KPFK - BradCast w/ Brad Friedman

Unhinged Russian President Vladimir Putin has unleashed a brutal, unjustified invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine. Verified sources report that hundreds have been killed in the first 24 hours in Ukraine, and mass protests against Putin have erupted in 52 cities in Russia. The U.S. and allied governments escalated severe sanctions against Russian entities. President Biden charged that 'Putin is the aggressor' who 'chose this war and will bear the consequences,' vowing that 'freedom will prevail.' Also today: Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: John Judis, Editor-At-Large, Talking Points Memo

Ukraine has declared a national emergency as Russian troops are reportedly ready to launch an invasion. Poll finds majority of Americans support US taking only a 'minor' role in the conflict. Good news for voting rights in OH and PA after Republicans' heavily gerrymandered maps are blocked. Author John Judis explains his 'Dissenting View of US Policy toward Russia,' with a history lesson on how the dangerous mess in Ukraine actually began, and how it is in line with similar neo-liberal U.S. foreign policy failures. Top prosecutors abruptly resign in Manhattan DA's criminal probe of fraud allegations by Trump and his company.

Guest: Grace Chimene, President, League of Women Voters

Democracy is the greatest threat to authoritarianism, which is why Vladimir Putin is threatening Ukraine, and U.S. Republicans are threatening the right to vote itself. The U.S. and E.U. levied sanctions against Russia over Putin's declaration that Ukraine's eastern territories are now independent 'republics' and other actions that threaten to destabilize post-WW2 international order. League of Women Voters Texas President Grace Chimene explains how the new, wildly restrictive GOP voter suppression law in Texas is having a disastrous effect on voters, forcing rejections of some 40% of absentee ballots, in advance of the March 1st primary. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: David Dayen, The American Prospect

*Encore: original air-date 2/15/2022.
David Dayen of The American Prospect untangles the global supply chain debacle and its cascading impacts. Dayen explains how outsourcing, financialization, monopolization, deregulation, and just-in-time logistics, engineered by Wall Street to maximize corporate profits at the expense of American jobs and national security, have broken the global supply chain, raised costs, and destroyed US manufacturing. He also reports on solutions and positive news that the tide may be turning. Also today: Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Adrian Martinez, Senior Attorney, EarthJustice

*Encore - original air-date 2/11/22. Trump's corrupt US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is set to spend $11 billion on 165,000 new delivery trucks, 90% of them gas-guzzlers. EarthJustice Senior Attorney ADRIAN MARTINEZ explains the absurdly flawed environmental economic and environmental analysis that the Postal Service used to justify the contract, the impacts it will have on air quality and global warming, and actions the public can take to help halt the plan. Two Democratic senators alert the public to the existence of a disturbing new CIA 'secret bulk collection' program sweeping up Americans' data that is operating outside of any oversight. Plus: Space news!

Spotify deeply underpays musical artists for their work, but had $200 million lying around to give to podcaster Joe Rogan to spread disinformation, underscoring that the company does not pay nearly enough in taxes. A NY judge ordered Trump and his adult children to testify under oath in a civil probe into allegations of bank, tax, and insurance fraud. Biden rejected Trump's bid to keep White House visitor logs secret. A DC judge restored the Trump Organization to a lawsuit regarding millions of dollars that disappeared from the non-profit 2017 Inauguration Committee. Disgraced election conspiracy loon, former Mesa County, CO elections clerk Tina Peters, announces run for the state's top election office. Plus Desi Doyen has our 13th Anniversary 'Green News Report.'

Guest: Randall Eliason, George Washington Univ. Law

Accounting firm Mazars has severed ties with Trump and his Trump Organization, disavowing 10 years of financial statements they prepared for him. Former Ass't. U.S. Attorney Randall Eliason explains the seriousness of the development and what it likely means for multiple serious civil and criminal investigations into allegations that Trump committed bank, tax, and insurance fraud in New York. Eliason also explains his call for US Attorney General Garland to publicly explain if DOJ will investigate evidence that Trump committed obstruction of justice revealed in the Mueller Report. Also today: Biden's economy is still booming. Investigation finds former Interior Sec. Ryan Zinke abused his office for self-enrichment, but DOJ will not investigate.

Guest: David Dayen, Executive Editor, The American Prospect

David Dayen of The American Prospect untangles the global supply chain debacle and its cascading impacts. Dayen explains how outsourcing, financialization, monopolization, deregulation, and just-in-time logistics, engineered by Wall Street to maximize corporate profits at the expense of American jobs and national security, have broken the global supply chain, raised costs, and destroyed US manufacturing. He also reports on solutions and positive news that the tide may be turning. Also today: Gun manufacturer Remington settles lawsuit with the families of some Sandy Hook massacre victims. Russia-Ukraine tensions may be easing. Sarah Palin loses defamation suit in court. Plus Desi Doyen has our latest 'Green News Report.'

Police in Canada have arrested and cleared a group of truckers that blockaded an international bridge crossing between the U.S. and Canada to protest vaccine mandates and other rightwing causes, with some waving Confederate and Nazi flags. Global oil prices are rising on the escalating threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine - the US warns that an invasion may be 'imminent' but Russia denies it. Callers weigh in on all of the above.

Guest: Adrian Martinez, EarthJustice

Trump's corrupt US Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is set to spend $11 billion on 165,000 new delivery trucks, 90% of them gas-guzzlers. EarthJustice Senior Attorney ADRIAN MARTINEZ explains the absurdly flawed environmental economic and environmental analysis that the Postal Service used to justify the contract, the impacts it will have on air quality and global warming, and actions the public can take to help halt the plan. Two Democratic senators alert the public to the existence of a disturbing new CIA 'secret bulk collection' program sweeping up Americans' data that is operating outside of any oversight. Plus: Space news.