Was Oregon's economy in trouble even before the sub-prime meltdown? That's what new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau say. Despite record-breaking economic expansion before the current downturn, most Oregonians' incomes have remained flat since 2000. Poverty and lack of health insurance or other problems that did not improve during the boom. What did Oregon leaders fail to do? How well are Oregonians equipped to face an economy that continues to falter? What strategy should our legislature and governor consider to turn things around? Jo Ann and Dave  talk with Mike Leachman, policy analyst with the Oregon Center for Public Policy about these and other questions.

Special Labor Day Documentary: Disappearing Rice Paddies

Guided by Denise Morris, the Moles  vistit Cuba today.  Bill Resnick talks with Cuba expert Sam Farber about Cuba in transition and the possibilities for self-determination and socialist democracy.  The Movie Moles review the 1964 film Soy Cuba! made by Russian film makers in support of the Revolution.  And we hear Luz María Gordillo’s account of her trip to Cuba last May.  Here the whole show by clicking the arrow above, or  individual pieces by following their links below:

1.  Luz Marîa Gordillo visits Havana's Plaza de la Revolución on May Day.

2.  The Movie Moles on Soy Cuba!

Samuel Farber is a long-time socialist born and raised in Cuba. He is the author of numerous works on that country including The Origin of the Cuban Revolution Reconsidered published by University of North Carolina Press.  The Old  Mole's Bill Resnick talks with him about life in Cuba today as it makes  the transition to the post-Fidel era, and about various scenarios for its future.  You can read his thoughts on these issues here and here. 

"Cooperatives and Community-Owned Businesses: Rethinking the Ways Businesses Are Run and How They Interact with the Local Communities They Belong To." Todd Wilson speaks with representatives from three of Portland's Food Coops: People's, Food Front, and Alberta. Feel free to call in with your with questions, comments, experiences and thoughts."

Host Joe Uris talks with listeners about proposed Liquified Natural Gas Pipelines in Oregon, the history and real meaning of the Russian/Georgian conflict and the Obama-Biden Democratic National Convention.  A No-Holds-Barred discussion of Real Stuff in Real Time.

Interesting Links from today's show:

http://www.lngpollutes.org/
http://www.globalresearch.ca/
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Cindy-Sheehan-Bugged-in-De-by-Rob-Kall-080825-412.html

 Host Chris Andreae brings us 30 minutes of outrageous news tid-bits circulating the globe today.