An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin regarding governmental abuse by exploitation of military tribunals following 9/11. AuCoin states that military tribunals were designed to track foreign suspects, not American citizens like in the case of José Padilla. According to AuCoin, the government has been allowed to hoard and keep files on nearly any individual deemed suspicious, supposedly justified in the name of war, though AuCoin argues against deeming the current national situation a "war." This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in June 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy on the occassion of the Fourth of July weekend. AuCoin references Martin Luther King Jr.’s "Letter from Birmingham Jail," stating that injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere, and that there are two kinds of laws, just and unjust laws, and that we as Americans have the moral responsibility to choose whether to obey or disobey. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired from July 2001-2004. *Trigger warning on the language used in this podcast.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin discussing the topic of national parks and the Recreation Fee Demonstration permits. AuCoin states that public national parks were established for Americans to explore freely, and condemns the new $30 Recreation Fee Demonstration permits introduced by the government, which fund unnecessary programs unrelated to the parks. Quoting Russell Sadler, he states "these fees are a deliberate attempt to impose the same competitve conditions that private recreation uses to make profits." This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode probably aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on Democratic critics condemning George Bush for not being better prepared to prevent 9/11 when he had received an intelligence warning weeks prior. AuCoin, however, states that the critics were "barking up the wrong tree," and asserts that it was the faulty performance of intelligence that had failed to share information, check leads, and connect the dots with evidence. Meanwhile, AuCoin asserts that Democrats should lay off of George Bush, and advocates for a congressional investigation. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the issue of growing income inequality in Oregon in the early 2000s. AuCoin asserts that income inequality had been growing nationwide since the 1980s and 1990s, even admist a prosperous economy. Before the 1980s, AuCoin notes how both Democrats and Republicans of the Oregon legislatures worked together, especially under Governor Tom McCall. The problem, according to AuCoin, was that "rich, selfish men invented Oregon's conservative ballot measure industry." AuCoin advocates for "bold, smart, and fearless leadership" that would restrict the ballot measure industry, prioritize secondary and higher education for economic growth, and convince taxpayers that the success of the state costs money, "especially money designed to build human skills, and convert taxeaters into taxpayers." This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2001.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin discussing John Ashcroft's advocacy of firearms that he had recently taken to the Supreme Court. Ashcroft argued that the right to bare arms was not only constitutionally protected for state organized militias, but for individuals as well. Countering Ashcroft, AuCoin asserts that the definitive interpretation of the second amendment right was presented in a 1939 Supreme Court decision, which ruled that "the amendment protected a collective right, not an individual right." This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2001.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on taping and listening to music during his travels, a decades-long tradition of his. AuCoin recalls listening to pre-recorded tapes of Tchaikovsky on his trips to Moscow in the 1970s. He also shares a memory of him listening to Luciano Pavarotti at his rented house in Tuscany. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired from August 2001-2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the Oregon Republican Party's attack on a candidate for Oregon State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Susan Castillo. AuCoin states that Castillo is not well-liked because of her views on foreign policy, specifically in relation to the War on Terrorism, which AuCoin calls irrelevant for the role she was running for. AuCoin additionally shares that Castillo is part of the board of Women's Action for New Directions (WAND), a national group that aims to reduce militarism. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin pondering a future with President Bush winning the 2004 election after then recent remarks by Bush that he would restore humility to American foreign policy if reelected. AuCoin states that, in the past, Bush has handled affairs in a non-humble way and that he is thus concernced with how Bush would handle violence in Iraq, especially admist news of his plans to invade Iraq. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in April 2001.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin recounting how he kept himself occupied on a recent airline flight by reading SkyMall magazine. AuCoin asserts that consumerism is so embedded in the American economy that we can not help but give in to unnecessary products that magazines sell. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode probably aired in mid-2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on hatchery closures as part of a $2 million Fish and Wildlife Service budget cut. AuCoin asserts that those closing were often sources of pollution and/or uneconomical. AuCoin suggests that limiting the number of hatcheries will allow more money to be used for schools and healthy wild fish. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired on April 22 (Earth Day), probably in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the dangers of water transfers. He describes a scheme by an Alaskan company named World Water SA, which was planning to collect water from rivers in Mendocino County, California in giant "water bladders." The bladders would be towed south down to the coast to San Diego, where taxpayers would be charged for the water. AuCoin says that this scheme likely will not happen, but that ideas like this in the past have occured and caused great environmetal harm, benefitting only a few people. AuCoin says that taxpayers should not subsidize these sorts of projects, but that the free market cost of natural water should be passed on to consumers. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the pressure of taxes on the occasion of Tax Day. AuCoin criticizes how tax preparer companies give predatory high-interest loans to low-income families for as they await their tax refund. AuCoin goes on to argue that taxes generally are too low, condemning President Bush's tax cuts. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired between 2002-2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on Palestinian suicide bombings against Israel citizens and Israel's invasion of Palestinian territories. AuCoin asserts that not enough had been done to prevent suicide bombings from becoming normalized, mentioning how President Bush "stubbornly refused to curb Israel's overreaction to Palestinian suicide bombers." Further, AuCoin states that "Islamic rage" can be harmful to Arab governments and the United States alike. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired between 2002-2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on Founding Father James Madison and his legacy in relation to the War on Terrorism. According to AuCoin, constitutional rights and civil liberties that Madison and other Founding Fathers established were being threatened by "unrestricted, unaccountable, political power" admist the War on Terrorism. AuCoin makes references to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Trent Lott. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on Ashland speech coach John Treadway and his elite high school debate team at Ashland High School on the occassion of his retirement in 2002. AuCoin expresses his admiration for Treadway and his impactful teaching that encouraged students to become critical thinkers. At the time of the recording, Ashland High School's debate team was considered one of the best in Oregon and the region. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode probably aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on water rights policy in the Klamath Basin. In his recording, AuCoin describes how President George W. Bush's Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman were "opening the water tap" in Klamath Falls, an action AuCoin dubs as "political theater trumping substance." AuCoin argues that while the opening of irrigation is beneficial to farmers, it is often harmful to the endangered fish that reside in the water. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin regarding the federal government withholding information tied to "anti-communist" regimes in central America that led to deaths, such as the death of Jennifer Harbury’s husband, Efraín Bámaca Velásquez, who disappeared in Guatemala in the late 1990s. AuCoin describes how Harbury, a lawyer, sought information about her husband's death, discovering he was captured, held, and tortured to death by the Guatemalan military after being presumed dead. AuCoin brings up the CIA sponsored coup d'état that toppled Guatemalan President Jacobo Árbenz in 1954. AuCoin also discusses the death of Benjamin Linder, an American engineer from Portland who was killed in Nicaragua by one of many "anti-communist" fascist regimes funded by the U.S. government. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on spending the day in Washington, D.C. with his actor son, Kelly AuCoin. In the recording, AuCoin discusses the difficulties of seeing his son while living on different sides of the country, reflects on watching his son getting older, and shares how he and his son always find the time to crack jokes with one another. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on political conflict resolution. Continuing a story he began in an earlier radio episode, AuCoin describes what he witnessed at a conflict resolution workshop held at Southern Oregon University, where 40 people from different political groups came together to discuss their differences. He contrasts political struggle that resolves conflicts to "ugly" namecalling and demonization. Notably, AuCoin mentions the shooting rampage that occured in the Native American community of Chiloquin, Oregon in December 2001 admist the Klamath Basin water crisis. He ends the podcast by playing the song "We Can Work It Out" by the Beatles. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired around 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on political conflict in the "state of Jefferson" (Southern Oregon) and how civil discourse could improve matters. AuCoin says that while having a natural clash of ideas is healthy, demonizing each other is not. He brings up the racially-motivated shootings that took place in Chiloquin in 2001. AuCoin asserts that community-based conflict resolution projects can help rival groups discuss problems civilly, and describes how Southern Oregon University (SOU) recently ran a workshop for forty people that attempted to make discussions more humane. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired around 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the cover up of cases of pedophiles and sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. AuCoin states how some priests accused of abuse were transferred to other parishes when their crimes were discovered, rather than being prosecuted or dismissed. AuCoin condemns Bishop Bernard Law of Boston, who defended this practice by comparing it to the moving around of alcoholic priests. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired around 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the Federal Bureau of Investigation tracking information on American citizens. Aucoin suspects possible people in charge of deciding relevant data could be Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert Mueller, or others in local FBI offices. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired around 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the Hayman Fire, the Colorado's worst forest fire in the state's recorded history from 2002-2020. AuCoin argues that fires have worsened due to years of fire suppression that have led to unhealthy forests. He thus advocates for the reintroduction of controlled burns that allow limited forest thinning. This is one episode from AuCoin's biweekly radio show on Jefferson Public Radio (JPR), which ran after he had retired from office. The majority of episodes feature his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in mid-2002.
