Common Sense Archive

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Show 128 - The New Old Politics

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 - 48:08 minutes - 34.69mb

Barack Obama makes a few moves that has Dan wondering if he isn't a newer version of the same old political song-and-dance. Also: The benefits of watching the governmental sausage-making machine.

Notes:
1. “The Two Obamas” by David Brooks for The New York Times, June 20, 2008.
2. “Getting to know Obama” by David Broder for The Washington Post, June 22, 2008.
3. “White House uses executive privilege in EPA spat” By Erica Werner for the Associated Press, June 21st, 2008.
4. “Voted items at FCC are secret, agency says” by John Dunbar for the Associated Press, June 18, 2008.
5. “House Sends Senate Surveillance Measure” by Paul Kane for The Washington Post, June 21, 2008.
6. Jonathan Turley interview on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann”, June 19, 2008.
7. “High Stakes future of U.S. in Iraq hinges on fragile talks” by Robert Reid, for the Associated Press, June 22, 2008.

Show 127 - Great Expectations

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 - 49:48 minutes - 35.89mb

Dan breaks down the recent developments in the 2008 presidential race, and explains the downside of Barack Obama's soaring oratory. Also: Should the News Media be $quot;fair and balanced$quot;

Notes:
1. “Let the debates begin” by David Broder, for the Washington Post, June 8, 2008.
2. “CNN reporter talks of pressure to be patriotic” by David Bauder,May 29, 2008.

Show 126 - The Way You Play The Game

Tue, 27 May 2008 - 47:39 minutes - 34.33mb

In a weird show, a frustrated and ill Dan tries to make sense of the pro-torture emails he received after the last show. Also: The Libertarian Party sells out.

Notes:
1. "FBI, CIA Debate Significance of Terror Suspect Agencies Also Disagree On Interrogation Methods" By Dan Eggen and Walter Pincus for the Washington Post, December 18, 2007.
2. "Junior: The clandestine life of America’s top Al Qaeda source" by Jane Mayer September 11, 2006.

Show 125 - Mad About Torture

Mon, 19 May 2008 - 50:03 minutes - 36.07mb

How will our grandchildren view our decision to use torture in the War on Terror? Dan gets mad just thinking about the long-term moral ramifications and the lack of accountability. Also: a Riffin on the News segment.

Notes:
1.”Wife of cleric Abu Omar testifies at U.S. spies' trial in Italy” by Tracy Wilkinson, for The Los Angeles Times, May 15, 2008.
2.”Fat people blamed for global warming” by Patrick Sawer, for the U.K. Telegraph, May 17, 2008.
3.“Obama camp spies endgame in Oregon” by the Associated Foreign Press, May 17, 2008
4.“UK seeks cluster bomb exemption” by Sangita Myska for BBC News, May 19th, 2008.
5. “Truth Serum” by Robert Samuelson for The Washington Post, May 14, 2008.
6.“Bush urges Mideast leaders to advance democracy” by Jennifer Loven, The Associated Press, May 18, 2008.
7.“I was tortured to confess, Pervez tells appeal court” by Kim Sengupta, The Independent (U.K.), May 19, 2008.

Show 124 - Dictator Dreams

Tue, 13 May 2008 - 42:25 minutes - 30.57mb

Dan has a dream where he has been given dictatorial power over the government. The dream doesn't end well. Also: The REAL swing voters.

Notes:
1. “Demography is King” by David Brooks for the New York Times, April 29, 2008.

Show 123 - The Empty Calorie Inquisition

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 - 52:33 minutes - 37.87mb

Dan reacts to the woeful media questioning at the recent Democratic Presidential debates with questions of his own for the candidates. Also: The connection between polygamous religious sects, nude hippies and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Notes:
None

Show 122 - Missing the Leadership

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 - 54:45 minutes - 26.32mb

The 40th Anniversary of Martin Luther King's death prompts an angry Dan rant about the lack of leadership in the modern world. Also: School reform, Dark Horse candidates and Neo-Cons, Neo-Cons, Neo-Cons!

Notes:
1. “Report: Low Grad Rates in US Cities” by Ken Thomas, for the Associated Press, April 1, 2008. 2. “McCain Campaign should talk reform” by William Kristol (appeared in Eugene Register-Guard April 2, 2008). 3. “Done with defending Dick Cheney” By Mickey Edwards for the Washington Post, March 29, 2008. 4. “Is Al Gore the answer?” by Joe Klein, for TIME Magazine Online, March 26, 2008.

Show 121 - Guilt By Association

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 - 50:38 minutes - 24.34mb

Presidential hopeful Barack Obama is taking heat because of comments made by his preacher. Dan lambastes the idea that this issue is important. Also Guns, Courts, Militias, Romans and Athenians.

Notes:
1. “The New American Militarism: How Americans are Seduced” by Andrew J Bacevich

Show 120 - The Big Pessimism Show

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 - 41:57 minutes - 20.17mb

This isn't the happiest show Dan's ever done. He's mad that the Attorney General seems to be successfully shielding the President from Congressional investigations. He's also mad about the environment. So it goes.

Notes:
1. “Mukasey's Paradox” by Jonathan Turley, Special to the Los Angeles Times Sunday, March 9, 2008.

Show 119 - Exposing the Super Delegates

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 - 42:12 minutes - 21.05mb

Dan is "rooting for injuries" again in the U.S. Presidential race. This time he's hoping the super delegates give the election to the candidate who receives the fewest votes. Also: Does size matter when it comes to countries?

Notes:
1.”Democratic race may come down to super delegates” by Larry Eichel for the The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 9, 2008. 2. Independent Kosovo? Why Not Vermont? By William Kole, February 15, 2008

Show 118 - Crazy Alien Mutant Whigs

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 - 30:41 minutes - 14.76mb

To paraphrase Archie Bunker; Dan may be crazy, but he makes a lot of sense. In this show he talks about the year 1979, the responsibilities of a Great Power, behavioral freedom and health care.

Notes:
1. “1979 was the start of new era” by Sriram Khe for the Eugene Register-Guard, January 31, 2008. 2. “Dyspepsia on the Right” by William Kristol for the New York Times, February 4, 2008. 3. “Fat People Cheaper to Treat, Study Says” by Maria Cheng for the Associated Press, February 4, 2008.

Show 117 - Fanatical Deradicalization

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 - 49:02 minutes - 23.57mb

How do we win the War on Terror? Dan gets excited about a couple of ideas he reads about to combat Islamic extremism. Also, what penalty should our leaders face when they screw up?

Notes:
1. “Extremism is its own enemy” (Local headline) by Gary Anderson for the Washington Post, January 16, 2008. 2. “Fighting terrorism with terrorists” by Joshua Kurlantzick for the Los Angeles Times, January 6, 2008. 3. “Study says Bush misled public before Iraq war” by Douglass Daniel, the Associated Press, January 23, 2008.

Show 116 - Voting for Cake

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 - 42:10 minutes - 20.28mb

Can voters in free nations be trusted to make the difficult long-term choices for their societies at the expense of personal short term gain? Dan looks at this issue from first a U.S. and then a global perspective.

Notes:
1. “Promises they can't keep” by Robert Samuelson for the Washington Post, January 9, 2008. 2. “Tata Nano-world's cheapest new car is unveiled in India” by Ashling O' Connor, The Times, January 11, 2008.

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