Podcasts about progressive radio news hour

Progressive Radio News Hour by The News with Paul DeRienzo

This week on Behind the Headlines we spoke with geopolitical analyst Stephen Lendman. Born in 1934, Stephen is a Harvard University graduate and a prolific writer on major world and national issues. His articles have appeared on many news websites and he maintains a personal blog at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Stephen is a regular guest on alternative news radio shows and hosts his own show on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. The author or...

This week on Behind the Headlines we spoke with geopolitical analyst Stephen Lendman. Born in 1934, Stephen is a Harvard University graduate and a prolific writer on major world and national issues. His articles have appeared on many news websites and he maintains a personal blog at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Stephen is a regular guest on alternative news radio shows and hosts his own show on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. The author or...

This week on Behind the Headlines we spoke with geopolitical analyst Stephen Lendman. Born in 1934, Stephen is a Harvard University graduate and a prolific writer on major world and national issues. His articles have appeared on many news websites and he maintains a personal blog at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Stephen is a regular guest on alternative news radio shows and hosts his own show on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network three times weekly. The author or...

Terrorists R Us: The Boston Mass Casualty Attack, Lockdown and High Profile Manhunt “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”  – Benjamin Franklin, 1759 The mass casualty causing attack during the Boston Marathon, together with the high profile arrest of two men in Canada charged with plotting a terrorist attack on a commuter train have captivated the attention of regular citizens. Fears have been ramped up to the point where Americans are tolerating if not welcoming martial law and erosions of civil liberties in the name of protection from the terrorist hordes. Witness the high-profile man-hunt for bombing suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev. On April 19, the entire city of Boston was on lockdown. Residents told to lock themselves indoors while schools and businesses were closed while the entire transit system was shut down and SWAT teams took control of the streets. The home of one of the most famous and iconic popular resistance actions in history, the Boston Tea Party, unquestioningly complied with authorities this time around – all in the name of capturing one wounded man. Speaking of authorities, rigorous scrutiny of the authorities themselves may be in order. Speaking to the Global Research News Hour in December, Andy Lee Roth, the Associate Director of Project Censored spoke of the fourth story in PC's list of most censored stories of 2011-2012… “…The FBI has a network of nearly 15,000 spies, moles and informants …whose job it is to infiltrate various communities within the United States, ostensibly to uncover terrorist plots …in many cases, those 15,000 spies, moles and informants are actually encouraging and then assisting the people in those communities in committing the very crimes that people are then busted for. So It's a kind of set-up operation and it appears to be motivated by a desire on the FBI's part to show that they are playing an effective role in the battle against terrorism on the home front.” He further pointed out… “This only works as a kind of PR strategy if the corporate media cooperate and basically take the government officials who speak on behalf of the program as the sole sources on the program's efficacy. What's not covered in the corporate media but what can be documented in independent media coverage is that most of these cases when they go to court the judge throws them out for lack of merit.” Without this context, the citizenry's grasp of reality is imperiled. The common man and woman is left ripe for manipulation by powerful interests with another agenda entirely. This, the twenty-fourth installment of the Global Research News Hour, sees independent broadcaster Stephen Lendman try to provide some of this context as the War On Terrorism gets its biggest PR boost in years and as tensions with Syria, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela are on the rise. Stephen Lendman is the host of the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network, author of BANKER OCCUPATION: Waging Financial War on Humanity and a frequent contributor to globalresearch.ca.

Greece: The Epicenter of Global Pillage February 22nd, 2012 by Stephen Lendman Predatory bankers make serial killers look good by comparison. Their business model creates crises to facilitate grand theft, financial terrorism, and debt entrapment. They steal all material wealth and then some. They systematically rob investors and strip mine economies for self-enrichment. They demand they get paid first. They hold nations hostage to assure it. They turn crises into catastrophes. They leave mass impoverishment, high unemployment, neo-serfdom, and human wreckage in their wake. Their Federal Reserve/ECB/IMF/World Bank/political class lackeys do their bidding. They're more dangerous than standing armies. They wage war by other means. They cause "demographic shrinkage, shortened life spans, emigration and capital flight," explains Michael Hudson. They're a malignancy ravaging societies and humanity. Greece is the epicenter of what's metastasizing globally. The latest bailout deal highlights out-of-control pillage. On February 20, New York Times writer Stephen Castle headlined, "Europe Agrees on New Bailout to Help Greece Avoid Default," saying: On Tuesday morning, Luxembourg president/Euro Group head Jean-Claude Juncker announced: "We have reached a far-reaching agreement on Greece's new program and private-sector involvement. The new program provides a comprehensive blueprint for putting the public finances and the economy of Greece back on a sustainable footing." In fact, it assures human misery and economic destruction, not restoration. It's a deal only bankers can love. It demands Greece reduce its debt from 160% to about 120% of GDP by 2020, but how incurring more debt achieves it wasn't explained. It also demands sacking 150,000 public workers by 2015, slashing private sector wages 20%, lowering monthly minimum wages from 750 to 600 euros, cutting unemployment benefits from 460 to 360 euros, and reducing pensions 15% en route to eliminating them altogether. Media reports said bondholders agreed to a 53.5% face value haircut - the equivalent of losing 75% overall. In fact, only 30% of toxic assets are involved. Most held aren't touched. Greece must make good on them, no matter the impossible burden. Private lenders will swap current holdings for new lower face value/lower interest rate bonds. Representing bondholders, Institute of International Finance's Charles Dallara and BNP Pariba's Jean Lemierre called the deal "solid....for investors, a fair deal for all parties involved." In other words, raping Greece for bankers is "solid" and "fair." Its citizens had no say. Without rights, what's best for them wasn't discussed. They're left with huge wage and benefit cuts combined with mass layoffs. Greece faces less tax revenue to cover domestic priorities. In late 2011 alone, its economy shrank 7%. January revenues fell 7% year-over-year. Value-added tax receipts decreased 18.7% from last year. Death spiral financial deterioration continues monthly. Moreover, the nation's $650 billion debt burden is double the reported amount. The more it increases, the harder it is to service and repay, the more future aid's needed, and deeper the country's economic catastrophe heads for total collapse. The deal escrows $170 billion to assure bankers get paid. Investment advisor Patrick Young got it right telling Russia Today that dealmakers don't trust Greece living up to terms because its track record is so bad. "So we now have a situation," said Young, "where Greece said we'll do anything you want, but the problem is" too great a burden to bear. "It's a catastrophe pushing people to the brink of starvation." No matter. Finance ministers will give Greece some money on dreadful terms "where like a nine year old child, every Friday it has to go to daddy, say it's done its homework, say it's been a good boy, can it please have next week's pocket money to pay its civil servants. (It's) a horrible loss of sovereignty." Troika power runs Greece - the IMF, ECB and EU. They're predators saying pay up or else. Reports say its government will change its constitution to prioritize repaying debt ahead of vital domestic obligations. Other terms involve lenders cutting interest rates on bailout loans by 0.5% over the next five years, and 1.5% thereafter. An estimated 1.4 billion euros would be saved by 2020. The ECB will compensate by distributing profits on its 40 billion Greek debt holdings. In addition, Eurozone countries will contribute their Greek bond income through the end of the decade. Still to be decided is EU/IMF burden sharing. Both agreed to contribute. Not discussed or considered is leaving 11 million Greeks on their own out of luck. They have three choices - starve, leave, or rebel. The Rot Beneath the Surface On February 21, Financial Times contributor Peter Spiegel headlined, "Greek debt nightmare laid bare," saying: "A 'strictly confidential' report on Greece's debt projections prepared for eurozone finance ministers reveals Athens' rescue programme is way off track and suggests the Greek government may need another bail-out" soon after the latest one. Even under the most optimistic scenario, imposed austerity's punishing Greece so severely, its burden's impossible to bear. Agreed on terms are "self-defeating." Forced austerity elevates debt levels, weakens the economy, and prevents Greece "from ever returning to the financial markets by scaring off future private investors." As a result, continued financial infusions are needed. Double or more the agreed amount's required. Current problems increase exponentially toward total collapse, default and bankruptcy. The report explained Greece's impossible burden. It also "paints a troubling outlook for the debt restructuring, expected to begin this week." Bond swapping creates "a class of privileged investors who will chase off" others when Greece tries selling fixed income securities at market. Germany, the Netherlands and Finland opposed a deal doomed to fail. The report warned "Greek authorities may not be able to deliver structural reforms and policy adjustments at the (envisioned) pace." Perhaps never with shrinking revenues unable to cover liabilities. It's "now uncertain whether market access can be restored in the immediate post-programme years." Left unsaid was restoring it's impossible ever. Greece faces protracted deep depression. Its life force is ebbing. Only its obituary remains to be written. A Final Comment Greece's debt deal provides a model for future European sovereign restructurings. It's one of six or more troubled countries. Portugal looks like the next domino to fall, but Spain, Italy, Ireland, and others may follow. Moreover, implementing Greece's deal entails problems. Reality may prevent fulfilling promises. If April elections are held, new MPs may balk. Declaring a debt moratorium, defaulting and leaving the Eurozone are options. Moreover, private lenders may object. Legal challenges may follow. A sweetheart banker deal may unravel. Pressuring China and Japan to help isn't working. China Investment Corporation, the nation's sovereign wealth fund, and Chinese central bankers aren't willing to buy troubled European sovereign debt. According to one official, "(w)e aren't stupid." How it all plays out isn't known. Technocrats run Greece. They may cancel April elections and stay in power. Public sentiment remains the wild card. Impossible to bear pain may become uncontainable rage. More than buildings may burn. If political Greece doesn't care, people must act on their own. Revolutionary seeds are planted. They can erupt any time. Change only comes bottom up. It's long past time to get started. -###- Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net" style="color: rgb(69, 109, 188); font-weight: bold; ">lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

Catherine Austin Fitts — "Look Behind the Smokescreen" on The Progressive Radio News Hour - 02/24/11Fitts talks about the current "reengineering" and political obfuscation that is going on in the US economy, the duplicity of the attempts to slash state-worker salaries and benefits, and why political change in the US does not result in change.Catherine Austin Fitts is an investment advisor, entrepreneur, and former Assistant Secretary of Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner under GHW Bush. She's also a former Managing Director and board member of the Wall Street firm, Dillon Read & Co., Inc.She's now editor of Solari.com and runs Solari, Inc. - an "online media company focused on ethical investment and preserving family wealth. Long ago, (she) made a promise (never again to) act against the best interest (of her) own people (and to do her best) to leave a better world for generations to come."Her latest views on world and national issues will be discussed.DownloadCatherine Austin Fitts' website is http://www.solari.com/Source: Progressive Radio NetworkAired: 2/24/11 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.

Ellen Brown is a civil litigation attorney, author, and frequent writer on financial issues. A new edition of her important book, "Web of Debt," is an essential analysis of the private banking system, how it usurped money creation power, and how we can take it back. Brown's latest writing will be discussed.DownloadEllen Brown's website is: http://www.webofdebt.comSource: Web of DebtAired: 10/09/10 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.

Ellen Brown is a civil litigation attorney, author, and frequent writer on financial issues. A new edition of her latest book, "Web of Debt," is an essential analysis of the private banking system, how it usurped money creation power, and how we can take it back. Brown's latest writing will be discussed.DownloadEllen Brown's website is: http://www.webofdebt.comSource: Progressive Radio NetworkAired: 9/12/10 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.

Ellen Brown is a civil litigation attorney, author, and frequent writer on financial issues. A new edition of her latest book, "Web of Debt," is an essential analysis of the private banking system, how it usurped money creation power, and how we can take it back. Brown's latest writing will be discussed.DownloadEllen Brown's website is: http://www.webofdebt.comSource: Progressive Radio NetworkAired: 8/14/10 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.

Michael Hudson has had a long, varied and distinguished career as a Wall Street insider, leading economist, expert on financial history, and Research Professor at the University of Missouri. He's also an author, consultant, head of a Harvard-based economic and financial history group, and president of the Institute for the Study of Long Term Economic Trends (INSLET).Hudson's latest economic views will be discussed, including his recent article on Europe's Fiscal Dystopia: The New Austerity Road to Financial Serfdom.DownloadMichael Hudson's website is: http://www.michael-hudson.comSource: Progressive Radio NetworkAired: 7/15/10 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.

Catherine Austin Fitts is an investment advisor, entrepreneur, former Assistant Secretary of Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner under GHW Bush, and former Managing Director and board member of the Wall Street firm, Dillon Read & Co., Inc.She's now editor of Solari.com and runs Solari, Inc. as an "online media company focused on ethical investment and preserving family wealth. Long ago, (she promised never again to) act against the best interests (of her) own people (and do her best) to leave a better world for generations to come."Her latest economic and global views will be discussed.DownloadCatherine Austin Fitts' website is http://www.solari.com/Source: Progressive Radio NetworkAired: 6/21/10 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.

Ellen Brown is a civil litigation attorney, author, and frequent writer on financial issues. A new edition of her latest book, "Web of Debt," is now out - a vitally important analysis of the private banking cartel Federal Reserve, how it usurped money creation power, and how we can take it back.The Daily Bell "Compendium of Free-Market Thought" says "in modern economic thought (there are now) Keynsians, Austrians and Brownians."Brown's latest writing will be discussed.DownloadEllen Brown's website is: http://www.webofdebt.comSource: Progressive Radio NetworkAired: 6/20/10 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.

Ellen Brown discusses the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) civil lawsuit against Goldman Sachs.Ellen Brown is a civil litigation attorney, author, and frequent writer on financial issues. A new edition of her extraordinary book, "Web of Deb," is now available. It's a brilliant analysis of the private banking cartel Federal Reserve, how it usurped money creation power, and how we can take it back.The Daily Bell "Compendium of Free-Market Thought" awarded Brown her own title, saying "in modern economic thought (there are) now Keynsians, Austrians and Brownians.Brown's latest writing will be discussed.DownloadEllen Brown's website is: http://www.webofdebt.comSource: Progressive Radio NetworkAired: 4/18/10 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.

Ellen Brown is a civil litigation attorney, author, and frequent writer on financial issues. A new addition of her latest book, Web of Debt, is a brilliant analysis of the private banking cartel Federal Reserve, how it usurped money creation power, and how we can take it back.The Daily Bell "Compendium of Free-Market Thought" awarded Brown her own title, saying "in modern economic thought, (there are) now Keynsians, Austrians and Brownians.Brown's latest writing will be discussed.DownloadEllen Brown's website is: http://www.webofdebt.comSource: Progressive Radio NetworkAired: 3/28/10 12:00 AMThis podcast is an aggregate of audio files freely available online. Please visit the original source and subscribe to the host website.