Introducing Kite & Key

 

Admit it: you’re a nerd. Admit it, Ricochet!

No worries — me too. And during my years as a think tank executive, that was always a frustration. People who casually followed politics would ask me how to get a quick understanding of a public policy issue and … I wouldn’t know where to send them.

TV and the major newspapers increasingly focus on the political dimensions of policy fights, without telling you anything meaningful about the substantive debates. But where was I going to steer people? To one of our white papers? To a book I knew they didn’t have the time to read? I got paid to be immersed in that stuff — and I loved it. But these people had lives to lead. They wanted to be responsible, informed citizens, but didn’t have endless free time to delve deep into policy research.

For the past year, along with one of my former think tank colleagues — (we’re all friends here, so you obviously know that she did most of the work while I just drank coffee and loudly complained) — I’ve been developing a digital media company dedicated to solving that problem. We’ve created short videos on public policy accessible for everyone from the diehard wonk to the most casual observer of American politics.

It’s called Kite & Key — and it launches today with three videos: one on housing costs, one on proposals to abolish the use of cash, and one on America’s reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals. There will be another new release every week.

We hope you’ll follow along on social media (@KiteandKeyMedia on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, and YouTube) and visit us at our website, where we have bonus content unavailable anywhere else. And as a special preview, here’s our minerals video, narrated with the velvety precision you’ve to come to expect from America’s (approximately 12th) favorite former presidential speechwriter.

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  1. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    If Troy’s name is attached I am interested!

    • #1
  2. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    If Troy’s name is attached I am interested!

    We are two peas in a pod on this issue.  If I see Troy’s name, I am also interested in it.  Dogs and cats living together!

    • #2
  3. Troy Senik Member
    Troy Senik
    @TroySenik

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    If Troy’s name is attached I am interested!

    Ricochet people are the best people.

    • #3
  4. Troy Senik Member
    Troy Senik
    @TroySenik

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    If Troy’s name is attached I am interested!

    We are two peas in a pod on this issue. If I see Troy’s name, I am also interested in it. Dogs and cats living together!

    Five years gone from the site. One day back and we have an armistice in the conservative civil war. You’re welcome, everybody!

     

    • #4
  5. GLDIII Temporarily Essential Reagan
    GLDIII Temporarily Essential
    @GLDIII

    Troy Senik: No worries — me too. And during my years as a think tank executive,

    Troy, I see past tense here. Have you abandoned the Acela corridor life and move out of the NYC/Connecticut nexus?

    So did you go back on the farm in Tennessee seeking mask-less solitude from the irritating throngs of the not so enlightened boroughs denizens who talk fast and funny?

    Inquiring minds you know.

    • #5
  6. GLDIII Temporarily Essential Reagan
    GLDIII Temporarily Essential
    @GLDIII

    Ok Troy, I just watched the first three, you need to do a few on Energy and how it shapes our modern existance.

    Without affordable, accessible, energy, we do not have a civilization as we know it. Renewables are essentially a fraud. Your new venture needs to explore the issues surrounding current Nuclear technologies. They have been limited by the same regulatory shenanigans the left plays like they do with the housing laws.

    An issue of equal importance is the transmission frailty that could basically extinguish a lot of large population centers if it was crippled for a few weeks.

     

    EDIT:  I obliged with a donation, spend it wisely.

    • #6
  7. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    GLDIII Temporarily Essential (View Comment):

    Ok Troy, I just watched the first three, you need to do a few on Energy and how it shapes our modern existance.

    Without affordable, accessible, energy, we do not have a civilization as we know it. Renewables are essentially a fraud. Your new venture needs to explore the issues surrounding current Nuclear technologies. They have been limited by the same regulatory shenanigans the left plays like they do with the housing laws.

    An issue of equal importance is the transmission frailty that could basically extinguish a lot of large population centers if it was crippled for a few weeks.

    Yes to both

    • #7
  8. Troy Senik Member
    Troy Senik
    @TroySenik

    GLDIII Temporarily Essential (View Comment):

    Troy Senik: No worries — me too. And during my years as a think tank executive,

    Troy, I see past tense here. Have you abandoned the Acela corridor life and move out of the NYC/Connecticut nexus?

    So did you go back on the farm in Tennessee seeking mask-less solitude from the irritating throngs of the not so enlightened boroughs denizens who talk fast and funny?

    Inquiring minds you know.

    Still in the greater NYC area, which I count as a moral failing. The past tense is only in reference to my think tank work. I left the Manhattan Institute in late 2019, partially to start Kite & Key, partially to write the Grover Cleveland bio I’m releasing through Simon & Schuster next year (you know: typical launch a start-up/write an obscure presidential biography mid-life crisis). But I’m in the market for a new hometown, so let the bidding begin!

    • #8
  9. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    Hi, Troy!  You are missed around here!

    The Cynic in me says, “How long until Kite and Key is kicked off YouTube for promulgating “misinformation”?  Anything not Leftist is classified as misinformation and canceled.  It may be wise to have a presence on Rumble or Vimeo.

    • #9
  10. Troy Senik Member
    Troy Senik
    @TroySenik

    GLDIII Temporarily Essential (View Comment):

    Ok Troy, I just watched the first three, you need to do a few on Energy and how it shapes our modern existance.

    Without affordable, accessible, energy, we do not have a civilization as we know it. Renewables are essentially a fraud. Your new venture needs to explore the issues surrounding current Nuclear technologies. They have been limited by the same regulatory shenanigans the left plays like they do with the housing laws.

    An issue of equal importance is the transmission frailty that could basically extinguish a lot of large population centers if it was crippled for a few weeks.

    You’ll love it. Energy is going to be a recurring topic and we’ve got some great scholars working with us on developing the content.

    • #10
  11. Troy Senik Member
    Troy Senik
    @TroySenik

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Hi, Troy! You are missed around here!

    The Cynic in me says, “How long until Kite and Key is kicked off YouTube for promulgating “misinformation”? Anything not Leftist is classified as misinformation and canceled. It may be wise to have a presence on Rumble or Vimeo.

    Easiest workaround is to subscribe directly at our website. And check out the bonus content tab for the videos while you’re there. We’ve got a cool feature where you can see the transcript of the videos with a bunch of extra facts (Some serious, some silly) that aren’t included in the actual video. And there are resources available to learn more about each of the issues we’re tackling.

    • #11
  12. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    Troy Senik (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Hi, Troy! You are missed around here!

    The Cynic in me says, “How long until Kite and Key is kicked off YouTube for promulgating “misinformation”? Anything not Leftist is classified as misinformation and canceled. It may be wise to have a presence on Rumble or Vimeo.

    Easiest workaround is to subscribe directly at our website. And check out the bonus content tab for the videos while you’re there. We’ve got a cool feature where you can see the transcript of the videos with a bunch of extra information (Some serious, some silly) that aren’t included in the actual video. And there are resources available to learn more about each of the issues we’re tackling.

    Will there be giraffes?

    • #12
  13. GLDIII Temporarily Essential Reagan
    GLDIII Temporarily Essential
    @GLDIII

    Troy Senik (View Comment):

    GLDIII Temporarily Essential (View Comment):

    Troy Senik: No worries — me too. And during my years as a think tank executive,

    Troy, I see past tense here. Have you abandoned the Acela corridor life and move out of the NYC/Connecticut nexus?

    So did you go back on the farm in Tennessee seeking mask-less solitude from the irritating throngs of the not so enlightened boroughs denizens who talk fast and funny?

    Inquiring minds you know.

    Still in the greater NYC area, which I count as a moral failing. The past tense is only in reference to my think tank work. I left the Manhattan Institute in late 2019, partially to start Kite & Key, partially to write the Grover Cleveland bio I’m releasing through Simon & Schuster next year (you know: typical launch a start-up/write an obscure presidential biography mid-life crisis). But I’m in the market for a new hometown, so let the bidding begin!

    I could be selfish and pitch the DC region, which if you are not in the adjoining counties to the district line are not as outrageous priced as your current, or past digs, except of course for the hilltops in Tennessee. In the age of internet that will be your best best climate and economics wise.

    However when it comes to meeting with the eggheads in think tanks, you know this is the place… Look at your business plan and calculate the pluses and minuses.

    • #13
  14. Troy Senik Member
    Troy Senik
    @TroySenik

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Troy Senik (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Hi, Troy! You are missed around here!

    The Cynic in me says, “How long until Kite and Key is kicked off YouTube for promulgating “misinformation”? Anything not Leftist is classified as misinformation and canceled. It may be wise to have a presence on Rumble or Vimeo.

    Easiest workaround is to subscribe directly at our website. And check out the bonus content tab for the videos while you’re there. We’ve got a cool feature where you can see the transcript of the videos with a bunch of extra information (Some serious, some silly) that aren’t included in the actual video. And there are resources available to learn more about each of the issues we’re tackling.

    Will there be giraffes?

    My lawyer advises me that I do not have to answer that question.

    • #14
  15. MISTER BITCOIN Inactive
    MISTER BITCOIN
    @MISTERBITCOIN

    Troy Senik (View Comment):

    GLDIII Temporarily Essential (View Comment):

    Troy Senik: No worries — me too. And during my years as a think tank executive,

    Troy, I see past tense here. Have you abandoned the Acela corridor life and move out of the NYC/Connecticut nexus?

    So did you go back on the farm in Tennessee seeking mask-less solitude from the irritating throngs of the not so enlightened boroughs denizens who talk fast and funny?

    Inquiring minds you know.

    Still in the greater NYC area, which I count as a moral failing. The past tense is only in reference to my think tank work. I left the Manhattan Institute in late 2019, partially to start Kite & Key, partially to write the Grover Cleveland bio I’m releasing through Simon & Schuster next year (you know: typical launch a start-up/write an obscure presidential biography mid-life crisis). But I’m in the market for a new hometown, so let the bidding begin!

    Florida Texas or Utah 

    • #15
  16. MISTER BITCOIN Inactive
    MISTER BITCOIN
    @MISTERBITCOIN

    Congrats Troy 

    I will share your content on gab and minds 

    • #16
  17. MISTER BITCOIN Inactive
    MISTER BITCOIN
    @MISTERBITCOIN

    Your cash video is great. 

    cash is respect. 

    cash is still king. Cash doesn’t lie. Cash decreases your tax liability.  Cash means do not report on your 1040 or 1099 or schedule c or e 

    I disagree with the part about paying your taxes. 

     

    • #17
  18. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    MISTER BITCOIN (View Comment):

    Troy Senik (View Comment):

    GLDIII Temporarily Essential (View Comment):

    Troy Senik: No worries — me too. And during my years as a think tank executive,

    Troy, I see past tense here. Have you abandoned the Acela corridor life and move out of the NYC/Connecticut nexus?

    So did you go back on the farm in Tennessee seeking mask-less solitude from the irritating throngs of the not so enlightened boroughs denizens who talk fast and funny?

    Inquiring minds you know.

    Still in the greater NYC area, which I count as a moral failing. The past tense is only in reference to my think tank work. I left the Manhattan Institute in late 2019, partially to start Kite & Key, partially to write the Grover Cleveland bio I’m releasing through Simon & Schuster next year (you know: typical launch a start-up/write an obscure presidential biography mid-life crisis). But I’m in the market for a new hometown, so let the bidding begin!

    Florida Texas or Utah

    Grover Cleveland, the last Great Democratic President.  If memory serves, the difference in winning and losing for Grover was if he carried New York State or not.

    • #18
  19. Blondie Thatcher
    Blondie
    @Blondie

    I was getting ready to make a post about your site and said, “Let me check the main feed” and here you are. Signed up for the site and already posted the videos on my Facebook page. Keep it coming. Looking forward to the book next year. 

    • #19
  20. MISTER BITCOIN Inactive
    MISTER BITCOIN
    @MISTERBITCOIN

    Is there a PayPal or Venmo account for donations?

     

    • #20
  21. Troy Senik Member
    Troy Senik
    @TroySenik

    MISTER BITCOIN (View Comment):

    Is there a PayPal or Venmo account for donations?

    Not yet. As of now, we just have the credit card contribution option on the site. But we should have those other options up by next month. Thank you for asking!

    • #21
  22. Goldgeller Member
    Goldgeller
    @Goldgeller

    Looking forward to this. Good luck and good success! 

    • #22
  23. Ansonia Member
    Ansonia
    @Ansonia

    I like it a lot.

    • #23
  24. MISTER BITCOIN Inactive
    MISTER BITCOIN
    @MISTERBITCOIN

    Troy Senik (View Comment):

    MISTER BITCOIN (View Comment):

    Is there a PayPal or Venmo account for donations?

     

    Not yet. As of now, we just have the credit card payment option on the site. But we should have those other options up by next month. Thank you for asking!

    You also need a bitcoin address :-)

     

    • #24
  25. MISTER BITCOIN Inactive
    MISTER BITCOIN
    @MISTERBITCOIN

    Troy Senik (View Comment):

    MISTER BITCOIN (View Comment):

    Is there a PayPal or Venmo account for donations?

     

    Not yet. As of now, we just have the credit card payment option on the site. But we should have those other options up by next month. Thank you for asking!

    As one example: 

    https://news.gab.com/2020/11/24/gabs-first-100k-revenue-month-thanks-bitcoin/

     

    • #25
  26. aardo vozz Member
    aardo vozz
    @aardovozz

    Troy Senik (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    If Troy’s name is attached I am interested!

    Ricochet people are the best people.

    And we’re modest, too!😛

    • #26
  27. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    I’ve never been a nerd – ok…..now that that’s out of the way……I am interested in this abolition of cash because I’ve been hearing a lot about it as well as the new “social credit number”, and the new rules for lending, that banks are rolling out. I thought about doing a post on it. While we are harping about Dr. Seuss, this is what they’re trying to pull while we’re not paying attention……

    • #27
  28. MISTER BITCOIN Inactive
    MISTER BITCOIN
    @MISTERBITCOIN

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):

    I’ve never been a nerd – ok…..now that that’s out of the way……I am interested in this abolition of cash because I’ve been hearing a lot about it as well as the new “social credit number”, and the new rules for lending, that banks are rolling out. I thought about doing a post on it. While we are harping about Dr. Seuss, this is what they’re trying to pull while we’re not paying attention……

    Aretha Franklin knew respect = cash.  words don’t play the bills

     

    • #28
  29. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Love the video!

    • #29
  30. Troy Senik Member
    Troy Senik
    @TroySenik

    GLDIII Temporarily Essential (View Comment):

    I obliged with a donation, spend it wisely.

    In-office ice sculpture, obviously.

    • #30
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