“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”

- George Orwell

On The Bill Walton Show, Mark Mills strips away the Newspeak surrounding the innocuously named "Inflation Reduction Act" (IRA) to reveal it as perhaps the most audacious experiment in government-directed industrial planning in U.S. history.

Mark P. Mills is the executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics, and author of The Cloud Revolution.

Like Orwell's Ministry of Truth, which turned lies into official doctrine, the architects of this legislation have manufactured their own reality. They call it the "Inflation Reduction Act" while knowing it will create profound inflation. They promise "affordable clean energy" while mandating the replacement of working systems with ones that are demonstrably more expensive. They speak of "climate justice" while building a system that will impoverish the middle class.

The numbers tell their own stark story: Between $3-6 trillion in total spending – approaching the inflation-adjusted cost of World War II. But unlike that war, which mobilized American industry to defeat fascism, this massive expenditure aims to dismantle our existing energy infrastructure in favor of an unproven alternative.

Mills, speaking with the precision of his physics background and decades of energy expertise, reveals the dystopian preview already unfolding in Europe. In Germany, the green energy transition has led to a 300% increase in energy costs, shuttered factories, and a 70% collapse in foreign investment.

The corruption inherent in the Inflation Reduction Act would be comical if it weren't so tragic. Mills points to organizations receiving billion-dollar grants mere weeks after their formation. One entity, showing a previous annual income of exactly $100, received $940 million in taxpayer funds. Kafka himself couldn't have designed a more sinister bureaucracy.

But perhaps most chilling is the corrupting political engineering at work. Like the chocolate ration increases in "1984," which actually masked decreases, the IRA's architects have carefully distributed funds across red states to create dependency and prevent future reform. It's a masterclass in political manipulation.

And there’s more:

• Electric vehicle manufacturers losing up to $100,000 per car even with $30,000+ subsidies

• Wind and solar projects requiring massive new transmission infrastructure that ratepayers, not taxpayers, will fund

• Bureaucrats, with no experience in managing large grant programs, suddenly overseeing billions in climate funds

• A guarantee of higher electric bills sold as "savings" to the American public

   

Key moments from this essential conversation:

00:57 Origins of Deception - How partisan reconciliation birthed history's most expensive energy legislation

02:11 The True Ledger - Analysis revealing $1-4 trillion in direct costs plus $2-3 trillion hidden in future utility bills

04:27 Electric Dreams Meet Reality - The mathematical impossibility of current EV economics

05:34 European Prophecy - Germany's de-industrialization preview of America's possible future

13:05 Following the Money - The labyrinth of newly-formed organizations receiving billions

17:39 Political Engineering - How strategic fund distribution creates dependency across red states

25:50 Inflation by Design - The inevitable consequence of printing trillions while mandating expensive energy

29:57 The Forbidden Discussion - Scientific context about CO2 that challenges the narrative

34:19 Gates' Admission - Why even complete implementation won't change 2050 outcomes

38:40 Hope for Reform - The urgent need for transparency and oversight

As Mills notes, comparing this to World War II spending isn't hyperbole – it's mathematics. But unlike that war, which united Americans in common cause, this massive expenditure threatens to divide us while weakening our industrial base and energy security.

Don't let this crucial conversation be memory-holed. Subscribe to the Bill Walton Show on Substack, YouTube, Rumble, and major podcast platforms to stay informed about the critical issues shaping our nation's future.

Remember: Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two makes four. If that is granted, all else follows.

What if modern warfare has evolved beyond anything history's great strategists could have imagined? While Metternich orchestrated the balance of power through diplomatic summits and Machiavelli counseled princes on maintaining state authority, today's battles for sovereignty unfold in unlikely places: doctors' offices, veterinary clinics, and local zoning boards across America.

In this deep dive episode of The Bill Walton Show, Brandon Weichert and Brian O'Shea reveal how traditional military threats and internal subversion have merged into an entirely new form of conflict. Beginning with Russia's game-changing Oreshnik missile, they trace how modern warfare has evolved into something that would leave even a Kissinger struggling to define a workable world order.

Brandon J. Weichert is a national security analyst at The National Interest and the author of four bestselling books, most recently “A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine.”

Brian O’Shea is an Investigative Journalist at Daily Clout, Inc (Daily Clout.io) and Host of INVESTIGATE EVERYTHING on DailyClout.io. https://rumble.com/c/InvestigateEverythingOnDailyClout. He has spent almost 30 years in the fields of military intelligence, U.S. Government Intelligence, Competitive Intelligence (private sector), private investigations, executive protection.

The discussion exposes an uncomfortable truth: the traditional mechanisms of state power have been subverted by what O'Shea calls "fifth generation warfare." International organizations now use public health initiatives like "One Health" to extend their reach into American communities, while defense contractors and permanent bureaucracies have effectively created their own principality, operating independently of democratic control. "Ukraine has become a replacement for the ATM machine that Afghanistan had been," O'Shea explains, revealing how perpetual conflict serves the military industrial complex’ bureaucratic interests.

Even more disturbing is how local regulations - from veterinary reporting requirements to land use restrictions - have become sophisticated tools of control that bypass traditional democratic oversight. As Weichert notes, "The bureaucracy has a method for dealing with bosses they don't like. They're going to clam up and drag their feet and basically wait him out." Machiavelli would recognize this as power - an emerging “healthcare” industrial complex - operating most effectively when disguised.

As America approaches a critical transition of Presidential power, these interconnected threats pose unprecedented challenges. Putin's strategic patience in Ukraine, China's global ambitions, and the race by Federal agencies to cement their authority against the threat of Trump’s DOGE , all point to a new kind of conflict - one where the traditional balance of power has been replaced by a complex web of institutional warfare.

What emerges is a stark picture of modern national security challenges that would baffle yesterday's strategists: how do you maintain sovereignty when the threats come not just from foreign missiles but from your own institutions? How do you balance power in a world where bureaucracies have become their own principalities?

Brian O’Shea, Brandon Weichert and Bill grapple with these questions, and more, in this episode of The Bill Walton Show.

Key issues:

[00:05:06] WARFARE'S EVOLUTION - Russia's hypersonic weapons represent not just military superiority but the collapse of traditional deterrence theory that underpinned Cold War stability

[00:09:09] INSTITUTIONAL DECAY - Deterioration of US nuclear arsenal reveals how bureaucratic self-interest has replaced strategic necessity as the driving force in defense planning

[00:15:01] NEW POWER DYNAMICS - Putin's calculated restraint in Ukraine demonstrates how traditional military conflict now serves as just one element in a broader strategy of systemic disruption

[00:29:14] BUREAUCRATIC PRINCIPALITY - Ukraine conflict exposed as mechanism for maintaining bureaucratic power and funding, creating what Machiavelli might recognize as a state within a state

[00:43:51] SOVEREIGNTY'S NEW THREATS - "One Health" framework shows how international organizations have learned to bypass traditional state authority through seemingly benign initiatives

[00:47:54] FIFTH GENERATION WARFARE - Modern conflict operates through multiple domains simultaneously: military, bureaucratic, regulatory, and economic - defying traditional strategic responses

[00:50:24] ADMINISTRATIVE STATE POWER - Health agencies' complex influence networks reveal how bureaucracies have created their own form of sovereignty outside democratic control

[00:53:23] REFORM'S CHALLENGES - Trump's DOGE initiative faces sophisticated resistance from what has effectively become an independent power center within the American state

[00:57:50] CHINESE ADAPTATION - Xi's shift toward Marxism reflects recognition that modern power requires control over both traditional state apparatus and broader societal institutions

[01:00:03] DEMOCRATIC DEFENSE - Discussion reveals how preserving sovereignty now requires fighting on multiple fronts: military, bureaucratic, and institutional

Subscribe to the Bill Walton Show on Substack, YouTube, Rumble, and major podcast platforms to stay informed about the critical issues shaping our nation's future.

In this unsettling episode of The Bill Walton Show, national security expert Stephen Bryen returns to cut through the fog about Russia's game-changing hypersonic missile and what it means for U.S. security. As Joe Biden requests another $24 billion for Ukraine, Bryen reveals how Russia has achieved strategic superiority in missile technology - a capability we cannot match or defend against.

Dr. Stephen Bryen, a senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy, has over 50 years national security experience including many stints in the Pentagon where he became one of the world’s leading experts on the arms trade.

Speaking with precision born from decades of defense expertise, Bryen explains how this new missile travels at Mach 20, pulverizes underground bunkers without explosives, and can strike anywhere in Europe. More concerning: the United States has no equivalent weapon and no defensive system to stop it.

Drawing on a recent German think tank report, Bryen also exposes NATO's military unpreparedness, challenging comfortable assumptions about Western military superiority. His analysis is clinical, factual, and deeply disturbing for anyone concerned about U.S. and European security.

Key Revelations:

[00:53] Game Changer - Russian missile hits targets at 15,224 mph with unstoppable force

[06:20] Bunker Killer - Missile turns underground facilities to dust without explosives

[10:02] Defensive Gap - U.S. Patriot systems useless against hypersonic threats

[08:25] Strategic Shift - All European capitals now within Russian strike range

[09:21] Capability Gap - U.S. attempted similar weapon; Lockheed program failed

[15:23] Intelligence Failure - U.S. knew about weapon but ignored implications

[19:51] Ukraine Reality - Ukrainian forces losing 1,000 soldiers per day

[24:48] Depleted Arsenal - U.S. weapons sent to Ukraine leaving Pacific allies exposed

[21:54] Negotiation Leverage - Putin seeks sanctions relief, not just military victory

[28:50] Warning Signal - Bryen urges immediate halt to escalation before transition

When former CIA station chiefs admit that only 50 out of 1,500 clandestine service officers are truly effective, you know something's deeply wrong with our intelligence agencies. In this explosive conversation, Mike Waller, senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy and author of "Big Intel: How the CIA and FBI Went from Cold War Heroes to Deep State Villains," reveals how our premier intelligence agencies have lost their way - and what must be done to fix them. The timing couldn't be more critical. With Donald Trump proposing a new Department of Government Efficiency led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Waller's blueprint for reform deserves serious attention. His conclusions are stark: The FBI, whose very existence rests on shaky legal ground (Congress never actually created it), needs to be dismantled and its legitimate functions redistributed. The CIA, plagued by cultural Marxism and woke policies, should be dissolved and rebuilt from scratch. But this isn't just about problems - it's about solutions. Waller provides a detailed roadmap for reform, identifying which functions to preserve, which to eliminate, and how to rebuild these agencies to serve their original purposes. Whether you work in national security, care about government reform, or simply want to understand why our intelligence agencies keep missing major world events - from the fall of the Soviet Union to the origins of COVID-19 - this conversation is essential listening.

Timestamps:

00:00 Start

2:25 Waller's stark assessment

3:25 The FBI's questionable origins

6:45 Cultural transformation since Obama era

13:45 Shocking revelation from former CIA station chiefs

19:24 FBI's broken chain of command

24:35 Promotion requirements

31:15 Intelligence failures

41:05 Ideological capture

45:53 Inefficient intelligence gathering

47:56 Reform strategy

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In a riveting conversation with Peter Mcilvenna of the UK’s Hearts of Oak, we describe what may be the most aggressive US domestic surveillance program since the Patriot Act – and its disturbing connection to a global censorship agenda. The story that emerges isn't just about US regulation; it's about the systematic and coordinated dismantling of economic and expressive freedoms on both sides of the Atlantic.

The New American Surveillance State

Remember Reagan's famous warning that the nine most terrifying words were "I'm from the government and I'm here to help"? Today's version might be: "I'm from the federal government, give up your personal data, and as long as you don't step out of line, we will keep you safe."

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) represents an unprecedented federal power grab:

• Massive Scope: 33 million small businesses, employing 61.7 million Americans, must submit to federal surveillance

• Selective Targeting: Only businesses under $5 million revenue and fewer than 20 employees are affected

• Draconian Penalties: $591 daily fines and up to 2 years in prison for non-compliance

• Strategic Exemptions: Giants like BlackRock, Amazon, and Big Tech escape scrutiny

• Global Data Sharing: Your information gets shared with 170 countries through the shadowy Egmont Group.

The Historical Echo

We've seen this movie before. Remember the IRS targeting scandal, where conservative groups with words like "tea party" and "patriot" faced extra scrutiny? The CTA creates a similar vulnerability for small businesses. As Mcilvennapoints out, it paves the way for an anti-second amendment bureaucrat to search the database for businesses with "gun," "firearm," or "freedom" in their names?

A Digital Iron Curtain

While the CTA surveils American businesses, the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) creates a parallel threat to free speech, with the power to levy fines of up to 6% of a company's global revenue – including revenue from unrelated businesses. This means Elon Musk's SpaceX could be penalized for X's content moderation policies, a clear attempt at financial coercion.

"It is ridiculous and chilling," Mcilvenna notes "Musk's other companies have nothing to do with the platform policies of X. It is simply an unhinged coercive measure designed to break Musk."

Mcilvenna describes how UK political operatives, through organizations like the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), are actively working to "Kill Musk's Twitter" while strengthening ties with various political campaigns. This isn't just UK domestic policy – it's part of a coordinated international effort to control both commerce and communication.

Why This Matters Now

The January 1, 2025 deadline for CTA compliance is approaching, while the DSA's censorship machinery is already in motion. This combination creates an unprecedented threat and the window for action is narrowing, but resistance is building:

- Multiple states have challenged the CTA's constitutionality

- Business associations are filing lawsuits

- Popular movements across Europe are pushing back against censorship

- Independent platforms are fighting for survival

As Peter Mcilvenna warns, "This needs to be a front and center issue to protect over 33 million small businesses from an egregious overreach by the Federal government."

Timelines:

• 00:03 - Introduction: Peter Mcilvenna's connection to Lord Thatcher's administration and Brexit

• 01:28 - Corporate Transparency Act introduction: Trump's veto and subsequent revival

• 05:19 - Federal overreach: Small businesses must register by January 1st deadline

• 08:56 - FinCEN's expanded role beyond traditional financial crimes enforcement

• 10:55 - BlackRock & large corporations exempt from CTA requirements 

• 14:31 - Egmont Group: International sharing of business data across 170 countries

• 18:06 - Digital Services Act targeting speech censorship in UK

• 21:38 - Labour Party operatives working with US political campaigns

• 23:17 - CCDH attacks on free speech platforms

• 26:07 - EU threatening 6% global revenue fines against Musk's companies

• 29:20 - Rise of populist resistance movements across Europe

• 37:30 - Push for CTA to become central campaign issue for 2024

In this compelling and wide ranging episode of The Bill Walton Show, host Bill Walton engages with the great economic, technology and futurist thinker George Gilder to talk about his provocative book, The Israel Test.

In The Israel Test George provides much needed context for today’s war in the Middle East. His theory about the root causes of the conflict dramatically reframes the issues and makes it clear why we need to support Israel in this defining moment in History.

Despite comprising only 4% of the Middle East's land area, Israel has cultivated a preeminent high-tech economy, functioning as a liberal democracy with free elections, a critical press, and robust human rights protections—including for its 2 million Arab citizens, who enjoy the same civil liberties as Jewish citizens.

The Israel Test posits that one's reaction to others' success—whether through admiration and emulation or envy and hostility—reflects broader attitudes toward capitalism and free enterprise. Historical and contemporary instances of antisemitism, can be attributed in part to envy over Jewish excellence in so many fields and Israel’s extraordinary achievements and its pivotal role in global innovation.

George explains “the heart of the Israel Test is how you react to people who excel you in intellect, creativity, wealth, accomplishment. Do you admire them, and emulate them, and learn from them or do you envy, and hate them, and try to tear them down? And this is really the test of capitalism or test of free enterprise, is whether you regard your competitors as expanding opportunities for you and exploring the frontiers of creation for you in the image of your creator, or whether you regard them as somehow a menace to your future.”

Smart people are society’s most valuable resource, yet the modern egalitarian movements relentlessly undermines recognition of individual talent and achievement.

George reminds that “we are all dependent on a small minority of geniuses really, who opened the horizons of the future for the rest of the world. And in recent history, a disproportionate number of them have been Jewish.”

It won’t be news to anyone that this upcoming election is fraught with many potential problems. 

Based on a new study by Just Facts, 10% to 27% of “non-citizen” adults in the U.S. are estimated to be illegally registered to vote. Aggressive attempts to debunk the study have completely failed.

With roughly 20 million adult non-citizens living in the United States, about two to five million of who used to be called illegal aliens are now illegally registered to vote. This means that there are enough votes to overturn the votes of the American citizens in the upcoming congressional and presidential elections.

Here’s another big issue to consider: 2020 was the first time an election was conducted by mass vote-by-mail. It was a train wreck. According to federal data, election officials do not know what happened to nearly 15 million mail ballots in 2020. Biden's victory margin was smaller than the number of missing and undeliverable ballots. Vote-by-mail is the worst way to run an election, yet we’re plowing ahead with this once again. 

To dig into these, and many other voting issues, Bill Walton is again joined by 

          Cleta Mitchell, Senior Legal Fellow at the Conservatives Partnership Institute and one of the leading election integrity experts in America, and

          James D. Agresti, the president and cofounder of Just Facts, a research institute dedicated to publishing extensively researched and documented facts about public policies.

Here’s some of we talked about to ensure free and fair legitimate elections: 

• 03:30-05:14 Demand proof of citizenship for every voter registration—no proof, no vote.Without citizenship verification, the integrity of the entire election is at risk.

   

   

   

• 07:30-08:15 Purge voter rolls of ineligible non-citizens—it's not suppression, it's fairness. Dirty voter rolls lead to dirty elections. Clean them up or lose democracy.

• 05:14-06:44 Ban driver’s licenses for non-citizens if used for voter registration—enough loopholes! Driver’s licenses should never be a backdoor for illegal voting.

• 06:30-07:00 Expose left-wing groups enabling illegal voting—they’re undermining your vote. Billions of your tax dollars fund left-wing groups assisting non-citizens to vote.

• 12:21-12:56 Enforce strict penalties for non-citizens caught voting—deportation and prison. Voting is a sacred right; illegal participation should have real consequences.

• 17:10-17:39 End the Democrats’ reliance on non-citizen votes—stop the “great replacement.” Changing the electorate to maintain power? That’s the real threat to democracy.

• 33:21-33:30 Make Election Day a national holiday—end the endless election season madness. Voting must be a one day event, not a season. Stop the manipulation of election outcomes through extended voting

   

  .

• 35:30-37:13 Challenge media and big tech bias—Google is rigging elections through search results. Big Tech is controlling what you see, steering elections. Push back or be silenced.

• 28:30-28:49 Block all mail-in voting unless citizenship and identity are verified—no excuses. Voting by mail without checks is an invitation to fraud. Time to stop it.

• 18:00-18:51 Stop treating non-citizens as political pawns—vote manipulation is the real voter suppression. Non-citizens dilute the votes of legitimate citizens. That’s the ultimate suppression.

• 18:00-18:51 Every illegal vote nullifies a legitimate citizen vote—don’t let them cancel you out. Your vote should not be diluted by an illegal vote cast by someone who is not a citizen

• 12:00-12:21 Push for criminal prosecutions for anyone facilitating illegal voting—no more leniency. It’s time to hold people accountable for undermining elections—starting with those enabling the fraud.

These are the bullet points. For a fuller understanding, listen in.

In this easy to listen to, charming, and informative episode of "The Bill Walton Show," host Bill Walton engages with Mercedes Schlapp and Matt Schlapp in a dynamic discussion about the pressing issues facing America today. Together, and with humor, they dig into the upcoming elections, economic priorities, and the shifting political landscape. Of course, as Trump supporters, the trio delves into critiques of Biden/Harris’ leadership, the importance of economic growth, and why minority communities are increasingly supporting conservative policies. They also highlight the work that CPAC has been doing with the worldwide movements for freedom and liberty. With optimism, they address concerns about election integrity and the power of respectful discourse. This conversation offers valuable insights into topics shaping the nation's future—it's a discussion you won't want to miss. 

Key Takeaways: 

• (00:25) The episode kicks off with Bill Walton likening the show to "Seinfeld," but instead of "nothing," it's a "show about everything," signaling a deep dive into pressing global issues.

• (02:10) Mercedes Schlapp addresses the palpable political exhaustion among Americans but rallies for renewed focus and energy with critical elections just weeks away.

• (02:45) A sharp critique is leveled at Kamala Harris, questioning her competence in articulating economic plans and her ability to connect with everyday Americans.

• (03:17) Doubt is cast on polls showing Harris with nearly 50% support, suggesting inaccuracies and highlighting concerns over early voting and election integrity.

• (04:23) Matt Schlapp observes a notable shift of racial minorities, especially those who fled communism, moving toward Trump due to his stances on immigration and economic freedom.

• (05:31) Bill Walton argues that the Biden-Harris administration has neglected economic growth in favor of social agendas like climate change and diversity, impacting Americans' prosperity.

• (07:14) The panel criticizes Harris's economic speech in Pittsburgh for lacking substance, emphasizing that "inspirational" rhetoric doesn't address real economic issues.

• (13:44) A stark contrast is drawn between Republicans adhering to election laws and Democrats allegedly exploiting legal loopholes to gain advantages.

• (15:58) Mercedes Schlapp raises alarms about potential foreign interference from China and Iran, suggesting they favor Harris to weaken the United States.

• (16:39) Concerns are voiced about the safety of political figures, noting that Donald Trump has faced serious threats, and calling out the media for insufficient coverage.

• (19:11) Criticism is directed at Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for saying they need to "extinguish Trump for good," warning that such rhetoric is dangerous and divisive.

• (21:08) Bill Walton connects the U.S. election to a global freedom movement, mentioning Argentina's Javier Milei and highlighting CPAC's international efforts to promote democracy.

• (27:33) The discussion highlights growing support for Trump among Hispanic and Black voters, attributing it to dissatisfaction with economic conditions under current policies.

• (42:22) Matt Schlapp reflects on Trump's resilience through past challenges, suggesting it indicates a significant role he is yet to play in shaping America's future.

• (46:41) The conversation concludes with optimism about Trump's unique leadership, expressing confidence that he aligns with crucial issues that will positively impact the nation's direction.

•  

Public K12 education in the United States has become the largest government-controlled monopoly in the world, (other than the CCP controlled monopolies in China), spending nearing $1 trillion per year.  And for all the money spent, it’s been a failure. In international tests, American eighth graders score 9th in reading, 16th in science, and 34th in math. 

With few other options granted other than attending their residentially assigned district public school most Americans cannot conceive that there are other alternatives to educate their children. School reform efforts are ferociously resisted by the education monopoly. 

It’s not just teachers unions and school boards. It’s the curriculum developers, the textbook publishers, consultants, the teachers colleges. The list goes on and on. Schools and school administration are also the largest source of patronage for big city, mayors, and governors in every state. They are not going to give up control of this. 

But the dynamics may be changing. 

What happened during COVID, and the prolonged school closures, was a great parent awakening.  Parents had a front row seat into their child's classroom and they were able to see what was being taught as well as what wasn't being taught. They didn’t like what they saw, and now millions are beginning to explore and create other ways to educate their kids.

The person to talk with about this movement is Dr. Keri D. Ingraham Director of the Discovery Institute’s American Center for Transforming Education.  She is also a Senior Fellow at Independent Women’s Forum.

Here is what we agree on. 

We need to create new types of schools from the ground up. There are new, more effective ways to teach our kids. Let the old institutions atrophy and die out.

Some Key Takeaways:

• The fastest, most effective way to reform K12 public education is to allow families to exit the system. 03:24

• Public school education’s roots are in the progressive era in the 19th Century. 6:29

• On the world stage US students are not competitive. 09:07

• Critical race theory is embedded in the curriculum 10:09

• Progressive bias dominates textbook publishing, college schools of education, and teacher certifications 12:05

• The bar is low to enter teacher college programs. It's typically the easiest field to go into within the university. 15:50

• Teacher college curriculums ignore subject matter expertise. 16:23

• Don Graham, former publisher of the Washington Post and a history major at Harvard, couldn’t teach in DC public schools because he didn't have a teaching certificate. 18:12 

• Is there any examples of a government monopoly or any big bureaucracy that has successfully reformed itself? 20:46

• Big cities’ schools are among their mayor's largest form of patronage. 12;10

• When schools say “We're underfunded. We need more money.” It means the want to hire more non-teaching administrative staff. 24:19

• Great books classical education has exploded. 28:26

• Do we really need to have kids go to school and sit there for eight hours a day? 29:46

• What do you do about the inner city kids that don't have parents that are that involved? 35:29

• How do we change the teacher certification rules? 38:42

• From the beginning of the progressive era over a hundred years ago, schools were designed to get kids off the streets and under the control of what they then called the “education trust” 40:44

• In 1919, the “education trust” advocated taking children from the family into the hands of the custody of “community experts.” 41:37

• California’s Gavin Newsom recently signed a law saying that schools are not required to tell a parent of their child's gender ideology unless that child gives permission. 42:51

• In 1934, the president of the National Education Association, wrote, “we expect to accomplish by education what dictators in Europe are seeking to do by compulsion and force.” 46:02

• We're not going to be able to reform the existing public government owned K12 schools. What we can do is to create effective alternatives that are better, cheaper, more humane, and teach good values. And if we create these alternatives, this ends the K12 monopoly. 48:22

"He who tries to defend everything defends nothing."

    ~  Frederick the Great of Prussia

This episode examines the three explosive national security crises the United States and world are embroiled in today, any one of which could escalate into igniting a World War III.

Ukraine/Russia, Israel/Hamas and Taiwan/China. 

Disturbingly, there’s a lot of sabre rattling with far too many politicians in both Europe and the United States engaged in reckless rhetoric. 

To provide cogent analysis and a healthy dose of sobering realism at a time when we face dire risks, Bill is joined by national Security experts and returning guests Stephen Bryen and Brandon Weichert.

Dr. Stephen Bryen, a senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy, has over 50 years national security experience including many stints in the Pentagon where he became one of the world’s leading experts on the arms trade.

Brandon J. Weichert, author of The Shadow War: Iran's Quest for Supremacy is publisher of the Weichert Report and author of the soon to be published A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine.

Some excerpts: 

 “The neoconservative, neoliberal cabal running Washington believe fully that they have to fight everywhere all the time to preserve America's unipolar standing and our hegemony in the world. But this quest for hegemony has led to the absolute destruction of America's post-Cold War primacy,” warns Weichert. “And if we are not careful, in the next six months, we will not only lose that primacy., but we may become like the declining Ottoman Empire or Austro-Hungarian Empire on our way out. We’ve overcommitted and overextended, and we’re paying the price.”

“NATO is flirting with war and extinction,” worries Bryen. “France is now "officially" sending troops to Ukraine and NATO countries are demanding strikes deep inside Russia.  Meanwhile the US has secretly made a "policy shift" that somewhat falls short of what Zelensky wanted, but opens the door to deep strikes by the US on Russian territory.”

“It’s very hard to see how NATO could defend Poland or the Czech Republic or Estonia. These are not easy countries to defend, and NATO doesn't have today the core countries of NATO, the French, the Germans, the British, it doesn't have the wherewithal to do it. It doesn't have the army or armed forces. It doesn't have the air defenses. It doesn't have the air forces, it doesn't have the tanks. It doesn't have anything sizable enough, and the ability to actually logistically move it to the battlefield.”

“So the notion of NATO fighting a war, which is what French President Macron and all these clowns are essentially taunting the Russians with, is a very dangerous thing because it means that Europe could be enveloped in a war can't win.”

“Russians have developed a pretty sizable air defense capability,” explains Bryen. “They have very good artillery capability. They have increasingly shown their capability with drones and drone warfare, none of which we’re prepared for, and our best tank, the Abrams, which our only tank, we’ve put all our eggs in this one tank. The Abrams is a disaster.”

“The think tank community and the Biden Administration have a plan to contain Russia by rolling it back to its medieval borders, so that it's never again a threat to Europe and the West,” marvels Wiechert. “This is utterly fantastical thinking, this is childish thinking. Russia is not going to let it happen without a fight.”

“Well, their plan not going to happen,” agrees Bryen. “The underlying error, and I think it was a huge error, was that we should confront a nuclear power, a significant nuclear power with the dismemberment. We were going to break up the Soviet Union, now Russia. We're going to dismember it, and we're going to sponsor the opposition in Russia, and somehow create this great transformation. But we're messing around with a nuclear power.”

“We’ve essentially forced the Russians into the arms of the Chinese through our policies, which was complete stupidity,” says Bryen.

The neocons are very explicit the US must be the unchallenged superpower. In every place in the world, in every region, we must dominate. 

This is the thinking that got us into the Middle East. This is the exact thinking that led us down the wrong path in Iraq and then the Arab spring.

“They believed the notion that there was going to be only one superpower and it was going to be the United States,”reminds Bryen. “And since we were to be the only superpower we had to take on these responsibilities. Well, we weren't the only one superpower, and today, we’re just one of three, and increasingly the weaker of the three.”