Conflicting views and contrasting ideas are the essence of all great debates throughout history, from the Greeks to the Oxford Union Debating Society. Today, we turn to television for the creative clash of ideas on matters that touch our lives. John J. McLaughlin More Quotes by John J. McLaughlin More Quotes From John J. McLaughlin I do put my questions in terms of the sharpest polarities of the issue. But I don't want a preponderance of opinion over factual data. John J. McLaughlin questions data opinion want I don't miss being a priest. The fulfillment factor in matrimony is far greater. John J. McLaughlin priest far miss being Once citadels of free expression and occasional revolutionary ideas, today many American colleges have endorsed political correctness. John J. McLaughlin free political today ideas What I want is a clash of ideas, not opinions. John J. McLaughlin opinions clash want ideas What we showed you was you can have analytic reasoning that can be passionate. John J. McLaughlin analytic you reasoning passionate Journalists can get very pompous, especially in the formalized days of 'Meet the Press,' when they took themselves so damned seriously. John J. McLaughlin days seriously meet get Anyone who magnifies the power of a television talk show is very unrealistic. John J. McLaughlin talk who power television I'm proud to be associated with the public policies of Richard Nixon. John J. McLaughlin richard-nixon policies public proud My position is that of detective, confessor, vaudevillian, advocate. And devil's advocate. John J. McLaughlin detective advocate position devil Radio, in a way, is preaching. John J. McLaughlin preaching radio way There's no substitute for the experience of childbearing or child rearing. John J. McLaughlin rearing substitute child experience I like good humor. John J. McLaughlin good like humor When faced with economic uncertainty, people don't want freedom. When they can't see their economic future, they want the nanny state. John J. McLaughlin uncertainty future freedom people President Obama took charge of the Oval Office seven years ago. He promised a positive reset in relations with Russia. But with the radioactive poisoning of a British spy in London, the downing of passenger jets over Europe, and the aggressive advances of Russian forces from Ukraine to Syria, President Putin of Russia has rebuked Mr. Obama. John J. McLaughlin london office president positive According to the White House, the president's proposed 2016-2017 spending would add - get this - $62 billion to the deficit. John J. McLaughlin get president white house I predict that as warm weather returns to Europe, so will the flood of Middle Eastern immigrants. John J. McLaughlin will immigrants warm weather Terms such as 'microaggression,' describing an inadvertent act of offense, have entered the college lexicon, empowering an atmosphere of prior restraint on speech. And many colleges are also disinviting speakers in fear of offending certain elements of their student communities. John J. McLaughlin student speech college fear American colleges are now increasingly reflexive in maintaining politically correct dialogue over controversy, and some say universities have lost sight of education's ultimate purpose. John J. McLaughlin say purpose education lost I predict 2016 will be a year of upheaval and realignment across the world. China's economy will continue to sputter. Commodity exporting countries will suffer. Europe's growth will remain flat-lined. The U.S. will plug along at under 3% growth. John J. McLaughlin will year growth world The acquisition of knowledge need not be like listening to the Gregorian chant. John J. McLaughlin need like listening knowledge