We explore three things: Freedom comes at great cost; but, what happened to real conservative courage? Second, Peter Sach’s triptych Amnesty reflects the conflict within our lives, while also echoing Elliot’s Wasteland. Finally, just humour me regarding my optimism for a Duke/Carolina NCAA Championship game!
Thomas Friedman suggested this era be named “Anything Goes”. It’s actually much worse, and I’ll explain why. An Inspector Calls is an early twentieth-century British play I found quite relevant. twenty-nine-year-old Bryce Harper signs a thirteen-year contract for 300 million dollars. What would Curt Flood say? Anything Goes?
Donald Trump is dangerous; but, there is an even greater con afoot that goes unchallenged? The Republican Party. The Oscars hummed along nicely without a host and with some very interesting results, but is this the beginning of the end? Finally, the NBA says “You can’t fix an NBA game. Not possible.”
“Truth with malice in it.” So wrote Herman Melville. Truth with malice in it is now at the heart of our compulsions and obsessions that defy logic, or any rational thought. I worry about fatigue. I viewed a movie recently that obliquely placed some of this in perspective -- In the Heart of the Sea. In sports, free agent contracts, especially baseball, are slow in evolving, amid threats of a walkout midseason.
We have a conundrum! Actually, we have multiple conundrums! One is called Immigration reform. Why can we not lose these conundrums? Untangle the issues? Simple, the conundrum or the Gordian knot is too lucrative! Sports are the perfect prototype, and I’ll share a story of entitlement rooted in fear, and affecting two young lives. It’s time for the Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
The Superbowl and SOTU address mirrored one another: they were seen by two different worlds! Paul Kelley joins me to discuss the SOTU, one I entitled Pablum Is a Terrible Thing to Waste.
Three weeks and counting, Super Bowl weekend, and killing innocence: It’s time for the Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
Outrage and moral indignation are fraying my emotions. This government shutdown betrays our entire democratic process. Two movies viewed this week offered political insights I never expected. And finally, the sports world mirrored our political frustrations.
Perspective is now in short supply, our political climate is more like blood sport rabid fan arguments in a sports bar. Cacophony reigns!
It’s a grand old Mexican standoff! Ross Douthat has suggested that Trump’s rhetoric worked in 2016, but the world has changed. Ann Coulter supports Ocasio-Cortez’s suggestion for a 70-80% income tax on the rich! And Tucker Carlson said what?
In Episode #70 we explore a coincidence, a juxtaposition: a 14th Amendment analysis asking to remove "Born here", in the shadow of the movie "Vice", and the disappointing football semifinals and its finger pointing.
In Episode #69 I seek to discuss one of the three elephants in the room as a Democrat with a Republican. It’s a dialogue with the other side that reveals we’re not that different.
In Episode #68 I have prevailed upon a good friend with dual citizenship, a man born in England, but also an American educated citizen, for the purpose of a little perspective on these vaunting parallel issues.
Episode #67: first, has partisanship become a business? Secondly, The backlash Bill Maher experienced over his comments about Stan Lee, *DO* they prove the point? Finally, I feel like the Greenbay Packers lately, and that’s not good.
We look a little deeper into the fundamental issues of the American experience with Paul Kelley, who suggests in Episode #66 that some of our basic democratic tenants may be mutually exclusive.
In Episode #65 we explore this thorny issue of toxicity with Jeremey Maguire… a writer, director, and retired editor. It’s time for The Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
Join me for an interesting interview with Dr Paul Kelley on "How we got here", and political parallels in the World Series.
Episode #63 explores these questions: First, is there really an exhausted middle? Second, in fiction and life, what kind of truth really matters? Finally, George Orwell suggested that violence in sports is a war without shooting?
Episode #61 poses these questions: First If it wasn’t about partisanship, what was it about? Second, What is the difference between EM Forster’s aristocracy, and the so-called elites? Finally, What? The World Series hasn’t begun? Oh, Lord!
Episode #61 poses these questions. First, will we know the outcome is reliable and appropriate? Second, Did you know Ancient Greek has an expression for ‘barefoot and pregnant’? Finally, The Seahawks Earl Thomas; is he a parallel for Kavanaugh?
Episode #60 poses these questions. First, Is this a perfect storm, a trifecta: Kavanaugh, Rosenstein, and the UN? Second, Do you remember the hope embedded in Paul Simon’s lyrics? Finally, Have we forgotten what role redemption plays in America?
Episode #59: First, does it matter that the earth has warmed or cooled previously? Second, Are ethics for other people, or does the human need to belong require someone to reject? Finally, What is the real Republican strategy for these midterms?
Episode #58 began by listening to the defence of this president. First, unconventional or dangerous? Second, do you remember the play What Price Glory? Finally, the hullabaloo over kneeling is wrong, but is it productive?
I am still trying to figure things out in the Spaghetti Junction: First, Should we, as Sen Graham suggests, not worry about the process, but consider the results? Second, Is there more than tell-all books to read during this administration? Finally, Is Kaepernick a gift that just keeps on giving?
Here, I am in Episode #56 trying to sort things out: First, Did the passing of Sen. McCain give us a defining moment? Second, A Handmaid’s Tale in painting? Finally, Can you take the player out of her catsuit?
I'm thinking things out in Episode #55: First, are things beginning to spin out of control? Secondly, Dr. Who may well be a good analogy! And, finally, Hernandez’s commentary is just Trumpian at heart.
This week in Episode #54 I consider first “Is this who or what we want to be?” Then, we’ll look at an author whose short story “People Are People” reinforces what I think we are and helps put immigration in perspective. Finally, It’s time for the Little League World Series
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #53: First, Who will stand for free speech? Second, Is it reading like a trashy novel to you, too? Finally, The Kleptocrats are in sports?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #52: First, How much smoke do we need before recognizing that we have a three-alarm fire? Second, Which do you want, stories of fear, or stories of justice? Finally, Is this game over for sports?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #51: First, Twenty-fifth Amendment anyone? Second, are stories more powerful than a polemic? Finally, A designated hitter; or, a position player on the mound?
