“The Mythology of Democracy“ with Sen. Mike Gravel

This week, Eric sits down with former presidential candidate and senator from Alaska, Mike Gravel. He and Eric discuss the life and legacy of Hugo Chavez as well as the difficult times ahead for Venezuela. Sen. Gravel discusses his experiences in Congress and his first-hand understanding of the interaction of political and corporate power. Additionally, Mike explains how his presidential campaign in 2008 gave him a unique insight into the total lack of character and integrity of President Obama, as well as the degree to which political discourse in the United States has degenerated into unabashed warmongering. Sen. Gravel also discusses the need to transform the political institutions of the US, remaking the representative republic into a more direct democracy. Eric and Mike critically examine the theory behind this model and they destroy the mythology that the United States is a “democracy”.

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Sen. Mike Gravel

One of the leading opponents of the Vietnam War, Senator Gravel was one of the first current or former elected officials to publicly oppose the planned invasion of Iraq in 2002. He appeared on MSNBC prior to the invasion insisting that intelligence showed that there were indeed no weapons of mass destruction, that Iraq posed no threat to the United States and that invading Iraq was against America’s national interests and would result in a disaster of epic proportions for both the United States and the Iraqi people.

Today, more than four years into the invasion, the death toll of U.S. troops has climbed over 3,300 with over 50,000 more permanently maimed, some having lost limbs, others their sight. Tens of thousands more are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and urgently need psychological care. The Iraqi civilian death toll nears three-quarters of a million, and still there remains no end in sight to the bloodshed.

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IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

1. Austerity in the US
	Obama argues against spending cuts on trip to Virginia drawing criticism from Republicans Woodward: Obama repeatedly lied responsibility for budget sequester cuts Fact sheet: Examples of how the sequester would impact middle class families, jobs, and economic security The President’s plan: $4 trillion of deficit reduction including the last offer to Speaker Boehner
	Segment Start: 00 h 05 min 24 sec	Segment End: 00 h 39 min 45 sec
2. Austerity in Europe
	Italy renews market concerns as voters reject Monti Spain’s jobless soars to 26%; 1.8 million households with no member employed As Tory austerity inflicts misery on millions, Labour should articulate their alternatives to Osbornomics Child poverty massively increases through EU austerity programs
	Segment Start: 00 h 41 min 13 sec	Segment End: 00 h 59 min 53 sec
3. Egypt
	Leading Egyptian opposition party to boycott parliamentary elections Egypt’s El Baradei urges election boycott Egypt to reopen IMF loan talks next month as crisis bites Egypt insists food supply secure as wheat imports dive
	Segment Start: 01 h 00 min 54 sec	Segment End: 01 h 12 min 27 sec
4. Under the Radar
	Russia returns to the Mediterranean: Fifth Soviet navy squadron is back? Ecuador receives $1.4 billion disbursement from China loan Iran’s inflation rate to hit 31.5% by yearend: central bank Movement to promote peace and national unity formed in Mali Algerian troops to kill al-Qaeda commander Balochistan governor to quit, race for replacement begins Selling marked up drugs with made up patients – Part 1
	Segment Start: 01 h 14 min 01 sec	Segment End: 01 h 24 min 44 sec

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IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

1. Syria
	Death toll rises in Damascus blast US refusal to condemn Damascus terror act frustrating – Lavrov Syria militants attack Hezbollah positions in Lebanon: FSA If Syria’s Assad falls, Hezbollah’s next Syria: The death of a country
	Segment Start: 00 h 09 min 21 sec	Segment End: 00 h 37 min 45 sec
2. Iran (Political)
	World powers plan ‘serious offer’ to Iran Iran installing new Natanz centrifuges, says IAEA Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran Supreme Leader, scolds Ahmadinejad ahead of elections
	Segment Start: 00h 39 min 06 sec	Segment End: 00h 58 min 06 sec
3. Iran (Economic)
	Official elaborates on construction of IP gas pipeline Iran to build $4-billion oil refinery in Pakistan: Official Iran to issue $570 million in bonds to finance transport infrastructure plans
	Segment Start: 00 h 59 min 08 sec	Segment End: 01 h 15 min 51 sec
4. Ecuador
	Ecuador’s Correa plans no sweeping reforms, wants investment Ecuador builds nation of the future Ecuador’s president, suppressing the media
	Segment Start: 01 h 17 min 24 sec	Segment End: 01 h 42 min 57 sec
5. Greece
	Greek workers walk out in fresh austerity protest Greek labor unions strike as Samaras implements austerity SYRIZA reclaims lead over New Democracy SYRIZA leader eyes leftist front against austerity
	Segment Start: 01 h 44 min 15 sec	Segment End: 02 h 07 min 36 sec
6. Under the Radar
	Hugo Chavez breathing problems: Venezuela president’s health setbacks persist post-operation UNESCO grants peace prize to Hollande amid French-led Mali war Russia warns of Mali conflict ‘escalation’ Israel gives OK for oil drilling in Golan Heights Libya: Belhaj denies knowledge of Al Qaeda attack in Algeria Riot police attack Bahrain protest Honduras, in a span of six hours, peasants and the brother of a lawyer were murdered
	Segment Start: 02 h 09 min 25 sec	Segment End: 02 h 23 min 40 sec

“Greece: The Political Economy of Depression“

with Yanis Varoufakis

This week, Eric closely examines the global economic crisis and, in particular, the manifestation of the Depression in Greece.  Eric is joined by economist and author Yanis Varoufakis who provides his valuable insight into the origins and character of the Depression in Greece and around the world. Eric and Yanis discuss the evolution of the crisis and the ways in which Greece has been made into a scapegoat for the economic ills of Europe.  Moreover, Yanis explains how the Depression is affecting regular Greeks who now struggle just to survive.  Eric and Yanis debate the issue of a Greek exit from the Euro as well as the political formation of resistance to austerity and the policies of the European financier ruling class.  In particular, they analyze the rise of SYRIZA as well as the dangerous ascendance of the Nazi Golden Dawn party.  Eric and Yanis also examine the historical precedents for the situation in Greece and whether or not they provide a blueprint for how Greece can return to economic prosperity.

Yanis Varoufakis is a world renowned economist, author and lecturer.  He is the author of The Global Minotaur: America, the True Origins of the Financial Crisis, and the Future of the World Economy, the second edition of which is now available.  Yanis Varoufakis is currently Visiting Professor at the University of Texas – Austin and Economist-in-Residence at Valve Corporation. Follow his blog at YanisVaroufakis.eu.

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“War, Peace, and the Search for Our Humanity“

with Kathy Kelly

This week, Eric has an in-depth conversation with peace activist and author Kathy Kelly. They discuss the human side of war: the children taken from their parents, the fathers ruthlessly assassinated, the lives permanently shattered. Kathy provides emotionally moving first-hand accounts of her experiences in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and other war zones, explaining the impact on individuals that have touched her life. Eric and Kathy examine the use of drones and the redefinition of war under the Obama administration. In addition, they critique the very notions of “humanitarian intervention” and the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine as little more than rhetorical devices used to justify and legitimize blatant imperialist aggression. Kathy and Eric also provide insights into how to build an effective, broad-based antiwar movement in the US.

Kathy Kelly is an activist, author and co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Non-Violence. She has worked extensively in the US and around the world on issues as far-ranging as poverty, nuclear disarmament, and US imperialism. Visit vcnv.org for more information on how to follow her work and get involved.

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