Podcast 467 – Rick Barry

Rick Barry. One of the all time NBA greats joins the Bob Davis Podcasts live from South Carolina. It may be a bit of a departure for me to talk about sports, but really it’s Rick talking about sports, and so much more. For some the campaign trail is endlessly exciting, but when you see the same thing over and over again in produced events and stump speeches, a departure helps with campaign fatigue. Rick Barry also helps transition the podcasts into the travel/adventure part of this trip, as we prepare to head down to the Florida Keys. Barry’s emphasis on preparation and the basics of the game helped him become a Hall of Fame basketball star, playing in the ABA and the NBA. His experience informs his positions on the game and the league today as well as a good portion of this podcast spent on politics. Rick is a no nonsense guy when it comes to his experience and knowledge of the game. His opinions about talk radio are particularly enlightening, when considering callers as well as hosts. Then onto some trivia. Why did Barry shoot an underhanded free throw? Why did Wilt Chamberlain stop shooting this way? How did Rick learn to shoot this way? He talks about his father, a semi pro player and coach, and his values. I think this is a great lesson for anyone trying attempting to fulfill their God given talents in almost anyway. I learned a lot talking to Rick Barry, and we come from completely different worlds. The first thing I said to him was, “I hope you aren’t offended, I don’t know anything about sports.” I don’t think he was too impressed (LOL). Barry is known as one of the most opinion players in the NBA and he doesn’t disappoint in this podcast. ‘t any case it is a great sit with a legend who shares my passion concerning Hydrus. And…if I don’t say so myself it’s hard to believe you can do a mobile podcast from a truck, and it sounds like the studio. Thank you Rick for taking the time to do the interview and to meet me. It was a pleasure. Also sponsored by Pride of Homes and Luke Team Real Estate.

Podcast 370

Final Mad Men. On the night of the final episode of the AMC hit show Mad Men a review of the top stories for the week of May 18th. The economic news these days isn’t good, but you don’t hear too much talk about it because the magpies in the mainstream media are too busy grousing about funding for their precious personal train service in the North Eastern Corridor known as Amtrak, a service the rest of America does not ride very much but has to pay for anyway, or the 45 idiots running for President and what a few Iowans think of them. Meanwhile, the US economy just put in the worst numbers since 2008. Don’t worry, the sunny analysts say, it’s the result of the West Coast Port Strike resolution. Or, the weather. Or … something. There’s always an excuse. Meanwhile economists and analysts are telling us, no-growth is probably the new normal. Really? The future belongs to those who build it, and people who actually build things don’t pay any attention to those who measure, analyze and report what ‘will be’. Its time we had a conversation about what’s really wrong; pursuit of Keynesian economics — or whatever you call whatever it is the policy makers are doing — and its powerfully destructive effect on the world economy. Whether you’re talking about China, Europe, Latin America or Japan, things ain’t to rosy, even though they keep saying, “Don’t worry it’ll get better next month”. Manufacturing is way down. Why? Because of a slow down in the energy industry, after all the so called ‘experts’ said lower gas prices acted as a tax cut on the economy … since all they ever think about is stimulating the consumer. Meanwhile, consumers aren’t seeing any wage growth and are exhausted because the economy is not growing. Who’s fault is it? Who’s in charge? Too much spending, too much taxation and regulation, and not enough leaving people alone to solve their problems. It’s time we cut the government back to what is required to protect our rights, and nothing more. Cut spending, cut taxes and cut regulations, and watch the economy grow. And, people are already working in ways we couldn’t have imagined twenty years ago. There’s a new kind of worker, who employs services like AirBNB and work hubs to cut the strings completely, and wander the world, working when and where they choose. You might be surprised at how easy it is … right now. Finally, are a few hundred Iowa Republicans (Editor’s note: I mean political groupies) the reason people are already sick of a presidential campaign that hasn’t even started yet? Is it time to politely tell Iowa to stick a sock in it? Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Podcast 326

Live From The Mall of America. In the wake of shadowy threats of terror attacks at the Mall of America, a ‘courageous’ podcast live from the mall on a Monday night. (Editor’s Note: Maybe someday I will be able to embellish this story to make it sound like I braved tribal fighters, and small arms fire to bring you this podcast, but not really.) As Congress debates defunding as a protest over President Obama’s executive orders on illegal immigrants, the Department of Homeland Security begins to plan for the imminent ‘shutdown’. Except the department doesn’t really shut down. Some fifteen thousand employees – mostly in the TSA – will be ‘furloughed’. The rest of its employees and managers show up for work, though they may miss a paycheck or two. Keep in mind, federal employee benefits and pay are much higher than the private sector. So, while Dave the TSA guy may have to stay home for a few days, he has a job when this whole thing is over. But when you get laid off from that major retailer, you’re out of a job. So, pardon me for not gnashing my teeth over the DHS ‘Shutdown’. This year’s Oscar telecast may as well have been a Sunday morning talk show on MSNBC for all the posturing and political speech, not to mention its ratings. What does Hollywood do when it has a bad year? Trot out stars to make political statements, so people talk! Apparently the word is, the producers of the Oscar telecast think that since the Academy is mostly old, white and rich, they needed to spice it up. The problem is, middle America has just about had it with billionaire screen stars telling them what they ought to believe about anything. It’s becoming obvious Hollywood and Washington are out of touch. In this podcast a little about the history of Hollywood’s involvement with Washington, and its shadowy ties to the Chicago Outfit. And if the scolds telling you what to think isn’t enough, now the Federal Government wants you to switch to a plant based diet. Yep, they want to make your dad a vegetarian, and monitor his television viewing. That’s all we need. The good news is the redemption of coffee. Researchers now say the Black Gold is one of the best things for you, and you can drink a lot more than you do. Sponsored by Depot Star