To celebrate the show's anniversary, I'm unlocking what just might be the best episode I've ever done. Today I talk about a MKULTRA subproject studying sexual psychopaths; I believe it vindicates McGowan's Programmed to Kill thesis. This is truly insane stuff, and I don't believe anyone's made these connections before. I couldn't believe it. Songs: Piano and String Quartet by Morton Feldman (shout-out to whoever said it would be great in an episode, you weren't kidding) Murder Company by Church of Misery

Today I'm joined by Bill (@BTH_Bill) and Boltzmann Booty (@BoltzmannBooty) to discuss the Oklahoma City Bombing generally and Andreas Strassmeir specifically. They walk us through the basics of the bombing and some reasons to doubt the official 'lone wolf' narrative. We discussed the 1988 Sedition Trial, the nature of informants and provocateurs, and got into the life of Strassmeir. They made a convincing case that Strassmeir was an informant based on his prior counterintelligence work, behavior, and actions. They explained Vincent Petruskie, Strassmeir's extracurricular activities, his visa, PATCON, Dave Holloway, the infamous traffic stop, and Elohim City. Bill and Boltzmann Booty walked us through the body of evidence linking Strassmeir to Timothy McVeigh and the bombing plot, Strassmeir's escape, and his subsequent activities. Finally, we attempted to come to an understanding of what happened at Oklahoma City. Links: The OKC Bombing Archive at the Libertarian Institute: https://libertarianinstitute.org/okc/ @BoltzmannBooty threads: https://twitter.com/BoltzmannBooty/status/1427054422572642313?t=lR2q5dCvrvGFO51_vuv-Lg&s=19 JD Cash: www.constitution.org/1-Corruption/okc/jdt05-07.htm Aberration in the Heartland of the Real by Dr. Wendy Painting: https://trineday.myshopify.com/products/aberration-in-the-heartland-of-the-real Songs: Comancheria by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis Lord of the Plains by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis Comancheria II by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis

Today we wind the clock back a bit and discuss some geopolitics to better contextualize Imperial Japan, and to understand the different factions within the Japanese government. Specifically, we talk about the pro-Russian and anti-Russian factions, who they were, who backed them, and how the alignments worked. From there, we discuss the Ōtsu Incident, weirdly not very well-known in the West, which was when a Japanese police officer attempted to assassinate the Tsarevich Nikolai II on a visit to Japan. This prompted a massive international incident. You know I have to get a bit nutty discussing the would-be assassin. To wrap it up, I discuss a few more obscure Japanese secret societies, and the Russo-Japanese war. Note: over time the free episode feed will post less regularly, eventually down to maybe one episode a month, but for now, it'll probably be every other week Song: Jazz Suite, Waltz No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich

Today we finish the story of Yoshiko Kawashima, covering the decline of her career. Along the way, Yoshiko starts a restaurant, she hangs out with the actress Yoshiko Yamaguchi, and Ryōichi Sasakawa make an appearance. We go over the demise of more of her lovers, and discuss her pet monkeys. Ultimately, Yoshiko is put on trial and executed. To wrap it up, we talk about what happened to her family in communist China and come to some conclusion about her life. Song: Mata Hari by Efendi

We pick up on the story of Yoshiko Kawashima in Shanghai; she left for Manchuria shortly after the Manchurian Incident. This is where she interacts with Emperor Puyi, and when Kawashima starts working for Ryukichi Tanaka of Japanese military intelligence. We discuss Kawashima's role in the Shanghai Incident, and then her role leading 'Vigilance Corps' in Rehe. To conclude, we discuss the nature of the state of Manchukuo. Songs: She Wonders Why by Whitey Smith Nighttime Shanghai Dance by Whitey Smith

Part 1 out of 3 You know I had to revisit the life of Yoshiko Kawashima, Japan's gender-nonconforming ethnic Manchu princess and spy. This episode sets the stage, discussing Kawashima's biological and adopted fathers, the circumstances surrounding her childhood, her inspirations, suitors, and the first indications that a legend was being contrived. We follow her life up to her marriage with a Mongol military officer - generally everything before she became famous. Song: Numb (Linkin Park cover) by Kuular

Today I'm joined by Rob McKenzie, the author of El Golpe: US Labor, the CIA, and the Coup at Ford in Mexico, to discuss the CIA's subversion of the international labor movement. He takes us through a crash course on modern US labor history and focuses on the American Institute for Free Labor Development (AIFLD), a little-known organization that played an outsized role in geopolitics through its role in labor. Along the way we discuss James Jesus Angleton, George Meany, Jay Lovestone, the Reuther brothers, and meet several very interesting characters.  We discuss AIFLD's role in Guyana, Brazil, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Chile as setup to discuss the potentially revolutionary context of Mexico in the 1980s. That's when the strikes at Ford Cuautitlán led to a massacre due to the involvement of AIFLD and other actors. It's a great interview for an exceptional book. Links: https://www.plutobooks.com/9780745345628/el-golpe/ Songs: UAW-CIO by Pete Seeger Luz y Sombra by Ry Cooder

Today we wrap up the story of Nisshō Inoue, picking up with his time in prison, where he received uniquely lax/privileged treatment. Interestingly, Inoue was placed in charge of Tenko at Kosuge prison, and met several notable inmates. Then, like with Alfried Krupp, we trace Inoue's first day out of prison; I argue that a person's first day out of prison says quite a lot about that person. Then we cover Inoue's new role/identity as advisor to Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe. After the war, Inoue was interrogated by SCAP upwards of 28 times, and met some very interesting SCAP figures. I sidetrack myself talking about the journalist Mark Gayn, who had some interesting interactions with Inoue. Then I cover the end of Inoue's life as a political fixer and old man perv. Finally, I reveal the hidden, occulted truth about prewar ultranationalist terrorism, including but not limited to Nisshō Inoue. Songs: Come Spy with Me by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles Battotai, the Imperial Japanese Army March

Today we discuss Nisshō Inoue's many, many connections with ultranationalist terrorism, and the attacks he planned in with the Blood Oath Corps Incident. This was an extreme plan that, were it to have succeeded, would have assassinated 20 of the top zaibatsu executives and politicians in Japan. They managed to kill a central banker as well as a Mitsui executive. The high-profile trial allowed Inoue and his accomplices to present their case to the public. Finally, we discuss the fallout of the Blood Oath Corps Incident on Taisho democracy. Song: Runaway Horses by Philip Glass

Today we explore Nisshō Inoue's spiritual life, and watch his voyage into Zen Buddhism. We discuss his spiritual practice as an ascetic, and cover his dreams and visions. Did Inoue achieve enlightenment? Inoue made a number of prophecies, as well. Inoue's relationship to the Nichiren sect is discussed. Finally, we leave Inoue receiving post-enlightenment training. Songs: various tracks from Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters by Philip Glass outro - "Mishima / Closing"