Good Politics Radio

On his weekly radio address to the nation, President Barack Obama expressed gratitude to America’s military men and women and their families, and discusses the steps his administration is taking to help create jobs so that next Thanksgiving, Americans can give thanks for a stronger economy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhQyfZngVAY

“Today, like millions of other families across America, Michelle, Malia, Sasha and I will sit down to share a Thanksgiving filled with family and friends – and a few helpings of food and football, too.  And just as folks have done in every Thanksgiving since the first, we’ll spend some time taking stock of what we’re thankful for: the God-given bounty of America, and the blessings of one another.

This is also a holiday that captures that distinctly American impulse to give something of ourselves.  Even as we speak, there are countless Americans serving at soup kitchens and food pantries; contributing to their communities; and standing guard around the world.

And in a larger sense, that’s emblematic of what Americans have always done.  We come together and do what’s required to make tomorrow better than today.  That’s who we are.

(more…)

Agop Kayayan a Lebanese of Armenian descent studied agriculture at the American University of Beirut ( 1962-1965) and then finished a M.Sc. in Rural Sociology(1965-1968). After working for two years at the UN Office in Beirut, he obtained a Ph.D. at the Ohio State University. He worked at the Ministry of Agriculture in the area of agricultural policies to reduce the price of staple foods. After that he spent twenty two wonderful years with UNICEF in Brazil ( 1978-1980), Guatemala Area Office for Central America ( 1980-1990), and back to Brazil from 1991 to 1998. (more…)

This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with former Virginia Governor James Gilmore now President of the Free Congress Foundation about their plan for reviving the U.S. economy; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story on the start of the 2012 Presidential race; And, Dr. Paul Kengor of the Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College has an American Radio Journal commentary on why he is thankful communism did not spread to the USA.

___________________________________________________

American Radio Journal is produced and distributed by the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc. The Lincoln Institute is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1993, the mission of the Lincoln Institute is: “To promote the ideals of free market economics, individual liberty, and limited government through the conduct of public opinion research and related educational programs.”

The Lincoln Institute accepts no government money and is completely funded by philanthropic grant making foundations, corporations, and individuals.

To listen to the broadcast click here.

The following podcast is brought to you courtesy of A World of Possibilities and The Mainstream Media Project.

“Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This most famous phrase from the U.S. Declaration of Independence places happiness at the front and center of the role of government. Today we’ll hear from the Minister of Happiness in the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan, where Gross National Happiness, rather than Gross National Product, is the preferred measure used to guide national policy. We also hear from a Seattle city councilman who’s been inspired by Bhutan’s example to propose similar indices to shape policies for his prosperous high-tech hometown.

This program was funded by listeners like you.

To listen to this podcast click here.

On his weekly radio address to the nation, President Barack Obama said that ratifying the New START, a pivotal treaty with Russia on nuclear weapons, must happen this year.  He explains that failure to ratify the treaty this year would not only mean losing our nuclear inspectors in Russia, but also undermine the international coalition pressuring Iran, put at risk the transit routes used to equip our troops in Afghanistan, and undo decades American leadership and bipartisanship on nuclear security.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lDOE8wtLcU

“Today, I’d like to speak with you about an issue that is fundamental to America’s national security: the need for the Senate to approve the New START Treaty this year.

This Treaty is rooted in a practice that dates back to Ronald Reagan. The idea is simple – as the two nations with over 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons, the United States and Russia have a responsibility to work together to reduce our arsenals. And to ensure that our national security is protected, the United States has an interest in tracking Russia’s nuclear arsenal through a verification effort that puts U.S. inspectors on the ground. As President Reagan said when he signed a nuclear arms treaty with the Soviet Union in 1987, “Trust, but verify.”

That is precisely what the New START Treaty does. After nearly a full year of negotiations, we completed an agreement earlier this year that cuts by a third the number of long-range nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles that the United States and Russia can deploy, while ensuring that America retains a strong nuclear deterrent, and can put inspectors back on the ground in Russia.

(more…)

The Republican Weekly Address was delivered by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell talked about the stimulus bill, jobs creation, and the expiration of the Bush era tax cuts.

“Good Morning. I’m Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky.

As Americans across the country prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this coming week, we’re reminded of the many blessings we enjoy as a nation.

We’re grateful for the sacrifices of the brave men and women in our armed forces who will not be home with their families next week, and who make these blessings possible.

And we’re also conscious this Thanksgiving of the many Americans who are struggling with serious hardships, including the many millions of Americans who are struggling to find work.

(more…)

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
Read by Johnny Cash

The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln is one of the most famous speeches in American history. Perhaps you memorized parts of it when you were in school. In case you’ve forgotten it, here’s an opportunity for you to refresh your memory and to hear a memorable reading of The Gettysburg Address by Johnny Cash.

Abraham Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pa., on November 19, 1863, some four and a half months after the bitter and decisive Battle of Gettysburg. About 7500 soldiers lost their lives during the three day battle of 160,000 Union and Confederate soldiers in July, 1863.

The main speaker at the event was Edward Everett, a noted orator and politician who received his invitation to speak about 40 days before the event. He prepared a lengthy text and spoke for about 2 hours. The text of his speech is seldom read.

President Lincoln was invited to Gettysburg only about 17 days prior to the event and presided over something akin to a ribbon cutting ceremony. His presence and speech were not a big part of the main event.

President Lincoln wrote the bulk of the text for his speech in Washington, D.C., and then finished editing it after he arrived in Gettysburg. There is an amusing and enduring though false story that Lincoln wrote the speech on the back of an envelope while traveling by train to Gettysburg. In fact, there are early drafts of the speech on his Executive Mansion stationery and there are reports that he worked on the speech further while a guest of David Wills, the attorney who purchased the land for the cemetery and helped organize the event.

The ceremony was attended by approximately 15,000 people, and needless to say, President Lincoln’s two minute, 272 word speech was the most memorable event of the day.

Click here to listen to Johnny Cash’s excellent reading of the address, complete with accompanying music.

Read the text of Lincoln’s famous speech below:

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow, this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Left, Right and Center is a weekly half-hour radio broadcast and podcast produced by KCRW in Santa Monica.

The panel began the show by talking about Ben Bernanke’s speech on the economy currency recently.  It seems ominous.  It seems to benefit the banks too much.  Should the Democrats have a counter proposal?

Next, the panel talked about Bush era tax cuts that the Congress will tackle soon.  President Obama seems to be leaving it up to the Congress.

The panel then talked about the public stock offering of General Motors.  GM is coming back but their growth will be in China, not bringing jobs back to Detroit.  Can GM return to being a healthy, productive company?  It seems to be good news.

They also talked about Afghanistan and the further delays to withdrawal from there.  Things aren’t going well there.  What really are the President’s objectives?

Lastly, they talk about TSA and traveling by airplane.

The participants on the show are Robert Scheer who represents the left, Tony Blankley who represents the right, Matt Miller, the moderator, who represents the center, and Arianna Huffington, who represents the progressive blogosphere.

At the end of this entertaining show the participants each have a 30 second rant to summarize the issue that each sees as most significant.

Click here to be taken to the Left, Right and Center home page where you can download or listen to the podcast.

This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) about the Senate Republican ban on earmarks; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story on Congressional leadership elections, and the battle over the Bush tax rates; And, Colin Hanna of Let Freedom Ring, USA has an American Radio Journal Commentary on Oklahoma’s new constitutional amendment prohibiting the use of Sharia Law.

___________________________________________________

American Radio Journal is produced and distributed by the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc. The Lincoln Institute is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1993, the mission of the Lincoln Institute is: “To promote the ideals of free market economics, individual liberty, and limited government through the conduct of public opinion research and related educational programs.”

The Lincoln Institute accepts no government money and is completely funded by philanthropic grant making foundations, corporations, and individuals.

To listen to the broadcast click here.

The following podcast is brought to you courtesy of A World of Possibilities and The Mainstream Media Project.

Civil wars in Africa, Asia, and Southern Europe have left long-festering wounds in communities where victims and perpetrators continue to live side by side with little acknowledgment of crimes committed and no means of achieving reconciliation. But in some places, innovative programs have been created to achieve closure. They blend traditional rituals with 21st century conflict resolution techniques and have achieved remarkable results. This program profiles reconciliation initiatives in war-ravaged societies. Fambul Tok, a community reconciliation program in Sierra Leone, is especially inspiring. The program will feature leaders in organizations that are orchestrating these initiatives and the principal figures in the heartbreaking and heartening story below:

Mariama Jumu escaped the day the rebels attacked her home village of Daabu, a former rebel stronghold in eastern Sierra Leone.  Her 7-year-old daughter Jeika was captured, however, tied to a chair and beaten to death by rebel soldiers. Returning to her home after the war, Mariam lived one house away from the man who had killed her daughter – Michael Momoh. Mariama and Michael never spoke about what had happened, until the March, 2009 day when Daabu held its Fambul Tok bonfire. There, Michael confessed publicly to the killing and apologized to Mariama. He begged her forgiveness – which she freely gave.  In the days and months following the ceremony, they have worked side by side in the community farm, and Michael has looked for whatever ways he can to help Mariama and her family, and the community as a whole.  In the village of Daabu alone, over a dozen others testified that night, breaking down the silent barrier that had kept community members divided and prevented an honest accounting of the events of the war.

(more…)

Agop Kayayan a Lebanese of Armenian descent studied agriculture at the American University of Beirut ( 1962-1965) and then finished a M.Sc. in Rural Sociology(1965-1968). After working for two years at the UN Office in Beirut, he obtained a Ph.D. at the Ohio State University. He worked at the Ministry of Agriculture in the area of agricultural policies to reduce the price of staple foods. After that he spent twenty two wonderful years with UNICEF in Brazil ( 1978-1980), Guatemala Area Office for Central America ( 1980-1990), and back to Brazil from 1991 to 1998. (more…)

Left, Right and Center is a weekly half-hour radio broadcast and podcast produced by KCRW in Santa Monica.

The panel began the show by talking about the budget cuts proposed by Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles.  They discuss how realistic they feel some of the cuts are since neither liberals or conservatives liked it very much.  Social Security and medical costs are a major concern.  Increase the retirement age?

Next, the panel talked about the G20 meeting in Seoul and the fact that there were no significant agreements.

They also talked more about the Federal Reserve’s fiscal policy, a discussion begun last week.  The G20 leaders were unhappy about the Fed’s move also.

Lastly, they talked about the merger of the Daily Beast and Newsweek under Tina Brown.  Will their audience increase?  It shows the power of the Internet.  It’s a New Media world.

The participants on the show are Robert Scheer who represents the left, Tony Blankley who represents the right, Matt Miller, the moderator, who represents the center, and Arianna Huffington, who represents the progressive blogosphere.  Arianna Huffington is away for this show.  Sitting in for Tony Blankley is David Winston.

At the end of this entertaining show the participants each have a 30 second rant to summarize the issue that each sees as most significant.

Click here to be taken to the Left, Right and Center home page where you can download or listen to the podcast.

On his weekly radio address to the nation, President Barack Obama called for Congress to address the issue of earmarks — items inserted into spending bills without adequate review.  The President has time and again called for new limitations on earmarks, and the Obama Administration has put in place higher standards of transparency, including www.earmarks.gov.  This week, the Administration updated www.earmarks.gov with more information about where last year’s earmarks were actually spent, and made it easier to look up members of Congress and the earmarks they fought for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkQTOpehn58

“This weekend, I’m concluding a trip to Asia whose purpose was to open new markets for American products in this fast-growing part of the world. The economic battle for these markets is fierce, and we’re up against strong competitors. But as I’ve said many times, America doesn’t play for second place. The future we’re fighting for isn’t as the world’s largest importer, consuming products made elsewhere, but as the world’s largest manufacturer of ideas and goods sold around the world.

Opening new markets will not only help America’s businesses create new jobs for American workers. It will also help us reduce our deficits – because the single greatest tool for getting our fiscal house in order is robust economic growth. That kind of growth will require ensuring that our students are getting the best education possible; that we’re on the cutting edge of research and development; and that we’re rebuilding our roads and railways, runways and ports – so our infrastructure is up to the challenges of the 21st century.
(more…)

The Republican Weekly Address was delivered by Representative Greg Walden of Oregon. Walden discussed the transition effort and Republicans’ plans to go to work right away on the people’s priorities: creating jobs, cutting spending, and reforming Congress

“Hello, I’m Congressman Greg Walden of Oregon.

“The American people have sent their government a clear message. They want us to focus on creating jobs. They want to see Congress spend less. And they want government to be smaller and less intrusive. They want health care reform that protects jobs instead of this government takeover that’s costing us jobs. And they want Congress to respect their will and honor our Constitution.

“These priorities are embodied in the Pledge to America – it’s a governing agenda focused on creating jobs, cutting spending, and reforming Congress, a blueprint built by listening to the American people. In the new majority, the people’s priorities will be our priorities.

(more…)

This week on American Radio Journal: Lowman Henry talks with Joseph Bast, President of the Heartland Institute about how cutting government regultions can spur the U.S. economy; Andy Roth of the Club for Growth has the Real Story on why Republicans are cheering for Nancy Pelosi to remain Democratic leader; And, Col. Frank Ryan, USMC (Ret.) has an American Radio Journal commentary on “Obsessive Regulatory Disorder.”

___________________________________________________

American Radio Journal is produced and distributed by the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research, Inc. The Lincoln Institute is a 501c3 non-profit educational foundation based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1993, the mission of the Lincoln Institute is: “To promote the ideals of free market economics, individual liberty, and limited government through the conduct of public opinion research and related educational programs.”

The Lincoln Institute accepts no government money and is completely funded by philanthropic grant making foundations, corporations, and individuals.

To listen to the broadcast click here.

The following podcast is brought to you courtesy of A World of Possibilities and The Mainstream Media Project.

Nine thousand feet beneath the surface of several Northeastern states lie vast deposits of shale impregnated with natural gas. The Marcellus Shale play, as it is called, is being touted by energy analysts as one of the largest in the world. For a chronically hard-pressed region in a season of recession, the promise of mailbox money just for signing a simple lease to subsurface rights is almost irresistible. Almost, that is, until they’ve signed and discover the implications of their decision. In this program recorded on site in northeastern Pennsylvania, we follow the Marcellus Shale trail and find the fracturing of the bedrock under this gas-rich region mirrored by the fracturing of communities divided by the the benefits and blights that it brings.

This program is brought to you by The Park Foundation.

Left, Right and Center is a weekly half-hour radio broadcast and podcast produced by KCRW in Santa Monica.

The panel talked about the recent midterm elections.  It is called transformative and also most curious to analyze.  It is also called a mixed blessing for the Republicans who are not likely to sail through the next two years.  Perhaps neither party has the necessary policies to deal with current problems.  Yet the public may not be willing to put up with perpetual gridlock.

The panel also talked about the $600 billion that the Federal Reserve wants to inject.  It sets into action many consequences.  Many nations have already reacted negatively.

In the second half of the show the panel discussed whether President Obama gets it.  They also talked about whether an unelected panel, the Federal Reserve, should have the power to take action that the Congress would not have taken.

The participants on the show are Robert Scheer who represents the left, Tony Blankley who represents the right, Matt Miller, the moderator, who represents the center, and Arianna Huffington, who represents the progressive blogosphere.  Arianna Huffington is away for this show.

At the end of this entertaining show the participants each have a 30 second rant to summarize the issue that each sees as most significant.

Click here to be taken to the Left, Right and Center home page where you can download or listen to the podcast.

On his weekly radio address to the nation, President Barack Obama called on both parties to work together and focus on the areas where all sides agree.  First, the President underscored that middle-class families need permanent tax relief, so Congress should permanently extend tax cuts for all families making less than $250,000 a year – 98 percent of the American people.  And second, he noted that, with the nation’s challenging fiscal situation, the country simply cannot afford to borrow another $700 billion on permanent tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7hXFxw925M

“This week, Americans across the country cast their votes and made their voices heard.  And your message was clear.

You’re rightly frustrated with the pace of our economic recovery.  So am I.

You’re fed up with partisan politics and want results.  I do too.

So I congratulate all of this week’s winners – Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.  But now, the campaign season is over.  And it’s time to focus on our shared responsibilities to work together and deliver those results: speeding up our economic recovery, creating jobs, and strengthening the middle class so that the American Dream feels like it’s back within reach.

That’s why I’ve asked to sit down soon with leaders of both parties so that we can have an extended discussion about what we can do together to move this country forward.

(more…)

The Republican Weekly Address was delivered by Senator-elect Marco Rubio of Florida.  Rubio talked about American exceptionalism and about his commitment to lawmaking and governing in Washington.

“Hi, I’m Marco Rubio.

With Election Day now behind us, it’s an honor to talk to you about the opportunity before us — an opportunity to put America back on track.

For too long, Washington has taken our country in the wrong direction, bigger government, reckless spending, and run away debt. And though I’m a proud Republican, here is the truth, both parties have been to blame.

This election the American people said enough is enough. That message was loud and clear. We Republicans would be mistaken if we misread these results as simply an embrace of the Republican Party. This Election is a second chance. A second chance for Republicans to be what we said we were going to be.

(more…)

John Hope Bryant is the founder, chairman and CEO of global financial literacy and economic empowerment nonprofit Operation HOPE, member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, and co-founder of Global Dignity. A successful businessman, and renowned international speaker, he has served on multiple corporate boards and is author of business best-seller, LOVE LEADERSHIP: THE NEW WAY TO LEAD IN A FEAR-BASED WORLD. He is one of the most authoritative and compelling advocates for poverty eradication today. His efforts have earned him a membership to the Forum of Young Global Leaders for the World Economic Forum, and a place on the Forum’s Global Agenda Council. (more…)