The Network State: A Tech Fascist Empire

The gang discuss Polymarket gamblers harassing journalists to alter news coverage, the antifa terrorism case in Texas, threats to oil and gas infrastructure, 2,500 Marines being sent to the Middle East, and the resignation of Joe Kent. Sources: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iran-attack-damage-wipes-out-17-qatars-lng-capacity-three-five-years-qatarenergy-2026-03-19/ https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-vows-no-more-attacks-by-israel-iran-gas-field-after-it-violently-lashed-2026-03-19/ https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/19/strike-on-key-iranian-gas-field-is-a-new-phase-of-the-war-trump-blames-israel-00837052 https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/19/why-targeting-kharg-island-could-backfire-on-trump-00834972?nid=0000015a-dd3e-d536-a37b-dd7fd8af0000&nname=playbook-pm&nrid=9f5c80e5-432f-4eff-99b5-c830ad9d5d94 https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/19/iran-war-live-updates-oil-prices-gas-field-strikes-pentagon-more-funds-trump-news https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/wrapup1-iran-targets-energy-facilities-across-gulf-after-israel-struck-its-key-2026-03-19/ https://apnews.com/article/ships-iran-oil-china-us-trump-hormuz-82a9acb473837f1bf7a821d0c3f95205 https://defector.com/trump-to-world-please-help-me-un-shoot-my-own-leg-off https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/strait-hormuz-coalition-allies-statement-uk https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/19/european-nations-japan-to-join-appropriate-efforts-to-open-hormuz-strait https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/joint-statement-strait-hormuz-by-european-nations-japan-2026-03-19/ https://communityforums.atmeta.com/blog/AnnouncementsBlog/updates-to-your-meta-quest-experience-in-2026/1369435 https://x.com/NYCMayor/status/2033674470712353192?s=20  https://www.keranews.org/criminal-justice/2026-03-03/prairieland-ice-detention-center-shooting-trial-defendants-self-defense-third-party-defense-theory-judge-mark-pittman https://prairielanddefendants.com/court-notes/march-3rd-federal-trial-day-7/ https://prairielanddefendants.com/court-notes/march-6th-federal-trial-day-10/ https://prairielanddefendants.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Superseding-Indictment-2.pdf https://prairielanddefendants.com/court-notes/february-27th-federal-trial-day-6/ https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/antifa-cell-members-convicted-prairieland-ice-detention-center-shooting https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488.366.0.pdf https://prairielanddefendants.com/court-notes/march-9th-federal-trial-day-11/ https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R41333 https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488/gov.uscourts.txnd.410488.367.0.pdf https://x.com/petrogustavo/status/2034111241409445916?s=20  https://x.com/LisaDNews/status/2033996104186970532?s=20  https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2032460946770202725?s=20  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gregory-bovino-border-patrol-to-retire-sources/  https://x.com/wartranslated/status/2033497141306405353?s=20  https://www.breitbart.com/border/2026/03/16/exclusive-border-patrol-sector-chief-gregory-bovino-to-retire-after-leading-largest-interior-immigration-operations-in-u-s-history/  https://www.cbp.gov/employee-resources/retirement/leo-cbpo/cbpo-retirement  https://www.cbp.gov/employee-resources/retirement/fers  https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/03/justices-will-hear-argument-on-trump-administrations-removal-of-protected-status-for-syrian-and-haitian-nationals/  https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/031626zr1_5h25.pdf  https://x.com/NotWoofers/status/2033733565838496020?s=20  https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/3/15/fpv-drone-slams-into-us-military-base-in-iraq  https://hengaw.net/en/reports-and-statistics-1/2026/03/article-8  https://hengaw.net/en/news/2026/03/article-17  https://x.com/joekent16jan19/status/2033897242986209689?s=20  https://x.com/PressSec/status/2033932810709315865See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia is once again joined by Shanley of vcinfodocs to discuss how the network state is spreading tech fascism worldwide from El Salvador to Saudi Arabia. Sources: https://www.vcinfodocs.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mia talks with Shanley from the anti-tech fascism resource vcinfodocs about the venture capital firms backing everything from cryptocurrency to drone manufacturers. https://www.vcinfodocs.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana El Kurd breaks down the ongoing debate among Palestinians about what should happen in Gaza, whether Hamas should disarm, and the role of armed tactics more generally. (Please note this episode was recorded prior to the 2026 Iran War) Sources: Moral Matters in Hard Times - https://www.dohainstitute.org/en/Lists/ACRPS-PDFDocumentLibrary/moral-matters-in-hard-times.pdf October 2025 poll of Palestinians - https://www.pcpsr.org/sites/default/files/Poll%2096%20press%20release%20FINAL%20ENGLISH%2028%20Oct%202025.pdf Disarmament reporting - https://x.com/DropSiteNews/status/2020639164602200358 Khaled Meshaal interview with Drop Site News - https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/hamas-leader-khaled-meshaal-interview-trump-maga-united-states-support-israel-gaza-netanyahu Reconstruction of Gaza reporting - https://www.dw.com/en/trump-board-of-peace-backers-pledge-5-billion-for-gaza/a-75982195 Aljazeera reporting on Israeli backed gangs in Gaza - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/6/armed-militia-members-are-serving-as-israeli-agents-in-gaza-investigation Panel interview in Gaza - https://youtu.be/gbG2HxwLHgk?si=im4SHWm6v0g60t75See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James and Gare talk about the world of private maritime security, pirates, and the strait of Hormuz. Sources: https://www.register-iri.com/wp-content/uploads/MN-2-011-39.pdf https://en.mercopress.com/2009/04/26/cruise-ship-melody-fended-off-a-pirate-attack  https://www.jstor.org/stable/48821900?searchText=&searchUri=&ab_segments=&searchKey=&refreqid=fastly-default%3Aa5c02fb4e4aea98208bb9f0b37780d3b&initiator=recommender&seq=1  https://abcnews.com/Business/International/pirates-attack-us-flagged-maersk-alabama/story?id=9114429  https://www.ospreyobserver.com/2011/11/riverview-resident-receives-commemorative-knife-after-surviving-pirate-attack/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margaret reads you a story about the magic embeded into the mundaneSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file.  - UFOs, Spies, and Pizzagate: The Clinton Epstein Deposition  - Is the Economy About to Explode? - Outlaw: Criminalization of ICE Watch in Minneapolis - The Fake Crisis Behind Trump's Tariffs - Executive Disorder: War on Iran, Kristi Noem, Sea Mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Proton Mail You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today! http://apple.co/coolerzone Sources/Links: UFOs, Spies, and Pizzagate: The Clinton Epstein Deposition https://oversight.house.gov/release/chairman-comer-clintons-must-be-held-accountable-for-refusing-to-comply-with-duly-issued-bipartisan-subpoenas/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siiAk6WXc0M https://www.cpr.org/2026/02/26/lauren-boebert-photo-hillary-clinton-pausing-epstein-deposition/ https://nypost.com/2026/03/03/us-news/hillary-clintons-team-demanded-beauty-lighting-for-oversight-deposition-was-wary-of-looking-like-a-hostage-source/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgJrYKAl6T0 Is the Economy About to Explode? https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/04/south-korea-stocks-kospi.html https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/persian-gulf-oil-squeeze-d9a39190 https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/09/nikkei-225-hang-seng-index-kospi-crude-wti-brent-oil-futures-iran-war-gulf-hormuz.html https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/08/stock-market-today-live-updates.html https://x.com/weijia/status/2031086856679412042?s=20 Outlaw: Criminalization of ICE Watch in Minneapolis To learn more about how the law is used to crush dissent, check out the other episodes of Outlaw, an anti-repression podcast. Follow https://www.instagram.com/outlaw.pod/ on Instagram & @outlawpod.bsky.social Bluesky, & Substack https://outlawpodcast.substack.com/subscribe Get in touch: [email protected] Solidarity with Isavela: Support Her Legal Fight https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-isavela-support-her-legal-fight Follow Home Girlz 4 Isa to stay updated on her case https://www.instagram.com/homegirlz4isa Help keep vulnerable Minneapolis neighbors housed: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-phillips-families-in-urgent-need The Fake Crisis Behind Trump's Tariffs https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/10/senate-democrats-bill-small-businesses-trump-tariffs https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/trumps-new-tariffs-shift-focus-balance-payments-economists-see-no-crisis-2026-02-24/ https://archive.vn/E3fwh#selection-479.0-482.0 https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/News/2026-News/court-orders-refunds-for-ieepa-tariffs-implementation-process-ongoing.aspx https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2026/feb/us-dollar-role-as-reserve-currency https://sudanreeves.org/2018/05/10/the-collapse-of-sudans-economy-is-accelerating-along-with-human-suffering/ https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2016/11/01/international-trade https://www.khanacademy.org/economics-finance-domain/ap-macroeconomics/ap-open-economy-international-trade-and-finance/the-balance-of-payments/a/the-balance-of-payments https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/bolivias-balance-payments-crisis-brings-back-bad-memories https://www.elibrary.imf.org/display/book/9781557758286/ch02.xml https://www.krwg.org/local-viewpoints/2026-03-10/scotus-decision-on-tariffs https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gov-healey-demands-refunds-mass-182527561.html https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5775500-businesses-sue-trump-tariffs/ https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2025/oct/what-is-the-balance-of-payments https://www.investopedia.com/insights/what-is-the-balance-of-payments/ https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-bill/10710/text https://www.rba.gov.au/education/resources/explainers/the-balance-of-payments.html https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-434-back-to-the-1970s-again https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/docs/publications/frbslreview/rev_stls_196103.pdf https://muse.jhu.edu/article/952314 https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/022/0003/003/article-A003-en.xml https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3545&context=faculty_scholarship Executive Disorder: War on Iran, Kristi Noem, Sea Mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Proton Mail https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-isis-supporters-charged-attempting-detonate-explosive-devices-during-protests-outside  https://www.npr.org/2026/03/05/nx-s1-5737562/justice-department-missing-epstein-files-trump https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/09/trump-is-delaying-texas-senate-endorsement-to-pressure-gop-senators-on-save-america-act-00819991?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/president-trump-secures-historic-commitment-to-keep-electricity-costs-down-amid-data-center-boom/  https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-advances-energy-affordability-with-the-ratepayer-protection-pledge/  https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge/  https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge-proclamation/ https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=91c3f239c18349fdb409f901c50b7e71&mediatype=video https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-cuba-may-or-may-not-be-friendly-takeover-2026-03-09/ https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/cuba-trump-iran-venezuela/686203/  https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/politics/trump-cuba-marco-rubio-fall https://archive.ph/n8IuV#selection-615.200-615.231 https://bsky.app/profile/proton.me/post/3mgfkfdazls2c Shield of the Americas - Doral 2026  https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/2029647010002055467  https://www.usaspeShield of the Americas - Doral 2026nding.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000055_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-  https://fbodaily.com/archive/2025/08-August/21-Aug-2025/FBO-07556474.htm  https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2026/markwayne-mullin-smell-of-war/  ​​https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/many-150-us-troops-wounded-so-far-iran-war-sources-say-2026-03-10/  https://x.com/Southcom/status/2030056869624955036?s=20  https://x.com/SecWar/status/2029675198115401932?s=20  https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/terrorist-designations-of-los-choneros-and-los-lobos  https://x.com/Southcom/status/2029011785567572285?s=20  https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/  https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/commitment-to-countering-cartel-criminal-activity/  https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/06/russia-iran-intelligence-us-targets/  https://hengaw.net/en/reports-and-statistics-1/2026/03/article-6  https://x.com/BaxtiyarGoran/status/2031747170588577931?s=20  https://www.patreon.com/posts/trump-model-for-152819826?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gang discuss the totally real “Shield of the Americas,” an attempted bombing in NYC, fluctuating oil prices, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, and Trump marking Cuba as the next target of US intervention. Sources: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-isis-supporters-charged-attempting-detonate-explosive-devices-during-protests-outside  https://www.npr.org/2026/03/05/nx-s1-5737562/justice-department-missing-epstein-files-trump https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/09/trump-is-delaying-texas-senate-endorsement-to-pressure-gop-senators-on-save-america-act-00819991?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/president-trump-secures-historic-commitment-to-keep-electricity-costs-down-amid-data-center-boom/  https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-advances-energy-affordability-with-the-ratepayer-protection-pledge/  https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge/  https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge-proclamation/ https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=91c3f239c18349fdb409f901c50b7e71&mediatype=video https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-cuba-may-or-may-not-be-friendly-takeover-2026-03-09/ https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/cuba-trump-iran-venezuela/686203/  https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/politics/trump-cuba-marco-rubio-fall https://archive.ph/n8IuV#selection-615.200-615.231 https://bsky.app/profile/proton.me/post/3mgfkfdazls2c Shield of the Americas - Doral 2026  https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/2029647010002055467  https://www.usaspeShield of the Americas - Doral 2026nding.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000055_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-  https://fbodaily.com/archive/2025/08-August/21-Aug-2025/FBO-07556474.htm  https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2026/markwayne-mullin-smell-of-war/  ​​https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/many-150-us-troops-wounded-so-far-iran-war-sources-say-2026-03-10/  https://x.com/Southcom/status/2030056869624955036?s=20  https://x.com/SecWar/status/2029675198115401932?s=20  https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/terrorist-designations-of-los-choneros-and-los-lobos  https://x.com/Southcom/status/2029011785567572285?s=20  https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/  https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/commitment-to-countering-cartel-criminal-activity/  https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/06/russia-iran-intelligence-us-targets/  https://hengaw.net/en/reports-and-statistics-1/2026/03/article-6  https://x.com/BaxtiyarGoran/status/2031747170588577931?s=20  https://www.patreon.com/posts/trump-model-for-152819826?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Trump fakes a balance of payments crisis to implement more tariffs, Mia faces her demons to explain what any of that means. Sources: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/10/senate-democrats-bill-small-businesses-trump-tariffs https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/trumps-new-tariffs-shift-focus-balance-payments-economists-see-no-crisis-2026-02-24/ https://archive.vn/E3fwh#selection-479.0-482.0 https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/News/2026-News/court-orders-refunds-for-ieepa-tariffs-implementation-process-ongoing.aspx https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2026/feb/us-dollar-role-as-reserve-currency https://sudanreeves.org/2018/05/10/the-collapse-of-sudans-economy-is-accelerating-along-with-human-suffering/ https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2016/11/01/international-trade https://www.khanacademy.org/economics-finance-domain/ap-macroeconomics/ap-open-economy-international-trade-and-finance/the-balance-of-payments/a/the-balance-of-payments https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/bolivias-balance-payments-crisis-brings-back-bad-memories https://www.elibrary.imf.org/display/book/9781557758286/ch02.xml https://www.krwg.org/local-viewpoints/2026-03-10/scotus-decision-on-tariffs https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gov-healey-demands-refunds-mass-182527561.html https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5775500-businesses-sue-trump-tariffs/ https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2025/oct/what-is-the-balance-of-payments https://www.investopedia.com/insights/what-is-the-balance-of-payments/ https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-bill/10710/text https://www.rba.gov.au/education/resources/explainers/the-balance-of-payments.html https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-434-back-to-the-1970s-again https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/docs/publications/frbslreview/rev_stls_196103.pdf https://muse.jhu.edu/article/952314 https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/022/0003/003/article-A003-en.xml https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3545&context=faculty_scholarshipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Outlaw Podcast's first feature on ICHH, Olive talks with people detained and prosecuted for responding to ICE in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge. Clem and Ray describe being dragged from their car and taken into ICE detention, and Isavela Lopez and Lucy talk about catching charges and navigating ongoing cases. These conversations offer concrete insight into how federal agencies are responding to anti-ICE activity in the Twin Cities, and the impact that has on people's lives. To learn more about how the law is used to crush dissent, check out the other episodes of Outlaw, an anti-repression podcast. Follow https://www.instagram.com/outlaw.pod/ on Instagram & @outlawpod.bsky.social Bluesky, & Substack https://outlawpodcast.substack.com/subscribe Get in touch: [email protected] Solidarity with Isavela: Support Her Legal Fight https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-isavela-support-her-legal-fight Follow Home Girlz 4 Isa to stay updated on her case https://www.instagram.com/homegirlz4isa Help keep vulnerable Minneapolis neighbors housed: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-phillips-families-in-urgent-need Intro Music: Star by Tufawon https://www.instagram.com/tufawon/ Outro Music: “Justice Never Brought Anyone Back from the Dead” by Twin Cities artist who wishes to remain anonymousSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.