Jon Nelson hosts this episode of the Old Mole, which includes the following segments:
The Legal Case for Genocide: In December 2023, residents of Gaza and two nongovernmental human rights organizations filed a lawsuit in a federal court in California arguing that the US federal government has violated the 1948 Genocide Convention by failing to intervene in Israel’s recent actions in Gaza. In their Left and the Law segment, Jan Haaken and Mike Snedeker talk about this case as well as the recent interim ruling by the International Court of Justice in South Africa’s case charging Israel with genocide. Jan and Mike discuss the political and legal implications of the two cases in the international struggle for Palestinian justice.
Transit Equity: Why is comprehensive build-out of public transit necessary to improve our heath, stop global warming, enable poor people to find work and meet friends, and reduce taxes. And can it be done? Bill Resnick talks to Liam Crisan, a researcher at the Institute for Policy Studies who recently published the essay “Transit Equity Movement Wins Their Biggest Zero Fare Victory Yet.”
Clean & Safe: A Dirty and Dangerous Contract for Portland: Every year, Downtown Clean & Safe receives over $5 million to provide “enhanced services” to 213 blocks of Portland’s Central City. Yet below the surface of this seemingly benign contract lie threats to public transparency, public services, and even progressive public policies. Guest Mole Alyssa Vitale explores how Portland business interests subsidize their anti-tax lobbying via a murky contract for sanitation and safety.
- KBOO