Totally Platonic Ruminations

In the midst of carving a path to Yosemite, Jonah has graced us with a ...

By

In the midst of carving a path to Yosemite, Jonah has graced us with a Ruminant that provides a weekly roundup of his writing – from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to an example from his past that indicates why our radicals should Czech their privilege. He moves into a rumination on subconscious conservative messages embedded within Hollywood entertainment before discussing the unintended consequences of the Senate re-embrace of earmarks as well as the perks of sleeping in Walmart parking lots. It suffices to say that this Ruminant has a positively buckshot-like spread in terms of topics, so have fun with it.

Show notes:

–     The Remnant with Professional Jonah Impersonator Chris Stirewalt

–      The member’s only Wednesday “news”letter from The Cleve

Keep reading with a free account
Create a free Dispatch account to keep reading Get Started ALREADY HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SIGN IN
By
Comments (21)
Join The Dispatch to participate in the comments.
 
  1. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    One reason for worrying about the debt is that it makes us vulnerable in the event of one of Taleb’s black swans. Furthermore, the proponents of MMT who say that debt has not bitten us yet and therefore never will are engaging in a turkey logical fallacy.

    Collapse
  2. Reader

    Interesting discussion about abortion in sitcoms, although (outside of caricatures and extremists), very few in the pro-choice crowd wouldn't concede that the decision to get an abortion is a weighty one. Very few would be happy or cavalier at the prospect of an abortion. So I don't see how "keep the baby" plot lines in sitcoms reveal any sort of hidden pro-life proclivities among mainstream Americans.

    Collapse
  3. Avatar photo
    The Bell Tower

    American exceptionalism articulated:

    https://youtu.be/c32G868tor0

    Collapse
  4. Avatar photo
    Anne W (Raw5254)

    I’m so with you on worries of inflation. We just keep spending, and at some point it has to come to an end. But, what is it going to take? I have a feeling it’s not going to be because some responsible person in charge sees the light. If people aren’t concerned, they really should be.

    Collapse
  5. Avatar photo
    The Bell Tower

    Ah, the non-conformists conforming to the current standard of non-conformity. They’re so troubled about the spoiled lives that ensnare them. Performative angst is so vacuous and juvenile that it numbs the mind to try and understand it.

    Frederick Douglass wrote eloquently and movingly about the songs of slaves:

    “They told a tale of woe which was then altogether beyond my feeble comprehension; they were tones loud, long, and deep; they breathed the prayer and complaint of souls boiling over with the bitterrest anguish.”

    That is pain. I don’t understand why wealth and comfort breed such a desperate longing for the authenticity of pain. We should be thankful every moment if we haven’t experienced the trauma to produce such anguish.

    Certainly all societies turn out troubled souls and ours is no different. Why so many that aren’t feel the need to emulate the few that are escapes me.

    Our forbears suffered greatly to leave us this legacy. Appreciate it, goddammit!

    Collapse
  6. Scott Mc

    Jonah nice episode these are my weekly highlights most good many great. I think Ramesh is wrong and agree dumping money into a global economy roaring already and fueling it with more money is not economic only political. I think they have been begging for inflation and stating multiple years without interest increases and a booming commodity (highs in steel lumber metals crude freight...) market and built in price floors (min wages) says it is a lock. Weak dollar strong exports job growth etc. it will likely take an extraordinary event in 4 years to lose an election. The need to pay back the debt in inflated dollars is intentional in my opinion. I am with you it is concerning but too complex for most especially me but it makes sense to manage one’s budgets in good times. Sigh sorry for the rant.

    Collapse
  7. Avatar photo
    Seth B

    Jonah, you normally aren't one to pick fights with strawmen, but man, you beat the stuffing out of one in this Ruminant. I'll chalk that "no abortions in sitcoms" bit up to road weariness and lack of a sparring partner. I know lots of pro-choice people. None of them find abortion *funny*. What makes you think they would?
    A nationwide speed limit of 20 mph would save thousands of lives each year, but I imagine you'd fiercely oppose such a law. I would, too. Should self-styled "pro-lifers" conclude from this that we are the sorts of people who think traffic fatalities are hilarious?
    I'm open to the idea that Americans are more conservative than either the left or the right lets on, but you'll need a better example on which to build your case.
    (Sorry to be grouchy. I found your case for earmarks - in blessed contrast - very compelling.)

    Collapse
  8. Avatar photo
    The Stray Goose

    "Ramesh Ponnuru" - DRINK!

    Collapse
  9. Avatar photo
    The Stray Goose

    Radical posers? That's what tattoos are for. Now everyone has one. If you want to show your independence now, don't get a tattoo.

    Collapse
  10. Avatar photo
    The Stray Goose

    13:55 - It's a good idea to give radicals wives and jobs. The problem with the current radical left is that so many of them have aspergers that they'll never be satisfied. They can't do nuance (which is kind of important in a marriage).

    Collapse
Load More