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In an incredible episode from February 14, 2017, radio show host Clyde Lewis of Ground Zero spoke with journalist JP Sottile about a spine-tingling topic titled "The Looming Octopus."Famous for scouring the deep and dark corners of government operations and conspiracy theories, Sottile provided fascinating insights into the complex weave of power that may be manipulating global events from behind the scenes.The episode began with an eerie, dramatized call to the president, suggesting unseen forces at work, "monsters" in the Oval Office, and an ominous warning to "look behind you." This was an apt prelude to the intense discussion that followed.With growing concerns about fascism and the corrosion of democracy in the United States, Sottile and Lewis discussed the uncomfortable reality of a so-called deep state, a web of entrenched interests operating within and across official governmental structures.Listeners were urged to wake up to manipulations that have been spoken of by many profound writers throughout history, including H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and others who envisaged dystopian futures dominated by unseen cabals and omnipotent states.Sottile's conversation with Lewis pivoted around the controversial claim that this leviathan 'octopus' of power doesn't restrict its reach to an amorphous global entity but has tangible tentacles in pointed political spheres, diplomacy, intelligence, and even the White House.With Michael Flynn's resignation as National Security Advisor only weeks into President Donald Trump's term, the discussion moved into contemporary issues. Was Flynn's departure part of a pattern tracing back to administrations past, where dossiers and blackmail were tools wielded by shadow operatives to maintain control? The conversation certainly made listeners question the integrity of political processes and the vulnerability of leaders who step out of line with the desires of a powerful, deep-rooted establishment.The interview concluded with a momentous and chilling realization: this 'deep state' isn't just working against disruptive elements or foreign adversaries;it's now apparently engaged in a domestic power struggle where the future of American governance is at stake. And all of this set within a parapolitical framework that challenges even the most stable perceptions of what America stands for.If these discussions pique your interest, make sure to tune into Ground Zero and follow Clyde Lewis and JP Sottile as they continue to uncover what's really happening behind the political curtain.And remember, as the politics become increasingly convoluted and the lines of ethics more blurred, it's our duty as citizens to remain informed, skeptic and, above all, vigilant.You can catch Ground Zero on GroundZero.radio, where you can find a list of radio stations streaming the program. If you re having trouble finding the full three-hour show near you, Lewis encourages you to contact your local program director or station to request it.Additionally, previous episodes are available on SoundCloud or for listening by phone.Don't forget to explore the knowledge Lewis and others have published, which you can find for purchase at GroundZeroMerch.com, alongside other Ground Zero swag.Stay awake, stay aware, stay safe, and always be prepared to look deeper.Originally Broadcast On 3/8/17Liking this episode? Get more episodes, news and other bonuses when you become a member of Ground Zero: Aftermath. Get a free trial now!
On this edition of Parallax Views, it's a monster-sized edition of our "Reflections of Afghanistan" series with not one but two guests join us for a nearly two hour roundtable conversation asking about how we got to this moment, what the past 20 years of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan says about our society, and what our withdrawal portends for a future in which China's rise looms and climate change seems ready to change the world. Joining us is long-time friend of the show JP Sottile aka "The Newsvandal" and former marine and State Deparment official Matthew Hoh, who famously blew the whistle on the 2009 surge in Afghanistan. The conversation begins with Matthew describing his background in both the Iraq War and Afghanistan War and his opposition to the 2009 surge. From there we delve into a number of issues with JP commenting on the media coverage of Afghanistan and the complicity we may all share in what he calls "The Empire of Oil". The conversation branches out from there as we discuss everything from the late Michael Hastings (a friend of Matthew Hoh) to the defense contractors that benefitted from the war and the F-35 boondoggle on this mammoth edition of the program. NOTE: HAD TO USE A DIFFERENT MIC FOR THIS EPISODE. I DON'T THINK THE AUDIO QUALITY IS EFFECTED THAT MUCH ON MY END. AND IT'S LARGELY JUST ME MODERATING JP AND MATTHEW.
On this edition of Parallax Views, Trump loyalist Tom Barrack was recently arrested on explosive charges of acting as a foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Whether you're still Trump-obsessed or flat-pout Trump fatigued, or you (in many ways rightfully) think we should move on with Biden, this story may prove more important than anyone realizes. And it may cast a different light on Russiagate and the Mueller investigation that puts the mainlight spotlight on Trump the UAE. But, as this scandal unfolds, it may prove to teach us about something much bigger than Trump. Our guest on this edition of the program, the crackerjack journalist JP Sottile aka "The Newsvandal", calls it the "Empire of Oil" that may well explain our current geopolitics. As Joe Pesci's David Ferrie opines in Oliver Stone's JFK, “Oh, what a deadly web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!" JP and I dig deep getting into the UAE scandal as well as how all of it may connect to a bigger geopolitical picture over the past few years and decades. We talk the sabotaging of the Iran deal, Israel-based private intel firm Psy-Group (covered in the Muller report, but underdiscussed), the NSO and Pegasus spyware scandal, the role of oil in geopolitics, fracking, OPEC and OPEC+, the 9/11 families lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, and much, much more! We had some light-hearted talk about classic Bond Girl Caroline Munro and even Eric Clapton (P.S. - minor mistake in saying he made a "River of Blood" speech meant to say he more or less endorsed Enoch Powell and the sentiment of Powell's "River of Blood" speech).
Veteran political journalist JP Sottile joins the boys to discuss the present and future of MAGA and Q-anon conspiracy theories as well as the battle of the progressive leftism versus neoliberal centrism in the Democratic party.
The U.S. Election is finally, it appears, over. It looks as if Joe Biden is the next President Elect of the United States and that Donald Trump and his will be out of the White House by 2021. Kamala Harris will join Joe Biden in the White House as Vice President replacing Mike Pence. Democrats are celebrating in the streets over the victory, believing it represents the defeat of a 21st century fascist threat, while Trump and his supporters accuse the election of being rigged through a voter fraud conspiracy. What will the future hold for a post-Trump America?Journalist JP Sottile aka the Newsvandal joins us to provide his always insightful analysis. In this conversation JP and I discuss:- The landscape of mainstream and alternative media; Chris Ruddy and Newsmax; class and making it journalism; what has the effect of the Trump Presidency been on journalism and the press?; Fox News- The projections of Presidential victories in the media, exit polling, and the 2000 election- The election as a referendum on Trump and how Trump has created a "distortion field" that obscures what the American people want in terms of policy; the Presidential Election as a Trump "reality show"- The off-year elections in 2022 and what it will say about what Americans want- Do Americans want progressivism?; Does progressivism have a messaging problem?; the "Defund the Police" movement; Democratic Party Strategist James Carville and others blaming progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar for Democrats' downballot losses; AOC's New York Times interview; can progressives learn a thing or two from the long game of the evangelical Christian Right over the past half century?- The Lincoln Project; did it play a role in the election?- High voter turnout and how the conventional wisdom of higher turnout equaling a Democratic "Blue Wave" didn't pan out- Military Keynesianism and demand side economics; can Keynesian be applied to other areas rather than those the benefit what has been referred to as the military industrial complex?; the World Economic Forum and the transnational capitalist class; supply side economics vs demand side economics; is Reaganism/Thatcherism over and did Trump show the cracks in its acceptance?- Richard Spencer's support of Biden/Harris; is Spencer getting what he wanted in the sense that the focus of the Democratic Party's leadership is shifting toward an even more "law and order" route going forward; the history of "liberal" as an epithet during the Reagan era and how "socialist" has become the new epithet
Weekend Double Feature Episode! First Up, Investigative journalist Jean Guerrero, who has become known for her work reporting on the border, joins us to shine a much needed light on Donald Trump's Senior Policy Advisor Stephen Miller. In her new book, Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, and the White Nationalist Agenda, applies her journalistic skills to cracking the enigma of Miller, from his youth in California and his radicalization by right-wing personalities like Rush Limbaugh, Larry Elder, and David Horowitz to his collaborating with the alt right's Richard Spencer while at Duke University and eventually gaining a key position in the Trump White House. In telling the story of Stephen Miller and his anti-immigration agenda, Guerrero also manages to tell the story of the the immigrants who are the greatest target of Miller's ire and fury. And, despite all his raging against elites and claiming the mantle of anti-elitism, Guerrero shows that Miller is the dark mirror image of the coastal liberals who he accuses of hypocrisy. Moreover, in the final analysis, Guerrero shows that Miller is not an anomaly but rather a product of politics and cultural paranoia that have existed within the U.S. for decades. In this way, Hatemonger is not just about Stephen Miller and the immigrants he despise, but also the bi-partisan efforts, from the Presidencies of Reagan to Obama, that define the backdrop of their stories.Some topics covered:- The unusual coincidence of Miller being born on the same day a U.S. spy plane in El Salvador; Jean explains how U.S. interference in El Salvador and Central America, supporting right-wing death squads, created much suffering. - Jean Gurrero's experience at Steve Bannon's border symposium and thoughts on Bannon's arrest; Bannon drove her back to her hotel and spoke to her for a bit; Bannon told her that Miller was his "little evil robot" - How can Stephen Miller, a Jewish man, hold white nationalist views?; Jean has a personal way of answering this question - Miller's connections to Peter Brimelow of the white nationalist website VDare and eugenics promoters like the anti-immigrant stalwart John Tanton and Jared Taylor's American Renaissance magazine - The paranoia and conspiracy theories that permeate American culture; Jean's essay "My Father is a Targeted Individual. Maybe We All Are'; what sets the CIA mind control and electronic harassment conspiracy theories espoused by her father and others claiming to be "Targeted Individuals" from the likes of Stephen Miller and promoters of the "White Genocide" conspiracy theory. - And more Then THE GANGSTER PRESIDENCY? The Newvandal himself, JP Sottile, joins us to discuss how the Trump White House and its associates are looking more and more like something out of a 1940s gangster B-movie. JP argues the Trump White House isn't so much a Presidency as a "big licensing deal". In particular JP hones in on the influencing scandals that have plagued the administration and its associates involving Elliot Broidy, the United Arab Emirates, the Turkish Halkbank, and others. JP says the buck doesn't stop at Steve Bannon and the "We Build the Wall" campaign, when it comes to scandals either directly involving the administration or, in the case of Bannongate, centering on former Trump White House officials. Are some of the characters in this real-life gangster movie worried about losing control of the Justice Department if Trump loses the election? JP weighs the possibilities. Additionally, JP and I have a nuanced discussion about Russiagate and money laundering at the beginning of our conversation. UPDATED Episode Time Stamps Time Stamps: Preview Segment - 00:34Intro Segment - 02:17Jean Guerrero Interview - 05:16Transition Segment - 45:22JP Sottile Interview - 48:48Outro + Who Let the Dogs Out (Roger Stone House Remix) - 01:42:40 This Episode Brought to You By:The War State:The Cold War Origins of the Military-Industrial Complex and the Power Elite, 1945-1963byMichael SwansonofThe Wall Street Window
4/17/20: THE PLAGUE OF INSURRECTION W/ JP SOTTILE The media appears to be on board with the idea that there needs to be a "shadow government" that plots against the president in some multi-level overthrow against those that dare stand athwart to the power structure. This is another coup but not against Trump - it is a coup to dehumanize America. Welcome to the New Dystopia. Tonight on Ground Zero, Clyde Lewis talks with political analyst, JP Sottile about THE PLAGUE OF INSURRECTION.
On this edition of Parallax Views, as coronavirus grips the United States and the world Parallax Views regular guest JP Sottile aka the Newsvandal joins us to discuss all the latest in current events (and their historical connections to the past) during these fearful times. We begin the conversation by discussing COVID-19. JP is currently in self-quarantine after finding out his roomamte contracted the virus. Not only that, but JP is also in one of the epicenter of coronavirus in the USA. We then go on to discuss the possible effect this pandemic may have on globalization, and how figures ranging from Foreing Policy in Focus's John Feffer to paleoconservative Pat Buchanan are considering the potential for coronavirus to deliver a death blow to the current neoliberal world order. From there we go on to discuss the resurgence of nationalism around the world coupled with the oncoming possibility of ecological crisis. This segues into a discussion of America's generational divide, the increasing anger directed at baby boomers by millennials and Gen Z, and how Generation X fits into it all. Additionally, we discuss the Democratic Primaries, Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and where progressives should put their energies in a post-Bernie scenario. Moreover, we discuss the differences between the Trumpist right that has taken over the GOP from more moderate Republican and the progressive movement, embodied by the Bernie Sanders campaign, that have sought to take over the Democratic Party. And finally we come back to the coronavirus at the end of our conversation and the scary developments around it. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWSON PATREON! FORBONUS CONTENTANDARCHIVED EPISODES!
On this edition of Parallax Views, crackerjack journalist JP Sotille aka The Newsvandal returns to unpack the spectacle of American politics in 2020. From the failure of the anti-climatic ending of the Impeachment trial and the chaos the Iowa Caucus "App-Ocalypse" to Rush Limbaugh winning a Presidential Medal of Honor and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi tearing up Trump's speech at the State of the Union, the political landscape has already proven to be wild since the start of the new year and will likely only get crazier leading up to the elections in November. JP has been on a roll lately with his three most recent pieces, "The Impeachment Blunder", "The Irony of Iowa's Caucus Crack-Up", and "SOTU: The Reagan Reboot Strikes Again". In this conversation he took on a noticably grimmer tone than in previous appearances and I suspect his takes on current matters ranging from the failure of Impeachment to the Democratic Party's split between progressives and its centrist establishment will have a little something for the left, right, and center alike to get a little angry about. All that and more on this edition of Parallax Views. SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWSON PATREON! FORBONUS CONTENTANDARCHIVED EPISODES!
2/5/20: IMPEACHY PIE - IF YOU’VE GOT MITT YOU AIN’T GOT S#!T W/ JP SOTTILE Well, today was President Trump’s Day of Reckoning and as predicted, he was acquitted by the Senate. However, more controversy was ignited as Republican Mitt Romney gave a guilty vote on the first article of impeachment. National politics are now a bad reality show and we have a reality show star as President which puts us already into a paranormal plot that seems to have no conclusion and no curtain call. Tonight on Ground Zero, Clyde Lewis talks with political analyst, JP Sottile about IMPEACHY PIE – IF YOU’VE GOT MITT YOU AIN’T GOT S#!T.
After watching the impeachment hearings on TV I had a wide ranging discussion with investigative journalist JP Sottile who runs the website newsvandal.com about geopolitics and culture in our era of surveillance capitalism. JP's email list is one of the few that I subscribe to myself and open up every single day. You can get on his list by going to newsvandal.com.
This week Eric welcomes back to the show political analyst and all around news vandal, JP Sottile, curator of the Newsvandal daily newsletter. Eric and JP discuss oil, oil, and more oil; how global politics and economics are being shaped by it, and what the future may hold. JP explains why he refers to this period as "Donald Trump's Oily Presidency" and what the rule of Big Oil has meant for the geopolitical chessboard in the Middle East and beyond. Eric and JP discuss the recent drone strike against Saudi oil facilities, who might have been involved, how the war in Yemen is related and so much more. The second half of the show features an in depth discussion of Russia, the strategic calculus in the era of late stage oil, and much more. A quick episode summary won't do this discussion justice. Don't miss it! Music: John Mayall - "Gasoline Blues"
This week Eric welcomes back to the show political analyst and all around news vandal, JP Sottile, curator of the Newsvandal daily newsletter. Eric and JP discuss oil, oil, and more oil; how global politics and economics are being shaped by it, and what the future may hold. JP explains why he refers to this period as "Donald Trump's Oily Presidency" and what the rule of Big Oil has meant for the geopolitical chessboard in the Middle East and beyond. Eric and JP discuss the recent drone strike against Saudi oil facilities, who might have been involved, how the war in Yemen is related and so much more. The second half of the show features an in depth discussion of Russia, the strategic calculus in the era of late stage oil, and much more. A quick episode summary won't do this discussion justice. Don't miss it! Music: John Mayall - "Gasoline Blues" More The post JP Sottile – Episode 140 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.
In this episode of the Keiser Report, Max and Stacy discuss the latest study demonstrating that it is fracking alone that has caused a huge surge in methane emissions, not industrial farming, which had been blamed by some in the media. They also react to the news of the US wanting to buy Greenland, and what the idea means in the larger geo-economic picture. In the second half, Max interviews independent journalist JP Sottile about his latest article for NewsVandal.com about the carbon feedback loop driving the US military machine. The military is used to secure oil resources that are heating up the planet, which is causing climate instability and creating a further demand, they say, for further military deployments.
This week JP Sottile joined me for the first hour to discuss the climate catastrophe. We started out by discussing how many people, including myself, have long ignored this issue. We talked about how daunting and overwhelming the crisis is, and how this has led many to feel as though they can’t do anything to […]
The post-Epstein media ecosystem has been a clown car crash. You could say it's a... CIRCUS OF DOOM! Faithful listeners will remember the Circus of Doom from when Parallax Views covered the media brouhaha over Roger Stone w/ Pearse Redmond and Ed Opperman. This time returning guest JP Sottile, the NewsVandal himself, joins us to discuss not only the media circus around Epstein, but also establishment pundit David Frum's clownish declaration that Trump could be the US's "1st Marxist President". The conversation takes us down the general nightmare funhouse of media mayhem that's been gripping the U.S. since 2016 and is packed with JP's always articulate analysis. So step right up to hear... DAVID FRUM AND THE POST-EPSTEIN CLOWN CAR CRASH OF DOOM! Check out JP's work at Newsvandal and subscribe to the Newsvandal Rundown
Today, war was officially declared on open source journalism and various bloggers and vloggers across the internet. It is ironic that while Americans are concerned about fake news, they have fewer concerns about what is happening to journalists and what is happening to the right to a free press. Tonight on Ground Zero, Clyde Lewis talks with political commentator, JP Sottile about F**K NEWS CHANNEL - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FROM ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
This time on CounterPunch Radio, Eric chats with political analyst and media critic JP Sottile about the fallout from the Mueller Report, how Russiagate may or may not fit into the 2020 election, what the hell happened in the Jussie Smollett case, and a lot more. The conversation begins with a discussion about the Mueller Report and Russiagate, and how the media has exploited our current politics for profits. Eric and JP discuss if/how Russiagate and "NO COLLUSION!" fit into the narrative of the 2020 campaign, and whether it helps or hurts both Trump and the Democrats. JP gives his astute analysis of the Democratic candidates, the electoral map, and changes in American politics that he foresees. The last portion of the discussion focuses on the Smollett case, and how it relates to broader sociopolitical questions of America in 2019. Music: Nouvelle Vague - "Guns of Brixton" More The post JP Sottile – Episode 124 appeared first on CounterPunch.org.
This time on CounterPunch Radio, Eric chats with political analyst and media critic JP Sottile about the fallout from the Mueller Report, how Russiagate may or may not fit into the 2020 election, what the hell happened in the Jussie Smollett case, and a lot more. The conversation begins with a discussion about the Mueller Report and Russiagate, and how the media has exploited our current politics for profits. Eric and JP discuss if/how Russiagate and "NO COLLUSION!" fit into the narrative of the 2020 campaign, and whether it helps or hurts both Trump and the Democrats. JP gives his astute analysis of the Democratic candidates, the electoral map, and changes in American politics that he foresees. The last portion of the discussion focuses on the Smollett case, and how it relates to broader sociopolitical questions of America in 2019. Music: Nouvelle Vague - "Guns of Brixton"
On this edition of Parallax Views it's another double feature! Two guests, one episode! First up a return conversation with "The Newsvandal" JP Sottile recorded only hours ago on the hot off the presses developments in the fallout from Russiagate and the end of the Mueller Probe. Then journalist Jaya Sundaresh joins us to discuss a number of topics related to media and activism as well as her recent piece on a new play by the legendary playwright Ishamel Reed that criticizes the musical phenomenon of Hamilton on historical and political grounds. JP Sottile Jaya Sundaresh
Following a brief tribute to the legendary surf rock guitarist Dick Dale and some other opening comments, two-time Emmy-award winning producer and journalist JP Sottile of Newsvandal returns to discuss the Mueller Probe, the college admissions scandal, the Democrats' freshman congresswomen, rising Islamophobia in culture, and the Christchurch terror attack. The conversation begins with JP and I discussing a recent poll showing the Americans may be turning on the Mueller Probe. JP gives his take on the Mueller Probe and cautions against saying anything definitive about the report until we can see it. Additionally, we discuss how disastrous the Mueller Probe could end up being for the Democrats in the 2020 elections, Glenn Greenwald's infamous criticisms of Russiagate, if it does not deliver the goods on Russian collusion. We then segue into the topic of what could be called "The New Gilded Age" in which wealth inequality and the rigging of the system for the mega-rich continues to grow. In particular, JP and I cover the college admissions scandal that has ensnared celebrities like Felicity Huffman and Full House's Lori Loughlin. We discuss how this case is emblematic of the "rich people gone wild" age that we live in. JP details the main player in the case, William Singer aka "Rick". We delve into how Singer's college admissions scheme ties into branding culture and creating a side-door to get wealthy parents into prestigious colleges. We also relate how the college admissions scandal is only one of many scandals and discuss the Trump family fortune's equally sketchy background. From there we delve into the Christchurch Mosque shooting, which JP recently wrote about. We go over how the rhetoric behind the neoconservative's "War on Terror" has influenced Islamophobic sentiments. Then we delve into JP's thoughts on the shooting and what it says about the alt right's mindset and philosophy. Check out JP's work at Newsvandal and subscribe to the Newsvandal Rundown SUPPORT PARALLAX VIEWS ON PATREON!
In rebuke of President Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron stated in his speech at the United Nations yesterday that “Nationalism always leads to defeat.” He also used a term that rates as Newspeak for the masses and that is “Multilateralism,” which is just another term for a globalist order with an alliance of multiple countries pursuing a goal of a world government. Only by becoming aware of the pervasive grip that globalists wield in promoting their emerging New World Order can we citizens of the world come together to make every effort to thwart the elite’s sinister design. On tonight’s show, Clyde Lewis talks with political analyst, JP Sottile about TALES OF THE DARKSTATE