Robert Mercer, a Wall Street hedge-fund magnate who started at I.B.M. and made his fortune using computer patterns to outsmart the stock market, has already put more than $11 million into Ted Cruz’s SuperPAC Once upon a time in our Good Ol’ US-of-A, presidential contenders and their political parties had to raise the funds needed to make the race. How …
Leid Stories – 08.13.15
Leid Stories picks up from where it left off with yesterday’s program, discussing what is being marketed by the media as the “phenomenon” of Donald Trump’s presidential bid.
The backdrop to the supersaturated coverage of Trump is a story of intertwined interests in big money and power, the manipulation of public attitudes, and the railroading of what is commonly thought to be “the democratic process.”
In the rough-and-tumble world of American politics these things have become a natural part of the landscape, but the media’s role in this election cycle is astoundingly egregious, says Leid Stories—all the more so because it unabashedly has laid bare its collusion with a corrupt system and process, and with apparent approval from the industry.
Leid Stories – 08.12.15
Media Monsters & The Monster Media: How ‘Winners’ Are Made
The backdrop to the Donald Trump-centered political soap opera is an intriguing story. It hasn’t yet been told, mainly because the people who should be telling it and the media organizations they work for are key actors (and culprits) in a sordid production that has little to do with “the public’s right to know.”
It’s about money (lots and lots of money), power, and how “winners,” whether in media or politics, are made.
Leid Stories amplifies its July 27-29 discussions on the confluence of interests and power between the media and the political duopoly, and the rightward shift in American politics.
Kate Aronoff – Obama’s climate plan won’t save the planet, but it’s the result of a movement that will
In Thursday’s marathon prime-time Republican debates, climate change was not at the top of the agenda. Aside from a few mentions of “the energy revolution,” a buried and affirmative reference to the Keystone XL pipeline, and some broad-strokes jabs at regulation, the GOP’s candidates for president — with the help from the Fox News moderators — stuck to more familiar …
John Whitehead – Don’t Be Fooled by the Political Game: The Illusion of Freedom in America
Being a citizen in the American corporate state is much like playing against a stacked deck: you’re always going to lose. The game is rigged, and “we the people” keep getting dealt the same losing hand. Even so, most stay in the game, against all odds, trusting that their luck will change. The problem, of course, is that luck will …
Turning Point – 08.10.15
Trumped
Richard Eskow – The GOP Debate is What Oligarchy Looks Like
In the run-up to the first Republican presidential debate, a flurry of news stories about the candidates offered glimpses of oligarchy in action. Consider: Jeb Bush’s largest Super PAC has already raised $103 million, most of it collected before he even officially declared that he was running for president. (That may explain the exclamation point in his “Jeb!” logo.) …
The Mark Riley Show – 08.05.15
In year since searing death, Ferguson sees uneven change. Yes, there has been change, but how substantial has it been? Did it take the death of Michael Brown to bring about that change?
Another exoneration in Brooklyn brings total since last year to 14. DA Ken Thompson deserves the credit for this, but it also begs the question, what was the Das office doing before he got there?
In Congress, Obama begins campaign for Iran nuclear deal. His efforts are both public and private. However, when people talk about a better deal, just how do they think they’ll get it? Back out of this one, do they really think the Iranians will come back to the table?
The Voting Rights Act at 50. Back in the day, when people would warn against the erosion of the Act, I was one of those who thought they were overreacting. I was wrong. The attacks on the Voting Rights Act teaches us we must remain vigilant, lest someone try and take what was won at a terrible price.
John Kasich is in, Rick Perry is out in first Republican debate. The whole concept of upper and lower tiers is anti democratic on its face. And to use polling??? Nothing more than a means to generate money.
A belated look at New York’s cooling towers, prime suspect in Legionnaires outbreak. No matter what the suspect, the City should have been quicker to act and inspect the towers, if that’s where they suspect it comes from.
Synthetic marijuana gives people abnormal strength, makes them dangerous: NYPD. Leaving aside the similarities to the reefer scare of the early 20th century, this K2 looks like a problem. The place to stop it is at the point of sale, pure and simple.
Bar owner eliminated tips, raised prices and started paying everyone $15 dollars an hour. This was in Portland, Oregon where the cost of living is very high. Do you think it’s a good idea? He did it immediately, not in increments like politicians do.
The restrictions journalists agreed to in order to attend the Koch brothers’ conference. You don’t really want to ask why they agreed, do you?
Jeb!: “I’m not sure we need a half billion dollars for women’s health issues. He’s moonwalking backward, but this one’s going to hurt him.
Horrific bad factory farmers can’t put you in jail for exposing them no more. No more AG-Gag? Time to celebrate!
Leid Stories – 08.05.15
Trumped and OutFoxed: The Republicans’ Undemocratic Debate
And a bloviating billionaire shall lead them … into debate.
Welcome to the new world of political discourse, a national “debate” among presidential contenders that really should be called “Presidential Celebrity Apprentice: A Donald Trump-Fox News Production.”
In prime time tomorrow evening, Trump and nine other Republican presidential hopefuls who made the first “cut” based on their showings in five recent national polls, square off against each other for two hours. An undercard slate of seven who didn’t poll will have to make do with an hour of air time in a separate, non-prime-time debate earlier.
Leid Stories says the much-vaunted debate is indeed historic–though not for reasons most would think.
Robert Reich – The Revolt Against the Ruling Class
“He can’t possibly win the nomination,” is the phrase heard most often when Washington insiders mention either Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders. Yet as enthusiasm for the bombastic billionaire and the socialist senior continues to build within each party, the political establishment is mystified. Political insiders don’t see that the biggest political phenomenon in America today is a revolt against the …










