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The Ricochet Podcast: Ask The Founders*
We do this a couple of times a year: instead of booking a politician, an author, or a member of the punditariot, we open the floor to you, our faithful members to ask whatever you want of Rob Long, Peter Robinson, or James Lileks (fact check: James is not technically a Founder, but he always gets interesting questions).
So leave your questions in the comments. Everything is on the table. Or under the table, as it were. We’ll answer them on this week’s show (due out Friday). See you then!
P.S. You have to be a member to participate. Not a member? Click here and address that gross oversight.
*In some circles this show is also known as the “They Couldn’t Book a Guest” episode.
Published in General
Is there going to be a replacement “morning drive” podcast when Michael in the Morning goes off?
What do you think are the best and worst things Trump has done in the last year. What do you most hope or fear he will do in the next year. What number of seats in the House and Senate will the Republicans gain or lose this fall.
Nonpolitical question – who invented GPS. 😀
Rob has mentioned “becoming the NPR of the right” on occasion. While money is obviously critical to good production, has any thought or effort been devoted to longer form programming, which would explore a conservative idea or dilemma? Some of the best podcasts these days are longer form explorations, complete with sound design, interviews, narrator context, and probing questions.
I could see a very cool 7-20 minute piece (for example) on the impact of regulations on small business, with James’ father’s truck stop as the main character. What does a small business person do when regs are handed down? Who interprets them? How do they hire to comply with regs, and what if that skill is not available?
In our effort to persuade, I think long-form pieces are extremely important because they go well beyond the constraints of TV or even long-form print. I love the idea of centrist folks coming to our side because they happened upon a podcast where we presented a version of the truth they hadn’t heard.
What do you say, James? Haul the old Nagra up to Fargo?
I’d like to ask Peter if he ever misses working as a speech writer for a President. I’m not asking specifically if he’d want to work in the Trump white house, but if there were a President he genuinely liked and admired in the future, would he want to do it again?
I don’t have a question, but wanted to say thank you for Ricochet.
Thank you.
Well, I’ll take this one: Hope so! Nothing set yet, though.
To borrow & subsequently mutilate one of Jonah Goldberg’s exit questions….
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered (for yourself) during the lifetime of this site? And since each of you live/work in occupations & locations that are not exactly conservative friendly – what’s the most surprising thing you’ve heard from about others who know your involvement with this site (i.e. employers, co-workers, neighbors, etc).
For Rob: You’ve written so much funny stuff for National Review. When are you going to publish a book of it? Specifically, the piece you wrote when Jean Marie Le Pen came in second in the French primary, and you wrote as Jacques Chirac, “ I am a sad, sad frog”, then went on for a page about French cuisine. Thanks, Sheila Johnson
I think it would be great if Ricochet had a daily news podcast, kind of in the vein of ‘All Things Considered.’ Is this in the budget?
For Peter:
Where did you get your start as an interviewer. I am always blown away by the ability gap between Peter and many other interviewers I have heard in the various podcasts. He gives a master class in interviewing each time out. Too many interviewers spend more time speaking than they do actively listening.
First, an observation: This is the first Question Podcast of the Founders, of which I am familiar. It is a great idea. As is Ricochet. To have a place that not only plays all sorts of political podcasts, but allows its members to write on practically any topic – from old movies, to the character of the present occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania, to how it feels to get up in the morning – is truly inspired. Peter and Rob (James too) deserve a lot of credit for giving everyone, from aspiring young writers to old codgers like me (who can also be aspiring) a forum on which to express ourselves.
My question has to do with the Code of Conduct (and perhaps a few of the Monitors might want to get involved): It is a great idea. With Twitter being available to the most vulgar among us, who can somehow manage to put together some words, even if a few should not be seen in polite company, it is nice to have a Code that polices members, and tries to turn them away from abuse. So, while I applaud the basic tenor and idea of the CoC, I wonder if perhaps some of the Monitors do get overzealous at times? I know they mean well. I’ve had exchanges with several, and genuinely like them.
Thanks!
Who came up with the name, and why ‘Ricochet?’
Something happening to Michael in the Morning?
Do you guys have new shows in the works or plans to expand existing shows? I need more podcasts. I would love one discussing events outside the US.
As we mark the 50th year since the murder of Robert Kennedy and MLK, what do you think their reactions would be if they could be brought back to America today? The good, the bad and the ugly from their perspectives based on who they were and what they wrote and said?
I thought we were doomed to Hillary. Everyone did. Then the voters squeaked out a save.
Is there some wisdom of the crowds effect going on? A hive mind? A delphi pool? The ghosts of the founders twitching us back on course?
What saved us?
This is an underhanded inquiry about James Lileks, framed as a question to Peter and Rob: Who first recognized James Likeks’ many talents, and then made the decision to bring him on-board as the ad “pitchman”?
What will Rob do if Trump wins in 2020?
For Peter: What’s the relation between a major presidential speech and the President? How much of the speech is processed wonk goo churned out by the agencies and writers and so on, and how much is directed and shaped by the President? In particular, have you any sense of how speechwriting works with Trump? (My opinion of Trump’s abilities is poor, to say the least.)
I’d like to know if “The Hemingways” is going to return. I started to write a parody about their show, then they vanished.
I have been a member for a long time, because I heartily endorse the idea that there should be a place where you can expect civil conversation, and the best (maybe the only) way to do that is to have someone in charge and customers who pay for it.
It reminds me of the dear dead CompuServe days. I managed seven Forums at one point. I saw my role as a bartender, maintaining a place where people enjoy hanging out and stopping the occasional yahoo from busting up the furniture.
Of course, we all know what happened to CompuServe. Hence my question to the founders of Ricochet:
Is it working?
I can tell you photoshopped James and Rob into the picture. But that’s really Peter isn’t it. OK Peter, just where WERE you between September 5 to October 26, 1774. And James, you’re looking just a little cra-cra there.
Where do you see the conservative movement going in the post Trump era?
In other words do you see the Trump phenomenon permanently dividing the populist and think tank wings of conservatism?
Also is it time that we as fiscal conservatives just give up the idea that we’ll see any point in the future where the GOP will actually shrink government and cut spending or has that always been kind of a pipe dream that the GOP never really intended to put into practice?
One more, I had the pleasure of listening to a podcast with Charles Murray being interviewed by Bill Kristol. Mr. Murray noted that the Rust Belt/Appalachia voter who voted for Trump had a right to be angry over the effects of immigration, and the seemingly Antoinettian hand-wave most pro-immigration conservatives give to their plight.
Do our illustrious Founders agree or disagree with Murray’s sympathy and/or agree/disagree with the Kevin Williamson point-of-view that these men and women need to get over it and move to where the jobs are?
Thank you again for providing this space and all your hard work.
Holey moley! I was expecting a lot of wiseacres in this thread. Instead? Good and serious questions. How are Rob, James, and I going to prove equal to them?
Note to self: Start making notes. Right now.
May I ask a question of my own here? This is for EJ Hill, the founder, so to speak, of our Brilliant and Hilarious Photoshops Department.
EJ, how come you gave James and Rob tri-cornered hats but left little moi bareheaded? They look like patriots. I look like a Tory. (A Tory who needs to start using Grecian Formula.)
I’d like to second this. A straight news podcast (maybe with a little commentary,) if you can find someone to do it, would be a great addition.
Think of it this way. When standing in the sun, James and Rob need to worry about sunburn up top. You don’t!
It could have been worse. EJ could have put a sweater around your neck.
(This has been your Wiseacre Content of the Day.)
What about what-about-ism? Should I eschew tu quote or recognize that the rules have changed?