Damn Yankees!
Like the Free State Project in reverse, in the early 1900’s American farmers’ organizations headed north with their socialist politics, leading to the creation of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (C.C.F.) which swept provincial elections in Saskatchewan in 1944 to become the first socialist government in North America. In 1961 the C.C.F. became the New Democratic Party (NDP) which still exists in the modern day.
This sample clip is from the film “Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism” which explores Socialism’s meteoric rise and spectacular fall in a three-hour PBS documentary miniseries. The film traces socialism’s evolution through a series of compelling profiles of the movement’s most important figures: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Eduard Bernstein, Samuel Gompers, Clement Attlee, Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, Deng Xiaoping, Mikhail Gorbachev, Tony Blair and the man who first coined the term “socialism,” Robert Owen.
A summary of the chapters within the 3 hours:
HOUR 1: THE RISE
ROBERT OWEN & UTOPIAN SOCIALISM IN NEW HARMONY INDIANA
In 1825 a progressive British industrialist travels to America to create a utopian community. Owen believes that abolishing private property will liberate mankind.
MARX AND ENGELS: BIRTH OF A MANIFESTO
Two young Germans forge a friendship that gives birth to the Communist Manifesto. Their analysis of history as a struggle between classes and their prophecy of the inevitable overthrow of capitalism define the movement.
EDUARD BERNSTEIN & A CRISIS OF FAITH
At the end of the 19th century, the intellectual heir of Marxism tries to reconcile the prediction of labor’s revolt with the reality of improved working conditions. The movement splits, Communism and Social Democracy part ways.
LENIN & THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION
Vladimir Lenin responds to Bernstein’s critique by igniting a violent revolution and creating the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
SAMUEL GOMPERS & AMERICAN LABOR
While Europe faces revolution, American workers are organized by a former cigar-maker. Gompers rejects socialism and helps give birth to the American Federation of Labor.
CANADIAN SOCIALISM
See above.
HOUR 2: REVOLUTIONS
MUSSOLINI & FASCISM
Inspired by Lenin’s Russian revolution, Italy’s Benito Mussolini embraces socialism and joins forces with Adolf Hitler to create National Socialism, or fascism.
CHINA & THE SPREAD OF COMMUNISM
Following World War II, Mao Zedong reforms China through nationalized industry, collectivized agriculture and complete state control over every aspect of daily life.
CLEMENT ATTLEE & SOCIAL DEMOCRACY
In Britain, a different kind of socialism takes hold after the Second World War, democratic socialism. Attlee’s Labour Party creates a comprehensive social welfare system and nationalizes major British industries.
THE KIBBUTZ
The Zionist movement in Israel creates collective socialist villages called kibbutzim. Residents of Kibbutz Ginosar describe the early years of this communal experiment.
JULIUS NYERERE & THIRD WORLD SOCIALISM
With the end of British colonial rule, Julius “Mwalimu” Nyerere turns to socialism to reshape Tanzania. He blends the teachings of Marx with African traditions to create what is heralded as the developing world’s alternative to Soviet-style communism.
GREAT BRITAIN IN THE 1970s
Economic stagnation challenges the Labour Party’s hold on British politics and opens the door for Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government.
THE KIBBUTZ PART II
As the second generation comes of age on the kibbutz, these socialist communities gradually move away from collectivism.
TANZANIA’S UJAMAA VILLAGES
Impatient with the lack of socialist progress, Nyerere begins to force Tanzanian’s to adopt his vision of the ideal collective society.
HOUR 3: THE COLLAPSE
GORBACHEV & REFORM
Mikhail Gorbachev confronts the violent past of Stalinism, but his efforts to bring a new openness to Soviet life have unintended consequences.
DENG XIAOPING & MODERNIZATION
In the 1980s, Deng de-collectivizes the communes that formed the soul of the Chinese Communist revolution. His reforms look suspiciously like capitalism.
GORBACHEV & REVOLUTION
Gorbachev’s efforts to reform socialism in the Soviet Union unleash forces that unravel the State’s control and lead to a complete transformation of the Communist world.
TONY BLAIR & NEW LABOUR
Blair transforms Attlee’s socialist Labour Party into “the party of business.”
THE FUTURE OF SOCIALISM
Socialists and capitalists debate the impact of the collapse of communism and the political reversals of Social Democratic parties across Europe. Some ask whether the very definition of socialism is changing.
THE KIBBUTZ PART III
Residents of Kibbutz Ginosar observe how market forces are transforming their community.
For more information or to purchase the DVD or companion book, visit: http://www.pbs.org/heavenonearth/
Duration : 0:5:19
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After Walter Annenbergs foundation offered several hundred million dollars to American public schools in the mid-90s, William Ayers applied for $50 million for Chicago. The purpose of his application was to secure funds to raise political consciousness in Chicagos public schools. After he won the grant, Ayerss group chose Barack Obama to distribute the money. Between 1995 and 1999, Obama distributed the $50 million and raised another $60 million from other civic groups to augment it. In doing so, he was following Ayerss admonition to grant the funds to external organizations, like American Community Organizations for Reform
DO NOT take the poisonous swine flu vaccine!
The United States pours several billion dollars in aid into Pakistan every year. But anti-American groups in Pakistan are using that fact, and the continuing US presence in the country, to recruit new members – a tactic that is serving them well.
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape Mays heritage. MAC also fosters the performing arts. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MACs year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MACs Web site at www.capemaymac.org.
“Taking away out Constitutional Rights Justifies a Revolution.”
The excessive federal spending spree MUST STOP ! ——————— [FEB 2009]
New Video Footage!!! John McCain’s campaign is using Barack Obama’s ties to a controversial low-income advocacy group to escalate his criticism of the Democratic nominee’s character and judgment. 
Limbs of Love is a charitable organization. whose mission is to provide prosthetic limbs to amputees in Houston and across Texas that have lost a limb but do not have the resources to pay for a prosthetic device. Very few charitable organizations have such a significant impact upon the lives of others.