The Two Sides of George Carlin

New World Notes #651, 28:19 (August 25)
Broadcast quality MP3 (40 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB) 

Comedian / satirist / critic George Carlin is in peak form in these satiric sketches from the 1990s--not previously broadcast on New World Notes. With sharp and strong satire he skewers much of American culture and politics. 

A gentler satiric style is included as well, in Carlin's comic discussion of the silly idioms (such as "down the tubes") we use in American speech.

All (now) suitable for airplay. (Grumble!) With a little commentary, here and there, by KD.

George Carlin, 1937-2008.  R.I.P. and thanks.

I am indebted to Free D. People, who was host of the show Talk on Colorado Free Radio. Talk's 2-hour uncensored tribute to George Carlin, issued following the performer's death in 2008, was the basis for New World Notes's highly edited selection.

Luddites

New World Notes #650, 27:51 (August 18)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB) 

Jacquard loom

The Luddites were skilled workers in England (1811-1817) who destroyed the new, automated factory machinery that threatened their lives.

KD discusses the Luddites' true history, ,,, the pros and cons of their rebellion, ... and the problems caused by globalized capitalism. He explores whether Luddism makes any sense in today's world ... and the possibility of nonviolent "soft-core" Luddism in our personal lives.

Included: a song by David Rovics and a clip from the documentary, Human Resources.

David Noble's film Human Resources is available, without charge, on the World Wide Web. See the site of its publisher (www.metanoia-films.org) or YouTube. David Rovics' "Everything Can Change" is from his album, If I Had a Hammer.

This installment was previously broadcast, as NWN #543, in July 2018.

John Perkins in Hartford

Part 1: New World Notes #648, 28:18 (August 4)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

Part 2: New World Notes #649, 28:58 (August 11)
Broadcast quality MP3 (40 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

John Perkins

"Economic hit-man" John Perkins tells fascinating behind-the-scenes stories of exactly how the US-based corporate empire imposes its will (& greed) on developing countries. 

In Part 1, he tells how the US overthrew Iran's democratic government in 1953 ... how he himself was recruited by the NSA & trained to serve the empire ... and of his early failures to corrupt the governments of Panama & Ecuador (ca. 1980). (Time to send in the "jackals"!)

In Part 2, Perkins explains the real reason the US invaded Panama and overthrew Noriega in 1989. And he tells of his (and the Empire's) great success in Saudi Arabia--a "success" that ensured future disasters.

Recorded by John Schwenk on January 10, 2005, in West Hartford, CT. Many thanks to John for the recording--which I have slightly condensed for radio broadcast.

Previously broadcast, as NWN #191-192, in 2011.