http://www.john-wright.net Not Facebook Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:07:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 2006-2010 johnwright@klpz1380.com (John Wright) johnwright@klpz1380.com (John Wright) 1440 http://www.john-wright.net/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/podcastlogo_small.jpg http://www.john-wright.net 144 144 http://www.john-wright.net/?feed=podcast News, Reason, Ethics, Ideas, Polemics, Religion, Culture, Libertarian Libertarianism, Reason, Ethics, Ideas, Polemics, Religion, Culture News, Reason, Ethics, Ideas, Polemics, Religion, Culture, Libertarian John Wright John Wright johnwright@klpz1380.com no no http://www.john-wright.net/2011/12/20/rick-perry-is-a-nut/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rick-perry-is-a-nut http://www.john-wright.net/2011/12/20/rick-perry-is-a-nut/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:34:09 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2516 http://www.john-wright.net/2011/12/20/rick-perry-is-a-nut/feed/ 0 http://www.john-wright.net/2011/12/15/man-meets-god/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=man-meets-god http://www.john-wright.net/2011/12/15/man-meets-god/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:33:06 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2494 http://www.john-wright.net/2011/12/15/man-meets-god/feed/ 0 0:00:01 I interviewed New York Times bestselling author Eric Weiner today about his new book Man Meets God, which documents his journey to start with a blank slate in a search for the ‘right’ religion. I ask him about the importance of whether a[...] I interviewed New York Times bestselling author Eric Weiner today about his new book Man Meets God, which documents his journey to start with a blank slate in a search for the ‘right’ religion. I ask him about the importance of whether a religion is ‘true’, and explore his idea that the best God is the God that ‘works’. Listen below. Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2011/07/12/casey-anthony-a-professional-opinion/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=casey-anthony-a-professional-opinion http://www.john-wright.net/2011/07/12/casey-anthony-a-professional-opinion/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:34:03 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2411 http://www.john-wright.net/2011/07/12/casey-anthony-a-professional-opinion/feed/ 0 0:00:01 I spent a good deal of time talking about the ‘Not Guilty’ verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial, because I believe it’s a fine example of reason winning out over emotion, and the reaction of an ignorant, bloodthirsty public ma[...] I spent a good deal of time talking about the ‘Not Guilty’ verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial, because I believe it’s a fine example of reason winning out over emotion, and the reaction of an ignorant, bloodthirsty public makes the contrast even more stark. I interviewed Courtney Armstrong, author and trauma counselor, about Casey Anthony. Listen below. You’ll also hear my take on an exchange between Bill O’Reilly and Geraldo Rivera on the verdict, the latter who came to the same conclusion as I. (Also, see my article on the verdict HERE.) Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2010/08/25/wolf-whistling-isnt-harassment/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wolf-whistling-isnt-harassment http://www.john-wright.net/2010/08/25/wolf-whistling-isnt-harassment/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:00:32 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2224 http://www.john-wright.net/2010/08/25/wolf-whistling-isnt-harassment/feed/ 199 0:00:01 I don’t wolf-whistle at women passing on the street. But if I did it, it wouldn’t be harassment! That’s what is alleged by LASH, the London Anti-Street Harassment Campaign, whose representative says wolf-whistling is harassment aga[...] I don’t wolf-whistle at women passing on the street. But if I did it, it wouldn’t be harassment! That’s what is alleged by LASH, the London Anti-Street Harassment Campaign, whose representative says wolf-whistling is harassment against women. (See this article for a critique of that idea.) This is a brief spot I did today on BBC London radio with host Eddie Nestor. Press play to listen. Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2010/04/28/boobquake-my-chat-with-jen-mccreight/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=boobquake-my-chat-with-jen-mccreight http://www.john-wright.net/2010/04/28/boobquake-my-chat-with-jen-mccreight/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:09:55 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2192 http://www.john-wright.net/2010/04/28/boobquake-my-chat-with-jen-mccreight/feed/ 0 0:00:01 What are the seismic effects of 200,000 women dressing immodestly all on the same day? After an Iranian cleric proclaimed that women who dress immodestly causes earthquakes, Jen McCreight this week created an internet sensation by testing his claim [...] What are the seismic effects of 200,000 women dressing immodestly all on the same day? After an Iranian cleric proclaimed that women who dress immodestly causes earthquakes, Jen McCreight this week created an internet sensation by testing his claim with Boobquake, which tests exactly that. I spoke with Jen during Boobquake on my afternoon radio show, joining the BBC, ABC, CBC, CNN, Fox News and many others in a sort of mutual fascination with the idea behind the event. I wanted to find out if she was challenging all supernatural claims or just this one, and whether a 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan had anything to do with her breasts. Listen below (9 mins). See Jen’s blog here. See an automatically-generated collection of the photos uploaded to Twitter with the tag “Boobquake” here. Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2010/04/09/congressman-fears-guam-may-capsize/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=congressman-fears-guam-may-capsize http://www.john-wright.net/2010/04/09/congressman-fears-guam-may-capsize/#comments Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:24:20 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2155 http://www.john-wright.net/2010/04/09/congressman-fears-guam-may-capsize/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Last week, at a hearing of the United States House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Hank Johnson expresses his fear that the island of Guam may “tip over and capsize” if we send any more Marines to the island. In this clip, I have s[...] Last week, at a hearing of the United States House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Hank Johnson expresses his fear that the island of Guam may “tip over and capsize” if we send any more Marines to the island. In this clip, I have some fun at his expense. Listen below. Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2010/03/27/mickie-james/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mickie-james http://www.john-wright.net/2010/03/27/mickie-james/#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 01:46:04 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2149 http://www.john-wright.net/2010/03/27/mickie-james/feed/ 0 0:00:01 This week Wrestlemania, the biggest event in the wrestling calendar with all of its accompanying functions, is in Arizona bringing with it Mickie James, one of the best-known women in the sport. Mickie is currently promoting her upcoming album, the [...] This week Wrestlemania, the biggest event in the wrestling calendar with all of its accompanying functions, is in Arizona bringing with it Mickie James, one of the best-known women in the sport. Mickie is currently promoting her upcoming album, the release of which has been pushed back to April due to a serious leg infection she has been treated for. Hear my interview with Mickie here (6 mins). Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2010/03/02/my-public-apology-quiz/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-public-apology-quiz http://www.john-wright.net/2010/03/02/my-public-apology-quiz/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:10:15 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2143 http://www.john-wright.net/2010/03/02/my-public-apology-quiz/feed/ 0 0:00:01 I host and produce a ‘news’ show, and once in a while I can turn the news into a game. With the popularity of the ‘public apology’ as a way for celebrities and politicians to attempt to recover from controversy affecting thei[...] I host and produce a ‘news’ show, and once in a while I can turn the news into a game. With the popularity of the ‘public apology’ as a way for celebrities and politicians to attempt to recover from controversy affecting their careers (some faring better than others), and the recent spate of such apologies (including Tiger Woods, Toyota and others)… this one was ripe. I invited a few news consumers into the studio, including two sheriff’s deputies, to test the capacity of the media to soak us with these public controversy stories. How much did they remember? Listen here. (10 mins; missing the first question on Tiger Woods.) Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2010/02/18/unfortunately-i-was-right/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=unfortunately-i-was-right http://www.john-wright.net/2010/02/18/unfortunately-i-was-right/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:00:24 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2139 http://www.john-wright.net/2010/02/18/unfortunately-i-was-right/feed/ 0 0:00:01 The case of Rom Houben, the Belgian man in a coma for 23 years who was reported to have been communicating, made a great Thanksgiving tale. At the time, though, I wasn’t convinced after seeing the videos of his finger being moved around a spec[...] The case of Rom Houben, the Belgian man in a coma for 23 years who was reported to have been communicating, made a great Thanksgiving tale. At the time, though, I wasn’t convinced after seeing the videos of his finger being moved around a special keyboard by a ‘facilitator’, and said so on-air that day. Now, multiple news reports (though far fewer than reported the good news a few months ago) are revealing that Houben has since failed every scientific test designed to confirm his facilitated communication. Here’s my audio feature, including audio from my original radio segment on it, and news reports from NPR and others (3 mins long). Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2010/01/14/pat-robertson-on-haiti/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pat-robertson-on-haiti http://www.john-wright.net/2010/01/14/pat-robertson-on-haiti/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:46:08 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2111 http://www.john-wright.net/2010/01/14/pat-robertson-on-haiti/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Televangelist and 700 Club host Pat Robertson is making news again with his controversial theory on why Haiti was hit with a devastating earthquake earlier this week. Here I take 2 minutes to react to his comments. Press play below.   Televangelist and 700 Club host Pat Robertson is making news again with his controversial theory on why Haiti was hit with a devastating earthquake earlier this week. Here I take 2 minutes to react to his comments. Press play below.   Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2010/01/14/uganda-gay/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uganda-gay http://www.john-wright.net/2010/01/14/uganda-gay/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:28:25 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2109 http://www.john-wright.net/2010/01/14/uganda-gay/feed/ 0 0:00:01 This is my reaction to the news that Uganda was considering a bill urging the death penalty for homosexuals after a conference held by three evangelical speakers visiting the country. Thankfully the country appears to be backtracking on the bill aft[...] This is my reaction to the news that Uganda was considering a bill urging the death penalty for homosexuals after a conference held by three evangelical speakers visiting the country. Thankfully the country appears to be backtracking on the bill after international outcry. Press play below to listen. (11 mins.)   Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/11/26/coma-guy-is-not-communicating/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=coma-guy-is-not-communicating http://www.john-wright.net/2009/11/26/coma-guy-is-not-communicating/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:12:40 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2082 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/11/26/coma-guy-is-not-communicating/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Yes, it was a great Thanksgiving story: a Belgium man, thought to be in a vegetative state for 23 years, discovered to be fully conscious and communicating via keyboard. Except for the fact that the finger he’s using to type he’s not ac[...] Yes, it was a great Thanksgiving story: a Belgium man, thought to be in a vegetative state for 23 years, discovered to be fully conscious and communicating via keyboard. Except for the fact that the finger he’s using to type he’s not actually using at all: it’s being moved around by a caregiver in a technique called ‘Faciliated Communication’. So is he really communicating, or is he being used as a human ouija board? I think it’s clear that it’s the latter. James Randi is offering a million dollars if they can prove that he’s speaking via keyboard…. the money is still unclaimed. Listen here as I present one of the first media segments questioning the news stories and expressing my skepticism after seeing the footage of him ‘talking’. (16 mins.) Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/11/17/a-wine-tasting/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-wine-tasting http://www.john-wright.net/2009/11/17/a-wine-tasting/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:31:16 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2072 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/11/17/a-wine-tasting/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Listen here as I taste another fine wine for your enjoyment, and describe in vivid detail – perhaps too vivid – what it tastes like. Three and a half minutes. Listen here as I taste another fine wine for your enjoyment, and describe in vivid detail – perhaps too vivid – what it tastes like. Three and a half minutes. Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/10/28/sex-for-seats-is-illegal-why/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sex-for-seats-is-illegal-why http://www.john-wright.net/2009/10/28/sex-for-seats-is-illegal-why/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:46:12 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2069 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/10/28/sex-for-seats-is-illegal-why/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Susan Finkelstein, 43, was arrested this week for allegedly offering sex acts in exchange for tickets to the World Series. She says she is innocent, having been misunderstood by the undercover cop who busted her. But if she really was offering [...] Susan Finkelstein, 43, was arrested this week for allegedly offering sex acts in exchange for tickets to the World Series. She says she is innocent, having been misunderstood by the undercover cop who busted her. But if she really was offering ‘sex for seats’, is that really something that should land her in trouble with the law? Who is the victim in such a ‘crime’? Assuming what she did was prostitution, why is prostitution illegal? Doesn’t a person own their body and their money, and shouldn’t they therefore be entitled to trade one for the other without interference and infringement from their government? In this clip I ask these questions and ponder the issue a little. Press play below to listen. Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/07/the-family-secret-fundamentalism-at-the-heart-of-american-power/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-family-secret-fundamentalism-at-the-heart-of-american-power http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/07/the-family-secret-fundamentalism-at-the-heart-of-american-power/#comments Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:26:27 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2037 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/07/the-family-secret-fundamentalism-at-the-heart-of-american-power/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Meet the most powerful religious organization you’ve never heard of. The Family are a secret group of influential, affluent and powerful people in America, comprising senators, congressmen, businessmen. They help to run the country, and want t[...] Meet the most powerful religious organization you’ve never heard of. The Family are a secret group of influential, affluent and powerful people in America, comprising senators, congressmen, businessmen. They help to run the country, and want to run the world. They compare themselves to a Christian Mafia, and base their leadership cadre on a covenant inspired by Hitler. They believe that they are the “new chosen”, put into positions of power by God himself, in a theocratic arrangement comprising the world’s elite. They believe morality is for the little people, not for them. They’ve been tied to sex scandals, third-world dictatorships and oppressive regimes, and run the National Prayer Breakfast at which the President of the United States speaks every year. Jeff Sharlet lived with the family for a while, and has written an exposé of the group called The Family: Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. This is my interview with him about his time with The Family and what they believe (press play, below, 18 mins). Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/06/burlesque-protest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=burlesque-protest http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/06/burlesque-protest/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:57:44 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2035 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/06/burlesque-protest/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Burlesque performers protest in London at being forced to have an ‘adult entertainer’ licence, placing them in the same category as strippers. I don’t think either a burlesque performer or a stripper should need a licence. (3 mins) Burlesque performers protest in London at being forced to have an ‘adult entertainer’ licence, placing them in the same category as strippers. I don’t think either a burlesque performer or a stripper should need a licence. (3 mins) Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/06/the-man-who-lives-without-money/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-man-who-lives-without-money http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/06/the-man-who-lives-without-money/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:00:39 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2032 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/08/06/the-man-who-lives-without-money/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Daniel Suelo lives on “zero money”, according to his website, blog, and some of the news articles which have covered his story. And he’s done so for the past 8 years, living in a cave in Utah, without farming or trading in any way,[...] Daniel Suelo lives on “zero money”, according to his website, blog, and some of the news articles which have covered his story. And he’s done so for the past 8 years, living in a cave in Utah, without farming or trading in any way, or accepting government handouts. See any red flags yet? Listen here as I tell the truth about Daniel Suelo, and affirm that what money represents may be, contrary to what Daniel believes, the root of all good. (6 mins) Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/07/20/take-us-to-the-moon-or-well-put-you-in-jail/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=take-us-to-the-moon-or-well-put-you-in-jail http://www.john-wright.net/2009/07/20/take-us-to-the-moon-or-well-put-you-in-jail/#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:42:29 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2030 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/07/20/take-us-to-the-moon-or-well-put-you-in-jail/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Is that a fair assessment of how the space program works? After all, the space program is paid for by taxes, and taxes are collected at gunpoint under threat of jail if necessary. Even so, I think the space program is pretty cool. But wouldn’t[...] Is that a fair assessment of how the space program works? After all, the space program is paid for by taxes, and taxes are collected at gunpoint under threat of jail if necessary. Even so, I think the space program is pretty cool. But wouldn’t a private sector space program work too? Listen here as I raise these questions casually on my radio show (4 mins). Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/06/07/topless-coffee-shop-burns-down/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=topless-coffee-shop-burns-down http://www.john-wright.net/2009/06/07/topless-coffee-shop-burns-down/#comments Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:17:06 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=2001 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/06/07/topless-coffee-shop-burns-down/feed/ 0 0:00:01 In this clip I react to this news story in which a coffee shop with topless waitresses was burned down in an act of arson, presumably by someone opposed to its existence. In this clip I react to this news story in which a coffee shop with topless waitresses was burned down in an act of arson, presumably by someone opposed to its existence. Radio John Wright no no http://www.john-wright.net/2009/05/20/john-sees-a-ufo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=john-sees-a-ufo http://www.john-wright.net/2009/05/20/john-sees-a-ufo/#comments Thu, 21 May 2009 03:20:57 +0000 John http://www.john-wright.net/?p=1981 http://www.john-wright.net/2009/05/20/john-sees-a-ufo/feed/ 1 0:00:01 From California to New Mexico, people reported seeing an object in the sky. Before reading some of the news stories from across the southwest on the subject, I set the mood by recounting my own observation of it the night before. See one such news r[...] From California to New Mexico, people reported seeing an object in the sky. Before reading some of the news stories from across the southwest on the subject, I set the mood by recounting my own observation of it the night before. See one such news report here. Radio John Wright no no