JRE #1156 - Jimmy Dore

9-Aug-18

Joe Rogan Podcast #1156 – Jimmy Dore: Topic Breakdown

This Joe Rogan podcast with Jimmy Dore, a stand-up comedian and political commentator, dives into a range of provocative topics. Dore challenges conventional narratives, scrutinizes power structures, and exposes what he perceives as hypocrisy within the political landscape.

Underlying themes include the dangers of unquestioning authority, the manipulation of information for political gain, and the need for critical thinking in a world saturated with media and propaganda.

Major Topics:

Putin, Trump, and Foreign Influence:

Dore critiques Henry Rollins for labeling Putin a “bad guy” without acknowledging the similar actions of American presidents.
He quotes Noam Chomsky, arguing that the focus on Russia’s interference in American elections ignores the significant influence of Israel and Saudi Arabia on US policy.
Dore points to specific instances, like Benjamin Netanyahu addressing Congress without the president’s permission and Trump’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia, as evidence of foreign influence.
He highlights the hypocrisy of condemning Putin while overlooking the US’s own involvement in war crimes, such as torture programs and drone strikes.

Whistleblowers and Censorship:

Dore discusses the persecution of whistleblowers like Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange for exposing government secrets, contrasting it with the lack of accountability for American war criminals.
He highlights the chilling reality of the government’s efforts to silence those who expose wrongdoing, including the use of the Espionage Act against journalists and the attempted assassination of Assange.
Dore argues that the targeting of Assange for revealing classified information about US election interference shows the true extent of the government’s desire to control information.
He points to the irony of the government’s fear of Assange’s revelations, considering that they were mostly about the Democratic Party’s involvement in election rigging, not Russia.

The Deep State and Unelected Power:

Dore discusses the power wielded by the intelligence community, highlighting instances where unelected officials have influenced or undermined presidents, such as the CIA’s actions against Assange and Chuck Schumer’s threat to “mess with” Trump.
He points to the media’s role in perpetuating the narrative of a “deep state,” noting the contrasting opinions of journalists like Eugene Robinson, who openly calls for the “deep state” to undermine Trump’s policies.
Dore argues that the intelligence community’s influence, alongside the powerful corporations that fund them, has a greater impact on US policy than Russia’s alleged interference.
He criticizes the media for their willingness to accept and amplify the “deep state” narrative, while simultaneously overlooking the actions of those who truly hold the power.

The Iraq War and Conspiracy Theories:

Dore emphasizes the Iraq War as the biggest conspiracy of his lifetime, arguing that it was a manufactured crisis driven by the military-industrial complex.
He criticizes the media for promoting the false narrative of weapons of mass destruction and the role of intelligence officials like Robert Mueller in perpetuating the lies that led to the war.
Dore argues that Trump’s presidency is a continuation of the same policies and agendas that led to the Iraq War, as evidenced by his increased military spending and lack of opposition to existing wars.
He points to the ongoing consequences of the war, including the creation of ISIS and the ongoing instability in the region, as evidence of the disastrous consequences of manufactured conflicts.

The Alex Jones Situation and Censorship of Free Speech:

Dore challenges the de-platforming of Alex Jones, arguing that while he may be wrong or offensive, silencing him sets a dangerous precedent for the future of free speech.
He highlights the role of big tech companies like Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify in enacting censorship, arguing that they are acting as private censors, often at the behest of the government or powerful individuals.
Dore criticizes the use of the term “hate speech” as a vague and subjective justification for censorship, pointing to the silencing of intellectual discussions and even the posting of the Declaration of Independence.
He advocates for treating these platforms as public utilities, subject to regulation, and calls for transparency and due process in any decision to censor content.

The Rise of Third Parties and the Democratic Party’s Failures:

Dore argues that the Democratic Party’s failure to offer a compelling alternative to Trump has contributed to his success and the rise of third parties.
He criticizes the Democratic Party’s reliance on fear-mongering and voter shaming, arguing that it alienates potential voters and reinforces a rigged system.
Dore highlights the success of third-party candidates, such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as evidence that people are open to alternatives to the two-party system.
He advocates for the formation of a true third party that would challenge the status quo and offer genuine representation to progressives.

The Role of Media and Propaganda:

Dore critiques the media’s partisan bias, noting how different news outlets present entirely different narratives on the same events, creating an echo chamber effect.
He criticizes the media’s reliance on manufactured narratives and the suppression of dissenting voices, highlighting the silencing of journalists and the promotion of harmful stereotypes.
Dore argues that the media’s role in shaping public opinion makes them a powerful force in influencing political outcomes.
He highlights the need for critical thinking and media literacy to navigate the complex and often misleading information landscape.

The Catholic Church and Sexual Abuse:

Dore discusses the Catholic Church’s long history of sexual abuse, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem and the systemic cover-up that has allowed it to continue for decades.
He criticizes the church’s practice of moving abusers from one parish to another, rather than holding them accountable, and the normalization of sexual abuse within the church’s hierarchy.
Dore argues that the church’s power and influence have allowed it to operate above the law, protecting its abusers and silencing victims.
He compares the church’s response to sexual abuse to the current de-platforming of Alex Jones, suggesting that the same principles of censorship and silencing are at play.

The Dangers of Unquestioning Authority:

Dore emphasizes the importance of challenging authority and questioning narratives, particularly in a world where information is constantly manipulated.
He criticizes the blind acceptance of government narratives and the unquestioning faith placed in institutions like the media and the intelligence community.
Dore advocates for independent thought and critical analysis, reminding listeners to be wary of the information they consume and to seek out diverse perspectives.
He suggests that the constant bombardment of information and the prevalence of propaganda make it more critical than ever to engage in critical thinking.

The Importance of Honesty and Integrity:

Dore values honesty and integrity in public discourse, arguing that they are essential for a functioning democracy.
He praises Joe Rogan for his willingness to engage with diverse perspectives and challenge conventional narratives.
Dore criticizes those who are willing to compromise their principles for political gain or personal advancement.
He advocates for a culture of open debate and critical thinking, where individuals are encouraged to speak truth to power.

Memorable Quotes:

“If you care about effects on our pristine elections, which he said very sarcastically. He said if you care about what’s affecting our pristine elections, the Russia gate is the last place I would look.”
“So this idea that somehow because Putin is a bad guy, Trump shouldn’t have a good friendship with him is BS.”
“The biggest conspiracy of my lifetime was the Iraq War. That was a conspiracy.”
“They’re trying to put a bill in Congress to make police a protected class of people. So if you say shit about them, now it’s considered hate speech. Did you know that?”
“The antidote to bad speech is not censorship. The antidote to bad speech is more speech.”