There Are A Lot Of Meat Links In This Newsletter [#46]
How is it May already!?
I hope this finds you enjoying spring. While I continue maternity leave, my replacement is here from Madrid telling all sorts of fun stories about the upcoming presidential election in South Korea. So be sure to listen for Lauren Frayer on your NPR apps and stations. Meanwhile, our good friend and colleague, Eyder, was detained by the South Sudanese government as he began covering the humanitarian crisis/famine there. He was released after being held for three days. We're all so so so relieved Eyder wasn't harmed.
What I Read
If you read just one recommended link, make it David Remnick on Trump's first 100 days. Cormac McCarthy debuts his non-fiction, and it's on the origins of language. Google Maps will help you find where you parked your car. United is now going to offer up to $10,000 if you're bumped, but the economics of this are nonsensical. A retired admiral waxes rhapsodic on the importance of book reading (plus, offers recommendations!) The biggest challenge to fake news isn't technical, it's operational willingness. I'm interested in how Wikitribune will work out. How hippos swim. Japanese meat on a stick as a last act of a father's love. What, exactly, is THAT meat? Sadly, Jimmy Dean's meat-stuffed hash browns didn't live up to their potential. NPR did a radio piece about peanut butter bars and didn't post the recipe. Commenters revolt.
And callousness wins at the Texas Legislature, where lawmakers are making Texas a "show me your papers" state. Some trivia: This bill was carried by Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth), who would give me interviews while I was stuck in his clutches and concluded them with a little ass pat.

What I Blathered About
On South Korea's presidential debates and whether they matter. Potential consequences of the lack of diversity in NPR's higher ranks.
What I'm Watching
-This guy ranting for several minutes about his Honda minivan's poorly-designed console. Amazing.
-13 Reasons Why is the Selena Gomez-produced Netflix project that's getting banned in some schools because of the subject matter, so OF COURSE I'm watching it.
BTW: This handy list will help you keep up with the return dates of your favorite TV shows.
Thanks, as always, for your feedback and ideas ... if you have anything to suggest for the newsletter, be sure to reach out. I'm basically just "spacing out for an hour" (a la Peter Gibbons) during a lot of my days, which you can spin as "meditating," I guess?
Until next time,
E
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