Equal Time with Martha Burk

This month marks an important anniversary. In 1954, in Brown v. Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously overruled racial segregation of public schools.  Forces are now aligned to do away with the U.S. Department of Education and all that goes with it.

We're in the middle an even longer war that the one in Iran, and it affects the majority of the U.S. population. Warning: some of this podcast is tough to listen to.

Mother's Day in upon us, when many of us will send flowers or gifts, put in annual phone calls to far away moms, or visit the graves of those we've lost.  But let's also take the time to honor some different moms: the Mothers of Invention.

Donald Trump's deeply unpopular war against Iran is costing a lot of money, but we ain't seen nothin' yet. Trump wants to increase the funding for the war to colossal $200 billion, while close to half of Americans are already struggling to afford basic necessities. 

Many people think Earth Day was just a hippie invention that went away with the 1970s. Think again.

April 15 is the day you'll either fork over some moolah, or get a little back. Will you get the gold mine -- or the shaft?

We all know somebody that qualifies as an April Fool. But there's one nominee that deserves a full month -- or more.

We've all heard about prominent suffragists who campaigned for years to get women's right to vote. But some you never heard of were important in the crusade.

With the war against Iran raging and gas prices soaring by the hour, our clueless leader has declared victory. Huh?

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide, and the day's namesake is honored as green thru and thru. But was he actually Irish?

Once a year we're forced to go through a time change. Why? And will it ever end?

Women have come a long way in many societies around the world, but some have come a longer way than others.  Does the USA take first place?

February 23 is Pinochio day, which yearly marks the 1940 Disney film of the same name. But Pinnochio was actually created by Italian book author Carlo Lorenzini way back in 1883. If you've ever been a kid you probably know that Pinnochio's nose grew every time he told a lie.

February is Black History Month in the U.S. Most of us think it began in 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially recognized it. But the origin goes back many decades before that, and there are a few surprises.

Movies can be funny, serious, or scary. One rating service calls some of them "rotten tomatoes". One on the big screen now might be just that. You decide.

There's a nationwide ritual that many folks take part in every year on the first Monday in February.  Could be good news or lousy -- what does it mean for you?

The most important Supreme Court decision of the 20th century was swept away -- along with women's autonomy. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, women are steadily losing more control over their bodies.

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) was a beacon of hope for our country. We need his strength now more than ever. 

The Heritage Foundation cooked up a scheme last year to transform the U.S. from a democracy to a theocracy. They're at it again, targeting the country's largest group.

Every year millions of Americans swear to New Year's resolutions. What are they, and will they be remembered in February?

2025 was full of wars, politics, bad weather, murders and mayhem. All downers.  Here's a few lighter ones you probably missed.

Shop till you drop is almost over. Here's a way to finish up, save money, and help your fellow citizens in the bargain.

A Catholic church near Boston changed its usual nativity display.  Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus are missing. In their place is a sign reading "ICE was here."

The U.S. declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941, the day after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. One woman stood in opposition.

The holidays are here, Christmas, Hanukkah, and a host of others around the world. But the various religions are having a hard time agreeing on ownership of the symbolism.