It Could Happen Here Weekly 246
Summary
Host Kim Kelly and guest James explore the history of American overseas expansion, focusing on the U.S.'s hidden empire of inhabited and uninhabited territories. They discuss the legal status of colonies like Puerto Rico and Guam, tracing imperial origins to the 1856 Guano Islands Act and resource extraction. The episode highlights how these possessions shaped U.S. state capacity, military strategy, and domestic politics while remaining largely invisible to the American public.
Topics discussed
TNA Wrestling Live promotion
History of American overseas expansion and colonies
Political status of Puerto Rico and US territories
US imperial legacy and historical context
Guano, plantations, and colonial labor exploitation
Nuclear testing and US military bases abroad
Sponsorship: Kia and HomeSense
Silica dust exposure and Starbucks workplace safety
Nurses unions and ICE opposition
Prison strikes and resistance in the US
AI intimacy, surveillance, and regulation
Sponsorship: OnDeck and It Could Happen Here intro
Interview: Prison labor, IWOC, and legal aid
Prison labor exploitation and direct support
Parole denials and prison bed quotas
Sponsorship: Hyundai Palisade Hybrid
Border wall protests and tree sit in Arizona
AI market risks and global economic impact
Election news and DSA campaign updates
Legal probes and NDA border enforcement
US Navy issues and Iran conflict updates
Strait of Hormuz tensions and Keystone Pipeline
General Dynamics manufacturing failures
AI bonds and financial market speculation
Florida Senate and House race analysis
Outro and listener tips
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