(C) 1991 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Just as furiously as they've offered disgruntled disbelief through the mouths of their congressmen and conservative pundits, the Right has mobilized in a collective festival of pout-rage over the Supreme Court's upholding of President Obama's health reform law. It's one thing when it takes the form of talking points on television, and quite another when it manifests itself in policy that will affect thousands. It's about to get really real, people.
(And no, I'm not talking about the planned Tea Party comeback this week. Stay focused, folks.)
Already, we're hearing a lot from Republican governors -- like Rick Scott of Florida -- who don't plan to expand Medicaid as the law calls for, or even acknowledge the law's existence, despite its obvious benefits. Today, Melissa will break down not only the Supreme Court's decision itself, but also the Republican histrionics that have only grown louder in the past few days.
We'll also take a good look at Mississippi's new abortion law, in effect today, and we'll welcome one of the doctors who works at the state's only abortion clinic. Melissa will also ask, "who are the Democrats?" -- a question made more urgent by announcements this week of defections from this August's convention. We'll also air a little more of Melissa's conversation with Nancy Pelosi, talk about the fight to live with (and cure) HIV, and go live to Egypt to recap the swearing-in of their new President, Mohamed Morsi. Our guests will include:
- Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
- Katon Dawson, former chair of the South Carolina Republican Party and former adviser to Texas Gov. Rick Perry's presidential campaign.
- Ethar El-Katatney, Egyptian journalist, blogger, and author.
- Mona Eltahawy, Egyptian-born columnist and public speaker on Arab and Muslim issues.
- Karen Finney, columnist at The Hill, and MSNBC political analyst. Karen was formerly the communications director at the Democratic National Committee.
- Christopher MacDonald-Dennis, Dean of Multicultural Life at Macalester College, and a self-described "queer Latino Jew."
- Dr. Willie Parker, OB-GYN and Mississippi-based abortion provider. Dr. Parker is a member of the Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health.
- Herb Smitherman, Assistant Dean of Community and Urban Health at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
- Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of The Nation, and author of "The Change I Believe In: Fighting for Progress in the Age of Obama."
- Igor Volsky, deputy editor of ThinkProgress.org.
- Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at the New York University School of Law.
We hope that you interact with us during the show here in the comments of this post, on Facebook, and on Twitter, using the hashtag #nerdland -- and encourage others to do the same. We look forward to having you join us at 10am ET on msnbc!
Leave a Comment:
Thank you, Katrina vanden Heuvel for calling out Katon Dawson about his oh-so-irritating use of "Democrat" party. Melissa, can't you make it a requirement that Republicans who come on your show have to say "Democratic"?
well put!!! and they see themselves as so ''smart''!!!
Democrats we need to rise up! The Republican party is sticking together on their very bad vision of the United States and we seem to be seperating! Let's stick together and put the President back in office!
Katon Dawson is quite effective at framing issues, which ultimately is what it is all about. Only problem is that there is zero level of truthiness in what he says. This is pure and simple pathological. See, I framed what he said and I didn't have to call him a liar.
the folks who walked out on holders hearing should be fired from their posts.....if i walked out of a meeting in my position......i would have been. who do they think they are??? the work for us.....
also......can you get an answer to this;
re:ssi
are s s (fica) fees taken from:
unemployment compensation?
cash, debit card welfare benefits?
if so. at what rate?
if not, why not?
just an inquiry......and/or; a suggestion.
federal and state taxes are required of the payments....
so why not fica.....would/could be a boost to ssi.
this must be a right=wing spouting off here today. congress had no business voting on contempt of congress. they should all be fired too for not doing their jobs. if they had been thinking about the AMERICAN PEOPLE instead of trying to destroy OBAMA well there might be jobs, higher taxes for the rich, transportation laws, etc,etc.
I LOVE this show! I LOVE the topics and the general attitude - I LOVE Melissa - She's just so terrific! LOVED Nancy Pelosi - that was wonderful!! Thank you!!
Only complaint - and this goes for Chris Hayes' Up, too - TOO MANY COMMERCIAL BREAKS!!! iT'S ANNOYING!!! Glad you're so popular and successful as to have so many sponsors but give us a BREAK please with those commercial BREAKS!!! There's TOO MANY!!! IT'S ANNOYING.
(What does it mean "Post Comment & Vote?" Vote for what?!....)
20 minutes of fluffy news......40 minutes of hardcore commercials......disgusting....
So ... is MHP gonna take a crack at explaining what's in the Healthcare Reform Bill? ?? ?? It's not really difficult. Just tell folks what's in the bill. Cut through all the misinformation and nonsense. Just explain the bill. Umm, we won't hold our breath, it's corporate media after all. They're all beholdin' to corporate America. They don't want to bite the hand that feeds them, so they won't. They'll just talk alllllllllllllllllllll aroud the Healthcare Reform bill and pretend like they're really objective news folks. It's just what they do. They're corporate, and Democrats have wised up to their jive. Gobama 2012!
Just a quick request/suggestion ... I don't have cable and watch the show online ... the show today is put up in reverse order - which means it played the last segment to the first segment in the playlist.
Would it be possible to make sure we are putting the show up in the proper order for those of us who don't have access via the expensive cable networks? Thanks.
Here's a weird idea...perhaps MSNBC could take the opportunity to regularly "devote entire sentences" ... to what's actually in the Healthcare Reform bill. If you need help, look at this morn's "MTP" in which Speaker Pelosi was actually able to string a few sentences together here and there to describe some actual components of the Affordable Care Act. It was truly magical, and informative. Come on MSNBC, you can do it, start with like 2 or 3 or 4 sentences in a row, just for kicks once in a while. Do it just to ruffle your corporate sponsors feathers just a smidge. Be rebels.
Both the Melissa Harris-Perry and Chris Hayes' shows are a refreshing, informative change from the usual lackluster Sunday talk shows.
Obviously I am a fan.
Of the 5 MSNBC programs I regularly watch online, MHP is the only one that most of the time loads the vids from last to first. Can you correct this?? Wonderful Pelosi interview. thx.
Dear Dr. Harris-Perry,
This morning, you said when cities have pools, kids aren't on the street committing violence and doing drugs. I'm not a kid, but I respect younger people and their right to be treated fairly in comments and to not be feared when they use public space.
Let me ask how you would react if, say, a Republican (or anyone) said, "We need more opportunities in cities so African Americans won't be on the streets committing violence and using drugs."
I suspect you would be outraged, as would I. It is true, statistically, that African Americans are more likely to be victims and perpetrators of violence. In fact, a middle-aged African American is several times more likely to be victimized by or arrested for homicide than a white teenager. (Conversely, a white middle-ager is far more likely to abuse drugs than a black teenager). It is also true that where there are more opportunities (ie, employment, or good public services), violence rates tend to be lower.
But statistics concerning rare events do not justify creating the image that African Americans in public places threaten violence. I would like the same respect be shown young people. There is nothing to fear about young people beiing on the streets, any more than adults. Even in the most crime-ridden areas, such as the lower Magazine in New Orleans where I lived for several years, young people had many more dimensions and public personae than simply street violence committers, street drug users, and recreation patrons.
I would like to see commentators say things like, "cities should provide pools because young people are valued citizens who deserve opportunities."
Best regards,
Mike Males
mmales@earthlink.net