5 chapters across the catalog
Americans Trapped in Gaza and State Department Negotiations
NPR reports on the plight of approximately 500-600 American citizens trapped in Gaza as Israel prepares a ground incursion. The U.S. State Department is negotiating with Egypt and Israel to open the Rafah border crossing for evacuations. The hosts note the media's focus on American passports as a symbol of imperial protection.
Adam Curry explains why he avoids using his Dutch bank account for show donations despite the lack of fees in the Eurozone. He cites the heavy reporting requirements for American citizens holding foreign accounts, which often leads banks to close accounts to avoid the associated paperwork.
A congressional hearing revealed that the FBI dropped an outstanding arrest warrant for Anwar al-Awlaki in 2002, allowing him to remain free before he was eventually killed in a U.S. drone strike. The hosts discuss the implications of the government killing an American citizen without trial. They suggest that al-Awlaki may have been a double agent or part of a staged extraction.
ESTA System Errors, Harassment of American Citizens at Check-in
The hosts critique the application of the ESTA system to American citizens, which they argue should only apply to foreign visitors. One host describes a one-hour delay at check-in caused by address mismatches in the computer system, suggesting the process serves as a form of harassment for travelers despite holding valid U.S. passports.
Anwar al-Awlaki CIA Hit List, American Citizen Targeted
The CIA has reportedly placed Anwar al-Awlaki, a Muslim cleric born in New Mexico, on a target list for drone strikes. This marks the first time a U.S. citizen has been officially targeted for assassination by the agency. The hosts mock the idea that "lawyers vet the killing" to ensure it is legally acceptable to execute a citizen without trial.
