Bill Resnick talks with John Farrell of the Institute for Local Self Reliance about local control of energy, the value of democratic control and participatory society, and how the economics of energy has changed in recent years to make this more feasible as well, especially given the increasing costs of transporting energy long distances. They note that Boulder, CO in 2011 voted to form a municipal utility and Minneapolis, MN is currently considering the same possibility, and they consider a variety of programs for clean contracts or feed-in tariffs.

Alan Wieder discusses the boycott of a standardized test by the teachers at Garfield HS in Seattle. He points out the many problems with standardized tests and the ways they are (mis)used, and notes the widespread and increasing support for the boycott. He also draws on the words of Garfield teacher and activist Jesse Hagopian and the comments of Garfield graduate and education theorist Wayne Au to highlight alternative methods of assessment, the importance of creative and critical thinking, and the value of collective resistance to corporate education agendas.

Tom Becker hosts this episode featuring the music of the late Portland bluesman Paul deLay and segments on possibilites for local and democratic control of sustainable energy sources, the mistake of valuing economic "growth," the role of entrapment in the government's war on terrorism, and the brave solidarity of Seattle teachers boycotting standardized testing.

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Bill Resnick talks with John Farrell of the Institute for Local Self Reliance about energy.

Tom Becker reads from Dave Lindorff's "What's wrong with America?"

The Left and the Law: Jan Haaken and Mike Snedeker discuss the case of Mohamed Mohamud.

Alan Wieder discusses the boycott of a standardized test by the teachers at Garfield HS in Seattle.

 Movie Moles Joe Clement and Iven Hale discuss the new Quentin Tarantino movie about slavery set in the pre-Civil War South "Django Unchained."  What does this film have to say about punishment, revenge, and solidarity?   Following the review is a new song "Let Your Voice be Heard"  by a new Portland band -- Pointed Man Band -- written in remembrance of Martin Luther King.