Middle East – Were you in favor of the invasion of Iraq?
Yes (said in a disappointed tone). I mean I’d say I was wrong…
That was my next question. Was it a mistake?
Yes, I think it was. It empowered Iran.
Should the United States withdraw its forces from the Middle East? Iraq, Afghanistan, etc?
No, not a total withdraw.
Are you in favor of military strikes on ISIS in Syria?
Yes, if we can get them.
Are you in favor of a Palestinian state?
Not unless they acknowledge the right of Israel to exist.
If they do acknowledge it then you would be in favor of a Palestinian state?
Yeah, if there could be a peace agreement, and if the Israelis feel that its survival is not threatened then I’d be for it. But I’m very pro-Israel.
Should the United States torture known terrorists to prevent future terrorism?
No.
Should we close Guantanamo Bay?
I’ve read about it and I’m conflicted. You don’t want to put terrorists in American prisons I don’t think. But I could be persuaded one way or the other.
Much of your work seems to be largely concerned with combatting third wave or intersectional feminism. Actually, am I right to equate third wave with intersectional feminism?
Nobody can agree on the language. Several different groups have claimed third wave status. We know the first and second wave, that’s set. But the third wave is not. And now people are saying they’re fourth wave, so no one’s quite sure. But I would say I’ve been a consistent defender of classic, equal rights, equal opportunity feminism. I have always questioned hardline feminism that is prone to portraying men as toxic and women as hapless victims.
Can your brand of equity feminism co-exist with intersectional feminism?
Sure. That’s actually a good thing to have lots of different schools and debate. I think it would make both sides better. I have learned things from intersectional feminists, so philosophically, the more debate, the more schools of thought, the better. The problem is on campus the debates are limited to those on the extreme left.
For second-wave or equity feminists, what should be the current focus? What is left to do?
I would say the major battles for women’s rights in the United States have been fought and have been won. So now it’s more a question of addressing ongoing problems. I don’t think we have systemic sexism, but I think women face distinctive challenges, such as work-life balance. In the United States it’s mainly a matter of looking at violence against women and the work-life thing and coming up with reasonable policies and reasonable solutions.
The primary focus should be across the globe where women have not yet had one, let alone two major stages of emancipation. They haven’t had so much as a beginning of a first wave. So I’m in favor – not in going over there to save people – but I’ve been to international women’s conferences and I meet women who are leading feminists from Egypt or Somalia or Cambodia and I think we should be making common cause with them. I wish very much that young women on the campus, instead of withdrawing into themselves and their safe spaces, they would use their talents and energies to work with women across the world.
The next question comes from one of my Twitter followers…
I think the past accomplishments are here to stay. It’s one of the great chapters in the history of freedom. American women and women in the western parts of the world have had this great story of achievement and success and I don’t think anyone can take that away. What I do think is today’s hardline feminists can alienate American men and women from the movement and think poorly of it.
Does rape culture exist in America?
No.
How big of a problem is misogyny in American society?
I don’t know; it exists. There are men that, just like women, are eager to believe the worst about them. I haven’t met very many but I know they exist. But I think there are just as many and maybe more women who are eager to believe the worst about men and stereotype them. So I think misogyny is a problem but right now misandry is as much a problem if not more.
Should the United States increase the minimum wage to $15/hr?
I’ve read arguments pro and con and it turns out it may end up in young people not getting jobs. It’s sort of a starter salary and for people with good work ethic that get the job done they’ll move ahead, but I think it may lead to fewer people being hired. But I’d like to hear a debate on both sides. I’m on the fence.
Should public universities be tuition free?
Hmm. I think it’s probably good to have some tuition, but keep it under control, which isn’t happening right now.
Should we raise taxes on the wealthy?
I think so.
Should a store such as a flower or cake shop be allowed to refuse service to a homosexual couple for religious reasons?
The libertarian in me, I’m just too conflicted. As a libertarian, it means they have the right to go in the store and the store owner has his rights. But if I were gay I wouldn’t want to go in that store, I’ll tell you that.
What should we do with illegal immigrants currently living in the United States?
We can’t deport. There has to be some path to citizenship, coupled with a more responsible immigration policy.
What is your opinion on Black Lives Matter?
I can sympathize with their frustrations but the movement seems to be dominated by the hard left. They seem to be anti-Israel for some reason. I’m not impressed.
Should we continue or end affirmative action?
I would continue it in a modified form, but only for African Americans. It is a very specific history of oppression and to extend it to everyone else – to women or to Hispanics and Asians – that’s not necessary. There’s a case to be made for continuing it for African Americans.
Should Edward Snowden be pardoned?
I don’t know.
Should the US allow the death penalty?
Here’s a case where I’m going to say no, because intellectually I cannot justify it. Emotionally, there are cases where it seems the right thing, but I think we should not do it.
Should marijuana be legal for recreational use?
Yes.
Do you support free trade or should there be restrictions to protect American workers?
Free trade, but with incentives for companies to keep their plants here.
Do you consider yourself a religious person?
No.
Can one be moral without a belief in God?
Of course!
Agree or disagree: Labor unions are a big reason that manufacturing is shifting overseas?
No. Disagree.
The source of many of the arguments calling you a conservative focus on your defense of Gamergate, which I have written about and argued is not a right wing movement. One game journalist even called you a reactionary. Through Gamergate you met and seem to have become friends with Milo Yiannopoulos. What do you think of Breitbart?
At this point I don’t read it. It’s a tabloid. You can read it if you want to be entertained. I like to read sources that I can trust and I don’t entirely trust them.
Milo is considered by many to be alt-right, though he has denied it. Do you think Milo is alt-right?
I don’t. I think he’s a performance artist and comedian who takes positions to amuse and enthrall. I wish that he would be clearer about his position on the lunatics in the alt-right, the Nazis and white supremacists and so forth. He could have done a much better job disassociating himself from all of that. And I’ve told him so! But he doesn’t listen to me.
Why did Donald Trump win the election?
There are a lot of opinions and I’m not an authority on election demographics, but I would say it’s not so much that he won but that Hillary lost the election. She didn’t inspire people. And all of those antics with celebrity feminists and so forth. I think it’s more the ongoing struggles with people in the middle part of the country and the economic hardship and people lost faith. A lot of people that voted for President Obama changed this time and voted for Donald Trump, so I think it was more economic.
Should America do more to support climate change policy or is it hurting American businesses too much?
I’m pretty much in favor of all reasonable forms of conservationism, ecology, and climate change activism.
Cats or dogs?
Dogs! I probably feel more strongly about this than anything you’ve asked! I just can’t get along with cats and they don’t get along with me, and I love dogs.
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