Podcasts about Lowdown

Sometimes, little things can be a big deal. For example, in considering ways to help protect Mother Earth from global environmental rampages by us humans, look out your window.In many cities and most suburbs, chances are you're looking at a lawn – a grass-carpeted yard that looks almost the same as the one next door, the one next to it, etc. Some see a lush expanse of green grass as the ultimate in landscaping beauty, and some even consider a well-manicured lawn to be a measure of one's moral character.Beauty and piety aside, though, the spread and intensification of “lawn culture” has become an environmental extravagance that is already unsustainable in whole sections of our country, and it adds up to a steadily-increasing burden on Earth's essential resources. Grass itself is natural, but keeping it alive across thousands of square miles is not, for it requires a deluge of chemicals and endless rivers of water applied again and again, yard after yard, trying to keep these plots green. And – O, the irony! – their “green” includes eliminating bees, butterflies… and, well, nature. One statistic tells the tale: Americans use more than 10 times more poison per acre than all of America's farmers use on their crops.Just glance around you, and you'll see the grass lawn imperative at work throughout your community – it surrounds local schools, “greens-up” corporate complexes, spreads across college campuses, forms miles of golf courses, etc.This is not a diatribe against grassy plots, which can be natural joys. But let's get real, get creative, and get in touch with the full balance and beauty of nature. You can promote ground cover sanity right where you live with native plants, xeriscaping, organic methods, rain gardens, and “re-wilding” your yard with things like prairie grass. For help, go to Rewild.org/Rewild-Your-Life.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Once upon a time, conservative ideologues opposed government interference in the holy magic of the marketplace.Take energy policy, for example. Right-wing cheerleaders of fossil fuels demanded that government must keep its fat thumb off the scale of free market competition between Big Oil and those frilly new “alternative” sources of energy.Where did those market “purists” go? Into the White House, the Cabinet, and Congress – where they've mutated into big government bullies, attacking renewable energy enterprises while hyping and subsidizing the corporate profiteers of dirty energy. Trump himself hasn't merely put his thumb on the scale, he's hauled his entire hulk onto it!For example, this month he lavished a $700-million gimme of our tax dollars to prop up coal production, a dirty fuel the market is abandoning.Wait, there's more: he paid another 700+ million of our dollars to Invenergy, an offshore wind energy firm – not so it could produce electricity, but to cancel four wind farms it had planned to build. Yes, he paid the company to not produce wind energy! Trump declared that even though wind power is less costly than coal, he found windmills “ugly.”So, here's my advice to the wind industry: Gold-plate your turbines and label them “Trump Towers.” And maybe stage a series of cage fights on some of them. Trump is all about hype and spectacle – so there you go.Meanwhile, the actual marketplace is loudly saying “no” to fossil fuels and YES! to renewables. Get this: Wind now routinely surpasses coal as a supplier of electricity to America. And, last month, solar power also surpassed coal. Political bullying aside, renewables are the future.Do something!At a time when the federal government is actively dismantling progress on climate change, the NDRC is calling for states to lead the way—and tracking the work that's being done. Start with this news update from them, and then take action.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Zach Laing from OilersNation joined us to talk Mike Babcock, Connor Murphy, and Jason Dickinson. Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In hour two we were joined by Zach Laing of OilersNation and reacted to the Mike Babcock presser, plus talked Giannis to the Miami Heat. Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In hour one we played we Mike Babcock presser, and were joined by Donovan Paulson. Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Cup - the goals, the corruption and the colonialism!In this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to Professor Stefan Szymanski, Professor of the Economics of Sports at Michigan University, about the World Cup and the evolution of global football. They explore how the tournament has shifted from being hosted by nation-states to being controlled by oligarchical interests, with Stefan explaining how FIFA's corruption stems from colonialism's legacy and the post-colonial power struggle within the organisation. The conversation covered dramatic price increases in World Cup tickets from 1994 to the present, with final match tickets rising from $475 (inflation-adjusted) to $10,000 calculated for this year's final! Stefan argues the problem isn't the high prices themselves but where the money is being directed. They discuss the tension between FIFA and UEFA, the flow of talent from developing to developed nations, and the political challenges facing future World Cup hosts including the current tournament in the United States and Canada. The interview concludes with a discussion about whether the World Cup could eventually unravel due to political tensions and boycotts, similar to what happened with the Olympics.Read all about it! Stefan Szymanski @sszy is Professor of the Economics of Sports at Michigan University, a leading sports historian, academic and podcaster - author of Crickonomics: The Anatomy of Modern Cricket, which was Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards 2023. Stefan is co-host of the Soccernomics podcast, alongside hosted by renowned football author Simon Kuper and Ashish Malhotra. Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Hour 1 we were joined by Allan Mitchell from The Lowdown with Lowetide and our Monday co-host, former CFLer Eddie Steele. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During Hour 1 Allan Mitchell from The Lowdown with Lowetide joined the show discussing Jason Dickinson's extension with the Oilers and the Brady Tkachuk blockbuster trade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In hour one we talked Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson. Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Grego joined the show, and we had our Mamma MMA segment. Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Gregor joined the show to talk Dickinson, Murphy, and Elks. Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

GENF PAKULA 由 Ralph Obermauer 和 Oliver Brand 两位成员组成，他们住在柏林。1996年在科隆，他们与 Olaf Karnik 和 Jens Massel（Senking）一起成立了 GENF 乐队，演奏一种特殊的新德式后摇和实验电子风格，以乐队形式尝试电子音乐。在一年内，他们为科隆唱片公司Finlayson发行了一张迷你专辑，并在 Compost 唱片公司发行了专辑"import/export" 《进口/出口》，以及一张包括混音在内的迷你专辑。然后 GENF 解散了。Obermauer 去了纽约，Brand 去了柏林。15年后，他们重归于好，带着 GENF-sound 穿越了几次不同的风景。他们最终成为了 GENF PAKULA，2014年在 Compost 唱片公司发行了EP Choices。2014-02-07-A1. Through The Night 2. Expat Loser 3. Lowdown 4. Gleaming

Want to know your English level? Take our free English-level quiz here to find out what your current English level is.  Do you love All Ears English?  Try our other podcasts here: Business English Podcast: Improve your Business English with 3 episodes per week, featuring Lindsay, Michelle, and Aubrey IELTS Energy Podcast: Learn IELTS from a former Examiner and achieve your Band 7 or higher, featuring Lindsay McMahon and Aubrey Carter with Jessica Beck in previous episodes Visit our website here or https://lnk.to/website-sn If you love this podcast, hit the follow button now so that you don't miss five fresh and fun episodes every single week.  Don't forget to leave us a review wherever you listen to the show. Send your English question or episode topic idea to support@allearsenglish.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greetings, Lowdowners—Deanna here!This summer, we're doing something a little different. Over the next few weeks, we're opening the gates a bit — giving free subscribers a taste of some of the exclusive stories, video, and behind-the-scenes Hightower that paid subscribers get regularly. If you've been on the fence about upgrading, consider this your invitation to see what you've been missing.To kick things off, I spent a day with Hightower in Austin last month, beer in hand at ABGB, talking with him about fifty-plus years of fighting the b******s. We've got a summer's worth of material to share with you, and I wanted to kick things off with the one that shows what organizing really looks like. Here's the setup: Hightower's Agriculture Commissioner, and he's just put forward the most progressive pesticide regulation in the country. The pesticide lobby is furious. So they get the governor to introduce legislation to gut his authority and make his office appointed instead of elected. Standard playbook—except for what happened next.The hearing room they'd booked was tiny. They had to move it to the House Chamber because Hightower's first witness was Willie Nelson. His second was Barbara Jordan. His third was the chairwoman of the Dallas Republican Women's Organization, who didn't love the idea of pesticides in her kids' food either.Not one committee member would make the motion to pass the bills. They lost without a vote.Here's the part I actually wanted to talk to him about, though: the celebrities weren't the strategy. They were the payoff. Hightower's team spent six months before that hearing building an actual coalition—farmers, farmworkers, consumers, local press. Willie and Barbara Jordan showed up because there was already a movement there to show up for. “They are the punctuation point of a movement that has already been built and is moving,” he told me. “Their presence encourages the movement,” but it doesn't replace it.It's a lesson that's aged exactly zero days in forty years: you don't win by getting a famous person to show up at your rally. You win by doing the unglamorous work first, and then the famous person shows up because there's something worth showing up for.It's your support that enables us to keep bringing the outside in, to keep sharing the ways we can fight together and have fun together. We know times are tighter than ever, and it makes your support mean even more to us. Thank you! Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

"The Lowdown" is an American crime comedy drama television series created by Sterlin Harjo for FX. It stars Ethan Hawke and Keith David. The series is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It features a man "who knows too much" (loosely inspired by historian Lee Roy Chapman), citizen journalist Lee Raybon (played by Ethan Hawke), a self-proclaimed Tulsa "truthstorian" whose obsession with the truth always lands him in trouble. It also stars Keith David, Kaniehtiio Horn, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Macon Blair, Scott Shepherd, Tim Blake Nelson, Tracy Letts, Dale Dickey, Paul Sparks, Peter Dinklage, and more! The series received critical acclaim for Hawke's performance and was renewed for a second season. Hawke was kind enough to spend some time talking with us about his work and experience making the show, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the show, which is available to watch in full on FX on Hulu and is up for your consideration for this year's Emmy Awards in all eligible categories. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have 600 cans of chickpeas next to 400 tins of peaches in your bunker? Do you think fuel-injection is a government ploy to plot your every move across the landscape? If you answered yes to either of those questions (or if they gave you reason to pause) then this week's show is unmissable. The two-wheel-drive Rokon is the oddest motorcycle you've never seen in the flesh. And, at 60-plus years old, it's also the second-longest continuously-produced motorcycle brand in America. Take that Indian. The Rokon is proof that a niche within a niche is a sound business plan. Company owner Tom Blais gives The Lowdown the lowdown on staying the course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lowdown Ep. 27 with Low Audi0 Show: The Lowdown Artist: Low Audi0 Air Date: 19 June 2026 Genre: House / Minimal / Tech House / UK Garage Low Audi0 takes over the airwaves for an hour to plug you with his favorite house and techno tracks from the month. You can expect to hear newly released tracks from artists we know paired with carefully selected tunes from upcoming producers you might not have heard of. Take a load off and lock in w/ Low Audi0 on the Lowdown. Tracklist: 1. Jimi Latifi - Killa 2. DEE2 - Pop That Body 3. Aitor Astiz - Digital Soul (Freak) 4. DJ Dre, L.P. Rhythm - Like That 5. Groove Affair, Jenny Voss, CHRIS GROOVES, Trippiee - Get It Shawty 6. Michael Bibi - Let's Get High 7. Tom Hoff & Landofreq - Vibe 8. LA Riots - We Out 9. ACRAZE - The Switch 10. Jaden Bojsen - ERICA 11. San Pacho - Bootay 12. Glass Petals ft. Sophiegrophy - We Stay Inside 13. Pupa Nas T, Denise Belfon, SHUFFA - Work Dub 14. AC Slater - Swingin 15. Silva Bumpa - On 2nite 16. DARE 80 - Grind On Me (Pretty Ricky Flip) Originally broadcast on Data Transmission Radio. Listen live and explore the archive: https://radio.datatransmission.co

In hour two we were joined by Steve Lansky from the Inside the Truck Podcast, and talked Oilers and Elks. Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Steve Lansky from the Inside the Truck podcast joined us to talk Oilers, the NHL, and the end of Hockey Night in Canada. Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In hour one we talked Oilers, Elks home opener, Canada's win, and had our Declanations segment!Join Allan, Declan, and our great list of guests for all your Sports needs! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've always supported small business, including having my own little media operation that has long allowed me to run my mouth for a living.One of the greatest aspects of being small – as opposed to corporation, conglomerate, or chain – is that you're the boss. I don't mean bossy, autocratic, “The Big Jerk.” I mean you have the flexibility to shape the enterprise according to deeper values than selfish profit and business “efficiency.” Concepts like fairness, integrity, community, diversity – even fun – come to the fore.Despite today's corporatized, politically-rigid economic order, such value-driven small business mavericks flourish all across America. For example, P. Terry's Burger Stand here in Austin. Started 20 years ago by Patrick and Kathy Terry, it's a small local chain of 38 restaurants embracing the down-home ideals of quality, affordability, and community support.But they also nurtured a core element of good business that is too often disregarded: Employees. As Kathy put it: “We believed that taking care of people – and building a great business – were not competing ideas.” Fair wages, basic needs, respect, belonging, advancement, happiness – these are the “inputs” that actually matter to the people who do the work and, through them, generate business success.Now the Terry's are taking two big steps to expand their ideals. One, they've set up a company-wide profit-sharing system so their 1,800 employees get a share of business income in addition to their paycheck. And two, they've created a special trust to provide employee ownership that can carry the values into the future.To learn more about businesses that live up to such progressive ideals, go to the National Center for Employee Ownership: nceo.orgJim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

This is just a memorandum, but are we understanding it? The Lt. General gives us the good the bad and the ugly of chasing down a deal with a terrorist regime.

#954. RaeLynn is manifesting Dancing with the Stars, defending Luke Bryan's viral "AI" song, sharing the country song she wishes she'd written, and revealing why Blake Shelton is exactly who you think he is.Kaitlyn and RaeLynn kick things off by recapping CMA Fest before diving into all things country music—from dream collaborations and the legendary artists RaeLynn has shared the stage with to songwriting, life on tour, and the moments that shaped her career. They also talk living with Type 1 diabetes, her passion for giving back, and a Justin Bieber confession Kaitlyn definitely wasn't expecting.Tune in for a conversation that's funny, heartfelt, and proves RaeLynn is truly as sweet as sugar!If you're LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE!Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these AMAZING deals!Alloy: Get your menopause treatment plan today. Visit my alloy.com and use code VINE for $20 off your first order! #AgeGracefullyMacy's: Shop in stores or online only at Macys.com!Boll & Branch: For a limited time, get 20% off sitewide at bollandbranch.com/vine20, code vine20.Paka: To grab your PAKA hoodie, go to www.PAKAAPPAREL.COMProgressive: Visit Progressive.com and give the Name Your Price tool a try. Take the stress out of shopping and find coverage that fits your life—on your terms.Apartments.com: The place to find a place!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Step right up folks! Please don't crowd! No need to shove, plenty here for everyone!Welcome to the Bonanza Extravaganza of the Artificial Intelligence “BOOM.” Silicon Valley billionaires are now proposing a scheme to deliver an unbelievable windfall to “every citizen.” Tech titans like Sam Altman of OpenAI are pushing the federal government to create a “public wealth fund” to let us commoners be investment partners in building the AI wonderworld.Lest you worry that this might be a corporate scam, note that Donald Trump, the deal-maker-in-chief, exults that letting the American public buy into the tech booms is a sure bet to “make them rich.” And Altman adds that a public investment fund would allow Joe and Jill Schmo to “participate directly in the upside of AI-driven growth.”Wow – benevolent capitalism!But wait – aren't AI barons infamous greedheads who constantly rig the system for themselves, sneer at the public, and openly disdain government programs? Well… yes.And wait again – they say We would “share in the upside” of AI, but what about the downside? Far from profitable, all of the industry's powerhouses, including OpenAI, are losing hundreds of billions of dollars while carelessly adding trillions in new debt and – shhhh – quietly admitting that their razzle-dazzle computer fantasies might not work.They won't tell you this, but going bust is a real possibility. And that is why AI's private-enterprise whizzes are now so desperately pushing us taxpayers to become their socialist “partners.” If and when they fail, your and my role is to save their bacon by demanding that “the public” deserves a government bailout.Do something!Want to help keep an eye on what Big Tech is trying to do with AI? Check out The Midas Project, a new AI watchdog nonprofit.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

UK needs a a strong liberal voice in the south to counter the predictable catastrophe of Farage and Reform In his latest Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to historian and author James Hawes about parallels between current political developments and fascist movements in the 1930s and 1970s. James compares Elon Musk's influence to that of Alfred Hugenberg in 1930s Germany, noting how both used media control to promote extreme right-wing parties. Nick and James discuss conservative establishment figures like Michael Grade at Ofcom were failing to enforce impartiality laws, how the government was unwilling to act against platforms promoting insurrection, and how the right-wing media landscape had shifted dramatically since the days when Enoch Powell was rejected by the Conservative Party. Hawes emphasises the need for a united liberal democratic front to oppose far-right parties like Farage's, warning that the first-past-the-post electoral system could allow Nigel Farage to become Prime Minister with less than a third of the vote if the left remained split. They conclude with calls for a "popular front" similar to those that successfully opposed fascists in the past, with both hosts expressing optimism that such a coalition could still be formed. The UK desperately needs a strong Liberal voice in the south to prevent Farage inflicting his second catastrophe on the UK after Brexit - a Reform government with the inevitable division, economic misery and national failure that would guarantee.Read all about it! James Hawes @jameshawes2 Renaissance man, historian, writer and novelist. James, the author of The Shortest History of England and The Shortest History of Germany. His latest in the series, The Shortest History of Ireland, is out next month.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Hour 1 we were joined by Allan Mitchell from The Lowdown with Lowetide and heard from Stanley Cup champion Taylor Hall. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During Hour 1 Allan Mitchell from The Lowdown with Lowetide joined the show discussing the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final and the Oilers' offseason. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us Fan MailTheme parks feel like cutting-edge engineering, but a lot of the best ride magic is centuries old and sometimes way stranger than you'd guess. We follow the historical lipstick traces behind modern attraction design, learning how people first learned to build believable “other worlds” using water pressure, puppetry, miniatures, mirrors, and projection. If you love dark rides, practical effects, and the craft behind Disney and Universal style immersion, this is a history detour that pays off fast.Body snatchers, dinosaurs and opium all factor in to this madcap story!Subscribe for more theme park deep dives, share this with a friend who loves ride secrets, and leave us a review with the oldest illusion you still can't believe works.Thanks for listening!We'd love it if you would give us a review on your podcast platform of choice: iTunes, Spotify, etc... They're really helpful.And get in touch and let us know about YOUR Plus-Ups for the attractions we've talked about!  We'd love to tell them on the air.Come visit us on Bluesky, Mastodon, Instagram, or whatever social media you like. Just look up Lowdown on the Plus-Up and you'll probably find us.  Or drop us a note to comments@lowdown-plus-up.com and let us know any questions or comments about how YOU would like to plus-something-up! We are a Boardwalk Times production.Boardwalk Times, https://boardwalktimes.net/Boardwalk Times store, https://boardwalktimes.store .

Part two is here and somehow it's even better than part one. Buckle up.Cara and Bronagh pick up exactly where they left off, and this half of the trip does not disappoint.We're talking about the moment they got a private preview of the brand new Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets before it officially opened, the Muppets themselves turning up to perform live at the after party, and Ben standing there filming the entire thing with the biggest smile on his face. We're talking about the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride, the Epcot margarita bar in Mexico that they visited more than once, and the Rose& Crown fireworks dinner that had their server in tears on her very last shift. There's also Cara finally making it to Beaches & Cream Soda Shop after years of trying, Bronagh accidentally high fiving Mickey Mouse when he was trying to kiss her hand, and their favourite hotels after staying across three Walt Disney World Resort Hotels.Oh, and the full breakdown of the Disney dining and drinks deal you need to know about before you book your 2027 holiday.Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets — a VIP preview of the biggest new ride of the summerGuardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind — still the ultimate ride and why it will always be number oneThe Epcot margarita guide — where to go, what to order and which one to make spicyDisney's BoardWalk Inn reviewed — why it's Cara's dream hotel and worth every bit of hypeOur favourite Hotels — Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's BoardWalk Inn, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Roundup Rodeo BBQ, Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, Rose & Crown and more — the restaurant round upDisney Dining and Drinks offer for 2027 — everything you need to know before booking, all in one placeBook your Hotel & Ticket package by 4th November 2026 for selected arrivals 3rd January - 19th December 2027 and enjoy FREE Disney Dining & Drinks, subject to eligibility, on selected meals when staying at selected Disney Hotels. Visit www.disneypackages.co.uk. Terms & Conditions apply. This was a gifted press trip to Walt Disney World Resort. As always, all opinions are entirely our own.Instagram: @schoolrunwaypod Leave us a voice note: https://sayhi.chat/oeks4 Don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify! x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of us are mad as hell at the moneyed establishment for constantly rigging the system against America's workaday majority.Those riggers could save face by making some basic reforms, but instead, they're getting mad at us for saying the system is rigged! Indeed, corporate powers have launched a PR offensive assailing what they call a “populist trend” of disgruntled people declaring that “everything is rigged.” They're condemning anyone who talks about corporate oligarchies ripping off consumers, workers, students, and others.But wait – that's not a “trend,” it's peoples' real-life experiences with the shameful corporate health care system, price gouging by food giants, the rapacious greed of AI billionaires, the flagrant theft of people's voting rights, the gutting of public education… and so awful much more? You don't have to be in Who's Who to know What's What: The system isrigged.Yet, the riggers demand that we “riggees” stop saying that word. One right-wing pundit whines that it's socially destructive for malcontents to suggest our laws are being manipulated to give more and more power to corporate elites. He asserts that even talking about it “undermines voters' faith and trust in our government.”Trust in our government? Come on! The majority of our lawmakers openly sell themselves to corporate bidders, the White House is a shopping mall for rich donors, and the Supreme Court functions as a corporate subsidiary. It's no secret that corrupt officials now routinely rig America's economic and political systems for the rich. Far from prissily shutting off discussion of this scandal, we must drag it into the center of American politics… and crush it.Do something!To get involved in the dragging and crushing of these corrupt scandals, head over to our friends at Common Cause, commoncause.org.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Thursday, June 11: The NHL Low Down by FiredUp Network

In this insightful interview, Wayne Paprocki shares his 50-year journey in real estate, highlighting strategies for success, adapting to market changes, and leveraging AI and networking to grow his business. Discover practical tips on scaling, building a team, and navigating challenges in the real estate industry.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Remember long, long ago in the old-timey days of politics, way back… maybe 10 years or so?In those olden times, if someone or some corporations gave a million dollars to a political candidate, the donation was scandalous news – a bribe!Ahhh, I miss those innocent days when ethical outrage could erupt over a mere million. These days, a high-dollar campaign would indignantly return such a paltry check to the donor, demanding that a couple of zeroes be added. Welcome to our glorious age of billion-dollar bribery.But a lot of people get lost in the illions, thinking that the “B” number is just an inflated “M.” So perhaps they assume the level of corruption hasn't gotten that much worse. Uh… wrong! To clarify, think of those Ms and Bs not as dollars, but time – specifically seconds on the clock. A million seconds, is 11 days. But a billion seconds? That's 32 years!And that's a whopping difference in political punch. Aside from letting the insanely-rich buy particular government favors, billionaire bribery also allows that exclusive class to prevent policies that people actually want from getting on the public agenda.One glaring example is the overwhelming grassroots demand by bipartisan majorities to STOP! the ever-rising deluge of corrupt political cash that's drowning American democracy. Congress can do this with two basic reforms. But both political parties have their heads stuck in money bags, so there is zero action by our “representatives” to do what America desperately needs.We the People have to be the cattle prod to move the system. To help, go to Campaign Legal Center: campaignlegal.org.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Tuesday, June 9: The NHL Low Down by FiredUp Network

This week, our "Best Breakout Album" series continues with the 1976 hit album by Boz Scaggs, "Silk Degrees." Like our other artists so far in this topic, it took quite a while for Boz to break out; but he finally did with this smooth-sounding album. With hits like "It's Over," "What Can I Say?," "Lido Shuffle," and "Lowdown," "Silk Degrees" received a Grammy nomination for Best Album of 1976 and is still a best-selling LP/CD/Downloads, etc. to this day. Next week, Frank and I look at the 1977 Breakout Album, "The Grand Illusion" by Styx. Enjoy!

Rail to nowhere - HS2 - the poster child project of a failed British political classIn this week's Lowdown podcast, Nick Cohen talks to author and doyen transport writerChristian Wolmar about the serial UK failed high-speed railway project. HS2 has spiralled to an estimated cost of £87-102 billion pounds due to political fickleness, mismanagement, inefficiency, and excessive environmental requirements. Christian Wolmar, author of "Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail," explains how Treasury interference, lack of coherent government strategy, and environmental concerns (including a notorious £130 million bat tunnel) contributed to the project's catastrophic cost overruns. Nick and Christian compare Britain's failure with successful high-speed rail implementations in Spain, China, and other countries that maintained national strategic vision and better project management. Christian expressed skepticism about current Labour government reforms, noting that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has apparently shown little interest in the Euston station project despite being the local MP.Read all about it! Christian Wolmar Christian Wolmar is an award-winning writer and broadcaster specialising in transport and is the author of a series of books on railway history. He has spent nearly all of his working life as a journalist, and his interest in transport began at The Independent when he was appointed transport correspondent in 1992, a job he did until 1997. Christian's latest book is Fast Track: The Extraordinary Story of High-Speed Rail.Nick Cohen's @NichCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During Hour 1 Allan Mitchell from The Lowdown with Lowetide joined the show recapping a busy weekend of sports involving the Edmonton Elks and Stanley Cup Final. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Hour 1 we were joined by Allan Mitchell from The Lowdown with Lowetide and our Monday co-host, former CFLer Eddie Steele. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jetlagged, emotional and not even slightly ready to be back. Welcome to part one of our full Walt Disney World review.Cara and Bronagh are back from the most magical trip and they are not over it. Not even close.In part one of their Disney lowdown, they take you day by day through the first half of their trip. From landing in Tampa and waking up to giraffes on the balcony at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, to the moment Cara walked into Magic Kingdom and immediately welled up at a mini parade. Obviously.Why you absolutely need to book Be Our Guest restaurant, and the inside scoop on Cool Kids Summer, Disney's packed programme of family events running all summer long.Oh, and then there's Bernard. Just when they thought they had nothing left to give after a jam packed couple of weeks, a Disney bus driver with quiz show energy proved there was still room for one more highlight of the trip.• Flying into Tampa vs Orlando — why it could save you time and money• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge reviewed — savannah views, the pool and getting around on the buses• Magic Kingdom day one — the parade, the characters, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and why Dolly has beef with Daisy Duck• Pin trading at Walt Disney World — how it works, what to watch out for and why the kids were obsessed• Be Our Guest restaurant — the Beauty and the Beast ballroom dining experience worth booking• Cool Kids Summer 2026 — Bluey and Bingo at Animal Kingdom, Goofy at Epcot, Jesse's Round-Up at Magic Kingdom and more• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue — and why your outfit could be the difference between getting called on stage or not (just ask Nathan)Part 2 is coming next week with even more — the Muppets roller coaster launch, the VIP tour highlights, Epcot margaritas, the Disney's BoardWalk Inn Hotel and everything you need to know about the Disney dining deal.Book your Hotel & Ticket package by 4th November 2026 for selected arrivals 3rd January - 19th December 2027 and enjoy FREE Disney Dining & Drinks, subject to eligibility, on selected meals when staying at selected Disney Hotels. Visit www.disneypackages.co.uk. Terms & Conditions apply. This was a gifted press trip to Walt Disney World Resort. As always, all opinions are entirely our own.Instagram: @schoolrunwaypod Leave us a voice note: https://sayhi.chat/oeks4 Don't forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify! x Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Friday, June 5: The NHL Low Down by FiredUp Network

From corporate polluters to political bosses, power elites try to create a myth of inevitability, trying to make workaday people feel helpless, too small to change the injustices of the system. Don't bother is their message.But the feisty residents of Boxtown, Tennessee, definitely did bother when they learned that a couple of profiteering fossil fuel giants were targeting them. Boxtown, a historic Black neighborhood of Memphis settled by former slaves 160 years ago, was considered by Valero Energy and Plains All-American Pipeline to be politically powerless, so when these multibillion-dollar petro powers decided to ram a dirty and dangerous pipeline through the Memphis area, Boxtown was their chosen route. The rich Texas oil barons even sneeringly called the lower-income community, “The point of least resistance.”Boy did they get that wrong! Those “small” people of Boxtown resisted fiercely and smartly. Most flat-out refused to sell their family land at the thieving price offered by the oil slicks. They forged a unified grassroots coalition (Memphis Community Against the Pipeline), reached out to other neighborhoods, and educated locals about the terrible safety records of the two corporate plunderers. They also enlisted environmental groups to help beat back the strong-arm attempt by Valero and Plains All-American to seize the people's property through eminent-domain. It's a long story, with many ups and downs, but the inspiring essence of it is that local “nobodies” defeated the big money and raw racist arrogance of a powerhouse duo of absentee corporate elites that disrespected – and misjudged – them.It gets little national media attention, but regular grassroots communities and coalitions are mounting – and winning – such gutsy fights against corporate exploiters all across America. We're not helpless or too small – remember this: Even the smallest dog can lift its leg on the tallest building! To learn more, contact MemphisCAP.org.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

A core role of the US Department of Justice is to protect people from abusees by giant corporations.But DOJ's present inhabitants have twisted that mission bassackwards – using the agency to protect corporate abusers from people seeking justice. For example: Big Oil. This massive polluter is insisting that government authorities must save it from its own transgressions. For decades, multibillion-dollar behemoths like Exxon have known that their fossil fuel emissions are increasing climate change, causing catastrophic destruction and deaths from intensified fires, floods, etc. Numerous lawsuits have now been filed demanding that the profiteers behind these horrific losses pay a fair share of the damage they've done.“Noooo,” whined the petro-perpetrators, scampering to Washington and to Republican statehouses to lobby for retroactive blanket immunity from all responsibility. Sure enough, top GOP officials are racing to bail out this murderous industry, which – by the way – finances the political campaigns of those oily officials.But wait… there's much more:* Our so-called “Justice Department” has sued Hawaii and Michigan to deny a “state's right” to sue energy corporations that cause climate change.* A GOP group of state attorneys general are proposing a nationwide “liability shield” that would preemptively excuse oil, gas, and coal polluters from any responsibility for climate damages.* The same group wants the federal government to cut funding to any state or city that sues energy corporations.* And King Donald has decreed that the justice department stop all laws, policies, and suits that “threaten” fossil fuel production.This is blantantly corrupt plutocracy… not to mention stupid! To help stop it, go to Center for Climate Integrity. ClimateIntegrity.orgJim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Today's guest is someone who quite literally shapes how stories feel. Tiffany Anders is a music supervisor working across film, television, and advertising, and if you've ever been completely pulled into a scene emotionally, there's a good chance someone like Tiffany helped build that experience. Her work spans everything from the Sundance-winning indie film Like Crazy to major series like Reservation Dogs and Netflix's BEEF. What's remarkable is how seamlessly she moves between those worlds, bringing the same instinct, care, and emotional precision whether she's working with a tiny music budget or a global production. But what makes Tiffany especially compelling is how she got here. Growing up in Los Angeles around filmmakers and musicians, she absorbed how music and images work together to tell a story. That deep sense of listening still defines the way she approaches her work today. We talk about how a project unfolds from script to screen, how she figures out what a scene needs emotionally, and how she balances instinct with the realities of budget, time, and negotiation. We also get into collaboration, creative identity, and the invisible decisions that shape the emotional experience of film and television. And there are some brilliant stories along the way, from discovering music as a kid and playing in bands to her recent work on The Lowdown. If you've ever wondered how music really works in storytelling, or how to build a creative life that can hold both art and complexity, this is a great one. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your early environment matters, but it's not about having perfect conditions. In Tiffany's case, it was chaotic, it was under-resourced, it required her to grow up quickly. But what she did was translate that into skills. It's not about imposing taste or showing off knowledge. It's about understanding the world of the work deeply enough that the right choice becomes obvious. And that comes from years of paying attention. From being curious BEST MOMENTS “You needed those role models … to be able to go, okay, this is feasible for me, I can do this.” “In a world where it's easy to skim, shortcut, and replicate, Tiffany has built her career on going deeper. Listening properly. Understanding the backstory.” “Creativity isn't just about what you make. It's about how you think, how you connect, and how you move through complexity.” EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.instagram.com/jumblequeen PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She has sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. ** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership/ ** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ ** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at hello@cerihand.com ** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

When Chicago blues pianist, singer and songwriter Johnny Iguana (The Claudettes) discovered bands like Minutemen and Husker Du as a teen in Philadelphia, it opened up a world of musical possibilities he's STILL unpacking. He eventually came into possession of The Roxy London WC2 - a live album of recordings taken from various punk bands that played at The Roxy club in Covent Garden, London between January and April 1977 - and the raw, unfettered performances of bands like Wire, Buzzcocks and X-Ray Spex captivated him like nothing else at the time.  Turn this episode UP! Songs discussed in this episode: (Stage patter, The Roxy London 1977) - Johnny Moped (Paul Halford); Touch You Back - The Claudettes; Oh Bondage Up Yours! (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - X-Ray Spex; I Love Living In The City (Live from The Decline of Western Civilization) - Fear; I'm On Fire (Live from Urgh! A Music War) - Chelsea; Tom Sawyer (Piano version) - Ian Hanson Piano; Viet Nam - Minutemen; Big Boss Man - Jimmy Reed; Show Me The Way (Live) - Peter Frampton; Turn The Page - The Streets; Runaway (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - Slaughter & the Dogs; Action - Oh My God; Boston Babies - GBH; Boston Babies - UK Subs; Boston Babies (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - Slaughter & the Dogs; Freedom (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - The Unwanted; Dot Dash, Lowdown, 1.2.X.U. (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - Wire; Gary Gilmore's Eyes, Bored Teenagers (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - The Adverts; Hard Loving Man (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - Johnny Moped; Don't Need It, Waiting For The Man (Velvet Underground Cover), 15 (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - Eater; Oh Bondage Up Yours! (Live at The Roxy London 1977) - X-Ray Spex; Dreaming - Poly Styrene; Everybody's Happy Nowadays, Breakdown, Love Battery (Live at The Roxy London 1977), Why Can't I Touch It? - Buzzcocks; Evidently Chickentown, Health Fanatic (Live from Urgh! A Music War) - John Cooper Clarke; (You Are My) Whole World - The Claudettes

Has your family consumed its lump of coal today?One of the most perverse presidential moves ever is Trump's Big Government decree to force feed “King Coal” to Americans. Proclaiming an “energy emergency,” he unilaterally ordered five electric utilities to re-open their old, coal-burning power plants.These are toxic bombs, that continuously spew mercury, carbon dioxide, and a mix of other killer pollutants into our air, water, and bodies. Mercury emissions are especially vicious, causing early death in adults and permanent IQ damages to fetuses and children. Even the president's own health secretary has excoriated mercury pollution from coal-fired utilities as “the most powerful neurotoxin we know of in the universe.”That's why We the People have rebelled against the greed of coal barons in past years, finally replacing their deadly fuel with wind power, solar, and other renewable energy sources – which also lowers consumers' electric bills.So why push to re-impose a horrific corporate poison that the people have already rejected – and that progressive utilities have moved beyond?Crass corruption. By hailing dirty coal as “beautiful,” while demonizing and defunding clean energy, Trump has been showered with millions of dollars from old-line coal profiteers. And never underestimate vanity – he even got a custom bronze trophy from the polluters, hailing him as the “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal.”After America began replacing coal with clean energy, mercury pollution plummeted. But by restarting coal-fired utilities last year, Trump has already increased mercury emissions by 9 percent. Since he tries to merchandize everything, though, you might be able to buy an autographed lump of coal from him.Do something!* The Sierra Club's “Beyond Coal” campaign is a great place to find all kinds of resources for taking action, making local change, and more.* Money in politics remains the thorn in our collective sides, so you can also check out End Citizens United to get involved on that front.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

REMINDER! Join us TONIGHT at 6pm CT for happy hour live with Cory Haala, author of “When Democrats Won the Heartland.”Other than the fact that they are such blood-sucking greedheads, why have today's multibillionaires, high-tech barons of AI become so despised by so many grassroots Americans?By “so many,” I mean they've sparked a hell-raising mass revolt, originating in farm country, spreading through working-class suburbs, into community colleges, and other centers of Middle America – now including environmental, religious, and democracy movements.This is a genuine populist rebellion of workaday families against the corporate oligarchy of Musk, Zuckerberg, Altman, Bezos, and other “geniuses” of artificial intelligence. The billionaires are racing to install millions of supersmart A.I. robots in nearly every workplace, from manufacturing to health care, farming to finance.Amazingly, the tech elites consider themselves to be “humanitarians,” for they say turning work over to A.I. would free humans to… well, do what? Geniuses can't bothered with such mundane details, so they're not interested of soon-to-be displaced masses of people who'll be “made redundant.”So – hello – people are revolting (in the very best sense of that term). Interestingly, some of the strongest backlash is coming from a huge group generally assumed to be politically apathetic or enthusiastic about all technology: Young people. Columnist Michelle Goldberg reports that several tech honchos who've given college commencement speeches this month were startled when they launched into gushing praise for the glorious future promised by A.I. They were practically driven off-stage by roaring cascades of boos from the students!The pain that A.I. profiteers are imposing is one thing, but an even greater cause of this spreading revolt is the imperious arrogance and stupidity of royal elites who think ordinary people don't matter. Did these oligarchs never hear about the revolution of 1776?Do something!To stay on top of the rapid development of AI and its impact on the public interest, check out the work of the AI Now Institute, ainowinstitute.org.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

Greg and Ryan take a trip to Tulsa to scope out the new Sterlin Harjo series, THE LOWDOWN. Could it be the coolest show of the past year? Let us know what's your favorite crime mystery show by emailing us at poppingcollarspodcast@gmail.com or send us a recommendation on socials Find us on the web at poppingcollarspodcast.com Don't forget to pick up some awesome merch Check out our Youtube offerings Read Greg's ramblings about movies at Letterboxd

In this day of AI smart tools, it's easy to forget that we humans once relied on “dumb” hand tools like saws, drills, screwdrivers, and wrenches.For decades, a major maker of these trusty instruments has been a company in New Britain, Connecticut, appropriately named The Stanley Works.Today, having taken over other big brands like Craftsman and Black & Decker, Stanley is a $15-billion-a-year conglomerate, and many former-workers are asking, “Stanley works for whom?” That's because corporate top executives have quietly orchestrated a decades-long move of Stanley factories out of our country, abandoning the skilled machinists who literally made the brand successful.The final blow comes this week, when Stanley will shut down the last of its redbrick factories in New Britain. An odd move, since workers there produced one of Stanley's most iconic products: The “PowerLock” tape measure. It is enormously popular – indeed, I have two of them. Yet, corporate bosses claim that cheaper, foreign-made tape measures now dominate the market, so – Poof! – goodbye 300 American jobs.But wait, Stanley didn't eliminate the jobs, it just moved them. To Thailand, where labor is paid 75% less than in Connecticut. Indeed, the major foreign competitor to Stanley turns out to be… Stanley! It has been building modernized production factories in Thailand, even as it divested in US factories and increased shipments of its foreign-made tape measures to the US.Stanley's CEO was paid $7.6 million last year. Nice, but now, the paychecks of 300 more workers can be reallocated to global shareholders… and give another hike in the chief's pay. And that's how the Inequality Merry-Go-Round keeps spinning… round and round and round.Do something!To fight for good jobs and an economy that benefits everyone, check out and support the work of Jobs with Justice, jwj.org.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe

The hidden logic of "lowkey." Plus, where did all those terms of venery come from? A flamboyance of flamingos? Visit Lexicon Valley. A Booksmart Studios Production. Episode 299: "The Lowdown on Lowkey." With John McWhorter. Edited and produced by Mike Vuolo. Produced by Livia Bloom Ingram. All rights reserved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In America's frontier days, anyone diverting a town's creek water to their private, profiteering purpose was not merely considered wrong, but guilty of Biblical-level immorality.That was BBE, however – “Before Billionaire Ethics.” Today, a cohort of über-rich hucksters – including Bezos, Altman, Musk, and Zuckerberg – have unilaterally decreed that they are above such moral fussiness, entitled to exploit the scarce water resources of millions of Americans, especially in rural areas.They're not irrigating crops, but continuously spritzing hundreds of thousands of the super-computers they're “planting” in the hyperscale AI data centers being built across the country. These are “computer ranches,” digesting and constantly spewing out electronic data to run artificial intelligence bots that the tech billionaires are creating to replace us human workers.Jobs aside, each of these concrete complexes is a massive water hog. Amazon, Meta, and the rest use millions of gallons a day of fresh, unrecycled water, just to keep their computers cool. Hello – states like Texas face recurring drought, yet billionaires insist on draining our aquifers and rivers to water their computers! In Texas alone, more than 400 of these sprawling data centers have already been built or are under construction.Meanwhile, a grassroots “What The Hell” movement is spreading across the country. But don't expect billionaires to show even an iota of respect for the Common Good. Indeed, they're now funding an all-out PR blitz and political campaign to demonize these local rebellions. Worse, they are doubling down on their plutocratic power grab, demanding that Congress pre-emptively outlaw state and local officials from regulating, much less barring, these invasive schemes.To help battle these profiteering b******s, go to www.mediajustice.org/tools.Jim Hightower's Lowdown is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimhightower.substack.com/subscribe