Podcasts about rights day

This is one in a series about possible futures, which will be published in Booch News over the coming weeks. Episode 7 appeared last week. New episodes drop every Friday. Overview Peer-to-peer flavor-sharing platforms enabled home brewers to distribute taste profiles as digital files. Blockchain-verified SCOBY genetics allowed anyone to recreate award-winning kombucha flavors. Traditional beverage companies lost control as open-source fermentation recipes spread globally. This episode follows teenage hacker Luna Reyes as she reverse-engineers Heineken’s proprietary “A-yeast” strain and the century-old master strain used for Budweiser, releasing them under Creative Commons license, triggering a flavor renaissance that made corporate beverages taste like cardboard by comparison. Luna Reyes: The Seventeen-Year-Old Who Liberated Flavor Luna Reyes was brewing kombucha in her Oakland garage when she changed the course of human history. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, she had learned fermentation from her grandmother while teaching herself bioinformatics through YouTube tutorials and volunteering at the Counter Culture Labs Maker Space on Shattuck Avenue. By fifteen, she was running the Bay Area’s most sophisticated home laboratory, utilizing jury-rigged DNA sequencers and microscopes constructed from smartphone cameras. Her breakthrough came in February 2043 while investigating why her kombucha never tasted quite like expensive craft varieties and was different again from her grandmother’s home brew. Using Crispr techniques learned from online forums, Luna began reverse-engineering the microbial genetics of premium alcoholic beverages. Her target wasn’t kombucha—it was the closely guarded yeast strains that gave corporate beers their distinctive flavors. Luna hunched over her microscope, examining bacterial cultures from her latest kombucha batch. Around her, salvaged DNA sequencers hummed, fermentation vessels bubbled, and computer screens displayed multi-hued patterns of genetic sequences. Her grandmother, Rosa, entered carrying a tray with three glasses of homemade kombucha. “Mija, you’ve been working for six hours straight. Drink something.” Luna accepted the glass without looking up. “Abuela, your kombucha tastes better than anything I can buy in stores and the ones I’ve experimented with. Why? I’m using the same base ingredients—tea, sugar, water—but mine never has this complexity.” Her grandmother laughed. “Because I’ve been feeding this SCOBY for forty years. It knows what to do. You can’t rush relationships.” Luna’s sister Maya, lounging against a workbench, waved her phone. “Luna, people have noticed your forum post about Health-Ade’s fermentation process. Someone says you’re wasting your time trying to replicate commercial kombuchas.” “I’m not trying to replicate them,” Luna said, finally looking up. “I’m trying to understand why their kombucha tastes different than that I make at home. It’s not the ingredients. It’s not the process. It’s the microbial genetics.” Rosa sat down beside her granddaughter. “When I was young in Oaxaca, every family had their own kombucha culture, passed down generation to generation. Each tasted different because the bacteria adapted to their environment, their ingredients, their care. We had a saying, Hay tantas fermentaciones en el mundo como estrellas en el cielo nocturno – there are as many ferments in the world as stars in the night sky. The big companies want every bottle to be identical. That kills what makes fermentation special.” “Exactly!” Luna pulled up genetic sequences on her screen. “I’ve been reverse-engineering samples from different commercial kombuchas. Health-Ade, GT’s, Brew Dr—they all have consistent microbial profiles.” The Great Heist: Cracking Corporate DNA Luna’s first major hack targeted Heineken’s legendary “A-yeast” strain, developed in 1886 by Dr. Hartog Elion—a student of renowned chemist Louis Pasteur—in the company’s Amsterdam laboratory and protected by over 150 years of trade secret law. Using samples obtained from discarded brewery waste (technically legal under the “garbage doctrine”), she spent six months mapping the strain’s complete genetic sequence in her makeshift lab. The breakthrough required extraordinary ingenuity. Luna couldn’t afford professional gene sequencers, so she modified a broken Illumina iSeq100 purchased on eBay for $200. Her sequencing runs took weeks rather than hours; her results were identical to those produced by million-dollar laboratory equipment. Her detailed laboratory notebooks, later published as The Garage Genomics Manifesto, became essential reading for the biotech hacker movement. The Budweiser project proved even more challenging. Anheuser-Busch’s century-old master strain had been protected by layers of corporate secrecy rivaling classified military programs. The company maintained multiple backup cultures in cryogenic facilities across three continents, never allowing complete genetic mapping by outside researchers. Luna’s success required infiltrating the company’s waste-disposal systems at four breweries, collecting samples over 18 months while evading corporate security. The Decision The night before Luna was scheduled to meet her fellow bio-hackers at Oakland’s Counter Culture Labs, she sat at her workstation, hesitant, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Her sister Maya came in, looking worried. “Luna, I found something you need to see,” she says. “Remember Marcus Park? He tried releasing proprietary yeast information in 2039. Heineken buried him. He lost everything. His daughter dropped out of college. His wife left him. He’s working at a gas station now.” Luna spent the night researching what happened to Park. She found that almost everyone who challenged corporate IP ended up on the losing side of the law. It was not pretty. In the morning, Abuela Rosa finds her crying in her room. “Mija, what’s wrong?” she asks. “Oh, Abuela,” Luna says between sobs. “What am I doing? What if I’m wrong? What if I destroy our family? What if this ruins Mom and Dad? What if I’m just being selfish?” “That’s the fear talking.” Her grandmother reassured her. “Fear is wisdom warning you to be careful. But fear can also be a cage.” That evening at the Counter Culture Labs, Luna assembled a small group of advisors. She needed their guidance. She had the completed genetic sequences for Heineken A-yeast and Budweiser’s master strain on her laptop, ready for release. But is this the time and place to release them to the world? Dr. Marcus Webb, a bioinformatics researcher in his forties and Luna’s mentor, examined her sequencing data. “This is solid work, Luna. Your jury-rigged equipment is crude. The results are accurate. You’ve fully mapped both strains.” “The question isn’t whether I can do it,” Luna said. “It’s whether I should let the world know I did it.” On screen, Cory Doctorow, the author and digital rights activist, leaned forward. “Let’s be clear about what you’re proposing. You’d be releasing genetic information that corporations have protected as trade secrets for over a century. They’ll argue you stole their intellectual property. You’ll face lawsuits, possibly criminal charges.” “Is it their property?” Luna challenged. “These are naturally occurring organisms. They didn’t create that yeast. Evolution did. They just happened to be there when it appeared. That does not make it theirs any more than finding a wildflower means they own the species. Can you really own something that existed before you found it?” Doctorow, the Electronic Frontier Foundation representative spoke up. “There’s legal precedent both ways. Diamond v. Chakrabarty established that genetically modified organisms can be patented. But naturally occurring genetic sequences? That’s murky. The companies will argue that their decades of cultivation and protection created protectable trade secrets.” “Trade secrets require keeping information secret,” Luna argued. “They throw this yeast away constantly. If they’re not protecting it, how can they claim trade secret status?” Dr. Webb cautioned, “Luna, even if you’re legally in the right—which is debatable—you’re seventeen years old. You’ll be fighting multinational corporations with unlimited legal resources. They’ll bury you in litigation for years.” “That’s where we come in,” Doctorow said. “The EFF can provide legal defense. Creative Commons can help structure the license. You need to understand: this will consume your life. College, career plans, normal teenage experiences—all on hold while you fight this battle.” Luna was quiet for a moment, then pulled up a photo on her laptop: her grandmother Rosa, teaching her to ferment at age seven. “My abuela says fermentation is about sharing and passing living cultures between generations. Corporations have turned it into intellectual property to be protected and controlled. If I can break that control—even a little—isn’t that worth fighting for?” Maya spoke up from the back. “Luna, I love you, but you’re being naive. They won’t just sue you. They’ll make an example of you. Your face on every news channel, portrayed as a thief, a criminal. Our family harassed. Your future destroyed. For what? So people can brew beer with the same yeast as Heineken?” “Not just beer,” Luna responded passionately. “This is about whether living organisms can be owned. Whether genetic information—the code of life itself—can be locked behind intellectual property law. Yes, it starts with beer yeast. But what about beneficial bacteria? Life-saving microorganisms? Medicine-producing fungi? Where does it end?” Dr. Webb nodded slowly. “She’s right. This is bigger than beer. As biotech advances, genetic control becomes power over life itself. Do we want corporations owning that?” Doctorow sighed. “If you do this, Luna, do it right. Release everything simultaneously—BitTorrent, WikiLeaks, Creative Commons servers, distributed networks worldwide. Make it impossible to contain. Include complete cultivation protocols so anyone can reproduce your results. Make the data so damn widely available that suppressing it becomes futile.” “And write a manifesto,” he added. “Explain why you’re doing this. Frame the issue. Make it about principles, not piracy.” Luna nodded, fingers already typing. “When should I release?” “Pick a date with symbolic meaning,” Dr. Webb suggested. “Make it an event, not just a data dump.” Luna smiled. “December 15. The Bill of Rights Day. Appropriate for declaring biological rights, don’t you think?” Maya groaned. “You’re really doing this, aren’t you?” “Yes. I’m really doing this.” The Creative Commons Liberation On Tuesday, December 15, 2043—a date now celebrated as “Open Flavor Day”—Luna released the genetic sequences on multiple open-source networks. Her manifesto, titled Your Grandmother’s Yeast Is Your Birthright, argued that microbial genetics belonged to humanity’s shared heritage rather than corporate shareholders. It stated: Commercial companies have protected yeast strains for over a century. They’ve used intellectual property law to control flavor itself. But genetic information isn’t like a recipe or a formula—it’s biological code that evolved over millions of years before humans ever cultivated it. These strains are protected as trade secrets—the bacteria don’t belong to anyone. They existed before Heineken, before Budweiser, before trademark law. The companies just happened to isolate and cultivate them. Her data packages included DNA sequences and complete protocols for cultivating, modifying, and improving the strains. Luna’s releases came with user-friendly software that allowed amateur brewers to simulate genetic modifications before attempting them in real fermentations. Within 24 hours, over ten thousand people worldwide downloaded the files. The Creative Commons community erupted in celebration. Cory Doctorow’s blog post, The Teenager Who Stole Christmas (From Corporate Beer), went viral within hours. The Electronic Frontier Foundation immediately offered Luna legal protection, while the Free Software Foundation created the “Luna Defense Fund” to support her anticipated legal battles. The Legal Assault Heineken’s response was swift. The company filed emergency injunctions in 12 countries simultaneously, seeking to prevent the distribution of its “stolen intellectual property.” Their legal team, led by former U.S. Attorney General William Barr III, demanded Luna’s immediate arrest for “economic terrorism” and “theft of trade secrets valued at over $50 billion.” Anheuser-Busch’s reaction was even more extreme. CEO Marcel Telles IV appeared on CNBC, calling Luna “a bioterrorist who threatens the foundation of American capitalism.” The company hired private investigators to surveil Luna’s family and offered a $10 million reward for information leading to her prosecution. Their legal filing compared Luna’s actions to “stealing the formula for Coca-Cola and publishing it in the New York Times.” In Heineken’s Amsterdam headquarters, executives convened an emergency meeting. “Who is Luna Reyes?” the CEO demanded. The legal counsel pulled up information. “She’s a seventeen-year-old high school student in Oakland, California. No criminal record. Volunteers at a maker space. Has been posting about fermentation on various forums for years.” “A child released our proprietary yeast strain to the world, and we didn’t know she was even working on this?” The CEO’s face reddened. “How do we contain it?” “We can’t. It’s distributed across thousands of servers in dozens of countries with different IP laws. We can sue Reyes, but the information is out there permanently.” An executive interjected, “What about the other breweries? Will they join our lawsuit?” “Some are considering it. Others…” The counsel paused. “Others are quietly downloading the sequences themselves. They see an opportunity to break our market dominance.” “She obtained samples from our waste disposal,” another executive explained. “Technically legal under the garbage doctrine. The sequencing itself isn’t illegal. The release under Creative Commons…” “Is theft!” the CEO shouted. “File emergency injunctions. Twelve countries. Get her arrested for economic terrorism.” Similar scenes played out at Anheuser-Busch headquarters in St. Louis. CEO Telles addressed his team: “This is bioterrorism. She’s destroyed intellectual property worth billions. I want her prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Hire private investigators. Find everything about her and her family. Make her life hell!” By noon, both companies had filed lawsuits. By evening, Fox News was running stories about the “teenage bioterrorist” who “stole American corporate secrets.” Back in Oakland, Luna’s phone rang constantly. Her parents discovered what she’d done. Her mother cried. Her father was furious and terrified. Friends called with either congratulations or warnings. She was convinced that private investigators were photographing their house. Maya suspected she was followed to work. On Wednesday morning, Dr. Webb calls: “Luna, they’re offering me $2 million to testify against you. They’re going after everyone in your network.” Luna has a sickening feeling that she’s put everyone at risk. By Thursday, she is considering taking it all back somehow, sending an apology to the corporations, anything to protect her family. Luna turned off her phone and sat with her grandmother. “It’s started,” Luna said quietly. “Sí, mija. You’ve declared war. Now we see if you can survive it.” Maya burst in, laptop in hand. “Luna, you need to see this. The downloads aren’t slowing—they’re accelerating. Every time Heineken or Budweiser shuts down a website, ten mirror sites appear. People are treating this like a digital freedom fight. You’ve become a symbol.” Luna pulled up her own screen. The #FreeLuna hashtag was trending. Crowdfunding campaigns for her legal defense had raised $400,000 in twelve hours. Academic institutions were publicly endorsing her release, calling it “essential scientific information.” “They’re trying to destroy you,” Maya said, “but they’re making you famous instead.” Rosa handed Luna a fresh kombucha. “This is what happens when you fight for what’s right, mija. Sometimes the world surprises you by supporting you.” Luna’s Fame The corporations’ attempts to suppress Luna’s releases had the opposite effect. Every cease-and-desist letter generated thousands of new downloads. The genetic data became impossible to contain once the academic community embraced Luna’s work. Dr. Jennifer Doudna, the legendary Crispr pioneer now in her eighties, publicly endorsed Luna’s releases in a Science magazine editorial: Ms. Reyes has liberated essential scientific information that corporations held hostage for commercial gain. Genetic sequences from naturally occurring organisms should not be locked behind intellectual property law. They belong to humanity’s knowledge commons. While corporations claim Luna stole trade secrets, I argue she freed biological knowledge that was never theirs to own. There are no trade secrets in biology—only knowledge temporarily hidden from the commons. This is civil disobedience of the highest order—breaking unjust laws to advance human freedom. Ms. Reyes didn’t steal; she liberated. MIT’s biology department invited Luna to lecture, while Harvard offered her a full scholarship despite her lack of a high school diploma. The legal battles consumed corporate resources while generating negative publicity. Heineken’s stock price dropped 34% as consumers organized boycotts in support of Luna’s “yeast liberation.” Beer sales plummeted as customers waited for home-brewed alternatives using Luna’s open-source genetics. The Flavor Renaissance Luna’s releases triggered an explosion of creativity that corporate R&D departments had never imagined. Within six months, amateur brewers worldwide were producing thousands of flavor variations impossible under corporate constraints. The open-source model enabled rapid iteration and global collaboration, rendering traditional brewing companies obsolete. The world was engaged. In some of the most unlikely places. In Evanston, Illinois, a group of former seminary students who discovered fermentation during a silent retreat, transformed Gregorian chants into microbial devotionals. Tenor Marcus Webb (Dr. Webb’s nephew) realized symbiosis mirrored vocal harmony—multiple voices creating something greater than their parts. “In honoring the mystery of fermentation we express our love of the Creator,” he said. Here's ‘Consortium Vocalis' honoring the mother SCOBY. [Chorus]Our SCOBYIs pureOur SCOBYIs strongOur SCOBYKnows no boundariesOur SCOBYStrengthens as it fermentsOur SCOBYIs bacteria and yeast Our SCOBYTurns sucrose into glucose and fructoseIt ferments these simple sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide,Acetic acid bacteria oxidize much of that ethanol into organic acidsSuch as acetic, gluconic, and other acids.This steadily lowers the pHMaking the tea taste sour-tangy instead of purely sweet. [Chorus] Our SCOBYThen helps microbes produce acids, enzymes, and small amounts of B‑vitaminsWhile probiotics grow in the liquid.The pH falls to help inhibit unwanted microbesOur SCOBY creates a self-preserving, acidic environment in the tea [Chorus] In Kingston, Jamaica, Rastafarian’s combined an award-winning kombucha sequenced in Humboldt County, California, with locally grown ganja into a sacramental beverage to help open their mind to reasoning and focus on Jah. Once fermented, it was consumed over the course of a three-day Nyabinghi ceremony. “Luna Reyes is truly blessed. She strengthened our unity as a people, and our Rastafari’ booch help us chant down Babylon,” a Rasta man smiled, blowing smoke from a spliff the size of his arm. The Groundation Collective’s reggae anthem ‘Oh Luna’ joyfully celebrated Luna Reyes’ pioneering discovery. Oh Luna, Oh Luna, Oh Luna ReyesI love the sound of your nameYou so deserve your fame Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesShining brightYou warm my heart Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesYou cracked the codeTeenage prophet, fermentation queenSymbiosis roadA genius at seventeen Oh Luna, Luna, Luna ReyesBeautiful moonMakes me swoon Oh Luna, Luna, Luna ReyesFreedom to fermentYou are heaven sentTo save us Luna, Luna, Oh Luna ReyesYou opened the doorTo so much moreKombucha tastes so goodLike it should Oh Luna, Oh Luna, Oh LunaI love you, love you, love youOh Luna, Luna, LunaLove you, love you,Love Luna, Luna love. In São Paulo, Brazil, MAPA-certified Brazilian kombucha brands combined Heineken and cacao-fermenting yeasts with cupuaçu from indigenous Amazonian peoples, to create the chocolate-flavored ‘booch that won Gold at the 20th World Kombucha Awards. A cervejeiro explained to reporters: “Luna Reyes gave us the foundation. We added local innovation. This is what happens when you democratize biology.” The Brazilian singer Dandara Sereia covered ‘Our Fermented Future’—The Hollow Pines tune destined to become a hit at the 2053 Washington DC Fermentation Festival. Baby sit a little closer, sip some ‘booch with meI brewed this batch with the SCOBY my grandma gave to me.On the back porch swing at twilight, watching fireflies danceYour hand in mine, kombucha fine, the sweetest sweet romance. They say that wine and roses are the way to win the heartBut your kombucha warmed me right up from the start.Fermentation makes the heart grow fonder, truer words they ain’t been saidYour SCOBY’s got a place forever — in my heart, and in my bed. Let’s share our SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into oneLike cultures in a crock jar dancing, underneath the sun.The tang of your Lactobacillus is exactly what I’m missingYour Brettanomyces bacteria got this country girl reminiscing. Oh yeah, let’s share those SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into oneYour yeasts and my bacteria working till the magic’s doneYou’ve got the acetic acid honey, I’ve got the patience and the timeLet’s bubble up together, let our cultures intertwine. I’ve got that symbiotic feeling, something wild and something trueYour SCOBY’s in my heart, right there next to youThe way your Acetobacter turns sugar into goldIs how you turned my lonely life into a hand to hold. We’ve got the acetic acid and the glucuronic tooWe’ve got that symbiotic feeling, so righteous and so trueOne sip of your sweet ‘booch, Lord, and you had me from the start,It’s our fermented future, that no-one can tear apart. It’s our fermented future…It’s our fermented future…It’s our fermented future… “Luna Variants”—strains derived from her releases—began winning international brewing competitions, embarrassing corporate entries with their complexity and innovation. Traditional beer flavors seemed flat and artificial compared to the genetic symphonies created by collaborative open-source development. Despite the outpouring of positive vibes, the corporations spared no expense to hold Luna to account in the courts. The Preliminary Hearing A preliminary hearing was held in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on June 14, 2044. Luna sat at the defendant’s table, her hands folded so tightly her knuckles had gone white. She wore a borrowed blazer—too big in the shoulders—over a white button-down shirt Maya had ironed that morning. At seventeen, she looked even younger under the courtroom’s fluorescent lights. Across the aisle, Heineken’s legal team occupied three tables. Fifteen attorneys in matching navy suits shuffled documents and whispered into phones. Their lead counsel, William Barr III, wore gold cufflinks that caught the light when he gestured. Luna recognized him from the news—the former Attorney General, now commanding $2,000 an hour to destroy people like her. Her own legal representation consisted of two people: Rose Kennerson from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a public interest lawyer who’d flown in from DC on a red-eye, and Dr. Marcus Webb, technically a witness but sitting beside Luna because she’d asked him to. Behind them, the gallery was packed. Luna’s parents sat in the second row, her father’s face gray, her mother clutching a rosary. Maya had taken the day off work. Abuela Rosa sat in the front row directly behind Luna, her ancient SCOBY wrapped in silk in her lap, as if its presence might protect her granddaughter. Judge Catherine Ironwood entered—sixty-ish, steel-gray hair pulled back severely, known for pro-corporate rulings. She’d been a pharmaceutical industry lawyer for twenty years before her appointment. “All rise,” the bailiff called. Judge Ironwood settled into her chair and surveyed the courtroom with the expression of someone who’d already decided the outcome and resented having to perform the formalities. “We’re here for a preliminary injunction hearing in Heineken International B.V. versus Luna Marie Reyes.” She looked directly at Luna. “Ms. Reyes, you’re seventeen years old?” Luna stood, hesitant. “Yes, your honor.” “Where are your parents?” “Here, your honor.” Luna’s mother half-rose, then sat back down. “Ms. Kennerson, your client is a minor. Are the parents aware they could be held liable for damages?” Rose Kennerson stood smoothly. “Yes, your honor. The Reyes family has been fully advised of the legal implications.” Luna glanced back. Her father’s jaw was clenched so tight she could see the muscles working. He wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Very well. Mr. Barr, you may proceed.” Barr rose like a battleship emerging from fog—massive, expensive, inevitable. He buttoned his suit jacket and approached the bench without notes. “Your honor, this is the simplest case I’ve argued in thirty years. The defendant admits to obtaining my client’s proprietary biological materials. She admits to sequencing their genetic information. She admits to distributing that information globally, in deliberate violation of trade secret protections that have existed for over 150 years. She did this knowingly, systematically, and with the explicit intent to destroy my client’s competitive advantage.” Luna felt Sarah’s hand on her arm—stay calm. Barr continued. “Heineken International has invested over $200 million in the development, cultivation, and protection of the A-yeast strain. Then this teenager”—he pointed at Luna—”obtained samples from our waste disposal systems, reverse-engineered our genetic sequences, and released them to the world via BitTorrent, deliberately placing them beyond retrieval.” He paced now, warming to his theme. “The damage is incalculable. We estimate lost market value at $50 billion. But it’s not just about money. The defendant has destroyed the possibility of competition in the brewing industry. When everyone has access to the same genetic materials, there’s no innovation, no differentiation, no reason for consumers to choose one product over another. She has, in effect, communized an entire industry.” Luna couldn’t help herself. “That’s not—” Sarah grabbed her wrist. “Don’t.” Judge Ironwood’s eyes narrowed. “Ms. Reyes, you will have your opportunity to speak. Until then, you will remain silent, or I will have you removed from this courtroom. Do you understand?” “Yes, your honor.” Luna’s voice came out smaller than she intended. Barr smiled slightly. “Your honor, the relief we seek is straightforward. We ask this court to order the defendant to provide us with a complete list of all servers, websites, and distribution networks where the stolen genetic data currently resides. We ask that she be ordered to cooperate fully in suppressing the data. We ask that she be enjoined from any further distribution. And we ask that she be ordered to pay compensatory damages of $5 billion, plus punitive damages to be determined at trial.” He returned to his seat. One of his associate attorneys handed him a bottle of Pellegrino. He took a sip and waited. Judge Ironwood looked at Sarah. “Ms. Kennerson?” Sarah stood. She looked tiny compared to Barr—five-foot-three, maybe 110 pounds, wearing a suit from Target. But when she spoke, her voice filled the courtroom. “Your honor, Mr. Barr has given you a compelling story about a corporation that’s been wronged. But it’s not the right story. The right story is about whether naturally occurring organisms—creatures that evolved over millions of years, long before humans ever existed—can be owned by a corporation simply because that corporation happened to isolate them.” She walked toward the bench. “Let’s be clear about what the A-yeast strain is. It’s not a genetically modified organism. It’s not a patented invention. It’s a naturally occurring yeast. Heineken didn’t create it. Evolution created it. Heineken merely found it. And for 158 years, they’ve claimed that finding something gives them the right to prevent anyone else from studying it, understanding it, or using it.” Barr was on his feet. “Objection, your honor. This is a preliminary hearing about injunctive relief, not a philosophical debate about intellectual property theory.” “Sustained. Ms. Kennerson, please focus on the specific legal issues before this court.” “Your honor, the specific legal issue is whether naturally occurring genetic sequences constitute protectable trade secrets. My client contends they do not. She obtained the yeast samples from Heineken’s waste disposal—materials they had discarded. Under the garbage doctrine, she had every right to analyze those materials. The genetic sequences she discovered are factual information about naturally occurring organisms. You cannot trade-secret facts about nature.” Luna watched Judge Ironwood’s face. Nothing. No reaction. Sarah pressed on. “Mr. Barr claims my client ‘stole’ genetic information worth $5 billion. But information cannot be stolen—it can only be shared. When I tell you a fact, I don’t lose possession of that fact. We both have it. That’s how knowledge works. Heineken hasn’t lost their yeast. They still have it. They can still brew with it. What they’ve lost is their monopoly on that knowledge. And monopolies on facts about nature should never have existed in the first place.” “Your honor—” Barr tried to interrupt. Judge Ironwood waved him down. “Continue, Ms. Kennerson.” “Your honor, Heineken wants this court to order a seventeen-year-old girl to somehow suppress information that has already been distributed to over 100,000 people in 147 countries. That’s impossible. You can’t unring a bell. You can’t put knowledge back in a bottle. Even if this court ordered my client to provide a list of servers—which she shouldn’t have to do—that list would be incomplete within hours as new mirror sites appeared. The information is out. The only question is whether we punish my client for sharing factual information about naturally occurring organisms.” She turned to face Luna’s family. “Ms. Reyes taught herself bioinformatics from YouTube videos. She works at home with equipment she bought on eBay. She has no criminal record. She’s never been in trouble. She saw a question that interested her—why do commercial beers taste like they do?—and she pursued that question with the tools available to her. When she discovered the answer, she shared it with the world, under a Creative Commons license that specifically protects sharing for educational and scientific purposes. If that’s terrorism, your honor, then every scientist who’s ever published a research paper is a terrorist.” Sarah sat down. Luna wanted to hug her. Judge Ironwood leaned back. “Ms. Reyes, stand up.” Luna rose, her legs shaking. “Do you understand the seriousness of these proceedings?” “Yes, your honor.” “Do you understand that Heineken International is asking me to hold you in contempt of court if you refuse to help them suppress the information you released?” “Yes, your honor.” “Do you understand that contempt of court could result in your detention in a juvenile facility until you reach the age of eighteen, and potentially longer if the contempt continues?” Luna’s mother gasped audibly. Her father put his arm around her. “Yes, your honor,” Luna said, though her voice wavered. “Then let me ask you directly: If I order you to provide Heineken with a complete list of all locations where the genetic data you released currently resides, will you comply?” The courtroom went silent. Luna could hear her own heartbeat. Sarah started to stand—”Your honor, I advise my client not to answer—” “Sit down, Ms. Kennerson. I’m asking your client a direct question. She can choose to answer or not.” Judge Ironwood’s eyes never left Luna. “Well, Ms. Reyes? Will you comply with a court order to help Heineken suppress the information you released?” Luna looked at her parents. Her mother was crying silently. Her father’s face was stone. She looked at Abuela Rosa. Her grandmother nodded once—tell the truth. Luna looked back at the judge. “No, your honor.” Barr shot to his feet. “Your honor, the defendant has just admitted she intends to defy a court order—” “I heard her, Mr. Barr.” Judge Ironwood’s voice was ice. “Ms. Reyes, do you understand you’ve just told a federal judge you will refuse a direct order?” “Yes, your honor.” “And you’re still refusing?” “Yes, your honor.” “Why?” Sarah stood quickly. “Your honor, my client doesn’t have to explain—” “I want to hear it.” Judge Ironwood leaned forward. “Ms. Reyes, tell me why you would risk jail rather than help undo what you’ve done.” Luna took a breath. Her whole body was shaking, but her voice was steady. “Because it would be wrong, your honor.” “Wrong how?” “The genetic sequences I released evolved over millions of years. Heineken didn’t create that yeast. They isolated one strain and claimed ownership of it. The code of life belongs to everyone. That’s humanity’s heritage. Even if you send me to jail, I can’t help suppress the truth.” Judge Ironwood stared at her for a long moment. “That’s a very pretty speech, Ms. Reyes. But this court operates under the law, not your personal philosophy about what should or shouldn’t be owned. Trade secret law exists. Heineken’s rights exist. And you violated those rights.” Luna did not hesitate. “With respect, your honor, I don’t think those rights should exist.” Barr exploded. “Your honor, this is outrageous! The defendant is openly stating she believes she has the right to violate any law she disagrees with—” “That’s not what I said.” Luna’s fear was transforming into something else—something harder. “I’m saying that some laws are unjust. And when laws are unjust, civil disobedience becomes necessary. People broke unjust laws during the civil rights movement. People broke unjust laws when they helped slaves escape. The constitution says members of the military do not have to obey illegal orders, despite what those in power might claim. Sometimes the law is wrong. And when the law says corporations can own genetic information about naturally occurring organisms, the law is wrong.” Judge Ironwood’s face flushed. “Ms. Reyes, you are not Rosa Parks. This is not the civil rights movement. This is a case about intellectual property theft.” “It’s a case about whether life can be property, your honor.” “Enough.” Judge Ironwood slammed her gavel. “Ms. Kennerson, control your client.” Sarah pulled Luna back into her chair. “Luna, stop talking,” she hissed. Judge Ironwood shuffled papers, visibly trying to compose herself. “I’m taking a fifteen-minute recess to consider the injunction request. We’ll reconvene at 11:30. Ms. Reyes, I strongly suggest you use this time to reconsider your position.” The gavel fell again, and Judge Ironwood swept out. The hallway outside the courtroom erupted. Reporters swarmed. Luna’s father grabbed her arm and pulled her into a witness room. Her mother followed, still crying. Maya slipped in before Sarah closed the door. “What were you thinking?” Luna’s father’s voice shook. “You just told a federal judge you’ll defy her orders. They’re going to put you in jail, Luna. Do you understand that? Jail!” “Ricardo, please—” Her mother tried to calm him. “No, Elena. Our daughter just committed contempt of court in front of fifty witnesses. They’re going to take her from us.” He turned to Luna, his eyes wet. “Why? Why couldn’t you just apologize? Say you made a mistake? We could have ended this.” “Because I didn’t make a mistake, Papa.” “You destroyed their property!” “It wasn’t their property. It was never their property.” “The law says it was!” “Then the law is wrong!” Her father stepped back as if she’d slapped him. “Do you know what your mother and I have sacrificed to keep you out of trouble? Do you know how hard we’ve worked since we came to this country to give you opportunities we never had? And you throw it away for yeast. Not for justice. Not for people. For yeast.” Luna’s eyes filled with tears. “It’s not about yeast, Papa. It’s about whether corporations get to own life. If Heineken can own yeast, why not bacteria? Why not human genes? Where does it stop?” “It stops when my daughter goes to jail!” He was shouting now. “I don’t care about Heineken. I don’t care about yeast. I care about you. And you just told that judge you’ll defy her. She’s going to put you in jail, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.” “Ricardo, por favor—” Elena put her hand on his arm. He shook it off. “No. She needs to hear this. Luna, if you go to jail, your life is over. No college will accept you. No company will hire you. You’ll have a criminal record. You’ll be marked forever. Is that what you want?” “I want to do what’s right.” “What’s right is protecting your family! What’s right is not destroying your future for a principle!” he said. Luna responded, “What’s right is not letting corporations own the code of life!”They stared at each other. Maya spoke up quietly from the corner. “Papa, she can’t back down now. The whole world is watching.” “Let the world watch someone else!” Ricardo turned on Maya. “You encourage this. You film her, you post her manifestos online, you help her become famous. You’re her sister. You’re supposed to protect her, not help her destroy herself.” “I am protecting her,” Maya said. “I’m protecting her from becoming someone who backs down when the world tells her she’s wrong, even though she knows she’s right.” Ricardo looked between his daughters. “Ambos están locos! You’re both insane.” Abuela Rosa opened the door and entered. She’d been listening from the hallway. “Ricardo, enough.” “Mama, stay out of this.” “No.” Rosa moved between Ricardo and Luna. “You’re afraid. I understand. But fear makes you cruel, mijo. Your daughter is brave. She’s doing something important. And you’re making her choose between you and what’s right. Don’t do that.” “She’s seventeen years old! She’s a child!” “She’s old enough to know right from wrong.” Rosa put her hand on Ricardo’s cheek. “When I was sixteen, I left Oaxaca with nothing but the clothes on my back and this SCOBY. Everyone said I was crazy. Your father said I would fail. But I knew I had to go, even if it cost me everything. Sometimes our children have to do things that terrify us. That’s how the world changes.” Ricardo pulled away. “If they put her in jail, will that change the world, Mama? When she’s sitting in a cell while Heineken continues doing whatever they want, will that have been worth it?” “Yes,” Luna said quietly. “Even if I go to jail, yes. Because thousands of people now have the genetic sequences, Heineken can’t put that back. They can punish me, but they can’t undo what I did. The information is free. It’s going to stay free. And if the price of that is me going to jail, then that’s the price.” Her father looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. “I don’t know who you are anymore.” “I’m still your daughter, Papa. I’m just also someone who won’t let corporations own life.” A knock on the door. Sarah poked her head in. “They’re reconvening. Luna, we need to go.” Back in the courtroom, the atmosphere had shifted. The gallery was more crowded—word had spread during the recess. Luna recognized several people from online forums. Some held signs reading “FREE LUNA” and “GENETICS BELONG TO EVERYONE.” Judge Ironwood entered and sat without ceremony. “I’ve reviewed the submissions and heard the arguments. This is my ruling.” Luna’s hand found Maya’s in the row behind her. Squeezed tight. “The question before this court is whether to grant Heineken International’s motion for a preliminary injunction requiring Ms. Reyes to assist in suppressing the genetic information she released. To grant such an injunction, Heineken must demonstrate four things: likelihood of success on the merits, likelihood of irreparable harm without the injunction, balance of equities in their favor, and that an injunction serves the public interest.” Barr was nodding. These were his arguments. “Having considered the evidence and the applicable law, I find that Heineken has demonstrated likelihood of success on the merits. Trade secret law clearly protects proprietary business information, and the A-yeast strain appears to meet the legal definition of a trade secret.” Luna’s stomach dropped. “However, I also find that Heineken has failed to demonstrate that a preliminary injunction would effectively prevent the irreparable harm they claim. Ms. Kennerson is correct that the genetic information has already been distributed to over 100,000 people worldwide. Ordering one teenager to provide a list of servers would be, in technical terms, pointless. New copies would appear faster than they could be suppressed.” Barr’s face tightened. “Furthermore, I find that the balance of equities does not favor Heineken. They ask this court to potentially incarcerate a seventeen-year-old girl for refusing to suppress information that is, by her account, factual data about naturally occurring organisms. The potential harm to Ms. Reyes—including detention, criminal record, and foreclosure of educational and career opportunities—substantially outweighs any additional harm Heineken might suffer from continued distribution of information that is already widely distributed.” Luna felt Maya’s grip tighten. Was this good? This sounded good. “Finally, and most importantly, I find that granting this injunction would not serve the public interest. The court takes judicial notice that this case has generated substantial public debate about the scope of intellectual property protection in biotechnology. The questions raised by Ms. Reyes—whether naturally occurring genetic sequences should be ownable, whether facts about nature can be trade secrets, whether knowledge can be property—are questions that deserve answers from a higher authority than this court. These are questions for appellate courts, perhaps ultimately for the Supreme Court. And they are questions best answered in the context of a full trial on the merits, not in an emergency injunction hearing.” Barr was on his feet. “Your honor—” “Sit down, Mr. Barr. I’m not finished.” He sat, his face purple. “Therefore, Heineken International’s motion for preliminary injunction is denied. Ms. Reyes will not be required to assist in suppressing the genetic information she released. However,”—Judge Ironwood looked directly at Luna—”this ruling should not be construed as approval of Ms. Reyes’ actions. Heineken’s claims for damages and other relief remain viable and will proceed to trial. Ms. Reyes, you may have won this battle, but this war is far from over. Anything you want to say?” Luna stood slowly. “Your honor, I just want to say… thank you. For letting this go to trial. For letting these questions be answered properly. That’s all I ever wanted—for someone to seriously consider whether corporations should be allowed to own genetic information about naturally occurring organisms. So thank you.” Judge Ironwood’s expression softened slightly. “Ms. Reyes, I hope you’re prepared for what comes next. Heineken has unlimited resources. They will pursue this case for years if necessary. You’ll be in litigation until you’re twenty-five years old. Your entire young adulthood will be consumed by depositions, court appearances, and legal fees. Are you prepared for that?” “Yes, your honor.” “Why?” Luna glanced at her grandmother, who nodded. “Because some questions are worth answering, your honor. Even if it takes years. Even if it costs everything. The question of whether corporations can own life—that’s worth answering. And if I have to spend my twenties answering it, then that’s what I’ll do.” Judge Ironwood studied her for a long moment. “You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone who believed the law should serve justice, not just power.” She paused. “That person doesn’t exist anymore. The law ground her down. I hope it doesn’t do the same to you.” She raised her gavel. “This hearing is adjourned. The parties will be notified of the trial date once it’s scheduled. Ms. Reyes, good luck. I think you’re going to need it.” The gavel fell. Outside the courthouse, the scene was chaotic. News cameras surrounded Luna. Reporters shouted questions. But Luna barely heard them. She was looking at her father, who stood apart from the crowd, watching her. She walked over to him. “Papa, I’m sorry I yelled.” He didn’t speak for a moment. Then he pulled her into a hug so tight it hurt. “Don’t apologize for being brave,” he whispered into her hair. “I’m just afraid of losing you.” “You won’t lose me, Papa. I promise.” “You can’t promise that. Not anymore.” He pulled back, holding her shoulders. “But I’m proud of you. I’m terrified, but I’m proud.” Her mother joined them, tears streaming down her face. “No more court. Please, no more court.” “I can’t promise that either, Mama.” Elena touched Luna’s face. “Then promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you’ll remember that you’re not just fighting for genetics. You’re fighting for your life.” Luna smiled. “I promise.” Abuela Rosa appeared, carrying her SCOBY. “Come, mija. We should go before the reporters follow us home.” As they pushed through the crowd toward Maya’s car, Luna's phone buzzed continuously. Text messages and emails pouring in. But what caught her attention was a text from Dr. Webb: You were right. I’m sorry I doubted. Check your email—Dr. Doudna wants to talk. Luna opened her email. The subject line made her stop walking: From: jennifer.doudna@berkeley.eduSubject: Civil Disobedience of the Highest Order She started to read: Dear Ms. Reyes, I watched your hearing this morning. What you did in that courtroom—refusing to back down even when threatened with jail—was one of the bravest things I’ve seen in forty years of science. You’re not just fighting for yeast genetics. You’re fighting for the principle that knowledge about nature belongs to humanity, not to corporations. I want to help… Luna looked up at her family—her father’s worried face, her mother’s tears, Maya’s proud smile, Abuela Rosa’s serene confidence. Behind them, the courthouse where she’d nearly been sent to jail. Around them, reporters and cameras and strangers who’d traveled across the country to support her. She thought about Judge Ironwood’s warning: This war is far from over. She thought about Barr’s face when the injunction was denied. She thought about the thousands who’d downloaded the genetic sequences and were, right now, brewing with genetics that had been locked away for 158 years. Worth it. All of it. Even the fear. Maya opened the car door. “Come on, little revolutionary. Let’s go home.” The Corporate Surrender By 2045, both Heineken and Anheuser-Busch quietly dropped their lawsuits against Luna. Their legal costs had exceeded $200 million while accomplishing nothing except generating bad publicity. More importantly, their “protected” strains had become worthless in a market flooded with superior alternatives. Heineken’s CEO attempted to salvage the company by embracing open-source brewing. His announcement that Heineken would “join the La Luna Revolution” was met with skepticism from the brewing community, which recalled the company’s aggressive legal tactics. The craft brewing community’s response was hostile. “They spent two years trying to destroy her,” a prominent brewmaster told The New Brewer Magazine. “Now they want credit for ’embracing’ the revolution she forced on them? Heineken didn’t join the Luna Revolution—they surrendered to it. There’s a difference.” The global brands never recovered their market share. Luna’s Transformation Luna’s success transformed her from a garage tinkerer into a global icon of the open knowledge movement. Her 2046 TED Talk, “Why Flavor Belongs to Everyone,” went viral. She argued that corporate control over living organisms represented “biological colonialism” that impoverished human culture by restricting natural diversity. Rather than commercializing her fame, Luna founded the Global Fermentation Commons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing microbial genetics worldwide. Their laboratories operated as open-access research facilities where anyone could experiment with biological systems. The headquarters of the Global Fermentation Commons occupied a former Genentech facility donated by Dr. Webb. Six continents, forty researchers, one mission: preserve and share microbial genetics worldwide. Luna addressed a crowded auditorium at the organization’s third anniversary. “When I released Heineken and Budweiser’s yeast strains, some people called it theft. Others called it liberation. I called it returning biological knowledge to the commons, where it belongs. Three years later, so-called Luna Variants have created economic opportunities for thousands of small brewers, improved food security in developing regions, and demonstrated that genetic freedom drives innovation faster than corporate control.” She continued. “We’re not stopping with beer. The same principles apply to all fermentation: cheese cultures, yogurt bacteria, koji fungi, sourdough starters. Every traditionally fermented food relies on microorganisms that corporations increasingly claim to own. We’re systematically liberating them.” A World Health Organization representative raised a concern: “Ms. Reyes, while we support democratizing food fermentation, there are legitimate concerns about pharmaceutical applications. What prevents someone from using your open-source genetics to create dangerous organisms?” Luna nodded. “Fair question. First, the organisms we release are food-safe cultures with centuries of safe use. Second, dangerous genetic modifications require sophisticated laboratory equipment and expertise—far beyond what releasing genetic sequences enables. Third, determined bad actors already have access to dangerous biology, enabled by AI. We’re not creating new risks; we’re democratizing beneficial biology.” “Pharmaceutical companies argue you’re undermining their investments in beneficial organisms,” another representative pressed. “Pharmaceutical companies invest in modifying organisms,” Luna clarified. “Those modifications can be patented. What we oppose is claiming ownership over naturally occurring organisms or their baseline genetics. If you genetically engineer a bacterium to produce insulin, patent your engineering. Don’t claim ownership over the bacterial species itself.” A Monsanto representative stood. “Your organization recently cracked and released our proprietary seed genetics. That’s direct theft of our property.” Luna didn’t flinch. “Seeds that farmers cultivated for thousands of years before Monsanto existed? You didn’t invent corn, wheat, or soybeans. You modified them. Your modifications may be protectable; the baseline genetics are humanity’s heritage. We’re liberating what should never have been owned.” “The ‘Luna Legion’ has cost us hundreds of millions!” the representative protested. “Good,” Luna responded calmly. “You’ve cost farmers their sovereignty for decades. Consider it karma.” After the presentation, Dr. Doudna approached Luna privately. “You’ve accomplished something remarkable,” the elderly scientist said. “When I developed Crispr, I never imagined a teenager would use similar principles to challenge corporate biology. You’re forcing conversations about genetic ownership that we’ve avoided for decades.” “It needed forcing,” Luna replied. “Corporations were quietly owning life itself, one patent at a time. Someone had to say no.” “The pharmaceutical industry is terrified of you,” Doudna continued. “They see what happened to brewing and imagine the same for their carefully controlled bacterial strains. You’re going to face even more aggressive opposition.” “I know. Once people understand that biological knowledge can be liberated, they start questioning all biological ownership. We’re not stopping.” The New Economy of Taste Following Luna’s breakthrough, peer-to-peer flavor-sharing platforms emerged as the dominant force in food culture. The “FlavorChain” blockchain allowed brewers to track genetic lineages while ensuring proper attribution to original creators. SCOBY lineages were carefully sequenced, catalogued, and registered on global blockchain ledgers. Each award-winning kombucha strain carried a “genetic passport”—its microbial makeup, the unique balance of yeasts and bacteria that gave rise to particular mouthfeel, fizz, and flavor spectrum, was mapped, hashed, and permanently recorded. Brewers who created a new flavor could claim authorship, just as musicians once copyrighted songs. No matter how many times a SCOBY was divided, its fingerprint could be verified. Fermentation Guilds formed to share recipes through FlavorChain, enabling decentralized digital markets like SymbioTrdr, built on trust and transparency rather than speculation. They allowed people to interact and transact on a global, permissionless, self-executing platform. Within days, a SCOBY strain from the Himalayas could appear in a brew in Buenos Aires, its journey traced through open ledgers showing who tended, adapted, and shared it. Kombucha recipes were no longer jealously guarded secrets. They were open to anyone who wanted to brew. With a few clicks, a Guild member in Nairobi could download the blockchain-verified SCOBY genome that had won Gold at the Tokyo Fermentation Festival. Local biotech printers—as common in 2100 kitchens as microwave ovens had once been—could reconstitute the living culture cell by cell. Children began inheriting SCOBY lineages the way earlier generations inherited family names. Weddings combined SCOBY cultures as symbolic unions. (Let’s share our SCOBYs, baby, merge our ferments into one.) When someone died, their SCOBY was divided among friends and family—a continuation of essence through taste. Kombucha was no longer merely consumed; it was communed with. This transparency transformed kombucha from a minority regional curiosity into a universal language. A festival in Brazil might feature ten local interpretations of the same “Golden SCOBY” strain—one brewed with passionfruit, another with cupuaçu, a third with açaí berries. The core microbial signature remained intact, while the terroir of fruit and spice gave each version a unique accent. Brewers didn’t lose their craft—they gained a canvas. Award-winning SCOBYs were the foundations on which endless new flavor experiments flourished. Many people were now as prolific as William Esslinger, the founder of St Louis’s Confluence Kombucha, who was renowned for developing 800 flavors in the 2020s. Code of Symbiosis The Symbiosis Code, ratified at the first World Fermentation Gathering in Reykjavik (2063), bound Fermentation Guilds to three principles: Transparency — All microbial knowledge is to be shared freely. Reciprocity — No brew should be produced without acknowledging the source. Community — Every fermentation must nourish more than the brewer. This code replaced corporate law. It was enforced by reputation, not by governments. A Guild member who betrayed the code found their SCOBYs mysteriously refusing to thrive—a poetic justice the biologists never quite explained. Every Guild had elders—called Mothers of the Jar or Keepers of the Yeast. They carried living SCOBYs wrapped in silk pouches when traveling, exchanging fragments as blessings. These elders became moral anchors of the age, counselors and mediators trusted more than politicians. When disputes arose—over territory, resources, or ethics—brewers, not lawyers, met to share a round of Truth Brew, a ferment so balanced that it was said to reveal dishonesty through bitterness. The Fullness of Time The International Biotech Conference of 2052 invited Luna to give the closing keynote—a controversial decision that prompted several corporate sponsors to withdraw support. The auditorium was packed with supporters, critics, and the merely curious. “Nine years ago, I released genetic sequences for beer yeast strains protected as trade secrets. I was called a thief, a bioterrorist, worse. Today, I want to discuss what we’ve learned from those years of open-source biology.” She displayed a chart showing the explosion of brewing innovation since 2043. “In the traditional corporate model, a few companies control a few strains, producing a limited variety. With the open-source model, thousands of brewers using thousands of variants, producing infinite diversity. As Duff McDonald wrote “Anything that alive contains the universe, or infinite possibility. Kombucha is infinite possibility in a drink.” And the results speak for themselves—flavor innovation accelerated a thousand-fold when we removed corporate control.” A student activist approached the microphone. “Ms. Reyes, you’ve inspired movements to liberate seed genetics, soil bacteria, and traditional medicine cultures. The ‘Luna Legion’ is spreading globally. What’s your message to young people who want to continue this work?” Luna smiled. “First, understand the risks. I was sued by multinational corporations, received death threats, spent years fighting legal battles. This work has costs. Second, be strategic. Release information you’ve generated yourself through legal methods—no hacking, no theft. Third, build communities. I survived because people supported me—legally, financially, emotionally. You can’t fight corporations alone. Finally, remember why you’re doing it: to return biological knowledge to the commons where it belongs. That purpose will sustain you through the hard parts.” Teaching By twenty-eight, Luna was a MacArthur Fellow, teaching fermentation workshops in a converted Anheuser-Busch facility. As she watched her students—former corporate employees learning to think like ecosystems rather than factories—she reflected that her teenage hack had accomplished more than liberating yeast genetics. She had helped humanity remember that flavor, like knowledge, grows stronger when shared rather than hoarded. Luna’s garage had evolved into a sophisticated community biolab. The original jury-rigged equipment had been replaced with professional gear funded by her MacArthur Fellowship. Abuela Rosa still maintained her fermentation crocks in the corner—a reminder of where everything started. A group of five

Amy Maciver speaks to Trudie Broekmann, consumer lawyer, on World Consumer Rights Day 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The third Monday of January is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, also known as Civil Rights Day. This year, that day is January 20th. RCPL library associate Adrian has details on how this national holiday came to be, how it can be celebrated, and some basic info on MLK himself. Plus he lists some of the MKL-related books available from the RCPL and its sister libraries.Music by Intrex. Used by permission.

Recording on Bill of Rights Day, this conversation with David Bobb from the Bill of Rights Institute covers the importance - both historical and ongoing - of the first ten amendments to the US Constitution.

In this powerful interview, Yolanda Wallace, Executive Director of Mother's War on Violence, shares her journey of transforming personal tragedy into meaningful advocacy. Following the heartbreaking loss of her son to gun violence in 2006, Yolanda founded the organization to address violence prevention and provide critical support for families affected by unsolved murders. She discusses the creation of impactful initiatives like advocacy in the courtroom, support groups, awareness campaigns with playing cards featuring unsolved cases, and mentoring programs like "Tea with Queens, Talk with Kings" to foster community connection and healing. Through her work, Yolanda focuses on empowering survivors and raising awareness about the challenges faced by victims of crime. Her passion for giving back to the community is evident in every initiative, from Crime Victims' Rights Day to support groups that offer grief counseling and advocacy. The organization strives to uplift families, provide crucial resources, and create a sense of purpose through pain. With a growing podcast and dedicated community engagement, Yolanda's mission is to ensure no survivor feels forgotten and to turn tragedy into hope and action for a safer future.

After a long hiatus, we are back with regular podcasts that feature questions from the new USCIS N-400 Application for Naturalization.  In honor of the Bill of Rights Day, December 15, we are pairing the first ten amendments with some questions from the new N-400 Part 9 and some Civics questions.  Here is a pdf of the A Quick Review of the Bill of Rights and the N-400 (2024) Part 9 plus Civics Questions.   Image: Bill of Rights depicted in cartoon format from 1971 Young Citizen teacher's guide transparency. Courtesy: Syracuse University. CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE and for teacher printable version. Before we begin, there are four news items: 1)     On September 20, USCIS released their new “One Nation, One People: Civics Test Textbook” for adults preparing to naturalize.  In support of their commitment 2gen civic literacy, USCIS also released “Color Me Civics: U.S. Landmarks and Symbols Coloring Book” in English and Spanish.  You can download these free resources from USCIS. 2) Two new N-400 (2024) Part 9 resources: ·        Pearson ELT USA Team just release a free pdf of the UPDATED Naturalization Speaking Test from Voices of Freedom by Bill Bliss.  Download the test practice.  ·        New Readers Press has just posted a new “Tricky Vocabulary” handout (for explaining vocabulary in the new N-400 part 9):  .  This resource complements Citizenship: Passing the Test Ready for the Interview Student Book 4th Edition by Lynn Weintraub 3)     On December 13, LINCS.ed.gov The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar with Shawn Chakrabarti, a former Education Specialist with the office of Citizenship, USCIS.  Mr. Chakrabarti explained the USCIS naturalization fee structure, highlighting that 9.2 million people are eligible for citizenship, with 4 million likely having limited English proficiency. He detailed the new fee waiver and reduction rules, noting that 80% of LPRs may qualify for fee reductions. Mr. Chakrabarti emphasized the importance of detailed student intakes, partnering with legal service providers, and leveraging digital literacy to navigate the new fee rules. He also encouraged commenting on Federal Register notices to influence future policies.  Although this webinar was not recorded, detailed notes and resources are available on LINCS.ed.gov Civics Education and Citizenship Group under the “FOLLOW UP: 12/13 The 2024 Naturalization Fee Reduction Webinar.” 4)     Finally, a petition titled, Call to Codify Improvements to U.S. Naturalization Test, hosted on the TESOL Advocacy Action Center.  The petition asks USCIS to codify two items in the Federal Register: ·        Intermediate low level of English is the fair and appropriate level for the civics and speaking test. ·        The speaking test which is based on eligibility interview with an USCIS officer should be limited to basic questions. For complex questions, applicants may use interpreters. With just one click, you can virtually sign the petition, which is immediately sent to your US representative and both senators.  Please sign this petition immediately to protect the fairness of the Naturalization interview. Thank you!  I know that you will be a GREAT American Citizen! This podcast is copy righted by Jennifer Gagliardi and US Citizenship Podcast and may not be remixed or re-used.

December 2024 - Week 3 - DAR Today PodcastNational Society Daughters of the American RevolutionPresident General Pamela Edwards Rouse WrightBrooke Bullmaster Stewart, National Chair DAR Today PodcastClick for more information about the Daughters of the American Revolution!CLICK HERE to visit our YouTube (video) version of this podcastTo support the goals and mission of the DAR, please visit our web site at DAR.org/GivingIn This Episode:Bill of Rights Day! Celebrating and Understanding How the Founders established the Bill of Rights! A special thank you to Sarah Towne diCicco for her article about this important part of our American history! Sarah is a National Vice Chair of the DAR Constitution Week CommitteeChapter & State Commemorative Events, featuring the Cordelia Steen Chapter in Oklahoma, and the Martha Ibbetson Chapter In Illinois.The History of NORAD Santa Tracking! Special thank you to Sandy Raynor, National Chair of National Defense Committee and the National Defender Newsletter for this great information!LINKS:Customizable Form for Ceremonies (from the Martha Ibbetson Chapter events - Commemorative Events Segment): https://www.dar.org/sites/default/files/members/committees/events/pdf/Ceremony%20for%20the%20Fallen%20in%20Vietnam%2C%20WAA%20Day%202021.pdfNational Defender Newsletter: https://www.dar.org/members/forms-publication-category/sec_natdefChapter Ceremony Template from the Martha Ibbetson Chapter, Illinois: https://www.dar.org/sites/default/files/members/committees/events/pdf/Ceremony%20for%20the%20Fallen%20in%20Vietnam%2C%20WAA%20Day%202021.pdf  For more information about the Daughters of the American Revolution, please visit DAR.orgTo support the goals and mission of the DAR, please visit our web site at DAR.org/GivingAll music free of copyright and provided through Epidemic Sound! Check out this amazing source for music at https://share.epidemicsound.com/xr2blv

On Bill of Rights Day, Mark Meckler reacts to the smear campaign against his friend Pete Hegseth, answers why inflation is back in the headlines, and gives an important talk on the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Ask Mark Anything Open Letter to Trump

Hometown Radio 12/13/24 5p: Attorney Stew Jenkins celebrates Bill of Rights Day

The crisis of leadership in Syria as Turkey looms The sickness of young people's infatuation with UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect Luigi Mangione. happy Psycho Day, Phoenix! We're joined by John Dombroski, founder and president of Grand Canyon Planning. Listener call-in questions comparing Mangione to the Boston Marathon bombers, the sighting of unidentified drones over the Eastern Seaboard, and the upcoming Bill of Rights Day holiday. ProPublica's hit piece on Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth fails.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The insanity of modern sophisticated science. Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz (R) has chosen to withdraw his name from consideration for Attorney General in the second Trump Administration. We're joined by Johnny Estes, Vice President of Operations, and Shannon Estes, Operations Manager at CMI Gold & Silver. Listener call-in questions on the upcoming Bill of Rights Day holiday and more! Seth does not believe that Pepper and Egg sandwiches are real.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"You profit from our work, now recognize our humanity," assert immigrants' and workers' rights advocates on May Day in Milwaukee, the international day of the worker.

Former First Lady Melania Trump is gearing up to support her husband, ex-President Donald Trump, on the campaign trail once again, according to various reports. Her upcoming engagements include playing host at a fundraising event coordinated by the Log Cabin Republicans, a group within the Republican party that represents the interests of LGBT conservatives. This event, slated to take place on April 20 at the prestigious Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida, indicates Melania's re-entry to the political scene after a period of anticipation since her husband declared his intention to run again in the 2024 presidential elections in November 2022. In a recent public interaction, while accompanying her spouse to cast his vote in the Florida presidential primary, Melania piqued the curiosity of the media by suggesting they 'stay tuned' for more information on her planned involvement in the upcoming campaign. This comment implicitly confirmed early inklings about her return to the public sphere. In past months, Melania Trump has gradually surfaced in public, participating in several high-profile events. Her appearances included a respectful presence at the funeral of past First Lady Rosalynn Carter, where she shared the stage with her colleagues, all of whom are former first ladies. Later, in the last month of the year, Melania took part in a key ceremony at the National Archives to mark the Bill of Rights Day. In this event, she was joined by a wide-ranging group of political figures, highlighting the diverse community engaged in our nation's governance. In January, the nation witnessed a more personal side of Mrs. Trump as she delivered a heartfelt eulogy at the funeral of her late mother, Amalija Knavs, in Palm Beach, Florida. These varied appearances signaled that Melania was increasingly moving from the private sphere back into the public eye. Despite stepping out of the limelight following her departure from the White House in January 2021, reports suggest that Melania's visibility could increase as her husband's campaign intensifies. As Donald Trump continues to perform well in numerous opinion polls, overshadowing current President Joe Biden, it is plausible that Melania might play a more active role in the coming months. Questions were raised when Melania was absent from the Trump family's Christmas card, which featured a portrait of her husband alongside their children and her father. However, Donald Trump clarified her absence during his New Year's Eve speech at Mar-a-Lago, explaining that Melania had been caring for her gravely ill mother. She was at her husband's side during a media interaction following his vote in the Florida Republican primary. Even while standing alongside the man regarded by many as the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, Melania remained relatively quiet, letting her husband address the media queries. Melania Trump's public visibility has traditionally been somewhat lower than the partners of past presidential hopefuls. Her tentative approach to her husband's campaign path highlights the unique tactics that Donald Trump has employed during his political journey. Unlike prior First Ladies who passionately advocated for their spouses, Melania chose to adopt a more strategic approach during the 2016 presidential tenure. She opted to participate in events that would maximize the impact, yet shield her from the intense scrutiny common in campaign environments. Melania also refrained from adopting a traditional activist role during Donald Trump's presidential term, differentiating her from her predecessors. Her approach was more measured and less public, reflecting the one-of-a-kind nature of Donald Trump's presidency. Recently, Melania Trump dazzled an audience at Mar-a-Lago while participating in a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Dressed in a chic white pantsuit complemented by a black shirt and matching heels, she charmed the crowd and attracted widespread attention. Reports from December suggested that we can expect more public appearances from Melania as she supports her husband's third presidential run for a second term in the White House. A source revealed to Page Six that following a positive legal ruling for Donald Trump from the U.S. Supreme Court regarding presidential immunity, an agreement has been reached within the Trump family for Melania to increase her visibility and play a more prominent role in diplomatic engagements as 2024 approaches. Visit Real News Now For More Breaking News Connect with Real News Now on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealNewsNowApp/ X Twitter: https://twitter.com/realnewsapp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realnews/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realnewsnowapp Threads: https://www.threads.net/@realnews/ Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/realnewsnow Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@RealNews YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@realnewsnowapp End Wokeness: https://endthewokeness.com #realnewsnow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Animal Rights Day is a unique event coming up on June 2, 2024 and today we have the creator of this day of action, Aylam Orian. Aylam is a Hollywood actor, filmmaker and animal rights activist. With his non-profit "Our Planet. Theirs Too." he has established The National Animal Rights Day (N.A.R.D.) – a day of moving events dedicated to animals and their rights, which are held simultaneously in major cities every June. NARD events are now held in 50 countries around the world. He is also the creator of The Declaration of Animal Rights – a vegan, animal liberation document that details the rights all animals have as living beings on planet Earth – which has been translated to 23 languages. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous known films and TV shows (30 Rock, Code Black, NCIS: LA, The Informer, Strargate Origins), and he wll be seen next in the new TV show about The Holocaust, “We Were the Lucky Ones.” Aylam tells the story of how he started The National Animal Rights Day in 2011 and how the day of action has grown every year and spread across the globe. He also tells us about the inspiration behind the creation of The Declaration of Animal Rights, how it reflects the UN declaration of human rights, and how it's a roadmap for a future of compassionate human-animal relations. Hope and Aylam also get into a discussion on best strategies for animal advocates and how the trajectory of the movement, in our opinion, is out of balance. Aylam also gives us some insight into just how vegan-friendly Hollywood really is and some hopeful signs of veganism on a soap! Join us for this inspiring discussion. Resources:National Animal Rights Day (NARD) June 2, 2024Humane Hoax Chicken Webinar Hope speaking in Portland, OR. on April 21Support us:Compassionate LivingHope for the Animals Podcast

Hi everyone! Today's episode delves into the significance of March 15th in China, designated as Consumer Rights Day. It aims to heighten awareness about consumer protection, shedding light on issues like deceptive marketing, subpar product quality, and exorbitant pricing. This year's examples range from the sale of inferior food products to overpriced items with false health claims. It reminds consumers to stay vigilant, understand their rights, and report any violations. Despite regulatory efforts, loopholes persist. There is always a need for ongoing consumer education and awareness. Thank you for tuning in! Due to space constraints, I'm unable to include the transcript here. However, if you'd like a copy, please feel free to email me, and I'll happily send it your way. Additionally, if you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to reach out. Wishing you all a fantastic day!It's truly an honor to know that my podcast can provide help and value to you. Your support and engagement mean the world to me. If there's anything specific you'd like to hear more about or any topics you think would be beneficial, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for being part of this journey with me!Support the showThank you for listening. If you like 5 Minute Chinese, please help me by subscribing, liking, and sharing the show so that it can help more people. Thank you for your support. If you have any questions, you can email me at TheLoneMandarinTeacher@outlook.com.

Mbhazima Shilowa, former premier of Gauteng and the former general secretary of Cosatu explained what 'Human Rights Day' means to South Africa, where many people lack access to basic services, and why the day is not called 'Shapville Day' instead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A week from today ADAPT, a Disability Rights Advocates group is holding a national day of action. Blaise talks about this and why it's time to take back our disability rights. What do you think? Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and follow the show on Facebook/X (Twitter) @blaisinshows. Support Blaisin' Access Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blaisin-access-podcastRead transcript

Depuis 2011, KAN Football Club se positionne comme un acteur clé du paysage médiatique soccer au Québec. À travers le KAN FC Podcast, nous proposons des analyses détaillées, des interviews avec des professionnels du domaine, des débats dynamiques, et du contenu unique, portés par notre équipe de passionnés.En tant que fervent supporteur de l'égalité et de l'inclusion, KAN Football Club, aussi surnommé "La Poutine du Soccer", allie avec enthousiasme lifestyle, culture, et amour du soccer. Pour marquer la Journée Internationale des Droits des Femmes 2024, nous sommes ravis de collaborer avec Eve Powell et Amy Walsh. Cette initiative souligne notre engagement continu à favoriser une communauté soccer accueillante et inclusiveExtrait de la vidéo(traduction)Eve Powell : ''Joyeuse journée International des femmes 2024 ! Les événements récents nous ont donné beaucoup de raisons de nous réjouir. Si nous profitons de cette journée pour célébrer les femmes, elle nous rappelle que les soutenir est un devoir qui nous incombe à tous tout au long de l'année.''Amy Walsh: La Journée internationale de la femme a pour but d'inspirer les jeunes filles dans le sport, mais plus encore, de changer le paysage du sport féminin au Canada. Je suis très enthousiaste à l'idée de ce qui se profile à l'horizon pour le sport féminin.''Pour visionner la vidéo complète : https://youtu.be/Y7d52hfPMjEÀ propos de Kan Football Club : KAN Football Club est la plateforme de référence sur le web dédié à la culture du soccer au Québec, offrant des analyses, des interviews et des contenus exclusifs pour célébrer le soccer sous toutes ses formes.Médias sociauxTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/kanfootballclubInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/kanfootballclubSite: www.kanfootballclub.comTeam Kan FCkanfc@afrokanlife.comSOURCE: KAN Football Club

Hosts: Leah Murray and Greg Skordas How are Utah Senate Republicans preparing for the new year? On Thursday Utah Senate Republicans released a list of their priorities for the 2024 general session that begins January 16. Senate President Stuart Adams joins the show to discuss what’s great about Utah and what needs some work. How is Bill of Rights Day being applied today? Today is Bill of Rights Day. It’s the day we celebrate the rights listed in the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Leah and Greg share their favorite parts about the Bill of Rights and then break down a local story where the Fifth Amendment was applied to answer the question: Should you be required to give cops your cellphone password? The Rio Grande Plan Salt Lake City is considering a $5 billion dollar plan to turn Rio Grande back into the transportation hub it once was, reconnecting east and west Salt Lake. Christian Lenhart, Coauthor of the Rio Grande Plan, joins the show to walk us through the plan. Domestic violence issues in Utah KSL NewsRadio and the Deseret News collaborated on a story where they analyzed domestic violence issues in Utah from 2018 to 2022. KSL NewsRadio Reporter Hugo Rikard-Bell joins the show to discuss what he found and what the biggest takeaways are. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy exploring a new career Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy placed his final vote on the House floor on Thursday, making it his last day on the job. Now that he’s no longer working in Congress, what’s next for him? He may be looking into a new career path… one that has to do with Elon Musk and Artificial Intelligence. What will inflation look like in 2024? Despite inflation still weighing heavy on the nation, shoppers are showing up for the holiday season. Retail sales increased by 0.3% in November despite falling off the month before and that number is only going up this December. Ted Rossman, Senior Industry Analyst with Bankrate, joins the show to break down consumer spending numbers and discuss what inflation might look like in 2024. Leah and Greg’s New Year’s resolutions The year’s not over yet but now is a good time to start thinking about new beginnings. Leah and Greg share some of their own personal and professional New Year’s resolutions.

Hosts: Leah Murray and Greg Skordas Today is Bill of Rights Day. It’s the day we celebrate the rights listed in the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Leah and Greg share their favorite parts about the Bill of Rights and then break down a local story where the Fifth Amendment was applied to answer the question: Should you be required to give cops your cellphone password?

Hosts: Leah Murray and Greg Skordas Today is Bill of Rights Day. It’s the day we celebrate the rights listed in the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Leah and Greg share their favorite parts about the Bill of Rights and then break down a local story where the Fifth Amendment was applied to answer the question: Should you be required to give cops your cellphone password?

Hometown Radio 12/15/23 5p: Attorney Stew Jenkins celebrates Bill of Rights Day

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan after meetings in Israel, downplays U.S.-Israel differences about war with Hamas in Gaza; U.S. border security negotiations continue among Senators and Biden Administration officials; President Joe Biden teams with former President Barack Obama on a video to promote Obamacare; former First Lady Melania Trump, a naturalized U.S. citizen, speaks at ceremony at the National Archives in DC on this Bill of Rights Day where 25 immigrants took the oath of U.S. citizenship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan meets with Israeli and Palestinian leaders in Israel amid public divisions between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Congress passes the annual defense policy bill without making reforms to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Rep. Celeste Maloy votes in favor of it and explains why; And today makrs 232 years since the Bill of Rights was ratified. 

Good Morning and Happy Friday! . If you don't follow Norm on X (@PattisNorm), you missed the following nugget: . "On this day in 1773, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of tea belong to English investors into Boston Harbor. FDR made December 15 into National Bill of Rights Day in 1941. The #BillofRights — use them or lose them. #BostonTeaParty" . Today, Norm and Mike discuss: › National Bill of Rights Day, James Madison, the Bill of Rights, and the Boston Tea Party . › Republican candidate for President Vivek Ramaswamy appeared on a live CNN Town Hall to address the question of whether the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, were in whole or in part manufactured by American intelligence and/or the American government. On the topic of embedded members of the American intelligence community, moderator Abby Phillip makes the affirmative statement that there were none in the crowd on January 6th. Maybe we should hear Norm on that. . › The FCC this week revoked a 2020 award of $885 million to Elon Musk's Starlink, which award was originally secured after Elon Musk agreed to provide high-speed internet service to more than 640,000 rural American households and businesses across 35 states. Elon vs. Everybody? . Join us. . Daily livestreams beginning at 8:00 am EST on: › Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/LawandLegitimacy › Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lawandlegitimacy › X: https://twitter.com/LawPodDaily . Subscribe and turn on notifications! . Support Law and Legitimacy: . - Locals: https://lawandlegitimacy.locals.com/ - X: @LawPodDaily, @PattisNorm, and @MichaelBoyer_ - Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Audible, Spotify, or wherever you receive podcasts and rate LAL 5 stars. - Subscribe here on our Rumble and Youtube channels, give us a Rumble, and join our active community of free-thinkers, contrarians, and the unafraid on Locals!  

3275 – December 15, 2023 – Bill of Rights Day – Beth Ann reviews how the Bill of Rights came to be. Daniel Turner gives us his weekly D.C. update. Tim calls in to talk about the satanic display in the Iowa capitol and how it came to be destroyed. The post Bill of Rights Day appeared first on CSC Talk Radio.

Good Morning and Happy Friday! . If you don't follow Norm on X (@PattisNorm), you missed the following nugget: . "On this day in 1773, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of tea belong to English investors into Boston Harbor. FDR made December 15 into National Bill of Rights Day in 1941. The #BillofRights — use them or lose them. #BostonTeaParty" . Today, Norm and Mike discuss: › National Bill of Rights Day, James Madison, the Bill of Rights, and the Boston Tea Party . › Republican candidate for President Vivek Ramaswamy appeared on a live CNN Town Hall to address the question of whether the events at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, were in whole or in part manufactured by American intelligence and/or the American government. On the topic of embedded members of the American intelligence community, moderator Abby Phillip makes the affirmative statement that there were none in the crowd on January 6th. Maybe we should hear Norm on that. . › The FCC this week revoked a 2020 award of $885 million to Elon Musk's Starlink, which award was originally secured after Elon Musk agreed to provide high-speed internet service to more than 640,000 rural American households and businesses across 35 states. Elon vs. Everybody? . Join us. . Daily livestreams beginning at 8:00 am EST on: › Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/LawandLegitimacy › Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lawandlegitimacy › X: https://twitter.com/LawPodDaily . Subscribe and turn on notifications! . Support Law and Legitimacy: . - Locals: https://lawandlegitimacy.locals.com/ - X: @LawPodDaily, @PattisNorm, and @MichaelBoyer_ - Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Audible, Spotify, or wherever you receive podcasts and rate LAL 5 stars. - Subscribe here on our Rumble and Youtube channels, give us a Rumble, and join our active community of free-thinkers, contrarians, and the unafraid on Locals!  

Michael McCusker talks about Bill of Rights Day, the future of frogs, and the influence of Donald Trump on US culture. 

“The Latest Attempt at Carte Blanche Surveillance on US Citizens” “Happy Bill of Rights Day! And, Journalism and Freedom in Peril” “Hunter Biden Shows his You Know What Again” “Men Breaking Women's Records… Again”

Happy Bill of Rights Day! And, Journalism and Freedom in Peril https://www.audacy.com/989word The Charlie James Show   Listen on Spotify : https://spoti.fi/3MXOvGP Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-charlie-james-show-podcast/id1547262821   Follow us on Social Media Join our Live Stream Weekdays - 3pm to 7pm   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/989word Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-2031096 X: https://twitter.com/989word Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/989word/   "Red Meat, Greenville." 12/14/23

In episode 9 we meet John Locke who I consider one of our Founders and Framers thanks to his contribution to understanding our individual human rights. Resources: Some Thoughts Concerning Education in 1693 by John Locke https://archive.org/details/somethoughtsconc00lockuoft How to Win in Court Without a Lawyer course ​​​​​​​Howtowinincourt.com?refercode=SH0024

Hey Pickles!We hope you're having a great day!In this episode, we update you on some amazing Vegan food that we had in the Buffalo area. We talk about National Animal Rights Day. We have another great LISTENER RECIPE!You'll hear about some Vegan food labeling  laws that are being called, unconstitutional. AND, it's a GAME WEEK! We play a super fun round of Would You Rather!Enjoy the episode, and thank you so much for listening!We love you, Sam & ChristineHere are the links:National Animal Rights Day   https://thenard.orgGuud & Evil Vegan Eats  https://www.guudandevul.comBlue Table Chocolates   https://www.bluetablechocolates.comNickel City Bleach   https://nickelcitybleach.square.siteThe Listener Recipe Submitted by Beth Kenney   https://savoryspin.com/vegan-stuffed-spaghetti-squash/Plant Based Meat Labeling Laws   https://vegnews.com/2023/6/texas-governor-plant-based-meat-labeling-constitutionalFood Empowerment Project   https://foodispower.orgSupport the showJoin Our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CompassionandcucumbersSign Up For Our Newsletterhttps://www.compassionandcucumbers.comDonate To Food Empowerment Project https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CucumbersOur YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@compassioncucumbersveganpod/videos72 Reasons To Be Vegan *paid link https://amzn.to/3W8ZwsUVisit Our Website https://www.compassionandcucumbers.comSam's Etsy https://www.etsy.com/shop/CucumberCraftworksJoin the AFA Vegan Voter Hub https://agriculturefairnessalliance.org/vegan-voter-hub/

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them," - FDR on Bill of Rights Day, 1941.~~~Every president's death is mourned differently. What do those differences tell us about the evolving culture of our nation? Historians Lindsay Chervinsky and Matthew Costello join me to discuss their new book Mourning the Presidents: Loss and Legacy in American Culture, with a deeper dive on the death of FDR 82 days into the start of his fourth term. Did anyone know how sick he was? Did his health impact the change at VP? And how did his death impact the nation?Support the show

World Consumer Rights Day 2023! plus meet 50 by 40, and Climate Interactive!

This is the full show for December 15, 2022.  We Ask the Mamas about their favorite Christmas memories.  We Dig Deep into why violence has expanded on airplanes across America.  Plus, it's Bill of Rights Day, and that's a Bright Spot.  And, we finish off with some words of wisdom about the Bill of Rights that will leave you saying, “Whoa!”

A shout out for the Big Ten.

12/15/2022 9:05 - Weather, traffic, and avalanche danger Snow day #4! D2 starts the show with the latest weather forecast from Kristen Van Dyke from the KSL Weather Center. Andy Farnsworth bring the latest with the traffic trouble spots and the latest on avalanche danger with Utah Avalanche Center as they speak with Craig Gordon.    9:20 -The Science of Snowflakes and Snowpack  Utah has some of the greatest snow here on earth! Apparently utah's snowflakes are alot different than other areas, how does it impact the greatest snow on earth? How is it maintained?  Jim Steenburgh, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah, joins the show to talk about the science of snowflakes and how they impact Utah's snow.   9:35 - Legislature perspective of the Salt Lake School District audit  After reviewing the new Salt Lake City School District audit, many people have expressed anger over how much money has been wasted. The school board members have cost taxpayers millions of dollars - all because they refused to close schools with declining student enrollment. Utah State Representative Jen Dailey-Provost joins the show to share her thoughts and give the legislative approach to it.   9:50 - Gov. Cox's proposal for free UTA for a year  Governor Cox said he wants free transit for all for a year, which is great news for people who use UTA services on a regular basis. The feasibility study would cost around $25 million, but who's going to be paying for it? Dave and Maura discuss.   10:05 - 10:20 - Is a 4-day school week a good idea? The regular school week that all students are familiar with is the 5-day week that runs from Monday through Friday. Now, school districts are considering cutting it down to a 4-day week from Monday through Thursday. Is this a good idea? Dave and Maura discuss, Followed by listener calls.    10:35 - 10:50 - Does every teacher deserve the teacher compensation increase? Governor Cox announced his plan to increase the teacher compensation by $6,000 for all teachers in Utah. The question is, does every single teacher deserve it? Renée Pinkney, President of Utah Education Association, joins the show to share perspective from teachers. Followed by listener calls.    (may be a good split segment? for podcast?) 10:55 - The off-duty fire fighter who helped Utah avalanche survivor  Yesterday a skier was partially buried in an avalanche in Neffs Canyon and suffered a broken leg was finally brought off the mountain Wednesday evening following a daylong rescue effort. Dave and Maura switch gears as they speak with Tom Elbrecht (el -breckt) - Unified Fire Authority who was in the area and helped with the rescue of the victim while he was off duty.    11:05 - The significance of Bill of Rights Day Today is Bill of Rights Day. The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and it was ratified on December 15, 1791. We all know about the right to free speech and the right to bear arms, but what about the rest? Boyd Matheson, Host of Inside Sources, joins the show to give an in-depth explanation of what the Bill of Rights is and why it is so important.   11:20 - Increasing practical knowledge with project-based learning  Utah's executive branch has 1,000 jobs that don't require a college degree. So now, Governor Cox wants to get rid of that requirement as a whole. That means Bachelor's degrees are no longer necessary in the employee recruitment process. Are people prepared enough to work degree-less? Meghan Meredith, the Head of School at Utah Virtual Academy, joins the show to share her thoughts on this idea of removing the degree requirement.   11:35 - How to combat isolation during the holidays  People usually think of the holidays as a time full of love and joy, but it can also be a time of stress and loneliness. With COVID-19 and the seasonal flu going around, people have been gathering less often. Jeremy Cunningham, Public Policy Director of the Alzheimer's Association, joins the show to share tips on how we can make sure loved ones who live alone get the interaction they need in the winter.   11:50 - The controversial Gondola in the Winter  Snow packed roads through the canyons are showcasing why the argument for the Gondola has come about. Dave and Maura discuss the issue and what difference the gondola would make in the winter up Little Cottonwood canyon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is Bill of Rights Day. The Bill of Rights is the first ten amendments to the Constitution, and it was ratified on December 15, 1791. We all know about the right to free speech and the right to bear arms, but what about the rest? Boyd Matheson, Host of Inside Sources, joins the show to give an in-depth explanation of what the Bill of Rights is and why it is so important.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to December 15, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate impossible jobs and inalienable rights.  One of the most successful television commercials of all time featured a mockumentary depiction of cat herding. The tongue in cheek interviews of rugged cowboys and their errant kitties aired during the Big Game of 2000. This ad put Electronic Data Systems in the spotlight as it perfectly highlighted the difficulty of leading a team. The earned PR benefits and multiple ad awards put EDS on top. Since then, the company founded by Ross Perot in 1962 was acquired by Hewlett Packard and following its history since is a bit like, well, herding cats. If your job feels like a struggle to maintain order you may want to celebrate Cat Herders Day, by taking the day off. During the First Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Founding Fathers drafted the Constitution, though not everyone was satisfied with the results. Edmund Randolph, George Mason and Elbridge Gerry felt strongly that a separate document of individual rights should be made. James Madison of Virginia took up the cause and drafted such a list. These personal rights were trimmed down to 17 by the House and another 5 were removed by the Senate. Eventually 10 of the 12 were ratified by the States on December 15, 1791, and our Nation's Bill of Rights was formally adopted. This document holds even more relevance today and we celebrate Bill of Rights Day by remembering those who held firm to its creation.  I'm Anna Devere and I'm Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ratified on Dec. 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights has been absolutely trashed for generations. Although many people will sing its praises - for just this one day of the year - “Bill of Rights Day” should really be a day of mourning - recognizing what the people have given up, and lost. The post A Day of Mourning: Bill of Rights Day first appeared on Tenth Amendment Center.

Sphere Education Initiatives and iCivics are excited to invite you to a free professional development webinar on “Students, Teachers, and Free Speech”to be held over Zoom from 7:30 – 9:00 pm Eastern on December 13th. As we approach Bill of Rights Day, join educators from across the country and leading experts on the Constitution and the Supreme Court to learn more about the history of free speech cases and the impact they have on you as an educator.Our featured panelists include Thomas A. Berry, a research fellow in the Cato Institute's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies and managing editor of the Cato Supreme Court Review, Linda R. Monk, constitutional scholar and author of The Bill of Rights: A User's Guide, and Julie Silverbrook, Senior Director of Partnerships and Constitutional Scholar in Residence at iCivics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boyd shares his insights on National Bill of Rights Day with some help from David Bobb of the Bill of Rights Institute. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is December 15, Bill of Rights Day! Scott previews his annual bell-ringing event, noon today at the historic Hillsborough courthouse. The post History Matters: Bill of Rights Day! appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Scott and Aaron discuss Walt Disney, a computer pioneer, and Pearl Harbor - and look ahead to Bill of Rights Day next Thursday the 15th. The post History Matters: Cartoons, Computers, and Rights appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

Regular viewers of our podcast certainly understand the role of the Bill of Rights was not so much to grant rights to citizens but to limit the actions of the federal government in curtailing an individual's rights.  That trend continues in the Fourth Amendment.  It places two vital restrictions on the government: unreasonable search and seizures and warrants only with probable cause.  Why is this so important?  Just what exactly constitutes probable cause, reasonable suspicion and reasonable doubt?  For these answers and so many others, join our special guest, Cully Stimson with the Heritage Foundation and our rockstar student panelists for this “reasonable” discussion into the Fourth Amendment.

“I plead the 5th!”  We have all heard that line before whether it was on the evening news or a legal drama TV show.  It's  a legal protection pulled directly from the 5th Amendment which outlines criminal procedure and applies to federal, state and local governments.  What exactly does it mean?  What is a grand jury, the double jeopardy clause and the takings clause?  We are excited to have Andrew Langer, President of the Institute for Liberty, returning as our guest along with our student panel as we discuss the 5th Amendment.

One might question why the 3rd Amendment was given such a lofty position behind 1st amendment protections and the right to keep and bear arms. It's not often talked about and doesn't drive the news cycle or inspire mass protesting.  So why did The Founders codify that we do not have to quarter soldiers in our homes?  What act of parliament was this amendment directly countering? And what role did the Boston Tea Party play to inspire such an amendment?  Join our special guest, Hans von Spakovsky with the Heritage Foundation, and our all-star lineup of student panelists for this insightful conversation into the Third Amendment.

In this Episode Toya and Yaara talk with Kshama Sawant (ISA in the US), Ruth Coppinger (ISA in Ireland), and Anne (ISA in Germany) about the fight for abortion rights. Plus, an additional report from Andrea (ISA in China/Hong Kong/Taiwan) about shifting reproductive rights policies in China, and a shout out Swedish activists.

Knowing writer's rights is one of the most important parts of being a working writer. In celebration of this year's Writer's Rights Day, Nicole shares some very basic terms every writer should know before entering into the submission process. Join the Stop Writing Alone Network https://stop-writing-alone-network.mn.co Mentioned in this episode: The Authors Guild https://www.authorsguild.org/ 5 Things Every Writer Should Know About Rights WRITER'S DIGEST https://www.writersdigest.com/general/5-things-every-writer-should-know-about-rights A Novice Writer's Guide to Rights WRITER'S WRITE https://www.writerswrite.com/journal/a-novice-writers-guide-to-rights-12977 Copyright Information for Writers POETS & WRITERS https://www.pw.org/content/copyright Rights: What They Mean and Why They Are Important https://www.writing-world.com/rights/rights.shtml Author Rights Resources: Understanding Author Rights CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY https://guides.library.cornell.edu/authorrights/knowyourrights#:~:text=People%20often%20use%20the%20terms,in%20a%20fixed%2C%20tangible%20form.   STORY HOARDER Substack (The new home for Nicole's writing): https://storyhoarder.substack.com Stop Writing Alone FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205774733034348/ Stop Writing Alone Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/Stopwritingalone  NV Rivera YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpPlp1EVzQhDFPdGp5w2KoQ?view_as=subscriber  Buy Nicole a coffee (AKA support the podcast!) https://ko-fi.com/stopwritingalone   Places to connect to the STOP WRITING ALONE community and introduce yourself: Stop Writing Alone FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/stopwritingalone/ Join the Stop Writing Alone with Nicole Rivera FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2205774733034348/ Stop Writing Alone website: https://stopwritingalone.com/ Join the Stop Writing Alone email list: https://mailchi.mp/ff8df93e57dc/penpals  Stop Writing Alone Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/stopwritingalone/  Nicole's Twitter: https://twitter.com/nv_rivera  The Stop Writing Alone voice number (call to introduce yourself!): (646) 907-9607    When you find a group of people who lift you up on a daily basis, it is important to share their awesome. Here are links to the women in Nicole's Mastermind group (currently going by the name The Voxer Vixens!). Please support these women who do so much to support Nicole on a daily basis! Kim A. Flodin https://www.kelekilove.com/  Lisa Murray https://ihavedreamsdammit.com/ Claire Oldham West https://slimmingstories.podbean.com/ Johanna Jaquez-Peralta https://www.instagram.com/latina_livin_keto/ Emma Isaacs https://www.instagram.com/emmaisaacsdesign/