Portlander Natalie Marie, local LGBT advocacy and service non-profit Q Center's "Volunteer of the Year," has been dismissed after failing a state-mandated criminal background check. 

In her past, Natalie's struggle with addiction landed her in prison for seven years, and then in a halfway house, where she was targeted for her gender identity and denied medical care. 

She argues that her involvement with Q Center has been essential in facilitating her transition out of incarceration. 

But in recent months, she learned of a state statute, ORS 443.004, that says public funds cannot support the employment in any capacity of individuals in "certain positions" if they have "specific convictions." 

Iven Hale hosts this edition of the Old Mole which discusses the political threats to Social Security, the Oregon prison system, a South African fighter against apartheid, and a new film about Jackie Robinson.  Below are links to individual segments of the show.  Or use the playbutton to hear the whole show including music.  

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1.  Author Eric Laursen talks with Bill Resnick about the political forces behind the attempts to cut Social Security.  

A recent article in Willamette Week praises the Oregon prison system, claiming the system is one of the best in the nation.  Attorney Mike Snedeker debunks this claim as part of the lobbying effort of the prison-industrial complex to keep prisons funded in the face of declining crime rates.  He talks here with the Old Mole's Jan Haaken.