Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
In this, our first crowd sourced Ricochet Podcast, our members picked the topics -- well, most of them anyhow. So as requested, we dissect the NPR debacle, debate whether Scott Walker has gone all squishy on us, and unwind the continuing federal budget battles. Then, in another Ricochet Podcast first, we're joined by Ricochet members Kenneth and Pilgrim. They reveal what criteria they use when they post, encourage those who are too shy to comment, and then behave like normal guests and completely disagree with the hosts. We finish up with a little impromptu cowboy poetry and a totally unscripted Sheen rant. So much for rundowns.
Draw! It's a hail of bullets:
- Alas, Dicker and Dicker of Beverly Hills is not (yet) a sponsor of the Ricochet Podcast. But if we had furs, we'd certainly store them there.
- Coffee prices are indeed on the move. The New York Times suggests this is because of global warming. We'll leave that to the experts, but nonetheless, lock in the price of your Ricochet membership today!
- What do you mean you haven't heard the Kaus/Limbaugh Podcast yet? Drop everything and listen to it now. Go ahead, we'll wait...
- We're always happy to link to Martini Shot, Rob's weekly commentary on show business for L.A.'s public radio outlet KCRW. By the way, the Martini Shot is is a Hollywood term that describes the final shot set-up of the day. According to Dave Knox, author of the film industry slang guide Strike the Baby and Kill the Blonde, the Martini Shot was so named because "the next shot is out of a glass", referring to a post-wrap drink.
- Ruth Seymour was the General Manager of KCRW from 1978 until she retired last year. She was responsible for not only dragging KCRW and NPR to the center, but for getting the station online very early and creating a strong presence there. She also had the unique ability to make you feel guilty for not giving money to the station.
- We've never gotten the appeal of A Prairie Home Companion either. Maybe it's a mid-western thing? However, in an incredible display of synergy with our podcast, the PHC's next episode apparently features Martin Sheen plays James Joyce in an episode of The Lives of the Cowboys. Way to cash in, Mr. Keillor.
- NPR has conveniently listed all past versions of the All Things Considered theme song here, but the files are encoded in Real Media, which is the web equivalent of wax cylinders. Clearly, they need more federal funding.
- Rob's post on how robots are the key ingredient to our economic future is here. His piece about his elitist Japanese john appeared in National Review last fall.
- Nanotechnology is the study of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with structures sized between 1 to 100 nanometre in at least one dimension, and involves developing materials or devices within that size. Quantum mechanical effects are very important at this scale, which is in the quantum realm. OK, we admit that we just copied and pasted that from Wikipedia, and like Peter, have no idea what it means.
- According to this report from the BBC, illegitimate birth rates in Britain are actually much lower than people believe. The study quoted says that "an oft-quoted figure of one in 10 for the number of children fathered illegitimately is a myth. The real number is more likely to be less than one in 25, researchers say." Seems low to us.
- Here's Ross Douthat's piece Why Monogamy Matters.
- Consider yourself warned: if your company is hoping to do business with Marin County, you must first be vetted by their Peace Conversion Commission to make sure you're not involved in the manufacturing of nuclear weapons. We sleep better at night knowing this.
- We know we promised in the crowd source post that this would be a Sheen free podcast, but James called an audible, as is his right as host (it's in the rule book). But that doesn't mean we have to link to Sheen's Ustream videos.
- Yes, Rob Long is of course available for live cowboy poetry readings. To book him for your next live event, including weddings, book clubs, bar mitzvahs, and Rotary Clubs, please contact his agent.
- Attention Baxter Black: real cowboys don't have websites, and if even they did, they wouldn't have multiple videos set to autoplay AT THE SAME TIME! Yeesh.
Music from this week's episode:
- This Is Why We Fight by The Decemberists
- (I've Got Spurs) That Jingle, Jangle, Jingle by Tex Ritter and His Texans
The direct link to this week's episode. But be a cow poke and subscribe. Don't use iTunes? Visit our Feedburner page for a number of other subscription options.
The Ricochet Podcast is sponsored by Encounter Books. Our featured title this week is Schools for Misrule: Legal Academia and an Overlawyered America by Walter Olson. Available at EncounterBooks.com and for Kindle at Amazon.com.
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Comments:
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Kenneth as a podcast guest before me? I'm getting my bongos and storming Castle Long -- this attack on the middle class will not stand!
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
I'm looking forward to hearing who does and doesn't like A Prairie Home Companion. Even this far south, many folks enjoy it. It filled many roadtrips when I was young, but the only Keillor story I can recall is a boatload of Lutheran priests sinking into a lake.
Rob, I thought about your electric john many times this winter. Does it have seat warmers?
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Sorry, but I like PHC, Doesn;t make GH any less of an #$%#%^&*.
By the way, is the NPR thing making news outside the choir?
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Pilgrim and Kenneth were winners of Rob's election contest. It just took a long time for us to arrange.
Edited on March 11, 2011 at 2:58amJan '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Kenneth,
Nice pipes.
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
As a renowned practitioner of Cowboy Haiku, I was dismayed that I wasn't invited to slam. So, for the cultural benefit of our Members, here's my poem that won the 2010 Cowboy Haiku Prize:
A man gets lonely
out on the range
That little heifer has such
pretty eyes
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Kenneth: As a renowned practitioner of Cowboy Haiku, I was dismayed that I wasn't invited to slam. So, for the cultural benefit of our Members, here's my poem that won the 2010 Cowboy Haiku Prize:
A man gets lonely
out on the range
That little heifer has such
pretty eyes · Mar 10 at 5:59pm
Kenneth - since you're from the left coast as well, and going off of your haiku...
Did you spend any time in Corvallis?
Nov '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Kenneth and Pilgrim...you guys were great. Nice job.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
The Logo
Pilgrim and Kenneth were winners of Rob's election contest. It just took a long time for us to arrange. · Mar 10 at 5:52pm
Edited on Mar 10 at 05:58 pm
I remember... but "facts" and "reason" mean nothing in the face of bongos and (feigned) indignation!
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Man, I have to start studying the price of oil now.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Just finished the podcast since ^^that post. What a great song choice at the end. It's tied with Frosty the Snowman for best podcast song choice.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Someone missed something here in reverence to the Cowboy thing...
Ever seen the video of Cowboys Herding Cats ??? Amusing that...
Or did you know that bullfrogs were imported to cattle country with the idea that cowpokes would eat frogs legs instead of cattle ??? True story, Chew on that...
Something of a culture clash there...
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Kenneth, your snark is a feature, not a bug. I look forward to each shining example.
I came to see what Rob Long and Peter Robinson have to say. I stayed, among other things, for the snark.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
I disagree with Mr. Long. The attack on the Entitlement Socialist State needs to operate on multiple levels/have multiple rings. The public's attention needs to be caught. Moreover, with new media, there are more rings/levels to fill, and thankfully, more people to fill them. O'Keef over there, Govs. over there, Rep. Ryan over there. They can create one narrative. THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE.
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Jerry Broaddus: Kenneth, your snark is a feature, not a bug. I look forward to each shining example.
I came to see what Rob Long and Peter Robinson have to say. I stayed, among other things, for the snark. · Mar 10 at 7:05pm
High praise, indeed. Much thanks.
Though I would admit I at times allow my dark side too much latitude.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Well said on NPR, Peter!
Rob's right that defunding NPR is small potatoes, but it will help to get people used to the idea of eliminating government programs and agencies that have existed since Moses was in diapers.
Peter: "You're going to catch the political heat even for small measures. Be bold." Agreed.
Rob, the worthiness of including any Lefty on Ricochet boils down to whether or not that person inspires thoughtful conversation. If he or she's just going to spout the same nonsense we hear from Lefty media all the time without adding any fresh insights or genuine arguments, then that person is merely an irritant. We get enough of that elsewhere.
But Kenneth's right that a provocative post is good when what it provokes is genuine and deep discussion.
wilber forge:
Or did you know that bullfrogs were imported to cattle country with the idea that cowpokes would eat frogs legs instead of cattle ???
I can do you one better. The last wild Texas camel was spotted in 1905.
Edited on March 11, 2011 at 4:50amMay '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Pilgrim sounds like he would sing like Burl Ives.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Regarding Rob's electronic marvel of the Far East: Yes, James, you know what's going in. But wouldn't you rather hear it in a smooth, sexy British voice? Isn't that why people ditch their maps for GPS navigators? Judi Dench narrates all my daily routines.
Kenneth is our drill instructor. Pilgrim is always there shortly after with a thataboy and a warm meal. And Sajak lurks in the shadows, ever ready to bring the hammer down.
Like Pilgrim, my friends and family aren't interested enough in talking politics to join; not with strangers, anyway. This "interweb" stuff's still kinda new. (My great aunt's first email to family read simply, "I have intercourse!")
I was hoping to hear more from Kenneth and Pilgrim, but oh well. Thanks for having them on.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
If you can't get the left to compromise on public broadcasting, the NEA and the like, what makes you think that they'll take you serious on the big things?
You defund these programs, eliminate funding for humanities studies (i.e. women's studies, black studies, gender studies) and just say, "You ain't seen nothin', yet!"
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #60: The Cowboy Poets
Aaron Miller:
Rob's right that defunding NPR is small potatoes, but it will help to get people use to the idea of eliminating government programs and agencies that existed since Moses was in diapers.
Defunding any and every government funded entity that the Left uses to advance their cause is a bigger plus than many think.
The 12% of "discretionary" federal spending devoted to the Departments of Everything beside defense is where much of the Left's power comes from. While a few billion dollars in cuts may seem like small potatoes, it comes from the life's blood of the Left. They use every government dollar they can to insinuate their influence into our society at the lowest levels.
Withdrawing a few hundred thousand dollars in federal government funds can go far in shutting up and shutting down the local loudmouthed libs' influence in local government. And that is often what that billion here and billion there is all about. The Dems know it and that is why they fight so hard against every cut no matter how small. Money is power and influence, even when its only a few hundred thousand dollars handed out locally.