Here’s a wise choice to air in this tense pre-election stretch. A first-rate group of writers provide a variety of style and material. Excerpts from presidential inauguration addresses serve as powerful beats between acts. Vowell pictures Roosevelt speaking as he “stares out at the Great Depression,” and we hear him describe the fear and famine in the land …”only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.” This leads into Carrier’s 1983 visit to Lafayette Square, where he hangs out with street people and protestors. The big issues of the day: homelessness and anti-nuclear concerns. Having recently heard reports on a huge increase in food pantry use, and another on North Korea and Iran’s nuclear hobby, I sigh. Eggers’ amusing and tender memory of his Republican brother’s campaign changes the tempo. Taylor Mali’s kick-ass, How To Write a Political Poem changes it again. Vowell’s intelligent narration runs throughout, and we get her own wryly-designed Garden For Disappointed Politicians. Excerpts from Joe Frank’s spookily familiar presidential candidate lead into George the younger evangelizing at the podium. The WMD Waltz is an audio bonbon, and wrapping u[p is edgy poet Malli knocking another one out of the park. The hour is designed to make you think without beating you over the head with any particular bat. Well-produced and you get a promo, break, and two segments to boot.
Review of SOAPBOX Election Special
Sydney Lewis
Posted on October 12, 2004 at 02:15 PM
Here’s a wise choice to air in this tense pre-election stretch. A first-rate group of writers provide a variety of style and material. Excerpts from presidential inauguration addresses serve as powerful beats between acts. Vowell pictures Roosevelt speaking as he “stares out at the Great Depression,” and we hear him describe the fear and famine in the land …”only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.” This leads into Carrier’s 1983 visit to Lafayette Square, where he hangs out with street people and protestors. The big issues of the day: homelessness and anti-nuclear concerns. Having recently heard reports on a huge increase in food pantry use, and another on North Korea and Iran’s nuclear hobby, I sigh. Eggers’ amusing and tender memory of his Republican brother’s campaign changes the tempo. Taylor Mali’s kick-ass, How To Write a Political Poem changes it again. Vowell’s intelligent narration runs throughout, and we get her own wryly-designed Garden For Disappointed Politicians. Excerpts from Joe Frank’s spookily familiar presidential candidate lead into George the younger evangelizing at the podium. The WMD Waltz is an audio bonbon, and wrapping u[p is edgy poet Malli knocking another one out of the park. The hour is designed to make you think without beating you over the head with any particular bat. Well-produced and you get a promo, break, and two segments to boot.