A WORLD GONE MAD
A Progressive Liberal News Podcast
Veteran Television, and Radio Broadcaster Jeff Alan Wolf offers his Observations on the issues (many issues) of the week with a fearless liberal bent. His solid delivery, and dry common sense approach sets him apart from other liberals that populate Talk and Commentary Podcasts”
Jeff Does NOT Pull Punches.
He does NOT Make comments that are “SAFE”.
He tells the Truth.
(He Tells It As He Sees It)
He Is Very OPINIONATED!
He says the things Out Loud YOU’RE
already thinking.
Jeff is Unfiltered, Unspun, A little Unhinged, but offers a lot of Common Sense.
This Podcast could make you MAD.
This Podcast could make you SMILE.
Regardless, it WILL make you THINK!
A WORLD GONE MAD
Trump Strikes Iran, Restrictions From Supreme Court, DHS, and State, A Dictatorship In The Making!
America stands at a dangerous crossroads where environmental protections are being dismantled, congressional oversight is being restricted, and international relations are spiraling toward potential conflict.
The Supreme Court's decision on California's emission power is made.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has implemented new restrictions.
Similarly troubling is the new requirement on student visa applicants. Wait until you hear this one.
The most alarming development remains Trump's move on Iran's nuclear facilities!
Madness after madness leading to a Dictatorship in America.
Yet even in these dark times, stories of extraordinary humanity shine through: a woman spending 11 years to thank people?, high school senior sketches 110 portraits?, an elderly woman at the age of 82 weightlifting?, and an elephant becomes a hero by saving…?
These reminders of our capacity for kindness and connection offer essential hope as we navigate this increasingly chaotic landscape.
We must recognize what's happening and take action. This isn't about partisan politics—it's about preserving democracy, protecting our environment, and preventing unnecessary conflicts. Will you join the conversation about how we can stand together against this madness?
We need to Stay Hopeful
AWorldGoneMadPodcast@gmail.com
This is a world gone mad. This is a world gone mad. And another day in a world gone mad. I'm Jeff Allen Wolfe. I'm back again to give my commentary on the news. Thank you for joining me. Okay, let's talk about the madness.
Speaker 1:Supreme Court narrows California's emission power. The US Supreme Court ruled that fuel producers like Now. Justice Kavanaugh emphasized that regulated industries have standing to sue when regulations harm them financially. Reversing an earlier lower court decision them financially reversing an earlier lower court decision. Justices Jackson and Sotomayor dissented. Warning this weakens environmental oversight and gives undue corporate influence. In practical terms, this means fossil fuel interests now have a legal pathway to contest California's zero emission vehicle mandate for 2035. The ruling doesn't overturn California's rules yet but creates the potential for protracted legal battles. Observers warn this could slow forward momentum on climate regulations nationwide and embolden challenges to other federal or state level green standards. Now two of the Democratic justices dissented. So Elena Kagan either voted with the conservative side or did she abstain. Anyway, more dismantling of environmental protections. I don't understand it. This is not a Jeff Democratic liberal viewpoint. This is not a Republican viewpoint. This issue is a common sense viewpoint and we're doing everything we can to destroy our environment as fast as we can.
Speaker 1:Dhs mandates advance notice for congressional visits to ICE. The Department of Homeland Security quietly introduced a new rule requiring lawmakers to provide 72-hour notice for visits to ICE field offices and 24 hours for staff entry. The policy shift follows tense encounters like the June 9th confrontation in Newark, where Representative McIver and others were blocked by ICE officials. Mciver, rather, and others were blocked by ICE officials. Critics argued this limits executive oversight, breaches statutory rights of Congress. Representative Benny Thompson called it unlawful, while others say it signals growing authoritarian tendencies within DHS. Proponents defend it as a necessary safety measure for secure facilities. The debate now centers on whether this policy undermines transparency or enhances deterrence against unsanctioned visits. You know what I think. How about having a 72-hour waiting period before the police can bust a drug ring? Or to stop a shooting at a school? We have to give 72 hours notice to the shooter before we can intervene. This ruling is ludicrous. You're telling members of Congress and the Senate that they can't go investigate something without notice because we need to give those people time to prepare to clean up any problems before anyone catches them.
Speaker 1:Absurd Student visa entrance must disclose social media. Now the US State Department has resumed processing foreign student visas F, m and J categories, but with a new requirement Applicants must unlock and make their social media profiles public. Posts likes follows may now be scrutinized for signs of hostility toward the US, and a refusal to comply risks visa denial. Now critics, including universities and civil liberties advocates, say the rule could chill free expression, impact academic freedom and discourage thousands of international students, who contribute significantly to US education and research, from coming. Now embassies are citing new workloads and applicants from schools with less than 50% international enrollment may face greater scrutiny. International enrollment may face greater scrutiny. Look, I understand what they're trying to do and they put it in a veil of, you know, just being sure and protecting the university or protecting the workplace or whatever you want to call it. But the truth of the matter is this is an invasion of privacy and another dagger to free speech and expression. I just don't agree with this level of oversight.
Speaker 1:Surgeon threats to elected officials Following the politically motivated shooting of two Minnesota state legislators. Capitol Police report a record 9,474 threats logged in 2024, highest since the January 6th Capitol attack. Senators and representatives are now urging increased security funding, with bipartisan calls for tougher enforcement and better protection measures. Authorities are also debating preventative steps like enhanced screening, increased agency coordination and speedier prosecutions. The Minnesota assassination is part of a worrying national trend. Not only are threats increasing, but violence is creeping closer to home in state capitals, prompting deeper reflection on political rhetoric and safety for public servants. Look, what we've come to is massive threats, dangerous life and death and, in some case, fatal threats carried out against public servants. And the appalling part of all this is how the Republicans don't see this as a problem, don't see this expanding violence against people who represent other factions. What's next? Attacking podcasters or people on YouTube or newspaper journalists? Yeah, I know that's not far-fetched, is it so Trump mulled bunker buster strike on Iran and its Fordow installation.
Speaker 1:So sources reported that former President Trump was weighing a decision on deploying GBU-57 Bunker Buster against Iran's deeply buried nuclear sites, despite concerns that such strike could destabilize the region, evoking a Libya-style aftermath. Trump was leaning towards action if negotiations failed, although he paused it for two weeks to weigh the risk. You know the taco syndrome Now. These bunker busters were among the few weapons capable of penetrating the fortified underground structure, but military advisers are divided over their effectiveness. The final decision was expected to happen within the next fortnight, with Israeli officials urging decisive strikes, while European actors simultaneously pushed for diplomacy. You know the bravado, the false bravado, from Donald I'm going to do this and if you don't do that and I don't follow through with it, the taco syndrome. Like I said, he was going to delay it for two weeks, trump follows up.
Speaker 1:This is the style of Donald Trump. Again, not a true leader and I've said it over and over again not decisive, pretends, you know, to look big. All bluster, all bark, no bite, no substance. And that Iran was hit from Donald Trump. That's right. Donald Trump, the administration, the military did strike the nuclear facilities in Iran in the last 12 hours. On again, off again. Donald. No consistency, no diplomacy, no understanding how the world works. And he's putting the Middle East in a very frigging, dangerous situation and we're all holding our breath to see what Iran's going to do, and then Israel, and then USA again, and then the other people, china, and see what Iran's going to do, and then Israel, and then USA again, and then the other people, china and Russia. Just a shit show, all because of Trump. He's in action, then he's in action, then he's in action, and then finally he does this.
Speaker 1:Iran launches missiles at Sirocco Hospital in Israel. Over 30 Iranian missiles struck southern Israel, including the Siroka Medical Center in Beersheba, wounding at least 50 individuals, six critically. Israel responded by bombing Iran's Arak heavy water reactor and threats emerged against Iran's supreme leader, tehran. They have called a war crime. All of this In response to escalating regional risk.
Speaker 1:European ministers convened in Geneva to explore diplomatic options. While nations like the UK began evacuating embassy staff from Iran, israel, however, remained skeptical of diplomatic overtures, continued to push US to make a make a strike, push Donald Trump to action and kept the tensions dangerously elevated. And Trump acted and struck Iran. Just unbelievable global push to de-escalate the Middle East tensions. Now international leaders, spearheaded by EU ministers, are urgently pushing for de-escalation amid growing Iran-Israel hostilities. Now that the US is involved. Meetings in Geneva involving Germany, france, the UK, eu diplomats aim to prevent further civilian casualties and averta broader regional war. Meanwhile, embassies, including Britain's, are withdrawing staff from Tehran and advising nationals to avoid travel. Clear indication of escalating international concern, the US was urging American citizens in Israel and Iran to leave.
Speaker 1:With both sides deeply entrenched, the risk of a wider Middle Eastern conflict after Donald struck Iran has never been higher. We know how dangerous this is because embassies are being told to close. World leaders are scrambling. Obviously all because Israel, and now Trump with his strike on Iran, are making this firestorm ratchet up a thousandfold, are making this firestorm ratchet up a thousandfold. This Wolfpack listeners, is like carrying nitroglycerin on your fingertip.
Speaker 1:The US CEOs hit five-year low in economic outlook. According to the latest Business Roundtable data, sentiment among US CEOs have plummeted to a five-year low, with the CEO Economic Outlook Index dropping to 69 in Q2, well below the long-run average of 83. Roughly 40% of CEOs plan to reduce their workforce in the next six months, a sharp increase from 30% in the first quarter. This downturn is driven by heightened uncertainty around trade policies, escalating tariffs, labor shortages and rising costs of materials. The housing sector is also showing weakness, with new starts and building permits down sharply in May worrying sign that the high mortgage rates are indeed suppressing construction. Together, these trends suggest that, while the labor market remains resilient worrying sign that the high mortgage rates are indeed suppressing construction. Together, these trends suggest that, while the labor market remains resilient, cracks are forming under mounting macroeconomic pressures, hinting at a potential slowdown ahead. In other words, the CEOs are concerned about the madness creative with the reflection of Donald Trump and the lack of spine that the Republicans have not shown, not stood up by not going against Donald. And when CEOs are talking about this, then you know we're in a serious situation.
Speaker 1:Brazil pushes for expanded climate commitments at COP30. As president of COP30, brazil proposed a bold new framework using states, rather urging states, cities and corporations to commit to emissions targets alongside national pledges, creating what he calls a global determined contribution, cdc. This effort aims to fill gaps left by government in action, enabling US cities and companies to participate. Despite broader federal withdrawal from the Paris Agreement by Donald, brazil's ambassador emphasized that GDC is a new dynamic to integrate non-state actors into global climate goals. The proposal seeks to boost ambition ahead of COP30 in Belém this November. Diplomatic outreach encourages nations to update pledges by September, aiming for a cohesive blend of public and private commitments. Brazil's climate champion noted that sites, rather cities and businesses, often outpace national efforts, highlighting the move as a pragmatic shift towards real world emissions reductions. Great initiative, but the problem is we're 20 to 30 years too late. It's so nice to hear something about like COP 30. But seriously, it's just a snail pace for us, the citizens of this country, and the reality of not dealing with global warming. In another related story.
Speaker 1:Un Ocean Summit marks the turning point in marine protection. Now, at the UN Ocean Summit in Nice, over 60 heads of state, 190 ministers, gathered to elevate ocean conservation onto the international agenda. Member states endorsed a landmark high seas treaty designed to protect 30% of global oceans by 2030, emphasizing curbs on destructive practices like deep sea mining and bottom trawling. France announced the creation of a 5 million square kilometer marine protected area, but drew criticism for only restricting, not banning, the bottom trawling. They're restricting it, they're just not banning it. Though challenges remains as funding and implementation, the summit sparked renewed political will. Notably, 37 countries supported a mining moratorium, marking a significant victory for conservationists. Experts described the summit as a wake-up moment, comparing it to the Paris Agreement and raising awareness and driving commitments towards marine sustainability.
Speaker 1:And I'm going to become redundant, wolfpack listeners Exactly my comment I made before in the previous news article about COP30. The action on the environment, whether it be the COP 30 or this oceans, you know, agreement. It's nice to see this happening, but again, sorry, where was this many years ago? Why is this taking so long? And every time, we come up with a new agreement, a new plan to help the environment, and it's going to happen five years from now and then, and and it's ridiculous we are wasting time. We are behind the eight ball. We are running uphill blindfolded.
Speaker 1:I'm pissed, as I'm sure a lot of you are, with everything that's happening day by day, hour by hour, since Donald's re-election the stupidity, the absurdity, the insanity of striking Iran nuclear facilities and getting involved in creating a bigger war. The delay on these environmental procedures, the delay of people showing up at ICE facilities because they have to get notification All this is stupid. We have lost our sense of direction. We have lost any semblance of intelligence and sanity and moving forward in this country to really make America great again Not the bullshit, make America great again that Donald and MAGA want. We take a breath and I'm sorry, I'm angry Every day. I have to be involved in this. You guys can either go I don't want to listen to you, I don't listen to your podcast because it's too overwhelming. You stick your head in the sand or you just post memes and stories on different websites and I have to deal with this every day. And I'm not saying woe is me, but enough leadership. Democrats, somebody stand up. Let's get action together to stop this, this, this, this robing, this dismantling? The emperor has no clothes. Not two, not three, but four. How do you like that, people? Four uplifting, inspiring stories for you, the Wolfpack listeners.
Speaker 1:A woman writes 10,000 thank you notes over 11 years. Ellen Webster, a resident of Hoboken, new Jersey, has spent the past 11 years writing and sending 10,000 handwritten thank you notes. Her recipients vary widely, from physicians to baristas and authors, each note expressing gratitude for a moment of kindness, encouragement or comfort she experienced. Ellen told ABC News I write because I believe it matters to acknowledge the good people and what they bring into our lives In a digital age saturated by text and emails. Ellen's commitment to handwritten gratitude is extraordinary. She spends two hours daily on this labor of love, carefully selecting stationery, penning personalized messages and mailing them herself. Her mission extends beyond mere politeness she's rebuilding a culture of sincerity and human connection. Recipients often respond with surprise and appreciation, sharing how the unexpected postcards brighten tough days or rekindle hope. Ellen's story reminds us that small, consistent acts of kindness can ripple outward, reinforcing the power of individual agency in fostering community and compassion.
Speaker 1:And in another story, a high school senior sketches 110 classmates. At Notre Dame Academy in Staten Island, new York, graduating senior Sophia Nielsen spent two months sketching portraits of all 110 of her classmates all 110 of her classmates as a project. She completed just before graduation. Drawing during lunch breaks and free periods, sophia aimed to capture each student's unique expression and personality. Her final montage was unveiled at graduation, bringing many people to tears. Sophia's project highlights the power of recognition and connection, especially during a milestone filled with change and uncertainty. She said in an interview I wanted everyone to feel seen before we go our separate ways. The impact was immediate. Students shared that seeing themselves immortalized in art helped forge deeper bonds. The school planned to display the portraits in a permanent gallery. How cool, ensuring lasting memories. Sophia's work exemplifies how one person's creativity makes a difference. And here we go.
Speaker 1:Another uplifting, inspiring story 82-year-old grandmother is going to compete in power lifting at the US Senior Games that's right. Power lifting at the US Senior Games? That's right. At 82 years old, faith O'Reilly is breaking stereotypes and records. After starting weightlifting at the age of 76 to combat osteoporosis, she has grown from resistance bands to lifting 80 plus pounds on the bench press and squatting nearly 120 pounds. Recently she qualified for the US Senior Games, becoming one of the oldest powerlifting competitors in history. What's most inspiring isn't just her age-defying strength, it's her message it's never too late to become your strongest self. Local gyms now report an uptick in older adults seeking training, and Faith is using her platform to advocate for senior fitness. Her story combines grit and heart, showing that empowerment comes at any stage of life.
Speaker 1:And finally, zoo Elephant rescues a drowning gazelle. Picture this At Guatemala City's Aurora Zoo. A heartwarming sight unfolded when an elephant intervened to save a young gazelle trapped in a pond. Using its trunk, the elephant first pulled the startled gazelle halfway out, then gripped its horns and guided it safely to dry land. Amazing Visitors watched in awe, capturing the moment on video. Go look for it. This isn't an isolated incident earlier in 2022. I'm sorry, there was an isolated incident in 2022. Another elephant at the same zoo performed a similar rescue, prompting staff to call them lifeguards. Conservationists say this display showcases compassion and interspecies empathy, reminding humanity that kindness transcends boundaries. It's a powerful message. Real empathy can appear in unexpected forms, even in the wild People, animals, efforts to make a difference in this world. Hopefully these stories inspired you or put a couple of smiles on your face.
Speaker 1:This episode was late because I had a health issue. Friday night had a somewhat emergency. That was resolved, but I couldn't do the episode, so it's coming to you on a Sunday and I do apologize. You're listening to A World Gone Mad. I'm Jeff Allen Wolfe. I'll be back again Monday, tomorrow, less than 24 hours with another episode, waiting to hear from you everyone, and if I don't, then I'm sitting in a room talking to myself. Stay hopeful. There is chaos in the world, can't you see? And we need to stand up and preserve our democracy. This is a world gone mad. This is a world gone mad, mad, mad, mad. Yeah.
