The following is an excerpt from a talk given by a General Authority for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in April of 1932. It is posted here for its poignancy and its topical value – particularly as it addresses what Richards called “Dictatorial Dogmatism.”   

An Olive Leaf: Stephen L. Richards

As published in Sunstone Magazine, Issue 165–December 2011

The following is excerpted from a powerful address given at the April 1932 General Conference address by Elder Stephen L. Richards. In the midst of controversies over evolution, as well as recent changes in the Church to give greater emphasis to the Word of Wisdom, the apostle shared insightful perspectives on the principles behind God’s commandments, the nature of revelation in the Church, the vitality of change, and the importance of rejecting rigidness and dogmatism. The full text of this speech was published in the May-June 1979 Sunstone in honor of the centennial of Elder Richards’ birth.

“I interpret the gospel in terms of life. It was brought to humanity; it is our duty to bring humanity to the Gospel. Election, not compulsion is the genius of Christian philosophy. Ridicule and ostracism often amount to compulsion. I deplore their existence. I fear arrogant dogmatism…

“When the Gospel was restored in this age all the goodness and mercy of Christ was restored… The essence of the…  whole restored gospel was and is election without coercion, persuasion not compulsion, no unrighteous dominion, only patience, long suffering, meekness, kindness, and love unfeigned. With the restored Gospel came also new and enlarged knowledge and conceptions of God and man. A new philosophy of life arose. Man’s place in the universe, the beginning, end, and purpose of his existence, were better understood. Some new laws were given, new ordinances and new commandments—not new in the sense that they had never existed before, but new to the knowledge of the people.

“One man sees the meaning of a scripture so clearly and definitely that he exclaims with contemptible deprecation of a contender’s view, “Why, it’s as plain as the nose on your face,” and the other replies, “It is silly and foolish.” Both are sincere. Who is right? What position does the Church take? Generally, I think, the Church takes no official position and ought not to, in the large majority of mooted questions. Men are permitted to hold individual views and express them with freedom so long as they are not seditious to the basic doctrines, practices, and establishments of the Church. When men lose their regard for the Church, of course, they are no longer entitled to place and influence in it.

“I believe it to be a generally accepted proposition in our church that no man’s standing is affected by the views which he may honestly hold with reference to the beginning of man’s life on the earth and the organization of the universe, or the processes employed in the working of the miracles of the Bible. Personally, I find more peace of mind and comfort in what may seem a rather lazy disposition to attempt no explanation of these seemingly inexplicable matters. But if anyone holds views and gets satisfaction from them, I say let him have them, and for one I won’t abuse him for them…

“I have said these things because I fear dictatorial dogmatism, rigidity of procedure and intolerance even more than I fear cigarettes, cards, and other devices the adversary may use to nullify faith and kill religion. Fanaticism and bigotry have been the deadly enemies of true religion in the long past. They have made it forbidding, shut it up in cold grey walls of monastery and nunnery, out of the sunlight and fragrance of the growing world. They have garbed it in black and then in white, when in truth it is neither black nor white, any more than life is black or white, for religion is life abundant, glowing life, with all its shades, colors and hues, as the children of men reflect in the patterns of their lives the radiance of the Holy Spirit in varying degrees.

I pray that men may understand God and the Church, and I pray that the Church may understand men and human nature. With such understandings there must come sympathy and love. Truth and love will save the world. May they ever be our portion, I ask humbly, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”

This ‘Best of the Year’ list is to be treated lightly, of course. Not only are a couple of categories very much personal and problably only relevant to an intimate few, but ‘nominees’ are chosen through a combination of factors including the personal tastes of the Lopez-Reyes family and those who coexist in the family’s orbit – quite often as a result of commonalities in these preferences or through other circumstances, including shared political, artistic, culinary, and geographic spaces. One thing can be said for sure: the pool of individuals discussed here is diverse and every year these categories are discussed with a growing number of individuals. Ultimately there’s something universal about the list on that basis.

Out of the many experiences the family shares with friends and relatives over the course of a year, there’s something each person takes away from these, sometimes becoming permanently embedded in their memories for any variety of reasons. Our choices here reflect that: an album becomes a soundtrack or score of sorts for this period of time, or a select amount of events are held in high esteem because something made them special and probably impossible to replicate, e.g., a concert at a specific venue might be particularly emotive: that moment can never be captured again in that exact same way and thus finds a unique place to commemorate it on this list.

With all that in mind, the hope is you might consider checking any of the following items out if they are permanent, e.g., a book or album published in 2011. For those things on this list that represent fleeting moments, the hope is that they might serve as a source for inspiration to seek out or construct similar events in whatever context or time and place you might be in. So, in a fairly random order (yes, on purpose – reasons reserved):

The Best of 2011

Best Breakfast Stop – The Golden Egg, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
www.goldeneggrestaurant.com

Massive omelets. Loads of healthy ingredients. Tons of choices. The most amazing breakfast place. Quite possibly in New Hampshire – strong competition for Mason, New Hampshire’s Parker’s Maple Barn.

Best Album – Black Country Communion, “2”

(Image courtesy J & R Adventures)

If you’re a rock fan and you haven’t heard of Black Country Communion, you’re really missing out. This is, hands down, the best of the “super bands” to emerge in recent years: Jason Bonham (the son of the late John Bonham, whose resume includes: the band Bonham, the band Foreigner, and standing in for his own father at the O2 Arena in London for the 2007 Led Zeppelin reunion), Joe Bonamassa (an incredible guitar player in his own right: see the Royal Albert Concert on DVD), Derek Sherinian (who has played with bands ranging from Alice in Chains to Alice Cooper, as well as Dream Theater), and Glen Hughes (of Deep Purple and Black Sabbath fame – nothing else needs to be added here).

Black Country Communion’s “2” album is as solid as the band’s debut album, which was released just a few months earlier, in 2010. This band is oozing the type of musicianship that has all but disappeared in the era of reality television and incessant and irritating televised ‘talent’ shows. A stand-out track on the album, to get a sense of what “2” delivers: “Cold”

Best Movie – Margin Call
www.margincallmovie.com

(Image courtesy of Before the Door Pictures)

This movie didn’t make too many “Best of” lists. While inferior movies like “The Iron Lady” made the obvious rounds and attracted the obvious and predictable accolades (Meryl Streep’s overacting: the faux British accents, the sucked-in cheeks, and that annoying laugh aren’t convincing enough around here), movies like “Margin Call” went under the radar.

“Margin Call” takes the prize thanks to its character development, a strong story-line, great acting, an impressive score, and the general mood and ambiance the movie creates. It was quite topical, of course.

The nominees for this category defied more popular choices. Among the films considered: “Ides of March,” “The Company Men,” “Win Win” and a handful more.

“Margin Call” took the prize. Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons do a particularly good job in this film. But the standout performance: Stanley Tucci. Streep could use a few tips from him!

Best Live Act – Roger Waters
www.rogerwaters.com

It’s hard to describe what makes Roger Waters the best live act of 2011 in writing. You really have to see it to believe it – and if you want to see it, time is running out: the tour that cements his status as the ‘Best Live Act of 2011’ started in 2010, carried on through 2011, and has just recently launched a 2012 leg, beginning in Australia, traveling through South America, Mexico, and returning to the United States this coming summer.

(Live in London. Photo courtesy of Marie Lopez Photography)

There is a rumor it might return to Europe in 2013 after all, despite an initial statement that the tour would end in the United States this year – in Philadelphia, specifically. That will clock the tour in at four years running and doesn’t include an upcoming DVD release of a show recorded in Athens (which is likely to be preceded by a theatrical release of the same before the actual DVD release). It wouldn’t be surprising if the Roger Waters band decided to record an additional DVD at one of the baseball stadium shows in the United States (which could also be preceded by a theatrical release).

This is all a guessing game, but the basis for these educated guesses resides in the historical precedent: in 2006 David Gilmour embarked on his own critically acclaimed tour resulting in two DVDs: one recorded at the Royal Albert Hall and one recorded in the Gdańsk Shipyard in Poland. This stretched the presence of all things David Gilmour over a three-year span and Waters is poised to follow this pattern on a much larger scale. Should Waters follow Gilmour’s footsteps (on this larger scale) we may be feeling the presence of this tour well into the year 2015.

The modern version of “The Wall” has given Waters the chance to capture his vision for this epic show (emancipated from the limitations that restricted the show’s tour in 1980 to four cities given the scale of the endeavor) in a way that will blow anyone’s mind – even people who are not well-versed in all things Pink Floyd.

“The Wall” represents Waters’ artistic peak. The show runs seamlessly every single night: every detail in the lights and every beat coordinated to fit the specific moments captured in each of the individual bricks that make up the gigantic (literal) wall that has filled arenas throughout this tour from one nosebleed section to another. What made 2011 a particularly strong year for Waters was that he show ran palpably smoother when it hit European shores. A show on this scale requires a great deal of rehearsals: the 2010 leg of the tour served that purpose. By the time “The Wall” hit Portugal last year it was a well-oiled machine.

When “The Wall” returns to the United States this summer it will be bigger than ever: the wall will be much wider as Waters plays baseball stadiums including Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium. If you missed the last Pink Floyd tour in the 1990s, (and considering the fact that Pink Floyd will never reunite and tour again), this is the best chance you have to understand the scale of what this band did. Few will admit it, but the scale of Pink Floyd’s musicianship, creativity, and the scale of their shows far exceeded the Beatles’ by the early 1970s.

Ticket prices are not entirely fair, particularly in this economy, but this is the best live act – the most reliable show – you can catch in 2012 if we are to judge by Waters’ performances in 2011.

Best Documentary – Catching Hell
www.tribecafilm.com/watch-now/catching_hell-film36433.html

(Image courtesy ESPN)

This documentary is as much about the controversial Steve Bartman, (whose attempt to catch a foul ball during a Marlins and Cubs game brought the scorn and wrath of an entire fan community), as it is about the fans themselves – and about former Red Sox Bill Buckner.

As Dave Hoekstra, of the Chicago Sun-Times explains: “’ESPN Films’ ‘Catching Hell’’” should be required viewing for ­students entering the heavenly world of the media. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney tells the story of scapegoating through the teary eyes of former Cubs first baseman Bill Buckner and the lonesome heart of Cubs fan Steve Bartman… Buckner was the Red Sox (and former Cubs) first baseman who let a ground ball go through his legs in the 1986 World Series, leading to a New York Mets World Series championship and the continuation of that curse. Bartman was one of a handful of fans who reached out for a foul ball at Wrigley Field in October 2003 when the Cubs were five outs away from their first World Series appearance since 1945. He did not catch the ball. This curse has only gotten worse. Gibney (a self-proclaimed Red Sox fan) uses Buckner as a metaphor for humanity that failed the media in both events, but moreso in the Bartman story.”

When this list is compiled, the documentary section tends to be one of the most interesting because some of the documentaries out there – especially some of those that really go unnoticed – are more captivating than many other films. This is something you must definitely watch.

Best Concert Venue – Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, Massachusetts
www.narrowscenter.com

(Image courtesy Matthew Healy and EnterpriseNews.com)

Many years ago, the thought of a major act playing in Fall River, Massachusetts would have been met with strange looks. Fall River was not exactly a cultural Mecca. The Narrows Center for the Arts is both a reminder of what Fall River used to be and what many of New England’s old industrial towns can be if they learn to use their spaces wisely: the Narrows Center for the Arts epitomizes Fall River’s transformation from gigantic mess of old and abandoned industrial buildings toward a cultural center of gravity in New England. It features well-respected acts such as Johnny Winter and Wakeman–Anderson (of Yes fame).

The Narrows Center for the Arts is a small concert venue in one of the old mill buildings near the Mount Hope Bay. The stage and seating area is surrounded by small stores featuring the work of local artists. The foyer serves as a gallery. The stage is surrounded by large windows offering views of the Charles M. Braga, Jr. Memorial Bridge.  It’s a great place to get away from it all on a weekend night, in a small corner of New England that few would have considered on a night out 20 years ago. The venue is close to many of the city’s well-known Portuguese and Brazilian restaurants. (Another great review can be read here).

Best Comeback – The St. Louis Cardinals
www.stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com

(Image courtesy of Blippitt)

Why? It’s not just about the World Series. “Considering everything that this team had to go through (in the 2011) season, this can be called one of the most unlikely world championships in Major League Baseball history. But to do this team – and this article – justice, you have to go way past Game 6 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. This story dates back to February…” of 2011 and Rob Kelley of HardballChat.com has the rest here.

Best of Boston – First Night Boston

First Night in Boston has tough competition: rival New York City is the star of the show that night, watched all over the world as Times Square celebrates then end of a year and beginning of another. But First Night in Boston is quite impressive: festivities take over the Boston Commons and much of the city. A ticket to the night’s events gives you access to quite an array of cultural activities. Fireworks are always great – and Boston knows how to do fireworks. If you’re ever in doubt – watch the 4^th of July celebrations on the Charles River (with the Boston Pops) and you will get an idea what Boston First Night is like – just on a smaller scale and less crowded but certainly taking over the entire city!

Best City or Town Visited – London
www.visitlondon.com

London never gets old. There’s always something new to discover and you can find almost every cuisine imaginable. Some standout sites visited in 2011: the Convent Garden Market, the O2 Arena (its British Music Experience is quite a treat), and too many hole-in-the-wall curry restaurants to list. Despite an incredibly misguided logo for this year’s London Olympics, London has found great motivation in all upcoming events to make great improvements throughout the city.

Best Elected Official – Luis Fortuño
www.southerngovernors.org/AboutSGA/Leadership.aspx

The United States has had a larger amount of citizens born outside the 50 states run for president than most Americans realize: Governor George Romney, US Senator John McCain, US Senator Barry Goldwater, and a handful more. In fact, Luis Fortuño’s circumstances most closely resemble Goldwater’s: hailing from a United States territory that is just a few years shy of becoming a state of the union (in all likelihood, this will happen within the next 10 to 20 years), his fiscally conservative record and his ability to turn things around on solidly conservative principles has resulted in his name being tossed around by the likes of Grover Norquist for anything from presidential candidate to vice presidential nominee to cabinet member appointment.

(Governor Luis Fortuño speaks to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington DC last year. Photo source: Flickr)

For those in the United States territory he governs – all American citizens regardless of whether they were born in the mainland or in the territory - no one has moved a terriroty closer to statehood faster than Fortuño. This, of course, irks those who subscribe to more primitive colonial views, which has set them on a desperate scramble to discredit what this Governor has done. They’re waging a losing war.

What the Republican Governor of this paritcular island territory has done is straight out of Reagan’s economic book: today, the United States territory of Puerto Rico is better off than 31 mainland states economically. As Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Association, Fortuño has managed to practice what many Republican governors preach but either don’t practice or have a very hard time putting into practice for reasons he may eventually help them overcome in a larger capacity.

In many respects, Fortuño represents the future of the United States: as a Governor from one of America’s modern frontiers (those territories and corners under the American flag most Americans forget about), his demographic background, and his ability to bridge so many gaps across cultures, has placed him in an enviable political position. Governor Mitt Romney was fortunate to earn his endorsement: there’s no doubt Governor Romney’s solid primary win in Florida was at least in part a result of this endorsement, from a neighboring Governor that shares a very similar constituency to Florida’s.

Read what the Wall Street Journal thinks here. You can see his interview with Reason Magazine here. On a potential Vice Presidency, read here. For George Will’s perspective, read here.

Best Kept Secret of 2011 – Lopez-Reyes Family Move to Portsmouth

It was quick, mostly unannounced, and perhaps a bit capricious. Few knew until it was a day or two from happening. If you thought was a big change, buckle up. 2012 has a collection of bigger surprises in store.

Best Concert – (Tie) Janet Jackson (Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, March 16, 2011) and Duncan Sheik (Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River, Massachusetts, December 16, 2011)
www.duncansheik.com
www.janetjackson.com

These two shows were chosen for similar reasons even though they are so radically different. Let’s just say they both elicited great memories for different people. For those that grew up around or spent a good amount of their youth listening to these artists, both shows managed to hit the spot in a way few concerts do. The venue, the location, the tour, the set lists – these are the factors taken into account when choosing the “Best Concert of 2011.”

(Janet Jackson live at Mohegan Sun Casino. Photo courtesy of Marie Lopez Photography)

In Janet Jackson’s case, the Mohegan Sun Casino arena delivers performances with a level of intimacy usually reserved for much smaller venues. Given the special effects, lights, choreography, and other details on this and any other Janet Jackson tour, the venue brought an additional element of uniqueness to the show (because the scale of this show is never seen in a smaller venue). Somehow, the Mohegan Sun Casino arena has managed a design that gives anyone, in any section of the venue the sense of being much closer to the stage than most other venues can.

Add to that the fact that the tour was focused strictly on Jackson’s hits (the tour was called the Number Ones Tour) and you have the perfect introductory experience to Janet Jackson live. A challenge for an artist like Janet Jackson is her popular music will attract a wide range of audiences while more obscure tracks are really meant for the most devoted fans. Her Number Ones Tour managed to deliver a great introduction of the artist for new fans, as well as a great journey down memory lane for veteran fans.

In Duncan Sheik’s case, the artist’s ties to New England (he attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island – where he started playing in a band with Lisa Loeb) and his loyal following in the area has resulted in an unusually strong bond between the artist and this audience.

(Duncan Sheik live at the Narrows Center for the Arts. Photo courtesy of the backstageatthenarrows blog.)

Sheik is not easy to catch live. He has branched out into many projects that have taken him out of the touring circuit for prolonged periods of time (the Tony Award winning musical “Spring Awakening” kept him busy between 2006 and 2009, for example). This has made catching him live a greater treat.

Sheik is also the type of artist that will play what he feels most compelled to play, sometimes skipping some of his greatest hits, like “Barely Breathing.” This is refreshing in some respects because there’s an element of unpredictability to his shows – but the truth is, part of what made his show at the Narrows Center for the Arts the “Best of 2011” was the combination of a strong set where he played some of his greatest hits as well as the healthy catalog of 80s songs (Sheik released an album of 80s remakes last year) that were interspersed within.

The venue couldn’t have been more fitting, considering in a way this is a second home for the artist. Somehow it felt like a Friday night at home with friends (the size of the venue gave the show a more intimate vibe that was emphasized by Sheik and his band’s interaction with the audience throughout). Sheik’s rendition of “The Ghost in You” (originally by the Psychedelic Furs) and his closing with “Barely Breathing” (which he didn’t play last time he was in the Greater Boston area) were particular highs during that show.

What’s regretful about the “Best Concert” category is that it represents a moment in time that can’t be replicated. That said, Sheik has never disappointed and some dates in nearby New York City this spring might become nominees on a “Best of 2012” list.

Best Restaurant – El Oriental de Cuba, Jamaica Plain (Boston), Massachusetts
www.elorientaldecuba.com

Comida Cubana: Arroz con Pulpo Picante, Yuca Rellena, Sandwich Cubano, Batidos de Guanabana y Papaya, y Casco De Guayaba. Believe. Make that your order when you go. Prepare to take some home. Order that, and you’ll want to move to Boston’s Jamaica Plain. Permanently.

Best Magazine –Sunstone Magazine
www.sunstonemagazine.com

Sunstone is an interesting magazine: while the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers a handful of magazines of its own, they don’t explore issues from a vigorously academic point of view. Sunstone Magazine welcomes diversity of opinion and offers scholarly work. In many ways, Sunstone feels more like an academic journal.

(Source: Sunstone Magazine)

One reason Sunstone gets the prize for “Best Magazine of 2011”? It can write compelling and interesting stories with universal appeal. In 2011, that was quite important for Latter-day Saints and those who are only beginning to understand them.

In 2011 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was apparently receiving enough attention that Sunstone must have seen an increase in subsribers and readers.

Sunstone has been around since 1975, but in a year in which many wanted to learn about Latter-day Saints, Sunstone was there to present a fuller picture and welcoming some of the more uncomfortable questions one can ask when learning about any religion.

Many people have spoken of a supposed “Mormon Moment:” with two Latter-day Saint presidential candidates and the abundant presence of Latter-day Saints in media, more attention than usual has been paid to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While the view here is that this “Mormon Moment” is a bit of a stretch (there have been Latter-day Saint candidates for the presidency before: e.g., US Senator Orrin Hatch and Governor George Romney; there have also been Latter-day Saint celebrities all around us before) we think any attention paid to this particular religious denomination should include some time reading Sunstone.

While officially sanctioned publications can be a bit sterile and intellectually tepid, the case is usually made by the most faithful members of this Church that the purpose of official Mormon publications is to uplift and not to stir academic debate. If you are looking to satiate your intellectual curiosity while learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and you are interested in a diverse perspective, and some of that academic debate, try Sunstone.

Best TV Series or Show – Boss
www.starz.com/originals/boss/Pages/title.aspx?src=starz_mktg&med=referral&cmp=bss1&cid=418

Kelsey Grammer probably deserves a “Best Comeback” nomination of his own (the St. Lois Cardinals set a new paradigm for comebacks – see “Best Comeback of 2011”) but the truth is the TV show “Boss” speaks for itself, and not just on behalf of Grammer but of an entire cast full of great talent.

(Source: Starz)

Between 2005 and 2010 Grammer was cast in shows that lasted a season or less. If any Cheers franchise alumni was bound to suffer typecasting fate, it was Grammer, whose Frasier character managed to stay on the airwaves for 20 years (only a character in Gunsmoke has lasted that long). What’s more impressive is how far removed Grammer’s character on Boss (Chicago Mayor Tom Kane) is from Frasier.

Opening credits are backed by Robert Plant’s Band of Joy performing “Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down” and every scene from beginning to finish is intense. The acting is great, the cast is great, the scripts are great and, speaking frankly, the show captures the cynicism that permeates contemporary politics quite well. Of course, those involved in politics in the real world might criticize the show as overdramatic or as a collection of exaggerations – but TV shows are supposed to do that. They are supposed to compact the more interesting elements of whatever story or idea it’s meant to represent in a brief period of time. While no single campaign or political environment in real life will match the intensity of the story and circumstances on the show, there are plenty of cases echoed here (think Chicago’s own Richard Daly or Providence, Rhode Island’s Buddy Cianci).

‎”By the time this day ends every person who’s plotted against me will feel the force of my wrath. No one will be left unscathed. No one. And you will have to choose where you stand.” – Mayor Tom Kane

Best Quirk of 2011 – Missed David Gilmour

This “quirk” is actually quite depressing. David Gilmour joins Roger Waters on stage for a rendition of “Comfortably Numb.” Marie and Ed Lopez are cluelessly walking around Battersea Power Station. Just a few miles away. The irony. The pain.

Best Website – Pinterest
www.pinterest.com

While not necessarily (or generally) appealing to men, the site deserves credit for originality and even more importantly for its utility. It’s a great source for ideas on crafts, arts, hairstyles, clothes, et cetera, as well as a great way to store information on these ideas. The site provides tools that make it a virtual locker room of concepts which can serve anyone with artistic leanings and projects quite well. It’s a social network focused on useful interests.

Other sites considered and worth checking out: Brain Damage UK, Pandora, Wikipedia, Drudge Report, MSNBC, YouTube, Netflix, and Craigslist.

Best Photography Moment – Governor Jon Huntsman Installs a Campaign Sign

(Source: New Hampshire for Jon Huntsman)

While several photographs from various campaign sources captured Governor Jon Huntsman helping staff members and constituents put up his campaign signs between campaign stops, the shot included here was particularly compelling and made a great Black and White photo. It’s a great moment from the 2012 campaign captured by someone on his campaign team (no one has claimed the shot yet). The photo is definitely worth publishing in a book commemorating the 2012 election and all its campaigs, sometime down the road.

Best Radio Show – Floydian Slip
www.floydianslip.com

When it comes to this category, those who contribute to this list of nominees are old-fashioned radio listeners. Much like folks who follow television shows religiously, the inspiration for this category stems from what might be considered an unusual habit of listening to radio shows on a weekly basis – unusual by modern standards.

(Courtesy of Floydian Slip)

Some of the shows considered in this category include Dee Snider’s ‘House of Hair,’ Alice Cooper’s ‘Nights with Alice Cooper,’ John Tesh’s ‘The John Tesh Radio Show,’ Joe Cortese’s ‘Back to the 80s Friday Night’ and ‘Retro Pop Reunion,’ as well as a few others, among them the plethora of shows on internet radio stations like Planet Rock.

In all the years this list has been published, Floydian Slip has managed to beat all other radio shows it was up against. That was the case again in 2011.

In the spirit of remaining truly objective, a conscious effort was made to consider reasons other shows could come out on top this year. The truth, however, is that radio show host and producer Craig Bailey runs a pretty tight ship and the show’s growing audience is solid proof.

The narrative has been discussed here before. In a nutshell: the show is canceled by a radio station in Vermont (where the show originates) three or four years ago, only to come back from the ashes as a syndicated program on radio stations all over the world. The online streaming quality improves, the website improves, the contests improve, and the amount of days and times one can tune in to the show multiplies in a matter of months. The show has always been top-notch. The song selections are always creative, (particularly when it comes to identifying reasons they’re on the same thread), the facts discussed are always interesting, and host Craig Bailey has always balanced his insights with the music played very well.

While last year it took the prize largely on account of its growing audience and some of the improvements it made, this year what put it over the top was the combination of the contests it ran, host Craig Bailey’s willingness to interact with his (and Pink Floyd’s) fans, the show’s increasingly diverse schedule (initially limited to the weekends and now running all week), and especially the show’s use of social media to keep fans alert when it comes on the air. With random precision, indeed.

Best Diner – Gilley’s
www.gilleyspmlunch.com

(Source: Flickr)

Solid burgers. Cheap. Fast. Except for the drunkards it attracts late at night (and this place is open LATE) and the very, very limited seating options (eight stools – yes, that’s all the seating space pictured) this is a great place to go at almost any time: avoid weekend nights. Most people that visit around that time deserve a good kick in the ass and you’ll never eat peacefully. Otherwise, stellar food.

Best of New Hampshire – Jon Huntsman for President 2012

Every four years New Hampshirites show the rest of the nation how presidential candidates should be chosen: they force these candidates to campaign door-to-door, to shake hands, and answer constituent questions while looking voters straight in the eye.

While the system is not without flaws, the consensus here is that if all presidential candidates had to campaign in all states as though they were running for city council, it would improve our democracy a great deal. Of course – this is a republic – and a big one for that matter – and New Hampshire’s First-in-the-Nation status is unlikely to be replicated elsewhere.

(Source: New Hampshire for Jon Huntsman)

Despite New Hampshire’s First-in-the-Nation history, the state of Florida has been aggressively moving up the calendar and this has forced other states to schedule primaries much earlier than usual. Another challenge with this system is that constituents can overestimate their awareness of what candidates stand for and what they believe based on whatever they are most saturated with: even when saturated with misleading and inaccurate information. The system will never be perfect but this is as good as it gets: don’t be surprised, if while visiting New Hampshire during the primaries, you get trampled by a horde of cameras and reporters as a presidential candidate approaches you to ask for your vote.

During last year’s campaign efforts (leading to this year’s primary) no campaign assembled a better team of people than Utah Governor Jon Huntsman’s campaign. No one worked harder than Governor Huntsman, who held nearly 200 Town Hall Meetings (and certainly far more than over 200 events in the time he spent campaigning in New Hampshire).  If anybody met the expectations of New Hampshire voters it was Governor Huntsman: this house believes that a primary two or three weeks later than the January 10, 2012 date that was set would have resulted in a very different outcome and Governor Huntsman would still be in the race.

For that reason, New Hampshire for Jon Huntsman takes the “Best of New Hampshire” prize for 2011.

Best Missed Item of 2010, Discovered in 2011 – The Way

(Source: USA Today)

“The Way,” which was directed by Emilio Estevez, was by far one of the best releases of 2010 (as can be the case with many independent movies, release dates are somewhat relative – they span both 2010 and 2011 depending on the country, etc.). The trickiest problem with this movie is that it was difficult to find. The desire to watch it was certainly there as early as 2010 – but finding a theater showing the film was a challenge.

The movie is well acted and is particularly emotive and visceral for those who have lived in Europe and understand how people of all ages and backgrounds tend to find opportunities to let go a bit and to find themselves in that process.

The movie depicts a a father’s journey through the Camino de Santiago – and his effort to reconnect with his son in this sojourn. The characters are all compelling and though at times the film suffers from some of the hokiness you detect in so many independent films, it works well in The Way. If you watch this movie and you don’t (a) begin to regret not having walked the Camino (because now your obligations preclude this possibility) or (b) begin to figure out what you can put off to do it, you’re missing something.

Martin Sheen does a great job playing Emilio Estevez’ character’s father. One has to wonder if the real-life father son relationship makes playing this relationship on screen more difficult or easier. Add to the mix the family’s own Spanish roots (it’s Estevez who has laid claim to the family’s true name and the heritage it represents – Martin Sheen’s real name is Ramon Estevez) and you can begin to understand the intrinsic qualities of the project.

Best Podacst – LDS Liberty
www.ldsliberty.org

(Image courtesy of LDS Liberty)

The Lopez-Reyes family’s involvement in politics is no secret. The family’s occasional libertarian-leanings, on the other hand, might be a surprise to some. In fact, it’s the Latter-day Saint strand of the family that leans most heavily in that direction. Some of the family’s closest friends, active in politics and particularly in advocating individual freedom, free market economics, and the principles of a more restrained foreign policy brought LDS Liberty to the family’s attention.

The show contextualizes many discussions in the paradigms Latter-day Saints tend to follow. The discussions should be interesting to most Christians and religious folks with libertarian leanings. At the same time, the discussion of issues and the advancement of unique perspectives, such as the ‘Libertarian Case for Mitt Romney’ (and the libertarian case against the same) is educational enough for anyone interested in the ‘liberty movement’ and the diversity within.

Another podcast that seems promising for future nominations: Matt Leonard’s “Brain Damage” out of Boston, Massachusetts. Given how recently this podcast entered the family’s radar, there’s curiosity as to where it might end up in the “Best of 2012” list. Particularly when compared to radio shows featuring a similar theme (see “Best Radio Show”) but also when compared to podcasts in a completely different genre, such as LDS Liberty.

For lack of time, this list can’t be broken down into more subcategories. This means that these two very different podcasts are likely to compete for the top spot in this specific category in the future (admittedly, the amount of attention each podcast commands on this end plays a big role in the nominating process given that each podcast can be so different from the next). In the meantime, LDS Liberty has been given a full-year of opportunity to entice and it has done so compellingly.

Best of Portsmouth – Movies in the Park

One of the best things about Portsmouth is the chance to watch classics (well – classics for many of us means movies from the 70s, 80s, and 90s – with an occasional new release thrown in for good measure) out at Prescott Park, in one of Portsmouth, New Hampshire’s most historic areas, right next to the Piscataqua River and with an incredible view of the Portsmouth Naval Yard and Kittery, Maine. If you take the time to visit Portsmouth during the summer, keep your eye peeled for the chance to do this.

Best Pizza – Gas Light Pizza
www.portsmouthgaslight.com/pizza_landing.cfm

Consistently rated one of the best pizzerias in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, its reputation is well-deserved. You walk down to what amounts to a dungeon where the only thing they serve is pizza (the upstairs has a more eclectic selection of comfort food – but it’s all about the pizza here – keep going down the stairs!).

Best Book – Ferguson Civilization
www.niallferguson.com

(Photo courtesy of Niall Ferguson)

Ferguson books are always hard to put down: he makes history interesting. He has a knack for analyzing through different lenses (a practice more common in political science): these lenses range from economic to sociobiological. A strong free market advocate, his writing should be canonized by those with political aspirations and a sincere concern for legacy and how they can contribute toward putting our nation on a path back to sound fiscal policy and trustworthy world leadership.

In Civilization, Ferguson analyzes how the West became the center of our contemporary universe and the forces that threaten this status. What is most surprising, of course, is what that threat is rooted in and the questions it forces Westerners to ask of themselves.

Best Columnist – Nick Gillespie
www.reason.com/people/nick-gillespie/articles

Gillespie is either the most underrated columnist in the United States or his moment is right around the corner. It seems likely to be the latter as Gillespie has been featured in print and television a great deal lately (see this week’s Time Magazine). (To be fair, he’s also Editor-in-Chief of a magazine, which means he’s busy editing everyone else who writes, just about).

(Source: CSPAN)

Gillespie is this generation’s William F. Buckley, Jr. This is fitting considering the conservative movement is moving in Gillespie’s direction (he would argue a more libertarian one). That is to say that conservatism is embracing many of the ideals and principles Gillespie has advocated for and written about for many years, including his work at Reason Magazine, which is increasingly likely to give Buckley’s National Review a good run for its money in coming years.

Gillespie is cool, and maintains this cool in the most heated debates: John Fetterman, the heavily tattooed, Harvard-educated and aspiring wrestler Mayor of the “poorest town in Pennsylvania” (OK, maybe that second-to-last item was a stretch) once threatened to “take it outside” with Gillespie following a panel debate on television. What was surprising wasn’t the lack of a news story the following morning describing an incident of battery, but the relative indifference with which Gillispie received the threat, confident he was still right in whatever case had had made, on whatever issue, to offend Fetterman. Truth of the matter is, Gillispie has thick skin and Fetterman’s football player antics were no match. This describes your typical encounter with Gillespie, whom this house looks forward to reading more from in years to come.

Although the Lopez-Reyes family is disappointed Monsieur Gillespie’s view of presidential candidate Jon Huntsman was a bit off the mark, this venial sin is not enough to revoke Gillespie’s nomination for “Best Columnist of 2011.”

Best World Heritage Site Visited – Independence Hall, Philadelphia

Andrew Jackson served there and it’s in Philadelphia. Enough said.

Best Political Moment – Jon Huntsman schools Mitt Romney on being Commander-in-Chief

If there’s one thing this house finds irritating, it’s the view that civilian-elected presidents are somehow beholden to the “commanders on the ground.” As a family that has served the United States Armed Forces for anywhere between one and five generations depending on the family branch, and as a family that has been very active in public service over a similar span of time, we prefer Jon Huntsman’s view, which you can watch here.

Most Anticipated in 2012?

Roger Waters live at Fenway Park (Boston), Yankee Stadium (New York City), Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia); new Van Halen album and tour; Duncan Sheik and Suzanne Vega live in New York City; Psychedlic Furs at Tupelo’s in Londonderry, New Hampshire.

Will Begin to Miss Most in 2012?

(Guy Martin in Boston. Source: Boston Globe)

Zune; Sensing Restaurant in Boston with Chef Guy Martin (what a pity that a three-star Michelin chef escapes from the collective grasp of unpolished or unappreciative pallates in the Northeast: the one place where people in the United States should really know better).