For this special joint subscriber podcast Tom Secker and I discuss and dissect the 1986 TV movie Under Siege. Set in Washington DC the film revolves around a series of violent terrorists attacks carried out by a mysterious ill-defined jihadi group. The movie gives us an insiders look at how the government responds to the attacks, and attempts to solve the crime, and punish those responsible. The film depicts the FBI director up against the CIA and President who want all out war with Iran. Written well before 9/11 the movie was quite controversial at the time, and remains so today. Tom and I discuss the eerie similarities between the film and post 9/11 America. From TSA pat downs to CIA black ops, and war with Iran, Under Siege presents us with an amazingly accurate picture of where we are today as a society. Tom and I also discuss how the film manages to stand the test of time even to this day.
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.
Tom Secker joins me for a discussion of the 24th anniversary of World Trade Center Bombing and the recent death Omar Abdel-Rahman aka The Blind Sheikh. We begin by discussing the official theory that the government has presented: that a group of young self radicalized Muslim men bombed the WTC, and had no apparent connection to international terrorism. Tom then breaks down aspects to the official conspiracy theory. We talk about the whole issue of FBI informant Emad Salem and the erroneous allegations that he was allowed to bomb the World Trade Center. Tom explains how this theory has permeated the alternative media and almost become accepted fact. We then begin to explore the other possibility: that this was in fact part of a much larger and complex CIA plot involving many characters that were influential in the Soviet -Afghan War and in the formation of Al Qaeda. Tom talks about the infamous Al-Farooq Mosque in Brooklyn and the role it played as a CIA front for jihadist recruits. Tom explains how all the key players from WTC 93 were intimately connected to the Blind Sheikh and the aforementioned mosque. Tom and I also talk about how WTC 93 is the foundation for the myth and and formation of both Al Qaeda and the War on Terror.
In the second hour Tom and I discuss the latest episode of Homeland and the curious references through out this season to both WTC 93 and the Blind Sheikh. We explore why the CIA would want to bring peoples attention to these incidents. We discuss the notion that this season is all about showing the problems and bad apples within the agency, and the lengths that we must go to in order to stamp them out. Tom proposes that this season enemy is not Islamic-terrorism but the complexities of the world itself and the tough choices that we have to make.
I finish off by briefly talking about the assassination of Kim Jong Nam. I also give an update on when Porkins Great Game will be back.
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.
Nightcrawler is one of those rare films that is beautifully written, very well executed and is about something that actual matters. It tells the story of Lou Bloom, a young man in poverty-struck Los Angeles who gets into nightcrawling – filming violent crimes and accidents and selling the footage to TV news. In this episode Pearse and I conduct an extensive analysis and review of the film, exploring many different interpretations that often contradict each other. Is Lou a sociopath, or the product of economic circumstances and a media culture that turns violence into a fetish? Are his cohorts Rick (his assistant) and Nina (the director of the news channel) just as guilty and complicit in what happens? Is his rival nightcrawler Joe Loder actually worse than Lou? These and many more questions are explored in this epic discussion.
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.
Tom Secker joins me for a Christmas themed episode. We discuss the 1964 television film Carol For Another Christmas. Commissioned by the United Nations and produced by the Xerox corporation this 1964 film would feature a disturbing retelling of A Christmas Carol. Tom and I discuss the people involved in this movie including director Joseph Mankiewicz, actor Sterling Hayden, and writer Rod Serling. We talk about some of the various intelligence connections some of the individuals had prior to making this film with the UN. Tom and I explore the film as a piece of propaganda and whether or not it succeeds in promoting the United Nations. We break down Peter Sellers amazing performance as “Imperial Me” the hyper-individualist cult leader who takes over in the post apocalyptic world with out the UN. We discuss how this fear based vision represents the “Liberal Consensus” of the UN: with out us there will be WWIII.
Through much of the second hour Tom and I devote time to laying out how ineffectual and corrupt the UN has become. We talk about the contradictory political messages the film presents us with and how this mirrors the many problems of the UN. Looking ahead to the future Tom and I discuss if we are headed to WWIII, and why so much of the news the past week has been decidedly dark for the Christmas season.
Today we have a special Election Day episode of the show. We are joined by good friends Tom Secker and Aaron Franz from Transresister Radio and Themes and Memes to discuss all things presidential. We begin by discussing our general outlook and feelings on the election and the traumatic effects it has had on us. Later we discuss the occult overtones through out this election and voting in general. The three of us touch on the “Spirit Cooking” scandal surrounding John Podesta and how this is yet another example of the mainstreaming of alternative culture. We also break down the idea that this election has actually reinvigorated the public’s admiration for the office of the presidency. We also touch on the idea of the electorate being the archetypal “Willing Fool” in the magik ritual that is voting.
In the second hour Tom and I discuss the documentary film The Perfect Candidate which chronicled the failed senate race of Oliver North. The two of us also explore the recent rape scandal against Donald Trump which has now been dropped by accuser Katie Johnson. We also give our predictions for what lays in store for future presidential elections; including the possible run by Kayne West.
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.
Rounding off this second season we take a look at SALT, the 2010 action thriller starring Angelina Jolie as a CIA officer accused of being a Russian sleeper agent. We chart the development of the film, from its origins as an attempt to recreate the Bourne franchise, through Amy Pascal and Jolie’s conversations about making a female-led spy thriller. SALT is one of the less well known CIA-assisted productions, but along with technical advice from former CIA officer Melissa Boyle Mahle the producers also consulted with the CIA themselves in a video conference. The producers also employed Kurt Wimmer, one of the screenwriters from The Recruit. There is also a very weird story involving one of the extras in the opening sequence in North Korea.
We analyse the mystery of Evelyn Salt’s underwear and then the conversation hones in on Russia, who in 2010 were not on the news agenda, and how this movie predicted the rise of the ‘new Cold War’ that is commonplace in most current spy films and TV shows. The whole notion of a sleeper agent Russian spy ring was risible at the time but before long this exact story hit the news in a big way. We touch on the transhuman disguise that Jolie employs in the film and how this relates both to Argo and to Mission: Impossible, two other CIA-assisted movies. We round off looking back on season 2 of The CIA and Hollywood and suggest a possibility for doing season 3 in a different way.
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