Show Notes: 2018-01 1/7/18

BeforeShow Notes: None

AfterShow Notes

Episode Title: "Who IS Citizen?"
Special Guest(s): None

The inaugural show for 2018 went, overall, very well. There were a few issues:

1. I (Bud) have a cold that nearly required today's show to be cancelled (cnx). Given the audio quality of the show, a positive argument could be made that it should have been. Sniffling, coughing, etc. was very distracting and pronounced. Given how the show turned out, I believe my call was correct. My apologies to all who did or will hear the episode for the sorry state of my health on this day.

2. The original show went for 2:02:02 (auspicious, anyone?) and edited to 1:45:58. The edited show was loaded to the original episode page, the syndication pages and the blog. The original was filed away in the show archives, along with the edited version beside it.

3. I owe one caller an apology, and a promise. Michael, from Minnesota was the star of today's show who gave a most credible performance for the side of the "true conservative Republican" (sic). I gave him pretty much all the time I could to present his case(s) given today's topic. We learned he was a naturalized citizen who had quite a bit to say from his point of view. We agreed on many things, and the only substantive disagreement I had was that he has the unfortunate habit of doing a "Rush Limbaugh" on himself, me, and the listeners of the show.

Whether from habitual practice as a well-prepared speaker (he definitely was so), or from an inate fear of speaking (highly doubtful, given his performance on today's episode), he would first make a most credible argument, and then kill it with poison tags for effect.

Example:

"Argument" 1. Expansion of argument 1: The Leftist Media. Communists of the left. Liberal Hollywood/Media elites. Etc.

I call this the "Limbaugh" effect for a reason. Over several decades of listening to the shows of himself, I have made three primary observations. Two of them (not the third) I felt applied to many of Michael's arguments today:

1. He presented completely legitimate arguments from a decidedly personally held view (conservative). They were, for the most part, factually accurate, well considered, and additive to the discourse. The listener could clearly understand and appreciate his positions. It is at this point that, in my personal view, Limbaugh (and others) should simply shut up, invoking the authenticity of silence. They either do not, or cannot.

2. He then sets out to completely destroy his own legitimacy, in (in Limbaugh's case, definitely) an attempt to make himself (not the position) superior to any inquisitor via attack by ad hominem. "You leftists." Etc. STOP IT!!

It does not add to, but merely destroys any legitimacy your argument may have had to your opponent. This logical fallacy of Rhetoric is known as "The last defense of a failed argument." In Michael's case, in at least four instances I can recall, it was also the FIRST failure of the argument made. With Rush et al, it is to be expected as day is to follow night.

3. Finally, Rush works tirelessly to convince his listeners that Rush is correct because Rush said it. Period. To argue his position is to make yourself to be seen a fool. Quite the opposite usually occurs, and costs Limbaugh a good number of listeners on a regular basis who wish to be informed, not preached to.

Michael could well have gone traipsing through this particular garden; he did not. I believe that could well be due to a particular tactic I used in hopes of keeping his feet from going there:

I blatantly interrupted him on several occasions, either stopping his words or overtalking them.

This is a (usually) unnecessary and completely disrespectful tactic in the course of civil discourse. I use it very sparingly. I do not want to interrupt a person while they are losing their own argument, much less when said position is in argument against ones self. It was a rude thing to do.

I hope Micheal will accept my sincerest apologies, and my promise that, should he deign to participate in dialogue with me in the future, I will not submit him or my listeners to such disrespectful behavior. At least now, Michael, you know why I did so. Next and future times are entirely upon your shoulders. I stand absolved my sin. :)

Today's show focused on what will be for at least the next episode, a topical overview journey through the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. It remains today, as it has since it's initial, revised, and final ratifications as one of, if not THE most litigated Amendment, or of any part of our Constitution. The constitutional definition of "citizen" is found within it's first section. Michael's question given our producer (Progressive Patty) was:

"Does today's show have to do with illegal immigration?"

At that moment, the show became about illegal immigration, so the answer to his inquiry was "Yes!"
It does seem a bit of a stretch to go from the definition of citizen to illegal immigration in 2018, but that was precisely the point of today's show. From the definition of who citizen is, to who is or may be excluded from citizenship, and why, to how one loses citizenship are all contained within the body of this Amendment and the case law springing from it. That does include, up to and including the current lifesupprt struggles to impose an immigration ban in America today.

I do not concede that Michael's inquiry was coincidental. As it turned out, we learned that Michael is not a "birthright" citizen; he is a "naturalized" citizen. I strongly urge you to listen to this episode for just that reason. His perspective is not a unique one in our country, but could well be very unique to our listeners. I appreciate his willingness to share his views with us; they definitely added to the discourse of this, and future episodes of Progressive Politics: Tennessee Style (PPTS).

The answer to this episode's challenge question: "Who was the first President of the United States of America?"

Photo courtesy of the Free Social Encyclopedia

The first President of the United States of America was George Washington.



The answer, sadly, lies in the formulation of the question.  (Hey, we respect the intelligence and research skills of our staff and listeners!)

We were not known as The United States of America until after March (or November, depending on your point of view), 1789. Prior to that date, we were, under at least three different variations, known as the USCA: the United States in Congress Assembled. From the origination of the Articles of Confederation through the Second Continental Congress, a total of five USCA's officially existed, and one of which never met. Each of them had their own President. Of the five men either selected or elected, two never served, one served for less than one year, and one for two years.

                                                     John Hanson, Courtesy of Brittanica.com

The most famous of these was John Hanson, of Maryland. It is not accurate to say that John Hanson was, in fact, the first President of the United States; he was not. It is significantly more than a mere technical argument to say otherwise: it is purely historical revision of the facts. That's why it matters, both historically and legally, as the John Hanson Memorial Society has discovered to their dismay since the 1970's.

Up until that point, the Society was leading the charge in the preservation and honoring of all things John Hanson for his contributions to our founding--and, I submit, rightly so. However, when the inaccuracy was clearly identified and labelled as such in the early 1970's as a result of significant historical research into the matter, the purpose of the Society changed.

Since that time, the Society has worked to correct the error. The myth is still highly transported across every venue including the internet. It went a long time underground, barely beneath the surface of American history (and squarely through the American Civil War, for anyone interested). Today, the Society gives honor to an American Patriot, which Hanson surely was, while endeavoring to place his historical relevance in it's proper position.

Thanks to Michael, Patty, the entire team, and you our listeners for a good show. I appreciate it, very much.

The Tennessee Progressive

PS:

Take a moment, and attend to the PPTS first comment of 2018:

Yngve Soegnen

"I'm not a US Citizen and don't live in the USA, but am a European and live in Latin America close to the USA. The world and its people are all the same basically. but what goes on in the USA is important for the world because of its might, so we from outside need to chime in about what's happening there some times.
Tennessee isn't the place with the most progress in the world to put it very politely, but deep darkness is needed for a very small light to be seen far away. Many pinpoints of lights become a blazing sun. We can only do what we can do. Then big things happen..."

January 1, 2018 Who Is Citizen? Who Or What Empowers Citizen? What Are The Limits Of Citizen?

2018 promises to be a defining year for America, and for Americans. Remembering the adage about sausage, and the making thereof, this year PPTS will be focusing on citizen, citizen activism, and citizen activists. 

Over the course of the past few years, one of the most profound discoveries I have experienced doing this broadcast has been the lack of knowledge of many of my fellow Americans about the questions posed in the title of this article. 

While contemplating the "arc" or flow of the show for 2018, this reality kept cropping up in the strangest places, but mostly in the live, on-air discussions and the conversations in our chat room. One of the most commonly heard statements from me, especially in the past year (2017) has been that one or another positions held by callers, guests and visitors "just is not constitutionally valid". By this, I mean that neither the Constitution or any laws either pertaining to the Constitution or deriving from it via interpretation of the courts up to, and including the Supreme Court of the USA (SCOTUS) support the position asserted. 

In almost every (but not every) case my statement has been upheld by research. It is also true that, on some few (sorry, but it is true) instances it was I who was in error. Strangely enough, it was those very instances which led to the most generous, thought provoking and illuminating conversations on the broadcast, especially in subsequent broadcasts. While proving no one is perfect in their knowledge, these moments gave all participants "permission" to express opinions that were inviting of dialogue, discussion and/or debate. It was as if the show itself became a Court with two sides advocating their views...the very purpose for the show's existence in the first place! I was extremely pleased these moments occurred.

The questions posed in the title will be critical to every American (or anyone who wishes to be) in, and beyond 2018 in my view. I hold this view so strongly that I have decided to make the answers to these questions the purpose and focus of as many broadcasts as it may require to answer them. Why?

Citizen.

I am of the decided opinion that this word demonstrates the power of America, both within itself, and across the planet. The hope of America lies within her people, but who exactly ARE her people?

What does being citizen mean, exactly? While you may have an immediate response, you may be stunned to discover that the quick or easy answer is usually NOT the correct one. So, as an educator, one who believes that knowledge leads to power AND wisdom, PPTS will be holding discourse on answering these and other questions emanating from these foundational questions. 

I also believe that it is YOUR answer which matters most. I want your answers to be valid ones. To that end, I am making a few recommendations for your education in 2018, with an urgent plea that you get as much knowledge as you can, as quickly as you can. It may be true that Civics has not been on the educational agenda in America for some four (4) decades, but PPTS is willing to take you to school just for that very purpose. 

I realise that, for many, this will come as an opportunity. For some it will come as an exercise. For some it may even come as an unwelcome intrusion, a task unworthy of your time, or your energy, or your willingness to participate. 

For those in this third group, it is to you that I plead most: invest. Invest in your citizenship, in your country, and in your causes.

The one thing such a journey will not require of you is your money. (A foundational tenet of the show.) 

All the work can be done at no financial cost to you. Yes, there are opportunities to purchase textbooks, certificates, etc. should you choose to do so. However, any writings directly related to the work I am going to recommend to you are at no cost. 

Because it is a journey this educator strongly recommends (so strongly as to commit some 120+ hours of his personal professional time and his international broadcast to), I will be taking this journey (again) with you. 

Please do not tell me why you didn't. Tell me rather the value of what you have learned because you did. It may be a small number of show listener/followers, and that is completely fine. We hope for a very large number of course. Citizen matters. 

If you are willing to engage in the journey, in this exercise on citizenship, it's okay to let us know; it will uplift us and give us strength along the journey. But display your willingness by your participation here, on the show, and with your own writing or your own feet, or even your own voice. 

After all, what better possible answer to our driving question could there be?

"What are YOU going to do about it?"

For the entire team, I remain,

The Tennessee Progressive

PS:

To begin the journey, I have given you some suggested starting points. Of them, I strongly suggest #1, and #3 (together, simultaneously for consideration and discussion values). 

Your mileage may vary (WMMV)

October 1,2017: An After Show Reflection

Who is Bannon? What Is His Goal? Who Is Funding Him?

Our show today featured answers to these and other important questions. Thanks to our special guests Jade Barrett and Tim Wilson who helped us with their significant input on these issues.

Because of the efforts pursued by today's episode, I will point you to this episode. You will find this episode in the player to the right of this article. It is our usual two hours in length. (Edited for time, not content). 

Yet, even as much as we were educated on these issues, the reality is that there is much left to do. If we do understand the inner workings of the"Breitbart Bunker" group and those who agree with and actively support them, how do we address and overcome their intent? 

A serious question for you, dear reader:

Does this document matter to you? How much?

I sense your outrage. Just hang on a minute here, buckwheat!

If I could help you understand that this document, and all that it stands for, is currently under several different points of attack, virtually every one of which is to eliminate it and those documents following from it from the American democratic landscape...would you alter if not your first, but your second answer?

Stay tuned. That is precisely what this show will, over the next few weeks, attempt to accomplish. I am not a conspiracy theorist in any degree. What is a conspiracy, after all? And how does one get to the point of agreeing with them? You are invited to answer these two questions for yourself. But, a word of caution:

The biggest problem with conspiracy theories is that, sometimes, they (conspiracies) actually do exist. How do you figure out which ones are, and are not, real?

That is the question we will, together attempt to answer on our next few episodes. I hope you will join us, call in, and log into our lively chat room next Sunday October 8, 2017 and help us help you get clear and factual evidence of that which we will investigate, discuss, examine, and conclude.

We're on the air! 

We'll see YOU there!

For the entire PPTS team,

The Tennessee Progressive

PPTS May 14, 2017

"Can One Citizen Change the World?"

Here is a link to today's live episode.

I am a "hope" addict, and always have been. 

This is not because I have not seen the worst of humanity: I have. Nor is it because I refuse to live in the realities of life: I have. 

But I have also lived in places and times where I have witnessed the unparalleled goodness of humankind. Given the option of which side of humanity to believe is the greater in number, I choose to believe on the side of the goodness of mankind. 

In my lifetime, I have seen the goodness of even one person, one citizen do selfless and amazingly good things which would defy description. Sometimes, such goodness can change a moment, or one individual's difficult or impossible journey into unspeakable goodness. 

I am alive today because of such a person, so I do have some expertise in the ultimate humility toward my fellow humans. I wrote about this person in my personal blog. You are invited to become acquainted with her personally. She also happens, quite by purposeful intent, to be the Executive Producer of "Progressive Politics: Tennessee Style" (PPTS). She is known to us here are "Progressive Patty". If you are ever in our lively chat room, you will speak with her. If you call in to our live show, she will welcome you. 

I am not, by any means the only person who can say that Sara has positively change a life. In fact, thousands of Tennessee citizens can, and do say such things about her and her work, one life at a time.

Do I know that one citizen can change the world? YES!

Examples are all around us, if we would but look.

In a recent article, I offered another example of one citizen changing the world. I offer it to you in the hopes that you might understand some of the qualities of such heroes as one person changing the world.

In preparation for today's show episode, I'd like to offer you one more example of how one person, one citizen has changed the world. Again, consider the circumstances this human faced, and decided he had no choice but to do all he could to change the world for good.

Also please notice in the final two minutes, that a cell phone or two is illuminated by all those who this man inspired to become a force for good in their world. Snowflakes all. 

On today's show, we'd love to have you call us and share with us someone you know who has changed the world for good. It doesn't take a monumental task; it just takes one person with one moment of determination. Perhaps you would even be willing to share with us something YOU are doing about it. 

We're on the air! We'll see YOU there!

For the entire team,

The Tennessee Progressive

Sunday, April 30, 2017 "What YOU Can DO About It!"

"What YOU Can Do About It--TODAY!"

Do You Feel It Yet?

*sigh*

To my reckoning, there are basically two types of people in our nation, and in our world today as they relate to Trump's first 100 days in office as President of the United States of America. Generally, they are either:

A. Trump fans, 96% of whom are ecstatic with the performance of "their" President, and

B. Everyone else.

I have hesitated all week long before writing this companion piece in preparation for this coming Sunday's show. The research has been to be honest, nothing less than disheartening. It has been a time of concern, disillusionment, sleeplessness, concern, angst and not a little anger.

In all these things, what I have found more than not is that I am absolutely NOT alone in these experiences. It is to all of those sharing my experience that this report is written. It has taken me all this week to get to the last item on that list: determination. I knew in my soul I would reach this point, but I simply had to experience every item on the list above before determination would arrive. This point in this particular journey is usual for me. The entire experience is, however, unique in our current American History. It has happened before, but never in my lifetime, and certainly not in myself.

I am a self-identified "hope addict". Some call me an idealogue. I say that "My feet are firmly rooted in the clouds." By that, I mean that while I maintain optimism and hope in citizen, I am also very much attached to the reality around me. A major part of my citizen activism these days is in the preparation, presentation, and follow up to this show. While I am gratified with the current 2017 show statistics (66,100 listens), and know the info is getting out around the globe via downloads, links, and rebroadcasts around the globe to countless others, I am wondering sometimes if the message we wish to present is actually "getting out" to the hearts of those listeners.

Sometimes, things happen at the speed of life. For instance, yesterday I learned that one of our previous Special Guests on PPTS just recorded a major victory. You will no doubt remember our two-show special series on the passage attempts on the ERA Amendment to the Constitution with Sandy Oestreich, President and Founder of (among other things) 2passera.org.

On March 23, 2017 the State of Nevada's legislature passed a resolution calling for the Amendment's passage.

"They ratified the ERA 45 years to the day since Congress originally passed it."

What does this mean in the reality of things? It means that only TWO more states need follow the lead of Nevada, and the Amendment becomes a reality.

What else does this mean?

Hope.

Then, I found an article that really spoke to my heart. I think it will speak to the hearts of all those "everyone else's" hearts, too. It is an excellent piece of writing, from the heart of a writing colleague of mine. I strongly recommend it to you, especially if you feel the same as so many of your fellow citizens are feeling these days.

Last night, I had a rather long and detail-oriented conversation with another colleague, Geoffrey S. Jade Barrett while I was completing research for this show. This is relevant to the show on Sunday for two reasons:

1. Jade and I, while from different political backgrounds and affiliations, are symbiotic it seems. We agree on so many things, it is difficult to tell where my Democratic background ends and his Republican-esque background begins. We find ourselves in agreement on so many things that we have had some trouble actually identifying (at least I have) where we disagree. Jade is a superb writer, and is a leading writer (Pundit) over at Yabberz. He is (depending on the time of any particular day) the leading (most influential and most prolific) writer on the site. He has a lot to say about many things, from political awareness to personal (individual) activism. As you might rightly expect, his words (along with many others) have impact, value, and credibility. He is well worth reading, and listening to. His time spent with me is a great gift to me personally, any person who identifies themselves as "citizen", and the world. He is an activist leader who describes his leadership as "Creating, participating in, and supporting, endorsing, and encouraging activism."

2. After a few conversations with Jade, I felt it imperative to offer him time on PPTS to talk about, and talk with activism and activists--citizen. No newcomer to talk radio, Jade has been a broadcaster for many years who has hosted shows on various and sundry topics of particular interest to him. He has agreed to spend time with us this coming Sunday as our 2 hour Special Guest. He will be live to take your calls. He will be observing and responding in our chat room. He and I will be talking about specific things every one of us can do, right now, to become the change we seek as citizen activists. Yes, every one of us, including you, dear reader.

You see, the simple matter is that YOU are the difference. YOU are the reason this PPTS show exists. What you do, from clicking on a survey, to writing an email to your electeds or even your friends, to marching in protest, or holding a sign (or a town hall meeting with your neighbors in your home) can make a REAL difference. Citizen IS standing up, stepping out, showing up and showing off.

Hope.

I hope you will join us this Sunday, April 30th, 2017. As you know, I have told you on previous occasions that a particular show episode is one you will not want to miss. This is most definitely one of them, as this third episode in our new season. You will not want to miss this opportunity to share, learn and grow live with Jade Barrett, and the live callers--you will want to be one. Do yourself a huge favor, and get a load of hope. Get from despair to determination.

We're on the air! We'll see YOU there!

For the entire team,

The Tennessee Progressive

To Whom Does Citizen Owe...What?

Some Things Obvious...Some Things Not.

As often as we may, as individuals, confront and attempt to resolve the problems this question, more often than not we simply fail. 

Some things we owe to ourselves because we are simply human beings. (At least, that is the presumption I make when considering who may be reading or interacting with this blog.)

Yet, even at this fundamental level, the answers to the question are different for every living, breathing human being. It doesn't take very long, even in the solitude of our private thoughts before we come headlong into conflict. That conflict usually occurs when we arrive at that magical point where "should" and "do" collide. 

I once worked with a man who had a terrible habit of saying, to whomever might be listening:

    

    "Review the basics once a year. It takes about a year to review the basics."

              ~W. Clement Stone

I've always considered these to be some of the most profound words I have ever encountered. In the rush to live in today's world, with constant movement, raging emotion, and rambunctious information, assailing us at every moment, it can be difficult to concentrate on the basics--even the basics of who it is that we, individually are. Sometimes, finding out who we are at some given moment surprises, shocks, or amazes us. We can find it taking much longer, and much more concentrated time than we ever thought necessary to get to that point of "Me". Many times, we at first do not believe we have arrived because we do not recognize what we see before us. You may believe this has happened only to you; you would be grossly mistaken. 

Some folks ignore or avoid this moment at every turn. They don't care for what they see, how that feels, or what the realization means not only to them, but of them. Who would want affinity with that person? Each of us experiences this reality daily, yet believe no one could possibly share our perception of the experience itself. 

What has this to do with answering the question?

Simple. We do try to convey our best selves whenever we are called to interact with other humans. Think of those communities you exist within. Work. Family. School. PTA. Union meeting. Grocery. Bank. And, yes, voting booth. 

The simple truth is that we carry this self with us no matter where we go, or what we do. We fly forward with the gigantic hope that our best self will somehow outstrip even our limited abilities, and show up anyway. Mostly, we are disappointed in that hope. But, every rare once in a while, someone shows up that we cannot imagine being us because of the greatness of their appearance. In life, that can happen when we, almost without thought, do that which is right and not that which is convenient, or invisible, or practiced, or easy, or even best. You know, those moments when you silently hope against hope that someone else sees, notices that you. You wonder how that person might become the usual, the habitual you. 

Eventually, you recognize that this person can only become the superior you with painful, relentless practice. For many, that is a price too much to pay. They retreat, in defeat, leaving themselves only the other self which they must somehow learn to accept and accommodate. It is a constant battle that these folks will lose much more often than win.

The real truth is that this is most, if not all of us. It takes more than most of us can muster once, much less every day of our lives. Yet, we do know that there lies, deep within us, Citizen. Proven in war, and peace, our sense of that greater than ourselves rests deep in the core of our being. Americans seem to have an extra dollop of that. We are a nation of winners who have, upon occasion lost. But, those battles we have won mean more to us than life itself, if we are honest about it. Of course, some of those winning moments truly matter most. With more practice such moments could even become usual. But what purpose could compel the tough work required to be that person as a matter of habit, like breathing?

It's difficult to really atomize such a concept. Sometimes, the circumstances dictate the person. Sometimes, the person dictates the circumstance. This is the muddled world of citizen. When should someone stand up, and step out, and declare themselves to be either in favor or, or opposed to something? Many would say that the more muddled or confused, or strained the circumstance, the more likely the best of us is compelled to show up, and show off. Sadly, many more would declare that the best self must be always protected, regardless of circumstance, and become as fair weather citizens. Pretenders all. 

For citizen, as for self, it is not the easy, or the convenient, or even the imperative that compels us to the fore. Before citizen can change a nation, citizen must change citizen. Given that citizen does have a bit of a civic flavor to the terminology, the implication is that citizen is the force for change where citizen lives. Not just under the home roof, but at every point between the kitchen table and the council table at the Courthouse. Just as there are significant concerns on one end of the citizen spectrum, so are there significant concerns at the courthouse, and the Statehouse, and the Whitehouse. But, regardless of the home in question, there are questions which citizen is obligated, yes obligated to ask, and answer. Some examples:

How many people in my community went hungry yesterday? 

How many people in my community were homeless yesterday?

How many people in my community were without any money?

How many people where I live live in poverty?

How many people where I live do not/cannot access basic healthcare?

How many people in my community need, and cannot find honest, honorable, respectable work?

How many people in my town cannot read, or write?

How can I help? What is available, and what can I do about it?

I challenge you here, now. Choose the question which seems the most outrageously false to you. Get undeniable facts from the most authoritative source you possibly can. You will be stunned, flabbergasted, gobstopped. Then consider the last two questions. Remember the who that you are. Consider the you that you might be, or would wish to become. You are citizen. 

What are YOU going to do about it? Not because you must. Because you can.

I am, and remain,

The Tennessee Progressive

Plans for the Future at PPTS

Dateline: Columbia, Tennessee
April 22nd, 2016

Hello, Mr. and Mrs. America, and...?

If you remember this tag line, complete it in the comments below. You may win a prize. Beware, you may be revealing pertinent information about yourself that you may not want others to know... :)

It's been an interesting time around here of late. We've been mostly off the air, for several reasons. We've had medical issues (a few niggling one remain), we've had staff changes, we've had (and are still dealing with) some pretty severe technical issues, and then there's this.

We've been watching with interest the primary campaigns. So much has been happening at such a lightening pace that we have not been able (see staff changes above) to keep up, create relevant stories, gather the public figures to explain the goings on, and generally been a bit (ok, a LOT) hesitant to position this particular project in the line of sight of all the shenanigans going on between candidates, campaigns, debates, primaries, caucuses, recounts, news stories, arrests at demonstrations, issues developing before our eyes....just like you. It 's easier to report as an observer, but not necessarily better reporting comes from that. 

1. We need some volunteer citizen journalists to help us as this circus narrows itself down to about three main rings. Investigators, fact checkers, interviewers, and witnesses top our list of needed volunteer supporters. We also want a few dedicated journalism students who would like an intern opportunity to develop or hone their skills to join us. The show is also on the hunt for additional staff members (Producers, EPs, co-hosts, etc.) Why? More on that shortly.

2. By the end of May, we will be back on our regular schedule. The shows will air live every Sunday afternoon, between 2 and 4 PM. We will be as engaged as possible through the conclusion of the November elections, and beyond. But we really do need some financial support to make this happen. Not a lot, just enough. Nobody here is looking for a salary. We just can't continue to feed the needs of the production, time, and work from our own pockets. Asking for the help of those who receive benefit from our labors is both honorable and ethical. 

3. It is not that the show will be restructured so much as it will return to its original structure. We believe, and are committed to honest, unbiased, ethical, moral and legal journalism, be it print or broadcast. We would love to believe that those with a growing interest in, or desire to participate with real journalism might come forward and accept the offer posted above. Hardest, most thankless work you will ever love. Guaranteed. You can work with some of this industry's leading talent in multiple areas. High School or College more than welcome to apply. Contact the show for details. Soon.

4. So, what's all this really about? 

It's easy to fold up shop when you are the only one dedicated, or even interested in the product. When 20,000 people listen to that product each week, it gets a bit more difficult. PPTS is a product of a desire to engage, through civil discourse those of shared or opposing viewpoints with dignity, safety (as possible) and respect. We believe that people can disagree without being disagreeable. For the most part, that has been our experience on this project. We still do not suffer fools easily, and we do not allow tomfoolery on the show. 

It's hard work. It takes a lot of time. We have not been doing some things correctly. I know that because we have not had any, repeat ANY relevant feedback either on the show, or on this space, from those who seem to be listening. If nobody is listening, I got plenty of things to use those hours for, and so do the other members of the PPTS team. Believe me. I'm not ranting. I'm asking for your feedback, and input on what we are doing, and how we are doing it. If you like it, say why. If you don't like it, please say why. Participate, citizen!  For years, we have worked to empower you, citizen to get out, stand up, and do something about it--whatever the it of it was. We can only hope that you have done so, because you have not reported back to us and told us what you did about it. Frustrating, and crushingly disappointing. It's just really hard to have a conversation with yourself for two hours at a clip for more than a couple of shows. (People start looking at you funny!)

Over the course of the next few weeks, I will be restructuring the organization. I need your help if we are to continue. That is a decision left to me. I'd like it to be with your participation and input. Yes, that means we'll have to crank up the networks again. Researchers, come forth! We will have to get into the water again. Yes, indeed. Legislative specialists, start your steno books! Technical support will be upgraded. Staff and studio and blog specialists, On YOUR Marks!

More as it develops. Thank you for hanging in there with us. It means more than you can know.

For PPTS,

Bud Fields--The Tennessee Progressive

One Series Ends; Another Series Begins

It has taken PPTS 28 weeks to present a 24 week series we call "The War On The Poor". During this series, we looked at eight principle battlefields upon which this war is currently being waged. Having now looked, in three week "chunks" at each of the eight battlefields, we have completed the research, but have not yet determined any useful conclusions, talking points, or action plans for this war. We will, but we want you, the progressive soldier to have some time to consider how this information can be of the best use to you in your cause, where you live. That got the team talking.

Without "finalizing" and putting to bed this issue, one we obviously believe to be singularly important to us, because we do absolutely believe it to be of the greatest importance to you, our conversations have turned to what many would believe to be the next important question:

How do we use this information to determine our future actions? How can we implement a determined strategy in time to have the impact we wish on the November, 2014 elections? Who should lead us? How should we communicate with those leaders effectively, in a timely manner so as to create the opposition against our adversaries? What would victory look like?

It was that last question that had a bunch of people looking squarely into my face, as if I should, somehow not only be able, but willing to forcefully and passionately discourse on THE answer. Hundreds of pairs of eyes, mind you, from across the nation are looking at me like I'm somehow the Shell Answer Man.

I gave that job up some long time ago now. Having had the position for more than four decades, I felt that I had done my part; that it was well time for someone else to pick up the ball and run with it, as it were. The trouble was that I did have a few answers. I thought they were good ones. I want(ed) to put them out for consideration. (Note the sliding transition?) I think they should be considered; moreover I believe they are such correct answers that they should be immediately employed across our nation, right now.

Where are we going, as a nation? That's a huge question. While not necessarily the answer many would accept in 2014, I do happen to be a bit of an historian by nature and education. If you want to truly understand the nature of a thing, look at the people involved in, subject to, or affected by that thing. In 24 recorded 2-hour events, PPTS has done just that. But, there lies at the heart of our nation today a much more, I would contend, fundamental question than our show's mantra of "What are YOU going to do about it?"

In our latest show, we begin to search for not merely a functional or useful answer to this question, but one which compels us, as citizen, to act. That is, after all, the Progressive way. (It's available for you here, on the right sidebar under our "Current" shows listing.

In the coming weeks we will look both to history AND current affairs to come to some fundamental conclusions about the answer to this question. Through our staff research and (hopefully) yours, we should have some civil discourse  about the answer to this new question. In fairness, this question is not new. It has been answered on several occasions before, in (and before) our history as a nation.  We'll use that historicity to look at some potential answers to this notion of where we are, or at least where we should, as citizen, be leading our nation into the decades and centuries ahead.

My contention is that we do have the opportunity to reevaluate the conditions which led to previous answers, so we can understand how to make current decisions that will make those answers better for us as citizen. This is neither easy, or easily dismissive work. Yet, in my view it is the most immediate and necessary work citizen can do for our nation, and for our democratic republic. We do stand to lose both. The fact that you do not fully appreciate the truth of that statement so alarms me that I am putting the resources available to me into full use. This isn't play time, and the work required is absolutely NOT for the feint of heart, or for the "sunshine patriot".

I hope you will join us for these next weeks as we hear from history as we ask, and answer this most compelling question of our time.

For PPTS,

The Tennessee Progressive

The Politics of High Summer--And Why You'd BETTER Care!

On our last show, we reviewed the last week's Primary action, which represented the largest number of Primary elections remaining until November. The week began on Tuesday, stretched to Thursday, and came home on Saturday.

Today, Primary elections are contained in this 24 hours for the week. We'll do a review of these activities, focusing on the upper Midwestern US with some hum-dinger, doozy of some races in, among other places, Minnesota.

We hope you will join us this  coming Sunday, beginning at 2PM (Central Time) for a full review of some Hi Summer Politics, and the Hy-jinks and hilarity that go with them.

We will also cover the leading news of the day, and offer our respect, gratitude and thanks to one of the most amazing comedic minds of this, or any other time: Robin Williams.

Sometimes, things just happen at the speed of life.

Sometimes, there's no way to get out of the fast lane in time to avoid a collision. Sometimes, life wins. Sometimes, it doesn't.

We're on the air!

We'll see YOU there!

PPTS: July 27, 2014 "The Battle For Coffee Party USA (Part 2 of 3)

Comes to us now the question that is most often uttered by the non-believer:

"What Can I Do About It?"

Here's one man's answer:

This is one of the more important speeches of my adult lifetime. It should be one of yours, as well. Why?

As much as I believe it gives clear and convincing evidence of the fantasy of the question above, it also speaks directly for--and to the Coffee Party USA. This speech was delivered by Rev. Dr. Barber the evening immediately following the "March On Detroit", a Netroots Nation action addressing the plight of some 90,000 Detroiters who found themselves without water.

Amazing as this peroration is, it also addresses the central (core) question of today's investigation of the Coffee Party USA:

"Why Should I Care?"

There are many who believe that everyone believes the implicit answer to the first question, and that no one fancies answering the second. Yet, if we were to pay just a bit more attention, with our unique ears, the ears of "citizen", we might well see proof that there ARE individuals who are not only activists in their speech, but in their direct action as well.

From a single comment, from one single person on a FaceBook page has grown a movement of more than 1,100 members, more than 400,000 "likes" on FaceBook, multiple local organizations, and significant national, regional, state and local activism. Regardless of what you may believe, that's a lot of result for one person's single comment on social media. One person.

The amazing journey has seen tremendous victories, and dangerous failings. That's the way of movement birth. Trying to consolidate a unified message around so many prevailing needs, activities, and activists is very much like herding cats. Even on a good day, it can seem nothing more than disorganized chaos (the worst kind of chaos, after all!). Passionate activism is difficult to contain, and even direct. The Progressive tent is perhaps the largest among them all, but even this canopy cannot always contain those individuals who seek a wrong, and try to make things right. The progressive movement is not one defined by, or restricted to political ideology: it is all about action that helps those with passion and purpose become the change they seek.

Bringing resources to bear on those things that matter most in a land so often divided can be a daunting task in the best of circumstance. Coordinating, or even defining a message that will be shared and agreed to by so many requires many skills. Perhaps the greatest among those skills is flexibility.

"Now!" is a very important term when you are discussing movements of change. The Coffee Party USA has found itself squarely in the sites of its own members at times, who care much more for relevant activism than the mundane affairs of organization. So it is with new movements. Flexibility matched with patience and perseverance are hallmarks of activist organizers. Leaders often find themselves more the victim then the victor. When so many issues of such great weight and importance assail a nation--or a world, time is often the greatest of all enemies. Every month paced as details and plans are made, it is inevitably people who have to pay the greatest price. Sometimes, when that people is enshrined in a person you know, and care about, time is mostly measured in time lost. While it is easier to see that reality in far away places, it is sometimes as close as your own small rural community. You will often hear a quote by Former U. S. Speaker of the House of Representatives Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neal, Democrat from Boston, Massachusetts who said that "All politics is local." But, very few ever complete the quote. The full quote of Mr. O'Neal is that "All politics is local--and personal!"

While much can be forgiven or overlooked when the first part of that quote is bandied about, the same is not true for the second and concluding part. It is true that the closer to the roof under which you live, the more politics matters, when it becomes personal for you is when politics matters the most. War is not such a terrible decision until your child dies in combat. Education is a large, nebulous issue until your school closes because the citizens of your community refused a mill levy increase to provide salaries for teachers. Poverty is endemic, and a reality in every nation that doesn't "touch" you until you are living under a bridge, hungry and unable to receive the medications you need to live.

Issues and news items become depressing, and untrustworthy as you see them on the evening telecast. We feel, but we are very likely not to care as much as we would if we were the news that evening. It is quite difficult to empathize with a mourning mother until it is your child laying on a Mortician's table. Politics is local--and personal. We as citizen have for years tried to insulate ourselves from the "tyranny of the urgent" so prevalent in our news. Not only as citizen, but as humans our life experiences have been impacted for so very long, and to such a very great degree that we repair to the seeming illusion of safety within our families and even our towns.

We have, for four generations now, failed to teach our progeny the important lessons of citizen. One of the guiding principles of democracy has been that it is citizen who defends and protects that same democracy. Like it or not, there are times when citizen is called upon to live up to the demands, obligations, and privileges of that same democracy as citizen. One person, acting in accord with others who not only understand the term, but are somehow hard wired to live it out. It is not when being citizen is convenient that we find our best measure, but when being citizen is so very, very hard.

When those hard times come calling, citizen seeks citizen for comfort, for understanding, for guidance and leadership in ways and areas that polity does not tread. Our political ideology fails us, and we seek out the knowing eye of citizen standing beside us to find our strength to stand up, step out, and through transformative action renew a pledge made long before by those who have paid, even with their blood.

It is at times such as these that communities of activists seem to emerge from the fog of the irrelevant, from the long gone veteran to the child taught that citizen is not merely a word, but a birth right. We grow within it, most often without even knowing that it is citizen being prepared for "that" moment when not one more moment can pass without our activism. From protecting our planet when the aggregious and casual arrogance of mankind makes the damage (and the potential results of that arrogance) so very clear that we can no longer avoid or ignore it, to discovering that the failure to expand Medicaid in your State is directly impacting hundreds of thousands of your fellow citizen, those moments do come. When they do, it is through movements such as the Coffee Party USA that we rally around each other because we must. It is who we are. It is what we do. It is why America matters, not just to citizen, but as a citizen herself to a global community screaming in agony for hope.

The original founders of the Coffee Party USA have confidently left the organization to its membership, to have the battles that will rage for so long as anyone has that moment. In good times, and through some presently very bad times, the significance of the Coffee Party USA lies within the vision, mission and purpose of the organization. That is where citizen matters. That is where citizen gathers. When it is your moment, the organization should rally to your cause, just as you rally to another member's cause in their time, their moment. Now, these visionary Americans are doing what they do in other areas of our land, calling other citizens to their very best moments--and their worst.

What Tip O'Neal knew so many years ago is that "Now!" is very real, and a time any self-respecting politician should always watch for. Of course, his was a history where some citizens arose to greatness, while others simply had greatness thrust upon them. We today are no different. We are no less citizen and we share the responsibility for our national life and identity. Beyond the sometimes terrible strife and angst of party ideology, or the "sturm und drang" of national life, citizen still receives the call. That call is inevitably local, and very personal. It has always been so.

A community discovers to its collective horror that a corporation, interested in nothing more than corporate profits, intends to remove any semblance of health or medical care from thousands of its citizens. With the absolute assurance that in only months, communities who have survived the worst the world had to offer could begin their death throes for no reason more or less than the profit of a not-for-profit business entity wanting to pump up its paid insurance collections, to dilute its mix of medicaid payments and poverty-stricken patients who, while being diverse, are also pretty poor overall. The community looks for direction, for the leadership to help them avoid this dangerous cliff.

Welcome to Belhaven, North Carolina, 2014. The community looks to it's local government and its mayor to keep its citizens alive, and healthy. And together. The Mayor reaches out to the hospital corporation, seeking discussion. Nothing. The Mayor reaches out to the Governor of his State, and his Statehouse delegation. Nothing. He reaches out to his federal delegation. Nothing. The hospital is going to close, and the closest medical care will be 109 miles away. If that's a problem...move.

Suddenly, national conversations around Medicaid expansion, The Affordable Care Act, and Medicare have come home. These issues are now local. And then? While waiting for an hour to be airlifted to the closest hospital facility, a member of the community dies from the ravaging effects of a myocardial infarction (MI), a heart attack. She expired in an ambulance, in the care and company of EMT's who had done all they could. As the helicopter landed, this community citizen died.

Politics is personal. A family of three children and a loving husband have lost their waystar. A community has lost one of its own. The Mayor? He determines that, for himself, this must not stand.
Hear Belhaven Mayor Adam O'Neal (R-Belhaven) (no relation), and his continuing story, in his own words:

This is one man's journey to citizen. Tomorrow morning, around 10 AM (Eastern Time), he will cross the 14th Street Bridge into the bowels of Foggy Bottom. They wouldn't come to him. He is coming to them. I hope he has just a ton of fellow citizens who will complete the last five miles of this walk with and for him. The Coffee Party USA didn't create Mayor O'Neal, but the Coffee Party USA is cognizant of the truth that one person can make a difference. One person can even change the world. Bus loads of the members of his community will be waiting for Mayor O'Neal tomorrow. So will Rev. Barber. A local, personal saga continues for one man. I hope his walk will ignite citizen across this land.

That's why you should care.