Sphere Las Vegas Is the Ultimate Theater Experience

October 31, 2023 10:23pm

I took my wife to see Darren Aronofsky's "Postcard from Earth" at Sphere Las Vegas today because I wanted her to see the incredible new entertainment venue in the world's greatest entertainment city. Having seen U2 in concert there a few days before, I already knew how spectacular Sphere is. But I also knew that all the sensory enhancements at Sphere were not utilized at the concert, and that "Postcard from Earth" would utilize it all because it was produced specifically for that venue.

So was the film outstanding? Yes and no. I'll start with the "yes" reason. The film was outstanding because the cinematography was superb. Every inch of Sphere's near wrap-around 16K LED video screen was filled with unbelievably beautiful and life-like images of Earth and its inhabitants. From our planet's immense natural beauty to the dominating architecture of human civilizations, the film presented the artistry of Earth as no other venue in the world can. I won't get into the details of Sphere's state-of-the-art theatrical technologies in this post, but you can read what I wrote about that last week at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/blog/231028-1712

Now for the reason "no." I fully expected the film to be a propaganda piece about how humans are destroying our planet via anthropogenic climate change. What I didn't expect was for it to be so direct, deceptive, and defenseless. The entire premise of the film is that, at some unspecified date in the future, mankind has destroyed Earth to the point that the planet cannot heal if there is even one human left on it. So all humans left Earth to populate other planets. The number of people evacuated from Earth was never specified in the film. But billions would be unrealistic even with the future's space travel technology. Presumably, we killed off most human life through our destruction of Mother Earth. I won't give away the ending in case you plan to see it yourself and want to hold on to at least some suspense. But suffice it to say that the plot was too unrealistic and preachy, even for a climate activist's science fiction piece.

Do I recommend going to an event at Sphere? Yes, I absolutely do. The one-of-a-kind entertainment venue offers a spectacular sensory experience that isn't available anywhere else. Concerts that incorporate Sphere's potential to enhance the performance will be amazing. The resident "Postcard from Earth" film is also amazing; visually, audibly, and physically (because the haptic seats vibrate with appropriate timing synchronized to the sound). Just know before you go that the film's message is a disgusting one; that "humans are evil, and Earth would be better off without us."

But the irony of that message is that, while the film's narrator describes how humans have ALWAYS destroyed everything we've touched, the planet is somehow still here. And so are we; the homo sapiens that, without any explanation of the non sequitur, somehow managed to survive on the planet we supposedly destroyed multiple times already. But if anything is consistent among the climate change alarmists, it is never having to explain when they err.

U2 Live at Sphere Las Vegas!

October 28, 2023 5:12pm

Sphere is the latest and greatest entertainment venue in Las Vegas. Uh, make that "Sphere is the latest and greatest entertainment venue on Earth." The $2.3 billion structure is a massive, spherical building located behind the The Strip's Venetian Hotel & Casino. It stands 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide.

The exterior surface is covered with LEDs, making its 580,000 square feet of fully programmable video the largest video screen on the planet. Its physical size, while huge, does not dominate the Las Vegas skyline. But its bright, ever-changing, colorful display attracts attention like no other building in the world can.

On September 29th, U2 opened Sphere at The Venetian Resort with the first performance of their 21 week “U2 UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere” residency. I wasn't at Sphere for opening night. But I did attend last night's U2 concert there. It was indescribably incredible.

Along with my friends Rob Ade and Dave Whittaker, I saw U2 perform live at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, Ireland on August 8, 1987. It was the band's final European show of their Joshua Tree Tour. That concert was typical for arena concerts of the era. It was festival seating on the grass pitch of the stadium. Being young then, we were happy as pigs in mud partying in the dense crowd just a few feet from the stage.

Last night's concert was far more agreeable for a man of my age. The luxurious assigned seats were not only comfortable, they offered unobstructed views of the performers and the astonishing videos that enhanced the visual experience.

Sphere's seats have built-in haptic technology that vibrates the seats with the beat and intensity of the music. Although they were not used for the U2 concert, the "Postcard from Earth" film does use them, so the audience can "feel" the music. By design, the music can be literally felt in the seat of your pants at Sphere. I plan to see that this Tuesday.

Sphere's spatial audio system consists of 1900 speakers strategically placed throughout the venue to create the ultimate acoustic experience. Three hundred of those speakers move as necessary to maximize the sound quality throughout the arena. Sphere's 167,000 computer-controlled loudspeaker drivers carefully control precisely where the sound goes. The result is that the front row audience doesn't have to get overblown and distorted sound just so the audience in the back can hear the music like what concerts used to do... well, until a month ago when Sphere opened.

Sphere is visually stunning both inside and out. The curved interior walls are illuminated with LEDs that form a fully immersive concert experience. While viewing the band from my seat in Section 208, the entirety of my left, right, and upper peripheral vision was filled with the ever-changing dazzling scenery created by those LEDs. Remember the first time you saw an IMAX film? Think that times a thousand. But because the spherical screen has no corners or edges, visual cues that it's only a video just don't exist.

Furthermore, the massive high-resolution LED screen that wraps around the entirety of the interior, except where the seats themselves are located, is 16K. That means it uses 256 million pixels (16000 x 16000) in its 1.2 million light modules, with each module divided into 48 LED diodes capable of displaying 256 million different colors. It is the highest resolution LED screen on Earth. The interior display measures 160,000 square feet. The resolution of state-of-the-art 4K home television screens is so vivid that it is difficult to discern video from real life. Well, Sphere's video screen is sixteen times better than that!

Sphere creates an experience that transcends reality. At one point during the concert, the LED screen displayed an in-motion image of the Las Vegas Strip behind the band. It was so realistic that, if you didn't know it was LED, you'd think it was an outdoor concert. At another time during the concert, the ceiling collapsed onto the audience; except that it didn't. But the effect was convincing. With Sphere's stunning 360° imagery filling the full peripheral vision, it was easy to feel as if the arena was flying. Before U2 came on stage, news helicopters appeared overhead. As their searchlights swept the interior, vibrations from the rotors shook the arena. But of course, the helicopters and their intense sounds were all digital effects.

The stage itself also had built-in LEDs that not only changed colors but featured live video of the concert embedded in the stage floor. Attendees in the general admission area right in front of the stage probably couldn't see that. But for those of us in the elevated seats, the stage itself was alive.

Not every song was accompanied by intense video graphics. But even the songs without the high tech pizzazz were elevated by Sphere beyond the normal concert experience. The concert was great. Of course it was great. It was U2. How could it be anything else? But the venue... oh, the venue! Sphere has changed what a concert is. A concert can now be a full body experience.

The Life & Times of George Washington

October 28, 2023 12:20pm

We see him on the one dollar bill. He's on the 25 cent coin. Our nation's capitol is named for him. He is the father of our country. He was a farmer, a distiller, a surveyor, an author, and an entrepreneur. As a young man, he served with the British Army during the French & Indian Wars. Although once loyal to the King, when the colonies declared independence from The Crown, he lead the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War. Despite his attempt to retire after the Treaty of Paris ended that war, he again answered his country's call to preside over the Constitutional Convention. He was later unanimously elected to be the first President of the United States. Twice.

But George Washington is so much more than that. The significance of Washington's contribution to the Revolutionary War and to the establishment of this nation cannot be overstated, and the details of his accomplishments are worth knowing. So I sat down with Jeremy Ray, the Director of History Interpretation at Mount Vernon, to discuss the life and times of the man who was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

Our conversation aired on my radio show in a two-part documentary. In last week's episode, we discussed Washington's life from birth through the end of the Revolutionary War. Today, we covered his life from his presidency through his death in 1799. Both episodes are now archived online as podcasts. Part 1 is at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/231021. Part 2 is at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/231028.

My Attempt to Hijack the Terrorists’ Rally

October 22, 2023 6:33pm

This afternoon, I attended a pro-terrorist, anti-Israel rally held in downtown Pensacola. No, I did not go there to support their hate; I attended to condemn it.

For about 45 minutes, in addition to shouts of "Allahu Akbar" and "Free Palestine," about a hundred people chanted the usual anti-Semitic tripe:

"From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!"

"Stop the killing, stop the hate. Israel is a terrorist state!"

"Hey, hey, ho, ho. The occupation's got to go!"

"Netanyahu, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide!"

"Not another dollar, not another dime; no more money for Israel's crimes!"

and "Free! Palestine!"

Most carried Palestinian flags or held signs proudly proclaiming their ignorance and hate with such slogans as "Free Gaza!", "Stand with Palestinian resistance! Stop U.S. funding of Israel's apartheid," "America funds genocide," "End all U.S. aid to Israel," "Free all Palestinian political prisoners," "End Israeli occupation," and "Resistance against occupation is a human right." Some of the signs displayed an affiliation with the Party for Socialism and Liberation or ANSWERCoaltion.org.

About a half hour into the rally, the Terrorist-in-Charge who was leading the hate group asked if anyone wanted to lead a chant. That was the open mic moment I was hoping for. So I told her I'd like to help lead a chant. But she responded with a firm "No!"

So I hovered around her. And every time a hater would finish a chant and hand back the microphone, I would reach my hand out to accept my turn. But the mic was not handed to me. After a few unsuccessful attempts to have my turn at the mic, one of the terrorist goons got in my face and firmly said, "You will not be given the mic!" I asked, "Why not? I want to talk about the Zionists."

He did not respond verbally, but he kept himself physically between the mic and me for the duration of the rally. As I moved, he moved. I am disappointed I did not achieve my goal of speaking to the rally on mic. But in hindsight, it was my own damn fault. I should have put more thought into how I presented myself.

I made the mistake of wearing khaki pants and a blue shirt. Although the shirt did not display a Star of David, it was the shade of blue that is on Israel's flag. I intended no message with that shirt; it just happened to be what I grabbed from the closet. I should have worn the green, red, and black colors of the terrorist's flag. I also wasn't holding any anti-Israel, pro-terrorist sign. And I wasn't chanting along with the crowd. It must have been obvious that I did not support their pro-genocide message of anti-Semitic, anti-Israel hate.

Had I gotten the microphone, I had prepared remarks that were designed to fool the crowd into thinking I was on their side before suddenly revealing the truthful message I wanted them to hear. This is what I was prepared to say if I got the mic:

"If you have any moral decency, you cannot support the killing of innocent civilians! If you have any moral decency, you cannot support attacking people in their homes! If you have any moral decency, you cannot support genocide!" Up to this point, I think they would have cheered me. But then I would have continued with "If you have any moral decency, you cannot support Hamas! If you have any moral decency, you MUST support Israel's right to exist and its right to respond militarily to being attacked by Palestinian terrorists. Israel is the victim here. If you have any moral decency, you must condemn Hamas, condemn terrorism, and support Israel!"

I'm certain they would have tried to seize back the microphone physically - perhaps violently - immediately after the word "Hamas." But that would have been OK with me. I would have made my point. I'm disappointed in myself for not planning my subterfuge more carefully. It's obvious I've never been to Spy School.

#StandWithIsrael

Biden Says the United States Supports Israel

October 18, 2023 1:54pm

Today in Tel Aviv, Joe Biden told the Israeli people that America is "going to stand by your side" in this conflict with Hamas. He promised that "the United States isn't going anywhere either. We're going to stand with you. We'll walk beside you in those dark days."

While I appreciate him speaking those words of support for the correct side in this conflict, I also know that support will not last. The day will certainly come when Joe Biden will demand that Israel cease its attacks on Gaza. And that day will certainly arrive long before Israel achieves its proper goal of eradicating the terrorists in Gaza whose stated reason for existing is to kill the Jews and to destroy Israel.

I must add, however, that I'm pleasantly surprised Joe Biden didn't express his empathy with the Israelis by speaking about that time his son Beau was killed by Hamas terrorists while attending a music festival in southern Israel. His handlers kept him on script.

Why All Morally Decent People Must Support Israel

October 14, 2023 11:23pm

Since 1948 (and really before that), there has been an easy litmus test to determine if a person is good or bad. I don't mean behaviorally on an individual basis in terms of politeness or etiquette. I mean in terms of one's worldview. That litmus test has been how someone views Israel. If someone believes Israel is a proper nation with decent people who have an absolute right to exist, then that person is good. If someone believes Israel is a pariah nation with bad people who are living on land stolen from innocent Palestinians, then that person is bad.

With the Middle East dominating the news in the aftermath of Hamas' most recent terrorist attack on Israel, it has become even easier to judge someone's intellect and morality. If someone expresses support for Israel and its military action against Hamas, that is an indication the person has a sense of decency. But if someone condemns Israel's actions and expresses support for the terrorists, then that person is an evil and despicable human being who is no better than the Hamas terrorists themselves.

During last week's attack, Hamas terrorists killed more than 1300 Israelis. It was the largest single day terror attack in Israel’s history. The largest number of deaths in the United States due to terrorism was the 2977 killed on September 11, 2001. The population of Israel is only about 9 million. The population of the United States in 2001 was 281 million. So those 1300 Israeli deaths would be the percentage equivalent of 40,500 Americans being killed on 9/11. That's how massive the Hamas attack was.

America's response to those 2977 deaths was to engage in a massive global war against Islamic terrorists. If you think Israel should not go to war over the 1300 deaths inflicted by Hamas, then you've got a serious problem with your intellect and morality. Or you're a disgusting anti-Semite. But neither is acceptable. If you have any decency about you whatsoever, you will condemn Hamas for the attack, and you will support Israel in its response to it.

Joe Biden has publicly denounced Hamas' attack and has expressed support for Israel. That is good. He should express America's support for Israel. And he should denounce Hamas. He said America's support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering. And I'm glad he said it. But don't believe that support for Israel will last. It's early. I am one-hundred percent certain that, as living conditions in Gaza deteriorate and civilian deaths mount, Biden will demand that Israel cease its military actions against the terrorists. And he will make that demand long before Israel completes its justified response to being attacked.

Yet it is Hamas, not Israel, that is responsible for every civilian death in Gaza. Hamas teaches their children pretty much from birth that the reason for their existence is to kill as many Jews as possible; that the best way to please Allah is to kill Jews. And they train the children of Gaza to become terrorists - not just via propaganda to support Hamas, but by training them in the use of weapons to literally kill as many Jews as they can. Such is the disgusting level of hate that Hamas promotes in Gaza.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir said it best when she said "Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us." Golda Meir also said, "When peace comes, we will perhaps in time be able to forgive the Arabs for killing our sons, but it will be harder for us to forgive them for having forced us to kill their sons." Where did she get such decency about her to say that? Where does Israel get such decency?

The Islamic terrorists have no such decency. They WANT their sons and daughters to be killed. Because they think it pleases Allah. And because it helps create anti-Israel propaganda. It is quite clear that the Muslim terrorists hate Israel more than they love their own children. How pathetic is that, huh?

Even Benjamin Netanyahu, who is certainly no peacenik, described the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as “If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel."

Many uninformed people are citing the Geneva Conventions as they pertain to civilians in war zones. But just because people are identified as civilians doesn't mean they aren't legitimate military targets. The Geneva Convention IV governs the protection of civilians. Under Geneva IV, if civilians engage in hostilities without clear, visible identification associating them with a militia force, they lose the protections they would otherwise be entitled to receive.

Geneva Convention IV, Article 5 says, "Where, in the territory of a Party to the conflict, the latter is satisfied that an individual protected person is definitely suspected of or engaged in activities hostile to the security of the State, such individual person shall not be entitled to claim such rights and privileges under the present Convention as would, if exercised in the favour of such individual person, be prejudicial to the security of such State."

In other words, if person in civilian clothes engages in combat and is engaged, killed, or caught by the enemy, they are NOT entitled to the protections enumerated in the Geneva Conventions. Israel is well within its rights to kill anyone in Gaza who is engaged in warfare against them. Even so, most civilian deaths in Gaza are collateral damage from the perspective of the Israel Defense Forces. Civilian deaths are INTENDED damage from the perspective of Hamas. Hamas WANTS civilian deaths. It is part and parcel to their tactics, strategies, and objectives.

It is Hamas, not Israel, that uses its people as human shields. Hamas hides behind women and children. Hamas seizes humanitarian supplies and uses them to create ways to attack Israel. Hamas uses concrete intended for the construction of schools and hospitals to instead construct tunnels in which terror operations are conducted. Hamas uses ambulances intended to provide medical services to instead transport weapons. Hamas uses money given to it for humanitarian purposes to instead build rockets and other weapons they use to attack Israeli neighborhoods. Hamas places their weapons inside civilian homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques knowing that Israel is a nation of decent people who won't attack those places - although they're attacking those places now; and rightfully so.

Hamas demands that Gazans remain in buildings they know Israel has targeted for destruction. How does Hamas know what buildings Israel has targeted for destruction? Because Israel usually announces beforehand what buildings they will destroy. They do that so the people in those buildings can evacuate. Israel gives that advanced notice because they don't want to kill innocent civilians.

But Hamas WANTS civilian deaths so they can cry to the propaganda press about how evil Israel is. And that fake news gladly amplifies those cries without reporting that Israel warned the residents to flee those buildings before they attacked. Hamas wants civilians to be killed so they can blame the deaths on Israel and get sympathy they don't deserve. By announcing their targets in advance so civilians can evacuate, Israel is also giving Hamas terrorists the opportunity to evacuate and to remove weapons from the targeted locations. But Israel is such a decent nation that they would rather the weapons of their enemies be moved and used against them in the future than for the children of their enemies to be killed. Where does a nation get such decency? I wouldn't do it. The U.S. doesn't do it. But Israel does. Israel goes out of its way to preserve innocent human life even when those lives are the lives of people who support the acts of terrorism being conducted against Israel.

It is Hamas, not Israel, that is responsible for EVERY death in this war. Whether the death is of an Israeli, a Gazan, or anyone else caught in the crossfire, there is only one party responsible for it. And it ain't Israel. It's Hamas.

Hamas exists for one reason and one reason only. That reason is to destroy Israel. Jew hatred and the destruction of Israel is not the outcome of Hamas' existence; it is the raison d'être. The Hamas Charter calls for the total destruction of the State of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic Palestinian State from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. These excerpts are directly from the Hamas Charter:

"(We) the Islamic Resistance Movement aspires to the realization of Allah's promise, no matter how long that should take. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, has said: "The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him."

"Allah is its target, the Prophet is its model, the Koran its constitution: Jihad is its path and death for the sake of Allah is the loftiest of its wishes."

The Hamas Charter goes on to deny the Two-State Solution with, "There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors. The Palestinian people know better than to consent to having their future, rights and fate toyed with."

"Palestine is an Islamic Waqf land consecrated for Moslem generations until Judgement Day. This being so, who could claim to have the right to represent Moslem generations till Judgement Day? This is the law governing the land of Palestine in the Islamic Sharia (law) and the same goes for any land the Moslems have conquered by force, because during the times of (Islamic) conquests, the Moslems consecrated these lands to Moslem generations till the Day of Judgement."

"Initiatives, and so-called peaceful solutions and international conferences, are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement. Abusing any part of Palestine is abuse directed against part of religion. Nationalism of the Islamic Resistance Movement is part of its religion. Its members have been fed on that. For the sake of hoisting the banner of Allah over their homeland they fight."

"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors. The Palestinian people know better than to consent to having their future, rights and fate toyed with. As in said in the honourable Hadith: 'The people of Syria are Allah's lash in His land. He wreaks His vengeance through them against whomsoever He wishes among His slaves It is unthinkable that those who are double-faced among them should prosper over the faithful. They will certainly die out of grief and desperation."

"The day the enemies conquer some part of the Muslim land, jihad becomes a personal duty of every Muslim. In the face of the Jewish occupation of Palestine, it is necessary to raise the banner of jihad. This requires the propagation of Islamic consciousness among the masses, locally [in Palestine], in the Arab world and in the Islamic world. It is necessary to instill the spirit of jihad in the nation, engage the enemies and join the ranks of the jihad fighters"

"The Islamic Resistance Movement - proceeding from these general concepts which are in harmony and agreement with the laws of nature, and following the current of divine destiny towards confrontation with the enemies and jihad against them in defense of Muslims, Islamic civilization and Islamic sanctities, primarily the Al-Aqsa mosque - calls on the Arab and Islamic peoples and their governments, and on their NGOs and official organizations, to fear Allah in their attitude toward the Islamic Resistance Movement and in their treatment of it. They should act towards it as Allah wants them to, namely back it, support it, assist it and continuously reinforce it, until Allah's word is fulfilled. Then the ranks will all be united, jihad fighters will join other jihad fighters, and the masses all over the Islamic world will rush out and answer the call of duty, shouting: "Hasten to jihad!" This call will penetrate the clouds in the sky and continue to ring out, until liberation is accomplished, the invaders are defeated and Allah's victory is revealed."

The Hamas Charter even states how Palestinian children are to be trained as Jew-killers: "The woman in the jihadist home and family, as mother or sister, has the primary role in managing the household, raising the children according to the moral ideas and values inspired by Islam, and teaching them to perform the religious duties in preparation for the jihadist role that awaits them."

Do those quotes from the Hamas Charter sound like the beliefs of a decent, sane people? No. They're the beliefs of crazy, devil-worshipping Muslims who believe that the key to pleasing Allah and achieving eternal life in paradise is to murder infidels. And they define infidels as all non-Muslims. So don't think for a minute this is just about killing Jews. Oh, sure, the Muslims want the Jews dead. But they just want the Jews dead first. They want all of us dead eventually. They want everyone except fellow Muslims dead. The Koran says that's what they're supposed to want and what they're supposed to do.

The Koran's Sura 9:5, known as "The Verse Of The Sword" says, "And when the sacred months have passed, kill the Infidels wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and pay jizyah (taxes levied upon Infidels), let them go on their way. Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."

Some Muslim apologists will claim Sura 9:5 is quoted out of context, and that there are many verses in the Koran that instruct Muslims to be peaceful. There are peaceful verses in the Koran (i.e. Sura 6:151 says, "Do not take a human life made sacred by Allah, except with legal right. This is what He has commanded you."

But context and scholarly knowledge is important. The Koran has two categories: the Meccan verses and the Medinan verses. Although they are interspersed in what appears to be a random order, the Meccan verses were written first. They are largely peaceful. They were written in the early years of Islam when Mohammad lived in Mecca with one wife and had to tread carefully so as not to annoy the political leaders. He was a teacher and prophet who encouraged worship of Allah via prayer, fasting, and good works. The peaceful Sura 6 is part of those Meccan verses. The violent Sura 9 is part of the Medinan verses.

The Medinan verses were written after Mohammad was forced to flee Mecca, and he relocated to Medina. In Medina, he was the political and military leader, so he had no fear of persecution and no need to seem like a nice guy. It was in Medina that he took on multiple wives and forced people to convert to Islam by the sword. The Medinan verses, because they were "revealed" more recently than the Meccan verses, are considered to be in greater effect than the Meccan verses in much the same way that Christians believe the New Testament is in greater effect than the Old Testament.

So did Mohammad say not to kill people? Yes. He did. And then he later said to kill, enslave, or tax all Infidels who won't convert to Islam. It is indisputable that the Koran and the Hadiths are replete with instructions to commit acts of violence in the furtherance of Islam to please Allah. To state otherwise is to deny the truth.

What drives all this hate? Why do Muslims so despise the Jewish people? It isn't because the Muslims have any legitimate claim to Jerusalem, although that's the lie you've been fed. But Jerusalem is not really a holy place for Muslims. They just want it so the Jewish People can't have it. Muslims claim that Jerusalem is the third holiest site in Islam (behind Mecca & Medina) because of the story that Mohammad rode the winged horse from Mecca to Jerusalem on his “night journey” (Isra and Miraj). It is claimed that he then ascended into Heaven from the location of the Al-Aqsa Mosque accompanied by the Angel Gabriel.

The problem with this nonsensical story is obvious. The night journey to Jerusalem (referred to in the Hadith as “the farthest mosque”) supposedly took place in 621. But there was no mosque in Jerusalem in 621! Umar bin al-Khat'tab built the first mosque in Jerusalem during the Rashidun Caliphate, which didn't begin until 632 following the death of Mohammad. But Jerusalem was not conquered by Muslims until 637, so the likely date for construction of the first mosque in Jerusalem was 637. That is 16 years AFTER Mohammad's Night Journey! So clearly Islam's religious claim to Jerusalem is complete rubbish.

But Jewish connection to Jerusalem goes back to at least 1300 BC. Jews believe that the rock below the Dome of the Rock is the Foundation Stone from which all creation began. It is also believed to be the site where God instructed Abraham to slay Isaac. And it is unquestionably the site of the Jewish Temple.

Jerusalem (al-Quds) is not mentioned at all in the Koran - not a single time. It is mentioned 806 times in the Bible (660 in the Old Testament and 146 in the New Testament). Interestingly, the Koran does state that the Holy Land was written by Allah to Israel. "Oh, my people, enter the holy land that God has written for you, and do not turn your backs, or you will become losers." - Sura 5:21. "And we said after him to the Children of Israel: dwell in the land, then, when the time of the second promise comes, we will bring you all together as a mixed crowd." - Sura 17:104.

So who has the legitimate claim to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount? The Jewish People. Only.

Israelis are mostly good. Palestinians are mostly evil. But it's important to note that the Palestinians are not inherently evil. They are taught to be evil from the moment of birth. It's sad, really. Because if the Palestinians put half the effort into being decent that they put into being evil, they would prosper AND have their own State.

I say that "Palestinians are mostly evil" because it's true. They are not ALL evil any more than ALL Israelis are good. But generalizations are generally true. Palestinians are generally bad.

Hamas is a terrorist group. Hamas was ELECTED by a MAJORITY of the Palestinians in Gaza. The Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is less evil than Hamas. But even Fatah calls for the destruction of Israel.

Hamas claims they want a peace deal with Israel that includes a Palestinian state. But they really don't. What they want is the total destruction of Israel. The stated desire for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel would just be a step toward Israel's complete destruction. Don't forget that the PLO was offered 98% of what they wanted, yet they turned down the deal because the deal didn't include the eradication of Israel and the Jews.

Hamas was given Gaza in a "land for peace" deal in 2005 when the Israel Defense Forces pulled out of Gaza. The IDF even forced Israeli Jews to leave Gaza. So Gaza was left for the Palestinians to run. Although the people of Gaza are so obsessed with prioritizing their fight with Israel that they have little concern for anything else. Consequently, Gaza relies on Israel to provide it with food, electricity, gasoline, and pretty much everything else it needs to survive. Through the years, while Hamas has been either gearing up to attack Israel, actually attacking Israel, or rebuilding its forces to re-attack Israel, Israel has provided Gaza with what is needed to live in modern society. But did that result in peace with Gaza? No. Egypt was given back the Sinai in a land for peace deal. Has there been peace in the Sinai? Yes. Because the Egyptian Muslims are not as hateful as the Palestinian Muslims.

Peace cannot happen as long as one of the parties (the Palestinians) continues to call for the total destruction of Israel. If the Palestinians would renounce terrorism, abolish their anti-Semitic charter, and show that they can actually get along with their Jewish neighbors, there would be peace. Unfortunately, the chance of that happening any time soon is zero. In the meantime, Israel must continue to defend herself from Islamic aggression. And they should pull no punches in doing so.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will not stop its military operations in Gaza until it eliminates the ability of Hamas to attack Israel and eliminates Hamas' ability to govern the Gaza Strip. Those two are related, of course. It is by governing Gaza that Hamas is able to build up enough military supplies that it can attack Israel. Hamas has been attacking Israel nearly nonstop for decades. Those attacks on Israel from Gaza are so common that they don't usually make the news. What made last week's attack so newsworthy was its size and its success.

Israel needs to respond to last week's attack with overwhelming and unrelenting force. And they need to get it done as soon as possible. Because while Israel currently has the support - at least the publicly stated support - of most of the world, we all know that support won't last. The day will come when most of the world - including the United States, sadly - will say that Hamas has been punished enough and that Israel needs to stop attacking Gaza.

But the fact is that Hamas, Hezbollah, and its benefactors in Iran will settle for nothing less than the total destruction of Israel. Israel and all decent nations need to make sure that doesn't ever happen.

But it isn't going to be easy. Israel is engaged in serious warfare with Gaza to its south. Iran backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon are a threat to Israel's north. And if The Fatah Palestinian Authority in the West Bank decides it's time to make a move, Israel will find itself getting attacked from its east also. With the Mediterranean Sea to its west, Israel could find itself surrounded not just by people who hate Israel, but by terrorists actively engaged in attacking Israel. And that doesn't include what Syria, Iran directly rather than through its proxies, and perhaps even Russia may decide to do if it senses an opportunity to exploit the chaos.

Israel needs to prepare for that possibility. Israel needs to engage in all-out war against those who attack it. This is no time for pulling punches. Israel has always pulled punches. Israel has always allowed enough of its enemies to survive that they re-group, re-arm, re-strengthen, and re-attack. But just like a cancer, if you don't eradicate all of it, it will grow back with a vengeance and kill. Well, Israel's enemies are a cancer. And they need to be eradicated by whatever means are necessary to ensure the survival of Israel and its citizens.

The Unites States and the rest of the decent world need to let Israel do what needs to be done. I'm not advocating we engage American forces in direct warfare. But I am saying we need to let Israel do what needs to be done without condemnation or demands for restraint or proportional responses. And we need to supply Israel with whatever conventional weapons it will take to pulverize Hamas and every single person in Gaza who supports Hamas. Remember, Hamas is the ELECTED government of Gaza.

My advice to Israel is this: "Kill 'em all. Let Allah sort them out."

America’s Greatest Air & Space Museum

October 7, 2023 10:15am

Mankind achieved powered flight on December 17, 1903 when the Wright Brothers successfully got airborne at Kitty Hawk on North Carolina's outer banks. Less than a quarter century later, Charles Lindbergh made his solo flight across the Atlantic. Twenty years after that, Chuck Yeager flew faster than the speed of sound. And on July 20, 1969, man walked on the Moon. From the sandy beach in North Carolina to the Lunar surface took less than a century. A lot less, actually; just 65 years, 7 months, and 3 days to be exact.

The history of that incredible accomplishment - plus what has happened since - is on display at the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum. When most people think of the Smithsonian's Air & Space Museum, they think of the one on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Well, that museum is great. But the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum also includes the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia about 20 miles west of our nation's capitol. And frankly, I think the Udvar-Hazy Center is the better of the two facilities.

On today's radio program, I visited that museum and spoke with historian Jeremy Kinney, the center's Associate Director for Research and Curatorial Affairs. Our conversation is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/231007

The History of Fort Pickens

August 26, 2023 9:19am

To many people in Pensacola, Fort Pickens is just an old fort at the far end of Pensacola Beach. But to those who appreciate history, it is an interesting structure that, along with Fort McRee and Fort Barrancas, defended Pensacola's deepwater port from attack.

On today's radio program, I interviewed Park Ranger Cas Rosiecki about Fort Pickens. We discussed the fort's construction, Civil War activities, and its recently discovered role in the Underground Railroad. He also explained Geronimo's imprisonment at the massive island structure along with its current status as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Our conversation is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230826

The Flagrantly Unconstitutional Indictment of Donald Trump in Georgia

August 19, 2023 9:22am

I read the entire 98 page indictment of Donald Trump and associates issued by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The charges against him are entirely political and are one hundred percent unconstitutional. Of the 161 acts the prosecutor lists in her indictments as felonious, Donald Trump is accused of committing 43. That's about 25%.

This is the summary of his so-called offenses:

12 were tweets.

2 were nationally televised public speeches (one was on November 4th, and the other was the January 6th speech at the Ellipse in Washington).

1 was an official statement released by the Trump Campaign.

9 were meetings or telephone conversations that occurred somewhere outside Georgia's borders and that had absolutely nothing to do with Georgia.

12 were meetings or telephone conversations that occurred somewhere outside Georgia's borders but did pertain to Georgia.

6 were meetings or telephone conversations that occurred somewhere outside Georgia's borders in which no state was specified in the indictment.

One of Trump's alleged felonies was for the "crime" of meeting in the Oval Office with officials from the Pennsylvania legislature to discuss possible Pennsylvania actions; something that had absolutely nothing to do with Georgia!

Trump's only so-called "offense" that does not meet one of those parameters was Act #108, which was a court filing in Atlanta contesting Georgia's election results. Willis wants Trump sent to prison for exercising his First Amendment Right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Seriously. Every single charge against Trump in her indictment is specious, unconstitutional, and should be dismissed by the Court before going to trial.

So to summarize, EVERY allegation against Donald Trump is for something that is a CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHT guaranteed by the First Amendment. Some of Willis' listed acts do allege actual crimes by some Trump associates. Those may survive judicial scrutiny and be sent to a jury. But almost all are certainly not crimes, and all are definitely politically-motivated charges intended solely to destroy Trump's chance of getting elected in 2024.

Every single act the indictment says Donald Trump did was a completely legal act. But taken together, Willis claims, they constituted overt acts in furtherance of a conspiracy. In simple terms, Donald Trump committed no criminal acts at all. But together, they were all criminal. Yeah, that really is the best summation of the 98 page indictment. Don't believe me? Go read it yourself. Because the fake news sure as hell ain't gonna tell you that truth.

Any convictions of Trump in this case will certainly be thrown out by an appellate court. But that will happen long after Donald Trump loses the 2024 election. The Democrats' weaponization of government against Donald Trump is disgusting. And dangerous. That the DemonRats are celebrating the indictment shows just how evil and un-American they are.

I reviewed the charges on my radio show today. It is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230819

If you only have time to listen to one of the four segments, listen to segment 3. But unless you're a partisan hater, be prepared to get angry. Because the unjust weaponization of government against Donald Trump is far worse than you know.

And remember, I do not want Trump back in The White House. So what I said is not pro-Trump. What I said is pro-America. Because if the Democrats can get away with unconstitutionally destroying Donald Trump, they will get away with destroying the United States as a free, constitutional Republic.

Thomas Jefferson & Monticello

July 29, 2023 9:30am

Thomas Jefferson's gravestone at the Monticello Plantation states these accomplishments: "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia." But among other significant achievements, he was also the third President of the United States. Why isn't that included? Because Jefferson didn't want it there.

Jefferson wrote his own epitaph along with a very specific drawing of what he wanted his obelisk tombstone to look like. So omitting his presidency of eight years was deliberate. He instructed that he wanted those specific words to be inscribed "and not a word more... because by these, as testimonials that I have lived, I wish most to be remembered." But Thomas Jefferson's life was far more than the three things listed on his tombstone. His revolutionary words, effective diplomacy, and visionary ideas continue to inspire and lift civilizations around the world.

On today's radio program, I interviewed historian John Ragosta, the Director of the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello. We discussed how Jefferson held contradictory views about human freedom while owning hundreds of slaves. We talked about how he fathered six children with his slave Sally Hemings, which is a far more complicated story than most people understand. And we examined how, almost two hundred years after his death, he still influences American society and politics.

Our interview is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230729

Misconceptions About the Tuskegee Airmen

July 22, 2023 11:18am

Do you know the story of the Tuskegee Airmen? Don't be so quick to answer "yes" to that question. I thought I knew the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. But upon reading Daniel Haulman's new book, "Misconceptions About the Tuskegee Airmen: Refuting Myths About America's First Black Military Pilots," I learned that much of what I knew was false.

And I bet much of what you think you know about the Tuskegee Airmen is also not true. So to clear things up, I invited Daniel Haulman onto my radio show to discuss it. Our conversation aired this morning on The Mike Bates Show and is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230722

The myths and misconceptions are too numerous to list here. But Daniel and I covered many of them in our conversation. You can listen to learn some of them, or you can buy the book to learn them all. In it, Daniel Haulman tells the true story of America's first Black military pilots whose truth is better than the fiction.

The History of Arlington National Cemetery

July 15, 2023 10:24am

On March 22nd, I visited Arlington National Cemetery to record an interview with ANC historian Tim Frank. That interview aired this morning on The Mike Bates Show.

From how Robert E. Lee's land was illegally taken for creation of the cemetery, to well-known Americans who are buried there, to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, to the meaningful choreography of the Changing of the Guard ceremony, we covered it all.

Upon conclusion of our production, I put my recording gear back in the rental car, and then walked through the cemetery for a few hours. I've been to Arlington more than a dozen times, but I still feel the importance, serenity, and reverence of those hallowed grounds each time I visit.

The Changing of the Guard ceremony I attended was followed by a changing of the wreath ceremony at the Tomb that was just as stirring as the Changing of the Guard - perhaps more so because the wreath ceremony included a lone bugler playing Taps. When I was on the west side of the cemetery, horses pulling an artillery caisson with a casket rolled by. I did not follow it all the way to the grave site so as not to intrude on the grieving family.

The interview is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230715

What REALLY Happened on The Cross?

April 8, 2023 8:33am

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Do you know what REALLY happened on the Cross?

That's not a trick question. Most people - even most Christians - do not.

On today's radio program, Reverend Carl Gallups shared the surprising and irrefutable explanation for what Jesus meant when He said “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Whether you're already a Christian or not, you'll want to hear segments 3 and 4 of the program because it will probably stun you with the shocking explanation of what really happened on Calvary's Cross. It did me.

I promise you won't regret the 25 minutes it'll take to listen to it. It may even change your life forever. And by "forever," I mean that literally. It may change your eternal life. I think today's message is THAT powerful.

The episode is now available online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230408 (segments 3 & 4).

The Weaponization of Government for the Political Persecution of Donald Trump

April 4, 2023 8:13pm

Donald Trump was arrested today and formally charged with 34 felonies. All counts allege falsification of business records. Under normal circumstances, the falsification of business records would be misdemeanors. But Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is pursuing the alleged offenses as felonies for purely partisan political purposes.

Shortly after he took his oath of office, Bragg stated he would not prosecute prostitution, resisting arrest, trespassing, and most other misdemeanors. Is it any surprise that major felony offenses (murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, and grand larceny) in Manhattan are up a whopping 26 percent? But he thinks it's important to pursue alleged seven year old misdemeanors as felonies???

Bragg hates Donald Trump and promised during his campaign that, if elected, he would arrest the former President and charge him with felonies. That alone should be grounds to dismiss all charges and remove Bragg from office for prosecutorial misconduct. But since New York is run by radical Leftists and corrupt judges, the chance of that happening is zero.

Bragg's grand jury had one defendant in mind; Donald Trump. Its creation was just as dishonest and just as biased as Pelosi's January 6th Committee. The only difference is that Pelosi's committee didn't have the authority to effectuate an arrest.

Lavrentiy Beria, the People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs (Joseph Stalin's secret police in the Soviet Union) once said, "Show me the man, and I'll show you the crime.” It is typical under Communist tyranny to abuse the criminal code to eliminate political rivals. Today, it is the Democrat Party that has stooped to using those tactics. And it is disgusting.

With a fair justice system, when a crime has been committed, authorities investigate to discover who committed it. But when it comes to Trump, Democrat authorities identified their political target and then searched for his crime. While the underlying crime is a stretch of credulity in and of itself, its upgrade from misdemeanors to Class E felonies is outrageous and unlawful. Bragg charged Trump with felonies based upon the theory that Trump's conduct was intended to conceal another crime - that crime being a violation of federal campaign laws.

Well, first of all, violations of federal campaign laws are not state crimes and cannot be prosecuted in state courts. Secondly, because Trump has not been convicted of any federal crimes, the allegations that he committed federal crimes should not be admissible in any state court action. So elevating misdemeanors to felonies based on allegations that cannot be proven one way or another should be grounds for dismissal of all charges.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump supposedly paid hush money to porn actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Democrats say they were illegal campaign contributions because they were intended to help Trump's campaign. But all Trump would have to say is that he paid the money not to prevent harm to his campaign but to prevent harm to his marriage or to his reputation as the leader of the Trump Organization. And how would anyone prove otherwise???

Even beyond that obvious defense, Bragg has bent over backwards to misinterpret the New York laws he's charged Trump with violating. Because I know the fake news won't report it, I took the time to look up the New York Penal Code myself. And what to my wondering eyes did appear? The requirement that a falsified business record be done with “intent to defraud." You can read it yourself at www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/175.10

So who does Bragg allege Trump was defrauding? Stormy? No. Himself? No. His privately-held company? No. The New York taxing authorities? Still no. The payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal would be deductible as legitimate business expenses regardless of whether they were paid to silence them, or if they were paid to develop a comprehensive business plan to expand Trump's enterprises. Further, since neither woman was a W-2 employee of the Trump Organization, FICA taxes wouldn't even be withheld. And even if they did have to be withheld but weren't (which is absolutely not the case), that would be a federal issue not a state issue. Bragg has no jurisdiction over federal matters whatsoever. Yet he is building his entire case upon it.

If it wasn't for double standards, Democrats would have no standards at all. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump's opponent in the 2016 election, committed actual, provable felonies related to the handling of classified documents, the use of a private e-mail server to conduct official government business, and the falsification of records to conceal her role in the genesis of the phony Russian Collusion hoax that crippled Trump's presidency. The effects of those lies linger today. Even after being exposed as Democrat lies, many Americans still believe Trump was Putin's puppet. And don't forget that the DNC-financed Steele dossier was used as the basis for obtaining fraudulent FISA warrants against innocent American citizens.

But did Hillary get prosecuted for her crimes? No, of course not. The "D" in parenthesis after a politician's name stands for "Do Not Prosecute." But she was required by the Federal Election Commission to pay an $8000 civil fine for her crime of falsifying records. And the Democratic National Committee paid a $105,000 fine. Should the Justice Department have prosecuted her? Arguably, yes. But Trump's Attorney General Bill Barr wrote in his memoir that Trump told him he did not want her to be prosecuted because it would make the United States look like a banana republic.

During campaign rallies, Trump supporters would often chant, "Lock her up! Lock her up!" In response, the Democrats and their allies in the propaganda press went apoplectic claiming that Trump was a wannabe dictator who would imprison his political rivals. But now that it is a fellow DemonRat going through the process of actually trying to imprison a political rival, the Left applauds.

A conviction for the Class E felony of falsifying business records can result in a prison term of up to four years. But the goal of the disgusting DemonRats is not to see Trump imprisoned - although most Democrats would be delighted if that were to happen. The DemonRats' goal is to destroy Trump politically, so he cannot win the 2024 election. That is a tactic used in banana republics. It is not a tactic used in a constitutional republic that is governed by the rule of law. But Democrats are not interested in the rule of law. They are only interested in ruling. And there is nothing they wouldn't do to put themselves in a position to rule.

It should be noted that while Bragg is stretching the laws beyond their breaking point to prosecute Trump's potentially misdemeanor actions as felonies, his office has prosecuted 52% of real felonies as reduced-charged misdemeanors. The Democrat's weaponization of governmental power to harm their political opponents is disgraceful.

Whether or not Donald Trump will be convicted or not depends largely on where the trial is held. I have no confidence Trump would get a fair trial with a Manhattan jury. So it's a coin toss. As to the effect this travesty of justice will have on his presidential ambitions, I see it harming him. Yes, the Trump loyalists support him now more than ever. But voters in the mushy middle are turned off by it. And it is that mushy middle that determines the results in a general election. So I predict today's arraignment will help Trump in the primary. But it will hurt him in the general election.

I do not want Donald Trump back in The White House. But I also don't want the Democrats to succeed in the political assassination of their enemies. The persecution (not prosecution) of Donald Trump is disgusting. But such is the state of the Democrats' Amerika.

The National Naval Aviation Museum Opens to Civilians This Weekend (Temporarily)

March 25, 2023 8:45am

The National Naval Aviation Museum has been closed to civilians since the December 6, 2019 terrorist attack on the base. But it is opening to the public this weekend only.

Long terms plans are still unknown. But today and tomorrow, from 9:00am - 3:00pm, Department of Defense ID cards will not be required to get aboard NAS Pensacola. All civilians must use the West Gate at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway. And all guests 18 and older must have a valid state or federal identification with photo.

To celebrate the temporary opening (although I wish it was a permanent reopening), this morning's Mike Bates Show featured museum historian and Deputy Director Hill Goodspeed. We discussed the history of naval aviation and the museum itself. That episode is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230325

How Will Florida Recognize Its Indian Tribes?

March 11, 2023 9:09am

The annual 60 day session of the Florida Legislature began this week in Tallahassee. While the constitution only requires the legislature to pass one bill (the budget), thousands of bills are under consideration.

Among those bills are House Bill 553 and Senate Bill 954. The two bills would give state recognition to four specific Indian tribes and bands: The Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, the Santa Rosa Band of the Lower Muscogee, and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The bills would also create a process through which other tribes and bands could petition the state for recognition in the future.

While these bills may appear innocuous, they do not have universal support of Florida's Native American Tribes. Chief Ghost Dancer of the Perdido Bay Tribe of Lower Muscogee Creek Indians explained his opposition to this bill on my radio program today. Our interview is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230311 (Segment 3).

He explained his opposition to One America News Network last week. That is viewable at https://rumble.com/v2bgvdy-chief-ghost-dancer-were-begging-desantis-to-kill-indian-recognition-bill.html?fbclid=IwAR0C2qDkbutaUn4pu4bzaO7smk6RL4OnnXuo95b2kH6j55P2Zf5jbuVh_bA

How Biden Plans to Give U.S. Sovereignty to the World Health Organization

March 4, 2023 10:14am

The COVID-19 pandemic was used by governments around the world to impose severe and devastating lockdowns of economies and of populations. Here in the United States, under the guise of protecting us from an illness that 71.38% of us didn't get, and that 98.92% of those who did get it survived, elected tyrants suspended our constitutional rights to the free exercise of religion; peaceable assembly; free press; keeping and bearing arms; freedom from unreasonable and warrantless searches; not being deprived of liberty or property without due process of law; speedy and public trials; and bail.

Most of that was done at the state level. But when Joe Biden was inaugurated, he imposed additional unconstitutional mandates nationwide. And if you think that was bad, just wait 'til next time. Because next time it may not be elected tyrants in Washington micromanaging your life and restricting your freedoms; it may be bureaucrats in Geneva at the World Health Organization doing so.

The Biden administration says it will sign a legally binding agreement that would give control of America's health care policy to the WHO. In the event of a health emergency, the United States and all other signatories would be obligated to follow the directives of the WHO regarding medical treatments, global supply chains, vaccine mandates, societal lockdowns, and surveilling populations for compliance.

While it is being promoted as something that would benefit us during the next pandemic, the truth is that it would allow the WHO to dictate ALL health care policies in the United States at any time. The current draft of this agreement authorizes the WHO to dictate health care both during a pandemic AND "during inter-pandemic times." In other words, the WHO can ALWAYS dictate polices because there are only two times: pandemic times and inter-pandemic times.

The agreement mandates that health care is provided equally to all without regard for ability to pay. And that doesn't just mean the United States would have to provide free health care to the poor people America; we would have to provide it to poor people around the world. It demands that countries deny protection of intellectual property rights to providers of vaccines and other health care products. And it calls for "resilient health systems, rooted in universal health coverage."

And since no Leftist agenda can be without diversity, equity, and inclusion, the agreement demands that every nation will "take steps to address the social, environmental and economic determinants of health, and vulnerability conditions that contribute to the emergence and spread of pandemics, and prevent or mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of pandemics, including but not limited to, those affecting economic growth, the environment, employment, trade, transport, gender equality, education, social assistance, housing, food insecurity, nutrition and culture, and especially for persons in vulnerable situations."

This treaty will turn over U.S. sovereignty vis a vis health care to the World Health Organization. But what is health care? Health care can be anything and everything! From the food we eat to the cars we drive to the places we live, EVERYTHING can have a health care angle attributed to to it. According to the Leftists, what is the greatest threat to public health? Climate Change, right? So you can expect the WHO to meddle in rules to limit carbon emissions to mitigate their mythological anthropogenic climate change. And since EVERYTHING can be said to affect the climate, the WHO could potentially dictate terms in all aspects of our lives.

Democrats say the biggest health care emergency in America is guns. Will the WHO try to infringe upon our right to keep and bear arms? Don't put it past 'em. There is no angle the Left will not use to deny us our constitutional rights. So don't be surprised if the WHO tells you to register or turn in your firearms. Our First Amendment rights may be denied under the guise of preventing "health care disinformation."

This treaty has the potential to establish a worldwide police state controlled by the WHO that will micromanage every aspect of our lives. But do not expect the Senate to block this treaty. By calling it an "executive agreement" instead of calling it the "treaty" that it is, Biden has no intention of submitting it to the Senate for ratification. And he might get away with that.

In the 1920 case of Missouri v. Holland, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states were bound by international treaties. Then in 1937, the high court in U.S. v. Belmont expanded that to include executive agreements that were not treaties. Justice Sutherland wrote in that unanimous opinion that different kinds of treaties existed which did not require Senate approval but were nonetheless binding.

Mat Staver, the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel and I discussed this issue on today's Mike Bates Show, which is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230304.

Keep an eye on this back door imposition of global tyranny upon us. The propaganda press has made the intentional decision to not report this threat to our Republic. But I assure you, it is very real. Trust but verify, right? Check the links I've included in this post for the raw sources.

Is there no limit to what the Democrats will do to destroy U.S. sovereignty? It appears not. Stolen elections have consequences.

The USS Midway: America's Longest Serving Aircraft Carrier of the 20th Century

February 18, 2023 10:10am

I recently visited the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. The USS Midway (CV-41), America's longest serving aircraft carrier of the 20th Century, is now a floating museum. It was my second time aboard. I had previously visited in 2007, three years after the museum opened to the public. It was a nice museum in 2007. It is a spectacular museum today. The staff has done an outstanding job with the exhibits, the interactive tours, and so many knowledgeable docents that answers to questions were readily available throughout the ship.

While aboard, I interviewed ship historian Karl Zingheim about the Midway, the World War II battle for which she is named, and her current status as a museum. I encourage you to visit the museum and to listen to our interview. It aired on my radio program today and is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230218

Will Florida Allow Permitless Concealed Weapons?

February 7, 2023 11:58pm

I just got home from Tallahassee where I spent the day at The Capitol meeting with lawmakers and attending the hearing of the House Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee, which is considering HB 543 that would drop the permit requirement to lawfully carry a concealed weapon in the state of Florida.

The bill in its current form does not eliminate concealed carry permits in Florida. It would just render them unnecessary. But if someone wanted a permit (perhaps for reciprocity with other states), one could still be obtained. Also in its current form, the bill makes no changes to Florida's prohibitions on open carry. That has angered many pro-Second Amendment advocates. While open carry should be legal in Florida as it is in 46 other states, HB 543 should still be supported without it. HB 543 isn't perfect. And Florida still has a long way to go in restoring Second Amendment Rights that have been legislated away over the years. But HB 543 is a step in the right direction. Our rights were not taken away in a single act, and they will not all be restored in a single act. But any bill that moves us toward true constitutional carry should be supported. We must not allow perfection to be the enemy of good.

While at The Capitol, I met with Eric Friday, the general counsel and lobbyist for Florida Carry about the proposed law. He and I were both at today's committee hearing about that bill, and I interviewed him afterwards. That interview will air this Saturday on WPNN Radio from 7a - 8a (CT). Within an hour of airing, it will be put online as a podcast.

The usual gaggle of anti-gun enemies of our Constitution are up in arms about this bill (if you'll pardon the expression). They claim it would lead to more gun murders even though that hasn't happened in the 25 states that currently allow permitless carry. Many who spoke in opposition at today's committee hearing cited the murders at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Pulse nightclub, and the FSU library as reasons permitless carry should not be allowed, while completely ignoring the fact that the evil killers who committed those crimes already ignored Florida's laws against carrying firearms and murdering people.

The bill passed the committee today on a 10 - 5 vote with all Republicans supporting it, and all Democrats opposing it. No surprise in that, huh? Democrats typically oppose our Constitutional Rights.

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UPDATED February 11, 2023 @ 9:19am: My interview with Eric Friday, the general counsel and lobbyist for Florida Carry, aired this morning and is now archived online as a podcast at www.TheMikeBatesShow.com/podcasts/230211

The Debt Ceiling Drama Explained

February 4, 2023 11:15am

There is a well-publicized fight going on in Washington right now that is presented with the typical Leftist bias of the propaganda press. And that is the binary decision about whether Republicans will vote to responsibly raise the debt ceiling or irresponsibly throw a temper tantrum which will destroy the country and plunge the world into a deep economic depression. Of course, the reality is not that binary. But since the fake news won't explain it properly, I will.

Every so often, the U.S. Treasury approaches the maximum debt it is allowed to incur under the law. And every so often Congress votes to increase that amount - what is known as the debt ceiling. The Democrats keep saying there should be no such thing as a debt ceiling because the increase in the federal government's credit line is only needed because Congress has previously spent money it didn't have, thus necessitating an increase in the amount the Treasury has to borrow.

But although that description is correct - that increasing the debt ceiling does not in and of itself increase spending, and that the additional debt is needed to fund obligations the Congress has already made, it is completely irresponsible to simply keep spending and borrowing and spending and borrowing and spending and borrowing. And it is at these periodic times when the debt ceiling needs to be raised that a conversation about stopping, or at least slowing, the crazy deficit spending needs to occur.

It is an opportunity to address the pain of borrowing without the pleasure of simultaneous spending. To put it in household terms, the time to have a conversation about having too much debt is not on the showroom floor at the car dealership when you're gonna justify more debt because you're drooling over that fancy car and don't care what it costs. If the bank will loan you the money, you're gonna drive that car home no matter how irresponsible that additional debt is. The time to have a conversation about debt is at the kitchen table when you're looking at stacks of bills, and you realize you don't have sufficient cash to pay 'em all. THAT'S when the responsible conversation should occur.

Well, the debate about the debt ceiling is the kitchen table piled high with stacks of bills. There aren't constituents begging for more freebies or colleagues on both sides of the aisles looking to buy more votes with taxpayer money. So what the Republicans are trying to do with their stance on the debt ceiling is to force spending cuts into the conversation. But the Democrats want to just keep spending as if money grew on trees.

But there are serious constitutional issues at play here too. Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the Constitution of the United States grants Congress the power to pay the debts of the United States. And Section 4 of the Fourteenth Amendment makes defaulting on the debt unconstitutional. The exact words are "the validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned."

The reason that language was included in the post-Civil War 14th Amendment was to 1) assure America's creditors that the debts the Union incurred to finance the Civil War would be repaid, 2) to void any and all debt incurred by the Confederacy to finance its side of the war, and 3) to prevent any claims for compensation over emancipated slaves. In fact, the second part of that section of the 14th Amendment states, "but neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void."

But for the purposes of this discussion, we'll focus on the first part. The validity of the public debt of the United States shall not be questioned. What the words "shall not be questioned" mean is that the debts must be paid no matter what. Period. End of story. It is unconstitutional for the United States to NOT pay its debts. That's quite clear. And that's one of the reasons we enjoy such a high credit rating and such low borrowing costs compared to other nations. It's not the only factor, however. The size of our economy, the strength and stability of our Republic, the fact that the U.S. dollar is used globally for most oil transactions, and that sales on the various U.S. stock exchanges are denominated in dollars, plus other factors, all contribute to the ability of the U.S. government to easily borrow money at costs that are much lower than what most other nations must pay.

But here's the rub. Although the Constitution says we have to pay our debts, there is no penalty if we don't. To be clear, we'd pay a penalty in the form of market turmoil, higher interest rates, and probably a hit to our GDP. But in terms of there being a direct penalty imposed on the people who violate that requirement of the 14th Amendment, there isn't one.

But let's be real. We all know... I know... you know... McCarthy knows... and Biden knows... we all know that the debt ceiling will be raised before America defaults on its debt. We all know that the whole public fight about the debt ceiling is political posturing. It always has been every time there's a fight about it. It is now. And it always will be. It's a show. That doesn't mean McCarthy and the Republicans should just cave. They should engage in this battle because it's the only way the Republicans are going to call attention to the outrageous spending of the 116th and 117th Congresses.

The 116th Congress was 2019 and 2020. It had a slim Republican majority in the Senate and a significant Democrat majority in the House. It was the Congress that was responsible for the absurd giveaways of the COVID bailouts and ridiculously high unemployment benefits during the government-mandated shutdowns.

And then the 117th Congress had a 50-50 split between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, but Kamala Harris' tie-breaking votes really gave full control to the Democrats. The House had a solid Democrat majority, and Biden held The White House. And what did that one-party rule do? They spent addition trillions on even more unnecessary so-called "COVID relief" bills; the climate change agenda that was called the "Inflation Reduction Act" so people who knew nothing about it but the title would support it; and they added TRILLIONS in unfunded spending. And that reckless fiscal policy simply cannot continue. Now, don't think for a minute the Republicans are innocent here. BOTH parties spend money faster than drunken sailors - because when drunk sailors run out of money, they stop drinking. But politicians of both parties keep spending. So both parties are to blame. It's just that Democrats are to blame more.

And in the end, all that spending necessitates borrowing. And all that borrowing necessitates increasing the debt ceiling. And that's where we are now; with a partisan fight in Washington that, as usual, is being misrepresented by the fake news to make the Republicans look like the bad guys and to make the Democrats look like our saviors.

But Speaker McCarthy cannot prevent a House vote on the debt ceiling if enough House members want it put to a vote. If a majority of House members wanted a straight up or down vote on just the debt limit, they could force it to the floor over the Speakers objection via a discharge petition. And that could be done if all Democrats plus a half dozen Republicans joined together in a voting block. Democrats would love to do that because it would greatly undermine the power of the Speaker and weaken him in the eyes of his conference. But for now, Republicans are holding together, and Democrats are enjoying the media's portrayal of Republicans as evil and bitter partisans who want to destroy this country.

The real debt ceiling problem is that Republicans are being accused by the Democrats and their allies in the propaganda press as being nothing but obstructionists who are going to cause a default which would trigger economic destruction. Although Republicans always get the short end of the stick when there are partisan fights, the Speaker is not without options. What he should do is pass a bill in the House - which can be done with zero votes from Democrats - that raises the debt ceiling but also includes the requirements for the spending cuts he is demanding. That would then put the issue of the debt ceiling in front of the Senate.

And that would mean it would be the Senate not voting to raise the debt ceiling. The reason the Senate would be unwilling to raise the debt ceiling is because they object to certain cuts that would be included in that House bill. But that is how the process works. In a bicameral legislature, both parties need to agree to every jot and tittle of a bill. They need to be identical. But it would give the Republicans an advantage of holding at least some moral high ground in that they could honestly say "What do you mean Republicans are refusing to raise the debt ceiling? We already passed legislation that raises the debt ceiling! It is the Senate Democrats and the President who are refusing to go along with it."

Yet while that would be factually true, the fake news would continue to blame Republicans for it. Because that's what the fake news always does. It's kind of like when there are government shutdowns. The Democrats and their allies in the fake news always blame the Republicans. Democrats never receive blame for it, even though the reason the government has shut down is because the House, Senate, and President have not agreed upon identical legislation to keep it open. That's how our government works! So if you're not a bitter partisan, you blame all three: the House, the Senate, and the President because those three all need to agree before a bill can become law. But the fake news is comprised of bitter partisans. And most Americans are too ignorant to know they're being played for fools.

Democrats and the media - but I repeat myself - have told you the Democrats want to responsibly raise the debt ceiling but irresponsible Republican don't. But how have the Democrats voted vis a vis the debt ceiling when they were in the minority and under a Republican president?

Well, Joe Biden, in 2006 when he was a Senator, voted AGAINST raising the debt ceiling. So did Chuck Schumer. In 2006, EVERY Democrat in Congress voted against raising the debt limit. In 2004, all but two Democrats voted against raising the debt limit. In 2003, all but three Senate Democrats voted against raising the debt limit. Yet Democrats now say refusing to raise the debt ceiling is akin to treason. Yeah, but remember, if it wasn't for double standards, Democrats would have no standards at all.

We are absolutely, one-hundred percent NOT going to default on our debt. Anyone who tells you otherwise is engaging in fear-mongering for partisan gain. Unfortunately, that includes almost all the so-called "news" media. So why am I telling you this? Because unlike the fake news whose goal is not to inform but to inflame, I want you to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.