Friday News Roundup - Hour 1
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-06-10/friday-news-roundup-hour-1
Budget talks led by Vice President Biden continued on Capitol Hill. Both sides are focused on avoiding what the Obama administration warned would be a first-ever default on U. S. debt. Newt Gingrich said he’s still in the 2012 presidential race after an exodus of his top campaign aides. Mitt Romney’s staff said the former Massachusetts’s governor will skip the Ames, Iowa straw poll. Leon Panetta’s appointment as the new Secretary of Defense appeared on track after his confirmation hearing. And a massive Arizona wildfire continues to blaze. A panel of journalists joins Diane for analysis of the week's top national news stories.
Guests
David Corn
Washington bureau chief, "Mother Jones" magazine; author of several books, most recently, "Hubris: The Inside Story of Spin, Scandal, and the Selling of the Iraq War."
Karen Tumulty
national political reporter, The Washington Post.
Mark Tapscott
editorial page editor, The Washington Examiner.
Friday News Roundup Extra
The panelists talk about whether or not Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY, 9th District) can survive the scandal surrounding lewd pictures of himself that he sent to women via Twitter. "Any time sex enters the public discourse, hypocrisy is about a nano-second behind," said Mother Jones Washington bureau chief David Corn, referring to Congressional Republicans involved in recent similar scandals who are still in office. But The Washington Post's Karen Tumulty said the fact that former Rep. Chris Lee, a Republican from New York, resigned immediately after shirtless photos of him surfaced on the web back in February makes it more difficult for Rep. Weiner to keep his seat:
Comments
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Should be interesting to see Mark fight a 3-front war this morning, good luck!
Seems like Obama has a new economic strategy in mind given all the defections from his team and the fact that the economy is worsening, what is it likely to be? What else can be done?
David Corn
Wienergate has dominated this weeks news cycle. What do you think about what actually gets our MSM, our congress, the American people 's justice and accountability juices flowing? When all of the above spends far more time on Weiners lies and who they effect rather than the lies and accountability for the false pre war lies repeated to the American people by the Bush administration which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, injuries and millions displaced.
What does this say about our nations priorities?
Mark Tapscott is the worst panel member the FNR has ever had. Everything he's saying sounds like a Fox News talking point, and he has no data to back up his outragous statements. I'm glad to see David Corn has the backbone to challenge him directly.
Diane:
Please please please do not discourage lively (read: contentious) discussion about why we are where we are economically. The conservatives have been pushing pushing the point of view that cutting spending NOW is the only possible compromise they will accept in order to raise the debt limit. This is SO very wrong. There is the short term imperative to help the millions of unemployed and underemployed via increased stimulus. We see the results of not doing that: look at the stock market performance this week as the signs of the double dip recession become apparent. If our legislators would behave like responsible adults, address the SHORT TERM economic distress via increased spending and then focus on the LONG TERM economic imbalance via a responsible mix of spending decreases and revenue increases (read: repeal of the Bush tax cuts which are absolutely one of the root causes of the structural budget imbalance) . . . then they would be earning their salaries and our trust.
Can you please address the despicable behavior of a Conservative group in Michigan that distributed flyers saying people's homes would be foreclosed to make a statement about an unrelated matter (some bridge), but caused hysteria in the neighborhood. Koch and his ilk are nothing but thugs who play God because they can and suffer no repercussions for irresponsible, and possibly illegal (see Wisconsin), behavior. What he and his cohorts did in Detroit was reprehensible.
Mark Tapscott appears to have learned his history at the same school as Sarah Palin. The breakup of Standard Oil was done by the federal government, not competition. The breakup of AT&T's monopoly was again the result of government action, not the free competition he advocates. Thanks to the breakup, I can now call foreign countries for free. In the seventies, during AT&T's monopoly I was paying more for some long distance calls than for a gallon of gas. If the monopoly had been allowed to continue, would we even have cell phones now?
Isn't it obvious that the banks participating through Mastercard and Visa etc operate as a cartel, setting fees and interest rates that bear no relation to cost.
True that Congress shouldn't be involved in setting debit card fees, but Congress wouldn't have to if antitrust was applied to the cartels - then let competition drive fees down closer to the costs of providing debit card transactions.
Your guests are not addressing the real problem here. It is not that the government is spending too much money - it is that we are not taking in enough. I am furious with Congress because they are unwilling to take the difficult stands - that corporations like GE should not get BILLIONS in tax breaks, that the oil industry should not be given breaks, especially when they reaped $30+ BILLION in profit during the first quarter, and that millionaires and billionaires need to pay their fair share in taxes.
We had a SURPLUS!!! in 2000. Then the Republicans took us to war and cut taxes. That is why our economy sucks. End of story. And why won't the various news organizations print that story?
Pelosi has no room no room at all to point any finger about perverse or ethical issues. She took "impeachment off the table" for the Bush administrations endlessly repeated lies about WMD's in Iraq. It is far more perverse that there has been no justice or accountability in regard to those lies than Weinergate.
What the hell is up with our MSM's, congress's, the American peoples priorities when it comes to justice and accountability
Diane,
I can't believe the unwillingness of political "leaders" to face the necessity of tax increases. Our country exists on the basis of a social contract to operate honestly and fairly on behalf of all our citizens. The social contract is weakening to the point of being shattered. We want to cut federal programs to regulate polution, to regulate food safety, to regulate and prohibit oil drilling in sensitive areas--and we're being told we must cut federal spending in order to raise the debt ceiling. I haven't even mentioned the need to care for the poor! I say there is only one "solution" that will preserve the social contract on which this nation's very existence depends: RAISE TAXES! RAISE TAXES! RAISE TAXES!
The average US citizen does not understand the economics of the debt ceiling and wrongly associate taxes, i.e. tax increases with the process. Headlines and soundbites are the extent of their knowledge...and this is skillfully manipulated by partisan rhetoric and simple minded press. Never mind the debt ceiling has been increased each year regardless of who is president (7 times under Bush). No doubt spending must be reduced but the two are separate at this point and time.
Can your guest explain why the American people seem to know and are more concerned about Weinergate than how many people are dead, injured and displaced in Iraq as a direct result of the Bush administrations lies about WMD's in Iraq? Do any of your guest find it rather twisted that our MSM, our congress, the majority of American people are more concerned about seeing justice and accountability when it comes to these sex scandals rather than for the unnecessary death and destruction in Iraq?
I find the difference between my country Canada and the U.S. is that we have 5 political parties. all trying to move our country forward. All of them with slightly different ways. But I find in the U.S. you have one progressive party trying to move the nation forward and a GOP that's not only keeping your nation stuck but in some ways trying to drag it back to an earlier time.
When are we going to do something about the crazy spending by Congress. So much waste, fraud and abuse that could easily be cut; Obama has said so himself. Why doesn't he get on with it?
Creating a bigger nanny state is hardly progressive.
People like freebies paid for by others, thanks David.
David doesn't seem to like to debate, nor does Diane. To bad David's uncivil retorts were equally fact-free. If he's going to interrupt and talk over the host and other guests, at least he could use some facts as opposed to DNC talking points. Case in point, fear mongering on potential short-term debt default and lying about what we pay that debt with (tax revenues otherwise not spent) is pathetic even for Corn. He quotes lefty economists like Zandie who wants a job in the administration.
Sink or swim, there is no alternative to growth. An aging population necessitates it.
Every time I hear talk about the economy, it is always about growth. Why? Is it possible for our country to change from a growth model to something that is more sustainable and consistent for a period of time? We cannot continue to grow always.
The Confidence Fairy? Has Wall Street become the Investment Tinkerbell? If so, let's all clap our hands and believe in Capitalism really hard and that should pull us out of the recession.
Diane:
I cannot disagree more with your signoff from this hour. Your two guests disagreed significantly about important economic issues. Airing that disagreement was NOT less than civil. It is precisely this conversation that needs to be had over and over and over again in order to try to educate all of us and alert us to the less-than-truths being promulgated about the critical economic problems facing the country. Please do not squelch this honest disagreement. It was healthy and lively, not uncivil.
It's appalling to me that we the American public (and Mr. Weiner's colleagues as well) are lining up to pass judgement on his sordid bit of poor judgement, while we're all happy to give the people who put hundreds of thousands of us out of a job and out of our homes a pass on their screamingly callous and immoral profiteering. Seems to me we've got our priorities completely upside-down.
Number one, thanks for this show.
Secondly, you say the American public wants honesty in it's legislators, but have someone who is an atheist, a woman who has had an abortion, been divorced or had an affair, (men they accept the affair, look at McCain where his long affair was never brought up), anyone who is single, or anyone who truly believes in alternate policies or god forbid, a woman who is heavy, then the public isn't so keen on honesty.
Third,pitch Biden, ask him not to run again with Obama in 2012 and have Hillary step in to be a real vice president to get her in line for running for President.
Last, get rid of all "bridges to nowhere "type funding and billions of dollars to foreign countries and cut EVERYTHING 10% and that will balance the budget. Increase taxes for the very rich and make EVERYONE pay something on taxes. As the 49% who is paying taxes or the 51% who aren't, it's time we all paid SOMETHING.
I loved the "less than civil" style of conversation by the way. Right to the point way of speaking works for me.
Please do not invite Mr. Corn or Mr. Tapscott as commentators again. They're fine for arguing their various positions, but don't provide the more removed journalistic perspective on weighing the validity of the the different political arguments.
I was logging in to make this very point. Yes, David Corn does speak emphatically at times but I do believe we have reached a point where we need some more real-world conviction. Talking points, no matter how they are veneered with a reassuring, calm voice... are still only talking points and are not meant to anything but the most self-serving of purposes.
So, thank you David for not letting Mark's comment stand unchallenged.
I appreciated Ms. Rehm's apologies after this morning's show. I enjoy a good discussion, but appreciate civility, too. Mr. Tapscot's snarky response to a caller, i.e. "was that a speech or a question", was rude and added nothing, not to mention his "talking over" other guests and Ms. Rehm. The Friday show is one of my favorite news hours of the week ... please don't let Mr. Tapscot spoil it again.
Mark Textra's (sp?), Washington Examiner, comment to the effect that our economic problems are due to following the advice of economists is not accurate. First, politicians don't always follow the advice of economists. Second, economists often disagree, largely because they have different values. "Right-wing economists" tend to support policies that favor the well-to-do and "left-wing economists" tend to support policies that favor the poor. But, for example, almost all economists oppose returning to the gold standard and believe that if we were to do so, we would be impoverished. Economics is not an exact science, but without the advice of economists, our county would be much poorer.
I listen to Hour 1 of the FNR religiously, and I found this morning's show really perplexing. It is supposed to be a discussion of the week's news -- Mark Tapscott didn't discuss any news, he just took the opportunity to spout RNC talking points. Thanks to David Corn for challenging him (particularly the reference to Krugman and the uncertainty myth). I have great respect for Dianne, but the only thing I thought uncivil was the sarcastic swipe at Corn (he's applying for economist of the world .. whaa?), not to mention doing it right before a break so he couldn't respond.
I Appreciate Dianes apology for the overtalking and argumentation. That is what happens on cable news and the very reason that I avoid such shows and listen to NPR and the DR show is my favorite. I would discontinue if the shows went on like today's. Karen T never handles herself in rude confrontation. If Corn cannot respect the tenor of this show I hope he I NEVER brought back on. Thank you Diane for recognizing and apologizing.
About calling for new blood to affect change, it is the system that needs to be changed, its framework cannot sustain the complexity of our current status; anyone who comes to power will fall into the weave. One has to be aware that this country was built on government/business collusion. The American Revolution did not have financing until George Washington’s brothers and the Ohio Land Company stole and resold the Native Americans Ohio lands. And so it continues today with the Banks foreclosing on the general population; it is business as usual, take from the disenfranchised. We have to come clean as a country and change the way we do business and commit our declaration of rights to ALL, not just the powerful and wealthy. Your average citizen is too demoralized, too trapped and drowned by the current legislative mess and a mess it is. I would dare to say a single celled organism has a better chance at intelligent evolution, than our illusory, fairy tale American Dream that the powerful pander to us as they forge our foundation that yes is now falling apart because it isn’t real.
Obama and Corn want the crazy and wasteful government spend to continue in order to artificially prop up the economy in advance of next year's election, but America can see that for what it is. Let's hope real change is coming.
Debit card charge: the retailers hired more lobbyists than the bankers. The consumer will still pay.
Barney Frank and others demanded that Fannie and Freddie make more sub-prime loans so as to expand the dream of home ownership. Now these people are left with a nightmare.
If we are going to talk about Weiner's transgressions, I suppose Newt's vacations are fair ground; though one is a public servant and the other a private citizen.
Obama's done more on the debt than Bush by tripling-down in Afghanistan and waging an illegal war in Libya. Moreover, he's been spending like crazy here as well on programs that offer no long-term benefit.
I really do like to hear different points of view from Democrats, Republican and Independents. I would prefer that the guess on the show be so not so dogmatic and engage in intelligence discussion. Your guest Mark Tapscott failed on both counts. Please find a better guess to represent a conservative point of view.
I was the caller who was cut off by Mr. Tapscot.
I thought that listeners were allowed to comment, not merely to petition -- in the form of a question --
for sage advice from the distinguished panel of "experts."
If I had been able to conclude, I would have asked how anyone can reasonably trust the fiscal judgement of someone who voted to significantly increase the deficit by twice reducing revenue, and who now refuses to allow the borrowing his votes made necessary. Is that an example of fiscal responsibility? Mr. Chabot and the rest of the Republicans claim that it is. That they are being "fiscally responsible." I respectfully disagree.
To invert the old platitude: Who willed the means must take responsibility for the end. They cut revenues twice, they undertook two wars, but they insist the deficit isn't their fault! And they now insist we can't afford to borrow any more and we can't raise revenues! Is that fiscal responsibility? There's your question, Mr. Tapscott. if I hadn't been cut off, I would have come to it.
As to the "that was then, this is now" response of Ms. Tumulty: the Ryan budget is nothing but a repeat of the same policy that led to the compounding of the deficit, only this time they actually propose to reduce spending as well as reducing revenue. Third time's a charm, right? This time reducing federal revenue will have some other effect than the last two times we tried?
If the revenue reductions Mr. Chabot and Mr. Boehner and the other Republicans put in place had had the effect they promised, we would not be arguing now. They may have created more wealth, the GDP may be higher, but that wealth was all absorbed be people at the top. It did not trickle down. In 2008 almost $1 out of every $20 earned by Americans went to 1 family in 10,000. That is the result of their economic policy. Yet their answer is to repeat the policy and hope that this time it will produce more than greater profits for the few.
reply to hainc:
Where, sir, or madam, is the lie in what I have written?
Mr. Chabot proudly voted to reduce federal revenues.
Twice.
Those reductions increased the deficit; particularly, the second, which, literally, compounded the deficit: let's reduce revenue again so that we have to borrow more money.
In between those two votes, he voted to authorize the war in Iraq. For the first time in our history, we undertook a war and Congress, in the hands of "fiscally responsible" Republicans did nothing to start raising the revenue that would be needed to fight the war.
It is a diatribe because the facts are distasteful to you?
Let's grant your premise, Diane threw it to Mark for a reply.
Did he refute any of the assertions I made?
Can you?