Historian James Livingston has recently argued that the left has actually won a great deal in the US.  He talks here with the Old Mole's Bill Resnick about the many ways in which the US can be regarded as "socialist".  

 Joe Clement hosts this last show closing out 2012.  We hear an upbeat assessment of socialism's unheralded (by the left)  successes over the long haul; a review of the great short story writer Alice Munro's latest collection; and a discussion of two movies about fracking, one by local film maker Gus Van Sant.  Following Bill Resnick's and James Livingston's conversation about socialism, Joe Clement reads a passage from Marx and Engels's Communist Manifesto discussing types of socialism, and you can read it here.  

To hear the complete show, use the play button below.  For individual pieces, follow these links:

1.  Historian James Livingston talks with Bill Resnick about how socialism is winning.

2.  Larry Bowlden reviews Alice Munro's Dear Life.  

3.  Two movies about fracking are discussed by movie moles Joe Clement and Jan Haaken.  

 Alan Wieder comments on connection between the Sandy Hook shootings and drone-warfare. He considers the lamentations Americans and its leaders especially offer when certain American children are murdered in the context of drone-warfare and their otherwise disregard for children's lives around the world.

Joe Clement interviews Brandon and Alex, organizers with the Portland Solidarity Network. PDXSol, as it's sometimes referred to, is an all volunteer organization that helps workers and tenants and other people resist abuse, demand what people are owed, and bridge the gap between workplace and community organizing. They discuss what solidarity networks are, what they can do and why they work. They consider a case of success with the new Portland Solidarity Network. They also talk a little about other solidarity networks, like SeaSol. If you would like to participate in organizing or be on-call for mobilization to support actions, email them at portlandsolidaritynetwork@gmail.com or call 503-446-6065.