The Pete Quiñones Show **Throwback** Italy's Devastating 'Years of Lead' w/ Patrick from Surviving Weimerika
Sep 12, 2025
Italy's 'Years of Lead' from 1968 to 1988 is a deep dive into a turbulent era marked by violent political extremism. The discussion spans the dynamics between far-right and leftist movements, influenced by historical figures like Mazzini and the Red Brigade. Key events, such as the Piazza Fontana bombing and the Aldo Moro kidnapping, highlight a landscape fraught with crime and conspiracy. The conversation also draws parallels to contemporary political issues, revealing how past ideologies continue to shape today's social climate.
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How Freda Sparked The Inquiry
- Patrick traced his interest in the Years of Lead to neo-fascist thinker Franco Freda and the role of accelerationism.
- He argues Italy's extremes oscillated politically and influenced both right and left violence.
Lodges As Political Tools
- Patrick explains Mazzini used the lodge system as a political tool rather than mystical Freemasonry.
- He links Italy's secret-society tradition to later influence like Propaganda Due in modern politics.
US Intelligence Shaped Postwar Italy
- Patrick connects James Jesus Angleton and US intelligence involvement to postwar Italian politics.
- He suggests Gladio-like networks and American collusion shaped anti-communist efforts in Italy.
