Journalist and podcaster extraordinaire James Wilt (@james_m_wilt) joins Team Advantage to discuss a few extremely chill and low-key subjects, such as Bill C-69, Alberta’s royalty regime, Endy mattresses, the state of the Canadian podcasting universe, as well as the practice of journalism in Canada. It’s very Nice.
Check out the #inspirational Unique Canadian Podcasting Presents: Tim Horton’s Presents: News You Can Use!
Name your favourite highly-concentrated, highly-profitable, highly-integrated telecommunications company! Does it rhyme with Rell, Belus, or Togers? Good news, this episode is for you.
Joined by Dru Oja Jay (@druojajay) of Courage, Team Advantage investigates phenomenon of “natural monopoly,” investigates the Canadian communications industry’s anti-competitive behaviour, and makes the case for nationalizing and democratizing the telecommunications industry.
In an effort to make William Brett Wilson Very Mad Online, Team Advantage convenes to explain the difference between demand-side climate policies (like the carbon tax) and supply-side climate policies (like restricting or banning production). We come to the natural conclusion that a world socialist government is probably the best way to tackle the problem.
TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS
Did you hear about the recent tragedy? “Laid off at 53, former oil industry manager wonders if seven-figure savings will sustain 40-year retirement: Couple has financial assets of about $1.37 million to tide them over, but at their age, they cannot access early Canada Pension Plan benefits for another seven years.” Team Advantage gives the piece a thorough and compassionate read-through.
Hosting the Olympics in Calgary is a bad idea! Team Advantage considers Calgary’s 1988 Olympic bid and how we lucked out financially the first time, the ridiculous demands of the International Olympics Committee (including private traffic lanes and seasonal cakes), fun fascist-Olympics crossovers, the social costs of hosting the Olympics, B.C.’s completely not-ominous “Assistance to Shelter Act” that helped kidnap and displace homeless people, militarized police forces, evictions and gentrification. Finally, Team Advantage examines the role of local Yes supporters and boosters and considers Lenin’s wise words: “Put no faith in phrase-mongering, it is better to see who stands to gain!”
Team Advantage treks to the great northern bastion of social democracy known as Edmonton, Alberta. We speak to some really excellent Alberta NDP members doing important work, and witness some flawlessly executed stage management. The funniest part was when we heard the UCP observer ask “are they all related? how are they all each other’s brother and sister?”
Transcript (special thanks to Isaac for transcribing)
Paige Gorsak is running for the federal NDP nomination in Edmonton-Strathcona, a seat currently held by the NDP’s Linda Duncan (who is not seeking re-election). Kate interviews Paige about her ambitious platform and bold vision for the future, which includes a fossil-fuel phaseout and just transition fund, housing as a human right, free education, universal healthcare, drug decriminalization, and Indigenous sovereignty.
Members of the Federal NDP in Edmonton-Strathcona can vote for Paige at the nomination meeting on November 26th, 2018. See votepaigegorsak.ca for details.
We’re being told that wheat is legal now … ? To celebrate the Greatest Grain, Team Advantage dives into Alberta’s agrarian history, including the “clearing” of the plains, anti-capitalist ideas and agrarian radicalism, the history of the Canadian Wheat Board, Soviets stealing grain from America, the reorganization of rural life as Alberta discovers oil, and why the free market sucks.
Transcript after the break (special thanks to Isaac for transcribing):
Team Advantage submits themselves to a reading of a known piece of socialist propaganda, Tommy Douglas’ Mouseland. Will they ever be the same again?
If you’re in Calgary this Friday, October 19th at 7pm, join us at the Hop In Brew (213 12 Ave SW) to hang out! Team Advantage will be there along with Duncan Kinney of Progress Alberta, who will be selling copies of Mouseland for $25.
Background image by Jill Pelto. http://www.jillpelto.com/landscape-of-change
David Gray-Donald, publisher of Briarpatch magazine, joins Team Advantage to discuss his experience at this past summer’s Global Petroleum Show in Calgary. Is the fossil fuel industry planning decarbonization and energy transition? What climate scenarios are they considering? What problems is the industry ignoring, how are they mobilizing their supporters into astroturf campaigns, and what role do these campaigns play?
Read David’s recent pieces:
Checking in with the oil crowd – August 29, 2018
The Oil Industry’s PR Offensive – August 30, 2018
What Canada’s major media are forgetting when they report on oil – August 13, 2018
Too fast, and now too furious – August 31, 2018