The senate slumber party was so much fun to watch last night! (did i just say that?)

Here's an account of some interesting points during the all-nighter:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0707/5009.html

Great job with this episode! This show is really coming together, and I can't wait to finally hear it on N-P-R in the fall.

Sent by Sean Powers | 8:07 PM ET | 07-18-2007

David Shuster... the man, the myth, the legend...

1996 - 2002: D.C. correspondent for Fox News. Lead Fox correspondent for coverage of Afghanistan War.

2000: Fox's "You Decide 2000" political team.

And now he hangs around with Chris Matthews. A few red flags. He's had a share of journalistic mistakes in the past. And will probably continue to do so.

I'm tired of the cliche that it "was a PR stunt". They clarified they are doing all they can, which sadly truely is nothing until the Bush Cheer Squad gives up the ghost. There has been a lot of increased disastisfaction in Democrats (and their small band of common-sense Republican allies... yes some are joining the Rebellion), but it's unjustified. And the incident showed it like it is. Stunt (or theater) implies a seed of fiction in the action.

Widespread in the media, there is a lot of confusion about the use of the term filibuster. Sometimes in the mediasphere it is just used ambigiously to describe the entirety of the situation, and sometimes people used it to describe the actions of those who are trying to stop the war.

You don't filibuster something (ie: a vote) you want to happen. You filibuster to stop or temporarily freeze something you don't want to happen.

Edwards is unstopable. And that guy she lets hang around her ain't a half-bad candidate for President. She's not muzzled; heck, she publicly disagreed against her husband's views on gay marriage. She's got what Hillary doesn't: actual values, courage, and a vision of tommorrow. It's nice to see Liz take that Phoney on.

Besides, think about: if Hill wins hypothetically our Prez line-up would be Bush, Clinton, Clinton, Bush, Bush, Clinton, with a possibility of another Clinton if people are suckered by her a second round. Over a quarter century of 2 families fighting for domination of our country. Our Democracy is becoming a cruel joke. Time for some new blood.

Oprah likes Obama, but she also likes "The Secret" and thinks Tom Cruise is keen. Besides, Obama (and Hill) has too much dough. I want to see less green involved in politics. Obsessing over money, especially the obscene amounts Obama and Hillary have, doesn't make for good leaders. I hope Edwards continues to trail in the donations; its a good sign.

Sent by Brian | 8:13 PM ET | 07-18-2007

I'm still not a fan of the billboard music. However, thanks for muting it during Matt's newscast with it fading back in at the end of the newscast.

The Senate slumber party... I wonder if this sleep deprivation equates to torture. Probably not if Donald Rumsfeld had anything to say about it. Further, my senators better have not slept on the job!

I would've liked more background of animal torture in our country during the dog fighting story. How often do the authorities charge people of such crimes? Has the crime rate risen, fallen, or remained the same over the last several decades? Further, what can I do to prevent such abuse?

No, Luke, we don't want music during the newscasts. Well, perhaps if you change the music.

The Simpsons and Wall Street Journal segment was interesting. I would've liked hear if the fact that newspaper circulation and profits are declining is a reason why the WSJ has some reason for concern about its editorial reputation. Further, I've read that Neil Cavuto wants to market the Fox Business Network to Main Street, but, if this is true, why is buying a newspaper so tuned to Wall Street helpful in this effort?

Why was the NIE story placed so far away from either the top or the bottom of the hour? I thought the more important stories are stacked near the top and bottom of the hour.

Concerning the Iraqi honey badgers, I wonder how Muslims feel about animal treatment? If people began abusing, killing, or repel the badgers, how would religion or culture play into this? Do Muslims and/or Iraqis have their own sacred cows? It doesn't sound like honey badgers are sacred.

I have mixed feelings about multiple newscasts. Since people join radio shows at different times, the same main stories are repeated. However, that is rather repetitive. There's nothing we can do about it.

I like the Ramble music. It is music I don't mind playing during chit chat -- unlike the billboard music.

Sent by Steve Petersen | 10:16 PM ET | 07-18-2007

i love that you are doing the pilot and blog on the web, i just wish your content was better. it's too frivalous for my taste. badger story was way too much.

Sent by rob | 12:44 AM ET | 07-19-2007

rob,
what kind of programming do you enjoy?

Sent by Sean Powers | 11:03 AM ET | 07-19-2007

Love the show and looking forward to its regular broadcast.

I do wish you had taken Charlie Murphy and Jam Donaldson to task a little more. While I appreciate the lightheartedness of your show, I do expect you guys to be a little more hard-hitting. I felt like you went after this topic with kid gloves instead of asking some tough questions of the 2. For example, near the end Charlie Murphy mentioned that exploitation of all types occur on a regular basis and people don't cause a stir. This is something the show's network, BET, showcases daily with its raunchy videos and lack of quality programming - in my opinion. No one put their argument back on them. Basically I feel like they were given free advertisement and the victim treatment. No one expects "thoughtful discourse from the show because 1)the website doesn't offer it 2)BET has a poor track record of conscientious 3)who's to say that these follow-ups in the community as Ms. Donaldson mentioned aren't going to be further exploited? And maybe you could have had someone with a different point of view (a critic of the show or its premise) on to debate Mr. Murphy, Ms. Donaldson, or both. That would have given both sides of the story and the opportunity for the listeners to hear the complaints and concerns.

I also agree that the 2 newscasts seemed too much. Although you may have needed it for fodder since one the segments didn't make it as you allude to. And I don't like the music either - maybe I just didn't like the selection.

And I like the ramble. Not sure why, but those little tidbits send me to Google.

Sent by Tameika | 1:24 PM ET | 07-19-2007

Am I that unsavy? I don't see the links to the Vanity Fair and Slate pieces you mention in the Simpson part. I only see the Guardian article.

Sent by purple R | 3:18 PM ET | 07-19-2007

Hey there purple R -- no, you are not that unsavvy -- we forgot to post the links. Color us unsavvy.

Sent by Matt Martinez | 5:02 PM ET | 07-19-2007

No make that--Alison is unsavvy--but only on one count. I forgot the VF article link. The Salon link I didn't put in because it would link you to a page where you would have to PAY to read the article. I didn't want to suggest that we were asking/suggesting/luring you to pay to read something.

Sent by Alison Stewart | 5:32 PM ET | 07-19-2007

i'm mostly a pbs newshour type. i also like now and bill moyers journal. i also love c-span, the communicators, but that's serious geek/wonk stuff. i suspect that i'm not in your demographic - which seems to be the jon stewart crowd - yet i'm no old fuddy-duddy.

Sent by rob | 8:21 AM ET | 07-20-2007