Spring-Vibe-Sunspots-Thrones-Bob Davis Podcast 834

Walk and Talk Podcast

Memorial Day Weekend is finally here. First of all we have to deal with all the freaking out about the weather. There’s also a heavy vibe these days. I’ll break it down in Spring-Vibe-Sunspots-Thrones-Bob Davis Podcast 834.

Heavy News Vibe

Heavy stories abound these days in the news. From the battles between ‘Crazy Nancy’ and the ‘Stable Genius’ to taxes and spending. Most noteworthy in this podcast are a few corrections on recent podcasts and referrals to resources for podcast listeners and subscribers on some of the issues in the news.

Walk and Talk podcasts have rules. No preparation. No plan. Just walk. And talk.

Weather Freak Outs

Especially relevant for Memorial Day Weekend in Minnesota are complaints about the weather. It’s too cold. Too rainy. More importantly, the thing everyone seems to say. “I’ve never seen this kind of weather here before”.

I have.

Putting In The Dock and Freezing

In addition I’ll share some stories about putting in the dock on cold, misty Memorial Day Weekend mornings. It happened more than once. Meanwhile the rest of the country is in chaos. Tornadoes. ‘Death Ridge’ heatwaves and more. Cold and wet in the upper Midwest, Can we blame this on the solar minimum, coronal mass ejections from the sun and a weak magnetic field? Find out in Spring-Vibe-Sunspots-Thrones-Bob Davis Podcast 834.

Game Of Thrones Hysteria

Finally one thing that ‘got’ me this weekend is the hysteria about the final episode of HBO’s hugely successful drama “Game Of Thrones“. Not to mention the memes which ballyhoo the positive character traits of those who have “never seen an episode of G.O.T. Not one!”. It’s a TV Show people! Watching it or not doesn’t make you a better human being.

Going Back To The Soprano’s

In conclusion, after a rant about people being ‘triggered’ by mean bosses, I take a page from Tony Soprano’s book and suggest maybe we all need to toughen up.

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Spring-Vibe-Sunspots-Thrones-Bob Davis Podcast 834

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Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

Get ready. A sustained disinformation attack on the top democrat presidential candidates is already in progress. That’s the new story line. These days you can’t be sure. We’ll talk about it in Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809.

Breaking News From Politico

Most noteworthy is a series of stories Politico has done about ‘hacking’ the US electoral process. The latest is an article which sources data analysts and other experts. Especially relevant? A new charge by experts. Russia is back to its old tricks.

We take a look at the story and the charge in In Russia Targets American Politics Again?

A Wide Ranging Effort

Natasha Korecki says her Politico story shows a wide ranging effort aimed at Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. She reports certainly it is up and running with signs foreign state actors are behind some of it.

It’s Happening Again

According to Politico Weaponized Propaganda picks at the most sensitive issues in our public discourse. Furthermore that propaganda is being pushed across a variety of platforms. It’s happening again.

Wait! Not All Of It Is Organized!

Wait though. Not all the activity is organized. In contrast, a lot of it appears to be regular Joe’s sharing stuff they think is funny or relevant on their feeds.

Sources For Politico Article Include Democrat Operatives

Finally sources for this story include Brett Horvath who has worked for the Mayor of Seattle as well as other operatives who have worked for democrats including Hillary Clinton. Or companies like Storyful who spy on reporters.

No Conclusive Evidence

Even more Korecki writes researchers and others cannot conclusively point to actors behind “the coordinated activity”.

We’re All Trolls Now

Maybe I’m churlish but it seems to me the writer, sources and Politico itself are getting a lot of mileage out of this. The principles in the story are sharing the story on their own feeds. Just slightly Troll Like, don’t you think? Maybe the Russians have switched sides this time!

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Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

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Taylor Swift-Kanye West-When Artists Pick Sides-Podcast 765

Taylor Swift gets involved in a senate race. Kanye West endorses the president. These days when emotions run high, do artists risk their fan base when they pick a side? Find out in Taylor Swift-Kanye West-When Artists Pick Sides-Podcast 765.

Influencers Who May Not Be Influential

Moreover it’s not just artists. Comedians, actors and music stars get publicity for choosing sides too. Especially relevant are political bloggers and other influencers who think they can pick winners in national political events.

Religious You Tubers On Crack

In addition religious broadcasters spend a lot of time back pedaling from predictions of the end of the world. Why would those who are about transcending the world choose to endorse a political viewpoint in the world? We’ll talk about it in Taylor Swift-Kanye West-When Artists Pick Sides-Podcast 765.

Image Versus Free Speech

This isn’t about free speech. The seed of thought here is about image. I think artists are bigger than the slimy and messy world of politics. Finally, even political commentators ruin themselves when they feel the need to rush out and endorse a political ‘hero’ of the moment. The goal is usually relevance. Or, is it ego?

When Idealists and Artists Fall Into The Oily Political Pit

In the end, it’s my experience politicians never do what they promise. Finally the seedy world of politics especially in Washington DC is no place for idealists. Truth is, the best artists can channel their frustration or anger into…art! Real art.

Memes Videos and Rants

Unfortunately it seems like local artists and commentators as well as a few national artists who should know better, feel compelled to fill their social media feeds with memes, videos and rants. I am sure most of them would hope those will someday be forgotten. As a result I tentatively suggest artists and commentators use our talent and our tools rather than overt rants and social media.

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