1-19-15 Nicole Sandler Show – Still Dreaming
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Nicole Sandler discusses the new film, Selma, and why it didn't garner more Oscar nominations with journalist Glynn Wilson and comedian Julianna Forlano
Vote – or You’ll Make This Baby Cry
It's election day, and it's Nicole's birthday! Today, we deal with both. Julianna Forlano and GottaLaff join in the fun.
Pagan Celebration!
Finally! Today marks the Vernal Equinox... or the beginning of Spring. Silly non-religious folks (like me) tend to celebrate these days- when we enter a new phase of planetary alignment with the sun- rather than religious holidays based on a book written a few thousand years ago. Yet somehow the pagans who join together to celebrate nature at Ostara Festivals around the world - and pre-date Christianity! - are considered the odd balls. Welcome to opposite world. It's somehow fitting that Fred Phelps, the founder of the hate-spewing Westboro Baptist Church, died on one of the biggest pagan holidays [...]
What a Way to End the Week!
If only I could start every weekend like this! I know it's only Thursday, but I don't do a show on Fridays, so my weekend begins when this blog and podcast are posted. Let's begin with the good stuff. Shenna Bellows! The former Executive Director of the ACLU of Maine turned senatorial candidate is challenging Susan Collins for the seat Collins has occupied for 18 years. She's been making a lot of news in the past few days: Bellows just yesterday submitted many more than enough signatures to get her on November's ballot, earned the endorsements of both the Progressive Change [...]
Ingredients for a Happy Life
On this day before Valentine's Day, I thought I'd pull it together with love songs on the pre-show music (Spotify users can get the extended playlist here), and laughter from comedians Julianna Forlano and John Fugelsang. If you happen to be in Phoenix or Ft. Lauderdale (or Chicago, Madison or Albuquerque), tickets to see John, Stephanie Miller and the Sexy Liberal Comedy Tour makes a great Valentines Day gift. In honor of everyone being able to love whomever they love, a big salute to this Dallas, TX sportscaster - Dale Hansen - for calling out the haters: Happy Valentines Day!
My Gay Russian Olympic Fantasy
(L-R) Gold medalist Tatyana Firova and Kseniya Ryzhova of Russia kiss on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x400 metres Relay during Day Eight of the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013 at Luzhniki Stadium on August 17, 2013 in Moscow, Russia The photo posted above is of two Russian track & field athletes on the medal podium during the IAAF World Athletics Championship in Moscow last year. I hope they're safe and weren't hurt after showing that public display of gay affection. My fantasy for the 2014 Sochi Olympics is that that scene [...]
Imagine Living in a Socialist USA
No, not the RWNJ uninformed idea of what socialism is (apparently interchangeable with communism, fascism, nazi-ism, etc) with no basis in fact. After yesterday's discussion with Jesse Myerson about his communist manifesto of sorts (according to the same RWNJ who say Socialism=Fascism), I was delighted to welcome to today's show Michael Steven Smith, one of the editors of a new collection of essays and articles, Imagine: Living in a Socialist USA. I have no illusions that this country will embrace socialism in my lifetime. The only socialist in Congress is Senator Bernie Sanders, but he's always identified as an Independent [...]
Pursuit of Happiness
This week was filled with sad stories - from the death of Paddy Kraska, the Susie Madrak's story of her friend's suicide, to the slaughter of dolphins continuing at Taiji Cove to the realization that the 85 wealthiest people in the world hold more wealth than the 3.5 billion people who make up the less fortunate half of the world's population and more. If you're wondering who those hoarding the most wealth around the world are, just take a look at Forbes' list of the world's billionaires. Just think of all the good that could be done if those wealthiest [...]
Absurdity is the New Reality
The late Frank Zappa was way ahead of his time. Yes, Absurdity is the new Reality! Just a glance at the day's news is evidence of that. I began today's show with the news that hell has frozen over. The best explanation I've seen thus far about the DC Circuit Court ruling that rendered Net Neutrality dead comes from Fox "News"'s Shepard Smith! And then, he called his corporate shill of a guest a "corporate shill!". Once you pick your jaw up off the ground, watch this: Today, the Senate Finance Committee (under the exiting Max Baucus) will mark up [...]
I Am Not a Bully or the Bridge(t) Gate Blame Game
For almost two hours today, NJ Bully Governor Chris Christie denied he had any involvement in the vindictive closure of multiple toll lanes leading on to the George Washington Bridge that resulted in massive traffic backups for four days in September 2013. He did, however, throw a number of his senior staffers under the bus (or off the bridge, as it were), and he played the victim. He can go cry crocodile tears with Frank Luntz. Obviously, the Christie blame game (anyone but him) and his endless presser dominated today's show, which included Julianna Forlano's top five four excuses why [...]