Reverend Billy and the Life After Shopping Gospel Choir believe that Consumerism is overwhelming our lives. The corporations want us to have experiences only through their products. That our neighborhoods, "commons" places like stoops and parks and streets and libraries, are disappearing into the corporatized world of big boxes and chain stores. But if we "back away from the product" - even a little bit, well then we Put The Odd Back In God!
On today's program Reverend Billy Talen meets up with Angela at the Theater for the New City, to discuss his valiant challenge to incumbent Michael Bloomberg in the 2009 Mayoral race as the Green Party candidate. Billy says that under his watch, New York City would be a place where citizens have a fair say in how their schools and neighborhoods are run and he would encourage local economic stimulation while keeping a close eye on the predatory practices of the large corporations.
Angela asks Billy to reveal the catalysts that perpetuated his aversion to crass consumerism and to give a run down of the Life After Shopping Choir's holiday engagements. Among the activities is his Black Friday aka Buy Nothing Day pilgrimage to the Valley Stream, New York Wal-Mart, where Wal-Mart worker Jdimytai Damour was trampled to death by a flood of savage shoppers. According to a WABC eyewitness, in spite of being told that Damour was killed in the stampede belligerent buyers insisted they continue shopping because they had waited all night to hunt for their bargains.
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