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

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.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors, John D. Scott Personal Injury Lawyer and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

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

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Republican Dark Future-Raising The Stakes-Bob Davis Podcast 780

Republican Dark Future-Raising The Stakes-Bob Davis Podcast 780

The political blame game has only just begun for republicans. What’s wrong and what is the future for the GOP. We’ll talk about it in Republican Dark Future-Raising The Stakes-Bob Davis Podcast 780.

A Dark Future For So Called Conservatives

Most noteworthy, and not surprisingly talking heads who predicted the GOP would hold the house (they were wrong) are now telling anyone who will listen how to fix the failed republican effort. The real truth is the republican party has a dark future.

A Deal With The Devil

What happened? Let’s be honest. Republican Moderates made a deal with a reality TV host and real estate developer. He would be the standard bearer and they would run things. Turned out neither was very good at either.

Reality Show Government

With only two major legislative accomplishments to its credit, the Trump administration has become a reality show played out on Twitter and Cable news.

All Things Republican Trumpism Is Not

Meanwhile the president ‘fixes’ everything and ‘drains the swamp’ with executive orders, which of course can be reversed. Free trade? Not this president.

Supply Side Economics? Nope. Cutting spending? Not gonna happen. Repealing the Affordable Care Act? You can forget about that. Now, growing concerns about a possible recession and corporate debt, actually all kinds of debt, even though the president says the economy is “Booming”.

A Republican Is Burying Us In Deficits?

Demand we “Build A Wall” and refuse to pay for it? Deploy United States Troops within the borders of the USA? Adding Trillions to the budget deficit? Yep. Failing to solve immigration, education and health care issues? Sure. Dear readers and listeners! Is this really what a conservative republican president is supposed to do? I’ll ask the question in Republican Dark Future-Raising The Stakes-Bob Davis Podcast 780.

Campaigning On Thin Air

In conclusion, republicans in 2018 had to defend this president or get out. In the end those that stayed to face the music had to campaign on slogans and defending Trumpism because there weren’t many accomplishments and even less money. Meanwhile well funded democrats sold a plan and got the vote out. I guess something beats nothing.

But Hey, It’s Not Hillary

It’s hard to hear but republicans are another side of the same political coin. Collectivist policies and the expansion of government and executive power to the extent that it may already be democratic socialism seems to be the result no matter which party is in control.

In the end, Republicans are just as responsible for it as democrats.

But. At least it’s not Hillary, right?

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors, Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Johantgen Jewelers of Crystal

Republican Dark Future-Raising The Stakes-Bob Davis Podcast 780

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

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

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