The John Batchelor Show

H.W. Brands describes how, by the summer of 1939, the destruction of Poland by German and Soviet forces confirmed that war was imminent, prompting Roosevelt to invoke neutrality laws as required by Congress. Despite his desire for privacy, Lindbergh began using his celebrity status to secure national radio airtime, feeling a duty to prevent Americafrom repeating what he viewed as the "mistake" of the First World War. His father, a former congressman, had been driven out of politics for opposing American intervention in 1917, a legacy that instilled in Lindbergh a profound distrust of politics as a "mean business" where truth was rare. Lindbergh argued that Britain and France were launching a war they could not win and would eventually force the United States into a permanent presence in Europe. During this period, he consulted with figures like Herbert Hoover, who suggested forming a committee that would eventually become "America First," and visited the "House of Morgan" through his wife's family connections. British observers, such as Harold Nicolson, were less impressed, dismissing Lindbergh as a "schoolboy" who possessed technical talent but lacked a mature understanding of diplomacy and the complexities of governing a great empire. Lindbergh remained unfazed by British criticism, asserting that he was an American and that his country's interests were distinct from those of the British Empire. (2)
1936

H.W. Brands describes how in April 1939, Charles Lindbergh returned to the United States as a world-famous celebrity, greeted by "a football team of flashbulbs popping" as he disembarked a transatlantic steamer. Lindbergh had remained in the global spotlight since his historic 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic, a feat of technical proficiency and bravery comparable to the moon landing. His return was prompted by the imminent threat of war in Europe, a situation he had observed firsthand while living in England to escape the "paparazzi" following the tragic kidnapping and murder of his infant son. While Lindbergh admired German culture and technical organization, he was puzzled and dismayed by the rise of the Nazi party. He viewed the British as complacent, believing they were clinging to a 19th-century empire while imposing unrealistic peace terms on Germany that they refused to enforce. Lindbergh predicted that if war broke out, Britain would inevitably look to the United States for a "bailout," just as they had during World War I. Upon his arrival in Washington, he was beckoned to meet President Franklin Roosevelt, who sought to co-opt the celebrated aviator into the administration. Roosevelt recognized Lindbergh's deep knowledge of global military aircraft and his massive public following, fearing he would become a powerful voice for neutrality. However, Lindbergh, jealous of his independence and skeptical of Roosevelt's charm, declined the offer, refusing to be "inside the tent" where he could be controlled. (1)
1930

Jeremy Zakis reports on a massive mouse plague in Western Australia that has gained international media attention. This surge in prey has triggered a secondary brown snake epidemic, as venomous snakes enter homes seeking food and shelter. Consequently, exterminators are facing an exceptionally busy year currently.
1889

Jeremy Zakis reports on a massive mouse plague in Western Australia that has gained international media attention. This surge in prey has triggered a secondary brown snake epidemic, as venomous snakes enter homes seeking food and shelter. Consequently, exterminators are facing an exceptionally busy year currently.
1873

Jeremy Zakis discusses the confirmed El Niño cycle bringing unusually warm, humid winter weather across Australia. He notes that local councils are performing early back-burning to mitigate bushfire risks during this dry period. Despite drought concerns, many residents are enjoying extended beach weather in coastal Sydney.
1930 SOUTH AUSTRALIA