Host Jim Braude often takes a moment on Greater Boston to share his thoughts on current events and social issues. Here's a round up of Jim's top five commentaries of 2018, plus one Aardvarkian honorable mention we just couldn't omit.
1. Parkland Students Become The Teachers
Data shows the rate of gun deaths in the U.S. has risen to its highest rate in more than 20 years. In 2018 alone, there were more than 300 mass shootings in which three or more people were killed. Among them were the Thousand Oaks bar shooting, where 12 people were murdered, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, where 11 worshipers were killed, the shooting at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, where 10 people died, and the Parkland, Florida school shooting — in which 17 students and teachers were gunned down. And while gun debate goes on, Jim Braude shared his thoughts on the Parkland survivors who rose up this year and showed leadership on the issue.
2. The Importance Of #WhyIDidntReport
A full year after the #MeToo movement began, women are still coming forward to share stories from long ago — like Christine Blasey Ford, who publicly accused then-Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh of assaulting her when they were teenagers. Her story caused many to ask why she didn’t come forward sooner. And the internet responded with hundreds of powerful stories just like hers.
3. Congress Asleep On The Job … Literally
A battle erupted this year between Republicans and Democrats in Congress over where they should be sleeping at night, with many taking up residence in their Capitol Building offices. Jim decided to offer them a new solution.
4. Jim, Interrupting
The Greater Boston team has gotten a lot of emails over the years about one particular habit of Jim’s: interrupting. But new research out of Stanford this year argued the act of interrupting might not be so rude, after all. And thus, Jim rejoiced.
5. The Real Answer To The IMHO Debate
For years, viewers have written in to ask: What does IMHO stand for? While it’s a common internet acronym, this year, a heated debate broke out online about the letter H. So of course, Jim had to weigh in.
Honorable Mention:
The Demise Of Ice Arthur
2018 got off to a really rough start for Jim, when his beloved ice-sculpture friend, Arthur, met his end far too soon. Maybe the powers that be in Boston could consider letting the 2019 crew stick around a little longer, if the weather cooperates?
