Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772

Tensions are high these days. People fear violence. The media sells a coming Civil War. Now we’re hearing calls for ‘Unity’. Is it a con? Learn more in Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Now We’re Tribes

A popular word these days is ‘tribal‘. People who think a certain way are a ‘tribe’. I thought we were all Americans. One tribe. Apparently not.

We’re Supposed To Disagree

Aren’t we supposed to disagree? Moreover we have a system designed to use disagreement to find the best path forward.

Is Unity Tyranny?

In this freewheeling talker, I suggest unity implies we all have to agree. Especially relevant is the problem pushing for ‘unity’ creates. You have to agree with me. I have to agree with you. Those who disagree or say things ‘we’ don’t agree with should be ‘sent away’. Listen to Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Emotionally Charged Environment

In addition media goes for the emotional hook. Because we’re in an emotionally charged environment, there’s no context. Even more, trends of thought or story lines pass for ‘news’. Large swaths of the population get their information without history or context from social media.

False Choice

Most noteworthy in a world fueled by feelings, talking heads tell us we have to choose “between war and peace”. Civil war or Civil peace. Certainly this is a false choice and a very dangerous suggestion. More in Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Celebrate Factionalism

Finally factionalism is a natural human tendency. That’s ok. Social systems designed to weed out factions are tyrannies. If we both agree, one of us is unnecessary.

Read History Gain Perspective

In conclusion beware of all this unity talk. If we can’t disagree and talk about problems, we can’t solve them. Celebrate differences. Read history. Consequently gain perspective.

Freedom Isn’t Easy

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772

Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760

These days lurid talk about the show trial and the cesspool in Washington DC are apparently unavoidable. Most noteworthy is the latest example of new McCarthyism. What’s it all about? The Midterms. Find out why in Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760.

Spinning Out Of Control

It feels to me like our government is spinning out of control. Especially relevant is the latest installment. A down in the dirt, mudslinging fight over a supreme court nominee.

Maybe The Conspiracy Guys Are Right

Moreover it sure feels like a massive manipulation. Makes me wonder whether all the conspiracy You Tubers right after all. Leaves me feeling disgusted and dirty. Learn more in Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760.

Tail Gunner Joe

In the 1950’s it was McCarthyism and the Red Scare. All about communists. Fueled by fear of nuclear war and a takeover of the US by soviet agents. The Senate Committee on Un American Affairs poured gasoline on a fire of fear.

Destroying Lives and Livelihoods

Soviet spies did penetrate the US Atomic Bomb Program at Los Alamos. However McCarthy made it sound like enemies lurked in the shadows everywhere. It got out of hand. Livelihoods and lives were destroyed in his quest for center stage.

Men Live In Fear

Fast forward sixty years. We’re back at it. This time the #metoo movement is the delivery system. A movement that had a chance to help women in the workplace is now a weapon in the hands of politicians. Dim memories now lurk in the shadows. Men now live in fear. Prosecution without due process. Sentence without regard to anything but party loyalty. It’s getting out of hand.

They Were Told Hillary Would Win And They Believed It

This time it’s a simple case of the democratic party being unable to accept Trump’s presidential victory. They actually believed the media when it said polls showed Hillary would win. Except that’s not what the polls said.

In all fairness though, republicans have certainly had their fun with the sexual activities of high officials. Republicans have had their own issues being unable to accept election results.

In conclusion we’re going to have to go through this nonsense now that charges have been made so we can get to the bottom of it. That means new ‘facts’, new people ‘coming forward’ and more ugliness. Maybe they’re true and maybe they’re not. I can’t know and neither can anyone else, until the facts are determined.

Meanwhile the country is drowning in a sea of debt and spending. All the ‘fourth estate’ can do is talk about penises and parties, and fiddle while Rome burns.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul, Johantgen Jewelers and Reliafund Payment Processors

Brett Kavanaugh-New McCarthyism-Cesspool-Podcast 760

Late Summer-Early Fall-State Fair Throwback-Bob Davis Podcast 748

Every year where I live when the leaves start changing, it’s State Fair Time. Moreover for Minnesotans this is the passage from summer to fall. Time for some thoughts about the Minnesota State Fair and a throwback to audio from a fair many years ago in Late Summer-Early Fall-State Fair Throwback-Bob Davis Podcast 748.

Our State Fair Is A Great State Fair

These days our State Fair is still a great State Fair but it has become more a community celebration than a farm convention. The Minnesota State Fair wasn’t always a food fest.

My First State Fair

Sure the Midway is still there with it’s carneys and rides but the tone of the fair is different. My first state fair was a far different fair than 2018’s.

Recording At The Fair

Especially relevant is an audio project I embarked on with three friends back in the day. We spent ten days interviewing and recording raw sound on tape. The result is a piece of audio that now feels like a faded photograph from the 80’s.

Back In The Day At The Race Track

Remember when the fair still had a race track? Machinery Hill in all its glory? Finally, in those days there were lots of breakfast nooks where fair goers and fair workers convened at 7 in the morning. Who remembers the ‘Epiphany Diner‘?

To be sure change is the one constant in life. Minnesota State Fairgoers for the first time to the fiftieth still love the fair, in spite of and because of the changes.

Himalaya Throw Back

In conclusion join me for some thoughts about the current fair, and a trip back in time to a fair long ago in a galaxy far far away. Hard to believe but, back in the day people talked different. They rode the Himalaya, checked out the bearded lady and the race track. And we have it on tape.

Sponsored by John D. Scott Personal Injury Attorney at Hoffman Hamer and Associates and Reliafund Payment Processors

Late Summer-Early Fall-State Fair Throwback-Bob Davis Podcast 748