Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Blue Yeti ·
Jul 13, 2011 at 7:08pm
Ricochet editor Mollie Hemingway sits in for Rob Long today. Our guests? Masters of conservative social media David Limbaugh and Kevin Eder. We talk budget deals or no deals, McConnell's compromise, Boehner's strategy, Bachmann's candidacy, lightbulbs laws, and Mollie describes her visit to a strange land called Venice.
Non-negotiable links:
- Our thanks to Ricochet member Grendel who thoughtfully provided this chart to insure that our volume numbers are accurate for the foreseeable future. A "M" thanks, sir.
- Oh, Intelligentsia. With your steam punk decor, your tattooed baristas, your mid 90's playlists, and your 5 buck cup of joe, why would we get caffeinated anywhere else?
- On the other hand, Sovereign Grounds Coffee Shop looks far more homey and comfortable. Plus they serve food.
- We're not quite sure how we feel about a proposed Southern California secession. On the one hand, it would not be advantageous to no longer be a U.S. citizen, and we'd need a passport to visit Vegas. On the other hand, Jerry Brown would no longer be our governor. So there's that. Discuss in comments, please.
- As one might expect, James' paper, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune is doing great work covering the government shutdown in Minnesota. The shutdown is really hitting folks hard now as beer is being pulled from store shelves. Oh, the humanity!
- Mollie's husband Mark Hemingway writes for The Weekly Standard. That doesn't mean he could throw a little dap our way once in while. How about it, sir?
- Dean Martin's recipe for burgers has a very simple list of ingredients and is easy to replicate as long as you are 21 or over.
- Bacon salt? How does this exist and we've not heard of it? After the secession, we decree that bacon salt will be made available free to every citizen of Southern Californiastan.
- Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. Make of that what you will.
- A court clerk in the town of Barker, NY did indeed resign rather than have to process marriage licenses for gay couples. We can't help but wonder how many gay couples were actually thinking of getting hitched in Barker in the first place. Niagara Falls, it ain't.
- David Limbaugh is indeed a Big Man on Twitter, closing in on 13 thousand followers.
- Our pal and podcaster Jennifer Rubin has been on the front lines of the budget negotiations since the start, taking some unpopular stands for a conservative blogger. P.S. Her podcast with Mickey Kaus will be back in the next week or so.
- We're not sure if this is the Gallup poll that Mollie is referring to. It's from April, but the numbers match up. Mollie?
- Here's the Think Progress piece on the debt ceiling.
- The title of the Esquire piece says it all: "How Can We Not Love Obama?" Click if you dare.
- Kevin Eder is also a Big Man On Twitter. The Daily Caller documented how Kevin pwned (as the kids say) the guy who runs the White House Twitter account. Nice work, dude.
- President Obama raised a stunning $82 million last quarter. We're gonna need a bigger boat.
- Ricochet member genferi has helpfully compiled a list of of the ten Republicans who voted against the BULB act. They didn't, er, see the light.
- Rob Long's post Republicans vs. Big Business propose that the GOP should be the party of main street. Given the $86 million, we aren't going to be the party of 5th Avenue, that's for sure.
- According to "The Minnesota Clipper," a recent profile in Time, Michele Bachmann is 5' 2". That would also make her competitive with most members of the Los Angeles Clippers.
- A hearty hooray to Ricochet member Casey for his Ricochet Member Post of The Week, What Is Winning?. Casey, you win a copy of this week's Encounter Pick. We'll be in touch. By the way, for those of you who were rooting for Crow's Nest post On Anti-Intellectualism, it was posted after we made this week's choice. It will be in the running for next week though. Thanks for playing!
Music from this week's episode:
- This Is Why We Fight by The Decemberists
- Sound Clip from Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
The direct link to this week's episode (great for mobile devices!). But be fiscally responsible 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. This week's featured title is Three Felonies a Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent by Harvey Silverglate. Available in all formats at EncounterBooks.com.
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Jan '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Bachmann Schmachmann.
*ducks and runs*
Sep '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Non-negotiable links:
Blue Yeti, I think you're being very hierarchical in your thinking.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
I'll have you know that my very good friend Mark Hemingway linked the Weekly Standard to a little post of my own about Kevin Eder. Demonstrating my invaluable contribution to this site. Invaluable is a term which her means uncompensated.
Sep '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Get David Limbaugh some coffee next time. He sounds pretty docile on the podcast.
Jan '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Request for clarification, and I'm primarily asking this of James, when did Murphy call anyone "crazies"? Rob used the term as a joke in that podcast and Murphy jokingly turned the tables and then referred to Rob's "crazies" as "principled conservatives." I've no doubt that Murphy thinks a good deal of the base gets a little carried away and loses sight of the big picture, I haven't read any posts of his here or heard where he called anyone in the GOP base "crazy," though. In fact, I've read a lot of posts about Murphy assigning a lot of characterizations to him that he just never made. Maybe I missed them, maybe he tells Rob, Peter, and James stuff in private he doesn't express on Ricochet, but I think people have run with Murphy's criticisms, exaggerated them, and gone so far as to put words in his mouth he never said. Again, I could be wrong, and if I am I'll do my best Gilda Radner as Emily Litella.
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 7:52pmSep '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
The comment that got everyone fired up was the Argumentum Ad Hitlerum that Mike Murphy made in the comments afterward. He then told everyone they were being thin skinned for thinking he compared them to Nazis or Communists. Reread the thread and comments in context and then let us know what you think.
Jan '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
I think the vitriol, ad hominems, and generally over-the-top reaction people had to Murphy before he ever weighed in on that discussion were just as bad and probably worse than Murphy's fascist/communist remark. I mean people said some really nasty stuff, including claiming that he was a washed-up joke of a political advisor. Goodness gracious, I think he had every right to believe people were overreacting.
I agree that the fascist/communist line was gratuitous and counterproductive, but his general point in that post, in context, that is, after several pages of vitriolic comments toward him, rang somewhat true to me. I'll also note that it was Rob who claimed that Murphy thought Bachmann was "nuts". Murphy never said those words.
I don't want to spend any more time defending Murphy, but I just want to go on the record as observing his comments and sentiments got pretty well twisted and blown out of proportion by the Ricocheti, in a manner that I thought was supposed to be anathema here, even if it was towarde something you find offensive. Murphy's reaction was too hot, but at least a little understandable IMO, given the treatment he was receiving.
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 8:17pmSep '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
That's Intelligentsia coffee, comrade.
Actually, their La Tortuga coffee is really good. Not cheap, though.
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 8:46pmMay '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Lileks: "Pretty soon, people won't be able to buy liquor and they won't be able to buy smokes [in Minnesota] because their government permission to do these things will expire." Now, there's a dismal line to open up the podcast.
Mollie, it's not just "funding" that Catholic charities are losing; it's their legal licenses to operate. As you mentioned, Christian churches have been involved in charities since the first century A.D., long before any government facilitated those activities with tax money.
The poor did not starve before food stamps. The elderly did not sleep in ditches before Social Security.
By the way, any statement about what government can or can't do should end with "yet".
The only seasoned salt I remember tasting is garlic salt. It's a great steak seasoning.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
McConnell's plan is lunacy. In what dream world does telling a man not to do something and then giving him the means to do it save you from blame? This will not help Republicans' public image. Kevin Williamson's plan is much better.
When the Ryan plan was first released, I was pleased that somebody (anybody) had a plan. But Ryan puts so much off into the next decade, over which present politicians have no control. Nor can we predict what new crises will arise in that time. By all means, plan for the long term, but emphasize short-term changes.
I have said it before, and I'll say it again. Republicans must accomplish twice as much as Democrats in half the time, because they're the only ones playing by the rules (laws and civil concern). It's easier to get into debt than to get out of it, easier to create entitlements than to "reform" them, easier to circumvent the Constitution than to obey it, etc. That's why focusing on short-term reforms is vital.
...unless, of course, you believe Republicans could win election cycle after election cycle with incremental reforms. I don't.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
The White House going after Eder is a flashback to Canada's "Human Rights" Tribunal going after a small-time comedian for a joke. They know they can't silence the big dogs, so they are attempting to intimidate regular folks by destroying one little guy at a time.
"There's still a cult of Obama?" If so, I agree with Peter: "Wow." But I doubt Obama will be idolized in 2012 by as many voters as in 2008.
No, Peter, we are not being unfair to Boehner.
I absolutely agree with Mollie and David that the Republicans' main problem is communicating with voters and not relying on the Left's media to pass that message along. Furthermore, the problem is not just how often or how, but who. Rubio and West should be more in the public eye.
Corporations colluding with government? Crony capitalism? If you have any plans to advertise Ricochet to the hippies, there's your pitch.
I used to defend corporations against the Left's attacks.
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
dogsbody: That's Intelligentsia coffee, comrade.
Actually, their La Tortuga coffee is really good. Not cheap, though. · Jul 13 at 8:20pm
Edited on Jul 13 at 08:46 pm
Well, that's embarrassing, given I've only been there 800 or so times. Thanks for the catch, I owe you a coffee. And I agree, the La Tortuga is delicious.
Edited on Jul 13, 2011 at 9:13pmJul '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
The meat at 49 minutes in was great. I personally feel the Ryan plan does not go far enough in cuts and needs to begin sooner than his timeline but nonetheless it is by leaps and bounds the most sensible financial position anyone in DC has put forth.
I still feel McConnell did a service by doing something that says the GOP doesn't want to stop the 70 million checks just yet. That is PR and if the Obama admin was allowed to say no SS is all GOP's fault all week long its a fiasco. Obama won't take that deal anyway but it served a purpose.
Fascinating that the left gets to lie in the media with Obama's daily speech to swoon over yet Mr Boehner somehow needs to remain polite and not demonize his adversary in this ideological battle. How to sell responsible, ethical behavior should not be so hard yet he is not doing that. This is a fight for our very soul as a nation so one might step up the rhetoric a touch and call him disingenuous. This will counter Jay Carneys daily deceit parade.
Feb '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
McConnell's plan to force Obama to own the disaster is based on an unrealistic view of the Democrats and their supporters. They haven't passed a budget in what - four hundred days? Do they care about what they 'must" do? Does anyone?
Jul '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Probably the most irresponsible rabble in my lifetime but my concern is for the hearts and minds of independent voters. The cult of failure has its reliable following through the MSM and they are intractable in any discussion.
Mar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Fascinating dynamic emerged in the podcast between these two positions:
David: I expect not to continue to empower Obama or partner with him in thisfurther destruction which is what I think McConnell’s plan ultimately does.
- and -
Mollie: And, of course, when you are involved in a negotiation with the other side you have to give them something so they are not humiliated.
I'd like the see the plan that NRO articulated put forward next week, and am already on record saying the McConnell's plan being unveiled was premature.
But these two positions, in the end (not in the next week but by 2AUG) are irreconcilable.
We either cut a deal that reduces spending in exchange to something Obama can declare as a victory, or refuse to raise the ceiling and hope that interest rates and inflation don't skyrocket.
If we do the latter, and those outcomes happen, I'll guarantee you this: The Republican candidate for President in 2012 is unelectable, regardless who that candidate is.
Why? Because the party sacrificed a pragmatic, gradual reform to stand on principle, and calamity resulted. How calmly will the voters consider those principles in the wake of those outcomes?
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Mollie thinks the next big thing is Rick Perry's announcement that he intends to run for president. I hope she's right. We'll finally have a true conservative candidate in the race with executive experience. Can we agree ahead of time not to examine his warts with a microscope and just get on with the business of unseating the incumbant in the White House?
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
This is the poll that Mollie is referring to. From yesterday.
Jan '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
James tricked me into listening podcast 75. I recall hearing one "open parenthesis" and one "close parenthesis". I did not detect an unbalanced pair. Maybe the podcast recorded it but James' connection dropped it.
Jun '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #77: Shave And A Haircut
Just wanted to say that I greatly enjoyed Mollie's contribution to this week's podcast. Nothing against the usual voices-- far from it-- but it was good to hear from someone else on the "main" 'cast this time.