Is the West in decline? Dr. James Lindsay is the author of books like Cynical Theories, The Marxification of Education, and most recently, The Queering of the American Child. He joins Socrates in the City host, Eric Metaxas to discuss his experiences in uncovering the hypocrisy of academic journals and the critical theory, cultural and academic marxism, and other hidden agendas these publications endorse. They explore how these trends are impacting academia in the West and beyond.
_______________
(I paraphrase) "The goal is not to produce well educated knowledgeable citizens. Its to produce activists."
Colleges now have to have remedial math classes, We have kids graduating from HS who read at a 6th level (or worse). Years ago I had a new supervisor, A Sharp young kid (MS in Engineering). Did not know A Thing about the Civil War, did not know who won!. What's worse (IMO) no interest in finding out.
I agree that "worse" is the striking lack of curiosity and the arrogance that goes with that! Ignorance can be fixed with curiosity and effort, but deliberate and proud ignorance cannot. Ammo Grrrll
And he’s the co-author of How to Have Impossible Conversations, with Peter Boghossian, and of Counter Wokecraft, with Charles Pincourt (a nom de plume). I’m part of a (very small) group that uses some of that as a springboard for workshops where we practice/teach civil discourse.
I think Dave Smith would agree with you about that. Whatever his faults may be I don’t think having absorbed anti-American, anti-liberal, anti-West “woke-ism” while in college is among them.
I do think his style is a bit intense for my taste but that's a quibble. "Faults" was perhaps too strong a word. There are issues about which we disagree. Foreign policy isn't one of them. I'm pretty sure both of us would be regarded as "isolationist." I'm not as down on NATO as much as he seems to be, and I'm on the fence about US obligations to Japan. I favor a much more liberal immigration regime than he does. (OTOH, I'm a firm believer in the rule of law and that the executive should be enforcing the laws with a minimum of "prosecutorial discretion." And I believe that the democratic process is the least bad system of governance. Part of that is being willing to accept when a majority of my voting population disagrees with me. Still, until I (or someone) can persuade a majority to my POV, I'm stuck with the laws the majority wants -- unless they're unconstitutional.)
Assuming that Pearl Harbor had not been attacked and Germany had not declared war on us, at what point in WW2 would an isolationist US government have opted to fight?
That's a really great question! It's an example where my attitude might (would likely) have led to much worse outcomes.
So my question is: at what point in the European war were vital US national interests at stake? I'm OK with US soldiers garrisoning Iceland. I'm OK with the US selling and shipping arms to the British and French. I'm OK with the US embargo on war materials against Japan.
In neither Japan or Germany declared war or attacked our military I would have stayed out. That might have led to the USSR occupying Europe as far as the Rhine, perhaps even as far as the English Channel, and probably all of Germany, France, and Italy as Soviet satellites. Very bad outcome!
What would we do if/when Japan attacks the Dutch possessions in the East Indies? I don't see how Japan acquiring all that oil would be a threat to a vital US national security interest so I guess even that wouldn't result in a Cassus Belli given my attitude toward war.
The Soviets were unlikely to have defeated Nazi Germany on their own. Stalin was considering a negotiated surrender at one point. The “Arsenal of Democracy” was supplying much of Stalin’s needs. It wasn’t just finished personal or unit arms; it was finished trucks, knocked-down aircraft,
tanks, ammunition, you name it. On top of that, whole factories for aircraft, ground transport, and the like, were sent from the U.S. to the USSR via the Murmansk Convoys. So, U. S. Neutrality against Germany would have been a BAD thing.
I haven't read many of Max Cossack's pieces, but this one I did read, and it was worth every single moment spent doing so. It is an excellent piece of writing.
I read everything Max writes, although I haven't yet worked backward through all his books. I just finished Max's latest book, "White Money," which is a western! As a life-long fan of Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey, it was right in my wheelhouse.
Dear Tim: should you ever decide to "work backwards" through Max's books, do yourself a favor and start with #1 FIRST and work "forwards!" Once a few decades ago, on a trip taking our son to college, I picked up book #4 of James Lee Burke's great novels. In it his wife was murdered by bad guys. When I started from the beginning and KNEW she was going to die (like all the young ladies who ever touched a Cartwright boy on Bonanza), the minute the hero met her, I wanted to scream, "RUN!" AG
Excellent. Don't be Dave Smith... the most revealing insight:
"It has always struck me as revealing that the actual tough guys who fought World War 2 listened to sentimental songs full of beauty and emotion. They had experienced more than enough violence and ugliness in real life. Weaker men prefer listening to violent and ugly sounds to establish their toughness.
To add to his tough guy credentials, Smith drops a lot of obscenities."
Max, I'm really starting to like your writing. You're touching several topics - hypocrisy, intellectual dishonesty, and others. Yet, you do this quite well.
Well, if you're referring to Powerline, especially Ammo Grrrll's column, that's me.
If you also follow Ammo Grrrll, and now Max (or have read his novels), you have to admit that few couples have such an enviable treasure trove of philosophical and political intuition and knowledge and the talent to share it with us.
Please, friends. Ya basta! Enough already. These kind of sweet comments -- which TonyP173 has been warned about repeatedly! -- are much appreciated but sufficient unto the day. And, like Rocky Balboa & his GF, Max and I are fortunate to "fill gaps" in each other's outlook and life experiences. AG
Max, I'd like to begin my comment on a lighter note than I usually use. As anyone who has read my comments knows, I am a solid supporter and admirer of your work on "Political Questions." So, today I am pleased to illuminate a unique tactic that you used to prove a point.
I thought it was incredibly clever for you to include a reference to Playboy Magazine in your column to support your position on a matter of great importance; to wit, "Does anyone else remember Hugh Hefner’s Playboy “philosophy”? For decades, Hefner published a magazine pushing a sophisticated “philosophy” which boiled down to having random sex with large-breasted women."
In fact, this was an inspired literary coup on your part. It didn't hurt your effort that you also posted a picture of Hefner in his golden years, next to a really cute woman, who was probably young enough to be his granddaughter, but had become his paramour. She apparently had those two critical items to which Hefner was attracted and you idescribed.
So, I was one of the teenagers who read Playboy, and 'gasp' Penthouse. I did this for a dozen years MOL , until a grew old enough to have adult relationships. I was thoroughly suprised to learn from your column that Playboy actually included 'articles' in their magazine. I must have missed those for some reason.
I did read some things on Playboy, but I only recall the 'letters: that were sent in from readers, seeking advice on how to find, then interact with women in Hefner's orb; or, to bragg about HOW they were interacting and the issues that arose from the contacts. I did read these letters, sometimes a number of times.
On a far more serious note, you overwhelming proved to me that Dave Smith is not funny. And, antisemitism is a real problem just about everywhere.
You may recall from other comments that my maternal grandmother was a Jewish woman from Budapest. She married an Italian boy named Lupinacci in New York in the very early 1900s. Thereafter, she decided to become a Christian (if in name only), and set about for the next six decades to hide her Jewish roots.
Frankly, I don't blame her, A cousin's deep dive in my grandmothers ancestry revealed that her grandparents were from Ukraine. Several generations of her extended family lived in Ukraine over decades, or remained in Romania. They were Askenanzi Jews, a tribe that went north during the Roman enforced Diaspora, settled in central Europe, and endured much antisemitic viiolence over decades.
Unfortunately, my ancestors also suffered from a genetic phenomenon that creates a weakness for developing some serious illness, including one I am trying to fight as I write this comment.
I get why a pretty young Hungarian girl, emigrating from Eastern Europe to find a better life, would hide an important aspect of her life, and to limit the negative reactions of small minded bigots.
My last point: Since I got old enough to assess the political realities by my own abilities, I have been unable to understand why so many American Citizens of Jewish ancestry adhere to the Democratic policies with a cult like intensity. It smacks of masochism on a grand scale to me.
You may have explained your views on this last point before, but if you are so motivated, I would love to hear it this morning.
Your columns are all superb, and you have few peers on the Internet.
Assuming I knew the answer, I would love to answer your question, but I don't think I could fit it into a comment. It would have to be a separate post.
Norman Podhoretz wrote an entire book on the subject, called "Why Are Jews Liberals?"
I admit I haven't read it, so I can't say whether I agree with him.
Libertarian here. I keep hearing how Dave Smith is a great libertarian, but the few times of listened to him it's always such a grind because it's more like hectoring than principled arguments. He wouldn't be in my top 100 of "libertarians" to listen to.
I've gotta go to Walmart, Max, so I will write a review upon my return. ;-) I'm baaaack. Sorry it took so long.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post. I have seen bits of Dave Smith on several platforms, to include Rogan (with Douglas Murray) and @ Tucker's "TCN". When I see Smith's face now it feels as if I have a sharp edged pebble in my shoe. Fortunately that is easily remedied.
Speaking of the inconsistencies you mentioned:
When Smith was on Tucker, during their discussion (Tucker doesn't debate his friends, only Ted Cruz) he seemed near tears crying for Israel to stop their murderous assault on innocent women and children in Gaza. Not too many minutes later he said he could understand how Israel felt about the Hamas attacks (mutilations) on their innocent women and children, and if it had been his family he would have "burned the whole world down."
So which is it Dave? Would you "burn the whole world down," except for the women and children, or just "burn the whole world down." No qualifier was given to his statement when he made it. Not totally unexpected, but disappointingly, Tucker did not call him out on this.
The clip you showed of his stand-up comedy routine was the first I've seen of him practicing his 'art?' Not funny in the least. Anyone who leans that heavily on profanity to be funny? is not funny to me, ever. Never mind the rest of his attempt at politically themed humor.
This guy is no dummy, he's just stoopid. (does that work? I dunno.)
Ever since October 7, Trumps re-election and his actions regarding Israel/gaza and Israel/Iran - not to mention Ukraine/Russia, which nearly no one talks about anymore - I've been greatly disturbed by the fractures I've seen on our politically right side of the aisle. I've given up on so many I once supported with my loyalty and $$ for many years. So Tucker has now gone by the way side. I am not prepared to call him an anti-Semite but his views have moved so far away from my on, on so many things, I can no longer abide them. As for Dave Smith, I've long now emptied my shoe of him.
Sorry this was so long, but your words seem to have aroused something in me that I have been fighting with for a while now. That's a good thing. Thanks. ;-)
Youngsters like Dave Smith don't realize that Trump is ending an endless war that started in 1979. I still remember the hurt when I learned that Jimmy Carter's rescue helicopters crashed in the desert. Peace through strength, especially in the Middle East.
"To add to his tough guy credentials, Smith drops a lot of obscenities. He also poses as a daring taboo breaker, but in his entire half hour he utters only two “forbidden” words: “faggot” and “retarded.” He repeats those words over and over. To hear Smith tell it, there are a lot of “faggots” and “retards” out there."
Dave Smith and other Tuckerites remind me of a 16 year old. They don't really know much, but they are passionate!
They don't like War. That's nice. When they say that (which is pretty much All They've Got), will point out War is What We Humans DO. I've got 6000+ years of history to back that up.
I teach HS English in a small town in southern Minnesota. We are about as far away from Israel as one can be. And yet every few weeks there are protesters chanting "free Palestine" and claiming Israel is an apartheid state. I bring this up to relate it to Dave Smith, who is, all of sudden, an authority, the protestors with the signs are authorities on the subject.....all of a sudden. I do not claim any secret knowledge of Jews or Jewish intent for the world, but there are alot of those who do, like Smith and the communist protestors in my town. Maybe this will pass?
It has. I have watched as the standards for graduation have sunk to "credit for time served." I am not joking (and yes, the jail lingo is intentional). It is as if we want our students dumb, dependant, atheistic and democrats, but I repeat myself.
So tragic, Bill. A century ago, Thomas Wolfe (he, who went to UNC at age 15) bemoaned the fate of his fellow educators as one of "...grading papers and trying to strike a spark in minds that had no flint in them." AG
I guess it’s in vogue for the MAGA Originals, as they see themselves, to question, suggest, explore, and lecture about the dangers of Zionism and U.S. interventionist policy. The Originals compete for clicks and views, and that requires controversy — and what better controversy than to dance around the trope the U.S. is an interventionist puppet run for and by the Jews. It fits nicely into a false history and sell easily to the generally ignorant. I view Candace Owen’s, Tucker Carlson, etc. as the bikini photos of celebrities’ taut, fit stomachs in the Daily Mail — not interested, but I still wanna see. And eyes are the Benjamin’s for the talkocracy. Gotta get the viewers/listeners if you are going to make the sale.
Before, during and after WWI, an influx of money, refugees, and settlers began to arrive in the small Jewish communities of Palestine and they gradually spread out. They bought land. They created farms. They electrified. They overwhelmed the local populace, both Jewish and Arab. Some violence between settlements occurred. The Jewish newcomers swelled in numbers during The Exodus after WWII, fighting once again broke out, and a new country was declared. In response, Arab states declared war. Israel defended itself. Arabs viewed the declaration of a new Jewish state as imposed by outsiders and illegitimate. After-all, the west was guilty of persecuting the Jews, should not use Arab land as reparations, and the west had no right to support a new state on what the Arabs believed was their homeland.
This history means a true settlement of the conflict will take generations and significant effort to create interdependence between Israel and its neighbors. The west needs to stay in the background and allow Israel to deal with this. Devices like the Abraham Accords are worth pursuing and encouraging, but we are a facilitator, not a military force. Some U.S. presence to shift power at the margins, as our outposts in Syria have done, makes sense. We indirectly helped picked the former ISIS rebel who is now trying to put Syria back together. But we are not, and are unlikely to be, engaged in another Middle East war. That is a straw man for the MAGA Originals to stir the base, grab attention, and attract $.
However we need to keep in mind, Iran’s proxy wars are not solely aimed at Israel. The Houthi’s see shipping disruption as a source of arms support, power, and tolls. HAMAS extracts money from Iran, Arabs and the West to make war. The same for Hezbollah. These proxy protagonists aim their violence at Israel as a surrogate of the west, the west, and specifically the U.S. The timing of our bombing of Iran was related to Israel, but the end goal was to avoid nuclear blackmail by Iran against the U.S. or our allies. It has delayed this possibility, and bought time to work on shifting Iranian policy. We also, under Trump’s orders, bombed Iran’s clients the Houthi’s.
We are not going to war, but we are flexing muscle to keep some order and create stability in the Middle East. And all this is to allow us to pivot to Asia. So we help Israel knock out Iran and its clients, force these reprobates to rebuild, get ready for their next round, and in the meantime, focus on Asia and hope a few of the usual suspects (I’m looking at you Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, decide to Jordanize, and live and let live.
I’ve followed Dave Smith for a long time. I first saw him on the old late night show Red Eye (Greg Gutfeld). After catching his act on YouTube I decided he was much funnier when interacting spontaneously with other people. Mr. Smith is (mostly) a libertarian. His opposition to America’s involvement abroad is the same as mine (also a libertarian). That is, the US is (generally) over involved. Libertarians believe the US military should not be anywhere that the US does not have vital national security interests at stake. His PRIMARY argument against US involvement in the middle east is that the US has no vital national security interests at stake there (a belief I share).
He is far more critical of the IDF and Israel than am I. I believe Israel has a right to defend itself and Hamas’ tactics have made doing that very “messy.” But I don’t have a better solution for how to solve that problem. I think it’s horrible when an evil enemy seems to leave no option but to kill civilians in pursuit of your just war aims.
I saw the “debate” such as it was between Mr. Kissin and Mr. Smith. (I also am a longtime follower and fan of Triggernometry.) I didn’t think either were at their best but I confess this: to argue the “no US vital national security interests at stake” position you’ve got to stick to that. Even helps to admit that Israel is in a very tough position, lives in a very tough neighborhood, and has a right to defend itself. Why is what Israel is doing even any of our business? Well… because we are funding it and they’re using US weapons (and US intelligence). We are deeply entangled militarily is Israel. I think we need to disentangle. I think that would be best for both countries but, as an American, it’s only US interests that concern me and I don’t see how the US benefits from our involvement in parts of the world where we have not vital national security interests at stake.
The West"s exceedingly well-funded educational institutions have been turning out snarling dimwits. This can't be an accident.
Its Not. See Google/Youtube search James Lindsay Education.
James Lindsay: Exposing the Insanity of Modern Academia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hru0evULsZ8
Apr. 10 2025
Is the West in decline? Dr. James Lindsay is the author of books like Cynical Theories, The Marxification of Education, and most recently, The Queering of the American Child. He joins Socrates in the City host, Eric Metaxas to discuss his experiences in uncovering the hypocrisy of academic journals and the critical theory, cultural and academic marxism, and other hidden agendas these publications endorse. They explore how these trends are impacting academia in the West and beyond.
_______________
(I paraphrase) "The goal is not to produce well educated knowledgeable citizens. Its to produce activists."
Jame Lindsay
At least some of the madness traces back to John Dewey. Long ago, elite universities set out to wean students off parental values and beliefs.
Colleges now have to have remedial math classes, We have kids graduating from HS who read at a 6th level (or worse). Years ago I had a new supervisor, A Sharp young kid (MS in Engineering). Did not know A Thing about the Civil War, did not know who won!. What's worse (IMO) no interest in finding out.
I agree that "worse" is the striking lack of curiosity and the arrogance that goes with that! Ignorance can be fixed with curiosity and effort, but deliberate and proud ignorance cannot. Ammo Grrrll
Thing is, I also see it on Our Side. How many times have I heard/read "I Never Listen To Fox News!"
And he’s the co-author of How to Have Impossible Conversations, with Peter Boghossian, and of Counter Wokecraft, with Charles Pincourt (a nom de plume). I’m part of a (very small) group that uses some of that as a springboard for workshops where we practice/teach civil discourse.
I consider Lindsay ‘must’ reading.
Lindsay a couple of years ago really opened my eyes on Progressive ideology.
I think Dave Smith would agree with you about that. Whatever his faults may be I don’t think having absorbed anti-American, anti-liberal, anti-West “woke-ism” while in college is among them.
What faults do you see in Smith?
I do think his style is a bit intense for my taste but that's a quibble. "Faults" was perhaps too strong a word. There are issues about which we disagree. Foreign policy isn't one of them. I'm pretty sure both of us would be regarded as "isolationist." I'm not as down on NATO as much as he seems to be, and I'm on the fence about US obligations to Japan. I favor a much more liberal immigration regime than he does. (OTOH, I'm a firm believer in the rule of law and that the executive should be enforcing the laws with a minimum of "prosecutorial discretion." And I believe that the democratic process is the least bad system of governance. Part of that is being willing to accept when a majority of my voting population disagrees with me. Still, until I (or someone) can persuade a majority to my POV, I'm stuck with the laws the majority wants -- unless they're unconstitutional.)
Assuming that Pearl Harbor had not been attacked and Germany had not declared war on us, at what point in WW2 would an isolationist US government have opted to fight?
That's a really great question! It's an example where my attitude might (would likely) have led to much worse outcomes.
So my question is: at what point in the European war were vital US national interests at stake? I'm OK with US soldiers garrisoning Iceland. I'm OK with the US selling and shipping arms to the British and French. I'm OK with the US embargo on war materials against Japan.
In neither Japan or Germany declared war or attacked our military I would have stayed out. That might have led to the USSR occupying Europe as far as the Rhine, perhaps even as far as the English Channel, and probably all of Germany, France, and Italy as Soviet satellites. Very bad outcome!
What would we do if/when Japan attacks the Dutch possessions in the East Indies? I don't see how Japan acquiring all that oil would be a threat to a vital US national security interest so I guess even that wouldn't result in a Cassus Belli given my attitude toward war.
So... pretty shitty outcomes all around.
Rethink the tight limits you put on the national interest.
The Soviets were unlikely to have defeated Nazi Germany on their own. Stalin was considering a negotiated surrender at one point. The “Arsenal of Democracy” was supplying much of Stalin’s needs. It wasn’t just finished personal or unit arms; it was finished trucks, knocked-down aircraft,
tanks, ammunition, you name it. On top of that, whole factories for aircraft, ground transport, and the like, were sent from the U.S. to the USSR via the Murmansk Convoys. So, U. S. Neutrality against Germany would have been a BAD thing.
I haven't read many of Max Cossack's pieces, but this one I did read, and it was worth every single moment spent doing so. It is an excellent piece of writing.
Thanks, Eugene.
I read everything Max writes, although I haven't yet worked backward through all his books. I just finished Max's latest book, "White Money," which is a western! As a life-long fan of Louis L'Amour and Zane Grey, it was right in my wheelhouse.
Dear Tim: should you ever decide to "work backwards" through Max's books, do yourself a favor and start with #1 FIRST and work "forwards!" Once a few decades ago, on a trip taking our son to college, I picked up book #4 of James Lee Burke's great novels. In it his wife was murdered by bad guys. When I started from the beginning and KNEW she was going to die (like all the young ladies who ever touched a Cartwright boy on Bonanza), the minute the hero met her, I wanted to scream, "RUN!" AG
Excellent. Don't be Dave Smith... the most revealing insight:
"It has always struck me as revealing that the actual tough guys who fought World War 2 listened to sentimental songs full of beauty and emotion. They had experienced more than enough violence and ugliness in real life. Weaker men prefer listening to violent and ugly sounds to establish their toughness.
To add to his tough guy credentials, Smith drops a lot of obscenities."
Max, I'm really starting to like your writing. You're touching several topics - hypocrisy, intellectual dishonesty, and others. Yet, you do this quite well.
Thank You
I'll say he does. It's really a special talent.
If this is the same TonyP183 from 'another' site, I'm glad to have found you here as well.
Well, if you're referring to Powerline, especially Ammo Grrrll's column, that's me.
If you also follow Ammo Grrrll, and now Max (or have read his novels), you have to admit that few couples have such an enviable treasure trove of philosophical and political intuition and knowledge and the talent to share it with us.
It was difficult reading AmmoGrrrll's response to PL's new commentary guidelines. Harder still to understand how AG didn't know about it beforehand.
I wish John and Scott well with PL, but I'll be spending less time there.
To your point - Yes, Susan and Max are a very special couple.
Please, friends. Ya basta! Enough already. These kind of sweet comments -- which TonyP173 has been warned about repeatedly! -- are much appreciated but sufficient unto the day. And, like Rocky Balboa & his GF, Max and I are fortunate to "fill gaps" in each other's outlook and life experiences. AG
Won't apologize for being sweet. Will not do it.
I'm glad you post comments on this site, which is reserved for the "cool kids". I hope to read more from you here.
Max, I'd like to begin my comment on a lighter note than I usually use. As anyone who has read my comments knows, I am a solid supporter and admirer of your work on "Political Questions." So, today I am pleased to illuminate a unique tactic that you used to prove a point.
I thought it was incredibly clever for you to include a reference to Playboy Magazine in your column to support your position on a matter of great importance; to wit, "Does anyone else remember Hugh Hefner’s Playboy “philosophy”? For decades, Hefner published a magazine pushing a sophisticated “philosophy” which boiled down to having random sex with large-breasted women."
In fact, this was an inspired literary coup on your part. It didn't hurt your effort that you also posted a picture of Hefner in his golden years, next to a really cute woman, who was probably young enough to be his granddaughter, but had become his paramour. She apparently had those two critical items to which Hefner was attracted and you idescribed.
So, I was one of the teenagers who read Playboy, and 'gasp' Penthouse. I did this for a dozen years MOL , until a grew old enough to have adult relationships. I was thoroughly suprised to learn from your column that Playboy actually included 'articles' in their magazine. I must have missed those for some reason.
I did read some things on Playboy, but I only recall the 'letters: that were sent in from readers, seeking advice on how to find, then interact with women in Hefner's orb; or, to bragg about HOW they were interacting and the issues that arose from the contacts. I did read these letters, sometimes a number of times.
On a far more serious note, you overwhelming proved to me that Dave Smith is not funny. And, antisemitism is a real problem just about everywhere.
You may recall from other comments that my maternal grandmother was a Jewish woman from Budapest. She married an Italian boy named Lupinacci in New York in the very early 1900s. Thereafter, she decided to become a Christian (if in name only), and set about for the next six decades to hide her Jewish roots.
Frankly, I don't blame her, A cousin's deep dive in my grandmothers ancestry revealed that her grandparents were from Ukraine. Several generations of her extended family lived in Ukraine over decades, or remained in Romania. They were Askenanzi Jews, a tribe that went north during the Roman enforced Diaspora, settled in central Europe, and endured much antisemitic viiolence over decades.
Unfortunately, my ancestors also suffered from a genetic phenomenon that creates a weakness for developing some serious illness, including one I am trying to fight as I write this comment.
I get why a pretty young Hungarian girl, emigrating from Eastern Europe to find a better life, would hide an important aspect of her life, and to limit the negative reactions of small minded bigots.
My last point: Since I got old enough to assess the political realities by my own abilities, I have been unable to understand why so many American Citizens of Jewish ancestry adhere to the Democratic policies with a cult like intensity. It smacks of masochism on a grand scale to me.
You may have explained your views on this last point before, but if you are so motivated, I would love to hear it this morning.
Your columns are all superb, and you have few peers on the Internet.
TonyP,
Assuming I knew the answer, I would love to answer your question, but I don't think I could fit it into a comment. It would have to be a separate post.
Norman Podhoretz wrote an entire book on the subject, called "Why Are Jews Liberals?"
I admit I haven't read it, so I can't say whether I agree with him.
Hi Max,
Libertarian here. I keep hearing how Dave Smith is a great libertarian, but the few times of listened to him it's always such a grind because it's more like hectoring than principled arguments. He wouldn't be in my top 100 of "libertarians" to listen to.
I've gotta go to Walmart, Max, so I will write a review upon my return. ;-) I'm baaaack. Sorry it took so long.
I thoroughly enjoyed this post. I have seen bits of Dave Smith on several platforms, to include Rogan (with Douglas Murray) and @ Tucker's "TCN". When I see Smith's face now it feels as if I have a sharp edged pebble in my shoe. Fortunately that is easily remedied.
Speaking of the inconsistencies you mentioned:
When Smith was on Tucker, during their discussion (Tucker doesn't debate his friends, only Ted Cruz) he seemed near tears crying for Israel to stop their murderous assault on innocent women and children in Gaza. Not too many minutes later he said he could understand how Israel felt about the Hamas attacks (mutilations) on their innocent women and children, and if it had been his family he would have "burned the whole world down."
So which is it Dave? Would you "burn the whole world down," except for the women and children, or just "burn the whole world down." No qualifier was given to his statement when he made it. Not totally unexpected, but disappointingly, Tucker did not call him out on this.
The clip you showed of his stand-up comedy routine was the first I've seen of him practicing his 'art?' Not funny in the least. Anyone who leans that heavily on profanity to be funny? is not funny to me, ever. Never mind the rest of his attempt at politically themed humor.
This guy is no dummy, he's just stoopid. (does that work? I dunno.)
Ever since October 7, Trumps re-election and his actions regarding Israel/gaza and Israel/Iran - not to mention Ukraine/Russia, which nearly no one talks about anymore - I've been greatly disturbed by the fractures I've seen on our politically right side of the aisle. I've given up on so many I once supported with my loyalty and $$ for many years. So Tucker has now gone by the way side. I am not prepared to call him an anti-Semite but his views have moved so far away from my on, on so many things, I can no longer abide them. As for Dave Smith, I've long now emptied my shoe of him.
Sorry this was so long, but your words seem to have aroused something in me that I have been fighting with for a while now. That's a good thing. Thanks. ;-)
Jim
Youngsters like Dave Smith don't realize that Trump is ending an endless war that started in 1979. I still remember the hurt when I learned that Jimmy Carter's rescue helicopters crashed in the desert. Peace through strength, especially in the Middle East.
"To add to his tough guy credentials, Smith drops a lot of obscenities. He also poses as a daring taboo breaker, but in his entire half hour he utters only two “forbidden” words: “faggot” and “retarded.” He repeats those words over and over. To hear Smith tell it, there are a lot of “faggots” and “retards” out there."
Dave Smith and other Tuckerites remind me of a 16 year old. They don't really know much, but they are passionate!
They don't like War. That's nice. When they say that (which is pretty much All They've Got), will point out War is What We Humans DO. I've got 6000+ years of history to back that up.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/cC4AAOxyakdRFCyr/s-l1200.jpg
SAC Motto
I like that motto! Thanks for the link.
I’d never heard of this guy until recently. Thanks max for saving me the trouble of looking any further.
I teach HS English in a small town in southern Minnesota. We are about as far away from Israel as one can be. And yet every few weeks there are protesters chanting "free Palestine" and claiming Israel is an apartheid state. I bring this up to relate it to Dave Smith, who is, all of sudden, an authority, the protestors with the signs are authorities on the subject.....all of a sudden. I do not claim any secret knowledge of Jews or Jewish intent for the world, but there are alot of those who do, like Smith and the communist protestors in my town. Maybe this will pass?
The rot in our educational system has spread not only deep but wide.
It has. I have watched as the standards for graduation have sunk to "credit for time served." I am not joking (and yes, the jail lingo is intentional). It is as if we want our students dumb, dependant, atheistic and democrats, but I repeat myself.
So tragic, Bill. A century ago, Thomas Wolfe (he, who went to UNC at age 15) bemoaned the fate of his fellow educators as one of "...grading papers and trying to strike a spark in minds that had no flint in them." AG
I guess it’s in vogue for the MAGA Originals, as they see themselves, to question, suggest, explore, and lecture about the dangers of Zionism and U.S. interventionist policy. The Originals compete for clicks and views, and that requires controversy — and what better controversy than to dance around the trope the U.S. is an interventionist puppet run for and by the Jews. It fits nicely into a false history and sell easily to the generally ignorant. I view Candace Owen’s, Tucker Carlson, etc. as the bikini photos of celebrities’ taut, fit stomachs in the Daily Mail — not interested, but I still wanna see. And eyes are the Benjamin’s for the talkocracy. Gotta get the viewers/listeners if you are going to make the sale.
Before, during and after WWI, an influx of money, refugees, and settlers began to arrive in the small Jewish communities of Palestine and they gradually spread out. They bought land. They created farms. They electrified. They overwhelmed the local populace, both Jewish and Arab. Some violence between settlements occurred. The Jewish newcomers swelled in numbers during The Exodus after WWII, fighting once again broke out, and a new country was declared. In response, Arab states declared war. Israel defended itself. Arabs viewed the declaration of a new Jewish state as imposed by outsiders and illegitimate. After-all, the west was guilty of persecuting the Jews, should not use Arab land as reparations, and the west had no right to support a new state on what the Arabs believed was their homeland.
This history means a true settlement of the conflict will take generations and significant effort to create interdependence between Israel and its neighbors. The west needs to stay in the background and allow Israel to deal with this. Devices like the Abraham Accords are worth pursuing and encouraging, but we are a facilitator, not a military force. Some U.S. presence to shift power at the margins, as our outposts in Syria have done, makes sense. We indirectly helped picked the former ISIS rebel who is now trying to put Syria back together. But we are not, and are unlikely to be, engaged in another Middle East war. That is a straw man for the MAGA Originals to stir the base, grab attention, and attract $.
However we need to keep in mind, Iran’s proxy wars are not solely aimed at Israel. The Houthi’s see shipping disruption as a source of arms support, power, and tolls. HAMAS extracts money from Iran, Arabs and the West to make war. The same for Hezbollah. These proxy protagonists aim their violence at Israel as a surrogate of the west, the west, and specifically the U.S. The timing of our bombing of Iran was related to Israel, but the end goal was to avoid nuclear blackmail by Iran against the U.S. or our allies. It has delayed this possibility, and bought time to work on shifting Iranian policy. We also, under Trump’s orders, bombed Iran’s clients the Houthi’s.
We are not going to war, but we are flexing muscle to keep some order and create stability in the Middle East. And all this is to allow us to pivot to Asia. So we help Israel knock out Iran and its clients, force these reprobates to rebuild, get ready for their next round, and in the meantime, focus on Asia and hope a few of the usual suspects (I’m looking at you Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas, decide to Jordanize, and live and let live.
Max, terrific takedown. Both logical and emotional.
It helps (for me, anyway) that you include Konstantin Kisin, a comedian and a staunch friend to Western principles.
You mean an actual comedian and capable of being funny.
The 17th century king of England who was executed was Charles I, not Charles II.
Blame the authors of the Protocols.
Never heard of this guy. But he does seem a very self loathing Jew
I’ve followed Dave Smith for a long time. I first saw him on the old late night show Red Eye (Greg Gutfeld). After catching his act on YouTube I decided he was much funnier when interacting spontaneously with other people. Mr. Smith is (mostly) a libertarian. His opposition to America’s involvement abroad is the same as mine (also a libertarian). That is, the US is (generally) over involved. Libertarians believe the US military should not be anywhere that the US does not have vital national security interests at stake. His PRIMARY argument against US involvement in the middle east is that the US has no vital national security interests at stake there (a belief I share).
He is far more critical of the IDF and Israel than am I. I believe Israel has a right to defend itself and Hamas’ tactics have made doing that very “messy.” But I don’t have a better solution for how to solve that problem. I think it’s horrible when an evil enemy seems to leave no option but to kill civilians in pursuit of your just war aims.
I saw the “debate” such as it was between Mr. Kissin and Mr. Smith. (I also am a longtime follower and fan of Triggernometry.) I didn’t think either were at their best but I confess this: to argue the “no US vital national security interests at stake” position you’ve got to stick to that. Even helps to admit that Israel is in a very tough position, lives in a very tough neighborhood, and has a right to defend itself. Why is what Israel is doing even any of our business? Well… because we are funding it and they’re using US weapons (and US intelligence). We are deeply entangled militarily is Israel. I think we need to disentangle. I think that would be best for both countries but, as an American, it’s only US interests that concern me and I don’t see how the US benefits from our involvement in parts of the world where we have not vital national security interests at stake.