Behind the Bastards

Part One: Percy Fawcett: Real-Life Indiana Jones, or Deluded Psychic Racist?

There are a few candidates for the title "the real Indiana Jones" but Percy Fawcett is the man whose reputation most inspired our favorite fictional archaeologist. Unfortunately, he was a racist, a murderer and a weirdo occultist who led his own son to a horrific death for reasons of Magic. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

It Could Happen Here Weekly 246

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file.  * How the United States Built its Colonial Empire, Pt. 1 * The Dangers of Silica ft. Kim Kelly * How AI Companies are Monetizing Intimacy, Ft. Bridget Todd * Fighting for Incarcerated Workers * Executive Disorder: Iran Ceasefire Expires, Corrupt Military Contractors, Florida Election  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! Sources/Links: How the United States Built its Colonial Empire, Pt. 1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23780231241274187 [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23780231241274187] https://fortune.com/2026/07/27/hormuz-fertilizer-guano-islands-act-fertilizer-empire/ [https://fortune.com/2026/07/27/hormuz-fertilizer-guano-islands-act-fertilizer-empire/]  https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/navassa-island-the-uss-160-year-forgotten-tragedy [https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/navassa-island-the-uss-160-year-forgotten-tragedy] https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-09-26/almost-half-of-americans-dont-know-puerto-ricans-are-us-citizens-poll [https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-09-26/almost-half-of-americans-dont-know-puerto-ricans-are-us-citizens-poll]  https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/politicatypes [https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/politicatypes]  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/puerto-rico-independence-movement [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/puerto-rico-independence-movement]  https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-CARIBBEAN/MILITARY-BUILDUP/egpbbnzyrpq/ [https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-CARIBBEAN/MILITARY-BUILDUP/egpbbnzyrpq/]  https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/ [https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/]  https://apnews.com/article/american-samoa-voting-citizenship-alaska-trump-eda6c32ce0fcdca6edb22efac26e403d [https://apnews.com/article/american-samoa-voting-citizenship-alaska-trump-eda6c32ce0fcdca6edb22efac26e403d]  https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/ [https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-us-controls-iraqs-oil-revenues-2026-01-23/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-us-controls-iraqs-oil-revenues-2026-01-23/]  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/magazine/venezuela-empires-colony.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/magazine/venezuela-empires-colony.html]  https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-state-trump-rodriguez-chavismo-silence-634203c885803b018ecd8ac012bb249d [https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-state-trump-rodriguez-chavismo-silence-634203c885803b018ecd8ac012bb249d]  https://time.com/article/2026/06/02/trump-annex-canada-51st-state-rhetoric-carney-us-partnership-message/ [https://time.com/article/2026/06/02/trump-annex-canada-51st-state-rhetoric-carney-us-partnership-message/]  https://theconversation.com/us-territories-have-a-voice-in-congress-but-no-vote-heres-why-283547 [https://theconversation.com/us-territories-have-a-voice-in-congress-but-no-vote-heres-why-283547] https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/4463352/154-the-longe [https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/4463352/154-the-longe%20st-blackout-in-us-history-hurricane-maria/] st-blackout-in-us-history-hurricane-maria/ [https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/4463352/154-the-longe%20st-blackout-in-us-history-hurricane-maria/] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-was-serious-about-trading-hurricane-stricken-puert [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-was-serious-about-trading-hurricane-stricken-puert%20o-rico-greenland-n1237336] o-rico-greenland-n1237336 [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-was-serious-about-trading-hurricane-stricken-puert%20o-rico-greenland-n1237336] https://www.democracynow.org/2001/8/3/as_navy_pounds_vieques_with_largest [https://www.democracynow.org/2001/8/3/as_navy_pounds_vieques_with_largest%20%E2%80%9CNationals%E2%80%9D%20but%20not%20%E2%80%9CCitizens%E2%80%9D] “Nationals” but not “Citizens” [https://www.democracynow.org/2001/8/3/as_navy_pounds_vieques_with_largest%20%E2%80%9CNationals%E2%80%9D%20but%20not%20%E2%80%9CCitizens%E2%80%9D] https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/nationals-but-not-citizens-how-the-u-s-denies-citizenship [https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/nationals-but-not-citizens-how-the-u-s-denies-citizenship%20-to-american-samoans] -to-american-samoans [https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/nationals-but-not-citizens-how-the-u-s-denies-citizenship%20-to-american-samoans] How AI Companies are Monetizing Intimacy, Ft. Bridget Todd https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-at-First-Prompt/Bridget-Todd/9781668179826 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-at-First-Prompt/Bridget-Todd/9781668179826]  Fighting for Incarcerated Workers https://audrasrealthoughts.wordpress.com/ [https://audrasrealthoughts.wordpress.com/] https://incarceratedworkers.org [https://incarceratedworkers.org/] https://www.instagram.com/incarceratedworkers/ [https://www.instagram.com/incarceratedworkers/] https://www.jailhouselawyersspeak.com/new-page [https://www.jailhouselawyersspeak.com/new-page] Executive Disorder: Iran Ceasefire Expires, Corrupt Military Contractors, Florida Election  https://x.com/CBPCommissioner/status/2089395143136731579?s=20 [https://x.com/CBPCommissioner/status/2089395143136731579?s=20]https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/19/korea-KOSPI-Korea-Stock-Index-fell-six-percent-steep-losses-chipmakers/2411787132055/ [https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/19/korea-KOSPI-Korea-Stock-Index-fell-six-percent-steep-losses-chipmakers/2411787132055/] https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/shares-fall-asia-kospi-57-oil-prices-jump-135759997 [https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/shares-fall-asia-kospi-57-oil-prices-jump-135759997]https://x.com/atrupar/status/2089911556301550045?s=20 [https://x.com/atrupar/status/2089911556301550045?s=20]  https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.3_3.pdf [https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.3_3.pdf] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.8_2.pdf [https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.8_2.pdf]https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.6_3.pdf [https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.6_3.pdf]https://archive.ph/ZF3Y0#selection-4307.0-4307.372 [https://archive.ph/ZF3Y0#selection-4307.0-4307.372] https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73489661/212/united-states-v-sant/ [https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73489661/212/united-states-v-sant/] https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117119807819944656 [https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117119807819944656]  https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-confirms-irgc-backchannel-calls-irans-white-flag-surrender [https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-confirms-irgc-backchannel-calls-irans-white-flag-surrender]  https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/vessel-struck-by-unknown-projectile-strait-hormuz-crew-casualty-reported-ukmto-2026-08-18/ [https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/vessel-struck-by-unknown-projectile-strait-hormuz-crew-casualty-reported-ukmto-2026-08-18/]  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/18/no-talks-with-iran-says-trump-as-us-president-stews-over-hormuz-deal [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/18/no-talks-with-iran-says-trump-as-us-president-stews-over-hormuz-deal]  https://x.com/UK_MTO/status/2089719923295556095?s=20 [https://x.com/UK_MTO/status/2089719923295556095?s=20]  https://x.com/UK_MTO [https://x.com/UK_MTO]  https://x.com/RudawEnglish/status/2089263666742931732?s=20 [https://x.com/RudawEnglish/status/2089263666742931732?s=20] https://www.propublica.org/article/general-dynamics-artillery-factory-failed [https://www.propublica.org/article/general-dynamics-artillery-factory-failed]https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/30/General-Dynamics-Corps-alleged-proposal-to-sell-a-wrench/2171439016400/ [https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/30/General-Dynamics-Corps-alleged-proposal-to-sell-a-wrench/2171439016400/]https://time.com/archive/6710343/general-dynamics-under-fire/ [https://time.com/archive/6710343/general-dynamics-under-fire/] https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/18/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz-trump-ceasefire-expires-extension-.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/18/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz-trump-ceasefire-expires-extension-.html]https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/us-iran-economic-strain-strait-of-hormuz-conflict/ [https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/us-iran-economic-strain-strait-of-hormuz-conflict/]https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/business/strait-of-hormuz-ship-attack.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/business/strait-of-hormuz-ship-attack.html]https://archive.is/f4Ei8#selection-4447.0-4447.264 [https://archive.is/f4Ei8#selection-4447.0-4447.264]https://www.reuters.com/world/china/selling-grips-bond-markets-us-japan-inflation-fiscal-worries-take-hold-2026-08-18/ [https://www.reuters.com/world/china/selling-grips-bond-markets-us-japan-inflation-fiscal-worries-take-hold-2026-08-18/] https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/19/treasury-announces-upscaled-buyback-operation-for-longer-term-debt-sending-yields-lower.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/19/treasury-announces-upscaled-buyback-operation-for-longer-term-debt-sending-yields-lower.html] https://www.businessinsider.com/bond-market-warning-yields-hit-2007-record-2026-8 [https://www.businessinsider.com/bond-market-warning-yields-hit-2007-record-2026-8] https://angienixon.com/ [https://angienixon.com/] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-special-elections/florida-senate-results#democratic-primary [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-special-elections/florida-senate-results#democratic-primary] https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/us/politics/florida-democratic-senate-primary-results.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/us/politics/florida-democratic-senate-primary-results.html] https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/2087282981593387046?s=20 [https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/2087282981593387046?s=20] https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088252309243297868 [https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088252309243297868]https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088037851086614842?s=20 [https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088037851086614842?s=20] https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/08/15/democratic-socialists-progressives-tout-momentum-in-south-florida-skeptics-say-its-a-myth/ [https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/08/15/democratic-socialists-progressives-tout-momentum-in-south-florida-skeptics-say-its-a-myth/]  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Part Two: Francisco Solano Lopez: The Worst Military Leader In Human History

Robert continues telling James Stout about the story of the worst military leader in human history: Francisco Solano Lopez. Also known as 'El supremo', he nearly annihilated his own country through sheer incompetence. Sources: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26494384?googleloggedin=true&seq=22 [https://www.jstor.org/stable/26494384?googleloggedin=true&seq=22] https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/11/22/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-1-francisco-solano-lopezs-earlier-life [https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/11/22/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-1-francisco-solano-lopezs-earlier-life] https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/12/8/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-2-the-start-of-the-war-of-the-triple-alliance#.YcJFwy2cZAY= [https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/12/8/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-2-the-start-of-the-war-of-the-triple-alliance#.YcJFwy2cZAY=] https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/12/23/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-3-devastating-battles-for-both-sides#.Yd9N0i2cZAY= [https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/12/23/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-3-devastating-battles-for-both-sides#.Yd9N0i2cZAY=] https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2022/1/12/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-4-how-the-war-ended#.Yd9N0i2cZAY= [https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2022/1/12/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-4-how-the-war-ended#.Yd9N0i2cZAY=] https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/war-of-the-triple-alliance-bloodbath-in-paraguay/ [https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/war-of-the-triple-alliance-bloodbath-in-paraguay/] https://www.thecollector.com/francisco-solano-lopez-paraguayan-war/ [https://www.thecollector.com/francisco-solano-lopez-paraguayan-war/] https://countrystudies.us/paraguay/10.htm [https://countrystudies.us/paraguay/10.htm] https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9780742537552 [https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9780742537552]   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Introducing: Natural Causes

Natural Causes is a podcast about the politics and practicalities of going outside in a world on fire, hosted by Dr. James Stout. It approaches the outdoors, conservation, agriculture, food sovereignty, and Indigenous land rights as interconnected issues. We want to combine unflinching journalism with unabashed advocacy for the land we all share, and welcome everyone into the outdoors and the fight for our public lands. Our shared wild spaces are under threat like never before, from climate change, the Trump administration, and extractive capitalism. Now, more than ever, we need serious journalism and serious solidarity that engages people with the struggle to protect these spaces for generations to come. New episodes weekly. Listen here [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-natural-causes-340763248] and subscribe to Natural Causes on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Part One: Francisco Solano Lopez: The Worst Military Leader In Human History

This week Robert sits down with James Stout to weave the story of the worst military leader in human history: Francisco Solano Lopez. Also known as 'El supremo', he nearly annihilated his own country through sheer incompetence. Sources: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26494384?googleloggedin=true&seq=22 [https://www.jstor.org/stable/26494384?googleloggedin=true&seq=22] https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/11/22/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-1-francisco-solano-lopezs-earlier-life [https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/11/22/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-1-francisco-solano-lopezs-earlier-life] https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/12/8/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-2-the-start-of-the-war-of-the-triple-alliance#.YcJFwy2cZAY= [https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/12/8/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-2-the-start-of-the-war-of-the-triple-alliance#.YcJFwy2cZAY=] https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/12/23/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-3-devastating-battles-for-both-sides#.Yd9N0i2cZAY= [https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/12/23/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-3-devastating-battles-for-both-sides#.Yd9N0i2cZAY=] https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2022/1/12/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-4-how-the-war-ended#.Yd9N0i2cZAY= [https://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2022/1/12/the-paraguayan-president-who-brought-his-country-to-military-catastrophe-part-4-how-the-war-ended#.Yd9N0i2cZAY=] https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/war-of-the-triple-alliance-bloodbath-in-paraguay/ [https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/war-of-the-triple-alliance-bloodbath-in-paraguay/] https://www.thecollector.com/francisco-solano-lopez-paraguayan-war/ [https://www.thecollector.com/francisco-solano-lopez-paraguayan-war/] https://countrystudies.us/paraguay/10.htm [https://countrystudies.us/paraguay/10.htm] https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9780742537552 [https://mitpressbookstore.mit.edu/book/9780742537552]   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.