Huffington Post Washington Bureau Chief Ryan Grim explains the story of Gary Webb the reporter who broke the CIA/Contra Cocaine dealing story,  John Kerry’s role in exposing drug running, how the CIA loosened rules on reporting drug running, how the CIA created the Contras, Freeway Rick Ross and ...

Journalist Patrick Cockburn explains how Isis developed out of Syria and Iraq, the origins of Isis in Al Quada in Iraq, Sunni repression in post Saddam Iraq, what Hillary Clinton misses about arming moderate rebels in Syria, what regional powers support Jihadi fighters, the strategic miscalculati...

Professor Walter Block proposed that laissez faire free market exchanges are the best way to organize society, how Block thinks the United States limits freedom, debating the minimum wage, full time workers who live in poverty, debating minimum wages and job losses, what is the value of wages if ...

The New Republic’s Noam Scheiber explains the structural inequities in the legal system, how Enron fraudster Jeffrey Skilling ended up with such a light sentence, how the legal system is stacked against the poor, the history of legal aid, the limits of legal aid, the role of the  Great Society an...

Educational historian and author of Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools Diane Ravitch explains why the education crisis is a myth, where our schools are in real trouble, why poverty drives educations problems, the problems with the Com...

MIT American history professor Craig Steven Wilder author of the new book Ebony and Ivy: Race, Slavery, and the Troubled History of America’s Universities, explains the role of American university institution building and the slave trade, how college pursued wealth in the slave trade, how univers...

On today’s show, Cliff Schecter explained why Rand Paul still sucks, how the right wing turned crazy, why the dinner between Obama and Republican Senators is fine if its just for the optics, explained why the Republican Party is driven by negative emotions and he and Michael reviewed President Cl...

Nikolas Kozloff, author of Hugo Chavez: Oil, Politics and the Challenge to the U.S, explained the complex legacy of Hugo Chavez, Chavez’s political history, how Chavez changed the political psychology of Venezuela, where Chavez was innovative and where he failed, how Bush helped create Chavez and...

“Katherine Harris”, celebrated Presidents Day in Shelby County Alabama, reacted to President Obama’s SOTU, explained that “white people have it hard enough” she and Sam argued about Stop and Frisk, the Jesus “entrance strategy”, what’s going on with Michele and Marcus Bachman and gives her take o...

On today’s show Sam spoke with Tina Dupuy, Editor of The Contributor.com and Michael Tracey a contributing writer for Salon, both live from the RNC. Sam and his guests discussed the heavy law enforcement presence in Tampa, the Ron Paul supporters rebellion and why the Tea Party is still so afraid...

Techdirt’s Mike Masnick on Ron and Rand Paul’s “Internet Freedom” manifesto, which promotes their corporate feudalist agenda.  Also the tug-of-war over net neutrality, regulatory control of the internet and safeguarding innovation.  In the better half, ecosystems be damned!, company releases gene...

Anti-racist author, activist and teacher Tim Wise on racism, the history and social perception of government programs, group based failure and more.  Your calls and IMs.

Dave Weigel from Slate on tenor of New Hampshire Republican Primary.  Romney’s win, Huntsman’s dad - will he pay up and the political skills ofRon Paul.  Occupy Manchester checks in with news of their actions.  Plus, horrible stories of detention continue to come out on anniversary of Guantanamo ...

Friday favorite, Cliff Schecter joins Sam.  Today, rights that are ok for Rick Santorum’s family but not for yours?  And at the root of Ron Paul’s ”good” positions is a dark, dangerous belief system.  And on the lighter side - reviewer Rosen returns!  Plus, the state of job growth, Santorum on ga...

Matt Taibbi on Iowa caucus results, GOP primaries as a meaningless sideshow and why Ron Paul resonates with voters.  Plus, Obama’s recess appointment of Richard Cordray, fracking earthquakes.  And in the better half, capital gains as income inequality driver, God reveals results of 2012 election ...

News and posturing from Iowa: Santorum, Paul, Romney and the others.  Dave Weigel, Slate.com, talks candidates and caucus process with Sam.  Also, Occupy update: New Year’s Eve clashes and arrests at Zuccotti Park.  In better half, Ross Brockley pledges support to Ron Paul, the discussion continu...

Digby on Ron Paul, his racism, Libertarianism, Obama, 2012 election andmore.  Media team from OccupyNH details their occupy model and plans for the NH primary.  In the better half, EPA sets new mercury rules, UT’s College Republicans at have tweeting issues, your calls and emails.