Summary: Save the internet! This week on Talking Left, we talked about the Supreme Court, the war on unions, and what we need to do to save the internet. In the first hour, we broke down the recent Supreme Court ruling on Affirmative Action in Michigan - and why Justice Sonia Sotomayor was right to read a scathing dissent from the bench. The plurality of the Court essentially said that it's perfectly fine for the majority of voters to wipe out rights for the minority. Thanks to that ruling, athletes, children of alumni, and others can easily get a leg up in applying for college, but minorities will have to fight even harder than before. And, you can expect the Right in other states to love this case, and try to replicate it in their states. Civil rights should never be put up to a vote, and the majority should never have the power to minimize the possibility of success for minorities. Next, we spoke with Dr. Frank Emspak of Workers Independent News. Dr. Emspak broke down the recent news about the UAW pulling back from an NLRB case involving a union vote in a Tennessee Volkswagen plant. Before this interview, we were completely confused and frustrated about that decision, but Dr. Emspak explained why it may actually have been the best option. As he explained, we need to move the fight for labor from the workplace to the political arena, and it's time for a new revolution. Last, but perhaps most important this week - we heard from Josh Levy, campaign manager of FreePress.net. This week, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced proposed rules that would allow internet service providers to create "fast lanes" on the internet for content providers who are willing to pay a higher price. Not only would that reduce available content on the internet, but it would also limit access to independent shows just like ours. The internet should be part of our commons, and providers of internet service should have to follow the same rules as the phone companies. Call Chairman Wheeler's office at 202-418-1000 and tell him to label internet service providers as common carriers. AND - sign and share the petition at FreePress.net! Thanks to Rocky Mountain Mike for writing and producing our incredible theme music! Please check out his amazing Sound Cloud! Thanks to We Act Radio - 1480AM WPWC, Radio or Not, and SoFlo Radio- for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! Remember - Talking Left will soon be available on the Progressive Voices Channel on Tune In. We'll let you know when you can tune in to hear the show there. And, of course, thanks to you, our listeners, friends, and family - for supporting us through all of our crazy shows, dreams, and political addictions!! You can also follow all of the news about upcoming topics and guests on our Facebook page and on Twitter @TalkingLeft. And you can subscribe to Talking Left free on iTunes! As always, thanks for listening!
