Voice of the People: Radio By and For the 99%

Voice of the People: Radio by and for the 99%
Lucas Moody, Soundman Jim and Mark explore Our Word of the Week: “Labor Unions’ Purpose.” We will discuss the various purposes ascribed to unions on this Labor Day. We will then hear an interview of Anna Steitz and Keith Suta, who represent Missoula’s DFTBA Workers Union, on the organizing of their independent union and the long-slog negotiating that resulted in their first collective bargaining agreement. Then we turn to an upcoming Solidarity School sponsored by Missoula organizations of the national May Day Strong coalition. Then we update a recent story on parents organizing to maintain the perinatal intensive care unit at Missoula’s for-profit Community Hospital. Next, we hear from Lucas with his Missoula City Council Report. Then we turn to Andy Boyd who talks about his article “The Funk Strategy: How Outside Cash Tried to Engineer Montana's Senate Race, and Failed.”
- May Day Strong Solidarity School Missoula - https://actionnetwork.org/events/solidarity-school-2026
- Save Community Hosp PICU - Leticia 406-207-1427
- Western Montana Workers Alliance - westernmtwa@gmail.com or by leaving a message at 406-207-1884.
- KFGM Radio - 1015kfgm.org
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This week's show is called "Social Housing." The entire show is on that topic as a part of the 2026 Socialist Speakers Series. Panelists are Simon Dykstra of the Missoula Tenant Union, David Quattrocchi of Missoula's Unhoused Neighbors Union and Mark Anderlik of the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America.

Voice of the People: Radio by and for the 99%
Lucas Moody, Soundman Jim and Mark investigate our Word of the Week: “DSA.” Therefore we will give a brief description of what DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) stands for and some Montana DSA electoral history. We will then look at recent DSA national election successes and the reactions its getting from some Democrats. Then we turn to the frightened response of the Trump Administration about DSA successes by their attempt to impose a Red Scare 3.0. Next we hear from Lucas with his Missoula City Council Report. Then we turn to Andy Boyd who talks about his research into Montana Democratic Party shenanigans in the US Senate race. Then we hear from Leticia Staff on Missoula Community Hospital and their planned elimination of a bedside physician in the hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Finally we cover a success story of a concession workers union victory in Los Angeles.
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Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark feature our Word of the Week: “Technology.” We will look at some current local news about data center technology and what is being done about it. First, we hear from Jane Borish and Nathan Stephens, members of Missoula’s anti-data center organization MADCAT, and what’s happening with the proposed Bonner Data Center and the Governor’s Energy Task Force. Then Mark will report on Missoula County’s moratorium on data center construction. Next, we hear Lucas Moody’s report on the goings on at the Missoula City Council. Then we look at the recent turmoil in the Montana Republican Party. Next, we listen to an interview with Jeffrey Sachs by Glenn Diesen on the recent NATO Summit. Finally, we report on a breakthrough in technology by Chinese scientists and engineers that could be an important steppingstone to a carbon-free, green energy future.

Soundman Jim and Mark explore our Word of the Week - “Popular Resistance” - by looking at some current examples of popular resistance. First, we hear from Lizzie Mills-Low and Breeann Adam of Missoula’s anti-data center organization MADCAT. Next, we hear Lucas Moody’s report on the Missoula City Council, including its pause in purchasing surveillance cameras as a result of popular pressure. Then we look at the recent primary elections in New York where socialist candidates outside of the Democratic machine are victorious. Next, we hear from Montana political activist Andy Boyd who talks about dark money in Montana politics and its effects on democracy. Charlie McPherson then reads his appeal for popular resistance called “Don’t despair; stand up, fight back.” Finally, we report on Glacier National Park workers organizing into a union.

Our Word of the Week is “Data Center.” Lucas Moody, Soundman Jim and Mark discuss what data centers are, what issues there are with them, what is happening in Montana, and more specifically about the proposed Bonner data center. Next, we hear from Lucas and his report on the Missoula City Council. Then we interview Alison Reintjes of Grow Safe: Non-toxic Missoula who discusses her group’s effort to phase out the use of non-organic pesticides in Missoula’s parks. [Growsafemissoula.org]. Dave Jones then reads his opinion piece called “Crosshairs on Cuba.” We then get an update on the massive general strike in Bolivia. We finish by hearing an interview of former Trump attorney and advisor Robert Barnes on the ability of Trump to actually govern.

Sue Kirchmyer, Linda Gillison, soundman Jim and Mark discuss our Word of the Week: “Apocalypse.” We will discuss major broad revelations about the US that change how we see our country. Next, we hear from Lucas Moody and his report on the Missoula City Council. Finally, we hear an interview of University of Montana professor Richard Drake who discusses his article in Counterpunch titled “The Constitutional Origins of the War in Iran.”

Our Word of the Week is “Just Cause.” In our interview with Organizers’ Union for Just Cause leader Matt Fennell we will explore what Just Cause is at work and why its important for all workers in the US. Next, we hear from Lucas Moody and his reports on the Missoula City Council. Finally, we hear from speakers from a Montanans for Palestine rally on April 25th at the Missoula County Courthouse grounds.

Our Word of the Week is “May Day Strong.” This is in reference to the coalition of groups in 400 locations around the United States who organized opposition to the billionaires, to ICE, to fascism while celebrating that ordinary people had created the 8-hour workday, which struggle is the origin of International Workers’ Day on May 1st. On today’s show we hear from events around Missoula on May Day, with one special visit to North Carolina. First we will hear speakers and music at the May Day Rally at the University of Montana campus. Then we hear later in the day as a flying picket visits the office of US Senator Tim Sheehy, a Lowes store and an Enterprise Rent-a-Car facility; all to protest their support or complicity with the Immigration Control and Enforcement Agency better known as ICE. Then we hear from a few of the speakers at a celebration potluck and barbecue where discussions on group alignments, more singing, and an ICE agent pinata rounded out the day. Then we hear a short interview of the President of the North Carolina AFL-CIO on the amazing success of North Carolina teachers closing down the largest school districts on May Day and holding a giant march in the capital.

Soundman Jim and Mark discuss our Word of the Week: “May Day.” This is of course in reference to the International Workers’ Day on May 1st. We will look at the anarchist roots of the May Day holiday in the fight in the US for the eight-hour workday. Then we look at the modern May Day events in the US sponsored by the coalition May Day Strong, including events in Missoula. Then we will look at the state of the US labor federation, the AFL-CIO. And at the latest attack by the Trump Administration on organized labor. We then move to the elections in Hungary and to the US/Israeli war on Iran. Then finally we will hear from Lucas Moody as he gives us his regular Missoula City Council Report.

maydaystrong.org

Lucas Moody joins Soundman Jim and Mark exploring our Word of the Week: “War.” This is of course in reference to the US-Israeli War on Iran. First, we will look at the state of the war: President Trump’s War Speech on April 1st, the lead-up and aftermath of that speech, the current and projected economic effects of the war, and the open letter to Americans from Iran’s President. Then we cover some labor news and the plans for general strike organizing for May Day 2026. Then finally we will hear from Lucas as he gives us his regular Missoula City CouncilReport.

Our Word of the Week is “US Imperialism in Latin America.” We will play a recording of the March 12th presentation by Maria Bustos and Paul Haber in the first installment of the 2026 Socialist Speakers Series held at the Elks Lodge in Missoula. Lastly, we will hear from Lucas Moody as he gives us his Missoula City Council Report.

Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark tackle this episode on “Conflict.” This is in reference to two major conflicts that we will cover in this show: the US-Israeli War on Iran; and the class conflict between the working and owning classes. First, we will look at and critique the main reasons claimed by the US to wage war on Iran, and then look at the more likely reasons. Then we look at recent class conflicts in Montana, California and Hawai’i, Minnesota, US students, Argentina and India. Lastly, we will hear from Lucas Moody as he gives us his Missoula City Council Report.

Soundman Jim and Mark explore our Word of the Week: “Iran.” We first have the briefest of looks at Islam, Iran’s chief but by no means only religion. Then we will hear an excerpt of an interview of former United Kingdom diplomat of that region, Alastair Crooke. Then we will hear another excerpt of an interview of Satereh Sadeqi, assistant professor at Tehran University who witnessed the January riots in Iran. Then we will hear from journalist Jeremy Scahill who will give us a current overview of what is going on. Lastly, we will hear from Lucas Moody as he gives us his Missoula City Council Watch Report.

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark take on our Word of the Week: “Teamsters Union - Minneapolis 1934.” As a follow up to our coverage of the January 23rd Minnesota General Strike against ICE, we will learn about an earlier resistance movement in Minneapolis, the seminal 1934 Teamsters Union Rebellion, and its parallels with January 23rd. Then we will look at the partial victory over ICE in Minnesota. Then we will hear two stories about ICE’s terrible damage to two rural communities: Willmar, Minnesota and Froid, Montana; and how these communities are responding. And then we will hear Brendan Work read his opinion piece “Overwhelmed? Flood the Zone Right Back” published in the Missoulian on January 27th. Finally we will hear from Lucas Moody and his Missoula City Council Report.

This week Lucas Moody joins Soundman Jim and Mark. Our Word of the Week is “ICE.” First, we look at the history of this federal agency, then at its long history of abuse. Then we will hear from organizers on the ground to hear how Minnesota’s January 23rd General Strike fared. Then we will hear from speakers at a Missoula rally in solidarity with the Minnesota January 23rd activities and what is planned for Missoula. Finally we hear from Lucas on a new feature of Voice of the People: The Missoula City Council Report.

Our Word of the Week is Venezuela. First, we hear from University of Montana research professor Richard Drake about the history of the Monroe doctrine. Then we hear an interview of two current supporters of the Venezuelan Bolivarian Revolution about recent events, but also about the status of the revolutionary process.

Voice of the People: Radio by and for the 99% - Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark explore our Word of the Week: “Alignment.” We talk about what that word means in the context of social movements, including the one’s we are covering in this show. And so we look at the long-term success of Minnesotans For a Fair Economy who uses long-term alignment among disparate social movement groups as a way to build power. Then we turn to Montana’s own Transparent Election Initiative and how one national group sees its potential for change. We hear from one worker on strike in the ongoing struggle against Starbucks. Then we look at the prospects of a general strike in 2028. We hear from Sarah McClain who reads her opinion piece on the legacy of the recently deceased Dick Cheney. We finish up with the Julian Assange lawsuit in Sweden against the Nobel Prize committee’s granting of the Peace Prize.

With guest host Lucas Moody, Soundman Jim and Mark. Our Word of the Week is “Anti-War.” First, we look at how President Trump’s “peace plan” in the Ukraine-Russia war is faring. Then we look at how international workers are building a ‘People’s Embargo’ for Palestine and against Israeli genocide. After that, we look at the genocide occurring in the Sudan. Lastly, we look at the Trump Administration’s murder on the high seas off the coast of Venezuela, and how the US Uniform Code of Military Justice requires military personnel to not obey unlawful orders, such as these extrajudicial killings.

Our Word of the Week is “Socialism.” For our entire show we will listen to a panel presentation on our word of the week, recorded on November 6th at the Elks Lodge in Missoula. This panel presentation is titled “Imagining a Post Capitalist World” and is part of the Western Montana chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America 2025 Socialism Speaker Series.

Our Word of the Week is “Artificial Intelligence Data Centers.” We will take a deep dive into AI, their data centers, the possible impacts on Montana and why it has created so much opposition. Then we will hear the press conference of the Missoula’s Travois Village Tenants Union and why they organized. Lastly we will inspect the saber-rattling and murder by the Trump Administration over Venezuela. Hosts this week are Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark.

We open and close this show with a reading of just a few dozen of the names of thousands of children killed in Gaza by Israel's genocide. Our Word of the Week is “Platform” and is connected to today’s show which features a press conference by four Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates and their platform for the Missoula City Council. We will look at two national polls that show widespread support for democratic socialism in the US. Finally, we look at the latest disturbing step toward authoritarianism of the Trump Administration. Co-hosted by Soundman Jim, Linda Gillison and Mark.

Our Word of the Week is “Police.” The following aretwo lectures on the topic of police and bail abolition sponsored by the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America. These lectures were presented on September 15, 2025 in Missoula by Kristian Williams and Riley Pavelich.

Today’s show features an interview with Brandon Bryant, Missoula native and resident whom we have featured on this show in the past. He will talk about his recent altercation with the Missoula Police. Our word of the Week is “assassination,” as we discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the responses to it. We then look at the Trump Administration’s DOGE efforts at the Social Security Administration and its results so far. We have a follow-up story about the U.S. Border Patrol agents arresting two firefighters working on the fire line on the Olympic Peninsula. We explore the truly historic events happening around the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s annual meeting in Tianjin, China that has profound implications for the US empire. And finally, we have a follow-up to this spring’s general strike in Panama, where the workers emerged victorious over the Panamanian government and the Chiquita Brands corporation.

With Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark today’s show features an interview of Lawrence Abbott of Move to Amend about their effort to amend the United States Constitution to end corporate personhood and state that money is not speech. Our word of the Week is “labor.” We look at the Trump Administration’s attack on the workers of the EPA. We look at U.S. Border Patrol agents arresting two firefighters working on the fire line on the Olympic Peninsula. We look at the inhuman prison conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, suffered by a farmworker union organizer. And finally, we look at how the flight attendants at Canada Air defied both the company and the government – and won.

Mark hosts today’s show which features interviews of 8 participants in the 2025 Democratic Socialists of America biennial national convention held in Chicago on August 8th through the 10th. The Democratic Socialists of America, or DSA, is the largest socialist organization in the US for over 100 years with nearly 100,000 members in over 200 chapters in 48 states.

Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark take a dive into our word of the week: “immigration.” We will hear from immigration attorney Randal Caudle about the state of legal affairs around immigration and how it is affecting immigrant communities. We will explore some history of US policy on immigration. We will also look at the current Trump efforts and how his budget bill greatly expands the reach of ICE. And we will conclude with some things that citizens can do.

On this week's Voice of the People our featured presentation is a speech given by Montana House Representative Zooey Zephyr titled “Building Socialism at the State Level.” Our word of the week is “gerrymandering" and we will hear an exclusive report of a trial in North Carolina challenging the state’s voting districts by our own Linda Gillison. We will then look at two ICE arrests in Montana and what people might want to do to oppose ICE activity in Montana.

Hosted by Soundman Jim and Mark, our word of the week is “Pay Attention,” because very major historical events are happening right now that working class Montanans need to be paying attention to. One major event is the Democratic primary election victory of a Muslim immigrant democratic socialist for mayor of New York City. Another major event is the US and Israeli attack on Iran, which we will explore with Professor Richard Drake. Then we will look at President Trump’s Big Budget Bill now before Congress, that has profound implications for the working class in Montana and the US. Finally, we remember US Representative Pat Williams and how he stood up for the working class.

Soundman Jim, Linda Gillison and Mark explore our word of the week: ICE, as in the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. We will look closely at the recent events in Los Angeles surrounding ICE, as well as the event in Spokane, Washington. We will also hear from several of the participants of the Spokane ICE protest. And then we hear from Robbie Liben who reads his opinion piece on “The Lessons of Vietnam at 50.”

Our word of the week is “General Strike,” which we describe and pull up stories on some general strikes from this year. We then hear from Rose, a leader of Missoula Resists, who are organizing to oppose some of the Trump agenda. We then discuss an opinion piece I wrote on how to organize a general strike here in Montana. We finish with discussing a horrifying practice by the nation’s largest health insurance company, United Health. Co-hosted by Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark.

Our word of the week is “Missoula Unions,” in reference to the panel discussion of union members held on May Day, sponsored by the Western Montana chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, that we will play in its entirety. We will follow up the panel discussion recording with the thoughts and analysis of our Voice of the People hosts, Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark.

Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark host this week's show. Our word of the week is “Oligarchy,” in reference to the recent speaking tour of Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, and Sara Nelson called “Fighting the Oligarchy.” We will listen to all three speeches given In Missoula at the end of that tour for most of our show today. We will follow up those speeches with thoughts and analysis of our Voice of the People hosts, all of whom attended.

Soundman Jim and Mark host this show where our word of the week is “Hands Off,” in regard to the massive nationwide protests on April 5th. We will hear from speakers and participants of the Missoula event held at the Missoula County Courthouse. We will also hear from the Montanans for Palestine rally that immediately followed the rally at the Courthouse.

Our word of the week is “Medicaid,” the publicly funded heathcare insurance. We will hear from a rally in Missoula on March 18th in front of US Senator Steve Daine’s office called “No Medicaid Cuts.” Then we hear from our intrepid Soundman Jim who will share some of what he learned in Japan. Then we continue our series of roundtable discussions about the prospects of revolution in this time of the failing empire and oligarchy with Celia Winkler and Sarah McClain.

The word of the Week is Affordable Housing. And so we listen in on the Maple Street Flats Tenants Association as they outline their struggles in their affordable housing. Then we hear from the Executive Director of the Missoula Housing Authority, the landlord of the Maple Street Flats, who responds to the tenants concerns. The last half of the show is a new feature of Voice of the People. Featuring Dave Jones and John Wolverton, it is the first of a series of discussions on our current situation and how we can respond meaningfully and effectively to it.

Linda Gillison and Mark host today's show. Our word of the week is “Missoula City Council.” After providing some introduction about Missoula, for the rest of the show we will listen to a panel presentation from January 30th by Missoula City Councillors Kristen Jordan and Daniel Carlino, entitled “Socialism in Missoula,” sponsored by the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America.

Our word of the week is “Empire” and in the last half of the show we will hear University of Montana history professor Richard Drake share his views on the current state of the US Empire. Before that, we will look at organized workers taking strike action at Starbucks, Amazon, and the healthcare workers at the Providence hospitals in Oregon. Plus, we look at the actions of the Swedish Dockworkers Union voting to block Israeli military shipments at their docks. And we hear from Western Montana DSA organizer Robbie Liben and his opinion piece on the healthcare insurance system in the US.

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark host the show this week. Our word of the week is “H-1B Visa” and how they are affecting workers in the computer and software industries. We will then take a look at the war of words in the Trump camp over these same H-1B visas. Then we turn to H-2B visas, what the outgoing Biden Administration is doing with them and how it affects US truckers. Next, we hear DSA organizer Robbie Liben read his opinion piece on the assassination of the United Healthcare CEO and the health insurance industry. Then we look at the recent massive increase in the number of unhoused. We look at the late Jimmy Carter’s record on labor issues in his one-term as President. Finally, we discuss the failed mega-merger of grocery giants Albertsons and Kroger.

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark explore our word of the week: “Libertarianism.” We will also take a look at what the so-called libertarian President of Argentina is doing to his nation in his first year in office. Then we discuss why the Democrats lost big time and what they could do about it. We then read the actual manifesto of Luigi Mangione and what his action may portend. Following that the Montana Supreme Court issues an important ruling on the rights of trans kids. And then we look at the deep and dark situation in Syria and the US role in funding Al-Qaeda.

Soundman Jim and Mark are joined by Sandy Burch and Chris Austin to discuss our word of the week: “Democratic Socialism.” We will discuss what it is and answer what critics say about democratic socialism. We then discuss with Sandy and Chris about their work in Montana with the Democratic Socialists of America. Finally we begin to look at the Russian missile, Oreshnik, which many commentators regard as changing military history from here on out.

Soundman Jim and Mark explore our word of the week: “Sitdown Strike.” And Jim will read an excerpt from Jeremy Brecher’s book Strike! about the first sitdown strikes by rubber workers in Akron, Ohio in 1936. And we check in on the progress made on the United Autoworkers plan to prepare unions for a 2028 general strike. We also take a look at the end of the Boeing strike. Finally, we discuss some reasons why the Democratic Party lost the elections so handily.

Linda Gillison and Mark explore our word of the week: “Fascism.” We look to the scholarship of Robert O. Paxton about what that slippery term fascism is and is not, and under what conditions it thrives. And its applicability to Donald Trump. Following that, we end our show with a featured interview of Professor Nancy MacLean who will speak to us about the current Christian nationalist movement in the US.  

Our word of the week is “Liberal Democracy.” To explore our word of the week, we first hear from Maria Bustos as she explains why the Trump-like self-described “anarcho-capitalist” Javier Millei was elected Argentina’s President late last year. Then we look at why the US Democratic Party’s pro-union electoral strategy is failing, and some reasons why many workers support Donald Trump for US President. We end the show with an update from the east coast longshore strikes.

Soundman Jim and Mark explore our word of the week: “Iran”, its history, political economy and culture. Then we cover the escalating war in the Middle East, its connection to Iran, and the escalating war against free speech in the US. We feature an interview by Dialogue Work with Col (ret.) Larry Wilkerson, and an editorial by DSA organizer Brian Myers.

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark explore our word of the week “Money;" we look at what money is and isn’t, where it comes from, and why it can address the crises we face as a society. We then look at the Machinists strike against Boeing. Next we look at the deepening housing crisis in Montana. Then we discuss what the implications are with Israel’s exploding pagers.

Joining Soundman Jim and Mark is Linda Gillison. Our word of the week is “The American Worker”, as we look at how working people and their organizations are faring in the US and specifically Montana. We then listen to a video produced last year of interviews of working class Trump supporters at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania that may surprise some of our listeners. Finally, we look at the worker situation at Boeing and the state of rail workers in both Canada and the US.

Our word of the week is another one of our latest series: the Rojava Social Revolution. This is the second part of our look at what Noam Chomsky said is a revolution that offers “a compelling alternative vision for reviving politics as a collective force for worthy and necessary social transformation.” Soundman Jim and Mark then take a look at the unsuccessful attempts by Montana’s Republican Secretary of State, Christi Jacobsen, to derail three citizen initiatives. Finally we go deep into the Venezuelan national elections and the accusations of fraud by the US government and others that we read about in the corporate news media.

Soundman Jim, Sue Kirchmyer and Mark learn about our word of the week which is another one of our latest series: the Rojava Social Revolution. This is the first part of our look at what Noam Chomsky said is a revolution that offers “a compelling alternative vision for reviving politics as a collective force for worthy and necessary social transformation.” We then take a careful look at the Israeli assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, including the chief spokesman of the Hamas peace negotiators, hearing from Michael Hudson and Jill Stein on the issue. And finally we hear from Western Montana DSA organizer Sarah McClain who reads her opinion piece “Home of the Brave.”

Our word of the week is another one in our latest series: the 2011 Tunisian Nonviolent Revolution. We then hear an interview of Jeremy Rathbun, a Vice President of the Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, on its troubles with the national AFL-CIO. We then have an obituary of an inspiring leader of the revived organizing labor movement, Jane McAlevey. We then take a quick peek at possible labor strife at Boeing. And we finish off with a conversation about politics, here and abroad.

Our word of the week is another one of our latest series: the Swedish Social Revolution. We take a look at the sorry state of labor rights in the world, including the US. Then we look at the “most intense US naval combat since World War 2 in the Red Sea in direct opposition to the genocide in Gaza. We then hear Missoula Councilor Kristin Jordan read her published opinion piece on the way forward for the unhoused. We then look at the national elections in the United Kingdom, Mexico and France. And last, but not least, we talk about the national elections in the US.

Our word of the week is a big one, Nonviolent Social Revolution. We rebroadcast the Evolutionary Activist podcast of February 26, 2020 by Patricia Pearce called Nonviolence and Possibilities in Times of Polarization – an interview with George Lakey. We then deconstruct the myth of the so-called massacre in Beijing’s Tienanmen Square on June 4th, 1989. Following that we look at President Biden’s authorizing Ukraine to use US weapons to attack Russia, and how Israel is using bots and fake social media accounts to influence Congress. Then we look at updates for local stories that include: the outcome of the Montanans for Palestine “No Preference” campaign in Montana’s Democratic Presidential Primary race, the Eagle Watch Estates Tenants struggle, and the latest effort by the Missoula City Council to address the issue of the unhoused.

We hear from tenants of the Eagle Watch Estates apartment complex in Missoula who have organized to get their issues resolved by an unresponsive landlord. That follows our Word of the Week, the “CIO Organizng Method,” and how the method may also explain why the United Autoworkers Unions lost the election at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama. On today’s show we also feature Robbie Liben and his opinion piece on the campaign in Montana for voting “no preference” in support of Palestinians in Gaza in the Democratic Presidential Primary election. And that follows how billionaire oligarchs are behind some of the repression on university campuses; and by the story of the union graduate student worker strikes in response to the repression on some University of California campuses.

Our word of the week is a novel one, “3 1/2%” and what that means (% of a population persistently engaged in nonviolent resistance to succeed). We will hear speeches from the April 14th Palestine solidarity rally held in Bozeman, Montana. Then we will hear from Bozemanite Rylee Dunn on the Montana “Vote No Preference” campaign. We will look closer at the protests on the University campuses all across the world, specifically at Columbia University, opposing Israeli genocide in Gaza. We will catch up to the labor situation at Daimler Truck in the South, and the prospects of a United Autoworkers Union victory at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama.

Our word of the week is “manufacturing consent,” a fundamental understanding we carry in this show. We also look at the organizing victory of the United Auto Workers Union (UAW) at the southern Volkswagen manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and a potential strike at more southern plants by the UAW. Then we focus in on the repression of free speech on campuses across the nation with a specific look at Columbia University’s attempt to silence opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Then we look at remarkable revelations by some in the US foreign policy establishment that a peace agreement was close at hand just weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine. Finally, we again skewer the best-seller White Rage by reading from a labor leader’s presentation of the facts about the rural white working class.

Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark announce 2 new union recognition requests in Missoula: from the DFTBA Workers Union and the University of Montana Graduate Employees Union. We hear from Collette Berg, Taylor Lennox and Ethan Shafron, 3 members of the U of M Graduate Employees Union, in our interview of the week. A brief update on the Boeing situation will precede an editorial by Tony Davis on the decision facing the major airplane manufacturer. We read from an article about Faye Guenther of UFCW Local 3000 who is leading a major reform effort of her union. And we read a review about another book that wrongly blames the rural, white working class for the rise of Donald Trump.

Soundman Jim and Mark host this episode. Our word of the week is “economics.” We will hear a lecture by University of Montana Professor Clint Walker on “Taking the Pulse of Democracy Under Putin.” We will cover the recent closures of two Missoula County wood products industry operations. And we will cover the ongoing economic saga of one of the world’s major airplane manufacturers, Boeing. And lastly we will cover an apology and critique by economist Angus Deaton for the sorry state of his chosen profession.

Friend of the Show Alan Noonan joins Soundman Jim and Mark looking at our word of the week: “merger.” We will listen to the speeches and to some of the participants in last month’s Palestine support rally in Missoula, followed by an editorial by Robbie Liben. And we have our resident former Boeing engineer, soundman Jim Gillan, who will lead us in discussion about that troubled company and how its merger with McDonnell-Douglas has brought it to this point. We also have an update on the status of the Postal Service’s proposed closure of Missoula’s regional mail processing work, the proposed merger of grocery giants Albertsons and Kroger, a summary of notable worker organizing and struggles across the US, and a look at the illegal but successful teachers’ strike wave in Massachusetts.

Soundman Jim, Linda Gillison and Mark learn about the word of the week: “enemy of the people.” And we have a feature interview of Bozeman attorney John Meyer on the success in repelling the Montana Legislature’s attack on Montana’s citizen initiative process. We also have four stories on the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the persecution of Julian Assange by the US government, a blistering review of the newly-released book “White Rural Rage: The Threat To American Democracy” by Matt Taibbi, and finally some major breakthroughs for the union-organizing workers at Starbucks.

Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark explore our word of the week: “empire.” We also cover some stories in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. And we talk about Putin’s interview with Tucker Carlson, and the prison death of Russian dissident Alexi Navalny. Then we examine the special counsel’s report of whether President Biden should be prosecuted for his possession of classified military documents in his garage. And then we visit Pakistan, where the Pakistani people have apparently foiled their military’s attempt to rig their national elections, perhaps a lesson we can learn from here. And lastly, we talk about the latest US Postal Service Board of Governor’s neoliberal plans to take mail sorting out of Missoula and move it over 2 mountain passes 200 miles west to Spokane.

Soundman Jim and Mark go in depth with the latest news around Israel's assault in Gaza and the spreading winds of war. Tony Davis reads his opinion on Israel and genocide. We also go in depth on why Boeing has a difficult time keeping doors on their planes. Our Word of the Week is "Rules-based Order."

Featured is an interview with Israeli International Law Professor Neve Gordon who walks us through the background of the atrocities in Gaza with a discussion about the charges of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice made by South Africa and what ordinary citizens can do. Alan Noonan, Soundman Jim and Mark dive into the Word of the Week "Immunity" and how that relates to Donald Trump's legal arguments, as well as the current major outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The three co-hosts finish by presenting their take on what are significant developments for 2024.

Our Word of the Week is “genocide.” We feature an interview with Neve Gordon, an Israeli human rights activist and academic on the nature of the Israeli apartheid regime. Soundman Jim, Linda Gillison and Mark will cover the charges of genocide that South Africa has brought against Israel. We also look at the suppression of free speech in the US on the Gaza situation and its ramifications. Also, in the show we will look at the efforts to keep Donald Trump off the Presidential ballot in several states under the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. Finally, we will look at efforts by the Unhoused Neighbors Union of Missoula to defeat a City Council-proposed ordinance that would make it very difficult for the unhoused to sleep outdoors in Missoula.

Soundman Jim and Mark study the Word of the Week: Disinformation. We also cover the Colorado Supreme Court finding that Donald Trump is ineligible to be on the Colorado primary ballot. Next we talk about the National Nurses United union calling on the CDC to not repeat its mistakes made during the COVID pandemic. Further we cover the failure of the European union to fund 50 billion Euros to Ukraine. And then we look at some of what is happening in the US and around the world over the current genocide in Gaza, including encouraging union activity. We finish with the news of funding for passenger rail service in southern Montana and Pope Francis allowing Roman Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples.

Bailey Desper is our interview who talks about her experience organizing with unhoused people in Billings. Linda Gillison joins Soundman Jim and Mark in learning about Imperialism, the Word of the Week. We take a look at the state of free speech in the US, including over the war in Gaza. We also discuss the prospects of the war in Ukraine in the face of refusals to fund Ukraine. We will also cover the United Auto Workers Union which continues set a great – if unusual - example for other unions to follow, and the cost for Starbucks when their workers rebelled on Red Cup Day.

Our interview is with Prof. Richard Drake of UM on the US empire and forever wars. Sue Kirchmyer, soundman Jim and Mark talk about the United Auto workers call for preparation of a general strike, our Word of the Week.  And we look at the current state of the US labor movement. We also read from an account at Colombia University and what social work students there face when they demand opposition to genocide. Also, we have an updated list of 24 US labor organizations calling for a cease-fire in Gaza and a brief update on the Starbucks Red Cup Rebellion in Missoula.

The Word of the Week is "Tentative Agreement" which is what new Friend of the Show Alan Noonan, sound Soundman Jim and Mark discuss as a result of the historic and possibly transformative strike by the United Auto Workers. Our interview is with Kelcie Murphy, who brings her knowledge and experience to look at what is happening in Gaza today. We also look at the rising repression in the US for those critical of Israel in its genocide in Gaza. We also look at what workers are facing and what unions are - and are not - doing in the face of this increased repression. Finally, we read from an analysis of President Biden's disinformation claim of disinformation by the Gaza Ministry of Health on the number of Palestinian casualties.

Soundman Jim is back along with Linda Gillison, Mark and new friend of the show Tully Sanem who explore the Word of the Week: “dehumanization.” And how dehumanization concerns both the approach to the unhoused by the Missoula City government and the approach by the Israeli government and the Palestinian resistance faction Hamas. We also hear excerpts from the Palestinian rights rally in Missoula on October 14th.

Mark interviews Travis and Erin, unhoused Missoula neighbors who have just been evicted out of their outdoor houses, with a written response by Ginny Merriam, the City of Missoula’s communication director. And we hear from Missoula City Councillor Kristen Jordan on these cruel sweeps and her proposal to stabilize the situation. We also continue to look at the current United Auto Workers strike and the Kaiser Permanente strike. We bring back, sadly, the COVID pandemic report. We report and comment on the presentation given by former US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch when she recently visited Missoula. And Mark reads an analysis by Rob Urie on why only 4% of citizens believe the American political system is working.

This episode we feature an interview with Clayton, an unhoused organizer with the Unhoused Neighbors Union in Missoula at the time of a victory of stopping a sweep of the unhoused. Sue Kirchmyer, Sandy Burch and Mark take a deep dive into strikes, and particularly the current UAW strike. We also discuss how poverty is a crime.

Sue Kirchmyer and Mark look at the surprising origins of the US Labor Day. We also look at the recent settlement of the Teamsters workers with UPS. We look at the many strikes going on in Los Angeles, a deep dig into the success of the Oakland school teachers strike, and the bargaining for the common good in all these examples. We glance at another Starbucks being organized in Missoula and explore what the United Autoworkers demand from the Big 3 automakers and the prospect of a strike in September. Finally we look at some good changes in labor law by the NLRB. We rerun our interview of David Van Deusen, President of the Vermont AFL-CIO, from last year's Labor Day show.

This episode interviews 9 members of the Democratic Socialists of America on their experiences at the DSA National Convention in Chicago and their organizing vision for the future.

Mark plays a webinar of a presentation by labor leaders and others involved with the Rojava Revolution in Northeastern Syria, where in this war-torn region a libertarian socialist political and economic order has flourished over the past decade.

Linda and Mark explore what is collective bargaining and why it important for all of us. James Schumacher, our featured interviewee, talks about his job as a UPS Teamster driver, what's been going on with the union, bargaining with UPS and the likelihood of a strike on August 1st. We also look at the state of rail workers, the new strike by SAG-AFTRA, labor history from Matewan, W. Virginia, and the Federal court injunction against the Biden Admin for censorship on social media.

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark enjoy summer weather in Montana. Sarah McClain reads her opinion piece on the passing of Daniel Ellsberg. Linda, Jim and Mark talk about current events with Montana unhoused people, Seymour Hersh's article on the failed coup in Russia, and multiple union news items including the victory of workers at a Missoula Starbucks and the UPS Teamsters.

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark explore the topic of worker-led organizing. The show features an interview of Kate Alexander, a worker co-leading a union organizing effort at the Brooks St. Missoula Starbucks.

City Councillor Daniel Carlino, soundman Jim and Mark discuss the City of Missoula's eviction of unhoused people from the Russell Street Bridge camp. And we listen to interviews of two camp residents Serena and Clayton, and supporter Jeffrey on the evictions. What could be done instead is discussed.

Lapsed journalist Jim Liska joins soundman Jim and Mark in exploring the world of citizen journalism. Featured is an interview of Pich Chamrong, a Cambodian citizen journalist. Also featured is an editorial by Robbie Liben on why Missoula should drop mandatory parking spaces as a condition of development.

The word of the Week is May Day and is explained by Sarah McClain. The interview is with Missoula State Representative Zooey Zephyr. Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark look at May Day protests around the world. After a short report about a principal cause of inflation, the show discusses the current TV and film writers strike, the successful strike in the Los Angeles school district, the status of first contract negotiations for Starbucks workers and a push back by railroad workers against the strike breaking vote by Democrats last fall.

We cover the Montana Legislature from the "we will not be shamed" House Republicans chastising trans Rep. Zooey Zephyr, to the People's Veto Petition Campaign as explained by Sandy Burch. The Word of the Week is "Taxes" as we look at the 1945 speech by then-NY Fed Chair Beardsley Ruml: "Taxes for Revenue Are Obsolete." No joke. And there is more disturbing information leaking out of the Pentagon not being covered by the corporate media.

This show is dedicated to two excellent interviews by Helena DSA member Frank Kromkowski on the topic of the Montana Legislature. The first is with former Montana Representative Danny Tenenbaum from Missoula. The second is with retired Montana Supreme Court Justice Jim Nelson, who sounds the alarm on attacks on Montana's Constitution and judiciary.

Soundman Jim, Linda Gillison and Mark explore the word of the week "citizen." Featured is an interview with Jonathan Motl, dean of Montana's citizen initiative process, and an editorial by Tony Davis on the rail accident in E. Palestine, Ohio. Also discussed is the bailout of the wealthy depositors in the Silicon Valley Bank by the Federal Reserve Bank, the 2 day strike by Los Angeles school workers, and the massive strikes in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

"Nationalize" is word of the week. We look at the call of Railroad Workers United to nationalize US railroads. Interview with Rep Mary Caferro on the MT Legislature. Editorial by Sarah McClain. We also look at: Nordstream Pipelines, Twitter Files, the Warrior Met strike ending and COVID news. With co-hosts Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark.

With the word of the Week "Liberal Democracy," Soundman Jim, Sandy Burch and Mark report on and talk about the Montana Legislature, the economic winners and losers so far in the War in Ukraine, and the terrible rail accident in East Palestine, Ohio. The interview is of Joanie Kresich, Board Chair of the Northern Plains Resource Council, by Frank Kromkowski of the Montana Democratic Socialists of America.

This week's show features an edited version of the Belmarsh Tribunal held in Washington DC on January 20, 2023. The Belmarsh Tribunal focuses on the case of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks. The event featured expert testimony from journalists, whistleblowers, lawyers, publishers, and parliamentarians on assaults to press freedom and the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This was originally broadcast by Democracy Now!

Soundman Jim, Sandy Burch and Mark explore this year's Montana Legislature. Legislation about abortion, trans Montanans, labor, tax cuts for the rich and a Federal balanced budget convention call are explored. Featured is an interview with State Senator Mary Ann Dunwell of Helena. We also look at some promising news on the COVID  epidemic.

Soundman Jim, Sue Kirchmyer and Mark choose some of the most important stories of 2022 and take another look at them. Also there is an interview of Sandy Burch about reproductive justice and the 2023 Montana Legislature, produced by Montana Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).

Soundman Jim and Mark dive deep into how football's World Cup ought to make us look differently at human rights by reading selections from Neil Vallelly's article in Jacobin magazine. We also continue our look at why the labor movement ought to learn profound lessons from the two recent and successful strikes in Ontario as described by Jane McAlevey. And we highlight Adolph Reed's assessment of the recent US elections and how to successfully the ascendant authoritarians in US politics.

The Word of the Week is "democracy," as Soundman Jim, Friend of the Show Linda Gillison, and Mark look at the recent US election results. We also dive into the story of a near and credible general strike in Ontario as public workers fight back against their government's attempt to strip workers of their rights. We also discuss how the US Federal Reserve's fight against inflation is ruinous to other countries, the worldwide fertilizer shortage and how its an opportunity for agriculture to wean itself off of fossil fuels in Africa, and the ongoing COVID pandemic.

Our Word of the Week is Inflation, and we look at the current causes of it and what can be done. Missoula City Councilman Daniel Carlino tells us about the controversy of closing the Authorized Camp Site for houseless people. Bob Rosen reads his editorial "Our Healthcare System is Sick." Soundman Jim and Mark discuss the Congressional Progressive Caucus' letter to President Biden calling for negotiations in the war in Ukraine and the latest on the pandemic.

Soundman Jim, Richard the Bishop and Mark analyze the apparent sabotage of the Nordstream 1 and 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea, what economic and other impacts will likely be forthcoming, and who might have done this. We also cover the passage of an nasty anti-worker law in Ukraine this summer, and what else may be in store for worker rights there.

This week we cover the Greater Northwest Passenger Rail Summit held in Billings, Montana on August 22 and 23, 2022. Excerpts from the Summit include: how the recently passed infrastructure bill (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) opens the door to expand passenger rail service, the importance of geographic, class and racial equity, a personal look at the needs of native peoples, possible stakeholders in Montana and Idaho, the environmental benefits of rail service, and a discussion on how the host freight railroads can be a help or hindrance to this effort. Soundman Jim and Friend of the Show Richard Bishop attended and contributed to the show. See if you can pick out Jim's stakeholder comment. For more information go to the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority website at https://www.bigskyrail.org/ 

On our Labor Day weekend show we take a current look at unions. We feature an interview with David Van Deusen, president of the Vermont AFL-CIO. Friend of the Show John Andrechak, Soundman Jim and Mark look at what we might learn from the history of unions - especially in the 1920's and 30's - to guide us today. We also look at a report regarding union finances and priorities, catch up on Missoula union organizing, look at a poll about union approval rate, and learn about minor league baseball players organizing.

Friend of the Show Sue Kirchmyer join soundman Jim and Mark to discuss public health, the CDC, COVID, and the monkeypox outbreak. We also look at the end of the COVID vaccine mandate in Costa Rica. And we look at the US Federal Reserve Bank making the choice to increase economic misery to fight inflation, and what should be done instead.

Our word of the Week is "power." Richard Bishop joins soundman Jim and Mark to discuss how the 99% can get power. Carol Wald, W MT Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) organizer, discusses the organizing around reproductive justice in Montana, including advocating for a "no" vote on LR-131. We also look at the progress of rank-and-file democracy at the United Autoworkers Convention. And we see that the Inflation Reduction Act does not reduce greenhouse gases by as much as advertised. And we discuss opposition to nuclear weapons and war, while putting an eye on the averted strike by Boeing military production workers in the St. Louis area and evidence that the US military is directly running the war in Ukraine.

W MT DSA Reproductive Justice working group: reproductive.justice@westernmtdsa.org

W MT Workers Alliance: westernmtwa@gmail.com; 406-924-3830

Maria Bustos joins Jim and Mark to talk about the new "Pink Tide" progressive governments being elected in Latin America. We take a deep look at what neoliberalism is and how it is a critical part of the political tide south of the US. We look at the constitutional process unfolding in Chile. And we discuss the current US rail unions strike vote of 99.5% and the prospects for a nationwide rail strike. 

This week Soundman Jim, Linda Gillison and Mark discuss the effectiveness of economic sanctions, those applied to Russia, and their economic blowback. Our feature interview is with Prof. Monte Mills of the University of Montana Indian Law Clinic about the recent terrible decision by the SCOTUS on Native sovereignty, Oklahoma v Castro-Huerta. We also put on our rubber boots and look at an essential industry - fertilizers, and why their cost is skyrocketing which will be reflected in food prices. 

In today's show we look at the overturning of Roe V. Wade, how did we come to this, and where can we go from here with Sandy Burch and Carol Wald. They also talk about the rally on Sun 6/26 at 11 am at the Missoula County Courthouse. Our Word of the Week is "strategic discrimination," which describes a highly ironic burden on women and people of color electoral candidates. And we catch up with some disturbing COVID news. Finally we discuss the indigenous movement in Ecuador and the general strike in Tunisia. Soundman Jim and Mark co-host.

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim, and Mark explore "nationalism" and how it could unite the 99%. We look at the Summit of the Americas, the history of US economic sanctions and how nationalism affects them. We also look into the real reasons why inflation is so high and the latest on COVID.