Coffee and Cigarettes

Scrutinizing Orthodoxy | 154 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:00:25 +0000

As Paul the apostle traveled from city to city, his custom was to visit the synagogues and reason with the Jews out of the scriptures. When he came to Berea, the Bible narrative described them as more noble for their critical thinking.

The Bereans “received the word with all readiness of mind” and “searched the scriptures daily” to prove what they heard was, in fact, the will of God according to His Word.

Show Notes and Links

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway.com
Acts 17:2, Acts 17:11, John 5:30, Matthew 15:2-3, Matthew 19:7-8, Matthew 7:13-14, Proverbs 17:14, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Peter 3:14-16

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House Finale | 153 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:00:34 +0000

Much could be said about the House series finale or the series altogether for that matter. I have known friends to be turned off by the show because there was simply “too much House” and not enough focus on the medical mysteries. Others avoided watching because of the promotion of atheism and the filth interwoven into the show at times.

As for me, I was intrigued by the House character from the beginning. I could relate to him in some ways. I saw a potential for a inspiring story to emerge. Though it didn’t happen in quite the way I expected, I was pleased with the finale.

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor the podcast | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/153

Warren Zevon – Keep Me In Your Heart | YouTube
http://youtu.be/uP0A0mmz50s

House (TV series) | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_(TV_series)

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Spiritually Psychological | 152 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:00:21 +0000

Psychology is a fascinating science to me. I love to read studies and what we’ve managed to learn about the human mind and behavior. However, I’ve also noticed how science often falls short. There are some aspects we cannot seem to understand. For instance, how could a confirmed psychopath ever change? For that, we need go no further than the Bible.

In the second part of this episode, I spoke about my introverted personality. How does an unsociable introvert become a church pastor? I also clear up some misconceptions people have about introverts.

Show Notes and Links

Correction: I quoted a verse from the book of Ezekiel but said it was Exodus.

THE PSYCHOPATH TEST | This American Life
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/436/the-psychopath-test

Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance | EXPLORING-PSYCHOLOGY
http://exploring–psychology.blogspot.com/2011/09/cognitive-consequences-of-forced.html

EFFECTS OF QUESTIONING UPON A WITNESS’ LATER RECOLLECTIONS | NCJRS
https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/Abstract.aspx?id=54409

The 2012 #CandCShow Giveaway | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/contest

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Ambiguous Worship | 151 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:41:45 +0000

Under the old covenant, there were some fairly strict rules for what could be in the temple and how things should be done in the temple. However, we’re not under that covenant and a few things have changed. For instance, the importance of a building or geographical location for worship is no more according to John 4.

Of course, we still have standards to follow in the church–we are to worship in truth. We cannot do anything we want and call it church or worship. We are given obvious instructions and there are warnings to those who would add to or take away from them. To top things off, we also have to factor in Christian liberty.

With all of that said, how much liberty do we really have in the church? What’s the rule here? What can be classified as a harmless aid or addition as opposed to the type of thing Jesus would drive out with a whip?

Pastor Ben Winslett gives us his take on the “gray areas” in worship.

Show Notes and Links

Flint River Primitive Baptist Church
http://flintriverpbc.org/

March To Zion
http://marchtozion.com/

Sponsor episodes of Coffee & Cigarettes
http://jeremysarber.com/sponsor

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Scanty Demonstrations | 150 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:00:30 +0000

Most of our complaints about the government require massive changes. Whether we’re talking about ending the warfare state, the welfare state, crony capitalism, and so on, small and incremental changes are not going to cut it.

Even so, most of our political protests are just that: small. Sure, we’ve seen some big movements like the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, but given the divisive nature of these groups, accomplishing big changes will always be impossible.

Arab Spring in Egypt

Show Notes and Links

2012 #CandCShow Giveaway | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/contest

Libertarianism is a Political Philosophy of Consistency and Peace | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/libertarianism-is-a-political-philosophy-of-consistency-and-peace/

Condemned By Silence? | My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
http://myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.blogspot.com/2012/04/condemned-by-silence.html

Show 225 – The Marketing of Dissent | Common Sense with Dan Carlin
http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/csarchive/Show-225—The-Marketing-of-Dissent/Occupy%20Wall%20street-OWS-media

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Leaving Church | 149 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:22:24 +0000

Christ said, “Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The writer of Hebrews tells us, “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Even though the Bible seems clear on the importance of His local assemblies (i.e. the church), many Christians have not only left the church for one reason or another, but have denounced the church and labeled it unnecessary.

Randall King and I discussed the matter in depth. We talked about why some would leave the church and why the church is such a precious blessing to God’s people.

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: World According to Bobby
http://worldaccordingtobobby.com

Follow Randall on Twitter
Follow @randall_king

Church Fatigue | 057 Coffee & Cigarettes
http://jeremysarber.com/57/

121 About The Church – Not Going To church Anymore!
http://gspn.tv/121-about-the-church-not-going-to-church-anymore/

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Warfare State | 148 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:00:16 +0000

For some time now, I’ve made no attempts to claim I’m a conservative. Though I have long agreed with so many conservative values, my conscience would not allow me to remain in lockstep with mainstream conservative positions. Perhaps I should point out that I’m a Christian before all else.

Yes, I believe in limited government. Yes, I believe abortion should be outlawed. Yes, I believe our nation has been blessed by God. Yes, I believe in a strong national defense. Yes, I believe in supporting the troops. No, I am still not a conservative.

I could nitpick at several inconsistencies and hypocrisies I’ve seen in today’s conservatism, but I’d prefer to focus on one issue in particular I cannot overlook–support for the warfare state.

Ronald Reagan costume

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: World According to Bobby
http://worldaccordingtobobby.com

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Libertarian Christians | 147 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:00:01 +0000

What exactly do libertarians believe? Aren’t they a fringe group that wants to legalize all sorts of immoral behaviors like drug use and prostitution? That’s what Ann Sattley and myself discuss in this episode.

We first attempt to define what it is a libertarian believes and how those ideas can be reconciled to Christianity and the Bible. Christians often believe we have an obligation to support a quasi-theocracy and enforce a moral code through law. After all, Israel of the Old Testament had a similar system. But does their system transfer to the United States?

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: World According To Bobby
http://worldaccordingtobobby.com

Ann Sattley on Twitter
Follow @ttillegal

Technically, That’s Illegal
http://technicallythatsillegal.com

the politics of religion conference, part 3 | uberfrau news
http://www.uberfrau.net/2011/04/politics-of-religion-conference-part-3.html

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Military Perplexity | 146 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 21:00:11 +0000

Libertarian Party presidential contender Gary Johnson has been portrayed as an anti-war candidate, but that isn’t quite so clear. When pressed on foreign policy topics in a recent interview, Johnson gave answers that didn’t always seem to add up and were often, at best, unorthodox positions for a man who has been painted as a non-interventionist.

Jeff Oakes and I talk about what Johnson said and spend the rest of the hour discussing a number of issues related to the American military and our foreign policy.

United States Army in WWII

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: World According to Bobby
http://worldaccordingtobobby.com

Jeff Oakes on Twitter
Follow @5stringJeff

Correction: I mentioned Ron Paul’s budget plan in this episode. I meant to say Paul Ryan’s budget plan.

Gary Johnson’s strange foreign policy | The Daily Caller
http://dailycaller.com/2012/04/09/thedcs-jamie-weinstein-gary-johnsons-strange-foreign-policy/

Gary Johnson on Foreign Policy
http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues/foreign-policy

Department of Defense | Cato Institute
http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/defense

Liberty In The Son | Jeff Oakes’ blog
http://libertyintheson.wordpress.com/

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Cancer Tax | 145 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:00:09 +0000

If Proposition 29 is approved by California’s voters, the tax on cigarettes in the state will increase by $1.00 per pack. California’s current cigarette tax is 87 cents per pack. The total tax per pack of cigarettes, if Proposition 29 passes, will be $1.87/pack. The additional tax revenue will be used to fund cancer research, smoking reduction programs, and tobacco law enforcement.

The last time a cigarette tax was on the California ballot was in 2006, when Proposition 86 was narrowly defeated. Proposition 86 would have imposed an additional tax of $2.60 per pack of cigarettes.

Brandon Christison joins me in this episode. How could either one of us be opposed to a tax on a bad thing to fund a good thing?

Sponsor: Help make Brandon Christison’s first album
http://www.indiegogo.com/MadeForJesus

Text for Proposed Proposition 29
http://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2012/primary/pdf/english/text-proposed-laws.pdf

No on Proposition 29 | No on 29
http://www.noon29.com/the-facts

The Price of Smoking in Black and White | Freakonomics
http://www.freakonomics.com/2007/06/22/the-price-of-smoking-in-black-and-white/

What a cigarette tax should pay for | LA Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-cigarette-tax-20120412,0,5691377.story

Big tobacco lights up its anti-tax effort in California | The Modesto Bee
http://www.modbee.com/2012/04/16/2160513/big-tobacco-lights-up-its-anti.html

Made For Jesus
http://madeforjesus.com/

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Questioning Re-Baptism | 144 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:00:59 +0000

In Acts 19 of the Bible, does a re-baptism take place? If so, why was John’s baptism no longer sufficient? Were the disciples at Ephesus even baptized under John’s baptism? If the baptism then (and today) is different than John’s baptism, why and when did it change? If re-baptism did take place, what guidelines does it set for us today in the church?

These are a few of the questions I’ve recently asked myself in my own study of the Bible. This episode is different from previous shows in that I’m not presenting my take on a subject. Rather, I’m asking questions and looking for your feedback. Have a listen and let the discussion commence in the comment section below.

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: Help make Brandon Christison’s first album
http://www.indiegogo.com/MadeForJesus

Bible references in this episode
Acts 19:1-6, Matthew 3:1-3, Matthew 3:13-17, John 4:1-2, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 18:24-26

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Logical Insanity | 143 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:34:24 +0000

As we look back at history, we have to keep things in context. We can’t take these historical events and drop them into a modern-day context. We have to look at the context of these events as they happened. This has always been a fascination of mine when studying history, especially when studying the Bible. I want to understand everything about the context of a story–the way people talked, the clothes they wore, the culture, the general attitude of society at the time. This all helps us to understand the events and why they happened in the way they did.

We sometimes wonder about the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in World War II. We wonder if we should have dropped them at all. On one hand, they did serve their intended purpose as stated by Harry Truman which was to bring a quick end to the war with Japan. On the other hand, they were atomic bombs. Today, we invade countries and overthrow governments at the mere rumor of a potentially bad guy getting himself some nuclear weapons. I’m pretty sure we all get the seriousness of these weapons.

Do I think we should have used those bombs? Well…

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: Help make Brandon Christison’s first album
http://www.indiegogo.com/MadeForJesus

Hiroshima and Nagasaki Death Toll | UCLA
http://www.aasc.ucla.edu/cab/200708230009.html

Sherman’s March to the Sea | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman%27s_March_to_the_Sea

Trinity (nuclear test) | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_(nuclear_test)#Explosion

Air raids on Japan | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_raids_on_Japan

Harry S. Truman, Diary, July 25, 1945
http://www.dannen.com/decision/hst-jl25.html

Show 42 – (BLITZ) Logical Insanity | Hardcore History
http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hharchive/Show-42—(BLITZ)-Logical-Insanity/Second%20World%20War-World%20War%20Two-World%20War%20One

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Biblical Politics | 142 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:00:29 +0000

The subject of politics is often difficult for many Christians. Should Christians be on the right, the left, or somewhere in between? While the Bible seems to promote the idea of liberty, it also says we should submit to the higher powers.

This episode was created to reconcile the seemingly conflicting lessons of the Bible when it comes to government and politics. It’s an overview of the Old Testament versus the New. It’s a starting point for Christians looking to understand what the Bible teaches on these matters.

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: Help make Brandon Christison’s first album
http://www.indiegogo.com/MadeForJesus

2012 #CandCShow Giveaway | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/contest

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Presidential Power | 141 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:00:40 +0000

The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces.

Article II of the U.S. Constitution vests the executive power of the United States in the president and charges him with the execution of federal law, alongside the responsibility of appointing federal executive, diplomatic, regulatory, and judicial officers, and concluding treaties with foreign powers, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The president is further empowered to grant federal pardons and reprieves, and to convene and adjourn either or both houses of Congress under extraordinary circumstances.

Since the founding of the United States, the power of the president and the federal government have grown substantially and each modern president, despite possessing no formal legislative powers beyond signing or vetoing congressionally passed bills, is largely responsible for dictating the legislative agenda of his party and the foreign and domestic policy of the United States. The president is frequently described as the most powerful person in the world.

George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush

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Building Empires | 140 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:00:56 +0000

Great empires, such as the Roman and British, were extractive. The empires succeeded because the value of the resources and wealth extracted from conquered lands exceeded the value of conquest and governance.

America’s empire-building efforts doesn’t seem to get any extractive benefits from it. After eight years of war and attempted occupation of Iraq, all Washington has for its efforts is several trillion dollars of additional debt and no Iraqi oil. After ten years of trillion dollar struggle against the Taliban in Afghanistan, Washington has nothing to show for it except possibly some part of the drug trade that can be used to fund covert CIA operations.

America’s wars are very expensive. Bush and Obama have doubled the national debt, and the American people have no benefits from it. No riches, no bread and circuses flow to Americans from Washington’s wars. So what is it all about?

Darth Vader

Show Notes and Links

Empires Then and Now | Lew Rockwell
http://lewrockwell.com/roberts/roberts342.html

Star Wars- The Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme) | YouTube
http://youtu.be/-bzWSJG93P8

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Less Stuff | 139 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:00:16 +0000

Minimalism is a tool to help you achieve freedom. Freedom from fear, freedom from worry, freedom from overwhelm, freedom from guilt, freedom from depression, freedom from enslavement. Freedom. Real freedom.

Minimalism is a tool that can be used to live a meaningful life. It is a tool to achieve happiness, which is what we are all looking for. We all want to be happy. Minimalism can help. There are no rules in minimalism. Rather, minimalism is simply about stripping away the unnecessary things in your life so you can focus on what’s important.

Show Notes and Links

Making Money as a Writer Is a Curious Thing: The Dollars and Cents of Full-Time Writing | The Minimalists
http://www.theminimalists.com/writing-money/

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Presumed Guilty | 138 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:00:05 +0000

In the court of public opinion, a suspect is guilty until proven innocent. In either a case of life imitating art or art imitating life, we often see this expressed in dramatic television shows about police officers. Law enforcement agents in these shows have a bad habit of presuming guilt until they can prove otherwise.

Perhaps we are too obsessed with catching the bad guys. Maybe we should be slower and much more careful to presume guilt before we have all of the evidence. After all, don’t we believe a person is innocent until proven guilty?

Trayvon Martin

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Free Books | 137 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:00:06 +0000

The things you own end up owning you. That’s what Brad Pitt’s character said in the movie, Fight Club. I love that line. It is so easy to let such superficial things define who we are. And this goes well beyond material possessions. I’ve known people who were desperately seeking the truth–I mean, God’s truth–but once they found it they couldn’t let go of who had they had been for so long.

Sometimes we just have to let go. Ah, that’s easier said than done though. To think of getting rid of all of my books–most of which I’ve read or will never read–kind of freaks me out. They’re like trophies to me. They’re badges of honor I wear with pride. I can say, “Look at me. Look at my books. Look how many books I’ve read.”

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor the podcast | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/sponsor

Old School Reading Rainbow Theme | YouTube.com
http://youtu.be/c6j8EiWIVZs

How I Got Rid of 2,000 Books and Started Reading More | The Minimalists
http://www.theminimalists.com/reading/

Big Brother is watching you song | YouTube
http://youtu.be/aOTCeKradnk

Homeland Security: Pretty Much All Bodily Movement is an Indicator of Potential Terrorism | Intel Hub
http://theintelhub.com/2012/03/22/homeland-security-pretty-much-all-bodily-movement-is-an-indicator-of-potential-terrorism/

Support the podcast | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/support

2012 #CandCShow Giveaway | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/contest

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Orwellian Visions | 136 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:00:05 +0000

The premise of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is similar to 1984 by George Orwell, but also very different. Where Orwell described a government that would suppress the truth, Huxley described a world where we’d be overloaded with so much information we wouldn’t know what was true. In Orwell’s vision, the government would ban books. Huxley described a scenario where people would be so consumed by mindless entertainment and pleasures that no one would want to read a book. In 1984, people are controlled by threats and pain. In Brave New World, people are controlled by pleasure. Orwell described a people ruined by their own hate. Huxley described a people ruined by the things they love.

In both books, society is precisely engineered by those in charge, but there’s a sharp contrast in the way both achieve that goal

Orwell versus Huxley

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor the podcast | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/sponsor

“Animal Farm” SUMMARY/OVERVIEW — George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” … from 60second Recap | YouTube
http://youtu.be/_dI1YO3EGYs

“1984″ SUMMARY/OVERVIEW — George Orwell’s “1984″ … from 60second Recap | YouTube
http://youtu.be/6hBeMuRkHT0

“Brave New World” SUMMARY/OVERVIEW — Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” … from 60second Recap | YouTube
http://youtu.be/mwCy56slJHw

Bioengineering Humans To Combat Climate Change | William M. Biggs
http://wmbriggs.com/blog/?p=5392

Schools ban children making best friends | The Sun
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4203460/Schools-ban-children-making-best-friends.html

your my best friend by Queen with lyrics | YouTube
http://youtu.be/9oOHr–AMes

TRUST ME, THIS IS GOOD NEWS | Sovereign Man
http://www.sovereignman.com/expat/trust-me-this-is-good-news/

Pink Floyd : High Hopes, Royal Festival Hall | YouTube
http://youtu.be/CweROG8S-68

2012 Coffee & Cigarettes Giveaway | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/contest

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Communal Proprietary | 135 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 21:00:24 +0000

Historically speaking, America has always believed in property rights. But there are those who believe the concept is entirely selfish in nature. On the surface, it does seem selfish. When you hear people defend their property rights, they often sound like they don’t care about the community as a whole. Maybe some don’t, but that’s not the point.

The reason I bring this up is because last week the President signed an executive order which permits the executive branch of the government to seize and use any private property he wishes under the guise of national defense. This is not only a step towards communism, it’s a step towards dictatorship. The President no longer needs a judicial process or the approval of Congress or anything to steal our property.

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: World According To Bobby
http://www.worldaccordingtobobby.com

The Free Waylon Project | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/freewaylon

In The Arms Of an Angel – Sarah McLaughlin | YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVbkz_3lO3c

Adolf Hitler – Speech (1933) | YouTube
http://youtu.be/_Q-6H4xOUrs

Executive Order — National Defense Resources Preparedness | WhiteHouse.org
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/16/executive-order-national-defense-resources-preparedness

Obama Executive Order Paves the Way for Nationalization of Economy | Lew Rockwell
http://lewrockwell.com/spl4/obama-nationalization-of-economy-order.html

2012 Coffee & Cigarettes Giveaway | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/contest

Sponsor the podcast | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/sponsor

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National Collapse | 134 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:00:12 +0000

In the 16th Century, we saw the Western world–Europe and eventually North America–surge ahead of the rest of the world in everything from technological advancements to financial prosperity. Since that time, we’ve begun to slip.

The World Economic Forum has actually been keeping track of this global competition since 1979. They have an annual survey they call the Global Competitiveness survey. Since developing a new model and point system in 1994, the United States’ score has fallen from 5.82 to 5.43. That’s actually a very steep decline for a developed economy like America.

Being a lover of history and a believer that human events are never so unique that we cannot learn from history, I’ve been thinking about the Western world’s previous success in its historical context. I think there are at least four notable characteristics of America and Europe in the past which likely brought on our prosperity. At the same, I believe we’ve seen those four characteristics disappear which may be why we are seemingly losing our prosperity.

Collapse of Rome

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor: World According to Bobby
http://www.worldaccordingtobobby.com

2012 Coffee & Cigarettes Giveaway | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/contest

The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012 | World Economic Forum
http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-competitiveness

YouTube- Almost Famous full movie part 2 of 12 | YouTube
http://youtu.be/HymTgm8Q7ew

Colin Hay – Waiting for my real life to begin (with lyrics) | YouTube
http://youtu.be/Cvrzqcfv9mY

The Jeffersons Original Theme Song | YouTube
http://youtu.be/MYcqToQzzGY

Statistically Deceived | 059 Coffee & Cigarettes | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/59/

Hank Hill vs. the Bureaucrats | Mises Institute
http://mises.org/daily/5952/Hank-Hill-vs-the-Bureaucrats

Stossel 3-8-2012 | YouTube
http://youtu.be/tPZdvqszmIs

Hank Rearden Voice Mail | YouTube
http://youtu.be/0exLfeilGoA

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Consistently Hypocritical | 133 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 18:00:49 +0000

I want there to be a website which takes a current hot topic in politics at any given moment and creates a blog post about it. Whatever the politicians, the media, the political commentators, and the Internet altogether seems to be abuzz about. For instance, everyone from Rush Limbaugh to Jon Stewart has recently been talking about Sandra Fluke and the government mandated contraception issue. So, the website will have a post about that single issue. Basically, it’ll describe what the issue is all about in the most unbiased way–a very short description.

Then, from that point forward, the site will record what every mainstream or public figure says about it. So, if Rush Limbaugh gives his opinion on the matter one day during his broadcast, the site will transcribe his quotes and add it to that post. Quotes could be pulled from practically anywhere. They could come from popular bloggers or the news or the politicians themselves.

Once you pull all of these quotes and opinions together, you make the site very searchable. You make it so visitors can search for a topic or a public figure. Maybe you provide some creative way for people to compare what someone like Rush said about several different but similar topics. Do you see where I’m going with this?

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor of this episode: World According to Bobby
http://www.worldaccordingtobobby.com/

Louisville Empire State of Mind | YouTube
http://youtu.be/OTPMB2FjgOw

Obama’s PROMISE To End The Iraq War | YouTube
http://youtu.be/8VlXfs1K04g

cnn – rick santorum: barack obama’s foreign policy is appeasement | YouTube
http://youtu.be/4Mwu-lTxhPw

State of the Union Address 2012 – Obama on Iran | YouTube
http://youtu.be/l9iAqR7ftzw

Freedom! – Braveheart (9/9) Movie CLIP (1995) HD | YouTube
http://youtu.be/i6zGEBhJMHA

Barkley and Pitino Debate the Big East | YouTube
http://youtu.be/KICopya1O14

CBS News election-night coverage open – November 4, 2008 | YouTube
http://youtu.be/fwMMf02xYVE

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Consistently Hypocritical | 133 Coffee & Cigarettes

Fourth Branch | 132 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:00:54 +0000

In the American political system, the fourth branch of government refers to a group that influences the three branches of governance defined in the American Constitution–legislative, judicial, and executive. Such groups can include the press (an analogy to the French Fourth Estate), the people, and interest groups. U.S. independent administrative government agencies, while technically part of the executive branch (or, in a few cases, the legislative branch) of government, are sometimes referred to as being part of the fourth branch.

Most commonly though, it is the media we refer to as this fourth branch. They are the ultimate check and balance on the government. Their traditional role is to provide the public with needful information concerning the government and to investigate and press the government with the public’s concerns and questions.

Today, American media falls short on both accounts.

CNN Studio

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor of this episode: World According to Bobby
http://www.worldaccordingtobobby.com/

President Obama Fills Out His Bracket | BeyondU Sports
http://www.beyondusports.com/president-obama-fills-bracket/

The TSA is Wasteful, Unhealthy, and Unnecessary | LibertarianChristians.com
http://libertarianchristians.com/2012/03/14/the-tsa-is-wasteful-unhealthy-and-unnecessary/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Fourth Branch | 132 Coffee & Cigarettes

Legal Sin | 131 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:00:51 +0000

Televangelist and founder of the Christian Coalition, Pat Robertson, with whom I have major theological, philosophical, and political differences, recently said something that even I must acknowledge was important, truthful, and courageous.

Speaking about the criminal justice system on his “700 Club” television program, Robertson remarked that it was a “shocking statistic” that the United States has “the highest rate of incarceration of any nation on the face of the Earth.” Then he said something few “law and order” conservatives – and especially Christian conservatives – would dare to say: “More and more prisons, more and more crime. It’s just shocking, especially this business about drug offenses. It’s time we stop locking up people for possession of marijuana. We just can’t do it anymore…You don’t lock ‘em up for booze unless they kill somebody on the highway.”

Although I do not advocate nor condone the use of mind-altering, behavior-altering, or mood-altering substances, I believe that Christians should not support the government’s war on drugs.

Richard Nixon's War on Drugs

Show Notes and Links

Sponsor of this episode: World According to Bobby
http://www.worldaccordingtobobby.com/

Should Christians Support the War on Drugs? | Libertarian Christians
http://libertarianchristians.com/2012/03/13/should-christians-support-war-on-drugs/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Legal Sin | 131 Coffee & Cigarettes

Demanding Neighbors | 130 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:00:04 +0000

Henry Kissinger, former United States Secretary, said we should move forward with the assumption Iran is building nuclear weapons. Even if we do, why do we seem so determined to avoid diplomacy?

Later in the episode, I set up a hypothetical situation to ponder. What if your next door neighbor demanded you pay him ten percent of your income along with eight percent of everything you buy?

Show Notes and Links

Kissinger: We should ignore intelligence and assume Iran wants nukes | The Raw Story
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/03/11/kissinger-we-should-ignore-intelligence-and-assume-iran-wants-nukes/

Iran Proposal to U.S. Offered Peace with Israel | IPS
http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=33348

Nuclear Weapons – 2009 Developments | GlobalSecurity.org
http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/iran/nuke2009.htm

U.S. Is Skeptical on Iranian Deal for Nuclear Fuel | New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/world/middleeast/18iran.html

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Demanding Neighbors | 130 Coffee & Cigarettes

Graceful Truth | 129 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:00:09 +0000

According to Ben Reed, we should seek to balance grace and truth in the church. That’s not in reference to what we have, but what we give. When it comes to sin and other issues of less-than-ideal behavior among our brethren, we have to determine how to react based on the grace/truth scale.

Also, going back to the issue of radical Islam, are the evil regimes that have or might obtain power in the Middle East something for us in the United States to fear? What kind of impact could these regimes have on the global stage?

Show Notes and Links

On Grace, truth, & not being a jerk | Life & Theology
http://www.benreed.net/index.php/2012/03/08/on-grace-truth-not-being-a-jerk/

Christian Jerks | 127 Coffee & Cigarettes
http://jeremysarber.com/127/

Fanatical Minority | 128 Coffee & Cigarettes
http://jeremysarber.com/128/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Graceful Truth | 129 Coffee & Cigarettes

Fanatical Minority | 128 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:00:37 +0000

A man, whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II, owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave might guide our attitude toward fanaticism. “Very few people were true Nazis,” he said, “but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen.”

Similarly, one email forward suggested:

We are told again and again by “experts” and “talking heads” that Islam is the religion of peace and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectra of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The hard, quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority, the “silent majority,” is cowed and extraneous.

Can a small minority of fanatics take over a nation while a silent majority does nothing? Does it warrant us going to war to “save their country” from themselves?

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Fanatical Minority | 128 Coffee & Cigarettes

Christian Jerks | 127 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:00:30 +0000

With every story of the Bible, we have theological meaning behind it. Theology is the study of God. Everything we read in the Bible teaches us about God, His character, and His works. It all points back to Him.

Theology is a wonderful thing but it was also meant to be more than interesting water-cooler talk. It was certainly never intended to be a weapon used against those who disagree.

Show Notes and Links

On Grace, truth, & not being a jerk | Life & Theology
http://www.benreed.net/index.php/2012/03/08/on-grace-truth-not-being-a-jerk/

My Sermon Broken Into Four Parts | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/my-sermon-broken-into-four-parts/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Christian Jerks | 127 Coffee & Cigarettes

Deadly Emancipation | 126 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:00:12 +0000

What came first, the chicken or the egg? This is a very similar question to the one I asked at the end of episode 125: What is more important, life or liberty? Without life, what good is liberty? Without liberty, what kind of life can there be?

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry passionately declared, “Give me liberty or give me death!” Yet, a mere 236 years later, we could put forth the same 27 grievances against our government that the American colonists did against King George and Great Britain.

If you enjoy the episode and share it with your friends, be sure to report it at JeremySarber.com/contest to earn points towards winning a free iPod Touch, Keurig coffeemaker, Kindle Touch, or other prizes.

Show Notes and Links

The Declaration of Independence | USHistory.org
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Deadly Emancipation | 126 Coffee & Cigarettes

Liberating Wallace | 125 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:00:18 +0000

No national hero has ever excited greater admiration than William Wallace. No hero has remained such a shadowy figure, his life and actions beset by myths and contradictions. When Scotland’s fortunes were at their lowest, when the Scots were oppressed and their nation virtually obliterated, Wallace emerged from obscurity like some bright meteor in the night sky.

He gained a spectacular victory over the English in one pitched battle and sustained a crushing defeat in a second. He disappeared from recorded history just as swiftly as he had come, emerging only briefly seven years later when he was betrayed to the English, brought to London, subjected to a mockery of a trial and then done to death in a most hideous and barbaric manner.

William Wallace

Show Notes and Links

World According to Bobby
http://www.worldaccordingtobobby.com/

William Wallace | James Mackay | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/William-Wallace-ebook/dp/B006WA94T0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331053271&sr=8-2

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Liberating Wallace | 125 Coffee & Cigarettes

Radical Opposition | 124 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 22:00:06 +0000

As the United States continues to grow its empire under the guise of security and such things as spreading democracy, the American people will ultimately suffer.

After the great wars of the Twentieth Century, nations involved began proposing radical ideas and major changes to foreign policy and global politics to prevent such catastrophes from ever happening again. Unfortunately, these ideas never make their way to mainstream until a superpower nation hits a wall which most inevitably do.

However, there are always a few lone voices in the wilderness warning about future consequences.

Show Notes and Links

Stratfor Emails: Israel Has Destroyed Iran’s Nuclear Program | InfoWars
http://www.infowars.com/stratfor-emails-israel-has-destroyed-irans-nuclear-program/

Goal in Iran: Regime Change | Lew Rockwell
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/106630.html

Afghan Riots Aren’t Just About Burned Holy Books | Reason
http://reason.com/archives/2012/03/01/afghan-riots-arent-just-about-burned-hol

Congressman Ron Paul Rallies Supporters in Springfield, VA (2/28/2012) | Ron Paul 2012 Podcast
http://www.ronpaul2012podcast.com/2012/02/28/congressman-ron-paul-rallies-supporters-in-springfield-va-2282012/

Washington’s Farewell Address | Wikisource
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Washington%27s_Farewell_Address

Eisenhower Farewell Address | YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWiIYW_fBfY

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Radical Opposition | 124 Coffee & Cigarettes

Legal Insanity | 123 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:00:21 +0000

Ann Sattley, author of Technically, That’s Illegal, attempts to document all of the crazy things that people are getting in trouble for in modern America. Some of these things are random, silly things that most people can agree with me about (transporting a baby woodpecker, garage sales, and so on). But, some of the posts you will read in the book or on the blog not only point out the incompetence of our government, but the alarming rate at which our freedoms are being eroded in the name of safety and convenience.

One of the major problems Ann sees with today’s society is the tendency to judge those that are convicted of crimes. The fact of the matter is that we should not point the finger at someone’s law breaking unless we are willing to follow all of the laws ourselves. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible with the state of legislation today. Nobody is entitled to call themselves a “law abiding citizen.” If you don’t believe Ann, read her book and browse her blog.

Show Notes and Links

Technically, That’s Illegal [blog]
http://www.technicallythatsillegal.com/

Technically, That’s Illegal [book]
http://www.amazon.com/Technically-Thats-Illegal-Ann-Sattley/dp/1105013685/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323550918&sr=8-1

Ann Sattley on Twitter
https://twitter.com/#!/ttillegal

John Stossel’s Illegal Everything | YouTube
http://youtu.be/CFfVeXhtRa0

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Legal Insanity | 123 Coffee & Cigarettes

Resurrection Proof | 122 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:15:37 +0000

Is it possible to prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ? The Christian faith hinges on the account of Jesus’ resurrection being true. It is quite possibly the most significant event of the Bible.

If we can agree on certain premises–Jesus being a real historical figure, his death, and his missing body–then we may be able to prove he was resurrected as opposed to theories that he never died or that his body was stolen.

Show Notes and Links

Breaking Rasmussen Poll: Ron Paul leads Obama in public opinion milestone! | The Humble Libertarian
http://www.humblelibertarian.com/2012/02/rasmussen-poll-ron-paul-leads-obama.html

Responsibility and Private Property | Ludwig von Mises Institute
http://mises.org/daily/5924/Responsibility-and-Private-Property

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Resurrection Proof | 122 Coffee & Cigarettes

Humble Reflections | 121 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:00:48 +0000

After the tragic events of September 11, 2001, America had every reason to reflect on the past–to deeply consider the causes of the effect. As we have a tendency to do, we overly simplified the situation–chose to gravitate toward an extreme position based on our emotions at the time–and the never-ending war on terror began.

Not once have we confessed to ourselves that we might have made mistakes in the past when it comes to our foreign policy. Instead, we picked up where we left off and became even more aggressive than we were before.

Show Notes and Links

Preemptive Poppycock | 040 Coffee & Cigarettes
http://jeremysarber.com/40/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Humble Reflections | 121 Coffee & Cigarettes

Lacking Catchphrases | 120 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 22:00:02 +0000

“We have to have to have folks that’ll stand up for religious conscience and I did and I will again as President,” said Mitt Romney in Wednesday night’s GOP debate.

“I believe this is most dangerous President on national security grounds in American history,” said Newt Gingrich.

These are the kinds of statements that make certain candidates excellent debaters and provide them with thunderous applause. But where’s the substance? This is Ron Paul’s great hindrance. He lacks pro-conservative catchphrases.

Show Notes and Links

Technically, That’s Illegal | Ann Sattley
http://www.technicallythatsillegal.com/

Winners And Losers From Final GOP Debate | ABC News
http://news.yahoo.com/winners-losers-final-gop-debate-052122037–abc-news.html

Watch the full CNN/Arizona Republican debate | 2012 Election Central
http://www.2012presidentialelectionnews.com/2012/02/video-watch-the-full-cnnarizona-republican-debate/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Lacking Catchphrases | 120 Coffee & Cigarettes

Church Whistles | 119 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:00:29 +0000

For decades, Target and other major retailers have collected vast amounts of data on every person who regularly walks into one of its stores. Whenever possible, Target assigns each shopper a unique code–known internally as the Guest ID number–that keeps tabs on everything they buy.

Why exactly are conservatives so opposed to pro-liberty, pro-Constitution, supported by the troops, predicted to do better against Obama in the general election than other GOP candidates Ron Paul?

What exactly motivated the children of Israel to build a golden calf? That was a question I asked on episode 87 of the podcast. No episode has brought about more dissent after I compared the golden calf with the bell and whistles of many Christian churches today. In this episode, I clarify some things by using the incorporation of musical instruments in worship as an example.

Show Notes and Links

How Companies Learn Your Secrets | New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/19/magazine/shopping-habits.html

Golden Calves | 87 Coffee & Cigarettes
http://jeremysarber.com/87/

Bible references in this episode | BibleGateway.com
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20cor%2011,%20exodus%2032&version=KJV

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Church Whistles | 119 Coffee & Cigarettes

Repeating History | 118 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:00:40 +0000

It has been said we cannot learn from history because there are too many variables. Every nation and scenario is different.

If it is possible for us to remove the blinders created by patriotism, where do you suppose the United States of America is in the course of history? As we attempt to rebuild the great power and global authority we were by the end of World War II, what is becoming of the quality of life by the people of this nation? Is it beneficial for John Q. Pubic to live in such a superpower?

Show Notes and Links

Show 220 – Earthquakes, Rainbows and Unicorns | Common Sense with Dan Carlin
http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/csarchive/Show-220—Earthquakes,-Rainbows-and-Unicorns/superpower-hegemony-war

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Repeating History | 118 Coffee & Cigarettes

Profitable Competition | 117 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 22:57:18 +0000

Let me introduce to you the 2012 #CandCShow Giveaway Contest. Similar to the contest of last year, six winners will receive a variety of prizes ranging from audio books to a brand new iPod.

Last week, I attended Ignite Raleigh at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina. I was excited about the event and even announced I’d be live blogging throughout the evening. About an hour or so into it, I stopped updating and the blog post disappeared from my site. The event was a noble idea, but I have a slightly better one.

Show Notes and Links

The 2012 #CandCShow Giveaway Contest | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/contest/

Ignite Raleigh
http://igniteraleigh.com/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Profitable Competition | 117 Coffee & Cigarettes

Ardent Santorum | 116 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:14:59 +0000

Is there a new Coffee & Cigarettes giveaway contest on the horizon? Maybe so.

Thanks to Chris Penn and John Wall, I learned about a new-to-me phone app called, Waze. It’s a GPS app unlike any other I’ve used. It really brings a social aspect to GPS.

No offense to Rick Santorum supporters, but I also have some critical things to say about comments he recently made concerning the conduct of the United States in our war on terror.

Show Note and Links

Waze Free GPS Navigation
http://www.waze.com/

Rick Santorum’s Passionate Support for Killing Americans | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/rick-santorums-passionate-support-for-killing-americans/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Ardent Santorum | 116 Coffee & Cigarettes

Media Partiality | 115 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 20:57:03 +0000

When it comes to politics and media, the left argues that the right is more biased than the left while the right argues that the left is more biased than the right. Who’s right? Er, who’s left? Well, you know what I mean.

Steven Levitt of Freakonomics says, “Measuring media bias is a really difficult endeavor because unlike what economists usually study, which are numbers and quantities, media bias is all expressed in words.”

Well, Tim Groseclose and Jeff Milyo estimated how left-wing or right-wing media outlets are based on what research by think tanks they mention in their stories. They then compared that to the think-tank research that elected officials cite when they talk on the House or Senate floor, to calibrate where the media fits relative to the Congress. They find some interesting answers.

Show Notes and Links

Ron Paul Might Be Winning | JeremySarber.com
http://jeremysarber.com/ron-paul-might-be-winning/

Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts the American Mind | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250002761/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=freakonomic08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1250002761

How Biased Is Your Media? | Freakonomics Radio
http://www.freakonomics.com/2012/02/16/how-biased-is-your-media/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Media Partiality | 115 Coffee & Cigarettes

Defeating Terrorism | 114 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:19:57 +0000

For more than a decade–longer lasting than even the Vietnam War–we’ve been fighting terrorism at home and abroad. We have spent a lot of money, sacrificed a lot of American lives, and allowed the Constitution and our civil liberties to be eroded. What have we accomplished? What do we expect to accomplish?

How do we win a war on terror?

It’s a war fought on an extremely vague premise. If we cannot answer this question, we can never bring it to an end.

Show Notes and Links

Show 219 – Security Uber Alles | Common Sense with Dan Carlin
http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/csarchive/Show-219—Security-Uber-Alles/terrorism-war%20on%20terror-rights

Israel teams with terror group to kill Iran’s nuclear scientists | Rock Center
http://rockcenter.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/08/10354553-israel-teams-with-terror-group-to-kill-irans-nuclear-scientists-us-officials-tell-nbc-news

Drones over U.S. get OK by Congress | Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/7/coming-to-a-sky-near-you/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Defeating Terrorism | 114 Coffee & Cigarettes

American Deception | 113 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:31:52 +0000

Kenneth Trentadue was apprehended on June 10, 1995, nearly two months after the Oklahoma City bombing, while crossing the border from Mexico into California, when police officers ran his driver’s license and discovered that he was wanted for violating his parole. On August 18, Trentadue was transferred to the Department of Justice’s Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City. According to prison records, three days later, at 3:02 a.m., the morning of August 21, 1995, Kenneth was found in his cell suspended from a noose made out of his bed sheets.

Oklahoma County District Attorney Bob Macy and federal officials determined that Trentadue had committed suicide by hanging himself. Officials tried to obtain the permission of Trentadue’s family to cremate the body at the government’s expense–an unprecedented move–but the family declined, since they found the claims of suicide suspicious.

When the family received the body from the prison authorities, it was covered in wounds, cuts, and bruises, leading the family to believe Trentadue had been tortured and beaten before his death. This is his story as told by his brother, Jesse Trentadue. What happened to him could happen to any of us.

Kenneth Trentadue at his funeral

Show Notes and Links

253. Secret Police Murder and Cover-Up | The Lew Rockwell Show
http://www.lewrockwell.com/lewrockwell-show/

Kenneth Michael Trentadue
http://www.kennethtrentadue.com

Have feedback? Leave a comment at American Deception | 113 Coffee & Cigarettes

Peaceful Civ | 112 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:14 +0000

Civilization V is a turn-based strategy game, where each player represents the leader of a certain nation or ethnic group and must guide its growth over the course of thousands of years. It starts with the founding of a small primitive settlement and ends after achieving one of the victory conditions.

During their turn, the player must manage units representing civilian and military forces: directing units to explore the world, found new cities, go into battle to take over other civilizations, control production in their cities to produce new units and buildings, improve land, handle diplomacy with other civilizations in the game, and finally direct the civilization’s growth in technology, culture, food supply, and economics.

Are there enough real-world elements incorporated in the game to learn a few things which could be applied to our nation today?

Show Notes and Links

Civilization V
http://www.civilization5.com/

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Peaceful Civ | 112 Coffee & Cigarettes

Iranian Balderdash | 111 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:27:22 +0000

Director of National Intelligence, James R. Clapper, said that Iran is not building nuclear weapons and CIA chief, David Petraeus, said the same thing, and the latter said he had met with the head of Mossad to convey his view. This portion of his testimony was not reported. Instead, mainstream media has pieced together two unconnected parts of his testimony and left the impression that Iran was making enriched uranium in order to conduct an attack on the U.S.

If we cut through the propaganda and take a good hard look at history, it seems an attack on Iran would be unjustified. Perhaps we have grown too accustomed to war to even second guess it.

Show Notes and Links

Obama Denies ‘Huge Number of Civilian Casualties’ in Drone War | AntiWar.com
http://news.antiwar.com/2012/01/30/obama-denies-huge-number-of-civilian-casualties-in-drone-war/

Disgraceful Reporting by the Boston Herald and Others | LewRockwell.com
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/104912.html

Irresponsible Reporting on Iran From Glenn Beck | LewRockwell.com
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/104915.html

China and Russia on Iran’s Side | LewRockwell.com
http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/104899.html

Have feedback? Leave a comment at Iranian Balderdash | 111 Coffee & Cigarettes

Conservative Statism | 110 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:30:18 +0000

Liberals don’t like libertarianism because it’s “conservative” (whatever that means), and conservatives don’t like it because it’s “liberal” (whatever that means). I’ve long given up trying to understand what modern day American liberalism or conservatism actually means or even stands for.

It seems that for most liberals and conservatives it means whatever the Democratic and Republican Party supports at a given moment. If their team is in power (Democrat or Republican), they support an increase in the power of the government, a decrease in civil liberties, and an aggressive interventionist foreign policy, including military action. They’ll even support the same war they once protested once their guy is leading the charge. If they are not in power, they suddenly remember the Constitution and proclaim everything the majority party is doing as illegal and immoral and call for peace.

Show Notes and Links

Libertarians Are Not Conservative or Liberal | JeremySarber.com | 1/28/12
http://jeremysarber.com/libertarians-are-not-conservative-or-liberal/

What’s Really Important? Liberal vs. Conservative? or Libertarian vs. Statist? | Libertas | 14 April 2010
http://libertas.ws/news-opinion/whats-really-important-liberal-vs-conservative-or-libertarian-vs-statist/

World’s Smallest Political Quiz | Advocates for Self Government
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz

Who is Ron Paul? | RonPaul.com
http://www.ronpaul.com/who-is-ron-paul/

Political positions of Ron Paul | Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Ron_Paul

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Conservative Exodus | 109 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:03:02 +0000

“I agree with Ron Paul on almost everything with the exception of his foreign policy views.”

I cannot count the number of times I have heard that statement uttered by conservatives in the past few months. I heard it again this morning. This is perplexing to me. When I first entered into the world of politics, I quickly became a Reagan conservative. As I understood it, conservatism was all about limited and a Constitutional federal government. That is precisely Ron Paul’s platform–much more so than any other Presidential candidates.

Even so, foreign policy is the issue called into question. Well, is our foreign policy a policy of limited government? Is it Constitutional? Is it even a good idea? I’m beginning to wonder if I am the one who has departed from conservative principles or if most conservatives are the ones who have left them behind.

Show Notes and Links

A Few Questions Concerning the War on Terror | JeremySarber.com | January 23rd, 2012
http://jeremysarber.com/a-few-questions-concerning-the-war-on-terror/

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Defending Life | 108 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:42:01 +0000

The Bible is pro-life. God’s very nature is pro-life. The legal arguments for abortion are contradictory. The scientific differences between the unborn child and the child outside of the womb cannot reasonably determine the value of life.

In short, abortion is wrong. Abortion is murder. It hardly matters how you look at it.

Show Notes and Links

Pastor’s wife sends body double to sit pleasantly on front pew | LarkNews.com
http://www.larknews.com/archives/241

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Musical Hiatus | 107 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:30:03 +0000

“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it,” said Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) during the film, We Bought a Zoo.

After watching this movie over the weekend and hearing the inspiring soundtrack, my love and deep connection with music has been renewed. In turn, my motivation to just write has returned.

Show Notes and Links

Jerry Maguire | IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116695/

Almost Famous | IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181875/

Elizabethtown | IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368709/

We Bought a Zoo | IMDB
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1389137/

We Bought A Zoo (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Bought-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B0061TQDXM

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Detestable Religion | 106 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:30:57 +0000

Love or hate? For or against? Do you stand with us or against us?

Black or white are the choices we usually limit ourselves to. There can be no other option than black or white. For instance, if we watch the Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus video floating around the Internet, most of us will either love it or hate and we then stand with those that feel the same or against those who differ.

Wouldn’t it be far less divisive to simple agree with the parts we agree with and disagree–kindly–with the parts we disagree with?

Show Notes and Links

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word | YouTube | Jan 10, 2012
http://youtu.be/1IAhDGYlpqY

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Christian Politics | 105 Coffee & Cigarettes

jeremy@jeremysarber.com (Jeremy Sarber) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:30:18 +0000

Some say politics and Christianity do not mix. While I cannot totally agree, there may be some truth to that statement.

The Bible presents what appears to be a paradox in that it teaches us government is evil by its own nature and yet we are to submit to those higher powers. When we put these two ideas together, it seems we have a contradiction. How can government be an evil and also used for good within God’s own purpose?

I may have come across as fatalistic in Episode 104 of the podcast, but hopefully I’ll clear things up for you. It’s not that we have no control over the government or that we should not be involved, but the great problems we commonly lament in this country are not necessarily caused by government. Perhaps we are to blame.

Show Notes and Links

I want to thank Ann Sattley of Technically, That’s Illegal for providing Coffee & Cigarettes listeners with transcripts of the podcast. Please visit her blog and consider purchasing her book.

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