#34 - Part I of II

Created to protect the nation against both incompetence and foreign manipulation, the Electoral College is exploding on the national scene right now as a troublesome invention of the US, and this could very well be the beginning of the end of it. Setting aside for the moment any discussion of (delusional) accusations of voter fraud, (valid) concerns over election fraud (uncounted/missing ballots, voter suppression, tampered machines, etc.), or (yet-to-be-substantiated) Russian electoral intervention, the argument stands strong enough alone on Trump himself and the decisions he has made to-date. That is more than enough to end Trump before he can begin.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/09/donald-trump-administration-cabinet-picks-so-far

http://qz.com/862412/trumps-16-cabinet-level-picks-have-more-money-than-a-third-of-american-households-combined/

Happy Thanksgiving to our protectors at Standing Rock.

In North Dakota, right now is the largest gathering of Native American tribes since 1876 at the Battle of Little Bighorn - also known as Custer’s Last Stand. If you don’t know that story, spoiler alert - it doesn’t end well for Custer. As these land and water protectors brave the cold, give mind to them as we enjoy all that has been given to us.

I love Thanksgiving. I love the food, I love the family and the friends, I love the atmosphere. I love the feeling about how proud I am to be American. It’s true, it’s not hokey. Family. Friends. Warm food, warm feelings. Nothing in this moment can stir that. Except in realizing that we risk continuing to bastardize this day in not acknowledging the great sacrifice American Indians have paid for us. Dakota means “ally” or “friend”. Give thanks for the land you stand on, because as the good Lord makes us stewards of the earth, it is the land of the original natives that we give thanks for. And somehow this fight continues on and on.

Support Standing Rock at www.standwithstandingrock.net. Make a phone call, sign the petition, write a check.

Music provided by the Free Music Archive with Creative Commons Licensing. Today’s music is from The Daizy Factory.

This is my real, raw, unedited reaction from the election from Donald Trump to the United States of America.

I still cannot believe it, but it is very, very real. Get involved.

Do something.

BE THE CHANGE.

email me greg@majorityvillain.com if you are like many who KNOW they need to be a part of that change, but do not know where to start. Welcome to the family.

As the 2016 presidential election comes to a close there remains at least one thing most Americans can agree on — we are glad it is almost over.

(Featured photo courtesy of Ted Eytan on Flickr)

Their candid antithesis makes most think they are deeply opposed candidates, but in the end they may not be as different as you think. Just reflect on what they haven’t discussed in the debate! Aside from a handful of minutes about climate change, nothing about Afghanistan, not one critique of Israel’s settlements in Palestine, Standing Rock and #NoDAPL, Yemen, Black Lives Matter, police violence, or economic inequality? Crickets.
That’s because the Commission on Presidential Debates or CPD limit competition from outside candidates, and because the Democrats and Republicans own the CPD, we only ever see Dems/GOP debate.
Frank Fahrenkopf Jr. helped to found the CPD and push out the League of Women Voters… He’s still there today, but it might surprise you to learn he served as president of the American Gaming Association, worked for a firm supporting the TPP and TTIP, and even sits on the board of directors for 7 NYSE companies heavily invested in media - all during his tenure as CPD chair. Wow.

http://sirrealdeal.newsvine.com/_news/2015/11/01/34582184-statement-by-nancy-m-neuman-president-league-of-women-voters-league-of-women-voters

http://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Hogan%20%26%20Hartson&item_type=topic

http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/firmsum.php?id=D000059877&year=2013

http://www.hoganlovellsbrexit.com/_uploads/downloads/Brexit_shaping_your_future_IV.pdf

http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=1147597&privcapId=226571820&previousCapId=6859654&previousTitle=The%20Gabelli%20Dividend%20&%20Income%20Trust

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/10/climate-change-got-exactly-2-seconds-time-final-debate

Email greg@majorityvillain.com and Twitter @majorityvillain.

Happy 500th Birthday, Reinheitsgebot. Now Piss Off!

We are traveling back in time to the middle ages!! For hundreds of years Beer and Germany have been almost totally synonymous. So how is it possible that Germany has been so reluctant to ride the craft beer wave? Graham visits with German-inspired Verboten Brewing in Loveland, Colorado, and I visit with Kraftbierwerkstatt in Böblingen, Germany to find out what Reinheitsgebot is, how it impacts the way they make that sweet sweet nectar, and the challenges a craft brewer faces in the 21st century.

Hey Villains! Rate and review the show!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/majority-villain/id877298705?mt=2
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Wealth and power inequality have put everything at risk. A small minority are stealing our future while calling themselves the heroes. This podcast up-ends all that. Because of that we are villains, but we are also the majority. Status quos are for suckers.

Majority Villain is hosted and produced by Greg Haddock, co-hosted by Graham Rue with help from Andrea Schmidt. For a full list of contributors and musicians visit the website at www.majorityvillain.com/thepodcast.

What beer are you drinking? Email me at greg@majorityvillain.com.
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Music provided by Evil Bear Boris, Pictures of the Floating World, through freemusicarchive.org under Creative Commons Licensing. Additional music via YouTube, various Oktoberfest Schlager: Ziggy Zagga Oi Oi Oi, Ein Prosit, and Wir Ham Noch Durst and Beer Commercial Music by Jonathan Reeves.

Special thanks to Josh and Angie at Verboten Brewing; Homebrewer Eric Ellzey; Vathana Thorn, Rasmus Muttscheller, and Ollie Klobenzer at Kraftbierwerkstatt; Daniela Vogl for her fantastic Reinheitsgebot Bayerisch, and Jonathan Reeves for his beer mood music.
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Liquor-law battle heads for 2016 ballot
http://bizwest.com/liquor-law-battle-heads-for-16-ballot/

Budweiser Renames Budweiser “America”
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/nation-now/2016/05/10/budweiser-renames-cans-beer-america-anheuser-busch/84176886/

King of beer deals: Anheuser-Busch takes InBev's $52B offer
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=5367968

The National Park Service Is Selling Out to Corporations
http://truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/national-parks-are-losing-their-pristine-beauty-to-corporate-branding

Can you imagine an even "trumpier Trump"? Like a Trump that's high on meth, or gives hand guns to children, or maybe one actively campaigning on a platform to replace all US currency faces with that thatch pelt we see every night on the news.

Imagining a worse Trump may be an exercise that however exhausting could be just as necessary in trying to understand what exactly birthed the great American embarrassment.

#BernieOrBust - If Bernie gets burned by the Democrats, is it time to “Bust”?  Can a 3rd party change the corporate tide of American politics?

Hey Villains! Rate and Review the show!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/majority-villain/id877298705?mt=2

Graham and I talk about Bernie or bust from two different angles.  Graham defends the Democratic party saying it is safer than the Republican party with Donald Trump at the helm.  I disagree saying that despite a rigged election Hillary Clinton is at least as dangerous as the alternative.

I say if we can’t have Bernie then it’s time to bust out and vote Green in 2016.  Graham doesn’t like Clinton, but claims a Democrat remains a safer choice.  What do you think?  If Bernie gets robbed is it time to BUST?

Majority Villain is hosted and produced by Greg Haddock, co-hosted by Graham Rue with help from Andrea Schmidt.  All music used is found from the freemusicarchive.org under Creative Commons licensing.  For a full list of contributors and musicians visit the website at www.majorityvillain.com/thepodcast.  Email me at Greg@majorityvillain.com.

We are the majority.  We are villains.  And status quos are for suckers.

Music provided today by Dana Doss, Evil Bear Boris and Waylon Thornton.

Much love to new Twitter villains: @ponfaros @macjuanma @thetalkvillain Y’all are awesome!

www.bernieorbust.com - think about it.

So many think that a vote for Hillary is a vote for the left. But Democrats deserted that position over 40 years ago. The Clintons aren't our friends. Obama has tried and largely failed to fill that role. They want to convince us to play ball no matter who is on the field.

This is the suicide of our future. Hillary MUST make MAJOR concessions before she can expect our support. Bernie wins or Bernie loses - this fight marches on - and we need UNITY. Bernie is not once in a lifetime, because Bernie is the amalgamation of ideas - and those ideas are US. WE WILL move forward regardless of the establishment outcome.

We are villains.  We are the majority.
Today was just a short, but If you liked what you heard here today you don’t want to miss a single episode. SUBSCRIBE to Majority Villain (villAIn) on just about every podcast catcher and on Facebook and Twitter and email greg@majorityvillain.com.  Music today by The F****d Up Beat.  Special thanks to Dileyna Marian and Luca Marian.

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Trump.  He’s a dick.  He’s not very smart.  Hell, he’s not even all that rich.  So why do people like him? Graham and I explore everything, but that thing he calls his hair.

Music by www.FreeMusicArchive.org via Creative Commons Licensing.  Today’s music is from Evil Bear Boris, Dave Depper, Doctor Turtle, and Ryan Little.

Special Thanks to Daniela, Flo, and Michael.

April 16th-18th. www.democracyawakening.org. March.

In 1963, while Bernie Sanders was busy getting arrested protesting for civil rights, Goldwater-girl Hillary Clinton was busy working for a presidential nominee who opposed the Civil Rights Act.  Oh Snap!

Rate and Review the show in iTunes!

Volunteer for Bernie and get out and vote! Special thanks to members of Democrats Abroad. Logo by @Faustian_Rubble. Music by Evil Bear Boris, Blue Dot Sessions, and Billy Bragg by freemusicarchive.org. Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" altered under fair use.

GOP or WWE?

If you heard a sound bite of a raucous crowd, would you know if it was a Republican or professional wrestling event?  Because sometimes they sound eerily similar…

A year ago today, most people thought we would already be discussing a Hillary Clinton presidency, and the Trump train would have turned and the joke would be tired.  While the joke is tired, the Trump train is in full force.  However, Clinton’s journey to the White House has been far from any coronation that many had predicted, and surging surprise candidate, Bernie Sanders, has been able to maintain a virtual tie ahead of the infamous March 1st “Super Tuesday”.  But it’s also not helpful if you don’t know what a caucus or a primary is, or how these “super delegates” are giving a bleeding Clinton campaign so much needed assistance.

Lastly, it seems totally implausible, but the factors motivating people who #feelthebern for self-described Socialist-Democrat Bernie Sanders are often the same factors motivating Trumpeters.  See how these outsider candidates are tapping into the very same frustrations in very different ways.

Majority Villain is a show working to podcast the shit out of democracy.  Produced and hosted by Greg Haddock, co-hosted by Graham Rue with help from Andrea Schmidt.  For a full list of today’s contributors visit majorityvillain.com or check out the show notes on your device.  Find and like the show on Facebook and Twitter @majorityvillain and email greg@majorityvillain.com.  Music provided by Blue Dot Sessions, Evil Bear Boris, Will Bangs, and Broke for Free from www.freemusicarchive.org under Creative Commons licensing.

Full Interview with Jay from Best of the Left
Congratulations on 10 years of podcasting!

Hey Villains! Rate and Review the show!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/majority-villain/id877298705?mt=2

Jay! Tomlinson is my guest and he is the host of the award-winning podcast Best of the Left.  He became seriously interested in politics in 2003 during the Iraq war invasion.  With zero experience editing audio or managing a website Tomlinson launched Best of the Left in January 2006 at the age of 23. In 2009 the show won it's first Podcast Award in the Best Produced category and then again in 2012.  With help from activist/journalist, Katie Klabusich the show has been refined and expanded over the years to now include voicemails from listeners and activism segments produced in-house that give listeners an outlet to make a difference in the stories they hear on the show.  It is an extremely hands-on approach to podcasting.

Now, with 10 years of podcasting, Jay is a pioneer in podcasting, and with almost 1000 episodes, Best of the Left is one of the best shows there is for receiving the rundown on all that progressive radio and television has to offer.

Music provided Evil Bear Boris and Blue Dot Sessions through freemusicarchive.org under Creative Commons Licensing.

Great piece on “Black Lives Matter” #BLM from Best of the Left
http://www.bestoftheleft.com/_981_the_struggle_for_justice_continues_blacklivesmatter
-“How Obama Enables Atrocities” by Robert Parry
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/01/04/how-obama-enables-atrocities/
-fightfor15.org

Greg interviews Jay from Best Of The Left about his journey to podcasting, progressive and libertarian politics, and Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump.  It's a side of Jay you don't get to see so often on his show.  Killer convo, killer guy.

Congratulations on 10 years of podcasting!

Jay! Tomlinson, is my guest today and host of the award-winning podcast Best of the Left.  He became seriously interested in politics in 2003 during the Iraq war invasion.  With zero experience editing audio or managing a website Tomlinson launched Best of the Left in January 2006 at the age of 23. In 2009 the show won it's first Podcast Award in the Best Produced category and then again in 2012.  With help from activist/journalist, Katie Klabusich the show has been refined and expanded over the years to now include voicemails from listeners and activism segments produced in-house that give listeners an outlet to make a difference in the stories they hear on the show.  It is an extremely hands-on approach to podcasting.  Now, with 10 years of podcasting, Jay is a pioneer in podcasting, and with almost 1000 episodes, Best of the Left is one of the best shows there is for receiving the rundown on all that progressive radio and television has to offer. www.bestoftheleft.com

*News You May Have Missed*
HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY CITIZENS UNITED

AMMON BUNDY AND HIS MILITIA

IRAN U.S. Navy sailors taken captive
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/iran-navy-sailors-images-217709

NYPD POLICE SERGEANT KIZZY ADONIS
http://thefreethoughtproject.com/man-jailed-filming-eric-garners-death-eat-rat-poison-prisons-food/
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/09/nyregion/new-york-police-sergeant-to-face-internal-charges-in-eric-garner-confrontation.html?_r=0
http://www.democracynow.org/2016/1/12/eric_garners_daughter_instead_of_black

U.S. SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS
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Majority Villain is a show about Democracy and the power of people united.  Because of the inherent danger that unity supplies to the status quo and the powers-that-be, we are villains.

Majority Villain is hosted and produced by Greg Haddock, co-hosted by Graham Rue with help from Andrea Schmidt.  And now email me at Greg@majorityvillain.com.
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Music provided Evil Bear Boris and Blue Dot Sessions through freemusicarchive.org under Creative Commons Licensing.

-Link to one of Best Of The Left’s last shows.
http://www.bestoftheleft.com/_981_the_struggle_for_justice_continues_blacklivesmatter
-“How Obama Enable Atrocities” by Robert Parry
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/01/04/how-obama-enables-atrocities/
-fightfor15.org