The Victor Davis Hanson Show: The Battles for the Philippines and Leftism Fatigue

Release Date: November 23, 2024
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler
Co-host: Sammy Wink

Overview

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, co-hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler delve into a multifaceted discussion that spans current political appointments, historical battles in World War II, and contemporary legal cases. The episode weaves through analyses of recent Trump appointments, the strategic significance of WWII battles in the Philippines, and critiques of recent high-profile legal proceedings involving political figures.

1. Political Appointments and Leftist Critique

Timestamp: [03:59] – [21:41]

Victor Davis Hanson initiates the conversation by scrutinizing recent appointments made by former President Donald Trump. He focuses on individuals like Pete Hegseth, appointed to the Department of Defense, and Linda McMahon's nomination to lead the Department of Education. Hanson argues that these appointees share common traits: they have either been critics of the agencies they are set to lead or are staunch loyalists to Trump, thus lacking the traditional qualifications and experience typical of such roles.

Notable Quotes:

• Victor Davis Hanson: "They're going to be deliberately anti appointments in the sense that they're not going to have the resumes that Trump feels will make them too acculturated to the department they're supposed to reform." ([05:56])
• Victor Davis Hanson: "He does that at Fox. Anybody who he has an Ivy League education as good as any and he was on Wall Street and not many people... volunteered to go into units that they know are going to Iraq and Afghanistan." ([06:30])

Hanson criticizes the lack of experienced leadership, particularly in the Department of Defense and the FBI, highlighting what he perceives as a pattern of appointing individuals who may not effectively manage or reform these critical agencies. He contrasts these appointees with figures like Lloyd Austin, former Defense Secretary, whom he views as inadequate despite their high-ranking positions.

Discussion Highlights:

• Department of Defense: Hanson praises Pete Hegseth's background and objectives to eliminate diversity and inclusion systems in favor of meritocracy.
• FBI Leadership: He lambastes the successive FBI directors for dishonesty and inefficiency, advocating for a complete overhaul or decentralization of the FBI.
• Department of Agriculture and Education: Suggestions include appointing military veterans like Devin Nunes for Agriculture and cautioning against nominees like Linda McMahon, emphasizing the need for practical, results-driven leadership over political alignments.

2. Historical Insight: The Battles for the Philippines in World War II

Timestamp: [40:30] – [89:18]

Shifting gears, Victor Davis Hanson provides an in-depth historical analysis of pivotal battles in the Philippines during World War II. He outlines the strategic maneuvers and military engagements that significantly influenced the outcome of the Pacific Theater.

Key Points:

• Operation Cartwheel: Hanson's discussion centers on Douglas MacArthur's strategy to reclaim the Philippines, contrasting it with Admiral Nimitz's focus on disrupting Japanese supply lines through the Mariana Islands.
• Battle of the Philippine Sea (Great Marianas Turkey Shoot): Hanson details this decisive battle where the U.S. Navy achieved overwhelming air superiority, effectively crippling Japanese naval and air capabilities. He emphasizes the technological advancements of American aircraft like the F6 Hellcat and the strategic importance of training and resource allocation.
• Kamikaze Tactics: The introduction of kamikaze attacks by Japan marked a significant shift in warfare tactics, challenging the seemingly insurmountable American air and naval dominance.

Notable Quotes:

• Victor Davis Hanson: "The Battle of the Philippine Sea... they shoot down 450 planes, they destroy the land-based aircraft... they've destroyed Japanese air power." ([42:06])
• Victor Davis Hanson: "When you put a young American, 21 years old with two years of hundreds of hours, it's a slaughter." ([45:15])

Hanson attributes the American success to superior training, advanced technology, and strategic resource deployment. He contrasts the seasoned Japanese pilots of the early war years with the highly trained and well-equipped American forces, asserting that these factors led to the decisive victories that paved the way for eventual Japanese surrender.

Discussion Highlights:

• Technological Advancements: Comparison of aircraft capabilities, highlighting the superiority of American planes over the famed Mitsubishi Zero fighters.
• Strategic Successes: Detailed recounting of battles that shifted the momentum in favor of the Allies, emphasizing the importance of air and naval supremacy.
• Future Implications: Hanson hints at forthcoming discussions on how successful leadership and strategic innovations continued to influence the war's outcome.

3. Contemporary Legal Cases: Daniel Penny and Jesse Smollett

Timestamp: [67:08] – [91:03]

Transitioning back to current events, Hanson and co-host Sammy Wink examine recent legal controversies surrounding Daniel Penny and Jesse Smollett, drawing parallels to broader systemic issues within the American justice system.

Daniel Penny Case: Hanson critiques the prosecution of Daniel Penny, arguing that systemic bias and prosecutorial overreach are at play. He contends that Penny, a white Marine, is being unfairly targeted in contrast to how violent felons are often treated leniently.

Notable Quotes:

• Victor Davis Hanson: "They're going after Daniel Penney, who had a career felon, homeless person who was high on drugs... and he was unjustly choked." ([68:07])
• Victor Davis Hanson: "Why are we doing this and why are we trying to prosecute people like Donald Trump, the President of the United States and Daniel Penny? And we're letting felons and we're worried more about people who hurt people than people who protect them." ([73:23])

Jesse Smollett Case: Hanson discusses the reversal of Jesse Smollett's conviction by the Illinois Supreme Court, attributing the initial prosecution to political motivations and highlighting perceived inconsistencies in the justice system.

Notable Quotes:

• Victor Davis Hanson: "Jussie Smollett came before the United States popular culture and he won the approval of Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden. They all said he was a victim of racism." ([74:52])
• Victor Davis Hanson: "They don't represent, I think, the black community. I think the black community looks at them and says, you don't care about me." ([82:25])

Hanson argues that these cases exemplify a skewed legal system that prioritizes prosecuting high-profile individuals over addressing more pressing criminal issues affecting the broader community. He suggests that this approach breeds distrust and dissatisfaction, particularly within marginalized groups who feel unrepresented and overlooked.

Discussion Highlights:

• Systemic Bias: Examination of how political agendas influence legal prosecutions.
• Public Trust: Addressing the erosion of confidence in the justice system due to perceived injustices.
• Community Impact: The disconnect between legal actions and the needs or sentiments of various communities, especially among Black Americans.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Victor Davis Hanson provides a critical lens on both historical and contemporary issues, emphasizing themes of integrity, strategic planning, and systemic reform. From dissecting strategic WWII battles to scrutinizing modern-day legal proceedings, Hanson and his co-host aim to offer listeners a thorough and thought-provoking analysis of the forces shaping society and governance.

Final Notable Quote:

• Victor Davis Hanson: "This is the biggest naval battle in the history of naval warfare. Bigger than the Battle of Salamis, bigger than Trafalgar..." ([42:06])

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Political Appointments:
  Victor Davis Hanson: "They're going to be deliberately anti appointments..." ([05:56])

• WWII Battles:
  Victor Davis Hanson: "The Battle of the Philippine Sea... they've destroyed Japanese air power." ([42:06])

• Daniel Penny Case:
  Victor Davis Hanson: "Why are we doing this and why are we trying to prosecute people like Donald Trump, the President of the United States and Daniel Penny?" ([73:23])

• Jesse Smollett Case:
  Victor Davis Hanson: "Jussie Smollett came before the United States popular culture..." ([74:52])

Key Takeaways

• Critical Analysis of Appointments: A thorough critique of Trump's recent appointments, emphasizing the need for experienced and unbiased leadership within key government agencies.
• Historical Lessons: Insightful recounting of WWII battles, underlining the importance of strategy, technology, and training in military success.
• Justice System Concerns: An exploration of perceived injustices and biases within the current legal framework, highlighting the impact on public trust and community relations.

This episode serves as both a historical deep-dive and a contemporary critique, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness between past and present societal structures.