In this illuminating episode of ASP Stuff Radio, Alberotle, Steveocrates and Paulato discuss some of the root causes that have compelled Central Americans to migrate to the United States, most of which involves US policy and bananas. Because of the vast amount of historical information, Alberotle focused his research on the Honduran migration crisis which originated in the 1890s “banana wars,” a phrase referring to the United States domination over tropical trade in Central America and the Caribbean. Furthermore, the Reagan administration’s funding of Honduras’s ruling class, the most “developed political institution” in the country (its military), and their influence of economic policy helped restructure and ultimately undermine “traditional [Honduran] forms of agriculture.” But what really intensified the crisis was the 2009 military coup or the oligarchic overthrow of Manuel Zelaya, a liberal reformist who was “beginning to make some [beneficial] moves towards badly needed reform measures” which were beginning to thwart the interests of American fruit companies.
This is metaphorically heavy yet informative stuff. But we do transition to some lighter material: baseball. Paulato summarizes the overall performance of the San Francisco Giants in their first half of the 2018 baseball season, and discusses what needs to be done if they want a shot at the playoffs.
Finally, and continuing with a delightfully lighter and comical mood, ASP grapple with contractions and double negatives in relation with President Trump’s clarification of a phrase he uttered at a conference while visiting Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland. When asked about Russia’s alleged involvement in election meddling he said “I don’t see any reason why it would be”–meaning he believes Russia had not meddled, although the following day he claimed he had meant to say “I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be”–meaning he believes Russia had meddled. In any case, I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t enjoy listening to our latest episode of ASP Stuff Radio!
Download and listen to episode #58!
Credits:
Photograph by Bill Gentile/Corbis
Music: “El barzón” by Los Amparito
From the Free Music Archive
Attribution CC BY
Music: “Attempt 4” by Jared C. Balogh
From the Free Music Archive
Attribution CC BY
Music: “Attempt 6” by Jared C. Balogh
From the Free Music Archive
Attribution CC BY
Pyotr II’yich Tchaikovsky’s “The Seasons, Op. 37a – VI. June: Barcarolle” (Royalty free music. Public domain and copyright free classical music)
Music: “Ragtime Dance” by Scott Joplin; Piano Rolls from archive.org
From the Free Music Archive
Attribution CC BY
Source Link of Articles:
Joseph Nevin’s article: https://consortiumnews.com/2018/06/21/how-us-policy-in-honduras-set-the-stage-for-todays-mass-migration/
Marjorie Cohn’s article: https://consortiumnews.com/2016/03/15/hillarys-link-to-honduran-violence/
Noam Chomsky’s article: https://chomsky.info/20100105/
Noam Chomsky interview: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/02/noam-chomsky-interview-jacobin/
Dana Frank’s article: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-frank/no-fair-election-in-hondu_b_371669.html
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