10/16/15

Tim Maloney of Maloney & Campolo is on first Volkswagen’s use of a “defeat device” in their software to cheat emissions tests. Discussion of VW’s ambitions to be the world's’ largest car company, and the role “clean diesel” was meant to play in getting them there. Which VW executives and engineers must have known about the cheat, and what was the long game? Finally, how this type of behavior is incentivized by corporate structures.

Chris Paulos from Levin Papantonio is on to talk about DuPont’s contamination of the Parkersburg, West Viginia area with C8, a harmfully bio-persistent and toxic surfactant originally developed, and subsequently phased out, by 3M. Discussion of DuPont’s cover-up of C8 contamination, as well as DuPont’s history of malfeasance and criminality. Next, the strategy and ramifications of the Carla Bartlett v. DuPont case. The use of C8 in the production of teflon products, and DuPont’s failure to incinerate the C8 as 3M guidelines recommend.

Finally, Michael Baum of Baum Hedlund is on to talk about Factor 8, a hemophilia drug found to be infected with HIV in the early 1980s. How plasma centers sought hepatitis-infected plasma, needed for antibodies, by using donors from prison populations and by advertising in gay magazines. The subsequent use of that infected plasma to make blood products meant to be with non-contaminated plasma. Baum says estimates of people infected are nearly 10k in the US and 10k internationally.

Plus your calls and IMs!

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10/15/15

Attorney Michael S. Burg explains how the homebuilding industry is building unsafe and faulty homes across the country. The collapse of labor unions and the degrading of building standards. Why the homebuilding industry is working to protect itself from lawsuits and the manipulation of the idea of "affordable housing". And how the game is rigged in favor of the builders.

The Chairman of the Board of Action Network Douglas Land explains why consumers need trade associations to protect themselves. How Action Network helped create the "keep your promises Dupont" campaign. Shareholder activism and how to hold corporate giants like Dupont accountable. How social media can help confront corporate abuse. Why Carly Fiorina is is basically the perfect expression of the problem and why corporations have thought of litigation as just a part of doing business and do Europeans to corporate accountability better?

Attorney Travis Lepicier explains what torts are and what mass tort cases are. How and what do dangerous drugs get developed and how do law firms discover clients abused by corporations and create cases. And what you can do if you have been harmed by the drug Invokana.

Ed Schultz explains why Bernie Sanders did a great job in the Democratic debate. What Hillary did and why the other three candidates don't matter. Why Bernie needs to sharpen up on foreign policy. Does Bernie need to broaden his pitch? And Ed explains the motivation behind his new Super PAC: Americans for a Strong Middle Class and Scott Walker's complete fail as a presidential candidate and why we need to kill the TPP.

And your IMs.

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10/14/15

Cliff Schecter thinks Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley all had strong performances at the Democratic Debate. Adam Green says last nights debate shows why the Elizabeth Warren wing of the party is winning. Is Hillary Clinton copying Barack Obama? Should we be cautious before trusting the Democratic Party elites? Reminding everyone that Bernie Sanders is more progressive. Why we all get welfare and Bernie Sanders expansive views of human rights and public good. Hillary Clinton's absurd comments on whistleblowing and Edward Snowden and a smarter way to take on the gun industry.

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10/13/15

On today's M&M Monday (on tuesday) Matt and Michael go on a trip down memory lane and talk about Matt's four and half years on the Majority Report, compare impressions and everyone wishes Matt a fond farewell.

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10/12/15

The New Republic's Elizabeth Bruenig explains the inside workings of the new Marijuana industry.

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10/9/15

Political strategist and weekly MR guest Cliff Schecter explains the limited political appeal of Kevin McCarthy and what Right Wing donor helped stick the knife into McCarthy. Why did McCarthy get destroyed? What the House Freedom Caucus wants. The only reason Paul Ryan would want to become Speaker of the House. Why the Republicans aren't a party anymore. What's next for the GOP? Will the Republican Party break up? Hillary Clinton comes out agains TPP, the transforming nature of the Democratic Party and what will happen in the Democratic debate next week.

Isabel Gillies and Film Guy Matthew Weiss sing along with their theme songs. Remembering how creepy Kids was. Did Matthew send off Matt properly. The crew talks New York and nostalgia and Matthew says we should watch News From Home. And Isabel suggests that Matt watch Braveheart. Why did Isabel pick Braveheart?

On The Fun Half: Rupert Murdoch demands a "realer" black President. Republican hack brings back the "magical negro" meme about President Obama. Peter King is terrified of Don Young. Rand Paul's brilliant solution to the mass shooting crisis (it involves stickers). Also your calls and IMs.

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10/8/15

Former Missouri State Senator and author of  Mr. Smith Goes to Prison: What My Year Behind Bars Taught Me About America’s Prison Crisis explains the campaign violation that sent him to prison. Where Jeff Smith served his prison sentence and why he always supported prison reform. The untapped potential of prison and the "underground economy". Who makes up the prison population? The attitude of prison officials toward the prison system. All the special interests that want the prison system to stay as it is. How do prisoners survive and the need for an underground economy in prison and why the prison system keeps prisoners trapped.

On The Fun Half: Republicans knife Kevin McCarthy and he drops out of the Speakers race. Right Wing caller Dug debates the Constitution with Sam. This is how Ben Carson actually deals with a gunmen. Ben Carson also clearly has no idea what the debt limit is. Is China a existential threat?  Also your calls and IMs.

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10/6/15

What is President Obama's secret plan for Joe Biden, we hear from "Nation of Islam" Obama. The TPP is close to a done deal and why it still might be difficult to pass. US bombs hospital in Afghanistan. What could possibly justify bombing a hospital? What is the US justification. Doctors Without Borders debunks American spin on the airstrikes. The "moral high ground" and civilian deaths.

On The Fun Half: How Republicans destroyed studies on the effects on public health of gun ownership. Eric Bolling universal background checks are unfair to poor people. Wow. Ben Carson wants Kindergarden teachers to have guns in the class room. Texas textbook calls slaves "immigrants" and "workers". Donald Trump is in the middle of prayer circle. Ben Carson tells Fox & Friends what he would do in a mass shooting. Also your calls and IMs.

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Independent journalist Melissa Etehad explains political currents underlying the Syria crisis at the UN Assembly meeting. President Obama and President Putin's distinct strategies in Syria. Can the Syria crisis be solved and Israel's former PM Ehud Olmert calls out the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

David Futrelle creator of the We Hunt the Mammoth a website that tracks the "mens rights" movement, explains what created the movement. "Pick Up Artists" and mens rights. Hatred of women and the Internet. White supremacists and the "manosphere" and what is "Men Going their Own Way"?

On The Fun Half: Jeb Bush says in response to the latest mass shooting "stuff happens" and Carly Fiorina says her medieval history degree will help her fight ISIS and your calls and IMs.

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10/2/15

Cliff Schecter on why the latest mass shooting literally means there is blood on the hands of anti gun control Congresspeople. The NRA's battle against American public safety. President Obama's passionate statement on the Oregon shooting. Why guns are more dangerous than terrorism. President Obama tell us its time to politicize these issues. The problem with Bernie Sanders rhetoric on guns. The white male regression and the Planned Parenthood hearings. The most likely next Republican leader, Kevin Mccarthy admits Benghazi is all about politics. Why the Republicans are not a real political party anymore

Andy Kindler talks with Sam about his time in standup comedy. Andy's war with Piers Morgan. Piers calls Kindler an "obsessive little weirdo". When in your career can you just tweet at people. What to make of Donald Trump. The pundit weasels and Donald Trump as a bad insult comic and Andy's next comedy appearances.

On The Fun Half: we get a drunk caller who makes more sense than libertarians. Bernie Sanders raises big money from small donors. Bernie Sanders responds to Jeb Buhs's "free stuff" comments on CBS News and your calls and IMs.

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