Gaslit Nation

Latest Episodes:

The Reality TV Congress Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

America has a new leading export – sedition! Globe-trotting unpunished coup-plotter Steve Bannon and his elite operatives have moved their operation to Brazil, attempting to violently unseat democratically elected president Lula. Meanwhile, ousted dictator Jair Bolsonaro has taken up residence in Florida, the home base of unpunished mafiosos from around the world! We discuss the events in Brazil, how much more effective Lula's response was to their attacks than the Biden administration has been to 1/6, and how the DOJ's refusal to hold criminal elites accountable has created a global national security crisis.

We also discuss the continuing downfall of Congress, which has become less of a governing body than a gathering place for social media addicts attempting to build political personality cults. These reality TV show wannabes exist not to pass policy or protect the American people but to follow the path of the departed Donald Trump, a celebrity/criminal/politician hybrid cheered on by an army of "people" indistinguishable from bots. We also discuss the cliquish and cultish behavior in the Democratic party that has served only to strengthen the GOP's fascist agenda. We also praise the rare officials who are exceptions to this behavior – new California Senate candidate Katie Porter, for one. Never forget that congresspeople are public servants and they work for you, not the other way around!

For our bonus episode, available on Patreon, we talk more about Brazil and about the contrived chaos in the House last week, in which Kevin McCarthy staged a feud with the Seditious Caucus in order to frame himself as a "moderate", which he is not! We also answer questions from our listeners about covid lies and buried statistics, the failures of the DOJ and the January 6 committee, and much more. You can listen to this bonus by joining at the Truth-Teller level, and send us questions to answer in depth by joining at the Democracy Defender level or higher. Democracy Defenders are also invited to participate in our special live taping of Gaslit Nation on January 24! So sign up today, and we will see you soon – we could not make this show without you!

Brazil and Bannon Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

Our opening clip is from a November 2022 video of Steve Bannon, serial violent coup-plotter. It was put out by Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of defeated former Brazillian president Jair Bolsonaro, who visited Florida in November, meeting with Bannon and Trump. His father is currently in the suburbs of Orlando. Florida is a growing hotbed of the global fascist movement. For the full discussion and to receive our weekly bonus episodes, subscribe at the Truth-teller level or higher. You won't hear every episode unless you subscribe to the show: https://www.patreon.com/gaslit

Teaser - January 6 Anniversary Special Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

This is an excerpt of our January 6 anniversary special. For the full discussion, which includes the GOP chaos in the House of Representatives and our usual Q&A where we answer questions from our listeners at the Democracy Defender level and higher, and to access all episodes of Gaslit Nation, sign up at the Truth-teller level or higher. You won't hear every weekly episode unless you subscribe. Thank you so much to everyone who supports the show. Join our community of listeners here: https://www.patreon.com/gaslit

***

Another year around the sun and coup mastermind Donald Trump still walks around free in his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida, a foreign adversary's paradise of stolen state secrets. And yet he's still allowed to run for president. Now Trump's many accomplices in Congress who helped fuel the incitement to violence that nearly overthrew our democracy on January 6 are currently raking in fundraising dollars from their Trumpian cult base as they proudly prevent the House of Representatives from getting to work. The dysfunction of the far right extremists that now control the Republican Party is by design and decades in the making, as we discuss in our spring 2022 series with leading experts on confronting fascism. The Trump rally that deliberately killed people on January 6, 2021 can now hold up the House of Representatives, raising alarms about the US once again on the global stage, jeopardizing the essential functioning of a major branch of government, and showing our global allies, at a time when we're at war with Russian facism determined to undermine democracies around the world, that the US is not a reliable ally, that the US is plagued by political instability. Putin's greatest assets aren't just Tucker Carlson and the GOP. It's the utter lack of accountability for the Kremlin Klown Kar that carried out their treasonous conspiracy on January 6 two years ago and continues to threaten our democracy once again from the House floor. Let January 6 now be known as Merrick Garland Day as he's the one condemning us to a ground hog's day of attempted coups as the ones tasked with protecting us remain scared of their shadows or paid off in the shadows. Show Notes: Our initial reaction to January 6, 2021 captured here: https://twitter.com/sarahkendzior/status/1610641793913159680 Matt Gaetz friend handed 11-year prison term in US sex trafficking case https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/02/matt-gaetz-friend-joel-greenberg-sex-trafficking Judge scolds Justice Department for its slow investigations at hearing for Rep. Matt Gaetz's convicted associate https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/30/politics/joel-greenberg-matt-gaetz-investigation-hearing/index.html It's Unclear Whether the Justice Dept. Will Take Up the Jan. 6 Panel's Charges https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/19/us/politics/jan-6-trump-justice-dept.html The feds say they're in for the long haul in the Jan. 6 investigation. There is a time limit. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/feds-say-long-haul-jan-6-investigation-rcna61728

Follow the Money and You Won't Lose the Plot! Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to the fifth year of Gaslit Nation and the fiftieth year of the quest for Donald Trump's tax returns!

This week we discuss a panoply of government criminals and their dirty donors, ranging from newly minted oligarch cash receptacle "George Santos" (or whatever his name really is) to fellow recipients of mafia money in Congress (sadly it's nearly everyone) to Trump's half-century free ride from the IRS (because, again, they're all in on it!) to the backers of Putin and Netanyahu's wars (again it's the same network enabling the crimes!) We also discuss the chaos and corruption that will ensue under a GOP House, the disturbing rhetoric of new Democratic House Minority Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, and give an update into Putin's war on Ukraine.

We come fully armed with receipts and discuss what this entrenched corruption means for American democracy in the year 2023, a year in which Congress may have lost its illusions but has not found its soul. We discuss the lackluster release of Trump's tax returns and stress the urgent need for release of his returns going back to the 1970s, which is when he allegedly made a pact with the US government to not pay taxes for thirty years in return for unnamed favors. (Read about it in Sarah's book HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT which is having a $2.99 Kindle sale.)

We are recording our weekly bonus episode, available to Patreon subscribers at the Truth-Teller level or higher, on Wednesday to mark the second anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol and the continued inaction of Merrick Garland's DOJ to hold the organizers accountable. We will also be answering your questions so please keep them coming! If you subscribe to Gaslit Nation at the Democracy Defender level or higher, you can ask us anything you want and we will answer it in depth! Subscribers at that level are also invited to a live Gaslit Nation taping on January 24! Stay tuned for more details and thank you for your continued support of the show – we could not make it without you.

Show Notes:

Russian Oligarch's Cousin Funneled Cash to N.Y. Politician https://www.thedailybeast.com/republican-george-devolder-santos-got-cash-from-andrew-intrater-cousin-of-russian-oligarch-viktor-vekselberg

Conservatives turn to a new message: 'God bless the Ukrainian people' https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/02/27/conservatives-cpac-ukraine/

Here's the first evidence Russia used Twitter to influence Brexit https://www.wired.co.uk/article/brexit-russia-influence-twitter-bots-internet-research-agency

Scrutiny mounts over tech investments from Kremlin-connected expatriates https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/19/russia-expatriates-links-probed/

The Russia Investigations: Another Oligarch Becomes Embroiled In The Imbroglio https://www.npr.org/2018/05/12/610466404/the-russia-investigations-did-a-nice-oligarch-pay-trump-s-lawyer

Russian Oligarch's Cousin Funneled Cash to N.Y. Politician https://www.thedailybeast.com/republican-george-devolder-santos-got-cash-from-andrew-intrater-cousin-of-russian-oligarch-viktor-vekselberg

Moscow Heat: George Santos and His Moscow Trips https://petestrzok.substack.com/p/moscow-heat?r=1pz15w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Russians getting seized off the street by police to go fight in Ukraine https://twitter.com/Laurie_Garrett/status/1609668327525203969

Firm Tied to Russian Oligarch Made Payments to Michael Cohen https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/08/us/politics/michael-cohen-shell-company-payments.html

A tiny paper broke the George Santos scandal but no one paid attention https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/12/29/north-shore-leader-santos-scoop/

GOP operative convicted in scheme to funnel Russian money into Trump campaign https://www.axios.com/2022/11/18/trump-campaign-jesse-benton-russia

$858,000,000,000 - by Judd Legum - Popular Information

SBF and the Injustice Democrats - by Max Berger (substack.com)

Republican George Devolder-Santos Got Cash From Andrew Intrater Cousin of Russian Oligarch Viktor Vekselberg (thedailybeast.com)

The Ties That Bind: Ehud Barak's Business Network - CTech (calcalistech.com)

'Israel today, Israel tomorrow, Israel forever,' Rep. Hakeem Jeffries says at NY rally – Mondoweiss

Last Call at the Hotel Imperial: The Deborah Cohen Interview Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

The 1930s are back! But this time, we're fighting dictators, wannabe dictators, and their propagandists on cable TV and social media platforms. Since the 1930s have returned, super-charged with new tech weapons, we should bring some of the heroes of the 1930s back, too. Enter historian Deborah Cohen, the author of Last Call at the Hotel Imperial, a riveting look at the generation of leading journalists who risked everything to rage against the machine. Some of the journalists she highlights in her book are sadly not as remembered as they should be today given that they helped win the war against the Nazis on American soil. One of the journalists in particular is Dorothy Thompson, a one-woman crusade against Hitler who she originally laughed off in her 1931 interview. Hitler never forgot it and suspended her Twitter account, we mean, kicked her out of Germany, once he took over. Thompson went on to confront the Republican isolationist Congress, Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, and the rest of the America First KKKlown Kar with her fierce independent journalism and moral clarity, even getting kicked out of the Nazi rally in Madison Square Garden. We bring back these heroes to see what inspiration and other lessons we need for today. In our very special bonus episode, we let loose on what TV shows and films we're watching to self-care and why. Television is something that we both take seriously, for different reasons, as we share in this discussion which covers a lot of ground on the importance and impact of culture in a time of encroaching autocracy. Let us know what shows you're watching and why in the comments section. To make sure you never miss an episode of Gaslit Nation, subscribe at the Truth-teller level or higher. And to submit questions to our regular Q&As and get access to exclusive events and more, subscribe at the Democracy Defender level or higher. Discounted annual memberships are available. Thank you to everyone who supports the show -- we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! We'll be back with an all new episode and Q&A next week. Until then, we wish you and your family a Happy New Year! *** You're invited to a live taping of Gaslit Nation January 24 12pm EST followed by a live audience Q&A. Tickets can be purchased by subscribing at the Democracy Defender level or higher -- look out for the Zoom link which will be sent out thirty minutes or so before the event. Thank you to everyone who supports the show -- we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Teaser - TV on the Radio Dec 27, 2022

Show notes

Subscribe today to access all episodes of Gaslit Nation by signing up at the Truth-teller level or higher. You won't hear every weekly episode unless you subscribe: https://www.patreon.com/gaslit

On Tyranny Revisited: The Timothy Snyder Interview Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

How does the world stop a genocide? How will Russia's war in Ukraine end? Why should Americans, or anyone around the world, care about Ukraine today? Historian Timothy Snyder, who recently produced a viral YouTube series by simply putting his lectures online of his class teaching the making of modern Ukraine, returns to Gaslit Nation. Snyder is our first three-time guest, making him Rufus to our Bill and Ted in this most not excellent adventure. Snyder is the author of several bestselling books, including Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin, The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America, and the resistance pocket guide On Tyranny with an audio guide that has been updated to include Russia's current war against Ukraine and democracies worldwide -- On Tyranny: Expanded Audio Edition Updated with Twenty New Lessons from Russia's War on Ukraine. If you want to join Professor Snyder in helping Ukraine, donate to his anti-drone defense fund here. Every little bit helps. In this week's bonus episode, available to Patreon subscribers, we answer questions from our listeners at the Democracy Defender level and higher about Executive Order 14067 -- the Biden administration's attempt to reign in cryptocurrency, the special counsel Jack Smith, taking action on book banning, and more. Our Q&A was recorded before the big news abou the January 6 Committee's historic referral to the DOJ of criminal charges against Trump, but we'll be back with an all new episode and bonus episodes of Gaslit Nation in the new year. Thank you to everyone who supports the show -- we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! To help independent journalism and get acces to every episode of Gaslit Nation and live events, subscribe today or sign up for an annual membership for a discount. *** You're invited to a live taping of Gaslit Nation January 24 12pm EST followed by a live audience Q&A. Tickets can be purchased by subscribing at the Democracy Defender level or higher -- look out for the Zoom link which will be sent out thirty minutes or so before the event. Thank you to everyone who supports the show -- we could not make Gaslit Nation without you!

Teaser - How Do We Stop Book Banning? Dec 20, 2022

Show notes

Subscribe today to access all episodes of Gaslit Nation by signing up at the Truth-teller level or higher. You won't hear every weekly episode unless you subscribe: https://www.patreon.com/gaslit

The Merchant of Death Rides Again Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

It's the most wonderful time of the year! There'll be scary ghost stories, and tales of the glories of war criminals from long, long ago!

This week's Gaslit Nation tells two stories. One is about the imprisoned Russian mercenary arms trader who enabled the most brutal people in the world for decades only to be freed in a trade for an American basketball player and released to his homeland to likely help carry out logistics in an imperial war. The other story is about a hammer-wielding maniac and his girlfriend – a "nudist activist" imprisoned for child abuse who roamed the US drugging people while her siblings immersed themselves in sex cults, artificial intelligence and the occult, with one of them single-handedly reviving the Freemasons of San Francisco before going on to work for the Trump and Biden administrations.

This is because life in America is fine and normal, and everything is normal and going to plan, and we should not be at all alarmed because clearly our institutions have got it under control!

Anyway, this episode of Gaslit Nation – a deep dive into war criminal Viktor Bout and then into Paul Pelosi attacker Dennis DePape and his girlfriend, Gypsy Taub, and her family – is a series of strange tales to share around the fire this holiday season. That's because we are living in a real-life scifi dystopia. Might as well record it before Elon Musk inserts a chip in our brains and replaces it with his own!

For our weekly bonus episode, available to Gaslit Nation subscribers at the Truth-Teller level or higher, we discuss crypto and attacks on democracy, book banning, Jack Smith's backstory, the Hunter Biden laptop fiasco, the MeToo backlash, and more. If you are a subscriber at the Democracy Defender level or higher, stay tuned because you are invited to a special live taping of Gaslit Nation on January 24! Details to come. Thank you to everyone who subscribes to our podcast and keeps it going. We know economic times are tough and we very much appreciate your support – we could not make this show without you!

Show Notes Galore!

Arms dealer Bout seeks new U.S. trial, hires Ashcroft law firm (yahoo.com)

See Every Stock Trade Speaker Nancy Pelosi's Husband Has Made Since 2021 (businessinsider.com)

Lawmakers Unlikely to Be Banned From Trading Stocks, at Least for Now (businessinsider.com)

RELIGION AND SEX / The Immoral Majority / Finding sexual ethics in the godless masses (sfgate.com)

Jerry Garcia Family Clinic

MASONIC PAPERS by W.Bro. Dennis V. Chornenky - President, Masonic Restoration Foundation. (freemasons-freemasonry.com)

Women's Temple LLC :: Minnesota (US) :: OpenCorporates

Fundraiser by Diana Soline : Please help my Ukranian family! (gofundme.com)

Freemasons charter new San Francisco lodge - San Francisco Business Times (bizjournals.com)

Initiation, Mystery and Salvation: The Way of Rebirth by Bro.Dennis Chornenky 32° (freemasons-freemasonry.com)

Dennis Chornenky | Presidential Innovation Fellows

Optum's Chief AI Officer: AI is Driving Value-Based Care Improvements | HealthLeaders Media

Victor Ivan Chornenky, PhD - Marquis Who's Who Milestones (marquiswhoswho.com)

taub.pdf (squarespace.com)

Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian arms dealer swapped for Griner?

Blacklisted Russian Tied to Iraq Deals

Teaser - Alpha Males Are Gross Dec 13, 2022

Show notes

Subscribe today to access all episodes of Gaslit Nation by signing up at the Truth-teller level or higher. You won't hear every weekly episode unless you subscribe: https://www.patreon.com/gaslit

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