Porkins Policy Reviewhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttAHGXn7ZyQ
Tom Secker and I recently sat down to talk with Ed Opperman all about Matt Alford’s new book The Writer With No Hands. The book deals with the bizarre “death” of Hollywood screenwriter Gary Devore and his mysterious links to the CIA. We also talk about the second season of The CIA and Hollywood, and some recent Jeffrey Epstein developments.
Show Notes:
We welcome Ed Opperman to the series and discuss the 2005 docudrama Good Night, and Good Luck which retells the story of the 1954 confrontation between senator Joe McCarthy and television journalist Ed Murrow of CBS. McCarthy was pursuing Communists within the State Department and other government agencies and innocent people were getting caught in the crossfire, creating a climate of suspicion, mistrust and hostility. Murrow used his prime time series See It Now to attack McCarthy and the culture and mentality of McCarthyism, showing the senator to be a hypocrite who persecuted his targets.
This is the story that is told in Good Night, and Good Luck, a film born out of the creative relationship between George Clooney and Grant Heslov. In this episode we take a sideways look at the historical events and ask why Clooney and Heslov chose to lionise not just Murrow but the whole See it Now/CBS crew. We try to persuade Ed of an alternative interpretation of events, with Murrow not quite being the heroic counter-establishment figure he is in the film and CBS being a rotten media organisation with deep ties to the CIA. We then explore how almost everyone involved in Good Night, and Good Luck had either already made a film with CIA assistance, or went on to do so. We round off talking about Clooney’s bizarre Las Vegas connection, E Michael Burke, George Steinbrenner and (inevitably) Donald Trump.
Download The CIA and Hollywood ep 9
Show Notes:
Edward R. Murrow: “A Report on Senator Joseph R. McCarthy”
Good Night, and Good Luck and Bad History (part 1)
Good Night, and Good Luck and Bad History (part 2)
The CIA and the Media (Carl Bernstein)
ClandesTime 034 – The Hollywood Ten
In this first episode of the new season Pearse and I discuss the 1958 spy drama The Quiet American, adapted from the novel by Graham Greene. We focus in on the role of Air Force and CIA officer Ed Lansdale’s relationship with the film-maker Joseph Mankiewicz, and how the CIA were involved in assisting Mankiewicz the first major American movie to be filmed in Vietnam. Mankiewicz met Lansdale in Vietnam while doing research for the movie and, apparently unaware that Lansdale is one of the inspirations for the Pyle character in the original book, befriended him. Lansdale later reviewed the script and wrote to Mankiewicz encouraging the changes he had made to the storyline and characters.
Another angle is Graham Greene’s transition from an MI6 agent in World War 2 to an anti-establishment author who was spied by the FBI for supposed Communist affiliations. We look at how his original novel of The Quiet American was an excellent critique of post-WW2 American imperialism, secret warfare and so-called ‘humanitarian interventions’, which was butchered in the Hollywood version. In particular the character of Pyle is turned from a bookish, virginal ‘war nerd’ into the charming all-American version played by real-life war hero Audie Murphy. Likewise, while the original book has Fowler’s worst suspicions about Pyle being proven right (Pyle is sponsoring terrorism), the film changes this so Fowler is fooled by the Communists into betraying Pyle.
We round off this episode by briefly discussing the far superior (and not state-sponsored) 2002 film version directed by Philip Noyce and starring Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser. This version is not only better written, acted and directed but is also, crucially, a faithful adaptation of the original book.
Download The CIA and Hollywood ep 8
Show Notes:
The Quiet American (1958 film)
The Quiet American (2002 film)
Edward Lansdale’s Cold War by Jonathan Nashel
Lansdale’s letter to Mankiewicz
Operation Northwoods document collection
On this episode we talked with Casey Gane-McCalla all about his new book Inside the CIA’s Secret War in Jamaica. We began with an overview of the geopolitcal situation Jamaica found itself in during the Cold-War. Casey explained how the Caribbean nation was one of the premier battle grounds for US imperialism throughout the 1970’s-1980’s. Casey breaks down how the two dominant political parties, the Jamaican Labour Party, headed by Edward Seaga and backed by the CIA, and the People’s National Party, headed by Michael Manley and aligned with Cuba, fought a bloody struggle for dominance. We then discussed the CIA’s use of anti-Castro Cuban terrorists and economic warfare to destabilize the country. We also touched on the racial politics which dominate Jamaica to this day.
Later we moved on to the introduction of cocaine and arms trafficking into Jamaica. Casey explained how, with the help of the CIA, Edward Seaga was able to build up his own well-armed drug-dealing militia, The Shower Posse. We explored how gangs in Jamaica are fully integrated into the Jamaican political system. Casey also talked about the links between Iran-Contra and Jamaica. We also discussed Jeb Bush’s deep connections to the Jamaican drug trade and right-wing Cuban terrorists.
We finished off the conversation by looking at the 2010 Tivoli Gardens Incursion which resulted in the eventual extradition of Shower Posse leader, Christopher “Dudus” Coke. Casey and I talked about the reasons that the CIA may have turned on their asset in the island nation. We also examined the larger issue of Drug War as it effects us as a society today.
We closed out by briefly discussing Casey’s next project, a book dealing with The Boston Bombing and the brutal murder of Casey’s friend, Erik Weissman, by Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
Show Notes:
Inside the CIA’s Secret War in Jamaica
How the CIA Created the Jamaican Shower Posse
Music:
On this months episode Christoph and I take an in-depth look at the recent “Four Day War” between Azerbaijan and Armenia in the Nagorno Karabhak region. We discuss the causes for this latest outbreak of violence, and the various regional and global actors involved. Christoph also breaks down the history of this long-forgotten, frozen conflict.
In our second segment we look into a variety of spy-games being played between Turkey and Russia. We begin with the recent reversal by the FSB that Turkey was involved in the downing of a Russian passenger plane in Egypt and what this may mean. Christoph and I discuss the political situation within NATO. We focus on NATO’s hesitancy to get further entrenched in a military situation with Russia, and how NATO members are responding to this .
Next we discuss the recent interview that the reclusive Fethullah Gulen gave to a Russian newspaper, in which she attacks Turkey for shooting down a Russian fighter jet near the Syrian border. Christoph and I both offer our theories and analysis as to why Gulen is speaking now, and what it means that he is speaking out against Erdogan.
Next we discuss the recent arrest of Grey Wolf fighter Alparslan Celik. Faithful listeners will remember that Celik was the “Turkmen” rebel leader that took credit for the killing of a Russian pilot Oleg Peshkov. Then we turn to the recent arrest of two Russian spies by the MIT in Turkey for their role in the murder of Chechen militant Abdulvakhid Edelgireyev. We finish off this section by taking a look at the rising influence of Grey Wolves inside Germany, using the recent clashes between Grey Wolves and PKK supporters in the city of Aschaffenburg as an example.
For our weird terrorism section Christoph and I give a final farewell to our favorite Georgian Jihadi, Tarkhan Batirashvili aka Omar al-Shishani. We talk about the Pentagon operation that killed him, and why this time they may actually be speaking the truth. We also take a closer look at the Panama Papers and the telltale signs that this was a CIA operation.
Show Notes:
Nagorno-Karabakh:
All-Out War Over Karabakh Is No One’s Interest
Armenia-backed forces report 97 dead in Nagorno-Karabakh fighting
Russia set to continue arms supplies to Azerbaijan and Armenia — official
Report: Israeli-made Suicide Drone Used in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Azeri Defense Ministry Plane Landed Twice in Israel During Fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh
Azerbaijani Soldiers Execute Elderly Armenian Couple in Artsakh; Then Cut Off Their Ears
Karabakh conflict: Azerbaijani soldiers behead Ezidi from Armenia
Turkey-Russia conflict:
No “Turkish trace” in Russian plane crash over Egypt — Russian security service
Russia PM warns foreign offensive in Syria could spark ‘world war’
Would Russia Use Nukes to Defend Khmeimim?
Putin vs. Erdogan: NATO Concerned over Possible Russia-Turkey Hostilities
Why Turkey is losing hope in Syrian border town of Azaz
Syrian rebels say reinforcements get free passage via Turkey
Gülen unveils his anti-Turkey stance once again
Fethullah Gülen’s role in the shooting of the Russian jet
First Turkey-Russia meeting after jet incident
Turkey arrests ‘Russian pilot killer’ & ‘Russian spies’:
Alleged killer of Russian jet pilot detained on fraud charges
Alleged killer of Russian jet pilot pens letter to Russia from prison
Two ‘Russian spies’ caught in Istanbul
Murder in Istanbul: Kremlin’s hand suspected in shooting of Chechen
Russian detained in Istanbul for plotting to assassinate Chechen dissidents
Update: Turkish prosecutor drops charges against Alparslan Celik after examining video
Turkish-Kurdish conflict in Germany:
Kurdish PKK Confront Pro-Turkey Protesters in Germany
Germany fears return of Turkish-Kurdish violence on its soil
Death of Omar al-Shishani:
Top ISIS leader ‘critically injured’ in U.S. airstrike, activists say
IS group commander Shishani ‘clinically dead:’ monitor
Special Forces in Rojava – TTG
Obama sends more Special Forces to Syria in fight against IS
Islamic State Leader Omar al-Shishani Fought Under U.S. Umbrella as Late as 2013
Charles Lister comments on Palmyra
Panama Papers:
What I Learned From the Panama Papers
The One Sentence Summary of the Panama Papers
Panama says will adopt international tax reporting standards by 2018: media
Swiss banker whistleblower: CIA behind Panama Papers
Armenia: Panama Papers Prompts Official’s Resignation
Heinrich Boell and Co: “Drinking CIA Brandies”
German documentary on the Cultural Cold War
Music:
FULL DISCLOSURE: I am no longer associated with Sibel Edmond, or BoilingFrogs/Newsbud. I think she is a con-artist and a petty and vindictive individual. If you want to know more about why I broke off all ties with Sibel you can find out more here:
From Traces of Reality:
On this edition of Traces of Reality Radio: Guillermo is joined by Sibel Edmonds, editor and publisher of Boiling Frogs Post, and Pearse Redmond, host of Porkins Policy Radio, to discuss the new media venture Newsbud. Sibel, Pearse, and Guillermo explain what sets Newsbud apart from the rest of the alternative media, and why a 100 percent reader-supported outlet is vitally necessary in today’s media landscape.
Also on the program: the curious case of Michael Scheuer and his marriage to the CIA’s “Queen of Torture” Alfreda Frances Bikowsky, the media’s overall silence on the issue, and why it matters.
Show Notes:
BFP: Newsbud – Where Media Integrity Matters
Buzzfeed: CIA’s “Queen Of Torture” Married To Former CIA Official Who Urges War Between Sunnis And Shiites
BFP: Confirmed Identity of the CIA Official behind 9/11, Rendition & Torture Cases is Revealed
Join the Newsbud Mailing List: Sign Up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yimddIBERgA
I just had the great pleasure of joining Ed Opperman on the Opperman Report. We began by discussing the most recent developments with regards to the Jeffrey Epstein case. I broke down the case as well as the ongoing legal battle between Brad Edwards, Paul Cassell and the government. I also discuss the recent legal battles that Alan Dershowitz has suffered as he faces an uphill legal fight in his defamation suit. Ed and I also talk about some of the recent releases’ of depositions in the Epstein case and what they say about Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Dershowitz and the over all scale and scope of this pedophile ring. Ed and I also talk about our disdain for Donald Trump and his former political strategist Roger Stone.
Later Ed and I discuss the OJ Simpson case and some of our theories on it. We talk about the possibility of cocaine trafficking as a motive for the murder, and the numerous Scientology connections to the case.
In the after show we are joined by listener Joshua Brookshire and discuss a variety of topics. I discuss the CIA and Hollywood podcast series, DOD and CIA FOIA documents, money laundering in Hollywood, Central Asian geopolitics, Bowe Berghdal and much more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfjx7PosgSM
From SpyCulture:
This review of the finale of Homeland discusses not just the final episode but the entire season. We reflect on what is new and different about this fifth season, from the religious dimensions being crow-barred into the show to the use of Russians as the enemy image and hackers as second-level terrorists. We examine the storyline of the recruitment of the Laura Poitras character by the BND, both drawing a parallel with the real life person and identifying this as a metaphor for Homeland as a state-sponsored show. We dwell on whether the CIA staff actually hate Laura Poitras, unaware that she may be an asset of some section of the Agency.
As the conversation progress, we outline the idea that Homeland is an experiment to see how far they can make people doubt their own perceptions of not just the show itself but also the geopolitical realities it sometimes portrays. We explore the idea that Homeland is designed to assault the audience’s confidence in their own perceptions. We wrap up looking at Homeland’s obsession with predicting or commenting on current events, often events that happen during the production or broadcasting of the show. We outline Alex Gansa’s recent admissions that the major creative players in the show – including Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin – attended four days of meetings at a private club in Georgetown. The meetings were arranged by former CIA deputy director John MacGaffin – the main consultant on Homeland – and involved currently serving CIA officers, State Department officials and White House staffers.
Download ClandesTime episode 066
Show Notes:
Alex Gansa on Homeland and Responding to Real Life Terrorism
On this penulitamte episode of our Homeland series Tom and I begin by venting about our hatred of Alison. Next we move onto the shows continual use of women as negative characters. WE discuss the similarities between Alison and real life Russian spy Anna Chapman. We look at the parallels between these two characters and the notion that Alison will receive a hero’s welcome if she returns to Russia. Next we explore if the Russian government would actually let an attack happen, as Homeland suggests, in order to galvanize the West to fight ISIS. Tom and I lay out some of our theories as to why the Russian’s don’t talk about the Gladio operations (Boston, 9/11, Paris) that they clearly are aware of. We discuss the emergence of yet another evil female spy this time in the form of a German Foreign Office offical. Later Tom and I discuss one of the major takeaways from this season: that the CIA no longer engages in torture. Through out this season we have seen several distinct plot lines that lead us to believe that the CIA no longer uses this brutal tactic. Tom and I discuss the moral issues surrounding torture and the aspects of torture that are never brought up in the debate. We discuss how the show uses the character of Marwan to illustrate that torture doesn’t work, and how this is most likely a deliberate propaganda move to wipe clean the CIA’s hands. We also note how the show has routinely made the German’s look not only like torturers, but Nazi’s and Stasi as well. Tom and I also touch on Hollywoods false portrayal of strong female characters in movies such as Spy, and how this is really just more of the same. Later we move onto the portrayal of Laura Poitras in the show and how this may reflect the CIA’s various desires to portray her as hero and villain. We round off the conversation by discussing some very interesting listener emails and tweets.
Tom and I briefly talk about our participation in a brand new media project being spearheaded by Sibel Edmonds at the end of the podcast.
Show Notes:
Homeland Season 5 episode 11 Our man in Damascus
Laila Helms could be a character in Homeland
Kathryn Bigelow Prepping Jihadi Recruitment Drama for HBO
First Look Media snags Comedy Central and NBC alum Lisa Leingang
First Look Media wants to make the next “Spotlight”
Music:
Porkins Policy Review 