Episode 187: Oh Good, The Explosion Understanders Have Logged On
Oct 21, 2023
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The podcast explores topics such as gender dynamics in true crime, COVID and mental health, the Israel-Gaza war and online misinformation, misleading journalism in the Gaza conflict, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, a film about child rescuer Tim Ballard and its reception, controversial beliefs and actions of an anti-trafficking organization, and alcohol restrictions, a ketamine lawsuit, and excommunication in Mormonism.
The film "Sound of Freedom," featuring Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad, has sparked controversy due to its portrayal of child trafficking and allegations of manipulation and coercion against Ballard.
Critics have raised concerns about the tactics used by Operation Underground Railroad, questioning the extent of their impact on combating human trafficking and their portrayal of the industry.
Deep dives
The Controversy Surrounding the Film "Sound of Freedom" and Operation Underground Railroad
"Sound of Freedom" is a movie that tells the story of Tim Ballard, a former CIA and Homeland Security agent who quits his job to become a freelance child rescuer. The film, which has garnered mixed reviews, became a hot topic in the culture wars, as it was seen by some as a QAnon adjacent power fantasy and by others as a heroic fight against child trafficking. However, critics have raised concerns about the film's politics and the tactics used by the organization Operation Underground Railroad, of which Ballard is a founder. This conservative-run group, primarily comprised of Mormons, conducts undercover operations and stage raids to rescue children from trafficking, often accompanied by a significant media presence. Liberal critics question the group's claims about the extent of child trafficking and have accused them of exaggerating their successes. Overall, the film and the organization behind it have become subjects of debate and controversy.
Allegations against Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad
Allegations have surfaced against Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad, a group focused on combating human trafficking. The anonymous letter sent to employees and donors accuses Ballard of manipulating and coercing multiple women into sexual acts under the guise of saving children. The accusations include engaging in a 'couples ruse,' practicing tantric massages, and pressuring women into performing sex acts while on operations. Ballard denies these allegations, but multiple women have come forward, and some have filed lawsuits. The LDS Church publicly denounced Ballard following an investigation into his misuse of a high-ranking church elder's name for personal gain. The church's denouncement is rare and significant within the Mormon community. Ballard's political ambitions and reputation have taken a hit, leaving his future uncertain.
Implications and fallout of the allegations
The allegations against Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad have shaken supporters and raised questions about the authenticity of their anti-trafficking efforts. Critics argue that the group entraps individuals and targets low-level operatives, providing limited impact on the actual industry. There are also concerns about complicity with local law enforcement and the accuracy of their portrayal of human trafficking. The lawsuits, public denouncement by the LDS Church, and growing number of accusers have damaged Ballard's credibility and political aspirations. The divide between the populist right, who hail Ballard as a hero, and the institutionalist leaders within the Mormon community adds another layer of complexity to this scandal.
This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss how our most trust-worthy disinformation experts correct the record except when they don’t. Plus, conservative hero Tim Ballard faces the wrath of the nicest people on Earth.
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(CORRECTION: In the original version of this episode that Primos heard before it went up for everyone else on Monday morning, I misunderstood some of the evidence suggesting Israel wasn’t responsible for the attack on the Gazan hospital. I’ve now re-recorded that bit with the below corrections, and if you scroll down to the tweet from Marc Garlasco, you’ll see my mistake: He was talking about the width of the crater, not its depth. Many thanks to the listener who wrote in to point this out, and I apologize for the error. -Jesse
Corrected version, with old, false material struck through and new, correct material in bold:
~9:56: "And you can see an impact crater which is only about one meter 30 centimeters deep wide or so. And he basically said, and again, this is a guy who is highly qualified on these issues, that this could not have been caused by Israeli weaponry, because that weaponry tends to leave nine-meter-deep wide craters, and there's a big difference between one meter 30 centimeters and nine meters.")