The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: Episode Summary - "Speechless"

Release Date: June 17, 2021
Host/Author: Premiere Networks
Episode Title: "Speechless"

Introduction

In the episode titled "Speechless," hosted by Ted Cruz in collaboration with Michael Knowles of Verdict, the discussion delves deep into the intricate connections between modern sociopolitical phenomena such as political correctness, woke culture, and Critical Race Theory (CRT), tracing their roots back to Marxist ideology. The conversation seeks to unravel how these concepts interweave to shape contemporary American society, institutions, and free speech norms.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Interconnectedness of Sociopolitical Movements
2. Historical Roots of Political Correctness and Communism
3. Critical Race Theory and Its Implications
4. Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and Institutional Erosion
5. Educational Indoctrination and Academic Freedom

Interconnectedness of Sociopolitical Movements

The episode opens with Ted Cruz highlighting a series of interconnected sociopolitical movements, including communism, student radicals, second-wave feminism, wokeness, political correctness, critical race theory, and figures like Pete Buttigieg. Michael Knowles responds with a mix of humor and seriousness, emphasizing the severity of the issues discussed.

Ted Cruz [00:00]: "Communism, student radicals, second wave feminism, wokeness, political correctness, critical race theory, Pete Buttigieg. All of these are interconnected..."

Michael Knowles [00:41]: "It is true. I can make that promise right now. And the words are pretty scary. Like on every page, on almost every page."

Historical Roots of Political Correctness and Communism

The dialogue progresses to explore the origins of political correctness, tracing its lineage to Marxist theory and early communist movements. Knowles articulates how Marx's call for the "ruthless criticism of all that exists" laid the groundwork for later cultural and ideological shifts.

Michael Knowles [01:37]: "Political correctness began...it goes back, as so many evil things do, to a statement from Karl Marx. Karl Marx, in a letter to Arnold Rugge, called for the ruthless criticism of all that exists."

Cruz interjects to seek clarity on Marx's intentions and the practical implications of his theories, prompting Knowles to elaborate on the dichotomy between socialism and communism, and the historical failures of communist revolutions.

Ted Cruz [02:49]: "Why would Marx want to criticize all that exists? What is to be served by doing?"

Michael Knowles [04:03]: "Socialism is a means of structuring the economy...communism was a revolution of the proletariat...in every communist country we've had, there's always been a brutal dictator..."

Critical Race Theory and Its Implications

The conversation shifts to Critical Race Theory (CRT), where Knowles defines it as a derivative of Marxist and critical legal theories that emphasize racial oppression as a fundamental aspect of societal structures.

Michael Knowles [09:00]: "Critical race theory, critical legal theory. This is an analytic lens through which to view society..."

Cruz shares his experiences with critical legal theory during his time at Harvard Law School, contrasting it with his approach to teaching, which emphasized balanced perspectives and understanding diverse viewpoints without indoctrination.

Ted Cruz [25:09]: "When it was at the law schools, it was...they said, we have to tear down society...it was always a trap, it was always a trick..."

Knowles further critiques CRT by highlighting its pervasive influence in education systems and its role in reshaping societal norms.

Michael Knowles [12:44]: "With critical race theory, you're going to start hearing a lot of these gotcha questions...it is up to us to summon the courage to say no."

Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and Institutional Erosion

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the state of free speech in America, the rise of cancel culture, and the erosion of traditional institutions. Knowles argues that political correctness undermines free speech by redefining societal standards and obstructing genuine dialogue.

Michael Knowles [22:28]: "As you erode that, I think the claim made by the politically correct radicals...they want to rip it down to the ground."

Cruz emphasizes his libertarian views on free speech, advocating for the protection of all speech, including "hateful, objectionable speech," and referencing Supreme Court cases that uphold these principles.

Ted Cruz [15:57]: "The First Amendment doesn't exist to protect reasonable speech...the best response to bad speech is more speech. And I believe that's the right way to counter it is to aggressively."

Educational Indoctrination and Academic Freedom

The episode culminates with a critical examination of academic freedom and the potential for ideological indoctrination within educational institutions. Knowles criticizes the current state of academia, suggesting that it serves as a breeding ground for Marxist and critical race ideologies that aim to reshape societal values.

Michael Knowles [25:57]: "Critical race theory...has infected virtually all of the disciplines in the university...it is destructive to us."

Cruz responds by sharing his teaching philosophy, which prioritized presenting multiple viewpoints and encouraging students to engage critically with diverse perspectives without pushing a particular ideology.

Ted Cruz [29:05]: "I tried to present them...I taught a seminar on Supreme Court litigation...students would argue...to come to their own conclusions."

Conclusion

The "Speechless" episode of The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson serves as a comprehensive exploration of how Marxist ideology has permeated various aspects of modern American society, leading to the rise of political correctness, woke culture, and Critical Race Theory. Through a detailed discussion between Ted Cruz and Michael Knowles, the episode underscores the perceived threats these movements pose to free speech, traditional institutions, and the cultural fabric of the nation. The conversation advocates for a staunch defense of free speech and the preservation of foundational American values against what the hosts describe as a subtle yet pervasive ideological takeover.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ted Cruz [00:00]: "Communism, student radicals, second wave feminism, wokeness, political correctness, critical race theory, Pete Buttigieg. All of these are interconnected..."

• Michael Knowles [01:37]: "Political correctness began...it goes back, as so many evil things do, to a statement from Karl Marx."

• Ted Cruz [04:03]: "What is communism? What is it?"

• Michael Knowles [09:00]: "Critical race theory...the theory is to criticize."

• Ted Cruz [15:57]: "The best response to bad speech is more speech."

• Michael Knowles [22:28]: "We want to create a radical new dictatorship of speech."

• Ted Cruz [25:57]: "Critical race theory traces its origins to Karl Marx and the Marxists."

• Michael Knowles [35:36]: "Make sure to bundle it with one vote away."

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a critical commentary on the influences shaping modern American discourse and policy. For listeners seeking to understand the intertwining of historical Marxist theory with current sociopolitical movements, "Speechless" provides a persuasive narrative that advocates for vigilance in preserving free speech and resisting ideological shifts that may undermine foundational societal structures.