Episode Summary: "Bombers, Bombing, and Bombed" – The Victor Davis Hanson Show

Release Date: November 30, 2024
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler
Co-Host: Sammy Wink

1. Introduction and Overview

In the episode titled "Bombers, Bombing, and Bombed," Victor Davis Hanson and co-host Sammy Wink delve into a range of topics, blending historical analysis with current political discourse. The conversation spans from national security concerns to in-depth discussions of U.S. military strategies during World War II, and contemporary political dynamics surrounding key figures like Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

2. National Security: Drones and Foreign Threats

Drones Over U.S. Military Bases

Sammy Wink opens the discussion by addressing recent incidents involving drones spotted over U.S. military installations, suspected to be operated by Russian entities.

Sammy Wink [04:13]:
"Victor, we saw this week that some drones were over US Military bases, and they are telling us that it might be the Russians. I was wondering your idea and also Israel as well."

Victor's Analysis on Foreign Drone Activity

Victor Davis Hanson provides a historical perspective, drawing parallels to past threats like the Chinese balloon incident. He emphasizes the growing issue of foreign entities exploiting open borders and the lack of stringent consequences for such actions.

Victor Davis Hansen [04:45]:
"Nobody fears that anymore. So if you're somebody and you want to take a drone and fly it over, big deal. There's no consequences to it. There's no consequences to anything anymore."

He further criticizes the current state of federal oversight, highlighting the need for restoring deterrents to prevent unauthorized drone activity.

Victor Davis Hansen [06:51]:
"This defunct, inert FBI should stop spying on parents at school board meetings or anti-abortion and actually go, because that's a federal offense to threaten a federal official."

3. Historical Insight: U.S. Bombing Campaigns in the Pacific

Origins and Development of the B29 Bomber

The conversation shifts to a detailed examination of the B29 bomber's development during World War II. Victor outlines the ambitious specifications set in the 1930s for an all-metal, long-range, four-engine bomber capable of operating in all weather conditions.

Victor Davis Hansen [20:39]:
"But by 1942, 1943, they were seeing they were not going to get this plane in time for the European theater... the project was twice as expensive as the Manhattan atomic bomb project."

Curtis LeMay's Role and Strategic Shifts

Victor discusses General Curtis LeMay's controversial strategies, including the shift from high-altitude precision bombing to low-altitude incendiary raids using napalm. This tactical pivot led to significant destruction of Japanese industrial centers and civilian casualties.

Victor Davis Hansen [24:31]:
"He tried to do what his prior, his predecessor had done. He says, it doesn't work. It does not work because the plane will not go up to 30,000ft."

Sammy Wink [34:47]:
"Didn't they destroy or kill over 100,000 in two nights?"

Victor Davis Hansen [34:54]:
"March 9th and 10th the Japanese claimed 200,000. I think the bombing survey after the war said 130. And now scholars suggest maybe somewhere between 100 and 50,000."

Consequences and Legacy

Victor reflects on the aftermath of these bombing campaigns, noting their role in precipitating Japan's surrender and the broader ethical implications of wartime strategies.

4. Contemporary Politics: Kamala Harris and Democratic Strategies

Kamala Harris' Campaign and Internal Polling

The hosts critique Kamala Harris' recent campaign performance, revealing that internal polls consistently showed her trailing her opponents. They argue that the campaign misled the public about its standing, impacting voter trust.

Sammy Wink [37:02]:
"The Kamala campaign and campaign advisor David Fluff have recently admitted that they never let out that their internal polls never showed Kamala ahead."

Victor Davis Hansen [37:47]:
"She gave that little, what he would call a post mortem kind of confession, 30 second speech. She did this video. She came back from Hawaii... You're out of a job. What do, what don't you get about that?"

Criticism of Democratic Funding and Strategy

Victor critiques the Democratic Party's financial strategies and their reliance on elite support, suggesting that excessive spending did not translate into electoral success.

Victor Davis Hansen [39:10]:
"They paid Al Sharpton and MSNBC... It was so mis. I don't believe that you can go through a billion and a half dollars in 100 days."

Trump's Resilience and Campaign Strength

In contrast, the hosts praise Donald Trump's enduring popularity and campaign effectiveness, highlighting his grassroots support and media prowess.

Victor Davis Hansen [42:44]:
"He is a political genius. He's going to these areas of New York with these hearings... He's completely turned politics upside down."

5. Political Figures Under Scrutiny: Pete Hegseth

Allegations Against Pete Hegseth

The episode addresses recent accusations against Pete Hegseth, examining the credibility of the claims and the responses from those supporting him.

Victor Davis Hansen [49:08]:
"All the court cases, they're going to... The left keeps saying, he's going to go after us. It's going to be the end of the world. And that is 100% projection."

Sammy Wink [49:33]:
"In the testimonial that she gave... she says then she didn't report it until four days."

Victor dissects the inconsistencies in the allegations, questioning the timing and motivations behind the accusations, and ultimately defends Hegseth's credibility.

6. Government Accountability: January 6th Investigation

FBI and Government Missteps

Victor critiques the government's handling of the January 6th investigation, highlighting delays, mismanagement, and perceived dishonesty in the process.

Victor Davis Hansen [53:01]:
"They've been lying. And one of the it's kind of the FAUCI at large or FAUCI on steroid syndrome."

Election Integrity Concerns

The hosts express skepticism about the integrity of the 2020 election, pointing to discrepancies in absentee ballots and voter turnout statistics.

Victor Davis Hansen [57:36]:
"I think once they go have power, subpoena power, they're going to bring in everybody and try to look at that. The left keeps saying, he's going to go after us. It's going to be the end of the world."

7. International Affairs: Israel and Hezbollah

Striking Hezbollah’s Infrastructure

Victor discusses Israel's recent military action against a Hezbollah armory, highlighting its significant impact on the organization's capabilities.

Victor Davis Hansen [58:23]:
"They have almost emasculated Hezbollah. And the big story there is that there's a lot of accounts coming out from the Middle East that are pretty amazing that people in Lebanese newspapers are openly writing op-eds... they're sick of them hijacking their own country."

Changing Dynamics in the Middle East

He emphasizes the shifting perceptions within Lebanon regarding Hezbollah, suggesting a weakening of the organization's influence and a potential geopolitical realignment.

Victor Davis Hansen [58:39]:
"The people in Lebanon are blaming Hezbollah because they're sick of them hijacking their own country... the world is changing."

8. Listener Engagement and Personal Reflections

Reader Comments

Victor acknowledges listener feedback supporting his views on controversial cabinet picks and the current political climate, reinforcing the show's alignment with conservative perspectives.

Victor Davis Hansen [62:55]:
"Elizabeth Herring writes... 'Advice and Consent is a farce for Democrats, never Trumpers and pearl-clutching Republicans...'"

Personal Anecdotes: Thanksgiving and Pets

In a heartfelt conclusion, Victor shares personal stories about his pets and the importance of gratitude and maintaining friendships, adding a relatable and emotional layer to the episode.

Victor Davis Hansen [64:14]:
"We're speaking tonight on the eve of Thanksgiving... I was just laughing. And everybody, they thought it was so bizarre."

9. Conclusion

The episode "Bombers, Bombing, and Bombed" weaves together rigorous historical analysis with sharp political commentary, offering listeners a comprehensive view of both past military strategies and present-day political challenges. Victor Davis Hanson and Sammy Wink provide insightful perspectives, backed by detailed narratives and personal reflections, making the episode engaging for both long-time followers and new listeners.

Notable Quotes:

• Victor Davis Hansen [04:45]:
  "Nobody fears that anymore. So if you're somebody and you want to take a drone and fly it over, big deal. There's no consequences to it."

• Sammy Wink [37:02]:
  "The Kamala campaign and campaign advisor David Fluff have recently admitted that they never let out that their internal polls never showed Kamala ahead."

• Victor Davis Hansen [34:54]:
  "March 9th and 10th the Japanese claimed 200,000. I think the bombing survey after the war said 130."

This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode "Bombers, Bombing, and Bombed," providing an informative overview for those who have not listened to the full podcast.