Political Theater

Paul Bedard is both a theater director and a socialist activist. He tells Deirdre Silverman how he tries to bring out socialist ideas like class and inclusion in the plays he directs. He loves to introduce theater to activists and activism to theater people. One such play, The Infernal Machine, is about to be presented at the Hangar Theatre. Recorded June 29, 2015

Drop Student Debt

Rich Hilliard quizzes Theresa Alt of DSA's National Political Committee about student debt and what people can do. It is a huge issue, though income-based repayment plans give some very limited relief. DSA has a petition drive to expand these programs to cover all student debt, but also to push for the bigger goal of free higher education. Recorded March 21, 2014.

Palestine: Facts vs. the Media

Jeff Cohen visited the occupied West Bank of Palestine and witnessed how Israeli settlers try use vandalism and violence to intimidate the Palestinian population in an attempt to drive them out. The government of Israel condones the crimes. But Palestinians and some Israelis are working together for human rights. The US media follows the line of the Israeli government, more one-sidedly than even the Israeli media. Recorded October 9, 2013.

Ariel Gold, Local Coordinator of Jewish Voice for Peace, tells Wayles Browne about unjust policies of the Israeli government toward both Israeli citizens of Palestinian nationality and Palestinians living in the occupied territories. Israel uses both arrogance and violence in its attempt to drive Palestinians out of their homes. Americans can help Palestinians by joining the movement to boycott and divest. Recorded December 12, 2013.

South Africa: New & Old

The African National Congress went swiftly from being a revolutionary opposition to being part of the South African goverment. Suddenly recent enemies had to work together. Economic structures stood outside of this and remained largely untouched -- so economic injustice persists, as Barry Gilder, formerly of the ANC and the South African goverment, tells Judith Van Allen. Recorded November 1 & 4, 2013.

Far Right Threat - Left Response

DSA Vice Chair Joe Schwartz tells Rich Hilliard how the far right fixates on deficits and wants to close them only by cutting civilian discretionary spending. The center right and all too many Democrats are caught up in this too. It will take independent action by low-wage workers and immigrants to insist that jobs and infrastructure must come first, and then prosperity will reduce the deficit. It might help if progressives challenged centrist Democrats in primaries. Recorded August 18, 2013.

Streets Alive! 2013

Theresa Alt and Christopher Hayes visit Ithaca's Streets Alive! event, with North Cayuga Street closed to cars and open to pedestrians and cyclists. They hear from Karim Beers of Get Your GreenBack Tompkins about the advantages of walking and biking. Tim Logue, City of Ithaca Transportation Engineer, explains the City's role in transportation. Recorded May 5 & 16, 2013.