This Sunday, June 10th, 2012 will mark the beginning of a series of investigations surrounding what I believe is not only a natural evolution to our previous six-part series on The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), but a necessary one. Travel with me just below the squggledoodlethingey fold, and I'll tell you what it is about, and why I believe we must now "go there."
Since beginning this show some twelve weeks ago now, we have pretty much let the show take us where it seemed to think it should go.
We've been learning, tweaking, and adding quality content to the show however and whenever we could. We have added, for instance, a Show Producer/Co-Host, Progressive Patty who helps us by monitoring our live chat room, as well as screening our callers during our live shows. Should you wish call call in to our live show, the number is (347) 426-3348. I'm told that is actually a FREE skype call. (More on that after you try it out. Let me know, okay?)
The show, as you know airs each and every Sunday afternoon from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Central time) at http://blogtalkradio.com/.... Every episode is also archived for future listening. Additionally, the show blog (available from the show's front page) works to provide references, articles, writers and authors quoted during the show. We also work to wrap up the show via our nation site at http://ppts.nationbuilder.com.
We are asking for supporting members to donate to the show so we may keep providing top quality content, pay the show's costs, and add to the power of the product. Please help us out. I am pleased and very proud to announce that our very first donation to PPTS came in from a member of our own Kossack Family, who I have been proud to work with on other endeavors. Thank you SO much, friend.
As the show has begun to develop, one thing has consistently been on my mind: "Right now, usable information for Progressives across the Southern United States!" I believe that we have, so far, been honest to that task. I hope we will continue to be so.
About Episode #6, I became aware of a depth that the research for the show was demanding for both accuracy and honest journalism's sakes.
About that same time, I was contacted by a listener to the show who had recently ended almost six years working in the Tennessee State Legislature as a Senior Researcher for a 501(c)(3) Association, who agreed to discuss with me privately the possibility of coming onboard the show as a volunteer researcher. Most of that was okay, but I needed a Research Director with the expertise and experience to go in literally any direction at a moment's notice. That's a ton to ask of anyone, but especially a volunteer. I needed someone with the resources and contacts, who could as needed corral the necessary people power to get to the real truth of the matter, before I started spouting opinions (which I do NOT want to do on this show.), and could prove them factually.
I mean, like as in paper in my hands if necessary, before the show is live broadcast. To my utter amazement, she agreed to do so. She is known as Progressive Becky, and she has faithfully attended every live show, or run her rather impressive "BS filtering system" through every archived episode. I will tell you, her system is incredible. Thankfully, she is not afraid to use it on me or my words, either. I can't tell you what a gift that is to me, and to the show.
The beginning investigation of ALEC took us into some unexpected, and to be quite honest, scary places. But, if you think about it, even when we first learned of the true existence, purpose and scope of The American Legislative Exchange Council there was what could only be a collective "sigh" across America. Like any good conspiracy theory, there was just enough fact to validate the asking of the question. While we were also collectively shocked at the answers we received, we were also relieved in a way. There "WAS" something out there. Once that was determined, you must admit the national landscape was forever changed, everyone dug into the now-known facts, and we were collectively led to places where we would never have wished to be. Yet, we went there, anyway.
That feeling has been upon me for a few weeks now. Again. This couldn't just be about corporate corruption in legislatures! The risk was too great, even after nearly forty years. And, any good corruption scam always has a backup plan, and an ever more nefarious purpose.
I believe I have found it.
I'm going to talk about it, and the show is going as far as it takes to make it clearly known to America. I do know that a good part of my initial suspicions are correct. ALEC not only has a complete web of associates and "under the radar" affiliates to do it's bidding when it cannot. It is also but a small player in a much larger game. There are many "ALECs" in America, who do eventually come together at what will surely be a most amazing central control function.
That's where we are going. We will be stating factual truth, providing experts from around the world to help you, our listener understand the reality before us, and we will learn, together what WE can do about it, right now. It explains just so very much about what we are having to deal with from the Republican, Conservative, Tea Party Terrorist organizations, as well as some others which will surely surprise you.
I have no desire, nor intent to become another "Alex Jones" in any way. If anything, I'd much rather be another legitimate journalist who delivers his findings, and that of his team in a simple, factual way to you, the Progressives and Democrats who understand that it is absolutely true..and Wisconsin shows us this clearly...that it is democracy at stake in this election.
I hope you will tune in this Sunday, June 10th, 2012 from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (Central Time) as we begin the investigation I am calling "Beyond ALEC?" This will be an on-going investigation for several episodes, with the possibility of interruption for significant political, issue, or historic events. We need your financial help, we need you to listen, and most of all we need you to spread the word to everyone you know--especially across the Progressive Southern United States to join us in this new and daring adventure. If you would like to participate as a special guest, or would like to "sign on" as a member of Progressive Becky's Research Team, let us know at the nation. I'm not certain just where this series will lead us, but my gut tells me we are about to happily careen over the edge of a very deep abyss. We will report the scenery as it passes by.
We hope you will too.
For the show,
TNProgressive
Progressive Patty
Progressive Becky