The Final Countdown – 4/30/24 – Trump’s Hush Money Trial Heats up as He Receives Fines for Violating Gag Order

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss a wide array of topics, including Trump’s hush money trial. 

Mitch Roschelle – Media Commentator
Ajay Pallegar – Criminal Attorney
Jeremy Kuzmarov – Managing Editor of Covert Action Magazine
Esteban Carrillo – Ecuadorean journalist
 
The show begins with media commentator Mitch Roschelle providing an analysis of the anticipated presidential debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. 
 
Then, criminal attorney Ajay Pallegar delves into the complexities of the Trump hush money trial and the related Supreme Court case over Trump’s claims of immunity.
 
The second hour starts with the managing editor of Covert Action Magazine Jeremy Kuzmarov discussing the growing student movement in solidarity with Palestine.
 
The show wraps up with Ecuadorean journalist Esteban Carrillo analyzing the latest out of Gaza, including Israel’s military decisions.
 
 

The Final Countdown – 4/29/24 – College Protests Ignite Deep Divide Over Free Speech

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss a wide array of topics including the debate over free speech amid the widespread campus protests against the war in Gaza. 

Autry Pruitt – Chairman of New Journey PAC
Dan Kovalik – Human Rights Lawyer
Scott Stantis – Cartoonist
Jamie Finch – Former Transportation Safety Official
 
The show begins with Autry Pruitt, Chairman of New Journey PAC, discussing the implications of Trump’s immunity claim and the recent developments in the hush money testimony.
 
Then, human rights lawyer Dan Kovalik examines the recent wave of arrests during U.S. protests for Palestine across major universities.
 
The second hour starts with cartoonist Scott Stantis weighing in on the debate over  the definitions between anti-Zionism versus anti-Semitism and the long-term impacts on careers for student protestors.
 
The show closes with Former Transportation Safety Official Jamie Finch addressing the ongoing financial crisis at Southwest Airlines, attributing significant challenges to issues with Boeing aircraft.
 
 

DMZ America Podcast #145: Mass Graves in Gaza, Imperial Presidency, Menthol Madness

Political cartoonists Ted Rall (from the Left) and Scott Stantis (from the Right) debate the week in news and culture as friendly adversaries to bring you spirited debate and smart insight.

First up: The Israel-Hamas War seems to be entering some sort of tipping point in terms of international public opinion. As the International Criminal Court weighs issuing an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his government’s policy of blockade and mass starvation in Gaza and student protests over America’s support of Israel spread from Columbia University to college and university campuses around the nation, the disturbing discovery of a pair of mass graves containing the bodies of hospital patients and personnel apparently summarily executed in areas under IDF control prompt Scott to say that, if this is confirmed to be an Israeli war crime, he would be done with Israel after supporting the Jewish state for many years.

Second: The US Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case with ramifications both for Donald Trump’s January 6th insurrection case and the separation of powers under the US Constitution. The court is asked to answer the question of whether a president enjoys absolute immunity for acts committed while in office, whether immunity might be partial, and whether it’s possible to separate those acts committed as an individual from those performed as an officeholder. At stake: the nature of the nation’s top political job.

Finally: In an act that appears to reek of cynicism, the Biden Administration has paused a long-planned ban on menthol-flavored tobacco products, which are popular among Black Americans, because of concerns that Black voters might be annoyed at the President when they go to the polls this November. Vote for us before you die, please.


Watch the Video Version: here.

The Final Countdown – 4/17/24 – Massie Backs Ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson as Congress Clashes Over Ukraine and Israel Funding

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.
 
 

DMZ America Podcast #140: Super Tuesday Leaves Two, Euthanasia Comes to Illinois, Troops in Subways

Editorial cartoonists Ted Rall (from the political Left) and Scott Stantis (from the political Right) discuss the week’s biggest stories without the boring yell fests but with force and passion.

The first segment of this week’s offering covers some major developments in the 2024 presidential campaign. The US Supreme Court followed Ted’s lead, choosing democracy over the Constitution, ruling 9-0 to invalidate the 14th Amendment cases attempting to remove Trump from the ballot. Super Tuesday saw broad sweeps by Biden and Trump, Nikki Haley’s withdrawal and progressive discontent over Biden’s support of Israel’s war against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Scott and Ted preview the State of the Union Address and detail what Biden would have to do there—it involves violating the laws of physics—to drive a stake through concerns about his mental acuity. Oh, and it’s definitely Biden versus Trump this fall.

The second segment takes a hard turn into Illinois’ move toward legalizing doctor-assisted suicide. Scott expresses concerns about whether God would approve and whether there might be a potential for abuse. Ted gets personal about a friend and colleague who recently decided to end her life after suffering from depression.

Finally, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered state police and the National Guard to New York City’s beleaguered subway system to restore law and order…and search your bags.


Watch the Video version: here.

The Final Countdown – 2/13/24 – Pakistan Faces Uncertain Political Future With No Clear Winning Gov’t

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss top news worldwide, including the results of Pakistan’s elections. 
Mitch Roschelle – Media Commentator 
Tyler Nixon – Counselor-at-law  
Mark Sleboda – International Relations and Security Analyst 
Hamza Azhar Salam – Pakistani journalist 
 
The first hour begins with media commentator Mitch Roschelle, who discusses the special election to replace the ousted U.S. Representative George Santos. 
 
Then, attorney Tyler Nixon joins to weigh in on Trump’s emergency request to SCOTUS to delay his Jan. 6 criminal trial. Nixon and the hosts also discuss Trump’s hearing on the classified documents case and the possibility of Fani Willis being disqualified. 
 
The second hour starts with International Relations and Security Analyst Mark Sleboda, who shares his expertise on the latest out of Ukraine, including the Senate approving a $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 
 
The show closes with journalist Hamza Azhar Salam, who shares his insights on the split results of Pakistan’s elections. 
 
 

The Final Countdown – 6/30/23 –

 
On this episode of The Final Countdown, the hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan discuss top news including the protests in France. 
 
Angie Wong: Journalist
Bob Patillo: Attorney, Executive Director of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition 
Elijah Mangier: Veteran War Correspondent 
Dr. John Dombrowski: CEO of Washington Pain Center, practicing physician 
 
The show starts with Angie Wong, a journalist who joins to discuss the latest of Hunter Biden’s child support case. 
In the second half of the first hour, the hosts spoke to attorney Bob Patillo on the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. 
 
The second hour begins with Veteran War Correspondent and political analyst Elijah Mangier on the France protests. 
 
The show closes with Dr. John Dombrowski, the CEO of the Washington Pain Center, on Biden’s legal issues. 

The Final Countdown – 6/28/23 – Putin Reveals Russia Avoided Civil War

On this episode of The Final Countdown, the hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan discuss top news including the latest out of Russia and Ukraine. 
 
Scott Stantis: Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune 
Robert Patillo: Attorney 
Mark Sleboda: International Relations and Security Analyst
Dan Lazare: Journalist & Author 
 
The show starts with Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune, Scott Stantis who joins to discuss NYC dropping a case on Ivanka Trump, and Donald Trump’s fraud case with Leticia James. 
In the second half of the first hour, the hosts spoke to attorney Robert Patillo on the SCOTUS decision on the North Carolina elections. 
 
The second hour begins with International Relations and Security Analyst Mark Sleboda on the latest out of Ukraine and Russia. 
 
The show closes with journalist and author Dan Lazare on student debt. 

The Final Countdown – 6/9/23 – Trump Indicted…AGAIN!

On this episode of The Final Countdown, the hosts Ted Rall and Manila Chan discussed breaking news, including the latest Trump indictment. 
 
Mark Frost: Economist, professor, consultant
Scott Stantis: Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune
Mark Sleboda: International Relations and Security Analyst
Rory Riley Topping: Attorney, broadcaster, former Congressional staffer 
 
The show begins with Economist Mark Frost discussing S&P getting out of hibernation and entering the bull market. 

In the second half of the first hour, the hosts spoke to Scott Stantis, Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune, about SCOTUS striking down gerrymandering in Alabama. 

 
In the first part of the final hour, The Final Countdown was joined by International Relations and Security Analyst Mark Sleboda to discuss the latest out of Ukraine’s counteroffensive strategy. 
In the last part of the final hour, Rory Riley Topping spoke to The Final Countdown team about Trump’s latest indictment. 

 

DMZ America #81: Southwest Airlines, Mark Santos and Section 42

What’s to blame for mass cancellations and dysfunction at the formerly beloved Southwest Airlines? Long Island has a new Congressman-elect, Mark Santos. But nothing he told us about himself seems to be true. Ironically, his lies make him look worse than the reality of his hardscrabble upbringing. Supreme Court is allowing Section 42 to remain in place, trapping tens of thousands of asylum seekers at the Mexico border. Surely there’s a better way. Editorial cartoonists Scott Stantis and Ted Rall break it down for you.

 

 

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