Podcasts about ironic

IntroductionThe book of Esther presents a seemingly impossible situation: God's people face annihilation, Persian decrees cannot be overturned, and God appears to be completely silent. We might expect a burning bush, ten plagues, or some dramatic miraculous intervention. We would expect that God is going to act in a dramatic and certain way. Instead, the Lord works through something far more ordinary. He works through the boredom of insomnia. His solution to cure the insomnia is to have Persia's decrees read to him. This arbitrary moment changes the course of history and shows that Persia's decrees will not stand. The Providential Problem Esther is caught between two unmovable Persian decrees. There is one forbidding wives from disrespecting their husbands. This was sent out to all the provinces. There is another decree that calls for the annihilation, full extermination of the Jewish people in eleven months. This goes all the way back to Amalek trying to conquer Israel. The messianic line itself is on the verge of being wiped out. Yet God's answer to this crisis is not a miracle, but insomnia. This seems absurd. The Lord parted the sea for Israel. He sent the 10 plagues. He made a donkey talk. Now, the Lord is working through a sleepless night? Well, the king is reminded that Mordecai saved his life. He also knows that Mordecai has not been rewarded for his deed. The sleepless night is interrupted by the morning and a man with an urgent request. The King's Query As the king searches for a way to honor Mordecai, Haman arrives at the palace. Haman has a spring in his step. He is going to overturn history and make things right. He is going to kill Saul's descendant. His wife and friends came up with the plan. He just needs to manipulate the king a little bit. The king notices that someone is outside and wants to know who it is. He learns that it is Haman. He invites Haman into the room, and before Haman can speak, the king asks him a question: what should be done for the man the king desires to honor? Haman, blinded by his own pride, assumes the king must mean him. He wants it to be public that he is significant in this kingdom. The best thing would be to have Mordecai sing Haman's praises before Mordecai is exalted on the pole. So Haman gives his answer. He wants to be paraded around the city. He wants the royal robes on him. He wants to be on a royal horse. The trap is sprung by Haman's own mouth. The king tells him to do exactly that, but for Mordecai the Jew. The man who wrote the decree to exterminate the Jewish people is now forced to parade his nemesis through the streets while shouting out Mordecai's honor for all of Susa to hear. God is not sending a prophet. He is using Haman's own arrogance to proclaim the triumph of the messianic line. God's decree will stand. His passive power is greater than the serpent's scheming. Haman's HorrorHaman rushes home in shame, and the advisors who once fueled his confidence now deliver a devastating verdict: Haman will not trample the serpent seed. The Lord does not need to use plagues to protect his people and undo Persia's decree. He simply needs to inflict a restless night. Haman must come to grips with the fact that his wife cannot advise him out of this predicament. Before Haman can even process this prophetic warning, the king's servants arrive to escort him to Esther's banquet. The narrative leaves us on a chilling cliffhanger, but the message is already clear. Unlike the unstable Persian king who regretted sending away Vashti, God does not reverse his decrees. The seed of the serpent will not stand. The messianic line will not be exterminated. And Haman, like Amalek before him, is running out of time. God's promise is real. God is not manipulated by his advisers. ConclusionThe book of Esther is a book criticized because God is silent. However, God is not passive. God is active in his silence. A night that seems arbitrary is all God needs to save his people. He is working through the most mundane details of human life to ensure that his promises cannot fail. The decrees of Persia, for all their pomp, and certain decrees do not veto God's will. The Lord promised to conquer death, and so he did in Christ, as Christ has been raised triumphantly from the grave.

Listening to Chris Hipkins' State of the Nation speech today, I found it really hard to take him seriously. The speech was mostly just a list of things wrong with the country right now, most of which anyone who can remember back five, six, seven years, knows were caused by him, Grant, Jacinda and Adrian Orr. Take this line, for example: “I see young New Zealanders - smart, hardworking, full of potential - making calculations that no young person should have to. Do I stay in the country I love, or do I leave to build the life I've worked for? It breaks my heart.” Well, it shouldn't break his heart - because he was warned about this. When he, Jacinda and Grant were contemplating those long Auckland lockdowns at the tail end of the pandemic, Treasury explicitly warned that young people would suffer the most. I quote: “The negative consequences are that low employment and income rates are shown to persist for young people well after recessions have waned.” - Treasury advice, 13 May, 2021. Now, we've already spent more than enough time debating whether the lockdowns should have happened - we don't need to do that again. But the consequences of those lockdowns are there in black and white. Young people would bear the brunt. So he can hardly complain now that young people are leaving the country. It was predicted. He complains about affordability. Well, it was during his Government that inflation spiked to 7.3 percent. Yes, some of it was global. But a lot of it was Grant Robertson allowing Adrian Orr to print billions of dollars. Again - right or wrong - we can debate that. But it was the actions of his Government that created the affordability crisis he now laments. He complains about unemployment. Unemployment is up because of the recession Adrian Orr engineered to bring down the inflation that, as I've just said, was created by him and Grant. Now, I'm not defending the National-led Government - that's not my job. Frankly, I think they could have done a lot more to tidy up the Government's books, that part has been woeful. But they did not create the mess that Chippy is complaining about. And it is beyond ironic to have him standing there saying, “Oh, look what a mess this is,” and proposing to be the man to fix it - when he was part of the team, in fact right up there in the top three of the team, that created the mess in the first place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't you think.

Jehovah hates a divorce! But that doesn't stop his dedicated people here on earth from swapping mates or divorcing. Ironic? With a growing divorce rate, "God's people" have a strange culture that lives under the radar; devastating families... but given a few years time... everything is great again?TWITTER: @exjwpodcastINSTAGRAM: survivingparadisepodcast

You will not believe the twist in this workplace story. It was the owner of Ferrero Rocher and the irony is next level. This might be the most hilariously cruel employment situation we have ever heard. Fitzy, Wippa and Kate debate whether it is fate, karma or just the universe having a laugh and take your calls about other ironies in YOUR life!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi All, Here is the podcast of my 'In The Groove' on Starpoint Radio on Sunday 8th February 2026, delayed as I was away on holiday... It features fresh new releases from Atjazz, Shaka Ft Eve, Jarrod Lawson, Vick Lavender, Flo Naegeli, Inkswel,  Max Beesley's High Vibes and Jamie Love Ft Mr V. There's vintage grooves by Shirley Brown, Nick Jones Experience Ft Wanda Nash, LeRoy Hutson and Letta Mbula as well as 'A Touch Of Jazz' and its a huge classic from Joanne Grauer Introducing Lorraine Feather, all in 2 hours of FAB music, I hope you enjoy the choices xPaul Stuart 'In The Groove' - Starpoint Radio - Sunday 8th February 202601. Atjazz - Soul To Soul (Ft Ziyon) (Starbase 17 LP - Atjazz Rec Co 2026)02. BYAMM - Making History (If AI Ruled The World EP - byamm.bandcamp.com 2026)03. Incognito - (Your Lovin' Is) Everywhere (Music. Magic. Ironic. LP - Splash Blue Music 2026)04. Shirley Brown - Crowding In On My Mind (For The Real Feeling LP - Stax 1979)05. Shae Universe - Journey To The Sun (ft. Ariel J.) (Only Good Stuff Promo 2026)06. Jarrod Lawson - Do Whatchu Gotta (Just Let It LP - DSG Promo 2026)07. Flo Naegeli - Closer (Single - Sonar Kollektiv Promo 2026)08. LeRoy Hutson - Trust My Heart (Single - Home Of The Good Groove / leroyhutson.bandcamp.com 2026)09. Joanne Grauer Introducing Lorraine Feather - See You Later (Joanne Grauer Introducing Lorraine Feather LP - MPS 1978)10. Max Beesley's High Vibes - Painful Truths (Ft Omar) (Single - Boogie Back Records 2026)11. Atjazz - Let's Talk (Ft Omar & Max Beesley) (Starbase 17 LP - Atjazz Rec Co 2026)12. Leon Mar – Two Wrongs (Ft Jill Alexander) (Planet Moon and Stars LP - leonmar.bandcamp.com 2026)13. Brian Jackson - Now More Than Ever (Now More Than Ever LP - BBE Music 2026)14. Lay-Far Dance Orchestra Ft Antoha MC - Feel The Moment (Single - in-beat-ween.bandcamp.com 2026)15. Letta Mbula - Kilimanjaro (MJS 12" 1981)16. Louie Vega Ft Msaki - Mercy Of Time (Louie's Ruff Mix)(Vega 12" 2024)17. Mind State Ft Tess Leah - For You (Ziggy Funk Dub Ride Remix)(The Dubs Vol 1 - Raising Records 2026)18. Inkswel - Play With Fire (Ft Tyla Moonchild)(Sean McCabe Remix)(inkswel.bandcamp.com 2026)19. Shaka Ft Eve -  Sonic Of Joy (About Love & Pain EP - Mate 2026)20. Abacus - The Hustle (Boardwalk Mix)(Analog Stories Vol 5 - Phonogramme 2026)21. B&S Concept - Memory (Original Mix)(Low Lux 2026)22. Nick Jones Experience Ft Wanda Nash - Make It Last (Red Zone Dub)(King Street 12" 1998)23. Pat Bedeau & Kayleigh Gibson - Worthy (Ralph Session Remix)(Bedfunk Promo 2026)24. Vick Lavender Ft Justin Dillard - Experimental (Sean Mccabe Remix)(Mister Bear 12" 2026)25. Jamie Love Ft Mr V - I Got The Love (Groove Assassin Main Remix) (Soul Heaven 2026)

Well, we did this movie on Pikachu's birthday and now posting it on MewTwo's birthday! Ironic! Our Pokémon month long movie marathon begins with the first movie ever!

Staffel 10, Folge 18 - Heute kommt das Buch der Verdammten wieder ins Spiel und damit kommen wir auch einer Heilung für das Kainsmal immer näher. Oder ist das etwa doch zu gut um wahr zu sein? Es geht um Captain Jack Sparrow, das Alethiometer und Zauberspruchbücher. Cas hängt mit Metatron ab und ist uuultra genervt von ihm, Charlie vergleicht die Winchesters mit Piraten und wir machen heute gefühlt zehn Mal Pause, um einen Song zu hören. #ironicUnser Discord-Server: https://discord.gg/4Defzq8EThUnsere Spotify-Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7sklx9OZGBGCJeYBLyReBP?si=e76fK0VcTCutDZsgL6Q5ggUnser Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/winchestersurprise.podcast

Tauranga band Midwave Breaks are bringing the noise for 2026 with their explosive new single ‘Waste Of Time'. Self-produced on a farm in the hills overlooking the Bay of Plenty, the track marks the first radio release from the band's forthcoming full-length album, signalling an exciting new chapter for the Tauranga-based Rockers.Waste of Time is an Ironic commentary on the relentless pursuit of the creative process, regardless of commercial value or perceived success. The need to produce, perform, and to keep pursuing a new expression, is the deeper burden and at times addiction, of every creative artist, musician or otherwise.Sonically, the new single delivers a high-energy rock-radio rush, fusing catchy baritone guitar riffs, driving drum grooves, and hook-laden melodies into a punchy, up-tempo track that defies its name and is anything but, a waste of time.

Released in 1995, Jagged Little Pill is the breakthrough third album by Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, and one of the defining records of the '90s. Blending confessional songwriting with alternative rock, pop, and a sharp-edged emotional honesty, the album became a cultural earthquake. Morissette channels anger, vulnerability, and self-discovery with a rawness that was almost unheard of in mainstream pop at the time.Produced largely with Glen Ballard, the album pairs jagged, crunchy guitars with conversational lyrics that feel like pages ripped from a diary—unfiltered, self-aware, and cathartic. Tracks like “You Oughta Know” and “Right Through You” bristle with fury and betrayal, while “Ironic”, “Hand in My Pocket”, and “You Learn” expand the emotional palette to include humor, irony, introspection, and hope.What makes Jagged Little Pill so enduring is both its boldness and its relatability. Morissette gave a voice to complicated, messy emotions—anger, confusion, empowerment, sexual autonomy, frustration—and did it with hooks strong enough to conquer radio, MTV, and global charts. The album went on to become one of the best-selling records of all time, earned multiple Grammy Awards, and remains a timeless cornerstone of confessional rock songwriting.Website Support the show Contact

The Music Box returns to Starpoint Radio. Join me alternate Sundays between 12-2pm GMT at www.starpointradio.com for some great soulful music across the styles and tempo's.......as we like to do on The Music Box!!Kem - Give My Love (Joy & Pain Remix) (US Kemistry Records, LLC MP3 2025)Atjazz feat. Natasha Watts & Omar - Honey Bee (UK Atjazz Record Company MP3 LP “Starbase 17” 2026)Kym Swain - You Say (US BoLey Music MP3 2026)Danny Losito – Finally (EU Irma Records MP3 2026)Atjazz feat. Pete Simpson - Can I? (UK Atjazz Record Company MP3 LP “Starbase 17” 2026)MF Robots - Show Us The Way (Radio Edit) (UK Good People Records Promo MP3 2026)Benjamin Race feat. Mikaela Marie – Joy (UK Benjamin Race Music Promo MP3 LP “Breathing In Colour” 2026)Seamus Haji pres. Ijah feat. D'Empress - Nitelife (Emmaculate Extended Remix) (UK Soul Love MP3 2026)Mark Francis pres. CalvinSol - The Creator Plan (US 201 Records MP3 “Sol Essentials E.P.” 2026)Ralf GUM meets Chinua Hawk – Mirrors (Ralf GUM Main Mix) (EU GOGO Music MP3 2026)Cleo Sol - Life Will Be (Jihad Muhammad & Merlin Bobb Shelter x Bang The Drum Remix Vocal) (US Movement Soul Recordings MP3 2026)Atjazz feat. Sio – Tentative (UK Atjazz Record Company MP3 LP “Starbase 17” 2026)Alistair Colling vs Tortured Soul feat. Sabina – When You Find Your Love…Hold On (musclecars Remix) (US Razor-N-Tape MP3 2026)The Jupiter Gallery & Chloë Lupton - Your Sweetest Kiss (UK The Jupiter Gallery Promo MP3 2026)Jarrod Lawson - Do Whatchu Gotta (UK Dome Records/Cherry Red Records Promo MP3 - forthcoming 2026)Lindsey Webster - Music In Me (US Shanachie Ent. Corp. MP3 2026)Incognito - This Is Your World (UK Splash Music Productions MP3 LP “Music. Magic. Ironic” 2025)MT Jones - I Don't Understand (UK EMDMM Ltd. Promo MP3 2026)LeRoy Hutson - Trust My Heart (UK Home Of The Good Groove Records MP3 2026)Sophia Barnes - You Need To Be Loved (UK Café de Soul Recordings Promo MP3 LP “Hear My Songs” 2026)Phazed Groove – Larry's Gaff (UK Karbon Records MP3 2026)Wez Whynt feat. Earl W. Green – Body Heat (K.G. Sunset Remix) (UK Good Vibrations Music MP3 2026)Pat Bedeau & Kayleigh Gibson - Worthy (Ralph Session Extended Remix) (UK Bedfunk Promo – forthcoming 2026)Marc Evans & DJ Spen - Back To Your Place (Crackazat Remix) (US Quantize Recordings MP3 2026)Anthony Nicholson - After Chaos (Space Rhumba) (US Miquifaye Music MP3 2026)Enjoy!Mark

With Bruce Springsteen after releasing a new protest song, following the events in Minneapolis. John Fardy joined Ciara Doherty to discuss how Music is used time and time again to highlight political and cultural issues and to go through some of the most iconic protest songs

Hi All here is the podcast of my 'In The Groove' show on Starpoint Radio on Sunday 25th January 2026 featuring fab new releases from Dames Brown, Marc Evans & DJ Spen, Vanessa Haynes, Esa Williams, Steal Vybe, Incognito, Ambrosia, MJ Soul and 4 tracks from the amazing new album from ATJAZZ as well as a cracking new forthcoming remix of 'Worthy' from Pat Bedeau & Kayleigh Gibson, there are vintage grooves from One On One and Marc Sadane and as always we have 'A Touch Of Jazz' featuring a great new track from 45 Trio.... all in 2 hours of ace music, I hope you enjoy the selections xPaul Stuart 'In The Groove' - Starpoint Radio - Sunday 25th January 202601. Benjamin Race Ft Mikaela Marie - Joy (Breathing In Colour LP - Benjamin Race Music 2026)02. Atjazz - Honey Bee (Ft Natasha Watts & Omar) (Starbase 17 LP - Atjazz Rec Co 2026)03. MISS C-LINE Ft Berlin Lama - I'll Be Alright (Single - C-Records Promo 2026)04. Esa Williams - Vanguard Drive (Ft Tasneem Williams) (Dala What We Must LP - BBE Music 2026)05. Incognito - This Is Your World (Music. Magic. Ironic. LP - Splash Blue Music 2026)06. Marc Sadane - Girl Come On (Lets Get It On) (One Way Love Affair LP - Warner Bros 1981)07. Vanessa Haynes - I Blame Myself (Single - Vanessa Haynes 2026)08. 45 Trio - Nebulosa (Single - 45triojazzroom.bandcamp.com 2026)09. Dames Brown - Take Me As I Am (Take Me As I Am LP - Defected 2026)10. Atjazz - Can I (Ft Pete Simpson) (Starbase 17 LP - Atjazz Rec Co 2026)11. MJ Soul - You're The One (Single - MJ Soul 2026)12. Ego Ella May - What You Waiting For (Good Intentions LP - egoellamay.bandcamp.com 2026)13. Atjazz - World We Know (Ft Imaani) (Starbase 17 LP - Atjazz Rec Co 2026)14. One On One - Body Music (Bonus 12" 1981)15. Slxm Sol Ft Laville, BB James - Simple Love (Original Mix) (Soul Quest 2026)16. Marc Evans & DJ Spen - Back To Your Place (Crackazat Remix) (Quantize 2026)17. Tortured Soul & Alistair Colling Ft Sabina Sciubba - When You Find Your Love-Hold On (musclecars Remix) (Razor N Tape 2026)18. Pat Bedeau & Kayleigh Gibson - Worthy (Ralph Session Remix) (Bedfunk Promo 2026)19. Donald Sheffey - When You're With Me (Vocal) (Donald Sheffey Promo 2026)20. Jaidene Veda - Across The World (Kai Alce remix) (midnightfashion21.bandcamp.com 2026)21. Steal Vybe - When You Feel (Main Mix) (stealvybemusic.bandcamp.com 2026)22. Ambrosia - Brand New Love (Franke Estevez Spiritual Love Vox) (Fuzion 2026)23. Atjazz - Tentative (Feat. Sio) (Starbase 17 LP - Atjazz Rec Co 2026)24. Jordi Cabrera - Rise Again (Original Mix) (Catele Recordings 2026)25. Pat Bedeau & Rona Ray - Never Stop (Extended Mix) (Bedfunk 2026)26. Dames Brown - Sweat (Take Me As I Am LP - Defected 2026)

Was als lockerer Studiomoment begann und fast verworfen worden wäre, wurde zum Welthit: „Isn't it ironic?“ Die größte Ironie von „Ironic“ ist seine eigene Geschichte – ein nicht autobiografischer, spontan geschriebener Song, der zu Alanis Morissettes größtem Erfolg wurde und bis heute als Evergreen überrascht.

When I started the podcast in early 2020, my goal with doing an audio format was two-fold: So women could share their own stories in their own voice. To avoid, at ALL costs, being on camera.Haha. Almost six years later, and I have found myself completely re-evaluating!I chat about the irony of now experimenting with publishing this podcast as AUDIO and as VIDEO on YouTube when that was the absolute opposite of what I wanted at the beginning. Being HEARD was scary enough. The thought of being SEEN, too, was absolutely, positively NOT an option.Never say never, because the combination of iterating and my curiosity are leading to something new... And I'm doing it all in "Done, Not Perfect" style! Find this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s5YpldHexW4Contact Info:Julie Berman - Hostwww.womenwithcooljobs.com@womencooljobs (Instagram)Julie Berman (LinkedIn)Send Julie a text!!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I absolutely LOVE being the host and producer of "Women with Cool Jobs", where I interview women who have unique, trailblazing, and innovative careers. It has been such a blessing to share stories of incredible, inspiring women since I started in 2020. If you have benefitted from this work, or simply appreciate that I do it, please consider buying me a $5 coffee. ☕️ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/julieberman Thank you so much for supporting me -- whether by sharing an episode with a friend, attending a LIVE WWCJ event in Phoenix, connecting with me on Instagram @womencooljobs or LinkedIn, sending me a note on my website (www.womenwithcooljobs.com), or by buying me a coffee! It all means so much.

The Music Box returns to Starpoint Radio. Join me alternate Sundays between 12-2pm GMT at www.starpointradio.com for some great soulful music across the styles and tempo's.......as we like to do on The Music Box!!Lance Ferguson's Rare Groove Spectrum - Runnin' (UK Tru Thoughts Promo MP3 LP “Rare Groove Spectrum Vol. 3” 2025)Incognito - Can't Give Up On This Feeling (UK Splash Music Productions MP3 LP “Music. Magic. Ironic” 2025)MJ Soul - You're The One (UK MJ Soul Promo MP3 – forthcoming 2026)David Scott - You Don't Have To Be Hard (Nour-Eddine Remix) (US V Sconney Entertainment Music Group, LLC/Unstreamed Prod. MP3 2025)Incognito - Sweet Enough (UK Splash Music Productions MP3 LP “Music. Magic. Ironic” 2025)Kloud 9 - Here With Me (2026 Version) (UK Expansion Records Promo MP3 LP “Luxury Soul 2026” 2026)Emeson - Love If You Will (UK Lenton Records MP3 2025)Stacy Kidd feat. Devin Smith - Choose U (Main Mix) (US House 4 Life Records MP3 2026)Ambrosia - Brand New Love (Franke Estevez Fuzion Spiritual Love Vox) (US Fuzion Records MP3 2026)DJ Spen & Thommy Davis pres. Brian Alexander Morgan & Martha Wash - Give It 2 Ya (DJ Spen & Reelsoul Remix) (US unquantize MP3 2026)Groove Junkies & Opolopo feat. Solara - We Rise (Opolopo No More Lies Vocal) (US MoreHouse Records MP3 2026)Zaimie feat. Helena May - No Limits (UK Splash Music Productions MP3 “Put Your Weight On It EP” 2025)Sir Spencer feat. Jessica Childress - I See Stars (US US Records Promo MP3 2026)Raheem DeVaughn, Vandell Andrew & The Colleagues feat. October London - Tell Me Your Name II (US The Colleagues Music, LLC MP3 EP “The Appetizer” 2026)Incognito feat. Zebulon Ellis - Changes In Me (UK Splash Music Productions MP3 LP “Music. Magic. Ironic” 2025)Kylie Auldist - Birthday Boy (AUS Inner Tribe & H.A.W.K. Productions Promo MP3 2026)Zo! & Tall Black Guy feat. Sy Smith - Keep Him Satisfied (Radio) (US Chapter 3hree, Verse 5ive Music/Tall Black Guy Entertainment MP3 2025)Vanessa Haynes - I Blame Myself (UK Vanessa Haynes MP3 2026)Change feat. Tanya Michelle Smith - Feel The Groove (Dr Packer's Felt The Groove Mix) (EU Fresca Records Promo MP3 2026)Dave Mayer & Husky feat. Rona Ray - Bear With Me (Extended Mix) (AUS Bobbin' Head Music Promo MP3 2026)Pat Bedeau with Rona Ray - Never Stop (Extended Mix) (UK Bedfunk Promo MP3 – forthcoming 2026)Marcelo Sousa feat. Maya Jones - Love In Motion (Original Mix) (EU Catele Recordings MP3 2026)Jordi Cabrera - Rise Again (Original Mix) (EU Catele Recordings MP3 2025)Roland Clark feat. Tweeda - Try Me (Original Mix) (US Delete Records MP3 2026)Alex Attias feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow & Kid K - I Wanna Know (Kaidi Tatham Remix) (UK Visions Recordings MP3 2025)Enjoy!Mark

After Renee Macklin Good was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minnesota last week, protests erupted across the nation, including right here in Austin. Local protesters have flooded not only the Texas Capitol and Austin City Hall but also out in the suburbs, in Cedar Park, Round Rock, and Pflugerville. On this week's Friday News Roundup, host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and Leslie Rangel, deputy managing editor at The Barbed Wire, to break down the ongoing demonstrations and what they signal about the growing resistance to federal immigration enforcement. Later, they dig into the sad passing of the Hole in the Wall founder, new ordering rules at Alamo Drafthouse, and why a group of incarcerated women were determined to raise money for a stray cat.  Want some more Austin news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Austin newsletter.  And don't forget– you can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Austin Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm  Follow us @citycastaustin You can also text us or leave a voicemail.  Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE  Learn more about the sponsors of this January 16th episode: NAMI Central Texas Visit Brenham Texas

H4-TCJS-Mon1/12/26- "Let's go back to hear what Democrats use to say about illegal aliens " , " Over in Iran they are having an uprising, after 4 decades of oppression" , "Blue M.A.G.A., it started out as an ironic phrase for the left. " , " Elon Musk's Space X has competition, TGV rockets "

Hi All and Happy New Year... Here is the podcast of my 'In The Groove' show on Starpoint Radio on Sunday 11th January 2026 featuring new and forthcoming releases from MF Robots, Jill Scott, Groove Assassin Ft Tasita D'Mour, Incognito, Matt D & Claudio Deeper Ft Anna-Marie Johnson, Atjazz, Stacy Kidd Ft Devin Smith, Zaimie Ft Helena May and Cody Currie,  theres vintage grooves by Collage and Mystic Touch and as always theres ' A Touch Of Jazz' with a great track from Jazztronik, all in 2 hours of fab tunes, I hope you like the selections xPaul Stuart 'In The Groove' - Starpoint Radio - Sunday 11th January 202601. lovetempo - Never The Same (There Is A Light LP - Only Good Stuff Promo 2026)02. Atjazz - Twin Flame (Ft Josh Milan) (Starbase 17 LP - Atjazz Rec Co 2026)03. Incognito - Sweet Enough (Music. Magic. Ironic. LP - Splash Blue 2026)04. Collage - Get In Touch With Me (Get In Touch LP - Solar Records 1983)05. Jill Scott - Pressha (To Whom This May Concern LP - Blues Babe Records 2026)06. David Scott - You Don't Have to Be Hard (Nour-Eddine Remix) (Single - V Sconney Ents 2025)07. Petawane - Keep On (2026 Remix) (DSG Promo 2026)08. Jerry Knight - Nothing Can Hold Us Back (Love's On Our Side LP - A&M Records 1982)09. Jazztronik - Nana (Samurai LP - Pantone Music 2006)10. Jill Scott - Beautiful People (To Whom This May Concern LP - Blues Babe Records 2026)11. Zaimie Ft Helena May - No Limits (Put Your Weight On It EP - Splash Blue 2025)12. MF Robots - Show Us The Way (Radio Edit) (111 LP - Good People Records Promo 2026)13. Incognito - Can't Give Up On This Feeling (Music. Magic. Ironic. LP - Splash Blue 2026)14. Mystic Touch - Get Yourself Together (Reflections 12" 1980)15. Stacy Kidd Ft Devin Smith - Choose U (Main Mix) (House 4 Life 2026)16. Edsoul & NutownSoul - Change The World (Wez Whynt Remix) (Nallasonik 2025)17. El Bravo - I Speak Soul (Original Mix) (Merecumbe 2025)18. Max Sinàl x KingCrowney - All Night Ft Yasmin (Clean Mix) (Soul Quest 2025)19. Cody Currie - Better (Deeper Mix) (Freerange 2026)20. Groove Assassin Ft Tasita D'Mour - Southern Freeze (Main Mix) (Groove Odyssey 2026)21. Back To The Rhythm Ft Alva McGill - What Can You Do For Me (Rick's ALT Vocal Remix) (Patina Skye 2025)22. Matt D & Claudio Deeper Ft Anna-Marie Johnson - I Can't Get Enough (High Perspective 2026)23. Ron Allen - Luv 2 Dance (Ronnie's Revibed Mix) (Strobe 2026)24. Jackman Jones & Roxanne Myles - Feel The Groove (4th Set 2026)25. Steal Vybe Ft Stephanie Cooke - Love All Around (Steal Vybe's Love In The Soul Mix) (Steal Vybe 2025)

SNAKE CATCHER SURVIVES EASTERN BROWN BITE Colleague Jeremy Zakis. The risks of the Australiansummer are highlighted by the ironic near-death experience of Michaela, a professional snake catcher who was bitten by a deadly Eastern Brown snake while off-duty and barefoot in her own garden. Although her organs began to shut down from the venom, she received antivenom within the crucial "golden hour" and is expected to survive and return to work. This incident underscores the "macho" culture among snake catchers, who often wear flip-flops and shorts as a "badge of honor," believing their understanding of the environment is sufficient protection. However, there are physical limits to this career; medical wisdom suggests a human body usually cannot withstand more than three bites from a brown snake, often forcing professionals to move into administrative roles to avoid a fatal fourth strike. Financially, a standard house call for snake removal costs approximately $120, though insurance policies generally do not cover snake-related issues. NUMBER 2

Agradece a este podcast tantas horas de entretenimiento y disfruta de episodios exclusivos como éste. ¡Apóyale en iVoox! En esta edición de nuestro podcast estrenamos 'Music. Magic. Ironic.', nuevo disco de Incognito, la banda que lidera 'Bluey' Maunick. En el repaso a recientes lanzamientos en la música Smooth Jazz reseñamos los álbumes de Sheree Brown, Lance Ferguson, Julian Vaughn y Sweet Candies. En el bloque del recuerdo recuperamos el único disco que publicó el guitarrista Blair, fechado en 1978., y en el que colaboró Tom Schuman, el que durante tantos años ha sido teclista de la banda Spyro Gyra.Escucha este episodio completo y accede a todo el contenido exclusivo de Cloud Jazz Smooth Jazz. Descubre antes que nadie los nuevos episodios, y participa en la comunidad exclusiva de oyentes en https://go.ivoox.com/sq/27170

The guys pull some low-hanging fruit with Ironic by Alanis Morissette. Often maligned by "um, actually" language critics everywhere, it can't NOT be talked about at some point.

Okay. I'll say it. Holiday season is a challenge. Whether things are joyful or not, it's an intense time of year. Ironic, since from a work perspective so many folks check out before the Thanksgiving turkeys are even in their brine.Whether it's the Cadillac problems of what to buy or the deeper challenges of folks who wondering if they'll have a home in which to live or food on the table - it's a time of year fraught with a lot of judging my insides by other people's outsides.I'm not suggesting if someone is facing calamitous issues that they should be Pollyanna and just pretend they're not real. I am suggesting that no matter where we are in life, that a grateful heart and mind changes how external circumstances appear.In this episode, some things for which I'm grateful - and a few tips for navigating the stormy seas of the season.In a world where what passes for radical honesty usually means someone is just letting things fly outta their pie-hole without much care for others, it's time for radically authentic conversation. Conscious communication is simple, but often isn't easy. That's why Cathy Brooks created Talk, Unleashed – a weekly podcast of radically honest conversation about — everything. Whether her own musings or in conversation with industry leaders, each episode invites curiosity. Curiosity not about what people do, but why they do it. Who they are and what makes them tick. It's about digging underneath to reveal the thing that is most true - that we are more alike than we are not. A mix of solo episodes where Cathy shares her insights and experience or Cathy engaged in conversation with fascinating humans doing amazing things. No matter the format - it's unvarnished, radically honest and entirely unleashed. This podcast compliments Unleashed Leadership, the coaching business through which Cathy works with symphony orchestras, corporate clients, and individuals to help them unleash and untether their leadership and connect with others in a way that truly engages.#bermudatriangle #sobriety #recoveryduringholidays #stayingsober #holidaychallenges #dogbehavior #baddogbehavior #dogtraining #shiftingbehavior #brutalhonesty #radicalhonesty #consciouscommunication #leadership #Conversation #connection #TalkUnleashed #fiercecompassion #UnleashedConversation #UnleashedLeadership #FixYourEndofTheLeash

In this tragic episode, we pay tribute to a fallen comrade and honour his memory with a Supplementary Material 4100:00 Introduction and Swimming Update02:34 The Tragic Tale of Old Squeaky09:01 Sam Harris interpersonal bias & Megyn Kelly26:05 Gary Stevenson vs Rory Stewart36:26 Master Certificates and Jaffa Cakes41:59 Dasha's Nick Fuentes Problem50:08 Nick Fuentes' Racist Remarks54:29 Piers Morgan vs. Nick Fuentes59:08 The Two Nick Fuentes Personas01:02:39 Father Issues01:20:51 Nick Fuentes the Racist01:30:36 Piers Lab Leak Ad Break01:32:52 Antisemitism and Holocaust Denialism01:45:25 IDW Style Credulity and Holocaust Denialism01:48:12 Hitler was really f**king cool?01:58:20 Blustering Boomer Outrage vs. Online Groyperism02:02:09 Debating Misogyny and Extremism02:12:54 Piers Take on Fuentes02:17:11 Overall thoughts on Piers Morgan vs Nick Fuentes02:20:15 Infighting on the Conspiratorial Right02:25:13 Bret Weinstein's Powers of Prediction: Trump on Rob Reiner02:30:29 OutroLinksSam Harris AMAMegyn Kelly Talking About the Drug SmugglersThe Rest Is Politics – Zack Polanski: “I Am a Populist, Farage Is Not”Gary Stevenson's Public Statement on Rory's CommentsGary Stevenson's Master's Thesis & Chocolate BiscuitsRed Scare – “Nuzzi Salute”“What a Crock of S***!” – Piers Morgan vs Nick Fuentes (Full Interview)Jason Calacanis Reacts to Trump's MessageBret Weinstein Displays His ForesightTrump's Follow-Up Comments on Rob Reiner

A celebrity psychic threatens legal action against a rival medium for using "Psychic Sal" — and the response from her target might be the greatest comeback in the history of the paranormal profession.READ or SHARE: https://weirddarkness.com/psychic-sal-trademark-battleWeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.#WeirdDarkness #Psychic #Paranormal #SallyMorgan #PsychicSally #Supernatural #StrangeNews #Medium #TrueStory #Bizarre

It's December, so we are continuing on with our tradition of doing a kid's book, but this year, the kids are a little older. This is more like a young adult novel. Our book is THE GIVER written by Lois Lowry. It became an instant classic when it was published in 1993. That year, Lowry won the Newbery Award which is given by the American Library Association to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. She also had previously won a Newberry Award in 1990 for her book NUMBER THE STARS.In THE GIVER is set in a dystopian future. It is a sort of speculative work of fiction in which 12-year-old Jonas is selected to become the apprentice of the Giver. The Giver is the protector of memories that have been suppressed in this tightly-controlled community where there are no wrong choices and no competition or conflict and even no war, no music, few feelings, no color. It doesn't sound like much of a life but this is what they know. Linny says she thinks a message in this book is that knowledge is power that brings us choices and also consequences. When we take away knowledge, such as is found in books, society is weakened. Linny makes an impassioned case for no book banning. Nancy remarks that THE GIVER is a book that has been banned in US libraries. Ironic, right?Nancy said one of the really wrenching part of the books for her was when Jonas asks his mother and father if they love him, they ask him to be more specific, that the word “love” is meaningless. Linny says this is a coming-of-age book that tracks the developmental changes that children/teens face.Linny and Nancy had different ideas of what happens in THE GIVER's ambiguous ending. Then Nancy shares Lois Lowry's examples of how some of her readers have interpreted the ending over the years. Finally, Nancy provides a thumbnail sketch of the remaining three books in the series and this gives Linny and Nancy an idea of what happens with Jonas and Gabe.Linny said she enjoyed THE GIVER and liked that it was an easy read. She feels it is relevant today. Nancy thinks most teenagers would relate to this book and encourages everyone who has a teenager in their life to purchase this book for them.

主播：Meimei（中国）+ Maelle（法国） 音乐：I Know The Feeling by Jake Miller今天我们要谈的话题非常有趣，但同时又让人有点小震惊——巴黎世家（Balenciaga）推出了一款7000元的塑料袋。01. Balenciaga's 7000 RMB Plastic Bag 巴黎世家7000元塑料袋巴黎世家最近推出了（came out）一款价值7000元人民币的塑料袋（plastic bag）！许多网友觉得这是“谜之操作”，Internet truly got confused. 大家都在问：这是真的潮流？还是纯纯的“逗我玩儿”？��这价值7000元的塑料袋难道是有什么神奇功效吗？It's actually just high fashion (高定时装品牌).��今天我们就要带大家一起来看看这个“让人看不懂”的时尚单品，到底在卖什么？Balenciaga released (发行、出品) this new bag — shiny, crinkly, rectangular — just like a classic plastic shopping bag (经典塑料购物袋).Shiny /ˈʃaɪni/ adj. 亮闪闪的Crinkly /ˈkrɪŋkli/ adj. 皱巴巴的Rectangular /rekˈtæŋgjələr/ adj. 长方形的02. Normcore & Ironic Fashion 极简随意风与反讽时尚很多网友说“这是把贫穷元素复制到了富人的世界”。This kind of item is often called “normcore” or “ironic fashion”.��Normcore：Normcore就是“极简随意风”。Norm来自于单词normal，意指“很平常随意的感觉”。Core就是“内核”。有着极简随意的核心精髓也就是“normcore”，也就是说穿得像普通人一样反而很潮。It's definitely been a fashion trend (时尚潮流) lately, but on a more casual (随意的) side. 像宽松的T恤衫（boxy T-shirts）或者简单的牛仔裤（simple jeans）都是normcore的代表。��Ironic fashion：Ironic fashion是一种“反讽时尚”，看起来很土，但其实是故意的。They want to look like they don't care (不在乎), 但实际上吊牌标价（price tag）说明了一切。 That's ironic (讽刺的) for sure.03. A Collection of “Plastic Bag” in English “塑料袋”英文大集合��所以像这种“塑料购物袋”，用英文应该怎么表达呢？1）The most the common type is “plastic bag (塑料袋)” .2）第二种是“walmart bag（沃尔玛袋子）”。主播Meimei记得她在美国生活的时候，人们还会把塑料袋统称为walmart bags（沃尔玛袋子）。因为大家总是在价格亲民的大型超市沃尔玛购物，最后带回家一大堆塑料袋。有一次她的朋友让她递一个walmart bag，她找了半天，后来才知道所有超市的塑料袋都可以统称为walmart bag。It's just any plastic bag from a grocery store (杂货店).3）There is also “tote bag (帆布袋)” . 之前有一段时间，tote bag突然火起来了。路上的小姐姐几乎人手一个。4）除此之外，还有“reusable bag (可重复使用的环保袋)”。It's very eco-friendly (对环境非常友好).5）The last one is “shopper (用来形容时尚品牌的大型购物袋)” .��所以，像巴黎世家这种购物袋，应该叫designer shopper（设计师购物袋）吗？The answer is yes! 外国网友可能会称它为“a designer shopper（设计师购物袋）” 或者是“a luxury tote（奢侈托特包）”。这里还是有点反差，因为听起来好像很高级，其实外形却很接地气。04. Why Do People Buy the Pricy Plastic Bag? 人们为什么买天价塑料袋？��Since it just looks like a plastic bag，为什么还是会有人买单？因为很多时候奢侈品不一定是为了实用，fashion is about status (地位) and exclusivity (稀有性). 这也是展示identity（身份）的一种方式。And some people buy it for the meme (表情包)——“你以为我在装穷，其实我超有钱”。挎着一个比房租还贵的塑料袋，that is pretty absurd (荒谬的). It's “rich irony (浓浓的讽刺)”.Rich说出了这昂贵的讽刺感，同时也可以理解为这个讽刺的浓度很高。So rich！This is a great pun (一语双关).05. The Essence of Fashion 时尚的本质：表达与态度主播Meimei还曾看到过some other weird (奇怪的) fashion items on the market as well。��那除了“塑料袋”，还有哪些“看不懂”的奢侈单品呢？蒂芙尼（Tiffany & Co.）出品过一个价值2000美元的回形针（$2000 designer paperclip）。That's literally a luxury stationary (奢侈文具用品). 大家也没想到回形针都能变成高级珠宝。其实蒂芙尼最开始是销售精品文具的（They produced high-end stationary），后来它又转型做了珠宝。很多人知道这个品牌也是因为奥黛丽·赫本的经典电影Breakfast at Tiffany（蒂芙尼的早餐）。It's a very classic movie. 所以这个价值2000美元的回形针仿佛在替蒂芙尼证明：“Look, we're back in the stationery business, but this is who we are now." 我们再次做起了文具生意，但我们是以高定珠宝的身份回归的。这款回形针的核心功能（core function）不止实用（utility）, but symbolism（还是象征）。This actually reflects a lot of the brand's history and identity.所以，这2000美元买的不是回形针，而是“拥有一件Tiffany & Co.”的体验和身份认同。看来奢侈品界真的是很会制造话题了。In Europe and many other places, fashion is now being seen as as a form of expression (表达).在中国，也有越来越多年轻人开始“玩梗时尚”，比如DIY衣服，或者一些不太符合主流的设计。It's also a fashion statement (时尚宣言). It's art, and it does not always match everyone's taste. 大家现在看的，不只是款式，还有“态度”。Fashion is also becoming more about fun than formality (时尚也变得更加有趣，而不是拘泥于形式).

It's December, so we are continuing on with our tradition of doing a kid's book, but this year, the kids are a little older. This is more like a young adult novel. Our book is THE GIVER written by Lois Lowry. It became an instant classic when it was published in 1993. That year, Lowry won the Newbery Award which is given by the American Library Association to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. She also had previously won a Newberry Award in 1990 for her book NUMBER THE STARS.In THE GIVER is set in a dystopian future. It is a sort of speculative work of fiction in which 12-year-old Jonas is selected to become the apprentice of the Giver. The Giver is the protector of memories that have been suppressed in this tightly-controlled community where there are no wrong choices and no competition or conflict and even no war, no music, few feelings, no color. It doesn't sound like much of a life but this is what they know. Linny says she thinks a message in this book is that knowledge is power that brings us choices and also consequences. When we take away knowledge, such as is found in books, society is weakened. Linny makes an impassioned case for no book banning. Nancy remarks that THE GIVER is a book that has been banned in US libraries. Ironic, right?Nancy said one of the really wrenching part of the books for her was when Jonas asks his mother and father if they love him, they ask him to be more specific, that the word “love” is meaningless. Linny says this is a coming-of-age book that tracks the developmental changes that children/teens face.Linny and Nancy had different ideas of what happens in THE GIVER's ambiguous ending. Then Nancy shares Lois Lowry's examples of how some of her readers have interpreted the ending over the years. Finally, Nancy provides a thumbnail sketch of the remaining three books in the series and this gives Linny and Nancy an idea of what happens with Jonas and Gabe.Linny said she enjoyed THE GIVER and liked that it was an easy read. She feels it is relevant today. Nancy thinks most teenagers would relate to this book and encourages everyone who has a teenager in their life to purchase this book for them.

Boring to the Future. Dental Dammit. Daft Sabbath. It's 100 percent Nikki, maybe. Nudity Clause. Killing Baby Mendoza. Sorry Logan. Duplo my face and tell me that you love me. Super kinda gay. In Soviet Russia, robot is replaced by you! Feel my fake abs. More poop than shark. Time travel happens, I already told you this next week. Anti-Fascist Prophylactic. Tell That To My Back & Kneeeeeeeeeeees! with TV's Travis and more on this episode of The Morning Stream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boring to the Future. Dental Dammit. Daft Sabbath. It's 100 percent Nikki, maybe. Nudity Clause. Killing Baby Mendoza. Sorry Logan. Duplo my face and tell me that you love me. Super kinda gay. In Soviet Russia, robot is replaced by you! Feel my fake abs. More poop than shark. Time travel happens, I already told you this next week. Anti-Fascist Prophylactic. Tell That To My Back & Kneeeeeeeeeeees! with TV's Travis and more on this episode of The Morning Stream. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy chats to KTLA’s Samanatha Cortese about the ongoing investigation into the mysterious murder of young Los Angeles girl Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Andy has to wear makeup for his day job as a KTLA news anchor, and sometimes he forgets he’s still wearing it when he hits the streets. Andy and the crew chat about eating Porto’s Bakery & Cafe Potato Balls for Thanksgiving. Andy chats live in studio with Ronit Halmos, who runs an Instagram account called @roniteatsssss, a funny food account about eating out in LA that’s more of a parody on local food influencers and bloggers than it is a restaurant review.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Luke 23: 35-43

In this long-anticipated episode, host Peter Bauman (Le Random's editor in chief) speaks with one of the most exciting duos in contemporary digital culture, Ann Hirsch and Maya Man. They cover their collaborative projects, Ugly Bitches and Little Darlings, which explore online gender performativity. We discuss the works in relation to the so-called "vibe shift" of the 2020s. The artists also discuss how their work, often using GANs and other AI technologies, counteracts the "girl boss" rhetoric of early 2020s NFT projects by presenting a more flawed, nuanced, and sincere depiction of both femininity and masculinity. They detail how UB uses intentionally distorted AI dolls to comment on female failure, while LD employs shinier AI imagery to critique the "hustle grind gain success" male influencer culture. Finally, the conversation touches upon their admiration for, and points of departure from, the "Gay NFT" or Avant Schizocollage scene, with the artists expressing an interest in "ironic sincerity" in their work.Monday's Editorial with Jess Tucker: https://www.lerandom.art/editorial/jess-tucker-on-longing-for-a-faceChapters

Play along at home with the lyrics:[Verse 1: Chris Martin]When you try your best, but you don't succeedWhen you get what you want, but not what you needWhen you feel so tired, but you can't sleepStuck in reverse[Verse 2: Chris Martin]And the tears come streamin' down your faceWhen you lose somethin' you can't replaceWhen you love someone, but it goes to wasteCould it be worse?[Chorus: Chris Martin & Will Champion]Lights will guide you homeAnd ignite your bonesAnd I will try to fix you[Verse 3: Chris Martin]And high up above or down belowWhen you're too in love to let it goBut if you never try, you'll never knowJust what you're worth[Chorus: Chris Martin & Will]Lights will guide you homeAnd ignite your bonesAnd I will try to fix you[Interlude][Bridge: Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman & Will Champion]Tears stream down your faceWhen you lose somethin' you cannot replaceTears stream down your face, and I...Tears stream down your faceI promise you I will learn from my mistakesTears stream down your face, and I...[Chorus: Chris Martin]Lights will guide you homeAnd ignite your bonesAnd I will try to fix youJump to section:(00:11) Introduction but no waffling like you get on some podcasts. You know the ones.(00:56) Song title, writers' details, getting emotional(02:18) To the lyrics. - To be or not to be specific and personal. Participation trophies, Twitter-X and ya mum. Perspective from The Rolling Stones, universal healthcare, "the need for speed", Alanis Morissette's IRONIC, moth zappers, death and fixing, reanimation, Frankenstein(14:59) Celebrity listener warning(15:56) What is Chris Martin's role? LAND OF THE GIANTS, lazy writing, rhyming problems(23:29) To fix or not to fix. Relationship advice(27:10) The artist's comments and music video(28:43) Alanis Morissette origins - world exclusive(31:16) Igniting your bones or your turkey(34:08) Lyrics from Star Wars?(37:35) Theories from the internet(52:23) Misheard Lyrics(52:56) Notable Trivia. Apple targeting - world exclusive draft lyrics revealed(55:36) Farewells and ⁠⁠⁠give us money⁠⁠⁠Would you like to appear (well, vocally) on the show? Do you have a pop song or ear-worm from the SMOOTH FM genre that's infested your mind and needs to be investigated? Visit this page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://speakpipe.com/lyrics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to record us your own voicemail hot-take on your specific smooth song of suckiness. You could be on a future episode! (you can always email sound files or text your thoughts to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠poidadavis@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ if that's easier). Cheers!Find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc @LyricsPodast ... and we're on all your favourite podcasting platforms.Sound clips are included for educational reference, criticism, satire and parody in fair use. Clips remain the property of the respective rights holder and no endorsement is implied. All information and opinion is performed and expressed in-character and does not reflect reality or genuine commentary on any persons (living or dead), bands or other organisations, or their works, and is not recommended listening for anyone, anywhere.

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Pat Bostick react to news that the Steelers are going to honor the 2005 Super-Bowl-winning team this Sunday. Also, 93.7 The Fan's Jeff Hathhorn comes on The Fan Hotline. October 30, 2025, 9:00 Hour

Afghan-Pakistan Peace Talks and the Imprisonment of Imran Khan. Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio discuss Afghan-Pakistan peace talks, which are unlikely to achieve long-term peace as Pakistan feels "cocky." Trump's efforts are seen as ironic, given the issues stemming from the Doha agreement. Discussion turns to Imran Khan's imprisonment; the military fears his party's survival and aims to keep him from power. China's financial support for Pakistan is also noted as flagging.

Afghan-Pakistan Peace Talks and the Imprisonment of Imran Khan. Husain Haqqani and Bill Roggio discuss Afghan-Pakistan peace talks, which are unlikely to achieve long-term peace as Pakistan feels "cocky." Trump's efforts are seen as ironic, given the issues stemming from the Doha agreement. Discussion turns to Imran Khan's imprisonment; the military fears his party's survival and aims to keep him from power. China's financial support for Pakistan is also noted as flagging. 1940 KHYBER

We live in a world filled with both light and darkness, and it is in our darkest times that we need the greatest compassion. Written by a Buddhist monk from Medieval (Heian Period) Japan, this horror story brings us a woman who transforms into a demon known as an Oni. Yet the demon-woman's story challenges us to find hope, even in the darkness of her life.Mosaic Family Services is dedicated to serving survivors of human rights abuses from around the world and within the community of North Texas. https://mosaicservices.org/Mythos & Logos are two ancient words that can be roughly translated as “Story & Meaning.”Support the channel by subscribing, liking, and commenting to join the conversation!Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/mythosandlogos00:00 Introduction & Charity Announcement00:29 Screen Map of Japan00:39 Tsuina of Yoshida Shrine00:49 Dōjōji by Kōgyo Tsukioka01:20 A Woman Scorned01:37 Map of Japan, Jotokuji Temple, Momoyama Period02:10 The Demon of Mount Togakushi by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi02:46 The Demon Within02:50 Kyōri no bijin by Mizuno Toshikata03:09 Yamanba by Itō Seiu03:33 Companion In Solitude 閑居友 2:3 A Deeply Resentful Woman Becomes A Demon While Alive04:26 Apologies for the missed edit! The text leaves whether she receives the memorial unclear. Ironic considering when the sound cuts out!04:28 Transforming Suffering04:52 Jien, Collection of Portraits of Famous Writers in Chinese Literature05:06 Chapter 27 of the Lotus Sutra, Arthur M Sackler Museum, Harvard University05:31 Buddha and Bodhisattvas, Mogao Caves05:47 Lotus Sutra, Chapter 206:42 Chapter 20 of the Lotus Sutra, Jigage E Shō Zokuhen06:46 Devadatta Falling Into Hell by Katsushika Hokusai06:51 Chapter 12 of the Lotus Sutra, Metropolitan Museum of Art07:15 Wild Mountain Woman in a Cloak of Leaves by Hokkei07:58 Zhiyi Statue, Mii-dera Onjo-ji, photographed by Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert, licensed under Creative Commons08:05 The Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra08:14 Compassion in Darkness08:24 Oni Chanting the Name of the Buddha by Shibata Zeshin08:49 Kujō Yoshitsune by 菱川師宣09:22 Namanari Noh Mask, photographed by Takiyama Ichiemon, licensed under Creative Commons09:25 Ooeyama Emaki09:29 Chapters 12 and 14 of the Lotus Sutra, Metropolitan Museum of Art09:52 OutroAll works of art are in the public domain unless otherwise noted.Ambiment - The Ambient by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Dana reacts to the absolute meltdown over Trump's renovations to The White House's East Wing which is being fully funded by private donations. Dana reacts to Hillary's ironic tweet since she's married to Bill Clinton. Mehdi Hasan tells American Christians, “If you can have your church bell, we can have our Islamic prayer call”. Actor Jeff Daniels sings his cringe song “Crazy World” about Trump on MSNBC. Rep. Clark says the quiet part out loud by admitting Democrats have “leverage” during government shutdowns. Sen. Amy Klochubar accidentally ADMITS that Obamacare was unaffordable in a tweet about a couple named, “Bill & Shelly”. Abigail Spanberger complains about being forced to say that Jay Jones' texts were bad. Hunter Biden was reportedly furious with Obama for leading then-President Joe Biden offstage with a guiding hand at a June 2024 fundraiser. The Trump Administration secretly approves more student loan forgiveness. Dana pushes back on reports that military generals say trust in Pete Hegseth has evaporated. Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…CovePurehttps:/CovePure.com/DanaTake back control of your family's health with CovePure, the advanced water filtration system designed for pure, great-tasting water. Get $200 off. Webroothttps://Webroot.com/DanaChange your October from cyber-scary to cyber-secure with 60% off Webroot Total Protection.AmmoSquaredhttps://AmmoSquared.comDon't get caught without ammo and be sure to tell them you heard about Ammo Squared on this show. ChapterFor free and unbiased Medicare help from my partners Chapter, dial #250 and say keyword “My Medicare”Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand-alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan's contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.Keltechttps://KelTecWeapons.comKelTec builds every KS7 GEN2 right here in the USA with American materials and workers—upgrade your home defense today. All Family Pharmacyhttps://AllFamilyPharmacy.com/Dana Don't wait until flu season knocks at your door. Use code DANA10 at checkout to save 10%. Relief Factorhttps://ReliefFactor.com OR CALL 1-800-4-RELIEFTurn the clock back on pain with Relief Factor. Get their 3-week Relief Factor Quick Start for only $19.95 today! Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/DanaGet your hands on the new compact Byrna CL. Visit Byrna.com/Dana to receive 10% off Patriot Mobilehttps://PatriotMobile.com/DanaDana's personal cell phone provider is Patriot Mobile. Get a FREE MONTH of service code DANAHumanNhttps://HumanN.comStart supporting your cardiovascular health with SuperBeets, now available at your local Walmart.

Massive increases in productivity lure businesses into adopting artificial intelligence. But what if pursuit of that elusive 'superprodctivity' produces exactly the opposite? A rebroadcast of Radio New Zealand's Nine To Noon from16 October 2025, host Kathryn Ryan and I ask whether any business advantage can be gained by the 'promiscuous' use of AI. The Next Billion Seconds with Mark Pesce is produced by Ampel and Myrtle and Pine Listen on Spotify, Apple Sign up for 'The Practical Futurist' newsletter here. https://nextbillionseconds.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he feels safe walking through Chicago's Little Village — but former Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy isn't buying it. McCarthy says the area's drop in crime is thanks to ICE, not the governor's policies. We look at what's behind the numbers and why this video sparked outrage.

Hump day fun includes Ill-Advised News about a stabbing at the Marshalls and a fake insurance salesman. We hear Cass’ new version of “Ironic” with an update on the therapy situation and warn each other about what not to trust in different industries. We try and find the appeal in the new “full bush” panties that Kim K is selling and have a second Ill-Advised News with a Chilis assault and punching dad over the prostitute. Support the show and follow us here Twitter, Insta, Apple, Amazon, Spotify and the Edge!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Daya. During Daya's first show, she played a trio of covers —  “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette, “Clocks” by Coldplay, and “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day. In the years since, she's branched out into a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter who excavates heartbreak with an alt-pop touch, particularly on her new album, Til Every Petal Drops (out Oct. 10). She recently stopped by the Artist Friendly office, sitting down with Joel to reflect on her journey from breakout hit “Hide Away” at 16 to her latest record. She opens up about finding artistic freedom, navigating early fame, and what's next as she prepares to bring her music back to the stage. Listen to their conversation on Artist Friendly wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the episode over at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Veeps⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Follow Artist Friendly! IG: @artist.friendly TikTok: @artist.friendly YouTube: www.youtube.com/goodcharlotte ------- Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Shower Thoughts podcast is produced by Klassic Studios. [Promo] Check out the Daily Dad Jokes podcast here: https://dailydadjokespodcast.com/ [Promo] Like the soothing background music and Amalia's smooth calming voice? Then check out "Terra Vitae: A Daily Guided Meditation Podcast" here at our show page [Promo] The Daily Facts Podcast. Get smarter in less than 10 minutes a day. Pod links here Daily Facts website. [Promo] The Daily Life Pro Tips Podcast. Improve your life in less than 10 minutes a day. Pod links here Daily Life Pro Tips website. [Promo] Check out the Get Happy Headlines podcast by my friends, Stella and Mickey. It's a podcast dedicated to bringing you family friendly uplifting stories from around the world. Give it a listen, I know you will like it. Pod links here Get Happy Headlines website. Shower thoughts are sourced from reddit.com/r/showerthoughts Shower Thought credits: KHfailure, FrozenReaper, bruisedSunshine, ChuckBass11, , homelessdreamer, formulate_errors, User_123_user, GreenGoat08, happymeal98, JunkieMallardEIRE, FishtankBaby, Comfortable_Plum8180, iHateYou247, Bugnuzzler, Very_Nice_Zombie, LemonWaluigi, PlainPup, JustJoshin46, , 0oodruidoo0, taaiwa, MillionaireWaltz-, Shabtinius, Deathman35, ExceededExpectation, LennerKetty, afterskull, Commercial-Ad-852 Podcast links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZNciemLzVXc60uwnTRx2e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-shower-thoughts/id1634359309 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/daily-dad-jokes/daily-shower-thoughts iHeart: https://iheart.com/podcast/99340139/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a5a434e9-da18-46a7-a434-0437ec49e1d2/daily-shower-thoughts Website: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/dailyshowerthoughts Social media links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DailyShowerThoughtsPodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DailyShowerPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DailyShowerThoughtsPodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dailyshowerthoughtspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey my Jude Crew!This weeks podcast episode is basically an honest discussion, I also discuss the future of my ministry because things are changing. Tune in and I am always praying for you!Gloriapatri.comCode: HIPPIE10Connor McLaughlin:https://www.instagram.com/connormclaughlin__/https://www.youtube.com/@Connor_McLaughlin

Hello Youtube Members, Patreons and Pacific War week by week listeners. Yes this was intended to be an exclusive episode to join the 29 others over on my Youtube Membership and Patreon, but since we are drawing to the end of the Pacific War week by week series, I felt compelled to make some special episodes to answer some of the bigger questions. Why did Japan, or better said, why did Emperor Hirohito decide to finally surrender? It seems obvious on the face of it, but there is actually a lot more to it than bombs or Soviet invasions. I guess you can call this episode a teaser or a shameless plug for going over to my Youtube Membership or Patreon. There's honestly a lot of interesting subjects such as ‘why was the japanese army so brutal”, “Hirohito's war time responsibility”, “the 4 part Kanji Ishiwara series”. Thus if you liked this one please show some love and check out my other stuff on my Youtube Membership or over at www.patreon.com/pacificwarchannel.   Stating all of that lets just jump right into it.   We first need to start off briefly looking at Emperor Hirohito.    Upon taking the throne, Emperor Hirohito in 1926 Hirohito inherited a financial crisis and a military that was increasingly seizing control of governmental policies. From the beginning, despite what many of you older audience members may have been told, Hirohito intensely followed all military decisions. Hirohito chose when to act and when not to. When the Kwantung Army assassinated Zhang Zuolin, he indulged their insubordination. This emboldened them to invade Manchuria in 1931, whereupon Hirohito was furious and demanded they be reigned in. Attempts were made, but they were heavily undermined by radicals. Hirohito could have put his foot down, but he chose not to. On September 22nd, at 4:20pm Hirohito said to the IJA Chief of General staff, Kanaya Hanzo “although this time it couldn't be helped, the army had to be more careful in the future”. Thus Hirohito again acquiesced to the military, despite wanting them to stop or at least localize the conflict. The military had disregarded his wishes, they should have been severely punished. Why did Hirohito not take a firmer stance?    Again for older audience members you may have heard, “hirohito was a hostage at the whim of his own military”. This narrative made it seem he was some sort of hostage emperor, but this is not the case at all. In fact Hirohito was instrumental in many military decisions from 1931-1945. The reason this, I will call it “myth” , went on was because after Japan's surrender, the US basically rewrote the Japanese constitution and covered up the Emperor's involvement in all the nasty stuff, to maintain control over Japan. Yeah it sounds a bit conspiracy esque, but I assure you it was indeed the case. This narrative held firm all the way until Hirohito's death, when finally meeting notes and personal accounts from those close to him came out, illuminating a lot. Though to this day, many records are still red -tapped.   The reason Hirohito did not stamp his foot down has to do with the Kokutai.    The Kokutai   So before I carry on, I have to explain what exactly is the Kokutai.    The Kokutai, loosely translated as "national essence," refers to the qualities that distinguish the Japanese identity. However, this concept is remarkably vague and poorly defined; even Japanese historians acknowledge this ambiguity. In contrast to Kokutai is seitai, or "form of government." While the Kokutai embodies the eternal and immutable aspects of Japanese polity—rooted in history, traditions, and customs centered around the Emperor—Japan's seitai has evolved significantly throughout its extensive history. For instance, shoguns governed for over 700 years until 1868, when the Meiji Restoration reinstated direct imperial rule.   Nevertheless, Emperor Meiji's direct authority came to an end with the adoption of the Meiji Constitution in 1889, which established a constitutional monarchy, introducing significant complexities into the governance system.   Article 4 of the constitution declares: “The Emperor is the head of the Empire, combining in Himself the rights of sovereignty, uniting the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, although subject to the consent of the Imperial Diet.” Under this framework, the Emperor alone possessed the power to appoint or dismiss ministers of state, declare war, negotiate peace, conclude treaties, direct national administration, and command the army and navy.   A glaring flaw in this arrangement is the inherent ambiguity of the Meiji Constitution. While it established a democratic parliament, it simultaneously afforded the Emperor absolute authority to usurp it. The document failed to clearly define the relationships between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and its language was intentionally vague. Most critically, the military—the army and navy—were not directly accountable to the civilian government.    So with the kokutai, the Emperor is a divine figure who embodies the state's sovereignty. It was not necessarily the Emperor's job to surrender on behalf of the official government of Japan, but he most certainly could do so, given the Japanese people still remained faithful to the kokutai.    Now Hirohito did not live an ordinary life. According to the imperial custom, Japanese royals were raised apart from their parents, at the age of 3 he was placed in the care of the Kwamura family who vowed to raise him to be unselfish, persevering in the face of difficulties, respectful of the views of others and immune to fear. One thing that was absolutely indoctrinated into him was to defend the kokutai. It became his top mission as a monarch, it was the only mission in many ways. At the very core of how he saw the world and how he acted, it was always to protect the kokutai.    So when the Japanese military began these insubordinate acts, Hirohito's primary concern was to the kokutai, ie: anything that threatened his imperial authority and the imperial institution itself. Although the military usurped his authority, the operations had been successful. Hirohito was not at all opposed to seeing his empire expand. He understood the value of manchuria, he was fully onboard with the military plans to eventually seize control over it, but these radicals were accelerating things to quickly for everyone's liking. He turned a blind eye, dished light punishments and carried on. However the local conflict escalated. It traveled to Shanghai by 1932 and here Hirohito took action. He understood Shanghai was full of western powers. Nations like Britain and America could place economic sanctions on Japan if things were allowed to get out of hand here. So he ordered General Yoshinori Shirakawa to bring the Shanghai expedition to a close.    During this period, two factions emerged within the Japanese military: the Kodoha, or “Imperial Way,” and the Toseiha, or “Control” faction. The Kodoha was founded by General Sadao Araki and his protégé, Jinzaburo Masaki. Their primary objective was a Shōwa Restoration aimed at purging Japan of corrupt politicians and businessmen, especially those associated with the zaibatsu. Composed mainly of young army officers, the Kodoha espoused a romanticized and radical interpretation of Bushido, idealizing pre-industrial Japan, which Araki believed had been tainted by Western influences. To achieve their goals, they resorted to assassinations and planned a coup d'état.   In response, the Toseiha faction was formed, initially led by Lt. General Tetsuzan Nagata and later by Hideki Tojo. Like the Kodoha, the Toseiha sought a Shōwa Restoration but adopted a more moderate and conservative approach. They recognized the importance of preserving traditional values while integrating Western ideals, advocating for a balanced perspective. The Toseiha promoted pragmatic military strategies to navigate the complexities of modern warfare. Although they acknowledged the existence of corrupt politicians and zaibatsu, they preferred to work within the existing political system, anticipating that future total wars would necessitate a strengthened industrial and military capacity. Their ranks primarily included promising graduates from the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Academy, Army Staff College, and select naval members. The most significant distinction between the two factions was that the Toseiha explicitly rejected the use of a coup d'état in pursuit of their goals.   Between 1932-1936 radical officers, mostly of the Kodoha faction assassinated politicians and military leaders trying to usher in a showa restoration. You might be led to believe this was in the interest of Hirohito, you would be mistaken. Hirohito did not want a military dictatorship at the whim of the cult of the emperor. Ironic to say, given how WW2 turns out mind you. This really would have been a hostage situation. Hirohito wanted to maintain the exact ambiguous situation that was Showa Era Japan pre 1945. He saw this as the most ideal structure to defend the kokutai, because blame could not be placed solely upon his shoulders. He always maintained a get out of jail free card one could say.    The February 26 incident of 1936, was the climax of the Kodoha faction. They performed a mutiny trying to usher in a SHowa restoration. They assumed when their messenger came to the emperor he would join them and take direct rule. Instead Hirohito was furious. His first thought was the mutineers were trying to enlist his brother Chichibu to overthrow him. He dragged his brother who was a fraternizer amongst the kodoha members mind you, into a meeting, demanding he never associate with them again nor attempt to challenge him. Then Hirohito furious demanded the mutineers be dealt with. At one point he even threatened to lead the imperial guards to put them down. The coup failed, the kodoha faction was destroyed. Ironically the toseiha faction were the ones to do it and thus they became the defacto ruling clique.    The military, especially the kwantung army did not stop with their insubordination.    On July 8th of 1937 the Kwangtung army performed the Marco Polo Bridge incident, ushering in the second sino-japanese war. This was one of many false flag operations they had pulled off over the years. Upon being told about this Hirohito's first response was whether the USSR would invade Manchukuo over the matter. This is what he said to Prime Minister Konoe and army minister Sugiyama “What will you do if the Soviets attack us from the rear?” he asked the prince. Kan'in answered, “I believe the army will rise to the occasion.” The emperor repeated his question: “That's no more than army dogma. What will you actually do in the unlikely event that Soviet [forces] attack?” The prince said only, “We will have no choice.” His Majesty seemed very dissatisfied. Hirohito furious demanded to know what contingency plans existed and his advisors told him before he gave his red seal of approval to invade northern china.   Henceforth he micromanaged a lot of the military decisions going forward and he oversaw the forming and dissolving of numerous cabinets and positions when things went his way or did not in the military and political scene.  Emperor Hirohito was presented with several opportunities to cause cease-fires or peace settlements during the war years. One of the best possible moments to end it all came during the attack on Nanking when Chiang Kai-sheks military were in disarray. On July 11 of 1938, the commander of the 19th division fought a border clash with the USSR known to us in the west as the battle of Lake Khasan. It was a costly defeat for Japan and in the diary of Harada Kumao he noted Hirohito scolded Army minister Itagaki “Hereafter not a single soldier is to be moved without my permission.” When it looked like the USSR would not press for a counter attack across the border, Hirohito gave the order for offensives in China to recommence, again an example of him deciding when to lay down the hammer.   By 1939 the US began threatening sanctions for what Japan was doing in China. Hirohito complained to his chief aide de camp Hata Shunroku on August 5th “It could be a great blow to scrap metal and oil”. Hirohito was livid and scolded many of his top officials and forced the appointment of General Abe to prime minister and demanded of him “to cooperate with the US and Britain and preserve internal order”.   Fast forward a bit, with war raging in Europe Hirohito, on June 19th of 1940 Hirohito asked if chief of staff Prince Kan'in and Army Minister Hata “At a time when peace will soon come in the European situation, will there be a deployment of troops to the Netherlands Indies and French Indochina?” This question highlighted Hirohito's belief at that time that Germany was close to achieving victory, which led him to gradually consider deploying troops to French Indochina and the Dutch East Indies since neither of those parent nations was in a position to protect their territories and vital resources. Regarding the war in China, the Japanese aimed to stop the flow of materials entering China from places like Hong Kong. Hirohito received reports indicating that Britain would not agree to block the shipment of materials into China via Hong Kong. The military recognized that an invasion of Hong Kong might be necessary, which would mean declaring war on Britain. When this was communicated to him, Hirohito responded, “If that occurs, I'm sure America will enforce an embargo, don't you think?” In response, Kido, the lord of the privy seal, reassured him by stating, “The nation must be fully prepared to resist, proceeding with caution and avoiding being drawn into events instigated by foreign interests.”   Hirohito went through countless meetings, but eventually signed order number 458 authorizing the invasion of French Indochina, knowing full well the consequences. The US,UK and Netherlands began embargoes of oil, rubber and iron. In the words of Admiral Takagai “As time passes and this situation continues, our empire will either be totally defeated or forced to fight a hopeless war. Therefore we should pursue war and diplomacy together. If there is no prospect of securing our final line of national survival by diplomatic negotiations, we must be resolved to fight.” Hirohito understood the predicament full well, that each day Japan was wasting its oil reserves, if they were to strike it had to be quickly.   On October 13th Hirohito told his closest advisor Koichi Kido “In the present situation there seems to be little hope for the Japan–U.S. negotiations. If hostilities erupt this time, I think I may have to issue a declaration of war.”   The reason I am bringing up all this stuff is to solidify, Hirohito had agency, he was micromanaging and forming decisions. After the war broke out with the west, Hirohito did have the ability to stamp his foot down. Of course there could have been wild repercussions, his military could have usurped him with Chichibu, it was definitely possible. But you need to keep this mind set, as far as why Hirohito acts or doesn't, its always to protect the Kokutai. Thus one of the levers for peace, solely rested on Hirohito's perception if the kokutai could be retained or not.    From the outset of the Pacific War, Hirohito believed Germany was going to defeat the USSR. In line with his military leaders, they all believed Japan had to seize everything they could in the asia-pacific and thwart off the US until a negotiated peace could be met. Hirohito committed himself to overseeing the war, determined to achieve victory at any cost. He was a very cautious leader, he meticulously analyzed each campaign, anticipating potential setbacks and crafting worst-case scenario predictions. He maintained a skeptical view of the reports from his senior officials and was often harshly critical of high commanders.   While he did not frequently visit the front lines like other commanders in chief, Hirohito wielded significant influence over theater operations, shaping both planning and execution whenever he deemed necessary. Similar to his approach during the war in China, he issued the highest military orders from the Imperial Headquarters, conducted audited conferences, and made decisions communicated under his name. He regularly welcomed generals and admirals to the imperial palace for detailed briefings on the battlefront and visited various military bases, battleships, and army and naval headquarters. His inspections encompassed military schools and other significant military institutions, adding to his comprehensive involvement in the war effort.   Now the war went extremely well for Japan until the battle of Midway. This was as major setback, but Japan retained the initiative. Then the Guadalcanal campaign saw Japan lose the initiative to the Americans. Upon receiving the initial report of the Ichiki detachment's destruction, Hirohito remarked, “I am sure it [Guadalcanal] can be held.” Despite the numerous reports detailing the devastating effects of tropical diseases and starvation on his troops, he persistently demanded greater efforts from them. Hirohito exerted continuous pressure on his naval and land commanders to retake the island. On September 15th, November 5th, and November 11th, he requested additional Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) troops and aircraft to be allocated to the cause.   General Sugiyama expressed concerns about dispatching more IJA pilots due to their inexperience in transoceanic combat, preferring to reinforce the North China Army for an attack on Chongqing instead. Hirohito pressed the issue again, but Sugiyama responded that the IJA had diverted its air resources to New Guinea and Rabaul. Undeterred by the objections from senior commanders, Hirohito persisted in his demands. By late November, it became evident that Guadalcanal was a lost cause.   At an Imperial Headquarters conference on December 31st, 1942, the chiefs of staff proposed canceling the attempts to recapture Guadalcanal. Hirohito sanctioned this decision but stated, “It is unacceptable to just give up on capturing Guadalcanal. We must launch an offensive elsewhere.” He insisted on this point, leading to the selection of new strategic targets in the Solomons, north of New Georgia, and in the Stanley Range on New Guinea. Hirohito even threatened to withhold authorization for withdrawing troops from Guadalcanal until a new plan was established. He later opposed the withdrawal from Munda Airfield, as it contradicted the newly defined defensive line.   As the defensive perimeter in the central and northern Solomons began to crumble, Hirohito continued to insist that the navy engage in decisive battles to regain the initiative, allowing for the transport of supplies to the many soldiers trapped on various islands. When he learned of the navy's failure to reinforce Lae on March 3rd, he asked, “Then why didn't you change plans immediately and land at Madan? This is a failure, but it can teach us a good lesson and become a source of future success. Do this for me so I can have peace of mind for a while.” The phrase “Do this for me” would come to be his signature rallying cry.   After Guadal canal, it was loss after loss for Japan. By February of 1944, Hirohito forced Sugiyama to resign so Hideki Tojo could take his position as chief of the general staff, note Tojo was prime minister and army minister at this point. Hirohito worked alongside Tojo to plan some last ditch efforts to change the war situation. The most significant one was Operation Ichi-Go. As much damage as they did to China with that, Chiang Kai-Shek's government survived. Hirohito watched as island by island fell to the Americans. When the Americans were poised to take Saipan he warned Tojo “If we ever lose Saipan, repeated air attacks on Tokyo will follow. No matter what it takes, we have to hold there.” Saipan fell, so Hirohito stopped supporting Tojo and allowed his rivals to take down his cabinet by june 18th of 1944.    Hirohito remained resolute in his determination to wrest victory from the Allies. On October 18th, the Imperial Headquarters ordered a decisive naval engagement, leading to the Battle of Leyte Gulf. After the war, Hirohito publicly stated, "Contrary to the views of the Army and Navy General Staffs, I consented to the showdown battle at Leyte, believing that if we launched an attack and America hesitated, we might find an opportunity to negotiate." Leyte Gulf didnt work. The military began the kamikaze program. On new years day of 1945 Hirohito inspected the special last meal rations given to departing kamikaze units. Iwo Jima fell. Okinawa remained, and Hirohito lashed out “Is it because we failed to sink enemy transports that we've let the enemy get ashore? Isn't there any way to defend Okinawa from the landing enemy forces?” On the second day of Okinawa's invasion Hirohito ordered a counter landing by the 32nd army and urged the navy to counterattack in every way possible. It was a horrible failure, it cost the lives of up to 120,000 Japanese combatants, 170,000 noncombatants. The Americans lost 12,500 killed and 33,000 wounded. An absolute bloodbath.    The Surrender time   Now we come to the time period where Japan seriously began looking for ways to surrender. In Europe Germany was heading to its defeat and Japan knew this. As for Japan, their army in Burma had been annihilated. Their forces in China were faring better after Operation Ichi-go, having opened up a land corridor along the main railway from Beiping to Wuhan and from throughout Guangdong but still stuck in a deadlock stalemate, facing a guerrilla war that was costing them 64% of their military expenditures. They deeply feared once the Soviets finished up with Germany, they would undoubtedly turn east against Manchuria. With the Soviets attacking from the north, the US would attack from the south, perhaps landing in Shanghai and the home islands. The Kamikaze tactics were proving formidable, but not nearly enough. By 1945, 43% of the IJA were now stationed in Japan, Korea and Formosa, bracing for the final stand. Former prime minister Reijiro Wakatsuki came out of retirement in may of 1945, having heard Germany collapsed, to urge Hirohito and the Prime Minister Kantaro Suzuki to open negotiations with the US as soon as possible. However he also said “the enemy must first be made to see the disadvantages of continuing the war”. To this Hirohito's chief counselor Makino Nobuaki said that “the ultimate priority is to develop an advantageous war situation.” Advisor admiral Kesiuke Okada said Japan should wait for “a moment favorable for us,” then make peace. Advisors Kiichiro Hiranuma and Koki Hirota advised the emperor to fight on until the end.   Now I want to bring in a key player to the surrender decision, that of Prince Konoe. Konoe was very close to Hirohito and understood the emperors mentality, especially how he viewed things in relation to the kokutai.    The senior statesman Prince Konoe had been consulting with Hirohito for over 18 months at this point trying to convey the message that if the war continued it would threaten the kokutai. Many months prior, he confided in the emperor's brother, Prince Takamatsu, that the army was suffering from “a cancer” in the form of the Toseiha faction. However, he noted that “Kido and others” did not share his perspective, while “his Majesty is relatively unconcerned with ideological issues.” For the past four years, he continued, the emperor had been advised and still believed that “the true extremists are the Kodoha faction.” In reality, the greater threat to the kokutai arose from the Toseiha faction. Konoe further asserted that if the war escalated, they would attempt to alter the kokutai.   Konoe speculated that whether the threat originated from communists within the nation, primarily referring to left-wing radicals in the Toseiha faction, or from the “Anglo-American enemy,” both would seek to preserve the emperor while pushing towards the country's communization.In his written report to the emperor on February 14, which Kido listened to attentively, Konoe elaborated on his conspiracy theory. He asserted that the Soviet Union regarded Japan as its primary threat in East Asia. The Soviets had allied with the Chinese Communists, the largest and most formidable Communist party in Asia, and were collaborating with the United States and Britain to drive Japan out of China. He warned that they would enter the war when the opportunity arose.   Defeat, he cautioned the emperor, was inevitable if the conflict persisted. However, he emphasized that a far greater fear was the potential destruction of the kokutai. The ongoing war was eroding the domestic status quo, unleashing forces that threatened Japan and its imperial institution from within as much as from external adversaries. The real danger lay in the emperor's and Kido's trust in the generals of the Toseiha faction, who were unintentionally facilitating the communization of Japan. Konoe implored for a swift peace settlement before a Communist revolution emerged, making the preservation of the kokutai impossible. Hirohito agreed with Konoe but stated “ To end the war would be “very difficult unless we make one more military gain.” Konoe allegedly replied, “Is that possible? It must happen soon. If we have to wait much longer, . . . [a mere battle victory] will mean nothing.” Hirohito replied “If we hold out long enough in this war, we may be able to win, but what worries me is whether the nation will be able to endure it until then.”   On February 15th of 1945, Hirohito's intelligence warned the Soviet Union would likely abrogate its Neutrality Pact with Japan. Even Tojo conceded there was a 50/50 chance the USSR would invade Manchuria. In March, the US began B-29 incendiary bombing raids over Tokyo, turning 40% of the capital into ash. On March 18th, Hirohito with some aides drove around the capital to witness the devastation. The civilians looked exhausted and bewildered to Hirohito. Factory production was collapsing, absenteeism was rising, instances of lese majeste were running rampant. For the next 5 months imperial family members and senior statesmen all began speaking to Hirohito about the “crises of the kokutai”. The threat Konoe had warned about for months was becoming the main talking point. It seemed like the Japanese people within the countryside and urban areas remained steadfast in the resolve to obey their leaders, work and sacrifice for their nation, but for how long would they feel so?    It was only after the battle for Okinawa was lost and 60 Japanese cities had been leveled by American incendiary bombs that Hirohito openly indicated he wanted to negotiate a surrender.   Kido's diary reveals the first clear indication that the emperor might be urged to consider an early peace on June 8, 1945, when Kido drafted his “Draft Plan for Controlling the Crisis Situation.” This marked a pivotal moment. It followed the unintentional bombing of the Imperial Palace, the complete loss of hope for saving Okinawa, and coincided with the day the Supreme War Leadership Council adopted the “Basic Policy for the Future Direction of the War.” With the fighting in Europe concluded, Japan found itself entirely isolated. Kido's plan, although vague, proposed seeking the Soviet Union's assistance as an intermediary to help Japan gain leverage in negotiations with its adversaries. By drafting this plan, Kido signaled the end of his long alliance with the military hard-liners. Hirohito's acceptance of it indicated his readiness for an early peace.   Hirohito was moved to an underground bunker in the mountains of Matsushiro in Nagano prefecture where upon those around him noted he fell into a deep depression. On June 22nd  Hirohito informed the Supreme War Leadership Council he wanted them to open diplomatic maneuvers to end the war. In early July Soviet Ambassador Jacob Malik broke off inconclusive talks with Hirota. Hirohito stepped in immediately and ordered a new special envoy be sent to Moscow. However Hirohito nor the Suzuki government had concrete plans on how to mediate a surrender through the Soviets. The only things they did prioritize was a guarantee of the emperors political position and retainment of the imperial system, ie the kokutai. This was taken into consideration rather than ending the war as quickly as possible to save the lives of millions.    From April 8, 1945, until Japan's capitulation, the Suzuki government's chief war policy was “Ketsugo,” an advanced iteration of the “Shosango” (Victory Number 3) plan for defending the homeland. The hallmark of this strategy was a heavy reliance on suicide tactics, including deploying a massive number of kamikaze “special attack” planes, human torpedoes launched from submarines, dynamite-stuffed “crash boats” powered by truck engines, human rocket bombs carried by aircraft, and suicide assaults by specially trained ground units.   While preparations for Operation Ketsu progressed, the Imperial Diet convened on June 9 to pass a Wartime Emergency Measures Law, along with five additional measures aimed at mobilizing the entire nation for this final battle. On the same day, the emperor, who had yet to initiate efforts to end the war, issued another imperial rescript in conjunction with the Diet's convocation, instructing the nation to “smash the inordinate ambitions of the enemy nations” and “achieve the goals of the war.” Concurrently, the controlled press launched a daily die-for-the-emperor campaign to foster gratitude for the imperial benevolence and, from around mid-July onward, initiated a campaign to “protect the kokutai.”   The Americans countered with their own propaganda aimed at breaking Japan's will to fight. B-29 bombers dropped millions of leaflets written in Japanese, announcing the next scheduled targets for bombing raids and urging surrender, while using the emperor to challenge the militarists. Leaflets bearing the chrysanthemum crest criticized the “military cliques” for “forcing the entire nation to commit suicide” and called on “everyone” to “exercise their constitutional right to make direct appeals [for peace] to the Emperor.” They asserted that “even the powerful military cliques cannot stop the mighty march for peace of the Emperor and the people.” One notable batch of seven million leaflets conveyed the terms of the “joint declaration” issued by the United States, Great Britain, and China. “Today we come not to bomb you,” they stated. “We are dropping this leaflet to inform you of the response from the United States government to your government's request for conditions of surrender.... Whether the war stops immediately depends on your government. You will understand how to end the war if you read these two official notifications.”   Amid pressures from imperial edicts to continue preparations for a final battle and focus solely on victory, the Japanese people were also subjected to an intense American psychological warfare campaign in addition to aerial bombardment. During late July and August, prefectural governors, police chiefs, and officers of the “special higher police” submitted reports to the Home Ministry detailing the rapidly deteriorating national morale.    Now on the other side, Roosevelt made it known back in January of 1943 at the Casablanca conference, the allies would only accept unconditional surrender. By 1945, the allies understood the predicament this left Japan with. On May 8th of 1945, Truman added “Japan's surrender would not mean the extermination or enslavement of the Japanese people” trying to indicate a non vindictive spirit. However the Kokutai question always remained ambiguous. State Department Joseph Grew, the former ambassador to Japan, began arguing to Truman they needed to make public a clear definition of the terms to persuade Japan to surrender. As he argued to Truman: Emperor Hirohito was seen as the key figure in Japan's surrender, likened to a "queen bee in a hive... surrounded by the attentions of the hive." Throughout the war, he was characterized in various ways—as a “puppet” of the militarists, a constitutional monarch, and a pacifist. Grew had immense faith in the influence exerted by what he referred to as the “moderates” surrounding the Japanese throne.    However many of Grew's colleagues argued the future existence of the monarchy was intolerable as it was akin to fascism. Many wanted to punish the emperor. Truman was in a tug of war. The Potsdam declaration issued on July 26th of 1945 came in the form of a ultimatum aiming to quicken japans surrender. Truman clarified the terms for the unconditional surrender at the end of its terms: "We call upon the government of Japan to proclaim now the unconditional surrender of all Japanese armed forces, and to provide proper and adequate assurances of their good faith in such action. The alternative for Japan is prompt and utter destruction." Zero mention of the emperor. Grew had argued to add “this may include a constitutional monarchy under the present dynasty.” But it was deleted from the article. The status of the emperor was not guaranteed, the kokutai was thus up in the air.    The next day, the Suzuki cabinet rejected the terms. The Japanese leadership and Hirohito were still banking and awaiting Soviet replies to their terms.    Lets talk about the Soviet talks now   Back on July 12th ambassador Naotake Satō sent this message to the Soviets: “His Majesty the Emperor, mindful of the fact that the present war daily brings greater evil and sacrifice upon the peoples of all the belligerent powers, desires from his heart that it may be quickly terminated. But so long as England and the United States insist upon unconditional surrender, the Japanese Empire has no alternative but to fight on with all its strength for the honor and existence of the Motherland”.  However the Soviets had made commitments to their allies, promising in fact to invade Japan to aid them.    As for the Soviets their primary objective was to ensure unrestricted access to the Pacific Ocean. The year-round ice-free areas of the Soviet Pacific coastline, particularly Vladivostok, could be blockaded by air and sea from Sakhalin Island and the Kurile Islands. Securing these territories to guarantee free access to the Soya Strait was their main goal. Secondary objectives included acquiring leases for the Chinese Eastern Railway, the Southern Manchuria Railway, as well as gaining control over Dairen and Port Arthur.   To achieve these aims, Stalin and Molotov prolonged negotiations with the Japanese, creating a false sense of hope for a Soviet-mediated peace. Simultaneously, in their discussions with the United States and Britain, the Soviets insisted on strict adherence to the Cairo Declaration, which had been reaffirmed at the Yalta Conference. This declaration stipulated that the Allies would not accept a separate or conditional peace with Japan; thus, the Japanese would need to surrender unconditionally to all the Allies. The Soviets aimed to prolong the war by opposing any efforts to dilute this requirement. This approach would provide the Soviets with the necessary time to complete the transfer of their troops from the Western Front to the Far East and to conquer Manchuria, Inner Mongolia, northern Korea, South Sakhalin, the Kuriles, and potentially Hokkaidō, starting with an assault on Rumoi. AUGUST 1945   Thus we come to at last the critical point, August of 1945.    The Americans prepared for the deployment of atomic bombs and for an invasion of southern Kyushu, known as Operation Olympic, scheduled to commence on November 1. At 8:15 A.M. on August 6, a single B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay dropped little boy, devastating much of the undefended city of Hiroshima, instantly killing an estimated 100,000 to 140,000 people and leading to the deaths of possibly another 100,000 over the next five years. At the epicenter of the explosion, “a light appeared 3,000 times brighter than the sun,” creating a fireball that emitted thermal radiation capable of “instantly scorching humans, trees, and houses.” As the air heated and rushed upward, cold air surged in to ignite a firestorm. Hours later, a whirlwind escalated the flames to their peak until more than eight square miles were virtually reduced to cinders. Subsequently, black, muddy rain filled with radioactive fallout began to fall. Two days later, using Japan's rejection of the Potsdam Declaration as a pretext, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan. Then on August 9, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, resulting in the immediate deaths of approximately 35,000 to 40,000 people and injuring more than 60,000.   Meanwhile, in Tokyo, during the critical period between the Potsdam Declaration and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Emperor Hirohito remained silent about accepting the Potsdam terms. However, on July 25 and 31, he explicitly conveyed to Kido that the imperial regalia must be defended at all costs. The three sacred objects—a mirror, a curved jewel, and a sword—symbolized the legitimacy of his rule through the northern court and were integral to his identity as the divine sovereign. Hirohito's focus was on protecting these symbols of office, as he insisted on having them brought to the palace. This fixation on maintaining his symbols occurred during a pivotal moment when the pressing issue was whether to accept immediate capitulation. Reflecting on this, he was unprepared to seize the opportunity to end the war himself.   Prime Minister Suzuki, following his initial rejection of the Potsdam ultimatum, also saw no need for further action. His Cabinet Advisory Council, which included the president of Asano Cement, the founder of the Nissan consortium, the vice president of the Bank of Japan, and other representatives from the nation's leading business interests that had profited significantly from the war, convened on the morning of August 3. They recommended accepting the Potsdam terms, arguing that the United States would permit Japan to retain its non-military industries and continue participating in world trade.    Here are some reactions to the two bombs and invasion of Manchuria.    Yonai Mitsumasa said to admiral Takagi Sokichi, on August 12, that “I think the term is perhaps inappropriate, but the atomic bombs and the Soviet entry into the war are, in a sense, gifts from the gods [tenyu, also “heaven-sent blessings”]. This way we don't have to say that we quit the war because of domestic circumstances. I've long been advocating control of our crisis, but neither from fear of an enemy attack nor because of the atomic bombs and the Soviet entry into the war. The main reason is my anxiety over the domestic situation. So, it is rather fortunate that we can now control matters without revealing the domestic situation”.    Konoe's characterized the Soviet involvement in the war as “a godsend for controlling the army,”. Kido viewed of both the atomic bombings and the Soviet entry into the conflict as “useful” elements for ensuring a smooth transition. A nascent power struggle was unfolding, rendering the potential death toll—whether one hundred thousand or two hundred thousand—immaterial to those involved, as long as their desired outcome was achieved: an end to the war that would leave the monarchy intact and capable of managing the discontent that defeat would inevitably provoke. Throughout the final acts of this wartime drama, the Japanese “moderates” found it easier to capitulate to external pressures than to take decisive action on their own to conclude the war.   Another illuminating looks at Japan's elite's perspective on surrender terms was the document titled “Essentials of Peace Negotiations” (wahei kosho no yoryo). Drafted by Konoe and his adviser, retired Lt. Gen. Sakai Koji, after Konoe had reluctantly accepted a mission to Moscow, this document, stipulated the preservation of the emperor system, along with most of the imperial prerogatives, as the absolute minimum condition for peace. It defined the “original” or “essential homeland” as including the southern half of the Kurile Islands but showed a willingness to concede all overseas territories to the enemy, including Okinawa and the American-occupied Bonin Islands, as well as the southern half of Sakhalin. The “Essentials” also accepted complete disarmament for an unspecified period, thereby compromising on the issues of demobilizing and disarming the armed forces. More significantly, an “explanation” attached to the “Essentials” emphasized that “the main aim is to secure the imperial line and maintain the political role of the emperor.”    Why Japan surrendered   We come to it atleast after a long podcast. Why did Japan ultimately surrender?   The twin psychological shocks of the first atomic bomb and the Soviet entry into the war, combined with Kido's and the emperor's concern over escalating public criticism of the throne and its occupant, fueled an almost paranoid fear that, sooner or later, the populace would react violently against their leaders if the war persisted much longer. These factors ultimately led Hirohito to accept, in principle, the terms of the Potsdam Declaration.   At the first meeting of the six member constituents of the Supreme War Leadership Council, held from 10:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on August 9, Army Minister Anami Korechika, Chiefs of Staff Umezu Yoshijiro, representing the army, and Yonai, representing the navy, along with Tōgō, from the Foreign Ministry, were expected to discuss the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration. Instead, the conversation revolved around whether to attempt a conditional surrender—specifically, should they insist on one condition, the preservation of the kokutai, or four?   After Suzuki addressed the assembly regarding the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and the Soviet attack, Yonai, as recounted by Navy Chief of Staff Toyoda, was the first to speak, framing the issue in terms of four conditions. “Let's start to talk, Do we accept the Potsdam Declaration with no conditions? If not, and we wish to insist on attaching hopes and conditions, we may do so this way. First, preservation of the kokutai; then for the rest, the main items in the Potsdam Declaration: treatment of war criminals, method of disarmament, and the matter of sending in an army of occupation.” Thus, the participants identified what they perceived to be the ambiguous points within the Potsdam Declaration and used them as the foundation for their discussions.   The army insisted on four conditions: First, the preservation of the kokutai, which they considered distinct from the Potsdam Declaration itself. The other conditions proposed were, second, that the Imperial Headquarters assume responsibility for disarmament and demobilization; third, a prohibition on occupation; and fourth, the delegation of the punishment of war criminals to the Japanese government. The army equated the kokutai with the emperor's right of supreme command. Their self-serving desire for autonomous war crimes trials was based on the belief that the Allies would use such trials to politically indict the military. Consequently, army leaders aimed to preempt the activities of any international tribunal by conducting their own trials—similar to the approach taken by the uninvaded and unrepentant Germans after World War I.   Supporting the military's views during cabinet meetings that day were three civilian members of the Suzuki cabinet: Justice Minister Matsuzaka Hiromasa, Home Minister Yasui Toji, and Minister of Health Okada Tadahiko. At the imperial conference that night, which extended into the early hours of the tenth, Foreign Minister Tōgō's interpretation of the “preservation of the kokutai” referred solely to the safeguarding of the Imperial House or dynasty, rather than the continuation of Hirohito's reign.   Hiranuma, another advocate for the single condition, interpreted the kokutai as the “emperor's sovereign right to rule the state [not] deriving from national law. Even if the entire nation is sacrificed to the war, we must preserve both the kokutai and the security of the imperial house.” This discrepancy illustrated that there was no completely unified understanding of what the kokutai entailed; the debate over one condition versus four represented conflicting visions for the future of the Japanese state and masked the competition for political power that was already unfolding.   It remains doubtful whether the emperor and Kido initially sided with Tōgō against the four conditions proposed by the senior military leaders. A more likely inference is that both men retained sympathies for the hardliners, both military and civilian, who preferred to continue the futile war rather than surrender immediately and unconditionally. This may explain why, on August 9, Konoe had Hosokawa Morisada approach Navy General Headquarters to urge the emperor's brother, Prince Takamatsu, to pressure Hirohito (through Kido) to accept the Potsdam terms. Later that afternoon, Konoe enlisted the help of diplomat Shigemitsu Mamoru to persuade Kido to reconsider his stance on the four conditions. Ultimately, at the urging of Takamatsu and Shigemitsu, Kido did shift to support Tōgō's position.   At the end of the war, as at its beginning and throughout every stage of its progression, Emperor Hirohito played a highly active role in supporting the actions carried out in his name. From the very beginning of the Asia-Pacific war, the emperor played a significant role in the unfolding events around him. Prior to the Battle of Okinawa, he consistently advocated for a decisive victory. Afterward, he acknowledged the necessity of pursuing an early peace, although he did not favor an immediate cessation of hostilities. Instead, he wavered, steering Japan toward ongoing warfare rather than direct negotiations with the Allies. When the final crisis fully unfolded, the only option left was unconditional surrender. Even then, he continued to procrastinate until the atomic bomb was dropped and the Soviets launched their attack. The wartime emperor ideology that once sustained morale made it exceedingly difficult for Japan's leaders to accept the act of surrender. Aware of their objective defeat, yet indifferent to the suffering the war inflicted on their own people—as well as on the populations of Asia, the Pacific, and the West whose lives they had disrupted—the emperor and his military leaders sought a means to lose without appearing to lose. They aimed to mitigate domestic criticism following surrender while preserving their power structure.   Blinded by their fixation on the fate of the imperial house and committed to an overly optimistic diplomacy toward the Soviet Union, Japan's leaders missed several opportunities to end their lost war. Would Japan's leaders have surrendered more promptly if the Truman administration had “clarified” the status of the emperor before the cataclysmic double shocks of the atomic bomb and the Soviet entry into the war? Probably not. However, it is likely they would have surrendered to prevent the kokutai from being destroyed from within. The evidence suggests that the first atomic bomb and the Soviet declaration of war led Hirohito, Kido, and other members of the court to believe that continuing the war would inevitably result in that destruction. They recognized that the populace was war-weary and despondent, with rising hostility toward the military and the government, accompanied by increasing criticism of the emperor himself. More specifically, Kido and Hirohito were privy to Home Ministry reports, which contained information from governors and police chiefs nationwide. These reports indicated that citizens were beginning to label the emperor as an incompetent leader responsible for the deteriorating war situation.   This is the third variable, never spoken about. Many first look at the atomic bombs. Bigger brain people turn to the Soviet Invasion of Manchuria. But hardly anyone reads about how the collapse of Japan's social fabric, scared the shit out of the Emperor and his closest advisors. You can't have a kokutai, without a populace that worshiped you.    When the emperor expressed in February, “What worries me is whether the nation [could] endure” long enough to achieve victory, he was not merely voicing concern for the suffering of his subjects; rather, he feared that such suffering could lead to social upheaval—in short, revolution. At that time, he referred to the ordinary, war-related hardships of food shortages, air raids, devastated cities, destruction of homes, and the omnipresent grief from the loss of loved ones. The atomic bomb escalated death, pain, and suffering to unimaginably higher levels, intensifying the threat from within. After the bombings of Japan and two atomic bombs, Hirohito was in a dark way, given a golden get out of jail free card. Hirohito could now save his suffering people from further anguish by surrendering, allowing him to deflect responsibility for leading them into misery while adopting an air of benevolence and care. Indeed, Hirohito did care—though not primarily for the Japanese people, but rather for the survival of his own imperial house and throne.   After the bombing of Hiroshima, Hirohito delayed for a full two days before instructing Kido, shortly before 10 A.M. on August 9, to “quickly control the situation” because “the Soviet [Union]” had declared war. Kido immediately communicated with Prime Minister Suzuki, who began arrangements for an Imperial Conference scheduled for later that night. Following the seidan of August 10, Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakomizu took charge of drafting the “Imperial Rescript Ending the War” based on Hirohito's directives. Assisted by two scholars of the Chinese classics, Kawada Mizuho and Yasuoka Masahiro, Sakomizu worked tirelessly for over three days before submitting a version of the rescript to the Suzuki cabinet. After six hours of contentious discussion on the night of August 14, the cabinet modified and approved the document. Hirohito promptly signed it, and Shimomura and Kido persuaded him to record a suitably opaque final version for broadcast to the nation.   On the night of August 14, the Suzuki government notified the United States and other Allied nations that it had accepted both the Potsdam Declaration and the Byrnes letter of August 11. Accelerating the emperor's actions during this climactic moment of the unconditional surrender drama was the American psychological warfare campaign. When a leaflet dropped from B-29 bombers came into Kido's possession on the night of August 13 or the morning of the fourteenth, he conferred with the emperor and explained the gravity of the situation. The latest enemy leaflets were informing the Japanese people of the government's notification of surrender under one condition, along with the full text of Byrnes's response. If this continued, it would undermine the imperial government's reliance on secrecy to obscure the true nature of the lost war and the reasons for the prolonged surrender delay.   Given Kido's and the emperor's concerns about rising signs of defeatism, including criticism of the throne, immediate action was necessary to prevent the populace from acting on their own initiative. Thus, the second seidan was convened. At noon on August 15, the Japanese people gathered around their radio receivers and heard, for the first time, the high-pitched voice of their emperor telling them:    “After pondering deeply the general trends of the world and the actual conditions obtaining in Our Empire today, We have decided to effect a settlement of the present situation by resorting to an extraordinary measure. We have ordered Our Government to communicate to the Governments of the United States, Great Britain, China and the Soviet Union that Our Empire accepts the provisions of their Joint Declaration. To strive for the common prosperity and happiness of all nations as well as the security and well-being of Our subjects is the solemn obligation which has been handed down by Our Imperial Ancestors and which lies close to Our heart. Indeed, We declared war on America and Britain out of Our sincere desire to ensure Japan's self-preservation and the stabilization of East Asia, it being far from Our thought either to infringe upon the sovereignty of other nations or to embark upon territorial aggrandizement. But now the war has lasted for nearly four years. Despite the best that has been done by everyone—the gallant fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one hundred million people—the war situation has developed not necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the world have all turned against her interest. Moreover, the enemy has begun to employ a new and most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is, indeed, incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives. Should we continue to fight, not only would it result in an ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation, but also it would lead to the total extinction of human civilization. Such being the case, how are We to save the millions of Our subjects, or to atone Ourselves before the hallowed spirits of Our Imperial Ancestors? This is the reason why We have ordered the acceptance of the provisions of the Joint Declaration of the Powers... The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you, Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is unsufferable”.   Clearly Hirohito sought to justify his decision to surrender by citing the dropping of the atomic bombs. He wanted to become the saviour of the Japanese people. Hirohito wanted to obfuscate the issue of accountability, to prevent expressions of strife and anger and to strengthen domestic unity around himself, to protect and raise the kokutai.  Interestingly, the surrender declaration to the civilian population was not the same one sent to the military. On August 17th Hirohito issued a second “rescript to soldiers and sailors” throughout the asia-pacific.   “ Now that the Soviet Union has entered the war against us, to continue . . . under the present conditions at home and abroad would only recklessly incur even more damage to ourselves and result in endangering the very foundation of the empire's existence. Therefore, even though enormous fighting spirit still exists in the Imperial Navy and Army, I am going to make peace with the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, as well as with Chungking, in order to maintain our glorious national polity”.   The lesser-known August 17 rescript to the army and navy specified Soviet participation as the sole reason for surrender, while maintaining the kokutai as the primary aim. Dissembling until the end—and even beyond—it was noted that the emperor presented two different justifications for his delayed surrender. Both statements were likely true.   Months later Hirohito's said this about his decision to surrender “The main motive behind my decision at that time was that if we . . . did not act, the Japanese race would perish and I would be unable to protect my loyal subjects [sekishi—literally, “children”]. Second, Kido agreed with me on the matter of defending the kokutai. If the enemy landed near Ise Bay, both Ise and Atsuta Shrines would immediately come under their control. There would be no time to transfer the sacred treasures [regalia] of the imperial family and no hope of protecting them. Under these circumstances, protection of the kokutai would be difficult. For these reasons, I thought at the time that I must make peace even at the sacrifice of myself.”    There exists this sort of childish argument today whether it was the atomic bombs or the Soviet Invasion that caused Japan to surrender. However, this overlooks as I think I've explained in 9000 words jeez, the influence of the kokutai. Defending the kokutai was Hirohito's number one priority. The Soviets threatened it. Communism threatened it. What Japan perceived to be “democracy” threatened it. American victory threatened it. And the destruction of Japan's social fabric threatened it. I love this one piece of history, that I have only come across in one book, that being the main one I am using here.   On August 12th, Hirohito came to the imperial family to tell them he had made the decision to surrender. His uncle Prince Yasuhiko Asaka asked him whether the war would be continued if the kokutai could not be preserved. Hirohito replied “of course”.

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PREVIEW CRINK: Colleague Victoria Coates of Heritage links the predator states with a new ironic acronym standing for China Russia Iran and North Korea. More. CRIMEA