An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin commenting on Ralph Nader's 2004 presidential election campaign. He compares and contrasts the political arena that Nader faced in 2004 compared to his 2000 presidential campaign. 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 likely aired in late 2003 or early 2004.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin clarifying and apologizing for factual errors on his part in a former radio episode on Columbia River dredging. AuCoin states that he still stands by his original comment on how sometimes even good people have negatively impacted the climate for reasons of monetary gain. However, he apologizes for using out of date information, including details about the motives of the Port of Portland and a comment on how dredge spoils were to be placed in sensitive aquatic locations, as this was the original proposal of the Army Corps of Engineers, though it was vetoed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State of Ecology. 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 likely aired in 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on what he calls the "pleasure principle" -- "the habit of cutting taxes...without knowing or trying to know their budget consequences." He describes the consequences of cutting taxes in Oregon during budget deficits, inlcuding the loss of vital services in order to rebalance the budget. The recession has impacted revenue. 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 2002-2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin reflecting on his then recent "pilgrimage" to the former location of the Twin Towers in New York City in the immediate years following 9/11. Though this wasn't his first trip to the area post-9/11, he describes how the attacks have had a lasting impact on the city landscape and the lives of himself and his fellow Americans. He honors the innocent souls and the heroism of the first responders who lost their lives. He recalls eating at the famous Windows on the World in the past, and mentions visiting St. Paul's Chapel on his trip, which was used as a shrine for the victims. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin commenting on Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign for the Governor of California. AuCoin points out and criticizes the novelty of Schwarzenegger's movie star and bodybuilding status in the political world, stating "celebrity has become the holy grail of American politics." 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the unemployment rate in the early 2000s. He states that despite the recession officially ending in November 2001, the jobless rate did not decrease alongside the economic rebound. AuCoin points out the issues of intense foreign competition and the low amount of business investments at home. 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 describing how 11 Republicans in the Oregon House of Representatives put the state of Oregon first above partisan goals. He states that Republican Rob Patridge of Medford stepped up and voted to preserve public services and balance the budget, going against traditional party lines. AuCoin shares his admiration for the Republican 11, who "defied their party's dogma" and stepped up as leaders in order to compromise and address the issue of the Oregon budget deficit. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin criticizing the implementation of Oregon Ballot Measure 66: Lottery Funds for Parks and Watersheds. He states how the Oregon legislature used the money for other purposes, such as a research laboratory, which he felt wronged Oregon voters. Habitat Division Director Dave McAllister will be removed and replaced by Fish Division Administrator, Ed Bowels. 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 Oregon state senators Republican Randy Miller and Democrat Kurt Schrader refusing to accept a federal grant of $10 million to fight obesity in Oregon schools and communities. AuCoin criticizes this action, citing that Oregon is one of the most obese states in the West. He also comments on the more general issue of the Oregon state budget deficit. 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 commenting on the Oregon legislature and the Oregon income tax credit "kicker." AuCoin suggests getting rid of the kicker and replacing it with a rainy day fund in order for the Oregon legislature to more adequatedly organize the state budget. 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 how the government has viewed the probability of winning a hypothetical nuclear war. As a US Congressman in the 1980s, he recalls being informed that the Reagan administration felt strongly that the US would prevail in a hyopthetical, global, nuclear war. AuCoin questions how any country could really win a nuclear war. He shares how as small nuclear weapons increase in number, more and more nonelected US military officials would have access to the nuclear buttons. 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 a then recent Oregon forest report. Douglas County requested and paid for the report, led by researcher of Oregon State University School of Forestry, John Sessions. AuCoin points out how Sessions is a civil and forest engineer, not a wildfire scientist, and was seemingly unqualified to author the report. AuCoin states that the best approach to generating healthy forests is by natural recovery. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on recall elections. AuCoin asserts that while recall elections are an important component of democracy, they can be abused when politicians are unjustly put up for a recall election. He specifically mentions California Governor Gray Davis' recall election, and mentions how conservative republicans of California also agree that recall election can lead to political instability. 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 2002-2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on a flaw of the environmental lobby, specifically criticizing their frequent "my way or the highway" approach. For example, Democrats Oregon Congressman Peter DeFazio and California Congressman George Miller had collaborated with Republican Congressman Greg Walden on a forest health bill, but because it was a compromise, AuCoin states that other environmentalists were dissatified and the congressmen ended up dropping the bill. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the Bush administration's attempts to privatize up to half of government jobs, including management jobs with the Forest Service and BLM. Mitch Daniels, Bush's former director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, says this move could increase quality and keep down operating costs. AuCoin criticizes this proposal. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on operation “Iraqi Freedom." AuCoin points out how truth was a casualty of the War in Iraq, specifically pointing out how the Bush Administration used the idea of weapons of mass destruction to justify the 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on coverage of the War in Iraq. He asserts that CNN is one of many news organizations that has covered the Fall of Baghdad in a entertainment-focused manner in order to capture more viewers. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the Bush's administration's move "not to impose the West's will" on Iraq following the fall of Baghdad. AuCoin supports this move, as he asserts that Iraqis are skeptical of the United States intentions. He points out some of Franklin Graham's negative remarks on the religion of Islam. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on urban voters in Oregon agreeing to local levies in order to improve the quality of their schools. According to AuCoin, such levies were in reponse to Oregon Republicans rejecting any proposal to raise the state revenue. 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 2002-2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on betrayal based scandals, specifically pointing out Martha Stewart’s insider trading scandal. Making some comparaisons, AuCoin wonders where the Bush aministration got the idea that Iraq had biological and chemical weapons, the idea of which that was used to justify the invasion of 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 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin commemorating his 38 year wedding anniversary. AuCoin reminisces on his life and political career with his wife Sue at his side. 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 Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski's approach to the state budget. AuCoin deems Kulongoski's budget as purposefully milquetoast, as Kulongoski himself calls the proposed budget "inadequate." 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the occassion of his retirement from teaching at Southern Oregon University (SOU) at the age of 61. He reminisces about students' interactions and the joy of being a teacher. AuCoin shares his plans of going into writing following his retirement from teaching. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin commenting on a Fox News poll that revealed that most Americans do not believe that the country was heading in the right direction. AuCoin states that this makes sense when one considers that "prey are always less happy than, say, predators." He expresses concern about Medicare's future following a prescription drug bill proposal supported by American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), which would be detrimental to retired Americans but monetarily beneficial to the organization. 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.
