[344] NATO Leaves US Behind in Afghanistan, Debating Ukraine & Cenk Uygur Breaks the Set

[jakeXT]

EPISODE BREAKDOWN: On this episode of Breaking the Set, Abby Martin remarks on the news that Canadian and British forces have all but withdrawn from Afghanistan, while the US continues to indefinitely pour money into the country's failed institutions. Abby then reports on the latest news from Ukraine, and speaks with John Feffer, Co-director of Foreign Policy in Focus, and Eric Draitser, founder of StopImperialism.org about what Crimea's referendum means for the people of Ukraine, and where superpowers fit into this geo-political tug of war. BTS wraps up the show with an interview with host and founder of The Young Turks, Cenk Uygur, discussing why he left his job at MSNBC, the corporate media's superficial coverage of news events and the recipe for success in alternative media.

[dotymed]

1. Thank God for these "pioneers"

in modern NEWS honesty. therealnews.com, democracynow.org and a few others have (IMO) been very inspirational
to these news and commentary programs. It is a definite reflection on teevee that these programs and others (Thom Hartmann, Ring of Fire, etc.) have to utilize the (so far) openness of the internet in order to be seen/heard.
Many of these actual "Fourth Estate" programs also are being aired on non-corporate teevee.
As long as we can keep some net neutrality and encourage others to get real information at these sites, we are combatting the "dumbing down" of America and the world. This allows us to fight the stupidity that our corporate masters are desperately trying to brainwash the public with.
IMO, these are real freedom fighters that allow people who are curious about the real happenings in the world to gain insight. Inevitably, each person must make up their own minds. It is very encouraging that these actual honest and openly opinionated outlets are growing in viewership.
We used to have (by an FCC rule that was enforced, pre-Reagan) "The Fairness Doctrine" that required all "news" programs to give each side of any issue they reported.
That was intended (and it worked) to keep Americans some of the best informed world citizens.
When the Reagan/bush coup stole (guns for hostages, etc.) the oval office, they (bush was former CIA director) knew the importance of propaganda in controlling elections, people, etc. So Reagan had THE FAIRNESS DOCTRINE repealed.
Since these openly antagonistic (to corporate propaganda) outlets have filled the vacuum of the repealed Fairness Doctrine, IF they can get the viewership of the MSM "news", Our world stands a real chance. The quicker, the better for our planet

As Thom Hartmann pointed out, journalism was the ONLY business mentioned in our Constitution. The "Fourth Estate"
is the only citizen controlled "check" on our govt. and therefore is as important and legitimate as any other arm of our govt.
Actually, IMO, it is the most important.
An important addendum: Obama had the actual language of the Fairness Doctrine removed from the FCC charter. sad and true...

[BelgianMadCow]

2. Yes. Sometimes I think it's all about not falling down the memory hole

again. Cenk & Abbey speaking about press freedom was great.