Media Cyphers Kalamazoo

Tim Walzes In, "Transvestigating" the Olympics, Police Murder in Michigan, and More

Well, would you look at that? For the first time in nearly 50 years the Democratic Party is allowing a politician supported by their progressive wing on the presidential ticket. We talk about the big Tim Walz announcement, how movements and public pressure made it possible, and the natural limits of presidential politics under capitalism. We also discuss the recent assassination of a Hamas leader and culture wars at the Olympics.

 

We look at a story from the east side about a young Michigan man killed by police. 

 

We give some updates on the genocide in Gaza, how U.S. sanctions exacerbate the migrant crisis both Republicans and Democrats are fearmongering about, and close with a piece about how those fearmongering politics are playing out in the fascist riots in the U.K. 

 

*The piece on the U.K. was accidentally unrecorded but discussed on air, it is linked below.

 

7:00- 28:50 Tim Walz: A "Moderate Progressive" for Vice President

 

29:00- 43:00  "Transvestigating" at the Olympics

 

49:20- 54:00 John Zook Jr. Killed by Police in Michigan

 

54:50- 57:55 Money in Michigan Politics Update

 

58:00- 1:07:00 U.S. Sanctions and the Tail Wagging the Dog on the Fake "Migrant Scare"

 

1:07:10- 1:15:30 Israel Levels Schools in Gaza, Recent Riots on the IDF's "Right" to Torture

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

Tim Walz, the Progressive’s Moderate, Is the Obvious VP Choice
https://jacobin.com/2024/08/tim-walz-kamala-harris-vice-president

 

Activists and Community Members Hold Public Hearing for the Police Murder of John Zook Jr. in Michigan
https://www.leftvoice.org/activists-and-community-members-hold-public-hearing-for-the-police-murder-of-john-zook-jr-in-michigan/

 

Big bucks fuel battle for Michigan House. See top donors to Democrats, GOP
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/big-bucks-fuel-battle-michigan-house-see-top-donors-democrats-gop

 

Smotrich: It may be ‘justified’ to starve 2 million Gazans, but world won’t let us
https://www.timesofisrael.com/smotrich-it-may-be-justified-to-starve-2-million-gazans-but-world-wont-let-us/

 

Money War: How the U.S. Unleashed Economic Warfare Across the Globe, from Venezuela to Iran
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/8/1/jeff_stein_us_sanctions_economic_warfare

 

Israel Has Damaged or Destroyed 85 Percent of Schools in Gaza
https://truthout.org/articles/israel-has-damaged-or-destroyed-85-percent-of-schools-in-gaza

 

Israel’s Torture & Rape of Palestinian Prisoners Defended by Knesset Members, Far-Right Mobs
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/8/1/israel_gaza_palestinian_prisoners_torture

 

Riots Sweep UK as Fascist Influencers Use Stabbing Attack to Fuel Racist Rampage
https://truthout.org/articles/riots-sweep-uk-as-fascist-influencers-use-stabbing-attack-to-fuel-racist-rampage/

 

Union Negotiations at WMU, Poverty in Michigan, July 2024: "Weeks Where Decades Happen," and More

After a much needed hiatus we open with a story about frustration coming from the WMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors about their negotiations with the university administration in regards to transparency in health-care costs.

 

We then look at several Michigan stories. The much reviled "gay/trans" panic legal defense has been banned in Michigan, a worker at a Dexter Stamping plant near Jackson was killed, and an article zooming in on rising poverty in the mitten.

 

Lawrence joins us to discuss the forthcoming U.S. senate primary which is poised to be contest between a grassroots progressive from Detroit versus a centrist, C.I.A. Democrat.

 

We spend the rest of hour talking about the news that was in July 2024- to quote Lenin "there are weeks where decades happen." 

 

3:50- 11:30 WMU AAUP Alleges Lack of Transparency on Health-Care Costs in University Negotiations

 

11:35- 17:20 Michigan Bans Gay/ Trans "Panic" Defense

 

18:00- 23:20 Worker Killed at Michigan Based Dexter Stamping Plant

 

24:30- 34:00 41% of Michiganders Living in Poverty

 

36:00- 58:30 U.S. Senate Primary in Michigan: Hill Harper vs. Elissa "CIA" Slotkin

 

58:30- 1:51:50 July 2024: There Are Weeks Where Decades Happen. 
Assassinations, Democratic Party Resignations and Coronations, Netanyahu, and More

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Negotiations at Western Michigan University: the Administration’s questionable tactics
https://thewmuaaup.com/2024/07/25/negotiations-at-western-michigan-university-the-administrations-questionable-tactics/

 

Michigan bans gay and trans panic defense in criminal cases
https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/26/michigan-bans-gay-trans-panic-defense/74555409007/

 

Worker killed by falling equipment at Michigan stamping plant slated for closure
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/07/26/pgan-j26.html

 

Michigan mired in poverty, with 41 percent living paycheck to paycheck
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/07/22/xvnj-j22.html

 

Our interview with WSWS Reporter Patrick Martin on The CIA Democrats (Elissa Slotkin)
https://youtu.be/YghX5WQCVSU?si=BDKFew6QjK_6YPKG

 

Episode from 1/23/19 Discussing Kamala Harris' Track Record
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg8L_nu2QSg

 

Tensions Brew In Teamsters After Leader Speaks At RNC, Endorses Anti-LGBTQ+ Views
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/tensions-brew-in-teamsters-after

 

Ep. 69: Interview w/ WMU Divestment Coalition on Palestinian Solidarity on Campus, and More

We interview Roland and Marissa who have been actively organizing with the WMU Divestment Coalition and Kalamazoo Non-Violent Opponents of War to update the community on their recent negotiations with the university in regards to the situation in Gaza, discuss local solidarity events, and give their thoughts on the current state of university organizing against the genocide.

 

Not to toot our own horn- but we will- but Media Cyphers was recently ranked the #4 podcast in Kalamazoo by FeedSpot. A big thank you to all our listeners, contributors, and the folks at 89.1WIDR over the years that made this possible.

 

We talk about the big news- Julian Assange is free! What this means for press freedom and the U.S. politically as "the big empire in charge." CORRECTION: In our original broadcast Andy referred to the case being "dismissed" by the British courts, in fact it was the result of a plea deal with the U.S. prosecutors (for a detailed analysis of the plea deal, check out Democracy Now!'s piece "Press Freedom Advocates Celebrate Julian Assange’s Release, But Warn of Impact of Plea Deal").

 

We talk about how employers, including Kalamazoo employers, aren't putting their money where their mouth is by offering their workers PTO and/or holiday pay on Juneteenth.

 

We talk about an MLive story about a local neighborhood devastated by recent storms, and how people are having to foot the bill- sometimes in the hundreds of thousands of dollars- in the face of increasing extreme weather events.

 

We spend the rest of our time talking about Gaza- how the IDF is torturing Palestinian prisoners and a story about some home-grown hate in Texas where a woman attempted to murder a Palestinian- American child in a public pool.

 

0:00- 22:00 Interview w/ WMU Divestment Coalition on Palestinian Solidarity on Campus

 

22:40- 30:30 Julian Assange is Free

 

31:50- 40:15 "It's a Major Award!" Media Cyphers Rated #4 Podcast in Kalamazoo By FeedSpot

 

40:15- 45:10 Julian Assange is Free (Pt. 2)

 

45:10- 1:03:25 What Local Employers Are Putting Their Money Where Their Mouth is On Juneteenth?

 

1:03:50- 1:11:40 Portage Storms and Disaster Capitalism

 

1:11:40- 1:22:30 Jamal Bowman vs. AIPAC

 

1:22:30- 1:38:00 Gaza Updates- Torture of Palestinian Prisoners, Hate Crime in Texas

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

40 Best Kalamazoo Podcasts (City in Michigan)
https://podcasts.feedspot.com/kalamazoo_podcasts/

 

Journalist Antony Loewenstein on Assange’s Release, WikiLeaks & Israeli Drones Killing Gaza Reporters
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/6/25/journalist_antony_loewenstein_on_wikileaks

 

Press Freedom Advocates Celebrate Julian Assange’s Release, But Warn of Impact of Plea Deal
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/6/25/julian_assange_freed_from_prison_pt2

 

Juneteenth stalls as a paid day off for private employers
https://www.axios.com/2024/06/19/juneteenth-holiday-post-office-banks-closed-day-off

 

Neighborhood was known for its 100-year-old trees. Until a tornado wiped out hundreds.
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2024/06/neighborhood-was-known-for-its-100-year-old-trees-until-a-tornado-wiped-out-hundreds.html

 

BREAKING: IDF ADMIT THEY CAN'T BEAT HAMAS; DOG R*PE TORTURE EXPOSED; ISRAELI PLAN TO ANNEX WEST BANK (SECULAR TALK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DEMmEn8Nts

 

A woman is accused of attempting to drown a 3-year-old Muslim child in possible hate crime incident 
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/22/us/texas-woman-drown-child-muslim-palestinian/index.html

 

 "Why aren't all lives equal?" Mehdi vs Congressman on killing Palestinians to save hostages.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye_x_I-YQJc

 

Ep. 68: Climate Disasters in Portage and Beating the Heat, and More

We start our show with climate issues as Kalamazoo is experiencing a week long heatwave and we look at an article from Bridge Michigan about how the state of Michigan's disaster relief fund can not keep pace with the onslaught of climate changed fueled weather events- leaving communities like Portage, which has been ravaged by a tornado and severe storms, potentially waiting years for financial relief.

 

We look at an article from Capital B about how some low-income black neighborhoods are organizing robust mutual aid networks in the face of extreme heat where the state has failed to provide resources.

 

We talk about the candidates for the Supreme Court and how Kalamazoo's own right-wing dingbat has thrown their hat into the race.

 

We talk about the surge of far-right parties in recent EU elections and the implications for our politics stateside.

 

01:00- 21:00 Heatwaves, the Disasters in Portage, and Michigan Disaster Funds in the Age of Climate Breakdown

 

21:30- 35:45 How Working Class Neighborhoods are Beating the Heat

 

37:40- 52:00 Candidates Running for Michigan Supreme Court

 

52:00- 1:08:50 The Right-Wing Surge in Europe

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Severe weather costs Michigan millions. Can funding meet demands?
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/severe-weather-costs-michigan-millions-can-funding-meet-demands

 

Black Neighborhoods Are Preparing for Scorching Summer Temperatures
https://truthout.org/articles/black-neighborhoods-are-preparing-for-scorching-summer-temperatures/

 

Who’s running for Michigan Supreme Court in 2024?
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/whos-running-michigan-supreme-court-2024

 

Rebuilding the Left Is Crucial to Stemming the Surge of Europe’s Far Right
https://truthout.org/articles/rebuilding-the-left-is-crucial-to-stemming-the-surge-of-europes-far-right/

 

Ep. 67: Michigan Tribes Stiffed on Opioid Funds, Biden's Xenophobic Executive Order, and More

We open with a story involving the indigenous tribes of Michigan and how they have been shut out of public support funds to mitigate the opioid epidemic.

 

We are joined by Lawrence and we break down Biden's executive order on the border, talk about how anti-immigrant fearmongering has come to dominate both parties and bring forth some important fact-checking.

 

We talk about the recent raid on a Palestinian refugee camp. While most mainstream outlets reported it as a "successful" rescue operation in which the IDF liberated 4 hostages, the media buried the lead about the atrocious civilian casualties and the very fact that all of the hostages could have been freed already had Israel come to the negotiating table with the ceasefire deal.

 

Lawrence spends some time breaking down some of Trump's potential VP choices, and how they may try push some dangerously regressive black conservatives engaging in some gross historical revisionism (such as, apparently, black families were better under Jim Crow than today).

 

00:50- 9:30 Michigan Tribes Shut Out of Opioid Funds

 

13:00- 41:20 Biden's Xenophobic Executive Order

 

43:00- 1:04:30 Israel Kills Over 200 Palestinians in Hostage Rescue Operation

 

1:06:00- 1:22:00  Black Conservatism and Historical Revisionism

 

1:22:00- 1:28:00 Jamal Bowman Under Fire from AIPAC

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Michigan aims to remedy ‘egregious injustice,' as tribes shut out of opioid funds
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-health-watch/michigan-aims-remedy-egregious-injustice-tribes-shut-out-opioid-funds

 

Biden Limits Asylum & Shuts Down Border for Migrants Ahead of Debate with Trump
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/6/5/biden_closes_border

 

Undocumented immigrants commit less crime than the native born
https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2017/aug/03/antonio-villaraigosa/mostly-true-undocumented-immigrants-less-likely-co/

 

Don't Blame Migrants and 'Open Borders' for Fentanyl Entering the Country
https://reason.com/2022/10/17/dont-blame-migrants-and-open-borders-for-fentanyl-entering-the-country/

 

New report shows how immigrants help drive Michigan's growth
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/xEivVrvKfj7ESF3Y/

 

'Horrific Massacre': IDF Kills 200+ Palestinians Rescuing 4 Hostages 
https://www.commondreams.org/news/israeli-hostages-gaza

 

“Propaganda Machine”: NY Congressmember Jamaal Bowman on AIPAC’s $25 Million Campaign to Unseat Him
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/6/6/jamaal_bowman

Ep. 66: Local Media Disapears in Michigan, Biden's Ceasefire Deal, and More

We start with some quick updates about local organizing around the genocide in Gaza and this weekend's Pride Fest (UPDATE: OutFront Kalamazoo has clarified that they WILL offer free passes at the gate to attendees who cannot afford the $8 minimum donation).

 

We look at an article that zooms on the disappearance of local media from a small Michigan town.

 

Lawrence joins us and we talk about how the GRPD and the broader City of Grand Rapids are using the legal system to harass and drain local BLM activists.

 

We break down the politics and circumstances around Biden's recent ceasefire proposal. While this goes to show the unprecedented strength of the pro- Palestine movement in the U.S., significant questions remain. Chiefly, what political pressures will the Israeli government bend to?

 

In a little discussed story, a former president was convicted of a crime. Shocking, we know. We talk about media reaction, if anything will actually happen, and why felony convictions are easier to make over misused hush money payments than war crimes.

 

We close looking at a new Louisiana law that would mandate castration for those convicted of sex crimes against children. While most people generally want only bad things to happen to child molesters we talk about the potential and radically dangerous misuse of this in a part of the country that has a legacy of forced medical experimentation and sterilization of the black, Hispanic, and indigenous population- and how a law like this could be used to target marginalized groups at a time when right-wing activists are trying to paint all queer people as "pedophile groomers."

 

1:50- 9:30 Local Updates on Gaza Solidarity and Pride

 

9:30- 20:00 The Disappearance of Local Media in Michigan

 

21:00- 35:00 GRPD Litigates and Harasses BLM Activists

 

36:20- 59:00 Biden's Ceasefire Proposal

 

59:00- 1:16:10 Felonious Trump

 

1:17:00- 1:27:00 The Implications of a New Draconian Law in Louisiana

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Michigan town adjusts to life with ‘ghost newsroom,’ as local papers wither
https://www.bridgemi.com/business-watch/michigan-town-adjusts-life-ghost-newsroom-local-papers-wither

 

BLM Activists in Grand Rapids Face Repression and Need Solidarity
https://www.leftvoice.org/blm-activists-in-grand-rapids-face-repression-and-need-solidarity/

 

Will Israel Agree to the “Israeli” Ceasefire Proposal? Confusion Reigns After Biden Presents New Plan
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/6/3/ceasefire_proposal

 

Louisiana lawmakers approve surgical castration option for those guilty of sex crimes against children
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/louisiana-lawmakers-approve-surgical-castration-option-for-those-guilty-of-sex-crimes-against-children

 

Ep. 65: Kzoo Demands End to Rent Control Ban, Gaza Solidarity in Michigan, and More

We talk about the efforts of "We The People Michigan" bearing fruit with the Kalamazoo City Commission which just put out a resolution supporting the repeal of Michigan's rent control ban.

We look at several stories about how the resistance to the genocide in Gaza is playing out in Michigan. Activists in Detroit were arrested protesting Biden meeting up with the NAACP, the encampment at University of Michigan was besieged and dismantled Tuesday by police, and we look at an article from Bridge Michigan that breaks down how Michigan's elected representatives feel about it.

We give you a quick update on the status of Julian Assange's legal case, and look at an analysis from the World Socialist Web Site on the ramifications of the Iranian president's death.

 

2:25- 11:30 Kzoo City Commission Resolves to Support Repeal of Rent Control Ban

 

12:15- 39:00 From the Great Lakes to the Sea: Repression of anti-Genocide Protests in Michigan and a Political Report Card

 

40:00- 43:00 Morehouse College Students Respond to Biden's Visit

 

43:00- 50:35 The ICC Brings Charges Against Netanyahu, Hamas

 

51:40- 56:00 Julian Assange Can Appeal his Extradition to U.S.

 

56:30- 1:06:50 Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's Death and Geopolitics

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

Michigan should repeal its rent control ban, Kalamazoo City Commission says
https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2024/05/michigan-should-repeal-its-rent-control-ban-kalamazoo-city-commission-says.html

 

Activists, Including Left Voice and Detroit Will Breathe Members, Arrested at Protest of Biden in Detroit, Free All Arrested and Drop All Charges
https://www.leftvoice.org/activists-including-left-voice-and-detroit-will-breathe-members-arrested-at-protest-of-biden-in-detroit-free-all-arrested-and-drop-all-charges/

 

Pro-Palestinian encampment driven from University of Michigan campus
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2024/05/pro-palestinian-encampment-driven-from-university-of-michigan-campus.html

 

Michigan elections FAQ: Where do U.S. reps stand on Israel-Hamas war
https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/michigan-elections-faq-where-do-us-reps-stand-israel-hamas-war

 

Int’l Criminal Court Seeks Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant & Hamas Leaders for War Crimes
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/5/20/icc_warrants_netanyahu_gallant_sinwar

 

UK High Court Rules Julian Assange Can Appeal US Extradition
https://truthout.org/articles/uk-high-court-rules-julian-assange-can-appeal-us-extradition

 

Death of Iranian president in yet to be explained helicopter crash further destabilizes a blazing Middle East
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/05/21/xckk-m21.html

 

Interview w/ PetCo Worker on the Eve of the Union Vote 
https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-whfxy-16111e6

 

Interview w/ PetCo Worker on the Eve of the Union Vote

The PetCo location out in Portage is holding its Unionization vote tomorrow, May 15th. We talk with one of the workers actively trying to unionize the store about the conditions at their PetCo, the challenges of unionizing and the anti-union efforts of the company, and how workers across Portage and Kalamazoo should look at organizing their workplaces as well.

Ep. 64: Petco Workers Organizing, Gaza, Trans Rights, and More

On today's episode we begin by talking about the unionization drive at Petco out in Portage. Workers report low wages, chaotic scheduling, and a management actively trying to union bust. 

 

We give the latest updates on Israel's imminent invasion of Rafah, a bill going through congress that would have a chilling effect on anti-genocide speech on campus, and updates on the college encampments across the country.

 

We close with some important updates on trans rights and reflections on the anniversary of the Kent State massacre.

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

 

Fmr. Israeli Peace Negotiator Daniel Levy: U.S. Pressure on Israel Is Key to Lasting Gaza Ceasefire
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/5/7/daniel_levy_israel_rafah_ceasefire_hamas

 

US House passes controversial bill that expands definition of anti-Semitism
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/1/us-house-passes-controversial-bill-that-expands-definition-of-anti-semitism

 

Northwestern University encampment organizers end anti-genocide protest, provoking widespread opposition: “I hope the other encampments do not follow suit”
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/04/30/rdsm-a30.html

 

Biden Condemned for Ahistorical and 'Politically Suicidal' Attack on Campus Protests 
https://www.commondreams.org/news/biden-campus-protests

 

Dr. Cass Backpedals From Review: HRT, Blockers Should Be Made Available
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/dr-cass-backpedals-from-review-hrt

 

4th Circuit: Gender Identity Is A Protected Characteristic, Blocks State Coverage Bans
https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/4th-circuit-gender-identity-is-a

 

WMU Alumni Bob Piellusch on the Anniversary of the Kent State Massacre
https://mediacyphers.podbean.com/e/ep-15-wmu-alumni-bob-piellusch-on-the-anniversary-of-the-kent-state-massacre-and-this-week-s-stories/

Ep. 63: Water Street Blues, ICE in Calhoun County, Gaza, and More

We begin our show with a recent call to "boycott Water Street coffee" after allegations of overworked employees, low pay, and distressing working conditions.

 

We look at an article from the Kalamazoo Gazette detailing abuse at a Calhoun County ICE facility.

 

Lawrence joins us and we talk about the legacy of the Flint water crisis. While we may be more aware than we were a decade ago the systemic environmental racism and proliferation of "sacrifice zones" continues.

 

We look at protestors speaking truth to the western media at the White House Correspondents dinner and some stories detailing the brutality of the IDF against the people of Gaza.

 

We talk about the police murder of a black man at an Ohio bar and close by discussing the Gaza solidarity encampments spreading across the country- including right here at WMU.

 

2:30- 16:20  Water Street Blues- Workers Allege Poor Conditions, Low Pay at Local Coffee Joint

 

17:30- 26:30 Abuse Alleged at Calhoun County ICE Facility

 

30:30- 34:30 10 Years After Flint

 

34:40- 44:50 Resistance at the White House Correspondents Dinner

 

45:00- 1:15:00 Gaza, IDF Brutality, and the ICC

 

1:16:00- 1:28:40 Police Murder at an Ohio Bar

 

1:32:40- 1:51:40 Student Gaza Solidarity Encampments

 

SOURCES/ FURTHER READING

Can we talk about Waterstreet Coffee Joint?
https://www.reddit.com/r/kzoo/comments/1cb6pyu/can_we_talk_about_waterstreet_coffee_joint/

 

Michigan Residents Calling For a Boycott of This Popular Coffee Shop
https://wrkr.com/water-street-coffee-boycott

 

‘Troubling reports’ of abuse at Michigan ICE facility prompt call for investigation
https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2024/04/troubling-reports-of-abuse-at-michigan-ice-facility-prompt-call-for-investigation.html

 

The United States’ Role in Colombia’s Forever War
https://progressive.org/latest/united-states-role-colombia-forever-war-brennan-211004/

 

Police Arrest 275+ Campus Protesters as Student Uprising for Gaza Shows No Sign of Slowing Down
https://www.democracynow.org/2024/4/29/headlines/police_arrest_275_campus_protesters_as_student_uprising_for_gaza_shows_no_sign_of_slowing_down