Friend of FR, James Bovard, Featured on C-SPAN's Booknotes Tonight at 8 & 11 EST 11/02/03

Self/ C-SPAN ^ | Sunday, November 2, 2003 | Kristinn

[kristinn]

An interview with scholar James Bovard will be broadcast tonight on C-SPAN's Booknotes program at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. EST.

Mr. Bovard will be speaking about his new book, Terrorism and Tyranny: Trampling Freedom, Justice, and Peace to Rid the World of Evil.

The publisher's blurb for the book posted on C-SPAN's Website will surely provide fodder for a lively, hopefully thoughtful discussion here on FR:

""The war on terrorism is the first political growth industry of the new Millennium." So begins Jim Bovard's newest and, in some ways, most provocative book as he casts yet another jaundiced eye on Washington and the motives behind protecting "the homeland" and prosecuting a wildly unpopular war with Iraq. For James Bovard, as always, it all comes down to a trampling of personal liberty and an end to privacy as we know it. From airport security follies that protect no one to increased surveillance of individuals and skyrocketing numbers of detainees, the war on terrorism is taking a toll on individual liberty and no one tells the whole grisly story better than Bovard."

Mr. Bovard is a friend of Free Republic. The D.C. Chapter hosted a discussion last year with Mr. Bovard at one of our meetings. While we may not agree with all his conclusions, he certainly is a friend of Liberty and a voice worth listening to.

[kristinn]

I'm going to miss watching The Simpsons' Halloween special for this. The price of friendship come be unbelievably high sometimes....

[Possenti]

I've got his book from several years ago - Freedom in Chains. I'll have watch tonight to see if he speaks as well as he writes.

I hope he remains a "friend of Free Republic" in spite of his issues and reservations with the ongoing war. I'm afraid many here dismiss him as a "LoserTarian" before they even condsider his arguments.

All neo-cons should tune in tonight. They might learn something.

[Possenti]

DOH!

condsider = consider

[LadyDoc]

I'm going to miss watching The Simpsons' Halloween special for this. The price of friendship come be unbelievably high sometimes....

that's why I have two boxes for my satellite dish: To tape on one while watching the other TV.

Or you could tape the rerun on CSPAN later tonite ;-)

[kristinn]

I'm not a neo-con, and I'm not a Libertarian. With no offense meant to you, I think the labeling serves to diminish the quality of debate by dismissing arguments based solely on name-calling. It's hard to avoid, but I'd rather stick with discussing the ideas put forth than wallowing in ad hominems.

[sinkspur]

On the previews, he calls Bush a liar.

That puts him in league with David Corn and Molly Ivins.

No thanks. I'll watch football.

[sinkspur]

prosecuting a wildly unpopular war with Iraq

Actually, it was a wildly POPULAR war here in the US, and most Americans still see Iraq as part of the overall war on terror.

Bovard is simply wrong, as are most Libertarians and paleos when it comes to defense of the United States.

[kristinn]

The price of friendship can be unbelievably high sometimes....I can never preview enough, sigh.

My 19-year-old TV gave up the ghost this week. I'm left with a borrowed 9-inch TV for now. I'd rather watch Jim than Bart, given the choice. But it's tough.

[kristinn]

I don't believe President Bush is a liar. But I'll still watch tonight.

[mrsmith]

D.C. Chapter Summer Update/ Meeting With James Bovard
self | Monday, July 8, 2002 | Kristinn
Not much there but the pictures of our DC heroes is reason enough to check it out!

Not a fan of Bovards- mainly the false contention that enemy combatants can't contest their status.
They have Habeas Corpus proceedings in the courts doing just that!
In fairness maybe maybe he's dropped that- I'll try to watch just to see if he has.

Anyway, it doesn't hurt to hear all sides, lots for a responsible republican (IE: a citizen in a republic) to consider in fighting international terrorism.

[kristinn]

Thank you for the kind words about the D.C. Chapter.

IIRC, it was the Justice Department that contended the courts have no jurisdiction over "enemy combatants." So far, the courts have turned aside that argument.

[mrsmith]

"Although counsel may argue that that status is not a legally sufficient reason to justify the individual’s detention (a flawed argument in light of the military’s clear authority to detain such enemy combatants), the Court may not second-guess the military’s enemy-combatant determination. At the very most, given the separation of constitutional powers in this unique area, a court could only require the military to point to some evidence supporting its determination. "

Much was made over the "Court may not second guess" part of the quote.
But in context the whole quote actually represents the opinions of the appeals courts too- that they may only require "some evidence" and be very deferential.

Of course what sufficiently constitutes "some evidence" is debatable IMHO.

[Possenti]

I'm not a neo-con, and I'm not a Libertarian.

Nor am I. I agree with your attitude on discussing the ideas at hand.

I see the whole war issue as being very partisan-based here on FR. If Gore were in office, and was proposing the same "Homeland security" policies, I'd bet your DC chapter would be camped in front of the White House and the Capitol 24/7.

The point I'm trying to make is if someone has a problem with one of Bush's proposals/policies/practices, he's instantly treated as a pariah here. Blind partisanhip and name-calling is ruining any spirited debate.

[tgslTakoma]

I'm going to miss watching The Simpsons' Halloween special for this. The price of friendship come be unbelievably high sometimes....

[tgslTakoma]

He does speak as well as he writes; and while I might not agree with every point he makes, he definitely makes a conversation lively, and makes one think - or perhaps re-think - one's own political platform. And (I like to believe) that is what separates conservative minds from those of the Tom Daschles, Hillary Clintons, and Ted Kennedys of the US.

[tgslTakoma]

In case you get CSPAN...

[mrsmith]

A "coming on" bump.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

He is a hysterical woman. I've read his stuff - its fear mongering crap.

[tgslTakoma]

I guess you'll be watching the Simpsons then.

The man sounds perfectly sane and rational to me. I do see his side of certain issues.

For instance, (para)We have every right to go after AlQaida, but to say (regarding the war on AlQaida) we must rid the world of evil... a bit much.

[billorites]

Lamb: "Is there anything that would be different if the Democrats were in power?"

Bovard: "Yes, if the Democrats were in power there would likely be an effective Republican opposition."