Real Time with Bill Maher #358 06/26/15 "A Very Good Week"

by Catherine Giordano



The rainbow flag flies.

Real Time with Bill Maher, episode #358, which aired on 6/26/2015, reminded us that it was a very good week.  

“The Confederate Flag went down and the Rainbow Flag went up,” Maher said in his opening monologue. It was a very good week, except maybe for Lindsey Graham. Maher chided the Republicans for acting like a bunch of “drama queens” about the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality. “They do realize that same sex marriage is not mandatory?” Maher quipped. You wouldn’t know it by how outraged they are.

It was a great week for Obama. It was such a good week for Obama that Maher said, “It was like an episode of The West Wing.”

The Affordable Care Act survived the challenge to it in the Supreme Court. It was saved by a six to three ruling, with Kennedy and Roberts joining the liberals. They actually ruled on only a very narrow bit of law—whether or not four words, essentially just a typo, could overturn the clear meaning and intent of the act as a whole. They ruled that it could not. This ruling said nothing about the merit, or lack of merit, of the law as a whole. However, just the fact that the law survived is cause for celebration.  

Next Obama got the fast track approval he wanted in order to negotiate the TPP trade deal. He did it by getting mostly Republican votes. So weird that this time it was Democrats opposing him. I trust Obama. What could be his reason for negotiating a bad deal that hurts American jobs? He doesn’t need campaign donations. And he certainly doesn’t need to do something that would tarnish his legacy. 

Obama has finally learned how to play the political game. It is so sad about how long it takes presidents to get savvy enough to get their legislation passed. One good thing about having Hillary as president is that she won’t have that learning curve. She’s done it all before when her husband was president. She can be an effective president on Day One.  

So many times I have said, “Obama gave the best speech ever.” He did it again on Friday afternoon at the funeral for Clementa Pinckney. The White House announced that it would not be a political speech, and in some ways it wasn’t. It celebrated the life of “Clem” (as the president called him a few times), and he joined the family and friends in grief. However the political message for gun control, for voting rights, for equality, and against the remnants of Jim Crow came through loud and clear. I could see how his years as a community organizer when he worked with black churches was proving to be time well spent because he learned oratory from the best during those years, His speech rivaled the “I come to bury Caesar not to praise him” speech given in Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, in the masterful way he wove his political themes into a funeral oration.  

Obama had barely finished speaking before those confederate flags started coming down. 

If you missed that speech, listen to it right now.



 

The interview
I am supposed to be reviewing Bill Maher’s show here and I went way off on a tangent. You can’t blame me--even the interview began with the sentence “I am so proud of this president.”  The interview was with Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She said, “Renewables are how we protect public health. That’s my job and I’m doing it.” 

Talking about the coal industry, Maher said, “Why do we want to save the worst jobs in the world.” There should be money for retraining so the coal minors can have jobs that don’t kill them. McCarthy agreed saying “It is not a choice between saving the planet and jobs.” Exactly right. Investing in renewable fuel will help save the planet while being good for jobs and the economy. 

ObamaCare/Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Maher, speaking about Republicans vows to repeal the Act, said, “When it (the ACA) is five years old, you have to stop talking about abortion." I'll add: It is even too late to kill it in its crib.  

You can always count on Michael Eric Dyson, MSNBC political analyst, contributing op-ed writer for the New York Times, and author of several books, including Debating Race: with Michael Eric Dyson, to speak his mind—straight up and with eloquence. Dyson said: “If you think it is bad, then fix it.” “They are against it, but they don’t know what they are for.” “Why doesn’t Congress let the people have [the health insurance plan] that they have?”  

Mary Katherine Hamm, contributing editor to Town Hall magazine, contributor to Fox News, and co-author of End of Discussion: How the Left's Outrage Industry Shuts Down Debate, Manipulates Voters, and Makes America Less Free (and Fun) chimed in. “There aren’t enough doctors.” Of all the arguments against the ACA this is the most despicable. Other people should die so Hamm doesn’t have to wait an extra week for a doctor’s appointment. If there are not enough doctors, then get more doctors, allow nurses to do more of the routine tasks, etc.  

I know nothing about this woman. However, based on the title of her book, I predicted that I would not like her and that she would talk over the other guests. I was right on both counts.

Gay Marriage

Dyson talked about the many politicians like Obama and Hillary Clinton who have changed their minds on this issue along with most of America (Today about 60% of Americans are for allowing same sex couples to marry.) Dyson said, “People do evolve.” Then a slip of the tongue: “Why shouldn’t gay people be as miserable—I mean as happy as …”

Kristen Soltis Anderson, co-founder of Echelon Insights (an opinion research firm), contributing editor for The Daily Beast and the author of The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials are Leading the Country (and How Republicans Can Keep Up), agreed that opinions on this had changed rapidly, but “not as fast as they did for the Confederate flag.” True enough, the Confederate flag thing seemed to happen overnight.  

Maher pointed out that Chief Justice Roberts had a “hissy fit,” and although “he was not as bad as Scalia, that is not saying much.”)  

Mid Show comedy: Headlines

Whenever Real Time goes on hiatus, Maher does a headlines segment, where he predicts headlines that you might see while he is off the air. Here are some of them: 

• Justice Scalia Gets Show on fox News
• Jesus Christ Returns. Declares Climate Change Real. GOP Says “He’s No Scientist.”
• Lindsey’s Graham: “He’s Not Gay” Says Roommate of 25 Years

Judd Apatow

Josh Apatow and Bill Maher Discuss Bill Cosby
Maher and Josh Apatow have known each other a long time and you could see the friendship that exists between them. Apatow is the producer and director of the new film Trainwreck and author of a new book, Sick in the Head: Conversations About Lifeand Comedy. He is a comedian, actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for the 90’s TV show, Freaks and Geeks.

They began by talking about Bill Cosby. Maher said, “He has put more people to sleep than warm milk.”  

Apatow said that the 40 women who have accused Cosby had no reason to lie. They were not seeking fame or fortune; many of Cosby’s accusers already had both. Apatow said he knew one woman who has not come forward who was one of his victims. Maher replied,” I don’t know any women who don’t have a story about him." 

 

Maher likes to depict Trump as an ape.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump entering the Republican primary and immediately shooting up to second place in polls of Republicans is another reason it was a very good week. Maher said, “He is the guy for people who like belligerence. And added “He’s the white Kanye.” 

Dyson said, “His views are what millions of people think.” When Maher said, “He’s all id.” Dyson said, “Id as in Idiot.”

Maher suggested a Trump-Christie ticket. “Fuhgeddaboutit.”

I think Trump is the best thing that could have happened for liberals. He just ups the clown factor of the “clown car.” He will be slandering every serious candidate. He’s already had plenty to say about JEB!. He will get on the debate stage and make outrageous statements about how all Mexicans are rapists. If the other candidates agree, they alienate the base of the party that agrees with Trump. If they disagree, they alienate middle of the road Americans and Hispanics who they must win to their side. Further, just by being on the stage with the other candidates makes Americans think that this is what the Republican Party is all about. Why would anyone want to be part of a party that puts Trump in the top tier of candidates for the presidential nomination?

New Rules—Doubt Sourcing
Bill Maher thinks we have a right to know where our meat comes from. Certain business interests don’t want us to know. Republicans want to erase meat labels and repeal the estate tax so Maher has the perfect slogan for them “Eat shit and die!” That line got one of the biggest laughs of the night. 

Maher told us that a single burger could have meat in it from 100 cows. “A big gang bang in your mouth.” Another big laugh.

Republicans think “We should balance facts with anti-facts. We are the United States of We Don’t Wanna Know.” 

Maher pointed out that it is a crime to film inside a slaughter house. (It seems the last time that was done, it resulted in the biggest meat recall in history. Apparently pushing cows too sick to stand into a meat grinder just wasn’t appetizing.) “Everyone in America is under constant surveillance—except livestock.” 

He ended, “Your right to know something will always be outweighed by their right to hide it from you.” 

It was a very good week
It was a very good week for the country. It was a very good week for Bill Maher’s show. Maher will be back on August 6, 2015. Until then, we will have to cap off our week on Friday night with reruns.   

 
List of Guests  #358, June 26, 2014

The Interview:

Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Mid Show Guest:

Judd Apatow, Producer and Director of the new film Trainwreck; author of the new book, Sick in the Head: Conversations About Lifeand Comedy, comedian, actor, director, and screenwriter, best known for the 90’s TV show, Freaks and Geeks

Panel

Michael Eric Dyson, MSNBC political analyst, contributing op-ed writer for the New York Times, author of several books, including Debating Race: with Michael Eric Dyson

Kristen Soltis Anderson, Co-founder of Echelon Insights, an opinion research firm, contributing editor for The Daily Beast and the author of The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials are Leading the Country (and How Republicans Can Keep Up)

 

Mary Katherine Hamm: Contributing editor to Town Hall magazine, contributor to Fox News, co-author of End of Discussion: How the Left's Outrage Industry Shuts Down Debate, Manipulates Voters, and Makes America Less Free (and Fun)

Real Time with Bill Maher #321 June 13, 2014 "Totally Tripping"

Totally Tripping

by Catherine Giordano

Bill Maher was tripping out, but his guests pretty much avoided tripping up on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, episode 321, which aired on 6/13/14.  I promise, this review and recap will be worth the trip. 

Let’s start at the end with New Rules and a bit called “Brownie Points.” Maher gave Colorado its marching orders with the rules a state must observe when that state is the first to legalize recreational marijuana making it “The Jackie Robinson of Pot.” His point was that when you are first at something, the way Jackie Robinson, was the first black in major league baseball, you have to get it right or you will ruin it for those who hope to follow you.  

Maureen Dowd went to Colorado, got some pot, and did everything wrong.  Then she blasts the details of her bad trip in The New York Times. (Read the column here.)  This prompted Maher to proclaim some rules for weed newbies.  I repeat them as a public service.

·         Don’t do it alone the first time. 

·         Don’t mix pot with alcohol.  It’s like funny pron.  It ruins both. 

·        The first time, smoke it, don’t eat it.  Eating it makes is more intense.  Eating it is more likely to make you paranoid. 

·         It takes time to have an effect. Be patient. Don’t keep taking more. 

·         Also the serving size of a regular brownie may be one brownie, but the serving size of a pot brownie is just a very small bite.
 

·        Don’t take stuff made for veteran users. You know like skiers who are supposed to learn on the bunny slope.   

Then he advised Colorado not to throw the baby out with the bong water. Be sure to give newbie customers detailed instructions and guidance. Also, stop selling pot that looks like popular brands of candy. That is not what stoners do; it is what R.J Reynolds does. 

CLICK HERE for more details about "Brownie Points"

And now to a few people in the news who tripped up this week. 
 

·       Eric Cantor lost his primary for his e district to a Tea party newcomer.  Maher quipped that Cantor said, “I get it. I was unreasonable, uninformed, and hateful.  What happened?  

·        Rick Perry compared gay people to alcoholics.  Perry believes that maybe they got a bad gene, but they can just control it. 

·       Hillary got into some kind of fight with Terry Gross on NPR about how and why and when Hillary changed her position on gay marriage. I heard that sound bite.  It seemed to me that they were both saying the exact same thing.  (Listen to it here.) 
    

·        McCain who has been proven wrong on everything he has ever said about Iraq, now wants us to bomb Iraq to protect the Shiite government. But wait, Iran is Shiite so we would be helping Iran who McCain also wants us to bomb. In fact McCain’s answer to everything is bombing. McCain is a cranky old man who should have retired long ago.

 

The interview was with Gina McCarthy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator. She spoke about the Clean Power Program and the importance of the fight against pollution to public health.  She said, “Reducing carbon is an economic opportunity. She told us that five Northeast states have acted on their own and are making cap and trade work. Who opted out? Massachusetts (under Governor Romney) and New Jersey (under Governor Christie) they had/have presidential ambitions and both members of the anti-science party. 

 

I am against the Keystone pipeline, not just because of the dangers of an oil spill, but because it is putting money into an antiquated technology. Renewable energy is the energy of the future and will make this country free of dependence on foreign oil. It will create far more jobs that the pipeline and spur economic development. Its win-win--except if you happen to be a billionaire in the oil industry. (I mean you, Koch brothers.)  

            

The panelists included Richard A. Clarke, former National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism and author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction. His newest novel is Sting of the Drone.  He was the first person to tell the country the truth about 9-11. He has the wisdom and gravitas of an elder statesman.  

 

Another panelist was Krystal Ball, co-host on MSNBC's The Cycle. She’s relatively young, but she is poised and in command of the facts.  

 

The third panelist was Tom Rogan:  a contributor to National Review Online, The Daily Telegraph, and blogger at TomRoganThinks. Tom Rogan may think, but not always too well—alas he thinks like a conservative which means he frequently distorts the facts, as in this exchange with Clarke.

 

 

Maher:     Saddam was against the jihadists. We got rid of the Sunni secularists and now we have the Sunni crazies.  

 

Clarke:     Saddam was fighting Al Qaeda.

 

Rogan:     I agree, but if we hadn’t gotten rid of him he would have had a nuclear program.

 

Clarke:     No, we wouldn’t have allowed it. (spoken with firm authority)

 

Rogan:     We allowed it in Iran. 

 

Clarke:     No, we have not allowed it. (spoken with firm authority)

 

Rogan:     We’ll see. (spoken petulantly)

 

Rogan’s dubious arguments were not helped by his over-eager puppy dog manner.  He looked and acted like a 12-year old child.  I wanted to ask him to move to the children’s table so the adults could talk. 

 

The discussion about Iraq was quite a long one—usually Maher is changing subjects every three minutes—so they got into the dynamics of the Middle East in some detail.

 

Maher took an historical view. “In the 16^th century, the Catholics and the protestants spent 100 years killing each other. Now Islam is having its 16^th century. Let them have it.” Exactly right—we don’t need to be involved in their religious wars that have been going on almost since the beginnings of Islam. 

 

Getting back to the present crisis, Clarke said, “We are still trying to clean up the mess that Bush created for the world.”  

 

Rogan piped up, “We withdrew our troops that why.”  

 

Clarke set him straight. “It would have happened whenever we withdrew, even if we stayed for 1000 years.” 

 

Ball added. “We thought that with magical capitalism-democracy fairy dust, we could fix everything. 

 

Naturally, Rogan had to bring up the same-old, same old. “If you do nothing, they will export terrorism. 

 

Clarke had to set him straight again. “If they set up terrorism camps in Iraq, we will deal with it. But let it happen first.”  

 

Maher added, “Terrorist groups are all over the world. We would have to go to war with 15 countries.”  Later, he added, “We can use drones, the middle ground between sending an army and doing nothing.”  Maher got it exactly right.  

  

The mid-show guest was Carol Leifer, a stand-up comedian, writer and producer for several TV shows, and author. Her latest book is How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying, a book that instructs young people how to succeed in business with such hints as, don’t be late, don’t dress like a whore. (Do young people actually need to be told these things.  It seems they do.)  

 

On the issue of women in business, Leifer talked about a woman who went on a job interview and was asked if she could make a good cup of coffee. “She stormed right out of that Starbucks.” 

 

Leifer also discussed telling her eight year old son she was going to marry her partner a woman. Here sold told her “Girls can’t get married to each other.” Leifer said, “So now I have to tell my mother her grandson is a Republican.” 

 

The mid-show comedy segment was about stuff written on T-shirts for pregnant woman.  It seems a T-shirt that said “Wake me when I am skinny again,” set off a controversy about expectations about women’s bodies.  I don’t get it.  I think a lot of pregnant women feel this way.  So Maher came up with some other T-shirt scripts, such as, 

 

·         “It looked like fun on Juno. 

 

·         Nice try, Trojans. 

 

·         I’m with Stupid ä 

 

See more details about the comedy bit at Bill Maher Rules.
 

Let’s end this trip with something Richard Clarke said.  “Doctor Frankenstein creates the monster and it kills him. Cantor created the Tea party and it killed him.”   

 

Also, a bit of advice for Hillary.  Don’t get testy and petulant during interviews. That slamming the press works for Republicans because the Republican base hates what they call “the liberal media.” Democrats, not so much.  Don’t let the story of the day (or week) be about a catfight.  

 

I’ll be tripping with Bill Maher again next week. Same time. Same place.  I hope you come along for the ride.

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Guests

CLICK HERE for details

Gina McCarthy:  U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator

Richard A. Clarke:  former National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism and author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction.  His newest novel is Sting of the Drone 

Krystal Ball:  co-host on MSNBC's The Cycle

Tom Rogan:  a contributor to National Review Online, The Daily Telegraph, blogger at TomRoganThinks

Carol Leifer: a stand-up comedian, writer and producer for several TV shows, and author. Her latest book is How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying