Offering multiple perspectives from many fields of human inquiry that may move all of us toward a more integrated understanding of who we are as conscious beings.
Published on Jan 9, 2013 UCTV - Conversations with History and Host Harry Kreisler welcome UC Berkeley Professor of Philosophy John R. Searle who talks about the work of a philosopher, critical thinking, and lessons of the Free Speech Movement. Series: "Conversations with History" [Public Affairs]
Interesting Frontline Club discussion with WikiLeaks Editor-In-Chief Julian Assange and Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Žižek - originally from Democracy Now!
Interesting documentary from the from the folks at HBO. I used a different description than the one at Top Documentary Films - seemed a little more relevant.
Since 9/11, the First Amendment has again been under attack. Liz Garbus' Shouting Fire, a riveting exploration of the current state of free speech in America is crucially relevant.
Interweaving historical cases - The New York Times' fight to publish the Pentagon Papers and the Nazis' insistence on marching in Skokie, IL. among them - with contemporary free-speech battles, the film documents the way both the Right and the Left have lashed out in fear.
We think of First Amendment rights as inviolable; but in fact, they're profoundly vulnerable. Prominent First Amendment attorney - and the filmmaker's father - Martin Garbus, leads us through this perilous landscape and wisely warns, if we don't fight for our freedoms every day, we will lose them.
Watch the full documentary now (playlist – 1 hour, 14 minutes)
This video has gone viral among a certain subset of people who actually believe in Democracy as an ideal - brought to you by the same folks who brought us The Story of Stuff.
http://storyofcitizensunited.org ---- Season Two launches on March 1st with The Story of Citizens United v. FEC, an exploration of the inordinate power that corporations exercise in our democracy.
About the Film
The Story of Citizens United v. FEC, released on March 1st, 2011 at storyofcitizensunited.org, explores the history of the American corporation and corporate political spending, the appropriate roles of citizens and for-profit corporations in a democracy and the toxic impact the Citizens United decision is already having on our political process. It ends with a call to amend the U.S. constitution to confirm that people—not corporations—make the decisions in a democracy.
Join the movement and our community: Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support the distribution of The Story of Citizens United v. FEC. You can make a secure contribution HERE.
Written by Annie Leonard, Jonah Sachs, Louis Fox Produced by Free Range Studios Executive Producer Erica Priggen Director Louis Fox Camera Tim Kerns Gaffer Charles Griswold Sound Dan Gleich Best Girl Lauren Stocker Teleprompter Bill Buck Hair/Make-Up Kathleena Gorga Production Coordinator Juliet Unfried Animation Script Louis Fox, Ruben DeLuna Animators Ruben DeLuna, Lyla Warren, Bob Cesca, Ben Johnson Editor Mike Farley Sound Design Ray Sutton
Story of Stuff Project Annie Leonard, Michael O’Heaney, Christina M. Samala, Allison Cook, Renee Shade
Viral Outreach Heidi Quante, Angela Bradbery, Rachel Lewis
Script Advisor Robert Weissman
Support Provided by The Cow Hollow Fund, 11th Hour Project
About the Issue
You can only cram so much in to eight minutes, even talking as fast as Annie does! Check out these additional resources to learn more about issues Annie talks about in The Story of Citizens United v. FEC and take action to put the people back in charge of our democracy!
Free Speech For People is a new national non-partisan campaign pressing for a 28thAmendment to the US Constitution to overturn Citizens United v. FEC and restore democracy to the people. Free Speech For People (www.freespeechforpeople.org) seeks to reclaim constitutional rights for people and return corporations to their place as economic rather than political entities. Free Speech For People launched its campaign moments after the US Supreme Court issued its ruling on January 21, 2010, in Citizens United v. FEC. Since its launching, Free Speech For People has worked across the country to build a broad grassroots movement to ensure that people, not corporations, govern in America.
People For the American Way is dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American: Equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way.
Our vision is a vibrantly diverse democratic society in which everyone is treated equally under the law, given the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams, and encouraged to participate in our nation’s civic and political life. Our America respects diversity, nurtures creativity and combats hatred and bigotry.
We believe a society that reflects these constitutional principles and progressive values is worth fighting for, and we take seriously our responsibility to cultivate new generations of leaders and activists who will sustain these values for the life of this nation.
Corporations have their lobbyists in Washington, D.C. The people need advocates too.
Public Citizen serves as the people’s voice in the nation’s capital. Since our founding in 1971, we have delved into an array of areas, but our work on each issue shares an overarching goal: To ensure that all citizens are represented in the halls of power.
For nearly four decades, we have proudly championed citizen interests before Congress, the executive branch agencies and the courts. We have successfully challenged the abusive practices of the pharmaceutical, nuclear and automobile industries, and so many others. We are leading the charge against undemocratic trade agreements that advance the interests of mega-corporations at the expense of citizens worldwide.
As the federal government wrestles with critical issues – fallout from the global economic crisis, health care reform, climate change and so much more – Public Citizen is needed now more than ever. We are the countervailing force to corporate power. We fight on behalf of all Americans – to make sure your government works for you.
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