New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
From across the pond comes our newest podcast Radio Free Delingpole, starring the irrepressible James Delingpole. In this premiere episode, James welcomes fellow British commentator/provocateur Douglas Murray. They pull no punches as they fearlessly broadcast from "Eurabia" and discuss the hazards of publicly criticizing Islam, the U.S. Presidential race and their surprising picks for who should win the nomination, and wind up with a spirited debate the role of the west in the Middle East. It's a rollicking hour, but with those accents, everything just sounds so darn dignified. And yes, we plan to do these on a regular basis -- just as soon as we can get Delingpole a proper mic.
Give it a listen here:
Ricochet Podcast subscribers, we're giving you this episode in our regular podcast feed. For everyone else, the direct link to the episode is here (great for mobile devices!). Let us (and James) know what you think in the comments.
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Nov '10
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Marvelous!!! Please bring us MANY more.
Apr '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
I have to say, I strongly disagree with the claim that Islam is the only religion that is venerated in the West. Having lived in Iraq for most of the past couple of years, working for Iraqis, my personal appreciation for Islam was mildly increased. I don't get the impression that Islamic theology is much of the reason that the region has so many political problems; if they weren't Muslim, they'd be having the same fights with different labels.
Still, the claim that Islam is revered isn't one that I'm going to contest too hard. My hope is that you'll be more sympathetic to the claim that Buddhism is far, far, worse. They got the suicide bombing thing off the ground, their governments are far more uniformly oppressive, and the oppressive ones are far more oppressive. The only reasonably pleasant one is Japan, a rare example of the proper use of "the exception that proves the rule", as Japan's transition to being what Pew considers amongst the most religiously tolerant only came about due to what can only be described as robust use of American power, of the non "soft", non "smart", kind.
Jun '10
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Romney = Cameron. Talk about a stake though the heart. Bravo! Keep calling them as you see them.
Apr '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
While it is predictable that I'd disagree with the sense that Romney is some liberal chap, I take a much stronger objection to the suggestion that he's taking a similar position to Cameron. Cameron wasn't just someone who took liberal positions, he actively advocated them and described decried the toxicity of conservatism.
Romney may be lying when he describes himself as believing that the government should protect unborn life (although there is strong evidence that he has always believed in protecting it within his church), and he may be lying about his jobs document ideas, even the ones he's been espousing all his life, or about repealing Obamacare. I give him more credit than most on this site, but it's not unreasonable to disagree with me here.
Still, if you won't believe him, at least give him credit for bothering to lie! That's not what Cameron did. If Romney is utterly dishonest, he's a James Bakker figure, a televangelist hypocrite (if I am being unfair to Bakker, I plead youthful ignorance; I left high school to study Theology in '96). Cameron was an Archbishop of Canterbury figure; a fairly honest, awful, moderate.
Apr '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Where Cameron: "We're going to cut, but the one thing we will always protect is government health care", Romney: "We're going to cut, but the one thing we will expand is spending on the military". On the podcast, you remind me of his fear that Conservatives were seen as being all male, all white, in language that clearly condemned the party as sexist and racist.
Romney simply doesn't attack the GOP in the same way. Examples of people saying that the GOP should engage in more racially inclusive action to improve the brand include Perry (combating heartlessness in the party) and Delingpole (frequent mentions of the race of African-American Republicans).
While I understand your unhappiness with his saying that Global Warming is likely, he is pretty good about consistently acknowledging doubts and not condemning those who believe that it is all a con (it's true that there was an attack on Salem Harbor power plant 9 years ago, but even then he didn't attack its supporters).
Romney doesn't say that republicans need more programs. He condemned Perry stupidly suggesting that Social Security was unconstitutional, but does not condemn reform. Romney likes right-wingers.
Apr '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Final points: One might think that Huntsman was the sneering Cameron in the race, but it's worth noting that Huntsman's pretty sound on fiscal stuff. I think that the dislike of the party (and consequent endorsements from the liberal wing only), is there, and from Paul, too, but there is obviously no one as liberal as Cameron in the race (or as a Republican in Congress).
Also, are you going to be at Dan Hannan's meeting with ugly union thugs today? I'll be People's Pledging, and it would be good to say hi.
May '10
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
This is kind of idiocy. The complaint about Romney isn't, for the most part his positions; it's the solidity of those positions. Cain doesn't make gaffes? Ron Paul being taken seriously? China owns the world? A British accent doesn't always equate with clarity, truth or wisdom.
Edited on Oct 21, 2011 at 8:14pmApr '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
ParisParamus
This is kind of idiocy. The complaint about Romney isn't, for the most part his positions; it's the solidity of those positions. A British accent doesn't always equate with clarity or wisdom. · Oct 21 at 8:12pm
For what it's worth, my less clear and less succinct agreement with you above should also be read in received pronunciation, more or less; the accent doesn't always equate to concision either.
Mar '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Oh well, that's different then! There for a while, I thought he was a moderate with a "versatility of conviction" that would tack further left as soon as he has the nomination and leave us in the dust because the only alternative at that point would be insufferable. But if he likes me, he really, really likes me, it's all good.
Apr '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Percival
Oh well, that's different then! There for a while, I thought he was a moderate with a "versatility of conviction" that would tack further left as soon as he has the nomination and leave us in the dust because the only alternative at that point would be insufferable. But if he likes me, he really, really likes me, it's all good. · Oct 22 at 5:02am
We can agree to differ on how versatile Romney's convictions are, but even if he is going to run to the left in the general, the affection for those to his right makes a big difference to the congressional elections. When Cameron actively works to marginalize people like Delingpole, or Lord Tebbit, agreeing with the MSM that they're nuts, demanding that Conservatives become less toxic, he seriously harms his party. See, eg., the congressional impact of Eisenhower.
Jan '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Wow James, you summed up my thoughts about the comparison between Romney and Cameron perfectly. Not too windy at all.
James and Douglas, top notch introductory effort! I look forward to more. It is interesting to get the non-native take on US politics. I was very impressed with the insight for the most part, with the exception of the things James points out above.
Here's hoping both of our countries pull back from the brink and stave off the civilizational decay that has been allowed to creep in. Or at the very least allow you and those of us who agree with you to get in a well earned, "I told ya' so!" as we don the totalitarian shackles of our eventual overlords. ;)
Mar '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
The podcast was excellent, by the way, and I hope there are many more. Plus, the introduction to both Mr. Murray and Standpoint Magazine are appreciated.
James Of England
Percival
We can agree to differ on how versatile Romney's convictions are, but even if he is going to run to the left in the general, the affection for those to his right makes a big difference to the congressional elections. When Cameron actively works to marginalize people like Delingpole, or Lord Tebbit, agreeing with the MSM that they're nuts, demanding that Conservatives become less toxic, he seriously harms his party. See, eg., the congressional impact of Eisenhower. · Oct 22 at 6:13am
The sarcasm of my post was a little thick: I shouldn't post until the coffee kicks in.
However, this is not my first rodeo. There is no "if" in the proposition that Mitt will tack left. His advisers shall insist, and therefore it shall happen. The rose smells as sweet now as it is ever going to smell.
The point on congressional impact is a valid one. But the new sheriff in town needs to remember that the posse is getting surly.
Apr '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Percival: the introduction to both Mr. Murray and Standpoint Magazine are appreciated.
However, this is not my first rodeo. There is no "if" in the proposition that Mitt will tack left. His advisers shall insist, and therefore it shall happen. The rose smells as sweet now as it is ever going to smell.
The point on congressional impact is a valid one. But the new sheriff in town needs to remember that the posse is getting surly. ·
To my mind, this underscores the point. Tea Partiers are more adult than liberals, and seem unlikely to Nader the election. If we had a Cameron, heck, even a Huntsman, who made it clear that the right wing of the party was a shameful relic of the past, anti-science, racist, believing in all kinds of silly myths, all the bitter clinging to their guns and religion stuff from a GOP standard bearer? I'm pretty sure we'd have a bigger third party than the Greens. Maybe even win a state or two.
A lot of people thought this with McCain, but McCain did not veer left in the general. These things are not written in stone.
May '10
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
There is no "if" in the proposition that Mitt will tack left. His advisers shall insist, and therefore it shall happen. The rose smells as sweet now as it is ever going to smell.
Reading this made me depressed, obviously, but upon reflection, I'm not so sure. Obama is sufficiently far left, and Romney's positions are sufficiently detailed and, alas, non-extreme, that, well, would/will it really be necessary? Will it really be that possible in an internet age where there is "total memory" of what went on six months prior?
A related, tangential question: are Romney's stated positions any less conservative/than any of the other candidates? Yes, his tax reduction proposals are less radical than Cain's, but what else?
Finally, whatever it once meant, does the label "Conservative" have any sense in the UK or Europe? Every single conservative-ish governing party over there is as left, or further to the left of the Democrats here.
Edited on Oct 22, 2011 at 10:18amMay '10
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Agree with M1919A4 Great new Podcast. Thanks. Please make it regular.
Sep '10
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Ditto!
Aug '10
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
I agree, this needs to be a regular podcast. Even at risk of the hosts achieving a constant state of gloominess...
Feb '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Shuts down at 14:12.
Feb '11
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Shuts down at 14:12.
Re: New Podcast: Radio Free Delingpole
Israel, Based on your triple post, I'd say you're having some connection issues.