Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Just Asking Questions
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • The Soho Forum Debates
    • Just Asking Questions
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Donate Crypto
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Print Subscription
    • Subscriber Support

Login Form

Create new account
Forgot password
Reason logo

Reason's Annual Webathon is underway! Donate today to see your name here.

Reason is supported by:
Steven Dickson

Donate

Politics

Tonight on The Independents: The War on War

Matt Welch | 8.29.2014 7:49 PM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Friday night episodes of The Independents (Fox Business Network, 9 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. PT, with re-airs three hours and five hours later) are organized around a single theme. Tonight's theme is "The War on War." That is, the show is talking about phrases that begin with "The war on…," and, well, declaring our own war against the promiscuous usage thereof.

Fittingly, the conversation starts off with a discussion of the actual war-related content, as in, what exactly is "The War on Terror," should we still be fighting it, and is it time for a new name/emphasis? Joining to ponder that question in light of recent ISIL-flavored events is former Reagan-administration deputy defense secretary K.T. McFarland and retired Col. David Hunt.

Next, to tackle the war metaphor head-on, is Cato Executive Vice President David Boaz. What do Democrats mean when they say there's a "War on Women," and what do Republicans do to further that impression? Hadley Heath Manning, director of health care policy at the Independent Women's Forum, will give her 77 cents.

Reason readers certainly know about the horrific consequences of the "War on Drugs"; helping FBN viewers through this policy thicket is longtime former vice cop and current board chair of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition Jack Cole. The War on Drugs is part of a larger "War on Crime," which in 2014 seems ripe for long-overdue reform. One of the broad shoulders on that particular wheel belongs to Chuck DeVore, vice president of the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Is there really a "War on Christmas"? Fox News radio host John Gibson certainly thinks so; he'll be on to defend his pet metaphor. Then the co-hosts will assess LBJ's "War on Poverty" a half-century on. You people will enjoy this television program.

Follow The Independents on Facebook at facebook.com/IndependentsFBN, follow on Twitter @ independentsFBN, and click on this page for more video of past segments.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

NEXT: Jesse Benton, Former Ron Paul Campaign Manager, Resigns From Mitch McConnell Re-Election Bid Days After Revelations Paul Campaign Bribed Iowa State Senator for Support

Matt Welch is an editor at large at Reason.

PoliticsWorldWar on DrugsCultureCivil LibertiesPolicyThe IndependentsWarWar on TerrorWar on WomenWar Powers ActCriminal JusticeDrugs
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (132)

Webathon 2025: Dec. 2 - Dec. 9 Thanks to 847 donors, we've reached $547,979 of our $400,000 $600,000 goal!

Reason Webathon 2023

All Donations NOW Being Matched! Donate Now

Latest

Hegseth Mulls Releasing a Video That Illustrates the Brutality of Trump's Murderous Anti-Drug Strategy

Jacob Sullum | 12.8.2025 10:00 AM

Final 40 Hours of Reason's Annual Fundraising Webathon Gets One Last $25,000 Matching Grant!

Matt Welch | 12.8.2025 9:45 AM

Boat Strike Inquiry

Liz Wolfe | 12.8.2025 9:30 AM

What Is Syria Like 1 Year After Its Revolution?

Matthew Petti | 12.8.2025 8:00 AM

Bill of Rights Day: How Your Rights Keep Authoritarianism in Check

J.D. Tuccille | 12.8.2025 7:00 AM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Shop
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2025 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

r

HELP EXPAND REASON’S JOURNALISM

Reason is an independent, audience-supported media organization. Your investment helps us reach millions of people every month.

Yes, I’ll invest in Reason’s growth! No thanks
r

I WANT TO FUND FREE MINDS AND FREE MARKETS

Every dollar I give helps to fund more journalists, more videos, and more amazing stories that celebrate liberty.

Yes! I want to put my money where your mouth is! Not interested
r

SUPPORT HONEST JOURNALISM

So much of the media tries telling you what to think. Support journalism that helps you to think for yourself.

I’ll donate to Reason right now! No thanks
r

PUSH BACK

Push back against misleading media lies and bad ideas. Support Reason’s journalism today.

My donation today will help Reason push back! Not today
r

HELP KEEP MEDIA FREE & FEARLESS

Back journalism committed to transparency, independence, and intellectual honesty.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

STAND FOR FREE MINDS

Support journalism that challenges central planning, big government overreach, and creeping socialism.

Yes, I’ll support Reason today! No thanks
r

PUSH BACK AGAINST SOCIALIST IDEAS

Support journalism that exposes bad economics, failed policies, and threats to open markets.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

FIGHT BAD IDEAS WITH FACTS

Back independent media that examines the real-world consequences of socialist policies.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

BAD ECONOMIC IDEAS ARE EVERYWHERE. LET’S FIGHT BACK.

Support journalism that challenges government overreach with rational analysis and clear reasoning.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM

Support journalism that challenges centralized power and defends individual liberty.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

BACK JOURNALISM THAT PUSHES BACK AGAINST SOCIALISM

Your support helps expose the real-world costs of socialist policy proposals—and highlight better alternatives.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

STAND FOR FREEDOM

Your donation supports the journalism that questions big-government promises and exposes failed ideas.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks
r

FIGHT BACK AGAINST BAD ECONOMICS.

Donate today to fuel reporting that exposes the real costs of heavy-handed government.

Yes, I’ll donate to Reason today! No thanks