Episodes and blog posts

If Langley is hallowed ground, what is America? – Ep 33

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We touched a bit of everything in this one.  

It’s not often to hear someone at MSNBC saying the channel is basically no different than Fox on war, so we examine Bill for the oddity he is, at least among his colleagues.

1:05 – MSNBC / Fox News discussion

7:35 – Bill Arkin leaving MSNBC

29:48 – West Los Angeles VA cancels PTSD program

42:15 – Elizabeth Warren for President

51:30 – Election results from the CIA Democrats

1:03:25 – Coast Guard working unpaid

My Departure Letter from NBC

Top Secret America

Longtime Reporter Leaves NBC Saying Media Is “Trump Circus” That Encourages Perpetual War

The West LA VA Is Trying To Evict A Jewish Veterans Group

Coast Guard financial support document

Enjoy the show?!  Please leave us a review right here.

Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com

Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570.  We might even play it on the podcast!!!

Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, Fahim Shirazee, James Higgins, and James O’Barr.  Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work.  Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?!  Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Facebook – Fortress On A Hill

Twitter – Fortress On A Hill

Soundcloud – Fortress On A Hill

FOH is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson and Danny Sjursen

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks.  Clifton’s Bandcamp page; Clifton’s Patreon page

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Don’t let hooligan Joe see you take that ice cream – Interview with Joe Kassabian – Ep 32

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Joe Kassabian, U.S. Army veteran of Afghanistan, author, and cohost of the Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast stops by to discuss his new book “The Hooligans of Kandahar”, a novel about Joe’s second tour in Afghanistan.  We discuss Afghanistan, the racism of Ty Cobb and the ‘good soldier’ doctrine, and whether news should get out of the opinion business.

Enjoy the show?!  Please leave us a review right here.

Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com

Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570.  We might even play it on the podcast!!!

Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, Fahim Shirazee, James Higgins, and James O’Barr.  Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work.  Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?!  Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Facebook – Fortress On A Hill

Twitter – Fortress On A Hill

Soundcloud – Fortress On A Hill

FOH is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson, Danny Sjursen, and BT Hampton

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks.  Clifton’s Bandcamp page; Clifton’s Patreon page

Thanks to Nate Bethea from What A Hell of a Way to Die for editing and mixing this episode

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Militarism after all – Season 1 finale – Ep 31

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Today is our final episode for the year.  We discuss the HUGE pile of recent military news that has occurred within the last week, to include Jim Mattis’ resignation, 4k troops departing Syria, half of the current deployment in Afghanistan redeploying, and so on.

For that who haven’t heard, Fortress On A Hill has a new cohost: BT Hampton.  He’s an OIF / OEF veteran like Danny and myself and we’re pumped to have him as part of our tiny circle of self destruction.  You can find his blog and personal podcast here.  

2:23– The death and crimes of George H.W. Bush

20:00– Niger investigation update

35:33– Syria redeployment \ cutting Afghanistan troops in half

38:40– Mattis resignation

1:08:20– Patron questions

1:45:08– An outrageous amount of militarism in a small package

An operation in Niger went fatally awry.  Who is the Army punishing? – Thomas Gibbons-Neff – NYT

Enjoy the show?!  Please leave us a review right here.

Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com

Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570.  We might even play it on the podcast!!!

Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, Fahim Shirazee, and James Higgins!!  Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work.  Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?!  Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Facebook – Fortress On A Hill

Twitter – Fortress On A Hill

Soundcloud – Fortress On A Hill

FOH is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson and Danny Sjursen

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks.  Clifton’s Bandcamp page; Clifton’s Patreon page

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

End of the year announcements

Got a couple updates for you. I’d like to welcome BT Hampton as a new cohost and producer of the podcast.  BT is a Iraq war veteran like Danny and myself, who served as both a cav scout and a crew chief on a Blackhawk helicopter.  I really excited to have his experience and perspective to add to the podcast. You can find his personal blog here.

Danny and I recorded our last episode of the season yesterday.  We hit all the recent news, to include the death of George H.W. Bush, Mattis’ resignation, the withdrawals from Syria and Iraq, and end with some patron questions and a short rant on militarism.  It’s long and heavy, but definitely worth your time.

Lastly, we want to thank everyone for their support with the podcast.  When we began this podcast, I was convinced of the value it could offer to ordinary citizens, wanting to know more about how their country wages war.  After a year, I couldn’t be more convinced of it. Thank you for being a part of that.

On Her Majesty’s ClandesTime Service – Interview with Tom Secker – Ep 30

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Tom Secker visits the podcast for an in-depth discussion on examining films manipulated by the CIA or the DOD, filing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the US government, various military films to include A Few Good Men, War Machine, and Zero Dark Thirty, and lastly, we discuss Tom’s book “National Security Cinema”

Tom Secker is a British-based writer, researcher, author, podcaster and filmmaker.  His specialities include the security services, Hollywood, propaganda, censorship and the history of terrorism.  He runs the Spy Culture site and hosts the ClandesTime podcast, and his latest book is National Security Cinema: The Shocking New Evidence of Government Control in Hollywood.

NOTE: THIS EPISODE HAS SOME AUDIO QUALITY ISSUES.  ZOOM CRASHED ON US AND SKYPE SUCKS.  

Enjoy the show?!  Please leave us a review right here.

Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com

Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570.  We might even play it on the podcast!!!

Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, and Fahim Shirazee!!  Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work.  Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?!  Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Facebook – Fortress On A Hill

Twitter – Fortress On A Hill

Soundcloud – Fortress On A Hill

FOH is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson and Danny Sjursen

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks.  Clifton’s Bandcamp page; Clifton’s Patreon page

Thanks to Nate Bethea from What A Hell of a Way to Die for editing and mixing this episode

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Danny roundup – November 2018

I’ve decided to start doing a monthly roundup of Danny’s writing pieces.  It will help give a better single spot to check for specific articles.

Start with Danny’s American History for TruthDiggers series, an ongoing project examining US history from a more detailed and history based perspective.  The most recent addition (part 21) discussed the lost history of World War I and how its peace didn’t last, despite the overwhelming horror of the conflict.  

American History for Truthdiggers: A Savage ‘War to End All Wars,’ and a Failed Peace

“America Is Headed For Military Defeat in Afghanistan” at the American Conservative

“What if Osama bin Laden Had Legitimate Grievances?” at TruthDig

“Three Thanksgivings – Snapshots From a Career of Failure” at Antiwar.com

“Global War to Infinity and Beyond” at TomDispatch.com

“Nexus of Evil: The Cynical Saudi-Israeli Alliance and the Reshaping of the Middle East” at Antiwar.com

“The Reclamation of George W. Bush Is an American Tragedy” at Antiwar.com

“One Veteran’s Plea – Get Informed or Ditch the Holiday” at Antiwar.com

“Has Iraq Become Another ‘Lesson Lost’ Like Vietnam?” at The American Conservative

“Not on the Agenda – America’s Wars Are a Non-Factor in Today’s Midterm Elections” at Antiwar.com

From Afghanistan with sorrowful results – Ep 29

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It’s been WAY too long since we’ve done headlines, so we do our best to catch you up.  I break down the current situation in Yemen and discuss some updates, including the American contractors working as mercenaries there while Danny takes us back to the seventeen year old war in Afghanistan, showing the headlines missed during the week while the media was focused on a photo of the senior commander in Afghanistan carrying his rifle.

America Is Headed For Military Defeat in Afghanistan – Danny Sjursen – The American Conservative

Tank plant in Ohio that Trump “saved” – nothing in piece suggested he actually “saved” it.

1.3 million Iraqi children displaced by war with Islamic State

Al Qaeda commander gets numerous emergency surgeries while held at GITMO.

US exempts Iran’s Chabahar Port from sanctions – helpful to Afghanistan’s economy.

Iraq asks US to consider how sanctions will affect Iraq’s economy / etc.

Marine veteran protests Leupold at Blazers game

Think Progress on Leupold protest

Second Saudi journalist tortured and murdered by Saudi authorities

The Ministry of Defense in the UK is being petitioned to stop recruiting 16 and 17 year olds.

Low IQ draftees were chosen after Vietnam leaders couldn’t make numbers.

Rust costs 21 billion per year

Statistical connections between veterans and mass shooters

Army secretary says NCOs should visit barracks on weekends to prevent suicide

Hypertension linked to Agent Orange exposure

VA moving hundreds of docs from union admin spots back to providing care for veterans

1 in 5 generals couldn’t deploy for medical reasons in 2016

There’s a strong possibility that several of the northern Marianas Islands will become bombing ranges for the US Navy – ep from Chapo Traphouse

The Trump administration is demanding the Supreme Court immediately rule on the ban on transgender people serving in the military.

VA isn’t providing benefits correctly to veterans with ALS

85k children under believed to have died in the war in Yemen – CNN

Trump may declare the Houthis a terrorist organization

Finland and Denmark have joined Germany in ceasing all weapons sales to Saudi Arabia over their war crimes in Yemen, along with the continuing fallout from the assassination of Washington Post writer Jamal Khashoggi

Yemenis killed in assassination by American contractors

Enjoy the show?!  Please leave us a review right here.

Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com

Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570.  We might even play it on the podcast!!!

Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, and Fahim Shirazee!!  Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work.  Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?!  Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Facebook – Fortress On A Hill

Twitter – Fortress On A Hill

Soundcloud – Fortress On A Hill

FOH is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson and Danny Sjursen

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks.  Clifton’s Bandcamp page; Clifton’s Patreon page

Thanks to Nate Bethea from What A Hell of a Way to Die for editing and mixing this episode

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

About Face 2018 campaign drive

Danny and I are proud members of About Face – Veterans Against The War.  The group is currently holding their fall fundraising drive, which provides funds for veterans to conduct outreach about militarism and endless war, to include protesting President and Mrs. Bush receiving the Liberty Medal at the National Constitution Center.  I’m so proud of the great work they did in Philadelphia.  $5 is amazingly helpful, so please give and help About Face continue the fight!!

How to go for broke as an anti-war advocate – Scott Horton interview Part 2 – Ep 28

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Today, Danny and I present part 2 of our sitdown with Scott Horton, host of Anti-War Radio on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, which is also known by its podcast name, the Scott Horton Show.  Scott has hosted Anti-War Radio since 2003 and has done several thousand interviews with war correspondents of all stripes.  His book, “Fool’s Errand: Time to end the war in Afghanistan” is an amazing collection on the history of war in Afghanistan, how presidential decisions from Carter to Trump have destroyed the greater Middle East, and how the American people were deceived by the leaders about both the premise of the war and the history of it, now just past its 17th anniversary.  Scott is also managing director of the Libertarian Institute at  LibertarianInstitute.org and editorial director of Anti-war.com, where both Danny and myself, but mostly Danny, have published pieces on the American war state.  The man has an amazing mind and recalls even the tiniest of details about his research and reporting on Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and so forth.  Please do listen to his show on 90.7 if you’re in the Los Angeles area. If not, grab your podcatcher app and add the Scott Horton show to your podcasts.

Enjoy the show?!  Please leave us a review right here.

Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com

Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570.  We might even play it on the podcast!!!

Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, and Fahim Shirazee!!  Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work.  Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?!  Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Facebook – Fortress On A Hill

Twitter – Fortress On A Hill

Soundcloud – Fortress On A Hill

FOH is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson and Danny Sjursen

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks.  Clifton’s Bandcamp page; Clifton’s Patreon page

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

How to go for broke as an anti-war advocate – Scott Horton interview Part 1 – Ep 27

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Today, Danny and I present part 1 of our sitdown with Scott Horton, host of Anti-War Radio on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, which is also known by its podcast name, the Scott Horton Show.  Scott has hosted Anti-War Radio since 2003 and has done several thousand interviews with war correspondents of all stripes.  His book, “Fool’s Errand: Time to end the war in Afghanistan” is an amazing collection on the history of war in Afghanistan, how presidential decisions from Carter to Trump have destroyed the greater Middle East, and how the American people were deceived by the leaders about both the premise of the war and the history of it, now just past its 17th anniversary.  Scott is also managing director of the Libertarian Institute at  LibertarianInstitute.org and editorial director of Anti-war.com, where both Danny and myself, but mostly Danny, have published pieces on the American war state.  The man has an amazing mind and recalls even the tiniest of details about his research and reporting on Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, and so forth.  Please do listen to his show on 90.7 if you’re in the Los Angeles area. If not, grab your podcatcher app and add the Scott Horton show to your podcasts.

2:59– Scott discusses how he got started on being an anti-war advocate

10:22– Scott discusses writing “Fool’s Errand”

17:14– Scott discusses the impact of high ranking US government officials, even cabinet members, keeping certain information away from the president to demonstrate a specific narrative on foreign policy

27:36– Scott on the current horrifying situation in Afghanistan

36:02– Scott on future predictions for Afghanistan    

Enjoy the show?!  Please leave us a review right here.

Contact us direct by email at fortressonahill@gmail.com

Leave us a voicemail at 860-598-0570.  We might even play it on the podcast!!!

Not a contributor on Patreon? You’re missing out on amazing bonus content! Sign up to be one of our contributors today! – www.patreon.com/fortressonahill

A special thanks to our honorary producers Matthew Hoh, Will Ahrens, Gage Counts, and Fahim Shirazee!!  Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work.  Thank you so much!!!

Not up for something recurring like Patreon, but want to give a couple bucks?!  Visit Paypal.me/fortressonahill to contribute!!

Facebook – Fortress On A Hill

Twitter – Fortress On A Hill

Soundcloud – Fortress On A Hill

FOH is hosted, written, and produced by Chris ‘Henri’ Henrikson and Danny Sjursen

Intro / outro music “Fortress on a hill” written and performed by Clifton Hicks.  Clifton’s Bandcamp page; Clifton’s Patreon page

Cover and website art designed by Brian K. Wyatt Jr. of B-EZ Graphix Multimedia Marketing Agency in Tallehassee, FL

Note: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts alone, expressed in an unofficial capacity, and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.