Podcast Summary: "Don’t Defund The Police"
The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
Release Date: June 8, 2020

Introduction

In the episode titled "Don’t Defund The Police," hosts Ben Ferguson and his guest, Senator Ted Cruz, engage in a robust discussion addressing the contentious topic of defunding police departments. The conversation delves into the implications of such policies, critiques of Democratic strategies, the politicization of public health, and the role of mainstream media in shaping public perception.

Defunding the Police: A Critical Examination

Ted Cruz's Strong Opposition
Senator Cruz vehemently opposes the movement to defund the police, labeling it as "stark raving nuts" and "insane" (01:25). He cites the Minneapolis City Council's decision to abolish its police department as a prime example of misguided policies that could lead to increased chaos and loss of lives across various communities.

Ted Cruz [01:25]: "Black lives absolutely matter. Your dumb ass idea to abolish police departments will kill a lot of black lives, will kill a lot of Hispanic lives, will kill a lot of white lives, will kill a lot of people. And it's Dumb."

Impact on Minority Communities
Cruz emphasizes that defunding the police disproportionately affects low-income and minority communities, exacerbating issues of violent crime and reducing the protective presence of law enforcement.

Ted Cruz [02:33]: "If you make the police go away, those who are in closest proximity to violent criminals, and that is heavily in low income areas, they're the ones that are gonna pay the biggest price."

The Hypocrisy of Democratic Policies

Selective Enforcement and Privilege
The hosts highlight instances where Democratic leaders maintain their personal security while advocating for the removal of police protections for the general populace. They point out the inconsistency in leaders like Bill de Blasio restricting public services for residents but exempting themselves.

Ted Cruz [05:32]: "Remember de Blasio said that about the gym. You remember that during the coronavirus lockdown he shut down all the gyms and then he opened it up specially so he could go work out because he, you know, it's important that I be healthy, unlike the rest of you little people."

Impact on Public Safety and Property Protection
The discussion underscores the dangers of reducing police presence, especially in safeguarding property and maintaining order in tumultuous times.

Ted Cruz [23:05]: "I support law enforcement stopping violence. Like, why is that controversial? If you try to hurt somebody, yeah, law enforcement should stop you. If you try to destroy somebody else's property, law enforcement should stop you."

Politicization of Public Health

Inconsistent Public Health Messaging
The hosts critique the fluctuating guidance from public health officials regarding COVID-19 measures, suggesting that political agendas have overshadowed scientific reasoning.

Michael Knowles [06:42]: "How are we to understand this if not as rank politicization of the public health sector?"

Demonstrations and Health Risks
They discuss the surge in protests and riots, questioning the contradictory stance of public health officials who previously advocated for social distancing but appeared to support mass gatherings during protests.

Ted Cruz [07:48]: "You're sitting there going, wait a second. Everyone said I had to stay home. Everyone said it was the end of the world if, like my kid went to school. Everyone said it was the end of the world if I went to my grandmother's funeral, that I would apparently kill the community, right? And then you turn on the TV and the same public health officials are saying, oh, no, no, this is perfectly fine, right?"

Media Bias and Censorship

Critique of the New York Times
Cruz and Knowles express disdain for what they perceive as the New York Times' inability to publish opinions that diverge from its leftist ideology. They recount the resignation of editor James Bennett following controversial publications and argue that the paper has become inflexible in its viewpoints.

Ted Cruz [13:14]: "They are Pravda... it's something of which communist China would be proud."

Suppression of Free Speech
The conversation touches on the erosion of free speech, particularly on the left, where dissenting opinions are swiftly silenced, contrasting it with the more tolerant approach on the right.

Ted Cruz [22:05]: "Now the left not only is willing to silence anyone who disagrees, they demand that anyone who disagrees be silenced. That's terrifying."

Comparisons to Totalitarian Regimes

Parallels with the French Revolution
Cruz draws parallels between the current leftist movements and historical totalitarian regimes, suggesting that the extreme measures advocated by the left resemble authoritarian tactics.

Ted Cruz [16:36]: "There is a consistency. The hard left has always been very comfortable with totalitarianism... it's like Robespierre. It is the French Revolution and the Guillotines are coming."

Impact on Society and Governance
He warns that the collectivist mindset of the left leads to oppressive policies that undermine individual freedoms and societal stability.

Ted Cruz [19:45]: "Anytime they're talking about abolishing the police, it's not like force is going to disappear. It's just they want the monopoly on who exercises the force."

The Decline of Free Speech and Open Dialogue

Silencing of Dissenting Voices
The hosts lament the decline of platforms that allow for balanced discussions, where both conservative and liberal viewpoints can coexist and be debated openly.

Ted Cruz [15:36]: "I'd have a real rock rib conservative and a real flaming lunatic liberal and say, both of you, you can have. And so people reading it through the synthesis can actually learn what's going on."

Erosion of Objective Journalism
They assert that mainstream media outlets, particularly the New York Times, have abandoned objective reporting in favor of a singular ideological perspective, stifling genuine journalistic integrity.

Ted Cruz [13:16]: "None of the supposed mainstream media places are even trying to do."

Mailbag and Listener Questions

Protection of Historical Sites and Property
Responding to a listener's question, Cruz reiterates his support for law enforcement in safeguarding property and stopping violence, emphasizing that such actions should not be controversial.

Ted Cruz [23:05]: "I support law enforcement stopping violence... We saw the idiocy reach its peak when in the past few days, a statue of Churchill was defaced."

Recommendations for Balanced Liberal Voices
When asked about reputable liberals to follow for a balanced perspective, Cruz suggests figures like Andrew Sullivan and Alan Dershowitz, highlighting their commitment to free speech and civil liberties.

Ted Cruz [25:46]: "Alan Dershowitz... he believed in protecting the rights of the accused. He believed in stopping censorship."

Conclusion

The episode "Don’t Defund The Police" presents a fervent argument against the movement to defund law enforcement, coupling it with broader critiques of Democratic policies, media bias, and the politicization of public health. Through incisive dialogue, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz advocate for maintaining robust law enforcement and preserving free speech amidst growing political polarization.

Notable Quotes:

• Ted Cruz [01:25]: "Black lives absolutely matter. Your dumb ass idea to abolish police departments will kill a lot of black lives, will kill a lot of Hispanic lives, will kill a lot of white lives, will kill a lot of people. And it's Dumb."

• Ted Cruz [22:31]: "That's terrifying."

• Ted Cruz [13:14]: "They are Pravda... it's something of which communist China would be proud."

• Ted Cruz [16:36]: "There is a consistency. The hard left has always been very comfortable with totalitarianism... it's like Robespierre. It is the French Revolution and the Guillotines are coming."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing a clear understanding for those who have not listened to the full podcast.