Drone Strikes comes up in 8 chapters across 7 episodes of The Higherside Chats Free Show, from July 2013 to April 2021.
Defining Evil, Science and the Litmus Test of Intentions
The discussion shifts to why society avoids investigating evil as a lens for understanding global events. It posits that many people fail to recognize nefarious intentions in positions of power, particularly within scientific and medical institutions that claim to be objective or altruistic.
Scientific Justification, Social Constructs and Materialism
The dialogue explores how modern science attempts to explain away evil as a mental condition or a social construct. This perspective is criticized for removing meaning from human experience and allowing for the justification of atrocities, such as drone strikes, through clinical or detached logic.
Personal Responsibility and the Pivot of Empire
The hosts discuss how social media allows people to complain without taking meaningful action against the underlying structures of empire. White observes a "glass half full" silver lining where the current administration's lack of likability has made the public more willing to criticize drone strikes and foreign interventions that were previously ignored. The goal is identified as moving toward an awareness that the fundamental problem is empire itself.
Isolationism versus Interventionism in American Foreign Policy
Greg Carlwood argues that for Muslim Americans, a Trump presidency might be preferable to a Clinton presidency due to Clinton's history as a "war hawk" and "Middle East meddler." He suggests that Trump's nationalist and isolationist rhetoric could lead to a reduction in the American Empire's global interventionism. The host posits that Clinton's crimes within the government realm are more dangerous than Trump's shady business dealings.
George HW Bush, American Public Ignorance and Sports Distraction
A 1992 quote attributed to George HW Bush suggests that the American public would react violently if they truly understood the actions of their government. The population is described as systematically distracted by consumer debt and professional sports, prioritizing athletic statistics over critical issues like international drone campaigns and rigged elections. This cultural complacency allows nefarious deeds to go unpunished as long as entertainment remains uninterrupted.
Remote Vehicle Hacking, Michael Hastings and Paul Walker
The guest examines the suspicious deaths of Clinton associate Jerry Parks and celebrities like Paul Walker and journalist Michael Hastings. Kelly argues that modern vehicles equipped with systems like OnStar can be remotely hacked to cause high-speed crashes. He also posits that some high-profile car accidents may actually be disguised drone strikes or executions.
Twenty One Pilots, March to the Sea, and Social Reflection
The episode concludes with a social commentary on global poverty, police accountability, and the ethics of consumer technology. Carlwood plays "March to the Sea" by Twenty One Pilots, using the lyrics to reflect on the "collective gut frustration" of modern society. He suggests that UFOs might be attempting to show humanity an alternative to its current path of destruction and industrial exploitation.
Guantanamo Bay and Forced Feeding Ethics
The discussion covers the ethical horrors of forced feeding at Guantanamo Bay, referencing a video featuring Mos Def undergoing the procedure. The act of force-feeding hunger strikers is described as a violation of the right to die and a means of maintaining control over prisoners held without trial. This is framed as an ultimate form of authoritarianism where the state claims to know what is best for the individual's own body.
