Michael Parenti in Sarasota by Mitch E. Perry

Michael Parenti is considered one of the country’s leading progressive political analysts.

Last night, in a benefit for Sarasota Community Radio WSLR, over 100 people attended his speech at New College in Sarasota.

Parenti has a PhD in Political Science from Yale University, has written over 20 books, and is a frequent lecturer.

He wrote “The Assassination of Julius Ceasar:  A People’s History of Ancient Rome”, and often uses a historical analysis of past empires to understand American imperialism today. 

Parenti quoted the Austrian historian Joseph Shoompayer. It’s a description of ancient Roman empire’s need to always be at war   (roll tape#1 o.q.”the Roman People”)

Parenti asked rhetorically do the rulers of the world meet in private rooms to discuss their peoples fate?  He says, yes, of course they do (roll tape#2 o.q.”they really are”)

The author and analyst then focused on Iraq.  He said thinking that the situation there is failing assumes a non-existent community of interests between the people and the rulers (roll tape#3 o.q.”

Michael Parenti also discussed why foreign aid doesn’t work to reduce poverty – because, he says it’s not meant to. (roll tape#4 o.q.”to the moneyed few”)

That’s Michael Parenti, speaking on “Wars, Lies, and Empire” last night at the Sudakoff Center on the New College campus in Sarasota.  Parenti’s appearance was for a fundraiser for Sarasota community radio station WSLR. 

Special thanks to WMNF’s Brandy Doyle for recording Michael Parenti’s speech.