Securing America with Frank Gaffney Podcast

Ben Birnbaum, Rep. Louie Gohmert, Gordon Chang

Ben Birnbaum of the Washington Times joins Frank to explain what is happening inside Venezuela.  Pablo Perez is a rising political opponent to Chavez’s regime and could contest the long standing leader in the upcoming election. Pablo Perez seems to pro-American which is in stark contrast with the current Venezuelan policy under Chavez. Will Chavez make it to the election?  If Chavez does not make it to the election, who would take over for him and could that person beat Perez in a fair election? America should not get overly involved in the opposition because it could be seen as American interference and potentially hurt opposition support.

Representative Louie Gohmert spends time with Frank to try and clarify what Eric Holder and the DOJ is trying to do with respect to the Fast and Furious debacle. Eric Holder testified on May 3 that he only heard about Fast and Furious a few weeks prior which documents from DOJ showed to be false. DOJ provided Congress with over 100 pages of irrelevant documents in order to obscure the truth. The Attorney General of the United States is supposed to uphold the law, but Eric Holder broke the law when he lied during a Congressional hearing. Isn’t it time for him to go? According the Attorney General Holder, a few weeks and a few months aren’t really that different when referring to the time when he found out about this operation. Holder either misled Congress intentionally or negligently, either way his credibility is ruined.  Holder has failed to produce and evidence pertaining to the Inspector General’s investigation into Fast and Furious. According to Holder, he and the IG are so close that they don’t need a formal order; the Attorney General and IG should not have that close of a relationship. No matter how you break it down, Holder is incompetent and should be removed from his position. How come other Attorney Generals have been removed for less offenses, but yet Obama will not remove this one? Congressman Gohmert also touches on the fact that the Obama Administration is handcuffing U.S. agents trying to fight Islamic extremism as well as the fact the Obama Administration not allowing this threat to be properly characterized and spoken about among government officials.

Gordon Chang gives his analysis as to what is happening in China. China seems to be using its maritime fleet of fishing trawlers to push their territorial boundaries. A Chinese trawler went into South Korean waters and ended up killing a South Korean Coast Guardsman. At what point will America and other Asian nations push back against China’s aggressive expansionism? There are 10 major hacking groups in China, which cannot be formed without some form of government knowledge and support, which are attacking civilian as well as government instillations within the United States as well as other nations.  Could this hacking have played a part in the Iranians acquiring a U.S. drone? What are the implications of China getting a hold of this drone? The Chinese/Iranian relationship is growing more nefarious by the day and this unholy alliance could pose serious security risks to the United States as well as other nations.  We cannot negotiate arms control treaties with Russia, without including China because the Chinese may have thousands of strategic missiles hidden inside these underground tunnels that have been discovered in China.

Diana West, Christian Adams, Gordon Chang

Diana West spends two segments with Frank to explain the future of Afghanistan after the 2014 U.S. troop pullout. In an upcoming conference pertaining to Afghanistan’s future, the EU and US are working together to develop a new program called the “New Silk Road.” This will create a pipeline from Asia to Europe for the purpose of commerce. Roads in Afghanistan are not safe as they are; add money to the mix and these roads will become suicidal. After 2014, America will be leaving an environment of chaos with Taliban and Iranian influence along with broken civil works. Without supreme victory in Afghanistan, what will America have accomplished in Afghanistan when we pull out? Without destroying the Taliban, what will keep them from coming back after American troops leave? West also explains how liberal ideologues in Afghanistan are trying to create a perfect society and change the Muslim man. This is unrealistic and costing lives because troops are trying to change a culture which enrages the members of that culture. When will Obama open his eyes and look at Afghanistan through a realistic perspective instead of liberal social experiment? Are the troops in Afghanistan submitting to Sharia? Policies governing US troops are requiring them to show respect to Islam and honor Islamic cultural practices and these policies dictate military behavior. Who is leading the American armed forces? Isn’t this form of submission exactly what the Islamists want and fight for? What will come out of the conference between Secretary of State Clinton and the OIC? Christian Adams, a former member of the Department of Justice, sheds light on a nefarious group of militant, racial activists in Guam who are rigging government elections in order to remove U.S. military presence in the country. Only members of the native Chamarro ethnicity are allowed to vote. Guam is a strategic U.S. territory with bomber and submarine bases. Tragically, the Holder Justice Department does not seem to care about the plight of minorities in Guam. Holder is continuing his pattern of upholding voting laws in a racially unfair fashion. If the U.S. military can no longer use Guam as a strategic base, what would that mean for forces in the Pacific? Attorney General Holder either needs to start applying equality to the law or step down from his position. How come the president has not taken issue with this especially since he has claimed the Pacific is a strategic interest to the US? Guam is the most important base west of Hawaii in the American pacific arsenal. The Obama Administration is even using American tax dollars to show support for this racially discriminating election. The Obama-Holder Justice Department is using racially unequal enforcement of the laws to push their own agenda increase their power over Americans. Weekly Asian expert Gordon Chang speaks on new developments in China. India and China were supposed to have talks over their border disputes, but this was put on hold when India invited the Dali Lama to speak at an event. The Indians told China they would not allow the Chinese to interfere with internal events. More and more countries in the region are becoming concerned with China’s belligerent remarks and the Indians standing up to China sets the tone for the region, they will not be bullied. China is not trying to adjust and placate their neighbors, but is increasing their belligerence. This can only mean that China will clash with their neighbors and America in the future. The Chinese economy is clearly slipping dramatically and there is concern that in order to avert notice to this problem, the Chinese government will start to engage in misguided military campaigns under the guise of nationalism. The military is increasingly setting their own foreign policy which is extremely dangerous. Will China directly engage in conflict with America or will they engage American allies who will pull American forces into the mix? What kind of economic trajectory is China on? The Chinese military is arrogant and spoiling for a fight, what will this mean for regional security?

Gordon Chang, Barry Rubin, Mackenzie Eaglen, Andy McCarthy

Gordon Chang explains China’s “Zero Sum Game” with the United States. The Chinese view towards relations with the U.S. is that one side must win and one side must lose. America sees relationships as win/win for both parties, whereas the Chinese feel that only one party can win and dominate the international system. What can America do to “win” this game? China has becoming more aggressive in their rhetoric towards America. Chinese Flag Officers have claimed that China will engage America in war within the next 5-10 years. How can the American government ignore claims such as that? There are now signs that the Chinese economy is declining and becoming smaller. What does this mean for the Communist Party? Economic tribulations for China will result in them becoming more belligerent towards their neighbors in order to keep the peace within the populace. What will happen if China starts to breakdown? With the EU collapsing, what does that mean for the US and China? The U.S. is in the best position to weather the storm because America has the largest domestic economy, but China will suffer greatly.

Dr. Barry Rubin gives a history lesson on the Muslim Brotherhood. He explains where they came from and how they collaborated with the Nazis during World War 2.  It is reprehensible for the Obama Administration to work with the Muslim Brotherhood and their subsidiaries. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is leading U.S. policy in the Middle East; this is equivalent to the U.S. using Fidel Castro as their advisor to Latin America. How can this policy possibly have a positive outcome? The Obama Administration has claimed that they support the new governments of the Arab Spring and this is part of his Muslim outreach program. If Obama works with the Muslim Brotherhood, what would that mean for American security? The Muslim Brotherhood claims to be moderate, which they are not, and if they gain power then they will follow the Turkish model and slowly take over every aspect of society, not with force, but through controlling the government and legal institutions. This takeover will be slow and take time so as not to arouse suspicion from the international community. What does this mean for Israel, the Middle East and the United States of America?

Mackenzie Eaglen joins Frank to give the truth behind the defense budget cuts. In 2011 the White House Budget Office reported the Defense Budget at $730 billion and President Obama requested that in the next fiscal year it be cut to $703 billion; this was before the debt ceiling deal. The year after that the Defense Budget will be cut by another $26 billion and in 2013 President Obama has requested the Defense Budget be capped at $652 billion. It would be 2016 before the Defense Budget would be able to grow back to 2011 numbers. Since Obama has been president, $700 billion have been cut from defense. Unlike Entitlements, Defense does not have a clear base line for which to cut money. So why is everyone looking to cut Defense when it is much easier to cut Entitlements? What impact will these cuts have on our national security? America’s Navy is the smallest it has been since World War 1 and these cuts will make it the smallest since the 19^th century; what ability will they have to protect the world’s waters? With these cuts the Air Force will be the smallest it has ever been in history and already it is small and aging.

Weekly guest Andy McCarthy gives his analysis on the future Defense cuts and what that means to American security. Andy explains the need to make cuts to defense, especially with a mounting debt, but the government needs to keep in mind their priority and responsibility to protect the homeland.  Why aren’t there cuts to Entitlements? Protecting the nation is a responsibility enshrined in the Constitution, not Entitlements yet they are not on the cutting table. It is necessary that America has a clear goal and direction for its defense and then come up with an intelligent budget to allow the DOD to achieve those objectives.  

 

Bruce Klingner, Robert Zarate, Cynthia Farahat, Gordon Chang

What is the status between the United States and their allies in reference to North Korea’s nuclear program and how does China fit into this situation. Bruce Klingner of the Heritage Foundation explains that the older generation sees it as a socialist buffer-zone between them and the West. The younger generation sees it as a trouble maker and wants more dialog between China and South Korea. Bruce then explains the presence of the US in South Korea and in the region and how the defense cuts will hinder the region’s security.

Robert Zarate speaks on the defense budget and how the Department of Defense has spent less than their budget every year for the last five years and non-defense programs have exceeded their budgets during that same timeframe.  A deep cut in defense spending will have disastrous effects on our security, not just today or tomorrow but years down the road. In a time of uprisings in the Middle East, aggression in Asia and general hatred for America and democracy overall throughout parts of the world, how can America handcuff itself through these cuts? How can our diplomats push American interests and democracy if they are not protected by their military? These cuts will not only affect our military capabilities, but our diplomatic capabilities as well.

Egyptian Coptic writer and activist, Cynthia Farahat, recently escaped violent religious persecution of the Egyptian domestic security forces.  Today she joined Fred Grandy in the Secure Freedom Radio studio and is reporting in English on that persecution, the nature of the forces taking power, and up to the day events on the ground.  The U.S. government policy makers and media are not getting the whole story and are especially missing the most important intelligence requirements of the political and human rights state of play.  The U.S. government is in fact currently arming and funding the violent persecution of religious minorities in Egypt including moderate Sufi Muslims.

Is the Obama Administration tired of China’s games or are they playing politics and are employing a campaign strategy?  Gordon Chang explains the change in U.S. policy towards China. The Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal does not include China, the Pentagon’s Air-Sea Battle Concept which is directed to containing China, Taiwan being named a major security partner as well as the recent East-Asia Summit, the U.S. has taken a stance to China’s South China Sea claims are just a few examples of the shift in Obama’s policy towards China. Will China back off from their aggressive endeavors within the region or will this new shift make them more hostile? Post Cold War, the U.S. policy towards China was to work with them and provide them with assistance even when they went against American principals. We rewarded them for being bad, so what incentive does China have to work with us instead of against us?

Peter Pham, Roger Noriega, Michael Mandelbaum, Gordon Chang

Dr. Peter Pham of the Atlantic Council enlightens listeners on matters developing in Africa. The late Col. Qaddafi was a pack rat that spent most of his time as leader of Libya collecting arms, more than he could ever use. There are at least 20,000 Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs) missing as well as Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), anti-tank and anti-armor piercing weapons and other weapons. Neighboring countries are confiscating some of these weapons from rebels’ forces and mercenaries that are engaging in attacks on civilians and government personnel. Somali rebels fighting African Union peacekeepers are using many of these weapons that have disappeared from Libyan depots.  Is this a function of the new Libyan regime or is this a result of the chaos that has engulfed the African nation?

Latin American expert Roger Noriega joins Frank to shed light on recent developments within the region.  People are suspicious that a “cracker jack” police force in Venezuela was able to catch the kidnapping ring that abducted National’s catcher Wilson Ramos. Was the police in on the kidnapping in order to project the ability to go after kidnappers which has become a growing business? Hugo Chavez has not been responding well to his cancer treatment and therefore many feel he will be out of the picture within the next six months. What will happen to Venezuela once Chavez is gone? Who will take the reins of the country and how will that impact American security?

Dr. Michael Mandelbaum, professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, speaks on his book “The Frugal Superpower” and if it is possible for a superpower to be frugal.  Americans who are getting less from their government and giving more to it will become less receptive to America’s global role. Yet, in times like these it is important for America to project global influence and keep threats away from our shores and the shores of our allies. If America doesn’t take the global leadership role, who will and what implications will that have for American security and democracy overall?  America cannot close itself off and forget about its foreign responsibilities because the economy is slow. This type of nearsightedness will result in threats rising throughout the globe, threats to American interests and the security of our allies. America can continue with its global leadership by being smart about where we put our resources as well as the amount and type of resources we provide. Removing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq will enable America to more adequately counter the Iranian threat in the region. America must continue its global leadership.

Weekly Asian specialist Gordon Chang gives his insights on President Obama’s initiatives at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Honolulu. Countries within the region are turning to the United States and not China for economic partnership because the Chinese trajectory seems to be going in the wrong direction. This cooperation is between nine or ten nations embarking on a free trade agreement, without involving the Chinese. What does this mean for the Chinese economy? The Obama Administration seems to be finally taking notice of Chinese influence and is taking steps to counter that influence through this Free Trade Agreement. Is the Obama Administration’s posture towards China reliable?  The Air-Sea Battle Initiative is in response to the Chinese military buildup and the Pentagon now sees what the Chinese are trying to do and the comments they are making about engaging in war with America. The Pentagon is preparing conventional forces for any future conflicts with China, but how will slashing the defense budget affect that preparation? America needs to bulk up its military force in response to China’s claims of taking land they perceive as their own from countries that are allies with the United States. Cutting the Pentagon’s budget at this point is reckless. Australia has allowed the U.S. to establish a base in response to the Chinese threat.

 

Michael Gonzalez, Fred Kagan, Caroline Glick, Gordon Chang

What does it take to be Commander-in-Chief of the United States? Barack Obama dazzled voters in 2008 having spent time in other countries and being the son of a Kenyan, but it has become apparent that this global knowledge does not necessarily translate into foreign policy. Heritage Foundation’s Michael Gonzalez explains the shortcomings of the Obama’s policies which have included calling for Israel to push back to the ’67 borders and trying to work with the Iranian dictatorship.

Next, Fred Kagan from the American Enterprise Institute explains why America has lost Iraq because the Obama Administration decided not to push for continued American presence after the end of 2011. Iran has won Iraq over America because with no American influence, Iran is free to come in and sway Iraqi politics and security. The Bush Administration pushed for continued American influence and handed those negotiations over to the Obama Administration which has turned their back and wiped their hands of Iraq. With US forces preparing to leave, al-Qaeda is showing a resurgent as well as local militias within Iraq. Also, cooperation between Sunnis and Shiites has broken along with political inclusiveness. Barack Obama has been able to steal defeat from the jaws of victory.

In segment three, Caroline Glick gives her insights on the prospect of Israel striking Iran’s nuclear installations. “Israel doesn’t talk about existential threats; we take care of them…We have to take care of business.”  Caroline feels that the rumors surrounding a possible Israeli strike on Iran is just that, rumors perpetrated by journalists who like to hype of stories. Israel is doing what it needs to do to protect itself in a very hostile region and although there may be discussions pertaining to possible strikes, the government will not advertise it but just go do it. This is smart foreign policy, not aggressiveness but protecting one’s own existence.

Weekly Asian correspondent Gordon Chang rounds out today’s show with his insights on the growing Chinese threat. America does not fully nor appropriately understand the Chinese threat because America does not actually listen to their policies. As long as America ignores Chinese policies and actions, the United States will always be at risk for conflict. Whether it is in cyberspace or through conventional means, America must acknowledge the Chinese threat and start to take actions to counter such threats and put America’s allies in the region at ease that the United States will come to their aid if needed. China wants to use their financial muscle to make Europe their ally, instead o the United States. If Europe turns to China for financial assistance, what would China get in return? China would like to get weapons from the Europeans that were originally purchased from the United States. The Chinese regime is also proud of their one child policy because it is another way for them to control the population and intrude on the lives of the citizens. Forced abortions and sterilization are rampant which could give rise to political instability as well as economic instability as the population ages.

Shaun Waterman, Hannah Stuart, Amb. Yoram Ettinger, Gordon Chang

Could the U.S. be a victim of a cyber attack like that of Stuxnet? Should the U.S. pull support for the U.N. in light of recent developments within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization?  Shaun Waterman of the Washington Times brings to light an ongoing development within the realm of cyber threats. Duqu, a variant of the Stuxnet worm that attacked the Iranian nuclear plant has already started to infect some computers in the Middle East and Asia and may even have inflected a system in the U.S. This worm embeds itself in a computer system and steals password and username information as well as copying all the data files. What would this mean for American security if such a virus infected American computers? Do we have a cure?

Next, Hannah Stuart from the Henry Jackson Society provides listeners with a strategic briefing on Turkey and the Arab Spring. What is the connection between the Syrian regime and the Turkish government? It seems that Turkey is protecting an opposition military, Free Syrian Army, and allowing them to run operations against the Assad regime from refugee camps on the border.

In segment three, Ambassador Yoram Ettinger educates listeners on the developments at the United Nations over the weekend in which UNESCO granted Palestine full membership in the organization.  As a result, will the U.S. pull funding from the U.N. as it claimed it will?

Finally, regular guest Gordon Chang enlightens us on recent events in China. With growing unrest throughout the country, it seems that Communist leadership will have their hands full in the coming months. People are upset over economic, political and legal restrictions which are causing these protests to turn violent. On another note, the EU is looking at China to help with their financial woes and in turn China wants military hardware which ultimately comes from the U.S. Therefore America would indirectly be giving military technology to a country with growing military ambitions.

Arnaud de Borchgrave, Robert Zarate, Gordon Chang

By sending 100 troops in Africa, most notably to Uganda, has the United States started another international war? Frank kicks off today’s show sharing his thoughts on the recent decision by President Obama to intervene in the battle against rebels in Uganda. Is this simply the Obama administration’s way of asserting their “responsibility to protect” philosophy or an appeasement of the UN? In many circumstances, the United States is told to assert OUR responsibility to protect by international organizations such as the United Nations. However, in order to intervene in such conflicts the United States must first state that it has no vital interest in the nation or region. In Libya, we were told that the United States and NATO had a responsibility to intervene to protect the Libyan people, but in many ways the major bloodshed came following the US and NATO airstrikes. Now we have brought a government to Libya saturated with Muslim Brotherhood officials and connections to al Qaeda.

Is it true that the world has seen the end of the Arab Spring in Egypt? American journalist, Arnaud de Borchgrave continues today’s showing answering this question among others concerning Egypt’s future. De Borchgrave argues that it is not the future of Egypt, but how the idea of democracy in Egypt first started that is important. The true goal in Egypt should be trying to prevent the Muslim Brotherhood from gaining a majority in the government and the country. The real problem in combating the Muslim Brotherhood is that they are posing officially as a moderate organization that refuses the admission of extremists. Frankly, the Obama administration is kidding itself if it believes that the character of the Muslim Brotherhood has changed and whether something positive might occur in Egypt as a result of their leadership.

Next, Policy Director of the Foreign Policy Initiative, Robert Zarate talks budget cuts. This past August, the President and Congress enacted a last minute debt deal where they raised the debt ceiling and called for a $1.2 trillion debt reduction. These debt reduction negotiations need to be decided by January 12, 2012. In order to hammer out a deficit reduction packet, the Congress comprised a committee of twelve lawmakers called the Super Committee. The Committee’s objective is to create the deficit reduction packet by Thanksgiving, so that Congress has enough time to debate it. Additionally, Zarate delves into the failed “reset” policy towards Russia. Although Russia continues to have ill intensions towards us, the administration has continued its policy of overpromising and under developing.

Resident China expert at Secure Freedom Radio, Gordon Chang concludes today’s show discussing the changes in the Chinese government. For the past three decades, there was a lost of military power for the Chinese. Since the rise of Hu Jintao, however, there has been a shift of power favoring the military in political affairs. Additionally, it seems like the military will soon become more important than civilians.

Ambassador John Bolton, Jim Lafferty, Rep. Ed Royce, Gordon Chang

Have the past two years of leadership under President Obama led to the ultimate decline of the influence that the United States has in the international community? Former UN Ambassador, John Bolton kicks off Columbus Day here at Secure Freedom Radio with a discussion of Obama’s foreign policy, or lack thereof. The administration has recently made claims that it has done well with US foreign policy under President Obama. However, Ambassador Bolton argues that the administration’s focus on restructuring domestic policy has led to the degradation of US national security policy. Thus, the administration is trying to build up a narrative of good foreign policy based on a small number of successes such as the deaths of Osama bin Laden and Anwar al-Alwaki. Although they parade such successes, the administration in reality does not have much of a Middle East or even, foreign policy. This indecision and weakness by the administration has only caused problems and furthered the decline of the United States. An example of such ignorant policy decisions can be found in Libya, where the administration participated in the removal of Qaddafi without a clear plan for a successor. Instead of ignoring the apparent decline of US power, the administration and NATO should be embarrassed by Libya, states Bolton. Next, head of the Virginia Anti-Sharia Taskforce, Jim Lafferty shares the microphone with Frank to enlighten us on the unsavory activities occurring in an academy in Virginia. The Islamic Saudi Academy, which is connected to the Saudi Embassy in DC, was founded in 1984 in Virginia in order to teach children about Sharia law while using Sharia principals. Residents in Northern Virginia who feared the impact it was having on children by teaching radicals ideals stopped a proposed expansion of the academy. Lafferty says that by stopping the expansion anti-Sharia groups like his own now have the opportunity to take a closer look to see how the academy actually operates. Additionally, Lafferty comments on the backlog of security clearances within the US government. Since many contractors have a quota that they must fill per day, many applications are being “express-lined” through the system. This process is creating problems as many individuals with shady connections are being granted security clearances. US Congressman for the 40^th district of California and the Chairman of the Sub-committee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade, Rep. Ed Royce continues today’s show discusses the prosecution of a man in Pakistan accused of giving assistance to the CIA in finding and confirming the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Rep. Royce states that the situation on the ground in Pakistan is worsening by the year. Thus, the United States has amped up Predator drone strikes. The main issue in Pakistan is that the ISI Pakistan intelligence services refuse to support the US in its operations targeting senior Pakistani leaders who have participated in anti-American activities. The corrupt Pakistani intelligence services have only led to more and more instability in the region and undermined US-Pakistan cooperation. This instability has also expanded the upheaval of the country and thrown more control to Islamist groups. In regards to the killing of al-Alwaki, Rep. Royce states that the Supreme Court ruled 60 years ago that a US citizen who has participated in enemy belligerent activities does not exclude him from the consequences of these treasonous acts. Finally, resident China expert and writer at Forbes.com, Gordon Chang concludes today’s show touching on a bill being put through Congress to penalize China for its currency manipulation. Chang believes that the legislation will glide through the Senate, but will meet resistance in the House because Republicans are mostly against it. The bigger issue, however, is that the global imbalances caused by the downturn in 2008 were the result of China’s mishandling of its currency. Additionally, there is a trade war occurring between the Chinese and the United States. The reality of the matter is that China needs us more than we need them. Over 149.2% of trade surplus in China is due to trade with the United States.

Caroline Glick, Ken Timmerman, Gordon Chang

What impact does Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta’s comments that Israel is “increasingly isolated” and has not down enough to reach out to other nations mean for Israel and its neighbors in the region? After his speech at the UN, President Obama’s approval rating amongst Israelis soared. They believed that he was finally going back on his hostile policies towards Israel and would firmly support a veto of a Palestinian state. Caroline Glick opens today’s show commenting on the Secretary of Defense’s remarks and how Turkey has a new desire to sabotage Israeli interests.

What does it mean that top Republican taxpayer advocate, Grover Norquist is mixing with some unsavory people including those with ties to Muslim Brotherhood front groups? One of the top investigative journalists, Ken Timmerman, joins Secure Freedom Radio for two informative segments about his experiences with Grover Norquist and his Muslim protégé. In the late 1990s, Norquist became interested in the Middle East and Iran, and thus, set up the Islamic Free Market Institute in Washington, DC. He founded this institute with money and support from various Muslim Brotherhood front groups. Additionally, he founded the institute with the Palestinian-born Kuwaiti, Khaled Saffuri who also served as the executive director of the American Muslim Council along with the financial terrorist, Abdulrahman Alamoudi. After reports were published in the Washington Times detailing the shady background of many of Norquist’s associates, he stormed into the Washington Times’ offices and demanded an immediate retraction.

What does Grover Norquist gain from aligning himself with such distasteful people? Timmerman believes that Norquist is busy running an influence campaign. He is using his associations to try and push his agents forward into the limelight. One of these agents, David Ramadan is currently a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates. Ramadan immigrated to the US from Lebanon at a time when Hezbollah was still in control of the nation. His parents sent him to the United States to gain a better education. However, due to financial reasons, he married a Shia woman in 1994, whose father worked as a general in the Lebanese intelligence services. These sort of personal connections are not random occurrences, argues Timmerman, but are planned way in advance in order to further an agenda.

Resident China expert here at Secure Freedom Radio and writer at Forbes.com, Gordon Chang discusses the slowing down of the Chinese economy and the problems it will create for international trade. Chang describes how the Chinese economy continues to grow slightly on a year on year comparison, but is flat-lining when compared on a month to month basis. In order to absorb all of the new people entering the workforce, the Chinese economy needs to grow by at least eight or nine percent. The nation’s economy is currently facing not only local debt, but also the reduction of cargo exports to the United States. If the economy does not continue to grow, China will face an upswing of violent anti-government protests as people foster more and more resentment towards the Communist government. Although the media portrays China as the engine of the world’s economy, it actually leeches on other nations’ economies, especially the United States. According to reports, the United States has lost over 2.8 million jobs to China’s trade policies. How can we continue to allow our economy to suffer under the hands of the People’s Republic of China?