It was an honor to welcome Rick Collins, retired British Royal Marine, and founder of The Unseen Wound, to Pundit Review Radio. Recently Rick made the decision to dedicate his life to supporting our youngest combat veterans and Healing The Unseen Wound is a result of that commitment.

“The lessons learned from WWII, Korea and Vietnam are destined to be repeated unless we engage, educate and heal our young veterans as they return to civilian life”. “I understand what our young veterans are going through and we cannot sit around and wait for government to support them during these trying times. Our initiative is not a program of entitlement, it is a program of necessity if we are to reduce the levels of despondency among our next greatest generation”.

The Unseen Wound’s mission is the following,

"To provide recently separated combat veterans with a carefully managed program that will help them develop the professional, psychological and inter-personal skills needed to succeed in civilian life.

During their period of engagement with us, qualified veterans will receive skills training in recognized civilian trades, opportunities to serve in local and regional service projects, sustained esprit de corps with their fellow veterans and accredited PTS/Trauma support to address their mental health concerns.

We are a small team of military, business and medical professionals who have made the commitment to support our young combat veterans “one squad at a time”. We cannot do it without you."

You can support this great organization by visiting their website and making a donation.

Thanks to our friend Bruce McQuain for introducing us to this great group.

The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Book Review: We Won’t Get Fooled Again: Where the Christian Right Went Wrong

Gregg Jackson, old friend and co-founder of this show, returned to WRKO and Pundit Review Radio recently to discuss his new book, We Won’t Get Fooled Again. The book, co-authored with nationally syndicated radio host Steve Deace, does the following,

“We Won’t Get Fooled Again is an in-depth expose of the so-called Religious Right, the most reviled and feared voting bloc in the past 30 years of American politics. However, despite all of the attacks and the acclaim, there is little evidence the movement actually has accomplished any of its objectives, which is why Gregg and Steve sought out leaders in the movement to get their take on where the fight for righteousness in America went wrong. Readers will be agonized, traumatized, but also galvanized by what these Christian leaders have to say.”

Reading the book, I couldn’t help but remember back a few years ago, sitting in a hotel room in Florida with my family, watching Gregg emcee CPAC and introduce people like John McCain and George Will. What an accomplishment I thought. His first book was self-published and ended up in the Top 10 on Amazon political books and was praised by the likes of Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams. Big time right there. Sure, we had the radio show, but his book, the success and all the work that went into it, is what got him up there.

In this new book, I learned a few things I hadn’t known about that CPAC experience. I never realized how disappointed he was by the willingness of party leaders to compromise on core issues. Instead of the wonderful experience I had imagined it to be, it was something of an awakening. Gregg does not spare himself from criticism. He, and Steve as well, include themselves among those Christian conservatives who made too many compromises on core issues where there should have been bedrock conviction. I really liked this aspect of the book. The honesty, the confession almost. By seeing in themselves what they are criticizing in others, it gives the argument they are making real credibility. As do the numerous interviews with Christian conservative activists from across the country. Here’s a quote from JC Watts Jr., former (R) congressman from Oklahoma.

“In ‘We Won’t Get Fooled Again’, Steve and Gregg expose what I discovered long go, that there has been a conservative industry created. Consultants, pundits, media types and even some in the faith community use push button issues to drive us to the polls to vote for certain candidates to protect their deal. Conservative voters have to ask the tough question: ‘Are we moving the dial?’ This is a must read for every conservative voter and if you start reading it, you won’t want to put it down.”

Make no mistake about it, Gregg and Steve are looking for some absolutes in a world of compromise. They are asking Christian conservatives to follow their teachings and stand firm on Life issues, especially. They make no case for rigidity on tax policy or anything of the political realm. To me, it’s no different than a conservative Catholic like Rick Santorum believing that all Catholics should adhere to, and vote according to, the church’s teachings. I respect people who do that. I may not agree with it, but I respect it. What I have a problem with is when you start imposing your beliefs on others. This book does not do that. It is simply asking politically active Christian conservatives to take a fresh look at the movement, their beliefs and their politics. Are they in alignment?

For an outsider to the movement, to any movement really (RINO is not a movement as far as I know.:) I found the book fascinating. It is politics within politics. A similar argument or assessment is going on about the GOP in general, and the social con approach and the RINO, independent voter friendly approach. Sometimes, internal political battles are the most interesting.

The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed

Rep. Dan Winslow brings a ton of great experience to Beacon Hill, including 15 years involvement in local government, he served as a Judge at the Wrentham District Court and as chief legal council to Gov. Romney. He has hit the ground running on Beacon Hill, looking for people of good faith to reform our broken state government. How broke is it? Here’s the Globe on Lt. Gov. Tim Murray, and the broader @MassDems patronage problems,

But the larger system of alliance-building through state and municipal government, greased along by dubious fundraising and the awarding of patronage jobs, is a deeper threat to Massachusetts. Murray has rejected McLaughlin, but he and other elected officials need to be far more forthright in declaring that the system of rewarding political supporters with jobs is morally wrong, unfair to other applicants, and damaging to the credibility of the state government. It simply shouldn’t happen.

Among the most basic, commonsense reforms Rep. Winslow is pushing is Rule28.com. Called an election year ploy by the hopelessly arrogant and clueless Massachusetts Democratic Party, this measure simply allows a majority of representatives to demand that a bill get out of committee and brought to the floor for a vote. There are some brave Democrats involved in this. They are bucking a party that is against any diminishing of power that has been granted to Leadership, because we all know how well that has worked out with three Democrat speakers in a row who became felons. A simple majority means that the Democrats, given their huge advantage, could do this at almost any time. The fact that the Leadership is against it says everything. They don’t want to cede power to their own members. This has nothing to do with Republicans or politics, only maintaining the status quo.

We are up against it on Beacon Hill. We could use an Army of Dan Winslow’s up there.

The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.

This week Bruce told us about Lance Corporal Cody R. Goebel. From his Silver Star citation,

"For seven minutes, he ignored his life threatening wounds and delivered devastating machine gun fire on the enemy’s position, all while refusing medical attention until he was properly relieved. Finally, but only after a fellow squad member had manned his machine gun, Lance Corporal Goebel moved 25 meters under his own power and under heavy fire across the observation post’s roof and down a 20-foot ladder to the casualty collection point. Upon reaching the ground, he collapsed due to the loss of blood and had to be carried to a helicopter landing zone for subsequent medical evacuation. His courage, heroism, and dedication to duty after sustaining a life threatening injury resulted in the successful blocking of an enemy attack and six enemy fighters killed. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Goebel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week. The SYSK archive can be found here and The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.

This week Bruce told us about Lance Corporal Cody R. Goebel. From his Silver Star citation,

"For seven minutes, he ignored his life threatening wounds and delivered devastating machine gun fire on the enemy’s position, all while refusing medical attention until he was properly relieved. Finally, but only after a fellow squad member had manned his machine gun, Lance Corporal Goebel moved 25 meters under his own power and under heavy fire across the observation post’s roof and down a 20-foot ladder to the casualty collection point. Upon reaching the ground, he collapsed due to the loss of blood and had to be carried to a helicopter landing zone for subsequent medical evacuation. His courage, heroism, and dedication to duty after sustaining a life threatening injury resulted in the successful blocking of an enemy attack and six enemy fighters killed. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Goebel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week. The SYSK archive can be found here and The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.

This week Bruce told us about Lance Corporal Cody R. Goebel. From his Silver Star citation,

"For seven minutes, he ignored his life threatening wounds and delivered devastating machine gun fire on the enemy’s position, all while refusing medical attention until he was properly relieved. Finally, but only after a fellow squad member had manned his machine gun, Lance Corporal Goebel moved 25 meters under his own power and under heavy fire across the observation post’s roof and down a 20-foot ladder to the casualty collection point. Upon reaching the ground, he collapsed due to the loss of blood and had to be carried to a helicopter landing zone for subsequent medical evacuation. His courage, heroism, and dedication to duty after sustaining a life threatening injury resulted in the successful blocking of an enemy attack and six enemy fighters killed. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Lance Corporal Goebel reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week. The SYSK archive can be found here and The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

I can’t think of the New Hampshire primary without thinking of my winter up there working as a volunteer. I was a senior at Colby College in 1992 and went with my friend and fellow political junkie David Leavy to volunteer. I worked for the Tsongas campaign and David went to work for the Clinton campaign.

My campaign, Tsongas’, may have won the primary, but I think the real winner was David! Within a few weeks, David had worked hard and made a great impression and he was invited to go to Little Rock to work on the campaign straight away after graduation in the spring. From there, he met DeeDee Myers, becoming her aide and eventually a White House staffer. David spent an incredible seven and half years in the White House pressure cooker, rising to be spokesperson for the National Security Council.

That amazing ride started as a volunteer working the phones and knocking on doors during the New Hampshire primary. Hard not to wonder about the young volunteers working up there right now who may end up working in the White House. The New Hampshire primary is more than an election, it is political theater and a great opportunity for voters to get up close to the candidates. It is also a great opportunity for people to get involved in the process, you never know what can happen!

One last point that made this interview so fun for me was getting another chance to thank David for giving me one of the greatest non-kid related experiences of my life, two consecutive afternoons in the West Wing, meeting with President Clinton in the Oval Office, watching the national radio address from the Roosevelt Room, walking the Rose Garden, briefing room, etc. It was just an incredible experience I will never forget and it was very gracious of David to make it happen.

It has been awesome to follow David’s career. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person! He is currently Executive Vice President, Global Communications and Corporate Affairs for Discovery Communications. His current job looks almost as fun as his White House job!

The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

In addition to being a rising star among conservative journalists in Washington DC, the Daily Caller’s Matt Lewis is about as nice a guy as you’ll ever meet. This segment was a ton of fun, because another guy who could not be nicer, WRKO morning host Todd Feinburg, checked in after attending a Chris Christie-Mitt Romney event. He and Tom Finneran will be broadcasting live from NH through Wednesday on WRKO.

It was great to welcome Matt back to the show, especially with the New Hampshire primary staring us in the face on Tuesday. Matt wrote one of the most interesting article’s of the weekend,

Tragedy of the conservatives: Why Romney’s wimpy foes are acting rationally.

"Don’t understand why Mitt Romney’s Republican opponents won’t lay a mitt on him? This started way back when Tim Pawlenty wouldn’t say “ObamneyCare,” but who could have imagined Romney would skate this long? It boggles the mind, but there are actually several good reasons why Romney continues to get a pass.

One way of explaining the phenomenon might be to compare it to “The Tragedy of the Commons, which Wikipedia describes as,

“a dilemma arising from the situation in which multiple individuals, acting independently and rationally consulting their own self-interest, will ultimately deplete a shared limited resource, even when it is clear that it is not in anyone’s long-term interest for this to happen.”

In this case, the conservative alternatives to Romney aren’t being selfish by overusing a shared resource — they are, instead, selfishly preserving their reputations."

It was great to get the chance to talk to him about this and so much more.

The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.

This week Bruce told us about a Vietnam era veteran who earned the Medal of Honor. Meet Patrick Henry Brady

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week. The SYSK archive can be found here and The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain does double duty on the show every Sunday. Not only does he do an AMAZING job with our weekly tribute to the troops, Someone You Should Know, he is my favorite blogger on politics, writing up a storm at Questions & Observations. Every Sunday I take the opportunity to talk politics with Bruce, and this week was no different, touching on New Hampshire, the primary process and what it will take to defeat Obama.

The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here and you can find us on iTunes at Pundit Review Radio.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to the radio every Sunday evening from 6-9pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.