Keeping Democracy Alive

The Burt Cohen Show - 07/03/12

American mainstream media has pretty much ignored the massive uprising which has overwhelmed Montreal. On May 22, there were 400,000 people in the streets, all in violation of a new law banning such protests. The spark was a sudden 75% increase in tuition for university. Guest on this show is Ethan Cox a 28 year old who has been covering the events since they began. There have been demonstrrations of support of the students in over 70 cities across the world. Cox gives a throrogh account of what is really happening in Quebec.

The Burt Cohen Show - 06/26/12

Is a Catholic Spring In The Air? When has an obsession with secrecy ever helped those clinging to power and authority? The hierarchy of the Catholic Church has long come under fire for covering up child abuse and protecting the abusers. Now add to that the revelations from VatiLeaks about abuse of church funds and the Vatican's assault on American nuns. But out of the difficulties, Voice of the Faithful, dedicated to reform, is finding new strength in the US and in Ireland. On this show, VOTF spokesperson Ed Wilson talks about a sense of optimism that is spreading throughout the church that real change is beginning and can not be stopped.

The Burt Cohen Show - 06/19/12

World Focuses on Greek Election It could not be more significant. On Sunday June 17th, with a second election in as many months. the people of Greece will have a major say regarding the future of their economy as well as that of all Europe, and that of the US for that matter. The up and coming new party in Greece is the left's Syriza, led by 34 year old Alexis Tsipras. For an explanation of what it all means, The Burt Cohen Show speaks with author and sociology professor Costas Panayotakis in Athens.

The Burt Cohen Show - 06/12/12

Oil Wars Bubbling Up? Remember the film "There Will Be Blood?" Throughout the 20th century and now well into the 21st, a lot of blood has been shed for the oil powers. Burt's guest is Professor Michael Klare, author fo the new book The Race for What's Left: The Global Scramble for the World's Last Resources. He sheds light on some relevant history and points out that there is a significant cluster of oil-related clashes now brewing all across the planet, only some of which you've heard of.

The Burt Cohen Show - 06/05/12

Is Obama's Attack on Bain Good For America? Americans love free enterprise and both Democrats and Republicans are generally loathe to criticise any entrepeneurs. But the president's re-election campaign has started off by attacking what Romney considers his strength; his years at Bain Capital. It is not without risk and yet Obama says this is what the campaign is going to be about. On this show, Adele Stan, Washington bureau chief for AlterNet, argues this new approach is not only good politics but it's good for America as well.

The Burt Cohen Show - 05/29/12

Fukushima: Is The Worst Yet To Come? The world was riveted on March 11, 2011 by the tsunami and nuclear accident at Japan's Fukushima reactors. But since then we haven't heard much. Reporter Brad Jacobson did a lot of research and found the danger is anything but past.

The Burt Cohen Show - 05/22/12

The French Election: What Does It Mean? On May 6, the people of France made a big change: ousting President Nicolas Sarkozy and replacing him with socialist Francois Hollande. One clear statement was a rejection of austerity as imposed by what they called "Merkozy"--Angela Merkel of Germany together with Sarkozy. Should the financial world be concerned? Is this the beginning of the end for the euro? How will those of us in the United States be affected? In this discussion, Universite de Paris Professor Robert Coale, an American who has lived in France for 25 years, sheds a great deal of light on the new realities in France.

The Burt Cohen Show - 05/15/12

99 to 1: What We Can Do About It One of the worlds top writers, researchers, and speakers on the subject of the rise of wealth inequality, Chuck Collins talks about his new book. Burt and Chuck talk about how and when the rules changed to benefit the top few, and what precedence there is for the 99 percent rewriting the rules to create an economy to serve the 100 percent. It can be done!

The Burt Cohen Show - 05/08/12

Vatican Aims to Muzzle American Nuns But They Don't Surrender. In late April the Vatican issued a decree which clamps down hard on the nuns of America for being "radical feminists." I'm not kidding. Mary Johnson, who was a nun for 20 years and a friend of Mother Theresa, is guest on this exceptionally informative show. Will the Catholic Church survive? Will 80 year old religious women suddenly be kicked out of their convents so the church can pay off its pedophile priest lawsuits? This, as the vice president might say, is a really big deal.

The Burt Cohen Show - 05/01/12

Under Vermont law  the nuclear plant at Vernon was to close March 21 2012. And even though the owners had agreed to abide by that law, the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission trumped that law, and today the plant still runs. The debate over states' rights is not new, but the issue of whether or not those most affected by decisions get to participate in the decision making process is new when it comes to nuclear power. On this show, In These Times columnist John Raymond sheds much light into this murky matter which contains major ramifications for the future of the republic itself.