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. 
 
 

The Final Countdown – 2/12/24 – Senators Advance Bill to Send Billions to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss news from around the globe, including U.S. Senators pushing forward a budget bill that funds Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 
Aquiles Larrea– CEO of Larrea Wealth Management, Finance Expert
Steve Gill – Attorney 
Dan Lazare – Independent Journalist 
Robert Fantina – Author, journalist, activist 
 
The first hour begins with Aquiles Larrea, a finance expert, who shares his perspective on the Congressional budget, and GOP Senators pushing forth a bill that fuels billions to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 
 
Then, attorney Steve Gill talks about the latest out of the Fani Willis scandal. 
 
The second hour starts with independent journalist Dan Lazare, talking about a new poll revealing that many Americans believe that U.S. President Biden is too old for another term and the state of his mental acuity. 
 
The show closes with author, journalist, and activist Robert Fantina, about a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah. 
 

The Final Countdown – 2/9/24 – Furious Biden Lashes Out Over Special Counsel’s Comments

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss news from around the world, including Tucker Carlson’s unprecedented interview with Russian President Putin. 
Ryan Cristian – Founder and Editor, Last American Vagabond 
Ed Martin – Attorney 
Mark Sleboda – International Relations and Security Analyst 

 
The first hour begins with Ryan Cristian, Founder and Editor of Last American Vagabond, breaking down American journalist Tucker Carlson’s two-hour-long interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 
 
The second hour begins with Ed Martin, who speaks about Biden’s reaction to the Special Counsel’s report on his handling of classified documents. 
 
The show closes with Mark Sleboda, an International Relations and Security Analyst who shares his perspective on Ukrainian President Zelensky’s removal of the military’s top general, Valery Zaluzhny. 
 
 

The Final Countdown – 1/30/24 – United Airlines Navigates Boeing Woes: Explores Possible Airbus Deal

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss current events worldwide, including United Airlines and its Boeing woes. 

Jamie Finch –  Former Director, National Transportation Safety Board 
Tyler Nixon – Counselor-at-law 
Dr. George Szamuely – Senior Research Fellow, Global Policy Institute
Dan Kovalik – Human Rights Lawyer 
 
The show kicks off with Jamie Finch, the former director of the National Transportation Safety Board, who discusses United Airlines potentially entering a deal with Airbus following Boeing’s Max 9 blunders. 
 
Later, Tyler Nixon, counselor-at-law, weighs in on the IRS contractor getting sentenced to five years in prison following his leak of Trump’s tax documents. 
 
The second hour begins with the hosts talking to Dr. George Szamuely about Hungary accusing the EU of blackmail.  
 
The show closes with human rights lawyer Dan Kovalik, who shares his perspective on the strikes near the Jordanian border and the pressure on Biden to plan a military response. 
 
 

The Final Countdown – 1/24/24 – Democrats Give New Hampshire Primary a Cold Shoulder: What Does It Mean?

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall discuss hot topics from around the nation, including the New Hampshire primaries. 

Bruce Breton – Trump 2024 New Hampshire Co-Chair 
Tyler Nixon – Counselor-at-Law 
Jamie Finch – Former Director of the National Transportation Safety Board 
Mark Sleboda – International Relations and Security Analyst 
 
The show kicks off with Bruce Breton who breaks down the results from the New Hampshire primaries and discusses what’s next for the 2024 presidential race. 
 
Then, Tyler Nixon, counselor-at-law, joins to weigh in on the latest out of the Hunter Biden saga, including Hollywood lawyer Kevin Morris’s deposition.
 
The second hour starts with Jamie Finch, the former Director of the National Transportation Safety Board, sharing his insights on the ongoing Boeing malfunction scandal, and the latest revelations regarding the company’s role in the incident.   
 
The show closes with Mark Sleboda, International Relations and Security Analyst, who discusses the downed Russian plane in Ukraine. 
 
 

The Final Countdown – 1/17/24 – New Hampshire Debate Disarray: Nikki Haley’s Withdrawal Sparks Fiasco

On this episode of The Final Countdown, hosts Angie Wong and Ted Rall cover current events from around the globe, including the New Hampshire debate fiasco. 

Scott Stantis – Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune

Mark Sleboda – International Relations and Security Analyst
Dan Lazare – Independent Journalist 
Armen Kurdian –  Retired Navy Captain 
 
The show kicks off with Scott Stantis, Cartoonist for The Chicago Tribune, who weighs in on the New Hampshire debates being canceled amid candidate Nikki Haley opting out. 
 
Then, International Relations and Security Analyst Mark Sleboda shares his expertise on Ukraine’s Peace Talks and the tragic death of Chilean-American filmmaker and journalist Gonzalo Lira, who was imprisoned in Ukraine. 
 
The second hour begins with independent journalist Dan Lazare, who discusses the Congressional budget, a looming government shutdown, and a new poll that reveals America’s disdain towards affirmative action. 
 
Lastly, Armen Kurdian, Retired Navy Captain, joins the show to share his perspective on the migration crisis in the U.S. 
 
 
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