Counterpoint with Scott Harris

Scott Harris
  • 5.0 (3)
  • POLITICS
  • COMPLETE

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. 5D AGO

    Counterpoint 02-09-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Trump's fascist threat to democracy; Trump asks GOP Congress to "nationalize" US elections; Trump blocks oil supplies from reaching Cuba causing humanitarian crisis; FBI spies on and raids WAPO journali

    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's Fascist Threat to Democracy Enters New, Violent Phase Christopher Vials, Professor in the English Dept. at the University of Connecticut at Storrs where he studies the cultural impact of the US far right, is the author of “Haunted by Hitler: Liberals, the Left and the Fight against Fascism in the U.S.,” and co-editor of “The US Antifascism Reader.” He'll assess Donald Trump's first 12 months back in the White House of his 2nd term, and the threat he now clearly poses to the 2026 midterm election, democracy and our republic, touching on some of the issues examined in a recent commentary he co-authored with Bill Mullen, "Donald Trump and the MAGA Movement’s Aspirational Fascism."   2) Trump asks Republican Congress to "Nationalize" the 2026 Midterm Election David Daley, Senior Fellow in Communications at the group FairVote, is the author of the national best-seller "Ratf**ked: Why Your Vote Doesn't Count." He'll examine Donald Trump's recent threats to "nationalize" this November's midterm elections, Steve Bannon's recent warning that ICE agents will surround polling places --- all driven by MAGA's false claims of massive voter fraud. He'll share his views on what steps could and should be taken now to implement safeguards to protect the nation from these threats, and ensure we have a free and fair election.   3) Trump Blocks Oil Supplies From Reaching Cuba, Contributing to Looming Humanitarian Crisis Alianza Americas Deputy Director Helena Olea, discusses concern re: the growing humanitarian crisis impacting the Cuban people resulting from Donald Trump's recent Executive Order blocking oil shipments to the island, shutting down their energy generating capacity while threatening secondary sanctions on any nation that provides Cuba oil supplies.   4) FBI Spies on, Then Raids WAPO Journalist's Home in Major Attack on Press Freedom Kevin Gosztola, publisher of the Dissenter Newsletter and author of "Guilty of Journalism: The Political Case Against Julian Assange," talks about his recent Dissenter article, "FBI Spied on Washington Post Reporter Prior To Raiding Their Home,"the related Trump regime attacks on the First Amendment with the recent arrests of Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, and the mass layoff of 1/3 of the staff at the Washington Post.

    1h 22m

  2. FEB 3

    Counterpoint 02-02-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Minnesota Shows Nation How to Resist ICE Violence; Local Prosecutors Target Federal Lawbreakers; Doomsday Clock Moves Closer to Midnight; Veterans Group Urges US Soldiers to Disobey Illegal Orders

    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) Minnesota Shows the Country How Effective Resistance to ICE Violence Can Work  Pastor Doug Pagitt, executive director of the Minneapolis-based organization Vote Common Good, talks about the extraordinary courage and resilience the nation has witnessed among his city’s ordinary citizens standing up to the brutal and cruel ICE secret police force that engages in lethal violence.  He'll discuss what people across the country can learn from the incredible grassroots organizing going on in Minneapolis to meet the current crisis, and how Americans can adapt those skills, tactics and logistics to their own local efforts in defense of the rule of law and democracy.   2) National Coalition of Local Prosecutors to Target Federal Lawbreakers for Accountability Fairfax County Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano, co-founder of the new group, Fight Against Federal Overreach, talks about the mission of the "FAFO" national coalition of District Attorneys collaborating to ensure federal officials are held accountable when they exceed their lawful authority, violate the U.S. Constitution, ignore the Bill of Rights, the rule of law, and basic human decency.  The group's goal is to hold all federal officials, including ICE and CBP agents and their commanders, accountable for illegal actions.   3) With Looming Threats from Nuclear Weapons, AI and Climate Crisis, Doomsday Clock Moves Closer to Midnight Jon B. Wolfsthal, Director of Global Risk at the Federation of American Scientists discusses the Bulletin of American Scientists' announcement that their Doomsday Clock was recently set at 85 seconds to midnight, "the closest the Clock has ever been to midnight in its history, while calling for urgent action to limit nuclear arsenals, create international guidelines on the use of AI, and form multilateral agreements to address global biological threats."   4) Veterans Group Tells US soldiers It's their Duty to Disobey Illegal Orders Mike Tork, Veterans for Peace treasurer, and Anthony Aguilar a retired US special forces officer who resigned in protest from his work with US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution centers, talk about the Veterans For Peace education campaign, including billboards, reaching out to active-duty U.S. soldiers and National Guard troops urging them to “follow the law and their conscience” and refuse to obey illegal orders.  This veterans campaign comes in the face of Donald Trump's ordering the U.S. military to attack civilian boats, and seize oil tankers in international waters, kidnap Venezuela's president, threats to occupy Greenland, and deployment of the ICE secret police force to U.S. cities, while warning of a future invocation of the Insurrection Act that could send the US Army or Marines to states across the country.

    1h 26m

  3. JAN 27

    Counterpoint 01-26-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Trump's irrational, deadly domestic & foreign policy; Minneapolis responds to ICE violence w Strike; Oil is the total focus of Trump's Venezuela policy; Anthropause, degrowth can prevent eco-collapse

    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)  The world revolts against Trump's irrational, deadly domestic & foreign policy Melvin 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 most recent book is titled, “American Carnage: The Wars of Donald Trump,” talks about Pres. Trump's disastrous foreign policy including his attack on Venezuela and kidnapping of its president, threats to takeover Greenland and breakup NATO, and his irrational imposition of tariffs around the world, the subject of his recent columns, "Donald Trump, Poster Child for Megalomania," and "Nazi Germany 1933 and MAGA America 2025."   2) ICE Killing of 2 Minneapolis Residents Provokes Angry Protests and General Strike  Madison McVan, is a reporter with the Minnesota Reformer, an independent, nonprofit news organization, where she covers the impact of the Trump administration in Minnesota. She talks about state residents’ response to Trump's deployment of a flood of ICE agents to the state, the federal agent killing of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, the earlier ICE agent killing of Renee Good, and the Jan. 23rd statewide general strike. She'll also discuss Trump's threat to invoke the Insurrection Act and send in potentially thousands of active-duty U.S. military to Minnesota.   3) Oil is the Total Focus of Trump's Venezuela Policy that also Benefits his Big Donor Filmmaker and journalist Greg Palast, author of several New York Times bestsellers including "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy," talks about his recent investigation, "How New Venezuela President Will Save Us from Trump’s Crazy: The Radical Pragmatist versus Rubio’s Vulture," explaining how billionaire and Trump donor Paul Singer is one of the prime beneficiaries of the U.S. military attack and abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as Singer is about to take over CITGO, the crown jewel of Venezuela's oil empire.   4) New Book, "Anthropause" Advocates 'Degrowth' as a Path to Prevent Climate Collapse Stan Cox, a research scholar in Ecosphere Studies at the Land Institute, where he formerly served as Lead Scientist for 20 years, talks about his new book "Anthropause: The Beauty of Degrowth," which indicts our obsession with endless expansion and poses a new model of degrowth for protecting the Earth from climate collapse. Stan is the author of 8 books, including, "The Path to a Livable Future," "Sick Planet," and "How the World Breaks."

    1h 18m

  4. JAN 20

    Counterpoint 01-19-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Trump's escalating attack on democracy; Religious leaders step up to resist ICE violence; 'Walk out' protest actions respond to state violence in Minnesota; FCC Commissioner decries government censorshi

    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) As Trump Escalates Attack on Democracy Resistance Grows Yint Hmu of Public Citizen's democracy campaign discusses the work her group is doing to challenge and resist the Trump authoritarian agenda both at home and abroad, including their many lawsuits and national protest organizing.  They'll also talk about the explosive situation in Minneapolis in the aftermath of the ICE shooting death of Renee Good, as Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act and declare martial law.   2) Religious Leaders Step Up to Resist ICE Violence Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights talks about her group's condemnation of the ICE killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis, and a call for accountability, justice and an end to ICE brutality nationwide.   3) 'Walk Out' Protest Actions Respond to Rising State Violence in Minnesota  Tamika Middleton, Chief Political and Strategy Officer with Women's March, talks about the January 20th Free America Walkout protest, and other important work Women's March is prioritizing. Student leader Saniyah Yoland of the group Get Free, a youth-led progressive activist movement, talks about the work they're doing organizing students for the Friday, Jan. 23rd school walkout protest.   4) FCC Commissioner Decries Government Assault on Free Press FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat serving on the Federal Communications Commission talks about her concerns re: the concentration of media ownership, FCC censorship and interference in the exercise of First Amendment right to free speech, the future of public media and the expansion of broadband access.

    1h 33m

  5. JAN 13

    Counterpoint 01-12-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Trump's takeover of Venezuela for oil; US explodes in protest after ICE killing of Renee Good; Trump aligned oligarchs media merger takeover; US Venezuela attack a violation of international law

    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 Takeover of Venezuela for Oil Follows Decades Long Destabilization Campaign Alexander Main, Director of International Policy at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, talks about President Trump's regime's illegal kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, imposition of a naval blockade, seizure of oil tankers, and the president's declaration that the U.S will run Venezuela and take control of that nation's oil for many years ahead. He’ll also address Trump’s threat to attack other nations including Columbia, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Greenland and Canada and Iran.   2) Minnesota Explodes in Protest after ICE Killing of Renee Good Pastor Doug Pagitt, Executive Director of the Minneapolis-based national organization Vote Common Good, that organizes religious activists to take action against the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda, talks about this moment of crisis in the aftermath of the ICE shooting death of ICE observer Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of 3.   3) Trump Aligned Oligarchs Launch Media Mergers to Transform Outlets into MAGA Propaganda Platforms   Victor Pickard the C. Edwin Baker Professor of Media Policy and Political Economy at the Annenberg School for Communication, where he co-directs the Media, Inequality & Change Center, talks about recent mega media mergers, spinoffs, and the effort by Trump-supporting oligarchs to buy up media properties that could dramatically impact news coverage and cultural content. He'll touch on his recent co-written piece, "The Political Economy of the US Media System: Excavating the Roots of the Present Crisis."   4) US Venezuela Attack Rouses U.S. Senate to Pass War Powers Resolution  Marjorie Cohn, professor emerita at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and past president of the National Lawyers Guild, discusses her recent commentary, "Trump Will Try to Defend Aggression Toward Venezuela. It’s Still Illegal." She'll also comment on the legal and accountability issues related to the ICE murder of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.

    1h 24m

  6. JAN 6

    Counterpoint 01-05-26 with Scott Harris discusses: Trump threatens to attack Iran; the consequences of Trump's kidnapping of Venezuela's President; RFK Jr's research cuts & vaccine changes threaten US public health; Building effective resistance to Trum

    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) After Venezuela Attack Trump Threatens to Strike Iran Again Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft is author of, "Losing an Enemy: Obama, Iran, and the Triumph of Diplomacy.” Parsi talks about his recent article, "As expected, Netanyahu back demanding more war with Iran," recent Trump threats to intervene in Iran if the government kills anti-government protesters, and the message to Iran's leaders after the US kidnapping of Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro.   2) Trump's Kidnapping of Venezuelan President will have Far Reaching Consequences Steve Ellner, an associate managing editor of Latin American Perspective, and a retired professor at the Universidad de Oriente in Venezuela, where he lived for over 40 years -- and Andreína Chávez, based in Caracas, who wrote the recent DropSite News article, “War of the entire people: Venezuela's Grassroots Rise to Resist Trump's Naval Blockade," examine the consequences of Donald Trump's attack on Venezuela and kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro, in Venezuela, Latin America and the world.   3) Trump - RFK Jr's Research Cuts and Vaccine Changes Threaten US Public Health Kayla Hancock, Director of Public Health Watch at Protect Our Care talks about her group's opposition to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to cut seven grants worth millions of dollars to The American Academy of Pediatrics, jeopardizing initiatives on reducing sudden infant deaths, improving adolescent health, preventing fetal alcohol syndrome and identifying autism early.   4) Resistance to Trump Growing in his 2nd Year Back in the White House Kevin B. Anderson, Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara talks about his recent article, "The Worm Turns: Trumpist Fascism." He'll discuss issues related to effective resistance, the need to organize a popular front, big tent opposition to Trump's authoritarian rule, while ensuring progressives don't sacrifice minority constituencies or controversial positions on the climate crisis, the right of Palestinians to self-determination and independence, and trans people's rights to basic human rights.

    1h 22m

  7. 12/30/2025

    Counterpoint 12-29-25 with Scott Harris discusses: Trump's moves to interfere w 2026 midterm election; RFK Jr attempts to ban trans youth gender affirming care; CBS censorship & media merger madness; Trump's deadly & chaotic year back in the White House

    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's Moves to Interfere with and Manipulate the Outcome of 2026 Midterm Election Jim Saksa, a journalist who's written for Slate, Politico Magazine, The Economist, NPR’s Morning Edition and Philadelphia City Paper, discusses his recent Democracy Docket article, "DOJ Sues Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin and DC, Expanding Campaign of Voter Data Lawsuits to 22," and other warning signs about the Trump administration's possible plans for disrupting and/or manipulating the outcome of the 2026 midterm elections.   2) RFK Jr Attempts to Ban Trans Youth Gender Affirming Care Parker Molloy, a Chicago-based media critic, cultural commentator, and publisher of "The Present Age" Substack newsletter, discusses her views on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, recent announcement essentially banning gender-affirming care for transgender young people, even in states where it's still legal.   3) CBS Political Censorship of "60 Minutes" an Outcome of Media Merger Madness Craig Aaron, co-CEO of Free Press and Free Press Action, two media reform organizations, talks about CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss' decision to kill the 60 Minutes' story on the Trump regime's deportation of immigrants to El Salvador's notorious CECOT Prison, and recent corporate mergers that are enabling political censorship.   4) Trump's Deadly & Chaotic Year Back in the White House Paul Street, an independent radical-democratic policy researcher, journalist, historian and author of more than 10 books, his latest titled, "This Happened Here: Amerikaners, Neoliberals, and the Trumping of America." He talks about his recent commentary, "Four Pieces in the Fascist & Exterminist Jigsaw Puzzle," and his hopes for effective anti-fascist organizing in 2026.

    1h 22m

  8. 12/23/2025

    Counterpoint 12-22-25 w Scott Harris discusses: the fracturing of Trump MAGA world; Unless Congress intervenes Trump marching to war w Venezuela; Impeachment the antidote to authoritarianism; Nurses on the frontline of Trump-RFK Jr's anti-science agenda

    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)  As Trump Poll Numbers Plummet, MAGA World is Fracturing John Nichols, Executive editor of The Nation magazine, author, co-author and editor of over a dozen books, his latest cowritten with Senator Bernie Sanders is the New York Times bestseller "It's OK to Be Angry About Capitalism." John will talk about his recent Nation magazine article, "Zohran Mamdani on FDR, LaGuardia—and Trump," on his hopeful interview with New York City Mayor-Elect, and the current political environment where there are increasing signs Donald Trump's MAGA world might be starting to fracture.   2) Trump Marching to War with Venezuela Unless Congress Intervenes  Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code Pink Women for Peace and author, talks about President Trump's unconstitutional march to war with Venezuela, some pushback we're now seeing in Congress, the work Code Pink is doing to raise awareness about the regime's murderous interventionist policy, and the current lack of an active and effective U.S. peace movement.   3) Impeachment: the Antidote to Authoritarian Presidents John Bonifaz, constitutional attorney, and co-founder and president of the group Free Speech For People, discusses Rep. Al Green's (D-Houston) recent introduction of Articles of Impeachment against Donald Trump, which was tabled by a House vote of 237-140, and what accountability for Trump's long list of unconstitutional and corrupt actions would and should look like if Democrats win back control of the House and/or Senate in the 2026 midterm election.   4) Nurses on the Frontline of RFK Jr's Anti-Science Agenda Mary Turner, RN, President of National Nurses United, the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in the U.S., discusses two issues the union is currently addressing: NNU's demand Congress take urgent action to restore ACA subsidies to prevent a spike in monthly health insurance premiums for some 24 million ACA policy holders, and the union's concern re: Pres. Trump's executive order banning state regulations on artificial technology medical applications.

    1h 18m
See All (79)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Squeaky Wheel Productions, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Counterpoint with Scott Harris

You Might Also Like