This week on Middle Theory, we break down Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg's recent testimony before Congress, as well as Donald Trump's recent strikes against Syria.

With Mr. McNonymous having been recently tapped for mandatory pre-marriage counseling,  Matthew Oakley joins Micah as the gents begin looking at recent items in the news pertaining to Friday the 13th, which includes the passing of late-night radio icon Art Bell. In remembering "The Art of Talk," we revisit one of the most controversial segments on Bell's program from the 1990s, and the questions that still pertain to it decades later.

Also, it seems that President Donald Trump isn't the superstitious type, since Friday the 13th didn't deter him from issuing a strike on Syria, in response to recent chemical attacks apparently carried out by the Assad regime. Meanwhile, Syria's allies in Russia are blaming Britain for the attack, apparently citing historic ties to "false flag" operations and covert CIA programs like the 1953 coup that removed Mohammed Mossadeq in Iran. Also, could it be that Assad may have found a "loophole" by using chemical agents that aren't recognized by the UN in existing chemical weapons conventions?

Then moving on to Mark Zuckerberg's recent appearance before Congress, we look at the unusual exchanges between the Tech Bro in chief, and members of Congress and Senate who seemed to relish hammering him about everything from the recent Cambridge Analytica scandal, to insinuations of political favoritism. Finally, we wrap up the program with a quick view from Bill Maher, who disagrees with recent calls to boycott conservative host Laura Ingraham's program, as well as a few quotes from former FBI Director James Comey, whose new book takes some opportune jabs at Donald Trump and bizarre allegations about his escapades with hookers in Moscow prior to his election as President.

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* Rune Erickson

* Megan Bean

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

You can also sign up for our newsletter, and get news alerts, articles, and podcasts from Middle Theory sent right to your inbox:

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Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

* SYRIAN CHEM TALES

* Syria 'chemical attack': France's President Macron 'has proof'

* Russia blames UK for Syria chemical attack that killed dozens, many of them children

*

This week on Middle Theory, a shooting that occurred at YouTube headquarters in Mountain View, California, has raised questions about the stereotypes about mass shootings and the perpetrators involved.

As we kick things off, we recall fondly the government’s Got Milk campaign that saved a dying dairy industry, and pumped billions of gallons of unhealthy products into the American population. In retrospect, while it remains one of the most memorable and influential ad campaigns of all time, questions can be raised about some of the health concerns associated with dairy products like cow's milk, which are still recommended for daily consumption despite health problems they may cause some individuals.

We then shift our attention over to Michelle Obama's recent speech in Boston, and some questions raised in the Q&A afterward which pertain to her political aspirations, as well as whether Hillary Clinton's loss in the 2016 election had been a societal problem in America where even many women "weren't comfortable" voting for a woman as president. Is it really the public's (and some women's) fault that Hillary lost... or could some of it have to do with... wait for it... the candidate?

Then turning our attention to the recent shooting atYouTube headquarters in Mountain View, California, we look at the circumstances surrounding a female shooter of middle-eastern descent, who self-identified as a female bodybuilder and animal rights advocate. An atypical profile among most perpetrators in American shooting incidents, it has raised questions about the stereotypes that exist about mass shootings and those involved; on Op-Ed piece in the UK warned that focusing on the gender and political views of the shooter is 'feeding right into the Republican agenda', while some commentators are warning that news agencies like CNN were providing "sexist" coverage of YouTube Shooting by preemptively asserting that the shooter's motives must have been something akin to a "love triangle" or another personal issue. Meanwhile, what do some of the leading magazines and publications on women's issues related to health and other subjects have to say about female mass shooters? 

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* Betty June (HHoH) 

* Sean O’Neal 

* Daniel Baumberger 

* Rebecca Frey 

* Jennie Vongvith

* EMILIO

* Rune Erickson

* Robert Walshe

* Mark Stephan

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements,

On this special edition of Middle Theory, an all-star cast comes together to join Micah and McNonymous as we examine news, politics, and the recent ransomware attack on Atlanta.

On this edition of the show, we kick things off only to be swiftly taken down as an internet outage hits McNonymous's hometown. Taking swift action, we are joined during the first hour by Matthew "The Reverend" Oakley, who joins us to discuss the recent "Roseanne" reboot, as well as problems with the two-party political system, and a number of other things.

Then as we approach the MID, we turn our attention to a concerning issue that is unfolding in Atlanta, where a ransomware attack has grounded the city government with pending requests for a $51,000 ransom to be made to hackers that attacked the city's web-based infrastructure. Joining us to discuss this story is researcher and historian Richard Dolan, who gives us his perspectives on the importance of events like this, along with how propaganda is used by the modern Western media to convey ideas and sway public opinion. Free speech, conspiracy theories, and other subjects are all featured during this portion of the program.

Finally, Micah and Matthew return to discuss the recent attacks against Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg, who has been challenged to debates recently by the likes of Rex Jones, son of conspiracy theory talk show host Alex Jones, among others. All of this, and much more, are featured in this week's analysis of media, news, and politics on the Middle Theory program.

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* Vicky Pinderski

* HASKINS

* Scott Gaskill

* Chris Beggio

* Jill Ellis

* Grimerica 

* RUNE

* Mark Hankins II 

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

You can also sign up for our newsletter, and get news alerts, articles, and podcasts from Middle Theory sent right to your inbox:

[email-subscribers namefield="YES" desc="" group="Public"]

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

* Corey Feldman stabbed in what police are investigating as an attempted murder

* Hackers Are Holding The City of Atlanta Hostage

* City of Atlanta still crippled six days after ransomware attack

* Richard Dolan discusses "Russia Derangement Syndrome"

*

This week on Middle Theory, we examine the ongoing controversial use of Facebook by Cambridge Analytica, and the repercussions that the social media giant is facing because of it.

Before trying to figure out who fact checks the fact checkers though, we discuss a number of topics, some opinion-based, and some news analysis. We begin with a short discussion on drinking culture and bad cocktails masquerading as diet-friendly beverages in order to dupe consumers into drinking the equivalent of a can of coke when there’s a perfectly good vodka soda option available. It’s a topic the hosts feel passionately about.

Moving on from snorting tequila up one’s nose and drinking McCocktails, we spend time going over CNN’s decline from news to opining, and listen into Chris Cuomo’s interview with Ted Cruz about gun control and what’s in a name. We also have a flashback to an old Alex Jones interview with Geraldo Rivera on FOX News, in the aftermath of the Beltway Sniper.

Going into more current news, we talk about the HR 1865 “FOSTA” development which recently passed in the House, which will hold personal advertising websites liable for the criminal activity of their users. The goal of this is to reduce and hopefully eliminate an easy sex trafficking platform. In response, Craigslist has removed its Personals section, followed by Reddit doing the same. Looking at the other side of the argument in the corner of legitimate employees within the sex industry, we examine how the removal of the safety of the internet can jeopardize the safety and well-being of sex workers across America.

Turning to the big news at hand, the MID focuses on Cambridge Analytica and Facebook. Now disgraced Cambridge Analytica CEO Alexander Nix believes that his research firm positively influenced the election for the Trump campaign, while others believe that this is an, ahem, trumped up claim.

Cambridge Analytica isn’t the real story though - the real story is parent company Strategic Communications Laboratories (SCL), a London-based propaganda firm that contracts out to governments around the world, and holding close ties with the Conservative Party and British Royal Family. Multiple members of SCL’s board hold direct lines to the Queen herself, which begs the question: Did another country besides Russia have a vested interest in the American election?

The show is wrapped up with a look at the Southern Poverty Law Center’s claim about conservative feminist and accused fascist Christina Hoff Sommers, which prompted Portland University students to rally against her speaking appearance arranged by the Federalist Society, a conservative, not fascist, think tank. When will it end?

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* Jenny Vongvith 

* Ali Buchan

* John Jolly 

* Stacy Bearden

* RUNE 

* Jennifer Malatesta

On this edition of Middle Theory, we kick things off by looking at the Illuminati and occult symbolism in Saint Patrick's Day (since every holiday celebrated in America is apparently based on blood cult rituals and the pervasive influence of secret societies... just like ours). However, moving on to more serious issues, we also examine the myth of Irish 'slavery', which in the past has been promoted by white supremacists around the time of St. Patrick's Day.

Speaking of conspiracy theories, one of our most recent favorites argues that The Simpsons manages to keep predicting the future because Matt Groening himself is associated with that most famous secret society, the Freemasons (there are, however, at least 25 instances where The Simpsons actually did predict the future). All discussion of predictions and time-traveling Freemasons aside, one data analyst a while back managed to create a formula for the maximum number of people to be involved in a conspiracy for it to remain silent... hence, we look at the likelihood that many overarching conspiracies could truly remain silent.

Then getting to the MID, the US has blamed Russia for cyberattacks on its energy grid and water systems going all the way back to 2016, and this just days after the UK chose to expel 23 Russian diplomats in retaliation against a recent assassination attempt against a Russian ex-pat. In similar news, a Russian exile Nikolai Glushkov was found dead in his London home; while experts say there is no link between the two incidents, it's enough to have many Russian born UK residents worried, and has resulted in British PM Theresa May calling for a boycott of the Russian World Cup.

Finally, are there actual drops in testosterone affecting men in the United States, as one recent Fox News report argued? We look at this, and other trending items in the news on this week's edition of MIDDLE THEORY.

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* Stephen Walker 

* Brian Hawes

* RUNE

* EMILIO

* Megan Bean 

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program. 

You can also sign up for our newsletter, and get news alerts, articles, and podcasts from Middle Theory sent right to your inbox:

[email-subscribers namefield="YES" desc="" group="Public"]

Finally, here are links to stories addressed on this week's program:

* SAINT PAT’S: Illuminati & occult symbolism of St. Patrick’s Day

* Myth of Irish 'slavery' promoted by white supremacists ahead of St. Patrick's Day

As we kick off this edition of Middle Theory, we begin with a discussion of Coca-Cola breaking their 130-year-old tradition of producing only soft drinks, with their first alcoholic drink or "alco-pop" made available in Japan.

Since we broadcast today on International Women's Day, we take time to examine the issues surrounding feminism, and mindfulness of feminine issues altogether in an international sense, rather than just those related to things in the United States. Fast food chain McDonalds is celebrating at some locations by turning their golden arches upside down... costly symbolic effort that we contend could have been better spent on worker's salaries, or perhaps even global efforts toward greater parity in terms of gender relations.

On to tech news, there are alarming new advances being made in the realm of digital media manipulation, with the production of what are being called "Deep Fakes" or videos that replace one person's face with another. While largely used to comedic effect in videos online, obvious concerns begin to arise from the potential misuse of this technology.

One of the resounding questions in the realm of "true crime" in recent years involves actor and sports star OJ Simpson... did he "do it"? A program allegedly set to air on FOX will revisit this question, in an interview showcasing OJ Simpson’s “confession” to murdering Nicole, based on the premise of a book he coauthored several years ago as to how he would have done it, "if he did it." All hypotheticals aside, this sounds a lot more like a confession than it does a pure hypothetical... what exists behind the psychology Simpson is displaying here?

As we reach the MID, much has been made of YouTube's near-banning of Alex Jones and his INFOWARS media channels, with a third strike issued late last week. Meanwhile, YouTube said it had no intention of deleting Alex Jones’ Infowars channel, although Jones and his crew are by no means the only ones being affected by this. For instance, Prager University has sued YouTube over what they call the continuous censorship of its video content. Elsewhere, InfoWars' conspiracy theories had several advertisers ditching YouTube channels in the aftermath of the YouTube smackdown... which included the NRA. However, does the 'YouTube Purge' as it has been called point to a bigger problem with conspiracy videos, and transparency in general? We think so... and to quote one Wired article on the debacle, "YouTube Doesn't Know Where Its Own Line Is." Should we be concerned?

Looking elsewhere, the CEO of MoviePass creepily admitted recently that the company ‘watches’ where you go before and after a movie. If that's not concerning enough, Allen Roses, a senior executive at GlaxoSmithKlein, now says that 90% of prescription drugs only work in 30-50% of the people who take them. Taking this into consideration, we also look at how French vaccine manufacturer Sanofi may potentially seek US approval for use of its controversial Dengvaxia product, which is believed to be responsible for several deaths in the Philippines. Why would the FDA approve this if Sanofi asks for it?

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* Betty June 

* Lauran Ellis

* Daniel Baumberger

* Sean O’Neal

* RUNE

* Mark Stephan

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.

This week on Middle Theory, the main discussion centers around the opioid crisis and the role that Big Pharma plays in it. Before getting there though, ample time is spent looking at other items in the news.

A range of topics are covered in the opening segment as the fear factor goes through the roof following Vladimir Putin’s claim that Russia has developed a hypersonic nuclear ICBM that can not be stopped by missile defense systems. Moving from the fear of falling bombs to the fear of falling curtains, the discussion moved over to YouTube and their impending threat of censorship of InfoWars and Prison Planet.

As new details continue to emerge in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting two weeks ago, we take a look at a couple big ones. First is the eyewitness report of teacher Stacey Lippel, who had a unique description of the shooter when compared to other notes from survivors. Following the teacher update, we look at a student update with the ongoing saga of Cole Haab and CNN’s alleged scripting of the CNN Town Hall event. Turns out Haab’s father may have been disingenuous about the scripting part. We also give a listen to Marco Rubio’s speech on the senate floor about uniting the house to provide for sensible gun reform.

Moving on to the opioid crisis, we discuss the socio-economic influences and impacts of the ongoing prescription drug epidemic. From a picture of hundreds of used needles to personal reflections from the hosts, we look at the different angles of the human impact that the drug crisis has. On the judicial side, cities are taking action against pharmaceutical companies in hundreds of millions of dollars worth of lawsuits, claiming that Big Pharma has negligently pumped prescription drugs into their communities, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths.

We close the episode with a brief update on the coming Water Wars as Coca Cola and Nestle inch closer to securing private rights to water supplies here on the U.S. mainland... and for just pennies. However, with the ongoing concerns about Cape Town, South Africa, being on the verge of losing all of its drinking water, have these companies been investing all along in the eventuality of scarcity? 

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* Grimsteak (Minister of Mugs)

* Rick Dale (Professor of Proof Reading) 

* Grimerica (Brothers in Arms)

* Chris Beggio

* EMILIO (EMILIOOO)

* Mark Hankins II 

* Rune Erickson (RUNE) 

If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, 

This week’s episode of Middle Theory covers a lot of ground before getting into the continual aftermath of the Parkland, Florida school shooting last week. Everything from UFOs over Oregon airspace to Russian trolls are discussed, with the debate over certain details included, in addition to talk about how the Canadian government and how it felt it necessary to dispute the internet conspiracy theory that Justin Trudeau is the illegitimate child of Fidel Castro... in other words, they call BS. 

A discussion on language occurs when the confusing pronunciation of Sean Bean comes up, and eventually this introduced the Origin Story of one of the most famous colloquialisms of The Order, ‘That’s just the way the woods is. (TJTWTWI)’ Fortunately, TJTWTWI proves to be a very relevant saying in today’s world, as it has applied in many different ways in recent weeks, including the revelation that Justin Timberlake may, in fact, be a representative of a Saturnian death cult. Listeners of early Middle Theory episodes will remember when we too were accused of being part of a Saturnian death cult.

The MID this week focuses on the CNN Town Hall in Florida, which of course focused on the tragedy at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. Particular attention is paid to Marco Rubio (RUBE), and the alleged crisis actors that some citizen journalists, and even some professional government employees, have pointed the finger at as being CIA plants. The evidence given includes the fact that David Hogg was in a video in California a year prior. Since, apparently, we time traveled back to the Middle Ages when nobody ever traveled further than ten miles from their home, this is seen as compelling evidence of a false flag attack.

The show is concluded with an examination of two passionate speeches centered around the school shooting but at diametrically opposite ends of the political spectrum: The first is student Emma Gonzalez, and her fiery We Call BS spectacle featured on CNN. Juxtaposing this is NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch’s finger-pointing Legacy Mass Media Loves School Shootings spectacle featured in many conservative outlets.

To wrap up the show, there’s a discussion held on the valid points and disagreeable notions in both speeches. Does legacy mass media love the grieving white mothers that certain school shootings produce, as Loesch says? Is it true that teenagers aren’t just vapid, trend-following consumers as Gonzalez says? Tune in and find out.

Image (top) by Laurie Shaull via Wikimedia Commons/Flickr.

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* Steven Walker (Minister of Metals)

* Jon Haskins (Minister of Maple Syrup)

* Jennie Vongvith

* Rune Erikson 

* Jennifer Malatesta

* John Jolly

* Stacy Bearden

This week’s episode of Middle Theory takes a look at the flu epidemic sweeping across Texas (and maybe the entire USA?), claiming 14% of the deaths that have occurred in 2018 in the Lone Star State, equal to just under 3,000 people. It seems to be a particularly devastating strand of flu in that it’s hitting all age groups, including the 30-40 age group.

Moving on from plotlines generally left to Stephen King, we look at the curious case of Danny Filippidis, the Toronto firefighter mysteriously vanished from a New York ski resort on February 7 without a trace, leaving all of his personal belongings in the lodge. He popped back up on the radar in Sacramento, California on February 13, almost 3,000 miles away. He was wearing all of the same clothes he went missing in, including ski goggles and helmet. He has only fractured memories of the six-day stretch and no explanation for what happened.

Before breaking to the MID, there was a somber discussion of vivid experiences with the recently deceased, based on signs that some may believe are sent along bypassed loved ones. Have you experienced a sign from a loved one in the wake of their passing? If so, we’d love to hear about it. Email us at [email protected].

The MID this week is focused on the terrible tragedy around the school shooting in Parkland, Florida where 17 students and educators were killed by accused shooter Nikolas Cruz. Cruz, 19, was recently expelled from school and put in front of the FBI as recently as January by a concerned citizen, but it seems standard protocols were not followed, and agents did not follow up with the tip.

Cruz has claimed demons spoke to him in his head, commanding him to murder. He became the latest in a string of recent shooters who have either claimed or had someone else claim on their behalf, to have voices in their head.

The show concluded with a look at Marilyn Manson’s recent on-stage meltdown, and whether or not it was influenced by the shooting in his home state, and reflections on the infamous Columbine school shooting.

Special thanks to those who supported Middle Theory this week:

* John Ciambriello

* Sean O’Neal 

* Victoria Pinderski

* Rune Erikson

* Aaron Wilkes 

* Jennifer Clower-Brown 

* EMILIO 

* Daniel Baumberger

* Mark Stephan

* Megan Bean

If you would like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

We are now also offering SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, 

In this week’s episode of MID, the discussion is opened up with the latest updates from the Strzok-Page texting controversy in which two people have opinions and readily share them with each other. There’s a chance that some things contained in them might be interesting, but the inescapable lack of context makes it difficult to assume that it’s more important than the exciting, but overall irrelevant secret society messages.

Following the bombshell that President Obama wanted to know what was going on in the FBI investigation of his former Secretary of State, the discussion moved over to last week’s 52nd edition of The Big Game, in which the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New England Patriots in a thrilling performance. Fortunately, the Department of Homeland Security’s bioterrorism risk assessment for the game was found by a kindhearted individual after being left on a commercial flight, and not a terrorist seeking to exploit security vulnerabilities identified in the report.

In other events that we’re glad didn’t happen, there was another false alarm incident, in which a tsunami warning was sent off to residents of the Eastern United States, Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. This follows the high profile false alarm in Hawaii, in which a person with a decade of performance problems and complaints from co-workers issued an incoming missile warning.

Switching over to Europe, Switzerland became the focus of discussion after it was revealed that 27 folders of information related to the NATO-influenced Projekt-26 stay-behind army have gone missing from archives. P-26 was a paramilitary operation with little to no oversight that operated from 1950 until 1990 before their existence came to light. A former officer in P-26, Herbert Alboth, was murdered in his apartment after offering to tell the government everything he knew about P-26.

The MID this week turned to infamous skyjacker DB Cooper, and new revelations that he may have been a CIA operative, while also looking at other possibilities of Cooper’s identity and final destination.

The show is wrapped up with the renewed interest in the mysterious 1981 death of Natalie Wood, and also a quick note on the breaking news that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may be facing indictment on charges of corruption.