In this 13th edition, we hear from Indiana Professor of political science, Russell Hanson. He talks about the historical role democracy has played in our government and about tyranny of the majority. I salute the government web site http://thomas.loc.gov which documents, among other things, how each senator and representative voted on every roll-call vote.

In this 12th edition, we hear again from IU School of Journalism Dean, Brad Hamm. He talks about commercialism in media, about the Internet and “reclaimed media,� about journalism and democracy, about where bloggers and podcasters fit in, and about the ethics of good journalism. I quote IU professor Lucaites, and tip my hat to the Since Sliced Bread web site.

In this 11th edition, we hear from IU School of Journalism Dean, Brad Hamm. He talks about the meaning of the term "Free Press," and why it is essential for democracy. He talks about corporate control of media and about the role of bias in American journalism. I quote IU professors David Weaver and Erik Bucy.

In this 10th edition, we hear the second half of an interview with IU professor Yvette Alex-Assensoh. She enumerates the steps that could be taken to foster civic particiption. I salute the Center for Democracy and Technology, and I quote a Zapatista comandante.

In this 9th edition, we hear from IU professor Yvette Alex-Assensoh. She tells about the research project in which she and others assessed the status of democracy in the US. I salute the Adbusters Media Foundation, and I quote Noah Webster.

In this 8th edition, Dick Rogers co-hosts the program. We hear the second half of the Lee Hamilton interview. We salute the Serendipity web site, and we quote John Stuart Mill on the topic of tyranny of the majority. Stay tuned for the Post Script.

In this 7th edition, we hear from retired US Congressman Lee Hamilton. He talks about some of the problems in our government that are undemocratic. I salute Bicycle Mark and Chris Cronin (again) for their contributions to the sitmulation of an active discussion about democracy. And I quote Abbie Hoffman.

In this 6th edition, we hear again from Les Lenkowsky, Indiana University professor who served in the Reagan and G.W.Bush administrations. He talks about the prospects of solving the three problems that he enumerated in program #5.. I salute the Democracy Now podcast with Amy Goodman. I tip my hat to Wikipedia. I quote the late General Smedley Butler on his role in protecting US interests abroad.

In this 5th edition, we hear from Les Lenkowsky, currently an Indiana University professor who served in the Reagan and G.W.Bush administrations. He is much more at ease with the status of democracy in our country than previous interviewees but recognizes three major problems. I salute Chris Cronin of American Dissent Radio podcast. I quote Aristotle regarding the importance of working to keep a government stable.

In this 4th edition, we hear from Dark Rain Thom, clan mother in the Shawnee Remnant Band. The Shawnee approach to group decision-making is quite different from our own. She does not have high hopes for democracy in this country. I highlight the "5 minutes with Wichita" podcast and The Alliance for Democracy. My quote of the week is Aristotle's declaration of the importance of a large middle class.

In this 3rd edition, we hear from Indiana State Senator Vi Simpson and from one of her constituents, Joan Bennett. They both rate our democracy at the state and federal level rather low. I highlight KCRW's Left, Right, and Center podcast and WILPF. My quote of the week is Aristotle's description of the perversions of the three major types of governments.

In this second edition, we hear from Andy Ruff again briefly and from Bill Baus, one of Andy's constituents. They share a concern about the influence of corporations on democracy. I highlight the Lee Hamilton Comments on Congress podcast and the POCLAD organization. My quote of the week, from Aristotle's Politics, concerns slaves.

Shades' objective is to stimulate conversation and critical thinking about democracy. In this first edition, I share excerpts from an interview with a city councilman who expresses his take on democracy. I refer to the Annenberg/CPB site at www.learner.org and the Digital Flotsam site at digitalflotsam.org. I quote Noam Chomsky who paraphrases some interesting comments by Aristotle about democracy.