The recent cold weather and subsequent load shedding events—purposely cutting power to customers in order to prevent a blackout—has brought electricity to the forefront of policy conversations. Much has been written, yet most miss the mark. Unfortunately, almost every comment and commentator comes to electricity from politics. How can we possibly come up with energy solutions without discussing Ted Cruz? Sure, he wasn’t getting in a bucket truck to make repairs. Who begs for leadership from the rear? Cruz could have looked for empty buildings with lights on, tried to bring hamburgers to...
nuclear power
8/7/20 Brett Wilkins on the False Dichotomy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Brett Wilkins discusses the story about Hiroshima and Nagasaki that everyone learned in school: the U.S. was forced to drop the atomic bombs, because the alternative would have meant a ground invasion of Japan that would have cost a million American lives. In reality, Japan was already making moves toward negotiating a surrender, especially after the USSR declared war on Japan earlier that summer. What's more, seven out of eight U.S. generals at the time, including Eisenhower and MacArthur, agreed that the bomb was unnecessary. Scott and Wilkins go on to talk about the state of the...
News Roundup 7/23/20
US News Ohio State House Speaker Larry Householder was arrested in a massive corruption scheme to get bailouts for failing nuclear power plants. [Link] Trump announces the expansion of Operation Legend. The operation is the deployment of federal police to cities identified as out of control. The operation will expand to Chicago and Albuquerque. [Link] The Department of Justice will spend $61 million on grants to hire federal police officers for Operation Legend. [Link] The police officer who murdered George Floyd was charged with several counts of tax fraud. [Link] The Senate rejected an...
News Roundup 5/5/20
US News The stimulus bill included $500 million in funding to improve the country’s health surveillance. [Link] The Government Accountability Office reports that Congress needs regular updates about the ongoing negotiations with Saudi Arabia over providing the kingdom with nuclear power. [Link] Assange’s extradition was suspended until September. Assange was unable to attend the hearing because he was unwell. [Link] Venezuela A retired US special forces soldier and Venezuelan Army captain release a video saying they were behind an attempt to overthrow Maduro. They had been training in...
Finding Accountability for Captain Crozier
There is a sickness in the United States Navy, and it goes beyond the coronavirus pandemic. It’s a disorder of irresponsible political leadership, and a high command more focused on expediency than maintaining the confidence of the sailors in their care. The latest symptom of this disease was the abrupt dismissal of Captain Brett Crozier, formerly of the USS Theodore Roosevelt. When members of his crew became infected with COVID-19, Crozier sent a four-page memo explaining his disagreements with current containment strategy and recommending a more aggressive plan of action. The memo,...
DHS to Tell States How to Implement REAL ID Requirements
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is graciously willing to instruct states on how to implement plans to enforce the REAL ID statute requirements that go into force on October 2020. One of the suggestions being offered to states is the creation of online applications for state-issued, REAL ID-compliant identification, specifically drivers licenses. “Allowing online applications would help expedite services at state departments of motor vehicles that are experiencing long lines and wait times as they scramble to issue millions of new drivers’ licenses and ID cards that conform...
Tulsi, Kashmir, and Iran
On FPF #384 I cover Tulsi Gabbard's positions on BDS, India's crackdown in Kashmir, and Iran possibly seizing an Iranian ship in the Gulf. Last week, Tulsi voted for a bill that condemned BDS. She received some criticism from her base and has now become a cosponsor of Ilhan Omar's bill affirming Americans' rights to boycott a foreign government. India has started to take more control over Kashmir. The Indian government took legal steps to take some of Kashmir's autonomy. India has also cut phone and internet services in Kashmir. I explain how this can lead to a dangerous escalation with...
FPF #313 – Rep Omar & Kashmir
On FPF #313, I cover the controversy surrounding statements made by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. She called out AIPAC's influence over US policy and Elliott Abrams' nefarious history. In response, the foreign policy establishment has condemned the Congresswoman. I break down the unrest in Kashmir and the Indian/Pakistani relationship. A recent suicide bombing has caused increased friction between the nuclear powers and ethnic tensions in India. Links Ady Bankan -...
Foreign Policy Focus #168 – Everyone Says Russia Did It
On FPF #168, I discuss the nerve agent attack on former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. The British Prime Minister rushed to condemn Russia. The media quickly picked up the narrative presented by the UK. The UK has been joined by the leads of the US, France, and Germany blaming Russia for the attack. However, this allegation lacks evidence and creates tensions between nuclear powers. Links Moon of Alabama explains the UK or US have presented no evidence that Russia was behind the attack. [Link] Justin Raimondo: Who Poisoned Suegri Skripal? [Link] James O’Neil...
1/12/18 James Carden on the popularity of non-interventionism and the new Cold War
James Carden returns to the show to discuss his latest article "A New Poll Shows the Public Is Overwhelmingly Opposed to Endless US Military Interventions." Carden breaks down the different findings of the poll, including that a vast majority of people think military intervention should be used only as a last resort, that a preponderance of people think that military aid to foreign countries is counterproductive, and that there's particular antipathy directed at support for Saudi Arabia. Scott and Carden then discuss how the failed strategies of the Hillary Clinton campaign have been...
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