Loud & Clear

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US Election 2016: Choosing Lesser of Two Evils Again? Nov 08, 2016

Show notes

As the people of the United States determine whether Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton will become the next President, Clinton was let off the hook by the FBI once again over the weekend over her e-mail scandal, but Trump has been gaining on her in the polls. A sense of alarm has gripped the centers of political power in the United States.
As the traditional media has largely rallied to Clinton’s cause during the campaign, Google, Facebook and big tech companies too could very well play a decisive but invisible role in how the vote goes tonight. How important have these companies been in providing support to Hillary’s campaign? Becker speaks with Dr. Robert Epstein, the former editor of Psychology Today, who has published research into Google's manipulation of the elections.
As protests continue at Standing Rock against the Dakota Access Pipeline, a trial has started against activists in who have been engaging in civil disobedience against waste from fracked gas wells in Pennsylvania being brought to New York State. Does Hillary Clinton want them to “get a life”? Jodi Dean and Stephanie Redmond, anti-fracking activists from We Are Seneca Lake, join Becker to discuss the movement in New York State.

Obstacles To "Democracy" In US Election System Nov 07, 2016

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker is joined by Drew Penrose, Legal Director at the election reform advocacy organization FairVote, and by Bob Schlehuber, producer of Radio Sputnik’s By Any Means Necessary with Eugene Puryear.
Tomorrow’s the presidential election in the United States, but how democratic is the system really? Becker looks at how the boundaries of electoral constituencies have been used to undermine democracy, and the unpopular system known as the electoral college.
Nicaragua’s elections took place yesterday with the Sandinistas and President Daniel Ortega achieving victory once again for a third consecutive time since 2006. What accounts for the success and popularity of the Sandinistas today, 37 years after their revolution first ushered them to power? Louise Richards, Trade Union and Communications Coordinator for the Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign Action Group (NSCAG) in the UK, joins Becker to discuss the importance of the FSLN victory.
The Pentagon has awarded Lockheed Martin a $6.1 billion contract for new F-35 fighter planes, but the company isn’t happy with the decision, which was made only by the Pentagon. Could it be that the F-35 program has been deemed less profitable than originally expected? Pierre Sprey, a lead member of the designer team for the F-16, joins Becker.

John Pilger: Inside Invisible Government That Pushes Clinton’s Presidency Nov 03, 2016

Show notes

Pilger recently published his most newest article "Inside the Invisible Government: War, Propaganda, Clinton & Trump". He also just interviewed Julian Assange, who confirmed to him that it was not Russia that provided WikiLeaks with the Clinton e-mails. Pilger talks about why Clinton has resorted to calling Trump a pawn of Russia and many Republicans have broken party ranks to declare their support for the Democratic candidate, including many architects of the war in Iraq. Why are the CIA and the Pentagon throwing their weight behind Clinton? How does the media play a role in garnering support for the next war? Pilger discusses these issues and many more during this wide ranging interview.

War With Turkey Looming for Iraq After Mosul Battle Nov 03, 2016

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Iraqi Special Forces have entered the city limits as heavy fighting is raging with Daesh, which has been holding the city since for almost two and a half years. As fighting intensifies, a war of words is also being waged between Turkey and Iraq, with the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi saying his country does not want war but is ready for confrontation if it happens.
The International Criminal Court is set to open an investigation into war crimes in Afghanistan, which would mean the United States being openly investigated for the first time in the history of the court. Could the U.S. actually be prosecuted under the ICC, or is the investigation just a ploy for the organization to appear relevant and impartial? Becker is joined by Christopher Black, an international criminal lawyer based in Toronto who is on the list of counsel at the ICC.
The U.S. election is now just five days away, but although millions of Americans will cast ballots, the popular vote won’t be the determining factor in who becomes President. Instead, the electoral college will have the final say. What is this system, how does it work, and could it override the will of the people? Richard Winger of Ballot Access News speaks to Becker about why the electoral college exists and what affect it could have on November 8.

Why Does Media Cover Up War Crimes of ‘Rebels’ in Aleppo? Nov 02, 2016

Show notes

Al-Nusra and other Islamist forces attacked government held areas of the city for days, with scores of civilians killed. Yet the mainstream media was almost completely silent. Is the Syrian government gearing up for a major offensive to retake the country's largest city?
The resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline in Standing Rock continues as repression intensifies. Today marks the the anniversary of North and South Dakota becoming states in 1889, but how was the land stolen from Native people in the first place? Steve Russell, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Texas trial court judge and associate professor emeritus of Criminal Justice at Indiana University-Bloomington, joins Becker to talk about the history of Native struggle in the Dakotas.
Less than one week until election day, the campaign has taken yet another twist as the FBI reopens an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s e-mails. Meanwhile, the Clinton camp continues to drum up anti-Russia sentiment to cover up their scandals. Becker is joined by Dinea Evans, a national delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Bernie Sanders, and Walter Smolarek, producer of Loud & Clear.

Clinton Blames Putin AND the FBI for Interfering in the Election Nov 01, 2016

Show notes

One week before the presidential election, the bleeding continues for the Clinton campaign after the FBI reopened its e-mail investigation on Friday. What’s really behind this bombshell, and is it enough to change the course of the race?
The Prime Minister of Iraq’s Kurdish region says he will push for independence from Baghdad once the battle for Mosul has been won. How would a fracturing of Iraq affect both the region and the world, and who would benefit the most from a Balkanization of the country? Becker is joined by with John Wight, the host of Radio Sputnik's weekly show Hard Facts, to discuss what's next for Iraq.
Secretary of State John Kerry attended talks on Libya yesterday with the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany. With the war drums beating in western capitals against Syria, NATO powers are plotting to plunge the region even deeper into chaos. Ben Norton, staff writer at Salon.com, joins Becker.

What's In The E-Mails the Clinton Campaign Doesn't Want You to Read? Oct 31, 2016

Show notes

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Brian Becker looks at the content of some of the most shocking of the tens of thousands of e-mails from Hillary Clinton’s campaign chair John Podesta that have been released by WikiLeaks.
The Clinton camp says that WikiLeaks is a tool of the Russian government, but what’s really inside the cables Clinton doesn’t want you to see?
Becker is joined today for the full hour by Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, the Executive Director of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund; by Eugene Puryear, the host of Radio Sputnik’s By Any Means Necessary; and by Michael Prysner, Iraq war-veteran turned anti-war organizer and producer for The Empire Files on TeleSur.

U.S. "Urgently" Plans Raqqa, Syria Battle, But Who Will be Fighting? Oct 28, 2016

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The United States has announced it will commence with an operation to take Raqqa before the end of the battle to retake Mosul in Iraq. However, confusion exists over who the ground forces will be that the U.S. will give air support to as the coalition struggles to train Arab militias capable of fighting in the battle. Turkey wants in on the operation, but their Kurdish adversaries are likely to also be involved. Is the U.S. acting with haste in Syria?
Iceland’s parliamentary elections take place on Saturday with a relatively new political force called the Pirate Party expected to do well or even win. The party wants to grant Edward Snowden citizenship and advocates a platform of direct democracy. Becker is joined by one of the Party's candidates in the coming election Oktavia Hrund, as well as by José Tirado, a Puerto Rican poet and political writer living in Iceland.
As Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen that was launched in March 2015 continues to drag on, western countries continue to sell the Saudi government arms despite the pleas of human rights organizations. Are the goals of Saudi Arabia in Yemen the same as those of the United States and the UK? What does the conflict in Yemen mean for the wider region and the world? Catherine Shakdam, author and political commentator, joins Becker to talk about these issues which are discussed her new book entitled "A Tale Of Grand Resistance – Yemen, the Wahhabi, and the House of Saud."

Kerry Warns of the Eclipse of U.S. Power in Asia Without TPP Oct 27, 2016

Show notes

John Kerry delivered the speech last night, highlighting his so-called accomplishments as Secretary of State in President Obama’s administration and a desperate plea to pass the TPP or Transpacific Partnership to keep control over Asia.
Peace talks between the FARC and Colombian government have resumed in Havana after a referendum voted down a previous deal earlier this month. Now the country’s second largest rebel group, the ELN, is also getting ready to sit down with the government. Are prospects for peace still likely? Becker is joined by Mario Murillo, a Professor of communication at Hofstra University and a longtime former host of Wakeup Call on WBAI-Pacifica.
The European Union and Canada were set to sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA, today in Belgium, but the deal was blocked by Belgium. How does CETA compare to the TTIP trade pact, and how does its apparent failure impact the prospects of that deal? Becker speaks with Professor Steve Keen, author and lecturer at Kingston University.

U.S. Bombs Girls School in Campaign to "Liberate" Mosul Oct 26, 2016

Show notes

High-ranking Russian military leaders have announced that the U.S. strike targeted a girls school and other civilian infrastructure near Mosul. Is the U.S. military yet again massacring Iraqi civilians? Why has the mainstream media been silent on a series of U.S. coalition strikes in Iraq while accusing Russia of war crimes in Syria?
Turkey’s Justice Minister has arrived in the United States for talks with Attorney General Loretta Lynch aimed at having the U.S. hand over Fethullah Gulen, the man Turkey accuses of being behind July’s coup attempt. With Turkey-U.S. relations rocky since the coup, what will it mean if the U.S. refuses to give Gulen up? Becker is joined by Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, to talk about what's next for relations between the two countries.
AT&T is paying $85.4 billion to buy Time Warner, the company that controls both CNN and HBO, but both presidential candidates have raised questions about the deal with Donald Trump saying that he would block it. Timothy Karr, the Senior Director of Strategy at FreePress, speaks with Becker about why the candidates are concerned about the deal and if it actually has anything to do with the well being of America's working class.

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