Reign of Terror: Tesla, Luigi Mangione, & Beyond

I'm back. I've been in hibernation for the last couple of months, basically paralyzed by what can only be described as a rapid descent into authoritarian hell.  In his seminal work, "On Tyranny", Timothy Snyder warns:  "Listen for dangerous words. Be alert to the use of the words extremism and terrorism. Be alive to the fatal notions of emergency and exception. Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary."  So, today's podcast is brought to you by the letter "T" for "terrorism". The government is going to great lengths to brand anyone who dares question the authority of the POWERS THAT BE, a domestic terrorist. Today we talk about three cases where the terror label is applied and the potential or actual consequences, with the incomparable Mark Allenbaugh. IN THIS EPISODE:  -Breaking down the "Tesla" indictment against Frederick Cooper and the government's toothless threat of "20 years, no negotations"; -Delving into the terror element of the Luigi Mangione case, where AG Bondi just announced the govt. is seeking death because the crime was "politically motivated"; -A massive injustice in North Dakota where the government and judge abused a domestic terrorism provision in the guidelines as a show of cruelty against a 50 year old autistic man, sentencing him to 25 years in prison; CAMERON SMITH - A CRUEL & VENGEFUL OUTCOME IN NORTH DAKOTA: If you want to know more about Cameron Smith's Case, here is an article in the New York Times.  If you'd like to support his defense in any way, reach out to me ([email protected]).  His appeal is pending, and we will not abandon this fight. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/us/north-south-dakota-energy-facility-attacks.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3U4.1nqZ.WXyt8a1LAAns&smid=url-share ON TYRANNY: Do yourself a favor and grab this book.  If you want the summary of all of his lessons, here you go:  https://www.carnegie.org/our-work/article/twenty-lessons-fighting-tyranny/ ON A LIGHTER NOTE: I'm back on the tequila train.  If you've listened to previous episodes, many involve a tequila tie-in and recommendation for a great sip.  It helps the medicine (of authoritarianism) go down. Today I had my choice of two:  Tequila Chamucos (i.e. "Diablo Blanco") and Mijenta Blanco Maestra Secltion No. 1 Tequila.  Mijenta was the clear winner both in flavor and in theme. Mijenta, in Spanish is derived from "Mi Gente" which means "My People."    This particular expression was made from agave grown from seeds, not clones.  Mijenta Tequila https://mijenta-tequila.com/ And if you take away nothing from the events of the day is that this great American experiment of ours is meant to be "by the people and for the people" and at the end of the day, the people have the power.  It's time to fight, by all peaceful means necessary, the rapid slide into authoritarian rule.   We have to plant the seeds of resistance and let them grow, unafraid, and undaunted.