#416 — “More From Sam”: Biden's Big Lie, Review of Tapper Interview, Trump, & a Case Against Israel's Actions in Gaza
In this episode of Making Sense, Sam Harris and Jaron Lowenstein examine current issues in American politics, including concerns about President Biden's mental fitness and his team's handling of public appearances. The discussion covers how Democrats' efforts to minimize these concerns align with broader patterns of political concealment and media management.
The conversation also explores threats to democratic principles from both major political parties, including Trump's resistance to peaceful power transfer and the Democratic Party's treatment of Bernie Sanders during primary elections. Harris and Lowenstein address how mainstream media coverage of both Biden and Trump has been shaped by partisan interests, affecting public access to accurate information about their leaders.
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1-Page Summary
Biden Presidency and Concerns About Mental Competence
Sam Harris expresses significant concerns about President Biden's mental fitness, particularly focusing on Biden's debate performances where his inability to complete sentences revealed potential cognitive decline. Harris argues that Democrats, prioritizing the prevention of another Trump presidency, participated in what he calls a "pathological process" of concealing Biden's condition. According to Harris, this concealment included limiting public appearances, scripting meetings, and maintaining an unprecedented level of control over Biden's exposure to the media.
Threats to Democracy From Trump and Democrats
In their discussion, Jaron Lowenstein and Sam Harris examine how both major political parties have undermined democratic principles. They point to Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power in 2016 and his claims of a rigged election as serious threats to democracy. Similarly, they criticize the Democratic Party's treatment of Bernie Sanders, suggesting that the party elite's efforts to push him out of the presidential race also subverted democratic norms.
Corruption, Cover-Ups, Lack of Transparency in American Politics
Harris and Lowenstein explore various instances of political deception and concealment that have eroded public trust. They discuss how Biden's team's handling of his mental fitness issues represents a betrayal of the public's right to know, while Trump's presidency was marked by what Harris describes as self-dealing and ethics violations, including improper use of federal agencies. The discussants also criticize mainstream media for failing to adequately report on both Biden's cognitive issues and Trump's alleged misconduct, suggesting that partisan narratives have taken precedence over honest reporting.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Concerns about Biden's mental fitness may be overstated or based on out-of-context moments; many public figures have moments of misspeaking or forgetfulness without it indicating cognitive decline.
- The strategies used by the Democrats to manage Biden's public appearances could be standard political strategy rather than a cover-up of cognitive issues.
- Trump's challenges to the election results could be interpreted as exercising his right to legal recourse in a close and contentious election.
- The Democratic Party's treatment of Bernie Sanders could be seen as the party exercising its right to strategize and support candidates they believe have the best chance of winning.
- Political deception and lack of transparency are not unique to the Biden administration or Trump presidency and can be seen throughout the history of politics.
- The handling of Biden's mental fitness by his team could be seen as respecting the privacy and dignity of an individual rather than a betrayal of public trust.
- Some of Trump's actions during his presidency that were criticized as self-dealing or ethics violations may have legal justifications or have been misinterpreted by critics.
- Mainstream media's reporting practices could be seen as an attempt to balance journalistic integrity with the avoidance of spreading unverified or potentially harmful information.
- Partisan narratives in media reporting could be a reflection of audience demand and the complex nature of media economics rather than an intentional disregard for honest reporting.
Actionables
- You can enhance your critical thinking by analyzing political speeches and debates for logical consistency and factual accuracy. Start by watching a recent political event, taking notes on the claims made, and then researching each claim to verify its accuracy. This practice will help you develop the ability to discern truth from misinformation and recognize potential cognitive decline or deception in public figures.
- Develop a habit of diversifying your news sources to get a more balanced view of political events and figures. Create a news feed that includes sources from different political spectrums and countries, and compare how different outlets report on the same issue. This will help you identify biases and omissions in media coverage, fostering a more informed and critical perspective on how media shapes public perception.
- Engage in community discussions to foster transparency and accountability in local politics. Start a neighborhood group or join an existing one where you can invite local politicians to speak and answer questions. This grassroots approach allows you to directly address concerns about transparency and democratic principles, encouraging a culture of openness and engagement in the political process at the local level.
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Biden Presidency and Concerns About Mental Competence
Sam Harris raises concerns about President Biden's mental fitness and suggests a coverup of cognitive decline that might have influenced how his presidency is perceived.
Biden's Mental Fitness Concerns and Cognitive Decline Covered Up
Biden's Debate Exposed Issues; Mental State Known Long Before
Harris discusses how President Biden's debate performances provided significant revelations about his mental state. Biden's inability to complete sentences was notable, confirming suspicions of his mental decline.
Despite Biden's Cognitive Issues, Many Democrats Preferred Him Over Risking Trump's Second Term, Even if It Mean Hiding Biden's Condition
Harris argues that Democrats prioritized preventing Trump's reelection over publicly acknowledging Biden's cognitive issues. This desire led to a "pathological process" where Biden's viability as a candidate was concerned, criticizing those around him for remaining silent due to loyalty and career prospects. Those advisors maintained that Biden was fit to run for a second term despite the concerning debate performance Harris calls an "atrocity."
Coverup Involved Limiting Biden's Appearances, Scripting Meetings, and Hiding Mental State Information, Disserving the People
Harris discusses the lengths taken to limit the public's exposure to Biden's cognitive state. According to Harris, the coverup included not holding cabinet meetings for nearly a year, scripting the meetings that did occur, and expecting cabinet members to keep silent about Biden's mental state. Biden was kept ...
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Biden Presidency and Concerns About Mental Competence
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Concerns about a president's mental fitness are not unique to Biden and have been raised about past presidents, suggesting that age-related cognitive decline might be a broader issue in politics.
- Debate performances can be poor indicators of overall mental fitness, as they are high-pressure situations that can exacerbate stress and fatigue, which are not necessarily reflective of one's cognitive abilities in less stressful environments.
- The preference for Biden over Trump could have been based on policy and value alignment rather than a coverup of cognitive issues.
- Limiting public appearances and scripting meetings are common strategies used for many public figures, including presidents, to manage messaging and are not necessarily indicative of a coverup.
- Transparency about a president's health is important, but there is also a need to balance this with privacy rights and national secu ...
Actionables
- You can enhance your critical thinking by analyzing political debates and speeches for signs of cognitive coherence or decline. Start by watching recordings of recent political events, taking notes on the clarity of arguments, consistency in thought, and the ability to engage with complex topics. This practice will sharpen your ability to discern cognitive abilities in public figures and beyond.
- Develop a habit of researching the background of news stories to foster a culture of transparency. Whenever you come across a news article or story that seems to present only one side of an issue, take the initiative to look for additional sources and information that might provide a more complete picture. This could involve checking multiple news outlets, looking for raw interview footage, or reading through official documents when available.
- Encourage open discussions about mental fitness i ...
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Threats to Democracy From Trump and Democrats
Jaron Lowenstein and Sam Harris engage in a discussion on how actions by both former President Donald Trump and the Democratic Party represent threats to the democratic fabric of the United States.
Trump's 2016 Refusal of Peaceful Power Transfer and Democrats Pushing Out Sanders Both Threaten Democracy
Trump's Rigged Election Claims Undermined Democracy; Dems Unfair to Sanders
Lowenstein and Harris highlight pivotal moments they see as detrimental to democracy. They raise the issue of Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose the 2016 election, coupled with his claims of a rigged election, which sensationally undermined the democratic process. Similarly, they criticize how the Democratic Party elite seemed to push Bernie Sanders out of the presidential race, suggesting that sabotaging a candidate within their own party also subverts democratic norms.
Trump and Democratic Threats Differ, but Both Betray Norms and Subvert the Electorate's Will
While acknowledging that the threats posed by Trump and the Democratic Party are of a ...
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Threats to Democracy From Trump and Democrats
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Counterarguments
- Trump's refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power in 2016 was concerning, but he ultimately did not interfere with the transition after the election results were certified.
- Claims of a rigged election can be seen as an exercise of free speech and a call for election integrity, even if they are unfounded or exaggerated.
- The Democratic Party's treatment of Bernie Sanders can be interpreted as part of the internal dynamics and strategic decisions within a political party, which are not necessarily undemocratic.
- Political parties often prioritize certain candidates based on electability and alignment with the party's goals, which is a standard practice in many democratic systems.
- Loyalty in appointments can be defended as a president's prerogative to choose a team that shares their vision and policy ...
Actionables
- You can foster democratic engagement by starting a book club focused on political history and democratic principles. By reading and discussing books like "On Tyranny" by Timothy Snyder or "The Road to Unfreedom" by Timothy Snyder, you and your group can gain a deeper understanding of democracy's fragility and the importance of civic participation. This shared knowledge can empower you to recognize and challenge undemocratic actions in your community.
- Encourage integrity in governance by volunteering to work with local nonpartisan watchdog organizations. These groups often need help with tasks like monitoring local government meetings, tracking policy changes, and reporting on issues of transparency and accountability. Your involvement can contribute to a culture of integrity and help deter the prioritization of loyalty over ethical standards in public office.
- Promote electoral fairness by participatin ...
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Corruption, Cover-Ups, Lack of Transparency in American Politics
The discussion with Harris and Lowenstein delves deep into the idea that American politics is rife with corruption, unethical behavior, and a lack of transparency, with incidents from both the Biden and Trump administrations that have contributed to an erosion of public trust.
Political Figures in Cover-Ups Erode Public Trust
Both Harris and Lowenstein suggest that there is a pattern of deception and concealment among political figures that leads to a deep-seated distrust in American politics.
Coverup of Biden's Mental Decline Limits Appearances and Information, Betraying Americans' Right to Know
Harris criticizes the people behind Biden's campaign for what he perceives as deeply delusional and dishonest actions concerning Biden's mental fitness. Harris mentions a cover-up that has been eroding public trust by limiting Biden's appearances and concealing information about his mental state. He feels those who covered up for Biden have discredited themselves and should not work in politics again. This scenario has led to a betrayal of the public's right to know, as Harris and Lowenstein imply that Biden's mental state was deliberately kept hidden from the public, which is an act that goes against the principles of transparency and honesty that should define a democratic society.
Trump's Self-Dealing and Ethics Violations Corrupted the Presidency
Conversely, Lowenstein and Harris discuss the overt nature of Trump's actions, comparing them to the concealments regarding Biden. Trump's presidency, arguably characterized by self-dealing and ethics violations, was another kind of breach of trust. Harris labels Trump's focus on personal business ventures while in office as illegal and unconstitutional, citing the Emoluments Clause and the improper use of the FBI against his adversaries as instances of corruption. According to Harris, the extent of misconduct observed in the Trump administration likely represents just a fraction of the true nature an ...
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Corruption, Cover-Ups, Lack of Transparency in American Politics
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Counterarguments
- The perception of corruption and unethical behavior in American politics may be influenced by partisan bias, and it is important to consider that not all politicians or political actions are corrupt or unethical.
- Accusations of deception and concealment in politics often require substantial evidence, and it is possible that some allegations are based on misunderstandings or incomplete information.
- Concerns about Biden's mental fitness may be addressed by the regular health assessments and disclosures that are typically provided by the office of the President.
- Trump's business dealings while in office were subject to legal scrutiny, and some argue that his actions were within his rights as a private citizen and business owner before his presidency.
- The Emoluments Clause and its application to Trump's actions while in office have been debated by legal scholars, with some arguing that the clause was not violated.
- Mainstream media outlets often claim to strive for balanced reporting, and there are instances where both Biden's and Trump's ac ...
Actionables
- You can foster transparency by requesting detailed policy explanations from political candidates during town halls or Q&A sessions, ensuring they provide clear, actionable plans rather than vague promises. By doing this, you encourage a culture of accountability, where politicians are expected to communicate their intentions and methods openly to the public.
- Develop a habit of cross-referencing news from multiple sources, including international outlets, to form a more balanced view of political events and media reporting. This practice helps you identify biases and discrepancies in reporting, allowing you to critically assess the information you receive and make more informed decisions about whom to trust ...
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