Pt 1: NDP Name Change - When members of the federal NDP gather in Halifax for their annual general meeting on Friday, it could be the last time the NDP meets at all. On the agenda is a proposal to change the group's name from the New Democratic Party to the Democratic Party. Some see it as a symbolic push to get the party moving forward. But others think a name change is too little, too late.



Pt 2: Chris Hedges - Now it is indeed summer. But according to Chris Hedges, the living is anything but easy. Chris Hedges is a prominent American social critic who spent twenty years as a war correspondent and has since written several books, including War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning. His new book is called Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and The Triumph of Spectacle. And in it, he argues that western society is being eroded by a celebrity-obsessed culture that clouds our sense of reality and mires us in narcissism. Chris Hedges was in New York City.

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Today's summer guest host was David Michael Lamb.

It's Monday, August 10th.

The Federal NDP is considering a proposal to change its name to The Democratic Party.

Currently, They're also working on cloning 308 versions of Barack Obama but are Canadians ready for a prime minister born in Kenya?

This is The Current.

NDP Name Change - Panel

When members of the federal NDP gather in Halifax for their annual general meeting on Friday, it could be the last time the NDP meets at all. On the agenda is a proposal to change the group's name from the New Democratic Party to the Democratic Party. Some see it as a symbolic push to get the party moving forward. But others think a name change is too little, too late.

For their thoughts on the proposal to re-name the NDP -- and the age-old question of what's in a name anyway -- we were joined by three people. Judy Rebick is a long-time NDP activist. She's also the author of Transforming Power: From the Personal to The Political and she was in Toronto. Paul Dewar is the NDP MP for Ottawa Centre and he was in Ottawa. And Barry McLoughlin is a media consultant who has worked with politicians in all levels of government and several different parties. He was in Ottawa as well.

NDP - New Song Kicker

Ever since 1988 -- when the NDP made record gains under leader Ed Broadbent -- the party has been searching for a way to recapture some of that magic. Perhaps a new theme song would help, one that reminds Canadians of what it felt like back in 1988 ... maybe a big hit from that year ... you know, one that could create a New Sensation around the party.

Music

Artist: INXS
Cd: Kick
Cut: Cut 2, New Sensation
Label: Atlantic

 

Chris Hedges

Now it is indeed summer. But according to Chris Hedges, the living is anything but easy. Chris Hedges is a prominent American social critic who spent twenty years as a war correspondent and has since written several books, including War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning. His new book is called Empire of Illusion: The End of Literacy and The Triumph of Spectacle. And in it, he argues that western society is being eroded by a celebrity-obsessed culture that clouds our sense of reality and mires us in narcissism. Chris Hedges was in New York City.

Last Word - Sam Roberts

Stay with us on CBC Radio One. Coming up next, it's Revision Quest. Native Canadian comic Darrell Dennis plunders the past to understand what it means to be an Aboriginal person in Canada today. This afternoon at 1 o'clock, it's The Next Chapter with Shelagh Rogers. And tonight at 10 o'clock on CBC Television, it's The National. We ended the program this morning with End of the Empire by Sam Roberts.

Music

Artist: Sam Roberts
Cd: Love at the End of the World
Cut: Cd 10, End of the Empire
Label: Universal Music Group