Summary of Ken Braun: Following the money and influence in politics | Tom Nelson Pod #163

00:00:00 - 00:45:00

In this YouTube video, Ken Braun, founder of the Capital Research Center, discusses various topics related to politics, culture, and the environment. He touches on capitalist socialism, the problem of identity politics, and the concern over privatizing social security. He also talks about the rise of the union movement and its campaign against the Trump administration, and the role of corporations in politics. Braun has attended several events, including a Bernie Sanders rally and the Women's March in Washington, where he discussed the intersectional activism and the power of group identity politics in driving movements.

• 00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Ken Braun: Following the money and influence in politics | Tom Nelson Pod #163", Ken Braun discusses the role of his organization Capital Research Center in tracking nonprofit spending and political action committees. He explains that their research covers a broad range of issues, including energy policy, and that they have a website called "InfluenceWatch.org" that provides a wealth of information on various groups and their activities. Braun also talks about some of the recent political developments and controversial issues he has been tracking, including "Arabella Advisers" and "opposition to nuclear energy".
• 00:05:00 In this section of the video, Braun discusses the efforts of various organizations to oppose nuclear power, despite having stated environmental goals. He points out that most of these groups receive significant funding from governments. Braun contrasts the Sierra Club, which he considers to be pro-nuclear, with groups that promote wind and solar energy as the solution to carbon emissions, such as the Nature Conservancy. Braun also raises concerns about the mistaken belief that nuclear power poses a greater threat to safety than flight and sun exposure, and the linear no-threshold principle. He concludes by arguing that nuclear energy should not be held hostage to the politics of the current country.
• 00:10:00 In this section,=".oncomplete",accelimation="x(0) [100%]" clippersonality="True" track="audi
• 00:15:00 In this section, Ken Braun discusses the impact of the media on public perceptions of nuclear power in relation to clean energy. He mentions the TV show "The Simpsons" and how it portrays Homer Simpson as a bumbling nuclear engineer. The show is done for laughs, but Braun believes that people influenced by this image may see nuclear power as a source of fear industry and environmental risks, rather than the potential benefits as a reliable and efficient energy source. Braun also discusses his work with the Capital Research Center, where he focuses on the ESG investing movement and its impact on renewable energy and nuclear energy. He also mentions the various groups and foundations funding these ESG and anti-energy climate groups, including the Bloomberg philanthropies, Fred Stanach, and others. Braun argues that despite their partly contradictory positions, these entities share a common goal, positing that people, rather than industry and the environment, are the main problem in their worldview.
• 00:20:00 In this section, we are talking about the history and evolution of the anti-nuclear movement, particularly with regards to California and its decision to stop building nuclear reactors in the late 60s and early 70s. The Rocky Mountain Institute, founded by Amy Lovens back in the 70s, is also discussed, with Lovens being credited as the convincer of the Sierra Club, one of the major environmental organizations in the United States, to take their stance on nuclear energy. The discussion then moves to the present, with a focus on the funding of environmental organizations like Extinction Rebellion and Earth First, which have embarked on criminal destruction of property and other forms of violent protest. While these groups are often associated with antifascism, there is no formal organization funding them, and sometimes individuals and groups simply claim the label. As discussed, following the money and influence in politics can be difficult, but it is crucial for journalists to report on what these organizations do, what they say, and speculate on where the funding might be coming from. Ultimately, the goal should be to find solutions to the pressing issues we face, even if compromises must be made.
• 00:25:00 In this section of the Marscan video, the speaker discusses the issue of wind turbines and the extent of their maintenance problems. The speaker claims that despite the huge subsidies and government support for the wind turbine industry, the turbines are breaking down frequently and requires expensive maintenance, which raises questions regarding their viability as a green energy source. The speaker also mentions that the head of Nextera, one of the largest power utilities in the country, has repeatedly claimed that incidents involving wind turbines are extremely rare and do not happen often.
• 00:30:00 In this section, Ken Braun discusses the issue of waste in wind and solar energy, which he compares to the problem of disposal of nuclear power waste. He argues that the waste produced by wind turbine blades and solar cells is not biodegradable, and can remain in landfills for up to 20 years, contributing to a growing waste problem. He also notes that the cost of producing wind and solar energy is increasing, a problem that is being exacerbated by a focus on these sources over reliable, baseload sources such as nuclear and natural gas power. Braun emphasizes the importance of new, reliable sources of energy in supporting economic growth and maintaining a stable energy supply.
• 00:35:00 In this section, Ken Braun discusses the cost and controversy surrounding renewable energy systems. He argues that, in order to bring costs down, system designers must rely on backup power and reliable energy sources. He also notes that people are opposing these systems for various reasons, including human rights issues and health concerns. According to Braun, a pushback is coming from communities who want local control over wind and solar projects, but he suggests that government authorities are attempting to preempt these rejections. Braun believes that this could lead to a bitter political battle in the future, and he suggests that democrats may have more power to push through their policies in New York and Michigan. He also mentions that a debate over local control could influence a lot of Senate seats, potentially affecting the outcome of many elections in urban and suburban areas.
• 00:40:00 In this section of the video, the speaker, Ken Braun, discusses the funding for wind and solar energy projects under the Inflation Reduction Act. The original estimate from the Congressional budget office was $300-$400 billion over a decade, but the language is not capped and the actual spending could be as high as $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years. Private investment in real power like nuclear power, which does not receive subsidies, could be more compelling than wind power. Bill Gates and other billionaires could use their resources to build good old-fashioned nuclear reactors to save the earth.
• 00:45:00 In this section, Ken Braun talks about his experience with battery technology and energy policy in Michigan, specifically regarding Governor Jennifer Granholm's initiatives. He mentions how Governor Granholm was heavily invested in battery technology and tried to make Michigan the alternative capital of energy. Despite the government's investment in these projects, none of them were successful, and several battery plants that received subsidies eventually failed. Braun argues that Governor Granholm has little knowledge about energy and electricity, which is evident from her voting on an inflation reduction act. Braun encourages listeners to read more about the public policy influencers and energy journalists on the websites Capital Research.org and Influencer Watch.org. Ken Braun is also available on Twitter at @KenBraun.