Behind the Bastards: Part One – How The U.S. Government Used Aliens To Destroy a Man's Mind

Release Date: February 11, 2025
Host: Jim Sterling
Guest: Brandy Posey
Producer: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of this multipart series titled "How The U.S. Government Used Aliens To Destroy a Man's Mind," host Jim Sterling delves deep into the murky intersection of government disinformation and UFO conspiracy theories. Sterling brings back Brandy Posey as a guest to explore how one man's genuine pursuit of truth was systematically dismantled by intelligence agencies. The conversation sets the stage for a riveting exploration of governmental manipulation, the birth of UFO culture, and the personal tragedy of Paul Benowitz.

The Origins of UFO Culture

Project Mogul and Roswell
Sterling begins by tracing the roots of modern UFO mythology to the post-World War II era. He explains how Project Mogul, a secret Air Force initiative aimed at detecting Soviet nuclear tests using high-altitude balloons, inadvertently sowed the seeds for the Roswell incident in 1947. Sterling states:

"[...] Project Mogul was set up to record evidence of Soviet nuclear trials. One of these balloons crashed near Roswell, and due to its classified nature, the Air Force had to cover it up, leading to the infamous UFO claims."
— Jim Sterling [14:50]

Early Government Disinformation
The term "unidentified flying phenomena" (UAP) became the official nomenclature, neither confirming nor denying extraterrestrial involvement. Sterling emphasizes how the government's initial miscommunication fueled public hysteria and skepticism:

"The government initially said it was a weather balloon, but the secrecy behind Project Mogul led investigators to believe they had encountered something extraterrestrial."
— Jim Sterling [15:20]

The Rise and Fall of UFO Interest

Cattle Mutilations in New Mexico
Moving forward to the 1970s, Sterling discusses the mysterious cattle mutilations near Dulce, New Mexico. Gabe Valdez, a state trooper and ufology figure, uncovers disturbing evidence suggesting these mutilations were tied to Project Gas Buggy, part of the larger Project Plowshare initiative aimed at using nuclear explosions for civil engineering purposes.

"Valdez discovered that the cattle were drugged with atropine and a gas mask was found at the site, pointing towards a government experiment rather than alien involvement."
— Jim Sterling [37:39]

Government Projects and Plans (Project Plowshare, Gas Buggy)
Sterling provides an overview of the Plowshare program, highlighting its ambitious—and ultimately disastrous—attempts to repurpose nuclear technology for peaceful uses, such as creating harbors and extracting natural gas.

"Project Gas Buggy involved detonating a 29-kiloton bomb to fracture rock formations for gas extraction, which contaminated the natural gas with radioactive tritium, rendering it unusable."
— Jim Sterling [49:03]

The Story of Paul Benowitz

Background and Career
Paul Benowitz, an engineer with a master's degree in physics, founded Thunder Scientific in 1969, supplying measurement instruments to NASA and the Air Force. Sterling portrays him as a dedicated professional whose fascination with UFOs began in the mid-1970s.

"Benowitz was an open-minded seeker, deeply patriotic, and genuinely interested in uncovering the truth behind the UFO phenomena."
— Jim Sterling [33:32]

Involvement in UFO Research
Benowitz's participation in UFO conferences and his collaboration with Gabe Valdez positioned him as a credible figure within the UFO community. Their joint investigations into unexplained aerial phenomena further entangled them in governmental scrutiny.

"Paul installed an arsenal of tracking antennas on his roof to record signals from UFOs, believing these craft posed a national security threat."
— Jim Sterling [62:43]

Government Targeting
As Benowitz's findings garnered attention, the government recognized him as a potential threat to their clandestine projects. Sterling introduces Richard Doty, an Air Force intelligence officer tasked with discrediting Benowitz's claims.

"Doty was brought in to manipulate and undermine Benowitz, effectively destroying his credibility and mental stability to protect classified government operations."
— Jim Sterling [63:31]

Government Manipulation and Disinformation

Use of Con Men like Silas Newton
Sterling discusses how the government, particularly the CIA and NSA, employed individuals like Silas Newton to spread false UFO narratives, thereby discrediting genuine investigators. Newton's fabricated stories about alien encounters were part of a broader psychological warfare strategy.

"Silas Newton was a con man who sold fake oil leases and spread lies about aliens, likely at the behest of intelligence agencies aiming to muddy the waters of UFO research."
— Jim Sterling [20:06]

Richard Doty's Role
Doty’s involvement in manipulating Benowitz is highlighted as a central theme of the episode. His efforts to gaslight Benowitz exemplify the government's broader strategy to suppress whistleblowers and control the narrative around UFO phenomena.

"Doty's mission was clear: undermine Benowitz's credibility and ensure that his legitimate concerns about classified projects remained buried."
— Jim Sterling [63:31]

Connections to Modern Conspiracy Theories

Impact on QAnon and X-Files
Sterling draws parallels between historical government disinformation campaigns and contemporary conspiracy theories like QAnon. He suggests that the foundational myths of UFO culture have influenced today's belief systems, perpetuating mistrust in government institutions.

"The disinformation tactics used in the early UFO era laid the groundwork for modern conspiracy theories, making it easier for movements like QAnon to gain traction."
— Jim Sterling [03:46]

Cultural Representation
The influence of these real-world events on popular culture is discussed, notably their impact on iconic shows like The X-Files. Sterling notes how government manipulation feeds into fictional narratives, blurring the lines between reality and entertainment.

"The X-Files drew heavily from actual government disinformation campaigns, encapsulating the paranoia and mistrust that have long surrounded UFO phenomena."
— Jim Sterling [09:08]

Conclusion and Cliffhanger

As the episode wraps up, Sterling sets the stage for the next installment by highlighting the imminent confrontation between Paul Benowitz and Richard Doty. This cliffhanger promises an in-depth look into the tactics used to dismantle Benowitz's credibility and the broader implications for whistleblowers facing government suppression.

"In Part Two, we'll uncover how Doty systematically destroyed Benowitz's mind, ensuring that his discoveries about secret government projects remained hidden."
— Jim Sterling [65:25]

Brandy Posey enthusiastically teases the continuation, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for an unraveling narrative that not only sheds light on historical injustices but also reflects ongoing struggles between truth-seekers and powerful institutions.

Notable Quotes:

• Jim Sterling [02:13]: "The Air Force was like, let's convince this guy it's all aliens. And they kind of destroyed his mind."

• Brandy Posey [35:23]: "Somebody's gotta be throwing the after parties. So you have these guys there."

• Jim Sterling [39:03]: "Project Plowshare was named after Isaiah 2, 4 in the Bible. They will beat their swords into plowshares."

• Jim Sterling [63:09]: "Benowitz received what he believed were alien transmissions."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Behind the Bastards masterfully intertwines historical events with personal narratives, offering listeners a compelling examination of how government actions can profoundly impact individual lives and shape cultural myths. Sterling and Posey's dynamic discussion not only entertains but also provokes critical thinking about the nature of truth, power, and the lengths to which authorities will go to maintain control.

Listeners are left eagerly anticipating Part Two, where the full extent of the government's psychological warfare against a truth-seeker will be unveiled.

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