An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the topic of wildfire management and unrestrained logging in the early 2000s. AuCoin states that "greedy" legislators connected to the timber industry will likely blame recent wildfires fires on environmentalists and advocate for unrestrained logging. He brings up a recently proposed bill by Montana Representative Dennis Rehberg. 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 between 2001-2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin regarding the first anniversary of 9/11. Reflecting on the first year post-9/11, AuCoin points out how journalism had transformed "from a profession into a commodity producer...garnished with a dose of American jingoism." For the first anniversary, AuCoin advocates for simplicity, reflection, remembrance and embracing silence, because “silence is golden." 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 September 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the topic of social security earnings. AuCoin discusses how President Bush wanted younger workers to fund their social security benefits through the policy of privatization and the stock market. Had social security been privatized, AuCoin argues, Americans would be in a “lose-lose economics” situation. For example, according to AuCoin, Willshire 5000 had lost 50% of its value, while social security did not lose any value in a recent year. 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 August 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository dispute between the White House and nuclear industry. A recent bill had overrode the state of Nevada's veto on hosting "the nation's first radioactive garbage dump." A key fault of the Yucca Mountain location, according to AuCoin, was the fact that the area was not large enough to hold all of the nation's nuclear waste. 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 features his commentary on current political events, often focusing on issues important to southern Oregon where JPR is based. This episode aired in July 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on President Bush’s visit to Oregon and his approach to preventing future wildfires by loosening regulations and allowing commercial loggers to thin fire prone, old growth forests. According to AuCoin, Bush's Assistant Secretary for Agriculture (responsible for national forest policy) and former timber lobbyist Mark Rey had helped to pass the "notorious" timber salvage rider policy of 1995. The policy had destroyed the trust between the industry and the environmental conservation community. 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- September 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin condemning Allan Fitzsimmons' (the Wildlands Fuel Coordinator at the United States Department of the Interior) approach to environment management. According to AuCoin, the Bush administration had used then recent wildfires as an excuse to weaken environmental protection laws and to promote logging of new and old growth trees, catering to commerical loggers instead of "genuine forest health." AuCoin asserts that Fitzsimmons' complacency to ecosystem management was rooted in theology, not ecology. AuCoin states that "science contends that we are of nature, not apart from it." 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 September 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on President George Bush "doing a favor" for his brother Jeb Bush by extending oil drilling rights in Florida. AuCoin argues that President Bush was hypocritical for putting oil extraction above the environment; he highlights the cancellation of California oil and gas leases by the Bush adminstration who then subsequently tried to force California to accept 36 year old lease sales on the outer continental shelf of their shore. 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 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.
