Corporations

New World Notes #594, 28:46 (July 23)
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Book by Ted Nace

Our nation's Founders encouraged business but distrusted corporations--which they tightly regulated and restricted. Jefferson warned that corporations could end up running the country. (Yep!)

In a fine talk, environmental activist and business expert Ted Nace describes the history of corporations, ... their growing power, ... and their frequent battles with The People--some of which The People won.

Also reflections by K.D. on the branding of everything and 2 relevant songs.

Originally broadcast in 2008 and (with updated introduction) 2010. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as NWN #594.

Eugenics

New World Notes #593, 28:11 (July 16)
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Eugenics is in the news again. We explore the sordid pseudo-science with a section from the film Human Resources (not previously broadcast on NWN), reflections by KD, and a song by David Rovics.

Thanks to Robin Upton (unwelcomeguests.net), who adapted all of Human Resources for radio broadcast. David Rovics' song "Denmark 1943" is from his album, The Other Side.

New World Notes broadcast the rest of Human Resources, in four installments, in October-November 2018.

 

Climate Change (Methane)

New World Notes #592, 28:35 (July 9)
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This week we'll hear another fine audiocollage by Chazk / Virtual Renderings. It's about climate change and ecological catastrophe. In several passages, veteran climate activist David Wasdell explains why global warming is getting worse at an increasingly faster rate. Disaster looms.

The prospect may be a real downer, but the program is a delight to listen to. Spun around Wasdell's spoken words are movie clips, songs, comedy routines, and whatnot from artists including Firesign Theater, George Carlin, Lee Camp, Al Gore (remember him?), Natalie Merchant, and several others.

Personal favorites in this installment:

• at the beginning, Firesign Theater on How the West Was Won
• the TV "weather girl" who goes ballistic (by the Canadian comedy group Deep Rogue Ram)
• near the end, a haunting snippet of the song, "Frosty the Snowman," by Angela McCluskey

David Wasdell (2011)

Previously broadcast, as NWN #242, in October 2012. Fies downloaded from the links, above, may be identified as #212.

American Oppression, American Resistance

New World Notes #591, 28:12 (July 2)
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A fine talk (technically an interview) by Noam Chomsky, recorded in his office on November 20, 2012. This is the talk's first broadcast on New World Notes.

Chomsky brilliantly explores three questions highly relevant to today:

• In a free society such as the US, by what means do the rulers control the common people?
• How do protest movements today compare with those of the 1960s?
• What issues are most pressing for today's generation of activists?

Chomsky's long answer to question #2 is especially interesting and surprising: The 1960s were not the great age of popular protest, as legend has it. The 1980s were.

This audio is from the now-departed podcast series, Smells Like Human Spirit. The interviewer is series host Guy Evans. Many thanks. I have condensed the audio a bit to fit our timeslot.

George Carlin Memorial

Part 1: New World Notes #589, 28:59 (June 18)
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Part 2: New World Notes #590, 28:42 (June 25)
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Ceorge Carlin, ca. 2008

On the eleventh anniversary of his death we celebrate the political and cultural satire of the great stand-up comedian George Carlin. We focus on the last two decades of Carlin's long career--by which time his political views had moved well to the left of center.

Carlin is one of the most astute critics of capitalism, imperialism, American popular culture, and American arrogance--and certainly the funniest. He died on June 22, 2008.

Sketches in Part 1:

• Religion = B.S.
• Airlines English
• The War on Homelessness
• Euphemisms

1960s

Sketches in Part 2:

• They own you / the class system
• Airport security / germs / parents
• The Book Club
• American B.S. / children

With brief introductions by KD.  Suitable for airplay: naughty words have been bleeped.

Thanks to Scooter, of The innerSide radio program (KPFT-FM, Houston), and to Colorado Free Radio for some of the recorded material. These two installments, except for some introductory updates, were previously broadcast on New World Notes, in June 2015.

Everything You Know Is Wrong

New World Notes #588, 28:15 (June 11)
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Card-carrying Socialist agitator/troublemaker

(God bless her) Helen Keller. Amazing what school

history books neglect to mention!

Lies, distortions, and omissions by the Powers That Be concerning current events and past history.

First an article by David Swanson on how the CIA invented the story of Chinese "brainwashing" of American POWs during the Korean War. In fact, the POWs were honestly confessing atrocities and war crimes they had been ordered to commit--including germ warfare against civilians.

Then Ralph Nader and James Loewen discuss the distortions, omissions, and lies taught in American history courses in school.

Plus a couple minutes of Firesign Theater, from whom I have stolen this week's title.

In the Korean War, civilian casualties of U.S. bombing numbered

in the millions. Then the U.S. tried spreading bubonic plague.

Loewen interview courtesy of the Ralph Nader Radio Hour (#252, 2019). David Swanson article from davidswanson.org (September 6, 2015).

Parenti Ad Lib

Part 1: New World Notes #586, 28:31 (May 28)
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Part 2: New World Notes #587, 28:00 (June 4)
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Michael Parenti

In Part 1:

Progressive political scientist Michael Parenti's unscripted reflections on capitalism, socialism, student rebellion, Cuban plumbers, Russian prostitutes, worker ownership of workplaces, and Parenti's former running mate--and former close friend--Bernie Sanders.

Plus a relevant song by David Rovics.

In Part 2:

Parenti takes on capitalism, socialism, public utilities, popular rebellion, plutocrats in general, the Waltons in particular, Occupy Wall Street, and the monetary system.

Plus a brief recorded Parenti essay from 2005--"Welfare for the Wealthy"--and a song by Monty Python's Flying Circus.

 Bernie Sanders (courtesy politico.com)

Parenti spoke in Springfield, Illinois, on October 6, 2015.  The original recording--which I have condened and edited--is courtesy of the Unifersity of Illinois at Springfield and Dale Lehman/WZRD (via radio4all.net).  "Welfare for the Wealthy" courtesy of L.A. Sound Posse.  Many thanks.

Previously broadcast. as NWN #402-403, in November 2015. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #402 or 403.

Beyond Militarism

New World Notes #585, 28:33 (May 21)
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Armed Forces Day / Memorial Day special!

Is American militarism a problem? What are the causes of this militarism? Why are we now calling every guy who ever put on a uniform a "hero"? And can militarism be stopped?

Former career soldier Stan Goff addresses these questions with impressive insight and erudition.

We supplement Goff's analysis with a few minutes of Martin Luther King's fine address on American militarism and war, Beyond Vietnam (April 4, 1967). Plus some background and commentary by KD.

Thanks to Michael Welch, the Global Research News Hour, and station CKUW-FM (Winnipeg, Manitoba) for the recorded interview with Goff, which I have edited and condensed.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #412, In January 2016. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as # 412.
 

Illustrations by Eric Drooker (top), Robert Shetterly (above).

Surveillance Capitalism

New World Notes #581, 28:15 (May 14)
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Shoshana Zuboff--with Ralph Nader--discusses how Americans have lost their privacy, their freedom, and their personal autonomy. Digital technology is the means of these losses. But the real cause of the problem is "surveillance capitalism," which has taken control of our digital technology.

And now it's not just social-media companies. For instance, Ford Motor Company has decided to have its automobiles record, analyze, and deliver for sale information on (literally) your every move.

Introduction by KD.

Zuboff's and Nader's words are excerpted from a long conversation broadcast as installment 255 of The Ralph Nader Radio Hour (January 26, 2019). Many thanks to all concerned.

Shoshana Zuboff is professor emerita at Harvard Business School. Her latest book is The Age of Surveillance Capitalism (Hachette, 2019). 

James G Anderson on Climate Change

Part 1: New World Notes #582, 29:05 (April 30)
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Part 2: New World Notes #583, 27:59 (May 7)
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Harvard climate scientist James G. Anderson interviewed--and the news is not all depressing.

In Part 1, Anderson lucidly explains why "global warming" is a bad term to use (it understates the problem's breadth and severity). He makes short work of the claim that climate change is natural, not man-made. And he has interesting things to say about the ozone layer ... the Kyoto Protocol ... and why electricity is overwhelmingly the best fuel, not only for transportation but for heating too. Plus a song by David Rovics.

In Part 2, Anderson discusses--among other matters--how vulnerable the U.S. is to climate chnge, what steps need to be taken, and how to persuade the American people to act. Plus a short talk on climate and the environment by political scientist Michael Parenti (2006) and another song by David Rovics.

Thanls to Dale Lehman (WZRD, Chicago) for the original recording, which I have gently edited and condensed.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #462-463, in January 2017. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #462 and 463.

Easter Season in America

New World Notes #581, 28:44 (April 23)
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Easter parade: Note "Torch of Freedom" in

the fashionable young lady's right hand.

In a humorous and satiric monologue, KD reflects on several current (and some other) events, all somehow connected to Easter-time in America. Plus a song by David Rovics.

Topics include secularization and commercialization of holidays, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Mueller Report, John Brown, the Stop-and-Shop supermarket strike, and how Edward Bernays got American women hooked on cigarettes.

"John Brown" is from David Rovics' "Big Red Sessions" album.

John Brown--"Beecher's Bible" in his (right) hand--redefines the Easter parade.

The Great Hamburger Blowup

New World Notes #580, 29:03 (April 16)
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A classic broadcast from 1965 by radio's great humorist-satirist-storyteller, Jean Shepherd. Condensed by K.D.

With wit and humor, Shepherd reflects on adolescent psychology ... on being "shot down" ... on traumatic experiences ... and on the absurd prose on back of packages--notably Official World's Fair Toothpicks. Then he tells a story from his childhood: how he snuck into a Ukrainian-American picnic, pretended to speak Ukrainian, and--to his later regret--consumed 17 hamburgers.

Jean Shepherd

Originally broadcast on WOR AM-FM on April 1, 1965. Original recording courtesy of Radio Veronica via radio4all.net

This installment is the fourth, to date,  in our series of classic Jean Shepherd broadcasts, condensed and then aired again on New World Notes. The others are

• Radio Great Jean Shepherd
• Jean Shepherd vs. "Creeping Meatballism"
• Jean Shepherd: Elephant Feet

The Algebra of Revolution

Part 1: New World Notes #578, 28:41 (April 2)
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Part 2: New World Notes #579, 28:38 (April 9)
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Chris Hedges

A hard-hitting speech by journalist/essayist Chris Hedges. It's about the corruption of "the System" ... the increasing power of "the one percent" ... the betrayal of the people by the Democratic and Republican parties ... the century-long crackdown on dissent ...

And it's about our increasingly meaningless national politics, in which our real and pressing problems (climate change, oligarchy, a plundered economy) are seldom even mentioned--let alone debated, let alone put to a vote.

Hedges devotes some particular attention to the three national candidates: Clinton, Sanders, and Trump. None of them advocates the sort of radical change that (to Hedges) is our only hope.

Introduction by K.D.

Hedges spoke in Seattle on April 25, 2016. Video recording courtesy of Pirate Radio Seattle. I have edited the soundtrack for radio broadcast.

Previously broadcast, in August 2916, as NWN #442-443. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified by those numbers.  

Photo (above) by Justin Norman, Creative Commons licanse (by-cc). Thanks.

Propaganda, Capitalism, Empire, Media

New World Notes #577, 27:53 (March 26)
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Media scholar Mark Crispin Miller explores how the government--aided by the corporate media--molds public opinion through massive and unceasing campaigns of propaganda. This propaganda manufactures widespread public consent for imperialism, neoliberal economic policies, and military adventures abroad.

In a brief introduction, KD analyzes the propaganda saturating a New York Times "news" article on Venezuela (March 13, 2019).

Mark Crispin Miller spoke with host Abby Martin on the TeleSUR program The Empire Files in June 2016. I have edited and condensed the audio.

Past installments of The Empire Files are available at theempirefiles.tv (video) and soundcloud.com (audio). This program is now shut down owing to U.S. economic sanctions against Venezuela, where the TeleSUR network is based.

Capitalism vs. Reality

Part 1: New World Notes #575, 29:10 (January 12)
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Part 2: New World Notes #576, 29:09 (January 19)
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Michael Parenti (with megaphone)

In this recent-classic talk, political scientist Michael Parenti refutes the claim that the "free enterprise" system (capitalism) promotes both democracy and prosperity.

Part 1 focuses on democracy. Through several historical examples--from ancient Greece to the Constitutional Convention to the present day--Parenti shows how the capitalists (and their predecessors) fought democracy every step of the way--and continue to do so. Rather, democracy emerged, in fits and starts, from the struggles of ordinary people to bring practical improvements to their lives.

Part 2 focuses more on prosperity. Drawing on the past 150 years of American history, Parenti refutes the myth that capitalism increases the general prosperity. In fact the system has brought regular recessions and depressions to ordinary citizens. Not "free enterprise" but a massive increase in government spending finally lifted America out of the depression of the 1920s and 1930s.

Parenti spoke at the University of Illinois at Springfield on October 16, 2015. Thanks to the university, and to Dale Lehman of WZRD-FM, Chicago, for the original recording.  I have lightly edited the original and done what I could to improve its audio quality.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #410-411, in January2016. Fies downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #410 and 411.

The real origins of democracy, according to Parenti

Noam Chomsky on North Korea and Syria

New World Notes #574, 27:25 (March 5)
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North Korea and Syria--what to do? Noam Chomsky reveals some not-well-known facts about the situations, and he makes some intelligent suggestions for wise and humane action by the U.S.

As usual, Chomsky's analysis is a refreshing alternative to the belligerent cliches recited by government spokespersons and the corporate-controlled media.

Chomsky spoke two years ago--responding to questions posed by Amy Goodman. His words are just as powerful and just as relevant today.

Chuck Rosina recorded the talk live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 24, 2017. His complete recording is available on radio4all.net.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #479, in May 2017. Audio files downoaded from the links, above, are identified as #479.

 

Robert Fisk and Chris Hedges

New World Notes #573, 27:23 (February 26)
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Robert Fisk

In separate talks, two fine journalists discuss current affairs--Robert Fisk and Chris Hedges. Different in style, they are alike in their hatred of lies and propaganda, their command of recent history--and their disdain for Trump's presidency.

Fisk discusses Iran, the war in Syria, Putin, Trump, and the flood of propaganda in the media. Hedges discusses how social justice requires economic justice and also effective means of nonviolently overturning established power.

Plus a relevant song ("Propagandy") by Yikes McGee.

Chris Hedges

Many thanks to Jeff Blankfort, host of "Takes on the World," for these selections from his interview with Robert Fisk (June 13, 2018). Hedges' remarks are from the Q&A following his talk, "America: The Farewell Tour" (New York City, December 8, 2018), broadcast in NWN #571-572. Thanks again to Wilton Vought, of "Other Voices, Other Choices," for re-engineering and making available the audio.

America: The Farewell Tour

Part 1: New World Notes #571, 28:35 (February 12)
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Part 2: New World Notes #572, 27:53 (February 19)
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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.

The Illusionists

Part 1: New World Notes #569, 27:59  (January 29)
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Part 2: New World Notes #570, 28:57 (February 5)
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 A good documentary film by Elena Rossini (2015), newly adapted to radio by KD.

It's about the damage--social, physical, and psychological--wrought by the huge and profitable "beauty" industry.

One of this film's virtues is its international scope. Throughout the world, the bad effects of the beauty business are remarkably similar--but the regional variations are very interesting. The focus shifts among. Boston, Paris, Milan, Beirut, Mumbai, and Tokyo.

Another virtue: the film focuses on men--the industry's latest target--as well as women.

Part One explores how the industry promotes personal insecurity ... how people worldwide have been persuaded to desire European features ... and how Third-World people are encouraged to lighten their skin color. Introduction by KD (and a brief PS by W. Shakespeare).

Part Two explores the "skinny" ideal and the diet industry ...Photoshopping models to make them skinnier still ... warped images of men's beauty ... the sexualization of children, especially young girls ... the connections between the beauty business and the porn business ...  and how to fight back.

 Calvin Klein ad

www.theillusionists.org/

The People vs. "The Masters of Mankind"

New World Notes #568, 28:40 (January 22)
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All for ourselves, and nothing for other people, seems, in every age of the world, to have been the vile maxim of the masters of mankind. -- Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations, Chapter 4

Three short, impromptu talks by Noam Chomsky on the state of America today.  Chomsky brilliantly discusses

• the 1%'s attack on public education--and why they are doing it
• financial crimes that get people arrested--and the more serious ones that don't
• whether the people can change the system

The surprising answer to the third question is, Yes--they've done it before.

Our title refers to a favorite quotation of Chomsky's--reprinted at the top of this page.

Chomsky's remarks are taken from a Q&A session following a talk he gave in Syracuse, NY, on November 11, 2011.  From the video recording by Wilton Vought (othervoicesotherchoices.blogspot.com).  Many thanks.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #337, in August 2014. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #337.