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This week, Mollie Hemingway sits in for Peter, and of course we cover Syria, the Russians, and the President. Then, we’re joined by authors Tevi Troy and Rod Dreher. Tevi discusses his new book What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted: 200 Years of Popular Culture in the White House. Later Rod Dreher discusses his piece Story Lines, Not Party Lines and the dearth of storytelling amongst conservative candidates. Finally, a Ricochet Podcast meditation on New York City, war, and the meaning of 9/11.
Music from this week’s episode:
Rhapsody in Blue (from Woody Allen’s Manhattan) by George Gershwin
The Ricochet Podcast opening theme was composed and produced by James Lileks.
Pass the borscht, EJHill.
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I was skeptical reading the description, but this might be one of the best podcasts you guys have done. Mollie might surpass Jonah in the infectious laughter deparment.
One huge problem is the major story-telling mediums (namely TV/movies) for the voters our side needs to reach are largely shut off to conservatives. I hear talk about the need for stories, but no strategy for how those stories reach the eyeballs we need them to.
Netflix/Youtube style streaming may change this dynamic, where such stories can bypass the Hollywood firewall and reach viewers and go viral.
Yes, Obama fails as a strategic thinker, but the GOP collectively failed as well (or as badly), since it should have been obvious that without congressional support, Obama would turn elsewhere for an out, and that without domestic support he would be likely to accept whatever fig-leafed screwing Putin, Assad, and the Mullahs wanted to give him. Shame on conservatives and libertarians for letting Obama stumble and fall into the arms of Putin! They share great blame, especially since they, supposedly, understand such things better.
WOW, really. They sell coffee, well I guess the fashionable barrista types wouldn’t want to drink the same coffee we knuckle dragging conservatives do.
And James you were thinking of Drop Dead Fred with Rik Mayall and Phoebe Cates.
Matede: exactly. Filmed here in Minneapolis, too.
I enjoyed being on the podcast, and especially getting Mollie, Rob, and James to laugh out loud at my story about George W. Bush and Tony Blair bonding over the movie Meet the Fokkers. Extra props to Blue Yeti for using the Manhattan clip at the end in homage to my point about Jimmy Carter watching 480 movies in one term in the White House, including Manhattan twice in a 3 week period.
Presidents have had varying degrees of awareness of the culture, but Obama is the first POTUS to insert himself into the culture. The man is ubiquitous, every big cultural/sporting event he finds a way to involve himself. He’s the anti-Silent Cal.
Guess who else is doing this? Chris Christie, appearing on sports radio and late night talk shows. I saw him in Jerry Jones’ owners box on TV at the Cowboys game. Christie is following the Obama strategy of being a cool and hib celebrity politician. I fear this will work. People will vote for Christie without knowing a thing about his policies or record, they just think he’s a cool guy.
It was also meant as a nod to 9/11 as in my mind it’s one of the greatest tributes to NYC ever made.
I’ve been reading (listening to, actually) Team of Rivals, and have started thinking about who our “storytellers” are. Do we have any politicians (on either side?) who fit the bill? I know cultural storytelling is what Rod Dreher was talking about, but the book about Lincoln has me thinking about political storytellers. Are there any politicians today who are skilled at this?
One huge problem is the major story-telling mediums (namely TV/movies) for the voters our side needs to reach are largely shut off to conservatives. I hear talk about the need for stories, but no strategy for how those stories reach the eyeballs we need them to.
Netflix/Youtube style streaming may change this dynamic, where such stories can bypass the Hollywood firewall and reach viewers and go viral. ·7 hours ago
I agree. Innovations in media distribution will only help our side.
First off, great episode and guests; well-paced and interesting.
Next, can we all acknowledge that there is no one else on this planet who could have made that Homer Simpson segue other than James Lileks?
Finally, this middle east stability/instability question is fascinating and important. I also recall a decade or so ago many on the right at least tentatively encouraging/looking forward to instability. I think this view reflected faith in a neo-con, Wilsonian, we-can-export-democracy worldview. Instability was seen as akin to plowing a fallow field so that the seeds of democracy could take root.
This faith goes back to the original Progressives, and clearly survived the horrors of the early and mid-20th century, since it seems to still be widespread on both the current left and right — although it’s certainly taking a beating as the Arab Spring goes bad.
It all comes down to how you see human nature. Even on the right, the notion persists that a form of social engineering such as ‘spreading democracy’ really can ‘make the world a better place’.
I know it is anathema to bring up Rick Santorum here, but Rick Santorum’s effectiveness in 2011-2012 was his ability to tell stories about his immigrant family and his family principles (especially regarding Bella).
The Last 20 plus minutes of this show a bevy of provocative thought starters . Nice Job all.
I wondered if the Tonx folks had gotten themselves into, figuring that bean roasters typically would not be the types to support conservative causes. Then I had hope that either they were conservative or that some open-minded liberals were actually open-minded. Pity, I even thought of subcribing.
Request to the Blue Yeti: When summarizing the podcast upon posting, could you also list the recommended Audible books? Podcast time is usually also walking or driving time, and not in a position to jot down the titles.
If James is that much taller than Putin, Putin must be a munchkin.
James with a Russian accent nerly topped off his “whoops, I spilled my sunflower seeds…my seed on the ground…”
It was Diane Franklin (also in the Last American Virgin) who was the french exchange student across the street in Better Off Dead. I get that one mixed up with One Crazy Summer with Cusack and Demi Moore. mal.
This is a great idea. We’ll start it this week.
Request to the Blue Yeti: When summarizing the podcast upon posting, could you also list the recommended Audible books? Podcast time is usually also walking or driving time, and not in a position to jot down the titles. ·September 14, 2013 at 5:11pm
Thank you!
Request to the Blue Yeti: When summarizing the podcast upon posting, could you also list the recommended Audible books? Podcast time is usually also walking or driving time, and not in a position to jot down the titles. ·September 14, 2013 at 5:11pm