Episode 868: Arnie Arnesen Attitude December 8 2025

Part 1:We talk with Harvey Kronberg, publisher of the Quorum Report in Texas.We discuss Texas political news. Jasmine Crockett has entered the race for the US Senate. We also discuss the of the additional five congressional districts, which the Supreme Court has approved for Texas, established by Gov. Abbott to please Trump.There are 68 days before the primary votes for 2026 in Texas. We also discuss the likely problems Republicans might face, in the expectation that Texas will be running deficits in the near future, due to the economic slowing due to Trump policies.Part 2:We talk with Bill Curry and Robert Hockett.We discuss the national economy, which has caused less security. The middle class has less disposable income, and is shrinking. The "Yeomen", the middle class (the producers of wealth) are being decimated. We also discuss the future of health care in the US.  WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics

Part 1:We talk with Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Senior Writer.We discuss the actions of the US Supreme Court, and the cases they are now considering. Vaccinations for schoolchildren, religious exemptions to health initiatives, the power of the president with respect to dismissing the heads of independent agencies.Part 2:We talk with Susan Milligan, Contributing Editor, The New Republic.We discuss how large corporations who publish emissions data have been inaccurate in these publications, and the implications for climate effects. Often, executive compensation is linked to 'good' reports', but these are not accurate, and often revised after they have been published. These publications are voluntary, though may become mandatory in California, the fourth biggest economy in the world.  WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics

Part 1:We talk with Harold Meyerson, Editor-at-large at The American Prospect.We discuss the foreign policy now in place in Trump's administration: White Christians only are our friends. All others, no matter how long they have been allies of the US, are not acceptable.Part 2:We talk with Aaron Regunberg, Contributing Editor for The New Republic.We discuss whether child endangerment charges should be brought against Zuckerberg, for the policies of Facebook, Instagram, etc. These applications are designed to be addictive, and to attract children and young users, who are targeted by adults for sexual and other reasons. There are at least 1/4 M interactions between children and adults daily on these platforms. Decisions about allowing this are made by company executives, with no real oversight.  WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics

Part 1:We talk with Whitney Curry Wimbish, staff writer at The American Prospect, and with Emma Janssen, writing fellow at The American Prospect.We discuss the role of the middlemen in American health delivery systems. This applies to decisions about diagnostic tests, treatment, and drug and medical device use. These middlemen, employed by the large pharmaceutical and medical insurance companies, decide when or if patients are allowed to have tests, treatments, or drugs. They may not have any medical expertise but base their decisions on costs rather than medical necessity.Part 2:We talk with Michael P. Goodyear, Associate Professor of Law at NYU School of Law.We discuss a case now before the Supreme Court dealing with Internet Access. What "illegal acts" and what "actions" would necessitate the cutoff of Internet Access? Who should be punished, and how?  What fines should be imposed?WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics

This is a panel discussion.The Topics we covered were:- The grand jury NOT indicting Letitia James, despite Trump's insistence- The criminalization of the US Justice Department- Destruction of Venezuelan fishing vessels, and subsequent killing of survivors- A 'gut renovation' needed of Congress, the Supreme Courtpart 2The need to show that solutions will be cheaper than the current methods for healthcare, food support and housing support for the needy.Everyone, both Democratic and Republican voters are disgusted with the current political system.The precarity of Americans.What is government for?Taxes should be reframed as a clawback from the rich.WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics

Part 1:We talk with Natalia Contreras, who covers election administration and voting access for Votebeat in partnership with The Texas Tribune.We discuss how many Americans seem not to know how voting works. Some of this is that do not learn this as children, and much of this is the confusion because the mechanics of voting, voting laws, and procedures differ across states. We discuss the issues in Texas, specifically.Part 2:We talk with Aaron Rosenthal and Laura Jedeed.Aaron Rosenthal is the Research Director with North Star Policy Action, a think tank dedicated to improving the lives of working Minnesotans. In this role, he leads the organization's research efforts on issues ranging from building clean energy infrastructure to wage theft.Laura Jedeedis a freelance journalist who primarily focuses on the American conservative movement. Her bylines include The New Republic, Rolling Stone, and Politico, and you can find her newsletter at BannedInYourState.comWe discuss Trump's pardons. We also discuss the strikes on fishing boats from Venezuela, on the assertion that they are smuggling drugs. We also discuss the attacks by the administration on Somalis, focused on the largest group, in Minnesota. The ICE 'enforcement' actions are designed to terrorize what are perceived as "unsympathetic" groups, be labeling them as undesirable.  WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics

Part 1:We talk with Peter Greene, who writes about education.We discuss the use of education vouchers, particularly in New Hampshire, the only state in New England to go all in on this scheme. We also discuss the state of education in Florida.Part 2:We talk with Chris Lehman, D.C. Bureau Chief, The Nation.We discuss the Administration's culture war approach to all issues. Cultural issues are being used to distract from economic problems, leadership problems, and the assaults on Americans' civil rights.  WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics

Part 1:We talk with James Dyke, an academic, writer, and author. He is an Associate Professor in Earth Systems Science, and Assistant Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the European Geosciences Union, and serves on the editorial board of the journal Earth System Dynamics. He is the environmental columnist for UK newspaper i, and has written over 100 articles for international publications that includes The Ecologist, The Guardian, The Independent and The Conversation. His book Fire Storm and Flood: the violence of climate change was published in 2021 by Bloomsbury imprint Head of Zeus.We discuss how the environmental damages have accumulated over the years, and are 'beyond limits'. What can be done to correct this? It is obvious that whatever corrections are made, they will take a ong time.Part 2:We talk with Aaron Regunsberg, a contributing editor at  The New Republic, a climate lawyer, and a progressive organizer.We discuss the problem of plastic pollution, and how this relates to the use of fossil fuel sourcing. Additionally, we discuss the US Supreme court, and the conflicts of interest there.WNHNFM.ORG  productionMusic: David Rovics 

Part 1:We talk with Martha Pskowski, who covers climate news in Texas.We discuss the state of labor and employment regulations in Texas, especially with regard to the dangers that are experiencing due to hotter temperatures. There are no federal or state regulations, and Texas is prohibiting municipalities from enacting regulations locally. This is proving lethal for workers.Part 2:We talk with Thomas Neuburger, a long-time professional writer, author of stories, poems, essays and non-fiction books. His work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, Common Dreams, Alternet, Naked Capitalism, DownWithTyranny! and many other venues. he has written political analysis under his own name and the byline Gaius Publius since 2003.We discuss the use of Flock cameras, that enable universal surveillance. These are not secure, and the data is owned by the corporation, to use as it sees fit.  WNHNFM.ORG   productionMusic: David Rovics

This is a panel discussionPart 1:We discuss how Trump is targeting female reporters with slurs and insult when question are asked.We also discuss other issues:- The pardoning of drug trafficker Hernandez- Only loyalist are allowed any comments on policy- The flaws of the US Constitution, and how the document does not protect the country from fascists and corrupt politicians- MAGA fascism is in place- The continuous approval ratings (high 30%) for Trump despite the unhappiness for most of the countryPart 2:We discuss how many people are ready for change, although it appears that the Democratic party is not.What factors should be stressed? WNHNFM.ORG productionMusic: David Rovics