Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Big brains on the big show this week as we're joined by New York Times columnist David Brooks and National Review Editor-In-Chief Rich Lowry. They think big thoughts about entitlements, the Bush tax cuts, Chris Christie, Mitch Daniels, Bob Gates for president, potential democratic challengers, and whether infidelity is the root of all social evil. Also, has David Brooks gone "native?" And Mr. Brooks bravely answers his Facebook critics.
Even though it's raining here, let's hit the links:
- Rob Long really is the expert on personal plumbing fixtures the world over.
- He said Dr. Sardonicus on the podcast, but we're pretty sure Rob was referring to Mr. Sardonicus, the 1961 horror movie directed by the legendary William Castle.
- Tom Joad Gave Up is David Brooks' NYT column that fondly recalls the effective state government California enjoyed for decades.
- David's column The Day After Tomorrow argues that Republicans are going to have to come to terms with a "limited but energetic government."
- Ryan Lizza's seminal New Republic profile of Barack Obama from 2007.
- Mancur Olson's The Rise and Decline of Nations is available here.
- Read Jonathan Rauch's essay Demoscelrosis here.
- Good news for David and Rob: The IRF is an organization dedicated to the survival of Rhinos.
- Peter Robinson's Ricochet post on immigration.
- Daniel Patrick Moynihan's wikipedia entry.
- Charles Murray's book Losing Ground was pivotal in changing the way government dealt with poverty.
- Bill McGurn's WSJ op-ed challenging to the President to speak up on the D.C. schools.
- Ride Along With Mitch is Andy Ferguson's terrific profile of Mitch Daniels in which the governor is observed washing down a hot dog with a butterscotch milkshake.
- Rich Lowry writes about The Pledge. The full text of it is here.
- David Brooks has written about Reinhold Niebuhr on numerous occasions. You probably will not be shocked to learn that his influence has been acknowledged by such recent leaders of American foreign policy as Jimmy Carter, Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as John McCain.
- You can download Peter's Uncommon Knowledge interview with Michael Barone here.
- Artesia, CA is freeway close if you want to grab a good Indian meal.
Music from this week's episode:
- Wake Up by Arcade Fire
- Swing from Paris by Django Reinhardt
The direct link to this week's episode is here, but we'd really love it if you'd subscribe. Not a member of iPod Nation? Visit our Feedburner page for a number of other subscription options.
The Ricochet Podcast is sponsored by Encounter Books. This week's title: Never Enough: America's Limitless Welfare State by William Voegeli. Available for purchase and download at EncounterBooks.com.
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Comments :
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
I've got a medium-sized brain, so I don't know what the hell "infedelity" is.
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Fixed. Wow, tough room.
Aug '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Obviously, infedelity is being unfaithful to the principles of federalism.
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
At the beginning of the program Mr. Brooks mentions that he doesn't care what the percentage of the GDP the federal government consumes, 20%... 25%... , so long as We have this, and this, and that..... Conspicuously absent from his lips was the word "freedom."
Again, if he doesn't care how much of the GDP the federal government consumes, ask him "What about 100%?"
Fantastic program, as usual.
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
This podcast is going to give me nightmares tonight if I don't heavily sedate myself before bed. I see myself in a dream wading knee-deep through fresh calamari . . . squish, squish, squish.
Re: Entitlements. Forget the economic arguments. A welfare state corrupts the body politic by allowing the political class to trade patronage for votes. It's the only argument you need.
Re: "Birth out of wedlock." I hate euphemisms. Bastardy is on the rise because government has provided economic incentives that promote it. Remove the economic incentives and replace them with punitive measures and you'll see less of it. Make fathers responsible for their progeny under the threat of conscription. And if the military can't use them, let them pick vegetables on a chain gang.
Re: "Parent Neutral Academies." Uh? If you have to bury the idea in jargon, it's a no go from the start. I suggest the following: hard work, discipline, personal responsibility, and public flogging.
Now, if you really want to improve these podcasts, I suggest you invite the membership. Open bar.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
No aspect of government should be considered in isolation from others. Even if bigger government could improve social mobility, what freedoms would we lose?
At the city and state levels, Democrats have tried to avoid spending cuts by pretending cuts must begin with basic necessities like prisons, police and fire departments. It's basically extortion: "Go along with our plans or we can't guarantee your safety." Is there any way Republicans could try the same ruse at the national level? Could they try to avoid cuts they don't want by presenting us with false dilemmas?
Rob, that the majority of French students fail their final exams doesn't necessarily mean the tests are hard.
Our government grows more powerful and more self-serving every decade, and y'all invite it to shape our culture? Our cultural attitudes regarding marriage and family should be, must be, fixed without government. Government should always reflect culture... never drive it.
To David's point about humility, we should have completely different expectations of federal politicians than we do of state and city politicians. The more people one represents, the more reluctant one should be to influence their lives in any way.
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Caller:
"Hey, Rob, I just wanted to say to Mr. Brooks that I'm a huge fan. Huge fan. Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein..."
Rob:
"Um, you're thinking of Mel Brooks, Howard..."
Caller:
"What was that actress in Blazing Saddles? With the big...."
Rob:
"OK! Let's go to Sally...in Pomona!"
Caller:
"Hi, Rob. I just think it's so interesting that you're talking about Reinhold Niebuhr, because I have, like, all his audiobooks. His accent is soooo sexy..."
Rob:
"Did you have a question for one of our guests, Sally?"
Caller:
"Actually, Rob, I have a question for you. What are those hoses on the toilet for?"
Rob:
"Sally, stay on the line. Our producer will take your number..."
Rich Lowry:
"What the heck is this? I didn't know you guys took calls..."
Peter Robinson::
"It's...it's....I just can't get Rob..."
Rob:
"Let's go to....Albert..in San Rafael..."
Caller (muffled):
"Yeah, Rob, listen: I have a certain little Yorkshire Terrier in my, um, possession. You feelin' me? Now, if you guys don't increase the size of the "like" button on Ricochet..."
Rob:
"Kenneth?"
Caller:
Dial tone
Edited on Oct 6, 2010 at 6:50pmJul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
~Paules:
Now, if you really want to improve these podcasts, I suggest you invite the membership. Open bar. · Oct 6 at 5:15pm
Unfortunately it will be shi-shi wine bar in San Francisco.
It won't be the Hole Shot Saloon...
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
It's not the size of your government, it's what you do with it ... wait, what?
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Can we get Mickey Kaus and David Brooks in the same room and maybe, just maybe, they'll both realize they are each in the wrong party.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
When Peter started in with "Scott is a genius..." I was sure he was heading back to Reusser...
I think it would be really interesting to have a Ricochet discussion about the line between social mobility and social justice in terms of federal government policy...
I do think that David Brooks (and many of his brethren) are missing the meaning of the Tea Party to be still using the metaphor of a continuum with a middle where "most Americans live," I think there is a fracturing taking place between right and left that really belies that old paradigm and the election will bring it into stricter focus...
I wish you had invited the David Brooks questions on the main site. I can't also monitor the FB page -- too exhausting -- but I would have liked to have listened to David describe the biases of the MSM of which he is surely a full-fledged member and how he navigates and whether he ever feels like there is any possibility of achieving a more objective perspective there. I would also like to know whether he feels as though he censors himself -- particularly on NPR and NewsHour.
Edited on Oct 6, 2010 at 9:43pmRe: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Trace Urdan: I wish you had invited the David Brooks questions on the main site. I can't also monitor the FB page · Oct 6 at 9:41pm
Edited on Oct 06 at 09:43 pm
Trace,
It was a spur of the moment decision based on comments made about David on the Facebook page. But you're right, if we're going to ask for questions we should ask on Ricochet. With three hosts and a limited amount of time, I don't expect we'll ask for questions very often (also, it would kill Kenneth's show), but in the future, we will ask here first.
So, have any questions for Mark or Jonah?
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Just the obvious one for Mark I-live-in-New-Hampshire-because-I'm-a-man-of-the-people Steyn: Why won't he come on here and mix it up with the regular paying customers? Does he visit the site? What does he make of it?
I'd love to believe he's lurking anonymously behind some already existing moniker, but I don't believe I've really heard his voice here...
For Jonah I'd like to know if there are any Giants fans on the NR staff...
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Really enjoyed hearing David Brooks. Lets have him back. For the record, Krugman blows. And it appears to this long-time listener that the podcasts are beginning to sincerely confront the issues. As to Obama's addressing the state of DC public schools, he has already come down on the side of teacher unions back in 2009. Rhee doesn't have a chance of survival in the Gray administration, IMO. One of the approaches to improving our public schools that I don't hear mentioned is to expel students who chronically disrupt learning for other children. Find an alternative for these kids who are just marking time until they can drop out. Maybe instead of No Child Left Behind, we have a Pay Attention Or We Will Leave You Behind! Yes, the erosion of the family contributes to poor schools, but it has been my experience teaching "at risk" students that most kids like the consistency and safety of school. It's the handful of bad apples that cause the most problems. But as one principal told me, "If they're not in your room, they're out terrorizing the community." Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
No, it doesn't -- but the tests are hard. But what I think we can learn from the French (maybe it's the only thing) is that they don't believe that "everything's relative" or that the curriculum needs to be "inclusive." A basic French education is a rigorous grounding in science, math, social sciences (the French are nuts about philosophy and poli-eco-science) and especially the history of European civilization, along with a generous helping of education in the classical arts. They don't think, as some in the US do, that Native American music is the same as Franz Liszt. They don't water down the curriculum with a lot of nonsense.
Later, when they graduate and enter a society that crushes innovation and entrepreneurial zeal, it all falls apart. But I'd suggest two things: 1. try to entice French-educated entrepreneurs to come to the US to seek their fortunes; and 2. reinstitute a rigorous high school education here -- take out all the nonsense -- and see what happens. My guess: real economic growth.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
I haven't listened yet, but I fully expect this comment will only be more brilliant when I do.
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
On Marriage and Virtue: I believe it was Rich who said here, "If you want to succeed, you have to delay having a child." I'd like to see this point revised; "If you want to succeed, you should not be having sex before you're married." Children are, after all, the natural product of sex. Telling kids (and these are kids we're talking about here, teens to late-20's folks) "don't have any kids before you're married, but hey, keep doing the act that results in children as long as you want," this truly sets them up for failure. Here's contraception and condoms, don't have kids but keep having as much sex as you like?
Conservatives think a lot about consequences of a particular political action. What are the consequences of giving kids unlimited freedom, unlimited exposure to a hyper-sexualized culture (through movies, music, etc.) and encouragement to have sex as long as they're 'safe'?....
(as an aside, is someone eating walnuts on these podcasts? I hear cracking in the background... I assume its Peter, using a nut cracker to alleviate rage due to squishiness of others present...;)
Jul '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
On the plus side, I hear Brooks was quite rhapsodic about the crease in Peter's pant leg.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Rob Long
But what I think we can learn from the French (maybe it's the only thing) is that they don't believe that "everything's relative"
· Oct 7 at 3:41aW
Ummm....then why exactly have the American humanities and social sciences been inculcated by the ideas of Sartre, de Beauvoir, Derrida, Foucault...need I go on?
Edited on Oct 7, 2010 at 7:32amMay '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #37: A Brain Sandwich
Rob Long
A basic French education is a rigorous grounding in science, math, social sciences (the French are nuts about philosophy and poli-eco-science) and especially the history of European civilization, along with a generous helping of education in the classical arts. They don't think, as some in the US do, that Native American music is the same as Franz Liszt. They don't water down the curriculum with a lot of nonsense. · Oct 7 at 3:41am
It's also worth pointing out that, for better or worse, this system doesn't apply to every student. At different stages students are filtered out if they're not performing. So by saying the "basic" Education, Rob, you should qualify it with "for those students not shunted off to vocational schools before high school." This is unlike the American public education system where, at least hypothetically, everyone, even the bottom feeder, is supposed to be pushed through the same curriculum until high school graduation.