In Episode 190 of The Far Middle, Nick once again takes “constant listeners” on a journey through a string of connections in the spirit of Dr. James Burke’s Connections television series. The discussion tips-off with a sports dedication highlighting the fascinating story about how NBA legend Bob Cousy unexpectedly became a Boston Celtic.

Despite being passed over in the 1950 NBA draft by the Celtics’ coach Red Auerbach, Cousy ended up with the team through a series of unlikely events. After being drafted by Tri-Cities and traded to the Chicago Stags, which went bankrupt, Cousy’s fate was decided by a random draw from a hat. The Celtics, who initially didn’t want him, were forced to take him, inadvertently acquiring one of the greatest players in NBA history (including six NBA championships, 13 consecutive All-Star selections, led the NBA in assists for eight straight seasons, and more).

“Fate can have a sense of humor as well as a sense of irony,” says Nick. “So Episode 190 is dedicated to how Bob Cousy became a Celtic, proving truth in the adage that sometimes it is indeed better to be lucky than good.”

Nick then shifts to more serious matters, beginning with the ongoing war in Ukraine. While reaffirming his support for Ukraine against Russia, he criticizes Western media’s portrayal of the conflict. He highlights Ukraine’s challenges in mobilizing young men for military service, noting the disproportionate burden on rural areas for conscription and the need for Ukraine to demonstrate self-help to maintain Western support.

Turning to domestic issues, Nick recounts the killing of an airport executive in Little Rock, Arkansas, by ATF agents during a raid related to firearm sales. He also comments on the case of “Peanut the Squirrel” in New York, where state agents killed a pet squirrel due to licensing issues. These incidents are further examples of continued government overreach, “the threat of omnipotent government is greater than most Americans realize,” says Nick.

From the growing power of government’s overreach, Nick shifts to a warning of a potential energy crisis in the United States as he cites grid regulators’ concerns over power generation retirements. Nick looks back at the past decade of damage done to our collective energy security: “Every time you heard energy transition, net zero, clean energy or tackling climate change, that was code oftentimes for forcing the retirement and abandonment of ‘reliable’ on the grid, which is coal, nuclear, natural gas power plants, and mandating their replacement with the ‘unreliables’ of wind and solar, which was coupled to coincide with a mandated electrification of everything.”

The push for so-called net-zero carbon emissions in the power sector is not only impractical, but is threatening grid stability and by extension our energy and economic security.

Nick concludes by criticizing mainstream media for failing to report on government overreach, ignoring Ukraine’s internal challenges, and not covering the potential energy crisis. Instead, media focuses on trivial matters like reducing or eliminating homeowners’ lawns.

In closing Nick notes the episode’s January 8 premiere date falls on both Elvis and David Bowie’s birthdays. He references a couple great Bowie quotes, including, “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” Stay connected to the Far Middle, as there’s never room for boredom!

For prior Celtics’ tributes, listen to Nick’s dedications to Red Auerbach, John Havlicek, and Larry Bird. And for Elvis fans, check out Far Middle episode 111 for Nick’s list of his favorite Elvis songs from the late 60s and early 70s era.

As the Far Middle enters 2025, this New Year’s episode examines the evolving economics of baseball, comparing the 1954 New York Giants with today’s San Francisco Giants.

Nick explains how baseball in the 1950s was a modest business, with the Giants needing about $2.5 million to break even. Gate admissions were the primary revenue source, and player salaries accounted for only 30% of expenses. Fast forward to today, and the Giants’ revenue exceeds $400 million, with TV rights alone surpassing $140 million. Player salaries now consume about half of the team’s revenues, often as guaranteed money.

The evolution of Major League Baseball, from small to big business, ties into the episode’s theme of what was, what is, and what’s ahead with the start of the new year. Nick looks at several winners and losers from 2024 and forecasts trends for 2025.

From today’s wildly high baseball salaries, Nick draws a parallel to the expansion of federal entitlement programs and the dire need to rein in government spending.

“As we enter 2025, it is governing time, at least for President Trump and Congress,” says Nick. “And although I doubt we will see any changes or reductions in benefit to current recipients, I’m betting that you will see action on attempts to arrest spending to current levels and then to grow the economy so the entitlements become a smaller portion of the total budget pie. It’s an absolute must if we want to avoid government default and economic calamity.”

Government regulation comes under scrutiny next, with Nick predicting potential setbacks for oppressive regulations in 2025—to the benefit of doers and value creators across America’s private sector. Nick cites The Harmonized Tariff Schedule, a monster 4,392-page document, as an example of complex regulatory excess that needs to be simplified.

The conversation then connects to constitutional issues, celebrating the Constitution’s resilience in 2024 and anticipating its continued rise in the coming years. Nick quotes Calvin Coolidge’s 1926 address marking the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to emphasize the Constitution’s enduring principles.

International events from 2024 are also highlighted, including Venezuela’s 2024 election and Nicolas Maduro’s refusal to acknowledge the results. Nick predicts challenges for authoritarian regimes in 2025, citing America’s renewed global leadership and energy independence.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is also analyzed, with Nick providing historical context and suggesting that 2025 may present an opportunity for peace negotiations. Nick calls for a realistic approach to ending the conflict, even if it means compromising on territorial issues.

Finally, Nick calls out the credibility of the United Nations, specifically its Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

“We shouldn’t just stop funding the UNRWA, we should stop funding the UN until it can demonstrate material reform consistent with its original charter,” says Nick. “Last year proved to be a bad year for the United Nations. Let’s hope it takes that as a warning to improve its reputation and standing this year. But I’m not holding my breath.”

In closing, Nick discusses the differing accounts of the origin of the song “Blue Suede Shoes.” It’s one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go, cat, go…off to a great 2025.

In this special holiday Far Middle installment, Nick begins by looking back on the Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War I.

The remarkable event saw widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front with soldiers from opposing sides exchanging greetings and even playing soccer matches. The truce was a one-time occurrence, as increased animosity in subsequent years prevented similar events.

“But during Christmas in 1914, the human spirit displayed some of its best attributes in the form of soccer matches while in the midst of humans at their worst in the carnage of war,” says Nick. “So episode 188, our Christmas episode, is dedicated to those World War I truce soccer matches 110 years ago.”

The discussion then shifts to addressing listener questions. These include a question on the leftist movement both domestically and globally, and whether Nick sees the movement receding in impact and experiencing pushback from various demographics and republics. Nick’s short answer is yes indeed, and then references a recent article by Ruy Teixeira as he explores four main areas where the pushback is evident: open borders policies, not enforcing the rule of law, negative attitudes towards America and Americans, and climate change policies.

Another listener question prompts a discussion on electric vehicle mandates. Nick cites examples from Volkswagen in Germany and Ford in the United States to illustrate the negative impacts of these mandates on automakers and consumers. Both companies have faced significant challenges, including potential factory closures, job cuts, and substantial financial losses in their electric vehicle divisions.

In closing, Nick answers a question on examples of inspirational Catholic Church leadership by recounting the life and work of Father Edward J. Flanagan.

Father Flanagan was not only the founder of Boys Town in Nebraska – helping homeless and destitute youth and creating an inclusive community during times of racial segregation – but he also helped with societal rebuilding efforts in Asia and Europe following World War II. Father Flanagan’s story was depicted in the 1938 movie “Boys Town,” starring Spencer Tracy as Flanagan who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal.

“When you wrap up an episode during Christmas week about a priest who inspired and raised thousands of orphans during the Depression, who helped rebuild Asia and Europe after the devastation of a world war, who became a celebrity through radio and newspapers, and then who helped an iconic actor win an Academy Award, you know that you’ve hit Far Middle nirvana,” concludes Nick, wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.