In this episode journalist John Duffy joined me to discuss his latest podcast series Origins: Birth of a Pandemic. This series explores the likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). John talked about the mysterious pneumonia cases of six men in Yunnan Province back in 2012, and the theory that these were the first recorded cases of what would become known as COVID-19. We discussed how Dr. Shi Zhengli of the WIV sequenced this virus, and the odd issues surrounding this. We talked about the connection between Peter Daszak, the Eco Health Alliance, and the WIV. Specifically, we looked at the conflicts of interest between these groups. We also talked about the work of Dr. Jonathan Latham of the Bioscience Resource Project and D.R.A.ST.I.C. in bringing public attention to the lab leak theory. John and I also touched on gain of function research and the controversy over Dr. Anthony Fauci’s denials regarding U.S. funding for this research. We finished our conversation by discussing the politicization of the lab leak theory and how the media, politicians, and scientific institutions have labeled this as a dangerous right-wing conspiracy.
After a long absence, I am back with a brand new episode for my listeners. I was joined by journalists John Duffy and Ray Nowosielski. We discussed their new podcast series “After the Uprising: The Death of Danyé Dion Jones,” which takes on the mysterious death of Danyé, a young black activist, who was found hanging from a tree outside of his home in St Louis, Missouri. Danyé’s death was ruled a suicide by St Louis county. However, his mother Melissa McKinnies, a prominent activist in Missouri, believed that this was a lynching connected to her activist work. We discussed the circumstances surrounding the death, touching on many suspicious aspects that were overlooked by the police and the coroner’s office. We discussed key evidence that was overlooked, such as two DNA samples found on the noose. We also explored the circumstances leading up to Danyé’s death. We talked about the targeting of other black activists by the local police. We also touched on the lead detective on the case and issues of internalized racism within the police. We finished off the conversation by discussing the true crime genre and its serious blind spots when it comes to the murder of non-white individuals.
Documentarians Ray Nowosielski and John Duffy joined me this week to discuss their new book, The Watchdogs Didn’t Bark: The CIA, NSA, and the Crimes of the War on Terror. Ray and John talked about their earlier work covering 9/11. They discussed how they first got involved, and the subsequent hurdles that this sort of journalism presented. They spoke about the CIA’s threats against them after completing their second documentary Who is Rich Blee? John and Ray talked about why they decided to write The Watchdogs Didn’t Bark and what separates this from the numerous books on 9/11 already out there. They spoke about about the legacy of the 9/11 and some of the major figures involved in the cover up who went on to more prominent positions within the government. We touched on CIA director Gina Haspels career which took off when she oversaw the infamous black site known as Cat’s Eye. We also spoke at length about the impact that Michael Scheuer has had on the war on terror. We talked about his role setting up Alec Station and the cult like devotion that his staff had for him.
In the second hour we dive into some of the minutia of the 9/11 attacks. We looked at the strange case of Abu Zubaydah and his interrogation. John and Ray discussed the information that Zubaydah allegedly gave up which linked him to several members of the Saudi Royal family. John and Ray also spoke about the odd deaths of Saudi Prince’s Ahmed, Sultan, and Fahd all within days of one another. We also touched on the role that the NSA played in in covering up key information related to the 9/11 hijackers. We finish off the episode by looking at the current state of the 9/11 research movement.
Filmmaker and author John Duffy joined me this month to discuss his new book, the current state of American politics, and much more. We started out by talking about his two documentaries with Ray Nowosielski, 9/11: Press for Truth and Who is Rich Blee? John spoke about his experiences with former counter terrorism czar Richard Clarke as well as the CIA’s attempts to censor his work. We also talked about his new book co-authored with Ray Nowosielski, The Watchdogs Didn’t Bark: The CIA, NSA, and the Crimes of the War on Terror. John talked about the question of government accountability in a historical context, focusing on both pre and post 9/11 America. John also talks about what the NSA knew in regards to 9/11 hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi. He also touches on the infamous Yemen hub. Later we talked about the hyper partisan political environment that we all live in. John talked about how this politicized world has led many key figures in the 9/11 coverup to undergo a strange rehabilitation.
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