Porkins Policy Review
Tom Secker and I were recently guests on Len Osanic’s Black Op Radio. We discussed The CIA and Hollywood series and specifically our episode on The Quiet American and Edward Lansdale. We discuss the theory that Lansdale was acting as a former ad-executive and was attempting to sell war in South East Asia. Tom and I also talk about the CIA’s use of George Orwell as propaganda, Charlie Wilson, and why government interference in cinema and culture is so dangerous.
Show Notes:
In the first hour Tom Secker joins me to discuss the season premier of Homeland season six. We talk about the season reboot which has become a ubiquitous feature of Homeland. Tom and I begin by discussing our initial impressions of the season and where we think the show is going on a political and emotional level. Next we move onto one of the new and most interesting characters in the show, President-elect Elizabeth Keane, the junior Senator from New York. We talk about how this character is not a character of Hillary Clinton as we and any others predicted, but instead a much more complex character which in many ways is closer to Donald Trump. We discuss the ideas and politics that the CIA is putting forth in this new season. Tom and I talk about how the notion of the CIA plotting against the president-elect is not only a major story line in Homeland but also in real life vis-a-vis Trump and the CIA. The two of us also talk about the idea that this season of Homeland will retell and reinvent the story of Al Qaeda. We explore the possibility that this is the overarching story the CIA wants to put out the the public, and that a new form or wave of jihadi attacks may be in-store for the West.
In the second hour frequent guest Robbie Martin joins us to discuss some of the latest political and geopolitical events. We begin by exploring the childish discourse from both Trump and the media over the past several weeks. Next we talk about our opinions of the recent “intelligence report” claiming that Trump is a Russian Manchurian candidate. We talk about our thoughts on the possibility of violence erupting between Israel and Palestine. Robbie and I focus on some of the strange stories coming about of Israel including: Israeli jets bombing Damascus, and US officials warning Israel not to share intelligence with Trump. The Two of us discuss our feelings on increased rhetoric of the all powerful Russian state against our quaint democratic life in the US. Robbie and I touch on the recent commutation of Chelsea Manning and the possibility that Julian Assange will stand trial in America. We also talk about Glenn Greenwald’s recent use of the term Deep State. Robbie and I round out the conversation by discussing some of our fears overs Trump’s domestic policies.
Show Notes:
My guest today is the great Douglas Valentine. Doug joins me to discuss his latest book The CIA as Organized Crime. We begin by looking at why Doug decided to write this book and the way in which it is structured. Next we delve into Doug’s relationship with the CIA and how he came to write about it’s inner-workings. Doug talks about his relationship with the agency and how he began getting access to operatives and officials while writing The Phoneix Program, including his meetings with former CIA Director William Colby. Doug also talks about how the agency attempted to co-opt him with money and a job, and their monitoring of his activities and research. Doug and I also talk about how the agency has grown and evolved from the late 1940’s to the present. We also touch on the recent anti-Russian media operations the CIA is involved with. Doug explains how this is both a distraction and a divide and conquer tactic that the CIA has perfected over the years.
In the second hour Doug explains how his research into the CIA led him to explore and write two books chronicling the narcotics trade and the War on Drugs. Doug talks about the way in which the CIA took over the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and later the DEA. We talk about how important the drug trade is to the CIA and how it is a cornerstone of the agency and its operations. I finish off by talking about several exciting upcoming episodes coming out in the next two months.
Show Notes:
CIA documents on Douglas Valentine
On today’s episode I lay out my predictions for 2017. In the first hour I look at geopolitics and the places I think will be important in 2017. I begin by focusing on a possible resolution in Syria and how this may play out for the future. I also talk about a few other hot-spots in the middle east to pay attention to: Israel and Yemen. I discuss why these are both important for the future of the region and on a global scale. I also explore Asia, focusing on China and North Korea. I discuss how president Trump may handle these countries and how geopolitics and foreign policy will change under his administration. I also touch on the idea that the CIA will become even more bold and out of control under Trump.
In the second hour Chuck Ochelli (and Frankie) joins me for more 2017 predictions. We talk about where the alt-media is headed. Whether or not Wikileaks is actually going to release some bombshells this year. If Trump really knows any secrets about cyber security. The future of marijuana legalization and the drug war. Will comedy get better? And the possibility of Ivanka as First Lady.
Writer and comic book reviewer Ryan Carey joins me for an in depth discussion of the comic industry and its relationship with the CIA. We begin by looking at the early days of comic books and their first forays into politics during WWII. Ryan talks about the overt left leaning politics of the original Superman comics and how this evolved into a nationalistic pro-US series during WWII. Next we move onto ex-CIA agent Tom King who’s charmed life has led him to the pinnacle of comics, writing the latest Batman comics. Ryan explains how King went from being a clandestine office in Iraq and Afghanistan to moving quickly up the ladder within the industry. We talk about King’s earlier work such as Omega Men and Vision and how shades of his past bled through with the writing. Ryan also talks about The Sheriff of Babylon which is loosely based on his own experiences inside Iraq. Ryan also points out the bizarre circumstances surrounding Kings career and how he continued to move up despite poor comics sales.
Later we discuss the significance and influence that Batman has with the comics industry and why it is so important. Ryan and I talk about why the CIA would gravitate to Batman and seek to influence it and its message. Ryan explains how several of King’s story-lines fit into the narrative the CIA is constantly putting out. We also talk about how the latest Batman comics have Bruce Wayne working indirectly for a shadowy arm of the government. Ryan and I also touch on the fact that CIA asset Ben Affleck is the latest actor to portray Batman and how this couldn’t just be a coincidence.
Show Notes:
In the first hour we are joined by Stephen Singular and his wife and writing partner Joyce for a follow up episode on the JonBenet Ramsey case. Joyce kick-starts our conversation by giving us her perspective on the case and her involvement in it. Next we move onto the overlooked incident involving a high level city official who was caught with explicit pornography (possible child related) in his desk at work. Stephen and Joyce explain how this relates to the larger issues at play in Boulder: prominent and influential people involved in an underground scene that were never looked at by the police. They explain how this is par for the course when it came to investigating these aspects of the case. I also ask Joyce and Stephen about the possibility that JonBenet’s murder may have been related to blackmail against John Ramsey. Joyce also elaborates on the strange poems that a handful of people (including themselves) received that explicitly named people involved in the murder and child pornography world in Boulder. Later on Stephen and Joyce answer some listener questions about the case. We also explore the larger question of why this case has fallen the way side in recent years. Stephen and Joyce both give their perspectives as to why people no longer want to investigate this case, but also the current developments that are ongoing.
In the second hour I update the listeners on the most recent development in the JonBenet case regarding Burke Ramsey’s lawsuit against CBS and Dr. Werner Spitz. Then I move on to the conspiracy culture and the latest attempt at mainstreaming the movement. I talk about the History Channel show Hunting Hitler and the possibility that it is an experiment and operation designed to influence the movement. I talk about the show’s main host, former CIA agent Bob Baer, and the involvement of the Pentagon in the show. I explore the idea that both the CIA and DOD may be trying to influence the way the alt-media/conspiracy culture conducts research and present themselves to the world at large. I also talk about the pitfalls that this presents to us moving forward and being taken seriously.
Show Notes:
Porkins Policy Radio episode 68 Presumed Guilty: Stephen Singular on JonBenet Ramsey Murder
Shadow on the Mountain: Nancy Pfister, Dr William Stlyer, and the Murder of Aspen’s Golden Girl
Today I discuss the history between the CIA and modern art, specifically focusing on the abstract expressionist movement. I discuss how the CIA used abstract expressionism as a propaganda tool against the Soviet Union. I begin at the end of WWII and explore how the CIA viewed painters like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko and others as vehicles to promote liberty and free enterprise. I explain how the CIA began a concerted effort to promote and fund this movement to combat Soviet Realism and portray America as a bastion of freedom. I use writer Frances Stonor Saunders monumental book The Cultural Cold War as a reference point throughout the discussion. I focus on CIA agent Tom Braden’s efforts to use institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art and the Congress for Cultural Freedom to make abstract expressionism the premier form of American Art. Later I explore the ramifications of this relationship by talking about the ways in which this has influenced our views on contemporary, and how contemporary art has manifested in today’s age. I also emphasize the importance of art in a society and why we should not turn our back on it. The CIA’s influence on culture more broadly speaking is also explored. Later on I ramble on about a whole mess of things.
NOTE: Sorry for the abrupt ending of this weeks episode. We had some technical difficulties towards the end and unfortunately lost the last 30 minutes.
Show notes:
The Cultural Cold War: The CIA and the World of Arts and Letters
The Secret CIA Campaign to Influence Culture – Francis Stonor Suanders talk
In the first hour I am joined by Tom Secker of Spy Culture. We discuss his recent article examining the 1975 conspiracy classic Three Days of The Condor. We examine the film and its bizarre history; having former CIA Director Richard Helms on set for a day of shooting. Tom and I explore the notion that this was a first step for the CIA and their evolving relationship with Hollywood. Next we move on to the recently declassified CIA report on the Watergate scandal. We talk about the admission by the CIA that they had an active operative, Eugenio R. Martinez, among the plumbers feeding them information. Tom highlights the many important facts left out of the mainstream narrative of Watergate. Tom and I also discuss the notion that this declassification may be a warning to the current presidential candidates. Tom and I compare Nixon and Hillary Clinton, and wonder if the CIA is sending her a direct message not to mess with them.
In the second hour we are joined by Guillermo Jimenez of the Tax Revolution Institute. Guillermo begins by discussing the idea that Trump fits the mold of a South American populist leader. We discuss the general lack of sophistication when it comes to this election cycle, and political discourse in general. We also spend some time discussing the issue of drug use amongst the candidates and the office of the presidency in general. The three of us ponder if having presidents hooked on drugs is a tactic used by the Deep State to ensure control. We close out by discussing the melding of celebrity culture with politics, and the nihilistic worldview that has gripped the nation during this election.
Show Notes:
The CIA and Three Days of The Condor
CIA agent was among Watergate burglars documents reveals
From Themes and Memes:
On this episode, we welcome special guest Pearse Redmond from Porkins Policy Review to discuss the new Netflix Original series, Stranger Things.
Comprising one season of eight episodes thus far, the show is one of many recent productions that are made exclusive to on-demand platforms, and has fast become a sentimental sensation among its thirty-something target audience; thanks to its pastiche of 80’s pop culture references and nostalgic plot devices.
We start by establishing the beginnings of the story, where strange events begin to unfold in 1980’s small town America. Set against the backdrop of a secretive Cold War experiment at a local government facility, the series blends real world references to geopolitics and conspiracy culture with a heavy overlay of fantasy, horror, and science fiction – staying true to the aesthetic and screenplay of the classic 80’s sub-genre.
We also explore one of the most interesting aspects of the series, in looking at the target marketing of customised entertainment, where tools like analytics and meta-data seem to be driving the production of on-demand, niche-marketed TV series. Is a merge between Hollywood and Silicon Valley going to be the next big tech revolution?
Finally, we discuss some of the archetypes, roles, and cultural dynamics being presented in the show, and explore the question of how mass culture can influence our perceptions of history, where memories are continuously filtered through an emotional overlay of sentimental entertainment.
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