JFK advisor Schlesinger's chilling warning about the CIA

Summary

The transcript discusses the release of JFK files by the Trump administration, touching on the CIA's historical operations and their influence on U.S. foreign policy. The conversation highlights key documents that expose covert activities, such as CIA involvement in the Hungarian Uprising and its ties with Israeli intelligence. It also critiques the lack of accountability for past CIA actions and the ongoing secrecy surrounding government operations. The speaker draws parallels between past and present intelligence abuses, questioning the transparency and oversight of the intelligence community under current and former administrations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Trump Administration is expected to release more JFK files, but the release coincides with major current events, such as violence in Gaza, making it hard to focus on the historical content.
• 😀 Some of the released JFK files confirm historical knowledge about the CIA's covert operations, shedding light on how the U.S. National Security State has evolved since the post-WWII era.
• 😀 One significant document is an Arthur Schlesinger memo from 1961, warning JFK about the CIA becoming a 'state within a state' that was overtaking the State Department and operating with its own military force.
• 😀 The memo discusses the CIA's unchecked covert operations in places like Iran, Cuba, and Guatemala, which were damaging to U.S. credibility and possibly led to JFK’s assassination due to a lack of support for anti-Castro forces.
• 😀 A CIA document outlines how the U.S. State Department served as a cover for CIA activities in Cuba, highlighting ongoing covert intelligence operations through diplomatic channels.
• 😀 The CIA has conducted surveillance on U.S. citizens, with covert operations like monitoring phone calls in locations like Warrenton, Virginia, and testing surveillance technologies with the claim that records were discarded.
• 😀 The 'Birds Aren't Real' movement is mentioned as a mockery of conspiracy theorists, seemingly supported by the establishment for reinforcing a trust in the government, though the nature of the movement’s support remains suspicious.
• 😀 A CIA document confirms that birds were trained for surveillance tasks, carrying intelligence-gathering devices such as audio recorders and cameras, used for domestic surveillance without the knowledge of citizens.
• 😀 The CIA's involvement in the 1956 Hungarian uprising is explored, revealing that the Hungarian opposition, including figures like Bella Kali, was tied to the CIA, confirming suspicions of U.S. interference in foreign uprisings.
• 😀 The relationship between CIA head James Jesus Angleton and various intelligence agencies, including the FBI and Israeli intelligence, is revealed, with documents showing Angleton’s extensive covert activities and influence in global intelligence networks.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the conversation in the script?

The conversation primarily discusses the release of JFK files by the Trump Administration, the CIA’s covert operations during the Cold War, and the implications of these activities on modern-day intelligence and government secrecy.

What is the significance of Arthur Schlesinger's 1961 memo to JFK mentioned in the script?

Arthur Schlesinger’s 1961 memo warned JFK about the growing power of the CIA, describing it as a 'state within a state' with its own military and foreign policy influence, which overshadowed traditional U.S. diplomatic efforts.

How does the conversation describe the relationship between the CIA and U.S. foreign policy?

The conversation highlights that the CIA’s covert operations often shaped U.S. foreign policy, sometimes without the approval of the president, and played a significant role in historical events like the Iran coup, the Bay of Pigs, and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

What was the CIA’s involvement in Cuba during the Cold War, as discussed in the script?

The CIA’s involvement in Cuba included using the State Department as cover for espionage, conducting covert operations, and attempting to overthrow Fidel Castro. The conversation also touches on the CIA's role in training opposition groups in Cuba.

What role did James Jesus Angleton play in the CIA, according to the script?

James Jesus Angleton was the head of CIA counterintelligence in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He had close ties with Israeli intelligence and was also a confidential informant for the FBI, highlighting the interconnected nature of U.S. intelligence agencies.

What is the significance of the CIA’s covert operations in Hungary in 1956?

The CIA’s covert operations in Hungary involved stirring up the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, and the script reveals that a key figure in the Hungarian opposition, Bela Kali, was a CIA asset, confirming U.S. involvement in manipulating events in Hungary during the Cold War.

What is the ‘Birds Aren’t Real’ movement mentioned in the conversation?

The ‘Birds Aren’t Real’ movement is a satirical conspiracy theory run by Gen Z liberals, mocking the idea of government surveillance by claiming that birds are not real but are instead government surveillance drones. The conversation suggests that the movement is being supported by the establishment to restore trust among youth.

How does the conversation address the issue of domestic surveillance by the CIA?

The conversation discusses how the CIA has historically conducted domestic surveillance, including testing surveillance equipment on birds. This highlights concerns about the CIA’s domestic activities and the lack of oversight on such programs.

What was the role of the AFL-CIO in CIA operations, according to the script?

The script reveals that the CIA had influence over the AFL-CIO, particularly the AFL, which was used to undermine socialist movements in other countries. The AFL was involved in sabotage operations against foreign trade unions advocating for socialism or better working conditions.

What criticism does the conversation make about contemporary government transparency and intelligence oversight?

The conversation criticizes the lack of real accountability for intelligence agencies, even after historical documents like the JFK files have been released. It suggests that despite attempts at transparency, the CIA continues to operate without sufficient oversight, and there is no serious effort to reform these agencies.