Latest Stories

Bailouts, Bailout, Bailouts

By BillMoyers.com Staff | April 1, 2020 | Moyers on Democracy

The United States has passed five major economic bailouts and stimuluses since 2001. They are: the $15 billion airline bailout passed by President George W. Bush following the 9/11 attacks; the $120 billion 2008 Bush Economic Stimulus which cut checks to taxpayers; the $700 billion 2008 Emergency Economic Stabilization Package (EESA) also known as TARP; the $831 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and now the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act also known as the CARES Act. Read More

A Poet a Day: Galway Kinnell

Courtesy of Bobbie Bristol and HMH Books

By Theresa Riley | March 31, 2020 | Poets & Writers

During these trying days of social distancing, self-isolating and quarantines, days rife with fear and anxiety, my colleagues and I thought you might like some company. So each day we will be introducing you to poets we have met over the years. The only contagion they will expose you to is a measure of joy, reflection and meditation brought on by “the best words in the best order.” Enjoy. — Bill Moyers Today we hear from Galway Kinnell. "After Making Love We Hear Footsteps" For I can snore like a bullhorn or play loud music or sit up talking with any reasonably sober Irishman and Fergus will only ... Read More

Pandemic: The South Korean Case

By Steven Harper | March 31, 2020 | Moyers on Democracy

Every American needs to understand the chilling implications of the graph below. Click on a country to see the different rates at which COVID-19 infections are increasing: Look at the US line on the graph of "Which Countries are Flattening their COVID-19 Curve." It’s steeper than that of any other nation at this point in its pandemic experience — worse than China, worse than Spain, worse than Italy.   Some hospitals in New York City are already overwhelmed and the worst is yet to come. New Orleans could be next, unless Florida wins that dubious prize. As the US infection trend line shoots ... Read More

A Poet a Day: Deborah Garrison

By Theresa Riley | March 30, 2020 | Poets & Writers

During these trying days of social distancing, self-isolating and quarantines, days rife with fear and anxiety, my colleagues and I thought you might like some company. So each day we will be introducing you to poets we have met over the years. The only contagion they will expose you to is a measure of joy, reflection and meditation brought on by “the best words in the best order.” Enjoy. — Bill Moyers Today we hear from poet Deborah Garrison. "She Thinks of Him on Her Birthday" by Deborah Garrison It's still winter, and still I don't know you anymore, and you don't know me. But this morning I stand in ... Read More

On Regarding the Pain of Others

Screenshot of Susan Sontag

By Kristin Miller | March 30, 2020 | Moyers on Democracy

Susan Sontag was one of America's great public intellectuals. A writer, a critic, an ethicist, filmmaker and activist — Sontag had a large part in shaping 20th-century American culture. Sontag was the author of several novels, including the National Book Award-winning In America, and many works of nonfiction including Against Interpretation, On Photography and Illness As Metaphor. Her books are translated into 32 languages. In 2003, Bill Moyers interviewed Susan Sontag about the gap between the images and the realities of war. In her book Regarding the Pain of Others, Sontag explored how we can have compassion for others we do ... Read More

A Poet a Day: Wendell Berry

Poet Wendell Berry

By Theresa Riley | March 27, 2020 | Poets & Writers

During these trying days of social distancing, self-isolating and quarantines, days rife with fear and anxiety, my colleagues and I thought you might like some company. So each day we will be introducing you to poets we have met over the years. The only contagion they will expose you to is a measure of joy, reflection and meditation brought on by “the best words in the best order.” Enjoy. — Bill Moyers Today we hear from Wendell Berry as he reads "A Poem on Hope." "A Poem on Hope" It is hard to have hope. It is harder as you grow old, For hope must ... Read More

A Poet a Day: Adrienne Rich

Adrienne Rich

By Theresa Riley | March 26, 2020 | Poets & Writers

During these trying days of social distancing, self-isolating and quarantines, days rife with fear and anxiety, my colleagues and I thought you might like some company. So each day we will be introducing you to poets we have met over the years. The only contagion they will expose you to is a measure of joy, reflection and meditation brought on by “the best words in the best order.” Enjoy. — Bill Moyers Today we hear from Adrienne Rich as she reads two of her poems: "What Kind of Times Are These" and "In Those Years." "What Kind of Times Are These" There's a place ... Read More

A Poet a Day: Octavio Paz

Octavio Paz

By Theresa Riley | March 25, 2020 | Poets & Writers

During these trying days of social distancing, self-isolating and quarantines, days rife with fear and anxiety, my colleagues and I thought you might like some company. So each day we will be introducing you to poets we have met over the years. The only contagion they will expose you to is a measure of joy, reflection and meditation brought on by “the best words in the best order.” Enjoy. — Bill Moyers Today we hear from Mexican poet Octavio Paz as he reads part of his poem, "Trowbridge Street,” translated and read by Eliot Weinberger. "Trowbridge Street" Sun throughout the day Cold throughout the ... Read More