The Peace & Justice Report covers local, state, national and international social justice issues. We bring a wide variety of guests whose views are underrepresented in the mainstream media, activists who are devoting their lives to creating a world free from injustice of all kinds. Hosted by Bob Connors and Tom Walker.
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We are a semi-weekly radio show focused on discussing issues that affect our communities including politics, culture, the economy, our health, and all the issues that affects the daily lives of working people. We hope that through these difficult conversations, we can identify the root causes of these issues and increase our understanding as a community.
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AUGUST 14TH 2024: AUTHOR OF THE BOOK - THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE: THE CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT THAT IS THREATENING OUR DEMOCRACY, MATTHEW D.TAYLOR
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Today Tom will talk to Matthew D. Taylor, author of The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy. Which will be out October 1st 2024. Matthew D. Taylor is a religious studies scholar and expert in independent charismatic Christianity and Christian nationalism. Taylor holds a PhD in religious studies and Mus…
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AUGUST 8TH 2024: SARASOTA COUNTY HOSPITAL BOARD ELECTION COMMENTARY BY JOHN KOPEL/MASSACHUSETTS PEACE ACTION BOARD DIRECTOR PAUL SHANNON
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Today we’ll talk to John Kopel on the upcoming August 20th Sarasota County Hospital Board elections. Then we will be speaking with Massachusetts Peace Action board member Paul Shannon on his work with Quakers and his role with MAPA.
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JULY 31ST 2024: AUTHOR RACHELLE WINKLER-WAGNER
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Today we’ll talk to Rachelle Winkle-Wagner, author of The Chosen We – Black Women’s Empowerment in Higher Education. The book draws on oral histories with Black women college graduates to demonstrate the role of community in fostering their success in and beyond education.
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JULY 10TH 2024: DIRECTOR OF THE PROGRAM OF INEQUALITY CHUCK COLLINS
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On today's show we’ll talk to Chuck Collins of Inequality.org. Among other things, we’ll talk about the ways billionaires are disrupting our housing markets, democracy, and health, all the while shifting taxes onto you!
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JULY 3RD 2024: SARASOTA COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS RON TURNER/JEFF SIEGEL OF OXFORD HOUSE OF FLORIDA
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On this weeks show we’ll talk to Ron Turner, Sarasota County’s Supervisor of Elections. Then Bob will interview Jeff Siegel of Oxford House of Florida.
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JUNE 26TH 2024: FORMER MAYOR OF AUGUSTA, GA DEKE COPENHAVER/FOOD NOT BOMBS CO-FOUNDER KIETH MCHENRY 2011 INTERVIEW REBROADCAST
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We will be talking with Deke Copenhaver, Mayor of Augusta, Ga from 2005 through 2014. Deke is a Changemaker, helping others realize the potential they have to be leaders in their community and their lives. Also, Bob will be replaying an interview he had with Food Not Bombs co-founder Keith McHenry from 2011.…
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JUNE 19TH 2024: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AT THE GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION JON THAXTON
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This week we’ll spend the hour with co-hosts WSLR News Director Johannes Werner & Linda Harradine & Larry Eger of the Justice Matters program discussing affordable housing with their guest Jon Thaxton, Senior Vice President for Community Leadership at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.
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JUNE 12TH 2024: AUTHOR'S MARTIN JOHNSON & JOE SIMONETTA
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This week we’ll talk to Martin Johnson, author of The Atheist’s Survival Guide – 35 Ways to Combat Religious Intolerance. Then we’ll talk to Joe Simonetta, author of the new book Be Healthy. Be Kind. Respect the Environment.
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JUNE 5TH 2024: "THE JAZZMEN" AUTHOR LARRY TYE/THEN NEW SARASOTA COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CHIEF SANDRA TAPFUMANEYI
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This week we’ll talk to Larry Tye, author of “The Jazzmen – How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie Transformed America”. Then we’ll hear from Sandra Tapfumaneyi, Sarasota County’s emergency management chief, about hurricane preparedness. ***Due to technical difficulties the Larry Tye interview is presented in the second half***…
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MAY 29 2024: AUTHOR DAVID SWANSON ON THE FUNCTIONALITY OF NATO
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This week we’ll talk to David Swanson, author of the new book with Code Pink’s Medea Benjamin - Nato: What You Need to Know. It’s “an indispensable primer on an organization that not only confronts expanding military conflict but, the authors contend, plays an active part in its escalation.”
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MAY 22 2024: AUTHOR, PROFESSOR AND DEAN EMERITUS AT STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY RUTH BRANDWEIN/THEN, WSLR CO-FOUNDER DAVE BEATON TALKS ABOUT FUTURE PLANS IN MICHIGAN
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This week we’ll talk to local author Ruth Brandwein and then WSLR co-founder Dave Beaton about his plans for Michigan! Local author, Professor and Dean Emeritus at Stony Brook University Ruth Brandwein. She has received the National Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sarasota Nat…
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MAY 15TH 2024: EDITOR OF "A MINISTRY OF RISK: WRITINGS ON PEACE & NONVIOLENCE BY PHILIP BERRIGAN" BRAD WOLF/DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AT GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, JON THAXTON, DISCUSSES BILL ...
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This week we’ll talk to Brad Wolf, editor of the new book A Ministry of Risk: Writings on Peace and Nonviolence by Philip Berrigan, peace activist and Catholic priest. From the battlefields of World War II to the front lines of peace activism, Philip Berrigan evolved from soldier to scholar, priest to political prisoner. Confronting the fundamental…
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MAY 8TH 2024: ARTISTS AND ORAGNIZERS CREATING A BETTER WORLD W/ORGANIZER KEN GROSSINGER & ARTIST ROBERT SHETTERLY
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In this episode we’ll talk to Ken Grossinger, author of Art Works – How Organizers and Artists Are Creating a Better World Together. Grossinger chronicles these efforts for the first time, distilling lessons and insights from grassroots leaders and luminaries such as Ai Weiwei, Courtland Cox, Jackson Browne, Shepard Fairey, Jane Fonda, Elizabeth Al…
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MAY 1ST 2024: CANDIDATE FOR THE SARASOTA SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 2, LIZ BARKER/NEW ORLEANS RESIDENT AND TAROT READER AUDREY
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In this episode we’ll talk to Liz Barker, candidate for the Sarasota School Board, District Two. The election is August 20. Then Bob will talk to a person he met in New Orleans at the French Quarter Festival, Tarot Reader Audrey
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APRIL 24th 2024: FLORIDA NATURE POTOGRAPHY W/E. SCOTT OSBORNE & POTOGRAPHER & AUTHOR FRAN PALMERI, THEN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF THE NORTHEAST W/EDUCATOR & EDITOR ADRIENNE SCOTT
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In this episode E. Scott Osborne, writer, advocate, and President of Through Women’s Eyes Organization, will interview Florida nature photographer and author Fran Palmeri. Then we’ll talk to Adrienne Scott about the repatriation campaigns of the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust in the Northeast United States.…
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Join us as Ruth discusses how the movement for Palestine is undermining US-Israeli relations! Also discussed is the brutal Israeli torture of Palestinian poltical prisoners.
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In this episode, we focus on the hunger strike led by USF students, and are joined by organizers Will and Alina of the USF Divest Coalition.
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The Feminist Mythmaking of the Gaza Genocide
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By deceptively portraying its female soldiers as liberators confronting a misogynistic enemy, Israel seeks to reframe its militaristic oppression as a righteous feminist cause.
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In honor of Women's History Month, Ruth examines the bold visions and concrete programs of revolutionary women leaders - past and present - to uplift gender equality and dismantle patriarchal oppression. She contrasts their work to collectively value women's labor with how capitalist nations like the US funnel resources into militarism rather than …
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In honor of Women's History Month, this episode of takes a look at the burden and exploitation faced by women under capitalist society. Ruth dives deep into the political economy and root causes of why "mommy is so tired" all the time. She also uplifts the historical examples of brave women fighters, resistors and educators who refused to accept th…
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The People Fight Back! The Local Struggle for Palestine
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Tune in to listen to Ruth's compelling interview with Lama from Dream Defenders, who speaks on the needed disruption of a Kathy Castor event. Kathy Castor, a member and Co-Chair of the Children Healthcare Caucus, has continued to maintain silence on the genocide of children in Gaza, and has upheld US support for the Israeli state. Later on the epis…
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The Whole System is Guilty! Breonte’s Death and Corrupt Policing
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Host Ruth is joined by guest Bobby to expose the injustice behind the police killing of Breonte’ L. Johnson-Davis and the web of lies and corruption used to shield the killer cops. They analyze disturbing discrepancies in the Palmetto PD's press conference and bodycam footage meant to justify this senseless murder. From officers caught laughing to …
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No Justice, No Peace: Holding Florida Law Enforcement Accountable
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Ruth investigates alarming reports coming out of Florida jails and prisons. According to a report by the NAACP, in one Florida jail alone, 21 inmates have died under suspicious circumstances with little accountability. From prisoners succumbing to treatable medical issues to beatings at the hands of guards, a disturbing pattern emerges - incarcerat…
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Join us for a special episode this week, as hosts Caleb and Audrey delve into the Paris Peace treaty and the ongoing genocide in Gaza, using clips from Breakthrough News. The Paris proposal faces challenges and apprehensions from both sides. We explore the domestic and international pressures influencing Israel's war cabinet's deliberations. Additi…
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Disease, Bombing, and Corporate Lies: Breaking Down US-Israeli Strategy
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In this episode, we delve into the disease and starvation rampant in Gaza due to the bombing of the region's life-sustaining infrastructure. We also dissect the narrative of Iranian proxies frequently portrayed in corporate media, separating truth from misinformation.
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From the Belly of the Beast, Hands off the Middle East
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In this episode, Ruth brings the sounds of nationwide protests to your ears, covering the spirit of resistance from Texas to Tampa. Despite the state's violent attempts to silence these voices, the people remain undeterred. We also cover the tenacious resistance of the Yemeni people, challenging the narrative spun by the American state. This episod…
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The people have once again shown that they reject the US-Israeli invasion of Gaza! Massive crowds turned out in Washington D.C. for a march demanding justice for Palestine. Millions of others held similar actions elsewhere, including in South Africa, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, Indonesia, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, Australia, Finland, as well a…
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Police Brutality in the Suncoast - Justice for Breonte'!
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Join Ruth in a deeply moving conversation with Tracey Washington, a resilient mother who shares how the Palmetto Police Department brutally murdered her son Breonte' Johnson-Davis Sr. Breonte’, a devoted father, co-founder of a family business, and a young man grappling with addiction, became a victim of police brutality on November 1st, 2023. Duri…
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Shut it down for Palestine! Last Episode of 2023
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This episode is dedicated to the true heroes of 2023: The Palestinian People
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Last Saturday we saw a historic display of resistance from the Palestinian people. We saw Gazans break out of their open air prison and strike a blow against their oppressors. To discuss this, give context, and speak about the role of progressives and socialists here in the US, we have Ali Abdel-Qader from the Party for Socialism and Liberation to …
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UPS drivers and warehouse workers are prepared to go on strike at the end of this month if UPS does not accept their demands in their contract negotiation. This nationwide strike would be historic as UPS transports about 4% of US GDP daily and pulls in $300M every month. We are very excited to be joined by local UPS driver and Teamsters steward Ant…
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Starbucks Workers in Sarasota Organizing to Form a Union
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(Originally aired June 22 2023) Starbucks workers at the Honore and University location in Sarasota have announced their intention to have a union vote early next month! We interviewed two partners at the location who have been playing leading roles in the unionization effort. They spoke on the issues that the workers there have been facing, the re…
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New College Students Fight Back Against DeSantis' Fascist Takeover of NCF Board
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Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed 6 right-wing members to the New College Board of Trustees, paving the way to majority control of the board. Among the appointees is reactionary homophobe and racist Chris Rufo, who is well known for leading the attack on “CRT” and will attack any program at NCF that sheds light on the injustices of the US and the patriar…
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Episode 41 - The Struggle for Rent Control
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[This episode originally aired on August 17th.] Tampa and St. Petersburg have both recently struck down attempts to get rent control on the ballot after declaring states of emergency on housing. Over the last two years, and especially here in Florida, the working class has been suffering through a housing crisis, with incomes unstable and housing p…
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Episode 40 - Tampa's Racist Program that Evicted 1000 Black Renters
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We are excited to be joined by the Legal Chair of the Tampa Chapter of the ACLU, James Shaw. James helped to uncover the racist "Crime Free Multi Housing"program run by the Tampa Police Department that encouraged and may have coerced landlords into evicting families where one of the residents committed a crime, even one as minor as pan-handling or …
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[This episode was originally released on the radio on July 20th.] We're joined once again by community activist Jack Wallace to speak on the recent pulled opinion piece from the Herald Tribune written by the wife of a Proud Boy in defense of the Proud Boys, a fascist and white supremacist organization. We also discuss the recent Moms For Liberty ev…
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Episode 38 - The People Fight Back! The Democrats Fail to Defend Roe v Wade.
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[This episode was released on July 6th on the radio and was not uploaded as a podcast. We are now releasing it and remind our listeners that this took place in the throes of the massive protests across the country in reaction to the overturning of Roe v Wade.] Karla Correa and Jack Wallace, both community organizers of large reproductive protests, …
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Episode 37 - How City Government Can Help Solve the Housing Crisis
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We begin this episode with an important discussion about the origins of Juneteenth and local events celebrating this important holiday. The show continues with important discussion about the ongoing housing struggles and local solutions being adapted by Tampa and Pinellas County which can be duplicated in the Sarasota/Manatee area.…
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We have been hearing a lot about inflation, and we are certainly feeling it when we go to the grocery store, when we pay our rent, and definitely when we get gas. The price of everything is going up. The mainstream media, which is controlled by corporations, likes to frame inflation as something that just happens. But the truth is that it doesn’t “…
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As we all know, there has been a wave of mass shootings recently across the country, with the Uvalde elementary school shooting being the largest one in recent news. What is so uniquely alienating about our country that makes incidents like these happen do often? Our government has completely failed the people, and more money for police has proven …
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Episode 35 - The System is Broken, Fight for Abortion
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It's official. The Supreme Court is planning on repealing Roe v Wade and opening the door for states to ban abortion entirely. This is set to impact millions of working class women and people across the country, and calls into question the safety of other rights that have been fought for like gay marriage. We're joined by local community activists …
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Episode 34 - Anti-Semitism and Evictions Kill in Sarasota
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We're very happy to be joined by national ANSWER coalition member Juliana Musheyev to take on local issues here in Sarasota. On this episode, we discuss the string of anti semitic flyers found in Sarasota and the struggle against antisemitism, while also clarifying that antizionism and antisemitism are not equivalent. We also discuss the recent pol…
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By The Ruthless Truth
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Episode 32 - Racist, Sexist, Anti-Gay: Ron DeSantis Go Away!
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In previous episodes of the Ruthless Truth, we’ve talked about some of the reactionary bills that the Republican Party here in Florida have been trying to pass into law. Now Ron Desantis and the Florida Republicans have been pushing another large group of reactionary bills, including the anti-abortion bill we covered last month, that we want to tal…
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The Russian invasion of Ukraine has brought the world to the brink of all out war, with devastating consequences if NATO were to intervene. How did we get here? Why did Russia invade Ukraine? What was the role of the American empire in the 2014 coup in Ukraine and the ensuing 8 year civil war? How could this war have been avoided? What should anti-…
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Episode 30 - The Struggle for Reproductive Rights
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Reproductive rights is healthcare, and healthcare is a human right. So reproductive rights are human rights! And right now, across the United States and right here in Florida, reproductive rights are under attack! In this episode, we go over the history of Roe v Wade and the Struggle for Reproductive rights, how reactionary forces are attacking tho…
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Chris Tonsel, a 17 year old Chris Tonsel was shot in the stomach by SPPD officer Leighton Williams unjustly, is stuck in jail unable to pay bail while fighting off bogus charges! To support him as well as celebrate Black History month, we'll be giving away 10 black Liberation books to the first 10 listeners who donate to Chris's Bail Fund! For more…
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Episode 28 - One Year of the Ruthless Truth!
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It has been a year of the Ruthless Truth, and we're very excited to look back on the many topics that we have discussed with you on the show over the past year, and review the most important struggles and movements we've been a part of locally over the last year as well. If you haven't listened to our Socialism 101 series, do yourself a favor and g…
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Episode 27 - U.S.A's COVID Response, Capitalism Kills!
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The Omicron variant is spreading like wildfire across the world, with over a million new cases per day in the US, despite testing being hard to come by. Workers are being forced to go in sick as hospitals are overrun, all while Biden declares that there is "no federal solution" as profits are put over people once again. How did we get here? Why has…
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Episode 26 - Socialism 101 Part 6: Reform vs Revolution: Revolution!
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During our last episode, we started to talk about the ways that we can transform our society out of capitalism and into socialism, and we talked specifically about reformism and why reform alone cannot save us. During today’s episode we will define and discuss revolution, we will explore what revolutionaries mean when they say reform or revolution,…
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