Episode 648: Arnie Arnesen February 4 2025

Part 1:We talk with Kirk Bangstad, of the Minocqua Brewing Company. He is a liberal activist, and uses his beer company to work for change.There is a void in the Democratic party to resist the aggression of the Maga cult. Dirk discusses what methods he uses to do this.Part 2:We talk with Robert Faburechi, who writes for ProPublica.Faburechi discusses Trump's business interests, and how they are now overtaking much of the aims of the government. We discuss the various tax proposals that are designed to shift more money to wealthy, while making poor people poorer, and middle-class people worse off. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

Part 1:We talk with Paul Glastris, Editor-in-Chief, Washington Monthly.We discuss how education in public schools can be improved, using methods that have proven to be successful. This does NOT presuppose vouchers. Instead, schools should institute tutoring as part of their service. This is popular with parents, and has proven to be successful in many cases when used.Our second topic heals with immigration. We discuss E-verify, a system that makes employers responsible for proving the eligibility of their employees.Part 2:We talk with Nicholas Liu, News Fellow at Salon.comWe discuss the pro-Israel's Zionist group's (Betar) campaign to stifle all discussion of the situation in Gaza and the mistreatment of the Palestinians. Betar has spied on protestors, and has labeled them as anti semites . They have pushed for the deportation and even incarceration of those who show sympathy for Gazans' plight. Trump has issued an Executive Order to support Betar's view, and threatened consequences for those targeted by Betar. Free speech is to be suppressed.   This is especially true on college campuses. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

This is a panel discussion.The topics covered include:-Trump's blame for the D.C. plane crash on DEI-The now institutional rejection of Reconstruction and human rights displayed by Trump's government-The need for resistance to Trump, and what tactics should be employed-The racist language now being used by government officials-The "Quit or be fired" campaign now being used against government employees-The suggestion by Trump to use Guantanamo Bay for a concentration camp for migrants-Lawless order to police, army, and others-A discussion of impoundment as a tactic used by Trump- Congress is being sidelined.-Musk-Executive orders as a means of fence-testing--Only hope is to continue to point out incompetence of current government officials-The cult is strong- WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

Part 1:We talk with Harvey Kronberg, publisher of the Quorum Report, which reports on Texas politics.We discuss the current Texas legislative agenda. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has released his "25 ideas for Texas", a version of the DOGE plans. However, it is likely to be derailed by reduced budgets in the near future. These will be as this will be the consequence of expelling many immigrants from the state, who comprise a large workforce (40% estimated).The cost of school vouchers will likely reach 11$B within a short time. Public schools will suffer.Part 2:We talk with Aaron Rosenthal and Bill Curry.We discuss the effects of the Trump freezes on health care, education, and other government initiatives. How should the Democratic party respond? How should individuals respond?WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

Part 1:We talk with Anders Croy, Communications Director, Florida Watch and DeSantis Watch.We discuss the Special Session that DeSantis has called for the Florida Legislature, and how the lawmakers there defied him with respect to the agenda. We also discuss the problems that Florida residents are having with insurance costs, and the various regulations being imposed on them.Part 2:We talk with Prof. Joshua Shanes, of the College of Charleston, SC.We discuss the history of antisemitism, and how it has become acceptable in American society. We also discuss Zionism, and how it now affects Israel. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

Part 1:We talk with Teresa Cotsirilos, staff reported and producer at Food & Environment Reporting Network.We discuss the abuses that are being perpetrated against agricultural and food service workers, many of whom are immigrants. We discuss what Temporary Protected Status workers are subjected to by abusive employers, and how little power they have to fight back. In addition, we also look at how H2A and H2B visas are used by employers to treat this captive work force as virtual slaves, and are used to undercut wages for ALL workers, including documented, undocumented, and citizens.Part 2:We talk with Dr. Robert Kopack, human and historical geographer at University of S.C.We discuss Muslk's Stargate Rocket Testing facility in Texas. A 'company town' is being built, with its attendant changes to the environment and culture there. In addition, we look at the implication of Musk's more extensive role in government space and defense programs. These serve to put more power into his hands, with no oversight or accountability. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

Part 1:We talk with Gary W. Yohe, Woodhouse/Sysco Professor of Economics at Wesleyan University.We discuss how weather events are increasingly more severe and catastrophic. This affects the insurance industry greatly, and, of course, hoe ownership and investment. This affects jobs, the infrastructure of the country, and communities as a whole.Part 2:We talk with Jennifer Berry Howes, a reporter with ProPublicas South hub who focuses on criminal justice, religion, race and the welfare of women and children.We discuss the increase in the number and kinds of private schools, and how tax money is being used to support these schools. We talk about the "segregation academies" prevalent after the Brown decision on segregation, and how they are now dominating many areas of the US. In many instances, completely segregated towns support two different school systems: the public schools, mostly with minority students, and the private schools, with mostly white students. The private schools are supported though various voucher systems. The school boards of the public schools are dominated by white parents whose children do not attend the public schools. They serve to starve the public schools for resources.WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

This is a panel discussion.Topics:-The firehose of Trump's executive orders-The class war is being disguised as a culture war-Tactic to be used by Democrats: "Shove the presidency down his throat. Make him own every bad outcome." Remind voters of "I alone can fix it."-Build a shadow cabinet with real ideas.-Develop real resistance though civil institutions, which have been hollowed out for now.-We need a true Reformation.-A purge of old ideas and profiteers needed on Democratic side.WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

Part 1:We talk with Joe Jaworski, former mayor of Galveston, TX, and a lawyer in Texas.We discuss Trump's intention to eliminate FEMA, and shift the responsibility to the states.We also discuss the effects of the deportation of the undocumented workers from the US. Texas depends heavily on these workers, who support the agriculture, manufacturing, and construction industry in Texas.We talk about the Texas Ethics Commission who refuses to rule on ethics violations.Part 2:We talk with Laura Jedeed and Bill Curry.Project 2025 is in action, and is destroying and dismantling government agencies. Totalitarianism is falling into place. What can be done? WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson

Part 1: We talk with Peter M. Shane, of Ohio State University, and Audrey Stienon, of the Open Markets Institute.We discuss Trump's executive orders, and what the consequences will be for ordinary Americans.We also talk about using local governments to help with ordinary problems: child care, elder care, etc. What are the implications if these services are all privatized, and rolled into for-profit enterprises?Part 2:This is:#RaceClass Ep. 37: Trump is the Grift and Racism PresidentIn this episode, we discuss how Trumps first days in office reflect what we already knew. Racism remains one of Trumps favorite political tactics. Hell use it to demean and delegitimize political opponents, and to distract from a separate pillar of his administration: massive self-dealing. As always, Florida provides a model for how opportunistic politicians can leverage racism, sexism and homophobia to grift the public and turn a profit, all while undermining every institution necessary for a meaningful democracy. We also note that Trumps racist rhetoric is effective, in part, because supposedly liberal institutions " like elite universities " have long failed to offer a competing narrative.Jonathan FeingoldAssociate Professor of LawBoston University School of [email protected]|#RaceClass Podcast|researchWNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson