Common Sense with Dan Carlin

Show 255 - The Big Long Surveillance Show

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 21:52:51 PST

One of the largest leaks of classified information ever divulged about U.S. Government clandestine surveillance and monitoring efforts hits the media, confirming many things Dan has said over the years.

Show 254 - Overdue Conversations

Tue, 28 May 2013 23:43:21 PST

Dan finally gets his wish granted when the President addresses key holes in the entire premise behind the War on Terror. Now what?

Show 253 - Probing the President

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:17:49 PST

Dan analyzes the three main scandals currently plaguing the Obama Administration. He breaks them down individually while trying to put them in a historical context.

Show 252 - The Emasculated Rulers

Mon, 6 May 2013 22:25:35 PST

The People are supposed to govern the United States. But in so many crucial areas We, The People have virtually no input or control over the direction policy takes. Can this be remedied? Dan wonders...

Show 251 - Self-Inflicted Defensive Wounds

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 22:46:12 PST

A bombing at the Boston Marathon renews calls for extreme measures to combat terrorism. Can this go too far? If it does, can we ever dial the process back to saner levels?

Show 250 - Fear the Automatons!

Fri, 5 Apr 2013 21:03:43 PST

For some reason, Dan is not afraid of North Koreans. There's obviously something wrong with him. But you knew that already.

Show 249 - When Opportunism Knocks

Sun, 17 Mar 2013 13:01:36 PST

Dan wonders if politicians have to believe in the causes they're championing for the public to benefit. If the GOP cynically embraces Rand Paul's constitutional ideas to win elections, can it lead to better things?

Show 248 - Secret Leakage

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 13:01:36 PST

PFC Bradley Manning goes on trial for turning over U.S. Government secrets to Wikileaks for public release. Dan thinks he bears more resemblance to Daniel Ellsberg than to Ethel and Julius Rosenberg.

Show 247 - Constitutional Checkmate

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:48:11 PST

What happens to a chess player who only thinks one move ahead? Dan argues that's how the U.S. is fighting The War on Terror. In this episode he touches upon drones, constitutional protections and short-term thinking.

Show 246 - Pie-In-the-Sky Cynicism

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:49:11 PST

In a classic example of an off-the-wall "Dan Carlin topic", Dan examines whether voters are qualified enough to play their role in a democratic system (and what can be done to help them do it better).

Show 245 - A Seat at the Table

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:32:21 PST

The Common Sense episode released in June 2012 entitled "Put Up or Shut Up" finally pays some dividends. Dan's hope to prompt positive change is answered from an unexpected quarter.

Show 244 - Gunning for Violence

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 14:11:57 PST

In the wake of another mass shooting, Dan looks at ways to alter a society that glorifies gun violence. He ties together culture, mental health and powerful lobbying groups in a fashion sure to upset everyone.

Show 243 - High Confrontation

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:45:11 PST

As more U.S. states vote to loosen restrictions on marijuana use, Dan hopes the rebellion against federal drug policy at the state level forces the government to begin to explain their reasoning behind decision-making.

Show 242 - Commeth the Repo Man II

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 22:55:41 PST

Nothing wakes people up to the reality of their financial situation more than the repo man showing up to take their car. Dan wonders if the U.S. would benefit from something similar happening to it.

Show 241 - Post-Election Potpourri

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 16:01:21 PST

On a wide-ranging episode Dan breaks down the election results, the David Petraeus scandal, and the recent situation in Gaza.

Show 240 - Losing to Win

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:32:47 PST

Dan discusses the counter-intuitive potential upsides for both Democrats and Republicans of a presidential election loss. Could the long-term goals of voters be advanced by a short term reverse?

Show 239 - No Truth, No Consequences

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:51:11 PST

Dan breaks down the recent presidential debate and points out what almost all observers already know: that it is all style over substance. He then explains why the next debate will be the same.

Show 238 - The Enlightenment Virus

Mon, 1 Oct 2012 20:12:59 PST

The ideas of the "Age of Enlightenment" are some of The West's proudest achievements. But what if other societies see them more akin to a virus than a boon? Can human values be internationalized? Should they?

Show 237 - Corruption 401

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 16:04:38 PST

Dan's audience already knows about the corruption problem in the U.S. political system. In this episode he takes the discussion to the next educational level with Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig.

Show 236 - Trapped by the Inflexible Mind

Thu, 6 Sep 2012 23:11:52 PST

Jobs are the main subject of both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, but Dan explains why both parties refuse to discuss the real reason good jobs are in such scarce supply.

Show 235 - This is DNN

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:15:12 PST

Winston Churchill said about Britain in WW2: "Give us the tools and we will finish the job." Dan feels the same way. Give him the CNN News network, he says, and he will save the country. New York Yankee style.

Show 234 - Aiming for Effectiveness

Tue, 7 Aug 2012 17:55:54 PST

Two recent mass shootings have Americans discussing firearms again. Dan, of course, looks at the question from angles that are completely unique. For good or ill.

Show 233 - Green Introductions

Wed, 1 Aug 2012 13:05:12 PST

Dan's interviews designed to introduce independent and third party candidates to his audience concludes with Green Party nominee for President Dr. Jill Stein.

Show 232 - Fearsome Safety

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:32:54 PST

Dan has some thoughts on ways to make police officers more safe, but his ideas may not make them happy.

Show 231 - Liberty on Life Support

Wed, 4 Jul 2012 11:30:00 PST

The recent Supreme Court decision on health care reform has Dan thinking about the question of American liberty. Doctor Dan's prognosis is not good.

Show 230 - Politics, Poseurs and Partisans

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:36:13 PST

This show covers a lot of ground, not focusing on any single thought. Secrecy, corruption and divisive politics are involved. But Dan also addresses several points people have been making to him via email.

Show 229 - Put Up or Shut Up

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:01:45 PST

The title of this episode really sums up what the show is about. Dan has had it with complaining, but like everyone else, he doesn't know what to do to foster reform. So he's looking for brainstorming help.

Show 228 - Rocky Conversations

Tue, 29 May 2012 20:56:16 PST

The third edition of Common Sense's look at the Third Party and Independent candidates for President features a discussion with Justice Party presidential candidate Rocky Anderson.

Show 227 - Libertarian Alternatives

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:01:16 PST

Last show it was Buddy Roemer being interviewed, this episode it's Libertarian Party nominee for president Gary Johnson. Dan also speaks a bit on the issue of gay marriage before the interview starts.

Show 226 - The Roemer Option

Thu, 10 May 2012 20:02:44 PST

Dan talks about reforming government corruption and about the hurdles indie political candidates face with former Louisiana Governor and current independent candidate for President Buddy Roemer.

Show 225 - The Marketing of Dissent

Tue, 1 May 2012 13:59:34 PST

Dan plays the role of imaging consultant for the Occupy Wall Street movement. Members of OWS will surely be thrilled.

Show 224 - As We've Told You Before...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:01:57 PST

This rambling episode covers a ton of ground...from Bees to Bostram...from Friedman to the American Spring. Dan's favorite phrase in this show seems to be: "As we've told you before". So be prepared for redundancy.

Show 223 - Undermined by Openness

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:46:02 PST

Can the centuries-old structure of the modern Nation-State deal with the challenges of 21st Century global communication and inter-connectivity? What if it can't? And why is Dan trying to be Anderson Cooper?

Show 222 - Amplifying The Insanity

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:12:54 PST

Dan comes up for air long enough from the Hardcore History dungeon to denounce both the President and the Press. He then goes on to denounce the GOP candidates. There's a lot of denouncing going on in this show.

Show 221 - Esperanto for Dummies

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:49:24 PST

What if the high-minded reform and peace sentiments that often follow major violent conflicts didn't wear off over time? Dan wishes for a mood-altering substance that would replicate the attitudes of 1919 and 1946.

Show 220 - Earthquakes, Rainbows and Unicorns

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:07:12 PST

Does U.S. superpower status translate into better lives for average Americans? Dan compares global hegemony to Sauron's Ring and hopes economic realities create opportunities to ditch it.

Show 219 - Security Uber Alles

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:20:42 PST

Can a population ever have enough protection in the modern, violent 21st century world? Dan discusses the War on Terror and contends that its akin to an Enabling Act that legitimizes any level of security.

Show 218 - Up Your Class

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:16:55 PST

The issue of economic class is one the U.S. political system mostly ignores. Dan blames this on what might be termed "Mythological Cataracts" that blind many Americans to issues that might be class-related.

Show 217 - The Big Ketchup Show

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:13:57 PST

Dan tries to catch up on a ton of topics all at once. Subjects include: SOPA, Iraq, mistreatment of enemy dead by U.S. soldiers, Obama, Supreme Court decisions on GPS devices and Republican Party primaries.

Show 216 - Interrogating the Elephant

Wed, 4 Jan 2012 18:04:12 PST

You can always tell when Dan is angry. His voice begins to boom into the microphone and he starts talking at machine gun speed. He's a bit angry in this episode. It's not your fault though. The Media has upset him.

Show 215 - Disappointing the Listenership

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:12:43 PST

"If he hasn't made you mad yet...he will" has been a tag line used by Dan forever. Last show he again lived up to his reputation. In today's show, he deals with the fallout and answers his critics.

Show 214 - The Bitter Harvest of Fear

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:50:21 PST

What happens to "The Land of the Free" when it is no longer "The Home of the Brave"? You get the evisceration of constitutional protections in the name of fighting terrorism. Dan wonders why everyone is surprised.

Show 213 - The Defazio Dialogues

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:20:39 PST

Dan gets a return visit from U.S. Congressman Peter Defazio (D-Oregon) and questions him about corruption in government, the Bill of Rights, and the power of regular Americans to influence government policy.

Show 212 - The Very Velvet Fist

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 19:15:45 PST

What if pepper spray or other modern crowd control tools had been available during the Civil Rights era? Dan looks at the challenges the protest tactic of civil disobedience faces in a 21st Century world.

Show 211 - Tyranny of the Unwise

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 19:55:16 PST

Is it possible that a political system based on voting and elections has less of a chance of producing wise leadership than a monarchy or dictatorship? Dan tries to look at this heretical idea with an open mind.

Show 210 - Second Guessing the Navigator

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:30:21 PST

Who is setting the national agenda and how do we feel about their choices? Dan discusses everything from the conflict between liberty and democracy to the ability of governments to solve social problems.

Show 209 - A Show in Pieces

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:49:56 PST

What happens when Dan meanders too far down an intellectual tangent to find his way back to the point? You get "A show in pieces"

Show 208 - The Fruits of Disillusionment

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:49:56 PST

Dan unveils a new streamlined show format while tackling an issue he dealt with in the last episode...the Occupy Wall Street protests.

Show 207 - Stirring The Pot

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:43:56 PST

Bringing people together is on Dan's mind today as he looks at Truth, protests, Pan-National anger and the theoretical idea of a Goldman-Sachs-like entity outing itself as the global overlord.

Show 206 - SaviorCorp LLC

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:11:12 PST

More than 100 corporate CEOs signs pledges to withhold money from politicians until the mess in Washington is cleaned up. Dan muses on motives and possibilities. Also: The right to live dangerously.