When we received notice late Thursday that Brian Meshkin was
reneging on his agreement to join us on the podcast, we had to decide what to
do to fill the spot. We discussed trying to get someone else to fill in at the
last moment but in the end decided it would be more fun to simply have Brian in
absentia.
We mounted his picture on a piece of cardboard and propped
it on a chair.
No one of us were really surprised at his cancellation. Beer
bets were made that he’d find some excuse not to join us. You might be
surprised to know that I actually took him at his word. I told the doubters
that Brian had said he welcomed the opportunity to come on the show in comments made to this post.
“Growing up here in Howard County California a few years
ago. It’s not a county where we lob personal attacks – it’s a place where
we speak civilly and discuss fully. So, if you’re interested, I’d be
happy to come on your show.”
Note that he wrote this comment well after I posted this, this, this, this, and this about him. I thought he was genuinely interested in
demonstrating that I had him all wrong.
“I look forward to finally meeting in person and having a
conversation. Who knows? Maybe we’ll think better of each other
afterwards.”
So, despite the popular sentiment that he wouldn't post, I
took those beer bets. I actually took Brian for his word.
What was I thinking?
I should have known better. All I’m now left to conclude is that
the questions of Brian Meshkin's character, that I and others have raised, have
real substance.
You can listen to the 75th episode of “and then
there’s that…” here.
