#36 - Come Blow Your Horn
In this episode, the Secret Frequency blows its own horn! We start with a vuvuzela flourish as we look at the World Cup, and the Slovenia-United States match, and a ref that deserves a Bronx cheer more than a vuvuzela (come to think of it, is there a difference?)
The bulk of our coverage, however, concerns the Bradley Manning Affair. We'd urge everyone - particularly if you are an activist or whistleblower, or wish to find out exactly how your government operates, regardless of whom is in power, it seems - to pay close attention to this story, which is finally starting to attract MSM attention. Click on all these links, read them, and find out what's happening.
For starters, some background information on Wikileaks, which we last spoke of in episode #32. Wikileaks was the publisher of the "Collateral Murder" video, which concerned an airstrike against Iraqi civilians in July of 2007. The accused leaker of the material to Wikileaks was U.S. Army Spc. Bradley Manning. Kevin Poulsen and Kim Zettler of Wired broke the story of his arrest on 6 June; included were details of Manning's alleged conversations with Adrian Lamo, a frequent source for Poulsen's journalism.
However, Lamo himself has an unusual history and has been making some contradictory statements. Lamo is the man behind the 2002 crack of the New York Times database of trusted sources, for which he was convicted, and is the subject of the now-leaked documentary Hackers Wanted. His statements to the BBC were that he was acting as a private citizen when getting information out of Manning; he then told an Australian podcast that he acted differently to "save Manning's life", and in a podcast interview with Glenn Greenwald, he said that he was offering journalist-source confidentiality.
In the meantime, the United States, which has previously stated in a confidential memo that Wikileaks must be considered an enemy, now says it would like to "talk to" Julian Assange, the editor-in-chief of Wikileaks, who has gone into hiding.
Glenn Greenwald has a definitive treatment on the whole affair - complete with extended podcast interviews with Adrian Lamo and Kevin Poulsen.
UPDATE: There has been a delay since we recorded this podcast. Obviously, one of the major stories has been the absolutely stunning last-second goal which advanced the U.S. to the next stage of the World Cup, but there have also been some developments in the Manning case, as things there are continuing to evolve. Julian Assange has surfaced in Brussels; not in fear for his life, as he describes, but, sadly, under advisement from his lawyers not to travel to the United States: a victim of telling the truth in today's world. He has hired three lawyers to assist in Manning's legal representation; the U.S. Army is refusing to allow the lawyers access to him, claiming he has a military defense lawyer. Manning still has not been charged with a crime.
The technology and science fiction blog bOINGbOING now has what it claims is a "less-redacted" version of the Manning/Lamo logs on their site. (NOTE: it should be noted that bOINGbOING has in the past claimed to be steadfastly against censorship and has run several articles on the subject, but has hypocritically engaged in it themselves. These incidents have to do with moderator Teresa Nielsen Hayden deleting reasonable but critical comments about BB author Cory Doctorow's books, and BB contributor Xeni Jardin deleting all content written by or having to do with San Francisco-based sex blogger Violet Blue, allegedly as the result of a failed affair between the two women. These two incidents do not have anything to do with the Manning case, but do throw BB's editorial credibility and ethics into some question. Proceed with caution.)
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#35 - Sell Out
You thought The Who were the only ones? Nope, we're now completely corporate! The Secret Frequency, Inc., is prepared to run for office and claim human rights under the Bill of Rights, just like real companies do! Well, okay, maybe not. But we are looking into the corporate world (and others) this episode with stories like these:
- The BP oil spill is now our worst man-made disaster in national history. Congrats to BP, Transocean, and President Obama! While they continue to wrangle over who's responsible and who has the right to, say, arrest camera crews who try and film the damage, Transocean, at least, is continuing to rake in profits. (Lise made an interesting observation on that: why didn't CBS just press on and get arrested? A better story, right? Not according to our MSM...!)
- Robert Rodriguez and Danny Trejo have the proper response for the "immigration" law in Arizona! (P.S. Yes, it's a fake little jab by Rodriguez, not the actual movie trailer...but fun to see, nonetheless. Oh, and Alex Jones? Shaddap.)
- Right-wing bloggers go into a tizzy over "Mikhail Slobodovsici" at the Trilateral Commission...pssst! Guys! Hate to be the ones to break it to ya, but he doesn't exist!
- A follow-up on the UK elections - clearing up some misinfo on the Lib Dems. The question is, how closely will they follow those principles now that they're in the coalition?
- A partial story on the Monahan Brothers and their march for democracy - truncated by a Memorial Day sunburn!
There's also appropriate music by the Volume Brothers, from the UK, dontchaknow! And be sure to sign up for our new Twitter feed, at @SecFreqPodcast!
Our image was made available through Creative Commons - special thanks to Jan paul and NoamL.
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#34 - Tempest in a Teapot
A spot of tea, anyone? This episode, the Frequency looks into the so-called Tea Party in depth, with an interview with Matt Burchell, a graduate of political science who's checked into the local movement to find out what it's about. If you were expecting something spontaneous and "grassroots", think again! They're about as grassroots as a plastic tree - and their message is very carefully managed by the GOP!
Also, there's an as-it-happens look at the elections in the United Kingdom (check here for up-to-the-minute coverage from the BBC) and an advance review of The Other Wes Moore from Lise.
Finally, we have a great song by Freedom People! (Our kinda people, don'tcha know!)
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Just Walk Away...
Our next episode is going to be delayed thanks to a springtime invasion of my lungs by the Creeping Crud. On the flip side, I can now do a pretty good rendition of the Lord Humongous, from The Road Warrior.
Lots to fill you in on in the next episode. Hope to be able to talk to you soon - well, actually, I hope to be able to talk soon, to anyone!
#33 - Sorta Kinda Maybe...
So this is socialism? Funny, looks like an insurance industry giveaway to me!
With the circus that is the two-party duopoly and their fairly unbalanced fan clubs, it's no wonder that we get a little tentative here at the Frequency. We start with a discussion of William Jennings Bryan and "Fightin' Bob" LaFollette - and a name check of Bruce Carlson and My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, a great podcast that we're fans of - and we're off and running! Steve faults the Republicans and Democrats for the health care reform mess, and has some choice words for the toothless progressive "wing" of the Democratic Party, following a great essay on the subject by Glenn Greenwald. Take a break from the media hysteria from the two sides and listen to how the "third half" thinks!
Lest you think we're merely tromping on any non-Greens, we go after our own number, too. As Ross Mirkarimi of San Francisco pulls a Macbeth and grabs for the Dems' big name and corporate ca$h, Steve discusses the way to make the Greens relevant again - pulling no punches in the process.
There's a great new song from Long Island's Kirsten DeHaan, too! Her new album is Thorns on a Crown - buy it! Heck, buy two! Trade 'em with your friends!
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#32 - Echo
Is there an echo in here? Well, no, but there are some uncomfortable echoes of the past...as Steve and special guest host Dottie discuss Dick Cheney's remarkable boast on nationwide TV. Yep, it's still illegal...so what is Eric Holder going to do about it? Also, there's the sad legend of domestic terrorist Joe Stack and his suicide manifesto. Also, Bernie Kerik - remember him from episode 2? - will enjoy some state-sponsored housing for a few years, and the country of Iceland gets tough in defending its journalists! We have the full proposal (and we should send it to Congress!) By the way...is there an echo in here?
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#31 - Snow Job
Grab a shovel and start diggin'! The Secret Frequency has been blizzarded in! There's nothing else to do but report on the snow - and on various other snow jobs that have been pulled on the American voters.
Starting this episode, the Frequency begins an infrequent series on elections in the U.S. (and how great it would be if they were democratic...) While their pundits openly call for cheating on elections, the Republicans (in New York) and the Democrats (in Pennsylvania) willingly comply...but it's against the Green Party, so it's okay, right? It's not like we're taking away the "rights" of corporations or anything...
We also discuss the folks who are trying to do the right thing, such as the Campaign to Legalize Democracy (with several prominent Greens at the fore) and Lawrence Lessig and Change Congress. Here's a video appeal by Prof. Lessig.
Away With the Fairys, an unintentionally mysterious band out of the U.K., provides us with a song about the current state of democracy here. Also in music: go and check out Rain Rain! Her new album, The Deadliest Fairytales, is available here! Go get it, true believer!
Picture provided courtesy Wordbones at the Tales of Two Cities blog. Thanx!
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Snow-pocalypse!
Ordinarily, we'd have a podcast ready to go right about now...and we're sure that it's under here... somewhere...
You could say we've become a little bit snowed under here at the Secret Headquarters. We received 26 inches (66 cm) over the weekend, and apparently we're in for another ten to twenty (25 to 51 cm) today and Wednesday!
Now you would figure that would leave us inside without much to do except for recording podcasts, but as you can see, we've also been out doing our part for the greater snowbound community. You know, for society: that thing that Reagan's best friend Maggie Thatcher said didn't exist?
Anyway, once we've stopped shoveling, we'll be settling down with a nice cup of hot cocoa and telling some tales of the Green Party's adventures in (what passes for) American democracy. Plus, there'll be some shout-outs, more great music, and pining for those days when we didn't have to tunnel everywhere!
#30 - How to Help and How Not to Help
(NOTE: Expanded and corrected show notes, as of 18 January)
An example of the former: Red Cross representative Linnea Anderson joins Steve to discuss the terrible situation in Haiti, and how you can help contribute to efforts to aid the victims of the earthquake.
An example of the latter: "Reverend" Pat Robertson's Devil-soaked victim-blaming is enough to make Christians wish they were atheist, and Rush Limbaugh's hard-hearted bilge introduces his poisoned rhetoric to a disaster zone. Steve and Lise ponder: do they speak for conservatives? Let us know! (Update: As noted in the show, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Shepard Smith of Fox Noise, and the CBN itself all take serious issue with Robertson's irresponsible comments. Also, read about the actual Haitian legend of Bois Caiman.) And in the meantime, click here to find out what real Christians are doing in response to the disaster, courtesy of Jim Wallis at Sojourners.
Also, there's some smoky blues by Britain's Karena Kelly. If you're in the south of England, be sure to catch her on January 30th, at The Rising Sun, in the marvelously named town of Bognor Regis!
Photo courtesy of the UN Development Program; used under Creative Commons.
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#29 - Meet the New Year, Same as the Old Year
Okay, so it wasn't the greatest of decades, y'might say. And it doesn't start any better this year: Dick Clark loses count while some guy jumps a car off a ramp. (Hey, do we, the American people, own that car now?)
And speaking of stunts that really don't mean a lot, the Senate passed the health care bill. The details are very confusing, as we admit...but if you find yourself in the same boat, and feel as if some things are a bit dodgy about this bill, just remember: you're no better than a climate change denier. Gosh, wonder what that says for the non-Democrat single-payer folks, such as...oh, every single other advanced country in the world?
Meanwhile, if you're one of those who thinks we're spending too much on health care, you'll love Mother Jones's report on the real size of the bailout - and this doesn't include Congress's Christmas Eve blank check to Fannie Mae and Freddic Mac. Not to mention the Pentagon's budget, which happens to be, oh, more than all 50 states put together collect in income taxes. And as Steve mentions, even with that, the Afghani army is nowhere near ready yet. (Link is to MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show; check the December 29 show.)
After that disheartening news, ya just wanna let it all out...so we got the Strawberry Blondes to do it for us! Buy their latest album, Fight Back, at the previous link. And if you're in Poland, Germany, or the Czech Republic, check that link for details of their shows in your area - coming in February!
Base image used under CC 3.0 License; attributed to User:Phier at Wikimedia Commons.
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#28 - Cat-spiracy Theory
Steve starts off with Jesse Ventura's new TV show, Conspiracy Theory, and it all goes fuzzy from there, as mind-controlled kitties take over the Secret Frequency! From there, batted about like a cat toy, the show discussed HAARP, the 9/11 attacks, and the ClimateGate "Conspiracy" (refuted by fivethirtyeight.com, FactCheck.org, and Little Green Footballs...not to mention that there's some, y'know, actual science involved - here's some from NASA).
Plus: We hear about the media from Chris Rock and Matt Taibbi...and governments in general from an essay Steve wrote at The Hidden Message...
Music this episode is by The Grilled Lincolns (NOTE: Naughty lyrics, so please don't listen if you aren't mature, or you just really lack a sense of humor)...they've got shows coming up in Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland - check here to see when they're in your area!
Image credits to shaggy359, ergates, and Kevin Steele.
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#27 - David Swanson Interview
It's a solo effort for Steve this time, as he interviews author and activist David Swanson about his new book, Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union (from Seven Stories Press). Learn why the President holds all the cards in the U.S. Government, and why that's a very bad thing - and how you, as citizens, can fix it! And why both Steve and David both consider themselves democratic activists - with a decidedly small "d"!
David mentions the hoped-for impeachment of Jay Bybee. Who's he, and why should he be impeached? Glad you asked!
Also, we give a big shout-out to all of the artists who've made music on the Secret Frequency such a treat for our listeners. Listen for news of new CD releases and upcoming shows by your favorites! Some extra music on this segment from electronic and ambient artist Luigi Saracino - check out his blog!
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#26 - Left-Handed Compliments
Sometimes, you need a helping hand...and right on cue, the Secret Frequency provides one! In this episode, our heroes move from the France-Ireland World Cup Qualifier result to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his Berlin Wall appearance, and his setback as the European Green Party takes as many French seats in the European Parliament as the Socialists! Meanwhile at home, the FBI office in Atlanta thinks the Green Party (of the U.S., mind you) has a nuke! Gawker.com has the story and the memo!
Also...you thought "Faux News" was just a funny misspelling? Nope, they're proven liars at this point - twice in a row...the first caught by The Daily Show, the second by ThinkProgress - both times to puff up crowds that major arch-conservatives were attempting to collect! Steve and Lise debate: if you have "news" in the title, does that mean you have to...I dunno, broadcast actual news? (UPDATE: John Amato of Crooks and Liars files a complaint with the FCC against Fox for broadcasting a hoax!)
In other news:
The BYU-New Mexico women's soccer match (video link from Total Pro Sports)
The Maryland "Green" Caucus (.pdf from Maryland Natural Resources Magazine...oddly, the caucus itself doesn't even have a Web presence!)
Steve gets it right: The Astronauts were also from Colorado!
Music for this episode comes from some far-flung sources: Denver's Get Three Coffins Ready and Sweden's Roger and the Rockets! Hit those links and buy their CDs!
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#25 - Off-Year
(How appropriate! A 5th of November episode!)
The votes are in! And it's official - the Secret Frequency is back, with its 25th episode before a LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE! (Both of 'em!)
In this episode, America elects itself some Greens, in city and county races around the country, from Humboldt, California, to New Caanan, Connecticut...we have the results! Plus, CNN and the myth of the GOP's "Big Day", and Jerry Brown - remember that name? - plans to return to the big stage.
We also have a message about David Swanson's new book, Daybreak, and music from Philly's deceptively named band, Conservative Man! Order David's book online at the previous link, and visit Conservative Man's page to buy their album, Mirabel and the Hikikomori, and catch their tour dates if you're on the East Coast.
Also, starting this episode, you can keep track of the Secret Frequency on Facebook, or you can email us at secret.frequency@the-exchange.us!
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#24 - Punch It Up!
Wait...you guys are ALIVE???
Believe it or not, the Secret Frequency is back, with newer, "punchier" episodes! In this one: Steve discusses Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Not-Quite-as-Much-War-as-there-Was Prize, plus the problems of complacent righty Democrats and the "energized" Republican base. Also, Rev. Billy Talen for Mayor of New York - good for progressives? Good for the Green Party? Good for New York? (You betcha!)
Music in this episode by GK and the Renegades! (Gavin's now pursuing a solo career...catch up with him and Ben Clough in their respective careers!)
Also, a new opening theme, by the same folks who brought you our closing theme up to this point: The Spark Effect! Their latest album is Heartwork - get it through iTunes or direct from the band right now!
This episode's image courtesy of Kate Gardiner
.
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#23 - Pickled
First of the new year for the Frequency - and what a year it's been so far! So of course, in our inimitable fashion, we concentrate on practically none of that, and instead discuss spam musubi and pickles. Also in the tasty mix is our new news roundup feature:
Shout-outs to Farpoint, Shelly Thomas's Futurism Now, Equal Measure, Green Change, and Thomas Casey's The Spark Effect!
Plus music by The Alice Project - check out their latest album, Girl on a Box - and a special 2008 blooper reel!
Image provided under a Creative Commons license by rachel is coconut&lime.
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#22 - Have a Green Christmas
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Secret Frequency!
A few words from your Green Party for this Christmas season:
We also discuss Obama's Cabinet and some sex workers looking for their rights (not the same folks, we don't think...)
Christmasy music for this episode by Podsafe for Peace, Pushstart Wagon, and Interlunia (whom we hope are still together)!
Some sounds for this episode provided under a Creative Commons Sample Plus License by user benjaminflack at Freesound. Plus, an out-of-this-world Christmas signoff, provided under the public domain. The hamster image comes from romap via a creative commons license.
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#21 - Happy Days Aren't Here Again
NOTE: Explicit language in this episode. See notes below.
Alright, so maybe we're not the most positive Greens in the world today...let's just say that with all that's happening lately, there's only so much "hope" and "change" we can believe in! The Frequency does its best to rain on your parade with these stories:
On the more positive side, however (yeah, we couldn't stay too negative for long!), we have plenty of shout-outs for our friends and neighbors:
- The Daily Splice is master of its own domain with a positive review of us!
- On the Wilder Side, a New York Greens blog, and...
- Independent Political Report, a new-ish blog covering "third" parties - both of whom linked to us here. Thanks! (Give them some hits in return!)
- GK and the Renegades have a new song out! Buy their albums! Makes the perfect Christmas gift for the really cool people on your list! And for all of you in the north of England, go see them at the Carling Academy in Liverpool on December 17th!
- Girl Meets Girl, one of our fellow shows on Libsyn. Go listen! Put it on your iPod, and vote for them at Podcast Alley, like we did! (Heck, while you're at it, vote for us, too!)
- Oh, and by the by, those weren't the alien lesbians. That was us, all the way back in our second episode...
Our song for this episode is "State of the Union II", by Choyce! Check him out here, too; and if you're in the NYC, look for his platters on IFA Recordings! Buy them for Christmas!
(NOTE: Explicit lyrics, yadda yadda yadda. Yeah, we'd rather not put this up, either, but we have established a family show of a sort, so...best to let people know what they're getting.)
Image provided through Creative Commons by Poseyal Desposyni Poet
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Results from the Louisiana Second Congressional District
Results from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Web site:
Ahn Cao R 33,122 49.55%
William Jefferson D 31,296 46.82%
Malik Rahim G 1,880 2.81%
Gregory W. Kahn L 548 0.82%
Kudos to the voters of the 2nd District for ridding themselves of corruption, at least overtly...but an extremely disappointing showing for the Green Party and Rahim, who dealt with corruption that was perhaps more covert and unethical than actually unlawful on the part of the city's media. Tune in to our upcoming podcast episode for complete details.
(Another minor correction: Rep.-Elect Cao is a Vietnamese-American
attorney, not a Korean-American businessman as described in the
upcoming episode. The Secret Frequency regrets the error.)
#20 - Signals from Space
Well, the election's all over - or is it? In addition to the Senate races in Georgia and Minnesota, Green candidate Malik Rahim is fighting on in Louisiana!
So with things still heating up here on Earth - figuratively, and unfortunately literally as well - why is the Secret Frequency beaming in from the stars?
Join us for the answer to that question and others as we take on these out-of-this-world topics:
Plus, "Green Rainbow" (a song for our Green friends in Massachusetts?), by Lunar Drive! (MySpace page linked)
(Accompanying image modifies a public domain image from the Wikimedia Commons. How appropriate: little Green men!)
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#19.5 - Election Night Special 5
An interview with Mountain Party Gubernatorial candidate (WV) Jesse Johnson...plus, the Green numbers once again...
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#19.4 - Election Night Special 4
Lise discusses some doings at her precinct...and the U.S. has a new President-Elect. Plus: some more Green numbers...
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#19.3 - Election Night Special 3
More on the Green races across the country...and Barack Obama is poised to ascend to the Presidency.
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#19.2 - Election Night Special 2
Steve makes the first calls of the night. Let's go, Greens!
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#19.1 - Election Day Special 1
Good Election Day morning from the Secret Frequency! Go out and vote. We will be!
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#18 - Can't Catch a Fish Without Debate
So, Senator...how much do you like this episode of the Secret Frequency? You have two minutes to respond; then your opponent has one minute to call you all the names he can think of...and of course everyone knows there are no other choices, right? *sigh*
In this episode, you'll hear all about the following:
Music for this episode from A Band Called Quinn! Catch Kid Loco's latest album, Party Animals and Disco Biscuits - with vocal duties handled by Louise Quinn!
Images used under Creative Commons licenses from Nicholas Laughlin and Barbara Lavin.
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#17 - Pallin' Around with Terrorists
Another episode here at the Frequency: The Voice of the new, post-collapse America! Follow along with us as we provide a chart through our brave new world with the following terr'ist stories:
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#16 - We're Baaaaack!
Wow, where have you guys been?
It's a long, long sordid story, true Green believers. We could go into all of it, but we'd have to bring up the poodles...and the chocolate sauce...and the C clamps...and - oh, to heck with it, just listen to the episode; we explain there!
And such an episode! An hour-long effort this time out (so make sure that iPod is charged up) covering a lot of election news that we'd been letting slip for a while, including a discussion of all the major party candidates in the upcoming Presidential election!
The spotlight is, of course, on Green candidate Cynthia McKinney and her running-mate Rosa Clemente, who you can currently find out about at this website. That's right, runcynthiarun.org is now forwarding to this site, held by...a member of the 9/11 Truth movement?
In other news, if you're in the D.C. area, be sure to catch your host and his announcer-daughter in the latest production by the community drama troupe The Rude Mechanicals. And check out Goodnight Bush, our kiddie story from plug time! A nice read for your kids - preferably once Bush gets hauled in front of the courts at the Hague, so they know the boogeyman gets his comeuppance!
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#15 - Interesting!
"May you live in interesting times. May you come to the attention of those in power. And may you receive everything you ask for."
Well, in terms of probably apocryphal Chinese curses, we're batting one-for-three here on the Secret Frequency. But that won't stop us from following the latest news - specifically, the efforts by Representative (and erstwhile Presidential candidate) Dennis Kucinich to impeach the President. Can we say that again? IMPEACH THE PRESIDENT!
Think Conyers heard it that time?
A few other things we cover on this somewhat-cobbled-together episode:
Music for this show comes from Doug MacLeod - and it's one you'll be humming along to all week!
(P.S. The comment feature doesn't seem to be working for this episode. You can leave your comments in the last post, "Report From the Infirmary", until we get this fixed...)
Image licensed under a Creative Commons License by bloodforoil.org.
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Report from the Infirmary
I've given many opinions on the Secret Frequency to this point, but I'm not sure I've been as vehement about any of them as I am about this one: CHILDREN SHOULD NOT GO "WOOF". We've been dealing with quite a bit of that of late, and it's...well, I won't go into it... (The Exorcist? Linda Blair? It's kinda like that.)
...except to say that the Frequency has been delayed while we clean up deal with the situation. Hopefully we will find the time soon to put out the next episode, parts of which are already completed. Plenty of Green news to discuss, as well as a look-ahead to the General Election! Look for it in the next few days.
Hey, would a giant robot lie to you?
#14 - Drag Race
A mish-mosh of items this time around. Lisa returns to help Steve discuss the Green primaries, Wal-Mart, Jenna's wedding, the Orioles, the U.S. Patent Office, the D.C. Madam, Fox Noise, and conspiracy theories. And all this without getting into women's clothing! (Well, okay, Lisa did. And we think Mark Penn did, too, but don't hold us to that.)
Plus, some great music from Black Nite Crash (and not from an '80s movie). Go there, and buy their new album, Array! (It's available soon!)
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#13 - Calling for a Chainsaw
It's a solo effort by Steve this time - which is enough to make anyone want to break out the chainsaws. In this episode:
Plus, get with the sounds of New 2 the Brain and Moral Decline! The first is
self-described as "music for your brain", which we can definitely get down with; the second
is...let's say "music for your gonads".
And we hate to do this, but, okay...WARNING! Moral Decline uses some of the Seven Words You Can't Say on TV in this song...and it also has the potential to cause
widespread moral panic in these here United States, and may even make people stop watching reality television and start using their
brains for something other than a hat rack.
"Mah Gawd, Ethel! What'll those subversive, pinko Greens think of next??"
And leave comments, people! Mahalo.
Sound samples used under a Creative Commons license from The Freesound Project:
The base image used has previously been released into the public domain by Pearson Scott Foresman.
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#12 - Liberty and Union
(Apologies to Dan'l Webster for the title...)
This episode, an exclusive interview with Sen. Mike Gravel, former Senator from the state of Alaska, and current Presidential candidate from the Democratic Libertarian Party! Also, news from all four(!) parties, and a special report on unions in America (hint: we're in favor!) All this, plus disturbingly sexy slime monsters (don't ask...)
Music for this episode by Michael Brett. Go check 'im out!
Other notes for this episode:
Senator Gravel speaks:
UNION!:
And for those who speak Odeo:
My Odeo Channel (odeo/3cdc53322531f77d)
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#11 - The Real Real Thing
Everybody grab a chair when the music stops! In this episode, Mike Gravel ends up with the Libertarian Party, Harry Reid ends up in the smoke-filled room at the back of DNC Headquarters, and random Canadian conservatives end up in their basement fallout shelters, protecting themselves diligently from those durn Green "facists". (Jonah Goldberg, call your office! But do it on the secure Bat-phone - you never know when they might be listening!)
Also, music from Vanessa Peters and Ice Cream on Mondays (and thankfully not from Bo Bice!). And finally, Steve delivers an Olbermannesque "special commentary", with music from Blowin' Chunks!
Our promo this episode was for One Eighteen: Migration...
Other items of note:
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#10 - Who Let the Cat Out?
The Green Party race heats up, with a support statement by Mike Gravel for Jesse Johnson, and Nader's supporters scattering to different candidates. Obama gains the upper hand over Clinton with a YouTube-fave speech, while McCain ponders his choice of running mate...and here at the Frequency, the cat goes ballistic and we try to hook up Lisa with a Green "dream date". Let's just say Edward R. Murrow can rest easy.
But in this episode, we take a giant step towards professionalism by firing Magic Voice and instead hiring Dorothy to be our announcer!
Also in the show this time:
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#9 - We're Out of Coffee
It's a dark day here at the Secret Frequency, as we've run out of coffee! Steve and Lise stumble through an eclectic mix of news stories, awaiting deliverance by Holy Mike Huckabee, riding aloft on the Ronpaulenberg. Some of the extensive show notes to entertain and enlighten you:
Henry Rollins:
Henry Rollins tells it like it is...
The Wikileaks court decision:
Wikileaks
Cryptome
AFP/Google: Wikileaks champions whistle blowing after US court triumph
The Nader run:
Fog City Journal: Matt Gonzalez leaves Greens
Bill Buckley:
Free Silver: The Politics of Hate
The Independent: Ship of Fools: Johann Hari sets sail with America's swashbuckling neocons
Triple murder in Atlanta:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Gwinnett triple slayings shock, baffle son's schoolmates
Holy Mike Huckabee, Batman!
Dallas Morning News: We recommend Mike Huckabee
Arizona Greens seek the ballot:
Arizona Green Party
Plug time!
Green Change
Football...oh, and music, too!
GK and the Renegades
Liverpool F.C. - "You'll Never Walk Alone"
Crystal Palace USA, Baltimore's Pro Soccer!
DC United
The Spark Effect
This episode's image:
Refracted Moments Coffee Beans and
Wikimedia Soccer Ball (by Pumbaa80) combined.
Listen:
Pickled again
We're re-listed with Podcast Pickle (we were lost in their server crash some time within the last few weeks). All the 'ratings' we had before the crash are wiped.
You can help us regain our lost 'cred' by going to the site and writing a review of us there. (A note from Steve: Heck yes! I have a tremendous jonesing for ratings on the Pickle, and I love it when we get ahead of, say, Face the Nation. Take that, MSM!)
We've found a lot of good music to share with you, and will be getting our next episode up sometime soon.
- Lise
#8 - Back from the Dead
When we said we wanted a Green podcast, we didn't mean it to be the color of our gills...but such was the reality of our existence for the past few weeks. We're crawling back to experience the sun and the outdoors once again, and given the state of politics here in the U.S., we're considering just going back to bed and pulling the covers over ourselves once again.
Alas, all isn't lost, as we discuss Farpoint and our adventures bringing the Green message to the science fiction crowd...plus we cover the Green primaries and who has the lead there and in which states...plus some extended discussion of Ralph Nader. And there's music in this episode! Come hear the first of our acquisitions from the Podsafe Music Network, and sway to the peace-driven tones of Dan Coyle!
A big shout to our fellow podcasters at Farpoint:
- Michelle and Jason, from the Galactica Quorum...if you dig Battlestar Galactica, listen here!
- The Command Line, for the best in technology and society, and their intersection,
- Jared Axelrod, The Voice of Free Planet X,
- Heather Welliver, of Grailwolf's Geek Life (who really dug Lise's knitting!)
- J.R. Blackwell, and the fantastic fiction of 365 Tomorrows,
- Martha Holloway and Paul Fischer of Dancing Cat Studios, and their terrific and eclectic ADDCast, and
- Tee Morris of podiobooks.com, author of Podcasting for Dummies!
And in other news:
And be sure to leave us a comment - or better yet, click on the PayPal button and pay what you think the show's worth!
Listen:
SF Poll Closed
Our DemoChoice IRV poll is closed. Out of 15 votes, and 4 rounds of voting, we had 9 for Jesse Johnson, 5 for Nader and 1 for 'none of these'. Follow the link for detailed round by round results.
Also, Jesse Johnson's campaign web page is up and running. Please check it out.
-Lise
Sick and Tired II
Now I'm beginning to recover, and Steve is running a fever. We'll try to put together something from the cutting room floor and some podsafe music as soon as we can.
-Lise
Sick and Tired
As Super Tuesday bears down on us, the sanctity of our secret headquarters has been violated - by the flu. Yes, in circumstances worthy of a John Edwards stump speech, my dear wife is reduced to short bouts of playing silly, unchallenging computer games before coughing her head off and weakly croaking for more chicken soup. And I, the son of a mill worker, am forced to care for her without -- oh, wait, sorry...took it a bit too far. Anyway, we'll have news soon after Super Tuesday, updating the Republican, Democratic, and Green races and other substantive topics (Hint: Kent Mesplay beats Mitt Romney on hairstyle alone!)
In the meantime, you might enjoy pointing your browser at The Hidden Message, our somewhat related blog site. It isn't all politics, but it is all us...and Lise even manages to make a few entries, given that - thankfully! - she doesn't have to talk.
(Also, consider donating to the Frequency! Our PayPal button is now helpfully located in the sidebar, just above the grinning visage of our Secret Frequencist and Mad Bomber Mr. Fawkes...)
#7 - Brent McMillan Interview
This episode: our first interview ever! Our guest is Brent McMillan, Political Director of the Green Party of the United States. What are the Greens up to in 2008? Have they gotten elected to local races - and what happens when they do? And how does the top strategist at the national office deal with all that "spoiler" blather?
Tune in and find out. Hey, gotta be better than waiting for Hardball to cover the story.
Listen:
#6 - At Least the Sweater Isn't Green
(What can we say? Huffington Post already took the obvious title.)
In a fit of catastrophically poor decision-making that ranks down there with Bill Clinton's getting a haircut on a runway, Steve decided to record this extra-length episode with both of his co-hosts. Unwilling to stop with substantive political commentary, and fueled by a spike in estrogen representation, the Frequency records its first detour into Presidential candidates' couture, as Clinton adviser Howard Wolfson's sweater is contrasted with Cynthia McKinney's shawl as a fashion faux pas. (Hint: one was hideous; the other was a Green.)
And speaking of poor decisions, you'll enjoy the amusement of comparing predicted primary winners to reality in the upcoming few days. (If Nevada - or is it Ne-vaaah-dah? - is any indication, they should stick to sweaters...)
As the MSM isn't too sharp at covering candidates who aren't duopoly-approved, the Secret Frequency is also proud to provide links to video clips of the San Francisco debate, an uninterrupted audio recording of the entire thing, and video highlights of the earlier debate in Minneapolis between Jesse Johnson and Kat Swift. Plus, be sure to vote in the SF's Green Presidential Poll!
Also, Lise plugs Brenda Dayne's Cast On, and just to prove we aren't the only ones with too much time on our hands, there's now a conspiracy theory regarding the sweater. No, really.
With co-hosts Lise Mendel and Lisa Kramer. Starring Ron Paul and His Blimp-Propelled Orchestra, coming to you tonight from the Giuliani Reinforced Bunker and Cocktail Room in Disney World! Featuring special guest Ralph Nader holding up the back wall...
Listen:
Flying away...
Steve is about to fly west to the Green Party debate in San Francisco. He's going there with the Johnson campaign, but we're hoping he'll be able to switch hats long enough to get some material for the Frequency.
In either case, we've got an interview with Brent McMillan, political director of the GPUS, which will be coming soon.
So stay tuned!
- Lise
#5 - Batter Up!
It's opening day for politicians, as the Republocrats conduct the Iowa caucuses (i.e. batting practice for nominees), while the Green candidates - and yes, we do have them! - freeze it out in Minneapolis before heading for the next debate in San Francisco. Steve and guest host Lise Mendel analyze the Iowa results, introduce the world to the Green candidates, and try to figure out what Ralph Nader's gonna do next.
Be sure to take the SF's Green Presidential poll, the only one of its kind - now with instant runoff voting!
Also, visit our plugged podcasts for this episode: Civilianism and Prometheus Radio Theatre!
Listen:
#4 - Heated GOP Gasbags
Our fourth episode, with some more special, loving attention to the GOP. You'll hear about a demented south Florida clergyman's opinion of Hillary Clinton, and the aerial adventures of pseudo-libertarian "Stormfront Ronnie" Paul (so named for his recent acceptance of a campaign contribution from the white supremacist Website of that name). With guest host Lisa Kramer.
Links for this show:
Listen:
Holiday Madness
For once, the Frequency was completed on time - in fact, I have plenty of material at this point. However, audio and technical issues - not to mention the running about associated with the holidays, which tends to take one away from the mixing board - have prevented it from being published quite yet. Never fear, Secret Squadron! The Frequency will be out very soon, for your dancing and dining pleasure.
We'll be attempting to hit the Series of Tubes before Christmas...and speaking of which, have a safe, peaceful, and Green Christmas!
More Creative Commons Goodies
 I adapted one of Tim Madden's podcast logos to a Green-specific one, using some clip art. You are free to download it and share it, use it, or modify it, but not for commercial purposes, so long as you give the Secret Frequency credit. (See the Creative Commons license for more details).
 The microphone in this badge has been used in a number of creative commons webpages, and was originally an iTunes icon, but I cannot verify the license (since I'm running Win98 and can't use iTunes). I'm calling it 'fair use', and putting it under the same CC license.
It's meant for the use of anyone who wants to designate hirself (him/herself) as a Green Party Voter.
I hope you enjoy them.
-Lise
Green Podcasting Button
As far as I know, there is no 'Green Podcast' directory or community (yet), so I'm going to jump right in and start a blogroll. Here is a 'Green Podcast' badge to use, and share. Download it, put it on your own server, add it to your cast and link it to this entry - http://secretfrequency.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=287256 -(for the time being). Put a link to your podcast in the comments here, and make sure there's a way for me to contact you. I'll add a link to your show in the sidebar. Once I've got a few shows, I'll start up a s-i-m-p-l-e webpage (or a free blog) and give everyone the url. When someone comes along to do a green podcast directory 'right' they'll have a tidy collection of 'casts to invite, and can let you know where to redirect the link to. Sound good? - Lise
#3 - American Democracy...Would Be a Great Idea
The first of our irregular series on the Claim Democracy conference last month, and the issues it raised. Featuring some conference presentations from Steven Hill of the New America Foundation, and 2004 Green Party Presidential candidate David Cobb (now with the Liberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution). With co-host Lise Mendel.
Links for this show:
Listen:
Coming Soon... Claim Democracy 2007
Episode 3, the beginning of our series covering the Claim Democracy Conference 2007, has been recorded and will be uploaded within the next few days.
#2 - We've Hit Our Demographic
 In this episode: we smack the Democrats for pandering to the RIAA, we smack CBS for pandering to the Republicans...and then we pander to the audience by discussing alien lesbians. Also: Bernie Kerik says, "Read my hips!" With co-host Lise Mendel.
Links for the show:
Listen:
Up and Running
We're glad to be up and running. I'm in the process of getting the news about the show out, and this is part of the process.
So, here's my Podcast Alley feed! {pca-90fff4fda9dbb2600775868b6b0824bf}
I've also submitted to Podcast Pickle. We'll be submitting to iTunes later on this week.
EDIT - and the hash for Odeo:
My Odeo Channel (odeo/3cdc53322531f77d)
#1 - Don't Give the Cat Natty Boh
Starring Bernie Kerik as a waterboarded mobster, Mitt Romney as Satan,
and a squad of falafel-sniffing FBI agents. With this episode's
co-host, Lisa Kramer.
Links for this show:
Listen:
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