Curmudgeon's Corner is a weekly current events podcast

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2018

January 2017

[Ep 500] 2016 Predictions Review [1:44:39]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Jan-07 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jan-07 22:30 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This


[Ep 501] Brought to you by the Letter P [1:42:52]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Jan-13 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jan-14 23:13 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

It i


[Ep 502] Sitting on my Porch [1:56:57]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Jan-19 UTC
Published: Thu, 2017-Jan-19 21:27 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This


[Ep 503] Welcome to Trumpland [2:20:21]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Jan-27 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jan-28 23:31 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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Wow.

February 2017

[Ep 504] Head in a Vat [2:16:23]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Feb-03 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Feb-04 23:18 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

It i


[Ep 505] Roundtable [1:32:42]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Feb-11 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Feb-11 23:15 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This


[Ep 506] Not a Round Number [2:09:09]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Feb-18 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Feb-18 22:11 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On t


[Ep 507] Not talking about that [2:03:03]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Feb-24 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Feb-25 21:34 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On t

March 2017

[Ep 508] The Russia Trump Show [1:48:32]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Mar-03 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Mar-04 22:18 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This


[Ep 509] The Red Button is Bad [1:49:16]
Recorded: Wed, 2017-Mar-08 UTC
Published: Fri, 2017-Mar-10 18:23 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On t


[Ep 510] Two Way Split [2:35:38]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Mar-18 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Mar-18 11:49 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This


[Ep 511] That list is big! [2:55:55]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Mar-24 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Mar-25 22:50 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

Once


[Ep 512] Implosive Growth [1:44:02]
Recorded: Wed, 2017-Mar-29 UTC
Published: Fri, 2017-Mar-31 06:17 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This

April 2017

[Ep 513] Magic Eight Ball [2:24:17]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Apr-08 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Apr-08 21:08 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On t


[Ep 514] Clear Thoughted [2:06:12]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Apr-15 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Apr-15 19:20 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This


[Ep 515] Because We Just Can't [1:43:44]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Apr-21 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Apr-22 22:57 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On t


[Ep 516] Squeaky Chair [1:52:35]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Apr-28 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Apr-29 20:04 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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This

May 2017

[Ep 517] Count the Bits by Hand [1:37:10]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-May-05 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-May-06 20:08 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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This


[Ep 518] Digging a Hole [1:34:54]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-May-12 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-May-13 07:25 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On t


[Ep 519] The Russia Trump Hour [1:57:21]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-May-20 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-May-20 20:40 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This


[Ep 520] Facepalms and Headdesks [1:36:06]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-May-27 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-May-27 22:37 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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On t

June 2017

[Ep 521] Punching Customers [1:52:57]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Jun-01 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jun-03 16:00 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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This


[Ep 522] Take A Hammer To It [1:55:41]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Jun-10 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jun-10 19:40 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On C


[Ep 523] Uninhabited Atoll [1:25:11]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Jun-15 UTC
Published: Fri, 2017-Jun-16 22:24 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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This


[Ep 524] Proper Stategy [2:29:24]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Jun-22 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jun-24 06:48 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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On t


[Ep 525] Ten and a Bit [2:15:35]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Jun-30 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jul-01 22:55 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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This

July 2017

[Ep 526] Return of the Beep [2:04:17]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Jul-07 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jul-08 22:18 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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On C


[Ep 527] Nothingburger [2:08:38]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Jul-14 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jul-15 20:42 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
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This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan focus on the "nothingburger" of the Donald Trump Jr meeting everybody has been talking about. Nothing to see there, right? But before that, they do manage to get in some conversation on Trump's performance at the G20, and on completely non-Trump matters, they talk about unlimited data plans, kids and YouTube, and revisit the minimum wage. Lots of meat in that nothingburger!



[Ep 528] Stuff Like That [2:15:16]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Jul-20 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Jul-22 14:32 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On Curmudgeon's Corner this week, Sam and Ivan dive into the latest developments in the Trumpcare saga, the revelation of the second Trump/Putin meeting, and Trump's revealing interview with the New York Times. Rounding out the show, shorter discussions of wearing different sorts of glasses, John McCain's diagnosis, odd happenings in Florida, and some factoids from Wiki of the Day.



[Ep 529] Take it to the Bank [2:14:12]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Jul-27 UTC
Published: Fri, 2017-Jul-28 17:44 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk healthcare (recorded before McCain killed it, oops), the Spicer to Scaramucci transition (recorded before Scaramucci's New Yorker rant, oops again), the Trump vs Sessions battle, and Kushner's testimony. But they also talk about the Charlie Gard case, data tethering, Ivan's treating himself after getting a new job, some TV stuff, Sam's wife's run for office, and even more! Another big full show as usual!

August 2017

[Ep 530] Flexibility [2:16:06]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Aug-03 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Aug-05 03:42 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner Sam and Ivan work their way through the very busy news of the last week. Scaramucci. Healthcare. Priebus. Kelly. North Korea. Trump. Russia. Flake. Democratic Purity. Oh yeah, and the results of Sam's wife's local election. They cover it all!



[Ep 531] Something that Scary [1:39:50]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Aug-11 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Aug-12 20:34 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about North Korea, that Google document, Venezuela, the raid on Manafort, the latest from Trump, a book Sam read, and more! Oh, and we announce a Slack for the show. Enjoy!



[Ep 532] Punch the Cupcakes [2:26:15]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Aug-19 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Aug-19 23:00 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, guest host Brandy joins Sam to talk about this week's news. The main topics for the week are of course the events in Charlottesville, everybody's reactions to Charlottesville, the reactions to the reactions to Charlottesville, and the debate over Nazis and free speech. In addition, they also discuss Bannon's departure, what that means to the administration, if we're heading toward an invocation of the 25th amendment, Bannon's "war"... and if the left should double down on their base or try to reach the Obama voters who flipped to Trump in 2016... and a few other things too.



[Ep 533] Pour My Brain [2:12:05]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Aug-24 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Aug-26 19:51 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Sam and Ivan's main topics are the Republican Civil War that is brewing, and various Trump administration mini-scandals from the last week. But they also spend some time on the solar eclipse, MacBook Pros, Powerball, the military transgender ban, if Trump will have a primary challenger in 2020, the recent Navy crashes, Trump's Arizona speech, and more!



[Ep 534] Two Humps [1:59:04]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Aug-31 UTC
Published: Fri, 2017-Sep-01 18:36 UTC

Show notes prior to Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC are wonky.
We are slowly fixing them. Apologies for the inconvienience.

On Curmudgeon's Corner this week guest cohost Ed joins Sam to discuss Hurricane Harvey, the pardon of Sheriff Joe, Schneiderman teaming up with Mueller, gerrymandering, and partisan sorting as their bigger topics. But they also touch on Sam wearing a suit for the first time in over a decade, the speakers at the event he went to, and the possibility of just paying Democrats to move to red states.

September 2017

[Ep 535] You Knew I Was A Snake [1:54:32]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Sep-09 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Sep-09 20:10 UTC

The week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about Ivan's evacuation from Florida in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, more general thoughts on Hurricane Irma as it approaches Florida, Trump's recent moves that are making Congressional Republicans upset, Information Warfare in the age of Facebook and Twitter, and finally the Equifax data breach.

  • (0:00:30-0:40:39) Hurricane Irma
    • Agenda
    • Ivan's Evacuation
    • Irma's size
    • pre-Florida Irma damage
    • Forecast uncertainty
    • Florida vs Texas
    • Evacuation decisions
    • Hurricanes and climate change
    • Preparations
    • One location vs another
  • (0:41:15-1:06:07) Trump vs Republicans
    • Pivot!
    • DACA
    • Debt Limit
    • Congressional reaction
    • Possibilities for centrist policies
    • Trump the Democrat?
    • Trusting Trump
    • Lack of understanding
    • Independant Trump?
  • (1:08:05-1:34:56) Facebook and Russians
    • Eric interlude
    • What Russians bought
    • Facebook reach per dollar
    • Facebook disclosure
    • Information warfare
    • Information bubbles
    • Reporting rules
  • (1:36:06-1:54:13) Equifax
    • Taking security seriously
    • Equifax data and impact
    • Privacy is dead
    • Informed consent?
    • Security is too annoying


[Ep 536] Shuck and Jive [2:15:01]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Sep-16 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Sep-16 19:53 UTC

On Curmudgeon's Corner this week, Sam and Ivan review the impacts of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, and compare to what Katrina looked like 12 years ago. Then they dive into politics, looking at Trumps latests dalliances with the Democrats and what should or should not be read into that, followed by a discussion on the latest efforts on healthcare from both the Republican and Democratic side. Then at the end, a discussion of this week's Apple announcements.

  • (0:01:00-0:10:09) But First
    • Turning 46
    • Agenda
    • Concorde
  • (0:10:47-0:39:38) Hurricanes
    • Irma in Florida
    • Irma in the Islands
    • Harvey and Irma vs Katrina
    • Weathering the storm
    • Nursing Home deaths
  • (0:40:24-1:14:20) Independant Trump
    • Making Deals
    • Schadenfreude
    • Transactional Trump
    • Is Trump Republican?
    • Democrats too happy?
    • Will this turn the R's?
    • He told you!
    • Equifax Tidbit
  • (1:15:00-1:34:35) Healthcare
    • Bernie Plan
    • Graham-Cassidy
    • Fixing ACA?
    • Give Trump a win?
  • (1:35:15-2:14:40) Apple Stuff
    • Apple Watch
    • AppleTV
    • iPhone 8
    • iPhone X
    • Work Phone


[Ep 537] Nap Time [2:04:19]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Sep-21 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Sep-23 22:38 UTC

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about Hurricane Maria, the Mexican earthquake, and all the latest Manafort news. Then they move on to a lightning round, with shorter bits on Trump at the UN, Trump vs ESPN, North Korea, Cassini, the Clinton Book, and more!

  • (0:00:40-0:11:28) But First
    • Agenda
    • Time zone challenges
    • Naps
  • (0:12:05-0:42:08) Natural Disasters
    • Hurricane Maria
    • Mexican Earthquake
    • Back to the hurricane
  • (0:42:47-1:11:13) Manafort
    • Four Stories
    • Manafort's history
    • Meuller's strategy
  • (1:12:33-2:03:59) Lightning Round
    • Movie: Cars 3 (2017)
    • Trump at the UN
    • North Korea
    • Trump and ESPN
    • Cassini
    • Clinton Book
    • iPhone Repair
    • Healthcare comes at you fast


[Ep 538] Intentionally Obtuse [1:35:00]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Sep-30 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Sep-30 18:16 UTC

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Ed joins Sam for a discussion on the disaster response in Puerto Rico, the tax reform debate, and the hubbub over NFL players kneeling for the anthem. In addition to those major topics, they also discuss the Trump administrations ongoing approach to Obamacare, energy usage trends, Secretary Price's private plane flights, a movie Sam saw, and more!

  • (0:00:15-0:07:12) But First
    • No Ivan
    • Agenda
    • Friendly Skies
  • (0:07:49-0:25:07) Puerto Rico
    • What is an island?
    • Situation getting worse
    • USNS Comfort
    • Military help?
    • Less attention
  • (0:25:48-0:48:46) Taxes
    • Obamacare Repeal done?
    • Simplification and reform
    • Cutting taxes
    • Sustainable growth
    • Wealth Distribution
    • Bipartisan approach possible?
    • Partisan gridlock
  • (0:49:55-1:06:36) Kneeling
    • What kneeling represents
    • What is being protested
    • Where is the right place?
    • Non-violence
    • Trump's intentions
    • Time for legislation?
  • (1:08:36-1:34:40) Potpourri
    • Obamacare sabotage
    • Obamacare fixes?
    • Julia Louis-Dreyfus cancer
    • Energy usage trends
    • Movie: An Inconvenient Sequel (2017)
    • Approaches to climate change
    • Artificial barriers to solar
    • Secretary Price flights
    • Deficit spending

October 2017

[Ep 539] Exodus [2:09:59]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Oct-05 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Oct-07 22:03 UTC

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Sam and Ivan talk about the Las Vegas massacre, the Catalonian independence referendum, and the ongoing drama within the Trump administration... with this week's highlight of course being Tillerson calling Trump a moron. Before all of those topics though, updates from Ivan on the recovery from the recent natural disasters in both Mexico City and Puerto Rico.

  • (0:00:15-0:08:07) But First
    • Agenda
    • Mexico City Update
  • (0:08:46-0:47:21) Puerto Rico Update
    • How bad is it?
    • Bou rescue flight
    • Mass Migration
    • Still worried?
    • Death tolls
    • Mayor of San Juan
    • Trump's visit
  • (0:48:41-1:29:19) Las Vegas
    • A smaller scale event
    • Mass shootings vs individual shootings
    • The usual nothing on gun control?
    • Long term trends and divisions
    • The Vegas shooter and his plans
    • Victim stories
    • Amount of carnage
  • (1:29:56-1:49:43) Catalonia
    • Background
    • US Civil War comparison
    • Why not a legal mechanism
    • Problems with referendums
    • Predictions?
    • Implications for Europe
  • (1:50:59-2:09:39) Trump Administration Drama
    • Fucking Moron
    • Non-Denial Denial
    • Cabinet Suicide Pact
    • 25th Amendment again
    • Mutiny on a nuke order?
    • Chaos presidency
    • Tax proposal


[Ep 540] Locked In [1:58:02]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Oct-14 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Oct-14 23:56 UTC

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about Hong Kong, the Republicans who are starting to worry about Trump, Trump's executive actions on healthcare and Iran, and Harvey Weinstein. Oh. And Sam gets locked in his office. Fun times!

  • (0:01:05-0:23:08) But First
    • Agenda
    • Ivan in Hong Kong
    • Trump Puerto Rico comments
  • (0:24:24-1:03:55) Worried Republicans
    • Trump-Tillerson IQ challenge
    • Corker comments
    • Alex Interlude #1
    • Republicans containing Trump
    • Robert Reich post
    • Roy Moore
    • Breaking the wall
    • Trump understanding things
    • Downward spiral
    • Trump attacks on the press
    • Pence alternative
    • Fitness for duty
    • Alex Interlude #2
  • (1:05:04-1:32:44) Executive Actions
    • Birth control requirements
    • ACA Subsidies
    • Expanding low quality plans
    • 3 in Three Interlude
    • Tradeoffs
    • Alex Interlude #3
    • Iran false start
    • Locking the door
    • Iran Deal
  • (1:35:28-1:52:31) Weinstein
    • More and more stories
    • Blaming the victim
    • Blocking the story
    • Impact of Trump
    • The Pence rule
    • Locked in


[Ep 541] Slide Into That [2:02:35]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Oct-20 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Oct-21 22:46 UTC

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan go lightning mode for the whole show, just covering a wide variety of random topics. Everything from some gripes about iOS, to the viral "me too" explosion, to Trump's ability to be empathetic, to the situation in Kurdistan, to our thoughts on a 35 year old Star Trek movie, to healthcare, to geoengineering, to variety in podcast listening... and much much more! We're all over the place this week, so there will almost certainly be something you enjoy!

  • (0:00:15-0:24:39) Lightning the First
    • Slow week?
    • iOS 11 Do not disturb while driving
    • Ivan's jetlag
    • Movie: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
    • SelectaVision
  • (0:25:59-1:05:29) Lightning the Second
    • Bipartisan healthcare proposal
    • OJ is out
    • Feedback
    • If there is a war
    • Sexual harassment
    • Workplace bias
  • (1:07:30-1:46:34) Lightning the Third
    • Flameless cremation
    • US in Niger
    • Trump's condolence call
    • General Kelly
    • Bump stocks again
    • Wifi encryption breach
    • California fires
    • Kaspersky
    • Patreon update!
    • Geoengineering
  • (1:48:05-2:02:16) Lightning the Fourth
    • Catalonia
    • Kurdistan
    • Somalia
    • Podcast listening


[Ep 542] Cracks in the Wall [1:23:48]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Oct-26 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Oct-28 19:15 UTC

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about sexual harassment again, Senator Flake and Senator Corker's rebellious statements, the possible scandal with the selection of Whitefish to restore electricity to Puerto Rico, and the massive churn of non-stories that seemed like they were a prelude to something big dropping... which did indeed happen... the indictment news... but only after we recorded the show. So we'll talk about that next week...

  • (0:01:30-0:21:28) But First
    • Feedback
    • Bush the assgrabber
    • Scoble the ass
    • O'Reilly settlement
  • (0:22:06-0:40:56) The Flake and the Cork
    • Senator statements
    • Retiring vs staying
    • anti-Trump conservatives aren't liberal
    • Temporary party flipping
    • Flake leaving a Trump victory?
  • (0:42:16-1:03:50) Russia Crap
    • Funding for Steele Dossier
    • It is all about Clinton, not Trump, right?
    • Why the push on this issue right now?
    • Distracting from what?
  • (1:04:35-1:23:27) Whitefish
    • Bid process
    • Is Whitefish fishy?
    • Attention to corruption

November 2017

[Ep 543] Rules be Damned [2:10:09]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Nov-02 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Nov-04 12:30 UTC

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Sam is joined by guest hosts Ed and Darryl. They of course talk about the Manafort and Gates indictment, the Papadopoulos guilty plea, and the ramifications of all that to the Mueller investigation. In addition, they discuss the continuing revelations on the degree of influence social media has on our political process, the civil wars in both the Republican and Democratic parties, an old Ehrlichman interview, the opioid crisis, and gerrymandering.

  • (0:00:15-0:03:03) But First
    • Introductions
    • Agenda
  • (0:03:39-0:38:01) Indictments
    • Reactions to Manafort and Gates
    • Financial Crimes vs Russian Collusion
    • Coordinated distractions
    • Papadopoulos
    • Rejecting the rules
    • Predictions
  • (0:38:47-1:09:21) Social Media
    • The Texas rallies
    • Extent of exposure
    • Anybody else can too
    • Social media character assassination
    • Manipulating emotions
    • Viral spin
    • Transparency
  • (1:11:21-1:45:51) Partisan Civil Wars
    • Driving off that cliff
    • Fate of Trump
    • Republican primary voters
    • The lost middle
    • Congressional races
    • Bernie vs Hillary
    • Origins of the Democratic fight
    • How serious a division?
    • Purity Democrats
  • (1:46:32-2:09:49) Other Stuff
    • Old Ehrlichman interview
    • Opioid crisis
    • Gerrymandering


[Ep 544] Crawling on the Cable [1:51:07]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Nov-10 UTC
Published: Sun, 2017-Nov-12 03:10 UTC

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan do eventually talk politics... namely Donna Brazile, this week's election results, and the accusations against Roy Moore... but first they talk about some more pedestrian things. Ivan has ants! Sam and his wife have issues with iPhones! Sam and his family have an adventurous vacation! So a lot of everything this week. Enjoy!

  • (0:00:15-0:03:25) Intro
  • (0:04:34-0:11:44) Ivan's Ants
  • (0:12:59-0:29:58) iPhone Travails
  • (0:30:43-0:44:13) Sam's Trip
  • (0:45:55-1:02:42) Donna Brazile Book
  • (1:03:22-1:27:57) Election 2017
  • (1:29:33-1:50:46) Ray Moore


[Ep 545] We Need Unicorns [2:27:00]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Nov-17 UTC
Published: Sun, 2017-Nov-19 00:03 UTC

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan start out talking about travel things again. Ivan talks about "mileage runs". Sam talks about the dramatic end to his DC vacation. But then they move on to the news. The travails of Flynn, Page, Sessions, Don Jr, and Kushner with Turkey, Russia, Russia, Russia, and Russia respectively. Then the GOP tax plan. Then of course the mounting evidence that all men are scum, and what should be done about it.

  • (0:00:45-0:37:58) Travel adventures
  • (0:40:35-1:20:18) Turkey Russia Russia Russia Russia
  • (1:22:18-1:42:25) GOP tax plan
  • (1:44:09-2:26:38) All men are scum


[Ep 546] No End to the Stupid [1:31:58]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Nov-25 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Nov-25 23:21 UTC

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan try to keep it short, but still go over 90 minutes. With no big huge central stories this week, it is an all lightning round show. Topics include Trump's master plan, Flynn cooperating with Mueller, the Uber data breach, Plume Wifi, the Allison Mack sex cult, Star Trek and Star Wars, Trump being stupid again, initial iPhone X impressions, and much more. Those were only about half of the topics, so tune in to hear everything else they talked about too!

  • (0:00:30-0:07:45) But First
    • Slow News Week?
    • Agenda
    • Feedback
    • Ivan travel
  • (0:08:54-0:38:29) Lightning Round #1
    • Ivan: Trump Fed Chair appointment
    • Sam: Trump judicial appointments
    • Ivan: Uber data breach and payoff
    • Sam: Movie: The Princess Bride (1987)
    • Ivan: Star Trek and Star Wars movies and TV
    • Sam: Allison Mack sex cult
    • Ivan: Nude Barton pics
  • (0:40:12-1:31:38) Lightning Round #2
    • Sam: Rogue Twitter employee
    • Ivan: iPhone X impressions
    • Sam: Plume WiFi
    • Ivan: Flynn Cooperating
    • Sam: Stupid Trump Family
    • Ivan: Trump master plan
    • Sam: AT&T / Time Warner merger
    • Ivan: Stupid Trump

December 2017

[Ep 547] Deeply in Denial [2:17:52]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Dec-02 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Dec-02 22:10 UTC

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam is joined by Ed, Darryl, and Jenn while Ivan is visiting Moscow. The topics this week are the CFPB leadership fight, Trump's mental health, sexual harassment, and of course the Flynn plea deal and developments on the tax bill. Enjoy hearing about everything from a few different angles than we usually get from Ivan! You still have the same old Sam though. Sorry about that.

  • (0:00:15-0:05:21) Intro
  • (0:06:01-0:26:55) Ed: CFPB leadership fight
  • (0:28:55-0:58:41) Darryl: Trump's mental health
  • (1:00:23-1:29:51) Jenn: Sexual harassment
  • (1:30:30-1:58:47) Sam: Flynn plea deal
  • (1:59:32-2:17:32) Sam: Tax bill


[Ep 548] Multiply Your Gifts [1:30:53]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Dec-08 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Dec-09 23:01 UTC

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Ivan is back from Moscow and joins Sam to talk about his impressions of Russia. They also hit most of the last week of Trump administration craziness, they talk about Franken, Franks, Conyers, and Moore as part of the latest round of sexual harassment fallout, and they round it out with a little discussion of Bitcoin, CryptoKitties, iPhone X, and even Sam's somewhat different Christmas tree.

  • (0:00:15-0:29:27) But First
    • Thomas rap
    • Agenda
    • Bitcoin
    • iPhone X
    • Sam's screen
    • Sam's tree
  • (0:30:42-0:47:32) Ivan in Russia
    • Impressions of Moscow
    • Russian views on Putin
    • Sanctions
    • Russian views on the USA
    • Pee Tape
  • (0:48:18-1:21:58) Trump Stuff
    • Trump admitting obstruction?
    • Can the President obstruct justice?
    • Can the President be indicted?
    • Constitutional edge cases
    • SCOTUS on Travel Ban
    • Manafort's OpEd
    • Ollie North is back!
    • Jerusalem
    • Other Stuff
  • (1:23:42-1:30:27) Politicians Who Harass
    • Franken
    • Franks
    • Conyers
    • Moore


[Ep 549] Talk Good Enough [1:37:02]
Recorded: Fri, 2017-Dec-15 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Dec-16 23:34 UTC

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about the Alabama Senate results, possible bias in the Mueller investigation, the Republican Tax Bill, Net Neutrality, Trump's judicial nominations, and the Patreon fee structure misfire. Plus Ivan makes fun of Sam's speech, and Sam's son Alex pipes up a few times.

  • (0:00:15-0:03:39) But First
  • (0:05:21-0:30:41) Alabama
  • (0:32:42-0:53:09) Mueller Bias
  • (0:53:49-1:06:59) Tax Bill
  • (1:08:46-1:18:13) Net Neutrality
  • (1:18:51-1:24:01) Judicial Nominations
  • (1:24:41-1:36:42) Patreon Misfire


[Ep 550] Milk This [1:47:01]
Recorded: Sat, 2017-Dec-23 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Dec-23 23:48 UTC

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan do their duty and talk about the tax bill... how the Republicans managed to get it done, how it will impact people, and what the political ramifications are. Then they put politics aside for a bit and talk about movies. All kinds of movies. From Star Wars to Dunkirk to Ninjago and others. Rounding out the show, some bits on Apple slowing down phones, Bitcoin, Ivan meeting an (acting) ambassador, an update on Puerto Rico... and more!

  • (0:01:16-0:13:56) Intro
    • Agenda
    • Ivan and the Ambassador
    • Ivan ankle twisting
  • (0:14:36-0:47:40) Tax Bill
    • How'd the R's pull it off?
    • The actual bill
    • The politics
  • (0:49:23-1:08:16) Movies
    • Ivan: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
    • Ivan: Her (2013)
    • Sam: Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
    • Ivan: X-Men Movies (2000-2017)
    • Ivan: Dunkirk (2017)
    • Sam: The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
    • Ivan: Rough Night (2017)
    • Sam: Calling All Engines (2002)
    • Sam: Escape from Witch Mountain (1995)
    • Sam: The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017)
  • (1:09:31-1:46:10) Random Stuff
    • Ivan: Atlanta airport power failure
    • Sam: Feedback from Diane
    • Ivan: Apple slowing down phones
    • Sam: Puerto Rico update
    • Ivan: Bitcoin
    • Sam: Swiftkey and Swype
    • Ivan: Trump challenge coin


[Ep 551] 2018 Predictions Show [2:35:11]
Recorded: Thu, 2017-Dec-28 UTC
Published: Sat, 2017-Dec-30 22:18 UTC

This week's Curmudgeon's Corner is the annual predictions show! Sam and Ivan give all their predictions for 2018 on the topics of politics, the economy, technology, international issues, and other random things too. Basically, predictions on anything they can think of. How will they do? Listen now and every week for the next year, and you will find out!

  • (0:00:15-0:19:33) But First
  • (0:20:42-0:53:49) Politics I
  • (0:54:34-1:22:22) Politics II
  • (1:25:40-1:45:51) Economics
  • (1:46:30-2:00:21) Technology
  • (2:02:03-2:15:02) International
  • (2:15:42-2:34:51) Hodgepodge

Credits

The Curmudgeon's Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch.
Our intro is "The Oh of Pleasure" (Amazon MP3 link)
Our outro is "Celestial Soda Pop" (Amazon MP3 link)
Both are from the album "Deep Breakfast" (iTunes link)
Please buy his music!

These podcasts are produced by Abulsme Productions.
They are released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Creative Commons License

Abulsme Productions also produces the Wiki of the Day family of podcasts.
Check those out too!


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