Think Tanks - get one thinking!

A number of think tanks exist both in the UK & USA. Some deal with a very specific field, others are general. They can provide food for thought when walking or taking the train. Podcasts are particularly useful. I subscribe to the Center for American Progress Podcasts. I enjoyed an interesting debate on whether "living wage" agreements in public contracts lead to a general increase in wages - or chase jobs out of the locality. A good way to get the brain in action on a very cold, early morning train ride.

Updating via Podcasts

I've been taking some time to explore further podcasts to update and extend my knowledge about Parliament and Congress. Here's a list of Podcasts - they are available via iTunes - and are free!

Parliament
- BBC: Today in Parliament - available from early the following morning. When Parliament is sitting I 'refresh' my podcasts on my PC then transfer to the iPhone - great for listening to on the journey from Milton Keynes to London Euston (and at 30 minutes length, just the right timings fr that journey.
- BBC: John Pienaar's weekly political review
- BBC: Weekly Political Review - top political commentators report on issues

Congress
- C-SPAN: After Words - from Book TV. Author's discuss in detail their book. Good range of subjects covered, so I don't listen to every podcast. A useful back catalogue.
- C-SPAN: Newsmakers - Sunday morning interviews with "newsmakers", mainly but not exclusively members of the House or Senate.
- C-SPAN: Q & A - Interviews with a range of people, from different backgrounds. Useful for learning about issues which might not be the number one headline, but which Congress is considering
- C-SPAN: Podcast of the Week - the weeks chosen broadcast - as with After Words not always on a topic of immediate interest to me (or one I've already listened to).
- NPR: It's All Politics - useful summary of political issues in the USA
- BBC: Americana - wider than just Congress, this is a useful background on the USA - often some quirky stories.
- CFR: The World Next Week - weekly preview of world events from the Council on Foreign Relations - Congressional activity is usually covered.

Parliamentary Podcasts

Having just acquired an i-Phone, I've been able to take advantage of podcasts, using my train journey from Milton Keynes to London to listen to some background material on Parliament.

The BBC's "Today in Parliament" is available to transfer from itunes to the iphone before I leave my home. It is available as a podcast on iTunes or directly on the BBC's website. The Parliamentary website also has a podcast series to subscribe to - this morning I listened to programmes on Big Ben; Gladstone; The Budget & Biofuels - and as I type this I am finishing off listening to a half-hour podcast on robotics. Again free subscription is available through iTunes - or directly here.