There are 56 comments.

1. Member
   Arizona Patriot

   @ArizonaPatriot

   8:23 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   1. Milton Friedman or Thomas Sowell
   2. John Wayne or Clint Eastwood
   3. The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia
   4. “The Star-spangled Banner” or “America the Beautiful”
   5. John Ford or Alfred Hitchcock
   6. Hamburgers or Bacon
   7. Led Zeppelin or Rush
   8. Star Wars or Firefly
   9. Mark Steyn or Jonah Goldberg
   10. Football (American) or Baseball

   1.  Sowell

   2.  Wayne

   3.  LOTR

   4.  Star-Spangled Banner

   5. Hitchcock

   6. Bacon

   7. Rush

   8. Firefly

   9. Steyn

   10. Football

2. Coolidge
   Victor Grant 1865

   @VictorGrant1865

   8:29 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   1. Thomas Sowell – I don’t know much about Milton Friedman, but I like the way Thomas Sowell explains his views without making you feel like a moron.
   2. Clint Eastwood – He has way better lines in his movies than John Wayne. He has been able to translate his talent across more genres than John Wayne, not just military and westerns, but buddy films, comedy, musical, political intrigue, action adventure, etc.
   3. The Lord of the Rings – I always enjoyed reading LOTR more than Chronicles.  I didn’t relate to kids from England going to a fantasy land through a wardrobe and could never get “into” the books. With the LOTR books, I was able to get lost in the world created by Tolkien in a way I never did with Chronicles.
   4. “The Star-spangled Banner” – I think this song has a more militaristic feel that seems more appropriate to our country than a song that describes how pretty our landscapes are. I know the other versus address that, but based on the versus people know the Star-Spangled Banner is better.
   5. Alfred Hitchcock – I am a huge mystery fan, so he is a much better option for me than Ford.
   6. Bacon – No explanation necessary…drop the mic.
   7. Led Zeppelin – I am not a huge fan of either, but that classic line from Wayne’s World “Stairway…denied” cemented Led Zepplin into my conscious.
   8. Star Wars – As a 44 year old man, Star Wars was such a huge part of my childhood and youth. I spent more time running around playing Star Wars with my friends than any other movie.
   9. Jonah Goldberg – If I am brutally honest, I find Mark Steyn a little too snarky for my taste. I listen to him when he substitutes for Rush Limbaugh and just can’t get into his style of commentary. Additionally, as a huge GLoP fan, I had to go with Jonah.
   10. Football (American) – Way more action, way more fun to watch, way more opportunities to go absolutely crazy over a great play. I sometimes watch NFL network games that are “snap to tackle” and take about 30 minutes to watch. If they did the same thing to a baseball game “pitch to hit” it would be about 3 minutes.
3. Inactive
   Casey

   @Casey

   8:38 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   Spin:I’m guessing none of you have heard of the Kobyashi Maru.

   The hot dog champion?

4. Member
   Quinn the Eskimo

   @

   8:41 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   Spin:I’m guessing none of you have heard of the Kobyashi Maru.

   Star Trek is not a choice.  Which when you think about it is kind of weird since it has always been the Star Wars/Star Trek split.

5. Member
   Miffed White Male

   @MiffedWhiteMale

   

   9:15 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   Victor Grant 1865: I sometimes watch NFL network games that are “snap to tackle” and take about 30 minutes to watch. If they did the same thing to a baseball game “pitch to hit” it would be about 3 minutes.

   Actually they do that (or at least did that) for baseball games, and they take the better part of 30 minutes for most games (with commercials).  That’s how our local BB network covered the weekday day games that weren’t otherwise televised.  They’d put up the summarized version that night.  They had a name for it, but it escapes me at the moment.

6. Inactive
   Owen Findy

   @OwenFindy

   10:12 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   This was GREAT!

   Very Tough Choices:

   Milton Friedman, John Wayne, Hamburgers, Mark Steyn

   Very Clear Choices (alternatives were preposterous):

   “The Star-spangled Banner”, Firefly

   Pretty Easy Choices:

   The Lord of the Rings, John Ford, Led Zeppelin

   Meh Choice (who cares?):

   Baseball

7. Member
   David Knights

   @DavidKnights

   11:18 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   Sowell

   Wayne

   LOTR

   Battle Hymn (I know, not a choice)

   Hitchcock

   Bacon

   Stones (Again, not a choice)

   Firefly

   Steyn, by a hair (This is the toughest of all of them.)

   Baseball (I am a Redskins fan so football is nothing but misery for me.)

8. Member
   user_605844

   @KiminWI

   11:20 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   Fun!! I love giving my opinion! HAH!

   1. Thomas Sowell–so clear. I have hope that my teens will read Sowell. They won’t read Friedman yet.
   2. Clint reminds me of my dad.
   3. The Lord of the Rings because there seems to be more of it.
   4. “The Star-spangled Banner” but that last verse of the “Battle Hymn” gives me chills too. I sang it in high school choir with alumni every spring.
   5. Alfred Hitchcock. The very most fun class I had in college was a class on Hitchcock films in the English department.
   6. Hamburgers because fresh garden tomatoes and onion and cucumber
   7. Led Zeppelin
   8. Firefly
   9. Jonah Goldberg–tough choice here.
   10. Baseball!  Just an old fashioned girl with lots of great memories watching cute boys play baseball in the  parks in the summer… My mom and her brothers listening on the radio at every family gathering… my first Twins games with the boyfriend I married.
9. Member
   Knotwise the Poet

   @KnotwisethePoet

   Post author

   11:47 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

   Tom Meyer, Ed.:

   8. Star Wars. Loved, loved, loved Firefly but Star Wars was a watershed. And the first two are so good.

   Certainly as a cultural influence, Star Wars is much more important.  No Star Wars, no Firefly.  And while I did pick Firefly, if this scenario actually became real I think I’d probably go with Star Wars.  I just watched Empire Strikes Back with my wife last night (she has seen it before, but maybe just once or twice).  It’d been years since I’d last seen it.  What a phenomenal movie- so many spine-tingling moments and beautiful visuals.

   Tom Meyer, Ed.:

   Knotwise the Poet: I’m sad it was cancelled and feels incomplete, it does mean that the series never had time to produce any big disappointments…

   You mean you didn’t see Serenity? ;)

   I actually went and saw Serenity in the theater (based on Orson Scott Card’s recommendation) before I ever watched any of the show.  And even having seen none of the TV episodes beforehand (which I know is the wrong way to do it) I really loved Serenity.

10. Member
    Knotwise the Poet

    @KnotwisethePoet

    Post author

    11:49 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    Quinn the Eskimo:

    Spin:I’m guessing none of you have heard of the Kobyashi Maru.

    Star Trek is not a choice. Which when you think about it is kind of weird since it has always been the Star Wars/Star Trek split.

    In the original Collider Save or Kill list it is Star Wars/Star Trek.  But I was curious to throw Firefly into the mix as it is such a pro-libertarian show and I know it has quite a few fans here on Ricochet.

11. Member
    Knotwise the Poet

    @KnotwisethePoet

    Post author

    11:50 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    Richard Finlay:

    1. Hamburgers or Bacon : Bacon; overcook a burger and it is inedible; overcook bacon and it is crispy. Suboptimal, to be sure, but still edible.

    An excellent observation.

12. Inactive
    Louie Mungaray (Squishy Blue RINO)

    @SquishyBlueRINO

    11:55 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    

    

    

    

    

    https://youtu.be/uRdbEY_YfV4?t=18s

    

    Because he laughs like a dolphin rolling on molly.

    

13. Thatcher
    Wineguy13

    @Wineguy13

    12:25 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    Sowell – owing to his works being more relevant to today’s reality, Free to Choose notwithstanding.

    John Wayne – ’nuff said

    LOTR or Narnia…I pick keeping Narnia, because I read it when I was a child, never have gotten past Fellowship, and the movies of both are forgettable to my taste.

    Star Spangled Banner – I like that our Anthem is difficult to sing, besides, lots of countries are beautiful.

    Hitchcock, just like that genre.

    Bacon-but that one hurts more than killing off Mr. Friedman, and Clint combined!

    Zeppelin – they had a better drummer! (oh no he didn’t!)

    No opinion on Star Wars v. Firefly – haven’t watched the latter.

    Definitely keep Goldberg alive, he has more relevant (to me) pop culture references.

    Baseball, although ten years ago I may have said football, but that game is getting to be a joke.

    Fun exercise…can I kill off both Messrs Goldberg and Steyn, have bacon only on thursdays, and resurrect Mr. Friedman?

14. Inactive
    tom

    @TomGarrett

    12:27 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    1. Milton Friedman – Love Sowell to death, but Friedman had more mainstream, long-term impact.
    2. John Wayne – Clint wins on longevity, but, come on, it’s the Duke.
    3. The Chronicles of Narnia – No strong preference
    4. “The Star-spangled Banner” – I admit that “America the Beautiful” is objectively the better song, but SSB feels like victory.
    5. Alfred Hitchcock
    6. Hamburgers
    7. Led Zeppelin
    8. Star Wars – Firefly was fun, but I’m still a little insulted by the question.
    9. Mark Steyn – Free speech is my spirit animal.
    10. Football – Baseball was my first love, but football is my favorite sport (partly because I was decent at it, but I was crummy at baseball).  I also think football is the most American sport, despite baseball being the “National Pastime.”
15. Member
    Tom Meyer

    @tommeyer

    12:37 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    Tom Meyer, Ed.:

    Knotwise the Poet: I’m sad it was cancelled and feels incomplete, it does mean that the series never had time to produce any big disappointments…

    You mean you didn’t see Serenity? ;)

    I actually went and saw Serenity in the theater (based on Orson Scott Card’s recommendation) before I ever watched any of the show. And even having seen none of the TV episodes beforehand (which I know is the wrong way to do it) I really loved Serenity.

    Our different experiences and expectations may have made for our different takes. I discovered Firefly about a year before Serenity and became a rabid fan, was hugely excited by Serenity… and then massively disappointed.

16. Inactive
    user_512412

    @RichardFinlay

    1:20 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    Tom Meyer, Ed.

    Tom Meyer, Ed.:

    Knotwise the Poet: I’m sad it was cancelled and feels incomplete, it does mean that the series never had time to produce any big disappointments…

    You mean you didn’t see Serenity? ;)

    I actually went and saw Serenity in the theater (based on Orson Scott Card’s recommendation) before I ever watched any of the show. And even having seen none of the TV episodes beforehand (which I know is the wrong way to do it) I really loved Serenity.

    Our different experiences and expectations may have made for our different takes. I discovered Firefly about a year before Serenity and became a rabid fan, was hugely excited by Serenity… and then massively disappointed.

    I bought the DVDs (with commentaries) for Firefly first and was very disappointed at its short lifespan.  I think of Serenity as the summarized Firefly seasons 2 & 3.

17. Inactive
    user_549556

    @VinceGuerra

    2:04 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    Wineguy13: Zeppelin – they had a better drummer! (oh no he didn’t!)

    

18. Inactive
    The Thnicka Man

    @TheThnickaMan

    2:37 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    1. Thomas Sowell – I prefer his style and ability to explain important economic concepts to the everyman.
    2. John Wayne.  Can’t say I’ve seen many Eastwood movies.
    3. The Lord of the Ring. (books and movies)
    4. “The Star-spangled Banner” – being an avid sports watcher, if I never hear America the Beautiful again in my life I will die a happy man.  It’s so sappy and doesn’t make me feel patriotic at all.
    5. Alfred Hitchcock
    6. Hamburgers
    7. Rush – probably the most difficult choice for me.  I started listening to classic rock/blues in college and Led Zeppelin is still a favorite.  But if I have to choose which band to listen to now, I’d pick Rush.  The 2112 Overture might be my favorite rock song.
    8. Star Wars – Firefly is lame and way over valued IMO and doesn’t even belong in this comparison.  Star Wars is so much more than the 6 movies.  It’s childhood wonderment.  It’s every space sci-fi film/show/book since 1977.  Star Wars didn’t just break the mod, it became the mold and the entertainment industry is better for it.  If you can’t tell yet, I love Star Wars.
    9. Jonah Goldberg – Unfortunately, since Steyn left Ricochet and National Review I haven’t kept up with his writing as much as I should.
    10. Football.  I used to love baseball, but I excelled at football in high school and then attended a university (Texas A&M) where it’s part of the culture.  College football in particular is the best sport in the world IMO.
19. Inactive
    user_512412

    @RichardFinlay

    2:59 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    re: Star Wars.  The first movie was awesome for its time.  When I took my oldest son to see it (he was 3 or 4), it impressed us both.  When the midi-chlorians were added, all I could think was “triumph of Scientology.”  Pretty much ruined that universe for me.

20. Member
    Knotwise the Poet

    @KnotwisethePoet

    Post author

    3:08 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 28, 2015

    The Thnicka Man:

    Wo, the Thnicka Man!  Can I have some?

21. Inactive
    Ricochet

    @PragueExpat

    2:38 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 29, 2015

    1. Milton Friedman – Always go with the original
    2. John Wayne – Ibid.
    3. The Lord of The Rings – Better story.
    4. “The Star-spangled Banner” – It’s always important to remember why we fight
    5. John Ford – Easy
    6. Bacon – Because bacon.
    7. Led Zeppelin – More variety and, frankly, better musicians.
    8. Star Wars – Jar Jar Binks will be forgiven in time….much time.
    9. Mark Steyn – wit is a precious thing.
    10. Baseball – I’ve never seen grown men cry from remembering Pop Warner, ya know?
22. Inactive
    The Thnicka Man

    @TheThnickaMan

    6:43 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 29, 2015

    Knotwise the Poet:

    The Thnicka Man:

    Wo, the Thnicka Man! Can I have some?

    Hey, shut up kids!

23. Coolidge
    Ricochet

    @ToryWarWriter

    8:50 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 29, 2015

    1. Milton Friedman or Thomas Sowell -Sowell. Only getting better with age.
    2. John Wayne or Clint Eastwood – The Duke.
    3. The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia – Narnia.  Its much more easier to read as a kid.
    4. “The Star-spangled Banner” or “America the Beautiful” – Rockets red glare.
    5. John Ford or Alfred Hitchcock – Ford.  His movies are timeless vs a few scares.
    6. Hamburgers or Bacon – Canadians will hate me, but Hamburgers are the best.
    7. Led Zeppelin or Rush – Zeppelin.
    8. Star Wars or Firefly – Star Wars.  Even with the prequels.
    9. Mark Steyn or Jonah Goldberg – Jonah.  The G File is to important to lose.
    10. Football (American) or Baseball -Baseball.  We will still have the CFL which is far superior to that boring joke called American Football.
24. Inactive
    Songwriter

    @user_19450

    10:56 AM EDT ⋅ Jul 29, 2015

    Quinn the Eskimo:7. Rush. I always found Led Zeppelin overrated.

    Interesting. I didn’t think any band could be more over-rated than Rush. :)

25. Member
    Quinn the Eskimo

    @

    4:06 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 29, 2015

    Songwriter:

    Quinn the Eskimo:7. Rush. I always found Led Zeppelin overrated.

    Interesting. I didn’t think any band could be more over-rated than Rush. :)

    I should have known I had that coming.  I have repeatedly tried with Zeppelin because they get so much radio play.  Honestly, I prefer Fairport Convention when Sandy Denny was with them.  Aside from Led Zeppelin IV (Denny’s guest appearance on Battle of Evermore is lovely )and a few songs here and there, I find them hard to listen to.   I just I am looking for something a little more upbeat.

26. Inactive
    user_1066

    @MorituriTe

    4:16 PM EDT ⋅ Jul 29, 2015

    • Milton Friedman or Thomas Sowell

    Friedman

    “Friedmanite” is a thing. “Sowell Man” is not.

    • John Wayne or Clint Eastwood

    Clint  Eastwood

    I would not want to do without the movies Clint has directed.

    • The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia

    Lord of the Rings

    This is like choosing between Buddy Holly and Christian Rock. As Dr. Johnson said, it isn’t that it walks well, it’s that it walks at all.

    • “The Star-spangled Banner” or “America the Beautiful”

    America the Beautiful

    If I never hear someone butchering the high notes again …

    • John Ford or Alfred Hitchcock

    Alfred Hitchcock

    Just because he was such a weirdo

    • Hamburgers or Bacon

    Bacon

    I hate you. But I can enjoy Bacon without Hamburgers on it.

    • Led Zeppelin or Rush

    Limbaugh?

    • Star Wars or Firefly

    Firefly

    This is sooooo easy. Just ask yourself after the most recent episode: Do I want to see another one of these? Bonus exercise: Picture Jar-Jar Binks and Young Anikin as you ask this question about Star Wars.

    • Mark Steyn or Jonah Goldberg

    Jonah

    I adore Steyn, but he really, really depresses me, because I know he’s right and I can’t rouse myself to move to New Zealand. The worst things about Jonah are his talking couch and the stories about his dog.

    • Football (American) or Baseball

    Can’t they both lose?