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It’s a jarring moment of optimism during a conversation that is centered on a dark period in U.S. history that is not all that far in the past. As Rachel Maddow, arguably the most influential voice in progressive media and the biggest talent on the rebranded bench of MSNBC now known as MS NOW, summarized to me her latest project—out today—that focuses on the U.S. internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, she defies the predictable gloom with the same independence that had her last month sitting in the pews at former Vice President Dick Cheney’s funeral .

“Doing the right thing doesn't always pay off in the short run, but your country will ultim

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