9/3/20: Mr. Rogers vs. Darth Vader

Climate change is the most severe crisis of our time. The future of life on this planet is at risk. Despite the serious warnings of climate scientists, corporations around the world continue to be directed by their drive for profits. And the governments that represent their interests continue along the same path of environmental destruction. The future of our species cannot remain in their hands. The choice in front of us is clear – we have to organize our forces to save ourselves and life on our planet.

For organizational resources or to learn more, go to: https://speakoutsocialists.org/no-war-in-ukraine-2/

Russia’s horrific invasion of Ukraine is devastating the country — bombing hospitals, schools, apartment buildings, houses and more. Civilian death tolls are estimated to be in the thousands, and over two million Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries.

We must oppose Russia’s brutal and totally unjustified attack on Ukraine. We must also oppose the aggressive goal of the U.S and NATO to dominate the region, which helped to provoke Russia’s attack. The Ukrainian people are being used as pawns in the struggle between these major powers.

In cities across Russia people are facing the brutality of the police as they say “NO!” to this war. And people around the world are beginning to show their opposition as well. We, in the U.S., have an obligation to join this opposition and declare our support for the right of the Ukrainian people to determine their own future.

For organizational resources or to learn more, go to: https://speakoutsocialists.org/no-war-in-ukraine-2/

In 2016, amid an epidemic of police shootings of Black people, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began a series of protests on the field, refusing to stand during the U.S. national anthem. By taking a knee, Kaepernick’s simple act spread like wildfire throughout American society, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance to the systemic racism in this country.

Listen in to hear author Dave Zirin speak about his latest book The Kaepernick Effect: Taking a Knee, Changing the World, as well as sports and resistance in the recent period. Dave Zirin is the sports editor of The Nation, a columnist for The Progressive, and the host of the Edge of Sports podcast. His many other books include A People’s History of Sports in the United States, Game Over, Bad Sports, and Welcome to the Terrordome: The Pain, Politics, and Promise of Sports.

This episode is a conversation centered around the union organizing drive of Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, the PRO Act, and workers' organizing in general.

In this episode, we comment on the aftermath of the organizing effort at the Amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama, and the significance of Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mine Workers of America, endorsing Biden's latest infrastructure plan.

Kim Moody is a longtime activist, socialist, a founder of Labor Notes, and author of many books on rank and file unionism and politics.

Commentary and analysis by Speak Out Now from October 7-14.

00:45 Columbus Day or Indigenous People’s Day? Whose History? 

10:41 Alameda Health System Strike: Showing What Workers are Capable of 

13:41 Armenia and Azerbaijan at War 

18:22 No Relief for Workers as Stimulus Delayed Until After Election 

19:50 Trump’s Middle East Deals: Cynical Politics, Not Peace 

25:27 The Pope and Politics: What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 

27:19 The Economy’s Getting Better? Who Are They Kidding? 

Commentary and analysis by Speak Out Now from October 1-7.

00:45 Trump’s Campaign Goes Viral 

05:22 Grand Jury Cover-Up in the Breonna Taylor Case 

09:10 Forced Sterilization of Immigrant Women 

11:01 Virtual Learning Part 2: The Parents 

14:41 Plastic-Digesting Enzymes! 

17:03 Trump Refuses to Denounce White Supremacists in the Debate 

19:25 The Supreme Court: Judicial Servants of the Ruling Class 

27:24 Anniversary of the Tlatelolco Massacre in Mexico City 

31:19 Trump’s Tax Evasion: A Normal Part of the System! 

33:30 The COVID-19 Response: Decreasing Restrictions and Increasing Deaths 

36:41 The California Wildfires: Mismanagement and Climate Change 

Commentary and analysis by Speak Out Now from September 13-30.

End Times? or Seize the Time!

Microplastics: A Huge Problem 

COVID-19: What’s the Vaccine Timeline?

Virtual Learning is NOT the Same as Being in a Classroom

Nurses Win Union Recognition for the First Time at a Major North Carolina Hospital! But the Struggle Continues.

Indictment in Breonna Taylor Case is Another Racist Attack

Bacon’s Rebellion and the Making of “Race” in the United States

Shifting CDC Guidelines Expose an Unequal System

RBG: Celebrate Her Life, But Be Prepared to Keep Fighting for What We Need

Despite Black Lives Matter PR, NFL’s Actions Speak Louder than Words

Wildlife Populations Have Decreased Two-Thirds Since 1970!

Why are 12,000 Refugees Sleeping on the Side of the Road in Greece?

Mines in Congo Eat Human Beings Alive

Big Pharma: Cutting Corners, Risking Lives

It’s Not Just Trump. The Whole System Insults and Exploits Veterans! 

Commentary and analysis by Speak Out Now from September 3-12.

California Fires: The Climate Disruption We Were Warned About

Rochester: Protesters Demand Justice

Will Public Transportation Survive the Pandemic?

Worst Year Ever? It’s not 2020 – It’s Capitalism

Chadwick Boseman’s Untimely Death Highlights Racial Health Disparities

The Battle of Blair Mountain: A Worker’s Uprising Worth Remembering on Labor Day

Attica Prison Revolt – The Struggle Against Injustice Continues

Herd Immunity: A Game of Chance

New York City has big problems – and Wall Street and the Politicians Make Them Worse!

The Real Violence Isn’t the Demonstrations