Hello and welcome to Background Briefing, available 24-7 at Background Briefing.org. I'm Ian Masters, and today we'll examine a number of stories and issues in the news. We'll begin on this Memorial Day with the difference between those who serve America and those who want to tear it apart with hatred and division, as we witnessed recently with President Biden addressing the graduates of West, calling on them to defend democracy,

while Trump held a rally welcoming on stage two felons convicted of a gang shooting

in which innocent bystanders were shot.

We'll discuss the change security landscape facing the United States

as the greatest threat to America now is not so much foreign enemies as in the wars of the past,

but domestic terrorism and political violence fomented by a lawless leader who has turned the party of law and order into a dictator-worshipping cult.

Joining us is Lucy and Truscott IV 4th, a journalist, screenwriter,

an author of five best-selling novels,

a graduate of West Point.

He has covered the wars in Lebanon,

Iraq and Afghanistan.

He blogs at

Luciantruscott.

substack.com

and has two recent articles at Salon,

Judge Cannon's Secret Right Wing Getaway,

Why Didn't We Know About This, and The Trouble with Trump's Polls.

Then we'll explore the connections between consciousness, authoritarianism, and political violence

to better understand the main threat the nation faces as we we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, defending the country, its constitution, democracy, and the rule of law.

Joining us is Stephen Schwartz, a scientist, futurist, and award-winning author of both fiction and non-fiction.

He is currently a distinguished associated scholar

of the California Institute for Human Science

...