Patricia Kullberg hosts this episode of the Old Mole, which includes the following segments:
Re-criminalizing is not the Answer: In November 2020, Oregon voters overwhelmingly passed measure 110. The law decriminalizes possession of small amounts of some controlled substances, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. As the first state in the US to decriminalize so-called “hard drugs,” Oregon’s new policy took a historic step toward treating drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal issue. The implementation has faced a series of daunting challenges, however, including a current campaign to overturn the law or to partially recriminalize drug use. In their Left & the Law segment this month, Jan Haaken and Mike Snedeker take up controversies over measure 110 and why decriminalization of drugs remains vital to the broader social justice movement.
Assaults on Public Education: Assaults on Public Education: Bill Resnick talks to Jennifer Berkshire, a teacher of journalism with an emphasis on education, schools and the right’s continuing attack on public education, to replace it with private voucher schools teaching the right’s ideas on patriotism, sexual morality, and the obligations of citizenship. They discuss first the attack and the terrible outcomes of the right wing schools. And second how the attack has triggered a nationwide backlash with the potential of greatly strengthening the public schools.
Matewan: Labor actions are exploding across the county and workers are winning historic concessions. To recognize the ongoing struggles we look back at one historic battle of mineworkers in West Virginia who managed to forge alliances across race and nationalities. Movie Moles Joe Clement and Jan Haaken review John Sayles' film, "Matewan", which documents the fierce fight against the merciless exploitation of mine-workers. The movie is available at Multnomah County Library. This episode originally aired on 3-12-18.
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