Townhall Review | Conservative Commentary On Today's News

Townhall Review -- March 3, 2018

In the aftermath of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, Michael Medved shares details on how the failure of Broward County Sherrif's Office, in particular that of their leader, Sherriff Scott Israel, was years in the making. Dennis Prager examines the mindset behind the Left demanding gun legislation that would have stopped nothing. Mike Gallagher turns to National Review columnist Andrew McCarthy to make sense of why Democrates are comparing the Russians meddling in the 2016 election to the invasion of Pearl Harbor and even 9/11. Hugh Hewitt invites Peter Peterson, the dean of Pepperdine University Graduate School of Public Policy, to share about the shocking upset of Dianne Feinstein not being able to garner the support of her own Democratic party in California. Larry Elder exposes the lunacy of banning of semi-automatic rifles and ultimately the repeal of the 2nd amendment. Hugh Hewitt speaks with David Dewhirst, Chief Litigation Counsel for the Freedom Foundation, on the labor union case, Janus v. AFSCME, in the U.S. Supreme Court. Wrapping up the show, Dennis Prager returns to dismantle a piece from Bill Press of The Hill on letting highschool students direct policy on guns.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Townhall Review -- March 3, 2018

In the aftermath of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, Michael Medved shares details on how the failure of Broward County Sherrif's Office, in particular that of their leader, Sherriff Scott Israel, was years in the making. Dennis Prager examines the mindset behind the Left demanding gun legislation that would have stopped nothing. Mike Gallagher turns to National Review columnist Andrew McCarthy to make sense of why Democrates are comparing the Russians meddling in the 2016 election to the invasion of Pearl Harbor and even 9/11. Hugh Hewitt invites Peter Peterson, the dean of Pepperdine University Graduate School of Public Policy, to share about the shocking upset of Dianne Feinstein not being able to garner the support of her own Democratic party in California. Larry Elder exposes the lunacy of banning of semi-automatic rifles and ultimately the repeal of the 2nd amendment. Hugh Hewitt speaks with David Dewhirst, Chief Litigation Counsel for the Freedom Foundation, on the labor union case, Janus v. AFSCME, in the U.S. Supreme Court. Wrapping up the show, Dennis Prager returns to dismantle a piece from Bill Press of The Hill on letting highschool students direct policy on guns.

As we commemorate the life and ministry of the Reverend Billy Graham today, there is much that can and should be said about his legacy.

But I also have to speak about him in a very personal way. In 1993—when I was elected President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary—he indicated he wanted to do whatever he could to help me in the cause of recovering and reforming SBTS, moving it in a very clearly, confessionally, decidedly conservative direction.

So: I asked him to speak at my inauguration as President of Southern.

And he did. He pointed to the gospel, he pointed to Christ, and he gave an enormous word of affirmation that was invaluable to the great cause of recovering the institution I lead to this day.

The best way to honor Billy Graham—I’m confident he’d say—is to preach the gospel he preached. Starting here. Starting now.

“Black Panther” has made movie history as the first smash hit about a black superhero. But even as international audiences savor this splashy entertainment, it’s worth noting some necessary reservations.

The dialogue is full of clunky clichés, the plot is convoluted, the lavish sets and costumes look tacky and sometimes tawdry, and the special effects often fail to convince. Despite strong performances from a distinguished cast, the movie creates a totally fictitious African utopia that ignores fundamental truths about civilizations. The story centers on the fantasy kingdom of “Wakanda,” which, in carefully guarded isolation, has developed technological advances that lead the world.

In fact, isolation invariably produces stagnation, not progress. Moreover, Wakanda in the movie is a medieval, tribal society, choosing all-powerful rulers through trial by combat and magical incantations. In the real world, advancement and wellbeing grow reliably from democratic, free market institutions, not from authoritarian societies based on brutality and sorcery echoing Game of Thrones.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Black Panther” has made movie history as the first smash hit about a black superhero. But even as international audiences savor this splashy entertainment, it’s worth noting some necessary reservations.

The dialogue is full of clunky clichés, the plot is convoluted, the lavish sets and costumes look tacky and sometimes tawdry, and the special effects often fail to convince. Despite strong performances from a distinguished cast, the movie creates a totally fictitious African utopia that ignores fundamental truths about civilizations. The story centers on the fantasy kingdom of “Wakanda,” which, in carefully guarded isolation, has developed technological advances that lead the world.

In fact, isolation invariably produces stagnation, not progress. Moreover, Wakanda in the movie is a medieval, tribal society, choosing all-powerful rulers through trial by combat and magical incantations. In the real world, advancement and wellbeing grow reliably from democratic, free market institutions, not from authoritarian societies based on brutality and sorcery echoing Game of Thrones.

Can Americans be financially coerced to underwrite labor unions when they are opposed to positions taken by unions?

That was the big issue this week before the nation’s highest court—whether workers can be coerced to financially underwrite and undergird labor unions when the positions taken by the union would be opposed to their own convictions.

The case is known as Janus v. AFSCME—the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees—and it challenges Supreme Court precedent that goes back four decades, requiring persons in certain categories of employment to contribute union dues and fees even when they do not want to be members of the union.

Today, with Justice Neil Gorsuch on the court, it is expected that the court will reverse its 40-year-plus precedent.

This may mean a big, big change on America’s political landscape.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Americans be financially coerced to underwrite labor unions when they are opposed to positions taken by unions?

That was the big issue this week before the nation’s highest court—whether workers can be coerced to financially underwrite and undergird labor unions when the positions taken by the union would be opposed to their own convictions.

The case is known as Janus v. AFSCME—the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees—and it challenges Supreme Court precedent that goes back four decades, requiring persons in certain categories of employment to contribute union dues and fees even when they do not want to be members of the union.

Today, with Justice Neil Gorsuch on the court, it is expected that the court will reverse its 40-year-plus precedent.

This may mean a big, big change on America’s political landscape.

Hugh Hewitt interviews Pete Peterson, Dean of the Graduate School of Public Policy at  Pepperdine University, on the California Democratic Party and a key case before the Supreme Court.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Jerry Bowyer of Townhall Finance for Townhall.com.

Let’s remember what all the Mueller, memo and FBI hubbub is about—the accusation that Trump colluded with Russia to get himself elected. One of the rules for determining who did something is to ask cui bono? Who benefits from the election of Trump?

Not Russia, that’s for sure.

The Trump trade has been terrible for Russia. We just published analysis at Townhall Finance which shows that Russia was the worst performing of the world’s 40 investible markets during Trumps 1st year in office. Poland—the Russian rival—was one of the best.

Trump policies have been highly detrimental to Putin’s interests. Most notable is Trump’s pro-energy stance, which Putin mouthpieces like cable outlet RT have been denouncing. If Trump really was elected by Russian money, it’s one of the worst investments any nation has ever made in human history.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugh Hewitt interviews Pete Peterson, Dean of the Graduate School of Public Policy at  Pepperdine University, on the California Democratic Party and a key case before the Supreme Court.