Daily Topics - Thursday August 11th, 2011
By shawnt56
The Big Picture "On Air" Questions or Comments for Thom?
Hour One: The war on democracy...WI recall, round 2 - John Nichols, The Nation Magazine / Plus, fighting the corporatocracy in Benton Harbor, MI - Commissioner Dennis Knowles
Hour Two: How do we kick start the U.S. economy? Peter Ferrara, The Heartland Institute
Hour Three: How do we create new jobs and get people back to work? Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL, 9th district)
Comments
#2
Wow, Peter Ferrara is approaching the territory of Glenn Beck's "Get off my phone!"
#3
Just a point of fact, WWI hostilities ended in November 1918, but the war wasn't officially over until the signing of the Treaty. Also America did not immediately move troops from France back home, not only because it was logistically impossible to return everyone home the day after the signing of the treaty, but also because they thought it important to keep a military presence in France and more importantly parts of Western Germany to make sure that the Germans didn't get any ideas of starting up the war again. The bulk of the American troops had returned home by the end of summer 1919. Then logistically the soldiers that returned home, didn't just get on a train and return to farms, they were still in the army and had terms of service to complete. Therefore there was still an enormous cost to the government to feed and shelter the Army for a couple of years after the Armistice of Nov, 11 1918.
And wow, Peter take a f'n chill pill man, if you can't handle the truth don't peddle non-factual talking points man. A lie can not be made a truth by shouting it out, and Thom isn't going to let your delusions just fly by.
N
#4
Not only did "Impeach Obama" start before he was sworn in, I saw an "Impeach Clinton" sign in a college dorm window before he was sworn in. It's reflectiv eof the fact that Republicans care nothing for rules of the game; they just want what they want, by any means.
#5
Pelosi's picks for the Joint Select Committe on Deficit Reduction: James Clyburn (SC-6), Chris Van Hollen (MD-8) and ... Xavier Becerra (CA-31)? "Becerra" should have an /s/ sound in it. (A c that's followed by an e, i or y cannot sound like a k.)
#6
Do TV stations actually make more money on political advertising? If so, I imagine it's because of the increased demand for air time. Other than that, it might be the dependability. They know politicians are going to advertise, whereas a corporation advertises only whenever it decides it needs to.
#7
Thom's interview with Peter Ferrara was a striking example of how those who proclaim the "wisdom" of the extreme conservatives use the volume argument. The volume argument being the process where stating one's opinions louder and louder will establish the validity of their claims. I felt sorry for the man as he angrily melted down when pressed to substantiate with details or facts his superficial analysis of economic fact. As Thom pushed for more information this emotionally insecure spokesperson retreated into screaming at a high pitch. It is sad to see an emotional break down by an adult during what started as a discussion/debate of political/economic history. I can only guess that he is not used to speaking to persons who do not share his ideology. I wonder if his usual audience responds to emotional intensity mistaking his fevered pitch as evidence of the validity of his information. It seems to occur regularly on the show. I found this individual's display to be especially sad. Thom was very tolerant and gracious (his usual style) as his guest melted down.
#8
Thom has interviewed Peter Ferrara numerous times over the past 1 1/2 years, and the screaming rage on the part of Mr. Ferrara, typically in the middle of each interview, has become a predictable highlight of the interviews. In some cases Peter has called Thom names and told him to shut up. It's both a) appaling and b) amusing, that a) an official spokesperson could act with such immaturity and b) that Thom reacts with complete professionality and patience (well, except for the one time he hung up on Peter). It's obvious that Mr. Ferrara is intimidated by Thom's vast knowledge of both history and politics, and so when Thom stops Peter to question his rambling ideological monologue, Peter gets increasingly agitated. You see, Peter doesn't want the audience to hear Thom's responses, which are basically filling in the other half of Peter's half-truths. For example, Peter will cite some IRS data that support his argument, then Thom will have to stop or even mute Peter to cite some additional data from that originate from that exact same source, then Peter will dismiss Thom's data as fantasyland. I sometimes wonder why Mr Ferrara keeps rerturning to the show, but he does, and he sure does make for an interesting interview.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
From Screwed:
"Once again, Thom Hartmann hits the bull’s eye with a much needed exposé of the so-called ‘free market.’ Anyone concerned about the future of our nation needs to read Screwed now."
From Screwed:
"The powers that be are running roughshod over the powers that OUGHT to be. Hartmann tells us what went wrong — and what you and I can do to help set American right again."
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"Beneath the success and rise of American enterprise is an untold history that is antithetical to every value Americans hold dear. This is a seminal work, a godsend really, a clear message to every citizen about the need to reform our country, laws, and companies."
A three-judge court ruled Monday that a federal law banning most foreigners from donating to U.S. political campaigns is constitutional.
So how do we make superpac's show who gave them money?