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Harvey Wasserman embraces your views with a Solartopian vision of the people’s politics, ecology, holistic health and much more.
Episodes

Aug 26, 2016
Aug 26, 2016
56 min
THE INSANE NY NUKE BAILOUT headlines in Solartopia today as TIM JUDSON of the NUCLEAR INFORMATION & RESOURCE SERVICE joins MANNA JO GREENE of CLEARWATER and KEVIN KAMPS of BEYOND NUCLEAR to discuss the $7-11 billion potential handout to keep four dangerously decrepit nuke reactors on line in the Empire State.
Because they are obsolete and uncompetitive, the Ginna, Fitzpatrick, Nine Mile One and Nine Mile Two reactors have been headed for shut-down. The cannot compete with renewables, worsen climate chaos and threaten the entire northeast with radioactive catastrophe.
In fact, their owners have been angling to shut them down for years. But Gov. Andrew Cuomo has now strongarmed the New York Public Utilities Commission to take up to $11 billion in public money to prolong the operation of these dying nukes.
If it goes through, the proposal would cost jobs, heat the planet and threaten millions with radioactive death and destruction. Yet without a public vote, Cuomo has decided to risk New York’s future on this dead technology.
Tim, Manna Jo and Kevin run us through the essential basics, and tell us how we can and must unite to stop this. Don’t miss this vital strategy session.

Aug 12, 2016
Aug 12, 2016
57 min
The Republican, the Democrat and the Green.
As co-author of seven books on election theft, Bob makes it clear that Bernie Sanders was the rightful winner of the Democratic nomination. Co-author (with me) of THE STRIP & FLIP SELECTION OF 2016: FIVE JIM CROWS & ELECTRONIC ELECTION THEFT, Bob has a Ph.D. in political science and is a member of the Ohio Bar. As a full professor at Columbus State Community College, Bob is known worldwide for his writings and research.
Together we will co-author a new piece on this year’s primaries. Meanwhile, be sure to listen to the hard realities of how bad our electoral system really is.

Aug 5, 2016
Aug 5, 2016
56 min
A SHOCKING NUKE BAILOUT has been proposed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. It will use billions of New York’s public money to prolong operations at four of New York’s dangerous, dirty upstate nuke reactors.
The great KARL GROSSMAN tells us why this is a truly horrendous idea, and how we might stop it.
Karl’s great career in the Long Island media and his superb coverage of the nuclear issue make him a unique authority on this extremely threatening proposed bail-out.
No one knows the story better than Karl, who knew Andrew’s father Gov. Mario Cuomo and who understands the complexities of this crucial moment as well as anyone.
If you are concerned about our nuclear future and the realities of what’s now happening in New York, don’t miss this show.

Jul 28, 2016
Jul 28, 2016
59 min
HILLARY v. TRUMP & the CARBON TAX ROAD TO SOLARTOPIA
Our superb guest is the great CHARLIE KOMANOFF, pioneer of the carbon tax and one of the world’s leading experts on the realities of our energy system.
We start with an in-depth look at strategies and pitfalls in the presidential campaign. Did Bernie really win the primaries? Can Hillary beat Trump? Is it actually a fight between “Mussolini and Margaret Thatcher”? Did the Dems steal it fro Bernie, and will the GOP now steal it from Hillary?
We then go deep on the German transition from King CONG (Coal, Oil Nukes & Gas) to Solartopia. Charlie shows that taxing carbon is at the core of our survival. And that the German decision to shut nukes and move away from fossil fuels has actually CUT carbon emissions rather than raise them, as industry apologists are trying to say.
We further talk about the amazing success of bicycle use in New York and other cities where bike activism has had a huge positive impact, a movement Charlie helped create.
Charlie is a brilliant, cogent and important guest. Don’t miss this show!!!

Jul 7, 2016
Jul 7, 2016
56 min
INDIAN POINT and DIABLO CANYON are two nuclear reactor names that strike fear in the hearts of anyone who knows about atomic power. We discuss the two reactors north of New York City with MANNA JO GREEN (Clearwater), GARY SHAW (IPSEC) and KEVIN KAMPS (Beyond Nuclear). These long-term activists and experts are dedicated to shutting the two nukes irradiating the Hudson River. They outline the critical deterioration threatening the future of these aging, uneconomical reactors.
We are then joined by ROCHELLE BECKER of California’s Alliance 4 Nuclear Responsibility who describes the landmark new deal cut between PG&E, the unions and environmental groups to shut the two nukes at Diablo Canyon by 2025. This complex multi-faceted agreement calls for a 100% conversion to renewable energy, a “retain and retrain” program for the plant’s workers, and a definitive death date in 9 years. A wide range of issues have arisen amongst those of us demanding an immediate shutdown of these decayed, deteriorating and deadly reactors. Lets figure out how to get them down...

Jun 30, 2016
Jun 30, 2016
59 min
Smart Alec and Diablo Canyon are with us today in Solartopia.
We begin with Matthew Cardinale who has formed a new progressive campaign for human legislation aimed at countering the horrific Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council. The Koch’s ALEC has polluted our government since the 1970s with a heavily funded flood of bad bills aimed at enthroning the rich and powerful. They have now issued a “cease and desist” letter to Cardinale demanding his Smart Alec stop trying to pass legislation that might actually serve democracy. This is a fun and informative conversation.
We’re then joined by Linda Seeley and Myla Reson to talk about the horrific decision by California’s State Lands Commission to not require an Environmental Impact Report at Diablo Canyon. The report is required under the California Environmental Quality Act. Myla and Linda are long-time activists devoted to shutting this horrendous atomic reactor complex upwind of Los Angeles. On Tuesday, June 28, the Lands Commission hearing resulted in a unanimous vote taken as a kick in the teeth by those wanting Diablo shut ASAP. Myla and Linda give us the inside story.

Jun 23, 2016
Jun 23, 2016
57 min
The Diablo Canyon Nuke will shut and we are honored to talk about it
with three great players in this amazing success for citizen activism.
Jim
Riccio of Greenpeace USA gives us the perspective of a world-class safe
energy campaigner on the global stage. Linda Seeley of the San Luis
Obispo Mothers for Peace tells us what’s happening on the local level
with one of the most powerful and persistent of all our grassroots
groups. Ace Hoffman fills us in from the backyard of San Onofre, which
he has helped to shut, and whose epic struggles with massive debt and
unmanageable wastes continue unabated.
Together we vet the Diablo
shutdown agreement. We start with PG&E’s admission that all
Diablo’s power can be got from renewable. We explore the landmark deal
that’s been cut with organized labor and we emphasize the reality that
this agreement has been pioneered by environmental groups whose
commitment to a green-powered Earth is unshaken.
For an in-depth
look at the most important step yet taken toward end nuke power and
winning a Solartopian future, don’t miss this show.

Jun 16, 2016
Jun 16, 2016
57 min
Solartopia is home to two great activists, David Swanson and Linda
Seeley who are fighting against war and the Diablo Canyon nuke.
David
starts with his World Beyond War perspectives on military madness and
the fact that nearly all terror attacks are motivated by people seeking
revenge for US attacks on their country.
David’s legendary
speeches and writings on peace, disarmament and the need to abolish
nuclear weapons have made him one of the world’s leaders in winning us a
peaceful planet.
Linda then speaks to us from San Luis Obispo,
California, on the June 28 hearing in front of the California Lands
Commission. The three members of this commission will determine whether
Pacific Gas & Electric, owner of the Diablo Canyon nukes, will be
required to meet standards laid out in 1970 by the California
Environmental Quality Act. Signed by then-Governor Ronald Reagan, the
law requires an Environmental Impact Review to protect the tidewater
regions now being abused by Diablo Canyon’s cooling system.
A
long-time veteran of the fight for safe energy, Linda gives us the
details on a regulatory debate that could finally force shut two of the
world’s most dangerous nukes.

Jun 9, 2016
Jun 9, 2016
58 min
The legendary Golden Rule peace ship hosts its first ever on-board radio cast as we call in from the deck. The ship is in Portland, Oregon to demonstrate as the navy brings in its men of war to display to the local citizenry. We hear from veterans for peace organizer Helen Kaccard narrate the amazing history of this powerful boat. Long-time activist Mimi German tells us how we will shut down the Columbia Generating station, the last nuke in the northwest. As we sail the Wilamette River through Portland, encountering huge armed vessels from the US Navy we rejoice in the ability to fight against the nuclearadness aboard this wonderful ship with the fabulous legacy

Jun 2, 2016
Jun 2, 2016
57 min
The legendary PAUL KRASSNER is the star of this Solartopia Show.
We
join Paul in his California home to run through his astonishing
lifetime as a “guerilla satirist,” stand-up comedian, author, activist,
videographic expert, psychedelic pioneer and much much more.
Paul has been with us in Solartopia before, but his boundless experience and wit make him always an A-List guest.
Today
we discuss Ken Kesey, Tim Leary, the CIA, LSD and the Agency’s
inadvertent role in introducing psychedelics to the counter-culture.
Since
Paul was the founder of “Yippie,” the hippie/left offspring of the
1960s anti-war movement, we also ruminate on what “might have been” had
Mayor Richard Daley granted permits to the demonstrators (me among them)
at the 1968 Chicago Convention.
We also then plunge into today’s
booming world of on-line pornography. Paul was a writer for Hustler
when its publisher Larry Flint was shot, and has written extensively
about the industry that has become the most-watched phenomenon in all
the world of video. The discussion is fascinating but unfinished, so
we’ll have to have Paul back with us again soon!
