Highlands Bunker
232 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsPart-time activist hoping to build and deepen solidarity in the local leftist community. Discussion will be focused on local politics, culture and more.
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Episodes
E159 - In Leadership (w/Tye Grier)
January 22, 2022 13:00 - 52 minutes - 60.3 MBThe Jerkyville Soviet is back in session as Tye Grier joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the Darius Brown verdict and controversy, the role of leadership in dealing with ethics issues, and some upcoming collaboration between local groups. Show Notes: Darius Brown trial verdict NAACP Press Conference Activist Office Hours Network Delaware Working Families Party State of the State
E158 - Chickenshit Politics (w/Greg Layton)
January 19, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 70.7 MBFood and Water Watch activist Greg Layton joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his work around environmental activism in Delaware, the problems with the planned biogas plant in Seaford, and what the organizing scene looks like in Sussex. Show Notes: Canvass for Environmental Justice in Seaford Dana Case's essay in the call Food and Water Watch Delaware Delaware Call on the biogas plant Send a message to the governor
E157 - The Federal Zone (w/Rae Krantz, Coby Owens)
January 07, 2022 13:00 - 43 minutes - 49.7 MBTo Occupy Biden, you must first occupy yourself. Friends of the podcast Rae Krantz and Coby Owens join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the Occupy Biden event which occurred from Christmas to New Year, and how it ended unexpectedly on the bunker doorstep. Show Notes: Occupy Biden Diary Entries News Journal coverage of Occupy Biden The day of Coverage of the Lymond Moses report Lymond Moses Rally
E156 - How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Bardea (w/Jordan Howell)
December 31, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 94.5 MBDelaware Call Editor Emeritus Jordan Howell joins Rob and Karl in the bunker to sum up the year by talking about media criticism, the effectiveness of confrontational organizing, and Twitter's new favorite movie Don't Look Up. Show Notes: Read the Occupy Biden diaries on the Delaware Call Become a WFP member Learn more about Delaware WFP Delaware Call on Chris Coons and Tom Carper
E155 - An Evening with Dr. Mehmet Oz (w/Bill Martin, Kirsten Walther)
December 24, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 84.7 MBWorlds are colliding and the Dr. Oz Senate Campaign has entered with the world of Delaware right-wing financiers. Join us this holiday season for some deep Delaware right-wing lore, from the think tank on the Hoopes Reservoir to a revisiting of Ben DuPont's alleged embarrassing fake twitter account. Show Notes: The DuPont Dr. Oz Fundraiser Why Dr. Oz Is Running Intercollegiate Studies Institute The past Sarah Benedict Dugood episode yet2.com
E154 - HOMES Campaign (w/Branden Fletcher, Shyanne Miller)
December 17, 2021 13:00 - 48 minutes - 55.6 MBHOMES Campaign activists Branden Fletcher and Shyanne Miller join Rob in the bunker to give an update on what the HOMES Campaign has been doing to stop the rising housing crisis in Wilmington, from water shut-offs to tenants' rights Show Notes: HOMES Campaign HOMES Activists testifying on water shut-offs Conversation with Pascal Robert Tenants' Right to Counsel Delaware Call article on housing Branden's last episode, Shyanne's first episode, Last HOMES episode
E153 - Welcome to Leith (w/James Johnson, Drew Palmer)
December 10, 2021 13:01 - 1 hour - 73 MBJames Johnson and Drew Palmer join Rob in the bunker to talk about the 2015 documentary "Welcome To Leith", which documented a white supremacist attempt to take over a small North Dakota town. Show Notes: Welcome to Leith Coverage of the SB149 call
E152 - Black Political Elite (w/Pascal Robert)
December 03, 2021 13:00 - 46 minutes - 53.1 MBWriter and commentator Pascal Robert joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his class analysis of the black community, and how that applies both internationally, nationally, and locally. Show Notes: Pascal's commentary in Newsweek This is Revolution podcast
E151 - Weaker Than a Cookie (w/Haneef Salaam, Tye Grier, Coby J Owens)
November 26, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 112 MBACLU Smart Justice Campaign Manager Haneef Salaam, Network Delaware organizer Tye Grier, and DelDems Vice Chair and NAACP activist Coby Owens joins Rob in the bunker to talk about all sorts of issues and gossip. Show Notes: Theo Gregory story The new Darius Brown story The assault in Southbridge Join the Change Agent Journey
E150 - Gentlemen v Players (w/Steve Paxton)
November 19, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 70.7 MBAuthor and academic Steve Paxton joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about what often gets misinterpreted about Marxist history and economics, how that relates to both history and the present, and of course a little bit about cricket. Show Notes: Unlearning Marx FDR's 1912 Speech Fire in Babylon
E149 - $100 Fine (w/Lydia Cole)
November 12, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 72.6 MBUD Alum Lydia Cole joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the latest protests against sexual assault at the university, her personal story, and what demands need to be made to make sure that sexual assault is taken seriously on campus. Show Notes: ABC6 story on UD's handling of these cases The latest sexual assault story from UD
E148 - Cotto For Change (w/Becca Cotto)
November 05, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutes - 59.2 MBLong-time activist and new-time candidate for State Representative Becca Cotto joins Rob in the bunker to talk about why she's running for office and what things she would change in Dover. Show Notes: Becca's website Becca's Facebook Becca's campaign kickoff
Delaware Justice Team - E6 - Free Speech (w/Mary Beth Tinker, Susan L Burke)
October 29, 2021 12:00 - 52 minutes - 60 MBWelcome to the Delaware Justice Team, a collaboration between Highlands Bunker, the Delaware ACLU, and the Delaware Call to talk about the work that is being doing around various civil liberties issues. Today, Mary Beth Tinker and Susan L Burke join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about their historic defenses of civil liberties, from Mary Beth's student activism against the Vietnam War to Susan's defenses of the victims of the War on Terror. Show Notes: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3,...
E147 - Step With Us (w/Lakeshia Nix, Keandra McDole, Kira Savvy)
October 22, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 80.4 MBActivists Lakeshia Nix, Keandra McDole, and Kira Savvy join Rob in the bunker to talk about how tragedy got them involved with the fight for justice against police violence, and what they are working on now. Show Notes: More on Keandra More on Lakeshia Kira's website and instagram More on the state's restraining order Justice for All Day on November 13th
E146 - Four Freedoms (w/Harvey J Kaye)
October 15, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 91.1 MBWith a potentially transformative bill moving through Congress right now, Professor Harvey J Kaye joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how FDR was able to create and frame his New Deal, and what the role of presidential and grassroots leadership is in passing a bold agenda. Show Notes: The Fight for the Four Freedoms Where the Build Back Better agenda stands now Harvey J. Kaye State of Democracy Speaker Series
E145 - Kathy on Kathy Violence (w/Bill Martin, Kirsten Walther, Jess Scarane)
October 12, 2021 18:57 - 1 hour - 90.3 MBState Auditor Kathy McGuiness has been compromised (indicted) to a permanent end (up to 13 years). Join us on a journey through Kathy McGuiness's background, her crimes, and how this fits into the larger world of the Delaware Way. Show Notes: Story on the indictment Exceptional Delaware on Kathy Kathy videos Pete Schwartzkopf's worst political ally
E144 - Wine Moms and Reactionaries (w/Rae Krantz)
October 08, 2021 12:00 - 56 minutes - 64.9 MBDelaware Call community editor Rae Krantz joins Rob in the bunker to talk about her journey to the left and Delaware, the difficulties of getting other people down that path, and what the Call has been and will be working on. Show Notes: Rae on the Delaware Call More on the killing of Lymond Moses
E143 - Wilmington Rescue Plan (w/Kevin Kelley)
October 01, 2021 12:00 - 50 minutes - 58 MBFormer city councilman, mayoral candidate, and long-time Wilmington activist joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his latest op-ed in the News Journal on how the city of Wilmington should spend American Rescue Plan funds, and what that means for an approach to governing that differs from what we have now. Show Notes: Kevin's op-ed on how to spend federal funds
E142 - Jerkyville Reloaded (w/Marie Pinkney, Haneef Salaam)
September 24, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 90.3 MBState Senator Marie Pinkney and Campaign for Smart Justice Manager Haneef Salaam join Rob and Tye in the bunker to talk about the 2021 legislative session from the inside, the state of criminal justice reform in Delaware, the updates on the Gerald Brady and Darius Brown cases, and a surprising op-ed in the News Journal. Show Notes: Hunter S Thompson on 9/11 The Ethics Committee statement Darius Brown and the HOPE Commission Gerald Brady letter Kevin Kelley's op-ed Lawsuit against prot...
E141 - Those That Work Forces (w/Shané Darby, Maria Beauchamp)
September 17, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 87 MBCouncilwoman Shané Darby joins Rob in the bunker to talk about how she ended up in the News Journal and Delaware Live, the role of police in society, and the problems of the Wilmington City Council. Then, activist Maria Beauchamp talks about what she has been working on in Puerto Rico and Wilmington. Show Notes: The Invention of Police Shané in the News Journal Black Mothers in Power in Delaware Live LASD Gangs Black Mothers in Power
E140 - Covering Them Fairly (w/Andrew Sharp)
September 10, 2021 01:32 - 1 hour - 77.8 MBJournalist Andrew Sharp joins Rob in the bunker to talk about Delaware Independent, a new independent outlet covering western Sussex County and Kent County. Also discussed: the role of objectivity and bias in covering local stories and how the media should cover the police. Show Notes: Subscribe to the Delaware Independent The Pit Stop bar story Noam Chomsky Interview Mike Purzycki Hates Poor People Boston Police Strike vs New York Police Strike
Delaware Justice Team - E5 - The Power of Latinos (w/Charito Calvachi-Mateyko, Rony Baltazar-Lopez)
September 03, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 79.7 MBWelcome to the Delaware Justice Team, a collaboration between Highlands Bunker, the Delaware ACLU, and the Delaware Call to talk about the work that is being doing around various civil liberties issues. Today, Charito Calvachi-Mateyko and Rony Baltazar-Lopez join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about various issues affecting the Latinx community in Delaware, from COVID to religion to voting rights to poultry worker unions, to talk radio. Show Notes: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Epis...
E139 - Jacobo the Turko (w/Phillip Bannowsky)
August 27, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 75 MBAuthor, poet, and activist Phillip Bannowsky joins Rob in the bunker to talk about his background, from Ecuador to the Newark Chrysler Plant, what he has learned about activism, and his latest book: Jacobo the Turko. Show Notes: Phillip's website Get Jacobo the Turko Ideology and Popular Protest
E138 - Neoliberals Anonymous (w/Natalie Smith)
August 20, 2021 12:00 - 53 minutes - 61.4 MBFellow podcaster and American in Chile Natalie Smith joins Rob in the bunker to talk about Delaware's continuing neoliberalism, examine how Chile is in the midst of a movement to remove neoliberalism from its constitution, and dive into the behavior of online left media figures and what that means for the movement. Show Notes: Superstructure Podcast Michael Brooks Impressions Constitutional Convention in Chile
E137 - Democratic Education (w/Michelle Classen)
August 13, 2021 12:00 - 54 minutes - 62.5 MBEducator Michelle Classen joins Rob in the bunker to talk about her plans to start a radically democratic Sudbury School in Wilmington, how it differs from more typical forms of education, and the potential challenges of starting a new school like this. Show Notes: Wilmington Sudbury School
E136 - Stop Asian Haters (w/Yejoon Koh, Erika Gutierrez)
August 06, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 80.8 MBActivists Yejoon Koh and Erika Guttierez join Rob in the bunker to talk about Gerald Brady's racist comments as Asian women, the Delaware American Asian Voice group, and what it takes to bring new activists into the movement. Show Notes: The initial story on Brady An op-ed calling on Brady to resign Tom Carper on #StopAsianHate
BONUS - Uncivil Liberties (w/Mike Brickner)
August 02, 2021 12:00 - 28 minutes - 33.2 MBAfter the previous ACLU episode, Mike Brickner sticks around a little bit more to talk about how the ACLU has evolved over time (if it has gotten too woke), and responds to sports updates in his native Ohio. Show Notes: Main Episode Glenn Greenwald and Rob's tweets PDD Ice Cream Social Cleveland Guardians
Delaware Justice Team - E4 - Legislative Recap (w/Mike Brickner)
July 30, 2021 12:00 - 56 minutes - 64.3 MBWelcome to the Delaware Justice Team, a collaboration between Highlands Bunker, the Delaware ACLU, and the Delaware Call to talk about the work that is being doing around various civil liberties issues. Today, Mike Brickner joins Rob in the bunker to give an update on what passed and what didn't pass in the past legislative session, and what ACLU priorities will be going forward. Show Notes: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3 The Great Uprising episode Use of Force Opportunity Funding Au...
E135 - Alondra's Case (w/Erika Gutierrez)
July 23, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 75.8 MBIn late June, a six-year old girl was found walking down the side of the Coastal Highway near Lewes, Delaware. While she was luckily unharmed, Alondra Fuentes's story shows how some of our day-to-day systems from education to policing are not treating everyone equally. Alondra's family and Erika Gutierrez join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how that day went down, and how there has been no accountability since then. Show Notes: The WRDE story on this incident
E134 - Upchuck in the Jury Box (w/Matt Bittle)
July 16, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 81.7 MBFormer Delaware State News reporter and new public affairs manager at Planned Parenthood of Delaware Matt Bittle joins Rob in the bunker to talk about the past legislative session, disagreements with Republicans, and the role of nonprofits in our politics. Show Notes: Full Mark Twain letter Matt's announcement Abolish the Senate Stephanie Bolden selling out her constituents Elon Musk in Wilmington Spiros Mantzavinos's LinkedIn
E133 - Preventative Detention (w/Tye Grier)
July 09, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutes - 58.5 MBTye, Rob, and Karl recap the 2021 legislative session, talking about the win and the many losses of the year, what they mean, and what needs to be done going forward. Show Notes: News Journal session roundup Delaware Constitution Article VIII, 10a and 11a on raising taxes Why legal weed failed
E132 - Class Politics (w/Djene Bajalan)
July 02, 2021 12:00 - 54 minutes - 62.6 MBHistory professor and Middle East expert Djene Bajalan joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how the right distorts class politics, how racism and nationalism can be used to undermine universal programs, and then a bit about Turkish politics and the Kurds. Show Notes: Professor Bajalan on The Majority Report Some of Professor Bajalan's previous writings on Turkey/The Kurds This is Revolution podcast
Delaware Justice Team - E3 - Voting Rights (w/Claire Snyder-Hall, Dwayne Bensing)
June 25, 2021 12:00 - 53 minutes - 61.7 MBWelcome to the Delaware Justice Team, a collaboration between Highlands Bunker, the Delaware ACLU, and the Delaware Call to talk about the work that is being doing around various civil liberties issues. Today, Claire Snyder-Hall and Dwayne Bensing join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the For the People Act, where the state legislature has succeeded and failed on voter registration and absentee voting, and what's happening with redistricting. Show Notes: Delaware Poor People's Camp...
E131 - John Carney is a Disgrace (w/The Bunker)
June 18, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBThe government has said the pandemic is over, so the Bunker is back open. Jordyn Pusey, Kirsten Walther, the band Workstudy, and Jess Scarane all join Rob in the bunker to talk about a wide variety of topics from legal weed to Network Delaware to college labor practices. Show Notes: John Carney's position on hazing Change Agent Journey Workstudy on Spotify Dem-A-Thon 2021 FOIA Bill John Carney weed interview
E130 - Delaware's Debtor's Prisons (w/Meryem Dede, Lynne Kielhorn)
June 11, 2021 12:00 - 48 minutes - 54.9 MBCampaign to End Debtor's Prison co-coordinators Meryem Dede and Lynne Kielhorn join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the issue of fines and fees, how it affects Delaware, and how we can change them. Show Notes: Campaign to End Debtor's Prison Our previous episode on fines and fees NCAJ Fines and Fees Index Brennan Center Study Task Force Letter
E129 - Welcome To Jerkytown (w/Tye Grier)
June 04, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 69.8 MBTye, Karl, and Rob convene in the virtual bunker to talk through the Darius Brown situation, the latest BPG developments in Wilmington, Israel and Palestine, and what to expect for the rest of the 2021 legislative session. Show Notes: The Darius Brown situation BPG's new hotel Riverfront East Ella Baker Black Organizers Group
E128 - Delaware's Patent Troll (w/David Dayen)
June 01, 2021 12:00 - 51 minutes - 58.5 MBThe American Prospect executive editor David Dayen joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about Chris Coons, and how he is trying to use his influence in the Biden White House to protect corporate power around the world, and how the Biden administration can actually improve things. Show Notes: NYTimes Article on Chris Coons Chris Coons Working to Install Business-Friendly Candidate for Key Patent Position Executive Action Tracker The government actually helping workers
Delaware Justice Team - E2 - Education Equity (w/Shannon Griffin, Melva Ware)
May 28, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 78.3 MBWelcome to the Delaware Justice Team, a collaboration between Highlands Bunker, the Delaware ACLU, and the Delaware Call to talk about the work that is being doing around various civil liberties issues. Today, Shannon Griffin and Melva Ware join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the recent education equity lawsuit, how education money should actually be spent, and dive into issues from school choice to standardized testing to SROs. Show Notes: ACLU-DE Education Equity More on the e...
E127 - Where Are The Workers? (w/Jess Scarane)
May 21, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 80.5 MBFormer senate candidate Jess Scarane joins Rob, Tye, and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about Delaware's minimum wage bill and the local effort to keep wages down and kick people off of unemployment. Show Notes: Karl's minimum wage explainer Speaker Pete on the minimum wage Make calls for the minimum wage Knock doors for the minimum wage Our reading series this week
E126 - Wilmington at a Crossroads (w/Karl Baker)
May 14, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBFreelance journalist Karl Baker joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his post-News Journal ventures, his recent articles about the new problems that Wilmington is facing, and the what that means about the broader model of economic change that we operate under. Show Notes: Wilmington at a crossroads Port of Wilmington faces headwinds
E125 - Paid Family Leave (w/Liz Richards, Chandlee Kuhn)
May 07, 2021 12:00 - 54 minutes - 62.8 MBDelaware CARES executive director Liz Richards and former family court judge Chandlee Kuhn joins Rob and Tye in the virtual bunker to talk about SB1, the new legislation which will bring Paid Family Leave to Delaware. Show Notes: Delaware CARES website The actual legislation How to take action on Paid Family Leave More coverage on the bill Canvass / phonebank for the minimum wage bill
E124 - Guns of August (w/David T. Dixon)
April 30, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 77.8 MBAuthor and historian David T. Dixon joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the life and times of August Willich, the German revolutionary and communist who later became a Union general in the American Civil War. Show Notes: More about Radical Warrior
Delaware Justice Team - E1 - Smart Justice (w/Haneef Salaam, John Reynolds)
April 23, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 81.3 MBWelcome to the Delaware Justice Team, a collaboration between Highlands Bunker, the Delaware ACLU, and the Delaware Call to talk about the work that is being doing around various civil liberties issues. Today, Haneef Salaam and John Reynolds join Rob and Tye in the virtual bunker to talk about police accountability, clean slate initiatives, and what the results of the Chauvin trial mean for Delaware. Show Notes: Delaware Police Accountability Now Clean Slate Delaware We Still Can't Brea...
E123 - No Confidence (w/Crystal Womack)
April 16, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 77.6 MBLaw Enforcement Accountability Taskforce Subcommittee member Crystal Womack joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the letter of no confidence that many members signed, and how it relates to Delaware's broader deference to law enforcement and endless taskforces. Show Notes: Article from intro More information about the letter Campaign for Fair Policing
E122 - Weed For All (w/David Gobris)
April 09, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 70.7 MBDelaware native and cannabis industry worker David Gobris joins Rob in the virtual bunker to preview the new legal weed bill in Delaware and what the experience of legalization in Colorado can teach us about what works and what doesn't work at promoting equity. Show Notes: HB150 in Delaware Article that David mentioned More on Delaware cannabis LLCs
E121 - Wonk Update (w/Dustyn Thompson)
April 02, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 83.5 MBDelaware United activist Dustyn Thompson joins Rob in the virtual bunker to give an update on what Delaware's state legislature has been working on for the past three months from minimum wage to legal weed to gun bills. Plus, what hasn't happened, and what needs to happen going forward. Show Notes: Delaware United updates More on the tax bracket vote The taskforce letter
E120 - Elsmere's Top Minds (w/Jordyn Pusey)
March 26, 2021 12:00 - 56 minutes - 65.1 MBPDD President and Elsmere resident Jordyn Pusey joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the trials and tribulations of local party politics. Then, we delve deep into the Delaware Way mind of Elsmere native Robert Lee Byrd and his memoir, Byrd of Legislative Hall. Show Notes: Nevada Democratic Party article More on the RD13 debacle Byrd of Legislative Hall
Justice for Lymond Moses (w/Fleur McKendall, Tye Grier)
March 23, 2021 13:54 - 45 minutes - 52.2 MBA discussion on the killing of Lymond Moses, recorded after the video was released. Show Notes: The released video of the shooting
E119 - Fighting Delaware Corruption (w/Jack Guerin, John Flaherty, Steve Tanzer)
March 19, 2021 12:00 - 57 minutes - 65.7 MBActivist Jack Guerin, DE Coalition for Open Government director John Flaherty, and Delaware Liberal blogger Steve Tanzer join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the rampant corruption in Delaware government and how we can fight it. Show Notes: FightDECorruption site Sign On Andria Bennett story Trey Paradee story
E118 - Change Agents (w/Kirsten Walther)
March 12, 2021 13:00 - 58 minutes - 67 MBNetwork Delaware activist Kirsten Walther joins Rob and Tye in the bunker to talk about the upcoming Change Agent Journey program and how the uniqueness of Delaware can be used to build stronger organizations. Then, some controversy. Show Notes: Sign up for Change Agent Journey More information about the program Fight DE Corruption