We figure we can all use a reminder of the central views that are core to the widely shared values of all Americans, that underlie movement liberalism or progressivism. Not insignificantly, Avedon Carol leads. These short videos are a Virtually Speaking project. You can add your voice by sending an email to believe@virtually-speaking.com

“What I Believe” lead to Culture of Truth and the ‘most ridiculous moment of the Sunday Morning Talk shows, ‘ followed closely by digby‘s observations of the week. There are a few in the archives now; they’re all here. (Yes, those are avatars you see there. VS is produced before a digitally present studio audience via the Second Life platform. For those of us who’ve gotten used to ‘virtual reality’ it’s an emotionally and intellectually stimulating experience.)

What with Christmas and New Years both on Sundays and Susie Madrak, our favorite Suburban Guerrilla, taking it easy for a change, this will be a slow week for Virtually Speaking. Meanwhile 2012 is shaping up nicely. Marc Abrahams (Ig Noble Prize), Alan Lightman and Maryn McKenna are on for Virtually Speaking Science, hosted by Alan Boyle and Tom Levenson. Courtesy of Cliff Schecter,  Gotta Laff is January’s special VSSunday guest. On Thursdays, Jay Ackroyd hosts human rights reporter Mac McClelland and Free Range Kids and sane parenting advocate Lenore Skenazy.  Jay and Stuart Zechman continue delving into the jungle of US political realities on A to Z. More as we go.

As soon as I have them, I’ll post links for the week in comments. Meanwhile you can listen to all 400 programs at BlogTalkRadio and iTunes. Participate (comments and questions) live via the Second Life platform or IRC.

VS podcasts are available – free – on iTunes:

1. Log into iTunes

2. Select iTunes Store

3. Search Virtually Speaking

After the initial download – which begins June 2009 – to add to your downloads, select Podcasts and then ‘Refresh.’)

VIRTUALLY SPEAKING IRC (INTERNET RELAY CHAT

To join the conversation

1. Connect to irc.freenode.net or http://webchat.freenode.net/

2. Enter #vspeak into the channel field.

3. While listening to a live program, type comments and questions into the text field. Read what others write. Begin your question with ‘QUESTION’ so it’s easy for the host to spot.