The BS Filter

Cameron Reilly & Ray Harris
  • 4.9 (47)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Dissecting the biggest stories in the news to try to get to the core of what’s going on. No bias. No agenda. No BS. Just a brutal examination of the facts and the history behind them.

  1. 31 JAN

    The Rupture – BS Filter 143

    In this episode of *The B******t Filter*, Cameron and Ray navigate a global landscape defined by “ruptures” rather than transitions. The duo begins with a sobering look at Australia’s first mass shooting in 30 years and the subsequent rapid-fire passage of controversial anti-hate and migration legislation. The conversation then shifts to the world stage, dissecting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s viral Davos speech that declared the “rules-based international order” a useful fiction that has finally reached its breaking point. From the shifting power dynamics of American hegemony to the “American ISIS” and the complexities of foreign-backed protests in Iran, Cameron and Ray peel back the layers of propaganda and political theater. They explore how historical baggage, corporate-funded think tanks, and advanced jamming technology are reshaping modern conflict, ultimately questioning whether any government—foreign or domestic—is truly equipped to handle the brewing “Wild West” of 2026. The post The Rupture – BS Filter 143 appeared first on The BS Filter.

    1h 33m

  2. 27/11/2025

    #142 – Fascism Goes Corporate

    In this final instalment of the Fascism miniseries, Cameron and Ray trace how fascism didn’t die after 1945 but simply changed its wardrobe. Once openly discredited, fascist ideology went underground, hiding behind anti-communism, Catholic conservatism, Cold War geopolitics, and the language of “law and order.” The pair outline how the same structural anxieties that fuelled Mussolini and Hitler found new hosts in post-war regimes like Franco’s Spain and Salazar’s Portugal, apartheid South Africa, Cold War dictatorships in Latin America, and today’s far-right populists in Europe and the United States. They explore how neoliberalism, manufactured fear of socialism, weaponised Christianity, resentful middle-class voters, and billionaire backing continue to make fascism useful to the powerful. The conversation ends by drawing uncomfortable parallels between classical fascism and modern MAGA politics, arguing that America is not on the verge of fascism — it is living through it in a new, suited, media-savvy form. The post #142 – Fascism Goes Corporate appeared first on The BS Filter.

    50 min

  3. 14/10/2025

    #139 – Make Italy Great Again: The Birth of Fascism (Fascism #3)

    In this episode of The B******t Filter, Cameron and Ray continue their deep dive into the history of fascism — tracing its emergence from the ashes of World War I to Mussolini’s rise in Italy. They unpack how the trauma of the war radicalised millions, creating fertile ground for authoritarian movements that promised strength, unity, and a return to national glory. Through sharp wit and historical insight, they explore the socioeconomic chaos of postwar Italy — labour strikes, land seizures, and political paralysis — that allowed fascism to masquerade as a stabilising force. Cameron and Ray discuss how Mussolini, once a socialist firebrand, transformed into the prototype fascist leader by weaponising propaganda, street violence, and elite fear of socialism. The episode draws unnerving parallels between Mussolini’s Italy and modern political movements, showing how democracy often erodes not with explosions, but applause. The post #139 – Make Italy Great Again: The Birth of Fascism (Fascism #3) appeared first on The BS Filter.

  4. 01/10/2025

    #138 – Fascism: The Remix of History’s Worst Ideas (Fascism part 2)

    In this second episode of our fascism series, Cameron and Ray trace the roots of fascism from the French Revolution through the 19th century and into the early 20th century. They explore how nationalism, the Enlightenment and Counter-Enlightenment, industrial upheaval, social Darwinism, Nietzsche’s philosophy, Bismarck’s realpolitik, futurism, and mass psychology all fed into the eventual rise of fascism. Along the way, they compare past anxieties about modernity with today’s fears of AI and technology, dig into the religious devotion of MAGA Trumpism, and unpack the Italian Fascist Manifesto of 1919. By the end, the groundwork is set for how Mussolini and others fused these cultural, philosophical, and political threads into a movement that would reshape the 20th century. The post #138 – Fascism: The Remix of History’s Worst Ideas (Fascism part 2) appeared first on The BS Filter.

  5. 01/09/2025

    #137 – What is Fascism? Part 1

    In this first instalment of a new series on fascism, Cameron and Ray dig into what the word really means beyond the marching boots and fiery rallies of 20th-century Europe. They explore the difficulty of defining fascism, how it manifests differently across time and place, and why the term is often misused today. Drawing on historians like Robert Paxton, Jason Stanley, and Michael Mann, as well as political thinkers from Trotsky to Hannah Arendt, the discussion asks whether the United States is sliding toward fascism, and what makes Trump’s brand of politics similar or distinct from Mussolini or Hitler. Along the way, the hosts look at epistemology and heuristics—how we know what’s true and whose voices we trust—as a framework for analysing complex social movements. This episode sets the stage for a deeper historical exploration in future parts of the series. The post #137 – What is Fascism? Part 1 appeared first on The BS Filter.

    19 min

  6. 18/08/2025

    #136 – 20 Years of Napoleon and Friendship

    Sort of a “half b******t filter” episode. Cameron reconnects with historian and longtime friend J. David Markham on the eve of his 80th birthday. They reflect on two decades of working together on the Napoleon podcast, swap family updates, and dive into Markham’s latest projects—including his forthcoming book _Simply Caesar_ and several Napoleonic works in progress. The discussion turns to the reception of Ridley Scott’s _Napoleon_ film, the importance of history for understanding today’s politics, and the challenges of civility in an increasingly polarized age. Markham also shares stories from Napoleonic society gatherings, his vast personal collection, and his perspective on America’s political trajectory. It’s a rich blend of personal reflection, Napoleonic passion, and political commentary. The post #136 – 20 Years of Napoleon and Friendship appeared first on The BS Filter.

    1h 16m

  7. 05/07/2025

    #135 – Unprovoked or Preemptive? Iran, the Media & Manufactured Consent

    In this fiery and no-holds-barred episode, Cam and Ray dive into the geopolitics of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, calling out the hypocrisy and propagandistic media coverage that frames these attacks as “preemptive” rather than “unprovoked” — a word the media reserved exclusively for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They draw sharp historical parallels, from the 1953 CIA-led coup in Iran to the weaponised narrative-building of Western governments and media. The episode also takes a tour through Iran’s actual military record (spoiler: mostly defensive or retaliatory), the ever-reliable military-industrial complex, and Trump’s sudden missile diplomacy. Plus, there’s a heartfelt tribute to Michael Madsen, a scathing takedown of media groupthink, and a sobering reminder that the real winners of war are the profiteers. As always, it’s a punchy mix of gallows humour, truth bombs, and righteous exasperation. The post #135 – Unprovoked or Preemptive? Iran, the Media & Manufactured Consent appeared first on The BS Filter.

    25 min

  8. 06/06/2025

    #134: Section 70302: The Quiet Coup

    Cameron and Ray crack open the popcorn for a free-wheeling hour on the sudden Musk-Trump bromance breakup and the “one big beautiful bill” (HR 1).  They riff on Roman triumvirates, oligarch knife-fights, and the sneaky Section 70302 that could neuter America’s courts overnight.  Along the way they detour through the Byrd Rule, unleash dystopian what-ifs about AI, and ask whether the U.S. can out-collapse ancient Rome for speed.  It’s equal parts history lesson, constitutional autopsy, and late-night pub rant—served with extra swearing and zero deference.  The post #134: Section 70302: The Quiet Coup appeared first on The BS Filter.

    25 min
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4.9
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

Dissecting the biggest stories in the news to try to get to the core of what’s going on. No bias. No agenda. No BS. Just a brutal examination of the facts and the history behind them.

Information

  • Creator
    Cameron Reilly & Ray Harris
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    214
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cameron Reilly & Ray Harris jr
  • Show Website
    The BS Filter

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