Act Out! Podcast

From Iran to Venezuela to the forests of Southern Illinois to the borderlands. It’s been a full year of Acting Out! Here’s to many more.   artkillingapathy.com

COP 25 is over and the people have spoken – from Chile to Madrid, largely indigenous-led protests are highlighting the uselessness of these climate summits and the danger of falling for greenwashed false solutions in the age of climate chaos. Next, you've likely heard of fracking, but do you know about frac sand mining? Ted Auch from Frac Tracker takes us into this seldom-discussed world of environmental destruction. https://globaljusticeecology.org https://www.fractracker.org/

There's only so much you can take from someone. And with the recent plans to starve some 700,000 Americans, we may have reached that threshold. We dive to the bottom line to uncover the real impetus behind such legislation and the horrifying ways in which we spend money that could - and should – go to we the people. Next up, We don't shut up, we shut down – a message, parallels and lessons from a recent climate court case in Germany http://wedontshutup.org/en/

A whale of a deal for the IMF and all those folks out there who wanna keep consuming but want someone else to deal with the fall out. Next up, the whole damn system is guilty as hell – and that's a heavy thought. And while starting the fight – and more so the build - in your own community might seem a small move to make, it may be the most powerful.   https://carbondalespring.org/ https://thenexteclipse.wordpress.com/ https://www.symbiosis-revolution.org/

Thanksgiving is bullshit. But that doesn't mean that we can't bring some truth to the table while diving into issues such as indigenous foods, farming practices and food sovereignty. Plus, it's not just what we consume - indeed, it's not even our own personal consumption - but rather this global programming on consumption that's killing us. Once we start to question the programming, we'll see the horrors of the program - from cancer alley and beyond. From this space, we can work on dismantling it and building for the future. PLUS Claire Arkin sits down to discuss the colonialist waste trade, false solutions like incineration and the insidious dealings of the plastics industry.

DACA is in the supreme court. Far from being a legislative or constitutional battle for Trump's administration, this is fascist virtue signaling. The arguments over legality thinly veil the systemic truth: this is an overt ramping up of policies already in place with previous administrations. Next up, Never Again Action launches proactive and historically conscious activism, combining outreach with protest.   https://www.neveragainaction.com/

Bolivia was too happy. Ideas that are but dreams here in the US are legislative realities in Bolivia, and that can not stand. Meanwhile, the echoes of US imperialism plays loudly in the streets of Chile. US residents asking when we're gonna reach that tipping point have some important questions to consider. PLUS some news on AFRICOM. Finally, Chairman Omali Yeshitela joins us to talk imperialism, class warfare, revolution and more. "You can not have your whiteness and socialism too. You can not have your whiteness and liberation too.”   https://apspuhuru.org https://www.patreon.com/ActOut

We need to be open and honest about what the empire means and how we all suffer from it – and how these diverse but shared experiences can be our strength, not our fault lines. As we rattle thrones, we must build solidarity and heal – with veterans. Marine veteran and senior fellow at the center for international policy, Matthew Hoh sits down with us to talk about veteran health, suicide and recent news from the empire. https://www.internationalpolicy.org/ https://www.veteransforpeace.org/

Transformation NOT Reformation. From regenerative farming to revolutionary inclusion, these voices from the Forest Convergence tell it like it is, draw connections between our struggles and unapologetically demand real and direct action. Wherever you are, that is your frontline. Know that you have an army on your side. And we must continue to fight. And build.   https://globaljusticeecology.org/ http://onamove.com/ https://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/

Recent reports suggest that eating meat isn't bad for you. But wait before you reach for that burger. Because this isn't just about you personal health - there's a planet at stake here. PLUS deforestation gets a greenwash AND Mei Azaad from Fight Toxic Prisons talks direct action in solidarity with prisoners, and the layers of literal and figurative toxicity driving our prison industrial complex.   https://fighttoxicprisons.wordpress.com/

How high can you go? The costs of health insurance continue to rise sharply. Our push to build power, reach out to others and rattle thrones must escalate in kind. Next, climate and environmental experts fired for researching and spreading the truth. Are we gonna let their voices be silenced? Finally, Nora Barrows-Friedman joins us to talk about her recent trip to Palestine, the farce of elections on both sides of the wall, and our vital role in justice.   https://electronicintifada.net/

We all want Trump to be held accountable for something - ANYTHING - but that's not what's going to happen here. We analyze the impeachment frenzy in a way you're not hearing – but really really need to. Plus, the difference between a whistleblower and a status quo whistler. Next, Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap joins us to talk constitutional amendments, working inside vs. outside the system and finding hope – without optimism – in the fight.

Here's how corporate media and their warlords are spinning the genocide in Yemen into a reason to go to war with Iran: desperate attempts to manufacture consent. Next, folks are connecting issues and building bridges in order to topple US empire and secure a livable future for everyone. http://globalappeal4peace.net/

Media literacy has perhaps never been more important than it is now. And as corporate media continues to dodge reality like bullets in the Matrix, some headline translations can help us to see the truth behind the lies. Next up, Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas but didn't end there. Jena from Mutual Aid Disaster Relief talks about the aid efforts happening in the southeast United States and the importance of solidarity, not charity.   https://mutualaiddisasterrelief.org https://www.facebook.com/solidarity757/

A close up look at the epicenter of the nation's affordable housing crisis: San Francisco. We sit down with local residents and activists to hear about the manifold problems that gave rise to this crisis, and the creative ways in which folks are fighting for their human rights. https://www.calle24sf.org https://www.podersf.org/ https://www.peoplepowermedia.org/

Indigenous lands become a testing ground for Israeli-US mass surveillance – and once again indigenous wisdom throws common sense at the blundering idiocy of empire. Plus, kids as pre-existing conditions and detention centers as black sites. Next up, the people are mobilizing and connecting issues and power in the face of imperialist climate change. https://peoplesmobe.org/ http://globalappeal4peace.net/

A look at the understorey of the Amazon fires and the long history of colonialist destruction. If we want to protect the forest, we have to protect the people, and look to them for solutions outside the confines of a system that continues to wreak havoc on all living things. Next, Anne Petermann from Global Justice Ecology Project sits down with us for some straight talk on the reforestation trend, false solutions and important upcoming actions. https://www.gaiaamazonas.org/en https://amazonwatch.org/ https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/ https://globaljusticeecology.org/ https://forestclimateconvergence.org/

Building and healing civilizations: as we stare down the 2020 presidential elections, here's a little food for thought on how our system is built – and what advanced math of all things can tell us about the pit falls of having a president, or a “democracy” like ours in general. Next up, the power of art – the power of laughter, and the power of blending that with political commentary. Comedian Krish Mohan joins us to talk more. https://ramannoodlescomedy.com/

As ecosystems around the world fall into death spirals and scientists cry out that the point of no return is upon us, a look at our justice systems highlight the pitfalls and fallacies in our thinking. For instance, did you know that your right to clean air, water and food pales in comparison to the rights of a stack of papers? Next up, July 26th marked the 66th anniversary of the Cuban revolution. Netfa Freeman joins us to talk about building solidarity, exchanging ideas and Afro-Cuban racial justice. https://www.facebook.com/PACAdmv/ https://blackallianceforpeace.com/

The psychopathic framing of the Democratic debates are a kind of microcosm in which to view how out of touch the US is with reality. For instance, the threat of nuclear genocide is considered a policy talking point rather than an existential emergency. Finally, Anne White Hat joins us to talk about her personal experience with the anti-protest bills that have popped up across the country.