Ok, ok, so everyone expects this to be a big showdown between Jon Stewart and Jim Cramer. For those of you who haven't heard (and with all the media coverage of the "feud" I would hope you have), here is the link to the diary with the videos to catch you up to speed:
Stewart Sinks CNBC
I don't think it will be as big as everyone thinks it will. Jon will make some great points, for sure, but I'm like him. If I'm in a debate, and I know I have the upper hand, I take it easy on my opponent. Jon is the same way. He'll make a point, but he won't necessarily follow up on it.
As for Stephen, he'll have two guests tonight, Simon Johnson and Peter Singer.
From Johnson's bio:
From March 2007 through the end of August 2008, Professor Johnson was the International Monetary Fund's Economic Counsellor (chief economist) and Director of its Research Department. At the IMF, Professor Johnson led the global economic outlook team, helped formulate innovative responses to worldwide financial turmoil, and was among the earliest to propose new forms of engagement for sovereign wealth funds. He was also the first IMF chief economist to have a blog.
And a little about Peter Singer and his new book "The Life You Can Save: Acting Now to End World Poverty":
Part plea, part manifesto, part handbook, this short and surprisingly compelling book sets out to answer two difficult questions: why people in affluent countries should donate money to fight global poverty and how much each should give. Singer dismantles the justifications people make for not giving and highlights the successes of such efforts as microfinance in Bangladesh, GiveWells charitable giving and the 50% League, where members donate more than half their wealth. Singer alternately cajoles and scolds: he pillories Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, who has given less than his former partner, Bill Gates, and lives far more extravagantly: His toys include a large collection of vintage military aircraft and a 413-foot oceangoing yacht called Octopus that cost him over $200 million and has a permanent crew of sixty. Singer contrasts Allens immoderation with the work of Paul Farmer (a cofounder of the international social justice organization Partners in Health) and the cost of basic health services in Haiti ($3,500 per life saved), or malaria nets ($623–$2,367 per life saved). Singer doesnt ask readers to choose between asceticism and self-indulgence; his solution can be found in the middle, and it is reasonable and rewarding for all.
I expect more users to visit this diary tonight, so tonight's poll reflects that.
UPDATE: Woohoo! First time on the Rec List. I'd like to thank Jon Stewart for giving me this opportunity...
I also want to add that I was completely wrong. Jon has taken it easy on his guests in the past, but not this time. Get 'em Jon.
P.S. To the Daily Show lurker person: Jon's made me even more excited to see the show on July 30th.