mayor
GRITtv: Melissa Harris-Lacewell: Citizenship is a Long-Term Game
In the wake of what some called the worst week for democracy since Bush v. Gore, with the Democrats seeming to give up after losing one Senate seat and the Supreme Court allowing unlimited corporate influence on elections, we turn to Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Princeton professor, Nation contributor, and author of "Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought," for some clarification -- and consolation. Harris-Lacewell offers some thoughts on why it's lazy and dangerous to refer to political opponents as crazy, on the way the health care reform process has provided a valuable civics lesson, and how political campaigns are beholden to money.
Email this pageGRITtv: Is it Fair to Compare Haiti to New Orleans?
The comparisons between the earthquake in Haiti and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans have come fast and furious, but often from people who've watched both disasters through the clean-cut white lens of Anderson Cooper broadcasts. Meanwhile, people in Haiti -- and those in the Gulf Coast still struggling four years later -- need more than blame and comparisons. They need real solutions. To offer some, we ask Monika Kalra Varma, director of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Princeton professor, Nation contributor, and author of "Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought," and James Perry, executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center and candidate for mayor of New Orleans.
GRITtv: Kate Clinton: Where The Wild Things Stare At Goats
Just in time for Halloween, Kate Clinton has some thoughts about some scary issues facing America right now: the health care debate, and the New York mayoral election. She's also got some suggestions for the "Men Who Stare At Goats" who oppose health care -- give us a real filibuster. Get up and read from the phone book for 72 hours and let the public see who's willing to really put themselves on the line to oppose popular reforms.
GRITtv: Reverend Billy on his Mayoral Campaign
The Rev. Billy Talen has gained a loyal following thanks to his anti-corporate, anti-consumerist message which he preaches from Starbucks to strip malls. His Church of Life After Shopping, formerly known as the Church of Stop Shopping was even featured in a documentary: 'What Would Jesus Buy?'. Now, he is taking his gospel to the political stage - he announced his run for mayor of New York City this March as the Green Party candidate. Reverend Billy's platform calls for 'Keeping our Neighborhoods Livable and Vibrant, Healthy and Safe.' Here to tell us more is the good man himself.
