I appeared on “Press TV,” the Iranian-government’s English-language television channel on a show someone with a sense of humor called “News Analysis.” The 25-minute show was the most hare-brained and loony of my 35 years going on television.
The ostensible topic was the just-signed $633-billion “National Defense Authorization Act” and specifically its section 1248, “Impositions of Sanctions with Respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting” i.e., sanctions on Press TV itself.
In fact, thanks to the selection as fellow panelists of two left-wing conspiracy theorists, Kevin Barrett and Joe Iosbaker, the show barely touched on anything so mundane as NDAA section 1248. Instead, the audience was treated to such tidbits as 9/11 having been a “pro-Israel coup d’état” and the U.S. government running torture chambers all over the world. Indeed, viewers would have heard me accused of being a torturer.
Watch it for a trip to the fringe.
Although not good for my dignity, I appear on channels like Press TV because they provide an opportunity to reach those who normally would not hear me. I tend to think they are worth the trouble.
Originally posted at DanielPipes.org on January 5, 2013 as “Debating Press TV – And Much More.”