C) 1990 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
We'll get to today's edition of "MHP" -- but first, there's a reason our music of the morning is Terence Blanchard's 1990 tune, "Sing Soweto." It celebrates the anti-apartheid struggle and Nelson Mandela's (at the time) newfound freedom, and it seemed a fitting choice, given the good news about the 93-year-old former South African president, admitted to the hospital yesterday for surgery:
President Jacob Zuma told the country not to panic after the 93-year-old anti-apartheid leader was hospitalized with chronic abdominal pain on Saturday, saying he should be discharged on Sunday or Monday.
In the latest health update, Defense Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said Mandela had had "investigative laparoscopy" -- where a tiny camera is inserted into the abdomen -- and denied reports that he had undergone surgery for a hernia…
"It wasn't the surgery that has been out there in the media at all," Sisulu told a media briefing in Cape Town. "He's fine. He's as fine as can be at his age -- and handsome."
After that positive update yesterday on Madiba's health (and looks), just minutes ago both Reuters and the Associated Press reported that he has been discharged from the hospital.
Let's take a look at who will be joining Melissa today:
- Anita Hill, Senior Advisor to the Provost and Professor of Social Policy, Law, and Women's Studies at Brandeis University. Famous for accusing Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings over 20 years ago, Professor Hill has been vocal of late on the issues of food justice and housing -- most recently offering criticism of the Obama administration's recently announced housing plan.
- Harry Smith, veteran journalist and correspondent for NBC's "Rock Center with Brian Williams."
- Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee and MSNBC political analyst.
- Maria Teresa Kumar, executive director of Voto Latino and MSNBC contributor.
- Robin Fryday, director and producer of the short documentary "The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement," which may win an Oscar tonight. Its subject, James Armstrong, will be represented on today's show by his grandson Darren.
Remember to interact with us during the show on Facebook and on Twitter, with the hashmark hashtag #nerdland. See you all in a bit!
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Nelson Mandela, in my opinion, is the greatest man of my life time and among the greatest ever.
You only had one guest yesterday that could relate to the story of "Help". Everyone else including you over intellectualized the movie. It isn't a documentary. As a white guy who grew up in the 60's in the Northwest I can understand the broader point you were trying to make. (I watched the evening news about Arkansas and Alabama and the movement) Most people under 30 don't have a context for the civil rights movement. Not unlike labor laws. I got the book for my granddaughter to "Help" her put it in context.
I agree. I am glad that there was a representative of current domestic workers on and wish they had let her talk more--she seemed to be somewhat marginalized, even visually, as they had her sitting off to the side by herself. Why is her name and organization's name not listed in the show notes with the others? Hm.
Sorry-I did find Barbara Young's name and link in the notes when I looked again closer!
Oh... :( I thought your show was going to be different. Tell me, is there some stipulation in the rules that every single MSNBC show has to have Michael Steele on it? Why oh why? I can't take it, I tell you! :( Come on, you have had so many wonderful guests so far. Surely you haven't run out already? Someone post when it's safe to switch the channel back.
The thing that makes Michael Steel desirable on MSNBC is that he has stopped quarreling and expressing crazy opinions, so it is possible for him to have an intelligent conversation with Democrats.
That is necessary for the country to move to a better place.
Love the show and I'm looking forward to Anita Hill this morning. I agree with Roger (above). I too understand the point about historical context, but I also understood Barbara Young's point, which, I think, got short shrift. I was eager for more discussion of her point of view. And what did the loving and the loss mean for both sides (child and caretaker). That might help explain the course of history. More, more. Looking forward to reading McElya's book. And today's sow.
Anita Hill would have made a far better Justice than Clarance Thomas ever thought of being.
Ditto.
Melissa - love your show. Please encourage Anita Hill to be on more discussion panels in the future. Nice to see a smart discussion versus emotional rants that seems to get more play. Harry Smith and Michael Steele are also good additions. Looking forward to seeing what issues you are going to highlight/tackle for us in the future. Ask MSNBC to repeat your show more on Sundays.
I got sick of Michael Steele dominating the talk with his opinions and turned off the show. I don't like him as a political analyst for that reason. There are other republican analysts that are much better than he is. He talks a lot and says nothing.
Anita Hill was fantastic. More! More! More!
Yes, plus he's frequently on every single show on MSNBC, blabbing away. Let's have less of him and more of great guests like Anita Hill, or even just good guests, that we aren't sick of seeing all the time over and over. Also he ruins the segments with the good guests so even though I'd like to hear people like Harry Smith, I just have to turn it off.
IMHO, I like him much more now than when he was head of the RNC, he seems more humble, more personable, and more honest.
Shannon Cloke,
Agree.
Steel was impossible to listen to as chairman of the RNC. Way too rabid.
The only Republican commentators I can stand are Steel and Joe Scarborough because they don't live in a fantasy world.
Only Prof. Hill spoke about the REAL problem in our country WAGES! The jobs that are the foundation of the economy: service, retail, education etc. Jobs that currently pay $50,000.00 per year or less, those are the majority of the jobs out there. Due to the that majority, these people are also the foundation of the American economy. Just think about our Country, drive from one end to the other & you see the same srtip malls, malls, gas stations, food courts, hotels etc., etc, This means retail jobs, service jobs, warehouse jobs, child care jobs, truck driving jobs, none of these jobs earns a livable wage & the cost of living has gone through the proverbial roof! The cost of food, gas, clothing, heat, on & on & on. Your show should look into the numbers of this. Next, they shipped millions of jobs overseas which simply pulled money out of their own consumers pockets. Afterall, we're very much sustained on consumerism in this country. Then the banks took away everyone's house, when it was those very banks that caused the problem. Now they falsely speculate gas to unattainable prices & promote war on the fact of rising gas prices. All in the end, for greed! It's grotesque! That's the real story.
Yes Capitalism at it's finest, and to think they take taxpayer (our) money when they over extend their greed, then are only too happy to throw us into the streets!
Hello, nobody lives in North Dakota so we should go and Frack it on out. What an insult to those if us who live here in the "Bakken" and have had our lives turned upside down by this oil boom.
As for Michael Steele being on the program, the reason I watch this show as well as Morning Joe, is to get someone from both sides of the political fence talking about the issues without bias. Most around this area watch Fox news and don't seem to even realize that they are continously being mislead by what they are hearing.
Just to clarify, I agree that it's important to have many points of view including conservative ones! But no matter the point of view, we need people who present those viewpoints in articulate ways that make us think. That's what I have really liked about the show so far. We don't just want talking heads, we want thoughtful discussion. Let's keep that going.
As for the numbers on the Obama administration's deportation of undocumented workers, you have to remember the acute pressure he was, and is under from these border state GOP Governors. He absolutely supports the Dream Act, however the GOP will never let it through congress. The GOP has bankrupt this great nation while claiming to be "fiscally responsible" and they want even more tax breaks for the rich... unbelievable!
One has to remember that Michael Steele speaks from the moderate republican point of view. Much more logical and tolerant compared to the extreme right. I miss those folks and wish that they take back their party. Reagan would not be accepted in todays RNC. America under the extreme right is being funded by a few elitists taking a terrible backwards step just in the name of profits. I pray (yes liberals are allowed to talk to God too) that the current class of Republicans are one hit wonders....
I loved your interview with Robin Fryday and Darren Armstrong. Motivated to see it all, I searched online for a way to view, rent or purchase 'Barber of Birmingham'. Nada.
This can't be - up for an Oscar and not viewable?
Mrs. Harris-Perry, I'm directing this comment to you, your staff, and the rest of MSNBC. When you have someone like Micheal Steele as a guest. (Who is an admitted homophobe, a sellout, a hypocrite, and someone who's M.O. is nothing but all kinds of fast talking word connection without much in the way of substance). It not only diminishes your show, but it takes the discussion down to a place where people like me, who tune in because we enjoy you and your show's progressive dialogue, end up just tuning out, wondering why MSNBC affords this guy anything in the way of credibility. Mr. Steele may be accomplished in some circles, but those circles epitomize the ones that progressive's like myself find repulsive. Being 'Chairman' of the RNC doesn't give his views any validation as far as I'm concerned. He consistently shows his true character by opening up his mouth and letting the garbage flow. Now this isn't about being above or beneath anybody. Nor is it about having a closed mind towards whatever someone else's opinions might be. This is about what this guy stands for, and how he has not only allowed his intelligence and skin color to be manipulated by those who would, but how obvious it is that he doesn't seem to care. He and Juan Williams couldn't tie your shoes, yet he's allowed to sit there with his smug, arrogant, phony ass, and inject things into a conversation to which he is not entitled. I would rather you stick with Steve Smith, and least he has some class...
Objectivity needs a balance of opinions and ideas. Not all republican ideas are bad.... take the mandated health care Obama implemented was a Nixon/ Dole idea....not the best idea but a start....... & the idea of pollution being traded on a market... Bush One championed that effort and we have virtually wiped out acid rain. Fun stuff when you share with them what they vehemently oppose is what they have been for.....and what is good for the country W
hy again they are not forthright to the American people.....to all of our detriment.