Podcast 213

The Haunted Diner. On the road again, heading back up 15 North from Flagstaff, Arizona to Butte, Montana. At a stop in Pocatello, Idaho a server at Elmer’s Diner informed me it was haunted. Hear the story and get a brief audio ‘tour’ of the kitchen and freezer where the offending spirit ‘lives’. It’s a big, wide country. That’s the message that is being continuously reinforced in this road trip covering Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. There is great diversity in our people, and our pursuits of happiness. There is still great untouched potential in The United States. When a person gets out and really sees the country, that potential is obvious. Too bad pundits, politicians, commentators and others are too busy flying in their private jets. They might be surprised by what they see. The ‘On The Road’ podcasts are being received very well, but to avoid every podcast being simply a ‘travelogue’ the effort to add topical content continues. The three big stories are Scottish efforts to break away from the British Commonwealth, the rapidly unraveling Obama ‘strategy’ to ‘degrade’ and ‘defeat’ ISIS, and the media’s penchant for making predictions about the election outcome, before it actually happens. The story line on the Scots is; The independence movement proves people are tired of ‘nation-states’ (even though the Scots are essentially forming a new one). Perhaps it suggests people are getting tired of federal governments attempting to control our lives; and when we have a vote, we vote to shut the federals up. It’s not funny, but the President’s troubles with the ISIS strategy are only just beginning. After the President promised ‘no troops on the ground in Iraq’, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is suggesting there could be troops in Iraq. Meanwhile, the US is sending troops into Africa to battle Ebola? Finally, more and more ‘pundits’ (the same people who fly around the country on private jets rather than get down among the people) are convinced the US Senate will change leadership in November. What did your momma say? “Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch!”. The Republicans need to win 6 senate seats, and 7 would be nice for a solid majority. Many of the key races they have to win are neck and neck. If Republicans want a wave, they’d best get all hands on deck to make it happen. Just sayin’. Finally a UFO encounter on a lonely dark road in Hamer, Idaho? Sponsored by Autonomous Cad. Thanks to Gamers Cafe and Casino in Butte, Montana for an awesome Chef’s Salad, and very fast (and free) WIFI. 

Podcast 92

As promised, my thoughts on the so called ‘Republican Civil War’ between Libertarians, Tea Party People, and Republican Moderates. What role do so called religious conservatives play. Are Republicans really conservatives? Is it a civil war, or the birth pangs of a new, reinvigorated Republican Party? This isn’t a manifesto, just some random thoughts on the subject I put together as thought starters for your ride to work, home from work, or on your walk. Sponsored by www.xgovernmentcars.com.

Podcast 78

Start your Monday off with a heads up on the big political stories this week. As we work our way toward Thanksgiving, everyone will be talking about Obama Care. Will Healthcare.gov get fixed by the end of November? A new poll shows the President’s approval ratings in trouble, in many key areas. What will the key issues of the 2014 election cycle be? What should the Republican strategy be? Can the Democrats salvage this. What are they already doing? Get ahead of this week’s news cycle now with Podcast 78! Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul.