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Lucas Moody and Mark explore our Word of the Week: “Elections.” We will look at some history of elections, some of their problems and some alternatives. We also revisit the issue of “strategic discrimination” and how that magnifies racism and sexism. Then we visit Bolivia where Trump’s election fixer in Latin America was arrested, then Trump ordered the prosecutor arrested, which was carried out. Then we dive into how the US uses “color revolutions” to overthrow elected governments it doesn’t like. Finally, we look at how popular socialism is in the US.

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark take a look at our Word of the Week: “Federated Civic Democracy.” We will discuss what this means as an antidote to authoritarian government and the surveillance state. Next, we will hear an interview of Lea Bossler who has uncovered possible illegalities in the independent campaigns for Montana’s US Senator and Eastern District US House seats. Next, we hear from Lucas Moody with his Missoula City Council Report. We dive into recent developments of the use of Automatic Intelligence (AI) by the US “War Department” for war and for potential domestic surveillance. Then we have an opinion piece by Robbie Liben about AI and hyper data centers. We also look at government surveillance of unions and civic groups in Minnesota in their anti-ICE activities late last year. Finally, we cover two stories about the increase of union members in the US and an initiative in New York City by Mayor Mamdani to support worker organizing.

Voice of the People: Radio by and for the 99%Lucas Moody, Soundman Jim and Mark explore Our Word of the Week: “Labor Unions’ Purpose.” We will discuss the various purposes ascribed to unions on this Labor Day. We will then hear an interview of Anna Steitz and Keith Suta, who represent Missoula’s DFTBA Workers Union, on the organizing of their independent union and the long-slog negotiating that resulted in their first collective bargaining agreement. Then we turn to an upcoming Solidarity School sponsored by Missoula organizations of the national May Day Strong coalition. Then we update a recent story on parents organizing to maintain the perinatal intensive care unit at Missoula’s for-profit Community Hospital. Next, we hear from Lucas with his Missoula City Council Report. Then we turn to Andy Boyd who talks about his article “The Funk Strategy: How Outside Cash Tried to Engineer Montana's Senate Race, and Failed.” - May Day Strong Solidarity School Missoula - https://actionnetwork.org/events/solidarity-school-2026- Save Community Hosp PICU - Leticia 406-207-1427- Western Montana Workers Alliance - [email protected] or by leaving a message at 406-207-1884. - KFGM Radio - 1015kfgm.organchor.fm/vop-montana

This week's show is called "Social Housing." The entire show is on that topic as a part of the 2026 Socialist Speakers Series. Panelists are Simon Dykstra of the Missoula Tenant Union, David Quattrocchi of Missoula's Unhoused Neighbors Union and Mark Anderlik of the Western Montana Democratic Socialists of America.

Voice of the People: Radio by and for the 99%Lucas Moody, Soundman Jim and Mark investigate our Word of the Week: “DSA.” Therefore we will give a brief description of what DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) stands for and some Montana DSA electoral history. We will then look at recent DSA national election successes and the reactions its getting from some Democrats. Then we turn to the frightened response of the Trump Administration about DSA successes by their attempt to impose a Red Scare 3.0. Next we hear from Lucas with his Missoula City Council Report. Then we turn to Andy Boyd who talks about his research into Montana Democratic Party shenanigans in the US Senate race. Then we hear from Leticia Staff on Missoula Community Hospital and their planned elimination of a bedside physician in the hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Finally we cover a success story of a concession workers union victory in Los Angeles.anchor.fm/vop-montana

Linda Gillison, Soundman Jim and Mark feature our Word of the Week: “Technology.” We will look at some current local news about data center technology and what is being done about it. First, we hear from Jane Borish and Nathan Stephens, members of Missoula’s anti-data center organization MADCAT, and what’s happening with the proposed Bonner Data Center and the Governor’s Energy Task Force. Then Mark will report on Missoula County’s moratorium on data center construction. Next, we hear Lucas Moody’s report on the goings on at the Missoula City Council. Then we look at the recent turmoil in the Montana Republican Party. Next, we listen to an interview with Jeffrey Sachs by Glenn Diesen on the recent NATO Summit. Finally, we report on a breakthrough in technology by Chinese scientists and engineers that could be an important steppingstone to a carbon-free, green energy future.

Soundman Jim and Mark explore our Word of the Week - “Popular Resistance” - by looking at some current examples of popular resistance. First, we hear from Lizzie Mills-Low and Breeann Adam of Missoula’s anti-data center organization MADCAT. Next, we hear Lucas Moody’s report on the Missoula City Council, including its pause in purchasing surveillance cameras as a result of popular pressure. Then we look at the recent primary elections in New York where socialist candidates outside of the Democratic machine are victorious. Next, we hear from Montana political activist Andy Boyd who talks about dark money in Montana politics and its effects on democracy. Charlie McPherson then reads his appeal for popular resistance called “Don’t despair; stand up, fight back.” Finally, we report on Glacier National Park workers organizing into a union.

Our Word of the Week is “Data Center.” Lucas Moody, Soundman Jim and Mark discuss what data centers are, what issues there are with them, what is happening in Montana, and more specifically about the proposed Bonner data center. Next, we hear from Lucas and his report on the Missoula City Council. Then we interview Alison Reintjes of Grow Safe: Non-toxic Missoula who discusses her group’s effort to phase out the use of non-organic pesticides in Missoula’s parks. [Growsafemissoula.org]. Dave Jones then reads his opinion piece called “Crosshairs on Cuba.” We then get an update on the massive general strike in Bolivia. We finish by hearing an interview of former Trump attorney and advisor Robert Barnes on the ability of Trump to actually govern.

Sue Kirchmyer, Linda Gillison, soundman Jim and Mark discuss our Word of the Week: “Apocalypse.” We will discuss major broad revelations about the US that change how we see our country. Next, we hear from Lucas Moody and his report on the Missoula City Council. Finally, we hear an interview of University of Montana professor Richard Drake who discusses his article in Counterpunch titled “The Constitutional Origins of the War in Iran.”

Our Word of the Week is “Just Cause.” In our interview with Organizers’ Union for Just Cause leader Matt Fennell we will explore what Just Cause is at work and why its important for all workers in the US. Next, we hear from Lucas Moody and his reports on the Missoula City Council. Finally, we hear from speakers from a Montanans for Palestine rally on April 25th at the Missoula County Courthouse grounds.

Our Word of the Week is “May Day Strong.” This is in reference to the coalition of groups in 400 locations around the United States who organized opposition to the billionaires, to ICE, to fascism while celebrating that ordinary people had created the 8-hour workday, which struggle is the origin of International Workers’ Day on May 1st. On today’s show we hear from events around Missoula on May Day, with one special visit to North Carolina. First we will hear speakers and music at the May Day Rally at the University of Montana campus. Then we hear later in the day as a flying picket visits the office of US Senator Tim Sheehy, a Lowes store and an Enterprise Rent-a-Car facility; all to protest their support or complicity with the Immigration Control and Enforcement Agency better known as ICE. Then we hear from a few of the speakers at a celebration potluck and barbecue where discussions on group alignments, more singing, and an ICE agent pinata rounded out the day. Then we hear a short interview of the President of the North Carolina AFL-CIO on the amazing success of North Carolina teachers closing down the largest school districts on May Day and holding a giant march in the capital.

Soundman Jim and Mark discuss our Word of the Week: “May Day.” This is of course in reference to the International Workers’ Day on May 1st. We will look at the anarchist roots of the May Day holiday in the fight in the US for the eight-hour workday. Then we look at the modern May Day events in the US sponsored by the coalition May Day Strong, including events in Missoula. Then we will look at the state of the US labor federation, the AFL-CIO. And at the latest attack by the Trump Administration on organized labor. We then move to the elections in Hungary and to the US/Israeli war on Iran. Then finally we will hear from Lucas Moody as he gives us his regular Missoula City Council Report. maydaystrong.org

Lucas Moody joins Soundman Jim and Mark exploring our Word of the Week: “War.” This is of course in reference to the US-Israeli War on Iran. First, we will look at the state of the war: President Trump’s War Speech on April 1st, the lead-up and aftermath of that speech, the current and projected economic effects of the war, and the open letter to Americans from Iran’s President. Then we cover some labor news and the plans for general strike organizing for May Day 2026. Then finally we will hear from Lucas as he gives us his regular Missoula City CouncilReport.

Our Word of the Week is “US Imperialism in Latin America.” We will play a recording of the March 12th presentation by Maria Bustos and Paul Haber in the first installment of the 2026 Socialist Speakers Series held at the Elks Lodge in Missoula. Lastly, we will hear from Lucas Moody as he gives us his Missoula City Council Report.

Sue Kirchmyer, Soundman Jim and Mark tackle this episode on “Conflict.” This is in reference to two major conflicts that we will cover in this show: the US-Israeli War on Iran; and the class conflict between the working and owning classes. First, we will look at and critique the main reasons claimed by the US to wage war on Iran, and then look at the more likely reasons. Then we look at recent class conflicts in Montana, California and Hawai’i, Minnesota, US students, Argentina and India. Lastly, we will hear from Lucas Moody as he gives us his Missoula City Council Report.