Summary: "Hands Up! Don't Shoot!" - Ferguson & the Fight for the Four Freedoms! This week on Talking Left, we spoke at length about civil rights, police brutality, and the fight for justice for Mike Brown in Ferguson, MO. In hour one, we spoke with our friend and scholar Mr. Copaulicus about the latest attacks on affirmative action and the ongoing fight for civil rights for people of color. We may see the rights of the LGBT community expanding, but at the same time the rights of minorities are slipping away. Whether it's the right to protest and assemble, or it's the right to get a fair chance at an education and employment, we must remain vigilant to ensure that these rights are protected. In the second hour, we gave your our take about the militarization of our police force, and the gutting of community policing programs. The United States has a dark history of arming both sides of conflicts, and allowing our military industrial complex to profit off of the fall out. Just as we've seen with conflicts between Iraq and Iran, Syria and ISIS, and Iran and Saudi Arabia, it appears "both sides" are being armed on our streets so that police can attempt to justify their need for military weaponry. If we've got money to give our cops tanks and machine guns, why can't we spend more money on community policing programs that actually help? Also in hour two, we spoke with Professor Harvey J. Kaye, author of The Fight for the Four Freedoms, What made FDR and the Greatest Generation truly Great. Professor Kaye explained how the progressive movement started in the 1930s, and how our parents and grandparents fought for a better future for the rest of us. Right now, the economic and political situation in our nation is calling for another Great Generation, and the events in Ferguson, MO prove how badly we need a new nation-wide progressive movement. As they say, those who do not understand history are damned to repeat it. By learning about the history of the Greatest Generation from brilliant people like Professor Kaye, we'll be better prepared to become great ourselves. During the last hour, we talked about how FDR's Second Bill of Rights could equalize communities and prevent more of our young people from being murdered because of the color of their skin. When our police no longer view people of color as "the other" - they will be less likely to take their lives without a second thought. If we get the chance to amend our Constitution, why not go "big" and enact a this Second Bill of Rights. Also in hour three, we spoke with Pete Callahan of We Act Radio. Pete has been on the ground in Ferguson this week livestreaming for Credo Action, covering the protests and events that have unfolded. He explained the feeling of unity and determination he's seen from protesters and community leaders, and the reaction to the military tactics used by police. Pete is doing important, incredible work, and we'll keep you updated as long as he's in Ferguson. Be sure to support the cause by sharing the livestream feed and signing Credo's petition calling for justice for Mike Brown. 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, Netroots Radio, SoFlo Radio, and Radio or Not,- for helping to ensure all listeners have corporate-free, independent radio! 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!
