Station XV: Episode 56 — Contraception, contradiction, conjugal relations and confusion
What is the New Zealand Government thinking in offering free long-term contraception to women on welfare? What is President Obama thinking in announcing he supports gay marriage in the middle of an election campaign? When will the euthanasia lobby stop pushing its barrow? And can something that has been blessed be un-blessed? Those stories and more on a full show this month on The 15th Station.
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The View from Down Here: May 15, 2012
One story — and one story only — seems to have dominated the US political and cultural scene over the past week, and that’s President Barack Obama’s announcement that his position on same-sex marriage has now evolved and he supports it. He said it was his Christian faith and adherence to the Golden Rule that guided his decision to move from a stated opposition to gay marriage to supporting it. Brendan, Tim and Gavin dedicate most of this week’s show to the topic. Here’s a link to the article Brendan mentions in the show: “What is Marriage?”
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The View from Down Here: May 8, 2012
With Newt Gingrich dropping out of the Republican presidential race, it’s essentially become a head-to-head battle between President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney with six months to go until the general election. And it continues to be a rough period for President Obama, with a new campaign ad being widely criticised, ex-girlfriends revealing some of the secrets of their relationships with the future president and letters from Osama bin Laden being released. Brendan, Tim and Gavin chat about those stories, plus the other talking points of the past couple of weeks.
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The View from Down Here: April 24, 2012
Religion and politics collide on a fairly grand scale in this week’s episode of The View from Down Here. Brendan and Gavin chat about the Illinois bishop who has strongly criticised President Obama — only to see a secular group try to have the diocese’s tax-exempt status revoked. The homily in question can be read or viewed here, so you can make up your own mind on whether Bishop Jenky crossed the line. We also talk about a same-sex marriage referendum in Washington state, voter ID laws and the Vatican’s criticism of some wmen religious. We hope you enjoy the show.
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The View from Down Here: April 17, 2012
This week’s episode is brought to you by the word “drop”, as in Rick Santorum drops out of the Republican primary race, a Democratic strategist drops the ball in her party’s alleged affinity with women, and President Obama’s staff drop a large group of secret service agents for their indiscretions while supposedly protecting the president in Colombia. Oh, and a group of progressive Catholics try to drop the hammer on Republican up-and-comer Paul Ryan’s budget proposal. Brendan, Tim and Gavin discuss those stories and more in The View from Down Here.
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Station XV: Episode 55 — Faith revivals in New Zealand and Cuba?
A new study suggests many young New Zealanders might be becoming more religious while other peers are turning away from faith. Which will win out? The panel discusses that research and analyses the possible impact of Pope Benedict’s trip to Cuba, as well as the semiannual controversial billboard from a prominent Anglican parish in Auckland. We’d love to hear from our listeners, so feel free to post comments with your feedback.
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The View from Down Here: April 10, 2012
In this week’s episode, Brendan and Gavin talk about the big news of the past week — President Obama’s comments about the possible fate of his health care legislation as the Supreme Court rules on its constitutionality. What does it mean for the separation of powers in the US? What does it tell us about President Obama and his re-election bid? The guys also talk about the latest deal between the US and Afghanistan about night raids in the latter, the ongoing debate on religious freedom and give a quick Republican primary update. We hope you enjoy the show.
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The View from Down Here: April 3, 2012
It’s just Brendan and Gavin again this week, and there’s a long list of stories to cover. After a quick chat on the primaries and on Ron Paul and his curious inability to attract Catholic voters, we navigate through atheist waters, wonder about President Obama cosying up to Planned Parenthood and discuss this curious story of a woman who’s in trouble with the law over her decision to baptise her children. And there’s also some musical interlude from Catholic rapper Righteous B.
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The View from Down Here: March 27, 2012
With Tim “on assignment”, Brendan and Gavin chat about some of the big stories of the week, including trouble brewing for President Obama’s health care reforms, the latest primary results and what they mean, and two controversies — a priest denying Communion to a lesbian and a university in New York that will hold classes on Good Friday and Yom Kippur. That, and much more. And, after the show, head to www.badlipreading.com for a political giggle.
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The View from Down Here: March 20, 2012
The View from Down Here returns with a full slate of topics to cover, including a quick update on the state of the Republican primary season, the US soldier accused of killing 16 Afghanis and some analysis of President Obama’s performance, including his new campaign video outlining his achievements thus far, his role in rising gas prices and the constantly moving HHS mandate on contraception. An action-packed discussion, that’s for sure.
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