In this call‑in episode, Dennis Prager opens with the provocative claim that life’s purpose is not safety but living fully. He fields callers discussing COVID‑19 data, mask politics, and broader cultural trends. Caller Christine from Elmira questions the disparity between CDC‑reported coronavirus deaths and figures cited in the media, prompting Prager to note he relies on Worldometer for statistics. Another caller, Stephen from Sacramento, observes that mask‑wearing has become a partisan signal, suggesting Republicans can be identified by their refusal to wear masks while walking pets. Prager humorously affirms this observation, linking it to his own experience in Glendale, California, where mask mandates even apply to pet walkers. The conversation then shifts to a historical reflection: Prager cites a book about non‑Jewish rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust, arguing that eccentric, non‑conformist individuals were more likely to act bravely. He laments contemporary “sheep‑like” conformity, contrasting it with the eccentric courage of past rescuers. Finally, Prager ties these themes to a broader philosophical and religious narrative, asserting that America’s founding was rooted in religiously grounded liberty, and that true purpose involves embracing risk rather than seeking safety.
Chapters
The purpose of life is not to be safe. Purpose of life is to live it. Now back to— where is my caller? What happened to her? Yes, there we go. Christine, Elmira, New York, correct? Is that— was I with you?
Yes. Uh-huh.
Good. Hi.
I want to thank you first of all for your show because I think it's a breath of sanity amongst the insane, but Um, that's what I think.
Yes.
I curiously enough, they keep touting all these numbers of deaths. So I went to the actual CDC site and started looking at numbers and I was really surprised that the numbers being reported for coronavirus deaths versus what the CDC is publishing are vastly different. I'm looking at coronavirus deaths reported by the CDC as of May 2nd were 47,128 out of a total of almost 800,000 people who died during that period of time. So it's, you know, not a huge percentage of the total deaths that are.
So, and wait, so hold on.
Right. So you went to the CDC, got that number.
Where did you get a different number?
Well, I got a different number. People keep saying, oh, there's been 66,000.
Well, yeah, okay, well, that's all right. Well, so you're right. I mean, that would mean, if you're right, that would mean 20,000 people died since May 2nd. It is now May 8th.
Yeah, and that's not possible. That's not—
well, I, I don't know the answer. It's a— I, I don't go to the CDC, I go to Worldometer. For the world and the US. But I'll look into that, and I thank you very much. All righty, everybody. And Sacramento, California, and Stephen. Hello.
Hi, Dennis.
Hi.
Hi, let me take you off of speaker.
Good, thank you.
Hi, Dennis. You know how you often say you can tell the difference between a liberal and a leftist by asking how they feel about Co-ed or segregated dormitories?
Yes.
I think going up in the future and getting away from this COVID, this coronavirus, I think you'll be able to tell a different thing by just looking at a person. I think you'll be able to tell whether they're Republican or not just by looking at them. And here's how you'll be able to do it. The further we get away from the corona, the non-Republicans will continue wearing masks. And if you really want to be sure, walk up and ask them to try to shake their hand. And if they shake their— if they shake your hand, They're a Republican.
He's right. That's why I'm laughing. If when I see somebody— I live in Southern California. I live— well, actually, where I live is secondary to where I work. I broadcast from Glendale, California, which is outside of Los Angeles, and the Glendale City announced, and I played it for you, I got this message on my phone, even you have to wear a mask even when walking your pet. Got a kick out of that. And so if I see somebody walking their pet without a mask, I assume that the person is conservative or Republican. That's right. He's right. Isn't that a fascinating thing? And by the way, I believe that Democrats—
Face coverings are now required anytime you leave your home. This includes going on a walk, picking up essential goods, or walking your pet. A face covering is not the same thing.
That's right, there you go. No, I always got a kick out of the pet line. I know, look, you have a pet rabbit if I'm not mistaken. And when you walk your rabbit, uh, uh, Bensington, right? That's his name, Bensington. Strange name for a rabbit, I have to say. Strange to even have a rabbit as a pet. But look, he's strange. You know, what am I going to say? By the way, strange is good. I'm not joking. I'm going to give you a serious point now that will blow thine mind. I'm very, totally serious. I believe that the study of good people is more important than the study of evil people, because I believe evil is natural and goodness is not. Wow. So wait, you just wrinkled my brain. No, I'm going to wrinkle your brain with the point I'm going to make. So I've read a lot on who are the non-Jews who saved Jews in the Holocaust, because that's a very risky thing to have done that. It's an unbelievable person. And one of the criteria in a book I read many years ago, I wish I remembered the book. I read it in a bookstore. I didn't have much money then. I read much of the book in the bookstore. Is it the Harvard Coop? Anyway, it said people who were considered eccentric were more likely to be among the rescuers. Isn't that interesting? In other words, they were considered eccentric before the war. And I totally buy that. I totally buy that. I, now I'm not talking mental illness, I'm talking eccentric. In other words, people who don't conform, who don't march to the beat of the drummer. I am frightened by the sheep-like behavior I'm seeing in my fellow, many of my fellow Americans. Do I think eccentrics are not wearing masks? I would say that that is more likely. Yeah, that's a very good point. Although their eccentricity might be a great desire to be safe. I mean, obviously, and anything is possible, but the man was right. There's a huge, obviously there's a huge difference here. We conservatives, we fear less. Incidentally, what a great statement. We're living through something unique to America. It is the religious who are most adamant about freedom, which is exactly how America was founded. The Liberty Bell has a verse from the Bible, the Torah to be precise.
