A Micro Dose of GLoP

It’s the end of the year, the eve of the debut of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and the start of the primary season. That means the men of GLoP must fire up their Skype and bring their punditry skills to bear.

This month, a mediation on what it means to be a member of the “establishment.” Suffice to say, it has a very different meaning than it did 40 years ago. Also, some thoughts about guns, predictions and hopes for The Force Awakens, choices for the best of 2015, and Rob’s medication of choice for the new year. Tune in, turn on, and drop out. See in 2016 for our live show in New Hampshire on February 6th.

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There are 72 comments.

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  1. Metalheaddoc Member
    Metalheaddoc
    @Metalheaddoc

    I found this episode difficult to listen to. I thought Rob interrupted too often. It makes it hard to listen to that way. Was I imagining that?

    • #31
  2. Chris Campion Coolidge
    Chris Campion
    @ChrisCampion

    Great, you’re back in New Hampshire and I’ve moved from Vermont to North Carolina?

    Thanks for being selfish, guys.

    • #32
  3. Ryan M Inactive
    Ryan M
    @RyanM

    Metalheaddoc:I found this episode difficult to listen to. I thought Rob interrupted too often. It makes it hard to listen to that way. Was I imagining that?

    Again stipulating that I haven’t listened, yet… John is really bad about talking over people. I had the impression that Rob was trying to preempt that a bit, lately, though that might be my imagination, too.

    • #33
  4. J. D. Fitzpatrick Member
    J. D. Fitzpatrick
    @JDFitzpatrick

    No, no–Rob is the Wookiee.

    • #34
  5. Douglas Inactive
    Douglas
    @Douglas

    listeningin:Warning: This may get deleted because it deals with a Ricochet advertiser…

    I’m really, truly sorry that you got ripped off, but I’m still laughing like a maniac at the fact that Jonah Goldberg is now doing Gold ads.  Not that I’m a critic of buying gold… I’m all for buying the “eternal store of value”, etc… I’m just laughing at the delicious irony of Jonah doing it.

    • #35
  6. Douglas Inactive
    Douglas
    @Douglas

    Whiskey Sam:

    Titus Techera:

    Jamie Lockett:

    Peter Meza:Star Wars was based on “Only Angels Have Wings” from 1939? Is that true? Has anyone seen this movie and compared the two? If so, what did you think?

    I’m pretty sure it was based on The Hidden Fortress from 1958.

    The two companions & the fortress Mr. Lucas took from the Kurosawa movie, but what else?

    Get a copy of the Secret History of Star Wars. Most of Star Wars was ripped off from The Hidden Fortress then filtered through a Flash Gordon mindset since the latter is the movie Lucas actually wanted to make. Most of what Lucas has been peddling the last 20 years is based on a lie he’s told so often that he believes it himself.

    The original script drafts are out there on the Internet, and they’re absolutely awful. If you think Jar Jar was bad, it was that kind of stuff (the protagonist: Anakin Starkiller). The Star Wars that everyone loves is largely the result of a near-complete rewrite by Lucas’ then wife, Marcia.

    • #36
  7. M. T. S. Inactive
    M. T. S.
    @MTS

    On Stitcher I can only get a 2 minute segment of it –

    its still pretty hilarious, with Rob stuttering for last 45 seconds. But I would like more than a microdose!

    • #37
  8. Blue Yeti Admin
    Blue Yeti
    @BlueYeti

    M. T. S.:On Stitcher I can only get a 2 minute segment of it –

    its still pretty hilarious, with Rob stuttering for last 45 seconds. But I would like more than a microdose!

    As I mentioned above, we have no control over Stitcher’s app. We have written them, but have not heard back. I suggest using the player at the top of this page (it will work on your phone) or use a podcast app and get the file we distribute and control.

    • #38
  9. Al Sparks Coolidge
    Al Sparks
    @AlSparks

    Ryan M:um… I thought the “buy gold” stuff on GLoP was a joke. Haven’t listened to this episode, so maybe they picked one up, but it has been a running gag for quite a while.

    I don’t think it’s a joke.  It’s listed as a sponsor in the original post.

    I have to say that I wasn’t impressed, ethically, with Jonah’s pitch.  LearCapital paid them for an ad, and indeed Jonah pitched it as a joke.  If he doesn’t believe in the product, he shouldn’t pitch it.

    Rob tried to mitigate the damage, but Jonah came right back with his sarcasm.

    That’s not classy.

    • #39
  10. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    This is a modified crosspost from a post on the member feed.

    I initially thought it was a joke. Especially since Jonah was reading the copy. In fact I originally wanted to depict the guys as “The Golden Girls.” Yeti thought that to be too culturally obscure.

    Personally, (and I am not running the site and do not make these types of decisions) there are certain sponsors AND certain people on Ricochet that I would ask for a prerecorded spot. Lear Capital is the TYPE of sponsor I would do that with. I know nothing about this company but any entity that asks for the large transfer of funds from customers is problematic. Not in a political correctness type of problematic, but in the sense that any commercial read by a Ricochet host/personality does come across as a personal endorsement and if something does go sideways it reflects badly. I would go so far as lump businesses like Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade in the same category.

    Jonah and James Lileks are viewed as commentators and whether or not they read commercial copy is totally their call. However, someone like Claire, who is a working journalist, should never be asked to do so.

    But then again, I’m old fashioned. And again, I have no say anyway.

    • #40
  11. Metalheaddoc Member
    Metalheaddoc
    @Metalheaddoc

    Don’t financial type ads usually have an addended fast-talk disclaimer of “past results do not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk…” etc?

    • #41
  12. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    Metalheaddoc: Don’t financial type ads usually have an addended fast-talk disclaimer of “past results do not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk…” etc?

    There are SEC rules on advertising by financial advisers. Does Lear qualify as that? I don’t know. But they have long been advertisers on conservative media, particularly AM radio. If they were violating Fed rules you’d hear about it plenty.

    • #42
  13. Ryan M Inactive
    Ryan M
    @RyanM

    EJHill:This is a modified crosspost from a post on the member feed.

    I initially thought it was a joke. Especially since Jonah was reading the copy. In fact I originally wanted to depict the guys as “The Golden Girls.” Yeti thought that to be too culturally obscure.

    Personally, (and I am not running the site and do not make these types of decisions) there are certain sponsors AND certain people on Ricochet that I would ask for a prerecorded spot. Lear Capital is the TYPE of sponsor I would do that with. I know nothing about this company but any entity that asks for the large transfer of funds from customers is problematic. Not in a political correctness type of problematic, but in the sense that any commercial read by a Ricochet host/personality does come across as a personal endorsement and if something does go sideways it reflects badly. I would go so far as lump businesses like Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade in the same category.

    Jonah and James Lileks are viewed as commentators and whether or not they read commercial copy is totally their call. However, someone like Claire, who is a working journalist, should never be asked to do so.

    But then again, I’m old fashioned. And again, I have no say anyway.

    That was actually my first thought as well.  It’s all fine and good when Harry’s sends you a box of blades and you like them.  But what if they suck?  What if Casper is a crappy mattress and the sheer difficulty of stuffing it back into the box renders the 90 day guarantee all but worthless?  I use Harry’s and enjoy it – James swears by Casper.  But advertising is problematic like that.  For instance, Flyover Country is brought to you by the patience and magnanimity of my wife, who gives me the morning off from getting the boys ready and allows me to pay the good folks at soundcloud.  But what about when that runs out?

    • #43
  14. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    What’s Flyover

    I don’t think I’ve ever illustrated one of those… <\sarcasm>

    Podcasting is not broadcasting so there’s fewer rules, although God knows the current FCC majority is positively chomping at the bit to find a way to control more of the content, especially political content.

    • #44
  15. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    EJHill: I don’t think I’ve ever illustrated one of those… <\sarcasm>

    No reason you couldn’t do so.

    • #45
  16. Ryan M Inactive
    Ryan M
    @RyanM

    EJHill:What’s Flyover?

    I don’t think I’ve ever illustrated one of those… <\sarcasm>

    Well, you are welcome to offer your talents free of charge any time!  ;)

    We have a pretty slim operating budget.

    • #46
  17. kylez Member
    kylez
    @kylez

    Peter Meza:Star Wars was based on “Only Angels Have Wings” from 1939? Is that true? Has anyone seen this movie and compared the two? If so, what did you think?

    I saw the film earlier this year and the thought never occurred to me. I would agree that Grant’s character and Han Solo are in a similar vein.

    • #47
  18. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    kylez:

    Peter Meza:Star Wars was based on “Only Angels Have Wings” from 1939? Is that true? Has anyone seen this movie and compared the two? If so, what did you think?

    I saw the film earlier this year and the thought never occurred to me. I would agree that Grant’s character and Han Solo are in a similar vein.

    No, they’re not. The resemblance is far less than say between Alan Quatermain & Indiana Jones. Cary Grant plays a Hemingway-type manly man–danger & death are his way of life. Han Solo has none of that sort of thing; I gues it would be called a death wish now. At any rate, the Cary Grant character, despite the actor, is manly; Han Solo is not-

    • #48
  19. Mr. Dart Inactive
    Mr. Dart
    @MrDart

    Trump’s 25 point lead is taking a toll as the year ends.

    JPod is pulling an all-nighter to see Star Wars VII.

    Jonah says “Buy Gollllddddd!” and

    Rob is dropping acid.

    2016 should be a riot.

    • #49
  20. Muswell Hillbilly Inactive
    Muswell Hillbilly
    @MuswellHillbilly

    I missed the Lear Capital number we are supposed to call to make sure GLOP get’s it filthy lucre.  Anyone have it?

    • #50
  21. The Question Inactive
    The Question
    @TheQuestion

    Jamie Lockett:Micro-dose? It’s 80min long!!

    I too was wondering if it was going to be extra short for some reason, based on the title.

    • #51
  22. Douglas Inactive
    Douglas
    @Douglas

    Muswell Hillbilly:I missed the Lear Capital number we are supposed to call to make sure GLOP get’s it filthy lucre. Anyone have it?

    (800) 576-9355

    And tell ’em Ricochet sent you! (See, Jonah? Doing my part!)

    • #52
  23. kylez Member
    kylez
    @kylez

    Titus Techera:

    kylez:

    Peter Meza:Star Wars was based on “Only Angels Have Wings” from 1939? Is that true? Has anyone seen this movie and compared the two? If so, what did you think?

    I saw the film earlier this year and the thought never occurred to me. I would agree that Grant’s character and Han Solo are in a similar vein.

    No, they’re not. The resemblance is far less than say between Alan Quatermain & Indiana Jones. Cary Grant plays a Hemingway-type manly man–danger & death are his way of life. Han Solo has none of that sort of thing; I gues it would be called a death wish now. At any rate, the Cary Grant character, despite the actor, is manly; Han Solo is not-

    Han Solo is not manly?

    • #53
  24. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    He’s too much of a clown. Of course, compared to Luke & Leia, he might look like Achilles, but let’s not kid ourselves. Star Wars seems to have based its success on the obliteration of manliness. I’m not sure why people do not talk more about that; or why conservatives are not more skeptical, to say the least.

    The Death star explosion is as much evidence as the fact that Obi-wan won’t fight. Cowardice is the way to go.

    Also, that’s the reason the newer movies failed. They are far more ambitious politically, not just far more inept, if that’s possible for Star wars movies. They tried to show the last stand of a republic. Needless to say, this is not Julius Caesar & they have no Brutus vs. Mark Antony. The supposed manly fight Obi Wan vs. Anakin is pathetic; they always are when they’re trying to be manly. But of course all republics depend on manliness for freedom–it’s ok to have none in an empire–but not in a republic. That’s why these movies are so bloodless & boring.

    Back to the original: It was a pretty serious attempt to talk about striving to distinguish oneself & do something worthwhile without taking seriously the problem of manliness. It almost deserves applause…

    • #54
  25. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    Titus, help me out here.  Granted, it’s been 40-45 years since I read it, but I don’t see any similarity between A Princess of Mars and Star Wars.  The characters don’t match, the story lines don’t match, the settings don’t match, the political situation doesn’t match.

    Sure, they both have princesses and involve something that could loosely be described as sword fighting, but by that standard, Star Wars was based on The Court Jester.

    What am I missing?

    • #55
  26. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    I think you could do worse than start with the word Jedi–surely, that’s taken straight from Burroughs–a military aristocracy called the Jeddah, or whatever the exact spelling was in Burroughs. A kind of civil war situation where a hero has to come in & save the princess to restore a decent order that is decidedly non-democratic. Of course, save the princess stories are innumerable–it was this jedi business that got my attention. The kid who saves the princess is after all derived from this larger political setting.

    I’d say there’s a massive difference: Burroughs had a story about manliness & honor–a soldier on the losing side of your civil war finds the refuge of honor is the planet of the god of war… Star Wars is about lack of manliness & has no notion of honor–when the new movies tried to introduce it & show the aristocratic Jedi, it fell apart. Look for the newer-still movie to drop that in favor of democratic partisanship. The original was also badly done in terms of characterization.

    • #56
  27. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    Titus Techera:I think you could do worse than start with the word Jedi–surely, that’s taken straight from Burroughs–a military aristocracy called the Jeddah, or whatever the exact spelling was in Burroughs. A kind of civil war situation where a hero has to come in & save the princess to restore a decent order that is decidedly non-democratic. Of course, save the princess stories are innumerable–it was this jedi business that got my attention. The kid who saves the princess is after all derived from this larger political setting.

    I’d say there’s a massive difference: Burroughs had a story about manliness & honor–a soldier on the losing side of your civil war finds the refuge of honor is the planet of the god of war… Star Wars is about lack of manliness & has no notion of honor–when the new movies tried to introduce it & show the aristocratic Jedi, it fell apart. Look for the newer-still movie to drop that in favor of democratic partisanship. The original was also badly done in terms of characterization.

    The word I think you’re remembering was something like Jeddik (like I said it’s been a long time), but that was the Martian word for king, not aristocracy.  There was no civil war… there was perpetual war between the green Martians and the red Martians, and there was an ongoing war between the two most powerful red Martian nations, Helium and whatever the other one was called.

    Sorry, I still don’t see it.

    • #57
  28. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    It’s been a while since I read it, but a quick look over wiki articles says both jed & jeddak are used, respectively for the princely class in the cities & the rulers themselves. That’s for the people–the red race; only the latter is used of the green race apparently. But I think we’re agree the red cities are run as military aristocracies?

    • #58
  29. Judge Mental Member
    Judge Mental
    @JudgeMental

    Titus Techera:It’s been a while since I read it, but a quick look over wiki articles says both jed & jeddak are used, respectively for the princely class in the cities & the rulers themselves. That’s for the people–the red race; only the latter is used of the green race apparently. But I think we’re agree the red cities are run as military aristocracies?

    They are certainly monarchies, and among the green folk it is definitely militaristic (or at least combat based).  The one who kills the old Jeddak becomes the new Jeddak.  (That’s how John Carter ends up as king of the biggest, fiercest tribe of greenies.)  Among the red, it’s a bit more civilized, I think.

    It is also certain that it is common for there to be a military flavor to monarchies, even if it is only archaic tradition.  In some cases that may rise to the level of ‘military aristocracy’.

    But… I still don’t think Star Wars is based on A Princess of Mars any more than it is based on Tarzan.

    • #59
  30. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    Judge Mental: But… I still don’t think Star Wars is based on A Princess of Mars any more than it is based on Tarzan.

    Uh, I don’t know. One look at Han and the Wookie…

    • #60
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