Issue 022: Civil War Spies, Angry Uncle Bot, Killing A Family Restaurant & Flannel Quilt Porn
Happy Thanksgiving Week! Wherever you find yourself, I hope it's around people you love and delicious food. Enjoy the newsletter and have a great holiday!
A Prestige Drama About The Black Spies Of The Civil War. As I mentioned last week, one of my favorite podcasts, Uncivil, just came back for Season 2.
Uncivil is a history podcast from Gimlet that 'brings you stories that were left out of the official history of the Civil War, ransacks America's past, and takes on the history you grew up with. We bring you untold stories about resistance, covert operations, corruption, mutiny, counterfeiting, antebellum drones, and so much more. And we connect these forgotten struggles to the political battlefield we’re living on right now. The story of the Civil War — the story of slavery, Confederate monuments, racism — is the story of America.'
It covers a lot of ground, but some of my favorite episodes profile the freed and enslaved men and women who risked their lives to spy for the Union while going undercover as slaves.
Human drama, another time period, espionage – sounds like the makings of a great tv show. One that, based in historical fact, also educates us about the untold heroes of the Civil War.
If you haven't listened to Uncivil, you should – and, I'd start with the Peabody Award-winning episode: The Raid. In which, "a group of ex-farmers, a terrorist from Kansas, and a schoolteacher attempt the greatest covert operation of the Civil War."
Remember when the Game Of Thrones showrunners announced (to understandable backlash) a new show where the South won and slavery still exists? Why create an imagined reality when the one that actually happened has so many fascinating narratives that have yet to be dramatized?
To do the eye-rolly Hollywood thing of using existing things to pitch a high concept thing: It's The Americans meets Handmaids Tale set during Django Unchained. And, btw, Uncivil would be a great name for the show. Whadya think?
Here's a special 'consumption junction' to prepare you for Thanksgiving table conversations (and an article about the Speaker of the House).
BACKSTORY: Divided States Of America
The Backstory podcast uses American history to contextualize current events and this episode is one of my recent favs. Did you know Congressmen used to carry guns to protect themselves... from each other?
NYTimes' Angry Uncle Chat Bot
Prepare to talk politics this Thanksgiving with an automated chatbot. As you respond, psychiatrist Dr. Karin Tamerius explains how your responses may be perceived.
Barbara Lee Should Run For Speaker
I haven't liked any of the major alternatives for Nancy Pelosi's Speakership, but the more I read about Barbara Lee, the more I think she's the Democrats' best option.
Food writer Kevin Alexander profiled Stanich's, a Portland diner that had the 'best burger in America.' The popularity resulting from his article overwhelmed the mom & pop shop which – after being a neighborhood landmark since 1949 – was forced to close.
"...And no matter what happens, in all likelihood, the Stanich’s that had been open since 1949, the Stanich’s that I fell in love with, then clumsily broke like Lennie with the puppy in Of Mice and Men, will never be the same again.
And that fact is the thing I can’t quite get past. That a decision I made for a list I put on the internet has impacted a family business and forever altered its future. That I have changed family dynamics and relationships. And it could very easily happen again..."
In the full piece, Kevin wades through his guilt, reflects on what our 'do it for the gram' social curation does to the things we love, and confronts the owners of Stanich's. It's one of the best things I've read in a while. Read here.
If you're traveling home this Thanksgiving to a household that gets the majority of their news from Fox News... save them from the propaganda by putting a parental lock on the channel.
Here's a Slate piece from a few years ago that reminds that Fox blamed Trayvon's murder on him wearing a hoodie, or claimed that poor people with a refrigerator have it pretty good. It also outlines how to lock channels on various cable providers.
I've never been to Canyonlands National Parks and, hot damn, I'd really love to go. This is a photo of the sunrise from Mesa Arch by Albert Yang whose Instagram is amazing.
Nearly any LEGO in the Creator series has me fully on board. Hell, nearly any LEGO. But, the new LEGO Coaster has me about as excited as when the LEGO Monorail first came out.
This super soft flannel quilt from Parachute. Good lord.
I'm not sure if I would use this more for doomsday prepping or backpacking, but either way, I want this straw. Also, when you buy one they send some to developing countries.
GET IT is a new section I'm trying out where I post information about grants, scholarships, awards, or other opportunities you can use to go out and GET IT.
First up, NPR's new 'Reflect America' Fellowship.
WHAT IS IT?
Based on a five-year study of NPR's sources they found out that, like many things, their staff and news sources were "overwhelmingly white, male, and located on the east and west coasts." So, they've started a fellowship for early or mid-career journalists who want to "work and grow in one of the nation's most dynamic newsrooms".
BY THE NUMBERS
It's an 18-month program with a $65k/year salary + benefits that include health insurance and paid vacation.
APPLY
Applications are due Dec 9, 2018.
GO GET IT!
Thanks for reading! I'd love to get your feedback. Favorite segment? What's working? What's not working? What do you want to see more of?