Tom Secker returns for the second installment of our discussion on the sixth season of Homeland. We begin with a quick recap of the past several episodes before diving into the big themes going on this season. Tom and I begin by focusing on the character of Dar Adal and the notion that he represents a faction of the now infamous deep state. We talk about the mysterious private intelligence firm that Adal is using for assassinations, false flag bombings, and information operations. Tom and I discuss what exactly the CIA is getting out of having their favorite TV portray such a nefarious and shadowy organization at the center of the season plot-line. We also touch on the fact that the CIA is virtually nonexistent in this season and what that may mean. The two of us talk about the fact that Homeland has successfully made this whole season revolve around the meme of “fake news” and big data as a powerful tool for manipulation. We talk about the fact that these ideas were woven into the script months before they became talking points for the general public. Tom talks about the power of the fake news meme as a tool of the CIA and National Security State. We also explore the character of Brett O’Keefe who is the greatest characterization of Alex Jones ever. Tom and I talk about O’Keefe’s role as a deep state contractor for Dar Adal, and his efforts to create sock puppet accounts to influence public opinion.
In the second hour Tom ask the question if the CIA is telling us that Alex Jones is in fact an agency asset through Homeland. We explore the various interpretations of the O’Keefe – Jones character and what the CIA may be trying to tell us about the alt-media and conspiracy culture in general. Tom also tells us about his articles in The American Journal of Economics and Sociology. I finish off the show by discussing the increasingly dire situation in Yemen and why no one is talking about it.
As many already know the issue featuring my article in The American Journal of Economics and Sociology was just recently published. The entire issue deals with CIA and Pentagon influence in Hollywood and includes articles by Tom Secker, Aaron Franz, Tarzie, Matthew Alford, and many more. I am extremely proud of not only my piece but of the entire issue and everyone that contributed. A big thank you to all the writers who joined me in this amazing endeavor.
Due to copyright restrictions you will have to buy the issue if you want to read it. Unfortunately I have already given out the limited number of print copies that I had. If you would like a copy (signed even) then please email me and I will see what I can do about getting more issues. You can also email Wiley Customer Service (cs-journals@wiley.com) and inquire about purchasing a single issue. Below is the abstract from my piece.
The Historical Roots of CIA-Hollywood Propaganda – Pearse Redmond
The ability to use movies that tell persuasive stories is a powerful tool, particularly if it is consciously used to legitimize war, assassination, and illegal activities and to undermine the core principles of democracy. The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the U.S. military have made use of that tool for almost a century, starting with the War Department’s quiet support for the movie Birth of a Nation in 1915 and continuing for a century, including such recent CIA-supported products as Homeland, The Agency, The Recruit, and many less likely movies and television shows. During World War II, this sort of propaganda was openly distributed, since there was a widespread consensus in support of that war. However, state-sponsored propaganda in the form of Hollywood movies continued throughout the Cold War up to the present. The production of movies that completely distorted the political meaning of George Orwell’s and Graham Greene’s novels were important examples of this practice. CIA involvement was covert, since the target audience was the American public and the ideological perspective being propagated often ran counter to democratic ideals. This article recounts the history of the process by which Americans came to accept the ideas continuously promoted by the government, often without knowing that their favorite movies and television shows had been vetted or even altered by agents of the CIA or the Pentagon. Since these practices violate federal laws, the public at least has a right to know that we are being subjected to this sort of propaganda and how much tax money is spent to produce entertaining forms of disinformation.
Good friend Aaron Franz joins me on the show this week to discuss our recent work in The American Journal of Economics and Sociology. We begin by talking about some of the behind the scenes aspects of the issue. I talk about the whole process of how the issue came into being from the initial offer from Clifford Cobb, getting all the writers together, and dealing with all the road bumps along the way. Aaron and I talk about the actual writing process and the challenges involved in writing for an academic journal. Next we explore Aaron’s piece which deals with secret societies, CIA, occult practices, and the ways in which this is mimicked in Hollywood films. We talk about the similarities between secret societies and the CIA, particularly with their strong reliance on cryptography. Aaron and I discuss the famous Kryptos sculpture outside CIA headquarters and the agencies use of art’s powerful occult properties. We also talk about the bizarre Fallen Angel sculpture in CIA headquarters.
In the second hour we talk about the notion of truth as it now exists today. We begin by talking about the biblical verse “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” which is carved into the lobby wall of the CIA’s Original Headquarters Building. We talk about the significance and deeper meaning behind not only the quote but why CIA Director Allen Dulles insisted that it be inscribed. Later Aaron and I move onto the current environment that we find ourselves in right now. We talk about the way truth has become an almost meaningless notion in today’s political and media landscape and what this means for us as a society. Aaron and I also discuss the hidden truths behind the various statements and missteps of Donald Trump. We talk about the possible occult meanings behind this as well as the notion that a magick spell was cast on America after the election.
Author John Potash joins me in the first hour for a discussion of his book The FBI War on Tupac Shakur and Black Leaders. John describes the radical political life that Tupac was born into; mother Afeni Shakur and step father Mutulu Shakur were both prominent Black Panthers. We talk about the impact that this had on Tupac and how this would ultimately shape his life and his untimely death. John talk about the political messages with in Tupac’s songs, as well as his efforts behind the scenes to broker peace between gangs such as The Bloods and Crips. These efforts along with the politicization of the gangs would contribute to the FBI and US Intelligence targeting Tupuac relentlessly. We explore the numerous assassination attempts on Tupac including the infamous Atlanta and Marin Music Festival shootings. Later we delve into the New York shooting and the trumped up sexual assault case that would land Tupac in jail. John and I also break down the influence of Death Row Records and Suge Knight on Tupac. We discuss the intelligence connections behind Death Row, including CIA cocaine money, mafia lawyers, and the deep relationship it had with the LAPD and their elite police units. We discuss how Death Row was able to orchestrate Tupac’s killing in Las Vegas at the behest of the FBI/ATF and others. We finish off by talking about the impact that Tupac’s killing had on the rap world and the activist community.
In the second hour I talk about my article in the American Journal of Economics and Sociology. I talk about the issue as a whole which deals with CIA and DOD influence in Hollywood and talk about the other writers involved. Later I rant about the growing corporate take over of America and the misuse of the term Deep State. I discuss the notion that corporations are becoming countries, and countries are become nationalist corporations. I look at this through the lens of Trumps administration and the Keystone Pipeline as a case study. I attempt to show how this is really what the Deep State is up to.
Porkins Policy Review 