U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold's speech, Friday, 1:30 p.m.
As the lone Senator to vote against the USA Patriot Act, the Wisconsin Democrat distinguished himself as someone who paid attention in civics class. He proves that true patriots are endowed with the courage to dissent.
"The Peace Movement," Friday, 2-3:30 p.m.
This session includes Bonnie Urfer of Nukewatch, who has endured repeated imprisonment for non-violent acts of civil disobedience against nuclear weapons and military interventions; Frida Berrigan of the New America Foundation; Howard Morland, author of The Progressive's "H-Bomb Secret" cover story, which the federal government tried but failed to suppress; and contemporary anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan.
"Breaking Down the Prison-Industrial Complex," Friday, 2-3:30 p.m.
Yes this session conflicts with the one above. It features Roosevelt University Prof. Anne-Marie Cusac, whose decade at The Progressive yielded a string of award-winning investigative reports on how our society punishes criminals.
Reaffirming Our Civil Liberties, Friday, 2-3:30 p.m.
Progressive editor/publisher Matthew Rothschild, author of You Have No Rights, joins with Stacy Harbaugh of ACLU Wisconsin.
"The Politics of Sports," Friday, 2-3:30 p.m.
A panel anchored by Dave Zirin, author of A People's History of Sports. Yes, it's also at the same time as these others -- a scheduling conflict that could lead even the most reasonable Progressive to utter Fighting Bob's name in vain.
"Taking on the Empire," Friday, 4-5:30 p.m.
Rothschild who, in addition to his reporting and commentaries regarding the Bush Administration's assault on the Constitution, has targeted its aptitude for "messianic militarism" and the way Bush and Cheney "magnified the worst aspects of the imperial presidency and American exceptionalism" -- is joined here by the inestimable Naomi Klein, award-winning and best-selling author of The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.
"Raise the Roof," 6-10 p.m.
The first day of The Progressive's centennial conference ends on a festive high note during an event that has been moved from the Monona Terrace rooftop to its Exhibition Hall. On tap: Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dennis Kucinich, the poet Martin Espada and -- because The Progressive has both a highly evolved sense of humor and excellent taste in music -- Whad'ya Know host Michael Feldman. Music will be provided by DJ Trini and the Tony Castaneda Latin Jazz Sextet. Free admission for anyone registered for the full conference, but the public can also attend for $10.
Jim Hightower, Saturday, 9-10 a.m.
The irrepressible columnist and Progressive contributor.
"How to Fight the Corporate Media," Saturday, 10:15-11:45 a.m.
On hand is leading media critic and reformer Bob McChesney, Alternative Radio founder/director David Barsamian, In These Times columnist and University of Michigan communications Prof. Susan Douglas, and Progressive culture editor Elizabeth DiNovella, whose aura weighs a ton.
"The Future of Progressivism," Saturday, 2:30-4 p.m.
What a lineup! Katha Pollitt, National Magazine Award-winning columnist for The Nation; New School University political science Prof. Adolph Reed Jr., author of W.E.B. DuBois and American Political Thought; indefatigably prolific John Nichols, Washington correspondent for The Nation and associate editor for The Capital Times; and The Progressive's own Ruth Conniff.
Conference finale, Saturday, 6-9:30 p.m.
The centennial conference concludes with a bang as Yid Vicious warms up the assembly for comedian Will Durst, author and columnist Barbara Ehrenreich, pre-eminent people's historian Howard Zinn and the Oscar-winning filmmaker, philanthropist, environmentalist and Progressive subscriber Robert Redford, the honorary chair for the weekend's festivities, close the celebration. Such a galvanizing finale promises to sustain those in attendance straight through to The Progressive's sesquicentennial.
