FTR-264 Darth Nader: Ralph
Nader’s Politics of Hypocrisy (Two 30-minute segments.)
1.
In this most closely decided election, the small percentage of the vote
garnered by Green Party candidate Ralph Nader did, as some critics had warned
it would, prove to have decisive impact. A vote for Nader was indeed a vote for
Bush, particularly in
2.
This program illuminates some aspects of Nader’s financial and
professional history that have escaped popular attention. The broadcast begins
with an article by Martin Kilian, a charter member of the Green Party in
3.
The Consortium is an association of alternative journalists. Kilian
warned against the political immaturity of the Nader candidacy, failing to take
into account both the nature of the American electoral system and the social
and environmental consequences of a Bush presidency. (Idem.)
4.
The balance of the first side of the broadcast features an article
about the hypocritical investment policy that Ralph Nader has executed. (“How
Nader Profits While He Preaches” by Jeff McMahon; bushwatch.net/nader.htm;
5.
Nader owns up to $250,000 worth of shares of Fidelity Magellan Fund, a
firm that is heavily invested in many of the corporations that Nader has been
most vocal in criticizing. (Idem.)
6.
Among those firms that Fidelity invests in are Halliburton oil, headed
by Dick Cheney up until recently. Fidelity also invests in Occidental
Petroleum, a firm that has been criticized by environmentalists. Al Gore’s
mother’s trust owns a significant block of Occidental stock. Gore’s populist
credentials have been impugned Nader Vice-Presidential candidate Winona La Duke
because of that stock. (Idem.)
7.
The second side highlights disturbing aspects of Nader’s anti-labor
activities, and his avoidance of social issues. (“1.75 Cheers for Ralph” by
Doug Henwood; Left Business Observer;
10/1996 [#74].)
8.
Next, the program turns to the effect a Bush administration will have
on issues that are at the core of the Green/Nader campaign. (“The Last Green
Mile” by Thomas L. Friedman; New York
Times; 12/ 8/2000; p. A31.)
9.
The federal appointments that Bush will make are going to have an
immensely negative impact on the interpretation of Federal regulations on the
environment, in particular. (Idem.)
10.
The broadcast concludes with discussion of a federal appeals court
decision that dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutional legitimacy of
a Bush/Cheney ticket. (“Cheney Ruled a Resident of
11.
Three of the four judges were appointed by President Bush, the other by
Reagan. (Idem.)
12.
Program Highlights Include: Nader’s role in undermining
airline and trucking workers in the 1970’s (“1.75 Cheers for Ralph” by Doug
Henwood; Left Business Observer;
10/1996 [#74].)
13.
Nader’s fight to prevent unionization in a publication he founded
(Idem.).
14.
Nader’s alleged refusal to prevent publication of CIA/corporate
collusion in his Multinational Monitor
(Idem.).
15.
Nader’s role in effectively neutralizing a bigger union drive at Public
Citizen (Idem.).
16.
Nader’s excessive secrecy about his own financial affairs (“How Nader
Profits While He Preaches” by Jeff McMahon; bushwatch.net/nader.htm;
10/27/2000.).
17.
A detailed list of the various corporations Nader invest in and
(hypocritically) criticizes at the same time. (Idem.) (For more on the 2000
campaign, see also: FTR #’s 175, 181,
186, 214, 236, 244, 248, 249, 254, 255, 256, 258, 259.) (Recorded on