United States of America

Robert McElvaine: "Forty years ago, I wrote an essay for the New York Times about how the Democrats needed to take back the symbols of America that the Republicans had seized. We didn’t succeed then, but that’s just what is happening now."

America is infected with a fascist streak that imperils our way of life. In today's episode Rick is joined by Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works and the upcoming book Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future. They delve into the troubling rise of authoritarianism in the United States, discussing how revisionist history and the manipulation of education are being used to consolidate power. The conversation explores the dangers of erasing marginalized perspectives, the role of tech and media in spreading disinformation, and the ongoing struggle to preserve democratic values in the face of rising fascist tendencies.

Deanne Stillman writes, "The possibility of now having Tim Walz as Vice President turns the 'white guy as ignorant yahoo/shaman' upside down."

The conversation between Rick Wilson and Nicholas Kristof covers a wide range of topics, including the state of American politics, social justice, democracy, rural-urban divide, and the role of media. They also discuss the challenges faced by rural communities, the impact of disinformation, and the need for a more nuanced and practical approach to governance. The conversation delves into the economic and social issues affecting different parts of the country, as well as the need for a more inclusive and solution-oriented approach to address these challenges.

Francis Barry discusses his book "Backroads and Better Angels: A Journey into the Heart of American Democracy" and his cross-country road trip to explore the values that hold America together. He shares stories of meeting people from different backgrounds and political beliefs, highlighting the frustration and division that exists in the country. Despite the challenges, Barry finds hope in the resilience and faith in the country's values that he encounters along the way. He emphasizes the importance of listening, open-mindedness, and prioritizing relationships over politics in order to bridge the divides in America. Follow Francis Barry at @FSBarry on X, read more of his writing at Bloomberg.com, and purchase his new book, "Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy" at fine bookstores everywhere.

Today on The Enemies List, Rick reads a particularly spicy post from his Substack.

Teri Kanefield explores the significance of juries in the landmark Zenger Trial and their role in the American legal system.

Brian Daitzman explores the rise of white-reactionary authoritarianism, political repression, economic inequality, and heightened racial tensions that characterized a transformative period in U.S. history.

From Brian Daitzman: "Economic inequality, gun accessibility, and gun violence are deeply intertwined in contemporary society. High inequality and easy access to firearms, whether legal or illegal, significantly contribute to gun violence."

Conservatives in America are not typically known as lovers of environmental advocacy. Well, our guest bucks that trend. Benji Backer, an environmental advocate and author of "The Conservative Environmentalist" joins Rick to discuss the urgent need for practical and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, critiquing both extreme denial and radical approaches currently dividing the political landscape. Backer emphasizes a historical bipartisan approach to environmental issues and proposes a balanced pathway that leverages American ingenuity and respects local knowledge.

Feel like someone's watching you? You're probably right. Rick Wilson and Byron Tau, author of "Means of Control" talk Big Tech's big data collection. Is there an alliance between tech companies and government agencies? Get ready - Rick and Byron discuss the birth of a new American surveillance state.

The "right to vote" is constantly evolving...and there is no affirmative Constitutional right to vote (did you know that?). Teri Kanefield walks us through the evolution of democracy and voting rights from a historical perspective.

David Pepper writes, "(President Biden) must emphasize….that the state of democracy in our union is only as strong as it is in the states where democracy is weakest. In this ongoing battle, there is where we must focus our fight.”

Several members of the Veterans for Responsible Leadership team join founder and President Dr. Dan Barkhuff to share their stories, experiences, reasons for joining and what they hope to accomplish by being a part of VFRL.

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Dr. Fiona Hill, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and an expert on Russia. Together, they discuss growing similarities between the political landscapes of the US and Russia, particularly highlighting the rise of authoritarian tendencies of Presidents Putin and Trump and the increasing concentration of presidential power in both countries.

Former Navy SEAL and VFRL President Dr. Dan Barkhuff and Iraq veteran Jason Belcher are joined by Nick Francona, a former U.S. Marine officer and veteran of Afghanistan, to discuss good decision making under duress and doing the right thing even under stressful conditions.

Former Navy SEAL and VFRL President Dr. Dan Barkhuff and Iraq veteran Jason Belcher are joined by Ken Harbaugh, a former Naval Aviator, attorney, and non-profit executive, to discuss the significance of moral courage as military members and veterans.

Delve into the impact of politics and democracy on the individual's life and witness the erosion of rights that threatens to erase an entire generation from history. An insightful examination of the past and its resonance with the present.

Journalist, National Book Award finalist, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Elliot Ackerman joins former Navy SEAL and VFRL President Dr. Dan Barkhuff along with Iraq veteran and historian Jason Belcher to talk about making sense of the wartime experience in Iraq and Afghanistan.