In light of the Paris attacks there has been a rise in anti-Muslim animus as well as a deluge of propaganda and myth-making by the establishment media. Not only has inciteful political rhetoric been rationalized, but the hysteria has pushed many into calling for infringements on civil rights for American Muslims. 

In the United States fear mongering about terrorism has become theatrical, reaching such a degree that the shooting in San Bernardino is being framed as an organized ISIS plot instead of conventional US gun violence, despite the FBI admitting that they have found no connection to a foreign terrorist organization. 

The cartoonishly fascist nature of Donald Trump’s politics may essentially force voters into joining the Hillary Clinton camp due to a mess of demoralization, orientalist panic, and the entertainment-laced agitprop being spread by news outlets. And still there exists a troubling reality, that Donald Trump’s alarming rhetoric—including his calls for Muslims to wear forms of identification documenting their religion and banning Muslim immigrants entirely—is acceptable by large swaths of Americans. It reveals that anti-Muslim bigotry, which is being aided by a new Cold War push and the lack of a diverse press, is taking a more dramatic turn.

Join Abby and Robbie Martin on Media Roots Radio as they parse through the overwhelming disinformation regarding what many have branded “the second biggest terrorist attack since 9/11”, as well as the formulaic and hysterical response that has become emblematic following such tragedies.

 

If you want to directly download the podcast, click the down arrow icon on the right of the soundcloud display.

This Media Roots podcast is the product of many long hours of hard work and love. If you want to encourage our voice, please consider supporting us as we continue to speak from outside party lines. Even the smallest donations help us with operating costs.

Listen to all previous episodes of Media Roots Radio here.

Follow @FluorescentGrey | @AbbyMartin

US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, a habitual peddler of fantastical, orientalist lies, is hailed as a war hero by the most cowardly members of society—from war profiteers to robotic nationalists. American Sniper reinforces this myth with two hours of pro-war agitprop.

This grotesque propaganda works to further US exceptionalism and helps lift the morale of Americans who are desperate for content that will make them feel better about their national identity.

Any critics of the acclaimed sniper’s actions experience a deluge of harassment, threats and attacks from Chris Kyle fans. Abby Martin, who faced the brunt of much of the Kyle-stans’ panicked vitriol, discusses the xenophobic, sexist, and racist campaign aimed against those daring to question the greater military industrial complex with Robbie Martin and Rania Khalek on Media Roots Radio. 

 

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Journalist Receives Death Threats for Chris Kyle T-Shirt

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Raw Story – ‘Put On Your Raping Shoes and Find This Bitch': Abby Martin is the Latest Target of Crazed Chris Kyle Sycophants

Mint Press News – The Price of Dissent: Abby Martin Gets Graphic Rape Threats from Chris Kyle Fans

Follow @FluorescentGrey | @AbbyMartin | @RaniaKhalek

Photo by Matthew Coffee

Colombia remains one of the most dangerous countries on earth, where more than 220,000 have been killed and countless displaced over the last 57 years. The human rights abuses in the country are regularly dismissed by the corporate media, which ignores the heavy hand of US Empire.

The US began heavily pushing military intervention in Colombia under the Kennedy administration, whose National Security Doctrine aimed to wipe out all populist movements in Latin America through the backing of right wing death squads.

FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia), the Marxist-Leninist rebel group, is branded a terrorist group by the US, yet is trying to initiate a peace process. The US prevents this from happening, and continues to use the rebel group as an excuse to increase its military involvement. The so-called Drug War is just another arm of the ongoing violence on the ground.

The role of the US military in Colombia is intense. According to the former US Ambassador to Colombia, the US has more involvement in Colombia than anywhere in the world, including Afghanistan. There is also widespread abuse on behalf of the US military throughout the community. Between 2003-2007, US soldiers and contractors sexually abused at least 54 children and could not be tried or extradited due to immunity clauses between the two countries.

All this aside, Colombia remains the invisible country in the invisible war, shunned by the world. Abby and Robbie Martin are joined by Dan Kovalik, human and labor rights lawyer, on Media Roots Radio to discuss Colombia’s current war and the far-reaching effects of US interventionism over the past half century. 

 

If you want to directly download the podcast, click the down arrow icon on the right of the soundcloud display.

This Media Roots podcast is the product of many long hours of hard work and love. If you want to encourage our voice, please consider supporting us as we continue to speak from outside party lines. Even the smallest donations help us with operating costs.

Listen to all previous episodes of Media Roots Radio here.

Follow @FluorescentGrey | @AbbyMartin | @DanielMKovalik

LUIS ROBAYO/AFP/Getty Images