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Ricochet Podcast — Question Time, Summer Edition!
A few times a year, we forgo the guests and let you, our faithful Ricochet members ask questions of Lileks, Robinson, and Long. Any topic is on the table: politics, food, sports (OK, probably not sports), pop culture, yes, even England.
Leave your questions in the comments and we’ll answer as many of them as we can get to in this week’s show.
Published in General
Last year there was some talk about Rob, James, and Peter recording a podcast at the 2019 Minnesota State Fair. Is that going to happen?
You guys would occasionally comment on the podcast regarding excellent posts. It’s such a super way to be recognized (as I’ve experienced–I nearly had a heart attack). Is there a reason you stopped doing it? We have some great writers and it would be nice to have them acknowledged now and then.
Questions for Rob (Yeti, you promised a few iterations back you’d get this one to him).
What’s the best joke/bit you personally wrote for Cheers that made it on the air?
Possibly more interesting: What’s the best joke/bit you personally wrote for Cheers that did *not* make it on the air?
All three of you live in pretty deep Blue areas, and are conservative, if reluctant occasional Trump supporters, but who also are often irked by his actions. But with the recent turn in actions by some on the left to not simply go after Trump, but to begin doing things like doxxing or calling racist online anyone they believe backs him in any way, do you feel any increasing wariness that, as fairly high-profile people on the moderate right, the digital Committee for Public Safety types could start zeroing in on you because you’re willing to take conservative positions in public?
The Joaquin Castro action on Tuesday, in publicizing the names of Trump’s San Antonio-area donors, along with The New York Times being forced to change its headline on Trump because it gave him the smallest iota of credit in calling for unity seems as though we’re at a dangerous new moment, where people in power have decided if they can’t get to Trump, get to his supporters, and institutions with power, such as the Times, have decided they can’t stand up to the digital mobs and must conform to whatever the Newspeak of the day happens to be.
Has Peter ever modeled a sweater for the cover of GQ?
I’ll take that one here. No reason, except we just get caught up with other things and forget. I’ll make a note to do it this week, though!
How are things going for Ricochet from a business standpoint?
With so much freedom given to members to create content, how different is Ricochet today from what you envisioned it would be when you started it?
The Podcast drop-down list contains 63 different podcasts. How many can you name without looking? How many do you listen to?
Of all the guests you have had on the podcast, who ended up surprising you the most?
Perhaps the guest was very different from your preconceptions, or that they said something during the podcast that surprised you (I seem to recall Rick Wilson’s ‘Glitch in the Matrix’ comments shocking you guys a bit).
Peter, if you had to be a speech write for Trump, how would you approach it?
Is the future of the U.S. that we become more like the EU, with a weak central authority and stronger state governments?
Politics is soooooo divisive. Something different. We haven’t heard anything lately about James’ dog, Last time I heard it was a “puppy” with a few habits requiring corrective action and I remember following his description of the search for his last dog and the heartbreaking conclusion. How about a couple of amusing anecdotes about the new Lileks mutt?
You know, I’ve found beer helps with memory.
Not that it helps you remember, it helps you not give a damn when you forget . . .
As @dnewlander wrote, red or green?
After John You last week, what are your takes on military forces abroad supporting Pax Americana?
Question: Will we ever see a decent sitcom ever again?! Seinfeld was the last.
Suggestion that will involve all your skills:
Of course a great bar where everyone knows your name (well not everyone)….. It’s in the heart of DC – the political bubble (cough – swamp) of the world. Just like Cheers, the regulars pour in – the Washington elite – both Parties, like a modern SNL – a sort of spoof – no one will know who is being parodied each week.
Exaggerated clothes, hair, features, mimicking all the current leadership – even past leadership sneaking in – Obama, sitting next to a MAGA hat patron at the bar pouring out his heart, (think of all the comedians that would be perfect to make an appearance) – all gathering to have a pow wow – over drinks – “negotiate, plan the next presidential campaign…. current topics, but everything is politically incorrect. Throw in a Russian spy meeting with his counterpart….the press trying to find dirt – the possibilities are endless.
Remember spoofing Sarah Palin,the Bushes, so take it up 10 notches…… channel Norman Mailer……. It’s the only way to bring back comedy in this politically correct nightmare world, you could defuse so many topics – just like Archie Bunker and the Jeffersons. The new generations don’t know how to laugh and make fun of themselves. You’ll be saving the country from itself….and you all have skills to offer from experience…..of course I would think….that I would get a “finders fee” for a great idea for a new show that will save the country….at least a signed thank you card….
Hit Like, if you think it has possibilities, then add to it……
There’s a doozy…..
Podcast number 500 is just around the corner. Are there any plans to do another live version like you did for 200? Is there any chance of having one over at the Hoover Institution this time?
What Trump supporter to you admire most, and why?
What NeverTrumper [or Trump skeptic] do you admire most and why?
Over your decades of friendship, has Peter drifted Rob-ward or has Rob drifted Peter-ward?
Relating to Scott’s question, when did Rob Long convert to Christianity and why?
Also, would you be open to creating a best of section of Ricochet where the very best posts are collected? Say, the top five per year. (It might help get extra funding if you could show investors that Ricochet has generated some seriously impressive work.)
With latex gloves?
Already done:
http://ricochet.com/659794/jeers/
Are you fond of any particular candidate in the 2096 presidential race?
Hi All!
Thanks for all the great questions. We recorded the show this AM (a day early due to scheduling issue) and it will be live in a few hours.
Thanks again.
Who is your favorite Ricochet employee
Probably the one who demands the smallest paycheck. :-)
And who is your favorite Ricochet moderator, among those who are also administrator of four or more Ricochet groups?
I’ll tell you after they hire me . . .