If the Republicans read history--and even in that case one has to worry if it is only American history--one wonders why they do not learn the lesson of Louis XIV:

"absolute ruler of France from 1643 to 1715. Louis's magnificent court at Versailles became the symbol of the supreme centralization of power enforced by his despotism and his personal cult as the 'Sun King'. The vast palace of Versailles with its huge grounds, magnified by mirrors, reflecting pools and tricks of perspective, was designed to express the utter insignificance of everyone apart from the monarch." (p. 334, Linda Dowling, editorial note in Penguin Classic's edition of The Soul of Man under Socialism and Selected Critical Prose by Oscar Wilde)

Clearly the Republicans as a ruling class cannot claim the dash--horrible as he was--of a Louis XIV. Still:

"The systems that fail are those that rely on the permanency of human nature, and not on its growth and development. The error of Louis XIV was that he thought human nature would always be the same. The result of his error was the French Revolution. It was an admirable result. All the results of the mistakes of governments are quite admirable." (p. 155, ed. Linda Dowling, The Soul of Man under Socialism and Selected Critical Prose by Oscar Wilde, Penguin Books, 2001)

Somebody told me Scott Walker was speaking at a community college in WI today (Gateway). From the videos I saw from the Journal Times, Walker was very hard to hear because of all the people shouting shame. Here's hoping the rest of the country keeps up the hard work the way WI has.

Just curious, but errrrr, isn't this story, which is now all-encompassing in the UK, getting a bit of coverage over there? I'm in the UK, and receive your podcasts (also used to get Countdown, late lamented and all that) and am surprised that I haven't seen this stuff covered in your show.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/07/were_911_victim.php

http://www.casavaria.com/cafesentido/2011/07/11/8099/murdoch-paper-accused-of-illegal-hacking-against-pm-brown-911-victims/

Or have I missed it? Hey, it affects you lot too, dunnit??? Surely? Very much so, if Murdoch's people are up to the same tricks over there. I couldn't possibly say if that's likely or not.

Has anyone noticed that the so called "marriage pledge" includes protecting marriage by getting women off the front lines of war...? Seems to me that the leader of the western world and commander and chief of the largest fighting force in the world ought to be willing to die for it, male or female. I do not think that military experience is necessary, but the willingness to give it all is.

Dissin' on the Cubs, Dr. Maddow? Really? For Shame. A sacrifice to the goat must be prepared. One Cards hat, one Red Sox jersey and pennant from those NY teams...who are they again?....into the cauldron of bubbling goo.

Wayne Slater? I like him as much as the next person, but you still haven't Jason Embry invited back after bumping him? Boo-urns to that. And no, I'm not relative of Jason Embry by blood or marriage.

In tonight's program, Rachel pointed out that there are several towns in Wisconsin named "Union," implying that they adopted the name to show support for labor unions. I always thought that towns in the United States named Union had changed their name sometime during or shortly after the Civil War to show support for the Union, meaning the United States, including all states that had succeeded from the Union.

A little research shows that all of the Towns names Union in Wisconsin are small, rural towns. It's hard to imagine that labor unions were all that important to these communities.

A little more research shows that at least one town in the U.S. named Union, adopted this name shortly after the Civil War. See the Union, Maine entry in Wikipedia.

Republicans are the Anti Christ.How can one proclaim to be a Christain when they shout out landish HATE CRIMES against gays,blacks. These Republicans who shout such hate crimes need to be feared.They are the next Nazi leaders.To follow these religous nuts don't represent the true G-d we serve.G-d is love not hate.Worry about the man with the religous gun.He takes shots @ those he doesn't understand.These are scary times.I worry America will vote in a religous Nazi Anti Christ.Anti Christ means unclear of Christ.If you don't understand the true Chris teachings,then you are an Anti Christ.This is how Webster describes it.I see alot of Anti Christ when I watch Christain TV.So many are unclear of the true message of G-d.I guess this is due to low IQ's of the ability to truely comprehend the teachings of G-d's love,laws & G-d's dicuss for hate monger,judgemental fools.Please people and preachers & government leaders if you don't have the high IQ to comprehend then don't preach the word.I want to spit you out like a bad taste in my mouth.

Dr. Maddow, just as an FYI, the Tennoo (Emperor of Japan) would have a Sun Goddess (Amaterasu no Omikami) However, she is the progenitor of the Imperial line, so this would be his ancestor by about 5000 years or so.............

I sometimes think Rachel and I are related. She crazy just like I am. That white flag prop was killing me. That is exactly what they are doing. I think its a white flag for everything. Everything they have been doing was to tank the economy and tank Obama. I bet the GOP and Tea Party polls are in the tank.

I think people are finally figuring that stuff out. What they have been doing has nothing to do with right or wrong. It has everything to do with making Obama a one termer. People are starting to see that. The GOP and Tea Party don't care about people. They care about corporations.

I like the passion of Rachel's opening segment. I had to take a cold liberal shower.

Right-wingers just love to stretch religion to advance their bigotry.

I just watched the segment on SFC Petry being awarded the MOH. Two things. First, you should have referred to him as Sergeant First Class instead of just referring to him as sergeant. It's like calling Senator Boxer Senator because it is a title she earned. Sergeant First Class Petry deserves no less the same respect. Second, get his unit correct. SFC Petry was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and not just part of a helicopter assault team. Please do better next time.

Please Rachel Report On this!!!!

This is one of the most amazing protest video I have seen. On your face Walker, people are telling you YOU ARE WRONG. YOU ARE TAKING EDUCATION AWAY FROM PEOPLE. STOP NOW, STOP NOW!!!!!
http://vimeo.com/26349647