The Hartmann Report

Thom reflects on the passing of retired U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr., Donald Trump getting Boos and “Lock Him Up” chants at World Series Game 5, and studies the many reported deaths of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before last weekend's announcement. Judd Legum at Popular Information speaks with Thom about new news about facebook. Book Club reading, "Mindf*ck: Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America" by Christopher Wylie. Pam Vogel from Media Matters joins Thom to talk about the fairness doctrine and what Sinclair Broadcasting is doing. Sinclair Broadcasting had only one commentator, Boris Epstheyn who used to work for the Trump campaign and was briefly in the administration. He is now their chief political commentator. This gave just one editorial voice, and this gave no editorial balance. Thom reads from "Truth in Our Times: Inside the Fight for Press Freedom in the Age of Alternative Facts" by David E. McCraw. Pacifica Radio Board Vice Chair Sabrina Jacobs brings an update on the pause of New York's WBAI station.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ernst & Young corporate called out for requiring women to dress to not overstimulate men and behave deferentially to the male sex. ~ Planned Parenthood loses federal funding after Trump administration's abortion rule. Rural women most impacted. ~ Book Club reading from "No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us" by Rachel Louise Snyder. ~ Women callers share with Thom their experiences of sexual discrimination. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today - the chaos Republicans are creating to hide Trump's crimes and his impeachment. Does Bill Barr really believe the Democrats hacked their own servers on the orders of Obama, or is this an example of 'the noble lie' that Barr- a Roman Catholic activist- has stated he believes in.Can the disinformation campaign distract enough people from the damage Trump is doing to America to get him re-elected in 2020? How might this play out if it comes to a constitutional crisis, and what might John Roberts do?How is the military reacting to his betrayal of our brothers-in-arms the Kurds? Why are the Republicans so in on abandoning our bases to the Russians? And, Thom reads from 'Shatter the Nations'- a new book about the war on ISIS.Plus- Victoria Jones on Brexit.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thom faces off with conservative group Job Creator Network's Dr. Scott Barbour on whether Medicare for All, or for-profit health care is most likely to bring Americans the medical care they need to live long, healthy lives.And then, Progressive congressman Mark Pocan updates us on the current status of legislation that could affect the who gets- and doesn't get- care.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thom considers theories on how Trump might handle impeachment, and where the battle lines are being drawn. Can our democracy survive this level of corruption and denial of reality?Is Trump throwing caution to the wind, committing crimes including treason to get re-elected in 2020? Is it because he fears what will happen to his crime family if he does not?Is Pelosi delaying impeachment until after any crossover Senate Republicans would be safe from being challenged during the next primary by their own party?Will Trump succeed at making the president into something more like a king, and less like someone who has taken a sacred oath to enforce the laws passed by the legislature?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why Do The Wealthy Want to Throw Children Off Food Stamps & Medicaid? ~ Seattle Council member Kshama Sawant is angered by Amazon trying to buy the election on Seattle City Council with $1.45m spent to swing the election. She claims that Amazon and Jeff Bezos are using Seattle as a test-bed to see how they can influence moving politics to the right. Big corporations vs socialism are becoming a real issue. Corporate activity in elections is rife, despite there having been laws to try and prevent it over the years. ~ Book Club reading "Building New American Economy: Smart, Fair, and Sustainable" by Jeffrey D. Sachs, Foreword by Bernie Sanders. ~ Thom considers with callers the GOP storming of the closed door hearings.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thom delves deep into the implications of 'Democratic Peace Theory' for our times. How do the thoughts of Kant, Paine, and Franklin shine light on our present political moment? For what reason did the framers give the power to declare war *exclusively* to the House of Representatives?And is the soul of religion entangled with the decline of democracy? What should our priorities be for restoring Democracy in the United States? Could 2020 be the turning point away from money-is-speech neoliberalism, or towards a system of warlike oligarchy?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a 5-4 decision, conservatives on the Supreme Court have said gerrymandering in Michigan is A-OK! Is this a sign that our democracy is unraveling and becoming a corrupt insider's game? And speaking of corruption, someone appears to be making massive billion dollar bets on stock market moves that anticipate Donald Trump's major announcements. Economist Richard Wolff joins Thom to discuss what this might mean.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, we hear from Progressives in the thick of it, with Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Representative Ro Khanna, both leaders of the House Progressive Caucus, put on the spot by Thom's thoughtful callers on the issues of today, and what tomorrow's next thing may be.Congresswoman Jayapal gives her views- how do members of Congress plan to respond to a lawless president who is convicting himself right out in the open? What about the abandonment of the Kurds? What is the real cost if we don't pursue Medicare For All?Then, Ro Khanna weighs in on the power of the congress - the chances of pressing for contempt of congress for executive branch officials who disrespect hearings, the extent of congress's war powers and power of the purse... and the ability to enforce impeachment - are we in a constitutional crisis already? Should Democratic presidential nominees be taking large corporate donations? And what about the superdelagates?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thom's recap on current topics. ~ Radio talk-show host and activist, Joe Madison of Urban View on Sirius, remembers his long-time friend recently passed Congressman Elijah Cummings.~ Book club reading from "The Monarchy of Fear: A Philosopher Looks at Our Political Crisis" by Martha Nussbaum. ~ Patty Lockard executive producer of Nurse Talk Radio explains why nurses are politically passionate about Medicare for All. ~ Thom reads from "In Putin's Footsteps" by Nina L. Khrushcheva.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.