The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson Episode Title: Little Green Men over NJ, plus Venezuelan Gangs in Colorado & People OK w CEO Murder
Release Date: December 18, 2024

Introduction

In this episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson engages in a deep and unfiltered discussion on pressing national issues, including mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey, the resurgence of Venezuelan gangs in Colorado, and a startling survey revealing young Americans' attitudes toward the murder of a healthcare CEO. The conversation highlights growing distrust in government institutions and the media, delving into the implications of these developments for American society.

Mysterious Drone Sightings Over New Jersey

[00:01 – 04:09]

The episode kicks off with comments from the guest, Senator Ted Cruz (referred to as "A" in the transcript), who expresses significant concern over the recent drone sightings along the East Coast, particularly in New Jersey. Senator Cruz recounts his experiences in New York City, where citizens are actively discussing and sharing videos of unidentified drones, raising fears about national security and governmental transparency.

Key Points:

• Drone Sightings: Multiple reports of unidentified drones across the East Coast have sparked public anxiety.
• Government Transparency: There is a pervasive lack of trust in government agencies like the FBI, CIA, and Department of Homeland Security due to perceived dishonesty on various issues, including COVID-19 and border security.
• Public Paranoia: The inability of authorities to provide clear answers about the drones exacerbates public distrust and suspicion.

Notable Quote: Senator Cruz emphasizes the depth of distrust, stating at [04:09], “The number of Americans who don't believe a thing they're being told. Why? Because the government, especially with the Biden administration, has demonstrated they're willing to lie over and over and over again.”

Government's Inadequate Response to Drone Incidents

[04:09 – 22:06]

Ben Ferguson ("B") responds by highlighting his own experiences and the limitations of his knowledge despite holding a top-level classified clearance. He underscores the conflicting reports from government officials and the frustration stemming from the lack of definitive information.

Key Points:

• Conflicting Information: Governor Larry Hogan and Congressman Tom Keene have publicly demanded answers, but official statements from agencies remain vague or contradictory.
• Classified Briefings: Senator Cruz discusses the inefficacy of classified briefings, comparing them to the minimal revelations from an earlier briefing on UFO sightings, which provided no substantial information.
• Historical Distrust: The episode references past incidents, such as the Chinese spy balloon, to illustrate a pattern of government obfuscation that fuels current distrust.
• Need for Transparency: Both speakers agree that increased government transparency is crucial to restoring public trust.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson at [12:09] criticizes the government’s handling of classified briefings: “But the Biden administration is particularly bad about it. They'll classify a briefing just because they don't want to talk about a topic or because they think it's politically embarrassing.”
• Senator Cruz adds at [16:02], “The Biden administration is doing nothing to assuage people's fears. They're not leveling with the American people. They're telling them, just, hey, don't worry about it. Nothing to see here.”

Venezuelan Gangs in Colorado: Media Denial vs. Reality

[22:06 – 27:05]

Shifting focus, the discussion turns to a recent violent incident in Aurora, Colorado, where 14 individuals were arrested for a home invasion believed to be orchestrated by Venezuelan gangs. Initially dismissed by mainstream media and officials, the severity of the situation has now been acknowledged, highlighting inconsistencies in media reporting and official statements.

Key Points:

• Aurora Home Invasion: A violent attack at Lowry Apartments resulted in multiple arrests and injuries, with authorities confirming gang involvement.
• Media Contradictions: Earlier media statements, including those from ABC's Martha Raddatz, downplayed the incident, labeling it as isolated, whereas Fox News later confirmed its severity.
• Public Outrage: The discrepancy between initial denials and subsequent confirmations has fueled public frustration and distrust toward media outlets perceived as minimizing the threat posed by illegal gangs.

Notable Quotes:

• Aurora Police Department Chief Todd Chamberlain describes the incident at [23:13], “Police at Aurora, Colorado say the overnight armed home invasion at a local apartment complex that resulted in 14 suspects being detained was, without question, a gang incident.”
• Senator Cruz critiques the media's initial dismissal, saying at [26:05], “Only a handful of apartment complexes in America were taken over by Venezuelan gangs and Donald Trump is the problem and not Kamala Harris's open border.”

Stunning Survey: Young Americans' Attitudes Toward CEO Murder

[27:05 – 33:46]

The episode delves into a shocking survey conducted by Emerson College, revealing that a significant portion of young Americans, particularly those aged 18 to 29, find the murder of a healthcare CEO justifiable. This disturbing finding is presented as evidence of ideological indoctrination within educational systems and media.

Key Points:

• Survey Results: 68% of voters find the murder of CEO Brian Thompson unacceptable, while 17% deem it acceptable. Notably, among younger voters (18-29), 41% find the act acceptable compared to 40% who do not.
• Party Breakdown: The survey shows that 22% of Democrats and 12% of Republicans find the murder acceptable, with 16% of independents also in agreement.
• Implications: The high percentage of young individuals rationalizing such violence is attributed to leftist ideologies and educational indoctrination, raising concerns about moral degradation and societal values.
• Moral Standpoint: Both speakers assert that murder is unequivocally wrong, irrespective of political beliefs or personal disagreements.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson at [28:48] states, “A majority of voters, 68%, think the actions of the killer of the United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson are unacceptable... 41% of voters aged 18 to 29 find the killer's actions acceptable, while 40% find them unacceptable.”
• Senator Cruz reinforces the moral stance at [31:36], “Murder is always, always, always wrong, whether you like the person or not.”

Conclusion

The episode of The 47 Morning Update presents a compelling narrative on the erosion of trust between the American public and governmental institutions. Through discussions on unexplained drone activities, the resurgence of criminal gangs, and alarming shifts in societal values among youth, Ben Ferguson and Senator Ted Cruz underscore the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and a recommitment to foundational moral principles. The conversations serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing modern America and the imperative to address them head-on to restore faith in leadership and societal structures.

Note: This summary excludes promotional segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.