The Author of The War State takes questions from listeners and talks about the pressures from other national markets on the U.S. economy. What effect is Trump having on business in general? Is there a silent inflation built into the current situation?
The crazy world of Elon Musk is in the news. What can the crashes of the past tell us about the future?
Second hour Pearse Redmond takes on Qanon, what the MSM isn’t talking about, and much more. Is there a cage match in the future for the reality TV fool in the Whitehouse and his former apprentice? What does Pearse think of the latest on the performance artist formerly known as Alex Jones?
Is everyone enjoying the show? Is the real Turkey something we should name Trump?
This week my guest is journalist Paul Dobson of Venezuelanalysis. We had a wide ranging discussion on Venezuela, its current political and economic situation, and western media distortions. First, we covered the recent terrorist attack on President Maduro’s life on August 4th. We touched on the right-wing media operations out of Miami, which supported this terrorist act, as well as the role of ultra right-wing activists in Venezuela and Colombia. Paul and I discussed the arrest of opposition politician Juan Requesens in connection with the attack. We also talked about the alleged role that former National Assembly President Julio Borges played in Bogota. Paul also mentions the shadowy Osman Delgado Tabosky, who has been named by the Venezuelan government as a financier of the attack.
In the second hour Paul and I discussed the current economic problems in Venezuela. Paul talked about the devastating effects that U.S. sanctions are having on the Venezuelan people. Then we talked about the lack of specialized medicine due to sanctions on major financial institutions such as Citibank. We also addressed the reasons why Venezuelans must wait in line for gasoline despite being an oil rich nation. We explained how organizations like the IMF and World Bank are waiting to swoop in to exert total control of the economy through the use of loans and bailouts. Finally, we closed out by talking about Venezuela’s vibrant democratic process and the ways in which the western media continues to present a false narrative of its electoral system.
This week I discussed the recent banning of Alex Jones on several tech platforms from two different perspectives. In the first hour Robbie Martin joined me to discuss the negative aspects of this. We talked about the dangers of censorship and what this may mean for the future of alternative media. Then we addressed the latest on the ever evolving Qanon saga. Robbie and I inquired how this may be related to the banning of Jones.
In the second hour Jon Gold joined me to talk about why Alex Jones got what he deserved. We discuss why Apple, Facebook, and other companies were justified in banning Jones from using their platforms. Jon discussed Jones’ history as a 9/11 and conspiracy profiteer, and his recent lawsuit against Sandy Hook victims. We talked about the dangers of social media. Jon and I also touched on patriotism in sports and why we, personally, can’t watch football and baseball anymore.
Christoph and I are back! After a long hiatus we have returned with a jam packed episode. In the first segment we discuss the bizarre “bomb plot” to attack the recent MEK Summit in Paris. Then we explore the allegations that this was orchestrated by the Iranian government and the bogus claims by the West and Israel about a network of sleeper cells across Europe. We then turn to a discussion about those swept up in the investigation–including an Iranian diplomat from Austria.
In the second segment Christoph and I break down the recent NATO summit in Brussels. We focus mainly on how this impacts Germany. Trump demanded that NATO countries devote 4% GDP to NATO, also stated that Germany is too close with Russia.
For the third segment we continue discussing Germany. We talk about the rise of the Gulen movement. Christoph explains how this has manifested after the failed coup in Turkey. We also touch on the whereabouts a several key plotters of the coup who are allegedly being protected in Berlin.
In our final segment we take a in-depth look at the recent election in Turkey. We discuss how Erdogan and his coalition partners with in the ultra-nationalist MHP swept the country. The rise of the ultra-nationalism within the Turkey may have a dangerous impact. We discuss MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s recent calls for the release of two prominent ultra-nationalist mob bosses, as well as the founder of the Grey Wolves taking a seat in parliament. We finish this segment by touching on recent joint operations between Turkey and U.S. in Northern Syria.
We close out with our traditional “weird terrorism” section. I talk about the return of Afghanistan’s Vice President, Abdul Rashid Dostum, from self imposed exile in Turkey, which resulted from assault and rape charges. Christoph shares an interesting interview of a former U.S. Army sniper who fought alongside the KLA in the 90’s on behalf of a foreign defense ministry.
In the first hour I go solo and talk about the recent elections in Pakistan and Imran Khan’s rise to power. I talk about Khan’s political party and how they they were able to take 116 seats in Parliament and elevate Khan to Prime Minister. I discuss Khan’s colorful life as well. I also discuss my major takeaways from the election: why the military backed Khan, how Khan will interact with the Taliban going forward, and the complex relationship with China and their China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. I also address the question over whether Khan is Pakistan’s Donald Trump.
In the second hour Kevin Gosztola joins me to talk about the strange case of James A Wolfe who has been accused of lying to the FBI about conversations he had journalists. Kevin explains why the FBI is going after the former head of security for the Senate Intelligence Committee, and the larger implications behind this case. We discuss the indictment against him and the extreme measures the FBI has taken against journalist Ali Watkins. Kevin talks about Watkins career and the troubling fact that the FBI seized years worth of her phone, email, and text records. Later we talk about Watkins three year relationship with Wolfe and the nasty way in which the media has discussed this salacious aspect of the case.
Chuck Ochelli and I discuss one of our favorite TV shows, the sci-fi spy thriller Counterpart. We discuss several of the show’s themes including, alternate realities, the human cost of spying, fate, and much more. This is quite a long episode that just barley scratches the surface of the complexities of this show.
In this episode, Jon Atack and Pearse Redmond speak with their good friend Yuval Laor. They start by discussing a recent article by professor Rebecca Moore entitled The Brainwashing Myth, dissecting the strange assertions Moore makes, primarily that brainwashing does not exist. They also talk about her three “scientific, neutral, and precise” terms which can replace brainwashing.
Jon and Yuval talk about the historical roots of the term from ancient China to the through reform camps of the 50’s. They also address our problems with the flawed term “new religious movement”, discussing Moore’s history defending Jim Jones and The Peoples’ Temple. They talk about her sisters, Carolyn Layton and Annie Moore, both high-ranking members who organized and oversaw the murder of over 900 people. They look at how this has colored Rebecca Moore’s books defending Jones and the legacy of the Peoples Temple. They close out by talking about the problem of arguing over semantics within the counter-cult world.
What do you think about this podcast? Do you agree? Do you have a story about brainwashing – or the misuse of the term – that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you!
This week my guest is comedian and activist Sam Spadino. Sam recently made headlines for getting thrown out of a Trump rally in Duluth for holding up a picture of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein with the caption, “Who is Jeffrey Epstein?” Sam and I talk about the day in question and what it was like. We discuss the sentiment at the rally and the strange announcements made about how to deal with protesters. Sam explains how he got the signs in and the experience of making eye contact with the president while holding up the picture. Sam talks about the media attention the protest received. We talk about how Fox news covered this story and the less than polite way they spoke about Sam and his hair. Sam also address the negative comments he has received from Trump supporters. Later Sam and I talk about the importance of exposing Epstein and his friends in high places. We also present the reasons for why we think real progress can be made regarding this issue. I finish off by touching on Alex Jones’ recent absurd claim that Mueller is protecting Epstein, and his desire to duel him politically.
In the first hour JP Sottile joins me to break down the recent Trump-Putin Summit in Helsinki. We start off with Trump’s recent reversal on comments he made stating that Russia didn’t interfere with the election. JP and I then get into the press conference itself and pick apart some of the major takeaways. JP talks about Bill Browder and Putin’s allegations about him and Hillary Clinton. We also talk about the strange “dry mouth” that Trump appeared to have during the presser and explore Trump’s possible health problems. I also ask JP about his strange comments regarding Israel. JP offers up his own analysis of this, diving into the geopolitics of Syria and Russia. We finish off by talking about the possibility that the US is seriously planning regime change in Iran. JP and I focus on the recent actions of the MEK, the bogus bomb plot in Paris, and Russia’s desire to ensure that Iran is not an energy powerhouse in the region.
In the second hour Aaron Franz joins me to discuss Elon Musk’s latest PR disaster. We talk about his insane tweets accusing diver Vern Unsworth of being a pedo, and his disastrous attempt to save the Thai soccer team with a mini-submarine. Aaron and I explore Musk’s cult of personality and his savior complex. We discuss the concept that Musk is both a modern day super hero and villain. Aaron talks about the hyperreailty of Musk and the Marvel Universe as well. We finish off the conversation touching on insane billionaire in general and the strange place they hold in our society.
Professor Isa Blumi joins me for part 2 of our series on Yemen. We pick up in the late 90’s after Ali Abdullah Saleh has come to power in a unified Yemen. Isa discusses Saleh’s strategy of sowing chaos all over the country in order to maintain absolute power. Isa talks about Saleh’s use of extreme violence, and his reliance on US power. We then explore how the so called Arab Spring played out in Yemen. We discuss the orchestrated nature of the movement, and how is sought to control the very real desires of the Yemeni public. Isa touches on people like Tawakkol Karman and her role as a US proxy during the Arab Spring. Isa brings us all the way to Saleh’s assassination and the current state of Yemen.
Later we talk about the role that Al Qaeda plays on Yemen as a bogey man. We discuss how the US used Yemen as playground for their eventual global drone program. We address the fight going on between Saudi Arabia and the UAE in Yemen. Isa also explains the political history of Ansar Allah (Houthis) and how they are not an Iranian proxy force.
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