Parallax Views w/ J.G. Michael

On this edition of Parallax Views, the elegantly beautiful Barbara Ann Moore joins us to talk about her life journey from being a Playboy Playmate to becoming a ballroom dancing champion, featured as a Fembot in the first Austin Powers movie, and having passionate, romantic fling with Donald Trump in the 1990s. Barbara has had a fascinating life and she tells all in the incredibly diverse conversation. We even discuss her appearance in the raunchy TV sitcom Married... with Children alongside David Faustino (Bud Bundy), a Jim Carey story from the days of his fame as Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, and her engagement to 90s action star and heartthrob Lorenzo Lamas of the hit TV The Renegade. As Barbara demonstrates in this always engaging conversation she's much more than just a pretty face. We discuss matters related to relationships, the ins-and-outs of glamor modeling, how modeling can create a sense of alienation, and her podcast Life, Laughter, Happiness. And yes we do discus Playboy's Hugh Hefner as well as her experience of having a romantic fling with current President Donald Trump. All that and much, much more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, Amber Yang, the Restorative Justice Specialist and Wellness Coordinator for the Novato Unified School District, joins us to discuss her latest piece at Project Censored entitled ""Alternatives to Policing—The Case for Public Health and Community Development Investments". We begin the conversation by discussing Amber's work related to Restorative Justice and what it means. In particular she relates some of her experiences working with high school students. From there we delve into the issue of policing and the Defund the Police movement. Amber addresses what Defund the Police actually means in the context of policing as having become an increasingly militarized institution starting with LBJ's War on Poverty on through Nixon's War on Drug, the War on Terror, and now the War on COVID-19. Amber argues that the movement is not about entirely getting rid of police entirely but rather imagining new modes of community engagement to deal with issues related community safety. In this regard, Amber notes the community programs that are currently happening which act as a an alternative to policing in keeping communities safe. In addition, Amber notes that issues like racial and socio-economic inequality as well as police brutality are systemic issues. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, legendary writer and filmmaker John Sayles joins us to discus his new novel Yellow Earth and other assorted topics of interest. For the uninitiated, John Sayles is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and Golden Globe-nominated filmmaker whose social conscious cinematic credits include 1980's highly influential Return of the Secaucus 7, the critically-acclaimed 1987 coal miner union drama Matewan, 1991's City of Hope, 1992's award-winning Passion Fish, the star-studded 1996 neo-western mystery Lone Star, 1997's Men With Guns, and 2010's Philippine-American War period dram Amigo among others. Additionally, John is an accomplished short story writer and novelist whose books include Pride of the Bimbos (1975), Union Dues (1977), The Anarchists' Convention (1979), Los Gusanos (1991), and A Moment in the Sun (2011). John joins us on this edition of Parallax Views to discuss his latest novel Yellow Earth (2020; Haymarket Books), which details the volatile social changes that occur in a small town in the aftermath of a shale oil boom. A timely novel that deals with the subject of fracking, John tells us the basic plot of Yellow Earth as well giving some details on the issues that arise from fracking and the economic impacts of boom-and-bust cycles that effect people in his story as well as real life. John and I then discuss some biographical details of his life, including being raised in Schenectady, New York. We then talk about John's thoughts on film school and how gaining experiences outside of the film world is invaluable. Additionally John and I talk a little about his coal mine union drama Matewan, his involvement in the subversive world of Roger Corman "B-Movies", the monster movie he wrote called Alligator (1980), the Ayn Rand-inspired character in Yellow Earth and why Rand's philosophy of Objectivism is so attractive to some people, what keeps him from giving into cynicism, working with the legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler, and much more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, we take a break from the ruckus of currents events to take trip, an excursion if you will, down to Camp Crystal Lake. Yes, Camp Crystal Lake, otherwise known to locals as "Camp Blood"... the stomping grounds of the pop culture icon Jason Voorhees. Since the 1980s, hockey mask wearing, machete-wielding murder machine Jason Voorhees has hacked and slashed his way through enough camp counsellors to attain the status of movie monster royalty in the world of horror movies. The Camp Crystal Lake killer has even managed to spawn comic books, a video game, and, believe it or not, a board game. Unfortunately for his fans, Jason hasn't been seen on the big screen since his last cinematic appearance, 2009's Friday the 13th reboot. That's where our guest on this edition of Parallax Views, Vincente DiSanti of Womp Stomp Films, comes into the picture. An independent filmmaker, Vincente decided that he'd make his own Friday the 13th fan film in lieu of the official cannon being caught up in legal entanglements. And thus he, with the help of a small but faithful cast and crew, made Never Hike Alone. Now you may be thinkin to yourself, "A fan film? Isn't that amateur hour?" Well, in the case of Never Hike Alone the answer is a resounding, "No." Exquisitely paced at a lean, mean 54 minute running time, Never Hike Alone is professionally produced, looks great, and arguably blows a number of the official Friday the 13th sequels out of the water. And fans seem to agree as the movie has played multiple film festivals and is now getting a web-series follow-up starting with the prequel Never Hike in the Snow. Vincente joins us to discuss how the project came together, his experiences on set, independent filmmaking during the coronavirus pandemic, and much, much more on this fascinating edition of Parallax Views that digs into the trials and tribulations of independent filmmaking. WATCH NEVER HIKE ALONE: A FRIDAY THE 13th FAN FILM FREE ON YOUTUBE SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd and the nationwide protests and demonstrations it has generated, the militant Civil Rights activist Malcolm X seems as relevant as every. But was he really just an leading activist of the Civil Rights era who advocated for racial and economic justice, a staunch opposition to white supremacy, and support of Black Internationalism? Dr. Michael E. Sawyer, author of Black Minded: The Political Philosophy of Malcolm X, argues Malcolm X should not just be understood as an activist but also a political philosopher who engaged in a practice of "Thinking in Motion" and that this Malcolm X must be reckoned as such. In this conversation we discuss how Malcolm X has been treated culturally and within the education system, what Malcolm X means by Blackness and being "Black Minded", Malcolm X as having a philosophy that is corporeal in nature, the role of the body and geographical space in X's thought, black masculinity, and much, much more. Additionally, we attempt to tie Malcolm X's thought to the present moment in this timely episode of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, in 1965 and '66 massacres occured in Indonesia. It was, simply put, a coup that led to a changing of the guard in regards to those who held power in Indonesia's leadership. And it was by movers and shakers in Washington, D.C. Decades later a full, crystal clear picture of what happened to Indonesia in late September and early October of 1965 still eludes us. In The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program That Shaped Our World, journalist Vincent Bevins, who has written for such publications as The New York Times and The Washington Post, doesn't necessarily answer all the lingering questions that remains about the Indonesian massacres and the U.S. involvement in them. He does, however, raise even more startling questions that should shake readers to their very core and make them reconsider the Cold War, the CIA, the Third World, 20th century history, and the world we inherited from the century past. In this conversation we discuss many of the major themes an details of The Jakarta Method as well as talking about Vincent's time in Brazil where he witnessed the rise of the controversial Jair Bolsonaro. He fills us in on what the Third World Movement was, the struggle of nations like Indonesia to gain independence after WWII, and how D.C leadership, like the FBI's J. Edgar Hoover, held a paranoid view of communism during the "Red Scare" that would have an effect on the entire world. We discuss the work of two CIA figures, Howard Jones and Frank Wisner (as well as Wisner's "Gang of Weirdos"), and their role in Indonesia as well as how JFK figures into the story of the U.S.'s relationship to Indonesia in the mid-20th century. And, of course, we discuss the events leading up to the Indonesian massacre of '65/'66, the questions they've left behind, what came after those massacre (including in places like South and Central America), and what it all means in regards to the present day. All that and more on this extremely fascinating edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, America find itself in tense times and a moment of multiple crises. From coronavirus/COVID-19 to the protests sweeping across the nation after the police killing of George Floyd, the United States has been dealing with a great deal of turmoil. But how did we get here? One of America's foremost public intellectuals, Noam Chomsky, joins us in an attempt to answer that question and provide some hope in regards to how we can respond to these interesting times. Dr. Chomsky likely needs no further introduction. He is one of the most astute and noted critics of neoliberalism and one of Democracy's most ardent supporters. In this conversation we discuss why democracy matters (and why some hate it), the crisis that he refers to as "The Neoliberal Plague", Edward Bernays and the power propaganda exerts on our thinking, and more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, protests have been raging across the United States since the police killing of George Floyd. Dallas, Texas-based activist Tiffney Billions, who previously appeared on the program to discuss the police killings of Botham Jean and Atatiana Jefferson, joins us to discuss the protest both in Dallas and across the world. We also discuss the recent news story of a machete-wielding white man who attack protesters in Dallas only a few days ago. Moreover, Tiffney gives her thoughts on what can be done to bring about change, the misuse of MLK by anti-protest sentiments in the country, her thoughts on Antifa, and much, much more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, Austin Hayden of the co-host of Owls at Dawn and Show Me the Meaning podcasts joins us to discuss Isiah Medina's Inventing the Future: A Cinematic Adaptation, an experimental, avante-garde documentary that Austin helped produce. Based on the book of the same name by scholar Nick Srnicek and Alex Williams, Inventing the Future explores the possibilities of a post-capitalist. future. Srnicek and Williams' critique the limits of leftist movements confining themselves to what they call the "folk politics" of the 1960s, and argue for going through capitalism as a means to reach news modes of being and an eventual post-capitalist society. Isiah's documentary details this premise as well as dealing with Nick and Alex's demands for full automation, universal basic income, and a rejection of the traditional Protestant work ethic. Austin and I discuss all of this as well as the cinematic aspects of the documentary, German filmmaker Werner Herzog's idea of capturing an "ecstatic truth" in the cinematic form, Jean Luc Goddard, the meaning of freedom and liberty, Japan and neoliberalism, and much, much more. All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, in light of the recent death of George Floyd and the intense protests against police brutality and racism that followed it we take a look back at the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. with author and historian Stuart Wexler. Stuart, is the co-author, alongside Stuart Wexler, of Killing King: Racial Terrorists, James Earl Ray, and the Plot to Assassinate Martin Luther King Jr. On April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee the civil right leader Martin Luther King, Jr. was fatally shot on the second floor of the Lorraine Motel by James Earl Ray. Ray fled the scene before eventually being caught two months later on June 8, 1968 at London Heathrow Airport. On his 41st birthday, March 10, 1969 he confessed to the assassination of MLK, Jr. Ray, who had a history of felonious conduct, was promptly convicted and sentenced to 99 years in prison for his crime. On April 23rd 1998, a 70 year old Ray finally perished at Columbia National Hospital from complications of hepatitis C. But is that the end of the story? In the 1970s The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) argued that, while Ray was the assassin, that there was "a likelihood" that the assassination was the result of a conspiracy, although not one involving the federal government. Additionally, James Earl Ray spent the years after making his confession claiming that he was not, in fact, behind the assassination of the beloved civil rights leader and referenced a conspiracy involving a character he only referred to as "Raul". Meanwhile, William Pepper, an attorney, activist, and friend of MLK, went on to famously argue for Ray's innocence and that King's execution was an "Act of State" implicating federal government alphabet soup agencies like the CIA and FBI. Pepper even went on to represent the King family in a wrongful death suit case after the death of Ray that centered on the accusation of government culpability in the assassination. Wexler and Hancock take a very different view of the assassination of Pepper and other who, perhaps not without reason in light of the FBI's verified COINTELPRO operations against the Civil Rights, harbor suspicions against the federal government in regards to the King assassination. Moreover, they do not argue for the innocence of James Earl Ray. They do, however, agree with the assessment of the HSCA that the King assassination was the likely result of a conspiracy. In Killing King: Racial Terrorists, James Earl Ray, and the Plot to Assassinate Martin Luther King Jr., Wexler and Hancock make the case that King's execution was the result of a plot by white supremacist terrorists seeking to use racial terrorism as a mean by which to ignite race war. These terrorists, they argue, were driven by a strange and esoteric racist religious theology that believed in the necessity of an apocalyptic racial holy war that would leave only the white man left standing. Moreover, Wexler and Hancock claim that this network of white supremacist extremists were likely involved in other incidents of racial terror throughout the 20th century including the Mississippi Burning and the Bethel Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. In this fascinating conversation, Wexler joins us in his second appearance on the program to layout the hypothesis found in James Earl Ray, and the Plot to Assassinate Martin Luther King Jr., taking us on a journey through a labyrinth of figures and organization such as the KKK, the Dixie Mafia, segregationist attorney who advocated for racial terrorism, and others whom he believes coalesced into a loose network that brought about waves of racist violence in the 20th century including the assassination of America's most beloved Civil Right leader. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, since the outcome of the 2016 election the American media new cycle has often been all about, "Russia! Russia! Russia!" But what is Russia beyond the stereotypical American caricature of the sneaky nation that's been plotting against the U.S. since the Cold War? Sean Guillory of Sean's Russia Blog to provide a view of Russia divorced from both uncritical romanticism or full-on demonization. Sean explains how he became interested in Russia as well as discussing with J.G. and Casey the American perception of Russia and the reality of Russia. We also hone in on hot topics related to Russia like Vladimir Putin, Russiagate, Aleksander Dugin, and much, much more. Additionally, Sean fills us in on a documentary project he is working on and fills us in on the experience of people who lived in the Soviet Union. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, A.M. Gittlitz of the Antifada podcast joins us to discuss his new book I Want to Believe: Posadism, UFOs, and Apocalypse Communism (Pluto Press, 2020). For the uninitiated Posadamism is most popularly known as a strange online meme of a nihilistic and ironic bent that references communism, nuclear war, dolphins, and UFOs. If that sounds weird, well, the true story of J. Poasadas, the 20th century Argentinian communist from which the meme gets its name, is perhaps even more bizarre. It's a story of spies, lies, and, yes, communists UFO hunters that features appearances from historical figures from the controversial Argentian authoritarian leader Juan Perón to Cuban revolutionary Che Guevara. Even Leon Trotsky manages to show up in A.M.'s historical overview of J. Posadas' life and times! But why has this unusual, marginal figure within communist thought become a popular meme with alienated youths with far left-wing tendencies? A.M. tries to answer that in I Want to Believe as well and the answer may surprise. We discuss all this as well as SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), Carl Sagan, futurism, and much, much more on this wild edition of Parallax Views! SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, the tech world, as represented by Silicon Valley, is often portrayed as being full of visonary disruptors like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel who will, through the big-brained ingenuity, solve the greatest conundrums facing society in the 21st century. Software developer Wendy Liu went into the world of tech with rose-colored glasses as a self-described "STEMlord" who believe 110% in the Silicon Valley mindset. But as time went on she became disillusioned and eventually began questioning some of the biggest sacred cows related to tech world optimism. Recently Wendy outlined her story in the new book Abolish Silicon Valley: How to Liberate Technology from Capitalism. Wendy joins us to discuss how she went from wearing rose-colored glasses when it came to Silicon Valley's techno-optimist capitalism to questioning whether the tech world really is the 21st century's savior. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, Robin Syndey has been acting since her childhood and has appeared in all kinds of media including the Nickelodeon kids TV series Drake & Josh, the long running soap opera ER, and the National Lampoon comedy Cattle Call, but she is perhaps best known for having achieved the relatively elusive status of horror movie known as the "Scream Queen". Scream Queens have been a pop culture trope since the early days of Hollywood when Fay Wray shrieked in terror as she was whisked away by the mighty King Kong (1993). From Janet Leigh in PSYCHO (1960) to her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis in John Carptner's Halloween (1978) and its sequels, the image of the Scream Queen has left a lasting impression on the popular culture landscape that carries on to this very day. Truth be told, however, the pantheon of Scream Queens is actually a somewhat exclusive club, but Robin Sydney has more than earned the moniker Robin's status as a "Scream Queen" is no doubt in large part due to her longstanding relationship with Charles Band's Full Moon Features, an independent movie studio specializing in her horror, fantasy, and sci-fi romps. Since starring as the female lead opposite a maniacal killer cookie voiced by Gary Busey in the notorious horror/comedy romp THE GINGERDEAD MAN (2005), Robin has appeared in a number of Full Moon efforts including THE HAUNTED CASINO, SKULLHEADS, and the outrageous, 8-movies-and-counting EVIL BONG franchise to name but a few. And outside of Full Moon Features Robin has appeared in such chillers as the the psychological serial killer thriller THE LOST (2006) and the cheeky witchcraft-themed splatter-punk feature WICKED LAKE (2008). Most recently, Robin has resumed her work with Full Moon Features by way of her participation in a new series of mashed-up/remixed movies following the exploit of social distancing duo Barbie (Cody Renee Cameron) and Kendra (Robin Sydney) as they attempt to stave off boredom during the coronavirus pandemic. The first movie, Corona Zombies, was produced and released just weeks after coronavirus made lockdowns and social distancing the New Normal across the world. Yes, that's right, Full Moon Features, under the ever creative guidance of its head honcho Charles Band, found a way to continue making movies through the pandemic. And now Full Moon has followed up Corona Zombies with the timely Barbie and Kendra Save The Tiger King. Robin joins us to discuss these two new movies that some have jokingly referred to as "Corona-sploitation" as well as various thought and stories from career as an actress. Ever wondered what it's like to work with Hollywood eccentrics like Gary Busey or Andy Dick? Or asked yourself, "What's it like filming a nude scene? Is it uncomfortable?" Scream Queen Robin Sydney tells all in this wide-ranging and fascinating conversation. Oh, and there's even a surprise cameo from a special guest courtesy of Robin a bit later on in the conversation. All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views. Note: Lengthy intro for the horror newbies. Interview starts at 10:44. VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EDITION OF PARALLAX VIEWS AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24uUIfwywjo WATCH BARBIE AND KENDRA SAVE TIGER KING ONLY AVAILABLE ON FULL MOON FEATURES SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, Lyta Gold, Amusements and Managing Editor of Current Affairs magazine, joins us to discuss her recent op-ed on the media reaction to Tara Reade's sexual assault allegations against Joe Biden entitled "The Attacks on Tara Reade are Unbelievable Bullshit". Current Affairs was one of the early outlets to take Reade's allegations seriously, but Lyta's op-ed is not simply a defense of those who believe Reade. It is also a critique of some of the most prominent pushback against Reade's allegations. In this conversation Lyta expands on her case for why Reade should be taken seriously. And we also take a few detours along the way to discuss gender issues, feminism, masculinity, and other hot topics. All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, Douglas Valentine, author of the groundbreaking book The Phoenix Program, joins us in light of the republication of his book TDY to discuss covert operations, the CIA, the Vietnam War, and more. In this conversation, however, we take a more philosophical turn as Douglas and I attempt to answer the question "How did we get here" in regards to living in an age where secrecy, surveillance, terror, and fear seem to reign supreme in our society. In doing so Douglas and I consult the work of the French theorist Guy Debord of the Situationist International and author of The Society of the Spectacle. In this regard, Douglas makes special reference to Debord's observation that, ""Secrecy dominates this world, and foremost as the secret of domination." All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views! SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES! AND CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR: FAILED STATE UPDATE A NEW PODCAST FROM JOURNALIST JOSEPH FLATLEY

On this edition of Parallax Views, Academy Award winning actress Jane Fonda made news recently for endorsing endorsing Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' bid for the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination ahead of the 2020 Election. And with this news came a ghost that has been haunting Fonda for decades: the accusation that the Hollywood star betrayed American troops in the Vietnam War. In the waning years of that conflict Fonda became an outspoken antiwar activist whose efforts culminated in an infamous visit to Vietnam's capitol, Hanoi, that remains a point of heated controversy for many Americans. During this trip the actress cavorted with the Vietnamese, was granted a tour of POW camps, and participated in broadcasts from Radio Hanoi pleading with U.S. servicemen to stop the bombings. As a result, Fonda gained the scorn-ridden nickname "Hanoi Jane" and the ire of many Americans, including Vietnam War veterans, who've come to see her as a traitor to the U.S. states military and its troops. Dr. Jerry Lembcke, a retired professor of Sociology at Holy Cross College and a Vietnam War Veteran himself, however, controversially argues that there's a gap between Jane Fonda the human being and what he argues is the myth of Hanoi Jane is his book Hanoi Jane: War, Sex, and Fantasies of Betrayal (University of Massachusetts Press; 2010). Furthermore, Lembcke has made the case that the story of the traitorous Hanoi Jane is but one piece of a broader American mythology pertaining to the Vietnam War. Specifically, Lembcke persuasively questioned the popular notion that veterans returning from the war were spat upon by disrespectful antiwar protesters in his meticulously researched The Spitting Image: Myth, Memory, and the Legacy of Vietnam (NYU Press; 1998). If Lembcke is correct, why do such myths arise and what purpose do they serve for America's collective psyche? Jerry Lembecke joins us to on this edition of the program to answer those questions and lay out what he considers the myths of the Vietnam War in what is sure to be one of the most thought-provoking and controversial conversations featured on Parallax Views to date. Additionally, Jerry tells us about his experience in Vietnam and what drove him to investigate these matters. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, we chat with comedian Jake Flores of the Pod Damn America and Why You Mad podcasts about the surrealist comedy of our current political atmosphere in the era of Trump and Biden. Additionally, we talk about comedy, opening for Doug Stanhope, how comedy and horror are similar, comedy being written off as "low-brow" culture, and that one time Jake got a visit from Homeland Security after a joke about ICE on Twitter. We also tie in David Cronenberg's VIDEODROME and Adam Curtis' HYPERNORMALIZATION into the conversation as well. In other words we go all over the place. Hopefully this will be a nice pick me up for those of you who may be constantly saying to yourself, "Has the planet gone mad!?" Oh yeah, and we even talk about what it's like to interview John McAfee. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views! SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, Prof. Harvey J. Kaye, author of Take Hold of Our History: Make America Radical Again, joins us to discus his new book, FDR on Democracy: The Greatest Speeches and Writings of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as well as giving his thoughts on the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election and the Democratic Party's de facot nominee Joe Biden. In this wide-ranging conversation Harvey explains why he believes American must dig back in history and remember the legacy of FDR. What did FDR, his fault aside, represent and why does his legacy still matter? And most importantly can be gleaned from the Roosevelt Legacy for use in the 21st century? In addition to discussing these matter, Harvey also gives his take on the 2020 U.S. Presidential election and how the Left should handle Joe Biden as the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views! SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, Silicon Valley darling Elon Musk is back in the news as he welcomes his new born child into the world alongside his musician girlfriend Grimes. But what of Elon Musk's ventures in the tech world, specifically the push for autonomous vehicles or self-driving cars? Former Lockheed Martin whistleblower Michael DeKort joins us to discuss what he considers the major problems with the push for autonomous vehicles today and specifically his criticisms of Elon Musk, Tesla, and other companies looking to make autonomous vehicles a reality. Although Michael is not against the idea of autonomous vehicles he is pointedly critical of the approach taken by Musk and others to make them a reality and argues that such approaches are a danger to the public. In fact, DeKort says, the current approaches are reckless and could lead to great harm. In addition to discussing the push for autonomous vehicles and Michael's criticisms of Musk, et al. we also discuss whistleblowing and COVID-19 in this fascinating conversation. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, a previously unpublished conversation w/ writer M.K. Anderson on her Protean Magazine piece "On Eugenics, Richard Dawkins Offers Nothing But Sophistry". M.K. fills us in on how, just a few short months ago, Dawkins claimed that, while it was ok to oppose eugenics on "ideological, political, and moral grounds" that it would "work" for humans. M.K. says this is incorrect and that Dawkins ignores that historically eugenics has always been a politically motivated and that the alleged science on it doesn't add up. In addition to this M.K. also discusses issues related to the mental health system in America and how it relates to these matters as well as sharing her personal thoughts on debates had amongst the political left today. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, we revisit the topic of China in light of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic as well as looking at China from a historical and political perspective with scholar Sasha Day, author of The Peasant in Postsocialist China: History, Politics, and Capitalism. Sasha provides a different view on these matters than previous guest Ian Goodrum of the China Daily, but also pushes back on conspiracy theories blaming China for the pandemic. We discuss a number of issues in addition to the pandemic (and the sinophobia it has unfortunately produced) including the debate over whether China is still communist like in the days of Mao or if it has gone capitalist since the 1970's under Deng along with a number of other issues.

On this edition of Parallax Views, noted activist and organizer Howie Hawkins joins us to discuss his 2020 run for President under the Green Party ticket and what he calls the "life or death issues" facing the United States of America today. Although many have written off the Green Party as a "spoiler" party whose candidates have potentially sabotaged the efforts of the Democratic Presidential Part's Presidential opportunities over the years, Howie makes a passionate case for the importance of Third Party Politics and the Green Party as a force that can push for progressive reforms. Additionally, he notes that a large part of his campaign is about helping to build the base of the Green Party at the local level so that it can grow and prosper in the future. Moreover, Howie offers a number of nuanced, thoughtful takes on issues including policing, the War on Drugs, ecology and environmentalism, military spending, and income inequity that are worth considering and details his involvement in the original Green New Deal. Even if you haven't considered voting for the Green Party in this election it is my hope that listening to voices like Howie Hawkins will give a new, fresh perspective on hot-button topics that need to be addressed more seriously. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft2xlllutbA SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, Silicon Valley is often hailed as pushing the world towards a better, more prosperous future through a model creative destruction and brave technological innovation. Economics professor Rob Larson, however, offers a competing viewpoint to this rose-colored narrative of darlings of the tech world like Microsoft, Apple, and Google in his new book Bit Tyrants: The Political Economy of Silicon Valley (Haymarket Books, 2020). In many ways picking up where his previous book, Capitalism vs Freedom: The Toll Road to Serfdom (Zero Books, 2018), left off, Rob launches a scathing but thoughtful critique on libertarian-style techno utopianism and reveals the often ignored aspect that the public sector has played in important technological innovations. Additionally, Rob details the less savory elements of the Silicon Valley story and how historically the Silicon Valley's current position of power and the effect it has on society bears a resemblance to the Gilded Age. Rob joins us to give an overview of this fascinating new book and fills us in on how it connects to his previous book Capitalism vs Freedom: The Toll Road to Serfdom in the course of this fascinating conversation. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

In this edition of Parallax Views, David Talbot, - journalist and founder of the pioneering web magazine Salon - joins us to discuss his new book: 'Between Heaven and Hell: The Story of My Stroke'. Previously David has written the New York Times bestseller 'Brothers: The Hidden History of the Kennedy Years', as well as, 'The Devil's Chessboard: Allen Dulles, the CIA, and the Rise of America's Secret Government', and 'Season of the Witch: Enchantment, Terror, and Deliverance in the City of Love'. In 'Between Heaven and Hell: The Story of My Stroke', David offers a heartfelt, honest, and often-times cheery memoir of his experiences facing mortality after suffering a stroke and how, thanks to family and a community of caregivers, he survived it and became something of a different person as a result. In this emotionally powerful conversation, we cover David's stroke and his survival, as well as the themes of gratitude and community that permeate the memoir. Additionally, David and I discuss some of his early experiences with Salon: how Salon famously took on right-wing hypocrisy during the Clinton impeachment; a fascinating personal story from David about Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos; and David's experience trying to get his books a cinematic treatment from Hollywood. We even begin the conversation with a bit of trivia about David's father, the legendary character actor Lyle Talbot, who starred in movies like Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space (David even has an anecdote to share about the notorious Ed Wood!). All that and more in this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, Michael Brooks of The Majority Report, The Michael Brooks Show, and Weekends w/ Ana Kasparian and Michael Brooks joins us once again to discuss his brand new book Against the Web: A Cosmopolitan Answer to the New Right. In Against the Web, Michael critiques the "Intellectual Dark Web" that gained notoriety a few years ago through figures like Jordan Peterson, Sam Harris, and Ben Shapiro. Although some would argue the IDW's influence has waned, Michael nonetheless provides good answers for how the Left can build movements that challenge the American right. After all, this won't be the IDW won't be the last iteration of right-wing thought in American social life. In addition to discussing Against the Web, Michael, J.G., and Casey also discuss Michael's takes on current matters like the woke vs economic reductionism debate, the end of the Bernie moment, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, rabble-rouser, former Anonymous associate, journalist, and press critic Barrett Brown joins us to give an update on his current wars with the press. In particular, Barrett tells us about his latest suspension from Twitter and his recent series of exchanges with David Enrich of the New York Times. Enrich, who recently wrote the book Dark Towers: Donald Trump, Deutsche Bank, and an Epic Trail of Destruction, came to Barrett's attention to do whistleblower Val Broeksmit (who we recently interviewed alongside journalist Scott Steadman on Parallax Views) and Barrett has a great deal to say about the relationship between Broeksmit and Enrich. All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, we revisit "The Pandemic as an Economic Crisis" w/ returning guest and veteran journalist Albert Lanier (who covered the topic with us on our March 23rd, 2020 podcast). In light of workers around the U.S. like ex-Amazon employee Chris Smalls fighting for their rights amidst unsafe working conditions and general precarity, Albert Lanier expands on his view that the health crisis of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic is tethered to an economic crisis. In relation to workers fighting back, Albert mentions the many strikes going on around the country in relation to both work and rent and argues that we are potentially living in a Great Depression 2.0 scenario. Additionally, he emphasizes the general connectedness of the consumer economy and the way those connections have been severed. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, we continue our exploration of the COVID-19 pandemic w/ Grant M Gallagher, an infectious disease journalist. We begin with Grant describing what he does as an infectious disease journalist and how it differs from commentary-based or pundit journalism. From there we delve into a number of topics related towards COVID-19 including something of primer on what exactly it is and the issues related to overwhelmed hospitals, underlying conditions, and other issues related to this crisis. Then, later in the program, we discuss the WHO, China, and the geopolitical aspects of the coronavirus pandemic. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, Ian Goodrum of China Daily offers his take on the COVID-19/coronavirus as an American living abroad in China. For some, this interview may prove particularly controversial as Ian makes no bones about coming from a pro-China perspective and working for state-owned media outlet within the country. With that in mind, I think that this proved an interesting conversation about how China handled the pandemic, conspiracy theories concerning COVID-19 as a bioweapon, accusations of countries (particularly China) fudging the number of actual deaths, China's intentions in relation to providing aid to other countries, the issue of "wet markets", and much more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this very special edition of Parallax Views, former Staten Island Amazon employee Christian Smalls has taken the world by storm after speaking out about conditions at the facility he worked at and organizing fellow employees to strike for better sanitation condition and access to PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in light of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Since then Chris Smalls has had his employment with Amazon terminated and his reputation smeared by the company. A leaked memo has shown top executives at Amazon referring Smalls as "not smart or articulate" and now Senators, including former 2020 Presidential candidate Cory Booker and Sherrod Brown, have comes to Smalls's defense and are demanding answers from Amazon's mega-billionaire head-honcho, Jeff Bezos. This important story is likely not going away soon as Chris prepares to appear on major media outlets in the next week. Luckily for Parallax Views, Chris was gracious enough to stop by our program for a brief but powerful conversation about his story and the fight he's taken up for worker's rights. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, futurist thinker and global resilience expert Vinay Gupta joins us to discuss a number of topics related to philosophy, politics, religion, humanitarianism, and the current coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. For the unfamiliar Vinay is not an easy guest to describe. He is perhaps best known for playing a key role in the launch Ethereum, a blockchain-based software, and is now the CEO of Mattereum. His primary areas of interest include technology, global resilience, futurism, and crypto-currencies. And he is not one to shy away from controversy, as this uncensored conversation will ilustrate. In this discussion, Vinay begins by telling us a little more about his background and his the underpinnings of his worldview, which is informed by by the Western Scientific model and Indian spirituality. We then delve into work involving refugees with Hexayurt Project before pivoting into the topics of politics. Specifically, Vinay offers his view and, ultimately critique, of the Left. In particular, believes that the Left has gone too far away from a politics of socialist class solidarity and into identity politics too much. Although some of Vinay's views on this matter do not sit well with my listeners or, truth be told, myself in many regards, I believe that this aspect of the conversation at least provokes a challenging discussion. From there we delve into the topics of the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Vinay has done a great deal of work on pandemics over the years and offers some clarifying points about the nature of this particular pandemic as well as illucidating the class war element of the social tensions arising from COVID-19 sweeping the world. All in all, I believe that, while I and my listeners may greatly disagree with Vinay Gupta on some matters, that this conversation will live up to the title of being "A Parallax View". SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, we take a break from our coronavirus coverage to discuss legendary musician David Bowie, art, and authenticity w/ artist and author James Curcio. James has a new book out entitled Masks: Bowie & Artists of Artifice that looks at Bowie and his trickster persona from a philosophical perspective that comes to understand the late musician as a sort of shamanic character that blurred the lines between the authenticity and artificiality of an artist. Additionally, the book also looks into other figures like the gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson and the controversial Japanese novelist and poet Yukio Mishima. MASKS: BOWIE & ARTISTS OF ARTIFICE also features contributions form such thinkers as John Gray and Slavoj Zizek. In this conversation Jamie and I have a wide-ranging conversation about the book and the many themes it touches upon within its pages. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, an refresher and update on the case of imprisoned whistleblower Reality Winner w/ Reality's mother Billie Winner-Davis. Reality Winner was an NSA contractor who leaked documents pertaining to allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S Presidential Election to the press because she felt it was pertinent information that the public needed to know about. When the federal government traced the documents to Reality she was put on trial and received a sentence of over 5 years in prison. Regardless what you think of Russiagate, whether it was overblown or is one of the most important stories of our time, the harsh treatment Reality Winner has received for attempting to conscientiously alert the public to an issue she believed was of importance is indicative of the dangerous nature of the United States War on Whistleblowers over the past two decades. In addition to giving a refresher on Reality's case, Billie also fills us in on how Reality is doing in federal prison during this pandemic and discusses her concerns for Reality's mental health at this time, the possibility of coronavirus/COVID-19 making it's way into prison, and even tells us a little about Reality's artwork. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, Siberian-based educator Jason Van Boom joins us for a discussion of the coronavirus pandemic in his part of the world and how Mongolia's response to the coronavirus pandemic may have been useful to Siberia. Additionally, Jason takes us through a brief history of pandemic and plagues past and present including the Black Death, the diseases created by the "Columbian exchange", and now COVID-19. We also discuss the question of globalization and Jason's nuanced view of it's relationship to the pandemic. He argues that the "globalism vs. nationalism" binary is not a useful one in dealing with these matters and that globalization has been happening in some form or another long before the 20th century. And finally, Jason discusses the ideas of Carl Schmitt, specifically the "State of Exception", and how they relate to the response to the current pandemic. Jason also argues that there is a progressive version of the "State of Exception" in the form of the work of academic Robert Yelle. All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, we continue our international coverage of the coronavirus pandemic this time from a Brazilian perspective. Brian Mier of the Brasilwire joins us to discuss how the crisis has been effecting Brazil, specifically on the political front. But first, we dive into a bit of recent Brazilian history with a discussion of the ouster of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the rise of the Brazilian extreme right wing under current President Jair Bolsonaro and ideologues like Olavo de Carvalho. From there we delve into the neo-Malthusian response Bolsonaro has offered to the Brazilian public in regards to the coronavirus pandemic and how some are buying into it. Additionally, we talk about how Bolsonaro has become increasingly isolated politically due to the majority of the population being against his response thus far, including governors. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, the Gaza strip has been under siege of Israel for over a decade and now face new struggles due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. Al Jazeera photojournalist Walid Mahmoud joins us on this edition of the program to discuss the current situation facing the Palestinian people in Gaza. How are Gazans dealing with measures like social distancing despite being extremely crowded (thus making social distancing difficult) and what of the lack of medical supplies like ventilators? Also what is Gaza like now under the blockade and the threat of coronavirus combined? Walid also fills us in on why Gazans remain positive in spite of the adversity they face and why the everyday Gazan does not want violence, hatred, or racism but rather the recognition that "we all live under the same sky" and therefore peace must prevail. This interview is shorter (close to 40 min) but powerful. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFsEkQcKylE On this video edition of Parallax Views, Mike Swanson of the Wall Street Window joins us to discuss the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and the future of the economy as wlell as related topics. This conversation is an almost two hour barn-burner, and Mike's takes may surprise you and are definitely food for thought. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, military analyst John Robb, author of the Global Guerrillas Report and Brave New War: The Next Stage of Terrorism and the End of Globalization, joins us to discuss his maverick research into open source warfare as well as his more recent work on bottom-up networks and the coronavirus pandemic. We begin by discussing his work on asymmetric warfare during the heyday War on Terror and then discuss the rise of open source warfare domestically in the U.S. vis-a-vis Occupy Wall Street, Anonymous, and the Trumpist insurgency of the 2016 election. John talks about the nature of decentralized networks and their ability to form consensus as well as cause disruption and explain why he thinks some of the left-wing insurgencies have been less successful in recent years than their right-wing counterpart. Ultimately, this discussion of decentralized networks brings us to the topic of the COVID-19 pandemic and John's contention that such bottom-up, grassroots networks have played a major role, at least within the Western world, in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, John details how the widespread adoption of social distance measures came from such networks. Additionally John explains the missteps that were made in addressing coronavirus initially while offering some reasons for optimism when comparing the current pandemic to the Spanish Flu. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, long-shot 2020 Democratic Party Presidential hopeful has officially dropped out of the race and endorsed Joe Biden. For a certain segment of progressives Gabbard was seen as the most sufficiently antiwar candidate. Others, however, argued her campaign was riddle with America First reactionary nationalism in progressive clothing. Niko House, a surrogate for Tulsi Gabbard's 2020 Presidential Campaign, joins us to explain his support for Gabbard. Although I myself have voiced much skepticism toward Gabbard, I wanted to give Niko a chance to say his part about controversies surrounding Tulsi Gabbard without the discussion going into full debate mode. I feel that, even though I remain highly skeptical of Tulsi Gabbard, this was, at the very least, an interesting conversation and am hopeful that Niko may return for a more adversarial debate in the future. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, Doug Henwood of the Left Business Observer and the Behind the News radio program joins us from ground zero of the pandemic, New York, to discuss his article "A few ambitious points on fighting the crisis". In this article Doug offers a number of proposals for policies to fight the crises created by the coronavirus now and in the future. We also discuss how Doug is doing in the beginning of the episode, some thoughts on the 2020 election, the effect neoliberalism has had on our ability to imagine another world being possible, and much, much more in the course of this conversation. What policies will we need to enact in a post-coronavirus world? I hope that this episode will provide some hints and guidance in the right direction. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, Sean Ledwith of Counterfire joins us to discuss his recent article "Coronavirus: the politics of Cummings’ cull" concerning Dominic Cummings, Chief Advisor to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and his "Super-Weirdos" vs the British people potentially resisting them in an age of pandemic. Why did Boris Johnson's administration initially support building "herd immunity" in response to coronavirus coming to the UK? What does "nudge theory" and a shadowy think-tank known as Behavioural Insights Team have to do with Downing Street's coronavirus response team? Find out on this edition of Parallax Views w/ guest Sean Ledwith of Counterfire. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. and Casey speak w/ returning guest and veteran journalist Albert Lanier. In this conversation Lanier discusses the coronavirus pandemic in terms of it being an economic crisis as well as a health crisis. In addition we discuss reports of class warfare breaking out in the Hamptons, the 2020 election, and more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this bonus edition of Parallax Views, John Feffer of Foreign Policy in Focus joins J.G. and his Parallax Views: The Week That Was co-host Casey to discuss his latest articles "Will the Coronavirus Kill Globalization" and "What the Coronavirus Says About Us". The vast majority of the covnersation is devoted to what COVID-19 means for the age of globalization. As we note in the beginning of the conversation, conservative commentator Pat Buchanan hopes that the virus will spell the end of globalization and a resurgence in nationalist sentiments. Feffer, although critical of aspects of the economic aspects of globalization in its current formation, is hoping for something else entirely and in fact sees COVID-19 as opening the doors for an opportunity. Namely, a new wave of globalization that would be more progressive in nature. In addition to discussing the relationship between globalization and COVID-19 as well as what it means for the future of globalization as a project, John also summarizes his latest article "What the Coronavirus Says About Us" detailing the responses of China, South Korea, Italy, and the United States to the pandemic crisis. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, much ink has been spent chronicling the history of the United States through the the political careers of its various presidents. But what of those Presidents relationship to Black America, a segment of the U.S. populace who have historically faced discrimination, prejudice, and racism from the earliest moment of arrival in the country? Margaret Kimberley, a New York-based activist and editor/columnist for Black Agenda Report, seeks to uncover that relationship in her new book Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents (Truth to Power; 2020). Margaret Kimberley joins us to discuss this fascinating new book which sheds an often more unpleasant light on Presidential history than usually recognized. We begin by discussing the Black Agenda Report and what listeners can expect from its analysis. Then we pivot into the subject of her new book by looking at how the mythology of the United States prevents many from taking a critical look at our Presidents, including the Founding Fathers like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Magaret relates how these Founding Father were slave owners and how even the ones who had conflicted feelings about slavery, like Thomas Jefferson, weren't willing to challenge the institution. We then move on to the Presidency of "The Great Emancipator" Abrahahm Lincoln, who Margaret argues we have, to some extent, romanticized as for ending slavery while forgetting the abolitionists, slaves, and former slaves who pushed for the end of that terrible institution. We also discuss the relationship between President Theodore Roosevelt and the African American community leader Booker T. Washington and the controversies surrounding their dinner at the White House. And, of course, we discuss Franklin Delano Roosevelt relationship to black America. From there we fast-forward bit to more contemporary history. For example, we untangle the major changes the changed the relationship of the black community to Republicans and Democrats in the wake of the Civil Rights era into the Presidencies of Nixon, Carter, and Reagan. We also take a critical look at Bill Clinton, who was once referred to as "The First Black President". Then we discuss the Presidency of Barack H. Obama, Obama's controversial relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and the legacy of it all. Finally, we delve into the current Presidential race and the Democratic Primaries between Joe Biden and Bernie Sandets. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pJDFh9cWvM On this video edition of Parallax Views, Alley Valkyrie of Gods and Radicals Press joins J.G. and co-host Casey for a discussion about life in France under lockdown due to the coronavirus as well as a broader conversation about the "global experience" find ourselves in due to this pandemic. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, big pharma is likely to find itself under the microscope of public attention once again as concerns arise over it placing profits over people in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Noted investigative journalist Gerald Posner, author of Pharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America (Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster; 2020), joins us to discuss the long, storied, and often shocking history of big pharma in the United States from its turn of the century roots to its much discussed role in the American opioid crisis. This conversation covers a wide amount of ground beginning with the coronavirus. Then we take a brief detour to discuss the current state of investigative journalism and how challenges facing the field. During this portion of the conversation Gerald reveals that Pharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America was a years-in-the-making project that ambitiously set out to tell the story of big pharma in a single volume and took Gerald in unexpected directions. From there, however, we move into a conversation of pharma's early history and how some of it parallels to flim-flam men and snake-oils salesmen selling "miracle cures". We then delve into how pharma changed (and made massive profits) in the WWII era with the development of antibiotics. This leads us into a brief discussion of how a conflict arose betwen pharma's old guard and its new blood in the 1950s. In particular, Gerald and I discuss the figure of Pfizer chariman John McKeen and the young, ambitious advertising man he employed: Arthur M. Sackler. For the unitiated, the Sackler family are the owners of Purdue Pharma, the privately-owned pharmaceutical company behind Oxycontin, that has come under intense scrutiny due to the American opioid epidemic. Gerald and I discuss the interesting life of Arthur M. Sackler Jewish kid from Brooklyn that faced antisemitism from his WASP neighbors to a political radical that staunchly opposed racism and became an FBI informant against a German company involved in money laundering to the Nazis. Gerald also reveals that Arthur, as well as his card-carrying Communist Party brother Raymond Sackler, were monitored by the FBI during the Red Scare. And finally, at least in regards to Arthur, we discuss how he went from a political radical to becoming comfortable with wealth. We then move onto a discussion of the Sacklers and some of the controversies surrounding them, including stories involving tax havens and the potentially shady ways that the family made millions of dollars off a vitamin-based product. Additionally, Gerald and I discuss how one lawyer referred to the Sacklers as "essentially a crime family". Moreover, Gerald reveals how New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani fits into the controversies around Purdue Pharma and how Purdue Pharma adopted and modified the NRA's maxim "Gun Don't Kill, People Kill People" to their own ends in relation to OxyContin. And finally Gerald briefly tells us about the courageous mother who took on the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma in light of her daughter's passing due to an Oxycontin overdose. We wrap up the conversation by talking about the possibility for reforming big pharma and how Pharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America shows how a figure like "Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli is only the tip of the iceberg in regards to the dark side of big pharma. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, as coronavirus grips the United States and the world Parallax Views regular guest JP Sottile aka the Newsvandal joins us to discuss all the latest in current events (and their historical connections to the past) during these fearful times. We begin the conversation by discussing COVID-19. JP is currently in self-quarantine after finding out his roomamte contracted the virus. Not only that, but JP is also in one of the epicenter of coronavirus in the USA. We then go on to discuss the possible effect this pandemic may have on globalization, and how figures ranging from Foreing Policy in Focus's John Feffer to paleoconservative Pat Buchanan are considering the potential for coronavirus to deliver a death blow to the current neoliberal world order. From there we go on to discuss the resurgence of nationalism around the world coupled with the oncoming possibility of ecological crisis. This segues into a discussion of America's generational divide, the increasing anger directed at baby boomers by millennials and Gen Z, and how Generation X fits into it all. Additionally, we discuss the Democratic Primaries, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and where progressives should put their energies in a post-Bernie scenario. Moreover, we discuss the differences between the Trumpist right that has taken over the GOP from more moderate Republican and the progressive movement, embodied by the Bernie Sanders campaign, that have sought to take over the Democratic Party. And finally we come back to the coronavirus at the end of our conversation and the scary developments around it. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmGPDmD1s-Y On this video edition of Parallax Views, C. Derick Varn of Zero Books and the Pop the Left podcast discusses coronavirus, the 2020 election, the Left, the resurgence of nationalism, neoliberalism and globalization, the EU, the possibility of a coming economic crash, and much more in a jam-packed nearly two hour conversation w/ host J.G. Michael. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!

On this edition of Parallax Views, T. of Champagne Sharks, a podcast that describes itself as "distinguished but vicious" which explores issues related to race, racism, culture, and class from a left political perspective, joins us for a two hour conversation that goes in a multitude of different directions. We begin by discussing T.'s general mission with the Champagne Sharks podcast and the branch out into discussions about intersectionality vs class reductionism, internet culture war, and much, much more. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON! FOR BONUS CONTENT AND ARCHIVED EPISODES!