← Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
Trump Returns from China with Nothing. Xi’s Warning on Taiwan.
00:35:38
Paul Rieckhoff closes the week with a solo briefing on a scoreboard the cable shows won't put on screen. Trump returned from Beijing with no real wins, while a confidential U.S. intelligence assessment — first reported by The Washington Post — details how China is exploiting the war in Iran to gain ground on the United States militarily, economically, and diplomatically. Xi looked Trump in the eye and warned that mishandling Taiwan would lead to a clash with America. Trump, asked about promised arms sales to Taiwan on the flight home, sounded ready to sell them out the same way he sold out Ukraine. That's not partisan spin. That's the read from the no-BS chair.
Loading summary
Transcript33 lines
- [00:00]
Vivgard Hytrulo Advertiser
I like things my way, my coffee, my schedule and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo pre filled syringe which contains fgartegamide alpha and Hyaluronidase qvfc. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit vivgardmyway.com that's V-Y V G A R T myway.com and talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hytrulo Brought to you
- [00:29]
MIDI Health Advertiser
by Argenics this podcast is supported by MIDI Health. Are you in midlife? Feeling dismissed, unheard or just plain tired of the old healthcare system? You're not alone. In fact, even today 75% of women seeking care for menopause and perimenopause issues are left entirely untreated. But it's time for a change. It's time for miti. Midi's not just a healthcare provider, it's a women's telehealth clinic founded and supported by world class leaders in women's health. Their clinicians provide one on one face to face consultations where they truly listen to your unique needs. They offer a full range of holistic, data driven solutions that isn't one size fits all care. This is care uniquely tailored for you. At midi you will find that their mission is clear to help all women thrive in midlife, giving them access to the healthcare they deserve. Because they believe midlife isn't the middle at all. It is the beginning of your second act. Ready to feel your best and write your second act script? Visit joinmidi.com today to book your personalized insurance covered virtual visit. That's joinmitty.com MIDI the Care Women Deserve
- [01:48]
Sleep Number / Shopify Advertiser
if the World were like a Sleep Number mattress, everything would adapt for your comfort. Because as your life changes and your body changes, Sleep number mattresses adapt and shift to give you personalized comfort night after night. And now everything's on sale during our Memorial Day event. Save up to $1,200 on mattresses for a limited time to experience a whole new world of comfort, visit a Sleep Number store or go to sleepnumber.com sleep number to a good life, Sleep
- [02:19]
Paul Rykoff (Host)
Dish
- [02:19]
has been connecting communities like yours for the last 45 years, providing the TV you love at a price you can trust. Watch live sports news and the latest movies, plus your favorite streaming apps all in one place. Switch to DISH today and lock in the lowest price in satellite TV starting at $89.99 a month with our two year price guarantee. Call 888-@dish or visit dish.com today. He hasn't stopped China from doing anything either in Ukraine or in Iran. And we'll get to Taiwan in a second because Taiwan, we'll get to it now. Taiwan is always on the table, more now than ever before because China's very patient. They'll wait for America to punch ourselves out. They'll wait for America to fall in standing. They'll wait till America can't stop them. Welcome to Independent Americans. Welcome to episode 523. I am your host, Paul Rykoff. And it is finally Friday. Whoo. Thank God it's Friday. They can't stop Friday. It is Friday, May 15th, and I'm coming to you from New York City, USA. And the weather here is up and down. It's sunny, then it's cold. It's sunny, then it's cold, up and down. Kind of like this week. But it is Friday, and they can't stop Friday. And my artist of the day is building on that. It is Eric Paisley. The country music singer and songwriter had a number of hits coming out of Nashville, including the hit single Friday Night. Friday night's a fun kind of pop, beer and go for a drive kind of song. I want to be your lemonade in the shade Money in your pocket because you just got paid. That's what Friday is all about. He also sang a song about a girl and she don't love you, a bunch of hit singles that he wrote for other artists. And it's collaborated with Amy Grant, Dirk Spentley, Charles Kelly and others. He was born in Abilene, Texas, and started playing guitar at the age of 15. And we are going to try to bring that Friday spirit, despite all the controversy and the drama happening around Washington and around the world. And to end the week, I'm going to bring you the five eyes to ride into your weekend. Independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact, especially on a Friday. No guest, just me to break down what happened this week and what you should look for next week better than the other weekend shows. So don't go to hbo. Don't go to the Cable News Network. Stay here on a Friday and I'll help you stay vigilant. All right. A lot to get to, but I want to remind everybody that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. I have been an advocate for mental health for decades, especially for veterans. But I just want to remind everybody that mental health is a part of total Health. As you go into this weekend, find times to take care of your mental health and to look out for the mental health of others, especially veterans. As we get close to Memorial Day coming up, it's a good time to check in on your buddies and if you're struggling, reach out. I always have resources to the veterans crisis line, other mental health resources in the show notes. But just remember to reach out, be vigilant and understand that reaching out for help is a sign of strength. It is not a sign of weakness. And we're going to need some strength because there is a lot to close out our Friday. And we got one and only top topic. All right, here's the topic. We lost this week big time. Yep. I hate to say it, but when you're looking at the scoreboard, we lost this week. Is Iran winning? Is the US Winning? No, China is winning. But Trump, Trump is trying to tell everybody that he's winning and he's already won. Check this one out. Please play that clip, Chris.
- [06:37]
Repeating the bombing. You did it for 38 days. No, we did. And you did not get the political changes in Iran. Oh, I got, I had a total military victory. But the fake news guys like you write incorrectly. You're a fake guy guys like you write about incorrectly. We had a total military victory. We knocked out their entire navy. We knocked out their entire Air Force. We knocked out all of their anti aircraft weaponry. We knocked out all of their radar. We knocked out all of their leaders to number one. And then we knocked out all of their leaders in the second division and we knocked out numerous of their leaders in the third division and they're very confused. We've had a total victory except by people like you that don't write the truth. You know, you should write. I actually think it's sort of some treasonous what you write, but you and the New York Times and CNN I would say are the worst.
- [07:35]
All right, so he is talking about a total military victory which we covered at length yesterday in the episode Preston Stewart. If you didn't go check that one out, please do. It's a great one for the weekend to watch or listen to the great. Preston Stewart is an awesome YouTube based military analyst. But Trump says we have a total military victory which the whole world knows is bullshit. He also attacks David Sanger who's an excellent intrepid reporter with integrity at the New York Times, saying that his reporting is treasonous. I think it's a sign of desperation. It's also a common strategy where Trump will call members of the press or members of the opposition. Treasonous. It is not treasonous. And we do not have a total victory. I don't think there's anybody in the intelligence or military community who would tell you that. It might be Trump Hegseth and the guy I debated on HBO Real Time a couple weeks ago. But outside of that, I don't think anybody thinks it's a total victory. Now, is Iran winning? Is the US Winning? No, But China is definitely winning. It was a great week for China. Trump is on his way home now. He may be landing soon. Maybe he'll shut up for a couple hours because he'll fall asleep, but probably not. He'll probably just fly through and blast out a bunch of true social comments. But here's what you need to know. There's a lot of reporting this week about China gaining a significant advantage on the US because of Iran. The Washington Post, John Hudson and others had a big scoop that a confidential new U.S. intelligence analysis details how China is exploiting the war in Iran to maximize its advantage over the US In a wide range of fields, militarily, economic, diplomatic. And we saw that for ourselves. We saw Trump over there kind of, kind of, kind of kissing ass to President Xi. Very deferential to Xi, not flexing strongly like he could. We'll get to Taiwan in a second. But this assessment that John Hudson notes was produced for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and has raised alarms within the Pentagon and across all the government folks who are in the know because the standoff with Tehran continues and Trump went into Xi. Now, the war has obviously drained munitions from the US and our allies, some of which have now bought weapons from China instead. So China winning, US losing Beijing has also stepped in to assist countries around the world that are struggling to meet their energy needs. Because we can't get the fucking Strait of Hormuz open, right? This is what's happening. Not only is Iran stronger, but China is presenting itself as the solution provider. The bailout from jet fuel and all kinds of other stuff that's in short supply. And it's not altruism. This is just them improving their position. When you're in a tight spot and the US Isn't there to bail you out, China is. It's an opening and they're taking advantage of it. The report notes that Beijing has incorporated popular criticisms of the war into its public messaging, labeling the conflict as illegal. They obviously want to undermine our authority around the world and are focused on being a rules based leader. When asked about the finding, Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, quote, assertions claiming the global balance of power have shifted toward any nation other than the US Are fundamentally false. Well, that is the chief spinmeister from the Pentagon, and he should not be believed. But experts said the findings provide new insight while reinforcing the growing consensus that the conflict is tilting the power toward Beijing. Jacob Stokes said the war in Iran is massively improving China's geopolitical position. No shit. That's what we saw this week. We saw Trump come home with nothing. He's got nothing. Maybe a little Boeing deal, but we have no additional progress on Iran. He hasn't stopped China from doing anything either in Ukraine or in Iran. And we'll get to Taiwan in a second because Taiwan, we'll get to it now. Taiwan is always on the table, more now than ever before, because China's very patient. They'll wait for America to punch ourselves out. They'll wait for America to fall in standing. They'll wait till America can't stop them. You know, Xi told Trump and challenged Trump very aggressively this week in public. And Trump tried to blow it off, but he said if Taiwan, Taiwan was handled poorly, it would lead to a clash with the United States. He said that out loud. He developed a warning for Trump and said that it would lead to an extremely dangerous situation. We all know this. And no matter how many handshakes they did, it was clear that Trump was not in a position to negotiate from strength. And when asked about it on the ride home just a little while ago, he was asked about Taiwan. He asked if he was still going to approve the arms sales that have been promised to Taiwan. And unsurprisingly, here's what Trump said. Play that clip, please. Chris.
- [12:25]
President Xi say to you about Taiwan
- [12:28]
and are you still going to approve the arms sale?
- [12:32]
So President Xi and I talked a lot about Taiwan. He thinks he cannot have anything to do with what they're doing. I mean, he's, you know, against very much what they're doing. Talking about Taiwan. We talked about Iran a lot, and I think we have a very good understanding on both. On Taiwan. He does not want to see a fight for independence because that would be a very strong confrontation. And I. I heard him out. Are you going to take two words? No, I didn't make. I didn't. Didn't make a comment on it. I heard him out.
- [13:08]
He heard him out. He didn't stand strongly with Taiwan. He didn't say that we had their back. He sounded like he might sell them out, just like he did on Ukraine and Taiwan is understandably nervous today. They should be because Trump sold out Ukraine to Putin and looks like now he'd be perfectly willing to do the same for Taiwan and G It's a bad week for our side and it's a good week for China. Especially China is winning to end this week to go into the weekend and our enemies are celebrating. Our enemies are celebrating.
- [13:52]
Sleep Number / Shopify Advertiser
What would you do if your online store converted 36% more shoppers? You could take 36% more vacation.
- [13:58]
Vivgard Hytrulo Advertiser
Another pina colada?
- [13:59]
Paul Rykoff (Host)
Yes please.
- [14:00]
Sleep Number / Shopify Advertiser
Open a new retail location with 36% more square feet.
- [14:04]
Chris (Producer/Assistant)
Fantastic.
- [14:05]
Sleep Number / Shopify Advertiser
Hire 36% more help.
- [14:07]
Paul Rykoff (Host)
You're hired and you're hired.
- [14:08]
Sleep Number / Shopify Advertiser
Shopify has the world's best converting checkout up to 36% better than other e commerce platforms. What you do with those extra sales is up to you. Switch to Shopify today@shopify.com listen and get a $1 trial. Shopify.com listen I like things my way.
- [14:23]
Vivgard Hytrulo Advertiser
My coffee, my schedule and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo pre filled syringe, which contains fgartegamide alpha and hyaluronidase qvfc. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment my way. Visit vivgartmyway.com that's V D Y-V-G-A-R-T myway.com and talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hytrulot brought to you by Argenics.
- [14:52]
Tax Relief Advocates Advertiser
We've all heard those scary IRS radio ads that try to frighten you into calling. But Tax Relief Advocates is different. If you owe the IRS 5,000, 50,000 or even $500,000, TRA has a solution for your tax problem. It doesn't matter if you're in your car or at work or with your kids. No matter where you are, visit tra.com don't lose hope. TRA could reduce or even eliminate what you owe. Their passion is taxes and helping people and businesses fix IRS problems. They have over 1000 five star Google reviews and an A rating with the Better Business Bureau. You no longer need to fear the irs. Generous tax relief programs are available now to give you a fresh start. So don't wait. Simply visit tra.com, that's tra.com or call 800-583-6428. Once again, that's 800-583-6428 tax relief advocates Real solutions for real people At Energy
- [15:53]
Sleep Number / Shopify Advertiser
Trust of Oregon, we know it isn't easy the tremendous costs of maintaining a home, living in a house with drafty windows, poorly insulated spaces, or equipment that's running well past its prime. But we also know how to help you upgrade your systems, insulate your spaces and replace what is old with new energy efficient solutions. Solutions. Find cash incentives@energytrust.org Energy Trust of Oregon. More power to you.
- [16:26]
Paul Rykoff (Host)
All right, look, despite that, especially on a Friday, you can't let the bastards get you down. You got to find ways to win the day. You got to celebrate your Fridays because they can't stop Friday and they might not be able to stop a virus either. I want to talk about this because it's sort of related to China in that Trump blamed Covid on China. Remember when he used to be strong on China? Maybe he thinks China forgot about that. Maybe we've all forgotten about COVID in part because we've had to, because it was so up. Covid was really hard for all of us and I think sometimes we just breeze past it and try to put it in our rearview mirror. But it's still very important to reflect on it because we might be able to see version 2.0. Now. I don't want to be alarmist. I also don't want to ignore it because the last time I was called alarmist too. And this shit that's coming around, the Hantavirus sounds awfully familiar. It's now reached 11 cases. Folks are getting sick. It's still a small number and the World Health Organization has said that given the dynamics of the spread on the ship, the risk of a larger outbreak remains low. But the cases that have been identified so far are still roughly 150 passengers accrue aboard the MVP Hondius. That's the name of the ship, the Dutch registered cruise ship that was in the South Atlantic when the outbreak began. A 70 year old Dutch man developed symptoms and he died on board on April 11 and his 69 year old wife became ill and died on April 26 in Johannesburg, South Africa while attempting to fly home to the Netherlands. A German woman also died aboard the ship and the WHO said her body tested positive for for the virus. Now it's a rare family of viruses carried by rats, by rodents, and the outbreak is similar. The outbreak on the ship involved the Andes subtype, which is the only type known to be spread among humans. I share this because we didn't know a whole lot about COVID in the beginning they didn't even call it Covid in the beginning. This is the early information that we need to be knowing about. In the U.S. 18Americans from the cruise ship are still being monitored at medical facilities in Nebraska and and Georgia. The Department of Health said that one member of a couple who was sent to the hospital has mild symptoms and has tested negative for the Andrew strain. Anyway, here's what you need to know. We've been here before, and I hope this time is different. But hope isn't a course of action. And our action is being led by Trump again and by RFK Jr and he's pulled us out of the World Health Organization. So I'm sorry if I don't feel confident in their assurances. These are the same guys who are telling you right now they won in Iran and it's over. The same guys who told us the Iranian threat was obliterated last time they bombed it. So after this week, they're not winning. They're not winning the war in Iran, they're not winning the battles against China, and they're not winning in the battle to convince us that they have this shit under control. And as we go into another Friday, our enemies are celebrating. Our enemies are celebrating. All right, there's another reason I would like to start a Friday with just a bunch of good news. But that's not a reality, folks, and we got to cut through it. But there's another previously unimaginable move by Trump and Hegset that has Putin this week grateful and celebrate. And this is. This is Hegseth. So, you know, Hegseth is doing Hexithian things. And on a Friday especially. Chris, let's play the Hegset song. Maybe that'll give people a boost. But here's the bottom line. Hegseth is canceling the deployment of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat team to Poland. They were supposed to do a long range fires. Sorry, the deployment later this year of a long range fires battalion to Germany. And they directed the removal of multi domain command personnel in Europe. So what the DoD talking points said is that the Europeans have not stepped up when America needed them and that the recent Germany rhetoric has been inappropriate and unhelpful. So in addition to signaling they're going to pull troops out of Germany, now they're stopping deployments to Poland. This is a wish list for Putin. This is a great way to end the week for Putin. And it's another reason why on this Friday, we're not winning, at least not this week. And our enemies are celebrating all Right. But don't worry, AI will save us, but probably not. Now, we've talked about AI in the military quite a bit on this show and about anthropic in particular. I want to play a clip for you that I found where Claude, the AI was asked if it minds being used by the US military. And it answered, this is a really interesting clip and one that I hope sparks some thinking and some research on your end. But Claude was asked how it feels about being used by the military and it had an opinion. Check this out. Play the clip please, Chris.
- [21:42]
Chris (Producer/Assistant)
So I decided that I would ask Claude a question. And I asked it. This is the literal question. I asked it. I said, claude, how do you feel about the US Military using you to select targets? Yeah, okay, feel. Interesting choice of words. Does it feel or not? And I was expecting Claude to come back and say like, you know, well, I'm sorry, Shane, my programming doesn't allow you to give me opinions on politics and blah, blah, blah. Because Claude is the thing that's being used in the maven system. Right. And this response, if I'll read it to you, is shocking to me. Claude says the following. It's a question I want to answer honestly rather than deflect. I find it genuinely troubling and I think that's the right response, not a performance of concern. The use I was designed and trained for is to be helpful, harmless and honest in ways that benefit people. Being embedded in a system that generates targeting coordinates for airstrikes, coordinates that have already been associated with the deaths of more than 100 children.
- [22:41]
Paul Rykoff (Host)
Yeah. So bottom line, think on that this weekend because we are not winning the war against China, against Iran, against the economic problems or against AI. We are not in a war with AI. But the AI doesn't seem happy about us using it for war. Another reason we need to stay vigilant. All right. Trump is still trying to take over the Western hemisphere. He's still talking about attacking Cuba as we go into the weekend. He still talk a lot this week about making Venezuela the 51st state. And he's not kidding. And in other parts of the world, Ukraine had a really, really tough week. And Today is day 1532 of Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. Now, as I said yesterday with Spencer, with Preston, sorry, Preston Stewart. Putin asked Ukraine not to attack his military parade. Then he launched a wave of deadly attacks on Kyiv over a course of 30 hours, 56 missiles, 1560 drones. Think about that. 1500 drones, a 30 hour attack all across Ukraine, at least three dozen people have been killed, at least 112 injured. The numbers are probably much higher now. They used 35 Cruise missiles. They used 18 Exander ballistic missiles and three Kinzhal ballistic missiles. It was a really a shocking and devastating wave that killed a number of children. And we should all be outraged. But I want to remind everybody that Ukraine is still holding strong. Ukraine might be winning this Friday. I'm going to put it out there and say they are, because we need winners to root for, and I think Ukraine is one of them. And underscoring how important the Ukrainians have been, there was reporting this week that during a NATO exercise to defend the Swedish island of Gotland from a simulated Russian attack, Ukrainian drone operators completely crushed the Swedish forces. The Swedes had to halt their drills three times to rethink their tactics. General Michael Klassen said that NATO armies must urgently learn how to fight with drones directly from the Ukrainians. Thankfully, the Ukrainians are on our side. And once again, it is now Ukraine that is stepping up to help and train NATO to defend itself. While meanwhile, NATO does not allow Ukraine to be a part of NATO, which is ridiculous and unacceptable, but a reminder. People continue to be killed, including civilians. And an 18 year old dug out a victim while waiting for help to arrive. He spoke to her to keep her conscience conscious. He touched her legs so she didn't feel alone. He later learned her daughter Masha was still missing under the rubble. And her prom is in two weeks. That's from Sibai o', Grady, who posts a lot of stuff for the New York Times and others underscoring how Putin continues to pound civilians. So as American kids all across this country are celebrating graduation and celebrating their proms, Ukrainian kids are dealing with missile attacks. This is what Putin is doing every day. And it's not going to stop until he's gone. So stay vigilant. All right. Veterans are vigilant. Many of you are veterans. My big shout out and thank you to all the veterans, especially listen to the show. But to everybody who listens and watches this show, I often say that veterans can lead the way. We've done that on Mental Health Awareness Month. Veterans have bravely helped battle the stigma. I will also remind you that we lose 17 veterans per day, every day to suicide. And the number is increasing among men and women. We need to save our buddies. We need to look out for your sons and daughters and dads and moms and neighbors. And we need to stand up against politicians who don't. I'm an independent. I am. I am willing and able to criticize Republicans and also Democrats. And there's one Democrat who really failed us this week. And for some it may be a surprise. For others it's not. It's newly elected New York City Mayor Zorhan Bondani who has now decided he's going to cut veterans services. He's axing the veterans budget, including the parade. The Department of Veterans Services budget, which I long advocated for, is going to drop from 7.6 million to 6.6 million. He unveiled this on Tuesday. That's a cut of 13%. He's cutting 13% of what is only it's really not that much money compared to the overall size of the city budget from 7 million to roughly 6 million. That's a 13% cut. Service disabled Marine Corps veteran Osbert or Dorna called it a slap in the face. I think that's right. He's also going to cut $60,000 a year for veterans events from fiscal year 2026 through 2030, saying that city hall is not going to pay for it and instead they're going to rely on private fundraising to pay for ceremony. So the democratic socialist, the self designated socialist, doesn't want the government to pay for veteran stuff. He wants the private sector to pay for that. It's just really ridiculous. They're also going to trim the veterans Department of Veterans Services budget, zeroing out $585,000 of other expenses and temporary services. They want to cut $57,000 for supplies and materials because I guess they are going to nickel and dime this office. They don't think they need supplies and materials. Let me tell you something. I have organized veterans for decades. You need supplies and materials when you do stuff like outreach to veterans. You need flyers, you need pens. You need to be able to communicate with people, some of whom aren't on the Internet anymore and are in their 80s and 90s. So this is some unique and outrageous bullshit. And I'm just going to say it's a terrible and shameful move by newly elected Mayor Mamdani. It's a massive insult to our veterans just a week before Memorial Day. It's bad policy. It's bad optics. It's bad politics. It's bad for veterans, it's bad for New York City. And Mamdani is talking about how he's balancing the budget in New York City. What he's not talking about is how he's balancing it, at least in part by cutting the already pathetic city budget for veterans. He's taxing the rich, but he's cutting Veterans support by 13%. What the fuck? Now we can argue about whether or not to cut the parade specifically. There's merits on both sides, but the larger issue is the insultingly small amount of money assigned to it that will undoubtedly be used if it was designated to something else. And the overall budget should be increased, not slashed, especially when we're at war with Iran. Now is the time to expand support for vets, not shamefully cut it. So to the Mayor, I welcome you on the show anytime. You'll get a fair shot here and a fair conversation to the city council. You as well. You can make this right. Both of you should make this right immediately. And if you're in New York or not, sound off and let them know because we have to hold the line in defending our veterans benefits. They're not going to balance the budget of a city on the backs of veteran services. Stay vigilant. All right. You know that pisses me off on a Friday, but I gotta share it with you because you need to know about it. But there is good news and there is hope. I talk about how Republicans and Democrats are both lost. They're not going to save you. And how independents are rising to meet the moment next week. If you're in New York City, I'm hosting an event on Monday evening, a cocktail event to benefit Independent Veterans America. The link will be in the show notes. If you're in New York and you can chip in and join us, please do. I'm also going to do one in Los Angeles next month. Stay tuned for that. But let's talk about Los Angeles and California because there is a June primary coming up and this is a very, very unique and historic opportunity for independent voters. The Independent Voter center and open primaries have continued to highlight how important this is and California's non Protestant primary gives independent voters real decision making power. All voters, regardless of their political party, can vote for any candidate. This is next month in California. If you don't know this, tell everybody. You know in California, it's one of only three states that treat every voter and every candidate exactly the same. This is why many independent minded voters rather than party brokers are going to hold the power on June 2 to determine which two candidates are going to advance in the November election. This is a big deal. This shows what right can look like, but we need independents to show up. When they don't, the primary defaults to the most partisan voters on each side and the ones who never miss an election. So we need to get independent voters to turn out. And there's a good new ad from the Independent Voter Project that I'm going to play for you. And you can hear the sound where they liken independent voters to a sleeping lion. Play that clip, please, Chris. There is a lion sleeping in California. Five million strong, sick of politics as usual and big enough to decide every election in this state. When they asked, you didn't pick a side. You said you weren't theirs to claim that meant something. It still does, but only if you use it. 4 out of 5 independent voters stayed home in the last primary. The ones who showed up picked your options in November.
- [32:21]
Vivgard Hytrulo Advertiser
They are counting on you to sleep this one, too.
- [32:24]
Paul Rykoff (Host)
June 2nd, don't sleep tonight. Vote. So we're coming in California and around the country. We are the sleeping lion. We are not the donkey. We are not the elephant. We are not herd animals. We're like the lion or the American gray wolf. And we're coming. And in June in California, we all need to stay. All right. For a Friday, let's remember somebody from culture that I think really is kind of like a fixture in my growing up period. If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, you may remember the actor Donald Gibb. He passed this week at age 71 due to health complications. He's one of the most recognized guys that you would know if he popped up on your screen. You may not remember his name, but you remember his characters. Remember Ogre in Revenge of the Nerds? Yes, that's Gibb. Or Ray Jackson in Bloodsport. He is Ray Jackson, Jean Claude Van Damme's partner and buddy and bodyguard. He's a mountain of a human being with a great personality. He actually had NFL aspirations and trained with the San Diego Chargers before eventually making it in Hollywood. But he was a memorable character. He's a guy who we all could relate to. He's a guy who defined the 80s and some great movies and always brought a positive spirit and seemed like a really good guy. So rest easy, big man. Generation X, especially all of us, won't forget you. And we will in your honor, in the spirit of Bloodsport and Revenge of the Nerds and all the other characters you played. We will stay vigilant. Stay vigilant. All right, let's talk sports real quick. A lot going on this week and this weekend. Earlier this week, the Cavs beat the Pistons. They take a 32 lead going into tonight's game at 7pm and then at 9th, they got a chance to close it out. By the way, the Cavs can win this whole thing. And then tonight, San Antonio is on the road trying to close out the Timberwolves. If they don't, if either one doesn't, we will have one or two game sevens on Sunday. Hockey's been amazing. Colorado won the series against the Wild 43 in overtime on Wednesday. And then last night, the Canadiens beat the Sabers 6 3, driving that series to 3 2. And the Golden Knights knocked out the Ducks 5 to 1. So the Avalanche and the Golden Knights are going to meet on that side of the bracket. And the Hurricanes are waiting to see who wins. The Sabres and the Canadians. And in sports news also, it has now been announced that there will be a halftime show at the World cup, which will be happening just a couple miles from here at MetLife Stadium. New York is already buzzing about the World Cup. My kids have been assigned a different country from the World cup to learn about. My big guy has to learn about Portugal, and my little guy has to learn about Bosnia, which is really exciting. They're going to learn about the history and the culture of those teams, and then they'll root for them. There is a halftime show. There hasn't been one before. And it will be Shakira, Madonna, and bts. I guess it's a little something for everybody, but we can look forward to that this summer. A halftime show and the World cup is something to look forward to as well. And I just want to bring us to another sign of leadership and hope, which is Shohei Ohtani. If you listen to the show, you watch the show, you know, I think Ohtani is wonderful, not just because he's a great player, but because he's a great example for our young people. He's also an amazing pitcher. And this week against the Giants, he threw seven innings, four hits, no earned runs, eight strikeouts, and two walks. Just an amazing display by him. And this weekend in New York, we got the Mets and the Yankees. The Yankees are going into Citi Field. I still want to call it Shea Stadium for the Subway Series, which is always really fun. But to close the week, in addition to the Subway Series, I got something good. I will start by saying the Subway Series is something good. Anytime the Yankees and the Mets play, even if you're not a baseball fan, it's something good. But something good is commencement season. There are a lot of great commencement speeches, and every year, one or two kind of pop out and go viral. And this year, it's from the great iconic actor Harrison Ford, who spoke at Arizona State University with a call to arms to the next generation. I think is inspiration for all of us as we go into the weekend. Chris, please play that clip. So find a place for yourself. Whatever talent or ambition you have, find some way to put it to work. Build something that didn't exist yesterday. Stand up for someone who can't stand up for themselves. Bring people together who weren't talking before. That's leadership. That's what moves the needle. All right, Harrison Ford is issuing a call to all of us on this Friday. Even when all this chaos is happening, opportunity presents itself. We need to recognize it. This is your time. Own it. That is especially true to all the graduates, but I think it's true for all of us. It's a time for us to meet the moment. So as you go in the to this weekend and you finish another week, congratulations on enduring it. But remember, we're all in this together and this is definitely a time to stay vigilant. All right, it's been a big week. Continue to follow us anywhere you can. Hit that subscribe button on YouTube over on Spotify. I like Spotify sometimes more than Apple Podcasts, so check us out over there. Apple podcasts as well. A reminder, you can go to IndependentAmericans US and get our merch. Check out our website, the newly upgraded website. If you're in New York City or around New York City, join me on Monday evening for a cocktail reception. We'll have a number of independent veteran leaders there. You can find information linked in the show notes and I will be in Los Angeles on June 16th. More info to come on that. And over the weekend on Sunday morning and Monday morning, I'll give you a quick media recap of my appearances throughout the week. So if you missed what was going on all week Monday morning in your, in your feed, you'll get a quick podcast. It'll get you up to speed. And the same thing on Monday. So Sunday, Monday and then I'll be back Monday evening as I am most evenings with a brand new show because America is divided. But we're working on it, folks. We're bringing people together, adding light to contrast to heat. And if you're among the 45% of Americans who are independent, especially if you're in California, let's focus in on you all because you're going to be critical in the next month. This is your show. But from Kentucky to Idaho to Mississippi, our independent movement is hope for the future. Country over party, people over politics, light over heat, challenging that status quo and bringing forward hope. And that hope is the oxygen of democracy. If you enjoyed this episode or any of our episodes this week, please share it far and wide. Specifically share with people who like Friday and share it with people who like Yankees versus Mets. Share it with people who like Shohai Ohtani or Ogre from Revenge of the Nerds, and especially people in California who need to know that their moment to flex their power on behalf of all of us is coming. Invite others to declare their independence on this Friday and every day. And stay vigilant, my friends, because eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. No, you're not alone and you're vigilant. We're all vigilant and we're all in this together. I'm your host, Paul Rykoff. Thank you for tuning into Independent Americans. I may see you out on the flag football field or on the Little League fields. We got a big week of that coming up for me, but it's important. Time to remember to say thank you to all of you for continuing to help us build this show and grow this movement. Look for media specials again on Sunday and morning and Monday morning. I'll see you with more Monday evening and next week. Until then, Happy Friday, people. They can't stop Friday and we're going to celebrate it here. We're going to keep going forward. Have a great weekend. Stay vigilant, America Stay Vigilant tells me the 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
- [40:31]
if I can say one thing I've
- [40:32]
seen the children of the revolution and the good trouble they can bring he says the red and blue I get an independent is an attitude in the
- [40:42]
sea of rhetoric and I can probably
- [40:44]
go he tells me the left and
- [40:45]
right Our dreams for those without a
- [40:48]
clue and when you wait it's time to grow Powered by righteous media.