LoomIt’s been a while since our amiable hosts have been in the same bowl with each other, so we took this opportunity to do a special three guest show from across the world and around the country. First up, our old friend Judith Levy gives us a chilling report from her home in Israel. Then, newly returned contributor Claire Berlinski checks in from Paris with a first hand look at the reaction in Europe to Gaza and the crisis in the Ukraine. Finally, our pal David Limbaugh (aka El Rush Bro) pulls no punches on why he thinks we ought to make the argument that the President has committed high crimes (but not impeach!) and close the borders. Also, which Ricochet Podcaster is in favor of the coming tax on soda? You get one guess….

Music from this week’s’ episode:

Burning by The War On Drugs

The opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by James Lileks.

Ripe for the picking,  EJHill.

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There are 19 comments.

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  1. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    If you pick up your Podcast at the grocery store checkout aisle be sure to look for the alternative cover. Collect them all!

    Welcome Back

    • #1
  2. Peter Robinson Contributor
    Peter Robinson
    @PeterRobinson

    Rob as John Travolta.

    Having seen everything, I can die happy.

    • #2
  3. user_7742 Inactive
    user_7742
    @BrianWatt

    EJHill:

    If you pick up your Podcast at the grocery store checkout aisle be sure to look for the alternative cover. Collect them all!

     One of your finest, Mr. Hill. Kudos.

    • #3
  4. kylez Member
    kylez
    @kylez

    Peter Robinson:

    Rob as John Travolta.

    Having seen everything, I can die happy.

     i was more amused by you.

    • #4
  5. SallyVee Inactive
    SallyVee
    @GirlWithAPearl

    The stress in Judith’s voice brought immediate tears. 

    Shame, shame, shame on us and the wicked Postmodernia we’ve become.

    • #5
  6. Nick Stuart Inactive
    Nick Stuart
    @NickStuart

    Every American supporter of Israel who voted for Barack Obama should consider the consequences of what they’ve done. Initially my thought was of American Jews, but I know a number of Evangelicals who claim to be supporters of Israel who voted for Obama.

    • #6
  7. BuckeyeSam Inactive
    BuckeyeSam
    @BuckeyeSam

    Peter is Epstein. Is that James as Horshack?

    http://www.tmz.com/videos/0_5nm25qd9/

    • #7
  8. otherdeanplace@yahoo.com Member
    otherdeanplace@yahoo.com
    @EustaceCScrubb

    BuckeyeSam
    Peter is Epstein. Is that James as Horshack?

    It sure ain’t Freddie “Boom Boom” Washington or Rosalie “Hotsy” Totsy.

    • #8
  9. Son of Spengler Member
    Son of Spengler
    @SonofSpengler

    Nick Stuart:

    Every American supporter of Israel who voted for Barack Obama should consider the consequences of what they’ve done. Initially my thought was of American Jews, but I know a number of Evangelicals who claim to be supporters of Israel who voted for Obama.

     FWIW, I know many American Jews who are regretting their votes. I’ve been considering writing a post on whether this might be a “mugged by reality” moment, but — somewhat like Judith — I’ve been too paralyzed by emotion to write a coherent post with supporting evidence (anecdotal or otherwise).

    • #9
  10. Grendel Member
    Grendel
    @Grendel

    That’s Vol. 5 Number XXIX.

    • #10
  11. Nick Stuart Inactive
    Nick Stuart
    @NickStuart

    Son of Spengler:

    Nick Stuart:

    Every American supporter of Israel who voted for Barack Obama should consider the consequences of what they’ve done. Initially my thought was of American Jews, but I know a number of Evangelicals who claim to be supporters of Israel who voted for Obama.

    FWIW, I know many American Jews who are regretting their votes. I’ve been considering writing a post on whether this might be a “mugged by reality” moment, but — somewhat like Judith — I’ve been too paralyzed by emotion to write a coherent post with supporting evidence (anecdotal or otherwise).

     What really has changed since 2012 when the opportunity to change course was available? Will anything change this November or will the thinking be “This Democrat is different, besides SSM, war on women or something. ”

    • #11
  12. Macsen Inactive
    Macsen
    @Macsen

    I listened to the first 45 minutes on the way in.  Upon arriving at work, I checked the headlines and learned that Judith’s prediction regarding the inevitability of a kidnapping had come true earlier today.  

    There is no sense trying to negotiate with Hamas- they don’t speak diplomat.  They only speak violence.  Unless Israel’s leaders do whatever is necessary to keep their people safe- including driving Hamas entirely out of Gaza- this situation will be repeated.  

    • #12
  13. user_1065645 Member
    user_1065645
    @DaveSussman

    Son of Spengler: FWIW, I know many American Jews who are regretting their votes. I’ve been considering writing a post on whether this might be a “mugged by reality” moment, but — somewhat like Judith — I’ve been too paralyzed by emotion to write a coherent post with supporting evidence (anecdotal or otherwise).

     As a conservative Jew, this has been one of my greatest frustrations. Tikkun Olam is often used as the justification… the Talmudic lesson of “repair the world”. It has been passed down generations and Jews feel the Left is more apt to ‘provide’ for the underdogs. Of course as a Conservative I would argue with such, and would prefer to teach a man to fish.

    Be that as it may, this needs to be explained and dissected, along with a healthy debate with right/left leaning Jewish scholars.

    • #13
  14. Podkayne of Israel Inactive
    Podkayne of Israel
    @PodkayneofIsrael

    Things are, ironically, somewhat calmer in Jerusalem than in the center of the country. Where I live, we have had very few sirens. On the other hand, while my younger son is just starting basic training, most of his classmates are well into their service, and a lot are actually in Gaza. Almost all my colleagues at work have somebody–a son, a brother, a husband–serving down South, only occasionally permitted telephone contact.
    A good friend of his was “moderately wounded” last week, and is in the hospital with a horrible fracture of his left arm, which will require about a year of rehab. Having been given nerve block anesthesia, he is generally not in any pain, and receives guests in his hospital room like an oriental potentate. People are incredibly grateful for what the soldiers are doing for us.
    Personally, I gasped when I saw where some of the tunnels came out. My daughter is in school on Kibbutz Sa’ad, near the border, and I know the exact view from the projected exit points of the two (!) tunnels right near Sa’ad.
    I want to grab every soldier who serves down there and kiss them in gratitude.

    • #14
  15. SParker Member
    SParker
    @SParker

    Just a historical note before my brief candle gets snuffed:  Canned orange juice is undrinkable.  The fact that Donald Duck was plastered on the cans I remember is irrefutable evidence of the existence of evil and that Walt,  for all his genius, was its agent.  Theoretically it was something with which you would wash down a meal of capers, canned okra, canned shoestring potatoes, and canned corned beef in the nuclear twilight of a sadly failed Eisenhower administration.  (dangit now I’ve got mild, probably untreatable, Lileks’ syndrome, which probably happens anytime you try to discuss regrettable food)

    • #15
  16. Son of Spengler Member
    Son of Spengler
    @SonofSpengler

    Nick Stuart:

    Son of Spengler:

    Nick Stuart:

    Every American supporter of Israel who voted for Barack Obama should consider the consequences of what they’ve done. Initially my thought was of American Jews, but I know a number of Evangelicals who claim to be supporters of Israel who voted for Obama.

    FWIW, I know many American Jews who are regretting their votes. I’ve been considering writing a post on whether this might be a “mugged by reality” moment, but — somewhat like Judith — I’ve been too paralyzed by emotion to write a coherent post with supporting evidence (anecdotal or otherwise).

    What really has changed since 2012 when the opportunity to change course was available? Will anything change this November or will the thinking be “This Democrat is different, besides SSM, war on women or something. ”

     I do fear that some other justification may return. But I know people for whom Obama’s Iran capitulation in 2013 and his recent approach to Gaza have made a real difference. In the meantime, my very liberal family have sent video of Marco Rubio speeches and followed up with phone calls to say, “You must watch this! Somebody gets it!”

    • #16
  17. Grendel Member
    Grendel
    @Grendel

    It’s easier for Catholics to get into France than for cats?  You say that as though it’s a bad thing.

    • #17
  18. Podkayne of Israel Inactive
    Podkayne of Israel
    @PodkayneofIsrael

    I guess, having gone through nursing school during the Gulf War (we were trained to put in IVs for nerve gas antidotes, and shower heads were installed in the parking lots), and having treated child victims of suicide bombers during the second intifada, either my threshold is higher, or I’ve gotten better at compartmentalizing. It was painful to hear Judith so upset.
    For what it’s worth, Judith, I have always tried to tell my children the truth, but to remain as calm and matter-of-fact as possible. No, I don’t think it’s a good idea to wait until they ask; that just makes them think that the subject is too terrible to broach. Which at this point, it isn’t, really.

    • #18
  19. Podkayne of Israel Inactive
    Podkayne of Israel
    @PodkayneofIsrael

    Macsen:

    I listened to the first 45 minutes on the way in. Upon arriving at work, I checked the headlines and learned that Judith’s prediction regarding the inevitability of a kidnapping had come true earlier today.

    Well, now we know that there is no live kidnap victim. I have heard that the “Hannibal Protocol”, which was discussed previously, is in force, that is, that soldiers are instructed that under no circumstances are they to be taken, or to allow others to be taken, alive. A grim scenario, but at least it’s settled. This is very far from “all over”.

    • #19
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