Political Misfits

Editor of the Polemicist Jim Kavanagh joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris couching her failure to provide a campaign platform as “strategic ambiguity”, whether Harris' honeymoon era polling will last, expectations of anti-DNC protests next week during the convention, how the lack of a new Gaza policy is haunting the Harris campaign, why AIPAC didn’t target Rep. Ilhan Omar in her recent primary, and new reports providing more detail about lobbying Hunter Biden did on behalf of Ukraine without ever registering as a foreign agent.

Journalist and international election observer in Venezuela Gloria Guillo discusses the electoral system and structure in Venezuela, the experiences she witnessed while observing the July elections, US legal organizations claiming that Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez was a CIA asset in the 1980s, whether the opposition will put forward Gonzalez as a new Juan Guaido-like figure, and whether there is any likelihood a Harris or Trump administration would seek to normalize relations with Venezuela.

Author and West Coast Coordinator of the ANSWER Coalition Richard Becker discusses Washington’s new $20 billion weapons package for Israel, why some in the Israeli government want to launch an offensive against Hezbollah, what such a war would look like, how the US could further sanction Iran, and an assessment of how Joe Biden’s foreign policy doctrine may be remembered.

News Editor of the Pakistan Daily Raja Furqan Ahmed discusses accusations being made by some former members of Bangladesh’s government about foreign interference in the student protests that overthrew Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, what interest the US might have in a small island just off the coast of Bangladesh and Myanmar, why Hasina’s camp is making accusations, and how the US-China rivalry is affecting Bangladesh.

The Misfits also discuss widespread downward mobility in the US, the WHO declaring a global health emergency over mpox, and a possible reopening of a South Carolina murder case.

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Co-founder of independent media organization Status Coup Jordan Chariton joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss former President Donald Trump’s appearance with X owner Elon Musk on the platform, the misfires and apparent lethargy of the Trump campaign this time around, why Senator JD Vance increasingly looks like a poor choice for GOP running mate, legal attacks by the Democratic Party to kick independent candidates off of ballots in several states, how political candidates might reach the elusive rural American voter, the likelihood of getting any meaningful Supreme Court reforms, and how the Flint water crisis persists after a decade of inaction and obfuscation from government at all levels.

Author, independent journalist, and researcher with Code Pink Nicolas Davies discusses more the fractures between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other members of the Israeli government, why the US appears to still take ceasefire talks seriously though Israel clearly doesn’t, a high profile resignation in the Iranian government, the state of relations between the US and Saudi Arabia, the existential threat AIPAC and similar organizations pose to Congressional progressives, and the terrifying bedfellows the most pro-Israel donors are prepared to accept.

Immigration lawyer and executive director of the Full Rights for Immigrants Coalition Juan Jose Gutierrez discusses the role Mexico is playing in reducing migration to the US, what Mexico gets out of helping the US implement its own policies, the impact within Mexico of bussing would-be asylum seekers from northern Mexico to its southern border, and Mexico’s perspective on the strange arrest of two major cartel figures.

The Misfits also discuss the UAW filing a federal labor complain against Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the potential for strikes in October, and the New York Times ignoring inconvenient facts (again).

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International affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, why Kiev’s Western backers aren’t applauding this tactic, and how the incursion will affect the rest of the front line in the Donbass. They also discuss reports that the Islamic State is resurging in Syria and Iraq and what “ISIS” actually is these days.

Beirut-based journalist and head of news for The Cradle Esteban Carrillo discusses the climate in the Middle East as questions persist about the timing and nature of Iran’s anticipated retaliation to Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh, the dubious target list Israel offered to justify attacking schools and mosques over the weekend and killing dozens of civilians, what significance to attach to some recent American military movements in the region, the status of ceasefire talks, and what people should know about Hamas’ new political leader.

Political consultant and organizer Donna Davis discusses how much attacks on Tim Walz’ military record will hurt his campaign with Vice President Kamala Harris, whether to expect major protests at the Democratic National Convention later this month, how significant the issue of Gaza will be for the Harris campaign, new polling showing Harris’ lead solidifying, and the Secret Service possibly violating the constitution to use the bathroom.

The Misfits also discuss the US government’s ongoing disappointment with Boeing, terrible revelations about Brits’ diets, whether the Vatican is hiding UFO secrets, and a lawsuit filed by women who say they were illegally denied abortions in emergency scenarios.

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Adjunct professor and former general counsel of the NAACP Kim Keenan joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss former President Donald Trump's performance at Thursday’s press conference, his obsession with crowd sizes, the identical position of the two major pirates to continue unlimited military support for Israel, where the campaigns are choosing to stump, and US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel boycotting commemorations of the US nuclear atomic bomb attacks on Japan because Israel wasn’t invited.

Competitive Wake Surf Association President Jon Shields discusses recent doping scandals among elite athletes, why national anti-doping authorities don’t seem to trust the international bodies that are supposed to guide them, whether drug testing regimes have gone too far, how to consider “therapeutic exceptions” for otherwise banned drugs, and whether sports authorities should be banning athletes because of the actions of their governments.

Leading activist and evangelist for Modern Monetary Theory Steve Grumbine discusses who might benefit from a Trump-Harris debate, how reports about the US labor market are affecting domestic and global stocks, Trump’s promises to slash the number of civil service employees, GOP complaints that the Democrats “unfairly” changed their party’s ticket, and the fate of third party candidates in this election cycle.

The Misfits also discuss US Olympians taking advantage of free healthcare provided to athletes in the Olympic Village and a bedpan auction.

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Veteran FBI special agent and whistleblower Jane Turner joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter's home being raided by the FBI yesterday, why a possible Foreign Agents Registration Act violation would warrant someone’s passport being seized, whether new allegations that Hunter Biden accepted payments from a Romanian businessman to try to influence the US government should merit FARA charges as well, and a federal circuit court ruling that the CIA’s 2014 torture report is not subject to FOIA requests.

Author, former bureau chief, and foreign correspondent Jon Jeter discusses key details in recent polling on the 2024 presidential race, the role unions will play in the election, what’s emerging about both teams’ running mates, just how far both camps should wade into vulgar online discourse about the other, and the growing likelihood of a presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

UK-based researcher, journalist, and Editor-in-Chief of Truth Defence Mohamed Elmaazi discusses the ongoing riots in the UK and the huge counterprotest response, how the role of the media is being emphasized while the role of think tanks and other policy shops has been obscured, and the gulf between the perception and the reality of violent crime in the UK.

International geopolitical consultant, global speaker, and author Dr. David Oualaalou discusses preparations in Iran and Lebanon for the possibility of wider war, why surrounding nations are closing their airspace, what countries might be weighing in with the Iranian government and to what purpose, Israel’s expulsion of Norwegian diplomats over Norway’s support for Palestinians, the latest US attack on Yemen, and whether her support for the war in Gaza will continue to be a major problem for the Harris campaign.

Founder of aviation consulting firm Mackey International Keith Mackey discusses public hearings held by the National Transportation Safety Board over the Boeing 737 MAX door plug disaster in January, what we've learned so far from these hearings, whether the FAA should be held partly to blame, and the excuses Boeing is offering.

The Misfits also discuss suspected federal air marshals improperly targeting US citizens for surveillance.

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Spokesperson for Black Hive and host of Full Spectrum on WPFW Anthony Rogers Wright joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss the background of Democratic running mate Tim Walz, whether he brings momentum to Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, whether former President Donald Trump is undermining his own campaign, AIPAC taking out another Congressional progressive, and the battle for control of the US Senate.

Editor of The Pakistan Daily Hamza Azhar Salam discusses the factors that led to the overthrow of Bangladesh’s government, new interim leader Muhammad Yunus, why Bangladeshis don’t seem to care about Yunus’ ongoing financial corruption cases, whether the violence in Bangladesh will end with the flight of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the role of student movements in unseating Hasina from power, and what her fate may be after fleeing the country.

International affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda discusses how the assassination of Haniyeh along with military escalations towards the region signifies regarding Israel’s willingness to work towards a ceasefire, Russian territory gains in Donetsk and whether it would indicate a change in strategy for Kiev, and whether Twitter under Elon Musk has helped foment anti-immigrant violence in the UK.

Mohawk activist and educator, producer and radio host John Kane discusses the release of a Department of Interior report on federal Indian boarding schools, why this final report is still so vague, whether recommended remedies could actually compensate for more than a century of genocide, and why having a Native woman head the Department of Interior hasn’t changed much for Native nations.

The Misfits also discuss the possibilities of a Trump-Harris debate and whether Boeing will actually be able to bring home the astronauts it brought to the ISS.

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Former US diplomat and former senior foreign policy advisor Jim Jatras joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss a rocket attack that injured American personnel on a base in Iraq, reports that Russia might be supplying defensive weapons to Iran ahead of Iran’s anticipated strike on Israel, and how seriously to take US efforts at diplomacy in the region.

Scholar, journalist, and geopolitical analyst of the Asia-Pacific KJ Noh discusses how export controls imposed by the US on China have only hurt American companies, why the US would weaken its own tech sector, whether the sanctions imposed on China are very different from prior sanctions that haven’t backfired so badly, and how Chinese tech giant Huawei in particular has thrived despite Washington’s attempts to strangle it. He also discusses the situation in Bangladesh and why student protesters there seem so keen to elevate a US-linked, disgraced microfinancier to government.

Author, editor, and senior columnist at Black Agenda Report Margaret Kimberley discusses the choice of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, whether Walz is more popular among Democratic voters than Harris, whether Walz will help Harris in Midwest states, whether former President Donald Trump still has a chance to win in November, the likelihood of a debate between Harris and Trump, the police killing of Sonya Massey, and the letting go of a Bloomberg journalist for reporting on Evan Gershkovich release.

The Misfits also discuss arrival of F-16s in Ukraine, an EPA emergency recall of a pesticide, the slow progress of Hurricane Debby, and the United States struggling to isolate the Venezuelan government on the world stage.

The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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Belfast-based political commentator and socialist activist Phil Kelly joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss the anti-immigrant violence that erupted across the UK this weekend, who is behind this violence, how mainstream media and politicians in the UK both stoke and benefit from racial violence, how the government is likely to respond, and who is really responsible for the crisis of poverty and culture in the UK. He also discusses Mali breaking off relations with Ukraine over Kiev’s claim to have helped rebels ambush Malian and Russian soldiers and what the incident should demonstrate to other countries.

Retired FBI agent and former Minneapolis Division Legal Counsel Coleen Rowley discusses systemic failures in the Secret Service that contributed to allowing a gunman to take a shot at a presidential candidate, in particular the lack of communication between federal and local law enforcement. She also discusses how the bureau’s constantly shifting priorities allow white collar crime to flourish.

Political consultant and political organizer Donna Davis discusses the stakes in the competition to become Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, the qualities the top contenders bring to the ticket, how the war in Gaza should figure into this decision, whether both campaigns would be served by expanding their reach beyond what are perceived as battleground states, whether enough Republicans might vote for Harris to affect the outcome, the role of AIPAC in US politics, and an update on ongoing Senate races.

Tehran-based political analyst and academic Mohammad Marandi discusses how Iran and Hezbollah might respond to recent Israeli attacks, what’s on the agenda as the secretary of Russia’s Security Council visits Tehran, what to expect from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hopes to accomplish in meetings with Jordanian officials, and what the US has to fear if it allows itself to be dragged into a conflict.

The Misfits also discuss potential new evidence in the case of a supposed killer nurse.

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Labor attorney, human rights activist, and author Daniel Kovalik joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss latest the most recent US labor figures, which hint at a slowing economy; the National Educators Association locking out its employees over a contract disagreement; the antitrust action being taken against chipmaker Nvidia; and the US State Department trying once again to impose its own leader on Venezuela.

Veteran war journalist Elijah Magnier discusses the evolution of Israel’s position in ceasefire and hostage negotiations, what to expect from Iran and Lebanon in retaliation for Israeli assassinations on their territory, what US billions of dollars of “security assistance” to Lebanon are actually intended to achieve, how Israeli society is responding to the possibility of wider war, and an assessment of the current strength of Hezbollah forces.

Research and Program Coordinator of MiningWatch Canada Catherine Coumans discusses the history of the Panguna copper mine in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea; lawsuits related to the mine’s pollution and the support by its owner, Rio Tinto, for military units accused of war crimes; why it’s so difficult to get justice for local people poisoned by multinational mining companies; and whether extractive industries can create a stable future for Bougainville.

The Misfits also discuss the American left behind in this week’s massive prisoner swap, a lawsuit against ticket seller StubHub, this week’s News of the Weird, including a competitive eating death in China and a criminal busted on TikTok.

The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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Author, editor, and longtime psychology researcher and professor Dr. Robert Epstein joins Misfits hosts Michelle Witte and John Kiriakou to discuss the suspected bias of Google search suggestions, how Google’s search suggestions have proven to psychologically influence opinions, how mainstream media has shrugged off the gravity of Google’s influence, and the societal implications and threats of Google’s ability to manipulate mass consciousness at such a scale.

International affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda discusses the historic prisoner swap that involved the release of Wall Street Journal writer Evan Gershkovich and other high-profile detainees on both sides and whether this will lead to further such exchanges. They also discuss new details about the assassination of Hamas’ political leader in Tehran, what kind of retaliation to expect and from what quarters, the true target of Israel’s provocations, and whether Israel is about to repeat its initial miscalculation about Hamas on a much larger scale.

Economist, radio show host, and author Dr. Jack Rasmus discusses the fallout after former President Donald Trump’s disastrous performance in front of a panel of Black journalists, whether more in the GOP will come to regret the choice of Senator JD Vance to be Trump’s running mate, the increasing likelihood of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro being Kamala Harris’ running mate, the state of the US economy and the likelihood of interest rate cuts this year.

Author, engineer, and member of the UNIFOR trade union Joe Emersberger discusses how the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is handling challenges to the election results it announced, what entities will be asked to verify those results, the status of opposition protest in the country, and the role Western media has played in destabilizing the Venezuelan government since the PSUV took power.

The Misfits also discuss the plea deal reached with 9/11 conspirators, former CNN anchor Don Lemon’s poor dealmaking skills, and an Olympic boxing controversy.

The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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