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.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on forest fire control and protection. AuCoin argues that fires should be reintroducted to the forest to ultimately burn excess fuel. The city of Ashland, Oregon, led by Forest Service Ranger Linda Duffy, has agreed to logging and thinning to better limit future fires. 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 disinformation being spread by the administration of President George W. Bush. AuCoin states that although Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld claimed to have closed a federal "Office of Disinformation" before it began operating, AuCoin suspects that the goals of the office were still in force. AuCoin provides what he claims are two past examples of dishonesty coming from the Bush administration regarding the No Child Left Behind Act and Social Security trust fund surplus related money mismanagement. 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-February 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin discussing a Portland newspaper's article on divorce and divorcees in Oregon. AuCoin states that Oregon sociologists found that Oregon has become especially popular for people that divorce elsewhere, as the state offers social tolerance and divorced women opportunities. AuCoin, however, describes how he is troubled by the manner in which the newspaper leaves out the trauma kids face following divorce. 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 Mark Hemstreet, owner of Shiloh Inns. According to AuCoin, Hemstreet organized a group of wealthy, anti-government businessmen to help elect "reactionary," pro-tax cut candidates to the Oregon state legislature. AuCoin states that Hemstreet then lobbied Congress for massive federal spending to stimulate the economy, including a year-long moratorium for businesses and individuals. AuCoin asserts that the actions of Hemstreet reveal the "enlightened self-interest that animates many conservatives." 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 differences over timber policy. In the recording, AuCoin argues that although former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader had criticized both major parties for having essentially the same stance on environmental policy, the Bush administration in fact has a worse record on environmental policy. While President Clinton's Forest Service Chief, Mike Dombeck, had worked to conserve National Forest resources, President Bush's Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth was promoting many harmful policies. 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 term limits and incumbents. AuCoin, a critic of term limits, asserts that political operatives of the national term limit movement will try to handcuff people with term limits. AuCoin further wonders if civic leaders will be up for debate on term limits now, since few did so in 1992. 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 President George W. Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address. In the recording, AuCoin analyzes Bush and his appointments of John D. Negroponte, Otto Reich, Ted Olson, and Bennett Raley. He criticizes the Bush administration for cutting federal funding for libraries, research on renewable energy sources, community hospitals, workforce training, et cetera. 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 January 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on how government spending cuts were impacting the lives of children. AuCoin describes a controversial statement by the National Institute of Health: “Child abuse has become engraved in American life.” 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 campaign finance reform. He criticizes the fact that politicians must devote excessive attention to raising funds for campaigns. He describes how an upcoming vote in Congress (the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002, commonly known as the McCain–Feingold Act or BCRA) could reform campaign finance. However, it will require citizens to start contacting their representatives for change to happen. 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 early 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin on a bill in progress to ban soft money raising and spending. Soft money, known as non-federal money, is money that federal candidates and officeholders pass around for “party activities." AuCoin lists the ways soft money has been used and describes how Americans want to ban the use of soft money. 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 enjoying warm late winter/ early spring days. AuCoin recounts his day going on an aquatic adventure and learning new fishing techniques while listening to Eddy Arnold and Kenny Rogers music. 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 spring 2002.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin regarding President Bush renouncing the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. AuCoin advocates for the ABM Treaty, stating that the treaty made Americans safer and saved taxpayers billions of dollars. From Bush’s view, according to AuCoin, renouncing the treaty was done to protect the US from terrorist groups, as the treaty was an outdated, Cold War-era relic. AuCoin, however, asserts that renouncing the treaty is likely to trigger other countries nearby to acquire more missiles, while unlikely actually preventing terrorist attacks. 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 regarding his first visit to New York City after 9/11. AuCoin describes how the nearby St. Paul's Chapel had become a shrine to honor those who had lost their lives on 9/11. An entry from the chapel’s guest book stated that "too often it is in loss that we discover the things that we love and why we love them," which AuCoin takes and applies to the war in Iraq, arguing that the situation had led to the U.S. government neglecting civil liberties. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin regarding Bill Gates' alleged comments comparing the development of the auto industry and the computer industry. This story was based on a viral joke that was circulating in the early 2000s, playing on the fact that computer technology had improved exponentially while cars had only improved marginally over the last few decades. AuCoin shares General Motors' response, listing ten hypothetical faults of cars if they adopted the same technology standards as Microsoft. 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 2002-2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin, in which he criticizes the mishandling of cattle feed in feedlots in the West. AuCoin argues that the switch from grass-fed cattle to corn-fed cattle has led to poorer quality beef. As cattle are not intended to digest grain, corn-fed cattle often have an increased risk of illnesses that require heavy doses of antibiotics, which humans then consume. Further, as AuCoin shares, corn-fed beef has more saturated fats than grass-fed beef. 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 2003.
An audio recording by Oregon Congressman Les AuCoin regarding Multnomah County Ballot Measure 26-48 of 2003. AuCoin shares how Multnomah County voters voted to increase taxes on the county-level to alleviate the school funding crisis. Moreover, he criticizes the hypocrisy of the conservatives in the Oregon legislature who condemn Ballot Measure 26-48 for keeping tax revenue within Multnomah County schools and out of rural Oregon counties, while simultaneously arguing against raising taxes in general. AuCoin specifically calls out Republican Oregon State Senator Ted Ferrioli. 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 regarding Richard Perle, the Chairman of the Defense Policy Board Advisory Committee and advisor to President Bush. AuCoin criticizes Perle, sharing how Perle has a history of promoting nuclear weapons, aggressive actions against Iraq since 1996, and pushing President Bush to wage a war with 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 around 2003.
