Loud, fast-talking and deceptively funny, this politically-independent "forward-thinking pragmatist" looks at the events shaping our world through a uniquely American lens. It's smarter than you think, and faster than you expect. "Common Sense with Dan Carlin" is a blend of audio commentary and news analysis by one of the leading thinkers among today's politically independent crowd. Author, reporter and talk show host Dan Carlin takes a look at the issues in the news through the prism of his traditional American "forward-thinking pragmatism" while pushing a fiscally conservative, socially liberal approach to solving problems. Whether he's railing against the "Fat Police", explaining the existence of "The Chicken Little Gene" or continually bringing up historical events no one has ever heard of, Carlin manages to be entertaining and informative in a uniquely non-partisan way. His style has been compared to Seinfeld's George Costanza on steroids. Whether that's true or not, he does often talk really fast, you'll have to keep up. Can common sense be entertaining? Can it be stimulating, refreshing and thought-provoking? You bet! Politically independent host Dan Carlin shows you how radically clear things can be once a little non-partisan Common Sense is applied. http://www.dancarlin.com Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:15:12 PST en-us dan@dancarlin.com (Dan Carlin) Dan Carlin dan@dancarlin.com (Dan Carlin) dancarlin.com http://www.dancarlin.com/graphics/CS_DC.jpg http://www.dancarlin.com Common Sense with Dan Carlin dan@dancarlin.com libertarian,independent,constitution,freedom,nonpartisan,rights,dan,carlin,politics no Politics News http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb54b.mp3 Dan rails against legislators who have close ties to the industries they are supposed to be regulating and reforming. He also addresses one of the under-appreciated environmental problems he believes we can fix. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb54b.mp3 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:15:12 PST 56:10 lobbying, corruption, legislation, congress, Senate, Obama, health, care, Afghanistan, Pakistan, fish, overfishing, environmental, Earth, pollution, global, warming, Eco, spying, rights, freedom, Democratic, Republican, government http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb54notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb53.mp3 President Obama makes friendly overtures towards Iran and even says they may have a right to their nuclear ambitions. Dan considers this progress. Also: Musing about corporate influence on the USA. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb53.mp3 Fri, 5 Jun 2009 16:16:45 PST 56:53 Iran, nuclear, biological, weapons, mass, destruction, terrorism, Obama, Ahmadinejad , corporations, government, campaign, finance, reform, Islam, Israel, non-proliferation, companies http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb53notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb52.mp3 Has the idea of implementing real health care reform in the U.S. already been compromised by powerful special interests? Dan thinks so. Also, Nancy Pelosi, CIA oversight and partisan witch hunts. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb52.mp3 Thu, 21 May 2009 15:12:33 PST 53:08 torture, waterboarding, CIA, Pelosi, Gingrich, health, care, insurance, reform, Medicare, oversight, investigation, partisan, Democrats, Republicans, terrorism, trial, Obama, corruption. http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb52notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb51.mp3 There are a number of reasons the news industry in in a state of crisis right now. In this show Dan deals with an overlooked angle of the problem. Also: Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb51.mp3 Fri, 08 May 2009 15:46:59 PST 57:50 newspapers, media, Ventura, Jesse, Cronkite, journalism, press, Internet, Drudge, Google,copyright, aggregator, content, reporter, News, website http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb51notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb50.mp3 For episode number 150 listeners get 50% more show at no extra charge! Dan discusses Tea Parties, Patriot act power, Newt Gingrich, the short memory of Americans and a Presidential murder trial. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb50.mp3 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:07:06 PST 01:14:10 Bush, Bugliosi, Gingrich, Republican, conservative, Democratic, Garafolo, Patriot, act, Obama, protests, tax, bailout, corporate, socialism, communism, GOP, politics, militia, McVeigh, Clinton, Waco, terrorism. http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb50notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb49.mp3 The Obama Administration expands the government's rationale for warrantless wiretapping and other activities that weaken the 4th Amendment protections of Americans. Also: Columnist and author Robert Samuelson. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb49.mp3 Wed, 8 Apr 2009 18:59:06 PST 58:50 Constitution, fourth, amendment, freedom, secrecy, libertarian, Obama, Bush, surveillance, Samuelson, Robert, economy, crisis, credit, recession, depression, president, Congress http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb49notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb48.mp3 Populism is back in vogue and Americans are emulating the Boston Tea Party and exhibiting other signs of revolutionary discontent. Dan examines the issue as only a political alien can. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb48.mp3 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:35:23 PST 58:53 economy, depression, recession, Geithner, Obama, budget, stimulus, middle, class, dollar, poor, populist, Democratic, Republican, trade, wealthy, rich, Constitution, libertarian, Paul, United, States, homeless http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb48notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb47.mp3 In this (long) episode Dan gets mad about both genocide and journalism...in that order. He has a pretty uncompromising viewpoint on both subjects. What else is new? http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb47.mp3 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:54:47 PST 01:05:45 Stewart, Jon, Daily, Show, comedy, financial, CNBC, Cramer, journalism, news, reporting, genocide, ethnic, cleansing, China, Darfur, Sudan, united, nations, Rwanda, Bosnia, Obama, Bush http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb47notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb46.mp3 Why is it that U.S. foreign policy seems to stay the same no matter who is running the country? Dan compares the Bush and Obama policies in the Middle East trying to find a way to "win". Also: Riffin on the News. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb46.mp3 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 18:51:47 PST 53:18 Obama, Bush, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, war, terrorism, foreign, policy, security, military, Taliban, Pakistan, empire, U.S., nuclear, weapons http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb46notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb45.mp3 Will Government efforts to combat the current economic downturn bear fruit? Dan gives his viewpoint. Also: Should Press and media prohibitions on showing the realities of war be relaxed? http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb45.mp3 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:51:47 PST 01:02:28 economy, stimulus, depression, recession, corporate, bailout, government, Congress, Obama, pork, war, journalism, Iraq, footage, censorship, Press, freedom, military, combat, soldiers http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb45notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb44.mp3 Do American taxpayers benefit from the U.S. foreign policy? Dan doesn't think so and rails against super-patriots who think a large military is the definition of a strong America. Also: Would Yoo torture? http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb44.mp3 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:53:12 PST 50:36 Yoo, Defense, military, spending, founding, fathers, army, foreign, policy, isolationism, militia, guns, amendment, Obama, Bush, torture, constitution, executive, president, terrorism, congress, freedom, Whig http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb44notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb43.mp3 Churchill called his bouts with depression "The Black Dog", Dan sounds like he's dealing with the same thing in today's monologue. Also: Interview with U.S. Congressman Peter Defazio. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb43.mp3 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:54:21 PST 48:32 Defazio, congress, government, legislative, executive, judicial, branch, Obama, Bush, Cheney, war, president, senate, budget, spending, stimulus, interview http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb43notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb42.mp3 Everyone wants Dan to discuss recent events between Israel and her neighbors. As usual, his views are likely to upset all sides. Also: will the latest global financial crisis increase Presidential power? http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb42.mp3 Fri, 2 Jan 2009 18:37:57 PST 51:29 Israel, Palestinians, Arab, Jew, Iran, Obama, unitary, executive, Bible, politics, middle-east, Samson, Philistines, Hebrew, Congress, Republicans, Democrats, fanatics, terrorism, Gaza, Islam, Hamas. http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb42notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb41.mp3 If you like when Dan goes off on random tangents you will love this show (especially part two!). Dan talks about the latest corruption in government story and also looks for silver linings in anger and negativity. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb41.mp3 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:05:57 PST 49:09 fcorruption, government, Blagojevich, Obama, bribe, ABSCAM, campaign, finance, reform, Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, Green, Party, health, care, military, spending, new, media, protest http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb41notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb40.mp3 Should a global government replace the many nation-states that make up the modern world? Dan tries to defend his irrational, individualistic love of freedom. Also: Better living through chemistry. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb40.mp3 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:51:57 PST 43:53 freedom, liberty, government, united, nations, one-world, new, world, order, free, market, drugs, policy, war, global, financial, terrorism, warming, climate, change, voting, president, socialism., economic http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb40notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb39.mp3 The early appointees to the Obama administration prompt a discussion of Competency versus Change. Also: The political consequences of the American people's short-term memories. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb39.mp3 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:05:57 PST 49:47 Obama, Clinton, Daschle, appointments, cabinet, Democratic, change, tobacco, lawsuit, seat, belts, libertarian, politics, government, Iraq, Iran, WMD, nuclear, weapon, Bailout, Banks, treasury, Cheney http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb39notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb38.mp3 The partisan blazes kindled during the campaign continue to intensify after the concession speeches. Dan talks about this and a number of election related issues. Also: Riffin of the News. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb38.mp3 Fri, 7 Nov 2008 17:05:57 PST 53:49 Obama, McCain, Palin, Presidential, election, partisan, socialist, Marxist, terrorism, treasury, taxes, banking, isolationism, defense, Pakistan, Afghanistan, news, war, politics, Limbaugh, Olbermann, talk, radio, democratic, republican http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb38notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb37.mp3 It's election time, and once again Dan is left wishing he could cast a legitimate vote for No One. Also: Another troubling policy change making it more likely the USA will clash with other nations. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb37.mp3 Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:45:21 PST 44:22 none, above, voting, electoral, polls, reform, Democratic, Republican, Presidential, Bush, McCain, Obama, Syria, Doctrine, war, military, terrorism, law, international, foreign, policy, history, Independent http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb37notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb36.mp3 The USA's budgetary 3-headed Hydra is Dan's target in a monologue that sounds like it is really part two of show #135's monologue. Also, Dan channels Presidents Lincoln and Eisenhower to make a point about unity. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb36.mp3 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:11:21 PST 1:03:13 Republican, Democratic, Obama, McCain, debate, partisan, politics, election, presidential, reform, Nader, Barr, Libertarian, military, Medicare, social, security, government, Lincoln, Eisenhower http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb36notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb35.mp3 Could there be an eventual upside to the current economic crisis? Dan thinks there might be. He also spends a lot of time feeling "vindicated" and talking about himself and the show a lot. Blah, blah blah. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb35.mp3 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:11:21 PST 50:49 economy, bailout, Congress, Senate, Democratic, Republican, Treasury, Federal, Reserve, financial, media, news, liberal, conservative, partisan, politics, talk, radio, mainstream, Olbermann, Hannity, Limbaugh http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb35notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb34.mp3 Was it just plain Greed that led to the recent bloodletting in the U.S. financial sector or was there more going on? Dan has some Martian thoughts on the subject. Also: Riffin' on the News. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb34.mp3 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:11:21 PST 55:10 Economy, financial, bailout, government, treasury, Bush, stock, market, Democrat, Republican, McCain, Palin, Obama, Biden, Pakistan, Russia, Georgia, NATO, liberty, rights http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb34notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb33.mp3 Will John McCain save his campaign with the unorthodox choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate? Dan suggests a little candidate swap that might improve both political tickets. Also: Dan's investigation fetish. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb33.mp3 Thu, 4 Sep 2008 16:11:21 PST 50:38 Amy, Goodman, Democracy, now, Palin, McCain, Obama, Biden, Democratic, Republican, protest, convention, Denver, Minnesota, GOP, Daily, show, Colbert, liberal, conservative, politics, news, Olbermann, Mathews, Scarborough, New, Media http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb33notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb32.mp3 Barack Obama chooses a running mate that seems the antithesis of his message. Is Joe Biden the "Change we have been waiting for?" Also: Dan explains why it is so hard to be him. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb32.mp3 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:01:12 PST 32:27 Obama, Biden, McCain, Democratic, Republican, convention, Clinton, Kennedy, Politics, spying, Afghanistan, Bush, government, terrorism, rights, Constitution, term, limits, corruption, Presidential, elections, Cosby http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb32notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb31.mp3 A tragic mistake in an anti-drug raid has Dan questioning our priorities in the Drug War. Also: It's the Revenge of the Former Communists as China and Russia have newsworthy weeks that Dan finds unsettling. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb31.mp3 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:01:12 PST 50:14 Russia, China, Georgia, Olympics, 2008, Bush, Putin, communist, drug, marijuana, war, terrorism, rights, freedom, libertarian, democratic, republican, Obama, McCain, Beijing. http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb31notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb30.mp3 This show is mostly about things related to the current global economic situation. But Dan drags Paris Hilton, the "Chicken Little Gene", Batman, Superman, terrorism, political land mines and Nazis into it too. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb30.mp3 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:01:12 PST 58:33 Paris, Hilton, deficit, debt, national, spending, budget, mortgage crisis, recession, depression, market, Batman, economic, Iraq, Iran, terrorism, Obama, McCain, Knight, surge, impeachment. http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb30notes.htm http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb29.mp3 Is the U.S. political system broken? If so, Dan believes Americans need to be obsessed with fixing it. Everything from Impeachment to Generation X trash talking makes it into this show. http://dancarlin.libsyn.com/media/dancarlin/cswdcb29.mp3 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:43:03 PST 52:20 Kucinich, Bush, wiretap, FISA, Rove, Judiciary, Obama, McCain, impeach, rights, freedom, libertarian, government, reform, politics, independent, news, Democratic, Republican, war, powers, constitution. http://www.dancarlin.com/notes/cswdcb29notes.htm