Solartopia Green Power & Wellness Hour – Details, episodes & analysis

Election Follow-up, Hosts Mike Hersh, Myla Reson & Mimi German, Jennie Gage w/ Chris Volpe (Ohio Senate Race), Virginia, Georgia w/Andrea Miller & Ray McClendon, Erasing Veterans Medical Debt

JIMMY KIMMEL BECOMES PRESIDENT!!!  SOLARTOPIA IN UKRAINE?  WELCOME EMPATHY FROM A MAGA MAVEN. We open the 239th GREEP zoom with our Laureate MIMI KENNEDY & her usual beautiful poem. An update on the struggle for democracy is Waldport, Oregon keeps us going as we await MAYOR HEIDI to triumph over the MAGA reactionaries. Green Party stalwart HOWIE HAWKINS updates us on the nuclear insanity coming from Putin’s Russia as they try to crush both the Earth & Ukraine. From MICKI LEADER we hear a shocking warning of impending election theft in New York State. From DOROTHY REIK we get an attack against the FCC in favor of free speech, even endorsing Ted Cruz in favor of the First Amendment as she reminds us of the power of Comedy Central. Telecommunications insider DAVID SALTMAN gives us the scoop on Disney’s Bob Eiger & the “conspiracy theory” the he set up the whole Kimmel debacle to up the network’s ratings. Our wonderful co-host MYLA RESON recommends the Meidas Touch but reminds us they would not host Jessica Denson’s critique of the 2024 election. Our resident DR. NANCY NIPARKO discusses the astounding empathy and “Christianity" displayed by Erika Kirk in forgiving the assassination of her husband vs. the “Hate” displayed by Trump. From HEIDI VIERTHALER we get a passionate plea for legal protection for Kirk’s assassin, and a scenario for a green-powered Earth. A fifty-year plan for conversion to renewables comes from TATANKA BRICCA with a report on the role of fossil fuels in the Russia-Ukraine energy war. Co-convenor MIKE HERSH thanks Heidi for reaching out to climate skeptics, with advice for building the Climate movement in a true Turning Point moment, We will, of course, pick this all up next week.  NO NUKES!!!.

From Jeffrey Epstein to Bob Fitrakis & A Green-Powered Dodger Stadium We open GREEP Zoom #230 with another wonderful poem from our Poet Laureate MIMI GERMAN. Waldport, Oregon Mayor HEIDE LAMPERT then fills us in with the latest on the fascist assault on democracy itself. Monumentall, we honor the legendary DR. BOB FITRAKIS, who broke the ORIGINAL stories about Jeffrey Epstein. In his presence, we take a deep dive into the miasma that is the Epstein hurricane.  Radio hero LYNN FEINERMAN explores some of the conspiratorial aspects of Epstein’s alleged Mossad contacts. KPFK board member MYLA RESON connects Epstein with former Governor Bill Richardson….and worse. Questions about MAGA’s mysterious revulsion to the Epstein nightmare are raised by DONALD SMITH. Likewise co-convenor MIKE HERSH wonders about why Trump’s ties to Epstein are coming to anyone as a “surprise." Longtime GREEP supporter John Steiner asks "how we can get more of this investigation out where it needs to go?” Indeed, how does this Epstein affair turn into Trump’s downfall asks MURTAZA MOGRI. “At the end of the day they’re all fascists,” adds ALEX WILLIAMS.  “At the end of the day they’ll find someone else.” The great DAVID SALTMAN predicts Trump will succeed in avoiding consequences for the Epstein problem. The parking lots at Dodger Stadium are ripe for solar panels says Green Power pioneer RON LEONARD. KPFK LSB CHAIR TATANKA BRICCA confirms the huge popularity of solar power in California. Our erstwhile engineer STEVE CARUSO compares the Epstein affair to Watergate and asks about election protection. From NICOLE UNG we hear that Diablo Canyon could ruin the economy of California….and more. Jimmy Tingle is HEIDI’s main concern, while VINA COLLEY takes us back to southern Ohio’s nuclear nightmare. Next week we’ll be joined by the astonishing LEV PARNAS with real inside information from the lethal Trump apocalypse. 

US REP JAMIE RASKIN & THE ATTACK ON US DEMOCRACY & ECOLOGY We begin GREEP Zoom #229 with citations for  “The Choreography of War” by our Poet Laureate MIMI GERMAN, whose latest poem is compacted into a brilliant three lines. Green Party Presidential nominee HOWIE HAWKINS discusses the nitty-gritties of Ranked Choice Voting & instant runoff. The great MARIANNE WILLIAMSON gives us a brief hello & a promise to come visit us again soon. Beyond Nuclear’s KEVIN KAMPS reminds us about how powerful is the rise of renewables worldwide along with the demise of nuke power. Co-host MIKE HERSH gives us a stellar introduction for US REP JAMIE RASKIN. Rep. Raskin provides a brief excursion into the dire damage being done to our electoral system through the widespread assault on the Voting Rights Act, emphasizing the powerful impact of the No Kings Day marches.. The great RAY MCCLENDON of the Georgia-based Communities United for Justice connects with Rep. Raskin, sharing concerns about the mass disenfranchisement being imposed on the national electorate. In response Rep. Raskin warns of the anti-democracy provisions of the SAVE Act, aiming to keep millions of women from voting. Progressive Democrats of America’s great Executive Director ALAN MINSKY emphasizes that Progressive activists are the true patriots. Rep. Raskin argues that the Founders’ legacies are being assaulted because of their timeless commitment to democracy. A request for help comes from MAYOR HEIDE LAMPERT of Waldport, Oregon, who proclaims herself to be a Warrior for Democracy in the face of a fascist assault. Howie Hawkins & Kevin Kamps chime in with demands for real democracy & an end to subsidies for nuke power. Agricultural activist legend RUDY ARREDONDO warns of the dismemberment of the US Department of Agriculture & the breaking federal commitments to American farming. Rep. Raskin supports Rudy by underscoring the damage being done by ICE raids to the agricultural workers and the farms that depend on them. Green activist HEIDI VERTHALLER plugs for renewables and asks Jamie if he will run for president, to which Rep. Raskin answers in the affirmative. We hear from DONALD SMITH about a book called UNCHECKED that blames Nancy Pelosi for the failure of the impeachments of Trump. LA’s JOHN SEELEY supports rank choice voting, but warns against it in the final NYC election. Frequent commentator NICOLE UNG warns that Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook et. al. are unifying for more nuke power. From MYLA RESON we hear of New York Lieutenant Governor Antonio DelGado, who opposes nuke power. Minnesotan HEDY TRIPP calls in from Malaysia to wonder about the threat to have NY Mayoral candidate Mamdani deported. Engineer STEVE CARUSO warns that the threat to de-naturalize would-be Mayor  Mamdani is being used nationwide. Ohio eco-activist VINA COLLEY illuminates the push for Small Modular Reactors’ horrendous waste & Trump's sinister mis-use of radiation victims while slashing their compensation. Phone activist NINA SINGER urges everyone to call their Senators about the Big Bill and the destruction of the Everglades. No Nukes legend KARL GROSSMAN talks about the importance of meeting with a NY Governor candidate who’s against nuke power. An emphasis for “boots on the ground comes from HOWIE DUIT. KPFK Board Chair TATANKA BRICCA emphasizes the long history of farmworker activism in CA... and its forever impact.  Frequent GREEPster DONALD SMITH introduces us to the work on nuke waste at Hanford coming from Jerry Politt, who we’ll track down…. But in honor of Independence weekend, we will not meet on July 7….so please celebrate & work for at least two more centuries of American democracy.   

 

PROTECTING OUR ELECTIONS AMIDST PSYCHO-NUKE TERROR & GENERAL STRIKES

 

We start GREEP zoom #227 with the great ANDREA MILLER who gives us the up-to-date rundown of grassroots election protection in the former Confederacy of Virginia, with further info on the Integrated Election Protection Platform.

 

Then the legendary RAY MCCLENDON gets us current with the Jim Crow Vigilante strategy for stealing the upcoming elections in Georgia.

 

Alabama native RUTH STRAUSS affirms the need to protect the vote in 2026.

 

Long-time activist DIANE CAMERON raises the issue of working with labor unions, especially amidst growing discussion of a general strike.

 

From BOB BABCOCK we get an exhortation to take over the Democratic Party. 

 

Repeat speaker ALEX WILLIAMS discusses the need for grassroots organizing.

 

Co-host MIKE HERSH alerts us to major grassroots victories in Arizona.

 

From NICK CRAYNE we hear of the need for a “shame primary” for right-wing Democrats.

 

From Arizona’s LEE STANFIELD we get a reminder that the Democrats sabotaged Bernie’s campaign without denying it, and that the Party is a privately-owned entity that always attacks the Greens on every possible level.

 

From MAGGIE BOYD we get an earful about “General Strike US” and the need to get 3.5% of the general population in support of such an action, which would be 11 million citizens.

 

On the nuclear issue, we talk about the insane Vogtle reactors with the great KEVIN KAMPS, who also invokes the presidential removal of a Nuclear Regulatory Commissioner.

 

We’re followed by the great KARL GROSSMAN who breaks the news that the Democrat Governor of New York has drunk the pro-nuke Kool-Aid in a lethal dose.

 

The mayoral race in NYC is raised by MURTAZA MOGRI, who warns the Dems are facing major young grassroots opposition.  

 

GREEP debating the likes of Marjory T. Green & Tucker Carlson is embraced by DONALD SMITH.

 

All that additional electricity allegedly needed for crypto currency & AI is challenged by DAVID GRACE as a set of “fake numbers”.

 

The fake Iran-Israel cease-fire is challenged by MYLA RESON, who also challenges the “solution” to the nuclear waste problem that’s already failed at WIPP.

 

In the end, DAVID SALTMAN reminds us of the need for a documentary film on the NO KINGS DAY mass marches, and the need for union planning in a general strike

 

July 17 will be a “good trouble” march, says CAROLYN BARCLIFT, who urges our participation..

 

As a witness to the Gulf of Tonkin DON MCCANNE reports on the first pilot killed there.

 

Next week we will be joined by the great JAIME RASKIN.  No Nukes!!!

WILL THE “NO KINGS” MOVEMENT SAVE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY? At GREEP Gathering #227 we mourn the horrific MAGA murders in Minnesota with St. Cloud resident HEDY TRIPP. We look in growing detail at the “Christian Nationalist” movement with radio host LYNNE FEINERMAN, who discusses ANDRA WATKINS & her great work on right-wing cults. From Indivisible we hear MIMI “SPRINGTIME” about her Episcopalian roots & their warped Evangelical off-shoots.   A wonderful award-winning poem from DANIELLA GIUSEPPE underscores the larger female hippocampus which provides more empathy than men can command. From Columbus, Ohio, we hear SANDY BOLZENIUS reporting about the various marches ranging from NO KINGS to Pride to Doo Dah & more.  In Santa Monica, Dr. NANCY NIPARKO reports on functional brain studies showing large hippocampi among taxi drivers, along with other contributions of her great genius Nancy gives us a pretty specific laundry list on the development of the brains in the Republican v. Democratic skulls. There were 8k people at La Palma Park in Anaheim, according to DAVID SONNEBORN, who’s pushing SB42 for public financing of California elections. From Oakland we hear from SUZIE GOLDMACHER about 10k marchers there & in other Bay Area cities. We hear in general that QR codes were not distributed at these massive rallies, but that there is a NO KINGS web site people can connect to (https://www.nokings.org/ ).. From STEVE CARUSO we hear of the many hundreds who marched in protest in rural Licking County, Ohio.  From Los Angeles we hear from TERRY GOODMAN-MANPEARL who was shot in the hand by the LAPD while doing jail support in the streets. Renowned activist JAN GOODMAN (Terry’s mom) emphasizes the power of organizing at the Pacifica Network as well as in the streets. From Tucson BILL YOHEY reports on some great progressive marching. including more than 2k folks all over this small Arizona desert community. From TATANKA BRICCA we get a heads-up about the ICE Gestapo.   From Austin we hear from PERLY GATES’s original song    TV legend DAVID SALTMAN tells us about the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to produce a NO KINGS documentary for the ages.   From southern Ohio VINA COLLEY warns about the horrific Big Bad Bill now looming in the US House.   For more about Pacifica’s New Day we hear from MYLA RESON & JAN GOODMAN.   And we prepare to gather again next week for more ELECTION PROTECTION & SOLARTOPIAN POWER.  

STANDING UP TO FASCIST ASSAULTS in Los Angeles & Oregon AS THE AMERICAN REICHSTAG BURNS Our great Poet Laureate MIMI GERMAN opens with some of her treasured verse. Then elected-removed-reinstated MAYOR HEIDE LAMPERT updates us on the latest grassroots stand for democracy in the face of fascism. Safe energy legend KARL GROSSMAN skewers the latest shish kabob of “hot” pro-nuclear executive orders from the radioactive White House. New York activist HEIDI VERKAMPT reminds us of emergency efforts surrounding the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. Long-time No Nuker ANNA GYORGY explains the grassroots victory in Massachusetts over a highly toxic battery storage facility. Safe energy crusader MYLA RESON reports from Los Angeles while warning  us of all the pro-nuke Democrats now pushing radioactive disaster. Page 153 of Trump’s big bad bill will gut the court system, warns DANIELLA G., who adds that we must “Keep Hope Alive!!!” Election Protection pioneer LULU FRIESDAT explains in depth her landmark vote counting victory in New York. With her, electoral champion JULIE WEINER pleads for help in stopping the spread of hackable voting machines throughout NY. Solar Rights Alliance’s CAILEY UNDERHILL warns us of the horrendous Newsomite attack on long-term solar contracts his California cohorts want to break. Our erstwhile engineer STEVE CARUSO demands to know how these utilities take subsidies for dirty power while killing fair trade agreements for solar. NY campaigner MICKY LEADER tells of her being “pooh-poohed” by the usual corporate Democrats. KPFK Board Chair TATANKA BRICCA reports from Los Angeles on the gestapo ICE raids against migrant workers….and others!! In 1934, concludes DAVID SALTMAN, there was a successful General Strike throughout the nation; maybe, he suggests, we need one again. Amidst predictable escalating chaos, we will see you all next week!!!

GRASSROOTS DEMOCRACY IN WALDPORT, OREGON; HOMELESSNESS; GA NUKE ELECTION THEFT; NUKES ON FIRE Our great poet laureate MIMI GERMAN kicks us off with her usual genius at the GREEP zoom #225 from Monday, June 2, 2025. Mimi additionally fills us in on the astounding fight for real grassroots democracy in the allegoric & all-too-real “Mayberry” on the Oregon coast. Homelessness advocate SUSIE SHANNON gives us a full & powerful report on the horrific Budget Bill’s ugly assault on the tragically unhoused. Minnesota’s KARLA SAND questions the role of Medicaid qualifiers for elder citizens. From DR. NANCY NIPARKO we get a unique medical perspective on the horrendous impacts of being unhoused. We hear from MIKE HERSH that his blog on Trump reminds us that FDR had Eleanor & Frances Perkins at his back. From Georgia we hear from the great RAY MCCLENDON about a critical upcoming utility commission election in the Peach State. PSC candidate DANIEL BLACKMAN tells us first hand about the challenges of running for election amidst some of the most corrupt electoral realities anywhere. Legendary Pacifica activist MYLA RESON asks what we can do to help Daniel help save Georgia’s electricity grid. That sentiment is echoed by Alabama native DR. RUTH STRAUSS. New Jersey activist MICKI LEADER also calls for grassroots activism to save our democracy. From PAUL MOBLEY we get a terrifying report on the health disaster at the Portsmouth-Piketone uranium facility in southern Ohio. The great KARL GROSSMAN reports on the bad news from Trump’s death machine on pushing new atomic reactors. The court-killing clause in Trump’s “beautiful” bill is raised by LYNN FEINERMAN and DANIELA GHIBELLI…on which we’ll do a deeper dive next week.

   

Waldport, Oregon, Fights for Democracy While Attacks on Voting Rights Proceed in Georgia Our esteemed Poet Laureate MIMI GERMAN opens the Green Grassroots Emergency Election Zoom with one of her great poems: “A Thousand Grains of Sand”. We pay homage to BROOOCE SPRINGSTEEN and his stellar defense of democracy as well. We follow with MAYOR HEIDE LAMBERT of Waldport, Oregon and her astonishing parallel fight for democracy. In the wake of a meeting with Christie Brinkley and Alec Baldwin, the legendary KARL GROSSMAN tells us the Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul is now pushing nuke power in NY. The great MYLA RESON fills us in on the latest lunacy from Arizona's Palo Verde nukes, which are owned in part by the city of Los Angeles. Our co-convenor MIKE HERSH thanks Karl for helping to shut the Shoreham nuke on Long Island. Legendary computer pioneer LEE FELSENSTEIN adds his contribution to encouraging organizers of upcoming mass rallies to distribute business cards with QR codes to special websites for further organizing. Santa Monica solar pioneer PAUL NEWMAN updates us on Newsom’s attack on renewables, forcing AB942 through the legislature to impose new taxes and charges on rooftop PV panels. Legendary investigative reporter GREG PALAST, producer of "Vigilantes Inc.", updates our understanding of the fascist attack on the right to vote in Georgia. We’re then told by MAJOR GAMILIEL TURNER of the disenfranchising challenge meant to deprive him of his right to vote. Our favorite Alabaman DR. RUTH STRAUSS gives a hearty endorsement of Greg’s “Vigilante’s Inc.” documentary on the destruction of the American franchise. Esteemed anti-homelessness hero DONALD WHITEHEAD joins our dialog on both voting and on ending our terrible homeless crisis. Georgia-based voting rights activist RAY MCCLENDON adds another dimension to the critical discussion about how to protect our right to democracy. Radio talk host LYNN FEINERMAN raises additional critical points on protecting your own right to vote. Our engineer STEVE CARUSO chimes in with his assessment of “hostile architecture” used to attack homeless citizens where they are forced to camp. California’s MIMI SPREADBURY updates us with the latest from the Golden State, carrying us to our next meeting, on June 2, after Memorial Day…..IN SOLARTOPIA!!!          

FASCIST ATTACKS ON MAYORS, JUDGES & MORE; QR CODES FOR MAJOR RALLIES; PLANNING FOR A PROGRESSIVE FUTURE We start with our great poet Laureate MIMI GERMAN & her usual mystic verse. From Waldport, Oregon, we hear from ousted & now re-instated MAYOR HEIDI LAMBERT about her incredible saga on the way to remaking this pivotal spot in the American MAGA/saga. This far-and-wide astonishing attack on democracy by the MAGA Klan is dissected by co-host MIKE HERSH.  Tough questions come from SCOTT KLATT who wants to know why Heide let herself get drafted for Mayor. From the LAProgressive.com we are updated by SHARON KYLE & DICK PRICE on the national assault on the Judiciary & our democratic elections. Then the great MYLA RESON narrates the amazingly absurd arrest of Newark, New Jersey Mayor Ras Baraka & three US Congresspeople for attempting to inspect a prison facility under their jurisdiction. The attack on Mayor Baraka is mourned by DANIELA, who warns us all to carry our birth certificates. Computer pioneer LEE FELSENSTEIN elaborates on his suggestion that rally organizers use business cards with QR codes, printed in special colors, with colored ink & union labels, feeding into local-generated websites. We get a critical whistleblower report from VINA COLLY in southern Ohio. From DR. RUTH STRAUSS we hear that it’s illegal for federal agents to follow illegal orders, a Nuremberg Principle that has gained major weight with the rise of Donald Trump. Op Ed News founder ROB KALL then presents the beginning outline of a full progressive program going forward. California Indivisible’s MIMI SPREADBURY warns us we must protect programs that mean life/death to so many. The need for unity is emphasized by MELISSA HALL as well as the imperative to protect the separation of church and state.  From CHUCK PENACCHIO we hear a warning of “Democracy in Chains” & the weaponization of race and religion by Big Money. The fascist Catholic Opus Dei (see “THE DAVINCI CODE” & its female slaves are illuminated by LYNNE FEINERMAN of “Women Rising” Radio, a discussion we’ll pursue next week!!