July 29, 2025

Dispatches: Old West & Beyond 07.29.25

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“Freedom is something that dies unless it’s used.”

—Hunter S. Thompson

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MY TWO CENTS WORTH

It seems that almost everything these days involves some form of political undertone. And — at least to me — it is suffocating. I’m tired of everything being framed with a political slant. As you’ve probably heard by now, CBS’ The Late Show, with Stephen Colbert, has been canceled and will be going off the air next May. The reaction, to no one’s surprise, has been divided. Politically, of course.

From what I’ve read, The Late Show employs over 200 people, costs about $100 million to produce, but loses $40 million annually. Politics aside, those numbers represent a significant impact on the bottom line in a for-profit business. 

I stopped watching late-night TV when Jay Leno retired. I tried tuning into the new world order of late-night television, but couldn’t stomach much of it. First, the hosts all have a political agenda. Second, they aren’t funny. Third, the guests are mostly boring or are also pushing a political message.  

Tuning into late-night TV used to represent an opportunity to decompress after a long day. The hosts and their guests made me laugh, think, or perhaps learn something I didn’t know before. The keyword is “entertainment.” Leno, Dave Letterman, and Johnny Carson, back then, had the ability to entertain us. And, they kept their political preferences to themselves. They were intuitive enough to know there’s no percentage in alienating half your audience, as Leno recently pointed out.

Viewers today, who tune in to late-night TV, are often bombarded with wall-to-wall politics. The hosts aim to persuade you to adopt their political perspective. 

Don’t educate me. Entertain me.

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DISPATCHES FROM THE OLD WEST 

(1) James Hume pioneered modern investigative techniques in his approach to solving crimes on the American frontier.  Hume accomplished more with his brains and a style reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes. "Frontier Gumshoe.”

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(2) In 1885, Wells Fargo detective James Hume and John Thacker Hume assembled the “Robbers Record.” The detailed record of nearly 350 robberies, along with descriptions of convicted robbers, served as an essential crime-fighting guide for law enforcement officers. “Outwitting Outlaws.”

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DISPATCHES FROM HERE & THERE  

(3) The other night, I was surprised to see bright yellow blinks from a firefly lingering around my screen door. You’re more apt to see fireflies—or lightning bugs, as they were called when I was a young lad—if you’re experiencing wet weather in your area. The scientific community, however, remains concerned because fireflies are at risk of extinction. 

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(4)  When Star Trek debuted on TV, Sept. 8, 1966, the series featured a broad range of futuristic technologies. Here’s a site that monitors Star Trek technology as it relates to real-world advancements. 

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(5) I’ve always had alarm clocks at my bedside. The truth is, I’ve never used the alarm feature. Some form of the alarm clock dates back to the 5th century and Plato. 

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(6) If you’re taking to the road this summer in search of something unique, 12 museums across the USA may satisfy your curiosity. They include bad art, ice cream, crime mobs, and spies. 

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(7) Thin is in—even when it pertains to coffee shops. In northern Bucharest, Romania, you’ll find a razor-thin cafe that resembles a triangular prism. The Chapel occupies a narrow gap between buildings.

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(8) Time to wax nostalgic —at least visually. Fast food represents a significant part of American society. Here are 30 vintage photos of fast-food outlets over the years. You might remember some depending, of course, on the time you’ve spent on this planet. 

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Change is only possible through movement." —Aldous Huxley, Writer/Philosopher

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