I’m sorry to say, but this characterization is pretty disingenuous. With a tiny amount of research, anyone can clearly see the context in which Hegseth used this “prayer”/monologue.
Before he even utters it, Hegseth clearly attributes the “prayer” to what he said CSAR (combat search and rescue) itself calls its CSAR 25:17, which is modeled after Ezekiel 25:17 (as was Tarantino’s film’s), loosely I may add, and obviously a rip off the Pulp Fiction “prayer.”
To be fair, Hegseth didn’t call it scripture; it’s what the CSAR supposedly prayed before its rescue mission of the downed WSO a couple weeks ago.
Not sure why he decided to use it during his prayer meeting, because it just opens him up for twisting it and ridiculing him like he’s some fool who doesn’t realize that he isn’t saying a real Biblical prayer or something. People often only read the headlines and don’t bother to check to see what is the truth behind them.
So, is that the case here on your part? Sloppiness or a willingness to attribute the worst characteristics to someone to whom you vehemently disagree? Or just an innocent mistake?
But anyone who served in the military, as I have, understands that this type of prayer before embarking on a mission is both inspiring and sobering to those who are participating in it. And perhaps that is why Hegseth quoted it this week to close out his meeting. It was a nod to those brave service members who performed that amazing rescue mission.
Haha, another one swayed by propaganda. Is there really another side? All this shitty propaganda is made by elites and military intelligence operations. And, the big guns, Neocons. They want you to believe there are other sides, just like Iran wants its citizens to believe Americans are the Great Satan.
The average person in every country just wants to take care of their families and try to have a peaceful life. You're being fed propaganda. Humans have used this tactic of lies and half-truths for centuries to retain power and benefit from corruption.
You must understand that nothing out of government is the whole truth. You are in this Stack because of the covid scam, you were able to see above the lies, you need to extend that to everything governments do or say. No matter who is president.
Phil, I don't need you or John to interpret the news for me. Who the hell do you think you are? No one needs you to remind them that "nothing out of government is the whole truth". That much is certain. After reading several sources, and seeing the whole geopolitical picture, and noting "experts" (Always certain and seldom correct) like you forecasting events that don't come to pass, or throwing out nonsense, I will continue to evaluate as I see fit. Not as you see fit. So please, sod off.
You must be British. Sod off🤣🤣? If I'm rooting for the other side, you, my friend, are rooting for ignorance. The government depends on your thinking. Corruption depends on the blind. Don't you understand that the "other side" is a manufactured construct to create enemies? This is why the framers of the US Constitution wanted no part of foreign wars. Unfortunately, that only lasted a short time. Propaganda now accounts for almost 100 percent of the information spread. There is no safe place to gather the truth unless in small places like this Substack and among other intelligent people interested in truth. It's impossible to watch or read the news and glean truthful information.
Strange, you remind me of jingoistic Germans in WW2 who accused anti-Nazis of being traitors. Sorry (not sorry) being opposed to this criminal war of aggression is an obligation of patriotic Americans who believe in the Constitution.
Either you're a true believer or an operative, Unit 8200 or some other, if you can say with a straight face that this was an Amazing Rescue Mission. It was obviously a huge disaster on a massive scale and they lied about it. Nothing in that made for tv drama was true and even what information we have on it doesn't pass the sniff test. Good try though.
From one “true believer” to another, since you are regurgitating left wing/woke right talking points yourself, either CSAR used this as a “prayer” before the mission, or they didn’t. If they didn’t, Hegseth misattributed it. Fine. And then it probably wasn’t a good look. Having served, I can totally see something like this being said before a mission, and then his nod to its use would’ve been appropriate. Have you served? Just asking questions here… But regardless, he never attributed it to Scripture. Also… where’s the evidence this was a fake rescue mission? I guess the Artemis II mission was fake also?
I’m actually super shocked that John has it SO WRONG here. The “prayer” is a creed that CSAR recites before missions. Hegseth was addressing a military audience, they understand.
Sad that John didn’t do some research and I sure hope there’s a retraction apology tomorrow…
John likes to reach into any port in the storm to stand against this action, which despite all predictions to the contrary, is completing the job.
It also looks like the Iranian people are getting in on the act. A ranking member of the Iranian regime's Basij--the one's who were raping and murdering female protestors, and maybe males as well, was found dead from 11 stab wounds in an alley yesterday.
Secretary HairGel is an inadvertent parody of “Christian”Zionists and addled evangelicals. And this element hypocritically accuses Muslims of religious extremism.
Pope Leo XIV explains why he visited a Mosque in Algeria: “The visit to the mosque was significant to say that although we have different beliefs, different ways of worshipping, different ways of living; we can live together in peace.”
“Trump offended some Christians on Easter Sunday after a post in which he referred to Iranian leaders as "crazy bastards" and threatened they'd be "living in Hell" if they didn't re-open the Strait of Hormuz, ending the threatening post with the phrase, "Praise be to Allah." He was slammed for the harsh language and timing of the post—former ally Tucker Carlson called it “vile on every level"—for which he did not apologize. On Sunday, Orthodox Easter, he courted even more controversy when he attacked Pope Leo XIV, who has criticized the Trump administration for starting a war in Iran, in a long Truth Social post labeling him as "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.” He then told reporters he was "not a big fan" of the world's first American pontiff, and then posted an AI-generated image that depicted Trump as Jesus himself descending from the heavens and holding an orb of light as he places one hand on the forehead of a sick man. Conservative Christian factions of Trump’s base reacted strongly and slammed him for what they called “OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy” and making a mockery of God. Trump said he thought the image “was me as a doctor” and did delete the post, but did not apologize, and on Wednesday posted another AI image in which he was embracing Jesus.”
OMG, Pope Leo XIV thought deleting his social media account purged the past conversations & close associated support of Obama's campaign against Trump. While your God-Level judgements against Trump are applied to Leo at a much higher standard, the gross embarrassment to the position Leo holds for now is not going away.
Maybe Daniel can explain this so even the Biden supporters can understand? Will Leo visit the Obama Museum in his hometown? Can he Daniel? Enlighten us PLEASE. Let's see Leo bless that corrupt building and eyesore operation in Leo's hometown.
ANonnyMouse “R 2021” doesn’t think that the votes of millions of Catholics might be important for the GOP…
Dr. McCullough’s comment on John Leake’s post, “The Ten Point Provisional Plan Brokered by Pakistan” (April 8, 2026):
““Operation Epic Blunder” is working to hurt Trump in so many ways, but he doesn’t seem to care at nearly age 80 and reckless. He’s in his last term in office and final years of life. He his dramatically damaging his legacy and hurting Republicans, who are trying to keep their side of politics alive. It’s sad to see.”
“Jesus told us, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” but woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.“
Your tinfoil Conspiracy hat is a Little crooked. But freedom for trolling to expand an echo chamber is a parody in itself. Thanks for exposing your intentions.
Thanks for exposing your hasbara, ANonnyMouse “R 2021”…
Dr. McCullough’s comment on John Leake’s post, “The Ten Point Provisional Plan Brokered by Pakistan” (April 8, 2026):
““Operation Epic Blunder” is working to hurt Trump in so many ways, but he doesn’t seem to care at nearly age 80 and reckless. He’s in his last term in office and final years of life. He his dramatically damaging his legacy and hurting Republicans, who are trying to keep their side of politics alive. It’s sad to see.”
The Iranian regime has killed unarmed protestors by the tens of thousands in the past year.
If we start with a clean slate of the actions of the Iranian regime and judge them only by what they have done to their own people in the past year, they have proven by their own deeds to warrant removal.
Why are you defending this mayhem and death by misdirecting the conversation to a litany of grievances you have against anyone holding the Iranian regime accountable for their actions?
Your behavior has been bizarre, John. You seem to be losing your grip on reality.
How do you know how many people the Iranian regime has killed? Where are your unbiased sources? You start with information known to be a lie and then argue from there. That's not how real investigations work. I suppose they're sawing women in half and ripping babies heads off too. Like the Krauts did in WW1 and WW2. Or maybe the Iraqi's who threw premature babies on the floor after stealing their incubators? Or the weapons of mass destruction. Or the Tonkin Gulf. Or the sinking of the Maine and Lusitainia..... all known and documented lies, hoaxes, and false flags. But this time, they're telling the truth.
What a denial! It's not that hard to actually talk with expats that witness the butchers! So the Killing Fields are fake too? Or the maritime workers in the straight? Are you saying 100'S expats witnesses "they're not telling the truth"?
3,000 was the early reporting that the IRGC acknowledged. Whether 3K or 30K, the constant is that the govt slaughtered noncombatant citizens--their own, not those of another nation.
Takeaway is this: govt exists to represent/serve its own people's interests. Any govt that murders its own citizens is illegitimate in every sense of the word.
3 deaths is a car accident, a rogue federal employee, a number of possible errors, confusions, or notattributable reasons that don't reach the govt for matters of guilt. 30 deaths is still within the reach of a rogue individual or a bad department, but not necessarily attributable to govt. 300 is beyond an individual in the main except in extreme instances and is beginning to require organization possible in only a secretive division of govt. 3000 is now widespread and indicative of mainstream acceptance within the organizing apparatus of govt. 30,000 is more scale of the same.
Thus, at 3000 acknowledged murdered, the govt owns it entirely and is therefore illegitimate from a western civilization standpoint.
You are ignorant of the reasons why the protests (initially nonviolent) occurred (Bessant’s currency manipulation - “economic statecraft”), why they turned violent (infiltration by violent provocateurs organized by the CIA and coordinated via Starlink), and who was killed (including many police). Not to mention the wild claims by your fellow travelers of how many were killed (AND BY WHOM) —- tens of thousands, thirty thousand, sixty thousand. Versus the realistic 3,000…. But you apologists for a war of aggression latch onto any propaganda (while ignoring the real underlying factors —- control of oil, control of trade routes, containment of China and Russia, and Lebensraum for Israhell (“Greater Israhell”). The “Christian”Zionists and nutcase evangelicals are easily led by the nose…
So what? How many people in Iran has our government killed, not just recently, but in our 70+ years of sanctioning the country? How many people have we killed in Cuba?
"We have heard that half a million children have died. I mean, that is more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?" To which Ambassador Albright responded,
"I think that is a very hard choice, but the price, we think, the price is worth it."
of course, she did not pay the price. no children or grandchildren of hers died in Iraq. presumably the parents of the dead children might not have agreed with her.
the USA is always in a war, always sanctioning other countries, telling them who they can and cannot trade with, how they can spend their money, while we aren't very good at regulating our own spending. we have not proven responsible with our own money.
recently, a Australian ex soldier who goes by the name Willy OAM (Afghan war) was a guest on my favorite political podcast, The Duran. they were talking about differences in diplomatic strategies between the USA and China. China says "hey come to my party! we have free beer!!"
the USA says "hey you better come to my party and behave exactly like i say or else i'll steal all your beer!" which party are you going to?
the Cubans worked very hard, when the US blockade (a war crime) led to power failures in hospitals, to quickly get the generators going or move the children on ventilators to hand pumped machines. the USA wants to destroy Cuba, kill thousands of innocents, bring their government down and force them into an economy serving our vacationing idle rich. Russia sent them a tanker of oil and one of LNG. the USA did not attempt to stop those tankers since we only bully countries without nukes (Iran, learn a lesson!). still Cuba wanted desperately to reach an agreement with the USA because of geography; we are neighbors.
however the USA doesn't play well with others. a another Russian tanker is now headed to Cuba carrying already refined diesel. Cuba finally realized that the USA will not settle for anything less than the complete destruction of Cuba, so- surprise, surprise- they came to an agreement with Russia.
meanwhile, we continue our murderous rampage across the globe.
I have listened and watched first person accounts from Iranian individuals who have been interviewed by various news outlets that I deem credible. I have not seen videos which would be a more reliable source.
What is your source that you base your statement:”you start with information known to be a lie….”
There’s more to this story. Hegseth recited the “prayer” that the crew (call sign Sandy 1) who recovered an F-15 pilot who was shot down over Iran.
During a Pentagon service, Hegseth said the prayer — called CSAR 25:17, an apparent reference to Ezekiel 25:17 in the Bible — was recited during a mission to recover the pilot of a U.S. F-15E fighter jet shot down in Iran earlier this month.
“So the prayer is CSAR 25:17 and it reads, and pray with me please, ‘The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of camaraderie and duty shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children,'” he told those gathered at the Department of Defense.
“And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee,” he added. “Amen.”
The tragedy of Trump Delusional/Dead-ender Syndrome.
Dr. McCullough’s comment on John Leake’s post, “The Ten Point Provisional Plan Brokered by Pakistan” (April 8, 2026):
““Operation Epic Blunder” is working to hurt Trump in so many ways, but he doesn’t seem to care at nearly age 80 and reckless. He’s in his last term in office and final years of life. He his dramatically damaging his legacy and hurting Republicans, who are trying to keep their side of politics alive. It’s sad to see.”
John, we don't care about Hegseth. The war with the regime in Iran is necessary. You seem to not understand what this regime is going to people in Iran and outside. They have destroyed millions of lives. It was U.S. that took the Shah out and place these thugs in Iran. Now it is U.S.'s responsibility to take them out. Hegseth, Trump or whomever..... it doesn't make any different. They are doing what should have been done years and years ago. You are not understanding and simply do not know about this conflict and its merits.
I want to know when John's daily rants will turn towards medical research disclosure? This appears to be an avenue for political discourse rather than what most of us are here for? Can we not agree to disagree on political views and focus on what could have a potential positive impact with our lives and our friends and family's lives?
Can we not move past division and unite on at least one thing that matters as much or more?
Yes, this is why I started following him way back and am disappointed that lately much of his focus has shifted to what I can only categorize as TDS. Disagreement is one thing, but the subject of this post here is on another level.
Not pertinent to health? War and genocide are all about public health, and very much in the preview of physicians, public health professionals and historians.
See that “MPH” after Dr. McCullough’s name?
What makes you think Dr. McCullough disagrees with John Leake’s posts? As a physician with an MPH, Dr. McCullough knows that issues of war, especially nuclear war are of the utmost concern to public health. And in case you haven’t noticed, we have a malignant narcissist psychopathic president who has started a war of aggression…
(TDS: Trump Delusional/Dead-ender Syndrome)
Dr. McCullough’s comment (April 9) on John Leake’s post “Israel Blows Up Lebanese Town of Naquora”:
“The current atrocities we are witnessing compounded by the recent tragedy in Gaza are clarifying among our readers who is who. As doctors, scientists, and historians, we are bringing you analysis and the spirit of compassion which is clashing with hard core, blood-thirsty barbarism. We are not among the victims, but is clear who they are. The Nakba, meaning "catastrophe" in Arabic, refers to the 1948 violent displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians during the creation of Israel, transforming them into refugees. Commemorated annually on May 15, this event resulted in the destruction of over 500 villages, widespread looting, and loss of life. The Nakba is central to Palestinian identity and considered an ongoing process of displacement.”
Zionist barbarism continues unabated. Witness the depraved psychopath Ben Gvir. Witness the rape of Palestinian prisoners by IDF soldiers (and the lack of objection by some majority of Israeli citizens). Witness the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank by Zionist settlers.
All due to Obama care and Zombie Biden's Autopen Managers Reign? Nice summary of their weapons of mass destruction. Of course short memory persons blame the present and forgive the past?
Dr. McCullough’s comment on John Leake’s post, “The Ten Point Provisional Plan Brokered by Pakistan” (April 8, 2026):
““Operation Epic Blunder” is working to hurt Trump in so many ways, but he doesn’t seem to care at nearly age 80 and reckless. He’s in his last term in office and final years of life. He his dramatically damaging his legacy and hurting Republicans, who are trying to keep their side of politics alive. It’s sad to see.”
That's because John has a hard-working BS meter that filters government propaganda. In every single war or conflict, the first casualty is truth. Why you and others fall for it every time is the real question. Especially in war, not a single word from DC can be trusted.
They aren't falling for it, they're paid operatives from Unit 8200 and elsewhere (like the 50k internet operatives of the Air Force) who are paid to spout this nonsense where ever there is dissent and open discussion. You see them all over places that even mildly stray from the "Narrative"
The US (CIA) & UK (MI6) installed the Shah (oil cartel puppet) in Iran (Operation Ajax). Which also helped to create the secret police called the Savak. Which tortured and brutalized Iranians that ushered in the 1978 Iranian revolution to install the IRCG.
The US has a history of creating coups, revolutions and wars throughout the world. This war with Iran is fabricated propaganda to emotionally manipulate you. The real reason they want this war is because of the resources and geopolitical location that Iran serves for the interests of the Corporatocracy. An Iran with deterrence means that Iran would be on more level footing in the region. That is the threat. The propaganda is a Red Herring.
The way the Mullahs seem to hate our country,an”Iran with deterrence “ doesn’t feel like a level playing field. It feels like they would “unlevel “ it as soon as they could,but,.. maybe it’s ALL propaganda…
Rhetoric is made for their country. Government will not take blame for their own stupidity, so they manufacturer blame to others. As an example, Putin gets blamed for everything in DC. Government create propaganda for their own. That's how they keep the population in check.
I am guessing a reason for some of that hate towards the US government has been in relations over the decades between the US and Iran. While the Mullahs have committed their own crimes against the US it isn't though the US hasn't committed their own. Bob Woodward noted that the US gave information to both Iran and to Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war. Basically supporting them to destroy each other. GHW Bush authorized the sale of chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein to be used against Iran. So the hate wasn't just manifested in a vacuum. But the propaganda would say they just hate Americans for who we are. Rather than for the actions that the US government has committed towards Iran.
I understand that the US has done very dodgy stuff that “we the people“ did not consent to. No doubt that “hate” has more reasons other than we are “infidels”. Nevertheless,the hatred SEEMS real enough, though,not necessarily from the Iranian public…but,it’s not the people of Iran who would have their finger on the nuke button.
PLEANTY of Iranian people ( including people I know) are very hopeful that Iran can potentially return to the freedoms they had 50 + years ago..
It certainly would be great if the Iranian people had their own self determinability in choosing their own government. Unfortunately the US has damaged that democratic process through the past 50+ years. Now it seems the US is once again doing more harm than good for Iranians. Bombing their homes and businesses doesn't seem like it is going to help them. Trump threatening to destroy a civilization will only further create more problems for Iran and for the security of the world.
"conspiracy theorists" have long argued that Hollywood does what Wathington (via Langley?) tells/asks it to do. Fabriacting useful and at least partially false scenarios.
If so, the circle now closes with Washington borrowing from Hollywood, not bothering to check veracity of what arises from the falsehoods they originally commissioned.
There must be some nice parallels in history/literature about this.
Or maybe this is just basic "you reap what you sow".
John, good again. Is not every word spewed from BibiDon's mouth pulp fiction, not to mention from the lying lips of Bibi himself. this is not a question.
I hope at this point everyone realizes this is all theater. It's so tediously fake and gay and is, in fact, not accidental. It's part of the show, the Kayfabe, to quote current lingo, of it all. It's meant to humiliate the sincere and truthful into participating in the charade. Willing viewers. Part of the alchemical spell of transformation. What's even more insidious is that serious people will hem and haw over the details as if this is real. They'll debate the silliest of details, much the same as a pro wrestling fan will rant about the qualities and strategies of his favorite "wrestler". It's no accident that Trump himself is affiliated with WWE and it's precursor, the WWF.
If this is indeed the correct view, then the real question is what is the strategy behind it all. What's the end game?
John, you are a small man with an increasingly smaller message and audience as a result. Why don’t you report the truth for a change and ditch your obvious confirmational bias. These are traditional tongue in cheek things that young men do to pump up their courage when facing death. Pete was honoring their courage. You obviously haven’t served in harms way, but you are certainly benefitting from those who have. I will stop short of calling you a coward, however.
Here’s the Truth:
A Pentagon PAO said: ““Secretary Hegseth on Wednesday shared a custom prayer, referenced as the CSAR prayer, used by the brave warfighters of Sandy-1 who led the daylight rescue mission,” Parnell wrote. He acknowledged the similarities to Pulp Fiction, saying the prayer was “obviously inspired” by the film’s dialogue, but added that both the prayer and the movie speech reflect the biblical verse Ezekiel 25:17.
“They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17,” Hegseth says in the footage.
What follows is a reworked version of the speech popularized by Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Jules Winnfield, in Pulp Fiction. In Hegseth’s telling, the passage is adapted with military-specific language, including references to a “downed aviator,” “camaraderie and duty,” and a call sign — “Sandy One” — in place of the biblical phrase “the Lord.”
John, I had the same thoughts as you did when I read about Hegseth quoting Pulp Fiction and saying it was Ezekiel 25:17. The one thought I had that you didn't mention was my first reaction: "This can't possibly be true." I was wrong, and here we are.
The headline could literally have been out of “The Onion,” or even “The Babylon Bee.” (If I worked at either outlet I’d be kicking myself for not thinking of it.)
The full version of what happened – linking it to the CSAR team’s own swagger – makes it marginally more comprehensible, without much diminishing how appalling, bizarre, and irreligious Hegseth’s behavior is.
"I would have told you that you had completely lost your mind." No need for the notice, the unfolding of planetary insanity has been crushing us for some time.
If you told me we would have Paula White as the White House Faith Office leader, I would have told you the scripts are being prepared by Hollywood.
The sad thing is that the American Christian Church, whether Protestant or Catholic, has so abandoned its role, and kicked its authority to the curb, that we can expect the world to look more and more like dystopian films, drug fueled rants from a self-serving elite that equates their arrogance with right.
As Don Corleone said, Barzini couldn't out fight Santino... or as Sonny told Tom Hagan, he's not a wartime consigliere.
Hegseth is a, wartime consigliere. The precision and effectiveness of our armed services are to be commended - from top to bottom.... including him. That he's quirky, is secondary, to the work he's done the last 15 months.
His usefulness has a shelf life. We can now more clearly see, there's real peace on the horizon. when the dust settles, my hunch he'll bow out on his own. Better for his bank accounts - and life - to go make big $ in the private sector.
This post reminds me of another Bible verse: "Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!'" (Acts 26:24)
I’m sorry to say, but this characterization is pretty disingenuous. With a tiny amount of research, anyone can clearly see the context in which Hegseth used this “prayer”/monologue.
Before he even utters it, Hegseth clearly attributes the “prayer” to what he said CSAR (combat search and rescue) itself calls its CSAR 25:17, which is modeled after Ezekiel 25:17 (as was Tarantino’s film’s), loosely I may add, and obviously a rip off the Pulp Fiction “prayer.”
To be fair, Hegseth didn’t call it scripture; it’s what the CSAR supposedly prayed before its rescue mission of the downed WSO a couple weeks ago.
Not sure why he decided to use it during his prayer meeting, because it just opens him up for twisting it and ridiculing him like he’s some fool who doesn’t realize that he isn’t saying a real Biblical prayer or something. People often only read the headlines and don’t bother to check to see what is the truth behind them.
So, is that the case here on your part? Sloppiness or a willingness to attribute the worst characteristics to someone to whom you vehemently disagree? Or just an innocent mistake?
But anyone who served in the military, as I have, understands that this type of prayer before embarking on a mission is both inspiring and sobering to those who are participating in it. And perhaps that is why Hegseth quoted it this week to close out his meeting. It was a nod to those brave service members who performed that amazing rescue mission.
Haha, I've watched some of his prayers and speeches. He wants the total destruction of Iran in many of his biblical references.
If I were a troop, the idea of Armageddon would definitely not inspire me🤣🤣🤣.
The man is an evangelical fruitcake.
Thankfully, you are not a "troop". But you are full of tropes. Strange how you seem to be rooting for the other side.
Haha, another one swayed by propaganda. Is there really another side? All this shitty propaganda is made by elites and military intelligence operations. And, the big guns, Neocons. They want you to believe there are other sides, just like Iran wants its citizens to believe Americans are the Great Satan.
The average person in every country just wants to take care of their families and try to have a peaceful life. You're being fed propaganda. Humans have used this tactic of lies and half-truths for centuries to retain power and benefit from corruption.
You must understand that nothing out of government is the whole truth. You are in this Stack because of the covid scam, you were able to see above the lies, you need to extend that to everything governments do or say. No matter who is president.
So true! Many of us found Substack because of the Covid lies. That’s why we have to research for ourselves and not just buy all the headlines we read!
Phil, I don't need you or John to interpret the news for me. Who the hell do you think you are? No one needs you to remind them that "nothing out of government is the whole truth". That much is certain. After reading several sources, and seeing the whole geopolitical picture, and noting "experts" (Always certain and seldom correct) like you forecasting events that don't come to pass, or throwing out nonsense, I will continue to evaluate as I see fit. Not as you see fit. So please, sod off.
You must be British. Sod off🤣🤣? If I'm rooting for the other side, you, my friend, are rooting for ignorance. The government depends on your thinking. Corruption depends on the blind. Don't you understand that the "other side" is a manufactured construct to create enemies? This is why the framers of the US Constitution wanted no part of foreign wars. Unfortunately, that only lasted a short time. Propaganda now accounts for almost 100 percent of the information spread. There is no safe place to gather the truth unless in small places like this Substack and among other intelligent people interested in truth. It's impossible to watch or read the news and glean truthful information.
Strange, you remind me of jingoistic Germans in WW2 who accused anti-Nazis of being traitors. Sorry (not sorry) being opposed to this criminal war of aggression is an obligation of patriotic Americans who believe in the Constitution.
https://youtu.be/aGVK-Y4KEZY?si=OnGhbM3JKlZ-3W6X
“Not to love der Donald is a great disgrace
So we heil, heil
Right in der Donald’s face”
You're completely full of shit.
That all you got, ANonnyMouse “Maha”? (MAHA - Make America Hypocritical Again)
That's all you deserve.
I was a ground combat arms "troop" for 21 years and I agree with Phil Davis.
Hegseth has done good in ridding (or seemingly ridding) the military of D.E.I. CRT and trannies.
Either you're a true believer or an operative, Unit 8200 or some other, if you can say with a straight face that this was an Amazing Rescue Mission. It was obviously a huge disaster on a massive scale and they lied about it. Nothing in that made for tv drama was true and even what information we have on it doesn't pass the sniff test. Good try though.
From one “true believer” to another, since you are regurgitating left wing/woke right talking points yourself, either CSAR used this as a “prayer” before the mission, or they didn’t. If they didn’t, Hegseth misattributed it. Fine. And then it probably wasn’t a good look. Having served, I can totally see something like this being said before a mission, and then his nod to its use would’ve been appropriate. Have you served? Just asking questions here… But regardless, he never attributed it to Scripture. Also… where’s the evidence this was a fake rescue mission? I guess the Artemis II mission was fake also?
I’m actually super shocked that John has it SO WRONG here. The “prayer” is a creed that CSAR recites before missions. Hegseth was addressing a military audience, they understand.
Sad that John didn’t do some research and I sure hope there’s a retraction apology tomorrow…
John likes to reach into any port in the storm to stand against this action, which despite all predictions to the contrary, is completing the job.
It also looks like the Iranian people are getting in on the act. A ranking member of the Iranian regime's Basij--the one's who were raping and murdering female protestors, and maybe males as well, was found dead from 11 stab wounds in an alley yesterday.
“And pray with me please”
https://x.com/jamesmelville/status/2044792715179663717?s=61&t=BcRbQIg4-yLIWDE4ASw6UQ
"Iran is ruled by religious fanatics!"
Meanwhile Trump's spiritual advisor:
https://x.com/ounkaonx/status/2045243680550985743?s=61&t=BcRbQIg4-yLIWDE4ASw6UQ
Good Lord! I had no idea this is going on.
More of Trump’s spiritual advisor…
https://x.com/rt_com/status/2047541503770149220?s=61&t=BcRbQIg4-yLIWDE4ASw6UQ
She has a point, but there would be a million other ways to say it. Mainly, she wants to convince people that SHE is annointed.
Secretary HairGel is an inadvertent parody of “Christian”Zionists and addled evangelicals. And this element hypocritically accuses Muslims of religious extremism.
https://x.com/drew_ponder/status/2044841054877393022?s=67&t=BcRbQIg4-yLIWDE4ASw6UQ
Sec Hairgel 🤣🤣🤣
Pope Leo XIV explains why he visited a Mosque in Algeria: “The visit to the mosque was significant to say that although we have different beliefs, different ways of worshipping, different ways of living; we can live together in peace.”
“Trump offended some Christians on Easter Sunday after a post in which he referred to Iranian leaders as "crazy bastards" and threatened they'd be "living in Hell" if they didn't re-open the Strait of Hormuz, ending the threatening post with the phrase, "Praise be to Allah." He was slammed for the harsh language and timing of the post—former ally Tucker Carlson called it “vile on every level"—for which he did not apologize. On Sunday, Orthodox Easter, he courted even more controversy when he attacked Pope Leo XIV, who has criticized the Trump administration for starting a war in Iran, in a long Truth Social post labeling him as "weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.” He then told reporters he was "not a big fan" of the world's first American pontiff, and then posted an AI-generated image that depicted Trump as Jesus himself descending from the heavens and holding an orb of light as he places one hand on the forehead of a sick man. Conservative Christian factions of Trump’s base reacted strongly and slammed him for what they called “OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy” and making a mockery of God. Trump said he thought the image “was me as a doctor” and did delete the post, but did not apologize, and on Wednesday posted another AI image in which he was embracing Jesus.”
OMG, Pope Leo XIV thought deleting his social media account purged the past conversations & close associated support of Obama's campaign against Trump. While your God-Level judgements against Trump are applied to Leo at a much higher standard, the gross embarrassment to the position Leo holds for now is not going away.
Maybe Daniel can explain this so even the Biden supporters can understand? Will Leo visit the Obama Museum in his hometown? Can he Daniel? Enlighten us PLEASE. Let's see Leo bless that corrupt building and eyesore operation in Leo's hometown.
ANonnyMouse “R 2021” doesn’t think that the votes of millions of Catholics might be important for the GOP…
Dr. McCullough’s comment on John Leake’s post, “The Ten Point Provisional Plan Brokered by Pakistan” (April 8, 2026):
““Operation Epic Blunder” is working to hurt Trump in so many ways, but he doesn’t seem to care at nearly age 80 and reckless. He’s in his last term in office and final years of life. He his dramatically damaging his legacy and hurting Republicans, who are trying to keep their side of politics alive. It’s sad to see.”
A distinguishing feature of propaganda is taking small events or truths in small groups and blowing them out of proportion, thus labeling the whole.
🇻🇦🇺🇸 Pope Leo XIV:
“Jesus told us, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” but woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.“
“And pray with me please”
https://x.com/jamesmelville/status/2044792715179663717?s=61&t=BcRbQIg4-yLIWDE4ASw6UQ
Trump’s faith advisor, Paula White goes heavy metal.
https://youtu.be/TzIym0eZsH0?si=XB79Dr7mmrHq9QWI
Your tinfoil Conspiracy hat is a Little crooked. But freedom for trolling to expand an echo chamber is a parody in itself. Thanks for exposing your intentions.
Thanks for exposing your hasbara, ANonnyMouse “R 2021”…
Dr. McCullough’s comment on John Leake’s post, “The Ten Point Provisional Plan Brokered by Pakistan” (April 8, 2026):
““Operation Epic Blunder” is working to hurt Trump in so many ways, but he doesn’t seem to care at nearly age 80 and reckless. He’s in his last term in office and final years of life. He his dramatically damaging his legacy and hurting Republicans, who are trying to keep their side of politics alive. It’s sad to see.”
The ANonnyMouse squeaks.
The Iranian regime has killed unarmed protestors by the tens of thousands in the past year.
If we start with a clean slate of the actions of the Iranian regime and judge them only by what they have done to their own people in the past year, they have proven by their own deeds to warrant removal.
Why are you defending this mayhem and death by misdirecting the conversation to a litany of grievances you have against anyone holding the Iranian regime accountable for their actions?
Your behavior has been bizarre, John. You seem to be losing your grip on reality.
How do you know how many people the Iranian regime has killed? Where are your unbiased sources? You start with information known to be a lie and then argue from there. That's not how real investigations work. I suppose they're sawing women in half and ripping babies heads off too. Like the Krauts did in WW1 and WW2. Or maybe the Iraqi's who threw premature babies on the floor after stealing their incubators? Or the weapons of mass destruction. Or the Tonkin Gulf. Or the sinking of the Maine and Lusitainia..... all known and documented lies, hoaxes, and false flags. But this time, they're telling the truth.
What a denial! It's not that hard to actually talk with expats that witness the butchers! So the Killing Fields are fake too? Or the maritime workers in the straight? Are you saying 100'S expats witnesses "they're not telling the truth"?
IRGC admitted to 3000 murdered.
Next question?
Wasn’t it 30,000 they admitted to?
3,000 was the early reporting that the IRGC acknowledged. Whether 3K or 30K, the constant is that the govt slaughtered noncombatant citizens--their own, not those of another nation.
Takeaway is this: govt exists to represent/serve its own people's interests. Any govt that murders its own citizens is illegitimate in every sense of the word.
3 deaths is a car accident, a rogue federal employee, a number of possible errors, confusions, or notattributable reasons that don't reach the govt for matters of guilt. 30 deaths is still within the reach of a rogue individual or a bad department, but not necessarily attributable to govt. 300 is beyond an individual in the main except in extreme instances and is beginning to require organization possible in only a secretive division of govt. 3000 is now widespread and indicative of mainstream acceptance within the organizing apparatus of govt. 30,000 is more scale of the same.
Thus, at 3000 acknowledged murdered, the govt owns it entirely and is therefore illegitimate from a western civilization standpoint.
You are ignorant of the reasons why the protests (initially nonviolent) occurred (Bessant’s currency manipulation - “economic statecraft”), why they turned violent (infiltration by violent provocateurs organized by the CIA and coordinated via Starlink), and who was killed (including many police). Not to mention the wild claims by your fellow travelers of how many were killed (AND BY WHOM) —- tens of thousands, thirty thousand, sixty thousand. Versus the realistic 3,000…. But you apologists for a war of aggression latch onto any propaganda (while ignoring the real underlying factors —- control of oil, control of trade routes, containment of China and Russia, and Lebensraum for Israhell (“Greater Israhell”). The “Christian”Zionists and nutcase evangelicals are easily led by the nose…
So what? How many people in Iran has our government killed, not just recently, but in our 70+ years of sanctioning the country? How many people have we killed in Cuba?
Are you suggesting not the right ones?
i'm not sure there are "right" ones. can you explain your question?
the lancet recently published this article:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langlo/article/PIIS2214-109X(25)00278-5/fulltext
and then there is Condi Rice's famous statement:
"We have heard that half a million children have died. I mean, that is more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?" To which Ambassador Albright responded,
"I think that is a very hard choice, but the price, we think, the price is worth it."
of course, she did not pay the price. no children or grandchildren of hers died in Iraq. presumably the parents of the dead children might not have agreed with her.
the USA is always in a war, always sanctioning other countries, telling them who they can and cannot trade with, how they can spend their money, while we aren't very good at regulating our own spending. we have not proven responsible with our own money.
recently, a Australian ex soldier who goes by the name Willy OAM (Afghan war) was a guest on my favorite political podcast, The Duran. they were talking about differences in diplomatic strategies between the USA and China. China says "hey come to my party! we have free beer!!"
the USA says "hey you better come to my party and behave exactly like i say or else i'll steal all your beer!" which party are you going to?
the Cubans worked very hard, when the US blockade (a war crime) led to power failures in hospitals, to quickly get the generators going or move the children on ventilators to hand pumped machines. the USA wants to destroy Cuba, kill thousands of innocents, bring their government down and force them into an economy serving our vacationing idle rich. Russia sent them a tanker of oil and one of LNG. the USA did not attempt to stop those tankers since we only bully countries without nukes (Iran, learn a lesson!). still Cuba wanted desperately to reach an agreement with the USA because of geography; we are neighbors.
however the USA doesn't play well with others. a another Russian tanker is now headed to Cuba carrying already refined diesel. Cuba finally realized that the USA will not settle for anything less than the complete destruction of Cuba, so- surprise, surprise- they came to an agreement with Russia.
meanwhile, we continue our murderous rampage across the globe.
I have listened and watched first person accounts from Iranian individuals who have been interviewed by various news outlets that I deem credible. I have not seen videos which would be a more reliable source.
What is your source that you base your statement:”you start with information known to be a lie….”
There’s more to this story. Hegseth recited the “prayer” that the crew (call sign Sandy 1) who recovered an F-15 pilot who was shot down over Iran.
During a Pentagon service, Hegseth said the prayer — called CSAR 25:17, an apparent reference to Ezekiel 25:17 in the Bible — was recited during a mission to recover the pilot of a U.S. F-15E fighter jet shot down in Iran earlier this month.
“So the prayer is CSAR 25:17 and it reads, and pray with me please, ‘The path of the downed aviator is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who in the name of camaraderie and duty shepherds the lost through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children,'” he told those gathered at the Department of Defense.
“And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to capture and destroy my brother, and you will know my call sign is Sandy 1 when I lay my vengeance upon thee,” he added. “Amen.”
Have to say it: I dearly love SECWAR Hegseth!
Nuremberg 2.0
Wirt is my favorite Whine! The single thing that defines him.
The tragedy of Trump Delusional/Dead-ender Syndrome.
Dr. McCullough’s comment on John Leake’s post, “The Ten Point Provisional Plan Brokered by Pakistan” (April 8, 2026):
““Operation Epic Blunder” is working to hurt Trump in so many ways, but he doesn’t seem to care at nearly age 80 and reckless. He’s in his last term in office and final years of life. He his dramatically damaging his legacy and hurting Republicans, who are trying to keep their side of politics alive. It’s sad to see.”
If what you state is true, then Leake has double faulted: ill-characterization of Hegseth and using PF as a motif; that movie was disgusting.
John, we don't care about Hegseth. The war with the regime in Iran is necessary. You seem to not understand what this regime is going to people in Iran and outside. They have destroyed millions of lives. It was U.S. that took the Shah out and place these thugs in Iran. Now it is U.S.'s responsibility to take them out. Hegseth, Trump or whomever..... it doesn't make any different. They are doing what should have been done years and years ago. You are not understanding and simply do not know about this conflict and its merits.
I want to know when John's daily rants will turn towards medical research disclosure? This appears to be an avenue for political discourse rather than what most of us are here for? Can we not agree to disagree on political views and focus on what could have a potential positive impact with our lives and our friends and family's lives?
Can we not move past division and unite on at least one thing that matters as much or more?
Yes, this is why I started following him way back and am disappointed that lately much of his focus has shifted to what I can only categorize as TDS. Disagreement is one thing, but the subject of this post here is on another level.
Not pertinent to health? War and genocide are all about public health, and very much in the preview of physicians, public health professionals and historians.
See that “MPH” after Dr. McCullough’s name?
What makes you think Dr. McCullough disagrees with John Leake’s posts? As a physician with an MPH, Dr. McCullough knows that issues of war, especially nuclear war are of the utmost concern to public health. And in case you haven’t noticed, we have a malignant narcissist psychopathic president who has started a war of aggression…
(TDS: Trump Delusional/Dead-ender Syndrome)
Dr. McCullough’s comment (April 9) on John Leake’s post “Israel Blows Up Lebanese Town of Naquora”:
“The current atrocities we are witnessing compounded by the recent tragedy in Gaza are clarifying among our readers who is who. As doctors, scientists, and historians, we are bringing you analysis and the spirit of compassion which is clashing with hard core, blood-thirsty barbarism. We are not among the victims, but is clear who they are. The Nakba, meaning "catastrophe" in Arabic, refers to the 1948 violent displacement of over 750,000 Palestinians during the creation of Israel, transforming them into refugees. Commemorated annually on May 15, this event resulted in the destruction of over 500 villages, widespread looting, and loss of life. The Nakba is central to Palestinian identity and considered an ongoing process of displacement.”
Zionist barbarism continues unabated. Witness the depraved psychopath Ben Gvir. Witness the rape of Palestinian prisoners by IDF soldiers (and the lack of objection by some majority of Israeli citizens). Witness the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank by Zionist settlers.
All due to Obama care and Zombie Biden's Autopen Managers Reign? Nice summary of their weapons of mass destruction. Of course short memory persons blame the present and forgive the past?
Dr. McCullough’s comment on John Leake’s post, “The Ten Point Provisional Plan Brokered by Pakistan” (April 8, 2026):
““Operation Epic Blunder” is working to hurt Trump in so many ways, but he doesn’t seem to care at nearly age 80 and reckless. He’s in his last term in office and final years of life. He his dramatically damaging his legacy and hurting Republicans, who are trying to keep their side of politics alive. It’s sad to see.”
That's because John has a hard-working BS meter that filters government propaganda. In every single war or conflict, the first casualty is truth. Why you and others fall for it every time is the real question. Especially in war, not a single word from DC can be trusted.
They aren't falling for it, they're paid operatives from Unit 8200 and elsewhere (like the 50k internet operatives of the Air Force) who are paid to spout this nonsense where ever there is dissent and open discussion. You see them all over places that even mildly stray from the "Narrative"
The US (CIA) & UK (MI6) installed the Shah (oil cartel puppet) in Iran (Operation Ajax). Which also helped to create the secret police called the Savak. Which tortured and brutalized Iranians that ushered in the 1978 Iranian revolution to install the IRCG.
The US has a history of creating coups, revolutions and wars throughout the world. This war with Iran is fabricated propaganda to emotionally manipulate you. The real reason they want this war is because of the resources and geopolitical location that Iran serves for the interests of the Corporatocracy. An Iran with deterrence means that Iran would be on more level footing in the region. That is the threat. The propaganda is a Red Herring.
The way the Mullahs seem to hate our country,an”Iran with deterrence “ doesn’t feel like a level playing field. It feels like they would “unlevel “ it as soon as they could,but,.. maybe it’s ALL propaganda…
Rhetoric is made for their country. Government will not take blame for their own stupidity, so they manufacturer blame to others. As an example, Putin gets blamed for everything in DC. Government create propaganda for their own. That's how they keep the population in check.
I am guessing a reason for some of that hate towards the US government has been in relations over the decades between the US and Iran. While the Mullahs have committed their own crimes against the US it isn't though the US hasn't committed their own. Bob Woodward noted that the US gave information to both Iran and to Iraq in the Iran-Iraq war. Basically supporting them to destroy each other. GHW Bush authorized the sale of chemical weapons to Saddam Hussein to be used against Iran. So the hate wasn't just manifested in a vacuum. But the propaganda would say they just hate Americans for who we are. Rather than for the actions that the US government has committed towards Iran.
I understand that the US has done very dodgy stuff that “we the people“ did not consent to. No doubt that “hate” has more reasons other than we are “infidels”. Nevertheless,the hatred SEEMS real enough, though,not necessarily from the Iranian public…but,it’s not the people of Iran who would have their finger on the nuke button.
PLEANTY of Iranian people ( including people I know) are very hopeful that Iran can potentially return to the freedoms they had 50 + years ago..
It certainly would be great if the Iranian people had their own self determinability in choosing their own government. Unfortunately the US has damaged that democratic process through the past 50+ years. Now it seems the US is once again doing more harm than good for Iranians. Bombing their homes and businesses doesn't seem like it is going to help them. Trump threatening to destroy a civilization will only further create more problems for Iran and for the security of the world.
The war in Iran is anything but necessary
Another fanatic clown in charge of the US war machine
OMG preserve us please
"conspiracy theorists" have long argued that Hollywood does what Wathington (via Langley?) tells/asks it to do. Fabriacting useful and at least partially false scenarios.
If so, the circle now closes with Washington borrowing from Hollywood, not bothering to check veracity of what arises from the falsehoods they originally commissioned.
There must be some nice parallels in history/literature about this.
Or maybe this is just basic "you reap what you sow".
John, good again. Is not every word spewed from BibiDon's mouth pulp fiction, not to mention from the lying lips of Bibi himself. this is not a question.
I hope at this point everyone realizes this is all theater. It's so tediously fake and gay and is, in fact, not accidental. It's part of the show, the Kayfabe, to quote current lingo, of it all. It's meant to humiliate the sincere and truthful into participating in the charade. Willing viewers. Part of the alchemical spell of transformation. What's even more insidious is that serious people will hem and haw over the details as if this is real. They'll debate the silliest of details, much the same as a pro wrestling fan will rant about the qualities and strategies of his favorite "wrestler". It's no accident that Trump himself is affiliated with WWE and it's precursor, the WWF.
If this is indeed the correct view, then the real question is what is the strategy behind it all. What's the end game?
John, you are a small man with an increasingly smaller message and audience as a result. Why don’t you report the truth for a change and ditch your obvious confirmational bias. These are traditional tongue in cheek things that young men do to pump up their courage when facing death. Pete was honoring their courage. You obviously haven’t served in harms way, but you are certainly benefitting from those who have. I will stop short of calling you a coward, however.
Here’s the Truth:
A Pentagon PAO said: ““Secretary Hegseth on Wednesday shared a custom prayer, referenced as the CSAR prayer, used by the brave warfighters of Sandy-1 who led the daylight rescue mission,” Parnell wrote. He acknowledged the similarities to Pulp Fiction, saying the prayer was “obviously inspired” by the film’s dialogue, but added that both the prayer and the movie speech reflect the biblical verse Ezekiel 25:17.
“They call it CSAR 25:17, which I think is meant to reflect Ezekiel 25:17,” Hegseth says in the footage.
What follows is a reworked version of the speech popularized by Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Jules Winnfield, in Pulp Fiction. In Hegseth’s telling, the passage is adapted with military-specific language, including references to a “downed aviator,” “camaraderie and duty,” and a call sign — “Sandy One” — in place of the biblical phrase “the Lord.”
https://www.military.com/feature/2026/04/16/pete-hegseth-pentagon-prayer-viral-video-mirrors-pulp-fiction.html
Russian propaganda from Glen Beck: https://x.com/glennbeck/status/2045180610977906755?s=46
John, I had the same thoughts as you did when I read about Hegseth quoting Pulp Fiction and saying it was Ezekiel 25:17. The one thought I had that you didn't mention was my first reaction: "This can't possibly be true." I was wrong, and here we are.
The headline could literally have been out of “The Onion,” or even “The Babylon Bee.” (If I worked at either outlet I’d be kicking myself for not thinking of it.)
The full version of what happened – linking it to the CSAR team’s own swagger – makes it marginally more comprehensible, without much diminishing how appalling, bizarre, and irreligious Hegseth’s behavior is.
You nailed, in all it's appalling horror! Excellent work, @kapock.
💖🎯🎯🎯💖
"I would have told you that you had completely lost your mind." No need for the notice, the unfolding of planetary insanity has been crushing us for some time.
If you told me we would have Paula White as the White House Faith Office leader, I would have told you the scripts are being prepared by Hollywood.
The sad thing is that the American Christian Church, whether Protestant or Catholic, has so abandoned its role, and kicked its authority to the curb, that we can expect the world to look more and more like dystopian films, drug fueled rants from a self-serving elite that equates their arrogance with right.
As Don Corleone said, Barzini couldn't out fight Santino... or as Sonny told Tom Hagan, he's not a wartime consigliere.
Hegseth is a, wartime consigliere. The precision and effectiveness of our armed services are to be commended - from top to bottom.... including him. That he's quirky, is secondary, to the work he's done the last 15 months.
His usefulness has a shelf life. We can now more clearly see, there's real peace on the horizon. when the dust settles, my hunch he'll bow out on his own. Better for his bank accounts - and life - to go make big $ in the private sector.
Thank for this heads up, John! I appreciate your perspective.
(All the people who disagree with you can simply choose not to read your articles if they don’t think they are valuable.)😉
Interesting.... and, love the lego parody.
This post reminds me of another Bible verse: "Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!'" (Acts 26:24)