Podcast 311

Brian Williams and Truth. An Update Podcast that takes a foreign policy turn. As NBC News Anchor Brian Williams tries to maintain some credibility in the wake of his admission that he ‘conflated’ a helicopter he was in with another that received RPG and small arms ground fire in Iraq in 2003, veterans and viewers are furious with Williams. In a week in which a man was burned alive in a cage, and buried, Americans are concerned with the antics of a perfumed television presenter. Why do we expect integrity from television news? Much less journalism. For years, the line between entertainment and journalism has been blurring. Perhaps now people see it for what it really is. Meanwhile back on the ranch in the middle east, suicide bombings, and decapitations of hostages and prisoners aren’t apparently enough, so IS decided to put a captured Jordanian pilot in a cage, soak him in gasoline, burn him, then bury the cage with a bulldozer. Incredibly enough this provoked a theological discussion of whether such burnings are justified under Islamic Law. It was decided such barbarity is not acceptable, but the fact that it was even submitted as a theological question is instructive. What is to be done about the Islamic State? The Kurds will only go so far in defending Kurdish Iraq. The Jordanians are understandably angry, but are already asking for bullets, fuel, guns and American Forward Air Controllers in order to attack IS. Is America ready to send troops? The President has correctly described the IS as a death cult, with an Army. It seems, though, as if the United States is underestimating the Islamic State, which some say has a much deeper and stronger appeal to a base of young people world wide, and in the region. Eliminating it may take more than airstrikes and advisors. Now the question is what is he going to do about it? And in the Ukraine – a far more serious matter to the security of Western Europe – Russia is being presented with a peace offer this weekend, which may actually give Putin everything he wants. The end of sanctions in return for allowing Eastern Ukraine provinces self determination, and self government within Ukraine. This allows Russia to reactivate the separatists at any time as well as denying Kiev vital natural resources from these regions. It’s a win for Putin because it allows him to destabilize Kiev at will. Finally, what are the foreign policy ideas of the potential candidates for president in 2016? What are your concerns? Sponsored by X Government Cars and by Depotstar. 

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Podcast 213

The Haunted Diner. On the road again, heading back up 15 North from Flagstaff, Arizona to Butte, Montana. At a stop in Pocatello, Idaho a server at Elmer’s Diner informed me it was haunted. Hear the story and get a brief audio ‘tour’ of the kitchen and freezer where the offending spirit ‘lives’. It’s a big, wide country. That’s the message that is being continuously reinforced in this road trip covering Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. There is great diversity in our people, and our pursuits of happiness. There is still great untouched potential in The United States. When a person gets out and really sees the country, that potential is obvious. Too bad pundits, politicians, commentators and others are too busy flying in their private jets. They might be surprised by what they see. The ‘On The Road’ podcasts are being received very well, but to avoid every podcast being simply a ‘travelogue’ the effort to add topical content continues. The three big stories are Scottish efforts to break away from the British Commonwealth, the rapidly unraveling Obama ‘strategy’ to ‘degrade’ and ‘defeat’ ISIS, and the media’s penchant for making predictions about the election outcome, before it actually happens. The story line on the Scots is; The independence movement proves people are tired of ‘nation-states’ (even though the Scots are essentially forming a new one). Perhaps it suggests people are getting tired of federal governments attempting to control our lives; and when we have a vote, we vote to shut the federals up. It’s not funny, but the President’s troubles with the ISIS strategy are only just beginning. After the President promised ‘no troops on the ground in Iraq’, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is suggesting there could be troops in Iraq. Meanwhile, the US is sending troops into Africa to battle Ebola? Finally, more and more ‘pundits’ (the same people who fly around the country on private jets rather than get down among the people) are convinced the US Senate will change leadership in November. What did your momma say? “Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch!”. The Republicans need to win 6 senate seats, and 7 would be nice for a solid majority. Many of the key races they have to win are neck and neck. If Republicans want a wave, they’d best get all hands on deck to make it happen. Just sayin’. Finally a UFO encounter on a lonely dark road in Hamer, Idaho? Sponsored by Autonomous Cad. Thanks to Gamers Cafe and Casino in Butte, Montana for an awesome Chef’s Salad, and very fast (and free) WIFI. 

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