Jim Bovard talks about America’s lack of faith in the FBI, as represented by both the film Richard Jewell and also the Inspector General’s report about the Bureau’s failures in conducting the “Russiagate” probe. The FBI’s history of incompetence and outright malice goes back much further than that though, says Bovard, who remembers the malfeasance of the Nixon administration and the deliberate sabotage of the civil rights movement. Bovard and Scott find reason for hope, however, in the fact that many of the nation’s conservatives, who often support the very worst of America’s policies, seem to be taking a firm and principled stand against proposals for gun confiscation. Bovard reminds us that even many members of the police and military still believe in the personal liberties guaranteed by our Bill of Rights.
Discussed on the show:
- “Richard Jewell, Carter Page And The Illusion Of The FBI’s Power And Competence” (The Daily Caller)
- “Richard Jewell (2019)” (IMDb)
- “Banning Guns Will Not Make Schools Safe” (The Future of Freedom Foundation)
- “It begins: Virginia forms active militia to protect sheriffs, citizens from unconstitutional laws” (Law Enforcement Today)
Jim Bovard is a columnist for USA Today and the author of Public Policy Hooligan: Rollicking and Wrangling from Helltown to Washington. Find all of his books and read his work on his website and follow him on Twitter @JimBovard.
This episode of the Scott Horton Show is sponsored by: NoDev NoOps NoIT, by Hussein Badakhchani; The War State, by Mike Swanson; WallStreetWindow.com; Tom Woods’ Liberty Classroom; ExpandDesigns.com/Scott; Washinton Babylon; Liberty Under Attack Publications; Listen and Think Audio; TheBumperSticker.com; and LibertyStickers.com.
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Scott Horton is director of the Libertarian Institute, editorial director of Antiwar.com, host of Antiwar Radio on Pacifica, 90.7 FM KPFK in Los Angeles, California and podcasts the Scott Horton Show from this website. He’s the author of the 2017 book, Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan. Visit https://scotthorton.org