Media Edge

Episode #517 of “Media Edge” (initial airing on cable TV during the period of April 4-10, 2015) will mark the 10th anniversary of Media Edge!  Each of the nine segments in this special episode premiered in 2005. Many of these segments expressed local opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq and the re-election of George W. Bush, major reasons why we created Media Edge. This episode includes:

"Eyes Wide Open" (8 minutes)

Media Edge producer Steve Kolb’s multi-award-winning video about the “Eyes Wide Open” tribute to the soldiers and civilians killed in Iraq. This traveling exhibit stopped in Sacramento on March 29-31, 2005.

"A Quiet Neighborhood" (26.5 minutes)

An anti-Iraq War display at a Sacramento home sparked an evening of demonstrations by supporters and opponents. Includes interviews with the homeowners, Virginia and Stephen Pearcy.

"Cindy Sheehan" (8.5 minutes)

Cindy Sheehan, mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, raised her voice against the U.S. invasion/occupation of that country in an address to a Bay Area audience during a Memorial Day weekend event.

"A Song of Peace" (4 minutes)

Media Edge producer Andy Markley's video of an August 17, 2005 rally in Sacramento to support Cindy Sheehan, accompanied by the lovely voices of "Harmonious Combustion" from the Sierra foothills.

"Speak Up! Speak Out!" (9 minutes)

When George W. Bush was inaugurated in January of 2005, many Sacramento residents took to the streets in protest.  Media Edge Producer Mary Brassell recorded their activities.

"Chew On This!" (19 minutes)

"Chew On This!" was a monthly magazine segment within Media Edge during 2005. This program featured former City Councilperson Robbie Waters on the problems of big box retail stores; a frightening spoof about the issue of privacy; a video survey about the Iraq War; a bike safety reminder; and local musician Patrick Grizzell.

"Al Franken Show" (18 minutes)

Before he became a U.S. Senator from Minnesota, Al Franken hosted a daily radio program on the Air America network. Franken took his show on the road to Sacramento on May 11, 2005, and a Media Edge crew recorded the live broadcast from Sacramento’s Crest Theatre, which included Franken's interview with then-California State Treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides.

"Hear Our Voices" (16 minutes)

Interviews with homeless youth, conducted in 2004 at Loaves and Fishes in Sacramento. According to the Urban Institute, children made up nearly 40% of the homeless population in the United States in that year.

"Wedding Album" (5.5 minutes)

As Governor Schwarzenegger prepared to veto the state legislature’s bill to legalize same-sex marriage, this video documents a brief window in time in San Francisco in 2004.