On the next Story Told, Jonathan Capehart asks the question “What about Black students’ ‘discomfort’?,” in repsonse to white discomfort regarding America’s slaving past. And from the late Thich Nhat Hanh, “At War with Ourselves.” Finally from Todd Gitlin, who also recently passed, “Does the Arc of the Moral Universe Still Bend Toward Justice?”
A Story Told
Weekly readings of social and political commentary from local journalist, activist, and Vietnam War veteran Michael McCusker.
On the next Story Told, “Lincoln’s Emancipation,” which is a piece that sees regular reuse in Michael McCusker’s repertoire, this time of year.
On the next Story Told, Michael McCusker kicks off Black History Month with an abridged “This Side of Oregon,” by Ralph Friedman.
On the next Story Told, “Vote for Life and Liberty Pt. II,” by Michael McCusker. Also, in a similar vein, by E.J. Dionne Jr., “Giving up on voting rights now would be unconscionable.” Robert Brake chimes in and states “‘Oh Beautiful’ is my kind of America.” Finally, poetry from Jim Dott, and a eulogy-tribute to longtime Astorian artist Michael DeWaide. …
On the next Story Told, the final of two parts in Michael McCusker’s original dystopian short story; a mixture of Orwell’s authoritarianism and Robert Heinlein’s warnings of theocracy to make “Evangelica 5440.”
On the next Story Told, the first of two parts in Michael McCusker’s original dystopian short story; a mixture of Orwell’s authoritarianism and Robert Heinlein’s warnings of theocracy to make “Evangelica 5440.”
On the next Story Told, Politifact’s 2021 lie of the year: “Lies about the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and its significance.” Also, Michael congratulates Joanne Rideout on her countless years of KMUN service, and mourns her retirement.
On the next Story Told, from the KMUN vault, an excerpt of the final Words Words Words program, hosted by Dire Day, as transcribed and read by Michael McCusker. And in closing for this year, “Resolutions for 2022,” which are, exactly the same as the previous resolutions
On the next Story Told, a Christmas-adjacent program featuring Santa Claus, who’s recently been suspected of smuggling cocaine across the boarder from the North Pole in “Snowtime for Santa.” Also, an excerpt from “The Complete Kwanzaa: Celebrating Our Cultural Harvest,” by Dorothy Winbush Riley. And finally, by Michael McCusker, “Born to be a Rebel.”
On the next Story Told, Michael McCusker delivers an original rant pertaining to the Bill of Rights. Also, from Dr. Robert Brake, “The Bill of Rights: America’s Greatest Afterthought?” And finally, “Mark Meadows has already established a coup plot. Do we care enough to stop him?,” written by Jennifer Rubin.
On the next Story Told, Michael McCusker presents “On the Occasion of the 80ᵗʰ Anniversary of Pearl Harbor.” Also, Dr. Robert Brake gives a “Bizarre Suggestion,” being a lyrically practical homage to the DC-3 Airliner. Finally, redressing a longtime mischaracterization in “Why Norman Rockwell left Thanksgiving Americana behind,” by Andrew L. Yarrow
On the next Story Told, Michael McCusker delves into the Oregon’s Citizen’s Alliance, otherwise known as the O.C.A., in “Petition of Prejudice.” Also, “Arthur’s House” from Katrin Bridget Snow, and poetry from Juanita Huebner, “Walking Tour of Astoria.”
On the next Story Told, Robert Jensen gives “No Thanks to Thanksgiving,” while Michael McCusker merely gives some personal observations. Additionally, to conclude the program, “Evergreen” by Jim Dott.
On the next Story Told, all about JFK’s assassination in Dan Armstrong’s “Dearth of a President.” Additionally, by Robert Reich, “What Happens When a Congressman Threatens a Colleague With Violence.”
On the next Story Told, Michael McCusker acknowledges the day the great slaughter ended one hundred three years ago with “Armistice 103.” Additionally, from Rick Rubin, “Veterans of America, I salute you!”
After disrobing from your Halloween garb, prepare to doll up for climate summit pageantry on the next Story Told with Michael McCusker. Also, Rebecca Willis asks “Is democracy up to the task of climate change?” Finally, Dr. Robert Brake asserts (correctly) that “Monopoly is not just a board game.”
On the next Story Told, a seasonally thematic piece by Iris Wilde, “Burning Witches.” And, in honor of what would be Josephine McCusker’s 109ᵗʰ birthday, “Happy Birthday Mother,” written by Michael McCusker.
On the next Story Told, in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness month, “Women in Crisis,” written by Leeann Jones Kelly in 2005 as a reflection on the Women’s Crisis Centers’ 25ᵗʰ year in operation. Also, “Beating Her Up,” by Michael McCusker. Finally, Karen Mellin reassures that “You Are Not Alone.”
On the next Story Told, as Columbus Day now gets eclipsed by Indigenous People’s Day, Michael McCusker reads an original screed, “Hello Columbus,” and to elucidate the continual oppression of Native Americans, from John Mohawk, “Native Americans and the Right to Survive.”
On the next Story Told, a biased and skewed chronicle of human devolution by Michael McCusker titled “Homo Evolvianus.” Also, from David Horrowitz, “History and Critical Theory.” And to end the program, from the late poet-laureate Howard Nemerov, “Magnitudes.”
On the next Story Told, Michael considers whether or not former president Trump is guilty of the high crime of sedition. Additionally, following last program’s mention of Helen Patti Hill, Michael shares something he wrote about her titled “The Right to Know Who You Are,” and also something she wrote herself: “A Treatise on Adoption.”
On the next Story Told, Michael expounds the values of community radio in “Mediacrity Galore,” whilst Dr. Robert Brake claims “We Have No Right To Vote.”
On the next Story Told, Michael McCusker delivers an original rant on the subject of America’s delicate and imperfect constitutional democracy. And from David Horowitz, in self explanatory fashion: “Vietnam Anti-war Protests and the Legacy of Social Movements.”
On the next Story Told, an original monologue from Michael McCusker about 9/11, not only referring to the so-called ‘war on terror,’ but also to the rise of Augusto Pinochet. Additionally, “Counter Babble,” by Judith Grifface, and “September 11ᵗʰ,” by Jessie Duncan. Finally, Kathryn Colbert and Julie F. Kay warns that “It’s time to brace ourselves for a world without…
On the next Story Told, a program of sweat and saltwater to celebrate Astoria’s foremost profession: the fisherman and fisherwoman, featuring “The Price of Fish” by Michael McCusker. Also from Michael, a journal excerpt, “Two Days Aboard the Albacore Trawler ‘Falling Star.’”
On the next Story Told, “The Twenty-Sixth of August” will be when this program takes place, and it will also be the title of the first piece on this program, written by Leanora Murray. Additionally, “The Equal Rights Amendment,” from Michael McCusker, and from Tamim Ansary “History shows us that outsiders can never bring peace to Afghanistan.”
On the next Story Told, Michael turns eighty years old on the exact day of this program, and for the occasion, he shares “The Summer of Love and War.” Also recognized are the southpaw, counter-clockwork, left-handed, “Children of Satan.”
On the next Story Told, Michael McCusker ponders whether nuclear holocost or climate change will get us first. Also, “Earth’s Checklist,” a poem, by Margit L. Bowler, and on a related note, Carl Safina and Paul Greenberg claim “We Need an Infrastructure Package for Nature.” Finally, Eugene Robinson puts it simply by saying, “Ignoring climate change hasn’t made it go…
On the next Story Told, living in the year 76 NA, standing for ‘nuclear age,’ Michael reads the contemporary “Mushrooms in August.” Additionally, Dr. Robert Brake tells the American people to “Put ‘Em Up!” and lastly, a tribute to the Astorian Charles Scott Parker
On the next Story Told, a double diatribe on two American symbols: the vote, and the flag. And from Michael Schaffner, “I’m a reenactor. Critical race theory helps me bring history, good and bad, to life.”