Equal Time with Anthony Pollina, Carl Etnier, & Traven

Mike Prokosch, campaign coordinator for 25% Solution, explains why communities are organizing to cut the $700 billion annual “defense” budget, arguing that real security comes with strong communities with adequate resources for health, welfare, education, housing and environmental protection. Mike calls for an immediate 25% cut in military spending to be achieved by withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan, cutting weapons systems and closing half of the 800 foreign military bases the U.S. maintains.

Chris Gauvreau, National Assembly to End the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and Occupations and Charlotte Dennett (P), author of 'People vs. Bush' and candidate for the 2010 Vermont Attorney General office report on a United
National Antiwar Conference's plans to build a mass social movement to Bring the Troops Home Now!

David Finkel of Against the Current magazine explains that the Israeli Navy’s murderous, botched assault on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid is a crime against the law of the sea in the context of a larger crime against humanity – the collective punishment of the people of Gaza who have lived under Israeli siege and blockade since 2007. Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid. It is critical to demand that our own government immediately cease its sponsorship of the blockade of Gaza. We must build an international mass movement to End the Occupation once and for all, combining solidarity with the Palestinians with support for those Israelis taking on their own government and right-wing Zionist chauvinism.

Joel Geier, author of Contradictions of the Recovery: Can Economic Crisis Return argues that the banks have their fragile recovery, purchased by the largest financial bailout in history, while high unemployment continues. There is no confidence that recovery is sustainable without ongoing state stimulus; yet the stimulus/Great Recession has produced deficit and debt problems triggering a new stage of the crisis: the possibility of sovereign debt default as in Greece. There is general agreement in both corporate parties to solve this crisis by cutting the standard of living of the working class; cutting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; and more state and municipal budget cuts. Our solution is to organize the fight back to resist austerity.

Meaghan Emery, S. Burlington City Councilperson and Jimmy Leas, S. Burlington resident and anti-war activist, explain the many reasons why residents are organizing to stop the F-35 war plane from becoming based in Burlington. The 18-24 jets would cost some $3.24 billion at a time of financial hardship for the state when we need money for education, jobs, health care, and infrastructure.

Mike Prokosch on the roots of the state & local budget crises; why we're swimming in red ink with no end in sight. Public services and education are on the chopping block, and public employees are the new public enemy. Why are politicians slashing and burning instead of reversing a generation of tax cuts for the wealthy?

April 12, 2010

The Douglas administration has proposed cutting all state funding for helping people start microbusinesses. Equal Time explores with a number of guests how the state helps microbusinesses now, and how powerful they are as job creation agents.

Jeff Wilson (D-Manchester) is a member of the House Commerce Committee. He explains what changes in economic development the Administration proposed and how the Commerce Committee responded.

Mary Johnson of the Vermont Women's Development Center explains how they help women--and men--in business.

Cecile Johnston of the Microbusiness Development Program at Central Vermont Community Action Council describes the services her organization provides.

Claudette Jarvis, owner of Hillside Florist in Waterbury, received help setting up her business plan from Cecile Johnston.

Also, Allen Gilbert of the Vermont ACLU previews memos and testimony from the so-called "War on Terror" that will be read aloud tonight at UVM.

Carl Etnier hosts.

Peak Oil Check-In: Save the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for a Real Emergency

Ashley Smith (ISO) & Adrienne Kinne, Iraq Veterans Against the War, discuss the "Good" War In Afghanistan and Pakistan. Despite a majority sentiment opposing the war and growing GI resistance, the US commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, is preparing to recommend further escalation of the war. President Obama has already sent an additional 21,000 troops to Afghanistan.

David Finkel, editor of Against the Current magazine,reviews the Obama Administration's Actions on Health Care Reform, the Economic Crisis, and U.S. Policy in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Israel/Palestine with commentator .

Carl Etnier interviewed Democracy Now host Amy Goodman at SolarFest in Tinmouth on July 11, where she gave the keynote talk. Portions of the interview will be aired on Equal Time on July 13 and on Relocalizing Vermont on July 16 (8:30 - 10:00 am on WGDR, Plainfield). This is the complete interview.