Topic: Thom Hartmann

Progressive host Thom Hartmann discussed Trump's trade representative pick, Robert Lighthizer, noting his history as a protectionist under the Reagan administration. The discussion highlights a rare alignment between progressives and Trump's team on opposing neoliberal trade policies like NAFTA and the TPP. Analysts suggest that while powerful forces support the "offshoring status quo," Trump may be the first president in decades to emphatically challenge the existing trade framework.

A Harvard study led by Roland Fryer found no racial bias in officer-involved shootings, though it did find bias in lower-level uses of force. Media figures like Thom Hartmann and MSNBC analysts are criticized for dismissing the quantitative data in favor of "common sense" and viral videos. The hosts discuss the difference between qualitative and quantitative analysis in academic research.

The discussion turns to Universal Basic Income (UBI), following a failed referendum in Switzerland and ongoing interest in Finland and the Netherlands. The hosts examine the concept as a potential replacement for traditional welfare systems, though they express concern that it may turn citizens into "food for corporations."

The hosts contrast the No Agenda donation model with traditional media like SiriusXM, which they criticize for running deceptive advertisements for products like "SuperBeats." They argue that hosts like Thom Hartmann cannot be critical of companies like Uber because they rely on their advertising revenue. The segment concludes with a final round of birthday wishes and "karma" for the producers.

Liberal commentator Thom Hartmann appeared on Bill Maher's program to discuss Sweden's decision to deport 80,000 refugees. Hartmann argued that immigrants should be required to learn the local language and culture, a stance typically associated with the political right. Maher, known for his criticism of Islam, expressed support for European countries "hardening their hearts" against the current migrant influx.

Discussions in the UK and articles in Psychology Today have explored classifying climate change denial as a mental disorder. Critics argue that if the government views climate change as a greater threat than terrorism, those who deny it could be deemed a "danger to themselves or others." This classification could theoretically be used to strip individuals of their Second Amendment rights under new mental health reporting rules.

A witness at a congressional hearing explains that the Paris climate negotiations are primarily about transferring $100 billion annually from developed to developing nations. The hosts criticize media figures like Thom Hartmann for their one-sided coverage of the issue.

New York State investigates Exxon over claims the company knew about climate change in 1977 but funded denial campaigns. The hosts argue the analogy to the tobacco industry is flawed and designed to extract billions in settlements.

While driving, Adam Curry listened to Thom Hartmann's program on SiriusXM featuring Dr. Peter Breggin. They discussed the correlation between SSRI drugs and violent behavior in mass shooters. Curry notes that Hartmann failed to connect the lack of media coverage on this topic to the fact that pharmaceutical companies are major advertisers on mainstream networks.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and a group of 20 scientists propose using the RICO Act to prosecute climate change deniers, drawing parallels to 1990s tobacco litigation. Radio host Thom Hartmann is featured interviewing Paul Dreesen, calling him a "criminal" for accepting fossil fuel industry funding. The hosts defend the legality of industry tax breaks like the oil depletion allowance and criticize the call for jailing political opponents.

Climate scientists express optimism regarding the current El Niño pattern because it increases the accuracy of their seasonal prediction models. The hosts mock this "Big Jump" in predictability, suggesting that scientists are only happy because the phenomenon reduces the "random fluctuations" that usually make their models fail.

Radio host Thom Hartmann is campaigning for stricter food labeling laws following the death of his cat, Higgins. Hartmann blames unregulated Chinese cat food for the animal's death and criticizes the World Trade Organization for ruling against American country-of-origin labeling requirements.

Progressive commentator Thom Hartmann drew a controversial comparison between Christopher Columbus and ISIS, labeling the explorer the "ISIS of his day." This rhetoric is part of a broader movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. The hosts view these efforts as a "code for fellow travelers" within the progressive political sphere, aimed at vilifying Western historical figures.

Former Sheriff Richard Mack discussed the constitutional power of county sheriffs on Thom Hartmann's program, arguing they are the highest law enforcement officials because they are directly elected. The debate centers on the Tenth Amendment versus the Supremacy Clause and the hierarchy of federal agencies like the FBI compared to local sheriffs. The hosts explore the overlapping jurisdictions of sheriffs and city police in various states.

Discussions regarding stolen passports on Flight 370 have transitioned into a broader push for a centralized international identification system. Media figures like Thom Hartmann are observed linking global crises to the necessity of a universal carbon tax. These initiatives are framed as steps toward a New World Order governed by international bodies like the United Nations.

The hosts ridicule radio host Thom Hartmann for a segment called "Radcast," which reports daily radiation levels across the US. They argue the numbers are misleading, as high readings in places like Massachusetts are due to natural radon gas rather than fallout from Fukushima. They characterize the segment as fearmongering "bullcrap."

The hosts critique a clip of radio host Thom Hartmann, who claims Ronald Reagan promoted 401k plans to trick working people into supporting the interests of the wealthy. The hosts dismiss this as "screwball logic," noting that the stock market is dominated by institutional investors and pension funds. They also speculate on Hartmann's earnings from his syndicated show and his work on RT.

The hosts analyze Thom Hartmann's recent segments on RT, suggesting he is auditioning for a position at MSNBC by adopting a more partisan, anti-Republican stance. Hartmann is criticized for blaming Republicans for the failure to close Guantanamo Bay, despite President Obama's early executive orders and Democratic control of Congress. A clip of Obama promising to close the facility on *60 Minutes* is played to highlight the lack of follow-through.

Thom Hartmann and Bill Maher are criticized for their arguments against the Second Amendment, with Hartmann claiming it was originally intended to help Virginians control slaves. The hosts review statistics cited by Hartmann regarding gun-related suicides and the 1996 Australian gun buyback program. They argue that the right to bear arms is an inherent right that the Constitution merely protects from infringement, rather than a "tradition" that can be discarded.

A lawsuit filed by U.S. Navy sailors against TEPCO alleging radiation sickness from the Fukushima disaster is analyzed. A segment from Thom Hartmann's program is critiqued for claiming 71 sailors have cancer and were poisoned by desalinated water. Scientific counter-arguments suggest the radiation exposure levels were extremely low—equivalent to 25% of annual natural background radiation—and that the lawsuit was previously dismissed for lack of medical evidence.