Broadcast 1/4/2012 at 21:45:13 (86 Listens, 20 Downloads, 658 Itunes)

The Rob Kall Bottom Up Radio Show Podcast

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Formerly a member of the Democratic Party, Anderson expressed his disappointment with that Party in 2011, stating "(t)he Constitution has been eviscerated while Democrats have stood by with nary a whimper. It is a gutless, unprincipled party, bought and paid for by the same interests that buy and pay for the Republican Party."

Anderson's work and advocacy led to local, national, and international recognition in numerous spheres, including being named by Business Week as one of the top twenty activists in the world on climate change, serving on the Newsweek Global Environmental Leadership Advisory Board, and being recognised by the Human Rights Campaign as one of the top ten straight advocates in the United States for GLBT equality. He has also received numerous awards for his work, including the EPA Climate Protection Award, the Sierra Club Distinguished Service Award, the Respect the Earth Planet Defender Award, the National Association of Hispanic Publications Presidential Award, The Drug Policy Alliance Richard J. Dennis Drugpeace Award, the Progressive Democrats of America Spine Award, the League of United Latin American Citizens Profile in Courage Award, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee Patriot Award, the Code Pink (Salt Lake City) Pink Star honor, the Morehouse University Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award, and the World Leadership Award for environmental programs.

As Mayor, Anderson rose to nationwide prominence as a champion of several national and international causes, including climate protection, immigration reform, restorative criminal justice, GLBT rights, and an end to the "war on drugs". Before and after the invasion by the U.S. of Iraq in 2003, Anderson was a leading opponent of the invasion and occupation of Iraq and related human rights abuses. Anderson was the only mayor of a major U.S. city who advocated for the impeachment of President George W. Bush, which he did in many venues throughout the United States.

Ross C. "Rocky" Anderson (born September 9, 1951) served two terms as the 33rd mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah, between 2000 and 2008. He is the Executive Director of High Road for Human Rights. Prior to serving as Mayor, he practiced law for 21 years in Salt Lake City, during which time he was listed in Best Lawyers in America, was rated A-V (highest rating) by Martindale-Hubbell, served as Chair of the Utah State Bar Litigation Section and was Editor-in-Chief of, and a contributor to, Voir Dire legal journal.

Rough (and I mean VERY rough) interview notes.

It seems that our leaders have either forgetter or betrayed the formula for long term American success for the American people.





What would you say to Ron Paul supporters---

he has provided the only alternative voice-- against any US intervention.

We provide a real alternative voice on the things that matter most to them, like our involvement of wars of aggression, taking on the policies of the FED-- not allowing these decisions to have so much impact on the American people--

We believe that government can be a real force for good--

I believe the civil rights act made a real difference.





We need leadership and reasonable government regulation when it comes to corporate environmental practices





Standing for a government that represents the interests of the public and





Marijuana laws-- substance abuse should be considered a matter of public health instead of making it a criminal justice matter" We saw the absurdity of prohibition in regards to alcohol.

Our drug interdiction policies are draconian.





It has become insane on this country, this so called war on drugs. We need to put a fraction of the resources we are spending now, on good drug education and prevention programs.





As mayor, killed the DARE program, because it was absolutely ineffective. We also need to provide treatment on demand. In this country, unless you're wealthy, the only way to get treatment is to be arrested and get a drug court program or go to prison.

I put into place a restorative justice program"





If people in this country knew about the benefits for everybody of restorative justice, they would get behind it.





Set up a court for mentally ill, for homeless, for drug offenders"





Costs to the criminal justice system plummeted. Instead of putting people in jail for $35,000 a year, keeping them working, paying taxes-- It makes all the difference in the world. I'm not talking about convicted murders and violent offenders"





I set up a citywide youth program-- to engage these kids-- arts, academic programs to keep them busy, engaged and uplifted-- If you invest in the front end in productive programs like that, the payoff is so enormous.. you know that there are enormous benefits to this sort of thing.





Immigrants?









Every child in this country who is capable should be able to get into a community college or local university.





Immigrants.

Immigrants are one of the greatest assets that our country ever had. I believe firmly in the rule of law, but also that there has been a conspiracy between the corporations and the federal government-- that we'll turn a blind eye towards jobs that are not filled by our native population. So now there are some 12-14 million who are not properly documented. Those who have been law abiding

We need a good jobs program, we've got to provide a means to stay here and continue with their productive lives and have a way to become citizens.

Most of them have great family values and ethics. We need to tap into them.

As to those with special talents, we need to do everything we can to attract t hem to our country and keep them here. We're losing our competitive edge.





Israel Palestine:

Instability in the middle east is putting every nation at risk. It really is intolerable. It is a reflection of a failure of leadership. We seem to finance ISrael and much of it's military regardless of what it does.

The influence of AIPAC has been very destructive in its influence on government.

I went to a breakfast and they asked people to stand up and commit to what AIPAC wants.

We need to recognize the i nterest that everybody has in a palestinian state, with secure borders.





Need to see that their own in





I don't think most of the Jewish population thinks that the AIPAC lobby or the influence it has in this country and on the middle east is good for"





With an administration committed to peace-- not weakness-- peace is strength--





A deal is reachable-- (on I/P) and that is going.





VP-- would have to presidential timber, one of accomplishment, somebody who not only says the right things during a campaign, but who has actually done them. I want to find a person of great accomplishment. someone who has shown their commitment. There are a lot of people"





I urge anyone to look at the wikipedia profile of my career.