Old Mole Variety Hour

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Airs at: Mon, 11/25/2024 at 9:00am - 10:00am

News and views from a feminist-socialist, decolonizing perspective.

Hosted by:

Denise Morris, Frann Michel, Jon Nelson, OldMoleVarietyHour, Patricia Kullberg

Produced by:

KBOO

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Views, Reviews, and Interviews from a socialist-feminist, anti-racist and anti-colonial point of view.

Every Monday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

A program of social and political commentary from a socialist-feminist, anti-racist and anti-colonial point of view.

The Old Mole burrows down to the roots of the great issues of our time – the struggles of ordinary people for democratic and sustainable ways of life. The Mole goes where corporate media fear to tread, supporting grassroots challenges to top-down authority and giving voice to movements that shake the foundations of an unjust society. The Moles' perspective is democratic, anti-capitalist, feminist, anti-colonial and anti-racist. We count Karl Marx as a friend but are open to other voices from the left. The show includes analyses of global politics and economics, local grassroots activism, segments on the Left & the Law, and reviews of films, books, music, and theater.

Contributors include: Julian Ankney, Larry Bowlden, Joe Clement, Norm Diamond, Kevin Foster, Jan Haaken, Desiree Hellegers, Patricia Kullberg, Luisa Martinez, Laurie Mercier, Denise Morris, Bill Resnick, Victoria Saucedo, Sophie Smith, Mike Snedecker, Roben White, Matt Witt

Here is why we call this show "The Old Mole"

For individual segments and more content: View more Old Mole content

Check out our Program Blog

Subscribe to our podcast (see above; search the show name on iTunes; also available on Googleplay)

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Our theme song is the traditional "Mole in the Ground," sometimes performed by Clayton & Ernie, sometimes by Joe Clement, and sometimes blended with other versions, like the one by dj/rupture, sung by Sindhu Zagoren on the album Special Gunpowder, or Blind Boy Paxton

Our graphic lettering is by Charlie Ertola. Host portraits by Clayton Morgareidge.

You can leave comments for the Moles at oldmolevarietyhour @ gmail.com or by clicking on the comment section for any of our audio pieces.

Streams:

KBOO Stream 1

Program status:

Current

Old Mole Variety Hour for March 30, 2009

Airs at: Sun, 03/29/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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Hosted by Tom Becker, this show features a discussion of the politics of urban planning and its effect on the racial and ethnic geography of Portland. We also hear a eulogy for the late labor song folklorist Archie Green; a critique of the press's treatment of the Rihanna... Read more

Urban Planning Struggles in Portland

Airs at: Sun, 03/29/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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Jorge Lizárraga has a lot to say about the racial and class politics of portland "planning," which has almost always been subservient to the interests of capital, despite more recent rhetoric about participatory planning. He is finishing a study on the influence of urban ... Read more

Archie Green's Big Red Song Book

Airs at: Sun, 03/29/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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A folklorist specializing in labor songs, Archie Green died last week. The Old Mole's Tom Becker remembers him and his work, which includes the Big Red Song Book. Photo: Archie Green, left, with Dock Walsh, 1962. Archie Green Collection (#20002), Southern Folklife... Read more

Rhianna: Who Gets to be a Victim?

Airs at: Sun, 03/29/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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The issue of domestic and dating violence has received national attention with the case of Rhianna and Chris Brown. The Old Mole's Frann Michel takes a critical look at how the press has been handling the question of what it takes to be considered a victim. Read her comm... Read more

Socialism and the Crisis

Airs at: Sun, 03/29/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

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Leo Panitch is a Marxist political scientist at York University. In this interview, he talks with the Old Mole's Bill Resnick about the current crisis of capitalism and what opportunities for socialism can be found. He is the author of many books and articles, most recen... Read more

Movie Moles: "Che"

Airs at: Sun, 03/22/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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The two-part epic film about Che Guevarra (Che) is reviewed by Movie Moles Frann Michel and Jan Haaken. It's playing through Thursday at the Hollywood Theater. Read more

Short Story: "The Twins"

Airs at: Sun, 03/22/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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Luz María Gordillo is back with another of her short stories about the Mexican immigrant experience. This one, "The Twins," is about the importance of family ties across borders. Read more

"Give Them All Pitchforks!"

Airs at: Sun, 03/22/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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Today's Well-read Red, Laurie Mercier, says, "Thanks to the outrage over the AIG bailouts and bonuses, it is no longer cool to be rich. There is a new populist resentment brewing, and the left must seize the opportunity to build movements to constructively direct that an... Read more

Old Mole Variety Hour for March 23, 2009

Airs at: Sun, 03/22/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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Hosted by Frann Michel, this show features a film review of Che, a conversation about what's wrong with merit pay for teachers, a commentary about the political opening for the left created by the AIG bonus scandal, and a short story about international family ties by Luz ... Read more

Bonuses & Merit Pay

Airs at: Sat, 03/21/2009 at 5:00pm

Produced for: Old Mole Variety Hour

KBOO

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Just as bonuses for corporate CEOs leads to corruption, so "merit" pay for teachers leads to corrupt teaching practices. Bill Resnick talks with Fred McKissack of Rethinking Schools about what's wrong with this way of motivating people. (Illustration: Richard Downs) Read more