Podcasts about bob schlehuber

Aaron Good, political scientist and host of the American Exception podcast on Patreon, joins us to talk about the Ghislaine Maxwell trial and how it could be considered something of a distraction to redirect people's attention away from the larger function she and Jeffrey Epstein may have been serving for the national security state. We talk about the connections to the intelligence apparatus of the U.S. and how these agencies always serve the interests of the rich and a transnational core of power that acts without impunity. Morgan Artyukhina, writer and news editor at Sputnik News, talks to us about the reports that the COVID-19 Omicron variant is sweeping through the Washington, DC region, with an average of 1,192 new cases per day over the past seven days, and 169 cases per 100,000 people as of Monday, making it the highest-risk place in the nation for covid infections. We talk about the measures, or half measures, put in place to allegedly mitigate this crisis here and in the country and how it seems that limiting contagion has taken a back seat to vaccinations. Eugene Puryear, journalist, author, activist, politician, host at Breakthrough News, and author of "Shackled and Chained: Mass Incarceration in Capitalist America,” joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the situation in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, how the TPLF has been pushed back to the Tigray region and the chances of finally resolving this conflict. We also talk about the evolving media coverage and how it seems that the pro-TPLF stance is slowly being discarded, and about the history of U.S. involvement in the Horn of Africa. Femi Ayanbadejo, certified nutritionist, human performance expert, NASA technology transfer partner, founder and CEO of HealthReel, a digital self-health assessment and education platform, and former NFL running back and special teams player, talks to us about the legacy of NFL legend Joe Madden, COVID-19 and the NBA, Shohei Ohtani winning the Male Athlete of Year award, and the ongoing MLB lockout.

Dr. Yolandra Hancock, board-certified pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist, joins us to discuss Biden's new plan to battle the Omicron variant as it sweeps the nation and has people on their toes as we officially enter the winter season. We talk about the plan to distribute 500 million tests by next month and whether this timeline will be sufficient to make a dent in the spread of the virus. We also talk about how workers are not being financially protected by temporary closures of businesses during this spike after emergency assistance was discontinued a few months ago, and how this may lead to people taking more risks to ensure their financial needs, further worsening the spread. Dr. Caroline Light, is a professor and researcher at Harvard University specializing in gender, critical race and ethnic studies, and author of "Stand Your Ground: A History of America's Love Affair with Lethal Self Defense.” Michael Harriot is a senior writer at TheRoot.com, where he covers the intersection of race, politics, and culture. They both join us to talk about the case of DJ Broadus, who was killed by Gardner Fraser in Florida in February 2018 after being shot four times at close range, twice after he had fallen to the ground, and how Fraser was not charged with homicide due to “stand your ground” laws in place in that state. We talk about the evolution of these laws, the intersection of class and race in these cases, and what could be done to change them.Ray Baker, political analyst and professor at Towson University, and Nookie Bishop, host of the Digital Gumbo Podcast, join hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the legal maneuvers the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department is engaged in to keep its officers of their force who have been charged with misconduct, DUIs, domestic abuse, and indecent exposure. We also talk about Kamala Harris's exchange with Charlamagne tha God and the ensuing meltdown, the end of the Kellogg's strike and how people are praising it as a huge win for workers, and the Democrats' indifference to the failure of the passage of the “Build Back Better” plan.

Luis Gárate, journalist and director of Comunicambio, an independent news media organization based in Perú, joins us to talk about results of the presidential run off election in Chile over the weekend, which brought a resounding win to a leftist former student organizer Gabriel Boric over right wind candidate José Antonio Kast. We also talk about Boric's campaign, pinning the blame for stratification and poverty on the neoliberal system brutally implemented in the 1970s and his promises to end it in the country, how Chile is undergoing deep political polarization and specific domestic issues that may make challenging the hegemonic system internationally a difficult proposition, and how the pushback from the U.S. and local elites may hamstring his domestic proposals. Lucy Komisar, investigative journalist focusing on corporate and financial corruption on thekomisarscoop.com, joins us to talk about a recent report that pored over financial disclosures from members of Congress and their connections to Wall Street that found that dozens of congresspeople and hundreds of staffers violated conflicts-of-interest laws, from investments in healthcare companies, military contractors, cryptocurrencies, and using non-public information as insider trading for their benefit. We also talk about Nancy Pelosi's response about the ethics of allowing lawmakers to trade stocks while in office, using the “free market economy” justification, and what could be done to fix this. Parisa Norouzi, executive director of Empower DC, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about Washington D.C. schools closing as the omicron variant of COVID-19 slams the Capital region, with D.C. reporting the highest single-day total of new coronavirus cases since March 2020, and Maryland reporting that 1,257 people had been hospitalized with the virus, more than double the rate of 581 people this time last month. We also talk about the impacts of destroying homeless encampments by DC Mayor Muriel Boswer as DC's cold winter is around the corner, and how foreign investments across the United States are dramatically changing the real estate landscape and making access to affordable housing even more difficult.

Ruth Anna Buffalo, member of the North Dakota House of Representatives and first Native American Democratic woman elected to the North Dakota Legislature, and citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, joins us to talk about a report revealing that that there has been an 86.5 percent growth in the Native population in the US between the 2010 and 2010 census, with more people self-identifying as indigenous. We talk about the implications of these changes, and how there could be some positive outcomes from this, as it could signify growing political power, but also the issues associated with quantifying and assigning identity, which delves into a long standing and complex issue dealing with the concept of race, belonging, and culture that has its roots with the dispossession and disenfranchisement of native communities in the U.S.Matthew Telles, Instacart driver and organizer, joins us to talk about news that the company DoorDash is opening a new location in New York City, where it's moving away from the contractor model and designating its workers as full time employees in the subsidiary company known as DashCorps. We talk about how this could be considered a small victory for workers, since they will now be entitled a guaranteed wage, albeit a low one, and benefits usually denied to gig workers in the industry across the country, and whether we will see similar moves in other app-based companies. Jamal Muhammad, host of the Luv Lounge radio show and the Old School Lunch Bag Mix on Square 1 radio, and Bomani Armah, hip-hop artist and educator, join hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about thousands of students getting sick with COVID-19 and more quarantined just days before the winter break, as D.C. Public Schools is dealing with a coronavirus outbreak, and a new bill introduced in Oklahoma that takes aim at the 1619 Project and which looks to dictate how the history of slavery is taught across the state.

Kim Ives, editor of the English section of Haiti Liberté, joins us to talk about the terrible tragedy that took place in Haiti this week, where at least 62 people have been killed and dozens injured after a tanker transporting gasoline exploded in Cap-Haitien, how fuel shortages played a role in this incident, with people lining up to collect fuel directly from the truck, and how precarity can lead people to take more risks to secure essential supplies. We also talk about new reports related to the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, and how he allegedly kept lists of prominent politicians and public figures that were connected to the drug trade and how this may have played a part in his killing. Maru Mora Villalpando, founder of La Resistencia, community organizer and immigrant activist, talks to us about the new proposal spearheaded by Vice President Kamala Harris, where she announced that corporations like Pepsi and Cargill will make multi-billion dollar investments in Central America to allegedly “solve” the root causes of immigration there. We talk about how this is neither a novel nor the right solution to the issue, since this further entrenches the cycle of labor exploitation for companies that have already been there and have either eroded or destroyed labor and environmental regulations that, in fact, may be one of the main drivers of immigration. Shane Stranahan, co-host of Faultines on Radio Sputnik, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about a new study published by Cornell University which argues that we may be at an actual “tipping point” where no issue imaginable can unite Republicans and Democrats again, with political polarization at an all-time high. We talk about the methodology used and how constraints on framing issues within a two-party system and our economic paradigm can reinforce current political deadlock and undermine potential avenues for cooperation. Bryan Weaver, founder and executive director of Hoops Sagrado, talks to us about Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors breaking records, Enes Kanter Freedom's political postures, and widespread sexual harassment in the Washington Football Team workplace.

Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo, professor of public health at College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA, joins us to talk about the response to the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, which is rapidly spreading around the world and just made landfall in the U.S. We talk about how there has not been a consistent response to Omicron across the board, and whether it really is more contagious than the Delta variant. We also talk about how we will have to learn with spikes and new variants in the foreseeable future, how healthcare costs keep rising in the U.S., and what could be done about it. Alan MacLeod, senior staff writer for MintPress News, author, journalist, media analyst and member of the Glasgow University Media Group, joins us to tell us about the intersection of Silicon Valley, the national security state and the Open Technology Fund, which bills itself as an independent provider of privacy apps, but is actually funded and controlled by the United States Agency for Global Media, a government body responsible for overseeing U.S.-funded state media outlets overseas, including Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, and how these apps are used to advance U.S. interests abroad and destabilize governments they consider to be enemies. David Swanson, activist, journalist, radio host and author of the book "Curing Exceptionalism," talks to us about how the Pentagon "cover-up" in the Kabul drone killing of a family continues, with the news that no U.S. troops will be punished for deadly Kabul strike, how impunity is rampant in the military, and war crimes accusations only apply to our opponents. We also talk about the strike force Talon Anvil, which operated in Syria from 2014 to 2019 and is responsible for countless civilian deaths and how the burden of responsibility gets shifted across the board. Roz White, award winning actress, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the play “Seven Guitars,” and the journey of each of the characters through the music, through the hope, and through the pain that links them all together.

John Kiriakou, co-host of The Backstory on Radio Sputnik, joins us to talk about the curious case of Operation Whistle Pig, where a reporter was contacted by a potential source, only to be revealed later that this “source” was actually planting information and had mined data on the reporter in order to vet her. We talk about how the FBI eventually got involved and eventually revealed a wide web of surveillance that goes beyond this particular case, and how this story up-ends perceptions about whistleblowing, the objectives of certain leakers, and how government agencies deal with cases like these. Dan Kovalik, author and human rights and labor lawyer, joins us to talk about the annoying tensions between the U.S., Russia, Ukraine, the EU and NATO, and how we sometimes need to look beyond the bluster portrayed in the media, which has been inflating the risks over a war in the region. We talk about how despite the media bombast which has portrayed Biden and NATO standing fast in their demands in the region, there has been a recognition of grievances by Russia and the rebel regions despite Ukraine requesting more Western involvement. We also talk about the school shooting in Oxford, Michigan, and the legal fallout so far, and the labor struggle at Kellogg's, where workers are continuing their strike after failed negotiations with management.Mitchell Plitnick, political analyst, writer and president of ReThinking Foreign Policy, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the ongoing negotiations over the nuclear deal with Iran taking place in Vienna, the ups and downs that have seen them almost fall apart, but that now seem to be taking a more positive note. We also talk about the visit of Israeli PM Naftali Bennett to the United Arab Emirates, as the two countries seek to deepen ties following the Abraham Accords and will likely discuss Iran's nuclear program, as well as the Israeli government labeling six Palestinian NGOs as terrorist groups and how this is yet another effort to destroy Palestinian civil society.

Julian Assange at risk of extradition as judge sides with U.S. How the U.S. prosecutes whistleblowers under the pretext of national security.Nebiyu Asfaw, co-founder of the Ethiopian American Development Council, joins us to talk about the ongoing situation in the conflict in Ethiopia, as the Ethiopian National Defense forces have been able to make gains against the Tigray People's Liberation Front and have now recaptured Kombolcha and Dessie, along with a host of other towns across the Amhara state, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Lalibela. We talk about the work that the Ethiopian diaspora in the U.S. has done to reveal the truth about the conflict despite widespread media disinformation that has sided mostly with the TPLF narrative, the importance of independent voices to understand the situation on the ground, and what needs to be done to ensure that peace is achieved in this conflict. Peter Oliver, journalist and RT correspondent in Berlin, talks to us about inflammatory policy statements by the new German government about current tensions related to NATO, nuclear weapons, Russia, Ukraine, and China, with the incoming Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stating that there would be a high price to pay for any invasion of Ukraine, that Germany was considering boycotting the Beijing Olympics, and contemplating a nuclear armed Germany in the future. We also talk about the certification of Nord Stream 2 under the new German government, and whether this project will languish in this new government, as well as Biden's phone call with President Putin and whether there is any real possibility of an invasion of Ukraine and a regional conflict. Kevin Gosztola, journalist, writer for Shadowproof.com and co-host of the podcast Unauthorized Disclosure, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to discuss the case of Julian Assange, which now sees him closer to being extradited to the U.S. over hacking allegations and violations of the Espionage Act after a U.K. judge sided with the U.S. in an appeal over concerns of his mental health and potential imprisonment in the U.S., and how this is a reality check of the U.S. government's commitment to free speech and a free press as the Biden administration holds a democracy summit at the White House.

Leela Anand, organizer with the ANSWER Coalition, joins us to talk about the current situation in Myanmar, after a military court issues the first of many sentences condemning Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in detention, which was immediately reduced to two years. We also talk about other measures that the military have taken against other opposition figures, what this means for the future of democracy in Myanmar, and about the lawsuit filed against Facebook by Rohingya refugees over the promotion of hate speech. John Ross, author and economist, a senior fellow of the Chongyang Institute at Renmin University of China, talks to us about how the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization found that global food commodity prices have risen 27.3% on the year, whether supply chain issues are the main driver of these price hikes, and whether price controls could be a solution or exacerbate the problem.Sean Michael Love, founder and editor-in-chief of Black House News, and Chuck Modiano, justice journalist and sports writer at Deadspin, join hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about increases in car crash deaths in 2020 and 2021, how some experts say that behavior on the road is likely a reflection of widespread feelings of isolation, loneliness and depression in the broader society, and how these may also be the drivers for increasing homicide rates. We also talk about the state of protests in the United States and how it feels like the country finds itself in a bit of a lull, and the case of Antwan Gilmore. Guy McPherson, scientist, professor emeritus of natural resources, ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, talks to us about President Biden's plan to make the government carbon neutral by 2050, the merits of the measures outlined in the proposal, whether they'll actually result in a carbon neutral government by 2050, and how even if this is feasible. The 2050 goal post could prove to be too late to mitigate the destructive effects of climate change.

Laith Marouf, international affairs analyst and media law consultant, joins us to discuss the White House's new U.S. Government Strategy on Countering Corruption, which has been billed as the first of its kind and a commitment to supporting good governance around the world. We talk about how these claims fall flat in the face of the reality of institutionalized corruption with the U.S. government itself, with the public service to private industry pipeline, which sees politicians enter lobbying firms once they quit Congress, the outsized influence of wealthy donors in elections after the Citizens United decision, gerrymandering, voter suppression, the way the U.S. supports and influences other governments that engage in corrupt practices, and how soft power institutions like the NED and USAID end up cementing U.S. corporate interests abroad with no regard to democratic practices. We also talk about the meeting between Biden and Putin, the growing tensions in Ukraine and threats of further sanctions on Russia.Ted Rall, award-winning political cartoonist, columnist, and author, his latest book is "The Stringer", and co-host of the DMZ America podcast, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the “democratization” of drone use in conflict zones around the world, that has seen fighters and militants take advantage of the technology which is increasingly easier to acquire. We also talk about a United Kingdom senior desk officer at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office who is now being called a whistleblower after speaking out on the UK Foreign Office's handling of the Afghan evacuation, and reports of US officials using vaccine donations for political favors abroad after accusing other countries of engaging in similar practices.Justin Williams, co-host of Redspin Sports, talks to us about the Biden administration formally announcing that the US will enact a diplomatic boycott of the games as a protest against the alleged human rights violations of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang by the Chinese government, whether we will see a full boycott of the games, and what this means for increasing tensions between China and the U.S.

Dr. Sheila Vakharia, Deputy Director of Research and Academic Engagement for the Drug Policy Alliance, joins us to discuss the news of New York City opening two safe injection sites, one in East Harlem and the other in Washington Heights, which are the first of their kind in the nation and look to deliver on saving lives, saving money, and increasing public health and safety writ large. We also talk about the pushback against these sites, which some argue may encourage drug use, and how this represents a misunderstanding of harm reduction strategies that strive to look at and treat addiction from a public health perspective and not a criminal one. Juan José Gutiérrez, immigration lawyer and executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition, talks to us about how the Biden administration is expanding the use of for-profit detention facilities for immigrants, and how this represents yet another broken campaign promise that has left migrants in the lurch and keeps entrenching a two-tiered justice system in the country. We also talk about the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which the Biden administration promised to rescind, but now is back in place after several state lawsuits, and how it has now been expanded to not only include Latino immigrants, but immigrants from Haiti, as well. Jon Jeter, author and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist with more than 20 years of journalistic experience, former Washington Post bureau chief and award-winning foreign correspondent on two continents, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the tools the U.S. government is using to track down people involved in the January 6 Capitol insurrection, and how it's setting off alarm bells for some people who warn that the use of this kind of bulk data collection and facial recognition software could go beyond identifying these rioters and further expand the surveillance state. We also talk about Twitter announcing a rule change to prevent people's private images from being shared, unless those images are of public figures, and how debt collectors are now contacting people through social media.

Maurice Cook, executive director and lead organizer at Serve Your City, joins us to talk about the homelessness crisis in Washington, DC, and the failure of city officials to address it, which this week saw DC police and DC government officials using heavy machinery to clear a local park of tents that people had been living in. We talk about how the collusion between city officials and real estate developers that have purposely ignored the housing crisis in the city, and how half-hearted attempts at providing affordable housing have made the city inaccessible to working class people. Chris Smalls, organizer and former-Amazon warehouse worker, tells us about the ongoing labor struggles at Amazon, which saw a small victory this week when the Attorney General of New York filed a motion for an injunction against Amazon to reinstate workers and address health and safety concerns at their fulfillment centers. We also talk about a report by the Strategic Organizing Center that found that despite announcing in October 2020 that it had found nearly 20,000 COVID-19 cases nationally among its employees, Amazon only reported only 27 cases to OSHA. Sharon Anderson, attorney and business consultant, former law school professor and lecturer at Howard Law, joins us to discuss the fight for reproductive rights in the U.S., with the Supreme Court hearing arguments over Mississippi's 15-week abortion ban, and how it seems to be that the restriction itself will very likely be allowed to stand. We talk about the fallout should this precedent be set, how it will negatively affect women's rights, and how it threatens to undermine the legitimacy of the court. Jeff Pearce, writer and historian, and Simon Tesfamariam, organizer, writer, and analyst at the New Africa Institute, join hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia and the range of people who are spoiling peace efforts, from Twitter to the US government, to think tanks, government officials, and retired ambassadors, by taking a pro-TPLF stance, and the way forward negotiate a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Indigenous voices speak on environmental protection and reclaiming political power. What lies ahead in the fight for native rights.John Kane, Mohawk activist and educator, producer and Host of the Let's Talk Native Podcast, and co-host of Resistance Radio on WBAI Pacifica Radio NY joins the Misfits to talk about the indigenous response to COP26 and the final Glasgow Agreement, which the Indigenous Environmental Network has called “disastrous”, as it locks the world into another decade of false solutions, colonialism, and violence against the earth. We talk about the Biden administration allowing a huge oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico, along with other leases in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and other Western states early next year, and how these conferences among elites amount to mere greenwashing as the clock ticks towards climate catastrophe. We also talk about the present and future of protest, particularly indigenous directed protests, the 52nd anniversary of the occupation of Alcatraz Island by native students, and how actions like the Line 3 protests continue this tradition and pave the way for future activism.Ruth Buffalo, member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, and Mary Kunesh, member of the Minnesota State Senate talk to us about how the idea of having sovereign or semi-sovereign tribal nations within the United States seems like an unusual proposition to the general population in the country, how the US government could be a better partner to tribal governments, and what it means to have more indigenous representatives on both sides of these discussions. We also talk about the debate around land use, and how decisions about land use are made, the attention being paid to indigenous-led environmental protection, and to the moral and legal authority native nations have in calling for the end to some major, high profile extraction projects that affect tribal land.Josh Gomez, producer for By Any Means Necessary, John Kirakou, co-host of the Backstory Cordell Woodland, producer for Faultlines, and Dr. Wilmer Leon, co-host of the Critical Hour, join Bob Schlehuber to tell us what they are thankful for and not thankful for in the world of news, politics and culture.

Richard Becker, author of "Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire" joins us to discuss the ongoing campaign against the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which saw a local newspaper in Arkansas threatened with a withdrawal of advertising from a local company due to a state law that asks businesses to pledge not to support any boycotts of Israel. We talk about the pervasiveness of such laws, with 30 states having laws similar to the one Arkansas passed in 2017, and whether we are starting to see some resistance to knee-jerk support for Israel. Katherine Rahill, Senior Scientist for the Office of the Chief Scientist of NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) at Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, joins us to talk about the news of NASA's DART mission attempting to manually alter the course of an asteroid by smashing a spacecraft into it at high speeds to test a defense mechanism against wayward asteroids that may threaten Earth. We also discuss the prospects of the mission's success and whether we will see a planetary defense system in the future.Mohamed Elmaazi, journalist and contributor to numerous outlets including Jacobin, The Canary, The Grayzone, and The Real News, talks to us about the dangerous implications of a new Nationality and Borders bill currently moving through the British House of Commons, which would allow the government to remove a person's citizenship without having to give them notice so long as it is deemed in the public interest or the interests of national security. We discuss the impact this bill could have not only on naturalized immigrants, but citizens born in the UK as well. Esther Iverem, multidisciplinary author and independent journalist, host of "On The Ground: Voices of Resistance From the Nation's Capital" on Pacifica Radio, and founding member of DC Poets Against the War, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about a jury awarding $26 million in the Charlottesville "Unite the Right" rally civil case, the latest developments in Ethiopia, and two examples of how American society and our judicial system are not designed to rehabilitate people.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Shane Stranahan talk about Germany's new coalition government and leader, Andrew Cuomo fighting off accusations of sexual misconduct, and Biden's fight to reinstate vaccine mandates for workers after OSHA rejected the plan.Guests:Peter Oliver - RT Correspondent | New Era Of Germany Begins With Merkel On Her Way OutTed Rall - Political Cartoonist | NY Assembly Reports "Excessive Evidence" of Cuomo's GuiltBob Schlehuber - Co-Host of Political Misfits | Ethiopians Catch Mainstream Media in LieKim Iversen - Host of The Kim Iversen Show | OSHA Shoots Down Biden's Vax MandateIn the first hour Peter Oliver joined the show to talk about the focuses of the new three party coalition government in Germany, lead by center-left Olaf Scholz.In the second hour Fault Lines was joined by Ted Rall for a discussion on Cuomo's downfall after allegations of sexual misconduct. We were also joined by Bob Schlehuber to give an update on Ethiopia and how rebel insurgents got the media on their side.In the third hour Kim Iversen joined the conversation to give an analysis of Kyle Rittenhouse's verdict, how Biden got elected, and the legal battle happening over vaccine mandates.

Baba Zak A. Kondo, professor of history at Baltimore City Community College and author of "Conspiracies: Unraveling the Assassination of Malcolm X,” tells us about developments in the case of the assassination of Malcolm X, where two of the men found guilty of the killing got their convictions thrown out on Thursday, and the tragedy of having the lives of two innocent men destroyed due to these wrongful convictions. We talk about how this is representative of the story of the system of state violence in America, the role of the FBI and FBI informants in this case, whether the U.S. government was involved, and the importance of finding out the truth about Malcolm X's death. Lena Taylor, state senator from Wisconsin, joins us to discuss the fight for voting rights in the U.S., the protests in front of the White House, where dozens were arrested, and the importance of engaging in direct action to fight for fundamental rights and representation in our democracy. We also talk about the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, whether justice will be served, one of the central themes in this case that hinges on who has the right to space and who gets to claim self defense, and how these concepts and rights get allotted unequally. Steve Grumbine, founder and CEO of the nonprofits Real Progressives and Real Progress in Action and host of the podcast Macro n Cheese, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about Wall Street bankers and traders being in line for the biggest bonus increases since 2009, in some cases 30% to 35% increases, and how this exacerbates inequality, with most working class people seeing wages stagnate and navigating increasing precarity. We talk about the “Great Resignation” and the debate around its causes and its scale, whether this is a sign of workers gaining a certain degree of agency or if there are other elements at play, the debate around the origins and causes of the current wave of inflation, and how the conventional wisdom analysis of this phenomenon is ideologically loaded.

COP26 wraps up amid controversy over commitments and funding. Are we running out of time to reach a consensus? Rishika Pardikar, freelance journalist writing from Bangalore, India covering wildlife, climate change & free speech, joins us to discuss the COP26 conference, which is wrapping up today, with reports of a walkout by a number of civil society delegates, and whether any significant proposals and commitments were reached in the conference. We talk about the intense debates over wording in joint texts involving phasing out coal versus phasing out “unabated coal power,” and what other disagreements ensued. We also discuss whether any progress was made toward a loss and damage fund, which would benefit developing countries, the debate about the financing mechanisms for this initiative and how it's being set up, the role of the U.S. at the conference, and the allegations of “greenwashing.”Coleen Rowley, a retired FBI agent, joins us to talk about a case that the Supreme Court heard on Monday to consider whether the FBI could be sued for discrimination after it engaged in a mass surveillance campaign against Muslims in the U.S., where it planted informants in mosques and collected troves of personal information from congregants. We talk about how the government and the courts have continuously invoked the state secrets defense in cases such as these, how this has been abused, and whether this is used as a cover to shield them from charges of discrimination, excessive surveillance, and repression.Ted Rall, award winning political cartoonist, columnist, co-host of the DMZ America podcast, and author, his latest book is "The Stringer," joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about Amy Klobuchar being forced to leave the stage at a fundraiser for Connie Bernardy on November 11 after being confronted by protesters calling for Line 3 in Minnesota to be stopped, the hand wringing over the appropriate “etiquette” for protestors, the passage of the slimmed-down bipartisan infrastructure bill, and how workers have to make do with crumbs within a bill awash with corporate handouts and as military budgets keep soaring, and Anthony Blinken's upcoming trip to Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal, where Ethiopia will be high up on the list of topics.

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss on-the-ground stories from internally displaced persons in Ethiopia, the reality of the situation in Ethiopia according to Ethiopians, the distortions of information on the conflict promoted by corporate media, and the regional issues at play in the conflict.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Paul Dobson a writer for Venezuelaanalysis.com to discuss the upcoming regional elections in Venezuela and the back-and-forth tactics of right-wing opposition parties, US meddling in the 2015 elections via social media, and the potential reactions to the election results from the US and Europe.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire to discuss the imposition of sanctions on Mali and Guinea by the Economic Community of West African States, the relationship of ECOWAS to the United States, the developing situation in Guinea, and the patterns taking place across the African continent.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Esther Iverem, artist, author and independent journalist, and host and producer of On The Ground: Voices of Resistance from the Nation's Capital on Pacifica Radio to discuss the lip service being offered as climate action at the COP 26 conference in Glasgow, the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse and the clear bias present throughout the judicial process and media coverage, the US deploying an iron dome missile defense system in Guam, and the corporate bailout that is the infrastructure bill.

Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Russia-gate. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov blasts the Russia-gate hoax as one of the principal reasons that ties between the Eurasian power and the US empire have deteriorated. Also, Glenn Greenwald blasts US media outlets for deliberately pushing falsehoods, and the US media continues to push Russia-gate style allegations from "anonymous" intelligence sources.Julie Varughuese, editor of Toward Freedom and Coordinator for the Black Alliance for Peace Solidarity Network, joins us to discuss Nicaragua. Incumbent president Daniel Ortega wins reelection in a landslide as Joe Biden threatens retaliation against the Nicaraguan citizens for the crime of exercising democracy. Also, Facebook used a crop of spies to try to interfere with Nicaragua's election. KJ Noh, peace activist, writer and teacher, joins us to discuss China. Jake Sullivan is signaling that the US wants a less confrontational relationship with the Asian economic giant, but the policies of his bosses belie his comments. Also, China and Russia are working together to build a military helicopter.Dr. Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, joins us to discuss domestic politics. The team of left-leaning House members known as "The Squad" is being questioned as Nancy Pelosi outmaneuvers them to pass her infrastructure bill. Also, House progressives may have given up their leverage and been forced to accept the dictates of the party's right-wing.Bob Schlehuber, host of the Radio Sputnik show "Political Misfits," joins us to discuss Ethiopia. Sputnik radio personality and political analyst Bob Schlehuber returns from Ethiopia. He shares his experience and interviews with Ethiopian citizens.Dr. Jemima Pierre, an associate professor of Black studies and anthropology at the University of California, joins us to discuss Haiti. Haiti is once again facing oppression and interference from the US empire. The island nation is facing a critical time in which both a political crisis and an economic downturn create a potential for a dystopian crash of events.Gerald Horne, professor of history at the University of Houston, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss Iran. Iran is arguing that it will need a guarantee that the US empire will keep its word and refrain from precipitously leaving the JCPOA if the agreement is to be revived. Also, Nikki Haley is slamming AIPAC for entertaining the possibility of accepting or endorsing the US empire rejoining the nuclear deal.Scott Ritter joins us to discuss the US Iran tanker Standoff. Scott joins our hosts to discuss a recent tense standoff between the US Navy and Iranian commando units as a ship carrying Iranian oil was stopped in what was described as an attempt of Piracy on the high seas. Iranian commandos took over the ship and chased off a US navy ship.

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss on-the-ground stories from internally displaced persons in Ethiopia, the reality of the situation in Ethiopia according to Ethiopians, the distortions of information on the conflict promoted by corporate media, and the regional issues at play in the conflict.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Shane Stranahan talk about the immigration crisis brewing in Poland, Biden's sinking approval ratings, Ethiopians being ignored by the media as they organize in D.C., and the Russiagate narrative collapsing as the media plays cleanup.Guests:Peter Oliver - Correspondent for RT | Belarus Says It Won't Stop Migrants Entering PolandTed Rall - Political Cartoonist | As Approval Ratings Sink, Is It Over for Biden?Bob Schlehuber - Co-Host of Political Misfits | Ethiopians Organize in D.C. as Mainstream News Puts on BlindersJohn Kiriakou - Former CIA Officer | Peter Strozk Doubles Down to Rachel Maddow on RussiagateIn the first hour Peter Oliver joined the show to talk about escalating tensions on the border of Poland and Belarus, after Polish officials accused their neighbor of helping move migrants towards the frontier.In the second hour Fault Lines was joined by Ted Rall for a discussion on President Biden's administration one year post election as approval ratings fell to a record low. We were also joined by Bob Schlehuber to talk about how mainstream outlets are spreading misleading information about the nature of the Ethiopian invasion by leftist insurgents. In the third hour John Kiriakou joined the conversation to talk about the collapsing narrative of Russiagate as former FBI Agent Peter Strozk went on Rachel Maddow to play cleanup after a key Steele dossier source was arrested last week.

Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, shares a report from his recent visit to the region, including interview with Ethiopian citizens from the capital and the Amhara region, which questions the media narratives promoted in the West about the Ethiopian Government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, how the unfolding humanitarian crisis is being fueled by TPLF raids, and how some of the prominent journalists from legacy media promoting distorted narratives are not even in-country. We also talk about possible outcomes to the conflict, whether there may be a partition in the future, how lobbying by special interests in the U.S. may be exacerbating the situation, and how the way forward is to reach a peaceful resolution that promotes unity among the Ethiopian people that transcends ethinc affiliation. Stuart Anderson, founder and executive director of Family and Friends of Incarcerated People, joins us to talk about reports of the dire conditions at the DC Jail, which is in the process of transferring more than 400 prisoners from DC's Central Detention Facility, after a surprise inspection by US Marshalls in October found unlivable conditions and the systematic mistreatment of people detained there. We talk about who is ultimately at fault for this disaster, what is being done to take care of this situation, how this is a long-standing problem in the city that involved corruption and intimidation by jail staff, and the irony that the incarceration of a January 6th defendant sparked the initial investigation into the jail. Kristine Hendrix, member of the board for Second Chances and contributor to the Truth-Telling Project and "We Stay Woke" podcast, joins us in a discussion about comments made by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) in an interview with Axios where he addressed the issue of masculinity and his framing of white straight cisgender men under constant attack by left-leaning discourse, the merits of his arguments, how certain ideas within liberal thought can be perceived as ham-fisted, and how the culture war pivot can obscure material factors like economic insecurity that can drive these tensions.

Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, joins us to talk about the situation in Ethiopia, where Western media has been presenting a completely different picture of the conflict that generally favors the TPLF narrative and contrasts with on-the-ground reports. He tells us about the experiences of having conversations about the future of the country with Ethiopian citizens, how this conflict could decide the future of the horn of Africa, and how a peaceful solution to the conflict should be the main goal of potential future negotiations. Wyatt Reed, Radio Sputnik correspondent, tells us about the elections that took place in Nicaragua on Sunday, where the incumbent Daniel Ortega emerged victorious, and how despite proof of transparency in the elections, mainstream Western media outlets keep describing the vote as a sham. We also talk about the White House statement on the election, and whether this signals that the U.S. will take an even harsher line against Nicaragua and expand its sanctions. Mohammad Marandi, professor of English literature and Orientalism at the University of Tehran, talks to us about growing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and an incident last week where Iran alleged that the U.S. tried to seize an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, which elicited a rebuke from the U.S. denying such actions, and reports that the tanker in this incident may have transporting oil to Venezuela. We also talk about reports of a drone attack on the residence of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhimi, and what this means for the current power struggle in Iraq. Dan Lazare, journalist and writer, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Austin Pelli to discuss the messy negotiations over the infrastructure bill, where the slimmed down bipartisan version passed on Friday, and whether this means that the more ambitious Build Back Better Plan could be permanently shelved. We also talk about COP26 and how people are growing more impatient and skeptical that promises made there will be followed through, and what it would take to enact meaningful climate legislation.

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Dr. Linwood Tauheed, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City to discuss the passage of the infrastructure bill, the windfall that this package represents for more populous states, how this bill will likely act as another avenue for privatization and neoliberalization, and the lacking climate catastrophe mitigation provisions in the bill.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Sputnik News journalist and correspondent Wyatt Reed to discuss the myths pushed by the corporate media about the elections in Nicaragua, the reality that contradicts these myths, and the contrasts between Nicaraguan and American elections.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss the misleading statements from the corporate media about the threat of destabilization in Ethiopia, the struggle of internally displaced persons in Ethiopia, the effects that the conflict is having on Ethiopians, and why the US supports the Tigray People's Liberation Front.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Josh Gomez, producer for By Any Means Necessary to discuss the Department of Justice's skewed priorities as right-wing insurrectionists run rampant in the United States, Barack Obama's comments at the COP26 conference as people around the world fight to stop climate catastrophe, and the fallout from the tragedy at the Astroworld music festival

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss the misleading statements from the corporate media about the threat of destabilization in Ethiopia, the struggle of internally displaced persons in Ethiopia, the effects that the conflict is having on Ethiopians, and why the US supports the Tigray People's Liberation Front.

Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, talks to us from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, as the conflict continues to escalate, with reports that nine groups have formed an anti-government alliance and the violence draws nearer to the capital. We talk about how people are dealing with the threat of war in the capital, how the situation has worsened in surrounding areas, where thousands of internally displaced persons have moved to refugee camps, and how Ethiopians are organizing to help them. Dana Sussman, deputy executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, talks to us about a report about how women are being prosecuted for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with the number of prosecutions growing into the thousands since 2005. We talk about how these draconian measures cause undue harm for situations that are beyond the control of pregnant women, and what is being done to defend them from these measures. Ron Clewer, Illinois Market President for Gorman & Company and affordable housing advocate, joins us to talk about the state of play in cities around the country with regard to housing for rent and for purchase, whether there is a supply crunch for both, how prices have been inflated and the possible causes for this bubble. We also talk about whether we should separate rentals and purchases when we talk about the housing crisis, how the concept of affordability at times does not reflect the actual capacity of buyers and renters in the market, and what could be done to ensure people have access to affordable housing.Sara Dady, immigration attorney and former Democratic congressional candidate for IL-16, talks to us about the trial of Ahmaud Arbery and how it's proving to be exceptionally difficult to find jury members to hear the case, the controversy over the rumors that the Biden Administration would award $450,000 to undocumented immigrants who were separated from their families under Trump immigration policies, and Adam Kinzinger contemplating a run in the Senate, Illinois governorship, or even a possible bid at the presidency in 2024.

Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War," joins us to discuss President Biden and the fallout from the recent elections. US President Joe Biden cited "Trump voters," schools, jobs, and rising fuel prices as reasons for the shocking upset of Virginia democrat Terry Mcauliffe in the reliably blue state. He appeared to imply that the failure of Congress to pass his legislation was a factor, but did not specifically articulate that as a principal reason for the outcome. Bob Schlehuber, host of the Radio Sputnik show "Political Misfits," joins us from the scene for an up-close and personal update to discuss the Ethiopian conflict. Rebel troops in Ethiopia are gathering outside of the capital city of Addis Ababa as the central government calls on citizens to take up arms in defense.Greg Palast, investigative reporter, joins us to discuss Congressional wrangling on Capitol Hill. Democrats are considering killing the filibuster after the GOP blocked a voting rights bill. However, election struggles on Tuesday and the looming possibility of surrendering the upper house to their political rivals in 2022 are giving some members great pause.Wyatt Reed, Sputnik News analyst and producer, joins us to discuss upcoming elections in Nicaragua. The popular government of Daniel Ortega is facing great hardship as the US empire works both above and below the board in a brazen attempt to interfere with their election process. Neoliberal forces in the West, including social media and traditional media outlets, are working hand in glove with the US State Department and the intelligence agencies of the empire.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Russia and Eastern Europe. The "former" leader of a Ukrainian neo-Nazi paramilitary group has been appointed to the role of adviser to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces in the far right wing government of Volodymyr Zelensky. Also, troop movements inside the borders of the Russian Federation are being referred to as "concerning" by US media outlets with close ties to the intelligence agencies.Steve Poikonen, national organizer for Action4Assange, joins us to discuss social media. Facebook has decided to ditch its use of facial recognition software on the platform. Also, social media and tech giants seem to be working directly for the US empire's regime change machine as they delete numerous pro-government accounts days before the Nicaraguan elections.Dr. Ken Hammond, professor of East Asian and global history at New Mexico State University and activist with Pivot for Peace, joins us to discuss Asia. South Korea is moving to end the decades-long war with its northern sister nation, but is facing pushback from the US empire. Observers suspect that the loss of an excuse for Pentagon spending could be a factor. Also, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) is introducing a bill that would provide 3 billion dollars in taxpayer dollars per year to the arms industry in exchange for providing weapons to Taiwan.Ricardo Vaz, political analyst and editor at VenezuelAnalysis.com, joins us to discuss Venezuela. In a move that appears to be instigated by the US empire, the International Criminal Court has opened an investigation against the Venezuelan government for crimes against humanity. Ironically, this occurs as the United States causes the deaths of tens of thousands of Venezuelan citizens through the use of illegal sanctions, but faces no similar investigation by the international body.

Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, and freelance photojournalist Jemal Countess update us on the situation in Ethiopia, where the government has declared a state of emergency as the TPLF captures towns near the capital Addis Ababa. We talk about their experiences speaking to people on the ground at the capital and neighboring regions and how the narrative presented by Western media does not reflect the reality in the country.Wyatt Reed, correspondent for Radio Sputnik, joins us to talk about the upcoming presidential election in Nicaragua, how Facebook and then Twitter suspended some 1,300 accounts connected to Sandinista figures and Sandinista sympathizers, the RENACER Act that will place more sanctions on Nicaragua, and what polls can tell us about how the election will go on November 7.Max Wilbert, organizer, writer, and wilderness guide, and author of the book "Bright Green Lies: How the Environmental Movement Lost Its Way and What We Can Do About It," joins us to give us an update on resistance actions at Thacker Pass, where environmental and indigenous organizers are protesting a lithium mining project.Jim Kavanagh, editor of The Polemicist, talks to us about news that one of the main sources for the infamous Steele dossier, Igor Danchenko, has been arrested and indicted for lying to the FBI as part of the investigation into Trump and Russia, and how the Russia-gate conspiracy theory keeps unraveling.Monica Cruz, host and reporter with BreakThrough News, talks to us about workers at John Deere voting down the latest offer from management, the fight in New York by taxi drivers over exploitation and overpriced cab medallions, and Bill DeBlasio running for governor. John Kiriakou, co-host of The Backstory on Radio Sputnik, talks to us about the Biden administration placing sanctions on the Israeli-owned NSO Group, Facebook taking down their facial recognition software, whether the revelations from the Facebook papers played a part in this, and the Supreme Court declining to speak on whether special surveillance courts must disclose significant opinions that came after 9/11.

Gary Flowers, host of “The Gary Flowers Show” on radio station Rejoice WREJ-AM 990, and Dr. Emmit Riley, Political Scientist and Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at DePauw University join us to discuss election results. Democrats have lost Virginia and New Jersey is too close to call as two reliably blue states send a powerful midterm message to the incumbent party. The Biden administration has failed to deliver on campaign promises and the loss of both houses in the midterm elections seems likely.Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, joins us to discuss Ethiopia. The Ethiopian conflict grows ever more fraught with tension as nearby nations experience coups and instability. Bob Schlehuber reports from the scene of the tense conflict.Dr. Yolandra Hancock, board-certified pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist, joins us to discuss covid. The CDC has signed off on covid vaccines for 5-11 year olds, and the government is expected to start giving them the injections sooner rather than later. Also, diet and exercise are major factors in the severity of covid symptoms, but the US has thus failed to address the infection from this angle.Martin Sieff, senior fellow at the American University in Moscow, joins us to discuss relations between Russia and the US. Biden's team of neocon Russophobes have increased tension with Russia to an unprecedented level. Also, the US sends more warships to the Black Sea and the situation in the Balkans is at a dangerous point.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, joins us to discuss Iran. In today's PressTV article, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, (IRGC) released news footage of a confrontation that took place October 25 "against an American act of piracy targeting an Iranian fuel shipment."Dr. Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of economics at the University of Missouri- Kansas City, joins us to discuss the supply chain crisis. The world's largest shipping company is enjoying record profits as a result of the supply chain crisis. Also, we discuss a trucker's view of the problem and why he believes that it will not end soon. George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss China. Some US sinophobes seem to be pushing for a disastrous war with China that would likely destroy the world economy and expose humankind to an extinction-level crisis. China argues that they will decide when and if to use force for reunification with Taiwan.Dr. Francis Boyle, human rights lawyer and professor of international law at the University of Illinois College of Law, joins us to discuss US foreign policy. The US is "writing bad checks" by implying that it will defend Taiwan and Ukraine, though it has neither the capacity nor likely the inclination to defend either. Meanwhile, US structural difficulties create a potential internal implosion as supply chain woes, cultural and social disagreements, and an inherently unstable financialized economy create extreme political instability.

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Jon Jeter, award-winning journalist and foreign correspondent, radio and television producer, Bluesologist and Decolonizer, and author of the book “Flat Broke in the Free Market: How Globalization Fleeced Working People” to discuss Black voters' diminishing interest and participation in elections, how Democrats have failed to present candidates that inspire Black voters, and how politicians like Barack Obama sell out Black voters time and time again.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Greg Palast, author of several New York Times bestsellers including The Best Democracy Money Can Buy and investigative reporter, whose work you can find at gregpalast.com to discuss the blocking of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act by Senate Republicans, which would have restored key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the history of the filibuster as a tool of racist disenfranchisement, and how Democrats' inaction on issues such as voting rights contributed to their electoral defeats.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss the anniversary of the offensive the Tigray People's Liberation Front waged against the government of Ethiopia, how the US meddling in Ethiopia plays into the broader cold war drive against China, and the misleading media narrative about humanitarian aid and the political reality of that aid.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Daryle Lamont Jenkins, Executive Director of One People's Project to discuss electoral efforts to defund the police and demand accountability from the police, the long overdue conversation on policing and the changing momentum on public support for defunding the police, the political landscape of Virginia that contributed to Democrats' electoral defeats there, the Unite The Right civil trial, and how white supremacist messaging and branding has evolved since the rally and the Capitol insurrection.

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss the anniversary of the offensive the Tigray People's Liberation Front waged against the government of Ethiopia, how the US meddling in Ethiopia plays into the broader cold war drive against China, and the misleading media narrative about humanitarian aid and the political reality of that aid.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Shane Stranahan talk about the deteriorating situation in Ethiopia, more analysis on the Virginia gubernatorial election, and stories from the New York City mayoral race.Guests:Bob Schlehuber - Co-Host of Political Misfits | Violent Uprising by Former Ruling Party in EthiopiaTed Rall - Political Cartoonist | VA Gov Race Results: What Happened To Terry?Alex Vitale - Professor of Sociology | Minneapolis Voters Shoot Down Proposal to Replace Police DepartmentMichael Goodwin - Journalist and Columnist | NYC Mayor-Elect Causes Traffic Jam, Drives on Sidewalk to EvadeIn the first hour we talked with Bob Schlehuber who is currently in Ethiopia covering the violent uprising by the former leftist ruling party Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has declared to citizens that "dying for Ethiopia is a duty for all of us." In the second hour Fault Lines was joined by Ted Rall to discuss the missteps by Democrats and Democratic hopeful Terry McAuliffe after his loss in Virginia's gubernatorial race on Tuesday. Alex Vitale also discussed a proposal to replace the Minneapolis police department with a 'public safety' department that voters rejected.In the third hour Michael Goodwin joined the conversation to talk about the NYC mayoral race including the bizarre and hilarious story where mayor-elect Eric Adams violated multiple traffic laws on the day of the election.

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss the on-the-ground realities of the conflict in Ethiopia, the Tigray People's Liberation Front's brutal offensive campaign and its commitment of atrocities, and Washington's interests in the horn of Africa and meddling in the region and on the African continent.

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss the on-the-ground realities of the conflict in Ethiopia, the Tigray People's Liberation Front's brutal offensive campaign and its commitment of atrocities, and Washington's interests in the horn of Africa and meddling in the region and on the African continent.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Camilo Mejia, an Iraq War veteran and resistor, writer and activist based in Miami, and the author of Road from ar Ramadi - The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia to discuss Facebook's deletion of over one thousand Nicaraguan accounts based on dubious claims of a “troll farm,” Facebook role in information wars in Nicaragua and its service to the whims of empire, and what's at stake in the upcoming Nicaraguan elections.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Rafiki Morris, Organizer with the All Africa People's Revolutionary Party, member of the Coordinating Committee for the Black Alliance for Peace to discuss the role of HBCUs in maintaining and reinforcing the political and economic systems, how the material interests of these schools conflict with the narrative of “changing the world” that many present, and how the struggles at Howard and the Atlanta University Center fit into that role.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly, assistant professor of Africana Studies and Political Science at Carleton College, Visiting Scholar with the Race and Capitalism Project at the University of Chicago, and author of the book, “W.E.B. Du Bois: A Life in American History.” to discuss the Democrats' electoral defeat in Virginia and how their unclear centrist message contributed to the loss, the culture war waged by Republican politicians over the front of critical race theory, how the debate over critical race theory is a thinly veiled attempt by the ruling class at driving mass consciousness toward a racist orientation to distract from its role in economic scarcity, and how progressive politics and politicians are limited by the electoral system.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Jamarl Thomas and Shane Stranahan talk about how Democrats managed to lose in Virginia, what secrets JFK documents hide after 50 years, and the state of emergency in Ethiopia as rebels advance on the capital.Guests:Tyler Nixon - Attorney for Roger Stone | JFK Documents Still Withheld, But Why?Bob Schlehuber - Co-Host of Political Misfits | Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency as Rebels AdvanceDaniel Lazare - Independent Journalist | Is Youngkin Victory Referendum on Joe Biden?In the first hour we listened in to an interview with Roger Stone. The controversial political operative talked about voter fraud fears heading into midterm elections. In the second hour Fault Lines was joined by Tyler Nixon to discuss COVID news and what the CIA stands to gain from withholding JFK documents. Also, Bob Schlehuber joined us from Ethiopia as the African country tells citizens to prepare to defend the capital while fighters advance.In the third hour Daniel Lazare joined the conversation to talk about the mistakes Democrats made as Youngkin takes victory in Virginia, the first win for a Republican since 2009.

Michael Goodwin, journalist and columnist at The New York Post, joins us to talk about the outcome of the gubernatorial elections in Virginia, where Republican candidate Glenn Youngkin has defeated former Governor Terry McAuliffe in a race that was colored by the culture wars and schools. We talk about the New Jersey election, where Democrat Philip Murphy holds a slim lead over Republican Jack Ciattarelli. We also talk about news that Bill DeBlasio will run for governor of New York, and his chances of winning despite his unpopularity with both parties.Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, tells us about the evolving situation in Ethiopia, where we have seen gains made by TPLF rebels that may now threaten the capital Addis Ababa. We talk about how Western media coverage has been slanted in favor of the TPLF by framing the Ethiopian government as the initial aggressor, the ethinc tensions in the country, which are being made more salient in the current conflict and were promoted by the TPLF during its rule of the country, and what developments we could see in the coming weeks. Dr. Yolandra Hancock, board-certified pediatrician and obesity medicine specialist, talks to us about reports that teenagers, girls especially, are developing tics associated with tourette's syndrome after repeated usage of the TikTok app. We talk about how social media can be a catalyst of psychogenic illnesses with real neurological consequences, and what parents can do to avoid these outcomes. Dr. Robert Hockett, Edward Cornell Professor of Law and a professor of public policy at Cornell University in New York, talks to us about the Federal Reserve ending its asset buying program, the connection between wages, inflation and monetary supply, the Biden administration calling for stablecoins to be issued by insured banks that are overseen by federal banking regulators, and proposals coming out of COP26. Femi Ayanbadejo, former NFL player, certified nutritionist, human performance expert and founder and CEO of HealthReel, joins to discuss the victory of the Atlanta Braves in the World Series, the NBA implementing new rules around fouls, and lopsided wins and sportsmanship.

Mohamed Elmaazi, journalist and contributor to numerous outlets including Jacobin, The Canary, The Grayzone, and The Real News, joins us to talk about the court proceedings in the appeal filed by the U.S. in the extradition case of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. We talk about whether the Yahoo News report describing conversations within the U.S. government about, among other ideas, assassinating Assange, has colored the public perception of the case, and whether it will affect the outcome of the case itself.Morgan Artyukhina, writer and news editor at Sputnik News, joins us to talk about Mark Zuckerberg's new plan to change the way we live our lives by unveiling his concept of the metaverse, which envisions conducting our daily interactions through avatars in virtual reality. We talk about how this move means that Facebook is treading even more into public utility territory, whether this transformation will make our government reconsider the way Facebook as a communication device is treated, and whether the company's ambitions are actually achievable. Reilly Colin Dixon, reporter for Yellow Springs News, joins us to talk about plans by famous and controversial comedian Dave Chappelle's plans to develop his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio by building a comedy club, restaurant, production studio and offices, and a business/housing mixed development project, the intersection between comedy and politics, whether celebrities are the best spokespeople for political causes, and the long history of activism and and counterculture of the town. Laith Marouf, international affairs analyst and media law consultant, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about President Biden's visit to Europe, where G-20 leaders are expected to endorse a 15 percent global minimum corporate tax rate, hold discussions on Iran, and seek to iron out supply chain issues. We also talk about Israel's announcement targeting six Palestinian groups, allowing authorities to freeze their funds and potentially arrest their leaders, as well as the ongoing crisis in Lebanon that has suffered shortages of essential goods and has seen multiple deadly protests, and how corruption at the top has been one of the main drivers of this crisis.

Niemat Ahmadi, President of the Darfur Women Action Group, joins us to talk about the evolving situation in Sudan where the military have apparently ousted the caretaker government in what is more and more looking like a coup d'etat. We talk about how former ruler Omar Al-Bashir still casts a long shadow in the country, with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan consolidating his power by placing Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, his wife and other ministers under arrest, arguing that civilian political infighting represented “a threat” to the country, the timing of these arrests, and whether a potential investigation into crimes committed by the military in the past years may have played a role in this power grab. Alex Rubinstein, investigative reporter and co-host of the podcast Pro-Democracy Pod, joins us to talk about how dozens of media outlets are collaborating on what is now being called The Facebook Papers project, how Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen has been cultivated and legally represented by an organization led by former intelligence insiders with close ties to the US national security state, how this colors her statements to Congress and the reaction by those in power, and whether there is a long term project to increase surveillance in social media platforms in the guise of security concerns. Jamal Muhammad, host of the Luv Lounge radio show and the Old School Lunch Bag Mix on Square 1 radio, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the trial around "Unite the Right" rally, where dozens were injured and one person died in the chaos, to decide whether organizers planned for a violent showdown from the start. We also talk about the issue of money in politics, with a New York mayoral debate where several candidates who are on the ballot weren't allowed to be part of the debate because they hadn't raised and spent the required nearly $200,000 at the time, as well as Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen still out promoting their podcast and their book, and the limits and pitfalls of celebrity politicians.

William Camacaro, senior analyst at the Council of Hemispheric Affairs, artist, radio host, and activist, joins us to talk about U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's tour of Latin American countries, stopping in Ecuador and Colombia to promote the U.S. brand and to “promote democracy” in the region. We talk about the actual chequered history of U.S. intervention in the hemisphere that has, more often than not, led to undemocratic regimes, how these interventions have shaped and often times scarred the countries affected, with consequences that can be felt after generations, and how the immigration crisis could be directly linked to U.S. support for conservative and right wing groups in the hemisphere. We also talk about how this visit, particularly in Colombia, is related to the continuing economic stranglehold on Venezuela and support for the opposition there. John Kiriakou, co-host of The Backstory on Radio Sputnik, tells us about drone whistleblower Daniel Hale being sent to the notorious Communications Management Unit at the maximum-security U.S. Penitentiary at Marion, Illinois to serve a 45-month sentence, rather than the low-security prison at Butner, North Carolina and how this could be used to set an example and have a chilling effect on other potential whistleblowers. We also talk about the Biden administration's top spies and scientists releasing the first-ever National Intelligence Estimate on the global security threats posed by climate change, and how diminished energy supplies, food, and water security could shape international relations in the future.Steve Grumbine, founder and CEO of the nonprofits Real Progressives and Real Progress in Action and host of the podcast Macro n Cheese, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to discuss the controversy at the Federal Reserve, where it has been revealed that Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell sold between $1 million and $5 million worth of stock from his personal account during the pandemic in 2020, which raises questions about ethics and insider trading, Biden saying that he doesn't think there are enough Democratic votes to raise tax rates in a deal on his economic agenda.

Juan José Gutiérrez, immigration lawyer and executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition, joins us to talk about how immigration reform may be put in the back burner again as the infrastructure bill keeps getting pared down, and the Senate parliamentarian is recommending not including it in the reconciliation bill. We talk about how the promises by the Biden administration have been broken, with increasing numbers of arrests at the border and stalled policies, and how Latinos in the U.S. are gearing up to mobilize and make it known that they will not be a sure vote for the Democrats in the next election.John Kane, Mohawk activist and educator, producer and host of the Let's Talk Native Podcast and co-host of Resistance Radio on WBAI Pacifica Radio NY, joins us to talk about the indigenous-led protests that took place last week at the Capitol and the Department of the Interior against fossil fuel industries after long-standing actions against Line 3. We talk about how detrimental policies are continuing despite the Department being led now by Secretary Deb Haaland, and the limits of politics of representation. Tina Desiree Berg, host of the podcast District 34 and reporter for Status Coup, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the city of San Diego not disclosing the identity of a suspect who allegedly threw an incendiary device at anti-Trump demonstrators at a Pacific Beach “Patriot March” on January 9, the deal between IATSE and the movie studios and the ensuing division among members, and the approval of COVID-19 vaccines for kids ages 5 to 11 and the anti-vaxxer backlash. Chris Garaffa, web developer, technologist, security and privacy consultant, talks to us about whether Mark Zuckerberg should be held personally liable for giving third party apps access to user data, how Facebook's own oversight board is being sidelined, and how no corporation should be in charge of policing itself. We also talk about how the company is being rebranded, including changing its name, to focus on what Zuckerberg has called “the metaverse.”

Lee Stranahan, co-host of The Backstory on Radio Sputnik, joins us to talk about the breaking news of an FBI raid at the Washington, DC home of Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, who has had ties to former Donald Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, whether this raid is in connection to this and continuing efforts targeting Russian oligarchs, and how Russiagate is still alive and well in the U.S. Mark Sleboda, international affairs and security analyst, talks to us about Russia suspending its observer mission to NATO after 8 of its diplomats were expelled after allegations of spying, what sort of diplomatic engagement did Russia have in NATO prior to this incident, what impact this decision could have in relations between Russia and NATO countries, and what this means for other countries like the Ukraine and China. We also talk about the extradition of Venezuelan envoy Alex Saab to the United States and the continued siege of the U.S. against Venezuela.Amanda Hall, campaign director for Dream Corps JUSTICE, joins us to talk about a recent academic study from the University of Chicago that conducted a wide ranging meta-analysis which concluded, among other revelations, that continued incarceration does not serve as an effective crime deterrent, and that in fact, could actually increase recidivism. We also talk about other alternatives to incarceration, like restorative justice, that could better serve society by not focusing on punishment or isolation from society and encouraging rehabilitation. Ra Shad Frazier-Gaines, founder and chair of the Black Caucus of the Young Democrats of America and founder and chair of Black Progressives, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the continued failure of the Democratic Party to pass Joe Biden's Build Back Better agenda, the continued backlash to America's two-party system, and the dirty money influencing the Virginia gubernatorial election.

Keith Mackey, founder of Mackey International, an aviation consulting firm specializing in aviation safety, risk management, accident investigation, air carrier certification and safety/compliance audits, tells us about chaos in the airline industry during the COVID-19 pandemic after Southwest Airlines cancelled over 2,000 flights over the weekend, with disruptions carrying over into the week. We talk about the airline's explanation for these disruptions, citing weather and staffing issues, how Southwest's vaccine mandates may have provoked a slow-down by its pilots, what the union is saying, and whether we will see similar disruptions in other airlines in the future.Dr. Wilmer Leon, political scientist and host of The Critical Hour on Radio Sputnik, joins us to discuss the trial in absentia of Blaise Compaoré, who stands accused of being involved in the assassination of Burkina Faso leader Thomas Sankara in the 80's. We talk about the figure of Sankara and his legacy, how his left-leaning and pan-African politics may have led to his assassination, and the role that that France, the United States, and international financial institutions may have played in his killing. Monica Cruz, host and reporter with BreakThrough News, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the shocking numbers from the US economy, with the Labor Department revealing that workers left their jobs at a record pace in August, totalling 4.3 million, and about 2.9 percent of the workforce within the bar and restaurant industry, as well as retail staff, quitting in droves. We talk about how the pandemic has revealed the precarious conditions of workers, how this could be seen as a protest, and how this could energize workers towards organizing. Chuck Modiano, justice journalist and sports writer at Deadspin, joins us to talk about the firing of Las Vegas Raiders head coach John Gruden over racist, misogynistic, and homophobic emails, the Tyson Fury vs. Donte Wilder fight, and San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Popovich using his pulpit as an NBA coach to speak out on social justice issues.

Esther Iverem, multidisciplinary author and independent journalist, host of "On The Ground: Voices of Resistance From the Nation's Capital" on Pacifica Radio, and founding member of DC Poets Against the War, joins us to talk about a couple of stories reflective on the state of policing in the country, with the case of Clifford Owensby, a paraplegic man who was pulled out of his car during a search under suspicion of drug possession in Ohio, and four Maryland police officers not being charged after a fatal shooting where the evidence does not exactly fit the officers' narratives. David Rosen is writer on media, tech, politics and sex whose books include “Sex, Sin & Subversion: The Transformation of 1950s New York's Forbidden into America's New Normal” and “Sex Scandal America: Politics & the Ritual of Public Shaming.” His most recent book is "Prohibition New York City: Speakeasy Queen Texas Guinan, Blind Pigs, Drag Balls and More.” He tells us about the growing digital divide in the U.S., why our internet is both so bad and so expensive, how we have fallen so far behind some other countries, how telecom giants are becoming a new cartel, and how community broadband networks could not just fill in gaps big internet providers won't cover, but also offer an alternative to those companies.James Early, former Director of Cultural Heritage Policy at the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage at the Smithsonian Institution and board member of the Institute for Policy Studies, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the looting of cultural artifacts at a global scale after new revelations from the Pandora Papers, how not only collectors, but also recognized elite institutions engage in theft of priceless cultural items, and efforts underway to try to get stolen artifacts returned to their rightful homes.Sean Wilson, National Organizing Director for Dream Corps JUSTICE, talks to us about how hard it can be to access any books in prisons sometimes, what it's like trying to send books to people in prison, and how administrators engage in arbitrary censorship.

Kathy Kelly, American peace activist and author, joins us to talk about the news that the U.N. Human Rights Council is ending its investigation into war crimes in the conflict in Yemen, in a controversial vote that hints at a rebuke to Western nations. We talk about the significance of this investigation, what it means to be abruptly ended, whether there was any horse-trading in the vote, and what Saudi Arabia gains from this.K.J. Noh, a global justice activist, writer, teacher, and a member of Veterans for Peace, joins us to discuss how the CIA is pivoting to the Asia Pacific theater with the opening of a new mission center that would focus on China, what this means for escalating tensions with the U.S. on the heels of weapons sales to Australia, whether this means that terrorism is no longer the main designated threat for the U.S., and the impact this will have on trade and climate negotiations. Bill Mew, leading digital ethics campaigner and CEO of cyber incident firm The Crisis Team, talks to us about new efforts by the US government to protect pipelines and rail transit systems from cyber attacks, which includes issuing and promising new industry regulations intended to strengthen cyber defense in those industries. We talk about whether these proposed regulations will be enough to stave off a cyberattack on energy infrastructure, and the pushback from the industries themselves. We also talk about the TSA imposing new regulations on high risk railroad and rail transit systems, and what these regulations might be.Mitchell Plitnick, political analyst, writer and president of ReThinking Foreign Policy, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the Facebook leaks and whistleblower testimony, which revealed a bit of Facebook's role in US foreign policy, and why a private business would align itself with the US government, as well as CIA interests and talking points. We also talk about the public political fight that unfolded over the Iron Dome funding and whether this represents a significant step forward for the Palestinian rights movement.

John Ross, author, economist, and senior fellow of the Chongyang Institute at Renmin University of China, joins us to talk about the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, after U.S. Trade Representative Catherine Tai gave a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which revealed that the Biden administration, despite hinting at extending an olive branch to China, is continuing the confrontational stance and policies of the Trump administration. We also talk about the criticism leveled at China's economic model, and the effect that tariffs have had on Chinese and American consumers.Jonathan Kuttab, co-founder of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq and co-founder of Nonviolence International, tells us about a report revealing that there has been a surge in Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank over the past two years, with more cases of anti-Palestinian violence in the first half of 2021 than in all of 2019, and the fight to reinstate the PayPal service to Palestininans in the West Bank and Gaza.Dr. Bill Honigman, retired emergency physician and California state coordinator and healthcare issue team coordinator for Progressive Democrats of America, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about how plans to cover millions of uninsured people and offer dental and vision benefits to people on Medicare in the infrastructure bill are being held hostage by congressional opposition from both Democrats and Republicans to lowering drug prices, reports that hospitals are suffering financially during the pandemic, and how a focus on efficiencies are often mistaken for proper health provision.Femi Ayanbadejo, certified nutritionist, human performance expert, NASA technology transfer partner, and founder and CEO of HealthReel, a digital self-health assessment and education platform, joins us to talk about NFL coach Urban Meyer landing in hot water after being filmed at a sports bar fondling a patron, and the ongoing controversy in the NBA where some players are refusing the vaccine and incurring serious monetary losses.

Jon Jeter, author and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, former Washington Post bureau chief and award-winning foreign correspondent, joins us to talk about the ongoing fallout from the revelations in the Pandora Papers. We discuss the details of how these individuals and corporations constitute a global kleptocratic regime, and the people, organizations, and states that help them by operating and sustaining the offshoring industry. We also talk about the effects that these practices have on populations abroad, by siphoning money from the state through tax evasion and increasing precarity and inequality.David Rosen, widely published author whose most recent book is "Prohibition New York City: Speakeasy Queen Texas Guinan, Blind Pigs, Drag Balls and More", and an author of book reviews and popular pieces on media-tech, telecom, politics, sex and American life, joins us to talk ongoing Epstein saga: the status of a fund set up for his victims, how the fund set up to compensate Epstein's alleged victims has perhaps been falling short, the looming legal woes of Prince Andrew after he reportedly spent time at the Bahamas mansion of fashion designer Peter Nygard, who has now been accused of a number of sex crimes, and the state of Ghislaine Maxwell's trial. Jacqui Luqman and Sean Blackmon, hosts of By Any Means Necessary on Radio Sputnik, join hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the undue power vested in the tech giant Facebook, and how the various allegations against it come as no surprise considering the lax regulation on technology companies, whose only goal is to increase their profits. We also talk about the extremely popular show “Squid Game,” the impact of its social critique and what U.S. film and television programs can learn from it. Red Grant, comedian and 2022 mayoral candidate for Washington, DC, talks to us about the experience of transitioning from the arts, culture and community into politics, and the importance of bringing unique perspectives into political dialogue and practice.

Dan Lazare, journalist and writer, joins us to talk about the revelations from the Pandora Papers, totalling between 12 million records from offshore companies, giving a glimpse into the ways the wealthy and powerful move, manage and hide their money. We talk about how this group includes over 330 politicians, 130 Forbes billionaires, members of royal families, and religious leaders, among others, and the implications for figures and governments who claim to be against corruption, but now find themselves enmeshed in this scandal. We also talk about whether these revelations will have a meaningful impact, considering the precedent of the Panama Papers, and whether the Biden administration's proposed changes to tax regulation will actually curtail offshore tax havens used by companies. Wyatt Reed, Sputnik Radio correspondent, joins us to discuss the revelations from a new report highlighting the lengths Virginia-based Dominion Energy went to make sure their dirty name appeared clean in the press, including how Dominion spent nearly $19 million in lobbying, advertising, market research, political payouts, and membership fees over the last four years, including direct payments to newspaper columnists and academic professors. We also talk about the similarities of this case to others at the national level, and how this is representative of a larger issue of institutionalized corruption. Ted Rall, award-winning political cartoonist, columnist, and author whose latest book is “The Stringer,” joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to discuss the fallout of the “60 Minutes” interview with Frances Haugen, a Facebook whistleblower who has revealed that Facebook has been putting profits over the well being of its users for a long time, how its algorithms promote misinformation, and even violence, and how higher-ups in the company turned a blind eye to these issues. We also talk about the bombing in Afghanistan that left many civilians dead in Kabul on Sunday, and the Western media coverage of the incident.

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss The Many Saints of Newark, a prequel film to The Sopranos television series, the themes of the rot in American society that the Sopranos series and the Many Saints of Newark reflects, how the show has aged well in representations of mental health and prescription drugs, and the hollow representations of Black people in the prequel film.

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda to discuss the revelations of the recently released Pandora papers and the curious absence of the US elite and politicians, the Guardian's misleading implication of Vladimir Putin's involvement, and the US participation in hiding wealth, particularly in Joe Biden's home state of Delaware.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Dr. Mike Pappas, a family medicine physician, activist, and frequent contributor to LeftVoice.org to discuss the superprofits that the pharmaceutical industry makes off of necessary, life-saving drugs used for common illnesses, the moral bankruptcy of a system that rakes in billions of dollars from people being sick, and how the corporate political duopoly upholds such cruelty.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits, on from 12-2 PM EST to discuss The Many Saints of Newark, a prequel film to The Sopranos television series, the themes of the rot in American society that the Sopranos series and the Many Saints of Newark reflects, how the show has aged well in representations of mental health and prescription drugs, and the hollow representations of Black people in the prequel film.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Walter Smolarek, a journalist and activist editor of Liberation newspaper, and managing editor of LiberationNews.org to discuss Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema's stonewalling of the budget bill and the Democrats' refusal to push for reforms that will provide much needed benefits to working and poor people, the US continued economic and propaganda war on China, and how capitalism contributed to the now 700,000 dead from COVID-19.

Adriana Garriga López, associate professor of anthropology at Kalamazoo College in Michigan, associate faculty of the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, anthropologist and multidisciplinary artist, and Esteban Gómez, historian and co-host of the “Plan de Contingencia” podcast, join us to talk about the ongoing energy crisis which has seen hundreds of thousands of citizens affected by rolling power outages throughout weeks, and what role the new private energy company Luma has played in this crisis. We talk about how this is yet another example of disaster capitalism and how public-private partnerships have wreaked havoc for workers and the provision of essential services in the name of profit.Darren Thompson, reporter for Native News Online and Unicorn Riot, and Heather Keeler, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, join us to talk about the news that the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline is going operational today, despite months-long protests. We also talk about some of the social impacts of projects like these beyond the environmental harm, the documented effects of bringing this kind of work, done this kind of way, into indigenous communities, how resistance will continue against this project, what future actions could look like, and the often overlooked tragedy of missing native women. Sara Dady, immigration attorney and former Democratic congressional candidate for IL-16, joins hosts Michelle Witte and Bob Schlehuber to talk about the intraparty fight among Democrats over the proposed infrastructure bill, which now seems certain to be considerably slimmed down, how this manufactured crisis goes beyond characters like Sinema and Manchin, and how disunity conveniently happens whenever there actual meaningful policy at stake. We also talk about how funding for infrastructure is usually disbursed, whether it actually goes to fund the public good and not deepening the pockets of private contractors, the Biden administration announcing new rules that require authorities to only pursue migrants who recently crossed into the country without permission or are deemed to pose a threat to public safety, the future of DACA, and the long racist history of U.S. immigration policies.