Podcast 315

The Gathering Storm. Updating the big stories, starting with foreign affairs. While people in the Upper Midwest and Boston are slipping and sliding through their commute, so apparently is the foreign policy of the Obama Administration. A president who said in September ‘there will be no boots on the ground’ when he announced a bombing campaign that would ‘degrade and destroy’ the Islamic State, now wants a new authorization from congress to use force in western Iraq. Is this an admission that the policy of airstrikes has not been successful? While the White House version of the force authorization only calls for special forces, and troops for specific purposes and not a general invasion, wait’ll we see what Congress ends up adding. In the Eastern Ukraine, a president who claimed economic sanctions would eventually force the Russians to end their misadventure there, now is reportedly considering arming Ukrainians. Putin has played the economic sanctions, which have hurt the Russian people, to gain public support for his effort in the Donetsk region. Moreover, whether right or wrong, Russians regard Ukraine as Russia. Kiev was the origin of Russia going back to the 10th century. When Ted Cruz, John McCain and Robert Menendez agree, its very possible so called ‘lethal aid’ will be shipped to Ukraine. Is this wise? What was the start of the current stand off. When did the US lose its way in Europe? Now what? Seems like the President may just decide to pull back and run out the clock, leaving all of this to the next President. Meanwhile, the Europeans are in conference with Ukrainian leadership, and Russian diplomats and they don’t want any arms shipments messing up their deal with Putin, in which Putin pretty much gets what he wants; The federalization of Eastern Ukraine, giving him the ability to destabilize a Ukrainian rump state whenever he chooses. Let’s not forget the province in question also has some pretty valuable natural resources and a land bridge to Crimea. Is this a good recipe for world economic growth? What if foreign policy turns out to be the big issue of 2016? Do you know what the Republican and Democrat foreign policy will be? It’s really important people start talking to each other about their values, working to knit those values together into some kind of political idea that can then be worked into concepts that are more than just rhetorical flourish. Don’t expect others to do your work for you. And if people do vote for someone with simply emotionally appealing ideas; they will get the so called leader they deserve. Sponsored by X Government Cars. 

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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 288 – Sunny Lohmann

Sunny Lohmann. Political Humorist Sunny Lohmann from Sunny TV is back in the saddle after welcoming her daughter into the world and moving to … California. Yes. California where the American flag flies and it is warm all the time. Or so Sunny says. Sunny talks about how Cali is different from Minnesota, and not just when it comes to the weather. While Minnesotans operate on shame, California has something called ‘humble bragging’. Californians brag about how much time and money they donate to causes, while Minnesotans are reluctant to show their wealth (if they have any). Should you give homeless people money? (Editor’s Note: And yes, a new story about Burlap Man … a homeless man in Chicago.) What has Sunny been doing since last winter? How does raising a child effect video production? This was a week in which terrible news broke concerning the massacre terror attack at the French Satire Magazine, Charlie Hebdo, which comes up in this podcast, especially Hollywood’s reaction. Sunny is very interested in Hollywood’s Golden Globes Awards show, and Bob and Sunny have favorite TV shows and movies up for awards. Sunny and Bob Davis also get serious talking about terror, Sunny’s discussion of Islam on Sunny TV and the reaction to it, and her plans for Sunny TV going forward. Sunny talks about her baby’s colic and co-sleeping. What are Sunny’s top stories of 2014, moving into the New Year. What about The President’s planned ‘security conference’ in reaction to the Paris attacks? Sunny has a solution to Obama Care, discusses gas prices (and new gas taxes) in Minnesota and California. Will low gas prices last? Should the President take credit for them? And what about shows nominated for Golden Globes, as Hollywood breathes a sigh of relief on the heels of the Sony Hack and Charlie Hebdo. Does Hollywood have any guts? What would happen if Putin invaded the United States? Finally, who are the best candidates for President in 2016, and Sunny’s reaction to the effort to unseat Speaker of The House John Boehner. What movies has Sunny seen (She’s a new mom, so not many), some of the new stars and new shows, why Bob is glad Sons of Anarchy is off the air (Is a bad TV show a crime against society?) and is Game of Thrones real? Catch up with Sunny and Bob to start your week. Sponsored by X Government Cars and Depot Star. 

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