Is it possible to manifest cooler weather? To will it into being during the long summer months in Texas? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
poetry
Texas Standard: August 3, 2018
Pope Francis says the Catholic church no longer supports the death penalty in any case. Will that influence policy here in Texas? We’ll take a look. Also, immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. have different odds of having those requests granted depending on where they’re asking. We’ll explain. Plus, one of the most dangerous places to work is a place where people go to get help. How Texas researchers want to make hospitals safer. And Texas used to be covered by water and there’s ancient shark teeth under your feet to prove it. Also we’ll find answers to questions surrounding the namesake of one of the state’s largest cities. Do you know whom Dallas is named for? Those stories and so much more on today’s Texas Standard:
Work Coffee
There aren’t a lot of things in this world that are free — except, sometimes, work coffee. But is it really free? That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: July 27, 2018
After fears yesterday of a broader downturn following Facebook’s steep stock drop, a stunning new number on the state of the economy. 4.1%: that’s how fast the economy grew in the second quarter. We’ll look at what the numbers add up to in this time of tariffs and talk of trade wars. Also, Nicaragua reported to be in a state of siege, the people at the mercy of paramilitaries. We’ll take a look at what’s happening there and could it mean a new wave of asylum seekers. Plus, the hype around 5G: why all eyes are on Houston for what could be a disrupter for the cable industry. Plus the week that was in Texas politics and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: July 20, 2018
A challenge from a Texas GOP congressman to fellow lawmakers on his own side of the aisle: whatever happened to checks and balances? In what is his strongest condemnation yet of President Trump post-Helsinki, Republican congressman Will Hurd writes an op ed in the New York Times calling on congress to defend the U.S. from Russia, if the president won’t. We’ll explore the political implications. Also the President’s promise to change business as usual when it comes to immigration. Upon closer inspection, just how much has changed down at the border? And the tiny town of Edna Texas loses a Walmart and maybe something less tangible, too. Plus the week in Texas politics and much more today on the Texas Standard:
Squirrels Cooling Off By Laying Flat On Concrete
For a moment, you might think there has been an unfortunate accident. But, upon closer inspection, you realize: that critter is not dead — it’s simply trying to cool off in the Texas heat! That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Matthew Zapruder
Poet and novelist Carrie Fountain talks with poet Matthew Zapruder about the collaboration that inspired his poem “Frankenstein Love” from his collection Come On All You Ghosts (2010).
Texas Standard: July 13, 2018
Can the U.S. reduce the number of asylum seekers without leaving them in limbo? Talks underway today with Mexico, we’ll explore the plan and its prospects. Also, if you’re traveling from Dallas to the Texas capitol in 20 minutes, you sure ain’t on IH-35. Instead, it’s the promise of a planned new transport system call the hyperloop. But how much of it is hype? And round up the herbicides. Texas A&M develops a clever way to kill the weeds currently choking Texas cotton growers. Plus state versus city: headed soon for the courts? Also the week in Texas politics with the Texas Tribune and much more today on the Standard:
A Well-Chewed Pen
If you’re someone with an oral fixation, you’ll relate to the panic felt when someone asks to borrow a writing utensil. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
What Was That Roadkill?
It was gone way before you got there, all that’s left are clues — and smells. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Mahogany L. Browne
Poet Mahogany L. Browne joined poet and novelist Carrie Fountain to talk about how she came to poetry, to share one of her favorite poems by Hiwot Adilow, and to read her powerful poem, “Black Girl Magic.”
Texas Standard: June 29, 2018
Should immigration and customs enforcement be dissolved? It’s not just democratic socialists asking, it’s some of the agents themselves, we’ll explore. Also grumblings south of the border as Mexico prepares to go to the polls and pick a new president. And polls point to a victory for a man described as a Trump of the Mexican left. We’ll have an update of these final hours before balloting begins. And Texas Senator Ted cruz accused Facebook’s CEO of liberal bias. Now reports say social media honchos have been huddling in secret with GOP leaders. We’ll hear what’s on their agenda. Plus the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Weeds
The nemesis of every gardener was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Sam Sax
Poet Sam Sax talks with poet and novelist Carrie Fountain about poetry as biography, the history of medician, poetry as performance, and so much more.
He also reads his poem “#Hypocondria” from his book Madness, and shares one of his favorite poems, “Katherine With The Lazy Eye. Short. And Not a Good Poet.” by Francine J. Harris.
Rainbow Car Wash Soap
Getting your car clean feels great: not just because it looks nice, or even because the car wash is cool on a summer day. Sometimes, the very act of entering a sudsy, rainbow-colored space is its own reward. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: June 22, 2018
Texas plastic bag bans get sacked in a unanimous ruling by the Texas Supreme Court. We’ll take a look at the ruling, the reasoning and the impact. And: Warehousing migrants is big business, and right now business is good for those companies. Manny Fernandez of The New York Times joins us. Plus: The president’s proposed a sixth military branch, the space force. Though its not quite ready for liftoff. Science fiction or defense necessity? Those stories and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Roger Reeves
“[Poetry] is the only place that I can defy the world,” said poet Roger Reeves when he spoke to poet Carrie Fountain and producer Rebecca McInroy for this edition of This is Just To Say. Thinking of poetry as a place and a practice, rather than the attempt to create the “perfect poem” was just one of the many revelations in their conversation.
Reeves also generously debuted his poem “Children, Listen” now available at poets.org, and he shared one of his favorite poems “Preliminary Question” by Aimé Césaire, from his book Solar Throat Slashed.
Swarms of Daddy Long Legs
Did you ever reach up onto a shelf in a back yard storage shed, or get too close to the eaves of the house while standing on a ladder? Chances are you’ve met a few daddy long legs. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: June 8, 2018
Never before has help been more readily available and yet suicide numbers continue rise. What’s going on? We’ll explore. Also, the disappearance of 43 Mexican college students in 2014 is considered an international scandal. Now a court has ordered a new impartial investigation and a truth commission to get to the bottom of it. It’s a move some are calling historic, we’ll hear why. Also, remember the lore of lopping off a rattlers head to kill it? That wasn’t enough for a Texas man, who barely survived getting bitten by the snakehead. What you’re really supposed to do in the event of a snake encounter. Plus actor musician Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael stop by the studios, the week in Texas politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Ramadan in Texas
Hundreds of thousands of Texans have been fasting this month in honor of Ramadan. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.