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Upworthy
Eli Pariser is a co-founder of Upworthy, a news aggregator site, and the author of The Filter Bubble: What the Internet is Hiding from You. From 2004-2009 he served as executive director of MoveOn.org
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Eli Pariser
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FROM Eli Pariser
To the Point
President Donald Trump's 'un-reality' show All Presidents lie. But the current White House incumbent is using misinformation to increase his power by intentionally creating confusion. That's according to students of political strategy and the rhetoric that supports it. They compare President Trump to autocrats of history -- and Russia's Vladimir Putin. We're all familiar with "alternative facts," and allegations of "fake news" — stoking the conservative base and infuriating liberal opponents. Our series on the "Emotional States of America" continues.
To the Point
A Look Back at 2012 and Community-Building in America Divisive elections and political debates, horrific shootings, angrily defended positions on issues like gun control are all part of the history of 2012. But beyond those headlines, there's another way of looking at the year, and that's through the lens of community-building. Americans found new ways to re-define and rebuild community this past year, from their responses to disasters to virtual social media networks to grass-roots efforts in places like Detroit. How does our sense of community shape our sense of ourselves? What does the year tell us about who we are and who we're becoming?
To the Point
General David Petraeus on Capitol Hill Before General David Patraeus or Ambassador Ryan Crocker said a word to a joint committee of Congress , Democrats and Republicans were exchanging partisan charges. Democrat Tom Lantos said he respected the witnesses personally, but felt they were sent to convince Americans that victory is at hand. Republican Duncan Hunter —a presidential candidate—said he was outraged that some of his colleagues had attacked the witnesses' credibility. When Petraeus finally got underway , he emphasized that he had neither been scripted nor told what to say by the White House or Pentagon. He said that improved security means US forces can be reduced sometime in the future. But the essence of the message has been telegraphed, and polls show public skepticism that either man is independent of the Bush White House. As the debate on Iraq continues, will the Bush Administration define its objectives?
To the Point
Democratic Presidential Candidates Debate in South Carolina Last night, on the campus of a historically black institution, South Carolina State University , all the Democratic candidates met for the first time. Results of the debate in this very Republican state, whose primary will be held fourth in next year's election process, could be a bell weather, especially for the voting patterns of African American Democrats. Each of the eight candidates got 11 minutes in total during an hour and a half of one-minute answers to questions on complex issues. For the most part, they were nice to each other, tough on President Bush and really angry about the war in Iraq. Are Clinton , Obama and Edwards still the top three? Did any "second tier" candidates distinguish themselves? We hear from across the Democratic political spectrum.
Which Way, L.A.?
GOP Hopes Voter-Vault Will Open Door to Election Victory National polls show the Democrats poised to take over the House and possibly the Senate. Yet, despite everything from Congressional scandals to Iraq, President Bush insists he is still confident the Republicans will win. What makes him so confident? Does he know something we don't? Will the "voter vault'--a huge database of demographic, financial and other personal information on individual voters that is the driving force behind Republican get-out-the-vote operations--control the outcome of congressional elections around the country? Will micro-targeting voters deliver the winning margins Republicans need to hold on to congressional power? Lawrence O'Donnell guest hosts. (An expanded version of this discussion was originally broadcast earlier today on To the Point.)
To the Point
GOP Confident over Get-Out-the-Vote Strategy National polls show the Democrats poised to take over the House and possibly the Senate. Yet, despite everything from Congressional scandals to Iraq, President Bush insists he is still confident the Republicans will win. What makes him so confident? Does he know something we don't? Will the "voter vault"--a huge database of demographic, financial and other personal information on individual voters that is the driving force behind Republican get-out-the-vote operations--control the outcome of congressional elections around the country? Will micro-targeting voters deliver the winning margins Republicans need to hold on to congressional power? Lawrence O'Donnell guest hosts.
Recommended
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?