
August 27, 2010
An American Criminologist
It's one of those things that everybody seems to know but nobody puts into words, until somebody does. Jonathan Simon, in his award winning book Governing Through Crime
, observes that American ideas about criminal justice are not only out of kilter but have metastasized into almost every area of life. We've become terrified of our own shadows. The policy consequences are foolish, undemocratic, unfair and wasteful. We should be ashamed. We know better. Total runtime an hour and two minutes. Pray for small miracles.
August 20, 2010
Scientia Potentia Est
Anybody in the U.S. who wants higher education should be able to have it. Preferably, for free. But that's not how the system works... What a waste! Nevertheless, good things are happening. For some inspiration from the community college level I turned to the maverick educator Wick Sloane. God bless 'im! Total runtime fifty one minutes. Live charitably.
August 13, 2010
Keeping the Present Inevitable
Republocrats. Demicans. It adds up to Oligarchy. The wealthy have overtly seized control of the U.S. They're not of a mind to share the spoils. What to do? Nobody seems to know... Nevertheless, it helps to talk about the problem. And the more people who rattle their chains the better. Rick MacArthur, publisher of Harper's, tells it like it is. Total runtime fifty two minutes. The flame of liberty never dies.
August 6, 2010
Plato's Secret
The Gods on Mount Olympus don't rule the world. Science does. But Plato couldn't say that in ancient Greece without a good chance of being put to death. So Plato did a sensible thing: he hid his secret, using musical codes, inside his already magnificent philosophical construction, a philosophy that became the cornerstone of western thought. Some of his contemporaries were privy to his secret knowledge but over the centuries it was lost. Rediscovered recently by Dr. Jay Kennedy, Plato's faith in science sheds new light on the origins of modernity. Total runtime forty minutes. Mysticism and logic ring free. ♪
July 30, 2010
Chili's Campaign in the Buckeye State
Voters in Ohio's second congressional district have a real choice: the Democrat, Surya "Chili" Yalamanchili, wants to create jobs and is on the side of the workers, while his opponent, incumbent Republican Jean Schmidt, apparently has no policy views whatsoever except unconditional support for the rich. It's a Republican leaning district that in ordinary times could be counted on to grovel before the powers that be, but these aren't ordinary times. Chili has a real chance, and with your help might be able to pull off a surprise upset. Total runtime an hour and six minutes. If you can, please donate to Chili's campaign and/or volunteer!