EP:13 - Is #FreeSpeech in America Hanging by a Thread??
When tragedy strikes, principles are tested. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has exposed fault lines in how Americans approach free speech, revealing a disturbing willingness to abandon constitutional protections during moments of crisis. Scott and Daryl navigate this treacherous terrain with nuance, examining how the FCC's targeting of Jimmy Kimmel represents the dangerous "ratchet effect" that consistently expands government power following each national emergency. They argue that maintaining consistent principles isn't just morally correct but strategically essential—abandoning free speech protections today guarantees they'll be weaponized against you tomorrow.The conversation draws compelling parallels to 1968, when assassinations and political disappointments caused many Americans to lose faith in established channels of protest. When people believe the system has failed them completely, they turn to increasingly radical alternatives, creating unpredictable and often destructive consequences. "People are on the edge in terms of their faith in the system right now," Daryl warns. "It is hanging by the last, thinnest thread in the tapestry."A particularly fascinating segment explores how America's inconsistent foreign policy has destroyed our international credibility, comparing our national behavior to that of a "psychopath burning bridges everywhere they go." From broken promises with Russia to underhanded dealings with Iran, these betrayals create lasting damage that outlives any administration.Throughout the episode, Scott and Daryl make a compelling case for decentralization as a practical solution that could appeal across the political spectrum. By returning more decision-making power to local communities, we might reduce the temperature of national politics and create space for actual governance rather than perpetual culture war.Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that goes beyond the headlines to examine the deeper currents threatening American society. Subscribe now and join us in exploring how we might preserve our republic in increasingly challenging times.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction and Awards
6:11 Daryl's Upcoming Enemy Episode
15:48 Charlie Kirk Assassination and Free Speech
29:17 Government Deterrence vs. Market Pressure
42:52 Ukraine War and American Credibility
51:27 Conspiracy Theories and Critical Thinking
1:10:52 Political Polarization and Social Breakdown
1:24:22 Decentralization as a Solution
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1:31:57
EP:12 - The Assassination of Charlie Kirk: America's Fractured Discourse
In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Scott Horton and Daryl Cooper deliver a profoundly important conversation about the state of American political discourse and what happens when words are replaced by violence. This episode captures a raw, unfiltered moment as two thoughtful commentators process a national tragedy in real-time.
"You either use institutions as a way of peacefully hashing these questions out or there's violence underneath it," Cooper observes, crystallizing the fundamental choice facing American society. Kirk, regardless of one's opinion of his politics, embodied a commitment to civil dialogue that makes his violent end particularly troubling. He was, as Cooper notes, someone who "deserved it a hell of a lot less than many of us."
The conversation explores how political violence has become normalized, with both hosts examining the dangerous territory America enters when citizens no longer believe in resolving differences through debate. They challenge listeners on both sides of the political spectrum to resist calls for escalation or authoritarian crackdowns that would only exacerbate divisions.
What emerges is a powerful reminder that beneath our political differences, Americans remain deeply interconnected. "The left half of America ain't really going anywhere," Horton emphasizes, making peaceful coexistence not just desirable but necessary. The hosts also tackle other pressing issues—including mental health crises (with 26% of young Americans having considered suicide), economic instability, and what true freedom of speech requires in practice.
This episode serves as both a warning about where America might be headed if we continue dehumanizing political opponents and a call to recommit to the principles of civil dialogue that Kirk himself championed. It's an essential listen for anyone concerned about the future of American democracy and our capacity to live together despite our differences.
Chapters:
0:00 Reacting to Charlie Kirk's Assassination
10:37 The Civil Veneer of Politics
22:33 Democracy's Violence Problem
36:24 The Root Causes of Social Breakdown
55:01 The Truth About Cultural Degradation
1:09:24 Civil War Fears and Political Reality
1:24:45 Protecting Free Speech Culture Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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EP:11 - Democracy's Limitations in Divided Nations
The world is changing fast—but U.S. foreign policy is stuck in the past. In this in-depth conversation, Scott Horton and Darryl Cooper break down three global flashpoints where Washington’s outdated strategies are fueling instability instead of peace.
👉 Ukraine War: How ultranationalist forces, like Azov Battalion founder Andrei Beletsky, are rising in wartime—and why peace talks with Russia in 2022 were derailed by Western interference, prolonging the Ukraine–Russia conflict.
👉 Israel & Gaza Crisis: Why Netanyahu’s push for West Bank annexation and permanent war risks turning Israel into a militarized garrison state—deepening the Israel–Palestine conflict with no path to lasting peace.
👉 The New Multipolar World: A rising alliance between Russia, China, India, and North Korea signals the decline of American hegemony. Washington’s refusal to adapt to a multipolar order could prove disastrous for U.S. foreign policy and global stability.
If you want to cut through the noise and understand what’s really driving today’s conflicts, this discussion is essential viewing.
📌 Topics Covered: Ukraine war, Azov Battalion, Andrei Beletsky, U.S. foreign policy, Israel Gaza war, Netanyahu, Russia China alliance, multipolar world, American empire, geopolitics explained.
🔔 Subscribe for more sharp analysis of geopolitics, U.S. foreign policy, and the forces reshaping our world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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EP:10 - War Through the Lens of Grief
War leaves scars far beyond the battlefield.
In this episode of Provoked, Scott and Darryl dive into the human side of conflict—how the pain we feel in our own lives mirrors the heartbreak endured daily in places like Gaza, Yemen, Iraq, and Somalia—only compounded by violence and destruction. As Darryl puts it, “They’re feeling the same thing you would feel.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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EP:9 -(uncensored) Ukraine Chessboard : The Art of Losing Slowly - Special Guest Comic Dave Smith
Darryl is traveling this week. So Scott invited a good friend of both to join the show!
ENJOY! (prod. chris did a lot censoring to keep YT happy! :) )
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The war in Ukraine grinds on with no end in sight as peace negotiations repeatedly fail due to poison pills disguised as compromise. Scott Horton and GUEST host - Comic Dave Smith dissect the recent talks in Alaska, where "security guarantees" for Ukraine functioned as NATO membership by another name—a non-starter for Russia and likely designed to be rejected.
Russia continues making steady territorial gains, now controlling approximately three-quarters of Donetsk and two-thirds of both Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. This slow-motion advance strengthens Putin's negotiating position while depleting Ukrainian resources. The fundamental misunderstanding of the conflict's origins—demonstrated even by Donald Trump's belief that "Obama gave Ukraine to Putin" rather than recognizing NATO expansion as the core issue—makes meaningful resolution nearly impossible.
Perhaps most concerning is the rising influence of Ukraine's far-right nationalist elements, particularly the Azov Battalion. What began as a volunteer militia in 2014 has evolved into an official military unit with explicit neo-Nazi connections. Recent reporting reveals Azov leader Andrei Beletsky is positioning himself for political power in post-war Ukraine, envisioning a militarized state modeled after Israel. Western defense contractors reportedly prefer working with Azov units because they operate outside normal Ukrainian military command structures without demanding kickbacks.
The conversation shifts to examining how Israel's campaign in Gaza has fundamentally altered media dynamics in the United States. Prominent right-wing commentators like Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk find themselves caught between establishment pressure to maintain unwavering support for Israel and audiences increasingly troubled by civilian casualties. This represents a significant crack in what was once the most controlled topic in American political discourse, potentially reshaping foreign policy debates for years to come.
Chapters:
0:00 Welcome to Provoked
2:11 Ukraine Peace Talks in Alaska
13:43 Russia's Territorial Gains
24:40 Understanding Ukrainian Nazism
43:17 The Human Cost of War
55:07 Israel's Gaza Campaign and Media Shifts
1:07:31 Shifting Tides in Political Commentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About Provoked with Darryl Cooper and Scott Horton
"Provoked" features Scott Horton and Darryl Cooper exploring the psychology of conflict and how ordinary people become participants in cycles of violence.Distributed by OMG Media Partners
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