Noah and Conor kick things off by debating the Catholic Church, health insurance, and contraception. Is this a manufactured controversy, or are lay Catholics earnestly upset by a loss of religious liberty? Noah is a Jewish liberal living in New York City—so what is he doing writing for The American Conservative? Conor wonders whether the GOP should embrace TAC‘s radical critique of American foreign policy. Charles Murray’s new book Coming Apart receives some harsh criticism, as does the right’s politics of symbolic victimization. Plus: who will Noah and Conor be voting for in November?
On the first episode of The Posner Show, Sarah Posner and Sarah Wildman discuss how framing Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat assists fundamentalists, both Jewish and Christian. They also worry that the Republican presidential hopefuls rely more on myth than fact when discussing Middle East policy. How has casino magnate Sheldon Adelson so effectively shaped public opinion both in the US and Israel? And Newt Gingrich trivia: he narrowly averted an intifada, and took evangelizing lessons from a Messianic Jew.
On Foreign Entanglements, Jamie makes the case for bombing Iran’s regime out of existence. Some key questions are considered: Do Iranians support their country’s nuclear program? Would Iranians favor an attack on their own country? Are Iranians pro-American? Matt concludes by arguing that Obama’s just not that into war with Iran.
Conor and Phoebe delve into the controversy surrounding the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Planned Parenthood, and how social media is changing grassroots campaigning. They deconstruct so-called “lady blogs” like Jezebel that are targeted at women and discuss the social-media site Pinterest and the curious backlash against it. Conor reveals his engagement and offers a critique of the wedding-industrial complex. And Phoebe concludes by musing on the strange online meta-debate about the musician Lana Del Rey.