In Search of Sanity

Mark and Clive dive into two local issues - redistricting (aka gerrymandering) and allowing voters to choose vacant elected positions. It seems that more and more the body politic want to adjudicate issues in the courts or in the chamber and view the idea of voting as inconvenient and unnecessary. Their commentary wont surprise you as they advocate for the supremacy of voters, but the origin of the term 'gerrymandering' might!

Mark & Clive are scratching their heads that Neil Young, an icon of freedom and anti-establishment protests, appears to have become infected with cancel culture complex and a victim of the outrage industrial complex. This is not the behavior of sane or reasonable people. At least let's hope not because we love Neil and respect Joe even if we don't always agree with everything they sing or say.

Mark & Clive take a brief look at the recent Cato Institute annual report: 'Freedom in the 50 States' and how California fares. No prizes for guessing where it ranks, although the 'most free' State might surprise you. It's hard not to be partisan when those adjudged to be 'most free' are all governed by Republicans, while those 'least free' by Democrats. Perhaps it all depends on what freedom means to you!

While President Biden & President Trump continue their slanging match, Mark & Clive look forward and ponder what we can learn from the seismic events of 6/1/21. Whatever your political leanings there is something in this podcast for everyone. Unless you are a member of the body politic, in which case there are some questions to be asked and opportunities to be grasped. It's time to move on. Can someone tell the politicians that?

When Mark & Clive applaud AOC, you know you're in for a thought provoking and entertaining 15 minutes. Today they take a closer look at the profiteering politicians who make money from buying and selling stock while privy to information not easily available to us mere mortals. As always, they have a few choice words for those on the gravy train and suggest some reasonable and pragmatic solutions to solve the problem. Don't expect any of them to be adopted anytime soon!

It would be a sorry state of affairs if the architects, producers and presenters of a show whose sole purpose is a search of sanity failed to find any themselves. To cap off 2021 Mark & Clive share what three things kept them sane in this most insane year. Some of them might even surprise you!

Mark & Clive kvetch about the demise of media's reputation. Why do 58% of Americans believe that “most news organisations are more concerned with supporting an ideology or political position than with informing the public”? What can be done about it? It's hard to find a silver lining but there are signs of hope. 

Mark and Clive explore the issues around the progressive policy of forgiving all student debt. Looking at the numbers, the implication is that the cohort who will benefit most are white graduates from the elite universities. Is that 'progressive' or just another form of 'white privilege'? On face value it does seem hypocritical. Is there a fairer way or is it unfair to future graduates and the nation as a whole to forgive debt in the first place? 

With Roe v Wade being challenged in The SCOTUS, Mark & Clive take on the touchy subject of abortion and come up with a controversial compromise. You cant please all the people all the time. That's where democracy can make a difference. Please invest 15 minutes to hear their idea and tell us what you think.

Mark & Clive consider the words of Ronald Reagan, "Trust, but verify" and Abraham Lincoln "The people when rightly and fully trusted will return the trust", question why only 32% of people trust mainstream media and discuss ideas to solve the problem.

A light-hearted yet fact laden and considered review of the 'When Harry Kissed Santa Claus' ad from Norway's Post Office that went viral. Woke smoke or a valuable cultural contribution? It all depends. Find out where our sleigh lands on this issue........

After Mark explains Thanksgiving to Clive, they take a look at the ambition and actions of the newly formed Paso Robles Diversity Panel. Clive reports back on his participation in a public workshop. They look at the elephant in the room. Think about how you celebrate a history and a culture that is both a force for good and sometimes part of the problem. Discuss some practical ideas to accelerate inclusion and help everyone feel like they belong and put the spotlight on Leadership as being both the cause but also the potential solution of the challenge we all own.

Mark and Clive question who, if anyone, wins in the latest show trial caused by violent protests resulting from another police shooting? As usual, no person or agency involved comes out smelling of roses as once again partisan politics taints the whole tragic episode. Listen to find out who deserves the least amount of credit and sympathy and what, if any, sanity can be found in other example of a trail where it seems the only winners are unreasonable people.

With Clive reporting from a rare visit to Los Angeles to see the last Monkees Concert, Mark wonders if bands where half the original members are dead should still be billed as The Monkees, Chicago or The Who. Clive thinks they should. They also look at Mask compliance in LaLa Land (Hint: there doesn't seem to be any), Lockdowns in Austria and dog poop on Hollywood Boulevard.

Mark & Clive explain why they think nobody at their local high school comes out smelling of roses in this latest controversy. Not the teacher, not the students and certainly not The Administration. They ask the question where does equity end and politics and virtue signaling take over? Who should be taking the lead in issues relating to beliefs and culture, Teachers or Parents? Is 'safetyism' "coddling" the next generation? Whatever our perspective, if we aspire to a cohesive and vibrant community, they conclude that we should be accepting of different beliefs and lifestyles, even if we don't approve of them. 

Mark & Clive introduce a new In Search of Sanity series. A 15 minute look at a recent news story or community issue through a non-partisan lens. Today they cover COP26, the climate change conference in Glasgow and wonder why our political and corporate leaders ask us to 'do as they say, not as they do'. Most reasonable people want to do what they can to tackle climate related issues, so why do the elites treat us like children?

Mark scratches his head as President Biden reneges on his pre-election promise not to rely on Executive Orders to make policy and wonders what happened to his commitment to work with both parties. He takes a closer look at some of those Executive Orders and wonders what 'reasonable people' will think of them. While on the issue of what is on the mind of reasonable people, Mark looks at the demands of Teachers' Unions and their catastrophic impact on children's education. Finally, when it comes to being 'reasonable', the less said about Marjorie Taylor Green the better!

Mark gives us his own unique view on the Inauguration and nobody is spared. Flexing his 'equal opportunity offender' muscles Mark takes aim at both sides of the body politic and then shares his ideas on how politicians and the media may start to serve us, the 'reasonable people'.  

This might be Mark's best ThoughtCast so far. You decide! In Part Two, in a search for ideas and not ideology, Mark makes a Hail Mary attempt to find some suggestions on how we might navigate our way out of this "nice mess we've gotten ourselves into". He calls a Brit. Clive. They know all about revolutions! As Sun Tzu said "There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare." It's time to stop the fighting and start rebuilding the 'United' in The United States of America.

This might be Mark's best ThoughtCast so far. You decide! Just as we thought we could look forward to a new year, the insanity went ballistic. In Part One Mark looks at the tragic actions of the last week through multiple lenses. Nobody comes out smelling of roses, least of all the body politic. Mark finds some more odorous than others. In Part Deux, in a search for ideas and not ideology, Mark makes a Hail Mary attempt to find some suggestions on how we might navigate our way out of this "nice mess we've gotten ourselves into". He calls a Brit. Clive. They know all about revolutions!

In Search of Sanity presents a new ThoughtCast that brings two protagonists with opposing views together in search of sanity and common ground. We aim to explore 'ideas not ideology'. The first episode looks at the claims that the American people were cheated because the US Presidential election was tainted by wide scale material election fraud. Sanity prevailed in that two reasonable people were able to agree to disagree while still reaching a consensus on the best way forward.

Mark starts the new year by throwing cold water over lots of subjects, including himself. Sometimes its invigorating, and sometimes he gives his subjects a good soaking. Warning us all against being victims of the hysterical response of Main Stream Media, Mark reminds us that our democracy is not in danger and that nothing is new in our world. Including the fact that both parties have a history of trying to influence the electoral college and invalidate votes. He also gives a soaking to the latest efforts to control the virus.

Mark wraps up an 'insane' year by discussing the latest news locally and nationally, including SLO City's decision to award a 10% pay raise to its highest paid employees in the middle of its biggest recession in modern history at the same time as raising taxes. He calls Clive to get an update on what is happening across the pond with the emergence of a new ' UK mutant virus'. Together they look forward to 2021 and commit to evangelising the principle of independent thinking and being reasonable! Wishful thinking or more insanity?

Whether it's elections, journalism & media bias, free speech or free will, Mark ponders why it is that everything we hold dear seems to be under attack and why it is trust has collapsed in our institutions and in our communities. If the 'way Its working isn't working', what do we need to change to get things back onto an even keel?

Mark looks at the hypocrisy of our State and National political leaders. While we the common folk are locked down, Governor Newsome and other members of the political elite ignore the very rules they insist we follow. Plus Mark looks at Trump's final acts as he looks to keep his followers 'Enraged & Engaged'. 

After being deluged like the rest of us by waterfalls of campaign material, Mark has ticked his boxes and sent in his ballot. In this ThoughtCast, he looks forward to what the next 4 years might look like; nationally, across The State and locally on The Central Coast. Will we be laughing or crying? Probably a bit of both.

The second part of Mark's recent conversation with his In Search of Sanity Partner - Clive Pinder. Mark praises Diane Feinstein for a rare act of non-partisanship. Clive lives up to his 'equal opportunity offender' billing as they tackle the question of why people move to The Central Coast from LA & SFO because they love the community spirit and neighborly values born of 'Pioneer Principles'; then immediately look to challenge those principles and change them. Plus Mark asks Clive for his POTUS prediction.

Mark is joined by Clive, his Co-Founder of In Search of Sanity to have a reasonable conversation about topics of the day. Trying to understand why you can fly in a plane but not go to church? If putting your mask on between bites will really help reduce infection rates? Plus Mark challenges Clive on his opinions on their local newspaper - The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Something here for everyone, and while you may not agree you may think a little differently!

Mark brings his usual irreverence to a quick fire review of some of the more absurd news stories of the week so far. From Michigan militia using PT Cruisers as their attack vehicle of choice, to ICE Cube being accused of selling out black people! Alas none of our political leaders, nationally or locally, come out smelling of roses! Heidi Harmon & Donald Trump especially, and you don't often see those two names in the same sentence! On this occasion boy (girl, ze, xe, ae - take your pick) does Heidi earn it for a classic case of opening mouth before engaging brain!

In this ThoughtCast Mark notes that politicians seem to have perfected the art of not answering questions directly. Journalists seem to have perfected the art of not asking direct questions. While The World Health Organisation seem to change their mind on what the right answers are regularly, with catastrophic economic consequences.

Mark reminisces about the days when comics, writers, musicians and entertainers had the creative license to entertain without fear of being cancelled or worse prosecuted and convicted. Using his trademark appeal for all of us to be 'REASONABLE', Mark encourages everyone to stand up for free speech, demand civil discourse, respect everyone's right to a point of view even if you don't agree with it, and of course to vote.

Mark honors his 'equal opportunity offender' status, giving both sides both barrels as he responds to the latest attempt by both parties to buy our votes through 'stimulus checks'. He also gives his honest opinion on President Trump. Hint, it isn't pretty. Talking of which, he also shares his thoughts on Nancy Pelosi. In the immortal words of the Incredible Hulk...."You wont like me when I'm angry"!

After a debate where direct answers to direct questions were as rare as a politician honoring their campaign promises, Mark takes a quick 10 minute look at some of the absurd and maybe dishonest claims made in the VP Candidate Debate. Followed by 10 minutes pondering about more absurdities doing the CV19 circuit, like wearing masks in between bites!

Mark reminds us that if you want to understand the motivation of people, just follow the money. Sad yet too often true! He looks at recent CV19 controversies at CalPoly as well as local tax increase initiatives on the ballot. All in just over 20 minutes!

Mark returns from a brief hiatus to remind us all that today's 'news' is more interested in stirring the proverbial pot that providing balanced, fact based reporting. From Trump's dice with CV19 to Newsom's pledge to ban gas powered cars, Mark looks under the covers to provide a more reasonable and non-partisan perspective.

Mark musters up all his sense of humour to avoid being outraged. First at the "stitch up" of Nancy Pelosi's haircut, and then at the plans by California to introduce 'Ethnic Studies' to the school curriculum . Then he is joined by Clive across the pond from England to discuss how our allies across the pond are dealing with Coronavirus and the small matter of Black Lives Matter!

Mark reflects on Convention Season. To save us from having to sit through over a weeks worth self-serving character assassinations, grandiose claims and 'egos writing checks their bodies cant cash', Mark threw his own body on the line to spare us the insanity. In this weeks episode, Mark ruminates on what he saw, heard and learned.

The Mark Wilson Show reflects Mark’s organic curiosity about people and the world around him.  This inaugural show sets the stage for Mark's move to podcasting, looks at the 'Dog Days of Summer' as California rolls from one trial to another tribulation, laments about the hyper-partisanship in America and the latest on BLM in San Luis Obispo.

A sequel to our first show on homelessness in which we follow-up with Heidi at Haaven, an example of how individual entrepreneurship could solve this problem, if only the system wouldn't stand in its way. 

Mark & Clive take an honest and refreshing look at one of the most challenging issues of our time. There’s laughter & tears, ‘you can’t be serious’ moments, harsh words, uplifting stories and a happy ending. Hopefully the show will leave you thinking differently about homelessness.