Behind the Bastards Part One: Behind the Bastards Live Show: The Ballad of Bo Gritz
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Nov 18, 2025 In this live show, guest Jason Petty, a hip-hop artist known for his unique takes on politics, joins Robert to dissect the controversial figure Bo Gritz, a right-wing militia icon. They navigate Gritz’s wild life—from his questionable military claims to his ties with the Rambo mythos. The duo also dives deep into Gritz’s infamous exploits during the Vietnam War and examines the commercialization of the POW/MIA movement. With humor and insight, they punctuate the unsettling legacy of Gritz while engaging the audience in a spirited discussion.
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Special Forces Myth Became Celebrity Currency
- Bo Gritz became a central figure in the post‑Vietnam special‑forces mythmaking that fed into American cultural fascination with commandos.
- That mythology helped transform tactical heroes into national celebrities and grist for media like Rambo.
Childhood Fantasies Of Combat And Escape
- Bo idolized wartime heroism from childhood and fantasized about combat and exotic living conditions.
- He described playing in fields with make‑believe planes and living in a grass hut with a 'brown woman.'
From Juvenile Pranks To Military Path
- As a youth Bo engaged in petty crime, pranks, and was expelled from high school before attending military academy.
- He later framed those episodes as 'precocious' behavior rather than serious misconduct.
