← Free Thinking Through the Fourth Turning with Sasha Stone
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- [00:00]
A
Hi, this is free thinking through the fourth turning. My name is sacha stone. Why I'm sticking with Trump in case anyone is wondering if I regret my vote, I don't. I didn't used to be a Trump voter, much less a Trump supporter. I can't say I'm hardcore MAGA or what they'd call a triple Trump voter, but as I have watched him over the past six years, my support for him has only grown. I could lie and pretend it hasn't, maybe saved myself a tiny bit of credibility I still have left, but that would not be the truth. As I watch Trump deflect attacks from both the left and the right over the war with Iran and various other things, I still see the great champion of the Fourth turning, the one guy who has the right stuff to stand in the breach and do the right thing. Even if it's not the popular thing. Whatever it is in Trump that guides him, some will say God. Some will say a gut instinct. It gives him the necessary focus to blur out the distractions and the noise, take aim and hit the bullseye. No president has ever faced the kind of opposition Trump has, not just from the world, but from the establishment in the United States, most especially the Democrats. Even now, they have no plan for any of us, no vision for the future. They only have their hatred of and their attacks on Trump and his MAGA base. What they want is for people like me to disappear or else decide that all of their attacks on Trump have been justified. I was a fool, they want me to say, and I regret my vote. Except that I don't. They want X to reflect real life with all of these influencers and podcasters studiously dropping their support and regretting their vote. I'm done with Trump, they insist. But X isn't real. It's avatar life. Whatever is happening there, it's the result of algorithms and engagement by people who spend way too much time doom scrolling and getting caught up in mass hysteria. Most people aren't that plugged in. They're just living their lives. I didn't just vote for Trump to stop the left from overtaking this country and leading us into their dystopian 1984 like Future. But that would be reason enough, no? I have come to genuinely admire Trump, flaws and all. I am sickened by the snooty left and how they turned their noses up at Trump and his supporters when he tried to revamp the Kennedy Center. I vomited a little in my mouth when I saw Ben Stiller demand that Trump remove Tropic thunder from a meme. Every time the elite gather and trash Trump, as they did at Jesse Jackson's funeral, much to the horror of his own son, I see our potential future, which is really our past, a past we desperately need to leave behind. This is not their country. It never was. This country belongs to all of us. Here is Jesse Jackson's son.
- [03:20]
B
Yesterday, I listened for several hours of three United States presidents who do not know Jesse Jackson. He maintained a tense relationship with the political order, not because the presidents were white or black, but the demands of our message, the demands of speaking for the least of these, those who were disinherited, the damned, the dispossessed, the disrespected, demanded not Democratic or Republican solutions, but demanded a consistent, prophetic voice that at no point in time ever sold us out as a people. And it speaks volumes about who the Reverend Jesse Jackson was.
- [04:41]
A
The gray champion. Nine years ago, one of the authors of the Fourth Turning, Neil Howe, was asked if Trump was the gray champion. He didn't know because it was too early to say. This was before 2020 and before January 6th and way before Trump's second win in 2024. The key point he makes, though, is that a great champion is full of ego and has the idea that if he breaks it or if he fixes it, he'll be okay. It's that combination of self confidence, certainty and recklessness to do what almost no one else would do that defines the one man who can stand up to not just the forces that oppose him, but his own peers. Here is Neil Howe related to your
- [05:27]
C
book the Fourth Turning? Is this perhaps the end of the Fourth Turning with POTUS as the gray champion? Yeah, I get asked that and, you know, I guess one what is the gray champion again? The great champion is sort of the ultimate or climactic leader of the Fourth Turning, who around him, civic trust begins to grow again. Right. So these are the pivotal figures at times of fundamental outer world institutional political crisis, when we're kind of tearing down and rebuilding institutions. Keep in mind that in our Fourth Turning scenario, we're just barely, you know, we're just. We're not even quite halfway through. You know, we're kind of in the middle of this long era. So I think there's going to be quite a bit more to come. And Trump obviously takes us more toward the climax. I mean, everything about the guy is sort of increasing confrontation with the expectation that if it goes well, I'm good, and if I totally break it, I'm good as we were just discussing and I think that that kind of the outsider coming in who's willing to take on all outcomes is the kind of leader we're talking about. I would hasten to add that the gray champion figure, you know, when we think of the Abraham Lincolns and the FDRs and so on and these pivotal.
- [07:01]
A
Would Churchill have been a great champion?
- [07:03]
C
Oh, definitely, yeah. And they're all prophet archetypes, meaning they're all born just after the Lake crisis. They all belong to a generation of sort of that prophet archetype. But and Trump is obviously a baby boomer if there ever was one. You know, I mean just everything about the guy, you know, the huge ego and all that. So everything. And these are what great champions typically have. They have enormous ego, enormous self confidence. But the one thing I say is that these leaders are made, not born. It is circumstances which push them into making the right decision. It's not because they're brilliant. From the beginning, people don't forget that FDR was widely considered a lightweight coming out of school, coming out of it with his Ivy League background, no one thought he would do much in his career. Obviously he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had a lot of appointments and he could become governor eventually. And he was not even the odds on pick in 1932 to become a the candidate. Obviously everyone knew that Hoover was toast and Al Smith and all the other guys thought they had first place. So I'm saying there was nothing ordained about fdr. He came in and he ran on a balanced budget platform against Hoover, if you can imagine that. But he grew into it. He had qualities which allowed him in a fourth attorney to go the only place where you could go given the logic of what was unfolding. And the question is whether Donald Trump may be that kind of person. If he did, we would see some quite extraordinary things. For instance, gaining trust and gaining voter share, as hard as it may be to believe, particularly, and I've often said this, particularly if he gains that among the young. And that's completely unknowable right now. Again, just to to come in here, what I was saying at the very beginning, Eliot Cohen, he's a big professor at sais. He's one of these big high muckety mucks of international policy served under Condi Rice and David Brooks. I give those two examples, believe that Trump is so horrible. There's that kind of, this is the high wig church of George Will conservatism who just absolutely detests Trump. These are the People you were talking about before Ivory tower, they expect that Trump is going to be such an absolute colossal failure that he's going to end up impeached now before the end of his first term. So I'm just saying, when the range of plausible outcomes spreads out, that is exactly what we described as being fourth turning land. And remember, too, fourth turning is public history speeds up. And remember, we sort of started here about everyone said that we've had two weeks of Trump and it feels like two years. Okay, that's what you mean by public history speeds up. Yeah. Well, that's a good way to put it. And this is, you know, it reminds me of that famous quote of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. And that is, you know, there's some decades when nothing happens and there's some years when decades happen.
- [10:27]
A
It is the willingness to take big risks. I think that makes a great champion. Who else would even dare try that makes them hated in their time. But history remembers them well. Lincoln was the target of assassination plots and was eventually assassinated. Podcast listeners, a clipping from an old newspaper. The conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln. Some of Mr. Lincoln's friends, having heard that a conspiracy existed to assassinate him on his way to Washington, set on foot an investigation of the matter. For this purpose, they employed a detective of great experience who was engaged at Baltimore in the business some three weeks prior to Mr. Lincoln's expected arrival there, employing both men and women to assist him. Shortly after coming to Baltimore, the detective discovered a combination of men banded together under a solemn oath to assassinate the President Elect. The leader of the conspirators was an Italian refugee, a barber well known in Baltimore, who assumed the name of Orsini as indicative of the part he was to perform. End quote. Winston Churchill was blamed for military failures during World War II. For podcast listeners, a headline from the Midland Reporter Telegram. Churchill faces a demand for reorganization of his cabinet. Prime Minister will make radio address on Sunday. And Roosevelt was a target too. Podcast listeners, a quote from Joseph Sadegi, case to be made for the Chicago Tribune under Robert McCormick, who hated Roosevelt, leaked US war plans in 1941, exposed the broken Japanese naval code just after Midway and before Japan changed it. Navy refused to testify at grand jury because they didn't want to confirm the bombing and neutralization of Iran is very gray champion like, as is much of what Trump has already done both in the US and abroad. In his second term, he is moving fast and perhaps breaking things to make his short time back in office matter. He also knows that if the US Abandons support for Israel. Now Iran got a nuke. They would not hesitate to wipe Israel off the map. And though many on the MAGA right would cheer that decision, it would be a disaster for the world. The Allies would have no choice but to go to war with Iran anyway. Pay now or pay later. As with other great champions of the past, Trump will have to take the bad with the good. The bombing of a school, killing over 100 girls on the first day of the war, probably due to outdated intel, will have to be part of his legacy, no matter the outcome, which is still under investigation. But it looks like the US did it. This will put Trump in the Democrats crosshairs. Should they take back power in 2026 or 2028, they might impeach him again or put him on trial for war crimes. The bombing of the school, along with the killings of Alex Preddy and Renee Goode will be amplified by the establishment media. And whatever Trump's successes will be, won't matter. I understand this war from a strategic perspective. To end a threat to both America and Israel, one of the three powers that could be fighting us in a world war along with Russia and China. That wasn't the case with the Ukraine war. That to me had nothing to do with the United States, but this war does. But I also can't cry about obliterating a regime that was oppressive with its people. Not that it's our job to liberate them. As with Venezuela, it's hard not to feel some American pride that our president did what no one else had the courage to do. So, yes, those girls died tragically. But hopefully future daughters of Iran will not have to live under the kind of oppressive tyranny the Democrats pretend they've been living under for the past 10 years. This was something all of us on the left used to understand, which is why Hollywood made Not Without My daughter in the 1980s, a true story about an American mother fleeing Iran to ensure her daughter lived free in America. Here is a scene from Not Without My Daughter. Honey, I'm sorry.
- [15:06]
C
I didn't know you were a foreigner.
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A
If they had known, they wouldn't have been so harsh.
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D
Bit of hair fell out of your.
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C
I know, I know.
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A
Honey, you got to be careful.
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D
They're very strict about the dress code here. You must to cover all. You must not to be careless. Every single hair that it's not covered is like a dagger that you aim at the heart of our matters. Yeah.
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A
Come on.
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C
Just give it time, sweetheart.
- [15:29]
A
At the end of the movie, the most miraculous sight of all, an American fl. We're home, baby. We're home. And in case you're wondering why Trump is in power now and why he's the great champion, that's why there was once an America that looked at the flag and saw freedom and safety that is now threatened by a massive alignment of power that has decided to change everything about this country and transform it into a fundamentalist cult. There is no such thing as a moderate Democrat. Okay, maybe John Fetterman counts. But as we've now seen from the unearthed tweets by the Great White Hope in Texas, the crazy is baked in. It is more than just a fad or a trend. And while it's true that Dark Woke seeks to break their rules of behavior, it's also true that their newfound religion is unshakable. For podcast listeners, a tweet from James Tallarico White skin gives me and every white American immunity from the virus, but we spread it wherever we go, through our words, our actions, and our systems. We don't have to be showing symptoms like a white hood or a Confederate flag to be contagious. And another trans children are God's children, made in God's own image. There's nothing wrong with them. Nothing at all. They are perfect. They are beautiful. They are sacred. The Democrats are counting on winning elections without changing anything about their party. Trump hates cells, and they can't pivot away from it even if they wanted to. To fix a problem, you have to first name it, and in 10 years, the Democrats never have. They've left people like me with no choice but to walk away. Even though poll after poll tells them how unpopular they are, even though the box office is now a ghost town and you almost can't pay people to watch movies or television shows or cable news or network news, they still seem to believe they are superior to the other half of the country and that all of America wants them back. They don't. There are plenty on the MAGA right, at least online, who see this as their moment to pull away from Trump and forge a new path toward an America first utopia of their own making. Count me out. I know what is waiting on the other side if they hand power back to the left. In the Melania documentary that just dropped on Amazon, there's a great shot of a massive, gleaming luxury car, and on its license plate it reads 45 47. It is as spectacular and hilariously funny as Trump himself. And who else but a gray champion would even try to run again, much less actually win? The critics spiteful negative reviews of Melania compared to the audience reviews say it all for podcast listeners. Melania 11% critic reviews 98% audience reviews I still remember another quote from a guy in East Palestine, Ohio who called Trump a man of the people when he pulled up in his motorcade to visit them. The Democrats should spend every day for the rest of their lives pondering why Trump supporters are not in a cult. They see in Trump a flawed hero. They also know he is spending what's left of his life trying to make America great again. His supporters believe in him and the ride or die ones will stick it out to the bitter end. Podcast listener is a tweet from Brendan Dilley. The Panakins are totally and completely all in on spreading fake news about President Trump and his initiative in Iran. If you can't support the Commander in Chief during wartime, then you can go F yourself during peacetime. Never forget the lies they're telling you. And another from Cody the cb. I voted for Trump because he's the one I trust to make the best decisions possible with the information he has. None of us have the information he does. None of us have to make the decisions he does. Did I vote for a new war? No. I voted for a man who has the best chance of making this country great again. Even if that means war, then so be it. Not only do I stand with President Trump, I still trust President Trump. And from Cernovich, zero regrets about voting for Trump. Good grief. People have too short of memories. I have a lot of grievances, but real life isn't measured by utopia. It's measured by the alternate reality, which was gulags. They waited in the freezing rain and in the suffocating heat of summer through assassinations and celebrations. Always Trump was there with a smile and a thumbs up, the only guy who saw them at all, let alone represented them in the country they love. I might not have been there from the beginning, but as a discarded outsider, I have more in common with Donald Trump than just about any Democrat. I wish only for his survival and that his last years will be spent playing golf at Mar a Lago and that history will remember him well. So you won't find me regretting my vote or wishing for a different leader. I'll take the guy who can get the dirty job done. I don't want a United States that is like Europe. I'll take an America that is like its current president, a chaotic work in progress that always lands on its feet. Godspeed, Trump and maga. Godspeed. Thank you for Listening to my podcast sashastone.com. please be patient with me while I grieve my dog who is in the process of leaving this earth and won't be with me anymore. And it's very hard to go through that. I'm working on a piece about him, which I hope to post so I can share a little of my life with him, with all of you. But I am, I will admit, a little bit down and I might need a little bit of a break. But we'll see if you like my work. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber or leaving a tip on the tip jar, which is on the main page. You can always write a review and take care of yourselves and hug your little pets very closely. And remember to thine own self be true.
- [23:04]
D
When I think of Helen deliver me in a black wing bird. I think of flying down to sea of pans, feathers and all other instruments of faith and sex and God in the belly of a black winged bird. Don't try to feed me. I've been here before and I deserve a little more. I belong in the service of the Queen I belong anywhere but in between she's been crying and I've been thinking and I am. I said mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama, why am I so alone? I can't go outside Because I'm scared that I might not make it home. I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive. Oh, but I'm sinking in. And if anyone is at home it's your place Darling you please invite me in. Don't try to bleed me. Cause I've been there before and I deserve a little more. I belong, oh in the service of the Queen I belong anywhere but in between she's been lying I've been sinking in and I am the rain king hey, hey, hey. I only want the sting Is anyone Mr. Henderson? Mr. Henderson is waiting waiting the sun on seems night it seems night endlessly begins and ends and ends and begins and after all, after all Dreaming I'm gonna come right back home. There's somebody I'm longing to see. I hope that she turns out to
- [26:03]
A
be
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D
Someone who watch over me. And I'm a little lamb lost in the woods I know I could, I know I could I know I could always, always be good for one who would watch over. So won't you tell her please Put on some speed Follow my lead oh how I need someone to watch over me. When I think of heaven. And when I. When I think of heaven. When I, when I when I think of heaven. I think of you? Do you, do you, do you, do you, do you think of me too? Because when I think of heaven? Living me in a black rainbow? I think of dying well come on, lay me, lay me down? And I feel the flame, feel of heaven? Just render up my, my, my, my, my, my body to the burning heart of God? To the belly of a black wing? Don't try to bleed? Cause I've been there before? And I deserve a little more? I belong in
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A
queen?
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D
I belong any anywhere but in between? She has been dying and I have been drinking? And I am the rain King? I said I am the brain king? I need somebody look to my
- [28:28]
A
and
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D
say I am the rain King? Why don't you come in out of the rain.