This month Associate Professor at Stockholm University Isa Blumi joined me to update the listeners on the dire situation in Yemen. We started off with the ongoing siege of Al Hudaydah. We then moved on to a discussion of the recent media coverage the war in the west. Isa talked about a recent AP article which documented Saudi and Emirati support for Al Qaeda. Isa pointed out how the article fails to mention Qatar’s involvement in Yemen and the political implications behind this omission. We also touched on the abhorrent coverage the recent school bus bombing by Democracy Now. Later we shifted gears for a discussion of Turkey’s role in the region. We talked about the recent elections and economic problems in Turkey. We also touched on the status of the Gulen Movement, NATO-Turkish operations in Syria, and what Erdogan’s next geopolitical will be.
This week my guests are Ed Opperman and Brian Heiss. First, we covered the latest development in the #MeToo saga: the allegations that Asia Argento abused actor Jimmy Bennet. We discussed who may have leaked this to the New York Times and why. We also touched on the complexities of sexual abuse, and how many victims go on to victimize. The conversation then shifted to the recent Pennsylvania Attorney General report which investigated rampant sexual abuse in the state’s Catholic Church. We talked about our own experiences growing up Catholic. And the culture of abuse within the church and the disturbing levels to which the clergy covered this up.
In the second hour we took aim at Pope Francis and his record of hypocrisy in the mishandling child sex abuse. We touched on Francis’ protection of Cardinal Pell, his former number three at the Vatican, who is now facing charges of child abuse. I also mentioned that Francis presided over the funeral of disgraced Boston Cardinal Bernard Law. We also explored the culture of abuse within the church and the Vatican. Ed and I also explored whether these pedophile priests are men of God or using the cloth to gain access to vulnerable minors. Finally, we closed out with some breaking news on Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort.
NOTE: I got confused when talking about Yashar Ali. Ali was the person who dug up old pictures of Chelsea Manning hanging out with Jack Posobiec, Cassandra Fairbanks, Lucian Wintrich, and others.
The Author of The War State takes questions from listeners and talks about the pressures from other national markets on the U.S. economy. What effect is Trump having on business in general? Is there a silent inflation built into the current situation?
The crazy world of Elon Musk is in the news. What can the crashes of the past tell us about the future?
Second hour Pearse Redmond takes on Qanon, what the MSM isn’t talking about, and much more. Is there a cage match in the future for the reality TV fool in the Whitehouse and his former apprentice? What does Pearse think of the latest on the performance artist formerly known as Alex Jones?
Is everyone enjoying the show? Is the real Turkey something we should name Trump?
This week I discussed the recent banning of Alex Jones on several tech platforms from two different perspectives. In the first hour Robbie Martin joined me to discuss the negative aspects of this. We talked about the dangers of censorship and what this may mean for the future of alternative media. Then we addressed the latest on the ever evolving Qanon saga. Robbie and I inquired how this may be related to the banning of Jones.
In the second hour Jon Gold joined me to talk about why Alex Jones got what he deserved. We discuss why Apple, Facebook, and other companies were justified in banning Jones from using their platforms. Jon discussed Jones’ history as a 9/11 and conspiracy profiteer, and his recent lawsuit against Sandy Hook victims. We talked about the dangers of social media. Jon and I also touched on patriotism in sports and why we, personally, can’t watch football and baseball anymore.
Christoph and I are back! After a long hiatus we have returned with a jam packed episode. In the first segment we discuss the bizarre “bomb plot” to attack the recent MEK Summit in Paris. Then we explore the allegations that this was orchestrated by the Iranian government and the bogus claims by the West and Israel about a network of sleeper cells across Europe. We then turn to a discussion about those swept up in the investigation–including an Iranian diplomat from Austria.
In the second segment Christoph and I break down the recent NATO summit in Brussels. We focus mainly on how this impacts Germany. Trump demanded that NATO countries devote 4% GDP to NATO, also stated that Germany is too close with Russia.
For the third segment we continue discussing Germany. We talk about the rise of the Gulen movement. Christoph explains how this has manifested after the failed coup in Turkey. We also touch on the whereabouts a several key plotters of the coup who are allegedly being protected in Berlin.
In our final segment we take a in-depth look at the recent election in Turkey. We discuss how Erdogan and his coalition partners with in the ultra-nationalist MHP swept the country. The rise of the ultra-nationalism within the Turkey may have a dangerous impact. We discuss MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s recent calls for the release of two prominent ultra-nationalist mob bosses, as well as the founder of the Grey Wolves taking a seat in parliament. We finish this segment by touching on recent joint operations between Turkey and U.S. in Northern Syria.
We close out with our traditional “weird terrorism” section. I talk about the return of Afghanistan’s Vice President, Abdul Rashid Dostum, from self imposed exile in Turkey, which resulted from assault and rape charges. Christoph shares an interesting interview of a former U.S. Army sniper who fought alongside the KLA in the 90’s on behalf of a foreign defense ministry.
In the first hour I go solo and talk about the recent elections in Pakistan and Imran Khan’s rise to power. I talk about Khan’s political party and how they they were able to take 116 seats in Parliament and elevate Khan to Prime Minister. I discuss Khan’s colorful life as well. I also discuss my major takeaways from the election: why the military backed Khan, how Khan will interact with the Taliban going forward, and the complex relationship with China and their China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. I also address the question over whether Khan is Pakistan’s Donald Trump.
In the second hour Kevin Gosztola joins me to talk about the strange case of James A Wolfe who has been accused of lying to the FBI about conversations he had journalists. Kevin explains why the FBI is going after the former head of security for the Senate Intelligence Committee, and the larger implications behind this case. We discuss the indictment against him and the extreme measures the FBI has taken against journalist Ali Watkins. Kevin talks about Watkins career and the troubling fact that the FBI seized years worth of her phone, email, and text records. Later we talk about Watkins three year relationship with Wolfe and the nasty way in which the media has discussed this salacious aspect of the case.
This week my guest is comedian and activist Sam Spadino. Sam recently made headlines for getting thrown out of a Trump rally in Duluth for holding up a picture of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein with the caption, “Who is Jeffrey Epstein?” Sam and I talk about the day in question and what it was like. We discuss the sentiment at the rally and the strange announcements made about how to deal with protesters. Sam explains how he got the signs in and the experience of making eye contact with the president while holding up the picture. Sam talks about the media attention the protest received. We talk about how Fox news covered this story and the less than polite way they spoke about Sam and his hair. Sam also address the negative comments he has received from Trump supporters. Later Sam and I talk about the importance of exposing Epstein and his friends in high places. We also present the reasons for why we think real progress can be made regarding this issue. I finish off by touching on Alex Jones’ recent absurd claim that Mueller is protecting Epstein, and his desire to duel him politically.
In the first hour JP Sottile joins me to break down the recent Trump-Putin Summit in Helsinki. We start off with Trump’s recent reversal on comments he made stating that Russia didn’t interfere with the election. JP and I then get into the press conference itself and pick apart some of the major takeaways. JP talks about Bill Browder and Putin’s allegations about him and Hillary Clinton. We also talk about the strange “dry mouth” that Trump appeared to have during the presser and explore Trump’s possible health problems. I also ask JP about his strange comments regarding Israel. JP offers up his own analysis of this, diving into the geopolitics of Syria and Russia. We finish off by talking about the possibility that the US is seriously planning regime change in Iran. JP and I focus on the recent actions of the MEK, the bogus bomb plot in Paris, and Russia’s desire to ensure that Iran is not an energy powerhouse in the region.
In the second hour Aaron Franz joins me to discuss Elon Musk’s latest PR disaster. We talk about his insane tweets accusing diver Vern Unsworth of being a pedo, and his disastrous attempt to save the Thai soccer team with a mini-submarine. Aaron and I explore Musk’s cult of personality and his savior complex. We discuss the concept that Musk is both a modern day super hero and villain. Aaron talks about the hyperreailty of Musk and the Marvel Universe as well. We finish off the conversation touching on insane billionaire in general and the strange place they hold in our society.
In the first hour Paul Wright of the Human Rights Defense Center and Prison Legal News joins me to discuss prisoner rights. We talk about the current state of America’s 2.5 million incarcerated individuals and the tremendous hardships they face. Paul talks about the legacy of Prison Legal News and how it represents one of the only truly independent media outlets talking about the prison system. Paul discusses PLN’s fight against the Florida Department of Corrections bogus attempts to censor and ban PLN from their jails and prisons. We also discuss the reality of the private prison system, life threatening conditions due to the recent heat wave, and actions by ICE. Paul also touches on the police state we are currently in that criminalizes poverty.
In the second hour Kevin Gosztola of Shadow Proof joins me once again to discuss the Reality Winner case. Kevin breaks down Winner’s recent plea agreement which will have her serving over 5 years in federal prison. We talk about the extremely harsh sentence and what this means for whistleblowers in the future. Kevin and I talk about the media’s complete lack of coverage of Winner’s plea agreement. Kevin also talks about the governments purist of whistleblowers James Wolfe and Terry Albury. Kevin explains how Trump could build upon tools laid out by Obama, like National Insider Threat Policy, to pursue whistleblowers. We finish off by discussing why Democrats and the left are so hesitant to defend Reality Winner.
We speak in the first hour with long-time-listener Regular Joe. It is somewhat troublesome to attempt a conversation with a Trump supporter. Joe and family go to the dentist and find that families are strangers next to each other. It is often a good thing to unplug. Joe also gives tips on how to avoid a pointless conversation feedback loop. Social media may be video games designed for people with no skills.
Pearse Redmond, also known as Porkins, appears in the second hour. Chuck and Pearse would both like a ticket back to the real timeline they came from. Is it 1984? Why do right wing celebrities suck? President Trump is exactly the damaged idiot to lead a parade of damaged idiots. Is this why David Bowie was “Afraid of Americans”? After sorting through and separating fake news from filler, it is easy to get exhausted.
Two hours with two friends from the show. We all urge you to be fearless. Big brother is not to be embraced. War is not peace. He who controls the present does control the past. He who controls the past may indeed control the future. Chuck believes we have the option to write it all ourselves or allow others to write and edit it all for us.
Porkins Policy Review 