commentary
GRITtv: Why Does Newt Gingrich Hate Freedom?
My father died two weeks ago. He was a devout Catholic and former Franciscan brother. The last week of his life he was really upset -- not about dying, but about that church in Gainesville that’s planning to burn Korans on 9/11. My dad thought it wasn’t Christian, but an act of Christian supremacy. I said it would be cute if they used German accents. He didn't laugh either.
Email this pageGRITtv: Aug. 18 2010: Islamophobia and Spine-less Democrats
What's happening as the manufactured controversy over the "Ground Zero Mosque" continues, Frank Schaeffer notes, is nothing less than a new form of antisemitism--one directed this time at Muslims and people of Arab descent. Schaeffer, a former member of the religious right, notes that if comments like the ones being made at the Muslim community were being made about American Jews, there would be outrage, but Islamophobia is socially acceptable now. Schaeffer, author of Crazy for God and Patience with God, joins guest host John Fugelsang via Skype to discuss the conservative arguments against the Cordoba House, and just what is and is not "sacred." Democrats are backing down over freedom of religion, Social Security privatization, and pretty much anything else we can think of these days in the name of winning midterm elections. Funny, we thought we were voting for people who believed in something. Allison Kilkenny and Jamie Kilstein of Citizen Radio join guest host John Fugelsang to dissect the flip-flops, backtracking, and all-around spinelessness of all too many Democrats, and more of the ridiculousness from this week's news. Finally, John has a few thoughts about a media issue coming up--the endless discussion of John Lennon's murder and his killer.
GRITtv: July 12 2010
November elections are coming up and democrats around the country are starting to wonder if they can hold onto the House. Author and Nation contributor JoAnn Wypijewski joins us in the studio to describe her on the ground tour of the United States – talking to people, and figuring out the political fabric at stake. Her discoveries are that many Americans feel defenseless against catastrophes ranging from foreclosures to job loss to the BP oil spill – but unlike the Great Depression, people are hiding their pain. Nevertheless, Republicans are trying to tap into this defenseless Achilles heel, using pervasive negativity to fuel their eternal “party of no.” Even Louisiana’s greenest are against a moratorium on offshore drilling. This seems absurd considering the seemingly irreversible devastation that BP’s carelessness has inflicted on the land, but the Nation’s Environmental Correspondent Mark Hertsgaard claims that oil to Louisiana is heroin to an addict. Taking heroin away from an addict will kill them. Instead, it is necessary to use methadone, a substance resembling heroin without its harm to wean them off of the drug.What is Louisiana’s methadone? Media Consortium Environmental Blogger, Sarah Laskow joins Mark in a conversation describing Louisiana’s green energy potential and the local and environmental policy changes necessary to realize the potential effects.
GRITtv: Colin Robinson: Amazon Books & Intellectual Compromise
Since its launch 15 years ago Amazon has grown to be, by some measure, the largest bookseller in the world. According to its founder Jeff Bezos, this ascent has been achieved by giving customers what they want: convenience, wide choice and low, low prices.
GRITtv: W. Kamau Bell: What is Happening to America?
Actor and comedian, W. Kamau Bell notes that a few years ago, if one heard about a racist tea party they would be rightfully confused. Now, however, “racism” is an inseparable concept from “tea party.” How did this happen? When did Americans stop referring to “our” country and start dividing it into “my” and “your” country? GRITtv with Laura Flanders brings participatory democracy onto your computer screen and into your living room, bridging the gap between audience and advocates.
GRITtv: Dean Baker: We Need to Keep Up Public Pressure to Reform Health Care
Dean Baker reminds us that we need to keep pressuring Obama and our lawmakers to enact health care reform. Baker is co-director of the Center for Economic And Policy Research, and author of a new book, False Profits: Recovering from the Bubble Economy. You can also check out his blog at Beat the Press.
Roseanne Barr & Johnny Argent: Tipping Point Ep 1 Part II
Part two of the pilot of Roseanne Barr’s long-awaited return to the TV screen. The show is a mix of interviews, rants and comedy segments taking on the government, corporations, pop-culture, and mainstream media.
Roseanne Barr & Johnny Argent: Tipping Point Ep 1 Part 1
The pilot for Roseanne Barr's long-awaited return to the TV screen. The show is a mix of interviews, rants and comedy segments taking on the government, corporations, pop-culture, and mainstream media.
