November 27, 2024

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 Ken Makin, writer and podcster from Augusta, Ga.We discuss what the role of Howard University should be, now that dreams of an alumna as president have been dashed. Makin discusses the effect on Black Americans, and how they should fight to realize a Third Reconstruction. This victory for Trump is a victory to continue racism, and will also have ramifications in the international arena. Young Black people should redirect the anger to true targets, voice a stern rebuke of racism, and redefine this country. Part 2We talk with Nitish Pahwa, Associate writer for Business and Tech at […]
  • Part 1The discussion was first, a short discussion about the election, and what it means for the American government. Voters do not seem to trust the government to do anything positive in their lives. Part of that is that they don't know about all the positive things for which the government (local, state, national) is responsible. "The government is only noticed when it fails." Just as we don't report all the planes that land safely in the news, the successes of the government are not reported. The big turning point was Vietnam, when the failures of government action were demonstrated. What should we do […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Cassandra Jaramillo, reporter at ProPublica.We discuss the effect of the Texas abortion ban, which is phrased deliberately vaguely when exceptions are mentioned. This deliberate vagueness has prevented women from being able to cite the "exceptions to the ban", and has pressured doctors and other health care workers to do nothing to help women who are suffering the "exceptions" conditions. Women have died as a result.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Harold Meyerson, Editor of the American Prospect.We discuss the work before the Democratic party. The party is seeking a new chair, and we discuss what […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Lindsay Fenlock, a Senior Researcher at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), based in NM, Geneva, and Washington, D.C.We discuss the practice of "blue-lining" which prevents people living in poor housing from obtaining homeowners' insurance. For many people, this means that they cannot buy a home, because banks require insurance as a condition for writing a mortgage contract. We discuss how government could help solve this problem.Part 2:We talk with Andy Hoffman, Holcim Professor of Sustainable Enterprise at the U of Michigan.We discuss the insurability crisis. Insurance rates are rising across the US. We have […]
  • Part 1:We talk to Don Leonard about the economy, and how it affects working people. We examine how the CPI is calculated. We also discuss the living wage required by Americans.Part 2:We talk with Gautam Jan, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University.What can Trump do, and what can't he do about the climate crisis. Trump's "energy dream team" can and will likely withdraw the US from the Paris Climate Accords, but find it more difficult to withdraw from the 1992 international agreement, which was approved by Congress.Market forces will likely force some kind of climate action. The steps taken will […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Phil Galewitz, senior correspondent for KFF Health News.We discuss the problem of the inaccessibility of health care, even if people are 'covered' through a government plan. Specifically, we talk about residents of Vermont, many of whom are unable to get get health care because there are not enough providers, and the state regulates insurance prices heavily. Hospitals are regulated. We look at many of the problems, and possible outcomes and solutions.Part 2:We talk with Jonathan Shaw, managing editor of the Harvard Law magazine.We discuss the problem of unaffordable housing. Many of the rising costs are driven […]
  • This is a panel discussion.The participants are:Stephen Pimpare is Professor of Public Policy at Vermont Law and Graduate School. He is the author of four books, including "A Peoples History of Poverty' and, most recently, 'Politics for Social Workers: A Practical Guide to Effecting Change'Susan Milligan is a political writer and former White House and congressional correspondent for the Boston Globe, U.S. News and World Report, and the New York Daily News.Lincoln Mitchell teaches political science and public policy at Columbia University. He is the author of eight books and his writings have appeared at CNN, Reuters, the New York […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Ryan Cooper, the Managing Editor of The American Prospect.We discuss the election and how Texan Latinos voted. We talk about the contributions that migrants make to the Texas and US economies.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Jeff Sharlet. Curry is a former WH aide to Bill Clinton, and Sharlet is a professor at Dartmouth College.We discuss the choices that Trump is making for his cabinet. We also talk about whether we are now living in a democracy or a regime. Trump has signaled that he would like to use the military against the civilian US […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Matthew Cooper, Executive Editor-Digital at the Washington MonthlyWe discuss with Matthew the change in NJ's demographics, and how that affected voting patterns. We look forward to the election of a new governor in NJ as a result of the demographic shift.Part 2:We talk with Anders Croy, Communications Director at Florida Watch, and DeSantis Watch.We discuss the election patterns in Florida, and how this will affect the nation as a whole. We can expect the 'floridification of the country." The climate crisis cannot be mentioned by order of DeSantis, but will affect the state anyway. Property insurance […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Art Jipson, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Dayton.We discuss the "new apostolic reformation" (NAR), which is part of a charismatic pentecostal movement to remake society by using their interpretation of the bible. We discuss some aspects of this in detail, and how political power is used to advance their religious goals.Part 2:We talk with Jeannette Wick-Lim, a Research Professor at the Political Economy Research Institute.We discuss how the sub-minimum wage was set, and how it has not budged since 1991. This is for tipped and agricultural workers. This wage level does not support […]
  • This is a panel discussion.Our guests discuss the recent election and what this implies for the US in the next four years, and also what is likely to happen in the next generation. The topic ranges over many issues. WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson
  • Part 1:Anne NelsonPart 2:Andy KrollAnne Nelson is the author of Shadow Network: Money, Media, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right. Nelson is the recipient of the Livingston Award for journalism and a Guggenheim Fellowship for historical research.Anne Nelson is an author and lecturer in the fields of international affairs, media and human rights. As a journalist she covered the conflicts in El Salvador and Guatemala, and won the Livingston Award for best international reporting from the Philippines. She served as the director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. In 1995 she became the director the international program at […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Derek Kelly, Chief of Staff of the Harris County TX Democratic Party about the results in Texas. We consider the effects on schools in Texas, and the likely effects on the economy of Texas, which depends heavily on the contributions of immigrants,Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry, former aide in Bill Clinton's White House, and two time nominee for governor of Connecticut.We discuss the election. What should the Democrats' message be going forward?WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von Sproson
  • Part 1:We talk with Laura Belin, publisher, editor, and reporter for Bleeding Hearland, in Iowa.We discuss the election results in Iowa, and how the polling prior to the election was flawed. We also discuss the effects of the election that will ensue.Part 2:We talk with Carlos Castaneda, Professor at American University in Washington, D.C., and researcher on the effects of immigrants on the US and other economies.We look at the likelihood and cost of deportation itself of migrants from the US. This will affect the US economic situation negatively, once this workforce is gone. From research, we know that immigrants […]
  • Part 1:We talk with David Dayen, Executive Editor of the American Prospect.We discuss the whole government approach used by the Biden administration to solve problems identified by citizens that seem small, but indicate a breakdown between "silos" of regulations and responsibilities between government agencies and departments. One of the solutions is the insistence on standardization of commonly used devices/connections, thus leading to interoperability of diverse manufacturers' products. This is especially true for products developed with government support.We also discuss the long time horizon that is necessary to implement many initiatives that Biden's administration has brought about. In the long run, […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Prof. Karrin Vasby Anderson, Professor of Communication Studies at Colorado State University.We discuss the language used by Tucker Carlson, which indicates that he and Trump see themselves as part of the "daddy party", and prefer the "strict father" role, which allows them to punish and discipline. This punishment is aimed at women, who they feel should be treated as rebellious 15-year old girls. The tone is angry and entitled. The main threat is physical violence.Part 2:We talk with Sophie Bjork-James, Assistant Prof. of Anthropology at Vanderbilt University.We Discuss the problems raised by anti-abortion laws, which cause […]
  • This is a panel discussion. Our discussants are:Stephen Pimpare, Professor, Vermont School of Law and Graduate Studies, Lincoln Mitchell, who teaches at Columbia University, Ron Abramson, who is an immigration lawyer, and Amy Littlefield, The Nation's abortion access correspondent and a journalist who focuses on reproductive rights, healthcare, and religion.Topics:-Cowardice at the New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post-Tax rate historyBiden's lack of communication skills-misinformation is rife in America-moral cowardice among politicians-Musk's prediction of "temporary hardship"-Cutting the federal budget, when 75% is Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, Defense-blaming immigrants-demographics of votersWNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics, "Time to Act", for Will Von […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Chris Tomlinson, who writes for the Houston Chronicle.We discuss the importance of character in elections. We do thin is the context of using Ted Cruz as an example of someone who has displayed his character, or lack of it, during his political life.Part 2:We speak with Bill Curry, former aide to Bill Clinton and two-time candidate for governor of Connecticut, and with Robert Hennelly, an investigative journalist focused on labor issues.We discuss Netanyahu's actions in Gaza and now, Lebanon. We look at how Trump has aided Netanyahu in his quest for total hegemony in the region.We […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Professor Kyle Dell, President of Vote Smart, which provides free, unbiased, in-depth information about current officials, candidates, issues.We discuss the mission of Vote Smart, how it was founded.  We discuss how the organization aims to support democracy by educating voters.Part 2:We talk with John NIchols, national affairs correspondent for The Nation. We discuss the lack of endorsements by the LA Times and the Washington Post.  Is this fear of Trump and his threats to retaliate? Billionaires appear to be afraid. The status quo is comfortable for billionaires, perhaps they are supporting Trump in this way: refuse to […]
  • Part 1:We talk with Molly Redden, who writes for ProPublica.We discuss Russell Vought, and architect of Project 2025 and part of the Center for Renewing America. He is a christian nationalist, and hopes to change the US to conform to his beliefs. He wants liberals to be "traumatically affected" by the next hoped=for administration of Trump's "post-constitutional" regime.Part 2:We talk with Phoebe Petrovic, who writes for ProPublica.She writes about the genesis of the christian nationalists, and how they are operating in this election cycle. Poll workers are being recruited to slant elections. This goes beyond just poll watchers.It behooves all […]