Jon Meacham: Our Better Angels | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

[@gevitz77]

Bill, you're not the skunk at the garden party, you're a needed part of the media and being clever and entertaining as hell is a bonus.

[@rosamariamendoza1466]

Bravo Mr. Meacham ! You gave us hope, we had to go through the mud, to get to the top!

[@timothyamaraobrien]

Please let's have more of this dialogue between Bill and Jon. So Illuminating.

[@veek.6463]

The better angels are us. Be good human family. Watch your mind. Discipline it for goodness. Be kind human family. Protect the earth. Love and respect all life and stand up for those who are marginalized or in danger like minorities, the elderly, the sick, the young, and wildlife.

[@TheNocturnalpheonix]

"The Meach" will now forever be the southern, political, friendly, neighborhood Mr. Rogers, to me. 😊 Fred Rogers embodied the importance of compassion who loved the darker parts in the Soul of America... while lovingly open the doors to communication. "Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now. " "This is what I give. I give an expression of care every day to each child, to help him realize that he is unique. I end the program by saying, 'You've made this day a special day, by just your being you. There's no person in the whole world like you; and I like you just the way you are.' And I feel that if we in public television can only make it clear that feelings are mentionable and manageable, we will have done a great service for mental health." ~Fred McFeely Rogers (March 20, 1928 - February 27, 2003)

[@aurorawolfe6060]

TheNocturnalpheonix - I appreciate your comment, it's beautiful.

[@jackieroberts1489]

I trusted Mr Rodgers with my children . He was an excellent role model

[@kvol1668]

Sounds like Mr. Rogers

[@shedd45]

Tonights show was so good.

[@williamcortelyou4524]

Well spoken, and good points. I liked this interview. Good food for thought.

[@karascene13]

This is incredible to watch in 2020. John is so great. Such a voice of reason then and now.

[@odoylerules03]

Jon Meacham is so pleasant

[@sheilamansell5634]

Bennett Brauer a gracious gentleman with a beautiful speech.

[@NoirEtBlanc86]

I have a crush on Jon Meachem!

[@jiado6893]

9:07 Politicians get re-elected by citizens, and this country is filled with people who love the idea of inflicting pain on anger on people they don't like. We shouldn't be worried about the mad dog that's threatening us now, we need to think about who let it off the least and into our institutes of power.

[@berniebrowntoes8112]

+Jacob Bielski Obama did it. He spied on private citizens, weaponized the FBI, CIA and IRS. You shouldn't be worried about the mad dog, unless your last name is Clapper, Comey, McCabe or Rosenstein. Here's to more mad dog in 2020. Enjoy!!

[@HexIsme]

Bernie Browntoes Only bitches like mad dogs. Little, whimpering bitches that long to be dominated.

[@berniebrowntoes8112]

I guess I'm a bitch then. MAGA 2020 BITCHES!!!!

[@berniebrowntoes8112]

+Jean Rhodes I'll get right on that...COMRADE!!!! Enjoy your fake news.

[@berniebrowntoes8112]

+omi god Here you go fuckface. Under oath for everyone to see. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ7ChqGqpqanr6s

[@CatskillsGrrl]

I've watched this segment three times - Meacham is one of the few who can hold his own with Maher. Love them both.

[@blackparadoxx9656]

Throughout history, America will always end up doing the right thing, after exercising every other option available.

[@larrygarland3728]

Good one! Wasn't that a quote (or at least a paraphrase) by Mark Twain? Unfortunately, also true.

[@STSWB5SG1FAN]

I think it's from Winston Churchill.

[@larrygarland3728]

You know Bernard, I believe that you are correct Sir! Thank You.

[@karascene13]

I really hope this rings true in 2020. Because we've really exhausted the other option.

[@DrShawneeLazoreDOHHDPhDML]

Great points! Keep talking and caring genuinely everyone!

[@Bubbles99718]

Its surreal we're in this place. To sit and listen to a conversation like this is an out of body experience. This is happening.

[@JnEricsonx]

So....we're basically fucked right.

[@jennifermathis3983]

Awesome interview!!!!!

[@TheMadrepore]

I can listen to these two talk all day.

[@UniverseUndone7]

Me too

[@rievans57]

Jon Meacham is a voice of reason and I love it-

[@jacksondepiero8116]

Jon Meacham for president? Brilliant!

[@ginaheller333]

I have and will read more of his books...He is brilliant!!!

[@CatskillsGrrl]

I adore Jon Meacham. (Bill, please don’t ever wear that tie again.)

[@debratoofamoustomention8996]

Gail Dedrick I like Bills' tie..it's nice to see color instead of the same old blah

[@CatskillsGrrl]

It clashed with all the other colors on the set - especially the other blues.

[@veek.6463]

That's a nice tie. Nice spring tie. From a former model.

[@debratoofamoustomention8996]

Good grief

[@thepinkerton657]

Grow your hair out Gail. And don't wear that face ever again.

[@paulxx11]

God. Smart people talking.

[@Oceanmachine27]

We come to miss it, don't we?

[@jackieroberts1489]

try MSNBC , you have to keep up . It`s great ! Sometimes I have to watch 2 times to get it all . Smart people reporting the truth , what a concept

[@CalWillify]

Great Line: "My whole argument in this is not that everything is going to be a fairytale. It never is. There was never a once upon a time, and there never is a happily ever after."

[@darrellapple8980]

John Meacham For President!!!!

[@64slugirl]

Something like 30-35% of the nation's voters are pro trump. The rest of the Nation needs toregister to vote, help others to get reg. to vote, be sure your election boards are honest and efficient, don't promote people who are "flash in the pan" or "just because of their gender, color or temporary popularity" attributes and learn who the current REAL leaders are in office or your states. Take an active voice who the DNC choose as candidates. Then VOTE the GOP out. Only way to get the nation back to citizens.

[@veek.6463]

We did taken an active voice in the dnc and were silenced. If you want us to vote you have to give us someone worth voting for. I said it before- as did millions- Bernie or Bust. We mean that sincerely.

[@veek.6463]

I am not voting for someone just because they have a D by their name. No. I will vote for a republican who refuses all corporate money and large donations before ai vote for a democrat who has a super pac. If you want this blue wave, the DNC had better take up Sanders platform or again, we are staying home and watching. If it takes near total destruction to finally get some power for the people, then so be it.

[@MickyAvStickyHands]

You might not like the way that turns out if the rest register.

[@oceandrew]

Parlez, you do remember that 3 million more votes went to Clinton? Regardless of what the ignoramuses insist that foreigners/non-citizens by the millions got to vote and skewed the popular vote against Trump. The skew is at the district level where gerrymandering has twisted districts to be solidly red or blue that there is no healthy debate over what's good for the country just yelling and shouting in frustration that it's the extremists who set the agenda. Engage the "sensible middle" who don't care about ideology but what's good for America and there you will find your fulcrum, your pivot point. Reshape the districts to look more like counties or clusters of counties and watch American politics become more lively (with ideas not drama), competitive and (weirdly) cooperative. And get the moneyed interests out of politics as they profit from the chaos and dysfunction.

[@01denese]

Watch out for gerrymandering too.

[@thesavagejews8774]

Maher Colbert & Oliver are a real asset to America. Great guys each & everyone. Plan on reading Maher's book hope you do too. My son & I hope to get tickets to Maher's show

[@bkbland1626]

John Meacham is a wise man.

[@4urluvjones155]

Great discussion! A skeptic and an optimist duke it out. I love Bill but when I listen to my better angels I'm hoping that Jon is right.

[@ibeezisi3847]

One of the best conversations I’ve heard

[@John-ct9zs]

I can't believe Meacham is only 6 years older than me, he seems like he's 20 years older than me. Then on my other side, I have older Millennials that still act like teenagers that are 6 years younger than me.

[@memphoscorpio]

It would be nice to bring meach back, play the clip and analyze how well his predictions went

[@lisadee4490]

a president cant be above the law

[@balla4544]

you cannot indict a sitting president. he is ABOVE THE LAW. GOOD MOVIE BY THE SAINT STEVEN SEAGEL

[@rosamariamendoza1466]

No , Thomas Mead, Remember Nixon!!!

[@rosamariamendoza1466]

Excuse me, Thomas Smith✌

[@darylyost7273]

but crooked hillary can

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Well, yes he can, if he's allowed, and our republican "friends" seem to be okay with that.

[@joesilva2184]

So, I agree he's such an intelligent, well-educated well spoken Man where is he now?

[@Oasis_Fan]

Only one heart break away.

[@DanLuxe]

Good interview

[@DaveH82]

You know everybody was thinking of Game of Thrones when he said "mad king" instead of King Lear.

[@dontgetmadgetwise4271]

Ummm.... no. Some people actually went to school and read literature pre-dating modern mass market television.

[@tracygates939]

Dave H. I totally was😂😂. Now we need a kingslayer. Michael avenatti seems to fit the bill! Lol

[@blurpledragon2779]

Dave H. Real life Mad King was Arys second of his name, just kidding, King George III

[@lisadee4490]

Dave H. and Bill pointed him out 😂😂😂

[@tiberiussempronious6252]

No Gandalf - People like you ruin the internet...

[@BatmanHQYT]

"Mr. Rogers on C-SPAN" is actually a great way to describe Meacham, haha

[@rayflyers]

Bill, not only do I not see him leaving willingly if he's impeached, but I don't see him leaving willingly if he loses the 2020 election. Remember he said he would only accept the results of the 2016 election if he won.

[@TheDarkDresser]

I fear we will end up with Pence. He's slicker and not as dumb as Trump and he supports his policies.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Remember "Repeal & replace"? Oopsie. For donnie-baby how 'bout "Impeach & evict"? Chuck the [bleep] out. Pence is a chameleon; we have no reason to believe he has a spine or a soul, least I don't. Mebbe he can be convicted of something?

[@jwoolman3425]

Kicky - Pence is not batshit crazy like Trump. He is unlikely to tweet us into WWIII. He will be problematic in many other ways, but he’s reasonably normal and we can handle that. Trump is unpredictable, volatile, vengeful, and willfully ignorant. I don’t think we can survive two and a half more years of Trump. He is clinging to a job he hates because he thinks it protects him against indictment. We need to find the right carrot (or cheeseburger) to dangle in front of him to get him to reroute Air Force One, head for a country like Dubai that won’t extradite him, resign, and go play golf for the rest of his life. The man is too dangerous as POTUS.

[@CrescimoneMatt]

Eh, while I understand your perspective, I think he'd ultimately comply. I'm not sure if it's all talk to rally his base (it sure is a good tactic for him) or if he's really bent on achieving some American version of a dictatorship, but I suspect he'd just leave if he lost 2020. Maybe a messy departure if the votes are close, but if not, I think he'd just leave. I'm more curious how his base would react tbh. I mean, I don't think there'd be anarchy like some people worry. Sure, likely protests. The size of them? Not as big as some might worry imo. No big deal there. There are the more rabid and/or unhinged followers though... I'm talking Pizzagate-esque people and the white supremacists/alt-right people. The latter is smaller in numbers (still too big). The former is bigger BUT how many of them will go out and protest (or riot) as opposed to tweeting about it? But I'm more curious not about the initial aftermath of a 2020 loss for him, but where his base (and thus the GOP) go in following years. Which way do they swing? Left/right, up/down? I'd guess back toward center (by 'center' I mean basically not moving and remaining as far to the right as they are, just with better optics). BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TEA PARTY MOVEMENT? Surely there will be a constituency and some in office pushing even further to the authoritarian-right. Will they succeed in any substantial ways like the Tea Party did? I truly have no idea. I heard someone else say it (can't remember who), but: I'm not as worried about Trump as I am about what comes after Trump.

[@CrescimoneMatt]

omi god - Agreed. Not crazy. Could he even be slightly mentally ill? I have no idea, but "sure." Regardless, even if he were, he's still clearly mentally 'there' *enough* to know what he's doing. And it's important to point this out. Some need to realize that many do bad things because some people just do bad things. I wouldn't use the word 'evil' personally, but I know what you mean. Plus, most 'crazy' people are fucking far from dangerous to others. And if we were to entertain the idea that Trump is in fact 'crazy', how the hell does Pence not fit into that criteria? I'm assuming it's because he's not as animated as Trump, but I think all of his political values and past actions fit firmly into this definition of 'crazy.'

[@CryingIsntAnOption]

Look at how spot on this was Five years ago!!! Bill might be onto something. Vote like your life depends on it 💙

[@colleenlally-ross7105]

Love LOVE this man!! It is may 30 2020 and we've got protesters in most of our major cities trying to make change👍👍

[@catz695]

😍 love you Bill!!

[@Steve-ts8ju]

Meacham is a smart cookie!

[@vinsanitypv04]

Trump: “Say hello to my little friend.” *out walks Jeff Sessions*

[@onetrueslave]

Love this guy.

[@yootoobnewbie]

Reading is important to build a large knowledge base, especially to get all perspectives. I hope people do check out his book, even if its in a library. A few minutes of video can never do an issue/topic justice.

[@BaboNation]

I wish I could take a class taught my Jon Meacham.

[@jumblyman]

What a great rapport hose two have JM isa funny guy.

[@Haim007]

A Great Interview 🤔

[@LuisOrtega-ln6kg]

Hope to remember the name Meacham for the next stop at B&N.

[@taunteratwill1787]

Nice to hear intelligent Americans talk. Not enough of that the last two years!

[@bkdascenzo]

Eyes open, ears open, feet moving, resist openly !!

[@shedd45]

Bill seemed discouraged tonight.

[@TheJimburke]

I agree Bill definitely seems worried .. His Guest is optimistic and funny The country is totally fucked but a very interesting interview

[@toothnailgaming42]

I agree, Jon Meacham's message is "just wait until somebody else fixes this". That is not the message that Bill has been trying to spread and that is why he tries to clarify when Meacham's opinion ends and his starts. Meacham is also trying to sell a book which has a tendency to encourage one's views when trying to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.

[@wheatandtares9764]

Bill is a triggered idiot liberal calling the president "fascist"

[@cooperbt]

I wouldn't consider Bill as a pessimist, but more so a realist.

[@kpax45]

Trump is the idiot

[@SpiritualFox]

That's about all the proof i need. We need to rescue Bill Maher.

[@peteivey9739]

you can 'un-get' Trump by not screwing over Bernie or any Bernie-like candidate in the Democratic primary.

[@FerreusNRG]

That requires screwing over corporations and thats where the bribes and advertisement money comes from.

[@patcurrie7733]

Bernie wasn't a Democrat in 2016 or now. He's an Independent..

[@peteivey9739]

He ran under the Democratic party.

[@patcurrie7733]

He did, but his socialist ideals were too off the cuff for most.

[@peteivey9739]

What parts were too "off the cuff"?

[@marleneg7794]

It makes us very aware of how fucked up we have always been.

[@hpygolkyone]

...........the last 0:02 seconds he mentioned Jarod. Where the hell is that liitle twerp? I never hear him mentioned in the news anymore? 0_o

[@alanramirez7123]

I want to be like this man.

[@WeeWillyII]

Hey Bill. What's with the trump length tie?

[@nateaiello681]

Even Bill is tired of his audience clapping at everything he says.

[@berniebrowntoes8112]

Yep, brainwashed idiots.

[@AbnormalWrench]

**claps enthusiastically**

[@s.e.f8160]

Which is sayin a lot because he used to pause and get mad when they wouldn’t laugh or clap at his jokes.

[@s.l5787]

You do realize not everyone in the audience claps? You guys are all sheep in your own ways.

[@NastyDHL]

Nate Aiello he's been tired of it from the get go

[@thomasridley8675]

People will only change their mind when it affects them directly. Once his policies start to take effect then the game really begins.

[@mr.histor1996]

His policies have started to take effect and as a result jobs that were previously going to other countries are returning, unemployment is at its lowest in decades and Americans are making more money. Oh, the horror.

[@thomasridley8675]

Mr. Histor No, Most are tried up in court or agency paperwork. When they start kicking . if they atually survive, you may have to change your mind.

[@slambangwallop]

Every time I hear the word "Google", I wish I had heard " Ecosia". Seriously, it's a search engine that also plants trees! Give it a plug.

[@Suite_annamite]

*Jon Meacham* is *over a decade YOUNGER* than *Bill Maher* , yet *looks over a decade older!*

[@krs5115]

👏 👏 👏

[@superfly2535]

This is why Americans and especially journalists need to study history. Social and cultural patterns are surprisingly predictable and we can learn so much from our past failures and successes.

[@ursaltydog]

What if we don't have as many better angels left?

[@Alcagaur1]

Sadly, this "Predisent" is unfamiliar with Goneril and Regan, but intimate with Gonorrhea and Rogaine.

[@Rareprogeny]

The show was great.

[@cindym5896]

Love John. Did he try to run as a politician or president before?

[@kristinpfanku3927]

He has worked as a writer, journalist and historian.

[@antoniod]

Joe McCarthy was the fourth most admired man in America at one point in the 50s. Most of America did not feel "Terrorized" by him!

[@richardrosebealprestonjohn3144]

Get rid of the electoral college for a start! Vote! Vote! Vote!

[@tubularbill]

Great to see the clapping seals are out and in force!

[@lohphat]

There’s a big difference today regarding elected officials. Due to Citizens United they don’t need to pander for re-election. All they need is one term to cash out for life from industry. Bribery. Our elected officials have little incentive to worry about the electorate’s feelings about their performance. Too many are in it for the short-term financial windfall.

[@bigtoepapa]

Bill Bill Bill Bill Bill Bill.......

[@LisaLisa-rl3pm]

I agree with much of what this man says. WE will make change happen. This bs cannot continue!

[@jantruitt9241]

He gives me some hope. Bill makes me think he may just have a point

[@dracon501]

So they really think that politicians should not be the reflection of the voters? What is the point of voting then?

[@mdaze9753]

Bill, can you please let the intelligent beautiful man speak without interrupting.

[@timothyamaraobrien]

Stop talking about impeachment. The Democrats need to focus on learning how to win elections. It used to be the party of the working people. Now it's the party of factions. As a gay Progressive and activist, I'm tired of it. Get over your own interests and start thinking about the good of the country.

[@thomasfraser9072]

Two opposing views of the U.S Constitution over the phrase" to form a more perfect union" Jon Meecham writes: To know what comes before is to be armed against despair. If men and women of the past ( referring to Trump supporters) with all their flaws and limitations and ambitions and appetite could press on though ignorance and superstition; racism and sexism, selfishness and greed ( Trump supporters in general) then perhaps we too, can right the wrongs and take another step towards the most enchanting and elusive destination: a more perfect union." So in his mind if you believe in self reliance; if you believe family and personal security comes first over all others. if you believe in keeping most of your hard earn money; if you believe in the ignorance of religion and the sanctity of the unborn child. If you say a negative thing to those who hate you; you are a racist especially if you are White. If you believe in borders and are not welcoming all to America; you are a racist: and in order to form a more perfect unions the Left must overcome the Right. To those of you who truly believe this. I say Bull Shit. On the other hand if the country chooses a more perfect union of socialism and everyone agrees to give half their hard earn money to a centralized government. Care for everyone above family then under his altruism we would have then formed a more perfect union. Thank you for reading.

[@quantumeseboy]

Why there is no citizenship exchange program with the Common Wealth countries?

[@bonniemccarley3355]

OUR PAL RICHARD PAINTER IS RUNNING FOR SENATOR IN MINN.!!

[@sourabhtiwri]

History is always dark

[@superman0O7]

The United States needs better outsiders who can dismantle the two-party duopoly in this system of inverted totalitarianism.

[@maxhammertruth]

Mad King, like King Lear. Skunk at the garden party. Bill is view into real news.

[@kevinbarr3639]

I learn something new every time I watch Bill, makes me feel smarter. Then Trump comes on TV and fucks it all up and I'm lucky I can dress myself.

[@jumblyman]

Just checked Wikipedia and Jon Meacham is only 48!

[@rn6710]

People like Professor Randa Jarrar are the reason that I lack hope and optimism in the future of our country. She posted a number on twitter that she said was her direct line but was actually a crisis line at Arizona State University. People ended up flooding the line, which could have been very dangerous for students trying to get through.

[@Etatdesiege1979]

R Navs Really? Wow. Let’s just judge every immigrant and person of color or a foreign ethnic group by the behavior of one person, who by the way, was just trolling the stupid reaction to her opinion about Barbara Bush. I guess that we can have First Amendment rights only for speech we like.

[@rn6710]

Daniel Alveo I said nothing about immigrants or persons of color in my post. Also, do you think her behavior is what we should all aspire to?

[@Ofinfinitejest]

I realize Meacham is trying to be positive and Maher is trying to be funny, but the fact remains American ideals are in immense danger, and it's by no means clear that there can be a good outcome to all this.

[@notsanctioned8590]

I saw more comments about Maher and his audience, then what Maher And Meacham were discussing. So very sad.😞.

[@brettneuberger6466]

It’s been over two years now and Bill got it spot on. He intuited Trump’s pathology (and that of his voters) held more sway than any historical record could predict. A narcissist of Trump’s caliber is truly a rare breed.

[@aleaiactaest8354]

How to win the hearts and minds of the people, so they wont vote for Trump? Offer them an alternative! Offer them something they want and need. Problem is thats not being done.

[@LisaLisa-rl3pm]

Don't you think he'd send Jared out" ...oh my God! holy crap! Roflmao

[@thomasridley8675]

Here the the economy is hanging by a thread and the gop answer is to kick the chair out. They wont be happy until half the population is living in tent cities.

[@matts6139]

Thomas Ridley What constitutes hanging by a thread to You? I'm not a Trump supporter but this crying wolf attitude is disingenuous

[@thomasridley8675]

Fat bastard lets see destroying the saftey net, social security, snap, the unions, worker and consumer protections, all designed to make us ready to work at stravation wages. What you haven't been paying any attention. Your not one of those who think that the bottom is just to well off.

[@NotHPotter]

Dude looks disconcertingly like Gary Johnson.

[@ddll6709]

Michael Wade I thought that was him at first lol

[@EmeraldRhapsody777]

Aleppo? What's that?

[@lovelyskull3483]

What’s up with the super long tie Bill?

[@AndiDuck]

You're a Trumptard

[@victorcross5949]

I don't know why Maher interviews anyone-he does all the talking.

[@yepitsthatguy5278]

I think this 'coldness' and pessimism that Bill Maher is showing during this particular show doesn't have anything to do with Meacham's views, it's more to do with the audience clapping. Bill has taken part in 1000's of interviews like this one and listening to basic talking points that the public lap up has to be really irritating.

[@johnedwards1968]

I agree. The minute Meacham made the comment about men coming to the party late, Maher went all conservative justice warrior on him. I think it's ironic that the politically incorrect are so quick to go to identity politics mode the minute anyone is slightly critical of their preferred group.

[@carolsmith5066]

Why is Bill's tie so long ?

[@Johnsmith-p1v]

Scarface my butt, he'd be hiding under the desk peeing himself.

[@isaachaze1]

just a fashion tip to the young guys out there (i'm old): your tie is supposed to fall so the tip just touches your belt buckle, not to your knee level, like trump does and bill is doing here for some reason

[@janmorgan471]

Mr Rogers on C span LOL. America gets better because of protest and conflict. The rule of law will always prevail. When it doestn't I'm out of here.