Bernie Sanders is probably a pro at speaking into microphones. I think the problem is more likely those who control the electronics. LiveStream, I believe, may be part of the problem. It is a very common occurrence to suffer having to watch video and listen to audio problems like Thom Hartmann twitching neurotically due to a video problem and to hear him stutter incessantly also due to the audio problem. The sound quality, in my opinion, suffers sometimes as well. Sometimes the audio volume, when compared to adjacent channels, is not as loud. Sometimes the video and audio just freeze up solid for a few seconds.

For me it all comes down to segments of the global population incapable of assimilating truth on balance to unsupportably held and outdated religious positions of the ancient past.

The wise become foolish.

Let us wakeup... we have a disasterious confluence of factors: a deteriorating economy, the destruction of the biosphere, real climate change, the ignorant, republican conservatives, facists, and psychopaths, a massive educational program is needed, psychopaths do not behave, think, or feel like normal people, as history has shown they are dangerous they 'carry disaster in every hand" americans for thr most part do not understand what these terms mean, they have to informed and soon, or there will be nothing left.... the America we once knew is dead, believe it, and no nostalgic looking back to America's dubious past is going to change that, a new evolved Ameica is needed. We don't educate we indulge in name calling, resource: www.Hare.org

I am so angry and disgusted about this that I'm almost numb. You are accurate, Thom. This is yet another distraction meant to focus our attention away from the very real acts of economic and social terrorism perpetuated by those who claim to represent the people of this country and the multinational conglomerates that control them.

@Leighmf---
you said: "I think we are in for property and casualty insurance claims of epic proportions." and then the earthquake in Japan happened later...are you psychic?

Actions! Not words!
There is nothing Obama can say that will make any difference, in anything, anymore. His actions show that he is working for the rich and is anti worker. He is an opportunist politician and nothing comes easier for politicians than words. I am a voter scorned..indeed. I voted for him believing he would make things better for the workers and middle class but he has done nothing but use more empty words, that mean absolutely nothing. Actions! We need actions. We don't need no stinking words! I am not a Republican nor a Tea bagger...just a scorned voter that realizes that these scum-bag politicians, banksters, wall-streeters, in short, the rich, have made fools out of the rest of us. If the Republicans had won the last election and then tried to appoint the people that Obama appointed and pushed through some of the things, like the Wall Street and bankster fraud criminals, I believe we would have rioted by now. Americans would have seen the obvious criminality sooner. But it was a slick move to cushion the pangs of discontent with the "hopes of audacity" and "yes we can" slogans ushering in a "bait and switch" useful idiot that further blinded Americans long enough to further gel the con. The Repugs act like they really want to get rid of Obama but in reality, that's the ruse! As long as they can keep us "hopeful" that Obama will finally come around then they will get "their man" reelected. People will keep hoping that Obama does something useful for American workers and the middle class, after he is reelected, but he will continue to be the puppet of the right wing. It will take a lot more than just voting for yet more politicians because they will likely be useful idiots for the right wing as well.

Rachael Maddow show tonight on MSNBC, 12 March. Two separate cases of Domestic terrorist arrests by the Federal Government - one in Washington State, another in Alaska. The former related to the sophisticated bomb found at the MLK parade (he dreamt of race wars!). The latter, a white Neo-Nazi group who were plotting to kill Alaskan State Troopers!

Now where are the hearings on these WHITE domestic terrorists?

Their bombs and their guns kill as many Americans as any other 'Terrorist Group'? Where is the outrage about this?

What King did is, again, a solely political self-serving stunt!! Shame on the man - and I await him to have HEARINGS on white terrorist groups in this country! Where is he on this one??

Or is it just because these home grown terrorists are WHITE and do not create as much fear as Muslims!

Don’t fret, I’m as white and blue eyed as they come! I just do not have an ax to grind and also believe in fair play, which King the Inquisitor definitely does not!

Right now, I believe both are a threat to Us. I hope I am wrong about the Muslims. I used to admire and respect them, but then I saw a pleading man beheaded with a dull knife and I began to reconsider my relationship with this religion and its followers. I don't like what i am seeing about the inroads of Sharia Law into Our Culture and the Muslim Training Camps cropping up all over the country. I understand that their Koran encourages jihad and extermination of infidels. Sure doesn't seem to be a religion that We can live side by side with. And that is a shame. I wish they didn't hate non-believers so, or be so ready to kill Us. I hope my fears regarding Islam will not prove right. I don't like being bigoted and will study this faith more, but right now they certainly seem to be my enemy.

But even a worse threat, in my opinion is the new world order international banker and corporation treachery to Our Species. If i had to "deal" with one of these threats first, it would be the new world orderists. They definately seem to be the more present danger to what is left of a once hopeful America and any chance of becoming a New Nation in which the government is Truly Of The People, For The People and BY The People. (Direct Democracy)

And yet we let them keep it up. Where are the millions of voices needed to drown out the lies? Why are we not in the streets calling them out for their lies? Because we are sheep, and they the herders. BAAAAAAAAAA BAAAAAAAAA. We are not very far removed from slavery at this point. Massive numbers are the only thing that might get through to them. Hit the streets people. We can take back this country, if we really want to!

You said it, Thom!

I believe the last paragraph sums things up in a nut shell and what "delster" wrote is an absolute truth. None of this has ever been about religion, other countries, or terrorism. President Bush was a lying theif and killer in my point of view as are most, if not all, Republican leaders. You can't associate yourself with Satan and stand with God. The American people can continue to look down on Muslim people or anyone they wish to look down on, but when the chips on the table have finished spinning and wobbling, what they are going to realize is that the only terrorist in America were the polititians they voted for in the Republican party - along with idiots like Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck who are nothing but bottom feeding sell outs who value money over life. Keep sleeping America, because I promise you this. . . when you wake up it will be over and everything that hard working men and women fought for before you were in this world will be gone. Now, if that ain't somethin' to be proud of, what is?