The Wonderful Conspiracy feat Yasha Levine & Rowan Wernham (E283)
Jun 21, 2024
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Investigative journalist Yasha Levine and filmmaker Rowan Wernham discuss their upcoming documentary 'Pistachio Wars' exposing wealthy farmers controlling California's water. They delve into the impact of the Resnick couple's business ventures on agriculture, environmental harm, and unethical practices in the industry. The podcast explores conspiracy theories, agricultural power dynamics, and the Resnicks' influence on California's landscape.
Conspiracy theories about weather control overlook the reality of wealthy farmers manipulating California's water supply.
The Resnick family's wealth is built on environmentally destructive practices and philanthropic image laundering.
Lost Hills, a company town associated with agriculture and oil, faces health issues due to poor water quality and environmental pollution.
Deep dives
California Drought Conspiracy Theories
Conspiracy theories surrounding California's droughts include claims of government manipulation to control the weather, with concerns about chemicals sprayed into the skies by geo-engineers. Mainstream scientists and environmental activists dismiss these theories, attributing the prolonged drought to economic and political factors. The focus on the California drought highlights the complex interplay between natural resources, government actions, and corporate interests.
Dominance of Agricultural Interests in California
The documentary reveals the historical dominance of powerful agricultural families in California, controlling the state's water supply. These families, tracing back to the 19th century, quickly amassed control due to the capital-intensive nature of California farming. Large-scale farming, now dominated by a few cabals, remains a significant but overlooked political force in California, impacting water distribution, environmental sustainability, and agricultural practices.
Lost Hills: A Company Town Struggling with Environmental Issues
Lost Hills, a company town associated with the agricultural and oil industry, witnesses environmental challenges and health concerns. The town's water contains high levels of arsenic, leading to taste issues and health problems for residents. Despite cosmetic improvements, foundational issues such as poor water quality, air pollution from nearby oil fields, and health impacts persist, reflecting the complex socio-environmental landscape impacting local communities.
The Resnicks' Extreme Wealth and Environmental Impact
The Resnick family, known for their extreme wealth living in Beverly Hills and owning one of the largest mansions in the area, have built their fortune through agricultural businesses like pistachios. Their wealth comes from an environment poisoned by the oil industry and agricultural chemicals, impacting the health of people living and working in those areas. Despite their destructive practices, the Resnicks maintain a philanthropic image through donations to art institutions and political connections, manipulating public perception.
The Whitewashing of the Resnicks' Image and Media Influence
The Resnicks actively engage in image laundering by donating to cultural organizations and funding political campaigns to maintain a positive public perception. They utilize connections with media personalities like Stephen Colbert and involvement in the art scene to portray themselves as philanthropists. Journalistic coverage of their activities often whitewashes their environmental impact and wealth accumulation, highlighting their donations while downplaying their exploitation of resources and communities.
Conspiracy theories about weather control and the California Drought don't hold a candle to the grim reality: a cabal of wealthy farmers controlling California's water and committing ecocide. We speak to Yasha Levine and Rowan Wernham about their upcoming documentary, Pistachio Wars, a damning exposé of The Wonderful Company and the billionaire couple behind it: Lynda & Stewart Resnick.
Subscribe for $5 a month to get an extra episode of QAA every week + access to podcast mini-series like Manclan, Trickle Down, Perverts and The Spectral Voyager: http://www.patreon.com/QAA
Pistachio Wars: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pistachio-wars-pay-for-stock-footage / https://filmfreeway.com/pistachiowars / https://x.com/pistachiowars
Yasha Levine on Substack: http://yasha.substack.com
Editing by Corey Klotz. Theme by Nick Sena. Additional music by Pontus Berghe. Theme Vocals by THEY/LIVE (https://instagram.com/theyylivve / https://sptfy.com/QrDm). Cover Art by Pedro Correa: (https://pedrocorrea.com)
https://qaapodcast.com
QAA was known as the QAnon Anonymous podcast.
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