2022 has finally ended. Some of it bad, some of it splendid. There was Russia’s invasion. And Ukraine’s self-defense. The west lobbed isolation against Moscow’s offense. This was also the year America closed the door despite a generation of fighting its 20-year-war We saw economic turmoil And those who could not tweet We debated inflation And whether small investors could beat the street We debated food, SATs, and if the Classics were overrated Aliens, and whether Britain’s Monarchy should be abated Affirmative action, cancel culture, and if Trump should be indicted, Unions, public radio, and what information disorder has ignited. Gene editing and digital dollars were fresh to the palette. We debated adaptation, and whether your Tesla helps the planet, And of course there was Roe, and if AI does more harm than good, Kissinger, Covid, and just how we all withstood midterms elections and if globalization backfired soft landings, and cities, and if democracy is mired in existential threat. OK...hold on, that’s not cheery. We can’t end this year leaving you tired and weary. So here’s to you listeners and watchers of debate Who at times may have wondered what is the fate Of a discourse that is broken Or at least a bit hobbled. When listening to a nation that yells and a people who squabble. Fear not, dear listeners, we say with some hope. We do in fact have a way you can cope. Real debate and discussion offers intellectual cheer. And so with that we wish you safe holidays…. … and a happy new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.