1) In Another Step Toward Establishing a Police State, Trump Labels Critics 'Domestic Terrorists'

John Whitehead, founder and president of The Rutherford Institute, is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. He'll discuss his recent commentary, "Would Orwell Be Branded a Terrorist? The Government’s War on Thought Crimes," re: the Trump regime's daily violation of the constitution and rule of law, seen most recently in the selective and vindictive prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey -- and the criminalization of Trump critics as terrorists who must be prosecuted and imprisoned.

2) US Military Buildup in Caribbean May be a Prelude to Regime Change War in Venezuela

Alan McPherson, Professor of History at Temple University, examines recent U.S. military attacks on small boats off the coast of Venezuela, charges that this was a violation of the Congressional War Powers Act, and international law -- and concern that the current buildup of U.S. military forces in the region could be a prelude to a U.S. assault on Venezuela to remove the nation's President Nicolás Maduro from power.

3) Oxfam: Trump Closure of USAID humanitarian Aid Programs Has Cost Hundreds of Thousands of Lives

Abby Maxman, President & CEO of Oxfam America talks about the highlights and lowlights at this year's United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City. She'll share her perspective on Donald Trump's UN speech, his closing down USAID worldwide and the cost in lives lost, the ongoing slaughter and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza -- and other priorities Oxfam is currently working on.

4) New book on Zohran Mamdani's NYC Mayoral Campaign That Shook Up City Politics

Theodore Hamm, associate professor and chair of journalism and new media studies at St. Joseph's University, talks about his new book, "Run Zohran Run! Inside Zohran Mamdani’s Sensational Campaign to Become New York City’s First Democratic Socialist Mayor," an inside look at how Mamdani’s bold, grassroots campaign toppled New York’s political establishment and delivered the city’s most progressive mayoral victory. The author will also assess the state of the election campaign after incumbent NYC Mayor Eric Adams ended his campaign on Sept. 28th.

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

1) Rachel Bitecofer, a national analyst, pollster, and strategist is author of "Hit Em' Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game," discusses her views on the state of our democracy in the face of Donald Trump's daily assaults on our constitution, the rule of law, and freedom of speech. She’ll also discuss her recent commentary, "From Goebbels to Google," which examines the links between radio during the Nazi era and today's social media where algorithms amplify hateful posts, sensationalism, and other forms of emotionally charged content.

2) Matt Wood, Vice President of Policy and General Counsel with the media democracy group Free Press, discusses ABC's decision to take Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show off-the-air indefinitely after the host made comments about the murder of Charlie Kirk. He'll focus on the continuing pattern of Trump regime threats, lawsuits and intimidation targeting media companies, and too many CEOs in the media industry surrendering to authoritarianism, turning their backs on their duty to protect free speech.

3) Elizabeth Jacobs, professor emeritus, epidemiology at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, shares her views on actions taken by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices which reversed recommendations for COVID vaccinations and a combined measles, mumps, rubella and chicken pox vaccine. Observers say Committee members, all of whom were appointed by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he dismissed all 17 previous members, were unprepared, misunderstood or ignored key data, and highlighted flawed or inconclusive research often trumpeted by vaccine critics.

4) Tom Swan, Executive Director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group talks about CCAG's and other group's demand that Gov. Lamont declare a fiscal emergency and call a special session of the CT legislature to take immediate action to protect the state's residents from the Trump- GOP's deep federal budget cuts to crucial social safety net programs, including Medicaid, SNAP and the Affordable Care Act.

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

1) Graylan Scott Hagler, an advisor with FOR-USA, the founder and president of Faith Strategies USA, and retired Senior Minister at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C. Rev. Hagler will discuss his recent column, "The Killing of Charles James Kirk: Violent Speech Leads to Violence," and his views and experiences re: Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.

2) Madison Sheppard, youth climate activist and Lead Organizer with Fridays For Future Cape Cod, will discuss the upcoming "Make Billionaires Pay" international mobilization for climate justice happening 9/19–9/21/25 -- with a focus on the issues, demands, and information on how listeners can participate in this action.

3) Justin Glawe, an independent journalist and editor of the American Doom newsletter, discusses his latest column, "Martial Law is Already Here," rising polarization and US political violence in the aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk in Utah, and the blatant politicization and dysfunction of the Trump FBI and Dept. of Justice.

4) Kimberly Gill, Community Director with New Haven, CT's Brave Nature School, Carl Halberg and Hugo Crick-Furman of the Bread and Puppet Theater, talk about the B&P performance at New Haven's Edgerton Park 5:30 pm on September 18th titled, "Our Domestic Resurrection Revolution in Progress Circus." Dempsey will discuss the philosophy and mission of the Brave Nature School.

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

1) Trump's Authoritarian Agenda Must Be Defeated and New Guardrails Legislated to Defend Democracy

Brett Edkins, Stand Up America’s Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs, discusses his group's work defending democracy, opposing Trump's military deployments to L.A., Washington, D.C. - and likely other US cities -- the Trump/GOP attempt to rig the 2026 midterm election -- as well as the work Stand Up America is doing with the national "Not Above the Law Coalition."

2) Trump's Destructive and Mercurial Foreign Policy Alienates Adversaries and Allies Alike

Melvin A. Goodman is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and a professor of government at Johns Hopkins University. A former CIA analyst, Goodman is the author of "Failure of Intelligence: The Decline and Fall of the CIA"and "National Insecurity: The Cost of American Militarism." Goodman, the national security columnist for Counterpunch.org, talks about his recent commentary, "Trump and the Post-American World," and Trump's recent attack on a speedboat that killed 11 on board off the coast of Venezuela, and the US naval buildup in the region.

3) Activists and Organizers Dealing with Information Overload and Trump Outrage Fatigue

Micah Sifry, Editor of the Connector newsletter, discusses his recent article, "Keep Calm and Protect Democracy," on the issues of "Pro-democracy activists and veteran organizers alike struggling with information overload and outrage fatigue -- while also reflecting on his recent conversation with Ian Bassin, the executive director of Protect Democracy on the seven steps to autocracy and how to resist them.

4) WPKN Radio Co-Sponsors Latino Heritage Month Workshops on Immigrant Rights and Safety

Pierre F. D'Haiti, Community Engagement Officer at Bridgeport CT's Housatonic Community College, talks about two workshops sponsored by WPKN during Latino Heritage Month at Housatonic September 17th and 29th. The sessions from 7 to 9 p.m., will focus on immigrant rights and safety, addressing such questions as, what should you do if ICE stops you, and what are your rights? What is the red card? What is the red folder? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, and you’re either a possible enforcement target or know someone who might be, the events could be life-saving.

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

1) The U.S. Labor Movement Must Organize its Members to Fight the Trump-MAGA Fascist Threat

Bill Fletcher Jr., former president of TransAfrica Forum, a Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies, and the author of “They’re Bankrupting Us!”: And 20 Other Myths about Unions” -- his latest novel is titled, "The Man Who Changed Colors." He'll discuss the critical issues examined in his recent In These Times magazine article, "The Labor Movement Is in a Fight for Its Existence Against a Neofascist Threat."

2) A Desperate Trump Could Order the National Guard to Intervene in the 2026 Election

Justin Glawe, an independent journalist and editor of the American Doom newsletter, discusses the urgent issues examined in his recent article, "How Trump's National Guard shock troops could seize voting machines," and other concerns about the security of the 2026 midterm election that Trump and the Republican Party are clearly worried they'll lose - and now taking action on to rig the outcome.

3) Will the World Support a UN Plan That Could End Israel's Gaza Genocide?

Craig Mokhiber, former director of the New York Office of the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, who resigned in protest from his post in 2023, due to the unfolding Gaza genocide and the UN’s failures. He'll discuss his recent article, "How the UN Could Act Today to Stop the Genocide in Palestine," and the general failure of international law in Gaza, Palestine and Israel.

4) Trump Orders Shutdown of $4 Billion RI - CT Wind Farm Project That's 80% Complete

Aziz Dehkan, Executive Director/Lead Organizer with Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, discusses CRCJ's response to the Trump Administration's order halting construction of the Revolution Wind offshore wind project that is 80% complete, that would power 350,000 homes in CT and Rhode Island, as well as the other priorities the group is working on in the state legislature this year.

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

1) Progressive Groups Push Democrats to Back Resolution Suspending US Military Aid to Israel

Sam Rosenthal, Political Director with the group RootsAction.org talks about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the coalition of progressive groups supporting a resolution calling for “an immediate ceasefire, an arms embargo and suspension of military aid to Israel” that will be heard at a meeting of the Democratic National Committee August 25th to 27th.

2) Labor Day 2025: Unions Organize Nationwide 'Workers Over Billionaires' Rallies to Fight Trump Attacks on Working Families.

Constanza Segovia, Organizing Director with Connecticut For All, discusses plans underway for Labor Day protests nationally and in Connecticut on the theme of 'Workers Over Billionaires,' where the Trump administration has over the past 7 months launched multiple attacks on working families and labor unions.

3) US Science, Public Health Under Attack as HHS Sec. RFK Jr. Cuts All Federal Funding for mRNA Vaccine Research

Dr. Ferric C. Fang, MD, Professor of Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, and Microbiology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, discusses his views on the decision by HHS Sec. RFK Jr. and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, to cancel all federal contracts for research on mRNA vaccines, "because the public lacks trust in the technology," and the consequences for U.S. and global public health in normal times, and in the event of future deadly pandemics.

4) Floundering Democrats Urged to Follow FDR's Example of Uncompromising Battle to Enact Progressive Popular Economic Policies

Heather Digby Parton, a contributing writer to Salon.com, discusses the important issues examined in her recent Salon article, "Paging FDR: Democrats need to embrace New Deal-style politics," where she recounts how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt fought for the underdog — and was brazenly ruthless, urging floundering Democrats to follow FDR's lead.

5) Danbury, CT Organizes Community Resistance to Escalating ICE Raids and Abductions

Sierra-Marie Gerfao, Director of Family Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, and Juliana Soares and organizer with the group Greater Danbury Unites for Immigrants, talk about the escalation of violent ICE raids and abductions in Danbury, and elsewhere around Connecticut, and what opponents of this lawless repression are doing to rally resistance against the Trump regime's dehumanizing policy.

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

1) Assessing Trump's 7-Months of Authoritarian Rule

Jason Stanley, Professor of Philosophy and Chair of American Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto, and author of "Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future," and "How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them." Professor Stanley will examine the Trump regime's 7 month history of imposing authoritarian rule, including his issuing a recent executive order mandating an expansive review of the the Smithsonian Institution's museum exhibitions, materials and operation, to ensure they align with President Donald Trump's view of history.

2) Trump's Militarized Occupation of Washington, DC: A Rehearsal for Takeover of Other US Cities

Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, discusses her group's response to Donald Trump's militarized takeover of Washington, D.C., and growing concern that this is yet another test (along with Los Angeles) that's laying the groundwork for the deployment of the U.S. military to cities across the nation, and the possible future invocation of the insurrection act and suspension of constitutional rights.

3) Transactional Corruption: Paramount's Firing of Stephen Colbert Linked to FCC Approval of Corporate Merger

Sydney Register, Press Secretary with the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, and Aaron Stephens, PCCC's Senior Legislative Strategist, will discuss their group's campaign targeting Paramount's cancellation of Stephen Colbert's contract on the Late Show linked with the company's request for FCC approval of their $8 billion merger with Skydance -- and PCCC's response to the Trump regime and GOP's unprecedented effort to gerrymander 5 Congressional seats in Texas and possibly 8-10 seats in other states in advance of the 2026 mid term election.

4) Debunking Trump's Many Lies About The Homeless

Susan Campbell, Distinguished Lecturer, College of Arts & Sciences at the University of New Haven, discusses her recent commentary, "Debunking lies about America's homeless," in the context of President Trump's takeover of the Washington, D.C.'s Police Department and his announced deployment of 800+ National Guard troops to "crack down on crime and homelessness."

COUNTERPOINT RADIO, hosted by Scott Harris, is heard every Monday night on WPKN 89.5 FM, Bridgeport, CT between 8:00 – 9:30 pm ET. Webstreaming and audio archive at http://wpkn.org

Some segments featured on Counterpoint are edited for re-broadcast on the syndicated Between The Lines radio news magazine. Visit their web site at http://www.btlonline.org for free subscriptions to mp3 - podcast audio files, program summaries and interview transcripts. An archive of current and past Counterpoint interviews are accessible for free at our Counterpoint Radio web site: http://counterpointradio.org The full 1.5 hour unedited program can be accessed for a 2 week period after the show, at the WPKN Radio archives: http://archives.wpkn.org/bookmarks/search/counterpoint

1) David Daley, former editor in chief of Salon, is the author of the national bestseller, "Antidemocratic: Inside the Far Right's 50-Year Plot to Control American Elections," and Ratf**ked: Why Your Vote Doesn't Count," which helped spark the drive to reform gerrymandering. Daley, whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, the New York Times, the Atlantic, and the Guardian, discusses his recent Nation article, "How the GOP Hopes to Gerrymander Its Way to a Midterms Victory," in view of what Trump and Republicans are doing to carve out 5 new GOP-leaning districts in Texas, and what democracy defenders could and should be doing now to prevent the further erosion of our democratic system and ensure the integrity of elections in both the short and long term.

2) Candice Fortin, US Campaign Manager with the climate group 350.org will provide an overview of the Trump regime's multi-pronged attack on all federal climate regulations, the short and long term impact on the environment, what if anything states can do to implement their own climate regulations -- and how climate/environmental activist groups like 350.org can challenge these policies both in court and in the streets.

3) Media Matters for America Senior Fellow Matt Gertz will assess how corporate and MAGA media are covering public demand for release of the Epstein files, with some cooperating with the Trump White House by amplifying clearly bogus distraction stories designed to tamp down the controversy. He'll also comment on Paramount corporation's decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and concerns that Pres. Trump's lawsuits and many other attempts to intimidate media outlets, constitutes a very real threat to free speech, freedom of the press, and democracy itself.

4) Kellie Snider, a contemporary American artist discusses the nation's history of white supremacy and racism-- before, during and after slavery. She'll also talk about her work as an artist, and the intersection of art and politics during our current crisis where the Trump regime is launching attacks on virtually all democratic institutions.