Current TV

mediaite: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford demonstrates how you know...

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:42:00 -0700

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford demonstrates how you know you’re political career is in trouble.

Via the Atlantic Wire’s Twitter: “I did not have smoking relations with that crack pipe”

“The [immigration reform] bill, which would give millions of...

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:44:56 -0700

“The [immigration reform] bill, which would give millions of undocumented residents a path toward eventual citizenship, now goes to the full Senate, where it actually looks as though it’s going to pass. Any further progress would require cooperation from the House of Representatives, the circle of hell where the damned are condemned to spend eternity voting to repeal the health care reform law.” - Gail Collins

smdxn: “Republicans are attacking Obama where he is least...

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:28:42 -0700

smdxn:

“Republicans are attacking Obama where he is least vulnerable and at a time when they have minimal credibility. It isn’t working. By trying to turn everything into a scandal rather than saying Obama’s policies are wrongheaded — and rather than fixing their own image problems with minority, female, younger, and moderate voters — Republicans are focusing on attacking a guy whose name will never again appear on a ballot.” - Charlie Cook

On the eve of March against Monsanto Senate shoots down GMO labeling bill — RT USA

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:28:24 -0700

On the eve of March against Monsanto Senate shoots down GMO labeling bill — RT USA:

rtamerica:

As 200,000 people prepare to march against Monsanto, the Senate has overwhelmingly rejected a bill that would allow states to decide if genetically modified food products should be labeled.

The unintended consequences of the Trans-Pacific Partnership: 'Like handcuffs on Congress'

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:16:30 -0700

The unintended consequences of the Trans-Pacific Partnership: 'Like handcuffs on Congress':

Lori Wallach, director of the Public Citizens’ Global Trade Watch division, talks to Cenk Uygur about the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership. Turns out the whole thing is being negotiated in secret, and it could have a serious impact on America’s right to sovereignty.

The TPP has 29 chapters — only five of which are related to trade. The remaining 24 chapters establish limits that will affect how we make our own laws, “sort of like handcuffs on Congress,” Wallach says. Results of entering the TPP will likely include more jobs sent offshore, fewer financial regulations (a point Elizabeth Warren brought up on the Senate floor), extended monopoly patents, increased drug prices and what Wallace calls “the resurrection of SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act].” It’s an issue that both sides of the aisle should be enraged about: it rolls back progressive labor and safety laws and challenges our national sovereignty.

“Foreign corporations would be empowered to directly sue the U.S. government and demand compensation from our tax dollars for any domestic policy that they think undermines their expected future profits,” Wallach says.

Military widow Karen Morgan on how DOMA is hurting her family

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:24:10 -0700

Military widow Karen Morgan on how DOMA is hurting her family:

“Viewpoint” host John Fugelsang speaks with military widow Karen Morgan about the Defense of Marriage Act, which discriminates against same-sex LGBTQ couples. Freedom to Marry published a video about how Morgan is being denied spousal benefits because of DOMA. Morgan’s wife, Charlie — a veteran — died of breast cancer.

Despite the obstacles she is facing, Morgan is hopeful that things will change.

“I’m very optimistic that DOMA is going to be declared unconstitutional. I think that the public has made a decision on that. So, I do think it’s going to happen. I don’t know how quickly that will happen. … I know Charlie believed it was going to happen, she was very optimistic just before she passed away. … We’ve had pretty overwhelming support from other military families, as well as Charlie’s superiors in the military. They’ve all expressed a wish to help us — their hands are tied. They can’t do anything about it because of this federal law that’s standing in the way. They feel like it’s the right thing to do to reach out to us, there’s just not a lot they can do,” she says.

thewarroomctv: TONIGHT: We take a look at the fast food...

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:14:10 -0700

thewarroomctv:

TONIGHT: We take a look at the fast food employee strikes across several states. Tune in at 6E/3P on Current TV.

RE-BLOG what these workers are fighting for.

Meet the state senator who has a plan to overturn Citizens...

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:57:57 -0700

Meet the state senator who has a plan to overturn Citizens United — with the Constitution

Vermont state Sen. Virginia Lyons, D-Chittenden, wants to change the way American politics work. Lyons has a radical plan to alter the course of politics in America: she is calling for the states to make an amendment to the Constitution to overturn the controversial Citizens United ruling. Earlier this month, she unveiled a Senate resolution requesting that a national convention of state legislatures come together under Article V of the Constitution and ratify such an amendment.

Article V of the Constitution gives states the right to convene and vote on Constitutional amendments, which will be ratified if they get the approval of three-fourths of state legislatures. First, two-thirds of state legislatures must vote to approve the resolution proposed by Lyons.

Cenk Uygur and Lyons discuss this rarely used technique for modifying the Constitution and talk about the corrosive influence of Citizens United in the American political system.

Would you support her plan?

think-progress: YESTERDAY: Anti-abortion event is dominated by...

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:22:24 -0700

think-progress:

YESTERDAY: Anti-abortion event is dominated by men.

TODAY: Anti-abortion hearing is only men.

John Fugelsang: Anthony Weiner is running for Mayor. Gentlemen,...

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:18:08 -0700

John Fugelsang: Anthony Weiner is running for Mayor. Gentlemen, start your puns.

(via)

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:52:52 -0700

(via)

US military covers up sexual assault by discharging victims

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:39:40 -0700

US military covers up sexual assault by discharging victims:

Cenk Uygur and journalist Karisa King discuss how the military has historically handled sexual assault cases: by diagnosing the victim with a ‘personality disorder’ and then discharging them from the service.

As one victim said: “I was officially diagnosed with an ‘adjustment disorder’ that meant that I had failed to adjust to rape conditions.”

John Fugelsang: Hey, Republicans – I have a little bit of...

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:32:15 -0700

John Fugelsang:

Hey, Republicans – I have a little bit of advice for you guys ’cause this is Current and I know y’all watch. Congratulations on all the mileage you’ve gotten from those scandals you’re using against President Obama.

But here’s the thing — it’s not working for you. Obama’s poll numbers keep going up the more you keep talking about Benghazi and the IRS. So allow me to suggest that you start screeching about one of the many real, actual scandals in America today.

You see, a recent Department of Defense report revealed the estimated number of sexual assaults in the U.S. military increased last year, to 26,000. That’s in one year. Pentagon estimates break that down to 12,100 of the women on active duty being the victims of sexual assaults and 13,900 men in uniform. That’s 38 men, 33 women per day being sexually assaulted in the military. The DOD acknowledges that male survivors do report their assaults at a much lower rate.

You still with me, Republicans? ’Cause it gets worse.

Ya see, less than 10 percent of victims actually reported their assaults last year, and less than 1 percent of sex abuse perpetrators were convicted last year under the Pentagon’s current system of “justice.” And less than 10 percent of victims ever even report it.

Sixty-two percent of those who reported assaults felt they got retaliated against — revictimized — after they reported these attacks to their superiors. That’s why most cases are never even reported.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, Republicans: “This really is a disgusting scandal, but how do we blame Obama?” Well, hang on. It gets worse.

In our VA system, one in five women and one in 100 men screen positive for military sexual trauma. Men made up almost 40 percent of patients treated for conditions like PTSD related to military sexual trauma. In 2012, 334 veterans per month filed for disability benefits related to sexual trauma and almost a third were men.

All told, 85,000 vets were treated last year for abuse; 4,000 sought disability benefits. This is costing us valuable tax dollars that could, of course, be spent on your next 37 attempts to repeal Obamacare.

Our service men and women deserve better. But there has been no congressional hearings about this, my Benghazi-crazed Republican friends. So if you want to find a way to appeal to those who dwell outside of your bubble — like women voters — the obscenity of military sexual assaults needs to be on your front burner. If this doesn’t make you angry, you don’t take rape seriously, you don’t respect the military and you’re not a patriot.

Now, you could follow your usual playbook and just find a way to convince your base that it’s all Obama’s fault. Or take a page out of my book and declare that any soldier who sexually assaults another soldier needs to be tried for treason.

Treason is, after all, an act of disloyalty against a nation by one of that nation’s citizens. Under Article 3, Section 3, of the U.S. Constitution, any person who levies war against the U.S. has committed treason. Soldiers who rape other soldiers — and the officers who protect them — make our military less effective, compromise readiness and endanger our national security.

Start putting these star-spangled sex crimes on trial in civilian courts where the CO’s can’t overturn a verdict. Then find out how many officers ignored reports of assault under their commands and put them on trial too.

Now, I realize this involves you guys doing something that doesn’t allow you to exploit Obama hate for cash or votes, but you can do it. You can take the lead on this, Republicans, and you’d get results.

The only disadvantage — the donations you’d lose from the vast pro-military rape lobby.

But you gotta act fast, ’cause Democratic senators are already leading the fight here. The Military Justice Improvement Act allows independent prosecutors to go after military sex offenders and takes away a CO’s right to overturn a military court verdict.

Are you gonna let Democrats lead the fight on this, Republicans? You have a chance to do something at your job that doesn’t involve Obama hate — besides naming more buildings after Reagan.

Or, you know what? Just be like Pope Benedict and blame all the sexual abuse because someone let the gays in.

thewarroomctv: In honor of Harvey Milk Day, here’s our quote of...

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:29:22 -0700

thewarroomctv:

In honor of Harvey Milk Day, here’s our quote of the day.

RE-BLOG to support equality!

motherjones: Here are the 20,000 shipwrecks in US waters. Some...

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:27:53 -0700

motherjones:

Here are the 20,000 shipwrecks in US waters. Some of them are still leaking oil, because of Hitler. (No, really, they were sunk by German U-Boats—it’s a serious environmental problem.)

thewarroomctv: From our show: A look at the alarming increase...

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:20:08 -0700

thewarroomctv:

From our show: A look at the alarming increase in student loan debt from 2004 to 2013.

RE-BLOG to educate & tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

"Citizen Koch,” a documentary about money in politics focused on the Wisconsin uprising, was shunned..."

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:05:44 -0700

“Citizen Koch,” a documentary about money in politics focused on the Wisconsin uprising, was shunned by PBS for fear of offending billionaire industrialist David Koch, who has given $23 million to public television, according to Jane Mayer of the New Yorker. The dispute highlights the increasing role of private money in “public” television and raises even further concerns about the Kochs potentially purchasing eight major daily newspapers.”

- PBS Killed Wisconsin Uprising Documentary “Citizen Koch” To Appease Koch Brothers | PR Watch (via diegueno)

Is it too soon for a Weiner rerun?

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:05:00 -0700

Is it too soon for a Weiner rerun?:

Nancy Giles, Sam Seder and Crystal Wright join “Say Anything” host Joy Behar to discuss whether former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner might have a chance of gaining traction in the 2013 New York mayoral race, given his history of indecent Twitter exposure.

"No one’s trying to compare being gay to being black. What we are comparing is that you have a group..."

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:53:09 -0700

“No one’s trying to compare being gay to being black. What we are comparing is that you have a group of people who are not able to execute their full rights as American citizens, which is the same as people supporting African Americans, who at the time, then, were also asking for the same equal protection and equal rights.”

- L. Joy Williams

Williams (host of “TWiB! in the Morning”) and comedian Elayne Boosler came on Viewpoint to talk to John Fugelsang about whether it’s OK to compare the fight for LGBT equality to the civil rights movement.

"Nixon was a conservative who’s way more liberal than his party can admit, and Obama’s a liberal..."

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:01:54 -0700

“Nixon was a conservative who’s way more liberal than his party can admit, and Obama’s a liberal who’s way more conservative than his party can admit.”

- John Fugelsang: The subtle differences between Barack Obama and Richard Nixon