14 chapters across the catalog
Adam Curry labels former CIA officer John Kiriakou a "pathological liar," citing inconsistencies in his stories about prison life and the capture of Carlos the Jackal. Research into Kiriakou's legal history suggests he was not arrested for whistleblowing on torture, but rather for leaking classified identities of CIA personnel and lying to the publication review board.
CIA COVID Origin Whistleblower, Hush Money Allegations
Republican lawmakers sent a letter to CIA Director William Burns regarding a whistleblower's claim that six out of seven analysts on a COVID discovery team were offered "significant monetary incentives" to change their assessment of the virus's origins. The analysts reportedly favored the lab leak theory before being incentivized to support a more neutral or natural origin conclusion. The CIA has denied these allegations, maintaining their standards of analytic integrity.
Seymour Hersh Nord Stream Report, State Department Denial
Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh published a report alleging the U.S. military, under President Biden's direction, destroyed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. State Department spokesperson Ned Price and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan dismissed the report as "utter nonsense." The report claims the operation was moved from CIA oversight to the military to avoid Congressional reporting requirements under the War Powers Resolution.
The show concluded with a tease for the upcoming Sunday episode, which will cover a CIA whistleblower story and the Safari Club. The hosts noted that many "conspiracy theories" from a decade ago are now being accepted as mainstream facts. The episode signed off from "Opportunity Zone 33" in Austin and Northern Silicon Valley.
Eric Ciaramella CIA Background and John Brennan Connection
A report details the career of Eric Ciaramella, identifying him as a Yale graduate handpicked by former CIA Director John Brennan for a role at the National Security Council. The segment highlights Ciaramella's alleged history of left-wing activism and his rapid ascent within the intelligence community.
Media analyst Howard Kurtz and other Fox News personalities are criticized for their reluctance to name the alleged Ukraine whistleblower, Eric Ciaramella. While Real Clear Investigations and other outlets have identified Ciaramella as a CIA officer, many broadcast networks have avoided the name. The discussion explores the legal implications of "outing" a CIA officer and the perceived "wimpiness" of the press.
CIA Drug Running Allegations, Tricia Newbold Dwarfism
The hosts discuss theories that the CIA protects Afghan poppy fields to facilitate drug trafficking, referencing the film "American Gangster" as a historical parallel. They also comment on whistleblower Tricia Newbold, noting media reports that she has dwarfism. They suggest her physical appearance is being leveraged by Democrats to create a more sympathetic and memorable figure for the public.
Bergdahl claims his disappearance was a "Dust One" exercise intended to draw attention to poor leadership in his unit so he could act as a whistleblower. However, fellow soldiers interviewed in the podcast express suspicions that Bergdahl was a "mole" or CIA asset due to his unusual interactions with local Afghans. The hosts theorize that Bergdahl may have been part of a botched CIA extraction.
Edward Snowden has expressed a desire to return to the United States provided he receives a guarantee of a fair trial. The hosts reiterate their theory that Snowden is a CIA asset used to undermine the NSA. They discuss the logistical difficulty of "extracting" him from Russia and the likelihood of him being imprisoned upon arrival.
Former CIA officer John Kiriakou discussed his imprisonment under the Espionage Act during an interview on "Democracy Now!" Kiriakou was charged after providing a reporter with the business card of a former colleague who was a CIA contractor. While Kiriakou has been embraced as a whistleblower, the details of his case suggest he was prosecuted for a relatively minor disclosure of contact information rather than a principled leak of classified policy.
Intelligence Agency Infighting, FBI Surveillance Authority
The hosts analyze the Human Rights Watch report as a sign of a "turf war" between the CIA/State Department and the FBI/NSA. They detail the expansive surveillance authorities granted to the FBI under revised Attorney General guidelines, allowing for intelligence collection without specific suspicion of criminal activity.
Mike Morell Interview, Edward Snowden Patriotism Challenge
Former CIA Deputy Director Mike Morell appeared on Face the Nation to argue against amnesty for Edward Snowden. Morell challenged Snowden's claim of being a patriot, suggesting that if he truly wanted a debate on civil liberties, he should return to the U.S. to be judged. The hosts mock Morell's physical appearance and his dismissal of Snowden's attempts to use internal whistleblower channels.
Frank Wolf, Benghazi Survivor Non-Disclosure Agreements
Congressman Frank Wolf reported that survivors of the Benghazi attacks have been forced to sign additional non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) as recently as this summer. Wolf also claimed that a Marine Colonel responsible for special operations in Africa at the time of the attack is still on active duty, contrary to reports of his retirement. The hosts suggest these NDAs are being used to prevent damaging testimony before Congress.
The hosts discuss the Obama administration's aggressive use of the Espionage Act against former government employees, citing the case of James Hitzelberger. They argue that the government maintains a double standard where it demands transparency from citizens but hides its own actions behind claims of national security. They criticize the media for not challenging the assumption that whistleblowers are inherently criminal.
