Blood in the streets. Chaos at the convention. The establishment Democrats won and then they lost. From the vantage point of 50 years later, it may surprise some how less has changed and been learned than we might have thought. With thoughts from Yippie leader Abbie Hoffman as the convention was about to begin and relevant music with the spirit of 1968, what can we learn? Bobby Seale and Black Lives Matter. Insurgents taking on the establishment.Going along or challenging entrenched power. How to re-engage working people. Today’s politics and protest began that year. Listen in!
Episodes
Sunday Sep 16, 2018
Sunday Sep 16, 2018
Critics see Trump as an abomination, but he is also one of us.” So says Andrew Bacevich scholar and author of the forthcoming book “Twilight of the American Century.” He explains in this podcast that Trump is one of a nation of narcissists (selfies anyone?). Sixty plus million voted to repudiate the long standing policy consensus but got more of the same. Economic inequality, globalization for the benefit of the few, permanent wars: these are the real issues and the obsession with Trump is basically a shiny object serving to distract us from what needs to be done. All these problems predate Trump and our fixation with Trump impedes solutions. A surprising and thoughtful analysis from this widely respected history scholar.
Sunday Sep 09, 2018
Keeping Democracy Alive - CHICAGO PLUS 50: POSITIVE LESSONS FOR 2018
Sunday Sep 09, 2018
Sunday Sep 09, 2018
Sunday Jul 03, 2016
Sunday Jul 03, 2016
They used to be on top of the world. Remember the mighty OPEC countries? With the fall of the price of oil, countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Venezuela are reeling. Professor Michael Klare looks at the nightmares unfolding and how we’ll be affected. And on party two, Doctor Andy Lazris talks about his new book Curing Medicare. As is so often the case, bringing democracy to the process would be a needed shot in the arm.
Sunday Jul 19, 2015
GMOs vs Democracy/Iran Deal: Bigger than Nixon’s China? - 07.19.15
Sunday Jul 19, 2015
Sunday Jul 19, 2015
It might be all over for democracy when it comes to citizens’ right to know what they’re about to eat. Chemical companies are spending many millions to pass a bill to ensure GMOs can not be labeled. Not sure it can be stopped in the House, but maybe the Senate. And on the second half we look at the significance of Obama’s Iran deal and how it could have more profound historic impact than Nixon’s opening to China.
Sunday Jul 12, 2015
Sunday Jul 12, 2015
Standing up to economic bullies; that’s what the people of Greece voted to do. The creditor cartel, led by Germany, was determined to keep the screws tight, allowing for no restructuring of their unaffordable debt. But though the rejection of imposed-from-above austerity ventures into uncharted territory, the people, by a wide margin, voted to restore democracy in economic decision making. Just Foreign Policy’s Robert Naiman explains how this may relate to restoration of democracy in the US, and what this all may mean as an issue on the 2016 presidential election.
Sunday Jul 05, 2015
Sunday Jul 05, 2015
There are big jets and big media, but there’s also a one person gyrocopter and local media. Former postal worker Doug Hughes on April 15 flew his ultralight on to Capitol grounds with the goal of drawing attention to the revolving door of money and politics. Did it work? He’s about to go on trial on felony charges, see what he’s got planned next! It just might work.
Sunday Jun 14, 2015
Sunday Jun 14, 2015
Bernie Sanders campaign is on fire at the moment. But it’s been said that when Americans hear the word Socialism, they stop thinking. Yet a clear majority actually agree with socialist positions on issues. Have we come far enough away from the fear used in the 1950s to actually elect a Democratic Socialist? History professor Lawrence Wittner analyzes where socialism has been in America and how it may impact who wins in 2016.
Sunday Jun 07, 2015
Sunday Jun 07, 2015
Though Iraq is less than 100 years old, it’s just about finished. Twenty Four year State Department veteran Peter Van Buren talks about what he sees as the last throes of what was never a real nation, with optimism for the future. And on part two, in addition to the push for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, there’s a movement to push Obama to issue an executive order to require disclosure of political spending by government contractors. It may yet happen.
Sunday May 24, 2015
Keeping Democracy Alive - 05.24.15
Sunday May 24, 2015
Sunday May 24, 2015
WHAT YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO KNOW ABOUT UKRAINE
Sunday Mar 29, 2015
The Burt Cohen Show - Is It Still 1815? - 03.29.15
Sunday Mar 29, 2015
Sunday Mar 29, 2015
In the face of many wars, the big powers are trying to steer small nations to create their own version of peace. That was the Congress of Vienna 200 years ago and there’s a lot of deja vu, and still a great deal to learn. The Austrian aristocrats threw an incredibly lavish, nearly year long party and peace deals were worked out. Many similar dynamics are at work today, including Ukraine and ISIS. Historian Mark Jarrett fills us in.