Podcast Summary
New Dexcom G7 system for easier diabetes management: The Dexcom G7 system enables users to monitor their glucose levels on their watch and phone, improving decision-making and enhancing diabetes management for better results.
Technology is making diabetes management easier and more accurate with the new Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring system. This system allows users to view their glucose numbers on their compatible watch and phone without the need for finger sticks. With its high accuracy, users can make informed decisions about food, exercise, and medication, leading to better results like more time in range and lower A1C levels. Meanwhile, football fans can stay connected to the NFL off-season action with NFL Plus Premium, offering exclusive content, coverage, and full game replays. Lastly, Josh and Chuck's live show is coming to various cities, including Boston, Portland, Maine, Orlando, New Orleans, and Brooklyn. Stay tuned for more information and don't miss out on their entertaining discussions.
Reagan's Crusade Against Communism: During Reagan's presidency, he opposed communism worldwide and aided opposition through various means, such as Nicaragua, where he aimed to overthrow the Sandinista government perceived as Soviet-backed.
During Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 1980s, he strongly opposed communism and implemented the Reagan Doctrine, which aimed to aid any opposition to communism worldwide. This included providing support to rebels fighting against leftist communist governments through various means, such as money, arms, and covert operations. A notable example was Nicaragua, where a Sandinista government had been in power since the 1970s and was allegedly supported by the Soviet Union through Cuba. Reagan saw this as a threat to capitalist democracy and made it a priority to help overthrow the communist regime. The discussion also touched upon how Reagan's disdain for communism began during his time in Hollywood and grew stronger as he became president.
U.S. intervention in Nicaragua since early 1900s: From occupying Nicaragua for canal fears to funding Contras against Sandinistas, U.S. involvement in Nicaragua led to significant backlash and long-term consequences
The U.S. involvement in Central America, specifically Nicaragua, dates back to the early 20th century during the Banana Wars. The U.S. occupied Nicaragua from 1912 to 1933 for various reasons, including preventing other powers from building a canal there. Later, during the Reagan administration, the U.S. funded and trained the Contras, a right-wing rebel group fighting against the Sandinista government, in a secretive and covert manner. This led to a backlash in Congress and public opinion, culminating in the House flipping to Democratic control and the revelation of the extent of U.S. involvement in the conflict through a Newsweek cover story. This history serves as a reminder of the long-term consequences of U.S. intervention in Central American politics.
Covert CIA operations in Nicaragua despite legislative restrictions: Secretive government actions can lead to diplomatic issues and international backlash, highlighting the importance of transparency and adherence to the rule of law
Despite the Bolin Amendment, which prohibited the use of CIA and defense department funds for aiding the Contras in Nicaragua, the CIA still carried out covert operations, such as mining the harbors, leading to international backlash and further legislative action from Congress. The mining incident not only failed to stop shipping into Nicaragua but also damaged commercial ships from various countries, causing significant diplomatic issues. This incident underscores the consequences of secretive and covert actions by governments and the importance of transparency and adherence to the rule of law.
US covert operations in Nicaragua during Reagan administration: Despite laws against it, Reagan admin hid US support for brutal Contras, selling it as a fight against communism
During the Reagan administration, the US government pursued covert operations in Nicaragua to overthrow the Sandinista government, despite laws passed by Congress that were intended to prohibit such activities. Reagan and his team found loopholes to continue these operations, keeping them hidden from the public while publicly campaigning against the supposed threat of communism. The Contras, the armed groups supported by the US, engaged in brutal tactics, including murder, torture, rape, and kidnapping. Despite this, Reagan presented the situation as a clear-cut battle between good and evil, downplaying or denying any negative actions taken by the Contras. The lack of discipline and coordination within the Contras, as well as the US government's support, led to a chaotic and brutal conflict that lasted for over a decade.
Secretly supporting the Contras in Nicaragua against Congress's wishes: The U.S. government went to great lengths, including using unofficial channels and a nonprofit organization, to keep the Contra movement alive during Reagan's administration, bypassing Congress.
During Reagan's administration, the United States secretly supported the Contras in Nicaragua despite Congress's explicit prohibition. Reagan's national security advisors, including John Poindexter and Oliver North, orchestrated the operation using the National Security Council, keeping the CIA officially out of it. Oliver North, a decorated Marine with no covert experience, led the operation and raised funds from American business elites through a nonprofit organization, the National Endowment for the Preservation of Liberty. This illustrates the lengths the U.S. government went to keep the Contra movement alive, bypassing Congress and using unofficial channels. Despite the shady nature of the operation, North's dedication and success in raising funds made him a key player in this significant chapter of U.S. foreign policy history.
Reagan's secret proxy war in Nicaragua funded by tax-deductible donations, Contras turned to Americans for arms: The Reagan administration contracted with an illegal black market arms ring to supply weapons to the Contras, raising questions about morality and legality in foreign policy
During the Reagan administration, a secret proxy war in Nicaragua allowed donors to write off their contributions on their taxes, raising millions for the Contras. However, the Contras, who were fighting in two spots of Nicaragua, had no contacts in the international arms trade and turned to the Americans for help. Oliver North and a retired Air Force Major General named Richard Secord, who led an illegal black market arms ring, were contracted to help the Contras obtain arms. Secord, who was in it for the money, and North, who seemed to be driven by stopping communism, formed an illegal partnership. This partnership saw the Reagan administration contracting with an extraordinarily illegal black market arms ring, which sold to both friends and enemies of America. One of the founders of this group, Edwin Wilson, was later sentenced to 52 years for illegally arming Libya with machine guns and C4. The arms ring's activities were reminiscent of Hollywood stories, and it's a reminder of the lengths some will go to make money and maintain power.
Oliver North's Post-Military Arms Dealing Business: Oliver North, post-military, formed a shell company with Albert Hakim to deal arms, funneled money and arms to Contras, and made profits, marking the end of legal operations.
The Iran-Contra affair involved Oliver North being forced into retirement from the military due to his connections with arms dealer Edwin Wilson. To make up for lost time, North focused on his arms dealing business full-time, setting up a shell company called the Stanford Technology Trading Group with Albert Hakim. They established untraceable accounts and introduced the Contras to Canadian arms dealers. However, the Contras in the North were more successful than those in the South in obtaining weapons. When the North Contras struggled, North took direct control, funneling money and arms to them through Richard C. Cord. America's involvement in supporting and arming the contra rebels in Nicaragua became more overt, and North, Secord, and Hakim made significant profits, marking up their goods and reinvesting in the enterprise. This marked the end of any semblance of legality in the operation.
Historical discussion on CIA's propaganda campaign: Journalistic integrity is crucial in shaping public opinion, as shown in the CIA's 1980s propaganda campaign against the Sandinista government.
Zigazoo provides a safe and fun social media experience for kids, free from negative comments and text messaging, while the NFL Network offers exclusive football content for fans. However, an intriguing historical discussion unfolded about the CIA's involvement in a propaganda campaign during the 1980s, which was exposed by various news outlets, including the Miami Herald. This campaign, run by a Cuban American named Auto, was designed to influence public opinion against the Sandinista government, despite the CIA being barred from such activities within the US. This discussion highlights the importance of journalistic integrity and the power of information in shaping public opinion. Zigazoo and NFL Network may serve different purposes, but they both offer unique value to their respective audiences.
CIA's drug trafficking operations during Reagan era: During the Reagan administration, the CIA engaged in covert drug trafficking to fund Contras and manipulate public opinion, involving sting operations, pressuring journalists, and keeping actions hidden.
During the Reagan administration in the 1980s, the CIA engaged in covert operations involving drug trafficking to manipulate public opinion and secure funding for the Contras in Nicaragua. This was achieved through sting operations, such as the one involving the Sandinistas and San Anastasio, which involved smuggling cocaine into the United States and publishing photographs to discredit the Sandinistas. Another operation involved Manuel Noriega, a CIA asset and dictator of Panama, who was selling drugs to American youth. The CIA also pressured journalists to report favorably about their actions and threatened them with Sandinistas and sex workers if they refused. These unconscionable actions were kept hidden from the public, but were exposed during investigations, revealing the lengths the Reagan administration went to in their foreign policy.
Government manipulation of journalists in the 80s: During the 1980s, the San Anista government used sex workers to influence journalists, orchestrated by a CIA expert on psychological warfare.
During the mid 80s, the San Anista government was accused of using sex workers, both women and men, to manipulate journalists and influence favorable reporting. This tactic was orchestrated by the CIA's expert on psychological warfare, as revealed in a document from the office of public diplomacy. This revelation was just one aspect of a larger issue discussed on the podcast. Additionally, the hosts encouraged listeners to support the show by sharing it with others, leaving reviews, and downloading the Zigazoo app for a safe social media experience for kids. They also mentioned NFL Plus Premium as a source for off-season NFL coverage and content. The podcast, Stuff You Should Know, is a production of iHeartRadio's How Stuff Works and can be found on various podcast platforms. The hosts signed off by thanking the audience for listening and reminding them to get in touch if they had any questions or feedback.
