That's the provocative and somewhat nonsensical statement that opened Thursday night's episode with Michael Usher hosting in place of regular Karl Stefanovic​, leading the panel through what appears to be the format into which the show has settled: a couple of topics where everyone yells over one another, and the majority in which everyone pretty much disinterestedly agrees.

At least it started with some passion, with Karl doing a 25 second cross to declare he was "in a country that does believe that they're at war," while standing in front of flowers and tributes. "It's urban war, there's no doubt about it." So apparently it isn't all that hard to say after all.

But that leads into the first topic – are we at war, or what? - and we cross to the guests.

Joining perennial panelist Mark Latham is the Exodus Foundation's Reverend Bill Crews, retired Major General Jim Molan​, journalist and comedian Rachel Corbett, writer and campaigner Osman Faruqi, and Senator Jacqui Lambie, who would like to make clear that she used to be in the military.

The sparks flew early as Molan warned that any military action in Iraq and Syria to stem the progress of Daesh must be done with care. "Overreacting is as bad as underreacting," he said, not unreasonably, adding "we've got to figure out the strategy".

Latham disagreed, shrugging "there's no military solution in the Middle East," and making the equally reasonable point that much of the radicalisation in the region was helped along by the events of the "coalition of the willing" in 2003 and beyond.

Well, Molan wasn't having any of that. "So much of what Mark said is at best debatable and at worst wrong," he sneered, insisting that the military action gave Iraq "extraordinary security" before making a claim that seems downright breathtaking in its scope and ambition: "We won the second Iraq war."

Before anyone got the chance to ask whether the coalition forces are on track to enjoy a similarly triumphant victory in Syria, or indeed how they'd notice such a success, Lambie jumped in to remind everyone she's a Digger, and that we should help the refugees fleeing the fighting.

Not help them leave, mind. Help them stay there by giving them "something to fight for". So the problem is that there's inadequate fighting?

"We can't keep taking the excess people," she made clear, before oddly insisting "it's about time we spoke to President Putin". Um, what?

Pretty much everyone was then yelling over each other, while Reverend Crews pointed out that ex-armed forces are wounded, physically and mentally. "We need to look at the cost … this is damaging us as much". And then we're out on a break.

The new topic was related to the first, and it's essentially "Refugees: should we be suspicious, or terrified?" And Lambie's got her answer:

"I don't feel safe. Why are we letting these refugees in without doing the screening we probably need to do? We're putting Australians at risk."

She also wanted to know why her recent tag-all-refugees plan isn't a great idea. "Um, because they're not criminals." Corbett quipped, before Osman took Lambie to task for fearmongering about refugees.

"It's not bloody fearmongering, mate," she spat. "How can you tell the difference between a refugee and a terrorist?"

Before Osman and Corbett explained screening to her again, Crews cut through the question neatly. "I went and had a look for myself and I met people that had pain in their guts from losing their families. People want to come here because we're not like [Islamic State]."

Osman jumped in. "And I think this pisses Islamic State off, that they're forcing Muslims to come to the decadent west to have a great life."

Lambie felt that the problem is that the Grand Mufti is failing to condemn the attacks, despite his several condemnations of the attacks, and then made clear that "I'd like to thank our veterans". Which is a nice sentiment, certainly, but why now? Anyway, we're out to the ads again.

Then it was time for the interview segment, in which it falls to boxing legend Anthony Mundine to explain the opinions of all Australian Muslims.

He was clearly a little nervous, falling over his metaphors to warn that "the brush is being painted with the same brush," but he made some strong points, pointing out that violence is terrifyingly common all over the world and that our shock and concern can't be limited to people that look suitably Western.

The brief interview ended somewhat confusingly with Mundine declaring that "I'm not the bad boy, I'm a cool cat" - which was worth it just to hear Usher reply "I think you are too," like a proud parent.

Mundine stuck around for the next segment, discussing the UFC bout lost by Ronda Rousey, under the heading "is it nice when the ladies do fight-punching?"

The problem with the question – and the rest of the show from this point – is that no-one has any especially strong feelings on the topic. Indeed, everyone agrees that hey, if fit, highly trained sports stars want to make a career out of fighting, let 'em.

Mundine opined that "it's probably a male sport, but that's just my point of view", while Lambie declared "Kudos to her, girlfriend, I say!" before adding that she used to fight – you know, when she was in the armed forces. Did she mention that before?

The panel are similarly disinterested in the revelation that Charlie Sheen has revealed he has HIV after having his hand forced by a National Enquirer story. The question "should the famous man's viral load be public information?" was prefaced by an semi-coherent interview with the National Enquirer's editor-in-chief Dylan Howard, who argued that Sheen's HIV status is a "an issue of grave public health concern". But let's be honest: when you're forced to take sides between the National Enquirer and Charlie Sheen, there can be no winner.

On the upside, this week's audience question – should a refugee's religion be taken into consideration? – got a resounding no from both the viewers (81 per cent to 19 per cent) and all of the panel. Which is something, at least.

Also, a production note for next time: the show either needs a larger studio audience or to juice up the existing 15 people a heck of a lot more, because they applaud with the awkward reticence of embarrassed parents at a bad ballet recital. Maybe they were expecting Millionaire Hot Seat?