Fault Lines

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the importance of allowing differing points of view in the public discourse in order to promote free speech and healthy political debate. Why are some people supporting increased online censorship, and should you be subjected to views that seem distasteful?


Guests:

Annette Bosworth M.D. aka 'Dr. Boz' - Internal Medicine Physician & Author | How to Have Diet and Exercise Longterm Sustainability

Gareth Porter - Investigative Historian & Journalist | How the Mainstream Media has Covered US-Iran Relations

Ali Alexander - Political Consultant | Free Speech Battles & Engaging with Opposing Points of View


Starting a new diet or exercise routine is easy, but sustaining a program to get longterm results is much more challenging. Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Bosworth returns to 'Fault Lines' to give her take on how to sustain new workout and eating programs, quit bad habits, ease into new regimens, and redefine your view of failure to turn slip-ups into assets.

Tension between the US and Iran has been rising in recent months, and much of the mainstream media reporting has been supportive of this escalation. Gareth Porter, an Investigative Historian & Journalist, joins today's show to discuss recent events involving the US and Iran, the media framing of these stories, the lack of pushback towards anti-Iran narratives, and how a geopolitical crisis can be manufactured in order to be exploited at a later date.

As online censorship continues to increase, people in the political world are divided as to how this issue should be dealt with by big tech companies. Political Consultant Ali Alexander joins Garland and Lee for the final two segments for a conversation about the policing of speech and personal associations, how much censorship of their enemies people are willing to tolerate, the importance of consistency on issues of free speech, and people's willingness to have conversations with those who hold opposing viewpoints.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan talk about how the political establishment and intelligence agencies manipulate narratives to shape public perception on major stories. RussiaGate had several fictitious angles that gained traction, and now the 'White Helmets' have even made their way into a popular video game.


Guests:

Patrick Henningsen - Journalist & Founder of: 21stCenturyWire.com | The DOJ Charges Against Julian Assange & The US-UK Relationship

Vanessa Beeley - Investigative Journalist | The Latest on Syria & Propaganda Influence of the 'White Helmets'

Daniel Lazare - Journalist & Author | Fallout from the Mueller Report & The Influence Intelligence Agencies have on Politics


The United States Government is hoping to extradite WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange from the United Kingdom to the the US to have him face the charges he has been hit with by the US Department of Justice. Patrick Henningsen, the Founder of 21stCenturyWire.com, joins today's show to discuss the likelihood that the DOJ charges against Assange will actually pan out, the coalition of people supporting Julian Assange, Mike Pompeo's recent remarks about Jeremy Corbyn, and how the issue of anti-semitism has damaged the UK Labour Party.

Violence and fighting have raged for years in Syria as al-Qaeda affiliated groups in the country have been targeted and militarily taken out by the Syrian government. Investigative Journalist Vanessa Beeley returns to 'Fault Lines' to talk about the latest military actions in Syria, what has been happening in the city of Idlib, the cultural significance and propaganda influence of the 'White Helmets,' and how the ruling class works to manipulate narratives on global events.

The end of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation should have put many of the unsubstantiated RussiaGate theories to bed as no collusion was revealed throughout this lengthy and wide-ranging process. Journalist & Author Daniel Lazare joins Garland and Lee for the final two segments of the show for a conversation about the evidence put forth in the Mueller Report, the timeline surrounding Guccifer 2.0, the credibility of both Robert Mueller and WikiLeaks, Joseph Mifsud's connection to Western intelligence networks, and how intelligence agencies are able to influence domestic politics.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss how President Trump's hope of constructing a wall on the US-Mexico border has not been achieved thus far. However, a privately funded group just completed a section of wall on the border, so will President Trump soon follow suit with a "Great Wall" project of his own?


Guests:

Margaret Kimberley - Editor and Senior Columnist at BlackAgendaReport.com | Threats to Julian Assange & Fallout from the Mueller Investigation

Mark Frost - Economist and Professor | President Trump's Strategy of Using Tariffs

Niko House - Political Activist & Broadcast Journalist | Tulsi Gabbard's Relationship with Wall Street

Dustin Stockton - Political Analyst & Co-Founder and VP of 'We Build the Wall' | The Completion of a Section of Wall on the US-Mexico Border


Imprisoned WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange remains in serious legal jeopardy and is also in danger of his physical health continuing to deteriorate. Margaret Kimberley, an Editor and Senior Columnist for BlackAgendaReport.com, returns to 'Fault Lines' to discuss the treatment of Assange in recent months, the role WikiLeaks played in the 2016 Presidential Election, and the fallout from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

President Trump has shown a propensity to use the threat of tariffs as a negotiating tactic with foreign countries such as Mexico and China. Economist and Professor Mark Frost joins today's show to talk about how countries deal with tariffs, the nature of dealing with China on issues of trade, and the level of confidence that the American people currently have in the US economy.

Hawaii Congresswoman and Democratic Presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard has recently been attacked for her association with Wall Street following an event she held in New York City. Niko House, a Political Activist & Broadcast Journalist, joins the hosts to discuss if there is any substance to this criticism, how Gabbard has been received at events by prospective Democratic voters, and how her presentation style compares to other candidates vying for the Democratic nomination for President in 2020.

For the final segment, Garland and Lee are joined by Dustin Stockton, a Political Analyst and Co-Founder of the 'We Build the Wall' project, to talk about the approximately 1-mile-long section of wall that his group recently completed building on the US-Mexico border. How was the money raised for this project, where is this section of border wall located, what is the composition of this wall, and will this project incentivize the US government to increase its efforts to secure the southern border?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the characteristics and policies which make politicians adversaries of the establishment mainstream media. Anti-war views and skepticism about corporate interests are popular with many members of the public, but can bring on harsh treatment from the media.


Guests:

Kani Xulam - Commentator on the History and Politics of Kurdistan | The Kurdish People and Their Challenges with Countries in the Middle East

Phil Giraldi - Former CIA Case Officer and Army Intelligence Officer | Tulsi Gabbard and the Coverage of Her Campaign by the Media

Tim Canova - Law Professor & Former Candidate for Congress in Florida | Mainstream Media Support for Corporate Interests, Attacks on Independent Candidates & 2020 Presidential Politics

Danny Sjursen - Retired U.S. Army Officer and Former History Instructor at West Point | The Whitewashing of War Crimes & Who are the US Allies in the Middle East


The Kurdish people have served as a fighting force for the United States military in the Middle East, but have struggled to find additional political support in their dealings with countries in the region including Turkey. Kani Xulam, a commentator on Kurdish history and politics, joins the hosts in-studio for an in-depth conversation about the geographical distribution of Kurdish people in the region, Kurdish efforts to maintain their culture, the treatment of the Kurds by Turkish President Erdoğan, and hopes for achieving political stability in Turkey, Iraq, and Syria.

Democratic Congresswoman and 2020 Presidential Candidate Tulsi Gabbard has come under attack from politicians and members of the mainstream media for her anti-war foreign policy stances. Former CIA Case Officer Phil Giraldi returns to 'Fault Lines' to discuss Gabbard's foreign policy views, why much of the establishment media has chosen to cover Gabbard's candidacy in a negative light, and how President Trump has betrayed his campaign platform with regards to the handling of international affairs.

Much of the mainstream media shows a great deal of support for large corporate interests, and as a result of this trend, these media outlets tend to be hostile towards politicians and candidates who go against these views. Tim Canova, a Former Candidate for Congress in Florida, faced this type of negative coverage, and he joins today's show to talk about his experience with the mainstream media, the importance of making election integrity a major issue, and the role that the Democratic Party establishment will play in the 2020 Democratic Primary election.

For the final segment, Garland and Lee are joined by Retired U.S. Army Officer Danny Sjursen to discuss the danger of making the whitewashing of war crimes an acceptable practice and how support for the armed forces is often used as a political tool. They also talk about the countries that the United States is allied with in the Middle East and the brutal nature of some of these regimes.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss how major Silicon Valley tech firms such as Google and Facebook are tightly connected to powerful government entities which can impact some of the decisions that they make. How is money driving this relationship and also leading to increased censorship online?


Guests:

Medea Benjamin - Co-Founder of Code Pink | Trump's New Cuba Policies & The Latest on Venezuela

Andrew Arthur - Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies | What is Driving Illegal Immigration to the United States?

Ted Rall - Political Cartoonist & Syndicated Columnist | Julian Assange and the Responsibility of Journalists

Ryan Cristián - Founder and Editor of The Last American Vagabond | Social Media Censorship, the Alternative Media Ecosystem & Weekly Foreign Policy Round-Up


The Trump administration recently announced new travel restrictions to Cuba which is a further departure from the Obama administration's approach towards US-Cuba relations. Medea Benjamin, Co-Founder of Code Pink, returns to 'Fault Lines' to talk about the significance of Trump's newest Cuba policy, John Bolton's involvement in this decision, the importance of Cuban-American voters in Florida in forming this policy, and the next steps for the Trump administration in Venezuela.

Despite President Trump's hardline rhetoric regarding immigration as a Presidential Candidate, rates of illegal immigration have remained high over two years into his term in office. Andrew Arthur, Resident Fellow in Law and Policy at the Center for Immigration Studies, joins today's show to provide a breakdown of the countries from which illegal immigrants are currently coming, the causes for people coming to the US illegally, the various economic interests involved with illegal immigration, and how Congress has approached the issue of immigration reform in the past.

The criminal charges against WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange have been viewed as an assault on journalism by many interested observers and members of the public. Political Cartoonist & Syndicated Columnist Ted Rall joins the program to discuss the criminal charges against Assange, the lack of support Assange has received from much of the mainstream media, and the obligation of journalists to tell the truth about government misconduct.

For the final two segments, Garland and Lee are joined by Ryan Cristián, the Founder and Editor of The Last American Vagabond, to talk about growing censorship and demonetization on social media platforms, the relationship between Big Tech corporations and the Federal Government, and the importance of online ad revenue in the alternative media ecosystem. They also discuss recents events in the Middle East, the foreign policy actions of both the United States and Israel, and the lack of media coverage on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

On this episode of Fault Lines, host Garland Nixon talks about the move by YouTube to further police content on its platform which is the latest blow to the future of independent journalism and alternative media reporting. Who is pushing for more censorship online, and why is this an issue where public awareness needs to drastically increase?


Guests:

Joe Lauria - Editor-in-Chief at Consortium News | Julian Assange Update & The Assault on Journalism

Annette Bosworth, MD (Dr. Boz) - Internal Medicine Physician & Author | Staying Safe in the Summer Sun and Extreme Heat

Niko House - Political Activist & Broadcast Journalist | The Suppression of Unpopular Speech Online

Ford Fischer - Independent Journalist | YouTube Demonetization & The Importance of Independent Journalism


WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange is currently receiving medical treatment at a prison hospital, but the condition of his health remains largely unknown and a major concern to his supporters. Joe Lauria, Editor-in-Chief of ConsortiumNews.com, joins today's show to discuss both Assange's health and legal situations, the ongoing dangers to journalism and press freedom, and how people are being pushed towards corporate mainstream media sources because of increasing internet censorship.

With summer arriving, it is important to take proper precautions to stay healthy and safe when the heat and sun can become overwhelming. Dr. Boz returns to 'Fault Lines' to breakdown how much time we should spend in the sun, when to apply sunscreen, how to stay properly hydrated, and the proper way to deal with heat exhaustion.

The narrative about people getting "radicalized" online is popular in much of the media, but this is an ambiguous term that seems to result in alternative media sources being censored at a growing rate. Political Activist & Broadcast Journalist Niko House joins Garland to give his take on the concept of online radicalization and how this idea may be used to suppress certain types of free speech that are unpopular with traditional establishment views.

As YouTube seeks to crackdown on content they deem as inappropriate, independent journalists and commentators are being caught up in this trend of censorship. Ford Fischer, an independent journalist who covers news events in-person, was recently demonetized on YouTube despite regularly providing high-quality video content to the public from important news events. Fischer joins the show to discuss this move by YouTube, the danger of censoring content online, and the importance of independent journalism in our current media landscape.

On this episode of Fault Lines, host Garland Nixon discusses President Trump's latest trade policies and the additional tariffs he has threatened to impose on both China and Mexico. What impact is the ongoing trade war having on the US economy, and does Trump have a clear endgame in mind while going down this road?


Guests:

Alexander Mercouris - Editor-in-Chief at TheDuran.com | US-UK Relations & The Search for a New Prime Minister in the United Kingdom

Joel Segal - Former Congressional Staffer | How to Solve the Problem of Homelessness

Tom Luongo - Geopolitical Analyst and Publisher of the Gold Goats 'n Guns Newsletter | How the Trade War Might Progress & Trump's Tariff Plans


Yesterday, President Trump met with UK Prime Minister Theresa May in London as her time in office is set to come to a close in the coming days. Alexander Mercouris, Editor-in-Chief at TheDuran.com, returns to the show to discuss the meeting between Trump and May, the process for naming a new Prime Minister in the United Kingdom, the narrowing scope of speech being permitted on social media and alternative media channels, and the influence that UK institutions have on global politics.

Later in the show, former Congressional Staffer Joel Segal joins Garland to talk about the issue of homelessness in the United States and the importance of addressing this problem in a serious manner. Segal has a history running homeless shelters, and he will breakdown the health issues related to homelessness, what leads to people living on the streets, how prison and a lack of job training contribute to this issue, and the cost of homelessness on the general public.

For the final two segments, Geopolitical Analyst Tom Luongo returns to 'Fault Lines' for a wide ranging conversation which includes analysis of President Trump's tariff plans and how the trade war is likely to progress. Luongo also discusses debt and interest rates, the global economic system, and Trump's unorthodox and sometimes dangerous style of negotiation.

On this episode of Fault Lines, host Garland Nixon talks about President Trump's trip to the United Kingdom and some key issues such as the Steele Dossier that Trump could bring up in conversation with UK Prime Minister Theresa May. Will possible UK meddling in the US political process be discussed, or will this meeting just be mostly for show?


Guests:

Patrick Henningsen - Journalist & Founder of: 21stCenturyWire.com | President Trump Meets with Theresa May, The US-UK Relationship & An Update on Julian Assange

Mark Sleboda - International Relations & Security Analyst | Mainstream Media Deception & The Evolution of President Trump's Cabinet

Stephen Lendman - Writer and Geopolitical Analyst | The Bipartisan Foreign Policy Consensus in Washington DC

Caleb Maupin - Journalist & Political Analyst | US-China Relations & The 30th Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Protests

John Kiriakou - Former CIA Officer & Co-Host of 'Loud and Clear' | The Steele Dossier, Impeachment Politics & President Trump's Political Style


President Trump is currently in the United Kingdom where he is meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May a day after spending time with Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace. Patrick Henningsen, a Journalist and the Founder of 21stCenturyWire.com, joins today's show to discuss the likely topics of conversation between Trump and May, why Trump should ask her about the Steele Dossier and other sensitive topics, and the state of the relationship between the United States and United Kingdom. Additionally, they discuss Julian Assange's current legal situation, the medical treatment he is receiving in prison, and the possibility that he will face extradition to either the United States or Sweden.

A North Korean official who had previously been reported as "purged" by North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un appeared at a concert with Kim which seems to refute this past report.
Mark Sleboda, an International Relations & Security Analyst, returns to the program to talk about the history of media stories on high-profile killings in North Korea, campaigns of deception from mainstream media outlets, the view of the Trump administration's foreign policy inside of the Russian government, and the evolution of Trump's Cabinet since the start of his Presidency.

Despite Republicans and Democrats appearing to be in conflict on nearly every issue, both party establishments tend to have very similar views when it comes to US foreign policy. Writer and Geopolitical Analyst Stephen Lendman joins Garland to talk about the bipartisan consensus on foreign policy in Washington DC, the power of the mainstream media in shaping public opinion, and what the main takeaways should be from Robert Mueller's press conference.

We have reached the 30th Anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests which were a major international event with a great deal of cultural significance. Journalist Caleb Maupin returns to the show to discuss the events that occurred in June of 1989, how the media has reported on this subject, the nature of US-China relations today, and the strategic manner in which the Chinese government pursues international relations.

For the final segment, Garland is joined in-studio by former CIA Officer John Kiriakou for a conversation about the history of the Steele Dossier and the likelihood that Congressional Democrats will move forward with efforts to impeach President Trump. They also analyze the US-China trade war and how President Trump's political experience and style are impacting his effectiveness and ability to accomplish his goals.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the likelihood that Congressional Democrats will pursue the impeachment of President Trump and the potential political fallout from such a polarizing move. Is Trump guaranteed protection by the Senate, or is there danger looming that should have the President worried?


Guests:

Ian Miles Cheong - Managing Editor at HumanEvents.com | 'The Daily Beast' Identifies the Creator of Viral Nancy Pelosi Video

Jim Jatras - Government and Media Relations Specialist | History of Impeachment and the Possible Danger to President Trump

Dr. Bill Honigman - Emergency Room Doctor & Progressive Healthcare Activist | The California Democratic Convention, 2020 Democratic Candidates & Politics of Impeachment


The creator of the viral Nancy Pelosi meme-style video was publicly identified over the weekend by 'The Daily Beast' as a forklift worker and blogger who lives in the Bronx, New York. Ian Miles Cheong, Managing Editor at HumanEvents.com, joins today's show to discuss the significance (or lack there of) about this specific Nancy Pelosi video, the stories that seem to get the political media outraged, the journalistic ethics of revealing this man's identity, and how social media companies are able to do the bidding of certain politicians and powerful interests.

Despite Special Counsel Robert Mueller's multi-year investigation failing to charge President Trump with any crime, it seems quite possible that Congressional Democrats will pursue impeachment against the sitting President. Jim Jatras, a Government and Media Relations Specialist, returns to the program to talk about the past history of Presidential impeachment, parallels between Trump and former President Richard Nixon's political situations, if Republicans should be concerned about a possible impeachment, and how 2020 election politics are playing into the calculations being made by both Democrats and Republicans.

Over the weekend, California Democrats held their 2019 State Convention which was attended by several prominent Democratic 2020 Presidential candidates, however former Vice President Joe Biden was notably not in attendance. Progressive Healthcare Activist Dr. Bill Honigman was at the San Francisco-based event, and he joins Garland and Lee on today's show to talk about how the different candidates who showed up were received by the crowd, the significance of Joe Biden being a no-show, and the main concerns expressed by grassroots activists who were in attendance. Additionally, the hosts talk with Dr. Honigman about the possibility of impeachment for President Trump and why he supports Democrats pursuing this action.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan analyze how the QAnon craziness has impacted our political climate and why it has taken attention away from important revelations made by Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. Are QAnon supporters now running out of steam, or is there always a new "plan" and narrative to "trust?"


Guests:

Ariel Gold - National Co-Director at Code Pink | Venezuela Update, Netanyahu's Struggles & The Abortion Debate

Carmine Sabia - Writer & Managing Editor at TheFederalistPapers.org | What is the Anti-Trump Media Hoping to Accomplish?

Ryan Cristián - Founder and Editor of The Last American Vagabond | Venezuela, ElectionGuard, Julian Assange & Bilderberg 2019


Ariel Gold, National Co-Director at Code Pink, returns to 'Fault Lines' to provide an update on the arrests and subsequent charges from earlier this month related to events at the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington DC. They also discuss how the political situation in Venezuela has evolved in recent weeks, Benjamin Netanyahu's problems trying to form a new coalition government in Israel, and how Code Pink is getting involved in the abortion debate following new laws being passed related to this issue.

Some Democrats and members of "The Resistance" have interpreted Robert Mueller's recent public announcement as a green light to pursue the impeachment of President Trump. Carmine Sabia, Writer & Managing Editor at TheFederalistPapers.org, joins today's program to give his analysis of Mueller's announcement, how the major news networks covered this event, and what the true motives of the anti-Trump media really are.

For the final two segments, Garland and Lee are joined by Ryan Cristián, Founder and Editor of The Last American Vagabond, for a conversation about a variety of topics including US involvement in Venezuela and Microsoft's new election software, ElectionGuard. They also discuss the status of Julian Assange's health and the significance of Mike Pompeo and Jared Kushner attending this year's Bilderberg Meeting.