February 2023

  • 68 Mile High Obama


Barack Obama this week returned to Colorado for a speech at Mountain Range High School in Westminster.  My wife and I arrived at the school at about 5 a.m., which put us in line for a seat upgrade at the last minute and a terrific view of the candidate.  His arrival in the arena was delayed by late-breaking events in Washington, D.C., where the House of Representatives shocked everyone by defeating the financial bailout package. 

Click here for video of the speech.  Click here for text.


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  • 67 Obama’s Hard Words and Soft Touch


This episode of m podcast comprises excerpts from Barack Obama’s speech September 16, 2008 at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.  I was there with a friend of ours, Tish, from Wyoming, who had an exciting moment at the end of the event.  Also included are reactions to the talk by some of those in attendance, including myself.

The New York Times coverage of the Golden speech is here.  Full video of the speech is here. Daily Kos has text of advance copy of speech, which Obama followed very closely.

For an intelligent analysis of Obama’s economic philosophy, I recommend this piece published August 20, 2008 in the New York Times Magazine by David Leonhardt.  Click here for an audio podcast interview with the author.

Music for my podcast is “Going to the Sun” composed and performed by Montana musicians Christine Dickinson, Janet Haarvig and Matthew Lyon, from their Glacier Journey CD.

I welcome your comments at 206-666-274 or PodChronicles@gmail.com.


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  • 66 Talking Politics with Albert Maruggi


Albert Maruggi, my well-connected Republican Twitter friend who lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, has great insights into the convention going on in his hometown this week.  Albert was a key GOP staffer when Dan Quayle was chosen as Bush I’s VP, so his memories are good preparation for tonight’s big speech by Gov. Sarah Palin.  In this telephone interview today, he also tells why watching Palin is a NASCAR experience.

You can listen to our other “Utterzly Political” conversations here or here.

The music for my podcast is “Going to the Sun,” composed and performed by Montana musicians Christine Dickinson, Janet Haarvig and Matthew Lyon.  It’s from their excellent Glacier Journey CD.


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  • 65 DNC Preview


Chris Lopez, communications director for the 2008 Denver Host Committee,
took time out of a VERY busy day today to preview what’s ahead in
Denver once the Democratic National Convention gets under way this
weekend.  He seemed remarkably serene, and he was optimistic that the
convention’s protests will be peaceful and full of the good energy of
democracy.  Me too!

UPDATE: I forgot to include the following links mentioned by Chris in the podcast:

The Presidential Experience

Click here for information on Convention events at the Denver Convention Center in the mornings.

Dialog:City

Cinemocracy

2008 Rocky Mountain Roundtables


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  • 65 DNC Preview – mp3


Interview on August 19, 2008 with Chris Lopez – .mp3 version.


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  • 64 Jeff Cutler Unplugged – mp3 version


This is the mp3 version of this week’s Audio Pod Chronicles interview with Jeff Cutler.


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  • 64 Jeff Cutler Unplugged


Writer and podcaster Jeff Cutler was one of the only Boston Media Makers without a device feeding him information from the Internet at our meeting on Sunday, August 3, 2008, at Doyle’s Cafe in Jamaica Plain.  It turns out his laptop was in the shop.   This prompted him to lead a lively discussion among the 22 of us at the meeting about how much we depend on being connected at all times to the Internet.  

Jeff is a thoughtful guy who is on what he calls a one-year “Writing Sabbatical” during which he is aiming at a new phase of his career that will involve more commentary and opinion writing.  

He uses his podcast, “Bowl of Cheese” in an effective and unusual way as a supplement to his blog of the same name.  All in all, Jeff Cutler is doing creative, original work in the new media space, and it’s always good to connect with him, even when he’s unplugged!  I think you’ll enjoy this profile of a writer from Hingham, Mass.,  who is using new media to full advantage.  

Music for my podcast is “Going to the Sun” composed and performed by Montana musicians Christine Dickinson, Janet Haarvig and Matthew Lyon.  It’s from their excellent Glacier Journey CD .

Photo of Jeff and me is by Steve Garfield of SteveGarfield.com .

I’d love to hear your feedback on this topic or any other. You can leave a voice comment at 206-666-2713 or you can send me an email to PodChronicles@gmail.com or leave a comment here.

NOTE: If you are a Kindle owner or merely intrigued,  I hope you will check out my new weekly podcast, The Kindle Chronicles, uploaded each Friday.  It’s also available for free subscription at the iTunes Store.


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  • 62 mp3 A Dilly of a Denver Police Commander


mp3 version of Episode 62, A dilly of a Denver Police Commander.


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  • 62 A Dilly of a Denver Police Commander


Denver Police Commander Debra Dillly heads District 6, the core downtown area.  On July 8, 2008 she addressed a meeting of homeowners from three downtown condominium buildings, including the one I live in. She gave the best overview I’ve heard so far of what it’s really going to be like in my neighborhood August 25-28 when the Democratic National Convention comes to town.  Now I will how to tell Obama‘s motorcade from President Carter’s, how regular police work will be handled, the effect of the convention on Denver’s homeless population, and what NOT to do if I get tear-gassed.

Note: The audio calls this episode 61, but in fact it’s number 62.  Credit the error to sleep deprivation.


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