I was absolutely delighted that Keith had Rodda on to discuss this topic.  When it comes to calling Barton out on his dreadful misrepresentations of American history, no one is better suited.

I had occasion to link to some of Rodda’s latest work in my July 8 Care2 post:

For much, much more regarding Barton’s crimes against history be sure to check out the extensive works ofTalk to Action blogger (and also at The Huffington Post) Chris Rodda, Senior Researcher for the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, and the author of Liars for Jesus:  The Religious Right’s Alternate Version of American History.  Rodda’s “No, Mr. Beck…” series is instructive for understanding Barton’s tactics; like misrepresenting the work of actual academics in order to suggest that the Constitution was based on the Book of Deuteronomy, or cropping a quote from John Adams in order to claim that the second American President thought “Governments must be administered by the holy ghost.”  (Sigh…)

Barton, clearly, has no shame.  And as you’ll see in the clip from the July 8 Countdown broadcast, he is in serious need of some fashion advice.  (I know… It’s a petty observation. But that  jacket is tragic.)

Following Obama’s prime time address to the nation from the Oval Office, Jon Stewart offers us a reminder that energy independence has been a presidential priority for quite some time:

“Counting President Obama, he last eight presidents have gone on television and promised to move America towards an energy-independent future.”

Stewart’s hilarious, yet sad, commentary should serve as a reminder to us all:  Presidents can only lend rhetorical weight to the nation’s goals.  Without support from the electorate, they’re just words.

If you’re up for a little intellectual exercise, check out Wise’s April 22 post:  ”Imagine if the Tea Party was Black”

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Related on PiP – Maddow – ‘Confederate History is nothing to celebrate’ (video)

Rachel Maddow dropped by The Daily Show, discussing MSNBC‘s upcoming documentary, The McVeigh Tapes.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Think Progress reports that Virginia isn’t the only state harboring nostalgia for the Confederacy —  Both Mississippi And Georgia Have Confederate History Proclamations Without Any Mention of Slavery.