Media Cyphers Kalamazoo

WMed Resident Workers Announce Strike Action, and More

The Residents and Fellows Union at WMed is threatening strike action after being stonewalled by the WMU administration on wage increases.

 

Kzoo County Democrats vote unanimously for an arms embargo resolution towards Israel in response to the genocide in Gaza and journalists at NowKalamazoo expose AI driven fake news in Kalamazoo.

 

At the state level we look at a BridgeMI article examining how recent Trump administration cuts will effect Michigan libraries and look at some barbs from Elissa Slotkin at the "activist" wing of the Democratic Party after being questioned on how she is standing up to Trump.

 

Columbia University have caved into demands from the Trump administration to restore their funding, a court ruling could have chilling implications for the civil rights of trans people, and we conclude with stories on how journalists in Gaza have faced violence from the IDF.

 

01:25- 12:20 WMed Resident Medical Workers Announce Strike Action

 

12:25- 19:00 Kzoo County Democrats Pass Arms Embargo Resolution Against Israel

 

20:15- 29:30 NowKalamazoo Exposes Local News Scam

 

29:55- 37:50 Trump Admin Defunding Rural Michigan Libraries

 

38:00- 49:00 Centrist Elissa Slotkin Throws Stones at Progressives in a Glass House

 

49:40- 56:20 Columbia Caves In to Trump

 

56:25- 1:03:50 9th Circuit Court Upholds Trans "Bathroom Ban"

 

1:04:50- 1:10:00 Journalists Under Fire in Gaza

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

WMed residents, fellow physicians announce strike after negotiations stall
https://wwmt.com/news/local/wmed-residents-fellow-physicians-announce-strike-homer-stryker-aft-cio-bronson-methodist-hospital

 

Bad ‘news’: Mysteries, misrepresentation, and misinformation
https://nowkalamazoo.org/2025/03/bad-news-mysteries-misrepresentation-and-misinformation

 

Michigan rural libraries brace for hit from Trump order targeting spending
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-rural-libraries-brace-hit-trump-order-targeting-spending

 

Sen. Elissa Slotkin says her job is to be more than just an ‘activist’ against Trump
https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/03/sen-elissa-slotkin-says-her-job-is-to-be-more-than-just-an-activist-against-trump.html

 

Law Prof. Katherine Franke Accuses Columbia of Empowering Trump by Agreeing to $400M “Ransom Note”
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/3/24/katherine_franke_columbia_university

 

9th Circuit Upholds Bathroom Ban, Says Trans Students Violate Cis People's Privacy
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/9th-circuit-upholds-bathroom-ban

 

Oscar-Winning Palestinian Filmmaker Hamdan Ballal Brutally Beaten in Mob Attack by Israeli Settlers
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/3/25/hamdan_ballal_no_other_land_settlers

 

Remembering Hossam Shabat: Gaza Journalist Killed by Israel Was Placed on “Hit List” Before His Death
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/3/25/hussam_shabat_journalist_killed_gaza

 

Mahmoud Khalil, Trans Rights in Michigan, and More

We start our show with an article from WWMT about an act of violent arson committed against a houseless resident of Kalamazoo, the media response, and what it says about where our city is lacking in responding to the housing crisis.

 

We spend much of the hour talking about the kidnapping of student organizer Mahmoud Khalil by ICE and how people around the country are responding.

 

While some Republicans in red states are changing their hearts and minds on trans issues, Democrats in Michigan are throwing trans youths under the bus in Lansing.

 

We give you updates on the breaking news on the genocide in Gaza and devote the end of our show at looking at the crisis in Gaza and the current state of geopolitics from an Irish perspective.

 

1:45- 11:30 The Vulnerability of Kzoo's Houseless After KPL Arson

 

12:20- 37:30 Mahmoud Khalil and Campus Resistance

 

38:55- 44:40 Michigan Democrats Triangulate Against Trans Rights

 

44:50- 53:00 The Carnage Continues in Gaza

 

53:45- 1:05:10 Come Out Ye Orange and Tanned- The Irish Socialist Response to Trumpian Imperialism and Gaza

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

Quick response prevents disaster following fire outside of the Kalamazoo Public Library
https://wwmt.com/news/local/arson-kalamazoo-public-library-downtown-assault-bodily-harm-damage-smoke-homeless-blaze-repairs

 

People Across the U.S. Are Mobilizing to Free Mahmoud Khalil and Resist the Far Right
https://www.leftvoice.org/people-across-the-u-s-are-mobilizing-to-free-mahmoud-khalil-and-resist-the-far-right/

 

Pro-Palestine Campus Organizers: Demilitarization & Democratization Go Together
https://truthout.org/articles/pro-palestine-campus-organizers-demilitarization-democratization-go-together/

 

How Pro-Palestine Student Activists Are Fighting Increasing Repression
https://www.leftvoice.org/how-pro-palestine-student-activists-are-fighting-increasing-repression

 

“Another Round of Senseless Mass Killing”: Report from Gaza Hospital as Israeli Strikes Kill 400+
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/3/18/gaza_hospital_feroze_sidhwa

 

8 Democrats join GOP in voting to urge MHSAA to ban transgender kids from girls' sports
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/12/michigan-house-urges-ban-on-transgender-kids-from-girls-sports/82336502007/

 

U-M, Grand Valley targeted for civil rights probes by Trump administration
https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/u-m-grand-valley-targeted-civil-rights-probes-trump-administration

 

Irish Lawmaker: Recognizing Palestine as a State Is Rooted in Our History of Colonization & Famine
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/5/23/ireland_palestine

 

Trump’s Pax Americana: No Way!
https://www.rebelnews.ie/2025/03/03/trumps-pax-romana-no-way/

 

A Conversation with Bill Farmer on Medicare For All, Neoliberalism, and More

Local organizer Bill Farmer joins us for a sprawling interview on Medicare For All, neoliberalism, organizing in SW Michigan, and more.

 

Lawrence joins us to talk about the State of the Union and we close with some good news out of Montana- 26 Republicans backed out on an anti-trans bill after listening to their trans colleagues speak out on the floor.

 

CAPITOL DAY 2025
Communities Over Corporations
Wednesday, April 23rd @ Lansing State Capitol
https://miunited.org/

 

00:50- 1:08:20 A Discussion with Bill Farmer on Medicare For All, Neoliberalism, Labor Organizing, and More

 

1:10:00- 1:35:15 State of Disunion- Fascist Lies and Centrist Stupidity

 

1:37:10- 1:44:25 "And the Montana GOP's Heart Grew Three Sizes That Day," Trans Reps Defend Their Rights and Change Minds in Montana Legislature

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Michigan for Single Payer Healthcare
https://www.michigan4singlepayer.org/

 

Trump’s Speech Vowed a New “Golden Age,” But His Policies Drive Us Into the Dust
https://truthout.org/articles/trumps-speech-vowed-a-new-golden-age-but-his-policies-drive-us-into-the-dust

 

This swing state GOP congressman 'prefers people do not call his office' 
https://www.alternet.org/swing-state-gop-congressman/

 

Mahmoud Khalil: ICE Detains Green Card Holder over Columbia University Gaza Activism
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/3/10/columbia_university_mahmoud_khalil

 

Third Way And Its Regressive Politics Should Have No Place in the Democratic Party 
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/third-way-democratic-party

 

Powerful Speeches From Trans Dems Flip 29 Republicans, Anti-Trans Bills Die In Montana
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/powerful-speeches-from-trans-dems

Empire's Mask Off in the Oval Office, Welcome to the Tariff-dome, and More

WMU SJP and AAUP respond the university administration's neutrality policy.

 

Me and Lawrence talk about geopolitics as reduced to crude gangsterism- what is different and what remains the same when US empire is administered by dull-witted goons via the Zelenskyy meeting.

 

The leopards are eating everyone's faces- and we talk about how DOGE cuts are immiserating Trump's electoral base along with everyone else and how the hysteria around "woke" and "DEI" is a long played tactic of the ruling class to smuggle austerity with bigotry.

 

Wayne State grad students are organizing, and we look at an article from the WSWS on Trump's North American tariffs, which went into effect Tuesday.

 

1:30- 5:00 WMU SJP & AAUP Respond to WMU Admin's Neutrality Policy

 

7:15- 27:10 Taking the Mask off of Empire- Oval Office Goons & Zelenskyy

 

27:45- 38:30 Reactionary Boomerang- DOGE Cuts Come For MAGA

 

39:20- 46:00 Hope Woods Seniors Unite and How Local Media Can Work For the Community

 

46:00- 50:25 Wayne State Grad Students Bargaining for New Contract

 

51:20- 58:45 Welcome the Tariff-dome, Trade Wars w/ Canada and Mexico Begin

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Neutrality in the Face of Evil: An Open Letter to Western Michigan University’s Leaders
https://thewmuaaup.com/2025/02/13/neutrality-in-the-face-of-evil-an-open-letter-to-western-michigan-universitys-leaders/

 

BOOK CLUB#2: The War in Ukraine with Randy LaPrarie
https://mediacyphers.podbean.com/e/book-club2-the-war-in-ukraine-with-randy-laprairie/

 

Trump cuts hit Forest Service in Michigan; critics fear ‘catastrophic’ loss
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/trump-cuts-hit-forest-service-michigan-critics-fear-catastrophic-loss

 

Great Lakes scientists among latest round of Trump cuts in Michigan
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/great-lakes-scientists-among-latest-round-trump-cuts-michigan

 

Dozens fired from Michigan veteran care facilities as Trump cuts continue
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/dozens-fired-michigan-veteran-care-facilities-trump-cuts-continue

 

Hope Woods Apartments owner given deadline to turn over management
https://wwmt.com/news/local/hope-woods-apartments-eviction-deadline-management-oshtemo-township-seniors-lease-mshda

 

Wayne State University Graduate Employee Union Starts Bargaining for a New Contract
https://www.leftvoice.org/wayne-state-university-graduate-employee-union-starts-bargaining-for-a-new-contract

 

Trump’s 25 percent tariffs against Canada and Mexico to take effect Tuesday
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/04/ayvp-m04.html

 

Woke Wars w/ Olúfẹ́mi Táíwò, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor & Mike McCarthy
https://thedigradio.com/podcast/woke-wars-w-olufemi-taiwo-keeanga-yamahtta-taylor-mike-mccarthy/

 

"The Revolution WILL Be Televised," Kzoo County Responds to Federal Funding Freeze, and More

We open by discussing how a local resident is attempting to organize a Metro Transit bus riders union and how Kalamazoo County is responding to the Trump administration's federal funding freezes.

 

We talk a bit more specifically about DOGE, the normalization from some sectors of the media, the power and history behind the Trump admin's adversarial posture towards South Africa, and examine the meaning around Kendrick's Super Bowl halftime performance.

 

We look at Trump's aim to colonize Gaza and turn it into a casino resort, return to Michigan with stories from the state government, and close with some updates on H5N1 (Bird Flu).

 

02:00- 8:30 Local Kzoo Resident Seeks to Organize Metro Transit Riders

 

8:30- 25:30  Kzoo County Responds to Federal Cuts

 

25:30- 36:20 How the Working Class Will Get Dog Walked by DOGE and Media Reaction

 

36:20- 40:00 White Boys Still Mad: Elon, Trump, and South Africa

 

40:00- 51:40 "The Revolution WILL be Televised"- The Super Bowl Halftime Show

 

51:40- 1:02:20 Mar-a-Gaza- Casino Colonialism, the Media's Organized Forgetting, and Blaming the Victim

 

1:02:30- 1:07:20 Michigan GOP Wants to Tie Local Funding to Capitulation to ICE

 

1:07:30- 1:11:05 Michigan Civil Rights Law Protects Trans Students Athletes (All Two of Them)

 

1:11:20- 1:14:30 A Brief Guide to Protecting Your Finances With the Dismantling of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

 

1:14:35- 1:23:45 Bird Flu Update

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

A Kalamazoo Township man starts a petition to organize local bus riders 
https://www.wmuk.org/wmuk-news/2025-02-05/a-kalamazoo-township-man-starts-a-petition-to-organize-local-bus-riders

 

Elon Musk is part of a ‘coup’ we must respond to, Kalamazoo County leader says
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2025/02/elon-musk-is-part-of-a-coup-we-must-respond-to-kalamazoo-county-leader-says.html

 

Constitutional Crisis: Who Is Musk’s ”DOGE Army,” Gutting Gov’t Agencies as Courts Question Legality?
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/10/musk_doge_federal_government_vittoria_elliott

 

“The PayPal Mafia”: Meet the South African Oligarchs Surrounding Trump, from Elon Musk to Peter Thiel
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/10/elon_musk_doge_south_africa_apartheid

 

Michigan House GOP threatens to block budgets over ‘sanctuary’ city funding
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-house-gop-threatens-block-budgets-over-sanctuary-city-funding

 

Michigan transgender youths to continue high school sports, despite Trump order
https://www.bridgemi.com/talent-education/michigan-transgender-youths-continue-high-school-sports-despite-trump-order

 

“Trump Does Not See Palestinians as Human Beings”: Plan for U.S. to “Take Over” Gaza Faces Outcry
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/6/omar_baddar_trump_gaza_israel_palestine

 

Some Moves to Protect Yourself during the Dismantling of the CFPB
https://ykhong.substack.com/p/some-moves-to-protect-yourself-in

 

Trump’s assault on public health and the growing threat of an H5N1 bird flu pandemic
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/02/08/ocfq-f08.html

 

Tariff-ying Developments for Michigan, Trolls in the U.S. Treasury, and More

On today's show we begin with how the Trump administration is targeting anti-genocide protestors in the U.S. on a student visa and how local groups are responding.

 

We look at the wild, back-and-forth story of Trump's proposed tariffs with Canada and Mexico, how Trump was placated at the 11th hour, and the type of impact tariffs on Canada could have on Michigan whenever the President has his next tantrum at them.

 

We look at a story from LeftVoice about the mayoral race in Detroit, check in on how the opposition party in Washington is largely deciding to oppose human rights, Elon Musk's gremlins that got into the treasury offices over the weekend, and how organizers are responding to corporate chains like Target dropping their DEI initiatives.

 

01:00- 4:50 WMU SJP Responds to Trump Targeting Anti-Genocide Protestors on a Student Visa

 

4:50- 11:00 Tariff-ying Implications- What Trade Wars Could Mean For Michiganders

 

11:30- 19:30 Pander in Detroit- The Mayoral Race in the Motor City

 

19:50- 32:30 Democrats Shifting Right in the Face of Fascism

 

32:40- 38:20 Gremlins 3: Elon Takes the Treasury

 

39:20- 52:30 Go Woke or Go Broke- Boycotts Organizing Against Companies Backtracking on DEI

 

52:30- 1:09:00 More Conversation on Tariffs, Elon's Treasury Coup, Foreign Policy, and More

 

1:09:00- 1:16:00 Not Like Us- Thoughts on the Grammys

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Michigan braces for Trump tariffs on Canada, a $77B trade partner
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-braces-trump-tariffs-canada-77b-trade-partner

 

None of Detroit’s Mayoral Candidates Represent an Alternative to the Corporate-Driven “Renaissance”
https://www.leftvoice.org/none-of-detroits-mayoral-candidates-represent-an-alternative-to-the-corporate-driven-renaissance/

 

What is the Laken Riley Act? A look at the first bill Trump just signed
https://apnews.com/article/what-is-laken-riley-act-trump-immigration-2667d626139ddf5a16d1533516eab18f

 

Is Elon Musk Staging a Coup? Unelected Billionaire Seizes Control at Treasury Dept. & Other Agencies
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/2/3/elon_musk_gov

 

Walmart Target & Their Ilk’s Stance on DEI Expecting My $$$ Is Like Tryn To Pick The 🌽 From 💩!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6U1methZds

 

The Dems Are Out to Brunch, The REAL Resistance Continues, and More

Kalamazoo Township is responding to Trump with some actions from city officials (maybe, at some point.)

 

Lawrence joins us to talk about the first week of Trump II: The Revenge- the blizzard of reactionary executive orders, the administration's overt class warfare- in particular Trump freezing federal funding earlier this morning and how resistance liberals seemed to have stayed at brunch while the grassroots resistance moves forward.

 

We talk about responding to ICE in SWMI and the unique challenges it gives college students, and discuss an article from Truthout on the Trump's administration's push of "uncritical race theory" in public education.

 

We also discuss Trump kneecapping public health in the U.S. and the potential catastrophic consequences.

 

3:40- 10:40 Kalamazoo Township Responds to Trump (Kind Of)

 

11:00- 22:40 Trump II Week One- Executive Disorder and Class Warfare

 

22:40- 34:40 The Democrats are Out to Brunch

 

34:00- 57:00 The Settler-Colonial Pivot in Israel & Building People Power

 

59:20- 1:15:25 Responding to ICE in Kzoo, and ICE at the University

 

1:15:25- 1:23:50 Uncritical Race Theory- Turing Back the Clock in Public Education

 

1:24:42- 1:35:00 The Sickness is the System- Trump Admin Dismantling and Silencing Public Health

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

Kalamazoo Township pumps brakes on response to Trump orders
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2025/01/kalamazoo-township-pumps-brakes-on-response-to-trump-orders.html

 

Why Has Trump Paused Federal Grants and Who Could Be Impacted?
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-federal-grants-aid-pause-freeze-2021835

 

Goodbye, ‘Resistance.’ The Era of Hyperpolitics Is Over.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/magazine/trump-hyperpolitics-resistance.html

 

‘Nothing but problems’: Confronting the Living Conditions at Fox Ridge Apartments
https://nowkalamazoo.org/2025/01/nothing-but-problems-confronting-the-living-conditions-at-fox-ridge-apartments/

 

ICE Off Campus! College Students and Workers Must Unite Against Right-Wing Attacks
https://www.leftvoice.org/ice-off-campus-college-students-and-workers-must-unite-against-right-wing-attacks

 

Trump’s Education Agenda for Teachers: Sanitize US History or Leave the Field
https://truthout.org/articles/trumps-education-agenda-for-teachers-sanitize-us-history-or-leave-the-field

 

Trump declares all-out war on public health and science
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/01/24/fgrr-j24.html

 

Welcome to the Terrordome- Trump Returns, Nothing Will Fundamentally Change- The Biden Years, and More

We look at an article from TruthOut that examines the auspicious timing of Trump being inaugurated on MLK Day- and what lessons we can take from the later King, the democratic socialist spiritual leader engaged in class struggle, in the dark days ahead.

 

We look at an article from LeftVoice laying out the internal contradictions of the incoming administration and the potential for organizers to take those weaknesses to their advantage.

 

An article from The Nation lays out how mainstream media is bending the knee to Trump, and we're then joined by our co-host Lawrence to discuss the inauguration, Day One of his presidency, and the legacy of the Biden administration.

 

02:40- 22:30 MLK's Legacy and Class Struggle Under Trump 2.0

 

24:20- 36:10 Capitalist In-Fighting in the Trump Administration

 

36:20- 42:30 The Capitalist Media Capitulates to Trump

 

45:00- 1:18:00 Welcome to the Terrordome, Trump's Inauguration and Day 1

 

1:18:10- 1:37:30 Nothing Will Fundamentally Change: Parting Thoughts on the Biden Years

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

MLK’s Legacy Is One of Class Struggle. To Fight Trump, We Must Carry His Torch.
https://truthout.org/articles/mlks-legacy-is-one-of-class-struggle-to-fight-trump-we-must-carry-his-torch/

 

Trump Has No Mandate and His Incoming Administration Is Full of Contradictions
https://www.leftvoice.org/trump-has-no-mandate-and-his-incoming-administration-is-full-of-contradictions/

 

The Media Is Giving Away Its Rights Even Before Trump Tries to Take Them
https://www.thenation.com/article/society/media-capitulation-to-trump/

 

Kamala Harris Paid the Price for Not Breaking With Biden on Gaza, New Poll Shows
https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/kamala-harris-gaza-israel-biden-election-poll

 

Hatebook, Disaster Movie in LA, LGBTQ+ Rights, and More

We begin our show looking at how climate change is shortening Michigan winters and creating problems for farmers in the mitten.

 

A bi-partisan bill is going through congress that would make it easier for the federal government to kidnap immigrants.

 

We spend a good chunk of the show looking at Zuckerberg's turn towards the Trump administration in its content guidelines and moderation. When the chips are down capitalists will pursue the path of least resistance and Meta was all to willing to cede social ground to an overtly bigoted administration to protect their bottom line.

 

We look at the disaster in LA- some of the misinformation and narratives from the media and how the city's Democratic mayor robbed Peter (cut funding to the LAFD) to pay Paul (increase funding to the LAPD).

 

We close with some stories about the ongoing assault on LGBTQ+ rights- both from social media corporations in the U.S. and the government.

 

02:15- 9:00 Climate Change in Michigan- Less Freezing Days, Tumultuous Fruit Harvests

 

9:35- 17:40 Bipartisan Anti-Immigrant Bill Going Thru Congress

 

17:50- 42:00 "Hatebook"- Zuckerberg's Heel Turn Towards Unleashing Bigotry and Misinformation in Pursuit of the Bottom Line

 

42:30- 57:45 A Disaster Movie- LA Wildfires, Misinformation, Climate Capitalism, and the Police State

 

59:00- 1:10:30 Updates on the Assault on LGBTQ+ Rights

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Study: Climate change means fewer freezing winter days in Michigan
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-environment-watch/study-climate-change-means-fewer-freezing-winter-days-michigan

 

48 Democrats Vote for a Racist Law to Detain More Immigrants and Empower the Right
https://www.leftvoice.org/48-democrats-vote-for-a-racist-law-to-detain-more-immigrants-and-empower-the-right

 

Meta’s Allowance of Hate Speech Is Another Side Effect of Big Tech Monopoly
https://truthout.org/articles/metas-allowance-of-hate-speech-is-another-side-effect-of-big-tech-monopoly

 

Zuckerberg Goes “Full MAGA” as Meta Ends Fact-Checking in U.S. & Paves Way for More Hate Speech
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/1/9/meta_fact_checking_changes_trump_2025

 

Mark Zuckerberg Just Made His Trump Loyalty Pledge
https://www.readtpa.com/p/mark-zuckerberg-just-made-his-trump

 

LA Budgeted Money For Cop Jobs While Cutting Fire Department Positions. Now the City Is Burning. 
https://theintercept.com/2025/01/08/la-police-budget-palisades-fires/

 

Instagram blocked teens from searching LGBTQ-related content for months
https://www.usermag.co/p/instagram-blocked-teens-from-searching

 

Federal Court Rules In Favor of Forcibly Detransitioning Transgender Inmates In Florida
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/federal-court-rules-in-favor-of-forcibly

 

The Media Cyphers Holiday Special 2024

The Media Cyphers crew along with some special guests take a look back at the year that was- the triumphs, the failures, and the B.S.

 

But You Ain't Heard This
A Community Teach-In at the Edison Neighborhood Association
Tuesday, January 7th @ 6PM
https://www.facebook.com/share/1KstsjFXh1/