Podcast Summary
The Danger of Terrorists during the 'Golden Age' and Helping the Military Community Grow: During the 'golden age of terrorism', terrorists were more lethal due to lack of body armor. Navy Federal Credit Union, Consumer Cellular, JCPenney, and Lazarus Naturals support the military community and offer various services.
During the "golden age of terrorism" in the sixties to late seventies, body armor was not commonly used, making terrorists more dangerous with their use of machine pistols. Navy Federal Credit Union aims to help the military community grow and flourish with various savings and investment options. Consumer Cellular offers affordable wireless service with the same reliable coverage as leading carriers. JCPenney caters to various body types with stylish and comfortable clothing options. Lazarus Naturals ensures quality, potency, and consistency in their CBD products with a farm-to-door model and scannable labels for transparency. Bea and Elaine, guests on Behind the Bastards, share their experiences as journalists covering protests in Portland during which they were frequently tear gassed and threatened with grenades.
The Golden Age of Terrorism in Movies and TV: During the 1960s and 1970s, terrorism was depicted in movies and TV as less bleak and more 'fun', with motivations beyond religious extremism and suicide bombings, particularly focusing on skyjackings
The speaker is discussing the "golden age of terrorism" in the context of movies and television, focusing on the period of skyjackings in the 1960s and 1970s. According to the speaker, this era was more "fun" and less bleak compared to modern terrorism, as terrorists had various motivations beyond religious extremism and suicide bombings. The speaker expresses excitement about discussing this topic, referencing specific movies and terrorists like the Japanese Red Army and Carlos the Jackal. The primary focus of the discussion will be on skyjackings, which the speaker notes were once a common occurrence and even considered enjoyable before the era of Al Qaeda. The speaker also makes a passing reference to the first recorded skyjacking in 1931 in Peru, where rebels tried to force pilots to drop propaganda leaflets.
The first recorded skyjacking attempt in 1931: The first skyjacking attempt in 1931 marked the beginning of legal codes for air piracy, with the federal government taking over aviation security in 1958 and shaping future air travel regulations
The first recorded skyjacking attempt took place in 1931 by a failed carnival worker named Ernest Pletch. His attempt, which resulted in the shooting of his flight instructor, set the stage for the development of early legal codes for air piracy. However, it wasn't until 1958, when the federal government began overseeing aviation, that hijacking a plane became a criminal offense. Prior to this, there were no security measures in place at airports, reflecting a general disregard for the need for precautions in the sky. Pletch's story serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of crime and the shifting priorities of law enforcement. Despite his failed attempt, Pletch's actions paved the way for the development of laws and regulations that would shape the future of air travel security.
Hijacking a Plane to Cuba in 1960: A Catalyst for Over 170 Skyjackings: The 1960 hijacking of a plane to Cuba by Tulio Ortiz sparked over 170 skyjackings worldwide, making Cuba an attractive destination due to Fidel Castro's welcoming policy and the significant financial gain for the country and hijackers.
Tulio Ortiz's successful hijacking of a plane and subsequent rerouting to Cuba in 1960 served as a catalyst for over 170 skyjackings worldwide over the next eight years. Cuba became an attractive destination for hijackers due to Fidel Castro's welcoming policy, which provided political asylum and hard currency for the country. The incident highlighted the ease of hijacking a plane and the significant financial gain for the hijackers and Cuba. Despite Ortiz's regret for his decision, his actions led to a lucrative industry for Cuba, with a standard fee of $75,100 per plane for their return.
The Reality of Cuba for Plane Hijackers: Despite the motivations, hijacking planes to Cuba in the 1970s led to harsh living conditions, lengthy interrogations, and accusations of working for the CIA. However, some hijackers still saw it as worthwhile for personal reasons or the belief of better treatment.
The allure of Cuba for plane hijackers in the 1970s was driven by various motivations, including political beliefs and a desire for freedom or better living conditions. However, the reality of the situation was often far less rosy than anticipated. Upon arrival in Cuba, hijackers were met with lengthy interrogations, accusations of working for the CIA, and harsh living conditions. Despite these challenges, some hijackers still saw the journey as worthwhile due to their personal reasons or the belief that they would be treated better in Cuba. Nevertheless, the hijacking itself was not a viable long-term solution or career path. Instead, it was more beneficial to be the broker arranging the transfer of the planes back to their airlines. Ultimately, while some hijackers may have found what they were looking for in Cuba, the journey was fraught with risks and uncertainties.
Skyjackings in the 60s and 70s weren't a major concern for passengers: Privacy concerns and passenger reaction halted security measures during skyjackings in the 60s and 70s, but the funding of terrorist organizations and international embarrassment led to increased government concern, eventually leading to the realization of potential dangerous outcomes.
During the 1960s and 1970s, skyjackings were a common issue in the airline industry, but not a major concern for passengers due to minimal harm and potential excitement of a detour. Proposals for adding security measures like metal detectors and X-ray machines were dismissed due to privacy concerns and fear of negative passenger reaction. However, the US government became increasingly concerned as these hijackings funded terrorist organizations and brought international embarrassment. Despite this, no significant action was taken until a forklift operator hijacked a plane in 1968, leading to the realization that elected officials could be targeted and the potential for dangerous outcomes. The lack of action during this time is a stark reminder of how history can move backwards instead of forward.
The 1960s: An Era of Skyjacking in the US: During the 1960s, skyjacking was rampant in the US due to Cuba's closed borders and FAA's passive response, shaping future terrorist attacks' tactics and passenger behavior.
During the 1960s, the threat of skyjacking was a major concern for the United States. When Cuba opened its borders to American tourists, there was a proposal for Americans to be able to visit Cuba freely. However, Fidel Castro declined this offer, leading to an increase in skyjacking attempts as people tried to reach Cuba instead. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) attempted various solutions, including building a fake airport in Florida and banning employees from intervening. The airlines eventually adopted a policy of compliance with skyjackers. This era of skyjacking, which peaked in 1969, influenced the events leading up to 9/11, as the assumption was that hijackers would demand ransom or fly to a specific destination. The ease of carrying a gun onto a plane during this time also contributed to the lack of resistance from passengers.
Unprecedented Number of Airplane Hijackings in Early 1969 and the Role of John Daly: In the chaotic first six weeks of 1969, multiple individuals hijacked planes in the US. John Daly, the FAA's chief psychologist, recognized the urgency and took action to address the issue.
The first six weeks of 1969 saw an unprecedented number of airplane hijackings in the US. Among those who commandeered planes were a mental patient with his three-year-old son, a college student armed with bug spray, and a retired Green Beret with the intention of beating Castro to death. While these incidents may have provided inspiration for movies, they were far from being mere fantasies. Cuba, a country known for its love for products and services, could have potentially been the destination for some of these hijackers. Amidst this chaos, John Daly, the FAA's chief psychologist, emerged as the only reasonable figure in the US government. He recognized the urgency of addressing this issue and took action. Moving on, Monopoly Go is a mobile game that offers endless entertainment with new challenges and rewards every time you play. With countless tournaments, changing challenges, and various bonuses, it keeps things fresh and engaging. Lastly, Amy Winehouse's biopic, "Back to Black," is an upcoming film that promises to showcase her music and story in an authentic and memorable way. Set to hit theaters on May 17th, it's a must-watch for fans of her music and those who want to learn more about her life. In conclusion, whether it's recognizing a pressing issue and taking action or immersing yourself in a game or a film, there's always something new and exciting to discover.
Focusing on suspicious behaviors to identify potential hijackers: During the skyjacking epidemic, researchers suggested training airline employees to look out for suspicious behaviors to prevent hijackings, leading to the discovery of hidden weapons and explosives and the decline of skyjacking by the early 1970s.
During the skyjacking epidemic in the late 1960s, instead of searching every passenger indiscriminately, researchers suggested focusing on suspicious behaviors to identify potential hijackers. By training airline employees to look out for certain behaviors and questioning individuals exhibiting these behaviors, many hijackings were prevented. This approach not only deterred hijackers but also led to the discovery of hidden weapons and explosives outside airports. The success of this strategy contributed to the decline of skyjacking by the early 1970s. Additionally, international solidarity with various Palestinian groups led to numerous hijackings worldwide during this period. Understanding the context of Japan's transition to democracy after World War II and the role of Douglas MacArthur in opening up the country is essential to understanding one of the most successful and interesting hijackings in skyjacking history: the story of the Japanese Red Army.
MacArthur's decision to free political prisoners leads to democratic activism in Japan: MacArthur's decision to free political prisoners led to an increase in democratic activism, including student protests against US military bases, but his opposition to these protests marked a turning point in his attitude towards post-war Japan.
General Douglas MacArthur's decision to free political prisoners, including communists, in post-war Japan led to a surge in democratic activism and a more pro-democracy Japanese Communist Party. This period saw an increase in student activism and the formation of student self-governing associations, which functioned like unions and gave students a voice on their campuses. These associations, known as Zengakuren, protested against US military bases on Japanese soil, but MacArthur's support for their activism ended when they began protesting against the government's attempt to curtail their right to protest. This marked the beginning of a series of attempts by the government to suppress student activism, which were met with large-scale protests. Despite MacArthur's initial support for democratic activism, his opposition to student protests against US military presence marked a turning point in his attitude towards post-war Japan.
Student Protests in Japan lead to New Left Movement and Radical Groups: Student protests in the 1950s and 1960s led to the formation of the New Left movement, which believed in revolution. This resulted in violent clashes with police and the rise of more radical groups like the Japanese Red Army, advocating for international revolution and violence against capitalism.
The student protests in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s, fueled by government repression and police violence, led to the formation of the New Left movement. This movement believed that revolution was the only way to bring progress, leading to mass street battles and violent clashes reminiscent of medieval battles. The Japanese government's crackdown on these protests, including mass arrests and prolonged incarcerations, resulted in splits within the New Left and the rise of more radical groups like the Japanese Red Army. These radicals believed in waging a literal war against capitalism and began to split between those who wanted to continue protesting and those who wanted to wage this war. The Japanese Red Army, led by Shiomi Takaya, became the most influential of these groups, advocating for violent international revolution to purge imperialism from the world. This period of Japanese history was marked by intense internal conflict and violence, with death becoming a part of the Red Army's mythos from its very first days.
Red Army Faction's elusive quest for global revolution: The Red Army Faction's attempts to instigate a global armed socialist revolution through violent means proved unsuccessful due to arrests and hindered coordination with other radical groups.
The desire for a global armed socialist revolution, as advocated by groups like the Red Army Faction, has historically proven to be an elusive goal. The Red Army Faction, which emerged in the late 1960s, publicly announced their intentions to spark a global revolution before their first meeting, generating significant buzz. However, their actions, which included hijacking vehicles, bombing police stations, and robbing banks, resulted in only minor skirmishes and widespread arrests. The group's obsession with international revolution led them to time their uprisings with other radical groups, but the raids on their stockpiles of weapons and the subsequent arrests hindered their efforts. Despite their innovative weaponry, the uprisings were relatively minor. This illustrates the challenges of instigating unified global action through violent means.
Japanese Red Army's Cover for Explosives Training: Pachinko: The Japanese Red Army used pachinko parlors as a cover for explosives training, but their plot to kidnap the prime minister was foiled. The group went underground and evolved, becoming known for their sophisticated bank robberies and elusive tactics.
The Japanese Red Army's attempt to kidnap the prime minister in the late 1960s was a quintessentially Japanese endeavor, with the group using a popular gambling game, pachinko, as a cover for their explosives training. However, their plan was foiled when the authorities discovered their true intentions, leading to the group going underground and engaging in more sophisticated bank robberies. Despite their revolutionary ideology, the Red Army functioned on a hierarchical structure, with those from elite universities holding the most power. The group's tactics evolved, and they became known for their ability to evade capture, leaving empty apartments behind just as the police were about to raid them. While some members saw their bank robberies as counter-revolutionary, the remaining members were determined to make up for their earlier failures.
Hijacking a Plane to North Korea: A Failed Escape: Despite their desperation, hijackers' lack of knowledge and unforeseen circumstances led to their capture, emphasizing the importance of considering all possible outcomes before taking extreme actions.
The Red Army's decision to hijack a plane to North Korea in 1970, driven by their sense of survival and desperation, ultimately led to their capture due to unforeseen circumstances. The flight did not have enough fuel to reach North Korea, and the hijackers, who were all Japanese middle-class and upper-middle-class young men, were not aware of the political complexities and realities of North Korea at the time. When they announced their destination, the Japanese authorities were able to intercept the plane, and the hijackers were forced to negotiate for the release of some passengers. However, their fake landing in North Korea was exposed when they failed to cover up the tail markings of the Northwest Airlines flight. The incident serves as a reminder of the unintended consequences of extreme actions, and the importance of considering all possible outcomes before making decisions.
North Korean Hijackers' Unsuccessful Attempt to Impress Passengers with a Small Picture of their Leader: A Japanese vice minister's bold decision to take the place of passengers and fly to North Korea with hijackers resulted in their capture, but not the military training they expected.
During a hijacking incident in the 1970s, North Korean hijackers brought a supposed large picture of their leader Kim Il Sung on board, but it was not big enough to convince the passengers. Realizing the situation, the Japanese vice minister of transportation proposed a compromise where he would take the place of the passengers and fly to North Korea with the hijackers. This bold move impressed the hijackers, and they all flew to North Korea. However, the North Korean government was not pleased with the hijackers and did not provide them with military training as promised. Instead, they were indoctrinated for years and forced to adopt the North Korean ideology. The incident was a significant international news event and a "caper" that showcased the hijackers' determination and the vice minister's bravery.
Japanese Red Army's Dual Infiltration: The Japanese Red Army demonstrated unwavering commitment to their ideologies, infiltrating North Korea and joining the Palestinian cause, while Monopoly Go and Lazarus Naturals provide reliable and consistent entertainment and CBD products respectively.
The Japanese Red Army, a radical left-wing group, had members who went to great lengths to infiltrate North Korea and fake their conversion to Juche philosophy. Meanwhile, other members committed to the international nature of their philosophy and joined forces with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Lebanon, becoming involved in the Palestinian cause. In the world of consumer goods, Monopoly Go offers endless entertainment with new challenges, tournaments, and rewards in a mobile game, while Lazarus Naturals ensures quality and transparency in their CBD products from farm to consumer. The Red Army's actions show dedication to their causes, whether it be in North Korea or Palestine, and consumers can trust in the reliability and consistency of Monopoly Go and Lazarus Naturals.
Japanese Red Army's Terrorist Attacks Outside Japan: The Japanese Red Army, a militant communist group, carried out terrorist attacks outside of Japan in the 1970s, including seizing embassies, hijacking aircraft, and massacring civilians, but their tactics were often reckless and caused widespread terror, with less effective actions from the remaining members in Japan
The Japanese Red Army, a militant communist group, carried out a series of terrorist attacks outside of Japan in the 1970s. Starting with an attack at the Tel Aviv airport in 1972, they seized embassies, hijacked aircraft, and massacred civilians. The group was particularly active in Lebanon, where they received training from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Despite their intelligence and dedication, their tactics were often reckless and caused widespread terror. In contrast, the remaining members of the Red Army in Japan were less active and less effective, with one uninspiring leader named Mori Tsuneo rising to the top due to seniority. Overall, the Japanese Red Army's actions were a significant contribution to the history of terrorism, but their tactics and goals were often misguided and ineffective.
Power struggles within the United Red Army: Internal power struggles led to brutal executions, a failed leadership training camp, and the demise of the United Red Army.
The merger of two radical Japanese organizations, the Red Army and a group that had recently robbed a gun store, formed the United Red Army. However, their differing political beliefs led to internal power struggles and brutal executions of deserters. Maury, a cowardly leader of the Red Army, felt threatened by this display of power and responded by organizing a leadership training camp to assert his dominance. The camp, which involved forced self-criticism sessions and punishments, did not go well and only worsened the already tense situation within the organization. Ultimately, this period of isolation and harsh self-criticism led to the demise of the United Red Army, highlighting the destructive consequences of internal power struggles and the corruption of essential revolutionary tools.
Dangers of extreme group dynamics: Extreme group dynamics driven by ideological fervor can lead to physical and emotional abuse, and ultimately, deadly outcomes. Healthy and respectful communication is crucial to prevent group dynamics from spiraling out of control.
Extreme group dynamics, especially those driven by ideological fervor, can lead to dangerous and deadly outcomes. The United Red Army, an underground communist group, experienced this firsthand when they subjected their members to brutal self-criticism sessions and collective punishments. These sessions led to physical and emotional abuse, and ultimately, the deaths of several members. The group's leader, Mori, justified these actions by claiming they were necessary to strengthen the group's revolutionary spirit. In reality, they only served to further divide and weaken the group, ultimately leading to their downfall. This tragic story serves as a reminder of the dangers of allowing group dynamics to spiral out of control, and the importance of maintaining healthy and respectful communication within groups.
Seeking Harmony Through Open Dialogue and Understanding: Instead of trying to eliminate disagreement, focus on open dialogue, self-improvement, and mutual understanding to build relationships and communities.
Idea that eliminating disagreement leads to harmony, as suggested by the speaker's reference to Stalinist Russia. However, this perspective is problematic and contradictory to the values of open communication and respect for differing viewpoints. A more productive approach to building relationships and communities is through open dialogue, self-improvement, and mutual understanding. Additionally, the discussion touched on various topics including transparency in CBD production, the importance of mental health support, and the value of community connections through media outlets like The Michigan Chronicle. The speakers also promoted their podcast, "Behind the Bastards," and their personal social media accounts. Lastly, the episode was sponsored by Lazarus Naturals, a company committed to transparency and quality in CBD production, and BetterHelp, an online therapy platform providing affordable mental health support. The speakers also mentioned their upcoming camping trip and the 2024 Cedar Point summer pass offer.
