"Absolutely. It’s been so shocking to see the demonization of public servants. It’s really part of this 40-year attack on the public. And I think the fact that we’re seeing right now that teachers, public janitors, school workers, bus drivers, cops, firefighters are the new welfare queens in our public life.

I mean, really they are. I mean, if you think about the stereotype that’s being trafficked right now. They’re talking about these lazy, you know, bloated pensions that are just, you know, cheating the system. I mean, that’s the welfare queens of the 1980s. And what has been– what’s the same between the welfare queen and this image of the postal worker who doesn’t really deserve the benefits they’re getting? These old shop worn stereotypes of race and gender."

"David Simon would be happy to find out that The Wire was hyperbolic and ridiculous, and that the “American Century” is still to come. But he's not betting on it. An excerpt from Bill Moyers Journal: The Conversation Continues, forthcoming from The New Press."<br />
<br />
"I am very cynical about institutions and their willingness to address themselves to reform. I am not cynical when it comes to individuals and people. And I think the reason The Wire is watchable, even tolerable, to viewers is that it has great affection for individuals. It’s not misanthropic in any way. It has great affection for those people, particularly when they stand up on their hind legs and say, “I will not lie anymore. I am actually going to fight for what I perceive to be some shard of truth.”"

"1988 Interview with Isaac Asimov by Bill Moyers - about learning, computers, religion, population growth, the universe.." [via: http://twitter.com/#!/SirKenRobinson/status/28877941173657601 ]

"The Art of Disappearing<br />
<br />
[…]<br />
When someone recognizes you in a grocery store<br />
nod briefly and become a cabbage.<br />
When someone you haven't seen in ten years<br />
appears at the door,<br />
don't start singing him all your new songs.<br />
You will never catch up.<br />
Walk around feeling like a leaf. Know you could tumble any second. Then decide what to do with your time."

"think for yourself. Don't believe what the people up there tell you. Live your own life. Think your own ideas. And don't depend on saviors. Don't depend on the Founding Fathers, Andrew Jackson, Theodore Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Obama. Don't depend on our leaders to do what needs to be done. Because whenever the government has done anything to bring about change, it's done so only because it's been pushed & prodded by social movements, by ordinary people organizing...You know, traditional history creates passivity because it gives you the people at the top and it makes you think that all you have to do is go to the polls every four years and elect somebody who's going to do the trick for you. And no. We want people to understand that that's not going to happen. People have to do it themselves. And so that's what we hope these readings will inspire."

"BILL MOYERS: You know from the news that early next week the Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on its version of health care reform. And therein lies another story of money and politics.

"industry has always tried to make Americans think government-run systems are worst thing that could happen...slippery slope towards socialism...used scare tactics for years & years...to keep that from happening...a broader program like our Medicare...could potentially reduce profits of these big companies...their biggest concern...[when] Clinton plan was being debated, 95%...was used by insurance companies to pay claims. Last year...just...above 80%...irony...companies & their trade groups talking about how we don't want... [a] bureaucrat between patient & doctor. But...CEO is actually between doctor & patient...if the industry is able to kill reform, or Democrats & Republicans can't agree on a proposal, that's what the industry really wants...satisfaction ratings are higher in Medicare...than in private insurance. But they don't want you...to know that & they want to scare you [via anecdotes] into thinking that...[people in] any government-run system...people are very unhappy."

"The financial industry brought the economy to its knees, but how did they get away with it? With the nation wondering how to hold the bankers accountable, Bill Moyers sits down with William K. Black, the former senior regulator who cracked down on banks during the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s. Black offers his analysis of what went wrong and his critique of the bailout."

"Bill Moyers Journal offers several podcasts that let you listen or watch the JOURNAL when you want, how you want."