Podcasts about food water watch

This Day in Legal History: John Jay Commissioned as first Chief JusticeOn September 26, 1789, John Jay was commissioned as the first Chief Justice of the United States, marking a pivotal moment in American legal history. Nominated by President George Washington and confirmed by the Senate, Jay's appointment came just months after the Judiciary Act of 1789 established the framework for the federal judiciary. As the leader of the newly formed Supreme Court, Jay faced the monumental task of defining the role of the judiciary in the young republic. He served from 1789 to 1795, during which time the Court heard few cases but laid foundational principles for its future authority.Jay's influence extended beyond the bench. He played a key role in shaping foreign policy, including negotiating the 1794 Jay Treaty with Great Britain. His tenure helped establish the Supreme Court as an independent branch of government, though the Court's full power would only be realized in later decades. Jay resigned from the Court in 1795 to become Governor of New York, but his legacy as the first Chief Justice remains integral to the evolution of the U.S. judiciary. His commission set a precedent for the development of a robust and coequal judiciary, a cornerstone of the American system of checks and balances.New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted following a federal corruption probe, raising questions about his political future. The investigation, which began after an FBI raid on a campaign fundraiser's home, has expanded in recent months. Key members of Adams' administration, including his chief counsel and police commissioner, have resigned amid the scrutiny. The charges remain unclear, as the indictment is sealed. Investigations reportedly involve allegations that Adams' campaign accepted illegal donations tied to the Turkish government and pressured officials to approve permits despite safety concerns. Federal agents recently searched the mayor's official residence, Gracie Mansion.Adams, who has denied any wrongdoing, vows to remain in office and fight the charges. Calls for his resignation are growing, including from prominent figures like U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and mayoral challengers. The probes come as Adams seeks re-election and amid challenges like rising crime rates, absenteeism in schools, and the ongoing migrant crisis in New York City.NYC Mayor Eric Adams Indicted After Federal Corruption ProbeNew York Mayor Adams faces criminal indictment, vows to fight charges | ReutersDonald Trump's legal team is appealing a nearly $500 million civil fraud judgment related to his real estate dealings. The case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, resulted in a February 2024 ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron, who found Trump guilty of inflating his net worth to secure better loan terms. Trump was ordered to pay $454.2 million, which has since increased to $478.3 million due to interest. His lawyers argue that the financial statements submitted to banks understated his wealth and claim the case is politically motivated.James' office countered that the lawsuit's goal was to maintain the integrity of New York's commercial markets, and proof of financial losses by the banks was not required under the law. The judgment threatens Trump's business empire and includes a ban on him leading New York companies or seeking loans from state-registered banks. Trump has denied wrongdoing and posted a $175 million bond to prevent asset seizures while his appeal is pending. This case is one of several legal challenges he faces as he campaigns for the 2024 presidential election.Trump to ask New York appeals court to toss nearly $500 mln civil fraud judgment | ReutersCalifornia has filed a landmark lawsuit against ExxonMobil, accusing the company of misleading the public by promoting plastics as recyclable when few are. Filed on September 23, 2024, the case argues that ExxonMobil's actions fueled increased consumption of single-use plastics, worsening the global plastic pollution crisis. This case stands out by targeting the root of the problem—plastic producers—rather than downstream companies. It seeks a multibillion-dollar abatement fund for recycling education and other penalties. The lawsuit is part of a broader push for "extended producer responsibility," which holds manufacturers accountable for the environmental impacts of their products.Experts suggest the false advertising and unfair competition claims in the case have strong backing, but public nuisance claims could be tougher to prove. ExxonMobil is expected to argue that it didn't mislead consumers and that California's own recycling policies are at fault. This lawsuit may inspire other states, such as New York and Massachusetts, to file similar cases, depending on how California's case progresses. The case reflects a growing trend of states using the courts to address environmental concerns amid weakening federal regulations.California's ExxonMobil Suit Marks New Front in Plastics FightA federal court has ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must take action to address the risk that fluoride in drinking water poses to children's IQ. The case, decided by Judge Edward M. Chen in the Northern District of California, found that adding fluoride to water at the currently recommended level of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L) could lower children's IQ, creating an "unreasonable risk" that requires a regulatory response. While the court did not conclude definitively that fluoridated water is harmful, it mandated that the EPA assess the risk and determine appropriate measures under the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act amendments.The ruling follows a lawsuit from groups like Food & Water Watch and the Fluoride Action Network, who argued that fluoride's neurotoxic effects pose a public health danger. Scientific studies have shown a significant association between higher fluoride levels and decreased IQ in children. Judge Chen noted that the population exposed to fluoride in the U.S. is vast, including two million pregnant women and 300,000 formula-fed infants. Despite past recommendations to lower the maximum contaminant limit, the EPA has not yet revised its standards.The court's decision, which bypasses the EPA's earlier denials of citizen petitions, marks a historic moment in the long-standing debate over water fluoridation.EPA Must Reduce Fluoride's IQ Risks to Children, Court Says (1) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Connett, Partner with Siri & Glimstad, LLP to discuss his epic litigation representing Food & Water Watch, a non-profit consumer organization that sued EPA over the fluoridation of drinking water. This issue has a long and complicated administrative and litigation history, and Michael and his firm are actively engaged in a groundbreaking federal litigation based on a judicial appeal of a denied Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 21 citizen petition. Michael concluded a bench trial earlier this year in federal district court in the Northern District of California. The case is fascinating and much watched. We discuss the case, why TSCA citizen petitions in general are filed, Michael's thoughts on how to prepare petitions to maximize their success (as most are denied), and other means of citizen engagement under TSCA. Resources: TSCA Section 21 Petition Trends Pre- and Post-Lautenberg TSCA Reform – Eight Years Later ALL MATERIALS IN THIS PODCAST ARE PROVIDED SOLELY FOR INFORMATIONAL  AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES. THE MATERIALS ARE NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR THE PROVISION OF LEGAL SERVICES. ALL LEGAL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ANSWERED DIRECTLY BY A LICENSED ATTORNEY PRACTICING IN THE APPLICABLE AREA OF LAW. ©2024 Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.  All Rights Reserved

On March 23, 2024, a coalition of around 80 people convened at the East Palestine Country Club at the first gathering called by the newly formed Justice for East Palestine Residents & Workers Coalition. Those in attendance included: East Palestine residents; railroad workers; residents of other “sacrifice zones" in Ohio, Maryland, California, and West Virginia; concerned citizens living near other rail lines; labor activists and labor union representatives; representatives of environmental justice organizations; (striking) journalists; socialists, Trump voters, non-voters, etc.; and more. As journalist Steve Mellon reported, "The newly formed coalition, dubbed Justice for East Palestine Residents & Workers, determined they will travel to Washington, D.C., on Oct. 8 to further their demand that the federal government step in and make sure those affected by the derailment are provided with fully funded health care. They plan to involve union members, including those who represent workers at railroad companies, as well as environmentalists and members of other communities damaged by chemical contamination. The coalition also determined to schedule a second conference in Iowa — the cause has been embraced by union organizers there; several traveled by bus to East Palestine to attend Saturday's event — and to seek a meeting with the president of the AFL-CIO. Organizers want the federation of unions representing more than 12 million workers to support the coalition's demand.”   In this extended episode, you will hear a compilation of speakers from the March 23 conference in East Palestine. Speakers include: Lauri Harmon, East Palestine resident; Chris Albright, East Palestine resident; Jami Rae Wallace, East Palestine resident, president of East Palestine Unity Council; Christina Siceloff, East Palestine resident; Rob Two-Hawks, East Palestine resident; Daren Gamble, East Palestine resident; John Palmer, longtime organizer and officer with the Teamsters, but not speaking on behalf of the Teamsters; Andrew Sandberg, International Association of Machinists (IAM); George Waksmunski, United Electrical Workers (UE); Chris Silvera,  Teamsters Local 808 Executive Secretary; Steve Mellon, journalist for the Pittsburgh Union Progress, on strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for 18 months; Vina Colley, Portsmouth-Piketon Residents for Environmental Safety & Security; Steve Zeltzer, WorkWeek; David Pfister, Food & Water Watch; Nicole Fabricant, activist, academic, and author of Fighting to Breathe: Race, Toxicity, and the Rise of Youth Activism in Baltimore; Hilary Flint, Clean Air Action; Penny Logsdon, Lee County, Iowa, Labor Chapter; Jeff Kurtz, Lee County, Iowa, Labor Chapter; Carrie Duncan, Lee County, Iowa, Labor Chapter; Maximillian Alvarez, The Real News Network; Mike Stout, Musician.   Additional links/info below… Justice for East Palestine Residents & Workers website Mike Stout, "Stand Up for East Palestine" music video Steve Zeltzer, The Labor Video Project YouTube channel Steve Mellon, Pittsburgh Union Progress, "‘If I don't talk no one's going to know': Stories of pain from East Palestine move coalition members to action" Permanent links below... Working People Patreon page Leave us a voicemail and we might play it on the show! Labor Radio / Podcast Network website, Facebook page, and Twitter page In These Times website, Facebook page, and Twitter page The Real News Network website, YouTube channel, podcast feeds, Facebook page, and Twitter page Featured Music... Jules Taylor, "Working People" Theme Song Jules Taylor, "E.P. Theme for W.P."

The highly controversial fluoridation program in the U.S.  started in the 1940's. But despite over 73 percent of the US population being on a fluoridated community water system,  tooth decay remains the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults, even though it is largely preventable.   Many of the doctors who spoke out against it in the early days were called quacks and shunned. In 2017 a coalition of fluoride opposition groups including the Fluoride Action Network and the Food & Water Watch filed a landmark lawsuit against the EPA to “protect the public and susceptible subpopulations from the neurotoxic risks of fluoride by banning the addition of fluoridation chemicals to water.” This lawsuit is still ongoing due to many delays from the EPA,The case recently revealed government attempts to limit available evidence and avoid having the facts of water fluoridation reviewed in court.  There have also been well over 100 studies done since 2015 showing numerous detrimental health issues caused by fluoride including kidney and liver damage, brittle bones and more recently a study showing fluoride can be harmful to pregnant woman and can cause brain-based disorders in their offspring. Today on DTH I have two women involved in the ongoing battle against the EPA we will discussing detail of the suit.  They'll be sharing:  -The history of fluoride -What fluoride is and how it's made -The landmark studies and health issues associated with fluoride consumption - What we can do to limit fluoride in our daily lives   My guests joining me today are Brenda Staudenmaier & Karen Spencer.   Brenda is a named plaintiffs in that ongoing lawsuit against the EPA, calling on the EPA to “protect the public and susceptible subpopulations from the neurotoxic risks of fluoride by banning the addition of fluoridation chemicals to water.” Karen is a member representative for the Food & Water Watch mentioned on the in the initial filing.   PLEASE SUPPORT our work. It takes time and effort to make these videos. Every little bit helps!    **To donate/tip our channel, below through our Paypal. Paypal Donation Link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6YECDNX33L4KQ   Learn More:  Fluoride Action Network: https://fluoridealert.org/ Food and Water Watch: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/ To make a donation to our lawsuit through Fluoride Alert https://fluoridealert.org/ Lawsuit schedule with  Zoom link https://www.fluoridelawsuit.com/ Brenda & Karen email exchange with CDC https://www.fluoridelawsuit.com/actions    Annotated Bibliography of Recent Science https://www.fluoridelawsuit.com/science    International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology  https://iaomt.org/resources/fluoride-facts/    Karen on GreenMed and personal story https://greenmedinfo.com/gmi-blogs/karenspencer    https://fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/SalemState2016.09.07.pdf   2006 Bassin study from Harvard on bone cancer https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16596294/   Associations of low level of fluoride exposure with dental fluorosis among U.S. children and adolescents, NHANES 2015-2016 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34166938/   NTP website for fluoride review documents https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/noncancer/ongoing/fluoride/index.html   NTP draft report  https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/about_ntp/bsc/2023/fluoride/documents_provided_bsc_wg_031523.pdf   Lawsuit filings with CDC emails https://fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/tsca.plaintiffs-filed-redacted-notice.12-15-22.pdf   Something in the Water: 12 Steps to Ending Fluoridation in Your Town by Clint Griess https://www.amazon.com/Something-Water-Steps-Ending-Fluoridation/dp/B0BQ58K4NQ   The Fluoride Deception by Christopher Bryson https://www.amazon.com/Fluoride-Deception-Christopher-Bryson/dp/1583227008   Stay In Touch with Us! Instagram:   @DiscoveringTrueHealth Twitter:        @DTrueHealth  Facebook:   @discoveringtruhealth Rumble:       Discoveringtruehealth   Listen On:  Apple Podcast Spotify   Watch On: YouTube   www.discoveringtruehealth.com   Additional Information: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969722082523 https://fluoridealert.org/studies/caries05/ https://www.fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/nidr-dmft.pdf https://fluoridealert.org/articles/hileman-1989/ https://iaomt.org/resources/fluoride-facts/  https://www.scbwa.org/sites/default/files/docs_forms_media/fluoride_subcommitte_presentation_scbwa_19_may_2022.pdf   https://youtu.be/RCnIJS3bQ3c  https://www.democracynow.org/2004/6/17/the_fluoride_deception_how_a_nuclear https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine_article/fluoridated-drinking-water/   Medical disclaimer: Discovering True Health LLC does not provide medical advice. Discovering True Health and the content available on Discovering True Health's properties (discoveringtruehealth.com, YouTube, and other channels) do not provide a diagnosis or other recommendation for treatment and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosis and treatment of any person or animal. The determination of the need for medical services and the types of healthcare to be provided to a patient are decisions that should be made only by a physician or other licensed health care provider. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition.

The stench and pollution of pig factory farms is devastating Black rural neighborhoods, but, despite intimidation, NC residents are fighting back in court against the world's largest pork corporation, as documented in "The Smell of Money" a full-length documentary film winning awards at festivals. Radio host Carrie Freeman interviews the film's writer and producer, Jamie Berger, a native of North Carolina, in this 25 minute podcast recorded in February of 2023. We know these warehoused pigs are suffering, but you'll also learn what is wrong with pig CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) and their manure cesspools, and how unhealthy it is for the local community's wellbeing, dignity, quality of life, and property values in Eastern NC, such as Sampson and Duplin counties. You can find out where to view or financially support the film and see a trailer and photos of the characters at https://www.smellofmoneydoc.com/  In the podcast, filmmaker Jamie Berger discusses ways we can help by being conscientious consumers, getting politically active, and joining NGO advocacy groups for environmental justice and clean water (like Riverkeeper groups or Food & Water Watch). Carrie adds that Senator Corey Booker, on the Senate Agriculture committee, put forward an unprecedented bill called the Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act that really asks for some needed reforms to factory farming. So that could be a bill that folks may choose to ask their congress people to cosponsor or support, as the Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act, would really need widespread public support to be able to go up against the agribusiness and Big Meat lobby that wants business as usual, despite how environmentally unsustainable, polluting, and cruel it is. In Tune to Nature is a weekly show airing on Wednesdays from 6:30-7pm EST on Atlanta indie station WRFG (Radio Free Georgia) 89.3FM hosted by Carrie Freeman or Melody Paris. Please consider donating to support this 50-year old independent, non-commercial, progressive Atlanta radio station at www.wrfg.org  Take care of yourself and others, including other species.

We talk with Mary Grant, Water Program director for Food & Water Watch, about getting clean water to all Americans, and the Water Affordability, Transparency, Equity and Reliability (WATER) Act. Call or text ‪(202) 656-6271‬ to participate in the show!

HEALTH NEWS · STUDY SHOWS THAT AMINO ACID TAURINE COULD BE USED IN ANTI-AGING THERAPY ·         ATTENTION CANCER PATIENTS: BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH ONE HOUR OF SINGING · HIGHER OMEGA 3 INTAKE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER COLORECTAL CANCER MORTALITY RISK · HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MAY DOUBLE THE RISK OF SEVERE COVID, EVEN AFTER FULL VACCINATION · OUT OF SHAPE NATION: HALF OF AMERICANS ADMIT THEY CAN'T TOUCH THEIR TOES WITHOUT STRAINING ·  Valuing your time more than money is linked to happiness ·  OCCUPY PEACE & FREEDOM RALLY INFO   Mary Grant   Mary Grant is the Public Water for All Campaign Director at Food & Water Watch. Food & Water Watch is a national nonprofit organization that mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time.Since 2015, Mary has overseen Food & Water Watch's campaigns across the country to support universal access to safe water in the United States by promoting responsible and affordable public provision of water and sewer service. Prior to becoming the organization's campaign director, she was a researcher for Food & Water Watch. Her research has been featured in the Washington Post, the Associated Press, the New York Times, the Guardian, and other news outlets. She has also co-written peer reviewed studies dealing with the privatization of water and  public health risks due to lack of water access.  Food and Water Watch's website is FWWatch.org

Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch spoke with Mark Dunlea about the climate legislative agenda of the group at the state and federal level. Some State issues include a ban on new gas, the negative climate impacts of cryptocurrency mining, and the need for public power. A Federal priority is the Future Generations Protection Act.

In this broadcast, Loreen Hackett shares the heartbreaking story of how PFAS and traces of related toxins caused by various unregulated factories and industrial complexes devastated her entire family and community, and if left unchecked how PFAS will continue to contaminate untold regions in the US and abroad. As Co-Chair of the Hoosick Falls Community, Loreen established superfund sites which communicate monthly with state and federal agencies and is also on the CAP committee for the CDC awarded site study. In addition, Loreen works with the University of Albany collecting health studies and alongside the leadership committee of the National PFAS Contamination Coalition (NPCC). Loreen has attended and submitted testimony in two Congressional hearings in Washington D.C. She has also testified at various New York state hearings and continues working with elected officials on both the state and federal levels on bills regulating PFAS, recently introducing the PFAS Accountability Act with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as collaborating with varying environmental organizations. She presented on the first public panel representing EPA Region 2 for the CDC-funded NASEM panel for physician guidance and was nominated as community liaison for that panel. She worked on the educational documentary called 'Bad Water, Small Town, Deaf Ears' with her uncle, which is free to the public on YouTube. Loreen is also a cancer survivor, linked to PFAS exposure, and has a primary interest in health effects. Follow Loreen: PfoaProjectNY Twitter: https://twitter.com/pfoaprojectny1 Other websites to follow and support: Environmental Working Group: https://www.ewg.org/ Safer States: https://saferstates.org/ Center For Environmental Health: https://ceh.org/ NRDC: https://www.nrdc.org/ Alaska Community Action on Toxins: https://www.akaction.org/ IPEN: https://ipen.org/ Food & Water Watch: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/ ______________ Follow Therese "Tee" Forton-Barnes and The Green Living Gurus: The Green Living Gurus Website: https://thegreenlivinggurus.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenlivinggurus/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW7_phs1GZUPzG21Zgjnqtw Healthy Living Group Facebook Green Living Gurus Page Facebook For further info contact: Therese Forton-Barnes Email: Greenlivinggurus@gmail.com Cell: 716-868-8868

Among the speakers at the August 6 NY Youth Climate Leaders (NY2CL) rally at the State Capitol were: Joan Mandle, Executive Director of Democracy Matters, about how climate and fighting voter suppression are related; and Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch, who talks about their campaigns to stop fossil fuels and to invest in clean water. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network

Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch reviews pending climate legislation before the NYS Legislature, which is due to adjourn on June 10. He talks about the need to halt new fossil fuel infrastructure, including the Danskammer plant near Kingson, as well as public power. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

Join Virginia Interfaith Power & Light (VAIPL) in conversation with  Jorge Aguilar from Food & Water Watch for our second show on The Human Right to Water in Virginia. Learn more about why the human right to water is important for all Virginians and why it deserves to be prioritized to ensure all residents have access to safe, equitable water sources.Jorge Aguilar, Southern Region Director, Food and Water WatchLeah Jones, Faith Community Outreach Coordinator, VAIPLRev. Dr. Faith Harris, Interim co-director of VAIPL

Join Virginia Interfaith Power & Light (VAIPL) in conversation with  Jorge Aguilar from Food & Water Watch for our second show on The Human Right to Water in Virginia. Learn more about why the human right to water is important for all Virginians and why it deserves to be prioritized to ensure all residents have access to safe, equitable water sources.Jorge Aguilar, Southern Region Director, Food and Water WatchLeah Jones, Faith Community Outreach Coordinator, VAIPLRev. Dr. Faith Harris, Interim co-director of VAIPL

As part of the end of the year spending package, Congress is putting the finishing touches on an energy bill that has raised alarms with environmentalists due to its support for carbon capture and nuclear while dropping funding for EJ communities. We talk with Jim Walsh of Food and Water Watch. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

President-elect Joe Biden has promised what he calls a return to "decency" and "unity," and American media has broadly characterized his victory over Donald Trump as, in the words of New York Times columnist Charles Blow, "The Third Term of the Obama Presidency." Many of the same holdovers — Samantha Power, Antony Blinken, Michèle Flournoy, Bob McDonald, Jake Sullivan, Susan Rice, Sally Yates, John Kerry and many in the revolving think tank, consulting outfits, marketing firms, undersecretary advisor world are expected to be back into the White House come January 20, 2021. While they have many obvious superficial differences, the Obama and Biden White Houses will more or less borrow from the same playbook: slick, marketing-focused, technocratic, centrist, hawkish maintainers of the neoliberal status quo. As such, many lessons can be learned from the media’s coverage of the Obama White house and what mistakes not to repeat again. From Obama’s prosecution of foreign occupations to directing dirty wars, supporting the destruction of Yemen to running a drone strike regime, pushing austerity dogma to continue the brutal war on drugs, inhumane immigration enforcement to many routine cruel and violent policies — because they lacked the partisan hook and sadistic fervor of Trump — were largely ignored, downplayed, or soft pedaled by U.S. media from 2009 to the beginning of 2017. This is Part I of a two-part episode breaking down these "media mistakes" - major areas where the American press failed to hold the most powerful person in the world to account. We explore how the Obama era may provide a blueprint of what we may expect under the upcoming Biden administration and how activists can get ahead of these failures before they inevitably manifest. Our guest is Peter Hart, National Communications Manager for Food & Water Watch.

Dr. Linwood Tauheed, National Economic Association (NEA) president and associate professor of economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, gives the political and economic ramifications of the UK banning Huawei from its 5G network. What's at stake, and how is China reacting? Rianna Eckel, Maryland organizer for Food & Water Watch, discusses a recent Guardian investigation into a water crisis in the US. This Guardian report looked at 12 diverse cities across the US and found that in all of them, the annual costs of water had increased by 27% to 154% from 2010 to 2018, becoming unaffordable, in their calculation, to most of those cities’ poor residents. It also highlights what can happen when water is shut off to people, telling the story of a man who lost his house to a fire because he’d been unable to pay his water bill and therefore had nothing to put out what could have been a minor household accident. And what does this mean globally?Margaret Kimberley, editor and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and author of the book "Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents," discusses the latest decision by the Department of Justice to resume federal death penalties, Tucker Carlon’s upcoming fishing trip and the latest in presidential politics. Also, she gives her latest take on the Congressional Black Caucus. Are they really protecting the people who need them, or are they helping to hold up the blue line? Have they “joined the neoliberals to derail any real attempt at challenging the devastating power of the police,” as Kimberley has written?

Welcome to the Audible Café Radio Show/podcast!  Today, I’m happy to share my interview with Jane Winn of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (or BEAT) and Rosemary Wessel of No Fracked Gas in Mass (a program of BEAT). We talked about a lawsuit that BEAT and the Food & Water Watch have brought against the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in approving a fracked gas infrastructure project without meeting the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requiring FERC to meaningfully evaluate greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel production and transportation projects. The project in question is known as the “261 Upgrade Project” — a proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (“TGP”) gas-fired compressor station expansion and proposed new pipeline construction. Both the compressor station and the pipeline portion of the project are detrimental to the health of nearby residents (greater noise, air, and water pollution), will increase greenhouse gas emissions, and will contribute to climate change. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is intended to be “an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas, and oil. FERC also reviews proposals to build liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals and interstate natural gas pipelines as well as licensing hydropower projects. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave FERC "additional responsibilities” which are too numerous to list here. Check out the FERC website for more info at www.ferc.gov. This is far from the first time FERC has not met this requirement; in fact, it would be difficult to find an example where FERC meaningfully evaluated the greenhouse gas emission of any project. FERC is known among environmentalists as a “rubber stamp” commission, far from being an independent agency without undue influence by the fossil fuel industry, it is quite the opposite. One Commissioner, Richard Glick, is a notable exception in voting against unfavorable projects and issuing dissenting opinions that make sense. Energy projects and the morass of regulations and agencies that oversee them are extremely complicated, but it’s important to pay attention. While COVID-19 is overshadowing our day-to-day lives and distracting us from other things, the current administration is taking advantage of that tor ram through fossil fuel projects and remove protections in ways that will have serious negative repercussions for the environment and our climate. Thank you, Jane and Rose, for talking with me about this important lawsuit, and for your dedication in working tirelessly to protect the environment and our health, and for standing up for what is right and just. As always, you can learn more and access archives and show notes with lots of resources at audiblecafe.com, or visit the FB page – just search for Audible Café, or follow us on Twitter @audiblecafe. If you listen on iTunes, please subscribe, and leave us a review. We appreciate your feedback. So if you’d like to get directly in touch with us, email listenup@audiblecafe.com. Thanks again, and have a great week!Judy   SHOW RESOURCES Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) website No Fracked Gas in Mass website Food and Water Watch website Food and Water Watch and BEAT v. FERC Petition for Review Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) website EEPittsfield website

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Amanda Starbuck, senior food researcher and policy analyst on the food team at Food & Water Watch.The economic aid bill that Congress passed last week would open Small Business Administration loans to some farmers. The move came after big banks steered the earlier $500 billion that Congress had appropriated to large corporations that used up all the money before most actual small businesses could even complete their applications. An existing $10 billion aid package provided funding for aquaculture, nurseries, and cooperatives, but allotted nothing for small farms with fewer than 500 employees. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said over the weekend that he was “confident” the US would soon allow the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Netanyahu and his governing partner Benny Gantz, who is now speaker of the Knesset, plan to ask the United States for its support in annexing at least those Israeli settlements that are on Palestinian lands in the West Bank before July. Netanyahu has told confidants that he believes the Trump Administration will give him whatever he wants. Ariel Gold, a peace activist and a member of Code Pink, joins the show. Brazil’s right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, is facing a perfect storm of political crises that could force him from office. Bolsonaro was already a president without a political party. He was under fire for his responses to massive fires in the Amazon and to the coronavirus pandemic. Then his two sons found themselves under criminal investigation for money laundering and promulgating false campaign information. Now, Bolsonaro’s star Minister of Justice resigned dramatically and called the president a criminal. Can Bolsonaro survive? Brian and John speak with Aline Piva, a journalist and a member of Brazilians for Democracy and Social Justice. Monday’s segment “Education for Liberation with Bill Ayers” is where Bill helps us look at the state of education across the country. What’s happening in our schools, colleges, and universities, and what impact does it have on the world around us? Bill Ayers, an activist, educator and the author of the book “Demand the Impossible: A Radical Manifesto,” joins Brian and John. In this segment, The Week Ahead, the hosts take a look at the most newsworthy stories of the coming week and what it means for the country and the world, including ongoing controversy over the reopening of businesses in states throughout the country and Donald Trump’s bizarre medical advice. Sputnik News analysts and producers of this show Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek join the show.Monday’s regular segment Technology Rules is a weekly guide on how monopoly corporations and the national surveillance state are threatening cherished freedoms, civil rights and civil liberties. Web developer and technologist Chris Garaffa and software engineer and technology and security analyst Patricia Gorky join the show.

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Democratic Wisconsin State Senator Lena Taylor to talk about the new lawsuit by the Republican-controlled legislature attempting to force the state's residents back to work amid the pandemic, how political brinkmanship left dozens of voters and election officials sickened with coronavirus after primaries were held despite the danger, and how politicians from both parties are taking advantage of the chaos to implement draconian voter suppression tactics.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Amanda Starbuck, senior food researcher and policy analyst at Food & Water Watch, to talk about the breakdown of food production supply chains under amid the coronavirus outbreak, the news that major meatpacking plants are shutting down across the country, and how the crisis is revealing the importance of returning to a more diverse and less corporate food distribution system.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by David Swanson, activist, journalist, radio host and author of the book "Curing Exceptionalism," to talk about the new legislative push to force women to register for the draft, the revelation that the US government is pressuring Mexico to re-open factories needed for weapons manufacturing, and why the Pentagon looks to be one of the only employment options for the millions left jobless by the economic shut-down.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Aja Taylor, Advocacy Director at Bread For The City, to talk about how mutual aid efforts in the city of DC by groups like Bread for the City are filling the enormous gaps left by the government's response, why voters in DC continue to vote the same leaders back into City Hall year after year despite the lack of tangible improvements in living standards, and why it's so crucial to push for progress now as millions in the US are realizing another world is possible.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Amanda Starbuck, senior food researcher and policy analyst on the food team at Food & Water Watch.Farmers across the country are destroying their crops, plowing over their fields, and dumping milk because the supply chain is broken and they are finding it impossible to get their goods to market. How can this breakdown happen in a country that prides itself on the most efficient and technologically advanced supply chain technology in the world? President Trump yesterday temporarily suspended all immigration applications, saying that the action was necessary to protect Americans from the coronavirus. Civil liberties groups immediately said they would file suit. And a group of migrants in an ICE facility have been on a hunger strike. Those hunger strikes are expanding. Juan José Gutiérrez, the executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition, joins the show. Donald Trump has once again threatened to carry out an act of war against Iran, this time by destroying its ships in the Persian Gulf. Is this an exercise in the politics of distraction as the Coronavirus ravages the United States? Brian and John speak with Mohammad Marandi, an expert on American studies and postcolonial literature who teaches at the University of Tehran. The U.S. government at all levels is consumed by infighting over how to respond to the Coronavirus pandemic. A right wing mobilization supported by President Trump is demanding that the economy reopen against the guidance of public health experts, but is the Democratic Party’s single-minded focus on the personality of Donald Trump drawing attention away from the systemic changes needed to save lives? Jim Kavanagh, the editor of thepolemicist.net, whose latest article in The Polemicist and forthcoming on CounterPunch is “Joe or No,” joins the show. Wednesday’s weekly series, In the News, is where the hosts look at the most important ongoing developments of the week and put them into perspective. Sputnik news analysts Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek join the show.Wednesday’s regular segment, Beyond Nuclear, is about nuclear issues, including weapons, energy, waste, and the future of nuclear technology in the United States. Kevin Kamps, the Radioactive Waste Watchdog at the organization Beyond Nuclear, and Sputnik news analyst and producer Nicole Roussell, join the show.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Krissy Kasserman, the Factory Farm Organizing Manager at Food & Water Watch.Smithfield Foods is the largest pork processor in America and is the largest employer in the state of South Dakota, accounting for an astounding 130 million servings of meat every day. Yesterday the company announced that it would close indefinitely after scores of employees tested positive for the coronavirus, accounting for half of all coronavirus cases in the state. Meanwhile, farmers around the country are being forced to destroy fruits, vegetables, and dairy products because they can’t sell them. The Trump administration is working to slash the wages of migrant farmworkers, even as it works to send direct aid to farmers and ranchers hurt by the coronavirus pandemic. President Trump continues to blame China for the spread of the coronavirus and for the concurrent downturn in the global economy. The conservative media, meanwhile, has pushed a steady anti-China narrative. It appears that the President is preparing to launch a cultural war against China this election season. And he thinks it’s a winning strategy. KJ Noh, a peace activist and scholar on the geopolitics of Asia, and a frequent contributor to Counterpunch and Dissident Voice, joins the show. While the rich are fleeing to secluded mansions and beach houses, poor and working class people are being left behind to bear the brunt of the Coronavirus crisis. And the widening inequality that’s been put on full display by the pandemic may be leading to a resurgence for the labor movement. And on a global scale, U.S. sanctions are making matters worse. Brian and John speak with Dan Kovalik, a human rights and labor lawyer who is the author of the book “No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using 'Humanitarian' Intervention to Advance Economic and Strategic Interests.” An unreleased dossier written by the British Labour Party says that party officials opposed to Jeremy Corbyn worked to lose the 2017 election in the hope that a resultant backlash would trigger a leadership move to oust him. The report shows that those officials, who worked at the party’s headquarters, became increasingly despondent as Labour rose in the polls, despite their secret efforts to sabotage the campaign. Neil Clark, a journalist and broadcaster whose work has appeared in The Guardian, The Week, and Morning Star, joins the show. Wednesday’s weekly series, In the News, is where the hosts look at the most important ongoing developments of the week and put them into perspective. Sputnik news analysts Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek join the show.Wednesday’s regular segment, Beyond Nuclear, is about nuclear issues, including weapons, energy, waste, and the future of nuclear technology in the United States. Kevin Kamps, the Radioactive Waste Watchdog at the organization Beyond Nuclear, and Sputnik news analyst and producer Nicole Roussell, join the show.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Sputnik News analysts and producers Walter Smolarek and Nicole Roussell.Friday is Loud & Clear’s weekly hour-long segment The Week in Review, about the week in politics, policy, and international affairs. Today they focus on the rapid spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, Washington’s efforts to bail out Wall Street, the state of the presidential election, and more. The United States yesterday overtook both China and Italy in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases. But Italy far exceeds the rest of the world per capita in the number of deaths from the coronavirus to the point where bodies can’t be buried quickly enough and health care providers are becoming infected and are dying at an alarming rate. Guido Salza, a leading member of the Italian political organization Fronte Popolare, joins the show. The United States greatly stepped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro yesterday when the Justice Department charged him in federal court in New York City with narco-terrorism and conspiracy to commit international cocaine trafficking, with prosecutors maintaining that he led a violent drug cartel even as he rose to the leadership of his country. At the same time, the State Department offered a $15 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s capture.The Venezuelan denounced the move as “miserable, vulgar and baseless accusations.” Brian and John speak with Leo Flores, a member of the peace group Code Pink, where he is the Latin America campaign coordinator. World Water Day was commemorated earlier this week as a way to focus attention on the importance of fresh water and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The day took on renewed significance amid calls for a moratorium on utility shut offs as the country and the world is gripped by the Coronavirus pandemic. Mary Grant, the director of the Public Water for All Campaign at Food & Water Watch and a policy analyst on US water utility privatization, joins the show. It’s Friday! So it’s time for the week’s worst and most misleading headlines. Brian and John speak with Steve Patt, an independent journalist whose critiques of the mainstream media have been a feature of his site Left I on the News and on twitter @leftiblog, and Sputnik producer Nicole Roussell.

Behind closed doors and as furtively as possible, the Trump Administration is wreaking havoc on our water, air and soil.  Federal lands and waterways are being subjected to lower standards far beyond the Clean Air & Water Acts and those traditionally of the EPA.  Today's show is bringing to light the shadowy activity of those Administration which are harming our environment and our health. The National Envronmental Policy Act is being discarded as thoroughly as they can by this Administration. For this, Mitchell interviews Scott Edwards,director of Food & Water Justice. He came to Food & Water Watch after spending eleven years with Waterkeeper Alliance, most recently as Director of Advocacy. Scott's work at Waterkeeper involved designing and implementing strategies for a whole host of campaigns on issues such as industrial agriculture, mercury contamination, coal and military wastes.  While at Waterkeeper, he was also very active in setting up programs in Asia, including China, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Prior to getting his law degree and entering the practice of environmental law, Scott taught ecology and environmental sciences to New York City high school students. He works out of the New York office of Food & Water Watch. . Mitchell Rabin is the Founder, President and CEO of A Better World Foundation & Media, with a background in psychology  stress management, acupuncture and social entrepreneurship. He is a counselor, and executive coach all as a means of educating and inspiring clients and students alike to lead others by modeling humane, eco-sensitive and integrity-based values.  He has been a consultant to business leaders and CEOs of green and health-oriented start-ups over the past  25 years. He is an impassioned environmentalist and social entrepreneur using --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abwmitchellrabin/support

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Ian Goodrum, a writer and digital editor for China Daily.At least 17 people have died in China and more than 570 sickened by an outbreak of coronavirus, a virus that can lead to symptoms from a common cold to acute respiratory syndrome in both humans and animals. The Chinese government has restricted travel from six cities, including the industrial hub of Wuhan, where the outbreak seems to have originated, but in the past several days people in Malaysia, Thailand, and even Washington State have tested positive for the ailment. Two new political polls from yesterday and today put Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders at the top of the heap in the Democratic race for president for the first time. Sanders widened his lead among likely voters in New Hampshire, where he has 29 percent, versus Pete Buttigieg at 17 percent, Joe Biden at 14, and Elizabeth Warren at 13. A CNN national poll shows Sanders leading Biden 27-24, with Warren at 14 and Buttigieg at 11 percent. Dave Lindorff, an investigative reporter, a columnist for CounterPunch, and a contributor to Businessweek, The Nation, Extra!, and Salon.com, and whose work is at ThisCantBeHappening.net, joins the show. The Trump Administration today finalized a rule that would strip away environmental protections for streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water, handing a victory to pesticide-using farmers, fossil fuel producers, and real estate developers. Half of the nation’s wetlands will be affected, as well as hundreds of thousands of small waterways. And landowners and developers will now be allowed to dump pollutants into those waterways and to destroy or fill in wetlands for development. Brian and John speak with Scott Edwards, co-director of the Food & Water Justice project at Food & Water Watch. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday that his country had “crossed the Brexit finish line” after parliament passed legislation implementing the Brexit deal. The EU’s top officials are expected to sign the deal in the coming days, and the European Parliament will vote on it in the next several weeks. Neil Clark, a journalist and broadcaster whose work has appeared in The Guardian, The Week, and Morning Star, joins the show. A regular Thursday segment deals with the ongoing militarization of space. As the US continues to withdraw from international arms treaties, will the weaponization and militarization of space bring the world closer to catastrophe? Brian and John speak with Prof. Karl Grossman, a full professor of journalism at the State University of New York, College at Old Westbury and the host of a nationally aired television program focused on environmental, energy, and space issues. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin Economic announced today that the Trump administration was considering yet another round of major tax cuts. Meanwhile, political leaders from around the world are attending the World Economic Forum, also called the Davos Summit, this week. But while President Trump lauded the US economy in his speech in Davos, he mocked climate scientists, calling them “foolish fortune tellers,” and once again called climate change “a hoax.” Professor Richard Wolff, a professor of Economics Emeritus, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and founder of the organization Democracy at Work whose latest book is “Understanding Socialism,” joins the show.Thursday’s weekly series “Criminal Injustice” is about the most egregious conduct of our courts and prosecutors and how justice is denied to so many people in this country. Paul Wright, the founder and executive director of the Human Rights Defense Center and editor of Prison Legal News (PLN), and Kevin Gosztola, a writer for Shadowproof.com and co-host of the podcast Unauthorized Disclosure, join the show.

Matt Smith is the lead organizer of Food & Water Watch New Jersey. Smith discusses how community members in Edison just voted against a plan to privatize the town’s water and sewage system, becoming one of the first municipalities in the entire country to permanently ban water privatization. Smith also highlights how Piscataway will be voting on a citizens ordinance to get the town off of fossil fuels and onto 100 percent renewable energy. In addition to these campaigns, Smith also discusses the current statewide fights against new fossil fuel infrastructure projects, the importance of movement building, and getting more involved in organizations like Food & Water Watch and the Central Jersey Climate Coalition.

Ryan's car got broken into. Ryan & Lane join the "Squad." Lane breaks down not fueling people looking to monetize controversy online. Food & Water Watch is a Washington, D.C.-based non-governmental organization group which focuses on corporate and government accountability relating to food, water, and corporate overreach. Learn more: https://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/ 

In this show we interview Andrew Pezzullo from Food & Water Watch. We discuss the controversy of the proposed Danskammer fracked gas power plant near Newburgh, NY. We discuss the impact of fracking upon water and the need to move away from fracking. 'And So It Flows' blends H2O music, H2O news and H2O talk bringing water to listeners' radar screens in both simple and profound ways. The show engages listeners to see water through a wider prism. 'And So It Flows' is sponsored by WaterCheck.biz - with over 600 hand curated water products - Transforming your relationship to water.

This week Jay goes behind the scenes of Factory Farming and how they impact our health, environment and most importantly animal welfare.  Over 95% percent of farm animals are raised in factory farms and more than 150 billion animals are killed each year for food.  94% of Americans agree that animals raised for food deserve to live free from abuse and cruelty. Yet the majority of the nearly 10 billion farm animals raised each year in the U.S. suffer in conditions that consumers would not accept if they could see them.  Michele Merkel from Food & Water Watch discusses what we can do from a legal standpoint to change the narrative of factory farming and its abuses.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Jay Heck, executive director of Common Cause Wisconsin, David Liners, state director of WISDOM, a statewide organization seeking justice and common good, and Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, the president of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice.Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin’s lame duck legislature have forced bills into law that will strip the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general of much of their power. New laws also would throw poor people off of Medicaid and shorten voting and voter registration times. And two days ago that same legislature approved 82 of Governor Scott Walker’s political appointees with no debate. Thursday’s weekly series “Criminal Injustice” is about the most egregious conduct of our courts and prosecutors and how justice is denied to so many people in this country. Paul Wright, the founder and executive director of the Human Rights Defense Center and editor of Prison Legal News (PLN), and Kevin Gosztola, a writer for Shadowproof.com and co-host of the podcast Unauthorized Disclosure, join the show. The chief financial officer of Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications equipment and consumer tech giant, was arrested in Canada at US request yesterday. The Trump Administration wants her to be extradited to face trial on charges of violating sanctions on Iran. But Huawei’s business in Iran is perfectly legal under international law and under the terms of the JCPOA, which the US unilaterally withdrew from. Brian and John speak with Dr. Jack Rasmus, a professor of economics at Saint Mary's College of California and author of “Central Bankers at the End of Their Ropes: Monetary Policy and the Coming Depression,” whose work is at www.jackrasmus.com. The funeral of former President George H. W. Bush was held yesterday in Washington and his body was returned to Texas, where he will be interred today. Every day this week the hosts are talking about the Bush legacy, focusing today on Bush’s response to the AIDS crisis. Mark Harrington, an HIV/AIDS researcher, activist, and the cofounder and policy director of the Treatment Action Group, joins the show. Veterans for Peace is Thursday’s regular segment about the contemporary issues of war and peace that affect veterans, their families, and the country as a whole. Gerry Condon, a Vietnam-era veteran and war resister who serves as the national president of Veterans for Peace, and Michael McPhearson, a Gulf War veteran and the executive director of Veterans for Peace, join the show. Global carbon emissions rose by 2.7 percent this year, following a 1.6 percent increase last year. Scientists blame strong economies in India and China and say that those countries are burning more coal and the middle classes there are buying more and more cars, but per-capita carbon emissions remain highest by far in Europe and the United States. They also say that we have passed a point of no return on carbon emissions and climate change. Scott Edwards, co-director of the Food & Water Justice project at Food & Water Watch, joins the show.Two independent academics at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies will soon release a report in which they conclude that North Korea is expanding two missile bases that could be used to house long-range ballistic missiles. South Korean military officials said they are monitoring the situation in cooperation with the United States. There have been no formal announcements by any party. Brian and John speak with Simone Chun, a fellow at the Korea Policy Institute and a member of the Korean Peace Network.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Max Blumenthal, a journalist, the senior editor of Grayzone Project, co-host of the podcast “Moderate Rebels,” and bestselling author whose latest book is “The 51 Day War: Ruin and Resistance in Gaza.”This month, Facebook and Twitter deleted the accounts of hundreds of users, including man alternative media sites. Most of those purged were popular sites that scrutinized police brutality and US interventionism, like The Free Thought Project and Cop Block. Max Blumenthal has written a major article exposing the neoconservative cadres, they are former government officials and now affiliated with DC think tanks, which are playing a dominant role in the new cenersoship of alternative media. Friday is Loud & Clear’s regular segment on the midterms, taking a look at political races around the country in the runup to midterm elections in November. Jacqueline Luqman, the co-editor-in-chief of Luqman Nation, which hosts a livestream every Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. on Facebook, joins the show. Cesar Sayoc was arrested in Florida today in connection with more than a dozen pipe bombs that have been mailed to prominent critics of Donald Trump. Two more bombs were intercepted today after being mailed to Democratic Senator Cory Booker and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Brian and John speak with Ted Rall, an award-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist whose work is at rall.com. Rep. Mark Meadows, a Republican from North Carolina, said following a seven-hour-long closed-door session with former Trump campaign advisor George Papadopoulos that the FBI’s Russia investigation was on weak footing from the beginning, and that the investigation of Papadopoulos in and of itself was unconstitutional. Papadopoulos told Fox & Friends this morning that the FBI had violated his constitutional rights and that he was considering withdrawing from his plea deal, even though he has already cooperated with the Mueller team and served two weeks in jail. Daniel Lazare, a journalist and author of three books—“The Frozen Republic,” “The Velvet Coup,” and “America's Undeclared War,” joins the show. Sixteen years ago today the US anti-war movement burst onto the scene with a massive protest in Washington DC. The focus of the protest was to stop George W. Bush and Dick Cheney from taking the country to war in Iraq. Within a few weeks, that movement became a global anti-war movement, drawing in more than 10 million people. The NYT in February 2003 called this unprecedented movement “the world’s second superpower.” John interviews co host Brian Becker, the national director of the Answer Coalition, the group that initiated these mass protests 16 years ago today. An oil spill that has been quietly leaking million of barrels into the Gulf of Mexico has gone unplugged for so long that it now verges on becoming one of the worst offshore disasters in American history. Between 300 and 700 barrels of oil per day have been leaking from a site off the coast of Louisiana for the past 14 years, since an offshore oil platform sank during Hurricane Ivan. It has never been capped. Scott Edwards, co-director of the Food & Water Justice project at Food & Water Watch, joins the show.It’s Friday! So it’s time for the week’s worst and most misleading headlines. Brian and John speak with Steve Patt, an independent journalist whose critiques of the mainstream media have been a feature of his blog Left I on the News and on twitter @leftiblog, and Sputnik producers Nicole Roussell and Walter Smolarek.

In this episode, Paul discusses the recent decision by the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland to uphold the 2014 general discharge permit for concentrated animal feeding operations in the state.  The permit had been challenged by two groups claiming Maryland Department of the Environment had failed to include monitoring in the permit. Materials discussed in this episode: Goeringer, Paul, Maryland Court Upholds the 2014 CAFO Permit For Complying With EPA’s Requirements (AREC, Oct. 2, 2018). Food & Water Watch v. M.D. Dep’t of Envtl., No. 2602, 2018 WL 2203175 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. May 14, 2018). If you have questions for Paul contact him at lgoering@umd.edu, tweet him @aglawPaul or 301-405-3541.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Jim Kavanagh, editor of thepolemicist.net, and Dave Lindorff, an investigative reporter and founder of This Can’t Be Happening!, as well as a columnist for CounterPunch, and a contributor to Businessweek, The Nation, Extra! and Salon.com.Donald Trump gave a wide ranging — and at some times shocking — interview that was broadcast on 60 Minutes yesterday. During the course of the interview, the President talked to journalist Leslie Stahl about issues as diverse as climate change, China, North Korea, trade, and Russia. He indirectly threatened the job of Defense Secretary James Mattis and said that the European Union was one of the greatest threats facing the United States. Monday’s regular segment Technology Rules with Chris Garaffa is a weekly guide on how monopoly corporations and the national surveillance state are threatening cherished freedoms, civil rights and civil liberties. Web developer and technologist Chris Garaffa joins the show. The government of Ecuador yesterday reinstated internet connectivity for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who has been in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London for the past six years. Assange had his internet and visitors cut off in March after he allegedly commented on Spanish elections in violation of an agreement with the Ecuadorians. Brian and John speak with Randy Credico, an activist, a comedian, and the former director of the William Moses Kunstler Fund for Racial Justice. The international investigation into the disappearance and apparent murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi continues. Turkish authorities say they are positive that Khashoggi was tortured, murdered, and dismembered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and they have the video to prove it. Meanwhile, dozens of major business leaders are withdrawing from an upcoming business conference in Saudi Arabia — it’s being called Davos in the Desert — in protest of Khashoggi’s murder. Mansour Alhadj, a journalist, author, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, joins the show. Political observers are calling this weekend’s elections in the southern German state of Bavaria “A political earthquake,” as Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition partners were walloped while the Green Party and the far-right Alternative for Germany increased their share of the vote dramatically. In fact, the Social Democratic Party, one of the coalition partners garnered fewer votes than the neo-Nazis. Sputnik news analyst Walter Smolarek joins Brian and John. The Trump Administration has ordered an obscure government agency, the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, to guy environmental regulations related to chemical and oil pipeline safety. Instead of mandatory regulations designed to keep workers and the public safe, those regulations will become voluntary suggestions. Scott Edwards, co-director of the Food & Water Justice project at Food & Water Watch, joins the show.Monday’s segment “Education for Liberation with Bill Ayers” is where Bill helps us look at the state of education across the country. What’s happening in our schools, colleges, and universities, and what impact does it have on the world around us? Brian and John speak with Bill Ayers, an activist, educator and the author of the book “Demand the Impossible: A Radical Manifesto.”

It’s July, it’s hot, and even with all the recent rain, we’re thirsty. But for an increasing number of Baltimore households, water -- we’re talking plain old water from the faucet -- is becoming unaffordable. On July 1st, water rates in Baltimore City rose almost 10%, the third big jump in as many years. In fact, since 2010, the typical Baltimore household’s water and sewer bill has more than doubled. And by 2022, the typical bill is expected to more than triple. Some say the steep increases are necessary, because the city MUST invest in expensive infrastructure projects to provide this essential public service. But an alarming number of families are at risk for losing their homes because they can no longer afford to pay their water bills.Joining Tom today in Studio A: Mary Grant. She’s the director of the “Public Water for All” Campaign for Food ---- Water Watch, a national organization that champions healthy food and clean water for all.Del. Mary Washington is also here. She has represented north-central Baltimore City in the House of Delegates since 2010. Last month, she defeated Sen. Joan Carter Conway in the Democratic primary for the District 43 Senate seat. She is unopposed in the general election in November.In the 2017 legislative session and again this year, Del. Washington proposed bills that would have put an end to people losing their homes in tax sales because of unpaid water bills.Also joining us to talk about a water affordability bill being drafted for the Baltimore City Council to consider this fall: Lester Davis, the Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Policy and Communications for Baltimore City Council President Jack Young.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Peter Knowlton, the president of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America, and Jeff Bigelow, an official with AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. The Supreme Court this morning issued a landmark decision in the case of Janus versus AFSCME, ruling 5-4 that labor unions may not collect “agency” or “fair share” fees from workers who do not want to join the union in a union shop. The Court had ruled 41 years ago that unions could charge only for services that non-union members benefited from, such as negotiating, collective bargaining, and grievance procedures. The ruling is a major blow to organized labor. Later this afternoon, Justice Kennedy retired, opening up a supreme court seat for Trump to make a nomination. Beyond Nuclear with Kevin Kamps is Loud & Clear’s regular Wednesday segment. The hosts and Kevin look at nuclear issues, including weapons, energy, waste, and the future of nuclear technology in the United States. Today they focus on the safest way to hold nuclear waste, as opposed to the corporate-led schemes currently in place that place nearby residents and residents all along the nuclear waste transport lines under great risk. Brian and John speak with Kevin Kamps, the Radioactive Waste Watchdog at the organization Beyond Nuclear, and Loud & Clear producer Nicole Roussell. A 28-year-old political newcomer, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defeated 10-term Congressman Joe Crowley in a Democratic primary in New York yesterday. Crowley is the fourth-ranking member of the House Democratic leadership and was expected to someday become Speaker. He had run unopposed in his last seven races. And despite spending more than $1.2 million to Ocasio-Cortez’s $128,000, he could garner only 42 percent. Brian and John speak with Dave Lindorff, an investigative reporter, a columnist for CounterPunch, and a contributor to Businessweek, The Nation, Extra! and Salon.com. The Trump Administration has reversed its policy on family separations at the border for any family that is willing to be deported immediately. This was after a federal judge in California ruled that the policy was illegal and that the Department of Homeland Security had 30 days to return all separated children to their parents. Matt Adams, the legal director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, joins the show. FBI agent Peter Strzok will testify behind closed doors today before the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees. Strzok is expected to hear some very pointed questions 375 text messages that he exchanged with Justice Department lawyer Lisa Paige during the 2016 presidential campaign while he was investigating Hillary Clinton’s email server. Daniel Lazare, a journalist and author of The Frozen Republic, The Velvet Coup, and America's Undeclared War, joins Brian and John. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt is trying to limit one of his agency’s most powerful tools to manage or block miners and developers by removing the effective veto power the EPA has over permits to dump waste into waterways. Scott Edwards, co-director of the Food & Water Justice project at Food & Water Watch and an attorney who has prosecuted U.S. energy companies in Canadian courts for contamination of waterways, joins the show. The Trump Administration appears to be making increasingly common use of sanctions or the threat of sanctions in its foreign and trade policy. The US will place sanctions on Turkey, a NATO ally, when it takes delivery of a Russian missile defense system. Washington is asking allies to phase out the purchases of all Iranian oil by November. And trade sanctions on China are ratcheting up. Brian and John speak with international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Gregory Elich, a member of the Solidarity Committee for Democracy and Peace in Korea and the author of, “Strange Liberators: Militarism, Mayhem, and the Pursuit of Profit,” and author and professor Tim Beal whose most recent book is “Crisis in Korea.” In one of the most important diplomatic breakthroughs in a generation, the leaders of North and South Korea met yesterday and pledged to denuclearize the peninsula and to formally end the Korean War. Even the most optimistic observers were surprised at the scope of the meeting, which took place on the South Korean side of the border at Panmunjom. President Trump later issued a statement saying that he was looking forward to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in the coming weeks or months. On today’s regular Friday segment covering the upcoming midterm elections, Brian and John take a look at a series of upcoming special elections, a Republican win in Arizona, and the possibility of Ohio Governor John Kasich running against Donald Trump in the Republican primaries. Jacqueline Luqman and Abdus Luqman, the co-editors-in-chief of Luqman Nation, join the show. The House Intelligence Committee has completed and issued its report, concluding that there was no evidence of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The Democrats issued a dissent. And The Daily Beast has suspended columnist and MSNBC host Joy Reid after dozens of homophobic statements were added to her old blog on the MSNBC website. Reid claims that the blog was hacked, her supporters suggested may be that “Russians” were responsible, and the FBI is now investigating. But Daily Beast cybersecurity reporters, and the website’s webmaster, say there is no evidence of any hack. Also, the corporate-owned media is making a great deal of the emails hacked from the Russian attorney who met in July 2016 with Donald Trump. Jr. Brian and John speak with Joe Lauria, editor-in-chief of Consortium News and author of the book “How I Lost, By Hillary Clinton.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel is making a one-day trip to Washington today to meet with President Trump and to discuss the Iran nuclear deal and pending US tariffs on German steel and aluminum. Most media outlets say that the meetings will have none of the warmth seen during French President Macron’s visit to Washington earlier this week. Reiner Braun, co-president of the International Peace Bureau and Sputnik News political analyst and producer Walter Smolarek, join the show. A recent spate of infections linked to romaine lettuce is now the largest multistate foodborne E. coli outbreak since 2006. At least 84 people have been affected in 19 states by contaminated lettuce originating in Yuma, Arizona. What needs to change about our agricultural system to make it safer? Patty Lovera, food and water policy director at Food & Water Watch, joins Brian and John. An international conference aimed at raising aid for victims of the Syria conflict raised just over half of what the United Nations says is needed to support refugees. Just $4.4 billion was raised. The US has pledged $1 billion but has not delivered any of that. Sputnik News political analyst and producer Walter Smolarek joins the show.The hosts continue the regular segment of the worst and most misleading headlines. Brian and John, speak with Steve Patt, an independent journalist whose critiques of the mainstream media have been a feature of his blog Left I on the News, which you can find at lefti.blogspot.com, and Loud & Clear producer Nicole Roussell.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Dan Kovalik, a human rights and labor lawyer who is the author of “The Plot to Scapegoat Russia” and Jim Kavanagh, the editor of ThePolemicist.net. It’s Friday and it’s been a big week of news. Just today, the DNC announced they’re suing Trump, WikiLeaks, and the entire country of Russia, memos were released from James Comey that depict interactions with Trump, and the inspector general’s report on McCabe has been sent to the U.S. Attorney for potential criminal charges. In Friday’s regular update on elections, the competition to be the next Speaker of the House and Senator from California has been intense, but on one thing Congress seems to mostly agree—war against Syria. Jacqueline Luqman and Abdus Luqman, the co-editors-in-chief of Luqman Nation, join the show. All around the world, whistleblowers who expose the misdeeds of the rich and powerful are persecuted, but many countries have also adopted legislation to offer them some form of protection. Brian and Walter speak with Loud & Clear co-host John Kiriakou,who has been in Greece this week to address the Greek parliament and meet senior government officials as that country prepares to pass its first true whistleblower protection law. The Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly planning to issue regulations that will further restrict undocumented people's ability to access health care. The hosts have part two of an in-depth look at this latest attack on immigrants and the barriers to healthcare access that already existed. Leo Cuello, an attorney and the director of health policy for the National Health Law Program, joins the show. We’ve all heard about GMOs, or genetically modified foods. But new research has created what’s being called GMO.2, or gene-edited food. What is this new creation and is it any safer than GMO.1? Patty Lovera, Food and Water Policy Director at Food & Water Watch, joins Brian and John. The US and the UK took the highly unusual step of issued a joint technical alert this week, which says that Russia has hacked millions of personal and home technological devices. Is this true? What’s the big picture? Web developer and technologist Chris Garaffa joins the show.The hosts continue the regular segment of the worst and most misleading headlines. Brian and Nicole Roussell, sitting in for John, speak with Steve Patt, an independent journalist whose critiques of the mainstream media have been a feature of his blog Left I on the News, which you can find at lefti.blogspot.com.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and Walter Smolarek and Nicole Roussell, sitting in for John Kiriakou, are joined by Rick Sterling, an investigative journalist and member of the Syria Solidarity Movement, and Francis Boyle, a professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law. On Friday night, as Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons investigators were headed to Syria to examine evidence of an alleged chemical attack, the U.S., UK, and France bombed Syria with more than one hundred missiles. The Syrian air defenses shot down much of the barrage, but the damage done was still intense. What will the consequences be of this major escalation in an already dangerous and complex war. For decades, the U.S. Navy used the Puerto Rican island of Vieques as a testing and dumping ground for highly dangerous weapons and materials. Huge protests and brave acts of civil disobedience alongside a determined battle in the courts led to victory in 2003, and this struggle is remembered as a key part of the broader struggle for freedom for Puerto Rico. Scott Edwards, co-director of the Food & Water Justice project at Food & Water Watch and an attorney who has prosecuted U.S. energy companies for contamination of waterways and worked against factory farms in both North Carolina and the Chesapeake region, joins the show. Seven people have died and at least 17 are injured inside a South Carolina prison that has been plagued with dire problems. One inmate reported to the Associated Press that the officers did nothing to stop the violence and let bodies “literally stack on top of each other.” Brian and Nicole speak with Paul Wright, the founder and Executive Director of the Human Rights Defense Center and editor of Prison Legal News and Criminal Legal News. Former FBI Director James Comey is releasing a book tomorrow, though excerpts have leaked out and are enraging Trump as Comey embarks on a media blitz. What comes next in the battle between the former FBI Director and the sitting president? Dan Kovalik, a human rights and labor lawyer who is the author of the soon to be released book “The Plot to Attack Iran,” joins the show. Monday’s regular segment “Education for Liberation with Bill Ayers” looks at the state of education across the country. What’s happening in our schools, colleges, and universities, and what impact does it have on the world around us? Today focuses on a recent report on discriminatory racial discipline disparities and the teacher strikes across the nation with Bill Ayers, an activist, educator and the author of the book “Demand the Impossible: A Radical Manifesto.” According to reports released this afternoon, contrary to expectations, the announcement about planned sanctions against Russia will be postponed at least temporarily. Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the United Nations, had promised that new sanctions would be announced today. Earlier this afternoon the hosts spoke with Professor Steve Keen and Dmitri Babich about what a new sanctions regime against Russia might look like, what its’ impacts might be on the Russian economy and how it could impact global trade. Dmitry Babich, journalist and commentator with Sputnik International, and Steve Keen, the author of “Debunking Economics” and the world’s first crowdfunded economist, whose work is at patreon.com/ProfSteveKeen, join the show.The Justice Department Inspector General issued a report that paints former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe as having released information to the press against FBI practices and having lied to and misled investigators about the Clinton email scandal. Brian and Walter speak with Ted Rall, an award-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Rick Sterling, an investigative journalist and member of the Syria Solidarity Movement, and Jana Nakhal, an independent researcher and a member of the central committee of the Lebanese Communist Party. President Trump over the weekend threatened to make Syria “pay a big price” in response to a chemical weapons attack outside Damascus that killed at least 70 people, most of them women and children. Russian President Vladimir Putin countered that any attack on Syria would be considered an attack on Russia. French President Macron said that his country would “do its duty” in Syria and said it would go to the United Nations Security Council today. Meanwhile, Israeli jets attacked an airbase outside Palmyra, killing 14 Syrian troops. About 10 billion land animals are raised for food in the United States every year. Many of those animals are raised on factory farms. That industrial method of farming produces vast amounts of pollution. It includes 37 percent of methane emissions, which is more than 20 times the global warming impact of carbon dioxide. Manure, along with its heavy metals and toxic chemicals, leeches into the soil. And waste lagoons not only contaminate our drinking water, they deplete it as well. Scott Edwards, co-director of the Food & Water Justice project at Food & Water Watch, joins the show. The Department of Homeland Security is creating a database to monitor journalists, bloggers, and what it calls “media influencers.” The database would track 290,000 news sources (both foreign and domestic), writing, and speaking in 100 languages. Media observers see the database as nothing less than a frontal attack on freedom of the press. Brian and John speak with the senior director of strategy and communications at Free Press. Monday’s regular segment “Education for Liberation with Bill Ayers” looks at the state of education across the country. What’s happening in our schools, colleges, and universities, and what impact does it have on the world around us? Today focuses on a recent report on discriminatory racial discipline disparities and the teacher strikes across the nation with Bill Ayers, an activist, educator and the author of the book “Demand the Impossible: A Radical Manifesto.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was reelected yesterday on a strongly anti-immigrant platform. His party is projected to win 133 of the 199 seats in parliament. This will be Orban’s fourth term. During that time, he was transformed his Fidesz Party from a liberal party to a right-wing populist party. Sputnik news analyst Walter Smolarek joins Brian and John. French rail workers continue intermittent strikes that are expected to last three months. These strikes are a major challenge to President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-business plans to reshape the French economy. Alex Gordon, former president of the National Union of Rail, Maritime, & Transport Workers, joins the show.The hosts continue the regular segment of the worst and most misleading headlines. Brian and John speak with Steve Patt, an independent journalist whose critiques of the mainstream media have been a feature of his blog Left I on the News, which you can find at lefti.blogspot.com, and Nicole Roussell, a producer of this show.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Dr. Jared Ball, a professor of communication studies at Morgan State University, the author of “I MiX What I Like: A MiXtape Manifesto,” and you can find his writings at www.IMixWhatILike.org.Today is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. We’ll take a look at Dr. King’s legacy, his fight for peace, for the poor, for education, and for economic integration for all. And what if Dr. King had lived? What would America look like today? Wednesday is the regular segment looking at nuclear issues, including weapons, energy, waste, and the future of nuclear technology in the United States. Today is focused on the potential shutdown of several reactors in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Kevin Kamps, the Radioactive Waste Watchdog at the organization Beyond Nuclear, joins the show. President Trump said repeatedly this week that he wanted to pull US troops out of Syria, only to have the Pentagon push back and the White House release a vague statement declaring their intent to withdraw at an undefined time. Meanwhile, the leaders of Russia, Turkey, and Iran are meeting in Ankara to talk about the future of Syria. Brian and John speak with Ambassador Peter Ford, the former British Ambassador to Syria. China today announced an additional $50 billion in tariffs on US goods, in response to President Trump’s decision to impose an additional $50 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods two days ago. The tit-for-tat initiated by Trump two weeks ago caused the stock market to drop 480 points at the open today. Steve Keen, the author of “Debunking Economics” and the world’s first crowdfunded economist whose work is at patreon.com/ProfSteveKeen, and Pete Dolack, an activist and writer with Trade Justice New York Metro, who focuses on human rights, social justice, and environmental and trade issues, and the author of “It’s Not Over, Learning from the Socialist Experiment,” join the show. Brazilian General Luis Gonzaga Schroeder Lessa told reporters today that if the Federal Superior Tribunal, the Supreme Court, did not give the green light to the imprisonment of former President Ignacio Lula da Silva, the only alternative would be military intervention. This is the clearest and most public threat of a military coup in Brazil in decades. As of 3:00 this afternoon, the Brazilian Supreme Court is in session and deliberating on the matter. Arnold August, a lecturer, journalist, and author of the book “Cuba and the US in the Age of Trump,” joins Brian and John. Key provisions of the Clean Water Act are now under the control of one person at the Environmental Protection Agency--Administrator Scott Pruitt, according to a leaked memo. In the new memo, Pruitt says that he, and he alone, will make all final decisions over the protection of streams, rivers, ponds, and wetlands. Scott Edwards, co-director of the Food & Water Justice project at Food & Water Watch and an attorney who has prosecuted U.S. energy companies for contamination of waterways and worked against factory farms in both North Carolina and the Chesapeake region, joins the show.The White House said Tuesday that President Trump will order the National Guard to the border with Mexico to confront what he calls a growing threat from immigrants, drugs, and crime. Trump also will ask Congress for new legislation to block immigrants and asylum seekers. Brian and John speak with Isabel Garcia, co-founder of Coalición de Derechos Humanos.

The Baltimore region's subway system had to be closed completely for repairs while the city's old municipal water and waste-water system continues to spring leaks and pollute local waters, prompting years of costly repairs and higher and higher water bills that fewer and fewer Baltimoreans can afford.1:38: Colin Campbell, who covers public transportation for The Sun, talks about the Metro closure and its effect on the thousands of commuters who use it each day.8:53: As Baltimore faces costly repairs to its water and waste-water system, residents are looking at higher bills that many of them are unable to pay. Dan speaks with Roger Colton, an economist whose 109-page report for Food ---- Water Watch concludes that Baltimore could find itself in a “downward spiral,” forced to impose larger and larger price increases to pay for court-ordered infrastructure upgrades.Links:http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-metro-subway-shutdown-20180212-story.htmlhttp://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-water-cost-study-20171215-story.htmlhttps://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/sites/default/files/baltimore_water_study-final_report-2017.pdf

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker and John Kiriakou are joined by Max Blumenthal, senior editor of Alternet’s Grayzone Project, and Jim Kavanagh, editor of ThePolemicist.net.The Department of Justice sent a letter today to Sputnik News demanding that we register with them as “foreign agents.” We’ll spend the first hour discussing this attack on freedom of the press and freedom of speech.A US District Court judge in San Francisco has blocked President Trump’s plan to phase out Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, because of the President’s tweet supporting the program. It’s Trump versus Trump on DACA. Angie Kim, an immigrant rights advocate and community organizer with the MinKwon Center for Community Action, joins the show.Former presidential advisor Steve Bannon has stepped down--or has been forced out--as the executive chairman of Breitbart News, as the fallout continues from his sharp attacks on President Trump and his family in a recent book. Brian and John speak with Dave Lindorff, an investigative reporter, a columnist for CounterPunch, and a contributor to several other news outlets.At least 15 people have been killed in the exclusive southern California enclave of Montecito after mudslides, triggered by heavy rains following the worst forest fires in the state’s history, which destroyed houses and roads. Yet many Republicans still deny the effects of climate change. May Boeve, executive director of 350.org, and Tomás Rebecchi, the Senior Central Coast Organizer for Food & Water Watch, join the show.President Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against the news organization Buzzfeed and Fusion GPS over the allegations contained in the Steele dossier. Kevin Zeese, the co-coordinator of Popular Resistance, joins Brian and John.Bruce Gagnon and 11 other protesters were arrested a year ago for blocking the main street leading to the Bath Iron Works shipyard to protest the christening of a US Navy Destroyer. Their trial starts soon. Bruce Gagnon, the coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space and a contributor to Foreign Policy In Focus, joins the show.

Maryland’s moratorium on fracking for natural gas ends in October 2017, and, putting forth rules last month, the Hogan administration said its regulation of the industry will be the most stringent in the nation. But environmentalists and some residents of Western Maryland, where the drilling will take place, believe the rules do not go far enough — and that too much is still unknown about fracking’s effect on the environment and on human health. There will likely be a call for a complete ban on hydraulic fracturing in the Maryland General Assembly when it convenes in January. On today’s show, the first of a series on fracking, Dan speaks with a leading opponent of the process: Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food ---- Water Watch and author of “Frackopoly: The Battle for the Future of Energy and the Environment.” Links:http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/green/blog/bal-gr-state-introduces-anticipated-fracking-regulations-20160927-story.htmlhttp://www.times-news.com/news/local_news/friendsville-bans-fracking-within-its-borders/article_c2f9c618-be9f-5165-b59a-034bb040f06f.htmlhttp://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/bio/wenonah-hauterhttp://thenewpress.com/books/frackopoly

We're back with Michele Merkel of Food & Water Watch to learn how we can engage our elected officials between elections to make food and water issues a priority.

Frackolopy: the Battle for the Future of Energy and the Enviornment (New Press) Over the past decade, a new and controversial energy extraction method known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has rocketed to the forefront of U.S. energy production. With fracking, millions of gallons of water, dangerous chemicals, and sand are injected under high pressure deep into the earth, fracturing hard rock to release oil and gas. A history of the fracking industry, Frackopoly exposes how more than 100 years of political influence peddling facilitated the control of our energy system by a handful of corporations and financial institutions. It provides the public policy backstory and the history of deregulation that has turned our communities into sacrifice zones. The book also examines the powerful interests that have supported fracking, including leading environmental groups, and looks at the growing movement to ban fracking and keep fossil fuels in the ground. Praise for Frackopoly “At this critical juncture in human history, Frackopoly is a must-read. Rich in history and science, it allows us to understand how we’ve got to this point and gives us the courage to continue the fight. Wenonah Hauter and Food & Water Watch were essential in legitimizing the call to ‘ban fracking’ across the United States. Her book is a powerful account of that vital necessary struggle and where we have to go from here.”—Josh Fox, director of Gasland and How to Let Go of the World (and Love All the Things Climate Can’t Change) “Real life anti-fracking superhero Wenonah Hauter delivers the definitive story on how big oil and gas corporations captured our political system and schemed to frack America—and the growing grassroots movement to retake our democracy and protect our planet.”—Mark Ruffalo, actor, director, and advisory board member of Americans Against Fracking “Even though I have lived every chapter of this book, from beginning to end, I couldn’t, as a reader, put it down. What makes Frackopoly so riveting is not the economic evidence, public health data, and the political analysis—although that’s all here, too—but the brilliance of the author as the teller of this tragic-yet-hopeful tale. Wenonah Hauter is that rare narrator—a gifted writer and an environmental leader with a box seat in the public arena. A must-read for all who care about climate change, democracy, clean water, breathable air, and energy policy. Which is to say, all of us. Read this book and let your eyes be opened to the hoodwinking of America by the fracking industry.”—Sandra Steingraber, biologist and author of Living Downstream: An Ecologist’s Personal Investigation of Cancer and the Environment “A truly powerful manifesto about one of the greatest environmental fights on our planet today—from one of its greatest champions!”—Bill McKibben, environmentalist and author of Oil and Honey “A gripping and encyclopedic survey of the fracking menace, from the rise of a fossil-fueled U.S. oligarchy to the growing global wave of hard-won fracking bans. Hauter skillfully reveals fracking’s twin legacy: ghost towns, poisoned and quaking landscapes, and a scorching atmosphere on the one hand—and a remarkable wave of courage, resistance, and rising community power on the other.””—Naomi Klein, author of This Changes Everything andThe Shock Doctrine Reviews “Hauter delivers a passionate history and critique of the energy industry, from Standard Oil to Enron … [A] journalistic exposé of fracking outrages in which aggressive entrepreneurs in pursuit of profits wreak havoc on the land and poison the water.”– Kirkus Reviews “If Hauter had written this as a novel using the same characters, countries and global intrigue, it would quickly become an international bestseller and a miniseries would soon follow. She describes bigger-than-life captains of industry and colorful small-time scoundrels who play the system for their own gain. There are secret meetings and global conspiracies…a page turner.”—National Catholic Reporter Wenonah Hauter is an activist, author and progressive policy advocate. She is the founder and executive director of Food & Water Watch, an organization that, under her leadership, has fundamentally transformed the national debate about hydraulic fracturing (fracking), energy and the environment. Inspired by the works of his Academy Award-winning father, Ed Begley Jr.became an actor. He first came to audiences’ attention for his portrayal of Dr. Victor Ehrlich on the long-running hit television series St. Elsewhere, for which he received six Emmy nominations. Since then, Ed has moved easily among feature, television and theatre projects. Ed co-starred in the Woody Allen movie Whatever Works with Larry David, as well as the Seth Rogan/Judd Apatow film Pineapple Express, and a number of Christopher Guest films, including A Mighty Wind, Best In Show and For Your Consideration. Other feature film credits include Batman Forever, The Accidental Tourist and The In-Laws.

This week on CounterSpin: March 22 was World Water Day, meant to call attention to the crisis in world water supply and sanitation that makes lack of access to clean water far and away the leading cause of death for children under 5. Headlines about “taking shorter showers” suggest mainstream media didn't dive that deeply into the crisis' environmental, economic or political context. We talk about water with Darcey O'Callaghan, International Policy Director at Food & Water Watch. Also on the show: You may have heard that the Class of 2014 is the most indebted ever, or that graduates leave school with an average of $33,000 of debt. But now some are telling us the student loan crisis is “easing,” others that it was never that big a deal to begin with. What's up with that, and what impact would Barack Obama's proposed Student Aid Bill of Rights have on the issue? We'll get that story from Natalia Abrams, executive director of Student Debt Crisis. The post Counterspin – March 27, 2015 appeared first on KPFA.

Wednesday, January 28, 6pm EST: Due to the profound importance of a what is called a trade agreement being negotiated in secrecy by heads of state of some 11 countries world-wide and the political, economic and jurisdictional implications of this, I am convening another Round Table this week on the subject of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, (TPP). Joining in discussion with Mitchell is Arthur Stamoulis, Director of the Citizen's Trade Campaign, Melinda St. Louis, International Campaigns Director with Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch and Adam Weissman of Global Justice for Animals and the Environment. Arthur Stamoulis is Executive Director of Citizens Trade Campaign, a national coalition of labor, environmental, family farm, consumer and human rights organizations working together for trade policies that promote a just and sustainable global economy. Melinda St. Louis is International Campaigns Director with Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, where she works with international allies to roll back WTO financial deregulation and to stop expansion of harmful trade agreements. Adam Weissman works with Global Justice for Animals and the Environment opposing trade agreements that endanger animals, the environment, food safety, and the human rights of communities on the frontlines of environmental struggles. In December 2012, Mitchell interviewed Mitch Jones of Food & Water Watch on the TPP, and it's clearly time to do so again in light of its potentially imminent signing. Listen on-line at www.abetterworld.tv --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abwmitchellrabin/support

Wednesday, November 19, 6pm EST: Due to the profound importance of a what is called a trade agreement being negotiated in secrecy by heads of state of some 11 countries world-wide and the political, economic and jurisdictional implications of this, I am convening another Round Table this week on the subject of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, (TPP). Most people, even educated and politically attentive, don't know about the TPP or what it's about or its implications, which is why we're doing a third show on this. In short, what is being called a ‘trade agreement' such as NAFTA and others, is more accurately a political coup d'etat through which a corporate advisory counsel's decision-making would have authority over sovereign nation's democratically elected officials, e.g., Congresses, Parliaments, Prime Ministers and Presidents. Sovereign nations could be sued for profits which were projected by a given company's accounting departments but not realized (for any number of reasons, including inferior product, service or not finding the assumed presence of natural resources in a given location).  Please tune in and post the link of this and last week's show in all of your social media and lists. Here's the link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/abetterworld/2014/11/12/rocky-anderson-gerald-celente-kali-katt-on-the-trans-pacific-partnership. Joining in discussion with Mitchell is Arthur Stamoulis, Director of the Citizen's Trade Campaign, and another of his colleagues. In December 2012, Mitchell interviewed Mitch Jones of Food & Water Watch on the TPP. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abwmitchellrabin/support

Wednesday, November 12, 6pm EST: On tonight's show, Mitchell will hold a Round Table on the latest trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership which may be getting signed imminently and which has menacing implications for the sovereignty of all nations including the U.S. yet the subject is minimally discussed in the media. When it is, the discussion is highly partial and omits key points, which will be discussed in the Round Table by Rocky Anderson, Gerald Celente and Kali Katt. In December 2012, Mitchell interviewed Mitch Jones of Food & Water Watch on the TPP, and it's clearly time to do so again in light of its potentially imminent signing. Rocky Anderson, former Mayor of Salt Lake City from 2000-2008, during his tenure, reduced the carbon footprint in the city by about 33%. He an American lawyer and politician. Rocky has practiced law for 21 years in Salt Lake City. Gerald Celente is publisher of the world-renowned Trends Journal, has been interviewed on numerous national and international media for decades as a trends forecaster in the fields of economics and politics. Kali Katt is a free-lance journalist and activist with a B.A. in Environmental Studies.  She has been conducting on-the-ground educational actions in regard to the TPP for a few years now, to a public who, until meeting Kali, had no idea what it was or that it existed. The Trans-Pacific Partnership stands as probably the most threatening, so-called "trade agreement", or document of any sort, to our Democracy and sovereignty as a nation.  The TPP would legally oblige all nations who are signatories to be subject to a corporate-formed body which would have jurisdiction over any statutes in the U.S., including its Constitution. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abwmitchellrabin/support

Join PNN News Director Rick Spisak and his guests: Cris  Costello of the Sierra Club on the latest development on Florid'a Waters Vicki Machado of Food & Water Watch will talk about the Demand Governor Scott put an end to Fracking in Florida Harriett Heywood of Move-On will talk about GMOs and Fracking in Florida Debbie Jordan Lee County Commision Candidate TUNE IN LIVE SUNDAY 7pm (eastern)

Tia Lebherz is the Northern California organizer for Food & Water Watch. Based in Oakland, she works to engage activists and hold elected officials accountable on a range of issues across the region including fracking, water privatization fights, and food issues including factory farms and genetic engineering.  Prior to joining Food & Water Watch, Tia completed Green Corps, Field School for Environmental Organizing. During her time in Green Corps and the years following she worked extensively in the Midwest organizing on campaigns for clean energy and fair food. Tia Lebherz is joing us to talk about how Proposition 1 would stick California with a whopping $14.4 billion in total new debt ($7.5 billion plus interest) by taking $360 million per year out of our state budget for the next 40 years. The money to fund Prop 1 will come at the expense of other vital public services like education and health care. How this is a tricky precedent and a reflection of actions of big business in our nation, today!    Food & Water Watch Follow FW&W on Facebook

Wednesday, Dec 25, 6pm EST: Today's show will focus on an incredibly important international agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Treaty, which, according to those who have seen the few parts that have become known, is just about everything but a treaty on trade but largely one about jurisdic-tion over existing governments and their bodies of law. To discuss this in some depth for A Better World's audience, is Mitchell's guest today, Mitch Jones, Director of the Common Resources Program at Food & Water Watch. Mitch manages the organization's campaigns on nutrient trading regimes, water markets and pricing, municipal water infrastructure funding, catch share fisheries management programs, and open ocean aquaculture. He was previously the Director of the Fish Program at Food & Water Watch. Mitch also worked as the Senior Legislative and Policy Analyst for Food & Water Watch‘s Water Program. Prior to joining Food & Water Watch, he worked at the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, focusing on issues related to food safety and renewable fuel policy. He has appeared on CNBC, Al Jazeera English, and various radio stations across America. He holds a B.A. in history and philosophy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a M.A.L.A. from St. John's College, Santa Fe. You can Listen on-line at www.abetterworld.tv Or listen by phone! 602 753-1860 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abwmitchellrabin/support

Guest(s):Genna Reed, Lead Researcher, Food & Water Watch, Washington, D.C.

PNN's News Director Rick Spisak will interview Ms. Hauter regarding some of the threats to both our food and water resources. Wenonah Hauter is the Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. She has worked extensively on food, water, energy and environmental issues at the national, state and local level. Her book Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Food and Farming in America examines the corporate consolidation and control over our food system and what it means for farmers and consumers. Experienced in developing policy positions and legislative strategies, she is also a skilled and accomplished organizer, having lobbied and developed grassroots field strategy and action plans. From 1997 to 2005 she served as Director of Public Citizen's Energy and Environment Program, which focused on water, food and energy policy. From 1996 to 1997, she was environmental policy director for Citizen Action, where she worked with the organization's 30 state-based groups. From 1989 to 1995 she was at the Union of Concerned Scientists where, as a senior organizer, she coord

 Mi Earth Day Fest is one of the planet's largest Earth Day celebrations and it takes place in Rochester, MI this month!. Today on InTouch Interviews we are going to meet Tia Lebherz who is the Michigan Organizer for Food & Water Watch who works on campaigns to ban fracking, require GE labeling and stop the privatization of public water systems. Tia will let us know why her organization is involved with this festival as well as let us know what exciting opportunities await those of us who will attend the Mi Earth Day Fest April 26 -28. www.migreenteam.com