Mike Rowe counters 'woke shibboleths' with real-world wisdom and ethics - at FreedomFest in Memphis

 Mike Rowe (host of TV's "Dirty Jobs") interviewed by Mark Skousen at FreedomFest Conference in Memphis, Tennessee.

FreedomFest organizer, Mark Skousen, interviewed "Dirty Jobs" and podcast host, Mike Rowe before a large audience at the 2023 edition of the Libertarian convention last week. In this video excerpt, they discuss how society has become overly concerned with health risks and eliminating all possible dangers. Mr. Rowe questions the excessive use of vaccines and the increasing prevalence of allergies. Rowe believes that instead of eliminating risks, we should focus on mitigating them. He shares personal experiences of maintaining natural immunity and attributes his good health to his work in sanitation. He concludes by sharing a story about his survival camp, highlighting the importance of facing and overcoming challenges.

Mike Rowe is concerned about how our society has become more safety-conscious and aware of health risks. He mentions the prevalence of advertisements for pharmaceutical products addressing previously unknown ailments. While he acknowledges the importance of vaccines, he questions whether we have gone overboard with them. Rowe believes that we have become too focused on eliminating all risks and that mitigating risks is a wiser approach. He also discusses the increase in allergies and expresses curiosity about the causes, whether it be diet, lack of exercise, environmental factors, or genetics. Despite these concerns, Rowe shares that he has not had a cold in decades and attributes it, in part, to natural immunity and his experiences working in sanitation. He concludes by sharing a story about his survival camp in the Uinta Mountains. 

In this second segment of the interview, host Mark Skousen dares Mike Rowe to share a can-you-top-this extreme experience. Rowe recounts this controversial story from his show, Dirty Jobs, which calls into question the conventional wisdom of authorities. 

On an earlier Dirty Jobs episode, attempting to demonstrate where we get our food, Mike shot a cow and butchered it. Protests from PETA animal rights activists nearly caused the show to be cancelled.

In an upcoming episode, an expert would demonstrate shepherds' castrating (i.e., docking)  of sheep. Hoping to avoid further problems and ensure that he handles the process gingerly, Rowe consulted with PETA. They recommended showing the method of tieing-off the testes. However, once he arrived in Colorado, the shepherd switched to a method which involvesd cutting off the lamb's tail and snipping off the lamb's testicles, which animal activists imagine to be less humane.

Though it may be imagined as unpleasant, Rowe came to learn how the traditional cutting method was actually less painful and unsanitary than the PETA-preferred, pinched-til-dried alternative method. He decided to showcase the truth of the process - and received backlash - but he stood by his evidence as reason to question the authority of progressive thinkers. This shift in focus on work and the experience of regular people on the front lines is what contributes to making Dirty Jobs successful and still on the air.

In this third video excerpt, Mike Rowe discusses the concerning state of the American workforce, where millions of people between the ages of 25 and 54 are not working and not even actively seeking employment. At the same time, there are 11 million open jobs that many people are not interested in, despite not requiring a four-year degree. Amidst this, there is a staggering $1.7 trillion in student loan debt, with no real plan for borrowers to pay it back. Rowe emphasizes the need for more focus on practical trades, such as welding, plumbing, and carpentry, which have a high demand for skilled workers. He expresses his worry about the generational shift towards spending excessive hours on screens instead of pursuing meaningful work and contributing to society.

From 5 - 10minutes in, Mr. Rowe expresses his concern about the skyrocketing cost of college education and the burden it places on students through loans. He worries that if nothing is done to address this issue, universities will have no incentive to lower their tuition fees. He also expresses skepticism towards experts who rely solely on their credentials to command trust, emphasizing the need for them to earn the public's trust through persuasion and transparency. Rowe believes that the public's trust in institutions has been broken and that it is the responsibility of elected officials and the media to restore it. He suggests that alternative platforms, such as Substack, may gain more influence if the mainstream media fails to regain public trust.

In last section, Mike Rowe and Mark Skousen discuss the importance of persuasion in economics. They acknowledge that while history can provide insights, it is crucial to continue making points and fighting for what they believe in. Mark Skousen's dedication to writing books and newsletters demonstrates his determination to keep the fight going. Despite the high stakes, they also value taking breaks, like watching a spring training game, before proceeding with the Q&A session.

In the first segment, Mike Rowe emphasizes the importance of skilled trades and the need to confront the stigmas and misperceptions surrounding them. He discusses the detrimental effects of removing shop classes from high schools, which not only deprived students of opportunities but also erased the visibility of these jobs. Rowe urges for a change in mindset and the need to highlight success stories of individuals who have found fulfilling and well-paying careers in trades. He calls for a shift in focus from the distinction between blue-collar and white-collar work to the mastery of in-demand skills and the value of hard work. He also mentions the need for better marketing and public relations to promote the trades industry.

Between 5 and 10 minutes in, Mike Rowe discusses the impact of "Dirty Jobs" on changing people's perceptions about work. He compares it to the "Keep America Beautiful" campaign that successfully changed people's behavior towards littering through PR efforts. Rowe believes that a similar campaign is needed to change our relationship with work. He also shares a personal story about losing all his savings due to a financial scam, which led him to take on a steady paycheck and eventually led to the opportunity for "Dirty Jobs." He emphasizes the importance of financial education and mentions influential authors such as John Bogle and Burton Malkiel.

From 10 minutes onward, Mike Rowe shares his personal experience with investing and how he became a disciple of low-cost mutual funds and diversification. He emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one's investments but also acknowledges the benefits of having professionals look after them.

However, before he can answer Rob Strong's question, the atmosphere suddenly takes a strange turn when a barbershop quartet called The Times invites Mike to join them in singing a song.

Despite the unexpected situation, Mike puts on a straw hat and prepares to sing with the group. Video highlights both the amusement and talents of Mike Rowe at the live FreedomFest'23. 

     

As he steps on stage, it becomes evident that his costume has suffered a mishap, with his flies noticeably down. However, Rowe's ability to entertain prevails as he continues to captivate the audience. Affectionate lyrics like "I love you" and "Sweet and Lovely" further showcase the playful atmosphere and Rowe's pleasant demeanor. Overall, his costume malfunction added an entertaining twist to an already enjoyable performance.

What moved vaccine-exempt, grade-school teachers to sue their school district / L.A.U.S.D.?

Leslie Manookian's Health Freedom Defense Fund (HFDF), California Educators for Medical Freedom (CAEMF), and several individual plaintiffs sued Los Angeles Unified School District ("LAUSD") when it mandated the Covid-19 vaccines for all employees on August 13, 2021.

Here, two Southern California elementary school teachers, Ms. Tracey and Ms. Rosealba, explain how local education officials are oppressing grade-school teachers who received vaccine-exemptions.

Health Freedom Defense Fund attorney, Leslie Manookian updates Calif. Educators for Medical Freedom, at the Lighthouse Church, Santa Monica, CA on May 27, 2023

Dan Watkins, attorney suing school system for discriminatory treatment of teachers declining vaxxes. 

Bonnie Wallace performs her clever poem, After The Great Reset, dramatizing the dystopian future result of Westerners' apathy against the Marxist revolution upon us today. 

 

James Roguski on the World Health Org Treaty that will Control Americans' Freedoms  

EducatorsForMedicalFreedom.com is the correct spelling of the website where you can learn more about the progress in the teachers' situation.

How N. America's and French politicians' kowing to China and Iran will harm our liberty, economy, and safety

Writer, Guy Milliere, explains his criticism of French and
American pacifism towards Communist China and Iran

French socio-political writer, Prof. Guy Milliere, assesses that our world is in a unique type of war - involving military, ideological, and economic aspects - with China posing the biggest threat.  Democracy Broadcasting interviewed Prof. Milliere at the American Freedom Alliance's "World War III- The Early Years" Conference this spring in Los Angeles.

Here, Prof. Milliere explains how free trade with China has made the West economically dependent on China, which seeks to conquer the world through taking advantage of the West. Additionally, Prof. Milliere warns of the Biden administration's policy towards the Middle East, which he describes as a betrayal of Israel, is potentially making that region Chinese and in the control of Iran. Overall, Milliere suggests that China, not Russia, is currently the main threat to the US. 

 

In the video's first 5 minutes, Guy Milliere discusses his view that the world is currently in a unique type of war that involves many aspects - military, ideological, and economic. Economic warfare is mainly directed towards China, which he believes wants to conquer the world by taking advantage of the West. Milliere argues that it was a mistake to establish free trade with China, as it has made the West economically dependent on China. China's dominance in various businesses and the theft of intellectual property from several countries make it difficult for the West to sever ties with China. Milliere raises concern about China's involvement with the World Health Organization, suggesting that the pandemic was used by China as a biological weapon to make the rest of the world more dependent, and it worked.

In the next 5 minutes of the conversation, Prof. Milliere argues that Russia is not as much threat for war against the US because it is unable to create a world war and that the main threat is China. He suggests that China depends on trade and stopping or cutting trade with China will have a huge problem. He also warns of the Biden administration's policy towards the Middle East, stating that the Middle East is changing, and the administration is creating a very bad situation that could make the region Chinese and in the hands of Iran, potentially causing a threat to Israel. Milliere describes this as a betrayal of Israel, but he also notes that the Democratic party has become a Leftist party with an anti-Semitic strain which has shifted US policy (and attitudes) against Israel and towards the Islamist Iranian power behind Palestinian nationalism.