Bill Meyer Show Podcast - Sponsored by Clouser Drilling www.ClouserDrilling.com - 01-21-25_TUESDAY_7AM

Episode Date: January 22, 2025

Matt calls from Grants Pass with reax to the Richard C. Lyons interview. I then talk with Piano virtuoso Alexander Tutunov from SOU. What a talent and story - Feb 14th concert will be a must-see. Sen. Herman Baertschiger talks Trump and more issues.

The Bill Myers Show podcast is sponsored by Clouser Drilling. They've been leading the way in Southern Oregon well drilling for over 50 years. Find out more about them at clouserdrilling.com. Eight minutes after seven, a chilly 26. Man, where is it? How is it in Grants Pass where you are, Matt? Welcome to the show. My dog just came downstairs and had to use the restroom, which is the front yard, of course.

And everything is frozen solid out there. No kidding. Oh, yeah, it's cold. It's cold. The horses are out in the pasture, but they've got these big, heavy, thick blankets. So, but anyway. I was going to ask you, you know, since you had called for other things, I at least want to pick your brain on something since you are a stock guy. And how is the market reacting?

There's a lot to digest this morning, isn't there, the new Trump administration? Yeah, I think, well, first off, one of the main rules of investing is the market anticipates and then retail investors react. So you saw that big rally into Inauguration Day. Yes. So that was something to take advantage of. What I've noticed this morning, even though all the tech pros, of course, were having a long party day with Trump yesterday, the Dow is actually up three-quarters of 1%,

while the NASDAQ is up only 0.06%. Really? Yeah, that's interesting. Semiconductors, the SOX index, they call it, is up 0.4%. S&P is up 0.45%. And then the transportation index, a lot of people ignore. Most financial channels don't discuss it.

I like it. I think it's a bellwether for economics generally. And just today, it's just a today thing, it's at three-quarters of a percent. And it's actually – it didn't have a big rally like the NASDAQ did into inauguration. And it – but it's had a – last week it had a good week. And then moving up again today. I think what that is – not that I'm any expert, but I'm talking to you about this. You and I have talked about this enough.

I think what that is saying is that there is this feeling that the nuts and bolts of a real economy and not a vapor economy, I think what they were trying to do under Biden was like the vapor economy. We're going to push you to electric vehicles that nobody wants and we're going to take away your gas stove even though you need that or your your gas water heater we're going to take care of everything and we're going to replace you with ai you know i guess i'd be a little funny with that but but still i i'm wondering if though in Trump administration, people know that real things are going to be made and or done and or transported, needing real transportation networks. Listen, I've believed this for the, you know, what, 30, 34 years I've been doing this. Yeah.

And that is that if the real economy is working, right, the nuts and the bolts and making things and shipping things, if that's working, the stock market takes care of itself. You know, investors will find those pockets of strength and move on to those pockets. The other thing I found is that the industrial, you know, again, they didn't have a big move. Basically, the transportation index has been trading under, let's call it $17,000 since October of 21. So it really hasn't moved up much. It's traded in a range from $12,000 to $18,000, and that's about it. So you usually get these higher levels of consolidation. When they break the new highs, they tend to predict more new highs. So I actually like – I don't have anything in particular in transportation that I'm interested in like today, but that's something I want to consider.

I have noticed that shipping companies got weak a few – well, it's been for like the last couple of months. And they were doing really well before that. But I've noticed that they've bounced, and those are beginning to move higher. When I say shipping, I mean actual boats on the ocean. Yeah, yeah, no, no, I get that. All right. Hey, is there anything else you wanted to add here that you were also calling about? Go ahead. Well, I did.

I mean, God, that was a fantastic interview. I've always told you, and, you know, I can compliment you without sounding terrible, but you do great interviews. I mean, you do great interviews. Like I said, I'm sitting here listening, and just when I'm thinking of asking a question or I want a question to ask, you ask it. So here's what I'll say about the federal agencies, the bureaucracies versus the state. Part of the reason that neither party wants to get rid of them, they talk about it, not the left, but the Republicans talk about it. But when you get in, like Trump signing those executive orders yesterday, I think part of that was, a big part of that was to send a message. Part of it is, of course, he wants to let everybody know he's serious.

But how do you get rid of the Department of Education when part of your agenda is to get rid of DEI, the 49 genders and all that stuff? So you actually want to steer the agenda in your direction instead. That's the whole goal, right? Well, how do you do it in blue state if you get rid of the Department of Education? Point well taken. Well, it's the Grant Stream funding. That's the carrot and the stick, the carrot and the cudgel to beat the states into submission. Good point on that, Matt. Thanks for making it, okay?

Appreciate it, that. 7705633. Hi, good morning. Who's this? Hey, good morning, Bill. It's Deplorable Patrick. Good morning, good morning. Hello, DP.

Yeah, I was at the inauguration watching party the other day. I got to say hi to Linda, and she joined us toward the last. Anyway, I enjoyed the whole program this morning. My question is, are you encouraged overall? Yes. Do you think that there's enough backbone to go for making English the official language of the United States of America? No, I don't. I don't think there is that kind of backbone. That's pathetic.

Well, I'm sorry. You just asked me if I thought there was enough backbone. But, you know. Pathetic among the so-called leaders is not pathetic with you. I mean. Yeah. But, you know, I would, let me put it this way. I would love to be proven wrong.

How about that, DP? All right. I love that. Let's put that on the record. All right. Thanks for the call. Got to roll. Okay.

We'll have the Hannity update and more coming up. And then piano maestro i mean just a local treasure alexander tudinoff has a series of concerts coming up and i think he is just so well worth getting to know more about i've always wanted to talk with him and i get my first shot next as a business owner you like news talk 1063 kmed you're waking up with the Bill Myers Show. Ladies and gentlemen, he makes it look so easy and sound so easily, but it makes it sound so easy, I should say. But this takes decades of practice and just dedication. And, of course, I'm speaking about piano virtuoso Alexander Tutanoff, of course, a professor in residence.

Is that your title over at SOU? That's what they call me. Okay. Good morning. Wonderful. And you have a series of concerts, the Tutanoff Piano Series, and you have another one coming up on February 14th. I wanted to make sure that

people know about because i have watched you in concert several times and it and every time like i mentioned to you off air i'm a hack pianist i just taught myself to play in high school and i just read by i just do it by ear you know that kind of thing and i look at what you do and i just like oh you know and i melt and i'm sorry to sound like a slobbering fanboy. OK, but I am. OK. My goodness. Wow. Maybe I shouldn't say anything. I should should go away because you give me such a build up. But you obviously it's a great honor to be here on air right here in this beautiful studio and um i i'm honored and i also want to say that people who come to me after the concerts to talk to me often they say um you know i'm a hack pianist myself. Those are the most dangerous because they actually know what's good and what's not good.

So you got me here. So I'm very, very pleased that you are a colleague. Yeah. If you don't mind. Thank you very much. If you don't mind me asking, tell us about this February 14th. I want to make sure that this is helpful for you, too, that people know what's coming up. Because national treasure, local treasure here. We want to make sure that this is helpful for you, too, that people know what's coming up because national treasure, local treasure here.

We want to make sure that you're heard. Thank you. And I will use every opportunity. This is a Valentine's Day concert, and who happens to be another celebrity in the Valley. Actually, he's a medical doctor who started out as a classical pianist and has a degree. Dr. Brian Hall, local anesthesiologist, and he and I are going to be doing dueling pianos all night long on Friday, February 14th, starting at 7.30, at the beautiful Music Recital Hall. At Southern Oregon University, yes.

All right. At what pieces will you be dueling on, do you recall? Well, we wanted to make it a little bit sweeter and lighter fare, but also romantic. There'll be some surprises, we're hoping, for every audience member. But we will start off with a couple of Russian composers. Of course. Because, you know, they know a little romance there. Of course.

Rachmaninoff and Aransky. Can't go wrong with those two. And then after intermission, we do a few dances. We do a tango by American composer Samuel Barber. And then we move to French music. And it's just beautiful. Two works by Francis Poulenc. And we'll end the evening, if people choose to stay,

with three American rag times but they're themed as a garden of eden uh so they are kind of a ragtime take on the eternal feminine and the good old adam and then serpent's kiss But again, it's not really offensive. It's a very cool little laid-back ragtime. All right, very good. And by the way, this is going to be, once again, Valentine's Day, 730 SOU Music Recital Hall. And it's $35 for the reserved seating, $30 for seniors. And I will post on KMED.com how you can get these. But it's sou.universitytickets.com.

Well worth it. And what I found interesting is that now SOU offers a live stream. So for your entire household, if you couldn't make the show in person, you can actually just stream it for $35 for the entire household. You can invite your friends over and then watch the concert that way. But I think it's better in person just telling you. Yeah, I would tend to agree. There's nothing like live performance. But, yeah, this is an added convenience.

And, of course, we're hoping to sell out the house. So for those who are late in the game, they can still catch it on their screens, computer screens in this case, unless they want to broadcast it on their television and sit in front of it on the couch. So it's very fancy. And I think it's very high quality. Professor, I wanted to just talk a little bit about your, like I said, I've just known that you were just fabulous and not to be the slobbering fanboy that I am. It's kind of embarrassing, I know, but I just have to go there. When did you discover your love for the piano? Was it something that came naturally or was it like so many people that learned to play piano at first, parents forced them into this?

You are going to learn to play the piano. How did this work back in Soviet Russia? Exactly. You just nailed it in the piano. How did this work back in Soviet Russia? Exactly. You just nailed it in head. Soviet Russia, that's where I grew up. Well, Belarus, but it was Soviet Union because I'm old enough to remember that. Actually, I don't remember this, but my family keeps telling me that I just came up to the piano and started playing because I watched my aunt practice at our house a little upright. And then she went to wash up her hands because my grandma called everybody for dinner. She only calls once.

And then she went to wash her hands. But I was watching her and I came to the piano. I stood there, and I repeated what she played. So then they felt it was maybe time for lessons. So they brought me to a teacher in my hometown, and the teacher said it's a little too early. But she started me out with waltzing and marching and just playing for me, just getting the rhythm in. How old were you at this time? About three and a half, four. And then at five, she started already serious lessons with me.

And by the age six and a half, she said, why don't you go to Moscow and try in the conservatory there was a special board and school for especially gifted children and the year I was accepted three in a number of three out of 200 applicants wow the school changed the name it was just a central music school it was no longer for specially gifted children, I guess. That was the first message and humility. I suppose so. And what era was this? Brezhnev still was in power.

In fact, I've given flowers to him once. And I think when I was seven, I sat on his lap because I was really a small kid. And they just looked for somebody that doesn't weigh a whole lot. And our school was about 200 yards from Kremlin, because, well, downtown Moscow. And so when they would block off the streets for the dignitaries' visits, we were inside that area. And then when some photo reporter would just say, we need kids for the picture. So they would cancel our class and just haul some kids into Kremlin. And tag your head, right?

Yep. Because you were small enough. Yep. Well, I'm glad to know you didn't weigh Brezhnev down. Do you recall much about that? Because I know that Brezhnev was not well through much of his reign in those days. Even at my tender age of seven and eight, I could notice some things that were a little bit wrong and off. Yeah, no doubt. Now, when it comes to attaining your level of mastery, and I know everyone's

different, but how many hours of practice back in those days is contrasted with maybe how many hours of practice now? Because, you know, it doesn't just happen. You may have you had these amazing natural abilities that people were able to recognize. But what does it take to develop that? If there is a little time for a segue, you mentioned me on your program. I was driving. That was a few months back. And I'm listening to your program. I was driving, that was a few months back, and I'm listening to your show,

and I think you talk about minimal wage or something, and then you're like, take somebody's level of ability. Of Alexander's, no, I just about drove off the road. I mean, I was surprised, and of course, please, my ego was fed for weeks after that. I was mentioned on the air. You know, we musicians, artists, we live for those moments, you know. But so back to your question. We, I don't think I was forced to practice, but yeah, the number four hours comes to mind, which was pretty much required as a part of our workday. Four hours a day.

But then after 6 p.m., after dinner, in our boarding school, there was two hours to spend however you want. And so often the kids would just go back and woodshed a little more at the piano. So four to six. Four to six hours every day. Every day. In and out. But because it was a boarding school and everybody did it, I thought that was normal.

I didn't think I was a freak. In retrospect, did you think that? Do I want this for my kids? I don't know. But, again, the system was different. And I'm very, very grateful that everything was paid for. I'm very grateful that I went this path. And I'm very grateful that I received this kind of training early on, because the rest was easy. I always felt natural at the piano and, you know, having a series of concerts, which, by the way, we still have four more this season before May. It's named after me, and I'm still alive. You know, this kind of recognition is pretty special.

Well, to be recognized while you're actually alive is a good thing. How many classical composers were not appreciated until after they died, as an example? Most of them. Majority. Yeah, indeed. Were you ever under the old Soviet system in those days? Was it one of those things where you were kind of forced to do what you did because it was about projecting state power at that time, you know, through the arts? We were fortunate enough. Actually, our school was one of probably two or three that reported to the Ministry of Culture rather than Ministry of Education. So the curriculum was more free.

We were open to philosophy and studying literature early on. Foreign language was taught from second grade on. So we were blessed in this regard. But again, I remember there were times when if I tell a joke, I have to really watch out and see who's in the room because you could get in trouble for that. Were we forced to do? I mean, I never got in trouble, but I had plenty of opportunity. As far as being told what to do, yeah, this was pretty natural. I would say the Soviet Union fell apart when I was 20. I did my two years mandatory compulsory service in the Soviet Army. I even made a sergeant.

I take a small credit in its demise because I was not a good soldier, to tell you the truth. Not your skill set, in other words. No, no, not really. Okay. By the way, I'm speaking with Professor professor alexander tudinoff of southern oregon university of course artist and resident and gosh we're just uh pleased as punch to have him in here and out of curiosity what does a piano master as yourself and once again not to blow smoke what do you listen to for fun i mean do you get to the point where you've heard so many piano pieces

that you go do something different, or are you still immersed in that even in your off time? Yes and no. I love all sorts of music. My playlist is pretty long. I listen to jazz, chorus, and some good old rock and things like that. But due to my profession right now, I'm often asked to evaluate, adjudicate various competitions, and sometimes I'm in the preliminary

screening committee. So often it's not what I would rather listen to but professionally speaking i have to listen to a lot of classical music my colleagues i was have been for about 12 years um one of the voting members for the grammy committee and it started out as boxes of cds being shipped to my house right now they all all move to iTunes and things like that, platforms. I just get like a secret channel. And so often my days are spent listening to classical music. I don't mind it.

Oh, you don't mind it. Okay. So it's something that you're quite comfortable with. What is your favorite piano to play, though, out of all the ones that you have played over the years? And I was even reading that a Bosendorfer had burned down in the L.A. fires that, you know, in one of Bob Clearmountain's studios, the recording studios down there. And I know that it was considered legendary, but of all the pianos you've played, can you think of any? My goodness, this is a heartbreak. And of course, every time I

hear about piano being hurt, to me, it's almost like a live person, which also is quite heartbreaking. The pianos, out of just being superstitious, if I name one, the others might get mad at me and will not cooperate in the concert. But I own a Steinway. That's very funny. I've never heard that. You don't want to jinx the future shows. That's great. But I've played Oscar Peterson's piano.

I've played Victor Borges' piano. I mean, over the course of the years, different brands um different but uh but i was fortunate enough to have a acquired a steinway piano at my home with the real ivories it's just a really classy awesome instrument besides it's a steinway for crying out loud can't go wrong oh absolutely now in the um since you say you judge a lot in the Grammys and such, is there, what would you say is the state of music culture in the United States? I've been concerned for a long time that there doesn't seem to be as much, as many people wanting to go into it. And I think this is a real problem. And I think this is something where I think the Soviet Union back in the day, of course,

made sure that we were going to continue to celebrate the culture and things which are, you know, beautiful and music, of course, being a big part of that. How would you evaluate the United States right now in that? The United States as the world in general, I think, well, our art, I think, is a niche art anyways. So I would say maybe one to two percent of people listen to classical music. It's been proven that, you know, it does good for your brain and your heart and soul. And we've seen many opportunities, you know, for proving that. But I have not lost my hope. Even people who got musical training and ended up not going to music they will come back to music and my duo partner for the valentine's day show is a good he's an example that he was classically

trained and became an anesthesiologist right and yet he uh he uh he is a fabulous pianist. And amongst my private students, I see, you know, doctors and lawyers and all sorts of computer scientists. They almost need piano to balance off their daily projects to keep sanity because it's an incredible, very taxing occupations that they're in. And I know a psychotherapist that has three offices in Alaska in all three major cities, and each of them has a piano. And he schedules, he builds in time to go between his sessions and patients and just unwind the piano. So music will always have the place and classical music in particular in the world. It was never a mass art, but I feel that people who love it, I think, are just a little more special.

I like that. Professor, one final question here. What are, you are still with us, and thank goodness, and you're not an old man, you know, at this point. Thank you. I'll take it. Yeah, we'll take this. How would you like to be remembered? Because you strike me as humble which uh which i think is is probably a healthy way to be you know these days how would you like to be remembered like you

know 100 years from now when they're going back through the archives or a couple of hundred years ago back when mechanical pianos existed you know that i can i can almost hear them uh them saying that i hope they don't remember remember me from a police blog or anything like that you know people think of a legacy and i think i just prefer to work and contribute the best i can in every area at this point i think i'm blessed uh to be a decent teacher and adjudicator. So there are many ways to share and leave a legacy. But I never think in these terms. I just get up and go to work and hope that somebody's life improves

with my contribution. And if there is some music uh they will say yeah there was this guy in oregon this guy in oregon right yeah yeah some guy in oregon sure i like to be remembered as somebody who spent quarter century in the rock valley and uh this is how long i've been here i consider this home and um i love it and i see um that the interest for music um is alive and well you're absolutely right uh the it's not as practical as many other areas but it's just as necessary as anything or even more. Well, it speaks to the soul, too. For sure.

The soul and the spirit. The Tutanoff Piano Series presents, of course, Professor Alexander Tutanoff and Dr. Brian Hall. Special Valentine's Day concert. It's going to be Friday, February 14th at 7.30 p.m. SOU Music Recital Hall. And I hope that you find time and check out this show and any other parts of the Tutanov Piano Series.

Anything else you wanted to add here before we take off, Professor? We have already the whole new next season, 25-26 planned. It hasn't been revealed. And sorry, I'm not going to do it on the air today, also because we're out of time. But there are still four concerts to catch, one in each month of February, March, April, and May. And you could either go to, it's oca is for oregon center for the arts dot southern oregon university dot edu for education and there's lots of information professor it's been an honor

thank you very much the honor is all mine 20 before 8 on kmed and 99.3 kbxg as the montana roofing crews travel around Southern Oregon, they like to keep things interesting. Place inside out. Visit melecconstruction.com. By the way, stray cats may look and sound like they're from the UK, but they're actually from Long Island, New York. Hi, I'm Deb with Father and Son Jewelry, and I'm on KMED. Quarter before eight. Former Josephine County Commissioner, of course, State ORP Chair Herman Berchiger. Herman, always great having you back on.

Well, it was a great day yesterday, wasn't it? What do you think? Right. Remember, that was former ORP Chair. Former ORP Chair. Oh, thank you. And my title bounces back to Senator because you get to keep that for the rest of your life. Oh, really?

Okay. Well, then I'm going to say I can always call you Senator Barachigar, and I'm right, right? Yep, yep. And on official documents, I put Oregon State Senator 2013 to 2020. Okay. So that's how I do that. You know, as pleased as I was to see what happened in the nation's capital, I wish that I was happier about the chances of the current state senators and the state reps.

Do you agree? Looking forward here? Well, this whole thing with Trump. Now, you know, these blue states say they're going to fight back against Trump. Well, this is going to be interesting. I think where Kotech, the first thing Kotech and Trump are going to lock horns are over sanctuary state. Sure. I think that's the first thing.

And the second thing is vote by mail. I think that. And so Trump's going to control the purse string. And even though Kotech has made multiple statements that she wants to collaborate with Donald Trump, I don't think that that's going to be the case. However, with Donald Trump controlling the administrative state or at least attempting, doing his best to control, I don't know if any one president can truly, completely control it. But he certainly knows that he has to work this. That might get oregon officials to sit up and take notice and you can talk about we're going to resist we're going to resist we're

going to resist but isn't there about one third of the budget or more that actually comes from the federal government i'm not happy about that but that's reality yeah it is it's a third a third and a third and a third but oregon californ California is in a better position because they've got 40 million people, and Washington's in a better position because they've got, what, 20 million people. Oregon's got 4.1. We've got about 1.2 percent of the population of the United States. So we're not in such a good position. Yeah, we're kind of an afterthought to Washington, D.C., for the most part. But the one thing that's different, though, is that this state has been used as the petri dish.

I think we've talked about this off and on over the years. Well, it's because we're such a small state, so it doesn't take a lot of money to manipulate things and to push issues and stuff because we're such a small state. Which is why all the stupid ballot measures come in with, you know, finance without a town money, right? Right. You know, and so the whole sanctuary thing is going to be interesting because that actually goes back to the 80s when Oregon just really started taking off in a left direction. What drove that push for the sanctuary state?

Did you ever look into the history of that? You weren't in the state legislature or the Senate at that time. No, no, no, no. That was way before my time. You know, it was initiated at first that law enforcement couldn't participate in enforcing federal laws associated with immigration. And I think a lot of that came out of the agriculture industry that were using labor. And some of that's still true today. The labor for a lot of the agriculture industry happens to be in that space, and they would like to keep those workers. But I don't know how that's going to work out. I think the petri dish idea that I have brought along

is going to work in the opposite this time because Oregon's going to be easier for the federal government to execute these types of policies because we are only 1.2% of the population. That's a very interesting point. I hadn't thought about it because the ease of which it is influenced to go hard left. I mean, not saying that it's going to be a conservative state by the time Trump is done with it. There's no way. Demographics don't match that here in the state of Oregon.

But as far as getting certain things done. The money matters, doesn't it? Ultimately, yes, it does. And how is how is Tina? You know, how is I should call her Tina? That's just how is Governor Kotek going to react to that? She can't use the National Guard. OK, so she can't use the National Guard. Okay.

So she can't use the National Guard to, let's say, stop border enforcement from coming in here and having their way in certain ways, right? All they can do is just tell local law enforcement, no, you can't help or get involved. I guess that's what the main point of this is. The federal government controls the National Guard. They control the birth rate every cent of it so and then you've got 36 counties and only about four of them uh maybe five of the 36 would actually legitimately support i think the others others would support the federal policy.

So you're thinking that we may see some county sheriffs in the vast majority of Oregon counties, then? You think the vast majority of law enforcement is actually in favor of what the Trump administration is trying to do. Even if the sheriff himself or herself, that person, isn't, those counties are very red, and the sheriff position is an elected position. So, you know, that's how it works in our republic. And so the sheriff is going to have to do what the people want them to do or the sheriff's not going to get elected again and would you then see perhaps help for the immigration enforcement coming in through the back door perhaps and being very quiet about it i don't think it'll be quiet really no i think we're going to be the petri dish

it's going to be the opposite oh and so maybe it's going to be one of those things where it's almost like the trump administration dares the cotech administration to go after officials local officials and law enforcement helping out the feds. Is that kind of where you're going? Something like the modern-day March through Georgia, you know? Uh-huh. So, yeah, that's what I think is going to happen. Because it's not going to cost that much money.

You're not going to have to have all these federal agents because we're a small community. We're a small state. So this is going to be kind of interesting. I mean, this is, you know, I think things through the political eye. And I wouldn't say I'm always right, but I'm usually pretty close, you know. And if you think about it, to unsanctionize, is that a good word? Well, I don't know if it's a good word. You've just invented it then.

How about that, Herman? Yeah, maybe it's desanctionize Oregon. It's going to be much simpler to desanctionize Oregon than it would be to desanctionize California. Would you not agree? Yes, I would. So you could see that. I could see then your point then that the Petri dish works in reverse, too. We can be manipulated one way or the other, depending on where the pressure is put from above.

Look, you know, I watched Trump. I was you know, I was very happy with most. If you ever notice, most of the stuff in his speech was kind of what we would call old-time common sense. Yeah. You notice that? Yes, I do. And I think that's also why he, of course, enrages people. I had a listener that wrote me about an MLK celebration down in Ashland in which they were practically just spitting his name out in the MLK day down there in Ashland.

Amazing. Well, how many times did he say so-and-so country or whatever needs us more than we need them? Lots. Many times. I have to say about five, ten times. Five to ten times, if I recall, yesterday. And when 33% of our budget is made up of federal funds wouldn't you say couldn't he say the same thing about oregon oregon needs him more than um more than he needs us i guess right so i this is going

to be very and the democrats you know that they had their big meeting so they had the governor, the secretary of state, the treasurer, the attorney general, and the speaker of the House and the Senate president all meet. Now, I think to the pleasure of the Democrat base that this legislative session, they're going to pass the more wacky liberal stuff to appease their base in light of trump being president that's my prediction for this this uh legislative session that also means that it's about punishing people like me and you right yep yep yep yep yep but in the long run you know these machines take a long time. This is going to be fascinating.

I'm glad I'm out of office. I'm glad I'm on the sidelines and I'm watching now. But this is going to be very interesting. You know something, Herman, about the only power that Republicans have right now is to walk out. And yet they say if they walk out, they can't,'t um you know well we won't be returned to office but on the other hand if it's the only card that you have to play what's the point of you being there and really the key is just to make sure that their uh outages if they walk out to stop to stop something really bad it becomes excused and that's something canope didn't do last time when there was the walkout he didn didn't bargain for that. And hence, we lost all those conservative senators.

Are there smart enough people in the Senate and the House that might be willing to actually use that power this time in spite of the Measure 113 restrictions? I think I'd put my money on the don't pass line on this one. In other words, I don't think that that's going to happen. You don't, huh? No, I do not think that's going to happen. I would be surprised. I could be wrong. But I just don't see it happening.

What does that say about state Republicans in the legislature? Why do they feel that way? Why is it more important to stay in office if you're not actually able to accomplish anything while in office? I think that's a good question for the constituents to ask their elected official. Perfect. My deepest concern, though,

is that it doesn't put citizens against citizens in a very tenacious space. When you study history, I've just been spending a lot of time studying the Boer Wars and how united everybody was. But then after the Boer Wars, how divided the Boers were. There was two factions. And it was very, very contentious. And to a certain point, violent, you know, very violent. And, you know, you just seen that. I don't know if you read that the elections office in Multnomah County was attacked by a large group of people with masks on and broke windows and doors and stuff. So, you know, that's what I hope does not happen. But when you get into the

situation where you have the Trump administration versus the Kotech administration, I worry that these uprisings are going to occur. And that's a big concern for me. That's interesting, too, given that the Trump administration against the Kotech administration ends up having the island of misfit humans, the Antifa types, you know, lashing out against their own cities. Isn't that funny? You think about that? I think if Tina doesn't, Governor Kotech, I'm sorry, I've called her Tina all my whole career because we were on that type of relationship, but she's governor. So Governor Kotech, I hope she considers all of these things that you and I have been talking about and plays her cards correctly,

you know, so that we don't wind up in a very contentious state. I would say invest in popcorn to be chewing on to watch this game, all right? You know, I do have a lot of popcorn, and I follow a lot of different stuff. And so we'll continue to have our radio shows and try to highlight things. I mean, if you look what's going on in Josephine County, this is just a microcosm, you know, it's just a small.

But you have a small group of people that are very loud. You know, they just recalled Commissioner West. Yeah. And very angry, by the way, very angry, very loud, very angry, very loud. And, but I think it's going to bite them because I think the statements they made, I think I have to agree with Commissioner West were false. And so this is going to work its way through the court. And we'll see how that goes. You know, if if he prevails in this lawsuit. That will change quickly. You know, when there's monetary penalties for lying, I think that will slow down a bit. But we will see how all this,

this is all very interesting stuff, Bill. This is stuff that doesn't happen all the time. You know what I mean? This is all new. We're plowing new ground. And, you know, I looked at, you know, so we have an individual who changed their party affiliation to Republican, standing side by side with the chairman of the Democrat Party here in South Africa, fascinating history and politics, and I'm starting to see some similarity. And human behavior does not change. Human behavior is human behavior. But also, honestly, then, you're witnessing some subversion going on. Yes. Okay? Yes.

So all things are happening things are you know traditionally this country's been you know democrat republican it has for a long time since abraham lincoln uh initiated the republic party you know got rid of the wig so and there's some similarities there look how the republicans spun out of the Whig Party. See what I mean? But we're changing a little bit. So, you know, they're no longer becoming static. They are changing. Yeah. The one thing that I still can't handle is when I hear Republicans talking about

how important it is to reach across the aisle. Does it work right now, Herman, honestly? You know, there was, like I said, and traditionally, you know, you go back to Reagan and, oh gosh, who was the speaker there, the Irishman? Tip O'Neill. Tip O'Neill. You know, that was a different era. It was a different era when I started in the Senate. You know, when I started in the Senate, you could actually reach across the aisle and not get your hand bitten off, but that's how it is now. There's no compromise anymore.

They don't have to. They tell you that. They say that. And so it just escapes me why you would wish to be cooperative with people who don't wish to be cooperative with you, and all intents and purposes would just as soon you'd be dead or gone all right or defenestrated i think the word is defenestrated would be a good one you know just assume throw you out a window and that and that i watched that evolve it didn't happen overnight but it evolved and it it and it evolved for two

reasons one numbers how many elected Democrats versus Republicans. That was one of the factors. And two, who those people were. Okay? So now you have people in there that are very, very progressive. No more Peter Courtney's exist there, as far as I can tell. Or very few, if any. Yeah, Peter was really good at mitigating that until the end,

and they just ran him over. You know, it was the Republicans that kept him in office. You know, last couple years I was there was the Republicans. In fact, the last time he was up for election, I voted no for him to be president. I think I was the only Republican who voted no. And he said, Herman, why in the hell did you vote no? And I said, because I feel sorry for you. I said, you need to go home and enjoy your family because they're going to ravage you, Peter. All right.

Well, you were right about that. They sure did. Hey, Herman, Senator, I'll tell you what. We'll break and catch you next week. And so far, I'm feeling guardedly optimistic. I will continue to be guardedly optimistic, but also on guard on what's happening in the state of Oregon. I think that's the only way we can be right now.

Well, what I think everybody ought to do, you know, the old, have you ever, I don't know if you played baseball, but the old score books, you know, who hit his and who, you know, you keep score of all the players and what they've done and everything. Everybody needs to get one of those now and keep score. Make little notes. Okay. Yep.

All right. Yep. All right. Thanks. Thanks, Senator. We'll see you next week. Okay. Be well.

All right. Bye-bye. Former State Senator Herman Barachiger. It's four minutes after eight. KMED, KMED, HD1, Eagle Point, Medford. KPXG grants pass. And I know next week we're going to be digging back more into the fire map because that fire map situation has still got a lot of people hot and bothered about it.

Okay, more on that. Hi, this is Cassie from...