Chris Hedges on Impeachment, Plus Matt's Take on Whistleblowers | Useful Idiots

Journalist Chris Hedges joins the show to talk about impeachment and war reporting, plus Matt talks about his column on the Ukrainegate "whistleblower"
*Join us for a livestream of Matt's debate night drinking game on Oct 15, here on Rolling Stone's KZbin channel!*
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[@chloebeary]

Chris hedges has so much integrity. Great journalist.

[@mikeisapro]

@MEN56 Jesus. How sad of you. But yes, Chris is great. This channel is getting better and better guests. Really digging these gets, Read a Rolling Stone mag the other day in the Drs office and was enjoying that as well. It was a decent article on Trump's corporate backing and on climate change and it was quite good actually. Good for you guys @Rolling Stone. Every once in a while I see your film and TV lists and such as well and they've always been decent, too.

[@fuzzywzhe]

If he has integrity, why would he show up on Rolling Stone? Guess you don't Remember A Rape on Campus.

[@fuzzywzhe]

@Infinite Awareness *"THE REASON WHY THEY CHOSE TO IMPEACH TRUMP NOW INSTEAD OF BEFORE IS BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING WHAT IT TAKES TO SUPPRESS THE REPARATIONS DISCUSSION."* They won't be an impeachment, that would require a trial which would open up discovery. There's no way they will do this, because it will expose, legally, there was a coup attempt. This charade of a "impeachment inquiry" will continue until the next election. It's a propaganda gambit. They are trying to convince people that where there is smoke, there's always a fire, and not a smoke machine.

[@nickc3856]

lmao

[@DucksUpDogsDownCatsSlide]

He has written some great stuff especially on foreign policy, however he offended a lot sex workers with an article on the subject of prostitution that he published in Truthdig.

[@gold88fish88]

Chris Hedges is a GIFT. Need to see more of him right now.

[@felixsmittick9128]

Chris Hedges is a breath of fresh air.

[@Johnconno]

Chris is like being in a Swiss finishing-school after spending 10 years in a Beirut crack-house.

[@georgerasmutin699]

@@Johnconno is crack even a thing in Lebanon? Why say that when America's are the originators of, and pushers and consumers of the coveted moon rocks.

[@Johnconno]

@@georgerasmutin699 The crack-cocaine in Beirut is the best! Girls too! You come visit?

[@georgerasmutin699]

@@Johnconno I wish I could do you think I could get refugee status America probably won't give me a visa you pull some strings I bring big Boulder of American crack?!?

[@Johnconno]

'American crack'? Hahahaha! You Americans make us laugh! You come! I offer you my house!

[@honk4tad]

Katie's Sydney Ember "impression" at the 16:30 mark is *chef's kiss* 🤣

[@dumbdamage3988]

It was funny but then she continued using that voice for the rest of the episode. Used it at the beginning too, IIRC...

[@matthewo2261]

Hedges, Chompsky, and Nader are giants of the progressive movement that Sanders should be giving a platform to.

[@jillianabernethy6158]

Chomsky, for the record.

[@danielstadden1149]

Don't forget our black progressive brother dr. Cornel West

[@naderkhalfan9067]

@@danielstadden1149 quite right, the 4 of them would give Bernie an almighty boost.

[@Bluebelle51]

@@naderkhalfan9067 Hedges hates Sanders, Nader tolerates Bernie Chomsky and Cornell West are already behind Sanders

[@xxxxOS]

Richard Wolff too! 👌

[@AndyAnaya]

Chris Hedges TAKE MY ENERGY! Most epic voice in journalism

[@kamran5461]

Chris is so impressive. What a life he has lived.

[@vladimir0700]

Yeah, lucky to even be still alive

[@tonydimeo1882]

Frank S We’re lucky he’s alive

[@rdpatterson2682]

Chris' articles lately in Truthdig have been REALLY good.

[@dudeman5303]

Shit! I started reading truthdig last winter because of him and i stopped randomly and I dont know why! Thank you so much for reminding me!!!!

[@dudeman5303]

I need to read that shit ASAP

[@SuperSpidey313]

I'm so geeked listening to this interview right now.

[@hulkhogansgianttaint9451]

Wow...Chris dropped a F-bomb. We must really be screwed now.

[@SuperSpidey313]

@@hulkhogansgianttaint9451 We really are. All we can do is fight as hard as we can. "I don't fight fascist because I think I'll win. I fight fascists because they're fascists."

[@Dani68ABminus]

You got Chris Hedges on!!! I love that man of knowledge, insight and deep compassion :)

[@Supernautiloid]

I’m a simple lefty. I see Chris Hedges, I click.

[@ttystikkrocks1042]

100%!

[@Stbuster31]

Always in for a good dosing of bashing American Empire

[@evasartorius9528]

Chris Hedges is not a simple lefty. He is a very smart one. Go ahead and click, then you won't have to think about what he is saying.

[@jaelsonnen5750]

@@evasartorius9528 WOOOOOSH!

[@devendrabutthurt]

@@evasartorius9528 always love when some moron doesn't read the comment and decides to try and be pretentiously condescending based on their own inflated self-importance. easily my favorite genre of KZbin comments

[@user-rb7ns9yj5y]

Hedges is by far my favorite journalist, a true hero.

[@robertakscyn5971]

I'm a simple man. I see Christopher Hedges, I click...

[@syourke3]

Robert Akscyn We should form a fan club! It could become the nucleus of a new political party!

[@cheezew1zz]

Exactly!!

[@JoniBurtKnapps]

One of my personal heroes too.. CHRIS HEDGES!!! Thanks so much guys.💋💋💋💖💖💖💋💋

[@KTF0]

Jimmy Dore, now Chris Hedges! I love this show!

[@AbjectPermanence]

Yeah, it makes me a bit uncomfortable how good this show is. There is clearly some money behind this production, coming from a popular, established publisher Rolling Stone, and yet, this show seems consistently good anyway. That show with Krystall Ball from the Hill is really good too. It really weirds me out to see things like this having money behind them when I'm used to only getting this kind of truth from independent productions shot in a KZbinr's loving room, car, basement, etc.

[@IMSiegfried]

@@AbjectPermanence Good point!

[@maryglaros395]

Wonderful discussion and interview with Hedges!

[@tobyfunk6858]

Ugh, Jake Tapper and Bari Weiss. I'm in purgatory.

[@angelicacharm5383]

Purgatory? Try a little deeper, lol.

[@vino140]

Bari Yuck.

[@Tronic410]

This is *HILARIOUS*

[@tobyfunk6858]

@@angelicacharm5383 uhhhhh the seventh ring of hell? Jake always looks like he is about to cry. Don't get me wrong I'm a sensitive guy, I've been known to cry at a lot of movies. But that guy ALWAYS looks like he is about to cry.

[@labelleveronica]

Hedges. I'm in Hell.

[@kinglearisdead]

Thumbs up for the Schopenhauer and Kierkegaard references.

[@tonydimeo1882]

King Lear is Dead Gotta have philosophy references in my political commentary

[@lilith3953]

Look it's a medical fact that when someone comes to hospital breathing but with chest pain, it is not immediately obvious weather they are having a heart attack, or angina, or indigestion or some other cardiac or digestive tract thing. Figuring that out, and what needs to be done about it, and then doing that takes some investigations which takes a bit of time (I'm talking about 18 hours to 4 days sort of time frame). For his campaign to come out and declare that he had had a heart attack before anyone really knew what was actually going on would have been absurd because they couldn't have known. They simply didn't have the facts yet, and it could have been indigestion, or a kidney stone or angina or a thousand different things. Even by the time the stents were being inserted they wouldn't necessarily have known for sure weather or not he had technically had a heart attack. I've been a Registered nurse for 25 years, so this process is very familiar to me.

[@eliyahbenysrael3903]

Lilith This should be widely shared...

[@ttystikkrocks1042]

Thank you- but obviously there's a narrative that has to be pushed, facts be damned!

[@JM-ig4ed]

They would have been able to confirm within 24 hours and likely before merely by looking for enzymes that get released from heart attacks and detected in blood tests.

[@PatrickCiriello]

@@JM-ig4ed ... and your medical degree is from where?

[@JM-ig4ed]

@@PatrickCiriello after spouse personally having multiple admissions to the hospital, diagnosis for heart attack was always made by whether enzymes were released. Don't need a degree when you have personal experiences with it.

[@beeyl65]

Katie got the Snowden story a bit wrong. He didn’t choose to go to Russia as a *destination* - rather, his plan was to layover in Moscow and then fly on to another country that had no extradition treaty with the US. But while he was in the Moscow airport, the US cancelled Snowden’s passport, which made his flying out of Russia an impossibility. So, in a very real sense, the US government chose Russia as Snowden’s destination.

[@JoanneLG1960]

He had a connecting flight to South America when his passport was cancelled in Russia

[@omagosh5137]

And, Biden and Kerry contacted many other countries and threatened retaliation if they offered Ed Snowden asylum.

[@Hippiekinkster]

The downvote was an accident. Very -tired, tried to hit the replies button. Sorry! Incidently, I was just at a grocery store reading St. Edward's book. About two hours flew by. I MUST get a copy.

[@tonydimeo1882]

Bill Girard I would be so happy if someone brought this up in a debate to Biden but our media is so rigged I doubt it

[@SleepySeel]

I am not entirely convinced by his version of that story. He is a resourceful guy, capable of stealing all of that encrypted data and a spy to boot. I doubt a cancelled passport would have got in his way if he really wanted out of Russia. Something else happened there.

[@matthewjohn666]

Get Max Blumenthal on the show!

[@ClarksonFisherIII]

And Cornel West!

[@Eastbayrob]

lol reading from the future, they got both!

[@wayneyanda]

Matt ... Eisenhower had a heart attack in his 1st term, and a stroke during his 2nd. (And dead by the time he was Sanders' age.) Medicine has advanced since the 1950s. A few months back, Sanders played a game of softball on the Field of Dreams in Iowa, and now we know it was with a clogged artery. Even with a reduced schedule, he'll still be lapping Biden.

[@vonduus]

Chris Hedges is my hero too!!!

[@enchantedobserver7652]

Always tune in for Hedges! ALWAYS.

[@Marxist2]

Chris embodies DISSENT, thought, break from this corrupt system. Thank you for having him!

[@daveehrlichman8611]

Chris Hedges is an intellectual giant. You guys are terrific having him on and your interview with Tulsi was fantastic.

[@Hippiekinkster]

He is the Einstein of contemporary Capitalist critique.

[@n8fancy]

Warren doesn't stand a chance against Trump I'll be voting green again if she is nominated

[@chris55top]

same

[@alex-qd6of]

The attacks will be non stop. She'll probably be the nom, though. Then 4 more long years of Bozo.

[@cheryll.conner7865]

@@alex-qd6of I believe in magic and miracles!

[@NyetTube]

Green again, yup very likely, the same for me too. I won't vote for a republican /neoliberal - Same Party. Bernie or Green, again.

[@charlesalan62]

Cheryl L. Conner unless you’re being sardonic, don’t forget the tooth fairy.

[@SELKCOMM]

Too much fun. I’m addicted

[@missyv8900]

I'd like to see a Peter Joseph Chris Hedges discourse. Now that would be more of a walk over the narrowed 'acceptable' line of 'dissent.'

[@chopcooey]

hell yeah, anything with mah boy PJ

[@sikavik]

I disagree with their take on the timing of the messaging with Bernie’s health. 3 days was fine; it wasn’t a big deal. Anyone who has experience with family or friends who have gone through this know this. There are degrees of severity with heart attacks. Any heart attack is serious and life-threatening without treatment - no doubt. But he didn’t need open-heart / bypass surgery (which leaves you incapacitated for at least a few weeks or months). It took my family member months to fully recover after open-heart surgery, and he was mostly bedridden for a month. He’s doing well now and can walk around, drive, etc. just fine. Bernie’s heart attack was relatively mild, and it required stents (not open-heart surgery), and he’s looking & sounding great after a mere few days. If Bernie had required open-heart surgery, then this would be a COMPLETELY different issue. Bernie’s already been an inspiration for so many reasons, but seeing him immediately tweet about the need for #M4A from the hospital, and recover so quickly & in a way that has strengthened his body by allowing better blood flow, has truly been awe-inspiring for me to see.

[@billyquaide1902]

When I feel frustrated and powerless I read and listen to Chris Hedges. Congratulations guys, that's the most animated in any forum I've seen Chris. He obviously respected your work, Matt (you're too young to understand Katie ;) ).

[@dabay200]

Hedges is an absolute legend, and a genius who has seen the worst of humanity.

[@sawyer4713]

Yes, Chris seemed so relaxed but, as always, spot on. Kudos to all three of you.

[@RobJuneau]

Guys, Canada’s been weird the whole time. We’re both embarrassed and proud of it. ;)

[@xanbex8324]

Deeply moving listening to this man........Hedges is heroic!

[@_wegota2319_]

Wow, great conversation! Love listening to Matt and Chris together. I've never heard Chris laugh like that, and I listen to his speeches, interviews, etc. a lot haha. Good spirits here.

[@stormishere2716]

Only good thing about this channel is that Chris Hedges was on it.

[@dashx1103]

Hedges is awesome, but the channel is one my favorites too.

[@jozon8551]

Whistle blowers are punished and leakers are not.

[@barbarajohnson1442]

What a GREAT chat with Hedges, so off the cuff, Thank You!!!!

[@jstaversky]

I listened to every Chris Hedges interview on KZbin and I've never heard the story of Liliana and the butterfly tattoo!!!!

[@MinkytheMinkY]

Mentioned it on Dore.

[@paleopapa8599]

Heard it before, story made for the big screen.

[@HawaiiMusicSupplyTUS]

I love this podcast

[@rcmrcm3370]

Sy Hersh wrote his one and only book on corporate corruption about Gulf & Western. It was such a nightmare for him that afterwards he decided to stick to only reporting on government corruption.

[@xxWayoftheSunxx]

So interesting what Chris Hedges said about not being able to get into journalism. I desperately want to, but I don't know how. I traveled all through China and interviewed hundreds of people about their cultural identity and wrote a paper on it. I spoke to soldiers, indigenous peoples of all kinds, police, mob bosses, and everyone in between. Just like he said however, I for the life of me cannot figure out where I'd start if I wanted to submit articles on China, being as my experience and information completely negates what we are told in the mainstream media. I wish I could get some direction on that. I'm fluent in Mandarin in Spanish for what its worth.

[@vladimir0700]

The chit chat at the beginning is so frivolous and bawring that I had to stop watching before Hedges even came on “I don’t like cats” what’s wrong with cats? Maybe they don’t like you, either

[@UrsaMinor2010]

This show is fantastic. I think I've seen every episode. What an assembly of guests. What scintillating conversation. I sent a link to my son, and warned him not to become a journalist... but if he does, be like you guys. Love it.

[@radiotec76]

Anything Barry Wiess says isn't complete without a laugh track.

[@lorriesarafin9457]

Where oh where can I get a "useful Idiots" coffee cup???? Great interview - love Chris Hedges!

[@ryanshadders750]

Full disclosure I'm a conservative Trump supporter. I came across Matt on The Joe Rogan show so I decided to check out the podcast. I really liked it. I'm always open to other people's ideas and points of views. It was very enjoyable great content guys

[@maxfrost5016]

37 minutes until Hedges while one of the hosts discusses her least favorite animal.

[@lynnwood7205]

What we get now is the news best selected for us..

[@CaptZdq1]

I left when she said that she didn't like cats.

[@jangyman]

....every second she talked about cats made me disbelieve her compassion more.

[@jaykay415]

Yeah Katie, you really shouldn't publicly admit a thing like that.

[@gustavoa.belfiore4701]

One for the algorithm! Keep up the amazing job, and please please bring more guests like Chris

[@christinaamendola4851]

Can I just say how OUTSTANDIN YOU TWO ARE?!!!! PLEZZZZZ TyTYTY

[@demoiselledelamontagne]

You guys are killing it with all these amazing guests! Thank you for doing what you do.

[@charlierodriguez8489]

Please interview Adoplh Reed Jr. Love Hedges.

[@inndeep7020]

Thank you so much. This was an absolutely amazing interview. 🔥

[@sharongillesp]

You don't have to have a major cardiac event to have a stint. Through various tests and patient complaints about any pain or discomfort a doctor can recommend a preemptive surgery.

[@AriesKJJ2]

All right Chris Hedges: now we're getting serious!

[@GerardVaughan-qe7ml]

Epic Story Chris. Must share !

[@gtcstorm40]

Chris is one of the very few sane voices I take seriously.

[@AnotherAgnostic]

I'm going to join and support extinction rebellion.

[@rocco3693]

Stents ARE routine. I have eight of them and I go to the gym three times a week and swim two. He's absolutely fine.

[@comingviking]

I always thought of Chris Hedges as an old and set guy. But he sounds super cool and something of a rebel. Great interview.

[@myersred8]

On Sanders around 15:00, I have a good friend who had a cardiac incident and a stint put in almost 20 years ago and he is doing great, active, and still has exceptionally sharp intellect.

[@space.youtube]

37:40 if you want to bypass the waffle and get to the Hedges interview.

[@vestibulate]

Space Jockey Awful, aren't they?

[@Scot-Tube]

you see stuff like this and it makes you sad about the legacy media

[@MadderMel]

Extinction Rebellion also shut down large parts of Bristol , my home City in England !! ....I was let through !! I was cycling at the time !

[@peterpanu9595]

Do you have any knowledge how's the ER is funded and by who? It doesn't look like a grassroot movement at all? Just asking.. :)

[@MadderMel]

No I don't , I know very little about them , they just happened to be in Bristol that day , and as I work in the City centre , that's why I bumped into them ! ... I actually first heard about them from Chris Hedges On Contact show !

[@dianafleming7371]

Not the Matt Taibbi I grew to learn from, admire and respect from his copious, earth shattering journalistic work. WOW ...what a transformation!

[@carolmcrae1022]

With love and admiration for your work, I would like to point out that the conversation around Bernie's age and health smacks of ableism and ageism. Do we really want to reinforce the mentality that a person deemed currently healthy should be seen in a negative light because of age or health history? Healthy now, but you are "more likely to get sick" than a younger person or due to a past health challenge. This happens to older workers and it is very damaging and discriminatory. I realize voters can consider whatever they wish, but I hate to see such attitudes reinforced by progressives.

[@robknight9406]

it's a question of whether you are casting your vote for bernie, or his vice president who will take over is bernie a person who is "deemed currently healthy" right now? no when he bounces back everyone will forget about it anyway

[@andrewryan7029]

Late to the party but this was quite fun. Seeing the human side of a public figure like Hedges is good.

[@philgood8089]

i'm way glad i discovered you two.

[@amyfink6653]

This show is a tonic

[@AnotherAgnostic]

I'm with Bernie Sanders 100% in any physical condition but we need more people like Bernie Sanders to come forward. I have yet to see any politician even come close to his awesomeness.

[@zoofeather]

Zany, zing, zap. ZZ Rap, the Z team….great show

[@garzhao5924]

As Snowden tells it in Permanent Record, he was on his way to Ecuador and got stuck in Russia. Which in hindsight was fortuitous given what Ecuador did to Assange.

[@cicada784]

I'd vote for one year of Bernie Sanders, or his brain in a jar, over 4 years of any other candidate except Gabbard. Especially Sanders with a decent running mate. The heart attack doesn't matter as long as he get gets back in the game. It's the policies that matter.

[@joantangen1368]

Excellent guys!! Joan Tangen

[@MrDeicide1]

Butt, I can't wait for Next Week !!!

[@mydudeleakytiki3261]

Not getting your interview of Nadya Tolokonnikova in my recommended videos, but I'm getting everything else. Length???? Love Useful Idiots. Great interviews. Just curious why KZbin is choosing to leave that one interview off their recommendations.

[@Stbuster31]

I was so happy when Matt came out calling out the bs whistleblower story. Keep it up

[@hrivera6941]

Hedges said ER understands that as a species we're fu...ed!! That Made me LOL so hard. Chris is the Master. Awesome guest

[@IvantheVegan]

Incredible story

[@eolle43]

I think they found the old set of THX 1138.

[@jaykay415]

Re Liliana's butterfly tattoo: I'm guessing it referenced the famous Mirabal Sisters' underground fight against Trujillo's brutal dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. The sisters called themselves "Las Mariposas," or Butterflies. More broadly, the fight against repression.

[@bcsusmc75]

Great interview!

[@erinm1218]

Reading Chris Hedge's book Days of Destruction was an awakening. Few people will be able to tolerate so much darkness but it enables the reader to grapple with the nature of evil. Deep spiritual stuff. I love this podcast too!

[@loranelizabeth9148]

Chris is having a really good time here! Never saw him laugh so much. Love it~~~

[@33333Tarun]

Oh boy eh, you don't wanna get a Canadian mad eh!! Maple syrup wars up ahead!!

[@remlatzargonix1329]

Tarun Das ...well, Jethro, as long as you don't get too wasted from drinking your moonshine out of jug, then play your banjo with you feet, before saying goodnight to your sister/mother/wife (not 3 different people, but one and the same person), then I am pretty sure the Canadians won't be too worried about a Yankee hillbilly invasion.

[@autohmae]

Chris Hedges ? Wow, you keep getting great guests !

[@boostinggtirtime]

Oh, hell yes!!

[@NTrevolution]

hedges is a legend

[@komoriaimi]

YOU DO NOT go on the internet and say you don't like cats. Katie just got -50 points with me.

[@dashx1103]

Agree! Cats rule.

[@komoriaimi]

Somewhere along the list of rules of the internet is you do not mess with cats. Katie didn't go as far so she's safe for now. You're on thin ice Miss Halper! 😆

[@RastamonValos]

you gotta apreciate the rolling foreskin banter, that's the only reason why i watch this show

[@jaandugu]

If a conflict with the Intelligence Community like this is occurring with Trump. I’d be worrying what they would try with Sanders, arguably an actual menace to them.

[@n1k01k0]

Chris Hedges thank you.. I was a little kid growing up in the genocide on Bosnian people.

[@richardburt9812]

Barie Weis What total bs. "This is real."

[@tonydimeo1882]

Richard Burt She seems like a twelve year old girl who just went through puberty with views that are just as childish

[@jtulley2839]

I am reading Hunter S Thompson Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail 72 . Jesus God the correlations are staggering !!! Love you guys , so glad to see this , RS keeps on rolling :)

[@malcolmwatt4866]

Best comment. Question: What is the end game? Answer: They don't know. My answer: They do. What is the end game? Chaos to enforce Order. What else is new.

[@MayanScientist]

Halper is ON FIRE in this episode!

[@JuniorRodigan]

Save 37 minutes of your life & skip to 37 minutes to see the start of the actual interview. Smh.

[@newbritaindemocat]

Much Credit to Chris Hedges in carrying on the work of I.F. Stone when it’s needed most.