Stay ConnectedUnfiltered – Unmuzzled, in your face conversations about reining in the federal government.
This podcast talks about the federal government, politics, and the constitution with a bit of humor, knowledge, and a lot of opinions.
Join Jim and Dan as they arm you with the knowledge to reunite us in liberty!
Copyright: © 2021-2023 Pod Bless America
In This Episode
03:11 - A brief overview of Nathan Manning's career
03:50 - The difference between the Ohio House and the House of Senate
05:34 - Update on the repeal of House Bill 6
10:56 - The Constitutional Carry
17:13 - Why senators compete over gun legislation
18:58 - How law enforcers profile person of interest
27:00 - Nathan Manning on the issues of making college affordable
36:11 - Governor Ron DeSantis' bill to support retired law enforcement K-9s
41:33 - Nathan Manning on fighting drug issues
45:30 - Reducing the tax burden
55:17 - Nathan's stand on gay marriage
1:10:43 - Other pressing issues Nathan is likely to address
Favorite Quotes
13:41 - "My problem with Ohio's Constitutional Carry is the lack of training requirements. Without the training requirement, I don't think many people will get that training on their own." - Jim Larkin
21:33 - "Notifying the police, that's by the second amendment, no infringement there. You're still allowed to possess your weapons. You're still allowed to bear arms, no infringement. The government is not coming to you and saying you cannot bear arms. What we're saying is that you can bear all the arms you want, but when the cops are dealing with you, you have to tell them." - Jim Larkin
24:15 - "The fact that you're carrying a gun does not rise to reasonable suspicion, nor should it." - Jim Larkin
26:13 - "If a police officer sees a known criminal driving down the road and there's an empty mag on the floor of that car, we should be allowed to start handling business at that point. That's what society pays us for. Society pays us to keep these people out of our neighborhoods and out of our lives. Let us do our jobs." - Jim Larkin
41:15 - "When I first started practicing law, representing defendants and everything else, and meeting with them in jail, almost every defendant had either a drug or mental health issue. But once you got them off of that, they were good people and not conveying crimes and were productive members of society. Many people out there that have drug or addiction issues are good people." - Nathan Manning
49:30 - "I have no problem with the federal government being involved in National Security because they're allowed to be involved in National Security. Do you know what they're not allowed to be involved in? States' Rights, Department of Labor, Education, and Welfare. They're not allowed to be involved in any of that." - Jim Larkin
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Nathan Manning for State Senate
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There is no one formula for building a good reputation in the military. It takes a combination of many factors, including character, competence, and courage. Military service is both an organization and a way of life, and every member brings their own perspective and experiences to the table. No one wakes up one day and finds themselves with an excellent reputation. It is something that is earned over time through consistently good behavior and actions.
This episode of the Pod Bless America tells the second part of Jim Jay Larkin's story. This time, along with being a well-respected Navy pilot, he will share his experience as the leader of the FBI SWAT team, the cases he had been through, and how all his hard work paid off in the military community.
Enjoy!
In This Episode
02:11- A Chicago story from the summer of '71
16:19 - More stories of Navy pilots during the Vietnam War
22:47 - What it's like for Jim to know that people were killed in a war
32:37 - Jim's reputation in the military
35:47 - Why Jim left the Navy
40:59 - How he got involved in the D.B. Cooper hijacking case
49:31 - How Jim handled the Detroit bank robbery
58:24 - What Jim and his dad have in common
Favorite Quotes
09:48 - "The job I felt most proud about was helping guys on the ground so they wouldn't be overrun. But I have no idea whether those guys ever survived. I don't know whether everything we did enabled them to get extracted from that mess or whether they were overrun and killed. And that's why I started crying." - Jim Jay Larkin
37:02 - "When I was growing up, there were only three things I wanted to be in life. One was a Navy pilot, one was an FBI agent, and one was an Indian chief. So, I'm going to try the number two thing." - Jim Jay Larkin
51:20 - "I'm not going to risk the lives of our SWAT. Those guys are on their drum magazines with thousands of armored piercing rounds. They're going to kill us, and I'm not going to do it. No, you're ordered to do it. I said I'm not doing it. I'm not doing it." - Jim Jay Larkin
1:05:37 - "I feel a little awkward being here trying to be the center of attention. I'm not involved in law enforcement or the Navy anymore, but I'm very proud of that. For some reason that I don't understand, I'm proud that most people see me as not just a Navy pilot but a pretty good Navy pilot. They saw me as not just an FBI agent but a good FBI agent. It gives me more pride than anything else. And I also am embarrassed when it sounds like I'm blowing my horn. But when I was a 10-year-old kid, I never thought that anybody would respect me well enough to think that of me." - Jim Jay Larkin
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What was it like to fly during the Vietnam War? Navy pilot veterans have some of the most harrowing stories from the war. They had to make some tough choices in the heat of battle and make life-changing decisions. For many Americans, the Vietnam War is a dark chapter in our history. But for Navy pilot veterans, the war was a time of great courage and bravery.
Today’s episode is the first part of the story of a Navy pilot who devoted his life to making America great, Jim Jay Larkin. Jim served the country as a Navy pilot for 11 years and ran the FBI SWAT team for 13 years. As a US Navy veteran, Jim will tell the tale of what inspired him to become a Navy pilot, his flight missions, and how he was a hero during the Vietnam war. As vividly as it happened yesterday, Jim will share the story of nearly losing his life in the battle and how his heroism is something all Americans should be proud of.
Enjoy!
In This Episode
04:53 - Backstory of Jim Jay Larkin
08:13 - How Jim discovered what he wanted to do in life
12:34 - Jim's journey to becoming a Navy pilot
28:02 - Why Jim wanted to take part in the Vietnam war
30:25 - His flying missions
35:20 - What part of the movie Top Gun does Jim relate to
38:46 - What is it like to land on an aircraft carrier in the ocean at night
45:54 - December 7, 1971, the night Jim nearly lost his life
1:07:57 - What anyone facing death thinks about
1:11:59 - Jim's last mission
Favorite Quotes
08:03 - "I saw time magazine where the article was about Colonel Robinson Risner, an American hero. He was standing there with his helmet next to an F-105 Thunderchief, and that's the first time in my life I remember saying, that's something that I would really like to do." - Jim Jay Larkin
58:30 - "I had made up my mind a long time that I would not eject. I didn't want to be a prisoner of war. I thought that would be the worst. I would rather survive or die, but I never wanted to eject." - Jim Jay Larkin
59:02 - "In milliseconds, I start thinking about, 'I can't say goodbye to anybody, this is ridiculous. Within 10 to 15 seconds, I'm just going to be vaporized. I'm going to hit the ground. It's not going to hurt one bit. All of a sudden, I'm going to be gone from a conscious mode to I'm gone." - Jim Jay Larkin
1:16:24 - "From day one, when I read about Robinson Risner, I always questioned whether I was capable of doing what I wanted to do or whether I could even be an air force pilot or a Navy pilot. And I thought you're not going to know until you try. I didn't have much confidence in my ability." - - Jim Jay Larkin
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On July 4, 1776, a group of brave men signed their names to the Declaration of Independence, a document that would change the course of America's history. These individuals believed strongly in the principles of liberty and self-government and were willing to put their lives on the line to fight for freedom.
In this episode, Pod Bless America celebrates America's birthday, Independence Day. Listen in as Jim and Dan read the Declaration of Independence out loud.
Enjoy!
In This Episode
02:15 - Declaration of Independence read out loud
Favorite Quotes
07:47 - "For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with the power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Government here by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us." - Jim Larkin
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The United States of America was founded on the principles of freedom and liberty. These principles are reflected in the nation's founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It appears, however, that some forces are seeking to undermine the Constitution, our rights, and our freedom. The people are being divided by race, religion, and politics. How can freedom-loving Americans defend what the founding fathers fought for?
In this episode, Jim and Dan are joined by Tom Sodeika, Founder and CEO of Freedom Square. They will talk about the founding of the nation, its near breakup, and how Freedom Square connects, unites, and empowers the majority of Americans who cherish our Constitution, liberty, and freedom.
Pod Bless America joined forces with Freedom Square to empower Americans to defend the Constitution. Stay tuned for more exciting news!
Enjoy!
In This Episode
05:38 - Backstory of Tom Sodeika
09:57 - What might happen if the left succeeded in abolishing a part of the constitution?
15:52 -What Freedom Square has to offer freedom-loving Americans
19:39 - How the left tramples on the rights of people
25:36 - Interesting facts about BLM and Antifa
28:06 - The men and women behind Freedom Square
34:53 - What it means to join Freedom Square
40:26 - How Freedom Square protects itself from troll activities
44:14 - Freedom Square: The one-stop-shop for all freedom-loving Americans
Favorite Quotes
04:38 - "We are in a place right now where you can no longer turn a blind eye. You can no longer count on your scumbag politicians to do what's in your best interest." - Jim Larkin
07:04 - "When I was raised, I was taught not only the heritage of the family and the country they came from. If not equal, even more, was the love of America for the opportunity it gave for our families to continue generations instead of being wiped out." - Tom Sodeika
07:44 - "If you take the right to its furthest extension on the spectrum, it basically would be anarchy because it's all about individual rights and limited government." - Tom Sodeika
08:12 - "I made it a hobby and then it became a family tradition where on July 4th, we would read The Declaration, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights and started when my daughter was four. We continued to do that today and she's in her late twenties." - Tom Sodeika
14:39 - "Let's make this massive digital asset that's going to be technologically protected against cancellation or tear down to allow pro-Americans to gather." - Tom Sodeika
15:46 - "I'm for America as she was founded because it gives everybody the greatest opportunity." - Tom Sodeika
19:27 - "We do not have any loyalty to party. You know we have loyalty to? We have loyalty to The Constitution of the United States. That's it. If you're not following the constitution, you have no place with us." - Jim Larkin
27:56 - "Don't get confused. What-about-ism is just hypocrisy. It's the hypocrisy of the left of doing the exact same things that they accuse you of doing that they constantly do." - Jim Larkin
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First responders are the unsung heroes of any disaster. They are the ones who rush into danger while everyone else is rushing out. They are the ones who risk their lives to save others and also the ones who see the horror and devastation up close and personal.
For disaster specialists, the events of September 11 were unlike anything they had ever dealt with before. The scale of the disaster was massive and the emotional toll was immense. For many, the 9/11 terrorist attack was a day of tragedy and heartbreak. But for some, it was a day of courage and heroism.
In this episode, Jim and Dan are joined by Stacey Goodman. Stacey was a female police officer with federal disaster training who was pulled out of the suburbs of Long Island and thrust into the heart of the 9/11 mayhem of the World Trade Center devastation. She worked at the very center of the rescue and recovery efforts on the Pile for 23 days. Stacey witnessed firsthand the horrific details of the terror attacks that decimated the world’s financial center. Her book, The Dust Never Settles, is a firsthand account of her experience at Ground Zero and the aftermath she faces along with thousands of other survivors.
Stacey shares with Jim and Dan how she got involved as a disaster specialist during the 9/11 terrorist attack, what it is like to work on the Pile, and how she is still fighting for her medical benefits.
In This Episode
01:11 - Backstory of Stacey Goodman
04:39 - The story of how Stacey was called upon to respond to the TWA Flight 800 tragedy
11:32 - What it's like to identify the bodies of dead people
15:41 - What the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) does
20:56 - Where were Dan and Jim during the 9/11 attacks
24:25 - How Stacey was spending her day on the day of the attack
35:33 - What Stacey's role was at the Pile
48:00 - Why Stacey isn't in the police yet
55:59 - What Stacey has to say about people who believe 9/11 is a conspiracy
59:44 - The tale of Smithtown
1:02:47 - An overview of Stacey Goodman's book, The Dust Never Settle
Favorite Quotes
05:33 - "So, when TWA Flight 800 happened, my lieutenant knew that I had worked for the Red Cross and he immediately said, all right you're going to work in the medical examiner's office because you trained for plane disasters." - Stacey Goodman
21:39 - "And all of a sudden it starts coming in and we all start chattering and we're listening to it through basically Howard Stern talking about it. And I'm getting all pissed off. I'm telling the boss, I'm like hey, I got to go to the house, man. It's time to lock and load. We're under attack." - Dan Wilkinson Jr.
23:27 - "All these people, all those firemen, all those cops, and everybody's responding, they're all gone. I remember holding my daughter and I was crying. I said, 'I am so sorry that I brought you into this world because I really thought this was going to be the end." - Jim Larkin
47:39 - "There are more people that died post 9/11 than that have died on 9/11. And it's not just first responders. It was utility workers, construction workers, ironworkers, and anybody that was down there cleaning up that got sick. We all got sick from something." - Stacey Goodman
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Stacey Goodman Website
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Since the shooting in Parkland, Florida on Valentine's Day, the gun control debate has reached a fever pitch. Americans are constantly divided on the issue, with gun rights supporters believing their constitutional rights are being infringed and gun control advocates pushing for more restrictions.
Despite the constant debates, nothing seems to change. After every major shooting, the same arguments arise. Background checks, waiting periods, and bans on certain guns or ammunition don't seem to make much of a difference when it comes to preventing mass shootings. With mental health being an issue among often-cited mass shooters, does this suggest a different approach to gun control?
In this episode, Jim and Dan continue to talk about mass shootings and the implications they have for gun control, how the federal government may soon infringe upon the second amendment, and how citizens from other countries can relate to gun control laws.
Enjoy!
In This Episode
01:26 - A quick update on the previous episode, The Shooting Massacre at Robb Elementary School
05:49 - How police officers are trained to handle mass shootings in schools
07:19 - How the Parkland shooting has changed the way police respond to mass shootings
13:41 - The Joe Biden administration's views on bearing arms
27:38 - What people are saying about the gun ban
31:24 - A citizen's review of the government of Canada
41:37 - How Canada views the issue of arms
47:52 - How the acquittal of John Durham reflects on the justice system in the United States
52:00 - A story about the 9/11 attack you won't want to miss
Favorite Quotes
12:57 - "You need the combat vets that are standing out there volunteering their time at these schools. They are standing there with rifles. That's what you need." - Jim Larkin
17:12 - "You cannot let the federal government violate the second amendment like this. A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." - Jim Larkin
23:25 - "I guarantee a lot of you out there have 9mm. You might not own the AR-15. You know what? They want to ban AR-15. I don't give a f*ck, I don't own one. But I bet you own a 9mm. And if you don't own a 9mm, I bet you own a 380. They are coming for your guns." - Jim Larkin
36:42 - "The media is the fourth branch of government here in the United States right now. The media is the propaganda arm of the government. The government tells them what to cover. If the government doesn't want it covered, it's not getting covered." - Jim Larkin
47:05 - "Nobody is coming to save you. Don't count on the government. Don't count on anybody coming to save you. It is time to save ourselves. Contact your congressman, and run for office. Get involved. Nobody is coming. It's up to us." - Jim Larkin
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Monuments are often built to commemorate moments in history. Removing them means forgetting the parts of our history we don’t like. George Floyd's death nearly two years ago, however, sparked critical conversations about systemic racism in the county. It also sparked a movement for the removal, renaming, and relocation of monuments and other symbols of the Confederacy.
Many people argue that Confederate monuments are important symbols of Southern heritage and a significant part of American history. Others view them as symbols of racism and white supremacy. The debate over Confederate monuments has raised some important questions about the role of public memorials in our society. Do they represent our shared history or do they represent our divisions?
In this episode, Jim and Dan discuss a topic suggested by a listener, which is the renaming of military installations that honor confederates. They will talk about how the left is erasing history, taking down statues, and changing military installations' names.
Enjoy!
In This Episode
00:27 - Why the removal of confederate monuments remains a controversial issue
07:04 - How George Floyd's death has led to Confederate monuments being torn down
08:46 - What the Naming Commission is all about
17:27 - Renaming recommendations for Army installations and reasons for their selection
48:28 - Collateral damages caused by the George Floyd riots
50:12 - Why erasing the history does more harm than good
Favorite Quotes
02:17 - "You can support the Confederate Army for being what they are without supporting their values, racism, and slavery." - Jim Larkin
32:42 - "I appreciate everybody who makes it up to about the rank of Colonel. After Colonel, it's all politics." - Jim Larkin
50:12 - "If you erase history, we are definitely doomed to repeat it. Just teach these kids there was a half of the country supported keeping all of your black friends in chains, so it's good that we defeated them. But that's not what they're gonna do. Instead, they're gonna erase it so that we forget about it." - Jim Larkin
51:48 - "This woke sh*t that we're doing and the way that we are treating anybody who's not black or Hispanic or gay or trans is gonna be seen as very wrong. Yeah. You know, when you look at affirmative action, there's no way that's right. I mean, I get why it started. We don't need it now. We don't." - Jim Larkin and Dan Wilkinson Jr.
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In the wake of the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School, the long-standing debate surrounding gun control has been reignited. Gun control has been a highly contentious issue for many years, and there is no clear consensus on the best way to address it. Gun control advocates argue that firearms should be strictly regulated in order to prevent mass shootings from taking place, while opponents maintain that more guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens will make society safer.
While there is no single answer to how gun control can be best addressed, it is important to remember that the Robb Elementary School shooting has left 21 families in mourning, an empty seat at the dining table that will never to be filled again, and dreams that have crumbled into ashes. As the nation mourns the victims, policymakers and the American people need to decide what is best for the country.
In this episode, Jim and Dan talk about the recent Robb Elementary School shooting. They will speak about how school resource officers are heroes, why the gun control laws only affect good citizens and not criminals, and how mental illness is connected to gun violence.
In This Episode
01:10 - How border patrol agents are now trained to respond to threats
09:03 - The heartbreaking story of the victims' families
10:55 - A conversation with a caller who hopped during the show
18:22 - How school resource officers are heroes
22:41 - Why the gun control laws only affect good citizens, not criminals
25:29 - What Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke is up to
34:35 - What Cory Booker has to say about the recent shooting incident
43:06 - How Biden, Harris, and others are protected with guns while kids are not
46:45 - An in-depth look at the executive order about police authority
50:20 - The connection between mental illness and gun violence
Favorite Quotes
09:35 - "There are 14 families out there that sent their kids to school, their fourth grader to school and thought they were going to see them tonight, thought they were going to sit around the dinner table tonight with their kids. And they're not, ever again." - Jim Larkin
22:54 - "And these are the same talking points we say every single time a school shooting happens. Not one criminal is gonna be affected by any law you pass. You know it's gonna affect? It's gonna affect Dan who normally carries a gun but doesn't when he goes to the school because it's illegal now. But you know who is gonna carry a gun? This motherf*** at Robb Elementary School. That's who's gonna carry a gun." - Jim Larkin
43:12 - "What pisses me off is that: Biden protected with guns, Harris protected with guns, congressmen protected with guns, Hunter Biden protected with guns. Everybody's protected with guns. But they're not willing to protect our kids with guns." - Jim Larkin
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The history of the Connecticut Western Reserve, also known as the Western Reserve, is one of the most interesting histories recorded. It was an area in the Northwest Territory held, sold and distributed by the State of Connecticut in the years after the American Revolution. A part of the Western Reserve, the Firelands or the Sufferers' Lands, was set aside for sufferers who were burned out of their homes by the British during the American Revolutionary War.
In this episode, Jim and Dan talk about the history of the Western Reserve, how it was held, sold, and distributed. They will also speak about how they hope to spend their retirement, who wins Dan’s challenge from the previous episode, and what prize awaits the winner.
Enjoy!
In This Episode
02:27 - The history of Firelands, also known as the Sufferers' Land
13:55 - How the Northwest Territory areas were sold and distributed after the American Revolution
23:23 - What led to the dissolution of Connecticut Land Company
25:49 - What the Quieting Act is all about
30:25 - What it’s like to drive in the streets of Birmingham
37:29 - Why Jim loves Alabama
43:25 - Trailing at Daniel Boone National Forest
45:38 - How Jim hopes to spend his retirement
51:47 - The winner and the prize for the challenge from the previous episode
56:54 - When and how North Ridgeville was founded
Favorite Quotes
22:00 - "We know how this happened. Oh, we're gonna go and negotiate with the Iroquois. Iroquois lived here, their whole lives. They loved their town, right. And now there are white guys coming up. He's like, hey listen, we want to talk to you guys about this. They're like, nope. You don't think Moses Cleveland walked up and goes, listen, guys, I got these 12 blankets for you. And I want you just hold them close to your face and feel how soft they are. And then like 14 weeks later, everyone in that Indian nation was sick, smallpox." - Jim Larkin and Dan Wilkinson Jr.
23:23 - "One of the problems that befell the Connecticut Land Company was the company mismanagement. Sales efforts by the company were not organized. The company did not even set up a marketing office in the Western Reserve to promote sales of the land." - Dan Wilkinson Jr.
45:40 - "I know I'm getting older. But you know what I want? I want enough property where I can head out either on a horse or on an ATV. It's right around my property in the morning, come back, grab my coffee, and walk out with my dog in the woods." - Jim Larkin
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