The Nicole Sandler Show

I lifted the title of the film we'll be discussing on today's show and used it as the title for this episode because it's a custom fit. The film "Not Going Quiety" tells Ady Barkan's story. If you were at all involved in the fight over the last 10+ years for Medicare For All, you likely know about Ady Barkan. Always a progressive activist and organizer, Ady was diagnosed with ALS. He continued his activism and organizing work, pushing for M4A. Director Nicholas Bruckman and Producer Amanda Roddy join me for the second half of today's show. The film premieres Monday 1/24 on PBS' "POV." You can also find other ways to listen at notgoingquietlyfilm.com. But we'll begin today's show with a trip in the Wayback Machine... back 12 years to the day. January 21, 2010, the Supreme Court ruled on Citizens United v. FEC, a case concerning the relationship between campaign finance and free speech. As you should know, it was a democracy-killing opinion that threw open the doors of dark money in campaigns. Then, later that afternoon came the news that Air America Radio had ceased operations. I'll play for you the beginning of the show I did that night... my first post-Air America show, and the beginning of the program I'm still hosting today!

A bit of what's news for now

One year ago today, the Trump clan exited the White House, hopefully forever, certainly for good. Joe Biden's inauguration, one year ago today, was an historically odd event, made stranger by the lack of crowds due to the COVID 19 pandemic. And it's somewhat fitting that the most iconic image from that day is of a mitten'd Bernie Sanders in the stands, just trying to stay warm. Biden held his first press conference in 10 months yesterday, but it seems nothing is good enough for his critics and the mainstream corporate media. They complained when he didn't answer questions, and yesterday complained he went too long! Sadly, the Biden presidency was derailed in the senate last night by the Republicans with an assist from two alleged Democrats, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. There's lots to talk about. And Howie Klein is here today... it's Thursday.

A bit of what's news for now

It's a busy day in DC. The senate continues debating the voting rights package, as a vote is planned for this evening at 6:30ET. All indications are that the vote will fail, but the goal is to get everyone one the record as to where they stand, Manchin and Sinema included. There is a question about what it would take to change the filibuster back to a talking filibuster... but I guess we'll see how it plays out tonight. At 4pm ET, President Biden is giving a rare press conference. My guest today is actually an old friend. I met Tim Devine when I was Music Director and on air at LA's Finest Rock fm 101.9 KSCA back in the mid-90s. Tim was an A&R guy for Capitol Records who brought John Hiatt up to the station, and was the guy who signed Bonnie Raitt to Capitol; the result was the groundbreaking album "Nick of Time." Tim and I became friends, though I haven't seen or spoke to him in probably 25 years. A few weeks ago, I saw a post on social media from him promoting his new book, "Days of Trump: The definitive chronology of the 45th President of the United States." My first thought was "WHY?" Then I reached out and invited him on the show. The fact is, someone had to document the insanity of those four years. We must remember and never let it happen again!

A bit of what's news for now

This is the week that the world's richest and most powerful were supposed to park their private jets on crowded tarmacs in Switzerland to gather and compare their fortunes while snickering at the rest of us who fly commercial. But COVID spoiled their plans. So the Davos World Economic Forum for 2022 is a virtual gathering. But gather, they must, if only to compare notes on which of these billionaires' wealth increased the most under the pandemic. My guest today is Peter S. Goodman, author of the new book, "Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World," just released today. He'll tell us how the "Davos Man" (think Florida man, but filthy rich) doubled his wealth during (and thanks to) the pandemic, while for 99% of us, things got much worse. We'll begin in the Senate where, today, they're finally debating voting rights (thanks to an antiquated rule that allowed Democrats to proceed to debate without being subjected to the filibuster), despite there being virtually no chance whatsoever of coming out of this a winner.

A bit of what's news for now

It's Monday, January 17. It's Martin Luther King Jr Day. The irony is seeing all of the Republican assholes who continue voting against the Voting Rights Act Tweeting out MLK quotes and such today. The hypocrisy is deafening. It's also the 28th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake -- the last big one in California, and I was there. I'll share my memories of that morning. In the second half of today's show, we'll get into the save and protect sections... My guest is John Hall. (Yes, rescheduled from Friday). He's a musician and songwriter with two huge hits under his belt with the band Orleans (Dance with Me, Still the One); he co-founded the group Musicians United for Safe Energy (MUSE) and helped organize the 1979 No Nukes concerts at Madison Square Garden. His song Power was its anthem. He served two terms in Congress representing NY-19 (2007-11), then returned to the music world. His new album is called "Reclaiming My Time," featuring "Save the Monarchs" with special guest Dar Williams.

A bit of what's news for now