John Stossel’s New FBN Show: Not Much Business, But Pure Stossel

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by Steve Krakauer | 3:08 pm, December 11th, 2009

» 11 comments

John Stossel‘s new Fox Business Network premiered last night, and despite the initial reports it would be about “Atlas Shrugged,” it instead focused on climate change.

As expected, there wasn’t much of a business angle to it. But it did allow Stossel to flex his full libertarian muscles, with a thoughtful show that took a single issue on in depth.

Stossel was called “the man who shatters conventional wisdom,” by the announcer as he was introduced, and the host jumped right into the topic. “Are you afraid of the climate crisis?” he asked. “If you listen to politicians like Al Gore, I’d be afraid too. Very afraid. But after years of consumer reporting I’ve become skeptical of these scare stories.”

It was more than just skeptical. The entire show consisted of just two guests – Jerry Taylor of the Cato Institute and Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of “Superfreakonomics” – who downplayed the seriousness of climate change. The studio audience got in their questions, but the point was clear – Stossel believes everyone should just calm down.

At least it was largely apolitical. “That’s what politicians do,” said Taylor early in the show. “They scare the living heck out of the voters and say ‘you need to vote for me because I will save the planet from climate change, from Islamic terrorists, from gay people who want to marry your children’ or something like that. All politics is a constant campaign to scare the heck out of people.”

Also of note – a green phone, a la Glenn Beck, which was there for Al Gore to call in (spoiler alert: he didn’t).

Stossel blogged about his show today (which re-airs tonight at 10pmET – “Help me beat my old show at ABC!” he joked).

I liked the Atlas Shrugged topic too, but with President Obama making news on climate change, we had to air the climate “crisis” show this week. Rest assured, we WILL air an Atlas Shrugged show.

Also featured are some positiv, but mostly negative, comments from viewers.

Here’s the final segment of the show, featuring “Stossel’s Perspective” – a final thought that summed up the entire show. Key takeaway: “Why is climate change a crisis?”:

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Climate Change, FBN, Fox Business Network, John Stossel, Stossel

monac58

I haven’t liked John Stossel talking about anything since he started to think we cared about his political views. He comes across as a pompous ass and I don’t care much for a pompous one or any other kind!!
StewartIII

NewsBusters: Al Gore Refuses to Discuss ‘Climate Crisis’ with John Stossel
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/12/11/al-gore-refuses-discuss-global-warming-john-stossel
lanquihue

You can count on one thing: if someone tells you they’re a Libertarian, they’ll also tell you the truth.
Ted

lanquiue – I’m Libertarian and Stossel is a dumb ass on a stick. And why the cheesy mustache?
SWWT

John Stossel’s mustache could kill any normal human being.
ImNotBlue

Ted says:
December 12, 2009 at 1:20 pm

Really Ted? You think you’re a “Libertarian”?

Really? Explain.
m

Fox Business Network or just straight-up Fox News 2?
m

I’m Libertarian too btw. On all political compasses I’m much much closer to Libertarian than Liberal.
ImNotBlue

m says:
December 12, 2009 at 8:17 pm

Well, I think all stations do this a bit. I saw a murder documentary on CNBC this afternoon… and there have been all kinds of stories about the Weather Channel reporting on the Tiger Woods story.

Eh… after the markets close, I understand the slight change in format.

m says:
December 12, 2009 at 8:22 pm

Philosophically, maybe… but your allegiance to all things Democrat/Liberal, and your hatred of all other things not also play an important role. Personally you may be Libertarian… but politically you’re as much of a Democrat/Liberal as any other proud party member.
m

Nah, it’s just I really dislike conservatism. Hate the anti-science. Hate the anti-intellectualism. And I hate the anti-social freedom. Conservatism isn’t an ideology. It’s an attitude of backwardism.
ImNotBlue

m says:
December 13, 2009 at 11:59 am

So you’re an irrational hater (since the “anti-s” you said are bogus). I’m not sure that “hating” a group of people goes along with the Libertarian model.

Either way, it continues to prove my theory. Personally (as in if you filled out a form based on issues) you might be Libertarian… but politically, you’re strongly aligned with the Liberal left. A true Libertarian would be happy to take opinions and views form BOTH sides of the aisle… whoever conformed to their POV best at the moment. But as stated, you’re biased AGAINST Conservatism and Republicans (for reasons not based in reality or substantively… but an over-arching philosophy that they’re perpetually “backwards”)… your unwillingness to accept anything from them undercuts your argument that you’re a Libertarian.