On the next Story Told, Michael busses tables at the luxurious Top of The Astor for Bob Dole and Bill Clinton, as they conduct a secret negotiation to merge the Republican and Democratic parties in “The Transmutation of Billy-Bob.”
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, Michael conjectures why Americans feel the vote has lost its non-symbolic power, and has become watered down in “For Life and Liberty.” Also, in a self explanatory piece, “How Libraries Can Save the 2020 Election,” By Eric Klinenberg. Lastly, on the supposed balance of powers, “Keep Your Head.”
On the next Story Told, Michael transforms into Corona-Smith, and goes to Washington D.C., Also, by Linda Hirshman, “Ruth Bader Ginsburg had a vision for America. Her colleagues thwarted it.” Finally, “Flames That Won’t Die Out So Easily.” by Nicolas Christof.
On the next Story Told, Michael casts away the smoke and mirrors of climate change denial, and draws attention to the very man made wildfires ravaging the West Coast. Plus, the late Dr. Charles Wilder in “My Heroes Have Never Been Cowboys.”
On the next Story Told, America’s notion of immunity on the world stage popped with the September 11th terrorist attacks. Michael took in the views from many Astorians when it happened, and they are recounted in “9/11 + 19.” Additionally, poetry by a 15 year old Jessie Duncan, and 12 year old Margaret Bowler.
On this A Story Told, Michael highlights two late Oregonian men. One, a fabled woodsman. The other, a mariner who died at sea.
In lieu of the 50th anniversary of the People’s Army Jamboree, plus a recent article from the Oregonian, Michael gives his recount of the activist-hippy-legionnaire-government clash. And, in a similar vein, “Oregon World War 1 Vet Lead Twenty Thousand Strong Bonus Army in 1932” by Douglas Perry.
On the next Story Told, a look at the suffragettes who won women the right to vote 100 years ago in a New York Times editorial “The 19th Amendment, an Important Milestone in an Unfinished Journey.” And in a dedication to Rick Sanders, Michael details the tragic end of a silver laden Olympic Oregonian.
On the next Story Told, in lieu of the two approaching Victory Over Japan days, Michael reads a piece titled “At War in Astoria,” dedicated to Joyce Vandervort; and from out of left field comes “Devil’s Brood,” in defiance of uppity right handed elitists.
In honour and horror of Hiroshima Day, August 6th, Michael reads “Paper Cranes,” by a former Astorian, and “I Would be a Witness to Hiroshima,” by Sadako Kurihara. In addition, David Horrowitz discusses modern issues surrounding Portland in “City of Roses Coloured Glasses.”
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26th, host Michael McCusker reads a piece from one of his best friends, the eloquent, spastic, and late Arthur Honeyman titled “If Cripples Don’t Shape Up.”
On this A Story Told, host Michael McCusker tells of a creatively and politically unhindered news rag that dared to be born twice, with it’s 2nd death, awaiting it’s resurrection in “The Eagle Has Landed.” Plus, a poem by Arthur Honeyman, written the day after America’s moon landing titled “Moonshot.”
On this Story Told, Michael reads about the dawning of nuclear age, three quarters of a century ago when the first nuclear tests were performed in New Mexico. This is followed by “A Matter of Choice,” by Steven Anderson, and in conclusion, a description of what could be humanities’ 2nd death, in the aptly named “Second…
On this Story Told, Michael broaches the ‘Great White Hope,’ an idle within neo-nazi communities in a reading of “The Sign of Swine.” Also, something that may be going unnoticed: “We Need to Protect Our Post Offices.” by Dr. Robert Brake.
Host Michael McCusker considers the history of July 4th near it’s 244th anniversary.
Host Michael McCusker discusses the impact of the Korean War on the 70th Anniversary of it’s beginning.
Host Michael McCusker pays tribute to Juneteenth and discusses the political and historical climate therein.
After what is now commonly known as “Memorial Day Weekend,” a capitalistic transmutation of a holiday originally meant to honour the war-dead of America, Michael honours the true Memorial Day, come May 30th.
On this Story Told, Michael Discusses the Trump Administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic with a piece by Juliet Kayyem, “Trump Turned the Death Count Into a Story About Himself,” and in a similar vein, by Dr. Robert Brake “Stupidity Run Amok.”
Drawing ever so closer to the 2020 election, Michael reads a New York Times opinion piece “Will American Prestige Ever Recover?” by Timothy Egan. And Robert Brake’s “The War on Voting.”
Michael recognizes Vietnam protests that were met with violence on Portland State University’s campus, 50 years ago. This is supplemented by a reading, written by Arthur Honeyman, titled “Dubiously Involved in Important Matters.”
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A Story Told, April 30 2020
In tribute to the end of the Vietnam war 56 years ago, Michael reads a rewrite of a rewrite of a rewrite, called “Post Vietnam Syndrome.” And in recognition of this year’s May Day, he reads the simply titled “May Day 2020.”
To continue to be, or to not continue to be? That is the question we must ask ourselves this 50th Earth Day. Michael reads “Does the Pandemic Have a Purpose,” by Stephen T. Asma, and, “How Starfish, Snails, and Salmon Fight Pandemics,” by C. Drew Harvell. To conclude, “Bond Street Farewell.”
To celebrate KMUN’s 37th birthday, this Story Told is all about the medium in which it is broadcast: Free community radio in the northwest.
With nearly ten billion people on the planet, Michael tells of how he was pushed from Astoria into his sister’s house in “Astoria Exile.”
Michael kicks off National Poetry Month with Chp. 1 of Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl,” followed by Allen’s biggest influence, Walt Witman, with “From Leaves of Grass.” Finally we hear from Christopher Kramer’s “American Maelstrom.”
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A Story Told, April 2 2020
Michael kicks off National Poetry Month with Chp. 1 of Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl,” followed by Allen’s biggest influence, Walt Whitman, with “From Leaves of Grass.” Finally we hear from Christopher Kramer’s “American Maelstrom.”
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A Story Told, March 26 2020
In honor of Women’s Her-story month, Michael reads “The E.R.A. (Equal Rights Amendment,” “A Declaration of Sentiments,” The 26ᵗʰ of August,” by Leonora Murry, and “Celebrating Two Women,” by Dr. Robert Brake.
In the wake of the Novel Coronavirus Michael reads “Silent Spring,” on how a clear 2020 became blurred from COVID-19. Michael also reads “Our Delicate Planet,” by Robert Wilson, Originally written 23 years ago, Robert gives a short chemical history of Planet Earth, and how it may respond to the continued abuse of global pollution….
Commentary from Michael McCusker about the recent federal approval this week of a law that finally makes lynching illegal in the U.S.