Video: Tech Wars and Media Criticism

Watch the video of our weekly livestreamed conversation.

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On tonight’s episode of Dispatch Live, Declan Garvey was joined by Kevin Williamson, John McCormack, Jamie Weinstein, and Will Rinehart, who just launched a newsletter with The Dispatch called Techne that is focused on all things tech.

On the Agenda:

  • Why Will is at The Dispatch and what he hopes to do with Techne;
  • The Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple;
  • The state of tech regulation in the U.S.;
  • The newest additions to Kevin’s family;
  • Jamie’s recent Dispatch Podcast interview with Brian Stelter and the “platforming” debate;
  • Former RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel’s swift ouster from NBC News; and
  • Oral arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case before the Supreme Court involving the regulation of a drug used in chemical abortions.

Show Notes:

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Comments (15)
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  1. Kmsinatra

    This is what I don't understand about the abortion pill lawsuit -- Are the doctors claiming they don't have to perform life saving or emergency procedures if they disagree with a patient's choices? What if the patient OD'd on heroin, or tried to commit suicide (a sin in the Catholic church) or exchanged gunfire with a cop and was injured but had killed a cop? These allegedly harmed doctors aren't making the decision, they are treating a patient. Am I being naïve? (Not a lawyer)

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    1. Payette

      I totally agree with your reasoning. I recommend you listen to today's Advisory Opinions, What the Abortion Pill Case is Really About. It really seems that the doctors bringing the suit do not have standing. Sarah and David explain what standing is. (I am also not a lawyer.)

      And my views on abortion are not so delineated as pro-choice versus pro-life. It is infinitely more complicated topic than most politicians and many journalists will admit to.

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  2. Kmsinatra

    Once again I get the feeling I am the only pro choice member of the Dispatch. I am probably the only one to bristle at Kevin's poison comment.

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    1. Russ Flight

      You aren’t alone. They have hardline pro-life voices expound at every opportunity, then never act as if there is any other set of ideas on the matter.

      This org fails this topic, abjectly. They have hired many women, they don’t bring a single one on to share her thoughts? That’s telling, especially since I get the sense most all staff is pro-life. It’s bad journalism, and looks sexist as hell, even if they don’t mean it.

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      BrandonAlleman

      Seemed a bit self righteous and naive. Someone should ask cancer patients if poison can be considered medicine.

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    3. BadgerBill

      You’re not the only one. My perception is there are many.

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    Gkblankenship

    Wil, the Illinois Policy Institute isn’t defunct. Just me…. Actually, I’m living large in Boise. Left in Illinois in 2011, btw.

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    Calvin.Siler

    Kevin was firing on all cylinders this episode, but my favorite zinger was, "we will set aside for the moment whether poison can be considered medicine."

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    Dan

    Ross Douthat (and I think everybody in media needs training on how to say his last name, just listen to one episode of Matter of Opinion) is on staff at NYT. He seems to have been brought into the fold and, judging from the rapport he has on Matter of Opinion, seems to have a collegial place there. I wouldn't doubt for a second there was discontent when he was hired, but he seems to be very much in the vein of a George Will in being able to do a good job articulating a conservative position and thus benefits the organization. Doesn't it seem reasonable, if not in fact likely, that he might find a similar reception at NBC news, in contrast to Ms. McDaniel? I find it pretty unilluminating to run these hypotheticals (Ross being hired at NBC News) and presume what other people will do.

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  6. Russellmflight

    Y’all have hired like half a dozen women at this point, why are none speaking when there’s abortion segments? I don’t really care what middle aged dudes have to say about this topic.

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  7. Brian L

    Entirely separate from the merits of keeping Ronna McDaniel, I would have liked to hear y'alls thoughts about the method (public vs private) as well as the source (internal contributors vs other outlets vs audience members) of the objections that led to her firing.

    From what I gathered NBC was pressured very publicly by their own contributors including on-air statements on both NBC & MSNBC. With that said, I didn't see any direct threats that people would resign, so from afar, I could see it as grandstanding without having skin in the game.

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    Torsius

    I took Jamie’s advice and listened to his interview of Eric Metaxas. So many yikes. I believe it is a useful preview for what is coming this election cycle.

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    JustinC

    The podcast has not dropped

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    1. Adaam James

      Apologies. There's a technical issue with our publisher at the moment. We hope to resolve it shortly.

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    Francesca

    Very enjoyable live show.

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