Saturday, January 28, 2012

Noam Chomsky on U.S. Politics and Economy


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New World Notes News
Vol. 5, No. 4 -- January 28, 2012

This week in New World Notes, radio program #204, January 31, 2012

Noam Chomsky on U.S.
Politics and Economy


In brief

These recent remarks by Noam Chomsky are both insightful and easy to follow.

He focuses on how the government serves the rich elite. We see this clearly in the gap between what the public wants (jobs, safety net) and the public policies we get (deficit reduction).

Relatedly, he also discusses how the West and the USSR--for different reasons--endlessly proclaimed the same lie: that Soviet totalitarianism was "socialism." With the same false propaganda being cranked out by both sides, socialism never had a chance.

Chomsky offers shrewd and interesting reflections on America today.

Introductory comments by K.D.


Notes, credits, & links

Chomsky's remarks are taken from several sources. Audio courtesy of the podcast Federal Legislative, Virtual Renderings' audiocollage Thought Crimes: OWS Memos 11-11, and the film Human Resources.

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "unisex bathroom") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.

Below: Yes, it's a joke. Good one, though.

Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • February 7 -- Are We Really Broke?
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Friday, January 20, 2012

Howard Zinn on War


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New World Notes News
Vol. 5, No. 3 -- January 20, 2012

This week in New World Notes, radio programs #203, January 24, 2012

Howard Zinn on War


In brief

Some highly relevant reflections on our wars by the late Progressive historian (and World War Two veteran) Howard Zinn. Among his main points:

If war resulted from human nature, national leaders would not need propaganda, the draft, and prisons to cajole and compel citizens to participate. It's the leaders--not the citizens--who want war. Therefore, the first step to war is a propaganda campaign at home. War solves no problems, transforms virtuous people into beasts, and kills primarily innocent civilians. Finally: It's an uphill battle (forgive the metaphor), but people may be able to abolish war if they try.


As a bombardier in the Army Air Corps, Zinn helped kill his share of innocent civilians--as he later realized and acknowledged. A particularly striking incident, in which Zinn participated, was the destruction of the French resort town of Royan--a town of no military significance--in the final days of the war (April 1945).

Zinn later learned that the massive raid on Royan had killed a few German soldiers--who were "hiding and waiting out the closing days of the war"--and more than 1,500 French civilians. The carnage gave a few generals another "success" to add to their resumes. And it gave the Air Corps its first chance to test a new weapon it had developed: napalm.

1,500 civilians. Not even "enemy" civilians but "allied" civilians--though Zinn rejects that distinction as specious. Many of them burned to death. By the R.A.F. and the U.S. Army Air Corps. For what purpose?

At what point do we say, "This is insane"?

Royan, 1945

Notes, credits, & links

Zinn died two years ago, on January 27, 2010.

Zinn's remarks are taken from a video interview (courtesy of brasschecktv.com) and a public speech in Madison, WI, in 2006 (courtesy of democracynow.org).

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "benign neglect") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.

Zinn in 2009. He died in January 2010,

Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • January 31 -- Noam Chomsky
Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

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Friday, January 6, 2012

Michael Parenti: The Goals and Results of American Imperialism


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New World Notes News
Vol. 5, No. 1 -- January 6, 2012

This fortnight in New World Notes, radio programs #201-202, January 10 & 17, 2012

Michael Parenti:
The Goals and Results
of American Imperialism


In brief

Progressive political scientist Michael Parenti is in fine form in this recent speech, which brings together his key insights about the practice and purpose of the U.S. Empire and imperialism. Some of Parenti's main points will be familiar to long-time fans. Here they are made with fine wit and good specific examples from current events.

He argues that the purpose of our imperialism is not national glory but rather the further enriching of Wall Street and other transnational corporations. U.S. foreign policy seems "stupid," "irrational," or "self-defeating" only to those who misunderstand its real goals.

Highlights of Part One (NWN #201) include a look at how empires bleed dry the republics from which they grew. For instance, the city of Oakland, California, is closing most of its public libraries for lack of funds--while spending millions to equip its police force with military gear.

Highlights of Part Two (NWN #202) include a survey of the many governments the U.S. government has overthrown in recent decades. In each case, Parenti shows, the other country had attempted to chart an independent economic course. The list includes Iraq, Panama, Haiti, Chile, Yugoslavia, and--very recently--Honduras and now Libya. And who could forget our glorious military victory over Grenada (1983)?

Parenti ends his talk with a surprisingly explicit call for democratic socialism.

Introductory comments and a postscript by K.D.

Notes, credits, & links

Parenti spoke at the University of Guelph (Ontario) on November 2, 2011. Audio (edited by KD) taken from the videotape of the talk available at Dandelion Salad.

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "oppressive yoke") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.


Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • January 24 -- Howard Zinn
Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

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Friday, December 30, 2011

Morris Berman


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New World Notes News
Vol. 4, No. 53 -- December 30, 2011

This week in New World Notes, radio program #200, January 3, 2012

Morris Berman


In brief

With great wit and humor--and clever specific examples--cultural historian Morris Berman argues a gloomy main point: American civilization as we know it is doomed. Few prophets of doom are as enjoyable to listen to as Berman, though.

Here he discusses 13 ways America is going to hell in a handbasket.

(#2 includes this item: the new American History school curriculum in Texas has a unit on Estee Lauder but not George Washington. Berman asks: Why not Kim Kardashian?)

With a preface by KD on Berman's ideas.

Above: Morris Berman

Notes, credits, & links

From an hour-long talk by Berman in Seattle, November 4, 2011. Video of the entire talk available from Pirate TV Seattle, complete audio track from Unwelcome Guests.

Berman's most recent book is Why America Failed: The Roots of Imperial Decline (Wiley, 2011).

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "bad influence") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.


Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • January 10 & 17 -- Michael Parenti on Empire
Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Propaganda Then and Now


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New World Notes News
Vol. 4, No. 52 -- Christmas, 2011

This week in New World Notes, radio program #199, December 27, 2011

Propaganda Then and Now

Remember the Maine! (Click to enlarge.)

In brief

Never mind Fox News and the like. Even the most prestigious "mainstream" media--such as the New York Times--bathe the reader in a sea of propaganda. The propaganda furthers the interests of the elite, promotes perpetual war, and denies voice to the opposition. Journalist/filmmaker John Pilger and commentator Margaret Kimberley explain how it works.

Then a 1972 propaganda film attempts to show student antiwar protesters the error of their ways. Unintentionally hilarious!

John Pilger (above), Margaret Kimberley (below)

Notes, credits, & links

John Pilger was interviewed by Kayte Fairfax at the Rebellious Media Conference, London, UK, October 8, 2011. Audio recording courtesy of "Radio Chomsky," New Zealand.

Margaret Kimberley's essay, "Propagandized America," was published November 22, 2011, in Black Agenda Report.

The film Tragedy or Hope is available at The Film Archive.

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "very noses") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.

Below: Graphic by David Dees.

Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • January 3 -- Morris Berman
Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

A-Infos Radio Project http://www.radio4all.net
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Saturday, December 17, 2011

This Is Where We Take Our Stand


New World Notes News
Vol. 4, No. 51 -- December 17, 2011

To download an audio file (save it on your hard disk): Click on this link for instructions.

This fortnight in New World Notes, radio program #198, December 20, 2011

'This Is Where We Take Our Stand'

Click to enlarge.
In brief

A handful of U.S. veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars--now opposed to such wars--meet, talk, and organize. Then, at the Winter Soldier 2 hearings in 2008, they testify publicly to what they saw and did, including the atrocities and war crimes they witnessed. They reveal, touchingly, the psychological burdens veterans now carry.

This week, New World Notes plays selections from the gripping and ultimately hopeful video documentary--scheduled for broadcast in January on PBS stations that choose to air it.

Two photos by Marmot06 (Flickr)

Notes, credits, & links

Our program is adapted from the Web series, This Is Where We Take Our Stand (6 videos), produced by David Zeiger, Bestor Cram, and Mike Majoros. 

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "resigned sighs") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.

Above: From the film. Below: Drawing by Carlos Latuff.

Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • December 27 -- Propaganda Then and Now
Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

A-Infos Radio Project http://www.radio4all.net
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Saturday, December 3, 2011

Kathy Kelly on the Sorrows of War


New World Notes News
Vol. 4, No. 49 -- December 3, 2011

To download an audio file (save it on your hard disk): Click on this link for instructions.

This fortnight in New World Notes, radio programs #196-197, December 6 & 13, 2011

Kathy Kelly on
the Sorrows of War


In brief

Noted peace activist Kathy Kelly discusses the reality of the U.S.'s recent wars. Kelly and some colleagues had "embedded" themselves--not among soldiers but among the common people living in war zones. She gives first-hand accounts of what she saw and heard in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Gaza. She details the massive suffering of innocent people caused by the U.S.'s military adventures.

Here is a side of war that you won't find revealed in the mainstream media.

Kelly also speaks eloquently of the high cost of these unnecessary wars to the American people.

She delivered this talk in Binghamton, New York, in November 2009.

Above: Kelly and friends, Basra, Iraq, 2000. Prior to the US's 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, the Iraqi people suffered a decade of US-imposed crippling economic "sanctions." About a million civilian deaths resulted. Below: Predator drone.

Notes, credits, & links

Kathy Kelly is co-founder of Voices for Creative Nonviolence (http://www.vcnv.org/).

Recorded by (and thanks to) Wilton Vought for Essential Dissent -- http://www.essentialdissent.blogspot.com/ . Video of the entire talk may be found there.

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "false promises") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.


Above: Source: National Priorities Project (click to enlarge).
Below: Drawing by Carlos Latuff.

Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • December 20 -- Propaganda Then and Now
Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):


A-Infos Radio Project http://www.radio4all.net
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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Amy Goodman: The Power of People in Movements


New World Notes News
Vol. 4, No. 48 -- November 26, 2011

To download an audio file (save it on your hard disk): Click on this link for instructions.

This week in New World Notes, radio program #195, November 29, 2011

Amy Goodman: The Power of People
in Movements

Tahrir Square

In brief

Journalist Amy Goodman explains & celebrates the power "the People" have when they organize in movements. Includes some good insights (and information that will be new to many) on Frederick Douglass; Susan B. Anthony; Rosa Parks; and 1968 Olympians John Carlos, Tommie Smith, and Peter Norman--plus remarks on Tahrir Square, Occupy Wall Street, and President Obama.

From a talk she gave in Syracuse, NY, on November 3, 2011.

Amy Goodman is Executive Producer of "Democracy Now!"
Above: Amy Goodman.
Below: Abolitionist (and feminist) Frederick Douglass.

Notes, credits, & links

Recorded by (and thanks to) Wilton Vought for Essential Dissent. Video of the entire talk may be found there. Audio of the entire talk is here.

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "boiler room") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.
Above: Rosa Parks: not a solitary individual but part of a well-trained and well-organized movement. M.L. King, Jr., in background.
Below (l to r): Peter Norman, Tommie Smith, John Carlos--Mexico City, 1968.

Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • December 6 & 13 -- Kathy Kelly on Our Current Wars
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A-Infos Radio Project http://www.radio4all.net
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Saturday, November 19, 2011

Andrew Bacevich


New World Notes News
Vol. 4, No. 47 -- November 19, 2011

To download an audio file (save it on your hard disk): Click on this link for instructions.

This week in New World Notes, radio program #194, November 22, 2011

Andrew Bacevich


In brief

Retired Colonel--now Professor--Bacevich (pronounced BAY-se-vitch) critiques the US's policy of constant military intervention everywhere. This broadcast includes a recent article by Bacevich ("Is America Coming to Its Senses?")--which is cautiously optimistic--and selections from a recorded interview.

Bacevich is the author of five books on US foreign and national-security policy. The most recent is Washington Rules: America's Path to Permanent War (2010).

Above: U.S. Marines in Fallujah, 2004. Below: Afghanistan, 2011.

Notes, credits, & links

Interview segment courtesy of the radio series Takes On the World and host Jeff Blankfort. The complete Bacevich interview is here.

Music courtesy of Skidmark Bob. Catch his "Decade War" audiocollage here.

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "Executive Dining Room") of WWUH-FM, a community service of that beacon of light in darkest Connecticut, the University of Hartford.

You can listen to any installment of New World Notes online or else download it (as an mp3 audio file) for later listening. The show is archived at both radio4all.net and (from #90 onwards) The Internet Archive. Either link should get you a reverse-chrono listing of available installments. Or browse the show's Web site: Each installment has a page, and each page has links to the recorded audio. See the gray sidebar on the right ("CONTENTS [Links]") for a table of contents.

Series overview: Political and social commentary in a variety of genres. Exploring the gap between what we want ... and what they're trying to make us settle for.

Above: Iran is surrounded by U.S. client states.
Below: U.S. B-2 bomber.

Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)
  • November 29 -- Amy Goodman
Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):


A-Infos Radio Project http://www.radio4all.net
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