Kamala Harris, the Democrat contender for the U.S. presidency was the most socialist member of the Senate.

Further left than Bernie Sanders, she has more recently been tagged a Marxist.

But is she? In fact, what is she? That is the most asked question amongst undecided voters.

For answers, who better to consult than a Professor of Marxism. Michael Rectenwald was a devout Marxist until he saw the light and recanted.

After guesting on podcasts in 2021 & 2022, Rectenwald returns to give us answers to the above, and what a Harris administration would be like.

And, of course, The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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The Sir John Graham Lecture 2024 guest speaker was Professor Nicholas Aroney, from the University of Queensland.

The speech was entitled “The Compass of Character”. It explored law, education and religion, and their roles in the formation of character.

In a most interesting conversation we covered the talk and, amongst other things, the threat on democracy.

There’s a brief analysis of Kamala Harris and yet another great mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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New Zealand men and women are being encouraged to pay attention to the court decision in the case of “Tickle v Giggle”.

Why be interested in a comedic sounding Australian judge's decision?

Well, the ruling has been labelled “dystopian" and "distorting key concepts of sex and discrimination, while dodging Australia’s human rights obligations vis a vis women. If unchallenged this decision would set a dangerous precedent”.

New Zealand is in danger of falling into the same human rights trap.

The incomparable Professor James Allan analyses the Tickle case as only he can. 

And as always, we finish in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer. 

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“Without an anchor in biological reality, laws based on ’sex’ become meaningless and justice cannot be served.” So wrote evolutionary biologist Colin Wright. 

Jill Ovens, National Secretary and Co-Leader of the Women’s Rights Party, responds to the ruling of an Australian Judge that sex is changeable in a case involving ‘gender identity’.

And common-sense rules mightily in her favour.

Plus, exactly five years to the day after we interviewed Behnam Ben Taleblu on the Middle East, Iran in particular, he returns with much insight into the current crisis – or should that be crises. 

As always, Mrs Producer joins us in the Mailroom. 

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Last Friday Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the new Chief of the Human Rights Commission.

As always, there will be disagreement over the appointment. Dr Stephen Rainbow brings broad experience to the task before him.

Controversy is no stranger. After an hour of discussion, you’ll have a good idea of Rainbow’s stance on some critical issues that, like it or not, influence the society in which we live.

We make comment on corporate involvement in social activism; for example, "diversity, equity and inclusion”, which has become a minefield for companies.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Robert MacCulloch has a resume to be envied.

He began his tertiary education at the University of Auckland, continued it at London School of Economics and Princeton University,

He was Director of the PhD Program at Imperial College London. He has been awarded numerous prizes along the way, and returned to NZ twelve years ago.

He is Professor of Macroeconomics at Auckland University and publishes widely, including his own site, Down To Earth Kiwi.

And in spite of his career success he appears modest, but with the ability and intent to ruffle feathers.

This was a wide ranging and very enjoyable discussion.

And we finish of with The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Over the last few years, three men (two New Zealanders and a South African) have researched the “science” of global warming.

They are not “climate scientists”, rather they are laymen. Unrestricted by career threats, they published “CLIMATE ACTUALLY, AND SOME TAKEAWAYS’.

They are now about to release volume two. Further details are in the interview with retired geologist Andrew Hollis.

Separately, we talk electricity supply, and the crisis we face with consulting engineer Bryan Leyland, who has experience in all aspects of the power industry.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Patrick Basham returns to The Leighton Smith Podcast with the Democracy Institute’s polling for the 2024 Presidential election, in association with the Daily Express.

Patrick has built a reputation with us as being arguably the most articulate researcher and commentator on electoral matters.

He also answers the question as to whether “diversity, equity and inclusion” is advancing further on its progressive path. Or has the tide turned?

And Ramesh Thakur in part two of our 80 minute interview.

We discuss equity versus equality, human rights, the dangers of a cashless society and Julian Assange (on which he has an interesting position).

And we finish up in The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Ramesh Thakur is well known to this audience; he has appeared on the Leighton Smith Podcast more than once.

There was much to catch up on.

His views on the world and its various parts are substantiated by life experience. He taught at a number of universities including Otago and ANU Canberra and Rector at the U.N. University. He was also an assistant Sec-Gen of the U.N.

As a result his commentary on world issues is superb.

And finally, we delve into The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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Estonia is gifted with the world’s most efficient and balanced tax regime.

Co-founder of the New Zealand Taxpayer’s Union, Jordan Williams suggests our Prime Minister should look seriously at that system for New Zealand.

It’s easy to argue it is way better than what we have.

We have a different perspective on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, from Geopolitical Future’s founder George Friedman.

And we visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer.

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One of the best and most interesting interviews we’ve done.

Tony O’Brien was born and raised in New Zealand. His life has followed a fascinating path, working in Australia, Britain, Canada, Hungary and beyond in a variety of capacities.

In his work he "did not have a plan, just took advantage of opportunities as they presented."

He is intelligent, articulate and successful but also modest. We discuss many different aspects of NZ’s current circumstances and issues, starting with education.

You will be encouraged!

Carolyn will be back for podcast 247.

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