Media Cyphers Kalamazoo

In this episode we take a closer look at the nesting doll of corporate ownership that now controls Bells Brewery. Up at the top, what sort of history does Mitsubishi Corp (the overall parent company here) have when it comes to things like workers rights? Are there any particularly ghoulish crimes against humanity hiding in their closet? (SPOILER: Yes)

 

We are then joined by long-time co-host Lawrence for a sprawling discussion about the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. We look at how the media have covered the trial, what important facts they have omitted, compare and contrast with the Ahmed Arbery case and a self-defense situation that happened in Oregon last year, and think through the implications of what the verdict means for Kalamazoo and the rest of the country.

 

We touch on the tragedy at Astroworld and how the pursuit of profits can cut into the need for safety, and examine the line being put out by a lot of outlets providing a false narrative for the root causes of inflation and basically carrying water for (thoroughly discredited) neoliberal talking points.

 

0:00-16:50 The Global Conglomerate that Just Bought Bells
19:10- 55:35 The Ritt(enhouse) Hits the Fan & the Ahmaud Arbery Case
57:50- 1:05:40  QAnon Shamen, Capitol Rioters and Consequences
1:05:40- 1:13:55 Astroworld Tragedy
1:13:55- 1:15:55 Thoughts on Graphic Packaging Pollution
1:15:55- 1:22:55 The "Inflation Scare" Swindle- Price Gouging and Blaming the Working Class

 

In today's pilot episode of our podcast compendium we gather the best stories from early November.

 

We look at the climate crisis, what local activists are doing about it, and a new book that highlights Michigan as a destination location as the crisis wears on. We talk about the unique implications of Kalamazoo being squarely in the 'goldilocks' zone and how the tensions between the haves and have-nots will become heightened (to say the least).

 

We take a deep dive into the results of the November 2nd election for Kalamazoo City Commission, the implications of the data, and how Kalamazoo citizens may simultaneously hunger for change while keeping it "same as it ever was."

 

We then pivot towards some discussions about Kalamazoo's un-elected power structure, including a look at SWMI First's new pick for chair Jonas Peterson- an economic development fella from Las Vegas who checks off a lot of boxes on the neoliberal checklist. We then talk about the recent TIME Magazine article that highlights some of the concerns about the Foundation For Excellence and the big questions about democracy a couple of Bill-ionaires having direct financial leverage over a city bring about.

 

We close with a discussion from late October about the Kelloggs Strike, and how local media are giving too much of a platform to the views (and propaganda) of the cereal magnate as opposed to the workers.

Intro (0:00- 4:30)
Pt. 1: Kalamazoo, MI & the Climate Crisis- Being in the Goldilocks Zone (0:00- 26:42)
Pt. 2: Local Election Post- Mortem (26:42- 40:40)
Pt. 3: SWMI Chooses a New Chair (40:40- 50:30)
Pt. 4: TIME Magazine and the Implications of the Foundation For Excellence (50:30-1:06:15)
Pt. 5: The Kelloggs Strike and Local Media Coverage That Skews Against the Strikers (1:06:15- 1:32:28)