigenous socialism". How labor was organized in Pueblo City States. Why the great "inventions" of the United States came from the first Americans,  the core myths the justify the genocides that created America. Also why you need to understand Andrew Jackson to understand America.

On The Fun Half: American government back AQ members negotiating with ISIS for a release of a hostage, how anti fracking activists won in New York, Vermont gives up on single payer healthcare for now, the Sam Seder Libertarian learning annex opens again and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 12-18-14-Roxanne_Dunbar_Ortiz-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:06pm EDT

Labor attorney and the author of  Only One Thing Can Save Us: Why America Needs a New Kind of Labor Movement Thomas Geoghegan explains what we need to be saved from in the post labor union economy, why the young are in the most danger in the new economy, the bogus arguments for increased job training, why the modern economy is built on undermining workers, how Keynes explains the problems with the financial sector dominance of the economy, what Dodd Frank does not do, why low wages explain the American economic crisis, why we need a brand new and empowered labor movement, why more college is not the answer! And how we can draw on the German model to save America from the inequality crisis.

On The Fun Half: President Obama announces major breakthrough in US and Cuban relations, Sam remembers his time in Cuba, we are working more and getting paid less and your calls and IMs.

And continue the conversation on our morning thread

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Direct download: 12-17-14-Thomas_Geoghegan-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:07pm EDT

Mohammad Khan a Senior Policy Associate at the Washington Park Project explains the secretive New York political group behind a new Charter School push. Who is behind Families For Excellent Schools and New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's privatization agenda for public agenda. The Constitutional obligation of free public education and why charters are a trojan horse for destroying public education.

Why Elizabeth Warren won't run for President but will be an incredibly powerful Senator. Elizabeth Warren rips Citibank apart from the Senate floor. Ted Cruz own goals on the Republicans and helps Vivek Murthy get confirmed as Surgeon General. Why Jeb Bush will wage his bound to be a failure Presidential bid.

On The Fun Half: The Congressman you never heard of who inserted the Citibank provision on the Cromnibus, Senator Tom Coburn kills veterans Suicide prevention bill, wrongfully convicted former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman might be released from prison soon, NFL player Andrew Hawkins's moving explanation of why he has spoken up for Tamir Rice and John Crawford and your calls and IMs.

And continue the conversation on our morning thread

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Direct download: 12-16-14-Mohammad_Khan-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:26pm EDT

M&M Look at  what caused the Sydney Siege? Religion or mental illness? The amazing Australian #illridewithyou movement, Uber's horrible response to the Sydney Siege. Also Dick Cheney lies on torture and why we needed a truth and reconciliation commission on torture and the rights bizarre new attacks on Net Neutrality.

Fox News distorts anti Police violence protests, shocking new video of Police interrogating John Crawford's girlfriend after killing him and your calls and IMs.

And continue the conversation on our morning thread.

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Direct download: 12-15-14-Matt_Binder-Michael_Brooks-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00pm EDT

Political maestro Cliff Schecter joins us to discuss the week in news. Createns come out and justify torture. The crappy CROmnibus. Right wing claim that Democrats actions on spending bill are hypocritical. Sunday marks two year since the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Comedian Andy Kindler brings much needed levity to the Friday show. Sony files hacked, racist emails between Rudin and Pascal revealed. The Interview starring James Franco and Seth Rogen a wacky road trip comedy about North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Sam Seder is not the starstruck type, unless Woody Allen is in the room. Andy auditioned for The People vs. Larry Flynt. How to alienate friends and destroy business relationships with Sam and Andy. Movie recommendation: Slums of Beverly Hills

On The Fun Half: More on the torture report. Jose Rodriguez on CBS This Morning explains why he destroyed CIA interrogation tapes. CIA unaware of pixelation technique?Hollywood Sadcast. Merits of labor laws and hours in the work week.Nathan from the UK with an update on changes post Scottish referendum vote. Your calls and IMs.

And continue the conversation on our morning thread.

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Direct download: 12-12-14-Cliff_Schecter_Andy_Kindler-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

Stanley Aronowitz, Distinguished Professor in the Ph.D. Program in Sociology at the CUNY Graduate Center and Director of the Center for the Study of Culture, Technology, and Work. He is the author of the new book, The Death and Life of American Labor: Toward a New Worker's MovementWhere were the seeds planted for the union movements demise? What role did the Cold War, New Deal, legalization of labor movement, and collective bargaining have in the death of the labor movement. How organizing changed (or didn’t) to keep up with evolving labor force. Impact of the Taft-Hartley Act. Fears of Communism and labor in America. Private pensions. Ten-point manifesto, for a new labor movement.

On The Fun Half: Psychologists James Mitchell & Bruce Jessen made big bucks on torture but they’re not interrogation experts. Editorial in New York Times by Eric Fair an interrogator at Abu Ghraib. Jason in Phoenix tries to take down Sam with every conservative talking point, spoiler alert, he loses.

And continue the discussion on our morning thread.

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Direct download: 12-11-14-Stanley_Aronowitz-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:55pm EDT

Emptywheel's Marcy Wheeler, an independent journalist writing about national security and civil liberties reacts to the Senate Intelligence Committee's CIA torture report. Torture was ineffective. Detailed shocking abuses. President Obama protecting office of the president. Same authorization used to justify drone strikes. Will CIA Director John Brennan make the appropriate changes?

Rebecca Gordon, Professor of Philosophy at the University of San Francisco and for the university’s Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good. She is the author of  Mainstreaming Torture Ethical Approaches in the Post 9/11 United StatesThe terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 reopened what many people in America had long assumed was a settled ethical question: Is torture ever morally permissible? Within days, some began to suggest that, in these new circumstances, the new answer was "yes." Rebecca Gordon argues that September 11 did not, as some have said, "change everything," and that institutionalized state torture remains as wrong today as it was on the day before those terrible attacks.

On The Fun Half: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker wishes Jewish constituent ‘molotov’ in a letter. 2007 George Tenet interview on 60 Minutes, "we don't torture people." Has the ‘cromnibus’ crashed? Federal Government runs out of money in two days. Talking to your kids about politics. Your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread.

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Direct download: 12-10-14-Marcy_Wheeler_Rebecca_Gordon-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:35pm EDT

Professor Kristen Buras the author of Charter Schools, Race, and Urban Space: Where the Market Meets Grassroots Resistance explains how charter schools took over New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina. Her case study of New Orleans—where veteran teachers were fired en masse and the nation's first all-charter school district was developed—shows that such reform is less about the needs of racially oppressed communities and more about the production of an urban space economy in which white entrepreneurs capitalize on black children and neighborhoods. Check out her debate with Sarah Newell Usdin, founder and CEO, New Schools for New Orleans HERE.

On The Fun Half: The Senate Intelligence Committee releases it's scathing CIA torture report summary. John Brennan still hanging on to the notion that torture saved lives. John McCain gives a laudable speech on the Senate Floor. Anthony Romero of the ACLU has an editorial calling on Obama to pardon all of key players in torture regime. FOX thinks the torture report was released to distract from Obamacare. Random Rush - Limbaugh still the most oppressed. Your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our 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: 12-09-14-Kristen_Buras-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:03pm EDT

Teaser Monday...As demonstrators continue to protest police brutality nationwide Rush Limbaugh joins FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace to explain how "ungrateful" African Americans are. Limbaugh believes the real outrage in this case is that an American citizen died because of cigarette taxes.

On The Fun Half:  U.S. Rep-elect Glenn Grothman thinks the government is bribing single parents to stay unemployed and unmarried, will we or won't we see the CIA torture report? U.S. hostage rescue attempt in Yemen failed over the weekend, Chief Mark Kessler tells Alan Colmes that his videos were part of undercover government operation to take down anti-government militias, Rolling Stone University of Virginia rape story bad for the magazine and bad for rape victims, is broken windows policing the new stop and frisk? Your calls and IMs.

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: 12-08-14-Ongoing_Garner_Coverage-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:03pm EDT

Political maestro Cliff Schecter explains the power of national protests of the killing of Eric Garner, why Police abuse of African Americans is standard practice, is this a tipping point? Why DA's should not be overseeing the Police, the Eric Garner murder and possible changes in public opinion, why we need an independent council to oversee cases against Police officers, Rand Paul's stupid response to the killing of Eric Garner, new polling on immigration shows how Republicans have gotten even more crazy and the end of The New Republic?

Film Guy Matthew talks about the success of Teachers Lounge, how Sam launched Matthew's acting career, will Sam ever get on Teachers Lounge? The Sam Marc Maron Show saga continues, why Film Guy Matthew is on a Steve Coogan kick and Matthew told us to watch the Korean film  Spring Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring.

On The Fun Half:  the roots of Police Violence and brutality, New York City Police Officer texts his union rep after shooting young man before radioing for help, is Boyhood worth seeing? And Your IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our 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: 12-05-14-Cliff_Schecter-Matthew_Weiss-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:45pm EDT

The Nation Institutes, Dani McClain reacts to the shocking decision of the New York City Grand Jury decision not to indict the killer of Eric Garner. Why the most important variable is what comes next for the movement against police violence against black youth. Is there an opportunity for a revolutionary moment now? W.E.B. Dubois and understanding police abuse of African Americans. White awareness and blindness. Why white people need to get real and work on addressing the police killing crisis. What policy goals should be pursued and why now is not the time for pessimism.

Also, Ta Nehisi Coates explains the big picture of race, brutality and white supremacy on All In with Chris Hayes.

On The Fun Half: Congressman Peter King blames Eric Garner's death on his "obesity". Officer Daniel Pantaleo waves to a smartphone camera after he killed Eric Garner. Conservatives make insane excuses for the killing of Eric Garner. Forty percent of inmates in New York Cities jails are clinically mentally ill. Also New York bans Stop and Frisk and crime keeps going down. Also the Cleveland Police Officer who murdered Tamir Rice had a history of questionable mental health and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our 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: 12-04-14-Dani_McClain-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:41pm EDT

Maya Schenwar, the author of  Locked Out: Why Prison Doesn’t Work and How We Can Do Better ,explains why she is a prison abolitionist not a reformist. The Many ways that prison does not work and why focusing on prison allows us to not deal with the real issues. Theories that explain drops in the crime rate. Does lower incarceration rates help lower crime? Prison skills training and discrimination against ex convicts. Find out smart ways other countries are dealing with incarceration and drug addiction. Why we should treat Heroin addiction as a medical problem and not a criminal one. Maya's families experience with the prison system. The horrifying experience of Maya's sister having a child in prison. Why Restorative Justice is the way forward.

On The Fun Half: Republicans want to defund the Department of Homeland Security to protest President Obama's deferred action program for undocumented immigrants, black man stopped by Police for walking with his hands in his pockets, Cleveland Plain Dealer tries to smear Tamir Rice's father and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 12-03-14-Maya_Schenwar-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:07pm EDT

Karen Piper, the author of The Price of Thirst: Global Water Inequality and the Coming Chaosexplains why the United Nations didn't recognize water as a basic human right until 2010 and why Corporations came to support the water resolution. The South African corporate driven water crisis and the public health crisis it led to. Private water companies and why states and cities are beginning to water as money. The three reasons behind the decrease in clean water. Why the corporate sector likes water pollution and why climate change will create more salt water. California and the new strategy of "water banking". Water "rights" and the creepy inequality of the future. Why we need to redesign modern agriculture and promote organic food to help reverse the water crisis. Did the water crisis in the Middle East lead to the creation of ISIS? And why the corporate sector is excited to make money of water shortages.

On The Fun Half: President Obama pushes for Police to wear cameras as part of a larger package of smart policing reforms and Saint Louis Police claims the Rams VP Operations apologized to them for Rams players came out with the "hands up don't shoot" gesture and the VP denies it. Joe Scarborough makes an ass of himself talking about Michael Brown. The World Food Program is facing a sixty four million dollar shortfall in providing food vouchers for Syrian refugees, meanwhile billions were spent on Iraq's "ghost army" that included 50,000 people that didn't exist and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our 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: 12-02-14-Karen_Piper-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

The terror of being a black male in America, protesters rally at the Macy's Day Parade, local news covers the protest in the most stupid way possible, the Obama Cabinet meets on Ferguson, Saint Louis Rams players go out on the field with the "hands up don't shoot" gesture, Cops complain. We ask what part of right wing media will Darren Wilson end up in? Breaking down how absurd it is that Wilson wasn't charged with murder.  Cleveland Police shoot and kill thirteen year old Tamir Brown who was holding a toy gun. Rudy Giuliani wants us to put all of this killing "into context". Congress considers an awful tax deal and the White House kills it. Chuck Schumer is right on government, wrong on healthcare and shady on housing.

On The Fun Half: is New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's right to ban Horse drawn carriage rides in the city? Elizabeth Lauten fired from her job as a Communications Director for Congressman Steven Fincher fired for insulting Malia and Sasha Obama. Why wages are wages stagnate while job growth is increasing? and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 12-01-14-Sam_Seder-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

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