Tom Becker hosts this episode of the Old Mole, featuring the following segments:
Clean Energy and Beyond: Bill Resnick interviews newly elected Representative Khanh Pham (Oregon Assembly District 46). She’s been an activist leader of the Oregon Just Transition Alliance, that developed its proposal Oregon Needs a Green New Deal, and convened the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity Campaign which is now gathering strength. Resnick and Pham will discuss the program she’s bringing to the legislature, especially around locally produced, clean, renewable sun and wind energy. They also talk about how to win in the legislature and nationally, which will require movements pressing the Democratic majority to take action. For more information on how to be involved visit cleanenergyoregon.org.
Ways of Trying: Chelsea Ratzlaff talks with playwright Tara Hopebringer on their new play, "Ways of Trying,” a solo show about queer love and liberation with original music. This project is a selection of Fertile Ground Festival 2021 and will premiere on Feb 3 at 7 pm. “Ways of Trying” is deeply personal, yet very relatable. It responds to current events such as the pandemic and the uprising for racial justice, showing that queerness is transformative for the self and society.
Activism is not Terrorism: In the aftermath of the assault on the capital on January 6th, a number of leading Democrats have called for expansion of domestic surveillance and anti-terrorism laws in response to threats from the far-right. Last week, nine progressive Congress members submitted a formal letter of opposition to these lawmakers calling for more restrictive laws. In their Left and the Law segment, Jan Haaken and Mike Snedeker talk about why it’s important to join this opposition to the expansion of federal laws in response to white supremacist and other right-wing groups. They also discuss the charges brought so far against those participating in the January 6th siege of the capital, and difficulties in how we even characterize these actions.
- KBOO