Just Asking Questions

To celebrate the growth of our new YouTube channel, the Just Asking Questions team livestreamed an Ask Me Anything episode, hosted by their producer, John Osterhoudt. It was a chance for our listeners to share their reactions to guests and topics, suggest ideas for future episodes, and pose some hard questions. Thanks for listening! If you like the show, the best ways to help are to subscribe to the Just Asking Questions YouTube channel, subscribe and give us a rating on iTunes or other podcatchers, and tell like-minded friends about the show. Resources mentioned: Just Asking Questions with Randy Barnett Just Asking Questions with Aaron Sibarium Just Asking Questions with Erika Sanzi Just Asking Questions with Matt Taibbi Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids by Bryan Caplan The Constitution of Liberty by F.A. Hayek The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek The Future and Its Enemies by Virgina Postrel Egalitarianism as a Revolt Against Nature, and Other Essays by Murray Rothbard A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles by Thomas Sowell Zach's interview with Caitlin Long: She's Suing the Fed To Open a Rothbardian Bitcoin Bank John recommends the work of Wanjiru Njoya Nick Gillespie's interview of Stephanie Slade: What Kind of Libertarian Are You? Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction music 00:30 Celebrating 5,000 subscribers 01:30 Introducing producer John Osterhoudt 02:10 Liz Wolfe on receiving hate mail from IRS agents 07:23 What makes you a libertarian? And recommended libertarian books 12:54 Different approaches to libertarianism 16:13 Nature vs. nurture 20:45 Raising children 25:58 Do libertarians critique the left more than the right? 32:00 Concerns about national conservatism 38:39 What questions should more people be asking? 40:08 Encouraging courage in political discussions 43:36 Dream podcast guests (who are dead!) 46:00 Closing remarks & thank you to listeners   The post Just <i>Answering</i> Questions: Live Q&A appeared first on Reason.com.

Tom Woods, a historian and host of "The Tom Woods Show," reflects on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. He critiques the efficacy of lockdowns and social distancing, arguing they had unintended consequences on society. Woods discusses Sweden's approach without strict measures and emphasizes the need for accountability in public health decisions. With personal anecdotes about hospitalization and vaccine mandates, he highlights the emotional toll and societal impact of government policies, urging a thoughtful reevaluation of expert authority.

What does the dramatic collapse of talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump and J.D. Vance reveal about Trump's foreign policy, Vance's ideology, and the future trajectory of MAGA? Just asking questions. James Pogue, who has written extensively about the American New Right and who predicted in 2022 that Vance would be "hugely influential in our politics in the coming years," joined the show to dissect the doomed televised negotiations between Zelenskyy and Trump, offer his insight about the vice president's aggressive interjection, and discuss why he thinks the rise of the online "dissident right" is poised to either fall apart or lead America into a "dark night of totalitarianism." Sources referenced: Full meeting between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office Government support to Ukraine by country, by the Kiel Institute Support to Ukraine: U.S. vs. Europe, by the Kiel Institute Ukraine support as a percentage of gross domestic product, by the Kiel Institute Estimated Ukraine-Russia casualties: 46,000 soldiers killed, 380,000 wounded, Zelenskyy tells NBC; 12,340 civilians killed, 27,836 wounded according to the United Nations; roughly 20,000 children deported to Russia, according to the Ukrainian "Children of War" portal; 172,000 Russian soldiers killed, 611,000 wounded, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies "Inside the New Right, Where Peter Thiel Is Placing His Biggest Bets," by James Pogue Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024) Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:25 Contrasting Views on the Ukraine Conflict 00:05:53 The Burden of Support: Financial and Human Costs 00:14:01 Diplomacy vs. Continued Conflict: A Missed Opportunity? 00:21:17 Reassessing NATO's Role and MAGA's Shifting Foreign Policy 00:31:48 Regional Conflicts: Middle East and the Intervention Debate 00:36:18 The Trump-Zelensky Meeting and J.D. Vance's Intervention 00:48:02 Decoding J.D. Vance: Ambition and Worldview 00:52:11 The Rise of the New Right and its Influence 01:01:26 Navigating the "Weirdness" of MAGA: Appeal and Pitfalls 01:18:13 The Erosion of Norms and the Future of American Governance Producer: John OsterhoudtThe post James Pogue: What Ukraine Reveals About MAGA appeared first on Reason.com.

Matt Taibbi, an award-winning journalist known for the Twitter Files, discusses the implications of J.D. Vance's pivotal speech on free speech suppression and its role in the collapse of the post-WWII order. He critiques the crumbling legitimacy of legacy media and reflects on the alarming impact of censorship laws in Europe. The conversation also touches on the rise of populism, the intersection of misinformation and political interference, and the urgent need for open dialogue and privacy protection in an increasingly regulated world.

Randy Barnett, a distinguished Georgetown constitutional law professor and author, dives deep into the legality of Trump's initiatives. He discusses the controversial Department of Government Efficiency and the various injunctions against the administration. Barnett weighs the libertarian perspective on Trump's and Musk's actions in reshaping government. He also explores the potential fate of Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship before the Supreme Court, shedding light on the originalist interpretation of the Constitution. Tune in for a thought-provoking legal journey!

Aaron Sibarium, a muckraking journalist at the Washington Free Beacon, delves into the contentious landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). He discusses Trump's executive orders to end radical DEI programs, reflecting on their impact on federal policies and private sectors. Sibarium critiques Biden's approach to DEI and examines its historical context. Interesting insights include the challenges of representation in female-dominated fields and the complexities of funding priorities in relation to global needs. An engaging exploration of how DEI shapes modern American values!

Join economist John Cochrane from the Hoover Institution and Stanford as he dives into how Dogecoin could challenge government inefficiencies. He discusses the pressing need for reform in government spending and the potential impact of disruptive technologies like DOGE. Cochrane also reflects on controversial figures like Trump and Musk, assessing their calls for reduced regulation and fiscal responsibility. Can a new approach reshape the political landscape and restore accountability? Tune in for these thought-provoking insights!

Julia Gelatt, Associate Director of the U.S. Immigration Policy Program at the Migration Policy Institute, tackles pressing immigration issues. She breaks down the implications of sealing the border and the myths surrounding current policies. Gelatt explains the intricate dynamics of asylum processes and the unique challenges faced by refugees versus asylum seekers. She also discusses the labor market's reliance on immigration and critiques restrictive policies affecting skilled workers. Lastly, she explores controversial changes to birthright citizenship and their long-term effects on immigrant families.

Angela McArdle, the National Chair of the Libertarian Party, discusses the party's pivotal role in advocating for Ross Ulbricht, founder of Silk Road, who served 11 years for a double life sentence. She highlights Ulbricht's libertarian ideals and the decade-long Free Ross movement, led by his mother. The conversation dives into the strategic negotiations with Trump for Ulbricht’s pardon and the complexities of aligning with mainstream politics. McArdle emphasizes the significance of this case for libertarian values and future political strategies.

Join journalist Mike Pesca, host of the daily podcast 'The Gist', as he dives into the potential impact of Donald Trump's second term. They dissect Trump's inaugural address and the public's sentiment towards it. The conversation explores shifts in immigration policy and national security in U.S.-Mexico relations. Pesca also critiques the influence of billionaires like Elon Musk on regulations, while discussing the future of political discourse against a backdrop of technological optimism and fiscal challenges.