Aerial View was WFMU’s first regularly-scheduled phone-in talk show. Hosted by Chris T. and on the air since 1989, the show features topical conversation, interviews and many trips down the rabbit hole. Until further notice, Aerial View is only available as a podcast, available every Tuesday morning. Subscribe to the newsletter “See You Next Tuesday!” and find tons of archives at aerialview.me. (Visit homepage.)

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November 4, 2014: Vote For Me & I'll Set You Free!
Today is, of course, Election Day. All the talk is about the GOP taking both the House and the Senate and, depending on what news sources you trust, it's either a foregone conclusion or still up in the air. The big questions are: does it matter and who will actually turn out to vote? I know I will be going to the polls today. Even though I live in a solidly blue part of a mostly blue state, I haven't yet become cynical enough to forego voting, despite the numerous voices telling me "It doesn't matter."

I've always had an interest in politics, from my early punk rock days playing songs with titles like "Welfare For The Rich" to appearing on bills with bands like Reagan Youth. When I moved to New Jersey in the mid-80's my real education began with my befriending of the Nicastro family. My first New Jersey job was at a telemarketing company in Dumont, where Doris Nicastro was my boss. Her son Andy worked there as well and before long they were inviting me to their house in Waldwick, where we'd sit around and review the latest Trenton and White House shenanigans and discuss political theory. After the family relocated to Seattle, daughter Judy Nicastro - who's been an Aerial View guest - ended up on the City Council. I credit the Nicastros with helping me articulate what's at the root of the never-ending struggle between the haves and the have-nots in this nation.

Politics has been a touchstone of Aerial View. The very first edition of this newsletter, back on Feb. 3rd of this year, featured a follow-up to an Aerial View I'd done with Mark Moran of Weird NJ fame, all about Chris Christie and the Bridgegate Scandal. Christie has been trying to keep a lower profile (insert weight-loss surgery joke here) but his natural bullying instincts reared their ugly head once more when he recently shouted down New Jersey Shore activist and co-creator of finishthejobnj.org Jim Keady at a Hurricane Sandy remembrance event in Belmar, NJ. Many pundits are saying Christie's outburst might be the final nail in the coffin for his Presidential ambitions. Personally, I feel the people of New Jersey are suffering for Christie's ego.

I've reached out to Jim Keady to join me on Aerial View tonight and he's confirmed. Today is, of course, Election Day and Jim, I'm sure, will be busy. But I'm hoping the ten or fifteen minutes we'll talk will jumpstart a conversation about activism, voting and elections. Did you ever become part of a cause? Have you volunteered to effect change? Have you ever gone to a protest or protested anything? What about a vote you regret? Ever vote for someone in whom you found yourself disappointed? Call 201-209-9368 and throw your hat in the ring!

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