http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_hersh

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That's right. I said it. Independence Day. On this day, 232 years ago, the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies "Free and Independent States", no longer under British control. (The Declaration of Independence was approved two days later. And it got all the fireworks.)

Today, myths about American Independence and how they relate to the events of today (like the Millionaires Amendment and the Gun Ban). The common thread is that history is told by the powerful, not the truthful.

PLUS why I SUPPORT Obama's faith-based initiative, even though I played a major role in killing Bush's faith-based initiative.

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The Hypocrisy of Antonin Scalia, Part 2

When it came to millionaires, gun owners, and extremely wealthy corporations, Kennedy sided with the conservatives.

But when it came to prisoners seeking habeas corpus or death penalty relief, Kennedy sided with the liberals.

The next President will decide whether the Supreme Court will uphold the rule of law or abolish it in favor of the rich and powerful.

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- The Justice Department's inspector general exposes the Bush Administration's plot to turn the criminal justice system into its own political fiefdom

- The Supreme Court decision on the death penalty for child rapists

- And why the McCain Campaign wants terrorists to attack the USA

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Guest: Michelle Richardson, Legislative Consultant for the American Civil Liberties Union

PLUS the Bush contempt judge urges Congress to jail Harriet Miers (fancy that!), something I have urged a cowardly Congress to do for almost a year now!

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Mark debates Republican Strategist Mike Lane on:

1) Off-shore Oil Drilling - the McCain Flip Flop
2) New Scientific Study on Gay/Straight Brain Differences
3) Public Financing - the Obama Flip Flop
4) The new Intelligence Surveillance Bill and the Supreme Court Decision on Habeas Corpus for Guantanamo Bay Detainees

And a word in praise of Tim Russert

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Wind and solar energy now! (no more oil, sorry bush/cheney/mccain)
AND
The Torture of Pentagon Lawyer Jim Haynes (before a Senate committee)

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In a shocking display last week of respect for the rule of law, the Supreme Court held last week that the President did not have dictatorial powers to detain people at will and hold them for life without trial. In doing so, Justice Anthony Kennedy joined with the four "rule of law" justices in finding that the Guantanamo prisoners did have the right to challenge their detentions.

The four right-wing dissenters angry denounced the decision. If you don't give the President the extra-constitutional power to detain anyone at will, Scalia huffed, "it will cause more Americans to be killed."

Hitler, Stalin and other dictators have made the exact same argument as Scalia.
While Benjamin Franklin said, "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security."

So which is more important, the security of tyranny or the danger of liberty?
Who is right?
Scalia and Hitler?
Or a tenuous majority of the Supreme Court and Benjamin Franklin?
It may be the most important debate of our time.

Guest Michael Macleod-Ball, Chief Legislative and Policy Council of the American Civil Liberties Union