In-The-Absence-Of-Truth-Bob Davis Podcast 1094

In The Absence Of Truth

Above all in the absence of truth lies evil. Details in In-The-Absence-Of-Truth-Bob Davis Podcast 1094.

Delirium

Moreover if we’re navigating in a world without truth then we’re living in a form of delirium.

Fact Checker

Firstly I often find myself in the role of ‘fact checker’ around the nomad campfire.

Nobody Likes A Fact Checker

And every now and then I declare a moratorium on fact checking.

Because when it comes to the social aspects of nomad life no one wants find themselves constantly corrected.

No One Wants To Be Made Wrong

In addition none of us wants to be wrong.

Determining Facts

However over the winter months one of the skills I developed was the ability to determine facts and therefore truth.

Certainly there are methods of logic.

As well as legal standards such as the basic rules of evidence.

Finally the need for context on any particular controversial subject.

Not Political

Most importantly while I started these podcasts with political content over time I have developed a policy against such content.

Therefore the tools I offer can be useful when determining facts in any subject of conversation, without getting political.

In fact I don’t really care what the reader’s political leanings might be.

We All Need A Dose Of The Truth

That is to say we all need a dose of fact checking every now and then.

Fact Checking Is Not Listening To The Guy You Agree With

To sum up all media has devolved into creating a sense of urgency around it’s content while at the same time developing a penchant for predicting the future.

Sometimes We Don’t Know

More importantly no matter what we’re talking about sometimes the best thing we can do is admit we just don’t know.

My Own Search For Truth

In conclusion it’s important to point out I discovered these tools in my own search for truth regarding the recent run up in the price of fuel and the ensuing inflation.

It has been difficult and time consuming but rewarding.

Context

To be sure the hardest part of all of this is developing a sense of historical context and an instinct for what is relevant in any consideration of a problem.

No One Else Is Going To Do It

Secondly and sadly these days no one is going to do this work for us.

(Editor’s Note: The absence of truth comment at the beginning of this podcast is my own reduction. Links to the actual quotes in the blog above.)

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

In-The-Absence-Of-Truth-Bob Davis Podcast 1094

 

 

 

Trump-Russia-Comments-Media Firestorm-Bob Davis Podcast 739

President Trump’s comments with Russian President Putin in Helsinki this week kicked off a media firestorm. With stories like this it’s hard to tell which end is up, these days. We’ll talk about it in Trump-Russia-Comments-Media Firestorm-Bob Davis Podcast 739.

A Disaster For The White House

Everything was going “so well” until the President went to Helsinki, Finland to talk to Russian President Putin.

Most noteworthy were comments from Trump that contradicted US intelligence assessments saying Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

Treason?

Were Trump’s comments a mistake or intentional?

Do they constitute ‘treason’? Really?

When You Have To Say Something…

As a podcaster I do not envy people who have to be on the air everyday and react to these kinds of breaking stories. When a president as unpredictable as this one makes news with every tweet and comment what does one say?

When Press Conferences Go Bad

It’s especially relevant to note the Trump-Putin summit did not result in any signed agreements. There was a cordial discussion. It was the joint press conference that kicked off a media rampage of truly biblical proportion in the US. It certainly didn’t help that Trump was unprepared, and proud of it.

We’ll break it down in Trump-Russia-Comments-Media Firestorm-Bob Davis Podcast 739.

Telling Us What To Think

Moreover critics and supporters are busy telling all of us what to think and what will happen next. Either Trump’s a genius or a fool. He’s getting a second term or will be impeached. Academics write several hundred words supporting the so called ‘resistance’ or articulating the president’s policy for him.

Everyone On TV or Radio Is An Expert

Everything Trump does has ‘never been done before’. Former government officials are trotted out to tell us how this is the worst thing that has ever happened. Smarty Pants Professors tell us what Abe Lincoln or Woodrow Wilson would have done.

Now What?

In conclusion, are people really going to take to the streets because Trump upset the Mueller applecart in Helsinki? Is Trump in the process of destroying the Republican party? Are democrats doing the same thing on the left, by attacking everything the president does? Let’s talk about it.

(Editor’s Note: At the beginning of this podcast I say, “until Trump went to Russia”. Of course this is a joke. The president went to Helsinki, Finland for his bilateral meeting with Russian President Putin.)

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund Payment Processors

Trump-Russia-Comments-Media Firestorm-Bob Davis Podcast 739


 

 

Trump Foreign Trade Fight-Free Trade-Protection-Bob Davis Podcast 737

President Trump slapped tax increases on goods imported to the US from Europe, China, Mexico and Canada. Our trading partners retaliated with their own tariffs. Now what? Find out in Trump Foreign Trade Fight-Free Trade-Protection-Bob Davis Podcast 737.

What Is A Tariff Anyway?

Finally someone has defined what a tariff is. Moreover you might be surprised to learn the history of trade legislation in the United States goes back to 1789.

These days we are awash in charges and counter charges in the media. Trade Wars and Rumors of Trade Wars. This kind of coverage doesn’t serve anyone.

1945 Looms Large In Trade Discussions

Most noteworthy is the impact of World War 2 and the advent of nuclear weapons in 1945. Since then, trade deals have been  considered central to keeping the peace and stabilizing the world.

Trade Has Been A Political Football since Hamilton

Trade has been regional and national issue in the United States in every political era. None other than Alexander Hamilton was an advocate of high taxes on imports going back to 1789.

Trump A Throw Back To The 1840’s?

Moreover tariffs were an issue in local and national politics in the US until the introduction of the Income Tax in 1913. Is President Trump a throw back to the 1840’s? Find out in Trump Foreign Trade Fight-Free Trade-Protection-Bob Davis Podcast 737.

NAFTA China Mercantilism Free Trade

We hear so much in the news about trade but few of us understand it. China. NAFTA. Mercantilism. Trade Protection. Free Trade. As citizens we need to make informed decisions about what is best for each of us individually and the country. With all the noise about trade it’s almost impossible for people to do that.

Especially Relevant Today As It Was Back In The Day

In conclusion with yet another new trade bill in the offing the question of whether the US should protect its markets or open them is as relevant today as it was in 1789.

Sponsored by Reliafund Payment Processors and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Trump Foreign Trade Fight-Free Trade-Protection-Bob Davis Podcast 737