Progressives at Brave New Films

Do Third-Party Candidates Make a Difference? - Matt Gonzalez

2008-07-11T10:41:57Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Independent Vice Presidential candidate Matt Gonzalez discusses the history of third parties in America, arguing that these groups have been instrumental in promoting social change.

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As president of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, Gonzalez helped to install rank-choice voting and raise the San Francisco minimum wage.

In 2003, he ran for San Francisco mayor in a controversial election, just barely losing to Gavin Newsom - The Commonwealth Club of California

Matt Gonzalez was born in McAllen, Texas in 1965. He received a BA degree from Columbia College, Columbia University, 1987, and a JD from Stanford Law School in 1990. He worked as a deputy public defender in San Francisco from 1991-2000. In 2000 he was elected to the 11-member San Francisco Board of Supervisors, which supervises a city with a budget of $6 billion.

He is best known for having led the effort to implement Instant Run-off Voting, also known as Rank Choice Voting, in San Francisco, where it has been successfully implemented to obtain a majority outcome without the need for costly run-off elections. Matt Gonzalez is a 2008 Vice Presidential Candidate running with Ralph Nader.

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McCain's Stump Speech for Obama

2008-07-24T12:53:19Z

Barack Obama just made history by becoming our first African-American Presidential nominee. But Obama also accomplished something else last night, something completely unintentional that Democrats haven’t done successfully in a long, long time. He compelled his Republican opponent to use his frame for a change—literally.

By all accounts, there was nothing unexpected about last night’s speeches from the three Presidential hopefuls. McCain’s speech was unconvincing and wholly uninspired. Clinton refused to acknowledge Obama’s victory and continued to talk about herself, even when pretending to talk about others: “While I traveled our country talking about how I wanted to help you, time and again, you reached out to help me, to grab my hand or grip my arm, to look into my eyes and tell me, don't quit, keep fighting, stay in this race for us.” And Obama was his usual poised, eloquent self as he graciously celebrated Clinton, jabbed at McCain, and fired up the crowd once again by talking about “our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.”

With the exception of the press being much more critical of McCain than usual, these speeches appeared to be merely the next step in a seemingly endless 17-month primary marathon. And yet McCain played right into Obama’s hands by devoting his entire speech to countering Obama’s message of “change” with his own message of, well, “change.”

McCain appeared in front of a green board with the message “A Leader We Can Believe In” scrawled across it, which blogger Attaturk quipped made him look "like the cottage cheese in a lime jello salad." This was an obvious ploy by McCain to repackage Obama’s “Change We Can Believe In,” coupled with the slightly subtler green, a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Within the first couple of minutes, McCain began talking about change, which, as Tim Russert later noted on MSNBC, was a word he reiterated 32 times (33 if you count “climate change”).

“This is, indeed, a change election,” McCain said. “No matter who wins this election, the direction of this country is going to change dramatically. But, the choice is between the right change and the wrong change; between going forward and going backward.” At this point, McCain grimaced awkwardly, perhaps because deep down he knew he was reinforcing Obama’s message.

What exactly did McCain mean by the “right” and “wrong” change? Well, that was really where McCain's rhetoric began to sound like a stump speech for Obama:

“The right change recognizes that many of the policies and institutions of our government have failed. They have failed to keep up with the challenges of our time because many of these policies were designed for the problems and opportunities of the mid to late 20th Century, before the end of the Cold War; before the revolution in information technology and rise of the global economy. The right kind of change will initiate widespread and innovative reforms in almost every area of government policy -- health care, energy, the environment, the tax code, our public schools, our transportation system, disaster relief, government spending and regulation, diplomacy, the military and intelligence services. Serious and far-reaching reforms are needed in so many areas of government to meet our own challenges in our own time.”

McCain’s use of “change” clearly shows that Obama now controls the discourse of this election.

Olberman Opened The Door For Liberals To Get In Media

2008-07-09T18:31:43Z

Watch more at www.theyoungturks.com

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Eric Alterman - Liberals and Patriotism

2008-06-17T21:31:26Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Columnist Eric Alterman dismisses notions that American liberals are "unpatriotic," in a conversation with FORA.tv founder and CEO Brian Gruber.

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Liberal columinst, blogger and author Eric Alterman sits down for an interview with FORA.tv Founder and CEO Brian Gruber to discuss his most recent book Why We're Liberals, the meaning of liberalism, and the state of politics in the United States.

Eric Alterman is distinguished professor of English at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York and professor of journalism at the Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, as well as the liberal columnist for The Nation and Altercation blogger for Media Matters for America(formerly at MSNBC.com) in Washington, DC, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC, where he writes and edits the "Think Again" column, a senior fellow (since 1985) at the World Policy Institute at The New School in New York, and a history consultant to HBO Films.

Alterman is the author of seven books, including the national bestsellers, What Liberal Media? The Truth About Bias and the News (2003, 2004), and The Book on Bush: How George W. (Mis)leads America (with Mark Green, 2004).

The others include: When Presidents Lie: A History of Official Deception and its Consequences, (2004, 2005). His Sound & Fury: The Making of the Punditocracy (1992, 2000), won the 1992 George Orwell Award and his It Ain't No Sin to be Glad You're Alive: The Promise of Bruce Springsteen (1999, 2001), won the 1999 Stephen Crane Literary Award, and Who Speaks for America? Why Democracy Matters in Foreign Policy, (1998).

His newest book is Why We're Liberals: A Political Handbook to Post-Bush America, (2008).

Brian Gruber is Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of FORA.tv.

Gruber has twenty years experience successfully building and marketing media enterprises. As the senior marketing officer for a range of respected media institutions, he has managed billion dollar revenue budgets and large and small marketing teams. As the first marketing director for C-SPAN, he built its affiliate sales and marketing organization, launching C-SPAN II with the largest subscriber base ever for a cable network at launch. As director of marketing for News Corp's FOXTEL, he helped build the most successful cable television brand in Australia, going from number three to number one in cable subscriptions, brand equity and consumer awareness. As the head of marketing of the largest urban divisions of 3 top ten cable companies (MSO's), he turned flat or negative subscriber growth into substantial gains. And as president of g/media and Principals.com, he has helped more than twenty new media companies develop brands, marketing strategies, and consumer products.

He also acted as the media advisor and new media producer for the World Affairs Council of Northern California, the nation's most prolific presenter of quality world affairs events.

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Eric Alterman - "Liberal" Is Not a Bad Word

2008-07-09T17:35:56Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Columnist Eric Alterman discusses negative perceptions of the term "liberal" as it is used in American politics, in a conversation with FORA.tv founder and CEO Brian Gruber.

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His newest book is Why We're Liberals: A Political Handbook to Post-Bush America, (2008).

Brian Gruber is Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of FORA.tv.

He also acted as the media advisor and new media producer for the World Affairs Council of Northern California, the nation's most prolific presenter of quality world affairs events.

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My Impending Divorce with the L-word

2008-05-12T17:14:55Z

Over the past few weeks, I have engaged in debates with concerned liberals over the DREAM Act, and I have come out of these shocked and betrayed. These are the people I usually stand shoulder to shoulder with at an anti-war or pro-choice rally, and help bail out of jail.

The conversation usually starts with misconceived notions of DREAMers as "illegals" who want a free ride in college and who don't even pay taxes. When I step in to note how my parents did in fact pay thousands in taxes and that we paid my way through graduate school (without taking loans), I am accused of either fabrication or privilege. "You should quit feeling disempowered" is the comment levied at me last week, and I knew I had to step back from the discussion at that point because this person was knowingly or unknowingly scapegoating and I was not about to share the levels of disempowerment that I face in American society.

Norman Lear on God, patriotism and morality

2008-06-10T21:29:29Z

More at therealnews.com
Lear says progressives must be part of the conversation about values, Obama's speech historic

Wednesday March 19th, 2008

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Progressives uniting: Edwards supporters choose Obama

2008-02-01T20:44:24Z

Today, both MoveOn.org and ColorOfChange.org released results of who their members are supporting in the primary:

MoveOn.org: Obama 70%, Clinton 30%

ColorOfChange.org: Obama 69%, Edwards 12%, Clinton 11%

Color of Change, then did a poll after Edwards pulled out and 56% of Edwards supporters chose Obama, and 9% chose Clinton... 32% are still undecided.

Progressives are clearly uniting behind Obama. Maybe America will too. We'll find out Tuesday during our live election night coverage of Super Tuesday.

And don't forget to vote!

Michael Parenti - Is Bush A Failure?

2008-07-09T17:36:07Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Progressive author Michael Parenti argues that the popular liberal perception of a "failed" Bush Administration may not be accurate.

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Michael Parenti discusses Contrary Notions.

Internationally acclaimed, award winning author Michael Parenti is one of America's most astute and engaging political analysts. Covering a wide range of subjects, Parenti's work has enlightened and enlivened readers for many years. Here is a rich buffet of his deep but lucid writings on real history, political life, empire, wealth, class power, technology, culture, ideology, media, environment, gender, and ethnicity - along with a few choice selections drawn from his own life experiences and political awakening.

Parenti serves on the board of judges for Project Censored, and on numerous advisory boards as well as the advisory editorial boards of New Political Science and Nature, Society and Thought. He is the author of twenty books - Cody's Books

Michael Parenti received his Ph.D. in political science from Yale University. He has taught at a number of colleges and universities, in the United States and abroad.

Michael Parenti has won awards from Project Censored, the Caucus for a New Political Science, the city of Santa Cruz, New Jersey Peace Action, the Social Science Research Council, the Society for Religion in Higher Education, and other organizations. In 2007 he was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Representative Barbara Lee.

During his earlier teaching career he received grants or fellowships from the Louis Rabinowitz Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Brown University, Yale University, State University of New York, and the University of Illinois. For several years he was a Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.

He now serves on the board of judges for Project Censored, and on the advisory boards of Independent Progressive Politics Network, Education Without Borders, and the Jasenovic Foundation; as well as the advisory editorial boards of New Political Science and Nature, Society and Thought.

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Mike Gravel - Do We Need A "National Initiative" Law?

2008-06-16T21:29:29Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Former Alaska Senator and 2008 Democratic Presidential candidate Mike Gravel talks about his plans for a "National Initiative," whereby American citizens would vote directly on matters of national policy.

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Mike Gravel sits down for a talk at the Commonwealth Club of California.

With the primaries fast approaching, The Club once again serves as an important stop on the campaign trail as we bring you an unparalleled, up-close-and-personal conversation with Democratic candidate Gravel. Gravel, an outspoken former two-term U.S. senator from Alaska, has staked out positions that place him often in direct confrontation with his own party.

During the Vietnam War, Gravel fiercely opposed legislation to renew the military draft and also played a key role in the release of the Pentagon Papers. He has remained committed to the ideals of direct democracy and led a constitutional amendment effort modeled after the state ballot initiatives that would allow American voters to become "law makers" and introduce federal ballot initiatives. From his advocacy for a universal health-care system to the support of a guest worker program, learn more about how Gravel plans to be the "Man for America" - Commonwealth Club of California

Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel, is a former Democratic United States Senator from Alaska, having served for two terms, from 1969 to 1981. He is primarily known for his efforts in ending the draft following the Vietnam War and for having put the Pentagon Papers into the public record in 1971. He is currently a candidate for the 2008 Democratic nomination for President of the United States.

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Forget About MTV - We Want Respect

2008-06-13T15:33:58Z

There is this ongoing rhetoric, this feeling, this jibberish that I have heard way too many times. “Young people don’t count, young people aren’t doing anything, young people don’t vote.” I bought into it at first, but now, I’m at a point where I don’t want to ever hear that garbage again. The first time that sentiment rubbed me the wrong way was when Tom Brokaw released The Greatest Generation. He was doing his publicity tour, and he made some comment about how the current young generation – which happened to be my generation – Generation X, was spoiled, and had never really had to fight for anything. This was three years before 9/11, five years before we were dragged into an illegal war. All we had lived through was the ridiculous impeachment of our president over an extramarital affair.

At the time no one was considering the fact that Generation X would be the generation responsible for dealing with the ramifications of years of imperialism around the world. Generation X would be responsible for finding alternative energy solutions once we’d exhausted all other resources. The “apathetic” generation would be trying to correct the economic disparity not only in the US, but throughout the world for years to come. Gen X’ers and generations to follow would be faced with the types of challenges previous generations had never even fathomed. Quite a bit for the slacker generation.

Around election time, it gets worse. News stories always come out about how some candidate is the “youth” candidate – how they’re drumming up support among young voters, and how it doesn’t matter because – young people are not going to show up and vote on Election Day. No, they’ll probably just be passed out, drunk somewhere. I mean that’s what they’re getting at, right? It just isn’t true. From 2000 – 2004 there was a 4.3 million jump in youth voters.

Cliff Discusses The Progressive Movement In A Civil (yes really!) Forum On PBS' White House Chronicle

2008-03-21T13:36:53Z

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Laura Flanders - Democratic Needs at the Grassroots Level

2008-06-07T09:35:40Z

Complete video at: fora.tv

Author and Air America Radio host Laura Flanders criticizes the Democratic Party for lacking organization at the level of local politics.

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Democrats are now in control of Congress thanks to a combination of strong Democratic candidates and disenchantment with President Bush and Republican policies. Right? Superb radio host and author Laura Flanders tends to disagree. In her new book, "Blue Grit: True Democrats Take Back Politics from the Politicians," Flanders argues that the Democrats are back in power due to the hard work of well-organized grassroots groups who have been building effective collations and engaging uninspired voters through new technology, new media, and new fundraising strategies - all of which the national Democratic Party has failed to do - Cody's Books

Laura Flanders hosts her own radio show RadioNation on Air America Radio. She is the author of "Bushwomen: How They Won the White House for Their Man"; "Real Majority, Media Minority: The Costs of Sidelining Women in Reporting"; and is the editor of "The W Effect: Sexual Politics in the Bush Years and Beyond."

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Who is the voice of the of the Liberal Progressives?

2008-06-08T09:30:29Z

The Young Turks discuss their position as Liberal Progressives. Clip of the day for June 22, 2006. Hosted By Cenk Uygur, Ben Mankiewicz, and Jill Pike. Watch live from 6-9AM ET on www.theyoungturks.com. Listen from 6-9AM ET on Air America Radio.

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