Colorado Progressive Voice

Episode 9.11 - The Eternal Recurrence of Sock-Puppet...

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 11:33:03 -0700

Episode 9.11 - The Eternal Recurrence of Sock-Puppet Theatre

Midterms implications - Jeff thinks the Left is to blame for Democrats’ losses, John disagrees (vehemently), heartfelt argumentation ensues; Devil’s Advocate - Jeff has to deny reform of the UN Security Council; Bush memoir released - it’s pitiful, angering, and frightening - and we discuss it all; Rants - Jeff on the US under Speaker John Boehner, John on Obama’s hint that he wants to cut Social Security and Medicare

Episode 9.10: Magical Unicorns of the Devil! Happy (sorta)...

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:58:45 -0600

Episode 9.10: Magical Unicorns of the Devil!

Happy (sorta) Columbus Day! John and Jeff set sail (avast!) for discussion of Liu Xiaobo and the Nobel Peace Prize—what does that mean for China?; Crazy things that Republicans say; Devil’s advocate: John attacks working with the Taliban. John gets upset about the US’s human’s right’s policy, Jeff gets upset that John is upset about that…again. And unicorns, and much, much more!

Episode 9.9 - Truncation The NBER declares the recession has...

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:04:00 -0600

Episode 9.9 - Truncation

The NBER declares the recession has been over since mid-2009, but Jeff and John disagree on whether that is even relevant; who is to blame for the poor economy?; analyzing the constitutive factors of Tea Party anger.

Due to technical difficulties arising from the novelty of recording from across the country, the second half of the show is unavailable, but the first half is still, or course, well worth your time.

Unity and Solidarity Rally, New York, 9.11.2010

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:02:00 -0600

by John McMahon

Earlier today, I attended the Unity and Solidarity Rally/Emergency Mobilization Against Racism and Anti-Islamic Bigotry in Lower Manhattan, primarily as a participant but also to provide some photographs of the event for the Progressive Voice. A few brief, admittedly poorly-formed, thoughts:

Many of the speakers focused on the need for solidarity from all who have been subjected to racism, whether it Muslims, blacks, Chicanos, or any other group. This was reflected in the variety of the speakers, the organizations participating in the rally (see the full list by scrolling down here), and to some extent the demonstrators themselves.

Another common theme was that this solidarity necessarily included labor movements. Many speakers articulated how racism, US imperialism, and economic inequality are not separate issues but must be opposed by a common movement.

The diversity of political/issue groups and parties there actually was impressive. A variety of different Muslim organizations, Immigrant rights groups, communist organizations, Palestinian activists, trade unionists, civil liberties organizations, Jewish activists, antiwar organizations, socialist parties, and the Raging Grannies were only a few of the ‘identifiable groups’ there today. This is not to say that all these groups intermingled and interacted; except on the speakers’ platform, they were with a few exceptions in their own ‘section,’ amongst themselves.

There were probably a couple thousand people there (this is admittedly just a guess - I was at the front and never saw ‘the end’). Edit: this AP story gives the number as 2,000.

A few counter-protesters showed up, although I’m sure most of them were at the hate-fest a few blocks away.

One of the more amusing parts of the rally was the continuous stream of double-decker buses, complete with curious tourists, many of whom decided to document the exotic event they saw.

The march route around Lower Manhattan took us further away from Ground Zero and from the hate-fest (we began a few blocks away, at the corner of Park Pl and Broadway).

While the block of Park Place at which Park51 will hopefully be built was cordoned off by the NYPD (see below), I did walk by the doors of the New York Dolls Gentleman’s Club that apparently is less desecrating to ‘hallowed ground’ then an Islamic Cultural Center.

For more photos from the rally and march, see the rest of the post…

Curious tourists. Only a handful over an hour and a half showed any support.

The Raging Grannies, activist-ing, performing, and being awesome.

The cordoned-off block where Park51 would be located.

For still more of my pictures from the rally, go here.

Quick Note

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:46:38 -0600

Yes, we know, the show’s not named the CPV anymore, and John is in New York, and the episodes should be re-numbered, etc., etc.

We’re still working out the kinks in our new recording plan and set-up. Expect one or two more episodes (with a new one this upcoming week!) as is, and then a full re-launch with a new site design and all the other bells and whistles after that.

Cheers,

John and Jeff

Episode 9.8 - Interstate Expeditious Anger The first show...

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:50:59 -0600

Episode 9.8 - Interstate Expeditious Anger

The first show recorded cross-country! Obama’s Iraq speech and a look at the future of the country; rising Islamophobia and the Cordoba House; Israel-Palestinian direct talks are resuming; More bad economic news leads to some Jeff-John debate; should we expect the Dems to lose the House in November? And why?; Devil’s Advocate - John has to defend the District Court ruling striking down new federal stem cell policy; Rants - John on Alan Simpson’s ridiculous and offensive Social Security comments (and what they mean for its future); Jeff on the wonders of technology (and our show!); Update on changes to the show and a near-future re-launch

Episode 9.7 - The Final Colorado Progressive Voice Episode, but...

Sat, 07 Aug 2010 19:10:00 -0600

Episode 9.7 - The Final Colorado Progressive Voice Episode, but not the end of the Show

Elena Kagan confirmed; Prop 8 ruling!; Arizona SB 1070 ruling; Feisty debate over WikiLeaks; Bennet/Romanoff update and Colorado primary predictions; Devil’s Advocate - Jeff must defend the crazies who think the Cordoba House mosque and cultural center shouldn’t be built; Rants - Jeff on Kenya’s new constitution and John on more Obama broken promises re: civil liberties and privacy.

This is the end of the Colorado Progressive Voice as we know it, but we announce our plans for the future (new name! slightly new format! more frequent shows! podcasting!) at the end of the show!

Episode 9.6 - Techno-utopia in Colorado Scott McInnis’...

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:49:00 -0600

Episode 9.6 - Techno-utopia in Colorado

Scott McInnis’ plagiarism faces off against Tom Tancredo’s racism and egomania, but where is Dan Maes in all of this?; Ken Buck makes a sexist quip - or does he?; Updates on the Bennet-Romanoff race, and a brief digression of the Green Party candidacy of Bob Kinsey; the CPV Colorado politics game!; Devil’s Advocate - John must defend the exclusion of birth control as free preventative medicine under health care reform; financial regulation reform signed; contesting Obama’s legacy (thus far); Rants - Jeff on China’s role in the world and John on the end of hope for climate legislation

Episode 9.5 - Patriotism Drugs Discord over Michael...

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 19:23:08 -0600

Episode 9.5 - Patriotism Drugs

Discord over Michael Steele’s Afghanistan comments and the DNC response; Obama gives a big speech on immigration, but does it matter?; Hickenlooper issues an oil and gas mea culpa - kind of; New ballot measure proposes partisan elections for judges; Devil’s Advocate - Jeff must defend the NYT’s 2001 decision to and current justification of not using the word ‘torture’ to describe waterboarding; Mexican elections; an extended debate over legalizing all drugs in the US; what Presidents are overrated? underrated?; Special 4th of July Rants!

Episode 9.4 - A Deserted Pitch The US World Cup loss to Ghana in...

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:25:23 -0600

Episode 9.4 - A Deserted Pitch

The US World Cup loss to Ghana in perspective; With McChrystal out and Petraeus in, where does Afghanistan policy go from here?; Is the oil spill really an oil spill?; BP escrow fund; Devil’s Advocate - John must defend allowing students to carry concealed weapons on the University of Colorado campus; Hickenlooper betrays his environmental record - again; Elena Kagan confirmation hearings preview; an evaluation of the merged financial regulation legislation; Rants - Jeff on the iPhone 4 and the future; John on Obama’s failure to close Guantanamo

Episode 9.3 - On Philosophy, Iran, and the Queen The show begins...

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:18:04 -0600

Episode 9.3 - On Philosophy, Iran, and the Queen

The show begins with a brief philosophical digression…; updates on the oil spill; Lots of primary results to discuss!; the Gaza flotilla raid, Israel’s present, and Israel’s future; One of this show’s best debates ever, on Iranian sanctions and the correct path of US policy; Devil’s Advocate - Jeff must argue that Sarah Palin is (gasp) a feminist; Rants - Jeff on why the border shouldn’t be militarized, John on the need for a new course for economic policy; World Cup thoughts and predictions

Episode 9.2 - John’s Inferiority Complex Jeff and John...

Sat, 22 May 2010 17:17:00 -0600

Episode 9.2 - John’s Inferiority Complex

Jeff and John discuss why John has an inferiority complex vis-a-vis Jeff; Breakdown of primaries in KY, PA, and AR; intense debate over how much (if at all) to blame the Obama admin for the response to the Gulf oil spill; In wake of scientists creating a living cell artificially, J&J theorize and moralize about the future; Iran signs an agreement over nuclear fuel with Turkey and Brazil - should this be welcomed?; Devil’s Advocate - John must defend the Bush Doctrine; Financial regulation passes! (the Senate, at least…); Rants - Jeff on drawing Mohammed, John on the US War on Drugs; Breaking news from Colorado party assemblies

Episode 9.1 - On Top of that Giant Dome Arizona’s...

Sat, 08 May 2010 13:52:30 -0600

Episode 9.1 - On Top of that Giant Dome

Arizona’s draconian immigration law and what immigration reform should look like nationally (but won’t in reality); Implications of the BP Gulf oil spill; Disagreement over the Obama’s administration’s application of the Miranda ruling; Breakdown of the British elections; Should Obama have joked about using a Predator drone on the Jonas Brothers at the WH Correspondent’s Dinner?

Note: Due to technical issues, the rest of the show is lost forever. It might be the Jonas Brothers’ fault. However, we promise that this first 3/4 of it will still blow your mind.

Episode 9.0 - A Big Announcement, In Space (maybe) Sarah Palin...

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:13:28 -0600

Episode 9.0 - A Big Announcement, In Space (maybe)

Sarah Palin coming to Denver; Supreme Court nominations; the Obama admin the expansion of executive power; Twitter to be archived by the Library of Congress; Ben Roethlisberger, sexual assault, gender, and race in American society; Devil’s Advocate - John must defend Goldman Sachs in light of the charges brought against them; Jeff and John argue about the merits of sending a mission to Mars; Colorado political updates; Rants - Jeff on the end of the world, John on the evidence that the Obama-Petraeus-McChrystal strategy for Afghanistan is failing; A Big Annoucement About the Future of the Show

Episode 8.13 - A Dreamy Jeff & John Anniversary That’s...

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:11:00 -0600

Episode 8.13 - A Dreamy Jeff & John Anniversary

That’s right, your hosts celebrate the three year anniversary of their show; John has a Glenn Beck dream; health care passes, finally; student loan reform too!; some talk on financial regulation (including philosophical debate between Jeff and John); how worried should we be about violence by anti-government types?; Devil’s Advocate - Jeff has to defend Obama’s offshore drilling decision; Suicide bombings in Moscow - what does this mean for Russia, and what broader lessons can we draw about the nature of ‘terrorism?’; US and Russia agree on a new START treaty; Rants - John on Obama and state secrets, Jeff on Jon Stewart and Glenn Beck, and both discuss their 3 year anniversary; stay tuned through the end to find out what song John dedicates to Jeff on this special occasion.

Live Caucus Coverage!

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:43:00 -0600

Colorado Democratic Caucus Coverage

John is leading the uber-crowd-sourced live caucus coverage (Tuesday, 6pm) for the Colorado Political Institute. It is going to be very interesting and informative, and will be the best way to stay updated on the caucuses. He promises.

Head over to CPI to find out how you can be part of the conversation, sends updates from your caucus via Twitter, embed the coverage on your website/blog! You can also get involved by commenting on the live discussion below (also available at CPI).

Update: We are proud to announce our collaboration with Huffington Post Denver for caucus live coverage. Click here for more information.

Episode 8.12 - International Rhubarb Pi(e) Day! Jeff and John...

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:39:16 -0600

Episode 8.12 - International Rhubarb Pi(e) Day!

Jeff and John discuss pi (and pie); Comprehensive preview of Tuesday night’s Democratic and Republican caucuses; For the 13679th time, health care reform is thisclose to being passed; student loan reform is on the way; Obama proposes significant changes to No Child Left Behind; Devil’s Advocate - John has to sink to the depths of hell to justify Israeli’s diplomatic affront to Joe Biden; a discussion on the misguided belief that the Supreme Court is above politics; Afghanistan updates; Rants - Jeff on Daylight Savings Time, John on reducing US nuclear weapons stockpiles

To find out about our live coverage of the Colorado caucuses, and how you can help, click here!

Episode 8.11 - The Elusive Self-Filibuster Jeff accuses John of...

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:03:38 -0700

Episode 8.11 - The Elusive Self-Filibuster

Jeff accuses John of anti-Americanism; Andrew Romanoff is endorsed by Mike Miles, but does it matter?; ramifications of the health care summit - John might even be slightly optimistic; Jeff uses John Yoo to teach us all an important lesson; Devil’s Advocate - Jeff has to defend the filibuster; Mousavi is sharpening his criticism in Iran; Who counts as a ‘Terrorist?’; Rants - John on re-criminalizing torture and limiting Blackwater, Jeff uses Dick Cheney’s heart attack to teach us all another important lesson

Episode 8.10 - Podcasting Olympics Obama’s upcoming...

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:52:32 -0700

Episode 8.10 - Podcasting Olympics

Obama’s upcoming meeting with the Dalai Lama and the future of US-China relations; a new strategy for Iran?; bad congressional strategy on a jobs bill; Devil’s Advocate - John must be the one, the only, Sarah Palin; John Hickenlooper questions climate change - or maybe not?; Blackwater has billed the US for strippers and prostitutes - and might get more US contracts; Major news from Great Britain on the issue of torture; Rants - Jeff on the Winter Olympics, John (after dissenting on the Olympics) on the Obama missile defense lie

Episode 8.9 - The State of Our Union Jeff and John provide a...

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:44:38 -0700

Episode 8.9 - The State of Our Union

Jeff and John provide a comprehensive, full-on breakdown of Obama’s State of the Union and provide plenty of lively debate along the way; Devil’s Advocate - Jeff must defend the decision to detain indefinitely 50 Gitmo prisoners after Gitmo shuts down; Tony Blair faces Britain’s officil Iraq War Inquiry, but what would it be like if the US had the same thing?; Hickenlooper takes on the oil and gas lobby - kind of; Rants - Jeff on J.D. Salinger and John on Howard Zinn