Topic: Mother Jones

The discussion focuses on the media's use of the phrase "lashed out" to describe Donald Trump's criticisms of retired Admiral Bill McRaven. McRaven, a former Navy SEAL and commander of the operations against Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden, is characterized as a Hillary Clinton supporter. The hosts analyze how news outlets like Mother Jones use specific terminology to signal political alignment.

Daniel Halper of The Weekly Standard suggests that the outrage over Cambridge Analytica is politically motivated by those seeking to explain Donald Trump's victory. He argues that there is little evidence the targeted Facebook ads actually worked, citing reports that the Trump campaign initially viewed the data as "garbage." The existential threat to Facebook may be the realization by advertisers that their micro-targeting tools are ineffective.

Ari Berman of Mother Jones argues that the citizenship question is a tool for "nativist resentment" and voter suppression. He claims that an undercount of people of color will rig American democracy by shifting electoral power away from diverse states. The hosts critique Berman's rhetoric, specifically his grouping of all "people of color" into a single political category.

David Corn of Mother Jones is under investigation for inappropriate workplace behavior, while a Soros fund manager faces a $27 million lawsuit for alleged physical abuse and kinky sex. Additionally, Dustin Hoffman has been accused of sexually harassing a 17-year-old intern on a film set. These cases are presented as part of a broader wave of revelations following the Weinstein scandal.

The origins of the Trump-Russia dossier are revisited, focusing on David Corn's reporting for Mother Jones. The discussion examines the timeline of when the FBI became involved and the role of Fusion GPS. New focus is placed on whether the dossier was used to obtain FISA warrants.

The hosts analyze crime and police shooting statistics, questioning the narrative regarding the disproportionate killing of black Americans by white police officers. They cite data suggesting that while cumulative numbers of white men killed are higher, the debate often shifts between cumulative totals and population percentages depending on the desired political message.

CNN's Don Lemon dismisses the Susan Rice story as a "fake scandal" ginned up by right-wing media. Meanwhile, David Corn of Mother Jones suggests that the criticism of Rice is rooted in racism and sexism. The hosts mock these defenses, characterizing them as a standard tactic to deflect from substantive allegations.

Christopher Steele, the founder of Orbis Business Intelligence, has reportedly gone into hiding following the publication of his dossier. The document is analyzed as a potential disinformation campaign that failed to gain traction before the 2016 election despite efforts by Mother Jones and other outlets.

A report by David Corn in Mother Jones is deconstructed, which claims a former senior intelligence officer provided the FBI with evidence of a long-term Russian operation to cultivate Donald Trump. The hosts express skepticism regarding the "spy" source and the validity of the memos mentioned in the article. They characterize the reporting as sensationalist and question the logistics of a foreign intelligence officer leaking classified memos to a journalist.

The Trump campaign removed William Johnson, a leader of the American Freedom Party, from its California delegate list following a Mother Jones investigation. The discussion analyzes the Southern Poverty Law Center's characterization of Johnson's group and the media's focus on white nationalist support for Trump. Johnson's public calls for a "white ethnostate" and his robocall campaigns are reviewed.

A leaked IPCC climate report published by Mother Jones outlines five "terrifying" facts about the planet's future. These include unprecedented planetary changes, certain ocean acidification, and a potential sea level rise of five to ten meters by 2100. The hosts mock the phrasing "virtually certain" and the long-term atmospheric presence of carbon emissions.

Media outlets including The New York Times, Mother Jones, and ThinkProgress have scrutinized Sheriff John Hanlin for previously sharing a video questioning the official narrative of the Sandy Hook shooting. Hanlin has dismissed these reports as distractions from the current investigation in Oregon.

Media outlets like Mother Jones and Rolling Stone are criticized for aggressive coverage of Donald Trump. Rolling Stone is specifically called out for reviving 30-year-old rape allegations involving Ivana Trump to spark a conversation alongside the Bill Cosby scandal. These reports are characterized as a coordinated effort to neutralize Trump as a political threat.

First Look Media announced $550,000 in grants to organizations including the EFF and the Freedom of the Press Foundation. The hosts characterize these grants as "hush money" intended to prevent negative coverage of Pierre Omidyar's operations, while noting Glenn Greenwald's lucrative speaking tour.

The Freedom of the Press Foundation recently named Edward Snowden to its board of directors. The organization, co-founded by Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras, is fiscally sponsored by the Foundation for National Progress, which operates Mother Jones. This financial connection has raised questions about the foundation's neutrality and its role in the ongoing Snowden revelations.

A leaked IPCC report published by Mother Jones warns of unprecedented planetary changes and significant sea level rise by 2100. Meanwhile, the BBC reports on a global warming slowdown linked to cooler Pacific waters. Unusual snowfall in Brazil is noted as a counter-point to the prevailing warming narrative.

An investigation into the Freedom of the Press Foundation reveals its board includes Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, and John Perry Barlow. The organization is identified as a project of the Foundation for National Progress, which publishes Mother Jones. Financial ties are traced to the George Soros Open Society Institute, leading to claims that the foundation serves as a "front group" for specific political interests.

A secret video published by Mother Jones shows Mitt Romney telling donors that 47 percent of Americans are dependent on the government and will vote for President Obama regardless of his campaign. The media, including CNN's Soledad O'Brien and the BBC, have been accused of spinning the comments into a racial issue or labeling the 47 percent as "scroungers." The hosts suggest the video's release may be a strategic "throwing in the towel" by the Republican establishment.

Mother Jones published a highly critical article by Kevin Drum labeling Ron Paul a "crank" and attacking his past newsletters. The hosts defend Paul, noting that Drum is a "cat blogger" who supported the Iraq War. They criticize the mainstream media's refusal to engage with Paul's actual policy positions, such as his opposition to the NDAA.

The investigation into Jared Lee Loughner following the Tucson shooting focuses on his obsession with lucid dreaming and nihilism. Media reports from Nightline and Mother Jones suggest Loughner attempted to manipulate his dreams in a manner similar to the film Inception. Speculation arises regarding a 2007 meeting between Loughner and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, where a question about the meaning of words allegedly served as a psychological trigger.