American cops are on a dangerous power trip

[appalachiablue]

70. The panel guests on Matthews were being a*ses like others on that network lately.

For several years I've followed Bernie on the Thom H. program, M-F, 12-3PM ET. The town hall type 1- hour segment 'Brunch with Bernie' on Fridays is great as you prbly know; gives a good sense of his views and temperament. Callers ask questions and bring up topics. Always thoughtful, even tells some to contact his DC office for help. Sensible, caring, patient and professional he is; would make a great doctor, counselor, professor or dean now that I think of it. A fighter too which is good and I respect. Saw a flash of that at a 2 hour evening public policy forum (not a campaign rally) I attended in July. It was over gun positions and got a little tough but I thought it fine.

Through Dish TV we get the FSTV (Free Speech TV) Channel that carries Thom's program, Democracy Now!, Mike Papantonio's 'Ring of Fire', other shows and great docs. Direct TV also carries FSTV. We watch programs online if away and know of Cenk, TYT. Just heard Ed Schultz might be put in an afternoon slot- like 3PM. He also does a Sirius XM radio show, or did. Thom's commented how conservative Comcast is, even compared to GE, previous MS/NBC owner. Like this country, the Media has gone so far right. But Bernie's tapping into people's needs and frustrations with his special appeal and populism for sure, thank heaven.

I just feel for people in areas that only get FOX, in many communities that's all there is, even with a few DUers I've noticed from comments. Fox is free and available everywhere, unlike cable MSNBC that costs. It's heard in motels, banks, auto shops, stores, the only choice on many military bases and has contracts with a 100 colleges and universities for their sports programming, for 20 years. Clinton signing the 1996 Telecomm Act to deregulate and lift media ownership limits basically led the way for privatization and then big consolidation, like banks.

Read only 10% of US households have internet service; I can believe in these tough times. Too many on the left think people know about independent, online news sources because they do, a mistake. Like others, I came across TH by accident, heard him mention AlterNet, Kos, DU. Maybe I'm different but other folks where I am, and in PA, OH, MN, NC, FL, etc. don't know these either. A recent post here said again, when will good b/millionaires fund an alternative, accessible media? (Current TV doesn't have to be the end). In the meantime, let's enjoy net neutrality, a big one on the GOP list. SANDERSTORM IS HERE!