August 17, 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

  • This is a panel discussion that includes the following guests: Adam Finkel, Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare, Jamie RowenThe topics we cover:- The status of the aircraft carrier crew of the ABRAHAM LINCOLN in the Middle East.- The right to repair equipment is also a problem for the armed services, just as it it for farmers, and others- The general attack on competence in this administration- The administration's view that people are expendable- The assault on education- The climate crisis-Tokens for AI use- Prediction markets- The surveillance state, Flock, and surveillance in cars and cell phones- Elon Musk and his cronies' […]
  • art 1:We talk with David Giscom about "The Myth of Red Texas".We discuss Texas history, especially the history of Texas progressives. It is time to acknowledge the populist movements in Texas. "Why is it that those who work least get the most, and those who work most get the least." It is time to disprove the 'California Hypotheses', which blames California liberals for ill in Texas.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Aaron Rosenthal.We discuss the recent primaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Candidate quality proved important in both states. Labels alone were not as decisive. WNHNFM.ORG  production
  • Part 1:We talk with Cyrus Farivar about prediction markets.We explore how prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi work. We discuss how these kinds of markets ae monetizing the outcomes of natural disasters, and may create perverse incentives.Part 2:We talk with James Baratta about the planned merger of the Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railroad systems. This would be the largest rail merger ever, and create a coast-to-coast monopoly in the US. We discuss the effect on price of shipped goods, the rail employees, and on the economy overall.  WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: "That's how every empire falls," John Prine
  • Part 1:We talk with Rachel Rebouche, Chair in Law and Professor of Law at University of Texas at Austin School of Law.We discuss with Prof. Rebouche the extension of the Dobbs approach to abortion being pushed by the Republicans and their allies in the Christian Nationalist movement. Their goal is to disallow abortions for ALL in the US, not just the states that already have this draconian practice.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry, two time candidate for Governor of Connecticut.We discuss the recent primary victories of progressive Democrats, and Democratic Socialists. We discuss how the 'mainstream' Democrats are reacting, and […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Julie Rovner, Chief Washington Correspondent who hosts KFF health News and Policy News broadcast.We discuss how Medicare for all would help Americans. We discuss the history of private health care, and how is is not working for Americans.Part 2:We talk with James M. Thomas, Professor of Sociology at the University of Mississippi.We discuss racism, and how the idea the "race doesn't matter" is actually false, since all aspects of American life are suffused with racism. Resegregation of schools demonstrates it, as do other aspects of American life. We all need to do the 'talk' with children. WNHNFM.ORG  […]
  • This is a panel discussion with our guests: Adam Finkel, Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare, Jamie Rowen.The topics:Part 1:The National Parks AdministrationWhat is 'electability' in today's political climateRed-baiting: 'communists', 'socialists'Whistle-blower protections seem to have been abolished by this administrationWhat are the costs of DOGE?Part 2:Who are the 'Leninists' ? Are they not the Republicans?"The last Republican president?"The housing crisisfascism and instabilityClimate change is burning us allTrump's executive order regarding student visas: how will this affect us all? The colleges and universities that depend on international student dollars?Job losses among all US residents due to aggressive immigration policies.Hacked water systems. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: "This […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Harvey Kronberg, publisher of the Texas Quorum Report.We discuss the upcoming elections in Texas, particularly what is happening in Tarrant County (Dallas/Fort Worth). Redistricting and reduction in the number of polling places has caused confusion among voters. We also discuss the effect of AI data center construction. Voters are concerned about the effects on power consumption, and on water consumption. Approvals have been halted.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Ryan Cooper.We discuss the pandemic history revision that Republicans seem to have adopted. The attacks on Dr. Fauci have escalated. We also discuss insider trading by […]
  • Part 1:We talk with David Dayan, Executive Editor, The American Prospect.We discuss the Michigan primary. Progressives are winning every race in Michigan. We discuss the use of the "red box" bay candidates. We also consider the role of AIPAC in primary races and in the final elections later this year.Part 2:We talk with Dr. Adam Stanaland.We discuss the focus on testosterone, and Hegseth's order that all military members be tested for testosterone levels. Mr. Hegseth apparently thinks that many men doe not have  enough testosterone to make them 'manly' enough., and he wants to supplement that.  What does testosterone de? […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Jeff Mangan, founder of the Transparent Election Initiative.We discuss the Montana Plan. This plan gives states the option o avoiding the problems caused by the Citizens United ruling. States have the right to declare the rights of corporations that do business within their borders. This means that they can eliminate the ability to spend money on political activities. This avoids the 'speech' issue cited in Citizens United. Hawaii has already implemented this strategy.Part 2:We talk with Dr. Ashwini Sehgal, a nephrologist and clinical researcher.We discuss the use of gas stoves, and how the gases emitted by […]
  • Part 1:We talk with John Nichols, Executive Editor, The Nation.We discuss the various primary elections held today, Tuesday. discuss the strengths of the candidates, and the Democratic Socialists that are running, and how their ideas are catching on with many voters. We also discuss the threats posed by the increased use of AI.Part 2:We talk with Jennifer Smith Richards about private schools and religious schools. We discuss how the number of these schools has increased, and how this is taking tax dollars from public schools with no oversight of the private schools. We discuss examples of specific schools that have […]
  • This is a panel discussion with Arnie and guests Laura Jedeed, Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare.Topics:- FIFA developments- Republicans' red-baiting-How the older generations views the world is very different from how younger people see it: different priorities and expectations. There is no shared reality.- Who are "Americans"? Who are not?- Birthright citizenship being challenged (SCOTUS 5-4 opinion)- SCOTUS ignores the Constitution- How to approach and convince voters; more personal contact needed WNHNFM.ORG  production
  • Part 1:We talk with Felipe De La Hoz, Contributing Editor, New Republic.We discuss the Senate elections in Texas and Georgia.We also discuss the decision that Pope Leo made to excommunicate the SSPX group from the Catholic Church, and its implications. Should the same kind of action hold for political foes?We dis discuss the problems with the US immigration system, and what would be necessary to fix it.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Jamie Rowen.We discuss the fundamental freedom in the US: speech. We also discuss how fascism is growing, due to the current administration.WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics
  • The guest host, sitting in for Arnie Arnesen, is Lincoln MitchellPart 1:We talk with Lori Brooke and Tom Gonzalez about housing policy. Lori Brooke and Tom Gonzalez are from the California Stewardship Alliance.We discuss how housing policies are developed, and who develops them, Many competing advocates of different policies exist, and the results can be chaotic. We discuss the various interested parties, and the problems that develop as a result, various stakeholders amy or may not be served.Part 2We talk with Alex Scrivener, civil society activist in Georgia and the UK discussing foreign policy.We discuss the wars in Iran and […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Chris Jones, candidate for Secretary of Agriculture in Iowa.We discuss the problems in Iowa, and how they are affecting the population, especially the farming community. 25 million hogs, 3 million people. Water and pollution are big problems.Part 2:We talk with Mark Joseph Stern. We discuss how the Constitution has been used citizens to enforce civil rights. We particularly focus on the rights of formerly enslaved people. WNHNFM.ORG
  • Part 1:We talk with Laurel Elder, Professor of Political Science at Hartwick College.We discuss the state of opinion post-Dobbs. It has changed considerably.Part 2:We talk with Tom Philpott, Senior Research Associate.We discuss the perilous state of the environment in Iowa. The kind of 'farming' being pursued has poisoned the soil and water. The cases of cancer are rising. Rural hospitals are closing due to budget cuts initiated by Trump. What are the causes of the cancer rate rise? What are the problems being faced by the Iowa population? WNHNFM.ORG  production 
  • This is a panel discussion with the following members: Lincoln Mitchell, Stephen Pimpare, Aaron Rosenthal, Alexander Theodoridis.The topics covered are:-Counting the war wounded, not just the dead.-Affordability in the US-The role of the Heritage Foundation and the suppression of workers-Health care and jobs link-The 2026 elections, and Trump's likely actions to try voter suppression- A real post-elections strategy is needed-A real change in Congress is neededThe Supreme Court's use of the shadow docket to change the laws, with no accountability-Foster more activism at state and local levels. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: "That's how every empire falls, " John Prine
  • Part 1:We talk with Lexi Churchill, reporter for ProPublica and Texas Tribune.We discuss the Texas controversy about private school voucher that are being withheld from schools that are sponsored by Muslim organizations.Part 2.We talk with Bill Curry and Harold Meyerson.We discuss the agreement made by Trump and Saudi Arabia to allow them to enrich nuclear materials. We also discuss how the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund is investing in US companies, particularly in media companies such as Paramount.We also note that the US and Israeli military are now integrated, despite the actions of Israel, which has been accused of war crimes. WNHNFM.ORG  […]
  • Part 1:We talk with John Nichols. Our discussion begins with the relationship of the US and Israel, and how this has affected the war in Iran.The US is now internationally isolated.We also discuss affordability for US residents. This, of course is affected by the war, which has driven the prices of oil to record highs.Part 2:We talk with Mel Goodman.We discuss the mythology of Israeli democracy, which does not provide democracy for half the population, the Palestinians living there.We discuss the role of Hamas, and how Israeli politicians have manipulated the situation to keep themselves in power. Zionism has turned […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Jonathan Feingold, New Republic staff writer and author of The Great Divergence: Americas Growing Inequality Crisis and What We Can Do About It.We discuss how Trump has been using no-bid contracts to aim money at his supporters. The work is being arranged for 'improvements' to government properties, often shoddy and very expensive.Part 2:We talk with Jonathan Feingold, Prof. of Law at Boston University.Jon & Arnie discuss the rising repression at Texas universities. The Texas state legislature, with help from handpicked rightwing administrators, is systematically undoing the decades of work that led to world class higher education […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Somil Trivedi, Advocacy Director and Senior Counsel at Court Accountability.We discuss the US Supreme Court, and how it uses the shadow docket to change laws, with no explanations. Many rulings overturn settled law and precedents, and produce new laws that are counter to what elected representatives have developed.Part 2:We talk with Megan O Matz, who reports on state and local government in Wisconsin.We discuss how public money is being funneled into private schools. This reduces moneys available to public schools. Private schools do not have accountability requirements, despite taking tax money. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: "That's how every empire […]