The Commentary Magazine Podcast Stop With the Emergencies
10 snips
Aug 29, 2025 The podcast delves into the pervasive mindset of viewing current events as ongoing emergencies. It critiques how political shifts have affected public health, especially during the pandemic, and discusses the ethical dilemmas faced by health officials. The conversation shifts to the polarization in politics, emphasizing how executive orders can sidestep traditional governance. Additionally, it tackles the intertwining of cryptocurrency ventures with political ethics and the implications of a cashless society. Lastly, it touches on the complex dynamics of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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Resignations Signal Accountability
- Public health officials resigning over policy shifts is healthy and creates political debate.
- John Podhoretz says departures show accountability when administrators change agency direction.
Superhero Complex In Public Health
- Inflated self-importance among public-health figures bred authoritarian impulses during COVID.
- John Podhoretz warns superhero self-image led agencies to assume extra-constitutional powers.
Require Clear Rationale From Appointees
- Demand clarity from political appointees about their principles and intentions.
- Christine Rosen urges officials to explain why they are overhauling agencies and what principles guide them.
