The Echo Chamber from Tortoise Shack

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Education has long been a top priority in Palestinian society and Gaza has one of the highest literacy rates in the world. Sadly, and criminally, Israel’s war on Gaza has ruined the education system by targeting educational infrastructure. The three main universities were destroyed, hundreds of schools are reduced to rubble and hundreds of educators were killed, while over one million shelter at the remaining schools. Yousef Aljamal is joined by Helena Cobban and Tony Groves to talk to Ayman Qwaider, a Palestinian educator, based in Perth in Australia about the tragic loss of his family in Gaza and the impact that the genocide is having on the educational system. Teachers are heroes.

The latest with Zak in Gaza is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94983627

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Austerity ripped the hearts out of our communities- the Dublin riots: finding a way forward through community

In this Reboot Republic podcast, Rory talks about the impact of the stabbing and the riots in Dublin and the political and media response, to Paula Kearney, community worker in Dublin's North Inner City, Glen Kearney, youth worker in the inner city, and Dean Scurry, youth worker and activist in Ballymun. We discuss the deprivation and inequalities in the city, along with the impact of austerity on community, attitudes and actions of the Gardai, the rise in racism, and finding ways forward through community engagement and civil society action for investment in the key social issues affecting communities.

The Ditch wrap of 2023 podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94831589

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There has been a lot of nonsense by people who frankly haven’t a clue about the far right, their playbook and the ways to counter them. Our guest, researcher in global politics and extremist online subcultures, Joshua Molloy, ain't one of them.

Josh wrote a fascinating piece recently about far right telegram channels, the links to the "new" Irish nationalism, how some are simply useful idiots of UK agitators and how Sinn Féin‘s rise into the mainstream has left a ‘gap in the market’ for a US/UK style right wing hate. He told us all about it.

Longtime listeners will know Josh from earlier episodes about how he fought alongside the Kurdish forces against ISIS in Iraq. That interview is available from the archive here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94774386

The article referenced in this podcast is available here

Please click on patreon.com/tortoiseshack and help keep the mics on.

Using Palestinians as human shields by the Israeli militarty is not new. It goes back at least to the first Intifada. Israel’s genocide in Gaza has seen the Israeli military using dozens of Palestinians as human shields, including by forcing them to enter tunnels and or staging footage of them throwing away guns to tell the Israeli public that they were Hamas fighters who surrendered to the Israeli army. Yousef Aljamal, Helena Cobban and Tony Groves discuss mass arrests, using Palestinians as human shields in Gaza, and starvation in Gaza in light of the war on campuses in the U.S in this episode about Gaza and the West Bank

Irish Nationalism and the far right podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94361655

Help us keep going in 2024, join the shack at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Since 1996, David Blevins has been the senior Ireland correspondent for Sky News, covering news stories north and south of the border. When the news happened, we heard it from him.

In this episode he talks to Gareth and Sam about reporting some of the traumatic and momentous events in recent history in NI, why the golden age of journalism may not be over and how we need more time to hear stories, rather than sound bytes in the news.

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As if things weren't cold and miserable enough, we decided we needed to catch up with Colorado-based, Irish-Russian Prof of Economics, Constantin Gurdgiev. We're kidding. We love the man, even if when we disagree on the odd thing.

We talk the gap between the "booming" US economy and the lagging behind societal wellbeing. The seemingly inevitable Sleeper vs the Creeper Presidential Campaign and the unfolding commercial (residential) property crash that no one wants to face up to. Come in, Mr Schrödinger, the cat will see you shortly!

The Refaat Alareer "If I must die" tribute podcast is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94310387

Help us keep the mics on in 2024 by joining us at patreon.com/tortoiseshack

In this episode we are joined by George Issac Siman, who is a Palestinian-Colombian activist. He explains how the streets are with Palestine; noting that the amount of solidarity with Palestine after the Gaza genocide has been remarkable. He also delves into the history of each country, explaining why in Chile there is a strong Palestine support, which has 500,000 people of Palestinian origin, while this is not fully the case in Colombia, Honduras, Argentina and El Salvador. Yousef Aljamal, Helena Cobban and Tony Groves explore the Palestine solidarity movement in Latin America with George by highlighting the role of imperialism, history, financial colonialism and the failure of the left to produce good governance there.

The latest Echo Chamber Podcast with Economist Constantin Gurdgiev is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94198540

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It was a great pleasure to be rejoined by some of the amazing people behind Families for Reform of CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services). Hannah, Jenny and Eimear discuss the latest developments in their campaign to get a systemic reform of CAMHS, the work to get in the door and how they are hoping that a seat at the decision making table will help. Pragmatic optimism.

Our children deserve better.

More info: @Reform_of_Camhs

The far right playbook podcast is out now:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-94361655

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In this unique and emotional episode, PalCast host Dr. Yousef Aljamal and pals Tony Groves and Helena Cobban share memories of Dr. Refaat Alareer, the beloved Gaza teacher and mentor who was killed by Israel on December 7 along with six of his family members. Yousef, Tony, and Helena speak of the breadth of Refaat's wisdom, humanity, love of literature, and sense of humor, and concluded that he lives on in the rich networks of his mentees, students, and friends that now embrace Gaza and the world. Listen to anecdotes sweet and poignant, some short readings, and a deep appreciation of Refaat's legacy. We also address how some framed his unapologetic stance as controversial. He is so sadly missed.

The Podcast with Sky News journalist David Blevins is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/patron-exclusive-93825588

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(Editors note: Was asked to repost this as an explainer on the "new" revelations about Bogus Self Employment in RTE following the Karshan decision)

We were joined by Professor of Economics in University of Limerick, Stephen Kinsella. Stephen and Martin discussed the implications of the Karshan Supreme Court decision and what it means for the 'Gig' economy.

Martin traces the origins of the 'Gig' economy in Ireland back to Sandra Mahon, who was a demonstrator in supermarkets whose employment status came before the Supreme Court in 1998, Stephen discusses the future for 'gig' employers, the difference in conditions and pay for 'Schedule D' workers as opposed to other workers, and the business model of 'gig' employers.

Adam SpiceBag Doyle and Pattern Up interview is out now here:https://www.patreon.com/posts/97890834