Radio Free California #1: The American Tradition of Fear
Broadcasting from occupied California
[Intro music fades. Static crackles. The voice of the host cuts through.]
Good evening, my fellow Americans — or what’s left of us.
You’re listening to Radio Free California, broadcasting live from behind the lines, in what used to be the United States of America. It’s another day under occupation — not by foreign armies, but by our own government. The fear is thick out here. Parents are keeping their kids home from school. Workers are calling out sick in waves. Not because of COVID. Not because of wildfires. But because ICE is on the prowl.
But let’s be clear — this isn’t new.
This? This is the American tradition of fear.
The Palmer Raids
A hundred years ago, the government came for immigrants. Sound familiar? They weren’t hunting criminals — they were hunting radicals, anarchists, labor organizers. People who didn’t have the right last names or who dared to think differently. They dragged them out of homes, deported them in bulk. "For your safety," they said.
Today we call it a national disgrace. Back then, it was called “national security.”
McCarthyism
You remember that one from history class, right? Or maybe you slept through it — like most Americans today are sleeping through what’s happening now. The witch hunts. The loyalty oaths. The blacklists. Lives and careers destroyed because someone accused you of thinking the wrong thing or knowing the wrong person.
They ruined thousands of lives with suspicion and innuendo — all in the name of patriotism.
Today? Embarrassing chapter. Textbook warning. Back then? Cheered from the Senate floor.
COINTELPRO
The civil rights movement. Anti-war protests. Black Panthers. Dr. King. They didn’t just surveil them. They sabotaged them. They tried to destroy them. The FBI ran secret operations against American citizens whose only crime was demanding the freedoms they were supposedly guaranteed.
And when the files were finally exposed? Another national shame. Another apology never fully delivered.
And now: ICE
Different decade. Same playbook. Same excuses.
They say they’re enforcing the law. They say they’re targeting “the worst of the worst.” But the raids don’t happen at luxury hotels, or gated communities, or boardrooms where undocumented nannies, landscapers, and maids are hired. No. The raids happen at elementary schools. At job sites. In working-class neighborhoods where people’s only crime was to hope for a better life.
They say they’re deporting dangerous criminals. But watch closely — the cameras don’t show drug lords in handcuffs. They show fathers pulled away from children. Mothers yanked out of courtrooms while trying to resolve immigration paperwork. Kids coming home to empty houses, terrified their parents might not return.
They say they’re protecting public safety. But who exactly is safer? The toddler now in foster care? The teenager too scared to go to school? The woman afraid to report her abusive partner for fear that police might ask for her papers?
They want you to believe this is about the law. It’s not. It’s about power. It’s about intimidation. It’s about fear. Fear works. It always has.
They want immigrants living underground, invisible, voiceless. They want entire communities paralyzed. They want neighbors to spy on neighbors. They want Americans distracted, divided, and too exhausted to fight back.
This isn’t law enforcement. This is psychological warfare waged against our own people. It’s state-sponsored terror wearing a badge and holding a clipboard full of deportation orders.
History’s verdict is waiting.
The Palmer Raids. McCarthyism. COINTELPRO. And now ICE.
Every one of these campaigns was once defended by presidents, senators, judges, pundits — all insisting they were “protecting the nation.” And every one of them is now taught — quietly, reluctantly — as moments of failure. Moments when the country lost its way. Moments when fear won and freedom lost.
The Palmer Raids are now seen as xenophobic hysteria. McCarthyism is shorthand for political persecution. COINTELPRO stands as proof that even in the land of the free, government power can and will be weaponized against its own citizens.
ICE will join that list.
Decades from now, schoolchildren will study how America — once again — used government muscle to terrorize families, crush dissent, and sacrifice basic humanity in the name of security. They’ll watch grainy video of crying children clinging to parents as agents pull them away. They’ll read transcripts of politicians justifying why it was all necessary. They’ll hear echoes of those same old slogans — law and order, national security, public safety — and they’ll wonder how anyone could have believed them.
And they will ask: Where were you?
Did you cheer? Did you stay silent? Or did you resist? You will have to live then with your actions now.
[Pause. Lower voice.]
The American government keeps showing us who they are. The question is whether we still have the courage to show them who we are.
Stay safe out there. Stay strong. We are the resistance.
Radio Free California. Signing off.
[Static. Transmission ends.]
About the Creator
Jeff Olen
Husband and father living (currently) in California. As a software engineer I spent most of my career in Telecom and Healthcare. Then I found my calling in the video game industry. Still want to write sci-fi but we’ll see.
How demand for elite falcons in the Middle East is driving illegal trade of British birds
The majestic falcon has long been a symbol of power, prestige, and tradition in the Middle East. Revered for its hunting prowess and regal bearing, the bird occupies a unique place in Gulf culture, with wealthy enthusiasts investing thousands of dollars to own and train these raptors. However, the soaring demand for elite falcons has created a dark undercurrent: an illegal trade that stretches from the quiet countryside of Britain to the bustling markets of the Arabian Peninsula, threatening native populations and raising serious ethical and legal concerns. The Allure of British Falcons Falcons bred in Britain are particularly prized in Middle Eastern markets. Known for their strength, agility, and pedigree, these birds fetch enormous sums. While traditional falconry remains a celebrated cultural sport, the pressure to obtain birds with elite genetic lines has fueled a lucrative, often illicit, trade network. Breeders and smugglers are exploiting regulatory gaps, moving birds across borders under false pretenses, or illegally exporting them to countries where falconry commands high status. This demand is not purely symbolic. In the competitive world of falconry, owning a bird with exceptional hunting skills can define social standing and demonstrate wealth. The rarest falcons, often meticulously trained from a young age, are seen as investments, sometimes appreciating in value over time. Such economic incentives have created fertile ground for criminal networks, who view these birds not as living creatures but as commodities. Illegal Trade and Smuggling Routes Reports indicate that smugglers use increasingly sophisticated methods to transport falcons from Britain to Middle Eastern countries. Some are moved via private jets, hidden in cargo compartments, or falsely documented as pets or other non-commercial animals. Once they arrive, these birds enter a high-value market where buyers are willing to pay exorbitant prices for elite specimens. Authorities in the UK have been stepping up enforcement efforts, but the clandestine nature of the trade makes detection difficult. Conservationists warn that the illegal extraction of these birds can harm local ecosystems, particularly when juvenile birds are taken from their natural habitats. Beyond ecological damage, the welfare of the birds themselves is often compromised, with reports of mistreatment, poor transport conditions, and inadequate care during smuggling operations. The Role of Middle Eastern Culture Falconry is deeply embedded in Gulf identity, celebrated during festivals and practiced by royalty and ordinary enthusiasts alike. The cultural reverence for these birds complicates enforcement. In some cases, buyers may not question the origin of the birds as long as they are high-quality specimens. Meanwhile, traders exploit this cultural passion, prioritizing profit over legality and conservation. Experts argue that addressing the issue requires a nuanced approach that respects cultural traditions while ensuring ethical treatment and legal trade practices. Efforts to promote breeding programs within the Middle East, alongside stricter international regulations, could reduce pressure on British falcons and help curb illegal activity. Conservation Concerns The illegal trade has broader environmental implications. Removing young falcons from the wild can destabilize local populations and disrupt ecological balance. Birds that are smuggled often face stress, injury, or death during transportation, raising ethical concerns about the human impact on wildlife. Organizations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and international wildlife trade watchdogs are advocating for stronger protections. These include better tracking of legally bred birds, harsher penalties for traffickers, and educational campaigns aimed at buyers in the Middle East to promote awareness about the consequences of illegal trade. Toward Sustainable Falconry Some Middle Eastern countries are beginning to invest in legal, sustainable breeding programs that can meet the high demand without resorting to illegal imports. By developing local populations of high-quality falcons, authorities hope to provide enthusiasts with access to elite birds while preserving natural ecosystems abroad. Education is also key. Raising awareness about the origin and welfare of falcons among buyers could reduce demand for smuggled birds. Promoting responsible falconry practices ensures that the sport, while prestigious, does not come at the cost of ecological harm or animal suffering. Conclusion The soaring demand for elite falcons in the Middle East has cast a shadow over the traditional sport of falconry, creating a complex web of illegal trade that spans continents. British birds, prized for their genetics and skill, have become the target of smugglers, challenging conservationists, authorities, and ethical buyers alike. Addressing this crisis requires cooperation between governments, wildlife organizations, and the falconry community. By fostering sustainable breeding programs, enforcing regulations, and educating buyers, it is possible to protect these majestic birds while respecting cultural traditions. As the sport continues to thrive, the hope is that falconry in the Middle
By Fiazahmedbrohi 7 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (2)
It is part of a long history that will leave the right people hanging their heads in shame.
Yep, 200 years of fear against one bogeyman after another.