The Voluntary Exchange Podcast: The Culture War Has Taken Over

I thought going into this recording that the ranting and scolding of America was behind me. However, as I was looking over the stories I planned to discuss, I realized that even straight forward stories of corruption and imperialism are now seen through such a partisan and political lens by the viewer (or listener), that simply providing the news isn't enough anymore.

As the photo at the top illustrates, the world is upside down for common American. Someone still living with T.D.S. refuses to accept that Tucker Carlson on FOX NEWS is leading anti-war voice on their television. Principles have gone out the window, especially with much of the left.

Even sharing the interview from Carlson's show above, with a caption reading something like: "Even FOX NEWS doesn't want war with Iran!", will be met with "Carlson is a racist!". The ability to separate Team Blue vs. Team Red from rationally looking at events that any well-adjusted human would applaud has completely disappeared in mainstream, bar-hopping, Happy Hour circles. Only the extreme progressive left, like CODEPINK for example, have been able to keep their sanity.

The "Never Trump" crowd, or the Irrational Minority, as I call them can't even take a step back when CNN and MSNBC describe the idea floated by Rand Paul and President Trump to take security clearance away from former heads of the CIA & NSA as "Erdogan's Turkey". Now I understand that Trump is using this as a power move, but the crimes and lies of the men and women he is talking about stripping of these powers are completely ignored by the hysterics. Even when placed firmly in their faces:

The Rational Majority is able to praise Donald Trump for meeting with North Korea. They are able to take a critical and contextual look at stories that come out only days after the summit stating that Kim has already begun ignoring his promises. The may, at the very least, question the motives of such stories. Understanding that the same outlets providing these narratives pushed war in the past.

The Irrational Minority is unable to do so. They jump at the chance to have a story prove what they already know, that Donald Trump can only destroy the world. Providing them deeply researched articles showing the opposite is no use. Their minds can not handle the idea.

My attempt to discuss the new push for war with Iran, and any nuances are ruined by the fact that it's Trump's administration doing the pushing. No explanation of how the neoconservatives within his circles are the ones really looking for "boots on the ground", maybe not Trump himself.

Pointing out the media's tame response to The Orange Man's all caps attack on the Iranian President is lost on people.

The media has them by the balls mentally. They are eating right out of Jack Tapper's hand. And in effect, the Deep State, the War Party, the same people that Michael Moore made his millions attacking in his movies.

Content

This episode can be found here. The full archive can be found on Podomatic and on ITunes. The Youtube version is below:

Sources:

• The US, electricity and Iran: What's behind the Iraq protests?
• Israel Offers to Reopen Gaza Crossing on Tuesday If Ceasefire Holds
• Hundreds of Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa compound
• Is Bill Browder the Most Dangerous Man in the World?
• If Putin, they why not Rouhani?
• Trump Weighs Stripping Security Clearances From Officials Who Criticized Him
• How America Armed Terrorists in Syria
• There are signs North Korea is still working on its nuclear program
• 6 basic questions about the war in Syria
• Russia’s new tactics of war shouldn’t fool anyone
• The Post on WMDs: An Inside Story
• An Elite Coalition Emerges Against a Trump-Kim Agreement
• How Corporate Media Got the Trump-Kim Summit All Wrong
• John Bolton backs Trump's Iran threat: 'They will pay a price'

Image sources: 1, 2, 3

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