The View from Down Here: August 28, 2012
With about 10 weeks till the presidential election, The View from Down Here returns with a typically busy show, with discussion of a poll formula that’s predicted the past eight elections, the choice of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s VP candidate, a couple of convention controversies, a couple of foot-in-mouth situations and efforts to hold the campaigns accountable for spreading falsehoods. Included in the discussions is this exchange between CNN’s Anderson Cooper and DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Enjoy the show.
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The View from Down Here: August 8, 2012
It’s been another sad week in the US, with the massacre of several people at a Sikh temple. Brendan and Gavin offer their View from Down Here on the tragedy, as well as a host of other stories including the start of the Health and Human Service mandate on birth control — click here for George Weigel’s article mentioned in the show — and Clint Eastwood endorsing Mitt Romney. The new San Francisco archbishop and an increasingly nasty war of words between Republicans and Democrats also feature.
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The View from Down Here: August 1, 2012
Since when did buying a chicken sandwich become a cultural issue? When supporters of same-sex marriage decided it was time to boycott Chick Fil-A stores because the president of the company said he supports traditional marriage between one man and one woman. Brendan and Gavin talk about the controversy, and similar controversy erupting in New Zealand. Meanwhile, back in the US, Mitt Romney had a gaffe-filled international tour, questions about President Obama’s religion and a pro-life activist getting a visit from the FBI.
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The View from Down Here: July 25, 2012
In the much-anticipated return of The View from Down Here, Brendan and Gavin discuss the tragic shooting in Aurora, Colorado, that has rightly dominated news for the past several days. In more mundane matters, the guys talk about President Obama’s “gaffe” when talking about businesses and the now infamous phrase “You didn’t build that”. Click here to read the Canada Free Press column they talked about. The possibility of women fighting on the military’s front lines and the Hoover Foundation’s interview with President George W. Bush round out the show.
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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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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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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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