License To Torture

What the Justice Department doesn’t want you to know about their secret torture letters. Plus: Why the FDA turned a blind eye to the plastics that give us cancer (hint: follow the money)...whose health care would Jesus cover?..you’re not the only one ditching your gas-guzzler...guess which candidate is jetting through campaign finance reform loopholes?..your girlfriend wants to throw a Taser Party...and LA is taking away our right to tacos. It’s Monday, April 28 and this is Mic Check Radio. We think you’re twitter-tastic.

Celebration Excuse

Torture, facism, war, and Maryland joining the Union. It’s April 28th, and we need a stiff drink.

1788

Welcome to the Union- Maryland becomes the 7th state.

1945

Benito Mussolini is executed, and to be sure he’s dead, his body is hung upside down at a petrol station in Milan for all to see.

1967

Hell no, we won’t go. Boxing champion Muhammad Ali refused to be inducted into the Army.

1986

Soviet Union publicly acknowledges disaster at Chernobyl, two days after bordering countries had reported unusually high levels of radiation.

1992

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture unveils its first “food pyramid.” Americans continue to ignore dietary guidelines, except to make fun of the revamped pyramid in 2005.

1953

$20 million can’t buy you love, but it can buy Dennis Tito a trip to outer space and the dubious distinction of being the first space tourist.

2004

U.S. loses last semblance of international credibility when the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal breaks on 60 Minutes II.

A-Listy Birthdays

1950: Jay Leno, comedian and late night TV talk show host

1974: Penelope Cruz, actress

1981: Jessica Alba, actress

Daybook

ON THE HILL

SENATE

5:30PM

Cloture vote on the motion to proceed on the FAA Reauthorization Act, passed by the House last September.

HOUSE

Not in session today. Will reconvene Tuesday afternoon.

STUMPIN’

John McCain: Fundraising in Raleigh, NC.
Dick Cheney: Fundraising for Victory 2008 fund in NC.

Barack Obama: Rally in Chapel Hill, NC.
Reverand Jeremiah Wright: National Press Club as part of a divinity conference of black church leaders

Hillary Clinton: Salisbury and Charlotte, N.C.

Ron Paul: Book Launch Party in New York, NY.

WATCH MORE TV

Set Your TiVo

The View: Kaley Cuoco and Johnny Galecki from “Big Bang Theory”
Regis/Kelly: Robert Downey Jr. chatting about his new film “Iron Man”
Ellen: Animal guy Jack Hanna, Carly Smithson recently eliminated American Idol contestant
Oprah: Where are they now? One year check in with previous guests.
Tyra: Women’s first night as prostitutes.

Stay Up Late

Leno: Actress Helen Hunt, Governor of Louisiana Bobby Jindal
Letterman: Gwyneth Paltrow, Richard Lewis, The Roots
Conan: Actress Marisa Tomei, Actor Anthony Anderson
Kimmel: Our favorite American Idol judge Randy Jackson, Actress Julie Bowen
Daily Show: Former President Jimmy Carter

 

Eavesdrop

Steal This Audio

Scalia’s ‘Tude

Who: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia

What: An interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes.

Why You Should Care: Justice Scalia, notorious for outrageous opinions and scathing dissents, talks about his reputation.

The Audio

  • “I love to argue. I’ve always loved to argue. And I love to point out the weaknesses of an opposing argument.”
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  • “I can be charming and combative at the same time.”
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  • “It may well be that I’m something of a shin kicker.”
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Popularity Contest

We know what you were reading this weekend! No, we weren’t peeping through your blinds, we’re just checking out the most popular stories on the top websites.

ABC: Bush tweaks candidates at correspondents’ dinner

CBS: Dad Kept Daughter In Cellar 24 Years

NBC: The 20 saltiest foods in America

FOX: Teen Arrested After 4 Family Members Found Dead at S.C. Home

CNN: Police: Captive woman had at least 6 children by father

NYT: Elite Korean Schools, Forging Ivy League Skills

WP: The Adult Crime Game Kids Love

USAT: More U.S. retailers give BPA the boot

LAT: Ojai has a love-hate relationship with ‘Pastie Lady’

REUT: Obama says race not an issue in election

BBC: Austrian ‘hid daughter in cellar’

Masthead

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Mic Check is produced every weekday by Christy Harvey, Sara Langhinrichs and Nicole Murphy, and is a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Read more about Mic Check.

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