Dylan Ratigan’s new book on “how we can stop corporate communists banksters, and other vampires from sucking America dry.”
By Janet Donovan
Dylan Ratigan (Photo by Neshan H. Naltchayan )
Make no bones about it. Dylan Ratigan is mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.
The MSNBC host is “infuriated by government corruption and corporate communism, incensed by ‘banksters’ shaking down taxpayers.” But don’t get him started.
Ratigan sent an emphatic message at The Week and MSNBC co-hosted launch for his new tome “Greedy Bastards” at P.J. Clarke’s attended by special guests that included Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. David Schweikert. “Be very careful thinking about a culture of heroes and villains, whether it’s the president or his opponents. It’s going to require both political parties to be held to task for their willingness to continue to accept bribes from special interests to corrupt our core policies of banking and trade,” Ratigan said, adding that the political process, for both the current president and his opponents, is much like the Giants vs. the Patriots. Unlike the Superbowl, however, he thinks “politics is like a sport overrun by steroids and drug abuse.”
“If you get lost in the identity of Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich or Barack Obama, it’s a perfect distraction, based on the fact that six major industries are funding all of our political candidates who are rigging our banking system, tax code and trade policy on behalf of special interests.”
MOVIES
Drew Barrymore (Photo by Paul Morigi)
It was fitting that Drew Barrymore chose Washington as her red carpet location of choice for the premiere of her new film “Big Miracle.” It benefited the DC-based Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), which cares for the families of the fallen. It’s hard to believe she’s only 36 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but such is the case for the actress who sky-rocketed to fame in Stephen Spielberg’s “E.T.
Q&A QUICKIE
Mariel Hemingway Wellness Week 2 (Photo by Ron Walters)
Mariel Hemingway joined forces with Congressional members to support National Wellness Week. The Academy Award-nominated “Manhattan” actress/writer spoke about making it a priority to find balance in her life, becoming “mentally and physically healthy” and helping others to do the same. “I think we can all agree – Democrats, Republicans and Independents – that prevention is critical, to both the health of our nation and to our own personal health,” adding that she “wholeheartedly supports the First Lady’s efforts to promote wellness and healthy eating, especially among children.”
HEARD: QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM AROUND TOWN
CHEF RAYNOLD MENDIZABAL, owner of Black and Orange: “Our new burger ‘Hair of the Dog’ incorporates all the flavors of a Bloody Mary and is perfect for a hangover cure.” (Photo by Janet Donovan)
FORMER SEN. ALAN SIMPSON at the Shooting from the Hip book party for Donald Hardy: “It’s a good book. There might be a few things he could have left out.” (Photo by WHC Insider)
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA at the Alfalfa Club dinner: “It is great to see Jeb Bush, who is accepting a nomination for President tonight. I have to say, though, it’s not fair to tease your friends like that.”
