May 1, 2026

The Attitude with Arnie Arnesen

As heard nationally on the Pacifica Radio Network!

Original Artwork – Janet King

Arnie provides pithy commentary, interviews and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Listen at 94.7 FM Monday thru Friday from 12 pm -1 pm. The show is replayed daily from 7 pm – 8 pm. Outside of Concord, listen using the stream player on this site (Click on “Episode 123” below) her podcast hosting platform Podomatic, or on TuneIn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts or many other podcasting platforms.

Listen to Podcast on the Podomatic platform

  • Part 1:We talk with Dean Baker, co-founder of the Center for Economic and Policy Research.We discuss how the 'green' transition is being escalated by Trump, though his attacks on Iran, and the subsequent crisis in oil shipments from the Middle East. The world is now more focused on renewable sources of energy, because they can provide safety, security, and stability. China is very much ahead of the US in the green energy develop efforts.Part 2:We talk with Ryan Cooper, Senior Editor, at The America Prospect.We discuss prediction markets that allow people to 'bet' on outcomes of many different things. "How […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Cydney Hayes, business and tech reporter for Gazetteer, SF.We discuss Palantir, and how its operations and leaders are affecting life in the US. Specifically, we talk about the Manifesto, as published by Alex Karp, et. al. in "The Technological Republic", and how this is forming the techno-fascist movement. We also discuss how Palantir's stock value is affected.Part 2:We talk with Joyce Abbey, about NASA, and how that agency has shown us all the value of science and scientific advances that have come as offshoots of NASA developments. Ms. Abbey is the daughter of a long-time leader […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Bob Lord, retired tax lawyer and former Congressional candidate, currently serves as senior advisor for tax policy at the Patriotic Millionaires.We discuss how the very rich avoid paying taxes that fall on working people. The US tax system favors the oligarchs, who have manipulated the tax code to favor themselves, and now control most media outlets. We discuss the mechanisms by which they avoid paying taxes. We also talk about what could help alleviate this situation.Part 2:We talk with Alex Sammon, feature writer atslate.com, who has written about the huge issue of the orange crop failures […]
  • This is a panel discussion that includes:Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare, Aaron Rosenthal, Jamie RowenTopics:- The DOJ prosecution of the Southern Poverty Law Center- White supremacy as a central theme for Trump's appeal- AI threats: replacement of workers, effect of huge data centers on energy costs and water availability, dehumanization- What can an average person do? WNHNFM.ORG productionMusic: "That;s how every empire falls, " John Prine
  • Part 1:We talk with Harvey Kronberg, Publisher of the Quorum Report in Texas.We discuss Gov. Abbott's attack on Houston, defunding the police to force them to work with ICE, just as the World Cup is coming to Houston.We discuss the race for US Senate in Texas, and the positions of Cornyn and Paxton, both Republicans, and Talarico (D) in that race.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Harold Meyerson.We discuss the "jungle primary" in California, with the previous Democratic leader, Swallwell, out of the race. We also discuss the war on science being waged by the White House, which has […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Dr. Stephen Bezruchka, Assoc. Teaching Professor Emeritus at the U. of Washington.We discuss the health of people in the US, and how it can be improved. Currently, the US residents spend more money on 'health care' than anyone in the developed world, and we have the worst outcomes: we have shorter and sicker lives. We look at the real causes of this, and how it can be corrected. A book can be downloaded from StephenBezruchka.comPart 2: We talk with Dr. Jonathan Feingold, of Boston University, as part of the ongoing Race Class.#RaceClass Ep. 62 | David […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Greer Donley, Professor, U of Pittsburgh School of Law, and Yvonne Lindgren, Prof. of Las at the U of Missouri, Kansas City School of Law.We discuss the effects of anti-abortion laws that have been passed in various states. The actual numbers of abortions has risen since, and most abortions that are being prevented are life-saving abortions, ending in the pregnant woman's death or disablement.Part 2:We talk with Mark Kreidler, a California-based writer and broadcaster.We discuss the changes instituted in California, increasing the minimum wage for workers in large fast-food restaurants. Predictions were for job losses and […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Melvin Goodman, Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins Univ. and national security and intelligence expert.We discuss the amount of defense spending that is being used now, and likely, in the near future, due to the Trump urge to war in the Middle East and other locations. There is no real national security process, and no real personnel to manage it. Domestic issues are being ignored: hospitals are closing, welfare assistance is cut, etc. The US is hollowed out, so future development is difficult.Part 2:We talk with Brett Wilkins, Staff writer for Common Dreams.We discuss the initiative that […]
  • Guests: Laura Jedeed, Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare, Jamie RowenThis is a panel discussion with many topics:- The increase in data centers, and the moratorium in Maind- The Straits of Hormuz, or as Trump calls them now, "The Straits of Iran"- The role of China in the war, and after- The world does not like Trump- Christian Right is increasingly moving from Trump- The affordability crisis- Eugenic goals of 'starve the poor, and refuse medical care to the poor'- DOGE effect so far: $861 Billion deficit WNHNFM.ORG  production
  • Part 1:We talk with Egberto Willies.We discuss the Texas campaigns for Senate, and voter sentiment there. We also discuss the changes in Latino voters' expectations.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Robert Hockett.While Wall Street hits an all time high the US is hitting an all-time low. Public sentiment and confidence is decreasing. Wars for 'no real reason' are becoming a drag on the economy. We are seeing the collapse of democracy, climate, government funded science, education has decreased.WNHNFM.ORG productionMusic: "That's how every empire falls, " John Prine
  • Part 1:We talk with Michael Tomasky, Editor of The New Republic.We discuss the Eric Swalwell scandal, and his retreat from the governor's race in CA. What is likely to be the net outcome in CA?Part 2:We talk with John Nichols, Executive Editor of The Nation Magazine.We discuss the likelihood of a big victory for Democrats in the upcoming elections. There is potential for change in direction for the US, but it must be reinforced by a very large margin in the elections. We discuss what happened in Hungary, as a kind of exemplar of what is needed here.WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: "That's […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Timothy Noah, staff writer for The New Republic.We discuss taxes in the US. Trump almost invites people NOT to pay taxes through various tax avoidance schemes. We discuss the need for taxes, and the benefits that accrue to society that can pay for services.Part 2:We talk with Lynn Parramore and Alissa Quart about the effects of the use of AI on white-collar employees. AI systems are being trained by these employees, and many expect to be replaced by these AI systems. The workers view AI as Apocalyptic Insecurity. Workers are being conditioned to expect their own […]
  • art 1:We talk with Lincoln Mitchell, Prof. of Political Science, Columbia University.We discuss the Hungarian election, and how the 16-year control Viktor Orban was ended by a landslide vote. We discuss how voters should demonstrate even after an election, as the Hungarians did, to show those who would try to roll it back that voters INDEED wanted the new path. Efforts should not stop on election day.Part 2:We talk with Nicola Santa Cruz, who writes about inequality in the southwestern US.We discuss the SNAP cutbacks, which shift 50% of the cots of the program to the states, rather than part […]
  • This is a panel discussion. Our panelists are: Laura Jedeed, John Martin, Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare.We note that there has now been ordered automatic draft registration for men in the US. Recruiting efforts seem to focus on men only, with emphasis on white men.We discuss Mamdani's successes as Mayor of NYC.We discuss the 'ceasefire' in Iran, even though Israel continues its attacks.Iran has instituted a "toll" on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, defacto claiming Hormuz as its territory. Trump has indicated that he wants 1/2 of the 'toll'.The war in Gaza and Lebanon continues, with Israeli attacks on […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Harvey Kronberg, publisher of the Quorum Report in Texas.We discuss the effects of the space program in Texas, and its ongoing contribution to the Texas economy.We also talk about the Texas legislature, and Republicans' discomfort with the slow change to Democrats' gains.Data centers in Texas are using many resources, and this is not popular, especially rural Texas, while the centers are getting $1Billion in tax breaks annually.We also discuss textbooks used in public schools in Texas and California, the two states who influence the use of books countrywide.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Harold Meyerson.We […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Anders Croy, Communications Director for DeSantis Watch, and Florida Watch.We discuss the debt status of ordinary people, and the rising number who cannot pay their debts.We discuss how affordability is affecting Florida residents, who are #50 in the US in affordability measures.The legislature is contemplating redistricting, in hopes of finding more votes for Republicans.However, "dummymandering" may happen, rather than the unconstitutional gerrymandering the want.Florida has passed a terrorist designation law.Part 2:We talk with Celinda Lake, political strategist.We discuss how political polling is being done, and how this is identifying topics of importance to voters. Some that […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Dylan Gyauch-Lewis, Senior Researcher at The Revolving Door Project.We discuss the war on information that the Trump administration has been waging. Data is unavailable or poorly analyzed, thus leading to poor decisions and policies. Government bureaus that gather data have been decimated by the personnel and program cuts. This creates a lot of uncertainty. We discuss the growth of 'prediction markets" that appear rigged, because not everyone has the same data.Part 2:We talk with Laura Belin, publisher of "The Bleeding Heartland", based in Iowa.We discuss election trends in Iowa, which are now more favorable to Democrats, […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Emma Whitford, of Insider Education.We discuss the pressure from the administration to identify Jewish faculty members to the government, providing their group membership data, election behavior/choices, social security data, residencies, etc. This is being viewed as an invasion invasion of privacy, and discriminatory of the basis of religious freedom, though a judge doesn't seem to agree.Part 2:We talk with John Martin, Asst. Professor at Quinniapiac University, election law.We discuss Trump's campaign to expand federal control of election management, even though the Constitution specifically leaves this task to the individual states.  WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: "That's How Every Empire […]
  • This is a panel discussion with the following participants:Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare, Aaron Rosenthal, Jamie RowenTopics:- Iran War, Trump's magical thinking- No incentive for Iran to resolve, and this existential- Trump's goal seems to be to destroy the USpart 2- The number one issue in US is health care, especially as the administration is planning to shift money to the war- The next large issue for US residents is economic insecurity- Birthright citizenship before the Supreme Court- Mail in voting attacked by admin, though Trump and his family all vote by mail- Todd Blanche replaced Pam Bondi at AGWNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Harvey Kronberg, publisher of the Quorum Report in Texas.we discuss the Senate campaign in Texas, and how both Cornyn(R) and Paxton (R) are advertising in Florida. We discuss Talarico (D)' s campaign.We also discuss affordability, and the housing shortage is affecting Texas, because many workers are not available. School vouchers in Texas are also an issue.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Ryan Cooper.We discuss the 'progress' of the Iran war. The Iranians have monetized the Strait of Hormuz by creating a toll system, allowing tankers through unharmed if they bay a $2M toll. This will […]