FULL DISCLOSURE: I am no longer associated with Sibel Edmond, or BoilingFrogs/Newsbud. I think she is a con-artist and a petty and vindictive individual. If you want to know more about why I broke off all ties with Sibel you can find out more here:
On this edition of Traces of Reality Radio: Guillermo is joined by Sibel Edmonds, editor and publisher of Boiling Frogs Post, and Pearse Redmond, host of Porkins Policy Radio, to discuss the new media venture Newsbud. Sibel, Pearse, and Guillermo explain what sets Newsbud apart from the rest of the alternative media, and why a 100 percent reader-supported outlet is vitally necessary in today’s media landscape.
Also on the program: the curious case of Michael Scheuer and his marriage to the CIA’s “Queen of Torture” Alfreda Frances Bikowsky, the media’s overall silence on the issue, and why it matters.
On this week’s episode Traces of Reality’s contributing editor Danny Benavides joins us once again to discuss the mass disappearance in Iguala, narco-cartel reorganization and the prospect for a “Mexican Spring.” We begin the conversation by discussing what actually transpired last September in the city of Iguala, in southern Mexico. Danny explains who the Normalista students are and why, in fact, they were in Iguala. Danny and I explore the complex web of connections and familial relations between Iguala Mayor Jose Luis Abarca, his wife Maria de los Angeles Pineda and the Guerreros Unidos cartel, as well as the Mexican military. Danny breaks down how the mass disappearance, and the players involved, represent a microcosm of the endemic problems Mexico faces today. Later we discuss the reorganization of the narco chessboard that we have seen happening in the past few years. Danny explains how the arrests of high-level narco leaders and the destruction of large cartels like Sinaloa, La Familia, and Caballeros Templarios have led to the rise of smaller but equally effective cartels and drug gangs. Later Danny presents his own theory as to what may have happened to the missing 43 students. Unlike the official narrative that places blame solely on “rogue policemen” and Guerreros Unidos, Danny explains how this might actually be a diversion to distract people from a much larger conspiracy, possibly involving the military. We then explore the large-scale protests that have been taking place in Mexico, and whether or not these represent the beginning of a Mexican Spring. We discuss the similarities between these protests and the student protests of 1968, both of which involved agents provocateurs attempting to subvert and disrupt the movement. We end the podcast with a look at a recent Wall Street Journal article which revealed that US Marshals, disguised as Mexican troops, have been participating in operations with the Mexican military. While this is not too surprising, Danny and I explore what it really means — how this is yet another cog in the massive money-making scheme that is the illegal narcotics trade. This is a long podcast with lots of important facts, details, names and threads that require further investigation, so have pen and paper ready so you can continue this research for yourself.
For today’s episode I was joined by Traces of Reality contributing editor Danny Benevides. Danny and I had an extended conversation on some of the most recent events regarding the drug war south of the border. Danny explains what the vigilante movement in Michoacan, know as the autodefensas, is doing to combat the rising tide of cartel violence. We also explore how the autodefensas movement may be being co-opted by the new PRI government headed by Enrique Pena Nieto as well as foreign actors. Danny breaks down the history of the cartels in Michoacan state. Danny explains how La Famila splintered off into Los Caballeros Templarios, and how average citizens decided to take action against them. We also discuss the recent uptick in violence in the northern state of Tamaulipas and how this relates to the “capture” of Sinaloa cartel leader El Chapo. We round off the conversation by discussing actor Kevin Spacey’s $8 million dollar selfie with Pena Nieto and what this means for the future of Mexico.
On this episode of PPR we discuss the drug war with guest Guillermo Jimenez. Guillermo is the founder and editor of Traces of Reality where he hosts the TOR Radio podcast, as well as a contributor to Boiling Frogs Post, where he is the host of De-Manufacturing Consent.
Porkins Policy Review 