20-Aug-19
This podcast features a conversation between Joe Rogan and Dan Crenshaw, a Republican congressman and former Navy SEAL. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including Crenshaw’s rise to prominence after a Saturday Night Live skit, his views on foreign policy, the current political climate, the role of social media, gun control, the opioid epidemic, immigration, and the Green New Deal.
Provocative themes in the podcast include Crenshaw’s stance on the role of military intervention in the Middle East, his skepticism of the Green New Deal, and his belief that the U.S. should be tough on China. Controversial topics discussed include the role of psychotropic drugs in mass shootings, the impact of social media on political discourse, and the challenges of navigating the complex world of international trade.
Underlying themes explore the importance of critical thinking, the need for nuanced political discourse, the dangers of ideological extremism, and the value of real-world experience in shaping perspectives. The conversation also highlights the importance of recognizing the complexity of issues and avoiding simplistic solutions.
Major Topics
- Crenshaw’s Experience on Saturday Night Live
* Crenshaw’s unexpected rise to prominence through a joke made about his eye injury.
* The unexpected backlash and how he handled it with grace and reason.
* His reflection on the carefully scripted nature of the show and the potential for mistakes.
* The importance of not playing the “aggrieved victim” role and avoiding unnecessary offense. - Foreign Policy and Military Intervention
* Crenshaw’s perspective on the need for U.S. military presence in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
* His belief that such presence is necessary to prevent future terrorist attacks like 9/11.
* The argument that the U.S. has a long-term fight against extremism and that pulling out of the region could create a power vacuum.
* His perspective on the complex reasons behind the motivations of terrorists, including ideological differences and the dangers of assuming everything is America’s fault. - The Current Political Climate and Polarization
* The increasing polarization of political discourse in the U.S., often fueled by social media and echo chambers.
* The importance of having nuanced conversations and understanding different perspectives, even when there is disagreement.
* Crenshaw’s belief that politicians need to explain the “why” behind their beliefs and move beyond talking points.
* The dangers of emotional attachment to opinions and the need for humility and openness to new information. - Social Media and Its Impact on Discourse
* The influence of social media algorithms in amplifying anger and outrage, creating a “hateful” environment.
* Crenshaw’s concerns about censorship and the suppression of conservative voices on social media platforms.
* The dilemma of balancing free speech with the need to prevent harm and hate speech.
* The need for clearer and more objective standards for what constitutes acceptable content on social media. - Gun Control and Mass Shootings
* The challenges of addressing gun violence in the U.S., with a particular focus on mass shootings.
* Crenshaw’s belief that focusing solely on gun control is not the solution and that a deeper understanding of the root causes is needed.
* The importance of balancing Second Amendment rights with the need to prevent violence.
* His support for the TAPS Act, which aims to improve threat assessment and prevention programs. - The Opioid Epidemic
* The devastating impact of the opioid crisis and Crenshaw’s personal experience with opioid addiction.
* The importance of understanding the role of supply and demand in fueling the crisis and the challenges of finding effective solutions.
* Crenshaw’s perspective on the dangers of overprescribing opioids, particularly to young people.
* The need for a balanced approach that addresses both the supply and demand sides of the problem. - Immigration and the U.S.-Mexico Border
* The challenges of managing immigration and the U.S.-Mexico border, including the issue of drug cartels and illegal crossings.
* Crenshaw’s belief in a merit-based immigration system and the need to uphold the rule of law.
* The importance of addressing the root causes of migration, including poverty and violence in Central America.
* The need to develop sustainable solutions that address both the economic and security aspects of the problem. - The Green New Deal and Climate Change
* Crenshaw’s skepticism of the Green New Deal and its reliance on wind and solar energy.
* His belief that the Green New Deal is based on an overly simplistic and unrealistic approach to climate change.
* His support for carbon capture technology as a more effective and sustainable solution.
* The importance of considering market forces and incentives when developing climate policy. - The Trade War with China
* The trade war between the U.S. and China and the implications for the global economy.
* Crenshaw’s belief that China’s intellectual property theft and unfair trade practices warrant a tough stance.
* The need to be aware of the potential downsides of tariffs and their impact on American businesses.
* The importance of having a long-term strategy for addressing the economic and cultural challenges posed by China.
Memorable Quotes
- “We send guys like me over there so that they don’t come here.” – Crenshaw articulates the purpose of U.S. military presence in the Middle East, highlighting the need for a proactive approach to prevent terrorism.
- “It’s okay not to know things, first of all. And it’s okay not to choose a side just yet.” – Crenshaw emphasizes the importance of humility and open-mindedness in political discourse.
- “Soft times create soft people.” – Crenshaw expresses his concerns about the rise of outrage culture and the need for resilience in the face of adversity.
- “We are infidels.” – Crenshaw acknowledges the core motivation of radical Islamic extremists, highlighting the ideological differences that drive conflict.
- “We have to get to this point, and it’s a pretty low standard, where we’re attacking ideas and not people.” – Crenshaw calls for a shift in political discourse, emphasizing the need to engage in respectful debate rather than personal attacks.