"The Hierophant" Excerpt

Buy My Book:

"Independent Thinking" with Steve Gelder

Here's today's podcast:

 
Episode 208: A Tripp Through The Headlines

Steve welcomes comedian, former journalist and author James Tripp to the show. They talk about James' new book, "The Hierophant", how the media is failing to do their job when it comes to reporting on the candidates, the role of religion in society, how the Internet will eventually be taken over by corporate interests, and summering in Martha's Vineyard with Gary Hart.
Buy My Book:

James Tripp, Inc.

Buy My Book:

Free Speech Show 15th Anniversary

James Tripp, Cathy Ladman, January Thomas, Bil Dwyer, Sean Green, Laurie Buckley and Steve Gelder join host Bill Bronner to celebrate the "Free Speech 15th Anniversary."
 
Buy My Book:

Comedy

Buy My Book:

A Clarification

Buy My Book:

Trippitorial - The Democratic Convention

Well, the Democratic convention is over, and they win. And while President Obama didn’t sing, like I was hoping he would, he didn’t have to. The DNC had a much better talent booker than the RNC. Hollywood was in the DNC house! Why couldn't my agent get me a gig as a DNC delegate? I think most of the delegates there were probably represented by Rahm Emanuel's brother, the Hollywood agent. Not me. Scarlet Johansson made a speech. I'd listen to her even if she was just talking to an empty chair.

The Democrats had some top acts. The Republicans couldn’t even license music. The artists didn’t want royalties from royalists. The best the Republicans could do was hire G.E. Smith and his cover band, which was good because they needed the work. There aren’t too many high school mixers when school is out. Listening to the Republican convention was like listening to a YouTube video where the original music was removed because of copyright violation and replaced by something in the public domain. Even Chris Christie’s favorite singer. Bruce Springsteen was heard at the DNC, but not at the RNC. They did have Clint Eastwood, who I’m sure, during president Obama’s acceptance speech, was yelling at his television.

One thing was the same about both conventions. The chants of “USA! USA!” Apparently the Democrats were in the same place as the Republicans. Overall, I’d say the Democratic convention was inspirational and the Republican convention was full of doom and gloom, which, incidentally, is my name for Romney and Ryan. The DNC looked like America in 2012. The RNC looked like the USA in 1950.

The Republicans seemed like the party of yesterday, it was your grandfather’s party. “Shove it up your ass.” Oh sure, sometimes he says crazy things, but that’s grandpa, he doesn’t know any better. The DNC had more statesmen than RNC.

There were a lot of women on the DNC stage and I don’t think any of them will vote for Mitt Romney even though Ann Romney loves women. Some of those union thug teachers were represented at the DNC. The Vice President’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden, is a teacher, although I got the feeling if she had been my teacher, she would have given me detention.

The DNC seemed more serious about education. Republicans think people should be educated, but they shouldn't be so educated that they vote for Democrats.

There was a film about senator Ted Kennedy, and by the time it was over, you wanted to vote for him. And why not? If the RNC is registering dead voters, the DNC should run dead candidates. I’ll bet he’d win. Ted Kennedy for Zombie President! I’m glad I didn't play the Kennedy drinking game. There’s more now than ever! They kept popping up everywhere. They’re like Tribbles!

The GOP didn’t seem to want to talk about their living ex-Presidents, or their candidate for that matter, but the DNC had a major speech by former president Bill Clinton. He wanted to talk about arithmetic, which I was prepared for because I had just sharpened a number 2 pencil. Clinton looked like he was having fun. For a minute, I thought he was going to announce he was running. The crowd was shouting "four more years" for whom?

The DNC speakers weren't afraid to talk about their candidate. I'm not sure if most of the speakers at the RNC knew who their candidate was. It seemed like some of them were running for 2016. I won’t vote for them then either. I’ll probably be running myself. And I’ll ask, "Are you better off now than you will be in four years?"

Buy My Book:

Live Tweets From The Democratic Convention - Night 3

2:11 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

The #DNC has a better talent booker than the #RNC.

Get ready for #ClintEastwood to yell at his television.

3:59 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

Anyone else notice the #Dems are inspirational and the #GOP full of gloom?

4:16 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#JoeBiden is doing his #JohnBoehner impersonation.

I'd listen to #ScarlettJohansson even if she was talking to an #emptychair.

5:05 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

is glad he didn't play the #Kennedy drinking game.

#JohnKerry is a flip calling a flopper.

#DNC has more statesmen than #RNC.

6:11 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

Chants of #USA. The #Democrats are in the same place as the #Republicans were last week.

I get the feeling #JillBiden would have given me detention.

8:06 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

It's #ChrisChristie's favorite singer. #BruceSpringsteen

Buy My Book:

Live Tweets From The Democratic Convention - Night 2

3:02 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

This would be a good time for former AG #JohnAshcroft to sing "Let the eagles soar!"

3:41 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

The #DNC speakers aren't afraid to talk about their candidate. I'm still waiting to learn who was nominated by #RNC.

This sermon makes me think they'll soon be passing the collection plate.

4:14 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#Teachers are union thugs!

A #Cartoon so even the #RNC can understand.

#BarbaraMikulski looks like she could kick #PaulRyan's ass.

#GOP thinks people should be educated, but they shouldn't be so educated that they vote for somebody else.

4:50 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

had a #PellGrant in college.

5:02 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#DNC looks like #America in 2012. #RNC looks like #USA in 1950.

If there's a politician who doesn't say, "God Bless America," #God bless him.

Out of focus background behind #Hickenlooper looks like a #VanGogh.

6:46 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#MittRomney turned me into a newt!

7:08 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

wishes the people who were against birth control would use it.

Just because #RNC made God a delegate to their convention, doesn't mean the #DNC should imitate.

Godspeed, #ElizabethWarren.

7:33 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#DNC nominates #God for President, makes  

#BarackObama capital of #Israel.

7:35 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

Roxanne, you don't have to put on that #bluedress. #BillClinton

#PresClinton knows about burning sensation.

I didn't know there would be math.

I think #BillClinton is about to announce he's running.

7:50 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

"Four more years" for who? #BillClinton

#RNC=Zeero.

#BillClinton is in his element. Bet he does an encore.

#BillClinton is schooling the #RNC.

8:10 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

wishes #Congress knew as much as #BillClinton.

#BillClinton II--"This time it's personal."

8:19 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#BillClinton is trying to beat his previous record for longest speech at a #DemocraticConvention.

8:22 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#BillClinton is calling the #RNC on all their shit.

Buy My Book:

Live Tweets From The Democratic Convention - Night 1

3:53 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#Newark Mayor #CoryBooker's speech is proof positive that not all African Americans are #Republicans.

4:07 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

Are wide ties back in fashion? #HarryReid

The #DNC hasn't had a speaker this exciting since #JoeLieberman ran for Vice-President. #HarryReid

Bring back #ClintEastwood. #HarryReid

4:14 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

would like to see #HarryReid's speech delivered by anyone else.

Was that book #PresidentObama holding made in the #USA?

I wonder if all the women on the #DNC stage will vote for #MittRomney because #AnnRomney likes #women?

After watching #GOPConvention, I didn't think former President's appeared at Conventions. #JimmyCarter

Will #PresidentObama sing at #DNCConvention?

Let's vote for #TedKennedy!

If #RNC is registering dead voters, #DNC should run dead candidates.

#TedKennedy for #ZombiePresident!

#TedKennedy is no #JosephPKennedyIII.

5:06 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#TedKennedy vs. #MittRomney : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn0GYg1PjUY …

Who built the #infrastructure?

#Hollywood is in the #DNC house!

Why couldn't my agent get me a gig as a #DNC delegate?

#Republicans believe in #education too, as long as voters aren't educated about them.

5:58 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

"Are you better off now than you will be in four years?"

Let #BainCapital go bankrupt.

6:07 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

will give a toaster to #MittRomney if he opens an account at US bank.

How many celebrities at #DNC does #Rahm's agent brother represent?

#KalPenn has first #chair joke. It's funny.

#KalPenn would make great homeroom president!

#DNC has real diversity vs. #RNC #CentralCasting window dressing.

#Ledbetter sings "Goodnight, #Mitt."

Say "No" to #MittRomney.

7:48 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

#MichelleObama makes me want to eat my vegetables.

8:09 pm PST James Tripp ‏@thejamestripp

Just because #God was a #GOP delegate, doesn't mean the #DNC has to play the #GodGame.

Buy My Book: