The View from Down Here: June 26
After illness and travel commitment, The View from Down Here returns with a full slate of stories that range from the downright scary to the ridiculous. In the former category is the controversial treatment of Attorney General Eric Holder regarding a policy that saw guns put in the hands of Mexican criminals — guns that were later used to kill an American man. Now, President Obama is using executive privilege to protect Holder. President Obama is also using his executive pen to allow young illegal immigrants to stay in the United States if they’ve been making a contribution to the country. Firmly in the ridiculous category is an Obama campaign suggestion that people use their wedding registry to help bankroll his re-election campaign. And there are plenty of stories between those extremes. Thanks for listening, and we’d love to get your feedback.
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Station XV: Episode 57 — Of budgets and butlers
The big international stories of the month fell on either sides of Atlantic, with Catholic organisations in the US sue the Obama administration over aspects of its health care reforms while, across in Rome, the Vatican was dealing with a series of documents allegedly leaked by the papal butler. In the Antipodes, Budgets and the ongoing debate about same-sex marriage grabbed headlines. But fear not, we’ve also got our trademark light story for the month.
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The View from Down Here: June 6, 2012
After a one-week hiatus, Brendan and Gavin catch up on some of the big stories in US politics, culture and religion. They include the changing face of the presidential election, as criticisms mount of President Barack Obama, even from “friendly” quarters, a marked shift in the proportion of pro-choice and pro-life Americans, and the law suit filed by 43 Catholic organisations, including the archdioceses of New York and Washington, DC. We’d love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.
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The View from Down Here: May 22, 2012
With there now being a two-horse race for the presidential campaign, President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney have started what will be a lengthy battle of advertisements making the case for their nomination — or against their opponent. Brendan and Gavin discuss the contrasting tones of the ad, and the continuing trend of President Obama’s campaign to insert its collective foot in its mouth, as it did with this ad. Or you can click here to see the Romney ad, “Day One”. The guys also talk about threats against a Catholic parish in Massachusetts over same-sex marriage and the controversy that keeps on going — the contraceptive mandate as part of the president’s health care package. No shortage of meaty stories in this week’s issue.
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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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