Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843

Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843

Time For Real Talk

I think it’s time to talk to real farmers. I want to know about the issues effecting their lives and businesses these days. Time for a trip to rural Iowa in Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843.

People Media Doesn’t Have Time For

Moreover farmers know big city media doesn’t have time for them.

Beware 2020 Political Coverage In Iowa Focused On The Cities

As a result most political coverage for 2020 is already coming out of the urban centers in the state.

Staged Events

I covered the Iowa Caucuses in 2016. Most of events were staged toward network television.

Operatives and Activists

In addition the crowds portrayed in the news as ‘grassroots’ were in fact political operatives and activists.

Truth is nobody is talking to real people. Moreover farm institutions don’t always speak for them either.

Family Farmers

Meet Mark Haselhuhn. Mark and his family have been farming in Iowa for generations. What’s most noteworthy about Mark?  He’s not a big corporate farmer.

Trade and China

Especially relevant are his opinions concerning trade issues and the recent dust up with China over Tariffs. Later we’re joined by Mark’s recently retired friend and helper, Leo.

Real People

While media continues to spend it’s time telling us all what to think, seems like we should listen to some real people for once. That’s what I do in Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843.

Unvarnished Opinions

From economics to immigration the unvarnished opinions of real voters and influential family farmers might surprise you. Above all it isn’t surprising that in this neck of the woods, politicians aren’t knocking on doors or walking through fields to ask farmers what they think. Even more the media isn’t either. Until the Bob Davis Podcasts came along.

Quit Bickering

Finally one of the key points of our conversation involves the desire for these two farmers to see politicians quit their bickering and work together. They don’t like the ‘My Way Or The Highway’ approach of either side of the so called political spectrum.

No Illusions

In conclusion it’s sad that Mark and Leo don’t have any illusions about whether politicians will start working together anytime soon.

Sponsored By Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

(Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Mark’s daughter Emma for arranging this interview on a moment’s notice. In addition, guiding me to the farm via Facetime in real time! I know your time is precious, and I really appreciated the opportunity to talk to Mark and Leo. We’ll check in with them early next year.)

Backroads-Iowa-Real-Farmers-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 843

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Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831

Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831

Rule Of Law Battle Cry

The latest battle cry among democrats is “We don’t follow the rule of law in this country these days”. Is the House of Representatives playing the white knight battling a lawless pretender in the White House? Find out in Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831.

Democrats and Republicans Fight Like Cats and Dogs

Especially relevant is the ongoing battle between democrats the house and the republican president. The flashpoint? Recent committee hearings on Attorney General Barr’s ‘summary’ of the Mueller report on alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.

A Bad Divorce

Even more like a bad divorce, Mueller publicly released a letter criticizing Barr’s summary. Consequently a House committee ‘investigating’ Barr’s conclusions demanded Barr ‘testify’ again. Barr refused. As a result, the House Judiciary Committee finds Barr in “contempt of congress”.

Media Churns Up Outrage With Little Background

Hit play on the media machine and this is what you get. Gasp. Barr is in ‘contempt’. Trump is not ‘obeying’ the ‘rule of law’! Horrors! Due to this contempt of the rule of law, something must be done!

What does ‘contempt of congress’ mean?

Will Trump and Barr be cellmates in the house jail?

Time For A Midnight Walk and Talk

On a midnight walk and talk I look into this. People shouting about the ‘rule of law’ might be shocked to learn just what contempt of congress means. How does contempt of congress contrast with contempt of court? Check out Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831.

Everyone Holds All Of Them In Contempt

In addition the administration is in distinguished company when it comes to contempt of congress. Presidents back to the federalists and anti federalists have held congress in contempt and have been held in contempt by congress.

A Kerfuffle Boiled Into ‘Crisis’

Finally do people fully understand the overblown “constitutional crisis” is nothing more than business as usual in Washington? Certainly these kinds of disputes are nothing new.

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

Rule Of Law-Rhetoric-Bob Davis Podcast 831

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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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