Cenk appears on Current TV nightly at 7pm ET. Note: Cenk is on vacation May 7th-11th so there will be great guest hosts on both TYT online and on Current! Also, check out TYT's issues and politics panel show The Point.
Romney takes 'a lot of credit' for auto bailout, despite saying then 'let Detroit go bankrupt'
"Where would we be without Mitt Romney saying 'let Detroit go bankrupt'?" Michael Shure demands as Romney takes "a lot of credit" for the auto bailout despite all evidence to the contrary. "You can take all the credit you want," Shure says, but there are a few financial advisers and unions who will completely disagree. http://bit.ly/J2Mbc1
In Pakistan, do the estimated 800 civilian deaths 'for one possible bad guy' killed by a drone actually prevent terrorism?
Michael Hastings, author of "The Operators," tells Michael Shure and Tricia Rose about U.S. strikes in Yemen and Pakistan that have killed far more civilians than military targets. "Did these drone strikes create more terrorists or are they preventing more terrorists?" Hastings asks. "What's the long term impact of these sort of mistakes even if there's the occasional success?" http://bit.ly/KDL2uM
Noah Wyle on 'unsexy' Medicaid activism and how George Clooney and other 'E.R.' actors got so politicized
Michael Shure, Michael Hastings and Tricia Rose talk to "ER" and "Falling Skies" star Noah Wyle about his recent arrest with the group ADAPT (Americans with Disabilities for Attendant Programs), which was in Washington, D.C., protesting Medicaid cuts. "It's usually a very unsexy kind of issue," Wyle said. "This isn't really a medical issue. This is a civil rights issue. It's for everybody who is planning on getting old." Given Wyle's former castmate George Clooney's activism, Shure says, "What was in the I.V.s on 'E.R.'?" Wyle says, "I give George all the credit in the world -- he walks the walk as well as talking the talk. He always singles out the underdog and champions the underdog. It being a medical drama...we all got politicized earlier on than most people do on their TV gigs." http://bit.ly/LIYlcs
Cenk interviews `Playboy' founder Hugh Hefner (part 1): GOP `war against sex,' Obama and banning banksters from the Mansion
Cenk interviews Hugh Hefner, founder of "Playboy" magazine, about the right-wing's "war against sex," where President Obama has fallen short, and criticism from some feminists for exploiting women. Hefner says, "I'm on the right side of the sexual revolution, too. I know what the world was like before 'Playboy' -- and repression is very hurtful. If we're not free in or own skins, if we're not free in our own bedrooms then we're not free at all." Plus Cenk challenges Hef to ban banksters from the Playboy Mansion. http://bit.ly/KBi8eC
Obama will endorse same-sex marriage soon, says adviser on gay issues to President Clinton
Richard Socarides, who advised President Clinton on gay issues, tells Michael Shure, Michael Hastings and Tricia Rose that he believes President Obama will come out in favor of same-sex marriage before the Democratic National Convention. "I'm actually surprised he's waited this long," Socarides says. "I think that he is ready to go." http://bit.ly/JRyqxz
Gen. McChrystal's off-the-record Yale course is latest try to 'rehabilitate' image, says 'Rolling Stone' reporter
Michael Shure, Tricia Rose and "Rolling Stone" contributor Michael Hastings take a hard look at a "New York Times" piece about Ret. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who is now teaching an "off-the-record" class at Yale. "This has been part and parcel of this larger rehabilitation campaign...to whitewash his image," says Hastings, whose reporting about McChrystal's loose talk on President Obama played a major role in getting McChrystal fired. "This is a cleaning-up campaign that benefits the government as well as his own pockets," Rose adds. http://bit.ly/IDP53V
[WEB EXTRA] 'SNL' plays it safe (again), but FunnyOrDie.com wins with 'GOP in my vagina' viral video
Michael Shure, Michael Hastings and Tricia Rose talk about a trio of allegedly funny pieces of political satire: a "Saturday Night Live" sketch about "Fox & Friends," an "SNL" cold open that didn't end up airing and a FunnyOrDie.com clip where Kate Beckinsale and other women plead for the GOP to get "in my vagina." Shure says, "That's what 'Saturday Night Live' is not doing." http://bit.ly/IQTs07
Starting Monday, watch Cenk interview "Playboy" founder Hugh Hefner about President Obama, the GOP's "war against sex" and how his civil rights work in the 1950s is awfully similar to politics today. Go to current.com/GetTYT to find Current TV.
Navy SEAL Ryan Zinke: Use of bin Laden's death 'struck a nerve,' but won't last through election
Michael Shure, Michael Hastings and Tricia Rose talk to former Navy SEAL and Montana state senator Ryan Zinke about the use of Osama bin Laden's death in ads supporting President Obama. "When you attribute a specific mission of this type to a specific unit, you open up Pandora's box," Zinke says. "The American public prefers the military to be neutral and not be used as a political tool one way or the other... I think that it has struck a nerve. I think the administration and the military has learned their lesson yet again [but] I don't think there will be a lot of rumblings from the SEALS to go any further." http://bit.ly/JZHkdE
Power Panel: President Obama 'won't have the guts' to come out for same-sex marriage
Epic Guest Host Michael Shure and his Power Panel -- BuzzFeed's Michael Hastings and Lucia Graves of "Huffington Post" -- talk about whether President Obama's pro-gay accomplishments can outweigh his reluctance to further "evolve" on the question of same-sex marriage. "I think he actually has an opportunity here to make ultra-conservatives look like cave men on this issue," Graves says. "The question becomes, should he stand up for what he believes in?" Hastings says, "He's sort of saying, 'Look guys and gals, read between the lines.'" Shure asks whether Obama might still come out in favor of equal marriage, and Graves responds, "I think he won't have the guts." http://bit.ly/Klv0lk
Who really runs the Republican Party? It's a short, surprising list
Cenk talks to David Frum, a GOP outcast and author of the novel "Patriots," about the Republicans squeezing out Mitt Romney's gay spokesman, Rick Grenell and who really runs the party. "There's probably two dozen people on that committee... Rush Limbaugh would be on it, Roger Ailes would be on it, Edward Fuelner, head of the Heritage Foundation, would be on it, certain large donors would be on it, Karl Rove would be on it. They don't all share the same point of view... Until Romney becomes president, he needs them as much or more as they need him." http://bit.ly/K5nDPB
Stand Your Ground' is a 'white guy's law' that somehow doesn't help a black Florida woman
Cenk talks to Ana Kasparian, Jayar Jackson and BuzzFeed's Michael Hastings about an African-American woman who drew a gun on her abusive husband -- but whose legal argument to use Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law discussed in the Trayvon Martin shooting has not been successful. Hastings says, "Stand Your Ground is a white guy's law." Cenk says, unlike with George Zimmerman, "In this case, we assume that you are going to do serious damage, we're going to put you in jail right away." http://bit.ly/Iw62SG
From iPad factories to dissidents, what U.S.-China policy should progressives advocate?
Cenk asks Power Panelists David Sirota and Cliff Schecter to help him determine a U.S.-China policy that progressives can truly advocate. "The last people who want any dissidents in China to raise questions about human rights are the corporations that are doing business in China," Sirota says. Schecter adds, "Of course we need to take a tough stance on shipping jobs over there, something that frankly neither party has been willing to do." http://bit.ly/J16bsX
Resignation of gay Romney advisor exposes GOP enthusiasm for hate and backfires on campaign
Cenk talks to Sirius XM radio host Michelangelo Signorile about Richard Grenell, Mitt Romney's foreign policy advisor who resigned due to pressure from anti-gay conservatives. Signorile sees this development as victory for progressives because what Romney hoped would be a savvy political move has backfired instead. 'He thought he could get some mileage out of this, really play it to independents and make him look like a moderate. He was using him as cover now that he's moving into the general election...He's been exposed.' http://bit.ly/JOXC5k
Politics of Afghan war have Cenk 'dumbfounded' by Donald Rumsfeld and deciphering Obama's double play
Cenk tackles political reactions to President Obama's address from Afghanistan on Tuesday calling out former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for minimizing Obama's decision to capture Osama bin Laden yet Rumsfeld ignored his opportunity to do the same. Cenk also talks to author Michael Hastings about how the president is playing both sides of the political aisle by saying the war in Afghanistan is over but US troops will remain until 2024. Hastings says, "If you're an American soldier...the president leaves and you got a year left where people are shooting at you and there's going to be hundreds of more Americans killed with this light on the horizon.' http://bit.ly/KSnEZf
Weak Democrats just stand by and let FOX News 'crucify' the messenger
Director Josh Fox joins Cenk to discuss how the resignation of EPA official Al Armendariz demonstrates that Democrats are too cowardly to stand up to the GOP and FOX News. Cenk says, 'Here's a crazy idea! Why don't you actually fight back?...No, of course, tuck tail and run. Classic Democrats.' http://bit.ly/IsBmlr
WEB EXTRA: Occupy May Day: Voices from the LA protests
Participants in the May 1st "Occupy" protests in Los Angeles speak out on greed in America, the struggles of the working class, education cuts, and how the 99% can continue to make positive progress. http://bit.ly/IFCgfp
CNN just had their lowest ratings in a decade. They are in disastrous shape. When I was on MSNBC, we would beat them with a stick. Even after "pro-CNN" stories like revolutions in Egypt and Libya, Japanese nuclear meltdowns and the killing of Osama bin Laden (CNN does much better when major news or international stories break out), we still beat them. Now they're doing so poorly I might even catch them on Current.
We started at almost nothing on Current, but we have been steadily improving our numbers. Why are we getting traction? Because people want an alternative -- the real news. So, I should just stay quiet and let CNN drive off that cliff. By the way, when I catch Erin Burnett -- which is not that far off because I'm beginning to see her in the distance in the demos -- everyone will know it. Who knows, that might be the event that precipitates CNN re-thinking their entire model. Imagine if a network that started at nearly nothing catches CNN within a year.
But I am not going to wait until then to give them some friendly advice. I know they won't perceive it that way, but I am actually trying to help them. So here it is -- for the love of God, stop doing "he said, she said" crap that doesn't actually deliver the news to anyone. Democrats said this and Republicans said that -- who cares? What is the reality?! Your job is supposed to be to bring us facts, not what official spokespeople told you in their press releases and talking points.
The problem is that CNN doesn't have the courage to do this. They're afraid it might offend some folks if you tell the American people reality. I want to be clear; I'm not saying they should give us opinion. There's plenty of that in other parts of cable, including my show. They're never going to out-opinion me. But if Mitt Romney says his proposal balances the budget, well, why don't you crunch the numbers and tell us whether that's true or not? Of course the reality is that it creates trillions of dollars in deficits just so that the rich can have more tax cuts. But CNN would consider reporting those facts as being biased.
If the Giants play the Cowboys and beat them silly, it is not biased to report that they won. You don't have a pro-Giants bias if you report the score. I'm a progressive but I have no interest in CNN skewing issues in favor of Democrats. By all means, call them out just as aggressively. The Democratic Party takes huge amounts of cash from corporations and unions to vote a certain way. My God, CNN doesn't even cover the role of money in politics. They take politicians at their word. Are you kidding? It seems like the people who work at CNN are the last people in the country who actually trust our politicians. Congressional approval ratings were recently at 11 percent. How well do you think you're going to do on television if you're sucking up to those guys?
By the way, following along with artificially created Fox News scandals doesn't give you balance. It makes you sad and pathetic. There are plenty of real Democratic scandals without falling into the rubbish Fox talks about. How much money does Chuck Schumer take from Wall Street? What favors does he give them in return? Why do Democratic leaders keep writing legislation rigged against the Internet -- could it have something to do with the tremendous amount of cash they take from Hollywood companies? Why does President Obama get a free pass on following George Bush's civil liberties abuses like warrantless wiretapping and indefinite detentions?
In other words, do your job -- report the news. The real news, not dueling talking points and manufactured controversies. My God, where is your investigative team? What's the last story you broke? Of course, the reality is that you don't want to break stories about Washington because that might offend some people. What kind of a so-called news operation is this afraid of their own shadow? "Oh my God, what if we offended someone in power. They might not come on our shows anymore and they might call us biased." Or they might call you journalists.
Sam Donaldson was on our show a long time ago and told us a really cool story about his old boss at ABC News, Roone Arledge. He said when he was covering the Reagan White House (and later the Clinton White House, too), whenever the administration called up to complain about him, Arledge would give him a raise. How far away from that model are we now? When politicians call up to complain now, "news" executives wet themselves in fear. Stand up to them! Do journalism! Challenge government!
And you know something amazing might happen -- people might actually watch you again.
Why the Occupy Wall Street movement exists: 'The system is rigged'
Cenk details why the Occupy Wall Street movement exists for anyone who still fails to understand the reasons protesters are so angry. Over the last 40 years, the average American has lost $3,000 per year in income while the wealthy few have gained $14 million per year. "We're mad that the rules got rigged so that they pay less and we pay more," Cenk says. "That's why we're in the streets." http://bit.ly/JdtBMx
'The Young Turks' cover Occupy May Day from the streets as police move in
TYT correspondents Ana Kasparian, Jayar Jackson and Lucas Lilieholm cover the action during the May Day Occupy LA protests from right alongside the protesters. They tackle a variety of reasons why participants are demonstrating and discuss how the movement has grown since 2011. One protester tells Ana, "It's successful because I know and you know -- everybody knows -- what the '99 percent' is, and this is something that was never before used." http://bit.ly/JdtCQC
Obama says the Afghanistan war is ending? Cenk says, 'No, it's not'
Cenk reacts to President Obama's address from Afghanistan. One year since the death of Osama bin Laden, Obama says the war was over but US troops will remain in Afghanistan until 2024. "That was a pretty speech and I hated it," Cenk says. "The military industrial complex will continue to hum on. They will continue to make billions of dollars. This is not what the American people want.' http://bit.ly/IR5keg
CIA official Jose Rodriguez is 'stupid' for torturing terrorists repeatedly and 'should be in jail'
Cenk responds to the CBS "60 Minutes" interview with CIA agent Jose Rodriguez, who oversaw the "enhanced interrogation" tactics used against terrorists under the Bush administration. Rodriguez's methods included subjecting prisoners like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to routine waterboarding and sleep deprivation for up to 180 hours. "This man should be in jail right now," Cenk says. "Not on a book tour." http://bit.ly/Jmks24
Cenk to Rodney King: 'Do you ever think 'Maybe it was worth $3.8 million'?'
Rodney King, victim of the police brutality scandal that sparked the 1992 L.A. riots, shares his views on the chaos and why he famous pleaded with the public to get along. "You can fight violence with violence and expect a good result," King says. Cenk boldly asks King if, after winning $3.8 million in his civil suit, he ever had a moment where the beating felt worth it. King says he can sometimes joke about his experiences now that it's so far in his past, but he's careful not to trivialize the injustice. "I was just inches away from death," King says. "I wouldn't wish that on anybody." http://bit.ly/IQUdFt
John Singleton on the L.A. riots: 'Hip hop was the precursor and the voice'
Director John Singleton talks to Cenk about his new documentary "Uprising: Hip Hop and the LA Riots" and how rap music paved the way for the resistance. Singleton also recalls his fury when four LAPD officers were found not guilty for the beating of Rodney King. He says, "I thought 'This is bullshit! I can't believe they let those motherf*** off!'" http://bit.ly/IDjVfR
University of Iowa student told she's too fat and looks pregnant
While the law protects Americans from discrimination based on race, religion, gender, socio-economic status, and sexuality, almost all states have no laws in place that prevent discrimination based on a person's weight. University of Iowa student Jordan Ramos learned that lesson the hard way.
I was at the White House Correspondents' Dinner tonight. And I loved 85% of it. This makes me somewhat of a hypocrite because I often criticize a lot of the people in that room, and I especially single out the chuminess of the press with the government.
Now, I justify my participation in this bacchanal event by saying two things. I am a spy for our audience -- it's important to know how these things work at a minimum. And it's important to have conversations with folks in DC because you never know what you might get out of it and what you might learn. I promise you that these are 100% true. But nonetheless, it doesn't justify me enjoying it so much.
But by the end of tonight I was feeling uneasy. I came home and tried to figure out why. My unease was first triggered by seeing Gen. David Petraeus there. He was in full uniform, but it wasn't the standard green one you see on TV, it was a reddish formal one. He reminded me of the Roman centurions. But it wasn't just that.
Then I saw Gen. Odierno in the same centurion outfit. There was a circle of admirers waiting to shake his hand. Then I remembered that Gen. Petraeus is now the head of the CIA. Does that mean he is no longer in the Armed Forces? Or is he a general and the head of a civilian branch of the government at the same time? Does anyone know? Does anyone care?
I guess it was one thing to see the politicians mingling with the press. I can get beyond that, if it was for just one night. But it churned my stomach to see the press so chummy with the guys who run the war machine. That's not some liberal, anti-military spiel. We need a military, obviously. But shouldn't the press be the most vigilant in their watchdog duties with these guys?
I guess Washington finds that concern weirdly out of place and I seemed to be the only one in the building worried about it (of course we don't know if that's the case, but people seemed to be thrilled to be talking to them).
Then the president spoke at the dinner itself. He was brilliant. It was genuinely funny. It was better than any stand up I have seen in awhile. At every joke and smile, he seemed like the most likeable guy in the world. Here's the problem -- I kept thinking about the drone strikes. I know, I am the world's biggest downer (and hypocrite to boot for laughing at the jokes and generally enjoying the night).
I kept thinking how could that nice guy be the one who just ordered "signature" drone strikes where we bomb people without even knowing who they are. If you don't know about this program, I know that it seems unbelievable, but it's absolutely true. In Yemen and Pakistan, we can order drone strikes without having any idea who the target is or who the people we are firing at are. The kinds of strikes where we know who we're bombing are now called "personality" strikes. Isn't it amazing that they have a word for that?
We are now allowed to execute U.S. citizens abroad without a trial. Attorney General Holder calls this "due process without judicial process." That chills me to my bones. Yet the marching band played on. And the centurions were warmly greeted.
When I got home, I put it all together and realized what was bothering me. It's one thing to have this event be the aberration and be the one time of the year where the watchdogs let down their guard and have civil, polite and even friendly conversations with the people they cover. Again, I would really enjoy that. But the over-chumminess of the White House Correspondents' Dinner is not the exception, it's now the rule.
We smile at the generals. We laugh at the president's jokes. And the war machine hums on. I know some Americans have gotten really numb to it, some even enjoy and celebrate it. But people do actually die in far away countries like Yemen. Does the fact that they are just from Yemen make them any less human? Did the civilians killed in those strikes have it coming? Did they think our jokes were really funny tonight?
Let me be the asshole downer one more time. Imagine if we magically transported one of those Yemeni families whose kids were killed in a "signature" strike to the event tonight. Imagine how shocked or saddened they would be at our vast, vast indifference. It was such a nice party and everyone had such a good time, without a second thought.
Now, you can pick any injustice in the world and make a big stink out of it on a night like this to ruin everyone's fun. And in some way that doesn't seem fair. But I guess I was looking for some indication of a recognition that this was a one time exception and that tomorrow morning we would go back to the hard questions about Yemen and dead civilians. But how many of you think that's going to happen?
What will Romney and Republicans run on in 2012 without the promise to kill Osama bin Laden?
Guest host Michael Shure talks to Cenk Uygur, live from New York, about the presumptive start to the general election race between President Obama and Mitt Romney. Both parties are battling to take credit for the death of Osama bin Laden. "These are the pathetic excuses of a bunch of losers," Cenk says of Republicans. Michael adds, "If this was the linchpin on their foreign policy and the War on Terror, Obama trumped them." http://bit.ly/Ju3kt5
Making an Occupy Wall Street documentary for the 99 percent, by the 99 percent
Michael Shure talks to director Kevin Breslin about the new Occupy Wall Street documentary "While We Watch." Breslin says, "I knew I needed help -- I didn't have a big crew to capture everything that's going on." http://bit.ly/IB6IVi
Power Panel: Can GOP make Obama look too cool for school (or at least the White House)?
Guest host Michael Shure asks the Power Panel -- Amanda Terkel of "Huffington Post" and Benjy Sarlin of "Talking Points Memo" -- whether President Obama could possibly be too cool for school (or reelection), as a new attack ad from American Crossroads argues. "It didn't work last time [in 2008]," Michael points out, "so why are they trying again?" http://bit.ly/IfywAF
Dan Gross says gun control won't change until U.S. holds its leader accountable
Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, joins guest host Michael Shure to tackle whether there's any way to make gun control a national conversation. "Part of me is so frustrated, because I don't know where to turn," Shure says. "Congress is just sitting on their hands." Gross says, "Make no mistake: the gun lobby and the politicians who do their bidding wanted George Zimmerman -- a man with an arrest record and a history of violence -- to be able to carry a load, hidden gun on the streets on Sanford, Florida that night." http://bit.ly/IdPe1l
Arizona's SB 1070 isn't about racial profiling, except when it definitely is
As the Supreme Court hearings for SB1070 begin, guest host Michael Shure takes time to break down Arizona's new anti-immigration law and public opinion surrounding it. While the law's creators say SB 1070 isn't about racial profiling, law enforcement officers like Joe Arpaio have gone on television to say judging clothes, speech, and mannerisms all factor into catching illegal residents. Shure says, "This is racial profiling, no matter how you slice it." http://bit.ly/IdPjCf
Are abusive teachers an example of how poor funding affects school quality?
Ana Kasparian and Michael Shure discuss a recent story involving a New Jersey father who wired his autistic 10-year-old son and exposed recordings of special education teachers being verbally abusive. Shure says the correlation between the quality of the schooling and money taken away from New Jersey education can't be ignored. "When you cut $25.6 million from the special education fund and you see an incident with a special education student," Shure says, "this is what you're going to get." http://bit.ly/IqUTR0
Protest at Wells Fargo shareholder meeting targets criminally unfair tax rate
A coalition called the 99 Percent Power staged a massive protest outside Wells Fargo's shareholders meeting in San Francisco today. "Wells Fargo has a long history of doing things that are not pro-community, to say the very least," Cenk says, pointing to a series of fines, huge CEO bonuses (even during years when stock went down 15 percent) and a nearly zero percent interest rate from the Fed. http://bit.ly/I9IB21
Ron Paul is right about CISPA: It must be stopped
Angry internet users managed to stop SOPA in its tracks -- but CISPA, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers -- is even farther reaching in the cooperation it would allow between the government and businesses to track online activity. Cenk says, "They brought the internet companies in and said, 'Do the spying with us!'" Rep. Ron Paul has spoken out strongly against CISPA, and online pressure seems to be making some others in Congress more wary about this week's vote. "It is a horrible bill and one you should fight aggressively against," Cenk says. http://bit.ly/I8chMr
Is Marco Rubio the male Sarah Palin?
Cenk asks his Power Panel -- BuzzFeed's Andrew Kaczynski and Michael "Epic Politics Man" Shure -- whether Fla. Gov. Marco Rubio's chances of being named Mitt Romney's VP candidate are better or worse because he's so pretty. "Is Marco Rubio the male Sarah Palin in terms of drawing these crowds?" Cenk asks. "Nobody votes for vice president," Shure says. "This would be a lot like Dan Quayle." Kaczynski says, "I think this might be the election where voters care more about the DREAM Act than whether Marco Rubio is dreamy." http://bit.ly/JIgeHk
ALEC's 'stealth lobbying' does not deserve non-profit status
As major corporate sponsors of the American Legislative Exchange Council continue to drop out, watchdog group Common Cause has filed a challenge with the IRS about ALEC's use of 501(c)3 non-profit status, which bars most lobbying. http://bit.ly/J5Y1xY
No matter what Romney and Republicans say, 'liberal bias' isn't real
Though Mitt Romney and other Republicans are constantly complaining about a "liberal bias" in the media -- but the numbers just don't bear that out, especially when compared to coverage of President Obama. http://bit.ly/K3XnSp
Even Mitt Romney's arrest record reeks of rich people's problems
Cenk talks to Alex Pareene about his Salon.com ebook, "The Rude Guide to Mitt Romney," including his demands that his grandkids call him "Ike" (after his favorite president), why "weird" isn't code for "Mormon" and his shocking -- shocking!!! -- arrest record for a true rich man's crime (improper display of a boat permit). http://bit.ly/IwgrKA
Epic Politics Interview: Roseanne Barr, contender for Green Party presidential nomination
Watch Michael Shure's extended interview with Roseanne Barr about why she's making a bid to be the Green Party's presidential nominee. "I was never in the 1 percent," Barr tells our Epic Politics Man. "I don't have the money to buy a congressman." http://bit.ly/I4ZB6a
Brown professor says rhetoric like 'Obama isn't working' is 'intentional on a racial level'
Professor Tricia Rose and Ben Mankiewicz discuss the role race is already playing in the 2012 general election. They debate whether accusations like Mitt Romney's "Obama isn't working" strategy and Michele Bachmann's "waving a tar baby" comment are "just dim" statements or covert racism. Rose says, "There's a constant, subtle indirect use of various racial stereotypes...It's absurd to think that this not part of a coordinated Republican effort." http://bit.ly/HZag6a
Coalition for a Drug Free California founder on marijuana: 'We've got to treat this like a cancer'
Former DEA agent Sean Dunagan and Dr. Paul Chabot, founder for the Coalition for a Drug Free California argue the pros and cons of marijuana legalization. Cenk cites a Gallup poll that reports the majority of Americans support recreational pot usage while Chabot says, "Prohibition actually worked! Drug usage decreased significantly." http://bit.ly/IXTgq9
Ted Nugent's draft-dodging and the Catholic League detests 'The Daily Show'
If you're not watching "The Young Turks" on Current TV, you missed Cenk discovering that the Catholic League has more money than God to boycott Jon Stewart, Ted Nugent's dedication to defection by defecating and the end to the War on Drugs lies in marijuana legalization. Watch TYT every weeknight at 7/6c on Current TV, and find Current on your TV at current.com/GetTYT. http://bit.ly/JtTmKc
Cenk to Catholic League: Why bother with 'Daily Show' boycott if 'John Stewart is gonna burn over an open fire'?
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, defends his new boycott of "The Daily Show" after comments Jon Stewart made about abortion and the Virgin Mary. Cenk points out that most of Donohue's other boycotts have been total failures, but Donohue says he won't quit until Stewart apologizes. He says, "I have determination, and I have money, and this is going to on for week and months. Nobody in this country is not going to know about it." http://bit.ly/I8mN0v
Rep. Steve Cohen hasn't seen antisemitism in Congress but trusts Eric Cantor has
Congressman Steven Cohen (D-Tenn.) weighs in on concerns that there's antisemitism among the GOP House representatives. Cohen, who is Jewish, defended Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.) who reportedly told House Majority leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) that due his Jewish faith he "would not be saved." Cohen says, "I don't think that's antisemitic. I think that's just his thoughts and what he believes about the afterlife and eternity and religion." But he also adds, "But if Eric Cantor says there's antisemitism in the Republican caucus, then there probably is." http://bit.ly/J7mTfe
Teaching young girls to marry rich makes S. E. Cupp 'an embarrassment to women'
Cenk and Ana Kasparian lay into conservative commentator S. E Cupp's recent op-ed praising Ann Romney decision to "marrying well." Ana says, "She makes the assumption that women are worthless and they are unable independent, so they need either a wealthy man or the government to take care of them, which is not he case at all." http://bit.ly/IUaEfo
Wannabe head-chopper Ted Nugent is actually "the weakest man in America"
Cenk reveals that while Ted Nugent has been making headlines with his violence-laced speeches, he is truly the "weakest man in America...He literally crapped his pants when he had a chance to go to war." http://bit.ly/HUl2rV
Cenk calls out GOP as 'cowards of the USA' for dodging the draft
Cenk calls out top Republican leaders who dodged military service as 'cowards of the USA.' He reveals the list of excuses used by Romney, Gingrich, Cheney among others. "All of these Republican warmongers are huge hypocrites and they were all scared, none of them went [to war]" says Cenk. http://bit.ly/HRBgyB
Power Panel: Mitt Romney and the so-called 'left-wing media conspiracy'
Power Panelists Michael Shure and Richard Eskow and Cenk debunk Mitt Romney's accusation of a "left-wing conspiracy" and discuss how conservatives blame progressive media for their failures. Shure says, "Now, there is a response and what they want to say is that the response in some way shape or form is a left wing media conspiracy. No, it's not - it's a response and it is not giving them the floor which they've had now for quite a while." http://bit.ly/HR7uPe
