AmeriNZ 120 – Politicast after the debates

Posted on October 17, 2008 by Arthur

Jason and I are back, after the final (!) presidential debate. We talk about that, and also about the two “elephants in the room”: Palin’s religion and Obama’s race. The first ought to be an issue, especially for GLBT voters—and rational voters of all kinds—and the other isn’t a factor for opinion polls (we tell you why). Aside from that, it’s a wide-ranging discussion of the US election, with more to come.

To visit Jason’s Blog, click here.

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 120 - Politicast after the debates [ 54:23 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 119 – The Issue of Healthcare

Posted on October 15, 2008 by Arthur

Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Most people agree, and most Americans want a single-payer, universal system. So why does the rightwing always say these systems don’t work? Do they?

New Zealand’s system works well, as does the system in Canada and the UK. It’s not perfect anywhere, but no one has to choose between healthcare and basic survival. The rightwing doesn’t know what it’s talking about.

Two more episodes this week.

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 119 - The Issue of Healthcare [ 15:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 118 – Shock mount

Posted on October 13, 2008 by Arthur

Like my microphone, the world has had to absorb shocks lately. Today I talk a bit about the financial crisis and how it’s affecting New Zealand and Australia (not much). But I spend most of my time taking on a right-wing attack in the US. It’s a little controversial, but sometimes you need that.

In coming episodes I’ll talk about issues, like healthcare, from my perspective living in NZ. Sometimes what the US media says isn’t necessarily so, and I offer a different perspective. Other special episodes are coming up, too.

Today’s link: McClatchy Washington Bureau: Private sector loans, not Fannie or Freddie, triggered crisis

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 118 - Shock mount [ 20:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 117 – Back to work

Posted on October 7, 2008 by Arthur

It’s back to work today, with our guests gone and the holiday over. So I start today by talking a bit about our week. After that, I update a couple things, and comments let me add some more. Now it’s back to normal podcasting (by the way, I DO know it’s October now, despite the date I said at the beginning; I was still in holiday mode when I recorded, I guess).

Today’s link: The blog post I mentioned with the photo taken in front of Kelly Tarlton’s.

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AmeriNZ 117 - Back to work [ 17:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 116 – A Canadian Mark

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Arthur

Joining me today is one of my “e-friends”, Mark from Slap Upside the Head, which is one of my favourite sites on the Internet (his motto: “Combatting bigotry the gayest way I know how”). Mark was last on the podcast on Episode 51 back in November of last year.

Canada is having in election in October, so we talk a bit about that, and also about the elections in the US and New Zealand, all of which are happening relatively close to each other. What’s happening with proportional representation in Canada? We also talk about the nature of political parties, in Canada and elsewhere.

Some Americans talk about moving to Canada if McCain wins. Is that realistic? We even talk about the controversy about the “Hockey Tonight” theme. Do you know what the national sport of Canada is? Yes, we Do talk about sports!

Please visit Mark’s site!

Links for this episode:

Mark’s last time on the podcast:
AmeriNZ #51 – Mark from Slap

Escape to Canada trailer

Pooping puffin pulled from Tory ad

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AmeriNZ 116 - A Canadian Mark [ 41:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Back on the ArcherRadio Group Show

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Arthur

Yep, I’m back on the ArcherRadio Group Show and, of course, I say some things more strongly than I do anywhere else. Must be something about being on someone else’s podcast, or maybe it’s just Archerr bringing it out of me. At any rate, here are the links:

ArcherRadio AR775 Time Out

ArcherRadio AR776 Education Snobs

AmeriNZ 115 – How NZ votes

Posted on September 24, 2008 by Arthur

Today I tell you how New Zealand’s government is organised and about our proportional election system, called MMP. I have to get all that out of the way so that when I talk about the election campaign, it’ll make more sense. But that’s the only topic today, so the episode is kind of short.

At the very end of the episode is a PSA I made promoting voter registration for overseas voters (who are also supporters of Barack Obama).

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

Links for this episode

New Zealand’s evolution from FPP to MMP
How MMP works in New Zealand

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AmeriNZ 115 - How NZ votes [ 21:06 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ 114 – 1 guy, 2 elections

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Arthur

The New Zealand elections have been called for November 8, so today I tell you a little about that. On an upcoming episode, I’ll tell you in detail about how this all works, and I’ll also eventually post a video podcast to show you some of what elections are like here.

American citizens living in New Zealand have been actively working on the upcoming US elections, including registering voters and more. It’s great to see—and makes me feel a little inadequate!

I also tell you a bit about the upcoming schedule (no podcasts next week). 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 114 - 1 guy, 2 elections [ 26:40 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

AmeriNZ Video 02 – Voting Overseas

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Arthur

AmeriNZ Video 02 - Voting Overseas [ 4:25 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Although my second video, this is my first official video podcast. Today I talk about voting overseas. US citizens living permanently overseas use the FPCA (Federal Postcard Application) program to register to vote and obtain their ballot. To start the process, go to www.VoteFromAbroad.org. Voter registration deadlines in all states are approaching fast, so hurry! This video podcast let’s me share something unusual toward the end.

Clarification: The materials I show you are used in Chicago. Other places in the US may do things differently. Also, because of the slowness of international mail, it’s important to get your registration paperwork filed as quickly as possible: Don’t wait until just before your state’s registration deadline.

Please leave a comment, email me at Arthur{at}amerinzpodcast.com or ring my US listener line on (206) 339-8413.

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On ArcherRadio

Posted on September 15, 2008 by Arthur

I was on the group show on ArcherRadio: Episode 766 and Episode 767. On the second one, Episode 767, I present some opinions I haven’t said anywhere else, and they’re pretty strong. You have been warned.