IRANIAN PRESIDENT DEAD IN HELICOPTER CRASH
Added: May 21, 2024
In this podcast episode, Ben Shapiro discusses the recent helicopter crash in Azerbaijan that resulted in the death of the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi, and the Foreign Minister of Iran, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Shapiro describes Raisi as a butcher who rose through Iran's theocracy from a hardline prosecutor to an uncompromising president. He was involved in the 1988 execution of thousands of Iranian prisoners of conscience, which was deemed a crime against humanity and genocide. Abdollahian was a close ally of Qassem Soleimani, the senior IRGC commander killed in a US airstrike in 2020.Key takeaways
The helicopter crash in Azerbaijan resulted in the death of Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, both of whom had controversial and brutal histories.
Ben Shapiro criticizes the media, particularly Reuters, for their coverage of the incident, accusing them of downplaying Raisi's brutal actions and the EU for expressing solidarity with the deceased Iranian leaders.
Shapiro condemns the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing arrest warrants for both Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, arguing that the ICC lacks credibility and moral authority.
Shapiro discusses the United States' role in the international community post-World War II, asserting that the concept of a global community punishing wrongdoers has largely failed, and suggests imposing secondary sanctions on the ICC.
Shapiro analyzes the economic challenges facing the Biden administration, highlighting low consumer sentiment, rising inflation, and stagnant retail sales, which pose significant re-election challenges for Biden.
Shapiro criticizes media coverage
Shapiro criticizes the media for their coverage of the incident, particularly Reuters, for referring to Raisi as an "uncompromising president" without acknowledging his brutal actions. He also highlights the absurdity of the EU expressing solidarity with Raisi and Abdollahian, despite their involvement in spreading terror and oppressing their own citizens.
ICC Arrest Warrants Criticized
Shapiro then shifts his focus to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued arrest warrants for Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He criticizes the ICC for equating Netanyahu and Israel, who have acted in self-defense, with a terrorist leader responsible for the murder of Israeli citizens. He questions the ICC's credibility and motives, pointing out the absurdity of the state of Palestine, a non-existent entity, being a member of the ICC.
Shapiro emphasizes that the ICC operates in a morally imbecilic manner, lacking connection to morality or decency. He explains that the United States is not a member of the ICC to avoid subjecting itself to the flawed judgments of international bureaucrats. He discusses the ICC's failure to hold accountable those responsible for actual atrocities, focusing instead on targeting democratic governments like Israel.
Shapiro contrasts natural law with legal positivism, which posits that laws are only what governments dictate. He criticizes the ICC for claiming to uphold universal human rights law while failing to prosecute certain countries like Venezuela and Niger. He argues that the ICC lacks enforcement power and is essentially a "joke" institution.
US Role in International Community
The discussion shifts to the United States' involvement in forming the concept of an International Community post-World War II. Shapiro asserts that the idea of a global community punishing wrongdoers has been a failure, with the UN being ineffective due to the varying virtues of its member states. He suggests that the US should impose secondary sanctions on the ICC to delegitimize it further.
Economic Concerns and Re-Election Challenges
Moving on to domestic politics, Shapiro analyzes the economic impact of the Biden administration. He points out that consumer sentiment is at a six-month low, with rising inflation and stagnant retail sales causing concern among Americans. He highlights a New York Times Sienna poll showing that a majority of voters would never vote for Biden, indicating a significant challenge for his re-election prospects.
Biden's Pandering to Black Voters
Shapiro notes that Biden is losing support among black voters, a demographic he previously relied on. He criticizes Biden for pandering to black voters by invoking personal tragedies and engaging in performative gestures like clapping for calls to leave Hamas in power. He emphasizes that Biden's reliance on sympathy tactics is distasteful and ineffective in garnering support. He also highlights Biden's tendency to make false claims, such as exaggerating the diversity in his administration and spreading misinformation about voting procedures in Georgia.
Challenges for Biden's Campaign
Furthermore, Shapiro discusses Biden's attempts to avoid further debates with former President Donald Trump. He mentions Trump's call for a drug test before the debate and how Biden's refusal to engage in more debates could impact his campaign. Shapiro also brings up RFK Jr.'s presence in the swing states and how he is drawing support away from Biden, posing a challenge for the current administration.
Shapiro Criticizes Pope Francis
The podcast shifts focus to Pope Francis and his recent appearance on 60 Minutes. Shapiro criticizes the Pope for his liberal views and departure from traditional Catholic teachings. He points out the Pope's emphasis on liberal ideologies, such as redistributionism and open borders, which may alienate conservative members of the Catholic Church. Shapiro also discusses the Pope's stance on gay unions and how it deviates from traditional Catholic doctrine.
Shapiro questions the Pope's support for facilitating illegal entry into the country and the implications of such policies. He emphasizes the need for a humane approach to immigration while also upholding the rule of law.
