Entries from May 2015
Mike Barnicle interviews political consultant David Axelrod about his new book “...

At the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Mike Barnicle interviews political consultant David Axelrod about his new book “Believer: My Forty Years in Politics.” David talks to Mike about the highs and lows of being President Barack Obama’s advisor during and after the campaigns, the difference between politics and public service, and believing in people who can make a difference. Watch the entire Kennedy Forum conversation here.

Optimism: America’s Most Ignored Asset

Mike Barnicle

“Any cause that encourages people to never stop learning, never stop participating in the social/cultural experiment that is these United States of America—I’m for it,” Mike Barnicle told The Berkshire Eagle prior to delivering the annual Mona Sherman Memorial Lecture, presented by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI at BCC) in Massachusetts on Friday, May 22.

With his talk, “Optimism: America’s Most Ignored Asset,” Mike discusses elements of society’s social media obsession and what it does to diminish the collective, institutional memory of who we really are as a nation—as well as what we can do to re-engage on a personal level with each other. This lecture applies Mike’s experience, wit, rich knowledge of national and international affairs, and blunt observations—as displayed in his column for The Daily Beast or during interviews on MSNBC’s Morning Joe—to the fast-changing, often controversial and polarizing social media world we’re all trying to navigate. The news seems as bad as it ever was, but Mike believes we can tackle our challenges as a nation, from social justice issues here at home to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, with a little more genuine, human interaction and optimism.

“There is no substitute for the natural curiosity and sympathy that comes from really spending time with someone else,” says Mike.

The Mona Sherman Memorial Lecture, was created and named in honor of one of OLLI’s most dynamic members, the late Mona Sherman, who served as President of OLLI’s Board and helped lead its transformation. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College is a year-round membership organization providing compelling educational experiences, including courses, speakers, special events and trips.

For more information about the event, please check out these articles:

Mike Barnicle on the historic handshake between Prince Charles and Gerry Adams

On Morning Joe, Mike Barnicle talks about the historic handshake between Prince Charles and Irish republican leader Gerry Adams, accused of being a senior figure for the Irish Republican Army (IRA) when the group killed the Prince’s uncle in 1979. “I’ve been covering Northern Ireland since 1973, and after two of the most shocking assassinations occurred you’d think ‘this is never going to end.’ Gerry Adams has bridged a gap that was unbridgeable 10 or 15 years ago,” says Mike. Listen to the conversation about the conflict known as The Troubles. Only on Morning Joe.

Mike Barnicle and Michael Schmidt on Hillary Clinton and Sidney Blumenthal

On Morning Joe, Mike Barnicle talks with The New York Times’ Michael Schmidt about Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton’s scrutinized relationship with Sidney Blumenthal, a personal counselor, who advised her on Libya during her time as Secretary of State. “Sidney Blumenthal’s relationship was with whom? Certain people who wanted to do business with Libya as it was imploding? And do we know whether Blumenthal had any business relationship with contractors?,” asks Mike. Listen to Michael Schmidt discuss his latest reporting on the issue. Only on MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle with Gen. Michael Hayden (Ret.) on sending more resources to Iraq

“Ramadi has fallen, Fallujah has fallen, Mosul has fallen, it’s Memorial Day weekend, Section 16 will be crowded with the families of those already lost in Iraq. My question, not just to you, but to the official policy makers in Washington, is: How many more American lives are we willing to risk and lose in saving this false nation?,” Mike Barnicle asks of Gen. Michael Hayden (Ret.), former Director of the NSA and CIA, who suggests sending more resources to Iraq in the fight against ISIS. Listen to the Morning Joe conversation here. Only on MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle with Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates joins MSNBC’s Morning Joe and talks with Mike Barnicle about concerns and the unintended consequences of breaking up Iraq, as some key figures have suggested. “What do you favor now? What would be best now?,” Mike asks Secy. Gates in regard to a new approach toward stabilizing Iraq. Listen to Secy. Gates’ Middle East analysis here.

Mike Barnicle with U.S. Sen. Tim Scott on body cameras for law enforcement

As the idea of body cameras on law enforcement officers gains support across the country, MSNBC’s Mike Barnicle discusses the issue with U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who has provided committee hearing testimony in favor of requesting federal funding for local law enforcement departments that seek access to cameras and quoted a study that found the technology has led to a “90 percent in drop in complaints against law enforcement officers, and a 60 percent drop in force used by officers.” But there’s the lingering question by local law enforcement departments about what strings will be attached to the funding. Asks Mike: “You think providing body cameras is part of the federal government’s plan to take over local law enforcement?” Listen to Sen. Scott’s answers here. On MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx

As Amtrak’s service resumed today along the Northeast Corridor route, Mike Barnicle asks U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx for the latest news on the investigation into last week’s deadly derailment in Philadelphia. Listen to Secy. Foxx’s update here on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) joins Mike Barnicle on MSNBC’s Morning Joe

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) joins Mike Barnicle on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss the latest efforts in defeating ISIS militants and Iranian influence. “We keep hearing calls for more boots on the ground. This is a region that, as you well know, is one long, extended fuse, lit at both ends. What are the prospects for getting countries like Jordan or Turkey more involved in the fight against ISIS?,” asks Mike. Hear what Sen. McCain has to say.

Mike Barnicle talks with Admiral James G. Stavridis (Ret.)

Admiral James G. Stavridis (Ret.), NATO’s former Supreme Allied Commander, joins Morning Joe and talks with Mike Barnicle about the loss of the central Iraqi city of Ramadi to ISIS militants. “You said that the fall of Ramadi is neither Bull Run nor Gettysburg and that we could still do this… who is the ‘we’? And how is it possible to still do this?,” asks Mike about winning the fight against ISIS. Listen to Adm. Stavridis share a potential strategy only on MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle and David Ignatius on the Arab Spring

Following the weekend’s news that former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has been sentenced to death by a Cairo court, Mike Barnicle asks The Washington Post’s David Ignatius: “Has the Arab Spring turned into a continuing, rolling Middle East nightmare? What is the ruling junta in Egypt all about?” Listen to the analysis here on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

For The Daily Beast: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: ...

In his latest column for The Daily Beast, Mike Barnicle juxtaposes the lives and death sentences of Pfc. John Hart, 20, killed outside Baghdad, and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the now convicted and sentenced Boston Marathon bomber. Unfortunately, it will be Tsarnaev’s name in the news over the next few years, when our focus should be on remembering and honoring Pfc. Hart, his life, and his service.
Read his column here.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev: A Death Deserved

https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/05/17/dzhokhar-tsarnaev-a-death-deserved.html

Mike Barnicle with former Governor of New York George Pataki

On Morning Joe, former Governor of New York George Pataki discusses with Mike Barnicle his yet-to-be-confirmed candidacy for President in an already crowded Republican field, the bipartisan approach that separates him from Jeb Bush and other candidates, and his views on immigration reform. Watch Mike’s conversation with Gov. Pataki. Only on MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle talks with Senator Pat Toomey on infrastructure improvements

As new details about the fatal Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia emerge, Morning Joe’s Mike Barnicle talks with Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) about the government’s failure to allocate adequate resources for infrastructure improvements. “Why is there such an outstanding lack of priority when it comes to maintaining Amtrak and creating jobs by improving the system?,” asks Mike of Sen. Toomey. Hear his response here. On MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle talks with Ray LaHood on fixing infrastructure issues

Continuing the conversation on the desperate need to address infrastructure improvements across the country, Mike Barnicle talks with former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood about why there is no lack of urgency in fixing infrastructure issues. “How much of this reluctance to improve Amtrack—the sensible thing for the national economy—has to do with just regional, political indifference to the needs that occur on both coasts and the middle of this country with real transportation of people?,” asks Mike. Listen to Secy. LaHood’s answer. On MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

Mike Barnicle and Time magazine’s Mark Halperin on the 2016 presidential race

Mike Barnicle, the Morning Joe team, and Time magazine’s Mark Halperin discuss the 2016 presidential race. “Most Americans view electing a President as a vote for the future, so if you have Hillary Clinton vs. Jeb Bush what elements of past vs. past happen there? What does it do to the electorate?,” asks Mike. Listen to Mark Halperin’s analysis here. On MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle and Sen. Claire McCaskill

Mike Barnicle and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) talk about baseball and “secret” trade deals on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. About President Obama’s proposed trade agreement, Mike asks: “What is the story behind all of these anecdotal comments that it is a `secret’ deal thus far?” Hear the whole conversation with Sen. McCaskill here.

Mike Barnicle with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III joins the Morning Joe panel and discusses with Mike Barnicle the ongoing efforts to target ISIS in Syria and Iraq. “In terms of target specificity, how confident are you in the success of strikes?,” asks Mike. Hear Gen. Welsh’s answer here. On MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle on the President’s proposed trade agreement strategy

As many Senate Democrats continue to oppose President Barack Obama’s proposed trade agreement, Mike Barnicle asks White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest about the President’s strategy. “I’m wondering, just in terms of getting along and moving everything forward, why weren’t Senator Sherrod Brown and Senator Elizabeth Warren included in the President’s trade meeting? Why not have them down and schmooze them a little?,” asks Mike of the President’s unwillingness to meet with disagreeing members of his own party. Watch the conversation unfold only on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

Mike Barnicle on the increasing number of train accidents

On Morning Joe, Mike Barnicle talks with Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), Homeland Security Committee Chair, about the increasing number of train accidents, including the most recent tragedy in Philadelphia, and the inadequate funding for infrastructure improvements across the country. “Why hasn’t Congress addressed [infrastructure funding] in a more specific fashion over the last three or four years?,” asks Mike. Listen here to Rep. McCaul’s answer. Only on MSNBC.