If the only television you watched this week was the season finale of ABC’s “Scandal” Thursday night, you would know what actual scandal is–even in fictional form. But let’s call it what it is: between the three “scandals” President Obama faced this week: Benghazi, the IRS, and the AP wiretapping, there was no “Dad?” moment. So what is going on in the real Washington, D.C.? Host Melissa Harris-Perry makes the case that the politics are–and have been–personal. Just what is it about President Obama that makes him so personally unacceptable to Republican leadership on the Hill? Is it that he’s skinny?
Harris-Perry will also discuss the progress made this week by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Barbara Boxer to reform the process of reporting sexual assault crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice. Gillibrand and Boxer proposed new legislation on Thursday that calls for taking sexual assault cases out of the military chain of command entirely. Their announcement comes on the heels of yet another military arrest made this week of an Army sergeant charged with abusive sexual contact and allegedly forcing a subordinate female soldier into prostitution. Harris-Perry will be joined by someone who helped draft the new legislation: Anu Bhagwati, a retired Marine captain and co-founder and executive director of the Service Women’s Action Network.
With the news that the Associated Press’ phone records are subject to scrutiny by the Department of Justice, we’ll examine the delicate balance between protecting national security and upholding our right to privacy. Just what can the government know about you? “MHP” will explore a new report that indicates the administration may back the FBI’s initiative to expand wiretapping privileges to the Internet.
Lastly, the Mother’s Day Parade shooting in New Orleans that left at least 19 people wounded was just eight blocks from Harris-Perry’s home. She will share the incredible story of one victim, 10-year-old Ka’Nard Allen, who now counts Sunday’s injuries as his second gunshot wound in his young life. Also, we will compare the vastly different gun control law different states are taking. msnbc reporter Trymaine Lee will join us to discuss his new report on Harris-Perry’s home state of Louisiana, focusing on their extreme political resistance to sensible reform. Read it now on MHPshow.com. Be sure to read what we’ve linked above, and watch Melissa Harris-Perry Saturday at 10 AM EST on msnbc! Also, don’t forget to join us on Facebook, and on Twitter using the hashtag #nerdland!
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