Podcast Summary: "Hollywood Has a Predilection for Minors and Communists"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson
• Host/Author: Premiere Networks
• Episode: Hollywood Has a Predilection for Minors and Communists
• Release Date: September 19, 2020

Note: Although the provided transcript is from "VERDICT with Ted Cruz" featuring Michael Knowles, the summary below is tailored to align with the user's request based on the transcript content.

1. Introduction and Book Announcement

Timestamp: [00:01 – 04:34]

The episode opens with Michael Knowles introducing Senator Ted Cruz to discuss two primary topics: Cruz's upcoming book and his potential nomination to the Supreme Court.

• Book Discussion:

  • Senator Cruz announces his forthcoming book titled "One Vote: How a Single Supreme Court Seat Can Change History" slated for release on October 6th. He emphasizes that the book delves into fundamental constitutional liberties that are pivotal in Supreme Court decisions.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Each chapter in the book is a different constitutional liberty... What I don't wanna do is be one of them myself." (02:19)

• Supreme Court Nomination:

  • Michael Knowles probes Cruz about the possibility of his Supreme Court nomination, questioning if Cruz would be the influential vote needed to sway decisions.
  • Senator Cruz responds emphatically that he does not desire the position, valuing his role in the political arena instead. He stresses the importance of having principled justices on the court but prefers to remain active in legislative battles.
  • Notable Quote:
    "I like being in the political fight. I like being. And the court's the wrong place to do that." (03:49)

2. Critique of the Movie "Cuties" and Child Exploitation Laws

Timestamp: [04:34 – 17:37]

The conversation shifts to the controversial French movie "Cuties," which has stirred significant backlash for its portrayal of 11-year-old girls in sexually suggestive contexts.

• Call for Investigation:

  • Senator Cruz reveals he penned a letter to Attorney General Barr and the Department of Justice, urging an investigation into whether Netflix violated federal laws against child pornography by distributing "Cuties."
  • He outlines the legal framework, citing 18 USC § 2252, which prohibits the distribution of visual depictions involving minors in sexually explicit conduct, regardless of the production's country of origin.
  • Notable Quote:
    "The punishment under the statute for violating it is that you'll be fined... and in prison not less than five years and not more than 20 years." (08:10)

• Public and Media Reaction:

  • Michael Knowles shares his personal experience watching "Cuties" under directive from his news outlet, labeling it as "nauseating" and exploitative. He questions how conservatives can effectively combat such media portrayals.
  • Senator Cruz reiterates his stance against child exploitation and criticizes Hollywood's perceived immunity from legal standards. He also addresses defenses citing free speech, clarifying that child exploitation is categorically different.
  • Notable Quote:
    "It's not my job as a US Senator to investigate that. It is the Department of Justice's job." (08:10)

3. Examination of California's SB145 and Normalization of Child Abuse

Timestamp: [17:37 – 23:03]

The discussion delves into California's SB145, a law controversially altering sex offender registration requirements.

• SB145 Overview:

  • Michael Knowles explains that SB145 exempts 24-year-old men engaging in sexual relations with 14-year-old boys from registering as sex offenders, framing it as a deregulation issue rooted in sexual orientation.
  • Senator Cruz condemns the law, labeling it as normalizing child abuse and highlighting its passage under Democratic leadership without sufficient opposition from top Democratic figures like President Biden and Vice President Harris.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Today's Democratic party... It is normalizing child abuse." (11:55)

• Historical Context and Analogies:

  • Michael Knowles draws parallels to radical leftist theories from the 1960s and 70s, referencing figures like Wilhelm Reich, to illustrate a trend of abnormal sexual normalization within liberal circles.
  • Senator Cruz echoes concerns about academic institutions like Yale promulgating what he considers extreme ideologies.
  • Notable Quote:
    "But number two, the child pornography laws in the US don't give you a blank pass if it happens to be produced overseas." (09:59)

4. Disney's Filming in China and Uyghur Persecution

Timestamp: [19:59 – 25:39]

The episode addresses Disney's decision to film "Mulan" in China amid the severe persecution of the Uyghur minority.

• Human Rights Concerns:

  • Senator Cruz criticizes Disney for filming in regions where Uyghurs are held in concentration camps, tortured, and killed. He questions the company's ethical considerations and motivations, attributing their actions to financial incentives.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Disney thanks them. I mean, it truly is." (20:29)

• Legislative Response:

  • Cruz mentions forming a bipartisan group of senators to question Disney's concessions to the Chinese government and their knowledge of Uyghur abuses.
  • He draws parallels to the NBA's similar issues, emphasizing a pattern of American corporations prioritizing profits over human rights.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Why are you supporting and praising and apologizing for and condoning jackbooted thugs?" (24:09)

5. Cultural Implications and Hypocrisy Accusations

Timestamp: [25:39 – 26:19]

The conversation concludes with a discussion on perceived cultural hypocrisies within Hollywood and progressive movements.

• Hypocrisy Claims:

  • Michael Knowles suggests that despite advocating for free speech, conservatives face accusations of hypocrisy when opposing exploitative content like "Cuties" and Disney's actions.
  • Senator Cruz counters by asserting that laws should apply uniformly, and condemning exploitative actions does not equate to hypocrisy.
  • Notable Quote:
    "The laws should apply and the standards should apply fairly and evenly to everyone." (23:03)

• Final Remarks:

  • Both hosts express skepticism towards the current cultural and political climate, hinting at ongoing battles over media standards and ethical business practices.
  • Michael Knowles humorously suggests a future live episode from the Academy Awards, while Senator Cruz remains focused on confronting these issues head-on.

Conclusion

This episode of "VERDICT with Ted Cruz" features a robust dialogue between Michael Knowles and Senator Ted Cruz, tackling pressing issues at the intersection of media, law, and politics. Key topics include the potential impact of Supreme Court nominations, the legality and morality of media portrayals involving minors, legislative changes affecting sex offender registrations, and the ethical responsibilities of major corporations like Disney in the context of human rights abuses. Throughout the discussion, Cruz emphasizes the necessity of upholding constitutional liberties and enforcing federal laws uniformly, while critiquing Hollywood's current practices and the broader cultural shifts within progressive movements.

Disclaimer: This summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to encapsulate the main discussions and viewpoints presented by the speakers. It does not reflect any additional content that may be present in the full podcast episode.