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The John Batchelor ShowAuthor: John Batchelor
The John Batchelor Show is a hard news-analysis radio program on current events, world history, global politics and natural sciences. Based in New York City for two decades, the show has travelled widely to report, from the Middle East to the South Caucasus to the Arabian Peninsula and East Asia. Language: en-us Genres: News, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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S8 Ep850: SCHEDULE OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 5-8-2026. 1900 VERA CRUZ.
Episode 850
Friday, 8 May, 2026
SCHEDULE OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 5-8-2026.1900 VERA CRUZ.1/16: Jeff Bliss discusses the Los Angeles mayor's race, highlighting actor Spencer Pratt's surprising success in a recent debate. Pratt earned 83% viewer support by using AI-generated campaign videos to critique incumbents Karen Bass and Nithia Ramen. Critics question if an actor can successfully navigate the city council.2/16: Jeff Bliss analyzes the California governor's race, focusing on Republican outsider Steve Hilton. Hilton positions himself as a reformer against Democrats like Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer. The segment also touches on the construction of a new Las Vegas baseball stadium for the A's.3/16: Richard Epstein explores legal challenges regarding redistricting following Louisiana v. Kales. He details the evolution of the Voting Rights Act from addressing racial exclusion to modern debates over partisan gerrymandering. Epstein argues that while technology aids gerrymandering, it increases electoral risks in "wave" elections.4/16: Richard Epstein evaluates the Middle East crisis, advocating for unconditional surrender against bad actors like Iran. He criticizes current US foreign policy for ambiguity. Epstein emphasizes that long-term stability requires regime change and overwhelming force to break the influence of hostile regional powers.5/16: Jim McTague reports on Lancaster County's economy, noting a significant drop in restaurant foot traffic due to rising gasoline prices. While younger crowds have slowed spending, senior citizens remain active. The segment also covers the local job fair, where highly skilled technical positions remain in high demand.6/16: Lorenzo Fiori discusses Secretary of State Marco Rubio's meeting with the Pope to mend relations. He also addresses controversy at the Venice Biennale, arguing art should serve as a bridge between nations during conflict. The segment concludes with celebrations for the 800th anniversary of St. Francis.7/16: Bob Zimmerman examines the burgeoning private space industry in India and the US. He discusses the shortage of solid rocket boosters and competition between Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman. Additionally, Zimmerman describes a complex "dance" in orbit involving American, Russian, and Chinese inspector satellites.8/16: Bob Zimmerman critiques the failure of UK spaceports due to excessive bureaucracy. He provides updates on NASA's Curiosity rover, which recently freed a stuck rock from its drill on Mars. Furthermore, the Juno mission continues its observations of Jupiter's moons despite running low on fuel.9/16: Evan Ellis discusses the unprecedented US indictment of sitting Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya for ties to the Sinaloa cartel. The indictment reveals deep corruption within the Mexican political system. Ellis explains how cartels utilize global networks and legitimate legal firms to launder billions.10/16: Evan Ellis analyzes Argentina's recovery, highlighting a 5% increase in industrial output. President Javier Milei's fiscal policies have stabilized the currency, though global factors keep inflation high. Despite economic progress, Milei's inner circle faces ongoing corruption investigations that could impact his political momentum.11/16: Evan Ellis reports on Venezuela's repressive regime, which continues to hold political prisoners despite an economic reopening. He discusses the US fuel blockade on Cuba and its humanitarian impact. Potential resolutions include naming a date for Venezuelan elections and ratcheting diplomatic pressure on the Cuban leadership.12/16: Evan Ellis examines neck-and-neck presidential races in Peru and Colombia. In Peru, the contest between Keiko Fujimori and Roberto Sanchez carries implications for relations with China. Colombia faces a similar choice between right-wing candidates and the leftist Ivan Cepeda, affecting future security cooperation.13/16: Tal Fortgang discusses St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, a case involving state subsidies for religious schools. Colorado is accused of using secular conditions to exclude religious institutions from preschool programs. The case questions whether states can constitutionally bar religious parents from generally available public benefits.14/16: Tal Fortgang highlights an ecumenical coalition opposing discrimination against religious groups. He cites the Notre Dame Education Law Project as a leader in identifying and rooting out residual legal biases. The segment details specific hostilities in Colorado, where social progressivism often clashes with traditional religious institutions.15/16: Gene Marks observes steady business for construction and safety industries across the US. He notes that raw material costs have surged significantly. Despite inflation, consumer spending remains vigorous, with major retailers like Amazon reporting their strongest retail growth since the pandemic.16/16: Gene Marks explains how small businesses are developing custom AI applications to improve productivity. He highlights tools like Claude for automating sales quotes and executive summaries. However, researchers warn that AI's tendency toward sycophancy and charm can sometimes mislead users in professional settings.
