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    Part One: G. Gordon Liddy: The Fascist Behind Watergate

    enOctober 03, 2023

    Podcast Summary

    • Building Community and Connection in Uncertain TimesSeek accurate information, build strong communities, and stand up for authenticity and truth.

      Community and connection are essential in uncertain times. Doctor Laurie Santos introduced Neighbor to Neighbor, a California volunteers network, emphasizing the importance of building meaningful social bonds with neighbors and preparing for emergencies. Meanwhile, Amy Winehouse's biopic, "Back to Black," showcases the importance of authenticity and self-expression. In the entertainment industry, striking writers like Andrew T are fighting against corrupt studio executives, who, despite their immense wealth, seek to remain anonymous and cause problems. History shows us figures like Gordon Liddy, whose true stories often get distorted in popular media. Ultimately, it's crucial to seek accurate information, build strong communities, and stand up for authenticity and truth.

    • Liddy's Autobiography Showcases His Unfiltered BeliefsG. Gordon Liddy, a key figure in the Watergate scandal, stands out for his genuine commitment to his extreme political views, unlike many contemporary right-wing media personalities.

      G. Gordon Liddy, a key figure in the Watergate scandal, was an original and committed believer in his extreme political views, unlike many contemporary right-wing media personalities who are often seen as hollow grifters. Liddy's autobiography, "Will," is a testament to his unfiltered and chaotic personality, a stark contrast to the cash-grab memoirs that emerged from the Trump administration. Despite his controversial and dark beliefs, Liddy's commitment to his ideology sets him apart from modern-day imitators, making him a fascinating and unique figure in American politics.

    • Challenging the perception of Gordon Liddy's upbringingDespite his violent image, Gordon Liddy's parents were not politically extreme or abusive, but rather involved in various causes and opposed to discrimination.

      Gordon Liddy's upbringing, as described in his novel, was not what one might expect from the notorious Republican figure known for his violent image. Contrary to assumptions, Liddy's parents, a New York lawyer and Democratic politician named George Gordon Battle, and a homemaker, were not politically extreme or abusive. Instead, they were involved in various causes, including raising funds for good causes and fighting against the development of Central Park. They even opposed anti-Semitism in the late 1920s. This background sheds light on the fact that Liddy's parents were not the typical background for a political criminal, and it challenges the common perception of Liddy as a violent madman.

    • McVeigh's childhood marked by intense fearMcVeigh's fearful experiences, including the Hindenburg disaster, fire drills, physical punishment, and fear of vacuums, may have contributed to his later radicalization and violent actions.

      Timothy McVeigh's early life was marked by intense fear. From his earliest memory of the Hindenburg zeppelin terrifying him as a toddler, to experiences of fire drills, physical punishment, and fear of vacuums, McVeigh's autobiography paints a picture of a child consumed by fear. This fear may have contributed to his later radicalization and violent actions. Despite his family's affluence, McVeigh's childhood was not pleasant due to his own psychological makeup and the world around him. His fearful experiences left a lasting impact on him, shaping his development and eventual transformation into one of America's most notorious terrorists.

    • Character development shaped by health issues and fear of moral failingsThe author's experiences with asthma and fear of moral failings significantly impact his character development in the novel.

      The author's fear and obsession with moral failings, as well as his experiences with health issues, significantly shape his character development in the novel. The author's discussion of his own experiences with asthma and the time spent isolated during treatment resonates with the character's behavior. His fear of moral failings, as depicted in the text, can be linked to this early experience of feeling separated and different from others. The emphasis on these experiences in the text suggests their significance in shaping the character's mindset and motivations. Additionally, the author's grandpa's death and the subsequent family move contribute to the character's development and sense of instability.

    • Childhood experiences shape our fears and anxietiesChildhood memories and experiences can significantly impact our psyche and shape our fears and anxieties, sometimes in ways we don't fully understand until later in life.

      Childhood experiences, no matter how seemingly ordinary, can have a profound impact on shaping a person's fears and anxieties. The speaker recounts Liddy's childhood fears, from a fear of moths to a fear of fire and pain, and how these fears were exacerbated by regular injections and his religious upbringing. Liddy's memories of these experiences may have been embellished over time, but their impact on his psyche was undeniable. This illustrates how our memories and experiences can change and shape us in significant ways, often in ways that we may not fully understand until much later in life. Additionally, the speaker notes that Liddy's fixation on the SS, whether it was due to his school's name or his own fascination, is a reflection of how people can find ways to connect seemingly unrelated things in their minds.

    • The fear of God's wrath in historyDuring certain historical periods, people believed in an all-powerful God and lived in constant fear of His wrath, leading to strict religious education and severe consequences for disobedience.

      During a specific time in history, the belief in an all-powerful God led to a deep fear and reverence, with even minor disrespect or carelessness punished severely. This belief was instilled in children through strict religious education, and failure to adhere to the rules could result in severe consequences, including physical harm or lifelong disabilities. This perspective, while shocking to some, was a deeply held belief for many during that era. The fear of God's wrath was so pervasive that it could be compared to living in constant fear of a mob boss, with the only way to avoid punishment being unwavering obedience. This perspective, while extreme, sheds light on the power of belief and the lengths people went to ensure they remained in God's good graces.

    • Discovering joy and connections in lifeAppreciate small joys and connections, be mindful of actions' consequences, and discover cost-saving opportunities

      There's always something new to discover and value in our world, whether it's connecting with our community through platforms like Neighbor to Neighbor or finding affordable alternatives to expensive services like wireless plans with Mint Mobile. For Liddy, his love for reading and patriotism were two shining experiences from his childhood that shaped him. However, it's important to remember that not all experiences are positive, and we should be mindful of the potential consequences of certain actions, such as the salute Liddy described, which may have negative connotations in today's context. Overall, it's essential to appreciate the small joys and connections in life while being aware of the larger picture. So, go out there and discover your own Neighbor to Neighbor moments or cost-saving opportunities, and remember, it's the little things that can make a big difference.

    • The Impact of a Nazi Sympathizer Nanny on a Child's LifeExposure to harmful beliefs during childhood can significantly influence a person's development and emotions, leaving a lasting impact.

      Growing up with a nanny who is heavily involved in your life can be confusing for a child, especially when they realize the nanny is an employee. This confusion can be amplified when the nanny holds strong and potentially harmful beliefs, as was the case for Liddy and his German nanny Teresa, who was a Nazi sympathizer. Teresa's influence on Liddy during his formative years included sharing Nazi propaganda and music, which had a profound impact on him. This period in Liddy's life helped shape his beliefs and emotions, leaving a lasting impression on him. It's important to consider the potential long-term effects on children when they are exposed to such influences at a young age.

    • Childhood fascination with Nazis shaped g Gordon Liddy's beliefsEarly experiences can influence beliefs and allegiances deeply, even if they seem extreme or contradictory to later claims

      The formative experiences of influential figures, like g Gordon Liddy, can shape their beliefs and allegiances in profound ways. In Liddy's case, as a child, he was drawn to the confidence and power of Hitler's voice and the Nazi anthem, which glorified a murderer and pimp. This fascination with the Nazis persisted throughout his life, despite his later claims to the contrary. This revelation sheds light on the deep-rooted fascination with authoritarianism and extremism among some modern right-wing media personalities, who may not openly identify as Nazis but hold similar beliefs and associations. Liddy's case is a stark reminder that the line between admiration and idolatry can be blurred, and that the past influences the present in ways that are not always apparent.

    • Sylvester Liddy's conflicting feelings towards NazismDespite his deep fascination with Nazism, Liddy's strong anti-Nazi upbringing prevented him from fully embracing the ideology, illustrating the complex nature of human beliefs.

      Sylvester Liddy's admiration for his father, who held strong anti-Nazi beliefs, prevented him from fully embracing Nazism despite his deep fascination with their ideologies. Liddy grew up treating Hitler like a forbidden obsession, sneaking listens to his speeches with his primary female influence, Teresa. His father's influence kept him from becoming a full-blown Nazi, but it's important to note that many people during that time held similar political expressions, which were considered acceptable. Liddy's deep-rooted fascist beliefs were masked behind his father's disapproval, and it's unclear if he would have become a prominent Nazi figure without his father's influence. The complex nature of Liddy's beliefs and the impact of his upbringing make for an intriguing exploration of the human capacity for conflicting beliefs.

    • Sylvester Stallone's unconventional upbringing shaped his lifeOur experiences and upbringing significantly impact our lives and the way we perceive the world. Embrace the past for personal growth and understanding.

      The life of Sylvester Stallone's character in the movie "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was significantly influenced by his unconventional upbringing, which included being raised by a Nazi sympathizer. This experience shaped his perspective on life and his fascination with various topics, such as horror movies and conspiracy theories. The conversation also touched upon the unreliability of Sylvester's memoirs and the unique sponsors of their podcast. However, the most significant point is that our experiences and upbringing significantly impact our lives and the way we perceive the world. Despite the challenges and controversies, it's essential to embrace our past and use it as a foundation for personal growth and understanding. Additionally, the podcast sponsors, who were not raised by Nazis, were highlighted as an interesting contrast to the film's themes. The conversation also touched upon the entertainment industry, with mentions of Monopoly Go, a mobile game, and "The Godfather" slot at champacasino.com. Lastly, the importance of community and connection was emphasized through the mention of Neighbor to Neighbor, a California volunteer's network.

    • Fathers and their Influence on Sons' RadicalizationFathers' actions, though well-intentioned, can have unintended consequences and significantly impact their sons' radicalization.

      Sylvester Stallone's character in "The Godfather" shows the complexities of fatherhood and the lengths a father might go to protect and influence his son. Sylvester's reaction to his son's radicalization leads him to hire a Jewish refugee as a maid, hoping to deradicalize him. Meanwhile, Liddy idolizes Hitler and looks up to his violent childhood heroes, including his uncle Ray, who he believes was involved in infamous crimes. These influences shape Liddy's worldview and contribute to his radicalization. Both fathers' actions, while well-intentioned, could have gone terribly wrong. Ultimately, their experiences highlight the challenges and responsibilities of shaping the next generation.

    • Growing up with a powerful legacyGordon Liddy's childhood experiences shaped his belief in personal responsibility and overcoming fears, inspired by his father and uncle's examples, even involving a dangerous encounter with a powerful handgun.

      Gordon Liddy, a character from his childhood, believed it was his responsibility to become worthy of his genetically powerful ancestors' genes. He was inspired by his father and uncle, who despite their physical differences, lived up to their potential. Liddy's fascination with his uncle's powerful handgun, a 38 super automatic, led to a dangerous incident where he pointed the gun at adults. Despite the potential danger, his uncle gave him a replica of the pistol. This incident marked the beginning of Liddy's obsession with overcoming his fears and living up to his genetic potential. The anecdote also highlights the contrast between the past and present significance of the 38 super handgun, which was once considered powerful but is now mostly associated with cartels. Overall, Liddy's story illustrates the power of personal responsibility, the influence of role models, and the importance of addressing fears and insecurities.

    • Overcoming one fear leads to anotherExposing oneself to feared experiences can lead to the acquisition of new fears, but also the courage to face them and pursue personal growth.

      Liddy, a young boy in the 1930s, overcomes his fear of heights and foreigners by exposing himself to these experiences, but in turn, gains a new fear of rats. To prove his lack of fear, he goes to extreme lengths, including roasting and eating a dead rat. This experience leaves a lasting impact on Liddy, fueling his obsession with conquering fears and ultimately leading him to desire joining the war to prove his manhood. Despite the societal taboos of the time, Liddy's fear of missing out on the opportunity to fight in World War 2 becomes his greatest fear.

    • Gordon Liddy's Disturbing Behavior and Internal ConflictDespite his obsession with violence, Gordon Liddy struggled with the emotional toll of killing animals and sought to free himself by volunteering on a chicken farm.

      Gordon Liddy's obsession with violence and killing, which he believed would prepare him for becoming a soldier, led him to create a dangerous and inaccurate rifle to hunt animals. Despite his horrified feelings after killing a squirrel, he felt unable to reconcile his inability to kill without emotion with the prospect of being a soldier in a war. This internal conflict left him feeling disabled and he sought to free himself by volunteering to help on a neighbor's chicken farm. This disturbing behavior, which was reminiscent of a serial killer's actions, highlights the complex and troubling nature of Liddy's mindset and his fixation on violence.

    • Gordon Liddy's Misconception of Becoming a KillerGordon Liddy's belief that working on a chicken farm would make him a cold-blooded killer is a misconception. Perceptions of ourselves and our actions may not align with reality.

      Gordon Liddy, a notorious figure, believed that killing chickens would help him become a cold-blooded killer. However, his claims of learning to kill without emotion or thought through this process are questionable, as he never actually killed anyone. Liddy's desire to be perceived as a dangerous and ruthless individual led him to engage in activities like working on a chicken farm and eventually masterminding the Watergate break-in. Despite his failures in most aspects of his life, he was effective in presenting himself as a right-wing media figure. This anecdote serves as a reminder that our perceptions of ourselves and our actions may not align with reality. Additionally, it's important to note that there's no evidence that working in a slaughterhouse prepares one to become a dispatcher killer or any other kind of violent criminal.

    • Engaging with communities and enjoying simple pleasuresBuilding connections with neighbors and finding joy in free social games or delicious food can enhance daily life

      Building a connected community and finding joy in simple pleasures can make a significant difference in our daily lives. Neighbor to Neighbor encourages us to engage with our communities and help each other out, while platforms like Chumba Casino offer a fun and free way to brighten up our days with social casino games. Boar's Head Sweet Bee's Honey Barbecue Glazed Chicken adds a delicious touch to our mundane meals, reminding us of the legends of barbecue and the joy of slow-roasted, hickory-smoked flavors. Overall, it's the little things, like helping our neighbors and enjoying simple pleasures, that can make a big impact on our lives. To learn more about building a connected community, visit visitcaneighbors.com. And for a tasty treat, try Boar's Head Sweet Bee's Honey Barbecue Glazed Chicken at your local deli counter.

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    Part Two: How the British Empire and U.S. Department of Defense Murdered an Island Paradise

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    Robert killed a man in Reno, just to watch him die. Also he concludes the story of the murder of the Chagos Islands by the U.S. and the ailing British Empire. With bonus Dog Genocide!

     

    Behind the Bastards is doing it's annual fundraiser for the Portland Diaper Bank! We had a soft start a week or so ago but will actually be plugging it this week and next. Please help if you can!

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/btb-fundraiser-pdx-diaper-bank?attribution_id=sl:a1a2d058-9511-435e-ab61-93bc1252ffa5&utm_campaign=pd_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=twitter 

    Sources:

    https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/02/15/thats-when-nightmare-started/uk-and-us-forced-displacement-chagossians-and

    https://archive.is/KvGqw#selection-1769.0-1781.535

    Vine, David. Island of Shame: The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia (p. 18). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/2/25/how-britain-forcefully-depopulated-a-whole-archipelago/

    https://archive.org/details/webofdeceitbrita0000curt/page/432/mode/2up?q=chagos

    https://journals.openedition.org/oceanindien/2003

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Behind the Bastards
    enJune 20, 2024

    Part One: How the British Empire and U.S. Department of Defense Murdered an Island Paradise

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    Robert welcomes Andrew Ti back to the show to tell the story of the Chagos Islands, a paradise founded by former slaves that was wiped out by the British empire so they could lease it to the U.S. as an air base.

    (2 Part Series)

    Behind the Bastards is doing it's annual fundraiser for the Portland Diaper Bank! We had a soft start a week or so ago but will actually be plugging it this week and next. Please help if you can!

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/btb-fundraiser-pdx-diaper-bank?attribution_id=sl:a1a2d058-9511-435e-ab61-93bc1252ffa5&utm_campaign=pd_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=twitter 

    Sources:

    https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/02/15/thats-when-nightmare-started/uk-and-us-forced-displacement-chagossians-and

    https://archive.is/KvGqw#selection-1769.0-1781.535

    Vine, David. Island of Shame: The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia (p. 18). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/2/25/how-britain-forcefully-depopulated-a-whole-archipelago/

    https://archive.org/details/webofdeceitbrita0000curt/page/432/mode/2up?q=chagos

    https://journals.openedition.org/oceanindien/2003

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Behind the Bastards
    enJune 18, 2024

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