Author Archives: Nate

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About Nate

Nate is a co-host on the “Arsenal For Democracy” show. He was previously the co-founder of an earlier political blog with Bill in 2008.

February 25, 2015 – Arsenal For Democracy 117

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Topics: Right-wing soccer hooliganism, Egypt’s intervention in Libya, Koch Brothers contributions in 2016. People: Bill, Nate, Sasha. Produced: February 23rd, 2015.

Discussion Points:

– What is the relationship between right-wing politics and racist/nationalist soccer hooliganism in Europe?
– What does Egypt’s intervention mean for the war in Libya?
– What impact will the Koch Brothers’ $889 million pledge have on the 2016 elections and US democracy?

Episode 117 (54 min)
AFD 117

Related links
Segment 1

– The Guardian: Chelsea fans who shouted racist chants at London station sought by police
– The Guardian: Ex-policeman caught up in Chelsea fans’ Paris Métro incident denies he is racist
– The Economist: UKIP’s long game: Beyond the beachheads

Segment 2

– AFD: Egypt Air Force strikes ISIS of Libya at Derna
– Informed Comment: Egypt: Sisi’s struggle with the Muslim Brotherhood and his Strikes on ISIL/ Daesh in Libya

Segment 3

– AFD, by Sasha: Let’s talk money
– NYT: Koch Brothers’ Budget of $889 Million for 2016 Is on Par With Both Parties’ Spending

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And don’t forget to check out The Digitized Ramblings of an 8-Bit Animal, the video blog of our announcer, Justin.

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February 11, 2015 – Arsenal For Democracy 116

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Topics: Mike Pence’s failed state media outlet, Nigeria elections postponement, UK elections early predictions. People: Bill, Nate. Produced: February 10th, 2015.

Discussion Points:

– Is Indiana’s short-lived state media outlet a harbinger of even more challenges for local journalism?
– What does the postponement of Nigeria’s elections mean for the country’s democracy?
– UK: What could a Labour-SNP coalition mean for Britain? What effect will the centrality of UKIP’s talking points have on the campaign?

Episode 116 (52 min)
AFD 116

Related links
Segment 1

– AFD: Pence’s Pravda
– Indianapolis Star: Pence starts state-run news outlet to compete with media
– Fort Wayne News-Sentinel: Indiana Governor Mike Pence scraps plan for state-run news website

Segment 2

– AFD: Nigeria military forces elections to be postponed
– BBC: Nigeria election: Five questions about delay

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And don’t forget to check out The Digitized Ramblings of an 8-Bit Animal, the video blog of our announcer, Justin.

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January 28, 2015 – Arsenal For Democracy 115

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Topics: Big Ideas – Zero-Tuition Public College; Greek elections. People: Bill, Nate. Produced: January 26th, 2015.

Discussion Points:

– Big Ideas for Reforming American Governance: Should the federal government offer a zero-tuition 4-year public college system? Is this feasible?
– How will Syriza’s win in the Greek elections affect Greece and the EU?

Episode 115 (46 min)
AFD 115

Related links
Segment 1

– ThinkProgress: How Obama Could Make College Free For Everyone Without Spending A Dime
– EdWeek: Some Higher Education Advocates Wary of President’s Free Community College Plan
– The Atlantic: Is There a Better Way to Deal With Student-Loan Debt?

Segment 2

– AFD: The Questions Posed by World’s 2015 Elections
– AFD: Syriza-Independent Greeks coalition takes office

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January 21, 2015 – Arsenal For Democracy 114

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Topics: Republican State Attorneys General, the NYPD mutiny, US-Russian relations. People: Bill, Nate, Sasha. Produced: January 19th, 2015.

Discussion Points:

– How are Republican Attorneys General helping corporations fight common sense regulation?
– Is the NYPD beyond the control of the people of New York City and Mayor De Blasio?
– The end of nuclear partnership: When should the US view Russian actions as threatening versus posturing?

Episode 114 (52 min)
AFD 114

Related links
Segment 1

– AFD, by Sasha: State Attorneys General are ruining the Earth. Literally.
– NYT: Energy Firms in Secretive Alliance With Attorneys General

Segment 2

– AFD: NYC: Overwhelming opposition to the NYPD mutiny
– The Globalist, by Bill: New York: De Blasio Vs. a Renegade Police Department
– AFD: The NYPD: America’s Secret Police
– AFD, by De Ana: #BlackLivesMatter means just that, not that police lives don’t
– Reuters: Off duty, black cops in New York feel threat from fellow police

Segment 3

– Boston Globe: Russia ends US nuclear security alliance
– The Globalist: Kaliningrad: Achilles’ Heel for the West

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And don’t forget to check out The Digitized Ramblings of an 8-Bit Animal, the video blog of our announcer, Justin.

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January 14, 2015 – Arsenal For Democracy 113

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Topics: Boko Haram massacre in northeastern Nigeria, the French historical and political contexts of the Charlie Hebdo attacks. People: Bill, Nate. Produced: January 12th, 2015.

Discussion Points:

– Why is Western media doing such a bad job of covering the rise of Boko Haram in northern Nigeria?
– Charlie Hebdo attacks: What is the big picture historical and political context of France’s relations with immigrants and Muslims?

Episode 113 (55 min)
AFD 113

Related links
Segment 1

– AFD: 2000 “feared dead” in raids by Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria
– France24: Child used as suicide bomber in Kano market
– The Atlantic: Charlie Hebdo: Why Nigeria’s Boko Haram Violence Gets Less Attention
– BBC: Boko Haram crisis: Why it is hard to know the truth in Nigeria

Segment 2

– Hooded Utilitarian: In the Wake of Charlie Hebdo, Free Speech Does Not Mean Freedom From Criticism
– The Globe and Mail: In the Mideast, as in France, satire is a weapon against extremists
– The Atlantic: Who Was Ahmed Merabet, the Muslim Police Officer Killed by the Charlie Hebdo Massacre?
– Buzzfeed: This Muslim Man Saved Several Hostages During The Paris Kosher Market Siege

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And don’t forget to check out The Digitized Ramblings of an 8-Bit Animal, the video blog of our announcer, Justin.

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January 7, 2015 – Arsenal For Democracy 112

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Topics: Rep. Steve Scalise, US policy on Cuba and North Korea, Islamophobia in Sweden and Germany. People: Bill, Nate. Produced: January 5th, 2015.

Discussion Points:

– Why House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is at least a White supremacist sympathizer, despite his sketchy denials — and what that means for the Republican Party now.
– What does the US policy change on Cuba mean for both countries? Should the US also adjust policies on North Korea?
– Why are Germany and Sweden witnessing a surge of anti-Muslim public actions?

Episode 112 (55 min)
AFD 112

Related links
Segment 1

– Cen Lamar: House Majority Whip Steve Scalise was reportedly an honored guest at 2002 international white supremacist convention
– Washington Post: House Majority Whip Scalise confirms he spoke to white nationalists in 2002
– NYT: Much of David Duke’s ’91 Campaign Is Now in Louisiana Mainstream

Segment 2

– NYT: Obama Announces U.S. and Cuba Will Resume Relations
– AFD: Hip-Hop Invasion! (and other stupid covert Cuba projects)

Segment 3

– The Globalist: Political Courage: Merkel Vs. Cameron
– BBC: Anti-Islam ‘Pegida’ rally in Dresden sees record turnout
– BBC: Three mosque fires in one week (Sweden)
– AFD: Sweden’s budget deal is American-style extortion

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And don’t forget to check out The Digitized Ramblings of an 8-Bit Animal, the video blog of our announcer, Justin.

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December 17, 2014 – Arsenal For Democracy 111

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Topics: Torture Report, CRomnibus spending package, video game review – This War of Mine. People: Bill, Nate. Produced: December 15th, 2014.

Discussion Points:

– Torture Report: Why US actions after 9/11 are symptomatic of a wider unresolved White Supremacy in American policymaking and society — and why torture and drones are the logical extension of daily police brutality and accidental shootings.
– CRomnibus Spending Package: Should Democrats and President Obama have stood more firmly on principle against the new funding measure even at the cost of a shutdown?
– Political Pop Culture: Nate reviews “This War of Mine,” a survival game set in the Siege of Sarajevo

Episode 111 (53 min)
AFD 111

Related links
Segment 1

– Boston Globe: 20 key findings of Senate’s CIA torture report
– Arsenal For Democracy coverage of the 2014 Torture Report
– Arsenal For Democracy archive coverage of the 2009 Torture Memos

Segment 2

– AFD: The Terrible CRomnibus
– NYT Dealbook: Wall Street Seeks to Tuck Dodd-Frank Changes in Budget Bill
– Huffington Post:The Levee Breaks: Democrats Rage Against Obama Over Wall Street Giveaway
– AFD: US prepares to give sacred Native land to Australian mining firm
– AP: Federal budget would raise limits on big donors in campaign finance

Segment 3

– AFD Review by Nate: My War
– Steam: “This War of Mine”

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iTunes Store Link: “Arsenal for Democracy by Bill Humphrey”

And don’t forget to check out The Digitized Ramblings of an 8-Bit Animal, the video blog of our announcer, Justin.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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