Slate's Stephen Metcalf thinks President Trump is a hostage to 1979.

Why else would he overreact by killing Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani for inciting protesters to storm the U.S. Embassy in Iraq?

In President Trump's mind, it was the right response. How else could he avoid the fate of Jimmy Carter, a once popular president deemed weak after failing to bring home 52 hostages captured during the Iranian Revolution? Why else would the President threaten 52 cultural sites, one for each of those captured hostages?

This is Colin's full interview with Stephen Metcalf, lightly edited for sound but not content. You can hear a shortened version in Episode 7 of Pardon Me (Another Damn Impeachment Show?).

GUEST:
Stephen Metcalf - Host of the Slate Culture Gabfest; he's working on a book about the 1980s

Thanks to Catie Talarski and Chion Wolf.

Email us your questions at pardonme@ctpublic.org.

Pardon Me is a production of The Colin McEnroe Show on Connecticut Public Radio.

Slate's Stephen Metcalf thinks&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/11/opinion/sunday/trump-iran.html">President Trump is a hostage to 1979</a>.
Why else would he overreact by killing Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani for inciting protesters to storm the U.S. Embassy in Iraq?
In President Trump's mind, it was the right response. How else could he avoid the fate of Jimmy Carter, a once popular president deemed weak after failing to bring home 52 hostages captured during the Iranian Revolution? Why else would the President threaten 52 cultural sites, one for each of those captured hostages?
This is Colin's full interview with Stephen Metcalf, lightly edited for sound but not content. You can hear a shortened version in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wnpr.org/post/senate-trial-begins-or-impeachment-apprentice">Episode 7</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;Pardon Me (Another Damn Impeachment Show?).
GUEST:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://slate.com/author/stephen-metcalf">Stephen Metcalf</a>&nbsp;- Host of the&nbsp;Slate Culture Gabfest; he's working on a book about the 1980s</li>
</ul>
Thanks to Catie Talarski and Chion Wolf.
Email us your questions at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pardonme@ctpublic.org">pardonme@ctpublic.org</a>.
<a href="https://wnpr.org/pardonme">Pardon Me</a>&nbsp;is a production of&nbsp;<a href="https://wnpr.org/colin">The Colin McEnroe Show</a>&nbsp;on Connecticut Public Radio.

Does the Trump impeachment drama feel like drinking from a fire hose? If so, join host Colin McEnroe, public radio personality and columnist, for an energetic weekly round-up that brings you the latest developments and perspectives from guests like Dave Eggers, Adam Gopnik, Emily Bazelon and Dahlia Lithwick among other journalists, novelists, ethicists, essayists and podiatrists.*

"Pardon Me" also airs on Connecticut Public Radio Saturdays at noon.

Not to be confused with a podcast of a similar name, Colin may do occasional kettlebell workouts, but they won’t be a big part of the show. And make sure you are not actually drinking from a fire hose, because that’s very dangerous.

*Only if Gordon Sondland develops specific foot ailments.

Does the Trump impeachment drama feel like drinking from a fire hose? If so, join host Colin McEnroe, public radio personality and columnist, for an energetic weekly round-up that brings you the latest developments and perspectives from guests like Dave Eggers, Adam Gopnik, Emily Bazelon and Dahlia Lithwick among other journalists, novelists, ethicists, essayists and podiatrists.*
"Pardon Me" also airs on Connecticut Public Radio Saturdays at noon.
Not to be confused with a podcast of a similar name, Colin may do occasional kettlebell workouts, but they won&rsquo;t be a big part of the show. And make sure you are not actually drinking from a fire hose, because that&rsquo;s very dangerous.
*Only if Gordon Sondland develops specific foot ailments.

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