Or have a character say, "Well, whatever, so I was thinking about the struggle in the jeffersonian era of the juciciary branch the other day--"

"You were what?"

"It happens. Anyway...."

Other than that, I think its a hard leap to make. Are you sure you're starting in the right place?

By the way, you're writing a playwright? So, it's a story about a person who wrightes plays?

[This message has been edited by lehollis (edited October 16, 2007).]
 

You know, of course, about the 1985 Senate hearings (Al Gore and company) that pitted Tipper Gore (and the PMRC) against the Filthy Fifteen--which were represented by Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Frank Zappa, and John Denver. Though it was about censorship, maybe that--or something of that sort--would make a better place to begin.

Too bad it wasn't about the Jacksonian era. That could easily be related to him disregarding the Supreme Court and forcing the Cherokee on the Trail of Tears.

[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited October 16, 2007).]
 

There is a great series called Connections by James Burke, as well as two sequel series, Connections 2 and 3, that explore these kinds of disparate connections.

For example, I'm talking to my buddy about why I like oreo's and then launch into a conversation about the collaps of western civ into the dark ages.

When my friend gives me the quizzical look of where the hell did that come from? I'd look at him understandingly and explain that oreo's reminds me of racist slang for couples of mixed races, which made me think of intolerance, which lead to etc. etc.

Depending on the tone of the piece this can be a comedic exchange. Kevin Smith does dijointed seques well and has nice banter, might want to look to it for some inspiration.

 

As to your problem Dreadlord, perhaps you can lead the conversation that way by creating a lawsuit involving that band and then say "I wonder what John Marshall would think of that?"