For years now, a countless number of “patriot radio” listeners have been dished the goods on RBN’s John Stadtmiller by the one and only Jeffrey Bennett of The Federal Observer. Bennett has been more than happy to tell anyone within earshot the multitude of sins committed by his former business associate - in fact, his listeners have been told that Stadtmiller ripped Bennett off for tens of thousands of dollars. When this story was told, it was absolutely mesmerizing. We know this, because Thorn and I have heard many times the hate-drenched, scornful, derisive litany recounting the “screwing-over” of Jeffrey Bennett by one John Stadtmiller. We’re not talking about chump change, folks. Bennett has told God knows how many people that Stadtmiller ripped him off for (if I remember correctly) $75,000 in the past!

Strangely, within the last few weeks, Bennett has emerged as a prominent figure at Republic Broadcasting Network, the very home of the man he has spent years despising and portraying in less than glowing terms. Bennett now broadcasts his one-hour show in the time slot formerly filled by Peter Schaenk, who was unceremoniously dumped from the program line-up only weeks ago. From what I and many others have observed, these two events (the emergence of Bennett and ditching of Schaenk) practically coincided with one another. Bennett has also merged forces with Stadtmiller once again in a joint business venture that can only be described as bizarre. Bennett and Stadtmiller (B-S for short) now operate the Republic Trading Group, which deals in selling gold and silver.

Suddenly, this inexplicable scenario has been plopped into the minds of numerous bewildered patriot talk show listeners who have been left to wonder: What gives with this sudden B-S business partnership, considering that Bennett has been very effective in convincing us of Stadtmiller’s shady character while making it perfectly clear that this man should not be trusted with your money. Are all these befuddled listeners supposed to now forget the ranting we’ve been subjected to for years - just like that? But if they dare to question this bi-polar merging of two opposing forces, they’re likely to encounter the mean end of some very long, sharp verbal knives and the exposed fangs of Bennett-Stadtmiller, who now call one another “buddy.” Okay, so now it’s “buddy.” The hatchet is buried, folks; just like that. Truly amazing how money makes strange bedfellows, isn’t it?

To skeptically persist in questioning this “incredible-hatchet-burying” is to subject yourself to a generic script of sneering, mocking non-answers which not only insult one’s intelligence, but blatantly and clumsily divert attention away from the question at hand. Be forewarned: if you ask taboo questions of people who don’t want to be questioned regarding their actions, prepare to be ridiculed, yelled at, and castigated as a “pot-stirrer.”

So now we’re shown the warm, fuzzy, new-found camaraderie that exists between these two long-standing enemies. Love is in the air. So is the smell of money. Lots and lots of money. YOUR money. And now RBN is going to completely submerge its listeners in even more commercials and infomercials (as if being up to our nostrils in them already wasn’t bad enough) because they are pushing the gold and silver theme hot & heavy. Bennett’s sales pitch effectively utilizes his God-given brains and business savvy in conjunction with a voice that is undeniably made for radio. The pitch? Well, buy my tiny gold pieces, buy my silver rounds, buy them now, buy a lot, and then sit on them and await the apocalypse. Once it hits, you will have the edge over those of us who didn’t have the extra thousands of fiat dollars to burn on little gold rocks and silver coins. How do you know what you’re buying for your money? Well, dear listener, it’s stamped right on the round.

My question is: if our dollar isn’t worth a crap any more, why do the gold and silver peddlers so readily accept it as payment for their tiny rocks and rounds? Furthermore, how do you really know the value of what you’re purchasing unless you spend even more money getting the stuff independently appraised? Moreover, consider this: you send Bennett-Stadtmiller two grand of your hard-earned money for their “exciting special package.” Upon receipt of your $2000, B-S can immediately spend that cash on anything their hearts desire - that is, goods and services. Now, what about you, dear customer? What do you get? Well, you get to sit on your purchase until ... the apocalypse hits. Isn’t that exciting? Bennett says it’s very important to have these rocks and rounds because, “You never know when you’re going to have to get up and go in the middle of the night.” Nothing like a little old fashioned, fear-based, end-of-the-world-style snake oil salesmanship, is there?

Oh, I suppose you could scour your community trying to locate a merchant who’d be willing to sell you goods or services with your little rocks and rounds. But remember, Internet metals dealers aren’t exactly considered “reputable” by mainstream brokers. But you, the faithful RBN listener, already have the “edge” because you know the sordid past of John Stadtmiller’s previous business conduct, thanks to his buddy Jeff Bennett. Considering how much trust must be involved in purchasing gold over the Internet for $1,975, how can we put any faith in this partnership, especially after all Jeffrey Bennett has said about John Stadtmiller?

But Jeffrey Bennett isn’t the only one saying these things. Check out this little ditty from Christian Media Research:

          John Stadtmiller: Co-founder of the original Republic Radio Network with Jeff Bennett. Sold           network to Dan & Loris Thompkins. Years broadcasting at Genesis, then stole Republic           name from Thompkins and formed another network now known as Republic Broadcasting.           As a competitor of Genesis, Stadtmiller inexplicably promotes Alex Jones - raising           suspicions concerning the real role of Ted Anderson of Genesis. As the original Republic           network had a "silent" partner that was concealed, it is consistent with Stadtmiller's long           standing pattern of broadcast deceit to be fronting for another party. A thoroughly           untrustworthy individual who ends most telephone conversations by abruptly hanging up           when he doesn't get his way.

So, let me get this straight. I give B-S $2000 bucks, and in exchange I have to hide my rocks under my bed until the apocalypse arrives. Meanwhile, Bennett and Stadtmiller are out eating giant steaks at the Outback Steakhouse and drinking champagne while I’m sitting on rocks (not to mention pins & needles) waiting for the end of the world.

Exciting, isn’t it?