Podcast Summary: Part Of The Problem – "Another Response to Ben Shapiro"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Part Of The Problem
• Host/Author: GaS Digital Network
• Episode: Another Response to Ben Shapiro
• Release Date: May 15, 2025

Introduction and Upcoming Events (01:26 - 05:31)

Host Introduction: Dave Smith welcomes listeners to a new episode of Part Of The Problem, introducing Robbie the Fire Bernstein as his co-host.

Upcoming Shows: Dave shares excitement about upcoming performances, including:

• Appleton, Wisconsin: Skyline Comedy Club
• Salt Lake City: Wise Guys Comedy Club
• Denver: Comedy Works (first full weekend)
• Other Locations: Cleveland Hilarities, Comedy Connection in Providence, Tacoma Comedy Club, Spokane Comedy Club, Detroit House of Comedy, and Tampa’s Splitters.

Promotions:

• ComicDaveSmith.com: Website for ticket links.
• Robbie's Tour: Encourages listeners to visit portstore.com for upcoming porch tours.

Main Discussion: Responding to Ben Shapiro (05:41 - 44:24)

Context and Challenge to Mark Levin (05:41 - 09:26)

Dave introduces the episode's primary focus: responding to a viral Ben Shapiro clip. He references a previous show where Mark Levin accused Steve Witkoff of being an anti-Semite for using the term "neocons." Dave juxtaposes this with Donald Trump's recent criticism of neoconservatives, questioning why Levin and others haven't labeled Trump similarly, suggesting a double standard.

Notable Quote:

“Mark Levin had called Steve Witkoff an anti Semite for using the term neocons. And then Donald Trump, as we mentioned in his speech in Saudi Arabia yesterday, blasted neocons.”
— Dave Smith (07:15)

Ben Shapiro's Critique of Hostage Negotiations (11:44 - 36:29)

Dave plays a clip of Ben Shapiro discussing the motivations behind Hamas and the recent release of an American hostage. Shapiro criticizes Steve Witkoff's negotiation tactics, suggesting they allow Hamas and the Houthis to distance the U.S. from the conflict.

Notable Quote:

“Facilitated by the United States, Qatar is the sponsor state of Hamas... This is vile.”
— Ben Shapiro (12:40)

Analysis by Dave and Robbie:

• Dave argues that the negotiations led to positive outcomes, such as the release of hostages, which Shapiro seems to oppose.
• Robbie questions Shapiro's stance, highlighting the inconsistency in condemning negotiations that successfully save lives.

Notable Quote:

“You can tell by someone's... what gets them the angriest. It's an important way to assess people...”
— Dave Smith (36:29)

Defense of Negotiations and Critique of Shapiro (36:29 - 44:24)

Dave defends the negotiation efforts, criticizing Shapiro for opposing methods that yield tangible benefits like hostage releases. He emphasizes that principled approaches should apply consistently, regardless of the political figure involved.

Notable Quote:

“All of them would have their perspective. It's producing positive outcomes, yet Ben Shapiro is furious about it.”
— Dave Smith (22:32)

Robbie adds that Shapiro prefers a framework where Israel independently handles regional conflicts without U.S. interference, which Dave finds problematic.

Notable Quote:

“It's pretty great that Donald Trump did that nonetheless.”
— Dave Smith (25:15)

Ben Shapiro's Further Criticisms and Host Responses (44:24 - 55:12)

Shapiro on Middle Eastern Negotiations and US-Qatar Relations (46:02 - 55:12)

Ben Shapiro continues his critique, linking U.S. negotiations with Middle Eastern entities to broader geopolitical strategies. He expresses concern over a proposed $400 million gift of a Boeing 747-8 from Qatar to President Trump, interpreting it as a potential corruption or bribery attempt.

Notable Quote:

“The Constitution literally says the US Government cannot accept official gifts from any king, prince or foreign state.”
— Ben Shapiro (48:24)

Host and Co-host Reactions:

• Dave criticizes the potential quid pro quo, questioning the benefits and ethics of accepting such a gift.
• Robbie echoes concerns about security risks and the optics of the deal, deeming it unnecessary and potentially corrupt.

Notable Quote:

“If someone from Qatar was able to navigate this deal with Hamas and they just got you released, don't you almost have a moral duty to sit down and make a plea for the other ones?”
— Robbie the Fire Bernstein (22:37)

Dave expresses frustration over perceived corruption within the federal government, linking it to broader issues beyond the specific incident.

Notable Quote:

“Every inch of our federal central government is built on corruption... The whole goddamn thing is a system rigging the economy against the regular people, for the powerful people.”
— Dave Smith (53:54)

Conclusion and Final Thoughts (55:12 - End)

Host's Final Remarks: Dave wraps up by reiterating his critique of Ben Shapiro's priorities, emphasizing that Shapiro's outrage appears selective and driven by specific agendas rather than consistent principles.

Notable Quote:

“Find me an example where he's this outraged over anything that actually matters... It doesn't seem to me that revenge for people killed in a foreign country... should be the number one motivators for Americans.”
— Dave Smith (44:24)

Final Promotions:

• American Financing: Advertisement promoting mortgage services to help alleviate high-interest debt.

Key Takeaways

1. Double Standards in Political Critique:

   • Dave challenges Mark Levin and Ben Shapiro for not applying the same criticisms to Donald Trump that they do to others like Steve Witkoff, highlighting perceived inconsistencies in addressing anti-Semitism.

2. Support for Negotiations:

   • The hosts advocate for negotiation efforts in the Middle East, celebrating the successful release of hostages as a significant achievement despite criticism from figures like Shapiro.

3. Critique of Ben Shapiro's Priorities:

   • Dave and Robbie argue that Shapiro's outrage is selectively applied, focusing on outcomes that align with his perspectives while ignoring successful diplomatic efforts.

4. Concerns Over US-Qatar Relations:

   • The proposed gift of a $400 million Boeing 747-8 from Qatar to Donald Trump is scrutinized as a potential act of corruption, raising ethical and security concerns.

5. Broader Government Corruption:

   • The hosts express a broader disdain for perceived corruption within the federal government, linking specific incidents to systemic issues.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dave Smith (07:15):

  “Mark Levin had called Steve Witkoff an anti Semite for using the term neocons. And then Donald Trump, as we mentioned in his speech in Saudi Arabia yesterday, blasted neocons.”

• Ben Shapiro (12:40):

  “Facilitated by the United States, Qatar is the sponsor state of Hamas... This is vile.”

• Dave Smith (22:32):

  “You can tell by someone's... what gets them the angriest. It's an important way to assess people...”

• Ben Shapiro (48:24):

  “The Constitution literally says the US Government cannot accept official gifts from any king, prince or foreign state.”

• Dave Smith (53:54):

  “Every inch of our federal central government is built on corruption... The whole goddamn thing is a system rigging the economy against the regular people, for the powerful people.”

• Robbie the Fire Bernstein (22:37):

  “If someone from Qatar was able to navigate this deal with Hamas and they just got you released, don't you almost have a moral duty to sit down and make a plea for the other ones?”

• Dave Smith (44:24):

  “Find me an example where he's this outraged over anything that actually matters... It doesn't seem to me that revenge for people killed in a foreign country... should be the number one motivators for Americans.”

Conclusion: In this episode, Dave Smith and Robbie the Fire Bernstein engage in a critical analysis of Ben Shapiro's responses to recent Middle Eastern negotiations, highlighting perceived inconsistencies and broader issues of governmental corruption. They advocate for principled negotiation and express concern over ethical implications in US foreign relations.