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But enough with that, let's get to the show.

But enough with that, let's get to the show.

So we have some very worrying indications of a potentially massive escalation in Israel's war against Lebanon. But before we get to that, we also have some really striking video of Israel, for some reason, using a flaming medieval tree baschet. True betray bachet? Is that how you say it's our chet? For Trevishe It's like that. You'll see it in just a second. But for those who are just listening, it's like the catapult thing with like a flaming ball that you might associate with some you know, Monty Python movie, or like Vikings trying to storm a castle hundreds of years ago.

So we have some very worrying indications of a potentially massive escalation in Israel's war against Lebanon. But before we get to that, we also have some really striking video of Israel, for some reason, using a flaming medieval tree baschet. True betray bachet? Is that how you say it's our chet? For Trevishe It's like that. You'll see it in just a second. But for those who are just listening, it's like the catapult thing with like a flaming ball that you might associate with some you know, Monty Python movie, or like Vikings trying to storm a castle hundreds of years ago.

Let's take a look at this.

Let's take a look at this.

We see several Israeli soldiers hurling a flaming projectile over a concrete wall using the trebuchet, the type of wooden catapult used in the Middle Ages and even before that. What makes this unusual is that Israel takes pride in being a high tech nation. The Israeli military told us that the use of the trebuchet was an isolated incident aimed at clearing a thicket where his Bellah militants could hide near the border. But Israeli reserves we spoke to, told us that they saw it being used earlier in the war.

We see several Israeli soldiers hurling a flaming projectile over a concrete wall using the trebuchet, the type of wooden catapult used in the Middle Ages and even before that. What makes this unusual is that Israel takes pride in being a high tech nation. The Israeli military told us that the use of the trebuchet was an isolated incident aimed at clearing a thicket where his Bellah militants could hide near the border. But Israeli reserves we spoke to, told us that they saw it being used earlier in the war.

All right, Zager, what can you tell us about the history of this weapon and why Israel might be using it now when, as this narrator points out, they have a lot of high tech weaponry.

All right, Zager, what can you tell us about the history of this weapon and why Israel might be using it now when, as this narrator points out, they have a lot of high tech weaponry.

Thanks, Tony, you might be using now? I cannot answer that question. We've done some preliminary research here on the show. Catapults were certainly used in the First World War by Indian soldiers actually in the trenches and at the Battle of Gallipoli. There were a few that were issued to the British I guess the the Royal soldiers fighting for the King that were used. But at a hand level, the actual trebushe the thing the only thing I can find, and again this is back in the Nafghan research, is a trebushe usage at the Battle of Teno cheek Laan by Hernan Cortes's troops against the Aztecs.

Thanks, Tony, you might be using now? I cannot answer that question. We've done some preliminary research here on the show. Catapults were certainly used in the First World War by Indian soldiers actually in the trenches and at the Battle of Gallipoli. There were a few that were issued to the British I guess the the Royal soldiers fighting for the King that were used. But at a hand level, the actual trebushe the thing the only thing I can find, and again this is back in the Nafghan research, is a trebushe usage at the Battle of Teno cheek Laan by Hernan Cortes's troops against the Aztecs.

And that was in the fifteen hundreds.

And that was in the fifteen hundreds.

So I believe the trebuchet really went out of fashion as larger siege guns became popular, like big cannons. If you think about let's say, like the Ottomans marching on Vienna some of their major conquests and the major sixteen hundreds also in terms of the way the Ottomans were able to conquer con Stantinople, the larger cannons and siege guns basically replaced the usage of the trebuchet, which was really popular invented by the Chinese, I think with gunpowder, then used by the Mongols basically against the Chinese, spread across Europe by the Mongols. When several battles like Samar Khan, there's a few others people can go and look into. The farthest back that we can find, the real confirmed use is the Battle of Tenom chief Line, although probably somebody can fact check me and find some usage in the interim three hundred years.

So I believe the trebuchet really went out of fashion as larger siege guns became popular, like big cannons. If you think about let's say, like the Ottomans marching on Vienna some of their major conquests and the major sixteen hundreds also in terms of the way the Ottomans were able to conquer con Stantinople, the larger cannons and siege guns basically replaced the usage of the trebuchet, which was really popular invented by the Chinese, I think with gunpowder, then used by the Mongols basically against the Chinese, spread across Europe by the Mongols. When several battles like Samar Khan, there's a few others people can go and look into. The farthest back that we can find, the real confirmed use is the Battle of Tenom chief Line, although probably somebody can fact check me and find some usage in the interim three hundred years.

But yeah, there's no explanation.

But yeah, there's no explanation.

Yeah, I was there in twenty twenty four. There really is no explanation. This is but done by geeks at like re enactments. This is not something usually used in battle, right.

Yeah, I was there in twenty twenty four. There really is no explanation. This is but done by geeks at like re enactments. This is not something usually used in battle, right.

So I guess since we already had the medieval siege in Gaza, they just wanted to get all the medieval esthetic and vibes going as well with this. All right, let's go ahead and move on to the news with regards to potential escalation in Lebanon of Israel's war against Hesblo. You can put this up on the screen so it appears this is Martaza. Hussein tweeted the sound by a set to green light a major Israeli war on Lebanon, the destruction from which is likely to send another wave of mass migration to Europe at a time this is already a crisis. Only France is trying to intervene, but they don't have capacity to stop it. He links to an article which I believe is in Haretz, talking about how Defense Minister you'll have Galant rules out joining an initiative promoted by Emmanuel macrona which France, the US and Israel would form a contact group to work on defusing escalating tensions with Hesbel on the northern border. Quote, as we fight a just war defending our people. France has adopted hostile policies against Israel.

So I guess since we already had the medieval siege in Gaza, they just wanted to get all the medieval esthetic and vibes going as well with this. All right, let's go ahead and move on to the news with regards to potential escalation in Lebanon of Israel's war against Hesblo. You can put this up on the screen so it appears this is Martaza. Hussein tweeted the sound by a set to green light a major Israeli war on Lebanon, the destruction from which is likely to send another wave of mass migration to Europe at a time this is already a crisis. Only France is trying to intervene, but they don't have capacity to stop it. He links to an article which I believe is in Haretz, talking about how Defense Minister you'll have Galant rules out joining an initiative promoted by Emmanuel macrona which France, the US and Israel would form a contact group to work on defusing escalating tensions with Hesbel on the northern border. Quote, as we fight a just war defending our people. France has adopted hostile policies against Israel.

Okay.

Okay.

In doing so, France ignores the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli children, women and men. Israel will not be a party to the trilateral framework proposed by France.

In doing so, France ignores the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli children, women and men. Israel will not be a party to the trilateral framework proposed by France.

He writes.

He writes.

Let's go out to the next piece, because we have the IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari directly threatening, saying that Hezbela is quote bringing us to the brink of escalation. Here's the full quote. Hesbela's increasing aggression is bringing us to the break of what could be a wider escalation, one that could have devastating consequences for Lebanon and the entire region.

Let's go out to the next piece, because we have the IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari directly threatening, saying that Hezbela is quote bringing us to the brink of escalation. Here's the full quote. Hesbela's increasing aggression is bringing us to the break of what could be a wider escalation, one that could have devastating consequences for Lebanon and the entire region.

That sounds very much like a threat.

That sounds very much like a threat.

He goes on to say, when we say we will not let October seven happen again on any one of our borders, we mean it.

He goes on to say, when we say we will not let October seven happen again on any one of our borders, we mean it.

One way or another.

One way or another.

We will ensure this ethan secure return of Israeli to their homes in northern Israel that is not.

We will ensure this ethan secure return of Israeli to their homes in northern Israel that is not.

Up for negotiation.

Up for negotiation.

So soccer as best I can tell, you have a very familiar dynamic playing out here, which is Biden administration continues to send envoys to the region to try to hey, let's not do this full, full war against Hezbola.

So soccer as best I can tell, you have a very familiar dynamic playing out here, which is Biden administration continues to send envoys to the region to try to hey, let's not do this full, full war against Hezbola.

This could be really bad.

This could be really bad.

But Bibi Netanyahu, who now, by the way, this morning just officially dissolved the war cabinet after Benny Gantz exited, bib Netna who has every intention and every political motivation to keep going. And so even if the US sort of like meekly accepts at the end of the day, they're not going to do anything which effectively serves as a green light for Israel, as it has in every other instance up to this point.

But Bibi Netanyahu, who now, by the way, this morning just officially dissolved the war cabinet after Benny Gantz exited, bib Netna who has every intention and every political motivation to keep going. And so even if the US sort of like meekly accepts at the end of the day, they're not going to do anything which effectively serves as a green light for Israel, as it has in every other instance up to this point.

Well, it's very troubling.

Well, it's very troubling.

As I always say, this would basically make the Gaza War look like child's play because Hesbola is an actual, very strong military force. I mean, it's effectively stronger than many nation states that are out there. Let's put this up there on the screen. As you allude to Crystal, the Israeli military say that they Hezbola is bringing them to the brink of escalation. But if you read further, there has been tit for tat action that they cite within this piece for basically the course of the entire war, all the way back from the very first week. Remember that huge portions and this is what they talk about in here of northern Israel remain evacuated. It's the largest internal evacuation in the history of the State of Israel. You also have a lot more deaths really per capita of the IDF as a result of Hezbola fire than anything compared to Hamas. Now, somehow, you know, there's been some sort of cap on the violence there between the two sides for now. Nousrella famously gave that speech, I believe it was in the early days of the war. He basically said, we're not going to be party to the war in Gaza. But the Israeli military is also using kind of the cover of all of this chaos and conflict to go and to annihilate Hesbola targets both in Lebanon and in Syria, which then invites some of the tit for tat escalation and it results a lot of Idea soldiers have actually died as a result of this spire. So it's only really a matter of time if we're going to continue to continue the strikes here in Lebanon to drive up the temperature that some sort of miscalculation is effectively inevitable in all of us. And it's clear too that it may not even be miscalculation on the Israeli side. The BB, you know, BB's party, they want this war. They want to use this as a final opportunity to erase all of Israel's so called threats here in the region, or at least, you know, with regards to Hesbola.

As I always say, this would basically make the Gaza War look like child's play because Hesbola is an actual, very strong military force. I mean, it's effectively stronger than many nation states that are out there. Let's put this up there on the screen. As you allude to Crystal, the Israeli military say that they Hezbola is bringing them to the brink of escalation. But if you read further, there has been tit for tat action that they cite within this piece for basically the course of the entire war, all the way back from the very first week. Remember that huge portions and this is what they talk about in here of northern Israel remain evacuated. It's the largest internal evacuation in the history of the State of Israel. You also have a lot more deaths really per capita of the IDF as a result of Hezbola fire than anything compared to Hamas. Now, somehow, you know, there's been some sort of cap on the violence there between the two sides for now. Nousrella famously gave that speech, I believe it was in the early days of the war. He basically said, we're not going to be party to the war in Gaza. But the Israeli military is also using kind of the cover of all of this chaos and conflict to go and to annihilate Hesbola targets both in Lebanon and in Syria, which then invites some of the tit for tat escalation and it results a lot of Idea soldiers have actually died as a result of this spire. So it's only really a matter of time if we're going to continue to continue the strikes here in Lebanon to drive up the temperature that some sort of miscalculation is effectively inevitable in all of us. And it's clear too that it may not even be miscalculation on the Israeli side. The BB, you know, BB's party, they want this war. They want to use this as a final opportunity to erase all of Israel's so called threats here in the region, or at least, you know, with regards to Hesbola.

They want to continue the war in the momentum.

They want to continue the war in the momentum.

You could almost think of it like invading Iraq after what happened in nine to eleven. Honestly a perfect example political purposes using it as cover. But it could be only that in this case that this time the US could actually try and to keep this, you know, or to avoid this conflict. It doesn't seem like that all the stops are ready to be put there, and if that doesn't happen now, then it's very likely it'll just happen already.

You could almost think of it like invading Iraq after what happened in nine to eleven. Honestly a perfect example political purposes using it as cover. But it could be only that in this case that this time the US could actually try and to keep this, you know, or to avoid this conflict. It doesn't seem like that all the stops are ready to be put there, and if that doesn't happen now, then it's very likely it'll just happen already.

Yeah, I mean, just as a reminder to people, Bella to take hostages was not involved in October seventh, and this conflict between Israel and Hasbla will not end until the Gaza onslaught is over, and US officials are acknowledging that as well. I mean, that is the core of the problem here. We're going to talk about the hoofs and the next block. That is the core of the issue there as well. It's the core of the you know, escalation. She has been very frightening vis a vis Iran as well, combined with direct Israeli you know, outrageous provocations with striking the Iranian embassy in Damascus. So not only is there this risk of a broader and even more deadly war, there's also the risk of the US getting pulled directly into this, which again is something that bbnta who very much wants, and I don't think anyone can feel confident that Joe Biden has the fortitude to reject or withstand, so all very very troubling indications and something to keep a close eye on. At the same point, Benny Gantz, who you know I mentioned before, was he was in the war cabinet. He just recently resigned over you know, his concerns about the lack of a hostage deal, the lack in particular of a plan for the quote unquote day after in Gaza and the fact that Bib Netanya, who is doing everything for his own political gain versus the interest of even you know, Israeli citizens. He's been giving some interviews putting a finer point on some of these some of these realities that he saw up close and personal serving in the War Cabinet.

Yeah, I mean, just as a reminder to people, Bella to take hostages was not involved in October seventh, and this conflict between Israel and Hasbla will not end until the Gaza onslaught is over, and US officials are acknowledging that as well. I mean, that is the core of the problem here. We're going to talk about the hoofs and the next block. That is the core of the issue there as well. It's the core of the you know, escalation. She has been very frightening vis a vis Iran as well, combined with direct Israeli you know, outrageous provocations with striking the Iranian embassy in Damascus. So not only is there this risk of a broader and even more deadly war, there's also the risk of the US getting pulled directly into this, which again is something that bbnta who very much wants, and I don't think anyone can feel confident that Joe Biden has the fortitude to reject or withstand, so all very very troubling indications and something to keep a close eye on. At the same point, Benny Gantz, who you know I mentioned before, was he was in the war cabinet. He just recently resigned over you know, his concerns about the lack of a hostage deal, the lack in particular of a plan for the quote unquote day after in Gaza and the fact that Bib Netanya, who is doing everything for his own political gain versus the interest of even you know, Israeli citizens. He's been giving some interviews putting a finer point on some of these some of these realities that he saw up close and personal serving in the War Cabinet.

We can put this up on the screen.

We can put this up on the screen.

He confirmed that Bib blocked his own hostage deal, stating he approved a plan to return hostages and did nothing to promote it due to political considerations Netna who did not advance the matter strongly enough. So just to underscore again, Benny Ganz, who is no dove here, who you know very much supported the wars part of the war cabin has no issue with the level of civilian death in Mayhem, says that Bibi is is one of the key actors responsible for block a hostage yield that could bring those Israeli hostages home. So to hear from that from him very noteworthy. He also apparently refuted claims of being a mouthpiece for the Biden administration, saying, quote, I am not an envoy of the US government. Stop inventing such claims. He also expressed regret that Bibe didn't utilize his connections with the Americans, noting quote they in the US were impressed with how I.

He confirmed that Bib blocked his own hostage deal, stating he approved a plan to return hostages and did nothing to promote it due to political considerations Netna who did not advance the matter strongly enough. So just to underscore again, Benny Ganz, who is no dove here, who you know very much supported the wars part of the war cabin has no issue with the level of civilian death in Mayhem, says that Bibi is is one of the key actors responsible for block a hostage yield that could bring those Israeli hostages home. So to hear from that from him very noteworthy. He also apparently refuted claims of being a mouthpiece for the Biden administration, saying, quote, I am not an envoy of the US government. Stop inventing such claims. He also expressed regret that Bibe didn't utilize his connections with the Americans, noting quote they in the US were impressed with how I.

Am more militant than Netanya.

Am more militant than Netanya.

Who, So you know, that's the nature of the debate there, him positioning himself is more warlike than BB Netna who himself. Reflecting on the day after a potential resolution, Gant said, Palestinian forces will receive international support. We told bib that we needed to deal with the day after because it is a complex matter that won't solve itself. The fact we didn't deal with it only delayed the security. Meanwhile, a vacuum in chaos will be created and the soldiers will continue to fight, which, of course, for BB and others who want to forestall any sort of reckoning over their own security failures on October seventh, and BBE, who wants to also keep his own ass out of prison potential corruption charges. Continuing the war is of course the point, and the chaos and the need to you know, go back in only helps to serve BB Netnyahu even as it does not serve certainly, you know, it is disastrous for Palestinians and Gaza, disastrous for the world, and the potential escalation that we were just talking about Visa vi A run and Lebanon, et cetera. And also disastrous for Israelis and their current and future security situation and their goal which is overwhelmingly shared by the Israeli population of returning the hostages.

Who, So you know, that's the nature of the debate there, him positioning himself is more warlike than BB Netna who himself. Reflecting on the day after a potential resolution, Gant said, Palestinian forces will receive international support. We told bib that we needed to deal with the day after because it is a complex matter that won't solve itself. The fact we didn't deal with it only delayed the security. Meanwhile, a vacuum in chaos will be created and the soldiers will continue to fight, which, of course, for BB and others who want to forestall any sort of reckoning over their own security failures on October seventh, and BBE, who wants to also keep his own ass out of prison potential corruption charges. Continuing the war is of course the point, and the chaos and the need to you know, go back in only helps to serve BB Netnyahu even as it does not serve certainly, you know, it is disastrous for Palestinians and Gaza, disastrous for the world, and the potential escalation that we were just talking about Visa vi A run and Lebanon, et cetera. And also disastrous for Israelis and their current and future security situation and their goal which is overwhelmingly shared by the Israeli population of returning the hostages.

Yeah, that's that's going to be the major political weapon against him, is that any acknowledgement bout people who are in the war cabinet, And now the war habit has been dissolved, We're like, yeah, he didn't do enough to free the hostages. That is just an absolute electoral, massive problem for him in any future election. But there has to be a future election, and that is something that he's working over.

Yeah, that's that's going to be the major political weapon against him, is that any acknowledgement bout people who are in the war cabinet, And now the war habit has been dissolved, We're like, yeah, he didn't do enough to free the hostages. That is just an absolute electoral, massive problem for him in any future election. But there has to be a future election, and that is something that he's working over.

Time.

Time.

A war would be very good for him, you know, can you stay, Oh, it's not the right time.

A war would be very good for him, you know, can you stay, Oh, it's not the right time.

We could talk about that after the war.

We could talk about that after the war.

It's day two hundred and fifty four of the war or whatever, two hundred fifty five, I guess now at this point, so at what point, at what point maybe are we allowed to discuss this? And he wants to make sure that point is as far away as possible. Every day he gets to live another day.

It's day two hundred and fifty four of the war or whatever, two hundred fifty five, I guess now at this point, so at what point, at what point maybe are we allowed to discuss this? And he wants to make sure that point is as far away as possible. Every day he gets to live another day.

Yes, So at the same time, we had to share with you some of the tenor of discourse on Hebrew language television on Israel's most watched news show, he can put this up on the screen because it's in Hebrew.

Yes, So at the same time, we had to share with you some of the tenor of discourse on Hebrew language television on Israel's most watched news show, he can put this up on the screen because it's in Hebrew.

Let me just read and by this. So this was confirmed by Herretz.

Let me just read and by this. So this was confirmed by Herretz.

And other Israeli outlets that this is what was actually said. This individual, who is a former LACUD MP, invokes Hitler to justify Gaza resettlement. He says, as Hitler said, I cannot live if one Jew is left. We can't live here if one Islamo Nazi remains in Gaza. So sagur, we now have an analyst here former LACUD, which is again Benjamin Netnahu's party, former LACUD, favorably invoking Hitler's ideology to justify.

And other Israeli outlets that this is what was actually said. This individual, who is a former LACUD MP, invokes Hitler to justify Gaza resettlement. He says, as Hitler said, I cannot live if one Jew is left. We can't live here if one Islamo Nazi remains in Gaza. So sagur, we now have an analyst here former LACUD, which is again Benjamin Netnahu's party, former LACUD, favorably invoking Hitler's ideology to justify.

His view of what should be done in God. Like yeah, I mean it speaks for itself.

His view of what should be done in God. Like yeah, I mean it speaks for itself.

True stranger than fiction, I guess you could say. And on the most popular news show also in the channel. This is what I always am shocked by with them, is like they really don't think that there are people who speak both languages and who are opposed to them and can't do hit a very basic translate. But yeah, apparently they think I mean, look at the same time, like they've mostly gotten away with whatever they want to so far, so why should they care about any supposed consequences.

True stranger than fiction, I guess you could say. And on the most popular news show also in the channel. This is what I always am shocked by with them, is like they really don't think that there are people who speak both languages and who are opposed to them and can't do hit a very basic translate. But yeah, apparently they think I mean, look at the same time, like they've mostly gotten away with whatever they want to so far, so why should they care about any supposed consequences.

Yes, that's right. I mean, while we need to have like a national crisis. Every time there's a sign on a college campus that's you know, a little off putting to some community or another, and this guy goes on is literally like, hey, we should do to God. Though what Hitler did to the Jews, he had it right with that. It's like, what how do we get here? And I think it's not that they don't realize that we can hear them. It's that, as you said, there's been total impunity. None of this has been with any sort of real consequence, at least visa b the US, and second of all, or whatever domestic constituency this individual is trying to please.

Yes, that's right. I mean, while we need to have like a national crisis. Every time there's a sign on a college campus that's you know, a little off putting to some community or another, and this guy goes on is literally like, hey, we should do to God. Though what Hitler did to the Jews, he had it right with that. It's like, what how do we get here? And I think it's not that they don't realize that we can hear them. It's that, as you said, there's been total impunity. None of this has been with any sort of real consequence, at least visa b the US, and second of all, or whatever domestic constituency this individual is trying to please.

They probably agreed it.

They probably agreed it.

Probably yeah, I mean, he knows the audience he's talking to, so, you know, for his own domestic political purposes and to get invited back on what is apparently Israel's most watched news show. This is the type of outrageous insanity that you put out into the world. Let's go ahead and move on to the hoo Thies because we haven't talked about them for a while. But meanwhile, Hoofy action is ongoing with regard to attacking ships in the shipping lane. Lane's to try to, you know, put pressure in order to hopefully eventually end Israel's onslaugh onto Gaza.

Probably yeah, I mean, he knows the audience he's talking to, so, you know, for his own domestic political purposes and to get invited back on what is apparently Israel's most watched news show. This is the type of outrageous insanity that you put out into the world. Let's go ahead and move on to the hoo Thies because we haven't talked about them for a while. But meanwhile, Hoofy action is ongoing with regard to attacking ships in the shipping lane. Lane's to try to, you know, put pressure in order to hopefully eventually end Israel's onslaugh onto Gaza.

She doesn't seem to be moving in the right direction.

She doesn't seem to be moving in the right direction.

News Nation actually did an interesting report talking about how significant a threat they've been, how effective they've been, as well as take a listen to what they found.

News Nation actually did an interesting report talking about how significant a threat they've been, how effective they've been, as well as take a listen to what they found.

The message from the United States Navy is clear, the whole world is underestimating. These are run backed, hoothy rebels in Yemen. They say that they are capable, they are well armed, and what is currently happening in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is unprecedented and unlike anything they've seen before.

The message from the United States Navy is clear, the whole world is underestimating. These are run backed, hoothy rebels in Yemen. They say that they are capable, they are well armed, and what is currently happening in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is unprecedented and unlike anything they've seen before.

How legitimate are their capabilities?

How legitimate are their capabilities?

Yeah, I think people undersell the who these capability, This anti ship ballistic missile that is a game change. They're a legitimate terrorist organization and they conduct attacks almost daily out here.

Yeah, I think people undersell the who these capability, This anti ship ballistic missile that is a game change. They're a legitimate terrorist organization and they conduct attacks almost daily out here.

The Houthis have captured a ship, they have sunk a ship. They've also killed three sailors here in this region.

The Houthis have captured a ship, they have sunk a ship. They've also killed three sailors here in this region.

They've got a lot of advanced weaponry that they've purchased or been delivered.

They've got a lot of advanced weaponry that they've purchased or been delivered.

From their friends in Iran, and they have no problem using it.

From their friends in Iran, and they have no problem using it.

I think our objective is to save lives, to put a very simple.

I think our objective is to save lives, to put a very simple.

So we just saw what's behind the store, which is the combat information centered From the second that one of those missiles has fired at this ship, there's a lot of decisions that need to be made, how to intercept, where to intercept, what kind of tools to be used. All of those decisions in some cases have to be made in a matter of seconds. You know that there are very legitimate adversaries.

So we just saw what's behind the store, which is the combat information centered From the second that one of those missiles has fired at this ship, there's a lot of decisions that need to be made, how to intercept, where to intercept, what kind of tools to be used. All of those decisions in some cases have to be made in a matter of seconds. You know that there are very legitimate adversaries.

That are on the ground.

That are on the ground.

What goes through your mind?

What goes through your mind?

I shot to you pretty much, just think about the mission itself launching into the pitch black and I at like two am going in there knowing that we were the tip to spear in the case you have.

I shot to you pretty much, just think about the mission itself launching into the pitch black and I at like two am going in there knowing that we were the tip to spear in the case you have.

Nearly five thousand souls support here.

Nearly five thousand souls support here.

What keeps you up at night?

What keeps you up at night?

I'll tell you this, I keep the Hoothies up at night.

I'll tell you this, I keep the Hoothies up at night.

So I Chine News Nation doing that report because here we are in an ongoing multi month long hot war effectively with the Hoofies, and it gets very little coverage and it does pose you know, grave us to our service members and also comes at a great costs. We tried to look for how much we've spent on this, and we have some dated numbers here which tells you how much interest the most of the process is taken in US.

So I Chine News Nation doing that report because here we are in an ongoing multi month long hot war effectively with the Hoofies, and it gets very little coverage and it does pose you know, grave us to our service members and also comes at a great costs. We tried to look for how much we've spent on this, and we have some dated numbers here which tells you how much interest the most of the process is taken in US.

You can put this up on the screen. This is from back in April.

You can put this up on the screen. This is from back in April.

We had already spent a billion dollars in just in munitions, by the way, not even counting you know the cost of this mobilization countering the who they attacks. So you know yet another source of money, of risk of potential escalation. That all stems from our inability to exert any influence I shouldn't say inability, our unwillingness to exert any influence visa the Israel.

We had already spent a billion dollars in just in munitions, by the way, not even counting you know the cost of this mobilization countering the who they attacks. So you know yet another source of money, of risk of potential escalation. That all stems from our inability to exert any influence I shouldn't say inability, our unwillingness to exert any influence visa the Israel.

Yes, it also that's Look, that's a billion dollars just in munitions. There's actually appropriated two point four extra billion just to cover the cost of replacing munitions. One issue I have with this is that just seems like you can snap your fingers and these munitions can just be replaced. This is extremely valuable technology, which we are of learning in the Ukraine conflict takes years to reproduced as a result of the dead industrial base here in the United States. So every time that we are firing a missile basically on behalf of the Israelis, we are taking one away from ourselves that could be used in a conflict which is actually relevant to our interests.

Yes, it also that's Look, that's a billion dollars just in munitions. There's actually appropriated two point four extra billion just to cover the cost of replacing munitions. One issue I have with this is that just seems like you can snap your fingers and these munitions can just be replaced. This is extremely valuable technology, which we are of learning in the Ukraine conflict takes years to reproduced as a result of the dead industrial base here in the United States. So every time that we are firing a missile basically on behalf of the Israelis, we are taking one away from ourselves that could be used in a conflict which is actually relevant to our interests.

Those over a billion dollars.

Those over a billion dollars.

By the way, the cost is approximately one point five million dollars per day to run the USS Eisenhower approximately, So just do the math. It's been out there for what couple hundred days? Well, that's a couple hundred mil. You got to pay, and think about all the maintenance costs, and you got to think about the opportunity cost too, of its deployment versus there versus maybe somewhere else. You could see here, we're basically paying for this entire aircraft carrier, which is designed to protect US commerce on the high seas, to protect another nation as it carries out another war.

By the way, the cost is approximately one point five million dollars per day to run the USS Eisenhower approximately, So just do the math. It's been out there for what couple hundred days? Well, that's a couple hundred mil. You got to pay, and think about all the maintenance costs, and you got to think about the opportunity cost too, of its deployment versus there versus maybe somewhere else. You could see here, we're basically paying for this entire aircraft carrier, which is designed to protect US commerce on the high seas, to protect another nation as it carries out another war.

Americans should ask questions about that. Is that worth it? Do you think that it's worth paying for that?

Americans should ask questions about that. Is that worth it? Do you think that it's worth paying for that?

Do you think it's worth putting people in the position where they could potentially be hit by an anti ship missile. If your son or daughter works or is an enlisted member of the US Navy, I would say no. I don't think that's worth it at all. But nobody ever gets to have this conversation. Like you said, the Press News Nation. Good for them, they at least went out there. What else do you notice about the News Nation interview too, There's a high level of concern by the dudes on those ships and the women as well.

Do you think it's worth putting people in the position where they could potentially be hit by an anti ship missile. If your son or daughter works or is an enlisted member of the US Navy, I would say no. I don't think that's worth it at all. But nobody ever gets to have this conversation. Like you said, the Press News Nation. Good for them, they at least went out there. What else do you notice about the News Nation interview too, There's a high level of concern by the dudes on those ships and the women as well.

They're like, this is not gone away.

They're like, this is not gone away.

They're like, we're in this shit every single day and it's not good. And sure we've won so far, but they only need to win once for it to be a major asymmetric victory. Just don't forget about that. You know, props to them, and they're being put in a tough position. But that's my thing is that the policy leaders here in Washington don't ask any questions about this. They just assume it's fine, blank check. Let's not even think about what.

They're like, we're in this shit every single day and it's not good. And sure we've won so far, but they only need to win once for it to be a major asymmetric victory. Just don't forget about that. You know, props to them, and they're being put in a tough position. But that's my thing is that the policy leaders here in Washington don't ask any questions about this. They just assume it's fine, blank check. Let's not even think about what.

It looks like.

It looks like.

And then if something bad happens in the future, maybe we could talk about it then.

And then if something bad happens in the future, maybe we could talk about it then.

I mean, it's just is such a representation of how we are this, you know, floundering over extended empire led by a feeble old man who is bumbling from one self made crisis of weakness to another. And you know, meanwhile, it's not only the political leaders that don't really seem to ask any questions, with very few exceptions, it's also in fact they just further this direction. You know, they embrace it wholeheartedly. It's also the press that, you know, this is a rare report that we've seen on what is even going on here at this point, so you know, that serves to help keep the public in the dark. And nonetheless, in spite of those efforts, you still see the public very unhappy with the direction of our unconditional support of Israel. You know, certainly Biden's face, as we covered before, having a lot of issues with the direction, and an overall sentiment of there's always money for more munitions to bomb the Hufi's and protect Israel, there's always money to ship to Ukraine, and there's never any interest in actually delivering for us here at home. At the same time, as I was mentioning, you know the lawmakers who are just you know, totally invested in this direction, with only a few very notable and you know, brave dissenters. At this point, we have yet another push for some sort of codifying anti Semitism censorship bill, this one coming directly from Hakeem Jeffries, who, of course the leader of the Democrats in the House, he's calling for passage of the quote Countering Anti Semitism Act, and Michael Tracy, who does such a great job of digging into these bills and highlighting what they mean. He says this bill would create a new National Coordinator to Counter Anti Semitism within the Executive Office of the President, to among other things, quote counter the spread of anti Semitism online, i e. He says, government co or censorship, including to impose and this is the language from the bill Accountability for Individuals. So Hakeem Jeffries, who I'm sure has probably blanket support among the Republicans in the House as well, and overwhelming majority support from the Democrats, looking to once again take further steps to directly codify censorship when it comes to their definition of quote unquote anti Semitism. And we already know soccer because we've covered the definition that they're using here. It effectively bans criticism of the Israeli government and smears those who would be critical as being anti Semites.

I mean, it's just is such a representation of how we are this, you know, floundering over extended empire led by a feeble old man who is bumbling from one self made crisis of weakness to another. And you know, meanwhile, it's not only the political leaders that don't really seem to ask any questions, with very few exceptions, it's also in fact they just further this direction. You know, they embrace it wholeheartedly. It's also the press that, you know, this is a rare report that we've seen on what is even going on here at this point, so you know, that serves to help keep the public in the dark. And nonetheless, in spite of those efforts, you still see the public very unhappy with the direction of our unconditional support of Israel. You know, certainly Biden's face, as we covered before, having a lot of issues with the direction, and an overall sentiment of there's always money for more munitions to bomb the Hufi's and protect Israel, there's always money to ship to Ukraine, and there's never any interest in actually delivering for us here at home. At the same time, as I was mentioning, you know the lawmakers who are just you know, totally invested in this direction, with only a few very notable and you know, brave dissenters. At this point, we have yet another push for some sort of codifying anti Semitism censorship bill, this one coming directly from Hakeem Jeffries, who, of course the leader of the Democrats in the House, he's calling for passage of the quote Countering Anti Semitism Act, and Michael Tracy, who does such a great job of digging into these bills and highlighting what they mean. He says this bill would create a new National Coordinator to Counter Anti Semitism within the Executive Office of the President, to among other things, quote counter the spread of anti Semitism online, i e. He says, government co or censorship, including to impose and this is the language from the bill Accountability for Individuals. So Hakeem Jeffries, who I'm sure has probably blanket support among the Republicans in the House as well, and overwhelming majority support from the Democrats, looking to once again take further steps to directly codify censorship when it comes to their definition of quote unquote anti Semitism. And we already know soccer because we've covered the definition that they're using here. It effectively bans criticism of the Israeli government and smears those who would be critical as being anti Semites.

Yeah, scary stuff, very scary, especially whenever you combine it with what's happening let's go to the next part because what we see here, and this was surprising, It says, for the first time since nineteen seventy two, the NDAA would automatically register all males age eighteen to twenty six for selective service in the military. So for the past fifty two years, you're actually required to register on your own, but compliance reportedly had been lagging in terms of selective service. They're switching it to automatic registration, presumably after significant pressure from the military.

Yeah, scary stuff, very scary, especially whenever you combine it with what's happening let's go to the next part because what we see here, and this was surprising, It says, for the first time since nineteen seventy two, the NDAA would automatically register all males age eighteen to twenty six for selective service in the military. So for the past fifty two years, you're actually required to register on your own, but compliance reportedly had been lagging in terms of selective service. They're switching it to automatic registration, presumably after significant pressure from the military.

You read into that what you will.

You read into that what you will.

I'm not going to say it's some grand conspiracy or whatever, but you know, start to get a little nervous anytime we start to see things.

I'm not going to say it's some grand conspiracy or whatever, but you know, start to get a little nervous anytime we start to see things.

Like this is really hey, what's going on? Why?

Like this is really hey, what's going on? Why?

And I can tell you why, which is that enlistment right now is an all time low in the US military.

And I can tell you why, which is that enlistment right now is an all time low in the US military.

Young people do not want to enlist.

Young people do not want to enlist.

They do not agree either with foreign policy, or they think the incentives are not even close to where they were or and honestly, this is sad, but most people are just way too fat to join the military and not physically fit. So you have a combination. It's like a poly crisis. And it's not me saying this. You can ask any individual service and look at their reports to Congress about enlistment.

They do not agree either with foreign policy, or they think the incentives are not even close to where they were or and honestly, this is sad, but most people are just way too fat to join the military and not physically fit. So you have a combination. It's like a poly crisis. And it's not me saying this. You can ask any individual service and look at their reports to Congress about enlistment.

What do you do, well, you start to put pressure for selective service.

What do you do, well, you start to put pressure for selective service.

And let's just say, the last time that we saw this in the nineteen sixties, it didn't go so well.

And let's just say, the last time that we saw this in the nineteen sixties, it didn't go so well.

We'll see how it sager.

We'll see how it sager.

You'll love this.

You'll love this.

That was a Democrat who was sort of leading this charge to get this into the NBAA And.

That was a Democrat who was sort of leading this charge to get this into the NBAA And.

By the way, there isn't.

By the way, there isn't.

The expectation is that the Senate has other issues with the NBA, not necessarily this one, but there's an expectation they're not going to take up this bill.

The expectation is that the Senate has other issues with the NBA, not necessarily this one, but there's an expectation they're not going to take up this bill.

Just to be clear, But you'll love this.

Just to be clear, But you'll love this.

Democrat who is pushing this uses social justice language to justify it. She says this will allow us to rededicate resources. Basically that means money towards readiness and mobilization rather than towards education and advertising campaigns driven to register people. And she says it will ensure any future military draft is fair and equitable.

Democrat who is pushing this uses social justice language to justify it. She says this will allow us to rededicate resources. Basically that means money towards readiness and mobilization rather than towards education and advertising campaigns driven to register people. And she says it will ensure any future military draft is fair and equitable.

Oh good, Yes, that's that's exactly right. That's what we need. We need an equitable draft. I mean, if we're to have a draft, I'm in favor of an equitable draft. But I'd rather just have no draft, but.

Oh good, Yes, that's that's exactly right. That's what we need. We need an equitable draft. I mean, if we're to have a draft, I'm in favor of an equitable draft. But I'd rather just have no draft, but.

Not have a draft to how about that one?

Not have a draft to how about that one?

It's just all right, incredible, you can't make it up, as you said.

It's just all right, incredible, you can't make it up, as you said.

Just wow.

Just wow.

Okay, all right, we got Brianna Joyed Gray standing by. Let's get to it.

Okay, all right, we got Brianna Joyed Gray standing by. Let's get to it.

We are very happy to be joined today by Brianna joy Gray, formerly of the Hill and currently most importantly host of the Bad Faith podcast, which everyone should subscribe to. But it's always great to see you.

We are very happy to be joined today by Brianna joy Gray, formerly of the Hill and currently most importantly host of the Bad Faith podcast, which everyone should subscribe to. But it's always great to see you.

Always a pleasure, Chrystilton Sager, Good to see you.

Always a pleasure, Chrystilton Sager, Good to see you.

So, I know you've told this story a number of times at this point, but I would really like you to go back a little bit. We played on our show the you know, alleged eye rolling incident, along with additional parts of that interview so people could get more of a fullsome sense of it and what you were dealing with there, which I thought was an impossible situation.

So, I know you've told this story a number of times at this point, but I would really like you to go back a little bit. We played on our show the you know, alleged eye rolling incident, along with additional parts of that interview so people could get more of a fullsome sense of it and what you were dealing with there, which I thought was an impossible situation.

But I'd love it if you could go.

But I'd love it if you could go.

Back a little bit because I think our audience are very interested in how these forces of censorship operate over time and the type of pressure that you've been under at the Hill, you know, escalating post October seven, but even before that.

Back a little bit because I think our audience are very interested in how these forces of censorship operate over time and the type of pressure that you've been under at the Hill, you know, escalating post October seven, but even before that.

Perhaps, Yeah, that's a really good question, and I'm glad your focus there, because I do think that in the immediate aftermath of the firing and the kind of rationale that were presented for why it happened, the larger story of the fact that this has been going on for months and months, you know, lighter versions of censorships kind of the threat of the actual termination has been happening. You're right, before October seventh, there were retentions, but most certainly after October seventh. We all know that Katie Halper was let go from the Hill over year before October seventh for doing a radar in which she described Israel as an apartheid state and cited innumerable sources for that claim, including Bet Selim and other sources within Israel. And despite the fact that she's a Jewish woman citing Israeli sources for what is broadly considered to be a widely understood and accepted description in the international community. She was told that for non ideological reasons, right, they claimed it was for non ideological reasons, that there was something about the form the style of her radar that wasn't up to the Hills standards, and that that meant that she could never appear on the Hill again, not just as a guest host, but in any capacity. So obviously that makes no sense at all. And for me, the writing was on the wall, and when Katie and I talked about what I should do afterward and how I should conduct myself on the Hill afterward, it was very clear that the only justification for me staying there was to be a sort of a test case and to continue to press those buttons, in particularly the one about coverage, critical coverage of Israel, until what we ultimately knew was going to happen actually did manifest, which is that censorship would come into effect and after October seventh.

Perhaps, Yeah, that's a really good question, and I'm glad your focus there, because I do think that in the immediate aftermath of the firing and the kind of rationale that were presented for why it happened, the larger story of the fact that this has been going on for months and months, you know, lighter versions of censorships kind of the threat of the actual termination has been happening. You're right, before October seventh, there were retentions, but most certainly after October seventh. We all know that Katie Halper was let go from the Hill over year before October seventh for doing a radar in which she described Israel as an apartheid state and cited innumerable sources for that claim, including Bet Selim and other sources within Israel. And despite the fact that she's a Jewish woman citing Israeli sources for what is broadly considered to be a widely understood and accepted description in the international community. She was told that for non ideological reasons, right, they claimed it was for non ideological reasons, that there was something about the form the style of her radar that wasn't up to the Hills standards, and that that meant that she could never appear on the Hill again, not just as a guest host, but in any capacity. So obviously that makes no sense at all. And for me, the writing was on the wall, and when Katie and I talked about what I should do afterward and how I should conduct myself on the Hill afterward, it was very clear that the only justification for me staying there was to be a sort of a test case and to continue to press those buttons, in particularly the one about coverage, critical coverage of Israel, until what we ultimately knew was going to happen actually did manifest, which is that censorship would come into effect and after October seventh.

I mean, I've mentioned.

I mean, I've mentioned.

This in other places, but I think it's really important to note there were very clear instances of ideological censorship, for example saying that Norm Finkelstein could not come on the show, and there were softer versus the censorship, where frequently the language Israel block would be used to describe our Israel coverage for the day, the idea that all of the news that pertained what was going on in Israel and Gaza related to the crisis could be confined to one segment out of eight to ten that were filmed in a day. And when I push back on that, saying, we never describe it as like a Tucker Carlson block, or a COVID block, or a Joe Rogan block, or an economy block or Joe Biden block, any other of the topics that we cover. You know, if there's an appetite for it, we understand what the audience likes, and we understand the news value and will weigh those things and decide how to proceed accordingly. They said, oh no, no, no, it's not We're not really talking about an Israel block. I swear, But again and again that phraseology would come up, and everyone's speaking of eye rolls.

This in other places, but I think it's really important to note there were very clear instances of ideological censorship, for example saying that Norm Finkelstein could not come on the show, and there were softer versus the censorship, where frequently the language Israel block would be used to describe our Israel coverage for the day, the idea that all of the news that pertained what was going on in Israel and Gaza related to the crisis could be confined to one segment out of eight to ten that were filmed in a day. And when I push back on that, saying, we never describe it as like a Tucker Carlson block, or a COVID block, or a Joe Rogan block, or an economy block or Joe Biden block, any other of the topics that we cover. You know, if there's an appetite for it, we understand what the audience likes, and we understand the news value and will weigh those things and decide how to proceed accordingly. They said, oh no, no, no, it's not We're not really talking about an Israel block. I swear, But again and again that phraseology would come up, and everyone's speaking of eye rolls.

Everybody in the.

Everybody in the.

Room would roll their eyes whenever I proposed topics that were related to Gaza.

Room would roll their eyes whenever I proposed topics that were related to Gaza.

See, this is very interesting, and just so for clarity purposes, Hill Is transferred ownership after Crystal and I left there. So some of this sounds familiar. Some of this is a little bit more explicit. So you're telling us even though your name is behind you. It's like Rising with Breanna and Robbie that they are explicitly programming and telling you who you can have on the show, who you can have on the show and explicitly defining blocks like, for example, people who are watching our show, those what we would refer to as blocks binos. The only people who decided her Crystal, me and the editorial team. But for you, you were actually being told and pigeonholed where things were.

See, this is very interesting, and just so for clarity purposes, Hill Is transferred ownership after Crystal and I left there. So some of this sounds familiar. Some of this is a little bit more explicit. So you're telling us even though your name is behind you. It's like Rising with Breanna and Robbie that they are explicitly programming and telling you who you can have on the show, who you can have on the show and explicitly defining blocks like, for example, people who are watching our show, those what we would refer to as blocks binos. The only people who decided her Crystal, me and the editorial team. But for you, you were actually being told and pigeonholed where things were.

That's what was happening. Yeah, in the scenes.

That's what was happening. Yeah, in the scenes.

Part of the issue was that the editorial team had changed.

Part of the issue was that the editorial team had changed.

So let's say six months ago, the end of last year beginning of this year, we had a different producer who was lovely and supportive and really knew how to run a good show. And there were these problems existed more in terms of, you know, Robby and I would disagree on screen, but to the extent that whatever pressures from you know, higher up, were filtering down. She did a really good job of sort of being the bulwark against that sort of editorial pressure. Eventually, though, that pressure became so great, and the pressure on mini staffers became so great that between January and the time that I left, everybody was basically either pushed out or fired. So there were legacy guys that worked in the control room, you know, did sound intech that you two both know that were there in January, and we're not there by the time that I left. We took a photograph in January when I think an intern was leaving, and Robbie and I remarked months later that zero people in that photograph were still employed at The Hill except for the.

So let's say six months ago, the end of last year beginning of this year, we had a different producer who was lovely and supportive and really knew how to run a good show. And there were these problems existed more in terms of, you know, Robby and I would disagree on screen, but to the extent that whatever pressures from you know, higher up, were filtering down. She did a really good job of sort of being the bulwark against that sort of editorial pressure. Eventually, though, that pressure became so great, and the pressure on mini staffers became so great that between January and the time that I left, everybody was basically either pushed out or fired. So there were legacy guys that worked in the control room, you know, did sound intech that you two both know that were there in January, and we're not there by the time that I left. We took a photograph in January when I think an intern was leaving, and Robbie and I remarked months later that zero people in that photograph were still employed at The Hill except for the.

Two of us.

Two of us.

So there was a big staff change that I think also made it so that the pressures were more acute, precisely because the new producer was hired, but they said was it was described as to have more editorial control over the show.

So there was a big staff change that I think also made it so that the pressures were more acute, precisely because the new producer was hired, but they said was it was described as to have more editorial control over the show.

You know, I might not be frasing that exactly, but more.

You know, I might not be frasing that exactly, but more.

Editorial input and to bring Rising in line with the Hill kind of writing side more generally speaking, which, as you might remember, I mean there was there's always been this tension between The Hill as a new written news source in the tone of it, and the very kind of opinion driven show of Rising. And it always has felt like there was almost an embarrassment by the Hill to have this show that was successful but very tonally different than the kind of news they put out over at the Hill. And it seemed like the more they ratcheted up their attempts to bring Rising into conformity at the same time that I think my coverage of Gaza and Israel became particularly a thorn in their side.

Editorial input and to bring Rising in line with the Hill kind of writing side more generally speaking, which, as you might remember, I mean there was there's always been this tension between The Hill as a new written news source in the tone of it, and the very kind of opinion driven show of Rising. And it always has felt like there was almost an embarrassment by the Hill to have this show that was successful but very tonally different than the kind of news they put out over at the Hill. And it seemed like the more they ratcheted up their attempts to bring Rising into conformity at the same time that I think my coverage of Gaza and Israel became particularly a thorn in their side.

Well, some of those pieces, even though there's new management now very familiar to us. And you know, obviously we launched the show Rising Dagera and I am part of what was important to us in our worldview, as we did position it as a place where you could have dissenting voices and opinions that weren't heard other places. And The Hill has sought both to profit off of that brand as a free speech platform, but also to correll you in particular, but obviously Katie Helper, I'm sure others as well into what is actually you know, a comfortable lane for them. And you know, I think that's worth spelling, and I love to hear you talk a little bit more about how that operated and if there were other topics where you felt similar pressure other guests that were similarly banned. But the other thing that I think is worth noting for people here is that, you know, if you look at the Hills Channel, your segments on Israel were frequently some of the highest performers, So there was a you know, there were forces operating here. There was an upset here that went beyond you know, the quote unquote ratings, which from that perspective, it was your coverage was very successful. It was one of the things that people were most interested in hearing from Rising at this point in the show's history. So I'd love your sense of Okay, So how where does that pressure come from? Did you face similar pressure on other issues or was it really sort of unique to this one nation state and one conflict.

Well, some of those pieces, even though there's new management now very familiar to us. And you know, obviously we launched the show Rising Dagera and I am part of what was important to us in our worldview, as we did position it as a place where you could have dissenting voices and opinions that weren't heard other places. And The Hill has sought both to profit off of that brand as a free speech platform, but also to correll you in particular, but obviously Katie Helper, I'm sure others as well into what is actually you know, a comfortable lane for them. And you know, I think that's worth spelling, and I love to hear you talk a little bit more about how that operated and if there were other topics where you felt similar pressure other guests that were similarly banned. But the other thing that I think is worth noting for people here is that, you know, if you look at the Hills Channel, your segments on Israel were frequently some of the highest performers, So there was a you know, there were forces operating here. There was an upset here that went beyond you know, the quote unquote ratings, which from that perspective, it was your coverage was very successful. It was one of the things that people were most interested in hearing from Rising at this point in the show's history. So I'd love your sense of Okay, So how where does that pressure come from? Did you face similar pressure on other issues or was it really sort of unique to this one nation state and one conflict.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think that's such an important point because, look, you are obviously you you are the blueprints right for what we were doing. You know that there are it's a right left show. There are obviously topics that you're more excited about, Crystal from a leftist perspective, and Sager more that you're excited about from right leading perspective, and the same is true for us. And there are topics that you know, I'm not wild about talking about because frankly, as a leftist, I feel like there are distractions from the material issues that are more core to my political project. But I understand that it's a show and the audience has its own tastes, and I understand even though I don't think it's maybe the most important thing in the world.

I think that's such an important point because, look, you are obviously you you are the blueprints right for what we were doing. You know that there are it's a right left show. There are obviously topics that you're more excited about, Crystal from a leftist perspective, and Sager more that you're excited about from right leading perspective, and the same is true for us. And there are topics that you know, I'm not wild about talking about because frankly, as a leftist, I feel like there are distractions from the material issues that are more core to my political project. But I understand that it's a show and the audience has its own tastes, and I understand even though I don't think it's maybe the most important thing in the world.

If you know, if if Joe.

If you know, if if Joe.

Rogan and Tucker Carlson are in a room together somewhere at Davos, then those are all the key words that are going to light up the scoreboard, and that we're going to cover it. It's not that big a deal, and you just go along with it and you get a little your stuff.

Rogan and Tucker Carlson are in a room together somewhere at Davos, then those are all the key words that are going to light up the scoreboard, and that we're going to cover it. It's not that big a deal, and you just go along with it and you get a little your stuff.

I get a little my stuff.

I get a little my stuff.

That's the compromise, particularly because I know that some of that stuff really really does well. You know, I'm not I'm not going to sit here and ignore the reality that they're ready a business and I am benefiting from the ability to be on this platform and to say what I want to say what I want to say it.

That's the compromise, particularly because I know that some of that stuff really really does well. You know, I'm not I'm not going to sit here and ignore the reality that they're ready a business and I am benefiting from the ability to be on this platform and to say what I want to say what I want to say it.

But then there's, you know, there's the give and take.

But then there's, you know, there's the give and take.

What was so frustrating for me, in particular, was that the things that are of interest to me were frequently not the big ticket winners. Right me, covering some Starbucks labor dispute isn't necessarily going to get us, you know, two hundred thousand views. But when it came to Israel Palestine, for once, my kind of ideological interest happened to align where the audience's ideological interests were and Suddenly all the arguments that I had been confronted with about why we need to cover X, Y, and Z issue because it's good for business went out the window, and they seem to be working at cross purposes with their.

What was so frustrating for me, in particular, was that the things that are of interest to me were frequently not the big ticket winners. Right me, covering some Starbucks labor dispute isn't necessarily going to get us, you know, two hundred thousand views. But when it came to Israel Palestine, for once, my kind of ideological interest happened to align where the audience's ideological interests were and Suddenly all the arguments that I had been confronted with about why we need to cover X, Y, and Z issue because it's good for business went out the window, and they seem to be working at cross purposes with their.

Own economic agenda.

Own economic agenda.

And this went even further because there are you know, some other shows at the Hill that are less successful. This is no slight to anybody who's working there. I encourage those shows to keep, you know, working at it and trying to be successful.

And this went even further because there are you know, some other shows at the Hill that are less successful. This is no slight to anybody who's working there. I encourage those shows to keep, you know, working at it and trying to be successful.

That's fine. But we were constantly.

That's fine. But we were constantly.

Being told that there were limited resources to hire staff that had been let go or who had left because how hard it was to work there with their little staff support. Right, It's like a self fulfilling prophecy. People leave, you don't hire a new staff, it becomes even more difficult for the old staff, the remaining staff to keep up with content. They had higher expectations on them without higher pay, and so then they leave, and it was a cycle that was building over time. We were told we couldn't hire a new staff at the same time that we saw other shows that weren't as successful just objectively and weren't bringing in the money being staffed up and resources being devoted to them in a way that didn't seem like it made very much sense.

Being told that there were limited resources to hire staff that had been let go or who had left because how hard it was to work there with their little staff support. Right, It's like a self fulfilling prophecy. People leave, you don't hire a new staff, it becomes even more difficult for the old staff, the remaining staff to keep up with content. They had higher expectations on them without higher pay, and so then they leave, and it was a cycle that was building over time. We were told we couldn't hire a new staff at the same time that we saw other shows that weren't as successful just objectively and weren't bringing in the money being staffed up and resources being devoted to them in a way that didn't seem like it made very much sense.

And what it always felt like to us was that because.

And what it always felt like to us was that because.

Of the embarrassment around Rising, they were hoping that one of the more kind of typical staid news shows would become more successful and ultimately they would be justified and cutting ties with Rising. I do wonder sometimes if they really even care about the success of the show, if they're secretly hoping that doing things like firing Katie, firing me, firing Kim will kill the show, because then they have a justification for not just trashing what is so obviously a valuable property. And the one other point to the editorial control aspect of it. I was told when I joined the show that no matter what, the radars were sacrisanct, right, the video essays were sacrisanct, And in fact, about a year ago I had agreed to do go from three days a week to four if I didn't have to do radars because they're very time consuming.

Of the embarrassment around Rising, they were hoping that one of the more kind of typical staid news shows would become more successful and ultimately they would be justified and cutting ties with Rising. I do wonder sometimes if they really even care about the success of the show, if they're secretly hoping that doing things like firing Katie, firing me, firing Kim will kill the show, because then they have a justification for not just trashing what is so obviously a valuable property. And the one other point to the editorial control aspect of it. I was told when I joined the show that no matter what, the radars were sacrisanct, right, the video essays were sacrisanct, And in fact, about a year ago I had agreed to do go from three days a week to four if I didn't have to do radars because they're very time consuming.

I said, fine trade off. Yeah, that's a fine trade off.

I said, fine trade off. Yeah, that's a fine trade off.

But as they started trying to censor the Israel coverage, I went back to doing a lot of radars because I felt like that was the only way I could get more about what was going on in Gaza into the lineup every day, right. I didn't want to, but I felt frankly compelled to. At that point, I started getting pushed back from the new producer as to what was even going into my radar, and that really became a tipping point in the source of a lot of behind the scenes arguing, where it seemed like every single thing that happened on the show off scene, not even to mention what was happening on screen with Robbie, was so contentious and so stressful that it made it very, very, very difficult to put on a show.

But as they started trying to censor the Israel coverage, I went back to doing a lot of radars because I felt like that was the only way I could get more about what was going on in Gaza into the lineup every day, right. I didn't want to, but I felt frankly compelled to. At that point, I started getting pushed back from the new producer as to what was even going into my radar, and that really became a tipping point in the source of a lot of behind the scenes arguing, where it seemed like every single thing that happened on the show off scene, not even to mention what was happening on screen with Robbie, was so contentious and so stressful that it made it very, very, very difficult to put on a show.

That's crazy. Yeah, I mean I've heard very similar things, Brianna. It's not just about you.

That's crazy. Yeah, I mean I've heard very similar things, Brianna. It's not just about you.

There's a lot of stuff I've been hearing from behind the scenes, like you just said, about censorship, about meddling, about some of the control and I think, look, this could be tedious and almost inside baseball, but I think that people want to hear this because this is what's actually happening. This is why Chrystal and I left just by the way, but it's also this is how every network news show operates. This is just more in the open, because Brianna, you are somebody who also has an alternative path. You can speak out about this without suffering genuine repercussion. So what does it feel like now, you know, to be on the other sides, you feel more liberated?