
Trump’s Iran war is spiraling, controversy is overflowing, the world is in chaos, enemies are celebrating, the VA is quietly grabbing new power over homeless vets, and John Fetterman is MIA on a horrific school strike in Iran—so Paul fires up the mic for a solo episode that pulls no punches and looks around the corner at what’s coming next. From Iran to California drone threats, from outrageous “war slop” videos out of the White House to the FBI playing fanboy with UFC fighters at Quantico, this episode is a rapid-fire briefing for independent Americans who refuse to drink the bullshit both parties are serving. Paul breaks down why most Americans are not as divided as the algorithms want you to believe, why independents (especially in Pennsylvania and South Carolina) are the real sleeping giant, and how celebrity, culture, sports and even the Paralympics are being weaponized in this new era of global conflict. He closes with a powerful, emotional story of a high school hockey playe...
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Voice Actor / Interjector
Oh no.
Paul Rykoff
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Paul Rykoff
We've never been more isolated and less safe, I would argue, in our lifetime. And it's because of Trump and many of his decisions. But even if he were to drop dead tomorrow, the problems now would remain. We're in a new normal and we need leaders who understand that, who can consolidate around it, and who can offer plans and solutions to attack it and mitigate it. That's reality. Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 463. It is Wednesday, March 12th. I am your host, Paul Rykoff and I am coming to you from New York City, usa, where the weather is cold and dark again. What the. This is 2026, people. Yesterday and the day before it was sunny and 80 degrees. Now it's cold, dark, rainy, in the 40s. It is going to be a year of ups and downs, but we are going to push through it. Spring is coming, brighter days are coming and energy is coming from this show. And today's artist is going to do that. Today's artist, the great Dave Matthews, because he is always awesome. But sticking with the Stephen Colbert Late show theme this week, if you didn't see Dave Matthews was on Colbert the other night, the night right after me. I missed him by one night and he performed one of my favorites of all time, Don't Drink the Water, which is just a classic protest song. A song that is perfect for this moment. Man, do I love Dave Matthews. I've loved him for a long, long time. Since people used to pass tapes around when I was in college. Yeah, I'M that old. I told you earlier this week about my G love story and the fact that I had a security business back in college. I worked a lot of shows from, like, G Love to J. Ru the Damager to the Fugees to Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. It was back at Amherst College in the lafrac gym, and I got to do, like, some personal security for Dave Matthews. And what I will always remember, nicest guy ever. Totally brilliant, totally kind. Everyone around him was kind. He was kind to everyone. And then he went in the gym and did Watchtower with Tim Reynolds and just blew it apart. I. I mean, it was a college gym and he still brought it, but Dave always brings it. And we will, too, will help meet the moment and bring you the five eyes, like we do in every show, just like Dave Matthews brings to every single show of his independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. And, of course, Mr. Dave Matthews would be honored to have you on the show anytime. But there's no gu. No guest today, folks. It's just me. So let's get after it on this very, very important and busy time. But let's stay vigilant. All right, the top story. War, war, war. Don't let the bastards get you down. You got to find ways to win the day, but let's stick with what Dave Matthews is putting out there. Don't drink the water on this show. I'm going to cover what's happening, but I'm also going to cover what's next. I'm going to try to keep you ahead of the. And here's the problem with war. It's not something you pull a plug on, especially a war like this in Iran and now 13 other countries. It's something that you've been unleashed. It's something that has been unleashed like a virus. And it morphs and changes and goes in directions you can't anticipate. And sometimes it never dies. So even if tomorrow Trump pulled every single asset out of the Middle east, we've upset a hornet's nest. We've pissed off the world. We've created millions of enemies. We've driven away tons of adversaries. We've never been more isolated and less safe, I would argue, in our lifetime. And it's because of Trump and many of his decisions. But even if he were to drop dead tomorrow, the problems now would remain. We're in a new normal, and we need leaders who understand that, who can consolidate around it and who can offer plans and solutions to attack it and mitigate it. That's reality. So when people tell you it's bad in Iran, especially politicians, I think we all know that now, they tell you things can get worse. We know that, too. Here's the question for every single one of them, Republican, Democrat and the few independents, what is your plan to deal with it? Because the people who put a plan forward, that is an alternate plan to Trump are going to succeed. They're going to attract independence, they're going to unite Americans, and they just might save us from this shit, you know, I want to bring it to a post I saw from Tom, from Tim Seidel, who's a writer on X. And I thought it was really important. It kind of went viral. He said, man was not meant to monitor this many situations. I thought that was a bullseye. We're all trying to monitor it. We're all trying to keep track. But you got to find ways to prioritize. You got to try and try to find voices you can trust. I will try to be one of those voices. I will try to bring you other voices like that. If you didn't hear my episode yesterday with Dan Lamoth and the Washington Post, he's one of those voices. Check it out, because the fallout from the American strikes on the Iranian school full of kids also continues. And it's another place especially all Americans need to stay vigilant. Now keep in mind, when it comes to this terrible destruction and especially this incident involving the strike by a Tomahawk missile, it looks like on an Iranian school, unlike Gaza, we're not seeing the images because the entire place in Iran is lights out right now and everyone is hiding. Either they're hiding from the regime which has told them if they come out of their houses, they're going to get slaughtered like they were last time, or they're hiding from American attacks. But we're not getting eyewitness reports on the ground. You're not hearing from the parents of these kids that were tragically, inexplicably killed. And let's stop calling it an accident. Our friend Barbara Starr, also a regular guest on the show. If you're new here, go back and check out all my conversations with the brilliant Barbara Starr. She's like a professor. She says it's not an accident, it's bad targeting. It may be inadvertent, but it's bad targeting. Tomahawks generally hit the target they aim at and don't go astray. Hegseth, learning the hard way, all his macho chatter will run into Batterfield. Reality intel is never a Guarantee of success. Really important reminder from Barbara Starr and a really important reminder about all of us and our need, especially around this issue. Don't drink the water. Question what they're putting out and stay vigilant. All right, a related issue. I told you, I warned you. I warned you about drones. I'm constantly talking about warning about drones. And here they come. The FBI is now warning that Iran inspired attacks could come to California in retaliation to the war. The FBI has warned police departments in California that Iran could retaliate for American attacks by launching drones on the West Coast. Think about all the potential targets, ranging from places in Hollywood to the Golden Gate Bridge. But this is what we've been talking about. And now that threat is real. And I don't think the president and Hegseth are focused on it enough. I don't think most Americans are focused on it enough. We need to have a new mindset, a new reality facing mindset. It's kind of like how we looked at terrorism after 9, 11. We don't need to be scaremongered, but we do need to be vigilant. So tell your friends this is why you watch this show or listen to this show, because other shows cover what's happening. We're covering what's happening next. And another reason why we will help you stay vigilant. All right, another part of the Iran piece that I want to cover, especially given our focus on military issues and our understanding of the complexity of foreign policy and politics. Stars and Stripes, which we continue to support and defend, which is also under attack by Hegset, the great independent newspaper of the military and around the military. Stars and Stripes is reporting that the Pentagon is moving parts of U.S. air defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East, a move that's opposed by South Korean President Lee Jae Meng, but said will not significantly impact Seoul's ability to deter North Korea. This is from Stars and Stripes, Seth Robinson and Yujin Lee. Here's the bottom line. We are moving more and more resources into this sucking chest wound that is the Middle east away from allies like South Korea. And our enemies continue to be celebrating Putin in Russia and Kim Jong Un in North Korea, who would love to see us punch ourselves out and pull resources away from South Korea in the same way the Chinese would like to see us pull away from Taiwan. But make no mistake, our enemies are celebrating. Yes, our enemies are celebrating, are celebrating. And they are especially celebrating the incompetence. And this is stuff that unfortunately too often is below the radar. All right, there's new reporting that UFC fighters will head to Quantico, Virginia this week to train FBI agents and students in what ridiculous FBI Director Kash Patel is calling a historic seminar. Variety covered this. Patel says this is a tremendous opportunity for our FBI agents to learn and train with some of the greatest athletes on the earth, helping the world's premier law enforcement agency become better prepared to protect the American people. All right, Expect ridiculous photos and content of Cash Patel training jiu jitsu and shamelessly boondoggling around UFC fighters while trying to look tough and cool. Well, of course Nancy Guthrie remains missing. A makeshift bomb was thrown near Gracie Mansion in New York City. And homeland threats coming out of Iran, from drones in California to other attack methods, continue to skyrocket nationwide. Cash Patel is not a serious leader. His incompetence is making us all less safe. And it's another reason why our enemies are celebrating. All right. Another reason our enemies are celebrating that I am going to continue to focus on. They posted another new war slop video from the White House. That's what many folks are calling them, slop videos. I think that's right on the mark. This one has bowling clips and an animated USA bowling ball blasting through cartoon Iranian pins, bowling pins and videos of strikes with freebird playing. I've said it before, but I want to say it again. These videos are shameful, unacceptable, asinine, damaging, un American. And nobody knows that more than our troops and vets. Not just me, but many vets know what it is because very importantly, these videos are bad for our national security and for our troops that are in harm's way right now. Think about this. Think about how these videos make local people feel about our Marines standing guard right now at an American embassy, overseas, anywhere in the world. We've got embassies all around the world and American Marines are standing out there guarding them. And how do you think these videos make the local people in those country feel about our Marines? It makes them more hated. It makes all of us Americans more hated. Our enemies are celebrating every one of these videos because these videos are making more enemies for America by the minute. So I'm not going to post them or share them anymore. Especially on X. That's where these incompetent. That's what these incompetent and radical people in the White House want. It's what Elon Musk wants, too, especially on X. Because every time you watch it and express outrage, there's he makes more money and we are less safe, which he, like Trump doesn't seem to give A shit about. I've talked about it at length on this show. I also mentioned it on CNN this weekend in my fiery segment with John Berman and Peter Meyer. Excuse me if you didn't see it. That's linked on our YouTube page. But not sharing these videos is one small thing we can do that matters. So stop sharing them. It's a way you can push back, stay vigilant, and support our troops in a time of war. Because never forget, this is a time of war globally. I could argue that World War III is underway already, but no matter how you categorize it, it is war. And the margin of error is so much smaller now. And these videos are revealing because these guys are always trying to be cool, to be someone they're not, to be tough, to be rock solid, to be manly. And they always miss badly. And revealingly now they saw how exceptionally well the Ukrainians have been doing videos for years. It's part of why the world rallied behind Ukraine. In the early days, the content and tone from Ukraine was a bullseye. They were masterful. And these clowns in the White House want to be cool like the Ukrainians, but they blew it. They missed badly like they always do, because they're not cool and they're not tough and they're not real and they have no idea what the fuck they're doing. They're in over their heads and they're shamefully disqualified. The White House trying to be like the Ukrainians on war videos is like watching Kash Patel chug beers in a USA jersey that he didn't earn with the US Gold medal Olympic team that he's not a part of. They're so bad, they don't even know how ridiculous they are. But the world does. The world does. And unfortunately, and dangerously, it's not just making them look bad, it's making all Americans look bad. It's why they all have to go. We'll never be able to truly start to bounce off bottom until they're gone. All of them never lose sight of that goal. Everything else is secondary. But yes, our enemies are celebrating. We've got especially now. Stay vigilant, All right? I'm trying to stay vigilant, taking care of my voice. It's been rough. But our enemies are celebrating. And Putin, of course, is one of them celebrating the most, especially as the US doesn't focus on Ukraine. And as the Paralympics take a shockingly bad stand, I want to shout out our friends at Saint Javelin, the great organization, check out their gear, buy their gear, support the Fight. But Saint Javelin posted something I'm going to read to you. A Russian Paralympian wins gold and openly dedicates the medal to Putin speaking about the importance of glorifying his country. So praising a dictator and a man responsible for thousands of deaths on a Paralympic stage is somehow apolitical. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Paralympians were told they could not wear uniforms with the map of Ukraine because it would be too political. I don't know what the fuck is going on at the Paralympics or what the fuck went on at the Olympics, but these people are dangerously and badly out of touch and they are supporting Putin and his propaganda and they are hurting Ukraine and it's unacceptable. And we should all push back and we should all stay vigilant. All right. I also told you to stay vigilant and watch out at the VA because they are doing dastardly shit on the regular and they came up with some all new very dastardly shit that's not getting much attention. The New York Times had the first reporting of it. The VA begins an effort to put homeless veterans into guardianship. More homeless veterans could be forced into involuntary or institutional care under a new initiative by the Trump administration to expand the power of Veterans affairs lawyers to initiate legal guardianship. Critics say the move raises civil libertarian concerns. You think? Yes, it sure as hell does. And hell no. We are not going to allow the VA to institutionalize veterans who are homeless and on the streets. You may not like homelessness, but you have no right to lock them up. And keep in mind they can use this for anything they want to include an extension of trying to deport people and use it as another hammer for ice. Because they continue to deport and kick out lots of folks and including citizens, including veterans, including family members of veterans. So hell fucking no. Vets groups, you don't move very fast, but you better move fast on this one and know that I will have your back. But the VA and dastardly Doug Collins, the VA secretary who is as radical if not more than acting Secretary of Culture War Pete Hegseth is someone you need to track on watch and stay vigilant.
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Paul Rykoff
All right. You know ICE continues to run rampant across the us. We still have National Guard deployments in the US that you need to track on. There are unlawful and un American deportations. I've said it all the time. Trump is all gas and no brakes and nothing is slowing him down. But it's not just in Iran. It's here in the US as well. Don't lose sight of that. And never forget that he could always invoke the Insurrection act or try to disrupt the fall elections. I continue to talk about that every opportunity I get. If you haven't gone back and heard some of our older episodes from maybe a month or so ago with Ruth Van Gyat and Asha Rangapa and others. We talk about the possibilities and the threats and the legal arguments and the military intersections you might not be thinking about. Because I'm going to continue to emphasize that Congress is not even a speed bump. As I said on Colbert, they are not even the mall cops of our democracy. The courts are holding up in very select places, but all of us are need to push back and stay vigilant. And don't assume that the Democrats will save you. Don't assume there will be free and fair elections in the fall because Trump has told you there won't be. So surrender and wait till November is not a strategy. We've all got it now, especially independents, who are 45% of this country and growing by the day. We all have to push back, demand accountability, demand answers and stay vigilant. All right, let's go over to politics. Speaking of independence, maybe some good news. Jim Vanderhay of Axios is excellent. He's been on this show before. I urge you to go check out that conversation. We also talked about parenting and a lot of other good stuff. But he has a story today that I want to highlight. It says behind the curtain, America's big Lie. Basically, he says that if you scroll through media or listen to politicians, the verdict seems clear. Americans are hopelessly divided and increasingly hateful. This isn't a small minority. What if we told you it's a big lie that makes you stop believing your own eyes? Every day people battle over outrageous things on X. Did you know that four out of five Americans don't use X, therefore don't see what you see? The Pew Research center found last year only 21% of adults use X and just 10% visit it daily. The loudest platform in politics reaches barely one in five Americans. What about the wacky claims made on cable tv? I'm there all the time. Did you know that most hours of primetime, most hours of PrimeTime, less than 1% of the country watches. That's Fox, CNN, and Ms. Now combined. So what this means is most Americans are not divided. Most Americans are not on social media. Most Americans are not watching cable news. And they wrote, here's a good test. If in a given year you see hundreds of people frequently enough to appraise their character, are they good people? Would they help shovel after a snowstorm or lift groceries for an aging neighbor? Do they volunteer and give to others? Most Americans are not involved in this toxic discussion. Most Americans want better, and more than half of them are politically independent. Most are not Democrats and Republicans. And it's more and more by the day. So there is some hope out there. I hope Jim Vanderhe will join us on the show again soon to talk about it. But know that we are not as divided, nasty and mean as they want you to believe and as the algorithms want you to believe. And as Musk wants you to believe and as Trump wants you to believe. And that is especially true in Pennsylvania. We need to help those independents rise up, especially in Pennsylvania. Let me tell you why. We all know Trump is a disgrace, but he's not alone. More and more politicians from both parties are revealing who they are. That's what war does.
Voice Actor / Interjector
It.
Paul Rykoff
It reveals you. If you're good, it'll reveal you. If you're bad, the same is true. And Mark Satter posted something on X that I think is important to note. Every Senate, Democrat and Independent, except for one, John Fetterman, has signed on to a letter calling for answers on US involvement in the February 28 strike on an elementary school in Minab, Iran. The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed were girls between the ages of 7 and 12. Neither the US nor Israeli government has taken responsibility for this attack. The senators wrote, and Fetterman didn't sign it. If you haven't heard Fetterman lately, he is completely lost and he is a disgrace. And having never served in the military, of course, another chicken hawk who's great with lots more war. Enough already with this guy. If you're an independent veteran from Pennsylvania that's interested in running against John Fetterman, hit me up. We are recruiting and we want to talk to you. Or if you want to run against Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, because I'm hoping Stephen Colbert will run, but it's doubtful. Go to independentveteransofamerica.org if you want to run for school board in your area. We are recruiting. Help us take our country back because the Republicans are bankrupt and gone and the Democrats suck and will not save us. They are weak. And independent candidates are the people's champion. We are not just moving the needle. We are all. We are the needle. And we need you. So check us out links in the show notes. We are recruiting. And Fetterman, you are on notice. An independent veteran is in a good position to remove you from office. Stay vigilant, folks. All right, let's talk culture. Trump is unique in that he understands the political power of celebrity, but he also often goes too far, like on Iran. But there was a big example last night. Play this clip, Chris.
Donald Trump
God is with us. I know he wants us on the right side of history, and everyone here has to do their part. And God's got us. Trump's got us. God bless. Love you, Kentucky.
Jake Paul
Now, he's a great guy. He's a courageous guy and a talented guy. He's a hell of a fighter, too, by the way. And I just want to say, I predict, I'm going to make a prediction that you will be in the not too distant future running for political office.
Voice Actor / Interjector
Okay?
Jake Paul
And you have my complete and total endorsement.
Voice Actor / Interjector
Okay?
Jake Paul
Now, that's what we want. He's an incredible guy, a lot of courage and smarts.
Paul Rykoff
So Trump goes off and endorses YouTuber Jake Paul for political office. Jake Paul, who is, I think, a definite villain. Some folks love him, but he is radioactive. Definitely not bright enough to be in politics. But he's perfectly on brand for Trump because Trump knows he's one thing popular, but Trump understands celebrity. It's why I think there is an opportunity for good celebrities, for thoughtful celebrities, for kind celebrities, celebrities like Stephen Colbert to step up and run for office. And if you dismiss somebody like Stephen Colbert, remember, Donald Trump was once just a celebrity. So was Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Franken, and maybe most notably of all, right now, President Zelensky. We need everybody we can get to join this fight. And for those who don't want to declare as a Republican or Democrat, maybe because they're worried it'll hurt their business, independents are the majority. We are popular and we are growing. So check us out and stay vigilant. All right, finally, let's talk sports. Tons of NBA and March Madness. NFL free agency has been nuts. The Max Crosby thing, going to the Ravens and then not going to the Ravens. Geno Smith is back at the jets, which made my son happy because he loves Geno. But it has been a wild time for NFL free agency. There's probably much more to come. The NBA has been great. March Madness is right around the corner. There are four teams from my home state of New York that will be in it. And that is exciting. And then there is the World Baseball Classic. There are some great guys doing analysis on this. I think the guys at John Boy have been great. They talked about how the USA team embarrassed themselves the other night at the World Baseball Classic. They didn't know that if they lost, they would be out. Apparently, they went out drinking the night before and they just didn't take the game seriously. And the John Boy guys, I think nailed it. Excuse me. I did not go out drinking with the guys last night on Team usa. I was focused on watching Team Italy, but I think they're right on because it was unacceptable and embarrassing by Team usa. We saw it, especially in a time when the US can't afford to have any more bad looks to the world. Nevertheless, I am always rooting for Team usa and I want them to turn it around. So last night I was rooting for Italy so the USA could advance, but also because they're an inspiring underdog and very fun to watch and because it would make my late Italian American grandmother very happy. As a group of Italian Americans who rooted for Joe DiMaggio, they'd be probably rooting for Italy right now. And Italy came through. They go 4 0. They beat Mexico nine to one. It was incredible. It was inspiring. And the USA now advances. Now can we get it together, please, guys? Aaron Judge, I'm looking at you. Can you please get these guys together and pull it out and move forward and give us a team we can root for and be proud of. But please keep Cash Patel very, very far away from you. Don't let Cash Patel in the dugout, in the locker room. Don't even let him in the stadium. Help us all, please. Aaron Judge, Team usa. Help us all. Stay vigilant. All right, finally, I'm always going to end with something good. And last night in sports and adjacent to politics, there was something really, really good. A hockey player who lost three family members in a mass shooting in Rhode island last night, played the role of hero for his team on Wednesday night
Voice Actor / Interjector
and can't get to the other side of the net. But here comes bbs, a break in the other way. It's Dargan here. My goodness. Colin Gordon. A storybook ending to the semifinal. BVS wins it in double overtime. Chris Labrizi runs onto the ice to celebrate with his team.
Paul Rykoff
Colin Dorgan put his Rhode island team in the hockey finals just a week after the tragedy. He scored on a breakaway in double overtime, lifting Blackstone Valley Co op over Portsmouth 3 to 2 and into the Rhode Island Division 2 hockey final. He said it was the greatest moment of his life. Teammates poured onto the ice. Everybody was crying because a month earlier and I get goosebumps and choked up just talking about this. His brother, mother and grandfather were killed when a shooter opened fire on spectators at a Pawtucket arena before Blackstone Valley Senior Day. Game officials have said the shooter died of a self inflicted a gunshot wound specifically targeted family members and two others were injured. Lots of sports were postponed for weeks. Blackstone Valley didn't play for three weeks, but they finally came to the ice for the start of the quarterfinals and all the players on the team have a heart stitched on the front of their jerseys with the initials of the three who died. Dorgan scored a pair of goals in the number five seed of the Blackstone, Black, Black. Blackstone Valleys clinching game of that best of three quarter finals, putting the team back on the ice in the semifinals Wednesday night. That is what heroism looks like. That's what tenacity looks like. That's what community looks like and that's what it shows and it looks like when you come back from adversity. That kid did it, that community did it and we can do it. Hero, community, positivity. It's out there, folks, and I'm going to celebrate it every chance I get because that kid in that community, in that environment and what's next is something good. All right. Hopefully you think this show is something good. We're continuing to chug along. I was on News Nation yesterday, Mississippi now, yesterday. I'll be back there again. I'll be on Ken Harbaugh's Midas podcast, which will air on YouTube late tonight. Next week we got Admiral Stravides, we got Ken Casey from the dropkick. Murphy's Scott McFarlane, who recently left CBS, will be joining us. Coming up, lots of other cool guests. I'm hoping that Representative Don Bacon will be back, Senator Angus King will be back, Governor Wes Moore will be back. I mentioned Jeffrey Wright will be back and a lot of others because we are daily now. We hit the charts again this week. Thank you to all of you who are new here after Colbert. Welcome. If you like what you're hearing and you like what you're seeing, be sure to follow and subscribe wherever you're listening or watching right now, especially on YouTube and go to IndependentAmericans US. You can see all our archives. You, you can join our Patreon community, you can get some hats and other gear and you can be a part of this movement because America is not as divided as they will tell you. And here at Independent Americans, we're working to change that, to bring it forward, to add light, to contrast the heat of all the other political shows. And if you're now among the 45% of Americans who are independent and counting, this is your show. Especially if you want to run against John Fetterman in Pennsylvania, Lindsey Graham in South Carolina or a number of others. Our independent movement is the hope for the future, like that kid in Rhode Island. Country over party, people over politics, light over heat, challenging the status quo and fueling a new movement that is growing and expanding. Our movement is growing and expanding and is the hope that is the oxygen of our democracy. Big shout out also to our friends at Defiance, Xander and Miles and any new folks who are here because of our new campaign with defiance.org, more on that in the days to come. But if you enjoy what we're cooking, like those folks that are new or folks who have been here for a while, please share it far and wide and invite others to declare their independence. And stay vigilant, my friends, because eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. And no, you're not alone in your vigilance. We're all vigilant and we're all in this together, especially in a week like this. I'm your host, Paul Rykoff. Thank you for tuning into Independent Americans. I'm gonna keep working on resting my voice. I will see you tomorrow. Happy Thursday. Remember what Dave Matthews said. Don't drink the water. Don't drink their water. Let's spread the light and stay vigilant, America. Stay vigilant and come on the show. Dave, Come on, man. I love you. What do you say Tells me the
Voice Actor / Interjector
left and right are dreams for those without a clue and when you wait it's time to grow and it's not cool to believe in school but if I can say one thing I've seen the children of the revolution and the good trouble they can bring he says the reddish blue I get an independent is an attitude an island in the sea of rhetoric and right Our dreams.
Paul Rykoff
Power by Righteous Media
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Paul Rykoff
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Episode: FBI Warns of Iran-Inspired Drone Attacks in CA. More WH Slop War Videos. Kash Patel Brings UFC to FBI.
Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Paul Rieckhoff
Producer: Righteous Media | Bleav
In this solo-hosted episode, Paul Rieckhoff tackles a rapidly shifting national security landscape, spotlighting the FBI's warning about possible Iran-inspired drone attacks in California, the ongoing reverberations of U.S.-Iran tensions, concerns over American political leadership, and the proliferation of tone-deaf "war slop" videos from the White House. He scrutinizes the bizarre spectacle of UFC fighters training the FBI, calls out current and potential political candidates, and ultimately delivers a message of vigilance, resilience, and hope—underscoring the need for independent, principled American leadership amid unprecedented volatility.
On American Vulnerability:
On Information Overload:
On The White House’s “War Slop” Videos:
On Media Distortion:
On Community Resilience:
This episode crackles with candor, blending the granular realities of policy, security, and culture with a relentless push for independent solutions and community hope. Rieckhoff’s focus on vigilance, transparency, and rejecting partisan defeatism offers not just a rundown of the week’s biggest national security stories, but also a blueprint for engaged citizenship and personal agency.
| Segment | Timestamp | Key Topic/Takeaway | |----------------------------------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Opening/Theme | 01:13 | US at its most isolated; Trump’s legacy; need for new leadership | | Iran School Strike | 04:27 | Civilian casualties, systemic media blackout, the importance of vigilance | | Iran-Drone FBI Warning | 08:35 | Threat to CA, urgency for new security consciousness | | Pentagon Shifts | 10:29 | Resources moving from Korea to ME; adversaries’ advantage | | UFC at FBI | 12:12 | Satirical critique of Kash Patel’s leadership | | White House Slop Videos | 14:10 | Endangering troops, fueling animosity, “attempt to be cool” backfires | | Putin & Paralympics | 16:47 | Sports propaganda, double standards for Ukrainian athletes | | VA Homeless Guardianship | 18:25 | Policy threat to civil rights; urgent need for advocacy | | Media Division Myth | 21:10 | Most Americans aren’t that divided; misleading statistics | | Senate Iran Inquiry, Fetterman | 24:01 | Fetterman’s lone opposition; rallying independents | | Trump Endorses Jake Paul | 25:55 | Examination of celebrity in politics; call for thoughtful celebrities | | Sports & Heroism | 28:15 | Team USA’s struggles; Colin Dorgan’s inspiring comeback | | Final Call to Action | 32:06 | Building the independent movement; vigilance; hope |
Closing Quote:
"...country over party, people over politics, light over heat, challenging the status quo and fueling a new movement that is growing and expanding. Our movement is the hope, the oxygen of our democracy." (32:12)
Recommended For:
Anyone seeking honest analysis of current US security issues, frustration with partisanship, and interest in independent, actionable civic engagement.