Trump’s-Sinister-Open-Up-Campaign-Bob Davis Podcast 922

Sinister Effort

First of all this is not another partisan podcast about President Trump. It’s about a sinister effort to manipulate. Learn more in Trump’s-Sinister-Open-Up-Campaign-Bob Davis Podcast 922.

Not Going To Tell You What To Think

Seems like everyone these days is telling us whether we should open up again. I am not going to do that.

Where Do Those Memes, Articles and Videos Come From?

Above all what’s especially relevant here are the kinds of information populating social media. Furthermore what’s the source of the information?

Even more I run down some of the sources of ‘news’ being shared.

Suddenly Sinister

Certainly information in support of opening up the country suddenly seems sinister. Learn more in Trump’s-Sinister-Open-Up-Campaign-Bob Davis Podcast 922.

Helpful or Campaign Propaganda?

The most noteworthy question is whether videos and stories on social media are helpful? Or are they cornerstones for the president’s re-election?

Partisan Silos Across The Nation

Above all reactions to the pandemic itself have become partisan.

Patterns and Examples

I’ll take you through two or three examples of seeding social media with partisan political videos and ‘news’.

Manipulated Right and Left

Finally it doesn’t matter where we come down on political issues.

We Need To Know How It’s Being Done

It’s even more important to point out when and how we’re being manipulated.

Don’t believe Everything You See

In conclusion maybe we shouldn’t believe or share anything we see on social media.

How To Research

Consequently maybe we can learn to research where this kind of ‘news’ comes from before we share it.

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

(Editor’s note: One of the assertions in this podcast cites controversial reports the president does not read his daily intelligence briefings. Some say the story is false. So far the president has not specifically denied the story and said in 2016 he didn’t want daily intelligence briefings. Moreover the assertion has not been debunked as some have reported.)

Trump’s-Sinister-Open-Up-Campaign-Bob Davis Podcast 922

Kafkaesque-Route 66-Bob Davis Podcast 793

What if you’d gone to sleep in 1980 and woke up in 2019? I think Jessie Pinkman’s Breaking Bad “Kafkaesque” line would describe these days pretty well. Learn more in Kafkaesque-Route 66-Bob Davis Podcast 793.

Time Off

I planned to take some time off around the new year. One day stretched into 3, then 5. I came back to bizarre claims from the president, silly questions from reporters, and more talking heads telling us what we already know. You know, Kafkaesque.

Streaming TV Drama

What did I do? Like everyone else I retreated to streaming television drama. Moreover after exhausting the supply of shows to watch, I ended up finding four seasons of the old TV show “Route 66” on Amazon Prime.

1960 Corvette

What’s most noteworthy about this 1960 black and white drama? Two guys driving across the country on backroads in a 1960 Corvette getting into situations.

Route 66 Remake

First of all, while watching the show, I googled all the places the show’s characters drive through. Yes, I have been to many of them. In addition to providing an excellent escape from our current nonsense, I decided someone should remake Route 66. (Editor’s note: If you follow the links you’ll see that someone actually did remake the show, but it was horrible. I am thinking what David Simon, Matt Weiner or Ann Biderman could do with it.)

We All Think It Is Absurd

I don’t think I am out of line to suggest that the current news and political situation is theater of the absurd. Also I think many people feel the same way.

Resolution Please

Certainly this is why I have suggested many times the best way for me to contribute is to be strong enough to wait for a conclusion. Even more a resolution. With some kind of ‘way point’ there is less confusion. Pointing out options and ideas is less likely to trigger listener’s emotional reactions.

Where Are We Headed? Somewhere.

In conclusion, like the guys in Route 66, we’re headed somewhere. We just don’t know where yet.

Sponsored by WhiteTail Builders and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Kafkaesque-Route 66-Bob Davis Podcast 793