Bill Moyers Journal (audio) | Pbs

With disgraced lobbyist back in the news and on the big screen in Alex Gibney's new film, CASINO JACK, we re-present Bill Moyers 2006 in-depth exploration of Abramoff and his Washington world. CAPITOL CRIMES investigates the Abramoff lobbying scandal, revealing the web of relationships, secret deals and political manipulation and opening a disturbing window on the dark side of American politics. The fall of Jack Abramoff has exposed a huge web of corruption that still remains vastly unreported by the broadcast media, even as prosecutors continue to chase down leads and quiz insiders and witnesses. Moyers and his colleagues untangle emails, reports, interviews and facts on the record to provide viewers with a coherent pattern of criminal and political chicanery.

In this special one and half hour edition of Bill Moyers Journal, The Journal travels to Iowa where one group has been helping ordinary citizens fight for change for more than three decades. And, Bill Moyers and populist Jim Hightower to look at the history and legacy of people's movements and discuss how ordinary people can reclaim political power. And, Acclaimed author Barry Lopez joins Bill Moyers to discuss nature, spirit and the human condition. Lopez is an essayist, author and short-story writer, whose many books include ARCTIC DREAMS, winner of the National Book Award and OF WOLVES AND MEN, a National Book Award finalist. And, a Bill Moyers Essay.

The Internet has transformed business, politics, and culture – but will a corporate agenda kill freedom of the Web? With radio and television dominated by mega-corporations, more and more Americans have turned to the Internet for news – but a recent court ruling gives Big Telecom more control over broadband. Bill Moyers talks with FCC commissioner Michael Copps to discuss the future of 'net neutrality', the fight for more democratic media and the future of journalism in the digital age. And, as President Obama makes the case for strong financial reform, Bill Moyers sits down with veteran regulator William K. Black, who says Wall Street is already been breaking current rules.

How did Big Finance grow so powerful that its hijinks nearly brought down the global economy – and what hope is there for real reform with Washington politicians on Wall Street's payroll? Bill Moyers talks with authors Simon Johnson and James Kwak, two of the nation's most respected economic experts and authors of the new book 13 BANKERS: THE WALL STREET TAKEOVER AND THE NEXT FINANCIAL MELTDOWN. Also, a Bill Moyers essay on the true costs of war.

Renowned for her mastery of multiple genres - including thirteen novels, poetry, children's literature, and a memoir of early motherhood - Louise Erdrich discusses how her Native American heritage and unique cultural experience has impacted her life, motherhood, and work. And historian, international relations expert and former US Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich returns to the JOURNAL to discuss America's long war in Afghanistan.

In the months before his death, Dr. Martin luther King Jr. had expanded his focus on racial justice to include reducing economic inequality. On this week's 42nd anniversary of King's assassination, Bill Moyers sits down with attorneys Bryan Stevenson and Michelle Alexander to discuss how far we've really come as a country, how poor and working class Americans have been falling behind and what America must do to fulfill Dr. King's vision. And a Bill Moyers essay on inequality in America.

Eighteen months after the economic meltdown, and following successful drives for stimulus and health reform legislation, why has Washington been unable to deliver serious financial reform and rein in Wall Street?  Bill Moyers speaks with financial journalist Gretchen Morgenson for a candid look at the obstacles facing substantive reform of the financial system and what Washington's proposed legislation would – and wouldn't – accomplish. Morgenson, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize, writes the Market Watch column for The New York Times. Also on the program, Bill Moyers takes a closer look at the newly signed health bill and explores why some say that reform is not yet done with The Nation Washington correspondent John Nichols and National Organization for Women president Terry O'Neill.

Dr. Jane Goodall. Despite dire warnings for our endangered planet, Jane Goodall says all is not yet lost - we can change course if we act now. And, the Jane Goodall institute's global youth program, Roots and Shoots.

Bill Moyers sits down with NYU president and modern renaissance man John Sexton for a wide-ranging conversation about God, baseball, and the importance of thoughtful discourse in society. Previously a champion debate coach and scholar of religion and law, Sexton discusses his unique take on theology, contemporary politics, and the evolving role of universities throughout the world. Born to a struggling Catholic family in Brooklyn, John Sexton still teaches undergraduates in addition to his work as president of one of the world's largest and most prestigious universities.

Bill Moyers sits down with former insurance executive turned public health advocate Wendell Potter, who argues that all is not lost in the healthcare bill and details what he likes about the legislation. Then, single-payer advocate Marcia Angell on why she thinks the debate over reform needs a fresh look at the economics and delivery of the care promised in the bill. And, Bill Moyers checks in on viewer mail.

Once adversaries in 2000's Bush v. Gore Supreme Court case, now two of the nation's premier lawyers -- one conservative and one liberal -- have teamed up to make the constitutional case for same-sex marriage.

As two-thirds of American voters oppose the Supreme Courts decision in Citizens United v. FEC, Bill Moyers Journal takes a hard look at how campaign cash in judicial races may sway America's courts. The Journal revisits the 1999 FRONTlINE special "Justice for Sale" which looked at the growing concern - even among Supreme Court justices themselves - that campaign contributions may be corrupting the judicial process. Then, Bill Moyers sits down with legal analyst and journalist Jeffrey Toobin to talk about the relationship between big money and judicial elections today.

On lincoln's birthday, Bill Moyers Journal takes a unique look at our nation's 16th President – through the eyes of critically acclaimed, veteran dance artist Bill T. Jones. In a groundbreaking work of choreography called Fondly Do We Hope...Fervently Do We Pray, Jones reimagines a young lincoln in his formative years through dance. Bill Moyers speaks with Jones about his creative process, his insights into lincoln, and how dance can give us fresh perspective on America's most-studied president. "The number of ways in which one could ask the question 'Who was this man?" is less interesting to me than 'Can we see that man anywhere in ourselves or around us right now?'" says Jones.

In the wake of a controversial Supreme Court decision giving corporations and unions more freedom to spend on elections, many federal and state lawmakers are hoping to curb Citizens United V. FEC's effect on elections. Find out how some legislators are fighting to curb Big Money spending even as the Court invalidates laws in 24 states aimed at keeping elections clean. And, libertarian journalist Nick Gillespie and legal scholar lawrence lessig discuss public financing of campaigns and the effects of money on politics. Also, Pediatrician Margaret Flowers speaks about protesting for change and her recent arrest in an effort to get a Medicare-for-all plan back on the table. And, Bill Moyers on money, politics and retreats with lobbyists.

Are America's elections now up for sale? The JOURNAl explores what the Supreme Court's decision means for campaign finance reform and the future of our democracy with progressive legal experts Monica Youn and Zephyr Teachout. Monica Youn directs the campaign finance reform/money in politics project at NYU's Brennan Center for law and Justice and Zephyr Teachout teaches law and politics at Fordham University's School of law. Then, America's workers need jobs, and AFl-CIO president Richard Trumka is calling on them to stand up and fight. Trumka joins Bill Moyers to offer his perspective on President Obama's first State of the Union address and on whether organized labor can grow and generate jobs in the 21st century. Trumka has previously worked as a coal miner, a lawyer, and president of the United Mine Workers of America. And, Bill Moyers remembers historian Howard Zinn.

The JOURNAl assesses Obama's first year as President in the wake of Democrats' defeat in Massachusetts' special election for Senate with Princeton politics and African American studies professor Melissa Harris-lacewell and journalist Eric Alterman. And, faced with the increasing global demand for oil and the threat of climate change, experts say that America needs a new energy policy - but what are our options? Bill Moyers sits down with analysts Jean Johnson and Scott Bittle to discuss how we can power America's future. And, a poem and hope for Haiti.

America has committed more money and more troops to Afghanistan, but Greg Mortenson, the bestselling author of THREE CUPS OF TEA argues that there's a better path to peace: building schools and nurturing local communities. WAll STREET JOURNAl correspondent and author of THE WRECKING CREW: HOW CONSERVATIVES RUINED GOVERNMENT, ENRICHED THEMSElVES, AND BEGGARED THE NATION takes a look back at the decade that was.

MOTHER JONES journalists David Corn and Kevin Drum offer a hard look at the obstacles to real reform of the financial industry. And, a Bill Moyers essay.

At the close of lincoln's bicentennial year, Bill Moyers Journal takes a unique look at the 16th President. Moyers speaks with critically acclaimed choreographer Bill T. Jones about his creative process, his insights into lincoln, and how dance can give us fresh perspective on America's most-studied president.

Amidst fading hopes for real reform on issues ranging from high finance to health care, economist Robert Kuttner and journalist Matt Taibbi join Bill Moyers to discuss Wall Street's power over the federal government. And, The JOURNAl profiles Steve Meacham, a Massachusetts community organizer fighting to keep working people in their homes. Plus, Bill Moyers picks his favorite books from 2009.