(final podcast link)

Thank you everybody for being such a great audience and an even better source of learning over the years. I fully intend for this to be the final post on the Arizona Growler. Hey, if professional athletes can call a long hiatus “retirement,” so can I. Therefore, I “retire” from politics.

Jeff Rutledge continues to pursue his degree in media arts and general business administration. Trevor Smith is graduating with a B.A. in political science and will be working in Washington (that’s all he let me say). Ratman continues to wreak common-sensical havoc upon liberal public schools in southwestern Arizona.

I was going to announce my specific career plans on this blog, but recent events have led me to handle this a little more securely. If you’d like to know, and if I know you (having only met on the Internet still counts), you can feel free to shoot me an email at gpohara at gmail dot com, and I’ll be more than willing to let you in on the secret.

On a podcast-related note, you might recall some legal research back on the “O’Hara Factor” where I determined that getting the Arizona Board of Regents to turn its current weapons policy around would be sufficient to restore gun rights on Arizona’s university campuses. I hope that helps anybody who decides to make a political push.

The Arizona blogosphere meanwhile looks as healthy and vibrant as ever. I only hope that more people pay attention as blogs become the norm as opposed to a niche. Thank you everybody for the good times. Please know full well that I’m leaving on a better note than what the podcast might imply. It’s a challenge that I hope will be taken up soon.

Best Regards,
G. P. O’Hara

The primary election results are in, but I’ve come to a different conclusion than I expected, though I suppose I was just being naive. I really do hope things turn around soon for the sake of the student body.

This is one of those issues where liberal and conservative no longer mean anything. The Wildcat coming from a liberal perspective looks just as apathetic. What does that tell you, people?

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes

I have some big news here, so I recorded a short message about it that you should hear.

How to listen:

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Uh, no comment. No description. Just play the file.

There is copyrighted music in here, so I’m reserving all rights.

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes

TUCSON, AZ — In the midst of snow falling upon the University of Arizona last Sunday afternoon and evening, administrators have temporarily banned snowball fights in an attempt to prevent the perpetuation of double standards and discrimination.

Said one unnamed official, “We currently ban tortilla-throwing at commencement ceremonies for a good reason; we don’t want to offend Hispanics. It’s only fair that we ban snowball fights for fear of offending Eskimos. Not only that, but it seems clear that the male gender has an apparent advantage in such activities. Restoring such activity to campus will require some way of evening the playing field.”

Meanwhile, campus peace activists are now investigating a possible instance of genocide, after about fifty homeless inhabitants of the campus were reported missing, each leaving their garments in a large pool of water in the very spot where they were last seen.

Music is “Frosty the Snowman” by Bing Crosby. If you didn’t know that after listening to it, you need to get out more often. This episode is licensed “All Rights Reserved” because I don’t feel like having the RIAA breathing down my neck over a Christmas song.

Reposted due to a server change.  I’m having to use university servers right now because I can’t use Archive.org when using copyrighted music and sound effects.  Please me know if you’d be willing to host a couple of mp3’s for me. Originally posted on September 8th, 2006.

We’re making more fun of Facebook on the podcast today.  Yes, I am a Law and Order fan.

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes or other podcatcher

Reposted due to a server change.  I’m having to use university servers right now because I can’t use Archive.org when using copyrighted music and sound effects.  Please me know if you’d be willing to host a couple of mp3’s for me.  Originally posted on September 6th, 2006.

Facebook!  It’s where everybody knows your name!  And you know everybody else’s name, et cetera!

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes or other podcatcher

Update: I just figured out how to isolate the feed to the podcasts only.  You may want to update the feed address to make sure iTunes can see both current episodes.

Update II: I’m submitting this to various blog carnivals including but not limited to Showcase Carnival.

How to listen:

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Residents of the Blenman-Elm Neighborhood just east of the University Medical Center here in Tucson are learning to “look before they sit” according to a recent Arizona Daily Star article, as small, white rats have been swimming their way into residents’ toilet bowls.

While rumor indicates that the rats are actually laboratory animals from the University of Arizona, the university denies that these are laboratory rats, noting that they are the same type that pet stores sell as food for snakes.

Public works officials admit that the problem may never be completely solved. Citing ethics and privacy concerns, they nonetheless immediately declined an offer from the university’s department of herpetology to release a family of camera-carrying snakes (see comment #9) into the sewer system to screen the sewers for any remaining rats.

Meanwhile, an unnamed member of the university’s chapter of Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals denied accusations that a team of highly-trained special forces students released the rats from UMC, utilizing the sewer system to extract the hostages.

Despite UMC’s strict lab-rat monitoring procedures, a spokesman did state that they would pay a little more attention to the rats. Said the spokesman, “We don’t this coming up and biting us in the [expletive].”

Music is "Had a Plan, Had to Change It" by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

THIS PODCAST EPISODE IS NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN. 

Update (7 Dec): Archive.org, the server where I host the podcasts, appears to be having problems at the moment.

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe using iTunes

WorldNetDaily columnist Jim Rutz declared in a controversial column recently that overconsumption of soy products causes males to become homosexuals, citing soy’s relatively-high estrogen content.

“Soy is feminizing,” Rutz claims “and commonly leads to a decrease in the size of the penis, sexual confusion, and homosexuality. That’s why most of the medical…blame for today’s rise in homosexuality must fall upon the rise of soy formula and other soy products.”

WorldNetDaily editor-in-chief Joseph Farah, amidst massive hate mail from leftist websites, immediately defended Rutz, and called for women to be banned from eating beef, pork, poultry, beans, and dairy, for fear that increased testosterone levels might make them homosexuals, too.

Officials at the University of Arizona complimented the study, and are planning to increase the availability of soy in on-campus food in order to facilitate an increase in diversity. In contrast, Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University has banned tofu, calling it “The Curd of Tinky Winky.”

This news report is brought to you by the Law Offices of Bob Schmuck. Did your mother feed you soy as a infant? Are you sexually confused? Recent medical research has found that your sexual confusion is not your fault, and you may be able to sue for damages. For a free consultation, call the Law Offices of Bob Schmuck at 1-800-SOY-MILK.

Editorial note: I still affirm that homosexuality is a sin just like any other sexual sin, but that doesn’t stop me from thinking Jim Rutz is stupid.

Music is "Stop Yield Go Merge (Extended Les Thorn Mix)" from Derek K. Miller of Penmachine. 

I return back to Scott Ott inspired satirical news with a podcast concerning the Tunnel of Oppression, an annual event here at the UA which seeks to "to challenge peoples’ ideas and perceptions of issues dealing with oppression."  I suspect that it may become politically charged as a result of having Proposition 107 on the ballot this year.

As such, the podcast is chock full of racial epithets, so make sure you keep the volume down (or use headphones) if you work at a liberal educational institution.  That won’t tend to muffle your laughter, though.  You’re on your own there.

Explanations of most slurs and epithets are available here, here, and here. 

Background music is Meltdown Man by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.  Licensing is under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5.

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes or other podcatcher

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes or other podcatcher

Some random, unorganized thoughts…

• The microphone was one of those cheap Labtec desktop microphones.  It has much better frequency range than the one the Grijalva staffer disabled.  The audio is best heard with speakers capable of good bass (i.e. not my notebook speakers).
• The Grijalva staffer who disabled my microphone on the night of October 6th was not present.
• Tedski of RRR notes that Drake supporters (College Republicans?) were yelling "Vote for the American name[!]"  I can confirm that Tedski was present; we shook hands and talked for a bit.  It’s safe to assume this was outside at the north roundabout since I never heard or saw any such thing in the Kiva room.  I have friends within the CR’s, but if this is true, it’s absolutely uncalled for.
• What I did hear was Native American drumming outside the north windows of the Kiva Room.  The microphone did pick up some of this.  I can’t say whether this is their regular thing on Wednesday night or an effort to show support for Grijalva.
• I had two Grijalva staffers sitting to my left, the nearest of whom would take occasional glances at my computer while I was liveblogging and recording.  Quite annoying.  I need to get myself a privacy screen for things like this.
• Those weird vibrating noises early in the recording are me adjusting the microphone upon industrial carpet.  It would have been fine to leave it where it was; I’ll remember that next time.
• I estimate that Drake’s open right hand (palm down) came about four inches away from Rep. Grijalva’s face at eye level when he motioned for him to be quiet and exclaimed "Excuse me!" (about 42:16-42:18 in the audio file).  Grijalva apologizes; Drake doesn’t accept.
• Libertarian District 8 candidate David Nolan was also present.
• "We record.  You decide." was a concoction of my warped mind during breakfast this morning.  I subsequently recorded the audio after washing the dishes.
• No reaction from any of the candidates’ websites spotted.  Sole media reaction to this specific debate is from the Wildcat.
• Check the liveblogged comments for more.
• Intro music is "A Pizza Without Time" by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.
• Audio is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5.  Do whatever you want with it so long as you credit me (and Mr. Miller for the music).

Here they are. The interviews other than the interview and subsequent incident with Raúl Grijalva. It is also my longest podcast ever by far.

Special thanks to ASUA for putting on the event, and to my guests:

• Linda Lopez, Democratic candidate for State House, District 29 (incumbent)
• Bob Walkup, Mayor of the City of Tucson (not up for reelection)
• Randy Graf, Republican candidate for U.S. House, Arizona District 8
• Lena Saradnik, Democratic candidate for State House, LD 26
• Gene Chewning, Republican candidate for State House, LD 27
• Ron Drake, Republican candidate for U.S. House, Arizona District 7

How to listen:

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes or other podcatcher

The theme song is "Fresh Snow in the Valley" by Derek K. Miller of Penmachine.

Note: I misspelled Ms. Saradnik’s name when I was looking up the URL. Her website was probably up the entire time, and I will be contacting her and the other guests with the URL for this podcast.

Update (October 9th): Expect a podcast report with my interviews of other candidates either tonight or tomorrow. You will find that the responses of the other candidates, even when we disagreed on many fundamental things, were very respectful and always ended with a genuine handshake. I unfortunately cannot say the same of Congressman Grijalva. Members of the press who seek direct comment may contact me at my email address: gpohara-at-gmail.com.

Update II (October 9th): I had never figured out why Grijalva and his staffer were so sensitive to having the conversation recorded, but perhaps it’s because they’re in a dispute over which debates they actually agreed upon. With this recent incident, Rep. Grijalva might be more likely than ever to avoid the University of Arizona as a debate site.

Update III (October 9th): The other interviews

THIS IS NOT A SATIRE.

I’m not going to delve into legal details here; I’m just going to say what happened and give myself some time to decide a course of action. Interviews of other candidates as well as further personal analysis of what happened will be posted at a later time when I can muster a more professional voice.

In short, I became involved in what I will term an "incident" with Representative Raul Grijalva (AZ-7) and one of his staffers during the October 6, 2006 Voter Block Party held at Main Gate Square by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona. The recording explains the rest.

While I wait upon my senses to allow me to choose a course of action, I urge my fellow District 7 voters to take this into account when marking the ballot on November 7th.

Garrett P. O’Hara
University of Arizona political science senior

P.S.: If you subscribe to the podcast, you might notice that the server I used for the other files is down. I’ll let you know when it’s back up.

How to listen:

Play episode (128 Kbps MP3) | Play episode (64 Kbps MP3) | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes or other podcatcher

Addition: This audio work falls under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License. Content on the rest of this blog falls under the license seen at the bottom of the right hand column of the page unless otherwise noted in a post. Added October 9th: As stated in the license, this in no way affects your fair use rights.

Forget the updates, I just decided to clean the entire thing up!

Looks like I’m going to transition from The Arizona Podcat to just doing the podcasts right here. It’s much easier for the user; I just have a bunch of setup to do.

Original show notes are as follows:

Yeah, unfortunately, I can’t support the cost of doing this website without a little advertising, so here it goes. Hope it doesn’t destroy my blogging career.

Okay, it’s fake just like everything else on this website. In addition, I’d like to introduce "Ratman", who in this episode plays his exact opposite.

Garrett — conservative student, narration
"Ratman" — liberal student

Music is "Stop Yield Go Merge" from Derek K. Miller’s Penmachine.

How to listen

Play episode | RSS 2.0 Feed (podcasts) | Subscribe with iTunes or other podcatcher