On the tenth anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on the USA, which caused the deaths and injuries of thousands of innocent people, many people spent the day reflecting and remembering the loss of life, and on what has happened to America since that fateful day. The deaths and injuries were, in themselves, an appalling tragedy but an ongoing serious consequence of the attacks has been, and still is, the gradual erosion of civil rights and privacy of US citizens.
My time of reflection on September 11 was spent in the delightful company of Dave vonKleist, an American patriot, who for many years was on the frontline of the battle to keep America free from government tyranny and to protect the civil rights and freedom of the American people. Using humor and the politically incorrect music that he wrote, performed and recorded, Dave vonKleist entertained and informed listeners with his unique style of broadcasting on a radio show, The Power Hour which he co-hosted with Joyce Riley.
Dave vonKleist is also well known for the production of two video documentaries, u201C911 In Plane Siteu201D and u201C911 Ripple Effectu201D. These documentaries were an examination, by experts, of the video evidence of the attacks on the twin towers and the pentagon and posed questions that could not be answered with any credibility. To this day, Dave vonKleist is still on the receiving end of a mix of warm accolades and vicious attacks for daring to raise questions that needed to be asked.
Now living in Argentina, Dave vonKleist is a world away from the life when he relentlessly spent his days working towards increasing the American people's awareness of the corruption and tyranny that are slowly eating away at their rights and freedoms.
Relaxed and happy, Dave vonKleist agreed to a u201Cno questions barredu201D interview. Among other things I asked him to explain his reasons for leaving America to become an expatriate; for the truth behind his departure from The Power Hour; I wanted to know his reasons for choosing Argentina as his adopted home; and to give a response to, and comment on, the personal attacks and financial losses he has endured.
Susan Beverley: I am sorry to start off with this question, but there is a small part of our audience that will want to know this: Do you hate America?
Dave vonKleist: Maybe that part of the audience is not so small, because that question is raised frequently. I fought for many years and tried to contribute to the effort to bring the USA to what it once was and to bring attention to the problems our government and country was experiencing. This resulted in small minded individuals coming to the conclusion that I must somehow hated my country, when in fact it is my love for my country that motivated me to draw attention to its weakness in the hopes that we could correct the direction it was taking. For many of us who became vocal activists, we had to endure the same negative assumptions that we endure now as expats. If those who had been active participants in the rumor mongering and ridicule game had directed their efforts in to effecting the real change, it is likely people such as myself would not have felt the need to become expats. If someone truly loves their country, then it is their duty to do all they can to correct problems as they develop, rather than condemn those with the courage to do so. Sadly, the majority of the American u201Csheepleu201D fail to understand this essential philosophy, which is why things have gotten so bad and folks like myself are pegged as u201Chating their countryu201D. Those who parrot and subscribe to the phrase, u201CAmerica, love it or leave itu201D are a major reason why things have gotten so bad.
To answer your question, I do not hate America – I hate what America has become. The corruption and the deprivation of our civil rights have destroyed my personal American dream.
Susan Beverley: When a super patriot becomes an expatriate it suggests to me that this is time for all Americans to seriously consider relocating overseas. What were the circumstances that led you to make the decision to leave America?
Dave vonKleist: Leaving my country was not an easy decision. Having thrown my heart and soul into the resistance movement for the past twenty years and rubbing elbows with some the most dedicated, honest patriotic people that I have the pleasure of knowing, I came to the sad realization that the majority of Americans have become to depend on the efforts of a few, when what is truly required is the efforts of many.
I sometimes had the impression that by being a radio talk show host and discussing topics that were either shunned or ignored by the main stream media, that we were somehow filling a need for the globalists by giving our listenership a place to vent.
It is easy to believe that something can get done when sitting at home listening to a short wave radio or computer or live stream where people discuss these topics and have the mistaken impression that by simply listening we can win this thing. Complacency, apathy and fear all play a vital role for the powers that be. It is a well known fact that the attention span for most people is 2 to 3 weeks. For many Americans, whatever the issue or topic is that makes their blood boil, after a few weeks they u201Ccool offu201D and then it's business as usual. Until the majority of Americans realize that it's time to break out the tar and feathers, the pitchforks and torches and storm the castle then nothing will be accomplished.
Susan Beverley: You spent many years as an activist trying to raise the American people's awareness of government corruption and their attacks on the constitution. Now you are an expat have you totally withdrawn from such activism and if so why?
Dave vonKleist: Early on in my activist role I was told by many to beware of burnout. At the time I didn't quite realize what that meant. However as the years passed and my pace was maintained I began to understand how important it is to take the time to try and enjoy some things in life rather than constantly carrying the burden of a black cloud.
I became somewhat disenchanted as I found that some of the u201Cpatriotsu201D in the movement were more concerned with their personal status, pride maintenance and nourishing their ego. Regular listeners to my program will attest to the fact that for many years my mantra was: u201CIf you're in it for the praise, recognition, accolades or money, you're in it for the wrong reason. What part of divided we fall don't you understand? What part of united we stand don't you get?u201D We as patriots should not see others in the movement as competitors, but rather as teammates. We don't have to agree on all topics or issues. Patriots need to see the common enemies and issues and work towards overcoming hem them. Then they can all get back to the infighting, backstabbing and gossip, (if that's what they think they need to do.)
The infighting and rumor mongering became commonplace in the patriot movement. The issue for some appeared to become that of u201Cexposing othersu201D and it saddened my heart to find that so many well meaning patriots had egos so fragile that they could no longer focus on their issue and rather redirected their efforts towards personal attacks and defending against them. What a great way to neutralize someone who is successfully affecting a change! Put them on the defensive to the point that they can no longer effectively move forward! I for one could care less of what people say about me.
With all the crazy attacks and accusations I was subjected to, I very rarely responded. And the idiots who believed that tripe are no more worthy of my time than those spewing it.
Sadly, given the disharmony and lack of unity in the u201Cpatriotu201D movement I came to realize that my words spoken in 1995 were truer than I wanted them to be: u201CEither we all fight them together or we all sit back and wait for them to collapse under the weight of their own corruptionu201D.
The way I see it, I paid it forward enough for a couple of lifetimes. My priority now is to enjoy what time I have left on this earth, to u2018live, laugh, love and sing about it'.
I have not completely withdrawn but am on hiatus to give myself time to heal from the personal, emotional and financial losses suffered at the hands of other so called u201Cpatriotsu201D.
Susan Beverley: I would like to ask you about the Power Hour that you co-hosted with Joyce Riley. This was, and still is an immensely popular radio show. So why did you quit?
Dave vonKleist: Quit? That idea has been publicized but is quite untrue. You can figure out the opposite of u201Cquitu201D. I suppose all things run their course and the Power Hour had a good run. Joyce and I had a difference of philosophy and the direction the show had taken and she made a u201Cbusiness decisionu201D. My only regret is the way I was terminated and that I was not afforded the opportunity to thank the listeners for their support for all those years and to say goodbye… at least for the time being.
There are still unresolved issues on this topic and so I will leave out the finer details … for now. It is said u201Cwhen poverty comes in the door love goes out the windowu201D. Sometimes a success can have the same effect. The problem is when the success or financial rewards overshadow the very reason you began your endeavor in the first place, you end up corrupting your own values for the sake of more u201Cstuffu201D.
Susan Beverley: You had thousands of followers who were inspired by your motivational broadcasts and unique delivery; do you feel you are letting them down by no longer being on the air?
Dave vonKleist: I remember listening to the u201CFor the Peopleu201D broadcast with Chuck Harder when I lived in Connecticut. When the station that carried his broadcast changed its programming I felt the loss. I can understand how many listeners may have felt when I was no longer on the radio. I am truly sorry for any loss they may have felt or still feel, but again the circumstance was not under my control.
Susan Beverley: You worked for many years supporting Gulf War Veterans providing free information packages and DVD's. Are you still involved in any way in providing ongoing support to vets?
Dave vonKleist: Joyce Riley and I came together in the mid 90's because of our common concern for our men and women who had served in the military. The Power Hour began in the year 2000 and at first maintained a focus on Veteran issues and became a clearing house for free information for those who simply asked. Over the years we gave away several hundred thousand dollars in videos, documents, printed materials, clothing, basic necessities and in some cases cash to Vets who had reached a point of desperation.
I believe it is because of our efforts to help Vets the Power Hour became the success that it was. As the radio show became more popular, our topics became more diverse and it appeared to me that we might have lost sight of the very reason that we became involved in the first place.
I would challenge anyone to visit the Power Hour archives or guest schedule today and find how many shows per month are dedicated towards the Vets. I had no say in the scheduling of guests on the program. The direction it took was a result of Joyce Riley being at the helm. My support for Vets remains un-wavering; it is my resources that are no longer available. Vets can still contact the Power Hour and ask for help.
Susan Beverley: Your two video documentaries, 911 In Plane Site and 911 The Ripple Effect opened many people's eyes to the possibility that the attack on the WTC and the Pentagon were not simply terrorist attacks and raised many questions that to this day are still unanswered. What motivated you to go ahead and produce these videos?
Dave vonKleist: On that horrible day we were preparing to go on air with our live broadcast. As we fired up the equipment and turned on our TV monitor I saw the north tower smoking, as it had been hit at 8:46 AM (EST) – just minutes before our live broadcast. When our microphones went live at 9 AM, the first thing I said to the listeners was, u201CWherever you are, whatever you are doing, run, don't walk to your VCR, put in a tape and start recording any network you can findu201D. Many of our listeners did just that and 3 minutes later the south tower was hit. After several months of America suffering a 911 hangover, video tapes began arriving by mail.
