It Was 20 Years Ago Today

Thursday, May 8, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Robert A. Heinlein died at the age of eighty.  I share my thoughts on the work of the man who even today is considered the dean of science fiction.  I also offer my excuses for why I haven't read more of his work, and why I now intend to change that.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Twenty years ago today, Winning Colors became the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby, and the last filly to date.  I talk a little bit about her, as well as the story of Eight Belles, who very nearly became the next filly to win the Derby this year -- but sadly, did not leave the track alive.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Friday, April 4, 2008. Twenty years ago this week, the magazine Science News reported on ellagic acid, a substance found in berries and nuts, and how it might help prevent cancer. I talk about the article, and about the wide variety of 'superfoods' which have come and gone over the years. Wolfberries, or goji berries, are one of the latest superfoods, pictured here.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Thursday, April 3, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the postage rate for a first class letter in the United States went from 22 to 25 cents. The special stamp used at the time of that increase is pictured at the right. I talk about letters and the fast-fading art of letter writing, along with an invitation to become a pen pal!

I found a website that chronicles the history of first class postage rates from the nineteenth century to the present day, by Andrew K Dart very helpful in researching this show. Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, March 16, 2008. Twenty years ago today, a poison gas attack was launched over the town of Halabja, in northern Iraq. I take a look at the conflicting versions of events on that dreadful day, and how the truth has been twisted to serve political purposes.

The picture at the right is from March 16, 2006, when a group of angry Halabja citizens destroyed a museum memorializing the event.  They too believe the tragedy of their city is being used to score political points.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Saturday, March 15, 2008. For the 100th episode of 'It Was 20 Years Ago Today,' I take a look at one of the areas where our lives have changed most dramatically over the past twenty years -- computer technology. An article in Software Magazine dated twenty years ago today chronicled the difficulties users were having in taking advantage of the full power and capabilities of the Intel386 microprocessor.

Today's episode music is from 'Newtecky,' by Father Rock.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

I want to thank all of you for your feedback and support during the first eighteen months and 100 episodes of the show.  On to the next 100!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the state of Wyoming became the last of the 50 United States to raise the legal drinking age to 21. I talk about the Wyoming law, drinking age laws in general, and some of my own personal experiences with alcohol.

After the show, there is a promo for Yog Radio, the Cthulhu gaming podcast from the fine folks at Yog-sothoth.com.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Sunday, March 9, 2008. Twenty years ago today, the New York Times ran a front-page story about a new trend in women's fashion that fizzled.  I talk about that story, and about my own experiences with clothes and fashion.

Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

Written and recorded for October 13, 2007. Twenty years ago today, George HW Bush (pictured at the right with Margaret Thatcher) declared his candidacy for President of the United States.  I look back at that election, and compare it with the present run for the White House.

Just a reminder: I wrote and recorded this show late in 2007.  The situation with the election has developed since then, in ways many of us never expected.  A good reminder that history in the making is dynamic indeed!

Today's episode music is from 'Confusion,' by Commander Yo.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.

After the show there's a promo for the Icebox Radio Theater, a podcast spotlighting new and original audio drama from International Falls, Minnesota.  Well worth a listen!

March 7, 2008. The issue of Time Magazine dated 20 years ago today (the cover can be seen at the right) carried stories on increasing tensions in two strife-torn areas of the world: South Africa and Northern Ireland. I look at those stories, and take note of how different the situation is in both those places today.

Today's episode music is from 'Voyage,' by Victor Stellar.  Our theme music is composed and performed by Marc Rose.