Ep. 61: Houselessness Solutions in Kzoo and its Discontents, Epoch Times, Israel, Trans Rights in U.K., and More

We start today's program giving a big community thank you to the student directors at 89.1WIDR. The class of 2024 helped steward the station through the COVID19 crisis and brought a vital community institution not only back to life- but more vital than it has been in years.

 

We then look at the public response to a plan from Housing Resources Inc. to install 50 PODS (small, temporary homes) over on Lake Street. Citizen's comments echoed the need for housing and its effectiveness, as well as the NIMBYism and kneejerk prejudices against the houseless that often kneecap efforts to pursue housing solutions.

 

We look at an article from NOWKalamazoo that deep dives into those "Epoch Times" billboards you may have seen across West Michigan. Calling itself "the #1 trusted news source," Epoch is part of a constellation of right-wing conspiracy news sites that have grown exponentially since 2016.

 

In an update to a story we discussed some weeks ago a federal court has rejected the GOP's attempt to strike down ballot initiative laws passed in Michigan that make is easier for the average Michigander to vote.

 

We spend the next part of our show discussing the ongoing genocide in Gaza, international suppression of free speech, the Iranian attack over last weekend, and an assault of villages in the West Bank by Israeli settlers.

 

We talk about the Democratic Party's obsession with cozying up to cops and how the majority of Trump-supporting fash adjacent police couldn't care less. We close with a discussion about an alarming review released in the UK supported by many in the supposedly left Labour Party that would severely restrict trans rights and treatment from the National Health Service.

 

2:30- 5:50 Salute to the Student Directors of 89.1 WIDR

 

5:50- 17:55 Housing vs. NIMBYism in Kzoo- Houselessness Solutions and Deconstructing Its Discontents

 

17:55- 25:35  The Epoch Times- "#1 Most Trusted News Source?" Media Literacy and Calling Out the BS

 

25:50- 30:00 Federal Judge Rejects GOP Lawsuit Against Michigan Election Laws

 

30:00- 37:35 Palestine Conference in Berlin Shut Down By Police

 

41:30- 57:35 What Happened Last Weekend and What The Corporate Media Isn't Saying About the Iranian Missile Strikes

 

57:35- 1:05:10 Israeli Settlers Attack Villages in the West Bank

 

1:05:10- 1:18:10 Liberal Copaganda and The Right-Wing Cops Who Won't Love Them Back

 

1:18:10- 1:30:15 Trans Oppression in the U.S. and Alarming Anti- Trans Review in the U.K.

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

Kalamazoo debates over 'Places of Dignity' for homeless amidst mixed community reactions
https://wwmt.com/news/local/pods-places-of-dignity-kalamazoo-homeless-commission-meeting-city-unhoused-public-comments-residents-reaction-affordable-housing-debate

 

A billboard campaign in southwest Michigan claims the Epoch Times is “#1 trusted news.” Is it?
https://nowkalamazoo.org/2024/03/a-billboard-campaign-in-southwest-michigan-claims-the-epoch-times-is-1-trusted-news-is-it/

 

Federal court rejects GOP challenge to Michigan election laws
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/federal-court-rejects-gop-challenge-michigan-election-laws

 

Thousands of Police Deployed to Shut Down Congress on Palestine in Berlin
https://www.leftvoice.org/thousands-of-police-deployed-to-shut-down-congress-on-palestine-in-berlin

 

Israel and Israel Alone Kicked Off This Escalation — In a Bid to Drag U.S. Into War With Iran 
https://theintercept.com/2024/04/14/israel-iran-drag-us-war-netanyahu-biden/

 

Israel Conflict Spreads to 16 Nations as Biden Admin Says There’s No War 
https://theintercept.com/2024/04/14/israel-iran-regional-war/

 

The Police won't Love you Back
https://www.jphilll.com/p/the-police-wont-love-you-back

 

Cass Met With DeSantis Pick Over Trans Ban: Her Review Now Targets England Trans Care
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/cass-met-with-desantis-pick-over