We explore how young people have made meaningful careers and lasting change working in the public interest with Sam Simon, editor of “Choosing the Public Interest: Essays From the First Public Interest Research Group” and Lisa Frank, Vice President and D.C.
I am a weekly listener to the podcast of Ralph's radio hour and a life-time follower of Ralph's work. I understand that PIRG is a student-centered organization, but are there opportunities for retirees to do this work too? Afterall, retirees typically have more time and are often just as possionate about the issues that PIRG works on as students. I would love to donate my time and energy to this organization or a similar organization that includes retirees if you would direct me towards that. Thank you for your stimulating shows each week.
It's good to see a guest reading and responding to comments.
About 25 years ago a group called something like NJPIRG was hiring canvassers and I applied thinking it would good to work at a job doing some good.
I was surprised how easy it was to knock on doors and get a check for 25, 50 or 100 dollars. The problem I had was that we got paid by getting 50% of the money we collected so I did not continue working there as I felt guilty that the people did not know only half of the money they donated went to the organization.
Please tell me this was not normal procedure or that this organization was not affiliated with your PIRG.
That the Public Interest Research Groups(s) emerged from the era of great changes of the 1960s and early 1970s is not surprising. Abbie Hoffman said that it will never happen again, but it has happened with the revulsion and protest on college and university campuses across the US and around the world at the Gaza genocide. I met a campaign coordinator in an office in upstate New York chairing the political campaign of a progressive candidate for Congress in 2016. That coordinator had worked for PRIGs in a few states and is now working in one back in New York City. That speaks to the longevity of that organization.
Chris Hedges’ segment was excellent. It is impossible to come to terms with Israel’s lack of any kind of compassion as it attempts to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip. That the US and its allies are complicit in this gross violation of human rights and laws of war regarding innocent civilians and children is outrageous. Chicago may be a repeat of 1968, a scene the Democrats can hardly afford with Biden’s weak reception among the voters.
Nice round up of many of most important events. And thanks you included at least one piece of good news at the end.And though electoral stratedy-- electing the right people, and legal strategy have and are absolutely essential for major social change, both have also been absolutely insufficient without the hand maiden of major and growing nonviolent resistance. So I hope you wlll start to include the dimension of "nonviolent resistance" far more often than you do, and even at least devote a radio hour to it. Devoting his entire life to the use of law, I understand Ralph's possible ambivalence about giving the science and craft of nonviolent resistance the major attention I feel it deserves, and now more than ever. However, perhaps after reading this piece by America's leading elder on NVR (other than the Rev James Lawson), namely Geo Lakey, on how NVR will likely be our only hope if and when Trump "wins" the election due to their 12th Amendment strategy, you and Ralph will invite George and his talented cohort, Daniel Hunter on as guests: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2020/08/plan-prevent-trump-election-coup-research/. [This essay was written in case there was to be a coup in 2020, but is certainly as relevant and even more so today.]I would be happy to help arrange Geo and Daniel as guests.--gary [at ] GetCouageNow ['] org
I canvassed for Public Interest Research Group affiliates in Illinois and Florida from 1989-90. I knocked on a *lot* of doors, and listened to a wide range of people voice their concerns in their own words. I recommend the experience highly.
I am a relatively recent follower of the Ralph Nader Radio Hour, but it has become part of my staple weekend, listening. This is so important in a world that is becoming more chaotic and dysfunctional.
The reason for this, in my mind is the emphasis on the individual as a consumer and the lack of traditional social groups and communities
This has been driven by the neo liberal globalization drive since the demise of the Soviet union but is also predicated on the empires that have Ruled the world in the 20th century
Initially, the British empire prior to the first world war, and between the wars, and then post second World War™ the American Empire
The power and influence of these empires originally centered around white Christian dominance, but has progressively been down to the power of the written and spoken English language, once described as spin, but now downright lies or, disinformation or misinformation
It would be interesting to have a session on the effect of language be it English, French, Spanish on the development of nation states and the current geopolitical world order
I may be wrong , but I would venture to say also most of this generation was born into the digital age, only know the digital culture , and how it can cause a digital divide. Other people have seen different phases of the technology .. from pre tech to today to influence their thinking and emotions.
I would say power of numbers, very different when your quality of life is about being in sociological groups daily vs a single person doing things solo. This is how I think about it. Because their is a major difference with chronological age vs physiological age.
Could you please have a podcast about the financialization of the housing market here is another suggestion
Benjamin F. Teresa is an associate professor of Urban and Regional Studies and Planning in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Teresa’s research focuses on understanding financialization in urban housing, education, arts, and community organizing and development. He is also the co-director of the RVA Eviction Lab, a community-responsive research center for addressing housing
I am a weekly listener to the podcast of Ralph's radio hour and a life-time follower of Ralph's work. I understand that PIRG is a student-centered organization, but are there opportunities for retirees to do this work too? Afterall, retirees typically have more time and are often just as possionate about the issues that PIRG works on as students. I would love to donate my time and energy to this organization or a similar organization that includes retirees if you would direct me towards that. Thank you for your stimulating shows each week.
Hi Barbara, yes, the more of us working together to solve these problems, the better! Please contact us here: https://pirg.org/about/contact/.
It's good to see a guest reading and responding to comments.
About 25 years ago a group called something like NJPIRG was hiring canvassers and I applied thinking it would good to work at a job doing some good.
I was surprised how easy it was to knock on doors and get a check for 25, 50 or 100 dollars. The problem I had was that we got paid by getting 50% of the money we collected so I did not continue working there as I felt guilty that the people did not know only half of the money they donated went to the organization.
Please tell me this was not normal procedure or that this organization was not affiliated with your PIRG.
Smart to have that Chris Hedges intro!
That the Public Interest Research Groups(s) emerged from the era of great changes of the 1960s and early 1970s is not surprising. Abbie Hoffman said that it will never happen again, but it has happened with the revulsion and protest on college and university campuses across the US and around the world at the Gaza genocide. I met a campaign coordinator in an office in upstate New York chairing the political campaign of a progressive candidate for Congress in 2016. That coordinator had worked for PRIGs in a few states and is now working in one back in New York City. That speaks to the longevity of that organization.
Chris Hedges’ segment was excellent. It is impossible to come to terms with Israel’s lack of any kind of compassion as it attempts to ethnically cleanse the Gaza Strip. That the US and its allies are complicit in this gross violation of human rights and laws of war regarding innocent civilians and children is outrageous. Chicago may be a repeat of 1968, a scene the Democrats can hardly afford with Biden’s weak reception among the voters.
Nice round up of many of most important events. And thanks you included at least one piece of good news at the end.And though electoral stratedy-- electing the right people, and legal strategy have and are absolutely essential for major social change, both have also been absolutely insufficient without the hand maiden of major and growing nonviolent resistance. So I hope you wlll start to include the dimension of "nonviolent resistance" far more often than you do, and even at least devote a radio hour to it. Devoting his entire life to the use of law, I understand Ralph's possible ambivalence about giving the science and craft of nonviolent resistance the major attention I feel it deserves, and now more than ever. However, perhaps after reading this piece by America's leading elder on NVR (other than the Rev James Lawson), namely Geo Lakey, on how NVR will likely be our only hope if and when Trump "wins" the election due to their 12th Amendment strategy, you and Ralph will invite George and his talented cohort, Daniel Hunter on as guests: https://wagingnonviolence.org/2020/08/plan-prevent-trump-election-coup-research/. [This essay was written in case there was to be a coup in 2020, but is certainly as relevant and even more so today.]I would be happy to help arrange Geo and Daniel as guests.--gary [at ] GetCouageNow ['] org
I canvassed for Public Interest Research Group affiliates in Illinois and Florida from 1989-90. I knocked on a *lot* of doors, and listened to a wide range of people voice their concerns in their own words. I recommend the experience highly.
I am a relatively recent follower of the Ralph Nader Radio Hour, but it has become part of my staple weekend, listening. This is so important in a world that is becoming more chaotic and dysfunctional.
The reason for this, in my mind is the emphasis on the individual as a consumer and the lack of traditional social groups and communities
This has been driven by the neo liberal globalization drive since the demise of the Soviet union but is also predicated on the empires that have Ruled the world in the 20th century
Initially, the British empire prior to the first world war, and between the wars, and then post second World War™ the American Empire
The power and influence of these empires originally centered around white Christian dominance, but has progressively been down to the power of the written and spoken English language, once described as spin, but now downright lies or, disinformation or misinformation
It would be interesting to have a session on the effect of language be it English, French, Spanish on the development of nation states and the current geopolitical world order
VERY glad to see In Case You Haven’t Heard with Francesco DeSantis back!
GREAT addition
Please have filmmaker Fredrik Gertten on the podcast.
Need more info. Who is he and what has he done?
Wow - thank you.
I may be wrong , but I would venture to say also most of this generation was born into the digital age, only know the digital culture , and how it can cause a digital divide. Other people have seen different phases of the technology .. from pre tech to today to influence their thinking and emotions.
Another saying I often thought about why do most people say , if I knew then what I know now?
I would say power of numbers, very different when your quality of life is about being in sociological groups daily vs a single person doing things solo. This is how I think about it. Because their is a major difference with chronological age vs physiological age.
Could you please have a podcast about the financialization of the housing market here is another suggestion
Benjamin F. Teresa is an associate professor of Urban and Regional Studies and Planning in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. Teresa’s research focuses on understanding financialization in urban housing, education, arts, and community organizing and development. He is also the co-director of the RVA Eviction Lab, a community-responsive research center for addressing housing
https://shelterforce.org/series/homes-or-cash-cows/
He directed the documentary "The Push" detailing the commodification of the residential real estate market;
Better yet have these two women on please.
Leilani Farha (the key person in the film)
Global Director | The Shift
Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing (2014–2020)
Council member | Council on Urban Initiative
https://make-the-shift.org/
Mariana Mazzucato
Professor in the Economics of Innovation and Public Value
Founding Director | UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP)
Co-chair | Council on Urban Initiatives
Good program, I always appreciated Chris Hedges and others like him who've made such huge sacrifices. Also its good to see the NY Times and Washington Post cover Israel's genocide and violations of international law as well as how wealthy interests have pressured politicians to kill the protests. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/16/magazine/israel-west-bank-settler-violence-impunity.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/05/16/business-leaders-chat-group-eric-adams-columbia-protesters/