The Rick Smith Show

Robin Lowry talks Saving Local Public Schools

Robin Lowry, PhD, Wister Elementary School teacher joins Rick to talk about Tuesday’s scheduled protest against a proposed charter takeover at John Wister Elementary School in Philadelphia.  Wister parents voted by a 2-to-1 margin to reject the proposed charter conversion and to maintain control of their community based neighborhood school.

Beth Dimino takes a Stand Against High Stakes Testing

Beth Dimino, 8th grade science teacher from Long Island, New York joins Rick to share her experience of refusing to administer her school’s high stakes test and found an administration, while not supportive, did not attempt to threaten and intimidation for her stance.

Kathleen Jeskey stand up kids in the face of threats

Kathleen Jeskey, 6th grade teacher in the Portland, Oregon area joins Rick to talk about the threats of termination she encountered from her school superintendent as she attempted to opt-out of administering her school’s high stakes test and the positive responses she’s received from fellow teachers and parents. 

John Neurohr talks Why Courts Matter

John Neurohr, co-chair of the Pennsylvania chapter Why Courts Matter joins Rick to discuss the GOP obstructionism that is holding up confirmation of judicial nominees to the nation’s courts and what it is doing to the judicial system.

Full Three Hour Show for December 11, 2015

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to review the economic year that was and examine the prospects for the coming year, not just in the US but globally from Europe to China to Latin America.

John Neurohr, co-chair of the Pennsylvania chapter Why Courts Matter joins Rick to discuss the GOP obstructionism that is holding up confirmation of judicial nominees to the nation’s courts and what it is doing to the judicial system.

Former Congressman, Admiral Joe Sestak joins Rick from the Capital steps in Harrisburg where he is handing out food and clothing to those in need to talk about how the budget impasse is harming workers and communities and what he believes should be done.

Isaiah J. Poole, Online Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about what’s happening with a “Buy American Provision” in the latest transportation bill and what that means for workers.

Eric Epstein, Reporter at Rock the Capital joins Rick to talk about the Pennsylvania budget debacle and whether or not the reported coup is taking place.  The Big Pennsylvania Society Ball has begun, who will be at the party?

 

Bethany Khan, Director of Communications & Digital Strategy for UNITE HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas joins Rick to talk about the recent victory by workers at the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas who voted to joins a union for better wages, hours, and conditions. 

Joe Sesatk on #PABudget from the Capital steps

Former Congressman, Admiral Joe Sestak joins Rick from the Capital steps in Harrisburg where he is handing out food and clothing to those in need to talk about how the budget impasse is harming workers and communities and what he believes should be done.

Isaiah Poole talks TPP Demise

Isaiah J. Poole, Online Editor at the Campaign for America’s Future joins Rick to talk about what’s happening with a “Buy American Provision” in the latest transportation bill and what that means for workers.

Matías Vernengo reviews 2015 economy & predicts 2016

Matías Vernengo, Professor of Economics at Bucknell University joins Rick to review the economic year that was and examine the prospects for the coming year, not just in the US but globally from Europe to China to Latin America.

Eric Epstein on Elected Officials attending PA Society Gala

Eric Epstein, Reporter at Rock the Capital joins Rick to talk about the Pennsylvania budget debacle and whether or not the reported coup is taking place.  The Big Pennsylvania Society Ball has begun, who will be at the party?

 

Bethany Kahn on Trump workers organizing

Bethany Khan, Director of Communications & Digital Strategy for UNITE HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas joins Rick to talk about the recent victory by workers at the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas who voted to joins a union for better wages, hours, and conditions. 

Full Three Hour Show for December 8, 2015

Thea Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff at AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk NAFTA anniversary and what the agreement has meant to workers in all three countries.

Will Petty, Communications Director at Teamsters Joint Council 25 in Chicago joins Rick to talk about the ongoing Unfair Labor Practice Strike against Coke Refreshments in Chicago and what is at stake for the workers.  Help striking workers and there families here. 

Danielle Baussan, Managing Director of Energy Policy at Center for American Progress joins Rick to talk about recent reports that Exxon’s experts are calling for a carbon tax in light of their view that climate change is real.

Nancy Bailey, former special education teacher turned education blogger joins Rick to discuss the Hunger Games of Education that pits students, parents, and schools against one another to create a less inclusive assembly line of educational opportunities. 

Rick Smith Show Opening segment on NAFTA anniversary

It's Giant Sucking sound day as we remember the crazy little Texas businessman with big ears and a squeaky toy voice warning us of just how bad NAFTA would be for the nation and for workers.  Did we listen?  No!  And now they're trying to ram the TPP down our throats.  Tell us your thoughts.  Rick@thericksmithshow.com  

Thea Lee talks Not SO Happy NAFTA Day

Thea Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff at AFL-CIO joins Rick to talk NAFTA anniversary and what the agreement has meant to workers in all three countries.

Will Petty talks Dignity and Respect are the Real Thing

Will Petty, Communications Director at Teamsters Joint Council 25 in Chicago joins Rick to talk about the ongoing Unfair Labor Practice Strike against Coke Refreshments in Chicago and what is at stake for the workers.  Help striking workers and there families here. 

Danielle Baussan talks Energy & Not So Benevolent Exxon call for Carbon Tax

Danielle Baussan, Managing Director of Energy Policy at Center for American Progress joins Rick to talk about recent reports that Exxon’s experts are calling for a carbon tax in light of their view that climate change is real.

Bianca Tanis on the Special Needs of Special Children

Bianca Tanis, New York K-2 special education teacher and mother of a child with special needs joins Rick to discuss her experiences from both the perspective as an educator and mother. 

Full Three Hour Show for December 7, 2015

Dave Fillman, Executive Director AFSCME Council 13 joins Rick to talk about the Pennsylvania State Senate’s recently passed budget, what that means for a possible end to the 5 month standoff, and what Devils may be hiding in the details.

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to discuss how the current budget impasse has affected the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools and how the schools are reacting. 

Fred Klonsky, retired Chicago Art Teacher and education blogger joins Rick to expose the Wall Street scheme to cash in on special needs students and what needs to be done to stop them from stealing from the future of the these children.

Nancy Bailey, former special education teacher turned education blogger joins Rick to discuss the Hunger Games of Education that pits students, parents, and schools against one another to create a less inclusive assembly line of educational opportunities.

Dave Fillman Talks PA Budget

Dave Fillman, Executive Director AFSCME Council 13 joins Rick to talk about the Pennsylvania State Senate’s recently passed budget, what that means for a possible end to the 5 month standoff, and what Devils may be hiding in the details.

Kevin Mahoney, It's Raging Chicken Monday

Kevin Mahoney, Editor Zero at Raging Chicken Press joins Rick to discuss how the current budget impasse has affected the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) schools and how the schools are reacting. 

Nancy Bailey on the Hunger Games of Special Education reform

Nancy Bailey, former special education teacher turned education blogger joins Rick to discuss the Hunger Games of Education that pits students, parents, and schools against one another to create a less inclusive assembly line of educational opportunities.