This week JP Sottile joined me for the first hour to discuss the climate catastrophe. We started out by discussing how many people, including myself, have long ignored this issue. We talked about how daunting and overwhelming the crisis is, and how this has led many to feel as though they can’t do anything to make a tangible change. We talked about Sottile’s recent op-ed in Truthout.org which links climate change to the spread of empire. JP talked about the link between US imperialism, the growth of the oil industry, and the damage is has wrought on the environment. We touched on how the Pentagon outwardly acknowledges climate change but continues to exacerbate the underlying problems. We illustrated these points in a discussion on the melting Arctic and the scramble to control its oil. Closing out the first hour, JP touched on the dangers of oil-related products such as plastic.
In the second hour, Jon Gold joined me to discuss some of the latest developments in the unending quest for truth and accountability with 9/11. We started off the the news that Attorney General William Barr has until Friday to decide to release the name of the high ranking Saudi official who oversaw the handling of 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi. Jon talked about how listeners can get involved in pushing Barr to release the name. Later we talked about a U.S. federal judge ordering the FBI to release documents related to a probe of the the al-Hijji family in Sarasota, Florida, and its “many connections” to the hijackers including Mohammaed Atta. We finished the conversation by talking about the military trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four others, which is set for January 2021 at Guantanamo Bay.
This week friend of the show Kevin Gosztola of Shadowproof.com joined me to discuss the latest developments with Julian Assange. Kevin explained the charges that have been brought against Assange and the spin they have received in the media. He talked about the use of term “hacking” and why that is, in fact, an incorrect definition of what Assange has actually been charged with. Kevin also talked about Chelsea Manning who is still in jail after losing a recent appeal. Kevin also talked about the 2017 FBI affidavit which is the theory for the government’s case against Assange, should he be extradited back to the US. Kevin talked about the language used in the affidavit and its similarity to the Espionage Act. We also talked about the government’s theory that Assange aided the enemy through the publication of the Afghanistan War Logs. We discussed how this could set a dangerous precedent for all journalism. Later Kevin and I explored the larger implications of the US government’s attacks on Assange and journalism in general. We touched on the criminalization of basic journalistic practices like eliciting information from sources and protecting sources. We also talked about how this could be used against foreign and Americans journalists across the world. We closed out the first hour by talking about Ecuadorian president Moreno.
In the second hour, I talked about CIA director Gina Haspel’s recent speech and Q&A at Auburn University. I talked about Haspel as the director of the CIA and how she has differed from recent directors. I also touched on the doublespeak and doublethink used throughout her speech encouraging young people to join the intelligence services. Later I talked about comments made by the moderator Lt. Gen. Ronald Burgess regarding Guantanamo Bay.
This week research Jon Gold joined me to talk about some of recent revelations regarding the 9/11 coverup. We started off with some breaking news out of Guantanamo regarding the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and others, and alleged recordings of them speaking about the 9/11 attacks months before they happened. Jon and I discussed the significance of these recordings and why they have been hidden from the public and defense lawyers at the military tribunal. Jon talks about some of the possible government agencies who could have made the recordings and the larger issue of a continued coverup. We also touched on the recent reporting out of Sarasota, Florida regarding Prince Turki al Faisal’s connections to the 9/11 attacks. Jon and I shifted gears a bit and talked about the Mueller Report and Russiagate. We discussed the way the media has obsessed over this story. Jon touched on the journalists who have made a name out of Russiagate and yet turn their backs to issues such as 9/11. Later we touched on Israel and the rise of the right wing in the Middle Eastern country. Jon and I talked about Trump’s recent decision to recognize the stolen Golan Heights as well as the recent focus on AIPAC. We finished off by talking about the recent de-funding of the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund. Jon talked about the ongoing health crisis affecting tens of thousands who were exposed to the World Trade Center dust.
9/11 activist and researcher Jon Gold joins me once again to discuss his new book We Were Lied To About 9/11: The Interviews. Jon explains what the book includes and why he decided to compile the book and make it freely available. Jon and I discuss the current state of the 9/11 truth movement and then move onto a few under-reported aspects of 9/11. We look at the strange contradictions and facts about what was happening in San Diego just before September 11th. Jon and I talk about the activities of hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi in San Diego. We talk about the reports that they entered the country before the FBI claimed they did, and the allegations that Prince Bandar was funneling money to them. Jon elaborates on this by describing Omar al-Bayoumi and his possible role as their Saudi intelligence handler. We also touch on their landlord and FBI informant Abdussattar Shaikh. I briefly talk about how this connects to several strange people in Denver Colorado connected to the 9/11 attacks.
Later Jon and I talk about Gina Haspel’s confirmation as CIA head and her legacy as a torturer. We talk about her role destroying CIA torture tapes and why Kahlid Sheik Mohammad wanted to offer his analysis of Haspel. We discuss the idea that this is the CIA’s way of telling the world that they will continue to torture. Jon and I also rant about Rudy Guliani and Michael Scheuer’s role in the 9/11 cover-up.
After hemming and hawing about the hunger strike in the Guantanamo Bay prison, the US government has finally admitted that there are in fact prisoners on hunger strike. As with all scandals involving the state the government is attempting to downplay this as much as possible. It is only conceding that 14 inmates are on hunger strike. This is in stark contrast with what the detainee’s lawyers are saying. According to several lawyers representing the 166 individuals held with out trial, around 130 prisoners in Camp 6 are on hunger strike. Lawyers have claimed that several of the individuals were coughing up blood, as well as looking emaciated. The freedom loving US government flippantly states this is a fabrication. Guantanamo spokesman Navy Capt. Robert Durand had this to say in regards to the hunger strike “Refusing prepared meals and choosing to subsist for a time on snack foods does not constitute a hunger strike.”
In other words, nothing to see here people. You can go back to worrying about Lil Wayne and stop wondering what happens in a highly secret military prison where 166 men languish in legal limbo. There are only a few inmates refusing food and they are sneaking potato chips and cookies when no one is looking.
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