Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Live Tweeting the Debate Tonight!

Greetings, Long time no talk. Hope you and yours are well! I don't yet have enough time to do the full nine yards of the podcast, but I can't restrain myself from jumping back in the fray. So I'll be using my new Twitter account to live tweet the debate tonight. @JeroldBlock For those who didn't hear that long ago podcast, Jerold Block is my legal name, Jack Clark a podcasting pen name. As to why I adopted a pen name, it's somewhat of a long story, and I'll send out a link to that podcast when I figure out which one it was :-) In the meantime, I hope you can follow me on Twitter! @JeroldBlock If you're not already on Twitter, please do sign up, it takes a second. I'm really looking forward to this. Not more (just) shouting at the computer screen! I'll be learning how to use Twitter in real time here, but hey, what's the fun without a challenge?!

Jack Clark 4:12 PM [+]   4 comments
Post #819077693355527821

Rebroadcast of 32 - Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr. Speak To Us About the War on Terrorism

Again, thanks for all your expressions of concern and good wishes. Blast The Right has been on an extended break as I take care of some long-neglected personal matters. I will return. If you want to be added to the mailing list to keep up-to-date on future developments, please drop me a line.

Until I return, you've told me that re-broadcasting some select past episodes would be welcome. So here, in it's entirety, is a show highly relevant to the current political scene and I think well worth hearing again.

This is a real old show (nearly 5 years). There's no transcript. It doesn't have my usual Blast The Right intro theme, or a lot of the other elements of more recent shows. And back then I spoke real slowly. But persevere: this is a must-listen!

Original Show Notes:

32 - Listen to Martin Luther King, Jr. Speak To Us About the War on Terrorism

When Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "Beyond Vietnam" speech at the Riverside Church in New York City on April 4, 1967, he was not only laying out a case against the Vietnam War and the negative role the U.S. was playing in the world. No, Dr. King was speaking to us also, in words eerily prophetic about our present day crusade in Iraq and our efforts to thwart democracy in Haiti, Bolivia, Venezuela and a host of other nations.

You will hear Dr. King in his own words. Be prepared to be moved.

Link to text and audio of full speech.

Jack Clark 4:18 PM [+]   3 comments
Post #3228156947197043660

Rebroadcast of 163 - Deficits & Debt: Right-Wing Spends Wildly And Slashes Taxes (For The Rich), Then Screams We Can't Afford A Social Safety Net

Long time no talk. Thanks for all your expressions of concern and good wishes. Blast The Right has been on an extended break as I take care of some long-neglected personal matters. I will return. I apologize for not letting you know what's going on sooner. If you want to be added to the mailing list to keep up-to-date on future developments, please drop me a line.

Until I return, you've told me that re-broadcasting some select past episodes would be welcome. So here, in it's entirety, is a show highly relevant to the current political scene and I think well worth hearing again.

Original Show Notes:

Today, a subject that initially appears not that sexy. I'm talking about budget deficits and the national debt.

But -- you'll see how the cold, hard facts reveal right-wingers at their lying and destructive worst. As is often the case, the right accuses others of that which they're most guilty of themselves. They accuse Obama of tripling the budget deficit, while in reality it was George W. Bush who did so.

And, you'll hear, it turns out that there's a strong moral, social justice component involved here as well. The right's ballooning of the national debt is all part of their plan to "starve the beast." The right wants to make sure the government is bankrupt and unable to accomplish anything in the economic justice realm.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#163 Transcript
#163 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 6:25 PM [+]   4 comments
Post #1929752717826579023

168 - Busting More Right-Wing Lies About The Arizona Immigration Statute / The Struggle Continues For Economic Justice

Today, more on the Arizona immigration law and efforts to fight this latest right-wing outrage. Plus, progressive efforts to achieve economic justice in New York and elsewhere. Right-wing racism rears its ugly head throughout. And you'll hear a clip of Glenn Beck you won't believe. Actually, you probably will, if you know him.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#168 Transcript
#168 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 7:52 PM [+]   10 comments
Post #3655190782987108970

167 - They're Still At It: Arizona Immigration Law Is Part Of A Decades-Old Right-Wing Campaign To Attack Minorities For Political Gain

Today, we'll take a look at the Arizona "your papers please" statute, with a large emphasis on the historical context in which it was passed: long-standing and pervasive right-wing racism.

Before analyzing any legislation touching on race that comes from the right, it's absolutely critical to know the right's history in this realm.

With this law, and with any measure proposed by right-wingers that touches on race, progressives must immediately issue the challenge: "Mr. or Ms. Right-Winger, any measure you propose is automatically suspect as being racist, given right-wing past practice and behavior. The burden is on you to prove otherwise."

This show provides the historical evidence you can draw upon to be able to confidently make this assertion to your friendly local right-winger. Included will be, what I call the Five Pillars of Ronald Reagan's racism. Also along the way, you'll hear some hair-raising clips of racist comments by prominent right-wing media personalities.

You'll also learn about the hidden goals of the "show me your papers" law.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#167 Transcript
#167 Transcript as a Word document
#167 Sources

Jack Clark 7:40 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #5393512276805173009

166 - Right-Wing Ramps Up Its Efforts To Protect The Vulnerable, On-The-Edge-Of-Collapse Wealthy From The All-Powerful Progressives Out To Get Them

Today, an examination of a phenomenon that's recently come out into the open: the right-wing's worship, and hard-line defense of, the ultra-wealthy. You'll hear the who, what, when, where and why.

I have some exclusive stats for you that may well blow your mind. The picture ain't pretty.

You'll hear the answers to questions like these: which 25 guys made more than all the teachers, firemen and policemen in New York City? What wonderful things did these 25 guys do to earn all that money? And what kind of terrible tax burden are these 25 guys being subject to?

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#166 Transcript
#166 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 8:01 PM [+]   4 comments
Post #6228388148734338328

165 - Health Care Vote Post-Game Show: The Right-Wing Is Down, But Not Out (And Lying Even More Than Usual, If That's Possible)

Today, we'll dissect the right-wing's still-continuing lies and hypocrisy about the recently passed health care legislation. This will lead us into a broader discussion of social and economic justice, and the right-wing's aversion to both.

Did you know the right has its own sociopathic credo, called Social Darwinism? This is among the gems you'll discover as you listen to the the show. Lots of cold hard facts as well, in order to better discombobulate your friendly local right-winger.

As an added bonus, you'll have the pleasure of listening to select audio clips of such wonderful human beings as Ronald Reagan, Bill O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. Don't worry, a strong dose of FDR oratory will wash away any bad taste caused by the aforementioned master propagandists of the right.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#165 Transcript
#165 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 10:15 PM [+]   5 comments
Post #489148255547961523

164 - Full Clip: Bullet Points For Stimulus & Health Care Water Cooler Wars / Global Economic Justice Advances: Martin Luther King Would Be Pleased

Today, a varied show.

To start off with, multiple QuickBlasts to give you ammo in the water cooler wars over the economy and health care reform. A cornucopia of right-wing lies and hypocrisy conclusively disposed of.

Then, a foreign policy roundup: where things are going well, and not so well, in the Third World's struggle to be free of Western economic domination. A lot of ups and downs, but overall headed in a positive direction.

Call-in on Honduras

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#164 Transcript
#164 Transcript as a Word document
#164 Sources

Jack Clark 8:26 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #6372765796656062415

163 - Budget Deficits & The National Debt: Right-Wingers Spend Wildly And Slash Taxes (For The Rich), Then Scream We Can't Afford A Social Safety Net

Today, a subject that initially appears not that sexy. I'm talking about budget deficits and the national debt.

But -- you'll see how the cold, hard facts reveal right-wingers at their lying and destructive worst. As is often the case, the right accuses others of that which they're most guilty of themselves. They accuse Obama of tripling the budget deficit, while in reality it was George W. Bush who did so.

And, you'll hear, it turns out that there's a strong moral, social justice component involved here as well. The right's ballooning of the national debt is all part of their plan to "starve the beast." The right wants to make sure the government is bankrupt and unable to accomplish anything in the economic justice realm.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#163 Transcript
#163 Transcript as a Word document
#163 Sources

Jack Clark 9:09 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #8261090234547248849

162 - No Amount Of Earthquake Relief Can Cleanse Us: The U.S. Is Up To Its Eyeballs In Haitian Blood

Today, a look at how Haiti has been battered from pillar to post by the West. How right-wing policies have destroyed that nation. An analysis you won't hear on any mainstream corporate-owned media. An antidote to the "aren't we noble" claims you hear when we send Haitians some charitable aid.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#162 Transcript
#162 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 6:31 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #704165159515254607

161 - 2009 In Review: So Much Potential Unfulfilled, And The Right Still As Toxic As Ever

Today, a review of that not so terrific year 2009, as heard on this show: right-wing reverse Robin Hood economics, health care, the war on terror, GOP racism and more.

Along with plenty of clips of your favorite right-wingers to keep you entertained, if not outright horrified.

The year started out with a lot of potential, but things haven't turn out as progressives like myself would have preferred.

Take a listen...

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#161 Transcript
#161 Transcript as a Word document
#161 Sources

Jack Clark 7:35 PM [+]   7 comments
Post #7765461112133510497

160 - How To Put Right-Wing Christians On The Defensive With The "Equivalent Alternative Solution" Challenge

Today, as befits the holiday season, I'm going to show you how to ratchet up the pressure quite a bit on those phony Christians I call right-wing pseudo-Christians.

You'll soon be able to make them distinctly uncomfortable, if not downright apoplectic.

It has something to do with the fact, that right-wing pseudo-Christians spend their whole lives fervently working to achieve the exact opposite of what Jesus commanded them to do regarding their brother and sister human beings in need.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#160 Transcript
#160 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 6:17 PM [+]   2 comments
Post #1936971560752707546

159 - The "Southern Strategy": From Nixon To Reagan To Limbaugh, The GOP Has Used Racism To Further Its Political Agenda / Health Care QuickBlast

Today, an examination of the GOP's institutionalized racism, extending from Richard Nixon to Ronald Reagan to the current de facto head of the Republican Party, Rush Limbaugh.

Starting in the 1960's, the Republican "Southern strategy" used racist appeals to garner the support of whites who were upset at the Democratic Party for leading the effort to enact civil rights legislation.

You'll get some powerful talking points to use the next time you're told by a right-winger how wonderful Ronald Reagan was. I call them, the five pillars of Ronald Reagan's racism. You'll also hear an especially sickening audio clip from Limbaugh.

To close out the show, a killer QuickBlast for the health care debate. You'll see how the right wing has scored a big fat zero with its health care reform proposal.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#159 Transcript
#159 Transcript as a Word document
#159 Sources

Jack Clark 4:47 PM [+]   2 comments
Post #766196922286853115

158 - "We have to tolerate inequality to achieve greater prosperity and opportunity for all": The Right-Wing Mind's Strained Relation To Reality

Today, in a change of pace, a single subject podcast: trickle-down economics and the unsustainable economic inequality and social ills it produces.

Sometimes escaping from the mouth of a right-winger is an utterance so jaw-dropping, that it merits an entire show.

Brian Griffiths is a Goldman, Sachs international advisor. He was recently discussing Wall Street salaries and bonuses. You've probably heard that the financial industry is all set to award itself a record $140 billion in total compensation this year. Goldman, Sachs all by its lonesome will pass out $23 billion in bonuses.

Griffiths said in defense of such numbers:

We have to tolerate the inequality as a way to achieve greater prosperity and opportunity for all

In case your brain has the same reaction mine did the first time I heard that -- this doesn't compute, this doesn't compute -- let me repeat it.

This former advisor to Margaret Thatcher said with a straight face:

We have to tolerate the inequality as a way to achieve greater prosperity and opportunity for all

Ah, trickle down economics. Thatchernomics. Reaganomics. Right-wing economics. Let me become filthy rich, it will be better for you also, better for everyone.

Really?

I think not. As one economist summed up the available empirical evidence:

Trickle-down theory…predicts a positive correlation between inequality and economic growth, the idea being that income disparities strengthen motivation to get ahead. Yet when researchers track the data within individual countries over time, they find a negative correlation.

For more details, please do listen to the show (and you'll also hear an amazing soundbite of Bill O'Reilly at his worst).

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.

#158 Transcript
#158 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 7:53 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #2398331303810207703

157 - More Health Care Stats: Ammo For The Water Cooler Wars / Progressive Economics = Christian Economics? / The Real ACORN Scandal Is On The Right

Today, a jam-packed show.

First, you'll hear about some new statistics sure to render speechless your friendly local right-wingers, when you're debating health care reform with them.

Next, how about a little old-time religion: some information that will enormously enhance your ability to put right-wing Christians on the defensive.

Finally, you'll get some facts about the community group ACORN you'd never hear on Fox News.

Throughout the show, subject-relevant clips of me speaking on Air America.

Church Teachings document

Take action on Third World debt relief

Fight the right-wing coup in Honduras!

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.


#157 Transcript
#157 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 12:43 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #6799608899687183903

156 - Supreme Court May Toss Out Laws Limiting Corporate Campaign Contributions / Jack Discusses Health Care On Air America / Honduran Coup Update

Today, you'll hear:

--how an all-important Supreme Court case could vastly expand the ability of corporations to determine election results

--a clip of me on Air America denouncing our super-expensive yet poorly performing health care system

--how there are disturbing historical parallels to the present-day right-wing coup in Honduras

What do all these stories have in common? Hint: it's a five letter word.

Here's the link to send an email to President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton asking that they denounce the military violence in Honduras against supporters of President Zelaya.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: episodes of Blast The Right will be posted every three weeks.


#156 Transcript
#156 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 1:30 PM [+]   3 comments
Post #7057465305109561389

155 - Part Three: Still More Of Answering The Right's Deadly Lies In The Health Care Debate

Today, more on the progressive effort to reform our health care system. More right-wing lies debunked. More hard cold facts you can throw at your friendly local right-wingers to stop them in their tracks.

Questions answered include:

--how does the U.S. health care system stack up against the universal coverage nations?

--how are Republicans shooting themselves in the foot by playing a 1961 clip of Ronald Reagan?

--what is the "death book" right-wingers are screaming about?

--what purpose do private insurance companies serve?

--shouldn't we oppose our socialist fire departments?

Listen to the podcast for all the details, and some great audio clips.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: during the summer, Blast The Right will come out every three weeks.


#155 Transcript
#155 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 1:40 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #7188870319053410030

154 - Part Two: More Of Answering The Right's Deadly Lies In The Health Care Debate

Today, a return to health care reform. More right-wing distortions, half-truths, and outright lies. Debunked for your listening and debating pleasure. And along the way, you'll hear some jaw-dropping audio clips.

This show is somewhat of a continuation of podcast 152. There, you heard the facts about such false right wing claims as:

--the U.S. has the best health care system in the world
--universal coverage nations have long waiting lists compared to the U.S.
--Obama's plan is socialized medicine

Now we'll add to that by debunking several additional right-wing talking points, such as:

--the Democrats want to destroy Medicare
--the American people oppose a public option
--the Democratic plan will require you to select your method of suicide
--the American public opposes taxing the wealthy to pay for health care reform

You'll also hear an astounding display of mathematical illiteracy by one your favorite cable talk show hosts.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: during the summer, Blast The Right will come out every three weeks.


#154 Transcript
#154 Transcript as a Word document
#154 Sources

Jack Clark 3:01 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #2644697438451846446

153 - Global Overview: As The Third World Continues To Fight Against Western Economic Exploitation, Obama's A Mixed Bag, The Right Still 100% Wrong

In recent podcasts you've heard about the hottest issues du jour, such as health care reform and the Sotomayor Supreme Court nomination. This show will address issues not, for the most part, as immediately applicable to the water cooler wars.

There's a whole world of strife, struggle, bloodshed and sometimes progressive victory out there. It's all about the Third World's centuries-long attempt to throw off Western economic exploitation. That struggle is my real passion. Here you'll get a whirlwind review -- things that caught my eye, and that I think you might want to be aware of, pay attention to over the coming months.

Particular attention will be paid to how Obama is doing in this foreign policy realm.

The linchpin to understanding all this is my Four Pillars concept, my analysis of the ways the First World economically exploits the Third World. The Four Pillars are how the right effectuates the supreme right-wing directive: transfer wealth from everyone else to the already rich.

I go over these Four Pillars in detail in podcast 137. That's a seminal podcast that I urge you to listen to if you haven't.

In short, the Four Pillars are:

1 - sweetheart contracts for natural resources

2 - unfair conditions of international trade

3 - dubious loans that ensnare Third World countries on a debt treadmill, and

4 - imposition of so-called "structural adjustment programs"

Woe to any nation that challenges any of the Four Pillars. The Four Pillars will pop up again and again as we go through the day.

Let's start by going over some overall stats...

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: during the summer, Blast The Right will come out every three weeks.


#153 Transcript
#153 Transcript as a Word document
#153 Sources

Jack Clark 2:40 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #1572858306293190162

152 - Answering The Right's Deadly Lies In The Health Care Debate

Today, the show is all about health care reform. You'll hear how to debunk a whole slew of right-wing talking points against progressive plans to revamp our health care system.

Lives are at stake!

Among the lies debunked:

--the U.S. has the best health care system in the world
--universal coverage nations have long waiting lists compared to the U.S.
--Obama's plan is socialized medicine

Check out the podcast for all the details.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: during the summer, Blast The Right will come out every three weeks.


#152 Transcript
#152 Transcript as a Word document
#152 Sources

Jack Clark 3:23 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #6014551197890332443

151 - Everything But The Kitchen Sink: The Right Goes All Out To Smear And Destroy Obama's Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor

Today, the focus is on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

You just won't believe the onslaught of disinformation and outright lies coming from the right.

But actually, that is just what you'd expect, isn't it?

Here you'll find all the ammo you'll need to shoot down their propaganda.

Cold, hard facts will demonstrate:

--Judge Sotomayor's "wise Latina woman with rich experience" comment was made in the context of judging discrimination cases, and is similar to comments by right-wing Justices Alito and Thomas

--Judge Sotomayor's court rulings, including the Ricci case, are mainstream in the areas of race, business and crime, as even the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times admit

--her Supreme Court reversal rate is consistent with other judges

--her "appeals courts make policy" statement is something first year law school students learn, since appeals courts set precedents that other courts must follow concerning the interpretation and application of statutes

--President Obama's statement about "empathy" being an important characteristic for a Supreme Court judge is exactly what the first President Bush and several Republican Senators have said, and

--groups Judge Sotomayor has associated with, such as La Raza and Latino Justice, are mainstream, not radical.

Check out the podcast for all the supporting evidence.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Scheduling note: during the summer, Blast The Right will come out every three weeks.


#151 Transcript
#151 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 2:55 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #1801934631448943822

150 - A Smorgasbord of Right-Wing Follies To Delight Your Intellectual Palate...And Frustrate Your Friendly Local Right-Winger

Today, a change of pace -- not one or two long segments, but several shorter ones.

Subjects include:

-- debunking right-wing War on Terror talking points

-- dissecting conservative economic philosophy

-- answering the query, how many Americans support socialism over capitalism

-- following up on Dick Cheney's old company electrocuting U.S. soldiers in Iraq

-- and, last but not least, exposing yet one more example of right-wing hypocrisy

For example, did you know that right-wingers still run around claiming waterboarding saved Los Angeles, when the undisputed fact is, the guy waterboarded was first captured a year after that Los Angeles plot had been broken up?

Check out the podcast for all the details...

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)


#150 Transcript
#150 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 5:39 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #4728682437337638844

149 - Cutting Through Right-Wing Spin About Who's To Blame For The Financial Crisis

[from the transcript]

Imagine you're the ultimate right-winger, one of Wall Street's Masters of the Universe. You've made make huge profits by engaging in reckless financial behavior. Your irresponsible actions have brought the world's financial system to the brink of collapse. You then grab hundreds of billions, if not trillions of dollars more, as the government tries to stabilize and repair the system.

Finally, to top it all off, you largely succeed in blaming the entire mess on a liberal gay congressman and a federal law designed to help the poor.

Liberals, gays, the poor. Three right-wing bugaboos.

This is a right-winger's fantasy dream.

And it seems like it's coming true for them.

In order to counter all the right-wing spin and outright lies about the causes of the global financial crisis and the best remedies for it, you have to see the entire picture. Put everything in context.

Let me sketch for you an overall framework, and then afterwards, I'll detail each of its pieces.

The framework has two major parts.

There's what I call the trigger, and what I call the ultimate cause.

The trigger part was the bursting of the housing bubble and countless mortgages, many subprime, going bust.

The ultimate cause was the so-called securitization of those mortgages through complex financial instruments called derivatives.

The securitization through derivatives was what made the housing collapse system-threatening and global in scope.

The right likes to focus only on the housing-mortgage element. And even for that, they mis-assign blame.

As you'll see, with both the housing-mortgage trigger, and the securitization-derivatives ultimate cause, the villain is the right-wing deregulation frenzy during the Clinton and Bush administrations.

[Please listen to the podcast for the details, and to hear choice clips from Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Morris and Pat Buchanan...]

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)


#149 Transcript
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Jack Clark 7:57 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #4079463825803150136

148 - Privatization Kills: Troops Electrocuted In Iraq, Cheney's Former Company To Blame / Debunking Right-Wing Lies About U.S. Corporate Tax Rates

In the first segment, you'll hear how U.S. soldiers in Iraq are being electrocuted due to faulty electrical work. The work was performed by private contractors hired under the Bush policy of privatization. This perfectly illustrates so much of what's wrong with right-wing ideology and policies.

For example:

Green Beret Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth was stationed at a base in Iraq that used to be one of Saddam's palaces. This 24-year-old Pittsburgh native stepped into the shower in January, 2008.

The water pump was not properly grounded, and when he turned on the shower, a jolt of electricity shot through his body and electrocuted him...

The surging current left burn marks across his body, even singeing his hair. Army reports show that he probably suffered a long, painful death.

There have been 18 electrocution deaths, hundreds of burns, and untold numbers of fires due to bad wiring in Iraq.

So was there a common thread linking these incidents? Were they caused by Al Qaeda saboteur electricians? Sunni insurgent electrical terrorists?

No, they were the fault of Dick Cheney's old cronies. The common thread here is that the multinational corporation KBR did the electrical work on the facilities and equipment involved in these and other incidents.

KBR is on the verge of being charged with negligent homicide by the Army.

This is a perfect example of the detriments of the right-wing policy of privatization.

Much more in the podcast about contractor wrongdoing, and the harmful effects of this right-wing obession with turning everything over to corporate control.

The second segment is a Quickblast: you'll listen to and then learn how to debunk a major right-wing talking point about corporate taxes.

Check out the podcast for all the details.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)


#148 Transcript
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Jack Clark 4:56 PM [+]   5 comments
Post #3259461670831369089

147 - More Lies Than Ever Before: The Right-Wing Renews Its Assault On The Estate Tax

Today you'll hear all about the right-wing's dishonest, but unfortunately effective propaganda campaign against the estate tax.

A preview of the reality check I'll give you, all aspects of which are fully documented:

-- Only 1/5 of 1% of Americans will ever pay even a penny of estate tax. In other words, 99.8% of Americans will never pay any estate tax.

-- Less than 80 small businesses in the entire country will owe any estate tax in 2009, a year which employs the tax level Obama wants to keep.

-- 18 of the wealthiest American families have poured multiple millions of dollars into a lobbying effort to repeal the estate tax.

-- Cutting federal tax revenues by reducing or eliminating the estate tax is part of the larger right-wing strategy of "starving the beast," defunding the government so it has no money left for a social safety net.

-- Shredding the social safety net will increase human misery, suffering, pain and death.

Check out the podcast for all the details.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)


#147 Transcript
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Jack Clark 1:15 PM [+]   3 comments
Post #750079250313685180

146 - Labor Dept. Under Right-Wing Control Allowed Wage Theft From Workers / Red Cross Declares "Torture" And Spain Targets Bushians For Prosecution

Today, some nefarious right-wing doings. What else is new?

First up, a GAO study found that the Department of Labor, when it was run by right-wingers appointed by George W. Bush, often turned a blind eye when employers cheated low-income workers out of their wages. The Department of Labor is supposed to protect workers.

Next, there have been more revelations of torture, including from an impeccable third party source: the Red Cross. Plus stirrings abroad toward criminal prosecution of Bush administration officials for setting up their regime of torture.

Check out the podcast for all the details.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)


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Jack Clark 3:40 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #824870288413034006

145 - The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights: Progressive Values Globally Endorsed / Debunking The Right's Lies About A Social Security "Crisis"

Today we'll conclude our discussion about FDR's Second Bill of Rights, which deals with economic rights. The focus is on how FDR's concept has taken root worldwide, in the almost unanimously endorsed Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As you'll see, this is much to the dismay and horror of right-wingers.

You'll also hear a QuickBlast debunking the right-wing's cry that there's a "crisis" facing the Social Security system.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)


#145 Transcript
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Jack Clark 2:44 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #9058701346525879024

144 - Obama's Tax Plan: The Good, The Bad And The Right-Wing (Including Hannity's Biggest Lie Ever)

President Obama recently presented some fairly detailed proposals to make changes in the tax code. This is sure to be a major subject of controversy in the months ahead.

Here's a road map for you of today's show:

First I'll give you some historical background about where we stand, economic justice-wise.

Next, the details of Obama's plan. Knowing exactly what's in there is crucial, because it's already being distorted big-time by the right.

Following that, my evaluation of Obama's proposal.

Then onto debunking what you've come to expect, a campaign of lies from the right. Audio clips of Hannity, McCain and other mendacious folk.

Finally, saving perhaps the best for last, you'll hear about a proposed financial transactions tax. It would raise hundreds of billions of dollars almost effortlessly, with actually beneficial effect. You can use this to put the right on the defensive on the tax issue.

If all this sounds interesting, please listen to the podcast for the details.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)


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Jack Clark 1:59 PM [+]   3 comments
Post #7914142710830598071

Political Cartoon For Podcast #144

This cartoon by my friend, syndicated cartoonist Matt Bors, is a perfect fit for podcast #144.

His website is highly recommended.

Jack Clark 1:58 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #2824048133894467739

143 - Beyond The New Deal: Challenge A Right-Winger With FDR's Second Bill Of Rights / Hannity Truth Patrol: Do Tax Cuts Increase Government Revenue?

The right's anti-New Deal offensive is aimed at besmirching Obama's stimulus plan.

You know the old saying, the best defense is a good offense? Well, instead of just playing defense and defending the New Deal against Republican attacks, let's go on the offensive.

I've got something for you to throw at them that will induce cardiac arrest -- figuratively speaking of course (especially since right-wingers have no heart. Ok, cheap shot.)

What I'm talking about is, FDR's Second Bill of Rights.

You'll hear all about it from FDR himself.

In the second segment, a QuickBlast, you'll learn how Hannity's claim that cutting taxes increases government revenue, doesn't gibe with what even conservative economists are saying.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)


#143 Transcript
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Jack Clark 3:29 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #4443674482061176224

142 - Rule Of Law: A Criminal Investigation Of The Bush Administration's Torture Program Is Legally Required

It's an open-and-shut case -- no discretion, no wiggle-room, no if's, and's or but's: the Obama administration is legally compelled to investigate the Bush administration, from George W. Bush on down, for the crime of commission of torture.

This is the case despite the contrary analysis of that eminent legal scholar, Bill O'Reilly.

For the facts and laws upon which I base my conclusion, please listen to the podcast.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Venezeula action alert

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Jack Clark 2:31 PM [+]   4 comments
Post #3584589277772902629

141 - The Earth Is Flat, The Moon's Made Of Green Cheese, And The New Deal Was A Terrible Failure: Debunking The Latest Right-Wing Propaganda

Ok, right-wingers aren't (at least currently) making any claims about the shape of the Earth, or the composition of the moon. But they are ranting and raving about FDR and the New Deal.

The right is attacking FDR's New Deal spending.

This gives them the perfect opportunity to attack Obama's financial stimulus package.

This is their new mantra:

The New Deal failed.

It's not that right-wingers are heartless, and don't want a New Deal-type effort that will help people. No, it's that the New Deal made things worse, or was even the very cause of the Great Depression.

Right-wingers are just looking out for the little guy. Just like they always do.

Am I being a bit sarcastic today?

Sometimes all I can do is shake my head in disbelief.

For all the gory details, check out the podcast.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#141 Transcript
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Jack Clark 1:01 PM [+]   3 comments
Post #455664215413654152

140 - Conversation Starters: Five Questions To Ask Your Friendly Local Right-Winger

We'll start off the new year with some questions you can use as conversation starters for those special right-wingers in your life.

Perhaps you have a regular debating partner at the water cooler. And you want to start off 2009 by rocking them back on their heels.

Or maybe there's a right-winger you've been meaning to engage in dialogue, but just haven't had a good ice-breaker for.

Old right-winger, new right-winger, doesn't matter. Jack to the rescue.

Here are five questions you can pick and choose from, all guaranteed to set you up for a nice argumentation victory over that special person of the rightward persuasion.

The questions encompass the areas of consumer safety, health care, human development, economic power, and the survival of our very democracy.

Sound intriguing?

The questions are:

1 - Are you happy that one third of the toys sold in the US are contaminated with dangerous chemicals harmful to children?

2 - Do you think that one in three Canadians or Frenchmen or Germans are forced to skip doctor visits and medications because they can't afford it?

3 - Do you believe in helping children avoid a life of crime and otherwise being a burden on society?

4- Should employers be able to fire workers with virtual impunity just because the workers are trying to organize a union?

5 - Do you think the President should have the power to declare any US legal resident or citizen, including you, an enemy combatant, and hold you forever without bringing charges?

With the info you'll get when you listen to the podcast, you'll be more than well-prepared for your conversation with that rightward-inclining person in your life.

They won't know what him 'em.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#140 Transcript
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Jack Clark 1:31 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #4779784699355463765

139 - 2008 In Review: The Right Is Relentless, But Ultimately Unsuccessful

Today is the year in review as heard on Blast The Right. Domestic issues. Foreign policy issues. And, of course, Campaign 2008.

With plenty of clips of your favorite right-wingers.

Torture, heparin, derivatives, Ayers, Palin...Obama

2008 started out pretty lousy, but ended pretty well -- with a heck of a lot of upside potential, don't you think?

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

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Jack Clark 3:14 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #3010134562635400636

138 - Social Darwinism: The Doctrine That Lets The Right-Winger Sleep At Night / Paraguay Rejects Right, Elects As President The "Bishop Of The Poor"

In the first segment, you'll hear about the doctrine of Social Darwinism. It's the pill right-wingers take to allow them to sleep at night. Some audio clips of right-wingers may scare you, so be prepared. Barbara Bush, Bill Cunningham, Neal Boortz and Bill O'Reilly all have some choice words for you.

Next, have you heard about the Bishop of the Poor being elected president of an impoverished Latin American country? He kicked out of power the long-entrenched, extreme right-wing ruling party. I'll tell you what you need to know, as well as reveal the most powerful words I've ever heard; they were spoken to me over a kitchen table, no less.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Church social teachings document

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Jack Clark 3:12 PM [+]   2 comments
Post #6897453520062401083

137 - The Right's Big Lie About Upcoming Labor Legislation / A Primer On How The West Uses Right-Wing Ideology To Economically Exploit The Third World

Today, you'll hear how to debunk a bald-faced lie the right is propagating about upcoming, critically important labor union legislation, the Employee Free Choice Act.

This bill is labor's number one priority in Congress, and the right has declared war on it.

Next, I'll give you a short primer on what I call the four pillars, the four ways the right in the Western world economically exploits the Third World.

The four pillars you'll hear explained are:

1 - sweetheart contracts for natural resource extraction
2 - unfair conditions of international trade
3 - dubious loans to corrupt Third World governments
4 - imposition of onerous Structural Adjustment Programs on loan recipient nations

Understanding 1-4 above is key to interpreting so much of what you read about foreign affairs in the corporate-owned press.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#137 Transcript
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Jack Clark 7:27 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #5226183919618546906

136 - Right-Wing Spins '08 Results / Shameful Health Care Statistics / Bush's Last Minute Regulatory Massacre / Ensuring A Progressive '09 And Beyond

Today, four subjects:

Countering right-wing spin on the election results

A sober reminder on the health care front about what this is all about, beyond the left-right ideological battle

How the Bush administration is trying real hard to cause the most damage on its way out

And, on a personal note, what Obama's win means to me, and what I think is the best way to persuade him to move in a strong progressive direction.

Along the way, you'll hear Bill O'Reilly, George W. Bush, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and...Jay Leno.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#136 Transcript
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Jack Clark 2:26 PM [+]   2 comments
Post #6579250282636763931

135 - Final Big Lie Of Campaign '08: The Socialism Charge / Protecting Your Vote

Today, I'm going to address what seems to be the final big lie directed at Barack Obama -- that he's a socialist who wants to take money from the middle class and give it to the poor. Huh?

Among other things, you'll hear how McCain supports the very same "socialist" policies he criticizes Obama for supporting.

Also, I'll give you a couple of heads ups about how you can protect your vote, and, join in to help throw the right wing out of power.

Important info:

VOLUNTEER TO HELP ON ELECTION DAY and before

Trouble voting?
1-866-OUR-VOTE
Take this number with you when you vote

Video the vote

Check your voter registration
Check if new registration accepted

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#135 Transcript
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Jack Clark 3:56 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #5513815368967295441

134 - The Economic Pie Grows Faster And Is More Fairly Divided Under Democratic Presidents / QuickBlasts: Ayers, Rezko, ACORN, Surge, McCain's Temper

Today we're going to cover a lot of ground, all geared towards pointing out the error of right-wing ways, in a manner that will convince undecided voters to support Obama.

In the first segment you'll hear how under Democratic administrations, the economic pie has always grown faster, and in a more fairly distributed way, than under Republican rule.

The last half of the show will be a bit of a change of pace. I'll give you a half-dozen or so Quick Blasts on a variety of issues, including answering some of the smears being leveled against Obama, and pointing out the danger of John McCain having his finger on the nuclear trigger.

Links promised in show:
Call undecided voters
Check your voter registration/register to vote
Check if new registration accepted

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#134 Transcript
#134 Transcript as a Word document
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Jack Clark 2:27 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #2843576261803692953

133 - Obama's America vs. McCain's America: Ten Reasons Undecideds Should Choose Obama

Usually on Blast The Right you hear me condemn right-wing ideology and policies. Not only the theory, but the negative effect of right-wing rule on flesh-and-blood humans.

Then the idea is, you use the information to win the water cooler wars, to "blast the right."

With just about a month to go before the election, arguing with right-wingers isn't the most productive use of your time now, I don't think.

This presidential election could well be razor-tight. The polls consistently indicate that 4-8% of the electorate says they're undecided. And what really struck me, up to a total of 18% say they could still change their mind.

In other words, they're persuadable.

The undecideds and persuadables aren't guided by ideology or party loyalty. Or else they already would have firmly settled on a candidate.

So in this podcast I'm going to set out Ten Reasons undecideds and persuadables should choose Obama, hopefully in a way undecideds and persuadables will find convincing.

A bit softer in tone and rhetoric than usual, since undecided voters are generally ideological and want "Just the facts, ma'am."

Remember, in addition to the audio of this show, there's a transcript available directly below, in case you want to send all or part of it to an undecided voter you know.

The ten reasons cover the following areas:

1. Proper Role of Government
2. Supreme Court
3. Right To Choose
4. Taxes
5. Minimum Wage
6. Unions
7. Health Care
8. Safeguarding Our Food, Water & Air
9. Presidential Vetoes
10. War and Peace

Links promised in show:
Call undecided voters
Check your voter registration/register to vote

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#133 Transcript
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Jack Clark 3:09 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #6787891730998889321

132 - Right-Wing Deception Is Exemplified By Sarah Palin And John McCain: A Case Study In Earmarks

Today, you'll hear all about earmarks, one of John McCain's pet issues.

Sarah Palin claims to be a reformer, yet she is the Empress of Earmarks, requesting this year more per capita than the governor of any other state.

Would it surprise you to learn that McCain seems quite confused about the facts, and that Palin is clearly outright lying?

Plenty of clips of these two esteemed elected officials to keep your blood boiling.

Bonus points: Can you guess whether it's the Blue States or the Red States which overall take far more out of the federal Treasury than they put in? Listen to find out the answer...

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#132 Transcript
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Jack Clark 3:30 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #1375546501543617707

131 - Hannity May Lie, But The Actual Economic Data Tells The True Story

Today, you'll hear how to debunk some of the latest right-wing flim-flam about the economy really being in good shape.

Sure it is, except for the fact that unemployment, the number of medically uninsured, median wages, poverty -- all are worse than when Bush came into office

Among those you'll have the dubious pleasure of listening to are Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Paul Weyrich and Barbara Bush.

To counter all that toxicity, I'll also play you some classic FDR castigating those whom he calls "economic royalists."

I wonder who they might be.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#131 Transcript
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Jack Clark 2:24 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #1160526364813004334

130 - Bush Justice Department Admits To Pervasive Lawbreaking / Listener Email On Hannity, '08 Race / Helping A Fellow Progressive

Today, you'll hear about rampant lawbreaking by Bush administration officials within the Department of Justice. It's not a pretty picture. And it's the DOJ itself making the charge!

You'll be treated to listener emails on Sean Hannity and the '08 campaign. I'll play you a Hannity audio clip that may well rile you up.

And, last but not least, you'll learn about a fellow progressive who needs a bit of help.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#130 Transcript
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Jack Clark 12:47 PM [+]   2 comments
Post #6274758522197774781

129 - Right-Wing Ideology Produces A U.S. Health Care System That Is Worst In The Developed World / Cruel Bush Immigration Raids: A National Disgrace

Today, you'll hear how to debunk the right-wing's biggest lie about the US health care system:

Right-wingers claim we have the best health care system in the world.

The fact is, it ranks dead last in critical areas compared to other developed nations.

You'll also see how the Bush administration has reverted to an immigration policy based on cruelty and vindictiveness. Clips of right-wingers may make your hair stand on end.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#129 Transcript
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Jack Clark 1:26 PM [+]   6 comments
Post #8991476999165076312

128 - McCain Becomes Incoherent Trying To Excuse Growing Economic Inequality / More Shady Deals & Lies As The Right-Wing Closes In On Iraq's Oil

Today you'll hear John McCain become truly incoherent when he tries to address the issue of income and wealth inequality in America. You'll learn why no right-winger can honestly speak to this issue.

And, you'll see that developments in the Bushian grab for Iraq's oil are coming fast and furious. More cronyism, shady deals and outright lies. The No Blood for Oil anti-war slogan rings more true every day.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#128 Transcript
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Jack Clark 12:45 PM [+]   3 comments
Post #2322788110868931435

127 - A Torrent Of Additional Evidence Of Right-Wing Torture-Mongering / Dick Morris Lies About Democratic Tax Plans

Today, you'll hear a torrent of new evidence that's just come out which further details the Bush administration's torture regime. You'll learn about the self-styled "War Council," Bush's use of Communist Chinese torture techniques, vehement protests by the military's own lawyers, hiding the abuse from the Red Cross, and, recent medical findings of marks of torture on detainee's bodies.

In a concluding QuickBlast, you'll hear Dick Morris serially lie about Democratic tax plans, and learn how to respond to any right-winger spouting similar nonsense.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#127 Transcript
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Jack Clark 1:15 PM [+]   3 comments
Post #5734654666526875929

126 - Past As Prologue: Multinationals Take Another Step To Steal Iraq's Oil / Demoralize A Right-Winger: Tell Them The Truth About US Public Opinion

Today, you'll hear how the multinational oil companies have taken another step towards stealing Iraq's oil.

The very companies Iraq took the oil back from 36 years ago, are now being invited back in, by the US-propped-up Iraqi government.

In the second segment, you'll get some great public opinion stats on the hottest issues, guaranteed to demoralize your right-wing friends and acquaintances.

The June Rasmussen poll of the top ten issues on the electorate's mind, found that the Democrats are trusted more than the Republicans on every single one.

Every single one.

Listen to the podcast for details on both stories.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#126 Transcript
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Jack Clark 2:04 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #2950360368366244443

125 - Yet More Evidence That Right-Wing Health Care Policies Are Deadly / Progressive Victories: Economic Justice For Farmworkers!

Today you'll hear how right-wing opposition to universal health care kills cancer patients.

Actually, right-wing health care policies kill thousands of Americans every year, according to study after study.

Also: I'll give you some great news about economic justice for farm workers.

The question to right-wingers here is: shouldn't the people whose back-breaking labor puts the food on your plate, earn enough to live at least a minimally decent life, out of poverty?

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#125 Transcript
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Jack Clark 3:01 PM [+]   3 comments
Post #8567854919030317285

124 - Just A Bunch Of Right-Wingers Sitting Around Talking... About How Best To Torture People! If This Was A Movie Script, No One Would Believe It

Today you're going to hear an unbelievable, yet-every-fact-is-true scenario. It's about how it came to pass that dozens of meetings were held in the White House to decide the most effective ways to torture War On Terror prisoners.

Also, be sure to stay around for my closing comments. You'll learn about Blast The Right transcripts, as well as about some listeners going the activist route. And there's also a new tune to close the show with.

Every week it seems, there's a new revelation, even more hard to believe than the last one, about the Bush administration's lust for war and torture.

I don't know about you, but after a point, do you start to just file them away mentally, saying to yourself, I'll think about that later?

It's almost too much to accept as reality, as something that you have to deal with.

I've picked some highlights here.

Every fact you're about to hear is true.

If it was presented as a movie script, no one would believe it.

In fact, let's imagine I'm pitching such a script to a producer.

How might the script open?

How about this scene:

You see a meeting room, and from what's visible through the window, it could be within the White House. You can't make out who's talking, but it sounds like they're discussing... What?! Whether they can combine water-boarding with stress positions for a prisoner named Muhammad?

Who are these people? Low level operatives sneaking in a meeting at, could it really be, the White House? About an illegal subject?

But before you can find out more, you leave that scene and enter a long series of flashbacks, which show how this maybe-in-the-White-House cabal came to meet...

You first see a bunch of right-wingers of the neocon variety openly plotting for US world domination.

In 1997, neocons like Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Jeb Bush and others sign the founding charter for an organization called the Project for a New American Century, PNAC for short...

For the rest of the script, please listen to the podcast!

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

#124 Transcript
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Jack Clark 3:19 PM [+]   2 comments
Post #4356068143364513017

123 - Have They No Shame? McCain Misleads, Hannity Explicitly Lies About Taxes (Sorry Sean And John, The American Public Isn't Buying It)

In today's podcast, you'll hear how right-wingers are lying about Democratic tax plans.

You'll be treated to clips of Monica Crowley, Sean Hannity, John McCain.

The results of a recent poll about taxing the wealthy may astound you.

And what does Martin Luther King, Jr. have to do with all this?

Just listen to today's show, and find out!

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Jack Clark 2:12 PM [+]   5 comments
Post #4381188133625175643

122 - With The Heparin Drug Deaths, As With All Other Things: Kill My Pet, Kill My Kid, Even Kill Me, But Just Don't Mess With My Right-Wing Ideology

Two podcasts ago you heard about how:

--in the financial markets, ill intentions by some, and incompetence by others, has led to big problems
--to solve these problems, a strong government regulatory effort is needed.

Right-wing ideology does nothing in the way of prevention, and offers nothing in the way of a cure.

Now today, please shift your focus to medicines: same picture.

Right wing ideology has led to big problems, and offers no solutions.

So far, 81 deaths in the United States have been linked to fatal allergic reactions to contaminated batches of the blood thinner heparin. Several hundred more patients have had severe adverse reactions to the drug.

Right-wing ideology, which wholesale opposes government regulation of business, stands in the way of a solution.

Indeed, the Bush administration has been systematically taking apart the Food and Drug Administration, not strengthening it.

Also:

--You'll hear about some unbelievable ideology-driven behavior from another head of a Bush agency. The Senate wanted to give the Consumer Product Safety Commission more money and authority. But guess what? The head of the agency objected!

--I blow apart the right-wing myth about the establishment of federal regulatory agencies. Look behind the story of the creation of virtually any government regulatory body, and you'll find the same thing: a crucial, urgent need that only government action could meet. Ever heard of Upton Sinclair's book The Jungle?

--I undertake maybe a mission impossible: trying to get inside the right-winger head about all this.

Remember Jim Jones, who told his followers to drink the poisonous Kool-Aid, and they did? They had a religious belief in Jones, and would blindly obey his every dictate.

I guess that's what it is with these right-wingers.

Their right wing ideology must be followed no matter what, like a fundamentalist religion.

No matter the consequences to self and others.

Go ahead, kill my pet, kill my kid, even kill me - but don't let the evil government be involved, because that would be --

against my religious belief in small, ineffective, do-nothing government!

I think right-wingers can aptly be called, Jim Jones conservatives.

In the podcast, you'll also hear clips of Rush Limbaugh and Ronald Reagan spouting their usual inanity

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Jack Clark 2:52 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #8547943354411968464

121 - Global Fight Against The Right: US House OK's Jubilee Act, Mexican Lawmakers Conduct Sit-In To Protest Oil Law, Starving People Riot Worldwide

I don't know if you caught the following stories recently:

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Jubilee Act providing debt relief for Third World nations.

Progressive Mexican legislators occupied both their houses of Congress in protest of a proposed oil law.

Starving people rioted all over the world in protest of rapidly rising food prices

Did you see the mainstream media tie all those stories together?

Of course not.

Do you know what all those stories have in common?

I'm going to tell you, tie them all together for you here today.

Hint: It just may have something to do with right-wing ideology and policies.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until May, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Link promised in podcast: Jubilee USA website

Jack Clark 2:58 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #1337214714521531417

120 - Right-Wing Ideology And Policies Are The Main Culprits Behind The Subprime And Credit Meltdowns

Here's the road map for your journey today:

--Background you need to know

--What caused the current crisis

--What needs to be done to fix things up

--Exposing the phony right-wing solution

--And, the death of the "free market"

Along the way, you'll learn about the "shadow banking system," and hear clips of Rush Limbaugh, Ronald Reagan, Treasury Secretary Paulson, and...a famous comedy team or two. Huh? Stay tuned!

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until May, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 3:10 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #948505072051251930

Political Cartoon For Podcast #120

This cartoon by my friend, syndicated cartoonist Matt Bors, is a perfect fit for podcast #120.

His website is highly recommended.

Jack Clark 3:09 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #5151634094345119661

119 - Right-Wing EPA Policies Will Kill Thousands / Hannity Lies About Michelle Obama / Father Of Conservative Economics Puts 2008 Right To Shame

Today, to start off, you'll hear about yet more right-wing policies that increase human misery, suffering, pain and death, this time concerning the air you breathe. The Bush Environmental Protection Administration weakened two recommendations of its own advisory board on the allowable amount of ozone in the air.

Next up, you'll listen to Sean Hannity use a nasty propaganda technique that I'll analyze for you. In short, Hannity lied about Michelle Obama.

In the last segment, you'll get some useful tips on responding to right-wingers when they claim the earth is flat, or make similarly far-fetched claims in the economic arena. It seems today's right-wingers don't even have the common sense and basic human decency of their own icon, Adam Smith, the founder of conservative economics.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until April, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 2:02 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #9048477662802685844

118 - Blasting, Ever So Gently, Wayward Progressives: Why Nader Supporters Should Rethink Their Position

Ralph Nader recently announced he's running yet again this year for President. I originally thought a segment on that would be a QuickBlast, maybe 2 or 3 minutes.

But the more I thought about it, the more things I realized I had to say.

And the more important I realized the subject was.

What you're about to hear has a wider applicability than just Ralph Nader, and a more durable shelf-life than just this year's election.

It applies to everyone thinking of third party voting in '08, and beyond; to everyone who denigrates electoral politics, this year and thereafter; to everyone who is contemptuous of strategic voting when worldwide life and death issues are at stake, now and in the future.

Discussing the Nader candidacy also provides you and me the opportunity to review what 8 years of right-wing rule has actually meant, not just in theory, but to flesh and blood humans. And hence to establish the stratosphere-high stakes in the '08 elections.

If a runaway train is heading towards you, all you want first thing, is it to be stopped. You don't care if the person stopping it is a great person, you don't care whether they'll reverse the train, if they understand how to prevent runaway trains, or if they'll improve our national rail system.

First and foremost, right now, you just want the damn train stopped in its tracks.

You and I are facing a runaway train, the right-wing project to transform this country into a system of economic feudalism and soft fascism. Another 8 years of right-wing control of the reins of government, and we may well be past the point of no return.

So the mantra today is, stop the runaway train! Cast a vote that will serve to eject the right-wing from control of our government.

Stopping the runaway train is job #1 now, without which we may well be unable to do any other job.

Voting for Nader doesn't accomplish that, and could produce the exact opposite result.

Persuading Nader voters to vote Democratic may well be one of the most direct, effective ways to Blast The Right in the next 8 months...

In the podcast, I'll give you cold hard polling numbers from 2000 that prove Nader cost Gore the election.

You'll hear why supporting Nader is completely illogical.

I'll sketch for you some of the real policy differences between right-wingers and Democrats, not least of which is what will happen to the Supreme Court.

And, I'll let you know in no uncertain terms what gets me the most furious at Nader supporters who say they don’t care if their actions wind up electing a right-winger:

It's their cavalier attitude towards the suffering of others.

I'll detail for you some of the additional human misery, suffering, pain and death that will be inflicted on the innocent in a continuation of right-wing rule, compared to even an admittedly-flawed Democratic administration.

A bonus: I've included in this feed, the "Ralf Na'dir" strip by my friend, syndicated cartoonist Matt Bors.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until April, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 2:27 PM [+]   23 comments
Post #7392399578177058015

"Ralf Na'dir" Cartoon For Podcast #118

I thought you would really get a kick out of this cartoon by my friend, syndicated cartoonist Matt Bors. Sort of podcast #118 in-a-nutshell.

Here's the link to his website:
http://www.mattbors.com/newstrip.html

Highly recommended!!

Jack Clark 2:26 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #1331353699245336786

117 - Desperate Haitians Eat Dirt: A Legacy Of Right-Wing Greed / Listen To Neil Boortz Make O'Reilly Seem Statesmanlike / '08 Strategy Suggestions

Today you'll hear three segments, touching on:

--Haitian women and children so hungry and desperate they eat cookies made of dirt. What's that got to do with you and me? If we're largely to blame, what can we do to remedy the situation? (Here are the two links promised in the podcast:
Bipartisan Letter on Haiti     House/Senate Jubilee Act)

--Right-wingers so callous and vicious they blame victims of natural disasters for their own fate. Listen to Neil Boortz make Bill O'Reilly seem statesmanlike by comparison!

--And, in a change of pace, some campaign '08 strategy suggestions from yours truly, including the necessity to re-define John McCain. You'll also hear how George Bush has been like a man throwing a lit cigarette into a tinder dry woods, and how that analogy can help defeat Republicans in November.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until March, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 1:16 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #1154231871694921878

116 - Federal Home Loan Racism / Bush, Hannity Tax Lies / American Revolutionary War...Commie? / Good News On Electronic Voting / Listener Email

Today I've definitely got a full smorgasbord for you, with five tasty dishes, the kind you like best:

How federal government discriminatory home loan practices worsened the Black-White wealth gap

Audio clips of Bush and Hannity lying about taxes, plus Hannity lying about Ronald Reagan's record

A physician listener corrects a mistake I made on health care, and a Canadian listener can't understand what's wrong with us in the U.S.

American Revolutionary War...Commies? Bet you didn't know this about Thomas Paine

And,

Good news on the electronic voting fraud front -- touch screen machines are on the way out nationwide. And how you can help achieve that goal.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until March, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 2:50 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #8750062184711403502

115 - Blasting The Right Basics: Countering Five Pervasive Right-Wing Falsehoods

Today, a really big change of pace. You'll be treated not to one subject in depth, or even two topics with extended segments.

No, today I have 5 QuickBlasts for you, in the areas of foreign policy, taxation, regulation of business and health care.

Let's get right into it.

Sometimes you don't need long permutations and combinations of an issue, you just need a solid fact or two to whack a right-winger upside the head -- intellectually, not physically of course -- so as to get their attention, and maybe knock some sense into them, penetrate that thick wall of denial and unreality that so many right-wingers have surrounding their brains.

Sometimes less is more.

This will be like a short, intense 5 round fight.

In one corner, progressive truth. In the other corner, right-wing distortions, half-truths and outright lies you currently hear bandied about on the corporate media.

Are you ready to rumble?

The fight card:

Round 1: Right-wing lies about why we went to war in Iraq

Round 2: The Republican claim that Democrats don't support the troops, and that the military community is behind President Bush

Round 3: Another campaign lie: Democrats want to raise your taxes

Round 4: Nonsensical right-wing policy position: there's too much government regulation of business

Round 5: Another nonsensical right-wing policy claim: we already have the best health care system in the world

If you want to see the right-wing get knocked silly, if not knocked out completely, just listen to the podcast.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until February, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 3:14 PM [+]   2 comments
Post #3511877303907938015

114 - Economic Mobility: A Reality-Based Part Of The American Dream, Or A Myth Now Used By The Right-Wing To Justify Economic Injustice?

Today you'll hear exposed as a falsehood the pervasive myth -- pushed hardest by the right-wing -- that there is great economic mobility in the United States. You'll see that the real picture is not so pretty.

The conventional political wisdom has always been, the public doesn't care much about income and wealth inequality, because of the widely shared belief that everyone has a shot at becoming rich, that there is great economic mobility in the United States.

The right-wing, by its own admission, needs the mobility myth to justify and allow the perpetuation of rampant inequality.

Here's the reality: a report released as a joint effort by four major think tanks, including two ultra-conservative ones, the American Enterprise Institute and The Heritage Foundation, concludes

[N]ew data...raises provocative questions about the continuing ability of all Americans to move up the economic ladder and calls into question whether the American economic meritocracy is still alive and well.

Recent studies suggest that there is less economic mobility in the United States than has long been presumed. The last thirty years has seen a considerable drop-off in median household income growth compared to earlier generations. And, by some measurements, we are actually a less mobile society than many other nations, including Canada, France, Germany and most Scandinavian countries. This challenges the notion of America as the land of opportunity.

You'll find much more in the podcast you can use when conversing with your friendly local right-winger.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until February, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 3:36 PM [+]   4 comments
Post #880243800860301859

113 - Year End Review: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Of 2007

Today we'll review what the right-wing was up to in 2007, as you heard it on Blast The Right. Plus, I'll have some updates for you.

Usually this podcast covers one or two topics in depth. Today you'll hear a summation of over 40 podcasts, so the pace will be brisk.

In order to get a handle on this year's subjects, I grouped the podcasts by subject matter, and that's how I'll go through them. You can see that document organizing the podcasts by subject matter here.

When going through this year's podcasts, the standout theme just leaped out at me, best exemplified by the Biblical passage where it says that by their fruits shall you know them, and that "the bad tree bears evil fruit." The bad Bushian right wing tree had indeed borne evil fruit -- increased human misery, suffering, pain and death. This was obvious for all to see this year

The Bushian fruit was probably no more evident than in the ever-increasing cascade of stories in 2007 about unhealthy, dangerous products and practices afflicting Americans, which were the results of the Bush mania for hollowing out and crippling the regulatory agencies. This they did through budget cuts, draconian staff reductions and woefully misguided policies.

The next major subject we covered was economic justice. I devoted more podcasts to this than just about any other issue.

You know my mantra: Everything the right-wing does is designed to accomplish one of two things: either (a) transfer wealth from everyone else to the rich, or (b) distract everyone else from the fact that (a) is occurring.

There was a growing stream of information all year showing just how amazingly earnest and successful the right-wing has been with this wealth transfer.

The other major area discussed this year was foreign policy and Western economic exploitation of the Third World. The Blast The Right theme here is, as at home, so abroad.

Did you know the US tried to steal Iraq's oil in 2007?

For the details of the above three areas, and much more, please listen to the podcast!

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until January, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 3:06 PM [+]   0 comments
Post #6991379614858385718

112 - As At Home, So Abroad: Right-Wing Policies Increase Human Misery, Suffering, Pain And Death In The Third World

Today you'll hear how extreme right-wing policies of the United States literally cause starvation and death in the Third World.

And, I'll show you the link between this unfortunate situation, and two hot button front page issues in the US, health care, and the occupation of Iraq.

The microcosm will be Malawi, where right-wingers in the US and international financial institutions insisted that the government cut back if not eliminate its fertilizer subsidies to small farmers. The result: famine and death.

The marcrocosm will be the entire Third World: how Western economic policies are designed to, and all too well do, transfer wealth from poor nations to the rich.

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until January, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 3:30 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #8254878711609956352

111 - Once And For All: Calling Out Right-Wing Christians On Their Kill-Jesus Ideology And Behavior

Today you'll hear a whirlwind tour of my thoughts on right-wing Christians, especially on how to effectively debate them.
The centerpiece of this week's show is my Equivalent Alternative Solutions challenge.

Right-wing Christians, from the roots of their right-wing ideology to the fruits of their policies, violate the most fundamental of the teachings of Jesus regarding how we're to interact with our brother and sister humans. These teachings are most powerfully expressed in the 25th book of Matthew, verses 31-46, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats.

This is extraordinarily important, so even if you're not Christian or not of any religious bent at all, still, listen up! It's critical to your being an effective progressive advocate that you know this stuff. It's the basis of my Equivalent Alternative Solutions challenge.

Please be aware that the word stranger in the Bible is a synonym for refugee and immigrant.

On Judgment Day, before Jesus

...will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them…the sheep at his right hand…the goats at the left. 34. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, 'Come…inherit the kingdom prepared for you… 35. for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36. I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38. And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39. And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' 40. And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' 41. Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42. for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43. I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44. Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?' 45. Then he will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' 46. And they will go away into eternal punishment…

I wasn't raised a Christian, but when I read this for the first time it literally blew me away. It still does

I'll now show you how to use this Matthew 25 passage to irrefutably challenge right-wing Christians, especially in each and every situation where they oppose a plan to reduce human suffering.

You tell them, it's fine to oppose government programs to help the Matthew 25 "least of these," as conservative Christians usually do. But to avoid violating the Matthew 25 injunction, conservative Christians must then propose their own Equivalent Alternative Solutions.

Equivalent Alternative Solutions are ones which:

• help at least the same number of people who legitimately need help
• provide at least the same amount of assistance
• get the help to them at least as quickly, and
• are at least as certain to accomplish these goals

Equivalent Alternative Solutions can certainly be completely non-governmental, as long as they meet these four criteria.

But conservative Christians consistently both oppose the plans of others to help the "least of these," and fail to offer Equivalent Alternative Solutions of their own.

Conservative Christians -- whether voters, politicians or talk show hosts -- must be challenged: "What about Matthew 25? If you oppose my plan to help some of the "least of these," what do you propose instead? How does what you're espousing here fulfill what Jesus commanded in Matthew 25? In fact, isn't what you're doing exactly what Jesus condemned in Matthew 25, not helping the least of these?"

That's the EAS challenge.

Right-wingers won't have an answer, but they'll raise any of a host of objections to the challenge.

Let's go through them comprehensively, so you're prepared for whatever is thrown at you.

To hear the objections, and how to respond, just listen to the podcast!

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Programming note: Until January, there will most likely not be live shows on alternate weeks.

Jack Clark 3:24 PM [+]   2 comments
Post #7757247940564630310

110 - The Right-Wing Goal Of Transferring Wealth From Everyone Else To The Already-Rich, And What FDR Had To Say About It

Today you'll hear all about the true bottom line when it comes to the right-wing.

As part of this, you'll hear some breathtaking clips of Franklin Delano Roosevelt condemning the right-wingers of his time.

A preview:

One of my favorite quotes of all-time is from John Kenneth Galbraith:

The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.

I have what I call the Jack Clark corollary to that wonderful Galbraith passage.

Everything the right-wing does is designed to accomplish one of two things, either:
(a) transfer wealth from everyone else to the rich, or,
(b) distract everyone else from the fact that (a) is occurring.

For example, since 1980, the richest 1% of Americans have doubled their share of the nation's income.

It's the most unequal situation since the Great Depression.

Transfer wealth from everyone else, to the wealthy.

Here's a bit of what Roosevelt said, that you can hear directly from his own mouth, in the podcast:

The royalists of the economic order have conceded that political freedom was the business of the Government, but they have maintained that economic slavery was nobody's business. They granted that the Government could protect the citizen in his right to vote, but they denied that the Government could do anything to protect the citizen in his right to work and his right to live.

Today we stand committed to the proposition that freedom is no half-and-half affair. If the average citizen is guaranteed equal opportunity in the polling place, he must have equal opportunity in the market place.

These economic royalists complain that we seek to overthrow the institutions of America. What they really complain of is that we seek to take away their power. Our allegiance to American institutions requires the overthrow of this kind of power.

Check out the podcast for the rest!

(PS: Right-wingers, if you want to write in to me, fine, but at least do me the courtesy of listening to the podcast first. Please don't respond just on the basis of the brief preview above. Thanks!!)

Jack Clark 3:37 PM [+]   1 comments
Post #6036142771357649390

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