I recently joined good friend Chuck Ochelli for the first hour of this Friday show. We discussed the most recent Trump media shit show, mainly exploring the “scandal” over whether or not CNN blackmailed a Reddit user. Chuck and I talked about the strange symbiotic role that the alt-media and the right wing has with outlets such as CNN. I also talk about Alan Dershowitz’s latest transformation and how he has emerged from the shadows of scandal and Jeffrey Epstein with the help of his minion Mike Cernovich. Later Chuck and I explore the idea that Trump may actually be suffering from some form of mental illness and the early stages of something like dementia or Alzheimer’s. Chuck and I discuss how the subject of Hillary Clinton’s health was totally acceptable, where as discussing the president’s is a taboo topic.
Today I discuss the infamous GOP dirty trickster Roger Stone. I talk about his history supporting anti-establishment and third party candidates in his quest to destroy them and prop up the ruling war-party and Republican establishment. I begin by explaining his role in funding, staffing, and orchestrating Al Sharpton’s 2004 presidential run. I break down how and why Stone got involved with Sharpton. I lay out that Stone’s goal in helping the paid FBI informant was more about destroying the run of ostensible anti-war candidate Howard Dean. From personally funding Sharpton with a six figure loan, to installing his loyal cronies, Stone was able to make sure that no anti-war candidate won and that his boss George W Bush won easily. I break down how this is the general mode of operation that Stone has used through out his political career. Later I go through some of the other historical examples of Stone manipulating and derailing third party or anti-establishment (many of which were anti-war) candidates to insure a pro-war Republican victory. I talk about his role in destroying the Reform Party, labeling anti-war Republican Pete McCloskey a Socialist, and his rigging and bribery of Liberal Party leaders in New York state in order to guarantee a Reagan victory.
Later I discuss my theory that this is what Roger Stone is currently engaged in right now with Trump and Clinton. I lay out the case that Stone has been using the Trump campaign in order to ensure that Clinton and the war-party win. I talk about the notion that Clinton will stack her cabinet with many Bush era officials that Stone essentially helped in the 2000 and 2004 election. I explore the idea of looking deeper when it comes to Presidential politics and the people behind the curtain. I also talk about how Roger Stone is a man who has constantly sough to reinvent himself, now as the alt-media guru savior.
I finish off by answering some Patreon subscriber questions and rambling about a whole bunch of stuff.
On this episode, we welcome special guest Pearse Redmond from Porkins Policy Review to discuss the new Netflix Original series, Stranger Things.
Comprising one season of eight episodes thus far, the show is one of many recent productions that are made exclusive to on-demand platforms, and has fast become a sentimental sensation among its thirty-something target audience; thanks to its pastiche of 80’s pop culture references and nostalgic plot devices.
We start by establishing the beginnings of the story, where strange events begin to unfold in 1980’s small town America. Set against the backdrop of a secretive Cold War experiment at a local government facility, the series blends real world references to geopolitics and conspiracy culture with a heavy overlay of fantasy, horror, and science fiction – staying true to the aesthetic and screenplay of the classic 80’s sub-genre.
We also explore one of the most interesting aspects of the series, in looking at the target marketing of customised entertainment, where tools like analytics and meta-data seem to be driving the production of on-demand, niche-marketed TV series. Is a merge between Hollywood and Silicon Valley going to be the next big tech revolution?
Finally, we discuss some of the archetypes, roles, and cultural dynamics being presented in the show, and explore the question of how mass culture can influence our perceptions of history, where memories are continuously filtered through an emotional overlay of sentimental entertainment.