Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Welcome back, everyone.
Chapter 2: What is the current situation regarding Iran's military buildup?
We've got such a great show for you today with lots to get into.
Chapter 3: How does congressional oversight impact U.S. military actions?
ICE and DHS want to see if you made fun of them on Facebook. Could we actually put guardrails finally on this presidential pardon power? And we'll talk about the Republicans' latest BS talking point to save their save act. I can never do this alone.
Chapter 4: What changes are being made to veteran disability ratings by the VA?
And this week we have a returning friend and Thunderbird Patriot American badass, Nicole Malachowski as my co-host today. Welcome back, Nicole.
Chapter 5: What are the implications of the new VA policy on veterans' benefits?
It's great to be here, Amy.
It's so good to see you. Thanks for having me. So it's been a long time and we got to jump right into this. I think we have to talk about the Iran buildup because this is happening. We are seeing massive amounts of refueling jets, fighters all headed to the Middle East right now. We have two aircraft carrier strike groups there.
Chapter 6: What controversies surround the leadership of the DHS?
It's the biggest buildup since 2008. 2003 in the Iraq war. And, you know, the New York times is reporting that Trump, Donald Trump, our president is weighing a strike, an offensive strike on Iran. So your thoughts, I have a lot of concerns, but let's start with your, your thoughts here.
Well, I think it's deeply concerning for two main reasons.
Chapter 7: How is government surveillance affecting social media users?
The first is a combat veteran myself. I'm concerned anytime we send America's sons and daughters into harm's way, which is exactly what it looks like, right? This buildup is pretty undeniable to see. And my second deep concern as an American citizen is where is Congress? You know, where are the discussions with Congress?
You know, the president does have some leeway as far as like, you know, an imminent threat. I'm not sure what that imminent threat is from Iran, since apparently we, you know, had taken out all of their nuclear programs, according to the Trump administration.
Chapter 8: What are the proposed reforms for presidential pardons?
So I'm looking at this going, where is congressional oversight? Where is the discussion in Congress? And so I'm not seeing that. And I find that deeply concerning.
Yeah, even when we went to Iraq in 2003, which, you know, I look back on that. Look, I think that was the wrong decision. But at the time, you know, I thought differently. At the time, I thought differently. But even at that time... The president went to Congress. Congress did authorize that. We had members of the cabinet going out on the Sunday talk shows, you know, making the case for it.
We went to the UN. You know, there were other countries involved. I mean, this is just completely different. And we are about ready to start a war again. in the Middle East, which would risk, I think, a much larger conflict there. And also, Iran is three to four times the size of Iraq. So what are we doing here, really?
I'm not exactly sure. Again, we the American people, I think, need to be paying a heck of a lot more attention and need to be a lot more, I think, outraged and concerned that this is moving along without discussions with Congress. We the American people, our voice and input is through Congress.
I want to watch these next, you know, 24 hours and see what are our elected officials doing to represent us in this discussion, to represent us in this decision making process. I'm going to be on the phone today with my elected representatives asking those questions. And I hope, you know, our viewers will will do that as well.
Yeah, I mean, right now, anytime you start a war, obviously you're putting troops at risk. I'm not sure how this is making America safer by attacking Iran. And remember, our president bombed seven countries so far last year with really no objective, no plan for what's next, no explanation to the American people as to why. I keep harping on the congressional peace, as you just mentioned.
No debate in Congress, no authorization to use military force. It's basically, you know, it might be on the front page in the New York Times today. It's probably going to be on the back page tomorrow. This is reckless and dangerous. And remember, this president was elected on a platform to get us out of wars.
Exactly, right? No more new wars was the campaign thing. And obviously, like you said, we've already done kinetic strikes in seven different countries. And Iran is a whole different level when it comes to, you know, kinetic action. So... You know, maybe this buildup is just for intimidation to try to force Iran's hand. I'm hopeful that this isn't turning into some sort of, you know, major war.
But have we not learned our lessons? Have we not learned the lessons of the past, right? Decades spent, you know, our generation, Amy, the war you and I fought in, you know, with no clear objective, no clear end state. We saw how Afghanistan came to an end, you know, And are we going to step into another pile of, you know what? A big pile. I mean, Iran.
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