VIDEO: Victor Davis Hanson analyses the midterms

In attempting to cover American politics, I find it's often better to read/listen to analysis from overseas. Leaving aside the Canadian legacy media, who have incurable cases of TDS, foreign commentators tend to be less biased. For that reason, I often check out videos from Sky News Australia and other reportage from the Land of Oz.

Today I want to share a lengthy interview posted on John Anderson's blogsite. Mr Anderson was leader of Australia's National Party from 1999 to 2005, and  served as the 11th Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. On November 10th he was joined by Victor Davis Hanson, whose commentaries have been featured on WWW.

Mr Davis (for those who don't know him) is an American farmer (!) who also happens to be a classicist, military historian, and columnist. He has written for the National Review and Washington Times, and is currently the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. In this interview, he considers what the results of the 2022 midterm elections mean for the major parties, the 2024 elections, and the American people. 

 

Note from Ed.: Readers should appreciate that at the time of the interview, the likely outcome -- which party should control Congress -- was much in doubt. As of dawn today (Saturday), it remains so. Mr Hanson's comments, summarized below, may not be his final thoughts.

Despite the policy blunders of the Biden administration, including overseeing rising inflation, illegal immigration and the spread of radical gender ideology, Mr Hanson points to the underlying malaise in American political culture that divides citizens into 'Red' and 'Blue' States as the greater threat to national stability. 

He argues that the failure of some candidates endorsed by President Trump, significantly higher election funding for the Democrats and the fracturing of the Republican party, are all contributed to the "red wave" becoming a mere ripple. 

Mr Hanson speaks with cautious optimism about promising new Republican leaders like Governor Ron DeSantis, who could unify the party and win upcoming presidential elections. Walt suggests it's time for die-hard Trumpers, as well as all conservatives, to give that suggestion serious thought.

VIDEO: "Savage Messiah" Jordan Peterson talks with Dennis Prager

Everyone who knows him, or has even listened to him with an open mind, stands in awe of Dr Jordan Peterson. Some, Walt included, would hesitate to enter into conversation with him. If you say something stupid, he will correct you, politely. If you insult him, he will put you down, not so politely. Such is the force of his personality and thought.

Who is psychologist, professor, best-selling author, and YouTube personality Dr. Peterson? What does he believe in? Who are his followers? And why is he so controversial? Jim Proser answers those questions in Savage Messiah (St Martin's Press 2019). 

The book, which I recommend highly, is a compelling, exhaustively researched account of Dr Peterson's life, from his early days as a student in the remote Peace River country of northwestern Canada to his tenure at Harvard to his headline-making persona of the present day.

Here is a (slightly edited) quote from the forward by Dr Dennis Prager, cofounder of Prager University.

As a result of his remarkable ability to intellectually, rationally and coolly respond to hostile interviewers the world over, [Dr Peterson] became an international sensation, particularly among young people.

No generation in modern history has been deceived by their elders as much as the past two generations have, especially in the English-speaking countries.... If the people who present reality to you -- most particulazrly your teachers and the news and entertainment media -- tell you the Earth is flat, why would you assume it is round?

....So when an obviously decent, honest, erudite intellectual came along and spoke to them about good and evil, about meaning in life, and how to be a more fulfilled and ultimately happier person, millions of them responded with enthusiasm....

The subtitle of this biography is "How Dr. Jordan Peterson Is Saving Western Civilzation". It is not overstated. That is how important Jordan Peterson's life and work are.

To understand why Mr Prager is so impressed, check out this colloquy between the two at the 2019 PragerU summit. Well worth listening to for the entire 54 minutes. 

 

Want more? Among the many people impressed by Jordan Peterson is John Anderson, a conservative Australian (former) politician. He spent 19 years in the Australian Parliament, serving as a senior cabinet minister, leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister. He has interviewed Dr Peterson a number of times on his Conversations TV programme. Click here to see the full conversation (1 hr 24) in which Dr Peterson's talks about his "12 Rules for Life".

VIDEO: Welcome back, Jordan Peterson!

Ed. here (again). It's great to see Dr Jordan Peterson, fully recovered from his personal problems, back in action again. Here he is, interviewed by John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. In this clip, they talk about the worrisome revival of Marxism and other ideas that history has condemned time and time again.



This is taken from a conversation that lasts nearly an hour and a half. Click here to see the whole thing.