The Majority Report with Sam Seder

6/19/13 David Dayen: The Student Loan Scam & Tim Shorrock: On Private Spying

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:35:21 +0000

On today's show, David Dayen explained the student loan crises and why the student loan industry is uniquely unfair and corrupt. Investigative journalist explained the massive role that private contractors play in NSA surveillance and the Nation's George Zornick explained where immigration reform stands in Congress now.

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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6/17/13 Bill Scher: The Liberal Case For NSA Surveillance?

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:21:00 +0000

Bill Scher debated Matt & Michael on NSA data mining, is the NSA's surveillance legal?whether or not the program has been effective, has the monitoring been abused? and the role of private contractors in gathering intelligence.

Michael explained the new spying revelations, Iran's presidential election results and what arming the Syrian rebels means.

On The Better Half: Rick Scott fights paid medical leave in Florida, George Zimmerman's father is not surprisingly racist and crazy, Rick Perry signs a Christmas bill, vetoes equal pay and makes a factual mistake that is embarrassing even for him and your calls and IMs.

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6/14/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Andy Kindler

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 19:26:14 +0000

Sam and Cliff Schecter explained the enduring importance of the NSA scandal, the incompetence of the intelligence apparatus, the straw man arguments against pushing for transparency, the endless historical examples of abuse of surveillance and a Supreme Court ruling update.

Andy Kindler, explained what its like to work with Marc Maron, Kindler gave his perspective on NSA monitoring, he admits to have some tension with Louis C.K. and recommended the Richard Pryor documentary Omit The Logic.

And your calls and IMs.

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6/13/13 Richard Yeselson: Fortress Unionism

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:22:35 +0000

Labor historian and journalist Richard Yeselson explained how labor militancy drove labor rights in the 1930s, how the passage of Taft-Hartley Act attacked the organizing and cultural power of labor, why the Congressional backlash against labor was connected with opposition to civil rights, what caused union decline and the best way for unions to move forward.

On The Better Half: Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez says NSA disclosures are "the tip of the icebirg" Sean Hannity's stunning hypocrisy on NSA monitoring and your IMs.

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6/12/13 The Establishment Attacks Snowden & Poo Poos Whistleblowers

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:14:00 +0000

Sam explained the absurd reactions from Thomas Friedman and David Brooks to the Edward Snowden disclosures, why establishment journalists defend themselves by attacking whistle blowing, Senate coalition pushes for more transparency in the surveillance program and how private companies are abusing intelligence to target the public.

On The Better Half: Immigration Reform moves forward in the senate, Random Rush, Peter King calls for Glenn Greenwald to be prosecuted, and your calls and IMs.

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6/11/13 Who Profits From Surveillance State, James Clapper Lied To Congress & Plan B

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:24:00 +0000

Sam went solo today and explained why Edward Snowden isn't the main story, the market for private spying and data collection, why the Patriot Act's implementation is a fundamental challenge to democratic culture, how the Director of National Intelligence James Clapper lied the Senate and how corporations profit from the military industrial complex.

On The Better Half: the Obama Administration finally backs down on Plan B and Laura Ingraham has something insane to say about it, Michael Isikoff thinks the government may have a hard time prosecuting Edward Snowden and your calls and IMs.

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6/10/13 Juan Cole: Corporate Interests Distort The Constitution & Turkey's Uprising

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:26:00 +0000

Professor Juan Cole, explained the corporate distortion of the Constitution, why NSA whistle blowers are turning the tables on the surveillance state, why data mining is a flawed counter terrorism strategy, the origins of Turkey's recent protests and the youth driven global backlash against neo-liberalism.

On The Better half: who is the NSA whistle blower Edward Snoden? Arizona police pull over and arrest a sober man for drunk driving, an atheist prayer needs a Christian "redo and your calls and IMs.

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6/7/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Film Guy Matthew Weiss

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:31:19 +0000

Cliff Schecter, explained the new revelations of NSA data mining and surveillance, how the Obama Administration has codified a deeply invasive framework for monitoring Americans, will Glenn Greenwald be prosecuted? Is the "Grand Bargain" dead? and is Immigration Reform going to be killed by the GOP?

Film Guy Matthew Weiss, talked about President Obama fighting Patent Trolls, what he has been up to and he recommended the classic comedy A New Leaf.

On The Better Half: one incredibly crazy call, Mitt Romney wishes Hurricane Sandy didn't happen when he was running for President and your normal calls and IMs.

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6/6/13 Marcy Wheeler: NSA Dragnet Revelations

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:21:00 +0000

Blogger Marcy Wheeler explained the meaning of the NSA's mass surveillance of Verizon phone customers, why the NSA's monitoring focuses on Americans, the problem with data mining in terrorism investigations, why it is alarmingly easy to become a terrorism suspect and why the programs secrecy is aimed at Americans asserting their civil liberties.

On The Better Half: Jeremy Schahill schools Toure, the Grand Bargain maybe mercifully dead, The IMF admits that it damaged the Greek economy with austerity, Random Rush, George W Bush bikes with vetrans of his wars and your calls and IMs.

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6/5/13 Trevor Aaronson: The FBI’s Manufactured War on Terror

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 18:50:00 +0000

Terrorism Factory, author Trevor Aaronson explained the absurd case of the Liberty City Seven, why only a small fraction of recent terror arrests have actually posed real threats, how FBI paid informants drive frivolous cases and why these cases distract law enforcement from real terrorism threats.

On The Better Half: the problem with testing culture, Chris Christie is a liar, Donal Rumsfeld says Obama might be on the terrorists side and Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss blames military rapes on hormones and your calls and IMs.

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6/4/13 Seder In For Thom Hartmann: TPP, Monsanto, Social Security, Patent Trolls & More

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 16:22:34 +0000

Filling in for Thom Hartmann, Sam discussed the Social Security Trustees new report on the solvency of the program with Alex Lawson of Social Security Works, looked at how dangerous the proposed TPP trade bill is with Melinda St. Louis, of Global Trade Watch, discussed the backlash against Monsanto with journalist Aviva Shen, how the Electronic Frontier Foundation is fighting back against Patent Trolls and much more!

And keep the conversation going on our morning thread

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6/3/13 Manning Trial Begins, Unrest In Turkey & Lautenberg RIP

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:37:36 +0000

Sam explained Frank Lautenberg's legacy, the Bradley Manning trial begins today, the unique dangers of the espionage charges levelled against Manning, The Tea Part is on to Grover Norquist being a secret Muslim and protests continue across Turkey.

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5/31/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Isabel Gillies

Fri, 31 May 2013 19:51:25 +0000

Cliff Schecter, explained the multiple criminal investigations facing Michele Bachmann, her crazy resignation announcement, who is the craziest member of Congress, the conservative meltdown about working women, why the right turns economic exploitation into social divisions and John McCain sneaks into Syria and meets with sectarian terrorists.

Isabel Gillies was disgusted by the Republican's ongoing war on women and misogynist comments on Fox, talked about Sheryl Sandberg's new bookLean In and recommended the documentary Waiting For Lightening.

And the Sam Seder Libertarian Learning Annex was in session with multiple crazy phone calls.

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5/30/13 Gar Alperovitz: America's Socialist Revolution

Thu, 30 May 2013 19:15:00 +0000

Economist and author Gar Alperovitz, explained why reform won't work, the political decline of organized labor, the local roots of the New Deal, why innovative economic reform is happening on the local level, the emerging American interest in Socialism, why serious banking and health reform will begin at the state level and why we are in a "pre history" moment.

On The Better Half: Men need to dominate women says Fox panel, why libertarian theories fail in education and your calls and IMs.

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5/29/13 Bhaskar Sunkara: Liberals and Radicalism

Wed, 29 May 2013 18:50:00 +0000

Jacobin founding editor, Bhaskar Sunkara, explained the distinction between liberal and socialistic politics, the modern delusions of liberalism, the disconnect between the elite and grassroots of the Democratic Party, the political success of neo-liberalism, how the left can renew itself and the vital work of building coalitions against austerity.

On The Better Half: Michelle Bachmann's epic insanity on full display in her resignation, Ron Paul loses his UN case and your calls and IMS.

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5/28/13 Grading Obamacare & A Judicial Power Play

Tue, 28 May 2013 18:48:00 +0000

ObamaCare goes into effect, its working well in California, why statesthat refuse to expand Medicade are hurting health reform efforts, Obama gets aggressive on Judicial appointments and could that mean filibuster reform?

On The Better Half: Eric Holder feels spying on journalists contradicts his image, Sam Seder's Libertarian learning annex returns, why Medicade expansion is a crucial and your calls and IMs.

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5/24/13 Casual Friday: Cliff Schecter & Todd Barry

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:11:08 +0000

Cliff Schecter explained how President Obama responded to protester Medea Benjamin's interruption of his speech, Obama's encouraging rhetoric on winding down the "War on Terror", why Signature Drone strikes are indefensible, why President Obama could have acted much faster on GITMO and what pushed Obama to address these issues now?

Comedian Todd Barry talked about touring with Louie C.K., the Marc Maron and Michael Ian Black dust up, Todd's new podcast, his burgeoning friendship with Ari Melber and he recommended the movie Sexy Beast.

And Your IMs.

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5/23/13 Janeane "Katherine Harris" Garofalo on Scandals & New Drone Disclosures

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:28:00 +0000

The Obama Administration maps out its new drone and counter terror policies, new disturbing revelations on drone strikes on American citizens in Yemen and the Administration's push to continue the "War on Terror."

Janeane "Katherine Harris" Garofalo, called in from Texas where she enlightened us on the Obama Administration "doomsday weather machine", commented Michelle Bachmann's new promise that God would repeal Obamacare and looks forward to the ending of Abortion in North Dakota.

On The Better Half: Chicago moves forward with low income school closures while shelling out massive subsidies for a new Sports Stadium, Glenn Beck sees a false flag operation at CNN and your calls and IMs.

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5/22/13 Apple, Immigration, Corporate Taxes And Press Freedom

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:08:52 +0000

Wolf Blitzer tries to force a viral moment in Oklahoma and makes an ass of himself, Apple hides taxes and threatens the Senate, Washington stops efforts to make the economy grow, why the political class only cares about the economic fortunes of wealthy Americans, immigration moves forward without Gay Rights and some liberal pundits minimize the DOJ's attacks on investigative journalism.

On The Better Half: Federal budget cuts literally lead to rape, a stunning session of the Sam Seder Libertarian Learning Annex and your smart and normal IMS and calls.

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5/21/13 Glenn Greenwald: The Obama Administration's War On Press Freedom

Tue, 21 May 2013 18:47:19 +0000

Glenn Greenwald explained the Obama Justice Department's sweeping surveillance of journalists, President Obama's atrocious record on press freedom, how the Wikileaks prosecution theory is now being used to criminalize all investigative journalism, the parallels between the Nixon and Obama Administration on press freedom and how the Obama Administration is codifying the rogue policies of the Bush era.

On The Better Half: The Koch brothers literally leave toxic waste floating around Detroit, Rand Paul wants the Senate to apologise to Apple for investigating its tax avoidance schemes and calls and IMs.

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5/20/13 Matthew Rothschild: Homeland Security A Racket

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:22:00 +0000

Progressive Magazine Editor,Matthew Rothschild explained How counter-terrorism "fusion" centers spied on Occupy activists, the close coordination between corporate interests and law enforcement, why these disclosures are far more concerning than the IRS scandal, how law enforcement intelligence was passed onto corporations and how spying on Occupy undermines detecting real national security threats.

On The Better Half: Jonathan Karl's "Journalism" background, Donald Rumsfeld hit hard on Public Radio's Marketplace, Peggy Noonan writes a crazy over the top column on the IRS scandal and gets called out by David Gregory and your IMs.

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5/17/13 Ari Berman & Jim Gaffigan, Casual Friday!

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:55:00 +0000

It's Casual Friday! On today's show Ari Berman of The Nation joins us to discuss the week full of scandals, umbrella-gate and gate-gate and…all the gates! Also, the Florida GOP Hispanic Outreach Director resigns, OFA's failure in organizing for action to fight for Keystone pipeline and what it tells us about the orgnization, and both Sam and Ari are skeptical that Harry Reid would engage in fillibuster reform.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan brings us a movie pick and discusses parenthood with Sam. Also, a song from Jimmy Reefercake, your calls & IMs and more!

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5/16/13 Sandra Steingraber: Jailed Fighting Environmental Criminals

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:09:00 +0000

Author, biologist, environmental activist, and mother Sandra Steingraber joins us to discuss why she went to jail for her environmental activism, the toxic assault on our children, and the environmental links to cancer and human health.

In the better half: Sam is sick and tired of these quote unquote "scandals!", Eric Holder puts Darrell Issa in his place, Pat Robertson gives a wife with a cheating husband some wonderful marriage advice, your calls & IMs plus more!

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5/14/13 Scandals: Real & Imagined!

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:16:22 +0000

In a week full of "scandals," Sam Seder walks us through the real scandals and the imagined ones. We discuss the AP phone records seized by DOJ and the press' coverage on whistleblowers, the IRS investigation into Tea Party groups and why 501(c)(4)s should be looked into. Also Glenn Beck says Obama should be impeached and, of all people, Dick Cheney says we're being lied to on Benghazi.

In the better half, Sam brings you even more of the week's news. Stories like Saudis being investigated over owning pressure cookers, Minnesota becomes the 12th state with same sex marriage, Florida GOP loses their Hispanic outreach manager, and how a family went to a Rep. town hall to stop a deportation. All that, more plus your calls and IMs!

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5/13/13 Isabel Macdonald: GOP’s Drug-Testing Dragnet

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:46:00 +0000

Freelance journalist Isabel Macdonald joins us to discuss her latest piece for The Nation, GOP's Drug-Testing Dragnet. We talk about how the drug testing industry is a self-licking ice cream cone where Republicans and industry profiteers are targeting high school students, welfare applicants and the unemployed.

On the better half, we discuss the IRS “scandal,” a Libertarian debates us on Benghazi, Random Rush and your calls and IMs!

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