A chance to say farewell and thank you

As many listeners of GLBT podcasts already know, one of the podcasting originals—we’ll call him X—was forced completely off the Internet recently. It came as a direct result of online harassment, possibly by the same person who exposed X to his employer, putting him at risk of being fired (because firing gay people for being gay is perfectly legal in most of the USA). That’s all we can really say about it.

This makes me feel sad because it means no more podcasts from him, but I can’t express how angry it makes me feel, too. He’s a great person who didn’t deserve this treatment (not that any of us do). Also, because the departure was so abrupt, none of us had the chance to say good-bye or thank you for those many hundreds of hours of podcasting.

So I’m offering this space for anyone who wants to leave a message for him. Two rules: Do NOT mention the name of any of his former podcasts or online identities (call him X), and do NOT talk specifically about what X does for a living or where. This is to protect him. Any comments that mention either will be edited or declined. And one more thing: Negative or attacking comments will be deleted. This is my house, my rules. Please respect these rules!

So go ahead and leave a message for X!

Update 1 July 2010: At some point I hope to figure out a way for X to reply directly, but for now, he’d like me to tell you that he’s reading your messages and appreciates them.

Update 3 July 2010: I’ve received a message for you all from X. I’m posting it on his behalf to add a layer of protection:

Listeners, Fans and Friends…

I want you all to know that I am fine. I did not lose my job. I got a strong slap on the wrist. The previous name and podcast are gone for good. However, I will be coming back at some point. I’ll let you know when I do.

I cannot thank you enough for all the wonderful messages, tweets, e-mails and all the kind words you all posted here on Arthur’s site. I appreciate you all more than you know. It feels good to have so many people concerned about me and caring about me.

A big THANK YOU to you all! I really appreciate it!

X

This post will remain at the top of this site for a few more days to make it easy to find for anyone else who wants to comment.Thank you all for helping me to give X some support. This is why it’s called a community!

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AmeriNZ 223 – Live on Pride 48

Ep223-Art300This episode was recorded live on Pride 48, the 48-hour podcasting marathon, on Saturday, June 26, 2010. Joining me were Nigel, Daniel Brewer and Scotty, the Little Aussie Battler. This is episode is different from my others, and not just because it’s live or 90 minutes long.

I’ll post a regular episode soon.

Links for this episode
Little Aussie Battler – Scotty’s podcast
WOWcohol – Daniel Brewer’s podcast
QNation.fm – Nigel will alternate weeks with Daniel to host a music show, “The Third Colony” Saturdays at 9pm EDT (Sundays at 1pm in New Zealand).

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 222 – Busy Week Ahead

amerinz_podcast_150x150I start out today talking about Pride 48, the 48-hour live podcasting marathon. It begins with a kick-off show at 8pm Eastern on Friday, June 25 in the Americas (9pm Saturday, June 26 in New Zealand) and ends 48 hours later. As host of Pride 48 for 2010, I’ll be on the kick-off show and the wrap-up show. My own live show is 5:30am-7am June 26 Eastern time in the Americas (9:30pm to 11pm New Zealand time). I’ll record that show and post it the following week.

I then give yet another update on a story I talked about before. The annual nude rugby game was a bit of harmless silliness. Naturally, far right christianists were apoplectic over TV news reports. New Zealand wants to turn off its analogue television. A new report finds that illegal downloads in New Zealand haven’t hurt the recording industry, despite its claim they have in order to try and get a hard new copyright law in place. The pace of emigration to Australia has picked up, despite the current government’s promise to make people want to stay in New Zealand. That means that things are actually worse since this government took power. The New Zealand All Whites have done well at the FIFA World Cup. Finally, I comment on the abrupt name change for one of my favourite podcasters.

Links for this episode
Nude rugby a hard match in Dunedin (contains nudity) – Video
Govt seeks help to turn off analogue TV
InternetNZ downplays illegal Kiwi file sharing claims
Migration shrinks to just 250 in May, more Kiwis cross Tasman

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 221 – Things you miss

Ep221-Art200I have both New Zealand updates AND a short topic today. Not only that, it’s my second podcast this week! I can’t remember the last time I did that. After NZ news (including an update), it’s on to today’s short topic: There are some unusual things I miss about the US, and today’s show art shows one (thanks for the photo, Lord Byron of Illinois!). I talk about that and a few other random things—not the sort of things that most people think about. Comments let me further comment on an earlier topic.

Links for this episode
Sikh Council plans legal action over turban ban
Transgender group left with few options
New kiwifruit varieties on the way

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 220 – Getting things done

amerinz_podcast_150x150It’s a rainy day and a Monday, but I’m not down—even though it’s winter. I give you an update to the hooker and he bank. Then some Members of Parliament are in trouble over their spending. A Kiwi television show is about to be re-imagined for US television, so I talk about that and British programmes re-done for America. An Audioboo promo leads on to comments, and we’re done (btw, I screwed up the address, so click the link below).

Links for this episode
Goff demotes three MPs over credit card misuse
Kiwi fans outraged by the American Wests
Listen to the Audioboos tagged “pride48”

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 219 – Wintry Wednesday

amerinz_podcast_150x150It’s winter in New Zealand; I don’t care what the calendar says. Today I tell you about our holiday weekend, then it’s on to some things from the news: Will Riff Raff be allowed to live in New Zealand? Will the hooker get to keep the bank’s millions? Will the mail still make through the gloom six days a week? Will pendants succeed in locking-down the English language? Will I think of another question to ask?

Something in the PO Box, a phone comment, a written one and my first Audioboo, all in one episode! Great value for the price you pay! (yes, I’m being silly today).

Links for this episode
Mayor’s happy to let in Riff Raff
Bolger suggests reducing NZ Post deliveries
Pedants’ revolt aims to protect English from spell of txt spk
Arthur’s AmeriNZ Audioboo, um, page?

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 218 – Lunchtime

amerinz_podcast_150x150No food was consumed in the making of this podcast. The name comes from the fact that I gave up my lunch break today to record this episode. Such sacrifices I make! Seriously, I’m just really busy and needed a break, so this was it.

I begin by talking about some problems I had organising Pride 48 and how I felt about that. Next, I give recent updates on some stories I originally talked about last year. A US airline will be flying to New Zealand. An email asks a food question (See? Lunchtime!) and shares a bizarre news story. A phone comment lets me talk about US/NZ differences and such.

I talk more in-depth about Pride 48 and how YOU can make a promo—it’s easy! Related to that, I’m now on Audio-boo: My user name is AmeriNZ (big surprise, I know).

I co-host a special Pride 48 info show live in Pride48.com Tuesdays at 8pm EDT right up until the event.

Links for this episode
Schedule of recorded episodes on Pride 48
US Memorial Day in New Zealand – from my blog

Please leave a comment, ring my US Comment Line on 206-666-5172, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


Get AmeriNZ Podcast for free on iTunes

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