June 2, 2006

Cut Defense Spending by 50% ≡ Greater Security

One of the larger DC thinktanks, the Cato Institute simply cannot be accused of being liberal. Normally they are conservative oriented and so identified. They think of themselves as Libertarians—personally I think they're quasi-Libertarian—but in many ways, despite their image, they are natural allies for progressives. Note well: you won't find this brand of thinking supporting Lady Clinton, but it wouldn't be so surprising for them to support Russ Feingold. The middle ground, in other words, is not where the mainstream media says it is. This is a very interesting, important conversation, mostly to do with national security issues, with Ted Galen Carpenter, Cato's Vice President for Defense and Foreign Policy Studies. I don't agree with everything Ted says (I'm more a cynic for one thing) but there's a great deal of overlap in our perspectives and I take his intellectual positions very seriously indeed. Progressives should not hesitate to borrow from Ted's playbook! Ted generously stepped in where I had a gap in programming—I'm very glad I asked him and grateful to him for it. Runtime about forty seven minutes. Enjoy.