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When we want measured, calm commentary on the current political climate on the right, we always turn to the weirdest Democrat we know — our old pal Mickey Kaus. He helps us navigate Trump’s phone calls, the mysterious Steve Bannon, the wall, and assorted other unique aspects of the first weeks of the Trump administration. Then, Hoover’s Adam J. White joins to help us analyze Neil Gorsuch, Trump’s SCOTUS nominee. Finally, a few thoughts on 1934-ism and yes, Super Bowl picks!
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Music from this week’s podcast: Freak Out by Chic
The ALL NEW opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by James Lileks.
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Lose our number, @EJHill.
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Mickey asks why was the immigration order issued when it was. “Why now?”
If you’re waiting for the most politically expedient time it’s probably because it’s too late, that is, expediency will come only when there’s a crisis. Is that what you want? Government action due to crisis? Because, most likely, a crisis on this order will mean dead bodies of Americans.
Peter then opines about Trump’s desk and all the files. To paraphrase our founder, you don’t inundate the President, you only tell him what he needs to know. Who decides what the President needs to know? Mr. Bannon?
I believe trump is going to defeat the left like Reagan defeated the soviet union. He is going to keep the energy up, until they run out of money to pay agitators.
Related to teh paper on the desk:
https://www.google.com/search?q=trump+at+his+desk&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=990&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj14qqC6fTRAhVOxCYKHe0mD-IQ_AUIBigB&dpr=1
Trump is one of those people who keeps a lot of stuff on his desk. I wouldn’t read too much into it, he probably likes having the information around as he connects dots in his head. He has run a big organization around and how he prefers to recieve and keep track of information is his deal. I am not sure its a matter of competence.
@peterrobinson Should America have treated Cuban boat people the way Australian’s do? Do you thus agree with the Obama administration change to Cuban refugees?
The only reason I use Ricochet advertised products is because of @jameslileks segues.
Also not often commented upon is the fact that Trump only sleeps 3-4 hours a night, someone that active is going to have unconventional work habits.
Holy crap is that true?
Best bumper music. Freak out! I enjoyed having Mickey Kaus this week.
I really miss Rob stepping all over James’s ridiculous segues.
Does anyone know exactly what Justice Scalia kept “passing” and whether it was before he died or after?
Great podcast, wish you would utilize Mickey more.
I too like Mickey. However, I thought that Mr. Lileks was too dismissive of some of the new information regarding differences in the variance of alleles among different races. But don’t take my word for it, listen to anonymous.
We utilize him as much as he lets us!
Indeed.
What a lame podcast. Ricochet decline accelerating.
Gosh, why is Australia, a huge country with only 24 million inhabitants, so strictly against immigration by boats?
Oh right! One of its nearest neighbors is Indonesia.
Oh 90% of it is uninhabitable desert.
Well, thanks!
Well . . . jeez.
The two are inextricably linked. I appreciate the well-crafted segue, I laugh when Rob tramples it, and then I feel bad for laughing so I go to buy the advertised product.
Listening to this one now. Too bad Long is out paying the bills these days. Loving the Canada is boring burns. It is true. Some of us are. But, I would phrase it differently: we are disinclined to get as carried away with minor things as our southern cousins.
I mean that in a loving way. I like how Rob always laughs in admiration. Everyone else is so quiet that it seems like the jokes fall flat.
Australia has 768,685 sq k of habitable land with a population of 23 million = 30/ sq k.
US has 1,518,000 sq k of habitable land with a population of 319 million = 210/ sq k.
Looks like Oz can take a whole lot more refugees.
LOL. And the US has as many illegals as Australia has total population.
James is pretty good at segues, if he is allowed to get through them.
Actually “90% uninhabitable desert” is an extremely inaccurate guesstimate. CIA World Factbook divides Australia’s land use into agricultural (53.4%), forest (19.3%), and other (27.3%), the last of which includes built-up areas as well as so-called uninhabitable desert.
The point I was hinting at is that since nearby Indonesia has 11x Australia’s population (including 203 million Muslims) in about one quarter of the land area, Australia carefully and wisely minds its coasts, which also happen to be its only borders.
I guess my estimate was a bit too high. It’s actually 70%: http://www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/kids/desert/
Land use is not the same thing as how land is classified. The simple fact is that Australia supports a lower population than other continents.
Your population density is 1/10 that of the US. Come open that big heart, and take em in. You can easily double your population with migrants.
And I love the ” but they can fly in”. Sure, except you can’t get on a plane without a passport and a valid visa. Meanwhile we get endless lectures about our lack of humanity and compassion when we want to try and get control of our borders.
My population density is the US.
Then you should have no problem with Oz taking their ” fair share”.