Wed, 15 April 2015
Bobby Kennedy began as a law enforcement official who seemed unable to communicate with those on the other side of the poverty line. In five years, he became noted for his ability to transcend racial, economic, and class tensions. His journey during those five years began with a program of listening and learning. Half a century later, what can Hillary Clinton learn from his experience?
Direct download: What_Can_Hillary_Borrow_from_Bobby.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 11:27pm EDT |
Mon, 2 March 2015
Fox News personalities were having a bit of fun with NBC anchor, Brian Williams, over his misleading stories about his wartime reporting experiences. Then Bill O'Reilly's own inaccuracies came to light. Should O'Reilly resign? Should he take a leave of absence? Should Fox News fire him? A Fox affiliate in Tampa Florida has a step by step guide ready and waiting to show Bill O'Reilly exactly how to handle the accusations.
Direct download: What_Bill_OReilly_Ought_to_Do_Now.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 11:59pm EDT |
Tue, 3 February 2015
When Mike Huckabee says that he can be friends with gay people. Sounds good, enen if it is in the same sense that Jesus was friends with tax collectors who extorted far beyond the taxes they sent on to Rome. He also groups gay sexuality in with swearing and visiting the corner bar after work. That could be a twenty first century way of restating the way the Apostle Paul grouped gay sexuality in with gossip and kids disobeying parents. I don't agree that being gay equates with any violation of spiritual law, but I at least understand it. But God doesn't like classical music? Or ballet? Seriously?
Direct download: God_Hates_Opera_-_Seriously_-_Huckab.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 1:07am EDT |
Mon, 19 January 2015
In every campaign in his political life, Mitt Romney has run on his resume. In 2016, he will run on philosophical substance. Mitt Romney can become President Romney. But he needs one more ingredient, the toughest campaign objective to achieve.
Direct download: Who_Is_the_New_Authentic_Mitt_Romn.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 11:36pm EDT |
Tue, 6 January 2015
In many ways, 2010 was the precursor to 2014. Sharron Angle was the poster child for Republican extremism. Hidden in the laughter on mainstream news shows was an unexamined self regard, an arrogance that helped add to public resentment. It was not the main reason mainstream candidates lost that year, and four years later. But it was a reason.
Direct download: Why_the_Press_Should_Have_Stopped_La.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 12:32am EDT |
Mon, 8 December 2014
Chuck Todd's recent book offers a searing analysis of the Obama administration. The unwavering opposition of Republicans is already well documented. But Todd suggests that President Obama is also to blame for roadblocks to policies that would help the poor and middle class. Todd worked hard, talking with hundreds of Washington insiders. He has been able convincingly to demonstrate insularity and isolation from the real world. But not in the way anyone could have anticipated.
Direct download: Chuck_Todds_Analysis_of_President_O.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 10:42pm EDT |
Tue, 11 November 2014
Fox News and the terrorist fist jab was unintentionally funny. The local Minneapolis television station and the secret gang signal became hilarious. The ethic itself is not always so humorous. Take any accusation, rumor, or suspicion, and present it to a predominantly conservative audience as legitimate speculation. A large proportion of the public is led into a cocoon of comforting delusion. Is Barack Obama really from Kenya? Does Obamacare include death panels to decide when the elderly should die? Is President Obama trying bring Ebola to the United States? We report, you decide.
Direct download: Nixon_Mandela_Bachmann_God_Expose.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 12:22am EDT |
Mon, 3 November 2014
I have discovered, through introspection and my relationships with others, that most people have a low tolerance for injustice. When we encounter the unfairness of life, in little ways and great, humankind faces a great divide. The hatred of injustice causes much of humanity to deny that it exists. Rationalization often involves more than simple inaction. Victims of injustice are sometimes victimized again in calloused attitudes. So we cheer for the giant who beats the little guy into submission. But much of humanity recognizes the injustice that stares back at us. We know it exists. We know it is wrong. We know that subjecting the little guy to the mercies of the selfish and powerful is evil in motion. That is why I am a Democrat. That is why I will be voting today. That is why I will be asking friends to vote. |
Mon, 20 October 2014
I'm okay with negative ads. If they don't distort the facts, if they don't outright lie, if they are pertinent, if they don't grossly violate ethical boundaries, I'm okay with them. I am a distinct minority. Voters are sick of negative ads. Poll after poll has demonstrated this to the point where it has become conventional wisdom. Still, negative ads work. Most of the time. Not always. They especially don't work when they are so over-the-top voters end up laughing at the sinister accusations. For example...
Direct download: Politics_-_Throwing_Mud_Against_the.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 11:22pm EDT |
Wed, 15 October 2014
Most general elections are zero-sum affairs. Winning does not depend on a candidate being liked. Winning depends on a candidate being liked more than the opponent. Sometimes that just means being disliked less. Negative campaigns produce two negatives. Voters dislike the candidate running negative ads. Voters come pretty close to hating the opponent who is the target of negative ads. All things being equal, the candidate voters dislike wins over the candidate voters hate. A lot of voters hold their noses and vote for the nasty guy who ran the ad they didn't like to see. That can be true of any campaign with two credible candidates. None of the above is not a real option. One of the candidate will win. In South Dakota, a third choice might just kick over the chessboard.
Direct download: Three_Candidates_and_a_Scandal_Make.mp3
Category:Political News -- posted at: 11:22pm EDT |