In this heart-wrenching show, we discuss Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation or as Chris Hedges characterizes it, his divine violence.  We use several clips to explain better and characterize his sacrifice, including Caitlyn Johnstone and Ann Wright.  We also discuss mainstream media's predictable failure in reporting on Aaron.  We hear from veterans during vigils and tributes remembering and honoring Aaron.  We finish up with Al Jazeera's take on Biden's food drop.  Joe Cocker sings our tribute to Aaron.

3.7.24 Veterans for Peace:  Aaron Bushnell's Divine Violence, He was dying for our sins

In this show we revisit our discussions with Ellen Davidson of Veterans for Peace on her discussion of Apartheid and the clear case of Israel/Gaza.  Then we turn to Dr. Walter Hixson, author and historian on the dangers of the Israeli Lobby on our own democracy.  Yes AIPAC and others threaten our democracy.  We then finish up with a wonderful song from the RJ Phillips   remembering Bloody Sunday at the Edmond Pettis Bridge 59 years ago March 7, 1965.

3.14.24 Vets for Peace revisit discussions with Ellen Davidson/Apartheid, Dr. Walter Hixson/AIPAC

The Congress wants to ban Tik Tok so that is a good reason for Harvey and Jim to join Tik Tok to see why and we think we found out.  It is all about the young people getting their news.  Nothing is going to freak Congress out more than young people getting independent news.  Then we talk about an article from Al Jazeera relating Rachel Corrie to Aaron Bushnell to Viola Liuzzo and other people recognized by the marginalized.  We finish up wondering about the hullabaloo surrounding the Oscars and the movie Zone of Interest.

3.21.24  Veterans for Peace, from Tik Tok, to people standing up for the marginalized, to the Oscars

We know that Israel has made claims that it has a greater historical claim to the land than the people in the West Bank and Gaza.  So what do the historical facts actually say?  For that we turn to Middle East Historian, retired teacher, and activist Krishna Madan to trace the turbulent history of the people who lived on the land east of the Mediterranean Sea.  We talk to Krishna personally and refer to the presentation he gave to Veterans for Peace which you can see here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EUnXQOhtoE&t=30s

3.28.24 Veterans for Peace welcome historian Krishna Madan to discuss historical claims to Palestine

Veterans for Peace specifically documents the national and international laws that the US is violating in its facilitation of Israel's genocide in Gaza.  Executive Director of Veterans for Peace Mike Ferner and VFP member Jack Gilroy join us to specifically go over that charges VFP alleges in a letter to Anthony Blinken and other senior members of the State Department that calls on the Inspector General to initiate a criminal investigation.  They specifically detail how the US is in violation of at least six domestic statutes and treaties.  To see the letter:  https://www.veteransforpeace.org/files/4017/0777/8707/VFP_StDept_ltr_FINAL_2-11-24.pdf

4.4.24 VeteransforPeace:  The US is criminally culpable as facilitator of Israel's genocide in Gaza

Larry Hebert was able to join the show for this in-depth discussion of his hunger strike in support of Palestine and against the Biden foreign policy of Biden's unconditional support of Israel's genocide on Gaza.  We missed our initially established interview time because Larry was directed to go to Walter Reed Army Hospital for blood work and a mental evaluation.  After being cleared, he talked to us from the grounds of the US capital. We talked about his hunger strike, his protest, his frustration that Aaron Bushnell's self-immolation generated more of a response in the Middle East than it did in the US,  and his disillusionment about the US Military.  We finish with Eddie Mack and The Sound of War

4.11.24 Veterans for Peace with Larry Hebert, Active Duty Airman on Hunger Strike for Palestine

Vanderbilt University in Nashville is leading the way in the draconian responses against pro-Palestinian rallies and protests.  Today we talk to a Vanderbilt Alumni, a Vanderbilt student who was suspended but now faces probation, and a Staff Writer for the Nashville Scene who was arrested.  We find out what the students were protesting and why.  We talk about the disparate treatment of pro-Palestinian efforts versus more reactionary groups.  We try to understand the Chancellor's principled neutrality to education at Vanderbilt.  Think about principled neutrality; what might that actually mean?  We ask the question is Vanderbilt University betraying or actually upholding it history of dealing with protests on campus?  We finish up with Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine.

4.18.24 Veterans for Peace:  Vanderbilt University's assault on Free Speech and Freedom of the Press

Today Harvey and Jim catch up and follow up with the alumni and student involved in the protest on the Vanderbilt campus.  Harvey targets Boeing putting profit over passenger safety.  We also reflect on an interview between Aaron Mate and Norman Finkelstein from six years ago about the Palestinian right to resist, the right to defend themselves.  Veterans for Peace also has another letter, this time to Biden, calling out his violations of the Symington Glenn amendment in providing aid to a nuclear state (Israel) that has not signed on to the NPT.  We finish up with a new song from Dave Rovics.

4.24.24 Veterans for Peace:  Criminality, Suppression, Capitalism and the right to resist

Bruce Carruthers our resident expert on VA Health Care updates us on a VA report that slams privatization, but can we get it released so that it can make a difference?   Then we turn to Student protests with an update from the encampment at Vanderbilt.  Then the Freedom Flotilla was blocked through the efforts of Israel and the US.  Will another country offer a flag to let them sail?   Finally, as college administrators consider the National Guard, we remember Kent State Day through song.

5.2.24 Veterans for Peace with a Vet Health Care update, then updates from campus and the flotilla

Will Hopkins, the new Executive Director of Veterans for Peace joins Barry Riesch and Colleen Rowley Freedom Flotilla volunteers as we discuss today's VFP activism and tomorrow's activism.  Will leads off by discussing how he went from combat to the peace movement and what he sees as vision and challenge for VFP.  Then we turn to Barry and Colleen who are just back from attempting to sail as part of the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza to break the Israeli siege and bring aid to the Palestinian People in Gaza.  We then finish with Emma's Revolution.

5.9.24 Vets for Peace: meet the new VFP Exec Dir., then a personal update on the Freedom Flotilla

The Veterans for Peace Radio Hour brings you issues about war, peace and justice everyweek.

New tracks tagged #harvey bennett