Podcasts about strengthening america

Send us a textIn this episode of From the Green Notebook, General Randy George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, returns to discuss the habits, practices, and mindset that have shaped his leadership journey. From the pocket-sized notebook he started as a field grade officer to the lessons he's learning from visiting troops and reading deeply, General George offers a candid reflection on growth, command, and staying grounded in your values.In this conversation, they discuss:The leadership lessons General George captured in his personal notebook and how reflection has guided him through multiple levels of commandThe role reading plays in staying intellectually curious and professionally sharp, including the books that have shaped his thinkingHow bottom-up innovation is driving the Army's "Transforming in Contact" initiative and what he's learning from frontline unitsThe importance of consistency in communication and why leaders must seek out and act on honest feedbackHow personal values—and regular conversations with his spouse—help him stay aligned with what matters most, both in and out of uniformThis episode is brought to you by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). We know the U.S. Army protects our freedoms every day—but have you ever thought about who's protecting the U.S. Army? Meet AUSA—the Army's premier professional association, dedicated to supporting every aspect of the Army journey.This year marks an incredible milestone: 250 years of the U.S. Army defending our nation. To celebrate, AUSA is offering exclusive Premium membership discounts for a limited time:2 years for just $30 (normally $40)5 years for $50 (normally $75)Lifetime membership for only $250 (normally $400)Premium members receive top-tier benefits, including a subscription to ARMY magazine and access to over $300,000 in scholarships.Join now and stand with those who serve. Sign up today at ausa.org/membership/premium—no code necessary. AUSA—Supporting Soldiers. Strengthening America.And don't forget to check out AUSA's official podcast, Army Matters. Hosted by LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey, Army Matters brings you in-depth conversations with Army leaders past, present, and future—from the battlefields to the boardrooms and beyond. New episodes drop every other Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts.

Risky Business returns for its 19th year! Patrick Gray and Adam Boileau discuss the week's cybersecurity news and there is a whole bunch of it. They discuss: The incoming Trump administration guts the CSRB Biden's last cyber Executive Order has sensible things in it China's breach of the US Treasury gets our reluctant admiration Ross Ulbricht - the Dread Pirate Roberts of Silk Road fame - gets his Trump pardon New year, same shameful comedy Forti- and Ivanti- bugs US soldier behind the Snowflake hacks faces charges after a solid Krebs-ing And much, much (much! after a month off) more. This week's episode is sponsored by Sandfly Security, who make a Linux EDR solution. Founder Craig Rowland joins to talk about how the Linux ecosystem struggles with its lack of standardised approaches to detection and response. If you've got a telco full of unix, and people are asking how much Salt Typhoon you've got in there… Sandfly's tools are probably what you're looking for. If you like your Business like us… - Risky - then we're hiring! We're looking for someone to help with audio and video production for our work, manage our socials, and if you're also into the Cybers… even better. Position is remote, with a preference for timezones amenable to Australia/NZ. Drop us a line: editorial at risky.biz. This episode is also available on Youtube. Show notes POLITICO Pro | Article | Acting DHS chief ousts CSRB experts, other department advisers Treasury's sanctions office hacked by Chinese government, officials say Strengthening America's Resilience Against the PRC Cyber Threats | CISA AT&T, Verizon say they evicted Salt Typhoon from their networks Risky Bulletin: Looking at Biden's last cyber executive order - Risky Business Internet-connected devices can now have a label that rates their security | Reuters US sanctions prominent Chinese cyber company for role in Flax Typhoon attacks FCC ‘rip and replace' provision for Chinese tech tops cyber provisions in defense bill CIA nominee tells Senate he, too, wants to go on cyber offense | CyberScoop Trump tells Justice Department not to enforce TikTok ban for 75 days Judge rules NSO Group is liable for spyware hacks targeting 1,400 WhatsApp user devices | The Record from Recorded Future News Unpacking WhatsApp's Legal Triumph Over NSO Group | Lawfare Time to check if you ran any of these 33 malicious Chrome extensions Console Chaos: A Campaign Targeting Publicly Exposed Management Interfaces on Fortinet FortiGate Firewalls - Arctic Wolf Ongoing attacks on Ivanti VPNs install a ton of sneaky, well-written malware Researchers warn of active exploitation of critical Apache Struts 2 flaw DOJ deletes China-linked PlugX malware off more than 4,200 US computers Russian internet provider confirms its network was ‘destroyed' following attack claimed by Ukrainian hackers | The Record from Recorded Future News Ukraine restores state registers after suspected Russian cyberattack | The Record from Recorded Future News Hackers claim to breach Russian state agency managing property, land records | The Record from Recorded Future News U.S. Army Soldier Arrested in AT&T, Verizon Extortions – Krebs on Security

The Northern Marianas is part of the United States but exists in a strategic environment unlike anywhere else in America. Sharing a maritime boundary with Japan, the Northern Marianas hosted a strategic air base for America's operations in World War II. Today, as the same base in Tinian is under redevelopment for use by the U.S. Air Force, a Chinese-linked casino recently opened nearby. Unlike anywhere else in America, tourists from China can enter the Northern Mariana Islands through the CNMI-only visa waiver program that has made the U.S. more vulnerable to malicious, CCP-led activities. This is in addition to the large investments that have flowed through the islands' financial system with little national security oversight. The frontline between the People's Republic of China's influence operations and America's strategic positioning are at a significant crossroads. The ongoing bipartisan Congressional failure to approve the renewal of key components of the Compacts of Free Association leaves the future of U.S. defense architecture in the Central Pacific hanging in the balance and risks further isolating the Northern Marianas and neighboring Guam.Join FDD for a conversation with Northern Marianas Governor Arnold Palacios; the Hon. Randall G. Schriver, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs and current Chairman of the Board at The Project 2049 Institute; and FDD Senior Fellow Cleo Paskal. The conversation will be moderated by Craig Singleton, FDD China Program Director and Senior Fellow.

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It was a day of tragedy 22 years ago on Sept. 11; 2,977 people were killed, and 3,000 children were left without parents. Some of the best people in the nation—first responders—lost their lives trying to save the lives of others. And in the wars that followed, America lost some of its finest young men and women. But something else happened on 9/11. Americans were forced to surrender some of their basic rights. Facing the threat of terror attacks, and amid the 2001 anthrax attacks, President George Bush passed the USA PATRIOT Act, also known as the “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001.” The PATRIOT Act raised the question of whether Americans should sacrifice their constitutional rights in exchange for safety. And now, there's a broader social debate on whether an emergency order can override the rights of Americans under the Constitution.   ⭕️

Our guest this week is Carolyn Reynolds, Co-founder of the Pandemic Action Network (PAN). In this episode we discuss how Carolyn's involvement in the response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa led her to co-found PAN; and what PAN works to achieve, particularly in the lead up to the high-level meeting on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response later this year. We also discuss:Some of PAN's accomplishments responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and preventing future pandemics. The role PAN has played in the creation of The Pandemic Fund. What it means to have a civil society voice for pandemic preparedness.As well as her work with PAN, Carolyn is also a Global Health Policy Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, an expert adviser to the Commission on Strengthening America's Health Security, and a Distinguished Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health. She has served as a senior adviser to international organizations, including the Global Financing Facility, World Bank, WHO, and Global Preparedness Monitoring Board.You can find out more about the Pandemic Action Network here. You can also follow PAN on Twitter at @PandemicAction. More on the World Bank's announcement of the first round of funding for The Pandemic Fund is available at this link.  We encourage you to join the conversation on Twitter at @CentreHealthSec and @AusAmbRHS

Helen, Micah, Sohrab, and Harry discuss the latest NATO summit, donors souring on Ron DeSantis, and the upcoming Napoleon movie.  Become a member today.   Picks of the week:   Helen: "The Brainwashing Race," Peter Robinson Micah: "No, Ukraine Hawks Aren't Strengthening America," Sohrab Ahmari Sohrab: "Baby Steps," Micah Meadowcroft Harry: "Soldiers in the Culture War," John Hirschauer

This weekend on America's Roundtable, co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy presented highlights from the inaugural US-Israel Leaders Summit on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., on June 5, 2023, an event commemorating Israel's 75th anniversary and featuring speakers who are committed to strengthening America's partnership with Israel. The Capitol Hill event's strategic partners included SuperTalk Mississippi Media, Lanser Broadcasting Corporation and Menachem Begin Center in Jerusalem. Speakers featured on America's Roundtable Radio include the following leading members of Congress: —U.S. Congressman Mike Bost (R-IL), Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and a veteran of the US Marine Corps —U.S. Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX), House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee —U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), House Committee on Energy and Commerce and member of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus —U.S. Congressman John James (R-VA), House Foreign Affairs Committee —U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA), Vice-Chairman, US House Armed Services Committee —U.S. Congressman Doug Lamborn (R-CO), House Armed Services Committee, Chairman, Strategic Forces Subcommittee 2023, and Co-Chair of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus (CIAC) The event also included a screening—the Capitol Hill premiere—of the documentary “Upheaval: The Journey of Menachem Begin” directed by Jonathan Gruber. It was a special occasion and privilege to taste the wines from the hills of Jerusalem, with entrepreneur and co-owner of Psagot Winery, Na'ama Berg, who joined us from Israel. Further reading via The Jewish News Syndicate (https://www.jns.org/u-s-israel/u-s-israel-relations/23/6/6/293188/): No greater US ally than Israel, Rep. Mike Bost tells US-Israel Leaders Summit (https://www.jns.org/u-s-israel/u-s-israel-relations/23/6/6/293188/) JNS.org is the fastest-growing news agency covering Israel and the Jewish world, providing news and briefings to over 100 print newspapers and digital publications on a daily basis. americasrt.com (https://americasrt.com/) https://ileaderssummit.org/ | https://jerusalemleaderssummit.com/ America's Roundtable on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/americas-roundtable/id1518878472 Twitter: @ileaderssummit @AmericasRT @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio program - a strategic initiative of International Leaders Summit, focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 65 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

The language that is used to talk about immigrants in America is something that really bothers Chris. A common and unproductive trope that's heard in media is “a flood of immigrants to the border.” At the same time, there is a growing dependance at the foundational level on the labor of immigrants in the U.S. As natural disasters are happening with increasing frequency and intensity, communities are relying more and more on immigrant laborers. Saket Soni is director of Resilience Force, a national initiative that advocates on behalf of disaster recovery workers. He's also author of the upcoming book, “The Great Escape: A True Story of Forced Labor and Immigrant Dreams In America.” The subject of the story starts when Soni, who was 28 years old at the time, received an anonymous phone call from an Indian migrant who told him about incredibly inhumane worker conditions at a labor camp in Mississippi. The extraordinary journey that follows is told in the fascinating read about how Soni and 500 workers devised a bold plan, after a series of clandestine meetings, to escape and bring attention to their cause in Washington, D.C. He joins WITHpod to discuss writing about one of the largest human trafficking cases in modern American history, his deeply personal story coming to the U.S. from India, the importance of a well-protected skilled resilient workforce, rebuilding social fabrics around this topic and more.

There is an emerging consensus about the military and technological threats presented by Communist China to the United States and its regional allies. That is the good news. The less-good news is that American efforts to address those threats appear to be lacking. What can the incoming Congress do to rebalance the scales? Dakota Wood […]

Podcast: Control Loop: The OT Cybersecurity Podcast (LS 28 · TOP 10% what is this?)Episode: An IT security professional walks into an OT bar.Pub date: 2022-10-19An assessment of port and terminal cybersecurity in the US. Tata Power discloses a cyberattack. The White House issues statements on cybersecurity. India's power company collaborates on energy sector cybersecurity. Guests Special Agent in Charge, Tom Sobocinski, and Supervisory Special Agent for Cyber, Tom Breeden, of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, discuss the FBI's collaborative approach to working with industry. In the Learning Lab, Mike Hoffman of Dragos kicks off the first of 3 segments on teaching infosec professionals how to think about OT security with the fundamental differences between IT security and OT security.Control Loop News Brief.Port and terminal cybersecurity.“US Ports and Terminals Sustain Increased Cybersecurity Attacks,”(Jones Walker LLP)Cyber attack against Tata Power.“Indian energy company Tata Power announces cyberattack affecting IT infrastructure,” (The Record)“Tata Power says hit by cyber attack, says critical system functioning,” (Mint)“Tata Power says hit by cyber attack,” (The Economic Times)Sabotage and terrorism directed against infrastructure.“Russia's MFA summons German, Danish, Swedish envoys over Nord Stream probe,” (TASS)White House statement on cybersecurity.“FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Delivers on Strengthening America's Cybersecurity,” (The White House)India collaborates on energy sector cybersecurity.“New collaboration to tackle cybersecurity issues in power transmission systems,” (India Science Wire)Control Loop Interview.Guests are FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge, Tom Sobocinski, and Supervisory Special Agent for Cyber, Tom Breeden, sharing the FBI's collaborative approach to working with industry.Control Loop Learning Lab.Our Learning Lab segment is the first in a series of three with Mike Hoffman, Principal Industrial Consultant at Dragos, teaching infosec professionals how to think about OT security. This episode's segment is about the fundamental differences between IT security and OT security.The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from CyberWire Inc., which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

An assessment of port and terminal cybersecurity in the US. Tata Power discloses a cyberattack. The White House issues statements on cybersecurity. India's power company collaborates on energy sector cybersecurity. Guests Special Agent in Charge, Tom Sobocinski, and Supervisory Special Agent for Cyber, Tom Breeden, of the FBI Baltimore Field Office, discuss the FBI's collaborative approach to working with industry. In the Learning Lab, Mike Hoffman of Dragos kicks off the first of 3 segments on teaching infosec professionals how to think about OT security with the fundamental differences between IT security and OT security. Control Loop News Brief. Port and terminal cybersecurity. “US Ports and Terminals Sustain Increased Cybersecurity Attacks,”(Jones Walker LLP) Cyber attack against Tata Power. “Indian energy company Tata Power announces cyberattack affecting IT infrastructure,” (The Record) “Tata Power says hit by cyber attack, says critical system functioning,” (Mint) “Tata Power says hit by cyber attack,” (The Economic Times) Sabotage and terrorism directed against infrastructure. “Russia's MFA summons German, Danish, Swedish envoys over Nord Stream probe,” (TASS) White House statement on cybersecurity. “FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Delivers on Strengthening America's Cybersecurity,” (The White House) India collaborates on energy sector cybersecurity. “New collaboration to tackle cybersecurity issues in power transmission systems,” (India Science Wire) Control Loop Interview. Guests are FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge, Tom Sobocinski, and Supervisory Special Agent for Cyber, Tom Breeden, sharing the FBI's collaborative approach to working with industry. Control Loop Learning Lab. Our Learning Lab segment is the first in a series of three with Mike Hoffman, Principal Industrial Consultant at Dragos, teaching infosec professionals how to think about OT security. This episode's segment is about the fundamental differences between IT security and OT security.

On this 147th episode, we are offering the fireside chat, held on August 30 at CSIS, at which CDC Director Rochelle Walensky laid out her newly announced reform agenda, moderated by Julie Gerberding and Tom Inglesby. Julie is former director of the CDC and current director of the Foundation of the National Institutes of Health, and co-chair of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America's Health Security. Tom is Director of the Johns Hopkins University Center on Health Security and co-chair of the Commission Working Group on CDC.  

We are joined today with Dave Berkenfield. Dave retired after spending 25 years in special operations having served as a Navy SEAL beginning in the 90's and retiring only a couple years ago. Today, he serves in a leadership role on racing teams with Chip Ganassi Racing headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Having served on 20 combat deployments during his time as a SEAL, we discuss with Dave the impact on us veterans upon leaving the service, and the terrible infliction that is veteran suicide. Since his retirement, Dave has worked closely with the American Legion to develop the “Be the One” campaign. The American Legion is known as Veteran's Strengthening America and developed the Be the One Campaign “to begin thinking, talking and acting to save just one life.” We appreciate Dave's leadership and dedication in tackling such a complex, American issue. If you are feeling suicidal, thinking about hurting yourself, or are concerned that someone you know may be in danger of hurting himself or herself, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by certified crisis response professionals. www.betheone.org Support the show and become a War Stories patron: https://www.patreon.com/warstoriespodcast Website: https://www.warstories.co

What You Need to Know is Biden is America Last. Biden prepares action to reshape Trump's tariffs on China. The thrust of this politico article is that President Biden is trial ballooning whether he can get away with removing tariffs that penalize the Communist Chinese for cheating. We are basically being told by the President of the United States, “Hey! Sorry. Go on ahead and ride your bike.” While China makes more money. It's time for our Legislators and other state leaders to make their voices heard that We the People are NOT OK with these tariffs being lifted. John Schlafly delivers the #SchlaflyReport: Liberal World Order: “As Long as it Takes”? John explains that a new world order basically means experts deciding everything without regard for what We the People want. He also talks about how Biden was asked during a press conference how long we will have to put up with high gas prices. Biden's response was, “As long as it takes.” Find all of John's work with his brother Andy Schlafly at PhyllisSchlafly.com.  Joe Johnston, author, professor and lawyer, talks about his book The Decline of Nations: Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and in the World and where we are as a nation. Joe talks about how we haven't lost our patriotism entirely, but it is disappointing what the Biden Administration is doing. There's a tremendous amount of financial irresponsibility on the part of our federal government. Be sure to get a copy of his book here.  What You Need to Do is contact your legislators and tell them not to go back on the tariffs against China. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us on Wednesday, May 25 @ 6pm EST for a special conversation with the I Can Problem Solve (ICPS) program creator, Dr. Myrna B. Shure and lead national trainer for ICPS, Stephanie Colvin-Roy, to discuss their work and Dr. Shure's book, Raising a Thinking Child. Dr. Myrna B. Shure is professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Drexel University in Philadelphia. She is the creator of the I Can Problem Solve (ICPS) program—a school-based social and emotional learning/violence prevention program, recognized for research and service by numerous national organizations. She is the author of the Raising a Thinking Child Workbook, an ICPS program for families, with recognition by the Strengthening America's Families Project and NASP. She has been recognized by the American Psychological Association's Psychology Matters initiative for research relating to schools and families.  Her books for parents, Raising a Thinking Child and Raising a Thinking Preteen are both Parent Choice Award winners. Dr. Shure consults on issues of mental health in our nation's youth. Stephanie Colvin-Roy has spent over 18 years providing professional development in prevention education and youth development. She provides professional learning, consultation and technical assistance to schools and youth-serving agencies with a focus on social and emotional learning as the training and organizational development associate for the Center for the Promotion of Social and Emotional Learning at Center for Schools and Communities. She is Lead International Trainer and manages the I Can Problem Solve (ICPS) and Raising a Thinking Child programs in partnership with the program developer, Dr. Shure. She has received extensive training in SEL and other areas, including character education, Courageous Conversations-Beyond Diversity, and Supporting Students Exposed to Trauma.

Dr. Yanzhong Huang is Professor at Seton Hall University's School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Senior Fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations, and co-chair of the US-China Working Group of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America's Health Security.  He joined Steve Morrison in the our 133rd episode for a wide-ranging conversation: on China's huge immunity gap; its “dynamic Zero-Covid approach;” the spread of BA-2 beyond Shanghai to 45 cities affecting 25% of China's population and 40% of its GDP; the acute vulnerability of China's elderly; and the supply chain disruptions and huge economic consequences experienced inside China and, increasingly, felt across the globe. Deaths are underreported, and popular discontent has risen, even while it remains doubtful that majority opinion has shifted against Zero-Covid. While the Chinese government has made some modest adjustments to its fierce reliance on mass lockdowns, testing and quarantining, it has not fundamentally changed course. “Zero-Covid will continue.” Opposition is at the highest level -- at the Presidency itself: “the barrier is political.” It remains unclear when if ever the government will move to a mass campaign using a Western mRNA vaccine, a key step to creating immune protection and easing reliance on lockdowns. Successful development of a Chinese mRNA vaccine has thus far been elusive. 

What You Need to Know is Kendi gets paid! Fairfax, Va. School District Spent $24,000 On Ibram Kendi Books For U.S. History Classes. And the left's friends (the public schools) are also getting paid — Look Up How Much COVID Relief Aid Your School District Is Getting. What the left is doing and the swamp is doing is taking tax dollars from We the People and transferring them to favored groups. The left is using our money to push their agenda!  Jeffrey S. Stephens, lawyer, & author, talks about the award that his book Fool's Errand won! Jeffrey explains how his book talks about the tender relationship between a father and son. Consider getting a copy of Fool's Errand for yourself at JeffreyStephens.com. Joe Johnston, author, professor and lawyer, talks about what's going on between Ukraine and Russia. Joe explains how China and Russia have dramatically accelerated their naval shipbuilding and modernization programs while the U.S. has struggled to grow its capacity of naval warfare. Be sure to get a copy of his important book — The Decline of Nations: Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and in the World.  Wrap up: Can you believe this? TSA confirms it lets illegal immigrants use arrest warrants as ID in airports. We are thankful for people like Todd Bensman, Center for Immigration Studies, and others who report on what is really going on at the border and with our immigration system!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest CaseyCast episode features David Brooks — a journalist and social sciences scholar who is leading an inspiring charge to build stronger communities and social trust.

On this episode, Joseph Johnston joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "The Decline of Nations: Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and in the World."

On this episode, Joseph Johnston joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, “The Decline of Nations: Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and in the World.”

Read more about this episode's topic, and actions you can take now, at the Voices for Human Needs Blog's Episode Summary: https://www.chn.org/voices/lobby-for-social-and-economic-justice Learn more about our other episodes and actions to take on ongoing policy and advocacy campaigns at: http://bit.ly/voices4humanneeds. If you have any questions or comments regarding today's topic or suggestions for future episodes, please go to https://anchor.fm/voices-for-human-needs/message and record a message. Your voice may then be included in the next Voices for Human Needs Podcast! The full transcript of this podcast episode is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15iqfHM1d32j4aZ60vD2huYJhkxOQn4CK/view?usp=sharing To learn more about the work being done by our speakers and the organizations mentioned in this episode, please see below: Hwa Young Lee, RESULTS: https://results.org/blog/becoming-empowered-to-push-for-change/ Learn more about RESULTS: https://results.org/ Apply to or share the RESULTS Organizing and Advocacy Fellowship Application: https://results.org/fellowship/ Richelle Friedman, Coalition on Human Needs Use our Build Back Better National Call-In Days Script and social media toolkit to call your representatives in Congress and urge them to pass the Build Back Better! Join the Strengthening America's Values and Economy (SAVE) for All campaign --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/voices-for-human-needs/message

Learn more about VANC: https://www.vanc.me/ Recently, on VANC's SoCal Military News and Views podcast, Mike Walsh spoke with two members of American Legion Post 760, Vincent Barna and Matthew Shillingburg. Together, they talk about the history of the American Legion, what it does for the community, and how you can get involved in this incredible organization that helps veterans across the nation. The American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veterans' service organization. With almost 13,000 chapters across the world, it holds true to its motto: “Veterans Strengthening America.” American Legion Post 760 was chartered at VANC to serve the community in Oceanside. Whether it's helping veterans find jobs, raising awareness about PTSD in the community, encouraging patriotism, or supporting the next generation of Americans, the American Legion is there to serve military members and mobilize people to support veterans. If you want to learn more or get involved, click on one of the links below! Get Connected Discover more about VANC: https://www.vanc.me/ Donate to VANC's Honor Wall: https://www.vanc.me/honor-garden Contact VANC: info@vanc.me Follow VANC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAssociationNorthCounty Learn more about American Legion: https://www.legion.org/ Check out what American Legion Post 760 is doing: https://www.vanc.me/american-legion-post-760 Volunteer with American Legion: https://www.legion.org/volunteers Discover more about Walk for the Fallen: https://walkforthefallen.org/ Reach out to Matthew Shillingburg: matthewshillingburg@yahoo.com Connect with Vincent Barna: vincentbarna@hotmail.com Resources Did you like what you heard? This show is produced by Imagine Podcasting dba Heard Not Seen Media, Inc. For more, visit Imagine Podcasting https://www.imaginepodcasting.com. 

In this edition of Wilson Center NOW, we are joined by Duncan Wood, Vice President for Strategy & New Initiatives and Senior Advisor to the Mexico Institute.  He discusses a new publication he co-authored entitled, “The Mosaic Approach: a Multidimensional Strategy for Strengthening America's Critical Minerals Supply Chain,” which argues that the United States must take a number of key steps to make the critical minerals supply chain more resilient.

The Patriot Act: A law that is still governing us after 20 years despite being almost universally hated. In this episode, we take a close look at the lesser known parts of the Patriot Act that became permanent immediately, examine the status of the few provisions that had to be reauthorized over the years, find out how the law was crafted in the first place, and see what happened to the members of Congress who voted for this rights-destroying legislation. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank's online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536. Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Background Sources Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes CD236: January 6: The Capitol Riot CD235: The Safe Haven of Sanctions Evaders CD160: Equifax Breach CD105: Anthrax CD098: USA Freedom Act: Privatization of the Patriot Act CD048: The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Patriot Act Overviews Charles Doyle. April 18, 2002. The USA PATRIOT Act: A Sketch, RS21203.” Congressional Research Service. Charles Doyle. December 10, 2001. Terrorism: Section by Section Analysis of the USA PATRIOT Act, RL31200. Congressional Research Service. Indefinite Detention Anna Mulrine Grobe. October 7, 2021. “Guantanamo: A former prosecutor's solution to an ‘unsolvable problem.'” The Christian Science Monitor. Jessica Corbett. July 22, 2020. “ACLU Says Release of Adham Hassoun Confirms US Government Lacks Power to 'Lock Someone Up Without Due Process.'” Common Dreams. Carol Rosenberg. June 29, 2020. “Judge Rejects U.S. Effort to Hold Palestinian Man After Prison Term.” The New York Times. Nino Guruli. February 24, 2020. “The Unreasonableness of the Citizenship Distinction: Section 412 of the USA PATRIOT Act and Lessons from Abroad.” The University of Chicago Law Review Online. Jennifer K. Elsea and Michael John Garcia. March 14, 2016. Wartime Detention Provisions in Recent Defense Authorization Legislation, R42143 Congressional Research Service. ACLU. December 31, 2011. “President Obama Signs Indefinite Detention Bill Into Law.” ACLU. October 23, 2001. “How the Anti-Terrorism Bill Permits Indefinite Detention of Immigrants.” Credit Reporting Agencies Ken Sweet. October 6, 2017. “Equifax Collects Your Data, and Then Sells It.” Inc. “Experian Revenue.” Craft. “Equifax Revenue 2006-2021| EFX.” Macrotrends. “TransUnion Revenue 2011-2021 | TRU” Macrotrends. 15 U.S. Code § 1681v - Disclosures to governmental agencies for counterterrorism purposes. Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute. Reauthorizations and Expirations Charlie Savage. August 14, 2020. “McConnell Appears Set to Quietly Suffocate Long-Debated F.B.I. Surveillance Bill.” The New York Times. India McKinney and Andrew Crocker. April 16, 2020. “Yes, Section 215 Expired. Now What?” EFF. Charlie Savage. March 27, 2020. “House Departs Without Vote to Extend Expired F.B.I. Spy Tools” The New York Times. Office of the Press Secretary. March 9, 2006. “President Signs USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act.” The White House. Steven M. Martinez. April 21, 2005. “Testimony Before the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.” archives.fbi.gov Brain Duignan. “USA PATRIOT Act: Reauthorizations.” Britannica. ACLU. “The Sun Also Sets: Understanding the Patriot Act ‘Sunsets.'” Surveillance Charlie Savage. January 22, 2021. “Intelligence Analysts Use U.S. Smartphone Location Data Without Warrants, Memo Says” The New York Times. Charlie Savage. December 3, 2020. “U.S. Used Patriot Act to Gather Logs of Website Visitors” The New Times. Charlie Savage. March 31, 2020. “Problems in F.B.I. Wiretap Applications Go Beyond Trump Aide Surveillance, Review Finds.” The New York Times. Byron Tau and Michelle Hackman. February 7, 2020. “Federal Agencies Use Cellphone Location Data for Immigration Enforcement.” The Wall Street Journal. Charlie Savage. December 11, 2019. “We Just Got a Rare Look at National Security Surveillance. It Was Ugly.” The New York Times. Sharon Bradford Franklin. July 25, 2018. “Carpenter and the End of Bulk Surveillance of Americans.” Lawfare. Adam Liptak. June 22, 2018. “In Ruling on Cellphone Location Data, Supreme Court Makes Statement on Digital Privacy.” The New York Times. International Impact Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Bill Weinberg. June 15, 2018. “USA PATRIOT Act Threatens Uruguay Banks Over Legal Cannabis System.” Cannabis Now. Bills and Laws The Patriot Act United and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act) of 2001 House Vote Senate Vote Law Outline TITLE I: ENHANCING DOMESTIC SECURITY AGAINST TERRORISM Sec. 106: Presidential Authority Expanded the authority of the President to "investigate, regulate, or prohibit" financial transactions to include "any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States." Expanded the authority of the President to block transactions and property of "any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States" "during the pendency of an investigation". Expands the authority of the President to confiscate property "of any foreign person, foreign organization, or foreign country" when the US has been "attacked by a foreign country or foreign nationals" and the President can then decide what to do with that property "for the benefit of the United States." These provisions remain in current law as of 10/18/21 TITLE II: ENHANCED SURVEILLANCE PROCEDURES Sec. 201: Authority to Intercept Wire, Oral, and Electronic Communications Relating to Terrorism Expands the list of suspected actions that can justify the Attorney General and some subordinates obtaining judicial permission for wiretaps (a list that has since been expanded further) to include terrorism related crimes. Sec. 203: Authority to Share Criminal Investigate Information Allows grand jury information to be shared with "any Federal law enforcement, intelligence, protective, immigration, national defense, or national security official" if the matter involves "foreign intelligence or counterintelligence" The government official who receives the information has to notify the court that it got the information, but that notification can be in secret and they have to submit it "within a reasonable time after such disclosure", which is not defined. The government official who receives the information is authorized to share it with "any other Federal law enforcement, intelligence, protective, immigration, national defense, or national security official" if it includes "foreign intelligence or counterintelligence" The procedures for sharing the information was left up to the Attorney General to decide. Sec. 205: Employment of Translators by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Authorizes the FBI to speed up the hiring of translators Sec. 206: Roving Surveillance Authority Under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 If a person is a "foreign power or an agent of a foreign power", the government can authorize wiretapping a "common carrier, landlord, custodian, or other specified person" if the court finds that the target is using communications that "may have the effect of thwarting the identification" of the target. Sec. 207: Duration of FISA Surveillance of Non-United States Persons Who Are Agents of a Foreign Power The warrants can be issued for up to 120 days fi they are for targeting individuals and can be for up to a year if targeting a "foreign power" Sec. 209: Seizure of Voicemail Messages Pursuant to Warrants Allows the government to seize the contents of voicemails using a warrant instead of a surveillance order, which is a faster method for authorization. Sec. 210: Scope of Subpoenas For Records of Electronic Communications Expands the information that can be subpoenaed from telecom companies to include connection records, records of call times and duration, types of services used, telephone numbers, IP addresses, and method of payments included credit card or bank account numbers. This provision had no sunset. Sec. 212: Emergency Disclosure of Electronic Communications to Protect Life and Limb Allows the telecom companies to provide customer data to the government if it "reasonably believes that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serous physical injury to any person requires disclosure of the information with delay" Allows the telecom companies to provide customer data "to any person other than a governmental entity" Allows the government to require a telecom company to disclose customer records, which was previously an option decided by the telecoms. Sec. 213: Authority for Delaying Notice of the Execution of a Warrant Allows the government to delay notifying their target about a warrant if they court finds that the notification "may have an adverse result" such as an individual fleeing prosecution, endangerment of someone's life, tampering with evidence, witness intimidation, or jeopardizing the investigation. This provision allowed "sneak and peek" warrants, which allowed the government to secretly enter - physically or electronically - a target's property to search, take pictures, copy documents, download files, etc. as long as they didn't take any property with them. This provision had no sunset. Sec. 214: Pen Register and Trap and Trace Authority Under FISA Eliminates the requirements that trace devices only be applied to devices and facilities used by foreign persons, so that now they can be used on devices belonging to US citizens so long as the devices are likely to provide information related to a foreign intelligence investigation. Sec. 215: Access to Records and Other items under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Authorizes the FBI to order "the production of any tangible items" for their investigations into international terrorism, as long as the investigation of a US citizen or company is "not conducted solely upon the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution." The entity turning over the property can not tell anyone that they gave the FBI whatever they requested or tell anyone about the investigation's existence, and in return, the entity that produced the items "shall not be liable to any other person for such production." Sec. 216: Modification of Authorities Relating to Use of Pen Registers and Trap and Trace Devices Requires that the court "shall" authorize the installation of trace devices "anywhere within the United States" if the court finds that the government has shown that the information likely obtained from the devices "is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation." The order "shall apply to any personal or entity providing wire or electronic communication services in the United states" A record must be kept of which officers installed the device, the date and time it was installed and uninstalled, the date, times, and durations that the device is accessed for information, and the information collected from the device. The record must be provided to the court "under seal" within 30 days "after termination of the order". There was no sunset for this provision. Sec. 217: Interception of Computer Trespasser Communications Allows companies to voluntarily request law enforcement monitoring of intruders on their networks and authorizes the government to intercept information transmitted by a "computer trespasser" Sec. 219: Single-Jurisdiction Search Warrants for Terrorism Allows judges to issue search warrants outside of the districts where the property to be searched is located. There was no sunset for this provision. Sec. 222: Assistance to Law Enforcement Agencies Requires that companies that help the government install tracing devices authorized by Section 216 on their network be "reasonably compensated for such reasonable expenditures incurred in providing such facilities or assistance." Sec. 223: Civil Liability for Certain Unauthorized Disclosures If a court finds that an employee of the United States has disclosed information collected improperly, the government has to conduct a proceeding to determine if discipline is warranted. Damages can be awarded of at least $10,000 plus litigation costs. Sec. 224: Sunset Sets an expiration date of December 31, 2005 for Sections 203(a), 203(c), 205, 208, 210, 211, 213, 216, 219, 221, and 222. Sec. 225: Immunity for Compliance with FISA Wiretap Provides immunity to anyone who complies with a FISA wiretap, including private and government persons. TITLE III: INTERNATIONAL MONEY LAUNDERING ABATEMENT AND ANTITERRORIST FINANCING ACT OF 2001 Subtitle A - International Counter Money Laundering and Related Measures Sec. 311: Special Measures for Jurisdictions, Financial Institutions, or International Transactions of Primary Money Laundering Concern Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to require domestic financial institutions to maintain records and file reports, including personally identifiable information, about transactions in a location outside the United States or between foreign financial institutions. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit or impose conditions upon accounts being opened in domestic financial institutions by people from foreign jurisdictions. Sec. 312: Special Due Diligence for Correspondent Accounts and Private Banking Accounts Requires banks that open accounts for non-US citizens to investigate the background of the account opener or owner for money laundering red flags. Sec. 313: Prohibition on United States Correspondent Accounts With Foreign Shell Banks Prohibits domestic financial institutions from opening or maintaining accounts for a foreign bank that doesn't have a physical presence in any country. Sec. 314: Cooperative Efforts to Deter Money Laundering Orders the Secretary of the Treasury to write regulations that encourage law enforcement and financial institutions to share information about individuals, entities, and organizations, with a specific focus on charitable organizations, non-profit organizations, and nongovernmental organizations. A financial institution that shares information that "may involve terrorist acts or money laundering activities" can not be held liable "under any law or regulation of the United States" or of any state or contract and they can not be held liable for failing to inform their customer that their information was shared. Sec. 315: Inclusion of Foreign Corruption Offenses as Money Laundering Crimes Expands what qualifies as "money laundering" to include "bribery of a public official, or the misappropriation, theft, or embezzlement of public funds by or for the benefit of public official" and some smuggling and firearm offenses. Sec. 316: Anti-Terrorist Forfeiture Protection An owner of property that is confiscated under US laws that allow the seizure of assets of suspected international terrorists can contest that confiscation, but the government can use evidence against them to justify the confiscation that is "otherwise inadmissible under the Federal Rules of Evidence" if it finds that "compliance with the Federal Rules of Evidence may jeopardize the national security interests of the United States." Sec. 319: Forfeiture of Funds in United States Interbank Accounts If funds are deposited by suspect into an account at a foreign bank that has an account in the United States, the money in that bank's account -up to the amount deposited in the target's account - can be held or seized from the bank's account. If a foreign bank doesn't terminate their relationship with the suspect, that foreign bank can be fined up to $10,000 per day until that relationship is terminated. If a convicted criminal hides their property, the court "shall" order other property up to the value of the missing property to be seized. Sec. 320: Proceeds of Foreign Crimes Expands the government's power to seize property held inside the United States if the property was obtained via felony drug offenses if the offense would be punishable by death or more than one year in prison under the foreign nation's or the US's laws. Sec. 323: Enforcement of Foreign Judgments The government can apply for and the courts can grant restraining orders to hold property that is the subject of investigations being conducted by foreign governments as long as the offense would have been illegal if committed in the United States. No one can object to the restraining order. The defendant is no longer required to have received notice of the proceedings in time to act but instead the foreign court has to "take steps" to notify the defendant. Sec. 326: Verification of Identification The Secretary of the Treasury has to write regulations that require banks to verify the identity of their customers and check a list of suspected terrorists to make sure that those people are not trying to open accounts at their bank. Sec. 328: Criminal Penalties Any official or employee of the US Federal Government, or any one who helps them, commit fraud on the United States "shall be fined in an amount not more than 3 times the monetary equivalent of the thing of value, or imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. Subtitle B - Bank Secrecy Act Amendments and Related Improvements Sec. 351: Amendments Relating to Reporting of Suspicious Activities Provides immunity to "any financial institution" that makes a voluntary disclosure of a possible violation of law to a government agency Prohibits the financial institution or anyone in it and the officers and employees of the Federal Government from notifying the customer that their suspicious transaction has been reported to the government. Sec. 355: Authorization to Include Suspicions of Illegal Activity in Written Employment References Authorizes employees of "any insured depository institution" (which includes "any uninsured branch or agency of a foreign bank") to "disclose in any written employment reference" of a current or former employee information about "the possible involvement" of that person in "potentially unlawful activity." If the information is shared "with malicious intent", the institution sharing the information can be sued. Sec. 358: Bank Secrecy Provisions and Activities of United States Intelligence Agencies to Fight International Terrorism Consumer reporting agencies "shall furnish a consumer report of a consumer and all other information in a consumer's file to a government agency authorized to conduct investigations of, or intelligence or counterintelligence activities or analysis related to, international terrorism when presented with a written certification by such government agency that such information is necessary" for the agency's investigation. The consumer reporting agency is not allowed to tell the consumer that the government requested the information or that the government received it. Provides immunity for a consumer reporting agency that complies with the government request. Sec. 361: Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Transforms the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) into a bureau in the Department of the Treasury. Sec. 363: Increase in Civil and Criminal Penalties for Money Laundering The Secretary of the Treasury may impose civil money penalties equal to or more than 2 times the amount of the transaction but not more than $1 million on any financial institution that violates the money laundering laws and special measures. Sec. 365: Reports Relating to Coins and Currency Received in Non-Financial Trade or Business Requires that any coin or currency transaction that is over $10,000 be reported to FinCEN. The reports must include the name and address of the recipient, the amount, the date and nature of the transaction, and the name of the person filing the report. This does not apply to any transaction if the entire transaction occurs outside of the United States. Subtitle C - Currency Crimes and Protection Sec. 371: Bulk Cash Smuggling Into or Out of the United States Creates the crime of "currency smuggling", which is when someone knowingly conceals more than $10,000 in currency or other monetary instruments on themselves or in their luggage or containers and transports it, or attempts to transport it, into or out of the United States. Punishment: Up to 5 years in prison and forfeiture of the money involved in the smuggling, or an equal amount from the suspect's personal belongings. Sec. 373: Illegal Money Transmitting Businesses Anyone who "knowingly conducts, controls, manages, supervises, directs, or owns all or part of an unlicensed money transmitting business" can be imprisoned for 5 years, fined, or both. Sec. 374: Counterfeiting Domestic Currency and Obligations Expands the definition and punishments for counterfeiting to include analog, digital, and electronic images. Lengthens prison sentences for a range of counterfeiting offenses. Sec. 375: Counterfeiting Foreign Currency and Obligations Dramatically expands prison sentences for counterfeiting foreign currencies from single digit year sentences to 20-25 years. Sec. 376: Laundering the Proceeds of Terrorism Expands the applicability of computer fraud offenses committed outside the United States if they involve devices issued by a company inside the United States, like a credit card, or if the defendant used any property within the United States to commit the crime. TITLE IV: PROTECTING THE BORDER Subtitle A - Protecting the Northern Border Sec. 402: Northern Border Personnel Authorizes unlimited funds to triple the number of border patrol agents, customs agents, and INS inspectors on our northern border along with an additional $50 million to update technology. Sec. 403: Access by the Department of State and the INS to Certain Identifying Information in the Criminal History Records of Visa Applicants and Applicants For Admission to the United States The Attorney General and the FBI will provide criminal history records to the State Department Subtitle B - Enhanced Immigration Provisions Sec. 411: Definitions Relating to Terrorism Adds being a representative of a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the Secretary of State or being a representative of an organization that publicly endorses terrorist activity to the grounds to denial of entry into the United States. If the endorsement of terrorist activity has occurred in the last five years, that person's spouse and children are also barred from entering the United States (this can be waived by the Attorney General if it can be proved that the spouse/children didn't know or has renounced the behavior). Defines "terrorist activity" "To commit or to incite to commit under circumstances indicating an intention to cause death or serious bodily injury To gather information on potential targets for terrorist activity To solicit funds or other things of value for a terrorist activity, a terrorist organization (unless the solicitor can demonstrate that he did not know, and should not reasonably have known, that the solicitation would further the organization's terrorist activity). To solicit any individual to engage in terrorist activity or membership in a terrorist organization (unless the solicitor can demonstrate that he did not know, and should not reasonably have known, that the solicitation would further the organization's terrorist activity). To commit an act that the actor knows, or reasonably should know, affords material support, including a safe house, transportation, communications, funds, transfer of funds or other material financial benefit, false documentation or identification, weapons (including chemical, biological, or radiological weapons), explosives, or training for the commission of a terrorist activity, to any individual who the actor knows, or reasonably should know, has committed or plans to commit a terrorist activity, or to a terrorist organization (unless the actor can demonstrate that he did not know, and should not reasonably have known, that the act would further the organization's terrorist activity.) Defines a "terrorist organization" A group designated, upon publication in the Federal Register, by the Secretary of State in consultation with or upon the request of the Attorney General, as a terrorist organization, after finding that the organization engages in "terrorist activity" or that the organization provides material support to further terrorist activity A group of two or more individuals, whether organized or not, which engages in "terrorist activity" Sec. 412: Mandatory Detention of Suspected Terrorists; Habeas Corpus; Judicial Review The Attorney General "may" certify that an "alien" is "engaged in any other activity that endangers the national security of the United States" An alien who is certified "shall" be taken into custody by the Attorney General "The Attorney General shall maintain custody of such an alien until the alien is removed from the United States... such custody shall be maintained irrespective of any relief from removal granted the alien, until the Attorney General determines that the alien is no longer an alien who may be certified" If the alien is finally determined to not be removable, detention "shall terminate" but an alien who has not been removed "and whose removal is unlikely in the reasonably foreseeable future, may be detained for additional periods of up to six months only if the release of the alien will threaten the national security of the United States or the safety of the community or any person." Judicial review of "any action or decision" relating to this section ("including judicial review of the merits of a determination") is available exclusively in habeas corpus proceedings. Outside of that, "no court shall have jurisdiction to review, by habeas corpus petition or otherwise, any such action or decision." The habeas corpus proceedings that are allowed may be initiated only by an application filed with the Supreme Court, any circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, or "any district court otherwise having jurisdiction to entertain it." The final order "shall be subject to review, on appeal, by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. There shall be no right of appeal in such proceedings to any other circuit court of appeals." Section 413: Multilateral Cooperation Against Terrorists Allows the Secretary of State to share information with other countries about "individual aliens" for the "purpose of preventing, investigating, or punishing acts that would constitute a crime in the United States" Subtitle C - Preservation of Immigration Benefits for Victims of Terrorism Sections 421-428: Provide leniency to immigrants who were either direct victims of 9/11 or whose US citizen spouse or parent died on 9/11. TITLE V: REMOVING OBSTACLES TO INVESTIGATING TERRORISM Sec. 501: Attorney General's Authority to Pay Rewards to Combat Terrorism Allows the Attorney General to offer rewards via public advertisements for assisting the Justice Department to "defend the Nation against terrorist acts" The money can come from "any executive agency or military department" "Neither the failure to of the Attorney General to authorize a payment nor the amount authorized shall be subject to judicial review" Sec. 502: Secretary of State's Authority to Pay Rewards Allows the Secretary of State to pay rewards - including rewards over $5 million - for "the identification or location of an individual who holds a key leadership position in a terrorist organization" The reward limit has since been increased to $25 million, but higher amounts can be personally authorized by the Secretary of State Rewards up to $100,000 do not need to be approved by the Secretary of State Current law: "A determination made by the Secretary under this section shall be final and conclusive and shall not be subject to judicial review" Sec. 504: Coordination With Law Enforcement Allows Federal officers who conduct electronic surveillance or physical searches to coordinate with Federal law enforcement officers to "investigate or protect against" actual or potential attacks, sabotage, or clandestine intelligence activities by agents of a foreign power. Sec. 505: Miscellaneous National Security Authorities Authorizes FBI investigators to collect the name, address, length of service, and toll billing records of telephone, financial records, and consumer reports of US citizens as long as the investigation is "not conducted solely on the basis of activities protected by the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States." Allows the FBI to obtain records faster using National Security Letters instead of the previous process where they had to document specific and facts showing that the person is an agent of a foreign power Sec. 507: Disclosure of Educational Records Allows the Attorney General (or high ranking designee) to request a court order for educational records that are relevant to investigations into "an act of domestic or international terrorism" The application to the court "shall certify that there are specific and articulable facts giving reason to believe" that the records will likely contain information related to their terrorism investigation. Provides immunity to educational agencies and institutions that comply with the court orders TITLE VI: PROVIDING FOR VICTIMS OF TERRORISM, PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES Subtitle A - Aid to Families of Public Safety Officers Sec. 613: Public Safety Officers Benefit Program Payment Increase Increases the death or severe disability payment amount from $100,000 to $250,000 Subtitle B - Amendments to the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 Sec. 621: Crime Victims Fund Allocates money specifically to 9/11 victims and ensures that the payments do not count as income in order to reduce any government assistance that victim receives. TITLE VII: INCREASED INFORMATION SHARING FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION Sec. 701: Expansion of Regional Information Sharing System to Facilitate Federal-State-Local Law Enforcement Response Related to Terrorist Attacks Funds new information sharing networks TITLE VIII: STRENGTHENING THE CRIMINAL LAWS AGAINST TERRORISM Sec. 801: Terrorist Attacks and Other Acts of Violence Against Mass Transportation Systems Sets penalties for attacking mass transportation systems For attacks or plots that don't kill anyone or have passengers on board: Fines and up to 20 years in prison For attacks on vessels carrying at least one passenger or that result in "the death of any person", fines and up to life in prison. Sec. 802: Definition of Domestic Terrorism "The term 'domestic terrorism' means activities that involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State; appear to be intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States." Current law maintains this definition Sec. 803: Prohibition Against Harboring Terrorists Establishes punishments for anyone who "harbors or conceals any person who he knows, or has reasonable grounds to believe, has committed, or is about to commit" a list of terrorism related crimes. They can be fined, sent to prison for up to 10 years, or both. Any Federal judicial district court can prosecuted these offenses. Sec. 804: Jurisdiction Over Crimes Committed at U.S. Facilities Abroad Gives the Federal Government jurisdiction over crimes committed by or against Americans that take place on property used - not necessarily owned - by the United States in foreign countries and in the residences used by United States personnel assigned to foreign missions. Sec. 806: Assets of Terrorist Organizations Subjects to civil forfeiture "all assets, foreign and domestic of any individual, entity, or organization engaged in planning or perpetrating any act of domestic or international terrorism against the United States, citizens or residents of the United States, or their property, and all assets, foreign or domestic, affording any person a source of influence over any such entity or organization; acquired or maintained by any person with the intent and for the purpose of supporting, planning, conducting, or concealing an act of domestic or international terrorism... or derived from, involved in, or used or intended to be used to commit any act of domestic or international terrorism..." The language 'any act of domestic or international terrorism' has since be changed to 'any Federal crime of terrorism' Sec. 809: No Statute of Limitation for Certain Terrorism Offenses Exempts terrorism crimes that result in or created a forseeable risk of death or serious bodily injury from an 8 year statute of limitations. Sec. 810: Alternate Maximum Penalties for Terrorism Offenses Increases penalties for crimes Arson prison sentences increase from a maximum of 20 years to a maximum of life Destruction of energy facilities increase from a maximum of 10 years to a maximum of 20 years Arson or energy facility destruction crimes that result in a death can be given life sentences Material support to terrorists and terrorist organization prison sentences increased from a maximum of 10 years to 15 years Material support to terrorists or terrorist organizations that result in a death can be given life sentences Destruction of national defense material crimes and sabotage of nuclear facilities or fuel prison sentences increased from a maximum of 10 years to 20 years Destruction of national defense material crimes and sabotage of nuclear facilities or fuel that result in a death can be given life sentences Damaging or destroying an interstate gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility crimes prison sentences increased from a maximum 15 years to 20 years Damaging or destroying an interstate gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility crimes that result in a death can be given life sentences Sec. 811: Penalties for Terrorist Conspiracies Adds people who conspire to commit crimes including arson, killings in Federal facilities, destruction of communications lines, stations, or systems, wrecking trains, material support to terrorists, torture, conspiracy, sabotage of nuclear facilities or fuel, interference with flight crew members and attendants, damaging or destroying an interstate gas or hazardous liquid pipeline facility, and a few others to the list of those who can be punished with fines and prison sentences. Sec. 814: Deterrence and Prevention of Cyberterrorism Increases the penalty for intentionally damaging a federal computer from up to 5 years in prison to up to 10 years in prison (up to 20 years for a repeat offender). Sec. 817: Expansion of the Biological Weapons Statute Establishes a maximum 10 year prison sentence and a fine for anyone who "knowingly possesses any biological agent, toxin, or delivery system of a type or in a quantity... that is not reasonably justified by a prophylactic, protective, bona fide research, or other peaceful purpose." TITLE IX: IMPROVED INTELLIGENCE Sec. 901: Responsibilities of Director of Central Intelligence Regarding Foreign Intelligence Collected Under Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Because only the President and Attorney General are able to initiate a FISA surveillance order, this provision facilitates information sharing from the Attorney General to the CIA in a way that ensures that the CIA "Director shall have no authority to direct, manage, or undertake electronic surveillance or physical search operations." Sec. 905: Disclosure to Director of Central Intelligence of Foreign Intelligence-Related Information With Respect to Criminal Investigations The Attorney General or the head of "any other department or agency of the Federal Government" with law enforcement responsibilities "shall expeditiously disclose" to the Director of Central Intelligence foreign intelligence gotten in the course of a criminal investigation. TITLE X: MISCELLANEOUS Sec. 1005: First Responders Assistance Act Creates a grant program where the Attorney General will fund States and local governments for hiring additional law enforcement personal dedicated to "intelligence gathering", purchasing spying equipment such as wire-tap, pen links, cameras, and computer hardware/software, protective equipment for patrol officers, and communications operations for improved interoperability among surrounding jurisdictions. Sec. 1007: Authorization of Funds for DEA Police Training in South and Central Asia Authorizes $5 million for fiscal year 2002 for "regional antidrug training in the Republic of Turkey" by the DEA for police and "increased precursor chemical control efforts in the South and Central Asia region." Sec. 1010: Temporary Authority to Contract with Local and State Governments for Performance of Security Functions at United States Military Installations "During the period of time that United States armed forces are engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom and for the period of 180 days thereafter", the Department of Defense is allowed to use their money to contract out security at their military bases in the United States to local and State governments. Sec. 1012: Limitation on Issuance of Hazmat Licenses The Attorney General will complete background checks at the request of the States on people applying for a license to transport hazardous material Sec. 1016: Critical Infrastructure Protection Creates the National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center (NISAC) Hearings House Session - October 23, 2001 Sound Clip Transcripts 1:26:29 Rep. Bobby Scott: First of all, I think it's appropriate to comment on the process by which the bill is coming to us. This is not the bill that was reported and deliberated on in the Judiciary Committee. It came to us late on the floor. No one has really had an opportunity to look at the bill to see what's in it since we've been out of our offices. The report has just come to us. And it would be helpful if we'd wait for some period of time so that we can at least review what we're voting on. But I guess that's not gonna stop us. So here we go. 1:27:26 Rep. Bobby Scott: This bill makes three significant changes. One, it reduces s+tandards for getting a foreign intelligence wiretap from one where it is the reason you're getting it, to it is a significant reason for getting the wiretap, much less. Then you wonder, well, if it's not the primary reason, why are you getting the wiretap? Second, it allows the roving wiretap so once you find a target, if he's using cell phones, for example, you can go and find them wherever he is. And third, you can use the information in a criminal investigation and the combination gives you the situation where there's very little standard, and you can essentially conduct a criminal investigation without probable cause. If you have, for example, a target, who is using cell phones, you get the the wiretap, he uses a payphone, you can listen to anybody using the payphone. If he's in a club or organization, in a business, you can go on you tap the phones there, if he's visiting the democratic national headquarters, maybe you can tap all the phones there. 1:29:47 Rep. Bobby Scott: There are provisions that allow attention under certain circumstances that may be indefinite, we expand the ability of the government to conduct secret searches and so called sneak and peek where you don't tell people they're even being investigated. And you can start targeting domestic organizations, designated domestic groups, as terrorist groups and you can start getting the CIA into designating these groups as targets for criminal investigations. There's a lot in this bill that we have not appropriately considered. And that's why we need more time to think of it because it goes way past terrorism. This is the way you're going to be conducting criminal investigations and therefore the bill ought to be defeated. 1:39:09 Rep. Spencer Bachus: You know, we may not have understood and appreciated the word “terrorism” and what terrorists were before September 11. We certainly do today. We know who they are. We know what they're capable of. We may not have appreciated the need for this legislation before September 11, but surely today, we appreciate the need for this legislation and the urgency of such legislation. 1:44:04 Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee: I'm concerned that the legislation still permits the Attorney General indefinitely to incarcerate or detain non-citizens based on mere suspicion and to deny readmission to the United States of such non-citizens. I'm also concerned that the AG and the Secretary of State have the power to designate domestic terrorists. You might simply be paying dues and be declared part of a terrorist organization. It has widespread investigation of Americans just on the basis of intelligence purposes. It allows searches of highly personal financial records, and allows student records to be searched. I would say this, Mr. Speaker, let us show America's character and bring forth a bill that all of us will find a good balance. We'll review this bill but I hope that we'll vote on a good bill and provide the leadership that we need to lead. 1:46:41 Rep. Marge Roukema: I would like to say to some of the naysayers that complain about the provisions, the question as to whether or not they deny due process or whatever. The question has been asked, Are we endangering the rights and privacy of innocent Americans? The answer is no. But it does give our law enforcement officials the requirements that they need for their careful investigation. It gives our regulators and law enforcement officials what they need to get the job done. 1:52:25 Rep. Zoe Lofgren: I would also like to note, however, that there's been a lot of loose language among people who oppose this bill, and people are perfectly free to disagree with it, but it's important that we not be incorrect about what's actually in the bill. I actually heard someone say that the bill would provide for indefinite incarceration on a mere suspicion by the Attorney General, that's simply not the case. The Attorney General may detain persons but he has to certify and he has to have reasonable reasonable grounds to believe that the individuals have involved in terrorism and that decision is reviewable by a court. So that is really the to say it's a mere suspicion and indefinite is certainly not the case. 2:07:48 Rep. Mel Watt: Some groups in our country have had their rights violated, trampled on, by the law enforcement authorities in this country and so we don't have the luxury of being able to just sit back and give authority, more authority, than is warranted, the authority possibly to abuse due process, to law enforcement, even in the context of what we're going through now. This is a very difficult time. I acknowledge that it is. But I think we are giving the government and law enforcement too much authority in this bill. 2:18:15 Rep. Barney Frank: Mr. Speaker, I don't know how I'm gonna vote on this bill yet, because I have this notion that in a bill of this weight, I ought to read it. So what I want to talk about now is my deep disappointment at the procedure. The gentleman from Wisconsin, the chair of the committee, has fought hard for a fair chance for the members to look at things. But on the whole, his efforts have not been honored. We now, for the second time, are debating on the floor a bill of very profound significance for the constitutional structure and security of our country and in neither case has any member been allowed to offer a single amendment. At no point in the debate in this very profound set of issues, have we had a procedure whereby the most democratic institution in our government, the House of Representatives, engages in democracy. Who decided that to defend democracy we had to degrade it? Who decided that the very openness and participation and debate and weighing of issues, who decided that was a defect at a time of crisis? This is a chance for us to show the world that democracy is a source of strength, that with our military strength and our determination and our unity of purpose goes to continued respect for the profound way in which our democracy functions. And this bill ironically, this bill which has been given all these high flying acronyms, it's the Patriot bill, it's the USA bill, it's that stand up and sing the Star Spangled Banner bill, has been debated in the most undemocratic way possible. And that's not worthy of this institution. 2:21:13 Rep. John Conyers: The members of the judiciary committee, who had a free and open debate, and then we came to a bill that even though imperfect, was unanimously agreed on. That was removed from us and we're now debating at this hour of the night, with only two copies of the bill that we're being asked to vote on available to the members on this side of the aisle. 2:22:18 Rep. John Conyers: Although I like the the money laundering provisions in the bill, I detest the work product that bears the name of my committee on it that has now been joined with this bill. And for this reason, as we close this debate, my inclination is not to support the bill. 2:23:12 Rep. James Sensenbrenner: Mr. Speaker, this is the latest step in a long process to attempt to pass a bill and send to the president that is vitally needed. It is vitally needed by our law enforcement officials, who are fighting the battle at home. We don't know how this battle will be fought. We don't know what tactics the enemy will take. We don't know what agents the enemy will use. And what we need is we need to get the intelligence necessary to protect the people of the United States of America from whatever the enemy has planned up its sleeve. Cover Art Design by Only Child Imaginations Music Presented in This Episode Intro & Exit: Tired of Being Lied To by David Ippolito (found on Music Alley by mevio)

October 21, 2021 ~ Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (MI-8) talks with Guy Gordon about the passing of the Strengthening America's Strategic National Stockpile Act and the progress of President Biden's Build Back Better plan.

On top of the agenda for the U.S. Department of Commerce is American competitiveness--to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity across the nation. What this comes down to, though, is a complex mix of policy, advocacy, collaboration, international trade, research, and public engagement. And, of course, so much depends on action in Congress, as the infrastructure bill and the reconciliation package continue to work their way through Congress.rnrnAs the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo's leadership is key to President Biden's "Build Back Better" agenda. Not only is this effort focused on increasing the competitiveness of the U.S. workforce, but also on removing burdens and obstacles from businesses and labor--lowering the costs of child care and elder care and also improving broadband infrastructure, for instance.rnrnPrior to joining the administration, Secretary Raimondo was the 75th Governor of Rhode Island, and had a successful career in venture investing. Join us for a virtual conversation with the Secretary of Commerce about the Administration's efforts to Build Back Better after the COVID pandemic and create an American economy that invests in America's workers and strengthens our businesses.

What You Need to Know is do the necessary things required for victory. American leaders are giving all the signals of weakness to the rest of the world. Weakness on even taking care of our own citizens! We must get Americans out of Afghanistan — now. End what has become essentially a hostage situation. Get our people out now. Our hopes and prayers are with our men and women in this dangerous situation.  Jim Sedlak, Executive Director of American Life League, gives an update on Planned Parenthood taxpayer funding in the U.S. Jim explains how pro-lifers can fight to protect the lives of the most innocent. Check out STOPP.org & All.org.  Joe Johnston, author, professor and lawyer, warns that America's decline is mirrored in history, as he explains in his book The Decline of Nations: Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and in the World. Get your own copy of this book here.  Wrap up: There are people and groups out there doing incredible things to fight for voter integrity! One of those groups is True the Vote. Remember — Local Action, National Impact.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie Gerberding, co-chair of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America's Health Security and Executive VP, Merck, Inc, joined me at CSIS for a lively conversation with Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI.) Richard walked us through CEPI's genesis in 2017, its mission to accelerate vaccines against dangerous pathogens, its sudden emergence during the pandemic as a foundational element of the Access to Covid-19 Tools (ACT-A), including its emerging role advancing innovative manufacturing, and its vision for how the world can use the lessons we're learning to prepare for the next pandemic. Of special timeliness: why is it in the U.S. national interest to deepen the U.S. partnership with CEPI? And what hope does he have for a post-pandemic consensus on managing health security risks and strengthening the design of preparedness and response institutions? You can also watch the event here: https://www.csis.org/events/cepi-20-critical-inflection-point

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), the senior House appropriator and a respected national leader on health security at home and abroad, has served on the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America's Health Security since 2018. In this wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa massacre of the Black Greenwood community; the “successful but mixed bag” of the rollout of vaccines in America; the impressive management by the Native American community of the vaccine challenges; and the continued need for bipartisan support of US health security leadership abroad. China's behavior on the origin of the virus looks suspicious, like a “coverup.” Attacks on Dr. Tony Fauci are a “dangerous phenomenon.” Dr. Fauci was wrestling in his emails with an evolving crisis. To attack him is like going after American nuclear scientists in the 1950s. Support for CEPI is “money well spent,” the “most modest of insurance.”   Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) is in his tenth term representing the 4th District of Oklahoma.

What makes a nation rise -- and what it makes it fall? I'll talk with attorney and author Joseph Johnston Jr. about his book, "The Decline of Nations: Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and in the World." And as new research reveals that some COVID-19 sufferers have lifelong immunity afterward, lawmakers are calling for flip-flopping Dr. Anthony Fauci to resign or be fired. We'll tackle it all on Thursday's JANET MEFFERD TODAY.

This week the CSIS Schieffer Series hosted a high-energy exchange on “The Next Phase Of Covid-19.” Steve and Andrew were joined by Jeremy Konyndyk, executive director of USAID’s Covid-19 Task Force, who delivered a stirring keynote address outlining USAID’s vision for addressing the burgeoning pandemic crisis while simultaneously investing in long-term health security preparedness in acutely vulnerable low-income countries. A roundtable followed on the historic legacy of US presidential leadership amid global health crises -- and the lessons for the escalating urgent demands unfolding in South Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere. Steve, Andrew, and Jeremy were joined by Julie Gerberding, co-chair of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security and executive vice president and chief patient officer of Merck; and Gary Edson, president of the COVID Collaborative and former White House official under President George W. Bush who played a pivotal role in launching PEPFAR and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).  

Joseph F. Johnston is a graduate of Harvard Law School. He practiced law in New York City and Washington, D.C., was a visiting lecturer at the University of Virginia Law School and is a member of the American Law Institute. He is also the author of the book, “The Decline of Nations, Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and In the World.” We discuss the the state of formal education, the cowardice of today's elites, the rise and fall of past empires, Joe's relationship with former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, and much more. The Decline of Nations: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-decline-of-nations-joseph-f-johnston-jr/1137333714 –––– Support the podcast and join the Honest Offense community at https://honestoffense.locals.com​​​​​​ Other ways to support the podcast: https://www.ericcervone.com/support​

We discuss the impending security crackdown under Joe Biden in the wake of the Capitol Hill riot, and the way the US security apparatus spies on you, even if you're not American.

The video I mentioned wherein Chris Hayes talks about the members of the political class who were threatened by white supremacists: Must-See New Video Shows Capitol Riot Was Way Worse Than We Thought | All In | MSNBC "We have before us the opportunity to forge for ourselves and for future generations a new world order, a world where the rule of law, not the law of the jungle, governs the conduct of nations." -GEORGE H. W. BUSH, speech from the Oval office, Jan. 16, 1991 Domestic terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature. The 2021 storming of the United States Capitol was a riot and violent attack against the United States Congress on January 6, 2021, carried out by supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election. The USA PATRIOT Act is an Act of the United States Congress that was signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001. USA PATRIOT is a backronym that stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. Political class, or political elite is a concept in comparative political science originally developed by Italian political theorist Gaetano Mosca. It refers to the relatively small group of activists that is highly aware and active in politics, and from whom the national leadership is largely drawn. Class conflict, also referred to as class struggle and class warfare, is the political tension and economic antagonism that exists in society consequent to socio-economic competition among the social classes or between rich and poor. In the United States there has long been a conflict between the working class majority and the professional class. The conflict goes back to the workers revolution and age of unionized labor in the late nineteenth century. In the 1960s, tensions between classes flared up again. The student protestors, many of whom had deferments and were therefore exempt from fighting in the Vietnam War, were generally the youth of the professional middle class. Though the student protestors envisioned solidarity with the working class as a means of opposing "establishment" policies with regard to war, race, and other social issues, the student protestors' lack of support for the Vietnam War, as well as generalized antipathy toward youthful rebellion, alienated the working classes. Social class in the United States refers to the idea of grouping Americans by some measure of social status, typically economic, however it could also refer to social status or location. The idea that American society can be divided into social classes is disputed, and there are many competing class systems. Domestic terrorism or homegrown terrorism is a form of terrorism in which victims "within a country are targeted by a perpetrator with the same citizenship" as the victims. There are many definitions of terrorism, and none of them are universally accepted. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/chrisabraham/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/chrisabraham/support

What You Need to Know is that the news is filtering and spinning to keep Americans from the facts and the truth. On Jan. 6, President Trump detailed the election problems that happened in each contested state. Then what happened when we went to the Capitol. And I tell you what happened in the Georgia election. We need to get the truth about those who went outside the law yesterday at the Capitol. Trump supporters clearly were peaceful, and a cool cross-section of America. Kathy Barnette, author of “Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain: Being Black and Conservative in America”, Is leading 3 buses full of MAGA voters to DC on January 6th, as Trump is set to join the protest over the stolen 2020 election. She is so proud that there are so many Americans who will not roll over but are making sure their voices are heard! Check out KathyBarnettforCongress.com. Joseph Johnston, author, professor, and lawyer, talks about his book The Decline of Nations: Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and in the World. He explains that the government has grown too much for America to control. Wrap up: We the People can build a movement in 2021! Don’t expect the change to happen all at once, take it one day at a time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What You Need to Know is the President needs our support! On January 6th, Congress will meet in a joint session to formally count the votes of the Electoral College. There are members who plan to object to these votes and they should! We need the President and Congress to see how important it is for We the People that they do the right thing. The election was broken and corrupt — the right thing to do is get to the bottom of it. Come to Washington, DC, to show support for President Trump! Todd Bensman, author, and reporter, talks about A New Migrant Caravan Forms. Todd reminds us that all through Joe Biden’s campaign he promised many things to aspiring migrants all across the globe, now we are seeing these migrants coming in masses. Check out more of his work at ToddBensman.com. Joseph Johnston, author, professor, and lawyer, talks about his book The Decline of Nations: Lessons for Strengthening America at Home and in the World. He explains that the government has grown too much for America to control. Wrap up: Check out this article — Why I'm Losing Trust in the Institutions. Scientists don’t seem to be doing science, they seem to be focused on their own personal policy preferences.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About the book: The Decline of Nations takes an in-depth look at the condition of the contemporary United States and shows why Americans should be deeply concerned. It tackles controversial subjects such as immigration, political correctness, morality, religion and the rise of a new elite class. Author Joseph Johnston provides many historical examples of empires declining, including the Roman and British empires, detailing their trajectory from dominance to failure, and, in the case of Britain, subsequent re-emergence as modern day nation. Johnston delivers riveting lessons on the U.S. government viewed through the lens of excessive centralization and deterioration of the rule of law. He demonstrates the results of weak policies including the surging Progressive movement and the expanding Welfare state. In The Decline of Nations, Johnston asks important questions about diminished military capacity, a broken educational system, and the decline of American arts and culture. He questions the sustainability of the nation's vast global commitments and shows how those commitments are threatening America's strength and prosperity. There is no historical guarantee that the United States can sustain its economic and political dominance in the world scene. By knowing the historic patterns of the great nations and empires, there is much to be learned about America's own destiny. About the speaker: Joseph F. Johnston, Jr., is a graduate of Princeton University and received a master's degree in history and a law degree from Harvard University. He practiced law in New York City and Washington, D.C., was a visiting lecturer at the University of Virginia law school and is a member of the American Law Institute. He is the author of The Limits of Government, published by Regnery Gateway. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

We crossed much sensitive and difficult ground in our extended conversation with Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK). President Trump’s bout with Covid-19, the proliferation of White House cases, the claim that the virus is not dangerous: how to make sense of all of this this, and the implications? Why have negotiations over the next Covid-19 emergency spending bill broken down? And how bad are the consequences? How to protect CDC and FDA? Do we need a national conversation on the value and merits of vaccines, and the need to rebuild popular trust and confidence? Should Congress support Gavi to bring vaccines to low and middle income countries? Give a listen.  Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) is leading force in Congress advocating for strong bipartisan US leadership in health security, at home and abroad. He is the former Chair and now Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies. He is Ranking member of the Rules Committee and Deputy Whip of the Republican Conference. He is also a member of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security.

 In the global scramble for Covid-19 vaccines, dominated by aggressive nationalist approaches, COVAX has emerged as a promising, nascent, international initiative to develop and equitably distribute Covid-19 vaccines to benefit all countries. In this episode, Steve is joined by Nikolaj Gilbert, President and CEO at PATH; Peggy Hamburg, former Commissioner of the FDA; Kendall Hoyt, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth University's Giesel School of Medicine; and Nicole Lurie, Strategic Advisor to the CEO at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for a discussion about COVAX and its prospects for success. How does it work? What will it cost? What will it take for COVAX to succeed? What role can the United States play in that effort? The panelists discuss these issues and the implications they may have on the trajectory of the pandemic in the United States and around the world. This episode is a condensed version of an August 11 event hosted by the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security: “The Scramble for Vaccines and the COVAX Facility.”

The slogan fueling the Black Lives Matter movement, "DEFUND THE POLICE" is making white people uneasy and they have some suggestions on how to change the wording to a more appeasing tune. Along with those Karen's, Pastor Louie Giglio in Atlanta, GA had a good discussion with Christian rapper, Lacrae and CEO of Chik-fil-a, Dan Cathy; about Christianity, the police and the Black Lives Matter movement's goals. All seemed well until he suggested we stop referring to "White Privilege" as "White Blessings." Courtney and Keisha have clips of the highlights and plenty of thoughts on white, middle-America attempting to be the Language Police. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE on iTunes, Anchor.FM, Spotify or wherever you like to podcast! Follow the Insubordinate Sisters @Insubordinate_Sisters on Instagram or @InsubordinateS5 on Twitter Follow Courtney @CourtneyBanks on Twitter or @TheCourtneyBanks on Instagram Follow Keisha @OneofTheseKeishas on Instagram... she can't remember her Twitter password! :) And if you need a break from the real world, you can listen to our thoughts on reality TV on our podcast I Hope They Show Bravo in Hell on iTunes, Anchor.Fm or Spotify or wherever you listen to your pods! Resources: US Department of Justice: The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) About Page Joe Biden's 2019 Criminal Justice Reform Plan via VOX Joe Biden's 2020 Criminal Justice Reform Plan vIa USA Today Op-ed by Joe Biden The Biden Plan for Strengthening America’s Commitment to Justice via Joe Biden's Campaign site Trump's Executive Order via CNN The Jane Elliot: Brown-Eyed/ Blue-Eye Experiment via DailyMotion The Beloved Community - Dan Cathy, Lecrae, Louie Giglio ... via YouTube (Full Talk) also see the Pastor's apology Stacey Abrams on the View (with Whoopi Goldberg) Music: Downtown via www.Bensound.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/this-is-bullshit-podcast/message

In this episode, Steve and Andrew are joined by Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA07) to talk about his work on the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security and his impressions of Covid-19, as both a doctor and an elected representative.  They discuss how difficult it’s been to get Congress to spend resources on preparedness, and the work Rep. Bera is doing to build a crisis workforce. His main concerns: when the vaccine is found, how can we ensure the vaccines are distributed equitably to all countries, and who should get it first? Where would the supplies and workforce come from? Congressman Ami Bera has represented California’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013. Before joining Congress, Rep. Bera had a twenty-year medical career as a physician, hospital administrator, professor, and as Sacramento County’s Chief Medical Officer. He is also a Member of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security. Find his recent letter proposing a Covid-19 crisis corps here.

Former Senator Kelly Ayotte, co-chair of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security, joins Steve and Andrew in explaining how the Commission’s November 2019 core recommendations remain compelling and essential in the midst of the pandemic, if we are to, once and for all, break the cycle of crisis and complacency. She offers her thoughts on the shocks we did not anticipate, such as our weak supply chains, which will now need to be strengthened for the future. Senator Ayotte also discusses China’s highly problematic role in the pandemic, and how the U.S. can reconfigure its dependence, along with a similar rethinking needed to strengthen and reform the World Health Organization. 

In this episode, Steve and Andrew are joined by Congresswoman Susan Brooks (R-IN05) to talk about her work on the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security and her experience working through Covid-19. This week with Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA07), Rep. Brooks released a letter calling for the creation of a crisis response corps to manage the pandemic response. They discuss how this could include returned Peace Corps Volunteers, what essential duties this corps could cover, and how these workers could be protected from risk. From there, they move to how Rep. Brooks is now relating to her constituents under these new realities, how Hoosiers are experiencing the pandemic, and where she finds strength and hope.  Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks represents the 5th District of Indiana, and is a Member of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security. Find her letter on a Covid-19 crisis corps here.

Today, Andrew and Steve talk to Dr. Margaret "Peggy" Hamburg, foreign secretary of the National Academy of Medicine and member of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security. They discuss what’s happened with testing in the U.S., the ‘global arms race’ to develop a vaccine, and how the U.S. and the world can develop, produce, and distribute any potential vaccine in an equitable way.  Dr. Hamburg is an internationally recognized leader in public health and medicine. She currently serves as the foreign secretary of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and 2018 president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Dr. Hamburg is a former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), known for advancing regulatory science, modernizing regulatory pathways, and globalization of the agency.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is closely watching the coronavirus outbreak, also known as COVID-19, as it spreads throughout China and around the world and the United States. As knowledge on COVID-19 evolves, Take as Directed will bring you the latest updates in this miniseries Coronavirus Crisis Update. In today’s episode, Steve Morrison speaks with Julie Gerberding, co-chair of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security and chief patient officer at Merck. Dr. Gerberding is also the former Director of the CDC (2002-2009). Dr. Gerberding testified on March 4th before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security on “Confronting the Coronavirus: Perspectives on the Response to a Pandemic Threat.” They discuss the mood in Congress, the transition in the United States from a phase of containment to one of managing the spread of the virus, and her outstanding concerns and reasons for hope. 

This episode examines the changing nature of war and conflict and why gender-based violence (GBV) has become a central feature in crises around the world. GHPC Senior Associate Janet Fleischman sits down with Melissa Dalton, senior fellow and deputy director of the CSIS International Security Program and Director of the Cooperative Defense Project (CDP); and Fatima Imam, executive director of Rehabilitation, Empowerment, and Better Health Initiative and Network of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria. They discuss how GBV impacts women and girls in crises, focused especially on the Middle East and northern Nigeria, and how these ubiquitous and traumatizing realities undermine global health security and community resilience. This conversation is linked to a new CSIS report, How Can We Better Reach Women and Girls in Crises? and an October 31 conference on U.S. Action for Women’s and Girls’ Health Security, both under the auspices of the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security.

Links The Biden Plan for Strengthening America’s Commitment to Justice SAFE Justice Act (Bobby Scott) The Reverse Incarceration Act (The Brennan Center) Decriminalization Versus Legalization of Marijuana (Thought Co.)

An update on that Buttigieg country music interview, Biden’s criminal justice reform plan, Ginsburg weighs in on candidates’ proposals to increase the number of Supreme Court justices, some unexpected things the candidates paid for in Q2, and a brief history of presidential candidates staying in people’s homes while campaigning.Sponsors:Skillshare (http://skillshare.com/prh)The Meb Faber Show (https://mebfaber.com/podcast/)Links:Another country radio host to interview Pete Buttigieg after Cumulus spiked earlier sit-down (Fox News)The Biden Plan for Strengthening America’s Commitment to Justice [plan text] (Biden for President)The Biden Plan for Strengthening America’s Commitment to Justice (YouTube/Joe Biden)Subtweet by Booker re Biden’s criminal justice plan (Twitter/Cory Booker)Biden, Scrutinized for Crime Bill, Unveils Plan to Reduce Mass Incarceration (NYT)Biden announces criminal justice policy sharply at odds with his ’94 crime law (WaPo)Justice Ginsburg: 'I Am Very Much Alive' (NPR)$12,075 on paella and 32 other wacky things the candidates bought (Politico)Candidate Sleepovers Mean Tight Quarters, Wet Towels and ‘Surreal’ Family-Room Chats (WSJ)

The National Academy of Medicine and the CSIS Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security hosted a conversation on the unfolding debate as to whether human germline genome editing should be permitted, the types of applications which might be appropriate, the standards and criteria that should be followed, and what regulatory or governance framework is needed.

The Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 was the very first piece of Senate legislation introduced in the 116th Congress. Sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), the bill tackles a wide range of foreign policy issues. But the parts of the bill that have generated the most heated controversy are the provisions that deal with the BDS movement, the campaign to boycott, divest, and sanction the Jewish State. The federal legislation affirms that the 26 state-level anti-BDS laws currently on the books are consistent with federal policy. These laws do not ban companies from boycotting Israel, but they do prevent the state from contracting with companies that discriminate against Israeli businesses. Though the federal bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support, it has yet to pass the House of Representatives, and it continues to draw opposition from groups that claim anti-BDS laws violate free speech and are constitutionally suspect. In this week’s podcast, Kohelet Policy Forum Director and George Mason University Law Professor Eugene Kontorovich joins Jonathan Silver to discuss the complex legal landscape of BDS legislation. Kontorovich, who played a role in drafting some state-level anti-BDS laws, guides us through the relevant laws at both the federal and state level and clarifies exactly how they work. Through thoughtful comparisons with past efforts to boycott apartheid South Africa as well as combat discrimination against the LGBT community, Kontorovich demonstrates that anti-BDS laws are not only technically legal, but also just. Musical selections in this podcast are drawn from the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, op. 31a, composed by Paul Ben-Haim and performed by the ARC Ensemble as well as “Shining Through the Rain” by Big Score Audio.

It's Friday: that means it's panel time as we discuss the major stories of the week. Senator Cory Booker, the former mayor of Newark who has projected an upbeat political presence at a deeply polarized time, entered the 2020 race for president today. He joins a growing field of Democratic presidential hopefuls that already includes Senators Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro, Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and former Maryland Congressman John Delaney. Any insights going forward?In an evening vote that garnered essentially no national media coverage, the US Senate voted Monday night to advance Marco Rubio's “Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019” – sometimes called the “anti-BDS bill” for its component that would allow state and local governments to punish companies or individuals who support the non-violent Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement aimed at promoting Palestinian rights and ending Israeli apartheid and military occupation of the West Bank. The bill was, notably, numbered S.1 — the Senate's first legislative act of its 2019-20 session. The Senate passed the bill on a 74-19 vote; it now moves to the House.The Trump administration Tuesday forged ahead in what one analyst called “a complicated chess game” of handing more of Venezuela's assets in the United States over to its interim president, seeking to tighten the economic stranglehold on the embattled government of Nicolás Maduro. Washington worked furiously this week to isolate Maduro and allow National Assembly leader Juan Guaidó, internationally recognized by the US and its allies as the interim president of Venezuela, to control the nation's vital oil trade that supplies nearly 6,000 US gas stations under the Citgo brand. The State Department certified that Guaidó has authority to control all Venezuelan government bank accounts in the US financial system, giving him access to any cash or gold Venezuela may be holding in US banks. President Donald Trump takes US intelligence officials to task, disputing their assessments on Iran and other global threats. According to him, “The Intelligence people seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong! They are testing Rockets (last week) and more, and are coming very close to the edge. Their economy is now crashing, which is the only thing holding them back. Be careful of Iran … Perhaps Intelligence should go back to school!”Mainstream corporate media is painting this as Trump going off the rails again; how can he challenge the leaders of the intelligence apparatus in this country? Who's right and who's wrong here? Oh, if the leaders of the intelligence apparatus in this country are infallible, where are the weapons of mass destruction? GUESTS:Colin Campbell — PhD student in the Department of Communication, Culture and Media Studies at Howard University's School of Communication. He has been a TV news reporter for more than 20 years. As a senior Washington, DC, correspondent since 2008, he has been a reporter-at-large, covering two presidencies, Congress and the State Department.Caleb Maupin — Journalist and political analyst who focuses his coverage on US foreign policy and the global system of monopoly capitalism and imperialism.

Roger Stone is entering a not guilty plea. Stone is charged with obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements. We talked about this last week in the context of the indictment, but now Stone has gone to court. Specifically, special counsel Robert Mueller has accused Mr. Stone of lying to investigators for the House Intelligence Committee about the alleged Russian election interference campaign, and of pressuring another witness in that investigation to lie to the committee. The indictment also said that Trump campaign officials dispatched Mr. Stone to make contact with WikiLeaks during the summer of 2016 when the website was releasing a trove of damaging information about Hillary Clinton that had been allegedly stolen by Russian intelligence operatives. Stone is not at this point accused of playing a role in the alleged hacking, and the indictment does not make a case that the Trump campaign engaged in a conspiracy with Russia to disrupt the election.The Justice Department is indicting a Chinese telecom giant. In Britain and other European countries, officials are also under pressure from the United States to bar Huawei from building its fifth generation, or 5G, network. Also, the allegations behind the Department of Justice's two new sets of charges against Chinese tech giant Huawei, announced Monday, had been discussed for years. But the US made its move against Huawei at a critical moment for the Trump administration's high-stakes trade negotiations, as a Chinese delegation arrives in the US for talks that begin today. What's really at stake here? Could this further complicate efforts by Washington and Beijing to negotiate an end to their bruising trade war?The US Senate voted to advance the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 – sometimes called the “anti-BDS bill.” In a recent MintPress News article by Whitney Webb, she writes that the bill "allows state and local governments to punish companies or individuals who support the non-violent Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement aimed at promoting Palestinian rights and ending Israeli apartheid and military occupation of the West Bank. Numerous rights groups, politicians and civil rights advocates have accused this measure of violating freedom of speech and setting a dangerous precedent for the private political activism of American citizens, all on behalf of a foreign country. In order to become law, the measure would still need to pass the Democrat-run House of Representatives. However, given the amount of support for the measure among Democrats and the power of the Israel lobby, the bill stands a considerable chance of passing the House." What's really at stake here?GUEST:Lee Stranahan — Co-host of Fault Lines on Sputnik Radio.David Ewing — Chair of the San Francisco chapter of the US-China People's Friendship Association.Robert McCaw — Director of Government Affairs for the Council on American–Islamic Relations.

Stephen Morrison, the director of CSIS’ Global Health Policy Center and resident Korea expert Victor Cha, discuss Morrison’s documentary about the health crisis in North Korea. The Gathering Health Storm Inside North Korea was presented by CSIS’ Commission on Strengthening America’s Health Security. You can watch the documentary and find out more at https://healthsecurity.csis.org/articles/the-gathering-health-storm-inside-north-korea/. Download transcript here.

Integrating across people, tools, and systems is the key to bettering US #healthcare. Matt Menning, Director of IHMI Engagement at American Medical Association, expands on this idea in this week’s episode. Plus he discusses data, Obamacare, and an obscure band from the seventies he believes everyone should know.

The USA PATRIOT Act is an Act of Congress that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001. With its ten-letter abbreviation (USA PATRIOT) expanded, the full title is “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001”. The abbreviation, as well as the full title, have been attributed to Chris Cylke, a former staffer on the House Judiciary Committee. From broad concern felt among Americans from both the September 11 attacks and the 2001 anthrax attacks, Congress rushed to pass legislation to strengthen security controls. On October 23, 2001, Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner introduced H.R. 3162 incorporating provisions from a previously sponsored House bill and a Senate bill also introduced earlier in the month. The next day, the Act passed the House 357 to 66, with Democrats comprising the overwhelming portion of dissent. The three Republicans voting 'no' were Robert Ney of Ohio, Butch Otter of Idaho and Ron Paul of Texas. On October 25, the Act passed the Senate by 98 to 1, the only dissident being Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act Public Access America PublicAccessPod Productions Footage downloaded and edited by Jason at PublicAccessPod producer of Public Access America Podcast Links Review us Stitcher: goo.gl/XpKHWB Review us iTunes: goo.gl/soc7KG Subscribe GooglePlay: goo.gl/gPEDbf YouTube goo.gl/xrKbJb YouTube “Not for ourselves alone, but that we must teach others.” Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Happy Independence Day, everybody! If world events are making you feel less than celebratory, you can always take solace in the fact that there aren't currently any giant spaceships filled with genocidal aliens hovering over the world's major cities like in Roland Emmerich's 1996 megablockbuster, "Independence Day.” Be warned that although "Independence Day" contains a large ensemble cast of mostly A-List actors, the unoriginal script and horrid directing produced some of the worst performances of their careers. Jeff Goldblum plays David Levinson, a lowly, unambitious MIT-educated math genius, chess Grandmaster and cable television executive who can read binary and easily destroy an armada of alien ships with his 1995 Apple PowerBook 5300. Will Smith plays Captain Steven Hiller, a gung-ho Marine who's in love with a stripper with a heart of gold and is capable of coldcocking an armor-clad alien with one punch. He can also inexplicably pilot any kind of vehicle, be it a helicopter or alien ship. Bill Pullman plays President Thomas J. Whitmore, a former Desert Storm fighter pilot turned politician. Pullman’s Dirty Harryesque acting delivered the most hackneyed oration in the history of film, until it was overtaken by the 2009 release of James Cameron’s "Avatar." Randy Quaid plays Russell Casse, a drunken Vietnam vet and father of three who reforms his ways just in time to sacrifice himself and save the world. The makers of this movie seem to believe that criminally irresponsible alcoholic parents are the height of comedy. Judd Hirsch plays Julius Levinson, David’s Yiddish-accented father who serves as a chauffeur and hype man to his son throughout the film. Brent Spiner plays Dr. Brackish Okun, an eccentric Area 51 scientist character. In reality, Spiner is just a pawn to get weirdo Trekkies like Jim to like the movie. Gravelly-voiced Robert Loggia plays General William Grey, a tough old Marine who serves as the President's trusted military advisor throughout the film. Famous crooner-turned-actor-turned-daytime talkshow host, Harry Connick Jr., plays Lieutenant Jimmy Wilder, a pilot in Will Smith's squadron who is fond of doing Jesse Jackson impressions and calling Will Smith "Big Daddy." Harvey Fierstein has a brief cameo as Marty Gilbert, a co-worker of Jeff Goldblum who feels compelled to call his mother after learning of the alien arrival. Upon learning of the aliens' hostile intentions, he also decides to warn his brother and bookie, but decides to spitefully forego warning his lawyer. Join us as we discuss our favorite Reddit news source, DonkeySemen69, and learn about Keating's love for watching horses get punched in the face. Tell us what you think by chatting with us (@filmsnuff) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or by shooting us an email over at mailbag@filmsnuff.com. This episode is sponsored by the USA SAFETY Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Stubbornly Affirming Freedom by Eliminating Terrorist Yearnings Act of 2017). Visit our website at https://www.filmsnuff.com.

Hudson Institute hosted a timely conversation on June 8 about the importance of modernizing America�s infrastructure to spur sustained economic growth and job creation and improve the quality of life for all Americans. U.S. Senator John Boozman offered his perspective in opening remarks, followed by a panel discussion.

Hudson Institute hosted a timely conversation on June 8 about the importance of modernizing America�s infrastructure to spur sustained economic growth and job creation and improve the quality of life for all Americans. U.S. Senator John Boozman offered his perspective in opening remarks, followed by a panel discussion.

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to get out your party hats to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the USA PATRIOT Act. You know about the law, I’m sure; passed barely six weeks after the 9/11 attacks, the USA PATRIOT Act is one of the most sweeping, liberty-destroying pieces of legislation in American history. Remember the rule of thumb: the more high-sounding the name of a law, the more disastrous its effects. And the USA PATRIOT Act absolutely conformed. It stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Interdict and Obstruct Terrorism. And this name is truly disingenuous when you think about it. Seriously, how was America to become more ‘united’ by allowing warrantless searches, vastly expanding the powers of secret courts, and completely doing away with entire sections of the Constitution?? That’s just absurd. The name itself is a cruel joke on liberty. At 132 pages, the USA PATRIOT Act was a pretty beefy piece of legislation. But what most people fail to realize is that the law is entirely incomprehensible. Instead of simply stating in black & white what the new dark powers of government would be, the USA PATRIOT Act makes obscure modifications to other laws. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about, pulled from page 20 of the text of the legislation: Section 3123(d)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended (A) by inserting “or other facility” after “the line”; and (B) by striking “, or who has been ordered by the court” and inserting “or applied, or who is obligated by the order” Is that supposed to mean anything to anyone? The language is completely mystifying. Well, as it turns out, this precise section is part of what authorizes the government to monitor your phone and Internet communications. This is, of course, one of the primary criticisms of the law: it was rushed through Congress before anyone had a chance to read or understand it, at a time when everyone was scared and willing to give the government any power it wanted. The end result was a de facto Police State in the Land of the Free. Faceless government agencies now spy on every form of communication, local police turned into federally funded paramilitary forces, and the Fourth Amendment became an endangered species. Earlier this year, several key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act were set to expire. It was an opportunity to take back some of the freedom that had been lost. Yet Mr. Hope and Change himself, Barack Obama, signed multiple bills into law to extend, and even expand, the USA PATRIOT Act’s powers. It’s amazing when you think about it: a nation that was founded on the principles of personal liberty, which fought the Nazis and built the most powerful economy in the world, is so fragile and afraid of men in caves that it cannot imagine its existence without Orwellian surveillance programs. George W. Bush used to famously say that terrorists hated America for its freedoms. So he and Barack Obama conveniently solved that problem by eliminating America’s freedoms. This is life now in America 2.0; it’s not the America we once knew, and it’s time to adjust accordingly. I invite you to listen in to today’s podcast as we discuss some of the most striking differences between now and America’s golden days. You won’t believe what once used to be possible in the Land of the Free.

If you haven't already, now's the time to get out your party hats to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the USA PATRIOT Act. You know about the law, I'm sure; passed barely six weeks after the 9/11 attacks, the USA PATRIOT Act is one of the most sweeping, liberty-destroying pieces of legislation in American history. Remember the rule of thumb: the more high-sounding the name of a law, the more disastrous its effects. And the USA PATRIOT Act absolutely conformed. It stands for Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Interdict and Obstruct Terrorism. And this name is truly disingenuous when you think about it. Seriously, how was America to become more ‘united' by allowing warrantless searches, vastly expanding the powers of secret courts, and completely doing away with entire sections of the Constitution?? That's just absurd. The name itself is a cruel joke on liberty. At 132 pages, the USA PATRIOT Act was a pretty beefy piece of legislation. But what most people fail to realize is that the law is entirely incomprehensible. Instead of simply stating in black & white what the new dark powers of government would be, the USA PATRIOT Act makes obscure modifications to other laws. Here's an example of what I'm talking about, pulled from page 20 of the text of the legislation: Section 3123(d)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended (A) by inserting “or other facility” after “the line”; and (B) by striking “, or who has been ordered by the court” and inserting “or applied, or who is obligated by the order” Is that supposed to mean anything to anyone? The language is completely mystifying. Well, as it turns out, this precise section is part of what authorizes the government to monitor your phone and Internet communications. This is, of course, one of the primary criticisms of the law: it was rushed through Congress before anyone had a chance to read or understand it, at a time when everyone was scared and willing to give the government any power it wanted. The end result was a de facto Police State in the Land of the Free. Faceless government agencies now spy on every form of communication, local police turned into federally funded paramilitary forces, and the Fourth Amendment became an endangered species. Earlier this year, several key provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act were set to expire. It was an opportunity to take back some of the freedom that had been lost. Yet Mr. Hope and Change himself, Barack Obama, signed multiple bills into law to extend, and even expand, the USA PATRIOT Act's powers. It's amazing when you think about it: a nation that was founded on the principles of personal liberty, which fought the Nazis and built the most powerful economy in the world, is so fragile and afraid of men in caves that it cannot imagine its existence without Orwellian surveillance programs. George W. Bush used to famously say that terrorists hated America for its freedoms. So he and Barack Obama conveniently solved that problem by eliminating America's freedoms. This is life now in America 2.0; it's not the America we once knew, and it's time to adjust accordingly. I invite you to listen in to today's podcast as we discuss some of the most striking differences between now and America's golden days. You won't believe what once used to be possible in the Land of the Free.

Clips from the post-screening discussion of the series "Charged in the Name of Terror" coupled with sections of the federal bill H.R. 3162 Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA P