Clutter

New World Notes #669, 27:31 (December 29)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

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.

Previously broadcast, in January 2019. Files downloaded from the links, above, may be identified as NWN #566.

Scooter's War on Christmas Kickstarter

New World Notes #668, 28:33 (December 22)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB)

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 2018. The "broadcast quality" version has an extra bleep, making it all the more suitable for airplay.

Scooter, in a reflective moment

Scooter produced "The innerSide" radio program at KPFT-FM, Houston.

Robert Fisk and Chris Hedges

New World Notes #667, 28:14 (December 15)

Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB) 

Decent quality MP3 (13 MB) 

Robert Fisk, who died on October 20, was one of the finest foreign correspondents writing in English. For decades his beat was the Middle East. To mark his passing, we reprise one of his few appearances on New World Notes, in this installment from February 2019. Also featured is former foreign correspondent Chris Hedges.

Different in style, the two reporters are alike in their hatred of lies and propaganda, their command of recent history--and their disdain for Trump's presidency.

Fisk discusses the war in Syria, Iran, 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.

With an updated introduction by KD. Plus a song by Yikes McGee.

Chris Hedges

Chris Hedges' recent book is America: The Farewell Tour (2018).

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--then of "Other Voices, Other Choices," currently of "Essential Dissent"--for re-engineering and making available the audio of Fisk's talk. "Essential Dissent" can be found at several places on the Web including YouTube, Facebook, iTunes, and radio4all.net .

Pandemic Journal 3: Another Toilet Paper Shortage

New World Notes #666, 28:10 (December 8)
Broadcast quality MP3 (39 MB)
Decent quality MP3 (13 MB) 

Wry reflections by KD on American toilet-paper shortages current and past--including the original one of 1973. Plus capitalism's high-dollar solution to the current one: give bidets as Christmas presents to everyone on your list. Yes, they actually said this. And David Rovics' $1.98 alternative.

Plus a short, unusually upbeat talk by Chris Hedges and--to celebrate installment #666--a few words on the number of the beast.

"Automate your lifestyle" ?? Capitalism saves the day with a high-priced alternative to toilet paper. Don't forget to add the cost of that new electrical outlet behind your $5000 toilet-bidet combination.

Working-class alternative.