Episodes
Friday Nov 03, 2017
Friday Nov 03, 2017
The numbers are in - we hit record levels of CO2 in the atmosphere this year - 403.3 parts per million, up from 400.00 ppm in 2015. What’s that mean? Well, let’s start with 100s of millions of people displaced from coastal cities, longer droughts, and fiercer hurricanes. Good thing that the Trump administration brought on Michael Honeycut to lead EPA’s Science Advisory Board. At least now we’ll have the Bible to guide our environmental policy. And just in case Honeycut can’t get the job done, Rep. Jim Bridenstine, a climate denier, is on his way to becoming the next NASA chief. Meanwhile, Mother Jones has reported that Homeland Security hired, Frank Wuco, a guy who used to LARP as a Jihadist named Fuad Wasul to lead the department’s Executive Order Task Force. Another billionaire destroys media outlets because workers vote to unionize. RIP Gothamist and DNA Info. Donna Brazile tosses a grenade into Democratic Party. And, one of the first Democratic Party post-mortems drops and rips the Party a new one.
Angela Couloumbis, a reporter for the Philly Inquirer and the Post-Gazette, talks about what it’s like working in Harrisburg as a woman reporter. Dickenson College student dresses up at Colin Kaepernick in blackface. PennLive initially reported that the student was “dressed as a black person” before recognizing the Kaepernick jersey. We go to an extended member-only segment on this one. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announces the city will seize control of Philadelphia Public Schools from the School Reform Commission. That’s potentially one giant stiff arm to the forces of privatization. Next Friday kicks off March on Harrisburg 2.0. This time marchers will be walking the 36 miles from Lancaster to Harrisburg to support for our bills to end gerrymandering, ban unlimited gifts to State Legislators, and create automatic voter registration.
In today’s last call, Pizza Boy is releasing a New England IPA called Doughboy on Monday. And, watch out, the “Juice is Loose”! Pizza Boys released White Bronco Milk Sugar on Wednesday. Free Will has a big week, releasing Love Letter from the 90s and “Special Cookie.” They’re launching into November with a great line up of food trucks too. And is Sean closet Vapophobe?
Tuesday Oct 31, 2017
Tuesday Oct 31, 2017
Campus Equity Week is the occasion for this Out d’Coup Xtra. Today Kevin Mahoney is talking with Dr. Amy Lynch-Biniek, the State Chair of APSCUF’s Adjunct Faculty Committee. Lynch-Biniek’s forthcoming book, Contingency, Exploitation, and Solidarity: Labor & Action in English Composition is a co-edited anthology with Seth Kahn & Bill Lalicker that explores the ways and means of labor reform on college campuses. She has also recently published “The Ethos of Writing Program Administration” with Anne Shivers McNair in Forum: Issues about Part-Time & Contingent Faculty. She is the current editor of the aforementioned Forum, a peer-edited journal from the National Council of Teachers of English.
Lynch-Biniek’s, “Campus Equity Week: We Can Do Better,” was the featured post on APSCUF’s statewide blog this week, urging tenure-line faculty to deepen solidarity with adjunct faculty not only during contract negotiations, but in the “small challenges we choose to face everyday.” Mahoney spoke with Lynch-Biniek at a Campus Equity Week event at Kutztown University as part of statewide events supported by the faculty union, APSCUF.
Friday Oct 27, 2017
Friday Oct 27, 2017
Dems purge Bernie supporters from party leadership. According to a new poll, a majority of Democrats now hold a favorable view of George W. Bush. Add those two things together and you get a pretty good idea about why the Democratic Party is facing a serious fundraising crisis and an expanding debt. Jeff Flake and Bob Corker ARE NOT HEROES. Repeat that as often as you need to. Shock Doctrine full press in Puerto Rico. Verizon will save Puerto Rico by ending net neutrality. Two guys in Montana land $300 million contract to rebuild Puerto Rico’s energy grid. Republican budget paves way for huge redistribution of funds to the 1%. Trump proposes to raise admission to national parks to $70. And, surprise, surprise the big release of the JFK files was bungled by the White House.
Raging Chicken Right to Know request scores big, showing Identity Evropa members putting up fliers at Millersville University. Pennsylvania State Senator Don White slips amendment denying health care rights for transgendered youth into CHIP reauthorization bill. Scott Wagner’s campaign manager Jason High pictured with Koch Brother operative Matt Brouillette outside of Wagner’s campaign office. Voting against the constitutional amendment/ballot question to up-end property taxes in PA. Harrisburg police are flying helicopters over the city and shining spotlights on as a response to a spate of shootings. Their response? Proactive Policing. And, PA may finally have a budget.
Mike Pence travels to Lockheed Martin to check out their new space stuff. Military contractors are getting increasingly giddy about new business opportunities in space. Pizza Boy’s got Pumpkin Milk Sugar out along with Hopvision Mosaic and Mango River. Free Will’s got Sour Sunday #5 coming this Sunday from 12-8. Taza Egyptian Cuisine and The Flying Deutschman food trucks will be on hand. And Saucony Creek Brewery in Kutztown is coming up on their first-ever crowler can release. Their crowd-funded pre-sale will feature our latest NEIPA Thorondor On A Pogo Stick on Thanksgiving Eve.
Friday Oct 20, 2017
Friday Oct 20, 2017
On today's program...Charlottesville Anti-Racist Protesters Charged with crimes. Covering a protest has become the most dangerous job for a journalist. Largest wildfires in California’s history are being fought with prison labor and minimum wage firefighters, Up to 30 percent of those fighting the wildfires are California prisoners. At this year's Value Voters Summit, Bannon and Gorka coming hard at the left AND the GOP establishment. Dick Durbin already trying to poison the water for 2020, using fear tactics against the left so that the Democratic Party leaders can hold onto their neoliberal power base. Trump makes what can only be called prank phone calls to the families of fallen soldiers.
US Congressman Tom Marino withdraws his name his name from nomination as Donald Trump’s “Drug Czar” after the Washington Post and 60 Minutes run stories on how he enabled the opioid epidemic at the bidding of Big Pharma. Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro joins the lawsuit against Trump cutting key ACA subsidy program. APSCUF celebrates one year strike anniversary.
In space news, scientists witness neutron stars colliding for the first time and witness the creation of gravitational waves, light, gold, platinum, and other heavy metals. Star Trek Discovery is F*cking Cool! Free Will sour release update and Lord Business release. Free Will Oktoberfest this weekend with food from Down to Earth Cafe. Oh and so much more!
Friday Oct 06, 2017
Friday Oct 06, 2017
Trump visits Puerto Rico. He forgot to pack his t-shirt cannon, but he made due. Reminds Puerto Rico that Katrina was a real disaster; that Puerto Rico has thrown U.S. budget “out of whack;” and, that he is incapable of basic human compassion. Trump did suggest, however, that Goldman Sach or “whoever” may have to cancel Puerto Rico’s debt. Mick Mulvaney - a contender for worst human being in the world - puts the kibosh on that. Says we shouldn’t take what the president said “word for word.” By which he meant that no one’s canceling Puerto Rico’s debt. Las Vegas horror and status quo response from NRA soaked politicians. If we can’t talk about gun control and toxic white male masculinity now, can we pencil in a date? Oh, you’ll get back to us? Yeah, OK. PA Republicans’ solution? The Hearing Protection Act. Mueller-led Trump-Russian probe gets to talk to Christopher Steel, author of “the dossier.” Does this mean the pee tape will be a topic of an open session? And, Supreme Court season is underway. This year is voting and organized labor in the crosshairs. Janus v. AFSCME looks to accomplish what Fredericks could not. Barring another death of a right-wing justice, public sector unions are in trouble. In a bit of a surprise, however, on Tuesday, oral arguments were heard regarding Gill v. Whitford...a case that could bring an end to partisan gerrymandering. Justices seemed open to the possibility. Thanks to a cache of emails internal emails. Buzzfeed reveals how Steve Bannon and Breitbart laundered Alt-Right racists. Oh, and let’s not forget hurricane, Nate. 22 people are already dead.
APSCUF-KU helps raise over $5000 for the adjunct faculty member who was kicked to the curb ahead of life-saving surgery. Over 500 Raging Chicken readers clicked to find out what they could do to help. Still no PA Budget. Gov. Wolf says he’s sick of playing games and will start to manage the budget himself. Securitizing the State Liquor stores is at the top of the list. The refusal of PA Republicans to talk about any reasonable revenue package may lead to the full privatization of Penn State, Temple, Pitt, and Lincoln. And, of course, Standard and Poors has downgraded PA’s credit rating again. That will cost PA taxpayers about $53 million/year in interest payments. Rep. Tim Murphy is out following revelations that this pro-life Rep encouraged his mistress to have an abortion and he conducted a “reign of terror against his staff.” State Rep. Tom Marino blocks Raging Chicken on Facebook. Alt-Right is making a serious play for a PA stronghold. Identity Evropa had a Lancaster coming out party. Now there’s a podcast, called “Taking a Stand.” The first episode featured Identity Evropa leader, and PA native, Evan McLaren and the PA coordinator for Identity Evropa, William Clark. And Represent PA is calling November days of action including a March from Lancaster to Harrisburg beginning on Nov. 10 concluding with two days of action in the Capitol rotunda on Nov 13 & 14.
In today’s last call, it’s the 60th anniversary of Sputnik. Mike Pence uses the occasion to help relaunch the National Space Council. He says the U.S. is going back to the moon. Free Will released PV Fest in 16 oz. cans yesterday. It’s a traditional malty Marzen just in time for Oktoberfest. I will be picking some up today. Free Will partners with Down to Earth Cafe holds its Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 22. There will be 5 traditional German-style beers and traditional German fare at the Perkasie Brewhouse. You can even pick up a Free Will stein for $10. Sunny Side Up cans are out at Pizza Boy. That and so much more.
Friday Sep 29, 2017
Friday Sep 29, 2017
On today’s show, Shock Doctrine warriors take aim at Puerto Rico in the wake of hurricane Maria. Roy Moore defeats Trump endorsed Luther Strange in the Alabama Senate primary. Steve Bannon and Nigel Farage were very happy. A preview of the Pennsylvania Senate primary perhaps? Far-right German AfD Party sees large gains after German Election. Climate scientists report that century-old temperature records for September have been shattered across the Midwest and East coast during this month’s heat wave. Judge rules that anonymous police office can’t sue Black Lives Matter. It’s a social movement you idiots. You know, First Amendment and all that? NFL players #TakeAKnee following Trumpster’s attacks. ADAPT activists arrested and dragged away in protests against Graham-Cassidy. Graham-Cassidy dead for now. Russian hacker story gets interesting.
Kutztown University faculty union helps to raise more than $4500 for adjunct kicked to the curb as part of the university’s “caring community” initiatives. HERE’S HOW TO HELP. Wagner praises Bannon at Phyllis Schlafly “Put America First Rally” in St. Louis. Scott Wagner looking to repeat Roy Moore’s Alabama victory by throwing in with Steve Bannon while Paul Mango lines up with PA’s Trump machine. State Senator Mike Regan takes his hood, I mean helmet, off for the National Anthem. Uses Jackie Robinson to support his move to condemn the NFL for being anti-American. Jackie Robinson, by the way, didn’t stand for the anthem. Incidentally, @MikeRegansJunk premieres on Twitter. Then it went limp. Just sayin’. Sean puts PA white supremacist on blast. Oh, yeah. Still no budget. We told ya.
SpaceX to produce Big F’ing Rocket in plans to make life interplanetary. Mars, the Moon, and anywhere on Earth in less than an hour. NY to Shanghai, for example, in 39 minutes. Cargo ships to Mars by 2022. Dyson to jump into the electric car market by 2020. Sunny Side Up back on at Pizza Boy! Free Will ramping up can productions. They’ve got Crisper in cans - a Kolsch style ale just in time for Oktoberfest. Rumor has it that Safeword will be brewed again for the holidays.
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Friday Sep 22, 2017
Friday Sep 22, 2017
Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a category 5 storm. This marks the fourth major hurricane in a month to ravage the Caribbean and Gulf Coast. Shock doctrine opportunists salivate. Trump threatens to wipe North Korea off the face of the earth. Subsequent exchanges between Trump and Kim Jong Un have bordered on the surreal. I have to admit, I had to look up the word “dotard.” Paul Manafort is in Mueller’s crosshairs. Jimmy Kimmel has been on fire. Police in St. Louis chant “whose streets, our streets,” in a frightening exhibition of the decline toward authoritarianism. And, Kutztown University administration ordered to kick an adjunct faculty to the curb ahead of life-saving surgery. How’s that for a “caring community.” Just following orders, I guess.
PA State Representative Aaron Bernstine thinks it’s a good idea to run over protesters in they’re standing in the road. Even some of his fellow Republicans are beginning to get uncomfortable with him. Confronted, Bernstine doubles down calling protesters "thugs." Sean dons the flaming sword of the interwebs in response. Still no budget in PA. How long will it be before the next credit downgrade? History and practices of Identity Evropa. Millersville University’s mental gymnastics department attempts to respond to white nationalist posters on its campus. AbadeeAbadeeAbadee, that’s all folks. We get into the background and tactics of Identity Evropa and other alt-right groups.
And Star Trek Discovery premieres Sunday night on CBS. According to Rolling Stone, Discovery is Star Trek’s answer to the Trump era. Pizza Boy had a big week for beer releases. Kevin gets a new shipment of Biniek Biotech Brews.
Friday Sep 15, 2017
Friday Sep 15, 2017
Bernie Sanders introduces a single-payer bill with 16 cosponsors. Just in time for perspective on “What Happened?” Will the Democratic Party get the Sanders Bump and move significantly to the left? It’s looking like it. All I know is that I want my pony. We talk the growth of DSA and left organizing. In the wake of Harvey and Irma, now is exactly the time to talk about climate change. Kate Aronoff burning it up at The Intercept in the wake of catastrophic hurricanes. We’re watching disaster capitalism in real time now, folks. Trump deepens his relationship with Chuck and Nancy - more like a booty call, really. Trump’s voting fraud commission continues to expose how Kris Kobach plans to suppress the vote in 2018 and 2020. Fearless Girl gets blue ribbon and Wall Street bull doused with blue paint in protest of climate denial. Crude bomb goes off on London tube. And Harvard invites then disinvites Chelsea Manning to be a visiting fellow, thanks to Mike Pompeo and a spineless dean of Harvard’s Kennedy School Institute of Politics.
David Freed - Cumberland County, DA - nominated to US Attorney Office. Maybe he’ll be bringing his binders full of white supremacists with him. The Intercept picks up coverage of Evan McLaren, too. Wolf votes for fracking moratorium in Delaware River Basin Commission. PA House Republicans approves budget filled with gimmicks and cuts to environmental programs. I may want my pony, but PA House Republicans are trafficking in unicorns.
In today’s last call, Chris Robé on his new book, Breaking the Spell: A History of Anarchist Filmmakers, Videotape Guerrillas, and Digital Ninjas at Kutztown University.
We say goodbye to Cassini. Space X releases “bloopers” video. Sean get’s his hand in a crowler video. This might be his big break.
We need you to help keep pull-no-punches, progressive media going strong. Become a member of Raging Chicken for as little at $5/month! Simply go to RagingChickenPress.org and look for the Support and Membership tab. Click “Become a member” and you’re on your way. Not ready to become a member? No problem. You can make a one-time donation by clicking “Donate.”
Back to school special! If you join now through October at the $10/month level, we’ll send you a copy of Mark Bray’s new book, Antifa: The Antifascist Handbook. Become a member today! Or, if you don’t want that book, we’ll send you an official Raging Chicken Press “Stay Woke” coffee mug instead.
Friday Sep 08, 2017
Friday Sep 08, 2017
Hurricane devastation continues. Texas residents are barely digging out from Harvey as Irma - the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the open Atlantic - is slated to smash into Florida as a category 4 storm on Sunday. The storm has already claimed at least 19 lives in the Carribean. Meanwhile, the Harvey death toll topped 70. Houston area first responders are now suing chemical plant Arkema for negligence in plant’s explosion. At least 30 companies have now reported toxic spills in Harvey’s wake.
Trump makes friends with Chuck and Nancy. Paul Ryan taken to the woodshed, according to Lou Dobbs. What’s this mean for the Democratic party and the 2018 elections? Facebook admits that Russian hackers bought at least $100,000 in ads in an attempt to influence. One of first troll accounts was a fake Harrisburg resident. Rachel Maddow finally forced to get off the Russia, Russia, Russia beat...walks through the history of alt-right and Republican party.
Senator Soprano - Scott Wagner, has got a soft spot for Lyndon LaRouche, at least when it comes to opening his checkbook. Was it LaRouche’s Holocaust denial or his “The British are Coming” conspiracy that did it for ya, Scottie? PA Republicans planning to cut millions in hazardous waste programs to solve budget problems. Huge DACA protests across the state. Man arrested at Toomey televised town hall for asking questions about DACA. Charlie Dent gets out of the game. John Taylor out too. Tracking down the paper trail on alt-right Evan McLaren. And, PA Student Power Network organizing for free tuition at Pennsylvania’s public universities.
In space news, NASA researchers looking to the 19th century to land a rover on Venus. Ever read Wiliam Gibson’s The Difference Engine, or grooved on steampunk? NASA has. On Sept. 15th we’ll have to say goodbye to the Saturn orbiter, Cassini. Beginning Sept. 13, NASA will begin live webcasts about the program leading up to Cassini’s live-streamed plunge into Saturn’s atmosphere. Sean’s got a new Out d’Coup extra planned for next week on the anniversary of the 1897 Lattimer Mine Massacre near Hazleton, PA. And, what the hell is Verrit anyway and who cares?
Special shout out to Old Man and Skinny Guy - awesome new gaming podcast just launched last week. Go check them out on podbean HERE or check out their website RIGHT HERE.
Friday Sep 01, 2017
Friday Sep 01, 2017
Hurricane Harvey wreaks havoc in Houston and Texas. It’s a devastating window into our climate future. Violent clashes between right-wing and anti-fascist protesters in Berkeley raises many questions about political strategy, media failures, and militarization of the police. Trump removes the ban on supplying police departments with military hardware. Harriet Tubman is officially off the $20 bill. Oh, and Joe Freaking Arpaio? Really? No connection there. [vader]. At least 100 faith leaders, activists, and students are walking from Charlottesville to DC for a “March to Confront White Supremacy.” They left on Monday and will arrive in DC on September 6. Gorka kicked out of the big house. More staff drama. Kamala Harris signs onto Sanders’s Universal Health Care Bill.
Harrisburg City Council voted to approve Harrisburg Police Department’s request to purchase military grade riot gear. Because Charlottesville? Senator Soprano, Scott Wagner plays his anti-Semitic comedy routine this week in Pittston. Crickets. Alt-Right advocate takes to the pages of Penn-Live to cry, “we’re not Nazis”...we just want to preserve “white heritage and identity.” Dog whistle Dog whistle Dog whistle. And more on the “we’re not racists” front, John McNesby, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 calls a group of Black Lives Matters activists “rabid animals” following a protest in front of a police officer’s house.
And today is Force Friday! That’s right, get all your new Star Wars gear starting today. Modern Times coffee is awesome and so is their new ownership model. Kevin gets a real grinder, but he misses Sour Sunday in favor of back to school.
We need you to help keep pull-no-punches, progressive media going strong. Become a member of Raging Chicken for as little at $5/month! Simply go to RagingChickenPress.org and look for the Support and Membership tab. Click “Become a member” and you’re on your way. Not ready to become a member? No problem. You can make a one-time donation by clicking “Donate.” We need you - the progressive community - to help us deepen pull-no-punches, progressive media that will hold power accountable.