Fault Lines

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss President Trump's expected "National Emergency" declaration related to the southern border wall. What does this move mean for the country right now, and what will this decision mean for the immigration debate moving forward?



Guests:

Mark Sleboda - International Relations & Security Analyst | Maria Butina Speaks Out...

Jim Hoft - Founder of the Gateway Pundit | When will Jussie Smollett Come Clean with the Truth?

Vanessa Beeley - Investigative Journalist | Did a BBC Producer Tell the Truth About the Douma Hoax?

Tom Luongo - Geopolitical Analyst and Publisher of the Gold Goats 'n Guns Newsletter | The Week's Geopolitical Round-Up



Late last year, Russian national and gun rights activist Maria Butina pled guilty to conspiracy to act as an unregistered agent of Russia after being held in solitary confinement for an extended period of time. Butina recently spoke about her treatment and experience, which Garland and Lee will discuss with International Relations & Security Analyst Mark Sleboda on today's show.

Actor Jussie Smollett's "story" about how he was targeted in a racist/homophobic attack last month in Chicago appears to be crumbling as the facts of the case are revealed to the public. Jim Hoft, founder of The Gateway Pundit, returns to Fault Lines to analyze Smollett's words, actions, and the likelihood that this entire incident was manufactured.

A producer for the BBC recently tweeted that the viral video which claimed to show a chemical attack at a hospital in Douma, Syria was a staged event. Investigative journalist Vanessa Beeley reported on the events in Douma from Syria last year, and she will talk about this newest admission with Garland and Lee on today's program.

For the final segment, geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo joins the show to recap some of the week's major international stories and to talk more about hedge fund manager Bill Browder. What is driving Trump's foreign policy agenda, and how has Browder's narrative continued to crumble as his past actions continue to be exposed.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Garland Nixon and Lee Stranahan discuss the possibility of President Trump and Congressional Democrats reaching a budget agreement that addresses immigration and border security. How might the two sides come together to make a deal, and will immigration remain as a major issue for voters in the 2020 Election?




Guests:

Dr. Bosworth - Internal Medicine Physician & Author | Vegan Cory Booker says Meat-Eating will Destroy the Planet!

Susan Pai - Immigration Attorney | The "Bed Mandate" and its Impact on the Immigration Debate

Talib Karim - Attorney and Executive Director of STEM4US | What does the Ilhan Omar Controversy Say about DC Politics?



New Jersey Senator and Democratic Presidential candidate Cory Booker recently made comments that were critical of American's high levels of meat consumption suggesting that the current trajectory is unsustainable in the long run. Internal medicine physician Dr. Bosworth returns to Fault Lines to discuss Sen. Booker's remarks, American's dietary tendencies, and Dr. Boz's opinion of going vegan.

As President Trump and Congress look to make a longterm budget deal, the issue of immigration and Trump's proposed southern border wall remains one of the main obstacles between the two sides. Immigration attorney Susan Pai joins today's show to talk about the ongoing immigration debate and the controversial "bed mandate" policy.

For the final hour of the show, Garland and Lee are joined in-studio by attorney Talib Karim to discuss the recent Ilhan Omar controversy and what it has revealed about the US political system and how Congress operates. Why has the debate about AIPAC and the Israel lobby become so heated in recent years, and how will Rep. Omar be treated by her peers in Congress moving forward?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Lee Stranahan and Garland Nixon discuss US foreign policy tactics, El Chapo's guilty sentence, and the situation in Venezuela during a guest filled show. How can establishment narratives manipulate public opinion, and why is pushing back against traditional reporting beneficial to our political system?



Guests:

Alex Krainer - Author of "Grand Deception: The Browder Hoax" | The Holes in Bill Browder's Narrative

Phil Giraldi - Former CIA Case Officer and Army Intelligence Officer | Washington DC: The World’s Judge, Jury and Executioner

Jeff Morley - Author of "The Ghost: The Secret Life of CIA Spymaster James Jesus Angleton | Rep. Walter Jones Jr. and the Push for JFK Records Disclosure

Dominic Carter - Reporter for Verizon FIOS News | El Chapo Found Guilty, Faces Life in US Prison...

Eugene Puryear [In-Studio] - Co-Host of By Any Means Necessary | Understanding Life in Venezuela



Despite having a great amount of support from within the mainstream media and US political class, hedge fund manager Bill Browder's narrative about his past financial activities continues to be questioned by the public and members of the alternative media. Author Alex Krainer wrote the definitive book detailing Browder's past, and he joins today's show to discuss Browder's story and why it continues to lose credibility with those who dig into the reality of events.

Regardless of what President Trump's foreign policy objectives were when he entered office, his plans have been altered due in part to the strong neoconservative influence inside of his administration. Former CIA Case Officer and Army Intelligence Officer Phil Giraldi returns to the program to talk about US foreign policy and how the Washington DC establishment imposes its will on countries and governments around the world.

The recent passing of Rep. Walter Jones Jr. from North Carolina was a tragic loss as the late Congressman spent much of his time on Capitol Hill fighting for transparency and a responsible foreign policy. Author and historian Jefferson Morley joins Garland and Lee to discuss the legacy of Rep. Jones and his efforts to release government documents related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States.

Yesterday, Joaquín Guzmán, also known as "El Chapo," was found guilty on all ten counts at his Federal trial which took place in New York City. Reporter Dominic Carter was at the courthouse to report on the trial, and he will recap the events that transpired and discuss what comes next for El Chapo on today's episode of Fault Lines.


For the final segment, Garland and Lee are joined in-studio by Eugene Puryear, co-host of By Any Means Necessary on Radio Sputnik, to talk about his past experience in Venezuela and how it fits with what is currently taking place inside of the country. How large is the disconnect between western media coverage and reality inside of Venezuela, and what is the likelihood of a peaceful, political resolution to the current turmoil in the coming months?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Lee Stranahan and Garland Nixon discuss freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar's recent tweets about AIPAC and Israel which received major pushback including from Congressional Democrats. Did Rep. Omar cross the line with her remarks, and what does this response say about AIPAC's influence over the US political system?



Guests:

Joel Segal - Former Congressional Staffer | Remembering Congressman Walter B. Jones Jr.

Ali Abunimah - Co-Founder of ElectronicIntifada.net | The Reaction to Ilhan Omar's 'AIPAC Tweet'

Gareth Porter - Investigative Historian & Journalist | How Intel Agencies Uphold the US War Machine

Laura Loomer - Conservative Investigative Journalist | Rep. Ilhan Omar Faces Major Backlash for Israel/AIPAC Tweets

Michael Goodwin - NY Post Columnist | Are the Disastrous Democrats Making Trump Look Good by Comparison?



Republican Congressman Walter B. Jones Jr. passed away on Sunday at the age of 76. Former Congressional staffer Joel Segal was personal friends with Rep. Jones and worked alongside the Congressman on important legislation together on Capitol Hill. On today's show, Joel will discuss what he remembers most about Rep. Jones and the foreign policy legacy that he leaves behind.

Freshman Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has been aggressively condemned by much of the Washington DC political class over recent tweets she made about AIPAC and the Israel Lobby. Ali Abunimah, co-founder of ElectronicIntifada.net, returns to the show to talk about exactly what Rep. Ilhan Omar has been accused of doing, why she decided to publicly apologize, and the influence AIPAC has on the American political system.

Dating back to his days on the campaign trail, President Trump has indicated a strong desire to draw back US involvement in foreign conflicts. Investigative historian and journalist Gareth Porter joins today's episode of Fault Lines to discuss the major foreign policy issues currently facing the Trump administration and how certain elements inside of our intelligence agencies are making a significant international withdrawal of forces more challenging.

Following up on the earlier segment with Ali Abunimah, conservative investigative journalist Laura Loomer joins Garland and Lee to give her take on the Ilhan Omar controversy and Omar's history of comments about the Jewish community. Why did Omar's recent tweets receive such a strong backlash from her Democratic colleagues, and has her career in public office already been permanently derailed?

For the final segment, NY Post columnist Michael Goodwin joins Garland and Lee to talk about the challenging past week for Democrats and how it has made President Trump and the Republican Party appear more reasonable by comparison. How will the Democrats' political scandals in Virginia get resolved, and who are the most respected leaders in the Democratic Party as the 2020 election cycle heats up?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Lee Stranahan and Garland Nixon discuss the likelihood that President Trump and Congress fail to reach a budget deal this week which will trigger another government shutdown. Is there any indication that Democrats will make a deal with Trump over his "Wall," or is 'Shutdown Round 2' already an inevitability?



Guests:

Stephen Lendman - Writer and Geopolitical Analyst | Challenging US Foreign Policy and Washington DC Establishment Narratives

Ted Rall - Political Cartoonist & Syndicated Columnist | Virginia's Political Scandals & Democratic Party Leadership

Carmine Sabia - Writer & Managing Editor at TheFederalistPapers.org | The Grammys and Politically Vocal Celebrities

Ali Alexander - Political Consultant and Editorial Director of Culttture.com | Creating Alternatives to Mainstream Media Echo-Chambers



Much of America's foreign policy establishment is currently focused on Venezuela and the major political interests for the United States in the country moving forward. Writer and geopolitical analyst Stephen Lendman returns to Fault Lines to talk about some of the major entities who profit from foreign interventions and why "concern over human rights" is critical in selling these moves to the American people.

Many top Democrats have called for the resignations of both Virginia Governor Ralph Northam and Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax as the state's two highest ranking officials fight for their respective political lives. Political cartoonist & syndicated columnist Ted Rall joins Garland and Lee on today's show to discuss these scandals, the current nature of due process in modern American politics, and the importance of crisis management in handling political scandals.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance yesterday at the Grammy's which is another example of pop/celebrity culture crossing paths with the political world. Additionally, some celebrities wore pro-Trump outfits which garnered a bit of attention from the media. Writer Carmine Sabia returns to the show to give his take on last night's Grammy's, how celebrity culture impacts our political discourse, and how certain performers unknowingly promote establishment propaganda at these events.

During the final hour of the show, the hosts are joined by political consultant Ali Alexander to discuss his efforts to create alternatives to the mainstream media in an effort to inform the public about news and current events. They also discuss some of the major stories in the news cycle including immigration, the possibility of another government shutdown, and the Democrats who have announced that they are running for President in 2020.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Lee Stranahan and Garland Nixon discuss the elitist nature of America's political ruling class and how it conflicts with the views and beliefs of ordinary citizens. Should our current system be considered a "functioning democracy," and will this divide continue to grow throughout this next election cycle?



Guests:

Teodrose Fikre - Co-Founder of Ghion Journal | Politicians Using Identity as a Shield to Deflect Criticism

Joel Segal - Former Congressional Staffer | Democrats Propose a 'Green New Deal' - What's in the Bill?

Tom Luongo - Geopolitical Analyst and Publisher of the Gold Goats 'n Guns Newsletter | Preparing for an Ugly Democratic Presidential Primary



The rise of identity politics in America has led to an increase in politicians using their respective backgrounds and diversity to shield themselves from legitimate criticism. Teodrose Fikre, co-founder of GhionJournal.com, joins Fault Lines for the first time to discuss this trend and how it will impact the 2020 Democratic Primary.

Congressional Democrats have proposed a 'Green New Deal' to address climate change and various elements of the American economy/infrastructure. Joel Segal spent over a decade working on Capitol Hill, and he joins today's show to talk about the details of this bill, the likelihood it is signed into law, and the importance of addressing climate change on a longterm basis.

For the final hour of the show, the hosts are joined by geopolitical analyst Tom Luongo for a conversation about American foreign policy and an early preview of the Democratic Presidential Primary. With the 2020 field taking shape, who will emerge as the frontrunners, and how does the treatment of Tulsi Gabbard thus far preview the ugly race that is to come?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Lee Stranahan and Garland Nixon discuss the rapidly evolving political scandals in the state of Virginia which could see some of the state's top officials removed from office. Will Ralph Northam be able to hold on as Governor, and how does the Democratic Party leadership view these respective situations?



Guests:

Nicholas Wilson (aka Mr. Ethical) - Whistleblower and Campaigner Fighting Political & Financial Corruption | The Integrity Initiative and its HSBC Connection

DC McAllister - Cultural and Political Commentator | Trump's 'State of the Union' & The Democratic 'Women in White'

Elbert Guillory - Former State Senator from Louisiana | Ralph Northam, Blackface, and Virginia's Current Political Scandals

Jamarl Thomas - Progressive Political Commentator | Traveling to Europe and the Middle East



The suspicious nature of the 'Integrity Initiative' has exposed the willingness of the UK and other western media outlets to cover up for impropriety and fraud being perpetrated by political and financial elites. Former whistleblower Nicholas Wilson returns to Fault Lines to discuss his experience with the bank HSBC, its connection to the 'Integrity Initiative', and the role that shell companies play in furthering large scale financial fraud and criminal money laundering.

During President Trump's 'State of the Union', the Democratic women in the House of Representatives all wore white outfits which was impossible not to notice and received a great deal of attention from the media. Cultural and political commentator DC McAllister joins the show to talk about the politics behind this move, the nature of modern feminism, and the current state of tribalism/identity politics in American politics.

The state of Virginia is currently experiencing a great deal of political turmoil as three of its highest ranking members, including Governor Ralph Northam, are engulfed in scandals which could see them leave public office. Elbert Guillory, a former State Senator from Louisiana, returns to the program to give his take on these respective situations and the standards by which we should judge politicians when we look at their past words and actions.

For the final hour of the show, Garland and Lee are in-studio with progressive political commentator Jamarl Thomas to discuss Jamarl's past few months traveling throughout Europe and the Middle East. What did he experience in the different places he visited, and how do views of the United States and American people vary from country to country?

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Lee Stranahan and Garland Nixon discuss their expectations for tonight's 'State of the Union' and the main issues they expect the President to highlight. Will Trump strike a cordial tone and focus on compromise, or will his address put more space between Republicans and Democrats in the nation's capital?



Guests:

Mark Sleboda - International Relations & Security Analyst | The Latest News on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty

Elizabeth Beck - Miami-Based Plaintiff Lawyer | Twitter Censorship & The Kamala Harris Establishment Lovefest

Dominic Carter - Reporter for Verizon FIOS News | El Chapo Awaits His Verdict...

Pearse Redmond - Activist and Journalist | What do the Citizens of Venezuela Think About the Current Turmoil?



The United States and Russia have both withdrawn from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty which was signed by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev back in 1987. International Relations & Security Analyst Mark Sleboda joins Garland and Lee to discuss the decision to move on from the INF Treaty and how the increasing prominence of the Chinese military may have impacted the Trump administration's policy making on this issue.

Censorship on social media continues to increase and Twitter seems to be at the center of this trend especially with regards to political speech. Trial lawyer Elizabeth Beck returns to the show to discuss Silicon Valley's assault on free speech and the Mainstream Media/Democratic Party establishment's infatuation with Kamala Harris as a 2020 Presidential candidate.

Notorious Mexican drug lord Joaquín Guzmán, aka "El Chapo," will soon be met with a verdict in his Federal Trial which is currently taking place in New York. Reporter Dominic Carter is at the courthouse today, and he will describe the scenes at the trial and recap some of the major details and anecdotes from inside the courtroom on today's episode of Fault Lines.

As the turmoil in Venezuela continues to play out, there has been limited coverage in the US mainstream media about the hopes and desires of the Venezuelan people. Activist and journalist Pearse Redmond joins the show for the first time to discuss the current situation facing the people of Venezuela, the opposition leaders who have populist support, and how things on-the-ground may evolve in the coming days and weeks.

On this episode of Fault Lines, host Lee Stranahan is joined on the phone by co-host Garland Nixon who is currently in Hawaii to cover Tulsi Gabbard's Presidential announcement. How was Gabbard's speech received, and what does a recent NBC News article targeting Gabbard and Russia indicate about her potential danger to the political establishment?



Guests:

Piers Robinson - Chair in Politics, Society and Political Journalism at The University of Sheffield | Mainstream Media Propaganda & The Disturbing Nature of Self-Censorship

Niko House - Political Activist & Broadcast Journalist | Is Virginia Governor Ralph Northam a "Dead Man Walking?"

Ariel Gold - National Co-Director at Code Pink | Analyzing US Intervention in Venezuela



Certain elements of the political establishment continue to pump resources into efforts to censor and control the distribution of news. Professor Piers Robinson joins the show to talk about media propaganda, political intimidation, and the nature of self-censorship which has had a chilling effect on how members of the public talk about news and politics.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is facing calls to resign after controversial yearbook photos from his past were unearthed this past weekend. Journalist and activist Niko House returns to Fault Lines to give his take on this story and to predict how much longer Northam will stay in office.

The Trump administraion continues to make its views known regarding the situation in Venezuela and their desire to see Nicolás Maduro removed from power. Ariel Gold, National Co-Director at Code Pink, joins Garland and Lee on today's show to talk about the nature of US intervention in the region and what actions can be taken to support the people of Venezuela who continue to suffer under difficult conditions.

On this episode of Fault Lines, hosts Lee Stranahan and Garland Nixon discuss Tulsi Gabbard's upcoming Presidential announcement this weekend in Hawaii which Garland Nixon will attend in person. Does Gabbard have any realistic chance in the Democratic Primary, and how much time will Garland spend partying and on the beach while in Hawaii?



Guests:

Holly Hood - Urban Libertarian | President Trump vs. Mitch McConnell on Foreign Policy

Danny Sjursen - U.S. Army Officer and Former History Instructor at West Point | Exposing the Congressional Warhawks

Talib Karim - Attorney and Executive Director of STEM4US - Are We Headed for ANOTHER Government Shutdown?



With the support of Mitch McConnell, the US Senate recently voted to rebuke President Trump's plans to withdraw forces from the Middle East. Holly Hood aka 'The Urban Libertarian' joins Garland and Lee in-studio to talk about McConnell's willingness to publicly oppose Trump and how this will impact the direction of American foreign policy in the Middle East.

For anti-war Americans, there are very few members of Congress who represent their interests with regards to foreign policy. US Army Officer Danny Sjursen returns to the show to discuss why there are "Warhawks" on both sides of the political aisle and why the public cannot count on the Democratic Party establishment to help end the American tradition of endless wars and foreign entanglements.

To close out the week, attorney Talib Karim joins the show in-studio for a conversation about the major issues facing Congress and the likelihood that we are headed for another government shutdown. Will President Trump make a longterm deal with Congressional Democrats, and how is free speech currently under major attack on Capitol Hill?