Common Sense Archive

Show 154 - A Conflict of Interest

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 - 56:10 minutes - 40.47mb

Dan rails against legislators who have close ties to the industries they are supposed to be regulating and reforming. He also addresses one of the under-appreciated environmental problems he believes we can fix.

Notes:
1.“Kabul's K Street Project” by Bruce Falconer, for Mother Jones magazine, June 9, 2009.
2.“Key health care senators have industry ties” by Larry Margasak and Sharon Theimer, June 12, 2009.
3.“Reporter: NSA spied on own wives and girlfriends” by David Edwards and Muriel Kane for The Raw Story, June 19, 2009.
4.”Could we be the generation that runs out of fish?” by Johann Hari, for the Independent, June 5, 2009.
5.“The Axemaker's Gift” by James Burke and Robert Ornstein

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Show 153 - The Persian Rapprochement

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 - 56:53 minutes - 40.96mb

President Obama makes friendly overtures towards Iran and even says they may have a right to their nuclear ambitions. Dan considers this progress. Also: Musing about corporate influence on the USA.

Notes:
1. “Obama says Iran's energy concerns legitimate” by Nancy Zuckerbrod for the Associated Press, June 2, 2009.
2. “Open the FDA Files” Editorial Staff of the Eugene Register-Guard, June 4, 2009.
3. “Corporations behind efforts to label Sotomayor ‘racist’” by Larisa Alexandrovna and Muriel Kane for The Raw Story, June 5, 2009.

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Show 152 - Sick Politics

Thu, 21 May 2009 - 53:08 minutes - 38.27mb

Has the idea of implementing real health care reform in the U.S. already been compromised by powerful special interests? Dan thinks so. Also, Nancy Pelosi, CIA oversight and partisan witch hunts.

Notes:
1.“Democrats seek compromise on health care reform plan” by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar for the Associated Press, May 14, 2009.
2.“Obama Praises groups' Promises” by Darlene Superville for the Associated Press, May 17, 2009.
3.“Congress Plans Incentives for Healthy Habits” by Robert Pear for The New York Times, May 9. 2009.
4.“Proposal would require all to have health insurance” by the Associated Press, May 15, 2009.
5.“Fiscal Suicide Ahead” by David Brooks for The New York Times, May 15, 2009.
6.“Republican Newt Gingrich calls for Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi to resign” by Huma Khan and Jonathan Karl for ABC News, May 20, 2009.

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Show 151 - Owning The Story

Fri, 08 May 2009 - 57:50 minutes - 41.67mb

There are a number of reasons the news industry in in a state of crisis right now. In this show Dan deals with an overlooked angle of the problem. Also: Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura.

Notes:
1. “Don't start the Revolution without me” by Jesse Ventura

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Show 150 - The Long Show

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 - 01:14:10 minutes - 53.44mb

For episode number 150 listeners get 50% more show at no extra charge! Dan discusses Tea Parties, Patriot act power, Newt Gingrich, the short memory of Americans and a Presidential murder trial.

Notes:
1. “The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder” by Vincent Bugliosi
2. “Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders” by Vincent Bugliosi
3. “Four Days in November: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy” by Vincent Bugliosi
4. “Till Death Us Do Part: A True Murder Mystery” by Vincent Bugliosi
5. “Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Simpson Got Away With Murder” by Vincent Bugliosi

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Show 149 - Searching For Security

Wed, 8 Apr 2009 - 58:50 minutes - 42.40mb

The Obama Administration expands the government's rationale for warrantless wiretapping and other activities that weaken the 4th Amendment protections of Americans. Also: Columnist and author Robert Samuelson.

Notes:
1.“Obama Administration Expands Bush's Legal Defense of Wiretapping Programs” by John Byrne for The Raw Story, April 7 2009.
2.“The Great Inflation and its Aftermath: The past and future of American Affluence” by Robert Samuelson.

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Show 148 - Of Torches and Pitchforks

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 - 58:53 minutes - 42.44mb

Populism is back in vogue and Americans are emulating the Boston Tea Party and exhibiting other signs of revolutionary discontent. Dan examines the issue as only a political alien can.

Notes:
1.“Bonfire of the Trivialities” by Charles Krauthammer for The Washington Post, March 19, 2009.
2.”Populism's Virtues” by E.J. Dionne for The Washington Post, March 19, 2009.
3.“Does Tim Geithner Get It?” by Eugene Robinson for The Washington Post, March 19, 2009.
4.“What's the dollar worth?” By Jack Cafferty for CNN.com, March 24, 2009.

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Show 147 - A Little Less Evil

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 - 01:05:45 minutes - 47.37mb

In this (long) episode Dan gets mad about both genocide and journalism...in that order. He has a pretty uncompromising viewpoint on both subjects. What else is new?

Notes:
1. “War Before Civilization: The Myth of the Peaceful Savage” by Lawrence H. Keeley.

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Show 146 - The Continuity of Errors

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 - 53:18 minutes - 38.41mb

Why is it that U.S. foreign policy seems to stay the same no matter who is running the country? Dan compares the Bush and Obama policies in the Middle East trying to find a way to "win". Also: Riffin on the News.

Notes:
1.“Mission Impenetrable” by William Pfaff for The International Herald Tribune, February 18, 2009.
2.“U.S. Concedes Afghan Attack Mainly Killed Civilians” by Richard Oppel Jr. for The New York Times, February 21, 2009.
3. The Center for a New American Security
4.“No Escape from Iraq for years to come” by Thomas Ricks, for The Washington Post (Syndicated), February 17, 2009.
5. Global Security Newswire entry on missing nuclear material by Katherine McIntire Peters, February 24, 2009.
6.“Bunning says he might sue if GOP backs another” by Roger Alford for The Associated Press, February 24, 2009.
7.“GOP punishing members who cross party lines” by Rachel Oswald for The Raw Story, February 24, 2009.
8.“New chapter in attempt to reform Security Council” by Edith M. Lederer for The Associated Press, February 18, 2009.
9.“Taxing Pot could become a political toking point” by Eric Bailey for The Los Angeles Times, February 24, 2009.

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Show 145 - Whoops!

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 - 01:02:28 minutes - 45.03mb

Will Government efforts to combat the current economic downturn bear fruit? Dan gives his viewpoint. Also: Should Press and media prohibitions on showing the realities of war be relaxed?

Notes:
1.”Bailout Is a Windfall to Banks, if Not to Borrowers “ by Mike McIntire for The New York Times, January 17, 2009.
2.“Wall Street’s Socialist Jet-Setters” by Maureen Dowd for The New York Times, January 29, 2009.
3.“If Spending Is Swift, Oversight May Suffer” by Robert O'Harrow Jr. for The Washington Post, February 9, 2009.
4.“U.S. Taxpayers Risk $9.7 Trillion on Bailout Programs” by Mark Pittman and Bob Ivry for Bloomberg News, February 10, 2009.
5. Big Budget Government expenditure data quoted in the show provided by Bianco Research.
6.“Family members of fallen soldiers urge President Obama to reverse photo ban on flag-draped coffins” by Daily News Staff Writer for The New York Daily News, February 10, 2009.
7.“4,000 U.S. Deaths, and a Handful of Images” by Michael Kamber and Tim Arango for The New York Times, July 26, 2008.

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Show 144 - Defend Yourself

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 - 50:36 minutes - 36.47mb

Do American taxpayers benefit from the U.S. foreign policy? Dan doesn't think so and rails against super-patriots who think a large military is the definition of a strong America. Also: Would Yoo torture?

Notes:
1.“Obama Made a Rash Decision on Gitmo” By John Yoo for The Wall Street Journal, January 28, 2009.

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Show 143 - The Black Dog

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 - 48:32 minutes - 34.99mb

Churchill called his bouts with depression "The Black Dog", Dan sounds like he's dealing with the same thing in today's monologue. Also: Interview with U.S. Congressman Peter Defazio.

Notes:
None

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Show 142 - The Samson Suicide Pact

Fri, 2 Jan 2009 - 51:29 minutes - 37.10mb

Everyone wants Dan to discuss recent events between Israel and her neighbors. As usual, his views are likely to upset all sides. Also: will the latest global financial crisis increase Presidential power?

Notes:
1.“Making Congress Moot” by George Will for the Washington Post, December 21, 2008.
2.“Time to reboot America” by Thomas Friedman for The New York Times, December 23, 2008.

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Show 141 - Betting on Corruption

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 - 49:09 minutes - 35.43mb

If you like when Dan goes off on random tangents you will love this show (especially part two!). Dan talks about the latest corruption in government story and also looks for silver linings in anger and negativity.

Notes:
1. ”Long Way to a Fall in Illinois” by David Broder for the Washington Post, December 11, 2008.

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Show 140 - The U.S. of Earth

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 - 43:53 minutes - 31.63mb

Should a global government replace the many nation-states that make up the modern world? Dan tries to defend his irrational, individualistic love of freedom. Also: Better living through chemistry.

Notes:
1.“And now for a world government” by Gideon Rachman for the Financial Times, December 8, 2008.
2.“Scientists back brain drugs for healthy people” by Malcolm Ritter for the Associated Press, December 8, 2008.
3. "Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire" by Niall Ferguson

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Show 139 - Evasive Action

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 - 49:47 minutes - 35.88mb

The early appointees to the Obama administration prompt a discussion of Competency versus Change. Also: The political consequences of the American people's short-term memories.

Notes:
1.“President-Elect Promised Change, Picking Insiders” by Kevin Freking for The Associated Press, November 20, 2008.
2.“Activists Say Tobacco Settlement Is Being Wasted” by Steve LeBlank and Julie Carr Smyth for the Associated Press, November 20, 2008.

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Show 138 - Permanent Division

Fri, 7 Nov 2008 - 53:49 minutes - 38.78mb

The partisan blazes kindled during the campaign continue to intensify after the concession speeches. Dan talks about this and a number of election related issues. Also: Riffin of the News.

Notes:
1.“A Date with Scarcity” by David Brooks for the New York Times, November 4, 2008.
2. http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/1108/Rep_Lewis_a_nonviolent_revolution.html
3.“Bipartisan heat builds over use of bailout funds” by John Dunbar for the Associated Press, October 29, 2008.
4.“Memo to next president” by Robert B. Zoellick Special to The Washington Post Sunday, November 2, 2008.
5.“Petraeus says he'll consider Pakistan criticisms” by Stephen Graham by the Associated Press November 06, 2008

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Show 137 - A Vote For None

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 - 44:22 minutes - 31.99mb

It's election time, and once again Dan is left wishing he could cast a legitimate vote for No One. Also: Another troubling policy change making it more likely the USA will clash with other nations.

Notes:
1.“Officials Say U.S. Killed an Iraqi in Raid in Syria” by Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker for The New York Times, October 28, 2008.

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Show 136 - Confronting the Hydra

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 - 1:03:13 minutes - 45.56mb

The USA's budgetary 3-headed Hydra is Dan's target in a monologue that sounds like it is really part two of show #135's monologue. Also, Dan channels Presidents Lincoln and Eisenhower to make a point about unity.

Notes:
1."Are We Rome?" by Cullen Murphy
2.“Vote drives defended, despite fake names” by Richard Danielson for the St. Petersburg Times, October 14, 2008.
3.“Ohio Elections chief appeals court ruling” by the Associated Press, October 16th, 2008.
4.“Still to Come, the Third-Party Debate by Leslie Wayne, the New York Times Politics Blog, October 15, 2008.

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Show 135 - The Imperial Invoice

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 - 50:49 minutes - 36.63mb

Could there be an eventual upside to the current economic crisis? Dan thinks there might be. He also spends a lot of time feeling "vindicated" and talking about himself and the show a lot. Blah, blah blah.

Notes:
1.“A shattering moment in America's fall from power” by John Gray for the Sunday Observer, September 28, 2008.
2.“The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers” by Paul Kennedy
3.“Free speech? Speak correctly -- or build a big bunker” by Kathleen Parker for the Orlando Sentinel, October 1, 2008.
4.“Case closed: The Rosenbergs were Soviet spies” by Ronald Radosh for the Los Angeles Times, September 17, 2008.

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Show 134 - Immediate Gratification

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 - 55:10 minutes - 39.75mb

Was it just plain Greed that led to the recent bloodletting in the U.S. financial sector or was there more going on? Dan has some Martian thoughts on the subject. Also: Riffin' on the News.

Notes:
1.“From the Gut” by Thomas Friedman for the New York Times, September 9, 2008.
2.“U.S. Troops repelled from Pakistani border: Officials” by Agence France-Presse, September 15, 2008.
3.“Pakistan orders troops to open fire if U.S. raids” by Stephen Graham for the Associated Press, September 16, 2008.
4.“Joint Chiefs head, Pakistanis meet as airstrike kills six” by Nahal Toosi for the Associated Press, September 18, 2008.
5.“Saudi: OK to kill owners of 'immoral' TV networks” by the Associated Press, September 12, 2008.
6.“NATO rapid-response unit proposed to address fears about Russia” by Julian Barnes and Paul Richter for the Los Angeles Times, September 19, 2008.
7.“Russia defies West on Georgian pullout” by Steve Gutterman for the Associated Press, September 21, 2008.
8.“Proposed new FBI rules draw civil liberties worries” by James Vicini for Reuters News Service, September 12, 2008.
9.“History will judge” by Charles Krauthammer for The Washington Post, September 22, 2008.
10.“The American secessionist streak” by Christopher Ketcham for The Los Angeles Times, September 10, 2008.

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Show 133 - McCain's "Hail Mary"

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 - 50:38 minutes - 36.46mb

Will John McCain save his campaign with the unorthodox choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate? Dan suggests a little candidate swap that might improve both political tickets. Also: Dan's investigation fetish.

Notes:
1. “Miss July in the go-girl calendar” by Kathleen Parker, for the Orlando Sentinel, September 4, 2008.
2. “If everyone's talking, who will listen?” by Dusty Horwitt for The Washington Post, August 23, 2008.
3. “Obama might pursue criminal charges against Bush administration” by Elana Schor for the (UK) Guardian, September 3, 2008.

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Show 132 - Biden Time

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 - 32:27 minutes - 23.40mb

Barack Obama chooses a running mate that seems the antithesis of his message. Is Joe Biden the "Change we have been waiting for?" Also: Dan explains why it is so hard to be him.

Notes:
1. “Mukasey: No prosecutions in Justice hiring scandal” by Mark Sherman for the Associated Press, August 13, 2008.
2. “White House details e-mail troubles” by the Associated Press, August 21, 2008.
3. “U.S. may ease police spy rules” by Spencer Hsu and Carrie Johnson for The Washington Post, August 15, 2008.
4. “Animal Rights Terrorism” by Frankie Trull for The Los Angeles Times, August 18, 2008.
5. “FDA says chemical found in plastic bottles is safe” by Matthew Perrone, for the Associated Press, August 15, 2008.
6. “Spike in measles cases fueled by vaccine fears” by Mike Stobbe for the Associated Press, August 22, 2008.
7. “60 Children Among Afghan Dead, U.N. Finds” by Carlotta Gall, for The New York Times, August 26, 2008.

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Show 131 - Intoxicated Priorities

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 - 50:14 minutes - 36.21mb

A tragic mistake in an anti-drug raid has Dan questioning our priorities in the Drug War. Also: It's the Revenge of the Former Communists as China and Russia have newsworthy weeks that Dan finds unsettling.

Notes:
1. “Police clear name of Md. mayor after drug raid” by Brett Zongker for the Associated Press, August 8, 2008.
2. “Prince George's raid prompts call for probe” by Doug Donovan for the Baltimore Sun, August 8, 2008.

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Show 130 - The New Median

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 - 58:33 minutes - 42.19mb

This show is mostly about things related to the current global economic situation. But Dan drags Paris Hilton, the "Chicken Little Gene", Batman, Superman, terrorism, political land mines and Nazis into it too.

Notes:
1.“The Culture of Debt” by David Brooks for The New York Times, July 22, 2008.
2.“U.S. Deficit estimate-biggest ever” by Andrew Taylor for the Associated Press, July 29, 2008.
3.“McCain: Bin Laden could face Nuremberg-like justice” by CNN, July25, 2008.
4.“Miliki votes for Obama” by Charles Krauthammer for The Washington Post, July 25, 2008.
5.“Admit it: The Surge is working” by Paul Greenberg for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 20, 2008.
6.“US envoy says Iraq insurgency has lost its clout” by Robert Burns for the Associated Press, July 24, 2008.
7.“House Committee Hears The "I-Word" by CBS News/AP, July 26, 2008.

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Show 129 - Kaputt

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 - 52:20 minutes - 38.61mb

Is the U.S. political system broken? If so, Dan believes Americans need to be obsessed with fixing it. Everything from Impeachment to Generation X trash talking makes it into this show.

Notes:
1.“Anxious in America” by Thomas L. Friedman for The New York Times, June 29, 2008.
2.“Congress doesn't want war powers” by Timothy Noah for Slate Magazine online, July 9, 2008.

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