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This week on the podcast, as we get ready to finally launch 2.0, the boys are feeling jolly about Jolly, and offer their theories as to where the heck that plane is. Then, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven on his impending trip to Ukraine, presiding over a boom state, and the coming war with…Iowa? Finally, we give you all the news that’s fit to hear about 2.0 and some thoughts on banning bossy.
Music from this week’s episode:
Happy by Pharrell Williams
The Ricochet Podcast opening theme was composed and produced by James Lileks.
Light this candle, EJHill.
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The Ricochet Podcast is sponsored by Encounter Books. This week’s pick is Dancing with the Devil: The Perils of Engaging Rogue Regimes by Michael Rubin. Use the coupon code RICOCHET at checkout and get 15% off list price.
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Heh heh heh:
Aww, I was hoping for a “sprach Zarathustra” intro for this special occasion.
I’d like to second Rob’s mention of The Monster of Florence for his Audible pick – it’s a fantastic book.
One more comment on the FL-13 congressional race in St. Petersburg. The Libertarian candidate drew off 5% of the vote from Mr. Jolly, and Jolly by all accounts was one of the worst campaigners with one of the worst resume’s that any party could have put up in this environment; lobbyist and out of touch, outside the district pol.
Pundits continue to repeat the obvious — that the anti-energy policies the Obama Administration has pushed are the opposite of pro-energy policies which could strengthen Ukraine and the rest of Russia’s fearful neighbors — as if there’s a chance that President Obama could be persuaded or pressured to reverse his efforts. Such talk is worthless without a plan to force the President’s hand. Is there any such plan?
It’s a bad habit of the Right’s pundits to discuss what they wish would be done without any reference to the political reality. I can’t speak for all listeners, but I don’t tune in to hear utopian dreams.
Re the anti-bossy meme going ’round, I read today (probably Instapundit, but I’m not totally sure) that this is a gambit to help Hillary’s 2016 run. That is definitely something I could believe.
It’s funny that Rob asked if the Senator ever thought about “standing up and shouting ‘No!’ ” just as I was thinking how unduly “civil” Hoeven was being in reference to President Obama’s anti-energy policies. Rob seems to have been reacting much as I was, though more like a Californian than a Texan. ;)
There’s polite circumspection to avoid unnecessary conflict. And then there’s pretending that your vicious enemy thinks of you as a friendly colleague. Republican politicians need to stop talking as if President Obama is a fellow gentleman with a real love for America, an open mind, and a genuine desire to reach across the aisle. President Obama is like the politician in The Hunt for Red October who says, “When I’m not kissing babies, I’m stealing their lollipops.” His demeanor says nothing more about the man than that he is manipulative.
True politeness is not blind to truth or justice. When Republicans pretend that Obama is a good guy but misguided, they are either deluded or lying. Neither endears them to voters who care more about results than the game.
It’s a bad habit of the Right’s pundits to discuss what they wish would be done without any reference to the political reality. I can’t speak for all listeners, but I don’t tune in to hear utopian dreams. ·45 minutes ago
WOW! THAT IS CORRECT ….. Great Job Aaron!
For the first time EVER, James Lileks has disappointed me. While waxing eloquently about his sitting in the same theater as Peter Graves he leaves out by extension my hero, James Arness, older brother of Peter Graves. James, who is pretty tough on the coasties, disses an archetype of the old west. Don’t go wobbly on us old friend!
Additionally, Sink moved into this district, and the Dems “dissuaded” any possible primary contenders to enable her to run unopposed until the general election.
My advice for what it’s worth is to invite an all star cast for the next flagship podcast (maybe Steyn and Klaven?) and keep it behind the pay wall. Or charge for the flagship on a pay per listen basis (a la carte pricing).
James, don’t you know that the answer to “Why California?” is always “The beautiful weather (minus earthquakes, mudslides, and wildfires).”
Awesome diatribe on “bossy” and the terrible insult of disagreement.
I give you guys a hard time, but I always enjoy this podcast trio. I’d tell Rob and Peter that they could afford to be more bossy, but that would probably just lead to more violent stomping on segways.
Will the new Ricochet allow Rob to afford to buy a new microphone?
So the new Ricochet will provide twice as many podcasts? I don’t mind the guest hosts. They add lots of good energy. I think the obscure authors are also worthwhile and interesting, at least up to a point.
Too soon? Tasteless?
“Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking.”
@cloaked gaijin: it’s not his mic, it’s his internet connection.
I will continue to operate under the belief that it’s his moral degeneracy.
;-)
Don’t believe it until you see it:
The difference between Sheryl Sandberg and Steve Jobs is that Steve Jobs did not write books on “Bossy”.
Oh, and Steve Jobs had original ideas and was an entrepreneur, and Sheryl had good friends and landed good jobs.
FWIW, the fringe sites had the Dead Bankers Count up to 10 as of the time of this podcast.
This was the debate in the live chat during the taping this morning:
Too soon? Tasteless?
You’re quite right; it was a needless lapse. But it wasn’t a diss! (Even though William Conrad is my Matt Dillon.)
Your insurance has been cancelled, Guerrero! You’ll kill yourself for nothing!
Additionally, Sink moved into this district, andthe Dems “dissuaded” any possible primary contenders to enable her to run unopposed until the general election. ·8 hours ago
Yes, and Sink carried the district by 5 points when she ran for governor against Rick Scott.
Ah, so it’s Scott we can blame for the higher and tiered pricing. If this were the army I think the rest of us would be getting the soap bars wrapped up in our towels about now. Way to go Scott.
Crush Iowa? Crush Iowa?!? Whatever for, for crying out loud? If the “yah hey dere” contingent has an itch to go crush somebody, make it Illinois. It would be a step up in weight class, and they are already tottering, so it ought to be easy.
Yaargh! Deja vu all over again! Seems Mssrs. Lileks, Robinson and Long enjoyed taking a backhanded slap at us Republican (for me, in spirit only) types and our disgust with many Establishment ideas or lack of ideas. Yes, Peter, James and John (er, Rob) you are to many of us Establishment types. James is only barely hanging on the coattails, but still, he is on the train. So, perhaps a definition of Establishment types is in order. Basically, if you know the decision-makers and many of them, you are the Establishment. Period. You have the ability to influence strategy. So, don’t go all wobbly and abdicate what you really are like the RINO types did a few months ago. Man up like Mona does when she is called a RINO (and I mean this in a nonsexist way like in Thatcher and Kirkpatrick).