Description: In studio, Bob Colt introduces Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy II. He states that Congress should be more directly involved in the decision to get involved in the Persian Gulf. He describes the magnitude of the upcoming conflict. He concedes Iraq’s aggressive actions, but states that direct action in Iraq will result in many casualties. He states that the sanctions should be given time to work and that the United States is overreacting. He criticizes President George H.W. Bush’s stated goals for the war. He discusses Kuwait’s past behavior in exporting oil and the misguided push for aggression to resolve the situation. He discusses the suit against President Bush relating to his decision to go to war without consulting Congress. He suggests changes to Middle East policy.
Collection: CCTV
Description: Musicians perform at the Charles River Esplanade in honor of Nelson Mandela’s visit to Boston. Livingston Taylor performs “Our Turn to Dance.” Young Nation dance to songs and perform. Johnny Clegg & Savuka perform “Cruel Crazy Beautiful World.” Larry Watson performs “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” this is intercut with lots of footage of the audience listening and waving sticks with yellow and green ribbons attached. The Roxbury Presbyterian Choir performs “Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round.” Jackson Browne performs “World in Motion,” “When The Stone Begins To Turn.” Michelle Shocked performs “The Midnight Special,” “Ballad of Penny Evans,” “Black, Brown and White,” “Graffiti Limbo.” Michelle Shocked performs “The Titanic,” intercut with credits and silent clips of other musicians.
Collection: CCTV
Description: Kris Rondeau speaks at a rally, intercut with shots of attendees. She talks about the success of the Harvard Union of Clerical and Technical Workers and their disputes with Harvard administration. She ends by introducing Jesse Jackson. Jackson leads a chant of “Keep Hope Alive!” for a couple of seconds. He speaks about worker pay, the economy, and Harvard. He speaks about workers at Harvard and claims that they cannot pay Harvard tuition. He speaks about hospital workers who cannot afford healthcare and states the need for a national healthcare plan. He speaks about equal pay for women, benefits for workers, and other problems in America. He speaks about the need for coalition and the need to push for change. He speaks about his plan to meet with Harvard’s president and what he will discuss. He speaks about Harvard’s endowment and its character. He speaks again about the need for coalition. He speaks about mistreatment of minorities in World War II, links this to current situations in Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, and South Africa, and to current situations in the U.S. He speaks about the L.A. Riots and racism. He ends the speech with calls to action and takes a press question about his plan to meet with Harvard’s president. Credits over shot of statue and protest sign, over audio of man and chorus singing.
Collection: CCTV
Description: Crowd at Thinking Machines Corporation applauds Senator Al Gore. Sheryl Handler (CEO, Thinking Machines) introduces him. Gore credits the audience for working in a field in which the U.S. faces a lot of competition and mentions his previous visits. He introduces his wife, Tipper, and daughter, Kristen. He speaks about the influence of Thinking Machines products in other business environments and mentions that Thinking Machines has more customers in foreign countries than in the U.S. He speaks about the need for an information infrastructure that would bring information to those who need it. He speaks about the presentation capabilities of Thinking Machines computers and the necessary infrastructure to make these computers available for use by businesses anywhere in the country. He proposes a nationwide fiber-optic network as a necessity for America’s competition in the world marketplace. He takes questions from the audience. He discusses changing from a Cold War mentality and the changing nature of strategic resources. He talks about the global environmental crisis and environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes. He discusses ethnic conflicts and states the need for the U.S. to work with the U.N. to stop the killings in Bosnia. Applause as he leaves through the crowd.
Collection: CCTV
Description: Juliet Brudney (moderator, Boston Globe columnist) talks about the rules for the forum (held at Volpe National Transportation Systems Center) and introduces Dr. Kenneth Williams (White House Conference on Aging). Williams talks about the need for older workers to delay their retirement and cites demographic statistics. He talks about the White House Conference on Aging and its purposes and operations. Older workers give testimonials about being downsized. James Medoff (Harvard Professor of Economics) talks about the lack and poor quality of current job offers. He talks about inflation, interest rates, state and local spending, corporate debt, cash flow, and Equal Employment Opportunity laws. He talks about the Clinton Administration’s strategy. He briefly mentions Equal Employment laws again and then talks about unemployment benefits. Older workers give testimonials about being downsized. Audience members speak from the floor. Brudney introduces Barney Frank (U.S. House of Representatives). He discusses the government’s perception of the economy, anti-discrimination laws, and the need for a universal healthcare system. He states the need for increasing job growth, preventing age discrimination, and minimizing the consequences of unemployment. He talks about the worldwide market and developing worldwide standards. He talks about the perception of the government. He takes audience questions about programs that export jobs and handling discrimination complaints. Angela Rizzolo (U.S. Department of Labor) speaks about working with women. Richard Makela (U.S. Department of Labor) speaks about his agency’s work and the increasing trend in white-collar unemployment. Frances Chaiken (Experience Unlimited) asks Makela about the need for job development for older workers. Brudney concludes the forum. Over music, initiatives and suggestions for political action are presented in text screens, before closing credits.
Collection: CCTV
Description: David Attenborough (naturalist) speaks at the Brattle Theatre. He talks about producing nature films and how newer, more sophisticated equipment makes it possible to document previously unseen animal behaviors. He talks about working with the scientist Cynthia Moss and describes elephant mating rituals. He talks about working with the scientist Christophe Boesch and describes how chimpanzees hunt monkeys. He talks about deciding, after some consideration, to show the graphically violent hunting process on television. He takes audience questions. He talks about the difference between the behaviors of chimpanzees studied by Boesch and those studied by Jane Goodall. He talks about the family structure of elephant herds and the occurrence of incest between the senior male and his mating partners. He talks about the fertility of male and female elephants. He talks about his goal in producing nature films. He talks about relating chimpanzee behavior to the behavior of earlier human ancestors. He talks about relating other animal behaviors to human behaviors. He talks about production limitations of his earlier documentaries. He talks about politics and increased interest in environmental issues. He talks about working with local people on his documentary expeditions. He talks about altruistic behavior in animals that sacrifice themselves for others. He talks about the lack of government support for natural science studies, particularly in the Soviet Union. He talks about footage of a snow leopard in one of his films. He talks about his favorite species to work with: birds-of-paradise. He talks about how the space program made environmentalism popular.
Collection: CCTV
Description: Sarah Fishman (freelance journalist, producer of “See Mike Run”) talks about her work and following Michael Capuano on his Congressional campaign for this documentary. She talks about the production process. Fishman voiceover about Capuano’s position as mayor, during footage of Cambridge streets, Capuano in his office, campaign signs and stickers on vehicles. Voiceover continues about the history of the House seat, the other contenders, and the district itself. Footage of Capuano formally announcing his candidacy. Voiceover continues about Capuano’s youth, how he got interested in politics, and about his father’s political career. Footage of man dressed in town crier costume announcing Capuano’s birth. Voiceover continues, during photos of Capuano as a boy and young man. Interview with Capuano and his wife, Barbara, where she talks about meeting him in school. She talks about campaigning and her role in his career, intercut with footage of her and Capuano at a T station shaking hands with passengers and photos of their children. Capuano talks about why he became interested in politics, in part because of the nation’s disillusionment with Vietnam. Fishman voiceover about Capuano’s career as Somerville alderman, during footage of photo of newspaper article and footage of Beacon Hill. Interview with Capuano in his office about the challenges of his job. Voiceover continues about the effects of his work on Somerville, over footage of people at a parade. Voiceover continues about some corrupt Somerville politicians and criminals, over photos of newspaper articles. Voiceover continues to say that Capuano has a reputation for cronyism and bullying. Interview with Dorothy Kelly Gay (Governor’s Councilor) about this perception and Capuano’s tenacity. Footage of Capuano at a school committee meeting where he strongly disagrees with someone. Voiceover continues about Capuano’s unpopularity with some DPW employees, during footage of some workers marching. Interview with Kevin Tarpley (alderman) about the workers’ demands, footage of a worker speaking to the crowd. Footage of Capuano in his car, shaking people’s hands, meeting with Joseph Kennedy II. Footage of congressional candidates Marjorie Clapprood, Capuano, Ray Flynn, George Bachrach. Voiceover continues about Ray Flynn’s traditionalism, the political nature of the district, and Capuano’s appeal. Footage of Capuano at an interview where he talks about his status as a progressive. Footage of him giving a speech at a political event. Voiceover continues about his popularity among city hall workers, over footage of cars with bumper stickers and people holding signs. Voiceover continues about his earlier unsuccessful bid for state office, over photograph of newspaper article about that campaign and photograph of him and his father. Voiceover continues about his campaign activities, over footage of him in his car, signs, and a debate area at Harvard. Footage of Capuano debating Ray Flynn. Interview with Jon Lenicheck (campaign coordinator) in which he talks about Capuano’s long tenure in office. Voiceover continues about Flynn’s switch to the Congressional race, with footage of Flynn, photos of newspaper articles, footage of Capuano playing basketball, and footage of his fundraiser at Anthony’s Pier 4. Voiceover continues about his increase in popularity. Footage of him addressing campaign supporters, photos of newspaper articles. Footage of Capuano and supporters on Democratic primary election night, as he wins and gives a speech. Voiceover continues about his assured victory in the general election, over footage of campaign signs. Interview with Capuano as he describes what he wants to do as a Representative, over footage of Longworth House Office Building. Voiceover concludes over footage of Somerville streets. Credits over Capuano and other people performing Village People’s “YMCA.”
Collection: CCTV