Podcast Episode 12-14-23. (Includes video.)

Welcome to The View from the Front podcast. My name is Stan and this is the Dec. 14th edition. 

You can listen to the podcast by clicking the blue button above. Or, you can watch the video below on YouTube.

I really hope you get something out of it.

Please note: There is also an un-edited, AI-generated transcript, that you can find by clicking the Transcript button at upper right, under the podcast player device.

Or, you can find the podcast on your favorite channel below:

Questions? Comments? You are welcome to comment below. I read all comments and answer most of them. You can also reach out privately at: authorstanrmitchell@yahoo.com. (You can say “hi,” vent, or send news tips! I love all three of those things!)

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If you just happened to stumble by, let me say a quick word about what we’re doing here.

For those who don’t know, my name is Stan R. Mitchell, and I’m a prior Marine and journalist.

Every week, I primarily do three things with my podcast:

• Cover emerging hotspots and foreign policy news that you absolutely should know. (Why I focus on foreign policy...)

• Work to unite our country and remind us of how lucky we are to live in America. (My thoughts on the division in this country...)

• And finally, I always share plenty of motivation and wisdom at the end of each episode.

Take a listen to the podcast. I really hope you get something out of it.

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Selected source notes for podcast and transcript above.

• Official Says 2023 Was 'Most Transformative' for DOD in Indo-Pacific

• DOD Seeks to Quell Violent Extremism in Africa's Sahel Region

• Chiefs Discuss Military Recruiting Challenges at Committee Hearing

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Text skeleton/structure to use to send to your Congressman or Senator:

Dear Congressman/Senator,

I’m writing to respectfully request that you vote to pass new aid to Ukraine. It’s a very small percentage of our budget, and you know that 90 percent of it is spent in the United States. This is crucial, because as The Atlantic wrote, For the West to abandon Ukraine now would allow Russia and its authoritarian friends in China, Iran, and North Korea to believe that the 21st century is moving their way — into a future of brutal armies, frightened populations, and endless lies.

Please help save countless lives inside Ukraine -- as well as help honor the agreement we made in 1994 when the U.S., the U.K., and Russia guaranteed Ukraine's security if it gave up its nuclear weapons (as a part of the Budapest Memorandum).

Sincerely yours,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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Additional source notes:

Poland pushed back against authoritarianism and its new government will help Ukraine substantially.
— Story 1: In sea change for Poland, new government is sworn in.
— Story 2: New Polish PM Donald Tusk vows “full mobilization” of West to help Ukraine.

Biden just announced $200 million in new aid yesterday. (Biden Administration announces new security assistance for Ukraine.)

And Sweden announced $120 million yesterday, as well, as part of a winter package.

Ukraine strikes deal to get 2 Royal Navy minehunters from UK

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South China Sea: Philippine and Chinese vessels collide in contested waters

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Some motivation and wisdom.

Inspirational Quotes @TheQuoteBoook_

Love doesn't make the world go round, Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

Motivational Quotes @spreadcheer1

If you can't makeup your mind despite constant internal debate, allow your heart to lead you. It knows the way. It knows what you want yet you resist. If something can't be resolved by logic let your intuition hold your hand & guide you. It'll never take you to wrong destination.

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That’s it for this edition.

As a reminder, please be kind and try your best to love your fellow Americans.

So many men and women have sacrificed, fought, and died to keep this country together the past 240-plus years. Please work daily to unite our country again. The vast majority of Americans are decent, loving, great people.

Also, please try to be a better person each and every day. Try to be kinder on social media and how you interact with others with whom you disagree.

Please join me again in our next episode, and please stay safe until then.

Don’t forget: You can comment anytime — I try to monitor those. You can also reach out privately at: authorstanrmitchell@yahoo.com. (You can say “hi,” vent, or send news tips! I love all three of those things!)

Love and peace,

Stan R. Mitchell

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P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a motivational self-help book about President Obama, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan. You can find all of these books on Amazon.

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Want to know more about me? Click here: About me. You can also learn more about my journey here: Writers are crazy, and I’m crazier than most.