Haroon Siddiqui, editorial writer for the Toronto Star, discusses the disparaging reference to Middle Eastern public opinion as “word from the Arab street;” how the scenes from Egypt’s revolution differed from the stereotypical images of Arabs imagined by Americans; the shaky foundations of countries invented by post-colonial European bureaucrats; why Arab monarchs are described as “moderates” because they cooperate with the US, not because they are remotely democratic; the large number of...
03/28/11 – Grant F. Smith – The Scott Horton Show
Grant F. Smith, director of the Institute for Research: Middle Eastern Policy in Washington, D.C., discusses the Council on Foreign Relations book Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle; the idea that the Israeli socialist Sparta makes an exemplary model for economic growth, where national conscription breeds cohesiveness and innovation; how the CFR conveniently ignores the transfer of military technology, industrial espionage and favorable trade agreements; and the divide...
03/28/11 – Jason Ditz – The Scott Horton Show
Jason Ditz, managing news editor at Antiwar.com, discusses the lengthening Libya intervention from “days not weeks” to an open ended commitment with no end in sight – despite Robert Gates’s assertion that Libya poses no threat to the US; how the Bahrain issue has driven a (real or invented) wedge between the US and Saudi Arabia; Yemeni protests coming to a head and spelling the end of President Saleh’s rule; protests in Syria gaining enough momentum to possibly force the end to an emergency...
03/25/11 – Jennifer Van Bergen – The Scott Horton Show
Jennifer Van Bergen, a journalist, author and law lecturer, discusses the reasons why Guantanamo prisoners aren’t being tried in federal courts; how the Miranda warning – established by the Supreme Court to protect constitutional rights – has been eviscerated by Executive branch policy changes; why a parallel legal system for terrorism cases is not necessary; and how the “public safety” exception to Miranda provides all the flexibility needed to interrogate and prosecute...
03/25/11 – Sheldon Richman – The Scott Horton Show
Sheldon Richman, senior fellow at The Future of Freedom Foundation, discusses “Obama’s Imperial Adventure” in Libya; the many Democrats and leftists falling over themselves to defend Obama; why the UN mandate to protect Libyan civilians isn’t possible with the supposedly limited “no-fly” zone; and why Congress couldn’t delegate war-making powers to the UN even if wanted to.
03/25/11 – Jason Leopold and Michael Kerns – The Scott Horton Show
This recording is from the KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles broadcast of March 25th. The KPFK archive is here. Investigative reporter Jason Leopold and retired Air Force Capt. Michael Kearns discuss the Truthout article “CIA Psychologist’s Notes Reveal True Purpose Behind Bush’s Torture Program;” how psychologically exploited prisoners were used to generate terror-war propaganda, make false confessions and “collaborate” with interrogators; how torture program architect Dr. Bruce Jessen “reverse...
03/25/11 – George Donnelly – The Scott Horton Show
Libertarian activist George Donnelly discusses the libertarian online streaming video Agorist Unconference this weekend, March 25-27; working to establish a free market and alternate currencies outside the bounds of state control; and a sample of unconference speakers, ranging from whole milk farmers to pirate radio operators to New Hampshire free-staters. Scott Horton and Antiwar Radio producer Angela Keaton are also schedule to speak.
03/24/11 – James Ridgeway – The Scott Horton Show
James Ridgeway, Senior Washington Correspondent for Mother Jones, discusses the general detainment conditions in US prisons, in light of Bradley Manning’s mistreatment; the “Angola 3” prisoners held in solitary confinement for almost four decades; the forgotten Eighth Amendment to the Constitution; using solitary confinement as a baseline condition, rather than a temporary punitive measure; why prison culture is indicative of extreme American ignorance or just barbarism; and the few...
03/24/11 – Barrett Brown – The Scott Horton Show
Barrett Brown, journalist and sometimes-spokesman for Anonymous, discusses the loosely affiliated hacker collective known as Anonymous; contributing to the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and beyond; the internet’s use as a tool of liberation and of repressive surveillance; the danger of private companies developing software (dubbed “Metal Gear” by Anonymous) to infiltrate and manipulate social networks – especially those used to aid popular revolutions; and how the anti-Ben Bernanke Anonymous...
03/24/11 – John V. Walsh – The Scott Horton Show
John V. Walsh, frequent contributor to Counterpunch.org, discusses his article “Impeach Obama: A Challenge to Tea Partiers and Antiwar Liberals;” the two-party partisan trap that causes incessant infighting and diverts attention from the real problems; how Obama’s decision to militarily intervene in yet another Sunni Muslim country virtually guarantees more blowback; looking at the UN Libya vote in terms of the represented populations for and against intervention, which turns the 10-5 vote on...
03/23/11 – Mike Malloy – The Scott Horton Show
Talk radio host Mike Malloy discusses the weekend protests at the White House and Quantico Marine brig, against the wars and in support of Bradley Manning; the onerous process of exercising First Amendment rights – there are “free speech zones” and for some reason permits are required; Mike’s arrested for criminal trespass while peacefully assembled on public property; and why war is fundamentally anti-human.
03/23/11 – Jason Ditz – The Scott Horton Show
Jason Ditz, managing news editor at Antiwar.com, discusses the UN war against Libya, where goals and exit strategies are uncertain; problems with an east/west division of Libya, assuming a prolonged stalemate; Obama’s curious bypassing of Congress, as the legislature generally approves of any military action; the seemingly unlimited US appetite for global intervention and budget deficits; and how official justifications for hypocritical foreign policies have been laid bare for all to...
03/23/11 – Lew Rockwell – The Scott Horton Show
Lew Rockwell, founder and Chairman of the Ludwig von Mises Institute, discusses the “Naked Aggression Against Libya;” fighting for control of oil resources on behalf of the MIC and US empire; the triumvirate of women promoting and commanding the Libyan war effort; Egypt’s tough slog to freedom and liberty following Mubarak’s ouster; and how democracy, as applied to foreign countries, means little more than the freedom to vote for the candidate chosen by the US.
03/22/11 – Karen Kwiatkowski – The Scott Horton Show
Karen Kwiatkowski, columnist at lewrockwell.com and retired USAF lieutenant colonel, discusses the Bush administration’s early Iraq War planning – well before they played up the WMD threat and sold the war to Americans; how the Office of Special Plans leaked classified information to cooperative journalists willing to press the case for war; the OSP’s dissolution soon after the war started – since its raison d’être was fulfilled; unpopular neocons who must attain power through appointed,...
03/22/11 – Will Grigg – The Scott Horton Show
Will Grigg, blogger and author of Liberty in Eclipse, discusses Obama’s decision to get a UN Security Council declaration of war on Libya – and further marginalize Congress’s exclusive war-making authority; how the United Nations Participation Act, signed by President Truman in 1945, directly challenges the authority of the US Constitution; why the UN is less a peacekeeping organization than a means of consolidating power and applying it against enemies of the “international community;” why...
