Veterans for Peace Radio Hour (jim wohlgemuth)

This is the best Christmas show outside of the original story of Christmas. The Christmas truce demonstrated how the humanity of the Christmas Season (Peace on Earth Good Will to All)can actually happen when we collectively say no to the establishment, to the authorities, to the generals. Let's try to remember those brave young men who had the nerve for just one Christmas to say no to killing, no to war and yes to peace.,

After Tom's discussion on the pending pandemic and the pathetic response  by the trump administration, we remember Harvey's tour of the Jefferson  St. park displaying the heroes of the Nashville African American  community.  Then we replay our three year old interview with Justin  Jones.  Justin who is now running for Congress shows that his commitment  to human rights and justice is not a new thing but something that has  been ingrained in his being.   

We share the insights of expert panelists during a discussion on international Conscientious Objector Day. We also bring back friend and friend of the show JJ Rodriguez who talks about completing his CO and gaining his honorable discharge. If you are in the military you need to listen and remember the Gi Rights Hot line number 8774474487.  https://soundcloud.com/user-55976759/veterans-for-peace-and-conscientious-objection-an-option-for-peace-of-mind.

Four post 911 Veterans discuss the under reported issue: the impact of US militarism and imperialism on the climate. The US Military is the number one polluter in the world and war is the biggest event that contributes to the climate crisis. These post 911 vets weigh in the fact that they will live and experience the next 50 years of the climate crisis and along with the Zoomers will have to clean up the mess that was left by generations that contributed to it (Boomers and Xers and those before).

Until 1954 November 11th was set aside to celebrate and strive for peace as a holiday called Armistice Day, remembering the end of WWI. After that, November 11th became Veterans Day and quickly devolved into a day to celebrate militarism, war, and American "exceptionalism." Veterans for Peace is working hard to reverse that and return to Armistice, a day to celebrate the end of war and the commitment to peace. We are joined by VFP Executive Director Garett Reppenhagen and VFP media person Keslie Carrion.

This is part one of a two part show remembering and celebrating John Prine, singer, song writer, poet, philosopher, icon. He passed away last week from Covid 19. You will hear personal stories from other members of Veterans for Peace as they remember John Prine and of course songs, lots of songs.

Part two: After hearing Dr. King talk directly to us about the issues we face today with regard to racism, militarism, and capitalism, we bring back Climate and Peace Activists Cindy Piester and Dr. Omar Clay to complete their discussion from last week. They also give us assignments on what WE can do and what lots of people are doing to address the climate crisis, militarism, and more. We finish with a heart-wrenching song from Michael Heart.

ALERT, ALERT, ALERT:  WAR WITH CHINA?  

We just got out of Afghanistan, thank you Biden, but thanks to KJ Noh we see that we are only pivoting to a new and far more dangerous theatre of confrontation. KJ lays out not only what we are doing now to antagonize, demonize and marginalize China but that this has been in the planning for decades. KJ points that we have already initiated hybrid warfare against China, while China is actually no threat to the US and is only upgrading its military in response to our saber rattling. PLEASE TAKE A LITTLE TIME AND LISTEN. WE NEED TO GET THIS STOPPED.

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After Harvey interviews BLM activist Jason Jones in Charleston, SC, the group debates police and policing enhanced by clips from On the Media from WNYC with Tom Devine and Frank Serpico. We finish up with a discussion on just how bad things are getting before John Prine and Iris Dement help us escape to Milwaukee.

Jack Gilroy faces jail time for trying to share Terry Lodge's VFP letter that outlines US culpability in genocide by supporting Israel. Terry Lodge drafted a letter which was signed by Susan Schnall, President and Mike Ferner, Executive Director of Veterans for Peace. The letter, addressed to the State Department, outlines the 5 laws and one Executive Order that the administration is in violation of by supporting Israel's genocide in Gaza. Of course, this criminality includes the weapon's industry so Jack Gilroy wanted to share the letter with BAE Systems in Endicott, NY where he was arrested and faces charges of trespass, so he was trespassing while trying to help BAE avoid criminal behavior. They both join us to update Jack's challenge and share Terry's VFP letter. We finish with Pete Seeger

Welcome to the Veterans for Peace radio hour and as promised last week, welcome to part two of our celebration of John Prine, singer, songwriter, philosopher, folk icon and COVID 19 victim.

Today we are going to try to talk about and be relevant about the very fluid and disastrous situation in Gaza. We are going to share the VFP statement, hear from Caitlin Johnstone, Al Jazeera, Krystal, and Saagar from Breaking Point with a dire warning, and try to give our take on our own United States inability to help this by negating UN calls for a cease-fire, sending two carrier groups to the region as a so-called deterrent and sending billions of arms to a well-armed country which apparently is conducting war crimes and genocide. We finish up with a song about a human rights hero: Rachel Corrie.

Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, and many other organizations sponsored a forum in Washington, DC on Peace In Ukraine. The forum was facilitated by Eugene Puryear and Media Benjamin with speakers Lee Camp, Claudia DeLa Cruz, and Cr. Cornell West. The facilitators and speakers reflect the sentiment of the people of the world and the US in calling for negotiations. They then ask us to make waves and noise and bring that message to our leaders. Just like the song we end with they ask us to STAND like Sly Stone.

Harvey and Jim discuss the mainstream media drumbeat for war and some of the outlets you can reach out to keep you up to date and sane. Using clips from Breaking Points and Secular Talk, we highlight the issues with the mainstream media and at the same time promote two great sites for more informative news. Then we bring in clips from Xia Mehan and Brian Toon on what might happen if the media pushes us into confrontation with Russia.

Using our personal experiences with solar, electric cars, and other alternatives to fossil fuels, Tom, Harvey and Jim review and discuss Michael Moore's recent movie "Planet of the Humans" and we are not too pleased.  

Tom put together this great show based on a 1992 documentary about the 1960's struggle for voting rights in Mississippi.  With our commentary about the tornado in Nashville.  Jim weighs in about the strange results from super Tuesday where we seem to be on the brink of nominating the man who vilified Anita Hill, voted for the 1990's Crime Bill and just accepted the endorsement of a billionaire who supported stop and frisk.

Veterans for Peace sent an open letter to Biden demanding that he and his administration read our Nuclear Posture Review before issuing his. In this time of nuclear threat, and nuclear weaponization and modernization, of investment in apocalypse versus peace, the No Nukes group of Veterans for Peace crafted this open letter that group leader Gerry Condon came on the show to share, explain, and discuss. The conversation quickly expanded to other issues linked to nuclear weapons such as press coverage, militarism, politics. Gerry also gave a wonderful description of the Golden Rule Great Loop project, one effort o teach peace.

The Golden Rule is a sailboat for PEACE.  After describing the history of the Golden Rule, the VFP sailing icon for peace, and the end of nuclear weapons, Helen Jaccard and Gerry Condon relate the latest project for this sailboat for peace. Beginning late this year they will sail the Golden Rule throughout the United States from the Mississippi to the east coast, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes sharing the message of the dangers of nuclear weapons. However, they will also participate and advance the causes of humanity and justice where ever they sail. They will educate the public while sailing the message to more than 50 cities.

Friend of the show Jason Moon has a new CD, just released August 8, which remembers Vietnam Veterans but after you listen you realize Vietnam Vets, Post 911 Vets, and Vets in general still are in the same boat with the same issues, longings, and challenges. The only difference is the generation and burn pits vs. agent orange. After listening to Jason's heartfelt story to take on his PTSD, we hear clips from about seven of the songs from the new CD which is called: "The Last Thing We Ever Do." If you are a Vietnam Veteran and have read this far you are smiling.

This is part two of our reflection of five years of radio shows. We do get this accomplished after a quick discussion on the insanity instigated by trump and performed by white supremacists at the capital on Wednesday. From remembering Hector Black, covering the struggle for civil rights, a flawed legal system, dealing with sexual trauma, realizing that climate change is here, and privatizing the VA to hearing songs about Labor Day, Veterans issues and remembering John Prine, we try to help you grasp where we have been starting 2016.

As the nation suffers a 911 of deaths every day from Covid, as the nation races toward twice the death toll of Vietnam, we reflect on Memorial day. This is clearly not the time for bunting and American flags. This is a time for reflection on what has happened not only in the wars we can name but the war against covid.

This is an extraordinary interview with an extraordinary young man.   Over the years you will hear of Justin Jones as he makes his way and his name following in the steps of John Lewis, Diane Nash and yes Dr. King.  Listen to this interview now and remember his name.  

As we approach Indigenous Peoples Day and Indigenous Peoples Month in Tennessee, we talk to Albert Bender, historian, lawyer, writer, activist, and member of the Cherokee Nation about the history of US imperialism and colonialism. Mr. Bender relates that the imperialism and colonialism from hundreds of years ago continues today, especially through the courts. However, from Standing Rock, to Child welfare to Indigenous Sovereignty to the Land Back Movement the fight for justice continues.

This is a portion of a great Webinar sponsored by the Center for Citizen Peace Building at UC Irvine. It features Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire, Ambassador Elayne Whyte Gomez and Dr. Paula Garb. Moderated by Cynthia Lazaroff. This is a departure from recent shows as these ladies share personal stories related to the effects of violence and the efforts they make each day for peace.,

Yes, Jim Goes off the rails. Harvey and Jim continue to ask the question Independence Day for whom, especially in light of the recent rulings of this supreme court which have gutted independence for women, students, the LGBT community, African Americans, and more. We ask about who is celebrating Independence Day: Native Americans, peaceful protestors, the enslaved and the generations since enslavement, and more. We then ask you for the fortitude to look to the continuing potential of the country for good despite what we all see from scotus as we continue to ask Independence for whom and strive for the day when we will have independence for all.

2022 is over and in this show, we relive what we did on the show by sharing the hooks/the teasers for all but about 4 of our shows. We trace our steps from January and the Veterans for Peace alternative Nuclear Posture Review all the way to re-celebrating the Christmas Truce. We hoped that by sharing these hooks/teasers we might have seen some positive progress. It is hard to say that we did.

In this show co host Tom Grose shares a clip about white supremacy and women, it is more disturbing than you thought. The co-host Harvey Bennett shares a clip from Rising with Daniel Allot about what is behind people voting for trump again. Finally Jim shares a clip from a Ted Talk by researcher Mindy Romero on why young people don't vote. It is not their fault.

Biden won, apparently, so what now. How do we try to talk to Trump supporters. How do we approach foreign policy, domestic challenges with health care, climate and justice? What can we expect from a Biden administration. David Swanson, Executive Director of World Without War weighed in while speaking to the Iowa Chapter of Veterans for Peace on Armistice Day.

So has Covid 19 got you down?  Well how about nuclear holocaust?   Ralph Hutchison or Oak Ridge Environmental and Peace Alliance (OREPA) update us on our nuclear nightmare, the expanding investment of tax payer dollars, the brand proposed war head, and the new nuclear arms race.  Can we only imagine if all our wasteful spending here was redirected towards corona tests, nurses masks and ventilators.

Harvey and Jim listen to and discuss the interview on Al Jazeera's The Bottom Line with host Steve Clemmons and guest Daniel Levy. They talk about the history of mistakes, ignored agreements, and broken promises that have led us to this moment of destruction and despair. After that, we hear the desperate words calling for a ceasefire from Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and Cori Bush. Then thanks to Mike Figueredo and his Humanist Report we reflect on a progressive who advocates for the death of more children. We finish with a wonderful call for peace by Michael August and Nell Levin and their song Jerusalem.

This is our unedited conversation with Christian Sorenson of the Eisenhower Media Network.

How did we get here? We know the tragedy that is going on in Palestine/Israel. We have heard about the hundreds of Palestinian deaths, the destruction in Gaza, the Westbank, and East Jerusalem. We have heard the Biden administration defend the Israeli government and block action by the UN, but why. Why are we here? again. You are not going to get this background and back story from the national media, but you will hear. On today's show, Christian Sorenson of the Eisenhower Media Network explains the history not only of Israel but also the Palestinian, the entanglement of the US, the influence of the military-industrial, Congressional complex. If you want to know more if you want to know how YOU ARE FINANCING this and how you can take action to stop it, listen to Christian Sorenson.

The Congress wants to ban Tik Tok so that is a good reason for Harvey and Jim to join Tik Tok to see why and we think we found out. It is all about the young people getting their news. Nothing is going to freak Congress out more than young people getting independent news. Then we talk about an article from Al Jazeera relating Rachel Corrie to Aaron Bushnell to Viola Liuzzo and other people recognized by the marginalized. We finish up wondering about the hullabaloo surrounding the Oscars and the movie Zone of Interest.

Today's show includes the wisdom of four people who will find on independent news because the truth they share is not ready for primetime mainstream media. While the subjects they talk about may seem different you can easily figure out their connection. Caitlin Johnstone talks about Biden's hypocrisy in celebrating press freedom day while persecuting Julian Assange, Krystal, and Saagar about the drone over the Kremlin and that dangerous escalation, Juan Gonzalez on burying the Monroe Doctrine, and Yanis Varoufakis about Europe becoming a vassal of the US, or worse.

With the fires raging in Southern California, Cindy Piester joins us from South California to talk about Climate Change, the fires, the hurricane in NC, and their connection to militarism. She also reflects on COP 29, Trump's drill baby drill, and is there optimism. She also turns the tables on Harvey and Jim and asks questions about nuclear war, deterrence, US hegemony and more. We finish with Peter Tosh.

We try to deal with the week we just finished starting with the response  to the trump assassination of Iranian General Soleimani to the trump  response to the Iranian attack on two American/Iraqi bases. We hear from  voices of the public at our peace rally on Sunday at which Jim Cooper  and the military industrial complex were held to account.   Then Tom and  Jim discuss the week, Iran's response and break down trumps bizarre  response.

The US media is wrong about Nicaragua, but you knew that. The recent coverage by the media of the election of Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega has vilified the Sandinistas, the election, the President, his wife the Vice President and painted a desperate picture of the people of Nicaragua. Our panel today debunks all of it. With two observers of the election and a long-term resident, we hear from people who actually were here in Nicaragua and who were neither paid nor manipulated into conveying the reality of US media falsehoods and continued US imperialism in Nicaragua and the region.

Can our policymakers at the State Department, Defense Department, and the White House really be stupid enough to give Ukraine Missiles to knock out Russian early warning systems and at the same time put missiles in Germany? How is Putin going to feel with this nuclear threat right in his backyard and at the same time having his sight knocked out? Do we not understand that a blind Russia could think we are launching nuclear missiles at them when we aren't? Is our stupidity leading us to the brink of apocalypse?

Ralph Hutchison returns to the show to update us on our Nuclear Nightmare. Despite a new administration our nation's nuclear arsenal continues to steal taxpayer dollars to support weapons contractors without increasing our national security. In fact, Ralph makes the argument that our misguided investment in nuclear arms actually makes us less secure since we have started a new nuclear arms race.

Hear the voices of protest from across the country at the People Vs Fossil Fuels week-long rally in DC. Harvey Bennett was on site at the rally all week long. From Indigenous Peoples Day to Youth Day, from Indigenous Elders to scientists, to anti-fracking activists, to a Vet for Peace, to a 14-year-old girl from Sunrise, Harvey shares the essence of the protest that made demands of the Biden administration while reflecting on the decades of inaction.

Ralph Hutchison of the Oak Ridge Environmental and Peace Alliance (OREPA) talks about the actions being planned to celebrate the first anniversary of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Ralph talks about the treat, the impact, the further meetings, and most importantly the actions we need to take to call attention to the need for the US to sign this treaty.

Then Ralph and his group the Emancipators asks us to play their song Link in Your Chain.

Today we highlight and discuss a lecture given by James Carroll (at UMass) titled Who loaded Trump's Gun, A Brief History of America's Nuclear Sin. We reflect on his discussion of our nuclear as it differs from the rest of the world and then tries to update it with Biden's continuing escalation of tensions with China.

Hector Black just might have been the kindest, most humanitarian, being that many of us ever met. He died last week leaving a hole in the hearts of many but also leaving smiles for all the wonderful stories we can share. He was a World War II veteran, Civil Rights activist, Peace activist, and anti-death penalty worker. He demonstrated his conviction to forgiveness and to ending the death penalty by testifying against the death penalty even for his daughter's murderer. Here are just a few of the friends of Hector sharing stories.

When Janet Bates realized that her protests, her marches, her letters to the editor were still not stopping war, she got so frustrated that her husband recommended writing songs and so she did and we are so grateful.  Today we will talk to Janet about her activism and the stories behind the songs that we will hear.

Today we try to remember Black History and at the same time, we talk to a Black lady trying to make history. Amber Sherman, activist, and organizer, joins us to talk about local, national, international, and political issues facing us today. We also remember Septima Clark, referred to as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Septima Clark taught Rosa Parks at the Highland Center and now Amber Sherman tries to follow in Septima's shoes by organizing in Tennessee.

Today Harvey and Jim catch up and follow up with the alumni and student involved in the protest on the Vanderbilt campus. Harvey targets Boeing putting profit over passenger safety. We also reflect on an interview between Aaron Mate and Norman Finkelstein from six years ago about the Palestinian right to resist, the right to defend themselves. Veterans for Peace also has another letter, this time to Biden, calling out his violations of the Symington Glenn amendment in providing aid to a nuclear state (Israel) that has not signed on to the NPT. We finish up with a new song from Dave Rovics.

K.J. NOH returns to the show to update us on US relations or let's say US provocations of China. KJ talks about the recent China negotiations that led to a thawing of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This and of course the Chinese proposal for peace in Ukraine are triggering the US. He points out how the US continues to manipulate Pacific countries from Korea to Australia into provocative actions trying to provoke an action by China.

Jeffrey Sachs spoke to the Brooklyn Peace Action and we share most of it in this episode. Jeffrey Sachs who has recently stirred controversy by alleging the US was responsible for the destruction of the Russian Nord Stream Pipeline, shares his wisdom from decades of working with both Russian and American leaders. He unequivocally calls for negotiations with Putin and explains why it is critical to begin talks now and stop the relentless escalation before we reach the precipice of what even Biden has called Armageddon.

Yes, More voices talking about the reality and the dangers of the war in Ukraine. We continue with the holistic/historical approach from Dr. Glenn Diesen and Pascal Lottaz of Nuetrality Studies. We get the European holistic approach from MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace. Then we finish up with a US historical and holistic approach with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs. Yes, you will hear more about media manipulation, US government bullying of Europe, and European capitulation. You will hear about the partnership growing between Russia and China thanks to our provocations and more.

Harvey lives within miles of where the F-35 crashed and the pilot ejected, so we will talk about the F-35 and Harvey's efforts to reach out to his elected officials to get them to pay attention. Then we discuss a recent GAO study of the F-35 and we hear the words from the past of John McCain and Pierre Sprey. From that, it is clear the F-35 is expensive, dumb, and now very dangerous.

If you are a Millennial then this show is about you and YOU do need to hear. Does history repeat? Kind of, according to Bill Strauss and Neil Howe in their best-selling book The Fourth Turning (Published in the mid '90s). They have correctly predicted the onset of this crisis we are in right now and based on historical research, they predict that it is the millennial generation that will get us through this crisis and then rebuild the nation and the world in their own image, So if you are a millennial you need to take a listen and then get out your superhero cape.

Dr. Kelly Denton-Borhaug comes on the show to discuss Moral Injury and the US War Culture and her powerful and important book "And Then Your Soul is Gone, Moral Injury and the US War Culture.."  She discusses and defines moral injury and the impact of US War Culture not only on the military and veterans but more importantly on the US Citizen.  She describes how that war culture is hidden in plain sight.  She shows how this war culture takes more American lives than the battlefield, through military and veteran suicide.   If you are a veteran this interview will help you understand and if you are a citizen this show will help you realize and make change imperative.

Harvey and Jim discuss the student protests and the unconscionable lies coming from the speaker of the house and the president weaponizing the Holocaust. Using recent clips from Breaking Points, System Update, and Shahid Bolsen they look at the attempts of the government to manipulate and generate a narrative of anti-Semitism to demean and condemn the peaceful protests on college campuses. Those messages are countered by the words of Shahid Bolsen and the official statement from Veterans for Peace.

Will Hopkins, the new Executive Director of Veterans for Peace joins Barry Riesch and Colleen Rowley Freedom Flotilla volunteers as we discuss today's VFP activism and tomorrow's activism. Will leads off by discussing how he went from combat to the peace movement and what he sees as vision and challenge for VFP. Then we turn to Barry and Colleen who are just back from attempting to sail as part of the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza to break the Israeli siege and bring aid to the Palestinian People in Gaza. We then finish with Emma's Revolution.

Today's special guest is Dr. Steven Feldman who was a dentist for the VA and is very familiar with why privatization of the VA is a terrible idea not just for the veteran but for the public also. We are also playing a new song from Christine Moad (MissChristine) called Truth in Song. It is a wonderful song in search of truth.

From Charleston, S.C. Harvey conducts an interview with local activist Jason Jones and adds clips from a local lady who is trying to uncover the hidden history of Charleston to help healing but how can a plaque help the healing of a 400-year-old wound. Thus Harvey includes clips from the conference From Enslavement to Reparations: A 400 Year Journey for Justice and provides the case for reparations.

We listen to and discuss a talk given by Jessica Katzenstein for a Twenty Years of War Project.  She discusses the costs of blood and treasure related to the entanglement of the military and policing and how this entanglement has led to military tactics used during war being implemented on our own citizenry.

After five years of shows, 260 shows, over 15,000 minutes we decided we would try to remember where we have been in this part one of our milestone shows. We start out at the beginning and remember AVP with Trina Baum. We then reflect on Vietnam, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Dr. King, Militarism, and Nuclear Holocaust. We finish up with a very appropriate song by Mary Gautier.

COP 28 was not all bad news. VFP's Cindy Piester is back to give us a rundown about the good, the bad, and the ugly of COP 28 and this year she brought along Dr. Omar Clay to break the science down into scary details. Yes, there were major issues but the activists and delegates managed to make enough people mad that progress was actually made, despite the efforts of the US, the fossil fuel industry, and the oil baron President of the COP. We finish with Canary in the Coal Mine by Janet Bates.

Daniel Ellsberg brings his experience and wisdom to the debate over how to understand and deal with Putin, Russia, and the war in Ukraine, as we continue to see both sides escalate. Using clips from the Brooklyn for Peace webinar and the Analysis News Website, we again find a respected source that says we must talk and he even gives a way to start negotiations with Putin.

In the wake of the invasion of the Capital, we host a panel discussion with three activists who have faced the hate from the same white insurrectionists that stormed the Capital. We have Beth Foster who was there at Charlottesville and Montgomery Bell Tennessee State Park protesting the American Renaissance Conference, Benny Overton who was also at Montgomery Bell and downtown Nashville, and Daryl Lamont Jenkins who has been tracking these white supremacists and goes where ever they go.

Mark Reese has been a Government Contractor, Translator, and Whistleblower. Mark served as a translator in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and other parts of Central Asia, Mark was truly on the front lines and brings a direct perspective into our never-ending wars and the good that we could do while highlighting the problems that we have created.

Using several clips from several sources, we try to reflect on the election so far. What happened to the possible Biden landslide? Which demographics did the DNC ignore again? What might Trump do if a loss is at hand? We provide some information if not some answers.

We start the show by hearing from two activists in the cause of helping Veterans meet the challenges they face returning to civilian life. Susan Combs talks about the program, Pancakes for Roger, inspired by her father, the late General Roger Combs, and the foundation she is building to support Veterans in his name. She includes the University of Missouri Veterans Legal Clinic and all the work they do to help Vets navigate the governmental bureaucracies. Then Aaron Eckerberg talks ETMS the cutting-edge treatment that is helping Veterans and first responders heal from the trauma of their PTSD. Harvey and I finish up with some discussion of recent events and then we hear a somber rendition of the Hymn from the Marine Corps Band.

Today we cover several topics. We start in Nashville where the Tennessee legislature has demonstrated clearly its white supremacy and misogyny. We talk to people in the gallery who came to witness the unjustified and racist expulsion of Justin Jones, Justin Pearson, and Gloria Johnson. We then listen to a presentation by Azmat Kahn investigative reporter on the deadly impact of US killer drones and air strikes. We finish up with a song highlighting the disaster that is missing and murdered indigenous women called Red Dress from our friend Joseph Defilippo and the RJ Phillips band.

Danny Sjursen, self-described, "leftist military veteran," along with nationally known author, speaker, professor, podcaster brings his wit and wisdom to our radio show. Danny, the author of Patriotic Dissent and Ghost Riders of Baghdad, speaks on Biden's foreign policy team, our recent saber-rattling with China, American Exceptionalism, our previous expeditionary blunders and more.

Friend of the show Bruce Carruthers returns to the show to update us on the status of VA Health Care and the good news that the AIR Commission has been derailed. The Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) commission was part of the Mission Act and was scheduled to review the recommendations coming from the non-veteran Secretary of Veterans Affairs to close or restructure more than 30 VA facilities. Thankfully a bi-partisan group of Senators derailed the commission by not seating commissioners. So good news but the fight continues to halt the push to privatize the VA.

John Walsh peace activist, author, historian comes on the show and discusses and helps us remember US and Nato history which has contributed to the dilemma we are in. Everything has a back story and anyone who does not realize that story puts all of us in jeopardy.

On the first day of Black History Month, the College Board removed a number of authors, activists, topics, and organizations from their requirements for AP African American studies.  These voices critical to understanding the African American experience include author and activist James Baldwin.  Today we spend the hour listening to James Baldwin in his own words as he talks to high school students about education and then to Dick Cavett as he talks about Black frustration and the understatement of the Black experience in the US.

This is an update on the Veterans for Peace project to SOVA (Save Our VA). Biden has included $18 Billion in his infrastructure package for upgrading the VA, However the AIR Commission (Asset and Infrastructure), part of the Mission Act is being used by critics to delay that funding and enhance the chances of VA medical center closures and the increase in VA privatization. Special guests David Cooley and Bruce Caruthers of SOVA come on the show to talk about the problems with the Mission Act and the AIR commission and give us a call to action to SAVE OUR VA.

So another February and another chance to celebrate black history month and today instead of focusing on the past we are going to highlight the future with TSU senior and journalist to be and activist now Sarah Sulewski.

Ann Wright is our special guest. Ann brings her decades of experience in the belly of the beast of the American empire as she weighs in on the global footprint of the US, from militarism to imperialism. Ann discusses the history of our foreign policy and then brings us up to date with regard to Biden and where his administration is or might be going.

Today we have scholars, activists, clergy, politicians, and peacekeepers sharing their thoughts about the Dr. King that is rarely recognized, the Dr. King that was anti-militarism, anti-nuclear weapons, and anti-war. Senator Nina Turner, Rev. Liz Theoharris, Pastor Michael McBride, India Walton, and Khury Petersen-Smith participated in this portion of a webinar hosted by Defuse Nuclear War.  The webinar was facilitated by Hanieh Jodat. 

Veterans for Peace held a dynamic, important Convention with incredible speakers and critical topics. From climate, to militarism, to Gaza, to police brutality on campus, to the Freedom flotilla, we try to share just a little of the impact of the Convention. The Convention demonstrated just how hard VFP is working to make this world a better and more peaceful place and the results that can be achieved with dedication and commitment.

From humorous to serious.

In this show, we remember Mike Gravel, Senator, Presidential Candidate, hero. We remember his in your face honesty and the legacy he left through the voices of other truth-tellers as part of the Gravel Institute. This show is funny and serious, enlightening and honest. That was Mike Gravel.

https://soundcloud.com/user-55976759/71521-veterans-for-peace-remembering-senator-and-hero-mike-gravel,

David Olney, from Nashville, died on January 18thunexpectedly while singing a song we are going to spend the hour remembering David Olney his music and contribution to humanity, equality and understanding.   

PLEASE LISTEN TO THE END FOR A RECENT UPDATE FROM TENNESSEE. Today is another two-part show. We start in Tennessee where the republican caucus comes clean on their thoughts and feelings about the backlash from the expulsions. Then we turn to Krystal and Saagar and even Tucker Carlson who call out the mainstream media for their focus on the leaker and not the critical information that was leaked and how we have been lied to. THEN I UPDATE US FROM THE MORAL MONDAY IN TENNESSEE.

Here we are another Memorial Day. This year we have as our guests Matt Hoh, Associate Director of the Eisenhower Media Network, and Mike Ferner, interim Executive Director of Veterans for Peace discussing the mistaken message of today's Memorial Day. We will not only get their take on the devolution of this "holiday" but we will also go into the letter to President Biden, generated by the Eisenhower Media Network that appeared in the NY Times demanding a cease-fire and negotiations. Matt Hoh as Associate Director was instrumental in getting this letter into the Times and apparently, it is having an effect.

Harvey and Jim break down a panel discussion hosted by Scott Ritter at the National Press Club which included Dennis Kucinich, Don Kovalik, and Margaret Kimberly. With the world in chaos the panel focused on what the public needs to do and that is pepper congress with letters and calls and more. We have to get arms frozen before Biden and Blinken and Sullivan lead us over a cliff.

I am sure you know that Nuclear Weapons are a clear and present danger, but do you know how to talk to your neighbors or give a presentation about that danger? In this show, after a quick rant about the GOP betrayal of veterans, Harvey and Jim share portions of a presentation sponsored by Massachusetts Peace Action with guest speaker Ira Helfand of the Physicians for Social Responsibility. In this show, you will hear Dr. Helfand's presentation and get the initial training and consider how you would respond to questions you received.

Bruce Carruthers our resident expert on VA Health Care updates us on a VA report that slams privatization, but can we get it released so that it can make a difference? Then we turn to Student protests with an update from the encampment at Vanderbilt. Then the Freedom Flotilla was blocked through the efforts of Israel and the US. Will another country offer a flag to let them sail? Finally, as college administrators consider the National Guard, we remember Kent State Day through song.

We continue to discuss the importance of the effort of Veterans for Peace to develop a legitimate Nuclear Posture Review with a distinguished panel including David Swanson, Executive Director of World Beyond War, Alice Slater of World Beyond War and the VFP Nuclear Abolition Working Group and Rachel Clark of VFP and the Nuclear Abolition Working Group. While the Biden Administration and the Defense Department develop their own Nuclear Posture Review which will more than likely support nuclear saber-rattling and expansion of the madness of our nuclear program, Veterans for Peace has developed an alternative NPR, an NPR that considers humanity.

This show is extremely important for anyone considering the military and anyone in the military who feels things are not quite right. Three members of the Air Force: Joy Metzler, Juan Betancourt and Larry Hebert join us to discuss why, after joining the military with good intentions, they decided enough was enough and are pursuing Conscientious Objector Discharges. They relate what was the tipping point for them that pushed them over the edge. They discuss the disillusionment and possible betrayal by the military. They relate how helpful Veterans for Peace has been in their efforts. They also discuss what they are telling young people considering the military.

Veterans for Peace Radio Hour and Podcast are real fans of Margaret Flowers's Pod Cast Clearing the Fog.  When we saw that Margaret was interviewing Ann Wright, VFP Icon, we just had to share.  Margaret Interviews Ann about the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, the project to try to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and provide the occupied Palestinian populace with much-needed supplies and a little hope.  Ann talks about the ruthless and often deadly Israeli policy toward the Palestinian public in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.  Ann talks about the efforts of the flotilla, the violent response by Israel, and the purposeful ignorance of the US Government.   To hear the whole interview go to popularresistance.org and look for Clearing the Fog!

Environmental activist and VP of the Veterans for Peace Chapter in Spokane relates the tale of how he blocked a train, got arrested, went to court, used the Necessity Defense, and won (kind of). George also explains why he is so environmentally conscious, the specifics of the Necessity Defense, and how his case can be a precedent for people taking non-violent direct action if they have to go to court.

Do you know the long-term hazards of depleted uranium? Do you know what it is used for and why it is so popular with the US and other warring countries? Damacio Lopez joined the Veterans for Peace No Nukes Working Group for a discussion about depleted uranium and his 37-year fight to get this deadly element banned. He is joined by other members of the No Nukes group during this lively and abridged conversation.

Lillian Mauldin and Rosie Khan join the Veterans for Peace Podcast to share their story to pressure the University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company (UTIMCO) to divest from weapons and weapon systems manufacturers! Sharing their research and tactics they continue to work with their colleagues at the Women for Weapons Trade Transparency to bring to light the over $60 million dollars being invested in weaponry and war-making. They also share how you and your students can do the same at your university.   Visit their extensive website at w2t2.org and contact them at w2t2.org@gmail.com

Roger Waters came to Nashville to turn a southern town progressive, and for at least one evening he succeeded. Roger brought his in-your-face concert "This is Not a Drill" with its hard-hitting message calling for Racial Justice, Human Rights, the end to militarism and police violence, gun control, climate responsibility while incorporating his songs into that message with amazing video presentations. Members of Veterans for Peace and their wives were invited as Water's guests and that included co-hosts Harvey and Jim who took this opportunity to share not only portions of the concert but also the message of Roger Waters in his own words. Thanks primarily to David Swanson and World Beyond War. So don't be another brick in the wall. Take a listen as you get comfortably numb, while Roger points out the difference between us and them and the powers that be. So take a listen after all we wish you were there. And no this is not Deja Vu.

Rory Fanning veteran, author, conscientious objector, activist, and more joins us to talk about Veteran and American healthcare debt while we spend billions on supporting Israel's genocide. We get the genocide update from Max Blumenthal on the Judge Napolitano show after a heart-wrenching speech to the UN Security Council by the Deputy Observer from Palestine. We finish with Leonard Cohen and "Partisan."

While all eyes seem to be on Gaza, we ignore what the US is doing in Asia at our own peril. Author, scholar, activist, and teacher K.J.Noh returns to the show to explain what the US is doing in the Pacific. He explains the Pentagon plan called "transnational kill chain" and why the US continues to try to generate alliances to encircle and threaten China. What is Link 16? Are our military adventures bleeding us dry? Can we actually fight wars on two or three fronts at once? Is there a chance for peace? Would there be any difference between Biden or Trump? We then finish with Pink Flood.

Richard Freeman joins the show to discuss the OASIS plan as developed by the Schiller Institute to try to bring peace to the Middle East. We know that peace has not been achieved by all the methods whether diplomatic or militaristic and things seem to be getting worse. So why not try the OASIS plan which would be a cooperative effort to bring salt water in, desalinate it, and then provide clean fresh water to the Palestinians, Israelis, Jordanians, Egyptians, Syrians, and more to irrigate, drink, and what water does. Then Rich discusses a 60-year-old plan to bring water, that would rain into the ocean, from Alaska to the southwest US to help irrigate and support sustainable vegetation and reduce the impact of the fires.

Local high school student Cartier interviews Shahid Buttar who is challenging Nancy Pelosi for her seat in Congress. They talk about many issues with the focus on why young people, even as young as 12 should be thinking about what is going on with our representation or non representation by our elected officials. Afterall, it is their future.

Ellen Davidson, VFP Board member, editor of Peace and Planet News, and activist, compares what is going on in Israel to what went on in South Africa and definitively makes the case that Israel is an apartheid state. She also talks about anti-Semitism and how Israeli actions are exacerbating anti-Semitism in the US and elsewhere. Harvey then reflects powerfully on US complicity, especially during this holiday season.

CAN THE VA HELP US FIGHT COVID?

We remember two civil rights icons, John Lewis and CT Vivien, and then dive into the question can the VA help us fight Covid. We listen to a panel and then discuss the opportunity we have in the United States to use the VA Health Care system to help us fight the Covid Pandemic. The key issue of course is will we do it?

Author and activist Jane Hussain is our special guest as we continue our discussion of foreign policy Biden style.  She discusses the economic imperialism of China as well as the militaristic response that seems to be the only response the US is capable of.  

Today on the Veterans for Peace Radio Hour, we talk about the great work of Government employees with the help of a clip from Krystal Ball, the dilemma of front line workers and the poor with the help of Reverend Barber, and the prospects of a positive foreign policy with the help of Lawrence Wilkerson. We finish with a great song from Stevie Nicks asking God to Show Them the Way.

Gail Walker of IFCO Pastors for Peace revisited Nashville to promote the Cuba Caravan calling attention to the potential for Cuba to be a great friend to the US if we could get over our 64-year grudge. Then Gerry Condon, Helen Jaccard, and Ellen Barfield update us on the progress, the promise, and the incredible welcome the Veterans for Peace Sailboat the Golden Rule is receiving in the mid-Atlantic. They also discuss Cuba. We finish with the song Hiroshima by the English Group Wishful Thinking.

Journalist, activist, philosopher, activist Dahr Jamail gave the key note speech at the Veterans for Peace national conference. He conveyed a message of activism for the sake of doing what is right, being on the right side of history, and being patient but always hopeful. We hear his full speech.

The House Democrats led by Congressman Jim Cooper of Tennessee District 5  passed the National Defense Authorization Act which gives a free hand  to the Defense Department and this commander in chief to do what he  wants with the military. It also includes a Space Force which has been  the baby of Trump and democrat Congressman Cooper. On today's show Tom  and Jim interview Bruce Gagnon the VFP expert on the weaponization of  space and discuss just how incredibly bad this policy is. Standby it is  worse than you think,

We have two great guests. First Dennis Speed talks about the work of the International Peace Coalition, especially concerning the thought of peace through economic cooperation. Then friend of the show and VFP member Anthony Donovan reflects on his recent visit to Vietnam and how that war 55 years ago emphasizes a connection with today's wars in Ukraine and especially Gaza. Once again the US can not help itself but be culpable.

On todays show we start by remembering the Four Church Women murdered in El Salvador in 1980 with US complicity. Then we reflect on the MORE ACT and marijuana decriminalization.  Then Rory Fanning's article on how white supremacy has infiltrated policing. Finally we have to discuss some of Biden's "picks" for his cabinet and staff. We finish up with a song by Jason Moon which pretty much sums up where we are.