Tough Times with Lou Young

WE BROKE IT, WE BOUGHT IT

The US Executive branch may be unhinged, but WE elected it.  What's a dissenter to do?

We've got input from both coasts, and full half-hour with Westchester's new County Executive Ken Jenkins.  Plus, concerned callers and....

Rev Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping.  Tough Times: we were made for this.

He was a New York City cab driver, a political activist in the Nixon era, and ultimately an international journalist who walked the streets of Papa Doc’s Haiti, the Sandinista’s Nicaragua, and Tel Aviv at the dawn of a doomed peace process. Then he tackled true crime as a producer for DATELINE NBC. This man has stories to tell and begins with us in this two-hour broadcast.

Plus, Rev Billy and Eco Riot radio—the Church of Stop Shopping unleashed! Strap in and ride along.

Constitutional Lawyer Michael Sussman joins us for an assessment of the Trump electoral victory; What it means and what it doesn’t. How to read the results, what to expect from the dramatic change, and how reality may temper the shift. There is optimism amid the anxiety.

Plus Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping as the Earth asserts itself. LOTS to think about here.

NUKE POWER & SUPERSTORMS-

Can the decommissioned Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant be repurposed and reactivated? The folks who are taking the plant apart say a newer, smaller plant could be put eventually to use the spent fuel stored on site. Opponents say no way. We hear from both sides of that debate….Then….

In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton we talk with storm expert Dr. Suzana Camargo, Research Professor at Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades NY. Climate change may be making the storms stronger but there’s apparently no evidence they are becoming more frequent.

All that, music, Rev Billy and more.

ALL ABOUT E-V'S (Electric Vehicles)

An automobile consultant joins Lou, George Potanovic, and Will Hennessey in debriefing a series of EV owners and experts as we help you decide if the all-electric road option is something for you.  Callers during the two hours include folks who participated in the DRIVE ELECTRIC event held in Mamaroneck NY on Sept. 28, 2024. There's information about Telsa, Rivian, Ford, Ionic., KIA, Hyundai, GM, and a number of others.  It's jam packed with info and includes a visit with Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping (ironic since we're shop[ping for EVs, huh?) News from the Natural World, and interview with NY Congressional hopeful Mondaire Jones AND......we even squeeze in a little music.

TRUTH IS A GOAL NOT A PRECONCEPTION.  Lou brings in former colleague and "recovering" journalist Howard Price for a wide ranging chat about news, our "post-truth" world, broadcasting, our love of radio and the shape of things to come.  The two hours mixed with good music, friendly wisdom and a smattering of from-the-field journalism war stories.  Rev Billy, and Savitri D provide a little Eco Riot radio, News from the Natural World.  Scott Sobel updates us on Braver Angels as he seeks to communicate across America's political divide. You will be entertained and hopefully informed.

ONE DAY OLDER AND DEEPER IN DEBT

Author, teacher, former financial services executive, and founder of the US Debt Forum Michael Doorley tries to wrap our heads around the exploding federal debt.  Host Lou Young wonders if all thoseTrillions "borrowed" bucks on the books even matter, and the two discuss the illusion that money has value and the dangerous assumption that debt is just a state of mind for a government the size of ours.  It has seemed to work so far but how does it end?  And where are we headed?  Music includes Pink Floyd, Remy, and.......Tennessee Ernie Ford.Add Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping and its a show you won't forget. 

CANADIAN CONNECTION:  It may be the longest extension cord in the world and it's being installed right now.  The 339 mile long Champlain-Hundson Power Express (CHPE) will ultimately deliver electricity from Quebec to Queens NY, moving along the lake and river bottoms and alongside Route 9W in Rockland County to supply a sizable chunk of NYC's power for the 21st Century.  The crew at "Tough Times" looks at the remarkable project that is supposed to transmit primary hydro-generate electricity to the world's most lucrative power market.  There ARE questions though.  Who guarantees the energy will be renewable?  How long will businesses along the route be disrupted?  Why is none of the energy being made available to the communities the line is passing under/and through?  Tough talk from stakeholders, officeholders, and microphone holders to a soundtrack of electric music.  Eddy Grant, AC/DC, Katy Perry, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Richie Havens bring the tunes.

Reverend Billy brings the EarthChxrch sermon.  Savitri D and News from the Natural World and, as always, The Stop Shopping Choir.  Two hours to cherish.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO KEN

Tough Times returned to the air Saturday with the first live broadcast since a string or world-changing events: The attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the suspension of President Biden's re-election campaign, the sudden and total rise of VP Kamala Harris as his replacement on the ticket, a widening war in the Middle East and, as always, the deepening climate crisis that threatens the existence of our civilization.

To digest all that, host Lou Young drafted Ken Kendes whom he described as "a retired entrepreneur with no hobbies," but who is actually a keen observer of the human condition and a budding late-in-life standup comic.  (Ken makes Lou laugh; It's Lou's show!)

Ken joins frequent co-host George Potanovic and producer/engineer Will Hennessey on a meandering two hour journey that includes sharp disagreements on Lou's comportment and attitude, Ken's psychological burdens, the very idea that there ever were "good old days," the first name of the guy who sang "96 Tears," and which Beach Boys albums is better "Pet Sounds," or "Surf's Up."  Reverend Billy takes us to a bank lobby for a climate change demonstration and unveils some new music from The Stop Shopping Choir.  (We're not sure if Ken is horrified or intrigued by Reverend Billy) There's News from the Natural World with Savitri D, and a call from Joe Biden's neighbor, Scott, from Delaware.  Then we ran out of time.

The heat is on, but it’s the coolest Summer of the rest our lives. Live reports from heat ravaged Texas, Mayor D’Onforio from flood ravaged Highland Falls, NY, NYS Assemblyman Chris Eachus, Joshua Laird, Executive Director of the Palisades Park Commission gave us an update on the algae bloom at Lake Welch and a celebration on the eve of the July 16, 1779 Battle of Stony Point —and a variety of listeners who pass on their climate change observations. Rev Billy has a lot animal noises music, earth spirituality, environmental news great music and more….. Lou like the version of “I Put a Spell on You,” he played.