A year and a week ago on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan made their predictions for 2021. As usual there were predictions in the categories of Politics, International, Economy, Technology, and of course Hodgepodge. Tune in this week to find out how they did! Spoilers: They did better than they did with their 2020 predictions! Of course that isn't saying all that much… And ignore Sam saying this was recorded on Friday the 7th. It was Saturday the 8th. UTC anyway. He just got confused.

• (0:00:23-0:08:00) Intro
• (0:09:01-0:41:09) Politics
• (0:41:55-0:57:51) International
• (0:59:35-1:06:22) Economy
• (1:07:00-1:18:42) Technology
• (1:19:33-1:45:32) Hodgepodge
• (1:45:49-1:53:27) Outro

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan discuss the pandemic, Biden's legislative morass, and the latest on January 6th investigations and indictments. But first, Sam complains about his computer and the difficulties it has been giving him lately, while Ivan fantasizes about a fancy new desk and chopping his current one up into little tiny bits.

• (0:00:23-0:42:26) But First
  • Sam's iMac
  • Ivan's desk
  • Sam: Holiday shopping
• (0:42:43-1:23:25) Pandemic
  • Trends
  • Family anecdotes
  • Confusing guidance
  • Biden admin messaging
  • Mitigation effectiveness
• (1:24:06-1:41:50) Legislative Morass
  • Voting rights push
  • Limits of 50/50 Senate
  • Electoral Count Act
• (1:42:51-2:10:54) January 6th
  • Congressional investigation
  • Oathkeeper indictments
  • Connections to Trump?
  • Connections to Congress?
  • Stuff at the end

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about the pandemic and about politics. Surprise, surprise, surprise. Nobody would ever have guessed that. Specifically, some chat on the economic impact of the pandemic, the free tests, the free masks, and what the Democratic agenda looks like after the failure of the voter rights legislation, as well as current status on the various investigations going on in Washington. Before all that though, some chat about computers, cars, and Ivan getting Covid. And concern for a long time listener.

• (0:00:28-0:37:35) But First
  • Listener Greg
  • Sam's computers
  • Ivan's Covid
  • Ivan's car their
  • Car lock outs
• (0:38:20-1:31:09) Pandemic
  • Worldwide trends
  • Economic impact
  • Current US situation
  • Peloton
  • Free stuff
• (1:32:51-2:15:49) Politics
  • Filibuster drama
  • BBB redux
  • January 6th stuff
  • Trump investigations
  • End stuff

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, after a short disclaimer, and a longer interlude of Alex interruptions followed by his expulsion, which you can jump over by going to the nine minute mark by the way, Ivan and Sam get down to business and discuss Ivan's laundry and the 1979 Star Trek movie. Yeah, it was that kind of start. After that though, they talk Boris Johnson parties, Ukraine, culture wars, SCOTUS, and the economy. So they do get to the serious stuff eventually. Before Alex has to be expelled again. It was of course Alex that insisted on including his two expulsions.

• (0:00:01-0:02:25) Disclaimer
• (0:02:26-0:08:57) Kicking out Alex
• (0:09:22-0:41:08) But First
  • Ivan's Covid recovery
  • Ivan's laundry
  • Sam Movie: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
• (0:41:59-1:22:29) International
  • Boris parties
  • Ukraine
• (1:22:47-2:17:09) Domestic
  • Culture wars
  • SCOTUS
  • Economic growth
  • End stuff

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner Sam and Ivan talk about the pandemic again, the escalating situation in Ukraine, Facebook/Meta's problems, and some on Whoopi and the NFL. Before all that, in the light and frothy part of the show, discussion on changing jobs remotely, going back to the gym after a break, what "moderate" weather is like, and more. Enjoy!

• (0:00:36-0:38:44) But First
  • Sam: Jobs, Audio, and Computers
  • Ivan: Birthday, Gym, and Cold
• (0:39:18-1:12:11) Segment One
  • Sam: Pandemic
  • Ivan: Ukraine
• (1:14:12-2:09:14) Lightning Two
  • Sam: Facebook and Meta
  • Ivan: Race, Whoopi, and the NFL

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan discuss the economy and the pandemic, as well as Trump's incredible document retention practices, "legitimate political discourse" and the continuing January 6th investigations. On the lighter side, Ivan talks vacation planning, and Sam reviews a book. Fun!

• (0:00:22-0:34:05) But First
  • Ivan: Vacation Planning
  • Sam: Book: Quarry (1976)
• (0:34:24-1:21:41) Round One
  • Ivan: Economy
  • Sam: Pandemic
• (1:23:42-2:05:27) Round Two
  • Ivan: Trump Record Retention
  • Sam: Legitimate Political Discourse

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan fight tech problems on Sam's side to put out a show anyway. Sam sounds like he is on another planet. But is that really all that new? In any case, they talk about the escalating Ukraine situation and Trump's legal woes in the more serious part of the show. But first, they talk about unboxing videos, and traveling via smaller airports. So enjoy the show!

• (0:00:56-0:21:23) But First
  • Ivan: Unboxing Videos
  • Sam: Small Airports
• (0:22:13-0:50:34) Ukraine
  • Biden strategy
  • What next?
  • Economic fallout
  • China watching?
• (0:52:35-1:14:21) Trump
  • Mazars
  • Trump's cash gap
  • Closing in
  • Trump's long term impact

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan do some preliminaries on internet speed, migrating Windows systems, and using the actual phone. But most of the show is on Ukraine. Because how could it be on anything else? They include everything from their personal reactions, to the current situation on the ground, to what is happening with sanctions, to what might happen next. Everything you would expect.

• (0:00:01-0:03:35) Cold Open
• (0:03:58-0:24:25) But First
  • Sam: Internet Speed
  • Sam: Migrating Windows
  • Ivan: Calling People
• (0:25:14-1:34:28) Ukraine
  • Personal Reactions
  • Correct Predictions
  • Status Update
  • Russian Domestic Reaction
  • International Sanctions
  • What Next?

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan again spend most of the show talking about Ukraine and everything surrounding that, from the current situation on the ground, to various Russian miscalculations, to the dangers of escalation, to the racist reactions to this conflict vs other recent conflicts elsewhere. But first, Sam apologizes for something from last week because of his experiences since then, and Ivan talks about aging and how that seems different now than 30 or 40 years ago.

• (0:00:01-0:01:24) Cold Open
• (0:01:45-0:32:56) But First
  • Sam: Sick Kid
  • Ivan: Aging
• (0:33:08-1:53:16) Ukraine
  • WotD Delay
  • Situation On The Ground
  • Russian Weaknesses
  • Avoiding Escalation
  • Information War
  • Putin's Miscalculations
  • Racist Reactions

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about watches, computers, inflation, and Ukraine. That's about what you would think they would talk about this week, isn't it? Well, you would be right. Although it might have been hard to guess the watches and computers part, those come up less often these days. But Ukraine and inflation? Yeah, those were gimmies.

• (0:00:42-0:40:24) But First World Problems
  • Ivan: Rolex Watches
  • Sam: Mac Studio
• (0:41:11-1:09:24) Inflation
  • Oil and Gasoline
  • Impact on Efficiency
  • Demand Reduction
• (1:09:58-1:58:46) Ukraine
  • Current Situation
  • Escalation Concerns
  • Possible Outcomes
  • Economic Squeeze
  • Hostage Taking
  • Ukrainian Offensive?

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, once again Sam and Ivan's main topic is Ukraine, and all the various issues surrounding that. But first, Ivan starts talking about emotional support animals on planes, but takes a sharp turn into discussing the persistence of racism in the US and worldwide, and Sam dutifully does the biannual discussion of changing the clocks. Oh, and at the very end, some very very bad karaoke. Sort of.

• (0:00:01-0:01:06) Cold Open
• (0:01:27-0:39:11) But First
  • Ivan: Emotional Support Animals
  • Ivan: Persistence of Racism
  • Sam: Permanent Savings Time
• (0:40:11-1:46:05) Ukraine
  • Current Status
  • Weak Russian Position
  • Threading the Needle
  • Economic Interconnections
  • Shrinking Overton Windows
  • Stuff at the End
• (1:46:34-1:48:03) Hot Close

On this week’s Curmudgeon’s Corner, of course Sam and Ivan talk about Ukraine for quite a bit. But not the whole show this time. This week you also get to hear them discuss Clarence and Ginni Thomas, the SCOTUS confirmation hearings, housing markets, their experiences with the pros and cons of various beverages, Sam’s thoughts on a movie and some TV shows, and even more!

• (0:00:23-0:36:06) But First
  • Ivan: Hills and Mountains
  • Ivan: Lunch with Bruce
  • Ivan: Tea and Other Beverages
  • Sam Movie: Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans (2021)
• (0:36:43-1:22:00) Potpourri
  • Ivan: Housing Markets
  • Sam: The Thomases
  • Sam: SCOTUS Hearings
• (1:24:01-2:01:46) Ukraine
  • Situation Update
  • Can Ukraine Actually Win?
  • Escalate to De-escalate?
  • Oil Dependencies
  • Refugees
  • Stuff at the End

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan do indeed talk about Ukraine. It was recorded before the latest revelations of war crimes in Bucha and other towns outside Kyiv, so you'll have to wait until next week for them to react to that, but they do discuss many other aspects of the conflict. Plus a discussion of different things than can be frothy, various aspects of backups and using multiple monitors, a check in with the Covid situation, and even some Hunter Biden stuff. So listen in now!

• (0:00:01-0:00:51) Cold Open
• (0:01:15-0:31:55) But First
  • Frothy Things
  • Box Pile
  • Multiple Monitors
  • Work Backups
• (0:32:57-1:10:26) Ukraine
  • Ukrainian Attack on Russian Soil?
  • Russian Retreat in the North
  • Possible End States
  • Putin's Information Flow
  • Military Capabilities
  • Refugee Situation
• (1:10:44-1:49:29) Potpourri
  • Is Covid Finally Done?
  • Hunter Biden Stuff
  • Ending Thingy

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan's main topic is once again Ukraine. The recent reports of war crimes and how that makes deescalation harder. How the situation with Russian rubles and oil is turning out. All of that sort of thing. But Ivan also discusses his experiences at the mall, and Sam talks about a movie with really bad reviews that he liked anyway. Enjoy!

• (0:00:01-0:01:42) Cold Open
• (0:02:06 -0:44:12) But First
  • Sam: Tingling
  • Ivan: Phone for Manu
  • Ivan: Mall Shooting
  • Sam Movie: Extinct (2021)
• (0:46:13-1:45:26) Ukraine
  • Mall Shooting Update
  • Extinct Update
  • War Crimes
  • Upping the Ante
  • Rubles and Oil
  • Mini Potpourri
  • End Stuff

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam is joined by his wife Brandy Donaghy, who since she last appeared on the show in 2019 ran for a couple of local offices, got appointed to the Washington State House of Representatives, had an eventful first session, and is now running to keep her State House seat. So they talk about how she got involved in local politics in the first place, her various campaigns, her thoughts about the State House, and getting back to campaigning. A bit of a switch from the usual Curmudgeon's Corner, but fun!

• (0:00:11-0:06:41) Intro
• (0:07:31-0:53:44) Political History
• (0:55:44-1:34:25) WA Legislative Session
• (1:35:08-2:01:07) 2022 Campaign

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan discuss various people being cowardly in the Republican Party, if Trump's influence is starting to wane, and if so if other Republicans like Abbott or DeSantis will just easily pick up that mantle, as well as how Democrats are doing at reacting to all that, and how the economy might eclipse all of that. Plus Sam being sick, Ivan resuming business travel, and even the Price is Right. Oh, and Ukraine. They do not forget Ukraine.

• (0:00:01-0:02:53) Cold Open
• (0:03:19-0:29:28) But First
  • Sam is Sick
  • Ivan Resumes Business Travel
• (0:29:45-1:19:24) Potpourri the First
  • Ivan: The Price Is Right
  • Ivan: GOP Chickens
  • Sam: Trump Fading?
  • Sam: Florida Man DeSantis
  • Sam: Defensive Democrats
  • Sam: Democratic Bench
• (1:21:08-2:09:04) Potpourri the Second
  • Ivan: Ukraine Update
  • Sam: Inflation vs Democrats
  • Ivan: Economy Overall
  • End Stuff

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan discuss the latest in economic news, as well as some political highlights. You know. Inflation. Chances of a recession. The McCarthy Tapes. MTG. Cawthorn. Even a little on Elon Musk and Twitter. Oh, and Sam discusses his struggles to renew his passport. Great fun!

• (0:00:01-0:02:01) Cold Open
• (0:02:26-0:33:45) But First
  • Agenda
  • Expired Passport
• (0:35:28-1:19:07) Economy
  • Examples
  • Disruptive Forces
  • Deficits, Spending, and Taxes
  • Recession Coming?
  • Economic Integration
• (1:20:14-2:01:46) Political
  • McCarthy Tapes
  • Does Anything Matter?
  • MTG Hearings
  • Cawthorn Troubles
  • Musk Twitter
  • End Stuff

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam gives up the microphone to three women to discuss the leak of the draft SCOTUS opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. Kristi, Brandy, and Shelley discuss all the implications of this development. You will hear everything from their personal reactions, to how it will impact people all over the country, to the implications for American politics. Better than hearing from Sam and Ivan on this, don't you think?

• (0:00:24-0:03:52) Introductions
• (0:03:52-2:05:36) Conversation
• (2:05:37-2:13:46) Finishing Up

This week on Curmudgeon's Corner, Ivan is back with Sam to talk about his many experiences related to a Formula 1 race he attended, and some issues that surfaced about attitudes toward wealth. Speaking of wealth, they pivot to Elon Musk's adventures with Twitter, and all the craziness associated with that. Then they close off with a broader discussion of the economy and markets, including the fun crypto implosion. Yay!

• (0:00:24-0:45:25) But First
  • Agenda
  • Floating Houses
  • Puerto Rico
  • Formula 1
  • Money vs Happiness
  • Robbery
• (0:45:42-1:24:58) Twitter / Musk
  • Elon's Bad Deal
  • Elon's Ignorance
  • Elon's Hold
  • Rule of Law
  • Will Twitter Die?
• (1:26:41-2:16:37) Markets / Economy
  • Stock Market
  • Recession?
  • Inflation
  • Crypto Implosion
  • Stuff at the End

On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, for the first time in a long time, Ivan and Sam deliver a show that is almost all politics. Well, except for when they talk about Bill and Ted movies. And Sam's ability to procrastinate. And dreams on TikTok. And a few other random things. But mostly politics. They discuss "Great Replacement Theory", how the Obama Administration was an inflection point, the primary results so far, Democrats not understanding the Hispanic vote, and even a little bit of January 9th stuff. Jam packed!

• (0:00:01-0:03:46) Cold Open
• (0:04:12-21:34) But First
  • Being Behind
  • Sam Movie: Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)
• (0:22:21-1:33:54) Politics 1
  • Break Selection
  • "Great Replacement Theory"
  • Obama Inflection Point
  • Primaries
  • Impact of Overturning Roe
  • Trump's Influence
• (1:34:55-2:15:58) Politics 2
  • Biden Torpedos Florida
  • Democrats Acting Like Boring Losers
  • Inflation
  • J9 Developments
  • Stuff at the End