Counterpoint with Scott Harris

Scott Harris
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Each week, host Scott Harris conducts interviews on a wide range of political, economic and social topics with individuals and representatives of organizations not ordinarily accessible in the mainstream media. This show airs weekly on WPKN (wpkn.org) and streams here in podcast form.

  1. 6d ago

    Counterpoint 08-10-26 w Scott Harris discusses: Iran Takes Initiative in Trump's Destabilizing War, Progressive Democrats on Primary Winning Streak; Primary Eve Intvws w CT Gov. Lamont & Challenger Rep. Elliott; S. Carolina Protests Israeli Arms Maker

    COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint   1) Trump Flounders as Iran Takes Initiative in his Reckless and Destabilizing War Jennifer Loewenstein, former associate director of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, discusses her views on the current status of Trump's war on Iran, how the conflict has spread dangerously throughout the region, and the future of the Strait of Hormuz where Iran and Oman are engaged in talks to manage the disputed waterway.   2) Progressive Democrats on Primary Election Winning Streak as Party's Corporate Establishment Fears for Their Future Branko Marcetic, a Jacobin staff writer and the author of "Yesterday’s Man: The Case Against Joe Biden," assesses recent Democratic Party primary victories by progressive candidates and members of the Democratic Socialists of America, the millions of dollars spent by AIPAC and centrist Democrats to defeat them, and efforts to unify the party before the November Midterm election.   3)  CT Governor Ned Lamont & Challenger Rep. Josh Elliott Discuss Voter's Priority Issues on Eve of State's August 11th Primary  Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and State Rep. Josh Elliott are interviewed about their candidacies on the eve of the Tuesday, August 11 Democratic Party Primary election for Governor. They discuss their positions on voter's top issues including, skyrocketing health care costs, taxing the rich, the high cost of electricity and the urgent need to build affordable housing.   4) South Carolina Coalition Protests Israeli Arms Maker, Local Activists Oppose Genocide and Costly State Tax Breaks Autumn Waddell an activist with the Elbit Out of South Carolina coalition, discusses the recent arrests of three protesters picketing outside the Elbit Systems of America factory in Ladson, South Carolina -- and issues related to Israel's genocide in Gaza, violations of free speech surrounding dissenting views on the U.S. relationship with Israel, and the international campaign against Elbit Systems, which in Britain, under the name Palestine Action, has been banned under the Terrorism Act, designating it as a proscribed "terrorist" organization.

  2. Aug 4

    Counterpoint 08-03-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Yale Univ. Surrenders to Trump; Trump, Rubio Accuse Cuba of being the Epicenter of Communist Subversion; Effective defense against Trump plan to overturn midterm election; Campaign to Free Dr. Abu Safiy

    COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint   1) Yale University Pres. Surrenders to Trump Admin. Demands, Nation Must Prepare for Trump's Effort to Overturn Midterm Election  Jason Stanley professor of philosophy and chairman of American studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, and author "How Fascism Works," and "Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future." Professor Stanley discusses Trump's very open escalation of threats against the November midterm election, rising violence from masked ICE agents, the building of concentration camps nationwide -- as the regime criminalizes and targets voting rights groups, journalists, progressive dissidents, universities and perceived enemies.   2) Trump, Rubio Accuse Cuba of being the Epicenter of a Decades-Long Communist Subversion Plot Against America Chris Hedges is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist who was a New York Times foreign correspondent and bureau chief in the Middle East and the Balkans for fifteen years, and author.  His book, "War Is a Force That Gives Us Meaning," was a National Book Critics Circle finalist. His recent titles include, "A Genocide Foretold: Reporting on Survival and Resistance in Occupied Palestine."  Chris will discuss his recent commentary titled, "Trump’s Phantom Enemies," that asserts the Trump regime in linking Cuba with domestic, communist subversion is laying the groundwork for McCarthyite blacklisting and criminalizing of all left-wing, progressive, anti-war and anti-imperialist dissent.   3) With Trump Threat to Interfere, Manipulate Midterm Election, Effective Defense Runs through Local Organizing  J. Patrick Coolican, Editor-in-Chief of Minnesota Reformer, discusses his recent article, "The Blueprint for fighting Trump's attempt to sabotage the election, drawn up in Minnesota," about Doran Schrantz 's 14-page internal memo titled, “Act Free to Be Free."  Addressing both the worry and complacency among many Democrats re: what Trump is clearly planning to intervene and attempt to manipulate thre outcome of the November midterm election.   4) Global Campaign Demands Release of Ailing Dr. Abu Safiya, Held in an Israeli Prison Since December 2024  (18 Months) Stanley Heller, administrator of the New Haven CT based group Promoting Enduring Peace and host of the TV newsmagazine “The Struggle," talks about the global campaign to release Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, the prominent Palestinian pediatrician and director of North Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital, who has been imprisoned by Israel without charge or trial since December 27, 2024. Reports indicate Dr Safiya is suffering deteriorating health without adequate medical attention, where eyewitnesses say his condition is life threatening, unless freed very soon.

  3. Jul 28

    Counterpoint 07-27-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Lies justify massive Pentagon budget, With no strategy Iran war continues w/no end in sight, Mobilizing to stop Congressional funding of voter suppression, 'Forging a Democracy that Works for All'

    COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint 1) Lies, Exaggeration Justify Massive $1.5 Trillion Trump Pentagon BudgetMelvin Goodman is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, a professor of government at Johns Hopkins University and a former CIA analyst. Goodman, whose latest book is titled, “American Carnage: The Wars of Donald Trump,” talks about his recent Counterpunch.org commentary, "The Sordid Politics of Defense Spending," re: Trump's requested increase of $1.5 trillion in defense spending justified by a massive exaggeration of national security challenges.   2) With No Rationale Strategy Iran War Continues without End in SightMatthew Hoh, a Iraq War combat veteran and Afghanistan State Department officer who resigned in protest over U.S. war policy in 2009, who now serves as a senior fellow with the Eisenhower Media Network.  He'll discuss his views on the now reignited U.S. war on Iran, assessing the recent round of attacks resulting in the recent deaths of 4 more U.S. service members, Trump and Pete Hegseth's leadership of this failed war and rising public opposition.  Hoh will also consider Trump's muddled handling of a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia with no restrictions on the Kingdom to develop a nuclear bomb, setting off fears of a new Middle East nuclear arms race.   3) Color of Change Mobilizes to stop Congressional Funding for Trump's Plan to Subvert Midterm ElectionAmanda Hollowell, chief of campaigns with Color of Change, discusses her group's campaign opposing congressional approval for $10 billion to implement key sections of President Trump's "Save America Act," designed to make it harder for millions of Americans to vote, primarily targeting communities of color. Although the House approved the $10 billion which is part of a $95 billion reconciliation package, to be implemented the measure must first be approved by the U.S. Senate.   4) New IPS Progressive Blueprint: 'Forging a Democracy that Works for All'Khury Petersen-Smith, the Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow and the Co-Director of the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies, talks about the new IPS report, "Forging a Democracy that Works for All: Countering the Power of Billionaires, Corporations, and the Pentagon," which proposes a detailed progressive blueprint to expand democracy by targeting the outsized influence of billionaires, corporations, and the military.

  4. Jul 21

    Counterpoint 07-20-26 with Scott Harris discusses: 2 More ICE Shooting Deaths in Texas and Maine; Trump Escalates his Scheme to Subvert Midterm Election; Rising Opposition to Trump Yale University Deal; CT Billboards Educate on Dangers of Factory Farmin

    COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint   1) Two More ICE Shooting Deaths in Texas and Maine Trigger Anger and Protests Juan Proaño, Chief Executive Officer of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) discusses the ongoing violence by ICE agents across the U.S. that's most recently resulted in two fatal ICE shootings in Houston, Texas, and Biddeford, Maine - where his group LULAC, is demanding immediate transparency, independent investigations, and an end to the Trump administration enabling federal law enforcement officers "hunting for Latinos."   2) Trump Escalates his Scheme to Subvert Midterm Election Robert Weiner, Director of the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, discusses President Trump's termination of two members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and forced the resignation of the remaining Republican commissioner.  He'll examine how this latest action fits in with President Trump's recent televised speech repeating conspiracy theories about foreign interference in U.S. elections, issuing voter suppression executive orders, demanding states turn over sensitive voting data, launching DOJ investigations, and proposed “SAVE America Act” legislation that together threaten the integrity of the November 2026 midterm election, in what many believe reveals the president's intention to interfere with, and/or manipulate the outcome of the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress.   3) Faculty, Students and Alumni Oppose Trump-Yale University Extortion Deal  Daniel HoSang, Professor of American Studies and Political Science at Yale University and President of the Yale chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP.) Professor HoSang, who's most recent book is titled, "A Wider Type of Freedom: How Struggles for Racial Justice Liberate Everyone,” discusses his work with the group "Stand Up For Yale," which has circulated petitions on campus, and urged Yale President Maurie McInnis and the Board of Trustees to reject a pending settlement between Yale University and the Trump administration -- as the dean of the Yale Law School, students and other faculty members are working to stop the deal.   4) CT Billboards Educate Public on the Many Dangers of Animal Factory Farming Doug Moss, the founder of Earth Action Network, Inc, which for many years published the award-winning E – The Environmental Magazine, and the nationally-syndicated Q&A environmental column, EarthTalk.  Doug will discussing his new goplant-based.org billboard project, which will be launched on July 20th to educate the public about the evils of animal factory farming, which is linked to climate change, pollution, and is an important obstacle in the way of addressing world hunger and global water shortages.

  5. Jul 14

    Counterpoint 07-13-26 with Scott Harris discusses: US Iran War Escalates After Talks Break Down; AS U.S. Healthcare System Fails, Support for Medicare For All Grows; Faculty, Students Oppose Yale-Trump Agreement; Whistleblower Summit Comes to Wash DC

    COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint 1) US Iran War Escalates After Talks Break DownRaed Jarrar, advocacy director with the group Democracy for the Arab World (DAWN) which was founded by Saudi U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi before his assassination by the Saudi government in 2018. Jarrar will discuss the ongoing U.S.- Israeli war on Iran, the on-again, off again negotiations, the escalating exchange of missile and drone attacks across the region -- and conflicting accounts from each side on whether or not peace talks will resume.   2) As U.S. Healthcare System Fails, Support for 'Medicare For All' Grows Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP) President, Dr. Diljeet Singh, will talk about an upcoming gathering of physicians in Washington, D.C. to discuss what's ahead for organizing the national movement supporting Medicare for All legislation that would establish a universal healthcare system for everyone in the U.S., similar to what every other industrialized nation in the world has had for decades.   3) Faculty, Students Oppose Yale University-Trump Agreement to Avoid Threatened Loss of Federal Funding Amanda Shanor, Associate Professor of Legal Studies & Business Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Yale Law School graduate, discusses her views on opposition to a pending settlement between Yale University and the Trump administration over White House accusations that Yale's School of Medicine is illegally discriminating against white and Asian applicants in favor of Black and Hispanic candidates. The Trump regime is threatening the loss of federal funding, as the Dean of Yale Law School, students, faculty members, and alumuni are working to stop the deal.   4) Whistleblower Summit and Film Festival Comes to Washington D.C. July 26-30th. Marcel Reid, a longtime whistle blower advocate, who was National Director and Chair of DC ACORN, an elected former director on the national board of the Pacifica Radio network, and co-founder and Director of the Annual Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival that will take place this year July 26-July 30 in Washington DC.  Marcel will talk about this year's Summit and film festival, as well as the critical importance of whistle blowers for journalism and democracy, as well as the need to protect them from retribution and intimidation to shut them down.

  6. Jul 7

    Counterpoint 07-06-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Nationwide revolt against mass AI surveillance; Corporate democrats freak out over democratic socialist primary wins; SCOTUS narrowly upholds Birthright Citizenship; "The World Is My Country" documentar

    COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org  Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint   1) Nationwide Revolt Against Mass AI Surveillance on a Winning Streak Hanna Riley Fernandez, a writer and activist based in Burlington, Vermont who investigates the intersection of media and the criminal legal system, discusses her recent Nation magazine article, "Cameras Are Everywhere - and People Have Had Enough,” and issues related to growing public concern about the unregulated surveillance applications of artificial intelligence.   2) Corporate Democrats Freak Out Over Democratic Socialists Primary Wins Norman Solomon, director of RootsAction and executive director of the Institute for Public Accuracy, talks about his Guardian commentary, "Progressive primary victories have corporate Democrats panicking,” examining how the success of democratic socialists has led to an establishment backlash, fueling divisions over how to respond.   3) After SCOTUS Narrowly Upholds Birthright Citizenship Trump, GOP Congress Move to Overturn this Constitutional Right Todd Schulte, President of FWD.US talks about the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended Temporary Protective Status and the justice's narrow decision upholding Birthright Citizenship. He warns that 400,000 U.S. citizen children could still be separated from their parents because of the TPS ruling -- and the consequences for 1.3 million individuals with TPS and another 800,000 of their U.S. citizen spouses and children are dire. Schulte is demanding the administration reverse course on TPS, while urging Congress to pass legislation providing a pathway to citizenship.   4) Documentary Film"The World Is My Country" Tells the Story of a Broadway Actor who Sparks a Post WWII Movement for World Peace. Arthur Kanegis, director of the film documentary, "The World Is My Country," talks about his film that explores the life of Garry Davis, a Broadway song and dance man who turns his war guilt over bombing civilians in World War II into electrifying action that galvanizes war-weary Europe, sparks a movement and helps pave the way for the UN to unanimously pass the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

  7. Jun 30

    Counterpoint 06-29-26 with Scott Harris discusses: NYC Democratic socialist primary victories; Challenging Trump GOP voter suppression, Supreme Court Ends TPS protections for Haitians, Syrians; 'Swarthmore 9' trial defendants stand up for free speech

    COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint   1) John Tarleton, editor-in-chief of The Indypendent, New York City's free progressive monthly newspaper, discusses his newspaper’s coverage of New York City's historic June 23rd Democratic primary election, with a focus on Democratic Socialist of America party candidates victories and their likely impact on both local and national politics.   2) Carol Evans, Vice President of Policy with Common Cause, talks about her group’s concern about -- and work to protect this November's midterm election from interference and manipulation by the Trump administration and Republican Party. The President and GOP have over recent months taken multiple steps to implement measures with the intent of suppressing the votes of millions of Americans and rigging election results.   3) Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance discusses her group's view on the consequences of two recent US Supreme Court rulings: the Mullin v. Doe case that overturns lower court decisions blocking the Trump administration’s move to end Temporary Protected Status for roughly 350,000 Haitians and 4,000 Syrians -- and the Mullin v. Al Otro Lado case that allows border officials to turn away asylum seekers arriving at U.S. ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border.   4) Brendan Cook, a defendant in the "Swarthmore 9" case discusses his and his co-defendant’s trial that begins on July 1st, stemming from the group's May 3, 2025 arrest on third-degree "defiant trespassing" charges after the individuals refused to vacate a pro-Palestine encampment at Swarthmore College.

  8. Jun 23

    Counterpoint 06-22-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Donald Trump's Humiliating Iran War Defeat; FBI Targets Ohio Voting Rights Group; Trump Justice Dept. Arrests 15 Minneapolis Anti-Ice Activists; Review of SPLC's Annual Year in Hate & Extremism Report

    COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint   1) Donald Trump's Humiliating Iran War Defeat the Most Significant Since Vietnam David Faris, Professor of Political Science at Roosevelt University and author of "The Kids Are All Left: How Young Voters Will Unite America," discusses his recent Nation Magazine commentary, "The Framework for the Iran Peace Deal Means Total Humiliation for Trump," and other developments in the status of U.S.-Iran ceasefire and peace negotiations. 2) FBI Targets Ohio Voting Rights Group in Advance of Critical Midterm Election Dion Nissenbaum, Senior Reporter with Votebeat National, nonpartisan local reporting on elections and voting, to discuss his recent news story, "FBI probe of Ohio voting rights group expands to include an affiliated national advocacy network," and other Trump administration threats to the midterm election he's been covering for Vote Beat. 3) Trump Justice Dept. Arrests 15 Minneapolis Anti-Ice Activists in Another Attack on Free Speech Pastor Doug Pagitt, executive director of the Minneapolis-based national organization Vote Common Good, discusses how the resistance community he works with has been doing since the dark days of the ICE invasion and war in the Twin Cities in January. He'll also talk about the Dept. of Justice recent issue of federal criminal charges against 15 Minneapolis residents in connection with anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis/St. Paul earlier this year, accused of “conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers” and of allegedly “violently” impeding immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities. 4) The Southern Poverty Law Center's 2025 Year in Hate & Extremism Report Summarized Rachel Carroll Rivas, Deputy Director Research, Reporting & Analysis with the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center & SPLC Action Fund, discusses the Center's Annual Year in Hate & Extremism Report, which finds that under the Trump regime far-right extremist groups have gained new power across the federal government, private tech sector and college campuses over the course of 2025.

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About

Each week, host Scott Harris conducts interviews on a wide range of political, economic and social topics with individuals and representatives of organizations not ordinarily accessible in the mainstream media. This show airs weekly on WPKN (wpkn.org) and streams here in podcast form.

Information

  • Creator
    Scott Harris
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Squeaky Wheel Productions, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Counterpoint with Scott Harris

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