2PP068 – 18 January 2012

Posted on January 26, 2012 by admin

This episode was recorded a week ago. It was delayed, then lightly edited, because Arthur is in the midst of a big home reorganisation and refurbishment project (he hopes he didn’t make any editing mistakes…). After Special Days, we talk about the Republican presidential nomination sweepstakes. We talk about Romney’s elitism, then about the general issue of income inequality. Thanks to some comments, we get to expand on these and other topics. The photo above is of Jason’s new cats.

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:
International Hot and Spicy Food Day
as well as more here, too.
Please explain – Arthur’s blog post about the child poverty documentary that he mentioned.
Romney’s delusion – Arthur’s blog post on income inequality
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP068 - 18 January 2012 [ 41:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP067 – 21 December 2011

Posted on December 23, 2011 by admin

After Special Days, we talk about Iowa and the Republican presidential nomination sweepstakes. It’s a wide-ranging discussion we have. We talk about Ron Paul, the end of the Iraq War, and so much more. We even get into a discussion of voting systems.

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:
All about Saint Thorlak
And about Junkanoo
PV has some merit – the blog post on PV aka “Instant Runoff Voting” that Arthur mentioned. It has explanatory videos.
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP067 - 21 December 2011 [ 52:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP066 – 29 November 2011

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

After Special Days, Jason talks about a movie he saw, which leads to brief talk about another movie, before we talk a bit about Thanksgiving.

After that, Arthur talks a bit about the recent New Zealand elections. That leads to a discussion of political public opinion polls. This morphs into a discussion of the Republican presidential campaign, so we use our brand-new 2Political Republican Frontrunner Prognosticator™ to work out who the current Republican frontrunner is. That, in turn, leads to a discussion of what’s wrong with the Republican Party. It’s a barbed wire salad of interlocking topics.

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:
The Hillary Moment – the latest delusional op ed piece from Caddell and Schoen
One and done – their delusion from exactly one year ago
Reminder: Try Not to Ride Metro on the Weekend – the blog post Jason mentioned
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP066 - 29 November 2011 [ 52:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP065 – 10 November 2011

Posted on November 14, 2011 by admin

After being delayed by construction work on Arthur’s house, we were finally able to record. Then problems with Arthur’s other podcast site and a family wedding kept him from being able to edit this episode. We always get there eventually.

After Special Days, we talk about the results of last week’s elections in the US. Arthur says the results were very good for Democrats and centre-left voters. The Republicans have demonstrated how disconnected from voters’ wishes they have become. Democrats and Republicans have totally different worldviews, so much so, that one side or the other has to be in control in order to advance their agenda. We round out today’s episode with a voicemail comment! No, really! That lets us comment some more.

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:
National Sandwich Day
And more about Sandwich Day
Pumpkin Chunkin’ Championships – Delaware
Birth of Bahá’u'lláh
More than 50 LGBT candidates win elections across America

This Week in Gay – the podcast Brother Cinaedus mentioned
Check out Brother Cinaedus’ Audioboos!

Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP065 - 10 November 2011 [ 54:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP064 – 20 October 2011

Posted on October 21, 2011 by admin


After special days, we talk about the “Occupy” protest movement, which has come to Auckland, too. Then we talk about Cain’s moronic plan to dramatically increase taxes for the poor and working people so the ultra rich can have tax cuts. Arthur says he can’t tell if Cain is stupid, wilful, a liar, etc. What’s up with him?

Next, look at the poor quality of Republican presidential candidates, and what a big problem Romney still has actually winning the nomination. We can’t remember a presidential campaign ever being this unfocused at this point in an election season. Arthur makes an impassioned argument that if people are unhappy with their party, they have a personal responsibility to change things.

The photo accompanying today’s shownotes is of the Devilsfood Cheescake Jason mentioned, and is from one of his blog posts about his recent trip to New York City.

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:
Persons Day – Canada
And more about Persons Day
Hogeye Festival – Elgin, Texas
Dissolution of the 49th Parliament – the NZ event Arthur mentioned
Tent and sympathy – Arthur’s blog post on the “Occupy” protest in Auckland
Protesters in McPherson Square – Jason’s blog post on DC protestors
Thoughts on the Republican Race – Jason’s blog post that Arthur mentioned
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP064 - 20 October 2011 [ 45:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP063 – 29 September 2011

Posted on October 1, 2011 by admin

Today, after special days, we talk about the Republican “straw poll” in Florida, which, despite newsmedia hype, was nothing but a fundraiser with no significance. But what’s the state of the Republican Klown Kar Kavalcade? Is Perry’s campaign doomed? Is Christie “The One” for Republicans?

Next, we move on to President Obama’s electoral problems. Does he face a double-standard, being held to a higher standard than Bill Clinton was? We say his approval ratings are not an indicator of his relative electoral strength because the approval ratings of Congress—and Congressional Republicans in particular—are far worse. Arthur says we need more honesty in the mainstream news media’s coverage of this election.

After some general election chat, we move on to comments. Finally, we chat a little about National Book Festival.

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 link to show what the Santorum “Google problem” is
The Tim Corrimal Show Episode 181 – The episode Arthur referred to
Black President, Double Standard: Why White Liberals Are Abandoning Obama by Melissa Harris-Perry at The Nation
A look at the controversy of the droppin’ of the letter G
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP063 - 29 September 2011 [ 42:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP062 – 14 September 2011

Posted on September 21, 2011 by admin

Arthur’s editing of this episode was delayed because of the annual Pride 48 podcasting extravaganza. He thinks, based on the evidence, that maybe he should teach Jason how to edit podcasts.

Today we mainly talk about the 9/11 anniversary, beginning with where we were. We move into more general thoughts about the attacks and its the legacy. Toward the end, we talk about the Republican “debate”.

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:
Remembering that day – Arthur’s blog post on the 9/11 anniversary
9/11 — Ten Years On – Jason’s blog post on the 9/11 anniversary
Fifth blogoversary – Arthur’s post on 5 years of blogging
The Cult of Death – The Truthout article Arthur mentioned
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP062 - 14 September 2011 [ 48:08 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP061 – 24 August 2011

Posted on August 31, 2011 by admin

Only delayed a week! We recorded this the day of the earthquake in Virginia. Then, shortly afterward, Arthur left on holiday but didn’t have the chance to edit or post this before he left. Turns out, he had to re-edit this once he got back.

To start out today, Jason talks about his experience of the earthquake. That leads us onto a discussion of that and of how our perception of the severity of these things varies from person to person. Arthur shares something he posted to Google+ (now included in a blog post) where he complains about snark of people toward thoseon the east coast.

Arthur suggests setting up your cellphone to be able to text to Twitter, Facebook or other social media in order to be able to let a lot of people know quickly—by text message—that you are OK or (in trouble). This is because text messages will usually go through when voice calls can’t connect. At the very end, we even talk about the Mayan calendar (double brain farts led to calling them Aztecs).

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:
Six months later – Arthur’s blog post on the Christchurch earthquake that Jason mentioned
Perspective relativity – Arthur’s blog post, which includes what he read on the podcast.
Snow in Wellington – The video Jason mentioned
Shake Rattle and Roll – Jason’s blog post on the earthquake, posted after we recorded
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP061 - 24 August 2011 [ 29:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP060 – 10 August 2011

Posted on August 11, 2011 by admin

We recorded this only the day before it’s being posted! We actually recorded last week, but Arthur was too swamped to edit it, so we dumped that episode and recorded a new one. To try and fix this problem, we’re going to try recording the second and fourth week of the month. It should be easier for Arthur to edit and post the episode in a timely manner.

After Special Days, and some of Jason’s Special Experiences, we talk about the aftermath of the debt crisis, especially the “tea party downgrade”. We speculate on why economics news and commentary is so bad. Do Republicans even understand anything about economics?

Finally, we talk about the latest entrant into the Republican Clown Car Cavalcade, Rick Perry. We don’t think much of him, and neither of us thinks he’s bright, sincere or genuine.

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:
Bud Billiken Parade
National Hobo Convention
Battle with the Toilet – from Jason’s blog
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP060 - 10 August 2011 [ 49:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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2PP059 – 19 July 2011

Posted on July 22, 2011 by admin

After Special Days, we have a NEW rightwing nutjob bulk mailing sent to Jason. That leads us to joke around about being bought and sold for mailing lists. Jason then talks a bit about the latest “Harry Potter” movie and his adventures in seeing it. This reminds Arthur of one of those urban legends/quote misattributions that surfaced when the film opened. This leads to a larger discussion of how judgemental people get about other people’s likes and dislikes of culture things.

Next we talk about the Murdoch scandals. How is it playing in New Zealand? Arthur has a personal connection. The phone hacking by Murdoch’s employees is both despicable and indefensible. Still, good things could from it.

For some reason, that leads on to Arthur talking about how liberals piss him off. It leads to a broader discussion of how political ideologues are like religious fundamentalists. Are principles more important than anything? Is achieving some progress worse than none at all?

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:
Royal Swan Upping
Chincoteague Pony Penning
More Crap from the Far Far Right – Jason’s blog post on the latest rightwing nutjob mailing he received
Edge of Glory – Arthur’s blog post he referred to when talking about people passing judgement on other people’s likes and dislikes.
Jason’s Blog
Arthur’s blog, podcasts and videos can be accessed here.

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2PP059 - 19 July 2011 [ 58:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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