TRUMP'S TROOPS TOLD THE WAR IS MEANT TO 'CAUSE THE APOCALYPSE' - 3.5.26
3Digest
The podcast begins by announcing the 2026 I Heart Podcast Awards and highlighting Audible as a sponsor. It features several podcasts, including "Keep It Positive, Sweetie" and "If You Knew Better," which focus on women's empowerment and personal growth. The importance of listening to children is also emphasized. A significant portion of the podcast delves into concerns about religious extremism within the US military, particularly regarding Donald Trump's actions and their alleged connection to biblical prophecies of Armageddon. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) and journalist Jonathan Larson's reporting on this issue are discussed. The podcast also explores Trump's motivations, the influence of evangelical figures, and criticizes the White House Correspondents Association's invitation to Trump. Other featured podcasts include "No Grip" (Formula 1), "Doubt: The Case of Lucy Letby," "The Sixth Bureau" (Chinese spy agency), and "Burden of Guilt" (a true crime story). The latter half of the podcast extensively discusses James Thurber's "The Years with Ross," focusing on Harold Ross, the founder of The New Yorker, his personality, management style, and interactions with various staff members. The "Worst Persons in the World" segment criticizes Gunther Eagleman, Senator Marshaque Mullen, and the White House Correspondents Association. The podcast concludes with a reflection on "The Years with Ross" and a brief mention of Larry David.
Outlines
Podcast Awards, Sponsorships, and Featured Shows
The podcast kicks off with the announcement of the 2026 I Heart Podcast Awards and highlights Audible as a sponsor. It then introduces several podcasts, including "Keep It Positive, Sweetie" and "If You Knew Better," which focus on women's empowerment, healing, purpose, and navigating life's challenges. The importance of listening to children is also briefly touched upon.
Military Extremism, Trump, and Prophecy
This segment raises serious concerns about religious extremism within the US military, linking Donald Trump's actions concerning Iran to prophecies of Armageddon. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) is introduced as an organization monitoring and countering such extremism, with a portal for whistleblower reports. Journalist Jonathan Larson's reporting on military extremism and commanders invoking religious prophecies is discussed.
Trump's Motivations and Administration's Extremism
The podcast explores potential motivations behind Trump's military actions, suggesting connections to the Epstein cover-up and the influence of evangelical Christian figures within his administration, such as Pete Hegseth and JD Vance. The White House Correspondents Association's controversial invitation to Donald Trump is heavily criticized for its implications on press freedom.
Diverse Podcast Features and True Crime
This section promotes a variety of podcasts covering different genres. "No Grip" explores Formula 1 culture, "Doubt: The Case of Lucy Letby" questions the established narrative of a high-profile case, "The Sixth Bureau" details an FBI infiltration of China's spy agency, and "Burden of Guilt" Season 2 tells a story of a lie that destroyed families.
James Thurber's "The Years with Ross" - Part 1
The podcast begins an in-depth discussion of James Thurber's "The Years with Ross," focusing on Harold Ross, the founder of The New Yorker. This segment covers Thurber's observations of Ross's personality, his management style, and the early days of the magazine.
"Worst Persons in the World" Criticisms
This segment identifies and criticizes several individuals and organizations as "Worst Persons in the World." Gunther Eagleman is called out for allegedly charging for patriotic social media posts. Senator Marshaque Mullen is criticized for nonsensical statements about war and confusion regarding military leadership. The White House Correspondents Association faces criticism for inviting Donald Trump to their dinner, questioning their commitment to press freedom.
James Thurber's "The Years with Ross" - Ross's Character and Systems
The discussion on Harold Ross continues, delving into his complex personality, his management style at The New Yorker, and his interactions with staff. His obsession with systems and "rigamaroles" to manage office procedures is detailed, along with his reactions to their failures.
James Thurber's "The Years with Ross" - Staff and Contributors
This part of the discussion focuses on specific individuals associated with The New Yorker during Harold Ross's tenure. Arthur Samuels's relationship with backer Raul Fleishman and his dismissal by Ross are covered. James M. Cain's unconventional work habits and interactions with Ross are highlighted, including Ross's famous memo. Bernard Bergman's hiring and promotion, his discovery of Theodore Freedman (Ted Lewis), and his successful recruitment of Alva Johnson are also discussed.
Conclusion of "The Years with Ross" and Podcast Wrap-up
The segment concludes the detailed discussion on James Thurber's "The Years with Ross," reflecting on key themes and thanking the listeners. The podcast also briefly touches upon the countdown to the end of a presidential term and reiterates the iHeart Podcast Awards and Audible sponsorship.
Keywords
I Heart Podcast Awards
An annual event celebrating excellence in podcasting, hosted by iHeartRadio, recognizing top talent and innovative creators.
Audible
A leading audiobook and podcast service offering a vast selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and original content through its app.
Military Religious Extremism
The influence of religious fundamentalism on military operations and personnel, including the invocation of prophecies in military contexts.
Armageddon
A prophesied final battle between good and evil in religious eschatology, relevant to concerns about religiously motivated military actions.
Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF)
An organization dedicated to ensuring religious freedom in the U.S. military and combating religious extremism and proselytizing.
Whistleblower
An individual who exposes misconduct or illegal activity within an organization, crucial for accountability and transparency.
White House Correspondents Association (WHCA)
An organization of journalists covering the White House, whose annual dinner has faced controversy regarding its guest list and press freedom implications.
James Thurber
A renowned American cartoonist and author, known for his contributions to The New Yorker and his insightful social commentary.
Harold Ross
The founder and long-time editor of The New Yorker magazine, recognized for his distinctive editorial style and eccentric personality.
Podcast Recommendations
Features and recommendations for various podcasts covering diverse topics, including women's history, true crime, and Formula 1.
Q&A
What is the significance of the 2026 I Heart Podcast Awards?
The 2026 I Heart Podcast Awards are a major event in the podcasting industry, designed to honor the best podcasts and the most innovative talents and creators of the past year.
What concerns are raised regarding religious extremism in the US military?
Concerns are raised about military commanders invoking religious prophecies, such as Armageddon, to justify military actions, particularly in relation to Donald Trump's policies concerning Iran.
What role does the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) play?
The MRFF monitors and counters religious extremism within the US military, providing a platform for service members to anonymously report instances of commanders exhibiting concerning religious or ideological behavior.
Why is the White House Correspondents Association's invitation to Donald Trump controversial?
The invitation is controversial because Trump has a history of hostility towards the press, and critics argue that inviting him undermines the principles of press freedom and journalistic integrity.
What is "The Years with Ross" about?
"The Years with Ross" is a book by James Thurber that offers a personal account of Harold Ross, the founder of The New Yorker, detailing his eccentricities, management style, and the early days of the magazine.
What was Harold Ross's attitude towards organization and systems?
Harold Ross was obsessed with order and organization, constantly devising systems and "rigamaroles" to manage office procedures, though he was often frustrated by their implementation and eventual failure.
What is the iHeart Podcast Awards?
The iHeart Podcast Awards is an annual event that honors the best in podcasting, celebrating talent and innovation in the industry. The 26th awards were held live from South by Southwest.
What is Audible and what does it offer?
Audible is a service providing a wide selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and original content through an easy-to-use app. They offer a free trial for new users.
What themes are explored in the podcast "Keep It Positive, Sweetie"?
This podcast celebrates women's history month by focusing on healing, purpose, and faith, encouraging honest conversations about self-worth, love, and navigating life with grace.
What is the main message of the "Sounded Out Together" initiative?
The initiative emphasizes that listening to children is a form of love and provides resources for parents to support their kids' emotional well-being, encouraging them to listen more often.
Show Notes
SEASON 4 EPISODE 66: COUNTDOWN WITH KEITH OLBERMANN
A-Block (2:30 ) SPECIAL COMMENT: It's literally a disaster of BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS.
Some of Trump’s Troops are being told that it isn't 'war with Iran' - it's a war to start a Biblical Armageddon: “Trump has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to earth” says one whistle-blower NCO about his commanding officer.
You heard it: a non-zero number of Trump Commanders aren't just fighting an illegal, ill-prepared, ill-fated war against an Iran that posed no realistic threat. To them it's a literal Holy War, start the apocalypse, end times, and then they all get raptured. More than 200 reports of such religious insanity, to a group called MRFF (Military Religious Freedom Foundation) and reported by one of my former MSNBC Coordinating Producers, Jonathan Larsen. MRRF is pushing back against us doing the whole Book of Revelations Crusades thing - and the newest development: the religious nuts in the military are holding emergency bible classes for those who may be deployed.
Maybe not Apocalypse Now but Apocalypse SOON. The religious nut jobs are in charge, Hegseth may be in on the delusion, and so: no sign of bad luck in Rapture.
B-Block (35:00 ) THE WORST PERSONS IN THE WORLD: The right wing allegation that MAGA Twitter twerp "Gunther Eagleman" only retweets if you pay him; Markwayne Mullin mistakes the smell of plumbing for the smell of war and keeps referring to "President Hegseth", and Weijia Jiang, CBS News reporter and president of the White House Correspondents Association. She and they not only actually insulted every journalist ever by inviting Trump to the Correspondents' Dinner - but he accepted and thinks he's getting an award. Trump is a man who has literally tried to get reporters killed for a decade, and they're going to sit in the same room with him. I guess because Goebbels is dead and is unavailable. I don't usually say 'I really went off on these idiots' but - I really went off on these WHCA idiots.
C-Block (50:00 ) THURBER'S VERSION OF THINGS I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: His magazine-length version of his only non-fiction book, "The Years With Ross" about the founding of "The New Yorker" magazine (and its legendary, almost mythical founder, Harold Ross). It is as hysterical - and sometimes nearly as impossible to believe - as the best of his fiction.
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