122: Guest Host Hank Thompson with Virvus Jones

Collateral Damage

This week's guest host, according to DJ Wilson, "has the best voice in radio." Hank Thompson usually hosts the weekly show "Voices," Sunday evenings at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE, but this week he's also recording at the KDHX studios with guest Virvus Jones.

Jones, a frequent guest on Collateral Damage, and Thompson have known each other for years. This week's podcast is a front row seat for a lively conversation between two wise men who have been living and breathing St Louis history, politics, and activism for decades.

Here's a very rough look at how the conversation goes:

1:30-15:45 - What's up in St Louis... Jones: Police may say they own downtown streets, but they don't own the streets up in Walnut Park.

16:00-23:00 - How did we get here? A history of politics, voting rights, urban renewal (aka "black removal" according to Jones), and blight.

23:00-27:00 - Do single parent households have a role to play in the state of unrest? Thompson: "You've got to have standards," Jones: "You've got to have money!"

27:00-30:30 - What can change? Thompson: You paint a bleak picture, what can change? Jones: Stop the incremental BS.

30:30-41:15 - Prop P sales tax and more on newly appoint Director of Public Safety, Judge Jimmie Edwards. Jones references this piece in the St Louis American.

41:15-52:45 - Thompson: "I want to get something out of this though..." Jones offers some thoughts including initiatives implemented by his daughter (city Treasurer Tishaura Jones). PLUS: a great debate about the recent town hall with Mayor Krewson and Representative Bruce Franks.