Are you a free market capitalist that thinks public health care and socialized medicine are frightening? Do you think Obama is leading us down a path of destruction? Then ask yourself, why is it that in fact Obama is dragging his feet on the issue, almost like he's not really all that interested in providing public care? Glenn Greenwald explains some of these things here.
Likewise Bill Moyers was on Bill Maher discussing the same thing. Do we really have an actual choice when we decide between a Republican and a Democrat.
I've quoted Goebbels before and I'm doing it again. In the media successful propaganda must offer an "ostensible diversity that masks an actual uniformity." That's American media and government as I see it.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
My Audio Debates
Th/e purpose of this post is to provide a single link where my audio debates can be accessed. I'll update this link as I continue to participate in these debates. The most recent will be at the top.
11/9/12-Bob Dutko and I talk about tax policy.
6/22/12-Bob Dutko and I talk about global warming.
10/28/11-Bob Dutko and I talk about Occupy Wall St.
6/3/11-Bob Dutko and I talk about Israel and the 1967 borders.
3/11/11-Bob Dutko and I talk about the Wisconsin union battles and Bob's false statements about what the rich pay in taxes.
1/21/11-Bob Dutko and I argue about whether or not Bradley Manning is a hero.
10/22/10-Bob Dutko and I talk about whether or not Obama is a liberal.
5/27/10-My debate with Norm Cohen on the causes of Islamic terrorism. My opening statement with sources is here.
3/15/10-I spend an hour and a half in studio with Bob Dutko debating the existence of God
11/12/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about what motivates Muslim terrorists
10/8/09-James White and I talk about his performance in debate against Dan Barker which was about the Jesus story as cut from the same cloth as pagan stories
8/12/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about what the word "terrorism" means
7/?/09-Matt Slick and I talk about evolution
7/6/09-Matt Slick and I talk about the Kalam Cosmological argument for the existence of God
7/6/09-Matt Slick and I talk about the transcendental argument for the existence of God
6/12/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about his misrepresentations of the Qur'an
4/24/09-Bob Dutko and I debate U.S. torture policy
3/27/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about transitional fossils
1/23/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about Endogenous Retro Viruses and how this is evidence for evolution
12/19/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about why Muslims are unhappy with the United States
11/21/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about what motivates violent Muslims to attack Americans
10/24/08-Bob Dutko and I talk about whether Sarah Palin is a good choice for McCain
9/13/08-Gene Bridges and his partner Jonathan Goundry discuss presuppositionalism with me
6/1/08-Greg Koukl and I talk about the empty tomb and the significance of women being reported as the first witnesses
5/9/08-Bob Dutko and I talk about women at the tomb of Jesus
8/10/07-Bob Dutko and I talk about Bob's use of the Agapian version of Josephus
7/27/07-Bob Dutko and I talk about the disciples dying for belief in the physical resurrection
7/8/07-Greg Koukl and I talk about his use of scholars and the relevance of that to the claim that the disciples believed Jesus was physically raised from the dead
7/1/07-Greg Koukl and I talk about the disciples dying for belief in the physical resurrection
6/15/07-This is my first call to Bob Dutko. We discuss the claim that the disciples died for belief in the physical resurrection
6/5/07-James White and I talk about Robert Price's credibility
10/06-I follow up on my prior call with James White on inerrancy
6/06-James White and I talk about inerrancy
11/9/12-Bob Dutko and I talk about tax policy.
6/22/12-Bob Dutko and I talk about global warming.
10/28/11-Bob Dutko and I talk about Occupy Wall St.
6/3/11-Bob Dutko and I talk about Israel and the 1967 borders.
3/11/11-Bob Dutko and I talk about the Wisconsin union battles and Bob's false statements about what the rich pay in taxes.
1/21/11-Bob Dutko and I argue about whether or not Bradley Manning is a hero.
10/22/10-Bob Dutko and I talk about whether or not Obama is a liberal.
5/27/10-My debate with Norm Cohen on the causes of Islamic terrorism. My opening statement with sources is here.
3/15/10-I spend an hour and a half in studio with Bob Dutko debating the existence of God
11/12/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about what motivates Muslim terrorists
10/8/09-James White and I talk about his performance in debate against Dan Barker which was about the Jesus story as cut from the same cloth as pagan stories
8/12/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about what the word "terrorism" means
7/?/09-Matt Slick and I talk about evolution
7/6/09-Matt Slick and I talk about the Kalam Cosmological argument for the existence of God
7/6/09-Matt Slick and I talk about the transcendental argument for the existence of God
6/12/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about his misrepresentations of the Qur'an
4/24/09-Bob Dutko and I debate U.S. torture policy
3/27/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about transitional fossils
1/23/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about Endogenous Retro Viruses and how this is evidence for evolution
12/19/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about why Muslims are unhappy with the United States
11/21/09-Bob Dutko and I talk about what motivates violent Muslims to attack Americans
10/24/08-Bob Dutko and I talk about whether Sarah Palin is a good choice for McCain
9/13/08-Gene Bridges and his partner Jonathan Goundry discuss presuppositionalism with me
6/1/08-Greg Koukl and I talk about the empty tomb and the significance of women being reported as the first witnesses
5/9/08-Bob Dutko and I talk about women at the tomb of Jesus
8/10/07-Bob Dutko and I talk about Bob's use of the Agapian version of Josephus
7/27/07-Bob Dutko and I talk about the disciples dying for belief in the physical resurrection
7/8/07-Greg Koukl and I talk about his use of scholars and the relevance of that to the claim that the disciples believed Jesus was physically raised from the dead
7/1/07-Greg Koukl and I talk about the disciples dying for belief in the physical resurrection
6/15/07-This is my first call to Bob Dutko. We discuss the claim that the disciples died for belief in the physical resurrection
6/5/07-James White and I talk about Robert Price's credibility
10/06-I follow up on my prior call with James White on inerrancy
6/06-James White and I talk about inerrancy
Old Europe vs New Europe
As you may know if you read my blog I used to be a right wing war monger type. It's interesting to look back on the arguments that I found persuasive.
In the build up to war the Bush administration framed his opponents in Europe as belonging to a coalition he called Old Europe. These were the old fogies that didn't get it. Whereas New Europe understood the threats of dictatorship and thus understood why Saddam needed to be overthrown violently, with or without U.N. approval.
Sadly I bought off on that rhetoric. But it's worth looking back and asking the question. Did New Europe really support the invasion? Take a look at this polling data. It shows the level of popular support for an invasion of Iraq even without U.N. approval. Support for that action ranges from 4 to 11%. Note the Eastern bloc countries, which are regarded as part of New Europe. These are the countries that understand Communist oppression and hence appreciate what the U.S. is doing. There's no additional support for unilateral invasion that I can see.
The real difference between Old Europe and New Europe is pretty plain (and let me give credit to Chomsky for making this clear to me). Old Europe is those governments that govern in a manner consistent with the will of the people. New Europe has much more contempt for democracy. They overrule the large majority of the people so that we can "bring democracy to Iraq." One wonders why in Iraq they don't seem to want our brand of democracy.
In the build up to war the Bush administration framed his opponents in Europe as belonging to a coalition he called Old Europe. These were the old fogies that didn't get it. Whereas New Europe understood the threats of dictatorship and thus understood why Saddam needed to be overthrown violently, with or without U.N. approval.
Sadly I bought off on that rhetoric. But it's worth looking back and asking the question. Did New Europe really support the invasion? Take a look at this polling data. It shows the level of popular support for an invasion of Iraq even without U.N. approval. Support for that action ranges from 4 to 11%. Note the Eastern bloc countries, which are regarded as part of New Europe. These are the countries that understand Communist oppression and hence appreciate what the U.S. is doing. There's no additional support for unilateral invasion that I can see.
The real difference between Old Europe and New Europe is pretty plain (and let me give credit to Chomsky for making this clear to me). Old Europe is those governments that govern in a manner consistent with the will of the people. New Europe has much more contempt for democracy. They overrule the large majority of the people so that we can "bring democracy to Iraq." One wonders why in Iraq they don't seem to want our brand of democracy.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Matt Slick and I Talk Evolution
I spoke with Matt Slick almost 2 months ago following up on my prior call with him and then moving into a discussion on evolution. You can listen to it here. Matt's a good guy and talking with him is pleasant. I should call back.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
What Is Terrorism Mr. Dutko?
I spoke with Bob Dutko yesterday and asked him to tell me what terrorism is. Seems that when enemies of the U.S. government are violent against civilians that's terrorism, but when the U.S. government is violent towards civilians that's freedom fighting or spreading democracy or something like that. How does Bob react to the claim? Listen here.
It was a good week to discuss this issue because Bob Dutko has been expressing outrage that the Libyan convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 has been realeased by the Scottish government since he has terminal cancer and is expected to die within 3 months. After all, he's a terrorist. Right?
If you look into this case you might find that his conviction is somewhat dubious. There is good reason to think that Iran is responsible and acted in retaliation to the bombing of Iran Air Flight 655. I've yet to hear Bob Dutko express outrage about that incident. No need to release those responsible for that from prison since of course they never went. In fact they were awarded combat medals for their service.
I'm sensing that Bob more and more is attempting to prevent me from expressing myself clearly as it seems he used to do. There are more interruptions, more talking over. For instance at about the 7:34 mark he completes his thought that he doesn't see America in the negative light that I do. I tried to respond that I distinguish between America and the American government. Criticizing U.S. policy is not the same thing as hating America. Here's how it goes, with him cutting me off loudly to prevent me from being heard.
Bob-If this is your passion of what drives you, look how bad America is, but by the way I'm not Anti American
Jon-I don't
Bob-Whatever. I don't know how to speak to that
Jon-I don't say America is the same as the government. (This is hard to hear as he speaks over it).
Bob-I don't see America in the same light as you do.
Jon-There's a distinction between (Again this is cut off and I know I can't be heard so I stop again.)
Bob-I don't see America in the same light as you do.
Jon-(Finally he lets me through) There's a difference between America and the American government.
By jumping in repeatedly, saying the same thing that he's already said, so he's adding nothing in terms of content, he in my view attempts to trip me up in my train of thought and make the expression of my thoughts difficult.
I have to admit that I jump in as well, but this is because Bob more and more is filibustering. During the call which went 8:45 I was able to speak uninterrupted for 2:45 and if Bob with his O'Reilly style of cutting me off had his way it would be less.
People ask me why I bother with such treatment. It's not like I'm "winning" in the eyes of his listeners. Of course how can I win when he dominates the microphone, talks over and cuts me off as he does. But I wonder if maybe 1 in 100 listeners might look into Nicaragua or other atrocities committed by the U.S. government and take notice that the scale of many of these atrocities that they've never heard of make the events of 9/11 look small. And they might wonder why they've never heard of them and they might begin to understand this world a little better.
It was a good week to discuss this issue because Bob Dutko has been expressing outrage that the Libyan convicted of bombing Pan Am Flight 103 has been realeased by the Scottish government since he has terminal cancer and is expected to die within 3 months. After all, he's a terrorist. Right?
If you look into this case you might find that his conviction is somewhat dubious. There is good reason to think that Iran is responsible and acted in retaliation to the bombing of Iran Air Flight 655. I've yet to hear Bob Dutko express outrage about that incident. No need to release those responsible for that from prison since of course they never went. In fact they were awarded combat medals for their service.
I'm sensing that Bob more and more is attempting to prevent me from expressing myself clearly as it seems he used to do. There are more interruptions, more talking over. For instance at about the 7:34 mark he completes his thought that he doesn't see America in the negative light that I do. I tried to respond that I distinguish between America and the American government. Criticizing U.S. policy is not the same thing as hating America. Here's how it goes, with him cutting me off loudly to prevent me from being heard.
Bob-If this is your passion of what drives you, look how bad America is, but by the way I'm not Anti American
Jon-I don't
Bob-Whatever. I don't know how to speak to that
Jon-I don't say America is the same as the government. (This is hard to hear as he speaks over it).
Bob-I don't see America in the same light as you do.
Jon-There's a distinction between (Again this is cut off and I know I can't be heard so I stop again.)
Bob-I don't see America in the same light as you do.
Jon-(Finally he lets me through) There's a difference between America and the American government.
By jumping in repeatedly, saying the same thing that he's already said, so he's adding nothing in terms of content, he in my view attempts to trip me up in my train of thought and make the expression of my thoughts difficult.
I have to admit that I jump in as well, but this is because Bob more and more is filibustering. During the call which went 8:45 I was able to speak uninterrupted for 2:45 and if Bob with his O'Reilly style of cutting me off had his way it would be less.
People ask me why I bother with such treatment. It's not like I'm "winning" in the eyes of his listeners. Of course how can I win when he dominates the microphone, talks over and cuts me off as he does. But I wonder if maybe 1 in 100 listeners might look into Nicaragua or other atrocities committed by the U.S. government and take notice that the scale of many of these atrocities that they've never heard of make the events of 9/11 look small. And they might wonder why they've never heard of them and they might begin to understand this world a little better.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
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