One last Thom Hartmann post - because he's leaving RT, ending "The Big Picture."

[phylny]

Hopefully this ends the "Bash Hartmann Brigade."

"Thom Hartmann will be leaving The Big Picture TV show (on RT TV and Free Speech TV) at the end of September. We’ve had a great run with The Big Picture and earlier this summer we decided to discontinue that evening show so we could focus more directly on our daily 3-hour midday show, The Thom Hartmann Program.

"Having complete editorial control over a TV show syndicated internationally into more than 700 million homes was a great (and rare) opportunity. We worked hard not to do "sports" or "soap opera" when covering politics, and instead focus on issues; we believe we accomplished a lot in that regard. We're grateful to RT for the opportunity, and for fully honoring our contractual independence at all times.

"You’ll still be hearing and seeing me on The Thom Hartmann Program, which is growing weekly in the noon-3 PM ET daypart."

[eShirl]

1. link?

[phylny]

3. Ok.

https://www.facebook.com/ThomHartmannProgram

[eShirl]

4. Fine. What took him so fucking long?

jeez

[phylny]

5. I guess there's a little more bashing to be done.

[eShirl]

6. I guess there's a little more Hartmann promotion to be done.

cheers.

[Stand and Fight]

140. LOL... Rekt!

[whathehell]

12. Go ask him..

[ProfessorPlum]

90. keep splitting our coaltion

you're doing a fine job

[phylny]

93. My thought, too. n/t

[PatSeg]

125. Yes

As if we don't have enough problems with a Trump administration and a republican congress. Lets ignore the real problems we face and fight with one another. This whole thing has been ridiculous.

[riderinthestorm]

135. +1000. This is crazy nt

[stonecutter357]

2. lol......

[Funtatlaguy]

7. Has Thom ever publicly addressed the criticism of his program

Appearing on RT?

[Quixote1818]

74. Why? DU is the only place I have seen him get any grief for it. nt

[phylny]

84. Yes.

I also don't think he has a habit of defending himself here, or answering posts. It would be too LemonLyman.

[NurseJackie]

8. "Hopefully this ends the 'Bash Hartmann Brigade.'" --- Oh, good grief!

Hopefully this ends the "Bash Hartmann Brigade."

No such thing exists. There is no "brigade". There is no "bashing". (I think you probably already realize that it doesn't help your case to attack the messenger with ugly and insulting nicknames, or to make broad-brush group attacks like that... so why do it?)

[phylny]

15. Because if you listen to him day in and day out, he's

a progressive man with progressive ideas. I wonder why we eat our own.

[Foamfollower]

24. I. DON'T. BUY. THAT. BULLSHIT!

He's a fucking traitor who sold out his nation to the Russians for thirty pieces of silver.

[shenmue]

30. Hear, hear

[phylny]

38. So much yelling.

I am speaking about what I heard. I've never listened to him and thought, "Wow, he's a Trump supporter and spews Russian talking points."

YMMV.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

68. Traitor, no. Enabler, maybe. But it is not a moment too soon to leave Putin's propaganda arm. . nt

[DownriverDem]

83. It is very clear

You don't listen to Thom's radio show. You do not know him at all. I feel sorry for folks who attack those on our side. Yes, Thom has always been on our side. Wake up. Our focus is beating the crap out of the repubs. Stop attacking those who will help us get there. Listen to his show today - "Anything goes Friday". I'm sure you will like it. Your anger makes me wonder what side you are on.

[R B Garr]

98. If he doesn't even acknowledge the historic and

unprecedented news of our time that our sitting President is being investigated for collusion and financial crimes with Russian oligarchs, then he's peddling an alternate reality. Looks like he doesn't mind oligarchs after all.

[moda253]

112. I listen to him on his noon-3pm show most days at least for a bit...

He will address Trump/Russia but he rarely spends much time on it often switching to other subjects that are near and dear to progressives. I do wonder why he isn't delving into this more and always seems to be ready to pivot to something else. As a listener it is obvious that this occurs. Now, here's the thing he IS a progressive who discusses many other topics and to me he is spot on with his takes on those issues.

I don't know if all of this is worth fighting over because in the grand scheme of things it doesn't seem to matter. He does expose a lot of problems with the conservative right and he does tackle issues that are important to the entire left spectrum of politics. I don't believe I have ever heard him pushing russian propaganda, but then again maybe I am brainwashed and can't hear it?

I think the silliness of people fighting over this is absurd. It will be interesting to see how his noon-3 show changes if at all after this divorcing from RT.

[Squinch]

33. And he was bringing progressive ears to a Russian propaganda outlet, and giving them legitimacy.

Good to hear that he's seen the error of his ways about this.

[yardwork]

50. Just moving from RT doesn't mean the message will change.

[DownriverDem]

85. Question

What message are you talking about?

[yardwork]

122. The most recent example - which generated dozens of threads here -

Wherein Thom Hartmann blamed Bill Clinton for breaking a promise that Reagan supposedly made to Gorbachev at the time of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The promise was supposedly that NATO would not threaten Russia's western border.

This was puzzling to a lot of us because -

1. Reagan wasn't in power when the Soviet Union dissolved.

2. There's no record of any such promise being made to Gorbachev or any Soviet leader by Reagan or any U.S. president.

3. In fact, the Brookings Institution and others have debunked this old lie, years ago, so it's intriguing to see it brought up again by a supposed progressive commentator.

4. Bill Clinton didn't start an issue with Russia. That too is a fabrication and a bizarre one to bring up now.

5. There are very good reasons for NATO to be concerned about Putin's behavior in Eastern Europe, such as his invasion of Ukraine.

[Squinch]

121. True.

[maddiemom]

75. Yes! Exactly.

[Adrahil]

9. But no criticism of RT's blatant propaganda....

Yeah, he has no credibility with me until he acknowledges the role that they play in service of the Putin regime.

[dembotoz]

13. lol once again lets list the lefty options

[Adrahil]

45. RT is certainly not lefty

That's a bullshit excuse.

[dembotoz]

77. hartman is

[WinkyDink]

10. "Hopefully this ends the 'Yet Another Thom Hartmann Thread' Brigade." FIXED.

[whathehell]

11. Um, no....

Some people still want to inow "what the fuck took him so long"?

.Haters gonna hate.

[Squinch]

36. Legitimate question, given that I am told he is such a stalwart progressive.

[WinkyDink]

63. Well, by all means, let's have ten more threads on the pointlessness.

[phylny]

66. Personally, I either use the little "x" box to get rid of threads I am disinterested in,

or I use a keyword to block threads. It's very helpful.

[whathehell]

70. Lol..They would have stopped with the OP's news

had the Paranoid Thom Haters not kept it going.

[LovingA2andMI]

108. Say That Again....

Have started blocking threads with the name Thom Hartmann in the title....Seriously.....And This One is next.

[yardwork]

14. What he broadcasts is more important.

Will Hartmann continue to promote Putin's agenda? Putin desperately wants the sanctions to be lifted. He wants the billions of dollars he has stashed in banks all over the world, and he wants the pipeline through the Ukraine so that he can make billions more.

Putin got Trump elected so that he would lift those sanctions. Plan A hasn't worked so Putin is moving on to Plan B, which is to convince Americans that Russia is our friend and Putin is a nice guy and let's stop being mean to Russia and lift those sanctions.

A number of progressive people have been fooled, seduced, or hired by Putin to spread propaganda.

It's obvious to me.

[MrsCoffee]

16. Exactly.

[phylny]

17. Has Thom advocated lifting sanctions?

If so, I must have missed it within the hours of programming of his I listen to each week.

[yardwork]

35. He's promoting the idea that we are unfair to Russia.

Earlier this week there was discussion on DU about statements Thom made that were factually incorrect, premises designed to create sympathy for Russia (which Putin deliberately conflates with his own criminal behavior, hiding behind the country over which he has made himself a dictator).

Hartmann is one of many on the left who are doing this. He's moderate in his approach. Many are far worse.

Leaving RT may be a strategic move to reduce scrutiny. We need to stay alert to propaganda from Putin.

[phylny]

39. Thank you for this information. I also appreciate your tone in response :) n/t

[yardwork]

46. You're welcome.

I disagree with the tone of some of the posts here. Also, I disagree with making this about any one person. This is a much bigger problem than that.

Millions of educated, progressive Americans are being seduced by the machinations of an incredibly wealthy, powerful man - Vlad Putin - and his criminal enterprise. There is a mind-boggling amount of money at stake and that kind of power buys elections and electorates.

[phylny]

53. True enough.

I know that for a while, I listened to Ed Schultz and loved him. And then he went off my radar, and THEN I heard he'd changed drastically in his views, or went back to his original views. It happens.

[dalton99a]

71. +1

[Cary]

99. Please think about this

No need to respond to me on it because you don't answer to me. It's something I find disturbing.

#fakepresident is clearly favoring Russia. I think he is bought and paid for and I can see that. But his cult followers were, at least outwardly, the most rabid anti-communists and now they are unfazed by #fakepresident's love affair with ex-KGB agent Putin.

I have always liked Thom Hartmann. I cannot be unfazed by Thom's apparent relationship here. It may be a subtle relationship but that just makes it worse.

With all due respect, and I am not accusing, you remind me a little of #fakepresident cultists in this one small respect.

[whathehell]

51. Where are these "statements"?...Got any links? Broad accusations

with NO examples really don't cut it.

[yardwork]

52. You posted in the threads. If you didn't read the many posts pointing out the factual mistakes, do.

[whathehell]

56. LOL....I did go through them, and, like others, found NOTHING

let alone "many".. How about a link or a post number?...If you can't do that, frankly, you got nothing.

[yardwork]

60. You disagree that Reagan was not president when the wall fell?

That's basic history.

The factual errors aren't the point, though. They were simply tells. The propaganda will get more sophisticated. There won't be historical errors in the scripts. RT will be shuttered (too obvious) and replaced with something more subtle.

The purpose is to get those sanctions lifted for Putin, and the strategy is to divide the left, confuse people, and stir up sympathy for Russia.

We will see a lot more of this.

[phylny]

64. The very reason I used "bashers" in my original post is that I have wondered if

these Hartmann posts have not been an attempt by some to divide us. It's quite possible that it's just the every day, normal progressives and they feel that way and they've heard things on his program that I haven't, and they are very passionate about it, which is understandable, or they are much more sophisticated in their knowledge of Russian propaganda than I am - no doubt that wouldn't be a shock to me!

[BainsBane]

113. "Divide"

From a millionaire dollar media entertainer? Holly Christ.
If that's where your loyalties lie, there is nothing to divide from. I have not now and will never be aligned with the wealthy and powerful over citizens rights of free expression, critical thought, or democracy. I

The point was fact checking, basic fact checking, and the extent to which people go to ensure no one does that is impressive.

So absolutely seek division from the intellectually dishonest. I seek division from an ethos that places wealthy men above the citizenry and above critical thinking. I find the values underlying demands that citizens must never criticize a man of wealthy and power, never point out errors or editorial bias, to be disturbingly authoritarian.That some set about feverishly working to prop up hierarchy under the pretense of "progressivism" makes it all the more disturbing.

Assaults on the equal rights of 51% of Americans, no problem. But dare to fact check a rich man, that is divisive. So revealing.

[Cary]

94. Amazing

With the help of the Mercers and Cambridge Analytica.

[Cary]

96. You re so correct here

We're all falling into this con too.

[KitSileya]

138. Exactly! I wish I could rec this post.

This is what Putin's strategy is, and DU is showing that it is working.

[get the red out]

106. This is why I stopped listening to him

It was outside the reality we are living in with POTUS being Putin's lap dog, and the Putin regime being horrific.

[NurseJackie]

37. Nailed it! You're telling the truth. Apparently TH-fans can't handle the truth...

... so they call people ugly names like "bashing brigade".

Hartmann has demonstrated to us that he has questionable judgement. From this point forward, everything he says and does will remain suspect. I'll never trust him. I'll always be suspicious of his motives.

[phylny]

41. I can absolutely handle truth.

I have never heard him spout Russian talking points. Obviously, others have, or think they have.

[NurseJackie]

47. "I have never heard him spout Russian talking points." --- Therefore it never happened, right?

Obviously, others have, or think they have.

Oh, how charming! Attacking the messenger by questioning their mental capacity or their ability to discern fact from fiction? (That doesn't help your case.)

41. I can absolutely handle truth.

The first step in doing that is being able to DISCERN and RECOGNIZE the truth... then ACCEPTING the truth. None of those things has happened yet.

[phylny]

49. I don't know what your issue is with me, but I have not been rude in my discourse

here with you.

[NurseJackie]

55. My "issue" is the broad-brush attack in your opening post. There is no "Bash Hartmann Brigade."

Hopefully this ends the "Bash Hartmann Brigade."

There is no "brigade" and nobody is "bashing". People are telling the TRUTH! The criticisms are VALID.

but I have not been rude in my discourse

Nonsense. It started off being "rude" and confrontational. What is the exact type of response you were expecting?

[phylny]

58. I had no idea that you personally were criticizing Thom and therefore felt I was attacking you.

My apologies. Seriously.

The waving is a nice, friendly touch, though

[betsuni]

69. If I haven't seen or heard something, of course it does not exist.

I mean, pandas? I haven't seen one in real life and come on, FAKE. They're so rotund they can't run or climb without tumbling over or falling down, spend most of their lives sitting on their big butts obsessively scarfing bamboo, and that black-and-white fur thing doesn't fool me for a second. Of course pandas have trouble mating, they're not real.

[phylny]

72. I never said it didn't exist.

I haven't read every Thom Hartmann thread here, because they all read the same, in general. I haven't seen people substantiate their views with audio or video clips, whereas I've seen pictures of pandas and have even seen their stunts on Youtube

[brush]

78. Him being on RT makes one question his judgment

I've heard the argument that he had complete editorial control but just him being on Putin's network gives it credibility, insinuates that maybe Putin and Russia aren't so bad (even though Putin has had how many people killed in the last year, how many anti-Hillary bots did he pay on social media to help trump, how much info did the Russians steal from the DNC and funnel to Wikileaks to further damage Hillary, and on and on to help trump steal the presidency?).

Do progressive media people really need to help this guy by lending their name to his network?

It's subtle infiltration of our airwaves, no Russia talking points need be spoken by the show hosts, just the fact that a certain show is on the network works for Putin (if Hartman is on RT, it and the Russians can't be that bad, right?).

BS, they've been our adversary/enemy since cold war days, and still are. Just because trump won't utter a single word of criticism of them doesn't mean we all fall for the Russian entrenchment that's getting it's tentacles into our media space. They just acquired a station in DC. They've got trump eating out of their hand, even giving them intel in the oval office. They want those sanctions lifted for access to the trillions that will bring and since trump can't lift the sanctions they deploy plan B — the Russians are out friends, they're on our airwaves, they have well known progressive hosts on their networks. Our president loves them. What's the problem?

Just disregard the ever increasing body count of Russians connected to campaign shenanigans who apparently had info that Putin didn't want available to Mueller.

[phylny]

81. Fantastic response - thank you. THIS I understand, lots more than innuendos about

what he said - that I've frankly never heard. Yes, I can see your point.

[OilemFirchen]

100. I can explain this.

phylny (5,042 posts)
38. So much yelling.
I am speaking about what I heard. I've never listened to him and thought, "Wow, he's a Trump supporter and spews Russian talking points."

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9443375

[MrsCoffee]

18. Fuck RT.

Too little too late.

At least he got the check cashed.

[phylny]

19. I believe he paid them for airtime, but I could be mistaken. n/t

[MrsCoffee]

20. ROFLMFAO.

Yeah, you go with that.

[phylny]

21. Do you know otherwise? I'm serious. No need for this type of response. n/t

[MrsCoffee]

23. Actually no need for this thread.

I have zero respect for Putin defenders. His lips are stuck to Putin's butt. I've heard him play down and deny Putin's bullshit. Why did he stay after Putin's actions in Ukraine when others bailed? Why did he try to give any legitimacy to Putin's Propagandic Media outlet?

Fuck RT and all their lackeys.

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

You should ask the admins here how they feel about RT and their propaganda.

[phylny]

27. So you do or don't know otherwise? n/t

[MrsCoffee]

31. Yes of course I do.

Are you really that naive?

[phylny]

34. I have never heard it. Thank you for your kind response. n/t

[Foamfollower]

26. HE said himself he was paid a licensing fee by RT, so yeah, we ALL know otherwise.

[phylny]

29. Thank you for your kind response. I had never heard him say that. n/t

[Foamfollower]

42. It's only been posted a gazillion times in these "show Traitor Thom some love" threads

[phylny]

43. LOL, I guess my thanks was a little premature :) n/t

[George II]

88. Do you know that he is? Your comment started with "I believe". I believe the earth is flat.

[Foamfollower]

22. Nope, not buying into it. He was caught. lost credibility, and is trying to gain it back.

I will never be convinced he is no longer a Putin puppet.

He is forever tainted with the stench of treason.

[phylny]

25. Does he use Russian talking points during his show,

because I don't hear them on his radio show.

This is a serious question.

[Foamfollower]

28. No that is a silly question.

And yes, he has used Russian talking points/

[phylny]

32. Sorry for my silly question

I have listened to him for years. Evidently I am not schooled in the Russian talking points.

Thank you for your kind response.

[yardwork]

40. You need to get up to speed on Putin's talking points. We all do.

This is not about Thom or any one person. It's about a wave of propaganda that is destroying our democracy.

I'm quite serious.

[phylny]

44. Evidently I do :) n/t

[whathehell]

54. Really? Then how is it NONE of you can quote those Russian talking points you

you keep accusing him of using?

[phylny]

59. This is what I'm seriously asking - I have never heard these things.

Granted, I don't watch him on RT, but I do listen to the Progress channel on satellite frequently. Granted, I don't hang on his every word. But in the years I've listened, he's had Bernie on weekly, now Congressman Pocan, and I have never heard him say, "Lift the sanctions" or "Great thing Rex Tillerson is SoS because now the US can lift sanctions." He may have said it or things like it. I've never heard it.

I'm willing to be educated.

[Foamfollower]

65. Because we don't have to when Hartmann cheerleaders post them for us

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9428778

Traitor Thom goes on about poor poor misunderstood Russia.

[phylny]

67. I read that thread (thanks for pointing it out) where the posted stated:

"I listen to Thom Hartmann regularly, especially as I have paid for a podcast of his show and I can listen to it in the car, doing yard work, etc., but have heard him take no pro-Russia's stance, and have certainly heard him greatly criticize the Russians for their interference in the selection."

The facts stated in the highlighted post are interesting.

[PatSeg]

128. What Russian talking points?

And when did he use them? Examples, links?

[Adrahil]

76. Sometimes, but it doesn't matter really.

He sometimes parrots the idea that the West is to blame for tensions with Russia. A lot of that is left over far-left ambivalence over the "marxist" Soviet Union, or, more precisely, vocal disapproval of American imperial behavior. Putin was a KGB officer. He KNOWS that he can play on anti-American imperialism feelings of the left to sow political discord in the USA. That's why RT exists, and why he recruits "lefties" as American hosts, despite the fact that modern day Russia is really a far-right authoritarian kleptocratic state.

Any TV host who participates in that effort is serving the propaganda interests of the sponsoring foreign government. That's just true, regardless of any editorial independence they may have. It disturbs me that so many of the left can't understand that simple point. Vladimir Putin is not going to provide airtime and money to anyone who isn't serving his interests in some fashion or another, unless you want to make the argument that Putin is somehow a champion of a free and independent press.

[phylny]

79. Great, informed response - thank you for your knowledge and civility! n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

48. Ding ding ding

He became ineffective on RT because he was recognized for what he was: Putinite trash. So, we get this big revival event and a rebranding, but once Putinite trash, always Putinite trash.

[phylny]

57. Was his support for Bernie, then Clinton,

all a ruse then? Was it a coverup for his true intentions to help Russia control the U.S.? Because while I absolutely believe we will be stunned at how deeply Russia has its fingers in our leaders and administration/country, I don't see how support for Democrats equals support for Putin.

[whathehell]

61. Paranoids and haters need no logic.

Just let them stew in their own inchoate rage.

[LanternWaste]

73. That particular brigade was in reponse to the Sacred Cow battalion marching into GD

That particular brigade was in reponse to the Sacred Cow battalion marching into GD proudly waving its own agendas and biases.

[ProfessorPlum]

91. did you also know that Sanders was worshiped like a god here?

and that he is not a Democrat?

[boston bean]

80. You promise this will be the last one EVER!!!!!!!! From anyone!!!!!!!! Even from people

who like his lame ass????

[phylny]

82. No can do :) I hadn't seen the news that he was leaving RT yet on DU,

but perhaps others will continue to talk about him.

[George II]

86. Curious "coincidence".

[NurseJackie]

97. Indeed it is. Nevertheless...

... the damage has been done. I believe this response from him is coming much too late. This controversy and criticism didn't start just last week. It's been ongoing for at least a year or more. The reputation has been tarnished. I'll forever question his judgement and motivations. I can't abide by or respect him. I'm sure in real-life he's a nice guy who loves his mother. But professionally speaking, he's lost all credibility in my mind, as have those who blindly defend him. His poor judgement will also tarnish our party and the reputation of candidates he may happen to get "cozy" with in the future. If there are future candidates who snuggle-up with him, I'll have to question their judgement and standards as well.

[oppressedproletarian]

87. I like the radio show better anyway nt

[phylny]

89. I've never watched him on RT. n/t

[earthshine]

92. I wasted a lot of time yesterday arguing with people about this. I'm glad he's leaving!

Thom is a good guy, but his financial relationship with them runs deep. He pays them to make the show, but they pay him to distribute it? It's something complex like that. (Oh, jeeze!)

Whether the Russian threat is real or exaggerated, you cannot have payments to or from a Putin organization, now.

Dem politicians and pundits can't just be clean. They have to look clean.

Thom, take Lee Camp and Mike Papantonio with you. Good guys get out!

(Leave Ed Shultz there, please.)

[PatSeg]

131. Yes, I'm so glad to hear he is leaving RT

and I agree that Ed Shultz can stay there. What a major disappointment he turned out to be.

[geek tragedy]

95. smart move nt

[SCVDem]

101. This got quick!

I read about 15 posts and can see that we are no better than other comments sections.

I had enough and gave up! Too much bullshit bickering!

I listen to Thom daily at work on PV. He hits all topics and rarely do I have a difference with his opinions but it happens!

With everyone!

[PatSeg]

132. I've been agreeing with Hartmann

for fifteen years. The only problem I've had has been RT. He is an extremely intelligent, knowledgeable progressive.

[Chakaconcarne]

102. Good... Now hopefully people here will stop rippin' on him and focus that energy

on others more deserving of it.

[kimbutgar]

103. He reads DU everyday and I bet the criticism of his association with RT was the reason he decided

To quit. I always enjoyed the day show but the evening one with those ghastly right wingers was awful. Had to tune out on that show.

[phylny]

104. Could be. n/t

[Miles Archer]

105. Here's why it may not "hopefully this end the Bash Hartmann Brigade"

Condescension never works. It doesn't work on the playground, it doesn't work in the office, it doesn't work in politics, and it doesn't work on a Website whose sole purpose is political discussion. I personally don't acknowledge a "Bash Hartmann Brigade." What I do see is a large number of posts informing DU members why they must listen to Hartmann, and a reaction to those posts.

The Russia Times thing is not new. Somehow the topic flared up on DU, and as long as Hartmann's paychecks come from Russia Times, there will be at least two schools of thought regarding that. One, many are weary of Russia, of hearing that anyone has a connection to Russia, especially a financial connection. Two, that Hartmann should and must be heard, regardless of who signs his paychecks.

I think booth schools of thought are equally grounded in individual beliefs, and I didn't see much of a "Bash Hartmann Brigade" presence on DU until the increase in posts "defending" him (or whatever you'd like to call it).

See, I don't know you. To my knowledge, this is the first time I've read a post from you. And unlike situations in which DUers I don't know read my posts and tell me what I'm thinking and my motivations for posting, I'm not going to do that with you.

I'm going to respond to what you posted at face value, and I'm not going to make it personal.

When you make a statement like "Hopefully this ends the "Bash Hartmann Brigade"." what I see is "Read my post and then STFU."

Like I said, I don't know you, and I don't know your intentions. You may be attempting to silence an apposing viewpoint, you may not. It comes across as if you are, and I am saying that totally devoid of any judgement or accusation. Just read what you wrote.

Look, if you like Hartmann and want to listen to him, do it, and Godspeed to you.

And if other people question his relationship with Russia Times and don't want to listen to him, maybe they should be allowed to do so without "hopefully ending" what they have to say about it.

And if you are truly upset about those posts, you can:

1). Hide those threads

2). Put the people who post them on your ignore list

3). Send an alert if you think the post violates the DU TOS (although you will see much discussion of this in recent days...stating that Hartmann's financial connection to Russia Times is less than desirable doesn't fall under the rules of "bashing a Democratic figure."

If he's walking away from Russia Times, good for him. Maybe criticism will end at some point.

There are also asking the same question that was asked when CNN fired Jeffrey Lord yesterday..."What TOOK so long?

All I'm asking here is that you consider the value in respecting, if not fully understanding or agreeing with, the opposing viewpoints of others, especially in this online community. Creating a sarcastic and judgmental label for those opinions is not going to get you any further than the people who are in complete agreement with you.

Thanks for listening.

[phylny]

116. You ascribe far more motive to me than I meant.

I don't have stock in Thom's program. I don't care who listens to him or who doesn't. I've been here a lot of years - 13 in all - since the "W" days. The "Thom is on the side of the Russians" sentiment is new to me. I never read it or heard it here, ever, since perhaps a month or so ago.

I find it interesting that I am admonished to respect others' points of view when if you read through this thread, the same sentiment isn't extended in kind.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[get the red out]

107. I fail to understand

Why there are so many threads about Thom Hartmann all of a sudden? Do the radio preferences of people who post on DU really matter so much?

[BainsBane]

111. It started out with this thread

Last edited Fri Aug 11, 2017, 12:08 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9428778

which some posters pointed out contained factual errors. Rather than simply dealing with those factual errors, we saw a barrage of threads attacking the loyalty of those who dared to question Hartman.

[get the red out]

118. How weird

With all there is to worry about right now that someone would focus on whether people like a particular media personality.

[BainsBane]

119. I agree with that

but my concerns aren't the media personality. It is the public's eagerness to accept and promote Kremlin propaganda. That is very much germane to what is happening now because it is that which put Trump in office and it is that which will keep him there.

[get the red out]

120. That worries me

I had to hide an alt left person on FB because her incessant posts about Russia having nothing to do with the 2016 election, or Trump, were just not in the ballpark of information that was being proven daily. Why someone on the left would never want to see the evils of an Oligarchy like Russia, I have no clue. Scary.

[yardwork]

126. I'm seeing it too with friends and family.

Pro-Putin propaganda is all over the left-wing blogosphere and even being amplified by prestigious magazines like The Nation.

It helped get Trump elected by spreading lies against Hillary and discouraging a lot of Democratic voters against voting for her. The third party votes in college towns in Michigan and Wisconsin were enough to tip those states to Trump.

Testimony to Congress indicates that Putin wants the sanctions lifted in order to get access to billions of dollars and complete the oil pipeline through Ukraine. Getting lefties to side with Russia is clearly a strategy toward getting the sanctions lifted.

The strategy is clear.

[yardwork]

123. Exactly.

[MineralMan]

109. Well, that's a start...

[BainsBane]

110. The "Bash Hartman" was simple fact checking

that some took it upon themselves to discredit by any means necessary.

But given Hartman's "completely editorial control over the show," I'm sure you can provide links to dispel the perception that he is influenced by RT. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029442858

I welcome links that can settle the question once and for all. If what you and Hartman himself say is true, it should be very easy to do.

[phylny]

117. I read that thread. I didn't read evidence that he's influenced by

RT. I've been listening to him for years. Never once did I think, "Wow! Thom is trying to subvert American democracy and is siding with Putin!"

Others did. Great. I have not. Edited to add: I seem to have struck a nerve with some people - and if it's not a brigade, I don't know what else to call it, frankly.

[Hekate]

127. This

[Trial_By_Fire]

114. Looks like the Hartmann Haters will have to find someone else to hate on...

Or maybe not...Just sick...

[Expecting Rain]

124. Tokyo Rose

[guillaumeb]

129. Do you mean Thomm Hartmann, Secret Agent 666 from the Putin Propagandist Brigade?

How can we trust anyone with such an obviously un-American name? Thomm spelled with two "M"s? Please!

[phylny]

130. Almost :)

It's the "Th" in "Thom" and the double "n" in "Hartmann" that makes me suspicious.

[guillaumeb]

133. Seriously, I find the whole focus/obsession/attack on media personalities

to be a sign of focusing and obsessing on something of no lasting consequence while Democrats ignore how the GOP is systematically suppressing voting rights ahead of 2018 and 2020.

[PatSeg]

134. Or Hartmann with two "N"s!!!

Should have known something wasn't quite right with the guy!

[guillaumeb]

136. We all should have realized.

But now that we have been alerted to this fifth columnist columnist, we must say "never again!

[PatSeg]

137. Oh absolutely

I am prepared to make anyone and everyone my enemy!

[mcar]

139. Yeah, we need to get back to bashing Pelosi, Harris, Booker, Perez, etc.

[FreepFryer]

141. Sorry Thom, we're just not that into you. (n/t)