Human-Nature-Progress-Random-Thoughts-Bob Davis Podcast 875

Winter Is Here…Already

I think it’s time to talk about a more reflective season. Winter is here in Minnesota. Even though it’s only Veterans Day, it’s winter. More time spent reading, streaming TV and more. We’ll talk about it in Human-Nature-Progress-Random-Thoughts-Bob Davis Podcast 875.

Two Recent Podcasts Highlighted

First of all I have to start with a review of my two recent podcasts with Congressman Tom Emmer. You can listen to them here and here. At one point in posting content on social media, I mentioned those two podcasts would be impossible on the radio today.

Mission Of The Bob Davis Podcasts

Moreover it reminds of me the mission of the Bob Davis Podcasts these days. Especially relevant is the need to say, and say again, I am not driven by wanting to be in a specific political or social construct.

Biggest Problem In Media Today

In addition it is necessary for me to say not only do I not want to be a ‘this or that’, I think the biggest problem in media today is most of the commentators, reporters, and so called analysts seem to need and want to come from a partisan perspective.

Some People Need Acceptance…Apparently

I think it is the wanting, even more the need to be accepted by some group. Learn more in Human-Nature-Progress-Random-Thoughts-Bob Davis Podcast 875.

Playing To The Crowd

Furthermore playing to an audience adds to the problem.

Say What We Want To Hear

Audiences expect content creators to say certain things. To defend or attack to shore up expectations. To say what they want to hear.

Not My Mission

Of course this is not my mission. My mission is to progress. To be decidedly unpredictable. To refuse a side. Ask questions. Advance the story. Artists progress, sometimes to the dismay of their audiences. Think Picasso, or even Elton John’s changes in style critics did not necessarily liike.

Don’t Follow. Lead!

Sometimes you have to lead the audience.

Human Progress?

I also thought a lot recently about human consciousness. Whether we are making progress. You hear a lot of talk these days about how much progress human beings are supposedly making.

You’ll have to listen to the podcast to get an idea of what I think.

Confusion

Finally the question of the progress of human consciousness leads me to wonder how we got where we are today. So much confusion about who’s right and wrong, what direction works, failing institutions and new ideas.

From Podcasts To The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald In This Podcast

Therefore it is a fitting random discussion that takes us from recent podcasts to The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald, the role of artists, and more.

I had a lot of fun with this one.

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Human-Nature-Progress-Random-Thoughts-Bob Davis Podcast 875

Congressman-Tom-Emmer-Part2-Bob Davis Podcast 874

Tom Emmer On The Record

These days more important than arguing with politicians is getting them on the record. In view of election results in Virginia and Kentucky recently this podcast is most noteworthy. Learn more in Congressman-Tom-Emmer-Part2-Bob Davis Podcast 874.

Focus On The Issues

Especially relevant is are the issues in Congressman-Tom-Emmer-Part2-Bob Davis Podcast 874. We start with mining in Northern Minnesota near the Boundary Waters and Superior National Forest.

Mining

Congressman Emmer says mining is good for Minnesota’s economy and schools. Moreover, he says Congress needs to make sure the Federal Government lives up to its agreements with Minnesota on this subject.

Immigration

In addition immigration is a top issue. Specifically Somalis in the 6th district. Will congress pass comprehensive immigration legislation soon? Emmer lauds the President’s travel ban and says immigration action depends on GOP control of the House.

He Sold Us Out Some Constituents Say

Moreover Emmer blames assistance to immigrants for high levels of chain migration. Some 6th district constituents say Emmer sold them out on the immigration issue. He responds.

Funding For 2020 House Races

What about funding for house races? Emmer says republicans need to win at least 19 seats to take back the house. Trump on the ballot means the GOP takes back the house in 2020, says Tom.

Virginia and Kentucky Election Results

In contrast to Emmer’s hubris, democrats won recent elections in Kentucky and Virginia this week. Even more rumors of difficulty for the president in battleground states persist. Especially with women voters. Not to worry, says Emmer. Trump will win it all, the only question is the president’s margin of victory.

Foreign Policy

Similarly foreign policy issues are not clear cut for 2020. Another issue is trade. He also comments on Syria, Latin America and China.

Trade and The US Economy

Finally what about the US economy? Is the US growing? What about the budget deficits and debt?

Heavy On Issues Talk

In conclusion Congressman-Tom-Emmer-Part2-Bob Davis Podcast 874 is heavy on issues talk. For people who want to know what this congressman thinks, this podcast and Part1 are recommended.

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Congressman-Tom-Emmer-Part2-Bob Davis Podcast 874

 

 

 

Media Lies-Travel Truths-Small Town America-Bob Davis Podcast 789

To hear Der Spiegel tell it, Fergus Falls, Minnesota is a very special place these days. The town on Minnesota’s prairie is in a deep forest. A city manager carries a gun. The local high school sports iron doors and metal detectors. Moreover the mouth breathing savages that inhabit this place all voted for Trump. Learn more in Media Lies-Travel Truths-Small Town America-Bob Davis Podcast 789.

All Lies

The most noteworthy thing about this story is the fact that it is a complete fabrication. To Der Spiegel’s credit, the magazine is sending a reporter to Fergus Falls.

This time to apologize.

Dark and Dangerous Rural America

Sadly often media lies tell us more truth about biases than their coverage. Especially relevant are the new storylines about the mysterious and the mystical “rural America”. Land of republicans and Trump supporters. Dark and Dangerous. Well spring of public radio’s murder mystery podcasts. Source of the angry and red faced nationalist republican.

Small Town America

Truth is rural America is just as difficult to report on and explain as any urban center. We’ll talk about it in Media Lies-Travel Truths-Small Town America-Bob Davis Podcast 789.

Travel Is The Antidote

More importantly, travel is the antidote for the half truths and fairy tales of the media. I have traveled back and forth across this country, east to west, west to east and north to south many times. There are places I have missed but in thousands of miles of travel over the past few years, I have learned a great deal.

The New Nomads

Moreover many people have taken to converted school buses, RV’s and even Ambulances in search of their own version of America. Here’s to them.

Have A Cup Of Joe

In small towns across the US dedicated to ranching, farming, and mining people aren’t just going to walk up to you and tell you their life stories. Simple observation won’t tell you their stories either. Travel takes you through but you have to stop. Have a cup of Joe and talk to people. Get to know them over time.

Sometimes Working Together…Sometimes Not…Just Like The Big Cities

Finally what I’ve found in these places are all kinds of people living and working together. In some places things are better than in others. Reasons for decline or improvement are often elusive, even to the locals. Whether it’s a mining town or a farm town.

Politics Doesn’t Make The Man or The Town

In conclusion, I am sick to death of reporters telling us politics determines whether we are red or blue. These things don’t take the measure of the people who live in a town, large or small.

Coast To Coast and Back Again

Join me for Media Lies-Travel Truths-Small Town America-Bob Davis Podcast 789. Hear the sounds of some of the places I have visited over the last few years, from a hound dog in Mendocino, California to the total eclipse in Makanda Illinois, and finally overlooking the Pacific Ocean on the coast highway.

I’ve got a few stories of my own to tell.

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Media Lies-Travel Truths-Small Town America-Bob Davis Podcast 789