The Majority Report with Sam Seder

New York Times National Security Correspondent and author of the The Way of the Knife: The CIA, a Secret Army, and a War at the Ends of the Earth Mark Mazzetti explains how the roots of the CIA Senate spying scandal began with the 2005 CIA destruction of torture tapes, Dianne Feinstein's accusations against the CIA, the role Acting General Council of the CIA Robert Eatinger in the torture and spying stories, how Senate investigators discovered that the CIA was lying about the efficacy of the CIA torture program, the Senate investigation into the CIA torture program, the Panetta Review, Why both the CIA and the Intelligence Committee have referred criminal probes to the Department of Justice, John Brennen's role in the torture program, the role of the White House in the dispute between the CIA and the Senate Intelligence committee? Is there any cost for the White House in its response to the investigation, will the White House invoke Executive Privilege and why Republicans hate the report and Democrats know the clock is ticking.

On The Fun Half: old Majority Report friend Austin Ruse says he wants college professors to be shot, the problems with intentions in politics, Paul Ryan blames poverty on "lazy inner city men", the destructive conservative myth that culture creates poverty, the shrinking deficit reveals another conservative myth and your IMs.

Also take a look here for all of the links for today’s show here!

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 03-13-14-Mark_Mazzetti-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:16pm EDT

Journalist and Senior Fellow at the Regional Plan Association in New York Alex Marshall author of The Surprising Design of Market Economiesexplains why the term "free market" is a misnomer, why only governments create markets, why we need to have a debate about what type of markets we want, the evolution of private property, how water became a public good, President Obama's new initiative to make more workers paid for overtime work, how intellectual property laws have created monopolies, how to redesign corporations, why large corporations should have national charters, what are the Commons, are we becoming more caring as a society and the public education debate, the future of the Commons and why progressives need to articulate a more optimistic vision.

On The Fun Half: what are maker spaces and how they could reinvent education, NSA spying and crazy presidents, the value of testing in education, President Obama to extend worker eligibility for overtime pay, Senator Ron Wyden tells Jake Tapper that the CIA spying on the senate Intelligence committee because they do not want Bush era torture policies to be made public, debating Charter schools and your calls and IMs.

Also take a look here for all of the links for today’s show here!

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 03-12-14-Alex_Marshall-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:17pm EDT

MSNBC reporter Irin Carmon explains the new radical anti abortion movement forming at the grassroots, the transparent radicalism of the Abolish Human Abortion movement, what the goals of the "abolition" movement are, why California is starting to base reproductive policy on science, why more healthcare providers need to provide abortion services, why restrictions cause more late term abortions, how California allowed more medical professionals to provide reproductive services and can California's progressive model expand across the country?

What led to the CIA spying on Senate staffers, why Senator Dianne Feinstein called out the CIA surveillance of the Senate committee, why they CIA may have broken multiple laws and Feinstein warns against the CIA threatening the Senate and its staffers.

On The Fun Half: President Obama appears on Zach Galifianakis's Between Two Fern and a Republican Congressman freaks out about Benghazi, another Obamacare horror story turns out to be wrong, new Bitcoin fail, Rand Paul the darling at CPAC, are Libertarians really popular with the young,  and your calls and IMs.

Also take a look here for all of the links for today’s show here!

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 03-11-14-Irin_Carmon-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:21pm EDT

Education activist and the author of Feel-Bad Education Alfie Kohn explains why poverty is the root problem in modern education, where standardized testing fails, why driving up test scores do not reflect education but do reflect affluence, why those pushing corporate education "reform" do not understanding what the experience of education really is, smart ways of actually assessing education, the Democratic and Republican consensus on testing, why the most damage is done to low income and children of color, why rising test scores should be a warning sign, the need for parental activism against corporate education and why progressives buy to many corporate education myths.

On the Fun Half: Edward Snowden says he raised concerns at the NSA but was ignored, a former FISA Court rejects NSA's request to hold onto metadata indefinitely, Fox Business commentator Todd Wilemon tells the Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi that the poor should just stop being poor, CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou wants to know why former CIA Director Leon Panetta isn't in prison for passing classified information to Zero Dark Thirty screenwriters, more evidence that Obamacare expands care and decreases costs, Random House, new polling show how liberal millennials are and your calls and IMs.

Also take a look here for all of the links for today’s show here!

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 03-10-14-Alfie_Kohn-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:11pm EDT

Political maestro Cliff Schecter explains the paranoid and insane worldview presented by the NRA's Wayne LaPierre, why the right ring is defined by fear, loss and bigotry, why the gun cartel makes us less safe, the cultural roots of the NRA's racial politics, Paul Ryan's sociopathic attack on school lunches, his attack on poor parents, why Ryan's argument is like an old Eddie Murphy bit, The conservatives love of Putin, what Crimea means for the United States, the different factions battling in Ukraine, why the right wants us to drill in response to Ukraine, Paul Ryan makes another story and the shameful Senate failure to confirm President Obama's nominee for head of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department.

Isabel Gillies talked with Sam about his move to Brooklyn, why Isabel thinks Brooklyn is really hip, why Isabel's Super Bowl Party was disaster and Isabel broke format and suggested we read the book The Goldfinch.  

And your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 03-07-14Cliff_Schecter-Isabel_Gillies-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm EDT

Former Republican Congressional and author of The Party Is Over: How Republicans Went Crazy, Democrats Became Useless, and the Middle Class Got Shafted staffer Mike Lofgren explains the Deep State is, the power of corporate special interests in Washington, how the 1980s unleashing of Wall Street set the stages for the growth of the Deep State, how the terrorist attacks of September 11 speeded up the process, Silicon Valley's central role in corporate influence in Washington, why the Deep State loves trade deals, how the Deep State perpetuates itself and what we can do to radically reform government.

The Senate with seven Democrats going along with all Senate Republicans shamelessly rejects President Obama's pick to head the Civil Rights division of the Justice Department.

On The Fun Half: Sean Hannity totally wrong on New York crime rate under Bill de Blasio, did the Pope just endorse civil unions, majority of Americans support marriage equality, Tom Harkin calls out the disgusting Senate rejection of Debo Adegbile and your IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 03-06-14-Mike_Lofgren-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:40pm EDT

Professor Adolph Reed Jr., explains how the Democratic Party embraced the neo-liberal agenda, how the shock of the Reagan Presidency shaped the modern Democratic Party, the role of the Democratic Leadership Council in moving Democrats to the right, the rightward legacy of Bill Clinton, the decoupling of class and social politics, why we have one neo-liberal party that is multicultural and another that is reactionary, why the left is in retreat, why acknowledging the problem can allow for a strengthening of leftist politics, how progressive politics is cheapened, how the left can rebuild itself and why we need to stop searching for progressive savors.

On The Fun Half: Elijah Cummings calls out Darrell Issa for continuing his IRS Jihad in Congress and Issa attempts to silence Cummings in Congress, Lindsey Graham's insane explanation for why Russia invaded Ukraine, integrating social and economic politics, Chipotle says the climate crisis threatens guacamole supply and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 03-05-14-Adolph_Reed-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:36pm EDT

Hey folks, today is a Members only show, but we still wanted to give you Freebies a teaser from today’s show. Enjoy this epic moment of Sarah Palin calling out President Obama for wear "mom jeans" and find out all of the stupid policies Republicans want to implement because of Russia's incursion into Ukraine and remember! 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: 03-04-14-Sam_Seder-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:36pm EDT

University of Ottawa Professor Dominique Arel explains the different factions that make up the Ukrainian government, why the far right has played a role in the opposition movement, the competing claims about anti semitism in Ukraine, Russia's shocking decision to invade and why it could get even worse.

Kai Newkirk an organizer with 99Rising explains why he engaged in a public act of protest at the Supreme Court, how his moment of protest was historic for the Supreme Court, why the corruption of politics through money is the major issue of our time and how we can take our system back.

On The Fun Half: debating Russia and Ukraine, where to find smart coverage of the crisis, Bitcoin fails the communities that need alternative financial services the most, Alex Jones and Tucker Carelson come together to race bait, hundreds arrested in Keystone XL protests, a Police Chief gets fooled by Daily Current joke about Marijuana overdoses and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 03-03-14-Dominique_arel-Kai_Newkirk-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:02pm EDT

Political maestro Cliff Schecter explains why we are watching history being made for gay rights, why the right is freaking out, the role of culture in social change, why anti gay bigotry is the Alamo of the right, why the Republican establishment opposed the Arizona gay discrimination bill, why Democrats need to find a progressive and populist economic message, why President Obama finally dropped Social Security cuts in his new budget, how Republicans use Democrats pro austerity views against them, President Obama's terrible new judicial deal and more revelations from Chris Christie's bridgegate.

Film Guy Matthew Weiss explains to Matt and Michael why he thinks award season is vapid and stupid, why the Academy Awards have always been about propaganda, why Wolf of Wall Street was a mixed film and Philomena was a good one and he suggested that we check out the online streaming site Fandor.com and keep an eye out for the filmsHellaware and It Felt Like Love.

Bill O'Reilly thinks we can solve poverty through President Obama lecturing black children and more on the Bitcoin panic after the fall of MT Gox and your IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-28-14-Cliff_Schecter-Matthew_Weiss-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:35pm EDT

Journalist David Dayen explains how the Post Office could offer financial services, how the poor are exploited by predatory lenders and service providers, why the Post Office is a perfect place to provide basic financial services, how banking could save the artificial postal crisis imposed by Congress, how the Post Office could offer financial services now, why hardcore Republicans dominate the Post Office board of governors, why federal benefits would be delivered better through the Post Office, how the poor would save money and help overcome some of the hardships of our immigrant communities, how Postal banking could make a recession much less likely and how this can actually happen.

Andrew Cuomo's new political maneuvering reveals all of the pathologies of the Democratic Party elite.

On The Fun Half: Christian fanatic Bryan Fischer worries about "Big Gay", how reform happens, where the minimum wage should really be, neo-liberal foreign policy and lower wages at home, and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-27-14-David_Dayen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:26pm EDT

Jodie Griffin, Senior Staff Attorney at Public Knowledge outlines the dangers of the proposed Comcast-Time Warner merger, why the customers lose in the current cable market, how Comcast undermines the online video market, what the DOJ will consider when it looks at the merger proposal? The broader standards that the FCC will provide, how a possible merger would impact the future of cable and broadband markets, why the FCC has undermined its own ability to enforce net neutrality, what would really save  an open Internet, the absurd arguments against net neutrality and determining the importance of the Netflix Comcast deal.

On The Fun Half: Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson sues to keep fracking from happening in his hometown, will universal Pre K mean Common Core testing for pre-schoolers? How for profit testing companies targeting Pre K, how eroding net neutrality creates more inequality, Arizona lawmaker who voted for the pro LGBT discrimination bill tells Anderson Cooper that "there is no discrimination" in Arizona, a petition on the We The People website asks President Obama to say "fuck Uganda" because of that countries horrible new anti Gay law and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-26-14-Jodie_Griffin-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:43pm EDT

Journalist Kiera Feldman explains the history of the evangelical Patrick Henry College,the role of Patrick Henry in building a movement for Christian power in the federal government, how Patrick Henry avoids federal oversight, the culture of sexual assault at Patrick Henry and coverups by the Patrick Henry Administration, how the Dean of Student Life at Patrick Henry systemically blame the victims of sexual assault and rape, the evangelical self help book that blames women for sexual violence, the warped logic of Christian purity and the future of Patrick Henry College.

On The Fun Half: Republican lobbyist pushes for banning Gay athletes in the NFL, Rush Limbaugh uncovers the new liberal conspiracy in the NFL, the Bitcoin crash and the Libertarian demands for government protection and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-25-14-Kiera_Feldman-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:27pm EDT

Journalist and Pando Daily contributor, David Sirota explains how PBS News is corrupted by corporate money, the former Enron trader, John Arnold, who wants to destroy public pensions, why handouts to the wealthy through corporate subsidies are leading to attacks on public pensions,  John Arnold funded PBS's Pension Peril series in violation of numerous PBS ethics rules, how PBS triad to hide Arnold's funding, why conservatives use PBS to launder their political agenda, how the underfunding of public journalism sets the stage for corruption,  PBS's absurd violation of its own ethics rules and how PBS finally backed down.

On The Fun Half: More ways Michael Bloomberg hurt the homeless, breaking down the new CBO's new report on increasing the minimum wage and joblessness, Random Rush, Virginia State Senator calls pregnant women "hosts" and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-24-14-David_Sirota-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:31pm EDT

John McDonough the Director of the Center for Public Health Leadership at Harvard explains Vermont's moves towards Single Payer healthcare, Dr. Cheryl Phillips Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy at Leading Age explains "Hot Spotting", and Robert Kraig of Citizen Action Wisconsin explains the Scott Walker threat and more! And for MEMBERS only! An interview from the Air America days with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog!

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Direct download: 02-20-14-John_McDonough-Cheryl_Phillips-Robert_Kraig-Triumph-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:58pm EDT

Historian Lauren Coodley, discusses her new biography of progressive icon Upton Sinclair, Upton Sinclair: California Socialist, Celebrity IntellectualJonathan Voss a Senior Analyst at Lake Research explains the national popularity of progressive policy and Max Ritchman of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare on the fight to protect our social safety net.

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Direct download: 02-19-14-Lauren_Coodley-Jonathan_Voss-Max_Ritchman-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:57am EDT

Ethan Rome the Executive Director, Health Care for America Now explains the connection between healthcare and the TPP, Shannon Brownlee Acting Dir. The New America Foundation Health Policy Program and author of Overtreated: Why too much medicine is making us sick  explains how over treatment is bad for our health and Simon Lazurus on  the Supreme Court and the Affordable Care Act.

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Direct download: 02-18-14-Simon_Lazarus-Ethan_Rome-Shannon_Brownlee-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:17pm EDT

Climate scientist  Michael E. Mann  explains why we must stop Keystone XL, Maine Senate candidate Shenna Bellows, outlines her progressive candidacy and for Members Only! An interview from the new MR archives with Cornell University Professor Suzanne Mettler on why Americans benefit from but don't see the hand of the social safety net.

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Direct download: 02-17-14-Michael_Mann-Shenna_Bellows-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:27pm EDT

Journalist Charlie Pierce explains why Fox does not want every kid to get a Valentine card, why the politics of cruelty have become official Republican Party policy, plutocrat Tom Perkins advocates a poll tax and says the rich should get more votes, why are the plutocrats getting even more insane? How Sarah Palin reinvented the right-wing grift, why there is no Republican Party anymore, the creepy emails sent to the Republican Caucus, the hilarious and slow death of the astroturf austerity group the Can Kicks Back, Kansas moves to discriminate against Gay people, the Chris Christie corruption scandal rolls on and the battle for an autoworkers union in Tennessee.

Christopher Rosen, senior entertainment at Huffington Post and old Majority Report friend is getting married, why is Rosen verified on twitter? Rosen tells Sam all the movies nominated for Best Picture and what his favorites were, why he thinks Twelve Years a Slave will win for Best Picture and what to expect from Darren Aronofsky's next film.

Why Tennessee has such regressive politics, how is the anti union push being covered on the ground in Tennessee? A perspective from Germany on the union drive at the Tennessee Volkswagen plant, why the ACA will help people leave bad jobs and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-14-14-Charlie_Pierce-Christopher_Rosen-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:52pm EDT

Jacobin contributing editor Melissa Gira Grant author of  Playing The Whore: The Work of Sex Workthe history of legal regulations of selling sex, the role of race and immigration in criminalizing sex work, does being a sex worker mean you are a victim? The range of experiences of sex work, the problem with treating sex workers as outcasts, why we need to listen to sex workers, the importance of decriminalizing sex work and how the Internet is changing sex work.

On the Fun Half:  Myla Seder attacks Mayor de Blasio for not calling a snow day, Sam rebuts Myla's attack, Libertarian hack Peter Schiff whines about his Daily Show appearance, the astroturf austerity group the Can Kicks Back is in debt, the danger of the Comcast Time Warner merger and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-13-14-Melissa_Gira_Grant-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:23pm EDT

The New Republic's Noam Scheiber explains the structural inequities in the legal system, how Enron fraudster Jeffrey Skilling ended up with such a light sentence, how the legal system is stacked against the poor, the history of legal aid, the limits of legal aid, the role of the  Great Society and public law, what is legal Medicare? How the rich can buy better treatment under the law, why we need to socialize law, how it should be done, why we need to limit what the wealthy can on lawyers and how socialized law will help reform the entire criminal justice system.

On The Fun Half: the American hunger crisis and the implications of the Food Stamp cuts, how Reagan and Clinton cuts set the stage for the modern hunger crisis, what happens to the unemployed after unemployment runs out, Rush Limbaugh's bizarre inner struggle over Michael Sam, Ron Paul talks about "honest rape", Random Rush and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-12-14-Noam_Scheiber-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:29pm EDT

Dave Zirin explains why sports and politics have a hit a tipping point, why the Sochi Olympics is essential for understanding sports in today's world, why the Sochi Olympics are particularly bad, the foundational problem with the Sochi games, the Circassian genocide, what will happen to the LGBT community after the games? The corruption of the IOC, why companies love to "sin wash" during the Olympics, the relationship between sports and propaganda,why we need to understand athletes as workers, what has been shocking about the response to Michael Sam and are college athletes about to get unions?

On the Fun Half: Volkswagen wants its Tennessee workers to have a union but state Republicans fight to keep the south's poor labor standards, homophobic reactions to Michael Sam from NFL players, WSJ Editor says women who drink and get raped share share responsibility, and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-11-14-Dave_Zirin-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:58pm EDT

Firedoglake's Kevin Gosztola explains the case of the NATO3, how 2 undercover Chicago cops entrapped 3 young protesters, the state of Illinois and the FBI targeting protesters attending the NATO protests and charged them with terrorism, and how the state couldn't convince a jury to the activists were terrorists.

Radio show host and activist Bob Kincaid explains the ongoing public health threat to the southeast United States from the Freedom Industries chemical spill, how West Virginia politicians are owned by coal interests, the deadly toll of coal mining and what we can do to save Appalachia.

On The Fun Half: Silicon Valley tycoons conspire to keep down wages, Fox News whines about evil CEO  in the new Lego Movie,  AOL CEO blames cutting health benefits on "distressed babies", how NSA metadata is used in America's drone program and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-10-14-Kevin_Gosztola-Bob_Kincaid-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:42pm EDT

Political strategist Cliff Schecter explains the importance of AIPAC backing down on the new Iran sanctions bill, why AIPAC backed down, Republicans kill unemployment insurance again, why unemployment insurance helps people find work, immigration dead again? The Bill Nye Ken Ham debate and even Pat Robertson thinks creationism is crazy.

Film Guy Matthew Weiss is shocked Sam is watching the Walking Dead, Matthew's new project, Matthew and Sam debate documentaries and Matthew suggested the movieEscape From Tomorrow.  

We hear from a real job creator on how Obamacare helped her business, Sam has another session of the "Sam Seder Libertarian Learning Annex",  A Text From Jon Benjamin, Duke Energy releases coal ash into North Carolina's Dan River, Scott Brown rents his email list to anti vaccine conspiracy theorists and your IMs and calls.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-07-14-Cliff_Schecter-Matthew_Weiss-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:17pm EDT

Author and University of California Berkeley Boalt School of law professor Ian Haney Lopez author of the new book Dog Whistle Politics: How Coded Racial Appeals Have Reinvented Racism and Wrecked the Middle Class explains the cynical calculation that drove George Wallace's racist politics, what "state rights" really means, how the Republicans adopted the southern strategy, political uses of race by the Republican Party, why "strategic racism" explains Republican race baiting, the evolving nature of racism and the smart way to confront racism in modern America.

On The Fun Half: Laura Ingraham unleashes an unhinged attack on Justice Sonia Sotomayor for not using the word "illegal" and gets legal and geographic lessons from Sam, dog whistle politics and immigration, debunking more anti minimum wage increase myths, does CVS not selling cigarettes have implications for other industries? Fox's Gretchen Careslon wants to know if CVS is allowed to not sell cigarettes? and Your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-06-14-Ian_Haney_Lopez-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:49pm EDT

Hey folks, today is a Members only show, but we still wanted to give you Freebies a teaser from today's show. Enjoy our epic mockery of Sean Hannity and remember! 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: 02-05-14-Sam_Seder_Teaser-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:51pm EDT

Gabriel Sherman author of the unauthorized biography of Fox News chief Roger Ailes, The Loudest Voice in the Room: How the Brilliant, Bombastic Roger Ailes Built Fox News--and Divided a Countryexplains what motivated Roger Ailes to build Fox News, how Ailes created Fox in his image, why Roger Ailes and Glenn Beck have the same extreme politics, the paranoia of Roger Ailes, why Fox is a cult of personality, why do other journalists defend Fox? And why we are in the decline era for Fox News.

On the Fun Half: the Republicans new debt default threats, Sam has an epic debate with a southern Libertarian, why Libertarians oppose the Civil Rights Act and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-04-14-Gabriel_Sherman-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:03pm EDT

David Wildstein charges that Christie new about lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, new investigations against the Christie Administration's political use of the Port Authority, Christie releases a memo attacking David Wildstein, new questions about Chris Christie's use of Sandy relief funds, the time Chris Christie almost sued his High School baseball team and why the Governor is heading to CPAC.

Cred Action, Senior Campaign Manager Elijah Zarlin explains the oil industry friendly firm that wrote the State Department's Keystone Pipeline report, were the State Department's ethics guidelines violated? Why Elijah is optimistic about John Kerry's role in Keystone and the huge amounts of grassroots support for fighting Keystone.

On the Fun Half: more signs of a disappearing middle class, Random Rush, conservatives freak out about Coca-Cola's Super Bowl ad and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 02-03-14-Elijah_Zarlin-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:49pm EDT

Cliff Schecter explains President Obama's State of the Union address, how Obama is standing strong on Iran negotiations, why President Obama is so unwilling to draw contrasts with the Republicans, why Obama can clearly hold Republicans responsible without losing his temper, Harry Reid comes out against Fast Track, new movements for reform of drug sentencing laws, Congress moves closer to immigration reform and new Chris Christie scandals and when will he go to jail?

Isabel Gillies tries to explain Valentines Day to Sam, Isabel wants her son to master the Bagpipe, why Isabel liked American Hustle, Amy Adams will play Isabel Gillies in a movie version of her book! And Isabel suggests the movie Flight on Netflix.

Howard Dean shills for the MEK and opposes diplomatic breakthrough with Iran and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-31-14-Cliff_Schecter-Isabel_Gillies-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:13pm EDT

In studio Janeane Garofalo explains the real record of Julius Ceaser, why animals aren't treated well on movie sets, Peter Schiff goes on the Daily show and makes an ass of himself again, why cynics and suckers explain the conservative movement and new lies and crimes committed by Freedom Industries in West Virginia.

On the Funnier Half: Harry Reid comes out against Fast Track trade authority, one Republican admits that race is why so many Republicans don't want immigration reform, why conspiracy theories help the elite and your calls IMs and phone calls.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-30-14-Janeane_Garofalo-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:34pm EDT

Huffington Post Washington bureau chief explains how President Obama dropped the ball on inequality in his State of the Union, what President Obama's minimum wage executive order does, what President Obama's myRA plan is and why Obama's commitment to veto any new sanctions on Iran may be the biggest moment of the speech.

On the Fun Half: Sam had his long awaited debate with Austin Ruse of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute on whether or not Lesbians should be allowed on TV, Republican Congressman Mike Grimm threatens a reporter after the State of the Union, and your IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-29-14-Ryan_Grim-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:13pm EDT

London School of Economics professor Alan Manning explains where the minimum wage stands in real terms in the United States today, the advantages of higher wages, why raising the minimum wages does not lower employment, how inequality is threatening society, how inequality drags down the entire economy and how raising wages can create more jobs.

On the Funner Half: Sam debates a confused Libertarian, plutocrat Tom Perkins gives an even more insane interview after comparing people concerned about inequality and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-28-14-Alan_Manning-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:56pm EDT

Harvard University Professor Serhii Plokhii explains the roots of the movement sweeping across Ukraine, how Ukraine caught between Russia and the EU, what political factions are protesting, the innovative new tactics used in the movement and the danger of the government declaring martial law.

On The Funner Half: Oxford study says many jobs will be replaced by robots in the future, insane plutocrat compares income inequality talk to Nazism, the relatives of the slave owners in Twelve Years a Slave complain about how that movie treats slave owners, Rand Paul isn't worried about women and your IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-27-14-Serhii_Plokhii-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:39pm EDT

Cliff Schecter explains Mike Huckabee's shocking and disgusting new comments and female sexuality and birth control, what audience Huckabee is playing to, why the fringe far right keeps trying to take away birth control, why the Obama Administration still wants to cut hugely successful social programs, what drives President Obama? The Chris Christie scandal gets bigger, Bob McDonnell is probably going to jail, why Scott Walker might be the Republican to worry about in 2016 and Republican uber hack Dinesh D'Souza is indicted for campaign finance violations.

On The Fun Half: Sam explains why people get sucked into the Libertarian worldview and Your Calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-24-14-Cliff_Schecter-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:02pm EDT

Health industry whistleblower and author of Obamacare: What's in It for Me?: What Everyone Needs to Know About the Affordable Care, Wendell Potter explains why the health insurance industry needed a bailout, why people would have faced policy cancellations regardless of the ACA, why some people haven't bought insurance, the astonishing amount of states refusing Medicaid expansion, despite all of the problems Obamacare does improve healthcare for most Americans and why Vermont's fight for Single Payer is crucial for the future of American healthcare.

On The Fun Half: Sam debates another Libertarian with a bad phone connection on what freedom really is, and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-23-14-Wendell_Potter-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:16pm EDT

Rolling Stone contributing Editor Janet Reitman explains the new tactics and strategy of the anti choice movement, how the anti abortion movement began shifting its strategy from a federal to local level, what group is the ALEC of the anti choice movement, why the assault on choice is essential to the anti progressive agenda, how the Republican Party got so extreme? How states are limiting access to medical care for women, why abortion is an incredibly safe medical procedure and how secret money funds the anti choice movement.

On The Fun Half: Canadian reality show plutocrat Kevin O'Leary says massive wealth inequality is "fantastic", Sam debates a libertarian, former Virginia Governor Bob Mcdonnell indicted on bribery charges and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-22-14-Janet_Reitman-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm EDT

Josh Orton of Progressives United explains the delusional decision making process that led to the Citizens United decision, how consultants profit from corporate money in politics, anti campaign finance reform lawyers are like Mob lawyers and the bigger reasons the conservative movement attacks the IRS. More shoes drop for Chris Christie,the Mayor of Hoboken's explosive new charges against Christie, why the new accusations against Chris Christie point to systemic corruption and why Chris Christie is done for 2016.

On The Fun Half: Fox guest says feminism is destroying men Elisabeth Hasselbeck wants to know if feminism is hurting our security, a Pastor claims Obama is unwittingly helping the Anti Christ on the O'Reilly Factor are and  and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-21-14-Josh_Orton-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:01pm EDT

Happy Martin Luther Jr! Day. Today’s show is a compilation of clips including excerpts from “The Frank McGee Sunday Report: Martin Luther King Profile,” NBC News, May 7, 1967, followed by a brief excerpt from a speech at Cleveland, Ohio, on April 28, 1967. Then extended excerpts of a sermon at the Ebenezer Baptist Church on April 30, 1967, then the CBS evening news with Walter Cronkite reporting on the assassination on 4-4-68 and finally, Nina Simone singing “Why?” recorded live three days after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr.

And For Members Only! MLK’s last speech "Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution" delivered at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C., on 31 March 1968.

And keep the conversation going on the morning thread! 

Direct download: 01-20-14-MLK_Day_2014-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:45pm EDT

1/17/14

Political strategist Cliff Schecter explains the nature of President Obama's proposed NSA reforms, what Obama didn't say in his NSA address, why Obama always trusts the establishment, will Congress will restore the Voting Rights Act? The Chris Christie scandal keeps growing, all the agencies investigating the Christie Administration and why its hilarious that Bruce Springsteen will never like Chris Christie.

Comedian Judy Cole explains why she hates Chris Christie, why she knows exactly what Chris Christie and his cronies are like, Christie's homophobia and bullying politics, why Duck Dynasty's ratings are going down, Jon Hamm is a Sam Seder fan and Judy suggested the documentary 20 Feet From Stardom.

And your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-17-14-Cliff_Schecter-Judy_Gold-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:07pm EDT

Tanner Colby author of the new book Some of My Best Friends Are Black: The Strange Story of Integration in America explains the history of race on Saturday Night Live, how segregated social relationships hurt African American opportunity in media, the white gatekeepers in entertainment, how entertainment needs to change, how the TV landscape as a result of changes in advertising and why we need to fight discrimination in housing policy.

On The Fun Half: David Vitter proposes disgusting anti Food Stamp bill, demented Republican Congressman Bob Goodlatte promotes anti choice bill in order to “create jobs”, the GMO debate continues and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-16-14-Tanner_Colby-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:50pm EDT

Mother Jones contributing writer Tom Philpott explains what GMOs actually are, what are industry claims about GMOs, why measuring the health effects of GMO foods is difficult, dangerous implications of GMO on the very idea of food, the danger of food patent rights, how the agriculture companies failed to deliver innovation through GMO innovations, why GMOs lead to more intensive industrial agriculture and the real way to cut the use of chemicals in farming.

On The Fun Half: Senate Republicans screw the long term unemployed, Stuart Varney again shows he is a sociopath, Republicans refuse to accept evolution, ethically challenged Republican strategist Frank Luntz is depressed, Republican Senate candidate complains there are enough Muslim villains in movies and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-15-14-Tom_Philpott-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:45pm EDT

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.

On The Fun Half: local Republican Party celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. with a raffle for an assault rifle, why the corporations that spilled chemicals into West Virginia's water need to go to jail, Rush says women have more control over their bodies than men and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-14-14-David_Blacker-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:09pm EDT

Daniel Levy of Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at the European Council on Foreign Relations explains Ariel Sharon's political legacy, his ultra nationalist vision for Israel, can Israel move to the democratic left, Sharon's human rights record and what really drives Israel's Gaza policy.

On The Fun Half: Roger Ailes just as crazy as Glenn Beck, Fox thinks Chris Christie is in trouble because he is a man, new documents in the Chris Christie bridge scandal, Feds want to know if Christie misused Sandy funds and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-13-14-Daniel_Levy-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:16pm EDT

Cliff Schecter explains why the TPP trade deal is getting resurrected by the Obama Administration and Congress, why trade deals are a fraud, why they are all about corporate deregulation and how House Democrats fight back against Fast Track trade authority . Also Rachel Maddow proposes a brilliant new theory of who the Christie Administration was punishing with the Fort Lee traffic jams, who is the redacted name in the Christie emails? And why Christie might get indicted.

Actor Richard Kind joined the program from Bed Bath and Beyond, what is on Richard's shopping list, what awards Richard has won, why Richard does not want actors leading the actors union and why he loved The Wolf of Wall Street.

And your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-10-14-Cliff_Schecter-Richard_Kind-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:53pm EDT

Chris Christie fires staff and denies all knowledge of what his political staff was doing with the traffic jams, why Christie thinks he could still run for President and why his press conference raises far more questions.

Freelance writer Amanda Hess explains the violent threats she receives online, why women are targeted online, why excuses for abuse of women online reflects excuses across all areas of abuse, the legal implications of threats online and how to address this crisis legally and technology.

On The Fun Half: The Senate moves on Fast Track, Satanists propose religious statue for the Oklahoma state capital, more on the Christie Press Conference and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-09-14-Amanda_Hess-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:36pm EDT

New bombshell emails show Chris Christie did order traffic jams to punish his political enemies in New Jersey, how Chris Christie played politics with Sandy aid, the rights war against the poor and what the War on Poverty has accomplished.

On The Fun Half: the Sam Seder Libertarian learning annex opens, how much will Christie be hurt by the traffic scandals? Pat Robertson says its getting warmer in Jupiter without SUVs and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-08-14-Sam_Seder-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:06pm EDT

Jesse A. Myerson a co-host of the radical economics podcast Disorderly Conduct explains the political agenda Millennials should be fighting for in the long term, the "Drake Principle" of full employment, why we need Social Security for all, why we need a natural resources tax, how Alaska and North Dakota successfully practices socialism and the importance of making banking vanilla again.

On The Better Half: the state of Texas will not take a brain dead woman of life support because she is pregnant, medical spending rates slow, Random Rush, the Marijuana debate continues and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-07-14-Jesse_A._Myerson-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:42pm EDT

Mark Kleiman, a public policy professor at UCLA explains how Colorado has passed some of the most far reaching Marijuana legalization in the world, the benefits of legalizing Marijuana, what legalizing Marijuana won't do, what types of policies you would need to pursue in order to end the drug war, the downsides of a legal Cannabis industry and the danger of Big Weed.

On The Fun Half: Liz Cheney drops out of Wyoming Senate race, the rich threaten the Pope and your calls and IMs.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-06-14-Mark_Kleiman-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:57pm EDT

Political maestro Cliff Schecter, explains why raising the minimum wage is finally being used by Democrats to drive a wedge with Republicans, why the economy in the midwest is slowing down, New York's new Mayor Bill de Blasio, has the tide turned on Social Security? David Brook's writes an incredibly stupid pot column, the New York Times calls for clemency for Edward Snowden and America's two tier justice system.

Marc Maron did not like Sam pointing out his connection to Hollywood, why Sam still isn't on Marc's show, why Marc never mentions Sam in public appearances, is Maron becoming Republican? And Marc suggested Francis Ha.

On The Better Half: the first edition of the Sam Seder Libertarian learning annex of 2014 and your calls and IMs.

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Direct download: 01-03-14-Cliff_Schecter-Marc_Maron-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:19pm EDT

Professor Mark Blyth, author of Austerity: The History of a Dangerous Idea explains the three main reasons austerity is a problem, the history  of austerity, why the United States is in a stuttering recovery and the Europeans have created self created depression by practicing austerity, why growth is the answer to debt and why austerity is such a dangerous and resilient idea.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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Direct download: 01-02-14-Best_of_2013-Mark_Blyth-PUB.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:04pm EDT