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Welcome to ClassWars, the home of Activist Radio, a weekly program for all Americans who are not in the wealthiest one percent of the US population. Class wars have been going on since the beginning of recorded history. As societies become more powerful and wealthy, they often become more corrupt. Towards the end of each cycle, a few rich families own practically everything and rule with an iron fist. Imperial wars for empire and military over-expansion are other trademarks of a debased and undemocratic society. Empire often brings about great poverty and suffering not only in the occupied and exploited lands, but at home as well. Class wars is a dirty term in our media, which always implies that America is above such crudeness. But the very rich are not above that at all. They have been waging an especially intense attack on working people since the 1970's, and have accumulated immense wealth and power at the expense of the rest of us. Of course, America's class wars are not fought with tanks and bombs, but with crooked politicians, right wing think tanks and corporate owned media. For the very rich to maintain and increase their share of the national wealth, they have to fool you. How else could one percent of our population call the shots for the other ninety-nine percent? Well, there is another way. The very rich can bankroll a fascist demagogue who then uses racial fears and hatreds to overcome any form of worker resistance. Mussolini and Hitler are examples of how this was done in the 1930s. Trump is, of course, the most dangerous demagogue of the 21st century. To understand how he has gotten this far, check out: "The Unspoken Spread of Fascism." Activist Radio will attempt to show you how the few richest of our citizens lie to the rest of us to expand their power and wealth. They are sick with greed, of course. But so far, the rest of us are what might be worse, and that is stupid. None of the information presented is particularly new or really very hard to find, although you won't read it in the mainstream press or see it on TV. If that is what you are relying on for news, you are being suckered, my friend. I don't know how to put it any nicer. So sit back, relax, and listen to Activist Radio streamed live: Thursdays from 5 - 6 pm ET STREAM ACTIVIST RADIO FROM WVKR Sundays from 5 - 6 pm ET STREAM ACTIVIST RADIO FROM PRN.LIVE Activist Radio can also be heard: Thursdays 8-9 am on KBOO 90.7 FM in Portland, OR; Thursdays 11-12 noon on WRFA 107.9 FM in Jamestown, NY; Thursdays 5-6 pm on WVKR 91.3 FM at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY; Thursdays from 7-8 pm on WBDY 99.5 fm at The Bundy in Binghamton, NY; Sundays 1:30-2:30 pm on WESU 88.1 FM at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT; Sundays 4-5 pm from WIOF 104.1 FM in Woodstock, NY; and Sundays 5-6 pm from the Progressive Radio Network at PRN.LIVE. Past programs are available as a podcast; search for Activist Radio on iTunes, Google Play, Digital Podcast, Stitcher. or Spotify. You can also listen to us anytime on the web at ClassWars.org. Our last ten programs can also be heard by clicking on the dates to the right. Recent stories on Activist Radio may have you thinking about some important issues. Put another way, you could be wondering if most of what we say is totally made up, since you probably haven't seen it on TV. But here are some links to stories we have done recently. Fantasyland Media News fashioned by the people in charge, the corporations and your government. Each week, we cover the stories that are just left out of the US propaganda machine. IRS to Find Ultrawealthy Cheats US targeted Pakistani reform leader NYT omits CIA role in Chile Sending depleted uranium to Ukraine US media never blames fossil fuel Israel Lobby buys up Democrats Pinochet’s coup orchestrated by the US Fracking wells linked to child cancers Biden promoting another climate scam US behind Imran Khan overthrow Biden risking war with Iran US and French troops in Niger Barack Obama Is a Climate Hypocrite Democratic Leadership Backs Anti-Choice  Biden can't bring himself to say "oil" Malcolm X murdered by the state? US butchering the Yemeni people End of "liberal except for Palestine"? Ron DeSantis creates fascist militia NYT bias towards right wing dictators Teachers forbidden to discuss Tulsa race riots lawsuit seeking reparations for Tulsa fails Congress gets rich on insider trading US media all negative on Cuba and Venezuela NSA and FBI failed to see January 6 coming EPA reapproval of  ingredient in Agent Orange Right wing legal group attacking LGBTQ rights Billionaires attacking ballot initiative rights Fred Nagel is a Vietnam Era veteran and political activist whose articles have appeared in CounterPunch, Global Exchange, LA Progressive, Mondoweiss, Peace & Planet News, Popular Resistance, and Z Magazine. He also hosts a show on Vassar College Radio, WVKR (classwars.org). #Candles4Assange Eli wishing Assange a Happy Birthday Eli and Fred "take a knee" for racial justice while Jimi Hendrix goes out over the airwaves. Reporting from the veteran's encampment at Standing Rock Fred at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, standing with a vigil for Julian Assange Dave, Heather, Fred and DJ James Poe at WABG - AM 960 in Columbus, MS Dahr Jamail and Gary Fred and Gary with Pete Seeger Kathy Kelly and Gary Thanks to Martha for this time on the set of Democracy Now. Fred and Gary on the air In memory of Jordan Taylor, Black Lives Matter organizer and former Activist Radio co-host The late 19 Century had its very own Gilded Age. Milton Friedman, guru of deregulation and self interest, made millionaires into billionaires by robbing everyone else. Feeding the Empire's war machine.

Listen to recent shows You can also right click on the date to read your browser's other options. Listening in iTunes works nicely if that is available. September 14 GUEST: Sarahana Shrestha, climate organizer, DSA candidate, and now member of the NY State Assembly as well as the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, talks about public utilities and why they should be owned by the people. Rep. Shrestha to hold town hall sessions Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha Sponsored Legislation SONG: Lowkey ... Obama Nation SONG: Miley Cyrus ... Party In The CIA September 7 GUEST: Dr. Ivana Nikolić Hughes, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Senior Lecturer at Columbia University, and member of the Scientific Advisory Group to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, talks about the overarching need to resist the new Cold War. Dismantle the nuclear doomsday machine  G7 Leaders Not Good Enough Nuclear Weapons “Sharing” Is a Dangerous Practice SONG: Carl Bean ... I Was Born This Way SONG: Billy Bragg ... Rich Men Earning North of a Million August 31 GUEST: Jesse Nevel, National Chair of the Uhuru Solidarity Movement, and supporter of the African People's Solidarity Committee, talks about building white support for black power and the US government's accusation that he is a Russian agent. Black Agenda Report Justice and Reparations on the Ballot Founder not working with the Russians SONG: Eliza Gilkyson, 2020 ... Promises to Keep SONG: Oliver Anthony ... Rich Men North Of Richmond August 24 GUEST: Sonali Kolhatkar, journalist, activist, and host of Pacifica’s popular program "Rising Up With Sonali," talks about Columbia and the declining influence of the US empire in all of Latin America. (repeat program) The Life and Times of a Well-Rounded Troublemaker Sonali Kolhatkar’s new book August 17 GUEST: Barbara Larcom, human rights activist, coordinator of the Nicaraguan sister city Casa Baltimore Limay, and co-organizer of the monthly Nicaragua Webinar Series, talks about the successes of the Sandinista Revolution and why the US is still trying to crush it. Baltimore sister city Background, History of Projects NicaNotes SONG: John Lennon and Yoko Ono ... Give Peace a Chance SONG: Patty Griffin, The Pilgrim - A Celebration of Kris Kristofferson ... Sandinista August 10 GUEST: Norman Solomon, American journalist, media critic, activist, and executive director of the media watch group Institute for Public Accuracy, talks about his latest book: War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of its Military Machine. War Made Invisible - Book Review Review from The New Press How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine SONG: Utah Phillips, We Have Fed You All a Thousand Years ... Union Burying Ground SONG: Charlie King & Karen Brandow, The Distance Remaining ... How Beautiful Upon the Mountain August 3 GUEST: Zohar Regev Chamberlain, an Israeli citizen, human rights activist, and boat leader for the Al Awda (The Return) during its attempt to break the blockade of Gaza, talks about her life devoted to Palestinian liberation. Women who build the future Freedom Flotilla Coalition Israeli Activist Who Grew Up In A Kibbutz Sails To Gaza SONG: Utah Phillips (3:01) ... There Is Power in a Union SONG: Eric Bibb, Lead Belly's Gold ... Bourgeois Blues July 27 An Israeli Defense Force pilot and a US World War II veteran tell their stories about violence and redemption. David Swanson talks about war and the media.  This is an evergreen program while Activist Radio takes a week vacation. Ex-Israeli pilot: 'Our army is a terrorist organization' Study War No More by Jay Wenk Let's Try Democracy by David Swanson SONG: Fred Nagel ... Shining Cities in the Sun July 20 GUEST: Cheryl Qamar, social worker, committed feminist, and political activist, talks about her recent trip to the West Bank and the Aida Refugee Camp with the USA Palestine Mental Health Network. She is on the Board for Eyewitness Palestine and the Steering Committee for USA Palestine Mental Health Network. The USA-Palestine Mental Health Network Aida Youth Center SONG: Eddie Starr, Classic Labor Songs from Smithsonian Folkways ... I'm Union and I'm Proud SONG: Woody Guthrie ... Tear the fascists down July 13 GUEST: Thom Hartmann, progressive national and internationally syndicated talk show host, and New York Times bestselling author, talks about his recently published book: The Hidden History of American Democracy. News & info from the #1 progressive radio Thom Hartmann is live Monday to Friday from 12 to 3 PM ET The Hidden History of American Democracy SONG: Various Artists, Amaze Me: Songs in the Key of Peace ... America SONG: Tracy Chapman, Where You Live ... America Take a minute to rate Activist Radio Click Icon: Once in Apple Podcasts Preview, click on "Listen on Apple Podcasts." Then click "Ratings and Reviews" and leave your opinion by clicking "Write a Review" right under "Customer Ratings." Sorry Apple made several steps to leaving a review, but we would appreciate it if you did! We often use Peacebutton's calendar to do our History of Social Struggle each week. Check them out at www.peacebuttons.info Some Favorite Lies of the Very Rich Class wars don't exist in America, the land of the free. (The very rich have taken the rest of us to the cleaners, especially since the mid 1970's. Democracy in America has become little more than a useful fiction.) The two party system promotes the will of the people. (Both parties are paid for by the major corporations, leaving the people with very little power to change domestic or foreign policy.) Multinational corporations encourage free enterprise. (They spend most of their time getting handouts from governments while trying to eliminate workers' rights and environmental regulations through "free" trade.) The billions spent on defense contracts make Americans safer. (Most defense contracts are no-bid, billion dollar scams. Of the first world countries, only America spends so much on weaponry that there is nothing left over for the poor and middle class: no education, no health care, and no housing.) High drug costs are necessary to pay for research. (Most drug profits go towards advertising and CEO stock options. Other first world countries, like Canada, control drug prices.) Charter schools increase the quality of the nation's education. (Charter schools allow corporations to control what students learn, while draining dollars from public schools.) US foreign policy is used to spread democracy and to make the world a safer place. (Most US policy is military action aimed at countries that threaten corporate profits. In America, the poor fight the wars, the middle class pays for them, and the very rich make out like the bandits they are.) Free health care, daycare, and college tuition for all are simply unaffordable. (The most successful capitalist countries provide their citizens with all these benefits and much more.) Social Security needs reform to save it. (Social Security is good for another 40 years, and with a little more paid by top earners, good forever. That is if we can keep Wall Street thieves from getting their hands on it.) It's all Trump's fault! Vote for the Democrats to change the system. (If you believe that whopper, you are part of the problem.) The Hidden Verses to This Land Is Your Land Was a high wall there that tried to stop me A sign was painted said: Private Property, But on the back side it didn't say nothing -- This land was made for you and me. One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple By the Relief Office I saw my people -- As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering if This land was made for you and me. WOODY G. (Feb. 23, 1940) Workers of the world, awaken! Beak our chains, demand your rights. All the wealth you make is taken By exploiting parasites. Shall you kneel in deep submission From your cradles to your graves? Is the height of your ambition To be good and willing slaves? JOE HILL (1910) One blue sky above us One ocean lapping all our shore One earth so green and round Who could ask for more And because I love you I'll give it one more try To show my rainbow race It's too soon to die. -Pete Seeger We have been added to Progressive Radio Voices and can be heard every Sunday from 5 - 6 pm ET on prn.live Selected as one of PlayerFM's Best Activism Podcasts We Could Find Listen as a podcast on Spotify Crony capitalists have always been with us. Here is Boss Tweed of New York's Tammany Hall sometime in the 1860's. The policy of the American Empire since World War II.

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I see in the future a crisis approaching that fills me with anxiety. As a result of the war, corporations have become enthroned, and an era of corruption in high places will follow. The money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its rule by preying upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is concentrated in a few hands and the Republic destroyed. Abraham Lincoln

And above all Fascism denies that class-war can be the preponderant force in the transformation of society. Benito Mussolini

The first truth is that the liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is Fascism - ownership of Government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. Franklin D. Roosevelt

A revolution is a class struggle. It was one class - the oppressed, and that other class - the oppressor. Fred Hampton

Surely, in the history of lies told to the population, this is the biggest lie. In the history of secrets, withheld from the American people, this is the biggest secret: that there are classes with different interests in this country. To ignore that--not to know that the history of our country is a history of slaveowner against slave, landlord against tenant, corporation against worker, rich against poor--is to render us helpless before all the lesser lies told to us by people in power. Howard Zinn

The clinical definition of "fascism' is when private concentrated economic power takes government away from the people, turns government into a guarantor, a subsidizer, a covering of corporate power. Ralph Nader

There's class warfare, all right, but it's my class, the rich class, that's making war, and we're winning. Warren Buffet

This [$700 billion bailout] was the largest single act of class warfare in the modern history of this country. Dennis Kucinich

I think this has been a class war waged by the rich against the poor, and I think that they won. And I think the poor are fighting back. Naomi Klein

The solution is revolution, first in the spirit of the gospel; Jesus could not accept people going hungry. It is a conflict between classes, rich and poor. My role is to preach and organize. Jean-Bertrand Aristide

The effect of the [European Central Bank] policies is to weaken the welfare state measures and to reduce the power of labor. That's class war. It's fine for the banks, for financial institutions, but terrible for the population. Noam Chomsky

The US has a highly class-conscious business class. If you read the business literature, it's like reading Mao's "Red Book." The values may be inverted, but the terminology is the same. They're fighting a bitter class war constantly. They never relax for a minute. Noam Chomsky

The breakdown [of American society] is not caused by economic laws. They are policies, a kind of class war initiated by the rich and powerful against the working population and the poor. This is what defines the neoliberalism period, not only in the United States but in Europe and elsewhere. Noam Chomsky

For 45 years there has been a war in this country waged by the corporate elite against the working class of America. Bernie Sanders

If there is going to be class warfare in this country, it's about time the working class won that war. Bernie Sanders

The theft of public resources for the military and militarism domestically and abroad represent a one-sided class war waged on the working class in the U.S. The 6 trillion dollars spent on U.S. wars since 2003 are resources that could have been directed to address the increasing desperate plight of workers and poor people in the U.S. Ajamu Baraka

You look at the reality, neoliberalism translates as bitter class war. That?s the meaning of it, everywhere you look, every component of it. Noam Chomsky

Now I'm finding out there's just one kind of war. It's the one going on 'tween the rich and the poor. I guess that I don't know a lot about class, But the upper and middle can all kiss my ass. Utah Phillips