MsJudi wrote: 
When Air America was getting going I thought "good idea, this will be a nice counter to the AM right wing drumbeat". But after just a few listens it quickly became apparent to me that it was just the flip side of the coin. The answer to right wing hate isn't left wing hate.  We need to recognize that we all exist on a continuum of ideas. On any given issue, I may have a different solution to you, but we also probably have a lot of common ground. Once we get there, and can accept that there are more than one solution to the many problems, we can consider compromise in order to move ahead. Does it really matter if we get to 4 by adding 2+2, or 1+3?  And can we live with 5 instead?  If we simply decry that there is a problem and we can't accept any part of the other guys solution then we'll have to learn to live with problems. 

I've not been a Democrat or a Republican in a long time. I occasionally call myself a libertarian (lite), but I don't really fit that set of ideas either.  I'm forced to compromise when I make a selection for my representatives because not one of them matches my ideas 100%. But this doesn't bother me, because I recognize that they are not there to represent me exclusively. They are also representing all my neighbors, and we clearly don't agree 100% on everything (did you see the color they picked for their trim?). So now why can't those same representatives recognize this simple truth and take the majority view that put them there, but go seek compromise and forward motion that is needed to lead?

I used to think as the worlds diverse populations intermixed more we would get more acceptance. But it seems like the more that people see differences, the more they retreat into their enclaves of sameness (band name). I don't have a solution other than keep trying. Call out the BS when you see it and keep acting in the best interest of everyone moving forward.

 hippiechick wrote: 
I'd rather be considered politically incorrect for having bright, uncommon ideas about how to move the plant forward in its evolution, rather than because I have a platform from which to scream, and an aging reputation for being cutting edge in another life, on another network.

 sirdroseph wrote: 
C'mon you know any problem can be solved by throwing money at it.

 hippiechick wrote: 
This statement is so many levels of wrong for reasons that have nothing to do with political persuasion.

 MsJudi wrote: 
That's why he is politically incorrect. Take him or leave him.

And OV, he gave 1 mil to Obama, so he is trying to be part of the solution. 

 MsJudi wrote: 
Just another big mouth that wants to be part of the problem, not the solution. They're everywhere, like hypocrites on a hot plate.

I'll tell you the truth... I used to enjoy old Bill, but then two things began to happen. The first is that I began to realize that his thinking is often as block-headed and simplistic as the right-wing pundits he loathes and that he tries to move all of his guests into restating and reaffirming his one-note solutions for the incredibly complex problems he discusses. Subtlety and detail seem to elude him. The second thing that happened, and this was way more irritating because it became a constant drum beat for him for a full season, was his constant rants that fat people have broken his heath care system. He's an unhealthy SOB- he makes no bones about his drinking and smoking habits- but suddenly it was us fat people who were the cause of his woes. So yes, I'm obese. Believe it or not, I'm also incredibly healthy, which I have confirmed every year with a full panel of tests administered by my physician. I place little to no burden on the health care system and when I do, I pay for it myself. I've never once asked Bill Maher to help me with my fat-person medical bills and simply can't ever imagine that it would become a necessity for me to do so in the future.

I'm a liberal dem and I support a lot of what he supports, but I see very plainly that the world is filled with shades of gray, millions and millions of them, and there isn't simply one ham-handed solution for each of them.

Bill is a hammer and every problem is a nail.

 romeotuma wrote: 
Just watched this. His new rules about vacations just about made me cry.

nsfw
 

 romeotuma wrote: 
Hey, hey, hey! Get a room!!........Wait a minute.

 romeotuma wrote: 
I miss him, now that I don't get HBO

 Radio_Dweeb wrote: 
It does feel like they're experimenting with the format.  I wondered if the progressives (like, Maher) are too happy after the Obama win to get too worked up about much of everything.

I noticed that Bill kept asking the panel to talk about the trillion manufactured buckaroos, and nobody did.  I guess none of them knew enough to grapple that one.

And I hate Olberman!  That is, until I saw him on Bill Maher.  I saw a side of Keith I've not seen before.  I still hate his show, but at least I like the guy now.

Bill has relationships with a lot of Republicans.  But they do have to be willing to take a beating to be on the show.  It can't be good for their careers.

 oldviolin wrote: 

O come on

 hippiechick wrote: 

Andrew Breitbart was the last conservative to do the show and he was pretty railed on.  He wrote a piece in the Washington Times saying despite all advice NOT to go on the program he is glad he did it.  Even though I am left-of-center that Professor Dyson was rude, talked like 80% of the time and did run wild with PC.  Breitbart didn't make me jump to the GOP by any means but he made me think and TRIED to offer a different point of view on the program.  I wish he could have talked more and had an actual discussion.

*comment reconsidered and deleted*

 Radio_Dweeb wrote: 
It must be tough getting those Repubs to put their faces on that show since they have nothing to say. Their party disintegrated, their platform is one of calling Obama everything from a Communist to a Fascist, but of course this is just name calling. They are all ashamed and hiding their faces.

Any thoughts on the new season ? 

First two episodes did only 2 guests on the panel, felt that didn't work too well and its back to 3 now.  Last Friday it was 3 political-left panelists and the show really needs at least 1 conservative voice imho.  Actually last Friday it was 4 leftists if you include the Olberman appearance later in the show, yikes!  Don't think this week's episode will be much different, I'd rather hear debate on the program ....

New episodes start this Friday

 woozurbuddy wrote: 
Pass.