The Israeli war cabinet of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has been on something of a bender lately, with seemingly no limit on how many fronts they are willing to open up militarily.
DMZ America Podcast #144: USC Censors Its Valedictorian for Being Palestinian, Trump on Trial, Biden’s Weird Steel Tariffs
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Cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) are back at their respective abodes in New York and Alabama. As always, Ted and Scott put friendship first in their spirited but civilized debates and discussions about the issues at hand.
First up: The University of Southern California denies this year’s valedictorian Asna Tabassum
her right to deliver the commencement address because she is Palestinian and might have had the audacity to call for Palestinians to stop being slaughtered en masse by Israel in Gaza. If ever there was cause for people of all ideological stripes to be appalled albeit for different reasons, here it is.
Next: Donald Trump becomes the first former president to face a criminal trial. Scott and Ted dissect the nature of the charges, related to the payment of hush money to Stormy Daniels, and explore the disturbing trend of prosecutors letting members of the public that they’re so out to get them that they’re willing to campaign on it.
Finally: Joe Biden imposes brutal tariffs to protect America’s steel industry, which is now owned by Japan, from China.
Watch the Video Version: here.
The Final Countdown – 4/23/24 – Flames of Dissent: Campus Unrest Amid Gaza War
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On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss a wide array of hot topics around the globe and nationally, including the campus-wide pro-Palestine protests around the country as the Gaza War rages on.
Steve Gill – Attorney
George Szamuely – Senior Research Fellow at the Global Policy Institute
Peter Coffin – Journalist and YouTuber
Jamie Finch – Former Director at the National Transportation Safety Board
Attorney Steve Gill starts the show to discuss the Trump hush money trial and provides insights on the gag order contempt hearing that took place this morning.
Later, Senior Research Fellow George Szamuely analyzes the Congressional aid package, which proposes $95 billion in assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, and analyzes what weaponry the packages could include.
The second hour begins with journalist and YouTuber Peter Coffin weighing in on the widespread campus protests related to Palestine, including faculty walkouts at Columbia, and the arrest of students at Columbia and Yale amid explosive debates happening in the media.
The show closes with former National Transportation Safety Board official Jamie Finch talking about the FAA’s decision to open an investigation into a near miss at JFK airport.
The Final Countdown – 4/18/24 – Critical Vote for Ukraine, Israel Funding Approaches as Congress Remains at Odds
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On this episode of The Final Countdown hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss a variety of topics around the globe, including Congress divided over aid funding to Israel and Ukraine.
Nebojsa Malic – RT Journalist
Mitch Roschelle – Media Commentator
Scott Stantis – Political Cartoonist
Aviv Bushinsky – Former Chief of Staff for Israeli PM Netanyahu
RT journalist Nebojsa Malic joins The Final Countdown in the first hour to discuss Congress remaining at odds over a critical vote for Israel and Ukraine funding.
Then, media commentator Mitch Roschelle joins the show to discuss the latest out of the Trump hush money trial.
Political cartoonist Scott Stantis weighs in on the NYPD arresting over 100 pro-Palestine protesters at Columbia University.
The show wraps up with Aviv Bushinsky, who shares his perspective on reports of Israeli strikes inside Iran.
The Final Countdown – 4/17/24 – Massie Backs Ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson as Congress Clashes Over Ukraine and Israel Funding
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On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss the latest political developments domestically and abroad, including U.S. Congress clashing over aid funding.
Robert Hornack – Political Consultant
Laith Marouf – Award-winning Journalist
Jamie Finch – Former Director at the National Transportation Safety Board
The show begins with Robert Hornack weighing in on the upcoming SCOTUS decision on Trump and the January 6 defendants.
Then, award-winning journalist Laith Marouf delves into the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, discussing statements from Foreign Minister David Cameron about an imminent Israeli response inside Iran, Iran’s stark warnings against such actions, and the anticipated widespread protests that could ensue.
The show wraps up with Former NTSB Director Jamie Finch addressing the recent surge in safety concerns reported by the American Airlines union, analyzing potential causes, implications for passenger safety, and necessary actions to mitigate these risks in the aviation industry.
What Will Be Left of Gaza for Trump To Make Worse?
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Democrats argue that Trump, who was very in favor of Israel during his presidency, would be even worse for the people of Gaza than Biden, who has totally enabled Netanyahu to do whatever he wants. However, by the time the election rolls around, there won’t be anything left of Gaza for Trump to make worse.
DMZ America Podcast #143 (together in person!): #MeToo Drives Cartoonist Ed Piskor to Suicide, Abortion Drives Republicans Insane, Might Gaza Drive Israel Out of Statehood?
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Cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) present a Very Special Podcast. For the first time, Ted and Scott do the pod from Hotel Clovis, a.k.a. Ted’s place in New York. As always, Ted and Scott put friendship first in their spirited but civilized debates and discussions about the issues at hand.
First up: The world of comics and cartooning was upended by the tragic suicide of Eisner-winning cartoonist Ed Piskor, who shot himself to death after being hounded by an online mob and stripped of his professional associations after a younger female cartoonist accused him of “grooming” her four years ago, when he was 17. What lessons can we learn from this episode? Has the #MeToo movement finally gone too far? What of the online posters who gleefully celebrated Piskor’s death? Can comics address systemic sexism without descending into Lord of the Flies-style vengeance?
Second: The Alabama Supreme Court has affirmed an 1864 state statute that bans abortion in all cases excepting danger to the life of the mother (which Texas still refuses to do). In Arizona, if you are raped or subjected to incest, the state refuses to grant you an abortion. Ted and Scott discuss the political implications for a Republican Party that now finds itself out of step with 85% of American voters on an issue with massive symbolic resonance.
Finally: Scott, a long-time supporter of Israel, has reluctantly concluded that Israel’s war against Hamas has claimed too many innocent Palestinian lives and destroyed too much infrastructure in Gaza. Ted suggests that the window for a two-state solution may have passed and that it’s time to consider merging the Occupied Territories and Israel into a democratic Republic of Palestine where all votes and voices are treated equally.
Watch the Video Version: here.
The Final Countdown – 4/10/24 – Congress Grills Top Military Brass Over Ukraine, Israel Funding
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On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss a wide range of topics from around the globe, including top U.S. military officers facing Congress over funding to Ukraine and Israel.
Scott Stantis– Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune
Jamie Finch – Former Director at the National Transportation Safety Board
Jeremy Kuzmarov – Managing Editor of Covert Action Magazine
Mark Sleboda – International Relations and Security Analyst
The show opens with cartoonist Scott Stantis to weigh in on U.S. military aid to Israel and Ukraine, the political drama involving Marjorie Taylor Greene’s threats against Speaker Johnson.
Then, Former Director at the National Transportation Safety Board Jamie Finch delves into the transportation sector’s recent challenges, including Norfolk Southern’s significant settlement, Boeing’s halved deliveries amidst heightened quality checks, and a whistleblower’s alarming revelations about the 777 and 787 models.
The second hour begins with Managing Editor of Covert Action Magazine Jeremy Kuzmarov analyzing the escalating tensions in Gaza, including Elizabeth Warren’s predictions about the ICJ’s potential genocide declaration, Netanyahu’s announcement of an invasion date, Turkey’s sanctions against Israel, and accusations against Iran.
The show closes with international relations analyst Mark Sleboda examining the allegations against Ukraine’s Burisma, accused of funding terrorist attacks.
Home Invasion, 1947
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If someone breaks into your house, are you churlish for refusing to share? That’s the accusation lodged against Palestinians who never accepted the establishment of the State of Israel on their land in 1947.
The Final Countdown – 4/4/24 – Biden on Edge: High-Stakes Call with Netanyahu Looms
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On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss various current geopolitical events, including Biden and Netanyahu’s high-stakes call.
Tyler Nixon – Counselor-at-law
Jamarl Thomas – Host of Fault Lines
Mark Sleboda – International Relations and Security Analyst
Mohamed Gomaa – RT Journalist
The show begins with Counselor-at-law Tyler Nixon discussing the intricacies of a high-profile case in San Diego, where defendants charged in connection with a street fight argue that Antifa, the group they are associated with, lacks the formal organization to be held collectively responsible.
Then, Jamarl Thomas, Host of Fault Lines, joins to delve into the groundbreaking realm of quantum computing, discussing Microsoft’s stake in the new technological era and its potential ramifications.
The second hour starts with Mark Sleboda, discussing Russian military advancements in Ukraine and NATO’s ongoing plans for aid to Ukraine.
The show closes with RT Journalist Mohamed Gomma, who analyzes Egypt’s role in ceasefire talks between Gaza and Israel amidst ongoing hostilities, including a recent Israeli strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy.
