On a Tuesday where North Korea launches another alleged Cyber-attack , Train wrecks beyond the White House are actually happening , and Trump wants a letter from the Special Prosecutor saying he has done nothing wrong , we attempt to unmask the method behind the madness that appears to be the newest normal in American Foreign Policy. The Author of The War State , and the host of a truly unique information radio show seem to be our best guides. So we enter the magical land of , Trump Foreign Policy MAGA
Mike Swanson joins us on a Tuesday night to really examine the Trump Foreign Policy attitude http://wallstreetwindow.com/node/13965 with his article at https://wallstreetwindow.com in hand Michael attempts to make sense of what is being said , and asks interesting questions about the unspoken portions that may only become obvious to all at a later date. Mike’s unique and solid analysis is as always welcome. In the second hour dealing with Trump Foreign Policy MAGA Pearse Redmond of Porkins Policy Radio joins us to take the conversation even further with hints at the actual origin of the ideas represented.
Hour 1 The Author of “The War State” Michael Swanson continues the series of critiques regard the Ken Burns Documentary on Vietnam. The domestic unrest of 1967 and the how and why of the rise of the anti-war movement itself was the main topic. Has COINTELPRO become reborn? Is Jeff Sessions running Drug War 2.0 ? Is the script of a documentary only important in that you must keep the viewer awake ? Are there better films for one to get a realistic portrait of Vietnam ? Is Burns making a point or just putting his audience to sleep? Should we even take all the air time that we have dissecting this series? Chuck and Mike suggest films that WON’T waste your time. Hearts and Minds , Fog Of War , and Winter Soldier make the list among others.
Hour 2 Pearse Redmond joins us to break down much of the current media chaos caused by the Trump era of alternative facts and brush fire war with the truth, good taste and anything thing that once was the artist formerly known as America. The host of Porkins Policy Radio and Chuck attempt to keep pace with the madness. Vietnam War Racket Raqqa Rolling Thunder ? is history repeating itself or simply stuttering? Can anyone keep up? If people keep saying things are getting better , does it count? Who’s cooking for Putin? As The People of Puerto Rico suffer , Trump complains they haven’t helped themselves? Wars and Rumors of Wars? Wars of Rumors , and Fake News as described by…?
Chuck Ochelli and Tom Secker join me today for a discussion on the current “revolutions” going on within society. We start off by looking at Snowden and his role as a synthetic agent of revolution. We then look at the rise of the alt-right and their political rhetoric. We talk about how it has now cool to be a right-winger, and how it is both counter culture and revolutionary to be right wing. We look at the role that the government may be playing in fomenting these so called revolutionary movements. The three of us also look at the rise of far right and far left groups and how they are both being manipulated into committing acts of violence. We explore the recent clashes in Berkeley and how it represents the devolution of political thought.
In the second hour Chuck and I rant about the collective passivity of American society. We talk about the decline in entertainment and how the lack of public outrage only feeds it. Chuck talks about the role that mass consumerism is playing and the threat that it poses to us. We expand this out into the political realm and explore how this has lead us to accept military airstrikes in Syria and elsewhere. Chuck and I also talk about the downfall and possible comeback of Bill O’Reily and the performance artist formerly known as Alex Jones. We also talk about the recent war of words with North Korea.
Tom Secker joins me to wrap up our series of episodes focusing on the sixth season of Homeland. We begin by discussing our thoughts on seeing Dar Adal behind bars (I was quite upset about this). We then move onto some of the major . We discuss what the overarching goals are for the CIA. Ideas and moments in the final two episodes. Tom and I discuss the significance of the show talking about the infamous Office of Policy Coordination and its role in the attempted assassination against the President Elect. We explore why the agency would want the show to mention this. Tom and I also dissect Saul’s assertion that they are fighting back against a CIA engineered coup. Tom talk’s about how this is an oft used plot device in CIA sponsored media. The agency has long glorified the violent revolution orchestrated by themselves. Tom and I ponder if this is one of the goals of this season. We also talk about how this season of Homeland has managed to mimic our current political system better than any other show to date. We touch on the fact that Donald Trump reversed course on all his promises at the same time that the fictional Homeland president does a similar reversal. We also touch on this seasons continued use of the concept of a deep state, and the idea that the CIA are the good guys fighting against it.
In the second hour Tom and I discuss the recent admission by Alex Jones’ lawyer that he is in fact nothing more than a performance artist. We talk about how in some ways this mimics the Brett O’Keefe character on Homeland. Tom and I talk about the impact that this will have on both the alt-media and politics in general. We touch on the idea that there is a reshuffling going on within sectors of the right-wing mainstream and alternative media. I finish off the episode by talking about the recent passing of Will Grigg, his legacy, and how we can help out his family.
Frequent guest Brian Heiss joins me for an in depth discussion of the current state of the media, and their continued legacy of manipulation and deception. We begin our conversation by dissecting the bogus news story that OJ Simpson is set to make a reality TV show with Casey Anthony. Brian and I discuss now the genesis of this story is a TMZ article that determined that an OJ reality show was actually impossible to make at this current time. Brian describes how this TMZ article became the source for numerous mainstream media articles making the false claim that the reality show indeed happening. We dive into how this fake news became a viral and is now entirely accepted as fact. Brian and I then move onto how the OJ trial built the foundation for this trend in media. We talk about several lies about the trial that have become accepted fact because of peoples emotional desires to believe something that fits their world view. We discuss productions such as The People vs OJ Simpson and OJ: Made in America and how they have continued to exploit lies in order to craft their own version of the truth.
In the second hour we expand out on this topic and look at the ways in which the media manipulates crime both here and abroad to fuel ratings and revenue. Brian and I use the OJ trial and the false allegations by people such as Jill Shivley as an analogy for the current push for war in Syria. We examine how emotions and not evidence drive both the public’s opinions about OJ and Bashar al Assad. Brian and I also look at the increased number of true crime documentaries that knowingly manipulate our emotions with lies and how this is affecting our entire criminal justice system. We speak about this rush to judgment and trial by media circus and it’s relationship to events such as the recent chemical attack in Syria.
In the first hour Tom Secker joins me to discuss the season premier of Homeland season six. We talk about the season reboot which has become a ubiquitous feature of Homeland. Tom and I begin by discussing our initial impressions of the season and where we think the show is going on a political and emotional level. Next we move onto one of the new and most interesting characters in the show, President-elect Elizabeth Keane, the junior Senator from New York. We talk about how this character is not a character of Hillary Clinton as we and any others predicted, but instead a much more complex character which in many ways is closer to Donald Trump. We discuss the ideas and politics that the CIA is putting forth in this new season. Tom and I talk about how the notion of the CIA plotting against the president-elect is not only a major story line in Homeland but also in real life vis-a-vis Trump and the CIA. The two of us also talk about the idea that this season of Homeland will retell and reinvent the story of Al Qaeda. We explore the possibility that this is the overarching story the CIA wants to put out the the public, and that a new form or wave of jihadi attacks may be in-store for the West.
In the second hour frequent guest Robbie Martin joins us to discuss some of the latest political and geopolitical events. We begin by exploring the childish discourse from both Trump and the media over the past several weeks. Next we talk about our opinions of the recent “intelligence report” claiming that Trump is a Russian Manchurian candidate. We talk about our thoughts on the possibility of violence erupting between Israel and Palestine. Robbie and I focus on some of the strange stories coming about of Israel including: Israeli jets bombing Damascus, and US officials warning Israel not to share intelligence with Trump. The Two of us discuss our feelings on increased rhetoric of the all powerful Russian state against our quaint democratic life in the US. Robbie and I touch on the recent commutation of Chelsea Manning and the possibility that Julian Assange will stand trial in America. We also talk about Glenn Greenwald’s recent use of the term Deep State. Robbie and I round out the conversation by discussing some of our fears overs Trump’s domestic policies.
On today’s episode I lay out my predictions for 2017. In the first hour I look at geopolitics and the places I think will be important in 2017. I begin by focusing on a possible resolution in Syria and how this may play out for the future. I also talk about a few other hot-spots in the middle east to pay attention to: Israel and Yemen. I discuss why these are both important for the future of the region and on a global scale. I also explore Asia, focusing on China and North Korea. I discuss how president Trump may handle these countries and how geopolitics and foreign policy will change under his administration. I also touch on the idea that the CIA will become even more bold and out of control under Trump.
In the second hour Chuck Ochelli (and Frankie) joins me for more 2017 predictions. We talk about where the alt-media is headed. Whether or not Wikileaks is actually going to release some bombshells this year. If Trump really knows any secrets about cyber security. The future of marijuana legalization and the drug war. Will comedy get better? And the possibility of Ivanka as First Lady.
The wait is finally over, Porkins Great Game is back! We begin by taking a look at the recent Parliamentary elections in Georgia. We break down how the elections turned out and analyze the results and what that may mean for the political future of Georgia. Christoph and I also touch on the most recent scandal in Georgia dealing with yet another leaked audio tape of Saakashvili. In our second segment we discuss the ongoing violence in Afghanistan as well as a ongoing peace negotiations. We begin with the recent peace deal between the government and famed heroin warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. We also break down the latest Taliban attack on the city of Kunduz and the wave of attacks in the south in Helmand provience. Christoph and I also analyze the latest Taliban/Kabul peace talks which has conspicuously left out Pakistan. For our final segment we talk all things Syria. We touch on the recent push for more direct US action from armchair generals such as Charles Lister. Christoph and I discuss the reality of what is going on in Aleppo as well as the threat of armed conflict between Russia and the United States.
In our Weird Terrorism section we talk about the strange case of Jabar al Bakr: the White Helmet humanitarian who tried to blow up the Berlin airport. We also talk about the recent death of Uzbek leader Islam Karimov.
My guest with week was the one and only Chuck Ochelli of The Ochelli Effect. Chuck and I had a wide ranging discussion about the current state of affairs here at home and around the world. We began by touching on the recent fall out from the Trump tapes and how this is being interpreted by the public. Chuck and I mention that the lawsuit against Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein for raping a 13 year old is no where to be seen. Chuck and I talk about the hypocrisy from both sides when it comes to talking about sexual violence. We also talk about how the neo-cons will be the big winners this election. Later we discuss how the rise of artificial intelligence and how this is being normalized in society and culture. Chuck and I talk about the recent statements from Bill Gates warning about the dangers of AI. In the second hour we expand on the AI discussion and move into the realm of surveillance. Chuck and I also touch on the recent coverage of Wikileaks and Julian Assange. We end by offering up some of our own solutions for the problems we face.
For this special episode on Porkins Great Game Christoph and I take at look at the recent coup attempt in Turkey. Christoph and I go through the main events of the coup and what went wrong for the coup plotters. We discuss a variety of theories related to the event including: was this staged by Erdgoan, is this due to a Russian realignment, was this a warning form the CIA/NATO? We also touch on the ongoing purge of he Gulen movement with in Turkey. We also discuss how this coup has been interpreted not only by MSM and alt-media but around the world.
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