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Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

310. Sebastian Junger. Hegseth’s Mom Pushes Back. Biden Pardons Hunter. Dems Are Ridiculous. Of Course Trump’s Sec of the Navy Never Served. The Economist Wants to Cut Vets Benefits. Russia Steals Ukrainian Kids. Martial Law in South Korea. Wild Robot.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

Daily News, Veteran, News, Politics, News Commentary, National Security

4.6907 Ratings

🗓️ 5 December 2024

⏱️ 73 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

December has already been crazy. But it may feel like the calm before the storm once we get to January. With less than 60 days until Trump’s inauguration, the news, chaos and controversy is taking no holiday break. And we’ve got the perfect returning guest to help us make sense of all of it. And anticipate what may come next. Best-selling author Sebastian Junger is a powerful, thoughtful and trusted conscience for America. His books and films explore the heart of our past, present and future. From The Perfect Storm, to War, to Tribe, to Freedom, to Restrepo, to his newest, In My Time of Dying, Sebastian Junger explores what it means to be American and his key takeaways from the election. With our nation divided as a crossroads, his wisdom-filled voice is invaluable to all Americans–and especially to independents.  Sebastian reacts to Trump’s cabinet nominees, rips into why he thinks the Democrats and Harris failed, and takes us behind the scenes of an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. It’s a raw, insightful and important conversation you don’t wanna miss.  And our host, Paul Rieckhoff, pulls no punches–per usual. Before the conversation with Sebastian, he independently digs into the latest controversial Trump nominations, shares below-the-radar news from the battlefields of Ukraine and Syria, analyzes the crumbling nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and highlights the one Senator that might be key. He also updates us on the squeaker of a final race called this week featuring an Independent Veterans of America-endorsed candidate. And, finally he reflects on this extremely unusual holiday and shares a new favorite family film.  Skip the cable news and partisan spin and get your weekly dose of independent vigilance.  Every episode is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s content for the 51% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope.  Previous Sebastian Junger appearances: Episode 116 - May 27, 2021 Episode 207 - January 6, 2023 Episode 250 - November 9, 2023 -Learn more about Independent Veterans of America and reach out if you’re interested in running in 2025 or 2026.  -WATCH video of Paul and Sebastian’s conversation on our YouTube channel. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra exclusive content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA hats, t-shirts and other merch.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Ways to listen: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667 Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff TuneIn Radio: https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Independent-Americans-p1214607/ Ways to watch: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Social channels: X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americans BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Power by Righteous Media.

0:02.4

We want to talk right down to that in a language that everybody here can easily understand. Look in my eyes, what do you see?

0:32.6

The cult of personality.

0:36.6

I know your anger. I know your dream. Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to Episode 310.

0:52.3

And welcome to December 2020. I'm your host, Paul Rikoff. I've said it before on this show.

1:02.9

We are entering into a cultural, political, moral, and intellectual great depression.

1:12.0

And Thanksgiving gave us a big old nasty taste.

1:17.1

And if you didn't need the roll aids after your big meal,

1:20.3

you definitely did after this.

1:23.7

Because now, even on Thanksgiving and going into the holidays, is still a time to stay vigilant.

1:31.3

If this turkey tastes half as good as it looks, I think we're all in for a very big treat.

1:37.3

Save the neck for me, Clark.

1:41.3

Okay, Adam. Okay, Adam. If you're trying to figure out of the weird video that's no need to be a

2:05.6

If you're trying to figure out what you're hearing, that is a very bizarre and weird video that Donald

2:12.6

that Donald Trump tweeted on Thanksgiving Day that was like a character of Joe Biden cutting a turkey with Kamala Harris and her husband

2:21.8

laughing on one side and Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi on the other side.

2:28.5

And then Biden cuts into a turkey and out jumps Donald Trump dancing, which shocks Elon Omar and AOC and YMCA plays,

2:38.8

and Donald Trump dances over a Thanksgiving table full of Democrats, which is very, very, very weird.

2:47.3

I mean, what the fuck? It just never ends with this guy. Our kids are watching. And on Thanksgiving,

2:56.2

especially our kids are watching and around the world, our enemies are celebrating. And it's not

3:03.0

just stuff like that video. It's been the bizarre Thanksgiving presentation that is his cabinet,

3:10.0

and especially the drama around Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegeseth.

...

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