Beyond Good vs Bad: More Background on Ukraine and Russia

February 28, 2022Posted inForeign Policy, Materialism and Economics, politics

We’ve got another briefing on the larger contexts of the current  conflict between Ukraine and Russia.  Sure, Putin is a horrible and  brutal force in the world and the attack on Ukraine is indefensible, but  we ignore the larger contexts at our own peril.

Listen in: https://apple.co/3hoJ5p5

We talk about the impact of the breakup of the USSR, the privatization of the Russian economy, the sense of western/NATO encirclement felt by  Russia, and U.S-Russia-Ukraine economic and trade relations.

Deep Background on Ukraine and Russia

February 26, 2022Posted inForeign Policy, politics

This week, Russia invaded the Ukraine sparking the largest land assault on the European continent since World War Two. The markets went into turmoil. The price of oil and gas went up. Political and media establishments scrambled to act on what’s next.  Biden moved 7000 US troops to the Polish-Ukrainian border and NATO is expected to send more troops. In cities across Russia, antiwar protestors took to the streets to protest Vladimir Putin’s war with over 2000 being arrested. Finally, the Biden administration and allies have begun a sanctions war against Russia’s people, it’s elite institutions and Putin himself.

Listen in: https://apple.co/3sn9w4T

In our latest episode, we go deep into the history of the Ukraine-Russian conflict and the bipartisan involvement by the U.S. ruling class.  We discuss the break up of the Soviet Union, the expansion of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO), the role of the 1999 war in Kosovo in all of this and the Russian invasion of the former Soviet republic of Georgia in 2008. Most importantly, we talk about how U.S. foreign policy has sought to contain Russia and wield economic and political influence over Europe and the former Soviet republics.

March 4th in Oakland: “From Activist to Terrorist” Ft. Jake Conroy

February 23, 2022Posted inanti-capitalism, Climate, Direct Action
Our first in person event! We’re excited to co-host our comrade and frequent guest Jake Conroy, aka the “Cranky Vegan,” in Oakland, CA on March 4th.
Climate justice organizers are the Bay Area is going to be hosting a series of talks and trainings this year focused on effective campaigns and bold action for climate justice.
The first talk will feature long time animal rights organizer and former political prisoner Jake Conroy. RSVP and join us.
WHERE: The Studio. 1601 18th St. Oakland CA.
WHEN: Friday, March 4th. Doors open at 630pm, talk starts at 7pm sharp.
DONATIONS: Much appreciated. $5-$15 sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds.

The Freedom Convoy, the Left and the Canadian State w/ Prof. Roberta Lexier and organizer James Hutt

February 23, 2022Posted inpolitics

For a month, a group of truckers, anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers and  various elements of Canada’s far right occupied the streets around Canada’s capital in Ottawa. They’ve also occupied border crossings between Canada and the U.S. The so-called “Freedom Convoy” has demanded  everything from an end to vaccine mandates and mask mandates to the jailing of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. They’ve targeted  Canada’s liberal ruling class, but have disrupted and harassed the lives of Ottawa residents. Police and the Conservative Party either have  stood by or been in active support

Listen in: https://apple.co/3IcjStP

This past week, Trudeau declared a state of emergency not seen since  unrest in Quebec in the 1970s. The police first cleared the trucker  blockade on the Ambassador Bridge. And then police moved in to clear the truckers occupation of Wellington Street resulting in 100 arrests.

The Myth of California’s Climate Exceptionalism ft. Gary Graham Hughes w/ Biofuelwatch

February 17, 2022Posted inClimate
pic via Dan Bacher

California prides itself on being more progressive than most on solving the issue of the climate crisis. Whether it’s phasing out the internal combustion engine or promises to take on the state’s many oil extraction sites. There is a notion of “climate exceptionalism” in California’s liberal ruling elite.

Listen in: https://apple.co/3uZ6ci4

But the California state government is captured by oil interests like many others. The pro-industry legislation and political action just comes in different forms.

Policing the Line 3 Pipeline feat. Alleen Brown w/ the Intercept

February 14, 2022Posted inClimate, Direct Action

Last year, Indigenous women led movements waged a fierce campaign to stop  Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline. Police escalated in a multitude of ways (felony charges, high bails, rubber bullets, tear gas, etc) against water protecting pipeline opponents.

Listen in: https://apple.co/3sEjWfh

Thanks to the bold reporting of outlets such as The Intercept and Unicorn Riot, we’re still finding out the strategies that the Canadian oil giant and the Minnesota police state colluded on to neutralize water  protectors.

Collin College strikes again! Dr. Michael Phillips, award-winning scholar, fired!

February 7, 2022Posted inPeoples' History, politics

Another professor from Collin College has been fired in retaliation for  speaking out against President Neil Matkin’s continued rejection of  their First Amendment rights and their concern for safety on campus.

Listen in: https://apple.co/34ItAFq

Michael Philips has now been fired along with Suzanne Stateler Jones,  Audra Heaslip, and Lora Burnett, all in violation of their First  Amendment righs.  Philips first was reprimanded by Collin College for  being active in a campaign to remove Confederate statues in Dallas in  2017.

Col. Andrew Bacevich on the Deepening Crisis in Ukraine

February 3, 2022Posted inForeign Policy

Rising tensions in eastern Europe between the U.S. and Russia over the Ukraine have dominated the news.  We discuss the situation with scholar and retired Army Colonel Andrew Bacevich.   We discussed why the U.S. is so concerned, and hawkish, about Russia and Ukraine–Russophobia?   We talked about the role of NATO in this current crisis.  We talked about the many more pressing issues the U.S. should focus on–like inflation, COVID, the surveillance state, and especially Climate Change!

Listen in: https://apple.co/35CTESB

It’s a great conversation with one of America’s leading intellectuals and critics of foreign policy.