The Spaghetti Junction Podcast: Recent Episodes
Rodney Harter
There were two adults in the congressional hearing room; and it mattered not a tinker’s damn to Republicans. Then, I am reminded of Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. Every one of the suspects on the train was guilty. Then, the spin on Koepernicks workout is truly an allegory for American Politics: It’s sham, shaped for public consumption.
Just exactly what does Partisan Witch-hunt mean? Is it a reasoned refutation, or is it a smoke screen used to cover what is factually all too clear? When the Nazis came to power the writer Charlotte Beradt began collecting dreams. What did she learn about our subconscious? The invincible luster of the Golden State Warriors is gone; is this a cautionary tale for our times?
It’s time, America, for a heart to heart conversation. I’m not sure we deserve a democracy. A recent Atlantic article affirmed my fears: The goodly veneer of America is a lie. Despite amazing drama and missed calls, The Nationals triumph.
I took a two week vacation; nothing changed. That's not true. It's worse. Republicans turned desperate. I found analogies to these times in The Tudors, and A Man For All Seasons. Finally the World Series clash is one of the old and new.
Trump is the smoking gun. But, Let’s not confuse justice and revenge. There is more at stake. The entrenched nature of Trump’s support led me to look at the American Antihero: Life imitating art? Finally, California is challenging the NCAA - and it’s about time.
Donald Trump has played the reactionary hack his entire life; he knows nothing, nor cares to know anything about a three-dimensional human being. Now he’s fully exposed. Laura Ingrahm compared Thornburg to a Steven King novel/movie: Children of the Corn, calling her speech chilling. Finally, Antonio Brown and Placido Domingo, Twin spires of the me-too movement.
I have a conundrum: I’m not sure who to give more weight: Jon Meacham, or Shawn Rosenberg. I recall two non-fiction essays that lead me to think deeper, especially when in juxtaposition with a viral art work authored by a Kashmir female artist. The US was sent packing in the recent World Championship basketball competition. Identity again?
The Emperor may not have any clothes; but, the Republican Party is even more shabbily dressed. “The rarer action is / In virtue than in vengeance”. Prospero from Shakespeare’s Tempest. There are a couple of other works I recently discovered (non-literary) that suggest similarities to our political world. Betrayal is also found throughout sports. Betrayal is not unique; it is an ever present challenge in the Spaghetti Junction.
It’s time to forget about Trump, and focus on the agenda of the Republican Party! It’s fair to say that Tom Hiddleston is trending! His recent star-turn in Pinter’s Betrayal on Broadway is telling in the era of Trump. Both Andrew Luck and Rob Gronkowski have retired. Some have looked upon it as a betrayal. Is this a national malady?
Everything changes while remaining the same. Perspective is a terrible thing to waste! This issue of perspective arose in a Netflix series The Tudors, too. Perspective is also an issue among sports: A number of old Hall of Famers claim they can no longer watch the game.
What about the gun crisis in America? The reality is the horses are out of the barn!What are the real possibilities? I am finding seeds of our dilemma in western movies that have a Frontier justice theme. Why was Larry Nasser able to get away with it for so long? Medals and money over morals! In the Spaghetti Junction.
Is this the new normal? Defying the constitution? Ignoring constitutional checks and balances? Creating divisive wedges between segments of our citizenry? In the shadow of this noise we mourn the passing of Toni Morrison. They called him the Left hand of God; why don’t we have leaders like this in our political world?
The politics of purism makes people stupid and nasty, says Maureen Dowd. As my guest Dan Kohn opined: Once a pickle never a cucumber! Then: Ben Brantley and Jesse Green on a reclaimed Oklahoma: What’s so thrilling about this exposure of what lies beneath is that you feel it was always there, waiting to be excavated. Finally, Our sports world is a harbinger of things to come! In the Spaghetti Junction.
American Politics is currently under the placebo effect. Then, Nathen Rabin writes: What once felt creaky and old-fashioned now burns bright with fresh outrage. Finally, it's been 25 years since A League of Their Own premiered. A lot has happened; a lot hasn't.
Where is the off-ramp? Is there an off-ramp? There’s an art show in England, and one of the portraits is entitled The American Flag is Bleeding by Faith Ringgold. Finally, truthfully, I wish Wimbledon simply declared a tie!
Great wealth insulates people from consequences. We are waging a pitched battle for who and what this country represents; and, money is winning the day! Next, What David Levinthal’s Photos of Toys Reveal About American Myth and Memory. Then, Kevin Durant’s messy exit from the Warriors seems all to familiar.
Traditionally, we celebrate the birth of our nation invoking the non-partisan principals and purposes of our founding fathers; this year we celebrate Donald Trump, and bogus strength. Amid the squalor, squawking, and unspeakable atrocities at the border this week, John Leguizamo who is touring a one man show entitled Latin History for Morons. Finally, follow the money in sports, and politics. The money is getting ridiculous. The Nike situation is worse… It’s time for the Spaghetti Junction podcast.
So, tell me: who is the basket of deplorables? The current revival of All My Sons ranks pretty high among revivals. Why is it so popular? Rockets respectfully disagree with NBA's MVP announcment. No, it's not respectful at all. It’s time for the Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
An existential challenge? Our history is more nuanced than we admit. Integrity does seem in short supply. A revisiting of Scent of a Woman, reveals the vulnerability of integrity, while game six of the NBA Finals provided not only a thrilling matchup, but two commodities in short supply within our political world: integrity and grace.
Impeachment is a form of mutiny; it is not a coup. John Dean lays out the entirety of Donald Trump’s corruption, but nobody seems to listen. Is Trump Captain Queeg? I’m reminded of the bitter political divide when Kevin Durant goes down with an Achilles heel injury and Raptor fans cheer! Next on the Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
The high church of the low blow: I’ll explain what that is and how we got there. In the face of all this trauma, we need a little humour, and I have a recommendation, maybe two. Finally, there is humor in sports, too. Like a good story, movie, or novel, they show the humbling humanity of us all.
Robert Mueller may be a straight arrow; but that straight arrow may only be an excuse to avoid tough decisions! Secondly, Does real life become a fictionalized narrative when you put a camera to it? Is MEDIUM COOL a cinematic Guerrnica? The recent deaths of Bart Starr and Bill Buckner reinforce this fictional narrative impact by media.
There is never a bad time to do the right thing. We feast on “Talking Points”that are at worst lies, and mostly distortion, At the root of all this is a drive to rewrite history! The movie American Beauty, tells the story of Lester Burnham’s disallusionment and fall. This disillusionment surfaces again with the Warriors sweeping the Blazers. Time for impeachment in the Spaghetti Junction.
What do Warriors/Rockets, the Kentucky Derby, William Barr, and American Idol all have in common? More than you think, and we’ll explain in this week’s episode #87!
To the Republican Party leadership: Gentlemen, we need a kahuna! Consider then two movies, Scarface and The Wolf of Wall Street: empty, bullying and an overblown B movie. Finally, game one between the Rockets and Warriors was an insult to basketball and exposes a game gone awry in ways that mirror our political life.
Abraham Lincoln persuaded me against impeachment, not the investigations, but against impeachment. Next, two films foreshadow troubling endgames, while baseball speaks to our mental health in Episode #85.
For many Americans, Thursday of this week bore all the magical hope of Christmas in April -- don't hold your breath. Next, a new movie The Best of Enemies and new Broadway play through steely light on this era. Finally, sports exposes yet again the underbelly of this society -- greed.
Why is it hard to admit incompetence, stupidity, and corruption when it stares us in the face? We also find parallels in this political sphere when looking at two films that chronicle Bonnie and Clyde. Finally, the echoes of this same dysfunction are found in sports — and the NCAA Tournament. It’s time for Episode #83 of Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
We refuse to see what stares us in the face: There is a paucity of ideas, especially on the right that must be called out. Next, we reference another flick from the dark side of a dream, Elia Kazan’s A Face In the Crowd. Finally, my dreams of a Duke/North Carolina Championship crashed. These are challenging times… in the Spaghetti Junction!
It was a climactic weekend: the Mueller report and its potential squashing by the DOJ. I discuss my mixed emotions with Paul Kelley, we turn next to the media coverage of this event and a Frank Capra film of 1941 that resonates profoundly. Finally, allow me to wax sentimental about amateur sports and the NCAA Tournament… it’s time for the Spaghetti Junction, Episode #81!
We explore three things: Freedom comes at great cost; but, what happened to real conservative courage? Second, Peter Sach’s triptych Amnesty reflects the conflict within our lives, while also echoing Elliot’s Wasteland. Finally, just humour me regarding my optimism for a Duke/Carolina NCAA Championship game!
Thomas Friedman suggested this era be named “Anything Goes”. It’s actually much worse, and I’ll explain why. An Inspector Calls is an early twentieth-century British play I found quite relevant. twenty-nine-year-old Bryce Harper signs a thirteen-year contract for 300 million dollars. What would Curt Flood say? Anything Goes?
Donald Trump is dangerous; but, there is an even greater con afoot that goes unchallenged? The Republican Party. The Oscars hummed along nicely without a host and with some very interesting results, but is this the beginning of the end? Finally, the NBA says “You can’t fix an NBA game. Not possible.”
“Truth with malice in it.” So wrote Herman Melville. Truth with malice in it is now at the heart of our compulsions and obsessions that defy logic, or any rational thought. I worry about fatigue. I viewed a movie recently that obliquely placed some of this in perspective -- In the Heart of the Sea. In sports, free agent contracts, especially baseball, are slow in evolving, amid threats of a walkout midseason.
We have a conundrum! Actually, we have multiple conundrums! One is called Immigration reform. Why can we not lose these conundrums? Untangle the issues? Simple, the conundrum or the Gordian knot is too lucrative! Sports are the perfect prototype, and I’ll share a story of entitlement rooted in fear, and affecting two young lives. It’s time for the Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
The Superbowl and SOTU address mirrored one another: they were seen by two different worlds! Paul Kelley joins me to discuss the SOTU, one I entitled Pablum Is a Terrible Thing to Waste.
Three weeks and counting, Super Bowl weekend, and killing innocence: It’s time for the Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
Outrage and moral indignation are fraying my emotions. This government shutdown betrays our entire democratic process. Two movies viewed this week offered political insights I never expected. And finally, the sports world mirrored our political frustrations.
Perspective is now in short supply, our political climate is more like blood sport rabid fan arguments in a sports bar. Cacophony reigns!
It’s a grand old Mexican standoff! Ross Douthat has suggested that Trump’s rhetoric worked in 2016, but the world has changed. Ann Coulter supports Ocasio-Cortez’s suggestion for a 70-80% income tax on the rich! And Tucker Carlson said what?
In Episode #70 we explore a coincidence, a juxtaposition: a 14th Amendment analysis asking to remove "Born here", in the shadow of the movie "Vice", and the disappointing football semifinals and its finger pointing.
In Episode #69 I seek to discuss one of the three elephants in the room as a Democrat with a Republican. It’s a dialogue with the other side that reveals we’re not that different.
In Episode #68 I have prevailed upon a good friend with dual citizenship, a man born in England, but also an American educated citizen, for the purpose of a little perspective on these vaunting parallel issues.
Episode #67: first, has partisanship become a business? Secondly, The backlash Bill Maher experienced over his comments about Stan Lee, DO they prove the point? Finally, I feel like the Greenbay Packers lately, and that’s not good.
We look a little deeper into the fundamental issues of the American experience with Paul Kelley, who suggests in Episode #66 that some of our basic democratic tenants may be mutually exclusive.
In Episode #65 we explore this thorny issue of toxicity with Jeremey Maguire… a writer, director, and retired editor. It’s time for The Spaghetti Junction Podcast.
Join me for an interesting interview with Dr Paul Kelley on "How we got here", and political parallels in the World Series.
Episode #63 explores these questions: First, is there really an exhausted middle? Second, in fiction and life, what kind of truth really matters? Finally, George Orwell suggested that violence in sports is a war without shooting?
Episode #61 poses these questions: First If it wasn’t about partisanship, what was it about? Second, What is the difference between EM Forster’s aristocracy, and the so-called elites? Finally, What? The World Series hasn’t begun? Oh, Lord!
Episode #61 poses these questions. First, will we know the outcome is reliable and appropriate? Second, Did you know Ancient Greek has an expression for ‘barefoot and pregnant’? Finally, The Seahawks Earl Thomas; is he a parallel for Kavanaugh?
Episode #60 poses these questions. First, Is this a perfect storm, a trifecta: Kavanaugh, Rosenstein, and the UN? Second, Do you remember the hope embedded in Paul Simon’s lyrics? Finally, Have we forgotten what role redemption plays in America?
Episode #59: First, does it matter that the earth has warmed or cooled previously? Second, Are ethics for other people, or does the human need to belong require someone to reject? Finally, What is the real Republican strategy for these midterms?
Episode #58 began by listening to the defence of this president. First, unconventional or dangerous? Second, do you remember the play What Price Glory? Finally, the hullabaloo over kneeling is wrong, but is it productive?
I am still trying to figure things out in the Spaghetti Junction: First, Should we, as Sen Graham suggests, not worry about the process, but consider the results? Second, Is there more than tell-all books to read during this administration? Finally, Is Kaepernick a gift that just keeps on giving?
Here, I am in Episode #56 trying to sort things out: First, Did the passing of Sen. McCain give us a defining moment? Second, A Handmaid’s Tale in painting? Finally, Can you take the player out of her catsuit?
I'm thinking things out in Episode #55: First, are things beginning to spin out of control? Secondly, Dr. Who may well be a good analogy! And, finally, Hernandez’s commentary is just Trumpian at heart.
This week in Episode #54 I consider first “Is this who or what we want to be?” Then, we’ll look at an author whose short story “People Are People” reinforces what I think we are and helps put immigration in perspective. Finally, It’s time for the Little League World Series
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #53: First, Who will stand for free speech? Second, Is it reading like a trashy novel to you, too? Finally, The Kleptocrats are in sports?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #52: First, How much smoke do we need before recognizing that we have a three-alarm fire? Second, Which do you want, stories of fear, or stories of justice? Finally, Is this game over for sports?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #51: First, Twenty-fifth Amendment anyone? Second, are stories more powerful than a polemic? Finally, A designated hitter; or, a position player on the mound?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #50: First, Is it time Trump being Trump is no longer an excuse? Second, are stories more powerful than a polemic? Finally, Big business is spoiling sports?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #49: First, Nero continues to fiddle; but, is anyone paying attention to the burning Rome? Second, has it occurred to you that you are an American? Finally, is it true that if you build it they probably won’t come?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #48: First, What exactly are we celebrating this week? Second, A vapid Emersonian effusion? Finally, once again, follow the money? It's axiomatic!
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #47: First, Can we make America America Again? Second, What do Laura Ingalls Wilder, Picasso, and Arthur Miller have in common? Finally, Can sports ever be fun again?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #46: First, Are we losing the war over truth? Second, DeNiro, right or wrong? And does context matter? Finally, Must we endure another summer of where is LeBron going?
I’m trying to think things out in Episode #44: First, Suppose I don’t want to dance to A plague on both your houses? Second, How could the theater be dying with these? Finally, Have we really entered a no kneel zone?
Episode #44: First, How do we know Trump is lying? Second, Literature is littered with liars? Finally, is there a correlation between GOAT and Exceptionalism?
Episode #43 poses these questions: First, Did they mean to say “Shut up and work”? Second, It was a remarkable event; but, where from here? Finally, Did you notice the NCAA just corroborated what we already knew and the NFL said “Shut up and play”? Another canary in the mineshaft…
Episode #42 poses these questions: First, Have you ever doubted your own judgement, seriously? Second, Are we becoming a nation of no traditions? Finally, are our traditions in sports a microcosm of what ails us?
Episode #41 poses these questions: First, Do you know who you are? Really? Second, The day the laughter stopped? Buster Keaton said that? Finally, Do sports and politics mix? For some its a non-sequitur. What are they watching?
Episode #40 poses these questions: First, are guns and bias a toxic relationship? Second, Have we lost our humanity? Finally, Y’all ain’t gotta ask for permission to do nothin’ no more.”?
Episode #39 poses these questions: First, A nation of absolute beliefs? Second, Did Chayefsky’s Network predict Trump? Finally, A woman throws out all her Spurs souvenirs! What? What are we doing?
Episode #38 poses these questions. First, Do you not see what’s happening, and perhaps more importantly, why? Second, Fake news? What do we do with fake or distorted media? Finally, Shohei Otani, real or not?
Episode #37 poses these questions. First, Prius or pickup; or, are we being Borked again? Second, If a tree falls in the woods and the media aren’t there to cover it, has it really fallen? Finally, A sports political metaphor?
Episode #36 poses these questions. First, are you ever discouraged by all the lies? Second, Roseanne Barr, comedy or gaslighting? Finally, The baseball season begins, but with a shadow of politics?
Episode #35 poses these questions. First, Loyalty, respect, and sanctity for what? Second, Will we see yet another celebrity candidate? Finally, The oligarchs of sports? What?
Episode #34 poses these questions. First, how do we survive Donald Trump? Second, what if anything does the Oscars foretell — a demise of Hollywood? Finally, either they are role models, or they’re not. Which is it?
Episode #33 poses these questions. First, The President says he probably would have rushed in the school, even if he was unarmed? Secondly, Art or agitprop? Finally, Are we ready for March Madness, amid all the other madness?
Episode #32 poses these questions. First, How are you at Getting out of the train while still moving? Secondly, Welfare for rich liberal elites? Finally, Shut up and ski?
Episode #30 poses these questions. First, Are your alarm bells sounding? Secondly, A Trump accomplishment we can embrace? Finally, It was Shangri-La?
Episode #29 poses these questions. First, Fake News Fatigue. Is it terminal? Secondly, Democratic Culture at its worst? Finally, what a breath of fresh air from Down Under!
Episode #28 poses these questions. First, The Guy Fawkes option, really? Secondly, language and the eternal anger? Finally. Oh, Lord, New England again?
Episode #27 poses these questions. History repeats itself; yet again? Secondly, The Darkest Hour a shining light? Finally, The crassness of our political world seems to have reared its head in sports, or vice versa?
Episode #26 poses these questions. Have we become a shallow tweet chirping its way to self-destruction? Secondly, Do we really need another celebrity in the White House? Finally, This extends to athletes too.
Episode #25 poses these questions. What’s after Trump- and beware a tactical mistake? Secondly, Is live theater the antidote for digital dehumanization? Finally, Popovich and Kerr for 2020?
Episode #24 poses these questions. First, Allegory and compromise, can they coexist? Secondly, The artist and his work - excerpt of my interview with Austin Harter? Finally, Ejections, suspensions, and fights. When will it end?
Episode #23 poses these questions. First, Should we be grateful for Donald Trump? Secondly, What happened when I revisited A Few Good Men? Finally, Will Shohei Ohtani, be the elixir baseball needs?
Episode #22 poses these questions. First, Is Donald Trump Tyler Derden? Secondly, Is great art incompatible with popular democracy? Finally, The sports trap we have set?
Episode #21 poses these questions. First, Just how did we get here? Secondly, Where are the mythmakers of our society? Finally, Trickle down does work for ethics…?
A benchmark! Episode #20 poses these questions. First, What can we learn from first drafts? Secondly, is it: Life is a Cabaret, or It couldn’t please me more? Finally, Self-interest ruining sports?
Episode #18 poses these questions. First, This is not a question; it’s a story? Secondly, Never the twain shall meet— an aesthetic alibi? Finally, an aesthetic alibi for athletics, too?
First, Why not call it what it is — paranoia? Secondly, Is this a challenge to our national character? Finally, Are you really eating less pizza?
Episode #17 poses these questions. First, Did anyone hear David Brooks? Secondly, The palindrome of Weinstein? And finally, Did you watch game 5?
Episode #16 poses these questions. First, Whatever happened to moral authority? Secondly, Echoes from the movie Consent? Finally, A bright spot in the Spaghetti Junction? Wow!
Episode #15 poses these questions. First, Is lying the new norm? Secondly, What happens after Harvey Weinstein? Finally, Have you forgotten Curt Flood?
With all the inanity of the week, Episode #14 poses a singularly important question this week: "Tell me again, who is disrespecting the flag?"
Episode #12 poses these questions. First, Have we missed the real issue? Secondly, Identity politics in art, for decades? And finally, Shouldn’t we rethink the knee?
Episode #12 poses these questions. First, Has the ability to argue persuasively died? Secondly, Is this the golden age of slutty cinema? And finally, Ungrateful as the new uppity?
Episode #11 poses these questions. First, Is truth now an elitist concept? Secondly, Kara Walker is tired of talking, but her critics are not? Finally, Global warming in baseball?