In the first half, history professor and author William R. Forstchen spoke about preparedness, hardening the energy grid, and what we can learn from recent disasters, including the flood in North Carolina and the LA fires. Recounting his harrowing experiences in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene, he said there was major devastation, such as in the town of Swannanoa, which was "totally wiped out." Though he was without power for three weeks, he noted that that would be "nothing compared to what could happen if there's an EMP attack." Elaborating on the dangers of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks, he explained that they can be triggered by a nuclear detonation or a solar flare. An EMP would blow everything out within a second, affecting everything from high-tension power lines to aircraft in flight. He pointed out the alarming fact that many components of the US electrical grid are over 40 years old and in desperate need of modernization and strengthening.
We have become so dependent on electricity, what happens when it no longer works? He urged listeners to consider their emergency preparedness, particularly regarding food and medication supplies. He expressed frustration over the lack of preparedness despite significant investments in green energy, arguing that the government spent billions, but the money should have gone into developing infrastructure. He is hopeful that the new presidential administration, along with local representatives, will turn their attention to protecting our electrical grid. On his property, Forstchen said he had a number of tall pine trees removed near his house that was luckily completed before the hurricane.
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In the latter half, author Marc Hartzman shared accounts of the weird and unusual, as well as presented his research on the fascinating practice of sword swallowing, documented in his new book "To the Hilt," co-written with sword swallower Dan Meyer. The project began seven years ago when Meyer, who has been swallowing swords for 25 years, approached Hartzman with a wealth of historical information about the art. Meyer's motivation to become a sword swallower stemmed from overcoming childhood bullying. The practice is absolutely genuine with rigorous training involved, and sword swallowers must master techniques to suppress their gag reflex and navigate the esophagus safely, Hartzman explained.
He also recounted tragic historical incidents, including the story of Maud D'Auldin, who died after a blade nicked her esophagus during a performance. Among the strange stories he presented was that of Jim the Wonder Dog, an extraordinary "psychic" canine who could identify various tree species and even predict Kentucky Derby winners by selecting them with his paw. Hartzman detailed the chilling tale of the Phantom Barber of Pascagoula, who infamously cut the hair of young girls during World War II. "Parents were locking their windows at night, terrified of this hair-cutting intruder," he said. Additionally, Hartzman touched on the history of Ouija boards, noting their rise in popularity during the spiritualism movement of the late 1800s. He recalled a disturbing incident where a mother allegedly instructed her daughter to shoot her father after consulting a Ouija board. The daughter reportedly did so, though the father survived the shooting.
During the last half-hour, George featured an excerpt from his 8/9/17 interview with medium Chip Coffey on his spirit investigations.
News segment guests: John M. Curtis, John Truman Wolfe