It Was 20 Years Ago Today

Friday, October 17, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was signed into law.  This law provided the framework for Native American tribes to run casinos on tribal land, and thus transformed the American landscape.  I talk a little about the Act, its impact, and share some of my own perspectives about gambling.

Saturday, October 11, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the first National Coming Out Day was observed.  I talk about this holiday which promotes awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights and equality.  I also talk about how my belief in the eqality of LGBT folks was first put to the test, just a little over twenty years ago.The image at the right is a "Safe Space" logo, used in corporate environments to demonstrate a commitment to tolerance and equality for GLBT people.  I'm proud to have had one on my cubicle wall at work for nearly a decade.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, station WNBC in New York signed off for the last time.  I talk about the station which was a pioneer in the world of broadcasting, as well as my own memories of listening to the radio -- particularly AM radio -- when I was growing up.

Monday, October 6, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the president of Chile, Augusto Pinochet, went on television to concede defeat in a plebiscite which was intended to confirm him in power.  The picture here was taken about a month before the plebiscite took place.  I share my thoughts about what happened in Chile 20 years ago, as well as my own efforts in the cause of human rights.

Sunday, October 5, 2008.  Twenty years ago today, Senators Lloyd Bentsen and Dan Quayle met for their vice-presidential debate.  Out of that debate came one of the finest political zingers of all time.  I recall that moment, and my own opinions of it.In addition to his famous put-down, Bentsen also coined another political term, "astroturfing," to describe what appears to be a grass-roots activism effort that really isn't.An extra special thanks to Joe Medina, who got the sound clip for me by extracting it from a video file.  It seems that there are plenty of video copies of this moment out on the net, but no standalone audio!

Friday, October 3, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the space shuttle Discovery landed, marking the successful conclusion of mission STS-26. I talk about that mission, which marked the return to flight after the loss of shuttle Columbia over two years before, and share my love for and memories of the space program.This show also marks the second anniversary of "It Was 20 Years Ago Today."  I want to thank everyone who has made this show possible, especially Joe Medina, who has always been there with research, technical help and motivation.  Marc Rose composed and performs the theme music, and has also given technical help, as has Sam A. Mowry of the Willamette Radio Workshop.  Thank you all so much!I also want to thank all of you who take the time to download and listen to the show, whether it be every episode or just a few.  Two years is nearly forever in the world of podcasting, but I hope to keep this show going for a long time still.  The best is yet to come!

Monday, September 29, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Charles Addams died at the age of 76.  I take a look at the life and career of the celebrated cartoonist of the creepy and the influence he had on my life.If by some chance you have not seen the Addams Family commercial for M&Ms Dark Chocolate, you can find it on the M&Ms website.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Monday, September 22, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the Canadian Government announced an act of redress toward Japanese Canadians who had been interned during World War II.  I talk about the Canadian act, as well as the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, its United States counterpart, which had been signed into law just six weeks earlier.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, September 18, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the number one movie at the USA box office was "A Fish Called Wanda."  I talk about why this is one of my favorite movies of all time, as well as offering a few observations about the difference between the box office charts then and now.  For both the number one and two movies to have been in release for two months is something just about impossible today.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Saturday, September 13, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Gilbert became the most intense hurricane ever measured in the western hemisphere.  I talk about Gilbert, its intensity, path, and effects.  I also add some thoughts of my own about the people who live and work in the paths of tropical cyclones.As this podcast goes out, Hurricane Ike is wreaking havoc on the coast of Texas and Louisiana.  If you can spare a few dollars to help the many thousands of people gravely affected by this storm, I'd encourage you to take a few minutes and make a donation to the American Red Cross or other disaster relief agency of your choice.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, September 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the New York Times featured an article about a new computer chat service called Aline. I talk about that long-gone service and also about another computer chat protocol invented twenty years ago and still going strong, IRC.  I also discuss how the revolution in online communications has affected the world of science fiction fandom.If you happen to be a Doctor Who fan and would be interested in seeing that last fanzine, I have it available as a PDF.  Just email me.  For more fan fiction online, you can check out the site fanfiction.net, a clearinghouse of creative efforts from fans of more TV shows and movies than you can possibly imagine.  I do have one story there myself, in the Babylon 5 section, and a fragment in the Crusade section.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For December 15, 2007. Twenty years ago on this day, digging began on the tunnel beneath the English Channel.  I describe a little about the Channel Tunnel (also known as Eurotunnel or the Chunnel), a concept drawing of which is seen here.  I also talk about why I find large engineering and construction projects like the Chunnel so fascinating.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, August 28, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a mid-air collision during an airshow at Ramstein Air Base in West Germany killed three pilots and 67 people on the ground.  I talk about how this event, possibly the worst airshow disaster in history, took place, and about the emotional reaction I had to it.Witnesses and survivors of the Ramstein airshow disaster can be found in a number of places on the Internet -- a principal one is at the site www.flugtag88.com.  The translation of lyrics for the song 'Ramstein,' along with many other Rammstein songs, can be found at the fan site Herzeleid.com.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Friday, August 22, 2008. The feature article in Sports Illustrated twenty years ago today (the cover of the magazine is pictured here) was all about a history-making trade of a history-making player, Wayne Gretzky.  I talk about the trade, Gretzky's career, and how his being traded to the Los Angeles Kings influenced the development of the National Hockey League in the years after.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, August 21, 2008.  Twenty years ago today, farm labor leader Cesar Chavez ended a water-only fast after 36 days.  I take a look at Chavez, his fast, and his legacy, as well as several issues that were part of his life's work -- the plight of farm workers and the ongoing controversy over immigration.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a cease-fire began which ended the Iran-Iraq War.  I take a look at some of the effects of a war that lasted nearly eight years, but is still having a direct effect on us, twenty years after it ended.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Monday, August 18, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the drug minoxidil was approved by the FDA as a treatment for male pattern baldness.  It is still sold today, most often under the brand name Rogaine.  I talk about minoxidil and male pattern baldness -- an issue which is every bit as important to those who have to deal with it today as it was twenty years ago.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For November 11, 2007.  It was twenty years ago that the major label debut of rap artist Ice-T, 'Rhyme Pays,' was released.  There's no explicit lyrics in this podcast, but I do talk about the record and its influence on the genre.  I also offer some thoughts on the nature of soul, art, and pop culture.Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

For October 23, 2007. Twenty years ago on this day, the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court was rejected by the U.S. Senate. I talk about the Bork nomination, how I listened to the hearings, and offer my interpretation of some of the catchphrases that fly around whenever there's a Supreme Court nomination on the table.This is the first of a number of "backlog" episodes which I'll be posting along with current date ones.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, June 8, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a young man named James Frey was arrested for drunk driving.  This would have been an event of little import except for the fact that Frey wrote about it fifteen years later, in a book that purported to be a memoir but turned out to have little to do with reality.  I take a look at the story of 'A Million Little Pieces,' and also compare the sort of memoirs which were on the bestseller list twenty years ago and today.The full version of James Frey's June 8, 1998 mugshot, and much of the information about the lies in 'A Million Little Pieces,' can be found at The Smoking Gun website.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.