Episode 141 | March 14, 2024: TikTok AtToked, Third Parties on the Rise, Crises in Gaza, Haiti and Ukraine

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.

First off, the United States House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation that would force the Chinese company that owns TikTok to divest itself of the social media company within six months. President Biden says he will pass the measure if it hits his desk but its future is uncertain in the US Senate. Scott and Ted discuss the cultural, economic, legal and political implications of targeting a company purely based on conjecture and speculation with no proof that it has any plans to act nefariously.

Secondly, third and independent party presidential runs are in the news. Robert F Kennedy Junior is about to announce his choice for his voice presidential running mate. No Labels is about to appoint a committee to determine its options for president and vice president this year. Dr. Jill Stein will almost certainly be the nominee for the Green Party. And Dr. Cornel West is running his so-called jazz campaign.

Finally, five months into Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, it is very clear that Israel has overreached and is dangerously close to becoming an international pariah. Meanwhile, United States considers the possibility of military intervention in Haiti, something that has never gone well in the past. Ukraine, of course, will soon have to accept the difficult truth that it has lost its war against Russia.

 

Watch the Video Version: here.

The Final Countdown – 3/13/24 – Biden-Trump Showdown: America’s Unwanted Rematch Looms in 2024

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss current events from around the world, including Trump and Biden clinching the nominations.  
Scottie Nell Hughes – Veteran Political Commentator, RT Host
Tyler Nixon – Counselor-at-law
Peter Coffin – Journalist, Podcaster, and Author 
Mark Sleboda– International Relations and Security Analyst
 
The first hour begins with Scottie Nell Hughes, a veteran political commentator, joining the show to share her perspective on the results of the Georgia primaries, and the upcoming Trump vs. Biden showdown. 
 
The show is later joined by Tyler Nixon, who talks about special counsel Robert Hur’s testimony on the mishandling of classified documents. 
 
The second hour starts with journalist Peter Coffin, who talks about Canada’s hate speech law, and the U.S. House passing the TikTok ban.  
 
The show closes with International Relations Mark Sleboda talking about Russian President Putin’s recent interview ahead of the country’s presidential elections. 
 

The Final Countdown – 3/11/24 – When It Rains, It Pours: Legal Probe Hits Boeing

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss top news from around the globe, including the DOJ investigating Boeing. 
Steve Gill – Attorney  
Dan Kovalik – Human Rights Lawyer 
Mark Sleboda – International Relations and Security Analyst 
 
The first hour begins with Steve Gill who shares his perspective on numerous topics, including Biden’s MSNBC interview, the situation at the Southern Border, Trump’s opposition to banning TikTok, and the DOJ’s investigation into Boeing. 
 
The second hour starts with Dan Kovalik, a human rights lawyer, talking about the unfolding situation in Haiti, including Americans fleeing the country. 
 
In the final segment, The Final Countdown spoke to Mark Sleboda about the recent claim from CNN and The New York Times about the accusation that Russia was on the verge of using nuclear weapons in 2022. 
 
 

The Final Countdown – 3/4/24 – Trump Sweeps Michigan, Missouri Caucuses; Super Tuesday Preview

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall cover a plethora of current events from around the world, including Trump’s big wins in Michigan and Missouri. 
Steve Abramowicz  – Owner and CEO of Mill Creek View  
Tyler Nixon – Political Commentator
Ryan Cristian – Founder and Editor of The Last American Vagabond 
Jeremy Kuzmarov – Managing Editor, Covert Action Magazine 
 
The first hour begins with owner and CEO of Mill Creek View Steve Abramowicz who weighs in on Trump sweeping Michigan and Missouri. 
 
Then, political commentator Tyler Nixon joined to discuss the potential retrial of over 100 January 6 protesters. 
 
The second hour begins with Ryan Cristian, the Founder and Editor of The Last American Vagabond, to discuss the latest out of Gaza, including increasing calls for a ceasefire.  
 
The show closes with Managing Editor for Covert Action Magazine Jeremy Kuzmarov, who shares his perspective on a German leak that reveals potential western meddling in Ukraine. 
 

The Final Countdown – 2/27/24 – Michigan Primary: Unveiling Biden’s Unpopularity?

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss current events worldwide, including the Michigan primary. 
Ajay Pallegar – Criminal and Civil Attorney and Political Analyst 
Aquiles Larrea – CEO of Larrea Wealth Management 
Mark Sleboda – International Relations and Security Analyst 
Jamie Finch – Former Director at the National Transportation Safety Board 
 
The first hour begins with attorney Ajay Pallegar sharing his analysis on the upcoming Michigan primary amid pro-ceasefire protests against Biden. 
 
Then, finance expert Aquiles Larrea weighs in on the Congressional budget debacle. 
 
The second hour starts with international relations and security analyst Mark Sleboda talking about the possibility of a ‘peace’ summit between Ukraine and Russia.
 
The show wraps up with former National Transportation Safety Board director Jamie Finch weighing in on the newly released Federal Aviation Administration report on Boeing. 
 
 
 

The Final Countdown – 2/26/24 – Haley Suffers Embarrassing Defeat in Home State; Vows to Stay in Race

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss a plethora of topics domestically and abroad, including Nikki Haley’s defeat in her home state of South Carolina. 
Ed Martin – Lawyer and Political Commentator
Steve Gill – Attorney 
Jeremy Kuzmarov – Managing Editor of Covert Action Magazine 
Michael Maloof – Former Pentagon Senior Security Policy Analyst 
 
The first hour starts with lawyer and political commentator Ed Martin, who shares his perspective on Nikki Haley’s loss in her home state’s primaries. 
 
Then, attorney Steve Gill joins to discuss the latest out of the Fani Willis saga, including requests for her to testify again. 
 
The second hour starts with Jeremy Kuzmarov, Managing Editor of Covert Action Magazine to share his perspective on the latest out of the Middle East, including more airstrikes in Yemen and Israel’s planned invasion of Rafah. 
 
The show closes with Michael Maloof, a former analyst at the Pentagon, to discuss the latest out of Ukraine. 
 
 

DMZ America Podcast #138: Alabamapalooza, Haley’s Last Stand, Two Years in Ukraine

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.

This week, Ted and Scott start with Alabamapalooza! Scott lives in Alabama, which happens to be the improbable center of the week’s news. After a botched execution using a novel Neue asphyxiation method, the state pronounces itself ready to do a lot more. At the same time, the State Supreme Court has declared that frozen embryos developed for in vitro fertilization are full human beings entitled to the full protection of the law, with devastating consequences for women.

In the 2024 election campaign, former ambassador Nikki Haley takes on Donald Trump in her home state of South Carolina with the polls showing her behind by about 65% to 35%. Ted and Scott wonder aloud why exactly she’s still in the race and what is her strategy. On Tuesday, the race moves to Michigan, where Muslim Americans angry about the Biden administration’s support of Israel against the people of Gaza are trying to organize a substantial protest vote against the incoming president.

Finally, it’s the beginning of the third year of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Clearly Russia has won the war. When, if ever, will American policy makers recognize the reality on the ground and reflect that with their funding decisions in Washington? What will a negotiated settlement look like? What should it look like?

Watch the Video Version: here.

The Final Countdown – 2/20/24 – Trump Ordered to Pay $354 Million in Civil Fraud Trial

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss top news around the world and nationwide, including Trump having to pay $364 million for fraud. 
Steve Hayes – Tax Attorney 
Nebojsa Malic – Journalist 
Andrii Telizhenko – Ukrainian Whistleblower, Former Diplomat 
John Kirakou – CIA Whistleblower 
 
The first hour begins with tax attorney Steve Hayes, who breaks down Trump’s $364 million penalty from his New York civil fraud case. 
 
Then, journalist Nebojsa Malic weighs in on the U.S. hysteria regarding the accusation that Russia is planning to deploy nuclear weapons into space. 
 
The second hour begins with Ukrainian whistleblower and former diplomat Andrii Telizhenko sharing his perspective on the potential aid package to Kiev and the case of the FBI informant who lied about the Biden family’s ties to Burisma. 
 
The show closes with CIA whistleblower and co-host of Political Misfits John Kirakou who discusses the upcoming trial for Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange. 
 

The Final Countdown – 2/15/24 – ICE Pressures Congress with Threat of Releasing Detained Migrants After Border Bill Fails

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss top news from around the world, including ICE blackmailing Congress over the failed border bill. 
Ajay Pallegar – Criminal and Civil Attorney
Andrew Arthur – Resident Fellow in Law and Policy for the Center for Immigration Studies 
Dan Lazare – Independent Journalist 
Kevin Kamps Radioactive Waste Specialist, 
 
The first hour begins with Ajay Pallegar, a criminal and civil attorney, sharing his perspective on Fulton County DA Fani Willis’ hearing, which would determine if she would be disqualified from the election interference case against Trump. 
 
Then, Andrew Arthur, a Resident Fellow in Law and Policy for the Center for Immigration Studies gives his analysis on ICE threatening to release detained migrants in response to Congress’s failure to ensure funding. 
 
The second hour starts with independent journalist Dan Lazare, who shares his insights on the CIA and other foreign intelligence agencies targeting 26 Trump associates in 2016.    
 
The show closes with Radioactive Waste Specialist at Beyond Nuclear, Kevin Kamps, who shares his expertise on U.S. intelligence claiming that Russia might have the capabilities to launch nuclear weapons into space. 
 
 

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. 
 
 
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