7 chapters across the catalog
Social Movement Building, Ford Foundation Video Analysis
A promotional video from the Ford Foundation outlines the three components needed for successful social movements: political opportunity, organizational infrastructure, and engaged individuals. The video compares the success of the anti-apartheid movement with the failure of Occupy Wall Street and looks toward a "21st-century women's movement" focused on economic issues.
The Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong is characterized as a U.S.-backed initiative funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and USAID. These organizations reportedly provide million-dollar budgets to NGOs to foster regime change and disrupt the banking center of China.
The hosts discuss Leo Gerard, the president of the United Steelworkers Union, and his influence over the Occupy movement and the Obama administration. They focus on the "Employee Free Choice Act," which they argue would eliminate secret ballots in union votes. The segment suggests that the unions have co-opted the Occupy movement to further their own political and legislative agendas.
Ron Paul Media Bias, Michele Bachmann Mic Check
Fox News and Sean Hannity are accused of intentionally marginalizing Ron Paul's strong polling numbers in Iowa. The discussion also covers the "mic check" protest tactic used by the Occupy movement to disrupt political speeches, specifically highlighting an incident involving Michele Bachmann. The hosts praise the effectiveness of the tactic in disrupting traditional political messaging.
The Tea Party, Occupy Movement, and Show Model
The Tea Party and Occupy movements are characterized as waves of energy rejecting political unfairness, though both are susceptible to being co-opted by established interests. A host at MSNBC noted that 94% of the time, the candidate with the most money wins, suggesting the US is an "auction" rather than a democracy. The "No Agenda" show reiterates its value-for-value funding model as an alternative to this corrupt system.
Pension Cuts and Occupy Movements in the Netherlands
Dutch pension funds announce a projected 15% drop in payouts for 2013 alongside rising premiums. Occupy movements emerge in Amsterdam and The Hague as citizens face increasing economic pressure. The hosts predict that European protests will become more violent as the financial situation worsens.
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the program by discussing the rapid global expansion of the Occupy Wall Street movement. They observe that as the movement gains mass media exposure, various interests attempt to hijack and control the narrative. The hosts frame their role as analyzing which entities are trying to capture the message for societal control.
