Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis Podcast 884

Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis Podcast 884

Person Of The Year…A Waste Of Time

I am not often amused by what passes for news these days. Moreover our obsession with year end lists and rankings bores me to tears. On the other hand Time’s ‘Person of The Year’ stunt is always worth a few laughs. Learn more in Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis Podcast 884.

Poster Child Greta

First of all the decision to put Climate Change Poster Child Greta Thunberg on the cover as person of the year for 2020 has upset your crazy Uncle Fred and all his baby boomer conservative friends.

Baby Boomers Love Their FaceBook

Even more no one would have paid any attention until these aging baby boomers took to FB to express their rage. Meanwhile we’re missing key issues that really matter.

Time! Number One! A Hundred Years Ago

Especially relevant is the fact that Time Magazine struggles to remain relevant.

What used to be the number one weekly magazine in the United States about a hundred years ago, is a shadow of a shadow of its former self.

Ask SIRI or Alexa

For example, without asking SIRI or Alexa, can you remember last year’s person of the year?

Crazy Uncle Changes Positions on Climate Change!

What’s more when was the last time anyone convinced anyone to change their position on Climate Change?

United Nations…Hotbed Of Capitalists!

Greta’s most noteworthy rage against the machine of conservative capitalists at the United Nations is pure comedy.

Stunt Culture and Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis

Certainly we’re missing something here. I believe it must be said. Again. We live in a stunt culture. If the current president has proven anything it is drawing attention to yourself is the path to power and profit.

Constant Manipulation

As a result we are submerged in a fish tank of constant manipulation by all kinds of media in this country, feeding on one stunting public personality after another.

Like Moths To A Flame

They can’t help themselves and neither can we.

Taking The Bait Over and Over

Too bad so called conservatives have taken the bait. Again.

Kinda Funny Though

Although I must admit, some of the Greta Memes are pretty funny.

Sponsored by Virtus Law

Person-Of-The-Year-Stunt-Bob Davis Podcast 884

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How-Much-Corruption-Can-You-Handle?-Bob Davis Podcast 868

How-Much-Corruption-Can-You-Handle?-Bob Davis Podcast 868

How Much Corruption Can You Handle?

Suddenly the word ‘corruption’ is in the news these days. How deep does it go? How much corruption can we handle? Learn more in How-Much-Corruption-Can-You-Handle?-Bob Davis Podcast 868.

Pollyanna Lives Here

Most of us have grown up being taught a Pollyanna history. Back in the day it was justice for all, World War 2 and liberty.

These days our young people learn about civil rights, the environment and how much government can do to help.

Dark History Might Be The Real History

On the other hand there’s a much darker history. Especially when it comes to those who wield government power.

More Corrupt Than We Imagine

Above all I personally think our governments are more corrupt than we imagine. We’ll start by defining  the word corruption.

Two Definitions Of Corruption

Most important the first definition for corruption deals with money being exchanged for political favors and a lack of integrity. The second is what’s valuable to us politically. This definition suggests debasement or ‘corruption’ of original intent.

Corrupt For A Long Time

Above all, it’s no secret corruption in government has been with us a long time in the United States. Unfortunately, it really got its legs after Prohibition.

Epic Corruption Still With Us

In How-Much-Corruption-Can-You-Handle?-Bob Davis Podcast 868 I detail US Government corruption dating back to the Articles of Confederation. In conclusion, after prohibition, the story becomes an epic. And it still is. Here’s a link to Gus Russo’s books detailing the years of political corruption in the US as the direct result of prohibition. Critics say Russo’s analysis is guilt by association but I wonder if it’s more than that. Much more.

Finally Partisans beware, my reading of history suggests corruption, legal and illegal, doesn’t have a party preference.

Senator Elizabeth Warren says she’ll tackle corruption if elected. I wouldn’t hold my breath.

[Editor’s Note: This podcast is incorrectly numbered 868. Yes I know. Haven’t done 867 yet. That’s on the way.)

Sponsored by Fitness Together Personal, Private Fitness Training and Nutrition and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

How-Much-Corruption-Can-You-Handle?-Bob Davis Podcast 868

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Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829

Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829

Facebook Bans

Lots of talk about social media and free speech these days. Facebook just banned several top content creators. Learn more in Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829.

Byzantine Policies For Advertising

My personal struggles with Facebook’s byzantine rules for advertising my podcasts is especially relevant. In addition I provide some ways to circumvent the rules I am sure the Russians have already figured out.

Who Decides What Free Speech Is?

Moreover the question of whether the constitution or a company determines free speech, is key.

Alex Jones and Louis Farrakahn…Strange Bedfellows

Facebook banned Louis Farrakhan Alex Jones, Paul Nehlan, Mllos Yiannapoulis, Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Noomer last week. Twitter banned actor James Woods. Who’s next?

Russia Russia Russia

Some say this all started with Charlottesville a couple of years ago. Even more alleged Russian ‘election tampering’ through social media has really got the social media companies running scared.

Silicon Valley In The Dog House

A litany of testimony in front of House and Senate committees from big Internet companies and the threat of antitrust enforcement have Silicon Valley billionaires shaking in their sneakers. In a way I almost feel sorry for them. Politicians used to love social media. Now Zuckerberg’s in the doghouse. Details in Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829.

Opinions Are Suddenly Frightening and Dangerous

Consequently one wonders whether people in this country will ever be able to hear an opinion they don’t agree with, without being ‘triggered‘, or thinking there’s an international conspiracy against them.

What’s A Mother To Do?

Certainly users can block, mute or unfollow unsavory characters and people they don’t agree with.

However this isn’t enough.

Gag Them! Shun Them! How Dare People Express Opinions I Do Not Agree With!

As the result of their crimes, offenders must be gagged. Even more, permanently prevented from having their say. This is the corporate version of free speech, backed by a roiling mob.

Try Banning The Backlash

Finally the real truth is you can ban someone from expressing their opinions or entertaining, but you can’t ban the backlash. Sooner or later competitors to these companies will emerge. Content Creators will find other platforms.

In conclusion and in defense of Facebook, getting them to let me advertise podcasts has been clunky and frustrating…

Not impossible.

Moreover some of the worst trolls hide behind anonymity. In this sense, I can understand why ‘registration’ and ‘authentication’ is now part of the process for media businesses on some platforms.

No Longer A Democracy

There will be challenges to  gaggings. Some of those challenges will be based on the first amendment and perhaps equal protection clauses of the fourteenth amendment.

And there should be.

I may not agree with your crazy conspiracy theory or your opinion, but I defend your right to tell the world about it.

Without free speech, we are no longer a democracy or if you prefer a representative republic.

THAT is truly terrifying.

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

Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829

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