Videos from Kyklos Productions
TV Presentations and Stage Plays
I. TV Talks & Interviews
Russia TV Interviews Jack Rasmus on the Cyprus Crisis
April 12, 2013 (4 min 5 sec)
Jack gives an update on the continuing economic crisis in Cyprus.
 Jack explains why the crisis will get worse, and why the contagion will inevitably spread to other
weak link banking systems in the Eurozone and UK. Cyprus represents the move
of policymakers to more desperate measures to bail out bankers, beyond and
in addition to QE and Austerity policies. All depositors in banks are at
risk of having their savings 'expropriated' by special taxes to bail out
banks who cause the crisis in the first place. Jack notes that the US and
the UK have already been in discussions for months to 'tax depositors' when
the next banking crisis hits the US-UK.
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Why Social Security & Medicare Are NOT in Crisis
Feb. 28, 2013 (36 min 13 sec)
Dr. Jack Rasmus Presentation to the Progressive Democrats of
America, San Francisco
 Jack Rasmus exposes the lies perpetrated by Politicians and Media
about the financial state of Social Security and Medicare today. He offers
alternative small tax changes that would instead lower the retirement age,
increase retirement benefits, fully fund Medicare Part B and D, and create a
surplus to pay for Medicare for All (Universal, Single Payer Health Care).
He explains how neither of these programs, nor the country itself, are broke but that trillions of dollars are instead being hoarded by the rich
and corporations, who are trying to make retirees pay for the economic
crisis and deficits created by the wealthy.
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Dr. Jack Rasmus interviews with Russia TV on the US and Global Economy
February 22, 2013 (4 min 12 sec)
Jack is interviewed on the Moody's Inc. downgrade of the UK economy and what it means going forward for the UK and globally. |
Other Voices TV, Where's the US Economy Headed?
Dr. Jack Rasmus is Interviewed by Host, Paul George,
Palo Alto, Calif., February 5, 2013 (52 min 56 sec)
Jack discusses the recent fiscal cliff deficit events and the
upcoming further deadlines in Washington for more spending cuts on March 1,
May 18, and after. The real causes of deficits and the debt and real
situation concerning Medicare and Social Security are also discussed. Dr.
Rasmus explains the recent very soft US economy GDP performance at the end
of 2012, and why the very slow growth will likely continue. Jack notes his
prediction of the past 18 months that the US and global economies in 2013
are drawing nearer to a double dip recession.
(Click here
to jump to links to the audio-only version.) |
Interview with Paul George,
Peninsula Peace & Justice Community TV
Jack Rasmus Discusses the Coming Double Dip Recession and Euro
Debt Crisis, Palo Alto, Calif., September 6, 2011 (57 min 59 sec)
Jack is interviewed by TV host, Paul
George, on whether the US economy will slip into another 'double
dip' recession, and the status of jobs and other US economic indicators,
which he predicts will result in a double dip in 2012 or 2013. Jack
also discusses the growing debt crisis in Europe, now morphing into
a bank crisis there, and its possible impact on the U.S. economy
in the months ahead.
(Click here
to jump to links to the audio-only version.) |
Why Is There No
Recovery for Main Street?
A Talk Sponsored by the Peninsula Peace and Action Committee,
Palo Alto, Calif., April 28, 2011 (1 hr 13 min 2 sec)
Jack explains why the Obama 'Recovery'
of the past two years has benefited banks, corporations, and the
wealthiest households but not workers, homeowners, and the rest
of us. Click on the TV to view this.
He provides economic detail why Obama fiscal stimulus has not worked
and why the Federal Reserve's monetary policies of QE1 and QE2 have
benefited the stock market, global commodity speculators, and wealthy
investors. There has been no jobs program or recovery, home foreclosures
continue to rise, and States and Cities are cutting jobs and services.
He warns of the coming right wing attack on social security, medicare
and medicaid as the next corporate driven offensive and more tax
cuts for corporations and the rich.
(Click
here to jump to links to the audio-only version.) |
An Alternative Program for Economic Recovery
A Presentation to Teamsters Local 808 in New York City,
March 19, 2011 (46 min 17 sec)
Jack talks to the Teamsters Membership
About What Programs Are Necessary for Recovery for All. Click on the TV to view this.
He lays out specific proposals for creating jobs, saving homeowners
from foreclosure, solving the fiscal crisis of states and cities,
and the deficit that are not being discussed by Democrats and Republican
politicians. He stresses it's time to take action, and not just
more talk.
(Click
here to jump to the links to the audio-only version.) |
Jack Rasmus explains his new book, 'Epic Recession',
and future
predictions for the economy
A Presentation to the Alameda Public Affairs Forum,
June 12, 2010 (1 hr 10 min 43 seconds)
(Click on the TV for QT Version (there will be a short preload),
or here for RealPlayer
format)
Jack provides a full overview of his recent book, EPIC RECESSION: PRELUDE TO GLOBAL DEPRESSION,
summarizing his predictions for 2010 and to come in 2011-13. An
Epic Recession is not a normal recession and may yet descend into
global depression. The emerging double dip confirms another step
on the latter trajectory. |
Jack Rasmus Explains How His Book, 'Epic Recession',
is Predicting the Current Economy
A talk with TV Host Paul George of Channel 27,
May 4 2010 (58 min)
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
Jack explains how the current crisis is following the trajectory
of what he calls 'Epic Recession', in his new book being released
May 11, 2010. Jack discusses how the present 'recovery' in the US
cannot be sustained without conclusively addressing the 25 million
jobless and 7-10 million foreclosures, how US banks are lending
to speculators again and not to create jobs,and what the emerging
crisis in Greece and Europe (and soon China) will result in a renewed
intensity of the crisis, which has many similarities historically
to prior crises in 1907 and 1929, and unlike other post-1945 recessions.
Jack predicts (on May 4) the stock markets will correct another
15-20% and housing prices will resume falling.
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Epic Recession: Prelude to Global Depression
A talk given at the Left Forum, New York, March 20, 2010 (2
x 10 min)
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
At the recent Left Forum in New York, Jack presents
a theoretical explanation of the current economic crisis based on
his just released May 2010 book, EPIC RECESSION: PRELUDE
TO GLOBAL DEPRESSION. Jack then provides a preview
of his next forthcoming book in 2011, FINANCE CAPITAL
IN THE 21st CENTURY: A THEORETICAL CRITIQUE, which
takes to task mainstream economic views of the current crisis, debunks
popular 'financialization' theories of the crisis popular today
on the left, and explains how Marxist economics must be fundamentally
revised in order to account for credit, debt, and speculative finance
before it can better explain current and future crises. |
'Economic Crisis v. Economic Empire:
End of the Beginning and Beginning of the End'
Keynote speech to Ecumenical Peace Institute, October 25, 2009 (43
min)
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
Jack Rasmus talks about the potential impact of the continuing U.S.
economic crisis on the future of the American Empire. The possible
effects of the coming multi-trillion dollar U.S. Budget deficits
on U.S. dominance of international economic institutions and the
role of the dollar as a global currency. Will it continue? Or collapse?
Jack explains why and why not, and the centrality of the U.S.-China
economic relationships. DVD is $12 plus shipping. HOW
TO ORDER VIDEO
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Dr. Jack Rasmus
Economic Meltdown Update
Interview with TV host, Paul George, Peninsula Peace and Justice
Center, Palo Alto, CA, June 7, 2009 (1 hr )
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
Jack discusses with Paul George and his audience the state of the
economic crisis at mid-year 2009 and where it's going, and explains
why the Obama bank bailout and stimulus will eventually fail.
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Dr. Jack Rasmus
Origins of the Economic Crisis
And Program for Long-Term Recovery
May 16, 2009, San Francisco, CA; (1 hr 27 min 28 sec)
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
As a follow up to the May 9 Central Labor Council Teach-In on the Economic Crisis, Jack Rasmus provides an hour-and-a-half
follow-up workshop on the economic crisis, how it originated, where
it's going, and what can be done. Jack traces the crisis from the
1980s and the growing income inequality, speculative investment,
and growing financial and economic instabilitiy of the past thirty
years in a comprehensive and broad overview of the crisis. $12 plus
shipping. HOW
TO ORDER VIDEO
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Historical Roots of the Economic Crisis
New York, New York; April 19, 2009 (52 min 30 sec)
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
Jack Rasmus is interviewed by 'Z' Magazine following
his presentation at the Left Forum in New York City on April 18,
2009. In the interview Jack provides a comprehensive view of the
current economic crisis to date, explains why the latest version
of the Obama-Geithner recovery plan will not work, and why, despite
all the talk about 'green shoots' and 'glimmers of recovery, the
real economy will continue to deteriorate beneath the surface. Jack
predicts an even more serious stage of the crisis will erupt in
2010, why more than 20 million will lose their jobs this year, why
business defaults will accelerate, housing prices will continue
to fall, and why the central locus of the crisis is now shifting
from the financial to the non-financial sector of the economy. Jack
also places the crisis in historical perspective, explaining how
the current Epic recession is similar and different from the 1930s,
dispels some of the myths about the 'New Deal' of that period, and
how the current crisis may transition to a bona fide global Depression.
$10 plus shipping. HOW
TO ORDER VIDEO |
The Banking Panic of 2008 and Emerging Epic Recession
Berkeley, California; October 24, 2008
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
Dr. Jack Rasmus is featured speaker at the Global
Studies Forum, speaking on the
Banking Panic of 2008 and Emerging Epic Recession.
He presents a 12 Point Program for confronting the Economic Crisis. NOTE: Click on the TV icon to see the
Quicktime version. Or click here to see the video in Windows
Media format or in Real
Player format. $10 plus shipping. HOW
TO ORDER VIDEO |
Causes of the Current Financial Crisis, Where It's
Going
and What It Means to You
Palo Alto, California; October 14, 2008
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
Jack Rasmus gives an in-depth presentation of the
Causes of the Current Financial Crisis, Where It's Going and What
It Means to You. Includes extended period of audience
Q & A. Palo Alto, California., October 14, 2008 (Click on the
TV to view video.) $10 plus shipping. HOW
TO ORDER VIDEO |
The Economy in Crisis
April 2008
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
Dr. Jack Rasmus is interviewed by Paul George of
PPJC TV's award winning TV show. Jack talks about the economy following
the Bear Stearns Bank bailout. April 2008. (Click on the TV to view
video.) $10 plus shipping. HOW
TO ORDER VIDEO |
Building a Sustainable Economy and the Danger of
Carbon Credits Trading
St. Paul, Minnesota; January 2007
(Click
on the TV to view video.)
Dr. Jack Rasmus is Keynote Speaker at midwest Environmentalist-Labor
Alliance conference on Building
a Sustainable Economy and the Danger of Carbon Credits Trading. St. Paul, MN. January 2007 (Click on the TV to view video.) $10
plus shipping. HOW
TO ORDER VIDEO |
II. Select Stage Play Scenes
Scenes from the DVD version of Fire on Pier 32
ACT ONE, SCENE 8
Workers in 1934 Vote for General Strike
(Click DVD icon to view) |
ACT TWO, SCENE 5
Workers Take Control of the Docks
(Click DVD icon to view) |
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'Fire on Pier 32' Video
Now available for purchase,
the video currently featured by Kyklos Productions is the full length,
2.5 hour DVD of the stage play, "Fire on Pier
32," which was performed to sell out audiences in 2003 in San
Francisco.
"Fire on Pier 32" is a three act play written by Jack
Rasmus of the National Writers Union. The play is about the longshore
workers and their union, the ILWU, from its origin
during the maritime and general strikes of 1934 in San Francisco,
up to the current period. Thematically, the play is about the meaning
of solidarity and the nature of company anti-labor offensives, past
and present.
The first act takes place during the 1934 maritime and general
strikes in San Francisco. The second act traces the evolution of longshore workers and their union from 1935 to
1971. While the third act addresses the rise of the Bush-Employer
anti-labor offensive since 2001. The play takes its title from the
actual historic event which occurred in late 1933, depicted in the
top left photo, when longshore rank and file militants gathered
on Pier 32 in San Francisco to burn their company
union "blue" contract books, the act that led to the formation
of their own union that became the ILWU.
Merging Labor History and Brechtian Theater
The video of the play was recorded using the original 12 actor
cast featured in the stage version of the play, but is not simply
a film version of one of the performances of that stage
play. Rather, the video was shot with the original cast
in a studio following the close of the theater production,
and employs close ups, multiple cameras and angles, and other video
techniques not possible in a straight-on filming of a stage
performance. The 50+ historical photographs from the ILWU
Longshore Workers library archive featured in the stage play, several
of which can be seen in the righthand column on this webpage, are
included in the video as well, but are now presented in a new manner
in the video. In the stage version of the play the photos were projected
on a 10' x 12' screen at center stage behind the actors. The photos
in the video, however, are now presented as a series of photo
montage. The resulting appearance is much like that viewed
in a PBS special with techniques pioneered by Ken Burns and others,
with the photo images fading in and out and integrated with the
actors' and their dialogue on stage.
The music and songs in the video are the same performed in the
original stage version of the play, with the same arrangements and
musical accompaniment and sung by the entire cast of actors on stage,
and by the same soloists. See Songs
& Music for more detailed information about the songs.
(For more information about the play, "Fire on Pier 32,"
go to Collected
Plays).
Kyklos Productions also produces historical, educational and public
relations videos for labor unions on a project
contract basis. For references for such work from other unions,
or for a request for proposal (RFP) from Kyklos Productions to produce
a video, contact Jack Rasmus, principal and owner of Kyklos Productions,
at rasmus@kyklosproductions.com.
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Purchase 'Fire on Pier 32' Video Now
DVD is $15.00. We charge $3.00 for U.S. shipping &
handling of single DVD orders. We ship single DVD orders internationally
for $10.00. Buy your copy today. |
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Purchasing our Videos
We accept credit cards through Paypal. Paypal
is used on Ebay and by over 12 million consumers worldwide every
day. It is simple and secure.
Questions? email us at rasmus@kyklosproductions.com or call us at 925-828-0792.
Economic Crisis v. Economic Empire: End
of the Beginning and Beginning of the End |
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Origins of Economic Crisis and Program for
Long Term Recovery |
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Historical Roots of the Economic Crisis |
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The Banking Panic of 2008 and Emerging Epic
Recession |
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The Causes of the Current Financial Crisis,
Where It's Going, And What It Means To You |
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The Economy in Crisis |
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Building a Sustainable Economy and the Danger
of Carbon Credits |
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