Liberadio(!) with Mary Mancini & Freddie O'Connell

We apologize, but by the time our show aired, Justin Bieber had to cancel. We're sad but we forge ahead with the Liberadio(!) "To Do" list, Freddie as a bicycle valet, the Davidson County Democratic Party straw poll debrief, and a rundown of the news. Plus, Federal Public Defender Kelley Henry joins us live to tell us the story of her client Gaile Owens, one of two women on Tennessee's death row, and Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper issues an opinion [pdf] on the constitutionality of yet another vanity license plates. Beep, beep, who got the keys to the...ZOMG! Jesus is Lord! [25.4MB]

In the second hour we tell you all the fun facts that weren't reported about self-described "Tea Partiers," and we speak to Ian Millhiser, Policy Analyst for Center for American Progress about the upcoming Supreme Court nomination - what it means to a court primarily made up of conservatives "nuts" and what the confirmation process will look like. Then, it's once again time for Karl Frisch and the Media Matters for America Smackdown - this week Karl takes Maureen Dowd and the Sunday morning talk shows to the mat - and a quick but important word about a bill that would outlaw some forms of birth control in Tennessee (which has passed in both the House and Senate and is on its way to the Governor to be signed). [23.4MB]

The Liberadio(!) "To Do" list is long this week and includes marijuana jokes, coveting the Seattle Center Monorail (and flume ride), and a historic march. Plus, love him or hate him, you know Barney Frank would never try to bite the head off a baby bunny - or would he? And we are disgusted with Sarah Palin's unchallenged and unrelenting display of disrespect for the highest office in the land and chagrined - again - at what Tennessee Republicans and, therefore, Tennessee Democrats have decided is going to be the issue to talk about in this campaign. Then, we begin the breakdown of what's going on with voter roll purges in Benton County. [28.14MB]

We talk to Neal Darby, Jr., Senior Partnership Specialist Team Leader with the U.S. Census Bureau and he answers all our questions about the 10 questions. Then, we continue our discussion about the controversial Benton County voter roll purges - who was affected, why, and why can't we locate the laws that the election administrator said were followed during the purge process? [19.82MB]

Play ball! It's opening day but we don't have just baseball on our minds - there's the Easter weekend, some jobs chatter, college hoops, and the Tennessee state legislature can't say boo to the coal lobby so the feds are coming in to take a good hard look at the quaint little practice of mountaintop removal. Plus, A.C. Kleinheider, who provided the solo byline for Post Politics - the go to place for state and local political news and views - until he was let go last week, joins us for a little debriefing, dodging, and dancing. Was he really fired as the result of a racist email? [26.92MB]

Our listeners can't get enough Kleinheider and neither can we so he stays and our listeners ask him some tough questions. Will he or won't he comment and tell? And Karl Frisch of Media Matters talks Tiger Woods, Jesse James, Justin Beiber, and Ludacris...until he gets back on track and pulls the curtain back on Sarah Palin's new Fox talk show. Then? You guessed it, we get another fix of Kleinheider. Will he be back again next week? [23.14MB]

Bits and bobs of news from health care to buses, Mumpower to Haslam. Plus Al Gore gets it right, how much racism is part of the Anti-health insurance reform protests, and an interview with Commissioner Reagan Farr (he lets us call him "Commish"), of the Tennessee Department of Revenue [30.61MB]

In this hour we interview Andrew Hysell, director of the Campaign for Healthy Kids for Save the Children and Joan Randall, chair of the Tennessee Obesity Task Force. We also hear two long-time news reporters hold national Republicans leaders to account for their ridiculous posturing and rampant hypocrisy - finally! - and we hear two Democratic state legislators hold state Republican leaders to account for the same. Plus, what should government do? Rep. Glen Casada (R-Franklin) thinks it should abandon its most precious resource. But Rep Sherry Jones (D-Nashville) disagrees. [18.8MB]

There's really one one news story this morning - woohoo! health care reform legislation! - and really one "to do" item - call and thank your congressperson who voted for woohoo! health care reform legislation. And then there's the congressmen from Tennessee who didn't vote for it. Call those guys too. Plus, what's good about the newly passed legislation and Tony Garr, executive director for Tennessee Health Care campaign joins us to talk about why it's specifically good for Tennesseans. [27.47MB]

News roundup, three words to describe the Vancouver Olympics closing ceremonies, the to do list, Tennessee politics are important politics, and while our U.S. Senators refuse to fight for health care security for all Tennesseans, one lone State Senator takes a stand. Plus, our interview with Bill Howell of Tennesseans for Fair Taxation. Fair fair fair fair fair. [23.34MB]

We take your calls on what the lack of meaningful health care reform means to ordinary Tennesseans, plus John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants joins us for a rollicking interview in which we learn many, many secrets about New York Politics, kid-friendly rock shows, song lyrics, the Flood album, and bathtub conversations. We finish up with Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization Media Matters for America, and his take on the media coverage of President Obama's health care summit and Freddie's comments on Tennessee gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp's unchallenged assertions that mountaintop removal is "good for the environment." [24.14MB]

Make a simple hyperbolic statement and soon we're discussing discussing politics, energy sources, and the existence of God with our listeners all in the context of just what is the Best. Invention. Ever. Remo, Mary's dad, even calls in with his unique take. Plus the rich are getting richer and we call shenanigans on the guy making fun of the President for using a teleprompter while he was, you know, using a teleprompter. [20.59MB]

The discussion continues and we conclude that the Best. Invention. Ever. just might be Tennessee State Senator Andy Berke. Plus, a debrief of a trip to our nation's Capitol (and making plans for another), a listener calls in with a fantastic energy saving idea, an interview with Dr. Joseph Romm of ClimateProgress.org on why now is the time to pay attention to the science of climate change and not the weather, and Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization Media Matters for America, covers Conservative Political Action Conference. [23.7MB]

President Obama's latest weekly radio address, a recap of the most super of bowls, the year of the underdog continues...from 2008, the Tea Party seen through rose-colored glasses, our interview with Graham Perry, curator of the We Shall Not Be Moved: The 50th Anniversary of Tennessee's Civil Rights Sit-ins at the Tennessee State Museum, and the work continues for affordable health care for all.

Guess what? Jobs bills are important for the states! A couple of callers try and scold us for using the term "tea bagger" to describe the racist funny-hat-wearing xenophobes personified by Tom Tancredo at this past weekend's Tea Party Convention, and Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization, Media Matters for America brings it to the lapdog mainstream media...and Sarah Palin too.

Tea party fallout, James O'Keefe, tax-cuts, and sit-ins. Plus guests Mark Reutter for the Progressive Policy Institute, Emily Ogden of Stand for Children, and Karl Frisch of of Media Matters for America.

Tea party fallout, James O'Keefe, tax-cuts, and sit-ins. Plus guests Mark Reutter for the Progressive Policy Institute, Emily Ogden of Stand for Children, and Karl Frisch of of Media Matters for America.

President Obama's latest weekly radio address, current news, and the to do list (including details of our 2010 State of the Union Watch Party). Plus, WRVU loses 15-year veteran Doyle Davis when he decides he can no longer "bring da funk," Air America has gone dark (but not for the reasons you think), our callers think that liberals in Tennessee should just come out already, and Liberadio(!) senior Massachusetts News Correspondent, Julie Bruno, reports from the ground - just what happened to the Coakley campaign and who is this Scott Brown dude?

This hour we're joined by Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen, who gives us the 4-1-1 on the latest Supreme Court decision to affect campaign financing, as well as Karl Frisch, Senior Fellow for media watchdog organization, Media Matters for America. Plus, the Top 10 Progressive Victories of the Obama administration (a.k.a. he brought the change and we can believe in it), Tennessee is - in reality - a nice shade of purpley blue, and public transit fans, rejoice! - the Obama administration announced this week that it is loosening the criteria for using federal funds to finance light rail, bus routes, and other public transit projects.

Featuring Marisa Richmond of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, Joel Berg of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, and Rene Victoria Hoyos of of the Tennessee Clean Water Network.

Featuring Marisa Richmond of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, Joel Berg of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, and Rene Victoria Hoyos of of the Tennessee Clean Water Network.

Current news, to do list, the Nashville Hispanic Chamber of Commerce responds to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree policy, and an interview with Hugh Schlesinger and Skye Bacus, Ex-Music Directors for WRVU. [23.71MB]

A bit about the CARD Act and Lilly Ledbetter; Dave Thomas (in Christmas camo!), president of the Nashville chapter of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, finally settles the question of whether or not we are a Christian nation; your holiday phone calls and a special appearance by Dr. Marisa Richmond of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition who explains Rep. Jimmy Matlock's (R-Lenoir City) participation in this year's war on Hannukah. [26.30MB]

Current news, to do, interviews with Matt Collins, Ex-Vice Chair of the Davidson County Republican Party and Tyler Slocum, Director of Energy Program for Public Citizen, and it's time to get on the phone again. [26.43MB]

Joe Leiberman gets a little air time, Vanessa Beasley and Kevin Leander, faculty board members for Vanderbilt Student Communications, join us to discuss the board's decision to cap the number of WRVU community DJs at 25, and Karl Frisch smacks down Glen Beck during the Media Matters for America Smackdown. [23.4MB]

News, to do, and why all the good people down in Tennessee need to start paying attention to state politics. [24.56MB]

Why health care reform matters (we're talking to you Limbaugh), we get on a motherf**king boat with Betsy Phillips, also known as Aunt B. of Tiny Cat Pants and Pith in the Wind (two blogs that most definitely DO pay attention to state politics), and the Media Matters for America Smackdown with Karl Frisch. [23.89MB]

A quick run down of the news of the week and then we feature representatives from the two organizations we are adopting this holiday season. Listen to our interviews with Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of Magdalene House and Thistle Farms, and J.C. Smith, Outreach and Alumni Program Coordinator for Operation Stand Down Nashville. [20.3MB]

A quick run down of the Senate health care debate. Plus, Elbert Ventura is back! And he's packing a new website for pragmatic progressives. And Elbert's replacement, Karl Frisch of Media Matters, issues the smack down on this week's conservative obstructionist redonkulousness. (He is a very busy man.) And just whose interests are Republican legislators looking out for as they stand in the way of meaningful health insurance reform? [21.3MB]

The intro, the end of the world on celluloid, recounts possibilities (or impossibilities), Republican hypocrisy in Sumner County, plus the Media Matters for American Smackdown with Karl Frisch, in which he packs a whole lot of Sarah Palin in a short time. [38.3MB]

Nevermind the boy not in the balloon, there's real news afoot. Ty Cobb 2.0, a healthcare reform package out of committee in the Senate, Senator Al Franken gets his first amendment passed by a roll call vote no thanks to Tennessee Senators Lamar Alexander and Senator Bob Corker who would rather let corporate plunderers off the hook for rape, Tennesseans deserve fair and accurate elections, and an interview with immigration law attorney Elliott Ozment, who covers the controversial 287g program up for reauth in the Metro Council, why he used to serve on the Sheriff's Immigration Advisory Council for the program but doesn't anymore, the basic civil and human rights inherent in the immigration debate, Juana Villegas, and what he thinks would be a good solution to crime prevention in Nashville's undocumented immigrant population. [21.3MB]

We hear from you, our listeners, as well as another immigration attorney, Sean Lewis, about immigration matters, and conclude that we are not looking at immigration reform as comprehensively as we need to. And we talk to Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall, the man behind the controversial 287g program, to get his take on why the program is important, how it does or doesn't work, accusations of racial profiling, and why it's coming before the Metro Council once again. Plus, it's an abbreviated version of the Media Matters for American Smackdown with Karl Frisch, in which he packs a whole lot of funny in a short time. [24MB]

A rundown of Walk Nashville Week, kissing up to Capitalism, a rundown of the lawsuit to compel the Secretary of State to give Tennesseans secure and verifiable elections, an update on climate change legislation straight from D.C. from Chris Ford of Tennessee Conservation Voters, and your phone calls about how the war on Christianity starts earlier and earlier every year. [24.21MB]

An interview with Not-Secretary of State Tre Hargett in which we ask him many of the questions about secure and verifiable elections we want to ask the real Secretary of State if he would ever agree to appear on the show; an interview with the real visual artist Wayne White, who brings his new book of his artwork Maybe Now Ill Get the Respect I So Richly Deserve, to the Southern Festival of Books this weekend; and the Media Matters for American Smackdown with Karl Frisch. [18.2MB]

Mary prepares to unleash (ha!) the congressman Barney Frank on Halloween households all across America and if you think that's scary, what until you hear what Republican State Senator Ron Ramsey wants to do to fair elections in Tennessee. Plus, Mary and Freddie try to understand just what, exactly, Ben Trippett and Accountability Now PAC have uncovered about Coop. [22.62MB]

Reginald Coopwood, M.D., CEO of the Nashville Hospital Authority tells us about their health facilities, the best-kept secret in Nashville, and Karl Frisch does his best Elbert Ventura impression in the next generation of the Media Matters for America Smackdown. Plus, President Obama's foreign policy has all but isolated Iran from the world community. So why is the right-wing still calling him a surrender monkey? [22.62MB]

A brief history of Labor Day, advice from Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, and stories of labor from our listeners and Freddies Moms. And Peter Cunningham, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Communications and Outreach at the Department of Education, joins us to discuss the real meaning behind President Obama's Back to School address to the kids. Hint: It's about personal responsibility and staying in school. Plus, why our public school kids need a boost and why it's important to not just roll your eyes at irresponsible broadcasters, but to hold them accountable. [24MB]

Will the Republican leadership - not to mention elected officials - continue to allow radical cable news and talk radio hosts to control their party? If not, then where is the push back against the mounds of inflammatory misinformation foisted upon the American people in their name? And why are some leaders actually joining in the fray? Chuck Grassley promoting Glen Becks book? Really? Plus, what the President has to say about health security for all when he addresses the joint session of Congress on Wednesday and all we are saying is the "give'em enough rope" theory is back! [24MB]

The "to do" list of upcoming healthcare rallies, excerpts from President Clinton's Jackson Day speech, recap of Thirdrailcost.com symposium, why we need health security for all, the Little League World Series (USA!), a phone call from the world famous Dave Cloud, and the mainstream news media gets distracted by bright, shiny objects. [24MB]

The "to do" list (Tennessee town halls with Davis, Gordon, Tanner), an OConnell Factor on why our system of healthcare is a nearly guaranteed system of oppression for unhealthy Americans, where are the Christians on healthcare reform, your calls (including a shout-out to Governor Bredesen's Cover TN), and tales (tails?) of Barney Frank.

More of your calls, emails and stories about healthcare and healthcare reform, including the expertise of registered nurse and healthcare reform activist Michael Chapman. Plus, the insurance companies are spending a lot of dollars on opposition to reform and Media Matters research fellow Elbert Ventura tells us that it really, really, really, really, really matters that our mainstream media chooses to report on controversy instead of what really matters - public policy.

News tidbits, to do list, the manipulation of the healthcare debate, and a Republican sex scandal right here in Tennessee! Plus, a note to our newspaper peeps like Andy Scher of the Chattanooga Times Free Press: you can stop referring to Republican legislators as "family-values conservatives" now. We all believe in family values until, you know, we dont. [40.94MB]

Molly Secours is a writer, speaker, and filmmaker based in Nashville. In 2007, her world changed when she was diagnosed with cancer. She had healthcare but she still found herself in quite a pickle. She joins us to talk about her experience, which recently led to her story being shared in a press conference with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. [48.34MB]

Jim is a Nashville native who graduated from Peabody College in 1966, started his journalism career at the Tennessean and went on the become editor of the Chicago Tribune, the media adviser to 1992 presidential candidate, Ross Perot, an author, and a Thoroughbred Horse breeder. His 1996 book "Secrets of the Hopewell Box: Stolen Elections, Southern Politics, and a Citys Coming of Age" is a must-read for anyone learning about Tennessee politics. Also for anyone who wants to weigh in on the paper ballot debate. You wont believe which side hes on! His latest book, "Headless Horsemen: A Tale of Chemical Colts, Subprime Sales Agents, and the Last Kentucky Derby on Steroids," is now on sale.[45MB]

Media Matters research fellow Elbert Ventura discusses Lou Dobbs's crusade to legitimize the birthers and surprises us all with news about Ann Coulter: "You know its bad when Ann Coulter backs away from the birthers." And Mary's dad, Remo, calls in from his home in Nevada to give us an update on Senator John Ensign. He's still in office but now he's telling the press what they can and can't write! [23.76MB]