Open Sources (Ep. #476) Show Notes for July 4, 2024

This week on Open Sources Guelph, we're dealing with disappointment. Was it wrong to hope that an 81-year-old man would find the energy at 9 pm on a weeknight to argue with a sociopath for two hours? Maybe, but then again it's hard for leaders half that age to avoid calls to leave out the side door, at least that is what's going on our own capital. In terms of good news, we're going to talk to a community group that is literally making it a cool summer for low income people in Hamilton.

This Thursday, July 4, at 5 pm, Scotty Hertz and Adam A. Donaldson will discuss:

Grumpy Old Men. To say that there was a lot riding on last Thursday's presidential debate for Joe Biden is an understatement, but despite almost pitifully low expectations, Biden was unable to clear the bar, his raspy voice sometimes vanishing into a dissembling stammer. The post-debate freak out was further compounded on Monday when people were reminded of the stakes of this election as the U.S. Supreme Court decided that presidents have some legal immunity after all. So what happens now?

Tru-don't? Not to be outdone by all the craziness south of the border, the Liberal Party is also allegedly looking to make a change at the top of the proverbial ticket. In the wake of last week's loss in Toronto-St. Paul, there's supposedly some dissatisfaction in the Liberal ranks with Justin Trudeau's leadership, enough, it seems, to make some members want a new leader before next year's election. But is such a move advisable, and who is the new magical leader that can save Liberal fortunes?

Air Force Won. In the wake of a rapidly changing climate, air conditioning is no longer a "nice to have" but a necessity of life, one that people can't easily afford in the midst of compounding affordability crises in housing, food and utilities. In Hamilton, the council there recently approved assisting low income residents get access to air conditioning, and that's to the credit of ACORN Hamilton. This week, we're going to be joined by organizer Taylor Korolenchuk about how they're successfully helping people in need stay cool in the Hammer.

Open Sources is live on CFRU 93.3 fm and cfru.ca at 5 pm on Thursday.