Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Troy Senik ·
Dec 23, 2011 at 4:01pm
Congress is mercifully adjourned from Washington, President Obama is headed to Hawaii for the annual shave ice photo-op, and this Ricochet contributor is about to start treating friends and family to the annual Senik holiday wet bar special (hot apple cider and Tuaca). That means it's about time for the media to go into week-long retrospective mode and it's only fitting that we lead the parade. Thus, I open the floor for you to submit your favorite Ricochet moments of 2011. A few of mine:
- Peter Robinson's magnificent remembrance of Steve Jobs
- Rob Long's podcast rant about how there would be no justice in the world until the most nefarious individuals on Wall Street were forced to sell apples on the side of the road
- Anytime we were treated to a "Klavan on the Culture" video
- Professor Paul Rahe becoming a one-man committee to draft Paul Ryan
- Ricochet member Katievs making perhaps the most thoughtful case for Chris Christie to appear in print
- James Lileks opening a R> podcast with a dramatic reading of the bombastic Newt Gingrich press release
- Dave Carter's simultaneously heartbreaking and affirming post about his father's Alzheimer's diagnosis
- Richard Epstein driving a stake through the heart of liberalism ... on PBS, no less
- Mickey Kaus putting in a plug for the site on a "Left Coast/Right Coast" episode by saying "This thing could actually work!"
- The launch of the college feed, direct messaging, and the mobile version of the site
- Haley Barbour, when asked if the 2012 Obama campaign would be negative, bellowing "Well, he can't run on his record!"
- James Delingpole making pessimism more fun than anyone since Mark Steyn
- Ricochet member Psuedodionysius becoming convinced that the "Law Talk" hotline was an elaborate sting operation
- Every single live chat surrounding a presidential debate
- Ricochet member Palaeologus getting off the line of the year re: Jon Huntsman -- "I'm still looking forward to the moment when he knows all is lost. Because maybe some other candidate will make a populist pitch, and he'll respond: I dropped out of high school to join a rock band. And, yes, it was awesome. If you dig a party, any party, vote for Jon Huntsman."
- John Yoo and Richard Epstein devoting 20 minutes of "Law Talk" to discussing whether there should be instant replay in baseball
- The sense of anticipation we all felt waiting for Peter to step on one of Lileks' segues in the main podcast.
As I write the list, I realize there are too many more to chronicle without this post becoming encyclopedic. Care to help me out?
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Comments :
Dec '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the many Songs Of The Day posted by Lance. If I had to pick my favorite of those, it would be Freelance Whales with Generator (2nd Floor).
If I were being really selfish, I'd also thank him once again for posting Soul'd Out's performances on The Sing Off!
Jul '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
I'll second TGA.
Lance's tenacity and His passion is truly a sight to behold, not to mention contagious. His efforts are not only appreciated, but admired too.
May '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Casey's Halloween Candy post was a total trip.
May '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Rock star...
Law Talk is the highlight of the site to me.
Edited on Dec 23, 2011 at 4:38pmDec '11
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
These posts highlighted all the key ingredients to my life: business, sports, and politics (probably in that order!)
Apr '11
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
I think the line that has stayed with me the most was Scott Reusser's idea that the terrible Ohio referendum loss was bad, but that the state deficit there meant that the bigger battle was won anyway. It's the only time I've seen a successful, sourced, and non-theoretical example of starve-the-beast theory.
The best moment for me with Ricochet, though, was more solipsistic. When, after my bank's chairman fled Iraq, I had just been fired, and people were raising the possibility of my being arrested (on the basis that I was a foreigner), I was able to sit at my desk and be transported into a different world. There are times when Ricochet's friendly tone and immersively compelling thoughts, exemplified by Rob Long's and James Lilek's posts in particular, are precisely what one needs. Having thus composed myself, I was able to briefly get rehired, and would be working there today if I had not been unfairly pessimistic about Maliki's fairness; as it is, the few foreigners who stayed have kept their jobs and their liberty.
You all make life away from conservatives much more livable. Thank you. Really.
Mar '11
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Dave Carter's recent introduction of Alphonse.
Dec '11
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
James: I would add that you've made life as a Romney supporter more liveable as well! ;)
Aug '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
The chuckles to oneself as you start to form another question/answer/observation and sign in with that frisson of delight that you're having a good talk in forum . Or the inspired , often silly , thought that just HAS TO be shared with your friends . Your smart , incisive , inquisitive friends who you have never met . Thanks but there's way too many to pick one .
Jun '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Yes, but we need more. How about weekly?
Also, I really like Young Guns.
Jul '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
And surely the Rico meet-ups have got to rank near the top.
Sep '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Troy Senik in the Hula skirt with Don Ho's tiny bubbles in the background was a personal favorite, Judith and Claire's lovely repartee on those special podcasts (leaving aside personal accolades to which of course I'm immune from the effects) and the growing number of members using cat avatars.
Sep '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
And the free booze and caviar for us Gold Circle members. Glad we keep that just between us Gold Circle members.
Sep '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Psuedodionysius
Ahem, Pseud
Someone mixed up those blue pseudo shoes
May '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Thanks, James of E, and let's hope Iraq comes through.
I'll cite the Romney threads, especially the Rahe v James knockdown-dragouts, where terms like "managerial progressive" and "conservative temperament" are thrown like haymakers!
That, and I got a call from Duane a while back that was a pleasant surprise and fun.
Sep '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
Pseudodionysius: Psuedodionysius
Ahem, Pseud
Someone mixed up those blue pseudo shoes · Dec 23 at 5:22pm
Though, in fairness, somewhere in the Rico archives I referred to you as Troy Cynic.
Dec '11
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
I used to like reading the exchanges between David Limbaugh and Kenneth. Those two guys really clicked with each other. I also enjoyed Pat Sajack.
May '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
To second Pseudo, Claire's and Judith's Arab Spring podcasts were memorable -- especially their hopefulness in the face of all that uncertainty. Speaking of: How about another pairing of those two now that we've got a year of history behind us?
Sep '10
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
[Comment edited in silent solidarity with our hard working Editrices]
Edited on Dec 23, 2011 at 5:36pmJul '11
Re: Your Favorite Ricochet Moments of 2011?
I have to say that this was my top moment for the year. Being that I am living through Alzheimer's with two grandmothers, I share his pain. It was with that post though, that I realized Ricochet is more than a community, it borders on being an online family.
Thank You All! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all !