War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning

New World Notes #295 (October 29, 2013):

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 Chris Hedges

In Brief

Prophet and former war correspondent Chris Hedges reflects on the psychologically destructive--yet addicting--nature of war.

He focuses not on rulers and generals but on the people on the ground--civilians and enlisted soldiers and war correspondents too. This talk is based on his own experience and based on his book, War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning (2002). 

Plus some additional reflections by Hedges on PTSD among soldiers who fought in World War Two.

Audio courtesy of Robin Upton's Unwelcome Guests radio program (http://unwelcomeguests.net).

Can Technology Save Us?

New World Notes #294 (October 22, 2013):

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In Brief

Even though you know the answer (no), you'll probably still enjoy the show, which features selections from two funny and inteligent talks.

Jello Biafra explains how the last supposedly revolutionary technological advances--cell phones and the Internet--have weakened real communities and increased alienation.

Then urban-design theorist James Howard Kunstler discusses our technology gurus' (at Google) inability to understand that technology cannot solve the problem of declining fossil fuel reserves. In a nutshell: you can make iPods out of petroleum (Dude,) but not vice versa.

This installment is a replay of NWN #58 (April 2009).

James Howard Kunstler

The Prostitute Press, the War Machine, and Anwar al-Awlaki

Part 1: New World Notes # 292 (October 8):

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Part 2: New World Notes # 293 -- (October 15):

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In Brief

A fine talk by journalist Jeremy Scahill based in part on his recent book, Dirty Wars. 

He tells the story of the radicalization of U.S. citizen Anwar al-Awlaki--who was assassinated by order of President Obama in 2011. But this is also the story of an ever-expanding national security state, of the U.S.'s ever-expanding global wars, and of Barack Obama's war against whistleblowers and press freedom.

And it's also the story of the corrupt U.S. news media, determined to serve the powerful rather than hold them to account.

In Part One, Scahill lambastes the Establishment media's Washington press corps and begins the story of Awlaki. He shows how how the Bush Administration's "Global War on Terror" transformed this American from a nonpolitical student . . . to the darling of the Washington elite . . . to a radical opponent of the U.S.'s wars in the Middle East--and a man marked for death by the Obama administration.

In Part 2, Scahill tells of Obama's secret war in Yemen, revealed by Yemeni journalist Abduleleh Haider Shaye--who was then abducted by US forces and imprisoned by Yemen's dictator at the insistence of President Obama. Scahill contrasts Haider Shaye's courage with the sycophancy of the US press corps.

Scahill tells also of the Obama administration's war against the press--and of the government-ordered assassination without trial of US citizens Anwar al-Awlaki and then his 16-year-old son, Abdulrahman.

Jeremy gave this talk at the "Socialism 2013" conference, in Chicago, in June 2013.  A video is available from wearemany.org.

16-year-old American citizen Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, son of Anwar. Killed in Yemen by a U.S. drone strike two weeks after his father was killed. The President refuses to say why.

Palast & Pilger on Colonialism & Democracy

New World Notes #291 (October 1, 2013):

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(L to R:) Hugo Chavez (Venezuela),
Fidel Castro (Cuba), Evo Morales (Bolivia)

In brief

Two dispatches from South America show progress from (1) colonialism to (2) neocolonialism to (3) neocolonialism disguised as democracy to (4) democracy.

Greg Palast reports from Ecuador (Stage 3), ruthlessly exploited by & practically a colony of the World Bank and global financial institutions.  John Pilger reports from Bolivia, which has recently and tentatively arrived at Stage 4.  The US should be so fortunate!

Notes, credits, & links

We play selections (on Bolivia) from John Pilger's film, War on Democracy, adapted to radio by Lyn Gerry for the Unwelcome Guests Collective (http://unwelcomeguests.net).  Many thanks.  KD reads passages on Ecuador from Greg Palast's book, Armed Madhouse.

Music added: Chumbawamba, "The Bad Squire"; Sam Cooke, "A Change Is Gonna Come" (Pilger film theme-song)

This is a replay of NWN #71 (July 2009).

Journalist/filmmaker John Pilger

Vermont Yankee, Farewell (Sort of)

New World Notes #290 (September 24, 2013):

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Entergy Corporation's Vermont Yankee
Nuclear Power Station (2004)

In brief:

The good news: New England's most decrepit nuclear power plant--Vermont Yankee--is ceasing operations after more than four decades.   

The bad news: All its deadly radioactive material will just sit there untouched, on the banks of the Connecticut River, for the next 60 years. 

The really odd news: For many years the public has tried and failed to shut this plant down.  For three years, the Vermont legislature has tried and failed to shut this plant down. But the owner, Entergy Corporation, defeated every attempt to close its little New England moneymaker.  Then in August 2013, Entergy Corp. itself decided to shut to shut the plant down.  Just another business decision.

Moral: The public be damned, but business is business!

We'll hear details on the closing and then selections from Dr. Helen Caldicott's memorable 2009 speech--in Brattleboro, Vermont--on why the people have to shut Vermont Yankee down (and all its brethren as well).

 Vermont Yankee, 2007 (cooling tower collapse)

 Vermont Yankee, 2004 (overly warm transformer)

US vs Syria: What the Heck is Going On?

New World Notes #289 (September 17, 2013:

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In brief:

President Obama's rationale for bombing Syria is so preposterous, so illegal--and so unpersuasive to the American public--that one has to ask, What is this warmongering really about? 

The show features some provocative answers to that question by commentators Bruce Dixon and Eric Margolis, law professor Marjorie Cohn, singer Pete Seeger, and yours, truly. One thing all agree on: chemical weapons are not the real reason.

Credits and links:

Marjorie Cohn audio is excerpted from an interview on The Michael Slate Show.  The hour-long show is available here.  Thanks to Michael Slate.

The complete, uncut text of Eric Margolis' "Syria: March to Disaster" is available on Common Dreams.

Bruce Dixon's audio commentaries may be heard at Black Agenda Report.

Marjorie Cohn

Obey and Keep Calm

Part One: New World Notes #287 (September 3):

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Part Two: New World Notes #288 (September 10):

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 Temujin Doran (Click to enlarge)

In Brief

The propaganda barrage preceding the US attack on Syria has begun. So all the more timely is Temujin Doran's new film, Obey: How the Rise of Mass Propaganda Killed Populism. It's about the military, political, and economic crimes of the Corporate State. It features readings from from Chris Hedges' 2010 book, Death of the Liberal Class.

In Part One, we'll hear the first half of Obey and then--to cheer things up a bit--a sweet short film by Doran explaining the slogan, "Keep calm and carry on."

In Part Two, we'll have some words about our Syria war-fever, and we'll read Chidanand Rajghatta's new essay, "Why America Cannot Live Without Wars."  Then on to the second half of Obey.

Temujin Doran's Web site is http://studiocanoe.com/ .

Chris Hedges

Radio Broadcast Schedule

Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

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• Any time: Listen to or download any installment: See complete listing on the right side of our Web page.

Revised 12-23-2015

The Costs of Imperialism

Part 1: New World Notes #285 (August 20):

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Part 2: New World Notes #286 (August 27):

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In brief 

A brilliant, witty speech by Progressive political scientist Michael Parenti, delivered in 1994.  First in a New World Notes series of classic talks by Parenti.

In Part 1, Parenti argues that the U.S. is an imperial power.  However, the goal of this empire is not national glory but rather increasing the profits of the Fortune 500.  He shows how "neoimperialism" has replaced "direct-rule" imperialism, how empires cannibalize the republics from which they sprang, and how imperialism is a matter of class politics more than national politics.

In Part 2, Parenti develops his point that empires are about class and wealth, not nationalism. Empires are ruinously expensive, but the expense is paid by [what we would now call] the 99% in order to make the 1% even richer. The costs include not only dollars but also environmental damage, the gutting of the civilian economy, loss of liberty, degradation of politics and public discourse, increasing poverty, many deaths and injuries of our soldiers, and many others.

The gloomy picture is enlivened by Parenti's trademark wit and humor.

With many examples from recent U.S. history.  Introduction by K.D.

Note: In Part 1, Parenti and I each discuss the U.S.'s glorious military victory over the island nation of Grenada. This year marks our great triumph's 30th anniversary!

Michael Parenti

  

 

Surveillance Then and Now

New World Notes #284 (August 13)

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View of the National Security Agency campus, 

Fort Meade, Maryland. (Click to enlarge.)

In brief

The National Security Agency and its predecessors have been spying on Americans for 95 years. This program features selections from a witty lecture on NSA history by James Bamford. Plus relevant music by Roy Zimmerman and Anne Feeney.

Question: If NSA sometimes ignores orders from the President, who do they report to?

With a new introduction (August 2013).  Originally broadcast as New World Notes #18 (June, 2008). Bamford segment courtesy of Mike McCormick & his Mind Over Matters radio program.

Dog Day Afternoon at the Movies

New World Notes #283 (August 6):

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In brief

Three short documentary films on fossil fuels, pollution, and the environment:

• 300 Years of Fossil Fuels in 300 Seconds by the Post Carbon Institute (Richard Heinberg)
• The Story of Cap & Trade by Annie Leonard
• The Story of Electronics by Annie Leonard

This is a rerun of NWN #178 (August 2, 2011).

Photo: Still from The Last Picture Show (Click to enlarge.)

MORE Things Fall Apart

New World Notes #282 (July 30):

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In brief

KD reflects on still more appliances that are self-destructing everywhere he turns. Somehow his ailing washing machine becomes a metaphor for all that's wrong with the U.S. government and economic system. With a comic-satiric song by Roy Zimmerman and a new video by the Progressive economists, ECON4.

Michael Parenti vs God & His Demons

Part One -- New World Notes #280 (July 16):

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Part Two -- New World Notes #281 (July 23):

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In brief

In a telephone interview with me on April 6, 2010, Left-leaning political scientist Michael Parenti discusses his book, God and His Demons (Prometheus Books)--a survey of the woes caused in the name of, and by, Organized Religion.

In Part One, Parenti talks about rampant child sexual abuse by the Christian (and other) clergy and the coverup thereof--and now, at the Vatican, the coverup of the coverup. He talks about the venality of the Protestant televangelists and the oppressive Buddhist theocracy in Tibet before the Chinese Communists took over. He talks about our society's ignoring some sins frequently denounced in the Bible--e.g., charging high interest rates ("usury")--while we piously condemn "sins" the Bible never mentions (gay marriage, abortion). And he rebuts creationism, "Intelligent Design," . . . and some of the conclusions of Charles Darwin.

In Part Two, Parenti discusses the unholy alliance of the Church, the nation-state, and economic power; ... FEMA's enlistment of the clergy to preach obedience to authority; ... and the Christian Right's takeover of the Air Force Academy. He ends with praise for 2 unorthodox 16th-century Christians--Montaigne and Giordano Bruno--and explaining why, despite everything, he's not an atheist.

These installments were originally broadcast, as NWN #112 & 113, in April-May 2010.

Music added: satiric songs by Roy Zimmerman.

Naomi Klein on CIA Project MK-ULTRA

New World Notes #279, for Tuesday, July 9 (WWUH)

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In brief

For two decades or more, the CIA conducted secret experiments in torture and mind-control as Project MK-ULTRA. As subjects they used American and Canadian citizens who were unaware of what was happening to them.

Naomi Klein tells the story of Gail Kastner, who discovered decades later that the CIA (via her psychiatrist) had permanently damaged her mind with drugs, sensory deprivation, and electroshock.

Klein reads from her book, The Shock Doctrine.

This installment is a rerun of New World Notes #64 (May 2009). The profusely illustrated blog page for the original broadcast is well worth a look.

 

Imperialism at Home and Abroad

New World Notes #278, for Tuesday, July 2 (WWUH)

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In brief

Includes the final part of Glen Ford's talk (begun in NWN #276 & 277) plus a short commentary by Ford and a song by David Rovics.

This week, Ford's focus is the US's current attempt (by means of AFRICOM) to control Africa's resources and trade by controlling Africa's militaries. And relatedly, Ford addresses the US government's war against civil liberties at home.

Rovics' song, Meanwhile in Afghanistan, gives another view of military attacks overseas and attacks on the Bill of Rights at home.

Imperialism, Wall Street, and War

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New World Notes News
Vol. 6, Nos. 24-25 -- June 16, 2013

This fortnight in New World Notes, radio programs #276-277, June 18 & 25

Glen Ford on
Imperialism, Wall Street, and War
(in 2+ parts)

In brief

A fine talk Glen Ford gave at Trinity College, in Hartford, on April 6.

Ford shows that much of American foreign policy--including military interventions in the Third World--is all about containing China.

The US cannot compete with China economically because Wall Street sold off our manufacturing assets to inflate its own profits. To protect corporate profits, the US's only remaining source of power is its huge military--which the government is now wielding globally with blatant disregard of national sovereignty and international law.

Ford speaking in Hartford, April 6, 2013

Notes, credits, & links

Ford's talk was recorded on video by The Struggle (www.thestruggle.org). Many thanks to them. I have lightly edited the audio, removing stumbles and hesitations.

For more by Glen Ford, see www.blackagendareport.com/

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "Yum-Yum tree") 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.

Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

• Sundays, 12:30-1:00 PM, WIEC-LP, FM 102.7 (Eau Claire, WI) & http://wiecradio.org/ Repeats Mondays at noon.
• Tuesdays, Noon to 12:30 PM, WWUH-FM 91.3 (West Hartford, CT) & http://wwuh.org/
• Fridays , 6:00 to 6:30 PM, WHUS-FM 91.7 (Storrs, CT) & http://www.whus.org/
• Saturdays, 1:00-1:30 PM, KRFP-FM 92.5, Radio Free Moscow (Moscow, ID) & http://www.radiofreemoscow.com/
• Any time: Listen to or download any installment ... or subscribe to a podcast ... at A-Infos Radio Project: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=result&action=series&series=New+World+Notes

Fat-Free Snake Oil

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New World Notes News
Vol. 6, No. 23 -- June 11, 2013

This week in New World Notes, radio program #275, June 11, 2013

Fat-Free Snake Oil

In brief

Two critical views of the American economic system--one trivial, one profound.

First, product marketing run amok. K.D. discusses the 40 different varieties of Colgate toothpaste at the supermarket.* Then we explore why spray cooking oil--which is 99% fat--is sold as "fat-free spray oil."

Then Noam Chomsky discusses Big Business's expensive campaign to accelerate global climate change regardless of its threat to all life on the planet. This recent talk is titled, Wrecking Nature for Short-Term Profit.

* Full disclosure: Stop & Shop in Manchester had only 29 varieties. Anyone desperately needing Colgate Total Zx Pro-Shield Plus Sensitivity is just going to have to settle for Colgate MaxFresh with Mini Breath Strips--Crystal Mint.

The state-socialist economic system of the Soviet Union resulted in plentiful arctic ice but frequent shortages of consumer products.  The capitalist economic system of the United States has resulted in 40 different varieties of Colgate toothpaste alone--to say nothing of "fat-free" spray oil--but a bit of a shortage of arctic ice.  This proves that the obviously superior economic system is ... er ... give me another minute ... 

Notes, credits, & links

Of particular interest: Chomsky explains that the Magna Carta (signed in 1215) had two sections. The section establishing political liberties (the Charter of Liberties--the part you've heard of) has been largely scrapped by the Bush II and Obama administrations. The section they never told you about, the Charter of Forests,established the people's rights to free use of the natural resources they needed to live. This part was scrapped a couple of centuries back, in the early days of capitalism.

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "What, me worry?") 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)

• June 18 -- Glen Ford, speaking in Hartford (part 1)

Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

• Sundays, 12:30-1:00 PM, WIEC-LP, FM 102.7 (Eau Claire, WI) & http://wiecradio.org/ Repeats Mondays at noon.
• Tuesdays, Noon to 12:30 PM, WWUH-FM 91.3 (West Hartford, CT) & http://wwuh.org/
• Fridays , 6:00 to 6:30 PM, WHUS-FM 91.7 (Storrs, CT) & http://www.whus.org/ -- New time!
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• Any time: Listen to or download any installment ... or subscribe to a podcast ... at A-Infos Radio Project: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=result&action=series&series=New+World+Notes

The "Seven Sisters" and the Oil of the Middle East

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New World Notes News
Vol. 6, No. 21 -- May 26, 2013

This week in New World Notes, radio programs #273-274, May 28 & June 4, 2013

The "Seven Sisters"
and the Oil of the Middle East
(in 2 parts)

In brief

The "Seven Sisters" was Big Oil. It was the cartel of huge private oil corporations that ended up owning almost all the oil in the Middle East. They stole and kept this treasure by hook and by crook, in violation of many laws, with help from corrupt monarchs abroad and muscle from the U.S. government, armed forces, and CIA.

We adapt to radio a new video documentary. Part 1 takes us from the founding of the cartel in 1928 (by Standard Oil, Shell, and BP) to the creation of OPEC in 1960.

Of note in Part 1: The story of how BP came to own all of the oil in Iran--and how, in 1953, Iran's parliament tried to regain control of the country's oil--and how the United States government responded by overthrowing Iran's democratic government and installing the Shah as dictator of Iran. (We then gave Iran's oil to US-based oil companies, not back to BP.)

Part 2 takes us from the creation of OPEC in 1960 to the fate of Iraq today (its oil weath again taken away from the Iraqi people and again handed over to the big oil companies). Includes the Suez crisis, OPEC price hikes, Iraq's nationalizing of its oil in 1972 (succeeding where Iran in 1953 had failed), the Iranian revolution, and Gulf Wars I and II.

Introduction by K.D.

Man of the Year: The last prime minister of democratic Iran, Mohammad Mossadeq (January 1952). In 1953, the Iranian parliament nationalized the country's oil, threatening BP's profits.  The United States overthrew Iran's government, installed the Shah as dictator, and handed Iran's oil back to the big Western oil companies. 

Notes, credits, & links

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "aegis") 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)

• June 4 -- The Seven Sisters ..., Part 2

Catch New World Notes (all times Eastern):

• Sundays, 12:30-1:00 PM, WIEC-LP, FM 102.7 (Eau Claire, WI) & http://wiecradio.org/ Repeats Mondays at noon.
• Tuesdays, Noon to 12:30 PM, WWUH-FM 91.3 (West Hartford, CT) & http://wwuh.org/
• Fridays , 6:00 to 6:30 PM, WHUS-FM 91.7 (Storrs, CT) & http://www.whus.org/ -- New time!
• Saturdays, 1:00-1:30 PM, KRFP-FM 92.5, Radio Free Moscow (Moscow, ID) & http://www.radiofreemoscow.com/
• Any time: Listen to or download any installment ... or subscribe to a podcast ... at A-Infos Radio Project: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=result&action=series&series=New+World+Notes

George Carlin on American BS

New World Notes # 272, for Tuesday, May 21 (WWUH)

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In brief:

In his last years, socially-engaged comedian George Carlin seemed less angry, more resigned, and shrewd as ever as he observed American politics and culture rushing to hell in a handbasket. Our show presents some of Carlin's last performances and parts of an interview--plus a new and very Carlin-like song by David Rovics.

The theme is B.S., America, and why the two make an especially bad combination. Prologue by K.D.

Thanks to Chuck Rosina for the live recording of David Rovics' "God Bless the USA"

Orwell Rolls in his Grave

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New World Notes News
Vol. 6, Nos. 18-19 -- May 4, 2013

This fortnight in New World Notes, radio programs #270-271, May 7 & 14

Orwell Rolls in his Grave
(in Two Parts)

Why are these men smiling?

In brief

At the recent love fest at the new W. Bush Presidential "Library," the media and Obama too celebrated our most famous torturer and warmonger.

But this was just the straw that broke the camel's back. In the preceding weeks, the Administration had again allowed a giant media company (Comcast) to acquire 100% of another (NBC-Universal).

Then Obama announced that he will cut Social Security benefits to retirees, to reduce the budget deficit. Problem: Social Security is entirely separate from the federal budget. It has no connection to the deficit.

No matter. Wall Street and the corporate press praised Obama's "courage."

The incestuous relationship of "the one percent," the corporate-controlled media, and our prostitute government is getting pretty hard to miss.

Time to hear large parts of a fine documentary on the very subject, Orwell Rolls in his Grave (2006). Introductions and epilogue by K.D.

Update: Obama's new (May 2) choice for Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission--a prominent telecommunications industry lobbyist and venture capitalist--promises more of the same, and the public interest be damned. Details at the end of Part 2 (NWN #271).

Notes, credits, & links

Orwell Rolls in his Grave was produced by Robert Kane Pappas. It was adapted to radio by Lyn Gerry, of the Unwelcome Guests radio program. Her complete adaptation is available (as installment #416) at www.unwelcomeguests.net .

New World Notes is produced under the auspices (Latin for "Freedom of Information Act") 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.

George Orwell (1940s).  It's not just that Big Brother is Watching You.  Worse still, Big Brother is controlling everything you know about current events and the past.

Coming soon (Tuesday air debut date shown)

• May 21 -- TBA

Catch New World Notes  (all times Eastern):

• Sundays, 12:30-1:00 PM, WIEC-LP, FM 102.7 (Eau Claire, WI) & http://wiecradio.org/ Repeats Mondays at noon.
• Tuesdays, Noon to 12:30 PM, WWUH-FM 91.3 (West Hartford, CT) & http://wwuh.org/
• Saturdays, 1:00-1:30 PM, KRFP-FM 92.5, Radio Free Moscow (Moscow, ID) & http://www.radiofreemoscow.com/
• Saturdays, 5:00 to 5:30 PM, WHUS-FM 91.7 (Storrs, CT) & http://www.whus.org/
• Any time: Listen to or download any installment ... or subscribe to a podcast ... at A-Infos Radio Project: http://www.radio4all.net/index.php?op=result&action=series&series=New+World+Notes