Veterans for Peace Radio Hour

Today Harvey and Jim catch up and follow up with the alumni and student involved in the protest on the Vanderbilt campus. Harvey targets Boeing putting profit over passenger safety. We also reflect on an interview between Aaron Mate and Norman Finkelstein from six years ago about the Palestinian right to resist, the right to defend themselves. Veterans for Peace also has another letter, this time to Biden, calling out his violations of the Symington Glenn amendment in providing aid to a nuclear state (Israel) that has not signed on to the NPT. We finish up with a new song from Dave Rovics.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville is leading the way in the draconian responses against pro-Palestinian rallies and protests. Today we talk to a Vanderbilt Alumni, a Vanderbilt student who was suspended but now faces probation, and a Staff Writer for the Nashville Scene who was arrested. We find out what the students were protesting and why. We talk about the disparate treatment of pro-Palestinian efforts versus more reactionary groups. We try to understand the Chancellor's principled neutrality to education at Vanderbilt. Think about principled neutrality; what might that actually mean? We ask the question is Vanderbilt University betraying or actually upholding it history of dealing with protests on campus? We finish up with Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine.

Larry Hebert was able to join the show for this in-depth discussion of his hunger strike in support of Palestine and against the Biden foreign policy of Biden's unconditional support of Israel's genocide on Gaza. We missed our initially established interview time because Larry was directed to go to Walter Reed Army Hospital for blood work and a mental evaluation. After being cleared, he talked to us from the grounds of the US capital. We talked about his hunger strike, his protest, his frustration that Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation generated more of a response in the Middle East than it did in the US, and his disillusionment about the US Military. We finish with Eddie Mack and The Sound of War.

Veterans for Peace specifically documents the national and international laws that the US is violating in its facilitation of Israel's genocide in Gaza. Executive Director of Veterans for Peace Mike Ferner and VFP member Jack Gilroy join us to specifically go over that charges VFP alleges in a letter to Anthony Blinken and other senior members of the State Department that calls on the Inspector General to initiate a criminal investigation. They specifically detail how the US is in violation of at least six domestic statutes and treaties. To see the letter: https://www.veteransforpeace.org/files/4017/0777/8707/VFP_StDept_ltr_FINAL_2-11-24.pdf

We know that Israel has made claims that it has a greater historical claim to the land than the people in the West Bank and Gaza. So what do the historical facts actually say? For that we turn to Middle East Historian, retired teacher, and activist Krishna Madan to trace the turbulent history of the people who lived on the land east of the Mediterranean Sea. We talk to Krishna personally and refer to the presentation he gave to Veterans for Peace which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EUnXQOhtoE&t=30s

In this show we revisit our discussions with Ellen Davidson of Veterans for Peace on her discussion of Apartheid and the clear case of Israel/Gaza. Then we turn to Dr. Walter Hixson, author and historian on the dangers of the Israeli Lobby on our own democracy. Yes AIPAC and others threaten our democracy. We then finish up with a wonderful song from the RJ Phillips remembering Bloody Sunday at the Edmond Pettis Bridge 59 years ago March 7, 1965.

The Congress wants to ban Tik Tok so that is a good reason for Harvey and Jim to join Tik Tok to see why and we think we found out. It is all about the young people getting their news. Nothing is going to freak Congress out more than young people getting independent news. Then we talk about an article from Al Jazeera relating Rachel Corrie to Aaron Bushnell to Viola Liuzzo and other people recognized by the marginalized. We finish up wondering about the hullabaloo surrounding the Oscars and the movie Zone of Interest.

In this heart-wrenching show, we discuss Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation or as Chris Hedges characterizes it, his divine violence. We use several clips to explain better and characterize his sacrifice, including Caitlyn Johnstone and Ann Wright. We also discuss mainstream media's predictable failure in reporting on Aaron. We hear from veterans during vigils and tributes remembering and honoring Aaron. We finish up with Al Jazeera's take on Biden's food drop. Joe Cocker sings our tribute to Aaron.

Two staff members of the Highlander Center join us to talk about their work to derail fascism in the South. Emma Cager Robinson and Denzel Caldwell discuss the challenges in the South and the workshops, training classes, video screenings, and camps offered by the Highlander Center to combat the movement toward fascism in the South. This is critical as they believe that as the south goes so will the nation so we need to get this redirected now. They also highlight Tennessee as a quiet, covert domestic leader in this movement to the right.

Today we try to remember Black History and at the same time, we talk to a Black lady trying to make history. Amber Sherman, activist, and organizer, joins us to talk about local, national, international, and political issues facing us today. We also remember Septima Clark, referred to as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. Septima Clark taught Rosa Parks at the Highland Center and now Amber Sherman tries to follow in Septima's shoes by organizing in Tennessee.

The Summit on Nuclear Deterrence was just last week and "WE" were there to witness the insanity and the "evil." Harvey Bennett joined Greg Mello, Executive Director of the Los Alamos Study Group, and journalist Jim Carrier, who attended the three-day "summit" to hear members of the nuclear industrial complex and the Federal Government talk about nuclear war and deterrence. Can you imagine that they actually believe that we need to be ready to fight a nuclear war and win it? Hear that and a few voices of reason on what our country is doing in your name and with your tax dollars. We finish with Sam Cooke because change better come.

Dr. Walter Hixson, historian, author, commentator, and Middle East Scholar, joins us to discuss the Israel lobby and it's negative/dangerous influence in the United States. Dr. Hixson discussed the Israeli lobby anchored by the American Israeli Political Action Committee, (AIPAC) and identifies its influences not only on our federal representatives but also on our educational systems, our media, and down to our state and local officials. They are pervasive and dangerous. We then end with Imagine by John Lennon just to generate a little hope.

We start the show by hearing from two activists in the cause of helping Veterans meet the challenges they face returning to civilian life. Susan Combs talks about the program, Pancakes for Roger, inspired by her father, the late General Roger Combs, and the foundation she is building to support Veterans in his name. She includes the University of Missouri Veterans Legal Clinic and all the work they do to help Vets navigate the governmental bureaucracies. Then Aaron Eckerberg talks ETMS the cutting-edge treatment that is helping Veterans and first responders heal from the trauma of their PTSD. Harvey and I finish up with some discussion of recent events and then we hear a somber rendition of the Hymn from the Marine Corps Band.

Veterans for Peace Member Paul Gingras is the executive producer of a new documentary about Catonsville 9 Member Tom Lewis. Paul talks about his friendship with Tom, Tom's activism and connection with the Berrigans and of course Tom's art. All these experiences combined with Tom's early death led to Paul committing to create a documentary to ensure that the legacy of Tom Lewis will live on an thrive. We finish with Dar Williams!

Part two: After hearing Dr. King talk directly to us about the issues we face today with regard to racism, militarism, and capitalism, we bring back Climate and Peace Activists Cindy Piester and Dr. Omar Clay to complete their discussion from last week. They also give us assignments on what WE can do and what lots of people are doing to address the climate crisis, militarism, and more. We finish with a heart-wrenching song from Michael Heart.

COP 28 was not all bad news. VFP's Cindy Piester is back to give us a rundown about the good, the bad, and the ugly of COP 28 and this year she brought along Dr. Omar Clay to break the science down into scary details. Yes, there were major issues but the activists and delegates managed to make enough people mad that progress was actually made, despite the efforts of the US, the fossil fuel industry, and the oil baron President of the COP. We finish with Canary in the Coal Mine by Janet Bates.

Harvey and Jim discuss a variety of clips from some of their best sources Democracy Now, Breaking Points, and Counter Points. They specifically define genocide and terrorism and show that what Israel is doing is genocide while what Hamas did was terrorism in killing civilians in Israel. We also hear the pastor in Bethlehem calling our Christian Churches while Steve Sosebee relates the sad story of two Palestinian young men who were healed and then killed by Israel. Things got to change and so we hear Sam Cooke.

Ellen Davidson, VFP Board member, editor of Peace and Planet News, and activist, compares what is going on in Israel to what went on in South Africa and definitively makes the case that Israel is an apartheid state. She also talks about anti-Semitism and how Israeli actions are exacerbating anti-Semitism in the US and elsewhere. Harvey then reflects powerfully on US complicity, especially during this holiday season.

Pat Elder of Military Poisons dot Org joins us to talk about PFAS the threat that is silent, under the radar but could drastically alter humanity if not dealt with. And guess where a lot of PFAS in the US comes from, the US Military of course. Pat discusses the origins, the dangers, the overwhelming spread, and actions we can take just like Hawaii and Japan to start dealing with this man made mess. While the climate and nuclear Armageddon are right in our faces, PFAS is the danger that is going to sneak up on us unless we do something.

Today we realize just how important it is that the Biden Administration drop the charges against Julian Assange and not set a precedent that could undermine journalism worldwide.  Today we share with you portions of the Belmarsh Tribunal which was convened by Democracy Now, The Intercept, and others as great minds from journalism, international politics, international law, and the media share the call to release Julian Assange, drop the charges, and end the efforts to extradite him.  We reflect on his accomplishments and his impact on journalism and how the US could set a horrific precedent for all journalists if they continue, to pursue extradition.

You will not hear this story anywhere else but here. The Second Meeting of States Parties of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons just finished and VFP Member Anthony Donovan was there. He joins us to give his reflection on the meeting and his perspective on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. While the news is dominated by Israeli genocide in Gaza, the world does not stop and the efforts of so many countries to eliminate the threat of nuclear war continues. That is why the activism of Anthony, VFP and so many other groups needs to be recognized.

We share several important clips that link Israeli atrocities with US atrocities that you may have missed while celebrating Thanksgiving. We share the voices of Ta-Nehisi Coates, Michelle Alexander, and Rashid Khalidi from a show aired on Democracy Now and then Norman Finkelstein from an interview he did with Krystal Ball on Breaking Points. All related personal experiences showed how what is going on in Gaza by Israel (with our taxpayer complicity) is connected to what the US has been doing for a long time. Alexander relates the words of Dr. King, Coates the connection to the lives of his parents and grandparents, Khalidi and our genocide of Native Americans, Finkelstein with Nat Turner.

Krishna Madan educator, activist, and member of VFP joins Harvey and Jim to discuss a number of issues but primarily it is the Middle East. Krishna points out the history of Israel that Americans have been denied showing that the US public has been manipulated for more than 70 years to generate our un-questioning support for Israel. He turns the tables on Hamas using human shields and shows how Israel actually is the one using human shields. AND MORE including a song from Ireland to support the people of Palestine.

The MerchantsofDeath.org has initiated a people's war crimes tribunal against key weapons manufacturers. Harvey and Jim share this abridged version of the first session in this gripping show by highlighting the need, the precedent, and the facts about these war criminals. In this first session Merchantsofdeath.org concentrate on the US weapons makers fueling the genocide in Gaza. We finish with Masters of War by Bob Dylan

Dave Logsdon joins the show to talk about the Veterans for Peace project to reclaim Armistice Day a day to celebrate and work for peace. November 11 used to be Armistice Day but that was changed in 1954 when it became Veterans Day and since then it has been a holiday to celebrate war and militarism. VFP is trying to bring back that sentiment of peace to the United States before it devolves further into an outlier and bully within the world community. Dave Logsdon is the facilitator and coordinator of the project and joins us to share the importance of doing just that.

Veterans for Peace co-founder comes back to the show to share his experience in his recent trip back to Vietnam this time with his son. Doug relates and connects his experiences from 53 years ago with post-911 veterans and today's possible recruits through poetry and the work of Vietnam Veterans in Vietnam to help heal that country and themselves.

Harvey and Jim listen to and discuss the interview on Al Jazeera's The Bottom Line with host Steve Clemmons and guest Daniel Levy. They talk about the history of mistakes, ignored agreements, and broken promises that have led us to this moment of destruction and despair. After that, we hear the desperate words calling for a ceasefire from Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, and Cori Bush. Then thanks to Mike Figueredo and his Humanist Report we reflect on a progressive who advocates for the death of more children. We finish with a wonderful call for peace by Michael August and Nell Levin and their song Jerusalem.

Today we are going to try to talk about and be relevant about the very fluid and disastrous situation in Gaza. We are going to share the VFP statement, hear from Caitlin Johnstone, Al Jazeera, Krystal, and Saagar from Breaking Point with a dire warning, and try to give our take on our own United States inability to help this by negating UN calls for a cease-fire, sending two carrier groups to the region as a so-called deterrent and sending billions of arms to a well-armed country which apparently is conducting war crimes and genocide. We finish up with a song about a human rights hero: Rachel Corrie.

Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, and many other organizations sponsored a forum in Washington, DC on Peace In Ukraine. The forum was facilitated by Eugene Puryear and Media Benjamin with speakers Lee Camp, Claudia DeLa Cruz, and Cr. Cornell West. The facilitators and speakers reflect the sentiment of the people of the world and the US in calling for negotiations. They then ask us to make waves and noise and bring that message to our leaders. Just like the song we end with they ask us to STAND like Sly Stone.

Harvey lives within miles of where the F-35 crashed and the pilot ejected, so we will talk about the F-35 and Harvey's efforts to reach out to his elected officials to get them to pay attention. Then we discuss a recent GAO study of the F-35 and we hear the words from the past of John McCain and Pierre Sprey. From that, it is clear the F-35 is expensive, dumb, and now very dangerous.

Bruce Carruthers of Save our VA (SOVA) working group updates us on their efforts to halt efforts to privatize the VA and identifies two bills that must be stopped, S1316 and S2649. Then Ryan Black of DefuseNuclearWar.org and Marcy Winograd of Code Pink and Peace in Ukraine joined the VFP No Nukes Working group to promote two weeks of action to push for peace and disarmament. Letting us know that if we don't we will face Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis).

In the wake of the nationwide actions on ending fossil fuels, Steve Morse of the Veterans for Peace Climate Crisis and Militarism Project joins the show to discuss why the biggest polluter is often ignored when we discuss our climate catastrophe. Steve also talks about the work of the Climate Crisis and Militarism Project and how you request their help to address the Climate. Jim interviews some people at the Nashville Climate March and we also hear from Jamal Bowman along with some word salad from Nancy Pelosi.

After a quick recognition of Labor Day and the UAW efforts to help the big three automakers support their workers, we return to our coverage of the VFP convention. We talk nukes in Europe, democracy in the US (or lack thereof), where VFP has been to help us be inspired on where we are going and then Kathy Kelly gives us inspiration and remembers Daniel Ellsberg. We finished with a song from Jacob George.

Veterans for Peace held its 2023 Conference with a dynamic set of speakers and impactful schedule of webinars/workshops. Harvey and I only touch on the importance of this conference and how it demonstrates the effective and important work of Veterans for Peace. We honored the memory of Daniel Ellsberg which was reflected in the conference theme of Choose Peace, Stand Up, Speak Out. We included clips from the first two days of the conference from the Climate, Deported Vets, War in Asia, Poetry, Remembering Dan and much more.

Professor Peter Kuznick joined the Veterans for Peace No Nukes group to discuss the movie Oppenheimer. Professor Kuznick provided the most in-depth analysis we have heard so far pointing out the many important and factual parts of the movie and the deficiencies, Professor Kuznick also provides a great history lesson about those times including a brief reference to Henry Wallace and how different things might have been. He also critiques several other movies that do not meet muster and refers to the thoughts of his friend and collaborator Oliver Stone. We finish with Joan Baez.

PLEASE SHARE WITH ANYONE CONSIDERING THE MILITARY.
Today we welcome Special Guest Dr. Sam Coleman of the Veterans for Peace Military Trauma working group. Dr. Sam discusses moral injury, military class structure, American class structure, and much more. Could it be that we are all suffering from Moral Injury? We also quickly discuss Niger and the struggles in Africa and remember Patrice Lumumba from so long ago. We finish with a song from friend of the show Jason Moon as we all try to find our ways home.

We start the show hearing and discussing clips from Professors Alperovitz and Ruane about why the evidence shows clearly that the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not necessary. We then turn to the article written by William Hartung published in the Peace and Planet News about the movie Oppenheimer, Nuclear Industrial Complex, and public denial. During his article he refers to other movies and thus we share clips (but not spoilers) from Dr. Strangelove and Fail Safe. We also discuss other movies: Threads and The Day After. We finish with a classic from Vera Lynn.

There are TWO MOVIES out about the A-Bomb and about two amazing Physicists who created them. One is Oppenheimer about Robert Oppenheimer and the other is A Compassionate Spy about Ted Hall. In this episode, Harvey and Jim discuss and reflect on Oppenheimer and then they will introduce you to A Compassionate Spy by the name of Ted Hall. You have probably seen the first and never heard about the second even though both are getting great reviews, both involve the creation of the A-Bomb and both reflect on the dilemma of conscience of these two men that worked on it. This is truly fascinating. We also honor Sinead O'Connor.

Yes, More voices talking about the reality and the dangers of the war in Ukraine. We continue with the holistic/historical approach from Dr. Glenn Diesen and Pascal Lottaz of Nuetrality Studies. We get the European holistic approach from MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace. Then we finish up with a US historical and holistic approach with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs. Yes, you will hear more about media manipulation, US government bullying of Europe, and European capitulation. You will hear about the partnership growing between Russia and China thanks to our provocations and more.

In this first of a two-part discussion and for the second week in a row we try to take a historical and holistic view of the Russia-Ukraine war and much more by sharing an interview by Pascal Lottaz of Neutrality Studies with Norwegian Professor Glenn Diesen. Professor Diesen discusses how this war was predicted as far back as the Clinton Administration. He also points out how US policies past and now concentrating on military power have actually undermined our standing in the world which is moving toward Geo Economic power.

Harvey and Jim reflect on Glenn Greenwald's recent interview with John Mearsheimer in an attempt to spread the thought that it is important to look at the Russian/Ukrainian war from Russia's perspective to understand what provoked Putin and what we can expect in the future. Beyond that Mearsheimer also points out the effects of this war on the global power structure, the US/Nato's capabilities, the continuing escalation, Ukraine's untenable position and more. This clearly is not pretty.

Yes, Jim Goes off the rails. Harvey and Jim continue to ask the question Independence Day for whom, especially in light of the recent rulings of this supreme court which have gutted independence for women, students, the LGBT community, African Americans, and more. We ask about who is celebrating Independence Day: Native Americans, peaceful protestors, the enslaved and the generations since enslavement, and more. We then ask you for the fortitude to look to the continuing potential of the country for good despite what we all see from scotus as we continue to ask Independence for whom and strive for the day when we will have independence for all.

Do you know the long-term hazards of depleted uranium? Do you know what it is used for and why it is so popular with the US and other warring countries? Damacio Lopez joined the Veterans for Peace No Nukes Working Group for a discussion about depleted uranium and his 37-year fight to get this deadly element banned. He is joined by other members of the No Nukes group during this lively and abridged conversation.

We revisit our discussion last Veterans Day with Dr, Kelly Denton Borhaug on Moral Injury. This is such an important discussion not only if you are a veteran but also if you are an American who is keeping up with the world wide chaos and out policies of military insanity. No wonder we are depressed.

We start with Representative Jim McGovern trying to keep President Kennedy's call for peace alive through his House Resolution 77. He is introduced by Denise Duffield of Back from the Brink. Then are American Taxpayers arming and funding Nazi's in Ukraine and if so who cares after all they have no real power. RIGHT? BUT what if they do? We heard from Aris Roussinos on UnherdTV hosted by Freddy Sayers.

Let's be brutally honest President Kennedy would not recognize the country we have become. Today we remember and celebrate his call for and strategy for Peace In All Time. Harvey and Jim go step by step through the speech he gave in June of 1963 at American University, pin pointing the wisdom and humanity. They also highlight how far we have devolved as a country, as a world power, as an example for the world. President Kennedy would be so disappointed in how we have squandered our potential for good. This could be one of the most important shows we have ever done, if only someone would listen.

Gail Walker of IFCO Pastors for Peace revisited Nashville to promote the Cuba Caravan calling attention to the potential for Cuba to be a great friend to the US if we could get over our 64-year grudge. Then Gerry Condon, Helen Jaccard, and Ellen Barfield update us on the progress, the promise, and the incredible welcome the Veterans for Peace Sailboat the Golden Rule is receiving in the mid-Atlantic. They also discuss Cuba. We finish with the song Hiroshima by the English Group Wishful Thinking.

Here we are another Memorial Day. This year we have as our guests Matt Hoh, Associate Director of the Eisenhower Media Network, and Mike Ferner, interim Executive Director of Veterans for Peace discussing the mistaken message of today's Memorial Day. We will not only get their take on the devolution of this "holiday" but we will also go into the letter to President Biden, generated by the Eisenhower Media Network that appeared in the NY Times demanding a cease-fire and negotiations. Matt Hoh as Associate Director was instrumental in getting this letter into the Times and apparently, it is having an effect.

We talk to members of two very active chapters of Veterans for Peace, Tom Charles and Hollis Higgins of Spokane Washington, and John Wilks of Albuquerque. In Spokane, Tom has led the effort to get an ordinance passed to outlaw the nuclear weapons industry. Then John Wilks talks about the wasteland that the nuclear industry has made of New Mexico and their extensive efforts to educate the people and get this stopped. Both these chapters show what Veterans for Peace can do with some unity and energy. We then finish with Pete Seeger's live rendition of "Turn Me Round."

Today's show includes the wisdom of four people who will find on independent news because the truth they share is not ready for primetime mainstream media. While the subjects they talk about may seem different you can easily figure out their connection. Caitlin Johnstone talks about Biden's hypocrisy in celebrating press freedom day while persecuting Julian Assange, Krystal, and Saagar about the drone over the Kremlin and that dangerous escalation, Juan Gonzalez on burying the Monroe Doctrine, and Yanis Varoufakis about Europe becoming a vassal of the US, or worse.