Editorial Echoes

Consumerism is invading Easter, but as Samuel explains, the two don't mix, and more respect needs to be paid to this important holiday.

Starbucks are closing nearly three quarters of their Australian operation, and yet Starbucks management don’t seem to have noticed an underlying problem as Samuel explains.

Kevin Rudd's apology to the aboriginal people of Australia is a dangerous and divisive statement according to Samuel.

Samuel's back, and he has a look at the fuss over the whalers, their hostages, and whaling in general.

A couple emails from listeners to start the show off, and then Samuel explains why the electoral advertising blackout should be a blanket ban, not just for broadcast media. Tomorrow: Poll analysis and predictions

Today Samuel discusses the election campaign with 2GB political correspondent James Goodwin. James, like many press gallery journalists, has spent the last five and a half weeks following the various political leaders around the country. Samuel and James discuss the performance of the leaders, the likely outcome of the election, and how disruptive an election campaign is for a press gallery journalist.

There are three things you can be sure of in life, death, taxes, and politicians using smear tactics. We saw it yesterday with the coalition accusing thirteen Labor candidates of being ineligible to stand for office. That backfired for them, but despite assurances, the smear tactics are here to stay.

Anti-conseravtive group GetUp have been running an advertising campaign with the aim of giving control of the senate to the Green, Democrat and Labor parties under the guise of "balance", but balance, as Samuel explains, is not ideal in parliament, as it only panders to minority groups.

Climate change hasn't been a huge issue so far in the election campaign, but a new report from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will bring the issue to the fore. Samuel examines the issues to see if the consensus of scientists predicting climate-change-induced-disaster really exists, and what effect climate change will have on the election.

Samuel examines why having a public holiday on Melbourne Cup day is a bad idea, and also provides his Melbourne Cup tips.

Samuel returns with a look at the many issues of the day.

A final look at the HECS and TAFEs issue, before Samuel spends some time explaining to the few of you still listening, why the podcast is ending.

It has been suggested that the HECS scheme should be extended to TAFEs. Samuel takes a look at the issue and decides to gague public opinion around Canberra today...look out for the person wearing the Editorial Echoes logo!

A vegetarian group is trying to get the red meat advertisement banned...Samuel has a chuckle at their expense.

South Australia and Tasmania held state elections over the weekend, Samuel analyses the results.

The Commonwealth Games are underway in Melbourne, and it looks like the name of "Goodwill Games" is ringing through.

Minister for communication Helen Coonan has left the way open for advertising on the ABC. Will it happen? Will the ABC remain supposedly "independent"? And should it happen? Samuel answers the questions!

Today's teacher strike in Canberra poses the question: "Why do teachers always take half-day strikes?". Samuel explains the reasons, and why it is such an effective strike format.

After a brief introduction to this new podcast, Samuel talks about mobile phone call charges, the problems with the way they work in Australia, and provides a simple solution which would make life easier for a lot of mobile phone users.