Ordinarily, we'd have a podcast ready to go right about now...and we're sure that it's under here... somewhere...

You could say we've become a little bit snowed under here at the Secret Headquarters.  We received 26 inches (66 cm) over the weekend, and apparently we're in for another ten to twenty (25 to 51 cm) today and Wednesday!

Now you would figure that would leave us inside without much to do except for recording podcasts, but as you can see, we've also been out doing our part for the greater snowbound community.  You know, for society: that thing that Reagan's best friend Maggie Thatcher said didn't exist?

Anyway, once we've stopped shoveling, we'll be settling down with a nice cup of hot cocoa and telling some tales of the Green Party's adventures in (what passes for) American democracy.  Plus, there'll be some shout-outs, more great music, and pining for those days when we didn't have to tunnel everywhere!

(NOTE: Expanded and corrected show notes, as of 18 January)

An example of the former:  Red Cross representative Linnea Anderson joins Steve to discuss the terrible situation in Haiti, and how you can help contribute to efforts to aid the victims of the earthquake.

An example of the latter:  "Reverend" Pat Robertson's Devil-soaked victim-blaming is enough to make Christians wish they were atheist, and Rush Limbaugh's hard-hearted bilge introduces his poisoned rhetoric to a disaster zone.  Steve and Lise ponder: do they speak for conservatives?  Let us know!  (Update:  As noted in the show, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Shepard Smith of Fox Noise, and the CBN itself all take serious issue with Robertson's irresponsible comments.  Also, read about the actual Haitian legend of Bois Caiman.)  And in the meantime, click here to find out what real Christians are doing in response to the disaster, courtesy of Jim Wallis at Sojourners.

Also, there's some smoky blues by Britain's Karena Kelly.  If you're in the south of England, be sure to catch her on January 30th, at The Rising Sun, in the marvelously named town of Bognor Regis!

Photo courtesy of the UN Development Program; used under Creative Commons.

Okay, so it wasn't the greatest of decades, y'might say.  And it doesn't start any better this year: Dick Clark loses count while some guy jumps a car off a ramp.  (Hey, do we, the American people, own that car now?)

And speaking of stunts that really don't mean a lot, the Senate passed the health care bill.  The details are very confusing, as we admit...but if you find yourself in the same boat, and feel as if some things are a bit dodgy about this bill, just remember: you're no better than a climate change denier.  Gosh, wonder what that says for the non-Democrat single-payer folks, such as...oh, every single other advanced country in the world?

Meanwhile, if you're one of those who thinks we're spending too much on health care, you'll love Mother Jones's report on the real size of the bailout - and this doesn't include Congress's Christmas Eve blank check to Fannie Mae and Freddic Mac.  Not to mention the Pentagon's budget, which happens to be, oh, more than all 50 states put together collect in income taxes.  And as Steve mentions, even with that, the Afghani army is nowhere near ready yet.  (Link is to MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show; check the December 29 show.)

After that disheartening news, ya just wanna let it all out...so we got the Strawberry Blondes to do it for us!  Buy their latest album, Fight Back, at the previous link.  And if you're in Poland, Germany, or the Czech Republic, check that link for details of their shows in your area - coming in February!

Base image used under CC 3.0 License; attributed to User:Phier at Wikimedia Commons.
  digg this episode

Steve starts off with Jesse Ventura's new TV show, Conspiracy Theory, and it all goes fuzzy from there, as mind-controlled kitties take over the Secret Frequency!  From there, batted about like a cat toy, the show discussed HAARP, the 9/11 attacks, and the ClimateGate "Conspiracy" (refuted by fivethirtyeight.com, FactCheck.org, and Little Green Footballs...not to mention that there's some, y'know, actual science involved - here's some from NASA).

Plus: We hear about the media from Chris Rock and Matt Taibbi...and governments in general from an essay Steve wrote at The Hidden Message...

Music this episode is by The Grilled Lincolns (NOTE: Naughty lyrics, so please don't listen if you aren't mature, or you just really lack a sense of humor)...they've got shows coming up in Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland - check here to see when they're in your area!

Image credits to shaggy359, ergates, and Kevin Steele.
digg this episode

It's a solo effort for Steve this time, as he interviews author and activist David Swanson about his new book, Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union (from Seven Stories Press).  Learn why the President holds all the cards in the U.S. Government, and why that's a very bad thing - and how you, as citizens, can fix it!  And why both Steve and David both consider themselves democratic activists - with a decidedly small "d"!

David mentions the hoped-for impeachment of Jay Bybee.  Who's he, and why should he be impeached?  Glad you asked!

Also, we give a big shout-out to all of the artists who've made music on the Secret Frequency such a treat for our listeners.  Listen for news of new CD releases and upcoming shows by your favorites!  Some extra music on this segment from electronic and ambient artist Luigi Saracino - check out his blog!

digg this episode

Sometimes, you need a helping hand...and right on cue, the Secret Frequency provides one!  In this episode, our heroes move from the France-Ireland World Cup Qualifier result to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, his Berlin Wall appearance, and his setback as the European Green Party takes as many French seats in the European Parliament as the Socialists!  Meanwhile at home, the FBI office in Atlanta thinks the Green Party (of the U.S., mind you) has a nuke!  Gawker.com has the story and the memo!

Also...you thought "Faux News" was just a funny misspelling?  Nope, they're proven liars at this point - twice in a row...the first caught by The Daily Show, the second by ThinkProgress - both times to puff up crowds that major arch-conservatives were attempting to collect!  Steve and Lise debate: if you have "news" in the title, does that mean you have to...I dunno, broadcast actual news?  (UPDATE: John Amato of Crooks and Liars files a complaint with the FCC against Fox for broadcasting a hoax!)

In other news:

The BYU-New Mexico women's soccer match (video link from Total Pro Sports)
The Maryland "Green" Caucus (.pdf from Maryland Natural Resources Magazine...oddly, the caucus itself doesn't even have a Web presence!) 
Steve gets it right: The Astronauts were also from Colorado!

Music for this episode comes from some far-flung sources: Denver's Get Three Coffins Ready and Sweden's Roger and the Rockets!  Hit those links and buy their CDs!
digg this episode

(How appropriate! A 5th of November episode!)

The votes are in! And it's official - the Secret Frequency is back, with its 25th episode before a LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE! (Both of 'em!)

In this episode, America elects itself some Greens, in city and county races around the country, from Humboldt, California, to New Caanan, Connecticut...we have the results! Plus, CNN and the myth of the GOP's "Big Day", and Jerry Brown - remember that name? - plans to return to the big stage.

We also have a message about David Swanson's new book, Daybreak, and music from Philly's deceptively named band, Conservative Man! Order David's book online at the previous link, and visit Conservative Man's page to buy their album, Mirabel and the Hikikomori, and catch their tour dates if you're on the East Coast.

Also, starting this episode, you can keep track of the Secret Frequency on Facebook, or you can email us at secret.frequency@the-exchange.us!
digg this episode

Wait...you guys are ALIVE???

Believe it or not, the Secret Frequency is back, with newer, "punchier" episodes!  In this one: Steve discusses Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Not-Quite-as-Much-War-as-there-Was Prize, plus the problems of complacent righty Democrats and the "energized" Republican base.  Also, Rev. Billy Talen for Mayor of New York - good for progressives?  Good for the Green Party?  Good for New York?  (You betcha!)

Music in this episode by GK and the Renegades!  (Gavin's now pursuing a solo career...catch up with him and Ben Clough in their respective careers!)

Also, a new opening theme, by the same folks who brought you our closing theme up to this point: The Spark Effect!  Their latest album is Heartwork - get it through iTunes or direct from the band right now!

This episode's image courtesy of Kate Gardiner
. digg this episode

First of the new year for the Frequency - and what a year it's been so far!  So of course, in our inimitable fashion, we concentrate on practically none of that, and instead discuss spam musubi and pickles.  Also in the tasty mix is our new news roundup feature:

• Environmentally hazardous "ghost ship" arrives in England
• Ecuador expels a U.S. diplomat for supposedly interfering with police and stealing computers - two stories
• Panetta supports "limited" prosecution for waterboarding
• Everybody do the Guantanamo NIMBY!
• DNA samples to be taken from anyone picked up by the cops - coming soon to Washington?

Shout-outs to Farpoint, Shelly Thomas's Futurism Now, Equal Measure, Green Change, and Thomas Casey's The Spark Effect!

Plus music by The Alice Project - check out their latest album, Girl on a Box - and a special 2008 blooper reel!

Image provided under a Creative Commons license by rachel is coconut&lime.


digg this episode

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Secret Frequency!

A few words from your Green Party for this Christmas season:

• Rod Blagojevich: "We told ya so..."
• Six Steps to Mitigate the Financial Crisis
• A Report on a UFPJ that's a leeeetle too eager to pack up the tent...
• The Massachusetts GRP stands by their man

 

We also discuss Obama's Cabinet and some sex workers looking for their rights (not the same folks, we don't think...)

Christmasy music for this episode by Podsafe for Peace, Pushstart Wagon, and Interlunia (whom we hope are still together)!

Some sounds for this episode provided under a Creative Commons Sample Plus License by user benjaminflack at Freesound. Plus, an out-of-this-world Christmas signoff, provided under the public domain. The hamster image comes from romap via a creative commons license.

digg this episode