This week I welcomed Matthew Alford to discuss all things Brexit. We kicked off the show by talking about Boris Johnson’s rise to power. Matt talked about Johnson’s public persona as an “inbred upperclass twit,” and how this has shaped his political career. Next, we dove head first into the ongoing drama of Brexit. Matt updated the listeners on the latest developments, including the announcement of a general election on December 12. Matt also analyzed recent polls, which suggest that Johnson and the Conservatives will most likely win and therefore push forward with his party’s plan to leave the EU. We talked about the wisdom of holding a second election and why Matt advocates for voting Labour. We also touched on complex issues like the border with Northern Ireland and how Brexit could unravel the delicate political architecture of the peace deal in Northern Ireland.
In the second hour we discussed Donald Trump’s false narrative that he is some sort of “peace president.” Matt focused on why so many in the conspiracy culture seem to latch onto this false narrative. We also spoke about Trump’s destructive policies in Venezuela and the deteriorating political situation in Haiti. Matt concluded the episode by talking about what some in the UK are overlooking (e.g., the UK as a major arms dealer) due to a strong focus on Brexit. We ended by talking about some of the positive initiatives such as climate change activism around the world, and various other protests during which individuals en mass speak truth to power.
Writer, comedian, and University of Bath teaching fellow, Matthew Alford joined me to discuss his latest book Union Union Jackboot: What Your Media and Professors Don’t Tell You About British Foreign Policy, which we co-authored with TJ Coles. We started off the conversation by discussing the unique structure of the book. Matt and I talked about the perception of British foreign policy we see today in the media. We touch on the brutal legacy the British Empire has had around the world, and take shots at some of the UK’s sacred cows like Winston Churchill. We also discussed why the media, Conservatives, and many in Labour despises Jeremy Corbyn. We talked about the way that Corbyn is perceived, many times incorrectly. Matt also talks about Brexit and why we should never feel sorry for Theresa May. Later we talked about the destructive role British foreign policy plays in seemly mundane affairs like clothing industry. We also touched on Britain’s role more recently in Sri Lanka and Nigeria.
Keelan Balderson of WideShut.co.uk joins me today for an in depth discussion of the recent terror attacks in Manchester and London. We begin by looking at the initial narrative that the media presented to us and how that quickly began to change within days of the event. Keelan discusses how the narrative had many of the hallmarks of the 7/7 Terror attacks, such as prior knowledge and security monitoring, slipping through the net, and the calls for internal reviews by MI5. Next to take a closer look at Salman Abedi’s family and the claims that they were Libyan refugees. Keelan talks about the Salman’s fathers ties to the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group and the LIFG’s close relationship with both MI5 and MI6. We discuss how the British government has long funded and protected the LIFG and used them time and time again as a proxy force against former Libyan leader Gadaffi. Keelan and I also talk about the fact that as Home Secretary Theresa May signed off on orders allowing LIFG fighters to freely move around the UK and Europe. Keelan and I then move one the bombing itself and focus on several key pieces of evidence that have emerged. We look at the mysterious CCTV footage of Abedi buying tuna fish, almonds, air freshener, and scouring pads, and ask the question: if this the shopping list of a man who thinks he is about to die? The two of us also discuss the blacked out image of Abedi that has made the rounds in the media and again point out that this doesn’t really prove anything. Keelan also dives into the curious admission that the bomb Abedi used may have been equipped with a remote detonator, therefore begging the question of whether Abedi was an unwitting suicide bomber. Keelan and I explore the idea that Abedi could have been part of a much larger plot. We also talk a out several bizarre eyewitness reports, and well as conflicting forensic evidence.
In the second hour Keelan and I address Abedi’s families response to the bombing. We talk about his fathers allusion to this possibly being a false flag, as well his brothers flat out statement that he knew his brother was a terrorist. We then move onto some of the political responses to the attack. Keelan discusses May’s renewed efforts to control the internet with ever increasing draconian laws aimed at preventing this very attack. We also touch on the idea that this attack in many ways mimics Gladio style operations in places such as Italy in the 1970’s. We then move onto the London bridge attack and take a look at the attackers connections to another terrorist group with deep ties to British intelligence, al-Muhajiroun. We then look at how this is effecting the upcoming British election in just a few days. We finish off by looking at how the MSM and alt-media has completely accepted either blow-back or the right-wing narrative that Muslims are all evil. Keelan and I also touch on the recent severing of ties with Qatar by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, and how this may be playing into the ever evolving narrative of the war on terror.
Porkins Policy Review 