(C) 1991 The Island Def Jam Music Group
Deception and misdirection is endemic to our politics, in ways both unfortunate and necessary. It's tough to pinpoint exactly where that is most evident, but today, we'll spotlight one egregious example: whatever Republicans are trying to pull on America by asking us to trust Mitt Romney. (And, for that matter, trying to pull on themselves.)
Call it a Jedi mind trick, run amok. Remember when in "Star Wars: Episode IV," Obi-Wan Kenobi's trick got Luke Skywalker, C-3PO, and R2D2 past a group of Stormtroopers in Mos Eisley, telling them that "these aren't the droids you're looking for"? (Apology for the nerd overdose, but then again, it is what it is.) They pulled that off because, as Kenobi said, those tricks work on the weak-minded. But judging by that standard, is the Republican Party, then, as weak-minded as those they're trying to sell on Romney?
That will be one of many questions Melissa will examine (and yes, there will be lightsabers). Other topics include policing the words of politicians (and TV hosts); the unique challenge of running for office while female (Rep. Joe Walsh's comments about Tammy Duckworth might come up); and an extended look at the battleground states in this November's presidential election. And now that school is out, Melissa will give all of #nerdland a summer reading list. (Check back here on the blog after the show for more.)
Our guests will include:
- Anthea Butler, professor of Religious Studies and Graduate Chair of Religion at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), who represents California's 9th Congressional District.
- Ari Melber, correspondent for The Nation and an MSNBC contributor.
- Ed Rendell, former Pennsylvania governor, Philadelphia mayor and former Democratic National Committee chairman.
- Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List.
- Kyrsten Sinema, former member of the Arizona state legislature now running for Congress in Arizona as a Democrat.
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!
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I really like both Chris' and Melissa's shows.
I have Melissa Harris Perry on this morning, and caught about 15 minutes of Chris Hayes.Chris had this STUPID Republican talking head, who is as RUDE as Michael Steele on a panel show, talking OVER everyone, and HOGGING all the time. Chris appears to let MSNBC stock his panels, Melissa seems to control who she has on her panels, with much more mannerly people who don't hog time, or yell over people. GREAT CHOICES Ms Harris Perry you obviously don't suffer fools often, and your show SHOWS IT. Chris get tougher about who you choose, and what you put up with.
Rankin was a passionate pacifist, once declaring, “You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.” On April 6, 1917, just a month into Rankin’s term, the House voted on a resolution to enter World War I. Rankin – along with 49 colleagues – voted against it. She, unlike most, entered her vote along with a comment: “I want to stand by my country, but I cannot vote for war.” But it wasn’t enough to sway a majority. The war was on, and Rankin was up for the criticism of hawks nationwide. Even the suffrage movement dropped their support of her (although they would later come out against World War I).
Watching your show this AM I was struck by the "White Independence Day" comment. In light of the Native American literature I've been reading it seems that many people of many colors might have a different view. 1776 was at the beginning of the loss of freedom, life and culture for the Native American peoples who lived here successfully for centuries.
Today Melissa brought up "whitewashing" history and how the word police disallows dialog or free speech from those people of color who see the 4th of July less about "we the people" and more about the promotion of "White Independence". We forget how discriminated Native Americans are with respect to freedom of speech and the 4th of July, or any American holiday for that matter. It would serve more purpose to include them when defending underrepresented Americans' right to freedom of speech since the dominant society continues to degraded the role of Native Americans to American Independence, its Constitution, and Bill of Rights. It is purposeful when White male Americans rewrite history made int their own image. It is also inherent that white men cannot recognize their own privilege as we read in White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
By Peggy McIntosh
Ari Melber was more right than he realized when he discussed different considerations about speaking unpleasant truths about our history. What he didn't realize is that there is no conservative/liberal disagreement about Appropriate Context (or "behavior at the wake")- we're all up for roasting the US when it suits our purposes; yes, even on the 4th of July.
The trouble is with the other part of what he noted- it only those who are within the community who are allowed to critique it. It says something that some individuals on the Right are Outraged when black Americans poke-fun at the US on independence day... and it doesn't say anything about who is observing appropriate decorum. It says a lot about who is considered 'within the community'. I'm kind of appalled Ari didn't check his privilege on this one.
Might I suggest another fantastic summer reading choice? Executive Severance is a laugh-out-loud parody of mystery novels originally posted in real time tweets on Twitter that is compelling, entertaining, and shows off what can be done in the 140-character form with style and mastery. With send-ups of the mystery genre, social media conventions and cell phone behavior, Executive Severance is a cornucopia of word play and comic misdirection stuffed with punny dialogue, clever character conditions, and a total lack of adherence to the old "rules" of storytelling. A delight in the language shows in every tweet - that is to say, every thread of the story.
More details concerning Executive Severance can be found at Whale Fire a companion blog:
and at the Executive Severance Amazon book page:
Re: the discussion, on July 8th, of the 1st Amendment may I suggest the late Prof. Thomas I. Emerson's books "Toward a General Theory of the 1st Amendment" and "The System of Freedom of Expression"
Just FYI Melissa, the Republicans are not Jedi, they are Sith.
As a long-time fan, ever since you were a guest on Rachel Maddow’s show, I’d like to make a suggestion: In today’s show (July 8) you were focussing a lot on the need for more women in politics. I was hoping you might mention, as inspiring to women who could make a difference, Frances Perkins, our first female Secretary of Labor, who had such a great influence on F.D. ”you have to make me do it” R.
Just think of the millions of Americans who have been assisted, saved and kept alive by the policies she initiated and fought for: the forty-hour work week; unemployment compensation; child labor laws; massive public works (infrastructure) projects; and the greatest if all, Social Security! And, I believe, Republicans fought them all.
For a full story, check out “The Woman Behind the New Deal – The Life of Frances Perkins…” by Kristen Downey
It would be a public service if liberal commentators the country over would keep on pointing out the role of Democrats in bringing about so many things We the People think of as making America great, and the role of Republicans in trying to prevent them.
Thanks for being so good at what you do that MSNBC has to allow you to speak for us.
PS: In terms of what women in politics can do for their countryfolk, check out what the women of Rwanda (!) have accomplished in bringing universal health care to their country. See:
As of November, 2011, “…An estimated 56% of the Parliament and one-third of the cabinet are now dominated by women..”
Check the decline in infant mortality – deaths under five years cut in half; 80% of AIDS patients now get treatment; average family income for the country is $560/year – less than $2.00/day (the really poor live on 10 cents a day!). Life expectancy has risen by 10 years!
We should be ashamed…