The Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast

HD303 - Oscar Predictions

hdadmin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:45:31 +0000

It’s that time of year again, and Myron Bunkerling is forcing Conservative Columnist Brick Hawke and Progressive Pundit Attacus Dove to pretend like they know things about Academy Award nominated films. Does Attacus Dove want to raise taxes on even Slumdog Millionaires? Does Brick Hawke know his butt from a Benjamin Buttonhole? And why does Myron Bunkerling think Meryl Streep’s best work was the movie She-Devil? Listen now – ’cause it’s shorter than the average acceptance speech of a Thalberg Award recipient.

HD302 - Old School Political Round-Up

hdadmin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:30:21 +0000

Hawke, Dove and Bunkerling are back. In their first podcast as a threesome since the election, Brick, Attacus and and Myron catch up on the immense changes that have altered the political landscape. Can Obama clean up this train wreck of an economy? Which wars can America win, and which should we weasel out of? And where the heck has Attacus Dove been since the election? All this and more in your political podcast of record.

HD301 - To Infinity and Beyonce

hdadmin — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 06:21:15 +0000

2008 may have been rough for the markets, but it was quite a year to be pop music sensation Beyoncé Knowles. She had a hit double album “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” a breakout role as Etta James in the film “Cadillac Records,” and now a prominent appearance at Obama’s inauguration ceremony. It begs the question: Is anything beyond Beyoncé? Listen as this talented triple threat joins Hawke and Myron in studio and holds her own on a variety of topics, including: crossing over from music to movies, the revitalization of conservative principles, working with Mike Myers, and keeping it real both in Iraq and in concert.

HD243 - Holiday Memories with Brick, Myron, and Arianna Huffington

hdadmin — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:26:37 +0000

Holidays are for family, friends, food and fun. Listen as Brick Hawke, Myron Bunkerling, and guest panelist Arianna Huffington share holiday memories from their respective pasts. It’s like listening to your own family stories… provided you grew up in either A) the searing, stark deserts of Arizona, B) in a museum of Collectible Action Figures, or C) on the Concorde.

HD242 - Hawke and Myron “At The Movies”

hdadmin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:35:00 +0000

Due to cutbacks at National Public Internet, the Hawke and Dove Program is moved to a scaled-back programming schedule and forced to endure changes in format. This coincides with the return of Brick Hawke, who attempts to make his first semi-rational podcast since the GOP’s historic repudiation on Election Day 2008. But can Myron’s enthusiasm for upcoming holiday movies get Brick back in the spirit of the season?

HD241 - Take It Or Lieberman

hdadmin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:14:43 +0000

McCain called himself a maverick, but it was Joe Lieberman who bucked his own party in 2006, became an independent, and chose to back the losing GOP ticket in 2008. Now, with his committee chairmanship and membership in the Democratic caucus hanging in the balance, liberals are calling for his head on a platter. Can Lieberman save his hide and work out a deal with President-Elect Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid? Listen to hear his responses to NPI moderator Myron Bunkerling, who throws neither hardballs nor softballs – just balls of appropriately moderate density.

HD240 - The Story of Richard Milhous Nixon

hdadmin — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:05:31 +0000

In what has been an amazing and historic election, the nation has at last made its choice: Barack Obama shall indeed be the 44th President of these United States. Whether they cry tears of joy or despair, many Americans are feeling depleted at the end of this two-year process; none more so than pundits Attacus Dove and Brick Hawke, who every week have dutifully analyzed every scintilla of political nuance with the intensity of retarded zealots. Today, we check in with our esteemed pair to see what personal toll this campaign has taken on the unsung heroes of Election ‘08, Mssrs. Hawke and Dove. Dove enjoys a moment of reflection, whereas Hawke, mourning the fact Obama won the youth vote 66% to 32%, turns his sights on the next next generation.

Also, there’s some talk of Nixon.

HD239 - McCain, No Gain

hdadmin — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:52:34 +0000

John McCain generally loves to fight as the underdog, and the final leg of this election is providing a great opportunity for him to do so. As he trails Barack Obama in fundraising, national polls and the crucial electoral map, the maverick from Arizona is out to prove once and for all that it’s a mistake to write off John McCain. Listen as he consults with conservative commentator Brick Hawke for an eleventh hour check-in and pep talk on the eve of the third and final presidential debate. Come November 4th, will there be enough Mac-tion to carry him over the top? Or is it time to Mac-cept defeat?

HD238 - The Financial Panic Show (Live Call-In)

hdadmin — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:24:13 +0000

Wall Street crashes. The credit market collapses. Housing prices fall as unemployment rates rise. With so much chaos hitting the financial , Americans are angry — and only Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove can help them sort out what is going on. In this, their second attempt at a live call-in show, Hawke and Dove face all the crucial questions: Can we turn back time? Should we save up all our tears? Will the beat go on?

HD237 - EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Palin - Pakistani President Flirt Festival

hdadmin — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:19:34 +0000

During Sarah Palin’s recent visit to the United Nations, she was gushed over by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. The meeting — part of her crash course in foreign affairs — began innocuously enough. But Zardari, whose wife Benazir Bhutto was recently assassinated, soon steered the conversation in a direction so flirtatious it might make Gloria Steinem cringe. The mainstream media failed to give further details on this exchange, but luckily Attacus Dove was able to get the inside scoop. Listen as he plays an unedited recording of what really went down between Ms. Palin and Mr. Zardari in New York that romantic autumn day.

HD236 - Sarah Palin Interview Part II - Meet Bristol Palin!

hdadmin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:58:40 +0000

In our last episode, Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove scooped Charlie Gibson, Sean Hannity, and the Washington Press Corp still waiting to ask questions of Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin. By some accounts, the level to which this candidate is avoiding press conferences is unprecedented in the history of American political campaigns. A McCain spokesperson responded that it “… takes Governor Palin a long time to apply her makeup, and she’ll be ready to meet the press soon if they’ll just take a seat on the couch in the living room and promise to have her back by 10:00 pm. We’ll be waiting.”

It is in this environment that the McCain campaign allowed Brick Hawke (who authored the loyalty oath that Sean Hannity had to sign before his own interview with Candidate Palin) extraordinary access to Palin and her as-yet-unwed, pregnant teenage daughter, Bristol Palin. Only Brick Hawke could be trusted to ask respectful questions of the teenager, and to avoid such controversial topics as whether or not she has ever smoked pot (as reported by the National Enquirer), or the possible photos of Bristol Palin at a pajama-party with Vanessa Hudgens, Miley Cyrus, and Kevin Federline (as this guy truly hopes). Brick Hawke rises to this tremendous challenge and gets Bristol Palin to break her silence, and possibly her mother’s campaign!

HD235 - The Sarah Palin Interview (Pt 1)

hdadmin — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:47:54 +0000

Sarah Palin may not be ready to take on the Washington press corps, but her handlers clearly feel she is more than prepared to face Hawke and Dove. The Alaska Governor sits down for for the first of two interviews, discussing national security, the sanctity of life, and how to skin a live moose. Have the feminist tables been turned forever? Or have they merely been covered with an oldy-timey lace table runner? Listen to find out.

HD234 - Obama vs. McCain; The Feline Debate

hdadmin — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:58:14 +0000

Hawke and Dove are away this week, but not to fear, Myron Bunkerling is here! And as the general election kicks into high gear, Bunkerling has an exclusive: the first head to head debate between the major candidates (as played by two of Myron’s cats: Mr. Tinkerfluff and Jenny-Fur Aniston.) As we rocket toward November, find out which candidate has the will to claw his way to the White House and maintain all-important meow-mentum.

HD233 - Democratic Convention Hysterics with Attacus Dove

hdadmin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:32:40 +0000

The 2008 Democratic National Convention opened Monday night with a cavalcade of speakers both from and far away from the national spotlight, leading up to the headliner of the night… Attacus Dove? Unfortunately not, as Attacus Dove appears to have been bumped from his convention slot in favor of possible future first lady Michelle Obama. Michelle gave a speech highlighting her middle class values, her family, faith, sharing her roots, and also contained a shout-out to Hillary Clinton that brought the standing-room-only crowd to their feet. In this episode of the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Program, however, Dove misses all the convention action while getting kicked-out for failing his background check when some low-level Obama staffer googled a “dove song” he wrote in grad school. Unfortunately for Dove and many in the media, this outrage does not result in a riot.

HD231 - Advice for the Presidential Candidates

hdadmin — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:20:21 +0000

With Labor Day and the conventions just around the corner, the election season proper now begins. With the end goal of inauguration day and 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in sight, Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove give their campaign advice to candidates Barack Obama and John McCain. But if the goal is to energize their bases, win over moderates and independents, and close the deal with the American people, the candidates might want to think twice before they take either Hawke or Dove’s advice.

HD231 - The Chinese and the Olympics

hdadmin — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:09:16 +0000

Dateline: Beijing, 2008. The twenty-ninth Olympiad. Hear what happens when Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove travel to Beijing, China to interview a representative from the Chinese Ministry of Information. Issues confronted in this hard-hitting piece of journalism include: the Chinese record on human rights, preparations for the Olympic games, labor concerns, oppression in Tibet , international romance, kung fu, and the popularity of The Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Program. 享用!

HD230 - The Tell-All Book (with Bo-D)

hdadmin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:34:37 +0000

Want to know more about the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Program? You’re in luck. Brick and Attacus have been collaborating with a ghost writer named Bo-D on a behind the scenes “tell-all” book. It takes a lot of work to secure a book deal. Listen as our hosts talk to Bo-D about the writer’s creative process. You’ll get a sneak peek at what is sure to be the hottest-selling release since George Takei’s (Takin’ it) “To The Stars.”

HD229 - Teens in America (with Raven Hawke)

mjradmin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:46:53 +0000

Government studies show teen pregnancy rates edging upward in the U.S, as well as teen drug use and compulsive use of digital devices like cell phones and iPods. This week, Brick Hawke, Attacus Dove and Myron Bunkerling wade into these issues with the help of an actual teenager: Raven Hawke, Brick’s angsty teenage niece. Will Brick be able to instill traditional values in her? Can Dove connect to her with a more progressive approach? Will she eat Myron alive? Listen to find out as we explore these hot topics of concern to American teens.

HD228 - PAAC Founder Cornelius Cumisaka and the Fall of the Neoconservative Agenda

hdadmin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:13:44 +0000

The last week has seen the Bush Administration send a high-level State Department Official to begin diplomatic negotiations with Iran, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates admit that the US army is over-committed in Iraq and that the front in the War on Terror needs to be moved back to the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the Bush Administration commit to a “Time Horizon” (definitely not a “timeline”) for American troops to leave Iraq. All of these ideas seem to have originated with the Obama campaign, rather than with the think tanks and other non-governmental organizations that have been shaping US Foreign Policy for years. Are we seeing an actual dismantling of the neoconservative agenda put forth by such institutions as the American Enterprise Institute or the RAND Corporation?

Brick Hawke joins his long-time workout partner Cornelius Cumisaka (founder, CEO, CFO, and Grand Poobah of the Project for an All American Century - “PAAC”) for a wide-ranging discussion covering Mr. Cumisaka’s influence on over 30 years of American Foreign Policy. Mr. Cumisaka, who is a regular social butterfly in the Washington social scene that includes games of Othello with Donald Rumsfeld, games of Go with Richard Perle, and Snakes and Ladders with Dick Cheney (all members of the PAAC) offers up numerous mea culpas with regards to his policies towards Iraq, North Korea, support of the Shah in Iran and the unintended consequences of those policies, all of which were enacted by conservative administrations.

HD227 - Soaring Gas Prices (with Al Gore)

mjradmin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:51:47 +0000

With gas prices soaring, the energy crisis has turned into a budget crisis for the American people. Who better to ponder the nation’s alternatives than liberal commentator Attacus Dove and former Vice President Al Gore. Thinking outside the box, Dove and Gore present the new possibilities on the energy horizon. In fact, T. Boone Pickens is just slim pickin’s compared to the idea buffet served up by Gore and Dove.

HD226 - The Next First Lady (with Aunt Edie)

hdadmin — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:22:45 +0000

Americans face a stark choice in November: between Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama as First Lady. This week, Hawke and Dove explore the impact these two ladies might have on their husbands campaigns. Joining them is moderator Myron Bunkerling and his eccentric Aunt Edie. Listen as Brick and Attacus do their best to survive Edie’s bizarre stories from the East Coast… of Lake Crazy.

HD225 - The Play’s The Thing

mjradmin — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:48:59 +0000

All the world’s a stage. And this week’s episode of The Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Program is no exception. Hear what happens when our esteemed panelists try their hand at radical thespianism. In an effort to win a National Public Internet Shakespeare competition, Attacus Dove nobly directs a wooden Brick Hawke and the ever-sheepish Myron Bunkerling in a simple scene from the Bard’s canon. Shall I compare thee to a terrible actor?

HD224 - An Interview with Jimmy Carter

mjradmin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:50:13 +0000

Former President Jimmy Carter is never one to keep his opinion to himself. Since he lost his re-election campaign in 1980, Mr. Carter has established himself as a progressive voice of dissent during the predominantly conservative era of the last few decades. Today, the former President sits down with our own Attacus Dove to discuss foreign policy, analyze domestic politics, and share personal anecdotes.

HD223 - The Politics of Star Trek

mjradmin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:20:37 +0000

Science fiction stories often explore relevant sociopolitical issues. And the world of Star Trek is no exception. This week, Hawke and Dove indulge Myron by engaging in a lively debate about the politics of Gene Roddenberry’s beloved utopian creation. While Dove prefers the more genteel world of Next Generation, Hawke gravitates toward the tougher style of Kirk and the original series. But will Myron’s obsession for the subject get in the way of logical discussion? Lay in a course for trouble, Mr. Sulu – warp factor hilarious.

HD222 - Terry McAuliffe Opines on Hillary Clinton’s Future

hdadmin — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:25:45 +0000

Former Chair of the Democratic National Committee and current Hillary Clinton Campaign Manager Terry McAuliffe joins the illustrious Hawke and Dove to delve into the ups and downs of Senator Clinton’s fight for the nomination, now that Illinois Senator Barack Obama has clinched the required number of delegates to claim the nomination.

Recognizing Hillary’s truly historic gift to America, Terry paints a picture of a campaign with fiercely loyal supporters that carried the campaign on their shoulders these last few months. It is thanks to these loyal Clintonites that Terry McAuliffe remains positive in the face of what must ultimately be a devastating defeat.

HD221 - Hawke, Dove and Myron Go Fishing

mjradmin — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:14:27 +0000

In observance of Memorial Day, Hawke, Dove and Myron decide to take a little fishing getaway. But that won’t stop the podcast, as Myron has brought along his recording equipment. So as Hawke sets out to conquer a legendary Muskie known as Fat Bastard, Dove takes in the local flora. And poor Myron, who is not known as an outdoors type, tries his best to enjoy himself. It all makes for a memorable Memorial Day, to be sure.

HD220 - Barack Obama Rules for Board Games (Interview Part 2)

hdadmin — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:21:56 +0000

Continuing last week’s interview with Barack Obama which ended in an ideological firestorm of confrontation between our conservative commentator Brick Hawke and our liberal elocutionist Attacus Dove, this week’s episode of the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Program sees probable Democratic nominee for President Illinois Senator Barack Obama leading our pundits in a little exercise of bipartisanship. Namely, a game of Trivial Pursuit.

Some would say that Trivial Pursuit is a game best left to elitists, but our grey-collar, National Public Internet salaried hosts go at it with all the gusto of a rabid sports fan.

Can that infamous Obama charm overcome the animosity of left vs. right? What brand Obama strategies and skills will he bring to bear in this epic doctrinal discussion? Could there be a clue within this simple board game that will show how Obama intends to unite the country during the general election fall campaign? Listen to find out.

HD219 - Barack Obama Interview Part One

hdadmin — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:25:27 +0000

No less strong a Clinton Supporter and Senior Advisor than James Carville recently admitted that Barack Obama likely has the Democratic Presidential nomination in the bag. Tonight, as West Virginia votes to keep the contest between Senator Obama and Hillary Clinton going, probable Democratic nominee Obama sits down with Hawke and Dove to explain how he plans to bring Republicans and Democrats together in a spirit of bipartisanship.

HD218 - Minimum Wage - Good or Bad?

hdadmin — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:27:32 +0000

On the eve that the Connecticut State Senate has passed an increase of the minimum wage from $7.00 to over $8.00 while the federal minimum wage remains a stagnant $5.85 per hour, Hawke and Dove pick up their battle-axes and prepare to jostle over this contemptuous issue. While many different presidents have touted their own minimum wage standards, the issue of a raise in the minimum wage has been significantly absent in this year’s Presidential primary elections, despite a failing economy, record oil and rice prices, and unprecedented home foreclosures. Many other countries are indeed giving their minimum-wage earners tax breaks to help with the slowdown in the global economy.

Perhaps the candidates aren’t making minimum wage a campaign issue because of this summer’s increase in the federal minimum wage after more than 10 years. This belated action by Congress unfortunately does little to help a citizenry reeling from the effect of high gas prices, and does nothing to help those who live in the dozens of states that have already surpassed the federal standard, and did so long ago.

In the end, no matter what the minimum wage is, it will never be good enough to satisfy everyone.

Note: This show topic was suggested by Heather in our topic suggestion forum. Why don’t you head over and register to participate in the forum? We’ll see you there.

HD217 - Potential Running Mates

hdadmin — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:59:35 +0000

With the Democratic Primary becoming this season’s longest-running television sitcom, speculation has turned towards who might offer the most traction to either a Clinton or an Obama ticket. At the most recent debate, both candidates appeared to back away from the suggestion that they be willing to run together as a dream team. Speculation is not limited to the Democratic side, of course… with McCain’s nomination secured, he appears to be biding his time and won’t send out signals regarding his potential pick one way or another. Of course, this hasn’t prevented Florida Governor Charlie Crist from auditioning for the role, or Mitt Romney from begging for a VP nod.

Into this fracas wade Brick Hawke, Attacus Dove and Myron Bunkerling. Knowing that no Veep has added much to the ticket since Dan Quayle, each of our speculators have their own agenda, of course, and wise listeners will discern immediately which elements of the electorate each panders to with their suggestions. Don’t forget to join the discussion forum at http://hawkeanddove.com/bb/

HD216 - Hawke and Dove Fight Over FISA

hdadmin — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:17:31 +0000

National Public Internet apologizes for this week’s Hawke and Dove Program being two days late.

Hardly any partisan skirmish in Congress this term has been as drawn-out and protracted as the fight to fix FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. With GOP congressmen lining up behind the Telecom companies in support of immunity for their apparent illegal wire-tapping and snooping, Democrats appear to be the new libertarians, fighting for privacy rights after unprecedented citizen involvement. Judiciary Committee Chairmen in both houses are adamant that the Bush Administration be disallowed from hiding their actions in the closet any longer.

Hawke, Dove, and Myron explore the slippery slope of public surveillance, snooping, and spying in this episode, which reveals more than it intends.

HD215 - Don’t Matter If You’re Jeremiah Wright?

hdadmin — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:48:33 +0000

Barack Obama has taken much criticism for his continued support of his personal Pastor Jeremiah Wright, who has made controversial comments on race. In this episode, Bricke Hawke tries to hoist Mr. Obama on his own petard by playing some of these quotes, including “God damn America,” and other comments regarding the government’s involvement in spreading HIV/AIDS, and America’s “chickens” coming “home to roost.” Attacus Dove does his best to defend Mr. Wright and, by extension, Mr. Obama. But in today’s sensitive racial environment, can an honest dialogue on race take place? Myron Bunkerling seems to think so, and he has the force of history on his side.

Includes actual audio clips from Reverend Wright’s Sermons and Barack Obama’s speech on race from Philadelphia.

HD214 - The Role of the Super Delegates in the Democratic Primary Process

hdadmin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:51:13 +0000

Given all the attention given the role of the Super-Delegates in the Democratic Primary Process thus far this election season, it’s easy to see why so many are frothing over just who Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl will choose to support. Indeed the speculation over what these super-delegates will do has the entire leftist blogosphere in a blather. And wouldn’t you know it, any discussion of a small elite making decisions for a larger portion of the population must somehow involve the jews.

Just how does the average citizen understand this opaque process, when even Wolf Blitzer’s org charts and John King’s best pointing and clicking don’t make the situation any clearer? Easy. Let Hawke and Dove explain it in today’s podcast. Topics discussed include:

What exactly are super-delegates?
What color was the bad acid at Woodstock?
The Power of Persuasion in Political Commercials
What are super-delegates, again?
Republican Dirty Tricks
Just How Super are Super Delegates?
The Powers of Super Delegates
Who’s better, DC or Marvel?
WTF is a GD Super Delegate?

In the end, perhaps it is just and right to leave everything up to the super delegates, given these voters’ reasoning:

HD213 - Myron Tries His Hand At Punditing

hdadmin — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:44:05 +0000

Since Attacus Dove is out of the studio this week, Brick Hawke, in an enormous display of generosity, indulges our hirsute moderator, Myron Bunkerling, by letting him try his hand as a pundit. Although there are many amateur pundits out there, Myron Bunkerling takes the phrase pundit to new heights.

While Hawke tries to keep the conversation on point, Myron discusses such hot-button issues as:

The Bunkerling Matriarch
Proper Grammar in Notes
hummels
The Social Aspect of Social Security
Action Figures
Star Wars
Kenner Toys
The Art of the Zing
The Ownership Society
Tennis as an Anti-Narcoleptic Device
The Layout of a Clue Boardgame
The Soul
Popping and Locking
Hawke Misses Dove
Hypnotizing with the Force

HD212 - Hawke, Dove and Myron Make A Movie for YouTube

mjradmin — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:01:28 +0000

Nothing has democratized the political process so much this season as the YouTube Phenomenon. Everyday citizens can now create and distribute their own political ads, and many of them are doing a better job of it than the candidates themselves. Brick Hawke, Attacus Dove and Myron Bunkerling, committed to staying as current as possible, have undertaken the YouTube challenge. In this podcast, listen to the behind the scenes commentary as they produce their own YouTube style film. Will creative differences tear the project apart? Not since Hearts of Darkness has a film set had has much creative friction.

In this episode…
YouTube videos
Documentary Filmmaking
Jesus
Cowboys
The Bombing of Hiroshima
Michael Moore
Kitty Cats
C-clamps

HD211 - The Mortgage Meltdown and Ensuing Financial Crisis

hdadmin — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:40:30 +0000

Experts agree that the housing crisis is on the verge of becoming a full-blown pandemic. Greedy lenders extended bad loans to under-qualified borrowers, and now those unfortunate souls with adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are seeing their mortgage payments rise through the roof. Into this mess wander Hawke and Dove, each with unique experiences to help shed light on the matter. Attacus Dove has recently made a bad real estate purchase of his own, and he seeks listener help to get him out of it. Brick Hawke, with his vast network of conservative financial advisors, has managed to profit throughout, with investments that some might find less than scrupulous. Myron Bunkerling, whose living situation involves unknown numbers of cats, does his best to keep the conversation on a relevant level.

Topics covered include:
The mortgage crisis
Lenders
Borrowers
Adjustable Rate ARM Mortgages
Geodesic Dome Homes
Gold
Third World Water Rights
Land Mine Placement and Removal
Dennis Kucinich
Nancy Pelosi
Henry Waxman
Joanie
Chachi

HD210 - Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama

hdadmin — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:37:54 +0000

Conservatives have been trying to spin the apparent indecisiveness on the part of the Democratic party with respect to it’s two presidential candidates as evidence of a split Democratic party, papering over their own very real split between fiscal, social, and talk-radio conservatives. It’s a hard canard to swallow, since Democratic turnout has dwarfed Republican turnout even in Ohio and Texas this last mini-super-Tuesday.

Interestingly enough, the only states where Democratic turnout was less then overwhelming were Michigan and Florida. Indeed:

Across the rest of the country, when Republicans and Democrats have had primaries on the same day, Democratic turnout has usual dwarfed Republican turnout. Not so in Michigan and Florida - in Michigan, about 594,000 people voted in the Democratic primary. About 867,000 people voted in the Republican primary. The story in Florida is much the same - about 1.68 million Democratic voters to 1.92 Republicans. (in NH for example, 284,000 voted in the Dem race, only 231,000 in the Rep race).

All I want to demonstrate with these turnout numbers is this: fewer people voted in FL and MI in the Democratic primaries than would have if they’d counted.

Yet the fight over what to do with Michigan and Florida delegates goes on, and the only benefit appears to be Florida Governor Charlie Crist and his vice-presidential aspirations. Crist is known primarily for enjoying the same gay sweaters McCain disdains.

Against this backdrop, Hawke and Dove take two very different views of the Clinton/Obama contest. Enjoy.

HD209 - Hawke Interviews McCain

hdadmin — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:07:27 +0000

Brick Hawke is nothing if not a true conservative. His credentials bear no scrutiny. As such, he is the perfect person to extend a conservative olive branch towards the formerly fiercely independent, maverick politician who is now the standard-bearer presumptive-conservative-Republican-presidential-nominee John McCain.

McCain, who clearly believes himself to be everybody’s friend, deftly tackles each issue conservatives have long held against him in the typical dulcet tones that reflect his soft-spoken straight-talk.

The McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Bill (for which, coincidentally, many Democrats have not forgiven Senator Russ Feingold)
Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants
Sanitary Concerns and Bathing Options
The (A group of Moderate Republican and Democratic Senators)
Clint Eastwood Movies
The Questionable Relationship between McCain and Vicki Iseman
Blind Dates
McCain’s Willingness to Torture at Guantanamo

McCain appears to have had a love affair, if not with Vicki Iseman, than with the mainstream media, but that love has not extended to the ranks of right-wing talk show hosts like Brick Hawke and Rush Limbaugh. This interview may go a long way to repair that relationship, and demonstrate ways that the fledgling McCain campaign appears to be prepared to mend those bridges. Take a listen.

HD208 - Economic Stimulus

hdadmin — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:19:56 +0000

Hawke and Dove discuss the economic stimulus package that Congress and George W. Bush recently collaborated on, in a rare showing of bipartisan spirit. It seems that both sides of the aisle are eager to hand out money to individual Americans, especially in an election year. However, just how does this kind of public policy actually play with the respective bases, as represented by our stalwart defenders of partisan bitterness?

As always, Myron Bunkerling moderates a debate that has the spittle and phlegm flying at sub-light speeds.

HD207 - The Academy Awards

hdadmin — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:32:23 +0000

National Public Internet asks each show each year to fill out an Oscar ballot, and Hawke and Dove are no exception. Myron is off-site this week, so recording was done over the tubes via Skype.

Incidentally, the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast now has a phone number you can call and ask a question on any topic that Brick, Attacus or Myron may choose to answer in future episodes. If you would like to call and ask a question or leave a comment, please call area code two-one-three, 985-1946.

How do your oscar choices match up with the political wits of Hawke and Dove?

HD206 - Super Duper Über Tuesday Results & Analysis

hdadmin — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 01:29:49 +0000

Nearly a week has passed, and the leading campaigns are still reeling from the results of Super Tuesday. On the Republican side, the split between establishment Republicans and their evangelical base seems not to have deterred John McCain’s quest to secure the nomination. Meanwhile, the real story on the Democratic side is not the tightness of the race between Senators Obama and Clinton, but rather the Democratic voter turnout.

Super Tuesday became more significant than ever this year, because of the closeness of the races and the lack of a clear front-runner on either side (though McCain appears to have clinched front-runner status for now, despite a surging Mike Huckabee in the absence of Mitt Romney), and was the first time so many states held their primaries on the same day, creating a nearly national primary, representing votes from all major areas of the country, North, South, East, and West. Interestingly, Google searches seem to have predicted the results, and the day itself sparked huge ratings increases in both the traditional and internet media. Hawke and Dove provide the kind of analysis you cannot find anywhere else. Hawke and Dove - the best political team on National Public Internet.

HD205 - Campaign and Debate Clips, Bleeps, and Blunders

hdadmin — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:26:21 +0000

The winnowing of the Presidential Candidate field on both sides of the aisle (what - Huckabee and Paul are still in the race?) leads our fearless commentators to reflect upon their favorite bloopers of the campaign primary season. Candidate gaffes and goofs abounded this year, and Hawke and Dove are on hand with their favorites for you to listen to. Historically, gaffes have put an end to aspirations, whether you look at Howard Dean’s scream or Bob Dole falling off a stage (but somehow still managing to hold on to his pencil), but this year, moment’s like Hillary Clinton appearing emotional in response to a (planted?) question at a rally in New Hampshire just may have propelled her to win that primary.

As this episode of the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast shows, this year’s crop of candidates all have said things that they may now regret. Join us as we take a tour down memory lane and hear the unscripted, unguarded moments from all of the following:

Hillary Clinton
Rudy Giuliani
Barack Obama
John McCain
John Edwards
Mitt Romney
Bill Richardson
Fred Thompson
Joe Biden
Ron Paul
Chris Dodd
Tom Tancredo
Mike Gravel
Mike Huckabee
Dennis Kucinich
Leonard Nimoy

HD204 - The Undecided Voters

hdadmin — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 01:18:39 +0000

There’s nothing the punditocracy class (including the likes of Hawke and Dove) hate more than undecided voters. When the choices seem so clear to the media, who are constantly pushing a frontrunner narrative onto a race that is still plainly up for grabs in both parties, those fewer and fewer undecided voters seem willing to be swayed by just about any interaction with a candidate. Indeed, an individual’s pick for President sometimes seems to matter exclusively to whom such a voter is talking to. If they are guesting on a left-wing talk show, they will support whomever the host seems to favor, and vice versa on the Limbaugh show (which means that most callers in to Rush are fed up with the entire Republican field, yet can’t bear to support Ron Paul). Some are straight-out asking for advice on how to vote via the web.

Perhaps most thought-provoking is the idea that these undecided voters are just civic-minded enough to vote, but not enough to actually care.

Hawke and Dove bring two undecided voters into the studio to delve into their minds and find out their reactions to each of the candidates for President on both sides of the aisle. Can either man sway them to his or her side?

HD203 - The Rise of the Independent Voter

hdadmin — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:35:29 +0000

Given the ruckuses in the caucuses and the pendulum swing of popularity between front-running candidates in both parties, this primary season has come to be called the season of the Independents. While the Republican machine appears to be running out of steam and Democrats are on the rise this cycle (turnout for Democrats has increased while Republican turnout has fallen in all primary states thus far), registration numbers for both parties have gone down, while the numbers of “Decline to State” Voters have gone up.

Just what drives these independent voters? Why, despite the mainstream media’s best attempts, do they refuse to be pigeonholed into one of two camps? In this episode of the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast, Hawke and Dove interview just such an independent voter. Will either be able to sway her to their side? Will she share vast insights that illuminate the reasoning of the independent voter? Is anyone even taking the “other” New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg seriously?

This is not a new phenomenon. John Anderson ran a somewhat successful independent Presidential campaign in 1980, though today he has endorsed Barack Obama. And who can forget the charts, graphs, and Yoda-like appearance of perhaps the most famous independent candidate, Ross Perot? But neither of these gentlemen had truly strong showings in the final polls.

If the blogosphere is any indication, independence is on the rise. Which party will be able to claim these independents as supporters come November is anybody’s guess, though dissatisfaction with the Bush Administration appears to have pushed many towards the left at this point in time. Truly, though, when the November election comes, it may come to be remembered not as a boon for either party, but rather as Independents’ Day.

HD202 - The Shock Jock

hdadmin — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:56:44 +0000

National Public Internet Host Myron Bunkerling is out this week, and has supplied his cousin as a replacement. His cousin normally hosts a radio show in the vein of Mancow, Howard Stern, or Don Imus, on a small network based out of Poughkeepsie, NY.

Hawke and Dove discuss the many revelations involving the Iowa Caucuses, the New Hampshire primaries, and the upcoming Michigan and Nevada contests, and how frontrunner status still appears to be up for grabs in both parties.

HD201 - Inside the Iowa Caucuses

hdadmin — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 15:39:31 +0000

The first Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast episode of 2008 (Season 2, Episode 01) sees Bricke Hawke and Attacus Dove undercover inside the mysterious and puzzling Iowa Caucuses, observing and commenting on a process barely understood and more frequently misunderstood by the rest of the country that in some cases involves secret deals, back-room handshakes, and even the occasional coin toss.

Since only Iowans are allowed to participate in the process, Hawke and Dove each adopted disguises and were in position for their caucuses 24 hours in advance of the actual Caucus start. Communicating by cell phones, we were able to capture their conversation live, as the actual action was happening within the respective Democratic and Republican rooms on opposite sides of the state.

How did fundamentalist evangelical Mike Huckabee and progressive populist Barack Obama pull out their wins? Just what kind of maneuvering went on behind the Iowa curtains? We are proud to present this unprecedented and never-before-seen look into the heart of what actually happens at the Iowa Caucuses. An exclusive, world-wide first from the top-notch journalistic team of Hawke and Dove.

HD037b - Xmas Party Aftermath (Bonus Episode)

hdadmin — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:19:16 +0000

A special bonus episode rounds out 2007 here at hawkeanddove.com. This episode picks up where Episode 37 left off - join Hawke and Dove as they journey to a twenty-four hour establishment in order to perk up the soused Myron Bunkerling with copious amounts of coffee, salt, and starch.

Thank you for being a part of the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast over the last year. We’ve enjoyed talking at you and hope that we get to know you better in the New Year. Won’t you join our discussion forum at http://hawkeanddove.com/bb/?

See you in 2008 with analysis of the primaries and the Presidential race, and other bells and whistles yet to be introduced.

HD037 - The Christmas Party (Part 1)

hdadmin — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:31:32 +0000

Hawke, Dove and Myron host a Xmas Party where they eat, drink, and be merry. Joining them are several of the notable guests from past episodes this year, including:

Thanks for listening to the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast this year. As always you can comment on this, or any of your favorite episodes, at the Hawke and Dove Discussion Forum at hawkeanddove.com.

HD036 - Dove is out-Doved by an Über-Liberal

hdadmin — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:39:33 +0000

This week, Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove welcome Humanists United in Gathering President Leslie Olbermeyer, considered to be an ideological ally of Professor Dove’s.

Considering recent episodes of the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast have featured such noted conservative stars as Senator Larry Craig, The Reverend Dwight Doyle, and last week’s interview with GOP revolutionary Ron Paul, we present humanist Olbermeyer in order to retain our fair and balanced reputation.

As is typical in the mainstream media, this discussion between two self-avowed liberals will be led by ultra-conservative Brick Hawke. The free-ranging conversation touches on the following issues:

The Economy
Letting it all Hang Out
Living as one
Raising Pigs in the Wild
The Definition of “Needy”
The Definition of “Being
Education
Man-Child Interaction
Reverse Learning
Race Relations in America
Affirmative Action
The Love Race
The Melting Pot
The War in Iraq
Talking with the Dead
Touching the Dead
The Noble Pursuit of Punditry
Abortion
The role of Shamans in Marital Relations
The Love Tap
The State of Bricke Hawke’s Chakras

Discuss this H&D Episode on the Hawke and Dove Discussion Forum, located at http://hawkeanddove.com/bb/

HD035 - Interview with GOP Wunderkind Ron Paul

hdadmin — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:24:00 +0000

Congressman Ron Paul has proven to be a sensation during this Presidential Primary Season. As an outspoken OBGYN running for President with a populist, libertarian stance on everything from foreign entanglements (Iraq) to domestic issues like social security, his grassroots, internet-driven campaign is reminiscent of Howard Dean’s candidacy in 2004, although on the Republican side.

Despite the Main Stream Media Corporations’ attempts to ignore the Ron Paul candidacy, he has gone on to raise more money via the internet than more mainstream, moderate candidates like John McCain. Obviously, Congressman Paul has hit a chord. In a free-flowing discussion with Brick Hawke and Myron Bunkerling, Representative Paul discusses his position on such issues as:

Repealing Federal Drug Laws
The Gold Standard
Austrian Economics
Sound Economic Policy
Triscuits
Second Life
The innate, individual, economic sense of felines
No Child Left Behind
No Presidential Candidate on the Left
Home Schooling
The skills needed in a free-market, ungoverned society
The White Supremacist Movements’ Support of Ron Paul
Cats are Libertarian
The Iraq War
The Republic of Amarillo
Pulling Out
Rudy Giuliani
Anti-Abortion
Pro-Life
States Rights and the Killing of Little Babies
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Discuss the Episode on the Hawke and Dove Forum at hawkeanddove.com/bb/index.php

HD034 - Pervez Musharraf

hdadmin — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:17:19 +0000

The people of Pakistan face constant turmoil as radical Islamists, militants and moderates battle for the soul of the country. At the center of this storm is President Pervez Musharraf. By declaring martial law, clamping down on free speech and undermining the courts, Musharraf has held onto power. Still, the future of this nuclear-armed power is a question mark. Our own Attacus Dove sits down with the Pakistani President and tries to get him to answer for what many see as abuse of power.

Topics covered include:
- Pakistan and U.S. relations
- Imperfect democracies
- The deliciousness of Pizza Hut
- Lindsey, Paris, Nicole, et al

HD033 - WGA (Writer’s Guild of America) Writer’s Strike

hdadmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:25:29 +0000

UPDATE II: ~~Insider sources have informed us that the WGA strike is already settled and work will officially start again on January 18. This is hearsay, of course, but it comes from good sources.~~ Scratch that. Look at this for an explanation of the Producers’ latest “offer.”

UPDATE: It’s being reported today that the WGA and the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers are back at the table, and perhaps close to a deal. But you should still listen to this podcast to understand what is at stake if these talks don’t work out! And now back to your regularly scheduled post…

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re aware that the writers behind all of your favorite sitcoms, hour-long dramas, cop shows, talk shows, lawyer shows, movies, and pretty much everything else you can think of (don’t worry - the commercial writers aren’t unionized, so there’ll still be something to watch during the Super Bowl) have gone on strike against the Corporations that buy, produce and distribute their product.

This is turning out to be the first “New Media” strike in more ways than one. For one, the main reason for the strike is that creative artists aren’t getting any piece of the New Media pie, and also, the battle for public opinion is largely taking place in the new media marketplace. As an example, take a look at the videos below, all produced by the Writer’s Guild of America, the union for creative writers (Why do all creatives actually have “Guilds” instead of “Unions? Screen Actors Guild, Directors Guild of America, etc. Is it because most of them never grew out of their Renaissance Faire days?). Even more prolific are the blogs devoted to this issue, such as United Hollywood.

Never fear. As usual, Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove wade into these murky waters unafraid to muddy the issues even further.

HD032 - Happy Thanksgiving; A song-filled celebration of the Season

hdadmin — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:00:49 +0000

Myron Bunkerling moderates a Thanksgiving celebration as Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove put aside their differences to celebrate and be thankful for the past year of podcasts, disagreements and debates. After discussing how each will celebrate the holiday this week, Dove invites in a very special Native-American guest and his Band of Indians.

We hope this episode leaves you warm-hearted and touched by the magical power of music.

Dove lists the following as his musical references: Leonard Cohen, Robbie Robertson and Zamfir.

HD031 - The Torture Debate

hdadmin — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:34:38 +0000

Thanks to the confirmation of Judge Michael Mukasey as the new Attorney General, “Waterboarding” has become a household term. This has set off a hot debate in all corners of the media and throughout Washington concerning the use of what the White House terms “Enhanced Interrogation Techniques.” Indeed, the question does not seem to be whether or not to torture, but how. As Hendrick Hertzbert wrote in the New Yorker:

At the present dismal and disorienting moment, everything, as they say in Washington, is on the table. Before September 11, 2001, no one imagined that a time would come when the permissibility of torture would be an urgent topic of public discussion, let alone something like the official, though of course unacknowledged, policy of the United States.

Unafraid of muddying the waters even further, Hawke and Dove explore the historical use of torture as an interrogation method, the relevancy of information obtained through techniques commonly understood to be torturous, and throughout it all Mr. Hawke tries to prove the usefulness of such techniques by subjecting himself to each one, in turn. In protest of Mr. Hawke torturing himself throughout the episode, Mr. Dove has promised to devote a future episode entirely to pleasuring himself.

UPDATE: Turns out the Mississippi Supreme Court defined the “water-cure” (which was then slang for waterboarding” as torture in 1926, no ifs, ands or buts. How will this breaking news affect the debate?

HD030 - In Honor of Veteran’s Day

hdadmin — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:54:08 +0000

Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove take time out of their busy punditry schedule playing Pundits and Dragons to celebrate the sacrifice of our troops, those brave souls who volunteer to fight for freedom and liberty. In celebration of the upcoming Veterans Day, Hawke and Dove interview Mr. Charlie Bodgit, an original World War One (WWI) veteran.

Mr. Bodgit opines on such horrors as trench warfare and mustard gas, discusses air superiority with the likes of the Red Baron, and talks about how he first learned the United States had entered the great war.

HD029 - Pundits and Dragons

hdadmin — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:28:51 +0000

All pundits are nerds at heart. Just take a look at this picture of a youthful Rush Limbaugh. Or this picture of Lou Dobbs. Or this picture of a young Michael Moore.

Hawke and Dove are no exception. In today’s episode, they take a break from the usual punditry to play an intriguing game of “Pundits and Dragons.” Myron is the Dungeon-master. Listen.

HD028 - Fostering Family Focus with Rev. Dwight Doyle

hdadmin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:16:35 +0000

This week, on the heels of the Values Voter Summit, Hawke and Dove welcome a contemporary of Family Research Council founder James Dobson into the studio to discuss the “Values Voter” and get perspectives on the 2008 Republican nomination race.

Listen to hear a discussion about:

The importance of the Christian Right in 2008
Discrimination in America Today
Christian Sports
The values of Rudy Giuliani
The evangelicization of the military
Ted Haggard, Bricke Hawke and Ice Cream
The hatred of the Buddha
The Caring heart of One
Other, non-biblical religious texts, including A Prayer for Owen Meany
High School Debate Tactics
Exorcism in the modern political sphere
Ronald Reagan’s place in history

HD027 - Critiquing the Critics with Arianna Huffington

hdadmin — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 05:23:57 +0000

A very special guest joins our boys in the studio today… Esteemed media critic and social butterfly Arianna Huffington drops by for an in-depth conversation about the feeding frenzy that is the modern mainstream media, including a look at what happens behind the green door to the green rooms of some of television’s best known hosts. Now known primarily for her popular blog, Ms. Huffington is also the author of eleven books and a regular contributor to such diverse shows as Real Time with Bill Maher, The McLaughlin Group, and Left, Right and Center. In 2006, she was named to the Time 100, Time Magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people. From her (complete) bio:

Originally from Greece, she moved to England when she was 16 and graduated from Cambridge University with an M.A. in economics. At 21, she became president of the famed debating society, the Cambridge Union.

* “On Becoming Fearless….in Love, Work and Life” is Huffington’s most recent and most personal book to date, offering a road map for achieving fearlessness in every aspect of life, a straight-to the point manifesto on how to be bold, how to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done in order to find the freedom to love, lead and succeed.
* “Fanatics and Fools: The Game Plan for Winning Back America”, offers a scathing portrait of our contemporary political landscape with a bold, inspiring and practical approach to restoring America to the promise envisioned by our greatest leaders. It was published in 2004.
* “Pigs at the Trough: How Corporate Greed and Political Corruption are Undermining America,” a New York Times bestseller, was published in 2003.
* “How to Overthrow the Government,” on the corruption of our political system and the need for reform, was published in 2000.
* “Greetings from the Lincoln Bedroom,” a political satire, was published in 1998.
* “The Fourth Instinct,” on the longing for meaning in a secular world, was published in 1994.
* “Picasso: Creator and Destroyer,” a biography of Pablo Picasso was published in 1988. It was a major international bestseller, translated into 16 languages. The book was made into a film starring Anthony Hopkins as Picasso and produced by Merchant-Ivory for Warner Bros.
* “The Gods of Greece,” celebrates the power of myths as guides to forgotten dimensions of life and ourselves. Atlantic Monthly Press republished it with paintings by Françoise Gilot
* “The Woman behind the Legend,” published in 1981, a biography of Maria Callas quickly became an international bestseller.
* “After Reason,” on political leadership and the intersection of politics and culture was published in 1978.
* “The Female Woman,” on the changing roles of women, was published in 1974 by Random House and translated into 11 languages.

Missing from her bio is the fact that she was once married to conservative Republican politician and film producer Michael Huffington, who started a trend followed by many more politicians in recent years when he revealed his latent homosexuality in 1988. Ms. Huffington had been known as a stalwart conservative until a few years after this bombshell was dropped, and unknown events seemed to turn her into the “progressive” pundit we all know today.

Huffington has made guest appearances on numerous television shows, including “Charlie Rose,” “Oprah,” “Nightline,” “Real Time with Bill Maher,” “Inside Politics,” “Larry King Live,” “Hardball,” “Good Morning America,” the “Today” show, “Countdown” and “The O’Reilly Factor.”

Which begs the question, what is this Greek Goddess doing over here on National Public Internet with our very own Hawke and Dove? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Subjected to the round-table discussion on this go-around:

The McLaughlin Group on PBS
Hannity and Colmes on Fox News
Countdown with Keith Olberman on MSNBC
Bill O’Reilly
Comedy “news” shows like Real Time (HBO) and The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
Oprah
Martha Stewart
The Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast

HD026 - Myron’s Hour of Glory

hdadmin — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:43:50 +0000

Celebrating six months of the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Podcast, Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove have gone on vacation. Luckily, moderator Myron Bunkerling has prepared a little treat for you, along with some of his colleagues at National Public Internet.

HD025- Chris Dodd Hip Hop Party

hdadmin — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:01:41 +0000

Senator and Democratic Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd stops by to introduce his new media relations manager and his plan to reach out to minority and young voters. A whole host of celebrities have endorsed the exciting, vigorous campaign stylings of Senator Chris Dodd. Looking at the list, you’d think they might go with the hip Barack Obama, Ron Paul on the Republican side, or perhaps Mike Gravel due to his outspokenness, but rather, these celebrities are eager to attach themselves to the thunderbold that is the Dodd campaign.

Celebrity endorsements (partial list) includes:

Ashley Tisdale
Charlie Murphy
Hilary Duff
Emily Proctor
The Youtubes
Musical Youth
Carlos Mencia
Da Trufe
One of the Designing Women
And many, many, more. Listen…

HD024 - The War on Drugs

hdadmin — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:45:16 +0000

This episode sees our crusading commentators take on the War on Drugs. The failure of the War on Drugs does not seem to be in dispute, as agreed upon by such public figures as noted conservative William F. Buckley and retired liberal news reporter Walter Cronkite. Indeed, with the amount of money spent to date on the war on drugs far surpassing that spent on WWI, WWII, the War in Vietnam, or even the War on Terror, it seems absurd to continue a program that has failed to significantly alter the level of teen drug abuse in the United States.

The war on drugs began with the Nixon administration and continues to this day. This same period of history has seen the United States prison population quadruple since 1980, due mainly to the increase in the arrest and prosecution rate of non-violent, drug-related offenders. Indeed, the popularity of the internet has led to a rise in sites dedicated to documenting drug use experiences and promoting experimentation. So Hawke and Dove should agree, but in true contrarian fashion, they don’t.

Topics covered include:

The US War on Drugs (”WOD”)
Corporate Slogans
Drug Use and Distribution
Known drug offenders in the public media
LSD strength measured in micrograms
Prevalence in society
Lindsay Lohan does drugs
Love and Behavior
Societal Boundaries
Medical Marijuana
The Slippery Slope of Legalization
The infamous “End of the World” Parties at Porter College (University of California Santa Cruz) in the early 1980’s
Tactile Sensations under the Influence
Prohibition
The Relationship Between Drugs and Violence
The Relationship Between Hawke, Dove, and Myron

HD023 - Al Gore Interview & Intervention

hdadmin — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:55:04 +0000

Your Best Life Now. Enjoying Everyday Life. Either of these phrases could describe the year Al Gore has had - a hit Oscar-winning movie, a bestselling book, a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, and now an emmy! So why the hell won’t he cheer up? Attacus Dove is on the case. In this exclusive one-on-one interview, the ever elusive Gore opens up about his summer of disappointment. Will he make a non-announcement announcement? Will he crack a joke? Will he lisp? How does he feel about the Draft Gore movement, and the inconvenient truth that they have three separate websites? Attacus Dove pops the hood and peers inside the genius and genus that was Vice President and almost President Al Gore.

HD022 - Fred Thompson: Barely Legal

hdadmin — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:13:41 +0000

The fresh faced Fred Thompson is now officially in the race for the Republican nomination for President. After running what many termed a “stealth campaign” known primarily for it’s lack of stealth, and ignoring the complaint against him filed with the Federal Election Commission, Mr. Thompson has finally out-turtled the hare and jumped the shark. So listen as our commentators, broadcasting from beautiful Van Nuys, California, take on the Fred phenom.

Topics covered include:

Fred’s late
The Impact of Fred’s Entry
Fred’s Image
Fred’s Scent
Fred vs. Fox News
Peter Seller’s Greatest Performance ever
Non-traditional Campaigning
Who’s the Retard?
Viral Campaigning
Pros and Cons of Viral Videos for Campaign Purposes
Style vs. Substance
Fred Who?
Fred Thompson: Hung Like a Horse?
Fred Thompson: Second Coming?
I Can Has Cheezburger?

HD021 - Exclusive Interview with Senator Larry Craig!

hdadmin — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 05:36:38 +0000

Presenting a Hawke and Dove Political Punditry Exclusive - the first post-resignation one-on-one interview with disgraced Idaho Senator Larry Craig, who goes mano-a-mano with Brick Hawke.

Senator Craig resigned Saturday, after the fallout from his guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of lewd and disorderly conduct led many Republican and Conservative stalwarts to cast doubts on his ability to continue serving under such controversy. The initial arrest pertained to Senator Craig’s alleged attempt to solicit private, anonymous gay sex in a public restroom at the Minneapolis airport, in a lavatory known to police to be an active cruising hot spot. Indeed, the police report reads like a vivid instruction manual on how to connect with local gay swingers in a men’s bathroom, starting with a foot-tapping signal, followed by hand motions meant to indicate to the undercover officer just what type of service was being requested - hand job, blow job, etc.

None other than Brick Hawke has the balls to stand up for this besieged man.

HD020 - News Roundup 08-26-07

hdadmin — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:24:57 +0000

Hawke and Dove comment on all the news items that seem to have fallen through the cracks in the last few weeks. Topics covered include:

Michael (Leave it to) Deaver
The legacy of Karl Rove
Presidential decision Making in Karl Rove’s absence
Dennis Hastert will not seek re-election
Denny Hastert is so fat
How fat is he?
The relevancy of Tommy Thompson
The McCain Implosion
Thompson two: The Fred, and fathership
The Hilary Clinton / Barack Obama flap
Naming the Iranian Revolutionary Guard “Terrorists”
Heavy Punch
Dogfight Parties at Michael Vick’s house
Hurricane Dean
Total Recall: Mattel and Barbie
Apologies to the three stooges

HD019 - Abortion

hdadmin — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:37:49 +0000

Hawke and Dove prepare to square off over one of the most controversial topics of our time. Over the course of history, induced abortion has been the source of considerable debate, controversy, and activism, as well as the source of terrorist attacks. On one side, anti-abortion activists have been convicted of bombing abortion clinics, elevating the lives of the unborn as more important than the lives of the living. On the other side, pro-choice activists have funded charities that pay all the medical costs associated with abortions for low-income women, and gotten legislation passed that allows teenagers to obtain abortions without a parent’s consent. It is unarguable that the tension is high on both sides. Our intrepid pundits step into the gap, prepared to debate and hopefully find compromise that may prove to end this debate once and for all.

Topics covered include:

Debate Preparedness
Gastronomic Consequences
The Sanctity of Life
The Necessity of Choice
Green Room Supplies
Domino’s Pizza and Corporate Support of Pro-Life Activism
Bovine Abortion Alternatives
The Soup of Life
The Smoothie of Life

HD018 - Live Call-In Show

hdadmin — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 18:22:59 +0000

Myron Bunkerling is unavailable this week, leading our fearless commentators to engage in the kind of free-wheeling, wide-open debate that is the live call-in show. Unfortunately, they are prevented from their egalitarian mission by the antics of a single caller. This celebrity has made a name for herself by calling in to political outlets previously, and apparently is unsatisfied to let the limelight fade on her burgeoning career in political punditry.

Topics covered include:

The War in Iraq
The Iraq War
The legitimacy of Cher’s vows to Sonny Bono
Is Iraq on the brink of Civil War?
The State of the Facilities at Walter Reed
How to Bring Together Public Figures

HD017 - Alberto Gonzalez

hdadmin — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 07:54:10 +0000

This week Hawke and Dove discuss troubled United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez and the scandal(s) surrounding him, whether involving the memos written during his tenure as White House Counsel that ran circles around the Geneva Conventions in order to endorse possibly torturous methods in the War on Terror, or the politically-motivated firing of 8 United States Attorneys. In three appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Gonzalez appeared to perjure himself. Having faced the scrutiny of publicly elected officials on both sides of the aisle, can he now stand the heat as Hawke and Dove bring it?

Topics covered include:

Attorney General Nicknames and Nomenclature
The hallmark of American filmmaking
The likelihood of impeachment
Scandalgate
Bush’s cronyism
Bush’s biggest mistake
The extended Bush family
President Bush under fire
Bush loyalty in the bush
Proper attire for Senators in Miami
Star Trek The Original Series
The best episode from Star Trek TOS
The John Ashcroft Hospital Visit

HD016 - Sicko (A movie by Michael Moore)

hdadmin — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:41:05 +0000

Some of you may have heard about a new film making the rounds of the art-house circuit. Purported to be an expose of the United States’ health-care system (or lack thereof), it is made by an unassuming filmmaker by the name of Michael Moore. The political nature of this film has made it difficult to see or hear anything about, but luckily, Hawke and Dove once again take a principled stand. Unlike other pundits and media personalities, Hawke and Dove choose to offer commentary on this obscure film.

In other news, the Hawke and Dove Political Punditry podcast was nominated for a 2007 podcast award in the “Political” category. Voting opened July 28 and runs for 15 days. Listeners can vote once per day in each category, so please visit podcastawards.com and vote early and often. Thank you.

HD015 - History of Hawke and Dove (Part II)

hdadmin — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 07:39:42 +0000

This slow news week, we pick up where we left off a few weeks ago with the history of Hawke and Dove. In part one, we were schooled about our scholiast’s backgrounds, education, and upbringing. In this episode, we get a bit more personal, delving into the people who have influenced, political aspirations, recreational activities, and the romantic peculiarities of, our popular pedants.

Other notable people mentioned include:

Former Secretary of State Al Haig
John Denver
Former DNC Chairman Ron Brown
The late Senator Paul Wellstone
Bay Buchanan
Deaf Linda from Sesame Street

Special mention is made of über-pundit Arianna Huffington, and the role she played in both men’s lives. Perhaps there’s more to the story of how Arianna Huffington broke her foot. Let’s just say each of our pundits, at one time or another, had their grecian earned.

HD014: Interim Iraq Progress Report

hdadmin — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 17:07:12 +0000

Last week, the Bush administration released the Interim Iraq Progress Report. At an almost insurmountable 25 pages, the report contains 18 precious assessments concerning the Iraqi government’s achievements with regards to the yardsticks of progress that the Bush Administration laid out in January when it announced a completely new strategy and a shift in US policy, lovingly referred to as the “surge.” Critics of the Bush Administration, including congressman Jack Murtha, have labeled the report effectively dead on arrival.

Our intrepid commentators, Hawke and Dove, are committed to wading through the morass and recriminations and getting to the real truth of the report. Listen to their cogent commentary and insightful idiosyncracies regarding the following topics:

Myron’s Return from Quilting Camp
Forming a Constitutional Review Committee
Satisfactory vs. Dissatisfactory
Alphabets
The Iraqi Oil Law
Semi-Autonomous Regions within Iraq
The Founding Fathers
Hawke Family Holiday Traditions
Amnesty International Irrational
Adequate Reparations
Elementary School Book Report Tactics
The Charge of the Light Brigades
Media Coverage of Iraqi Progress
The Iraq Government’s Lack of Support of the Iraqi Security Forces

HD013 - Scooter Libby

hdadmin — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:03:22 +0000

Myron Bunkerling is on… assignment this week. Guest hosting will be his Aunt Edie.

The Scooter Libby commutation has all of Washington atwitter, as it seems Congress and the Executive Branch are headed towards a constitutional showdown, that could forever affect the future of this country in regard to the separation of powers. But none of that seems to matter as Aunt Edie takes us all on a tour of whatever is in her crazy little head.

Topics covered include:

Myron’s assignment
Scooter Libby’s Commutation
Spiro Agnew
The Magic of Politics
Clinton’s pardon of Marc Rich
Culinary Seduction
Feline Affection
Classic Comediennes
Hawke and Dove vs. “The View”
G. Gordon Liddy in Prison
Fashion for Retirees

HD012: The Week In Review

hdadmin — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:39:30 +0000

Hawke and Dove take a break from their tour down memory lane in order to address some of the pressing topics of the latest news cycle in this, their first ever independence-day podcast. Our hearty commentators each have a unique way of celebrating the birth of our nation. Join Hawke and Dove as they provide engaging, enlightening commentary on the following topics:

The uneasy Death of the Immigration Bill
Dick Cheney and the specter of Executive Privilege
The specter of Phil Spector is respectfully ignored
Corporate endorsements of media personalities
The Ann Coulter - Elizabeth Edwards confrontation on “Hardball”
Censorship
The controversial Supreme Court decision on equal education for minorities
The release from jail of Paris Hilton and the value of her punishment
The release of the iPhone

WHAT? Scooter Libby just had his sentence commuted? Oh crap.

HD011 - A Brief History of Hawke and Dove (part 1)

hdadmin — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:00:20 +0000

Since Dick Cheney has effectively muzzled the entire government and fourth estate, there is nothing to talk about except ourselves.

Their propensity for verbosity unbound, Myron Bunkerling gets our pedantic pundits to open up about themselves in this, part one of the history of Hawke and Dove. Everything you ever wanted to know about Bricke Hawke and Attacus Delphinius Dove but were rightly afraid to ask. How did these two commentators get comfortable with the idea of airing their considerable disagreements on the tubes of the National Public Internets? Who came up with the wildly original idea of pairing two disagreeable curmudgeons on opposite sides of the political spectrum? These are just a few of the questions that will remain unanswered.

For a brief overview of our commentators’ personal histories, in order to whet your appetite for this podcast episode, be sure to check out our information page.

HD010 - Insurance Reform (Boring Topic Day)

hdadmin — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 03:30:34 +0000

The day-late post this week is a result of the producers trying to find something else to put up, and failing at this effort. Hawke and Dove had a mini-rebellion in studio over the weekend, and failed to address the previously-agreed upon topic of insurance reform. Also, neither took responsiblity for agreeing to the topic in the first place. We’d like to fire someone over this episode, but can’t seem to be able to release these gentlemen from their contracts, an unfortunate clause that our lawyers overlooked in the first place.

So, if you’re as bored by the topic of Insurance Reform as Mr. Hawke and Mr. Dove, you should definitely enjoy this episode. In fact, you’ll enjoy it even more if you’re a fan of science fiction, as this seems to be the topic preferred by our esteemed panel.

Hopefully the salary reduction we’ve instituted (our own contract clause!) will help Hawke and Dove get back on track next week.

Thank you for your patience and consideration.

National Public Internet

HD009 - Bush, The Lame Duck President

hdadmin — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 07:40:53 +0000

President George W. Bush’s poll numbers are at an all time low. As the media decides Bush is approaching lame duck status, what will his legacy be? Should he be burnished on Mount Rushmore or burned at the stake? Our hardy commentators offer their thoughts on whether this ugly duckling will be remembered as a swan, or merely an overcooked goose.

Questions answered / topics covered include:

Foreign Policy
The Economy
The Presidential Wardrobe
Healthcare
Biking in Crawford
Dandruff Treatments
Congressional Investigations
Henry Waxman’s Moustache
Burnishing the Bush Legacy

HD008 - The Immigration Debate

hdadmin — Tue, 29 May 2007 18:33:54 +0000

This week, Hawke and Dove deconstruct the ideological divide over immigration, and the current immigration bill being debated in congress, each illuminating their positions with cogent analysis and outright self-interest. Discussed are the American ideals of protectionism, the “melting pot,” and the virtue of cultural assimilation as demonstrated by Jim Henson’s creature shop.

Among the probing questions posed by Myron Bunkerling are the following:

1. Regarding the bill’s so-called “pathway to citizenship,” are we rewarding those who came to the United States ilegally?

2. Under this new bill, those seeking citizenship may have to pay hefty fines and wait up to 13 years to achieve citizenship - is this a just practice?

3. There is a lot of disagreement as to the source of illegal immigration - many blame illegal aliens and/or undocumented workers, yet others blame the employers who hire them. Who should the government prosecute - employers or employees?

4. Many fear that by allowing un-checked immigration, we would be in danger of diluting American culture, so is the answer assimilation or tolerance of these divergent cultures?

5. This bill calls for the enhancement of border security. How would Hawke or Dove “fix” border security?

HD007 - Shadow Candidates

hdadmin — Mon, 21 May 2007 22:50:50 +0000

Will they or won’t they? Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of politicians. Hawke and Dove do.

It takes a lot of guts to run for President. It takes a lot of balls to run for President. It takes a lot of money too. So a lot of people don’t run for president - they just talk an awful lot about it. And then there are those that commentate. In this episode, Hawke and Dove discuss the commitment issues and general lack of machismo among public figures that are publicly flirting with the idea of running, but who don’t want to enter the race until they are either assured that they have a really good chance, or until their mommies let them, whichever comes first.

Covered in this episode:
Fred Thompson
Newt Gingrich
Chuck Hagel
Al Gore
Melinda Doolittle
and more.

HD006 - Scoring the Debates

hdadmin — Mon, 14 May 2007 08:21:53 +0000

Hawke and Dove score the first debates of the 2008 Presidential Campaign. This is a lot different than scoring AT the debate, which neither Hawke nor Dove achieved. But there is still time to make up for mistakes made at these, the first Democratic and Republican candidate debates. Politics is like Hollywood for ugly people, so our intrepid commentators hold out hope.

In this episode, Hawke and Dove take on each candidate one by one in order to rate their performance. You may be surprised at who crosses the aisle to support the various conservative and progressive ideals as represented by various candidates.

Candidates covered (or uncovered, as the case may be), on the Democratic side: Hilary Clinton, Barak Obama, John Edwards, Christopher Dodd, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel; on the Republican side: John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Sam Brownback, Tommy Thompson, Jim Gilmore, Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, and Ron Paul. Oh, and there may have been a couple of other doddering old white dudes in there somewhere.

HD005 - The War in Iraq (update)

hdadmin — Mon, 07 May 2007 20:41:12 +0000

Political pundits Hawke and Dove take on the Iraq war. Conservative Hawke and Liberal Dove tried to ignore the war, then debated about how to engage, and ultimately are commenting on the war as a last resort. In the process, we learn about etiquette in Professor Dove’s Para-psychiatric Religious History classroom, and Hawke reveals the real reason the United States is embroiled in Iraq. Feel free to comment on Episode 5 at the Hawke and Dove blog.
(more…)

HD004: Women in Power

hdadmin — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:55:27 +0000

Hawke and Dove celebrate how far women have come in America’s fledgling democracy. The historical role of women in our society is contrasted with the power they have achieved in recent years — all through the prism of three notable current female history-makers (or should we say “herstory?” - Dove); First female Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, first African American Female Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, and former first lady and possible future female President Hilary Clinton. Under debate: How each of these three powerful women show off their sweet assets.

HD003: Campaign Funding

hdadmin — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:16:34 +0000

Hawke and Dove explore the vagaries of modern campaign financing. Issues discussed include: popular songs of the sixties and seventies, the importance of fresh oysters, and Myron Bunkerling opines upon the best place to store money.

HD002: Global Warming

hdadmin — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 04:07:39 +0000

Hawke and Dove investigate the phenomenon of global warming - the facts, the myths, and techniques to prevent it - while simultaneously turning up the heat on each other.

The Presidential Candidate Round-up

hdadmin — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 06:34:44 +0000

Hawke and Dove do the candidates; Hillary, Obama, Edwards; McCain, Giuliani, Romney; a possible dark horse.

Political pundits Brick Hawke and Attacus Dove review the current crop of presidential contenders. On the Democratic side, they scrutinize Clinton, Obama and Edwards. For the GOP, McCain, Giuliani and Romney go under the microscope. This no holds barred satirical pundit show lampoons all points on the political spectrum.

Theme music used under a creative commons license: Rondino in Eb by Ludwig Van Beethoven; arranged and recorded by Kevin MacLeod at incompetech.

Coming Soon…

hdadmin — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:49:58 +0000

The Political Punditry of Hawke and Dove. Weekly podcasts that obliterate the ideological spectrum. Watch this space.