The Drone Wars videos that we've been posting on the T.Rex Labs channel are valuable explorations of technology meeting combat, but there are certain things that we cannot show or talk about under Google's content rules. Those conversations will come here, to this podcast. Today we look closer at Ukraine's cheap suicide drones and what they mean in the context of just war theory, and the future of war in general.

The grim and terrible videos of explosive attacks on defenseless footsoldiers might be verboten on Youtube, but they raise a number of questions. Is technology neutral, or are some weapons too dangerous to go unbanned by authorities? Do FPV drones represent a completely novel groundbreaking type of combat, or merely a new look at the old face of war?

A few months ago, the investigative news magazine Mother Jones turned its sights on T.Rex Arms and published an exposé on this Tennessee holster company. Was it a searing hit piece, or a thoughtful affirmation of our core values? Well, thanks to the high level of political division today, it can be both!

• www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/03/t-rex-arms-hardline-christian-nationalism-lucas-botkin/ 
• How T.Rex Arms got Started: https://youtu.be/AU6iCA60Iyg 

There are three grave threats to firearm freedoms: giant unaccountable government agencies, ignorant and emotionally-driven laws, and bad enforcement policies. Sometimes the stars align and you see perfect examples of all three pop up in a single weekend. 

Today we will look at the Department of Justice's brand new National Extreme Risk Protection Order Resource Center (NERPORC for short), the even more hilariously named Destroy Zombie Guns Act, and the tragic ATF raid on the home of Bryan Malinowski. 

Isaac Botkin and Michael McMartin sit down to talk about The Pub Club, a T.Rex Arms book club that reads military field manuals, and why a return to basic combat skills is need. In addition to fleshing out the "Citizen's Defense Industry," The conversation includes infantry roles, innovation, the future of T.Rex nylon gear, and the Band of Brothers Cinematic Universe. 

And as promised, here is a link to the first Marine Corp publication that we are reading: 
https://www.marines.mil/News/Publications/MCPEL/Electronic-Library-Display/Article/2472229/mcrp-3-10a4/ 

We're as annoyed by TikTok as anyone, but the US Government's new plan to control it might be even more chilling than the last.     

Find out more about the Restrict Act in this YouTube video from last month: www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4o4LVBPMrw       

And learn more about the brand-new Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act in this podcast episode.       

And here are some examples of advanced AI-powered libel and defamation, complete with receipts. Real receipts documenting the fake receipts.       

zero-sum.org/i-wrote-what-googles-ai-powered-libel-machine/     
anncoulter.substack.com/p/gemini-on-me-defamation-and-intentional       

In the olden days, conservative media was simple. We had National Review for ideological discussion and Rush Limbaugh for political commentary. Today, things are a chaotic storm of pundits, personalities, and social media powerhouses battling the legacy media. How can Gun Culture 3.0 handle this, and what should we be doing?

Dr. Steve Turley of TurleyTalks joins the podcast to discuss how things are going, and some of the deeper cultural shifts going on beneath our feet, and around the world. In short, Gun Culture 3.0 is poised to be an import part of this ongoing conversation. 

We finally have a ruling in NY's corruption case against the NRA, which presents them with a significant opportunity. 

Also, we let AI write a summary of this podcast in the style of other podcasts, and it turned out super overblown and melodramatic. Here it is: 

"Discover the seismic impact of the New York Attorney General's case against the National Rifle Association, where the powerful winds of justice have swept through the corridors of the NRA, leaving an uncertain future for Wayne LaPierre and his associates. As the gavel comes down, join us for a compelling narrative that weaves through the financial consequences, the potential for a court-appointed overseer, and the political shockwaves reverberating across New York's landscape. We analyze the Attorney General Letitia James' steadfast pursuit, compare it to other high-profile New York cases like Donald Trump's, and consider what this means for the NRA's path forward in a post-LaPierre world. 

Then, we pivot to the crossroads where the NRA stands today, poised between revitalization and obsolescence. Our discussion takes a hard look at the challenges ahead, emphasizing the urgent need for the organization's leadership to enact decisive reforms and redefine their mission to captivate a new generation of gun enthusiasts. We critically evaluate the NRA's strategic positioning, suggesting a bold reversal: to become immovable in their core gun rights advocacy while evolving in their cultural and educational outreach to align with technological advancements and shifting societal interests. Tune in as we offer a blueprint for the NRA's survival, with insights on appealing to a broader audience and securing a place in the future of American gun culture."

The most popular episode of this podcast is Practical Lessons from Ukraine, which went over basic things to have and do if you are invaded. Almost two years later, we will discuss impractical lessons. Namely, how impractical and destructive it is in the long term to make purely pragmatic decisions in the short term... to move geopolitical goalposts to suit personal business opportunities... and to blur the lines of borders and treaties just to get media attention. 

That's right, we will be discussing everything from Tucker Carlson's interview with Putin to Handwaving Freakoutery's analysis of Ukraine Aid (https://hwfo.substack.com/p/real-talk-about-ukraine-funding), and from Hillary Clinton to the Superbowl. 

This year, T.Rex Arms wants to do more with radio, maps, drones, and additional educational content on additional skills. To that end, we have just launched a new YouTube channel for this more technical material. T.Rex Labs, like the T.Rex Armory channel, will be a place for some more specific content, and will help us navigate the complexities of the YouTube algorithm a bit better. To start things off, we've uploaded three videos:

• The Best Radios at SHOT Show 2024
• Drone Wars Part 2: The DJI Menace 
• How to De-Google your Phone

And as we continue to publish videos, we want your help prioritizing the types of content that we produce, so let us know what you want to see.

The T.Rex Team navigated 14 miles of aisles between 2,600 booths alongside 55,000 other SHOT Show attendees this past week, and we're talking about what we saw, who we talked to, and a bit about what we expect for the rest of the year. 

For our 200th episode, we'll go over significant civilian-focused products from companies like PSA and Holosun, advancements in high-level drone and RF tech, and a massive trend towards thermal imaging. Brandon gives us his expertise in valuing product refinements and innovation, and Caleb explains the logistics behind-the-scenes. 

It's impossible to ignore how your direct input and feedback into this industry is shaping the future of gun innovation, the industry's growing respect for civilian users, and the increasingly common idea that military-grade tech is not just for the armed forces but every responsible citizen.

The Citizen's Defense Industry is developing right in front of us.