The Fierce Arrogance of Now

Megan McArdle is back on the Remnant to explore the Dobbs decision, the culture war ...

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Megan McArdle is back on the Remnant to explore the Dobbs decision, the culture war over sex and gender, and America’s rising crime. Dingos and the innocence of childhood are also discussed, though you’ll have to tune in to see whether Jonah is willing to divulge more information about his youthful exploits as a supernumerary actor. How should the legislative and judicial branches balance their responsibilities? What does the future hold for the transgender movement? And what would Megan’s criminal justice reform agenda look like?

Show Notes:

– Megan’s page at the Washington Post

– The Remnant with Jay Nordlinger

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  1. Avatar photo
    Blake

    For the record, I have NO problem with longer episodes when the conversation is interesting. And they always are. Bring ‘em on! Unfortunately, I do have a problem with doing so while cleaning out the garage in 100° Oklahoma heat. Anything you can do about that?

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  2. Anne Zurmehly

    Really think pundits everywhere make way too much of the over turning of Roe as a a disaster for the GOP. First it was the right think to do. Second a lot has changed since 1972. Birth control is more widely used,. For better or for worse, fewer teenagers are having sex. The viability of babies born earlier in a pregnancy has increased. The number of abortions was deceasing even when Roe was the law of the land. I really sense the fight on this issue will be a.lot less fracturing than pundits think. People who believe all abortion should be illegal are not going to suddenly support the party of teaching of the 1619 project in schools, biological men competing in women's sports, and the green new deal

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  3. Payette

    Very enjoyable discussion! Thanks to both of you.

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  4. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    I would totally take corporal punishment over prison time every day of the week. Heck I might be willing to take a few lashes to get “No you won’t this is a podcast” permanently amended onto the Remnant Constitution so Jonah can’t ever get rid of it.

    For that matter, I’d take the death penalty over life in prison every day of the week too.

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  5. Avatar photo
    Sad Trombone

    So many topics piqued my interest but I'll limit my comments to the first one. I think the tribal instinct that has consumed the Trumpkin wing of the Republican Party is mostly for outsiders, especially pollsters or those they know are on the deep state other side. Internally, with their families or closest confidants, they know Trump is unfit and unworthy for further support. I think the best analogy in the recent past was Black America's infuriating support for OJ Simpson, the vast majority of Blacks that defended him or celebrated his beating the rap knew in their hearts he had premeditatedly cut his wife's head off. At the time I thought this was proof of the moral bankruptcy of that community, and it squandered a lot of the moral capital that had been banked during the civil rights movement. Now I see it as a universal reaction of those that perceive themselves as an aggrieved minority persecuted by the dominate culture.

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  6. Laura

    I found the stumbling over inclusive language to be oddly comforting...
    So much better to be stumbling about than refusing to talk about it at all. So what if it's awkward? We'll get over it eventually.

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  7. Avatar photo
    KP

    Jonah, I’m disappoint no one mentioned Daily Wire’s attempt at films on the latest GLOP during the discussion on starting new media. I have a big problem with the current direction of DW, but “Terror on the Prairie” was decent, as were “Shut In” and “Run, Hide, Fight”.

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  8. Avatar photo
    TJ

    In regard to the bit about abortion and philosophy 101, everybody is a philosopher. The question is just if the philosophy is being done well or poorly.

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  9. Avatar photo
    TJ

    “What convinced me to support gay marriage is that some significant number of ppl are born that way.”

    -Jonah

    Isn’t the necessity of subduing natural desires one of the bingo card themes? “Every civilization is invaded by Barbarians (aka children).” Then there’s the bingo card counter-perspective “man is born free but is everywhere in chains.” How does “born that way” equal acceptable or good? Maybe there’s another argument in there?

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    1. Pohl

      To his credit, Jonah admits he’s no philosopher. On the other hand, “stay in your lane” is his rationalization for his lack of interest in the big questions and is probably why he has qualms about calling himself an intellectual. In his sixth decade, he is in danger of becoming like George Will, a cranky old atheist with some truly dumb opinions on controversial issues.
      “I’m not interested” is a punt for someone making a career out of what is actually political philosophizing. His opinion here on gay marriage, like you say, is just par for the course for Jonah missing the forest for the trees. “Born that way” is not an argument as his mention of deafness illustrated.
      He needs to revisit his own writings on the “veil of ignorance” where he declared he would first want to be born, and then go on to ponder what else would be on his wish list—maybe having all his limbs and normal traits across the board? Nature doesn’t always oblige. We don’t then argue how great it is to miss a limb. But Jonah has more rows to hoe on how liberals are different from conservatives. Yeah, we get it.

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  10. Avatar photo
    BWG

    Rachel Dolezal was head of the *Spokane* NAACP before resigning when it was revealed that she'd made a number of false claims, including that her father was African-American.

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