Our Broken B.S. Detectors

I would like you to do a favor for me, you can do it real quick while you are listening to this. I want you to go inside your head and go to one of the closets you store your stuff in. You know, the closets where we all keep our memories, learned data, and all the useless information that won't generally help you in life except if you find yourself staring at Alex Trabek while you are a contestant on Jeopardy. Go to that closet and poke around until you find your BS detector and check to make sure that it is in perfect working order. If it happens to be busted, please go out and acquire one with all haste.

I know I'm being kind of flippant but it seems that there are a whole lot of people out there with non working BS detectors. A whole lot of people out there who read and saw fake news, took it for gospel and then paid it forward to their friends who did likewise. We are only now just starting to understand how truly pervasive fake news was during the recent elections.

In the first study of fake news that was conducted by Ipsos for Buzzfeeed news, the data gathered paints a rather sad and shocking fact when it comes to the consumption of fake news by the American electorate. The study finds that fake news headlines fool people about 75% of the time. It also finds that those who claim to be for the GOP, 84% percent rated fake news stories "very" or "somewhat very" accurate, significantly more than those on the left hand side of the aisle.

Because of the study I went back and read the more popular of the fake news stories to see how they might be mistakenly thought of as real news, stories such as "FBI agent suspected in Hillary e-mail leaks found dead in apparently murder-suicide" from the phony Denver Guardian website, "Donald Trump protester speaks out: I was paid $3,500 to protest", or my personal favorite "Pope Francis shocks world, endorses Donald Trump for President". The last one I remember well because I happen to be a catholic and any research at all about the current pontiff would tell you how wackadoo a story like that would be.

Let's cut through the crap and get to the heart of it.... How did we get here? How did we get to the point where a majority of the people buy into stories that are so malicious and ludicrous? Well let's start with a twenty five year war on the media. Year after year it has been thrown out there that the “Lame-Stream Media” can't be trusted and that at it's heart it is biased towards Republicans and Conservatives in general. There was and is a campaign to discredit such venerable institutions like the New York Times, the Washington Post, and well the list goes on and on. Print, TV, and now Online Media haven't helped themselves when they started embracing the tabloid-ish ethos of “It Bleeds, It Leads” and using more entertainment driven approaches to it's journalism. After years of this sort of attack on our media, sadly a certain amount of prestige and credibility have been lost. With credibility shaken, is it no wonder that the populace have turned to alternative sources for their news, sources that we have selected because they align with our own views. In too many instances when we start digesting what these alternate sources produce we are not getting news, we are getting propaganda. And that folks is where we are in danger.

Journalism and the news has always been a pillar and bulwark in this country, sacrosanct in that an informed people were essential to keeping true to the ideals of this great american democratic experiment. The News Media have played a vital role in helping to ensure against brazen governmental tyranny and those elected to public office who haven't had our best interests at heart. An example of this would be March 9^th, 1954 when at the height of the “Red Scare”, the House Of un-American Activities chaired by Joseph McCarthy were wreaking havoc by publicly humiliating american citizens with the broad brush specter of Communism or being a Communist sympathizer. Standing up to the bullying McCarthy was CBS News's Edward R. Murrow who called out McCarthy in his famous “See It Now” show and took him head on using McCarthy's own words to help end this mid 20^th Century witch hunt. Murrow could do this because he was trusted by the american people to give them the unvarnished, right down the middle self evident-ed truth. We need the Edward R. Murrow's, the Walter Cronkite's, Mike Wallace's, Peter Jennings's. Now more then ever we need them.

So Friends, with all these different sources, all claiming to be a beacon and paragon of truth, all coming at you at the speed of now, get out, dust off, and replace the batteries to your own BS Detector so you can reject fake news and take a more analytic look to what you see and hear. Cross reference with multiple sources and ask questions. For my own part, I have always said I unabashedly present my opinion on this show and what I do and will always do when we do “The Last 7 Days” segment is use the politicians and news maker's own voices so you know you're getting the straight poop. So use those BS Detectors liberally because I have a feeling they will be working overtime in the next four years.

Mni Wiconi

Here on the show we sometimes talk about uncomfortable and hard truths.  Well here is another one and I'm just going to throw it out there on Main St., America has  a really horrible record when it comes to it's relationship with it's indigenous peoples.  The record is long and tragic.  A few of the lowlights are: countless broken treaties, the consequences due to Manifest Destiny, Andrew Jackson's Trail Of Tears, brutal forced migrations to hellish reservations, the camp at Little Big Horn,  giving tribes smallpox infected blankets, Wounded Knee, the retaliations to the AIM movement in 1973, and the latest hit rising in the charts like a rocket, Standing Rock.

Standing Rock is fast turning into a national shame.  In the interests of corporate greed and the almighty Dollar,  the Dakota Access Pipeline threatens sacred tribal sites and tribal water resources ie. the Missouri River.  Instead of debate and dialog, Energy Transfer Partners, the company that is building the pipeline moved in private security firms to enforce their agenda and in the process manhandled and even in some cases used trained attack dogs.

As tensions have flared and we've seen an escalation in recent days, Morton County Sheriffs have pepper sprayed protesters while also using rubber bullets and water cannons in sub freezing temperatures.  So I ask myself and you a profound rhetorical question, "what are we going to do about it ??"  While we mull it over I would like to say a phrase that I would like for you to sear into, and permeate around in your brain box.

Mni Wiconi

Mni Wiconi in the Lakota language means "Water Is Life".  As essential as the air we breathe and the food we eat to sustain our human existence, water is just as fundamental. Heck, we are 65% made up of water, if we don't have water we die, as simple as that.  Factor also into the equation, that to create this pipeline means impeding upon and desecrating sacred tribal sites, sites that have been considered holy to Native Americans since before white Europeans first set foot onto the continent.

Let's go back to that question "what are we going to do about it ??".  It turns out that there is a lot we can do about it.  First of all we can pick up our phones and call our elected representatives, from the White House on down to our local representatives in congress, those fine people who we voted for to go about the people's business.  I believe in strength in numbers, I believe that if enough of us call and write letters, e-mail, sign petitions, we can bring enough pressure to bear to effect meaningful change.  If it is at all possible for you to travel to North Dakota to help protest then please do so.

But time is of the essence and I'm afraid that the timer runs out on January 20th.  You see, our President-Elect Donald J. Trump owns stock in the company "Energy Transfer Partners" which is building the Dakota Access Pipeline.  He has a vested interest that the pipeline gets built and the project gets completed.  If we are to have any success in stopping the desecration it will have to be done while President Obama is still in office.

When I was young and I read history books in school I would read about the past and say to myself, "well if I was living back then I wouldn't have done anything like that", or "if I was alive then I would have done things differently".  This is the moment and our time is now, history will judge us on if we took a stand or we simply turned our heads and ignored the cries of our brothers and sisters.

Mni Wiconi.

Post Election Thoughts & Pep Talk.

I think it's fair to say that for the majority of us it came as a huge seismic shock as we sat hunkered down in front of our TV's surrounded by our friends and loved ones witnessing what took place on election evening. It took me a little while to digest the altered national political landscape and to sift through the data and try to make sense of it all.

What did I come away with?? Well, I came away with this...... Heart beat the machine. For much of this general election we heard often that the ground game organizational machine of the Democratic Party and the Clinton campaign would carry the day in an increasingly tight race. Another term we heard frequently was "enthusiasm gap", that term being used to describe the gulf between one party's rabid vociferous support versus a more cooler moderated tone from the other side. As misguided as it is, no one can deny that those who like and support Trump aren't shy about that fact, and they will go to great lengths to make sure everybody knows it. Now I'm not saying that those who like me voted for Hillary don't feel just as passionate about our belief in our candidate, I'm not saying that at all. I am saying that it is a little more complex than that. The will of the heart will always outdo the machine. We saw that in 2008 and it's just as valid now. There are some hard truths here that we have got to come to terms with if we are to learn from this.

The first hard truth is that there are a whole lot of people out there that frankly don't like Hillary Clinton and haven't for a very long time. I voted for Hillary because I honestly think that she is more qualified, has a better temperament, and is a vastly better candidate than Trump, and if you have listened at all to the show you know that.

The second hard truth is that the Democratic Party has lost it's connection to the average blue collar working class American. Usual blue states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and even Pennsylvania turned red in this election. Blue collar union workers for decades have been the backbone of the Democrats, and sadly their cries stemming from deep economic woes have gone largely unheard.

The third hard truth is that the leadership of the DNC has failed, failed to hear those warning signs from middle america, failed to hear different opinions from the different wings within the party. They failed to hear the voices of Vice President Joe Biden who for the last year tried to bring more awareness about the plight of working men and women. They failed to hear the voices of advocates and activists such as Filmmaker Michael Moore who's latest film "Michael Moore in Trumpland" was literally a flashcard held up to us all. And the biggest voice they failed to hear was the clarion call of Bernie Sanders. Bernie's candidacy and crusade is a bright light that resonates with millennials, us Gen X'ers, and everyone who is tired of taking it in the shorts from Big Money, Big Pharma, and the 1%'ers.

What we need as progressives to do is take these hard truths to heart. Yes, it's a bitter pill, but we will be much better for this and come out the other side focused and ready for the challenges ahead in the the next 4 years.

Now that we've heard the hard news, let's get to the inspirational portion of this monologue. I know there are a lot of us out there tonight who are scared. There are those out there tonight scared that they are going to be thrown out of the country, scared that their marriage is going to be invalidated, scared that women are no longer going to be in control over their reproductive rights, scared that they will be persecuted over the color of their skin, what their faith is, who they choose to love.

As scary as all that is, and believe me I know it's scary, we have something on our side. Math. Math can comfort us in our time of need. It let's us know that we're not alone. For example, did you know that more people voted for Hillary Clinton than Donald Trump. Yes, and if this election was a popularity contest, Hillary would've won. Sorry GOP'ers, I know for this campaign you've lived in a fact free zone but numbers don't and can't lie.

There is strength in numbers, it isn't just a cliche and we're going to need numbers and yes heart, over the next 4 years. Tuesday night I went to sleep depressed, depressed and confused. Wednesday I woke up determined and fired up. The upcoming struggle is going to be fought in the arena of principles and ideals. What can I do, you do, we all do ?? Get involved.... Get active in your own community, get involved with a non profit organization. Go down to your local democratic party headquarters and tell them you want to volunteer and help. Organize, advocate, let your voice be heard. But also listen. Listen to those who think differently than you. Don't mock (let me do that) and engage in a dialogue. Give this machine a heart, let it be known that there is a alternative to the hate and bigotry of the right. Have empathy, let them know you understand and feel for how tough things are right now. In these numbers, we can move mountains and we can make progress towards a future where the populist demagoguery of Trumpism will be read in history books with disdain.

Final Pre-Election Thoughts

Take a deep cleansing breath folks, we're almost at the end of this campaign season. It has been a long slog through the mires of negativity and hate. It has made us feel that we almost needed a bio hazard suit and a long shower to wash off the political dirt. Do me a favor though before you start the decontaminating process, VOTE. We are at a bell weather, fork in the road moment in American history. This election is a referendum on our values and on what kind of country we are going to be. This isn't just rhetorical hyperbole here, this is literally a pivotal moment which could have deep and momentous impact on our country, our society, and our loved ones. We have seen a presidential campaign unlike any other before, and this is coming from someone who was a history major in college.

Millennials, I want to talk to you for a minute. For many of you this is your first or second chance to vote, to make your voices heard. If you don't vote, your voice won't be heard. If you are silent, which voice will fill the silence? Will this voice be a voice of hate and division? Will it demean and malign those who may have a different skin color, a different gender, someone disabled? Will this voice speak of changing your reproductive rights? Or marriage equality? After you do your soul searching.... VOTE.

And I want to talk to those who don't think that this is a big deal. You may be thinking "I hate politics, they both suck and you know, my vote doesn't matter". You may be listening to this and thinking about what reality TV show you're going watch later. Am I being a little snarky here? Yeah I guess I am, but if you don't vote, you may wake up Wednesday morning with a new dark reality, and more crappy reality than you know what to do with.

Lastly, I want to talk to those who aren't going to vote at all. If you don't exercise your franchise then I don't want to hear one whiny word out of you. As far as I'm concerned you should sit in the corner the next four years thinking about how close you came to having Cheetos Hitler as your president. If he does win, then you are really in the proverbial dog house. You saw this coming and you still decided to sit this one out.

So take a deep breath people, it's almost over. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so VOTE to make sure that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train coming the other way.

Brother Bell

Doug Bell, a friend and the co-host of this show passed away this last week at the age of 47. The doctors said that he suffered a heart attack and most likely had severe brain damage as a result of no pulse and not breathing for a significant amount of time. As a few personal friends knew, Doug had been staying with me for about a month and was making good strides towards getting his life back on track. I was the person who found Doug with no pulse and not breathing and preformed CPR until the paramedics arrived. Doug never regained consciousness and was on life support for a week until he passed away.

I first met Doug a little over 3 years ago when we were both in Integrated Media out at Mount Hood Community College. We instantly bonded because of his brilliant sardonic sense of humor coupled with our mutual appreciation of obscure and arcane pop culture knowledge. I knew very early on that if I ever wanted to do a 2nd radio show, I would want to do a show with Doug. This last year I underwent a political reawakening as I saw what was afoot around the country and actively thought about the possibility of starting and building a new show that would spotlight and advocate for progressive causes and ideals. The first person I talked to about this was Doug and he enthusiastically came aboard and shared that overall vision we had for the show. With Doug's past experiences, overall philosophies, and his deep rooted belief in God, I started giving him the moniker of Brother Bell. Brother Bell, the bearded peaceable, charismatic sage who instilled a powerful, inspiring optimism that made you feel that no matter how much of the pablum was hitting the oscillating blades that everything, everything would turn out alright. I most admired his belief in a hands on, in the trenches, hammer swinging advocacy.

I believe in what we were and are trying to do here and I have decided that I will continue to do the show and continue with the vision and mission that we set out to do. I am going to make a cardinal sin in radio here, something that you are never to do, the cardinal sin of "dead air". We are going to have a moment of silence for my co-host, my friend, and my brother, Brother Bell. 

Burying The Lede

What is the one thing in this polarizing and bizarre presidential campaign that not many are talking about? The one major historically significant event that is totally being overshadowed by the tabloid friendly antics of the GOP nominee? Can you name it?

We are on the verge of making presidential history again, a milestone that we as a collective nation can chest thump about. We are on the verge of electing the first female President of the United States of America. Think about it, it's that big of a deal. Why is literally no one talking about this? I have a theory, oh you knew I would.

My theory is an uncomfortable one so buckle up. Once again we as a nation have to confront one of our shortcomings. Could it be that in the 21st century the USA is still a tad sexist? Yup and here's why. The first obviously glaring example is that the nominee for the Republican party is openly sexist and misogynistic. There is so many recorded examples of this that there is no need to enforce the point. It's an established fact. That he is the nominee and will at least pull 40% of the vote proves my point more than anything I can say, no matter how eloquently.

Detractors of Hillary will throw all sorts of reasons out there in a attempt to deflect the ugly prospect of sexism. Is Hillary the perfect candidate? Nope. Has she made her share of mistakes? Yup. But those on the right have a fundamental problem, and that is that they are totally unable to accept the words, actions, and beliefs of their candidate. If they ever did it would mean that they have some culpability too. How could you endorse that candidate without espousing those same beliefs, even by proxy? The answer is you can't, even if you try to build this alternate reality by denying that Trump has said countless vile insults against literally every demographic that isn't white and male. Think about it, they will yawp at the the top of their lungs "Killary" or "Lock Her Up" but you can't get them to talk about the fact that Trump has called a whole bevy of women "Dogs", "Pigs", "Miss Piggy", and "Miss Housekeeping", the final example of not only sexism but abject racism as well.

The sad reality is that after the election, sexism isn't going to disappear onto the ash heap of history, we will encounter it over and over ad infinitum and ad nauseam. After making history by electing our first African-American President, there was the birther movement. A movement to de-legitimize President Obama's presidency by claiming he wasn't born in America. A movement The Donald was a major proponent of for five years and only reluctantly stepping back from it when it became a major obstacle in his campaign. A movement we can all agree that is fueled by racist ideology. If racism didn't die after an election, then sexism can't be described in past tense.

As Progressives it is our task and our duty to help defeat inequality in whatever form it takes. To reject policies and philosophies that divide and demean anyone who breathes the same air that we do. It isn't going to be fast and it sure isn't going to be easy but every time I look into my daughters eyes, I can see a world where she and anyone can grow up to be President.

Sins Of The Past....

I have a confession to make tonight folks, a confession that is painful for me personally to share with you. I am ashamed, ashamed to admit that I once used to be a republican, I am ashamed that I once used to be a conservative.

I used to embrace the conservative ideology of rugged individualism and small government in the sense of the old Ronald Reagan idiom "Government is the problem, not the solution". By maturing and becoming better educated I have slid far, far to the left and I believe that I am a much better person because of that maturation and education.

You see, the Republican Party and conservatives have moved so far to the right that it has embraced Corpratocracy and bared their souls which are filled with hate, racism, misogyny, and ignorance. It is an embarrassment to the nation and myself that the nomination of a major political party stands for nothing and has no vision other than building walls and dividing a country in a time that so desperately needs unity. The hard truth is that the party of Lincoln is no more, and is sadly now the party of Trump. Everything that the GOP used to stand for is dead, trodden under the wheels of a new facist corporate machine. In embracing Trump, the Republican Party and conservatives have sold their soul and sold out their beliefs in a last ditch effort to be relevant and to get back into the White House. In doing so, they have lost all credibility and I believe have been infected with a ideaologic cancer and will eventually die unless someone in the GOP can save it from their descent into history.

I look at the news and my Social Network feeds and I see people who are emboldened by Trump's candidacy and feel that there is a "green light" now to publicly profess their passive aggressive racist beliefs and blindly follow their candidate who has nothing in common with them and lives in a fact free bubble where ignorance and hate rule the day. The right likes to call us on the left "sheeple" and I've always found that ironic since it's the left that has always been a proponent of "free thinking" and standing against a cookie cutter uniform conformity.

So I sit here before you ashamed that I ever was a Republican but I take solace in the fact that I'm not alone. If you or anyone you know find that you can't be a part of the trainwreck that is the GOP, don't just bury your head and hope the bad man disappears, know that there is life after the Republican party and it's not too late to see the light. Join the Progressives and help make a world where love and prosperity rule and all people have value and equality.