The Science of Climate Change

Part 1: New World Notes #330, 28:24 (July 1)

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Part 2: New World Notes #331, 29:01 (July 8)

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Professor Guy McPherson expains--in language non-scientists can understand--the science behind our world's runaway climate change. Discussing several recent scientific studies published in distinguished journals, McPherson argues that environmental catastrophe is now well underway, and it's probably irreversible.

Part 2 includes selected Q&A--including why nuclear power is not a solution.

He spoke in Winnipeg, Canada, on February 6, 2014.  Back in May, New World Notes featured an interview with McPherson recorded after his talk.  Now we broadcast the talk itself.  Introduction by KD.

Recording courtesy of Michael Welch, the Global Research News Hour, and station CKUW-FM, Winnipeg.  I have lightly edited the speech (mostly by shortening long pauses).

Sir! No Sir!

Part 1: New World Notes #328, 28:41 (June 17)

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Part 2: New World Notes #329, 29:25 (June 24)

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David Zeiger's fine video documentary (U.K.version), adapted to radio, in two parts.

How resistance and rebellion by America's active-duty soldiers and sailors forced the U.S. to end the Vietnam War.

Current reflections by antiwar veterans and others--some famous, some obscure--mix with period newscasts, songs, and other recordings. The famous ones include Army physician Dr. Howard Levy, Army "Green Beret" Sgt. Donald Duncan (see photo, below), and actor & activist Jane Fonda.

A fascinating--and little-known--bit of recent history. Could this happen again today?

 Above: Jane Fonda.  Below: Donald Duncan.

The profusely-illustrated screenplay (U.S. version) is available online.

Bruce Gagnon on Endless War & the Economy

Part 1: New World Notes #326, 29:20 (June 3)

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Part 2: New World Notes #327, 29:19 (June 10)

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Antiwar/antinuke activist Bruce Gagnon shows how militarism is detroying the American economy and our lives.

In Part 1, he discusses the connections among crumbling infrastructure, unemployment, decreasing educational opportunities for working-class kids, the increasing militarization of our society, the export of war machines, aggressive U.S. foreign policy, corporate globalization, our rulers' desire to control the world's oil, ...  and the wisdom of forming alliances with the "Tea-partiers."

In Part 2, Gagnon discusses the bad effects of (a) NATO expansion & (b) our encircling Russia and China with "missile defense" installations.

He also discusses universities' increasing dependence on Pentagon funding (for war research); ... the allegiance of both parties to capitalism, oligarchy, & military empire; ... & how spending on infrastructure creates many more jobs than "defense" spending.

Plus a short section of Q&A and a topical song ("After the Revolution") by David Rovics.

The unedited Q&A session (34 min., 46 MB MP3) is available. (Download may be a bit slow.)

Recorded live by me in West Hartford, Connecticut, on April 16, 2010.  Gagnon's talk was sponsored by the West Hartford Citizens for Peace and Justice (www.westhartfordpeace.org).

These installments were originally broadcast, as NWN #116 & 117, in May 2010.

Bruce Gagnon is Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space (www.space4peace.org).

Disabilities

New World Notes #325, 28:25 (May 27)

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Once again we "compare great things with small." First, Jess Wright tells the history of "disability" in America.  People with impairments are labelled "disabled" when the economic system doesn't need them to fill a job. When more workers are needed, many of the "disabled" become "able"--as in US factories during World War II.

Then KD reads & discusses a newspaper story about a tragic disability afflicting many women in America: gray hair. And about the awful consequences of failing to use hair dye.

Jess Wright talk courtesy of wearemany.org.  Thanks to Robin Upton, producer of "Unwelcome Guests" (unwelcomeguests.net), for acquainting me with this talk.

The Slippery Slope of Memorial Day

New World Notes #324, 28:29 (May 20)

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An anti-war, anti-militarism perspective on Memorial Day.

Journalist Robert Fisk explains that (and why) there's been no "Good War" after 1945. KD reads Howard Zinn's famous 1976 column on Memorial Day (which got Zinn fired from the Boston Globe). KD also reads and demolishes the beloved war poem, "In Flanders Fields." Plus Steppenwolf's classic antiwar song of the 1970s, "Monster."

This program was originally broadcast in May 2009.

Graphic by Max Grundy.
 

Climate Doom But Not Gloom

Part 1: New World Notes #322, 28:02 (May 6)

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Part 2: New World Notes #323, 29:13 (May 13)

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The human species is doomed, and we'll be gone by 2050, says scientist and ecology professor Guy McPherson. Irreversible, rapidly escalating climate change--caused by our hydrocarbon emissions and their aftereffects--will destroy our habitat sooner than most people expect. And no captain of industry, university president, or politician would risk damaging his or her career to save the species.

Part One: What to do? That's next week's installment. This week McPherson focuses on how serious the climate change situation already is--and how deeply mired in denial are all the leaders and all the institutions of the "civilization" that is responsible for the calamity. 

Part Two: First McPherson discusses whether any force will rescue us. Aliens? God? (In each case, probably not). Then he considers the ethical question, How should we behave in the face of our impending demise?

We end with a comic sketch by George Carlin, who--similarly--discusses ways of going out with style.

For both men, it's Doom yes, but Gloom not necessarily.

Introductions (to both parts) by K.D.

 Guy McPherson

Notes & credits

Guy McPherson is Professor Emeritus of Natural Resources and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona.  His Web site is www.guymcpherson.com .

McPherson's words are from an interview in Winnipeg, Canada, February 7, 2014. Audio courtesy of the producer, Michael Welch, of Global Research News Hour on CKUW-FM, Winnipeg. Lightly edited and condensed by K.D.

Reproductive Rights Crusader Bill Baird

New World Notes #321, 29:00 (April 29)

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Bill Baird (right), busted in Boston, 1967

For decades, Bill Baird has been a crusader for reproductive rights, including the right to purchase contraceptives--still illegal in Massachusetts (and elsewhere) in the 1960s!

Seeing a woman die from an attempted coat-hanger abortion changed his life. He survived assassination attempts, 8 criminal convictions, prison brutality, the firebombing of his abortion clinic (the nation's first), the breakup of his family, and the absence of any help from NOW, ACLU, & other potential allies. One of his 3 Supreme Court cases was cited 6 times in Roe v. Wade.

A scary and stunning story, well-told by Baird himself. Excerpted from a panel discussion at the University of Hartford, February 16, 2010.

This is a rebroadcast of New World Notes #110 (April 13, 2010)

Imperialism Old and New

Part 1: New World Notes #319, 29:29 (April 15)

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Part 2: New World Notes #320, 28:59 (April 22)

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A classic talk from 1999 by political scientist Michael Parenti.  It's just as illuminating today as it was then--and often funny, too. It is titled, Globalization: the New Imperialism.

In Part 1, Parenti shows how the Western colonial powers un-developed the "Third-World"--increasing poverty there in order to enrich private corporations at home. Indeed (Parenti argues), almost all U.S. foreign policy seems aimed at increasing the profits of the Fortune 500.

This is the real purpose of the hundreds of U.S. military interventions abroad--many of which overthrew democratically elected governments, replacing them with dictatorships friendly to U.S. corporate interests. Boosting corporate profits likewise is the reason befind our recent spate of "humanitarian" military interventions.

In Part 2, Parenti shows that imperialism's current form is "multilateral free-trade agreements" such as NAFTA and GATT. These draconian, anti-democratic treaties give corporations the power to veto any national laws that might interfere with their profits.

Parenti's brilliant, passionate, and funny talk is as relevant today as it was in 1999.

*     *     *

Brief introductions by KD.

The recording of Parenti's talk courtesy of Sally Soriano and People's Video-Audio. I have slightly condensed Part 2 to fit our radio timeslot.

Bill Hicks

New World Notes #318, 28:56 (April 8)

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Cultural critic and stand-up comedian Bill Hicks died 20 years ago at age 32. In memoriam, we present a sampling of his recorded routines (suitable for broadcast).  With brief introductions by KD.

Included:

• The war
• The elite
• Hillbillies
• Gays in the military
• "This is your brain on drugs"
• Jay Leno
• It's only a ride

Thanks to Scooter at KPFT-FM in Houston for some of the selections here.

GMOs Are Bad. The System is Worse.

New World Notes #317, 29:20 (April 1)

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Mickey Z.

Writer and activist Mickey Z. concisely explains everything that's wrong and bad about genetically modified crops (GMOs), particularly Monsanto's GMOs.  He shows what's wrong economically, environmentally, nutritionally, politically, you name it.

But GMOs (and Monsanto) are a part of a larger evil--globalized, monopolistic, animal-products-based corporate agribusiness. And that is part of an even larger evil: "the whole System." 

But people have the power to bring about change, and Mickey Z offers some suggestions and examples.

With an introduction by KD, who finds the mindset that gave us agribusiness and GMOs close to home.

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
Setting the standard of home lawn care since 1722.

Mickey Z (Mike Zezima) spoke at a rally in Washington Square Park, New York City, on May 25, 2013.  His words are taken from a video by Wilton Vought, available at www.othervoicesotherchoices.blogspot.com.  Edited for radio by KD.

Glenn Greenwald on NSA Spying and the Hypocrisy of the Press

New World Notes #316, 29:14 (March 25)

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Glenn Greenwald (l.), Edward Snowden (r)

Journalist Glenn Greenwald revealed the story of Edward Snowden and the US government's secret program of spying on every American. Here Greenwald talks about Snowden and about the government's surveillance, assault on civil liberties, & hypocrisy about leaks.

And he talks about the disgraceful behavior of the US "mainstream" news media--determined to serve those in power rather than to hold them accountable.

With an introduction by KD, on the US news media's unanimous and unceasing Putin-bashing since before the Olympics.

Greenwald's words are taken from a video interview conducted in Rio de Janeiro in November 2013.

The Top Ten

New World Notes #315, 29:12 (March 18)

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Top-10 Quote-of-the-decade #5, by
master military strategist G.W. Bush

Social satire, often comic. Let the corporate media fret about the Top 10 fashion blunders, TV bloopers, waist-trimming foods, tennis players, and the like. We'll  read or play recordings of more oddball Top-10 lists:

(a) Quotations, 2000-2009; (b) Reasons to visit New Zealand; (c) High-level political sex scandals (Bill & Monica didn't even make the list!); and--this ya gotta hear--(4) Military combat rifles.

I add a few footnotes but--honest!--I didn't make ANY of this stuff up.

This program is a replay of NWN #101 (Feb. 2010).

Special live show on WWUH only:

It's the station's semi-annual Pledge Marathon time.  New World Notes's hour-long live broadcast (Tuesday, March 18, noon to 1 PM Eastern time) will include The Top Ten and more.  Call between noon and 1 to make a pledge, and I'll thank you on-air (unless you prefer otherwise).  To make a pledge, call 1-800-444-9984.  You can also pledge online: http://wwuh.org.  Many thanks!

Top-10 Political Sex Scandal #6: James Buchanan (President 1857-1861). His lover, William Rufus King, was known to his critics as "Miss Nancy."  Alas, King died before he could become First Lady.  At the time of his death, in 1853, King was Vice President

What Does Woman Want?

New World Notes #314, 29:00 (March 11):

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Dr. Joycelyn Elders

Some new reflections on International Women's Day (March 8) set the stage for an "encore performance" (that is, a rerun) of an installment from September 2009.  It features a brief but shrewd and funny speech by Dr. Joycelyn Elders on human sexuality, women's health, women's rights, and  warped national priorities.

Elders was U.S. Surgeon General until President Clinton fired her for her vocal advocacy of liberal and sane public-health policies.  (She opposed both "abstinence-based sex education" and the Drug War.)

Plus an introductory monologue by K.D., a relevant song by The Foremen, and part of another by James McMurtry.

Thanks to the National Radio Project for the Elders talk.

Unlike fluoride in the water and sex education in schools, International Women's Day really was a Commie plot!  It dates back to 1912.

Shadows of Liberty

Part 1: New World Notes #312, 29:09 (February 25):

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Part 2: More Media Monopoly: New World Notes #313, 27:40 (March 4):

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A new documentary film examines how a few huge, for-profit corporations control the news media--and so control the "news."  Brief history lessons on the U.S. media alternate with close looks at particular stories the corporate news media suppressed.

Amy Goodman, Robert McChesney, Julian Assange, Janine Jackson, Norman Solomon, Daniel Ellsberg, John Nichols, Dan Rather, and several other commentators appear.

Adapted to radio by K.D.

Shadows of Liberty was written, directed, and produced by Canadian filmmaker Jean-Plilippe Tremblay.

In Part 1:

Topics this week include two stories investigated and then suppressed by CBS News: Nike's exploited workers and evidence suggesting that TWA Flight 800 was shot down by a U.S. Navy missile.  Plus the really free press in the early days of the Republic and the rise of media monopolies from the 1930s.

In Part 2:

How a wave of corporate mergers--each with the government's blessing--created near-monopoly control of the news. And the story of reporter Gary Webb. Webb was destroyed by the big corporate media after exposing the CIA's role in the crack-cocaine trade in the US.

Plus an essay by Paul Krugman on why the latest proposed media merger--Comcast and Time Warner Cable--is another really bad idea.

Only Mutiny Can Save the Ship

New World Notes #311, 29:25 (February 18):

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In Brief

A stunning talk by journalist/prophet Chris Hedges.  Herman Melville's novel Moby Dick is an apt (and scary) metaphor for the U.S. today, says Hedges.

The relentless pursuit of an insane goal: that's Captain Ahab on the ship Pequod, and that's corporate capitalism today. On the Pequod, the pursuit yielded repression and then destruction of ship and crew. That's where the world today is heading.

Only mutiny by the crew could have saved the Pequod, and--Hedges argues--only nonviolent rebellion by citizens can save the U.S. and the planet's ecosystem

I have condensed Hedges' talk substantially.  He delivered the talk, under a different title, at Moravian College on October 22, 2013.  A video of the complete talk is available on YouTube.

The Map Is Not the Territory

New World Notes #310, 27:28 (February 11):

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Click to enlarge (all graphics)

In brief

Illusion vs. reality in America today.  Getting lost on Groundhog Day inspires a reflection by K.D. on S.I. Hayakawa's maxim, "The map is not the territory." The "map" of reality handed to us by the corporations and politicians falsely depicts the lay of the land (so to speak).  Inaccurate maps are useful to Established Power, bad for the rest of us.

Plus--making similar points--a selection from Virtual Renderings' new audio collage. Includes commentary by Woody Harrelson, Chris Hedges, and Jordan Maxwell and a timely song by Jackson Browne.

Virtual Renderings' collage is titled, "Ponderings From Within Leviathan."  The complete (56-minute) version is available for free download. (Lo-Fi version and program information page are also available.)

Above: S. I. Hayakawa

Below: Suzuki Hayabusa

(Easy to confuse!)

Refusers

New World Notes #309, 29:06 (February 4):

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In Brief

In Israel, military service is close to universal. Motivated by conscience--and at substantial personal risk--some Israeli soldiers refuse to serve with the occupying forces in Palestine. These soldiers are known as Refusers. We explore this important movement. And we'll hear one Refuser's story in depth, that of air force Major Yonatan Shapira, interviewed by Mike McCormick.

Music added: Chumbawamba, "Walking Into Battle With the Lord."

This installment was originally broadcast on New World Notes (as #66) in June 2009.  A broadcast quality (192 kbps) MP3 recording is now available for the first time.

Major Yonatan Shapira, IDF Air Force Reserve, and the Apache "assault and rescue" helicopter he piloted.

Censored Stories 2014

New World Notes #308, 28:15 (January 28):

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Got oil?  US railroads spilled more oil in 2013--1.15 million gallons--than in the previous four decades combined.

In brief

A look at recent sins of omission and sins of commission of the mainstream news media. 

For omission, we look at some of the stories in the latest report by Project Censored.  For commission, we explore the rash of recent news stories warning of shortages of particular branded products--Butterball turkeys, Sriracha sauce, and now Velveeta! 

Plus a clip from Project Censored's movie, a news story in song by David Rovics, and an update on the great toilet paper shortage of 1973.


http://www.davidrovics.com/
http://www.projectcensored.org/

What If You Knew

Part 1: New World Notes #306, 28:52 (January 14):

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Part 2: New World Notes #307, 28:42 (January 21):

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In brief 

Virtual Renderings' new audio collage on our environmental crisis, especially global climate change. Features many perspectives and a wide range of voices going back as far as 1958 ... and some relevant music . . . and a little post-apocalyptic science fiction.  I've chopped the piece into two parts.  Introductions and a few inserted notes by K.D.

I've condensed the 55-minute collage slightly to fit our radio timeslots.  The complete 55-minute version (50 MB MP3) may be downloaded  here.  (Right-click then Save. . . .  The download may be slow.)  A smaller, low-bandwidth file (13 MB) also is available.  A large archive of Virtual Renderings' audio collages is available for free listening or download.

The title song is (IMHO) one of David Rovics' best. It's played in its entirety near the end of Part 2.

Love and Power

Part 1: New World Notes #304, 28:40 (December 31):

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Part 2: New World Notes #305, 29:18 (January 7, 2014):

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In Brief

We adapt to radio a documentary film by Adam Curtis.

Advocates of (1) computer networks, (2) Ayn Rand-ian "heroic individualism," and (3) financial deregulation--each claimed that their cause would increase personal freedom, expand democracy, and produce eternal prosperity and stability. These three causes were interconnected--and were combined in Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan.

All believed that the best thing politicians and governments could do would be to get out of the way and let "the New Economy" work its magic unhindered.

But it was all nonsense. This film explores these interconnected 20th-century delusions and their aftermath.

Part 1 takes us from the emergence of Ayn Rand in the 1950s to the economic bubble of the Clinton years (late 1990s).

Part 2 explores the love-affairs that damaged Ayn Rand's influence and Bill Clinton's power. It shows how computers and deregulation nearly destroyed the economies of several Asian countries while enriching U.S. bankers. And it shows how today's U.S. economy has been propped up and stabilized not by "heroic individuals" or computers or deregulated financial markets--but by politicians and government.  Specifically: by the politicians and government of China.  

Now what?

Love and Power (2011) is the first segment of Adam Curtis' trilogy, All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace.