America: The Farewell Tour

Part 1: New World Notes #630, 28:35 (March 31)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Part 2: New World Notes #631, 27:53 (April 7)
Broadcast quality MP3 (38 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Journalist-prophet-activist Chris Hedges is in fine form in this new speech. With some new examples and new connections he explores the history and the bad effects of the corporate takeover of America.

The effects include the degradation of our culture, economy, politics, and freedom--and of the planet's ecosystem. As Hedges sees it, the only sane response is concerted nonviolent resistance.

Hedges spoke in New York City on December 8, 2018. The audio--from a video of the speech by Joe Friendly--was reengineered by Wilton Vought, of the YouTube channel and blog, Other Voices, Other Choices. Thanks again to Wilton.

Previously broadcast on NWN in February 2019. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as NWN #571 and 572.

Pandemic Journal

New World Notes #629, 28:26 (March 24)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Wry and satiric notes and comments (by K.D.) on the coronavirus pandemic as it gains a foothold in Connecticut.

Complementing K.D.'s chronicle are a new song by David Rovics, a classic poem by (and read by) William Carlos Williams, and commentary by progressive populist Jim Hightower.

David Rovics's "Viral Solidarity" is available on YouTube. Jim Hightower's comments courtesy of The Hightower Lowdown. William Carlos Williams wrote "The Yachts" in 1935 and recorded it in 1945.

And a new, unlovely term enters the national vocabulary:
"social distancing."

Jean Shepherd vs "Creeping Meatballism"

New World Notes #628, 28:08 (March 17)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

A look at radio great Jean Shepherd's humorous critiques--from the 1950s--of Americans' conformity, consumerism, and false sense of "progress."

KD reads (and briefly discusses) Shepherd's famous short essay, The Night People vs. 'Creeping Meatballism.' Then--on the same theme--we hear selections from one of Shep's late-night radio broadcasts (May 2, 1959).

Here Shep talks about credit cards ... Green Stamps ... a used atom-smasher for sale ... "progress" ... self-help advice from Senator Lyndon Johnson ... how many ice cream flavors Howard Johnson's restaurants actually have* ... and the brief but glorious crime spree of Ronald Medsker.

* (Claimed = 28. Highest number observed = 26, at the HoJo's at the New Bedford exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.)

Recording of Shepherd's 1959 broadcast courtesy of Flick Lives!  Many thanks.

Note: Previously broadcast on NWN. MP3s downloaded from the links, above, are identified as NWN #359.

Jean Shepherd, searching in vain for a size "small" tube of toothpaste. Illustration by Wally Wood to Shep's essay "The Night People ...," in Mad magazine, April 1957.

Ralph Nader and Chris Hedges

New World Notes #627, 28:15 (March 10)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)*
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Ralph Nader

A conversation between two great Progressive activists and essayists: Ralph Nader and Chris Hedges. (Technically, Nader is interviewing Hedges.) They discuss

• the corruption of the System, including the Democratic Party
• the oppression by the 1% of everyone else
• the sad plight of college students and other young people in the ravaged American economy
• the necessity of nonviolent popular rebellion

And they agree that--by staying within the corrupt and corporate-controlled Democratic Party--Left-ish presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is doing more harm than good.

Introduction by KD.

Chris Hedges

Excerpted from an installment of the KPFK-FM program, Ralph Nader Radio Hour, July 11, 2015. Audio courtesy of ralphnaderradiohour.com.

* The "Broadcast quality" MP3 audio file has an updated introduction (March 2020). This unstallment was previously broadcast, as NWN #390, in August 2015. The "Decent quality" MP3 file is identified as (and is identical with) #390.

Chris Hedges' recent book is Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt (Nation Books, 2015).