Friends, this week's Newsmaker Show features Benito Mussolini and his fall from power, triggered by the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943. We also consider the connection between the deaths of Mussolini and Hitler. In addition, Brian and I hash over the Battle of Britain and the so-called Scopes Monkey Trial. In terms of current politics, we discuss the Jeffrey Epstein debacle (and any likely collateral damage), the dynamics of the Biden-Harris-Sanders-Warren contest for the Democratic nomination, the life and legacy of Ross Perot, and the prospects for Brexit under soon-to-be P.M. Boris Johnson. Don't miss it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hky9q7KCw2k&feature=youtu.be
Mussolini-I did not know that the Partisans also shot and then hung the mistress of Mussolini. Interesting.
ReplyDeleteScopes-Indeed, the issue still exists. I don't have a problem with Evolution, however, both sides need to be taught/talked about. I am afraid, the religion/Christ/Bible topic is being thrown out the window.
Epstein-Totally agree. I have a feeling this goes way deep; democrats and republicans and so on. Sadly, I agree both sides will be playing the game. It should be interesting how this plays out. I wonder though, will the former President Clinton be implicated and who else will go be brought in.
Robinson-Unfort. the restriction of free speech is real in GB. I do believe his rights are in jeopardy --does he have "rights" in GB? That is the question. I think GB is paying a dangerous game with ones rights--they are playing (so it seems) to the Muslim population and the globalist thought. Perhaps Sharia Law will become the way of life? Who was it that talked about the burning in camps? Solzhenitsn--I think that is the correct spelling (or close to it). I think GB has sold its soul to the globalist and the thought of "diversity" and if America is not careful--we will too. I know it is a topic we have discussed many times here. Very dangerous times we live and with no real answer to head it off.
Linda, those partisans were vicious! By no means were they the unsullied "freedom fighters" you see sometimes in the movies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about evolution. It's a theory, after all. A good theory, mind you, and one supported by mountains of evidence, but like most theories it has holes in it. If some people fill those holes with God, I don't believe they should be mocked or ostracized.
It will be fascinating to see how the Epstein thing shakes out. There's a lot of salivating going on right now, but I rather suspect in the end this story won't be as big as it seems.
I feel sorry for the people of Britain. Free speech isn't the first right they've surrendered -- think the right to bear arms -- nor will it be the last. We don't want to go down that road in America. By the by, I wonder if a left-wing bigot has ever been prosecuted in Europe? Now there's an interesting question!
Dr. Waddy: I do think Fillmore was very consequential in that, apparently reluctantly, he refrained from blocking the Compromise of 1850, which contained a strengthened Fugitive Slave Act, which, though evil, may have postponed the Civil War by 10 years. Northern financial, industrial and rail development over that time may have been a major factor in the Northern victory without which slavery in the South might well have lasted into the 1930's. South might have won in 1851, though a classic match between the not then too old General Winfield Scott and his former Chief of Staff, Robert Lee, could have happened.
ReplyDeleteOn the Battle of Britain: I would respectfully disagree that the Germans perhaps did not have the resources to win the air war. They came close to breaking the RAF on, I believe, Sep't 15th during the massive raid during which the head of the RAF told Churchill, "we have no reserves". My understanding is that lost German bombers accidentally bombed London and that prompted British retaliation on Berlin. That incensed Hitler, who ordered bombing of English population centers, diverting Luftwaffe strength from their nearly achieved goal of the actual destruction of the RAF. Apparently Goering either concurred or did not perceive how close he was to success. What then? Surely the Boche would then have concentrated on destroying the overwhelmingly superior British surface fleet. The Brits did have a Fleet Air Arm but it probably lacked the numbers to oppose the Luftwaffe. And that raises the prospect of the German invasion fleet facing British dreadnoughts and cruisers in the Channel.Yes, WWII repeatedly demonstrated the vulnerability of battleships to air assault but the Brits had alot of battlewagons. Napoleon was supposed to have said "I need only control the Channel for six hours". Well, who knows?
I'll continue on another comment as my computer is uncooperative.
The Scopes Trial: I fully agree that media bias sought to disparage the sincerely held beliefs of fundamentalists. I've always been disgusted with the characteristically, tiresomely and as always presumptuously and self righteous Spencer Tracy's portrayal of Darrow. If it was accurate then I disdain Darrow, though noting that he did defend his client, which was his primary duty. I would bid reflexive and dismissive defenders of biblical assertion consider the close resemblance between Genesis and the Big Bang Theory (in its scientific, not its comic manifestation.) Personally, I think reality to be a combination of the two and think the classroom consideration of Creation Theory to be creditable and appropriate for mutually respectful intellectual discourse.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: Re: the Epstein swamp: I agree with you that he'll probably break and start naming others in order to save himself eventual old age death in prison ( I've see men his age in prison and they are sad sacks; for a libertine like him it would be especially noisome). You are quite right in saying don't reflexively judge prosecutors like Acosta; we cannot be certain of all the factors he had to deal with, not the least of which might have been the malevolent and sociopathic Slick Willy.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: If Johnson fails and the Conservative party goes under, might that not open the door for the now titled Brexit party and PM Farage?
ReplyDeleteTommy Robinson: Gads, what an incredible prospect it is to see an Englishman seeking asylum in the U.S. Yet the UK is the country which prosecuted a much assaulted remote farmer for using force against his frequent home invaders and then !!!!!!!, encouraging and financing those of his oppressors who sought to sue him for damages due to his resolute and armed defense. What utter and indefensible madness is this on the part of lala land dreamily detached officials?
Should Robinson be remanded, through any kind of deal with the U.K. to any American prison, he WILL face the wrath of those Muslim inmates who have been cowardly and coincidentally allowed powers in
many state and federal prisons: I know, I saw it! He should be restored to full liberty in our country and shame UK, I hate to say it.
Dr. Waddy: Messed up in my comment on Scopes trial. I meant "reflexive and dismissive critics of biblical assertion".
ReplyDeleteInteresting thoughts on Fillmore, Jack.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Luftwaffe nearly "breaking" the RAF, I've seen different analyses of that. I've read that, had the Luftwaffe stuck to attacking the RAF on the ground, they might have driven them out of southeastern England, and that would have been significant. Nonetheless, I think the prospects of the Germans marshalling all the air, sea, land, and intel resources necessary for a successful invasion in 1940 were close to nil. My impression is that the Germans were never truly winning the air war either, because their losses were higher, and they underestimated the Brits' ability to replace their losses.
I agree re: Creationism. The snide dismissal of it smacks of the atheism and agnosticism with which the Left is thoroughly obsessed. Religion is, in their eyes, one of those "prejudices" that humanity ought to discard -- although, when it's Islam, their attitude brightens considerably.
I'm not knowledgeable about Tommy Robinson. I suppose it all hinges on whether it's legitimate for a court to impose a sweeping gag order...in a free society. Of course, given British laws, Tommy may be guilty of an offense simply based on his opinions! That is, I agree, an immensely sad thing to have to say of the cradle of modern democracy.
Dr. Waddy: Though Churchill, in an uncharacteristic moment of near despair, once admitted to his Driver that he was "so very afraid that we may be too late", I think his prevalent view of the capability of the Hun was as you have expressed: "The buggers can't carry it off!" Since his views are endorsed by both his prewar prescience and the results of the war they enjoy much credibility. I would say your conclusions are better argued and supported than mine: I'm especially intrigued by your observation that the Luftwaffe might have bettered the RAF in the Southeast (but perhaps not elsewhere?).
ReplyDelete