The Aidan Project

In this edition of the Aidan Project Podcast, enjoy an exclusive recording from A.C. Grayling's impassioned 'Fighting for Europe' speech, held at the University of Suffolk, England, on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. A.C. Grayling says that Brexit is not a done deal and that it can be stopped, or at the very least, reversed. Grayling also offers his thoughts on the UK General Election, the British press, David Cameron, Theresa May, and much more. Anthony Grayling MA, DPhil (Oxon) FRSL, FRSA is Master of the New College of the Humanities, and a Supernumerary Fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford. Grayling had previously written that, "When the lies and self-interest and manipulations of the Brexiters have been defeated, the future of the UK will be as in a full partner with its European friends and allies in the EU." Grayling expands on his case for resistance in this thought-provoking talk. Aidan would like to thank A.C. Grayling (http://acgrayling.com/), the Suffolk EU Alliance (https://www.suffolkeualliance.co.uk/) and the University of Suffolk (https://www.uos.ac.uk/) for allowing this event to be recorded.

In the very first Aidan Project AMA (Ask Me Anything) episode, Aidan is joined by journalist, podcaster and activist, Joshua Thomas, to answer your listener questions on the forthcoming 2017 UK General Election. For more information on Joshua, you can find Joshua's YouTube channel, Disputandum, at http://bit.ly/2spdKaO. Aidan will be back the day after the election with thoughts on the results and what it means for the United Kingdom. From the inbox:Is Jeremy Corbyn an IRA sympathiser?What happens to Corbyn in the event of a Conservative landslide?If there is a hung parliament, what is the process?Are there any possible coalitions that could form an opposition to the Conservatives?What type of result justifies May's decision to call an election?Why aren't there more independent MP's in parliament?Should May have taken on a leader's debate?How damaging are policy gaffes on TV and radio? (Diane Abbott)Is there an issue with anti-Labour bias from the BBC? How damaged has Corbyn been on the issues of anti-semitism within Labour, and regarding Trident?Where has Nigel Farage vanished to?What do you make of the lack of progressive debate within the left on immigration?Will "covfefe" play a part in this election?Who do you think will win the election?You can always send questions via www.AidanCoughlan.org or you can tweet @theaidanproject

Theresa May called an early election in an attempt to shore up support for her government's position on Britain's exit from the European Union. But where do the parties stand on this issue? Or on social issues? Voter apathy is alarming, but this is often the result not simply of an absence of interest in politics, but because of the confusion inherent in the abundance of mass political coverage across the various media platforms. The news outlets produce endless political news content, but how does one keep track of which party stands for which policy? Indeed, much of the coverage tends to be on the embarrassing gaffes and the way in which a candidate eats their chips or bacon sandwich, rather than the important policies themselves. Ahead of the June 8 United Kingdom General Election, this episode features a simple, non-partisan, rundown of the manifestos, along with an explanation of the election terms you may not understand but were simply too afraid to ask. Aidan also looks at the latest polling numbers and summarises the results of the 2015 election. Look out soon for a further pre-election episode, when Aidan will be joined by journalist, podcaster and activist, Joshua Thomas, to answer your questions and to examine the latest developments within the election narrative. Aidan will also be back on the day after the election, June 9, with thoughts on the results and what it means for the United Kingdom. Aidan is on Twitter (www.twitter.com/theaidanproject), Facebook (www.facebook.com/theaidanprojectblog), or visit his web site at www.aidancoughlan.org. If you found this election guide useful, please share it. Knowledge is power, after all.

Aidan talks about the Manchester bombing, which took place at Manchester Arena, England, on 22 May 2017. Aidan feels we need an honest debate on the issues which led to this latest outrage, and that liberals need to attend to a problem of their own: moral confusion. What do you think about the modern, virtue-signalling, 'liberal' reaction to any criticism of Islam? Aidan is on Twitter @theaidanproject

 Links to items discussed on this episode:https://www.facebook.com/Morrissey/posts/1349891061714098

https://twitter.com/AsraNomani/status/867109727024631808

In this bonus edition of the Aidan Project Podcast, enjoy previously unreleased audio from Aidan's conversation with Jared Miracle from the episode, 'The Great Cat Massacre'. In this 'Project Extra' episode, Jared explains the curious case of one Steven Seagal, the famed actor, producer, screenwriter, director, martial artist and musician. Seagal is not quite the famous action movie star he once was, but he has nevertheless found his way into the news on a regular basis since his 'Under Siege' heyday, albeit for frankly surreal reasons. This includes a report from August 2016, when Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko welcomed Seagal to Minsk with a carrot and two watermelons. And, wouldn't you know it, Seagal has made no secret of his support for Donald Trump, ironically a man whose entire administration seems very much 'Under Siege'.  Jared Miracle holds a doctorate in anthropology from Texas A&M University, where his research focused on transnationalism and folklore between East Asia and the West, especially where violence and the fighting arts are concerned. You can follow Jared on Facebook (facebook.com/jaredmiraclewriter) and Twitter (@DocKungFu).

In this first spoken essay edition of the Aidan Project Podcast, Aidan examines why, and with what effects, the United States opted to enter World War One in 1917. The essay also looks at the idealist US President, Woodrow Wilson, who declared war on Germany on 6 April 1917, following repeated provocations. This essay takes a deliberately contentious look at the US's role in the war, which adds a few 'what-ifs' into the mix for your consideration. Could, or should, the Bolshevik take-over have been snuffed out before it began? What about the conditions for Hitler's rise to power? The roots exist within World War One and its aftermath. For more Project podcasts on the US involvement in World War One, take a look at the 'America's Great War' two-part series with Dr. Paul Dean. Part one covers the period of US non-belligerence, up until the Zimmermann Telegram. Part two looks at 'America's Forgotten War' from Wilson's declaration of war, up until the Treaty of Versailles, for which this essay serves as a useful companion piece. You can find a full archive of podcasts at iTunes, YouTube and www.AidanCoughlan.org. Enjoy the essay.

In this bonus edition of the podcast, enjoy previously unreleased audio from Aidan's conversation with Jared Miracle, a cultural entomologist with an M.Ed. and a PhD. in anthropology from Texas A&M University, from the episode, 'The Great Cat Massacre'. In this 'Project Extra' episode, Jared explains the concept of Whitewashing, with particular reference to the current debate over casting decisions in Hollywood movies and on television. Is this a question of racism? And where does the phrase 'whitewashing' originate from? You can follow Jared on Facebook (facebook.com/jaredmiraclewriter) and Twitter (@DocKungFu).

On this edition of The Aidan Project, Aidan is joined once more by Jared Miracle, a cultural entomologist with an M.Ed. and a PhD. in anthropology from Texas A&M University. In this episode, Aidan and Jared discuss the infamous cat killings from The Great Cat Massacre, Robert Darnton's noted scholarly work on the cultural history of France. Why did early modern Europeans find cats to be completely deserving of such harsh treatment? Along with this incredible story and the wider context surrounding it, Aidan and Jared also discuss the mythical Mexican chupacabra, religion, Artificial Intelligence, and much more. You can follow Jared on Facebook (facebook.com/jaredmiraclewriter) and Twitter (@DocKungFu).

This bonus episode features unreleased audio from the podcast, 'America's Great War: Part Two', with Dr. Paul Dean. In this edition of 'Project: Extra', Aidan and Paul briefly discuss the idea of US exceptionalism, the War of 1812 between the US and Great Britain, the importance of remembering those who served in various conflicts, and more. Dr. Dean, is a former instructor at, and alumni of, Washington State University, who is an expert on World War One and author of 'Courage: Roy Blanchard's Journey in America's Forgotten War'. For more information on Dr. Dean, please visit his web site at www.paultdean.com.

In this edition of the Aidan Project, Aidan is joined by Professor Liam Kennedy, Emeritus Professor of History at Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a member of the Royal Irish Academy for Social Sciences. The Great Famine was the most traumatic event of modern Irish history. Professor Kennedy explains the famine and seeks to provide context to the argument, propagated by some, including a number of Irish Americans, that the Great Famine is comparable to the Holocaust that occurred in Eastern Europe. Professor Kennedy also provides some thoughts on the death of the Irish republican and Sinn Féin politician, Martin McGuinness. Professor Kennedy's most recent book is 'Unhappy the Land: The Most Oppressed People Ever, the Irish?', which is available at all good bookstores and at Amazon.