8 O'Clock Buzz

On Memorial Day, you’ll hear politicians, veterans groups, and military officers extolling the exploits of fallen soldiers, and telling us how they gave their lives for a noble cause.  One veteran’s group wants us to not just remember the dead, but to stop making more war dead to remember.  Since 1985, Veterans for Peace has dedicated itself to its stated mission to “raise public awareness of the true costs and consequences of militarism and war – and to seek peaceful, effective alternatives.” 

This Memorial Day, Vets for Peace is calling for remembrance of not only soldiers killed in battle, but of all those who die in wars, soldiers and civilians alike.  Joining us now are representatives of two Wisconsin Chapters of Vets for Peace.  Brad Geyer is the Chapter Coordinator for the Clarence Kalin Chapter in Madison.  Welcome, Brad.  Also joining us is Norman Aulabaugh, Chapter Coordinator for the Casey Sheehan – Tomas Young Chapter in Janesville.  Welcome, Norman.

 

Image Courtesy: marusya21111999 on Pixabay

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The Voices of the People’s History of the United States seeks to bring to life the extraordinary stories of ordinary people in American history.  Founded in 2007 by historian Howard Zinn, the nonprofit foundation uses re-enactments and readings from original sources to illustrate common folks’ struggles for peace, freedom and justice.  On Memorial Day, we at the 8 O’Clock Buzz thought we’d hear the words of people who fought for peace.

Image Courtesy: Brian Standing for WORT-FM on Flickr

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On May 25, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling in Sackett vs. EPA that signficantly narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act. The Act gives the EPA regulatory authority over the “waters of the United States” – a term the court described as having “a persistently uncertain meaning.” In the majority opinion, authored by Justice Ailito, the court ruled that the protections of the Clean Water Act extend only to wetlands that have a “continuous surface connection” with a navigable waterway.

The ruling has the potential of opening up millions of acres of wetlands to development. The Wisconsin Wetlands Association has condemned the ruling and vowed to continue to seek protection of all wetlands. Erin O’Brien is the Policy Programs Director with the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, and she joins us now by phone.

 

Image Courtesy 12019 for Pixabay

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Spring has sprung and so have the turtles in Wisconsin. Check out Thursday’s 8 O’Clock Buzz, where co-host Eli Wilz talked with Andrew Badje, DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Biologist, about the many ways residents can give turtle mothers and the next generation of turtles a helping hand. If you’re interested in turtle conservation awareness, the DNR’s Wild Turtle Week webpage is an excellent resource with information on everything from building nest cages and reporting turtle sightings to helping a turtle get safely across the road.

Photo courtesy of TheMilMarZone on Pixabay.

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Founded in 1972 as Women’s Medical Fund, Inc., WMF Wisconsin has supported Wisconsin residents in paying for abortion care for over 50 years. Madison’s “Equality Evangelist” Lilli Luxe joined host Tony Castañeda on the Thursday 8 O’Clock Buzz to encourage listeners to donate to the WMF’s Fund-a-Thon which also provides support for lodging, transportation, and child care for those traveling for abortion care. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar by the WMF’s Legacy Fund.

Image courtesy of Josephvm on Pixabay.

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Mary Donahue, DAIS’s (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services) Director of Development and Communication, admired Tina Turner’s honesty about the domestic abuse she experienced, and Turner’s refusal to be seen not as a victim, but as a survivor. Donahue joined Thursday’s 8 O’Clock Buzz host Tony Castañeda to provide an overview of the services DAIS provides, and talked about DAIS’s efforts to break the stigma and shame that prevent many from reaching out for help. Over 50% of funding for DAIS coming from private donors, so a fundraising celebration to celebrate the strength of survivors – Dance for DAIS – will be held at the Garver Feed Mill on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 7:00pm. Find out more about the event here, and help DAIS continue their mission to make Dane County a safe, just and equitable place for all who are affected by domestic violence.

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The top 100 CEOs in the U. S. have accumulated retirement accounts equal to 40% of all workers. Scott Klinger with Jobs With Justice, and Olivia Alperstein with the Institute for Policy Studies, have recently issued their third “A Tale of Two Retirements” reports, comparing the retirement benefits of top CEOs and the “common” workers, focusing on the double standard in tax code which allows unlimited contributions to tax-deferred retirement accounts by high earners, but limiting those of lower workers.

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The Saudi led war in Yemen, supported by the U. S., has resulted in a half million people dead from hunger, disease, and direct military attacks, 16 million people on the edge of starvation, and over 4 million people internally displaced, according to Hassan El-Tayyab, Legislative Director for Middle East Policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and suggests in his most recent article “End U.S. Complicity in the Yemen War and Blockade” that all U. S. support should end. El-Tayyab also gives an update on the movement to end 5 years of maximum pressure on Iran, and de-escalate that situation.

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Today on the Tuesday 8:00 Buzz with Tara Wilhelmi and 1neofmani (Breyon Sommerville), Madison Alder and Founder and President of the Progress Center for Black Women, Sabrina Madison joins us to talk about all that and more;  In the second half, “Madison’s Favorite Comedian” (according to the Isthmus poll) and Madison entrepreneur and producer, Antoine McNeail joins us to talk about being an entrepreneur in Madison, his story, the closing of Brink Lounge and having space for Black events in Madison.

More about the Progress Center for Black Women: https://www.centerforblackwomen.org/ and Sabrina’s story: https://madisonformadison.com/meet-sabrina-madison/ 

More about Leslie Watkins and Alder Madison’s resolution honoring her from Madison365: https://madison365.com/resolution-presented-at-common-council-meeting-will-honor-and-recognize-leslie-watkins-for-exceptional-contributions-to-madison-communities/ 

More about Antoine McNeail https://www.facebook.com/AntoineMcNeail/ and 1Motion Out Reach Enterprise: https://www.facebook.com/1MotionOutReachEnterprise/ on Facebook.

Listen in Madison at 89.9FM or online anywhere at wortfm.org.  Support your community radio with a donation online at wortfm.org.

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Even though Wisconsin law prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of past arrests or convictions, a criminal record can still hang like an albatross around the neck of many jobseekers. That’s why the Urban League of Greater Madison is teaming up with Legal Action of Wisconsin, Foley & Lardner, and the Wisconsin Association of African American Lawyers to host a series of free “expungement clinics” to help folks clear their names.

Edward Lee, Senior Vice President of the Urban League of Greater Madison joined the Monday Buzz on May 22.

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