AmeriNZ 110 – Poltical Chat: Conventions Begin

The Democratic National Convention began today, so Jason and I are back to chat about politics. We begin by discussing the two main US parties, inspired by a listener question, and talk about how they evolved into the parties they are today—their differences then and now. This sets the stage for discussions about the party conventions (this also gave me a chance to sneak in a little story from my past). We look at the purpose of the conventions. Is the Republican McCain’s campaign doing anything unusual to target the Democrats during their convention? What do we think about Joe Biden? I actually met him once (did you hear who Jason and I met years ago?). We have a phone comment about our last political chat to end today’s episode with. We’ll be back next week, when we’ll go over comments to this episode. I’ll be posting a regular solo episode at the end of this week.

Don’t forget to visit Jason’s blog.

Please leave a comment, ring my US Listener Line on 206-339-8413, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 109 – Marriage Equality

Today is all about marriage equality. I start out sharing my thoughts on the topic of marriage equality, then I move on to take on a religious wingnut and his loopy arguments. You may find something useful in all this to combat the bigots you encounter. But I do get a bit stroppy in my rhetoric, so be warned. A comment on another topic lets me tell you something about a tech development in New Zealand.

If you have a strong stomach and want to see the relevant link, see the comments to episode 106.

Please leave a comment, ring my US Listener Line on 206-339-8413, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 108 – Media Empire

Today’s episode is mainly about the feedback from Episode 107 (thank you everyone!). First up, though, I give you some personal updates. I got a lot of really good feedback on how to proceed with my blog, podcast and upcoming videos. That also allows me to share some other things. Finally today, I have something about New Zealand to share. The next episode will be about marriage equality, and the next political podcast will probably be on Tuesday 26 Aug rather than Friday 29 Aug.

Please leave a comment, ring my US Listener Line on 206-339-8413, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 107 – Directing content

First up today I talk about some of the additional things I want to do, beyond the podcast and blog, and I ask for your feedback. Not everyone wants the same sort of content, so this is your chance to speak up. Also, the Friday episode is moving to Thurday (NZ time), for now, at least.

Comments let me expand on a few topics. Birthday greetings to Wes Stone and Big Fatty. Also, a special hello to listener Alvaro.

Please leave a comment, ring my US Listener Line on 206-339-8413, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 106 – The Tyranny of Distance

Today I talk a bit about a car accident that my sister was recently in. It’s a good reminder that people who live a far way from home—or overseas—have to be prepared for this kind of thing. Although many don’t think about it, they should. I’m now planning on talking about comments from only the past two weeks.

Links for this episode:

The blog post I wrote about this, also called “The Tyranny of Distance”

The Democratic Party-sponsored site on possible Republican VP candidates: The Next Cheney

The Democrats’ site where US Citizens living overseas can go to sign up to vote is called VoteFromAbroad.org

The BBC Panorama programme I mentioned on Episode 105 is “Daylight Robery”

Please leave a comment, ring my US Listener Line on 206-339-8413, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.


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AmeriNZ 105 – Monthly Politics

It’s time again for a political podcast with Jason, but this one starts out with a special announcement. From there, it’s on to talk of Obama’s recent tour and McCain’s reaction to it, Condoleeza Rice in New Zealand and the Pacific, and then on to the vice presidential sweepstakes. We also talk about the scandals at the US Justice Department, and another story in the news that has nothing to do with politics.

Be sure to visit Jason’s blog!

The next political podcast with Jason is tentatively scheduled for posting on Friday, August 29 New Zealand time.

Special thanks to Ryan of The Way We See It podcast for the voicemail that opens today’s episode. I’ll go over all comments next time (this episode was running a bit long).

Please leave a comment, ring my US Listener Line on 206-339-8413, or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com.

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AmeriNZ 104 – Góða Ólavsøku

Today’s snack-sized episode begins with the final national anthem, that of the Faroe Islands because today is Ólavsøka. While I don’t speak Faroese, I see some similarity with other languages. So: How many other podcasters do YOU know who’ve mentioned Grimm’s Law? By the way, the title of this episode is in correct on my site, but the server doesn’t allow anything but basic characters in the MP3 filename. How rude!

The rest of this episode I update a few things, like a weather bomb that hit New Zealand this past weekend. Weather was bad, but we still did a few things. Comments let me expand on some of the things I said before, and add some new things.

Be sure to visit Kim Beaver’s Lodge!

Be back on Friday with another political podcast with Jason. There’ll be a special announcement, too.

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AmeriNZ 103 – Different ways

I have a cold, but I tried to edit this so it makes more sense. Sometimes I succeeded.

I begin with a brief history update, then I tell you about an evening Nigel and I had recently. For the main topic today, I tell you about life in a place with a political and economic system that’s different from my homeland’s. New Zealand has a parliamentary democracy and it’s a social democracy. I know that some of my fellow Americans would hate the idea of either, but other country’s ways aren’t necessarily worse or wrong. There are some aspects to New Zealand that even the rightest-of-right Americans would approve of.

My next political discussion with Jason will be posted on Friday, August 1 (NZ time). If you have any questions or topics you’d like us to discuss, please send them to Arthur(at]amerinzpodcast.com in the next few days.

Please leave a comment or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com. You can also ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.


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AmeriNZ 102 – Becoming Kiwi

I begin today by telling you about a couple items in the news, first, those missing Indians, then the NZ Census wants to identify the sexual orientation of New Zealanders.

The main topic today is about becoming Kiwi, essentially, being assimilated. I talk about my experience and my attitudes about it. I think that it helped me in unexpected ways.

Comments, a phone message and emails are next, which lets me talk a little more about the state of gay rights in New Zealand. Then I tell you about the schedule for Friday.

Please leave a comment or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com. You can also ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.


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AmeriNZ 101 – Getting to stay

In today’s snack-sized episode, I tell you what it was like to go through the process of becoming a permanent resident, what it felt like and what I was thinking at the time. I also tell you a little bit about the pope in Australia and a NZ connection to it. Soon, maybe Friday, I’ll be talking about becoming a Kiwi.

Please leave a comment or send an email to arthur{at]amerinzpodcast.com. You can also ring my US listener line on 206-339-8413.


Get AmeriNZ Podcast for free on iTunes

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