Happy Winter Solstice! Tuesday is always a solid show. Mike Swanson talked with Chuck about the recent releases from The National Archives regarding the Assassination of JFK.
What is the research community doing with the files? Is the MSM going to continue saying there is nothing to see here? Mike may apply some of these new data points in the next book he writes.
Are the events in Mexico City prior to the Assassination in 1963 clearly understood by anyone? Some talk about LBJ and phone conversations took place in the first hour also.
This month Chuck Ochelli and I finally do our review of South Park Season 22, and touch on the start of Season 23. We talked about the frankly disappointing previous season and why we thought it missed the mark. We broke down every episode and discussed the major themes. Later we talked about the premier of the latest season. We finished off the episode by looking at several other current cartoons which we are also following including, Archer, Rick and Morty, and BoJack Horseman.
Regular Joe stands in for Michael Swanson. So we did another Regular Guy News Hour. Harry Potter, Playboy, and the Chosen savior of the ignorant are all covered in the first hour.
In the last few minutes of the first half of this podcast, you might have to hear about sex, drugs, and rocks rolling in people’s heads. The second hour starts with Hurricanes and ends with Cartoons and Dark Crystals. No, I am not high, but the bug bomb really screwed up my throat and eyes.
Pearse Redmond joined in the second hour to remix the news and talk Starship Trump, Clowns, and Cartoons.
Jon Atack joins me again this week for another in depth discussion about cults, high control groups, and the dangers of undue influence. We begin by discussing the concept of being an “ex-Scientologist” or ex cult member in general. We talk about the stigma that this term carries and why it is unfair to categorize people in this way. Jon talks about the the term ex-Scientologist can become a negative defining characteristic of ones life. Jon also touches on the struggles that people go through after leaving a cult of high control group. Jon then defines the term undue influence and what it means in today’s society. We talk about how undue influence is much more complex and pervasive in our society than we may think. Jon and I then turn our focus to the undue influence of the school system and how it is damaging young people. We talk about how schools essentially create robots, and discourage independent thought. Jon also links this to adults desires to be obedient to an authority figure, even if that means inflicting pain and trauma on others.
In the second hour Jon and I talk about how we are all susceptible to undue influence and con artist’s. Jon talks about being nearly conned by scammers in India who allegedly wanted to fix his computer. We then return to the issue of children and young people and how they are continually the victims of predatory behavior. Jon discusses how predators can mean more than simply pedophiles seeking to abuse kids. Jon talks about the nasty every day predatory behavior of teachers, and the problems with the Western system of education. Later Jon and I discuss his recent work at the Open Minds foundation. Jon talks the foundations work in helping to better educate children about predators and toxic relationships. He discusses their work making short animations that will help to give young people a better understanding of the dangers out there. Jon also talks about how we need to better connect with young people through culture and popular cultural means. We also manage to touch on Stefan Molyneux, South Park, and Rick and Morty.
Jeffrey Augustine joins me once again for an in depth discussion of all things Scientology. We begin by touching on Leah Remini and her headline making TV show Scientology and the Aftermath. We talk about her recent Television Critics Association award for best reality series and what a huge step this is in exposing Scientology to the world. Jeffrey and I also touch on Elizabeth Moss, who walked out of the award show in protest over this. We discuss the role that celebrity Scientologists play, and how these recent exposes have changed their attitude. Next Jeffrey and I discuss the latest Scientology front group Scientologists Taking Action Against Discrimination (STAND) and their social media campaign. I talk about my own personal experience with STAND on Twitter and Jeffrey talks about STAND’s crusade against Geico and other huge corporations.
Later we discuss the recent death of noted conspiracy researcher Jim Marrs and his bizarre connections to Scientology. Jeffrey and I discuss the claims made by Josh Reeves in his new documentary that Marrs himself was a Scientologist. Jeffrey tells us how several of Marrs books are included on the approved reading list for the cult, and Miscavige’s praise of Marrs’ work. We dive into how towards the end of his life he was taking Scientology money while hocking Battlefield Earth for the church. Jeffrey explains how Scientology flirts with the conspiracy culture and why many Scientologists are drawn into that world. Later Jeffrey and I address many of the myths surrounding the allegations that L Ron Hubbard was a CIA asset. We discuss the problems we have with L. Fletcher Prouty’s claims and his own deep connections to the cult. Jeffrey and I touch on how Scientology can maintain this schizophrenic mindset where Hubbard can be both a CIA asset and an enemy of the CIA. We also touch on the early history of Scientology and Hubbard and how this led the CIA to warn countries about the dangers of Hubbard and his group. Jeffrey and I also touch on people like Ingo Swann and the conspiracy theories and culture with in Scientology itself.
Today I am joined by my sister Emma to discuss and dissect season 20 of South Park. We begin by explaining what transpired this season: Mr. Garrison becoming President, Cartman falling love, gender wars, and the dangers of internet trolling. We begin by talking about the “Member Berries” and their devious plot to use the power of nostalgia to elect the Trump like Mr. Garrison. Emma and I discuss the power that nostalgia can have on ones psyche, and how we are constantly manipulated into following certain trends because of it. We then move onto the the issue of trolling which features prominently through out this whole season. We talk about Gerald’s trolling and explore the idea over whether it is in fact ok or funny to troll. Next we talk about the the gender wars that ensue through out South Park and the world at large. We talk about Butters transformation as a men’s rights activist and how this is mirroring society at large. Emma and I also touch on how Butters is schooled in all of this with the help of Bill Clinton.
In the second hour we break down South Park’s portrayal of Trump as Mr. Garrison. We talk about why Matt Stone and Trey Parker decided to use Garrison as a stand in for the president-elect, and if it worked as a statement and as a comic device. We round out the episode by discussing the genius of South Park as a show. We talk about how the series, and this season in particular, manages to show that the true enemy among us is society and ourselves. Emma and I also have a candid discussion on the dangers of horse porn.
Porkins Policy Review 