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This week, Lileks returns and we’re all about borders — both our own and the ones in Eastern Europe. We’re joined by Russian expert Yuri Yarim-Agaev, who gives some remarkable insight into the downing of the Malaysian Air 777. Then, the Center for Immigration Studies’ Mark Krikorian joins to discuss the ongoing disaster unfolding on the border with Mexico. Also, Lileks abroad and welcome our newest sponsor, Harry’s Shave.
Music from this week’s’ episode:
Border Radio by The Blasters
The opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by James Lileks.
In Russia, hosts Photoshop EJHill.
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That’s Vol. 5 Number XXVIII.
Let the bears pay the Bear Tax, I pay the Homer Tax!
To paraphrase Peter “If the Palestinians practiced non-violence, Israel would be defensless against them”. If the Palestinians practiced non-violence, Israel would have no issue with them and they could have had a state 30 years ago.
Good lord. I think I have been listening to this razor add for 10 minutes now. I get it they are fine blades and they are paying for the show. Can we break up the add a bit if they are going to be this long and uninteresting. At least the audible commercial comes with some book recommendations.
Really? Perhaps, but that is assuming that 30 years ago when Israel invaded the West Bank they didn’t plan on keeping it, and only exigent circumstances have led to their prolonged possession of the territory.
If the Palestinians had a Ghandi I think it would put Israel to a true test of its liberal convictions. Currently the Palestinian violence offers a ready excuse for any illiberal Israeli faction to hide behind.
Firstly, the invasion was 47 years ago, not 30.
Secondly, it was the Kingdom of Jordan that was shelling Israel from the West Bank, and Israel promised to refrain from marching into Jordan’s territory if Jordan ceased its shelling. Jordan refused, and in fact proceeded to launch air strikes on Israel. The purpose of Israel’s invasion was to stop the shelling, not to acquire territory.
It is not accurate to say that “Israel’s plan” was to keep the West Bank or to return it to Jordan, as there was no consensus within Israel on that question.
Israel’s possession of the territory is due to Jordan relinquishing its claim to the territory in 1988, 26 years ago.
I liked the razor ad and y’all have never steered me wrong on an endorsement so a Windsor set is winging its way to me soon. For a really nice shave get a decent badger brush & proper shaving soap. A hot lather is soooooo much better than the stuff out of the can. Happily it looks like Harry’s cream is compatible with the brush. I’m interested to see how it matches up with the soaps I already have.
Also, a tip for extending the life of a cartridge: hone it on a piece of denim cloth. When it starts getting dull push the blades six or so times across the cloth with the grain, turn the cloth 90 degrees and do the same number against the grain. Once you start do it every time before a shave. In my experience you can just about double the use out of a Mach 5 cartridge this way.
Here’s a testimonial for our new Ricochet sponsor.
Really, these Harry’s blades are great. So is the cream.
I shave my head. I used to get two shaves out of my old 5 blade cartridges before they were too dull to pull across my scalp.
I can use the Harry’s blades 5 or 6 times before replacing them and they cut through my stiff but sparse hair (what’s left of it these days) like the proverbial hot knife through butter. They’re cheaper too, by far.
Congrats for picking these guys up as sponsors!
Isn’t a name like “Harry’s” kind of counter-intuitive?
Well I used 30 because it was in the quote lets not dwell on that.
So Israel didn’t have a plan for the West Bank when they went in. But after wards ? Isn’t the creation and expansion of settlements an indication of a plan, namely annexation? Who encourages their citizens to set up permanent residency in occupied enemy territory without a plan?
In 1988 Jordan relinquished control of the West Bank to the PLO by the way.
While there is no system of interlocking treaties and agreements between great powers, and while today the world’s leaders have an appreciation of how destructive to life and property modern war can be, there still is a terrific possibility of chaos. An EMP is touched off over New York shutting down almost every electronic device (including the power grid) on the Eastern Seaboard for example.
The lesson we can certainly take from WWI is that leaders military and civilian can be astonishingly venal, corrupt, and incompetent. That the press (speaking of venal, corrupt, and incompetent) may decide to promulgate everything but the truth. That the general populace can be entirely complacent and self-absorbed until the bombs start falling on their heads. That it’s not a good idea to get rushed into something because national prestige demands it (which is why I was entirely comfortable with Obama not getting congressional approval to act in Syria last year. I wouldn’t trust him to take care of a pet rock, let alone trust him with an Authorization for Use of Military Force).
I love the mental image I got of Peter “trolling the internet”, which is how he surmises he discovered Harry’s Shaving Products. Peter is so pure of heart I can’t imagine him trolling anybody.
Oh Hey Troy’s moving to Nash- Vegas!!! Great town you’ll enjoy it. I’m going there for a wedding next June. Meet-up anyone?
James, in the early discussion of the Israeli-Pali news coverage, I believe this is the phrase you were searching for:
You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!
[Matthew 23:24]
You could talk me into that one; I’d love to attend a meet-up in the birthplace of my grandparents and paterfamilias and home of my alma mater!
Congrats to Troy; have a sixth sense he’s going to be living in Belle Meade which means Rico should plan a meet-up at his house. :)
On a more serious note; terrific podcast in large part due to guest Yarim-Agaev and his clear messages of short term sanctions. Would only add that if the Keystone XL had been developed in due time, it would have served as a great economic deterrent this week.
Thanks Yeti.
I have had a beard for a couple of years, or I’d try the razors out.
One thing I found weird was James Lileks’s staccato way of talking. He seemed to be talking so fast, I began to wonder if he was on some sort of medication. Then I found I had the podcast playback on 1.5x speed. Peter Robinson sounds normal at that speed.
But Lileks on 1.5x speed? Whoof! Double whoof!
Was James having us on with his pronunciation of “epitome?” If so, I’d like to think it’s because he watched the great Brian Regan’s “The Epitome of Hyperbole.”
Harry’s are fantastic….using them for a year now. I’m glad they’re a sponsor.
I tend to agree with this quote “”Here’s the difference between us,” explains the Israeli prime minister. “We’re using missile defense to protect our civilians and they’re using their civilians to protect their missiles.””
I think the Israelis would be estatic to have neighbors committed to non-violence.
Yes, I was joshing with the pronunciation of Epitome. I think. I get into a fugue state when I do these ads, so I can’t quite claim anything was conscious.
Enjoyable podcast gentlemen. I appreciated the airy adevertisement of Harry’s heirloom hair removal kit and look forward to the forthcoming forceful fulmination of my functioning follicles.
That is to say I look forward to a smooth and effective shave.
Valiuth, be contented with the pleasant advertisement of the shaving goodies, even if it dwells a little long. Tis certainly better than listening to Rob’s pitch-work to sell R memberships.
It certainly tisn’t. I would only encourage Rob to spend more effort shaming the lurkers and the parasites to pony up and pay.
EThompson I don’t suggest that Rob’s efforts are bad in any way, but if the presenters are able to make pitches it means that someone (other than those of us who already do) is funding the commercial and helping to fund the site! Those on the outside who don’t pay for access do their part to keep Ricochet as a valuable tool, because they will see the articles and refer friends, who may choose to pay much like the rest of us.
The “lurkers and parasites” as you call them are potentially valuable to the site to bring in new viewers, potentially gain influence, and potentially a new revenue stream. If those “lurkers and parasites” simply go away, so does a fair bit of Ricochet’s value, except for those who treat this simply as a forum to chat amongst ourselves and pay for the ability to do so.
I was thinking the same thing. I went back and timed it, the full ad and discussion came in at about 8 minutes. I don’t know what Harry’s paid, but it wasn’t enough. I’m not one of those “get on with the serious issues!” guys, but that was pretty tedious.
I was both for 12 months but ultimately ponied up because unlike many in this world, I realize that nothing of value survives in this world for free.
Hey, at least they didn’t use the plea “We need the money” !
It is interesting that the podcasters seem to think we will be bored by one guest, or longer segments or a longer podcast overall, yet they seem perfectly content to go on and on about audiobooks and razors. I also think commercials have a point of diminishing returns and lose effectivness after a certain point. By the time the discussion is over (assuming I don’t fast-forward) I’m tired of the subject. Get in, make the message clear and get out. Respect your audience! They don’t owe you anything – not even their attention.
I wish they would take a page from other successful podcasts. There’s a lot to learn. I recognize it’s not easy, but there are some fundamentals they miss entirely. But I’ve offered my two-cents before…
Complaints and laments are usually not coming from people who want to hurt or attack – they are coming from people who sincerely want to help. It’s a good podcast. There are a lot of easy, little things that can be done to improve it.
Peter,
Tom Clancy had a “Palestinian Gandhi” in one of his books “Sum of all Fears,” I think it was. He had it working out about the way you project, with Israel losing a lot of the moral high ground.
Let’s hear it.
How about kaz OO is try? (CAS u is try) And whatever it was you did to the cockles of your heart besides warming them.