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Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

33. David Bellavia. The Sole Living Medal of Honor Recipient of the Iraq War. Combat is Not Like The Movies. The Future of the Republican Party. Protesting Trump at the Veterans Day Parade. The Impeachment War Begins.

Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff

Righteous Media | Bleav

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

4.6907 Ratings

🗓️ 14 November 2019

⏱️ 158 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

David Bellavia @DavidBellavia2 [54:17] is the sole living Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient to have served in the Iraq War. One fateful day in Iraq would forever change history. It also happened to be his birthday and the day before Veterans Day. On November 10, 2004, while serving as a squad leader in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, David experienced brutal house-to-house and hand-to-hand combat that few can imagine. David demonstrated an exceptional level of valor that would have him recognized with America’s single highest award for heroism by President Trump in a ceremony earlier this summer at the White House. His memoir, House to House: An Epic Memoir of War was chosen as one of the top five best Iraq War memoirs by journalist Thomas Ricks and has been signed to become a major motion picture. Bellavia is a hero, a leader, a father, an author and a tireless advocate for his country, his state, and the Army. And his story is now the stuff of legend. He’ll share it in raw, candid detail. He’ll also share what it’s like to shoulder the weight of the Medal of Honor under the bright lights of a national stage.  David has also been a combatant in the arena of American politics. He is a two-time Republican candidate for Congress, co-founder of the conservative political action group “Vets for Freedom”, host of a conservative radio talk show in Buffalo and a political ally of President Trump. At a recent White House event, Trump introduced Bellavia, and said "I heard you maybe are gonna be running for office, but someday I know, huh?" Trump continued, "I'll tell ya, boy I'll tell ya what, he has my vote. We'll have a brave politician for a change, right?” Our host, Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) has known--and tangled with--Dave on issues for over a decade. They’ve disagreed on the Iraq war, foreign policy and domestic issues. But despite their differences, they have remained friends and share a mutual respect and a deep passion for driving support to our military and veterans community. It’s a no-bullshit, timely and feisty conversation between two influential leaders. Paul is a combat veteran, author and renowned activist who has recently appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Pod Save America and more. He explains why he boycotted the recent Veterans Day Parade in NYC and takes Angry Americans (@AngryAmericans) entertainingly through the latest headlines you need to know about. From the start of impeachment hearings, to a wild week of football, to protests and division at the Veterans Day Parade in New York, to the latest 2020 Presidential drama, Rieckhoff breaks down the issues that are most important with a uniquely independent, inspiring and edgy style. Always with a special focus on national security and military and veterans affairs--and especially as conflict continues in Syria and Iraq during this Veterans Month. This pod is possible thanks to support from Fort Hamilton Whiskey-- A finely crafted American Rye whiskey born in Brooklyn, NY. Fort Hamilton is made purely from rye, malted barley, yeast and no nonsense. Celebrating revolutionary founding Father Alexander Hamilton’s Hearts of Oak Militia, they honor American bravery and you can too. Fort Hamilton Whiskey, join us in The Spirit of Revolution. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. But there are also good reasons to be happy and inspired. Download the new Angry Americans podcast for free here now. Then, join the Angry Americans newsletter to get free behind-the-scenes video of recent guests including Samantha Bee, Bob Woodruff, OAR’s Marc Roberge, Rachel Maddow, JT Lewis, Chef Tom Collichio, Tulsi Gabbard and more. Angry Americans is connecting, uniting and empowering people of all backgrounds nationwide. It’s changing the podcasting landscape. And powered by Righteous Media. Watch the Conversation: https://youtu.be/ZngVTsL_Gh4

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome to Angry Americans.

0:15.4

Welcome to episode 33.

0:19.4

I'm your host, Paul Reichoff. It's war out there. And if you're not angry, you're not paying

0:27.7

attention. We will never get the chance. We will never get the chance to see the whistleblower

0:32.1

raise his right hand. Swear to tell the truth and nothing but we'll never get that chance.

0:36.7

More importantly, the American people won't get that chance.

0:40.3

This anonymous so-called whistleblower, with no first-hand knowledge, who's biased against the president,

0:45.3

who worked with Joe Biden, who is the reason we're all sitting here today, will never get a chance to question that individual.

0:52.3

Democrats are trying to preach the President based on all that, all that, 11 and a half months before an election.

1:01.0

We'll not get to check out his credibility, his motivations, his bias.

1:07.0

I said this last week, but this is a sad day.

1:11.3

This is a sad day for this country.

1:13.0

You think about what the Democrats have put our nation through for the last three years.

1:17.1

Started July of 2016 when they spied on two American citizens associated with the presidential campaign

1:22.5

and all that unfolded with the Mueller investigation after that.

1:25.5

And when that didn't work, here we are.

1:29.1

Based on this, the American people see through all this, they understand the facts

1:36.3

support the President, they understand this process is unfair, and they see through the

1:40.7

whole darn sham.

1:42.2

With that I yield back.

1:43.7

Mr. Welch. Thank you. And they see through the whole darn sham. With that, I yield back.

1:46.2

Mr. Welch.

...

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