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The John Batchelor Show
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The John Batchelor Show episodes
- S8 Ep1008: H.W. Brands explains how, in May 1941, Roosevelt declared an "unlimited national emergency," putting American industry and the public mind on a wartime footing. This move escalated the "moral war" against Germany and effectively criminalized dH.W. Brands explains how, in May 1941, Roosevelt declared an "unlimited national emergency," putting American industry and the public mind on a wartime footing. This move escalated the "moral war" against Germany and effectively criminalized dissent, as Roosevelt began labeling his critics "copperheads" and "fifth columnists"—terms implying disloyalty or treason. Lindbergh felt this was a dangerous overreach, noting that his father had been hounded by the Justice Department for similar dissent during World War I. The administration intensified its pressure, with the FBItapping America First Committee phones and British agents attempting to sabotage their gatherings. Roosevelt even misrepresented the Greer incident, claiming a German submarine had fired unprovoked on an American ship, when in fact the Greer was actively hunting the submarine. On September 11, 1941, during a rally in Des Moines, Iowa, a desperate Lindbergh made a fatal rhetorical error. He identified three groups pushing for war: the British, the Rooseveltadministration, and Jewish Americans. Although he stated their sympathies were understandable, his mention of "American Jews" allowed his enemies to brand him an anti-Semite and a "Nazi stooge." Even supporters like Herbert Hoover told him that while his words might be true, he was "wrong to say it" because he had moved himself politically out of bounds. (7)
194014 min - S8 Ep1008: H.W. Brands describes how, in early 1941, Lindbergh took his arguments to Congress, testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate. He presented himself as a political "babe in the woods," taking pride in his "innocence" cH.W. Brands describes how, in early 1941, Lindbergh took his arguments to Congress, testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate. He presented himself as a political "babe in the woods," taking pride in his "innocence" compared to the "culture of politics" embodied by Roosevelt. While interventionists argued that air power had made the world smaller and America more vulnerable, Lindbergh used his technical expertise to argue the opposite: air power made the United States more defensible. He reasoned that any invader would require an armada of ships that could now be attacked by aircraft 300 miles off the American shore, long before they reached land. Lindbergh rejected the label of "isolationist," proposing instead a robust "hemispheric defense." He argued that America's frontier was not on the Rhine River but 200 miles off its own coasts, encompassing the entire Western Hemisphere including Canada and Latin America. His message resonated with the public; massive rallies at the Manhattan Center and Madison Square Garden saw crowds so large that many were left waiting outside. Lindbergh's diary noted his own popularity with some vanity, viewing the cheering crowds as a sign that the people agreed with his "America first" message. However, the debate in the summer of 1941 was increasingly characterized by mockery from London, where leaders were desperate for America to stop simply selling weapons and start fighting. (6)
19368 min - S8 Ep1008: H.W. Brands describes how, in early 1941, Roosevelt introduced the Lend-Lease Act (HR 1776), a bill that ironically shared its name with the year of American independence but intended to "marry America's future to Britain's future." Because BriH.W. Brands describes how, in early 1941, Roosevelt introduced the Lend-Lease Act (HR 1776), a bill that ironically shared its name with the year of American independence but intended to "marry America's future to Britain's future." Because Britain was running out of cash, Roosevelt argued that the U.S. should lend or lease weaponry to ensure they didn't go down for lack of funds. He was aided by a sentimental shift in American public opinion, driven by Edward R. Murrow's broadcasts which portrayed the "stubborn British" as heroic underdogs fighting for democracy. Simultaneously, a covert information war was being waged by William Stephenson, the director of British propaganda in America, who worked with William "Wild Bill" Donovan to manipulate U.S. opinion with the administration's blessing. While Roosevelt publicly complained about German propaganda, his own administration used unacknowledged stories and rumors to move Americans toward war. Lindbergh called out this hypocrisy, arguing that aiding Churchill—an "unreconstructed" imperialist—was not a defense of democracy but a defense of British rule in places like India. Roosevelt even utilized a forged map, allegedly showing a German plan to reorganize Latin America and replace the Bible with Mein Kampf, to stir fear. Lindbergh's diary reveals his deep intuition that every step away from neutrality was a calculated move toward war, regardless of the president's stated desire for peace. (5)
194111 min - S8 Ep1008: H.W. Brands describes how, during the summer of 1940, as London burned under the Luftwaffe's terror weapons, Roosevelt made the historic decision to seek a third term. He used "Rooseveltian misdirection" to freeze out potential Democratic succe
H.W. Brands describes how, during the summer of 1940, as London burned under the Luftwaffe's terror weapons, Roosevelt made the historic decision to seek a third term. He used "Rooseveltian misdirection" to freeze out potential Democratic successors like James Farley and John Nance Garner, eventually engineering a "draft" of himself based on the international emergency. Lindbergh and other skeptics saw this as a move toward a presidency for life, with Lindbergh accurately predicting Roosevelt would run for a fourth term and die in office. To formalize the opposition, the America First Committee was formed under General Robert Wood of Sears Roebuck, with Lindbergh serving as its star speaker. Lindbergh enjoyed massive media support and funding, delivering rallies that drew thousands while Roosevelt campaigned on promises that "your son will not die in a foreign war." The debate became increasingly personal, with Senator Burton Wheeler suggesting that every fourth American son would be "plowed into the ground" if the country intervened. Roosevelt, a master of press conferences, used his "slippery" instincts to treat reporters as adjuncts to his administration, planting ideas to see how they would be received by the public. Despite Lindbergh's constant radio messages that the U.S. was secure behind two oceans and possessed a superior military, Roosevelt began planning the Lend-Lease program as 1941 approached. (4)
9 min - S8 Ep1008: H.W. Brands explains how, following the massacre in Poland, Roosevelt sought to modify the Neutrality Acts—laws passed in the mid-1930s specifically to prevent the types of economic and travel entanglements that had drawn the U.S. into World WaH.W. Brands explains how, following the massacre in Poland, Roosevelt sought to modify the Neutrality Acts—laws passed in the mid-1930s specifically to prevent the types of economic and travel entanglements that had drawn the U.S.into World War I. Roosevelt argued that providing weapons to Britain and France would allow them to defend themselves, thereby keeping American troops out of the conflict. Lindbergh and anti-interventionist Senators like Burton Wheeler and Robert Borah remained deeply skeptical, believing Roosevelt was being "transactional" and dishonest about his true intent to lead the U.S. into a new European order. Roosevelt countered by attacking his critics early, using the word "isolation" like a "plague" and characterizing their views as well-meaning but ignorant. While some suggested Lindbergh as a potential 1940 Republican presidential candidate, he refused to enter politics, preferring to challenge the president through the airwaves. Roosevelt carefully shaped public opinion, fearing the type of backlash Woodrow Wilson faced for getting too far ahead of the populace. When France fell in just six weeks to the German Blitzkrieg in 1940, Lindbergh felt vindicated, arguing that American troops would have merely been trapped on the beaches. Meanwhile, Winston Churchill manipulated Roosevelt with warnings that a falling British government might surrender its fleet to Germany, successfully pressuring the president to send American destroyers to Britain. (3)
192712 min - S8 Ep1008: H.W. Brands describes how, by the summer of 1939, the destruction of Poland by German and Soviet forces confirmed that war was imminent, prompting Roosevelt to invoke neutrality laws as required by Congress. Despite his desire for privacy, LindH.W. Brands describes how, by the summer of 1939, the destruction of Poland by German and Soviet forces confirmed that war was imminent, prompting Roosevelt to invoke neutrality laws as required by Congress. Despite his desire for privacy, Lindbergh began using his celebrity status to secure national radio airtime, feeling a duty to prevent Americafrom repeating what he viewed as the "mistake" of the First World War. His father, a former congressman, had been driven out of politics for opposing American intervention in 1917, a legacy that instilled in Lindbergh a profound distrust of politics as a "mean business" where truth was rare. Lindbergh argued that Britain and France were launching a war they could not win and would eventually force the United States into a permanent presence in Europe. During this period, he consulted with figures like Herbert Hoover, who suggested forming a committee that would eventually become "America First," and visited the "House of Morgan" through his wife's family connections. British observers, such as Harold Nicolson, were less impressed, dismissing Lindbergh as a "schoolboy" who possessed technical talent but lacked a mature understanding of diplomacy and the complexities of governing a great empire. Lindbergh remained unfazed by British criticism, asserting that he was an American and that his country's interests were distinct from those of the British Empire. (2)
19367 min - S8 Ep1008: H.W. Brands describes how in April 1939, Charles Lindbergh returned to the United States as a world-famous celebrity, greeted by "a football team of flashbulbs popping" as he disembarked a transatlantic steamer. Lindbergh had remained in the glH.W. Brands describes how in April 1939, Charles Lindbergh returned to the United States as a world-famous celebrity, greeted by "a football team of flashbulbs popping" as he disembarked a transatlantic steamer. Lindbergh had remained in the global spotlight since his historic 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic, a feat of technical proficiency and bravery comparable to the moon landing. His return was prompted by the imminent threat of war in Europe, a situation he had observed firsthand while living in England to escape the "paparazzi" following the tragic kidnapping and murder of his infant son. While Lindbergh admired German culture and technical organization, he was puzzled and dismayed by the rise of the Nazi party. He viewed the British as complacent, believing they were clinging to a 19th-century empire while imposing unrealistic peace terms on Germany that they refused to enforce. Lindbergh predicted that if war broke out, Britain would inevitably look to the United States for a "bailout," just as they had during World War I. Upon his arrival in Washington, he was beckoned to meet President Franklin Roosevelt, who sought to co-opt the celebrated aviator into the administration. Roosevelt recognized Lindbergh's deep knowledge of global military aircraft and his massive public following, fearing he would become a powerful voice for neutrality. However, Lindbergh, jealous of his independence and skeptical of Roosevelt's charm, declined the offer, refusing to be "inside the tent" where he could be controlled. (1)
193011 min - S8 Ep1007: Jeremy Zakis reports on a massive mouse plague in Western Australia that has gained international media attention. This surge in prey has triggered a secondary brown snake epidemic, as venomous snakes enter homes seeking food and shelter. ConseJeremy Zakis reports on a massive mouse plague in Western Australia that has gained international media attention. This surge in prey has triggered a secondary brown snake epidemic, as venomous snakes enter homes seeking food and shelter. Consequently, exterminators are facing an exceptionally busy year currently.
18897 min - S8 Ep1007: Jeremy Zakis reports on a massive mouse plague in Western Australia that has gained international media attention. This surge in prey has triggered a secondary brown snake epidemic, as venomous snakes enter homes seeking food and shelter. ConseJeremy Zakis reports on a massive mouse plague in Western Australia that has gained international media attention. This surge in prey has triggered a secondary brown snake epidemic, as venomous snakes enter homes seeking food and shelter. Consequently, exterminators are facing an exceptionally busy year currently.
18737 min - S8 Ep1007: Jeremy Zakis discusses the confirmed El Niño cycle bringing unusually warm, humid winter weather across Australia. He notes that local councils are performing early back-burning to mitigate bushfire risks during this dry period. Despite droughtJeremy Zakis discusses the confirmed El Niño cycle bringing unusually warm, humid winter weather across Australia. He notes that local councils are performing early back-burning to mitigate bushfire risks during this dry period. Despite drought concerns, many residents are enjoying extended beach weather in coastal Sydney.
1930 SOUTH AUSTRALIA9 min
About The John Batchelor Show
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The John Batchelor Show is a hard news-analysis radio program on current events, world history, global politics and natural sciences. Based in New York City for two decades, the show has travelled…
widely to report, from the Middle East to the South Caucasus to the Arabian Peninsula and East Asia.
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