1. How old are you and what state do you live in?
I am 33 years old, and I live in Washington state (WA)
2. When did you become a member of TYT?
I became a TYT member WAYYYY back in the dark days of the Bush administration. I had watched the broadcast for a while before I became a member in 2007.
3. How do you consume the show?
I mainly consume TYT on Youtube.
4. What field do you work in?
I am a software engineer
5. How would you describe TYT in 5 words or less?
Independent, sharp, passionate, honest, fun
6. Do you have a favorite TYT moment?
My favorite TYT moment is from way back, it’s the segment when Cenk lost it over USA Today (“Cenk goes ballistic”). I watched that episode live at the time, and it was awesome. It’s a big reason why I trust Cenk to tell the truth forever. I’m sure I’m not the only one who loves that clip.
7. Who is your favorite co-host? Why?
My favorite co-host is Ben Mankiewicz. I think he honors the spirit of the show by holding the coversation accountable. He often ensures that information is clear if there’s any confusion, and keeps things on track, even when the topic or the other hosts might be getting carried away. He’s a little bit contrarian sometimes, but I think it serves the show well.
8. What motivated you to take the extra step of becoming a paying member?
Back in the day when I became a member, there simply weren’t any media outlets that I felt really “got it” and were acting in the public interest. I considered at the time (and still do) that my TYT membership dues were one of the best ways that I could advance and support my country. That sounds over the top, but I really believe it. Between WolfPac and all the other ways TYT has improved the conversation, I think TYT has done a lot of good for America.
9. Are surprised that the The Young Turks has grown into a multiplatform network of multiple channels?
I’m not surprised at all that TYT has grown into a juggernaut. It was obvious back in the day (and still is) that Cenk is ambitious about what the show can achieve, and I think he’s done an amazing job hiring and staffing the show with smart, interesting, and entertaining people. God bless, go foward.
10. Cenk often talks about the TYT brand as “truth telling.” What does this mean to you as a member?
In addition to my answer to #6 and #8, I’d say this in regards to TYT and “truth telling”. I firmly believe, at least in part by seeing Cenk’s experience guest-hosting for MSNBC, that I can trust Cenk to do the right thing. I really do believe that if someone came to Cenk and told him he had to compromise the show for monetary or political reasons, that he wouldn’t do it, even if they put a gun to his head. That’s the essence of the trust that he’s built with me. I don’t think he would lie about major issues even when heavily pressured to do so.
11. Which TYT host would you get coffee with? Which one would you go to the bar with? Who would you have dinner with?
I would get coffee with Ben Mankiewicz because he seems like we’d have a great conversation, and I love talking about movies. I would go to the bar with Cenk because he’s got a ton of great stories that would be perfect over drinks, and everybody would have a great time. I would go to dinner with Lissette Padilla, which needs no further explanation!
12. If you were a co-host on the show, which story would you cover? Why
If I were a co-host right now, I would cover either the Ukraine situation, most likely. I think it’s the most important geo-political issue happening right now (more important than ISIS, for example).
13. Have you ever communicated with other TYT fans? If so, how?
I haven’t communicated with other fans before, except a while back I found out that one of my friends was a TYT fan, and I didn’t even know. We are everywhere.
14. Has the show convinced you to change your position on a particular issue?
There have been numerous times over my viewership where TYT has come up with information that I didn’t have in regards to a complex legal or financial government issue (bank bailouts, warrantless wiretapping, etc). In that sense, TYT has formed my opinion where I had none, or perhaps a weak/ill-informed one. I don’t have a specific example. I always appreciate the investigation that TYT does into the deeper issues, and Cenk’s law school background often proves useful.
15. Have you ever referred membership to anyone? If so, what did you say?
I have never referred actual TYT membership to someone, but I do tell my friends that I watch the show and that I like it. I don’t usually feel comfortable telling people that they should sign up for things in general, beyond just expressing that I like them.
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