Joe Rogan Experience #1156 - Jimmy Dore

Episode Summary

Main Topics

This episode features Jimmy Dore and Joe Rogan engaging in a wide-ranging, passionate critique of mainstream media, US foreign policy, and the American political establishment. They delve into the perceived hypocrisy of US interventions abroad, the manipulation of public opinion, and the dangers of censorship by tech monopolies. A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the deplatforming of Alex Jones, sparking a debate on free speech, corporate power, and the definition of "hate speech," alongside a deep dive into the failures and perceived corruption of both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Key Discussion Points

• US Foreign Policy and Hypocrisy: Dore heavily criticizes US foreign policy, citing Noam Chomsky's assertion that every post-war American president would be hanged if Nuremberg Laws were applied. He points to President Obama's drone "kill list" despite a Peace Prize, the US's tacit support for Saudi Arabia's bombing in Yemen (which recently killed 29 children), and Benjamin Netanyahu's uninvited address to Congress as examples of foreign influence ignored by the media. Dore also recounts the brutal death of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, highlighting Hillary Clinton's controversial reaction.
• Censorship and the Alex Jones Deplatforming: The conversation critically examines the deplatforming of Alex Jones from major tech platforms like Apple, Spotify, Facebook, and YouTube. Dore argues this sets a dangerous precedent, emphasizing that there was no judicial process and that tech giants, influenced by entities like the Atlantic Council (which includes Henry Kissinger and former CIA chiefs), wield monopolistic power. He references Matt Taibbi's article on the subject and the "Streisand effect," warning that "hate speech" is a vague term that could be used to silence diverse voices, even citing Facebook flagging the Declaration of Independence as hate speech.
• Media Bias and Corruption: Dore slams mainstream news outlets for promoting pro-war narratives and suppressing dissenting voices. He mentions instances of MSNBC allegedly telling Cenk Uygur and Ed Schultz not to cover Bernie Sanders, as well as the past lies of Brian Williams and Hillary Clinton regarding being under fire. The hosts suggest that media often acts as a propaganda arm, particularly regarding the Iraq War (citing Robert Mueller's testimony) and the current "Russia gate" narrative, which Dore and Chomsky argue distracts from deeper issues like corporate influence.
• Democratic Party's Failures and Third-Party Politics: Dore expresses frustration with the Democratic Party, arguing they offer nothing to the working class and rely on "voter shaming." He criticizes Alyssa Milano's tweet blaming Russian meddling for Green Party votes in Ohio and highlights Bernie Sanders' perceived hypocrisy in not starting a third party after advocating for it throughout his career. The discussion touches on rank-choice voting as a potential solution to the "spoiler" effect and criticizes Hillary Clinton's PAC for not supporting progressive women like Cynthia Nixon against corrupt establishment figures.
• Whistleblowers and Government Overreach: The episode discusses the plight of whistleblowers like Chelsea Manning, Edward Snowden, and Julian Assange. Dore notes Hillary Clinton's alleged desire to drone Assange and the lack of media support for him, contrasting it with the media's outrage over Trump's treatment of Jim Acosta. He also highlights the story of Bill Binney, a former NSA official who invented a privacy-conscious data collection system (ThinThread) that was shelved for a more expensive, less effective program, only for him to become a target after exposing government spying.

Notable Moments

• Interesting Story/Anecdote: Jimmy Dore shares a personal, emotional story about hitting a dog with his car and later witnessing a puppy get hit, describing a profound breakdown that made him understand the deep-seated trauma experienced by soldiers in combat, underscoring his anti-war stance.
• Surprising Fact/Revelation: Dore explains his understanding of why the Catholic Church implemented mandatory celibacy for priests: not for spiritual reasons, but to ensure that the wealth and property of deceased priests would revert to the Church rather than being passed on to their children, highlighting the historical financial motivations of institutions.
• Memorable Exchange: Joe and Jimmy engage in a detailed and impassioned debate regarding the deplatforming of Alex Jones, with Joe questioning the necessity of keeping truly harmful content on platforms, and Jimmy steadfastly defending the principle of free speech, due process, and the dangers of allowing private corporations to act as unchecked censors, arguing for treating such platforms as public utilities.

Key Takeaways

The episode strongly advocates for critical thinking and skepticism towards mainstream narratives, particularly those concerning war and political establishments. It highlights the immense power wielded by tech monopolies and argues for their regulation as public utilities to protect free speech. Listeners are encouraged to question US foreign policy and to recognize the bipartisan nature of corruption. Ultimately, the discussion underscores the urgent need for systemic change in American politics and media to address societal inequalities and promote genuine democratic participation.