The Scott Horton Show from The Libertarian Institute

David Stockman offers his take on the end of the Russia investigation. He points out that the Mueller report categorically denies just about every allegation made by President Trump's opponents, including the surveillance of his campaign based on false information about Carter Page, and the ever-popular "Trump Tower meeting." Scott and Stockman both worry that too many American democrats have the attitude, "even if Russiagate is made up, anything is justified in bringing Trump down."

Discussed on the show:

"No Joy In Never-Trumpville: Mighty Mueller Has Struck Out" (Antiwar.com)

"PEAK TRUMP, IMPENDING CRISES, ESSENTIAL INFO & ACTION" (Contra Corner)

Peak Trump: The Undrainable Swamp And The Fantasy Of MAGA

"Russiagate Skeptics" (Foreign Policy Follies)

Colour revolution

"US-Funded Neo-Nazis in Ukraine Mentor US White Supremacists" (Consortiumnews)

Tulsi Gabbard on Twitter: "Trump/Pence continue to try to hide the truth from their Christian supporters..."

David Stockman is the ultimate Washington insider turned iconoclast. He began his career in Washington as a young man and quickly rose through the ranks of the Republican Party to become the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan. After leaving the White House, Stockman had a 20-year career on Wall Street. He is the author of Trumped!, The Triumph of Politics, and his history of the financial crisis, The Great Deformation: The Corruption of Capitalism in America.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Peter Van Buren joins the show for an update on the aftermath of the Mueller report. Although some commentators are claiming that the report's findings are inconclusive with respect to President Trump's conduct during the campaign, Van Buren reminds us that the question was, all along, whether Trump or members of his team colluded with Russians to swing the election in his favor. The report concludes that there's no evidence of this, nor for obstruction of justice. So Van Buren wants to know: when exactly did Mueller know that there was no evidence of collusion, and why didn't he say so as soon as he knew?

Discussed on the show:

"Mueller Time is Finally Over" (The American Conservative)

"Mueller is Investigating Trump as a Russian Asset" (NY Mag)

"The 25 subplots to watch in the Mueller Investigation" (Politico)

"Warren Commission Report: Table of Contents" (National Archives)

Starr Report

Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers

Peter Van Buren worked for 24 years at the Department of State including a year in Iraq. He is the author of We Meant Well: How I Helped Lose the Battle for the Hearts and Minds of the Iraqi People and the novel Hooper’s War. He is now a contributing editor at The American Conservative magazine.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Max Blumenthal talks whistleblowers, the middle east, and regime change in Venezuela. In particular, he and Scott lament all the journalists who are critical of Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange, in which case their mentality must be "if the government doesn't want me to know this, I don't have any right to"—not the proper role of a journalist, needless to say. Blumenthal also describes the region-wide catastrophe that could result if the U.S. intervenes in Venezuela, and is shocked that anyone seriously considers that a good idea.

Discussed on the show:

Goliath: Life and Loathing in Greater Israel

The 51 Day War: Ruin and Resistance in Gaza

Killing Gaza

The Management of Savagery: How America's National Security State Fueled the Rise of Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Donald Trump

"INA Papers: The Corruption Case Against Ecuador's President Lenin Moreno" (teleSUR English)

"Behind the Omar Outrage: Suppressed History of 9/11" (Consortium News)

"What the Media Won't Tell You About the Venezuelan Coup" (Antiwar.com Original)

Director and writer of “Killing Gaza,” Max Blumenthal is a senior editor of the Grayzone Project and the author Goliath, Republican Gomorrah, and The 51 Day War. Follow Max on Twitter @MaxBlumenthal.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Scott talks to Matt Taibbi about his new book, Hate Inc, written in the aftermath of the media malfeasence around Russiagate. But the media's problems go much deeper, explains Taibbi. Mainstream discussion used to take place in a tightly controlled middle ground between two "extremes", which were actually both very moderate and centrist. Today, internet and cable journalism allows the opposite: a specific set of views highly catered to what each of us wants to see on TV, on our Twitter feeds, and from our favorite writers. This has created an atomized and unpersuadable America of people who would rather retreat to their bubble than confront any opposing views.

Discussed on the show:

The Great Derangement: A Terrifying True Story of War, Politics, and Religion

Griftopia: A Story of Bankers, Politicians, and the Most Audacious Power Grab in American History

Hate Inc.: Why Today’s Media Makes Us Despise One Another

"New project: Untitledgate" (taibbi.substack.com)

Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity

"It's official: Russiagate is this generation's WMD" (taibbi.substack.com)

Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media

"Hillary Clinton Mannequin Challenge - Hillary Clinton Election Day 2016 - Jon Bon Jovi Mannequin" (YouTube)

"“Yanks to the rescue”: Time’s not-so secret story of how Americans helped Yeltsin win 1996 presidential election" (OffGuardian)

"Spinning Boris (2003)" (IMDb)

"Foreign Policy Follies: Russiagate Skeptics" (Foreign Policy Follies)

Matt Taibbi is a contributing editor for Rolling Stone and winner of the 2008 National Magazine Award for columns and commentary. He is the author of numerous books, including I Can't Breathe: A Killing on Bay Street and Insane Clown President: Dispatches from the 2016 Circus. Follow him at taibbi.substack.com or on Twitter @mtaibbi.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Jason Ditz, news editor at antiwar.com, joins the show for an update on Libya and lots of other recent foreign policy news.

Discussed on the show:

"Libyan Unity Govt Bombs, Then Recaptures Tripoli Airport" (Antiwar.com)

"Qatari official: Afghan talks postponed indefinitely" (AP News)

"Iran's Rouhani: US Should Suspend Sanctions Because of Flooding Crisis" (Antiwar.com)

Jason Ditz is the news editor of Antiwar.com. Read all of his work at news.antiwar.com and follow him on Twitter @jasonditz.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Scott talks to Philip Weiss about Israeli politics in light of Netanyahu's recent victory in the election for prime minister. Israeli society, explains Weiss, leans heavily right wing, especially the young people, and this creates serious barriers to negotiations for peace with the Palestinians. In yet another setback, President Trump recently "promised" the Golan Heights to Israel, something that is not his to give. We are reminded of Horton's Law: A politician will break all of his good promises and keep all of his bad ones. Scott suggests that the best the Palestinians might realistically be able to hope for these days is full citizenship as Israelis, not their own country.

Discussed on the show:

"He's back! Netanyahu wins fifth term as prime minister of Israel, results suggest" (Mondoweiss)

"'Things could move very quickly' -- Dems are now the anti-annexation party, taking on Netanyahu and Pompeo" (Mondoweiss)

"4/8/19 Ramzy Baroud on the Great March of Return" (The Libertarian Institute)

Obstacle to Peace: The US Role in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Philip Weiss is the long-time editor of Mondoweiss.net. Follow him on Twitter @PhilWeiss.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Max Blumenthal comes on the show to talk about his new book, The Management of Savagery: How America's National Security State Fueled the Rise of Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Donald Trump. He explains not only the familar narrative of U.S. support for rebel groups in the Middle East creating bloody civil wars and general unrest, but also how mainstream, centrist marginalization of unorthodox views has fueled polarization and allowed for the rise of an extreme and dangerous political right.

Discussed on the show:

The Management of Savagery: How America's National Security State Fueled the Rise of Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Donald Trump

Fascism: A Warning

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order

"Madeleine Albright says 500,000 dead Iraqi Children was "worth it" wins Medal of Freedom" (YouTube)

Devil's Game

"Tomgram: Max Blumenthal, The Great Fear" (TomDispatch)

"The Redirection" (The New Yorker)

Director and writer of “Killing Gaza,” Max Blumenthal is a senior editor of the Grayzone Project and the author Goliath, Republican Gomorrah, and The 51 Day War. Follow Max on Twitter @MaxBlumenthal.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Scott talks to William Van Wagenen about his latest article for the Libertarian Institute, "A Brief History of the Destruction of Yarmouk," which traces the story of the Palestinian refugee camp at Yarmouk. Much of the blame for the horrible conditions there fell on the Syrian government, when in reality much of the fault lies with rebels, who were killing refugees and deliberately preventing food and aid from getting in. This skewed reporting, of course, contributed to the anti-Assad bias of the Western media and U.S. government, and downplayed the government's own role in backing those same rebels. Scott and Van Wagenen also discuss the many failed regime change tactics of the American military in general.

Discussed on the show:

"A Brief History of the Destruction of Yarmouk" (Libertarian Institute)

"The Myth of US 'Inaction' in Syria" (Libertarian Institute)

"There is No FSA, There is Only Al-Qaeda" (Libertarian Institute)

"Why Does Assad Buy Oil From ISIS?" (Libertarian Institute)

Nakba Day

Naksa Day

"Jihadists Receiving Most Arms Sent to Syrian Rebels" (The New York Times)

"The Jihad Next Door" (POLITICO Magazine)

The Management of Savagery: How America's National Security State Fueled the Rise of Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Donald Trump

"Trump Ends Timber Sycamore, Covert CIA Program To Arm Syrian Rebels" (Mint Press News)

William Van Wagenen has a BA in German literature From Brigham Young University and an MA in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School. You can read more of his writings at the Libertarian Institute. Follow him on Twitter @wvanwagenen.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Scott talks to Daniel Lazare about the story of George Papadopoulos, the young man at the center of the FBI's investigation into Donald Trump. Lazare recently reviewed Papadopolous's book, in which he claims to be completely innocent of any wrongdoing and merely a convenient target for the FBI.

Discussed on the show:

"The Tale of a ‘Deep State Target’" (Consortiumnews)

Deep State Target: How I Got Caught in the Crosshairs of the Plot to Bring Down President Trump

Daniel Lazare is the author of The Frozen Republic: How the constitution is Paralyzing Democracy and a regular contributor at Consortium News. Find all of his work at his website and follow him on Twitter @dhlazare.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.

Matthew Hoh joins Scott for an update on the peace talks in Afghanistan. There are some reasons for optimism, says Hoh, but he cautions that without a plan for careful withdrawal of troops, the country could quickly be plunged into brutal civil and tribal warfare in the resulting power vacuum.

Discussed on the show:

"How Wartime Washington Lives in Luxury" (The American Conservative)

Matthew Hoh is a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and formerly worked for the U.S. State Department. Hoh received the Ridenhour Prize Recipient for Truth Telling in 2010. Hoh is a member of the Board of Directors for Council for a Livable World and is an Advisory Board Member for Expose Facts. He writes on issues of war, peace and post-traumatic stress disorder recovery at matthewhoh.com.

This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: Kesslyn Runs, by Charles Featherstone; NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Roberts and Roberts Brokerage Inc.; Tom Woods' Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; and LibertyStickers.com.

Donate to the show through Patreon, PayPal, or Bitcoin: 1Ct2FmcGrAGX56RnDtN9HncYghXfvF2GAh.