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The 20th anniversary of 9/11 has now passed. Afghanistan remains a mess. The delta variant is ripping through thousands of unvaccinated lives. And there is new, looming domestic terrorism threat facing our Capitol this week.  It’s all a painful reminder that our fun, vaccinated summer of 2021 is almost over. Fall is coming in fast. And it’s definitely a time to stay vigilant. There have been 46 Presidents of the United States. There have been only 20 Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. And you’re about to hear from the best one of our lifetime.  Mike Mullen is a man who might have made a hell of a president. Mostly, because he never wanted to be one. But he’s also a man who almost became a candidate for Vice President of the United States. And not as a Republican or a Democrat, but as an independent.  Independent Americans is continuing our unique, independent focus on the most urgent threats facing America. And exploring how they’re all intertwined. And how we can pull them part–and fight them together. From 9/11, to the pandemic, to January 6th, to the debacle in Afghanistan, to the threats of domestic extremism–they’re all a test of the fabric of our nation. And they all are made worse by how badly that fabric has been weakened since 9/11.  Is 2021 America what Osama Bin Laden would have dreamed of? 650,000 Americans dead, our international reputation in shambles, our politics paralyzed, our people divided, and literally, killing each other.  Just like 20 years ago this week, we have a choice to make. Do we stand with America and a brighter future? Or do we stand with the enemies, and the darkness that will extinguish the bright glow of the shining city on the hill?  It’s another conversation that keeps it real. With tough lessons–and hard truths. The kind to help you stay vigilant. Because eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.  We’re bringing the Righteous Media 5 I’s: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. We’re going from last episode with the truth from a firefighter who stood on the pile, to this episode with the truth from the admiral, The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, who was the senior military leader in the Situation Room, standing behind President Obama, watching the Bin Laden raid unfold on May 1, 2011. Admiral Mullen has been America’s bodyguard. He was also the boss of every single man and woman in uniform who died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Welcome to a fireside chat with a true guardian of our democracy. An exploration of leadership–with a true patriot. A sailor, an Admiral, a warrior, a scholar…and maybe most importantly of all now, a grandfather. Our host, national security and political analyst and Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) takes you behind the scenes for candid conversations with top leaders from all backgrounds. It’s a bold and blunt perspective you won’t find anywhere else on the media landscape. You can support this show and join the community of listeners by joining our IA Patreon community. You’ll get access to events, guests, merch discounts, and exclusive content. And you’ll help us keep speaking truth to power. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. On social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. Where you can check out new IA merch to hook up your favorite independent as fall approaches. You can also watch the full conversation with the Admiral and Paul Rieckhoff here:

After 20 years, all US troops are now out of Afghanistan. Is that a good thing? Is the war really over? What happens now to our Afghan allies left behind? Will there be any accountability for failure in Washington? After gripping episodes with Matt Zeller, Jane Horton and Kristen Rouse, the newest episode is keeping our focus squarely on Afghanistan. The military pieces, media coverage, political spin, humanitarian need, the human story–we’re digging into all of what is happening right now. Our guest has been there. He’s a leader for this moment. He just returned from a controversial, unauthorized visit to Afghanistan made alongside fellow veteran and Democrat Congressman Seth Moulton. And he’ll take us inside what he saw.  Representative Peter Meijer is a freshman Republican Congressman who succeeded Republican maverick Justin Amash, in the seat representing Michigan’s 3rd district. He’s fighting for Afghans, he’s fighting partisanship, he’s fighting his own party, and he’s fighting for real change.  After high school, Peter enlisted in the Army reserves and deployed to Iraq with an intelligence unit. After returning, Peter joined Team Rubicon, a veteran-based disaster response organization led by Episode 107 Guest Jake Wood where Peter led humanitarian efforts focused on South Sudan’s refugee crisis. He also led operations in New York after Superstorm Sandy, Oklahoma after a series of tornadoes, and the Philippines after Super Typhoon Yolanda. Peter then accepted a job with a non-governmental organization in Afghanistan. He ran the NGO’s advisory operations in southern Afghanistan, managing a team to help aid workers provide relief to Afghan people. He later served as acting Deputy Director for Afghanistan, delivering emergency assistance to aid workers after kidnappings and targeted killings. Peter knows Afghanistan, knows national security, knows humanitarian work. And he knows this moment. And you need to hear what he knows. He’s fighting for Afghan allies, for accountability around failures of the last month, and for his fellow veterans. He is also fighting with his own party. He was one of only 10 Republicans in the House to vote for the impeachment of Donald Trump. And he’s fighting now to repeal the AUMF (Authorization for Use of Military Force), for the truth inside what happened on the January 6th insurrection–and for the soul of the Republican party.   Our host, national security and political analyst and Army veteran Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) has known Peter for over a decade. He digs deep with Pete and breaks down the latest news from a truly independent viewpoint. It’s a bold and blunt perspective you won’t find anywhere else on the media landscape. You can support this show and join the community of listeners by joining our IA Patreon community. You’ll get access to events, guests, merch discounts, and exclusive content. And you’ll help us keep speaking truth to power. Paul Begala called Independent Americans: “What all political pods ought to be: fun, engaging, freewheeling, and respectful – even welcoming- of different points of view.” You can watch the video of this conversation with Rep. Peter Meijer and more than 100 other important, inspiring and iconic leaders from Sarah Jessica Parker to Admiral James Starvridis; Stephen Colbert to Pete Buttigieg; Jeffrey Wright to Rachel Maddow on the Righteous YouTube page. Independent Americans connects, informs and inspires–and is powered by Righteous Media. On social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And check out the new IA merch to hook up your favorite independent as fall approaches. You can also watch the full conversation with Peter and Paul Rieckhoff here:  Stay vigilant, America.