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.

The Corporations and the Economy

New World Notes #567, 28:23 (January 15)
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This installment--first broadcast in March 2013--is as timely and relevant now as then--alas!

Corporate profits and stock prices continue to go up, up, up. Yet unemployment remains disastrously high, layoffs are increasing, poverty and personal debt are increasing. How can this be?

Noam Chomsky, Jim Hightower, Dave Johnson, The New York Times, and singer Mike Stout provide some answers.

Hint: don't blame nature, the Internet, new technologies, or China. Changes in federal laws and regulations--which Big Business fought hard for--enabled and encouraged the current mess.

Two of the sources we hear from bring up our local contributor to the Dow Jones Industrial Average: United Technologies Corporation. Just before the show's initial broadcast, UTC reported record profits and reached a record high share price. The company celebrated by announcing it would lay off (that is, fire) 3,000 more workers--on top of the 4,000 it laid off the precious year.

Chuck U. Rosina recorded the Chomsky segment in Boston on February 25, 2013. (Thanks again.)

Music added: Mike Stout, from "Occupy"

Clutter

New World Notes #566, 27:31 (January 8)
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It's stressful; it's expensive; ir's bad for the environment; it's bad for the soul; and it's very hard to get rid of. No, not the Trump Administration (or bedbugs): I'm referring to clutter.

We explore the problem with true confessions by me, an article by Erica Layne, remarks by environmentalist Lloyd Alter, and music by Chumbawamba.

Alex Wise's interview with Lloyd Alter courtesy of Sea Change Radio (December 11, 2018). Erica Layne's "9 Hard Truths About Clutter You Need to Hear" courtesy of ericalayne.co.

Disabilities

New World Notes #565, 28:25 (January 1)
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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.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #325, in May 2014. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #325. Jess Wright talk courtesy of wearemany.org.  Thanks to Robin Upton, producer of "Unwelcome Guests" (unwelcomeguests.net), for acquainting me with this talk.

Comic Satire for Christmas

New World Notes #564, 27:14 (December 25)
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An NWN Xmas tradition. Brief commentary by me, five satiric seasonal songs, and one imitation Broadway "big production number." All take a comic but critical view of American hypocrisies, religiosity, commercialism, class warfare, and other Christmastime traditions.

I'm especially fond of the pseudo- "big production number": Stan Freberg's 1958 masterpiece, Green Chri$tma$.  The audio fidelity is very good even by today's standards; the production is rich and sophisticated; the script is witty; and the message (alas) is still relevant.

Other contributions by Hugh Blumenfeld, Simon and Garfunkel, Anne Feeney, Roy Zimmerman, and Tom Lehrer.

This installment has previously been broadcast from time to time. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as NWN #355.

Scooter's War on Christmas Kickstarter

New World Notes #563, 28:33 (December 18)
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The Church fights back

A fine audio collage on Christmas and America produced by Scooter. A blend of social satire, inspired nonsense, improbable music, serious debate, standup comedy, right-wing craziness, & great fun.

This collage weaves together a debate on religion by the late Christopher Hitchens (atheist) and Catholic spokesman Bill Donahue, a parody musical-comedy Christmas movie, a parody war movie (climaxing in the death of all three Chipmunks), ravings by Bill O'Reilly and a few televangelists, heavy-metal Christmas carols, standup comedy by Lewis Black and Sam Kinison, and more.

Once again we present Scooter's tour-de-force almost uncut ... almost uncensored ... and almost unabridged!

This installment was previously broadcst--most recently in December 2016. The "broadcast quality" version has an extra bleep, making it all the more suitable for airplay.

Scooter, in a reflective moment

Scooter produces "The innerSide" radio program at KPFT-FM, Houston. Find more of his work at http://aksisofevil.org.

Plundering the Workers for Fun and Profit

New World Notes #562, 28:19 (December 11)
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Richard Wolff (2016)

With typical verve and wit, economist Richard Wolff shows how and why the corporate elite made themselves even richer and more powerful by plundering the American working class--and misleading them about what was happening to them. He also shows why the scam cannot go on much longer.

An especially interesting theme runs theough the talk: The very people who falsely claim to champion "family values" are the ones who themselves destroyed the traditional family--in order to preserve corporate profits.

With a brief introduction by KD.

Wolff spoke at the 2018 Left Forum in New York. This installment's title is my own. Wolff audio courtesy of unwelcomeguests.net.

Michael Parenti vs God and his Demons

Part One: New World Notes #560, 28:18 (November 25)
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Part Two: New World Notes #561, 28:42 (December 4):
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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.

Micharl Parenti

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.

Music added: satiric songs by Roy Zimmerman (one in each part).

http://www.michaelparenti.org/
http://www.prometheusbooks.com

These installments were originally broadcast in April-May 2010. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identifiedas NWN #280 & 281.

Chris Hedges: Stop Fascism

Part 1: New World Notes #558, 27:44 (November 13)
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Part 2: New World Notes #559, 28:58 (November 20)
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A fine and fiery speech by journalist/activist Chris Hedges. He vividly tells the story of the "slow-motion coup" that replaced American democracy with oligarchy and the Corporate State.

Part 1 explains the takeover. Part 2 continues the story and then shows how--in the recent past--nonviolent popular resistance has overthrown oligarchies and established democracy.

Hedges spoke at an event titled Stop Fascism in the U.S., in Portland, Oregon, May 26, 2017. The event was sponsored by KBOO Community Radio. His speech was adapted to radio by Robin Upton and broadcast in installment #749 of Unwelcome Guests. Videos of the talk are available on YouTube. Thanks also to David Schonfeld, of WWUH-FM in Connecticut,  for his suggestions and advice.

Human Resources

Part 1: New World Notes #554, 27:42 (October 16)
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Part 2: New World Notes #555, 29:28 (October 23)
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Part 3: New World Notes #556, 28:33 (October 30)
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Part 4: New World Notes #557, 27:47 (November 6)
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Scott Noble's wide-ranging and fine documentary film of 2010. It's about the many attempts--some fairly successful--to reduce human beings to mere "cogs in the machine"--in order to further increase the wealth and power of the elite. Aiding this process at every step were the findings--and often the practitioners--of research in psychology, especially the "behaviorist" school of psychology.

Part 1 focuses on industrial relations. Through "scientific management," power in the workplace was taken from workers and given to management--yielding higher profits for the owners but degrading conditions for workers.

Part 2 begins with public schools. Schools were never designed to educate children--still less to empower them--but to turn them into obedient, docile workers and passive citizens. So argue both John Taylor Gatto and Alfie Kohn

The film then begins to explore how "the System" causes violence among the oppressed--and how that violence helps cement the elite's rule.

Part 3 shows psychology's "frustration-aggression" principle used as a means of social control. One predictable result of the human frustration "The System" creates is mass murder--as shown in the case of killer James Huberty.

But the worst mass-murderers are governments and politicians. With that claim (by anthropologist Elliott Leyton), the film begins to explore the CIA's infamous Project MK-ULTRA and other deadly experiments the U.S. government conducted on unwitting citizens in the decades following World War II.

A key figure in MK-ULTRA, infamous CIA-funded mind-control experimenter Dr. Donald Ewen Cameron destroyed the physical and mental health of scores of his patients. (Part 4 of this series)

Part 4 begins with KD reflecting on connections among the film, his life, and the recent massacre in his (and Mister Rogers') former neighborhood, Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh.

Then the film focuses on MK-ULTRA and its trail of damaged human beings. With MK-ULTRA, the CIA failed to discover the techniques of mind-control it was seeking. However it did find new techniques of torture, which it employed in recent years at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, and elsewhere.


Human Resources was adapted to radio by Robin Upton, of Unwelcome Guests. Many thanks to Robin.

This and other films by Scott Noble are available without charge at www.metanoia-films.org.

Climate Change Hope

New World Notes #553, 28:58 (October 9)
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Australian climate scientist Tim Flannery reviews some new, cutting-edge approaches to restraining or halting global warming.

Flannery opposes risky "geoengineering" schemes. But the new, "Third Way" approaches, he says, are different. Based on natural processes, they actually remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

These new technologies--combined with a shift from fossil fuels to wind and solar power--give us some reason to hope that climate catastrophe may be averted.

Tim Flannery

Flannery spoke in Seattle on November 12, 2015. The audio of his complete presentation was provided by Mike McCormick, producer of Mind Over Matters, in Seattle. (Many thanks.) I have substantially condensed the talk for this radio program.

This installment was previously broadcast as NWN #413, in February 2016. Files downloaded from the links, above, may be identified as #413.

How to Fight Back?

New World Notes #552, 28:28 (October 2)
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2011

With the Kavanaugh hearings, American politics seems to have reached yet another new low; and the majority of Americans are sick the whole corrupt system. But the Progressive opposition is fragmented and without a unifying vision. What to do? KD briefly explores the problem.

Then Progressive Black activist and intellectual Glen Ford proposes a solution: unite the opposition in a crusade to nationalize the banks.

Could this work?

Ford spoke at the Left Forum in June 2018. I have slightly condensed his talk. For the original audio recording, thanks to Wilton Vought, of the YouTube channel and podcast, Other Voices, Other Choices.

Sugar:The Bitter Truth

Part 1: New World Notes #550, 28:08 (September 18)
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Part 2: New World Notes #551, 28:22 (September 25)
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Robert Lustig is a physician (pediatric endocrinologist) and medical researcher. In this engaging and wide-ranging talk, he identifies the most important cause of America's epidemic of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary disease, liver disease, and metabolic disorder. The culprit is sugar, specifically fructose.

Industry is increasing the amount of fructose in packaged foods, including and especially soda. High fructose corn syrup is not the only villain: many forms are bad, including table sugar (which the body turns into fructose).

Lustig explores the politics, economics, and biochemistry behind this now-global problem.

With an introduction by K.D.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #438-439, in July and August 2016. Files downloaded from the links, above, are identified as #438 and 439.

Robin Upton, of Unwelcome Guests, adapted Lustig's lecture to radio. I have slightly condensed Robin's version. A video also is available, on YouTube.

How the Government Spies on You

New World Notes #549, 27:52 (September 11)
Broadcast quality MP3 (38 MB)

A spooky talk by technology expert and civil-liberties activist Chris Soghoian.

The government tried to prevent strong encryption of phone calls and text and email messages. Failing that, it now hacks and decrypts personal communications at will ... and worse. It's not just the NSA and FBI: with federal funds, local police forces also are acquiring and using the latest secret surveillance technology. Citizens have been fighting back--often successfully--through the courts and the media.

Soghoian spoke in Seattle on March 11, 2016.  The original audio recording (which I have edited and condensed a little) courtesy of Mike McCormick. Many thanks. 

Previously broadcast, as NWN #436, in July 2016. Files downloaded from the link, above, are identified as #436. No lower-fidelity, "Decent quality" MP3 appears to exist for this installment: only the high-fidelity "Broadcast quality."

The Power to Change

Part 1: New World Notes #546, 28:01 (August 21)
Broadcast quality MP3 (38 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Part 2: New World Notes #547, 28:06 (August 28)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Part 3: New World Notes #548, (September 4)
Broadcast quality MP3
Decent quality MP3

Howard Zinn

A very good talk by Progressive historian Howard Zinn (d. 2010)--delivered three days after the 2008 presidential election. It deals with key themes in Zinn's writing (and social activism): social justice, war, economic power, the anti-democratic behavior of governments (including ours), propaganda, and the power of the people to organize and compel justice.

Part 1 focuses on the inadequacy of politicians' programs (notably President-elect Obama's) to bring about social justice--especially when those programs are compared with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Two major impediments to social justice in the U.S. are entrenched economic interests and the government's staggering expenditures on war.

Part Two focuses on this country's extravagant military expenditures and "absurd" wars. Zinn explores the American "mindset" that supports wars and imperialism--for example, "American Exceptionalism"; denial of our imperialism; and false definitions of "national security," "terrorism," and "patriotism."

Zinn in earlier days

In Part Three, Zinn concludes his remarks on war by discussing how war corrupts everybody. He draws on both his study of history and his own combat eperiences in World War Two. (He was a bombardier in the Air Corps.) He then discusses the need to learn real history ... how "disobedience is essential to democracy" ... and how "the people" have the power to change their world by joining together in social movements. Selections from the Q&A finish out the program.

KD introduces Part Three with the story of the American bombing of the town of Royan, France, in the last days of World War Two--an important event in the development of Zinn's views on war. Zinn himself dropped some of the bombs that destroyed Royan.

Of note: In 2016, candidate Donald Trump said that having been imprisoned by enemy forces in war does not in itself make John McCain a "hero." Fot this, Trump was--and continues to be--loudly denounced from both left and right. (New World Notes happens to agree with Trump on this particular point.) In fact, Howard Zinn said the same thing of McCain in 2008 (in Part Two). For Zinn, the real heros of the Vietnam War are those who tried to stop it.

Zinn spoke on "The Power to Change" in Binghamton, NY, on November 8, 2008. Original 90-minute recording courtesy of Lyn Gerry and the Unwelcome Guests Collective (unwelcomeguests.net). I have shortened a few pauses and removed a few stumbles: Zinn's talk is otherwise uncut.