Reality Asserts Itself

Credibility of the Ruling Elite is Being Shredded – RAI with Chris Hedges

On RAI with Paul Jay, Chris Hedges says that while people are disgusted with the centers of power, unless there is a constructive alternative, any eruption will be nihilistic and could be fascist. This episode was produced on December 6, 2013.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

The Pathology of the Rich – Chris Hedges on RAI (1/2)

On RAI with Paul Jay, Chris Hedges discusses the psychology of the super-rich; their sense of entitlement, the dehumanization of workers, and mistaken belief that their wealth will insulate them from the coming storms. This episode was published on December 5, 2013.

History, Reality Asserts Itself

Vietnam and the Legacy of the JFK Presidency – Peter Kuznick on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 2/2)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on November 23, 2013. In this episode of Reality Asserts Itself, Paul Jay challenges historian Peter Kuznick on JFK’s legacy in regard to the Vietnam War.

History, Reality Asserts Itself

Vietnam and the Legacy of the JFK Presidency – Peter Kuznick on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/2)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on November 22, 2013. In this episode of Reality Asserts Itself, Paul Jay and historian Peter Kuznick discuss whether or not JFK intended to withdraw from Vietnam before his assassination.

History, Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics, USA

The Kennedy Brothers Thought the Civil Rights Movement Was a Nuisance at Best – Glen Ford Pt 4/5

On this episode of Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Glen Ford discusses the JFK presidency and its relative indifference towards the black freedom struggle. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 22, 2013, with Paul Jay.

Reality Asserts Itself, USA

Obama and the Post Racial Society – James Early on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 2/3

On Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, James Early says the economic indices of the black community are worse at the mass level than they were before Obama became president. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 19, 2013.

Cuba, Reality Asserts Itself, South & Central America

Will Cuban Reforms Create More Inequality – James Early on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 3/3

On Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, James Early who has visited Cuba more than thirty times says what’s needed is more citizen participation and less centralization but Cuba is not headed towards the Chinese capitalist model. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 18, 2013.

Law & Justice, Reality Asserts Itself, USA

“Liberty and Justice for Some People” – James Early on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 1/3

In this series of Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, James Early talks about American identity and growing up African-American facing the deep racism of the South. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 18, 2013.

Geopolitics, Reality Asserts Itself, USA

Hegemony Abroad Requires a Security State at Home – Ray McGovern Pt 2/2

In this segment of Reality Asserts Itself, Paul Jay and former CIA analyst Ray McGovern discuss the relationship between seeking to be the world’s single superpower and the resulting blowback and need to suppress dissent at home. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced November 4, 2013.

Geopolitics, Reality Asserts Itself, USA

Ex CIA Analyst on Snowden and Calling Journalists Terrorists – Ray McGovern Pt 1/2

Palestine/Israel, Reality Asserts Itself

Racism, Occupier, and the Occupied – Max Blumenthal On Reality Asserts Itself (pt 5/5)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on November 1, 2013. In the final episode of Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Max Blumenthal responds to critics who say he has not dealt with the effect of terrorist attacks and anti-Jewish propaganda in the Arab world in strengthening racist and apartheid opinion in Israel.

Palestine/Israel, Reality Asserts Itself

Architect of Apartheid in Israel: “If we don’t kill, we will cease to exist” – Blumenthal (pt 4/5)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 31, 2013. In this episode of Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Max Blumenthal looks at Arnon Sofer, one of Israel’s most important strategic thinkers, who developed plans to defend Jewish demographics.

Palestine/Israel, Reality Asserts Itself

Netanyahu’s Greater Israel Based on Expulsion and Annexation – Max Blumenthal (pt 3/5)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 30, 2013. In this episode of Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Max Blumenthal, author of Goliath – Life and Loathing in Greater Israel, looks at PM Netanyahu’s strategy of ethnic cleansing and negotiations without end.

Palestine/Israel, Reality Asserts Itself

Ethnic Cleansing and the Israeli Center – Max Blumenthal On Reality Asserts Itself (pt 2/5)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 29, 2013. In this episode of Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Max Blumenthal author of Goliath – Life and Loathing in Greater Israel, looks at Tzipi Livni, whose support for expelling Israeli Palestinians even surprised Condoleezza Rice.

Palestine/Israel, Reality Asserts Itself

Goliath, Life and Loathing in Greater Israel – Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/5)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 27, 2013. On Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, author Max Blumenthal discusses his new book and traces the rise of Avigdor Lieberman and current policies of ethnic cleansing in Israel.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

Does American Might Prevent Global Chaos – Peter Kuznick on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 3/3)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 20, 2013. In the final episode of this series of Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, historian Peter Kuznick analyzes the core idea of American exceptionalism, that US military power creates world order.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

Obama Embraces American Exceptionalism – Peter Kuznick on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 2/3)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 17, 2013. On Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, historian Peter Kuznick analyzes Obama’s claim of an enlightened US foreign policy.

History, Reality Asserts Itself

American Exceptionalism and US Imperialism – Peter Kuznick on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/3)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 15, 2013. On Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Prof. Peter Kuznick, historian and co-author with Oliver Stone of the Untold History of The United States, looks at the ideas that justify American conquest and empire.

Climate Change, Reality Asserts Itself, Workers & Unions

Why Autoworkers Care About Climate Change – Frank Hammer on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 4/4)

This interview was originally published on October 11, 2013. In the final segment of this Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Frank Hammer says all workers should face up to the dangers of climate change and insist that we move toward a green economy.

Reality Asserts Itself, Workers & Unions

Young Autoworkers Ask Older Workers, “What Happened” – Frank Hammer on RAI (pt 3/4)

This interview was originally published on October 8, 2013. In this episode of Reality Asserts Itself, Frank Hammer discusses the pressures on Detroit auto workers’ wages that came from the American and global south.

Reality Asserts Itself, Workers & Unions

The Fight Against UAW Leadership and GM – Frank Hammer on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 2/4)

This interview was originally published on October 7, 2013. In this episode, Frank Hammer tells Paul Jay about being inspired by the national liberation movements and the struggle against concessions as a response to the outsourcing of jobs.

Reality Asserts Itself, Workers & Unions

Why I Became a Working Class Organizer – Frank Hammer on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/4)

This interview was originally published on October 7, 2013. On Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, retired UAW Local President Frank Hammer tells the story of his radicalization in the movement against the Vietnam War and turning his back on a professional career to take up working class activism.

Middle East, Palestine/Israel, Reality Asserts Itself

The Survival of the Palestinian People is Itself a Form of Resistance – Rania Masri pt 3/3

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced September 25, 2013. In this last segment of Reality Asserts Itself with Rania Masri, Paul Jay asks why she considers Israel the “enemy” state; the one-state solution; and the possibility of a new political leadership amongst the Palestinians.

Middle East, Reality Asserts Itself

Opposing Intervention in Syria Without Apologizing for a Dictatorship – Rania Masri pt 2/3

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced September 25, 2013. In part two of Reality Asserts Itself, Paul Jay and Rania Masri discuss the charge that opposing foreign intervention is support for Assad; the idea that Assad is “anti-imperialist”; and the role of violence in fighting dictatorship.

Middle East, Palestine/Israel, Reality Asserts Itself

Rania Masri on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/3)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced September 25, 2013. Paul Jay talks to peace activist and environmentalist Rania Masri about her journey – from Bahrain to North Carolina, from scientist to global activist.

Middle East, Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics, USA

Did Bush Cheney Create a Culture of Not Wanting to Know – Sen. Bob Graham on RAI Pt 7/7

On RAI with Paul Jay, Senator Bob Graham says there was a pervasive pattern in police and intelligence agencies: “You don’t have everybody moving in the same direction without there being a head coach somewhere who was giving them instructions as to where he wants them to move” - a REPLAY of a 2013 interview by Paul Jay on Reality Asserts Itself.

Middle East, Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics, USA

Why Would Saudi Arabia Support 9/11 Conspirators – Sen. Bob Graham on RAI Pt 6/7

Former Senator Bob Graham, co-chair of the 2002 Joint Congressional Inquiry into 9/11, believes that the Saudi government “had a high and what has thus far turned out to be credible expectation that their role” in 9/11 “would not be exposed” by the U.S. government - a REPLAY of a 2013 interview by Paul Jay on Reality Asserts Itself.

Middle East, Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics, USA

Revealing 9/11 Conspiracy Would Undo U.S. Saudi Alliance – Sen. Bob Graham on RAI Pt 5/7

Paul Jay asks Senator Graham if a culture of “not wanting to know” was created to prevent the conspiracy from being uncovered and to protect the role of the Saudi government – a REPLAY of a 2013 interview by Paul Jay on Reality Asserts Itself.

Middle East, Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics, USA

Saudi Government’s 9/11 Connection and the Path to Disillusionment – Sen. Bob Graham on RAI Pt 4/7

On RAI with Paul Jay, Senator Bob Graham explains why he persists in making the case that facts directly connect the Saudi government with 9/11 conspirators – a REPLAY of a 2013 interview by Paul Jay on Reality Asserts Itself.

Philosophy & Ethics, Reality Asserts Itself, World

International Law and The Responsibility to Protect – Vijay Prashad Pt 4/4

In the final segment of Paul Jay’s interview with Vijay Prashad on Reality Asserts Itself, the subject is the undermining of international law and military interventions in the name of human rights. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced August 11, 2013, with Paul Jay.

Philosophy & Ethics, Reality Asserts Itself, World

Bradley Manning, the Nuremberg Charter and Refusing to Collaborate with War Crimes – Prashad Pt 3/4

In this segment of Reality Asserts Itself, Paul Jay and Vijay Prashad discuss the Chelsea Manning case in light of the 68th anniversary of signing the Nuremberg Charter which states it is illegal to follow orders to commit a war crime. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced August 9, 2013, with Paul Jay.

Philosophy & Ethics, Reality Asserts Itself

Questioning the Underlying Structures of Property and Power is Off the Table – Vijay Prashad Pt 2/4

In part two of Reality Asserts Itself, Paul Jay and Vijay Prashad discuss the limits imposed on questioning the roots of inequality and how those who own the majority of property set the terms for everyone else. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced August 8, 2013, with Paul Jay.

Philosophy & Ethics, Reality Asserts Itself

Marx and Tolstoy Helped Me See the Limits of Liberalism – Vijay Prashad Pt 1/4

Vijay Prashad talks about growing up in India and coming to the realization that liberalism could never eliminate poverty. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced August 2, 2013, with Paul Jay.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

Chris Hedges Answers Viewers Questions – RAI (7/7)

On the final episode of Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Chris Hedges answers questions like: “Do you believe the US or Israel will attack Iran?” and “Is there any hope for Bradley Manning?” This episode was produced on July 25, 2013.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

As a Socialist, I have No Voice in the Mainstream – Chris Hedges on RAI (6/7)

On Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Chris Hedges says an effective movement that defies power will have to be disciplined and articulate what a vision of socialism might look like. This episode was produced on July 24, 2013.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

The Liberal Elite has Betrayed the People they Claim they Defend – Chris Hedges on RAI (5/7)

On Reality Asserts Itself with Paul Jay, Chris Hedges says the Democratic Party used to watch out for the interests of labor and even for the poor. But that all changed under Bill Clinton. Although Clinton, like Obama, continues to speak in that feel-your-pain language of traditional liberalism, they’ve completely betrayed the very people that they purport to represent and defend. This episode was produced on July 22, 2013.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

“America is a Tinderbox” – Chris Hedges on RAI (4/7)

On Reality Asserts Itself, Paul Jay asks Chris Hedges if the American Left bears responsibility for the weakness of the mass movement; Hedges says the gravest mistake of the left is not articulating a viable vision of socialism. This episode was produced on July 19, 2013.

Climate Change, Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

We Must Grasp Reality to Build Effective Resistance – Chris Hedges on RAI (3/7)

In the continuation of Paul Jay’s Reality Asserts Itself interview with Chris Hedges, they discuss the fantasy that we can have everything we want and the reality of the grave dangers facing us. This episode was produced on July 18, 2013.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

Journalism Should be About Truth, Not Career – Chris Hedges on RAI (2/7)

On Reality Asserts Itself, Chris Hedges tells Paul Jay about his criticism of the Iraq War and the events that led to him leaving the New York Times – “great reporters care about truth more than they do about news”. This episode was produced on July 17, 2013.

Reality Asserts Itself, U.S. Politics

Urban Poverty in America Made Me Question Everything – Chris Hedges on RAI (1/7)

Paul Jay interviews author, journalist and activist Chris Hedges about the formative experiences that shaped his worldview. This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself produced on July 16, 2013.

Military-Industrial Complex, Reality Asserts Itself

The Military-Industrial Congressional Complex – Lawrence Wilkerson RAI (pt 2/3)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 27, 2009. Wilkerson: From US debt to the geopolitics of oil, the US empire will come to an end.

Military-Industrial Complex, Reality Asserts Itself

The Military-Industrial Congressional Complex – Lawrence Wilkerson RAI (pt 1/3)

This is an episode of Reality Asserts Itself, produced on October 26, 2009. This talk by Larry Wilkerson was the keynote speech given at an event sponsored by the Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intelligence, American University History Department, and American University’s Nuclear Studies Institute on Oct 21, 2009, at American University in Washington, DC. Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intelligence describes itself as “a movement of former CIA colleagues and other associates of former intelligence analyst Sam Adams, who hold up his example as a model for those in intelligence who would aspire to the courage to speak truth to power”.

Reality Asserts Itself, USA

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