In the aftermath of having their US visas revoked following their comments at Glastonbury, Bob Vylan issued a statement saying they were “a distraction from the story”.

“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people,” their statement said. “We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine … a machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.”

On Free State today, Joe and Dion look at why Bob Vylan are not a distraction, it is more dangerous than that. Instead they explain why they, like Kneecap, are being turned into a futile sacrifice, not to distract from the genocide but to brainwash the gullible into believing they aren’t seeing what they know they’re seeing.

In the week that Palestine Action were banned alongside two neo Nazi groups, they ask what has happened to a society that foams with outrage over comments on a stage but remains quiet about a genocide.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are those who believe Artificial Intelligence will lead to the extinction of mankind. There are those who believe AI will save the world.

On Free State today, journalist and author of the Empire of AI Karen Hao explains why AI is an imperialist project and how the colonising is already taking place.

She says why she believes the doomer vs boomer debate is a distraction and how Ireland is on the frontline of this imperialist project. Water and energy resources will be drained as empires are built while humans will be expendable.

Karen also tells us why the term Artificial Intelligence was a marketing term in the first place which set the technology on a destructive path.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world seems to be intent on tapping into humanity’s worst instincts.

Tech companies ensure the algorithms keep us enraged and fearful, but is there a resistance movement?

On Free State today Dion tries to persuade Joe that Test match cricket is part of a broader cultural phenomenon but will Joe buy it?

Joe looks at how Kilkenny was transformed from a cricket county to the cradle of hurling.

They also consider the All Ireland quarter finals and Dion’s credentials as a Kerry supporter are challenged by Joe, who definitely isn’t buying it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Donald Trump gave the order to bomb Iran, the language of war was mobilised. It is a language where death and misery means peace and love.

On Free State, Joe and Dion look at how war is sold and why the language of war is hard to distinguish from erotica.

The Old Testament was cited by many in America as why they stood with Israel. But did the contributions of AIPAC have more to do with than the bible?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fintan Drury trained as a journalist before becoming a hugely significant figure in Irish corporate life, something he has talked about previously with honesty and some regret.

He returned to his journalistic roots and the tragedy in Gaza compelled him to speak out. His new book Catastrophe is the story of Nakba II.

On Free State today, he explains why he had to go to the West Bank to find out the truth and why Netanyahu is running rings around the US when it comes to war with Iran. He explains why the establishment desperately wants to take his side. He talks too about why Joe Biden, not just Netanyahu, should be facing charges at the International Criminal Court.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Kneecap arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court, the scene was like Beatlemania if the Beatles’ fans were supporting a Free Palestine.

Kneecap were in court for the first hearing in the case against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, whose stage name is Mo Chara.

On Free State today Joe explains why he isn’t part of the legal team and what will happen next.

They look at the politically motivated charges and why taking a stand against genocide and Israel’s warmongering matters more than ever.

Emotions are tested in the podcast when Joe accuses Dion of both-sidesing what is happening in Iran. The argument gets heated and ends in an unexpected fashion...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The world is moving closer to annihilation and still people beat the drumbeats for war.

On Free State today, Joe and Dion look at how Israel’s attack on Iran is a case of history repeating itself.

Iran is the bogey man that allows warmongering to prosper and no matter how many times this has happened before, the noises are still the same and as bloodthirsty.

Joe also explains why Mayo footballers aren’t serious people after their defeat to Donegal.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.