Environmental activist extraordinaire, Walter Hang, tells us the inspiring story of how a highly organized grassroots movement led to Governor Cuomo prohibiting fracking in New York State.  Ralph also tells us about the letter he sent to the President, and we discuss our Holiday reading.

In this special holiday edition, we devote the episode to your FaceBook questions.  Plus Ralph recommends some books and David makes an embarrassing joke.  

Law Professor Rena Steinzor talks to Ralph about her new book, Why Not Jail? which makes the case for treating corporate criminal like we treat street criminals.  We discuss the new opening up to Cuba and Ralph tells us about some of his personal encounters with Fidel Castro.

Ralph talks to advocate and writer, David Halperin, about how for profit colleges are ripping you off.  We also discuss the Senate report on torture, the demonstrations on police brutality, and the congressional omnibus spending bill that is loaded with a lot of corporate goodies.

Our guest, Mark Dimondstein, president of the American Postal Workers' Union, tells us how the forces of privatization are trying to cripple the Post Office, and what we can do about it.  We discuss the latest report on how drone attacks are actually losing us the "war on terror."  And Ralph explains why he has never owned a credit card.

This week, we talk with the feisty and effective executive director of the California Nurses Association and Nurses United, RoseAnn DeMoro, about ebola, Robin Hood taxes and the problem with doctors.  Plus, Tanaka airbag update and listener questions.

Ralph interviews Stephen L. Goldstein, author of The Dictionary of American Political Bullshit; we report on developments in our Medicaid fraud story in Minnesota, and pay tribute to late Iraq War veteran, the articulate and courageous Tomas Young.

This week, Ralph, David and Steve talk to former Clinton advisor, Bill Curry, about why the Democrats got drubbed in the midterm elections, and what progressives need to do to challenge not only regressive Republicans but the Democratic Party establishment.

Ralph interviews author and activist, David Bollier who tells us how we need to save our greatest source of wealth. Ralph writes a letter to the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook. We also discuss dangerous airbags, productive beavers and answer more listener questions.