Summary of "Common Sense with Dan Carlin" - Episode 315: War on a Whim?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Common Sense with Dan Carlin
• Host: Dan Carlin
• Episode: Show 315 - War on a Whim?
• Release Date: May 1, 2017
• Description: Dan Carlin, a loud, fast-talking, and humorously insightful host, explores pivotal events shaping the world through an American lens, offering a politically independent and forward-thinking pragmatist perspective.

1. Media Saturation and News Cycle

Dan Carlin begins by reflecting on the overwhelming influx of news stories in recent weeks, noting how many significant-seeming events quickly lose their perceived importance over time.

• Quote: “These major things, boom, boom, boom, boom. And you think to yourself, oh my gosh, look at how many stories we're missing.” [01:30]

He draws a parallel between the current 24-hour news cycle and the bygone era of weekly or monthly news magazines, suggesting that slower news dissemination might mitigate the public's overreaction to transient issues.

• Quote: “If the only place you got your news was from a monthly news magazine, you wouldn't have gotten worked up about any of this crap because most of it turned out to be meaningless.” [04:15]

2. Reevaluating Political Stance Amidst Growing Divisiveness

Carlin delves into his personal political evolution, admitting that his long-held belief in combating systemic corruption through bipartisan cooperation is now challenged by the deepening societal divisions in America.

• Quote: “This, to me, appears to be the number one problem on the American triage list. I fear it's fatal long term, and I don't know what to do about it.” [12:45]

He laments the decline in mutual respect across political lines, emphasizing that personal vendettas are overshadowing collective problem-solving.

3. Increasing Societal Polarization and Violence

Highlighting the escalating tensions, Carlin points out the alarming increase in physical confrontations between opposing political factions, drawing comparisons to historical periods of intense societal conflict.

• Quote: “We've had... confrontations that will legitimize anything you do.” [22:10]

He expresses concern over the normalization of violence and the erosion of constructive dialogue, fearing a slide into chaos reminiscent of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

4. U.S. War Powers and Executive Authority

A significant portion of the episode examines the broad war-making powers vested in the U.S. President, criticizing the trend of unilateral military actions without congressional approval.

• Quote: “If you are the president, in your hands is the authority to take the country to war by yourself. And everybody's been okay with this as long as the president in charge has been a person from their party.” [35:20]

Carlin underscores the constitutional dilemma, questioning the sustainability and risks of concentrating such immense power in a single office.

5. Case Study: U.S. Missile Strikes in Syria

Using the U.S. missile strikes in Syria as a focal point, Carlin critiques the legality and strategic wisdom of such actions taken without explicit congressional authorization.

• Quote: “What would you even call them, Ben? Street wars between, you know, opposing sides and anarchists.” [43:00]

He warns that these unilateral decisions set dangerous precedents, potentially inspiring other nations or factions to disregard international norms and escalate conflicts unpredictably.

6. Implications for U.S.-Russia Relations

Discussing the broader geopolitical landscape, Carlin explores how U.S. military interventions, like those in Syria, strain relations with major powers such as Russia.

• Quote: “Russia's relationship with Syria goes back to the old Soviet Union days. They have a relationship with Syria that is similar to our relationship with many of our allies.” [55:35]

He highlights the delicate balance required to manage alliances and adversaries, cautioning against actions that might embolden Russia or diminish diplomatic channels.

7. The North Korea Threat

Carlin shifts focus to the volatile situation with North Korea, emphasizing the precarious balance between deterrence and provocation.

• Quote: “A country that I do not believe could maintain logistically an attack at all.” [1:10:15]

He outlines the strategic vulnerabilities, such as the placement of artillery near Seoul and the extensive artillery capabilities of North Korea, underscoring the high stakes involved in any military engagement.

8. The Future of Nuclear Proliferation

Addressing nuclear proliferation, Carlin expresses concern over the aging arsenal and the challenges in regulating nuclear capabilities globally.

• Quote: “And they're a question of how much. Right. If you're on the UN list of corruption, have you ever seen that?” [1:25:40]

He advocates for a unified international approach to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, warning against unilateral actions that could exacerbate global tensions.

9. The Importance of Constitutional Adherence

Reiterating his earlier points, Carlin stresses the necessity of adhering to constitutional war powers to prevent the erosion of democratic checks and balances.

• Quote: “Donald Trump can take us to a Korean War by himself. Now, if you don't see a reform that has to be made there now, then there's something wrong with you.” [1:35:00]

He applauds legislators like Rand Paul for challenging executive overreach, yet expresses apprehension about the potential backlash and the risks involved in legal confrontations.

10. Audible Sponsorship and Audiobooks Advocacy

Concluding the episode, Carlin shifts to promoting Audible, highlighting the platform's benefits for accessibility, especially for individuals with visual impairments.

• Quote: “Audiobooks to the rescue. All of a sudden you get to see that what is a convenience for those of us who are temporarily able-bodied becomes a Necessity...” [1:48:50]

He shares a personal anecdote about his mother’s reliance on audiobooks, illustrating how Audible bridges the gap for those facing challenges with traditional reading methods.

11. Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Carlin wraps up by emphasizing the importance of responsible media consumption, adherence to constitutional principles, and the role of technologies like audiobooks in fostering inclusive participation.

• Quote: “We won't be dealing with the solutions in both those areas right now because those are separate issues. They're complicated and we could do whole shows on them.” [1:55:30]

He encourages listeners to support the podcast through Audible and Amazon, ensuring the continuation of thoughtful and critical discourse.

Conclusion:

In Episode 315, Dan Carlin provides a multifaceted analysis of contemporary issues, ranging from media saturation and political polarization to the profound implications of executive war powers. Through historical analogies and personal reflections, he underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and responsible governance to navigate the complexities of modern geopolitics. Additionally, his advocacy for accessible technologies like audiobooks highlights the intersection of technology and societal inclusivity.

Notable Quotes:

• “These major things, boom, boom, boom, boom. And you think to yourself, oh my gosh, look at how many stories we're missing.” [01:30]
• “This, to me, appears to be the number one problem on the American triage list. I fear it's fatal long term, and I don't know what to do about it.” [12:45]
• “If you are the president, in your hands is the authority to take the country to war by yourself.” [35:20]
• “Donald Trump can take us to a Korean War by himself. Now, if you don't see a reform that has to be made there now, then there's something wrong with you.” [1:35:00]

Note: This summary omits advertisements, introductory remarks, and other non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions and insights presented by Dan Carlin in this episode.