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Limited Government, in Three Minutes!
To kick off the release of my new book, The Naked Constitution, the good folks at Fox & Friends had me on this morning to discuss the role of the federal government. The interview is only 3 minutes long, but previews some of the themes in the book. You can see the video here.
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Coolness! I pray that your book floods the streets. Both for your future welfare, and for that of our country.
Adam! You looked and sounded splendid. It’s a great book, one that I know all Ricochetti will enjoy.
I especially liked the no-tie outfit you wore. Friendly. Approachable.
Perfect! Adam, exactly what I have been looking for. Ordering the book today if it is available on amazon, is it on audible too?
Great concise explanations, Adam. I hope your book has influence far and wide.
I have a question about one of your answers though, where you said freedom of religion is “the first part of the First Amendment”, indicating its importance to the Founders. I have always understood the order in which the amendments appear to be accidental, based on either on the order in which they were proposed or the order in which the state legislatures happened to ratify them (for example, once I ran across an old court case where the “right keep and bear arms” is referred to as the 6th Amendment based on a different numbering scheme). Is that correct?
So in light of that, along with the fact that many of the Founders didn’t believe the amendments were even necessary in the first place, can we really infer the Founders’ relative importance of certain rights based on their ordinal position within the text?
Thanks Gus! And Rob, you’re too kind. Everything I know about television I learned from you!
Physical book and ebook. No audio book at this time, but fingers crossed, that should come in time!
So in light of that, along with the fact that many of the Founders didn’t believe the amendments were even necessary in the first place, can we really infer the Founders’ relative importance of certain rights based on their ordinal position within the text? ·2 minutes ago
It’s true that some of the Constitution’s framers did not think a Bill of Rights was necessary. But I use “Founders” as a broader term, which includes the Anti-Federalists who were ultimately won over to support the Constitution. For them, the religion clauses were absolutely essential. When the Bill of Rights was first going through Congress today’s “first” amendment wasn’t necessarily first (and some thought the amendments should simply be worked into the main text rather than appended at the end). But the consensus soon formed as to the order of the amendments, and I do think that the placement of the First Amendment is significant.
Nice discussion of the Commerce Clause. Though a seemingly obscure part of the Constitution, perhaps Americans will now see how important it is. I hope your book will give this issue the attention it deserves.
I can think of no higher compliment than to say I’m making a sartorial change to implement my inner Freedman.
Adam,
I’m enjoying the podcast and my book is on its way.
Now, how do we get you on a MSM channel?. . .
The Commerce Clause is what got me obsessed with original meaning. It never ceases to amaze me that so much of today’s federal government is justified by a reading of that clause that is just flat-out wrong. By some estimates, 60% of the federal budget goes to programs beyond the enumerated powers….
I am honored!
I’m enjoying the podcast and my book is on its way.
Now, how do we get you on a MSM channel?. . . ·28 minutes ago
Thanks!
Good question. My publisher pitched every media outlet there is, but the MSM just isn’t interested (at least, not so far).
My publisher pitched every media outlet there is, but the MSM just isn’t interested (at least, not so far). ·1 minute ago
The Constitution, that old thing? It’s so passé. Plus, I heard it’s one of those things Tea Partiers are into. Ick. Ain’t touchin’ it, no way.
Thanks!
Good question. My publisher pitched every media outlet there is, but the MSM just isn’t interested (at least, not so far). ·32 minutes ago
Bread and circuses. . .
Pictures please.
I would highly recommend Adam’s “Naked Constitution” podcast. I just finished the second one, which had a great discussion of the Commerce Clause with Paul Rahe (our very own!) and Randy Barnett from Georgetown University.
“The Commerce Clause is what got me obsessed with original meaning. It never ceases to amaze me that so much of today’s federal government is justified by a reading of that clause that is just flat-out wrong. ”
Regulating commerce between the states, as in making it regular, normal, and predictable. Just the opposite of how the phrase is interpreted today! Sorry if that was already brought up in the podcast, but I haven’t gotten to it, yet. Podcasts are for working on cars/equipment, or riding the lawn tractor, and we’re so flooded out with rain around here I am too much blessed with the close companionship of family. I see blue sky, so perhaps tomorrow!
Pictures please. ·3 hours ago
Alas, commercial imperatives always interfere with artistic ideals.
Pictures please. ·3 hours ago
Alas, commercial imperatives always interfere with artistic ideals. ·0 minutes ago
A likely story.
Are they using Keith ‘Young Guns”s Javelin Communications (or whatever his “how publishers can sell conservative books” business is)?
Adam, you looked and sounded great! Congratulations on the publication of The Naked Constitution!
You ‘interviewed’ well!
If your book is as instructional as your three minute chat with Gretchen, then it should be a best-seller!
By the way, has anyone ever told you that you sound like Dick Cavett? Your diction is impeccable.
Superb, Adam! No teleprompter either. I have a limited amount of space for a library in The Beast here,..but if I can put your book on Kindle, I’ll be reading it very soon. Great job, sir.
Will you be on Levin? This is right up his alley, though maybe the subject matter challenges his own expertise too much…