Transcript: America This Week, Episode 67,"The Hawks Who Cried Wolf"

Joe Biden and John Kirby warn of war with Russia and spilling of American "blood" as desperation to find more bilions for Ukraine grows more and more intense

Transcript for this week’s episode of “America This Week,” in which Walter and I discuss the sudden shift in Ukraine, the specter of a new speech law in Ireland, and James Joyce’s “Araby”:

Matt Taibbi: Hello, welcome to America This Week. I’m Matt Taibbi.

Walter Kirn: And I’m Walter Kirn.

Matt Taibbi: Walter, I have improved equipment.

Walter Kirn: Not only that, you have an improved backdrop. Instead of Rolling Stone posters hanging askew on your wall, and a drum kit that makes you look like you’re an extra in Wayne’s World.

Matt Taibbi: I am an extra in Wayne’s World. That was me doing this in the movie.

Walter Kirn: Have you seen the effect of you in front of the red curtain? Have you-

Matt Taibbi: Yes.

Walter Kirn: It’s kind of iconic, Matt. It’s kind of a troll, actually. I mean-

Matt Taibbi: I dig it.

Walter Kirn: ... if there was a little star on that curtain or something, it would be better, but-

Matt Taibbi: I’ve got a neon sign coming, Walter. It’s going to get better.

Walter Kirn: You look like state media. You look like state media in a state that I would try to emigrate from.

Matt Taibbi: Yeah. I was talking to my wife last night and I was like, “It’s a little bit like strip club meets Mobutu Sese Seko or something like that,” right? It’s got a little... Or maybe Malaysia. I don’t know. What’s the country I’m going for here? I guess it would have to be a communist one, right?

Walter Kirn: Red China, dude.

Matt Taibbi: China? Yeah. China.

Walter Kirn: No, you look like a captured airman. You look like the Manchurian candidate.

Matt Taibbi: Awesome.

Walter Kirn: Yeah, if Laurence Harvey had stayed in North Korea and made broadcasts.

Matt Taibbi: Walter, you’re the kindest, gentlest, warmest man I’ve ever met. Did I get that line right? Yeah, I can’t remember. It makes me laugh every time I see it, so...