Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
It was a tough week to be a Newt and a bit easier to be a Mitt. We deconstruct the presidential rodeo with Washington Examiner chief political correspondent Byron York. Then, our pal Andrew Breitbart, the internet's Provocateur-In-Chief; drops by to discuss his new book, what it's like to be the least popular man in West Los Angeles, traveling in exotic locales with Rob Long, and how Tweeting makes the man. We finish up with a good old fashioned Ricochet Podcast free-for-all on the pluses and minuses of a government funded space program.
Links, the final frontier:
- Law Talk host and former speechwriter for George W. Bush Troy Senik posted the text of Newt's press release on Ricochet. In the comments, James Lileks committed to performing a dramatic reading. Done.
- Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was an Indian mystic and spiritual teacher who garnered an international following. For a period in the early 80's, he was based on an ashram in Oregon, owned 93 Rolls-Royces, and was later deported for a number of serious crimes, including a bio-attack. He died in 1990.
- Newt Gingrich's appearance on Meet The Press (part 2 is here) may well be studied by future generations on how not to launch a national campaign. It may also harbinger a campaign that starts and ends a year before the first primary. We'll see.
- Gringrich getting doused in glitter was of course captured on video. It actually makes Newt a bit more sympathetic. But what's the deal with Calista's hair?
- The story of Mitch Daniel's re-marriage (is that a word?) first became public in friend-of-the-podcast Andy Ferguson's piece Ride Along With Mitch the now legendary Weekly Standard profile of Daniels.
- One sure sign that the weather in Minneapolis has changed for the better, is the proliferation of airplane noises emanating from James' open window. It's OK though, it's only an issue for a couple of months.
- Byron York's stories for the Washington Examiner are all archived here. You can follow him on Twitter here.
- With all due respect to Andrew, we don't think a circumciser movement will get much traction. Who want to see the long form version of that?
- The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the first democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world, was established in 1918, but was merged into the Soviet Union in 1920. Azerbaijan regained independence in 1991. Rob keeps promising to post photos from his trip there with Andrew. How about it, Rob?
- Rob is correct, Azerbaijan did indeed win the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest, but to us, that's kind of like winning the World's Fattest Man Contest.
- What's more unlikely than Azerbaijan winning a singing contest? A Republican presidential candidate winning California. But it happened in 1988.
- Children, step away from the computer, here's Andrew Breitbart's Twitter feed.
- Reports are sketchy as to whether or not Cindy Crawford is actually supporting Mitt Romney. She may have appeared in a fund raising video, but she and her husband also made the the maximum allowable contribution to Barack Obama in 2008. Weirdly, she kind of looks like Mitt.
- Ali G (comedian Sasha Baron Cohen) really likes the number 9.
- Simon Fuller created the Idol franchise and looks exactly like Simon Cowell. Or, more likely, vice versa.
- A big booyah to Ricochet member Ken Sweeney for winning the much coveted, highly sought after Ricochet Podcast Member Post of The Week for his post The Space Shuttle Program was a Failure (and We Were Promised Jet Packs!). It inspired a very entertaining debate on the show.
- Our newer members and listeners may not have had the pleasure of seeing James' famous canary yellow muscle shirt. Coming soon to the Ricochet Logo Store.
- Do not miss James' TV Guide project over at the incredible Lileks.com. It's really an online pop culture museum.
- Kenneth. We can't do a podcast post without mentioning Kenneth. We're glad you're here, bro.
Music from this week's episode:
- This Is Why We Fight by The Decemberists
- Also sprach Zarathustra by The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
The direct link to this week's episode (great for mobile devices!). But baby, be the greatest and subscribe. Don't use iTunes? Visit our Feedburner page for a number of other subscription options.
The Ricochet Podcast is proudly sponsored by Encounter Books and their Broadside series. This week's featured title is The EPA's Green Tyranny Is Stifling America by Rich Trzupek. Available in all formats at EncounterBooks.com.
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Comments :
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
So Kenneth is a "tall mast." A most unfortunate metaphor, you must admit, for an upstanding member of this community. But we do love him for his virtues: opinionated, irascible, argumentative, loquacious, and stalwart. Good company.
Edited on May 19, 2011 at 5:05pmOct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
I agree with Peter on space. Seeing it from the inside, through my Dad while growing up, it isn't so pretty.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
James wants the US to go to Mars because it would be "cool."
The "do it because it would be cool" argument does have merit.
If we're going to go 'lebenty-skazillion dollars in debt to China, we should get some cool stuff instead of the Hon. Senator Ignatius Foghorn National Park Service Latrine complex (solar-powered, green friendly). How about an invisibility cloak, food replicators (hell, a gold replicator to pay off the debt).
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
I think these kids will be the ones going to Mars:
http://gloria.tv/?media=156604
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
If you get a moment, Joseph, tell us more. Where'd you grow up? What aspects of the space program did you experience? Thanks.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Peter’s analysis is correct that the US cannot afford funding manned exploration of Mars at this time. Hopefully in 10 years or so, after we have purged the system of Obama policies, a Mars mission would become financially viable.
In the meantime, I propose private sponsorships and stickers on the fuselage of launched space craft (just like NASCAR vehicles). Bill Gates and Warren Buffet should scrap their plans for charity and pool their cash into an independent space agency, with no government shenanigans or involvement.
Great podcast! Andrew Breitbart is the best.
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Nick, I wouldn't use "cool" as the primary argument, but it's in the mix. America does cool things. Rock and roll, skyscrapers, tailfins, SEAL teams, rocketships to other planets: it's us. Kirk was an Iowan, you know. Or will be.
Not that everything I think about on the subject comes back to Star Trek, but in an ep of "Enterprise" the American engineer and the sarky English weapons officer were marooned and fixin' to die, as often happened; they broke out a bottle of scotch and toasted the imminent demise by getting good and drunk, and at one point - after discussing the physique of the Vulcan woman on board - the Englishman talked about the great planetary project to get out into space. The American grinned and drawled something along the lines of "I didn't see Bosnia-Herzegovinia on the nameplate for the Apollo lander."
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Every time I saw the shuttle blast off, I thought, "Holy, cow, that looks expensive! And for what? So a half-dozen starry-eyed kids from Kansas can live out their childhood dreams?"
All that money and the American people never did get to the bottom of the deepest space mystery of all - how did Astronauts, um, take care of business in zero gravity?
Edited on May 19, 2011 at 8:35pmJul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
~Paules: So Kenneth is a "tall mast." A most unfortunate metaphor, you must admit, for an upstanding member of this community. But we do love him for his virtues: opinionated, irascible, argumentative, loquacious, and stalwart. Good company. · May 19 at 5:02pm
Edited on May 19 at 05:05 pm
The funds have been transferred to your Cayman Islands account.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Yeah, but can he make Andrew Breitbart's gay fantasies with a slimmed down and buff Chris Christie a reality?
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Rob, it's not just "across the country", but truly "around the world"!
Mar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Peter Robinson
If you get a moment, Joseph, tell us more. Where'd you grow up? What aspects of the space program did you experience? Thanks. · May 19 at 6:46pm
Peter
Already did a little, but this a tough crowd w.r.t space exploration. My endeavors rarely meshed with the manned program but it is very clear how that arena connects with the public more so than unmanned exploration and earth research I have spent my career working. Especially the children when they visit the facilities for their school tours.
Edited on May 19, 2011 at 7:57pmRe: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
GLDIII
Peter Robinson If you get a moment, Joseph, tell us more. Where'd you grow up? What aspects of the space program did you experience? Thanks. · May 19 at 6:46pm
Peter
Already did a little, but this a tough crowd w.r.t space exploration. My endeavors rarely meshed with the manned program but it is very clear how that arena connects with the public more so than unmanned exploration and earth research I have spent my career working. Especially the children when they visit the facilities for their school tours. · May 19 at 7:55pm
Edited on May 19 at 07:57 pm
Many thanks--that post (the one to which you provide the link) is a lovely piece of writing.
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
EJHill
Yeah, but can he make Andrew Breitbart's gay fantasies with a slimmed down and buff Chris Christie a reality? · May 19 at 7:22pm
Well, Andrew never kissed me on the National Review cruise, but Greg Gutfeld and I had a little cuddle.
Mar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Kenneth:
All that money and the American people never did get to the bottom of the deepest space mystery of all - how did they, um, take care of business in zero gravity?
Most likely the Russians beat us to it - which is why they will be launching our Astronauts, from now on - well, until the Chinese take over. As I recall, Warp Drive will be invented by an American, but that is looking distinctly unlikely, for the foreseeable future (solar and wind power wont do it, Jim).
I'm with James - I would like America to get back to business, and boldly go where no man has gone before (hmm, yes, that Vulcan woman would solve the mystery, once and for all...).
Edited on May 19, 2011 at 8:21pmMar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Great podcast once again, guys.
I agree with Peter, in principle, regarding government not having anything to do with space exploration. But, I have to admit that private space exploration could have its problems.
Space exploration is inherently a dangerous pursuit. Much more dangerous than coal mining, ice road trucking, skyscraper construction, etc. In other words, I wonder if a private company would have gotten a pass on the Challenger and Columbia disasters as easily as NASA did, especially since in both cases the accidents were avoidable. I mean, the Fed Gov calls up oil company CEO's just because prices are high; what would happen if space exploration company "employees" were dying in pursuit of Mars?
I realize there are companies out there who are trying to be the first space tourism companies. But, my belief is that the first accident will bring all those companies back to the ground, forgive the pun. I guess what I'm saying is that only government can get away with taking on an overtly dangerous pursuit and not have to deal with the consequences of such adventures. And, maybe, that is not all bad.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
I'm very upset that you keep misspelling my name on these podcast mentions. It's Kennedy. Last two letters are crucial.
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Yeah? Well I'm disturbed when a pile-on starts on a thread, with all the ladies saying how rude and snarky you are and they spell it "Kenneth".
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Rob: "the way to become president is to do something executive."
Really? I always thought the way to become president was to be rich, raise a lot of money, look good, say flashy things, hire Mike Murphy (oh wait...) and come up with some catch phrases.
Doesn't it take excitement and distraction to become president? The quote should read, "the way to become president is to do something flashy."
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #70: To Infinity and Beyond
Kenneth
Yeah? Well I'm disturbed when a pile-on starts on a thread, with all the ladies saying how rude and snarky you are and they spell it "Kenneth". · May 19 at 8:33pm
Crap. These are sympathy mentions? Attack me, ladies. Trying to build a media empire here. (should I call someone out?)