The Majority Report with Sam Seder

Meg Jacobs joined us to discuss her book, "Panic at the Pump: The Energy Crisis and the Transformation of American Politics in the 1970s." Meg is a research scholar in the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.

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Direct download: 04-29-16-Meg_Jacobs-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30pm EDT

Joseph Singer, Bussey Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, joins us to discuss his new book, "No Freedom without Regulation: The Hidden Lesson of the Subprime Crisis."

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Direct download: 04-28-16-Joseph_Singer-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EDT

Manisha Sinha (@ProfMSinha), professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, joins us to discuss her new book, "The Slave's Cause: A History of Abolition."

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Direct download: 04-27-16-Manisha_Sinha-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EDT

Thomas Frank joins us to discuss his new book "Listen, Liberal! Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People?" How and why the Democrats moved to the neoliberal right over the past 30 years. The draconian crime bill. The Dems courtship of Wall Street. The current importance of inequality. The Clinton's role in the shift. 

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Direct download: 04-26-16-Thomas_Frank-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EDT

Hello Majority Report listeners! In lieu of Michael Monday this week, we're including a recent highlight episode of Majority.FM's new show, 2 Dope Boys & a Podcast. Hosted by Michael Brooks and Phil McKenzie, and produced by Matt Lech.

Subscribe here via iTunes or RSS.

New interviews for the rest of the week.

Episode 7 - De Niro’s Dubious Autism Doc, Negative Work Cultures, and Punishing Diversity Promoters

Crew Member this week: Biz Ghormley. Biz is a writer, investigator, and seasoned social change strategist. Never one for the status quo, Biz asks hard questions, curates space for community and creativity, and strives for loving truth in her work. She believes stories are essential for healing, truth and freedom. @OneWitness

Follow us on twitter:

@_MichaelBrooks @FarFlungPhil @mattlech

Brand Eff Up

“Tribeca Film Festival Pulls Controversial Anti-Vaccination Documentary,” Brent Lang, Variety. (http://variety.com/2016/film/markets-festivals/tribeca-film-anti-vaccination-1201739937/)

What’s Up?

“Why A Negative Work Culture Is Better Than No Culture At All,” Vivian Giang, Fast Company (http://www.fastcompany.com/3058282/lessons-learned/why-a-negative-work-culture-is-better-than-no-culture-at-all)

What’s Good?

“Women and Minorities Are Penalized for Promoting Diversity,” Stefanie K. Johnson and David R. Hekman, Harvard Business Review (https://hbr.org/2016/03/women-and-minorities-are-penalized-for-promoting-diversity)

“Diverse workforces are more innovative,” Gina Grillo, The Guardian. (http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/media-network-blog/2014/mar/27/diversity-innovation-startups-fortune-500-companies)

“How Diversity Can Drive Innovation,” Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Melinda Marshall, and Laura Sherbin, Harvard Business Review (https://hbr.org/2013/12/how-diversity-can-drive-innovation)

Diggin’ in the Crates

Phil

Saga, an epic space opera/fantasy comic book series written by Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga_(comic_book))

“Agitprop!” at the Brooklyn Museum (https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/agitprop)

Michael

The Lives of Others (2006) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405094/)

Biz

“Zami: A New Spelling of My Name” by Audre Lorde (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zami:_A_New_Spelling_of_My_Name)

“Nine Lives: Death and Life in New Orleans” by Dan Baum (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/22/books/review/Mallon-t.html)

Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089880/)

Direct download: 04-25-16-2_Dope_Boys.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am EDT

Judge Oliver Diaz the former Presiding Justice on the Supreme Court of Mississippi the importance of state judicial elections and the real story behind the Hot Coffee case. Why and how Karl Rove and the Chamber of Commerce flooded state judicial races with corporate money. How Justice Diaz was targeted politically and criminally and how to protect state Judicial systems from corporate power.

Attorney Richard Newsome of Newsome & Melton explains the Takata airbag case and why so many airbags aren't safe. How airbags supposed to work. Honda's secret recall. Why the US government does not have a way to protect the public from dangerous airbags and why did did this happen?

Arthur Bryant of Public Justice explains the most disturbing document he read in discovery. Why Remington Arms has known for decades that a defect in some of its guns fire for no reason.

Attorney Lyn Toops of Cohen & Malad explains how Indiana's adoption system that disenfranchised disabled children. The austerity budgets that targeted disenfranchised children and how Governor Mike Pence's political ambitions and classist adoption policies helped settle the case.

On The Fun Half: Is Donald Trump going to win Pennsylvania? Vaccines, public health and the medical industry. Giving up on Bernie? And your calls and IM

Direct download: 04-22-16-Oliver_Diaz-Richard_Newsome-Arthur_Bryant-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

Attorney John Fitch explains that "Tort Reform" is all about corporate advantage. Why corporations push for the injustice of Tort Reform. Under Tort law in abused children have limited recourse while predators and the organizations that protect them are favored under the law and what needs to be done to protect the public from corporations.

Attorney David L. Scher tells us the story of Dr. Joseph Ting and a systemic case of Medicare fraud. Why Medicare is riddled with fraud. A bribery scandal that will shock you and why corporations are the main problem.

Thom Hartmann and Sam talk Craps strategy. Bernie Sander's accomplishments and why the revolution is happening, how Bernie got thrown off his game, why he should stay in until the convention and enforcing the Sherman Act to protect us from media monopolies.

On The Fun Half: Your calls and IMs.

 

Direct download: 04-21-16-Sam_Seder-Thom_Hartman-Vegas-Pub.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:25pm EDT

On today's show Anthony Pereira, the Director of King's Brazil Institute at King's College joins us to discuss the crisis in Brazil.

The development of Brazil’s “Workers’ Party” from the 70’s to Lula’s administration. The role of systemic corruption in Brazilian politics. Why this case looks like selective invocation of the law by anti-Worker’s Party forces. The role of the Brazilian oligarchy in deposing Lula. How Lula personalized the Workers’ Party in an unproductive way. (10:30)

And on the Fun Half - Trump on remembering 7-11, Kasich is disgruntled again in a New York deli, Giuliani wants to establish that he’s NOT part of the Trump campaign, Laura Ingraham has technical difficulties, and you calls and IMs! (43:15)

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Direct download: 04-19-16-Anthony_Pereira-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:32pm EDT

Ari Rabin-Havt, the host of the Agenda on SiriusXM and author of Lies, Incorporated: The World of Post-Truth Politicsexplains the how and why of why we got to post truth politics. Documentary filmmaker Josh Fox explains the urgency of the climate crisis is a spiritual and moral and not just political.

On The Fun Half: Donald Trump comes up with a new line. Hillary Clinton's record and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 04-18-16-Ari_Rabin_Havt-Josh_Fox-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:55pm EDT

Cliff Schecter plays out the politics of Bernie Sanders visit to the Vatican. Sanders moves Clinton on the minimum wage. Why activists need support from Democratic leaders. Bernie Sanders has a breakthrough in rhetoric on Israel/Palestine. Having on honest discussion on the Middle East. Bernie tries to make Hillary take a pledge on Social Security? And why Hillary Clinton isn't catching up with the upward left wing movement of the party. (13:30)

Andy Kindler hates more pundits and he thinks he could pass for non Jewish. Andy's exciting new gig and Dennis Miller is the worst and we all make fun of him. (59:15)

On The Fun Half: an update for Right Wing Mandela. Why universal programs are better than targeted ones. (1:39:30)

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Direct download: 04-15-16-Cliff_Schecter-Andy_Kindler-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:04pm EDT

Johann Hari the author of  Chasing The Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs explains why the world owes Colombia and Mexico an apology. Why stigma and punishing addicts creates violence and instability. How drug prohibition has created stunning violence in the drug business. Will the next UN drug summit actually listen to anti drug war voices? Three of the most interesting global activists opposing the War on Drugs. Why the UN slogan "A Drug Free World - We can do it! sounds Soviet. The global class war and the Drug War. The economics of why the drug is so violent and what we will come from the next UNGAS narcotics summit.

On The Fun Half:  Donald Trump calls for Joe Paterno to come back even though he is dead and protected a child predator. John Kasich Gentilesplains to Hasids. How likely is a contested GOP convention. Bernie Sanders has an incredible rally in Washington Square Park in New York City. Clinton advisor promises UFO transparency.

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Direct download: 04-14-16-Johann_Hari-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:53pm EDT

David Dayen explains how a new Goldman Sachs subprime mortgages fraud settlement with the Federal Government is a fraud. Why Goldman is not going to end up paying any actual money. Why Goldman's punishment is like forcing a bank robber to open a lemonade stand. Who Goldman Sachs ripped off. Why the Federal government benefits but not consumers. Why Goldman Sachs has no reason to stop engaging in unethical behavior. The Living Will provision of Dodd Frank and why banks are to big. Why the to big to fail provision of Dodd Frank is not being acted on. The way to force banks to downsize and would JP Morgan be more profitable to break itself up?

On The Fun Half: What is happening in Brazil? How big a difference between Bernie and Hillary? No porn for North Carolina because of its new anti LGBT bill? David Cameron destroyed in Parliament by Labor MP Dennis Skinner. And your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 04-13-16-David_Dayen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:34pm EDT

The Nation's Ari Berman explains why voting problems in the Arizona Primary is a result of the Supreme Court's gutting of the Voting Rights Act.  How the first Presidential election after the assault on the Voting Rights Act will play out. Why states like Texas will keep fighting ballot access. A Wisconsin Republican admits that photo ID laws are all about helping Republicans. Why voter ID laws oppress people. Voter ID laws are the new poll tax. Are Democrats getting better on defending voting rights? Is Motor Voter a federal law? The Evenwel v Abbott case and preserving one person, one vote and the election and the Supreme Court. (11:15)

On The Fun Half: We get a call form our favorite conservative. A libertarian call. Seder Hotline bling. Bill De Blasio and Hillary Clinton get awkward. Donald Trump and Bill O'Reilly: who is the bigger racist? Democratic insurgents run on expanding Social Security. Ben Carson claims CNN reporter was charged with a crime. Glenn Beck going next level crazy??

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Direct download: 04-12-16-Ari_Berman-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:23pm EDT

On today’s program, Rania Khalek (@raniakhalek) joins us to discuss the difficulty of distinguishing between Netanyahu and Trump as well as what the left-wing critique of PC entails.

The function of identity politics in national politics today, especially in the democratic primary. Hillary Clinton and establishment democrats use of privilege discourse, and college, and how young dems are still going to Bernie. The liability left by Dems abandonment of the working class. How the discourse of white privilege erased white poverty.

And on the fun half - Identity politics and sexual orientation. Sam Harris. Cenk vs American Airlines.  Alex Jones on the natural strength of redheads vs africans. Glenn Beck on being threatened by George Soros. Ted Cruz is protested in the Bronx.

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Direct download: 04-11-16-Rania_Khalek-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30pm EDT

Cliff Schecter explains the sexual abuse revelations of Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert and how Republicans looked the other way. Systemic child abuse and power. The move toward Paid Family leave. Why both the Sanders and Clinton campaigns are screwing up. Bill Clinton's major screw up and reopening race politics and the Clintons.(10:00)

Michael Ian Black has a new children's book on Donald Trump. What inspired the Trump book. Wet Hot American Summer and more of Sam's friends who became stars. Michael's reasons for fighting for Gun Control. How Michael got big Twitter. Michael does not listen to the Majority Report and who is Michael's favorite Right Wing talker and when the Trump book is getting released. (47:00)

On The Fun Half: What you can do to seriously address inequality. Hillary Clinton uses a noise machine from the press hearing what she is saying at a fundraiser and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 04-08-16-Cliff_Schecter-Michael_Ian_Black-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:31pm EDT

Felix Salmon, senior editor at Fusion (@felixsalmon), joins us to discuss the Panama Papers leak and the journalism behind it. Why these services are used. The Icelandic prime minister's dance with resignation as a result of the resulting public pressure. The growing global frustration with wealthy elite shenanigans. Why the Panama Papers has led to more exposure of Europeans than Americans. How are the elite referred into this money-sheltering schemes. "Family offices." How the ICIJ coordinated with the journalists. The immediate tightening of "know-your-customer" rules by banks.

On the Fun Half - Bernie vs. Hillary in Qualifications-gate, there are more interesting things to talk about than Bernie-or-Bust, and your calls and IMs! 

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Direct download: 04-07-16-Felix_Salmon-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:26pm EDT

Ted Cruz wins Wisconsin and the debacle that is coming up at the Republican convention. Republicans hate their choices. Trump plans a series of policy speeches and we all laugh. Trump buys fake Facebook followers. Bernie Sanders wins Wisconsin big and Democrats are getting more and more liberal. The minimum wage is raised to $15 in California and New York. Chuck Grassley talks complete nonsense about the Supreme Court. A Republican gets real about Republican voter suppression laws are all about. Was the Bernie Sanders Daily News interview really that bad? How do you breakup the banks.

On The Fun Half: Florida's dirtbag Governor is destroyed when he visits a coffee shop. James Carville wheels out an absurd new attack on Bernie Sanders and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 04-06-16-Sam_Seder-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:35pm EDT

Jacob Hacker the Stanley B.Resor Professor of Political Science, Director of the Institute for Social and Policy Studies and author of American Amnesia: How the War on Government Led Us to Forget What Made America Prosper explains why America lost our historical understanding of the mixed economy. How regulation helps grow economies and produce better outcomes. Why we are safer and wealthier because of government investment and regulation. Climate change is the biggest externality that we face and we need government to address it. The descent of the Romney's and the rise of delusional Right Wing politics. Why we need to clean up politics to restore government. Government makes the pie bigger. The problem with the Nudge agenda and why we need to trust government. (12:30)

On The Fun Half: Dinesh D'Souza calls Michael a "limp wristed voice fellow and Sam reviews D'Souza's insane new movie trailer. Trump caller Dug returns! Bernie or Bust? Bernie Sanders called out Panama tax shelters back in 2011 and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 04-05-16-Jacob_Hacker-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:44pm EDT

On today’s show Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) joins us to discuss the massive new Unaoil corporate corruption scandal out of Monaco exposed by the Huffington Post (read about it here). The escalating corruption of bribery. Why cultural explanations of corruption are insufficient. The line between lobbying and bribery. How ISIS uses corruption in recruiting. (6:45)

Then, journalist Omer Aziz  (@omeraziz12) on Sam Harris and the failure of our new public intellectuals. His odd experience of going on Sam Harris’ podcast, where Harris had him on to read his piece to him while Harris critiques it live. Harris courting of controversy and apparent discomfort with his status as a controversial figure. The thoughtful responses from Harris fans Omer receive through email vs. the responses from twitter. (33:00)

On the fun half - The Panama Papers, Hillary says young voters haven’t done their research, Rosario Dawson says she’ll watch her tone for Hillary, the twilight of Sarah Palin and your calls and IMs!

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Direct download: 04-04-16-Ryan_Grim-Omer_Aziz-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:47pm EDT

Hillary Clinton admits she's too ill too lead our country, liberal Trump-hater Tina Dupuy tries to make Trump the Unifier into a bad thing, Thom Hartmann wants to only punish men for abortions, and why Muslims are going have the right to rape if we don't wise up.

Direct download: 04-01-16-Ken_Ken_and_Ken-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:27pm EDT

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