Bill Maher, Maddow Talk Occupy Wall Street, Rupert Murdoch (VIDEO)

Bill Maher pointed out what he believed were the stark differences between Occupy Wall Street protesters and Tea Partiers on "The Rachel Maddow Show" Tuesday night. Maddow and Maher discussed Occupy Wall Street's "Millionaires March" visiting Rupert Murdoch's home, the gaining traction of the demonstration, and attempted to recall the origins of the Tea Party.

Maddow asked Maher if he believed Occupy Wall Street's message resonated with people who did not participate in the protests. "Absolutely," Maher responded. "This is a great thing...so what if their message is a little vague. I like if they're a little vague."

Maddow turned the conversation to the "sense of dangerousness" among the Occupy Wall Street protesters. Maddow examined the Republican response to the protesters on her show Monday night, and ran clips of statements made by Reps. Paul Ryan and Eric Cantor. Maddow revisited this topic with Maher and said, "I was thinking about that as we see Eric Cantor and these other Republican Congressmen denouncing the Occupy Wall Street people as, you know, an angry mob and somehow dangerous to the country. I wonder if a sense of dangerousness is what gives them power."

"Well, yeah, I think so," Maher responded. He said that he was reminded of a scene in the Martin Scorcese film "Gangs Of New York" in which a brick is thrown through a rich person's window. "If a brick came through Rupert Murdoch’s apartment, yes, I have a feeling Fox News would be a lot more gentle on the Wall Street people." Maher also said he thinks Occupy Wall Street is "the opposite" of the Tea Party movement because the latter was steered into mainstream Republican politics.

Maher then described his analysis of the evolution of the Republican party voters and compared it to a strain of viruses. "Every time it comes back, it comes back a little stronger and more dangerous," he said.

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Comments

[sitdownANDlisten]

05:56 PM on 10/20/2011

How is BIll Maher still on the air.... Stupid Show...

[Glendatheblackwitch]

08:52 AM on 10/17/2011

Why don't they go to protest Bill Mayer and all of his wealth - or Michael Moore who lives like a king - with all the money from his movies they paid for? If it's about wealth, then the people who have it and pretend they are on the side of the protesters (when in reality, would not speak to any of them if they met them on the street because they are the "little people") should give all of their wealth up and give it to the people protesting - even though they too have their blackberries, computers, blackberries and all of that - hmmmmmmmmmm... it's just a little disconcerting to watch. If they really hate it here, go somewhere else where they will have "equality" and not be able to protest their inability to live on their own without mommy and daddy paying for everything for them in order for them to be on Wall Street. By the way, the donations they are receiving are being put in the bank for safekeeping. I thought they hated the banks. And... they are costing the city of New York millions to clean up their mess. Why doesn't anyone ask them about that?

[MomWithTwoHeads]

01:23 PM on 10/17/2011

Because Maher and Moore put their money where their mouths are. They support equality. They employ staffs and pay them very well, and provide benefits, etc. They don't merely profit off the backs of regular people. They don't try to cut out the last penny from people all over the world, and pocket the profits, not putting anything back into the society that supports them.

duh.

Nobody is against rich people. Most NYorkers, and LA, and San Francisco over educated liberals--like me--make a heck of a lot more income that the average tea partier. We just believe every citizen has the patriotic duty to support the country where they live. Simple.

[Glendatheblackwitch]

04:47 PM on 10/17/2011

Well said. And I agree with most of it. Sure Bill and Mike support equality (they say so in front of the cameras) and they employ staff and pay them very well. But so do a lot of wealthy tea partiers. In fact, most people with money support those without. It's just that the Republicans do it without constantly badmouthing others, but you wouldn't know that b/c you only listen to the Liberal side of the news (obviously) where I listen to both sides and I'll tell you, it really bugs me to hear how bad I am and others like me who are accused of not caring about the enviroment (I save wild animals and dogs and cats and have a garden and do NOT use herbicides or pesticides - oh while a lot of my liberal friends do not care about the environment and do use pesticides), who don't give to charitable organizations, etc. It is a PROVEN FACT that generally, the Republicans give more to charities than Liberals, but you wouldn't know that either b/c you only listen to one liberal side and your mind is CLOSED as to the other side - unlike me - who is open to both. Ding Dong... Duh... We don't want people getting something for nothing. We have to work for what we get, so should everyone, with appropriate help along the way if they help themselves and work as much as they can. duh.

[rockdarimz2215]

03:32 PM on 10/27/2011

How do you think Maher and Moore make their money? From the regular people who pay to watch the movie's Moore makes and the shows Maher puts on.

[rickmt57]

11:05 PM on 10/16/2011

Bill Maher is an idiot plan and simple!

[lewisclew]

07:16 PM on 10/16/2011

Protesting in Seattle, I can tell you there our many clear messages. I think why it's thought they are vague is there our many reasons for the turn out. It's like all the little people that have issues have held them close and quiet for so long, they are bursting at the seems. Not being able to take any more, and have banned together to make our small voices loud. I went to protest, the fall of America, our jobs leaving the country. But while I was there I came to see others struggles and now I see just how many are hurting. Their struggles became mine and we became as one. We are all Americans we are the 99%

[Randolph Greer]

02:22 AM on 10/16/2011

The reason Republicans do not believe in EVOLUTION is because no Republican knows any Republican who ever has..

[yesiamaconservative]

10:53 PM on 10/15/2011

This is classic HP -- Maddow interviews Maher ... shrill liberal far left blah blah blah ... so far left liberals have something to listen to ... funny ...

[cynic1]

09:22 AM on 10/18/2011

Yes some of what Maher said was merely beating the drum of liberal issues. But there were also significant points made. The last being the paraphrased "you only have yourself to blame if you are poor". That is a common theme that comes from the elites, mostly from conservatives. Maher expressed humility at his own success and criticized the hypocracy of the premise all can be rich. The absurdity of the idea is ....well.... rich.

[yesiamaconservative]

11:30 AM on 10/18/2011

In my humble opinion, Maher is a vile person and of course he's going to have faux "humility" ...

The comments from the right can be summarized in a variety of ways. "You have only yourself to blame if you are poor" is the left's version of "stop complaining and expecting the government to take care of you. Opportunity exists but you have to work for it and there are no guarantees ... but whining and complaining doesn't get you there". I will certainly admit that where you start life helps. I was born very middle class (dad was govt. employee for 30 years) but I got education that had value (math) and went into computers in late 60's and retired at 50. Was I lucky - of course. But then I feel I took great advantage of every opportunity and work by butt off ..

I have lived in Africa for 2 years (Zambia and Liberia). There is NO HOPE there - the vast majority of the population lives on a few dollars a day and no matter how hard someone works (they work very very hard since labor is so plentiful and cheap so
mechanization is expensive as compared to manual labor) they have very very very
low opportunities and changes to better themselves. (continued ...)

[yesiamaconservative]

11:31 AM on 10/18/2011

(continued part II)
Sadly the best way to get ahead (in Africa) is to get into government because they are all corrupt and steal the vast majority of the aid that comes into the country. So be in politics or relative of someone in politics. Sad. I digress ...

You've made my point ... liberals - again my opinion - want equality for all in all things ... but our constitution provides for Life , Liberty and the PURSUIT of (NOT GUARANTEE OF) happiness ... I believe welfare and entitlements have taken out the
pursuit and replaced it with guarantee ... Socialism doesn't work but deep down this is what OWS wants --- the majority 50%+ receive govt. assistance so they want more ... Robbing from Peter to pay Paul always gets Paul's vote ...

[stargazer13]

03:42 PM on 10/14/2011

Stephen Anderson thank you for telling the truth

off topic I know ! but had to say it !!

[bbursky]

08:21 AM on 10/14/2011

Bill Maher is Smarter and more honest then all the Go-tea candidates Combined And also much
Funnier,although There is nothing funny about fascism or Stalinism or Teaism.

[JohnnieBravo]

07:23 AM on 10/14/2011

Intellectuals is seems, liek Maddow and Maher, also scare the Stepford Wivies Republican high scholl graduates. The Jethro Bodines that make up tyhe tea party still don't get it that they are simply pawns on a chess board that guys like Dick Army and the other REAL people in charge of this disintegrating Repub party use and laugh all the way to the bank.

History will look at this as one of the greatest con jobs in USA Gov't.

[reganrd]

12:55 PM on 10/16/2011

LOVE IT!!! I call them Wal-Mart republicans. I mean seriously, they oppose tax hikes on the wealthiest Americans because they think they're among them or because they think there is a good chance they'll have a $20 million bonus this year?

[Glendatheblackwitch]

08:59 AM on 10/17/2011

The Republicans are asking to differentiate between the very rich (like Michael Moore for example who lives like a king on Torch Lake in Michigan, but hides his wealth and pretends he is a "little person) and those small business owners who make $250,000.00 but employ people as well. There is a big difference. To put them all together is wrong, wrong and more wrong. My husband is one of those small business owners and he pays a lot of his employees out of his own pocket sometimes because the new regulations are killing his small company. What do you think of that?
It's so easy for Bill Mayer, Michael Moore, Al Gore and all the rest of the super wealthy who are liberals to pretend to be friends with the "little people" and yet live like kings themselves and wouldn't think to give up any of their own money to help someone. In fact, if they passed you on the street, they wouldn't speak to you unless a camera was there so they could document how nice they are to "little people". come on!

[leea928]

07:05 AM on 10/14/2011

This story is no different than any other story on "left vs right".
Everyone on the left cheers, everyone on the right discounts everything that is said.
Other stories have the exact oposite response.
It appears to me that the left will stay left, the right will stay right. (refering only to their position "right of center", not to be confused with right meaning correct)
There have been thousands and thousands of comments on these posts, but there is no one changing their minds........... why does anyone bother?

[Bermille]

09:16 AM on 10/14/2011

Because it is gearing up to be another contentious presidential race. It is always geared this way.It is sad to lose those in the middle who feel disillusioned but today you have to fight malaise because too much is riding on the outcome.

[gts31bumbee]

12:17 PM on 10/14/2011

Likely in the true American spirit, we always enjoy competitiveness and up through the early 80's a since of fair play and community caring. Then GREED took over ! The FIX took over ! Capitalism based on honest competition was slain. Democracy took one for the team in an effort to bail out everything that moves. Much of this was driven by deregulation and man's baser instincts to hoard and steal over everyone else. Sadly many forgot we got here together and now the level playing field has been plowed under through self interests. People no longer care to be accountable for their actions. IGMSY has become our new religion !

[leea928]

06:41 AM on 10/15/2011

Thoughtful comment, thank you

[Omeezee]

04:03 AM on 10/14/2011

Two smart people talking together. That will confuse Teapublicans for sure. At this point, unless you are a millionaire/billionaire, or a hundredthousandaire who benefits from Governmental contracts, I just do not understand who in America, supports the right? If 1% own the nations wealth, and they get bailed out with the 99%'s money when they screw up the country to begin with, how does anyone in the 1% support these guys? Ok you are against gay marriage. Close minded but ok, but because you are against that you are willing to support those that helped to destroy Teachers and old peoples life savings? Because you are pro-life you are wiling to support people who would hold the country's credit rating hostage? You support our troops by paying weapons makers more than the people we send overseas to use those weapons?
Call me naive or silly or whatever but I just do not understand this logic

[reganrd]

12:59 PM on 10/16/2011

Well said! Not only that, but you have a yellow ribbon magnet on your car but will certainly agree to cut vets' health care coverage.

[contrarywise]

02:14 PM on 10/16/2011

That's because there is no logic in such thinking. It is based on fear: fear of losing money in taxes, fear of social change, fear of foreigners. How about a bumper sticker saying; "Voting Republican? Are you rich, or just stupid?" (Well, you could be more tactful and change "stupid" to "clueless."

[Joshua Helix Guzman]

03:54 AM on 10/14/2011

I don't like Maher that much (Religulous sucked, and I'm an Atheist myself), but he's absolutely right about the Tea Partiers.

[ArbitorA]

01:16 AM on 10/14/2011

I would desire not that my children strive above all things to be rich.

I would desire that my children strive to be productive citizens of this country.

I would honor them whether they chose to be a:

* Missionary
* Teacher
* Career counselor
* Horticulturalist
* Zoologist
* Sanitation worker
* Police officer
* Landscaper
* Day care provider
* High school coach
* Carpenter
* Graphic artist
* Photographer

The fact that conservatives find no honor in those and like professions because they are mostly in the service of people then I find no honor in them.

What I find is a selfish, self-centered, self-righteous, and bitter person.

[askandtell]

05:36 AM on 10/14/2011

Fanned, faved, and badged. Excellent post.

[KC-CAJUN]

06:28 AM on 10/14/2011

??? How does wanting a smaller FEDERAL government equate to loathing of the professions you listed? Besides, "rich" is very often a byproduct of hard work and excellence--not always, but often enough.

Ask those teachers how they like the Federal government in Washington, D.C., dictating what and how to teach, instead of locally, where the local leaders and citizens know the challenges of their districts. You could go down your list of professions and come up with examples of where a massive, centralized government is a hindrance to excellent.

[susandiane]

07:34 AM on 10/14/2011

It is rare that becoming "rich" is a mark of hard work. Becoming "rich" is a lucky strike. Always has been, always will be!

[chromehippie2]

08:05 AM on 10/14/2011

Yes, but you also owe the cracking the genetic code to NIH research, the internet to govt labs, and NASA technology to fruits of not-for-profit labor. All the while, oil and fossil fuels are subsidized to add more green house gases to the atmosphere.

[bonneaubob]

11:05 PM on 10/13/2011

What a cute couple!! I do not need the opinion of a atheist and a lesbian, God help us!

[Reductio Ad Absurdum]

11:52 PM on 10/13/2011

I don't need the opinion of a bigoted, hypocritical theocrat like bonneaubob. Go fan yourself and you'll have two fans.

[gardema0713]

09:18 AM on 10/14/2011

HE S RIGHT YOU KNOW, IT MAY NOT BE YOUR LIBERAL VERSION OF POLITICALLY CORRECT BUT ITS TRUE. HE HAS BEEN DEGRADING WOMAN HIS ENTIRE CAREER AND SHE ISNT A WOMAN SO?

[gardema0713]

12:12 AM on 10/14/2011

LOOK WHO WANTS TO SAY WHAT AMERICA SHOULD BE. UGH

[macbil]

10:58 PM on 10/13/2011

As ugly as Maher is, I'm surprised he can get a hooker for $500.

[oldpol2]

11:44 PM on 10/13/2011

that is your brilliant observation? Wow, astounding!

[gardema0713]

12:11 AM on 10/14/2011

HE THINKS HE S HUGH HEFNER AN UGLY ONE