Fortress of Solitude

Great Caesar's Ghost!!!!! Stephen has his undies in a bunch. Who can blame him? The current movie version of Superman - Man of Steel - isn't the same as what he remembers from his boyhood days. Superman isn't wearing the required red underwear.

Stephen, styles change. This seems to be a recurring gripe of his. First he was crowing about The Lone Ranger, now he's flying off the handle about Superman. There are more important things to worry about. Such as wheat.

Wheat? Yes, wheat. Monsanto created some genetically modified wheat that was not supposed to be planted and grown commercially. But, it was found growing in a farmer's field in Oregon. How could this happen? The wheat was not to be used, had to be destroyed, and so it was buried in the middle of a field. The whole problem with this is that foreign countries are not going to buy wheat like this. And to be sure they don't get any of that "frankengrain" they just aren't buying any wheat from United States farmers in any states at all. Okay, that's a problem. Stephen had Laurie Garrett, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, on the show to talk about this grainy problem. She told Stephen that Monsanto says it could have been sabotage that got these super wheat seeds out in the rural world.

Besides the problem of no one wanting our wheat is the problem with the weeds growing in the wheat field. At some time, I'm thinking late at night, the weeds take on characteristics of the wheat via gene sharing. That means that the weeds have become super weeds and weed killer won't kill the weeds. Laurie Garrett told Stephen that there is probably not a threat to humans with what many are calling "zombie wheat" although Stephen is concerned about the return of the walking bread.

There is this problem that the wheat is a super wheat and isn't killed even by the baddest of the bad boy weed killers. No problem, just make a stronger weed killer and hope that no one makes a badder, stronger genetically modified wheat. If they do, then amp up the weed killer again. Another option - Krypton. No one else has thought of this, as far as I know.

Also of note is that the Stephen and Laurie Garrett discussed the Farmer Assurance Provision which makes it illegal to sue over issues about Genetically Modified Crops. Good timing!

Stephen welcomed Jonathan Alter to the show to talk about his recent book, "The Center Holds - Obama and His Enemies." Jonathan honored Stephen by comparing him to Paul Ryan. Stephen agreed, noting they both did the same exercise regimen. (I think Stephen does it better though, if we judge by the visible results.)

Stephen quizzed Jonathan Alter on how Barack Obama won the 2012 election. According to Jonathan Alter, part of it was the Geek Gap working in the Cave. A bunch of people worked to assist 2,000,000 volunteers who were working out in the field - knocking on doors, etc. I think a few emails were sent out also asking for donations. One thing Mitt Romney did was to use some of the people who had previously worked on Ronald Reagan's campaign. So, two different strategies - one outcome.

A Pile of Lunch Meat Chose the White Bread

Stephen is back from vacationing in the Cayman Islands with his money and was sad that he didn't get to cover the crowning of  a new Pope. (Note: Pope Francis was not crowned and seems unlikely to want riches of that sort.) Actually, Stephen wanted to cover the naming of a new Pope. It is as important as the Superbowl but without so many "Thank-you Jesus thanks prayers." Stephen did has some coverage about the new Pope and showed Fox News with the safe analysis of the smoke. "It's gray." Can't go wrong with that.

Stephen told us about a book based on a movie based on the Bible. It was very confusing. It seems like it will be a big ratings winner and isn't that what the Bible is all about?

The really big news that everyone is talking about is the renaming of the Conference Room over at The Campaign Legal Center. The president is Trevor Potter. That name should be familiar to you. If not, read more here and also here. Or you can just read posts here about Trevor Potter. Anyway, the Conference Room was renamed in honor of Ham Rove. I would just love to have my next committee meeting in "THE HAM ROVE MEMORIAL CONFERENCE ROOM." It is such a fitting tribute to Ham Rove and also to Karl Rove who was the mentor for Ham Rove. Now admittedly there could be some confusion for a small minority of people about the difference between the mentor and the mentee. So, before you enjoy your Easter dinner, first ask, "Did you ever put anti-gay marriage legislation in swing states to tip the scales in the 2004 Presidential Election?" If it answers Yes or if it answers anything at all, best not to eat that Ham. It could be Karl Rove.

Stephen extended an invitation for Karl Rove to join him this Sunday for an Easter Feast.

Stephen's guest last night was Junot Diaz. He has a very impressive set of credentials, but Stephen, being a humble man, was not impressed. Among other things, he teaches Writing at MIT. And he is on the Board of Freedom University. Freedom University is dedicated to teaching undocumented immigrants. Junot Diaz had an interesting comparison. Think about Superman. He arrived here from Krypton through no plans of his own and yet we accepted him. Think about all the positive things Superman accomplished here! Right. So it just makes sense to me that we should be doing more to help these other immigrants achieve all that they can. Stephen raised many pertinent questions which Junot Diaz answered well and yet not to Stephen's liking. They discussed the Eternal Question of what language is spoken on Krypton. I must admit that I do not know the answer to that question.

As important as this University seems to be to Junot Diaz and as committed as he seems to be to the University, he admitted that there is no official sweatshirt for the school. Stephen was ready to help him out. He brought out a sweatshirt, a nice grey hoodie, with red letters that say "Freedom University - Established 2011" on it. Junot Diaz was overwhelmed with joy. "This is great!" Actually, it just had the initials for Freedom University on it, but you get the idea.