Cenk Uygur Takes On the Right-Wingers Politicizing the Boston Marathon Bombing

Get 'em Cenk!

The Righties Are Getting Desperate!

 

In the latest polls,  President Obama has been increasing his lead over Mitt Romney in the race for the White House. Although anything can happen between now and November 6th, members of the right-wing noise machine are clearly getting nervous.

In the video below, TYT host Cenk Uygur presents clips featuring Bill O'Reilly, Sarah Palin, Laura Ingraham, and Rush Limbaugh in which they discuss strategy, vent their frustration, and unwittingly admit their plan to throw Romney under the proverbial Greyhound if he loses. Like I alluded to in the last paragraph, it's still early yet. However, I am enjoying watching the righties sweat over the prospect of a 2nd term for President Obama!

The Cycle Set to Premiere Monday June 25th on MSNBC

The hosts of The Cycle (l-r)- Steve Kornacki, S.E. Cupp, Krystal Ball, and Touré

As some of you may have heard, The Dylan Ratigan Show ended its 3 year run on MSNBC on Friday June 22nd. To fill the void at 4 pm EST, Martin Bashir's self-titled program moves up an hour on Monday June 25th. Replacing Martin at 3pm EST will be a brand new program titled The Cycle, a panel ensemble show hosted by MSNBC contributors Steve Kornacki, S.E Cupp, Krystal Ball, and Touré. With a format that looks to be similar to Fox's The Five, all four hosts will take turns facilitating the discussion. With the inclusion of Cupp, there are some who have misgivings about a conservative hosting a program on a left-leaning news channel like MSNBC. In the first clip below, The Young Turks discuss the topic. Please note this clip is from June 18th and at that time, MSNBC hadn't finalized the details of the upcoming program.



I don't have a problem with the selection of S.E. Cupp as one of the hosts of The Cycle. I think having opposing viewpoints helps enliven the discussion. It may come as a surprise to some, but I've mellowed on S.E. over the past several months. This is due to her appearances on another MSNBC program, NOW with Alex Wagner. For the most part when S.E. guests on NOW, she represents a fairly reasonable conservative point of view. However, when compared to the nonsense spewed by such conservative pundits as Sean Hannity and Andrea Tantaros, calling S.E. a reasonable voice from the right may be akin to terming Moe "the smart stooge".  At any rate, I'm looking forward to checking out The Cycle. In the clip below, Dylan Ratigan introduces the four hosts during the final telecast of his program and has a discussion with them about how their show will bring a fresh take to cable news.

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Headquarters of New Orleans Women's Advocacy Group Set on Fire

On 5/24, Women With A Vision, a New Orleans-based advocacy group for sex workers, low-income women, women with substance abuse issues, and other at-risk populations, was broken into and set on fire. While no arrests have been made in connection with the fire, it appears to be politically based. Also, the NOFD has classifed it as arson. You can read more on the story at the NOLA Defender. 

In the first clip below, Deon Haywood (Exec. Director for WWAV) talks about the incident and how it will not stop her group from continuing with the work they do. 



Props to The Young Turks because I probably wouldn't have known about this story if they hadn't covered it. In the following clip, hosts Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian talk about not only the WWAV fire, but also how this type of domestic terrorism is downplayed in the media.

Cenk and Ana make some excellent points in this clip, but I especially love the fiery passion Ana exuded. If you're wondering about her disparaging reference to Bill O'Reilly and Lila Rose (the founder of the pro-life group Live Action), she had a good reason.

Think Progress story on domestic terrorism

Sunday Funnies, the Late Edition: Bob Beckel Drops the F-Bomb on Fox "News"

Although this incident happened in April (I meant to post it then, but was too busy), I still wanted to share because it's funny and timeless. During the "Great American Panel" segment of a recent installment of Hannity, Fox "News" personality Bob Beckel (who appears on various programs on the network as the token liberal), apparently didn't realize he was on live TV when he told fellow panelist Jennifer Stefano what he thought of her opinion on whatever it was they were discussing during the break. Although I don't know what Stefano said that got Beckel heated, I'm willing to bet he was right in his assertion that she didn't know what the fuck she was talking about.

Cenk Uygur: Not A Millionaire? You're A Jackass If You Vote Republican

Republican opposition to The Buffett Rule has Cenk Uygur of the Young Turks fired up! As you may know, the Buffett Rule (which failed Monday in the Senate) is the tax plan proposed by President Obama that would apply a minimum tax of 30 percent to individuals making more than a million dollars a year. The clip below features Cenk discussing the Republican's stance on The Buffett Rule interspersed with comments made by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on Fox. 

More Inanity From Sean Hannity

Damn, Fox "News" is predictable! Just the other day at a family get together, me and some of my relatives were talking politics as we often do. I was telling them about one of Fox's favorite tricks in their worn out playbook: have black guests come on to spout "fear of a black planet" type rhetoric in order to give it some credibility. Almost on cue, GOP waterboy Sean Hannity has on Deneen Borelli and David Webb to whip up fear over President Obama's "ties" to the New Black Panthers. These two should be ashamed of themselves. But hey, as long as those Fox checks keep rollin' in, why worry about such minor things as honor and integrity.

Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks breaks down the silliness that is Fox "News" in the clip below:

TYT Talks About Mike Wallace and the Passing of Hard-Hitting Journalism

As you probably know, legendary journalist Mike Wallace died last weekend at the age of 93. In the clip below, Cenk and Ana of The Young Turks talk about Wallace and how today's media fails to emulate the hard-hitting style of interviewing he used during his illustrious career.

Rick Santorum Say What?!

Having yet another controversial moment on the campaign trail (remember his "blah" controversy earlier this year?), GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum appears to have almost called President Obama a "nigger".  Santorum was speaking at a rally in Janesville, WI last week when the incident occurred.

In the clips below Sam Seder (host of "The Majority Report") and The Young Turks give their takes on what Santorum may have said.





After listening to the clip several times, I think Santorum caught himself just in time before he completely derailed any chance he might have of becoming POTUS. Although a part of me finds it hard to believe he could be so stupid as to come that close to making a racist remark in public, I can't come up with another word that he could have intended to say that makes any sense. Also, the nervous transition leads me to believe he's guilty. Because the evidence isn't conclusive, Santorum will be able to remain a thorn in Mitt Romney's side for at least a couple more months.

Do you think Rick Santorum almost called President Obama a "nigger"?

Conspiracy Theorists Implicate the Obama Administration In Andrew Breitbart's Death

In the aftermath of the death of conservative activist Andrew Breitbart (who passed away on Thursday due to natural causes at the age of 43), conspiracy theorists believe the Obama administration is responsible. Come on... seriously?! Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian of the Young Turks give their thoughts on this nonsense.



25 People Who Think Obama Killed Breitbart

Pete Hoekstra Ad Draws Criticism For Racial Insensitivity Against Asians

While getting ready to head out to a Super Bowl party, I saw the now infamous ad run by U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra against Michigan incumbent Debbie Stabenow. The ad features a young Asian actress thanking Sen. Stabenow for weakening the U.S. economy and making China's stronger. The problem with the ad is that it has the actress speaking in broken English as if she just stepped off the set of a Charlie Chan flick. It was kinda surreal for me when I first saw the ad because I had to ask myself if I saw and heard what I think I did.

Although the ad only aired in Michigan markets before and during The Super Bowl, it is getting criticism on a nationwide level (from both sides of the political aisle) due to its racial insensitivity.  In the article that I linked to above, Hoekstra defended the ad (which is scheduled to run for two weeks on cable stations across Michigan).

By the way, there is actually a website titled Debbiespenditnow.com and it's as over-the-top with the Asian imagery as you can imagine.

In the clips below, Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks and Lawrence O'Donnell attack the ad... but from different angles.

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Are Democrats and Republicans Playing Hot Potato With The Hispanic Vote?

As many of you know, the Hispanic population in the U.S. is booming and won't be slowing down anytime soon. With this population growth comes potential political power. The manner in which the Hispanic community wields this potential power remains to be seen.

The clips below demonstrate how neither party is doing themselves any favors in currying the Hispanic vote. In clip #1, Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks discusses how President Obama's policies on certain issues important to Hispanics could come back to haunt him. In the 2nd clip, a Hispanic conservative appears on Al Sharpton's MSNBC show to talk about why she has walked away from the GOP. Below the 2nd clip is a link to an article about the Hispanic community's past, present, and future role in American politics. 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Will Hispanics Take Over American Politics?

Conservative Ad Smears OWS Protesters As Anti-Semitic

A Republican group by the name of The Emergency Committee for Israel has put together an ad claiming the "Occupy Wall Street" protest in lower Manhattan is anti-Semitic. Cenk Uygur of TYT breaks it down in the following clip:



In addition to the ad being straight up bullshit, it also ironic. The irony also applies to how a majority of conservatives have reacted to the OWS protesters. For the last couple of years, they've complained about the Tea Party movement being unfairly portrayed as racist. I agree with the TP'ers to a point on the racism accusation. However, I also heard many conservatives misinterpret valid criticism of the Tea Party. When it was accurately pointed out that there is an element of racism within the Tea Party, conservatives distorted that criticism by accusing these same critics of painting the entire movement as racist.

Many conservatives have a short memory because now they are guilty of the same thing they accused the left of doing. We've heard the detractors label all the protesters as lazy, filthy, confused, etc. and now we have this anti-Semitic smear. Here's my message to the Tea Party and its supporters. Feel free to disagree with the OWS protesters. However, when you smear the entire movement, you've simply become what you detest.

Herman Cain: "Many African Americans Have Been Brainwashed"

Earlier this week during an interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain gave his explanation as to why a majority of blacks vote Democrat. According to Cain, blacks who don't vote Republican are brainwashed. In addition to being insulting, Cain's comments are one of the reasons why most blacks have no use for the GOP. Apparently, he cannot comprehend the reality that there are blacks who think differently than he does. Cain is indicative of many conservatives in that he's unwilling to take a hard look at the Republican party and entertain the possibility that GOP policies, attitudes towards minorities, etc. could be why most blacks vote Democrat.

Herman Cain is very useful to conservatives because when he makes derogatory remarks about a majority of blacks, non-black conservatives feel they have license to say it too. Both Bill O'Reilly (see 2nd clip below) and Pat Buchanan have backed up Cain's assumptions about blacks who vote Democrat. Rep. Allen West serves the same capacity as Cain because he's made similar comments.

Watching the GOP's attempts at obtaining the black vote is akin to a Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoon. With each feeble effort, they go over the proverbial cliff... crashing to the ground leaving a cloud of dust. Meep, Meep!

Cenk Uygur and Jayar Jackson of The Young Turks give their take on Herman Cain's comments.




Bill O'Reilly discusses Cain's remarks with liberal Fox "News" contributor Jehmu Greene

Wife of NJ Republican Sends Racist Email To Carl Lewis

l-r: Carl Lewis, Pat Delany and Jennifer Delany

Earlier this summer, Pat Delany (R-NJ) stepped down from the state Assembly due to a racist email sent by his wife Jennifer to the campaign of Carl Lewis (the track & field legend who is running as a Democrat for the New Jersey State Senate. Jennifer's email said, in part, “Imagine having dark skin and name recognition and the nerve to think that equaled knowing something about politics.” You can read more on the story at the following link:

Pat Delany Resigns Over Wife's Racist Email

Here are some of my thoughts on the incident:

1. It took a certain level of brazenness on the part of Jennifer Delany to spew bigoted comments like that and not only think it's OK, but not expect any fallout.

2. Based on what we know, I kinda feel sorry for Delany because he's paying a political price for the stupidity of his wife.

3. I also credit Delany for not trying to deny or brush aside the incident.

In the clip below, The Young Turks break it down:

The Reason President Obama Hung A Racial Painting in the White House: Is It Art or Politics?

Pictured with President Obama are Ruby Bridges (the subject of the painting) and two reps of the Norman Rockwell Museum

In July 2011, President Obama hung Norman Rockwell’s iconic painting “The Problem We All Live With”  in a hallway near the Oval Office. As a result, a debate has started as to President Obama's motives for hanging the painting. Some view it as a political move meant to quiet the criticism the president has faced for his failure to address problems in the black community. On the other hand, there are people who feel there's no agenda behind the hanging of the painting (which reportedly will remain there until October 2011).

Last Friday, The Young Turks had an interesting debate on the topic. I side with Michael Shure. In addition to not thinking putting the painting up is political, I also don't believe President Obama is naive enough to think such a gesture would appease those disappointed because he hasn't fixed problems such as the high unemployment rate among African-Americans. Also, according to an article on Politico.com, President Obama keeps other emblems of the civil rights movement near him so the hanging of the Rockwell painting isn't an isolated incident.

One last thing, I also disagree with Cenk Uygur's assessment that the hanging of the painting is safe from criticism by the "Fox News of the world". Please! Cenk should know better than practically anyone how the right-wing noise machine operates.

What do you think... was the hanging of the painting a political move or not?

The Glenn Beck TV Program Is Going Off the Air: The End of an Error

As you probably know, it was announced on 4/6 that Glenn Beck would "transition off of his daily program" on Fox "News" later this year. In just over two years of hosting his program on Fox, this lying, race baiting, fearmongering fraud has set new lows in political discourse. For a recap, Media Matters has documented the 50 worst things Glenn Beck said on Fox right here. Although it was hard to keep up, Diversity Ink also did its best to chronicle the nonsense spewed by Beck.

I've read some of the conservative blogs and their take on Glenn parting ways with Fox. Not surprisingly, The Lollipop Guild (aka suckers) who view Glenn as a hero are swallowing his "Paul Revere" speech in regards to why he is discontinuing his TV program on Fox. Oh yeah, he's on to bigger and better things...please! I thought it didn't get any bigger than Fox?!

Earlier this year there were reports about Fox and Beck not being able to come to terms on a new contract. That's probably the main reason his TV program is going bye-bye. The fact that Beck's ratings have steadily eroded didn't help his cause. If you follow television history, it was easy to predict Beck wouldn't be able to sustain the astounding ratings he achieved in the first year of his Fox program. When saying outrageous things, peddling fear, and cooking up tinfoil hat conspiracy theories is your schtick, it's going to wear thin rather quickly with all but the most ardent followers (paging "The Lollipop Guild"). Also, the massive boycott by advertisers (thank you Color of Change) likely made it easy for Fox to decide Beck simply wasn't worth the headache. In addition to the ratings drop and the advertiser exodus, Fox president Roger Ailes couldn't have been happy that it was the Blaze (the conservative blog launched by Beck) which debunked James O'Keefe's fraudulent exposé of NPR. 

In the clip below, Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks gives his analysis of the Glenn Beck/Fox "News" situation. Included in the clip is footage of Beck telling viewers about his plans. It's amazing the amount of B.S. that Beck can spew in just over 3 minutes! If I had been drinking a beverage, I might have done a spit take at the 6:45 mark of the clip. 

Why do you think Glenn Beck's TV program is ending?