2PP086 – 23 April 2013

Posted on April 25, 2013 by admin

There was a lot in the news this week, and we start with the Boston bombings. First, Jason asks how it was reported in New Zealand? We then move on to the generally poor newsmedia coverage.

From there it’s on to a happier topic: The enactment of marriage equality in New Zealand. This lets Arthur talk a bit about how the legislative process works in New Zealand, and how it differs from the US.

You can leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!). Or, you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Boston a Week Later – Jason’s blog post about the bombing
False Flags, Fake Blood, and Michelle Obama: A Guide to the Boston Marathon Conspiracies – “Danger Room”, wired.com
Reflections on the Recent Boston Crisis – Reddit’s General Manager looks back
Boston – a post on Jason’s blog with one of this favourite photos
My favourite moment – Arthur’s blog post with the video he mentioned
My favourite speech – Arthur’s blog post with the speech Jason mentioned
The New Zealand Parliament’s YouTube Channel is called InTheHouseNZ. To find the videos, look for “Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill – Third Reading – Part # (where # is 1 – 20).
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP086 - 23 April 2013 [ 46:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP085 – 08 April 2013

Posted on April 14, 2013 by admin

We begin today with a “special month” and “special days”, which gave us a chance to reminisce. Politics comes along, of course, and we start and talking about Republicans as it relates to marriage equality. We end up discussing the Supreme Court cases a little more. From there, the budget—what a mess. Is the fight over social security cuts part of a larger strategy? Ultimately, this leads us to a discussion of religion in politics, of all things.

Near the end, we have a more general discussion about how the Internet has changed political interactions. Not only are things faster, people don’t check things but express their outrage, anyway. We even talk about things from Arthur’s activist past.

You can leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!). Or, you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
The Republicans Try and Reinvent Themselves – Jason’s blog post about this
REPORT: Partisanship And Diversity On The Sunday Shows In 9 Charts– Media Matters for America
Christianity As State Religion Supported By One-Third Of Americans, Poll Finds – Huffington Post
Religion isn’t the enemy – Arthur’s blog post
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP085 - 08 April 2013 [ 58:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP084 – 13 March 2013

Posted on March 21, 2013 by admin

Okay, things don’t always go to plan: Jason had a bit of a cold when we recorded, and Arthur became very busy immediately afterward, so much so, that he didn’t have time to edit this episode. We got there, despite it all.

We begin talking about Jason’s trip to New York, and some customer service issues. When we turn current events and politics, Arthur starts us out talking about the two marriage equality cases that the US Supreme Court is about to hear. We move on to a discussion of the (bad) state of the Republican Party.

We have two comments! You can leave one, too (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!). Or, you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Jason’s blog posts about his trip to New York are all under this label
Paul Ryan’s “Budget” – Jason’s blog post
Fight, Fight Who Wants to See a Fight – Also from Jason’s blog
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP084 - 13 March 2013 [ 42:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP083 – 26 February 2013

Posted on February 28, 2013 by admin

A rotary phoneSo far, the new recording schedule is going pretty well! We begin today with Jason’s trip to the Open Day at the Library of Congress—and to a real estate open house.

When we begin talking about current events and politics, we talk first about C. Everett Koop. Then, we move on to the sequester. Then it’s on to the Republicans and their obsession with destroying democracy. Charter schools—clearly one of Arthur’s pet peeves—also gets a look in. All of that leads us to talk about instant runoff voting, of all things (Arthur suggests watching the video in the links—it explains it much more clearly than he says he did). While it wasn’t the best explanation, the system nevertheless could be part of the way forward.

Please leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!), or you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Pierre-Auguste Renoir was born February 25, 1841
Tex Avery was born February 26, 1908
Jason’s blog posts on his visit to the Library of Congress Reading Room Open Day are all under this label
The Alternative Vote Explained – C. G. P. Grey’s video that Arthur recommended
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP083 - 26 February 2013 [ 40:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP082 – 14 February 2013

Posted on February 14, 2013 by admin

Ah, that’s better: Got the episode number right, no HUGE editing problems… but we did run a little long (not our longest ever, however!).

Today we start with some chitchat about stuff—all kinds of stuff. Then we move on to the Big Speech. Naturally we laugh at Marco Rubio and “WaterGate”. What did we think of the, um, “responses” to the State of the Union Address? This leads to a longer discussion about the Republican Party and its ongoing problem with the “tea party”.

We also talk specifically about the State of the Union Address, including what we liked. Then, it’s about some of the implications of what was said. But no, we weren’t done yet: There was more chitchat at the end

Please leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!), or you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Sheherazade, Bolero and more at Strathmore – Jason’s blog post on the concert he mentioned
Marco Rubio Dry Mouth – the funny YouTube video Arthur mentioned
Republicans Back A Path To Citizenship Unless Obama Supports It – the ThinkProgress post
So much for shedding the ‘stupid party’ label – the MaddowBlog post
Top Donors to Republicans Seek More Say in Senate Races – Karl Rove’s new thing
An Electric Car Charger – Jason’s blog post on what he saw
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP082 - 14 February 2013 [ 1:02:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP081 – 30 January 2013

Posted on February 3, 2013 by admin

THIS episode was trials and tribulations—and a nightmare for Arthur to edit! First off, it’s episode 81, NOT 82. Then, Arthur had some roofers doing work (it was like déjà vu all over again…). He tried to edit out the noise, but sometimes he couldn’t and said it sounded like military drums (well, that’s what Arthur thought—maybe he’s paranoid?). Anyway, we got going and before we even hit ten minutes, Jason’s computer spat the dummy and we had to pause. Then, we had to stop again so Arthur could deal with the roofers when they were done. The phone rang. Arthur’s dogs even barked. Too much. Sigh.

Still, despite all that, we got through a lot! After special days, we moved on to an extended discussion of Jason’s (cheap!) trip to New York City. After another interruption, we move on to news and politics, starting with the Republican plot to change the Electoral College. We’re not impressed. It leads to a larger discussion of the contempt Republican Party leaders have for democracy—they put “party first”. The discussion was typically organic—but interrupted, so, yeah.

Please leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!), or you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Jason’s blog posts on his trip to NYC
Real electoral reform – Arthur’s blog post on the Republican plot
Jindal: Republicans Must Stop Being the “Stupid Party” – Real Clear Politics
Immigration reform obstacle – Arthur’s blog post he mentioned
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP081 - 30 January 2013 [ 46:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP080 – 15 January 2013

Posted on January 16, 2013 by admin

We’re back! After a slow start (hey—we’ve been away awhile!), we get on to the politics: The debt ceiling, what every liberal should know (or not…). We also talk about “Gun Appreciation Day” and similar rightwing weirdness, the crackpot who said the Connecticut school shootings were a hoax, and the White House’s response to a petition that was out of this world. And more stuff.

Please leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!), or you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Ten truths all liberals should know
‘Gun Appreciation Day’ chairman: Slavery wouldn’t have happened if slaves were armed
Anderson Cooper Tackles ‘Sickening,’ ‘Ignorant’ Newtown Conspiracy Theories
This Isn’t the Petition Response You’re Looking For – The Whote House
The Galactic Empire Responds to the White House’s Response to the Death Star Petition
Christmas Card Surprise – Jason’s blog post on the “Blog Log” in the newspaper
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

The 1951 promotional photograph of actor of Shelley Winters, above, is in the public domain and available through Wikipedia.


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2PP080 - 15 January 2013 [ 48:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP079 – 6 November 2012

Posted on November 7, 2012 by admin

This is just a little chat we recorded on Election Day Eve. We talk about where things are at, some of what we’re looking for and we share final thoughts about the Republicans in particular.

Please leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!), or you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
A view of America from far away by Nik Dirga – NZ Herald
Brother Cinaedus did an Audioboo about us!
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP079 - 6 November 2012 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP078 – 29 October 2012

Posted on November 6, 2012 by admin

We decided to record this episode sooner rather than later, since we knew Episode 77 was interrupted. We begin today with a dose of reality, not the “horserace” nonsense that some people are promoting. Our discussion is interrupted by a robocall, and Arthur expresses his opinion about them. As usual, we’re passionate in our opinions and progressive positions.

No baseball this episode—but there will be a new episode tomorrow!

Please leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!), or you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Romney Claims of Bipartisanship as Governor Face Challenge
Good Housekeeping Talks with Ann Romney
Good Housekeeping Talks with Michelle Obama (compare and contrast)
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP078 - 29 October 2012 [ 47:35 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP077 – 25 October 2012

Posted on October 29, 2012 by admin

We started to record this episode before Episode 76 was edited and posted. However, our recording was interrupted when Arthur’s Internet connection failed. This recording is as far as we got, and we’ll record a new one this week.

We again begin by talking about baseball, though probably for the last time—well, for this year, anyway. But it does lead to a little talk about sports in Washington, DC.

Jason has a special day—provided by Trump. From crazy to liars, the Republicans just keep on giving. We’re not impressed with the supposed “surprises”. We then talked about the final debate, and that’s when we were interrupted.

Please leave a comment (anyone’s welcome—agree or disagree!), or you can ring the 2Political Comment line on 206-350-3982.

Links for this episode:
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP077 - 25 October 2012 [ 21:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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