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Common Sense with Dan CarlinLoud, fast-talking and deceptively funny, this politically-independent "forward-thinking pragmatist" looks at the events shaping our world through a uniquely American lens. It's smarter than you think, and faster than you expect.
Last show it was Buddy Roemer being interviewed, this episode it's Libertarian Party nominee for president Gary Johnson. Dan also speaks a bit on the issue of gay marriage before the interview starts.
Dan talks about reforming government corruption and about the hurdles indie political candidates face with former Louisiana Governor and current independent candidate for President Buddy Roemer.
Dan plays the role of imaging consultant for the Occupy Wall Street movement. Members of OWS will surely be thrilled.
This rambling episode covers a ton of ground...from Bees to Bostram...from Friedman to the American Spring. Dan's favorite phrase in this show seems to be: "As we've told you before". So be prepared for redundancy.
Can the centuries-old structure of the modern Nation-State deal with the challenges of 21st Century global communication and inter-connectivity? What if it can't? And why is Dan trying to be Anderson Cooper?
Dan comes up for air long enough from the Hardcore History dungeon to denounce both the President and the Press. He then goes on to denounce the GOP candidates. There's a lot of denouncing going on in this show.
What if the high-minded reform and peace sentiments that often follow major violent conflicts didn't wear off over time? Dan wishes for a mood-altering substance that would replicate the attitudes of 1919 and 1946.
Does U.S. superpower status translate into better lives for average Americans? Dan compares global hegemony to Sauron's Ring and hopes economic realities create opportunities to ditch it.
Can a population ever have enough protection in the modern, violent 21st century world? Dan discusses the War on Terror and contends that its akin to an Enabling Act that legitimizes any level of security.
The issue of economic class is one the U.S. political system mostly ignores. Dan blames this on what might be termed "Mythological Cataracts" that blind many Americans to issues that might be class-related.
Dan tries to catch up on a ton of topics all at once. Subjects include: SOPA, Iraq, mistreatment of enemy dead by U.S. soldiers, Obama, Supreme Court decisions on GPS devices and Republican Party primaries.
You can always tell when Dan is angry. His voice begins to boom into the microphone and he starts talking at machine gun speed. He's a bit angry in this episode. It's not your fault though. The Media has upset him.
"If he hasn't made you mad yet...he will" has been a tag line used by Dan forever. Last show he again lived up to his reputation. In today's show, he deals with the fallout and answers his critics.
What happens to "The Land of the Free" when it is no longer "The Home of the Brave"? You get the evisceration of constitutional protections in the name of fighting terrorism. Dan wonders why everyone is surprised.
Dan gets a return visit from U.S. Congressman Peter Defazio (D-Oregon) and questions him about corruption in government, the Bill of Rights, and the power of regular Americans to influence government policy.
What if pepper spray or other modern crowd control tools had been available during the Civil Rights era? Dan looks at the challenges the protest tactic of civil disobedience faces in a 21st Century world.
Is it possible that a political system based on voting and elections has less of a chance of producing wise leadership than a monarchy or dictatorship? Dan tries to look at this heretical idea with an open mind.
Who is setting the national agenda and how do we feel about their choices? Dan discusses everything from the conflict between liberty and democracy to the ability of governments to solve social problems.
What happens when Dan meanders too far down an intellectual tangent to find his way back to the point? You get "A show in pieces"
Dan unveils a new streamlined show format while tackling an issue he dealt with in the last episode...the Occupy Wall Street protests.
Bringing people together is on Dan's mind today as he looks at Truth, protests, Pan-National anger and the theoretical idea of a Goldman-Sachs-like entity outing itself as the global overlord.
More than 100 corporate CEOs signs pledges to withhold money from politicians until the mess in Washington is cleaned up. Dan muses on motives and possibilities. Also: The right to live dangerously.
How successful can a widespread government effort aimed at changing human nature or human behavior be? Fallout from the recent riots in the U.K. has Dan wondering. Also: presidential handicapping and police videotaping.
Should President Obama be challenged by another Democrat in the 2012 primaries? Dan thinks so. He also discusses the need for better paying jobs for Americans and why they will be so hard to come by.
Dan deals with an "elephant in the living room" issue in U.S. politics when he confronts the issue of uninformed voters. Can voters be improved? The Supreme Court and the debt ceiling also are discussed.
Presidential war powers, Afghan troop re-deployments and marijuana all take center stage in a show that highlights the effect the upcoming 2012 presidential election is exerting on the U.S. political system.
What happens when the laws become classified secrets? In a show where Dan quotes other sources endlessly, that's just one of the aspects of a Senator's warning that he examines. Also: Exercises for a supple mind.
Episode 200 prompts some introspection on Dan's part and some thoughts about the era in which we live. In addition, there's an "In Related News" segment for the first time in a while and a "Dan Carlin Flashback".
As expected, Dan's take on the news that Osama bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces is a bit unusual. He finds it hard to celebrate amongst the damage wrought by the actions of the terrorists.
The federal budget fight is forcing Americans to confront the magnitude of the nation's financial problems. Dan sees it as a case of chickens coming home to roost. Also: Purchasing legislators for the public.
As the U.S. Government faces a fiscal impasse, Dan offers suggestions that might make the current standoff less of a political farce. Also: Dan promises to "fix" the CNN news network if listeners will buy it for him.
Dan corrects misconceptions about his views on Libyan intervention from the last show and blames himself for the confusion. He also finds some positives amid the post-earthquake pain and suffering in Japan.
How much should public opinion drive government policy? Dan has some tie-ins between this idea and the 2012 elections. Also: Rose-colored visions of a Churchillian U.N.
What's going on in Wisconsin? Dan breaks down and analyzes the issue of public employees and busted state budgets. Also: what does 007 James Bond's car have to do with the U.S. Defense budget?
Dan wants President Obama to "seize the moment" in Egypt and proclaim a new American policy of supporting democracy over stability. Is it hopelessly idealistic or common sense?
Dan expresses a concern about reform-minded political troublemakers being digitally "framed" by governments around the world. "Ben" thinks that's nutty conspiracy talk. What do you think?
Dan addresses the religious component in the War on Terror and the different ways it divides the involved parties. Also: The congressional investment double-standard.
Should governments be afraid of their people? Dan talks about this while discussing recent protests in Europe. Also: Will the Internet undermine the global system, or will the system tame the Internet?
How much unvarnished, behind-the-scenes reality should people have a right to see? Dan muses on secrecy, media, airport searches and the potential fiduciary responsibility of CEOs to avoid solving problems.
Another news story highlighting the growing "wealth gap" between the rich and poor in the USA has Dan discussing countermeasures. What if the rich and powerful made fixing that imbalance a priority?
The political class is completely misunderstanding why President Obama is being rebuked at the polls. Dan will explain why. Also: Some want the founder of Wikileaks dead. Dan doesn't
