Ask A Genius 498 – An Arena of Art: Decay of Culture, Pretty Killy, and Kinda Corrupt (2)

In-Sight Publishing


January 8, 2019

[Beginning of recorded material]

Rick Rosner: Bush 43 and Obama were overly killy. Perhaps, to the point, they could be considered war criminals. This may be more from outside the US in terms of perspective, as you’re outside the US, Scott.

Domestically, Obama stands for a return to political morality. We can hope that he still has enough influence over much of America. Gerrymandering of states is still an advantage of giving Republicans an unfair advantage.

I remember in the early 60s and 70s reading a couple science fiction novels: in particular, Stand on Zanzibar and The Sheep Look Up. It presents near futures, about 20 years from then, where you had a president who is just an idiot figurehead. A good-looking man who stood for nothing and did dumb stuff.

There is actually historical precedent. Warren Harding was elected because he was a good-looking guy and among our worst presidents. In the 1920s, super corrupt, super incompetent, died two and a half years into office, it is limiting the damage. But he did damage.

He was elected on the premise of being handsome. In the 80s, whether you agree with him or not, he had substance. He had a political philosophy. You could argue that he wasn’t super smart. But he tried to appoint competent people.

They fit his Republican philosophy. They were competent and experienced people. Even if, you did not like the philosophy. He got in plenty of trouble. His professionals got him into the Iran-Contra scandal, which had a lot of illegality.

[End of recorded material]


Rick Rosner

American Television Writer


Rick Rosner

Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Editor-in-Chief, In-Sight Publishing


In-Sight Publishing


[1] Four format points for the session article:




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