Center Left Radio

Failing Democracy: The Friday Show

CLR Show 1913. Air Date March 1, 2024. The callous, utterly partisan decision by the US Supreme court to slow walk the Trump presidential immunity claim is final proof of the Court's inability to function as a fair arbiter of Constitutional matters, or as a functional component of a democracy. The question is whether our democracy has already passed the tipping point, or if it can be pulled back from the brink in the November election. We must assume the latter and work like we've never worked before to keep Donald out of the White House––and American political life––permanently. With Friday Co-Host David Bach.

Laughing Matters

CLR Show 1912. Air Date February 27, 2024.  One of the greatest gifts any human––and especially a politician––can have and share is a true sense of humor. It requires an appreciation for irony, a capacity for empathy and the ability to laugh at oneself. The resulting effect is a positive sense of affiliation with those they encounter. Joe has the gift. Donald, on the other hand, has absolutely no sense of humor, lacks all empathy, hasn't the foggiest idea what irony might be and maintains his iron grip on a shrinking base through the sharing of grievance and fear. There is no true laughter or good jokes in MAGA-land; just mean jeers and finger pointing. It's a depressing way to live, and an increasing number of Trump supporters will finally begin to realize it, especially after Donald's first criminal conviction.    

Hey, Joe! It's time! : The Friday Show

CLR Show 1911. Air Date January 23, 2024. The string of grievance laden, nonsensical but democracy-threatening pronouncements and legislation being proposed and occasionally even passed by MAGA state legislatures and the feckless House leadership continues unabated. Whatever Donald thinks he wants on a given day to distract from his own criminality, they race to give him. But Joe Biden is beginning to show signs of his pugnacious side. He is beginning to hit back at republicans with stunning accuracy and force. The sheer novelty of it makes it all the more powerful. Now we just need a lot more of it. With Friday Co-Host, David Bach. 

A Noble Hearts Forum––'America's Social Insurance Programs: Is The Safety Net Safe?'

CLR Show 1910. Air Date February 14, 2024. A broad ranging discussion of the state of America's Social Insurance programs. While the efforts of the National Academy of Social Insurance show promise for dealing with Social Security's chronic financial issues, the same can't be said for the larger systemic problems affecting Medicare and Medicaid. Surprisingly, while politics are at play, all sides appear to agree on the fundamental nature of the issues. In this election year, it's up to all Americans to make Social Insurance a front-of-mind issue for their politicians––because failure of these programs is simply not an option. With NHF Panelists Bill Arnone, Bill Mulligan and John Cuguni.

'A fine mess you've gotten us into!...' : The Friday Show

CLR Show 1909. Air Date February 9, 2024. Oliver Hardy's persistent admonition to Stan Laurel would be better directed to today's hapless republican party. Every new revelation about their incapacity and/or outright refusal to legislate or function in any rational way is the direct product of their refusal to jettison Donald from their ranks on the countless occasions when that would have been possible. And now the country must pay the price for their incompetence. No political maneuver is too base or divisive, and no constitutional prohibition is a functional deterrent. Donald won't have it any other way. With Friday Co-Host, David Bach.

Artificial and Intelligent

CLR Show 1908. Air Date February 6, 2024. While it may seem like a topic for technical sorts only, Artificial Intelligence, as it currently exists, can and is beginning to impact our lives in countless and largely unrecognized ways. This show recounts one person's introduction to AI, but you would be well advised to facilitate your own. Download ChatGPT and begin your self-education. 

At The Heart Of It All: The Friday Show

CLR Show 1907. Air Date February 2, 2024. While we typically focus on political issues, the real source of all our problems and solutions is the collective way we deal with the combination of love and fear at the core of each of us, our particular share of the Universal Energy that binds, defines and empowers each and every one of us. Political cycles, issues and politicians will come and go. But our future success as a nation––and a species––is largely dependent on how we come to understand and deal with the forces that are common to all of us, regardless of whatever political or religious affiliations we may profess. With Friday Co-Host, David Bach.

The Sum of All Vectors

CLR Show 1906. Air Date January 30, 2024. FDR was correct in stating, 'The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.' In current parlance, the worst fears are those that we fail to debunk and suppress. And when the relative strengths of both parties are expressed as factually based vectors, democrats are beginning the current campaign cycle with a remarkably strong hand.  All we have to do is play to it, and we will not only get past the era of Trump, but could emerge with an American democracy more tested and vibrant than ever.   

'The Only Thing We Have To Fear...' : The Friday Show

CLR Show 1905. Air Date January 26, 2024. Lacking actionable policies of any kind or any evidence of dedication to the Constitution and its principals, Donald, his MAGA base and the politicians who depend on them have resorted to dealing in and promoting fear as their sole unifying force. And fear is contagious. But... fear can be confronted and suppressed at any time by people who refuse to be dominated by it. And at that point, love and hope can dominate. More than anything else, hope is and will continue to be the democrats' secret weapon this election cycle. With Friday Co-Host, David Bach.  

Noble Hearts Forum: A Thoughtful Discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

CLR Show 1904. Air Date January 15, 2024. An all too rare thoughtful discussion of the history, present and possible future(s) of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, presented by a fact-committed panel of experts of varying political persuasions and all members of the same Regis High School class. More than the discussion of a single issue, it is primer on how thoughtful people of different orientations can constructively interact. With Charles Webel, Bill Mulligan, John Cugini and Tom Gallagher. Must listening for all Center Left Radio fans and all people who recognize that political grandstanding can never solve real world problems.