Exclusive Interview with Phil Donahue on War, Media, Obama and Romney...

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(from wikipedia) "Phil" Donahue is an American media personality, writer, and film producer best known as the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show. The television program, also known as Donahue, was the first to use a talk show format. The show had a 26-year run on U.S. national TV, preceded by three years of local broadcast in Dayton, Ohio, before ending in 1996.

His shows have often focused on issues that often divide liberals and conservatives in the United States, such as abortion, consumer protection, civil rights and war issues. His most frequent guest was Ralph Nader, for whom Donahue campaigned in 2000.^[1]Donahue also hosted a talk show on MSNBC from 2002--2003.

In 1996, Donahue was ranked #42 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.^[2]

Here are my rough notes from the interview, mostly my questions. 

Rob: You''ve got some thoughts on the 10 year anniversary of the Iraq war. 

film Body of War. 

Rob: It seems that since that then, congress has laid down and let presidents do as they want. 

           Norman Solomon Documentary: War made easy. 

Rob: CNN created its own music  to cover the war to raise the heart rates of viewers

        We had a president do one of the stupider stunts.

        Was that a codpiece there?

        A large part of the punditocracy swooned, kvelled. 

        We've become a warrior nation. We've got to stop. 

        

         The problem is those who are in the progressive dissenting community, we can't seem to get up and say so. 

What about the media?

Phil: Congress hasn't declared war since the 40s. So they pass resolution that give the president the permission..It's a cover your ass maneuver which makes it easier to go to war. 

I was released from MSNBC because I opposed the war. MSNBC was owned by General Electric, a major military contractor. 

Rob: What do you think needs to be done today-- in congress, the media, to right things. 

We need a population to elect political leaders who will reach out instead of ".

We patronize peace-loving people. 

In the process of protecting people we have literally dismantled the bill of rights. 

The framers were right. Don't give the power to go to war to one man. 

Rob: How about today's media?

Phil: We're now the shirts and the skins-- that's how we used to play football. 

They will go to where the crowd is. The coin of the realm of the media is the size of the crowd. 

The first amendment is supposed to promote a cacophony of ideas"

Rob: How about the media and the current election?

Phil: The best thing that happened to the media was Obama's failure in the debate. 

Rob: They're thinking of making a new kind of hero for drone pilots.

Phil: We go to war not so much for what the other does. We go to war because of what we think  he will do. 

Rob: If you were doing your show now, what people and issues would you have on your show?

Phil: People who are not on Meet the Press

Obama has a tin ear on the issues of civil liberties. Apparently, he's been totally seduced by the generals. 

Sunday talk shows make up elite leaders and military leaders. 

Rob: How do the networks think in terms of covering peace marches or not covering them?

Rob: What's your take on Israel, Iran, the Palestinian state and the US?

Rob:How about the world of blogging and the news? How about you getting on line?

If you give a president a cruise missile he will fire it. 

We've got to stop the drones. That is the ultimate in cowardice.

Right now, in Pakistan, some of the women of Code Pink are protesting Drones there.

What's happening with Marlo?

marlothomas.com aimed at empowering women. 

Rob: How about you getting a website?

Body of War being promoted by The Peace Alliance

available on netflix, check website bodyofwar.com

This is the most sanitized war in my lifetime.

See the pain. If you are going to send young people to war, show the pain. 

The troops come home and the VA doesn't call them back. 

Rob: Any Last words?

We have to guard against cynicism. Cynicism will kill" 

Rob: What's your take on Occupy Wall Street?

How about the presidential race, What do you think the difference will be in terms of war?

Ron Paul" is the only would be candidate who raises the issue.

Rob: Phil, who are your heroes?

Rob: Any media people you respect nowadays?

Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow, Chris Hedges, Norman Solomon,