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Venezuela deserves our compassion…not our regime change machine – Ep 38

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Danny and I take the Fortress meat cleaver to the situation in Venezuela.  We discuss how humanitarian aid is not the offer Marco Rubio or anyone in US government says it is and how it’s been repeated historically in a multitude of countries.  We also discuss a recent settlement for a VA patient that smells significantly south of bullshit. Finally, we discuss the bravery and leadership shown by Senator Martha McSally as a survivor of sexual assault.  

1:36 – VA pays $950k to former VA patient

16:37 – Senator Martha McSally’s statement as a victim of sexual assault

44:52 – Venezuela regime change

VA pays $950,000 to patient of ex-Iowa surgeon hired despite incompetence allegations

Sen. Martha McSally coming forward about her rape could be a watershed moment for Republican women

Burning Aid: An Interventionist Deception on Colombia-Venezuela Bridge?

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, James O’Barr, Adam Bellows, Julie Dupris, Paul Appel, and Eric Phillips.  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!!

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

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

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!!

If I had a nickel for every insider attack – the writing on the wall in Afghanistan – Ep 25

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It’s been a few weeks since we’ve done a headlines episode, so we pack this one to the gills for you.  We catch up on damage caused by Hurricane Michael to DOD bases and our government’s current climate change denying views, discuss the horrific conditions in Yemen and the U.S.’ choice to ignore the catastrophe there, and Danny takes us through the recent insider attack in Afghanistan and the spotlight it places on the continuing American occupation there.   

1:02– Intro

4:05– President Trump’s remarks on Brett Kavanaugh

5:25– President Bush receiving the Freedom Medal from the National Constitution Center

11:35– Hurricane damage to DOD facilities / use of west coast federal facilities to ship coal

19:00– Code Pink military industrial complex report

24:02– Wired article discussing how hackable modern military technology has become

24:53– CIA Democrats at the World Socialist Website

30:39– Saudi Arabia and the assassination of Jamal Khoshoggi

38:35– Humanitarian crisis in Yemen

49:34– Insider attack targets senior US commander in 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.

Danny’s spot on the Zero Hour

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NOFxA0TuS0[/embedyt]

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

Got news to share about our military or veterans?! Or just need to cuss at us for a bit?! 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, and Gage Counts!!  Without you guys, we couldn’t continue our work.  Thank you so much!!!

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

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

Music provided royalty free by Bensound.com

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.

This is what happens when bombs feed starving mouths – Blackhawk Down revisited – Ep 22

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Just a few days ago, we passed the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu.  A oddity of a military action, falling shortly after the Gulf War among a decade of more “humanitarian” actions by the US government, the battle saw nineteens American lives lost and seventy three more wounded.  The battle also saw the deaths of untold numbers of Somali nationals, believed to be in the thousands.  What was planned to be a short but complicated thirty minutes of mission time, pursuing Somali warlord Mohammad Farad Aidid and his lieutenants, became the entire night and into the next day as the Americans reeled from two downed Blackhawk helicopters.  Unprepared for night operations or even having a full canteen of water each, the soldiers waited to be retrieved by UN-tasked Pakistani and Malaysian troops, who weren’t spared their own casualties in their rescue of the Americans.

This is that story, but it really isn’t.  This is the story of Blackhawk Down, the 2002 film directed by Ridley Scott.  With an all star cast and an amazing series of battle scenes depicting elements in the Battle of Mogadishu, the film was very successful and even screened for US troops serving at the time.  It also was timed for release to coincide with the Bush administration’s buildup in anticipation of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.  I know from experience, as Blackhawk Down was a part of my reason for joining the Army.

In this episode, Danny, myself, and my pal BT (known online as the Warrior Philosopher – check out his blog here) discuss our views of the film, both as young soldiers and how we see things today, with BT bringing in his time as a Blackhawk crew chief.

Blackhawk Down documentary – Amazon Prime

As “Black Hawk Down” Director Ridley Scott Is Nominated for An Oscar, An Actor in the Filmspeaks Out Against Its Pro-War Message – Democracy Now

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, and Gage Counts!!  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

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

Music provided royalty free by Bensound.com

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.